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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-25 LegislativeCITY OF SANTA ANA LEGISLATIVE CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 25, 2014 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 12:07pm by Councilmember Vincent Sarmiento at City Hall Ross Annex, Room 1600, ATTENDANCE Members Present: Councilmember Michele Martinez Councilmember Vincent Sarmiento, Chair Members Absent: none Staff Present: David Cavazos, Sonia Carvalho, Mark Lawrence, Alma Flores, Jorge Garcia, Deputy Police Chief Doug McGeachy and Becky Magallon. Representatives present from Townsend Public Affairs were Christopher Townsend, Cori Williams, Casey Elliott (by phone) and Heather Stratman (by phone). Representatives from Holland & Knight were Dan Maldonado (by phone) and Leslie Pollner (by phone). Members of the public present: None Public Comments: None AGENDA ITEMS Minutes Approval of the April 16, 2014 minutes was motioned by 2 to 0 and approved unanimously. 2. Semiannual Federal Legislative Update from Holland & Knight H &K Legislative Advocacy Update (January 2014 to June 2014) Dan Maldonado provided an overview of the progress report outlining Santa Ana's key issues that Holland & Knight has been assisting with, including the ICE /US Marshals per diem, Urban Area Security Initiative, and the Empowerment Zone Employment Tax Credit. He also discussed the grants that Holland & Knight has been assisting Santa Ana with. Legislative City Council Committee Minutes June 25, 2014, Page 1 Leslie Pollner informed the Committee that there was success in increasing the City's per diem from the U.S. Marshals and Holland & Knight is assisting with negotiations with ICE. David Cavazos added that the per diem from the US Marshals was increased by 1.5 percent, which represents $2.5 million in additional revenue to the City of Santa Ana. Leslie Pollner also reported that Santa Ana's UASI allocation increased to $5.5 million from $2.5 million. Holland & Knight is working with Senator Feinstein and Congresswoman Sanchez who sits on the House Committee on Homeland Security. Dan Maldonado added that the significant increase is reflective of the work that Santa Ana and Anaheim did. A new funding cycle will be starting and he believes the Senate is likely to increase funding for new UASI requests. Dan Maldonado reported that Holland & Knight led efforts on behalf of Santa Ana to have the empowerment zone employment tax included as part of the Senate tax extenders package. These efforts included assisting with a joint letter of support from Santa Ana, Fresno and Los Angeles to the Senate Finance Committee. Update on Pending Legislative Issues Councilwoman Martinez expressed concern with the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill since it is set to expire soon and there could be some consequences to local municipalities. Leslie Pollner mentioned that the Highway Trust Fund expires in August and a viable funding source needs to be identified to replenish the Highway Trust Fund. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has jurisdiction over the issue and its Chairman has talked about crafting a comprehensive, long -term bill. In the Senate, there are four committees that share jurisdiction. Councilwoman Martinez requested that Santa Ana be kept informed of any developments. Councilmember Vincent Sarmiento thanked Holland & Knight for the report and requested that the Legislative Committee be informed of any updates on the TIGER and COPS grants. 3, Semiannual State Legislative Update from Townsend Public Affairs TPA Legislative Advocacy Update (January 2014 to June 2014) Christopher Townsend introduced Cori Williams, associate, who is working on grants. Casey Elliott reported that the State adopted its budget on June 15th, which reflects an overall growth with the state economy. Some of the significant items Legislative City Council Committee Minutes June 25, 2014, Page 2 in the budget for local governments are $100 million for mandates, $220 million for local streets funding, and significant investment in affordable housing. He added that the Legislature is still working on a water bond for consideration in November. Another high profile measure moving through the Legislature is the medicinal cannabis legislation and Townsend Public Affairs is continuing to be engaged in Senator Correa's bill, SB 1262, seeking to establish some state level regulations. This bill is scheduled to be heard by the Assembly Public Safety Committee. Councilmember Sarmiento mentioned that having a summary is beneficial, however, he would like the format changed so that the work the City and Townsend Public Affairs have done together is at the beginning of the report. He added that it would be helpful for the report to show progress on things we are working on such as the active transportation program and cannabis legislation. It will be valuable to the Committee to see what has been generated as far as advocacy and status. Michele Martinez mentioned the agendas will need to be formatted differently to accommodate alignment with the strategic plan and also the lobbyist reports. These will help as tracking mechanisms. David Cavazos asked that reports from Holland & Knight and Townsend Public Affairs include "bills to watch ", "bills to oppose" and "bills to support ". Update on Pending Legislative Issues Casey Elliott discussed SB 7, the prevailing wage measure from 2013. The measure which goes into effect January 2015 restricts state funding for charter cities with charter provisions impacting prevailing wage. He added that there's a law suit pending challenging the constitutionality of SB 7. Councilwoman Martinez mentioned that as we look at future legislation we consider that more funding is needed to address outdoor utilities and SB 375 could be an avenue to get additional funding. She requested that Townsend Public Affairs monitor this bill and any future amendments and that they have a conversation with the Public Works Agency Director. Christopher Townsend mentioned that they will focus on that specific need. Cori Williams mentioned that she can do additional advocacy for Santa Ana and it will be helpful to get Santa Ana's top four or five priorities in grants. Townsend Public Affairs submitted 11 grant applications on behalf of Santa Ana for active transportation programs. 4. Review of 2014 State and Federal Legislative Platform David Cavazos mentioned that the Legislative Platform has four guiding principles and it was recently approved by the City Council. Legislative City Council Committee Minutes June 25, 2014, Page 3 Mr. Cavazos added that staff tries to leverage resources with other agencies. As an example he discussed the Streetcar Project on page 5 of the Platform under Goal 6. He mentioned that the City Council has been extremely supportive of the project and OCTA is working on the funding as well as the implementation plan, which should be done by August. He reported that the review period closes July 7 h. The City plans to go to Washington, DC in concert with OCTA with the goal to maximize federal funding. Mark Lawrence mentioned that City Manager's Office staff will work closely with the federal and state lobbyists and will get a quarterly update from each lobbyist, which will be incorporated into legislative platform. Councilwoman Martinez requested a matrix showing pending as well as completed legislative items at the end of the year. This matrix can be used to update the City Council on the accomplishments by the Legislative Committee, staff and lobbyists. Mark Lawrence recommended that staff update the Legislative Platform quarterly and provide a matrix. Councilmember Sarmiento mentioned that it's important to show progress to the City Council, and more importantly to the public. This will help demonstrate that there is tangible, quantitative value to the contracts with the lobbyists. Councilmember Sarmiento also requested that reports reflect important priorities up front. He added that the strategic plan goals should be prioritized to help identify deadlines as well as help point firms in the right direction so they can be more effective. David Cavazos added that staff will also insure that multiple grant applications are put in priority order. 5. Review and Discussion of Legislative Resolutions and Letter Requests Process Mark Lawrence mentioned that this item was on the agenda as requested by Councilmember Sarmiento at the last Committee meeting. Sonia Carvalho explained that currently staff looks at requests and if the City Council has previously acted on the policy issue, staff will place request on the agenda for consideration by the Council. If there are requests that may not be supported by the City's existing positions or interests or the City Manager seeks direction or clarification, then the Council member will be advised to request the item be placed on the agenda as an 85A item and the Resolution will be prepared if directed by the Council. Vince Sarmiento asked if individual Council members can send letters of support. David Cavazos explained that individual Council members can send letters of support; the letter just needs to make it clear that it's being supported by one Council member and not the entire City Council. Legislative City Council Committee Minutes June 25, 2014, Page 4 If it's a request for a letter and the City Manager determines the issue is consistent with the Strategic Plan, or in his judgment is in the City's best interests, the City Manager will send out the support or opposition letter under the Mayor's signature. Mark Lawrence reported that staff has biweekly conference calls with Holland & Knight and will schedule regular calls with Townsend Public Affairs. Committee Member Comments Vince Sarmiento mentioned that it is the practice of the Orange County Water District and the Transportation Corridor Agencies Boards to have committees with 3 members and other board members can attend as alternates but without voting power. He added that this practice may reduce public debate at board or council meetings since issues are discussed in detail at committee meetings. Sonia Carvalho responded that having other board members attend committee meetings is lawful. However, she doesn't recommend it because it may lead to Brown Act violations. Vince Sarmiento asked that Sonia Carvalho talk to Joel Kuperberg, counsel for the OCWD, and look into the question. Michele Martinez requested that copies of the Legislative Committee meeting minutes be provided to the Mayor and Council. Future Agenda Items No future agenda items were identified. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:20pm ec Ilon'° Executive Assistant City Manager's Office Legislative City Council Committee Minutes June 25, 2014, Page 5