SUBJECT: Consent Agenda
Title
A Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Erie Adopting the 2024 Legislative Agenda
Body
DEPARTMENT: Administration
Department
PRESENTER(S): Melissa Wiley, Deputy Town Administrator
First Name Last Name, Title
POLICY ISSUES:
The legislative agenda guides the Town’s state and federal policy engagement and should reflect the Board’s policy priorities.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Adopt the revised Legislative Policy Agenda
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
On Sept. 19, 2023, the Board of Trustees discussed draft policy statements for the Town’s first legislative policy agenda. The 2023-2024 Legislative Policy Agenda was developed to reflect the Town’s state and federal policy priorities and to provide a tool for legislative engagement. The Legislative Policy Agenda will serve as a useful document for the Town in managing legislative affairs prior to and during the legislative session and in other instances when Town representatives are asked or have opportunities to advocate for Town priorities.
Staff developed the policy priorities in the Legislative Policy Agenda through review of the Town’s Community Priorities, the Board of Trustee’s Work Plan priorities, interviews with department directors, and consideration of the current political landscape and context from the previous legislative session.
The Town retained Megan Davis, a consultant and former local government policy analyst and lobbyist, to help develop the Legislative Policy Agenda and provide guidance in organizing and managing the Town’s legislative engagement activities.
Since the initial discussion, staff have refined the proposed policies to reflect changes and additions raised by the Mayor, Trustees, and Town staff. The revised Legislative Policy Agenda is before the Board tonight for final adoption.
The changes and additions captured since the previous draft include:
- Additional language around Home Rule authority over land use and planning decisions.
- A new position on affordable housing regarding the availability of condominiums and the importance of resolving construction defects issues.
- Additional new position in the economic vitality section regarding protecting the annexation powers of municipalities.
- A fiscal management and taxation section reflecting the Town’s interest in property assessments/property tax increases and sales tax stabilization.
- A position regarding gun safety and gun violence prevention.
Attached are guiding documents that reflect the process and protocols for the Town’s legislative engagement.
BOARD PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Effective Governance
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. 2023-2024 Legislative Policy Agenda
2. Town of Erie legislative engagement tools
3. Resolution 23-142