Report Prepared by: Mike Conway, Assistant to the City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Approve Opposition to Assembly Bill 890
REPORT IN BRIEF
Approve Opposition to Assembly Bill (AB) 890, Local Land Use Initiatives: Environmental Review.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving staff to oppose AB 890 (Medina) Local Land Use Initiatives: Environmental Review.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2015-16 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
AB 890 (Medina) Local Land Use Initiatives: Environmental Review, requires an environmental review of all proposed local initiatives and unduly restricts proposed initiative ordinances. The bill requires proponents of all local initiatives to request that the City conduct an environmental review, regardless of the subject of the initiative. Currently the City prepares a title and summary of the initiative. This bill affects all initiatives, not just land use initiatives, and it could lead to potentially high costs to the City and heavy workload for staff.
Staff plans to bring before Council a complete Legislative platform in the weeks ahead for its discussion and approval. Once a Legislative platform is approved, staff will be able to respond quickly to requests for letters, calls, emails, testimony and to other legislative actions, as needed, based on the contents of the adopted platform.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed.