January 19, 2022
Cal Cities News

The yearly review highlights the League of California Cities' legislative, legal, educational, and organizational accomplishments. Holding true to our mission, Cal Cities delivered for cities again in 2021 by advancing key legislative priorities and providing high-caliber educational opportunities. Read more

Leveraging existing partnerships, resources, and personnel, San Rafael built a mesh Wi-Fi network — which relies on the same equipment that most families have in their homes — in roughly a year for $250,000. The network serves more than 250 unique devices per day, with speeds up to 100 Mbps, across 28 access points. Read more

The U.S. Census Bureau opened its 2020 Census Count Question Resolution Operation, a program that allows local governments to review the 2020 census results for processing errors that may impact federal funding. Revised counts will not affect a region’s redistricting counts or other decennial census products. Read more

The U.S. Department of the Treasury released a recording of its recent Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Final Rule webinars and the accompanying slides. The National League of Cities is holding a related grant writing and reporting webinar on Jan. 24, at 10:30 a.m. Additionally, the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force has released a toolkit to help cities spread information about the highly contagious Omicron variant and the availability of vaccines and boosters. Read more
Education and Events

The City Leaders Summit is a brand new Cal Cities event where city officials can influence policy decisions in the Capitol and gain top-notch leadership skills. This pinnacle event offers city officials exceptional opportunities to meet with legislators to advocate for cities’ top priorities, as well as participate in peer-to-peer discussions and in-depth sessions covering topics ranging from leadership to emerging issues facing cities. Cal Cities is seeking strong session proposals on leadership abilities, how to improve communities, and critical issues facing cities. Proposals must be submitted by Monday, Jan. 31. Read more

March 16-18 — Set in San Ramon, the Planning Commissioners Academy is designed for new and veteran planning commissioners and provides city officials with updates about recent legislative and regulatory changes, as well as an overview of the roles and responsibilities of a planning commissioner. This year's conference covers introductory and advanced California Environmental Quality Act procedures, tips on how to navigate SB 9 (Atkins, 2021) processes, planning commission roles and responsibilities, relationships between commission, staff, and city council, and key housing legislation. Register today

March 23-25The Public Works Officers Institute, located in Monterey this year, is designed for public works professionals of all career levels and provides them with the information and updates needed to more effectively run city and county public works departments. This year’s sessions cover a variety of topics, such as road safety, bridge programs, legislative updates, and leadership. Registration closes March 16.  Register today
Opportunities for Cities

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services announced that the agency can fund high-frequency communications equipment for up to 100 applicants at $60,000 each. The funds can be used to procure equipment that utilizes frequencies authorized by the Federal Communications Commission for emergency communications or the installation and training of such equipment. Applications must be received by Feb. 8, at 5:00 p.m. Questions can be submitted by email to HFCommunications@caloes.ca.gov. Read more

The California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services is seeking applications for its Land and Water Conservation Fund. Up to $45 million in projects will be selected, the largest amount made available in two decades. The maximum grant amount per application is $6 million; however, cities must match a minimum of 50% of the total project cost. Eligible projects include the acquisition or development of projects for outdoor recreation opportunities. Applications are due Feb. 1. Read more

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is accepting grant applications from local governments and other entities establishing new women’s commissions and nonprofits serving women and girls. Preference will be given to organizations serving women who have been disproportionally impacted by the pandemic. Submissions are due Feb. 4. However, applicants that require governing body authorization may submit a deadline extension request to grants@women.ca.gov, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Grants range from $25,000 up to $250,000. Read more

Much of the developed land on Irvine's north and south borders is along a wildland-urban interface. Driven by unparalleled wind conditions, the 2017-19 wildfires underscored the significant challenges facing police and fire agencies in these at-risk areas and the urgent need for enhanced planning measures. Read more
More News and Events

Lawmakers are getting closer to wrapping up last year’s lingering business. Jan. 21 is the last day for committees to hear and report on any bills introduced in 2021. Lawmakers must also move any bills from last year still in their house of origin before Jan. 31. After that, the legislative year will begin in earnest, with legislative hearings most likely ramping up in March. Read more

Thursday, Jan. 20, 11:30 a.m. — The National League of Cities is kicking off a new webinar series, Ready to Rebuild, which will cover the new federal infrastructure programs and resources included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The first webinar features White House Senior Advisor and former Mayor of New Orleans Mitch Landrieu, who will talk about how officials can access the $65 billion spending package to invest in their communities. Register today

Monday, Jan. 24, 12:30 p.m.  In the past two years, local governments pivoted to virtual and hybrid meetings to ensure transparency while maintaining safe opportunities for public engagement. Now, with new changes to open meeting laws and the return to more in-person activities, local governments are being asked to pivot yet again. Join the Institute for Local Government, legal experts, and local government colleagues to hear updates on the open meeting laws, the best practices for running virtual public meetings, and the lessons learned from navigating virtual, in-person, and hybrid meetings. Register today

March 14-16 — Learn how the National League of Cities (NLC) can support cities in all stages of their pandemic recovery process, what types of funding cities can expect, and gain access to some of Washington D.C.'s top federal leaders at NLC's Congressional City Conference. Groups of five or more will receive a complimentary sixth registration, provided the registrations are paid in full. Early bird registration ends Jan. 31. Read more
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