HomeMy WebLinkAboutDiamond Bar Legislative Platform
City of Diamond Bar
Legislative Platform
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1) General
a) Support any legislation that protects local control over matters of governance and
funding of public services and infrastructure and oppose any legislation that
reduces such authority.
2) Finance
a) Support legislation that proposes to provide funding for transportation
infrastructure, public facilities and systems, public safety, and park development
without raising taxes.
b) Oppose legislation that reduces, eliminates, redistributes, or otherwise limits local
discretion over revenue allocations, including sales, property, and HUTA/gas
taxes, vehicle in lieu fees, public safety grants, transportation infrastructure
funding, etc.
c) Oppose legislation that imposes unfunded mandates upon local governments
without guaranteed financial offsets or benefits.
d) Support legislation that advocates equitable distribution of Property Tax
allocations based on overall contribution.
3) Economic Development
a) Support legislation that provides new and enhanced tools to stimulate the local
economy develop and retain businesses, and create new jobs.
4) Transportation
a) Oppose legislation that identifies the SR-60 Freeway Corridor as a preferred
alternative for truck-only lanes.
5) Land Use
a) Oppose legislation that weakens local government authority over any land use
and/or zoning decisions, including, but not limited to, housing developments of all
kinds, energy and utilities projects, massage establishment, dispensaries, and
telecommunications sites.
City of Diamond Bar
Legislative Platform
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b) Support legislation that enhances local authority over group residential care
facilities, including oversight and location.
c) Oppose measures that mandate unattainable Regional Housing Needs
Assessment (RHNA) requirements.
d) Support legislation that enhances the City’s ability to enforce municipal codes for
businesses operating outside their approved land use and without a Conditional
Use Permit.
6) Public Works
a) Support legislation authorizing local governments to enter into agreements with
private entities to finance specified types of revenue generating infrastructure
projects
b) Oppose legislation requiring local public works projects to be designed and/or
approved by state engineers/architects.
7) Public Safety
a) Support legislation that enhances local crime prevention and reduction efforts,
particularly for those related to violent and property crimes and sales or
manufacturing of illegal drugs,
b) Support legislation that addresses statewide increases in crime directly related to
realignment and early release initiatives.
c) Support legislation that strengthens consequences for those convicted of burglary,
larceny theft, and vandalism of public property.
8) Environmental
a) Oppose legislation and/or regulations that place undue hardship on local
governments in an effort to implement new environmental or clean energy
mandates.
b) Support legislation that provides fiscally responsible policy for renewable energy
programs.
City of Diamond Bar
Legislative Platform
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c) Support legislation that provides increased funding opportunities for storm water
and associated compliance requirements.
Administrative Procedures:
1. The City Council’s adopted Legislative Platform establishes the City’s legislative
advocacy strategy necessary to promote Diamond Bar’s long-term interests. The
Platform identifies the key issues, objectives, and priorities and establishes
procedures to formally respond effectively to time -sensitive legislative actions at the
regional, state, and federal levels.
2. Staff shall monitor legislative proposals and consult with key advocacy groups such
as the League of California Cities, California Contract Cities Association, and other
professional and membership based organization s to analyze for consistency with the
Council’s adopted Platform. The City will take a position on matters that directly impact
the provision of municipal services. Generally, the City will not take a position on
matters unrelated to municipal services, including international and/or social issues.
3. Once consistency with the Platform is confirmed, staff is authorized to prepare an
official position letter affixed with the Mayor’s electronic signature, with the following
exceptions:
a) Legislative proposals with tax implications of any kind shall be reviewed by the
Legislative Subcommittee and approved by the City Council before an official
position letter is generated.
b) Legislative proposals that conflict with two or more categories in the Platform
shall be reviewed by the Legislative Subcommittee and approved by the City
Council before an official position letter is generated.
4. A copy of the official position letter shall be distributed to the author of the bill, the
Mayor and City Council, and other key stakeholders with a copy maintained in the
City’s electronic records repository.
5. During the Legislative session and as otherwise necessary, staff shall prepare a
monthly legislative digest for the City Council, coordinate with the Legislative
Subcommittee, identifying bills on which the City has taken a position. The digest shall
include a summary of the bill and current legislative status.