06-20-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4. Discussion of City's Legislative Platform Process Mark Lawrence reviewed the proposed guidelines for a legislative platform to guide the Council Legislative Committee in making recommendations in support or in opposition of State and Federal bills, The guidelines include staff and City Council scheduling regular meetings with state and federal lobbyists to inform them of the City's priorities so they can track them and alert the City of any upcoming relevant legislation action. Councilmembers Sarmiento and Martinez expressed the need for a legislative platform to identify City legislative priorities. They added that we currently have a disjointed process and City Council has not always been informed of upcoming legislation affecting Santa Ana. They also expressed concern with the inconsistency in communicating with past federal and state lobbyists. Sonia Carvalho reported that her law firm in Washington DC prepares a thorough legislative report which also includes information on grants as well as commentaries on important issues. She'll share this report with the City. Michele Martinez mentioned that she sits on legislative committees for SCAG and TCA and those agencies have staff dedicated to legislative issues and prepare detailed legislative reports which will be useful to Santa Ana. She added that Santa Ana can work together with legislative committees for these agencies so that City staff doesn't have to do all the research. City of Brea is an example of a city currently doing that. Vincent Sarmiento agreed that working with other agencies will be helpful; however, their platform may be somewhat different because they emphasize on regional issues, and that it would be important for Santa Ana to have its own legislative platform. Staff and Legislative Council Committee will meet with the lobbyists to create a legislative platform. The proposed platform will then be reviewed and approved by the City Council. Kevin O'Rourke suggested that one of the new management analysts to be added to the City Manager's Office be in charge of tracking legislation and informing the City Council of other agencies' legislative trips to Sacramento or Washington. 5. Establish guidelines for City's legislative action process Resolutions and letters of supportlopposition regarding legislative matters Mark Lawrence reviewed the suggested process, which would include the adoption of a resolution by the City Council to allow the Council Legislative Committee to approve letters of support/opposition on behalf of the City Council Legislative City Council Committee Minutes June 20, 2013, Page 2