REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the Proposed 2020 Priority Advocacy Issues and review Long-term Legislative Advocacy Positions (LAPs)
Report
BACKGROUND
The City's Intergovernmental Relations Program enables timely and effective advocacy of City interests on pending legislation and issues that significantly impact City business. The City can initiate advocacy based on any existing City policy. Every year, the Council adopts the City’s advocacy platform which includes the priority advocacy issues for the year as well as long-term legislative advocacy positions (LAPs) found in each chapter of the Council Policy Manual. Other sources for City policies are found in the City Charter, Municipal Code, General Plan Elements, and the Council Policy Manual. This report provides Council with the opportunity to review the Proposed 2020 Priority Issues and long-term LAPs.
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
Proposed 2020 Priority Advocacy Issues (Attachment 1) is presented for Council consideration. Priority advocacy issues focus on regional, state, and federal activity already underway or expected within the calendar year and where the pending legislation or issue is expected to have a significant impact on City business. Staff is proposing to add one Priority Advocacy Issue and remove one for a total of 13 Priority Advocacy Issues:
1. Investment Funding and Local Control for Workforce Development
2. Interoperability/Public Safety Communications System
3. Environmental Regulatory & Conservation Issues
4. Regional and State-wide Water Supply Issues
5. Local Authority Over Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
6. PG&E Restructuring Plan (new)
7. School Mitigation Fees
8. Massage Therapy
9. Anticipated Legislation regarding the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems by Law Enforcement and First Responder Immunity when interfering with Unmanned Aircraft Systems
10. Medical Marijuana/Recreational Marijuana
11. Affordable Housing/Homelessness
12. Engagement with the Federal Aviation Administration Regarding Airplane Noise
13. Local Government Financing to Support Public Infrastructure, Including Affordable Housing
Staff proposes adding Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) Restructuring to the list of priority advocacy issues. PG&E filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2019 due to liability issues stemming from several devastating wildfires in California and has a June 30, 2020 deadline to finalize a restructuring plan or face a possible State intervention. There are currently three competing proposals: PG&E’s restructuring plan, Mayor Liccardo’s customer-owned utility model, and a publicly-owned model (SB 917, Wiener). This restructuring could have major impacts to our residents and businesses. The City supports efforts to provide affordable, reliable, diverse, safe, and environmentally acceptable power to the citizens and businesses of Sunnyvale (Council Policy 3 - Environmental Management, Policy 5.1 Energy). Staff will monitor proceedings closely and support efforts that improve safety, reliability, promote the City’s clean energy goals, and are cost-effective for consumers. Staff makes no recommendation on the preferred option.
Staff proposes to remove Regional Transportation Plan: Taxicabs/Network Companies as a priority advocacy issue. The City reviewed and revised its taxicab ordinance (Ordinance No. 3138-18) on November 13, 2018 to align with state laws passed in 2017 (AB 1069 and AB 939, Low) and prepared for the regulatory changes that took effect January 1, 2019. No issues have arisen since the new regulations took effect.
The City captures long-term LAPs by issue categories in each chapter of the Council Policy Manual, sunnyvale.ca.gov/government/codes/manual.htm. Long-term LAPs do not require annual Council adoption; however, any edits to those positions must be approved by Council. There are no proposed changes to the City’s LAPs this year.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
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.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the Proposed 2020 Priority Advocacy Issues (Attachment 1 to the report).
2. Approve the Proposed 2020 Priority Advocacy Issues (Attachment 1 to the report) with additional modifications.
3. Other direction as provided by Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Approve the Proposed 2019 Priority Advocacy Issues (Attachment 1 to the report).
Staff
Prepared by: Jaqui Guzmán, Deputy City Manager
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2020 Priority Advocacy Issues