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Assistant to the City Manager Becky Hopkins reported on the City's Legislative Framework and advised <br /> the City's legislative focus areas for 2022 include COVID-19 recovery, housing, fiscal sustainability, <br /> fostering economic prosperity, infrastructure, protecting local control, creating a safer and secure <br /> community, sustainable development, and regional collaboration. <br /> Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins reported City staff and advocates from Townsend Public Affairs <br /> and the League of California Cities (Cal Cities) reviewed 79 bills for position-taking. <br /> Townsend Public Affairs Senior Associate Andres Ramirez reported on many of its advocacy efforts on <br /> behalf of the City, including federal and State budget requests, submitting letters with the City's stated <br /> positions, monitoring legislation, and engaging elected officials. <br /> Mr. Ramirez reported the State projects a $90 billion surplus and much of this money will go out as <br /> grants for one-time projects. He reported, in consultation with the Interim City Manager and in <br /> consideration of the Council's priorities list, the City will focus its requests on per- and polyfluoroalkyl <br /> substances (PFAS) mitigation funding. He reported Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan put <br /> forward a $3 million request as one of her top priority requests to help fund the City's PFAS combatting <br /> efforts. He advised $2 million towards the City's PFAS efforts also made the request list from <br /> Congressman Eric Swalwell for a federal appropriation. He advised the City continues to work with <br /> Senator Dianne Feinstein on possible funding for the Interstate 680 and Sunol Boulevard interchange <br /> project. <br /> Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins reported the housing bills being presented are ones where the <br /> recommendation is to oppose with comments and staff is looking for Council feedback. <br /> Director of Community Development Ellen Clark stated staff has concerns about Assembly Bill 916's <br /> elimination of discretionary review for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) and raises the maximum height <br /> of ADUs to 18 feet. She reported AB 1850 impacts how cities can acquire non-deed restricted housing <br /> and convert it to deed-restricted. She reported AB 2011 expands the "by right" approval ability for <br /> affordable and mixed-income residential projects from only its proximity to mass transit to also include <br /> proximity to major road corridors. She reported AB 2053 would create a new State agency with the <br /> ability to construct public housing projects. <br /> Director Clark reported AB 2063 would waive fees for affordable housing units with a density bonus. <br /> She advised there are concerns about unclear language in addition to the potential lost fee revenue for <br /> cities. She reported AB 2097 would prohibit cities from imposing minimum parking requirements for <br /> projects within a half mile of mass transit. She advised AB 2097 is similar to Senate Bill 1067 also on <br /> this list. She reported AB 2221 excessively truncates the timeline for an ADU. She reported AB 2234 <br /> could lead to cities facing litigation under the Housing Accountability Act. She reported AB 2334 greatly <br /> expands existing housing density bonus law to include areas not only near mass transit. She reported <br /> SB 897 would raise the height limit for an ADU to 25 feet and remove the sunset provision. She <br /> reported SB 930 has been narrowed since first introduced but is still unsatisfactory as it relates to the <br /> proposed new category of extremely-low income housing. <br /> Councilmember Testa requested changing to support for SB 1457, noting the bill comes with funding to <br /> create a first-time homebuyer program. <br /> In response to Councilmember Testa, Mr. Ramirez noted he has a good relationship with Senator <br /> Hertzberg's senior staff and will convey Councilmember Testa's thoughts on SB 1457. He confirmed <br /> Councilmember Testa said to support SB 1457 with amendments in the Legislative Subcommittee and <br /> the opposition in the staff report is a mistake. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 11 of 16 May 17, 2022 <br />