HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 - Approving a Legislative Platform - AmendedNovember 5, 2019
Agenda Item No. 6
PLATFORM ISSUES. The following categories generally reflect priorities of the City on
a regular and long-term basis:
I — AVIATION. As a neighbor to John Wayne Airport (JWA), the City is actively involved
in efforts to protect its residents from the impacts of the airport. The City shall
advocate for legislative and executive actions consistent with the Council's Airport
Policy (A-17) and/or that:
(a) Preserve and, assuming the terms and conditions are consistent with Council
Policy A-17, amend or otherwise extend the JWA Settlement Agreement.
(b) Preserve and protect the 2006 Cooperative Agreement between the County of
Orange and the City.
(c) Oppose changes in regional aviation policies that would regionalize aviation
administration or that would allow a regional entity the power of eminent domain
to expand airport capacity.
(d) Support legislative and regulatory initiatives to study and mitigate the noise and
air quality impacts associated with air traffic overflights.
(e) Support local control over local airports.
(f) Support efforts to increase usage of airports with excess capacity such as
Ontario International, provided the increased usage does not materially impact
the quality of life of nearby residents.
11— HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATIONS. The City seeks to protect and
strengthen its land use authority, including regulation of residential recovery facilities
and group homes, zoning, incorporation, annexation, and community development.
Therefore, the City shall:
(a) Support efforts that would allow cities and counties greater control over the
placement and management of residential recovery facilities, parolee homes,
sober living homes, and other group accommodations in residential areas, while
respecting disabled persons' right to the housing of -their -choice.
(b) Support efforts to strengthen the legal and fiscal capability of the City to prepare,
adopt and implement plans for orderly growth, development, beautification and
conservation of local planning areas, including but not limited to, regulatory
authority over zoning, subdivisions and annexations.
(c) Oppose development agreements in cities' spheres of influence in undeveloped
areas that do not conform to city standards.
(d) Support legislation that simplifies requirements for General Plan Housing
Elements.
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(e) Support measures to improve or otherwise streamline local governments'
working relationship and permitting ability with County, State and Federal
resources agencies and commissions.
(f) Support legislation that provides funding or programs to address the lack of
affordable housing as long as it does not impose mandated costs or diminish
the City's zoning authority.
(g) Support Federal, State, County or local efforts to develop programs,
partnerships or grant programs to assist cities in providing housing solutions
and/or services to address homelessness.
(h) Aggressively support measures that preserve local control over planning and
zoning matters.
(i) Oppose legislation and regulatory efforts that eliminate or diminish the City's
authority to zone and plan for the development of telecommunications
infrastructure.
Q) Oppose legislative efforts that reduce the City's ability to zone for or regulate
short-term rental properties.
(k) Support legislation that maintains local control over medical marijuana
dispensaries and upholds cities' ability to regulate and ban dispensaries.
(1) Support measures that provide municipalities with increased input in the
development of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA).
Ill — FISCAL STABILITY. The City's objective is to protect existing revenue sources and
to limit the cost of government upon the taxpayers of Newport Beach. The City also
seeks to protect Newport Beach residents and businesses from onerous fiscal
actions by other levels of government (County, State, Federal) which may impair our
ability to protect our quality of life. Therefore, the City shall:
(a) Support legislation leading to greater financial independence from State
government and which would result in greater predictability in local government
budgeting.
(b) Oppose legislation that would impose State and Federal mandates for which
there is no or inadequate local reimbursement or offsetting benefits.
(c) In the absence of statewide fiscal reform, oppose legislation that reduces or
eliminates existing local revenue sources.
(d) As a part of a comprehensive reform package, support changes in the State -
Local fiscal relationship if the changes maintain or improve revenues to local
governments, promote local discretion on land use decisions, and result in the
long-term stability of local government revenue sources.
(e) Oppose actions to change 1978's Proposition 13, including the development of
a "split roll" property tax valuation system.
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(f) Support legislation that reforms California's tort system to curtail unreasonable
liability exposure for public agencies and restore the ability of public agencies to
obtain affordable insurance.
(g) Oppose any changes in State law that would further limit the ability of charter
cities to manage their affairs.
IV— LABOR RELATIONS. The City respects the working conditions, benefits, and rights
of Newport Beach employees and the conservative fiscal management principles of
the community. Therefore, the City shall:
(a) Support legislation that promotes fiscally responsible public retirement benefits
and oppose legislation that threatens to increase the cost and burden of
administering retirement benefits.
(b) Oppose legislation that imposes mandated (State or Federal) employee benefits
that are more properly decided at the local bargaining table.
(c) Support repeal of or oppose efforts that reduce local control over public
employee disputes.
(d) Support workers' compensation -related legislative measures which positively
affect public employers.
V —TRANSPORTATION. The City supports multi -modal transportation systems,
programs and services. Therefore, the City shall:
(a) Encourage Federal, State, County and Local programs to increase funding and
simplify permitting for transit, bicycling, and pedestrian travel.
(b) Support legislation and voter -approved bond measures that help local agencies
finance local transportation facilities.
(c) Oppose legislation that requires additional County, State and Federal review of
projects that are predominantly of regional or local significance.
(d) Support legislation that gives local agencies greater access to and discretion over
transportation funds.
VI — WATER QUALITYAND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY. The City supports effective
measures to improve the environment, including water quality, solid waste,
hazardous materials clean-up, and ocean, beaches and bay protection. Therefore,
the City shall:
(a) Support projects, legislation and funding measures (including statewide bond
measures) that would increase water supply and improve water quality in this
region.
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