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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 4695-10-2016 A Resolution NO. 4695-10-2016 ADOPTING THE CITY OF FORT WORTH'S 2017 STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM WHEREAS, the 85th Session of the Texas Legislature will convene on January 10, 2017 and pre-filing of legislative bills will begin November 14, 2016; and WHEREAS, each biennium, prior to the beginning of the regular session of the Texas Legislature, staff seeks input from the Mayor and Council, the City Manager's Office, City staff, and members of the Legislative delegation representing the City regarding legislative issues that affect the City and the way in which it conducts its business; and WHEREAS, based upon the input received, proposed legislative initiatives are then taken to the City Council Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee for discussion and analysis; and WHEREAS, the attached City of Fort Worth 2017 State Legislative Program represents the recommended initiatives forwarded to City Council by the Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee following its review of recommended initiatives on May 3, 2016, June 7, 2016, August 2, 2016 and September 20, 2016; and WHEREAS, it is anticipated that other issues may arise prior to and during the 2017 legislative session and these will be brought before City Council at a later time; and WHEREAS, once City Council adopts the 2017 State Legislative Program, staff will distribute the program to members of the local state delegation, departments, and agcncies and upon request and to major cities in the state in furtherance of the 2017 State Legislative Program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS: 1. That the 2017 State Legislative Program as outlined in the attached document be adopted. 2. That the City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to distribute copies of the City's 2017 State Legislative program to members of the Texas Legislature, other cities and other interested parties. 3. That the appropriate City officials are authorized and directed to send letters ORTWO T of support or to meet with legislators or state officials to discuss the City's position on the attached initiative. 4. That the City's Government Relations staff and the City's state legislative consultants are authorized and directed to take the appropriate actions to advance the 2017 State Legislative Program before the Texas Legislature, the Administration and corresponding state agencies. Adopted this 25th day of October, 2016. ATTEST: ��'44IFont��tt� 6 ° y o ° IZO Mary J. Kayser, City Secre ary °°°°°°° d� ORTWO T FORTWORTH 2017 State Legislative Program STATE FUNDING CATEGORY Funding for Transportation Support legislative appropriations and options to fund transportation investment in Texas Funding for the Local Parks Grant Program Support the continued funding of local parks Funding for Housing Retention and Supportive Services for the Homeless Support the continued statewide funding for supportive services, work and housing retention services for the homeless Funding for Library Resource Sharing Support the use of state funding for local libraries through shared partnerships with the state and other entities Funding for Mental Health Services for Homelessness Support the continued funding for mental health services for the homeless Funding for Business Assistance Center & UNTHSC Support continued funding for the City of Fort Worth and UNT Health Science Cent for the Economic Development and Technology Commercialization Partnership Funding for Training for the Law Enforcement and Fire Support increased funding for Training for police officers and firefighters Funding to Support Institutions of Higher Education including Tarleton State University in Fort Worth, University of North Texas Health Science Center and Texas A&M Law School Support for continued funding and support for Tarleton State University in Fort Worth, University of North Texas Health Science Center and Texas A&M Law School Continued Funding for Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant Program (DEEAG) Support for continued support for Texas military installations by providing funding through the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant Program 2 SUPPORT LEGISLATION CATEGORY Reduction in Prima Facie Speed Limit Support Legislative efforts to Reduce the prima facie speed limit on local roadways in Texas to 25 mph. State Wide Standard for Tethering of Dogs Support the creation of a statewide minimum humane standard for the tethering of a dog and allow law enforcement officers an efficient method to carry out the law. Airspace Compatibility Support legislation to address vertical obstructions, radar interference and emerging technologies that inhibit the operations around military installations. Land Use / Ground Compatibility Support legislation to address Incompatible land use near military installation boundaries, training ranges, operating areas, flight paths that can have long-term negative impacts. Encroachment Mitigation Support positive control of unincorporated lands along with tools and resources to buffer development near defense installations, including measures to allow purchasing rights and restrictive easements for non- conservation lands. 3 Increase Veterans Benefits Support Legislation to increase meaningful employment and on-going education opportunities for veterans and cooperative integration of state, county, and local workforce training, education, and job placement resources. Non-discrimination Initiatives Support legislation seeking to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, transgender, gender identity or gender expression, consistent with City ordinances Non-disclosure of Animal Adoption Information Support legislation seeking to protect the personal information of adopters of animals from government and non-profit shelters and adoption centers Land Use Authority in Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction Support legislation that will grant increased land use authority to local governments to promote responsible land development in extra-territorial jurisdictions Public, Education and Government (PEG) Funds Support legislation to allow flexibility in the expenditure by local governments of PEG Funds 4 Texas Education System Support legislation that improves the Texas education system and appropriations that provide adequate funding to the Texas public school finance system Community Health and Wellness Programs Support legislation that will promote increased Community Health and Wellness Programs Healthy Work Environments and Healthy Work Places Support legislation that promotes healthy places of employment and healthy work environments Sales Tax Revenue for State and Local Parks Support legislation for the constitutional dedication of sporting goods' sales tax revenue for the funding of state and local parks Special Events Trust Fund Support legislation that will continue to allow special events to be incentivized Recycling Facilities Support legislation that will give municipalities and the state greater authority to address illegal recycling facilities 5 Graffiti Legislation Support legislation that will enhance the ability of municipalities to address prevention and control of graffiti Compatible Growth around Military Installations Support legislation that enable tools to promote compatible growth such as: Protecting the voluntary participation of coordinated efforts by municipalities surrounding military installations 6 FORTWORTH GENERAL LEGISLATIVE POLICY As a general policy, the City of Fort Worth seeks to Preserve its authority to responsibly govern the city, its citizens, and its property. The City Supports any legislation viewed as advancing the City' s Comprehensive Plan or the City' s Strategic Goals; or that improves the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; or that reduces the cost of governing the City. In addition, the City will Oppose any legislation viewed as detrimental to its Comprehensive Plan or its Strategic Goals; or that is contrary to the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; or that mandates increased costs or decreased revenues; or that would diminish the fundamental authority of the City. 7 FORT WORTH Preserve City's ability to uniformly impose property taxes City' s ability to raise revenue City' s ability to zone property City's ability to safely and fairly annex property City's ability to impose and collect reasonable storm water fees City's ability to impose and collect reasonable impact fees City's ability to participate in development in the ETJ City' s authority under the current vesting laws City' s rights under the current sovereign immunity statutes City' s rights and authority under the special districts' laws City' s rights and authority under the current eminent domain laws City' s rights and authority under current environmental laws 8 City' s ability to make responsible decisions regarding its Municipal Pension System City' s ability to make decisions regarding responsible drilling within its jurisdiction City' s ability to utilize Red Light Cameras to promote public safety City' s ability to assure that there is adequate water supply and sources for the citizenry in the future 9