To establish city priorities that allow city staff the flexibility to track proposed legislation and pursue opportunities that support the well-being of the city and its residents, and to oppose proposed actions that are in opposition to the vision of the city. Staff can identify and inform council of local, state and federal action that could provide opportunities to realize goals, or that may create hardship for the city. The priorities listed below provide the focused parameters that staff will follow when tracking legislation or other potential council or city action.

An underlying element of the Policy and Priorities is the City’s commitment to diversity and inclusion which is part of our culture. We are a welcoming City and believe that we are stronger together and when everyone is included.

• The primary priority areas include: 
• Protect funding for basic infrastructure and vital community services
• Protect local control of land use decision making
• Support affordable housing opportunities
• Support solutions to reduce homelessness
• Support environmental sustainability
• Support public health and safety
• Support coastal protection and enhancement
• Promote a just, equitable, and inclusive community
• Support parks and natural open space 
• Support safe transportation

More specific City interests in the categories above are outlined in the City Council Legislative Program, and listed below: 

• Support reimbursement to cities for all state and federal mandates
• Support enhanced local government revenue resources
• Oppose state budget cuts targeting critical local programs and service
• Support Enhanced Community Development Block Grant and other federal funding
• Support local rail infrastructure investment, including the creation of a corridor-wide quiet zone and safe pedestrian crossings
• Support federal, state or county-funded affordable housing opportunities
• Support federal, state or county funding for homeless services, outreach, prevention, assistance, mental health programs and law enforcement
• Support legislation that streamlines, funds, and supports the undergrounding of utilities
• Oppose Vehicle Mileage Tax (VMT) as a source of regional or state-wide revenue enhancement

• Oppose unfunded state mandates impacting housing and local land use control
• Support reform and increased local control of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation process and requirements
• Support legislation that provides funding for affordable housing and keeps land use decisions local
• Protect local control of land use decision making and oppose legislation that would hinder or threaten local control over land use, planning, zoning and local roadways
• Seek opportunities to regain local control on state-imposed density bonus law, including but not limited to, reducing the negative impacts of density bonus waivers and concessions 
•  Oppose intensification or expansion of state-imposed density bonus law

• Support legislation providing funding to build or support affordable housing and aging in place
• Support legislation that guarantees incremental additional lower income housing for each program or eliminates the unfair application of lower income units to more than one program (eliminate double and triple counting)
• Oppose legislation that promotes housing construction that does not also impose sufficient or significant requirements to provide commensurate affordable housing. Where legislation impacts community character, density or traffic, there must be a commensurate public benefit including significant increased affordable housing and/or other community benefits
• Support legislation providing gap finance funding for low-income housing
• Support legislation which gives mobile home park tenants more stability through support for mobile home park tenant land ownership programs 

SUPPORT SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS

• Support funding for local and regional supportive homeless services including funding for local and regional transitional housing programs
• Support programs and funding for housing opportunities for homeless

• Support legislation to protect the environment from effects caused by human activity, including transportation, energy, building, and waste management sectors
• Support legislation protecting, enhancing, and updating existing water supply and water facilities, and facilitating development of new future water sources in Southern California
• Support legislation that supports and funds water reuse, reclamation and conservation programs and facilities
• Support legislation providing funding for the acquisition and restoration of wildlife habitat, bluffs, and lagoons
• Support legislation to provide long term, safe storage solutions for nuclear waste from San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS)
• Support legislation that facilitates and/or promotes the expanded use of local water resources including recycled water, graywater, and rainwater harvesting
• Support legislation that promotes the development of potable water reuse
• Support incentives for utilizing renewable energy resources
• Support legislation that incentivizes the use of solar energy systems on residential and commercial properties 

• Support funding bills for local law enforcement equipment, services, or personnel
• Support funding bills for local emergency operations including equipment, services, and personnel 
• Oppose bills that restrict local control of law enforcement 
• Support legislation that enhances communication and promotes public safety regarding federal agency actions in our community
• Support legislation that prevents gun violence, improves gun safety, strengthens mental health care and awareness, and improves suicide prevention
• Support legislation protecting local discretion regarding building and fire code standards
• Support legislation that provides funding to enhance wildfire mitigation and emergency response efforts
• Support legislation that strengthens the availability and long-term sustainability of disaster insurance
• Support legislation to enhance ebike and road safety
• Support legislation that ensures local discretion in the adoption and implementation of health and safety standards contained in the building and fire codes
• Support legislation protecting women’s and public health
• Support funding of programs and activities that support public health
• Support legislation that promotes cannabis safety and enforcement measures

• Support legislation providing funding and other means for beach replenishment
• Support ongoing sand replenishment program and new programs to maintain beaches for coastal bluff protection, recreational opportunities and healthy lagoons and shorelines
• Support opportunities of state funding/cost sharing opportunities for state beaches in Encinitas, including Beacon’s Beach
• Support funding mechanisms to provide funding for any additionally mandated storm water pollution prevention measures
• Support regional and statewide sea level rise initiatives
• Oppose oil drilling, offshore and on land

• Support legislation and efforts that remove barriers and promotes access to the full enjoyment of society by all people regardless of sexual identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, and differently abled people
• Support funding and programs for support of the LGBTQ+ community to enhance participation in society
• Support legislation that promotes and advances gender equity
• Support efforts to reduce violence in residents’ lives and to promote full electoral participation
• Support legislation that promotes equitable access to opportunities and investment for historically marginalized communities

• Support legislation that supports the acquisition, development, expansion, and maintenance of parks and natural open space
• Support State, County, and Federal funding for park development, infrastructure, and maintenance
• Support legislation and funding benefitting Encinitas trails and trail development

• Support legislation that makes our roadways safer for drivers, pedestrians, micro mobility and cyclists
• Support legislation for enhanced safety regulations and education for ebike riders
• Support legislation for grant funding of transportation safety enhancement projects
• Support legislation that supports availability of public transportation ensuring transportation access for all

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