Cities are urged to submit letters expressing 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, and approve urban lot splits. This bill will be heard by the Senate Housing Committee on April 15. Contact your Senator with a letter opposing the measure unless it is amended as soon as possible. Take action! OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED SB 9 (Atkins) (Sample letter.docx)

Cities are urged to submit letters of opposition on SB 278 (Leyva), which would require public agencies to directly pay retirees and/or their beneficiaries, disallowed retirement benefits using general fund dollars. This bill is set to be re-referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. If your Senator serves on this committee, please call and send a letter opposing the measure as soon as possible. Take action! OPPOSE SB 278 (Leyva) (Sample letter.docx)

Cities are urged to submit letters of opposition on SB 556 (Dodd), which would require local governments to make space available on street light poles, traffic signal poles, utility poles, and other public infrastructure to telecommunications providers without recognizing local authority to manage public rights-of-way preserved in federal law. This bill is set to be heard in the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee on April 19. The deadline to send letters to the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee is April 14 by noon. Take action! OPPOSE SB 556 (Dodd) (Sample letter.docx)

As cities await final guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury on the allocation amounts and reporting process for the local relief included in the American Rescue Plan, now is the time for cities to begin identifying their priorities and developing a system to track and report the funds. The sooner priorities for local recovery are identified, the faster people can get back to work, operations can be stabilized, and those most impacted by COVID-19 can receive support. The National League of Cities frequently asked questions about the American Rescue Plan local relief can help cities prepare while we await official guidance.

On March 31, the Biden Administration announced a federal infrastructure plan, which outlines more than $2 trillion in federal investments to rebuild and expand infrastructure in our cities and towns across the nation. Cal Cities is encouraged by the proposal, as repairing and modernizing aging infrastructure is key to economic recovery and more jobs in our cities and nation. We look forward to sharing more details on the plan as they become available. Learn more

It’s almost time to showcase your business expertise and services at the Cal Cities 2021 Annual Conference & Expo! Cal Cities is gearing up to begin in-person meetings again in a safe manner. That means that the 2021 Annual Conference & Expo, scheduled for Sept. 22-24 at the newly renovated SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, will be a particularly exciting time to reconnect with city officials and make new contacts. Everyone is eager for the opportunity to meet face to face, and Cal Cities is working to provide a safe and convenient place to exhibit products and services to city officials. Read more

Is it time to renew state-mandated AB 1234 and AB 1661 trainings? The League of California Cities, in conjunction with the Institute for Local Government, is offering these trainings for Cal Cities members at $50 each. Read more

As city leaders worked around the clock to lead their communities through a global pandemic, they also dealt with devastating budget shortfalls that forced cuts in local services and delays in much-needed infrastructure projects. However, we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. The supply of vaccine doses is growing, eligibility is expanding, and assistance for cities in the recently enacted American Rescue Plan is on the way. Cities will now have resources to begin to recover and rebuild from the pandemic. Read more

Each year, Cal Cities honors outstanding work in member cities throughout the state through the Helen Putnam Awards for Excellence. Applications are due at 5 p.m. tomorrow, April 8. Apply now! Read more

Affordable housing in the city of Millbrae will be constructed for low- and very low-income residents, with $35 million in tax-exempt affordable housing bonds issued through the California Statewide Communities Development Authority. Read more

Serving on the League of California Cities Board of Directors is an opportunity for you to be a statewide leader shaping state policy and the actions of the organization. Cal Cities is currently accepting applications from city officials interested in serving on the board in one of six at-large positions or as second vice president. Apply by close of business, April 27. Read more

Friday, April 23, 11 a.m. — Join this Institute for Local Government (ILG) webinar to hear how elected officials and nonprofit leaders are navigating complicated issues like race-based violence and hate crimes. Learn timely tips about how to #stopAAPIhate, discuss discrimination, and do more than just issue a public statement. This webinar is part of ILG’s new leadership series, LEADING LOCAL, which will serve as a thought leadership forum on challenging topics and issues local government leaders face. Read more

Tulare County and cities to get millions in relief package, April 7, The Sun-Gazette

5G and Earth Day: Corporate Takeover of Light Poles and Brain Function in CA and Near You!, April 7, BeforeItsNews.com (also appeared in NaturalBlaze)

Fairfield, Mission Samoa ink homeless-to-work pact, April 2, The Daily Republic

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