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HomeMy WebLinkAbout102720-3.1 LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM 3.1 TO: Mayor and Town Council October 27, 2020 SUBJECT: October Legislative Report BACKGROUND The 2019/20 Legislative Session ended on August 31. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Legislature greatly reduced the number of bills it heard in 2020 to focus on COVID- 19 policy response and other priority areas such as housing and homelessness. Much of the legislative focus in September was on Governor Newsom, as he considered 428 bills for signature or veto by the September 30 deadline. Of the 428 bills sent to the Governor’s desk, 372 were signed into law and 56 bills were vetoed. Each bill Chaptered into law will take effect on January 1, 2021. Town involvement over the past year in the Tri-Valley Cities Coalition of Livermore, San Ramon, Dublin, and Pleasanton continues to be well organized and productive, as the ability to speak on behalf of a region with a population of over 360,000 residents has resonated with Legislators. The coalition continues to be well known and respected by many of the elected officials. During the inaugural year of the Danville Legislative Committee, adopted by Town Council resolution No. 79-2019, the Committee tracked ten Assembly bills, nine Senate bills and one Constitutional Amendment. Three of the bills were signed by the Governor and Chaptered into law: AB 1851 (Wicks), AB 725 (Wicks), and AB 2345 (Gonzalez). The first day of the 2021/22 Legislative session is January 4, 2021. Legislators may begin introducing new legislation, many of which may be similar to bills that did not advance during the 2019/20 session. As such, we expect many of the bills that were held this year to be introduced next year and include bills on housing, homelessness, impact fees and COVID-19 relief. DISCUSSION In 2021 the State Legislature is expected to continue to intensify their efforts to encourage housing development and affordability by imposing new requirements on local governments. The pressure from private coalitions and the State Legislature to usurp local control will continue to be a theme. October Legislative Update 2 October 27, 2020 A year-end review of the Legislative Committee’s work is essential to ensure the town is well positioned for advocacy work during the 2021 legislative year. This year-end review will begin with an evaluation of the Danville Legislative Framework, 2021 Legislative Committee meeting schedule and the Tri-Valley Cities’ coalition advocacy plan. Grant Applications Staff is positioned to submit three grant applications totaling $3.3 million under the Highway Safety Improvements Grant Program in mid- November. Prepared by: Diane Friedmann Assistant to the Town Manager Attachments: A - Danville Legislative Framework B - 2021 Meeting Schedule 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 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 Land 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 include: 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 committee will make regular reports to the Town Council at duly noticed public meetings. • The committee 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. DATE: October 27, 2020 TO: Mayor Stepper, Councilmember Arnerich FROM: Diane Friedmann, Assistant to the Town Manager SUBJECT: 2021 Legislative Committee Dates The following are the dates for the 2021 Town of Danville Legislative Committee Meetings: January 26 February 23 March 23 April 27 May 25 June 22 July 27 August 24 September 28 October 26 November 23 December 28 Legislative Committee meetings are scheduled on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 11:00 a.m. Meetings are located at the Danville Town Offices at 510 La Gonda Way. ATTACHMENT B