HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2024-030
Contents
Legislative Advocacy Guidelines ............................................................................................................... 1
Guiding Principles of Legislative Platform ................................................................................................ 4
2023-2024 Legislative Priorities ................................................................................................................ 5
2023-2024 Policy Position Statements ..................................................................................................... 7
Overview of the City of Chula Vista
Incorporated in 1911, Chula Vista is the second largest city in San Diego County both in population and
land area, with a population of 277,220 and land area of approximately 52 square miles.
Chula Vista is a global leader in sustainability and embracing new technologies to enhance the safety
and quality of life for its residents. It became a charter member of the International Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) in the early 1990s, completed a greenhouse gas inventory in 1996 and
adopted its first CO2 reduction plan in 2000, making it the first city in San Diego County to adopt a
climate action plan. It also has led the way with early action on developing transit-oriented
neighborhoods, an innovative and sustainable plan to develop the Chula Vista Bayfront, and was one of
the first cities in the nation to create a smart city plan to integrate technology to better serve and
protect our residents and to ensure that City businesses and all City residents have universal access to
high quality internet and technology.
The cornerstone of meeting those goals is to establish a four-year university and an innovation district
that will act as a regional economic engine to make Chula Vista and the South Bay a global hub for
cinematic arts, green technology, emerging autonomous technology, and building a binational economy.
This Legislative Platform provides a foundation for the City of Chula Vista Legislative Program to help
Chula Vista advance its interests with California policy makers, agency representatives, industry leaders
and others.
This platform also is intended to be a living document that will be updated by staff periodically as
circumstances and goals change but the foundation will focus on efforts to enhance our city and the
quality of life for our residents.
Legislative Advocacy Guidelines
The purpose of the Legislative Advocacy Guidelines is
federal, state, and local advocacy. Through the procedures described, potentially impactful federal, state,
mmunicated to legislators.
Coordination of the Legislative Program
California Cities, National League of Cities, Councilmembers, legislators, City staff, community members,
and professional or governmental organizations.
All legislation or issues of interest should for analysis.
, and
determine the nature and extent of its potential impact on the city and develop an appropriate City
response.
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Action can then proceed in either of two ways:
1. If the Council has previously adopted a position on the legislation through the existing Legislative
Platform, the City Manager will coordinate and implement appropriate response. Council will be notified
and kept updated on progress and issues.
2. If the legislation is not addressed by the existing Legislative Platform or by Council direction, the
proposed legislation will be referred to Council for direction. Staff will place the item on a City Council
agenda, including a specific bill number, if any, an analysis of the item, and a recommendation if
warranted, for Council deliberation. Staff will follow the direction from Council related to the specific item.
The Role of the Mayor and City Council
Council's specific responsibilities include:
1. Establish legislative priorities.
2. Meet with the City's state and federal legislative advocates as needed.
3. Work with external entities on issues of shared policy concerns.
4. Determine positions on resolutions proposed for adoption by the League of California Cities, the
National League of Cities, and similar regional entities, as requested.
5. Assume an active advocacy role with legislators on behalf of the City. If travel is required, such travel
will be consistent with current City travel policies.
The Role of the City Manager
The City Manager implements and coordinates the City's Legislative Program. The City Manager may
designate a legislative liaison to assist with coordinating the Legislative Program. The responsibilities and
activities of the City Manager include:
1. Ensuring alignment of .
2. Coordinating contacts and communications with legislators and their staff.
3. With departmental assistance, evaluating proposed legislation that may affect the City.
4. Disseminating information on public policy items of interest to City departments.
5. Directing and overseeing the City lobbyists, including setting priorities for action that are consistent
with City Council direction.
6. Preparing advocacy letters expre. The Mayor or City Manager may
sign advocacy letters on behalf of the City. Copies of the communication will be distributed to the City
Council.
7. Serving, as needed, as the liaison to stakeholder groups, legislative offices, and local jurisdictions
concerning legislative activities.
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8. Coordinating, briefing, and providing support to City Council members for visits with state and/or
federal legislators, as needed.
The Role of City Departments
City Department participation is essential to the success of the Legislative Program. Departmental
employees can provide technical assistance and unique insight into issues potentially impacting the City.
Responsibilities of the departments include, but are not limited to:
1. Informing the City Manager, or designee, of policy issues of importance to the City and any specific bills
that may impact the department
2. Designating key contacts within the department or division who are responsible for evaluating
legislation and/or assisting with legislative analysis and advocacy letters
3. Suggesting organizations, individuals, publications, and/or legislators who may be partners in
advocating the City's position on certain legislation
Signatures on Legislative Communication
Letters and other communications expressing the City's position will customarily bear the signature of the
Mayor or City Manager. In order to keep the Council and others informed of all City communication on
legislation, copies of the letters will be distributed to the City Council.
Communication With Elected Officials
From time to time, members of the City Council may
representatives. These meetings are an important component of building legislative relationships and
sharing issues of significance to Chula Vista. Any meetings or communication with local, state, or federal
elected officials must be done in a coordinated way to ensure conformity with the approved Legislative
Platform, consistency of messaging, accurate information and record keeping, and sharing of resources.
Therefore, as a matter of best practice, any communication with a local, state, or federal elected official
or legislative staff be coordinated through the City
Manager.
Advocacy Methods
Drafting position letters is one advocacy tool, best used in conjunction with others. The City Council, City
Manager, and lobbyists may use any, or a combination of the below additional advocacy methods:
1. Calls to policymakers, their staff, or legislative committee staff
2. Meeting with legislators and their staff, stakeholders, and other groups active on the same issue or bill
cerns
4. Building coalitions and partnerships with entities that advance the Legislative Program
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Guiding Principles of Legislative Platform
The Legislative Platform
and legislative/regulatory matters that may impact the City at the state and federal level. The guiding
principles and broad policy statements allow City staff and legislative advocates to address legislative
and regulatory issues in a timely and directed manner, without precluding City Council consideration of
additional legislative matters arising throughout the year.
With the continued growth of the City and planned developm
Platform is aimed at securing legislative policies and resources that will help the City manage this
growth, fund critical infrastructure needs, keep the City safe, and maintain and enhance quality-of-life.
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Support efforts that preserve and protect our local authority to enact policy pertaining to local
affairs. Oppose measures that seek to preempt local control without the concurrence of the City.
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Support efforts that promote fiscal stability, predictability, and financial independence. Support
no guarantee of local reimbursement or offsetting benefits, or that shift local funds to the county,
state or federal government without offsetting benefits.
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Support efforts that provide local governments with the tools necessary to bolster economic
development and efforts streamlining initiatives that would enhance our ability to attract and
retain businesses as well as encourage business expansion and job retention.
ЍΜ {ǒƦƦƚƩƷ CǒƓķźƓŭ hƦƦƚƩƷǒƓźƷźĻƭ
Support efforts that allow the City to compete for its fair share of regional, state and federal
funding including competitive grants and other funding programs. Support efforts that promote
dedicated funding streams at the regional, state and federal levels allowing our City to maximize
local revenues, offset and leverage capital expenditures, and maintain our goals and standards.
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2023-2024 Legislative Priorities
1. Secure support and agreement with the State and the San Diego Association of Governments
(SANDAG) to eliminate the toll-only operation of State Route 125.
During the 2021-2022 Legislative session, Senator Ben Hueso secured $20 million for SANDAG to dedicate
to the outstanding debt on the State Route 125 (SR-125) toll road, or South Bay Expressway (SBX).
As the only tolled freeway in San Diego County, SBX toll road operations make it difficult to attract and
retain employees and disproportionally affects lower income workers in the South Bay. Elimination of toll-
only operations on the SBX will incentivize businesses to locate in Chula Vista and the South Bay region,
an area long neglected. Early retirement of the SBX toll facility debt also will alleviate transportation
congestion on the
arterials during high commute times and reduce regional vehicle miles traveled (VMT) with the creation
of employment centers in the surrounding South Bay region.
Staff will continue to work with SANDAG, state agencies like Caltrans, and other stakeholders to achieve
elimination of debt by as soon as 2027 and remove toll-only operations on the SBX.
2. Promote the ongoing development on the Chula Vista Bayfront including, but not limited to, creation
and funding of open space, parks, and business development.
Construction is underway on the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center, a catalyst project for the
redevelopment of the 535-acre Chula Vista Bayfront. As envisioned in the Bayfront Master Plan, public
access is a cornerstone of the development and that includes open space and new parks. The City will
continue to seek funding opportunities to bring residents and visitors outdoor spaces to enjoy our
Bayfront as well as preserve existing park access and uses.
Also important to the sustainability of the project is the creation of employment opportunities through
the development of new businesses and expansion of existing businesses. Within the Bayfront masterplan
area, Chula Vista has one long-established cardroom, Seven Mile Casino. Seven Mile contributes
substantially to the local economy by providing jobs and generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in
annual license revenues for the City. As Seven Mile continues to explore table growth to expand their
business and redevelop their properties, the City will advocate for the ability of local governments to
authorize existing licensed cardrooms to expand the number of tables operated.
3. Secure state funding to pursue development and redevelopment of park spaces in areas in need of
additional parkland in western Chula Vista.
During recent community engagement opportunities, the need for additional park space and recreational
amenities in the more urban, western portion of the City has been highlighted as a pressing need. State
funding would allow the City to pursue planning, design and construction of additional parkland and
recreational opportunities as expressed by residents in Chula Vista.
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4. Assistance in obtaining State and/or Federal funds for Grade Separations at major railroad/transit
crossings.
With construction underway on the Bayfront project and more people coming to Chula Vista to enjoy our
bayfront and to work and live in our city, mobility and the flow of people and goods to and from Chula
Vista is becoming increasingly critical. Because of this, it is essential that we continue to expand and
increase frequency of our public transit system. In order to do so, grade separations along the Blue Line
Trolley are urgently needed at Palomar Street, F Street, H Street, and E Street. Palomar Street has been
identified by SANDAG as vitally needed to reduce congestion in the western part of Chula Vista and was
ranked in the top two most urgently needed grade separations within the entire MTS trolley system. The
City already has invested over $3 million for planning and design of the Palomar Street grade separation
project. Ideally, the state would provide funding to complete this project as it did for the City of San Diego
for its trolley system at Park Boulevard and Harbor Drive grade crossings.
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2023-2024 Policy Position Statements
The following categories of policy position statements are broad and are not intended to be all-
inclusive. They are intended to
Administrative Services
General Area of Review: Elections, Ralph M. Brown Act, Public Records Act, Political Reform Act, conflict
of interest, insurance, tort reform and open and transparent government.
Support legislation to allow alternative methods of meeting public notice requirements and
enhancing them with cost effective, innovative, user friendly methods of communication.
Support efforts to improve liability protection for governmental agencies and their personnel,
minimize governmental exposure to frivolous lawsuits, and create policies that allow cities to
equitably manage risks in providing services and maintaining city facilities.
Support legislation and policies that clarify new conflict of interest and reporting requirements for
elected officials.
Support legislative efforts and funding for voter outreach, education, and resources to instill
confidence in our electoral process.
Support funding for ethics and conflict of interest training for officials.
operational constraints of municipalities.
Community Services
General Area of Review: Parks, recreation, libraries, cultural arts, youth, community and human services
programs.
Support funding efforts to construct or renovate parks and recreation facilities in aging/under
resourced areas of the city.
Support park bond measures that provide per capita and competitive grants for park and recreation
facility development and renovation.
Support funding for after-school art and recreational programs promoting the arts and physical
exercise.
Support funding for access opportunities for all residents to physical activity, proper nutrition and
healthy lifestyle options.
Support funding efforts to connect libraries to the same statewide, high-speed, broadband backbone
for the K-12 system, UC, CSU and community colleges.
Support fully funding the California Public Library Fund and eliminate financial penalties to municipal
libraries experiencing budget reductions.
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Guarantee libraries the largest possible discount in rates for telecommunication services, internal
connections, and Internet access.
Support library bond measures that provide per capita and competitive grants for library facility
construction and renovation.
Support efforts to fund after-school library programs to provide safe options for students to study
and engage in activities during critical afternoon hours.
Support legislation that prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion,
gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or immigration status.
Support legislation and measures that enhance overall quality, affordability, and accessibility to
childcare for all families.
Education and Economic Development
General Area of Review: Education, innovation, employment creation, business attraction and retention
and other efforts related to economic development.
Support legislative efforts to assist our city to attract businesses and industry that will advance
responsible Economic Development to strengthen
embracing new technologies and environmental innovation.
Secure legislative support and funding from the State of California to continue the development of
-Innovation District.
Promote local purchasing, hiring and workforce training that create quality career opportunities and
living wages for the local workforce.
Provide startup funding for economic development programs/partnerships.
Fund extending advanced telecommunications, smart grid energy, sustainable water supply and
transportation infrastructure that helps develop quality jobs in under resourced communities.
Promote opportunities for public art funding and encourage programs that tie arts and culture to
economic development.
Strengthen and/or add tools to promote redevelopment of economically distressed areas.
Support legislation that would provide financial incentives and opportunities for filming locally.
Support legislation that would increase access to wealth and/or improved living standards that
promotes and sustains diversity, innovation, competition, and entrepreneurship.
Support measures that expand youth opportunity including early childhood education, K-12
extracurricular activities, youth diversion programs, mental health programs, and work-based
learning programs.
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Employee Relations
General Area of Review: Labor relations, employee relations and other matters related to human
resources.
including hours, wages, benefits, the meet-and-confer process, appeal procedures and management
rights.
.
Oppose efforts for mandated binding arbitration in public employee disputes.
Environmental Quality
General Area of Review: Air, water supply and water quality, climate change, clean energy, California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), integrated waste management, hazardous materials, coastal issues,
and utilities.
Support programs and rate structures that expand access to solar and other clean energy
technologies, particularly for renters and other under resourced community members.
Support programs that provide incentives or other support for energy and water saving upgrades or
clean energy and zero emission technologies.
Support legislative efforts to strengthen San Diego Community Power, Community Choice
Aggregation (CCA) program, to provide more affordable and clean electricity options.
Create new and sustainable funding opportunities to support local habitat preservation, water
conservation, water reuse and recycling efforts.
Oppose new leases for oil/gas development in state-owned coastal waters off San Diego County.
icies and
codes exceeding state or federal standards.
Reinforce local control of telecommunications, energy, and water services through franchise
agreements or other mechanisms.
Support reauthorization of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Public Goods Charge,
and legislation that provides local funding to complement environmental and economic
sustainability.
Clean up Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act (DIVCA) legislation.
Promote smart growth incentive programs, reward agencies that promote sustainable practices such
as energy conservation, renewable resources, green buildings and the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Develop new funding source to cover all additional Local Agency costs in order to comply with new
State and Regional Water Quality Control Board Stormwater Permits since new permit requirements
create unfunded mandates.
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Support legislation that eliminates regulatory and processing barriers for projects that enhance or
restore biological habitats.
Exempt stormwater fees from the restrictions of Proposition 218.
Support state and federal funding and efforts to address and eliminate untreated sewage, trash,
and sediment that originates from across the U.S.- Mexico border.
Support legislation that protects and improves the reliability, affordability, self-sufficiency, quality
and security of local and imported water supplies.
Housing and Homeless Services
General Area of Review: Land use, development, annexation, and incorporation, building standards,
economic development, redevelopment and enterprise zones, mobile home, and sign regulations.
Support new affordable housing development opportunities and preservation of existing affordable
housing.
Support efforts to assist first-time home buyers and promote pathways to home ownership.
Support opportunities for the development of workforce housing and permanent supportive
housing and programs.
Support equitable distribution of housing funds from regional, state, or federal agencies.
Support efforts to preserve and enhance mobile home livability.
Promote and facilitate funding for historic preservation.
Support public health and age friendly livability initiatives.
Support efforts that ensure major changes to Building, Energy or Accessibility code requirements are
given enough time and resources for local government and industry training.
Fund construction of needed infrastructure, parks, libraries, and other civic/public safety programs.
Support legislation that preserves the authority of local agencies to regulate short-term rentals.
Support legislative efforts to enhance and secure sustainable, consistent funding for homelessness
programs, services, outreach, prevention, and assistance.
shelter for unsheltered individuals.
Support the expansion of conservatorship laws allowing for increased guardianship control and
health supervision of those suffering from mental illness and recognizing mental illness and
addiction as contributors to chronic homelessness.
Support legislation that provides ongoing operating funding associated with necessary services at
permanent supportive housing developments.
Support legislation that increases housing production; promotes equity, inclusion, and
sustainability; preserves housing for vulnerable populations; prevents displacement of existing
residents; and protects tenants.
Support measures that provide resources to address the mental health needs of persons
experiencing homelessness.
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and accessible housing for all economic segments of the community including the homeless, seniors,
disabled, veterans, refugees, and moderate- and low-income households.
Support legislation for governmental immunity for safe parking and or camping sites for unsheltered
individuals.
Support measures and legislation that provides substance abuse treatment and services for the
unsheltered.
Support harm reduction services and programs that require City input and collaboration and
monitors for community impacts.
Public Safety
General Area of Review: Law enforcement, fire and life safety, emergency communications, emergency
services, disaster preparedness, and nuisance abatement.
Support efforts to reinstate Federal Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) and State
Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF) grant programs.
Increase employment opportunities through the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Program.
Fund emergency preparedness measures, particularly those related to wildland fire and fund
minimizing fuels in wildland interface areas.
Support efforts to prohibit drone operations that prevent or interfere with firefighting efforts.
Expand the availability of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in higher occupancy structures.
Support funding for activities that will reduce drowning incidents.
Continue funding for "front-line" law enforcement for AB 109 compliance.
Provide adequate resources to support public safety response to the mental health crisis involving
the unsheltered population.
Oppose efforts to allow unlicensed fire protection contractors to install fire protection systems.
Oppose efforts to preempt local public safety ordinances.
Oppose any efforts to impose upon police department the responsibility to enforce federal
immigration laws.
Support legislation that preserves local control over medical and adult-use cannabis businesses, and
enhances and protects maximum local regulatory, land use, and enforcement authority in relation
to such businesses.
Support legislation that provides for an equitable reimbursement rate for emergency ambulance
transportation for public health insurers.
Support regulatory or other measures that will assist with police recruitment and retention, and
enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion among law enforcement.
Support measures that enhance local agencies
operation of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS).
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Support legislation that expands access to affordable home, fire, and flooding insurance for all city
residents and businesses, regardless of whether they are in a high-risk area.
Revenue and Taxation
General Area of Review: Finance administration, taxation reform, general revenue, special revenue, and
revenue sources at the federal, state, and local levels.
Provide grant distribution criteria that includes a per capita component in addition to merit-based
programs.
Oppose unfunded mandates and legislation that reduce local control or abridge home rule authority.
Oppose any repeal of Gas Tax exemption for local agencies.
Oppose efforts to preclude cities from collecting Utility Users Tax, including revenue on cellular or
digital telephone use.
Protect or enhance local government revenue resources including sales, property and use taxes,
Citizens' Option for Public Safety (COPS), and Booking Fees.
Support reducing the vote threshold for special use taxes and bonds from 66.6% to 55%.
Support the establishment of a federal Marketplace Fairness Act and oppose any efforts to roll back
the 2018 Wayfair decision.
, on cable or satellite
television or other telecommunication operations and services.
Advocate for the ability of local governments to authorize their existing licensed cardrooms to
expand the number of tables they operate.
Transportation, Telecommunication and Public Works
General Area of Review: Transportation, construction, telecommunications, and general public works
related areas.
Support legislation that allows for opportunity to pay off bonds for SR 125 prior to 2043 provided
capital, overhead costs and non-operating expenses can be minimized and toll revenues are
allocated to debt service.
Support and promote transferring maintenance of SR 125 to Caltrans when SR 125 outstanding debt
is paid off and toll-only access has ended.
Support efforts to allow local agencies flexibility in complying with the Americans with Disabilities
Act to provide the greatest benefit to the disabled population, and provide protection from third
party lawsuits.
Oppose elimination of Rule 20A Utility Undergrounding Program.
Support efforts to fund programs to provide high-speed Internet to lower income residents.
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Support efforts for funding for priority infrastructure projects including drainage and other
improvements to the storm drain system.
at Industrial Boulevard.
Oppose any further restrictions on the use of multi-year renewable contracts.
Support legislation to reduce municipal costs associated with Caltrans projects.
Supports efforts (or legislation) that enhance traffic safety on city streets for all modes of
transportation (AB 43).
Oppose efforts to preempt local authority with the goal of assisting the wireless industry in the
expansion of broadband access by allowing access to City infrastructure including light poles, traffic
poles, etc.
Support efforts to expedite disbursement of Proposition 84 funds to local governments.
Support efforts to protect dedicated transportation and public transit funds.
Support funding and legislation that encourages utilities undergrounding.
Support legislation and/or funding to improve broadband accessibility and affordability in Chula
Vista.
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