Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-03-16; City Council; 15102; 1999 Legislative PlatformCITY OF CARLSBAD -AGENDA BILL AB# 15 lOa- TITLE: 1999 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM MTG. 03/l 6/99 DEPT. CM DEPT. HD %iB CITY ATTY. CITY MGR- RECOMMENDED ACTION: Review, amend (if necessary) and adopt 1999 City Legislative Platform. ITEM EXPLANATION: Each year, the City Council adopts a legislative platform stating its position on issues of importance to the community. The legislative platform is divided into the following categories: l Local Government Finance . Labor Relations . Tort Reform l Transportation 0 Coastline l Water Management l Environment l Waste Management 0 General Government l Safety Services l Land Use Planning 0 Housing and Community Development 0 Redevelopment a Child Care a Immigrants By establishing the City’s position on these issues, staff is able to quickly respond to related legislation which could have an impact on the City. The Council expresses its position on legislation through correspondence to State and Federal legislators, the Governor, or the President. The City’s legislative advocate in Sacramento will also assist the City in presenting its positions on proposed state legislation. Staff is recommending that the following additions be made to the Legislative Platform: l Support measures which provide funding for community park facilities, open space, and recreation programs. l Support legislation which facilitates and provides funds for habitat management planning, administration, and local control. l Support legislation to allow cities to require developments to fully mitigate impacts on school facilities. Alternatively, support legislation to clarify cities’ role in CEQA process. In addition, staff has reviewed the existing platform and eliminated planks which no longer apply. Other editorial changes have also been made. A redline/strikeout version has been attached for your convenience. FISCAL IMPACT: None. 1. Proposed 1999 City of Carlsbad Legislative Platform I ’ - 1999 CITY OF CARLSBAD LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 1. Local Government Finance: EXHIBIT 1 (a) (W (c) O-9 03 (fl (9) (h) (0 U) (k) (1) 0-N (n) (0) (P) Support measures that implement basic structural changes in state government that result in state budget expenditures being brought into balance with state revenues. Support measures which safeguard existing revenue sources from preemption by the State or County. Support measures which would provide fiscal independence to cities. support e&&s that makes funds to support public facilities (i.e. facilities, e) more available to local municipalities. Support measures which relieve taxpayers of the burden of paying for services which could be charged directly to the service user, and which simplify the process of establishing such fees. Support legislation which would provide greater accountability on the part of counties for the distribution of funds back to municipalities, including, but not limited to, fines and forfeitures. Support measures to reinstate flexibility in the administration of Article XIII-B (The Gann Initiative). Oppose any change in revenue allocations which would negatively affect local government, including the redistribution of sales tax, property tax, transient occupancy tax and vehicle in-lieu fees. Oppose any measure which shifts revenue from all units of local governments to other agencies. Oppose any measure that would make cities more dependent on the State for financial stability and policy direction. rt legislation to eliminate or repeal unfunded state and federal mandates ose measures which would impos4 which there is no guarantee of local reimbursement or offsetting benefits, or would shift the cost of government services to cities. Oppose any measure that restricts or limits a public entity’s ability to use tax- exempt debt for the purchase or construction of public purpose improvements. Oppose legislation which shifts State/County criminal justice costs to cities. Oppose the use of the federal gas tax for federal debt reduction. Support legislation that streamlines permitting processes without undermining the ability of local government to apply and be compensated for the enforcement of reasonable building, planning and fire protection standards. Oppose legislation that creates surcharges for state oversight of state mandated programs. 1 ’ - . (9) Support legislation preventing the retroactive application of Guardino v. Santa Clara decision regarding Proposition 62. (r) Support legislation which allows cities with civil service/personnel systems to contract out services to the private sector to save taxpayer dollars. 2. Labor Relations: (a) PO Cc) 63 (9 (9) Support legislation which limits the ability of employees to receive workers’ compensation benefits for occupational injuries/illnesses which result from stress, disciplinary action, or performance evaluations or consultations. Oppose any measure which would impose compulsory and binding arbitration with respect to public employees. Oppose any measure which would grant employee benefits that should be decided at the local bargaining table. Oppose any4fefte that would reduce local authority to resolve public employee disputes, and impose regulations of an outside agency (such as PERB). which make inary proceedings Oppose legislation which expands or extends any presumptions of occupational injury or illness. Oppose legislation which increases workers’ compensation benefits without providing for concurrent cost controls. 3. Tort Reform: (a) Support measures to reform California’s tort system to m #r&detE liability exposure for public agencies and restore the ability of public agencies to obtain affordable insurance. (W Support legislation which inereaccs c: expande immunities for public agencies and oppose legislation which attempts to limit or restrict existing immunities. (c) Support legislation which reduces or limits liability to public agencies. (d) Support legislation which adds skateboarding to the list of sports legally defined as hazardous recreational activities for public agency liability purposes. 4. Tranwotiation: (4 Support measures which would increase the ability of local agencies to finance local transportation facilities. (b) Support measures to finance local and regional transportation facilities and improvements, including alternative modes of transportation. 2 \ 3 (c) (d) Support measures that provide local and regional funding for transportation demand management systems or transportation systems management. Support legislation which encourages the continued evaluation of all alternatives as possible sites for an international airport in the San Diego region. W Oppose transportation proposals which would adversely affect the quality of life in North San Diego County by causing traffic congestion, air pollution or other problems. (a> 09 04 (a (e) (9 Support measures which provide funding for urban waterfront restoration and enhancement. Support legislation which would aid the restoration, preservation and enhancement of beach front property, sand, bluffs, access and parking. ort measures which would gra&4M+ of land use regulations over the pl the authority facilities whit . . . service offshore oil drilling. tc ave+thc placement cf m Support legislation which requires the double-hulling of all new oil tankers and the retrofitting of all existing oil tankers. Support legislation which promotes aquatic research and education and other related uses. Oppose any offshore oil leasing or drilling within 20 nautical miles of the San Diego coast. 6. Water Manaaement: (4 Support a balanced water transportation and regional storage system that provides for the needs of San Diego County while protecting the Delta and Central Valley regions with minimal impact on agriculture and the environment. KO Support measures which increase water supply and storage facilities within the region and allow for water transfers within the system. (c) Support efforts which will encourage water conservation practices by all water consumers. W Support efforts to assist in the production and distribution of reclaimed water. 7. Environment: (4 Support efforts for the safe and cost effective disposal of solid, hazardous and medical waste. lb) Support legislation which promotes w#I#& cc&s ?c pro&et regional transportation opportunities to enhance air quality m and 3 . ’ I 03 (d) 03 (9 (9) 03 (0 - reduce traffic congestion. Support legislation which encourages speedy action to reduce the amount of ozone depleting compounds discharged into the atmosphere. Support legislation which allocates state and/or federal funds for the construction of facilities to capture and treat the flow of raw sewage entering San Diego from Tijuana. Support measures, where feasible, which promote the recycling/reclaiming of natural resources, including water, timber, oil, gas minerals and earth metals. Support measures which would make low-interest loans and/or grants available to local agencies for programs which would encourage the recycling/reclaiming of resources. hich promotes the use of renewable sources of energy.- Support legislation which streamlines the State of California’s environmental review process and limits court reviews of environmental documentation. Support legislation which requires the State of California to offer natural gas and electric powered vehicles in the State vehicle buying program. 8. Waste Manaaement: (4 Oppose legislation restricting the ability of local governments to regulate solid waste and recyclable materials. (b) (c) (d) Support measures which promote market development for recyclable materials. Support legislation toward the procurement of recyclable and recycled materials. Support measures which extend the deadlines and streamline regulations for AB 939 mandates. @I (9 Support legislation which promotes source reduction measures. Support measures which encourage the streamlining of California Integrated Waste Management Board grant programs and provide maximum flexibility to local government. (9) Oppose legislation regulating “flow control” of solid waste materials. 9. General Government: (a) Oppose legislation which weakens local autonomy or home rule authority to govern municipal affairs. lb) Support measures which would strengthen cities’ ability to reorganize special districts. 4 (4 (d) W (9 (9) m Support legislation which provides State assistance for local public libraries. Support measures which provide adequate funding for the State Library. Support measures which lead to a state or national energy policy. Support legislation which reinstates competition in the cable television industry. Support state and federal funding and legislation for the arts that benefits local communities. public records laws. n 0) t.0 (k) (1) 0-N 0-Q (0) Oppose federal measures which remove the deduction of all state and local taxes for federal income tax purposes. Support cable regulations that: 1. Maintain local control over public right-of-ways. 2. Provide just compensation for use of right-of ways and overseeing public service standards. 3. 4. Ensure public, educational, and governmental access is available and affordable. Provide free access to the “information highway” for public information services and announcements. Support legislation prohibiting firms from bidding on City projects if the firm is currently involved in legal proceedings against the City arising from prior projects. Support legislation which facilitates economic development efforts and encourages businesses to locate or remain in California. Oppose measures which would eliminate state licensing requirements for professionals involved in designing public and private developments. Support legislation that will foster independence of older Californians. Support legislation which requires cable television companies to assure that audio and video portions of adult entertainment channels are completely blocked 24 hours a day in the homes of non-subscribers. 10. Safetv Services: 5 . ‘- (a) @I (c> 60 09 (9 (9) (h) (0 W Support legislation that strengthens local law enforcement. Support measures which strengthen present state or federal laws to increase penalties and give local governments the power to restrict or regulate the sale, manufacture, or use of dangerous drugs, including, but not limited to, PCP, methamphetamine, and narcotics. Support measures which would provide a greater share of seized assets to localities and increased latitude for local spending. support e#eFte which discourages and prevents driving under the influence of drug I. lation that allows local agencies to recover costs for in accidents involving driving under the influence o alcohol, from the guilty party. Support legislation that would allow for the destruction or extended safekeeping of firearms or other deadly weapons involved in domestic violence incidents. Oppose legislation that would determine the extent or meth wildland areas. reduce the ability of local government to azard mitigation necessary in or around Support legislation granting immunity to or limiting liability of governmental entities an es who provide emergency medical pr+aMal instructions as a part of their public safety dispatch system. Oppose legislation which would restrict a local government from revising the delivery of emergency medical service to its citizens and support measures which broaden these powers. Support legislation that would assist local safety agencies in regionalization of activities such as training, crime labs, and other appropriate functions. 11. Land Use Planninq: (4 0.9 (c) 03 to strengthen the legal and fiscal capability of local pt and implement fiscal plans for orderly growth, development, beautification and conservation of local planning areas, including, but not limited to, the regulatory authority over zoning, subdivision, annexations, and redevelopment areas. “home rule” a zoning processes m. that are consistent wit lice powers thfeugh Support legislation requiring environmental review of initiatives to amend a general plan or zoning ordinance before the initiative is placed on the ballot or enacted. Support legislation to grant cities- to issue all coastal development permits within their jurisdiction consistent with a previously certified coastal plan. 6 7 - - 12. Housina and Communitv Development: (a) 09 w (e) (9 (9) 0-U (0 U) W) (1) (ml 0-9 Support efforts to develop federal and state participation, financial support and incentives (tax benefits, grants, loans) for programs which provide adequate, affordable housing (home ownership and/or rental opportunities) for the elderly, handicapped, and low-income persons throughout the community. Support legislation that provides incentives (tax benefits, grants, loans, credits for affo ts) w&f3 local agencies, private developers and non-profit groups rehabilitate residential units and commercial properties. Support legislation that would provide additional funding for rental subsidy assistance programs (such as Section 8) via more vouchers or certificates. Support repeal of Article 34 of the California Constitution (see Exhibit 2 additional information). Support reform of Housing Element to simplify, improve effectiveness and eliminate redundancy with other plans such as the generally-required Comprehensive Housing Authority Strategy (CHAS). Support legislation which allows entitlement cities to use CDBG funds for new construction of housing units. Support state inclusionary housing legislation which allows for adoption of a local program such as that implemented in Carlsbad. Support the repeal or modification of the Davis-Bacon Wage Act which sets a prevailing wage scale for public projects substantially increasing the cost of publicly-assisted housing developments. Support legislation that will consolidate and streamline the administration and reporting requirements for the Community Development Block Grant program. Support the consolidation of the Section 8 Certificate and Voucher Programs. Oppose legislation that would give the State financial/administrative responsibilities for the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG). Oppose legislation that makes the local municipality or redevelopment agency financially responsible for the removal, abatement or mitigation of hazardous materials. Oppose any state initiative or state statute which would restrict, limit or put conditions upon local governments’ powers to pass or implement mobile home rent control. Support legislation which requires availability of adequate school facilities contemporaneously with occupancy of housing. . .’ . L 1 1 13. RedeveloDment: (a> ( w (c) W Support reform of reporting requirements for the Redevelopment Agency which simplify the process and eliminate the confusion regarding which reports to file with which State agency (Housing and Community Development or Controllers Office or both). Oppose legislation which would prohibit/limit the establishment of new redevelopment project areas and/or expansion of existing project areas. Oppose any legislation which allows reallocation of tax increment revenues by the State to finance agencies and/or projects other than the redevelopment project which generated the increment. Oppose legislation that would add restrictions and procedural requirements regarding closed session discussions on land acquisition, use of eminent domain and disposal of property. 14. Child Care: (4 Support the reduction of present regulatory complexities. (b) Support the reduction of the burden of insurance costs. (c) Support funding for the construction, renovation and/or maintenance of child care facilities. (d) Support the provision of reasonable tax incentives for employers who offer child care services. @I Support legislation which focuses on quality child care in areas such as licensure, staffing, education and training. 15. Immierants: (4 Support legislation which recognizes the unique and difficult problems associated with recent legal and illegal immigrants to the United States, and assist local communities in dealing with these problems in such areas as housing, health services, education and employment. W Support legislation to increase the number of border patrol agents at the International Border. w Support state and federal assistance to local communities attempting to address the needs of migrant workers. 8