CC 2020-06-09_08h LOCC Coalition to Support Local RecoveryMEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: WHITNEY MCDONALD, ACTING DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO
JOIN THE COALITION TO SUPPORT LOCAL RECOVERY IN SUPPORT
OF THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES (LOCC) COVID-19
RECOVERY EFFORTS AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, ACTING CITY
MANAGER AND ACTING DEPUTY CITY MANAGER TO SIGN LETTERS
OF SUPPORT RELATED TO THE COALITION’S AND LOCC’S
EFFORTS
DATE: JUNE 9, 2020
SUMMARY OF ACTION:
The Council will consider joining the League of California Cities (LOCC) Coalition to
Support Local Recovery (Coalition) due to the COVID-19 pandemic and authorizing the
Mayor and the Acting City Manager/Acting Deputy City Manager to sign letters of support
or take other action on behalf of the City of Arroyo Grande to support the LOCC’s COVID-
19 recovery efforts.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
There are no direct fiscal impacts to joining the Coalition or supporting LOCC COVID-19
relief efforts; however, joining the Coalition may allow the City to benefit from the efforts.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council adopt a Resolution authorizing the City to join the
Coalition to Support Local Recovery, and authorize the Mayor, Acting City Manager, and
Acting Deputy City Manager to sign any letters of support related to the Coalition’s efforts
and related to the LOCC’s efforts to obtain COVID-19 relief for the City.
BACKGROUND:
At its May 26, 2020 meeting, Mayor Ray Russom requested, and the Council concurred,
to direct staff to look into joining the LOCC Coalition for Local Recovery due to the COVID-
19 pandemic and to bring the item back to Council for consideration and authorization.
On March 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was
signed into law providing over $2 trillion in economic relief and assistance to cities, states,
tribal communities, companies and individuals and on May 15, 2020, the U.S. House of
Representatives passed the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency
Item 8.h. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR MAYOR AND ACTING CITY
MANAGER/ACTING DEPUTY CITY MANAGER TO SUPPORT LEAGUE OF
CALIFORNIA CITIES COVID-19 RECOVERY EFFORTS
JUNE 9, 2020
PAGE 2
Solutions (HEROES) Act which would provide direct and flexible federal assistance for all
California cities to protect local jobs and core services. LOCC Executive Director Carolyn
Coleman sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin
McCarthy in support of the $1 trillion in dedicated and flexible funding for states and local
governments, and specifically supporting the $375 billion included in the bill for local
governments. Other California organizations, businesses, and workers have joined with
the Governor and State legislative leaders in seeking federal relief. The CARES and
HEROES Acts are a starting point in the negotiations for a 4th stimulus bill. As the
legislation now shifts to the Senate, LOCC will continue to make a strong case for the
funding cities will need to maintain critical core services and rebound from the recession.
On the Senate side, U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA)
formally introduced the bipartisan State and Municipal Assistance for Recovery and
Transition (SMART) Act. This legislation aims to deliver critical, federal relief and
funding to cities, towns, and villages on the frontlines of America's response to and
recovery from COVID-19 by establishing a $500 billion fund to help local governments
address the impact of COVID-19.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
Cities throughout California and the nation are facing severe revenue shortfalls as a result
of the COVID-19 pandemic. Revenue shortfalls may impact core city services, and for
many cities, it already has. According to the LOCC website, cities face a $7 billion revenue
shortfall over the next two years due to the pandemic and response. An LOCC data
analysis shows that this shortfall grows by billions of dollars as modified stay-at-home
orders extend into the summer months. For many cities, this means
fewer firefighters and police officers to answer emergency calls, delayed repairs
to streets and roads, reduced garbage pickup frequency, and limited hours of operation
for parks and senior centers. With drastically reduced revenues, many cities will no longer
be able to fund programs that support businesses and local economic development
projects.
The LOCC is organizing a coalition to effectively lobby officials at the federal and state
level over the next couple of months to ensure local governments receive much-needed
recovery funds. As part of the Coalition’s campaign, the LOCC is currently encouraging
cities to send a letter to the Governor with information regarding the needs of cities for
relief in response to COVID-19. A sample letter of what is currently proposed is provided
as Attachment 2.
The Support Local Recovery Coalition goals include:
State Government: Secure $7 billion in direct and flexible funding to support critical
local services and secure CARES Act funding for all cities for COVID-19-related
expenditures.
Item 8.h. - Page 2
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR MAYOR AND ACTING CITY
MANAGER/ACTING DEPUTY CITY MANAGER TO SUPPORT LEAGUE OF
CALIFORNIA CITIES COVID-19 RECOVERY EFFORTS
JUNE 9, 2020
PAGE 3
Federal Government: Secure $500 billion in direct and flexible funding for all cities
nationwide to support critical local services.
As reflected in the estimates, there is a significant amount of money at stake for our City
in the bills being contemplated by Congress. Once a package is approved by Congress,
it appears the Governor will allocate funds to California cities, including Arroyo Grande.
Staff is recommending that the City Council authorize the City to join the Coalition and
authorize the Mayor, Acting City Manager, and Acting Deputy City Manager to sign any
letters of support related to the Coalition’s efforts. Because the LOCC’s efforts to obtain
relief for California cities may extend beyond the Coalition and may require swift action
by the City to lend its support for those efforts, staff is also recommending that the City
Council authorize the Mayor, Acting City Manager, and Acting Deputy City Manager to
sign other letters of support for the LOCC’s efforts to seek COVID-19 relief for the City.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration:
1. Adopt a Resolution to authorize the City to join the Coalition and authorize the
Mayor, Acting City Manager, and Acting Deputy City Manager to sign any letters of
support related to the Coalition’s efforts and related to the LOCC’s efforts to obtain
COVID-19 relief for the City; or
2. Do not authorize joining the Coalition; or
3. Do not authorize the Mayor, Acting City Manager, or Acting Deputy City Manager to
sign letters of support related to the Coalition’s efforts and/or letters of support for
other LOCC efforts to obtain COVID-19 relief for the City; or
4. Provide other direction to staff.
ADVANTAGES:
Joining the Coalition and authorizing the Mayor, Acting City Manager, and Acting Deputy
City Manager to sign letters of support for the Coalition’s efforts and the LOCC’s efforts
to obtain COVID-19 relief for the City will improve the likelihood of the City receiving
funding to support the City’s recovery efforts.
DISADVANTAGES:
No disadvantages have been identified.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
No environmental review is required for this item.
Item 8.h. - Page 3
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR MAYOR AND ACTING CITY
MANAGER/ACTING DEPUTY CITY MANAGER TO SUPPORT LEAGUE OF
CALIFORNIA CITIES COVID-19 RECOVERY EFFORTS
JUNE 9, 2020
PAGE 4
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with
Government Code Section 54954.2.
Attachments:
1. Application to join the Coalition
2. Sample Letter of Support
Item 8.h. - Page 4
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO JOIN THE
COALITION TO SUPPORT LOCAL RECOVERY IN
SUPPORT OF THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
(LOCC) COVID-19 RECOVERY EFFORTS AND
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, ACTING CITY MANAGER
AND ACTING DEPUTY CITY MANAGER TO SIGN LETTERS
OF SUPPORT RELATED TO THE COALITION’S AND
LOCC’S EFFORTS
WHEREAS, cities are facing severe revenue shortfalls as a result of the Coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic; and
WHEREAS, without relief, every Californian will face devastating impacts to core city
services they depend on; and
WHEREAS, based on a League of California Cities (LOCC) analysis, California cities
are projecting a nearly $7 billion general revenue shortfall over the next two fiscal years
that will continue to grow by billions of dollars if stay-at-home orders to protect public
health extend into the summer months and beyond; and
WHEREAS, on March 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security
(CARES) Act was signed into law providing over $2 trillion in economic relief and
assistance to cities, states, tribal communities, companies and individuals; and
WHEREAS, on May 15, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Health
and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act which would
provide direct and flexible federal assistance for all California cities to protect local jobs
and core services; and
WHEREAS, the bipartisan State and Municipal Assistance for Recovery and Transition
(SMART) Act has been introduced in the Senate; legislation which aims to deliver critical,
federal relief and funding to cities, towns, and villages on the frontlines of America's
response to and recovery from COVID-19 by establishing a $500 billion fund to help local
governments address the impact of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the LOCC has organized a coalition to effectively lobby officials at the
federal and State levels over the next couple of months to ensure local governments
receive much-needed recovery funds and is generally undertaking efforts to support
COVID-19 relief to California cities; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to join the Coalition and to support LOCC’s local
recovery efforts.
Item 8.h. - Page 5
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 2
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Arroyo
Grande authorizes the City to join the Coalition to Support Local Recovery and formally
supports the Coalition’s goals, including:
1.Securing $7 billion in direct and flexible State government funding to support
critical local services and secure CARES Act funding for all cities for COVID-19-
related expenditures.
2.Securing $500 billion in direct and flexible federal government funding for all cities
nationwide to support critical local services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor, the
Acting City Manager and the Acting Deputy City Manager to sign any letters of support
related to the Coalition’s efforts and/or related to the LOCC’s efforts to obtain COVID-19
relief for the City.
On a motion by Council Member ____________, seconded by Council Member
_____________, and by the following roll call vote to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 9th day of June, 2020.
Item 8.h. - Page 6
RESOLUTION NO.
PAGE 3
_____________________________________
CAREN RAY RUSSOM, MAYOR
ATTEST:
______________________________________
KELLY WETMORE, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________________
BILL ROBESON, ACTING CITY MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
________________________________________
TIMOTHY J. CARMEL, CITY ATTORNEY
Item 8.h. - Page 7
Yes, I/we want to join the Support Local Recovery coalition with the League of California Cities to call on
the state to secure $7 billion in direct and flexible funding to support critical local services and CARES
Act funding for all cities for COVID-19 related expenditures, and the federal government to secure $500
billion in direct and flexible funding for all cities nationwide to support critical local services.
Cities are bracing for a nearly $7 billion general revenue shortfall
over the next two fiscal years. All cities, regardless of size and
geography, are impacted. This will mean cuts and furloughs to city
staff and a reduction to core services to the public. Together, we
must fight to support local recovery. Californians depend on it.
Join the coalition!
Please select a category:
Organization/Company (if applicable)
Title/Occupation
Mailing Address
Email
First Name Last Name
City State Zip
Organization Individual Elected
DateSignature
Please complete the following information:
www.supportlocalrecovery.org
For more information, please call Bismarck Obando at (916) 607-0873 or email supportlocalrecovery@cacities.org.
By completing this form, you agree to be listed as a supporter in campaign materials. You will be signed up to receive
email updates and can unsubscribe anytime. Note: Title and organization are for identification purposes only.
Please email this completed form to: supportlocalrecovery@cacities.org
Phone
ATTACHMENT 1
Item 8.h. - Page 8
lllll
Support Local
RECOVERY
Vibrant cities. Strong economies.
□ □ □
***City Letterhead***
DATE
Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor, State of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
VIA E-mail: ExternalAffairs@gov.ca.gov
Dear Governor Newsom:
The City/Town of ___________ thanks you for your leadership and efforts to protect and support
Californians during this unprecedented public health crisis. Cities remain on the front line
helping residents stay safe and in their homes, delivering emergency services, and supporting
local businesses and community organizations. However, as emergency costs continue to grow,
city revenues to fund local services are plummeting. COVID-19 is having devastating impacts on
city budgets and services statewide.
Based on the League of California Cities analysis, California cities are projecting a nearly
$7 billion general revenue shortfall over the next two fiscal years. This shortfall will grow by
billions of dollars if stay-at-home orders to protect public health extend into the summer months
and beyond.
The City/Town of ___________ projects that these shortfalls will impact our core city services,
including [Customize: police, fire service, emergency management, and planning and housing,
and a majority of the cities surveyed anticipate lay-offs or furloughs, which will further impact
core city services for residents, as well as the employees.]
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the City/Town of ___________ has stepped up to
protect and serve our community. [Add any city specific details here.] The necessary measures
our city has taken are costly. In order to continue to be a full partner with the state in saving
lives, protecting our communities, and ultimately recovering from this crisis, we need your help.
City/Town of ___________ has joined the Support Local Recovery coalition and we are calling
on you to immediately support the following actions:
•Provide $7 billion in direct and flexible state funding to support critical local services
and allocate CARES Act funding for all cities for COVID-19-related expenditures.
•Advocate to secure $500 billion in direct and flexible funding from the federal
government for all cities nationwide to support critical local services.
The City/Town of __________ appreciates your consideration of our requests and look forward
to further discussing in the coming days how together we can continue to best protect
ATTACHMENT 2
Item 8.h. - Page 9
Californians and reopen our economy. Thank you again for your leadership and partnership
during these uncertain times.
Sincerely,
NAME
TITLE
City/Town of ___________
cc: Your Senator
Your Assembly Member
Bismarck Obando, League of California Cities, SupportLocalRecovery@cacities.org
Item 8.h. - Page 10