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Councilwoman Amezcua asked Townsend Public Affairs to keep the City informed as <br /> to the $1.6 million earmarked in the Governor's budget for early education. Casey <br /> Elliot remarked the Governor is working on a proposal to consolidate several funding <br /> streams to develop a more comprehensive approach to early education. <br /> 4. League of California Cities Briefing - October 2016 to March 2016 <br /> Tony Cardenas stated the League of California Cities opposes AB 2614 which would <br /> allow the licensure of out-of-state felons to engage in specified activities relating to <br /> medical cannabis. The League has not taken a position on the Parker Initiative, a <br /> statewide ballot measure to legalize the use of recreational marijuana. SB 897 seeks <br /> to add an additional year of temporary disability to the two years already available to <br /> public safety employees. Any expansion of worker's compensation benefits will have <br /> a direct impact to local budgets. The League also opposes SB 876 which gives an <br /> individual the right to rest or sleep in any public space. Lastly, transportation <br /> continues to be a high priority in the State legislature. <br /> 5. Review the 2015 Legislative Platform Scorecard <br /> City Manager David Cavazos thanked City agencies for their legislative efforts and <br /> briefly reviewed the Legislative Platform Scorecard. He mentioned the importance of <br /> preserving local control, ensuring fiscal stability, capitalizing on funding opportunities, <br /> and continuing to work in partnership with the region and other agencies. He noted <br /> the Platform is not all encompassing and changes can be made year to year. He <br /> commented on the progress made on the body camera program, the number of legal <br /> and illegal medical marijuana dispensaries, the numerous grants received by the City <br /> for safe mobility, and the items added last year relating to homelessness and <br /> veterans. He mentioned immigration reform has been a constant theme for the City, <br /> the focus on gang prevention, anti-gang and education programs, the recent <br /> improvements at the Santa Ana Zoo, the City's attention to affordable housing and <br /> Promise Zone funding, the decrease in unemployment and the City's work with the <br /> Department of Housing and Urban Development. He commented on the AA credit <br /> rating by Standard & Poor's, renewable energy funding opportunities, receivership <br /> actions taken by the City, water conservation efforts resulting in the meeting of <br /> conservation goals, and the approved bike lane project. Regarding the Santa <br /> Ana/Garden Grove Fixed Guideway, City Manager David Cavazos reported on the <br /> $125 million in the President's budget for the project and the agreement with OCTA. <br /> He stated grade separation projects are important for transportation and <br /> redevelopment efforts, the Bristol Street project is progressing well and commented <br /> on the importance of infrastructure improvement such as the bridge projects <br /> throughout the City. Lastly, he remarked on Team Santa Ana's focus on an Open <br /> Data Platform, transparency and engagement and technology. <br /> Mayor Pro Tem Sarmiento commented on the $17.5 million in homelessness funding <br /> received by the County of Orange and his desire for staff to lobby for a proportionate <br /> allocation of the funds to be directed to the City's efforts. City Manager David <br /> Cavazos explained the City's practice of seeking a dollar-for-dollar partnership with <br /> the County to leverage funds. <br /> Legislative Council Committee Minutes <br /> March 22, 2016, Page 4 <br />