February 17, 2021
Take Action
Cal Cities is urging cities to submit letters of opposition unless amended on SB 9 (Atkins). This bill will be heard by the Senate Committee on Housing in the coming weeks. Please contact your Senator with a letter opposing the measure, unless it is amended to address your concerns. Please send in letters as soon as possible. 
 
OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED SB 9 (Atkins) Increased Density in Single-Family Zones. SB 9 (Atkins) Sample letter
Cal Cities News

Cal Cities President and El Centro Mayor Cheryl Viegas Walker announced members of its Cal Cities Advancing Equity Advisory Committee, charged with developing recommendations for the organization’s future work supporting city efforts to advance equity in their communities. The committee will develop a set of recommended actions and resources for consideration by the board of directors later this year. Read more

The League of California Cities Board of Directors gathered virtually for a two-day meeting last week to review progress on Cal Cities’ 2021 Strategic Advocacy Priorities and Strategic Growth Plan goals, learn about new organization initiatives, vote on policy positions, and discuss with the Governor pressing issues facing California’s cities. Read more

Cal Cities recently surveyed cities on solid waste and recycling rates to understand if rates are on the rise, by how much, and what is driving these cost increases. A Cal Cities infographic shows cities of every size anticipate solid waste and recycling rate increases in the next three years. Of the 149 cities surveyed, nine out of 10 cities indicated their rates are increasing, with more than seven out of 10 anticipating a 1 to 20 percent rate increase. Read more

The U.S House Oversight and Reform Committee passed a legislative proposal that includes $350 billion in emergency relief for state and local governments. The bill text will now be delivered to the House Budget Committee to be assembled into the broader emergency aid package, and will then go to the House floor for a vote. On Feb. 16, Cal Cities hosted a briefing for members on the relief package, which featured an update from National League of Cities Senior Executive and Director of Federal Advocacy Irma Esparza Diggs. Read more
Education and Events

Planning commissioners, city planning directors, and associated staff are invited to attend four days of educational sessions and opportunities to connect with peers at the virtual 2021 Planning Commissioners Academy taking place March 25, 26, 31, and April 1. This academy is a must attend for new and seasoned planning commissioners alike, with sessions ranging from the basic roles and responsibilities as a planning commissioner, to updates on key legislative issues. Read more
 
The Municipal Law Institute Symposium is a one-day virtual event for local government attorneys and law students scheduled March 5. Presented by the League of California Cities, California Constitution Center, Institute of Governmental Studies, and the Bar Association of San Francisco, the symposium will bring attorneys and academics together to discuss “Converging Emergencies” and the lessons learned from an unprecedented year that raised challenging municipal legal issues regarding local finance, elections, housing, policing, race and equity, and more. Learn more
 
The City of Sacramento is one of many California cities to put a general sales tax measure on the November 2020 ballot to bring in much-needed revenue for local projects. Voter approval to renew or raise local sales taxes has given some cities a sustained source of revenue to maintain critical services, invest in local infrastructure, and create additional amenities for the community. 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

​New affordable housing for low-income residents in the City of Santa Ana will soon be constructed with funding from the issuance of $35.5 million in tax-exempt and taxable multi-family affordable housing bonds through the California Statewide Communities Development Authority. Read more
More News and Events
 
The League of California Cities Board of Directors voted Feb. 11 to take an oppose unless amended position on SB 9 (Atkins), which would require a local government to ministerially approve a housing development containing two residential units in single-family residential zones. Additionally, this measure would require local governments to ministerially approve urban lot splits. Cities are encouraged to send a position letter to their Senators as soon as possible. Read more

During last week’s board meeting, Cal Cities President and El Centro Mayor Cheryl Viegas Walker announced the creation of a Public Safety Task Force, and introduced the diverse set of local officials who make up this important group. The new task force will review and recommend updates to Cal Cities’ public safety policy and guiding principles, which will be delivered to the Public Safety Policy Committee for consideration in April.  Read more
 
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 after the bill introduction deadline of Feb. 19. 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. 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 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
 
Thursday, March 18, 10 a.m. — The Supreme Court's 2021 docket is set for the 2020-21 term. Many new cases of interest to states and local governments have been added, ranging from a takings case to a case involving college athlete pay. Join us for a discussion of the most interesting cases for states and local governments to be decided this term. Register now