02-04-1992 - Legislative Platform for the 1992/93 Legislative Session•
--_City Council
FROM : City Manager's Office
SUBJECT. LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM FOR THE
1992-93 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
City of West Covina
Memorandum
AGENDA
ITEM NO. J-1
DATE February 4, 1992
SUMMARY: This report proposes a legislative platform for the 1992-
93 legislative session to provide Council direction for
staff to respond in a timely manner to the large number
of legislative issues which have potential impacts on the
City of West Covina.
BACKGROUND
During the past several years the City of West Covina has been
active in the legislative process by taking positions on bills,
working with local representatives, proposing new or alternative
legislation and by supporting the League of California Cities. In
the past, the City Council has taken positions on proposed
legislation due to a request from an outside agency, the League,
Councilmembers, or staff. The process starts with a review of the
proposed legislation being prepared by staff outlining the primary
impact of the legislation on the City and is presented for Council
action. Once Council has taken a position, the Mayor sends a
letter on behalf of the Council to the appropriate legislators,
and/or Governor, expressing the Council's support or opposition
regarding the bill.
Additional, action is also taken by having the Mayor respond to
legislation that is similar to bills the Council has taken action
on or are in accordance with Council policies. For example, this
includes such measures which are directed at placing restrictions
on the use of revenues currently going into. the General Fund or
requiring cities to implement labor practices such as binding
arbitration.
In order to respond in a timely manner, Council approved a
Legislative Platform for staff s direction and use during the 1991-
92 Legislative Session. The new legislative platform program
afforded guidelines to staff in responding to issues where there
was not sufficient time to bring the proposed legislation before
Council for review. Since the legislative platform program was a
useful set of guidelines to staff, the program's continuation would
be advisable. A second benefit is the formal process for an
ongoing review of past Council policies on legislative issues and
lobbying efforts.
LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
In order to continue a smooth process for the City's legislative
efforts and to be more effective in responding to the large number
of proposed pieces of legislation, staff is proposing that Council
adopt a .legislative platform for the 1992-93 session. A
legislative platform would continue to provide the basic foundation
for the City's lobbying efforts. Additionally, the platform would
allow staff to have continued strong coordination among departments
in responding to specific pieces of legislation. The Mayor would
be able to respond on behalf of the Council when there is not
adequate time to bring a piece of legislation before the full
Council prior to a key committee or floor vote.
Continued adoption of a legislative platform will establish an
ongoing process to review past Council policy. The platform would
be reviewed and updated by the Council prior to future legislative
sessions. This would provide clear direction to staff in reviewing
proposed legislation and give staff the opportunity to highlight
legislative issues that are forthcoming.
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is
Page Two
Staff has prepared a legislat
--.—(-Attachment-- A)__- _ The platfc
actions taken by Council c
previous four years. The
categories. with specific po]
issues to be supported or opj
support or oppose is based c
proposals. In all cases the
specific piece of legislatic
have on the citizens and C:
decide to adopt the proposed
time, staff would appreciate
items or any additional item
.ve platform for Council consideration
. was prepared from an analysis of
uring the 1991-92 session and the
platform consists of eight general
icy statements pertaining to related
osed by the City. The designation to
n Council's vote on past legislative
!ity's position will depend on how the
i is written and the impact it would
ty of West Covina. Should Council
1992-93 Legislative Platform at this
Council'.s input on any of the listed
The adoption of a legislative platform will not preclude staff from
continuing to bring specific pieces of legislation before the
Council. The Council may continue to request any legislative
matter to be brought before lthem and may at any time revise the
legislative platform.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that Council adopt a legislative
platform for.the 1992-93 legislative session.
Ju Or
Ad inistrative Analyst II
DCH:plp
Attachment
m
ATTACHMENT A
CITY OF WEST COVINA
1992-93 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
I. LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE
A. Support measures which relieve taxpayers of the burden of
paying for services which could be charged directly to
those benefiting from the service.
B. Support measures which provide greater accountability on
the part of the State and counties for the distribution
of funds back to municipalities, including, but not
limited to, reimbursements for State mandated programs,
fines, forfeitures, and tax allocation.
C. Support measures which repeal a county's authority to
charge cities for the administration of county programs,
including, but not limited to, property tax collection
and booking of prisoners.
D. Support measures which provide for localflexibility in
the generation and use of local revenues.
E. 'Oppose measures which restrict the use or generation of
local revenue or charge.tax allocations which negatively
affect local government.
F. Oppose measures which impose. State and/or Federal
mandated costs for which there is no guarantee of local
reimbursement or offsetting benefits.
G. Oppose measures that restrict or limit a city's ability
to use tax exempt debt for the purchase or construction
of public improvementsor facilities.
H. Oppose legislation that jeopardizes the integrity of the
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Support
legislation which would strengthen employer
representation on the PERS board.
II. LABOR RELATIONS
A. Support measures which limit the ability of employees to
receive workers' compensation benefits for occupational
injuries/illnesses which result from stress, disciplinary
action, or performance evaluations.
B. Support measures which limit the ability of employees to
pursue or to provide a means for cities to otherwise
insure against excessive liability for punitive damages.
C. Oppose measures which impose compulsory and binding
arbitration with respect to public employees.
D. Oppose measures granting employee benefits that would be
more properly decided at the local bargaining table.
E. Oppose measures which reduce local control over public
employee disputes and impose regulations of an outside
agency.
F. Oppose measures which expand or extend any presumptions
of occupational injury or illness.
III. TRANSPORTATION
A. Support measures which increase the ability of local
agencies to finance and increase flexibility in current
funding for transportation facilities and infrastructure.
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Legislative Platform
Page Two
B. Support measures
funding for trap
designed to enhan
C. Support measures
administration of.
IV. ENVIRONMENT
ich provide for local and regional
)rtation demand systems management
methods of reducing vehicle trips.
which reduce duplication and
ional transportation agencies.
A. Support measures (which promote recycling and the
development of markets for recyclable materials.
B. Support measures which increase the water supply and
improve water quality within the region.
C. Support measures which encourage the use of drought
tolerant plants and water conservation techniques
including the use of reclaimed water.
D. Support measures which seek to protect air quality and
the atmosphere.
E. Support measures which assist local agencies in reaching
waste diversion goals, and other local programs
established under the Integrated Waste Management Act of
1990 (AB 939).
F. Support measures to assist local agencies to implement
and fund proper hazardous waste management plans.
V. LAW ENFORCEMENT
A. Support measures which strengthen local law enforcement
including dealing with juveniles especially in gang
related activities.
B. Support measures which strengthen present State and
Federal laws to increase penalties and give local
governments the power to restrict or regulate the sale,
manufacture, or use, of dangerous drugs.
C. Support measures which would provide for a greater share
of seized assets to be returned to local entities and
increased flexibility in the use of asset forfeiture
funds.
D. Support measures which discourage and prevent driving
under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
E. Support measures
local law enforc(
F. Support measures
government and s
programs.
VI. LAND USE PLANNING
ich provide for direct funding of
t from Federal grant programs.
which provide funding for local
pools for gang diversion related
A. Support measures to strengthen the legal and fiscal
capability of local agencies to prepare, adopt,. and
implement fiscal plans for orderly growth, development,
beautification, andl conservation of local planning areas,
including, but not limited to, the regulatory authority
over zoning, subdivisions, annexations, and redevelopment
areas.
B. Support measures which are consistent with the doctrine
of "home rule" and the local exercise of police powers,
through planning and zoning processes, over local land
use.
Legislative Platform
Page Three
C. Support measures to develop Federal and State
participation and financial support for creative programs
to provide adequate, affordable housing (home ownership,
and/or rental opportunities) for the elderly,
handicapped, and low-income persons throughout the
region.
D. Oppose measures which impose greater requirements on
local housing elements and local planning agencies which
reduce local control..
E. Oppose measures which, impose regional levels of
government which reduce local control over land use and
development.
VII. GENERAL GOVERNMENT
A. Support measures which provide increased local
flexibility to fund and provide local services.
B. Support measures which allow local safety and building
standards to exceed standards set by the State.
C. Support measures to reform California's tort system to
curtail unreasonable liability exposure for public
agencies and restore the ability of public agencies to
obtain affordable insurance.
D. Support measures which allow cities to regulate rates and
franchise locally all multi -channel providers, including
Cable TV.
E. Oppose measures which require local agencies to record or
otherwise provide a public record of closed sessions.
F. Oppose measures which place further .restrictions or
requirements on local agencies, in conducting public
meetings.
G. Oppose measure which reduce local government's ability to
regulate -allowable franchises and levy a franchise fee
(e.g. waste,disposal, Cable TV).
H. Oppose measures which impose regional, State, or Federal
mandates on local government. %b
VIII. REDEVELOPMENT
A. Support measures which enhance the ability of local
government to use redevelopment to stimulate local
economic growth.
B. Support measures which provide for the continued tax
exempt status of redevelopment bonds.
C. Oppose measures which restrict the ability of an agency
to negotiate pass through settlements with counties and
other taxing entities..
D. Oppose measures which require additional specific
expenditures or repairs, including, but not limited to,
housing set aside requirements and seismic repairs.