May 5, 2021
Cal Cities News

This morning, the Third District Court of Appeal ruled in Gavin Newsom v. Sutter County Superior Court that the Governor’s issuance of executive orders during the COVID-19 pandemic did not constitute an unconstitutional delegation of legislative power. The court’s decision validates actions taken by cities during the pandemic in accordance with the executive orders. Read more

More than 300 city leaders participated in a Cal Cities briefing on May 4 to learn about the most important bills in the state Legislature impacting cities this year. The briefing featured updates on a number of key bills currently moving through the Legislature and highlighted the important role city officials play in advancing Cal Cities’ advocacy efforts. Read more

The League of California Cities Board of Directors participated in a two-day meeting last week, where they reviewed progress on the Cal Cities 2021 strategic advocacy priorities, voted on policy positions, adopted recommendations to support city leaders as they advance equity in their communities, and discussed drought resilience with a top state official. Read more

U.S. Department of the Treasury now has a website where people can learn more about COVID-19 economic relief, programs, and assistance for state, local, and tribal governments. 
 
The California COVID-19 Rent Relief program has funds to distribute, and is urging California city governments to share this resource with impacted individuals in their communities. Landlords who participate in the program can get reimbursed for 80 percent of an eligible renter’s unpaid rent, and eligible renters whose landlords choose not to participate in the program may apply on their own and receive 25 percent of unpaid rent between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Paying 25 percent by June 30, 2021 can help keep the tenant in their home under the extended eviction protections in SB 91 (2021). Visit the Housing is Key website to learn more.
 
The National League of Cities continues to update answers to Frequently Asked Questions around the local relief included in the American Rescue Plan. Read more
Education and Events

Thursday, May 6, 10:30-11:30 a.m.In April, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a regional state of emergency for the Russian River Watershed in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, while cities throughout the state are also experiencing extremely dry conditions. The California Natural Resources Agency will brief city officials on the current hydrologic conditions and what they can do to prepare their communities for potential drought declarations. Presenters: Lakeport Council Member and Cal Cities Board Liaison to the Rural City Information Exchange Mireya Turner, California Natural Resources Agency Deputy Secretary of the Governor’s Water Portfolio Program Nancy Vogel. Register now

The League of California Cities is hosting one of its cornerstone advocacy events of the year, Legislative Action Days on May 12-13. Join hundreds of your fellow Cal Cities members for this two-day virtual advocacy event and play a key role in ensuring local priorities are heard in the Legislature and Administration. Registration for this event is still open and is free for Cal Cities members and League Partners. Read more

Thursday, May 13, 1-2:30 p.m. Join the League of California Cities, the County Engineers Association of California, and the California State Association of Counties for a virtual awards ceremony to honor the 2021 Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Projects Award winners, including the cities of Santa Rosa, Santa Clarita, and Oakland. Special guest Assembly Member Laura Friedman, California State Assembly Transportation Committee chair, will also join the ceremony to provide remarks to the group. Read more
 
As COVID-19 positivity rates continue to decline and vaccination rates increase, California city leaders are shifting from around-the-clock pandemic response to developing plans for long-term economic recovery. The resurgence of local economies is key to our nation’s recovery from a devastating yearlong pandemic, and as city officials map out equitable recovery efforts in their communities, inclusive economic development strategies must be a core component of these long-term plans. Read more
 
The Institute for Local Government (ILG) launched a pilot program called BOOST, in partnership with the Strategic Growth Council, to help under-resourced communities build capacity to advance their climate, equity, and economic development goals. Through this program, ILG worked with 10 cities and two regions to develop projects and programs that promote more equitable, just, and economically-thriving communities. Read more
Opportunities for Cities

U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patrick Leahy announced on April 26 that Congress would restore — on a bipartisan basis — the authority to approve congressionally-directed spending items with enhanced transparency and accountability. Use the forms on U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein’s Congressionally Directed Spending Requests webpage to submit a request for project funding. The deadline to submit requests for FY 2022 appropriations bills is TODAY, May 5 at 6 p.m. Read more

New affordable housing in the city of San Diego will be available for low-income residents with $31.5 million in tax-exempt affordable housing bonds issued through the California Statewide Communities Development Authority. Read more
 
The National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (YEF) is now accepting cities' applications to join their Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative. The YEF Institute will provide technical assistance and up to $100,000 in grant funds to selected cities to help them plan and implement economic mobility strategies grounded in racial equity. The initiative comes at a crucial time as both cities and families work to recover and rebuild after the devastating economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and as new opportunities emerge from federal recovery packages such as the American Rescue Plan Act. An informational session is May 6, and the deadline to apply is May 26. Learn more
More News and Events

In a decision published April 26, the First District Court of Appeal ruled in Oakland Police Officers Association v. City of Oakland that there is no mandatory obligation to disclose reports and complaints prior to a second interrogation of an officer under investigation. Read more

It is a busy month in the Capitol with legislative policy committees, fiscal committees, and just a little more than a week until Gov. Gavin Newsom releases his May Revision. Additionally, legislative fiscal committees have until May 21 to hear and report to the floor bills introduced in their house of origin. Check out the list of upcoming bills in committee that impact cities. Read more

The 2021 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program applications have been submitted and now it is time to determine who the winning cities are for each of the 12 categories. Each year, Cal Cities invites fellow city officials to volunteer as a judge to review and select the winning programs. If you would like to volunteer to participate, submit an application by May 7. Read more
 
Thursday, May 6, 2 p.m.  — The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted economic opportunity and the ability for California residents to afford housing costs. While the pandemic has created a number of challenges, local governments have formed partnerships and explored unique strategies to help their residents stay housed. Participants will hear about programs and tactics local governments have put in place, including rental assistance, tenant protection, and anti-displacement practices. This webinar is part of ILG’s new leadership series, Tackling California’s Housing Crisis, to help local governments better address housing issues in our communities. Presenters: City of Arvin Grant Writer Christine Viterelli, Lift to Rise President and CEO Heather Vaikona, Riverside County Economic Development Agency Assistant Director Carrie Harmon, and City of Oakland Deputy Director Housing and Community Development Maryann Leshin. Read more
 
Wednesday, May 26, 2:30 p.m. — Join the California Strategic Growth Council, the Institute for Local Government (ILG), and BOOST program partners from the cities of Arcata, Bakersfield and Paramount for a discussion about the successes and lessons learned from the new program that helped local governments across the state build capacity to address climate action needs, as well as learn tips and tools to engage your community, advance climate action planning, and develop meaningful partnerships with other local agencies and community-based organizations. Presenters: Institute for Local Government Assistant Executive Director Karalee Browne, City of Paramount Public Works Director Adriana Figueroa, City of Bakersfield Economic Development Principal Planner Cecelia Greigo, City of Arcata Community Development Director David Loya, and ShePOWER Global CEO Arleana Waller. Read more
Cal Cities in the News
The Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Project Awards Program highlights cities and counties in California that are employing projects, programs, practices and innovative technologies and materials to achieve preservation, safety and sustainability goals for the statewide local street and road system. The program is sponsored by the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), the League of California Cities and the County Engineers Association of California (CEAC). 

Over 120 organizations are registered in support of the proposal, with about 25 in opposition. Opposition to the bill includes the League of California Cities, the California School Boards Association, and the California Special Districts Association.

County task force tackles San Diego River Park plan, May 3, San Diego Union-Tribune
This funding mechanism can be used for infrastructure, parks, open spaces, and storm water infrastructure, according to the League of California Cities.

State bill to preserve remote access to public meetings met with resistance, April 30, CBS San Francisco, (also appeared in The San Mateo Daily Journal, ClayCord.com, and DanvilleSanRamon.com)
The opposition came from the League of California Cities -- an association of the state's cities that represents almost all 482 cities -- and other groups like Santa Barbara County, the Association of California Health Care Districts, and the Community College League of California.

The representative for the League of California Cities argued while their group sponsored the landmark Ralph E. Brown act that governs meetings and supports open government meetings, the law unfairly targets local municipalities while larger government agencies will be exempt. "Even if the bill is amended as proposed, this will still create a higher standard that is above and beyond state agencies and legislators required to provide for public comment once the state of emergency is lifted," said LCC representative Bijan Mehryar said.

Is this the year the California Legislature closes the digital divide?, April 29, Cal Matters (also appeared in Times of San Diego)
But many local governments argue that these measures could jeopardize their ability to ensure new infrastructure is done safely and efficiently. The League of California Cities has taken particular issue with a bill by Democratic Sen. Bill Dodd of Napa that would make it easier for companies to hang wireless internet transmitters on street lights and traffic poles.

Editorial: Hold your head high, California. Losing a congressional seat doesn’t mean you’re washed up, April 29, The Tribune (also appeared in The Sacramento Bee, The Fresno Bee, The Modesto Bee, Merced Sun-Star)
According to the League of California Cities, local streets and roads need $82 billion worth of work — that doesn’t include state highways.
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