01 - Laserfiche WebLink

Ms. Lara also provided an overview of items that warrant close attention in the coming months. • AB 1229, Inclusionary Zoning — This bill would reauthorize inclusionary housing ordinances for rental units to address the 2009 Palmer/Sixth Street Properties v. City of Los Angeles. Currently on Senate floor. League of California Cities taking position of support; • AB 562, Economic Development and Subsidies: Review by Local Agencies — The bill imposes costly mandates on local governments to track and maintain data on any expenditure or loss of revenue by the local agency for economic development purposes valued at more than $100,000, as well as additional unfunded administrative requirements. Currently on Senate floor. League of California Cities taking opposed position; • SB 311, Local Elections: Charter Amendments and Charter Proposals —The bill restricts a city's ability to govern by restricting charter amendments and proposed charters to statewide general elections, thereby eliminating the option to place charter amendments before the voters at regularly scheduled municipal elections and statewide primaries. In doing so, the bill restricts cities' flexibility to deal with technical changes that may be needed to avoid litigation or generate much needed revenue. Currently on Assembly floor. League of California Cities taking opposed position; • SB 556, Public Agency Liability: Contractor Uniforms and Vehicles — This bill would make a public agency liable for damages associated with work performed under a contracted firm if a member of the public is led to believe that a contractor or its employees are agents of the public agency by wearing a substantially similar uniform to the public agency or by the using the logo of the public agency on a vehicle operated by the contractor or its employees. Currently on Assembly floor. League of California Cities taking opposed position; Ms. Lara stated that the state legislature is on recess until mid August. Staff will continue to monitor legislation, pursuing action as necessary, and prepare for the formation of a City Council subcommittee if approved. Mayor Thorne reported that a number of bills were added to the agenda at last week's League of California Cities Board of Directors meeting. These include bills to change the threshold for local taxes from 2/3 to 55% majority, bills on the implementation of the Public Employees Pension Reform Act, and 22 different bills related to the California Environmental Quality Act. He suggested that he meet with Ms. Lara following these board meetings to update her on the Board's position. Mr. Fialho noted that while the League is a substantial component of the City's legislative advocacy, the City does also rely on input from other organizations. Mayor Thorne concurred and also noted that the League's position does not always indicate unanimous support from its members nor does it indicate the position of local representatives. Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio said she had considerable respect for the League but wondered if there are other advocacy groups throughout the state whose legislative updates might be of benefit to the City and balance the perspective of the League. She said she is very much in favor of a legislative subcommittee to monitor these items moving forward. She also noted that on more than one occasion she has been contacted by elected officials regarding a letter of support or opposition from the Mayor that they mistakenly perceived as being from the Council, and that she had no knowledge of some of these letters. City Council Minutes Page 6 of 13 July 16,2013