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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 3933-11-2010 A Resolution NO. 3933-11-2010 ADOPTING THE CITY OF FORT WORTH'S 2011 STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM WHEREAS, the 82nd" Session of the Texas Legislature will convene on January 11, 2011, and pre-filing of legislative bills began November 8, 2010; 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 2011 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 September 27, 2010, October 12, 2010, and November 15, 2010; and WHEREAS, it is anticipated that other issues may arise prior to and during the 2011 legislative session and these will be brought before City Council at a later time; and WHEREAS, once City Council adopts the 2011 State Legislative Program, staff will distribute the program to members of the local state delegation, departments, agencies and upon request to major cities in the state in furtherance of the 2011 State Legislative Program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS: That the City Council: 1. Adopts the 2011 State Legislative Program as outlined in the attached 0 TWO RESOLUTION NO. 3933-11-2010 document; and 2. Authorizes and directs the City Manager to distribute copies of the City's 2011 State Legislative program to members of the Texas Legislature, to other cities, and other interested parties; and 3. Authorizes and directs the appropriate City officials to send letters of support or to meet with legislators or state officials to discuss the City's position on the attached initiatives; and 4. Authorizes and directs the City's Government Relations staff and the City's state legislative consultants to take the appropriate actions to advance the 2011 State Legislative Program before the Texas Legislature, the Administration and corresponding state agencies. Adopted this 16th day of November 2010. ATTEST: APPROVED CITY COUNCIL By: NOV 16 2010 Marty Hendrix, City Secretary C, cayrl Secretaq of the Cfty of Fod Worth.Texas o rWo RESOLUTION NO. 3933-11-2010 FORTWORTH REVISED 2011 Legislative Program Supportive Legislation Rail Relocation Legislation and Funding to Address Tower 55 Support legislation to authorize or fund the relocation of passenger and/or freight rail lines or facilities Funding for Homelessness Initiative Continue the statewide funding for supportive services, work and housing retention services for the homeless Public Information Act Legislation Enhancement to the Texas Government Code to allow emergency contact information excepted from release under the Public Information Law Public Information Act Legislation Enhancement of the Texas Government Code to allow out-of-state driver's license numbers excepted from release under Public Information Law RESOLUTION NO. 3933-11-2010 Public Information Act Legislation Enhancement of the Texas Government Code to allow City employee security badge information excepted from release under Public Information Law K-2 Legislation Legislation to amend the Penal Code to address the drug K-2 Texting while Driving Legislation Legislation to amend the penal code to address the issue of texting while driving Compatible Growth around Military Installations Support legislation that enables tools to promote compatible growth such as: Protecting the voluntary participation of coordinated efforts by municipalities surrounding military installations Support legislation to Prohibit Discrimination Support legislation seeking to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, transgender, gender identity or gender expression, consistent with City ordinances Lake Worth Direct Sales Legislation Support legislation to amend the Local Government Code to eliminate the population cap. This section of the law is known as the "Lake Worth 2 RESOLUTION NO. 3933-11-2010 Exception"and allows the city to sell property to the City's lessees at the lake. Funding for Transportation Support legislative options to generate revenue to fund transportation investment in Texas Texas Nuisance Abatement Statute Support opportunities to expand the City's ability to address criminal nuisance locations Metal Recycling Statute Expand the city's ability to enforce state statues against metal recyclers Special Events Trust Fund Support legislation that will continue to allow special events to be incentivized Local Option Elections Support amendments to control the cost of local option elections and to establish a deadline for voter signature verification in petition request Gas Well Pipeline Safety Issues Support legislation aimed to address and promote gas well pipeline safety regulations Local Recycling and Composting Facilities 3 RESOLUTION NO. 3933-11-2010 Support legislation that will give cities and the State greater authority to address illegal recycling facilities Texas Emissions Reduction Program Work to establish amendments to the Texas Emissions Reduction Program so that municipalities may benefit from the program and access more funds Burglary of a Motor Vehicle Support legislation to make all offenses a state jail felony with a youthful offender provision Dangerous Dogs Support appropriate breed specific legislation Smoking in Public Support appropriate bans on smoking in public places Graffiti Legislation Support legislation that will enhance the ability of the City of Fort Worth to strengthen its efforts regarding the prevention and control of graffiti Foreclosure Legislation Support legislation that will consider appropriate factors when determining the market value of a residence homestead for purposes of ad valorem taxation 4 RESOLUTION NO. 3933-11-2010 FORT WORTH 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. 5 RESOLUTION NO. 3933-11-2010 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 6