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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 02 - Legislative Agenda ITEM # MEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER '�2 MEETING DATE: DECEMBER 7, 2010 SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE AGENDA RESOLUTION RECOMMENDATION: City Council to consider approval of a resolution adopting the City's platform for the 82nd Legislative Session. BACKGROUND: Fred Hill was present at the November 16th, City Council workshop to discuss the upcoming legislative session and the impact that it may have cities. As in past sessions, staff is recommending the passage of a legislative agenda that includes a variety of issues, such as right-of-way management and sales tax revenue protection and transportation funding. This list was developed collaboratively with the input of City Council Members and staff. If the Council approves this list of Legislative priorities, it will be circulated to our State Legislators before the start of the session on January 13, 2010. This formal process is especially helpful. as staff meets with State Legislators to discuss these items. Our full agenda is attached. If other issues come up as-the Session progresses, we will bring them back for your consideration. December 1,2010(3:06PM) �-� RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS,ADOPTING A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE 82nd SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHEREAS, the 82nd Session of the Texas Legislature begins on January 11,2011; 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 7th day of December, 2010. APPROVED: ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: RES. NO. 2 82nd Texas Legislative Session City of Grapevine Legislative Agenda General Legislation • Oppose sales tax initiatives that change taxing situs from point of sale to point of delivery • Oppose property appraisal caps and revenue caps • Oppose unfunded mandates • Oppose any legislation that would further restrict a municipality's rights to hold election • Oppose higher assessments regarding the State Medical Risk Pool • Oppose legislation that would redirect hotel/ motel tax to any other entity or earmark its use for any particular purpose • Oppose legislative changes that would expand the meet and confer law • Oppose puts to further State funding of local libraries • Monitor changes to 4B and CCPD Legislation • Support a statewide smoking ban that would provide a level economic playing field between cities with a ban and those without • Monitor legislation that would impact economic development • Support legislation that would increase funding for State Parks and the Texas Recreatio'ri & Parks Account and insure that all funded projects be subject to the established TPWD scoring system. Also oppose the continued diversion of the sporting goods sales tax away from Texas Parks &Wildlife to other uses • Oppose Legislation that would restrict eminent domain authority of local governments • Support City's continued right to fund lobbying • Support legislation that would allow cities in TMRS to opt out of Cost of Living increases for one or more years without a "catch up" penalty when COLA's are reinstated • Support making burglary of a motor vehicle a state jail felony • Advocate for a statewide pseudoephedrine pharmacy database to better control the purchase of this medication and lower the incidence of meth labs • Oppose any legislation weakening the ability of a City to enforce nuisance ordinances • Oppose efforts to shorten summer vacation of school children, which has a direct effect on the local and statewide tourism industry • Oppose cuts to the State tourism fund • Support legislation to give municipalities authority over the location of gas pipelines • Support legislation that would require a driver's picture identification to sell scrap metal (similar to a pawn shop) • Support legislation that would reinstate the requirement for formal driver's education classes, a written test, and a driving test • Support legislation that would require electronic reporting of pawn shop data to law enforcement • Support legislation that would clarify a city's right to pay up to 5% more for cement that produces less greenhouse gas emissions • Support the repeal of legislation that limits a city's ability to require sprinkler systems in residential dwellings The two items below were requested for inclusion by the Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition: • Support a statewide education campaign to inform Texans of Transportation needs and the development of a consensus agenda to improve Texas transportation and that encourages Texans to participate in the transportation conversation • Support efforts to urge the Legislature to enact revenue measures to fund investment needed to improve Texas transportation.