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HomeMy WebLinkAbout020720-05 REGIONAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 2020 LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY PLAN The Town will continue to work with the other Tri-Valley Cities (TVC) to further policy issues and positions that affect our communities. These efforts include continuing to work with TPA to advocate for and promote TVC interests at both state and federal levels. In the past two years, TPA has assisted the TVC more effectively advocating on behalf of over 365,000 people, making significant inroads on issues where individual City/Town efforts would have been less effective. The number of bills being introduced in the state legislature having the potential to further erode cities’ local control has increased significantly. The Tri-Valley Cities are continuing to expand advocacy efforts and public outreach to counter these measures through: • Updating the Tri-Valley Cities Legislative Framework • Updating the Housing Framework document and creation of a one-page housing position paper • Development of an Impact Fee white paper and one-page policy position paper • Development of a Transportation white paper and one-page policy position paper • Tri-Valley branded informational videos about the RHNA process, ADU’s and Affordable Housing for posting on the town’s website • Fact Sheets for each high priority bill • Examining the feasibility of a Tri-Valley Cities’ regional outreach event The Town is also taking the following additional steps to further expand its advocacy efforts: • Developing a Town of Danville Legislative Framework (attachment A) • Creating a Legislative Committee of the Town Council • Creating a Legislative Advocacy page on the towns’ website • Providing high priority bill information in the Farmers Market box • Examining the feasibility of a Mayors’ Town Hall on high priority legislation 2 In 2020, the Town will also proactively engage with ABAG’s Housing Methodology Committee, whose task is to develop and recommend the approach to be used in allocating housing assignments from State HCD to all cities and counties in the nine county Bay Area. Active engagement in the “housing assignment” process is critical in light of significantly higher than projected housing allocations that have been received by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). Pursuit of Grant and Earmark Opportunities In December 2019 the Town Council authorized a contract with Townsend Public Affairs to provide Grant writing assistance and services. TPA and Danville staff have completed the onboarding process and are actively pursuing for grant and earmark opportunities that will benefit the Town (Attachment A). 2019 LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY Townsend Public Affairs has prepared a detailed 2019 Legislative Summary (attachment B), highlights include: Federal Advocacy - In January 2019, the Tri-Valley Cities’ (TVC) Mayors continued their annual advocacy efforts in conjunction with the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. Working with TPA the TVC group engaged in a series of productive meetings and discussions aimed at furthering the TVC legislative platform. State Advocacy & Leadership - At the state level the TVC coalition took the lead in advocating for local control at the legislature. The coalition met with Senators Weiner and Glazer, Assemblymembers Chiu and Bauer Kahan, and other Bay Area elected officials in an effort to build relationships with policy makers in Sacramento. The Town continues to stay engaged with the League of California Cities in policy development and advocacy efforts including Legislative Action Day. Local Control Extensive effort was focused on numerous housing related bills. The Town proactively worked with TPA, the TVC Coalition, Contra Costa Mayors’ Conference, Contra Costa Public Managers’ Association, and state elected officials to form a collaborative response to these and other bills affecting local control. Ultimately, the legislature passed about 25 housing-focused bills intended to fast-track housing production. Key bills/laws that affect Danville and all cities as of January 1, 2020 include: 3 AB 881 – Accessory Dwelling Units New statewide ADU regulations have superseded local ordinances by allowing/requiring the following: • ADUs allowed in any residential district (single-family and multifamily) • Up to 2 ADUs allowed per lot in single-family districts • Standards: maximum size 1,200 s.f.; setbacks - 4-foot side and rear yard; maximum height 16 feet. • Fire Sprinklers required for ADUs if required for main home • Impact Fees: Not permitted on ADUs ≤ 750 s.f. For ADUs > 750 s.f. must be proportional to primary home • Rentals: Long-term only • No requirements for parking, owner occupancy, or correction of non- conforming conditions; No HOA restrictions permitted SB 330 – Housing Crisis Act of 2019 Over the objections of local governments, Governor Newsom signed into law SB 330, the ‘Housing Crisis Act of 2019’ (effective January 1, 2020 and applicable for the next five years). Major provisions of the new law limit local control in the following ways: • “Freezes” development standards and fees upon submittal of a “Preliminary Application” (contents prescribed by state law); • Limits the maximum number of public hearings on a project to five (5) total; • Shortens the timeline to approve a project (from 120 to 90 days); • Prevents municipalities from adopting: ➢ Moratoriums on residential and mixed-use projects; ➢ Caps on population and housing units allowed; ➢ Density reductions or design standards that effectively limit housing development potential (below January 2018 levels). In addition, local agencies may not deny or conditionally approval a project in a manner that renders an affordable housing project infeasible. SB 330 incorporates non-compliance penalties of $10,000-$50,000 per unit (into affordable housing funds). 2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION The Governor’s 2020/21 State Budget Proposal Governor Newsom’s 2020-21 State Budget proposal released on January 10 proposes expenditures of $222 billion, including $153.1 billion from the State’s General Fund. 4 The Governor states that his proposed budget makes a number of innovative investments, while acknowledging that the State’s economy is seeing a slowing in its growth and could slip into a recession in the near future. The proposed budget would increase the State’s Rainy-Day fund to $18 billion by the end of FY 2020-21 and would reach the constitutional 10% reserve cap in FY 2021-22. Education - $84 billion is proposed in Proposition 98 funding for K-12 and community college districts, a $3.8 billion increase from the current fiscal year. The increase focuses on continued efforts to strengthen underperforming schools, close achievement gaps, and improve student services in K-12 districts. $900 million is allocated to improve funding for teacher recruitment/retention, with an additional $100 million in stipends for teachers at some of the state’s most needy districts. Expansion of school meal programs, increased focus on STEM, and additional funding for school facilities are also among the increases outlined in the proposal. Homelessness - The budget contains $750 million in one-time funding to establish the California Access to Housing and Services Fund - to reduce homelessness by moving individuals and families to permanent housing and increasing units available to those at risk of becoming homeless. Funding would be dispersed through regional administrators that can provide short- and long-term rental subsidies, make contributions to the development of units, and stabilize community facilities through capital projects and operating subsidies. Housing - Major programs that were included as part of the FY 2019-20 State Budget, including funding for infill infrastructure and multi-family housing, are just now being made available through State HCD grant programs. This year’s budget proposal would increase state funding to help expedite the release of those funds, as well as provide over $6.8 billion in funding to over 25 different programs aimed at increasing the amount of housing in California. Regional Housing Needs Allocation - The budget contains funding for the State to continue to improve the RHNA process. The Governor has directed State HCD to work with stakeholders to revamp the RHNA process by 2023. This aligns with his stated goal of working with the Legislature to expedite housing production, including making changes to local zoning and permitting processes, adding predictability and reducing development fees. Climate Resiliency - The budget contains significant resources for climate resiliency in response to extreme wildfires, flooding, heat, and mudslides due to climate change. The cornerstone of this proposal is a new $4.75 billion climate resiliency bond 5 proposed to be placed on the November 2020 ballot. Additional funding would be allocated to programs that focus on responding to the climate problem, including transportation emission reductions, smart agriculture and forestry, water resiliency, and emergency response and preparedness. The next step in the budget process is for the Legislature to begin to consider the Governor’s budget. In the coming weeks, the Senate and Assembly Budget Committee, and various Budget Subcommittees, will conduct hearings to receive more detail about the various items in the Governor’s budget proposal. The committees will also begin the process of determining legislative priorities for inclusion in the budget. Hearings will occur over several months until the Governor releases his May Revise of the budget. The FY 2020-21 budget will need to be approved by June 15th. CONCLUSION The Town Council is asked to provide further direction or feedback to staff regarding steps being taken to effectively advocate the Town’s positions. Attachments: A – Town of Danville 2020 Legislative Framework B – Townsend Summary of 2019 Legislative Efforts Town of Danville Legislative Framework Town Council Legislative Committee ATTACHMENT A 2 Overview The Town of Danville is actively engaged in legislative advocacy efforts that are aimed at protecting and promoting Danville’s best interests at the local, state and federal levels. These efforts are driven by two primary considerations: 1) continuing to uphold the Town mission of delivering superior municipal services that make people’s lives better; and 2) an increasing level of state involvement and regulation in areas that have previously fallen within local control. The significant increase in bills being introduced in the state legislature that have the potential to further impact cities’ local control has prompted the Town to continue to expand advocacy efforts through various means and channels. Key to these efforts is the development of this Legislative Framework which outlines the Town’s legislative principles, policies, goals and strategies. The Framework will be monitored and driven by a Town Council Legislative Sub- committee. Legislative Goals • Advocate the Town’s legislative interests at the federal, state, regional, and county levels to support our Town’s vision and mission. • Serve as an active participant with other local governments, the League of California Cities, regional agencies, and local professional organizations on legislative issues that are important to the town and our region. • Participate in the Tri-Valley Cities coalition to work together on legislative issues, projects and initiatives at the federal, state, regional and county levels . • Seek grant and funding assistance for Town projects, services, and programs. Legislative Principles To fulfill the goals identified, the Town supports legislation and policies that favor: 1. Outstanding Quality of Life - provide opportunities to protect and enhance our residents’ quality of life through active living, a healthy lifestyle and diverse recreational services. 2. Community Safety - provide access to resources and services for residents, such as quality police, fire, emergency management, emergency medical services, services for vulnerable populations and community benefit efforts. 3. Local Control over La nd Use and Preservation - ensures the Town’s continued ability and authority to exercise decisions on land use matters and reasonably regulate new development to ensure consistency with Town design standards. The orderly growth and development of the Town together with the preservation of open-space is a high priority for the Danville community. 4. Foster Economic Vitality and Growth - provide funding for initiatives that promote: economic health and resilience, business development, workforce 3 development, and small business entrepreneurship training and assistance. 5. Public Infrastructure - enable continued improvement and maintenance of the Town’s public infrastructure. 6. Transportation - provide funding for planning and implementation of regional transportation projects. 7. Housing - seek balanced solutions which consider housing, jobs, and transportation together; does not take a one size fits all approach; provides funding and resources for infrastructure and allows the Town to exercise local control in developing locally- appropriate plans that meet State objectives in a manner that is compatible with existing community character. 8. Support Residents Growth and Enrichment - enhance and encourage recreational programming, exercise, use of parks and services, community engagement, social and recreational experiences; and performing and visual arts. 9. Sustainability - enable sustainable development, conserve natural resources, and, provide resources to enable environmental awareness and health in our community. 10. Fiscal Sustainability - protect existing federal, state, and local funding sources that provide revenues to the Town of Danville. Oppose Unfunded Mandates and legislation that seeks to impose any requirement upon the Town that is not fully funded; aid recovery of Town costs stemming from State and/or Federal mandates. Town Council Legislative Committee • The Legislative Committee will consist of two members of the Town Council to be appointed annually by the Mayor, supported by appropriate Town staff. • The committee will meet as frequently as monthly to review and discuss the Town’s legislative platform and pending/possible legislation. • The committee will develop positions on pending or possible legislation and make recommendations for consideration by the Town Council. Recommendations will be based upon a determination of potential legislative impacts upon the Town and its residents. Potential positions to be considered inc lude: o Support: Legislation that the Town should support as drafted o Support if Amended: that the Town should support if the author accepts amendments proposed or supported by the Town o Oppose: Legislation that the Town should oppose as drafted o Oppose unless amended: Legislation the Town should oppose unless amended o Watch: Town will take no formal position but will watch the Legislation and consider taking a position as the legislative process progresses • Once a determination has been made that a legislative proposal may impact the Town, a letter outlining the Town’s position will be drafted for the Mayor’s or Town Manager’s signature. 4 • The Subcommittee will make regular reports to the Town Council at duly noticed public meetings. • The subcommittee will work collaboratively with Tri-Valley Cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton and San Ramon to further the Tri-Valley Legislative Framework. Strategic Documents The following documents are available on the Town’s website at www.danville.ca.gov • Town Vision and Mission Statements • Town of Danville General Plan 2030 • Town of Danville Adopted Budget and Capital Improvement Program • Town of Danville Recreation, Arts & Community Services Master Plan • Town of Danville Climate Action Plan The Legislative Framework will be reviewed annually by the Town Council. Day to day oversight of legislative matters is the responsibility of the Town Manager’s Office, consistent with this Legislative Framework and policy set by the Town Council. ATTACHMENT B MEMORANDUM To: Danville Mayor and Members of the Town Council From: Christopher Townsend, President, Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. Niccolo De Luca, Northern California Senior Director Alex Gibbs, Senior Associate Andres Ramirez, Associate Date: February 7, 2020 Subject: 2019 Legislative Summary for the Town of Danville SUMMARY Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. (TPA) has prepared this report for the Town of Danville following the end of the 2019 legislative year. This report provides a summary of our efforts to date for the advocacy objectives of Danville. Summary of 2019 State Legislative Highlights TPA worked with the elected Danville leadership and administrative staff to develop, advocate, and secure several major initiatives through various means including legislation and most importantly working directly with our elected leaders in Sacramento. As part of the Tri-Valley Cities coalition, the Town of Danville took collated formal positions on 10 housing related bills and one PGE related bill while TPA closely monitored numerous other pieces of legislation in which a formal position was not taken. The formal positions were on the following pieces of legislation: AB 68 (Ting) Land use: accessory dwelling units o This legislation relaxes requirements to construction and permitting of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), including: requiring local agencies to approve application for an ADU or JADU building permit, seeing that the (J)ADU has exterior access from the proposed or existing structure and the side and rear setbacks are sufficient for fire and safety. Also, prohibits a local ADU ordinance from imposing standards on ADUs that include requirements on lot coverage or minimum and maximum lot size. 2019 Legislative Summary for the Town of Danville 2 o The Tri-Valley Cities took a “Support if Amended” position on this bill, prompting Townsend Public Affairs to work with our State Delegation, other Members of the Legislature, policy committee staff, as well as the Governor’s administration. o TPA drafted and delivered position letters on be half of TVC, attended and testified in committee hearing, held numerous meetings with the author’s staff, and provided constant updates to the Tri Valley Cities on our efforts. o TPA was successful in working in partnership to secure amended language regarding short term rentals and 5-year sunset provisions. o With the new bill language in place, the legislation was signed by Governor Newsom and then was chaptered into law on 10/9/2019. AB 69 (Ting) Land use: accessory dwelling units o This bill would require the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to propose small home building standards governing accessory dwelling units smaller than 800 square feet, junior accessory dwelling units, and detached dwelling units smaller than 800 square feet, and to submit the small home building standards to the California Building Standards Commission for adoption on or before January 1, 2021. o The Tri-Valley Cities also took a Support if Amended position. TPA worked with the author’s office, TVC representatives, and Committee Staff, discussing our position and working to revise bill language during the formal amendment process. o The bill has been stagnant since September of last year, and TPA will keep a watchful eye while continuing to have conversations with the Author’s office on the status of the now 2-year bill in 2020. AB 1483 (Grayson) Housing data: collection and reporting o This bill would require cities and counties to post specified housing -related information on their web sites and requires HCD to establish a workgroup, as specified, to develop a strategy for state housing data. o TPA worked closely with Assembly Member Grayson’s office to discuss the bill’s language and suggested new verbiage with regards to an alternative process and other options. Our team also engaged in many meetings with the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee staff, as well as with the Senate Governance and Finance Committee. o Assembly Bill 1483 was signed by the Governor on 10/9/19 and has now been chaptered into law. AB 1484 Mitigation Fee Act: housing developments o This would require a city or county to post on its Web site each fee imposed by itself and any dependent special districts that is applicable to a housing project. It will add clarifications to the housing development application process, potentially reducing development cycle. 2019 Legislative Summary for the Town of Danville 3 o TPA has proposed amendments to the current version of the bill and worked with various coalitions on their efforts. This included discussions with the Bay Area Delegation, Policy and Fiscal Committee staff, and testifying in committee hearings. o TPA also attended multiple small roundtable discussions at the invitation of the Author, where we expressed our concerns and potential consequences the legislation could have on local governments’ ability to provide social services for their residents. o The bill was held in the committee process during September of last year. o In the meantime, TPA has had numerous meetings with the Author where we expressed concerns. We will continue to work closely with Assembly Member Grayson and his Staff in order to provide pertinent information and to advocate for the interests of TVC. AB 1485 (Wicks) Housing development: streamlining o This bill would allow certain housing developments in the San Francisco Bay Area to be subject to streamlined ministerial review if the project dedicates at least 20% of housing to be affordable to households (which make below 120% of the area median income) with the average income of the units at or below 100% of the area median income. o TPA met with Assembly Member Wicks’ office, as well as with TVC’s legislative delegation to express the concerns of the Tri-Valley Cities. Through our meetings and discussions with Legislative offices and Committees, various amendments were made to reflect the current version of the legislation o On 10/9/19, this bill was signed by the Governor then chaptered into law. AB 1487 (Chiu) San Francisco Bay area: housing development: financing o This legislation would establish the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and sets forth its powers. Most notably, BAHFA may place a measure on the ballot to raise revenue and allocate funds throughout the San Francisco Bay Area f or housing. These ballot measures will require a 2/3 vote. There are various funding categories, some of which are helpful to local government. o This legislation went through many different changes and amendments throughout the legislative process which required multiple formal positions from the TVC along with some flexibility. o TPA worked closely with Assembly Member Bauer -Kahan, Senator Glazer, the office of Assembly Member Chiu, and many others to propose and secure some amendments. o TPA worked to organize a roundtable meeting in San Ramon with the author to discuss TVC concerns and potential amendments, then drafted a second letter and continued to testify in committee hearings on behalf of TVC as we moved from the Oppose unless Amended position to a Wat ch position. 2019 Legislative Summary for the Town of Danville 4 o The TPA team closely monitored ABAG and MTC ad -hoc committee meetings while also keeping in close contact with the bill sponsors, in order to keep TVC aware of proposed updates to the legislation. o After months of work, TPA successfully secured some amendments to the legislation relating to return to source, ABAG having a larger role, and an opt out provision. Furthermore, TPA testified in committee hearing s in order to communicate TVC’s position on the bill. o Subsequently, our legislative delegation voted “NO” on the bill when it reached their respective chambers keeping in line with a majority of the TVC cities. o After an extensive amendment process, Governor Newsom signed the bill into law on 10/9/19. SB 13 (Wieckowski) Accessory dwelling units o This legislation would reduce some of the barriers and impact fees, making ADUs more attractive to build, including: Expanding the area in with an ADU can be built- to include attached garages, storage areas, and accessory structures. Zero fees for an ADU of less than 750 square feet, and proportional fees to the size of the primary dwelling unit for an ADU of 750 square feet or more. o On behalf of the Tri-Valley Cities, TPA drafted & distributed position letters to relevant legislative offices, met with Policy Committee Members and staff of Sen. Housing, Sen. Gov & Finance, Asm. Housing and Community Development, and Asm. Local Gov to express TVC positions and discuss potential amendments. o We hand delivered a position letter to the Governor’s administration, and the bill was then signed into law on 10/9/19. SB 18 (Skinner) Keep Californians Housed Act o This bill would appropriate an unspecified sum from the General Fund to the department, to be used to provide statewide competitive grants for rental assistance under the California Emergency Solutions and Housing Program to fight homelessness o The TPA team drafted & distributed position letters, on behalf of TVC, to Senator Skinner, Glazer, Assembly Member Bauer -Kahan, Governor Newsom, and other relevant legislative offices; Attended committee hearings and gave “me-too” testimony on behalf of TVC in support of the bill. o TPA also worked with the authors office, to advocate to the Governor’s office, Assembly Budget staff and Senate Budget staff the importance of getting this funding source into the state budget. o The bill was signed by Governor Newsom on 7/30/19. SB 50 (Wiener) Planning and zoning: housing development: streamlined approval: incentives 2019 Legislative Summary for the Town of Danville 5 o This bill would require local governments to provide incentives to developers that construct residential developments in “jobs-rich” and “transit-rich” areas. o This has been the top focus of 2019 and into 2020 and the overall Tri-Valley Cities has an “Oppose unless Amended” position while we have been actively working with the authors office on amendments. o TPA’s exhaustive list of advocacy efforts on behalf of the TVC through the end of 2019 include drafting and distributing position letters, multiple meetings with our delegation and the authors office in order to discuss TVC’s concerns, meeting with committee staff and testifying in hearings. o From late Fall 2019 through December, TPA met with the author’s staff repeatedly and was invited to a small briefing group to receive an update about the new amendments to the bill before they were in print. o In 2020 thus far, TPA has worked with the TVC liaisons on drafting alternative language for various provisions of the bill. We have already successfully secured amended language which allows municipalities to implement a local flexibility plan as it relates to up-zoning housing developments. we are continuing to advocate for greater clarification on this local flexibility provision, specifically with regards to HCD’s approval process. o The other amendments we have proposed to the author and his staff include specifying the definition of a high-frequency transit stop; making changes to the parking requirements around new residential developments; and added protections to historical districts within a city or region. o TPA is continuing to engage the author’s office, and our legislative delegations, and others. SB 330 (Skinner) Housing Crisis Act of 2019 o This bill would place restrictions on certain types of development standards, amend the HAA, and make changes to local approval processes and the Permit Streamlining Act, including: Prohibiting an affected city or county from limiting the number of land use approvals or permits necessary for the approval and construction of housing. Also prohibits capping the number of housing units that can be approved or constructed either annually or for some other period. o TPA distributed our position letters and testified in committee hearings on behalf of TVC’s interests. We successfully secured language about timing and streamlining provisions. Subsequently, our legislative delegation voted No on the legislation, unless additional amendments were implemented. o This bill was signed by the Governor on 10/9/19. SB 378 (Wiener) Electrical corporations: deenergization events: procedures: allocation of costs: reports o This bill would instill stricter provisions on electrical Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) with regards to engaging in “public safety power shutoffs.” Additionally, this bill would require IOUs to reimburse individuals, businesses, and local governments for specified costs during a power shutoff, would 2019 Legislative Summary for the Town of Danville 6 create specified civil penalties for shutting power off without prudent a nd reasonable cause, and would implement various reporting standards on IOUs. o TPA has worked closely with the author’s office and the co-sponsor of the bill to create supportive coalitions. TPA has also written and delivered position letters to numerous legislative offices and testified in policy committee hearings on behalf of the Tri-Valley Cities. o TPA will continue to work with the Town of Danville and the rest of the Tri- Valley Cities to ensure that this legislation focuses on protecting municipalities from bearing the financial, social, and health-related costs associated with power shutoffs. In summary, Governor Newsom in his first year considered 1,042 regular session bills and vetoed 172, which indicates a veto rate of (16.5 percent). This was nearly identical to Governor Brown’s rate during his last year in office. Additionally, Governor Newsom actively signed 870 bills into law. 2019 US Conference of Mayors Trip- Washington DC The week of January 20-24, Danville Mayor, Robert Storer, accompanied by the other TVC Mayors, attended the 2019 US Conference of Mayors in Washington DC. TPA and the Mayors had several meetings with Federal Agencies, Congressional Offices, and a United States Senate Office. The policy topics that discussed and advocated for included: Valley Link Rail funding, 5G and Wireless local control legislation, and issues over municipal ability to rightfully retain Public Access, Educational, and Government television channels, free of cost. Meetings Included: US Department of Transportation o Met with Anthony Bledel, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs o Provided an update on Valley Link Project and Expressed TVC’s need for additional funding in order to complete the link from the Central Valley to the Bay Area. o Received positive feedback and in-depth information on how to make grant and loan applications more competitive. Office of Senator Kamala Harris o Met with Clint Odom, Legislative Director. o Advocated for local control over wireless telecommunications infrastructure and cable fees issues. o Expressed TVC’s need for continued funding on transportation projects, especially Valley Link. Also briefed office on wireless and telecommunications issues affecting the region. o Received non-public information on an upcoming bill to restore wireless local control, which the Senator believes should receive bi-partisan support. 2019 Legislative Summary for the Town of Danville 7 o Senior policy consultants will request the Senator speak with various federal agencies on behalf of TVC regarding job and wor kforce development in the region. Congressman Mark DeSaulnier o Met with the Congressmember and Allison Johnson, Legislative Director o Provided project update and discussed next steps on connection of BART to ACE via Valley Link. o Efforts to create a closer working relationship with the Congressman and his staff. Office of Congressman Eric Swalwell o Met with Lizzy Fox, Legislative Aide and Andrew Ginsburg, Legislative Director. o Gave project and financing update on Valley Link. Urged the office to focus on implementing Tri-Valley Transportation Council’s overall regional priorities. TPA followed up by providing the Congressman and his staff updates on the feasibility report process. Rep. Swalwell’s office expressed interest in supporting grant and other funding efforts to complete the project. o Delved into the issue of lack of accountability on wireless companies’ half, when it comes to damaged transmitters for Wi-Fi, especially as 5G revolution begins. o Advocated for support of new PEG channel legislation . Congressman Josh Harder o Met with Congressmember Harder and Adela Amador, Legislative Director and Deputy Chief of Staff o Exclusively advocated for strong support of the Valley Link Project and confirmed that the Congressman’s office was willing to write letter or make calls to the DOT on behalf of TVC. o TPA will continue to follow up with the Congressman and his staff on the status of the Feasibility study, CEQA process, and future NEPA process. o Legislative Director was pleased with the rough timeline of 2027 completion for phase Senator Diane Feinstein o Met with the Senator and Josh Esquivel, Legislative Director; Anant Rout, Senior Policy Consultant and Council; and numerous other personal advisors to the Senator. o Expressed TVC’s need for continued funding on transportation projects, especially Valley Link. Also briefed office on wireless and telecommunications issues affecting the region. 2019 Sacramento Advocacy Trip 2019 Legislative Summary for the Town of Danville 8 On January 30th, 2019, Mayor Rob Storer and the TVC Mayors travelled to Sacramento for a legislative advocacy day of meetings with state elected officials and key policy staff. Meetings Included: Assembly Member Susan-Talamantes Eggman o Met with the Assembly Member and Peter Ansel, Senior Policy Advisor. o Thanked the member for authoring AB 758 in 2018. o Provided an update on the Valley Link Project and invited member/staff to attend Valley Link meetings. Assembly Member Tim Grayson o Met with the Assembly Member and Matthew Powers, Chief of Staff. o Educated the member on TVC’s recent trip to DC. o Provided an update on the Valley Link Project and invited member/staff to attend Valley Link meetings. o Expressed concern with the member’s housing legislation in 2017/18. Senator Scott Wiener o Met with the Senator and Anne Fryman, Housing Policy Staff. o Expressed concern with the member’s housing legislation in 2017/18, specifically impacts of SB 50. Senator Steve Glazer o Met with the Senator and Bryan King, Legislative Director. o Educated the member on TVC’s recent trip to DC. o Provided an update on the Valley Link Project and invited member/staff to attend Valley Link meetings. o Discussed pending housing legislation in Sacramento. o Asked how TVC can help support local legislative agenda. Assembly Member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan o Met with the Assembly Member and Jordan Curley, Chief of Staff. o Educated the member on TVC’s recent trip to DC. o Provided an update on the Valley Link Project and invited member/staff to attend Valley Link meetings. o Discussed pending housing legislation in Sacramento. o Asked how TVC can help support local legislative agenda. Department of Parks and Recreation o Met with DPR Deputy Director, Sedrick Mitchell. o Discussed upcoming parks and recreation funding, including Prop 68 grant applications and Per Capita Funding, as well as regional funding requests for the Iron Horse Trail and others. o 2019 Legislative Summary for the Town of Danville 9 Funding Advocacy/Grant Writing TPA has been assisting the Town of Danville with funding advocacy since late 2019. TPA has worked closely with staff to analyze the Danville’s CIP list and provide recommendations on grant and funding opportun ities the closely meet the Town’s needs. To date TPA has assisted with numerous grant applications and funding requests, including; • Proposition 68 Per Capita Program – TPA has assisted town staff with applying for and following up with DPR staff according ly to ensure Danville receives their maximum funding allocation. The application is currently under review with awards expected early Spring 2020. • Trails and Greenways Program – TPA worked closely with transportation staff to develop an application for the San Ramon Valley Bridge project that will connect to the Danville Town Green. The application is currently under review with awards expected early Spring 2020. • Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) Grant Application – After several PSPS events in Northern California in late 2019, the Governor’s office announced a round of funding for emergency management grants to affected communities. TPA quickly began developing an application with town staff to ensure Danville could capitalize on this new source of funds. The application is currently under review with awards expected early Spring 2020. • Recreational Trails Program (RTP) – TPA recently concluded the submittal of the Recreational Trails Program application for the San Ramon Valley Bridge project that will connect to the Danville Town Green. The application was just submitted, and awards are anticipated in early Summer 2020. • State Budget Requests – TPA worked closely with the Town Manager’s office to develop a list of state budget requests that were presented to our state legislators for potential inclusion in the 2020 state budget. These requests include capital projects for which grant funds are limited or non -existent. This will be an ongoing process working hand in hand with local and state elected officials. Ongoing Communication TPA stays in regular communication with Danville’s TVC liaison on weekly TVC conference calls, as well as one on one bi-weekly funding advocacy calls directly between Danville and TPA staff. In addition, TPA always makes availability for email and phone outreach with staff and maintains monthly funding advocacy updates that go out to the Town Management team, the first one being sent in January 2020.