Report Prepared by: Mike Conway, Assistant to the City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: City of Merced Legislative Platform 2017-18
REPORT IN BRIEF
Approve City of Merced Legislative Platform for 2017-18.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving the City of Merced Legislative Platform for 2017-18.
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 2017-18 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
Council has expressed a desire for the City to take a stronger role advocating on behalf of the City in the regional, state and federal arenas. Currently the City participates in the annual One Voice trips conducted by the Merced County Association of Governments and relies heavily on the League of California Cities to monitor legislation affecting the City. However, this isn't comprehensive, and does not always account for some of the unique situations facing Merced, such as having a UC campus as a neighbor or being a charter city.
Council has added the position of Legislative Director to coordinate the City's advocacy efforts, and provided direction to hire a consultant to assist the City. The Legislative Platform serves as the policy document to guide the City's advocacy efforts.
The guiding principles of the Legislative Platform are:
* The City favors legislation that enhances our ability to provide services to our residents;
* The City favors legislation that unburdens the local government from needless rules and regulations;
* The City favors legislation that provides additional revenue or enables us to s...
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