Review of Legislative
Advocacy Policies and
Process
Michelle Zahraie, Sr. Management Analyst
September 26, 2023
2City of Sunnyvale – Review Legislative Advocacy Policies/Process – September 2023 Review Legislative Advocacy Policies
Review Legislative Advocacy Process
Council Discussion
Agenda
3City of Sunnyvale – Review Legislative Advocacy Policies/Process – September 2023 • Identifies the City’s broad advocacy positions on
issues and legislation.
• Short-term in nature and support the General Plan
and guide Council and staff on intergovernmental
matters.
• Utilized by Council and staff to determine City
positions on legislation and issues and minimize the
need for staff to request direction from Council as
they arise.
Council Policy 7.4.14 – Legislative Advocacy Positions
4City of Sunnyvale – Review Legislative Advocacy Policies/Process – September 2023 2023 Priority Advocacy Issues
1. Investment Funding and Local Strategy for Workforce Development
2. Interoperability/Public Safety Communications System
3. Environmental Regulatory & Conservation Issues
4. Regional and State-wide Water Supply Issues
5. Local Authority Over Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
6. School Mitigation Fees
7. Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems by Law Enforcement and First Responder Immunity when interfering with Unmanned Aircraft Systems
8. Medical Marijuana/Recreational Marijuana
9. Affordable Housing and Homelessness
10. Engagement with the Federal Aviation Administration Regarding Airplane Noise
11. Local Government Financing to Support Public Infrastructure, Including Affordable Housing
Council approved on January 24, 2023 (RTC 23-0158) - issues where legislative activity is already underway or imminent and expected to have significant impact on City business.
5City of Sunnyvale – Review Legislative Advocacy Policies/Process – September 2023 Long-term Advocacy Positions (LAPs)
Council Policies
1.0 - Land Use and Transportation
2.0 - Community Development
3.0 - Environmental Management
4.0 - Public Safety
5.0 - Socio-Economic
6.0 - Cultural
7.0 - Planning and Management
Council approved clarifying edits and additions on
January 24, 2023 (RTC 23-0158) – ongoing policy
positions.
6City of Sunnyvale – Review Legislative Advocacy Policies/Process – September 2023 Taking a Position on a Legislative Issue
1. Councilmembers determine whether an official City
position already exists.
If unsure, Councilmember consult the City Manager who will direct a staff search of existing policies.
2. If an official City position already exists, the Mayor is the official spokesperson for the City.
Councilmembers must not express conflicting opinions
unless they clearly identify the City’s official position and clarify that theirs is a minority viewpoint in conflict with the City’s position.
Council Policy 7.4.15 - Council Advocacy
7City of Sunnyvale – Review Legislative Advocacy Policies/Process – September 2023 Taking a Position on a Legislative Issue
3. If an official City position does not already exist:
Councilmember must first decide whether or not the issue warrants being agendized for Council consideration.
4. If so desired, Councilmember alerts the Mayor and City Manager, who will agendize the issue for future Council consideration.
Staff will prepare a Report to Council discussing the pending legislation and providing a staff recommendation.
Council Policy 7.4.15 - Council Advocacy (cont’d)
8City of Sunnyvale – Review Legislative Advocacy Policies/Process – September 2023 Correspondence Preparation
• Staff will not prepare correspondence representing a
Councilmember’s personal point of view or a dissenting
point of view from an official City policy or Council
position.
• If Councilmembers use their title, position, or City
letterhead to express a personal opinion:
Official City position must be stated clearly so the audience understands the difference between the official City position and the viewpoint of the Councilmember.
Council Policy 7.4.7 - Council Correspondence
9City of Sunnyvale – Review Legislative Advocacy Policies/Process – September 2023 Legislative Advocacy Process
Council identifies Priority Issues and Legislative
Advocacy Positions Annually (typically in January).
Council Adopts
Legislative
Platform
Staff monitors legislation with potential City impacts. Staff Tracks Legislation
Staff coordinates quick responses to pending legislation based on Council-approved policies i.e., Council Policy Manual, General Plan, Municipal Code etc.*
Staff Submits
Position Letters
City position letters are posted on Sunnyvale.ca.gov
and on Council meeting agendas (Info Only).
Staff Publishes City
Letters
*City Manager approval is required in cases when it is unclear if an official City policy supports performing advocacy.
10City of Sunnyvale – Review Legislative Advocacy Policies/Process – September 2023 Council Discussion
Revise current positions?
Revise current policies?
Council will review the Proposed 2024 Priority Advocacy Issues and Long-term Legislative Advocacy Positions (LAPs) on
Tuesday, January 23, 2024