Agenda Item No. 22
CITY OF YUCAIPA
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Joe Pradetto, Director of Governmental Affairs
Cory Gorham, Management Analyst
FOR: City Council Meeting of May 13, 2024
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2024-16, Establishing the 2024 Legislative Platform RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-16, establishing the Yucaipa 2024 Legislative Platform.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Yucaipa (City) is a general law city, and State law has a significant impact on its operations. In recent years, the City has been successful in getting Congressional earmarks, direct federal funding for priority projects. Considering the impact that the State and Federal Legislatures may have on the City, it is important that the City advocate for policies and actions that benefit the residents of Yucaipa.
The legislative process can move fast as deadlines approach or urgent matters arise, and having a legislative platform with Council -approved policies will equip and direct staff to advocate for the City's interests when time is of the essence. At present, we bring individual actions to Council, but there are times when we miss an opportunity to engage on an issue because of the timing of the next Council meeting. If passed, staff will still bring individual items to Council that are either 1) significant enough to warrant full Council action or 2) relate to something that is not currently in the legislative platform.
The City's 2024 Legislative Platform (Platform) directs staff to support and/or oppose State and Federal actions with the aim of improving our residents' quality of life. The Platform does this by:
• Establishing Guiding Principles,
• Identifying key City projects,
• Expressing the City Council's position on issues relevant to the City, • Outlining administrative duties and responsibilities.
Legislative platforms vary in structure and scope city -by -city. Staff developed this Platform to be focused and concise because too much advocacy weakens its impact. But we need some flexibility because unforeseen issues arise on a regular basis. The Guiding Principles provide overall
direction and provide that flexibility. The individual policy statements provide the focused directives.
Staff intends to update this Platform at the beginning of each new two-year legislative session.
This means that staff will present an update in December to precede the start of the 2025-2026 legislative session.
Guiding Principles
The Plan ourlines the following guiding principles.
1. Preserve Local Control
2. Enhance Public Safety
3. Support Infrastructure Investments
4. Promote Fiscal Stability
Projects
The Plan identifies these priority projects for which we want to obtain federal or state money.
1. Wilson III Basin Project
2. Wildwood Canyon Road/I-10 Interchange Project
3. Dunlap Park Project
4. Yucaipa Branch Library Project
5. Yucaipa Boulevard/I-10 Freeway Project
Policy Statements
The Platform articulates policy statements that underscore our commitment to the pursuit of community well-being. Statements are organized under several sections:
1. Public Safety/Criminal Justice
2. Transportation and Public Works
3. Housing, Community, and Economic Development
4. Community Services
5. General Government
The sindividual statements made under each section reflect goals and objectives for the various City departments that align their operations with City Council Goals or represent key interests for the City Concil.
Administration
By adopting this Platform, the City Council will be delegating authority to the City Manager, or their designee, the responsibility to carry out the duties of this plan. This includes taking immediate action to advocate for and /or against proposals consistent with the Platform.
Conclusion
Legislative platfoms help direct legislative efforts for the efficient use of resources and maximum impact. This Platform give staff the ability to advocate for and/or against legislative or policy
proposals in an effort to further Council goals or protect City operations. Such a platform is valuable when urgent legislative matters arise requiring immediate action.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item has no financial impact.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2024-16
Approved By:
ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION NO.2024-16
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YUCAIPA, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE YUCAIPA 2024 LEGISLATIVE
PLATFORM
WHEREAS, the City of Yucaipa (City) is a general law city, and State law has a significant impact on its operations; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, the City has been successful in getting Congressional earmarks, direct federal funding for priority projects; and WHEREAS, it is important that the City advocate for policies and actions that benefit the residents of Yucaipa; and
WHEREAS, the legislative process can move fast as deadlines approach or urgent matters arise, and having a legislative platform with Council -approved policies will equip and direct staff to advocate for the City's interests when time is of the essence; and WHEREAS, the proposed 2024 Legislative Platform (Platform) directs staff to support and/or oppose State and Federal actions with the aim of improving our residents' quality of life; and
WHEREAS, the Platform does this by establishing guiding principles, identifying key City projects, expressing the City Council's position on issues relevant to the City, and outlining administrative responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, staff intends to update this Platform at the beginning of each new two-year legislative session and will present an update in December to precede the start of the 2025-2026 legislative session; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is committed to making City operations transparent and accessible.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YUCAIPA HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The findings above are true and correct.
Section 2. The City Council hereby adopts the 2024 Legislative Platform attached hereto as Exhibit "A."
Section 3. The City Manager is authorized to amend the Communications Plan as needed.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 13th day of May, 2024.
Justin Beaver, Mayor
ATTEST:
Ana V. Sauseda, MMC
Director of General Services/City Clerk
EXHIBIT A
City of Yucaipa Legislative Platform 2024
Purpose
The City of Yucaipa (City) is a general law city, and State law has a significant impact on its operations. In recent years, the City has been successful in securing direct federal funding for priority projects.
Considering the impact that the State and Federal Legislatures may have on the City, it is important that the City advocate for policies and actions that benefit the residents of Yucaipa.
The City's 2024 Legislative Platform (Platform) directs staff to support and/or oppose State and Federal actions with the aim of improving our residents' quality of life. The Platform does this by:
• Establishing Guiding Principles,
• Identifying key City projects,
• Expressing the City Council's position on issues relevant to the City, • Outlining administrative duties and responsibilities.
To maximize efficacy and efficiency, this Platform aims to prioritize the City's legislative objectives so that staff efforts remain focused and consistent. A platform that is overly broad lacks definitive direction and wastes resources. This Platform focuses on a set of core guiding principles.
Guiding Principles
The following guiding principles outline the City Council's broad legislative policy preferences. These policy preferences will help guide staff in carrying out the City's day-to-day advocacy activities.
1. Preserve Local Control: The Yucaipa City Council believes that the government closest to the people serves the people best and that one -size -fits -all approaches do not benefit our community. Therefore, the City Council supports policies that enhance local control and opposes policies that preempt it.
2. Enhance Public Safety: The Yucaipa City Council believes that public safety is the most important function of local government. Therefore, the City Council supports policies that strengthen local law enforcement and opposes policies that impede it.
3. Support Infrastructure Investments: The Yucaipa City Council believes that modern, well -maintained infrastructure is critical to supporting commerce and protecting residents from natural disasters.
Therefore, the City Council supports investments in infrastructure that promote more efficient transportation and flood safety and opposes any effort to cut transportation or infrastructure funding for local governments.
4. Promote Fiscal Stability: The Yucaipa City Council is working to fix a structural budget deficit with minimal disruption to City services. Therefore, the City Council supports any legislative proposal that promotes the City's fiscal stability and opposes any legislative proposal that threatens to impair it. 1 Projects
These projects are high -priority capital improvement projects that require additional funding. Their inclusion in this platform grants staff authority to pursue additional funding for these projects or to advocate to protect existing sources of funding.
1. Wilson III Basin Project: The Wilson III Basin Project is a critical flood protection project. The Project will protect life and property downstream of the project and open economic development opportunities. The City is currently in phase II of this multiphase project.
2. Wildwood Canyon Road/1-10 Interchange Project: The Wildwood Canyon Road and 1-10 Interchange Project would add a freeway interchange at a critical point of the City. Upon completion, the Project will ease freeway congestion and facilitate economic development opportunities.
3. Dunlap Park Project: The Dunlap Park Project will provide recreational opportunities for residents in the Dunlap Area. Dunlap is the City's most disadvantaged and underserved area. The Project will consist of a lake feature funded by a State Grant, a playground, and a community center.
4. Yucaipa Branch Library Project: The Yucaipa Branch Library Project will deliver a modern library to suit the City's growing needs. It will replace the old library, which has structural and ADA issues. The Library Project is funded by a $9 million State grant and local matches.
5. Yucaipa Boulevard/1-10 Freeway Project: The Yucaipa Boulevard/1-10 Freeway Project is an important traffic circulation improvement project. The Project will enhance access to the 1-10 Freeway from Yucaipa Boulevard while improving circulation at the Yucaipa Boulevard and Avenue E intersection.
Policy Statements
The following policy statements support the City Council's annual goals and direct staff to advocate for policies and actions that further its goals.
1.Public Safety/Criminal Justice: Public Safety is a top priority for the City, and the City Council supports legislative proposals
that will enhance public safety and opposes legislative proposals that will erode it.
A. Support
1. Efforts to strengthen local law enforcement including, but not limited to the regulation of sales or manufacturing of dangerous drugs, prevention of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, criminal gang activity, the sharing of criminal history information between states, registration of sex offenders, the provision of a greater share of seized assets to localities, cost recovery from the guilty party when alcohol or drugs are present, increased sentences for criminals involved in activities such as violence, gang, narcotics, or repeated offenses, and the increase of county jail and State prison capacities, as well as new prison construction.
2. Legislative efforts to address the negative impacts of AB 109, Proposition 47, and Proposition 57 on local governments and provide local law enforcement with the appropriate tools to reduce criminal activity.
3. Additional judges for the San Bernardino Superior Court.
4. Support local control of emergency medical services and ambulance services, including pre -hospital care and transport.
5. Efforts to grant cities more authority to prosecute misdemeanors under their municipal codes.
2 B. Oppose
1. Impediments to local law enforcement addressing crime problems and recovering costs resulting from a crime committed by the guilty party.
2. Early release of prisoners.
3. Reclassifying felonies into misdemeanors.
4. Restricting the weapons, tools, and other resources currently available to local law enforcement.
5. Legislative efforts to change the elected status of a County Sheriff in the California Constitution to an appointed position.
6. Any legislation, policy, or effort to restrict where holders of a Conceal Carry Weapons (CCW) License may carry.
2. Transportation and Public Works: Transportation, road condition, and storm protection are critical to the City, and the City Council is working to improve road conditions, alleviate congestion, improve traffic flow, and complete flood protection projects. The City Council supports funding for local infrastructure projects and opposes efforts to reallocate or reduce funding for local infrastructure projects.
A. Support
1. Legislation that would increase funding for local transportation projects.
2. Increased State and Federal funding of transportation improvements with regional or subregional benefits for all modes of transportation.
3. Joint planning efforts and projects with Yucaipa's border cities on traffic congestion relief projects.
4. Reduction of liabilities for low-cost traffic calming measures (Tactical urbanism measures)
3.Housing, Community, and Economic Development: Nowhere is the expression of local control more evident than when it comes to land use and how a community decides to look and feel. The City Council supports policies that preserve local planning authority and oppose State and Federal central, top -down planning efforts.
A. Support
1. Programs and policies to allow jurisdictions to transfer RHNA allocations.
2. Funding to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
3. Funding to create new planning programs and objective standards.
4. Policies and programs that encourage jurisdictions to work together to leverage resources and assets to create and strengthen economic clusters within the region.
5. Economic development initiatives that preserve and enhance a positive business climate and maintain and grow the business tax base.
6. Efforts to create efficiencies within CEQA and support efforts to limit delays in the local planning and development process.
7. Efforts to simplify state statutes.
8. Efforts to coordinate between different state agencies so that one agency is not conflicting with the state's efforts to support development and new housing.
9. Updates to Regional Water Quality Control Board design requirements to allow more creative site design and engineering options, rather than typical modern projects that must allocate significant site area for current design requirements.
10. Local government's ability to retain full authority to reject projects or to reasonably condition project approvals and impose mitigation measures. 3 B. Oppose
1. Efforts, policies, programs to restrict local control over land use planning, zoning, and development.
2. CEQA lawsuits from being filed for any reason other than a bonafide environmental impact.
3. Efforts to undermine local government's ability to prepare, adopt and implement plans for orderly growth, development, beautification, and conservation of local planning areas.
4. Efforts that impair the ability for cities to collect taxes and fees that are needed to support City operations as growth occurs, including more restrictive elements for Development Impact Fees and project applications.
5. Unfunded mandates and efforts that add significant administrative efforts to Community Development staff, such as duplicative reports and other new obligations to a variety of state agencies.
6. Measures which would undermine established general plan, zoning, and housing documents.
4.Community Services: The City provides a robust set of community services that includes parks, trails, recreational programming, senior programming, and arts and entertainment. The City Council desires to support legislative efforts that will bolster the City's community services and oppose efforts that will reduce quality or increase the costs of those services.
A. Support
1. Legislation and funding opportunities (e.g. federal and state park grant funds, conservancy grant funds, project mitigation funds, etc.) that helps cities build better, stronger communities by providing funding to improve air, water, parks, open space, natural resources, historic preservation, the arts and cultural resources.
2. Policies and programs that provide funding or otherwise promote programs to address and increase the level of physical activity within our community.
3. Legislation that provides adequate and consistent funding to support the acquisition, development, operation and maintenance requirements of recreation, parks and community services agencies at the local, State, and Federal levels.
B. Oppose
1. Efforts that erode funding for vital regional and community services that negatively impact Californian's access to parks, open space, bike lanes, after school programming, youth services, senior services, food programs, facilities that promote physical activity, protect natural resources and strengthen safety and security.
2. Legislation, policies, or efforts that would impair the City's ability to recover full costs.
5.General Government: The City aims to provide efficient and effective government services, maximizing the use of taxpayer money. As such, the City Council supports legislation that improves efficiency and efficacy and opposes proposals that would increase the regulatory burdens and costs of doing business or impair local sources of revenue.
A. Support
1. Increased flexibility for the utilization of municipally generated revenues. rd
2. Changing the sales tax allocation for online purchases from the county pool to the city where the purchase is made.
3. Maximum flexibility for local government in contracting and contract negotiations.
B. Oppose
1. Efforts to borrow, redirect, or redistribute local funds from cities to the State or Federal governments.
2. Unfunded mandates.
3. Efforts to eliminate or cap the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds.
4. Any measure that imposes upon local government mandated employee benefits that are more properly decided at the local level.
5. Legislation that imposes further restrictions on local jurisdictions (or adds additional burdens) on employer/employee negotiations.
Administration
The City Council delegates the responsibility to administer this Platform to the City Manager or their designee. This delegated responsibility includes:
• Taking immediate action to advocate for and/or against legislation or actions in conformance with the Platform, including but not limited to:
o Letters of support or opposition.
o Participating in advocacy meetings.
o Providing information on how specific policies may affect the City. • Pursuing grants and other funding opportunities for projects identified in the Platform. • Participating in regional collaboration to coordinate priorities and efforts of mutual benefit. • Preparing resolutions and other actions for Council consideration, as necessary. • Retaining advocacy services in Sacramento and Washington D.C., to provide effective representation in the State and Federal legislatures.
• Tracking advocacy efforts and submitting an annual report to the Council. • Submitting updates and revisions to the Plan at the start of each two-year legislative cycle. 5 2024 State Legislation Tracking
Bill # Title Sponsor Position Platform Match
Other Advocacy Actions
Date Description Action Position Platform Match