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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 - City Membership in the League of California CitiesQ SEW Pp�T CITY OF z NEWPORT BEACH c�<,FORN'P City Council Staff Report March 12, 2024 Agenda Item No. 11 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Grace K. Leung, City Manager - 949-644-3001, gleung@newportbeachca.gov PREPARED BY: Tara Finnigan, Assistant City Manager - 949-644-3035, tinnigan@newportbeachca.gov TITLE: City Membership in the League of California Cities ABSTRACT: At the request of Mayor Will O'Neill, the Newport Beach City Council discussed concerns and benefits related to the City of Newport Beach's membership in the League of California Cities (Cal Cities) at its February 27, 2024 study session. The Mayor and other Councilmembers expressed concern and provided examples of Cal Cities taking positions of support on or opposition to statewide measures that directly conflict with the City's positions on the measures. After hearing from City staff and Cal Cities representatives, the City Council unanimously agreed that additional discussion was needed and an item on the City's Cal Cities membership should be brought forward at the Council's March 12 regular meeting for further review and action. Nx0101LhI TT I=10lm7_rIEel ki6*5 a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and b) Direct staff not to renew the City of Newport Beach's membership in the League of California Cities; or c) Authorize staff to renew the City of Newport Beach's annual membership in the League of California Cities. DISCUSSION: Cal Cities provides education, training and legislative advocacy services to 476 member cities. The City of Newport Beach has been a long-time Cal Cities member and its annual dues, which are based on population size, are currently $24,800. At its February 27 study session, the City Council reviewed and discussed the merits of and concerns related to membership in the League of California Cities. The city manager and city attorney provided an overview of City staff's involvement in Cal Cities' educational programs and committees, highlighting statewide collaboration and resources for several departments. Cal Cities' representatives also addressed the Council, sharing highlights of the services the organization provides to its members. City Membership in the League of California Cities March 12, 2024 Page 2 During the City Council's discussion, Councilmembers acknowledged that Cal Cities services have been useful to staff and the City. However, several members raised concerns about Cal Cities' taking positions of opposition or support on statewide measures that are in opposition to the City's position. Cal Cities support for and advocacy efforts related to Proposition 1 and Assembly Constitutional Amendment 13 were cited as examples. The City Council unanimously agreed via a straw poll that an action item on the City's membership in Cal Cities should be brought forward at the Council's March 12 regular meeting for further review and action. Councilmembers also expressed interest in receiving additional information from Cal Cities that would aid in its decision as to whether or not the City of Newport should remain a member of the organization. FISCAL IMPACT: The City's Cal Cities membership dues for 2024 are $24,800 and budgeted in the General Fund. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. NOTICING - The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item). ATTACHMENT: Attachment A — Letter from the League of California Cities 11-2 ATTACHMENT A LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITI ES March 7, 2024 The Honorable Will O'Neill Mayor, Newport Beach 100 Civic Center Dr. Newport Beach, CA 92660 Dear Mayor O'Neill and Council Members, On behalf of the League of California Cities, thank you for the opportunity to provide additional information regarding Cal Cities membership and advocacy activities. Cal Cities is proud to be member -driven and focused on strengthening California cities through proactive advocacy on their common interests. Cal Cities membership, which extends to all elected and appointed officials in member cities, offers many opportunities to shape statewide policy and access cutting -edge professional development. City officials actively debate, shape, and steer Cal Cities' policy -development process and advocacy efforts through our Policy Committees. Committee recommendations are reviewed and subject to approval by the Cal Cities Board of Directors on a simple majority vote. In the case of ballot measures, it takes an even higher vote threshold of 2/3rd approval before the Board may take a position on a statewide ballot measure. This helps ensure that the position has broad support, which is an essential element to being successful at the ballot box. One of Cal Cities' greatest strengths lies in the unity of our diverse communities throughout the state, and we believe that the active participation of all city officials increases that strength. In a state as large and diverse as California, it is not surprising that our members may not agree on every policy issue all the time. However, we find there are many areas of consensus, and it is on those common interests that we can be most effective in our advocacy. Cal Cities continues to be a strong advocate on priority issues in the Legislature that align with the City of Newport Beach's priorities. These include urging the state to do more to combat retail theft and the fentanyl crisis, provide much -needed oversight over sober living facilities, and reform the regional housing needs allocation (RHNA) process. In summary, Cal Cities continues to be a strong voice for Newport Beach and all California cities on many key policy issues the council has taken positions on through the city's legislative platform. Cal Cities is also advocating in the courts for Newport Beach and cities statewide. We filed an amicus brief in Grants Pass v. Johnson, a case involving local authority to address the homelessness crisis that is before the U.S. Supreme Court, and are directly 11-3 LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITI ES supporting your city with amicus briefs in legal cases, including Pacific Shores Properties v. Newport Beach. I want to assure you that we received and heard the feedback you provided to Cal Cities during the study session on February 27, 2024. Several cities shared concerns like yours about Proposition 1 when it was considered by the Policy Committees and the Board. That's why Cal Cities is sponsoring legislation this session to address issues caused by a lack of oversight of and regulation over sober living facilities. Specifically, Cal Cities is sponsoring three bills and co -sponsoring another bill related to this issue, including a bill authored by Assembly Member Diane Dixon establishing distancing requirements between licensed facilities. I want to take this opportunity to personally thank and recognize Council Member Robyn Grant, who serves as a key member of our Community Services Policy Committee, which is spearheading and overseeing our advocacy efforts on this important legislation. However, sponsoring legislation is only the first step in a long process. Cities in partnership with Cal Cities will need to be vigilant advocates for these bills in order to realize the goal of seeing them passed by the Legislature, signed by the Governor and successfully implemented. I am confident that we can be successful if we continue to stand together and speak with a united voice. Thank you again for sharing the city's feedback and for the opportunity to provide additional information. Cal Cities is stronger with Newport Beach as a member, and the city is stronger when it collaborates with cities regionally and statewide to advance shared policy priorities. If you have any questions, please contact Connor Medina, Regional Public Affairs Manager, at cmedina@calcities.org or (949) 421-9898. Sincerely, Car ly M. Coleman Exec ive Director and CEO cc: Honorable City Council Members, City of Newport Beach Grace Leung, City Manager, City of Newport Beach 11-4