REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve City Position on Proposed League of California Cities’ 2019 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) 2019 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 2019 Annual Conference Resolutions Packet (Attachment 1) which contains the proposed resolutions to be considered at the League’s Annual Conference in Long Beach from October 16 to 18, 2019. 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 - Amendment to Rule 20A
This Resolution calls on the California Public Utilities Commission to Amend Rule 20A to Add Projects in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to the List of Eligibility Criteria and to Increase Funding Allocations for Rule 20A Projects
Concurrence:
Source: City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Cities: City of Hidden Hills, City of La Cañada Flintridge, City of Laguna Beach, City of Lakeport, City of Malibu, City of Moorpark, City of Nevada City, City of Palos Verdes Estates, City of Rolling Hills Estates, City of Rolling Hills, City of Ventura
Related City Policy: Council Policy 7.0.C.3 Long Term Advocacy Positions - Planning and Management - To ensure that local governments are consulted and their issues considered, support collaborative efforts and continued relations with, and funding from, other agencies, the State or the Federal Government, for matters where mutual concerns exist (i.e., immigration enforcement, terrorism prevention, safety of public utility systems, local/state/national disasters or emergencies, and homeland security directives), which could have an impact on the delivery of City services.
General Plan Goal SN-1 - Ensure that Natural and Human-Caused hazards are considered in decisions affecting the community and that land uses reflect acceptable levels of risk based on identified hazards and occupancy.
General Plan Goal LT-1 - Coordinated Regional and Local Planning-Protect the quality of life, the natural environment, and property investment, preserve home rule, secure fair share of funding, and provide leadership in the region.
Analysis: The proposed amendment to the Rule 20A program may not impact services in Sunnyvale because there are currently no Very High Fire Severity Zones(VHFSZ) in the City.
The resolution as proposed does not provide enough information to understand the ramifications of current/future Rule 20A VHFHSZ projects; that is, how the California Public Utilities Commission would increase existing utilities’ funds for the inclusion of “high hazard areas.” The concern is whether they will look to reallocate current credits/funds or if they will raise rates. A reallocation of credits/funds could affect current City projects and an increase in rates will affect Sunnyvale residents and businesses.
Recommended Position: Take No Position
Resolution #2 - International Transboundary Pollution Flows
This Resolution states that the League of California Cities should call upon the State and Federal governments to restore and ensure proper funding for the U.S. - Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program (BWIP) and work bi-nationally to address water quality issues resulting from transboundary flows from Mexico’s Tijuana River into the United States containing untreated sewage, polluted sediment, and trash.
The League of California Cities’ San Diego County Division is sponsoring this resolution to address their concerns over the contaminated flows from the Tijuana River into California that have resulted in the degradation of water quality and water recreational areas in Southern California.
Concurrence:
Source: San Diego County Division
Cities: Calexico; Coronado; Imperial Beach; San Diego
Individual City Officials: City of Brawley: Mayor Pro Tem Norma Kastner-Jauregui; Council Members Sam Couchman, Luke Hamby, and George Nava. City of Escondido: Deputy Mayor Consuelo Martinez. City of La Mesa: Council Member Bill Baber. City of Santee: Mayor John Minto, City of Vista: Mayor Judy Ritter and Council Member Amanda Young Rigby
Related City Policy: N/A
Analysis: The intent of this Resolution is to prompt and facilitate greater stewardship of wastewater management and surface water quality protection near the U.S.-Mexico border. While its objectives are well aligned with the direction of the City’s General Plan’s Environmental Management with respect to protection of local water resources, the General Plan’s policies do not address taking a position on such activities not proximate to our community.
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 Take No Position for the proposed Resolution #1, Amendment to Rule 20A; and Take No Position for the proposed Resolution #2, International Transboundary Pollution Flows, 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 2019 Annual Conference Resolutions Packet