CC SR 20260120 02 - Legislative Platform
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 01/20/2026
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consider adopting the City’s 2026 Legislative Platform.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-__, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA ADOPTING THE CITY’S
2026 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Catherine Jun, Deputy City Manager
REVIEWED BY: Same as below
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Resolution 2026-XX – 2026 Legislative Platform (Page A-1)
B. Draft 2026 Legislative Platform (clean copy) (Page B-1)
C. Draft 2026 Legislative Platform (redlined copy) (Page C-1)
D. City Council Policy No. 29 (Page D-1)
BACKGROUND:
Consistent with City Council Policy No. 29 (Attachment D), the City monitors and acts
upon legislation, programs, and funding opportunities that may have an impact on Rancho
Palos Verdes, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and the surrounding region . Since 2021, the
City Council has adopted an annual Legislative Platform that identifies the most salient
issues in a given year, in order to focus much of the City’s advocacy and grant application
efforts on those areas. The Legislative Platform may also be used to prepare letters of
support or opposition for Council consideration and guide legislative advocacy visits to
Sacramento and Washington D.C.
1
DISCUSSION:
The 2026 Legislative Platform (Attachments B ((Clean)) and C ((Redlines)) has been
developed in collaboration with Legislative Subcommittee Members Mayor Paul Seo and
Councilmember David Bradley. The draft largely builds upon the prior year’s Platform,
which continues to support the following legislation and programs:
• Housing and Local Land Use legislation that improves housing affordability while
still preserving local control over their development.
• Public Safety policies that strengthen the City’s ability to protect its residents and
promote emergency preparedness and resilience.
• Community Services that enhance community well-being by expanding access
to mental health services, education, and recreational resources.
• Environmental Quality policies that safeguard the City’s natural resources and
promote sustainability
• Government transparency and efficacy through accountable decision making
and modernized public engagement practices.
The Platform also pinpoints key stakeholders and coalition partnerships that can help
advance the City’s efforts. Lastly, it includes a list of Priority Projects – Greater
Portuguese Bend Landslide Remediation and Civic Center Master Plan - to focus the
City’s resources on and to identify necessary grant funds for. This collaborative approach
ensures the development of a comprehensive and strategic legislative agenda in the
upcoming year.
A draft clean and redline version of the proposed 2026 Legislative Platform (Attachments
B and C) are attached for consideration. Some of the major changes include:
• Priority Projects: Updated the Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide Remediation
Project with updated construction costs and added new costs for annual
maintenance of dewatering wells, reconstruction of Palos Verdes Drive South, and
the continuation of the Voluntary Property Buyout Program . The project also
emphasizes the importance of identifying outside funds to support these costs.
• Housing and Local Land Use: Added two priorities to oppose legislation that
imposes unfunded infrastructure mandates and to support affordable housing
policies that will create the economic conditions needed to support housing
development without imposing unaffordable infrastructure overhead borne by the
public.
• Public Safety: Placed an emphasis on supporting advocacy efforts to improve
wireless connectivity throughout the City to improve communications during
emergencies.
• Added overarching position statements for each major priority that summarizes
their purpose and goals, as recommended by Mayor Pro Tem Perestam.
2
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
If adopted this evening, the 2026 Legislative Platform, as well as the bills the City monitors
will be available on the City’s website at www.rpvca.gov/LegislationCorner.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve the 2026 Legislative Platform by adopting the
attached resolution.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative action are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Do not adopt the attached draft resolution and provide direction to staff on
suggested modifications.
2. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
3
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES,
CALIFORNIA ADOPTING THE CITY’S 2026
LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
WHEREAS, the City Council has an interest in providing position statements on a
variety of state, federal, and regional legislative issues that impact the City and its
residents; and
WHEREAS, the Council annually takes action on numerous legislative proposals
brought forward throughout the year; and
WHEREAS, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes is committed to maintaining and
enhancing a high quality of life and safety for all residents; and
WHEREAS, on August 4, 2020, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes adopted
Resolution No. 2020-46, expressing opposition to proposed planning and zoning
legislation that usurps local control and imposes unfunded mandates, and expressing
support for actions to further strengthen local democracy, authority, and control; and
WHEREAS, on July 6, 2021, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes adopted Resolution
No. 2021-31, adopting the City’s Housing and Local Land Use Legislative Platform; and
WHEREAS, since November 2, 2021, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has
annually adopted a Citywide Legislative Platform reflecting the City Council’s position on
a wide range of issues affecting City operations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council continues to take an active advocacy role on a variety
of issues, including housing and local land use legislative policies proposed by the State
Legislature.
.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes does
hereby resolve as follows:
Section 1: The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein
by reference.
Section 2: The City Council hereby adopts and approves the City’s 202 6
Legislative Platform (Attachment A) and incorporated herein by this reference as the
official legislative policy of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
Section 3: The 2026 Legislative Platform will be used to guide legislative advocacy
including position letters on proposed legislation and to seek outside funding to support
priority projects and needs.
A-1
Section 4: The City Clerk shall certify to the passage, approval, and adoption of
this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED the 20th day of January 2026.
__________________________
Paul Seo, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
State of California )
County of Los Angeles ) ss
City of Rancho Palos Verdes )
I, Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that the
above Resolution No. 2026-__ was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said
City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on January 20, 2026.
________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
A-2
B-1
City of Rancho Palos Verdes Page 2 of 7
2026 Legislative Platform
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
2026 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Adopted by Resolution No. 2026-XX on January 20, 2026.
PURPOSE
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes’ 2026 Legislative Platform (Platform) outlines the
policy positions of the City Council on current issues that impact the City. This
Platform serves as a guide to actively engage with pending legislation and funding
opportunities at the federal, state, county, and local levels, with City Council approval.
The City looks forward to working with partners on all levels of government to
best serve its residents. The statements outlined throughout the Platform
represent the City’s overarching position on legislative and regulatory issues of
interest.
PRIORITY CITY PROJECTS
Through the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), major projects are planned for a period
of five years. The list below includes important projects of regional significance listed
within the CIP that do not have sufficient funding. The City is in support of legislation,
policies, programs, or administrative actions that would provide funding to realize
these priority projects.
A. Greater Portuguese Bend-Landslide Complex Remediation Project
Total Cost:
- $150 million for project construction (Dewatering Extraction Wells and Water
Intrusion Prevention Implementation)
- $20 million for annual operations and maintenance of planned infrastructure
- $300 million for the current and at-risk voluntary property buyout program
funded through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant program
- $50 million to relevel, relocate, build new road bed, and reconstruct
portions of Palos Verdes Drive South (PVDS) impacted by the landslide
- $20 million for annual operations and maintenance of planned landslide
mitigation infrastructure (i.e. deep dewatering wells, hydraugers,
canyon/watershed linings, and drainage control projects)
Status: Various stages. Several dewatering wells have been constructed; repairs
to PVDS are ongoing; and the first round of property buyouts are underway.
However, the funding stated above include an increase or addition to such work,
and those are in the planning stages at this time.
Description: The Greater Portuguese Bend-Landslide Complex is the largest active
landslide in North America, encompassing two of the City’s roughly 14 square
B-2
City of Rancho Palos Verdes Page 3 of 7
2026 Legislative Platform
miles, directly impacting Palos Verdes Drive South (a major arterial) and a
Sanitation District trunk line – both of which serve neighboring cities and thousands
of residents and visitors daily. The project seeks to protect life, public health,
safety, and the environment through mitigation of land movement in the landslide
complex area.
Funding Opportunities:
• County Funded Capital and O&M projects (including County Sanitation
District, County Flood Control District, as well as County Capital
improvement projects)
• State Funded Capital and O&M projects (including State budget earmarks,
State Office of Emergency Services Support, as well as other state funded
projects)
• Federally funded capital improvement projects via Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of the
Interior, and Congressional earmarks.
B. Civic Center Campus Master Plan
Total Cost: $150 million
Status: Updated, preliminary conceptual site plan complete.
Of greatest urgency, however, is the development of a 9.5-acre Emergency Zone on
the east end of the campus. FEMA-approved plans for this Zone include an
emergency operations center, incident management command center, helipad,
helopod, evacuation area, and emergency supply storage and staging area. FEMA
has indicated that the Emergency Zone must be developed within four years or
approximately Summer 2028. Otherwise, the parcel may revert to Federal control
and become subject to sale. The City is currently in the process of requesting the
federal government to lift those deed restrictions altogether, in order to provide
more time to fund and flexibility to develop the site. As such, the City’s current
priority is the funding and development of this Emergency Zone.
Description: The development of the approximately 19-acre Ken Dyda Civic Center
Campus into a modern and functional community hub has been a long-standing
goal of the city. The project’s current preliminary conceptual site plan, as of June
2024, includes a new City Hall, parking improvements, a Council Chambers,
improved site amenities including an amphitheater, village green, public plaza, and
parking and access enhancements.
Secondly, partner with Wayfarers Chapel to consider the feasibility of relocating to
the Civic Center site as a preferred alternate location. During Summer 2024, the
Chapel was significantly damaged by landslide movement in Portuguese Bend and
has since been dismantled and stored off site to preserve the remainder of the
historic structure until it can be restored in another location.
B-3
City of Rancho Palos Verdes Page 4 of 7
2026 Legislative Platform
The approved financial plan for the overall project includes a maximum amount of
$45.4 million, which is a combination of both cash on hand and a long-term loan.
Additional funding sources are critical to building out the site per the Master Plan
and FEMA’s requirements.
Funding Opportunities
• State budget earmarks
• State of California GoBIZ iBank Zero to Low Interest Loans
• Congressional Directed Spending
• Federal Grants
PRIORITY POLICY AREAS
1. HOUSING AND LOCAL LAND USE
Support housing and land use legislation that advances affordability while preserving
local control, fiscal responsibility, and public safety.
A. Oppose legislation that infringes on local control and erodes the City’s authority to
manage its own affairs. Support actions which further strengthen local democracy,
authority, and control.
B. Oppose legislation that imposes “unfunded” infrastructure mandates that result
from state-imposed housing laws or statutes.
C. Support economically sound affordable housing policies and programs that will
create economic conditions to support housing development, without imposing
unaffordable public borne infrastructure overhead.
D. Support state grants, legislation, or programs which encourage sustainable and
affordable housing development. Support policies or grants that facilitate the
development of regional housing trusts.
E. Oppose legislation that penalizes cities or local governments if the units identified
in the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) are not constructed. Oppose
legislation that proposes to convert RHNA from a planning process to a production
standard. Oppose RHNA legislation that requires high density housing in cities with
fire hazard severity zones and other vulnerabilities that may put residents at risk in
the event of a natural disaster.
F. Support legislation that preserves local authority to manage public rights-of-way
including the aesthetics of infrastructure placed within them.
G. Support legislation that preserves local authority to zone and plan for the
deployment of telecommunications infrastructure within public rights-of-way.
B-4
City of Rancho Palos Verdes Page 5 of 7
2026 Legislative Platform
H. Oppose legislation that diminishes the authority of local jurisdictions in processing
permits, enforcing building codes, or mandating the manner of enforcement.
I. Oppose legislation that seeks to limit or eliminate municipal authority to regulate
street or sidewalk vendors.
J. Support legislation and administrative actions that protect a local jurisdiction to
preserve open space in and around their jurisdiction.
K. Support legislation efforts that allow for local land use and zoning decisions and
oppose efforts that strip a local government’s authority to make decisions regarding
parking requirements.
o Potential Coalition Partners: League of California Cities (Cal Cities), South Bay
Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG), California Contract Cities Association
(CCCA), Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), Palos Verdes
Peninsula Cities (PV Cities), Our Neighborhood Voices Initiative, California Cities for
Local Control (CCLC) and other similar local control-focused organizations.
2. PUBLIC SAFETY
Support public safety policies that strengthen the City’s ability to protect its residents
and promote emergency preparedness and resilience.
A. Support legislation that strengthens and enforces legal protections for all
individuals who are victims of crimes, including those that are victims of hate
crimes or hate incidents.
B. Support legislation and other measures that enhance and provide equal access to
public safety funding for municipal public safety divisions, including training,
effective emergency preparedness and planning, resiliency, law enforcement and
fire department infrastructure, and public safety.
C. Support legislation that will accelerate the installation of reliable small wireless
facilities in order to maintain and enhance wireless communication in times of
emergencies or natural disasters while still allowing local municipalities to execute
the proper placement and implementation of those said small wireless facilities.
D. Support legislation to accelerate the development and implementation of
enhanced electrical utility infrastructure, including the undergrounding of utility
equipment to ensure reliable utility service and public safety and thereby reduces
the need for public safety power shutoffs.
B-5
City of Rancho Palos Verdes Page 6 of 7
2026 Legislative Platform
E. Support legislation or other methods that protect insurance coverage for properties
within and adjacent to very high fire zones and geologic hazard abatement districts.
o Potential Coalition Partners: Cal Cities, SBCCOG, CCCA, Department of Insurance,
State Controller, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), Los Angeles
County Fire Department, PV Cities
3. COMMUNITY SERVICES
Support policies that enhance community well-being by expanding access to mental
health services, education, and recreational resources through local, state, and federal
partnerships.
A. Support legislation and local, state, and federal programs that employ evidence-
based strategies to reduce the number of unhoused people or individuals with
housing insecurity; promote mental health and substance abuse services; provide
emergency and transitional housing; and promote self-empowerment through
counseling, job training, and other wrap around supportive services.
B. Support legislation and local, state, and federal programs that aim to provide
mental health services, including youth and young adult programs, community
resource centers, and education in accessing mental health care.
C. Support increased and sustainable funding for the construction and maintenance
of community park facilities; preservation of open space and trails, proactive
maintenance for brush clearance to help reduce wildfire risks, and recreation
programs.
D. Support legislation that equitably reallocates state funding to support local school
districts based on performance and does not impart financial incentive for lack of
scholastic performance and improvement.
E. Continue working with Federal representatives and agencies to transfer or enter
into a joint use agreement for the Point Vicente Lighthouse and Battery Barnes
bunker properties that are currently owned and operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.
o Potential Coalition Partners: Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, Cal Cities,
SBCCOG, CCCA, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, Los Angeles County,
CARE Court, Allcove and South Bay Health District, PV Cities, Palos Verdes
Peninsula Unified School District, U.S. Coast Guard
4. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Support environmental policies that safeguard natural resources, promote
sustainability, and strengthen community resilience.
B-6
City of Rancho Palos Verdes Page 7 of 7
2026 Legislative Platform
A. Support legislation that recognizes landslides as a disaster that constitutes a state
or local emergency under the Emergency Services Act
B. Support legislation, funding, regulations, or administrative actions to remediate the
harmful effects of dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and PFAS in coastal
waters, especially on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
C. Support legislation that provides rebate programs, tax credits, and other financial
incentives to encourage property owners to invest in water efficient systems and
landscaping, and energy efficiency, including renewable energy systems.
o Potential Coalition Partners: Cal Cities, SBCCOG, Los Angeles County, PV Cities,
coastal cities
5. GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY AND EFFICACY
Support government transparency and through fair funding, accountable decision-
making, and modernized public engagement practices.
A. Support legislation that grants full cost reimbursement to local agencies by state
and federal government for all mandated programs.
B. Support legislation that ensures the retention or increase of existing local revenue
sources, including the City’s share of property taxes, sales and use taxes, transient
occupancy taxes, development and other operating fees etc.
C. Support legislation modernizing the methods by which a local agency may comply
with the Brown Act. Support legislation that allows for the continued use of
teleconferencing platforms to hold hybrid public meetings outside of a declared
state of emergency, thus increasing access to public meetings and promoting
greater transparency.
D. Support legislation which allows for regional considerations within Los Angeles
County, particularly at the council of governments (COG) level, in relation to public
health, homelessness, and sustainability, among other areas of regional
significance.
E. Oppose legislation that would prohibit or limit local governments’ ability to contract
out for the provision of services.
o Potential Coalition Partners: Cal Cities, SBCCOG, CCCA, PV Cities
B-7
C-1
City of Rancho Palos Verdes Page 2 of 8
2026 Legislative Platform
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
2026 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Adopted by Resolution No. 2026-XX on January 20, 2026.
PURPOSE
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes’ 2026 Legislative Platform (Platform) outlines the
policy positions of the City Council on current issues that impact the City. This
Platform serves as a guide to actively engage with pending legislation and funding
opportunities at the federal, state, county, and local levels, with City Council approval.
The City looks forward to working with partners on all levels of government to
best serve its residents. The statements outlined throughout the Platform
represent the City’s overarching position on legislative and regulatory issues of
interest.
PRIORITY CITY PROJECTS
Through the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), major projects are planned for a period
of five years. The list below includes important projects of regional significance listed
within the CIP that do not have sufficient funding. The City is in support of legislation,
policies, programs, or administrative actions that would provide funding to realize
these priority projects.
A. Greater Portuguese Bend-Landslide Complex Remediation Project
Total Cost:
- $150 million for project construction (Dewatering Extraction Wells and Water
Intrusion Prevention Implementation)
- $20 million for annual operations and maintenance of planned infrastructure
- $300250 million for the current and at-risk voluntary property buyout
program funded through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant program
- $50 million to relevel, relocate, build new road bed, and reconstruct
portions of Palos Verdes Drive South (PVDS) impacted by the landslide
- $20 million for annual operations and maintenance of planned landslide
mitigation infrastructure (i.e. deep dewatering wells, hydraugers,
canyon/watershed linings, and drainage control projects)
Status: Various stages. ConstructionSeveral dewatering wells have been
constructed; repairs to PVDS are ongoing; and the first round of property buyouts
are underway. However, the funding stated above include an increase or addition
to such work, and those are in the planning stages at this time.
Description: The Greater Portuguese Bend-Landslide Complex is the largest active
landslide in North America, encompassing two of the City’s roughly 14 square
C-2
City of Rancho Palos Verdes Page 3 of 8
2026 Legislative Platform
miles, directly impacting Palos Verdes Drive South (a major arterial) and a
Sanitation District trunk line – both of which serve neighboring cities and thousands
of residents and visitors daily. The project seeks to protect life, public health,
safety, and the environment through mitigation of land movement in the landslide
complex area.
Funding Opportunities:
• County Funded Capital and O&M projects (including County Sanitation
District, County Flood Control District, as well as County Capital
improvement projects)
• State Funded Capital and O&M projects (including State budget earmarks,
State Office of Emergency Services Support, as well as other state funded
projects)
• Federally funded capital improvement projects via Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of the
Interior, and Congressional earmarks.
B. Civic Center Campus Master Plan
Total Cost: $150 million
Status: Updated, preliminary conceptual site plan complete. Moving on to the
selection of a project management firm and the Master Plan and Design
Development Stage.
Of greatest urgency, however, is the development of a 9.5-acre Emergency Zone on
the east end of the campus. FEMA-approved plans for this Zone include an
emergency operations center, incident management command center, helipad,
helopod, evacuation area, and emergency supply storage and staging area. FEMA
has indicated that the Emergency Zone must be developed within four years or
approximately Summer 2028. Otherwise, the parcel may revert to Federal control
and become subject to sale. The City is currently in the process of requesting the
federal government to restricliftt those deed restrictions altogether, in order to
provide more time to fund and flexibility to develop the site. As such, the City’s
current priority is the funding and development of this Emergency Zone.
Description: The development of the approximately 19-acre Ken Dyda Civic Center
Campus into a modern and functional community hub has been a long-standing
goal of the city. The project’s current preliminary conceptual site plan, as of June
2024, includes a new City Hall, parking improvements, a Council Chambers,
improved site amenities including an amphitheater, village green, public plaza, and
parking and access enhancements. Of greatest urgency, however, is the
development of a 9.5-acre Emergency Zone on the east end of the campus. FEMA-
approved plans for this Zone include an emergency operations center, incident
management command center, helipad, helopod, evacuation area, and emergency
C-3
City of Rancho Palos Verdes Page 4 of 8
2026 Legislative Platform
supply storage and staging area. FEMA has indicated that the Emergency Zone
must be developed within four years or approximately Summer 2028. Otherwise,
the parcel may revert to Federal control and become subject to sale. As such, the
City’s current priority is the funding and development of this Emergency Zone.
Secondly, partner with Wayfarers Chapel to consider the feasibility of relocating to
the Civic Center site as a preferred alternate location. During Summer 2024, the
Chapel was significantly damaged by landslide movement in Portuguese Bend and
has since been dismantled and stored off site to preserve the remainder of the
historic structure until it can be restored in another location.
The approved financial plan for the overall project includes a maximum amount of
$45.4 million, which is a combination of both cash on hand and a long-term loan.
Additional funding sources are critical to building out the site per the Master Plan
and FEMA’s requirements.
Funding Opportunities
• State budget earmarks
• State of California GoBIZ iBank Zero to Low Interest Loans
• Congressional Directed Spending
• Federal Grants
PRIORITY POLICY AREAS
1. HOUSING AND LOCAL LAND USE
Support housing and land use legislation that advances affordability while preserving
local control, fiscal responsibility, and public safety.
A. Oppose legislation that infringes on local control and erodes the City’s authority to
manage its own affairs. Support actions which further strengthen local democracy,
authority, and control.
B. Oppose legislation that imposes “unfunded” infrastructure mandates that result
from state-imposed housing laws or statutes.
C. Support economically sound affordable housing policies and programs that will
create economic conditions to support housing development, without imposing
unaffordable public borne infrastructure overhead.
B.D. Support state grants, legislation, or programs which encourage sustainable and
affordable housing development. Support policies or grants that facilitate the
development of regional housing trusts.
C-4
City of Rancho Palos Verdes Page 5 of 8
2026 Legislative Platform
C.E. Oppose legislation that penalizes cities or local governments if the units identified
in the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) are not constructed. Oppose
legislation that proposes to convert RHNA from a planning process to a production
standard. Oppose RHNA legislation that requires high density housing in cities with
fire hazard severity zones and other vulnerabilities that may put residents at risk in
the event of a natural disaster.
D.F. Support legislation that preserves local authority to manage public rights-of-way
including the aesthetics of infrastructure placed within them.
E.G. Support legislation that preserves local authority to zone and plan for the
deployment of telecommunications infrastructure within public rights-of-way.
F.H. Oppose legislation that diminishes the authority of local jurisdictions in processing
permits, enforcing building codes, or mandating the manner of enforcement.
G.I. Oppose legislation that seeks to limit or eliminate municipal authority to regulate
street or sidewalk vendors.
H.J. Support legislation and administrative actions that protect a local jurisdiction to
preserve open space in and around their jurisdiction.
I.K. Support legislation efforts that allow for local land use and zoning decisions and
oppose efforts that strip a local government’s authority to make decisions regarding
parking requirements.
o Potential Coalition Partners: League of California Cities (Cal Cities), South Bay
Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG), California Contract Cities Association
(CCCA), Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), Palos Verdes
Peninsula Cities (PV Cities), Our Neighborhood Voices Initiative, California Cities for
Local Control (CCLC) and other similar local control-focused organizations.
2. PUBLIC SAFETY
Support public safety policies that strengthens the City’s ability to protect its residents
and promote emergency preparedness and resilience.
A. Support legislation that strengthens and enforces legal protections for all
individuals who are victims of crimes, including those that are victims of hate
crimes or hate incidents.
B. Support legislation and other measures that enhance and provide equal access to
public safety funding for municipal public safety divisions, including training,
effective emergency preparedness and planning, resiliency, law enforcement and
fire department infrastructure, and public safety.
C-5
City of Rancho Palos Verdes Page 6 of 8
2026 Legislative Platform
C. Support legislation that will accelerate the installation of reliable small wireless
facilities in order to maintain and enhance wireless communication in times of
emergencies or natural disasters while still allowing local municipalities to execute
the proper placement and implementation of those said small wireless facilities.
C. Support the implementation of Proposition 36 that imposes tougher penalties for
serial retail theft and drug possession. Support legislation that increases public
awareness of the fentanyl crisis and provides treatment and resources to
rehabilitate those with addictions.
D. Support legislation to accelerate the development and implementation of
enhanced electrical utility infrastructure, including the undergrounding of utility
equipment to ensure reliable utility service and public safety and thereby reduces
the need for public safety power shutoffs.
E. Support legislation or other methods that protect insurance coverage for properties
within and adjacent to very high fire zones and geologic hazard abatement districts.
o Potential Coalition Partners: Cal Cities, SBCCOG, CCCA, Department of Insurance,
State Controller, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), Los Angeles
County Fire Department, PV Cities
3. COMMUNITY SERVICES
Support policies that enhance community well-being by expanding access to mental
health services, education, and recreational resources through local, state, and federal
partnerships.
A. Support legislation and local, state, and federal programs that employ evidence-
based strategies to reduce the number of unhoused people or individuals with
housing insecurity; promote mental health and substance abuse services; provide
emergency and transitional housing; expand permanent affordable housing; and
promote self-empowerment through counseling, job training, and other wrap
around supportive services.
B. Support legislation and local, state, and federal programs that aim to provide
mental health services, including youth and young adult programs, community
resource centers, and education in accessing mental health care.
C. Support increased and sustainable funding for the construction and maintenance
of community park facilities; preservation of open space and trails, proactive
maintenance for brush clearance to help reduce wildfire risks, and recreation
programs.
C-6
City of Rancho Palos Verdes Page 7 of 8
2026 Legislative Platform
D. Support legislation that equitably reallocates state funding to support local school
districts based on performance and does not impart financial incentive for lack of
scholastic performance and improvement.
E. Continue working with Federal representatives and agencies to transfer or enter
into a joint use agreement for the Point Vicente Lighthouse and Battery Barnes
bunker properties that are currently owned and operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.
o Potential Coalition Partners: Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, Cal Cities,
SBCCOG, CCCA, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, Los Angeles County,
CARE Court, Allcove and South Bay Health District, PV Cities, Palos Verdes
Peninsula Unified School District, U.S. Coast Guard
4. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Support environmental policies that safeguard natural resources, promote
sustainability, and strengthen community resilience.
A. Support legislation that recognizes landslides as a disaster that constitutes a state
or local emergency under the Emergency Services Act
B. Support legislation, funding, regulations, or administrative actions to remediate the
harmful effects of dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and PFAS in coastal
waters, especially on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
C. Support legislation that provides rebate programs, tax credits, and other financial
incentives to encourage property owners to invest in water efficient systems and
landscaping, and energy efficiency, including renewable energy systems.
o Potential Coalition Partners: Cal Cities, SBCCOG, Los Angeles County, PV Cities,
coastal cities
5. GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY AND EFFICACY
Support government transparency and through fair funding, accountable decision-
making, and modernized public engagement practices.
A. Support legislation that grants full cost reimbursement to local agencies by state
and federal government for all mandated programs.
B. Support legislation that ensures the retention or increase of existing local revenue
sources, including the City’s share of property taxes, sales and use taxes, transient
occupancy taxes, development and other operating fees etc.
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City of Rancho Palos Verdes Page 8 of 8
2026 Legislative Platform
C. Support legislation that requires State legislature to be held to the same Brown Act
requirements that cities and counties must adhere to.
D.C. Support legislation modernizing the methods by which a local agency may
comply with the Brown Act. Support legislation that allows for the continued use of
teleconferencing platforms to hold hybrid public meetings outside of a declared
state of emergency, thus increasing access to public meetings and promoting
greater transparency.
E.D. Support legislation which allows for regional considerations within Los
Angeles County, particularly at the council of governments (COG) level, in relation
to public health, homelessness, and sustainability, among other areas of regional
significance.
F.E. Oppose legislation that would prohibit or limit local governments’ ability to
contract out for the provision of services.
o Potential Coalition Partners: Cal Cities, SBCCOG, CCCA, PV Cities
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CITY COUNCIL POLICY
NUMBER: 29
DATE ADOPTED/AMENDED: 08/01/95 (amended 02/19/02, 03/04/14,
04/20/21, and 12/20/22)
SUBJECT: City Council Position on Legislative Items
POLICY:
It shall be the policy of the City that staff shall monitor regional, County, State and
Federal legislative matters and initiatives, and consider the potential impact(s)
such legislative initiatives on the City or the region, in line with the City Council’s
annually adopted Legislative Platform. Thereafter, staff shall prepare and present
periodic updates on such legislative matters for the City Council to consider
whether to take a position(s) on the same and, if so, what position(s) to take.
The legislation monitored will include both those issues that the City Counci l
determines either to support or oppose and those that the City Council may choose
to identify as issues of concern, but not take a position on. The determination of
what position to take on pending legislation shall be solely that of the City Council.
Staff will periodically, at the request of a Council member or in accordance with the
Legislative Platform, place matters of pending legislation on the City Council
agenda for consideration. Staff will provide regular updates on the status of any
legislative action affecting any issues of concern to the City Council through the
Weekly Administrative Report.
If the majority of the Council votes to take a position on a certain legislation, staff
shall prepare the appropriate correspondence, for the Mayor’s signature, to the
relevant Federal, State, County and/or regional legislative representative(s)
expressing the position of the City, and copies provided to the City Council. Such
correspondence shall be posted on the City’s website under the Legislation Corner
homepage.
Individual Council members may wish to support or oppose a specific piece of
legislation irrespective of whether the City Council has or has not taken a position
on such legislation. Any legislative activity by an individual Council member,
including preparing legislative correspondence, may be conducted by any Council
member, who shall state that he or she is not acting on behalf of the City and is
representing his or her own personal views. However, staff shall not assist in any
legislative activity of an individual Council member, including the preparation of
legislative correspondence, unless the legislative item has appeared on a Council
agenda and has received a majority vote of the Council.
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Summaries and updates on legislation that staff monitors and/or that the City
Council has taken a position on shall be provided as part of the City Manager’s
Weekly Administrative Report to each member of the Council for review.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council initially adopted a policy for Council involvement in Federal and
State legislative advocacy in 1995. Although the policy seems to have worked
adequately over the first seven years, by 2002 it was thought that it did not allow
the City to respond rapidly to requests to support or oppose legislation that may
be before a committee or on the floor or the Assembly or before Congress and
needs immediate action on the part of supporters or opponents. Therefore, the
policy was amended in 2002 to address these perceived deficiencies. In 2014, the
policy was amended again to revise the procedure for monitoring legislation, and
to explicitly include legislative issues at the County and regional level. In 2021, the
policy was amended to reflect updated Staff processes. In 2022, it was amended
to reflect the City’s adoption of an annual Legislative Platform.
The City Council’s revised legislative policy establishes an internal process for
identifying, tracking and advocating its position on pending legislation
synchronized to the fast-paced “legislation time clock.” Through this proactive
policy, the City Council hopes to have a stronger “voice” in the Peninsula/South
Bay region, Los Angeles County, Sacramento and Washington, DC.
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