TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Kim Summers, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Isaac Bravo, Management Analyst
SUBJECT: Adoption of 2024 Legislative Platform
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RECOMMENDATION
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Approve the 2024 Legislative Platform, as presented.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On January 21, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 20-4205, approving the 2020 Legislative Platform (Vote: 4-0-1).
On February 16, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 21-4365, approving the 2021 Legislative Platform (Vote: 5-0).
On January 18, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 22-4516, approving the 2022 Legislative Platform (Vote: 5-0).
On February 21, 2023, the City Council approved the 2023 Legislative Platform (Vote: 5-0).
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Maintain a high performing organization that values fiscal sustainability, transparency, accountability and organizational efficiency.
BACKGROUND
Each year, a number of bills are introduced in the State legislature and U.S. Congress that impact local government. Often, the City of Murrieta (City) takes a position on the legislation when the bills negatively or positively impact the City. A Legislative Platform approved by the City Council enables City staff to act quickly in reaching out to State and Federal legislators to communicate the City's interests.
The proposed 2024 Legislative Platform is primarily based on the positions previously adopted by the City Council. Upon adoption of the Legislative Platform, the City Manager's Office will continue to exercise day-to-day oversight of legislative matters. The Legislative Platform would continue the practice of the City responding to legislative proposals as follows:
1) For proposed legislation consistent with the City's Platform, City staff is authorized to prepare position letters (support, oppose, oppose unless amended) for the Mayor's signature;
2) Items not addressed in the City's Legislative Platform may be presented to the City Council Legislative Workgroup (State Legislative Workgroup Representatives: Mayor Stone and Mayor Pro Tem Warren, and Federal Legislative Workgroup Representatives: Council Member DeForest and Council Member Levell) for recommendation;
a. If there is an objection by any member of the Legislative Workgroup, the position letter will be placed on the next City Council agenda for consideration;
b. If there is no objection by the Legislative Workgroup, staff will finalize the position letter and forward it to the bill's author, Cal Cities (also known as League of California Cities), and other stakeholders as deemed appropriate; and
c. A copy of the final letter will be distributed to the City Council and published on the City's legislative affairs webpage, with a link to that page included in "More Murrieta," the City's monthly electronic newsletter.
Changes to the 2024 Legislative Platform from the 2023 version include updating the "Assessments" of both the State and Federal Government (Attachments A and B to the Legislative Platform) and updating the City's Priority Project List. The Assessments summarize the 2023 legislative sessions and describe the anticipated themes for the 2024 legislative sessions as well as the budget outlook for each.
Staff recommends adding language to the Legislative Platform related to two points:
• Government efficiency to support measures that promote local government operational efficiency and effectiveness; and
• Supporting efforts by the water districts that serve the City of Murrieta to secure funding for water infrastructure projects.
The statements in the platform are intended to assist the City Council and staff with efficiently and appropriately addressing proposed legislation and administrative/regulatory actions to promote the City's interests and protect local authority, as necessary.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed 2024 Legislative Platform