November 17, 2021
Cal Cities News

The CalPERS Board of Directors has voted to keep the long-term interest rate used to fund future pension benefits at 6.8%. Although cities would have preferred a return to 7.0%, a further lowering would have been disastrous for cities, making this an important win. Read more

Palm Desert officials feared the pandemic-related stay-at-home orders would result in many restaurants closing for good. In hopes of saving the businesses, they granted outdoor dining deck permits. The patios are so popular, the program may become permanent. Read more

The California Air Resources Board has developed new regulations to accelerate the number of medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicle purchases. Although Cal Cities supports their overall goal, the proposed rules heavily burden cities and fail to acknowledge several factors, including a lack of technology. Read more
Press Statement from the
Executive Director and CEO

On Nov. 15, President Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which comprises billions in new federal investments in the nation’s infrastructure, including more than $25 billion for California to repair roads, bridges, and highways and more than $600 million to prepare transportation systems for extreme weather, drought, and wildfires. League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman issued a statement in response. Read the statement

On Monday, President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes billions in new federal investments in the nation’s infrastructure. Additionally, reservations for the 2021 Main Street Small Business Tax Credit II, which provides COVID-19 financial relief for small businesses, are currently available. Finally, the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force has launched a public awareness campaign to help prepare families for celebrating safely this winter. State health officials are asking cities to help boost the campaign. Read more
Education and Events

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

Dec. 8 and 9 — 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. Register today

Dec. 8-10 — Scheduled for Dec. 8-10 in Universal City, the City Clerks New Law and Elections Seminar features educational sessions on current, relevant topics for city clerks, along with ample opportunities for peer-to-peer sharing. The Seminar concludes with Keynote Speaker Aniyia Williams, a principal on the Responsible Technology team at Omidyar Network and the founder of Black & Brown Founders, Zebras Unite, and other startups. Williams, whose work focuses on technology, identity, leadership, and ethics, will discuss how to lead during ongoing crises. Register today

Tuesday, Dec. 14, 3:00 p.m. — Committing to self-care has always been a challenge, even before the pandemic, which has dramatically altered our thinking about mental health, both as individuals and leaders. It’s important that we build on the lessons learned during the last two years and acknowledge the long-term, community, and system-level stressors caused by COVID-19. Join the League of California Cities and American Psychological Association Chief Executive Officer Dr. Arthur Evans for a conversation about how psychological science can help leaders work through continued uncertainty and other major societal issues, like the long-lasting effects of COVID-19. Register today

Jan. 20, 21,27, and 28 — Join the League of California Cities for four days of virtual educational sessions and peer-to-peer sharing at the 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
Opportunities for Cities

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting grant applications for projects that improve access to healthy foods and create jobs in underserved areas. The grants are one-time investments into a food retail or food enterprise project that aim to unlock additional sources of capital, catalyze project sustainability, meet financing gaps, and enable deeper impact. The program's national fund manager will also provide technical assistance to support selected early-stage projects. The first application phase is a letter of interest, which is due on Dec. 7. Eligible applicants will be invited to submit a full application in the second phase. Grant awards range from $20,000 to $200,000. Read more

The California Coastal Commission has announced the availability of $31 million in grant funding to support local government’s coastal resiliency efforts. Funds may be used for projects that assist local governments in assessing impacts and planning for coastal resiliency, including adapting to the impacts of climate change and sea level rise, and that contain a Local Coastal Program planning component. Grant amounts could range up to $500,000. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to the California Coastal Commission's grant team with any questions. Read more

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has announced funding for communities to implement mitigation activities that reduce risk to life and property from natural hazards, such as wildfire, earthquake, drought, flooding, and other impacts of climate change. The funds can also support the development of Local Hazard Mitigation Plans and project scoping activities. A Notice of Interest must be submitted online by Dec. 31, 2021. Notices submitted after this date will be considered for the next available funding opportunity. Read more

In 2015, Burbank — a San Fernando Valley city of roughly 100,000 residents — launched Project HOPE (Helping Others Prosper Everyday), a Parks and Recreation program with a simple mission: “Promote the independence, health, and dignity of older adults through compassion, kindness, commitment, and positivity.” Read more

Police reform has been a top legislative priority for progressive lawmakers in California for years, and while there have been some significant criminal justice measures signed into law in the past decade, many more bills never made it to the governor’s desk. This year was different. Read more
More News and Events

Friday, Nov. 19 — The League of California Cities is currently accepting presidential appointment applications for all seven policy committees. Per Cal Cities policy, members must first request a policy committee appointment through their Caucus, Department, or Division president. If you did not secure an appointment through that process, you may then request a presidential appointment by completing an online form. Applicants will be reviewed on their experience and policy awareness. Read more

Thursday, Nov. 18, 9:00 a.m. — CalRecycle is hosting a webinar on how cities can submit an intent to comply with the SB 1383 regulations. This webinar will help jurisdictions understand the process for submitting a notification, the requirements that must be met for a notification to be approved, and what an approved notification means for the jurisdiction. The webinar includes an opportunity for attendees to ask questions, which can be sent beforehand to NOIC@calrecycle.ca.gov. More information about the alternative compliance pathway is available on CalRecycle's website. Register today

Thursday, Dec. 2, 11:00 a.m. — The California Public Employees' Retirement System is offering a webinar about its recent decision to keep the discount rate, the long-term interest rate used to fund future pension benefits, at 6.8%. During the review, staff will address any questions and explore the impacts to employers, members, and the system as a whole, including contribution rates going out multiple years. This webinar is open to all stakeholders. Register today

Two Mondays, Dec. 6 and 13, 5:00 p.m. — The post-pandemic recovery will require local leaders to address significant challenges and make difficult decisions about how best to allocate scarce resources and prioritize local initiatives. Local agencies cannot effectively address such challenges without a strong foundation of good government — trust, accountability, responsiveness, and transparency. Now is the ideal time to ensure that your agency’s foundation is solid. The Institute for Local Government’s new, interactive “Level Up Your Leadership” training helps elected and appointed city officials master the art of public service by equipping them with practical tools and strategies to govern more effectively and better engage with their professional peers and the community. Register today

Thursday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. — In the wake of COVID-19, cities have pivoted to online and hybrid forums for public engagement. While this has led to increased participation, a central question remains: How can these methods help agencies build trust and develop equitable, sustainable public participation that meets their strategic goals? Join the Institute for Local Government and other city officials for an interactive webinar about strategic and outcome-driven public participation processes that can lead to better engagement results and hear from other local leaders about their engagement journeys. Register today
Cal Cities in the News

Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman issued the following statement in response: “Cal Cities applauds the President, the Congress, and all of those involved in making this once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s future. This historic — and bipartisan — infrastructure legislation builds upon investments already being made at the state and local levels to meet current and future needs so that our communities are stronger and safer." Read more