Issue highlights:
Read below for more news and events.
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Communities throughout California are struggling with a quickly evolving opioid crisis, which is now being driven by the increase in fentanyl-related deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 71,000 Americans died from synthetic opioid-related overdose in 2021. Of those overdoses, 7,000 occurred in California.
Voice your SUPPORT for four critical measures that would stem the tide of illicit substance-related deaths in California and bring relief to the many communities mourning tragic, preventable deaths.
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The Assembly Public Safety Committee will hold a special hearing on six fentanyl-related bills this Thursday, April 27, after sustained pressure from the League of California Cities and others. Cal Cities strongly supports four of those bills in direct response to the growing fentanyl crisis in communities across the state. Read more
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Many cities in California are punching above their weight to solve the housing affordability crisis. Ukiah recently became one of the first rural cities to receive the state’s “prohousing” designation. It is a remarkable accomplishment for a city once perceived as resistant to development. Read more
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Cal Cities released a resource to help local officials navigate a new medicinal cannabis law, SB 1186 (Weiner, 2022). Known as the Medicinal Cannabis Patients’ Right of Access Act, the law bars cities from prohibiting the retail delivery of medicinal cannabis to patients or caregivers. Read more
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It’s almost time for the big annual budget revision and the gauntlet that follows. In early May, Gov. Gavin Newsom will reveal his revised budget proposal. Two weeks later, any bills with fiscal impacts will need to pass through a biannual legislative culling known as the suspense file. State analysts are predicting a larger deficit than predicted, to the tune of over $24 billion. But for now, all eyes are on Thursday’s fentanyl hearing in the Assembly Public Safety Committee. Read more
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A third round of Homekey funding is available. The program helps cities quickly build or purchase housing, including hotel conversions, for people experiencing homelessness. Due to demand, applicants should submit their applications as soon as possible. Unsure about how to develop a Homekey project? Earlier this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom and others publicly praised a motel conversion in Redlands, with one expert calling it an “important model” for other cities. Read more
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CalRecycle is accepting applications for its Organics Grant Program, which helps cities and other stakeholders meet their SB 1383 obligations. Eligible projects must be in California; facilitate or result in greenhouse gas emission reductions; and increase the quantity of green materials or food materials that will be diverted from landfills. Co-digestion and anaerobic digestion projects have additional requirements. Apply by May 2. Read more
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The state is seeking applications for its $30 million Land and Water Conservation Fund. The program funds the acquisition or expansion of parks, wildlife corridors, trails, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. The maximum grant amount per application is $6 million. Applications are due June 1. Read more
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The National League of Cities (NLC) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury created new resources to help cities file their required State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund reports. NLC also launched a new tool to help cities identify federal climate action grant programs. Federal funding for workforce development and energy efficiency is now available as well. Read more
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Under a new order from the State Water Resources Control Board, all public sewer system agencies with sewer systems greater than one mile in length must apply for regulatory coverage and comply with corresponding system management and spill reporting requirements. The new order is the largest change in sanitary sewer system regulations since its first adoption in 2006. Read more
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May 24-27 — The National League of Cities’ Hispanic Elected Local Officials Constituency Group is hosting its annual summer conference in Coral Gables, Florida. The conference provides a space for Latino/a/x elected officials and allies to share best practices and discuss challenges and priorities facing Latino and Hispanic communities. The theme for this year’s event is Cities Work for All: Count Latinos in the Lead. Register today
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The League of California Cities needs your help picking the 2023 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program winners. Each year, Cal Cities invites city officials to serve as volunteer judges. Volunteers are vital to the success of this program, which brings positive attention to cities and provides opportunities for city officials to learn from one another. Read more
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Thursday, April 27, 11:00 a.m. — The annual budgeting process is often heavily based on sales tax projections, a revenue source that continues to be impacted by economic uncertainty. Join ILG and others to learn about current sales tax trends and solutions that can help your city maximize tax revenues and achieve long-term fiscal health. The city of Pacific Grove will share how these solutions helped their business community not just endure, but thrive. Register today
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Service providers are often reluctant to deploy high-speed universal broadband due to costs. To get around this, Placentia helped develop new microtrenching construction techniques that allow for quicker broadband deployment, even in areas with no existing connections. Read more
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In a letter to the air board, the League of California Cities, California State Association of Counties and the California Special Districts Association said the air board is “overlooking some important realities” and that fulfilling the timeline would be “impossible.” The coalition of local officials is urging the board to delay the rule’s deadline by four years, adopt more exemptions and impose price caps on the electric models to keep them more affordable. Read more
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California is struggling in its effort to reduce homelessness. That’s the verdict of a survey released this month by the League of California Cities, which found that cities are ramping up their efforts to reduce homelessness, and in many instances are having some success. On the other hand, the state’s homeless problem is so severe that, despite the state’s efforts to speed up the construction of affordable housing, the demand for such housing is so strong that it can’t be built fast enough. Read more
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... a federal appeals court panel decided Berkeley exceeded its authority when it enacted first-in-the-nation rules essentially requiring only electric appliances in most newly constructed homes. ... [Corrie] Manning, general counsel for the League of California Cities, said in an email that her organization doesn’t agree with the court’s finding and believes federal lawmakers did not intend “to override a city building ordinance adopted to protect health and safety.” Read more
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A federal court ruling this week striking down Berkeley’s ban on natural gas service in new buildings could deal a blow to dozens of cities across California. ... Corrie Manning, general counsel for the League of California Cities, said the organization was “disappointed” by the panel’s interpretation of the law and supported cities’ rights to local control. ... “We stand with the city of Berkeley and all cities’ ability to adopt regulations to protect the health and safety of their residents based on the unique needs of their local communities.” Read more
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ENGIE has been working in California for the last 48 years on energy projects with cities. We are involved in energy efficiency, solar energy, battery storage, wastewater treatment plant upgrades, and water meter replacement projects for cities. Read more
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