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14-037 RESOLUTION NO. 14 -037 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, ADOPTING A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE 84 TEXAS LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION. WHEREAS, the Home Rule Charter of the City of Southlake, Texas, was approved by the voters in a duly called Charter election on April 4, 1987; and, WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the need for the City to preserve its current authority to govern the City, its citizens, and its property; and, WHEREAS, the Texas Legislature has in the past adopted legislation that has impacted the City's ability to govern the City, its citizens, and its property; and WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the importance of the City being fully involved in the legislative process; and, WHEREAS, the City Council had deemed that the recommended Legislative Agenda reflects the strategic goals and interests of the City, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS THAT: Section 1. All of the findings in the preamble are found to be true and correct and the City Council incorporates said findings into the body of this resolution as if copied in its entirety. Section 2. Exhibit A is hereby adopted as the Legislative Agenda for the City of Southlake, for the 84 Texas Regular Legislative Session. Section 3. The different elements, issues or priorities, as adopted, and as amended from time to time, shall be kept on file in the office of the City Secretary of the City of Southlake, along with a copy of the resolution and minute order of the Council so adopting or approving same. Section 4. This resolution shall become effective on the date of approval by the City • Council. 2015 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA . , _ . , i . . it The City of Southlake's 2015 Legislative Agenda for the 84th Texas Legislative Session. 2015 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Table of Contents I. General Legislative Policy Page 3 II. Goals of City Legislative Activities Page 4 III. Legislative Issues Page 5 1 © WWW.CITYOFSOUTHI KI.COM ♦r 2015 LLG ISLA H V E AGENDA General Legislative Policy General Legislative Policy Statement Of Preservation As a general policy, the City of Southlake seeks to preserve its current authority to govern the City, its citizens, and its property in accordance with its strategic goals and interests. The City will oppose any legislation viewed as detrimental to the City's strategic goals; or that is contrary to the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; or that mandates or results in increased costs or loss of revenues; or that would diminish the fundamental authority of the City and the City Council that has been elected to govern. Statement Of Support The City supports any legislation viewed as advancing the City's strategic goals and interests; or that improves the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; or that responsibly increases revenues; or that advances the City's authority to conduct the public's business. Statement Of Opposition The City will oppose any initiatives that seek to erode municipal authority or that otherwise have a negative impact on municipal operations, including but not limited to legislation that would: • Erode home rule authority; • Detrimentally affect the City's financial position by reducing revenue streams or increasing costs through unfunded mandates; • Erode the authority of Texas cities to manage and control their rights -of -way or other public property and to be reasonably compensated for such use; • Erode current municipal economic development authority; • Erode the current authority of Texas cities to enact a system and set the level of impact fees for new development; • Further restrict cities' ability to manage land uses or adopt or amend zoning regulations; • Erode municipal eminent domain authority; • Any legislation requiring the City to generate revenues for the State. Partnerships The City may form strategic partnerships with cities, political subdivisions, and private sector entities that share common goals with the City of Southlake. Additionally, the City will work in coordination with organizations such as the Texas Municipal League when their adopted positions are in line with the legislative objectives and goals of the City. The formation of strategic partnerships and coordinated efforts is intended to provide the City with a stronger presence in the legislative process. WWW.CITYOFSOUTHLAKE.COM , 201 . A.GENDA Goals Of City Legislative Activities Goals of City Legislative Activities The fundamental goal of all City of Southlake legislative activities is to produce positive outcomes for the citizens of the City of Southlake. Numerous proposals in the Texas Legislature have the potential to seriously impact the ability of the City to carry out its overall mission. By taking a proactive role in monitoring and commenting on proposals in the Texas Legislature, we are working to ensure that the citizens of the City of Southlake can continue to enjoy the quality of life they have come to expect and deserve. The City of Southlake has formally adopted strategic priorities and objectives as outlined in a Strategy Map, shown below. This Map will guide the City Council in the ongoing process of evaluating legislative positions on the key issues of the 84th Texas Legislative Session. ��,Y NN � ` ' -� CITY OF SOUTHLAKE STRATEGY MAP ` t i The City of Southlake provides municipal services that support the highest quality of life Z d( 3 for our residents, businesses, and visitors. We do this by being an exemplary model of I F balancing efficiency, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and sustainability. 4 P , DELIVER ON OUR FOCUS AREAS CRITICAL BUSINESS LA rI l fl [1 ry lrr- ■ OUTCOMES Safety& Quality Partnerships& Performance Security Mobility Infrastructure Management& Development Volunteerism CB01 - Continue to implement Service Delivery Southlake 2030 Plan by focusing on short-term initiatives. SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS C3 Provide attractive & C4 Attract & keep tap- CO Enhance the sense of CB02 - Become an employer Cl Achieve the highest C2 Provide travel CS Promote opportunities unique spaces for the tier businesses to drive community by providing exce Ilent of choice by developing a develo in plan standar&ofsafety & convenience within far partnerships& P enjoyment of personal a dynamic &sustainable customer service and citizen security City& region volunteer involvement interests economic environment to recruit, develop and retain engagement opportunities employees committed to x. excellence. MANAGE THE BUSINESS CB03 - Develop long -term BS Enhance service Si Achieve best -in -class 82 Collaborate with select 83 Enhance resident 84 Provide high quality strategies to address future status in all City partners to implement quality of life & business services through sustainable delivery through 86 o ptimize use of financial uncertainties and disciplines service solutions vitality through tourism business practices ti "ualpracett technology improvement challenges. C604 - Improve mobility by r►` PROVIDE FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP proactively completing traffic analysis of key areas. Fl Adhere to financial management F2 loves[ to provide & maintain F3 Achieve fiscal wellness standards F4 Establish &maintain effective principles & budget high - quality public assets internal controls CB05 - Optimize resources through collaboration and partnerships to reduce costs PROMOTE LEARNING & GROWTH and add service value. L1 Ensure our people L2 Enhance leadership L3 Attract, develop LS Empower informed positive L4 Recognize & reward L6 Foster understand the strategy & capabilities to deliver - & retain a skilled decision - making at all levels high performers employee la yee engagement how they contribute to it results workforce in the organization _ .4111111111111111111111111111111k ` r.a 't eE CITYOPSOUTHLAKE.COM J Legislative Issues Legislative Issues Local Budgeting Authority, Revenue Sources, and City Debt As a municipal government that provides important and essential services to its citizens, the City of Southlake will monitor any legislation that would unduly restrict the ability of the City Council to set its own budget or raise the necessary revenue to provide services to City residents and businesses. As it relates to this position, the City will: Support legislation that: • Simplifies the effective tax rate calculation for notice purposes only, provided the legislation would have no effect on the underlying effective tax rate and rollback tax rate calculations themselves, nor upon the hold harmless exemptions to those rates. Oppose legislation that: • Lowers the rollback threshold or the rollback rate at which an election is triggered; • Establishes a State - mandated municipal revenue cap; • Further restricts or caps annual appraisal increases; • Restricts the City's ability to issue debt as a means of funding its capital improvement program, or imposes unnecessary and costly burdens on the taxpayers to issue debt; • Imposes a State - mandated tax freeze or tax cap; • Imposes any unfunded mandates; • Restricts a municipality's ability to impose and collect municipal impact fees from new developments; • Imposes any requirement to raise current state fees on local fines; • Imposes new fees that result in the City collecting funds on behalf of the State; • Establishes new exemptions from or diminishes the City's ability to collect sales or property taxes, or municipal fee; • Results in a significant reduction to the City's tax base. Local Control of Land Use Planning, Zoning and Development Regulation The ability of most cities to manage growth and development is based on the Texas Constitution's home rule provisions. Cities are allowed to amend charters and pass ordinances as long as they do not conflict with the Constitution or general laws enacted by the State Legislature. The bottom line means that each home rule city can make its own decisions about what planning tools and techniques are most appropriate to its situation unless those tools have been proscribed by the Texas Legislature. As it relates to this position, the City will: Support legislation that: • Preserves local land use, zoning and development regulatory authority. WWW.CITYOFSOUTHI AK F.CO i[ 0 20 15 LEGISLAIIVE AGENDA Legislative Issues Oppose legislation that: • Erodes local land use authority by restricting the ability of cities to zone or rezone properties; • Restricts a city's ability to adopt or amend zoning regulations, or otherwise create a property right in a zoning classification; • Preempts the City from adopting development regulations it deems necessary for the preservation of the City's quality of life (e.g., tree preservation); • Is detrimental to the existing vested rights statute. Municipal Regulation of Urban Gas Drilling Southlake is located within the boundaries of the Barnett Shale's natural gas deposits. Efforts to drill and transport this important natural resource affect Southlake citizens, property owners, businesses and visitors. As it relates to this position, the City will: Monitor legislation related to: • Gas well drilling, pipeline regulation and any other industry regulation that is related to drilling in urban areas. Support legislation that: • Strengthens a municipality's ability to regulate and monitor gas wells and gas pipelines or otherwise grants local governments additional authority and oversight over gas pipelines located within municipal boundaries. Oppose legislation that: • Establishes uniform laws relating to municipal regulation of gas drilling, gas pipelines, or other gas- related equipment; • Weakens, strips, erodes or preempts the ability of cities to regulate gas pipeline locations or gas drilling operations, production or equipment. Protection of Local Economic Development Authority Over the years, the City has utilized many different economic development tools and efforts to bring new investment to Southlake. During each legislative session these varying tools are the subject of much consideration and debate. It is in the City's interest to closely monitor these discussions and legislative activities as it potentially impacts our ability to use resources in building effective economic development programs and offer incentives to attract community investment. As it relates to this position, the City will: Support legislation that: • Provides local governments the ability to expand local economic development efforts. 11At11.t II1()1Su1 \M.(( yI 2015 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Legislative Issues Oppose legislation that: • Would erode current authority to participate in local economic development projects, including but not limited to, the ability to provide tax abatements and Chapter 380 economic development agreements. Texas Municipal Retirement System The City of Southlake desires that an appropriate retirement system be provided to its current and former employees through the Texas Municipal Retirement System, one in which the needs of retired employees are balanced with the needs of taxpayers. To achieve this end, the City supports legislative changes which will provide cities participating in the Texas Municipal Retirement System with the flexibility needed to adequately balance these needs. As it relates to this position, the City will: Support legislation that: • Creates additional, flexible, cost -of- living adjustment (COLA) options under the Texas Municipal Retirement System that are not retroactive to a retiree's date of retirement, such options to possibly include one -time increases tied to increases in the consumer price index or flat percentage increases. Transportation Infrastructure and Systems The City of Southlake believes that the ability of the North Texas region to work cooperatively is essential to the viability of this community and that of the entire region. A primary element of regional cooperation is a transportation system that seamlessly allows movement of people and goods throughout the area. Traffic management initiatives are a high priority for the City of Southlake, including capacity enhancements, traffic control, public information, and implementation of alternative modes of transportation. The City of Southlake is committed to finding transportation solutions to facilitate movement to, from and through Southlake and the surrounding area. As it relates to this position, the City will: Support legislation that: • Provides cities with additional funding options and resources to address transportation needs that the state and federal governments are unable or unwilling to address; • Discontinues the diversion of transportation revenues to non - transportation purposes; • Provides additional funding to the Texas Department of Transportation for transportation projects that would benefit cities, so long as existing funding formulas are followed. Water The City of Southlake understands that access to long -term, adequate water supply is essential to the health and vitality of the community. Recent challenges related to drought conditions underscored the need for long -term planning related to supply and distribution, not only for Southlake, but for the region and the State. Ensuring that we have an adequate supply of clean, affordable water protects public health and the economy. As it relates to this position, the City will: WWWCTTYOFSOUTHLAKF .CO .�I Legislative Issues Support legislation that: • Advances the implementation of the State Water Plan. Collective Bargaining The City of Southlake believes that the decisions affecting the employment relationships between employers and employees are best made at the local level by the elected officials who represent the citizens of the local governments in which these individuals work, and not at the State and Federal government. As it relates to this position, the City will: Support legislation that: • Ensures that decisions related to the use of collective bargaining, meet and confer and other employment processes are made at the local level. Oppose legislation that: • Mandates specific employment processes for municipalities by the State or Federal government. Open Records The general rule under the Texas Public Information Act (the Act) is that any member of the public has a right to access any information that is collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a city. The Act applies to all municipal records, regardless of format. During the last few years the City of Southlake has been inundated with information requests, and as a result has begun to make available quite a bit of information via the City's website. As it relates to this position, the City will: Support legislation that: • Authorizes the City to satisfy certain public information requests by directing the requestor to the City's website when the requested information is available on the site. Public Notices State laws require municipalities to publish certain notices in the local newspaper. However, with the use of the Internet, the City could publish the same notices in a more efficient, less expensive, more meaningful and well organized way. As it relates to this position, the City will: Support legislation that: • Allows a municipality to publish legal notices on a city's website versus the existing newspaper publication which costs taxpayers unnecessary money. 1, „ ».(fit 1 \UI SOl 1111 - AI.( ()NI 2013 LEGI AGENDA Legislative Issues Public Safety The City of Southlake has several major traffic corridors within its boundaries such as State Highway 114, Farm to Market Road 1709, and Farm to Market Road 1938. The City also seeks to have a safe and secure roadway system and as such the City would support legislation that enhances this goal. As it relates to this position, the City will: Support legislation that: • Authorizes sobriety checkpoints. Oppose legislation that: • Erodes or repeals red light camera authority. Aircraft Noise and Air Space Utilization The City of Southlake has historically worked with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport to minimize negative consequences or compatibility issues arising from the close proximity of the City to the airport. In the late 1980s, the City worked with airport planners to identify the best methods of addressing land use incompatibility issues, resulting in the development of Air Corridor Utilization Zones to clearly identify areas of over flight impact to minimize noise compatibility issues. This agreement has guided the City's land use regulations. Recent changes in usage characteristics on runway 13R/31L have resulted in aircraft flying over the City outside established corridors. This, along with the City's understanding that the FAA is moving forward with a program called Next Gen, has prompted the City to establish a legislative position on aircraft noise and air space utilization. As it relates to this position, the City will: Support legislation and/or, regulatory policies that: • Protect the City's previously agreed upon method for using airspace over its City limits within the well - established corridors that have guided our City's development and investment. WWW.CITYOFSOUTHLAKE.COM tt....1411 0 This page intentionally left blank. liwor WWW.CITYOFSOUTHLAKE.COM PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 16 DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2014. ATTEST: CITY OF SOUTHLAKE: I - p 1,� ff /10 at 4111 1b1:10 0 Lori Payne, '�► ecre ' ' ` John C. Terrell, ayor r r ,I ,,f fffl f / 1 N I tttt`