Issue highlights:
Read below for more news and events.
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Hundreds of bills failed to advance last week during a rapid-fire appropriations process known as the suspense file. The process was introduced in the Legislature in the 1980s to promote fiscal responsibility by evaluating the costs and comparing bills before they reach the Assembly or Senate floor. Find out how 52 Cal Cities priority bills fared in this suspense file recap. Read more
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The League of California Cities is thrilled to announce that the Annual Conference and Expo is returning to Sacramento this Sept. 22-24, for the first in-person Cal Cities event since the beginning of the pandemic. The programming for this year’s annual conference will feature a variety of exciting presentations on pressing topics for local leaders, plus numerous networking opportunities. Read more
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Environmental activist, art advocate, and founder of the Cal Cities League Partner program Hal Conklin passed away Friday after a battle with brain cancer. Conklin’s many achievements include leading the League of California Cities as president from 1991-92 and helping develop and move forward priorities at the Institute of Local Government. Read more
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Message from the Executive Director |
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Eight minutes and 46 seconds. It’s been a year since we witnessed the senseless death of George Floyd, a father, a son, a brother, and a friend. His brutal death sparked a movement with local leaders, police officers, citizen protesters, and others coming together to stand for the common causes of equity and justice in California and our nation. Collectively, we pledged to harness the unity of the moment to rebuild trust lost and work together for a better tomorrow for all Californians, regardless of the color of their skin, because Mr. Floyd deserved nothing less. Read more
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Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released guidance on the distribution of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to non-entitlement cities. These guidelines were issued to assist the California Department of Finance (DOF) in issuing final city-by-city allocations and to help develop the process for distributing non-entitlement city funds. The League of California Cities has been in communication with DOF to determine the timing of the release of the final allocations and the distribution process, and will be hosting a webinar with DOF in the coming weeks. Read more
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The City Attorneys Spring Conference ended last week after five days of education, training, networking, and information sharing. The virtual event featured nearly 30 speakers and offered 14 hours of Minimum Continuing Legal Education units . Read more
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The League of California Cities is launching a new virtual speaker series in June, featuring government leaders and policy experts who will share insights on big picture issues and trends that matter most to cities. Our speakers, like our cities, have diverse perspectives and Cal Cities is excited to bring to our members meaningful dialogue that engages, enlightens, and inspires. Read more
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The city of Glendale’s efforts to grow the tech industry and create places where local talent could go to innovate, inspire, and meet one another inspired the creation of its Glendale Ecosystem for Tech Startups initiative. This initiative is focused on attracting new businesses; developing a strategy to offer more mentorship, business development, and investment opportunities to local startups; and helping tech companies expand. Read more
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CAL FIRE recently released its 2021-22 Urban and Community Forestry Grants guidelines and concept proposal form. Concept proposals are due on July 14 at 3:00 p.m. Grant types include Urban Forest Expansion and Improvement, Urban Forest Management Activities, and Urban Forest Education and Workforce Development. Applicants should fill out an online concept proposal form for each project they wish to submit. Eligible entities include cities, counties, districts, and 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. Read More
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Thursday, May 27, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. — Join this webinar featuring the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) as they discuss all things broadband. COVID-19 drew increased attention to California’s digital divide, and as a result, cities can expect state and federal funding directed towards broadband deployment in the coming year. Presenters: CPUC Communications Division Director Robert Osborn, and CPUC Advisors Karen Eckersley and Michael Minkus. Register now
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Friday, May 28, 9 a.m. — The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is offering a free Coyotes in the Urban Environment workshop to discuss how your community can create coyote management plans, outreach, and education strategies to help address potential human-coyote conflicts. Read more
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Thursday, June 3, 2 p.m. — Join Cal Cities First Vice President Cindy Silva and Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman for the next Institute for Local Government housing crisis webinar. Participants will receive an overview of California’s housing crisis, learn about the development process, barriers to more housing development, regional housing needs assessment allocations, and how local elected officials navigate their role in addressing the housing crisis. Presenters: League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman, California State Association of Counties Executive Director Graham Knaus, El Dorado County Supervisor John Hidahl, Southern California Association of Governments Housing Program Manager and City of Fullerton former Planning Commissioner Ma’Ayn Johnson, Cal Cities First Vice President and City of Walnut Creek Council Member Cindy Silva. Read more
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Thursday, July 15, 11 a.m. — From the Affordable Care Act to voting rights to takings this U.S. Supreme Court term had it all! This webinar will cover all the cases of interest to states and local governments. Presenters: New Jersey State Solicitor Jeremy Feigenbaum, President of the Constitutional Litigation Center Bob Peck, SCOTUS blog editor James Romoser, and State and Local Legal Center Executive Director Lisa Soronen. Register now
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The Institute for Local Government Beacon Program provides recognition and support for California local agencies that are working to build more vibrant, climate-conscious, and sustainable communities. Participating communities can apply for awards focusing on progress toward saving energy, reducing GHG emissions, and implementing and adopting sustainability best practices. Cities can apply now through July 31. Read more
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The League of California Cities, … as well as the Community College League of California, the Association of California School Administrators and the California State Association of Counties wrote in a letter of opposition last month that several of the bill’s provisions would have handed down costs to local jurisdictions already struggling financially because of the pandemic.
The City of Santa Clarita’s Public Works Department was once again recognized by statewide organizations as a pair of 2020 capital improvement projects were honored by the Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Awards Program….The program is sponsored by the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), the League of California Cities, and the County Engineers Association of California (CEAC).
Marysville will be receiving money via the state because it has a population of fewer than 50,000 — funds will be distributed to cities like Marysville based on population. The city is expected to receive approximately $2.3 million based on an estimate from the League of California Cities, according to City Manager Jim Schaad.
“SB 9 as currently drafted will not spur much needed housing construction in a manner that supports local flexibility, decision making, and community input,” wrote Jason Rhine, assistant legislative director for the League of California Cities in a May 11 letter to Toni Atkins, one of the bill’s authors. “State-driven ministerial or by-right housing approval processes fail to recognize the extensive public engagement associated with developing and adopting zoning ordinances and housing elements that are certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).”
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June 8
Sept. 22-24 SAVE THE DATE
Municipal Finance Institute
Sept. 22-24 SAVE THE DATE
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