Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2004-R0566 - Resolution Adopting Legislative Priorities For The 109Th Congress Of US - 11_18_2004Resolution No. 2004—RO566 November 18, 2004 Item No. 35A RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK: THAT the City Council of the City of Lubbock hereby adopts these legislative priorities for the 79th State Legislative Session and the 108TH Congress, 2" Session and 109" Congress of the United States, for the purpose of defining the position of the City of Lubbock. Said Legislative priorities are attached hereto and incorporated in this Resolution as if fully set forth herein and shall be included in the minutes of the City Council. Passed by the City Council this 18th ATTEST: Rebecca Garza, City Secretary APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: Rebecca Garza, City Secretar APPROVED AS TO FORM: r A s, Assis nt City Attorney ke/ccdocs/79' Legs.COL Priorides.ress November 12, 2004 day of November 2004. Ci of Lubbock Federal Le islative AOenda doc Pa e xesoiuuon No. zuu4- November 18, 2004 Item No. 35A City of Lubbock Federal Legislation Positions in the 109' Congress Proposed City of Lubbock Federal Legislative Positions in the 109' Congress November 12, 2004 1. Support Legislation expected to be introduced by other entities that the City will testify in support of. S-1. Support legislation that would provide, when more entitlement cities qualify for CDBG or HOME programs, that the level of funding for the City of Lubbock increase or remain unchanged. S-2. Support the Transportation Bill and any related bills that maximizes highway funds available to support Ports -to -Plains. S-3. Support Senate Bill 2506, Transit System Flexibility Protection Act of 2004, which allows transit systems to finance the operating cost of equipment and facilities for use in mass transportation in an urbanized area with a population of more than 200,000 if such transit system operates less than 100 buses on fixed route service during peak service hours. S-4. Support of Federal Appropriation request that was sent by the Chamber of Commerce to Sen. Hutchinson and Sen. Cornyn for the AMTRAK demonstration train. This project would create a passenger rail line from Dallas -Fort Worth area through Abilene, Sweetwater, Lubbock, Amarillo to Denver, Colorado. S-5. Support Lubbock's current application for federal funding of the reclaimed water project that has passed the House. - Ciilr of,,Lubbock Federal Legislative A enda,doc City of Lubbock Federal Legislation Positions in the 109t° Congress 2. Oppose Legislation expected to be introduced that would have negative implications for the City. 0-1. Oppose legislation that would prohibit sales tax collection on Internet sales. CORRECTION of Federal Legislation docM Page 1 xesomuon No. Luu November 18, 2004 Item No. 35A CORRECTION Proposed City of Lubbock Federal Legislative Positions in the 109' Congress November 12, 2004 S-4. Support of Federal Appropriation request that was sent by the Chamber of Commerce to Sen. Hutchinson and Sen. Cornyn for a feasibility studv for Caprock Xpress [the AA4T-MK demonstration tFain]. This project would create a passenger rail line from Dallas - Fort Worth area through Abilene, Sweetwater, Lubbock, Amarillo to Denver, Colorado. (Corrected by Norman Johnson, Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, at 8:40 am. on 11118104) Proposed City of Lubbock State Le islatwe Agenda doc age 1 P Resolution No. 2004-RO566 November 18 Item No. 35A City of Lubbock Legislative Positions in the 7911 Texas Legislature Proposed City of Lubbock Legislative Positions in the 79' Texas Legislature November 12, 2004 1. Initiate Legislation the City would introduce and push for passage I-1. Initiate legislation increasing local option purchasing discretion from 3 % to 5 %. This initiative was passed in the 78' Legislative Session, but was vetoed by Governor Perry. I-2. Initiate legislation allowing a municipality's governing body to deliberate its possible appointments for Advisory Board members during Executive Session. I-3. Initiate and/or support "Truth -in -Taxation" legislation. I-4. Initiate legislation that would allow City or County elected officials to call for a referendum on alcohol sales within their jurisdiction. Current law requires a petition process to call such an election. I-5. Initiate legislation that would create a provision whereby the public hearing process would be streamlined as it pertains to providing junk vehicle notices. I-6. Initiate legislation that provides municipalities with greater discretion in the creation of Enterprise Zones within their jurisdiction. Currently, Enterprise zones are automatically created in all Census block group areas where 20% or more of the population falls below the poverty level. I-7. Initiate legislation requiring proprietors of group homes, with more than 6 occupants, to be non-profit agencies. This initiative would protect single-family residential developments from inharmonious and harmful land uses and would provide a quality environment for the residents of the district and the City. I-8. Initiate legislation that amends the Local Government Code to allow municipalities to assess adjacent landowners for construction costs associated with paving improvements. Currently, municipalities are only allowed to assess adjacent property owners with fees based upon the enhanced value of their property after receiving paving improvements. I-9. Initiate legislation that would change the formula funding used by Texas Department of Transportation in regards to Citibus. I-10. Initiate legislation that would change the current Transportation Revised 11/17/04 Proposed City of Lubbock State Le islative Agenda doc Page City of Lubbock Legislative Positions in the 79 h Texas Legislature Code, Sec. 370.031, to allow municipalities to create a Regional Mobility Authority. I-11. Initiate legislation that would provide water rights in interbasin transfers without the loss of priority date. 1-12. Initiate legislation to refine the definition of "facilities" within the context of design build as related to a water supply reservoir. I-13. Initiate legislation that would provide funding of research and/or demonstration projects for desalination of brackish groundwater. I-14. Initiate legislation that would allow for minor amendments to the Regional Water Plan without having to resubmit an entire master plan. I-15. Initiate legislation to make a change in Chapter 143 of Local Govt. Code where not all Fire Department employees fall under civil service protection. (AG's Opinion No. GA-0041) Revised 11/17/04 Proposed City 9 Lubbock State Legislative A enda.doc age P City of Lubbock Legislative Positions in the 791 Texas Legislature 2. Support Legislation expected to be introduced by other entities that the City will testify in support of. S-1. Support legislation that would allow municipalities to enact a "Street Fee" or support legislation that would direct a portion of State gasoline tax revenue to municipalities. Either of these two options would allow increased funding for municipal street projects. S-2. Support legislation that would allow municipalities to rely on a presumption that the registered owner of a vehicle is the perpetrator of the violation documented under photographic enforcement measures. S-3. Support legislation that would increase the ability for Police Department to provide public safety. S-4. Support legislation that would place a 3 % cap on home appraisals by local Appraisal Districts. S-5. Support legislation that requires an Appraisal District Board member be an elected position. S-6. Support legislation that will increase the management authority of groundwater districts. S-7. Support legislation for reclaimed water projects. S-8. Support Municipal court jurisdiction. Revised 11/17/04 u Proposed City of Lubbock Sta#e Legislative Agenda doc Pa e 4 City of Lubbock Legislative Positions in the 791 Texas Legislature 3. Endorse Legislation expected to be introduced by other entities that the City will provide a letter of endorsement. E-1. Endorse legislation to amend Section 312 of the Tax Code related to tax abatements, which would allow counties to offer tax abatement to the lessee of real property on the tangible personal property located on the realty. Under current law, only municipalities are allowed to offer abatement to the lessee under these conditions. Revised 11/17/04 Pro osed Ci of Lubbock State Le islative A enda doc v µ ,: P _.��.� ,tX age City of Lubbock Legislative Positions in the 79' Texas Legislature 4. Oppose Legislation expected to be introduced that would have negative implications for the City. 0-1. Oppose any legislation that would weaken current annexation laws. 0-2. Oppose any legislation that would diminish Home Rule authority. 0-3. Strongly oppose legislation that would make changes to Chapter 143 Subchapter J of the Texas Local Government Code regarding "Meet and Confer". 0-4. Oppose legislation that would necessitate additional requirements that would reduce the ability for Police officers to provide public safety. 0-5. Oppose any legislation that requires unfunded mandates to law enforcement. 0-6. Oppose legislation that would exempt utility companies to be exempt from paying for relocation of equipment in right-of-way. 0-7. Oppose legislation that would diminish the Rule of Capture. 0-8. Oppose legislation from the Water Conservation Implementation Task Force that would negatively impact municipalities, agriculture, or other local entities. 0-9. Oppose legislation that may increase the groundwater export fee. Revised 11/17/04