Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER AN UPDATE FROM THE LEGISLATIVE AD HOC COMMITTEE REGARDING CITY OF CARSON ADVOCACY EFFORTS DURING THE 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
This item transmits an informational update to the City Council from the Legislative Ad Hoc Committee, consisting of Mayor Davis-Holmes and Councilmember Hicks, summarizing the City of Carson’s legislative activities during the 2021 Legislative Session. The City Council is asked to consider the information provided in the report and provide comments or direction if desired.
The Legislative Ad Hoc Committee has introduced this item to the City Council at this time because the 2021 Legislative Session ended on October 10, which was the deadline by when the Governor must sign, or veto bills passed by the Legislature on or before September 10 and in the Governor’s possession after September 10.
Statutes that are signed by the Governor by the October 10 deadline will take effect on January 1, 2022 and the Legislature will reconvene to begin the 2022 Legislative Session on January 3, 2022.
Exhibit 1 includes a list of advocacy letters sent and resolutions adopted during 2021 Legislative Session with City Council approval. The list also indicates the current status of the bill and whether it was signed by the Governor by the October 10 deadline.
Staff and the City’s legislative advocates will continue our legislative advocacy efforts and seek City Council direction as appropriate and in accordance with the City of Carson Legislative Platform that was adopted by the City Council on August 3, 2021.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
CONSIDER the information presented and PROVIDE direction if desired.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action deemed appropriate by the City Council and consistent with applicable laws.
IV. BACKGROUND
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, the City Council and the Legislative Ad Hoc Committee have directed staff and our legislative advocates to identify bills that may impact the City of Carson and to recommend appropriate advocacy strategies.
Advocacy efforts during the 2021 Legislative Session have included:
• 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 advocate for the Carson community.
At the direction of the City Council, staff has sent advocacy letters on topics including:
• local watershed boundaries,
• investor-owned utility portfolios,
• zoning rules to ensure local control,
• wildfire mitigation,
• the use of positional asphyxia restraints by law enforcement,
• organic waste reduction,
• a request for $10B of State funds being allocated to cities in California,
• solid waste management and pre-moistened nonwoven disposable wipes,
• energy saving infrastructure including electric vehicle charging,
• teleconferences for public meetings held by local agencies,
• affordable housing programs,
• preserving local control over local land use, and
• broadband financing and deployment.
Additionally, as part of the State of California budget process in summer 2021 and in response to the City of Carson’s advocacy, Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson successfully secured a $3M earmark from the State of California for the City’s ongoing project at Carriage Crest Park. Assembymember Gipson subsequently indicated that an additional $3M has been confirmed for a grand total of $6M. Staff anticipates receiving the funding in fall 2021.
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. List of Letters and Resolutions for 2021 Legislative Session (pgs. 4 - 5)
Prepared by: Sharon Landers, City Manager and Michael George, Assistant to the City Manager