Discussion/Direction on 2016 Legislative Priorities and Communication and Engagement Strategies

The City of Flagstaff’s Intergovernmental Relations Program coordinates the City's dealings with the federal, state, tribal and other local governments, and seeks to foster constructive links between the City and these entities.  The program works to advocate for the Flagstaff community by fostering and maintaining relationships with individuals and entities that affect the City’s interests.  Each year the City adopts state and federal legislative priorities to establish City positions on issues, policies and projects of legislative interest.  Council also adopts guiding principles annually.  Staff receives direction for advocacy through the Council’s adopted priorities, its guiding principles and stakeholders. 

The purpose of the discussion item is to review the City’s 2015 legislative priorities, review the status of the City’s previously proposed resolutions to the Arizona League of Cities and Towns, and receive input from Council on proposed 2016 state and federal legislative priorities.  In addition, staff will receive input from Council on communication and engagement strategies.      

COUNCIL GOALS:
1) Invest in our employees and implement retention and attraction strategies
2) Ensure Flagstaff has a long-term water supply for current and future needs
3) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics
4) Explore and adopt policies to lower the costs associated with housing to the end user
5) Develop and implement guiding principles that address public safety service levels through appropriate staffing levels
6) Relieve traffic congestion throughout Flagstaff
7) Address key issues and processes related to the implementation of the Regional Plan
8) Improve effectiveness of notification, communication, and engagement with residents, neighborhoods and businesses and about City services, programs, policies, projects and developments
9) Foster relationships and maintain economic development commitment to partners
10) Decrease the number of working poor
11) Ensure that we are as prepared as possible for extreme weather events

REGIONAL PLAN:
Historically, many of the Council’s adopted legislative priorities support some of the Regional Plan’s goals and policies.  Through advocacy, the City’s contracted lobbyists help to deliver City services effectively and efficiently. 
 
Goal PF.2: Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY
The Intergovernmental Relations Program keeps the Mayor and Council informed about intergovernmental, including legislative, issues and assists in representing the City's interests in these matters. This Program is part of the City Manager’s Office and serves all City departments, the Flagstaff City Council and the Mayor.  Key areas include: legislative priorities development, legislation monitoring, advocacy and research/information gathering. 
 
The City contracts lobbyist services to advocate and monitor specific legislation impacting to the City's interest and established priorities.  The Intergovernmental Relations Program coordinates with the City’s contract lobbyists, League staff, and City staff to review proposed legislation and works to inform legislators, legislative staff, the governor’s office, federal agencies and stakeholders regarding those impacts.  The City’s interests are also represented through the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.  Advocacy is also supported by Council adoption of guiding principles and partnerships.  Historically, the City's guiding principles are typically tied to the Council’s adopted goals, maintaining and protecting shared revenues, and preserving local control.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS
2015 State Legislative Priorities – Summary
The City’s adopted priorities for the past year included the protection of state shared revenues to municipalities, including the restoration of the Highway User Revenue Fund.  Also of priority interest was the support for efforts related to pension reform, investment in local forest health, flexible financing authority for investments in energy efficiency improvements to commercial properties, and procurement changes allowing sales tax to be inclusive of bid pricing.  Restoration of the Housing Trust Fund and ongoing support for economic development tools were also Council priorities during the 2015 Legislative Session.
 
2015 Federal Legislative Priorities – Summary
The City’s adopted federal priorities for the past year include advocacy for the City’s Rio de Flag Flood Control Project and investments in forest health.  Also of priority interest is support for public safety personnel through the use of body cameras, support for the Flagstaff Airport maintenance and operations, relief from a reversionary clause on property previously owned by the City and ongoing investments to the City’s regional transportation priority projects. 
 
Proposed Communication and Engagement Approach
The City’s contract lobbyists are in constant communication with staff.  Together, the lobbyists and staff brief the Mayor and City Council throughout the legislative session.   While the adopted priorities provide necessary direction, ongoing communication is also critical throughout the session to seek direction regarding important bills, amendments and developments.  The following is a proposed approach to communicate with Council on the City’s legislative priorities.  Staff will adapt its approach for engaging and communicating with Council; therefore, it will be important for Council to provide input on the effectiveness of the proposed strategies.

• Frequent communication and project engagement with contract lobbyists – staff will be in touch with contract lobbyists throughout the week to discuss developments at the State Legislature and in Washington.  In addition, contract lobbyists will participate in recurring project team meetings on critical projects, including but not limited to Rio de Flag Flood Control Project, Red Gap Ranch Pipeline ROW and Veteran Facility project.
• Updates at public meetings – Staff and contract lobbyists will present, at minimum, two (2) legislative updates to Mayor and City Council prior to and following the State Legislative Session.  In addition, the City’s contracted federal lobbyists will meet with Councilmembers twice a year to provide updates on advancing the City’s federal legislative priorities.  When the State Legislature is in session, staff and the City’s contract lobbyist will be available to provide up to date information at Council Meetings, on an as requested basis.
• Meeting facilitation – Working with stakeholders and contracted lobbyists, staff will schedule and facilitate meetings for Mayor, Councilmembers and City officials with members of the City’s delegation, legislative staff, agency officials and tribal representatives. 
• Written updates – Contracted lobbyists (state and federal) will provide written monthly reports on critical updates related to the City’s adopted priorities. During the state legislative session, staff will facilitate Mayor and Council receiving the League’s weekly legislative bulletins well as a link to all updates summarizing the new bills and new laws. During the session, staff and the contracted state lobbyist will also provide written updates to Council on any critical progress achieved on the City’s adopted state priorities and significant projects. 
• Annual meetings – staff and contract lobbyists will coordinate annual briefing meetings with state and federal delegation.  The purpose of the meetings is for Council to present the City’s legislative priorities.  Staff will also coordinate annual meetings with stakeholders of partnering Tribal Nations.