2014-01-16 LEGISLATIVE - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Sarmiento mentioned that this is the first time that the City Council has set a Legislative Committee and it's a good opportunity to discuss legislative issues and develop a process to work with the federal and state advocacy. The Legislative Committee needs to make lobbyists aware of what the Council priorities are since there has been an ineffective and disconnected way in the past. Dan Maldonado mentioned that he is pleased to do the advocacy work that the City of Santa Ana wants to accomplish. Dan Maldonado and Leslie Pollner briefly discussed the 2014 political landscape, the FY 2014 budget forecast, the upcoming hot legislative topics and the 2014 Congressional calendar. Dan Maldonado mentioned that he was impressed with the Santa Ana jail philosophy and will work to engage Senator Dianne Feinstein. He added that he toured Santa Ana's Grade Separation Project with Public Works Interim Director William Galvez and is now more familiar with the project. David Cavazos mentioned that Santa Ana is losing $380,000 annually because we are subsidizing and there's a need to increase the rates to U.S. Marshal Service and ICE. He added that he, along with Acting Police Chief Rojas, will be in Washington, DC the first week in February to meet with Department of Justice and Homeland Security to discuss their contract with Santa Ana. Councilmembers Sarmiento and Martinez expressed concern with this subsidizing practice having gone so long and are glad to see that the issue is being addressed. Dan Maldonado mentioned that the federal priorities lay out what the City is concerned with. Then lobbyists can be aware of these federal priorities and can then look at reauthorization or funding available. Councilwoman Martinez mentioned that transportation will be a top priority. She, along with other Councilmembers, also sit on board of directors for regional transportation agencies and believes it's imperative to collaborate with each other on issues of mutual interest. Dan Maldonado mentioned that once they have the City's legislative platform they can do an analysis and see how other City projects can fit in so that it's looked at in a broader framework and they can strategize what funding is available. David Cavazos mentioned that we need guiding principles for Santa Ana, which need to include local control and protection of local revenue. He added that the legislative platform will go to the Legislative Committee first, and then to the entire City Council for approval. This will provide lobbyists and staff a list of City priorities to be used as a guide to support /oppose legislation. Mr. Cavazos also mentioned that there will need to be a process to monitor progress. Legislative City Council Committee Minutes January 16, 2014, Page 2