REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on 2019 Q2 Legislative Update
Report
BACKGROUND
On October 9, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 18-8611 to approve a Legislative Advocacy Position (LAP) Policy (Attachment 1). 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, the City 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. On June 25, 2019, the City Council adopted a Public Safety LAP and amended versions of the Environmental Regulatory and Conservation Issues and Regional and State-Wide Water Supply and Conservation LAPs. The most current versions of the adopted LAPs can be found under the 2019 Legislative Advocacy Positions document (Attachment 2).
In addition to requiring the City Council to adopt or update LAPs annually to identify specific legislative priorities, the LAP Policy also requires staff to provide quarterly legislative updates on public policy items of interest to the Council and provide the Council copies of letters or summary of actions on legislative items.
The City Council approved $150,000 for legislative advocacy in the FY 2019/20 Adopted Operating Budget. Staff is currently conducting a Request for Qualifications process for legislative advocacy services. The selected vendor will provide various legislative services, such as representing the City on policy issues, advancing the City’s policy priorities, and assisting with the development of the 2020 LAPs that will go to City Council for approval in January/February 2020.
DISCUSSION
Since the 2019 LAPs were adopted on January 29, 2019, and amended on June 25, 2019, staff has been tracking and monitoring various legislative items, which are summarized in the 2019 Q2 Legislative Update document (Attachment 3). The legislative items are grouped by their aligned legislative advocacy position, legislative advocacy guiding principle, or approved City policy (e.g. City Council Goals and Priorities).
A summary and status have been provided for each bill. If the City has acted on a bill (e.g. submitted a letter of support), that action is noted under the bill and a copy of the letter has been included in the attachment. October 13, 2019 was the last day for Governor Newsom to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature on or before September 13, 2019 and in the Governor’s possession after September 13, 2019. Most of the legislation signed by the Governor and chaptered by the Secretary of State will take effect on January 1, 2020, however, some urgency bills will take effect immediately such as Assembly Bill 1054.
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 the City Attorney’s Office, City Clerk’s Office, Silicon Valley Power, and the Community Development, Information Technology, Police, Public Works, and Water and Sewer Utilities Departments.
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
Note and file 2019 Q2 Legislative Update.
Staff
Reviewed by: Nadine Nader, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Legislative Advocacy Position Policy
2. 2019 Legislative Advocacy Positions
3. 2019 Q2 Legislative Update