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06-07-2011 - City of West Covina 2011 Legislative Platform - Item 11 Attach A (2).doc2011 Proposed Legislative Platform General Support legislation that protects local control and funding of vital community services, including but not limited to improving public safety, land-use planning, increasing transportation infrastructure investments, fair and community friendly environmental regulations, and the development of transparency measures of public meetings and other public disclosure requirements that are shared equally between elected and appointed officials at both the city and State governments. Public Safety Support legislation that aims to strengthen local law enforcement efforts to prevent crime and prosecute those committing a crime. Support legislation that enhances consequences for those convicted of vandalism of public property (i.e. graffiti). Support legislation that provides for additional funding sources dedicated to public safety programs (911 systems, interoperability, fire suppression, medical response, etc.), services, and personnel. Transparency and Disclosure Laws Support legislation that recognizes the importance and intent of the Brown Act to conduct the public’s business in public. Oppose legislation that claims to enhance open and public meetings that in practice unnecessarily complicates the ability of a local governing body to properly communicate with the public and that discourages communications with the governing body. Oppose legislation that prevents the privacy rights granted to individuals under the U.S. and California Constitutions. Support legislation that requires State elected and appointed officials to be subject of the same disclosure and transparency laws that they require of local municipalities, schools, and special districts. Finance/Budget Support legislation that proposes to further secure local government funding sources such as redevelopment funds, community development block grants (CDBG), property taxes, sales tax, transient occupancy taxes, and Prop. 42 and other transportation dollars. Oppose legislation that proposes to divert local government funds to the State or other entity. Support legislation to reduce the long-term costs of health and benefit costs of personnel. Support legislation to require the State of California to pay cities for un-funded mandates and to suspend those mandates when funding/reimbursements are not available. Oppose legislation that adds further regulations on cities without funding to implement those programs. Public Works and Transportation Support legislation that provides funding for local, regional, and state-wide transportation and public works infrastructure improvements. Support legislation that permits general law cities to use design-build contracts for public works projects. Oppose legislation that places undue hardship on local governments to implement new environmental regulations. Support legislation that provides increased funding opportunities for municipal environmental programs and sustainable energy projects. Support legislation that provides fiscally responsible policy for renewable energy programs. Redevelopment/Housing and Planning Oppose legislation to eliminate the City’s Community Development Commission (Redevelopment Agency). Support legislation to provide additional tools to redevelopment agencies to provide business development and retention, and job creation to generate economic stimulus. Support legislation to remove blight in communities throughout the State and to preserve redevelopment opportunities unique to West Covina (i.e. former BKK Landfill site). Oppose legislative changes to CEQA that would unfairly burden cities or hamper redevelopment activities. Support legislation that increases local control over group/residential care facilities, their location, and oversight. Support legislation that enhances the City’s ability to enforce municipal codes for businesses operating outside their approved land use and without a Conditional Use Permit. Support legislation that recognizes homelessness as a statewide issue that disproportionately impacts specific communities and that the State and federal agencies provide the necessary funding and resources to assure local governments have the ability to address the needs of the homeless in their communities.