Santa Clarita Councilwoman Marsha McLean is serving on the resolutions committee for the League of California Cities annual conference this week in San Diego.

Policy development is a key part of the League’s legislative effectiveness and the League’s Annual Conference Resolutions process is one way that city officials can directly participate in the development of League policy. Any elected or appointed city official, individual city, division, department, policy committee, or the board of directors may submit a resolution for consideration at the conference.

The five resolutions being reviewed and voted on at the 2012 conference include:

1) resolution encouraging California cities to oppose the California Desert Protection Act of 2011

2) resolution requesting consideration of suspension of implementation or revision of the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32 of 2006)

3) resolution calling upon the governor and legislature to enact legislation that would correct inefficiencies in the audit system, distribution system and inequities in the formulas for distributing court ordered arrest and citation fines, fees and assessments generated by local government

4) resolution of the League of California Cities raising public awareness and supporting tougher laws related to Internet crimes against children

5) a resolution calling for an emergency management mission for California cities

McLean served on the resolutions committee in 2011 and was responsible in 2010 for bringing forward a resolution on behalf of the City of Santa Clarita addressing unfunded state-mandates, which was ultimately approved. This particular resolution put a spotlight on the state imposed mandate regarding the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for things such as chloride, metals and toxicity.

The approved resolution provided direction to the League to work with member cities to identify situations in which local governments must increase fees or taxes to meet state mandated requirements, and reaffirmed the League’s stance that anytime the state imposes a new duty, responsibility, or obligation on local government it must provide an adequate funding source to accompany the action.

“It is a privilege for me to represent the City of Santa Clarita and our community as a member of the resolutions committee,” said Councilmember McLean. “Every day we are positively or negatively affected by policy development at the state level and the resolutions committee is a critical way for cities state-wide to not only communicate but unify on matters that affect our cities.”

Marsha McLean was elected to the Santa Clarita City Council in 2002 and was Santa Clarita’s Mayor in 2007 and 2011.

The League of California Cities was developed to be a leading advocate for the interests of the cities of California. The City of Santa Clarita has been a dues-paying member of the organization since shortly after incorporation in 1987. The League of California Cities is an association of California city officials who work together to enhance their knowledge and skills, exchange information, and combine resources so that they may influence policy decisions that affect cities.