Title
Recommendation to Approve the 2023-24 Legislative Agenda for the City of Alameda. (City Manager 10021030)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) adopts a two-year Legislative Agenda that serves as a guide for the City’s legislative advocacy efforts. By adopting a Legislative Agenda, City staff and the Mayor and City Council are able to react quickly to most legislative issues as they arise. On April 4, 2023, City staff presented a draft 2023-2024 Legislative Agenda to the City Council. Direction was provided and a revised Legislative Agenda that incorporates this direction is now returning to the City Council for final approval.
BACKGROUND
Previous versions of the Legislative Agenda were adopted on December 3, 2013, December 2, 2014, November 3, 2015, March 21, 2017, March 20, 2018, May 7, 2019, March 3, 2020, and February 16, 2021. Following the City Council’s adoption of the 2023-24 Legislative Agenda, City staff will share the document with state and federal representatives, and will use it as a road map for the City’s advocacy efforts in coordination with state and federal legislative advocates.
DISCUSSION
Following the presentation of the draft Legislative Agenda on April 4, 2023, staff incorporated the following changes into the attached final document:
• General Legislative Principles: Added reduction and alleviation of traffic concerns for the peninsula in addition to the island; clarified that support for funding and development of affordable and middle-income housing is both to buy and to rent
• Base Reuse: Added support of efficient selling (in addition to leasing and redevelopment) of property at Alameda Point
• Infrastructure and Transportation: Removed support for funding and development of a new underground crossing that includes bike and pedestrian access and a new vehicular roadway, as it is not currently feasible
• Public Safety: Added language to strengthen catalytic converter item, clarified that the City will continue supporting policing and racial equity outcomes consistent with adopted City Council directions, including City Council direction on the Police Reform and Racial Equity Committee recommendations
• Health & Human Services: Removed the provision and distribution of naloxone, added clinical support provided by Alameda Family Services to the Support of CARE Team efforts, added support for healthier food choices
• Revenue and Taxation: Clarified that the City supports assistance with planning to pay for Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB)
• Housing: Removed support of lowering the cap on the mortgage interest deduction and added eliminating the deduction on second homes
• Environment and City Parks: Clarified the focus area title to include Open Space
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve the 2023-24 Legislative Agenda for the City of Alameda
• Provide additional direction to staff and approve the 2023-24 Legislative Agenda as amended
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from the adoption of the Legislative Agenda. However, pursuing the items in the Legislative Agenda is intended to defend as well as promote the City’s financial stability.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report. However, if the City does not have an approved Legislative Agenda, the City may not be able to act on legislation that increases resiliency, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and has a positive climate impact.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the 2023-24 Legislative Agenda for the City of Alameda.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Henry, Communications Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. April 4, 2023 Staff Report
2. First draft of the 2023-2024 Legislative Agenda (clean)
3. First draft of the 2023-2024 Legislative Agenda (redlined)
4. Final draft of the 2023-2024 Legislative Agenda (clean)
5. Final draft of the 2023-2024 Legislative Agenda (redlined)