REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Review and Adopt Legislative Advocacy Positions and Long-Term Advocacy Positions Related to Neighborhood-Serving Retail, Food Desert Prevention, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Reform, Modernizing Public Participation in State Government, and Updating the Statement on Our City Values and Public Service to Support the Intersex Community
Report
BACKGROUND
At the February 10, 2026 meeting, the City Council approved the City's proposed 2026 Priority Advocacy Issues and Long-Term Advocacy Positions and directed staff to return with proposed policy language related to neighborhood-serving retail, food desert prevention, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) reform, modernizing public participation in State government, and an update to the Statement on Our City Values and Public Service to support the intersex community.
This report presents four proposed policy positions and an update to the Statement on Our City Values and Public Service for Council consideration. Adoption of these policy statements would enable the City to advocate on pending legislation and related policy issues consistent with Council direction.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.4.14, Legislative Advocacy Positions
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 (a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
DISCUSSION
Neighborhood-Serving Retail and Food Desert Prevention
The City has existing policy language in Council Policy 7.4.14 Legislative Advocacy Positions, under Section 5. Affordable Housing, Homelessness, and Land Use:
Housing Element/Land Use
(D) Strongly encourage the State government to establish policies that balance the need for increased housing production at all income l...
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