HomeMy WebLinkAboutConsider Positions on Legislation Pending Before the State L 94P�^",- ti,7-. ,
2000 Main Street,
Huntington Beach,CA
City of Huntington Beach ✓ eED 7_0
File #: 22-075 MEETING DATE: 2/1/2022
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Sean Joyce, Interim City Manager
PREPARED BY: Travis K. Hopkins, Assistant City Manager
Subject:
Consider positions on legislation pending before the State Legislature, as recommended by
the Intergovernmental Relations Committee (IRC)
Statement of Issue:
On January 19, 2022, the Intergovernmental Relations Committee (IRC) comprised of Mayor Barbara
Delgleize, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Posey, and Council Member Kim Carr discussed local, State and
Federal issues with relevance to Huntington Beach. Following discussion, the IRC chose to take
positions on one proposed state legislation that is presented to the City Council for further
consideration.
Financial Impact:
None
Recommended Action:
Approve a letter of support for Assembly Bill 1595 (Quirk-Silva & Choi): Veterans Cemetery.
Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
On January 19, 2022, the IRC reviewed and discussed local, state and federal issues, with relevance
to Huntington Beach priorities and projects identified by the City Council. The following is an analysis
of one item that the Committee chose to take a position on and is presented to the City Council for
consideration:
1. Approve a letter of support for AB 1595 (Quirk-Silva & Choi): Veterans Cemetery in
Orange County - Orange County is the State's largest county without a veteran's cemetery.
As such, the Legislature approved AB 1453 in 2014 requiring the Department of Veterans
Affairs to acquire study, design, develop, construct and equip a state-owned and operated
Veterans Cemetery in Irvine. After much deliberation, the State adopted AB 368 directing
CalVet to conduct a site study analysis of two locations in Irvine, which ultimately did not move
City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 2 Pnnted on 1126/2022
c«e-a241 Leo s-a, ,
File #: 22-075 MEETING DATE: 2/1/2022
forward. Another location at Gypsum Canyon in Anaheim is under consideration with support
from the Orange County Board of Supervisors and all 34 Orange County cities. Huntington
Beach adopted Resolution 2021-53 in support on September 7, 2021 (see attached).
However, each time a new location is proposed, the Legislature must engage in a lengthy
process to amend the current law which limits the site placement to Irvine. AB 1595 simplifies
the process by authorizing Calvet to cooperate with local government agencies to locate,
design, build and equip a cemetery generally within the County.
Environmental Status:
Not applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. AB 1595 Legislative Language
2. AB 1595 Fact Sheet
3. AB 1595 Template Letter of Support
4. Resolution 2021-53 in support of a Veterans Cemetery in Anaheim
City of Huntington Beach Page 2 of 2 Printed on 1/262022
o Yierr242 Lemsar"
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE-2021-22 RFGUI.AR SESSION
ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1595
Introduced by Assembly Members Quirk-Silva and Choi
January 3. 2022
An act to amend Section I410 of the Military and Veterans Code,
relating to veterans, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect
immediately.
LEGISLA'I'IVL' COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1595, as introduced, Quirk-Silva. Veterans cemetery: County of
Orange.
Existing law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to acquire.
study, design, develop, construct, and equip a state-owned and
state-operated Southern California Veterans Cemetery in the County
of Orange at one of 2 possible sites, as specified. Existing law requires
the department to, after completing acquisition studies on both sites.
consult with the Department of General Services to determine which
site to pursue based on the economic feasibility, benefits to veterans
and City of Irvine residents, and availability of each location. Existing
lacy makes honorably discharged veterans, their spouses,and dependent
children eligible for interment in the cemetery, as specified.
This bill would delete those site selection requirements and would
instead require the department to acquire, study, design, develop,
construct, and equip a state-owned and state-operated Southern
California Veterans Cemetery in the County of Orange.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an
UrgenCV statute.
Vote: 2/3. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
Stato-mandated local program: no.
99
243
All1595 —2—
The people of the .Stone of Califarnia do enact as follows:
I SECTION I. Section 1410 of the Military and Veterans Code
2 is amended to read:
3 1410. (a) (1) Pursuant to Section 1412, the department, in
4 voluntary cooperation with local govemment entities in the CountV
5 of Orange. shall acquire, study. design, develop, construct, and
6 equip a state-owned and state-operated Southern California
7 Veterans Cemetery, which shall be located mt either
S
9 tile Amended mild ReNtnted De%elepn _Ht Agreement Site ift-tht
II
12
13 _. ,
14 _
15
16 a
17 eeonomie ft.tsibility. benefits to Netermisa
IS re ` mid' f in the Cnunt_v of
19 Orange.
20 (2) The department shall oversee and coordinate the acquisition,
21 study, design, development, and construction of the cemetery.
22 (3) For purposes of this chapter. "department',,`-�ei=i means
23 the Department of Veterans Affairs.
24 (b) (1) Subject to the eligibility requirements described in
25 Section 2402 of Title 38 of the United States Code, as it may he
26 amended, honorable discharged veterans and their Spouses and
27 eligible dependent children are eligible for interment in the
28 cemetery. The department shall establish a fee to be charged for
29 interment of veteran spouses and eligible dependent children. The
30 amount of the fee shall not exceed the reasonable costs to the
31 department for interment in the cemetery.
32 (2) Subject to Section I41 S. for the purposes of this subdivision,
33 the department shall adopt re.-ulations to specify the eligibility
34 requirements for interment in the cemetery.
35 (3) All fees received pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be deposited
36 in the Southern California Veterans Cemetery Perpetual
37 Maintenance Fund created pursuant to Section 1412.
99
244
-3— AB 1595
1 SEC. 2. This act is an urvency statute necessary for' the
2 immediate preservation of the public peace. health,or safety within
3 the meaning of Article IV of the California COWS,61116011 and shall
d go into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
5 It is necessary that this act take effect immediately in order to
6 commence with the design, development, and construction of the
7 Southern California Veterans Cemetery at the earliest possihle
S time.
O
99
245
r
J A
AssEA1BLYWONIAN QUIRK-SILVA, 65"' DISTRICT
AB 1595 (QUIRK-SILVA & CHOI): VETERANS CEMETERY
SUN9i19ARY process ofbuilding an Orange County Veterans Cemetery
Assembly Bill 1595 seekss to authorize a state veterans
forward.
cemetery at a location within the County of Orange.
Each time a nevv site is proposed, the Legislature has to
BACKGROUND introduce a new bill to amend the current law. The
Orange County is the State's largest county without a legislative process takes a year or more.
veterans cemetery. hi 2014. the California Department of
Veterans Affairs (Cal Vet) estimated that the County of' AB 1595 removes the legislative step out of the process by
Orange was home to approximately 117,000 veterans. broadly authorizing Calvet to: acquire, study, design,
travel to the Rivers
County veterans and their families must develop, construct, and equip a state owned and state-
operated Southern National Cemetery in order for operated Southern California Veterans Cemetery within
their service members to be interred at a final and proper the County of Orange.
resting place. `
EXISTING LAW
In 2014, the Legislature approved Assembly Bill (AB) Existing law only authorizes Calvet to evaluate the
1453 to begin the process of bringing a state veterans placement of a veterans cemetery in one of two locations
cemetery to Orange County at the Amended and Restated in Orange County, thereby excluding from consideration
Development Agreement (ARDA) site located at the any other site that might be deemed suitable by CalVet and
decommissioned Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in the the local Conlin Lill ity.
City of Irvine. fiowever, a lack of consensus, public
opposition, and cost concerns prompted a renewed debate AB 1595 simplifies this process by broadly authorizing
around the most suitable location for an Orange County Cal Vct in cooperation with the regional local government
Veterans Cemetery, entities, to acquire, study, design, develop, construct and
equip a state owned and operated Southern California
In 2017, a second local site known as the '`Strawberry Veterans Cemetery within the County of Orange.
Fields" was proposed and accepted by the City of Irvine
for consideration. Subsequently, in 201S, a grass roots THIS BILL
initiative was passed at the local level overturning the
AB 1595 will authorize a state veterans cemetery within
City's previous action. The City then directed staff to the County of orange with input and support by the local
study a third proposed site known as the "Golf Course- community. The bill also includes an urgency clause so
site, prompting the introduction and passage of AB 368 in that CalVet can promptly start an acquisition study of a
2019.
proposed cemetery location. as required by law. AB 1595
represents an important milestone in finding a final resting
Ala 368 directed Cal Vet to work with the Department of
General Services to deliver a site study analysis on both place for Orange County veterans and their families.
the ARDA and Golf Course locations. Upon the
completion of the study in 2021. the Irvine City Council SUPPORT
received a presentation on the outcome of the site study • None received
and took no action, effectively preventing CalVet from
submitting an application for a federal grant to move the
246
TJTi.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN QUIRK-SIINA, 65111 DISTRICT
AB 1595 (QUIRK-SILVA & CHOI): VETERANS CEMETERY
CONTACT INFORMATION
Christopher Aguilera
Legislative Aide
Office of Assemblvmember Sharon Quirk-Silva.
(916) 3 19-2065
Cliristophcr.AgLiiiera@asiii.cii.gov
asm.ca.gov
247
(DATE)
The Honorable Sharon Quirk-Silva
Assemblyntentber, 65`h District
1440 North Harbor Boulevard. Suite 270
Fullerton, CA 92535
The Honorable Steven Choi. Ph.D.
Assemblvmember, 68" District
3240 El Camino Real, Suite 110
Irvine, CA 92602
SUBJECT: AB 1595—Veterans Cemetery, County of Orange—SUPPORT
Dear Assemblymember Quirk-Silva and Assemblymember Choi:
On behalf of(CITY) thank you for authoring Assembly Bill (AB) 1595 to allow the California
Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to design, develop, and construct a state-operated veterans
cemetery in Orange County. Home to former Army, Navy, and Marine bases and an estimated
104.949 veterans, Orange County is California's largest county without a veterans cemetery.
On July 27. 2021. the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved allocating S20 million exclusively for
site development of a veterans cemetery at Gypsum Canyon and adopted a resolution to move forward
with planning and developing a site to honor and respect the men and women who served our great
country. The Board previously allocated over 200 acres of county-owned land at Gypsum Canyon in
Anaheim Hills near the intersection of the 91 freeway and 241 toll road, which has been deeded to the
Orange Counry Cemetery District (OCCD) for the purpose of building a veterans cemetery.
The County and OCCD have met with CalVet regarding the Gypsum Canyon site. CalVet is aware that
the property will have a separate public civilian cemetery adjacent to it, and that it will be constructed and
financed by OCCD separately from a veterans cemetery. OCCD will pay all costs to brume utilities and
shared infrastructure to the property.
After years of delay due to lack of consensus on a location, the COWtty'S S20 million commitment along
with OCCD's financing plan offer an unprecedented opportunity to immediately begin funding the site.
All 34 Orange County cities have adopted resolutions supporting the Gypsum Canyon site. In addition, a
bipartisan majority of Orange County state and federal delegation members. numerous veterans
organization leaders, and more than 140 local elected officials all enthusiastically support a veterans
cemetery at Gypsum Canyon. However, legislation is needed to amend the iIMilitary & Veterans Code in
order to proceed.
AB 1595 would allow CalVet to acquire, study, design, develop, construct, and equip a state-owned and
state-operated Southern California Veterans Cemetery in Orange County so that we May honor the men
and %vomen who served our country and who deserve the right to be buried in Orange County. For these
reasons, (CITY) supports AB 1595.
Sincerely,
248
(Si mature)
Cc: Assemblymember Jacqui Irvin: Chair, Assembly Military & Veterans Affairs Committee
Senator Bob Archuleta, Chair—Senate AMilitary & Veterans Affairs Committee
Christian Burkin —Chief Consultant, Assembly Military & Veterans AfTtirs Committee
Veronica Badillo—Staff Director, Scnate Military & Veterans Affairs Committee
btembers, Orange County Legislative Delegation
Members, Orange County Board of Supervisors
249
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-53
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIUNfINGTON
BEACH SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ORANGE COUNTY VETERANS
CEMETERY IN THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
WHEREAS, Orange County is home to approximately 150,000 veterans representing the
third largest population ot'veterans in California, who have until now had no final resting place
in the County;
WHEREAS, the County of'Orange has deeded 280 acres of County owned land in the
City of Anaheim to the Orange County Cemetery District for the purpose of building a veterans
cemetery;
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Supervisors has voiced unanimous support and
allocated $20 million for the development of a veterans cemetery in Anaheim;
WHEREAS, on July 1, 2021, a coalition of lenders representing veteran groups and other
local organizations gathered at the proposed Orange County Veterans Cemetery site in Anaheim
to express support for the proposed project location; and
WHEREAS, the City of Huntington Beach, as a dedicated supporter of our veterans and
their families, seeks to honor the men and women who have bravely served our country;
NOW THEREFORE, the City of Council of the City of Huntington Beach does hereby
resolve as follows:
1. We join with the Orange County veterans community and Orange County Board
of Supervisors in frill support of a veterans cemetery in Anaheim; and further encourage other
state and local agencies to support this much needed project.
250
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-53
NOW TI- EREFORE, the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach does hereby
resolve as follows:
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of I-luntington Beach at a
regular meeting held on the 7"' clay of September, 2021.
o
Mayor
RE EWED AND APPROVED: INITIATED AND APPROVED:
NI( z
Manager Assistant City Mana r
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
I a, ( ) �a=�
n,City Attorney
21-10335/266093
251
Res. No. 2021-53
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss:
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH )
I, ROBIN ESTANISLAU, the duly elected, qualified City Clerk of the
City of Huntington Beach, and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of said City, do
hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of the City of
Huntington Beach is seven; that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted
by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all the members of said City Council
at a Regular meeting thereof held on September 7, 2021 by the following vote:
AYES: Peterson, Bolton, Delgleize, Carr, Posey, Moser, Kalmick
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RECUSE: None
City Clerk'and ex-officio Clerk of the
City Council of the City of
Huntington Beach, California
252
�� i4 City_ of Huntington Beach
2000 MAIN STREET CALIFORNIA 92648
Barbara Delgleize
Mayor
February 1, 2022
The Honorable Sharon Quirk-Silva
Assemblymember, 65" District
1440 North Harbor Boulevard, Suite 270
Fullerton, CA 92835
The Honorable Steven Choi, Ph.D.
Assemblymember, 681" District
3240 El Camino Real, Suite 110
Irvine, CA 92602
SUBJECT: AB 1595 —Veterans Cemetery, County of Orange—SUPPORT
Dear Assemblymember Quirk-Silva and Assemblymember Choi:
On behalf of the City of Huntington Beach, thank you for authoring Assembly Bill (AB) 1595 to
allow the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to design, develop, and construct a
state-operated veterans cemetery in Orange County. Home to former Army, Navy, and Marine
bases and an estimated 104,949 veterans, Orange County is California's largest county without
a veterans cemetery.
On July 27, 2021, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved allocating $20 million
exclusively for site development of a veterans cemetery at Gypsum Canyon and adopted a
resolution to move forward with planning and developing a site to honor and respect the men
and women who served our great country. The Board previously allocated over 200 acres of
county-owned land at Gypsum Canyon in Anaheim Hills near the intersection of the 91 Freeway
and 241 Toll Road, which has been deeded to the Orange County Cemetery District (OCCD) for
the purpose of building a veterans cemetery.
The County and OCCD have met with CalVet regarding the Gypsum Canyon site. CalVet is
aware that the property will have a separate public civilian cemetery adjacent to it, and that it will
be constructed and financed by OCCD separately from a veterans cemetery. OCCD will pay all
costs to bring utilities and shared infrastructure to the property.
After years of delay due to lack of consensus on a location, the County's $20 million
commitment along with OCCD's financing plan offer an unprecedented opportunity to
immediately begin funding the site. All 34 Orange County cities have adopted resolutions
supporting the Gypsum Canyon site In addition, a bipartisan majority of Orange County state
and federal delegation members, numerous veterans' organization leaders, and more than 140
local elected officials all enthusiastically support a veterans cemetery at Gypsum Canyon.
However, legislation is needed to amend the Military & Veterans Code in order to proceed.
TELEPHONE (714) 536-5553
The Honorable Sharon Quirk-Silva
The Honorable Steven Choi, Ph.D.
February 1, 2022
Page 2
AB 1595 would allow Calvet to acquire, study, design, develop, construct, and equip a state-
owned and state-operated Southern California Veterans Cemetery in Orange County so that we
may honor the men and women who served our country and who deserve the right to be buried
in Orange County. For these reasons, the City of Huntington Beach supports AB 1595,
cerely,in ,
Barbara Delgleize
Mayor
cc: Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin: Chair, Assembly Military & Veterans Affairs Committee
Senator Bob Archuleta, Chair— Senate Military & Veterans Affairs Committee
Christian Burkin — Chief Consultant, Assembly Military & Veterans Affairs Committee
Veronica Badillo— Staff Director, Senate Military &Veterans Affairs Committee
Members, Orange County Legislative Delegation
Members, Orange County Board of Supervisors