City of Santa Clara
Policy and Procedure Manual
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY POSITION POLICY
PURPOSE To establish clear guidelines for advancing City goals and positions through legislative review and advocacy at the regional, state, and federal levels of government and to provide guidance for City officials who serve on regional, state, and nati
onal boards, committees, and commissions
when they are asked to review public policy matters and issues.
POLICY To attain a comprehensive review of legislation affecting cities, to obtain the Council position on proposed legislation, to make the City’s position known, and to maintain a record of pertinent information, the following guidelines shall be followed.
All legislative reviews are to be made on the basis of the effect on the City and citizens as a whole, and taking into account existing City posi tions, policies, or goals, rather than on the individual’s personal feelings.
The guiding principles for legislative advocacy include and are not limited to:
• Support the League of California Cities and National League of Cities positions on priority bills that benefit Santa Clara. • Protect local revenue sources and prevent unfunded mandates. • Protect and/or increase funding for specific programs and services. • Protect and/or increase local government discretion.
• Advance approved policies such as the City’s Statement of Values, the General Plan, or the Climate Action Plan.
Annually, Legislative Advocacy Positions ( LAP) shall be adopted or updated by the City Council at the beginning of the calendar year to identify specific legislative priorities outside of the legislative guiding principles listed above and posted on the City’s website.
PROCEDURE
FOR
EVALUATING
AND
SUPPORTING
LEGISLATIVE
ADVOCACY
Legislation and issues of interest are brought to the City’s attention through several means: the League of Cali
fornia Cities, the National League of
Cities, the Cities Association of Santa Clara County, Council Members, city staff, citizens, and professional or governmental organizations and legislators. All legislation or issues of interest are to be referred to the City Manager’s Office.
1. City Manager’s Office (CMO) reviews the proposed legislation and, if warrants, requests assistance from one or more departments.
Adopted 10/9/2018
Resolution No. 18-8611
P&P 052 Page 1 of 2
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY POSITION POLICY (cont.)
2. CMO/Department evaluates the bill for its impact upon Santa Clara, recommends a position and potential action, and drafts a position statement or support/opposition letter.
3. If Council has previously adopted a policy directly relevant to the legislation or the proposed legislation is generally consistent with the City’s overall guiding principles for legislative advocacy or LAP, the Mayor or City Manager may sign a letter supporting or opposing legislation on behalf of the city as further detailed below.
4. If a Council policy relative to the legislation does not exist, the issue is politically controversial, or there is significant local interest in the issue, the proposed legislation including a recommendation to support, remain neutral, or not support the legislation is brought to Council for consideration.
5. Letters and other communications expressing the City’s position on legislation will customarily bear the signature of the Mayor in accordance with City Charter Section 704.2 – 704.3. If the legislation’s principal impact affects the City’s operation, the communication may be signed by the City Manager.
6. In order to keep the Council informed of all City communications on legislation, copies of the letter or summary of actions will be distributed to the City Council as information items in the Council Meeting Agendas.
7. Staff will provide and/or coordinate quarterly legislative updates on public policy items of interest to Council and departments.
Adopted 10/9/2018
Resolution No. 18-8611
P&P 052 Page 2 of 2
RESOLUTION NO. 18-8611
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
ADOPTING A LEGISLATIVE ADOVACY POSITION POLICY AND
RESCINDING COUNCIL POLICY 018 POSITION ON NON-CITY-
RELATEDISSUES
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA AS FOLLOWS:
W HEREAS, establishing a Legislative Advocacy Position Policy will provide guidelines for advancing City goals and positions through legislative review and advocacy at the regional, state, and federal levels of government; and,
W HEREAS, establishing a Legislative Advocacy Position Policy will provide guidance for City officials who serve on regional, state, and national boards, committees, and commission when they are asked to review public policy matters and issues; and, W HEREAS, the Legislative Advocacy Position Policy, attached hereto as Attachment 1, will expedite and streamline the City of Santa Clara's legislative advocacy processes.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA AS FOLLOWS:
That the Legislative Advocacy Position Policy, attached hereto as Attachment 1, is hereby approved and adopted, and the City Manager is directed to number (and renumber, as appropriate) the Council Policy Manual such that they are organized in a logical fashion.
2. That Council Policy 018 Position on Non-City-Related Issues is hereby rescinded. //
//
//
//
//
//
//
Resolution/Adoption of Legislative Advocacy Position Policy Page 1 of 2 Rev: 11 /22/17
3. Effective date. This resolution shall become effective immediately.
HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE A TRUE COPY OF A RESOLUTION PASSED
AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, AT A REGULAR MEETING THEREOF HELD ON THE 9th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2018, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: COUNCILORS: Davis, Kolstad, Mahan, O'Neill, and Watanabe and Mayor Gillmor
NOES: COUNCILORS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILORS: None
ABSTAINED: COUNCILORS: None
ATTEST'
JENNIFER YAMAGUMA
ACTING CITY CLERK
CITY OF SANTA CLARA
Attachments incorporated by reference:
1. Legislative Advocacy Position Policy
Resolution/Adoption of Legislative Advocacy Position Policy Page 2 of 2 Rev: 11 /22/17