December 2, 2003

SUBJECT: Positions on National League of Cities Proposed 2003 Annual Conference Resolutions and Policy Changes

REPORT IN BRIEF

This report transmits the National League of Cities (NLC) Proposed 2003 Annual Conference resolutions and policy changes.

This year the National League of Cities Annual Conference will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, from December 9-13.  Member cities are invited to vote on each proposed resolution and policy change.  This year, 32 resolutions have been presented. Of the 32 resolutions, 10 are renewals of resolutions that would otherwise expire, and 22 are new resolutions. The purpose of this report to provide Council with an opportunity to take a position on each resolution and policy change.

DISCUSSION

NLC resolutions are position statements on specific congressional initiatives or federal administrative actions, regulations or policies. NLC policies are part of the National Municipal Policy, the collection of policy directions for NLC on federal issues that affect municipalities.

Attachment A, National League of Cities 2003 Resolutions Summary is a chart of proposed NLC resolutions, identifying each resolution's number, sponsor, subject, brief summary description, relevant Sunnyvale City policy (if one exists), and staff recommendation on the City's position.

Attachment B, National League of Cities 2003 Proposed Policy Changes Summary, is a summary chart of proposed NLC policy changes, identifying each policy's number, sponsor, subject, brief summary description, relevant Sunnyvale City policy (if one exists), and staff recommendation on the City's position.

Generally, staff only recommends a position if there is an existing City policy on the issue or significant impact on the City. There are generally three positions offered: "Support," "No Position," and "Oppose."

Staff recommendations are based upon adopted Council policy, Council's orientation to policy matters, and other information, through the following documents: Legislative Action Policies, General Plan Elements and Subelements, program outcomes, prior positions on League of California Cities and National League of Cities resolutions, and/or policies, and positions taken on state and federal legislation. Staff recommendations on these resolutions, if adopted, should be considered as direction on how to vote the City's position for Councilmembers serving on policy committees and for the City's voting delegate.

Please keep in mind that in some cases staff recommendations are based upon limited information. Additional information is often provided at the policy committee meetings that assist in clarifying any unresolved issues pertaining to a resolution's intent.

The policy committees will meet on Wednesday, December 10, 2003. The purpose of the meetings is to review the proposed resolutions and policy changes and make final recommendations. A separate, detailed schedule will be provided to Council in the annual Conference packets. The City’s delegate will vote on resolutions at the NLC Annual Business Meeting on Saturday, December 13 at 2:30 p.m.

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no direct fiscal impact of these resolutions.

PUBLIC CONTACT

This report was included in the publication and posting of the Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, the City’s web page, and the San Jose Mercury News. This report is also available at the Sunnyvale Public Library and the City Clerk’s Office.

ALTERNATIVES

1. Approve the positions recommended by staff.

2. Amend and approve the positions recommended by staff. 

3. Take no action on the resolutions at this time.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends Alternative #1.

Prepared by:

Coryn Campbell
Neighborhood and Community Services Manager

Reviewed by:

Amy Chan
Assistant City Manager

Approved by:

Robert S. LaSala
City Manager

Attachments

A. National League of Cities 2003 Resolutions Summary (pdf format)

B. National League of Cities 2003 Policy Revisions Summary (pdf format)