Title
Consider recommendations from the Legislative Committee to:
a. Adopt the 2019-20 Legislative Program Update;
b. Adopt the 2020 Strategic Grant Services Program;
c. Receive an annual report from Ballard Spahr LLP, the County’s federal legislative advocate;
d. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP, the County’s state legislative advocate;
e. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP, the County’s grant consultant; and
f. Receive an update and provide direction on County priority presentations for the Board’s 2020 Legislative Workshop.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors consider recommendations from the Legislative Committee to:
a. Adopt the 2019-20 Legislative Program Update;
b. Adopt the 2019 Strategic Grant Services Program;
c. Receive an annual report from Ballard Spahr LLP, the County’s federal legislative advocate;
d. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP, the County’s state legislative advocate;
e. Receive an annual report from Nossaman LLP, the County’s grant consultant; and
f. Receive a report and provide direction on County priority presentations for the 2020 Legislative Workshop.
SUMMARY
The Legislative Committee met on January 21, 2020 and recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt the 2019-20 Legislative Program Update; 2020 Strategic Grant Services Program; receive annual reports from the County’s state and federal legislative advocates and grant consultants; and provide direction regarding County priorities to present at the Board’s Legislative Workshop on February 21, 2020.
DISCUSSION
The County Administrative Office - Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs (IGLA) Division is charged with the development and execution of the County’s Legislative Program and Strategic Grant Services Program. Each year, IGLA staff works with the Board and County departments to develop these programs to reflect the interests and priorities of the Board of Supervisors. Once the programs are drafted, they are reviewed by the Legislative Committee, which provides direction regarding desired changes, and considers a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to approve the program documents.
2019-20 Legislative Program Update: The Legislative Program was developed in close collaboration with County departments to represent the County’s state and federal legislative interests during the second half of the current 2-year legislative sessions. Once adopted by the Board, the Legislative Program provides authority to advocate in support or defense of issues, enabling actions to be taken quickly to protect or defend the County’s interests in Sacramento and Washington D.C. The Program contains two (2) major sections:
1. Legislative Principles: Which provide broad direction and authority to IGLA staff and the County’s legislative advocates to advance the County’s interests.
2. Legislative Priorities: Which define the priority interests and concerns of the County and include descriptions of each issue along with key objectives to guide advocacy efforts.
2020 Strategic Grant Services Program: Once adopted by the Board, the Strategic Grant Services Program provides authority and guidance regarding the efforts of IGLA staff and the County’s grant consultant in the pursuit of grant funding for the County’s highest priority projects, or on projects which require a high level of collaboration among departments and program partners. The Program contains two (2) major components:
1. 2020 Work Plan: A result of collaboration with County departments, the Work Plan identifies priority projects and funding sources to guide efforts over a 12-month period. The Work Plan is designed to be flexible to adjust to the County’s changing priorities, and leaves 20% of Program capacity unallocated to take advantage of new or unanticipated funding opportunities.
2. 2020 Grant Needs Inventory: A comprehensive inventory of County projects which require a source of grant funding developed in consultation with the Board and department heads. This all-inclusive listing guides the research of IGLA staff and the County’s grant consultants.
Annual Reports: The annual reports provided by the County’s federal and state legislative advocates and grant consultant highlight activities undertaken on behalf of the County during 2019, and their oral presentations will focus on anticipated major issues or projects for 2020. Reports will be provided by:
- Brent R. Heberlee, Ballard Spahr LLP - Federal Legislative Advocate
- Ashley Walker, Nossaman LLP - State Legislative Advocate
- Ashley Walker, Nossaman LLP - Grant Consultant
Legislative Workshop
On February 21, 2020, the Board will host a Legislative Workshop to elevate the County’s legislative presence, discuss areas of mutual concern with the County’s legislative delegation, and identify issues we can work together on in 2020.
Participants will include the Board of Supervisors, the County’s state and federal legislators or their designated representatives, County department heads, CAO-IGLA staff, the County’s state and federal legislative and funding advocates, and other County staff as needed to provide County priority presentations. Legislators that have confirmed their attendance include: Congressman Jimmy Panetta, Senator Bill Monning, Senator Anna Caballero, Assembly Member Mark Stone, Assembly Member Robert Rivas, and representatives from the Office of Senator Kamala Harris. At this writing we are awaiting response from the Office of Senator Dianne Feinstein regarding her ability to send a representative.
The Legislative Committee, at their January 21, 2020 meeting, discussed potential County priority issues to be presented at the Legislative Workshop. The Committee directed staff to develop criteria for the selection of priority topics - and to develop a potential list of topics as a starting point for the Board’s discussion and direction on this issue.
Due to the limited amount of time that the Board will have with the County’s legislative delegation, it is recommended that the Board limit the County’s presentations to five (5) priority issues, with a maximum of five (5) minutes allotted to each presentation. Staff recommends that the criteria for identifying priorities include:
1) Issues that have countywide importance;
2) Issues for which the County is making a specific request of our legislators;
3) Issues that are timely;
4) A balance of issues that require State and Federal assistance.
As a starting point for the Board’s discussion, staff offers the following topic recommendations:
1) Old Monterey County Jail - 2020 State Budget funding request
2) San Antonio and Nacimiento Dam/Spillway Rehabilitation/Replacement - funding needs
3) Housing - need for regional approach to RHNA credit allocation, need for additional tax credits
4) Homelessness - resource needs
5) 2020 Census Update - update on County efforts and challenges
The location of the Legislative Workshop was originally set at the Government Center, Monterey Conference Room. At the request of the Chair, staff is currently in the process of determining if the location can be changed to the City of Gonzales Council Chambers. A verbal update on location and confirmed attendees will be provided as part of the presentation on this item. A draft Legislative Workshop Agenda is attached to this report.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
The County Administrative Office - Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs Division prepared this report. Significant contributions to the development of the programs were made by the Legislative Committee, County department heads/staff, and the County’s state and federal legislative advocates and grant consultant.
FINANCING
The Legislative Program and Strategic Grant Services Programs are funded by the County Administrative Office (Department 1050) - Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs Division (Unit 8054). Approval of the recommendations contained in this report will not result in additional General Fund contributions.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
The Legislative Program and Strategic Grants Services Program work to advance all categories of the Board’s Strategic Initiatives.
X Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Annette D’Adamo, Management Analyst III
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer
Date: January 21, 2020
Attachments:
- Exhibit A - 2019-20 Legislative Program Update
- Exhibit B - REDLINE VERSION - 2019-20 Legislative Program Update
- Exhibit C - 2020 Strategic Grant Services Program
- Exhibit D - Annual Report (Federal Legislative Advocacy)
- Exhibit E - Annual Report (State Legislative Advocacy)
- Exhibit F - Annual Report (Strategic Grant Services Program)
- Exhibit G - DRAFT Legislative Workshop Agenda