08 Attachment 1 - Existing Town Council Policy 2-18 Legislative PolicyTitle: Legislative Policy Policy Number: 2-18
Effective Date: 10/5/16 Pages:3
Enabling Actions: --,
Approv� --� � 4 \, b a YCb,.. � ?"?:!. �
PURPOSE
The purposes of the Legislative Policy are to: identify opportunities for the Town to participate in state, federal, and regional legislation and other policy matters, and describe a process for
Town positions, actions, and related activities.
BACKGROUND
Council Members have the opportunity to learn of legislative issues from their work on the
Council, general awareness of current topics, and their service on other Board and Committees as
representatives of the Town. The Town Manager encourages all Town Departments to monitor and be knowledgeable of any legislative issues related to their disciplines. The Town Manager
and Town Attorney similarly stay engaged with their professions as well as monitor the activities
of the League of California Cities and other organizations. The Town benefits from a Legislative
Policy to articulate overarching legislative principles to guide the Town's engagement in the
legislative process as outlined in this Policy.
LEGISLATIVE PRINCIPLES
The Town should take a position and advocate for the position when proposed federal, state, County, or other agency legislative or measure has a potential direct impact on the Town.
Direct impact includes and is not limited to issues of local control, revenue reductions, grant
eligibility, unfunded mandates and regulatory burdens.
POLICY GOALS
I.Advocate the Town's legislative interests at the federal, state, regional, and County levels.
2.Inform and provide information to our legislators, Town Council, and staff on the keyissues and legislation that could have potential impact on the Town.
3.Serve as an active participant with other local governments, the League of California
Cities, local profession organizations, and/or other entities on legislative/regulatory issues
that are important to the Town and our region.
4.Seek grant and funding assistance for Town projects, services, and programs to enhance
services for our community.
ATTACHMENT 1
Title: Legislative Policy
LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIES
Page: 2 of 3 Policy Number: 2-18
1.Communicate legislative positions on proposed federal, state, and County legislation,measures, initiatives, and governmental regulations.
2.Work with Town Departments to develop positions on proposed federal and state
legislative measures based on analysis done by the League of California Cities,communication with legislators' offices, and other local government/professionalassociations in formulating our positions.3.Take positions only on proposals that clearly impact our Town or are a threat to local
control.
4.Actively track key bills through the legislative process, utilizing various legislativewebsites, government/professional associations, and other means.5.Communicate the Town's position to our federal, state, regional, and Countymembers, bill author(s), Committees, and/or other governmental bodies throughcorrespondence, testimony, and in-person meetings.
6.Work cooperatively with other cities, associations and the League of CaliforniaCities on advocating our legislative positions.7.As necessary, participate in the drafting and amending of proposed federal, state,
regional, and/or County measures that have the potential to significantly impact the
Town.
8.Meet with legislators and their representatives, as well as other federal, state,regional, and/or County government officials on a regular basis to discuss localgovernment issues, proposed legislation, requests for funding assistance, and Townprograms and services.
9.Seek federal, state, and County funding through earmarks, grants, and otherdiscretionary funding for Town projects, services, and programs.10.Annually identify Town projects for potential submittal for federal earmarkconsideration and develop a submittal packet for legislators that provides informationand need for the projects.1 1. Provide information to Town Departments on potential grant funding opportunities and recognition programs.
12.Advocate and request letters of support for Town projects and grant applications or
other resources that are being considered for federal, state, regional, and/or County
funding.
LEGISLATIVE POSITION PROCESS
The process for responding to legislative proposals is as follows:
1.Once the Town Manager and/or Town Attorney determines that a legislative proposalmay impact the Town, a letter outlining the Town's position (support, neutral or oppose)will be drafted for the Mayor's signature.2.The Town Manager will circulate the draft position letter to the Town Council for review.3.If there is Council objection, the position letter will be placed on the next Town Councilagenda for consideration.
Title: Legislative Policy
Page: 3 of 3 Policy Number:
2-18
4.If there is no objection, staff will finalize the position letter for the Mayor's signature andforward the signed letter to the bill's author, the League of California Cities, and otherstakeholders as deemed appropriate.5.A copy of the final letter will be distributed to the Town Council.APPROVED AS TO FORM: