PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is provide information to the City Council so they may consider selecting from among its members a delegate to attend a special League of California Cities (League) Membership Meeting, on May 15, 2003.   At that meeting delegates will be asked to vote on a resolution and various proposals prepared by the League Board of Directors concerning the state budget and state-local fiscal reform. 

BACKGROUND:

The League has called a special Membership Meeting in Sacramento on May 15, 2003 as an opportunity to discuss a proposal to both balance the state budget as well as protect local revenues.  The League is currently drafting a resolution that will be presented to the membership and is expected to consist of a set of principles for balancing the state budget and reforming the fiscal system.  The legislature could incorporate these principles into legislation or the budget bill, and submit elements requiring constitutional amendment for voter approval at a special ballot measure election, possibly this fall.  Alternatively, if the legislature declines to act on it, the proposal, in part or in total, could be placed on a statewide ballot through the initiative route, with the League and others as sponsors.

At the meeting the League Board of Directors will also be discussing a number of multi-faceted strategies it has adopted to achieve the goal of protecting local services and revenues. These include: 1) Fundraising through the Save our Services fund and through CITIPAC, a new political action committee; 2) Partnership building with labor, business, education and other groups; 3) Continuing to work with current coalition partners and the LOCAL Coalition to educate legislators and the media about the risks to local services; 4) Conducting ongoing regional grassroots activities through the LOCAL coalition; and 5) Closely examining positions taken on key legislative proposals, with an eye towards strengthening partnerships with key legislators and other stakeholders who are candidates for partnership-building efforts. 

ANALYSIS:

With the City of Burbank feeling the dramatic impacts of the state�s fiscal crisis and initiating policy discussions about reducing services and staffing levels, it is important that the City remain informed about actions taken by the California legislature, the League, and other groups that could potentially impact local governments. If the City Council chooses to provide input and/or vote on any of the proposals or resolutions presented at the special May 15^th meeting, a delegate from among its members should be in attendance on that day. 

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact to this action.  Costs for attending the meeting, as well as travel costs incurred, will be absorbed in the Fiscal Year 2002-2003 Adopted City Council budget. 

RECOMMENDATION:

It is staff�s recommendation that the City Council initiate discussion regarding whether to send a delegate from among its membership to attend the special League of California Cities Membership Meeting in Sacramento on May 15, 2003.  Should the Council select to send a delegate, they should select their current League liaison or select another Council Member to attend this specific meeting.  

MJA:VTW:vtw

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