Issue highlights:
Read below for more news and events.
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Each year, the Cal Cities president appoints representatives from six coastal regions to serve on the Leadership Committee to help facilitate the Coastal Cities Group’s operations and play a key role in its activities. Read more
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CalPERS’ investment returns for fiscal year 2020-21 triggered an automatic reduction in the discount rate. During an upcoming CalPERS board meeting, local officials are encouraged to testify about how any change to the discount rate could impact their cities. Read more
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Per Cal Cities policy, Members must first request a policy committee appointment through their Caucus, Department, or Division president before submitting an application. Applicants will be reviewed on their experience and policy awareness. Read more
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Press Statement from the
Executive Director and CEO
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Following the Attorney General’s announcement of the creation of a Housing Strike Force, League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman released a statement.
“California cities have been taking our state’s housing crisis seriously for years and have made significant progress planning for and approving housing across all income levels within their communities. They have been doing this using their own plans, while abiding by the state’s myriad of everchanging laws. By the end of next year, all of the state’s major regional governments, including cities, will have identified and planned for more than two million units of additional housing statewide. Those two million units are on top of the millions of homes that cities have already planned, zoned, and approved previously. The comments made during the Attorney General’s press conference today, demonizing all cities for things they do not control will not put roofs over the heads of Californians. " Read the full statement
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The White House has released a new framework for the Build Back Better Act, which contains significant funding for workforce development, climate resiliency, and housing affordability, and is politically tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Officials are encouraged to contact their representatives to urge them to vote yes on both bills. Additionally, the National League of Cities is hosting two American Rescue Plan Act webinars. Read more
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Friday, Nov. 5, 10:30 a.m. — Overseeing your first public meeting as a municipal attorney can be a daunting experience. You might have read the Brown Act in preparation, but providing legal guidance in real-time in front of the public and media requires alertness to potential pitfalls, political astuteness, and confidence. Join us as we discuss Brown Act basics, offer tips and suggestions through hypotheticals, and provide some suggested best practices. Speakers: Thousand Oaks City Attorney Tracy Noonan; Palmdale Assistant City Attorney Noel Doran; Burke Williams and Sorensen LLP's Thomas Jex; and Jorgenson, Siegel, McClure & Flegel's Cara Silver. Register today
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Tuesday, Nov. 9, 9:00 a.m. — What does the future hold as we begin to emerge from the pandemic? Join the League of California Cities and BlueDot infectious disease experts Alex Demarsh and Dr. Andrea Thomas for a timely conversation about how COVID-19 will evolve next in California, and the role cities can play in helping drive emergency management of the pandemic. Register today
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Wednesday, Dec. 1, 9:00 a.m. — More than 700 new laws are coming to California next year, many with positive effects for cities. Join League of California Cities President and Walnut Creek Council Member Cindy Silva, Cal Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman, and the advocacy team to learn about the most significant legislation signed into law this year. Topics include local land use authority and affordable housing; broadband infrastructure deployment and funding; disaster response and resources; climate resiliency funding; organic waste implementation; public safety reform and cannabis; and Brown Act flexibility. Register today
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This year’s sessions cover a wide range of topics designed to create more healthy, resilient, and successful fire departments. Start with the basics, such as how to create a new “Brain Health” culture for your departments, where prevention and resiliency are holistic essentials. Then, dive deep into national and regional conversations, like how to create a more inclusive and diverse fire service or what funding programs are available through the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Note: The deadline to secure the discounted hotel rate is Thursday, Nov. 16. Register today
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Join the League of California Cities for four days of virtual educational sessions and peer-to-peer sharing at the 2022 New Mayors and Council Members Academy, taking place Jan. 20, 21, 27, and 28! This virtual conference is a must-attend for newly elected officials or seasoned mayors and council members who would like a refresher course on the basic legal and practical framework in which city officials operate. Delve into critical training on important, fundamental topics for local government taught by peers and subject matter experts. Register today
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The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced guidelines for its $200 million Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant Program. The funds can be used to address the drought's immediate impacts on human health and safety, protect fish and wildlife resources, and provide public benefits, such as ecosystem improvements or emergency water interties. At least $50 million of the available funding will be set aside to support underrepresented communities. Applications submitted by Nov. 19, 2021, will be considered for the first batch of awards, which may be announced as early as Dec. 2021. Read more
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The California Office of the Small Business Advocate has announced the recipients of its California Small Business Technical Assistance Expansion Program. Approximately $17 million in grant funding has been allocated to more than 80 technical assistance centers for expansion of their business consulting and training services to historically underserved business groups, including women-, minority-, and veteran-owned businesses, as well as businesses in low-wealth, rural, and disaster-impacted communities. Read more
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The Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program provides grants to fund transformative capital improvements that will modernize California’s intercity, commuter, and transit service systems and significantly reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, vehicle miles traveled, and congestion. The call for projects starts Nov. 19, with project applications due no later than March 3, 2022. Caltrans offers expanded technical assistance prior to application to support agencies of every size, including assistance in identifying critical elements and documenting increased ridership across the project. A full contact list for local agencies is available online. Read more
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Nearly $50 million in funds are available on a competitive basis for local governments to address specific, persistent encampments and provide pathways to permanent housing for individuals in those encampments. The program is designed to fund projects that prioritize the most unsafe and/or persistent encampments around the state; provide services for people in those encampments to address the immediate crisis of unsheltered homelessness and provide a path to permanent housing; and support the sustainable restoration of public spaces to their intended uses while safeguarding the needs of unhoused people seeking shelter. Applications must be submitted by Dec. 31. Read more
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Every day, cities deliver an array of public safety services to protect the residents and businesses within their communities. Recent events across the nation have sparked conversations around reimagining those services, particularly in the area of local policing. However, in many cities in California, local leaders are also reimagining how to deliver public safety services when a wildfire strikes. Read the Cal Cities Executive Director's Message
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Wednesday, Nov. 10, 11:00 a.m. — Developing policies and programs that achieve equitable outcomes can be a challenge. This is especially true when it comes to budgeting and fund allocation processes with programs like The American Rescue Plan Act. Many local agencies are wondering how to design a process that centers equity and authentically engages the populations most in need of local government services. In this webinar thought leaders and local agency practitioners will share best practices and examples of how local governments are operationalizing equity discussions to better engage residents in critical steps of public decision-making. Register today
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Tuesday, Nov. 16, 10:00 a.m. — Every local agency needs to strategize and implement an equity approach that works for them and their community. In this special Institute for Local Government event, hear from local jurisdictions that have already embarked on their equity journey. Attendees will have the chance to connect to share ideas, challenges, and successes about their equity journeys. Speakers: Temecula Director of Legislative Affairs and City Clerk Randi Johl; Monterey County Management Analyst III Rosemary Soto (County Administrative Office); Mono County Clerk Scheereen Dedman; Cosumnes Community Services District Director of Business and Public Affairs Kelly Gonzalez. Register today
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Thursday and Friday, Nov. 18 and 19, 10:00 a.m. — Are you getting the results you want from your public engagement efforts? Want to connect with other local government agencies tackling similar challenges? This two-day training offered by the Institute for Local Government helps city leaders master the public engagement process and build trust in their communities. Learn how to operationalize your outreach and engagement efforts more sustainably, authentically, and collaboratively with resources and digital tools. Register today
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As general counsel to the main advocacy group for California city governments, Corrie Manning writes amicus briefs for court cases affecting city governments' legal interests; hires staff for [Cal Cities] City Attorneys Department, where city attorneys from throughout the state exchange ideas; and produces continuing education programs on municipal law..."I believe local government is so important because the communities we live and work in oftentimes play such a large role in our general happiness and well-being and quality of life," [said Manning]. "It is an honor and a privilege to be the chief legal officer for an organization that supports and enhances local governments so that they can, in turn, help their local communities thrive." Read more
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Nov. 5
Nov. 9
Nov. 9
Nov. 10
Nov. 17
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Dec. 1
Dec. 8-9
Dec. 8-10
Jan. 20-21 and 27-28
Feb. 2-4
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