August 11, 2021
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These Cal Cities-supported bills prioritize the deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved communities throughout California through the ongoing collection of the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) surcharge. AB 14 will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee on August 16, and SB 4 will be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee between August 16 and August 27. (SB 4’s committee hearing date has yet to be calendared.) Take action today and urge your lawmakers to SUPPORT AB 14 and SB 4
Cal Cities News

State lawmakers are set to return to the capitol on Monday. Once back, legislators will have two weeks to get their bills through appropriations before they can be brought to the floor for a vote. Cal Cities is tracking more than 50 bills of interest to cities, six of which are scheduled for a hearing on Aug.16. Read more

The city of Santa Monica has launched a pilot program that gives priority to the city’s affordable housing waitlist to households displaced by urban renewal policies of the 1950s and ‘60s. This new program follows a 2019 decision to explore the possibility of providing housing access to displaced residents. Read more

The Annual Conference and Expo offers multiple opportunities for city leaders to gain perspectives and knowledge on challenging, real-world issues facing cities.
Regional Division and Department meetings are just two of the ways that officials can connect, learn, and collaborate. Read more

The U.S. Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a significant step forward on $550 billion in new federal infrastructure investments. Also, a U.S. Department of the Treasury user guide is now available for cities, which includes new information about the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds recipient reporting portal. Read more
Education and Events

Are you new to municipal law? Did you recently transfer into an advisory position? Have you not yet responded to a Public Records Act request, or feel that you have not yet mastered the art of preparing a response? If any of the above describes you or someone you supervise, this Essential Hour presentation is designed for you! Join us for a presentation during which we will discuss Public Records Act basics, offer tips and suggestions, and provide samples and takeaways. Register now

The League of California Cities is seeking thorough, thoughtful, and complete proposals that tell how your session can help city clerks improve their communities, leadership abilities, and knowledge within their roles. Submissions — non-commercial in nature — from any individual, group, business, or organization on any topic are welcome. Read more

Tuesday, Aug. 31, 11 a.m. — Join League of California Cities President Cheryl Viegas Walker as she shares her insights on leadership and lessons learned from more than 20 years of public service. Drawing from her service to El Centro, time on multiple statewide boards, and her term as Cal Cities president, Viegas Walker will share her path to leadership and the ‘why’ that keeps her going. Experienced, knowledgeable, and insightful, President Viegas Walker will give her take on the importance of saying yes to leadership and what it means to be a leader in today’s world. Register now

Since 1949, the National Civic League has celebrated the best in American civic innovation by awarding the prestigious All-America City Award to ten communities nationwide. This year, Livermore was the only city in California to receive this honor. The award celebrates the city’s inclusive engagement efforts to improve equity and resilience. Read more

Through sports leagues, camps, recreation centers, ball fields, courts, and parks, local governments play a large role in providing opportunities for youth recreation. To ensure they can continue to offer such valuable programs for youth in their communities, local governments should also take steps to minimize potential liability risks associated with youth recreation. Read more
More News and Events

On June 3, the California Public Utilities Commission issued a decision that revises their Electric Rule 20 program, which lays out guidelines and procedures for undergrounding overhead electric facilities. The decision will have significant impacts for cities moving forward. Read more

Friday, Aug. 13 — This Friday is the sixth annual #CityHallSelfie day, a celebration of local government service! Hop in front of your building, snap a picture, and use #CityHallSelfie to share it with the world! It is a fun, simple way to remind the world about the value of public service and the pride that employees feel when they work in service to the community. Plus, prizes will be awarded to the best selfies in multiple categories. Read more

Tuesday, Aug. 17, 11 a.m. — The institute for Local Government (ILG) and the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) opened the next round of the BOOST Program, a statewide technical assistance program tailored to help under-resourced cities and towns advance their climate action, resilience, and equity objectives. Join SGC, ILG, and the BOOST Program team next Tuesday for a meet-and-greet and an overview of the program's goals, timeline, available services. The webinar will also offer potential applicants an opportunity to ask SGC staff and the BOOST Program team questions. The deadline to apply for the BOOST program is Sept. 10.  Register now

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 10 a.m. — Join the League of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties for a webinar about the 2020 Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment Report, which will be released this month. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the state’s local street and road network including, pavements, bridges, and essential components like sidewalks, traffic signals, and storm drains. New to this report is a discussion of the first statewide analysis on the impacts of SB 1 (Beall, 2017) on local streets and roads, as well as an enhanced analysis of local bridge funding needs. Register now

Sept. 9-10 — Now more than ever, proactive, transparent dialogue and authentic collaboration between government and communities is being championed across the country. The Institute for Local Government is excited to launch its re-designed TIERS Public Engagement Training in a virtual format. The TIERS training offers a step-by-step framework that helps California local government leaders master the public engagement process and build trust in their communities. TIERS will help you operationalize your outreach and engagement efforts more sustainably and collaboratively, as well as provide resources and digital tools to authentically engage your community in a post-COVID world. Register now

The National League of Cities (NLC) is accepting applications for leadership positions on its board of directors, federal advocacy committees, member councils, and constituency groups. Each position allows city leaders to bring their expertise to the national level and shape the direction of NLC and its national municipal policy. City leaders applying for the NLC board of directors or second vice-president position may request an endorsement from the League of California Cities. Read more
Cal Cities in the News
 
Many jurisdictions are already struggling with pandemic-related labor and budget shortfalls. In a survey conducted by the League of California Cities, which advocates for cities on legal and political fronts, 92 percent of 194 responding cities indicated they’ll need to raise solid-waste and recycling rates within the next three years to implement SB 1383 regulations. [Cal Cities] has asked the state legislature to appropriate $225 million to help cities develop programs to meet the law’s requirements...Many other cities have not yet built out [organic waste] infrastructure and will be hard-pressed to do so without plenty of financial and logistical help. Read more