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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. 0 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. • N 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.