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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem G co. suit 4, 6- avatcA AGENDA STAFF REPORT DATE: December 12, 2016 TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council THRU: Jill R. Ingram, City Manager FROM: Jim Basham, Director of Community Development SUBJECT: CITY OF SEAL BEACH PARTICIPATION IN THE CONCERNED COASTAL COMMUNITIES COALITION DISCUSSION There are multiple coastal cities interested in forming a coalition to discuss core issues impacting communities. Most recently, representatives from eight cities in Orange. and San Diego Counties participated in a round table discussion pertaining to various issues affecting community quality of life. ' The representatives were from cities such as Newport Beach, San Clemente, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Dana Point, Oceanside, Del Mar, and Seal Beach. These cities are committed to working collaboratively to identify and advocate for consensus driven solutions to common challenges facing coastal communities. The Coalition's goal is to advance mutually held public policy through advocacy efforts with the state and federal government. During the last two focus group sessions, a list of core issues were determined which included the following: • San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) decommissioning process • Coastal Protection including sea level rise, resilient infrastructure, sand replenishment, storm water runoff at beaches, and State beach/Tidelands issues • Financial — coastal access cost sharing, including railroad issues Participation in the "Concerned Coastal Communities Coalition" (Coalition) offers several valued benefits which include the following: Power in'Number: The Coalition offers member cities the ability to have greater direct influence on state and federal legislation and administration actions on a collaborative basis than individually; Agenda Item G Coastal Regional Focus: The Coalition is focused on identifying and advocating priority issues of Orange and San Diego County cities; Consensus Driven: The Coalition acts only when there is a consensus. Coalition advocacy efforts, such as endorsing or opposing state or federal legislation or seeking action from administrative agencies will be pursued only when there is an agreement or consensus from the Coalition members to do so; Nimble: The Coalition's membership allows for greater opportunity for member cities to work.directly with one another to identify mutually beneficial solutions to problems faced by other similar communities. The Coalition's size is an asset allowing member cities to act quickly to address critical issues of mutual concern, without the cumbersome processes that can be challenged in larger organizations; Facilitating Best Practices and Agency Relationships: Through monthly meetings and ongoing information exchanges the Coalition affords opportunities for Coalition members to learn best practices to address common coastal city challenges as well as opportunities to jointly engage state and federal agency leaders and elected officials. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no environmental impact related to this item. LEGAL ANALYSIS: No legal analysis is required for this item. FINANCIAL IMPACT The Coalition is requesting that each city contribute $600 per month to assist with soliciting the services of Townsend Public Affairs Firm to facilitate the group sessions and advocate on behalf of the Coalition. Since this is a new working group there is no funding in the budget. However, if the City Council approves funding for this group there is money available in 001-010-40300 to cover the contribution for the remainder of the fiscal year. RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council consider participation in the Coalition and associated monthly contribution, S : ITTED BY: NOTED AND APPROVED: i Vi, -C , ,It1 OA/ f Ji Basham Jill R. Ingram, City •ager Director of Community Development