SR-080527-1L~~~
~;~YO, City Council Report
Santa Dionica '
City Council Meeting: 5-27-08
Agenda Item: I ° i--
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kathryn Vernez, Assistant to the City Manager for Community and
Government Relations
Subject: Support for Westside Cities COG Legislative Platform for2008-09
Recommended Action ,
Staff recommends that the City Council support the Westside Cities COG legislative
platform for 2008-09 that will provide general policy guidance for the Chair and the
Executive Director. The overarching policy areas are consistent with those areas where
Council has given policy direction to city staff.
Executive Summary
.The COG legislative platform contains broad policy statements pertaining to a variety of
issues that impact the Westside Cities. Its primary focus is protecting local government
control, maintaining local government revenue, pursuing homeland security funding,
actively supporting Westside transportation improvement projects, supporting efforts to
end homelessness, advocating for responsible environmental protection, expanding
housing, supporting community services and .public infrastructure. The Santa Monica
delegate and alternate and City staff participated in the drafting and review of the
platform to ensure consistency with adopted Council policy. The legislative platform
provides a policy framework for the COG to respond to legislative issues in a timely
manner as well as to provide general policy guidance to the Chair of the COG and the
Executive Director to guide on-going administration of the organization's business
affairs. Any legislative measures discussed by the COG that do not have Santa Monica
Council approval will be brought back to the Council for policy direction prior to a vote
by the' Santa Monica voting delegate or alternate.
Discussion
The COG is a voluntary cooperative organization among the cities and does not
represent another level of government. The purpose is to forge consensus on policies
and programs of regional significance. The COG structure provides a forum for
discussion, and communication as well as representation and advocacy on behalf of the
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Westside subregion. The COG structure allows the cities to be more competitive in
responding to funding opportunities from Regional, State and Federal sources in order
to present projects that maximize limited public funds through amulti-city approach.
Further, the COG structure permits greater efficiency in regional programming such as
in consolidating resources for contract or training .services and in the submission of joint
applications such as the Metro's "Call for Projects".
The legislative platform is an extension of these efforts and would permit the
organization to represent all 5 cities and the County representatives as long as there is
policy consensus that any position taken by the COG is in keeping with Governing body
directives. Santa Monica has a more detailed process in that staff requests explicit
policy direction on individual bills unless there has been policy direction given by City
Council. All major policy decisions associated with the COG legislative platform will be
brought back to the Santa Monica Council for approval, unless consistent with already
adopted Council policy.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There is no fiscal impact from the recommendation of this report and no additional
budget authority is required.
Prepared by:
Kathryn Vernez, Assistant to the City Manager for Community and Government
Relations
Approved: Forwarded to Council:
Kathryh~/ernez ~P~I~Sr}a'ont Ewell
Assistant to the City Manager for C' y anager
Community and Government Relations
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PLEASE NOTE REVISION TO
TRANSPORTATION SECTION
WfSTSIDE e1TIlE5 (From COG Meeting an May 16, 2008)
' BEV€RLY HILLS
• CULVER CITY
• Los ANCELEs
• SANTA MONICA
' WEST HOLLYWOOD
' COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Westside Cities COG
2008-09 STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
The Legislative Platform contains broad policy statements pertaining to a variety of issues that impact the
Westside Cities. Its primary focus is protecting local government control, maintaining local government
revenue, pursuing homeland security funding, and actively supporting Westside transportation
improvement projects. The Legislative Platform provides a policy framework for the COG to respond to
legislative issues in a timely manner.
LOCAL CONTROL: Advocate legislation that maintains and enhances local control of resources and
tools that allow cities and their redevelopment agencies, to address the needs of constituents locally and
within a framework of regional cooperation. Encourage the use of state incentives for Iecal government
action rather than mandates, (funded or unfunded). Oppose preemption of local authority whether by
State legislation or ballot propositions.
FISCAL STRATEGIES: Maintain the protections provided by Proposition 1A (November 2004 State
election), promote stable revenue for local governments to plan for future growth and needed public
facilities and services including library, parks (construction and renovation), recreational and social
service facilities and oppose unfunded State mandates. Support efforts to simplify the collection of sales
taxes nationwide and provide an equitable method for collecting sales taxes for Internet and catalog
sales.
TRANSPORTATION: Support and sponsor legislation that enhances the safety of city streets for
vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic, reduces traffic congestion and supports regional transportation
improvements including funding for the Exposition Light Rail to Santa Monica, the Westside Subway
Extension, and the I-10/Robertson/National Area Circulation Improvement Project. Support increased
state resources to mitigate traffic congestion on City streets and rebuild and maintain roads.
HOMELESSNESS: Support legislation and other efforts to reduce the homeless population.
Support funding for facilities and programs designed to assist homeless individuals move from the street
into permanent housing. In particular, the COG supports efforts to expand affordable, permanent housing
with supportive services and other appropriate supportive housing options, with the goal of meeting
regional needs.
Support the expansion of funding, and oppose reductions in funding for services for people who are
experiencing mental illness, substance abuse, physical illness, domestic violence or other issues which
put them at-risk for, or prolong their recovery from, homelessness. The COG supports the expansion of
funding for programs which provide eviction prevention assistance or other means to prevent
homelessness.
ENVIRONMENT: Advocate legislation that supports flexibility to pursue cost effective sustainable
responsible environmental policy and programs that affect energy, potable water, reclaimed water, waste
water, storm water and solid waste removal. Support legislation and policies to lessen the financial
impact of state and federal unfunded mandates for compliance requirements.
AIR QUALITY: The COG supports California Air Resources Board (GARB) standards to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from passenger cars and trucks.
The COG opposes legislation redirecting the funds authorized by Health and Safety Code Section 44223,
which currently are used by local governments for locally based air quality programs.
HOUSING AND LAND USE: Support incentive-based housing legislation to encourage expanding the
housing supply on the Westside, including more flexibility for local jurisdictions to work together to provide
housing that counts toward RHNA requirements. Support legislation that expands the supply of
affordable housing by adopting reforms that reduce barriers to improved planning and expand the
financial resources available. Prioritize funding for necessary infrastructure. Emphasize local control and
additional regional coordination in relation to all land use planning. The COG opposes any attempt to
erode Cities' local autonomy over land-use decisions, or weaken the ability of cities to ensure the future
welfare of residents through local control of the planning process. Support Smart Growth and coordinate
commercial vs. residential projects across city borders. State mandates for housing production and land
use policy should take into account fiscal issues such as property tax differentials stemming from Prop 13
and AB 8.
COMMUNITY SERVICES AND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE: Support legislation related to Internet and
filtering in public facilities, funding for literacy and English as a second language programs and protection
against censorship and restriction of free speech. Support funding for ADA facility and park upgrades
and affordable social services for seniors and disabled. Support legislation that provides for increased
services to or funding for at risk populations such as the frail elderly, indigent, disabled, homeless,
means-challenged, and other challenged populations. Seek funding for parks and community facilities.
Support the availability of regional healthcare facilities such as hospitals, emergency rooms and other
critical care facilities.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RECOVERY AND HOMELAND SECURITY: Support efforts,
strategies and legislation that promote and funds emergency preparedness and recovery efforts.
Advocate for ICIS (Interagency Communications Interoperability System) participation among jurisdictions
and funding for equipment and operations. Support funding opportunities for local homeland security
programs including new technology and equipment (e.g., closed circuit television) that does not supplant
other City funding, services or operations. Seek grants, and pilot project/demonstration project funding
for City homeland security priorities.
ARTS. CULTURAL RESOURCES. AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
The COG supports the continued state and federal funding, and recognizes the important role of local arts
activities and historic preservation in community life and how these cultural activities affect the social
health and economic vitality of communities.
V.7 Approved 5/15//08
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