Agenda Item Wording:
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Approval of the 2022-2023 Federal Legislative Agenda for the City of Visalia which will provide focus for the City’s advocacy efforts at the Federal level.
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Deadline for Action: 4/4/2022
Submitting Department: Community Development
Contact Name and Phone Number: Devon Jones, 4190, Leslie Caviglia, 4317
Department Recommendation:
Approve the 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda for the City of Visalia based on previous direction from City Council and staff, and issues that have occurred since the previous Legislative agenda was adopted. The agenda has been redrafted by Greg Burns, the City’s Federal advocate, and is supported by staff.
Background Discussion:
As a result of feedback from Council Members, the City Manager, and senior staff, the City's federal legislative advocate has developed a comprehensive federal legislative agenda for the City, which can be found as an attachment to this report. This agenda outlines the City's position on a broad array of federal legislative items. The general categories of interest are as follows: infrastructure; water resources and environment; public safety; social services and economic development; and general government issues.
Once approved or approved as amended by the City Council, this agenda will serve as the guiding document for the City’s positions on Federal legislation. The Mayor or City Manager may sign letters to legislators or appropriate agencies advocating the City’s position as stated in the agenda, and Council Members and/or staff may discuss the City’s position with interested parties. If there is legislation or new information that could lead to a change in the City’s position, recommendations on that change will be brought back to the Council for formal consideration. Copies of letters that are sent on behalf of the City that are consistent with the agenda will be provided to the Council for informational purposes. Some of the main updates from the last agenda in 2021 include:
- Supporting investment into active transportation priorities of the City
- Monitoring FEMA’s next steps regarding changes to the NFIP Floodplain Management Standards
- Supporting efforts to improve water resources in the San Joaquin Valley and the State of California, including supporting additional storage, protecting existing storage facilities, and supporting funding for water recharge, conservation efforts, and other tools that would help the Kaweah Basin reach its sustainability goals as outlined in the Mid-Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Plan
Greg Burns, the City's federal legislative advocate, received input and direction on issues of concern to the City for the 2022 legislative session during his ongoing conversations with staff and input from Council Members during his previous presentations to Council with the latest being on Dec 6, 2021. Mr. Burns coupled this City input with his agencies extensive tracking of activity in D.C. Our lobbyist will provide reports on progress made on the City's platform which will include tracking of specific legislation as it moves through the Federal legislative process. As appropriate, meetings with legislative offices and the City’s lobbyist, and if thought to be effective in certain situations, calls or personal contact by Council members is scheduled. The City’s lobbyist will also continue to assist the City in preparing and following up on applications for any applicable Federal grants that become available.
Fiscal Impact: None
Prior Council Action: 4.5.21 - approved 2021 Federal Legislative Agenda
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Per Council direction
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to approve the 2022-2023 Federal Legislative Agenda as presented.end
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda