Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, July 06, 2021
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER AN UPDATE FROM THE LEGISLATIVE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON RECENT ADVOCACY EFFORTS AND CONSIDER ADOPTING A LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM FOR THE CITY OF CARSON (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
This item transmits a request to the City Council from the Legislative Ad Hoc Committee, consisting of Mayor Davis-Holmes and Councilmember Cedric Hicks, for the City Council to consider adopting a Legislative Platform for the City of Carson. This item also provides an informational update to the City Council on recent advocacy efforts for the City.
To continue strengthening the City’s ongoing legislative advocacy efforts the Ad Hoc Committee requests the City Council consider adopting the proposed Legislative Platform included as Exhibit 1. One key benefit of adopting this Platform is that it will help enable the Ad Hoc Committee and staff to advocate quickly on timely and emerging issues that are consistent with the Platform.
If the City Council moves to adopt the Platform, the Ad Hoc Committee further requests the City Council formally authorize it to take positions on time sensitive legislative matters, as needed, between City Council meetings without seeking concurrence of the full City Council so long as the position is consistent with the adopted Legislative Platform.
Recent legislative efforts include preparing and submitting funding requests for priority City projects to Congresswoman Barragan, Assemblymember Mike Gipson, and Senator Diane Feinstein; collecting letters of support for City funding requests; developing and submitting letters of support/opposition on various legislation; and liaising with state and federal agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the United States Treasury, and the California Governor’s Office to ensure Carson receives the maximum amount of available funding and support for our community. The Ad Hoc Committee and staff will continue to monitor current legislation and report back to the City Council for input as needed.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. DISCUSS and ADOPT the Legislative Platform as proposed by the Ad Hoc Committee
2. AUTHORIZE the Legislative Ad Hoc Committee to take positions on time sensitive legislative matters, as needed, between City Council Meetings without seeking concurrence of the full City council, so long as the position is consistent with the Platform (if the Platform is adopted).
3. DISCUSS and provide input if desired on the recent efforts led by the Ad Hoc Committee, staff, and the professional legislative advocates.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate and consistent with applicable laws.
IV. BACKGROUND
Proposed Legislative Platform
The Ad Hoc Committee requests the City Council to consider adopting the proposed Platform and for any related input it may have.
The Platform incorporates the City of Carson Mission, Vision, and Priorities that were adopted by the City Council on March 2, 2021. The Platform includes the topics of infrastructure, economic development and land use, public safety, local control, municipal finance, housing and homelessness, general government matters, and social justice and equity.
The primary objective of the Platform is for the City Council to adopt official positions on clearly stated legislative issues that are consistent with the City’s Mission, Vision, and Priorities. By doing this, the legislative approval process is streamlined by eliminating the need for repetitive concurrence and direction from the City Council on previously approved issues.
The goals and strategies of the Platform are to help the City advocate its legislative interests at the Federal, State and County levels; seek grant and funding assistance for City projects, services and programs; inform and share information with our Legislators, City Council and staff on the legislative process and key issues and legislation that could have a potential impact on the City; and support the City in serving as an active participant with other local governments, the League of California Cities, regional agencies such as California Contract Cities Association, the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, and other professional organizations on legislative/regulatory issues that are important to the City and our region.
Update on Current Advocacy Efforts
Upon the recommendation of an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Mayor Davis-Holmes and Mayor Pro Tempore Dear the City Council approved an agreement with Kiley & Associates for federal legislative advocacy on January 26, 2021, and approved an agreement with Joe A. Gonsalves & Son for state of California legislative advocacy on March 2, 2021. Since then staff and the Legislative Ad Hoc Committee have collaborated to implement legislative objectives for the City of Carson including advocating for funding.
Exhibit 2 includes a list of the letters sent and resolutions adopted during this legislative session with City Council approval. The legislature will be returning from its summer recess on August 16, 2021. Between now and then staff will continue working with our legislative advocates and the Ad Hoc Committee on identifying other potential items that the City Council could be asked to consider at the July 20 or August 3 City Council meetings.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
There are no particular fiscal impacts associated with this item however the City’s legislative advocacy efforts are intended to earn funding to support the programs and initiatives of the City.
Direct costs to the City can typically be offset to the extent that funding is received.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Proposed Legislative Platform (pgs. 4 - 11)
2. List of Letters and Resolutions (pg. 12)
Prepared by: Sharon Landers, City Manager and Michael George, Assistant to the City Manager