February 10, 2021
Cal Cities News

Just days before the existing eviction moratorium was set to expire, the state extended the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act – SB 91 on Jan. 29, 2021, which went into effect immediately. In response to the ongoing eviction and shelter crisis facing communities throughout California, SB 91 extends the statewide moratorium on evictions for nonpayment of rent due to COVID-19 financial hardship to June 30, 2021, and establishes the State’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program.  Read more

The League of California Cities joined fellow members of the Fix Our Roads Coalition and submitted a letter last week to the newly-appointed chairs of the state Senate and Assembly Transportation Committees, detailing the coalition's efforts to pass and protect SB 1 funding, and committing to working together to address the future of transportation in California. Read more

The League of California Cities, along with other local government organizations, submitted a joint letter to the Legislature this week urging prompt action to make several urgent changes to the Beverage Container Recycling Program to address the lack of convenient redemption opportunities in many parts of the state, such as rural and some urban areas. Read more
Message from the Executive Director

Some good news for cities out of Washington, D.C.! Last night, the U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee released draft legislation that includes $350 billion in emergency relief for state and local governments. The draft meets Cal Cities’ strategic advocacy goal of delivering direct and flexible federal resources for pandemic response and recovery for cities of all sizes. In addition, there is no minimum population requirement, and the funding can be used to replace lost revenue, which is a first! Thank you and all of our members who joined Cal Cities in urging congressional leadership to take swift and urgent action on comprehensive coronavirus relief legislation that includes direct and flexible funding for all cities. Read more

Emergency relief for local governments is finally included in draft federal legislation, and National League of Cities is hosting a webinar on how public-private partnerships can play an integral role in COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Read more 
Education and Events

Thursday, Feb. 25, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. — Join the League of California Cities City Attorneys’ Department for a webinar to hear an overview of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) requirements, explore the impacts of the Fourth District Court of Appeal opinion, and learn about strategies you can utilize in negotiating or challenging renewed MS4 Permits. Presenters: Casso & Sparks, LLP Partner John Harris, and Jones & Mayer Senior Associate Bruce Lindsay. Read more

Last week, 380 California city managers convened for a League of California Cities premier annual event — the City Managers Conference. Held virtually over the week of Feb. 1, attendees discovered ideas surrounding breaking topics relevant to their roles in the city and connected with peers from throughout the state. Registered participants can access nearly all of the conference sessions until May 2021 and registration to view the sessions is still available for those who couldn't attend. Thank you to our 2021 City Managers Conference sponsors! Read more
 
Carolyn Coleman taps into the inspirational words of city leaders around the state to bring a message of hope for 2021, a year when we will need to fight for our cities more than ever before to forge strong local-state-federal partnerships and an equitable recovery for California. Read more
Opportunities for Cities

Each year, Cal Cities honors outstanding work in member cities throughout the state through the Helen Putnam Awards for Excellence. Apply online by April 8 at 5 p.m. Read more

​An affordable housing property has been acquired for middle-income residents in the city of Anaheim from the issuance of $181 million in tax-exempt Essential Housing Revenue Bonds through the California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA). The Anaheim project is the third closing under the new CSCDA Workforce Housing Program. Read more
More News and Events
 
The Legislature will host a number of oversight and informational hearings on a variety of policy areas of interest to cities in the coming weeks. The number of legislative hearings may expand as the bill introduction deadline of Feb. 19 approaches. All hearings will be televised. The Senate and Assembly publish weekly television schedules online, as well as audio and video links when available. Read more

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 9-10 a.m. — Join this live virtual event, where you can interact with the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development team behind the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Strategy, and discuss how the ZEV Strategy will be implemented to deliver zero-emission benefits to all Californians and beyond. Read more

Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2-3:30 p.m. — This year’s budgeting cycle will likely be more challenging than ever for cities, counties, and special districts. Join Cal Cities affiliate, the Institute for Local Government, and your local government colleagues for a webinar that will explain some important updates to the Government Finance Officers Association’s criteria for the Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards, and offer strategies to streamline the annual budgeting process by automating workflow, increasing collaboration, and centralizing data. Presenters: Lake Elsinore Assistant Administrative Services Director Shannon Buckley, San Juan Bautista City Manager Don Reynolds, and ClearGov Inc. co-founder and CEO Chris Bullock. Register now.
Cal Cities in the News
The pandemic may be dividing the cities further, depending on their circumstances. A California League of Cities survey conducted last summer found 90% of cities expect to cut staff or decrease city services to residents due to pandemic-related drops in revenue, and nearly 75% said they may have to do both. In Dinuba, overall sales tax revenue is 444% higher than it was in 2015, the year before the tax sharing agreement took effect, according to state data. “The boom to e-commerce has certainly resulted in some communities benefiting from their agreements,” league lobbyist Nicolas Romo said.

The City of Palm Springs is proud to announce City Manager David H. Ready has been awarded the Wes McClure City Manager’s Award of Distinction from the League of California Cities. Ready received the prestigious statewide honor earlier this week via Zoom during The League of California Cities, City Manager Conference. “It is an honor to recognize Dr. Ready for his 20 years of leadership as City Manager of Palm Springs,” said League of California Cities’ City Managers’ Department President and Yountville Town Manager Steve Rogers. “He is a true public servant whose commitment has contributed to an extraordinary economic and cultural renaissance in his community.”

Paradise Assistant to the Town Manager Awarded John H. Nail Award from League of Ca. Cities: Colette Curtis, Assistant to the Town Manager with the Town of Paradise, was recognized by the League of California Cities on Monday, Feb. 1, with the John H. Nail Award. This award is presented annually to an outstanding municipal assistant who has contributed significantly to his or her city government and to the advancement of the community as a whole. Colette has contributed her time, energy and expertise to the Town the last 8 years. In the recovery from the Camp Fire, she has played a pivotal role in communications, project implementation, grant application and administration and overall production of projects.