Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
City of Westminster 2026 Legislative Platform
End
From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Adolfo Ozaeta, Assistant City Manager; Ryan Salz, Senior Management Analyst
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Adopt the City of Westminster 2026 Legislative Platform.
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BACKGROUND
Cities operate within an increasingly complex state and federal policy environment. Legislative and regulatory actions taken by the California State Legislature, Congress, and administrative agencies can significantly affect local authority, fiscal resources, and the City’s ability to respond to community needs. To ensure timely and coordinated communication to these external decision-making bodies, the City realized a need for a legislative platform. A legislative platform is a policy tool used by cities to clearly define local positions on legislative matters and to guide advocacy efforts in a proactive, coordinated, and transparent manner. The draft City of Westminster 2026 Legislative Platform (Attachment 1) was developed in collaboration with Townsend Public Affairs (TPA), the City’s contracted state and federal legislative advocacy firm.
The City’s Legislative Platform serves several key purposes:
• Establishes City Council-approved policy positions on priority issues
• Provides direction to staff and the City’s legislative advocates (TPA) when engaging with state and federal policymakers
• Promotes consistency in the City’s advocacy efforts
• Enables timely responses to legislation that may arise between City Council meetings
• Enhances transparency and accountability in the City’s legislative activities
The Guiding Principles and Policy Statements outlined in the Platform will allow staff to address legislative and regulatory concerns in a timely manner, without precluding the consideration of additional legislative and budget issues that may arise during the legislative session. These positions were determined through previously communicated City priorities and the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan.
The four Guiding Principles are:
1. Preserve and Enhance Local Control
2. Promote Fiscal Stability
3. Support Funding Opportunities
4. Promote Economic Development
The Policy Statements are more specified stances and are derived directly from the Guiding Principles. The Legislative Platform outlines general principles and positions rather than addressing individual bills. This approach provides flexibility to respond to specific legislation while remaining anchored to Council-approved priorities.
When the need to respond to state and federal legislation arises, the Legislative Platform would enable staff to compose letters outlining the City’s position. These letters include one of the following positions: support, support if amended, oppose, oppose unless amended, neutral, or watch. Each of these legislative positions are clearly defined in the Legislative Platform. Legislation that is consistent with the Legislative Platform is reviewed, approved and signed by the Mayor. When the Mayor is unavailable, legislative positions that are deemed time-sensitive and are consistent with the Platform may be approved and signed by the City Manager. Once approved, a position letter is sent to the bill’s author, the City’s legislative advocate, and other stakeholders as deemed appropriate by staff, and a copy of the letter is distributed to the City Council.
The City Council retains ultimate authority over the City’s legislative positions. The Legislative Platform does not replace Council decision-making. Instead, it provides a policy framework that reflects Council priorities and values. When legislation falls clearly within the scope of the Legislative Platform, staff and TPA may act in accordance with those positions without seeking separate Council direction for each bill.
Legislative platforms are commonly adopted on a recurring basis, annually or biennially, to reflect evolving policy priorities and legislative conditions. The City plans to update the Legislative Platform annually. Adoption of the 2026 Legislative Platform would set legislative priorities and positions for the 2026 state and federal legislative sessions. In approximately one year, the City Council may revise the platform to respond to changing circumstances, new policy challenges, or shifts in community priorities.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
The 2026 Legislative Platform represents the City Council’s position on current and future issues that have the potential to directly or indirectly impact the City. Staff recommends the Mayor and City Council adopt the 2026 Legislative Platform.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft City of Westminster 2026 Legislative Platform
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager