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5 <br /> <br />communities by providing funding to improve air, water, parks, open space, natural resources, <br />historic preservation, the arts, and cultural resources. <br />12. Oppose efforts that erode funding for vital regional and community services that negatively <br />impact Californian's access to parks, open space, bike lanes, after school programming, youth <br />services, food programs, facilities that promote physical activity, protect natural resources, and <br />strengthen safety and security. <br />13. Promote local agency control over policies that recognize the benefits of parks and recreation <br />facilities. <br />14. Support full funding of the California Library Services Act, Public Library fund, Lunch at the <br />Library, English as a Second Language Literacy, and other local public library programs. <br />15. Support legislation that preserves or enhances library patron privacy. <br />16. Support legislation protecting the freedom to read and fostering access to library materials <br />representing various perspectives. <br />17. Support legislation promoting fair pricing for libraries to purchase digital content, including <br />eBooks, at the same rate as consumers. <br /> <br />Supporting Public Health <br /> <br />Although the State and City have ended emergency declarations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, <br />COVID-19 and other communicable diseases continue to negatively impact residents. In many cases, <br />vulnerable community members are at elevated risk for poor health and other outcomes associated with <br />these diseases. The City believes that it is imperative that it do all it can to ensure the health and safety <br />of both its community members and City staff. This includes working with County, state, and federal <br />officials in exploring all funding opportunities that support community members, businesses, and the <br />City’s workforce. The City outlines the following Platform statements in furtherance of this important goal: <br /> <br />1. Support legislative efforts that provides direct City funding to offset General Fund cost <br />increases caused by public health emergencies or initiatives. <br />2. Support legislative and/or funding efforts to assist the City with employee support programs, <br />increased personal protective equipment (PPE), on-site testing, and other programs that <br />promote employee wellness—particularly for the City’s frontline essential workers. <br />3. Support legislation that promotes regional collaboration on public health initiatives including <br />funding opportunities to support local businesses. <br /> <br />Governmental Transparency and Public Meeting Access <br /> <br />While the fallout from the COVID-19 global pandemic cannot be understated, the public health crisis <br />forced local agencies to become more flexible in conducting public meeting process. As a result, local <br />agencies across the state have utilized virtual/remote public meetings as a way to protect the public, <br />agency staff as well as elected and appointed officials. Moreover, it has been observed that this approach <br />has increased constituent participation in the public process while upholding the highest levels of <br />transparency. <br /> <br />1. Support legislation that balances increased public trust, confidence and access to public <br />meetings while realizing the fiscal and operational constraints of local government. <br />2. Support legislation that would increase civic participation and engagement including the <br />11.A. - Page 9 of 11 <br />217