Report Prepared by: Mike Conway, Assistant to the City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Considers Approval of 2017-18 Regional, State and Federal Legislative Platform
REPORT IN BRIEF
Council is asked to update Regional, State, and Federal Legislative Platform.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting the updated 2017-18 Regional, State and Federal Legislative Platform.
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 consideration 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, Chapter 200
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2017-18 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
The City Council adopted its first Legislative Platform in August 2017 after the Council expressed a desire for the City to take a stronger role advocating on behalf of the City in the regional, state and federal arenas. The Legislative Platform serves as the policy document to guide the City’s advocacy efforts. It was used to respond to State and Federal legislation that was proposed during the year.
Subsequently the City hired Townsend Public Affairs in October 2017 to provide advocacy services. Their representatives have reviewed the Legislative Platform, assisted in editing revisions and suggested adding additional elements.
The additional elements:
• Support legislative efforts on behalf of the Investing in Opportunity Act that would result in the creation of Economic Opportunity Zones, and, if passed, support efforts to have the Governor designate Economic Opportunity Zones in Merced.
• Oppose legislative efforts that constrain the ability of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to effectively manage its investment portfolio or otherwise impair the sustainability of the pension system.
Staff will continue to use the Legislative Platform to advocate on behalf of the City using a variety of means including letters, phone calls, personal meetings, testimony and media outreach. Council will be kept aware of staffs efforts and receive copies of materials that are distributed.
If there are matters not addressed in the Legislative Platform that come up staff will bring them before Council for its consideration. The entire Legislative Platform will be brought back annually to the City Council for review and adoption after the California legislative session ends in October.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds are needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2017-18 Regional, State and Federal Legislative Platform