REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Travis K. Hopkins, Assistant City Manager
Subject:
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Consider positions on Local, State and Federal Issues, as recommended by the City Council Intergovernmental Relations Committee (IRC)
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Statement of Issue:
On January 27, 2021, the Intergovernmental Relations Committee (IRC), comprised of Mayor Kim Carr and Council Member Mike Posey (absent Mayor Pro Tem Tito Ortiz) met to discuss current local, state and federal issues, with relevance to Huntington Beach. Following discussion, the IRC chose to take positions on three issues, which are being presented to the City Council for approval.
Financial Impact:
None
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Adopt Resolution No. 2021-11, “A Resolution Expressing Support for Actions that will Further Strengthen Local Governance and Authority Over Housing-Related Issues in Huntington Beach”; and/or
B) Approve a letter of support for the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program; and/or
C) Approve a letter in opposition to oil and gas drilling off Southern California coast through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve one or more recommended actions and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
On January 27, 2021, the IRC met to review and discuss local, state and federal issues, with relevance to Huntington Beach. The following is an analysis of the issues that the Committee chose to take positions on and are presenting to the City Council for approval:
1. SUPPORT/ADOPT - Resolution No. 21-XXXX - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Expressing Support for Actions that will Further Strengthen Local Governance and Authority Over Housing-Related Issues in Huntington Beach
Over the past several years, State legislators have proposed numerous housing-related bills that aimed to supersede the authority of local jurisdictions to determine what constitutes appropriate land use policies and practices for their respective communities. While a majority of housing bills introduced in the State Legislature were not signed into law in 2020, the City expects that many will be re-introduced during this new legislative cycle. In anticipation of this development, the IRC recommends that the City Council adopt this Resolution to highlight their support for actions that strengthen local governance and authority over land and housing-related issues in Huntington Beach.
2. OPPOSE - Oil and Gas Off-Shore Drilling Through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program
Under the Trump Administration, the Bureau of Ocean Management released an initial framework in 2018 to open up oil drilling opportunities and production on the Outer Continental Shelf. This program has the potential to promote drilling off Southern California’s coasts, which contribute greatly to the City’s tourism economy. With the transition to the Biden Administration, the program had been put on pause indefinitely, albeit without any statements to disband the program. As such, the IRC wishes to proactively submit a letter of opposition to discourage the Biden Administration from continuing this program off Huntington Beach shores in the future.
3. SUPPORT - The Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, passed in December 2020, established an Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund of $3.2 billion to support the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. This program will reimburse qualified and participating broadband providers for discounts (up to $50/month) provided to eligible low-income households and households that experienced a substantial loss of income due to COVID-19. Households are also eligible to receive a $100 one time discount for devices procured from the provider during this time. The program’s goal is to provide high quality connectivity to these households during the pandemic. The Federal Communications Commission is responsible for designing and implementing this program and is currently accepting public comment from providers and municipalities.
Environmental Status:
Not applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non-Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Resolution No. 2021-11, “A Resolution Expressing Support for Actions that will Further Strengthen Local Governance and Authority Over Housing-Related Issues in Huntington Beach”
2. Opposition Letter to Oil and Gas Off-Shore Drilling Through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program
3. FCC Public Notice - Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Comment on Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund Assistance