REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve City Position on Proposed League of California Cities’ 2018 Annual Conference Resolutions
Report
BACKGROUND
Policy development is a vital and ongoing process within the League of California Cities. The principal means for deciding policy on the important issues facing cities is through the League’s seven standing policy committees and board of directors. Annual conference resolutions constitute an additional way to develop League policy. Proposed by member cities, resolutions must have at least five cities and/or city officials concur before it can be included for consideration. The League of California Cities (League) 2018 Annual Conference Resolutions Packet (Attachment 1) has two resolutions presented for consideration by the League policy committees and membership. This report provides guidance on how to vote on these issues as they pertain to City business for Councilmembers who serve on policy committees, on the resolutions committee, or as the City’s voting delegate/alternates.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.3.1 Legislative Management - Goals and Policies, Goal 7.3C: Participate in intergovernmental activities, including national, state, and regional groups, as a means to represent the City’s interests, influence policy and legislation, and enhance awareness.
Council Policy 7.4.14 Legislative Advocacy Positions: City business is defined as all matters directly related to service delivery, or otherwise contributing to the City’s operational success.
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(b)(5) in that it is a governmental, organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
This report transmits the League’s 2018 Annual Conference Resolutions Packet (Attachment 1) which contains the proposed resolutions to be considered at the League’s Annual Conference in Long Beach from September 12 to 14, 2018. Below is a description of the resolution, followed by staff analysis and recommendation. Staff recommendation options are: Support, Oppose, No Staff Recommendation, or Take No Position. While the meaning of Support and Oppose recommendations are clear, “No Staff Recommendation” and “Take No Position” are clarified as follows:
• No Staff Recommendation - Consistent with past practice, staff does not provide analysis or make recommendations on measures that do not impact City business as defined in Council Policy 7.4.14, Legislative Advocacy Positions.
• Take No Position - Despite a measure’s ability to impact City business, Staff may recommend that Council abstain from taking a position. This recommendation to remain neutral on an issue may be made for a variety of reasons (e.g., ballot language is not clear; the pros and cons of the business impact cancel each other out; etc.). When this option is recommended, the reason will be explained in staff’s analysis.
Any resolution submitted to the General Assembly must be concurred by five cities or by city officials from at least five or more cities; the concurring cities and/or officials are noted for each resolution.
Resolution #1 - Local Municipal Authority, Control, and Revenue
This Resolution states that the League of California Cities should assess the vulnerabilities to local authority, control and revenue and explore the preparation of a ballot measure and or constitutional amendment that would give the state’s voters an opportunity to further strengthen local authority and preserve the role of local democracy.
Concurrence:
Cities: Duarte, Oceanside
City Officials: Sho Tay, Mayor, Arcadia; Emily-Gabel Luddy, Mayor, Burbank; Steven Scharf, Council Member, Cupertino; Alan Wapner, Mayor pro Tem, Ontario; Lydia Kou, Council Member, Palo Alto; Bill Brand, Mayor, Redondo Beach; David Terrazas, Mayor, Santa Cruz; Michael Goldman, Council Member, Sunnyvale; Patrick Furey, Mayor, Torrance; Lauren Meister, Council Member, West Hollywood
Related City Policy: Council Policy 7.3.1 Legislative Management - Goals and Policies, Goal 7.3C: Participate in intergovernmental activities, including national, state, and regional groups, as a means to represent the City’s interests, influence policy and legislation, and enhance awareness.
Analysis: Protecting local control is vital to the City’s fiscal stability and overall local autonomy.
In the last three years, Sunnyvale has advocated on over 15 legislative bills and propositions that threatened local government control whether it be financial, land use, and infrastructure, among other issues. Most recently, we opposed S. 3157 (Thune & Schatz) legislation that would remove local control of deployment of wireless service facilities; and SB 827 (Weiner) legislation that would have bypassed local government zoning regulations on construction of high density housing projects. Local control allows residents greater input into revenue measures, helping to ensure the fit and stability of revenue sources for the City. For this reason, we have closely monitored initiatives such as the recently defeated “California Two-Thirds Vote for State and Local Revenue Increases Initiative.” Sunnyvale will continue its efforts to maintain local control and autonomy, and this resolution supports those efforts.
Recommended Position: Support
Resolution #2 - Repeal Preemption of Regulating Pesticides
This resolution seeks to have the state and the League study the negative impacts of anticoagulant rodenticides and address the inability of cities to regulate the use of rodenticides and pesticides.
Specifically related to anticoagulant rodenticides, the resolution would encourage the state to fund research into the negative impacts and a potential restriction or ban; direct the League to consider creating a task force to study and report on the unintended negative consequences; encourage cities and property owners to eliminate use; and encourage cities to join advocacy efforts. In addition, the resolution would direct the League to endorse repeal of a statute that preempts local regulation of pesticides.
Concurrence:
Cities: Agoura Hills; Calabasas; Moorpark
City Officials: Brett Lee, Mayor pro Tem, Davis; Catherine Carlton, Council Member, Menlo Park; Suza Francina, Council Member, Ojai; Carmen Ramirez, Mayor pro Tem, Oxnard; Tom Butt, Mayor, Richmond; Lindsay Horvath, Council Member, West Hollywood
Related City Policy: N/A
Analysis: Take no position, as this resolution does not directly impact City departments.
Recommended Position: Take no position
FISCAL IMPACT
The resolutions will not have a direct fiscal impact on the City.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve a support position for the proposed Resolution #1, Local Municipal Authority, Control, and Revenue; and take no position for the proposed Resolution #2, Repeal Preemption of Regulating Pesticides, and authorize the City’s voting delegate/alternates to cast votes consistent with the City Council’s adopted positions.
As stated, the staff recommended position is consistent with City Policy and provides Councilmembers who serve on policy committees, on the resolutions committee, or as the City’s voting delegate/alternates, guidance on how to vote on the issue as it pertains to City business.
Reviewed by: Lupita Alamos, Senior Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENT
1. League of California Cities 2018 Annual Conference Resolutions Packet