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:
title
Consider positions on legislation pending before the State and Federal Legislature, as recommended by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee (IRC); adopt Resolution No. 2021-49
body
Statement of Issue:
On August 18, 2021, the Intergovernmental Relations Committee (IRC), comprised of Mayor Kim Carr
and Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Delgleize (with Council Member Mike Posey absent) discussed local, State and Federal issues with relevance to Huntington Beach. Following discussion, the IRC chose to take positions on certain proposed legislation, which are presented to the City Council for further consideration.
Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Approve a City position of Oppose Unless Amended on Senate Bill 1 (Atkins) - Environmental, Public Health, and Workers Defense Act of 2019; and,
B) Adopt Resolution No. 2021-49, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach (1) Announcing its Commitment to End Child Marriage by Calling for an “18 No Exceptions Law”; and (2) Authorizing the City Manager and Authorized City Personnel to Publish on the City’s Website and Social Media Platforms Necessary Information Pertaining to Ending Child Marriage.”
end
Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve one or more recommended actions and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
On August 18, 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. OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED - SB 1 (Atkins) - Environmental, Public Health, and Workers Defense Act of 2019 This bill requires state and regional agencies to identify, assess, and, to the extent feasible and consistent with their statutory authorities, minimize and mitigate the impacts of sea level rise. It also requires the California Coastal Commission (CCC) to adopt, after a public hearing, procedures related to Local Coastal Programs (LCPs) that provide recommendations and guidelines to incorporate new information as it becomes available, for the identification, assessment, minimization, and mitigation of sea level rise. Additional funding may be available for existing environmental justice programs focused on disadvantaged communities. While the IRC commends SB 1’s proactive efforts to mitigate sea level rise along California’s cost, there is concern over an existing CCC position that publicly owned and maintained flood protection devices - including those owned and maintained by the OC Flood Control District - cannot be relied upon by projects and planning documents to mitigate and assess risks from future sea level rise. Considering many of these facilities provide flood protection for thousands of homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure projects, the IRC is opposed unless an amendment to SB 1 is made providing clarity on this existing CCC position. Maintaining this position may preclude large areas within the coast zone from planning efforts that may include priority housing goals of statewide importance and other issues.
2. SUPPORT/ADOPT - Resolution No. 2021-49 “Commitment to End Child Marriage by Calling for an “18 No Exceptions Law” Many states, including California, allow for marriage under the age of 18, with parental and/or judicial consent. These exceptions have allowed for vulnerable children to be married into legal contracts that take away their rights to sovereignty and make children vulnerable to abusive marriages. On September 14, 2019, Global Hope 365 - a local non-profit based in Tustin, CA - announced the start of the California Coalition to End Child Marriage at the Human Trafficking and Child Marriage Forum. During that meeting, over 100 elected officials and community leaders from Orange County jurisdictions and agencies committed to implementing policies that call for the end of child marriage. Since then, several Orange County cities including Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Newport Beach have adopted resolutions in support of raising the minimum marrying age in the state of California to eighteen. The IRC recommends passing a Resolution in support of ending Child Marriage, based on, and adapted from the sample resolution provided by California Coalition to End Child Marriage. The adoption of the Resolution adopts the recitals in the Resolution and states the following actions: 1. The City Council hereby calls on the California State Legislature to introduce and pass legislation to “End Child Marriage Under 18, No Exceptions”; and 2. The City Council hereby calls upon other California municipalities to consider adopting resolutions showing their commitment to end Child Marriage; and 3. The City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager and authorized city staff to announce notice of the City Council’s adoption of this Resolution on the City’s social media platforms.
Environmental Status:
Not applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. SB 1 (Atkins) - Environmental, Public Health, and Workers Defense Act of 2019
2. Resolution No. 2021-49 “Commitment to End Child Marriage by Calling for an “18 No Exceptions Law”