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18. Reviewed the Legislative Advocacy Monitoring Assistant City Manager Lara gave a slide presentation of the staff report. She explained that this is an informational item which pertains to the Council's request that staff develop a process for monitoring state and regional legislative items. She outlined the existing process, prov ded suggestions for additional processes and gave a brief summary of key legislative items and positions. Ms. Lara outlined the federal agenda, which is developed annually as part of a regional effort with the Tri-Valley Mayors. This effort begins each fall and concludes based on the schedule of Congress and various federal agencies. The state legislative process typically begins in January and slows by October. Much of the information used by the Tri-Valley mayors comes from the League of California Cities, National League of Cities and regional agencies. When responding to legislation, the following guiding principles are taken into consideration: local control as it pertains to Pleasanton and the Tri- Valley region, financial security, land use planning, and public safety. The current practice is to respond to issues by drafting letters of support or opposition from the Mayor or Tri-Valley Mayors, copies of which are provided to the Council members of affected agencies. At times, Councilmembers or other elected officials are also asked to make phone calls to state lawmakers. In response to the Council's recently adoption priorities, staff is recommending the formation of a subcommittee for 2014. The subcommittee would work to identify legislative inte-ests and share them with the City Council. Staff anticipates that this will result in greater transparency and legislative monitoring, allow staff to respond to legislation on behalf of the Council, and develop a reporting process for the Council on an as needed basis. Ms. Lara provided a brief overview of recent legislative action and referred to the staff report for a full summary. • AB 210, Transactions and Use Taxes: County of Alameda and County 01 Contra Costa — This bill would extend the existing authority of the County of Alameda and authorize Contra Costa County to impose a transaction and use tax for county-wide transportation programs through December 31, 2020. Letter of support issued; • AB 325, Housing Element Litigation Four Year Statute of Limitations — This bill extends the statute of limitations to sue a city or county over the adoption of a self-certified Housing Element, Density Bonus Ordinance, least cost zoning law, growth limitation ordinance, or anything else related to implementation of a Housing Element or decisions on affordable housing projects from 1 to 4 years. Letter of opposition issued; • SB 7, Public Works: Charter Cities — Prohibits charter cities from using s:ate funds or financial assistance for all construction projects if the city has a charter provision or ordinance authorizing a contractor's noncompliance with state prevailing wage requirements on any public works contract funded by city funds. Letter of opposition issued; • AB 5, Homelessness — The now dead bill proposed to create a homeless person's bill of rights that would provide certain protections, including requiring counties to pay the cost of providing legal counsel and specific reporting requirements to the Attorney General's office on an annual basis. Letter of opposition issued; City Council Minutes Page 5 of 13 July 16, 2013