REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Legislative Advocacy Positions and Quarterly Legislative Update
Report
BACKGROUND
On October 9, 2018, Council adopted Resolution No. 18-8611 to approve a Legislative Advocacy Position (LAP) Policy (Attachment 1) and seven LAPs for 2018. The LAP Policy establishes clear guidelines for advancing City goals and positions through legislative review and advocacy at the regional, State, and federal levels of government. The policy also provides guidance for City officials who serve on regional, State, and national boards, committees, and commissions when they are asked to review public policy matters and issues. On January 29, 2019, Council adopted eight LAPs for 2019 on the following key issues: Affordable Housing and Homelessness; Engagement with Federal Aviation Administration Regarding Airplane Noise; Environmental Regulatory and Conservation Issues; Local Authority over Wireless Telecommunications Facilities and Cable Services; PG&E Bankruptcy and State Wildfire Liability Legislation; Regional and State-Wide Water Supply and Conservation; Regional Transportation Issues; and School Mitigation Fees. This report includes an additional LAP that focuses on public safety issues for Council’s review and approval.
In addition to requiring Council to adopt or update LAPs at the beginning of the calendar year to identify specific legislative priorities, the LAP Policy also requires staff to provide and/or coordinate quarterly legislative updates on public policy items of interest to Council and provide Council copies of letters or summary of actions on legislative items.
DISCUSSION
Since the 2019 LAPs were adopted on January 29, 2019, staff has been tracking and monitoring various legislative items, which are summarized in the Legislative Updates for 2019 Q1 document (Attachment 2). Letters of support are also included in the attachment.
Staff recommends that Council approve the attached Public Safety LAP (Attachment 3) to provide staff with direction on future legislation related to public safety. As a city that is consistently named one of the safest cities in the country, Santa Clara is committed to promoting a living and working environment that allows for the best quality of life. Staff is monitoring and tracking legislation to ensure that proposed legislation is aligned with the City’s stance on public safety issues related to community safety, disaster preparedness and response, fines and forfeitures, infrastructure and technology, and vulnerable populations.
Staff also recommends approving proposed amendments to the Environmental Regulatory and Conservation Issues (Attachments 4 and 5) and Regional and State-Wide Water Supply and Conservation (Attachments 6 and 7) LAPs. The amended Environmental Regulatory and Conservation Issues LAP includes a new section on sanitary sewer overflows whereas the amended Regional and State-Wide Water Supply and Conservation LAP includes a new section on the topic of water supply reliability.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal or economic impact to the City other than administrative staff time.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with Silicon Valley Power, Community Development, Fire, Police, Public Works, Water and Sewer Utilities Department, and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt the Public Safety Legislative Advocacy Position and the amended Environmental Regulatory and Conservation Issues and Regional and State-Wide Water Supply and Conservation Legislative Advocacy Positions.
Staff
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Legislative Advocacy Position Policy
2. Legislative Updates for 2019 Q1
3. Public Safety Legislative Advocacy Position
4. Amended Environmental Regulatory and Conservation Issues Legislative Advocacy Position (Redline Version)
5. Amended Environmental Regulatory and Conservation Issues Legislative Advocacy Position (Clean Version)
6. Amended Regional and State-Wide Water Supply and Conservation Legislative Advocacy Position (Redline Version)
7. Amended Regional and State-Wide Water Supply and Conservation Legislative Advocacy Position (Clean Version)