HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/25/24 Legislative and Litigation CommitteeLEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE
(183 AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING
BAKERSIFIELD
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April 25, 2024
4:00 p.m.
City Hall North Conference Room A
1600 Truxtun Avenue
Committee Members:
Bruce Freeman
Andrae Gonzales
Manpreet Kaur
1. Roll Call
2. Public Statements
a. Agenda Item Public Statements
b. Non -Agenda Item Public Statements
3. Adopt Agenda Summary Report
a. Adoption of November 8, 2023, Special and December 7, 2023, Regular Agenda
Summary Reports
Staff recommends adoption of the minutes.
4. New Business
a. Review and Approval of 2024 Federal Legislative Program
Staff recommends Committee receive and approve Federal Legislative Program.
5. Committee Comments
6. Adjournment
•
BAKERSFIELD
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: April 25, 2024 AGENDA CATEGORY: Adopt Summary Report
TO: Legislative and Litigation Committee
FROM: Julie Drimakis, City Clerk
DATE: April 15, 2024
SUBJECT: Adoption of November 8, 2023, Special and December 7, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the minutes.
BACKGROUND:
FISCAL IMPACT:
COUNCIL GOAL:
Choose an Iitein.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. November 8, 2023, Special meeting minutes
2. December 7, 2023, Regular meeting minutes
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Staff:
Anthony Valdez, Assistant to the City Manager
Committee Members:
Councilmember, Bruce Freeman — Chair
Councilmember, Andrae Gonzales
Councilmember, Manpreet Kaur
Special Meeting of the
Legislative and Litigation Committee
of the City Council — City of Bakersfield
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
12:00 p.m.
City Hall North, First Floor, Conference Room A
1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301
Agenda Summary Report
Meeting called to order at 12:03 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL
Committee members present:
Councilmember Bruce Freeman
Councilmember Andrae Gonzales
Councilmember Manpreet Kaur
City Staff: Christian Clegg, City Manager
Ginny Gennaro, City Attorney
Ashley Zambrano, Deputy City Attorney
Julie Drimakis, City Clerk
Tammy Davis, Animal Control
Sandra Alvarez, Animal Control
Joe Conroy, Crystal Rubio, City Manager's Office
Additional Attendees: Members of the public and other City Staff
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
a. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
b. Non -Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
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3. ADOPT JUNE 8, 2023, REGULAR AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
Motion by Councilmember Gonzales to adopt the June 8, 2023, Regular Agenda Summary
Report. Motion unanimously approved.
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Staff update on City Animal Control issues and options for possible Municipal code
amendments concerning the same for Committee discussion and direction.
(Staff recommends receive and file presentation and committee direction.)
City Manager Clegg made staff comments.
Deputy City Attorney Zambrano and Assistant to the City Manager Rubio, Animal
Control Supervisor Davis, Animal Control Senior Officer Alvarez, Animal Care Center
Shelter Director Buck, made staff comments and provided a PowerPoint presentation.
City Attorney Gennaro made additional comments.
Motion by Councilmember Gonzales to receive and file the presentation and propose
the four ordinance options presented to full Council for adoption. Motion unanimously
approved.
5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
None.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 12:43 p.m.
Bruce Freeman, CHAIR
LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE
JULIE DRIMAKIS, MMC
CITY CLERK and Ex Officio Clerk of
the Council of the City of Bakersfield
Legislative and Litigation Committee
4 Special Meeting November 8, 2023, Agenda
Page 2
Legislative and Litigation Committee
Special Meeting November 8, 2023, Agenda
Page 3
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Staff:
Anthony Valdez, Assistant to the City Manager
Committee Members:
Councilmember, Bruce Freeman — Chair
Councilmember, Andrae Gonzales
Councilmember, Manpreet Kaur
Regular Meeting of the
Legislative and Litigation Committee
of the City Council — City of Bakersfield
Thursday, December 7, 2023
10:00 a.m.
City Hall North, First Floor, Conference Room A
1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301
Agenda Summary Report
Meeting called to order at 10:04 a.m.
1. ROLL CALL
Committee members present:
Committee members absent:
Councilmember Bruce Freeman
Councilmember Andrae Gonzales
Councilmember Manpreet Kaur
City Staff: Christian Clegg, City Manager
Josh Rudnick, Deputy City Attorney
Anthony Valdez, City Manager's Office
Scott Andrews, City Manager's Office
Juan Heredia, City Manager's Office
Julie Drimakis, City Clerk
Joe Conroy, City Manager's Office
Jennie Byers, Economic & Community Development
Additional Attendees: Members of the public and other City Staff
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
a. Agenda Item Public Statements
None.
b. Non -Agenda Item Public Statements
6
None.
3. ADOPT NOVEMBER 8, 2023, SPECIAL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
City Clerk Drimakis announced at the request of staff the item is being moved to the next
meeting due to no Quorum.
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion of the City's Recent Selection of Federal Legislative and Funding
Advocate Summit Strategies.
(Information item only, staff recommends receive and file presentation.)
Anthony Valdez, Assistant to the City Manager's Office, made staff comments.
Mark Dederick, Teddy Huebert, and Ramon Ramirez, Summit Strategies, made
comments.
B. Discussion of Quarterly Legislative Update from the City's State Legislative and
Funding Advocate Renne Public Policy Group.
(Information item only, staff recommends receive and file presentation.)
Anthony Valdez, Assistant to the City Manager's Office, made staff comments.
Dane Hutchings and Jake Whitaker, Renne Policy Group, made comments and
provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Councilmember Freeman recessed the meeting at 10:34 a.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 10:37 a.m.
5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
None.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:52 a.m.
Bruce Freeman, CHAIR
LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE
ATTEST:
JULIE DRIMAKIS, MMC
Legislative and Litigation Committee
7 Regular Meeting December 7, 2023, Agenda
Page 2
CITY CLERK and Ex Officio Clerk of
the Council of the City of Bakersfield
Legislative and Litigation Committee
8 Regular Meeting December 7, 2023, Agenda
Page 3
•
BAKERSFIELD
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: April 25, 2024 AGENDA CATEGORY: New Business
TO: Legislative and Litigation Committee
FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager
DATE: April 12, 2024
SUBJECT: Review and Approval of Federal Legislative Program
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends Committee receive and approve Federal Legislative Program.
BACKGROUND:
In 2023, the Council approved creation of Bakersfield's first federal legislative and grant advocacy
program. Following a competitive process, the City contracted with the firm Summit Strategies to provide
legislative advocacy on behalf of the City of Bakersfield in Washington, D.C.
Over the past few months, the City Manager's Office and Summit Strategies have met with department
directors to discuss their advocacy priorities. Staff then compiled that information into the 2024 Federal
Legislative Program
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Fiscal Impact on the General Fund.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Innovative and Efficient City Government
ATTACHMENTS:
2024 Federal Legislative Program
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2024
Federal legislative
Page 1 of 19
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Bakersfield Mayor & City Council
KarenGoh..................................................................................................... Mayor
EricArias........................................................................................................Ward 1
AndraeGonzales......................................................................................... Ward 2
KenWeir.........................................................................................................Ward 3
BobSmith......................................................................................................Ward 4
BruceFreeman.............................................................................................Ward 5
PattyGray......................................................................................................Ward 6
ManpreetKaur..............................................................................................Ward 7
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Table of Contents
Definitions..........................................................................................................................
4
WashingtonD.C. Delegation............................................................................................
5
City Council Strategic Work Plan..................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
LegislativeProgram..........................................................................................................
7
LegislativePrinciples........................................................................................................
8
2024 Federal Legislative Priorities..................................................................................
9
1. Advocate for Federal funding.................................................................................
9
2. Pursue Federal resources for transportation and infrastructure ......................
11
3. Pursue Federal resources to enhance public safetyError! Bookmark not defined.
4. Pursue federal programs which provide assistance and resources to distressed
communities.................................................................................................................
14
5. Promote legislation and regulation that preserve local autonomy ....................
14
2024 Legislative Positions...............................................................................................
16
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Definitions
Legislative Program
The Bakersfield City Council will adopt a Legislative Platform before the start of each calendar
year. The Legislative Platform outlines the City of Bakersfield's legislative priorities and
interests as well as provides general authority and direction regarding advocacy efforts on behalf
of the City to: the City Manager's Office; City departments; and the City's federal legislative
advocate.
Legislative Principle
Legislative Principles are foundational statements which include broad legislative objectives or
philosophies that form the basis for establishing Legislative Priorities and Positions.
Legislative Priority
Items receive designation as Legislative Priorities within the Legislative Program when it is
anticipated that they will (1) have a significant impact on the City of Bakersfield; (2) require
significant effort by City staff and/or the City's federal legislative advocate; and (3) have a
strategic action identified to address a high-level priority for the City.
Legislative Position
The City of Bakersfield has numerous areas of legislative interest beyond those that rise to the
top as Legislative Priorities. The City also prepares position statements on regularly recurring
legislation and funding and new issues that arise each year in the legislative process. Legislative
Positions provide background on the importance of the issue to the City of Bakersfield and state
the position of the City and any action that will be pursued to address it.
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Washington D.C. Delegation
The Honorable Alex Padilla
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable David Valadao
U.S. House of Representatives
2465 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Laphonza Butler
United States Senate
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
District 20 Vacancy
U.S. House of Representatives
2468 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
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City Council Overarching Goals
Bakersfield feasters a diverse, thiriviing economy that suslains the quality of Iife desired by our ccmmunty.
Residents feel safe and crime rates are low. Bakersfield is a City where Ihannelessness is infrequent and brief, and iresidents
do not experience the impacts of homelessness.
The City provides well maintained infrastructure that supports quality of life and economic development for the
community today and plans for the infrastructure needs of tomorrow.
Neighborhoods are healthy, vibrant and full of opportunity, residents are attracted to Balkersfield`s affordability.
Community members and visitors enjoy the City"s revitalized, modern, and wallkable downtown and business districts.
The City of Bakersfield is a professional, effective, and customer oriented organization #hat brings efficient salufions to tlhe
caimrniunity. Our well managed finances position the City for a healthy and prosperous future.
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Legislative Program
Purpose
Each year, the United States Congress proposes and enacts legislation, some of which affects
local municipal governments. Our Summit Strategies team, congressional delegation, national
associations, and partner agencies keep the City of Bakersfield informed on proposed legislation,
federal rulemaking, and grant announcements. At times, it is in the interest of the City to take a
position on proposed federal actions. The Legislative Program establishes legislative principles,
priorities, and positions that provide direction for advocating for the City of Bakersfield with the
federal government.
Process
For proposed legislation that is consistent with the City's Legislative Program or consistent with
legislative positions the City has taken, City staff shall be authorized to prepare position letters
for the Mayor, Vice Mayor, or City Manager's signatures. All members of the City Council shall
receive copies of submitted position letters. This agenda also authorizes staff and our Summit
representation team to visit with our legislative delegation to express the City's position in
person to Congress, federal agencies, and other relevant stakeholders on federal issues.
Items not addressed in the City's Legislative Priorities may require they be brought to the City
Council for consideration. These legislative priorities may only address issues directly relevant
to or impacting the provision of municipal services.
The City will not address matters that are not pertinent to the City's local government services
such as partisan, socially divisive, or international issues.
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Legislative Principles
In its relationship with the federal government, the City will always:
• Seek the broadest authority for our citizens and the City Council to make decisions locally.
• Seek out, develop, and support legislative and budget efforts that protect and/or enhance
local government revenue, maximize the City's access to funding, and/or increase local
funding flexibility.
• Support federal legislative and budget actions that will provide robust funding for domestic
infrastructure, public safety, community development, parks, and economic development
programs that support City efforts to maintain and enhance the quality of life.
• Seek federal support for City priority projects through congressionally directed spending and
discretionary grant programs.
• Oppose legislative or administrative actions that have negative fiscal impacts on the City.
• Oppose legislative or administrative actions that would create mandates and/or preempt local
decision -making authority.
• Encourage and seek legislation to facilitate orderly and sustainable economic expansion and
growth and increase the opportunity for discretionary revenues and programmatic and
financial flexibility for the City.
• Seek opportunities to help our partners achieve success to further improve the community.
• Support legislation that furthers the adopted goals of the City Council.
It is within this philosophy that the attached federal legislative priorities and positions are
adopted.
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2024 Federal Legislative Priorities
1. Advocate for Federal funding.
2. Pursue Federal resources for transportation and infrastructure projects.
3. Pursue Federal resources to enhance public safety.
4. Pursue Federal programs or funding initiatives in support of the City's economic and community
development.
5. Advocate for federal regulations that protect industries that drive regional economic
development including agriculture, energy production, and logistics.
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1. Advocate for Federal Funding
Background: In previous years, the City of Bakersfield has received significant federal funding
and has successfully positioned major grant applications. Congressional earmarks were
reinstated in 2021 and are now called Congressionally Directed Spending, Community Project
Funding, or Community Initated Projects. Going forward the acronym "CDS" will be used for
these types of projects.
Position: The City of Bakersfield must advocate for the continued preservation and enhancement
of funding allocations for critical federal agency programs and seek out CDS for the City's
priority projects.
The City should develop a priority project list to target discretionary funding from agencies, seek
specific policy changes that would benefit specific projects, and position projects for CDS that
may be available soon. The City should identify and advocate for priority consideration in grant
funding applications, which includes securing congressional letters of support.
Action: Advocate maintaining funding for priority federal agency programs including:
o Department of Justice Programs, specifically:
o Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
o Office of Violence Against Women
o Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) programs
o Transportation grants through US Department of Transportation (DOT) including:
o RAISE,
o Safe Streets and Roads for All,
o PROTECT,
o Bridge,
o Mega,
o Reconnecting Communities,
o Highway Funding,
o Transit Funding, and
o Any available electric vehicle charging infrastructure opportunities.
o Infrastructure grants through US Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) including:
o Community Development Block Grant (CDBG),
o Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME). and
o Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs.
o And other opportunities for the City including:
o Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) and
o Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)
Action: Establish a priority project list for consideration in grant applications and CDS.
Priorities include, but are not limited to:
MLK Park Revitalization Project
o Interstate 5 — State Route 99 western connection addition
o State Route 204
o Enhance high speed rail connection with downtown
o Seek federal dollars to reduced roadway fatalities
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o Public Safety: Gunshot detection software, radio interoperability, prevention and
intervention programs
o Brownbelds
o Urban revitalization
o Neighborhood revitalization
Action: Evaluate and take positions as legislative / regulatory opportunities become available:
o Opportunity Zones
o State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction
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2. Pursue Federal resources for transportation and infrastructure
Background: Congress has passed three major pieces of legislation the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act— in the last two
Congresses, making an unprecedented amount of money available for local governments.
The City of Bakersfield requires significant resources to maintain streets including resurfacing
pavement, striping, and other general upkeep needs.
In addition to maintenance and repair needs, Bakersfield has prioritized complete street projects
to improve traffic safety and enhance economic development.
Position: The City of Bakersfield should receive an equitable share of infrastructure funding to
complete our priority projects. The City of Bakersfield should receive special consideration for
additional funding as a distressed community with an acute need for infrastructure. The City of
Bakersfield would leverage federal funding more than an average community with economic
development opportunities that would result from our priority projects.
Action: Advocate for an increase in federally appropriated infrastructure -funding.
o Advocate for equitable distribution of infrastructure funding
o Advocate for direct funding allocations for infrastructure projects
o Advocate for the lowest possible local funding share.
o Advocate for federal funding for specific City projects through congressionally
directed spending and federal discretionary grant programs.
Action: Advocate for language allowing NEPA to pre-empt CEQA for new transportation and
infrastructure projects in Bakersfield.
o Support legislation that would reduce the cost and speed up the delivery of
infrastructure projects while maintaining strong environmental protections.
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3. Pursue Federal resources to enhance public safety
Background: The City of Bakersfield has demonstrated its commitment to the enhancement of
public safety through violence intervention and team coordination. While the City has reduced
the murder rate significantly, there is room for improvement.
Position: The City will build on these positive trends by supporting innovative legislation,
regulation, and federal funding programs that help maintain vigorous public safety. The City of
Bakersfield is well positioned to leverage federal funding to implement public safety initiatives.
Action:
• Advocate for legislation that increases local retention of fines and forfeiture dollars
• Promote flexibility for the City to utilize funds for public safety initiatives
• Support federal efforts to stop the proliferation of fentanyl and other opioids
• Advocate for federal funding programs and mechanisms to improve local law
enforcement and emergency response especially with regard to growing the
organization's sworn officer population
• Support robust funding for the Department of Justice grant array, including COPS, OJP,
and OVW
• Support funding for FEMA disaster relief grants, which aid local governments in
emergency response
• Seek dollars to support establishment of Office of Violence Prevention
• Seek opportunities to partner with the federal government to disrupt violence via COPS
office technical assistance and dollars.
• Seek federal funds to assist with offender reentry and reemployment programs
• Seek funds for a real-time crime information center, the Department's next major
technological need.
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4. Pursue Federal programs or funding initiatives in support of the City's Economic and
Community Development Strategies
Background: The City of Bakersfield has undertaken strategies to stimulate economic growth,
including a redesign of our permitting process, adoption of a new General Plan, implementation
of an aggressive economic development strategy, and leveraging state and federal programs that
support redevelopment. In addition, the City has implemented initiatives facilitating
revitalization of neighborhoods, while ensuring that development is sustainable and maintains
the character of our community.
Position: The City of Bakersfield is poised to leverage federal programs that facilitate downtown
urban renewal and neighborhood transformation. Funding related to sustainable infrastructure
and planning that has been allocated in recent years should remain a priority to allow for these
programs to continue the revitalization of communities like Bakersfield. The City of Bakersfield
should receive an equitable share of funding supporting sustainable infrastructure and
development.
Action:
• Oppose any legislation or administrative action that reduces funding for sustainable
revitalization and development.
• Advocate for the development of a Megasite
• Advocate for Economic Development Administration grants
• Advocate for funding and redevelopment tools that aid in brownfield cleanup efforts.
• Advocate for infrastructure improvements along Downtown's key corridors.
• Seek reauthorization of the federal Opportunity Zone program with adjustments including
o Sustainable and equitable use, and
o Capital gains tax incentives for specific uses in Opportunity Zones.
• Ensure that the City is fully leveraging federal housing opportunities, including the
CHOICE Neighborhood Program.
• Advocate for an expansion of housing vouchers to facilitate affordable housing
initiatives.
• Advocate for programs that would help to shelter people experiencing homelessness.
• Advocate for federal funding for specific City projects through CDS and federal
discretionary grant programs.
• Promote programs and federal resources that would support projects consistent with the
City's Economic Development Strategic Plan.
• Coordinate with City Departments to facilitate the City's participation in grant and
special program applications.
• Secure congressional letters of support for the City's applications.
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5. Advocate for federal regulations that protect industries that drive regional economic
development including agriculture, energy production, and logistics.
Background: Bakersfield is a major producer of agricultural commodities for the United States
and the world with more than $8.3 billion worth of crops grown in 2022.
Our Kern River Oil Field produces about 70% of California's oil and more than 90% of our
natural gas. We can increase this production and help make California and the United States
energy independent.
Supply chain logistics are a rapidly growing industry in the Bakersfield area.
Position: The City of Bakersfield should work with federal agencies to ensure that all of
Bakersfield's resources are being fully leveraged and utilized.
Action: The City will support actions to benefit agriculture, energy production and logistics in
the region to boost economic development.
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0z!
2024 Legislative Positions
1. Protect Local Control
2. Protect Local Revenues and Funding for Vital Community Services
3. Public Safety
4. Infrastructure Investment
5. Improve the Quality of Life and Sustainability of the City
6. Protection of the agriculture, energy production, and logistics industries
1. Protect Local Control
Support efforts that are consistent with the doctrine of "home rule" and the local exercise of
police powers, through planning and zoning processes, over local land use.
Oppose legislation that negatively impacts the City Council's authority to manage and control the
public right-of-way and for the City to receive compensation for its use.
2. Protect local Revenues and Funding for Vital Community Services
Oppose reductions to federal agency programs that fund local government services, particularly
in instances where communities have come to depend on federal funding to maintain services.
Support full reimbursement to cities for all federal mandates.
Support efforts to restore local authority and control over revenues, governance, and service
delivery as well as protect local governments against unfunded mandates.
Oppose legislation that would negatively impact the City's ability to issue municipal bonds,
including elimination of the tax-exempt status for municipal bonds.
Oppose legislation that would eliminate or limit existing local taxing authority including internet
sales tax collection and broadband internet taxes.
Support legislation that would protect local control of taxing authority and revenue collection.
3. Public Safety
Support funding for local law enforcement equipment, services, or personnel.
Support legislation that allows use of federal public safety grants for intervention and prevention
efforts to curb gang crime and youth violence.
Support legislation that would provide cities with a greater share of fines and forfeitures.
Support legislation that allows law enforcement to better combat gun violence through
investigation, interdiction, and prevention of firearm related crimes.
Support legislation that allows federal public safety grants to be used for maintenance efforts in
addition to service increases.
Ensure local discretion in the adoption and implementation of health and safety standards
contained in the building and fire codes.
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OR
Support funding for local emergency operations including equipment, services, and personnel.
4. Infrastructure Investment
Advocate for federal funding for transportation and other infrastructure that support City projects
and City programs including projects adopted in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
Support increased funding to enhance existing public transportation programs.
Advocate for federal funding for street, road, and alleyway repair within the City of Bakersfield.
Advocate that fundamental responsibility for transportation decision -making should be at the
local level.
Oppose any federal reductions to existing transportation grants and programs
Oppose legislation that limits and/or decreases the existing amount of retention proceeds
withheld from any payment by a public entity to a contractor on a public project.
Advocate for trails and landscape grants.
Advocate for funding for the US Army Corps of Engineers to ensure important projects in the
City of Bakersfield are completed.
Advocate for streamlining and greater efficiencies related to environmental restrictions and
obstacles on major federally funded projects.
Support executive actions or legislation that streamlines federal transportation and other
infrastructure funding processes or the federal stimulus funding process, if applicable. Advocate
to our delegation for legislative adjustments that would streamline transportation and other
infrastructure funding processes.
Support legislation or executive rulemaking that balances scarcity of local infrastructure
resources, scope of street resurfacing projects, and the City's commitment to enhancing
accessibility of City infrastructure. Advocate for revisions to ADA rules requiring extensive
accessibility modifications on street resurfacing projects without capacity improvements or
geometric changes.
Support legislation and executive programs providing funding or tax credits for broadband
Internet infrastructure to public facilities.
Support legislation or executive programs that provide local communities with low-cost loans to
build networks of sidewalks, bike lanes and paths.
Support federal funding for parks and recreation infrastructure in metropolitan areas, including
appropriate revisions to the Land and Water Conservation Fund that would provide for a larger
allocation of state and local grants for recreation and conservation.
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Support legislation and regulation that respond to recurring drought conditions and earthquake
preparedness and provide increased opportunity for water conservation, storage, watershed
planning, and water infrastructure improvement.
Support legislation that provides a mechanism to fund the construction, operations, maintenance,
and administration of storm water programs and projects that improve quality, minimize runoff,
maximize infiltration and beneficial uses, maximize flooding protection, and minimizes negative
environmental impacts.
Oppose legislation or regulation that imposes excessive costs on local governments to achieve
storm water and other Clean Water Act objectives.
Oppose additional mandated storm water pollution prevention measures that are not accompanied
by funding or a mechanism to provide for funding.
Support legislation creating sustainable funding sources to assist local governments with
obligations under federal storm water regulations.
5. Improve the Quality of Life and Sustainability of the City
Support efforts that impact the City's ability to enhance the well-being, quality of life, health,
and safety of residents; stabilize and enhance jobs and economic growth; and improve the
environment.
Support legislation and funding that is consistent with the City's Economic Development
Strategic Plan.
Support legislation that protects and maintains existing affordable housing opportunities for
disabled and low-income residents, families, and senior adults.
Support legislation which addresses the health, welfare, and economic needs of at -risk
populations.
Support federal funding of programs providing nutrition for children, older individuals and other
at -risk populations.
Support legislation or federal programs that strengthen and expand education and encourage
partnerships between school districts, parks, and other community -based organizations to help
children and families be more physically active outdoors.
Oppose legislation that has a negative impact on park and recreation agencies including the sale
of parks and open space.
Support legislation and funding for energy -efficiency and water conservation projects and
programs for public buildings and facilities.
Support legislation providing funding for the acquisition and restoration of wildlife habitat.
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6. Protection of the agriculture, energy production, and logistics industries
Oppose legislation or governance that has negative impacts on the agriculture, energy
production, and logistics industries.
Support legislation and governance that provides for protections and reasonable accommodations
for the agriculture and energy production industries.
Oppose legislation or governance that attempts to supersede adopted planning documents or
projects that have already been approved through appropriate processes.
Support legislation providing funding and other means development of water and energy related
technologies that support the agriculture and energy production industries.
Support legislation protecting existing water supply.
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