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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03112003 - SD7 ... _. _... ......... ......... . ..... _ ....... ........ ............. .._...... _......_. ......__. ......... ......... ......... ......... ........_... _.... _....._. ......... . ........ ......... TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS _ -� CONTRA COSTA' FROM: John Sweeten, County Administrator a� COUNTY DATE: March 11, 2003 SUBJECT: 2003 Federal and State Legislative Platforms SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION(S): I. ADOPT the attached Contra Costa County 2403 federal and State Legislative Platforms. 2. AUTHORIZE the County's State representative to seek authors for new Board sponsored State legislative proposals and to work towards their passage during 2003. 3. AUTHORIZE the County's Federal representative to seek support from the County's Congressional delegation for federal funding requests. 4. DIRECT the County Administrator to review legislative proposals; to identify those which affect the County's adopted legislative platform; and to recommend appropriate positions on specific bills for review and approval by the Board of Supervisors. 5. AUTHORIZE Board members, the County's state and federal representatives, the County Administrator and other designated staff to prepare and present information, position papers and testimony as appropriate to support the Board's positions on specific billsand issues, consistent with the 2043 Legislative Platforms. 6. APPROVE the Animal Services Legislative Advocacy Pilot for the 2003 State legislative session and DIRECT the County Administrator to report back on the pilot at the end of the State legislative session, CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: —YES SIGNATURE: i RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR__RECOMMENDATION OF 130 D TTEE —APPROVE —OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON s Z003 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER X **See attached addendum for Hoard action** VVE OF SUPERVISORS X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT_) 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A AYES: NOES: } TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ASSENT: ABSTAIN: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED DISTRICT III SEAT VACANT ON MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact: Sara Hoffman-335-1090 ATTESTED March 1�, 2003 JOHN SWEETEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR cc: CAO Les Spahnn(via CAO) Paul Schlesinger(via CAO) Mike Ross,Animal Services BY, DEPUTY BACKGROUNDIREASON(S) FOR RECOMMENDATION(S): Each year, the Board of Supervisors adapts Federal and State legislative platforms which establish priorities and policy positions with regard to potential federal and state legislation and regulation. The Federal legislative Platform consists primarily of projects with requests for appropriations and/or authorizations (which set the stage for appropriations in later years). It also;includes policy positions on issues of significance to Contra Costa County, such as the reauthorization of Head Start. The State Legislative Platform includes primarily policy issues that provide direction and guidance for identification of bills which would affect the services, programs or finances of Contra Costa County. In addition, the platform contains issues for County-Sponsored bills. 2003 Federal Wgislative Platform The proposed 2003 Federal Legislative Platform includes 12 requests for appropriations; 4 requests for authorizations under the Transportation Equity Act Reauthorization (TEA 21); and 5 policy positions. (Note that requests continued from 2002 are asterisked) Appropriation requests total $32 million, while authorization requests total $77 million. Authorizations under TEA 21 do not actually allocate monies for the next fiscal year, but rather provide the authorization for future appropriations during the six year rife of the TEA 21 authorization. In 2002, Congress and the President were very much focused on homeland security and defense. It is likely that this preoccupation will prevail this year as well. Last year, the result was that the 11 non- defense related appropriation bills were not passed by Congress and signed by the President 'until February 2003. (Usually, this process is completed in September or October.) Overall California appropriations were much less than would be expected, given its size. Despite this, Contra Costa County did very well, garnering $7.115 million for our three dredging projects. Three of the proposed 2003 requests are appropriate for funding under the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations bill. However, it is highly unlikely that we would get funding for three projects under the same bill. Consequently, it would be very helpful if the Board identified priorities among those three projects: Countywide Microwave System Improvements, $2.7 million; Countywide Integrated Justice Information System, $4.0 million; and Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence, $2.5 million. Prioritization would give guidance to our federal representative in his discussions with our Congressional delegation on the relative importance of these projects. Countywide Microwave System Improvements*— $2.7 million appropriation to double the voice and data circuits of the existing microwave radio communication system, which is currently at maximum capacity. This microwave system provides the transport of voice and data circuits linking the County Sheriff's Office, 19 cities and their police departments, eight fire districts, numerous emergency medical systems, the Office of Emergency Service, the County's Hazardous Materials Program and County and state departments. The project would provide immediate high speed access to federal and state databases by public safety field units and provide secured, noncommercial communication paths for that information. Countywide Integrated Justice Information System -- $4.0 million appropriation to begin to integrate all disparate justice information systems in Contra Costa County to support public safety, linking the 19 cities and their police departments, Superior Court, County Sheriff's Office, District Attorney, Public Defender, County Probation, California Highway Patrol and, eventually, other county, state and federal agencies. The request would fund immediate priority needs as well as the infrastructure necessary for critical long-term priorities. Immediate priorities include: shared "real time jail information; subpoena witness management; countywide mug shot data base; and a countywide certified ID system. The infrastructure would support creation of the Countywide Master Name Index, Countywide Criminal History Database, and shared Probation information. Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Program — $2.5 million appropriation for the County's innovative multi-agency initiative to combat domestic and family violence and eider abuse. The Board of Supervisors allocated approximately $2 million in funding for Zero Tolerance; however, due to budget constraints, it is anticipated that departments will be proposing program reductions. This funding would backfill the probable loss of County General Funds for FY 03-04 (recognizing however, that there would likely be a gap in funding from July to October 2003). San Francisco to Stockton (J. F. Baldwin) Ship Channel Deepening* - $1.11 million appropriation to complete the general re-evaluation report for the Avon Turning Basin Project and to begin phase two of J. F. Baldwin Deepening Project. The Avon Turning Basin Project would deepen the Suisun Bay 2 channel to minus 35 feet for safe turning of vessels and to ensure safe distances between vessels in the channel. The deepening project is a study of the potential for deepening the channel section from one foot to fire feet and the salinity effects of such deepening. The project had been previously authorized for deepening at 10 feet and this would ensure that the project is as "environmentally friendly" as possible. (Note: $1.8 million appropriated for FFY 2003 for Avon Turning Basin) Suisun Bay ChannellN'ew York Slough Maintenance Dredging* - $5.172 million appropriation to the Army Corps of Engineers for maintenance dredging to the authorized depth of minus 35 feet. Continued maintenance is essential for safe transport of crude oil and other bulk materials through the San Francisco Bay, along the Carquinez Straits and into the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta. Dredging for this channel is particularly costly, due to requirements on placement of dredged materials in upland environments. An oil tanker ran aground in early 2001 due to severe shoaling in a section of this channel, exposing the straits to potential oil spills (Note: $3.815 million appropriated for FFY 2003 reduces funding requirement). Pinole Shoal Dredging*- $4.62 million appropriation to the Army Corps of Engineers for maintenance dredging (includes associated work at Mare Island) to the authorized depth of minus 35 feet. Recent condition surveys have illustrated only 32 feet of usable water. The Pinole Shoal channel is a major arterial for vessel transport through the San Francisco Bay region, serving oil refineries and bulk cargo which is transported as far east as Stockton. Except for emergency dredging on sections in April 2001, the channel has not been dredged since the Mare Island Naval Facility closed several years ago (Note: $1.5 million appropriated for FFY 2003, which is helpful, but not sufficient to fully meet dredging needs). Rodeo Marina Siltation Study` - $200,000 appropriation to investigate the cause of siltation at the Rodeo Marina and to identify alternative remedies, their costs and consequences. Rodeo Marina is a focal point of the Rodeo community, integral to revitalization efforts. This may be an Army Corps of Engineers project if it is determined that siltation was caused due to the Army Corps of Engineers placing dredge materials from the Maryland Strait into the Carquinez Strait near the marina. Hydrograph Modification Management Plan - $900,000 appropriation for plan development to establish management measures to improve water quality, protect riparian habitats and ensure stability of streams within the County's watershed. The plan is being developed in response to new requirements by the Regional Water Quality Control Board and will help balance the impact of development with the needs of the watershed and its ecosystems. Lust Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan* - $3 million appropriation to fundthe development of habitat conservation plans and natural communities conservation plans within Placer, Sacramento, Santa Clara, Solano, Yolo and Contra Costa Counties. Contra Costa's share would be used to address an 185,0001-acre planning area that includes all watersheds draining the eastern flanks of Mt. Diablo. The coalition's objective is to preserve native habitats, while at the same time taking into account the needs for development and streamlined permitting and review processes. The regional approach will ensure that plans are specific to the county, yet consistent in scope and approach. Bay Trail Expansion Along Carquinez Scenic Drive* - $2.5 million appropriation and TEA 21 authorization to repair slide damage and reconstruct the road to multi-use trail standards as part of the Regional Bay Trail. The project would access East Bay Regional Parks and connect the communities of Martinez, Port Costa and Crockett for bicycle, pedestrian and equestrian users as well as provide alternate emergency vehicle and evacuation routes for these communities. A planning study is currently underway which will evaluate roadway stability, identify stabilization alternatives and identify path alignments. North Richmond Circulation Projects - $20 million TEA 21 authorization for planning, community outreach, engineering, environmental clearances and construction of two projects in North Richmond: a pedestrian overcrossing of two sets of railroad tracks and development of a new road system that would provide truck access between businesses and the Richmond Parkway. These projects would increase safety around the neighborhood elementary school, increase livability of the neighborhood, improve local access to the Wildcat Creek Regional Trail and stimulate economic development in the industrial area of the community. Brentwood-Tracy Expressway - $15 million TEA 21 authorization to plan and develop a preferred alignment, perform planning and engineering, obtain environmental clearance and begin right-of-way acquisition for the Brentwood'-Tracy Expressway. The Expressway is an unconstructed, limited access state route that would connect State Route 4 near the City of Brentwood to 1-205/1-5 near the 3 ...........................................................................................................I....-,''''I'll ...................................................................................................................................................... City of Tracy. The Expressway would benefit both the region as a whole and the residents and businesses of East Contra Costa by providing a needed truck route between the Bay Area and the Central Valley, stimulating job development in East County to alleviate the severe job/housing imbalance, removing long distance truck traffic from local communities and providing needed transportation infrastructure for the proposed Byron Airport expansion. Mococo Line "eBARr Rail Development - $5 million appropriation for environmental review and preliminary engineering and $40 million TEA 21 authorization to complete final design, perform environmental review and obtain right-of-way for the "eBART" rail project along the Mococo Line currently owned by the Union Pacific Railroad. "eBART" would provide diesel rail service from East County to the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART station. Eventually, it would also connect to the Altamont Commuter Express Train that runs from Tracy to Silicon Valley. Negotiations for right-of-way acquisition are currently in progress with the Union Pacific Railroad, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and BART, which would operate the new service. Individual Development Account Programs - $300,000 appropriation to pilot a program to encourage low income individuals to establish personal savings accounts (with matching funds from private sources). The program would provide an economic incentive for savings as well as teach money management and savings skills. Participants would be able to use their savings to further their education, start or improve their small business or buy a home, all of which would help increase economic self sufficiency. San Luis Drain - The U. S. Bureau of Reclamation is preparing an environmental impact statement to evaluate options for providing drainage services for the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. Drainage water from this area contains toxic concentrations of selenium and other hazardous substances. San Luis Drain is one of the options under study and would pass through Contra Costa County. The County will continue to oppose the San Luis Drain option and support instead drainage solutions in the valley, such as reducing the volume of drainage of problem water; managing/reusing within the district drainage area; retiring lands with severe drainage impairment from willing sellers; and reclaiming/removing solid salts through treatment, bird safe/bird free solar ponds and farm-based methods. Flood Control Local Match and Cost Benefit Analyses*- Currently, the County does not receive local match credit for expenditures on flood control projects prior to execution of the Project Cooperative Agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers. Also, in performing its cost benefit analysis on projects, the Corps does not use criteria which recognizes the ecological restoration, economic development and social benefits of the projects. Language was included in the 2002 Water Resources and Development act on the local match; however, the bill was continued to 2003. Legislative remedy on both these issues would benefit the following flood control projects: Wildcat/San Pablo Creek Phase One, Section 1135 Project; Pinole Creek, Section 1135 Project; Wildcat/San Pablo Creek Phase Two Project; Walnut Creek Channel Project; and the Grayson Creek/Murderers Creek Project. Head Start Reauthorization - Congress will be considering reauthorization of the Head Start Program in 2003. The Presidents budget proposes to restructure Head Start as a block grant to the states and move program oversight from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services to the U. S. Department of Education. The focus of Head Start would also change from a comprehensive family- based program to one focused on early education only. Block granting could have a dual negative impact on the County's Head Start program. First, it would limit the potential for expanded federal funding to better meet needs. Secondly, if the state reserves a portion of the block grant for its administrative costs, funding for services could be reduced (a 15% state administrative overhead cost would mean a $2.4 million reduction for Contra Costa County's Head Start Program). The County would support reauthorization of Head Start at current funding levels or higher; keeping the program in the Department of Health of Human Services with direct grants to localities (i.e., current structure, no state block grants); and continuing the family-based comprehensive program. Agricultural Pest and Disease Control—Agriculture and native environments in Contra Costa County are being threatened by a variety of pests, diseases and non-native weeds. The Federal government provides funding for research, regulation, pest exclusion activities, survey and detection, pest management, weed control, public education and outreach. The County would support funding in all these areas for protection of our agricultural industry and open space. Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Reauthorization — Congress will be considering reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act in 2003. The President's budget proposes to restructure WIA as a block grant to the states. The proposal also contains provisions that would reduce local control over 4 ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ...._.... _ ........ ......._... .__...... .._..._..... . ._....._. _........ ......... ......... ......... ............... . . ................................................................................................. services and program expenditures. There is also a concern that the new proposed performance measures would not necessarily reflect whether or not the program best meets the needs of clients in a cost effective manner. The County would support reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act at current funding levels or higher; keeping the program at the federal level rather than block granting it; maximizing local control, so that we can meet local needs; and establishing reasonable performance measures. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Reauthorization — TANF contains the federal authority and funding authorizations under which the State and the County implement welfare reform (CalWORKs). In 2002, Congress began its consideration of TANF reauthorization and is expected to take action this year. The County will advocate for: ➢ continuing the current level of TANF funding and associated block grants; enhancing the flexibility of State designed welfare programs to meet the needs of specific types of populations, including the "hard-to-serve" and the "working poor;" providing for critical support services, such as child care, transportation, medical insurance and food stamps for both families on welfare and the "working poor;" and ➢ allowing California to continue the CalWORKs grant for children and families after the parent has reached the five-year lifetime limit under TANF. Beneficial Use of Dredged Materials— Dredging of the channels between the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta is critical for the continued safe transport of materials in those channels. A key cost component of dredging is disposal of the dredged materials. The County will continue to advocate for a federal study to determine the feasibility of the beneficial use of dredged materials, including the benefits and impacts on salinity in the Delta, navigation, flood control damage, ecosystem restoration, water control, water supply reliability and recreation. The study would also include the feasibility of using Sherman Island as a rehandling site for the dredged material, for levee maintenance and/or ecosystem restoration. Federal "Statewideness" Requirements — For many federally funded programs, there is a "statewideness" requirements; i.e., all counties must operate the specific program under the same rules and regulations. This ..can hamper the County's ability to meet local needs, to be cost effective and to leverage the funding of one program to reduce costs in another program. Contra Costa County cannot negotiate for federal waivers or do things differently because it is not a state, yet its population is greater than seven states. Recognizing this is a long-tempt effort, the County will advocate for relaxation of the "statewideness" rule to allow individual counties or consortium of counties to receive direct waivers from the federal goverment and/or adopt the rules and regulations currently in use in another state for specific programs. 2003 State t..Mielative Platform Since the State is in such a dismal financial situation, much of the County's legislative effort in 2003 needs to be focused on ensuring that the services and programs to citizens and businesses in Contra Costa County suffer as little as possible as a result of the Governor's and Legislature's efforts to balance the State Budget. The proposed 2003 State Legislative Platform addresses both short and long term issues related to the State budget as well as state/local structural relationships. It should be noted that realignment or other proposals that alter the state/local relationship may affect the County's position on specific issues in a manner that is not predictable at this time. In addition, the platform recommends sponsoring two bills: one with regard to code compliance maximum fines; the other, redefinition of income ratios for affordable housing programs of the Redevelopment Agency. (Note: policy positions continued from 2002 are marked with an asterisk) General Revenues/Finance Issues 9. SUPPORT efforts to unconditionally return ERAF local property tax revenues to local govemments* 2. OPPOSE any state-imposed reduction in general purpose revenue, including vehicle license fees (VLF), sales takes and property taxes.* 5 _..._.._. ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... .............._._. ........ ........ ..........._.__........_..._........._............._... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... 3. OPPOSE any efforts to increase the County's share-of-cost, maintenance-of-effort requirements or other financing responsibility for state mandated programs absent new revenues sufficient to meet current and future program needs. 4. SUPPORT the state's effort to balance its budget through actions that do not affect local government revenues or services.* 5. SUPPORT efforts to ensure that counties receive their fair share of state allocations, including pass-through of federal funds, for anti-terrorism and homeland security measures.* 6. SUPPORT efforts to establish a date certain payment of mandated cost obligations for local govemments (SB 90 payments). 7. SUPPORT efforts to limit County financial liability for future unfunded mandates. 8. SUPPORT efforts to receive reimbursement for local tax revenues lost pursuant to sales and property tax exemptions approved by the legislature and the State Board of Equalization. 9. SUPPORT efforts to reform the state/local relationship in a way that makes both fiscaland programmatic sense for local government. 10. SUPPORT efforts to ensure that any reductions in State funding of State mandated programs are conditioned upon commiserate reductions in program mandates. 11. SUPPORT efforts to relieve California of the Federal Child Support penalties without shifting the cost of the penalties to the counties. 12. CONSIDER a balanced realignment and/or restructuring of state/county finances in programs only if an acceptable resolution is reached on VLF. 13. SUPPORT efforts to redefine the circumstances under which commercial and industrial property is reassessed to reduce the growing imbalance between the share of overall property taxes paid by residential property owners vs. commercial/industrial property owners. 14. SUPPORT reduction in the 2/3 vote requirement for special taxes that fund high priority local services. Library Issues 15. SUPPORT efforts to increase bond funding for library construction and renovation. Land Use/CommunityIssues ssues 16. SUPPORT efforts to promote economic incentives for"smart growth," including in-fill and transit oriented development.* 17. SUPPORT efforts to expand the availability of affordable housing, including, but not limited to, state issuance of private activity bonds, affordable and low income housing bond measures, low-income housing tax credits and state infrastructure financing.* 18. SUPPORT efforts to reform state housing element law to promote the actual production and preservation of affordable housing and to focus less on process and paper compliance.* 19. SPONSOR legislation to establish a pilot program within the County Redevelopment Agency's tow and moderate income housing fund by redefining housing affordability from the current 30% of income ratio standard for very low income and tow income families to 40% and from 28 -35% for moderate income families to less than 40%. 20. SPONSOR legislation to increase the maximum fines for code compliance violations to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index since 1983 (last time fine amounts were updated). 21. SUPPORT efforts to limit charges by the Department of Finance against the Agricultural Fund. 22. SUPPORT efforts to ensure sufficient State funding for pest and disease control to protect both agriculture and the native environment, including glassy winged sharpshooter control; 6 high risk pest exclusion activities; pesticide regulatory and law enforcement activities; and weed pest management area control. 23. SUPPORT continuedappropriations for regulation and research on sudden oak death, a fungal disease affecting many species of trees and shrubs in native oak woodlands. 24. SUPPORT funding for agricultural land conservation programs and agricultural enterprise programs to protect and enhance the viability of local agriculture. 25. SUPPORT efforts to provide local agencies with more flexibility and options to fund clean water programs. 26. SUPPORT protection of transportation funds dedicated to counties for maintenance rehabilitation of roads. 27. SUPPORT efforts to reduce the fiscalization of land use decision-making by local government, which favors retail uses over other job-creating uses and housing. Health Care Issues 28. SUPPORT efforts to increase revenues and to contain mandated costs in the County`s hospital and clinics system.* 29. SUPPORT efforts to increase funding for breast cancer and prostate cancer awareness, public education and treatment and to ensure equitable allocation of resources for awareness and education efforts among the County's public health departments.* 30. SUPPORT efforts to streamline the Healthy Family program to simplify the application process and reduce the dropout rate.* 31. SUPPORT the development and institutionalization of a tracking system for use on utilization and notification of Healthy Family substance abuse benefits for; youths enrolled under California's Health Family program. 32. SUPPORT efforts to require coverage of medically necessary alcohol and substance abuse related disorder treatment on the same levels as other medical conditions in health care service plans and disability insurance policies. Human Services Issues 33. SUPPORT efforts to increase County flexibility in use of CaIWORKs funds and in program requirements in order to better support the transition of welfare dependent families from welfare-to-work and self sufficiency, including, but not limited to, extending supportive services beyond the current limit; enhancing supportive services; increasing diversion and early intervention to obviate the need for aid; expanding the state earned income tax credit; expanding job retention services; expanding the eligibility definition to 250% of the poverty level; and exempting the hard-to-serve from welfare-to-work activities and the 20% exemption or providing flexibility in the time limit (dependent upon terms and conditions of TANF reauthorization)* 34. SUPPORT efforts to ensure funding of child care for CaIWORKs and former CalWORKs families at levels sufficient to meet demand.* 35. SUPPORT efforts to reduce County costs for In-Home Supportive Services, including but not limited to extending the required reassessment period (reduces administrative costs). 36. SUPPORT efforts to eliminate the finger-imaging requirement for adult food stamp applicants, recognizing that the new Electronic Benefits Transfer System will be a deterrent against fraud. 37. SUPPORT efforts to streamline the Medi-Cal eligibility redetermination process in order to reduce administrative costs. 38. SUPPORT changes in State regulations to permit County Medi-Cal eligibility staff to enroll children in the Healthy Families program. 7 Law and Justice System Issues 39. SUPPORT protection of County revenues derived from undesignated court fees (non AB 233/Trial Court Funding Act), Animal Services Issues 40. SUPPORT efforts to protect local revenue sources designated for use by the Animal Services Department; i.e., animal licensing, fines and fees. 41. SUPPORT efforts to protect or increase local control and flexibility over the scope and level of animal services. 42. SUPPORT efforts to protect against unfunded mandates in animal services or mandates that are not accompanied by specific revenue sources which completely offset the costs of the new mandates, both when adapted and in future years. 43. SUPPORT efforts to protect and/or increase County flexibility to provide animal services consistent with local needs and priorities. 44. SUPPORT efforts to preserve the integrity of existing County policy relating to Animal Services (e.g., the Animal Control Ordinance and land use requirements). Animal Services l_eniislative Advocacy Pilot Over the past several years, the scope and nature of the services provided by the Animal Services Department have been altered dramatically due to State legislation. The new animal services facilities were also required as a result of state legislation. Both the changes in the operations and capital needs of the department were state mandated and, therefore, eligible for state-mandate reimbursement. In fact, Animal Services could have expected partial reimbursement, with an annual revenue stream of approximately $1.4 million according to the decisions reached by the State Mandate Claims Commission. However, the Governor, in his State Budget Proposal, has recommended suspending claim payments, except for token amounts. This means that the County General Fund will continue to bear the financial burden of these state mandates for Animal Services. Animal Services is a very evident example of the negative consequences of State legislation on the County's ability to operate its programs and allocate its resources in accordance with local needs and priorities. Each year, the Board of Supervisors adopts its State Legislative Platform, which establishes policy positions on major- legislative issues that will potentially be considered by the California Legislature. When a bill is introduced and/or amended that affects the County's adopted platform, the County Administrator presents it to the Board of Supervisors for adoption of an official position. However, due to the rapidly changing, fast pace of the legislative process and the time necessary to age Edize items before the Boardof Supervisors, the County cannot always be timely in informing our legislative delegation of our concerns about a particular bill. Animal Services has been particularly affected by this phenomenon. As a way of addressing the need for increased timeliness, the County Administrator and Animal Services Director recommend adoption of a time-limited pilot for the Animal Services Department. Under this pilot, the Animal Services Director would be given limited flexibility to enable him to make timely responses to new issues consistent with adopted County policy. This authority would only be exercised when there is not time to go to the Board of Supervisors with a position on a specific bill (or recent changes to a bill) prior to its hearing in Committee or on the floor of the Assembly or Senate. In these time-limited circumstances, the County Administrator or Assistant County Administrator, could authorize tate Animal Services Director or State representative to sign legislative advocacy letters on behalf of Contra Costa County; to testify at legislative hearings; and to advocate on new issues found consistent with the following policy positions: ➢ protect local revenue sources designated for use by the Animal Services Department; ',i.e., animal licensing, fines and fees; ➢ protect or increase local control and flexibility over the scope and level of services; ➢ protect against unfunded mandates or mandates that are not accompanied by specific revenue sources which completely offset the costs of the new mandates, both when adopted and in future years; 8 protect and/or increase departmental flexibility to provide services consistent with local needs and priorities; ➢ preserve the integrity of existing County policy (e.g., the Animal Control Ordinance and land use requirements); and ➢ is consistent with the annual legislative platform adopted by the Board' of Supervisors. The County Administrator, or designee, would also be responsible for immediately informing Board members of any action taken in accordance with this policy. At the end of the legislative session, the County Administrator would'also report on the efficacy of the pilot as part of the annual report on our legislative program. 9 ADDENDUM TO ITEM SD.7 March 11, 2003 On this date, the Board of Supervisors considered the 2043 Federal and State Legislative Platforms. Sara Hoffman, Office of the County Administrator,presented the staff report and recommendations. After Board discussion,the following issued were raised.by Board members: Supervisor Gioia requested the Federal representive to seek funding for the Maritime and Powers Child Care Development Centers under the Federal Legislative Platform. Supervisor DeSaunlier recommended that the efforts to increase bond funding',for library construction be moved from the State Legislative Platform to the Federal Legislative Platform for federal funding. The Chair then invited those who wished to address the Board and the following persons presented testimony: Rollie Katz,Local One, P.O.Box 222, Martinez; John Wolfe, Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, 600 Las Juntas,Martinez Gloria J. Sandoval,Advisory Committee Against Domestic Violence, P.O. Box 6406, Concord The Board then took the following action: • ADOPTED the Contra Costa County 2003 Federal Legislative Platform as amended to request the Federal representative to seek funding for the Maritime and Powers Child Care Development Centers under the Federal Legislative Platform; • ADOPTED the Contra Costa County 2003 State Legislative Platform as amended to support efforts to increase bond funding for library construction and renovation. Recommended that item be moved to the Federal Legislative Platforms for federal funding; • AUTHORIZED the County's State representative to seek authors for new Board sponsored State Legislative proposals and to work towards their passage during 2443; • AUTHORIZED the County's Federal Representative to seek support from the County's Congressional delegation for federal funding requests; • DIRECTED the County Administrator to review legislative proposals, to identify those which affect the County's adopted legislative platform, and to recommend appropriate positions on specific bills for review and approval by the Board of Supervisors; • AUTHORIZED Board members, the County's state and federal representatives, the County Administrator and other designated staff to prepare and present information, position papers and testimony as appropriate to support the Board's positions on specific bills and issues, consistent with the 2003 Legislative Platforms; • APPROVED the Animal Services Legislative Advocacy Pilot for the 2003 State Legislative session; • DIRECTED the County Administrator to report backon the pilot at the end of the State Legislative session.