CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
Ap
ril 21, 2025
TO: Cit
y Council
Board of Directors, Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8 Board of Trustees, Simi Valley Library
FROM: Office of the City Manager/Executive Director/Officer SUBJECT: APPROVAL AN D ADOPTION OF THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council/Board of Directors/Board of Trus tees adopt the attached 2025–2027 Legislative Platform (Exhibit A, page 3) as proposed.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
The Legislative Platform (Platform) serves as the guiding policy document for the City when determining whether to take a position on proposed legislation at the State and Federal levels that may impact the City and, if so, the nature of that position. The City Council reviewed and adopted the 2025–2027 Legislative Platform at its March 31, 2025, meeting.
During the April 7, 2025, City Council meeting, Council Member Rhodes requested that the Council consider updating the Platform to allow the City to take positions on legislation addressing sober living facilities. The proposed updated Legislative Platform (Exhibit A) reflects City Council feedback, incorporates requested changes shared during the March 31 meeting, and Council Member Rhodes’ request.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
A Legislative Platform is an essential tool enabling staff to evaluate proposed legislation.
It provides a structured framework for deciding whether to draft and submit letters of support or opposition to legislators. This approach allows staff to proactively manage the City’s legislative program and address issues within its jurisdiction that could significantly affect its interests. Staff will continue to elevate matters not addressed within the Platform to the City Council for policy direction and action as appropriate.
The City is currently home to approximately 10 sober living facilities and has no oversight as the approval of such facilities is left to various State agencies and the Ventura County Fire District. A Sober Living Task Force has been formed, which includes elected officials from across the State, including Council Member Rhodes. This Task Force has proposed AGENDA ITEM NO.
9A
a package of ni ne bills addressing topics from local regulation to certification, licensing, and beyond to better regulate the industry.
Staff has evaluated the Platform that the City Council approved during the March 31 Council meeting and incorporated an additional item in Section VI. Homelessness, item d to accommodate this request:
S
upport legislation for sober living and recovery homes that aligns with local efforts to ensure community safety and effective treatment options.
T
he following alternatives are available to the City Council/Board of Directors/Board of Trustees:
1. Adopt the attached 2025 Legislative Platform as proposed;
2. R
equest additional amendments to the 2025 Legislative Platform and adopt the document with amendments;
3 Provide additional direction.
S
taff recommends Alternative No. 1.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MOTION
I
move to approve and adopt the attached 2025 Legislative Platform as proposed.
SUMMARY
T
he Legislative Platform serves as the guiding policy document for the City when determining whether to take a position on proposed legislation at the State and Federal levels that may impact the City and, if so, the nature of that position. During the April 7, 2025, City Council meeting, Council Member Rhodes requested that the Council consider updating the Platform to allow the City to take positions on legislation addressing sober living facilities. The proposed updated Legislative Platform (Exhibit A) reflects City Council feedback, incorporates requested changes shared during the March 31 meeting, and Council Member Rhodes’ request. Staff recommends that the City Council/Board of Directors/Board of Trustees adopt the attached 2025– 2027 Legislative Platform as proposed.
___
_________________________________
Heather Sumagaysay,
Deputy City Manager
P
repared by: Heather Sumagaysay, Deputy City Manager
INDEX Page
E
xhibit A – 2025-27 Legislative Platform……………………………..3
2 1
Introduction and Purpose
The City of Simi Valley maintains a Legislative Platform to facilitate the City’s expeditious response to county, State, and federal legislation proactively. Since legislation can often move quickly through legislative bodies, with insufficient time for the City Council to take formal action, the Legislative Platform further serves as a guide for the City Council to consider legislative affairs on an ad hoc basis.
Whenever possible, the Mayor (or Mayor Pro Tem or City Manager, in the Mayor’s absence) is authorized to sign correspondence expressing the City’s position on pending legislation, consistent with the City ’s Legislative Platform and/or other positions on pending legislation consistent with prior City Council actions.
City staff monitors State and county legislation for potential impacts to the City . Federal legislation may also be brought to staff’s attention by the League of California Cities, Ventura Council of Governments, or other professional organizations in fields such as engineering, water, finance, community development, or public safety.
City positions on pending legislation on topics not included in the Legislative Platform require a vote of the City Council. Nothing in the Legislative Platform is intended to preclude consideration of any legislation by the City Council, regardless of whether it is included in the Legislative Platform.
City positions in support of legislation on a specified topic shall be construed as opposition to something that shall do the opposite, and the reverse is also true. For example, if the Legislative Platform supports increased funding for libraries, it also inherently opposes decreased funding for libraries.
The City may participate in legislative-focused events hosted by the League of California Cities that include updates from the League of California Cities and its lobbyists representing cities’ interests, panel discussions of critical issues, meetings with the City’s representatives in the State Assembly and State Senate, and other networking opportunities. The City ’s elected officials and City staff may also participate in the League’s Policy Committees, which focus on specific policy areas. Staff communicates regularly with elected officials and their representatives to address issues that arise in the City that may best be resolved with legislative action. 3 EXHIBIT A
2 Table of Contents
1. General Governance .................................................................................. 4
1. Local Control
2. Workers’ Compensation
3. Unemployment Compensation
4. Labor Relations
5. State and Local Government Relations
6. Pension Reform
7. Telecommunications
8. Business Establishments/Licenses
9. Economic Development
10. Litigation Reform
11. Open Meeting Law (Brown Act)
2. Loc
al Government Finance ........................................................................ 7
1. State-Federal Mandated Programs
2. Long- Term Financing of Local Agencies
3. Revenues, Fees, and Taxes
3. P
ublic Safety .............................................................................................. 9
1. Crime
2. Drugs
3. Marijuana Regulation
4. Homeland Security
5. Emergency Preparedness
4. T
ransportation and Public Works ............................................................... 11
1. Transportation
2. Vehicles
3. Solid Waste and Recycling
4. Public Works
5. R
esources and Environment ...................................................................... 13
1. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
2. Water
3. Storm Drain and Sewer
4. Air Quality
5. Energy
6. Utilities
4 3
6. C ommunity Development ........................................................................... 16
1. Housing
2. Land Use
3. Successor Agencies
7. H
omelessness ........................................................................................... 19
8. Public Library ............................................................................................. 19
9. The Arts, Cultural Resources, Historic Preservation .................................. 20
10. Animal Services ......................................................................................... 20
11. Military Service........................................................................................... 20
1. Veterans’ Services
2. Military Spouses
5 4
2025 – 2027 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
I. GENERAL GOVERNANCE
1. Local Control
a. Support legislation that protects local control and funding of vital community services, including, but not limited to, public safety, land use planning, transportation infrastructure investments, fair and community -friendly environmental regulations, and transparency in public meetings shared equally between elected and appointed officials at both the City and State governments.
2. Workers’ Compensation
a. Oppose legislation that increases Workers' Compensation benefits that will result in additional employer costs.
b. Support legislation that reform s the Workers' Compensation system to eliminate system abuse and limit presumptive eligibility claims for benefits.
c. Support legislation that reforms the Workers' Compensation process to incentivize employees returning to work, creating a disincentive for those who do not return to available modified duty or alternate positions.
3. Unemployment Compensation
a. Oppose legislation that increases employer liability for unemployment compensation or that would reduce local discretion.
4. Labor Relations
a. Oppose legislation that impedes local administration of labor relations, and legislation that would require, impose, or expand compulsory binding arbitration for public employees.
b. Oppose legislation that imposes state -mandated compulsory mediation or fact-finding processes not mutually agreed upon by the local public agency and its employee organizations.
c. Oppose legislation that increases the cost of benefits, the cost of administering benefits, or mandates that a specialized occupational group benefit be provided to all employees.
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d. O ppose legislation that reduces local control over public employee disputes and/or imposes regulations from an outside governmental agency or special interest group.
e. O
ppose legislation that requires the use of City employees rather than allowing a City to have the flexibility to determine the most efficient means of providing a service, including contracting out.
f. S
upport legislation that maintains the confidentiality of personnel matters.
5. State and Local Government Relations
a. O
ppose legislative efforts that restrict the City from representing itself, including using contract representation, on issues of importance before State agencies and commissions.
b. O
ppose State legislation that imposes onerous reporting or compliance burdens on cities, including laws that limit local authority over economic development incentives and land use decisions .
c. Support efforts of neighboring agencies and organizations who seek to accomplish initiatives that align with the City Council’s goals and objectives, Legislative Platform, City programs and projects, and other compatible proposals at the discretion of the City Council.
6. Pension Reform
a. S
upport legislation for pension reform that reduces long-term costs for participating agencies, provides long- term financial stability and sustainability, and allows agencies to continue to be effective locally in recruiting and retaining a skilled, quality workforce.
b. S
upport investment strategies that balance CalPERS's short —and long- term ability to meet its financial commitments to its members. c. S
upport legislative objectives that maximize investment returns and don’t limit investments to social and environmental mandated interests.
7. Telecommunications
a. S
upport legislation that preserves local government authority to zone and plan for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure and the ability to maintain and manage the public right-of-way.
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b. S upport legislation that preserves cities' authority to collect fair market fees from telecommunications providers for the use of local government infrastructure.
c. O
ppose regulations and legislation that erode or eliminate local government authority regarding the siting of cellular communications towers or transmission sites.
d. S
upport the authority of local government in retaining full control over the time, place, and manner of using the public right of way to provide telecommunications services, including the appearance and aesthetics of equipment placed within it.
e. S
upport legislation that preserves public, educational , and government (PEG) television channel funding and programming support by video service providers, such as payments to local governments of utility franchise fees, PEG fees, and facility/equipment grants, and furnishing public access production facilities.
8. Business Establishments/Licenses
a. O
ppose legislation restricting or weakening a city’s ability to license and/or regulate smoking areas, marijuana dispensaries, alcoholic beverage licenses, massage establishments, adult-oriented business establishments, or sidewalk vending.
b. S
upport legislation that enhances local control to license and/or regulate smoking areas, marijuana dispensaries, alcoholic beverage licenses, massage establishments, or adult -oriented business establishments , or sidewalk vending.
9. Economic Development
a. S
upport legislation that provides State or Federal aid and assistance in developing local and regional economies.
b. S
upport legislation that provides resources and mechanisms to local governments to finance economic development efforts.
c. S
upport legislation that provides local officials more discretion in of State and Federal funds.
d. S
upport legislation that will provide tools and incentives to support job creation and retention, such as Infrastructure Financing Districts, awarding of direct grants to fund the development of infrastructure that results in the creation and retention of jobs, the elimination of matching dollar 8 7
requirements for economic development and infrastructure S tate grants; the provision of grants funding for infrastructure planning and design and the creation of economic development strategies ; and allowing cities the maximum flexibility in the use of State funds toward local priorities that support job creation.
e. S
upport legislation that provides additional tools to cities to promote business development and retention and create jobs, generating economic stimulus.
f. S
upport legislation that enacts and expands State tax incentives that assist the City's economic development and community revitalization efforts.
10. Litigation Reform
a. S
upport legislation that limits local governments' exposure to lawsuits. b. S
upport legislation that develops statutory provisions calling for the reimbursement of all public entity attorneys' fees, and defense costs and expenditures incurred in the successful defense of lawsuits. c. O
ppose legislation that limits local government's power to negotiate indemnification protections in public contracts.
11. Open Meeting Law (Brown Act)
a. S
upport legislation that recognizes the need to conduct the public’s business in public and that extends the application of the Brown Act to the State.
b. O
ppose legislation claiming to enhance open and public meetings that in practice, unnecessarily complicates the ability of a local governing body to do the public’s business through unproductive restrictions. c. S
upport legislation that supports and enhances alternative methods of meeting public notice requirements using cost- effective, innovative, technology-friendly methods of communication.
II. LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE
1. State-Federal Mandated Programs
a. O
ppose legislation that fails to provide adequate funding or creates a negative cash position for the City for State and Federally mandated programs.
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b. Oppose measures that mandate procedures that would make local government more dependent on the State for financial stability.
c. Support legislation that protects local control and funding of vital community services including, but not limited to, improving public safety, land use planning, increasing transportation infrastructure investments, fair and community friendly environment al regulations, and the development of transparency measures of public meetings and other public disclosure requirements that are shared equally between elected and appointed officials at both the City and State governments.
2. Long-Term Financing of Local Agencies
a. Oppose legislation that shifts revenue from local government to the State, or another agency, for any purpose, or reduces local discretion in using local government revenues.
b. Support legislation that further protects local government revenue from being taken, confiscated, shifted, diverted, or otherwise used to fund State government or other agencies' operations and responsibilities.
3. Revenues, Fees, and Taxes
a. Support legislation that maintains or provides funding mechanisms for better service (i.e., streets and roads infrastructure, economic development- related programs, water and sewer infrastructure).
b. Oppose legislation that does not preserve and protect the existing situs - based sales tax under the Bradley Burns 1% base.
c. Oppose legislation that changes the property tax collection method or formula that would result in less property tax to local governments.
d. Oppose legislation that transfers a local government’s reserves, or designated reserves, to the State or other agency, or reduces a local government’s revenue due to the level of reserves it maintains.
e. Oppose legislation that reduces or eliminates critical local programs and services due to State budget cuts (i.e., public safety, transportation, streets and roads).
f. Support legislation that amends the State Constitution Article XIIID, Section
6.C, to include storm drain fees among the types of fees exempt from the voting requirements imposed by Proposition 218.
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g. S upport legislation that provides State and local authority for cities to collect their fair sales tax allocation on Internet or other remote transactions. h. S
upport legislation that returns motor vehicle license fees to local governments without offsetting existing local revenues. i. S
upport legislation to collect the full amount of local transient occupancy tax from online lodging sales.
j. O
ppose legislation that threatens a local government's right to receive compensation for using its public right -of-way, including gas, electri city, refuse, and cable and video providers.
k. O
ppose legislation that eliminates any development fee or tax, including excise taxes.
l. S
upport legislation that requires the State to fully and promptly reimburse all local agencies for all State-mandated programs and/or infractions and losses associated with local revenue shifts.
m. O
ppose legislation that restricts the ability of the City to transfer revenue from a utility or other enterprise activity to the City’s general fund.
III. PUBLIC SAFETY
1. Crime
a. S
upport legislation that strengthens State anti-graffiti laws and enhances consequences for those convicted of vandalism.
b. S
upport legislation that increases the authority and resources devoted to cities in abating graffiti and other acts of public vandalism. c. S
upport legislation that protects the public from crime. d. S
upport legislation that provides additional funding for public safety programs, including 911 systems, interoperability, fire suppression, medical response, mental health response, services, and personnel. e. S
upport legislation to strengthen local law enforcement efforts to prevent crime and prosecute those who commit it.
f. S
upport legislation that supports reimbursement by the federal government for the costs associated with incarcerating deportable criminals. 11 10
g. S
upport legislation that enhances local control over public nuisances, including adult entertainment facilities, problem alcohol establishments, and properties where illegal drugs are sold.
h. S
upport legislation that provides tools for the comprehensive and collaborative management of sex offenders, including tools for tracking the location of sex offenders within local jurisdictions, so long as any State - mandated program provides full reimbursement to the local agencies. i. S
upport legislation that provides funding for implementing Proposition 36 and enhances penalties for retail theft committed by individuals or organized retail theft groups while increasing resources for law enforcement response efforts.
j. O
ppose legislation that limits local control over the use of Asset Forfeiture Funds, ensuring these resources remain available for public safety and crime prevention efforts.
k. O
ppose legislation that seeks to remove qualified immunity for peace officers, provided their actions are objectively reasonable given the circumstances, to ensure law enforcement personnel can perform their duties without fear of undue liability while maintaining accountability and public trust.
2. Drugs
a. S
upport legislation that gives local government the power to restrict or regulate the sale, manufacture, and use of alcohol and marijuana. b. S
upport legislation that provides a greater share of seized assets to localities.
c. S
upport legislation that provides local government the power to determine whether anti-opiate medication should be deployed in a given community, and who has the authority to administer it.
d. S
upport legislation that provides resources for education, intervention, treatment, and criminal justice programs related to the opioid and fentanyl epidemic.
3. Marijuana Regulation
a. S
upport legislation that enhances and protects maximum local regulatory, land use, and enforcement authority in relation to medical and adult -use cannabis businesses.
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b. Support legislation that recognizes and affirms the authority of cities as it relates to the location, operation, and establishment of medical and adult use cannabis businesses, including deliveries of cannabis.
4. Homeland Security
a. Support legislation that would provide funding to local governments for Homeland Security measures.
b. Support legislation requiring Federal law enforcement agencies to communicate with local law enforcement officials as threats become known.
5. Emergency Preparedness
a. Support legislation that provides additional funding for emergency communication interoperability, fire suppression, wildfire prevention and mitigation, disaster resilience infrastructure, and mental health crisis intervention to enhance community safety and rapid response capabilities.
b. Support legislation that protects wildfire prevention and response efforts, including funding for vegetation management, defensible space programs, fire-resistant infrastructure, fire hazard reduction zone mapping, and community education initiatives to reduce wildfire risk and enhance resilience.
c. Support expanded resources for emergency preparedness and disaster recovery, including grants for local governments to enhance emergency operations plans, conduct community drills, improve evacuation routes, and provide public education on disaster readiness.
d. Oppose legislation that imposes unfunded mandates or shifts the financial burden of wildfire emergency response onto local governments, and support a State disaster relief fund, and ensure State and federal governments are responsible for funding large-scale disaster response and recovery efforts.
IV. TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS
1. Transportation
a. Oppose legislation that directs local transportation funds away from cities.
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b. O ppose legislation that limits and/or decreases the amount of money local public agencies can withhold from a contractor prior to completion of a project.
c. S
upport legislation appropriated by State and Federal funds to city and regional governments for transportation projects, including funds for the preservation and maintenance of streets and roads.
d. S
upport legislation or grant opportunities that provide funding for developing or enhancing alternative vehicle fueling infrastructure. e. S
upport legislation that provides transportation funding by all system users rather than a gasoline tax, which is a declining revenue source.
2. Vehicles
a. S
upport legislation that promotes maximum city control of local streets and the road system, including the ability to plan and implement zero-emission infrastructure to meet local needs.
b. S
upport legislation that promotes designated and enforced vehicle speed limits, considering street design, neighborhood characteristics, adjacent land use, and the mix of transportation mode usage.
c. S
upport the reauthorization of Cap-and-Trade funding and other State and federal programs that provide dedicated funding for zero -emission infrastructure expansion, incentives for EV adoption, and investments in sustainable transportation solutions.
3. Solid Waste and Recycling
a. S
upport legislation promoting long- term, cost -beneficial recycling and conversion technologies.
b. O
ppose legislation restricting or limiting a local government’s ability to franchise refuse and recycling collection services.
c. O
ppose legislation restricting or limiting a local government's ability to direct municipal solid waste flow.
d. O
ppose legislation restricting or limiting a local government's ability to contractually require haulers to guarantee the achievement of AB 939/AB 341 and SB 1383 goals.
e. S
upport legislation providing cities with financial assistance for programs designed to dispose of solid, hazardous, and special wastes safely. 14 13
f. S
upport legislation promoting source reduction measures without creating an unfunded mandate.
g. S
upport new resource recovery and conversion technologies, such as bio- diesel from organic waste and digester gas (methane) recovery and reuse, to enhance sustainability and reduce waste.
h. S
upport legislation and efforts to expand the market for recycled materials, including advanced disposal fees, minimum content laws, manufacturer responsibility programs, and recycling market development zones.
4. Public Works
a. S
upport legislation that would allow the City increased discretion for awarding contracts.
b. S
upport legislation that promotes innovative ways of contracting for public projects allowing for award based on best value while providing full and open competition/supports flexibility for public -private partnerships to enhance public works funding.
V. RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
1. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
a. S
upport legislation that amends the CEQA permit and review process to be more efficient.
b. S
upport legislation that increases local government discretion during the CEQA process.
c. O
ppose legislative changes to CEQA that would unfairly burden cities. d. O
ppose legislation that limits a local agency’s ability to challenge the aesthetic impact of a project under CEQA.
2. Water
a. S
upport legislation that provides the Fox Canyon Ground Water Management Agency with the necessary tools to manage and protect the groundwater system.
b. S
upport legislation that provides Southern California with a more stable and reliable water supply, and improve infrastructure for conveyance, storage capacity, flexibility, and reliability of clean water, including the Delta 15 14
Conveyance Project and expanded water storage projects. Support legislation that provides economic incentives and funding to develop alternative local water resources.
c. Support legislation that advances the opportunity for local governments to provide reclaimed/recycled water as an alternate water source.
d. Support legislation that addresses the conflict-of-interest requirements and the ten percent rule that governs the State and Regional Water Quality Control Board.
e. Support legislative efforts to provide financial and technical assistance for the development of local water supply enhancement projects that promote resource sustainability including, but not limited to, groundwater desalination, recycled water, water conservation measures, and distribution system interconnection projects designed to reduce dependence on the imported State Water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta or Colorado River. Support legislation that makes it easier for cities to fund and comply with new and increasingly stringent water quality permit requirements.
f. Support legislation that comprehensively evaluates water supply in relation to housing production with the State.
3. Storm Drain and Sewer
a. Support legislation to provide funding for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit compliance and other mitigation measures and projects to reuse, divert, or treat urban runoff.
b. Oppose legislation imposing more stringent requirements on storm drain runoff without providing funding and/or considering the feasibility of monitoring and mitigating such requirements.
c. Support legislation that the capacity of existing sewer and water lines can be considered when granting a permit for the construction of housing, e.g., ADUs and SB9 units.
d. Support legislation to provide funding for replacement of end of life pipe in sanitary collection systems to mitigate leakage.
4. Air Quality
a. Oppose legislation that mandates State and Federal air quality regulations and programs that are not fully funded.
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b. Oppose legislation that restricts the authority of cities to establish local air quality standards and programs that are stricter than federal and State standards.
c. Oppose legislation that restricts the land use authority of local cities.
d. Support funding and/or a graduated implementation timeline for cities for the mandatory transition of fleet and heavy-duty vehicles to electric vehicles
e. Support tax credits, grants, loans, and other incentives to assist the public, businesses, and local agencies in investing in energy -efficient equipment and technology and fuel-efficient vehicles.
5. Energy
a. Support legislation funding alternative energy sources, energy efficiency, and conservation measures.
b. Support legislation that supports tax credits, grants, loans, and other incentives to assist the public, businesses, and local agencies in investing in energy -efficient equipment and technology and fuel -efficient, low- emission vehicles.
c. Oppose legislation that preempts the ability of a city to deny a land use permit or restrict its ability to issue a conditional use permit for the siting of a hazardous waste facility.
d. Support legislation that protects cities' rights to use cap-and-trade revenues and other funding sources for activities to increase innovation, such as funding for transit efficiency and air quality projects, to implement actions to decrease emissions.
e. Support legislation that comprehensively evaluates energy polices in relation to current and future demand, including housing production.
6. Utilities
a. Support the constitutional right of municipal utilities to operate outside the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) jurisdiction.
b. Oppose any legislation that erodes the ability of municipal utilities to operate, or place them under PUC control.
c. Support legislation that enhances the public power options available to cities.
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d. Support Community Choice Aggregation and measures that further the goals of choice, clean energy, and affordable rates.
e. Support funding for local governments for energy resiliency.
f. Support legislation or rule changes at the California Public Utilities Commission that hold Investor-Owned Utilities financially responsible to local governments, businesses, and residents for imposing Public Safety Power Shutoffs in the community. Financial liability can include but is not limited to liability for traffic accidents due to the de- energization of traffic signals, loss of revenues and productivity for businesses and employees , loss of food, and irreparable damage or failure of appliances.
g. Support legislation or rule changes at the California Public Utilities Commission that hold Investor -Owned Utilities to the rates set by the California Public Utilities Commission and rates cannot unilaterally change due to market conditions.
VI. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
1. Housing
a. Oppose legislation restricting local discretion in using housing funds or meeting local housing needs without local input.
b. Support legislation that addresses occupancy levels and strengthens a local government's ability to reduce overcrowding in residential housing.
c. Support legislation to develop State and Federal financial support and incentives for programs that provide adequate, affordable housing for the elderly, disabled, and low-income persons throughout the community.
d. Support Housing Element reform legislation that increases local control and flexibility, simplifies the process, improves effectiveness, and limits the California Department of Housing and Community Development's review role.
e. Support legislation that defines an equitable process to determine regional housing needs.
f. Support legislation that permits cities to regulate group home facilities and residential care facilities in residential neighborhoods, including the application of zoning, building, and safety standards.
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g. Support legislation that requires State and County licensing agencies to confer with the City before issuing a license for a community care facility.
h. Support Federal funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for community development, affordable housing, neighborhood improvement, and economic development needs.
i. Oppose reductions to formula funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
j. Support legislation that provides local government with community revitalization tools and funding mechanisms.
k. Support legislation that implements comprehensive reforms to the housing element process that address conflicts between local growth projections and State regional housing need numbers; resolves problems associated with the distribution of RHNA units within a council of governments; achieves improvements to the housing element review process; develops a neutral dispute resolution process and fair enforcement alternatives to deal with disputes over questions of compliance; requires State laws and policies that affect housing land use to be internally consistent; establishes additional legal protections to local agencies that approve affordable housing and that establish local proactive affordable housing policies; and authorize communities that achieve quantifiable affordable housing production levels to self-certify their housing elements without being subject to State review.
l. Oppose legislation that mandates housing production quotas or imposes punitive measures on cities for failing to meet RHNA allocations, recognizing that cities facilitate but do not construct housing. Support legislation that assist s in providing financing for affordable housing, including the development of fiscal tools and incentives to assist local governments in their efforts to encourage housing and finance the infrastructure to support housing, as well as establishing an ongoing State commitment for funding affordable housing.
m. Support legislation that maintains cities as the enforcement authority for mobile home regulation.
n. Support legislation that preserves existing mobile home parks as a source of affordable housing.
o. Support legislation that allows the construction of ADUs to be counted toward an individual city’s RHNA allocation.
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p. Oppose legislation that requires cities to amend its permitting process and programs without any funding available for reimbursement.
2. Land Use
a. Oppose legislation or other agency actions that would usurp local control of land use decision-making.
b. Oppose legislation that imposes State mandates or procedures contrary to local development standards.
c. Support legislation that protects local zoning as a function of cities.
d. Support legislation that supports the continuation of the State Williamson Act contracts.
e. Support legislation that supports the filming industry in the City.
f. Oppose legislation that preempts the City from denying a land use permit or restricts the City’s ability to issue a conditional use permit for the siting of a hazardous waste facility.
g. Support legislation that the proposed use of a project site (e.g., parking garage vs. residential development) should be the determining factor in the proposed cleanup level of a site.
3. Successor Agencies
a. Oppose legislation that reduces the amount of Redevelopment Property Tax Trust Fund (RPTTF) revenues allocable to successor agencies.
b. Oppose legislation that shifts revenue from successor agencies to the State.
c. Oppose legislation that authorizes other agencies to assess successor agencies for services rendered.
d. Oppose legislation that prohibits a successor agency from repaying loans from a city provided to the agency for a lawful purpose.
e. Support legislation that simplifies the process of creating infrastructure financing districts.
f. Support legislation that allows infrastructure financing districts and other uses of tax increment funds to be untied to high unemployment or low - income areas.
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g. S upport legislation that allows cities that loaned redevelopment agencies funds and have achieved their Finding of Completion to be repaid 100% , exclusive of a housing set-aside requirement.
VI. HOMELESSNESS
1. Homelessness
a. S
upport legislation that makes funding and other resources available, ensuring local governments have adequate resources for shelter programs, supportive services, and homelessness prevention efforts. b. S
upport legislation that increases State and federal funding for mental health services, transitional housing programs, and long- term housing solutions, including implementing and expanding Proposition 1 funding to help local governments effectively address homelessness and community needs.
c. S
upport legislation that requires “wrap- around” services, including job training, mental health and substance use treatment, and case management, as part of housing programs to promote long- term stability and self-sufficiency.
d. S
upport legislation for sober living and recovery homes that aligns with local efforts to ensure community safety and effective treatment options.
VII. PUBLIC LIBRARY
a. O
ppose legislation that reduces funding for public libraries, including Public Library funds, and support legislation that provides financial assistance for local public libraries without imposing new taxes.
b. S
upport legislation that ensures cities receive a proportionate share of property taxes upon withdrawal from a county library services district, or any other county service or district for which property taxes are received. c. S
upport legislation that provides financial assistance for local public libraries.
d. S
upport legislation with the intent to allow City -operated Libraries (as opposed to districts) to have an “advisory” commission, not a Board as per current law.
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VIII. THE ARTS, CULTURAL RESOURCES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION a. S
upport legislation for continued State funding that recognizes the role of local arts activities and historic preservation in community life.
IX. ANIMAL SERVICES
a. S
upport legislation that promotes low -cost or no -cost spay and neuter programs.
b. S
upport legislation that holds animal owners accountable for injuries or property damage caused by animals under their care or control.
X. MILITARY SERVICE
1. Veterans Services
a. S
upport legislation and funding to increase accessibility to Veterans’ Services in Simi Valley and the surrounding area.
b. S
upport legislation that makes it easier for Military Veterans to work in California, including transferring out -of-state licenses and certifications for a temporary period during a tour of duty or obtaining a permanent license in their field.
2. Military Spouses
a. S
upport legislation that makes it easier for military spouses to work in California, including transferring out-of-state licenses and certifications for a temporary period during a tour of duty or obtaining a permanent license in their field.
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