Legislation Details

File #: HIST-13066    Version: 1 Subject:
Type: Historical Status: Consent Agenda
In control: City Council Meeting Agenda
On agenda: 12/14/2009 Final action: 12/14/2009
Title: League of California Cities City Advocate Weekly Editions Issue #45 dated November 20, 2009, and Issue #46 dated December 4, 2009.
Attachments: 1. League of California Cities City Advocate Weekly E - 09-12-14_CMO_City Advocate Weekly No. 45.pdf, 2. League of California Cities City Advocate Weekly E - 09-12-14_CMO_City Advocate Weekly No. 46.pdf
November 20, 2009 Issue #45-2009 IN THIS ISSUE: Page 4: California’s Leadership on NLC Board Continues League Briefs Members on Results of 2009 Legislative Session Nominations Now Being Accepted for League City Managers Department Awards Page 5: ILG Census Related Resources Now Online RON LOVERIDGE ELECTED AS CALIFORNIA’S FIRST NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES PRESIDENT SINCE 1974 Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge was elected National League of Cities (NLC) president on Saturday, Nov. 14, becoming California’s first NLC president since 1974. The election was held at the close of the organization’s annual meeting this year in San Antonio, TX. For more, see Page 2. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• STATE I-BANK HOPES TO POOL RZEDB FUNDS The California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (I-Bank) hopes to encourage cities and counties that have received authority under the federal stimulus act to issue Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds (RZEDBs), to join with the state entity in pooling eligible projects for bond offerings. For more, see Page 2. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• REGISTER NOW FOR LEAGUE EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES The League offers various conferences for professional development throughout the year. The knowledge that city officials will gain at these educational conferences is especially important during this economic crisis. The following is a list of upcoming conferences and training events to help city officials plan budgets and get the most value out of city funds. For more, see Page 2. 2 ‘Loveridge’ Continued from Page 1… First elected to the Riverside City Council in 1979, Loveridge has served as the city’s mayor since 1994. He was elected for his fifth term in the office on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The Riverside mayor brings a unique resume to the office of NLC president. Loveridge is a political scientist who spent his career at the University of California, Riverside, teaching students about local government. Long active on the League of California Cities’ board of directors, Loveridge served as president from 2003- 2004. NLC has a sizable agenda in the coming year. The Obama Administration made the director of intergovernmental affairs a cabinet-level position which means that NLC is even more engaged in important issues effecting cities such as economic development, energy efficiency and infrastructure. “In the past we’ve said don’t take money, funds or programs away from cities — cities want to be at the table. Now we are at the table and there to help shape national decisions,” says Loveridge. “Cities shouldn’t be seen as another pleader [in Washington, D.C.] but as the place where most of the population lives.” Loveridge believes that cities are integral to the nation’s economic recovery from the worst downturn since the Great Depression. Because of the enormity of California’s losses, our cities’ experiences, Loveridge advises, can provide lessons for the state and the entire nation as the economy begins to recover. “This year, California is in a position to lead on many issues and make a significant difference both for our residents and the nation as a whole,” says League Executive Director Chris McKenzie. “Ron Loveridge’s insight, experience and determination are a major asset in the effort to get our economy back on its feet and set a new course for the future. He is definitely the right leader for NLC at this time of incredible opportunity and challenge. California and the nation are fortunate to benefit from his service to NLC.” _____________________________________________________________________________ ‘I-Bank’ Continued from Page 1… I-Bank’s proposal was first presented to cities and counties in a conference call held this summer. The fully-developed proposal was presented by an I-Bank RZEDB team in a conference call held on Thursday, Nov. 19. I-Bank Executive Director Stan Hazelroth conducted the call. The team used the conference call to explain eligible uses of RZEDBs, and present the case for why a pooling of bonding authority makes sense for cities and counties. Some of the key presentation points were that a larger bond offering resulting from the pooling would produce a larger and more attractive bond package to key investors, lower transaction and administrative costs, and potentially faster delivery of project funds as a result of working with an already- assembled, experienced bond team. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 created RZEDBs as a new financing option available to cities with a population of over 100,000 and counties that have designated a “recovery zone” within their jurisdiction. The recovery zone could include any area designated by such a city or county as having significant poverty, unemployment, home foreclosure (from left to right) League Executive Director Chris McKenzie, League Immediate Past President and Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Judy Mitchell, League Second Vice President and Mountain View City Council Member Mike Kasperzak, League First Vice President and Modesto Mayor Jim Ridenour, and NLC President and Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge. 3 rates, or general distress, or any area designated by a city or county as economically distressed by reason of the closure or realignment of a military installation pursuant to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990. Bonds under this category may be issued by qualifying cities and counties as “taxable.” RZEDBs provide a direct federal subsidy to the issuer equal to 45 percent of the interest. Issuers must be in control of “recovery zone” designations. For more details, see page 25 of the League’s City Funding Book, on the League’s Web site (www.cacities.org/federalstimulus). Information is also available through the IRS Web site. http://www.irs.gov/taxexemptbond/index.html. Interested cities should contact I-Bank via e-mail at ibank@ibank.ca.gov as soon as possible. The RZEDB team hopes to organize one or more pooled bond offerings during the first half of 2010. They also hope that cities and counties that have been allocated funds in excess of project needs, will inform I-Bank, so that those funds can be made available for other California projects. All bonds must be issued by the end of 2010. I-Bank will have information available about the proposal on their Web site at www.ibank.ca.gov, as well as on the Web site for the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee www.treasurer.ca.gov/cdlac. I-Bank and the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee are housed in the State Treasurer’s Office. I-Bank is the state’s only general purpose financing authority with broad statutory powers to issue revenue bonds, make loans, and provide credit enhancements for a wide variety of public infrastructure and economic development projects. _____________________________________________________________________________ ‘Conferences’ Continued from Page 1… Onsite registration will be available in Monterey from Dec. 2 – 4 for the Fire Chiefs Leadership Seminar, the City Clerks New Law and Leadership Conference and the Municipal Finance Institute. Send your city’s newly elected officials to the “must-attend” 2010 New Mayors & Council Members Academy on Jan. 20-22 in Sacramento. Topics include: legal power and obligations; council- manager relations; ethics requirements for AB 1234; land use issue; and media and effective council meeting procedures. There are already 200 city managers registered for the City Managers Department Conference, Feb. 3-5 in Carlsbad. Topics for this program will include: city survival in post-stimulus; SB 375 implementation – sustainable community strategies; and provocative budget strategies for the new normal. The Public Works Officers Institute & Mini Expo will be held March 24 – 26 at the Monterey Marriott. Join your fellow directors and staff leaders to hear the latest topics relevant to your city and network with product and service vendors. Register for these conferences online at www.cacities.org/events. Registration will open later this week for the 2010 Planners Institute & Mini Expo, which is scheduled for March 24–26 at the Portola Hotel and Monterey Conference Center. This event will include more than 500 planning commissioners, planning directors, and department staff. AICP credits will be applied for through the APA for Planning Directors. The League is now accepting session proposals for the 2010 Annual Conference in San Diego. Deadline to submit is Jan. 7. Please submit ideas and speaker suggestions online at http://lccannualconference.com/forms/ac/call.html. _____________________________________________________________________________ 4 California’s Leadership on NLC Board Continues California continues to have strong representation on the National League of Cities (NLC) board of directors. NLC held elections on Saturday, Nov. 14, during the annual business meeting at NLC’s Congress of Cities in San Antonio, Texas. The 2009-2010 NLC board includes four California members consisting of newly elected NLC President and Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge, La Quinta Mayor Terry Henderson, Campbell Council Member Dan Furtado and Los Angeles Council Member Ed Reyes. Henderson was elected to the NLC board for the first time and will serve a two-year term. Furtado was re-elected to the NLC board for a special one-year term and Reyes was elected last year for a two-year term which will expire in November 2010. ____________________________________________________________________________ League Briefs Members on Results of 2009 Legislative Session First-time Webinar Offered To Reduce Cost The League held its annual legislative briefings this week, offering two in-person sessions and a first-time webinar to help cities reduce travel time and costs. Wednesday kicked off the first day of legislative briefings in Sacramento in the League’s newly dedicated Bud Carpenter Conference Room. Later that day, the League’s lobbyists provided the same program through a webinar with more than 100 participants across the state. On Thursday, the League’s lobbyists held the second in-person briefing in Anaheim. The agenda focused on a general overview of the 2009 legislative session, a budget overview and updates from the League’s issue areas, followed by a Q & A session with the League’s lobbyists. Participants in the three briefings were given a copy of the League’s 2009 Legislative Report which is a compilation of new laws passed in the 2009 legislative session. Hard copies of the publication will be available for $10 for city officials and $20 for non-city officials. It will also be posted on the League’s Web site at www.cacities.org/legresources beginning Dec. 1. ____________________________________________________________________________ Submit Your Nominations for League City Managers Department Awards The League’s City Manager department is now accepting nominations for the 2010 John H. Nail Memorial Award and the Award for the Advancement of Diverse Communities. Nominate a colleague or city manager that has gone above and beyond the call of duty or promoted the advancement of diversity within their community. The John H. Nail Memorial Award (http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/26225.John%20Nail%2008.pdf) was created by the League’s City Managers department in honor and memory of a highly regarded city manager and individual. This award recognizes administrative professionals in local government who are serving as municipal assistants (regardless of position or title) and have contributed significantly to their communities. The Award for the Advancement (http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/28407.Diversity%202010%20final.pdf) of Diverse Communities was also established by the League’s City Managers department and recognizes a city manager or assistant city manager who has been successful in promoting the advancement of diversity within the community and the workplace through the development and implementation of effective programs, policies and/or practices encouraging diversity. Nomination applications for the 2010 John H. Nail Memorial Award http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/28413.John Nail 2010.pdf and the 2010 Award for the Advancement of Diverse Communities http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/28407.Diversity 2010 final.pdf are available at www.cacities.org/managers, under “Department Quick Links”. 5 The application deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. Applications should be sent to the following address: League of California Cities Attn: Meghan McKelvey 1400 K Street, 4th Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 For more information on the awards, contact Meghan McKelvey at (916) 658-8253 or mmckelvey@cacities.org. _____________________________________________________________________________ ILG Census Related Resources Now Online The Institute for Local Government (ILG) has created a new Web page dedicated to the 2010 Census. The goal of the new page is to provide resources about local and statewide census efforts to help ensure that California has an accurate population count. Visit www.ca-ilg.org/census to see the collection of resources offered. ILG also offers an Immigrant Engagement Listserv as a tool for public officials. This listserv serves as a means to share information and resources regarding successful civic, economic and political participation of immigrant residents in their communities throughout California. City officials are encouraged to use this listserv to share strategies that ensure an accurate count of immigrant populations during the census. To sign up for this listserv, please visit http://lists.cacities.org/mailman/listinfo/immigrantengagement. When posting to this listserv, please use respect for diversity of opinions in tone and content. Please contact Mahvash Hassan at mhassan@ca-ilg.org or (916) 658-8207 with questions or other additional census related resources. Dec. 4, 2009 Issue #46-2009 IN THIS ISSUE: Page 3: Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentives Program Guidelines Released Page 4: Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming League Events Page 5: U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $280 Million for Streetcars Department of Industrial Relations Schedules Public Hearing - Jan. 6, San Francisco Page 6: Deadline Extended to Dec. 21 for Municipal Energy Efficiency Program Funding Applications Page 7: League’s 2009 Legislative Report Now Available Approaching Deadline for the League City Managers Department Awards NLC’s Youth, Education, and Families Report Available Online Page 8: New Resources Are Available from the Institute for Local Government LEAGUE LEADERSHIP SETS 2010 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES The League’s board of directors met in a joint session with the leaders of the divisions, departments, policy committees and caucuses of the League on Nov. 18 through Nov. 20 to chart a strategic course for 2010. For more, see Page 2. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• SUPPORT LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE COMPONENTS OF POTENTIAL FEDERAL JOBS PACKAGE There have been increased discussions in our nation’s capital about the development of a potential “jobs package.” This package may come together over the next several weeks as members of Congress and President Obama have expressed concerns about the high unemployment level. With this attention, the League’s legislative representatives in Washington, D.C, are advising that California cities communicate with the California congressional delegation on local priority projects that would create jobs in our state. For more, see Page 2. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• REGIONAL TARGETS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PRESENTS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE AIR RESOURCES BOARD The California Air Resources Board (ARB) met on Nov. 19 to hear the Regional Targets Advisory Committee’s (RTAC) recommendations which explain the process of setting regional greenhouse gas emission targets under SB 375 (Steinberg, 2008). For more, see Page 3. 2 ‘Goals’ Continued from Page 1… After small group discussions and large group presentations, the combined leadership of the League endorsed three strategic goals for 2010 that will guide the League's advocacy and education efforts. During its meeting on Friday, Nov. 20, the board formally adopted the three goals listed below. • Protect Local Control and Funding for Vital Local Services. Use statewide ballot measure and legislative and legal advocacy to achieve reforms that protect local control and abolish the power of the state to borrow, divert or impose restrictions on the use of all local revenue sources, including locally imposed or levied taxes, the local shares of all transportation tax revenues (including public transit funding), the redevelopment tax increment, and any other local revenue source used to fund vital local services. • Support Reform of the Structure, Governance, Management and Financing of State Government. Build on the success of the 2009 Local Government Summit on State Governance Reform by working collaboratively with other stakeholder groups to advance reforms to modernize the structure, governance, management and method of financing state government. • Promote Economic Stimulus, Infrastructure Investment, Business Development and Job Creation. Promote federal, state and local investment in transportation, water, redevelopment and other critical infrastructure projects that will support the retention and creation of new private businesses and jobs in our cities and state. _____________________________________________________________________________ ‘Jobs’ Continued from Page 1… The League sent a letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein earlier this week on the importance of job creation in California. The letter, which was also sent to every member of the California congressional delegation, states that less than a year ago, a League survey documented that federal job creation efforts assisted $9.3 billion in “ready to go” infrastructure projects in California cities. While the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has been helpful, the amounts available for transportation and other infrastructure fell far short of demand. The League advocates for additional funding for: • Transportation and other infrastructure; • Transit and transit oriented development; • Community Development Block Grants; • Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants; and • Expansion of several infrastructure financing mechanisms. This letter has been posted on the League’s Web site at http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/28474.FeinsteinLetter.pdf. Take Action The League is asking for your city’s support to secure additional funding. You can help in two ways. 1. Contact your congressional representative and ask them to include funding for local infrastructure investments, such as those listed above. Please give examples of the types of local projects that could be advanced and would create jobs, should funding be made available. Cities may also use the sample letter which has been posted on the League’s Web site. http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/28475.Federal Jobs Package Sample letterFINAL.rtf 2. Complete League surveys. These surveys were previously sent to city officials. • Public Works Survey: For public works officers that seek to update and document the existence of “ready to go” infrastructure projects that will create jobs. This survey will end Dec. 15. Please take the survey at http://cacities.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_cBCaU4lBdqhaxwM&SVID=Prod. 3 • City Manager Survey: Distributed to city managers to identify issues and document the city experience with ARRA. This survey will end Dec. 8. Please take the survey at http://cacities.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_0xkUfzRDrpFnlyI&SVID=Prod. _____________________________________________________________________________ ‘SB 375’ Continued from Page 1… Under SB 375, ARB is required to establish greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for passenger vehicles and light trucks for 2020 and 2035 within the state’s 18 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). ARB did not take action on the recommendations at its November meeting. This means that ARB staff will most likely continue the process. During the next quarter, ARB will collaborate significantly with MPOs to determine the level of emission reductions that would be “ambitious” and “achievable”. ARB is required to issue draft reduction targets by June 30, 2010 and will present drafts at public hearings across the state throughout the summer. Sept. 30, 2010 is the deadline for ARB to approve final targets. Local planners who are interested in learning more about the impact of these requirements on their regions should contact their regional MPO staff. City officials are encouraged to review the League’s Summary of the RTAC Report. http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/28373.RTAC12PointSummary.pdf. More details about the process can be found in RTAC’s final report on ARB’s Web site at http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/sb375/rtac/report/092909/finalreport.pdf. ____________________________________________________________________________ Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentives Program Guidelines Released Public Comments due by Dec. 10 The Strategic Growth Council has issued draft guidelines (http://www.sgc.ca.gov/docs/funding/2009_11_18_Planning_DRAFT.doc) for the Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentives Program. The agency is now seeking public comment and will consider the Proposed Final Guidelines for adoption at its Feb. 9 meeting. Established by Proposition 84 (2006), the council created the program which was appropriated $90 million for planning grants that reduce energy consumption, conserve water, improve air and provide other public benefits. Approximately $78 million is available for cities, counties, metropolitan planning organizations, councils of governments (COGs), regional transportation planning agencies or a joint powers authority. $12 million has already been appropriated for regional modeling improvements. Public Comments Local agencies are encouraged to review these guidelines and submit in-person or written comments. Comments may be submitted in person in Burbank on Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Buena Vista Branch Library 300 North Buena Vista Street Burbank, CA Comments can be submitted by mail, e-mail or fax to: 4 Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentives Program c/o The Department of Conservation, Office of Sustainability 801 K Street, MS 24 -01 Sacramento, CA 95814 Fax: (916) 445-0732 E-mail: DOCSustainability@conservation.ca.gov Guidelines for Comments City officials interested in providing public comment on the guidelines may want to consider the following: • What kind of projects could grant funds be used for in your city? • Are the proposed guidelines practical? To what extent will an agency be able to cost effectively measure the suggested performance outcomes of a plan? • How can local agencies balance the direction received from meaningful public input with the pre-defined set of goals for which the grants are to be awarded? (In other words, what happens if public comment takes the planning project in a different direction?) • To what extent should consistency with a regional blueprint be taken into account (as opposed to or in addition to consistency with a sustainable communities’ strategy). For questions regarding these draft guidelines, please contact the council at (916) 322-3439 or DOCSustainability@conservation.ca.gov. CalCOG’s Guideline Recommendations The California Association of Councils of Government (CalCOG) is also making two very significant recommendations for cities: • Set aside an additional $20 million for regional transportation planning related to SB 375 ($10 million of the total $90 million has been allocated to COGs already); and • Allocate local planning funds to the COGs for distribution for local planning projects within the region. Local agencies may also want to comment about the practicality of these suggestions. _____________________________________________________________________________ Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming League Events With the start of 2010 just around the corner, city officials should plan to attend some of the League’s upcoming events, meetings and professional development conferences. There are several events scheduled in the next two months. The League will host its 2010 New Mayors and Council Members Academy, Jan. 20 – Jan. 22, at the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento. This must-attend event for newly elected officials will feature topics such as legal power and obligations; council-manager relations; ethics requirements for AB 1234; land use issue; media and effective council meeting procedures. Register online at www.cacities.org/events. The registration and housing deadline is Monday, Jan. 4. The League’s Policy Committees will also meet, Jan. 21-22, in Sacramento. Meetings are for committee members only and will be held from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J Street, Sacramento unless otherwise noted. • Thursday, Jan. 21 Administrative Services (will meet at the League Office, 1200 K Street, Sacramento) 5 Environmental Quality Revenue and Taxation Transportation, Communications & Public Works • Friday, Jan. 22 Community Services (will meet at the League Office, 1200 K Street, Sacramento) Employee Relations Housing, Community & Economic Development Public Safety For the 2010 Policy Committee Meeting Schedule please visit the League’s Web site at http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/28372.cal2010.pdf. The League’s political action committee, CitiPAC, will host a Legislative Reception on Jan. 20 in Sacramento in conjunction with the League’s first policy committee meetings of the year. This event is an opportunity to network with new mayors and council members, legislators and League Partners. This event will be hosted by companies that support the League in its ballot measure advocacy efforts. Please RSVP to Michael Egan at egan@cacities.org. _____________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $280 Million for Streetcars U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced this week the availability of $280 million for urban circulator projects such as streetcars, buses, and bus facilities to support communities, expand business opportunities and improve people’s quality of life while also creating jobs. These are the first round of funds issued through the Obama Administration’s Livability Initiative -a joint venture of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The funds will promote livable communities, increase transportation options and improve the quality of life for Americans. According to DOT, these projects will also produce jobs and help improve the environment. A maximum amount of $25 million per project will be made available from approximately $130 million in unallocated discretionary New Starts/Small Starts Program funds. Eligible projects include streetcars and other urban circulator systems. Priority will be given to projects that connect destinations and foster the redevelopment of communities into walkable, mixed use, high-density environments. A second pot of money totaling $150 million in unallocated discretionary Bus and Bus Facility funds will be available for projects that will foster the preservation and enhancement of urban and rural communities by providing new mobility options which provide access to jobs, healthcare, and education, and/or contribute to the redevelopment of neighborhoods into pedestrian-friendly vibrant environments. Additional information about the Federal Transit Administration Discretionary Grants for Bus and Urban Circular Livability Projects is included in a fact sheet which has been posted on the League’s Web site at http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/28476.DOTFactSheet.pdf. ____________________________________________________________________________ Department of Industrial Relations Schedules Public Hearing - Jan. 6, San Francisco The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) will hold a public hearing to discuss proposed amendments to the regulations governing Labor Compliance Programs (LCPs), required under SBX2-9. Discussions will also address the adoption of new regulations governing fees and 6 compliance monitoring as well as enforcement standards for the Labor Commissioner on state bond-funded and other specified public works projects. Hearing Details Wednesday, Jan. 6, 10 a.m. Hiram Johnson State Building Senate Milton Marks Conference Center - Monterey Room 455 Golden Gate Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102 Written Comments Written comments relevant to the proposed regulatory action may be submitted in person at the hearing or by letter, fax or e-mail to: DIR, Office of the Director—Legal Unit 455 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 9516 San Francisco, CA 94102 Fax: (415) 703-4277 E-mail: LCPComments@dir.ca.gov The full Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for SBX2-9 regulations has been posted on the DIR Web site at http://www.dir.ca.gov/LaborComplianceRegulations/LCP-SBX2-9.htm. _____________________________________________________________________________ Deadline Extended to Dec. 21 for Applications Municipal Energy Efficiency Program Funding Applications Funding under the California Energy Commission’s State Energy Program (SEP) is available to help implement local energy saving programs. Now set for Dec. 21, the original deadline for program applications was Nov. 30. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Background The funding is primarily focused on financing municipal programs for energy efficiency, such as those authorized under AB 811 (2007). This legislation allows cities and counties to create a municipal financing program in which property owners may enter into contractual assessments to finance the installation of energy efficiency or other energy improvements that are permanently fixed to residential (including multi-family) commercial, industrial or other real property. The program includes three funding areas: • Municipal Financing Programs (AB 811 type programs); • Comprehensive Residential Building Retrofits; and • Municipal and Commercial Building Targeted Measure Retrofits. With a total funding of $95 million available, proposals are to be between $2 and $20 million. Eligible bidders include: • Cities; • Counties; or • Groups of cities and counties in California that are in the process of establishing or have already established a municipal financing program for the purposes of funding energy efficiency and on-site solar electric or other on site renewable energy generation improvements. More information on this grant program and the program opportunity notice can be found on the California Energy Commission’s Web site at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/recovery.html#150-09-101. _____________________________________________________________________________ 7 League’s 2009 Legislative Report Now Available The League held its annual Legislative Briefings in November. Attendees received copies of the League’s 2009 Legislative Report. Now available for free, the report can be downloaded from the League’s Web site at http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/28417.Complete2009LegBriefing.pdf. Hardcopies can also be purchased for $10 for city officials or $20 for non-city officials. The 2009 Legislative Report features summaries of laws passed during the 2009 legislative session. Copies of the Legislative Briefing webinar presentation (http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/28420.WEBINARPowerPoint.pdf) and Podcast http://www.lccannualconference.com/podcasts/09legPodcast.html, and the League's Analysis of the 2009 Water Legislation (http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/28419.2009%20Water%20Analysis.pdf) can also be downloaded. To order a hardcopy of the 2009 Legislative Report, please contact Meghan McKelvey at mmckelvey@cacities.org. _____________________________________________________________________________ Approaching Deadline for the League City Managers Department Awards Wednesday, Dec. 16 The deadline is quickly approaching to submit a nomination for the 2010 John H. Nail Memorial Award or the 2010 Award for the Advancement of Diverse Communities. Nominate a colleague or city manager that has gone above and beyond the call of duty to contribute to their communities, or promoted the advancement of diversity within their community and workplace. Nomination applications for the 2010 John H. Nail Memorial Award http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/28413.John%20Nail%202010.pdf and the 2010 Award for the Advancement of Diverse Communities http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/28407.Diversity%202010%20final.pdf are available on the city manager’s page of the League’s Web site www.cacities.org/managers. The application deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 16 by 5 p.m. Applications should be sent to the following address: League of California Cities Attn: Meghan McKelvey 1400 K Street, 4th Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 For more information on the awards, contact Meghan McKelvey at (916) 658-8253 or mmckelvey@cacities.org. _____________________________________________________________________________ NLC’s Youth, Education, and Families Report Available Online The National League of Cities’ (NLC) Institute for Youth, Education and Families recently released “The State of City Leadership for Children and Families.” This first-of-its-kind report outlines the significant growth of municipal involvement in the promotion of well being for children and families. The report identifies 32 cutting-edge city innovations that have been used across the country to help children and families thrive and which city officials can use as models to implement similar programs in their regions. It also highlights the progress that cities have made and the potential for future action in nine areas: • Early childhood; 8 • Education; • Afterschool; • Youth in transition; • Youth violence prevention; • Family economic success; • Community wellness; • Youth civic engagement; and • Local “infrastructure” for children and families. To download or order a copy of the report, visit www.nlc.org/iyef or contact Michael Karpman at (202) 626-3072 or karpman@nlc.org with questions. _____________________________________________________________________________ New Resources Are Available From the Institute for Local Government The Institute for Local Government’s (ILG) California Climate Action Network now features new resources on its Web site ( www.ca-ilg.org/climatechange) for local agencies. The first resource is a sample commercial recycling ordinance (www.ca- ilg.org/commercialrecycling with an extensive commentary explaining various positions, which can be customized by your local agency. This can be used as a guide for local agencies that hope to increase recycling in the business sector. The second resource, “Understanding the Basics of Climate Change Cap-and-Trade: A Local Official’s Guide” (www.ca-ilg.org/climatewhitepapers, provides an overview of cap-and-trade and how it relates to local agencies. _____________________________________________________________________________