COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL
7.0 – Page 1
3.0 Long-Term Advocacy Positions - Environmental
Management
3.5 Energy
(4) Support the adoption of a national comp rehensive energy stra tegy that minimizes carbon pollution from the energy sector through energy effi ciency, education, research and development of renewable and alternative energy sources, and energy storage, as well as encourages reduced dependence on foreign oil and the use of domestic energy sources. [ First Appeared 1992 ] (Moved to long term Council Policy, RTC 12-009, February 7, 2012) Lead Dept. ESD
(5) Support policy that enables, accelerat es and supports the deployment of clean energy. [2023 Priority Advocacy Issue] (Moved to long term Council Policy, RTC 24-0102, January 30, 2024) Lead Dept. ESD
(6) Advocate for the federal government to provide legislative relief in re-imposing all- electric requirements, currently restri cted by the Federa l Energy Policy and Conservation Act (“EPCA”) as determined by a U.S. Court of Appeals decision.
Alternatively, encourage the state to obt ain a federal exemption to continue allowing the state and local jurisdictions to use reach codes that restrict natural gas use in new construction. Lead Dept. CDD
7.0 Long-term Advocacy Positions – Planning and
Management
A. Fiscal Management
(1) Oppose actions that would negatively imp act the allocation of tax increment revenue to redevelopment successor agencies. ( Adopted w/ modification, RTC 15-0008 (January 6, 2015) Lead Dept. FIN
(2) Oppose all changes that af fect the timing of payments to local governments.
Lead Dept. FIN
(3) Oppose any legislation that reduces or erodes local revenues or local control.
Lead Dept. FIN
(4) Support positive reform of the state or federal fiscal structure and procedures.
Lead Dept. FIN
(5) Ensure local governments’ revenue sour ces are protected and predictable.
Lead Dept. FIN
Attachment 4
COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL
7.0 – Page 2
C. Intergovernmental Relations
(1) Support balanced representation of the C ity of Sunnyvale on any regional/sub regional government body or entity which is created, and cooperative analysis and negotiation among neighboring and overlapping jurisdictions, prior to promulgating laws, regulations, permits and fees that will have an impact on City business, residents, property owners and/or businesses in Sunnyvale. Lead Dept. OCM
(2) Advocate for local control of transportation, housing, land use, and water issues affecting Sunnyvale, except for government functions where regional control may be more appropriate for services delivered on a regional basis. Lead Dept.
OCM
(3) To ensure that local governments are consulted and their issues considered, support collaborative effort s and continued relations with, and funding from, other agencies, the State or the Federa l Government, for matters where mutual concerns exist (i.e. immigration enforcem ent, terrorism prevention, safety of public utility systems, local/state/national disasters or emergencies, and homeland security directives), which c ould have an impact on the delivery of City services. Lead Dept. OCM
(4) Support cooperative analysis an d negotiation among neighboring and overlapping jurisdictions prior to prom ulgating laws, regula tions, permits and fees that impact residents, property owners and businesses in locations receiving service from multiple agencies. Lead Dept. OCM
(5) Support legislation that reflects and reinforces Sunnyvale's Statement of Values as adopted by the City Council. Lead Dept. OCM
D. Human Resources
(1) California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) - support efforts that maintain or increase local contrac ting agency control fo r the use of assets in individual employer accounts, and oppose any actions that would divert assets from individual employer accounts, includi ng opposing any benefit enhancements for participants th at are mandated by the State. Lead Dept.
HRD
(2) Oppose any form of mandatory enrollment in Social Secur ity for employees covered under another retirement program. (RTC 22-0061, January 25, 2022) Lead Dept. HRD
(3) Support legislation regarding worker 's’ compensation reform that reduces or does not increase costs to the City, and which continues to provide reasonable and necessary medical treatment to the injured employee. Lead Dept. HRD Attachment 4
COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL
7.0 – Page 3
F. Miscellaneous
(1) Support efforts to revise th e California Constitution to enhance accountability, efficiency, and responsiveness of local governments. Lead Dept. OCM
(2) Support existing provisions of the Br own Act regarding closed sessions. Lead Dept. OCA
(3) Review all proposed changes to curren t attorney-client privilege statutes. Lead Dept. OCA
(4) Support home-rule aut hority of charter cities a nd oppose any efforts to reduce local control over the City and/or its Sphere of Influence. Support strengthening “home ru le” provisions in th e State Constitution. Lead Dept.
CDD
(5) Support efforts to amend the Californi a Constitution to require a simple majority vote for adoption of any ballot measures. Lead Dept. OCM
(6) Support efforts to restore funding to the California court system to improve court access and case management. ( Adopted w/ modification, RTC 15-0008 (January 6, 2015) Lead Dept. OCA
(7) Support legislation to mode rnize the Ralph M. Brown Act as it pertains to teleconferencing during public meetings. Urge the Legislature provide more flexibility for citi es and intergovernmental boar ds to improve and enhance, should the agency choose to do so, remote access for public officials (Councilmembers and board or commissi on members) in public meetings.
Support legislation that allows for br oader access and transparency without adding unfunded mandates on local public agencies. (Adopted w/ modification, RTC 21-0576 (July 27, 2021) Lead Dept. OCM
(8) Advocate for Sunnyvale’s communities of interest during the county, state, special district and other local public agencies, and congressional redistricting process to support efforts that encourag e one Legislative representative for each elective office that represents th e residents of Sunnyvale. Advocate for Sunnyvale’s communities of in terest during the county redistricting process to support efforts that encourage county representatives from at least two supervisorial districts. ( Adopted w/modification, RTC 21-0723 (August 10, 2021)) Lead Dept. OCM
(9) Urge the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to dr aw supervisorial districts as a numerical re presentation of the City of San Jose’s population so that the number of County supervisors representing San Jose does not exceed three County supervisors. (Adopted, RTC 21-0854 (August 31, 2021)) Lead Dept. OCM
Attachment 4
COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL
7.0 – Page 4
(10) Urge the Governor issue new executive orders as necessary, to continue to help Sunnyvale respond to, recover from, or mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adopted, RTC 21-0842 (August 31, 2021)) Lead Dept.
OCM
(11) Advocate for Sunnyvale’s communities of interest during the Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) (re)d istricting process to support efforts that preserve equal Trustee repres entation. Advocate for Sunnyvale’s communities of interest during the de velopment of the tr ustee area boundary map. (Adopted, RTC 24-0456 (March 26, 2024) Lead Dept. LRS
(12)(10) Advocate for secure, reliable, and timely postal service for Sunnyvale residents. (Adopte d, RTC 24-0456 (March 26, 2024) Lead Dept.
OCM
Attachment 4