2015 Legislative Session Report from Richard Travis, Triadvocates, and Discussion of Potential 2016 League Resolutions

The 2015 Legislative Session began on January 12th and ended on April 3rd, making it unprecedented in the past decade for a Session to end before the 100 days that are identified for the Legislature to accomplish its work.  Our contract with Richard Travis of Triadvocates provided us instant involvement and access during the Session as he worked on the City's behalf with state legislators, opposition lobbyists and the Governor's staff.  There were a variety of bills that we either supported or worked against due to their infringement on local control or loss of state shared revenues and other financial concerns.  The City Council Report (CCR) with details of the bills that we worked and the outcomes of our efforts is attached as a reference

Tonight Richard will provide a Session wrap-up of our lobbying efforts and answer your questions.  Following that discussion, staff will review with Council the new League process for moving Resolutions forward, provide any ideas for Resolutions that staff may have suggested and ask for proposals from Councilmembers.  Just over a week ago the League provided May 15 as the deadline for Resolution proposals to be submitted to the League.  The League will work with the League Policy committees over the following couple of months to determine what ideas will move for consideration at the League of Arizona Cities and Town state conference in August.  Based on that timeline and the outcome of tonight's discussion, Resolutions the Council would like to consider will be brought forward on May 5th for action.

COUNCIL GOALS:
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