HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 81-069RESOLUTION N0. 31-69
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, EXPRESSING ITS SUPPORT OF EFFORTS
BY THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION TO RETURN POWERS TO LOCAL
ENTITIES AND URGING A CAREFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THOSE
EFFORTS IN WAYS THAT WILL ENHANCE, NOT FURTHER IMPEDE,
HOME RULE.
WHEREAS, the current administration has pledged itself to
reducing the costs of the federal governrnent while, at the same
time, returning to local entities many of the powers that have
gradually been assumed in Washington over a period of.many years
as a part of extensive federal funding activities; and
WHEREAS, cities throughout the naCion and most certainly
the City of Palm Desert have, in many past instances, utilized
federal funds well and e�ficiently to implement policies and programs
of vital concern and assistance to the people of those cities; and
WHEREAS, these federal funds have been best utilized and
most helpful when they were unconstrained by conditions and regula-
tions unrelated to the objectives and realities of the local community
utilizing the funds; and
WHEREAS, the current federal administration has indicated that
a part of its fiscal and regulatory reform effort will be to de-
emphasize so-called categorical (constrained) aid programs while, at
the same time, enhancing block grant (unconstrained) programs; and
�JHEREAS, the Board,of Directors of the National League of
Cities has adopted a polic� statement regarding President Reagan's
economic recovery program and, as a part of that statement, has indi-
cated its strong support for fundamental reform and relief from the
burdens of federal regulatory activities and a modification of those
activities to eliminate unnecessary regulations affecting local govern-
ments and a development of a comprehensive federal policy on mandated
costs on 1oca1 governments.
NOW, TfiEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert,
California resolves as follows:
,
Section 1, That the City Council lauds the expressed goal of,.
the administration to return to 1oca1 governments many of the powers
that have gradually been eroded away over the past decade as a part
of extensive federal funding activities. ���-' �
Section 2. That, in implementing these expressed goals, the
City Council urges the administration and Congress to exercise dili=
gence in assuring that the legitimate and acceptable relationships
between the federal, state and local governments be observed. In this
regard, the City urges a rejection of any system that would require
the passing or funnelling of federal funds for essentially local
purposes through state government.
Section 3, That while it may be perfectly appropriate for
certain funds to be paid directly to the state (e.g., those relating
to state supported health or welfare or educational activities), state
administration of federal funds for city programs might, in the end,
result in even worse administrative bottlenecks and counter productive
regulatory constraints than exist today. Thus federal funds for city
programs should pass directly to cities and should not be funnelled or
passed �hrough the state.
Section 4. That as federal policies are adopted and implemented
to stimulate healthy economic growth and improve productivity, reduce
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RESOLUTION N0. 81-69
Page two
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inflation through tax and spending reductions, restrain the �rowth
of federal spending and reduce the burden on the public and private
sector, the City should once again emerge as that unit of general
purpose government closest to the people and most�capable of defining
and implementing goals and objectives that truly reflect the concerns
and beliefs of those people in a way that can restore a popular
confidence in the ability of government to be responsive to the
people who support it.
Section S. That the City Clerk is hereby directed to forward
copies of this resolution to President Ronald Reagan, Vice President
George Bush, United States Senators Alan Cranston and S. I. Hayakawa,
Congressman Jerry Lewis, Robert Carlson of the White House Staff, and
such other persons as may be appropriate,
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PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of
Palm Desert, California, on this 14th day of May, 1981, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES: McPherson, Newbrander, Puluqi, Snyder and Wilson
P�10ES : None
ABSENT: None
A�STATN: None
ATTEST:
CZTY Or PALM