October 6, 2021
Cal Cities News

Cal Cities is seeking feedback on the biggest issues facing cities in the next three years. Members have until Oct. 15 to submit feedback through a short, online survey. The results will help determine the 2022 Action Agenda, which contains our top legislative priorities. Read more

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has extended the deadline for the first Project and Expenditure Report into early 2022 and stated that there are no plans to use the ID.me system for non-entitlement city reporting at this time. Also, the National League of Cities will hold two American Rescue Plan Act webinars. Read more

“Seed to Sale: A Guide to Regulating Cannabis in California Cities” includes information about the development of cannabis law, its current status, practical approaches to regulations, and finance and taxation, as well as enforcement tools for cities. Read more
Education and Events

Thursday, Oct. 14, 1 p.m. For many cities, pension costs are the second-largest budget line item after salaries. CalPERS is currently considering a possible adjustment to the discount rate, which will impact city budgets. This webinar will educate city officials in preparation for the important decisions being made by the CalPERS Board of Administration. CalPERS Chief Executive Officer Marcie Frost, along with CalPERS Board Member, League of California Cities Board Member, and Palm Springs City Council Member Lisa Middleton, will give a historical perspective about how we got here and what big issues and decisions are facing the CalPERS system. Register today

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 Thomas Jex; and Jorgenson, Siegel, McClure & Flegel Cara Silver. Register today

Join the Fire Chiefs Department or the City Clerks Department at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City this December for two exciting conferences. The Fire Chiefs Leadership Seminar — scheduled for Dec. 8 and 9 — helps fire chiefs and their mid-level managers enhance their skills and knowledge on a variety of pressing issues. Set for Dec. 8-10, the City Clerks New Law and Elections Seminar includes an update from the Fair Political Practices Commission and educational sessions on a range of topics. Read more

The League of California Cities is seeking session proposals for its upcoming Planning Commissioners Academy, taking place March 16-18 at the Marriott San Ramon. The conference offers a fundamentals track for new commissioners — and those wanting a refresher course — as well as an emerging issues track, which includes innovative solutions for current issues facing California city planners and planning commissioners. Read more
Opportunities for Cities

CalPERS is holding its annual Educational Forum online on Oct. 19 and 20. The free event provides in-depth information about how to best administer CalPERS benefits and includes breakout sessions tailored for different administrating employees: human resource directors, health benefits officers, finance, and payroll personnel. The forum includes opportunities to meet with CalPERS staff in a one-on-one setting or explore related services offered by its partners. Attendees can also earn Continuing Education Credit. Read more

The Department of Cannabis Control revealed the guidelines and requirements for its $100 million Local Jurisdiction Assistance Grant Program, which provides funding for local jurisdictions transitioning high numbers of provisional cannabis licenses into annual licenses. Additional funding is available for jurisdictions with equity programs that further support equity provisional licensees’ pathways to annual licensure. The application is open to 17 cities and counties. The department is prioritizing rapid allocation of funds to eligible jurisdictions and anticipates awarding grant funding by the end of 2021. Read more

The League of California Cities Board of Directors elected Walnut Creek Council Member Cindy Silva to serve as the 2021-22 President during the Annual Conference and Expo. For Silva’s first “President’s Message,” she talks about the future of cities, and shares her view of Cal Cities as a place where local officials can work together to tackle challenges, capitalize on new opportunities, and move forward for the betterment of all communities. Read more
More News and Events

Thursday, Oct. 7, 2 p.m. — More than 150,000 Californians are experiencing homelessness. The COVID-19 pandemic encouraged innovation and infused a significant amount of one-time dollars into cities to help address the crisis. But what did local governments learn from this experience? Join the Institute for Local Government, the California Department of Housing and Community Development, and local government colleagues to learn about funding opportunities, strategies, and the lessons learned. Speakers: Salinas Community Development Director Megan Hunter; Department of Housing and Community Development Senior Homelessness Policy Specialist Lindsey Slama; and Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative Interim Director Cheri Todoroff. Register today

Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1 p.m. —  In September, CalPERS presented a range of potential investment portfolios to its Board of Administration, with discount rates ranging from 6.2 to 7.0%. The board narrowed that range down to 6.5, 6.8, and 7.0%, and asked staff to bring back various options for investment portfolios that can produce those expected returns. The board is still weighing a number of decisions, including the tolerance for market drawdown risk, acceptable volatility, and employers' ability to absorb different rate changes. This webinar will help stakeholders understand CalPERS' approach to these issues, what these decisions mean for members and employers, and what the CalPERS Board of Administration may do during its November meeting. Register today

Tuesday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. — CalRecycle will host a webinar on the new SB 1383 measurement and reporting requirements, including changes to the Recycling and Disposal Reporting System. The first reporting period pursuant to SB 1383 requirements is the 1st quarter of 2022. Participants wishing to send questions before the webinar may do so by emailing SLCP.Organics@calrecycle.ca.gov. Be sure to indicate which webinar your question is for. Register today
Cal Cities in the News

Artwork on concrete barriers downtown has earned the City of Escondido the prestigious Helen Putnam Award for Excellence for Economic Development through the Arts. This honor is given for outstanding achievements by the League of California Cities. A representative of Cal Cities will present the award at an October council meeting, the exact date to be announced. Read more

In this last week prior to the final decision, local governments, nonprofits, and one of the country’s largest waste and recycling corporations shared more with Waste360 on what they think the legislation, dubbed by some as the “Truth in Recycling” bill, will mean…Derek Dolfie, legislative representative for the League of California Cities, peers through the lens of municipalities. “When non-recyclable items are placed in the recycling bin, cities must spend time, energy, and resources to sort out these materials…it can also affect the quality of the recyclable material and make it harder to find an end market. These added costs are born by city residents in the form of higher recycling bills.” Read more

Fremont has been recognized as a climate action leader. On September 23, 2021, the City was acknowledged at the League of California Cities Annual Conference in Sacramento for leading on climate action efforts and creating a more sustainable community. Read more

The League of California Cities recently honored the City of Cupertino as a 2021 winner of the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence. Cupertino was recognized among 11 California cities recognized for its “outstanding efforts and innovative programs to improve the quality of life and delivery of services in their communities” from a pool of 125 submissions, according to Cal Cities. Read more