AgdaPkt 2003-02-24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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� r CAL TRANS ANNOUNCES IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW OUTDOOR ADVERTISING ACT PROVISIONS As of January 1, 2003, the Department of Transportation will no longer issue outdoor adver- tising permits for conforming locations adjacent to an interstate or primary highway within an incorpo- rated area, without written proof of consent from the local government having jurisdiction. SB 1480 (Speier), Chapter 972, Statutes of 2002, amended the Outdoor Advertising Act (Act). Under the new provisions, a local government having land use control over the site on which an advertising display is located must consent to the placing of the display. The local government with land use jurisdiction is authorized to request that the Department of Transportation reserve the location for a permit applicant for 90 days while the applicant compiles evidence of consent. This 90- day period may be extended for 30 days if extenu- ating circumstances warrant such an extension. This bill also amended the Act to authorize a city or county with land use jurisdiction over property to adopt an ordinance that establishes standards for the spacing and sizes of advertising displays that are more restrictive than those imposed by the state. The amendments also increased the penalty provisions for failing to maintain a valid permit for an otherwise conform- ing billboard, and established a $10,000 penalty (plus $100 /day) for billboards which are unlawfully erected and which violate the Act or a local ordi- nance. For additional information regarding these amendments to the Outdoor Advertising Act, please contact Paul Cavanaugh, Department of Transportation, (916) 654 -6232. PEACE OFFICER TRAINING REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FACES BUDGET REDUCTIONS The statewide program that reimburses local law enforcement agencies for training courses that their peace officers complete is facing a serious financial setback. Due to the projected state budget shortfall, the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) will suspend reimbursement for training effective March 1, 2003 for the remainder of the current budget year. Additionally, the Governor's 2003/04 Budget effectively eliminates the peace officer training program by shifting $28.3 million from the account used to fund reimbursements to the General Fund. For an indication of the potential fiscal damage to municipal governments, consider that in 2001- 02, city police departments received approximately 59% ($17 million) of those funds allocated as reimbursements to local law enforcement for training purposes. (Reimbursements also go to county sheriffs departments, district attorney's offices, and university police departments.) Reim- bursements are funded from penalty assessments on criminal and traffic fines. Since reimbursement amounts are going to vary annually according to department demands and funding availability, the potential reimbursement shortfall is not certain. The Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) sets minimum selection and training standards for California law enforcement. While the POST program is voluntary and incen- tive- based, participating agencies agree to abide by the standards established by POST. The more than 600 agencies in the POST program are eligible to receive the Commission's services and benefits, such as job - related assessment tools, research into improved officer selection standards, management counseling services, the development of new training courses, reimbursement for training, and quality leadership training programs. POST will continue to administer certified courses, but will be unable to reimburse participants. The League will continue to work with POST to determine the potential magnitude of this reduction proposal and will communicate with League mem- bers throughout the budget process. If you have any questions, contact Aaron Ferguson, fgrausa0cacities orc (916) 658 -8249. PAGE 2 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site -- www.cacities.org