City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JANUARY 24, 2023 FROM: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: CITY OF RIVERSIDE BIENNIAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM FOR 2023-2024 ISSUE:
Approve the City of Riverside’s Biennial Legislative Platform.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the City of Riverside’s Biennial Legislative Platform; and Direct staff to coordinate with the City’s legislative advocacy teams to advance the City’s legislative and funding priorities.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Riverside (City) utilizes advocacy services at both the State and Congressional level to advance the City’s legislative agenda. Every two years, the City Council considers an update to the City’s Legislative Platform (Platform) to coincide with a new legislative session.
In November 2022, City department directors and staff provided input on recommended changes to the Platform. In December 2022, the Mayor and City Council were given an opportunity to review the Platform and provide feedback.
The Platform has been developed with input from the Mayor, department directors and the City Manager’s Office. Additionally, the Platform is informed by the legislative priorities of local and regional partner agencies and organizations. The Platform outlines policy statements regarding legislative and regulatory issues that are of interest to the City and are likely to come forward during the California Legislature’s 2023-24 Session or the 118th Congress.
The City Council adopted the City of Riverside 2022 Legislative Platform on February 15, 2022.
DISCUSSION:
The Platform provides policy direction on State and Federal issues and provides for a streamlined process that enables City officials, staff and legislative advocates to act in a timely manner to take positions on policy issues that affect City operations. The Platform highlights Riverside’s legislative priorities and codifies the City’s positions on legislation, regulatory proposals, and funding opportunities. The Platform also informs organizations with an advocacy presence, such as the League of California Cities, of the City’s legislative interests.
Proposed changes to the Platform include:
City-specific priorities related to behavioral and mental health, housing and homelessness, recreational opportunities and the Santa Ana River.
State priorities that emphasize the City’s core values and advance the Cross-Cutting Threads of Community Trust, Equity, Fiscal Responsibility, Innovation, and Sustainability & Resiliency.
Federal priorities that enhance the ability of local elected officials to respond to the needs of their constituents.
Positions and Policy Statements categorized under the umbrella of the City Council’s six strategic priority areas of arts, culture and recreation, community well-being, economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, high performing government, and infrastructure, mobility and connectivity.
The Platform further describes additional legislative issues and funding priorities. The City may support legislation that is consistent with the Platform and may oppose legislation that is inconsistent with the Platform. Legislative matters will be reviewed and considered by the City Manager’s Office and position letters will be coordinated with the Mayor’s Office for signature as appropriate.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The City’s Legislative Platform contributes to the six Strategic Priorities in the Envision Riverside 2025 Strategic Plan and aligns with each of the five Cross Cutting Threads.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Prepared by: Chekesha Gilliam, Intergovernmental Relations Officer Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments: 2023-24 Legislative Platform
City of Riverside Biennial Legislative Platform for 2023-2024 ● Page 2