HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 14 - TX Legislative Session MEMQ TQ: HONORABLE IVIAYQR AND MENIBERS QF THE CITY GOUNCI�
FRONt: BRUNQ RUMBELQW, CITY MANAGER ��
NiEETiNG DATE: JANUARY 17, 2017
SUBJECT: 85th TEXAS �EGiSLATiVE SESSI4N - CITY AGENDA
REC{7MMENDATION:
City Councii to cansider adapting a resolution approving the City's agenda for the 85t�'
Texas Legislative Session to be held this year and take any necessary action.
BACKGRC7UND:
Each session of the Texas Legislattare, the City adopts a formal platForm that can be
shared with our Legi�lative delegation and can be used by our legislative cansultant as
the Session maves forward in Austin.
The majority af the items included deal with #he ability of the Gity ta maintain lacal control
over local revenue and avoid unfunded mandates at the State level. Other platforms
include protecting State funding of libraries, parks, tourism and economic development,
as well as legislation that would enhance public safety and health.
Once the Council formally adopts this, staff from all departments will work in conjunction
with our legislative consultant to monitor related bills and keep yau apprised af any other
items that may come up and necessitate Council consideration.
5taff recommends approval.
JH
Attachment
January 12, 17 AM/PMt 11:11 AM
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-006
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, ADOPTING A LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA FOR THE 85TH SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE
OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, the 85th Session of the Texas Legislature began January 10, 2017;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Grapevine, Texas has a strong interest in legislative
activities that may affect the City; and
WHEREAS, once the Legislative Session starts, legislation moves quickly and
oftentimes a city position must be expressed on an issue before the City Council has an
opportunity to meet; and
WHEREAS, the passage of a broad legislative agenda will allow staff to
communicate the legislative priorities of the City on behalf of the entire City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS:
Section 1. That all matters stated in the above preamble are true and correct
and are incorporated herein as if copied in their entirety.
Section 2. That the Legislative Agenda, attached as Exhibit "A", will serve as
the official Legislative Agenda for the City of Grapevine, Texas.
Section 3. That this resolution shall take effect from and after the date of its
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS on this the 17th day of January, 2017.
APPROVED:
William D. Tate
Mayor
ATTEST:
Tara Broaks
City 5ecretary
APPROVED A5 TO FORM:
Jahn F. Boyle, Jr.
City Attorney
Resolution Na. 201 T-406 2
CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS
$5tn LEGIS�ATIVE SESSI4N AGENDA
Generai Legislation
• Qppase sales tax initiatives that change taxing situs from paint of sale ta point of
delivery
• Qppose property appraisal caps and revenue caps
• Oppose unfunded mandates
• Suppark a statewide smoking ban that would provide a level economic playing
field between cities with a ban and those withaut
• Qppase legislation that would restrict eminent domain authority of local
governments
• Monitor changes to 4B and CCPD legislation
• Allow all mixed beverage tax to stay in cities where collected
• Support legislation ta achieve equality and fairness in the appraisal process
Elections
• Oppose any legislation that would further restrict a municipality's rights to hold
election
Human Resources
• Oppose legislative changes that would expand the Meet and Confer law
• Support legislation that would allow cities in TMRS to opt out of cost of living
(C4LA} increases for one or mare years without a "catch up" penalty when
COLA's are reinstated
Library
• Oppase further cuts to State funding of local libraries and endorse additianal
funding that would increase digital content for patrons and funding for remote
workforce development activities in libraries
Parks and Recreation
• Support legislation that would increase funding for State Parks and the Texas
Recreatian & Parks Accaunt and insure that all funded prfljects be subject ta the
established Texas Parks & Wildlife Department scoring system
• Oppose the cantinued diversion of the sparting goads sales tax away from Texas
Parks & Wildlife ta other uses
• Support legislatian that wauld directly benefit parks, recreation, apen space and
trails on utility corridors and waive all liability for those purposes to the utilities
Police
• Support legislation that would require electronic reporting of pawn shop data to
law enforcement
• Support requiring DNA testing of arrestees
• Support a ban on texting while driving
Planning, Zoning and Code Enforcement
• Support legislation to give municipalities authority over the location of gas
pipelines
• Oppose any legislation weakening the ability of a City to enforce nuisance
ordinances
Tourism
• Oppose legislation that would redirect hotel/ motel tax to any other entity or
earmark its use for any particular purpose
• Preserve full funding for Texas Tourism (Office of the Governor, Economic
Development and Tourism Division)
• Maintain the School Start Date Law (4th Monday in August)
• Preserve the Event Trust programs
• Support reasonable transportation infrastructure policies that impact the Texas
travel industry
• Preserve state funding for programs that benefit travel and tourism at the Texas
; Parks and Wildlife Department (TP&WD), Texas Historical Commission (THC),
Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) and Texas Commission on the
Arts (TCA)
• Support policies which enhance workforce development
Fire
• Support the repeal of legislation that limits a city's ability to require sprinkler
systems in residential dwellings
Transportation and Public Works
• Support statewide efforts to address water supply issues
• Oppose legislation that would negatively impact the TexRail project
Economic Development
• Support a revised incentive program for a Texas "deal closing fund" for large
scale projects in which a Texas location is competing directly with other states for
the investment