01 030309 - Laserfiche WebLink

13. Review of City's state and federal legislative priorities Ms. Lara outlined the City's state and federal agenda approaches which include support for the League of California Cities' legislative policies and the continued partnership with the Tri-Valley cities to pursue regional and federal initiatives. The Tri-Valley Mayors met with congressional delegates in January to discuss funding requests for five specific projects: (1) East Bay Regional Communications Authority radio system, (2) Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center - to establish a program that initiates the purchase and rehabilitation of blighted and foreclosed properties, (3) Establishment of a post traumatic stress disorder facility at the soon to close Livermore Veterans Hospital, (4) Support and stimulation of job growth throughout state and local bonds that support public infrastructure, (5) I-580 improvements and multimodal connection to other transit sources. In addition, Pleasanton set city specific priorities including installation of solar panels at the Firehouse Arts Center, continued support of the Interpretive and Experiential Programming for the Alviso Adobe, and an interim program that specifically focuses on counseling services for at-risk youth in elementary and high schools. Mayor Hosterman said that Congressman McNerny is extremely supportive of all of these regional requests and notified her last week that all funding requests had passed the first hurdle. Ms. Lara detailed the League of California Cities' priorities which include protecting funding for vital community services; promoting economic stimulus and infrastructure investment; supporting sustainable communities; and promoting reform of state governance, budgets, and fiscal systems. Staff has proposed advocacy to protect local control. local revenue, and local services. In addition, it would be important to support legislation that promotes solutions for the housing crisis, ethical government practices, funding to improve local and regional transportation, renewable resources, sustainable building practices, environmental quality, and policies and programs to enhance public safety. Councilmember Sullivan said that he would like to see Pleasanton take a more active role in legislation. He noted that the Alameda County Waste Management Authority receives quarterly reports on all pertinent upcoming legislation and while the list of issues for the city would be much longer, it would provide the Council with the opportunity to discuss and take a stance on those issues. Mr. Fialho said there are several sources of information currently available through the League of California Cities, as well as other agencies. He offered to have staff assemble those quarterly to afford the Council the opportunity to provide direction. Councilmember Thorne said he will provide the opportunity to expand input into the state legislature through the league. He noted that they will immediately focus on the sole issue of governance in the state and how to address referendums, the initiative system, term limits, and a the two-thirds majority for budget acceptance. Councilmember McGovern said that she would like to be part of the discussion on priority setting in the future and asked if the federal priorities were based on the assumption of a certain amount of allocated funds. Mr. Fialho explained that they are primarily a result of the specific funding that is available, specifically in areas of public safety, transportation, and housing. These priorities are generally the same as those of the last two years with the exception of the immediate impact of the Livermore City Council Minutes Page 5 of 8 March 3, 2009