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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. Mr. Fialho said that there are other advocacy groups to which the City sometimes turns but that the League's focus in so inherently tied to what local government does that they do tend to be the primary source. He said the State Legislative Analyst issues what he believes to be a fairly objective analysis, which is available to the public through their website, on every piece of legislation. City staff often turns to this or other sources when there may be competing interests between the City and the League or when more analysis is required before validating the League's perspective. One benefit of the proposed subcommittee is that it would allow for this added layer of analysis early on in the review process. Mayor Thorne said he has made every effort to be clear that the letters he has issued were from him specifically and not the Council. He also noted that any member of the Council has the right to do the same, regardless of the stated position of the League or City of Pleasanton. Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio acknowledged and appreciated this but said it seems to have confused at least some elected officials on more than one occasion. She thought the subcommittee would be of great benefit in informing all Council members on the issues so that they may choose to take a position or not. City Council Minutes Page 6 of 13 July 16,2013