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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 4400-01-2015 A Resolution NO. 4400-01-2015 AMENDING THE CITY OF FORT WORTH'S 2015 STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM WHEREAS, on October 14, 2014, the Fort Worth City Council approved Resolution 4365-10-2014, adopting the City of Fort Worth's State Legislative Program for 2015 and ordaining matters related thereto; and WHEREAS, the adopted Program included as a stated goal the seeking of legislation to change state laws relating to the sale of tax foreclosed property; and WHEREAS, following discussions with other local taxing jurisdictions, it was determined that the interested parties should further pursue a cooperative approach before seeking any legislative changes; and WHEREAS, on January 6, 2015, the City Council's Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee voted to recommend amending the City's 2015 Legislative Program to remove the "Seek Legislation" item related to sale of tax foreclosed properties; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to amend the City's 2015 State Legislative Program in accordance with the Committee's recommendation without amending or modifying paragraphs 2, 3, or 4 of Resolution 4365-10-2014, all of which shall remain in full force and effect. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS: That the City Council adopts the amended 2015 State Legislative Program as outlined in the attached document. Adopted this 27th day of January, 2015. ATTEST: a a�''c IFOJ?r��ja ,o o*0� 1 00000 0 oMary Kayser, City Secretary % o000000000 y� aa4�'1111b4 4��4 oRTWORTFH FORTWORTH 2015 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 Library Resource Sharing Support the use of state funding for local libraries through shared partnerships with the state and other entities 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 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 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 2 SEEK LEGISLATION CATEGORY Municipal Court Appeals to County Court Seek legislation that will provide Tarrant County Criminal Court No. 5 and Tarrant County Criminal No.10 with jurisdiction to hear appeals of civil ordinance violations from municipal courts. Foreclosure for Building Standards Commission issued Civil Penalties Seek legislation that allows a general-law municipality or home-rule municipality to foreclose on a Building Standards Commission civil penalty as long as the property is not a homestead. Qualified Allocation Plan for Low Income Housing Tax Credits Seek legislation that allows a set aside for areas outside High Opportunity Areas to receive funding under the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. 3 SUPPORT LEGISLATION CATEGORY Support Legislation to allow Canine Encounter Peace Officer Training Support legislation that provides mandatory uniform training for all Texas peace officers in canine encounters. Support Legislation to decrease insurance cost for local transit agencies Support legislation that would decrease the cost of liability insurance and other cost to local transit agencies across Texas. 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 Texas Education System Support legislation that improves the Texas education system and appropriations that provides adequate funding to the Texas public school finance system 4 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 Graffiti Legislation Support legislation that will enhance the ability of municipalities to address prevention and control of graffiti 5 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 01212ose 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. 6 FORTWORTH 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 7 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 8