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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-8-15 LEGISLATIVECITY OF SANTA ANA SPECIAL MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, ETHICS, TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL COMMITTEE MINUTES August 15, 2018 An audio recording of this meeting is available on the City of Santa Ana website, SantaAna.Granicus.com. CALLED TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 12:06 pm by Chair Vicente Sarmiento at the City Hall, Ross Annex, Room 1600. ATTENDANCE Members Present: Chair Vicente F. Sarmiento Vice Chair Michele Martinez Staff Present: Julie Castro -Cardenas; Sonia Carvalho, John Funk, Jorge Garcia; Raul Godinez; Maria Huizar; Christy Kindig; Daisy Perez; Fuad Sweiss; Yasmin Vazquez, Casey Elliott, and Corrie Williams from Townsend Public Affairs (TPA); Tony Cardenas from the League of California Cites (LOCC); Dan Maldonado and Leslie Pollner from Holland & Knight (H&K) participated via telephone. Public Comments: Heather Stratman, CEO, Association of California Cities — Orange County (ACC -OC) Ms. Stratman advocated in support of AB 448, Orange County Housing Finance Trust, a joint powers authority that will bring the cities of Orange County and the County of Orange together under a regional collaborative model to finance 2,700 units of Permanent Supportive Housing. ACC -OC believes this is a regional approach to build 2,700 units with the collaboration of the City and the County of Orange; she asked the committee to consider taking this item to the next City Council meeting for support. Kelsey Brewer, ACC -OC Legislative Affairs Manager, joined Ms. Stratman and advocated in support of AB 448; she conveyed that AB 448 is not an owner or operator of these housing units. The Orange County Housing Finance Trust wants to ensure this is truly a public/private partnership where funds help build the capacities without taking over ownership and liability. AB 448 does not grant Legislative Affairs, Ethics, Transparency and Communications Council Committee Meeting Minutes August 15, 2018 Page 1 any lien land use authority or imminent domain authority to the Housing Trust. Ms. Brewer stated her support of AB 448. Discussion between Vice Chair Martinez and ACC -OC occurred with Chair Sarmiento stating that he personally will not support AB 448 at this time. The City has been doing the right thing for decade, and prefers other Cities do their part. However, he is willing to help with the messaging aspect and recommended AB 448 be placed on the Council Committee meeting agenda for future discussion and consideration. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Receive and File Federal Legislative Updates Leslie Pollner provided an overview on federal developments that have occurred from June -July 2018 that could impact the City of Santa Ana, including appropriations, Census 2020, cannabis legislation, immigration, and small cell deployment legislation. She reported that one of the major issues over the past several weeks, President Trump has begun to call for a government shutdown if additional funding is not provided for the border wall. Charts and details outlining funding relevant to the City were provided (Chart A). Urban Area Security Initiatives (UASI) for FY18 is $580M, not $630M; increased in both the House and Senate. Homeless Assistance Grants received a small bump up in both bills. H&K will be keeping the City apprised as funding is released for programs. The Census Bureau is accepting public comments on the proposed citizenship question through August 7th. H&K has assisted the City in drafting comments for submission. Earlier in the week the gth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, in a 2-1 decision, that the Trump Administration cannot withhold federal funds from California's "sanctuary" cities, like Santa Ana and counties. In light of this decision, the City should continue to pursue federal funding for law enforcement priorities. Leslie concluded with an update on Small Cell Deployment which is a bill introduced by Sens. John Thune and Brian Schatz that will impact local control over wireless infrastructure and broadband deployment. H&K has helped the City draft a letter of opposition to the legislation and they have worked to build a nationwide coalition of cities to oppose it. Chair Sarmiento indicated that the appropriation chart was very helpful and requested H&K to create a matrix that will provide status updates on grant funding that would benefit the City. 2. Receive and File State Legislative Updates Legislative Affairs, Ethics, Transparency and Communications Council Committee Meeting Minutes August 15, 2018 Page 2 Casey Elliott provided an overview of activities undertaken by Townsend Public Affairs (TPA) over the month of July, working on behalf of the City of Santa Ana. State Budget was signed by Governor. The largest focus of the legislation administration was addressing issues associated with homelessness. Big 11 Mayors recently had a proposal for a billion and a half dollars of funding that would go to homelessness. He mentioned meeting Chair Sarmiento in Sacramento and the positive discussions regarding the proposal. The legislation ended with the inclusion of $500 million for homelessness, of that $150 million going to the Big 11 Cities, Santa Ana's share will be just under $3.7 million dollars with an additional $15.5 million that will be available to the Orange County Continuum of Care. TPA has provided City staff with information regarding the timing and what information will be needed, for the disbursement of the funding. Chair Sarmiento inquired about how much of the $15.5 million for the Orange County Continuum of Care is available. Casey clarified that the funds go directly to the Continuum of Care not the County. The Continuum of Care creates a plan to determine where and how the funding will be dispersed and utilized. TPA worked with Public Works staff through Assembly Member Daly's office to submit a budget request to the State. It was a great effort resulting in $4 million for Advanced Metering Infrastructure in Santa Ana. TPA plans to work with staff again next fiscal year to apply for State General Funds assistance. Chair Sarmiento asked about SB 1302 a bill currently on the Inactive File, however, the language of the bill has now been incorporated into the Proposed Cannabis Regulations which are currently in a 45 -day public comment period. Discussion was had by committee and Jorge Garcia, Assistant to the City Manager, regarding SB 1302. Specifically, on the League of California Cities' opposition to the bill compared to where the City stands on issues surrounding deliveries of cannabis. The City's Ordinance allows for the deliveries and that the bill may have a negative impact for the City. Jorge reported that the City is currently taking a neutral position on that bill; pending updated regulations. He stated that the City has had discussions with the Santa Ana Cannabis Association (SACA). Chair Sarmiento asked who oversees the County's policy positions that impact the City. He stated that the City needs a mechanism in place to have its voice heard in County matters that impact the City. Chair Sarmiento requested that the City consider reviewing TPA's scope of work to see identify if they would be able to assist with this effort. Legislative Affairs, Ethics, Transparency and Communications Council Committee Meeting Minutes August 15, 2018 Page 3 3. League of California Cities Presentation Tony Cardenas advocated for the opposition of S3157, the Streamlining the Rapid Evolution and Modernization of Leading-edge Infrastructure Necessary to Enhance (STREAMLINE) Small Cell Deployment Act which limits the ability of cities to determine the location, appearance, and size of wireless infrastructure. Tony provided a sample letter of opposition and asked the City to consider joining LOCC, perhaps lead the opposition with the Orange County Fire Authority due to implications. Tony advocated for the potential opposition of AB 2923, by Assembly Member Chiu, a regional bill that would require the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART); this bill would give BART Local Land Use Authority over its transit -oriented development zones. He stated that although it is a regional bill, LOCC is taking an opposed position because it sets a precedence, and they believe it violates Article 11 Section 11 of the Constitution. Vice Chair Martinez stated she supports AB 2923 because the State is giving local government rights that are much needed for economic development opportunities near rail. Chair Sarmiento stated that the needs for housing are so daunting that these bills need to be looked at different. Tony stated that the LOCC is involved in a ballot measure campaign to oppose Proposition 6. The ballot measure proposes to repeal the Road Repair and Accountability Act (a fuel tax), also known as SB 1. Tony asked on behalf of LOCC that the City consider passing a resolution opposing Proposition 6. Another ballot measure Tony mentioned is the Split Role on Property Taxes, which is going to qualify for 2020, however, at this time LOCC does not anticipate taking a position. Chair Sarmiento and Vice Chair Martinez do not support AB 2923, but on the Federal Inverse Condemnation the Federal item, there is no opposition. Jorge Garcia stated that the City can take positions within its platform. City Manager Godinez suggested taking Proposition 6 to the Big 11 Mayors 4. Development of the City Council Policy Regarding Violation of Code of Conduct and Ethics The Committee and staff discussed at length the various policy options for consideration of sanctions, censure, disapproval and admonitions. The committee members anonymously agreed and directed staff to take a receive and file report to the City Council that recommends a status quo policy. The City has a values based Code of Ethics and Conduct, thus, existing methods of reporting both Brown Act and Political Reform Act violations are appropriate and should remain. Legislative Affairs, Ethics, Transparency and Communications Council Committee Meeting Minutes August 15, 2018 Page 4 5. Communications Update Jorge Garcia reported on the City's Communication efforts and social media data tracking. He reported a significant increase on Facebook's reach and engagements (i.e. reactions, comments and shares) from February 2018 through July 2018. The Communications Assessments plans will take 3-4 months and start with onsite interviews and end with a comprehensive report. Chair Sarmiento asked about multilingual communication efforts available via Tripepi Smith, the City's communications consultant. Jorge indicated he's had multiple discussions with the Tripepi Smith regarding the City's desire of having actual multilingual communication support available instead of on-call services. City Council Meetings Rules and Decorum Continued to the next Legislative Affairs, Ethics, Transparency and Communications Committee meeting. 7. Discussion of Resolution to Support Green Plant Foods to Reduce Green House Gas Emissions Vice Chair Michele Martinez reported on a movement promoting climate change and plant based food in the City. She mentioned people from other cities are visiting Santa Ana every weekend in attraction to this movement. The younger generation is really having an impact with this movement and she would like to include this matter in the Climate Action Plan to improve initiatives. She believes this movement has long-term sustainability and would like to continue to support. Santa Ana can be a plant -based City of Orange County. Chair Sarmiento indicated support to Michele in taking an 85A to Council in support of a Resolution to support green plant foods to reduce house gas emissions. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS No Comments FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AB 448 Orange County Housing Finance Trust ADJOURNMENT: The Special meeting of the Legislative Affairs, Ethics, Transparency and Communications Council Committee meeting adjourned at 1:34pm. mia Cruz )rding Secretary Manager's Office Legislative Affairs, Ethics, Transparency and Communications Council Committee Meeting Minutes August 15, 2018 Page 5