Issue highlights:
Read below for more news and events.
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Over 300 city officials from throughout the state joined forces for Cal Cities Legislative Action Days, a two-day virtual advocacy summit – part education, part advocacy – connecting local leaders directly with state lawmakers. Over the coming days, city officials are estimated to attend around fifty meetings with legislators. Read more
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Cal Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman issued a statement following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announcement of a $12 billion budget proposal to confront the homelessness crisis. “Providing resources to house and deliver supportive services to the tens of thousands of those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in our communities is of paramount importance." Read more
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The timing for United Infrastructure Week, May 10-14, is especially appropriate as it aligns with Cal Cities Legislative Action Days, where city officials lobby state lawmakers on pressing issues, including the need for infrastructure funding. Cal Cities is advocating for the investment of at least $3 billion for broadband infrastructure to be included in the state budget. Read more
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Message from the Executive Director |
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With Monday’s release of guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, our cities are one step closer to getting the federal resources needed to help stabilize local government operations and reopen their local economies safely. For more information on the guidance and other recovery resources, visit our Guide to Local Recovery webpage. In addition, Cal Cities will host a briefing call on the guidance and answer questions next Wednesday, May 19, at 1 p.m. Registration information will be available early next week. Read more
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The portal for local governments that will receive their money directly from the U.S. Department of the Treasury is now live. This portal is for cities classified as Metropolitan Cities under the American Rescue Plan. Local governments designated as non-entitlement units are also eligible to receive Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, as provided in the American Rescue Plan. However, they will receive this funding from their applicable state government, not through this link.
Tomorrow, Cal Cities staff will provide an overview of the Treasury Department guidance during the Legislative Action Days briefing from 10-11:30 a.m. and answer any questions you may have. The Treasury Department and White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs will also host a briefing call tomorrow on the American Rescue Plan's State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds from 1-1:30 p.m. Read more
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Tomorrow, Thursday, May 13, 1-2:30 p.m. — Join the League of California Cities, the County Engineers Association of California, and the California State Association of Counties for a virtual awards ceremony to honor the 2021 Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Projects Award winners, including the cities of Santa Rosa, Santa Clarita, and Oakland. Special guest Assembly Member Laura Friedman, California State Assembly Transportation Committee chair, will also join the ceremony to provide remarks to the group. Read more
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While communities across California and the country excitedly await the disbursement of badly needed relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and other potential sources of funding, one question is being asked over and over again — how do we make the most of these precious one-time investments? Read more
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Western City magazine invited California cities of different sizes and economies to share their top priorities for economic development as they recover from the impacts of the pandemic. As California reopens for business, municipal economic development offices are busy analyzing strategies to best position their communities to not only survive – but thrive – as resilient, inclusive, and vibrant places to live. Regardless of size and geography, these cities had a number of priorities in common. Read more
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The American Rescue Plan established the $10 billion Capital Projects Fund to provide funding to states, territories, and Tribal governments to carry out critical capital projects directly enabling work, education, and health monitoring — including remote options — in response to the pandemic. On May 10, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released a brief statement on the overall purpose and application process, which can be found on the Treasury Department's website. The Treasury Department will begin to accept applications for review in the summer of 2021 and issue guidance before that date. Read more
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The National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (YEF) is now accepting cities' applications to join their Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative. The YEF Institute will provide technical assistance and up to $100,000 in grant funds to selected cities to help them plan and implement economic mobility strategies grounded in racial equity. The initiative comes at a crucial time as both cities and families work to recover and rebuild after the devastating economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and as new opportunities emerge from federal recovery packages such as the American Rescue Plan Act. An informational session is May 6, and the deadline to apply is May 26. Learn more
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On April 7, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) President Marybel Batjer issued a tentative decision on the Rule 20 undergrounding program revisions. The program provides guidelines and procedures for undergrounding overhead electric facilities. Cal Cities, as a party of the Rule 20 proceeding, submitted comments outlining concerns with the decision. Cal Cities is encouraging cities to provide public comment urging against these changes to the Rule 20 program. The tentative decision will be reviewed and voted on May 20. Read more
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This week marks the last time policy committees meet until starting up again June 7, and the release of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s May Revision to the January 2021-22 State Budget Proposal. There is also just over a week until the May 21 deadline for fiscal committees to hear and report to the floor bills introduced in their house of origin. Read more
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Wednesday, May 26, 2:30 p.m. — Join the California Strategic Growth Council, the Institute for Local Government (ILG), and BOOST program partners from the cities of Arcata, Bakersfield, and Paramount to learn about a new program that helped local governments across the state build capacity to address climate action needs. Discover the tips and tools needed to engage your community, advance climate action planning, and develop meaningful partnerships with other local agencies and community-based organizations. Presenters: Institute for Local Government Assistant Executive Director Karalee Browne, City of Paramount Public Works Director Adriana Figueroa, City of Bakersfield Economic Development Principal Planner Cecelia Greigo, City of Arcata Community Development Director David Loya, and ShePOWER Global CEO Arleana Waller. Read more
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Commission President Frank Navarro advised that the bills are “unfunded mandates” from the state and that each “carries a cost.” Local jurisdictions would have to shoulder the cost of hiring or sub-contracting additional staff to broadcast meetings. Navarro said the League of California Cities, which the city of Highland is a member of, opposes the legislation.
The League of California Cities and the cities we represent are committed to continuing to do our part to address the housing crisis, and to working with the administration, Legislature and other interested parties. While cities don’t build homes, we have an obligation to ensure we’re planning for and approving homes that meet the diverse housing needs of our communities, while minimizing delays, costs and barriers to housing.
The case was defended by the Attorney General’s Office. Assembly Members James Gallagher and Kevin Kiley argued their side of the case. Several other legislators filed formal briefs in the case including Senators Tom Umberg, Shannon Grove, Brian Dahle, and Jim Nielsen, as well as Assembly Members Marc Berman, Marie Waldron, Megan Dahle, and Jordan Cunningham. The California State Association of Counties and League of California Cities, Secretary of State, also filed amicus curiae briefs.
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May 12-13
May 18
May 18
May 19
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May 24
May 26
Sept. 22-24 SAVE THE DATE
Municipal Finance Institute
Sept. 22-24 SAVE THE DATE
Annual Conference & Expo
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