IN THIS ISSUE: Oct. 5, 2007
Issue #38-2007
Page 6: Resources Agency Announces Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Grant Program
Page 7: Call for Entries – 2008 Excellence in Transportation Awards Program
League Legislative Briefings Scheduled for November
Call for Education Session Ideas: 2008 Mayors & Council Members Academy, Executive Forum
Page 8: Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
LEAGUE BOARD SUPPORTS HOMEOWNERS PROTECTION ACT INITIATIVE
Board Strongly Opposes Deceptive ‘Son of Prop. 90’ Initiative
On Wednesday, Sept. 26, the League board of directors met and unanimously supported
gathering signatures for the Homeowners and Private Property Protection Act (Homeowners
Protection Act) and strongly opposed the deceptive “California Property Owners and Farmland
Protection Act” (CPOFPA) initiative, also known as “Son of Prop. 90,” which would effectively
abolish local zoning in California. For more, see Page 2.
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KEEPING UP: FORMER LEAGUE DIRECTOR RICHARD ‘BUD’
CARPENTER PASSES AWAY
Richard “Bud” Carpenter, former League of California Cities executive director,
passed away on Monday, Oct. 1. He was 94.
Bud began his long career in public service in 1939 when he joined the San
Francisco city attorney’s office. Later that same year, Bud was hired by the
League as assistant legal counsel. He served the League in various capacities
over a 51-year period, retiring three separate times from the organization.
For more, see Page 3.
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OES ISSUES CALGRIP FUNDING UPDATE
The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) will be seeking a request-for-application
(RFA) and three requests-for-proposals (RFPs) for funding through the Gang Reduction,
Intervention and Prevention (GRIP) Program later this month. Eligible cities are encouraged to
apply. For more, see Page 5.
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‘Eminent Domain’ Continued from Page 1…
During the 2006 “No on Prop. 90” campaign, the League made a serious commitment to support
meaningful eminent domain reform. This year, the League joined a broad coalition in supporting
ACA 8, authored by Assembly Member Hector De La Torre, who worked tirelessly to pass this
measure to provide broad eminent domain protections to California property owners.
The League board of directors was deeply disappointed at the Legislature’s inaction on the
measure, but concluded it meant that the League would have to work with its Coalition partners to
get the job done directly by going to the voters with a serious eminent domain reform measure.
Coalition Moves Forward to Qualify Homeowners Protection Act
Aware of the risk of legislative inaction, in May, the League board joined the League of California
Homeowners and California League of Conservation Voters in co-sponsoring the Homeowners
Protection Act, an initiative to amend the constitution to prohibit government from using eminent
domain to take an owner-occupied home to transfer to another private person or business.
It is an honest and understandable measure that recent polling confirms will be supported by the
vast majority of voters. The coalition is now gathering the signatures needed to qualify it for the
June 2008 ballot. To view the initiative, visit www.ag.ca.gov/initiatives, click on “Active
Measures,” and search for “07-0018.”
Deceptive Competing Initiative to End Zoning Also Headed to Ballot
Prop. 90 was defeated last year in part because its sponsors tried to deceive voters by hiding
damaging provisions under the eminent domain reform banner. They are doing it again. “Son of
Prop. 90” is now in circulation, disingenuously called the “California Property Owners and
Farmland Protection Act” (CPOFPA).
Its proponents (funded largely by big apartment and mobile home park owners) want voters to
think it is just about eminent domain reform, but that is a smokescreen. CPOFPA contains
hidden provisions that would:
• Prohibit or require compensation for local zoning and other land use decisions
• Prohibit local rent control and affordable housing laws that protect seniors, veterans and
others on fixed incomes, and
• Prohibit our state and local water agencies from using eminent domain to acquire land
for new water storage and delivery systems (visit the Association of California Water
Agency Web site at www.acwa.com/mediazone for a copy of their news release).
Moreover, unlike Prop. 90, CPOFPA has no exception for actions taken by government to
protect the public health or safety, putting communities at significant risk. In short, it would be
just as big or a bigger disaster for taxpayers than Prop. 90 would have been. To view the
initiative, visit www.ag.ca.gov/initiatives, click on “Active Measures,” and search for “07-0015.”
Coalition Strategy—Give the Voters A Choice between Real and Phony Reform
With CPOFPA likely headed to the June 2008 ballot, the League board of directors believes the
League can’t risk legislative inaction again. The Homeowners Protection Act initiative is
serious and meaningful reform that polling suggests will receive widespread voter support —
without all the hidden agendas contained in CPOFPA.
The Coalition’s polling also strongly suggests that voters do not support the provisions in
CPOFPA that would eliminate rent control, prevent future water projects, and stand in the way of
responsible land use planning. Finally, the Homeowners Protection Act contains a preemption
provision in the unlikely event both measures pass that will ensure it prevails over CPOFPA.
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What Cities and City Officials Can Do
Voter approval of the Homeowners Protection Act is essential to defeating the fraudulent
CPOFPA, but it will take the effort of many in order to do so. State law prohibits the use of city
funds or property, including your time on the payroll, to help with the campaign. Your city council
can adopt positions on ballot measures and communicate those positions to the community, but
city funds and property cannot be used in ballot measure advocacy.
City elected and appointed officials can act in their private capacity, on their own time and with
their own resources, to support and oppose ballot measures. The League has published
guidelines for what city officials can do to assist in this regard which is available on request or
from your Regional Public Affairs Manager.
Here is what you can do on your own time if you agree with the League board’s positions on
these measures:
• Spread the Word. Talk to your city’s residents on your own time about this issue and
urge them to help pass the Homeowners Protection Act and defeat the fraudulent
CPOFPA. You can let them know you are taking the lead on eminent domain reform to
protect their homes and in working to protect their neighborhoods from the devastation of
CPOFPA.
• Help Build Our Coalition. Work with your League Regional Public Affairs Manager to
reach out to local tenant, environmental, business, civic, labor and other groups to invite
them to join our eminent domain coalition to defeat the anti-tenant, anti-water, anti-
neighborhood CPOFPA and pass the honest eminent domain reform in Homeowners
Protection Act.
• Explain the Threat to Homeowners and Neighborhoods. CPOFPA would effectively
abolish zoning and other land use protections for homeowners and neighborhoods.
Explain to residents that the next time a landowner wants to build a high-rise, a liquor
store or other incompatible use next to their home, the city won’t be able to stop it.
• Gather Signatures and Raise Funds. Help the coalition gather signatures and raise
funds on your own personal time. You will receive information on this soon.
Use Your Own Time and Resources—Not the City’s. Respect the limitations of state law and
do not, under any circumstances, use city funds or property, including your time on the payroll, to
help with the campaign. Elected officials have wide latitude in this regard. Respect the guidelines
from the League. If you are in doubt, please check with your city attorney.
In the near future, the League will be sending a comprehensive analysis of both measures to
each city. The League looks forward to assisting you in understanding these proposals and how
they could affect your city and its residents.
_____________________________________________________________________________
‘Bud Carpenter’ Continued from Page 1…
In 1945, Bud became the League’s general counsel and took on the title of executive director in
1954, while still serving as general counsel. When he stepped down from his dual position in
1973, new League Executive Director Don Benninghoven asked Bud to stay on as director of
legislative affairs. Bud held the position until early 1976, when then Gov. Jerry Brown appointed
him to the first Fair Political Practices Commission.
Bud returned to the League in the spring of 1977 to serve as director of employee relations.
While director of employee relations, Bud served on the board of Public Services Skills, Inc.
(PSS), and as part of his employee relations activities with the League, he served as the
executive secretary of PSS.
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On March 1, 1990, Bud retired from the League for a third and final time. His retirement and
contributions were recognized by former Gov. Pat Brown at the League’s 1991 annual conference
in San Francisco.
Public Service Continued into Retirement
Following retirement, Bud continued his work in public service. Appointed by former Gov. Pete
Wilson to the State Personnel Board, he served for 11 years. In 2001, Bud was recognized by
the California State Senate for his extensive public service “exemplified by the highest level of
integrity, dedication and professionalism.”
Bud’s Death Touches League Staff Deeply
Bud’s passing is a very sad event for the League of California Cities. He was extremely well liked
and respected. His son Christopher Carpenter told those gathered at his father’s final retirement
party “I hope you people realize how much Bud loved the League and how hard he worked for the
cities.”
Current League Executive Director Chris McKenzie commented not only on the professional, but
the gentleman Bud was in all that he did.
“I didn’t have the good fortune to work with Bud directly, but he has shown incredible kindness to
me since I came to California in 1999,” McKenzie said. “He was the consummate gentleman,
advocate for cities, lawyer and human being. I will always remember his kind words of
encouragement and support. The cities of California will always be in his debt, and I am deeply
grateful for having known him.”
League Deputy Executive Director Dwight Stenbakken echoed McKenzie’s remarks.
“Bud was the kind of leader that made you want to roll up your sleeves and work for him,”
Stenbakken explained. “You didn’t want to disappoint him. I am sure that Bud’s expectations for
you weren’t nearly as high as the expectations you put on yourself, wanting to do the best job you
could for him. That’s the essence of leadership to me.”
Born on March 13, 1913, in Portland, Ore., Bud largely grew up in San Francisco. He was a
graduate of San Francisco’s St. Ignatius High School and went on to receive both his
undergraduate and law degrees from the University of San Francisco.
Surviving Family
Bud was preceded in death in August of this year by Jane, his wife of almost 68 years. He is
survived by his three children, Christopher (Peggy) of Oakland, Mark (Elizabeth) of Petaluma,
and Cory Cancila (Joseph) of Chicago, Ill.; his sister-in-law Bernyce Price; and 12 grandchildren,
a great granddaughter, and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
Celebration of Bud’s Life
Bud’s life will be celebrated with a Memorial Mass on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 12:30 p.m. at St.
Ignatius Catholic Church, with a reception to follow. St. Ignatius is located at 3235 Arden Way in
Sacramento.
Memorial contributions may be made to:
St. Ignatius School Fund
3235 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
CARE
151 Ellis Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
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City of Hope National Medical Center
1500 E. Duarte Road
Duarte, CA 91010
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‘CalGRIP’ Continued from Page 1…
The funding opportunities are a part of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s California Gang
Reduction, Intervention and Prevention (CalGRIP) initiative. The program is designed to provide
grants to cities and community-based organizations for gang prevention, intervention re-entry,
education, job training and skills development, family and community services, and suppression
activities.
Details on Funding
The RFA will non-competitively establish a grant with the city of Los Angeles, as specified by the
State Budget.
The first RFP will competitively distribute $963,900 to cities with heavy gang concentrations in the
Bay Area, and will competitively distribute $963,900 to cities with heavy gang concentrations in
the Central Valley.
The second RFP will distribute a total of $4,323,300 to cities throughout California to address
gang problems in their communities. No grant shall exceed $500,000 and at least two grants will
be awarded to cities with populations of 200,000 or less.
Preference will be given in both of these RFP processes to applicants that incorporate regional
approaches to anti-gang activities. Each city selected for funding through both the RFA and RFP
processes must collaborate and coordinate with area jurisdictions and agencies, including the
existing county juvenile justice coordination council, with the goal of reducing gang activity in the
city and adjacent areas.
Each city grantee must establish a coordinating and advisory council to prioritize the use of the
funds. Membership must include:
• City officials;
• Local law enforcement including the county sheriff, chief probation officer, and
district attorney;
• Local educational agencies, including school districts and the county office of
education; and
• Community-based organizations.
The third RFP will competitively distribute a total of $2 million to Community-Based Organizations
throughout California to test different approaches designed to reduce gang activities in
communities and neighborhoods. No grant shall exceed $200,000.
Application Availability – What Cities Can Do Now
The RFPs and the RFA will be made available electronically as soon as possible on the OES
Web site at www.oes.ca.gov, and can be found under the links for Law Enforcement and Victim
Services Division/RFP Funding Information. Applicants need not wait for the RFP and RFA in
order to begin preparations for their proposals. There are several steps that applicants should
take now.
1. Applicants can begin defining the target area to be addressed by the proposal.
2. Applicants can gather important data concerning the target area, such as the
geographical description, the population and demographics, the crime rate, the number of
gangs, statistics on gang related offenses, and any other data demonstrating the gang
problem. 6
3. Applicants can identify other agencies to be included as partners in the project and lay
the foundation for an operational agreement with those partners. This is particularly
applicable to city applicants, which are required to collaborate and coordinate with area
jurisdictions, and are required to form a coordinating and advisory council to prioritize the
use of the funds.
4. Applicants can begin developing ideas for the proposal, and can initiate discussions with
partners. Applicants should plan to prepare a proposal that:
• Demonstrates the needs of the community in addressing the gang problem
• Presents a plan to address those needs
• Demonstrates the ability of the applicant to implement that plan
• Provides support for the plan with the funds requested and applicable match
reflected in a line-item budget
5. Applicants can begin reviewing OES grants procedures in the OES 2006 Recipient
Handbook available through the OES Web site at www.oes.ca.gov, under the links for the
Law Enforcement and Victim Services Division/Recipient Handbook.
An e-mail notification will be distributed announcing the availability of these RFPs and RFA
once they have been posted to the OES Web site. The city of Los Angeles will be contacted
separately concerning the RFA.
Questions regarding CalGRIP can be directed to Kirby Everhart, chief, Gangs and Crime
Suppression Branch at (916) 327-3687, or via e-mail to kirby.everhart@oes.ca.gov.
If you have any questions concerning the availability of the RFP or RFA, or are interested in
receiving the email notification, please send an e-mail to Catherine Perkins at
catherine.perkins@oes.ca.gov or you can contact Catherine at (916) 324-6724.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Resources Agency Announces Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Grant
Program
California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman announced on Monday, Oct. 1, that
applications are being accepted for the 2007/08 grant cycle of the Environmental Enhancement
and Mitigation (EEM) Program.
The program offers grants to local, state, and federal governmental agencies and nonprofit
organizations for projects to mitigate environmental impacts caused by new or modified state
transportation facilities.
Grants will be given in three categories:
Highway Landscape and Urban Forestry - Projects designed to improve air quality through the
planting of trees and other suitable plants
Resource Lands - Projects for the acquisition, restoration, or enhancement of watersheds,
wildlife habitat, wetlands, forests, or other significant natural areas
Roadside Recreational - Projects for the acquisition and/or development of roadside
recreational opportunities
EEM program application packets, which include minimum requirements, project evaluation
criteria, typical questions and answers, and a sample California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans) project agreement, are available by contacting EEM Program Coordinator Charles
Chung at (916) 654-9923 or charles.chung@resources.ca.gov.
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Applications for the 2007/08 grant cycle must be received by the Resources Agency no later than
4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30.
The Resources Agency will submit a list of recommended projects to the California Transportation
Commission (CTC) for funding consideration and for public notice at its Feb. 2008 meeting. CTC
is expected to adopt the list of projects to be funded in March 2008.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Call for Entries – 2008 Excellence in Transportation Awards Program
The California Department of Transportation is seeking entries for its 2008 Excellence in
Transportation Awards Program. Now in its 22nd year, the awards program honors the best of
California’s transportation projects from across the state.
The Excellence in Transportation Awards Program is open to California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) districts, local and public transportation agencies, and private
engineering and consultant firms. Public transportation improvements or projects currently in use
and completed since Jan. 1, 2005, are eligible. The deadline has been extended to Thursday,
Dec. 6.
Please give consideration to the projects in your jurisdiction eligible to compete in this year’s
competition. Guidelines and all forms necessary to apply are available on the Department’s Web
site at www.dot.ca.gov/awards. For electronic or hard copies of guidelines and an application,
please contact Caroline Moreno at (916) 653-8879.
_____________________________________________________________________________
League Legislative Briefings Scheduled for November
The League of California Cities is hosting two briefing sessions in November. Scheduled for
Wednesday, Nov. 28, in Pasadena and Thursday, Nov. 29, in San Jose, these identical briefings
will focus on bills of note to city officials that passed in the previous legislative session.
Tentative session topics will include:
• Implementation of the State Infrastructure Bond Package
• The fate of ACA 8 and pending initiatives—What’s next on eminent domain and
regulatory takings
• Climate Change: ARB Regulations, SB 375 (Steinberg), the attorney general’s lawsuits,
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines: Are your ready for this kind of
“green heat?”
• Growing Pains: Legislation affecting redevelopment, flood control, environmental issues,
housing and land use
• Employee relations and workers compensation
• Sex offender management, gang abatement, and prison overcrowding: local implications
The cost of attendance is $140, which includes a luncheon. Registration and further information is
available at www.cacities.org/events.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Call for Education Session Ideas: 2008 Mayors & Council Members Academy,
Executive Forum
Do you have a great idea for a session or speaker for the 2008 Mayors & Council Members
Academy Executive Forum in Squaw Valley next year? If so, we want to know about it!
The League’s 2008 Mayors and Council Members Executive Forum Planning Committee will be
considering session ideas for any topic area. To submit your ideas, a fully-completed proposal
form packet is due on or before noon on Monday, Oct. 15.
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This packet is available at www.cacities.org/events. Any individual, group, business or
organization may submit a proposal suggestion.
Who are the thought leaders that understand municipal government and the issues our cities face
on a daily basis? What are the vital issues our membership must learn to succeed beyond 2008?
This is an exciting opportunity to share your ideas, knowledge and expertise with local
government staff, elected officials and decision makers.
The 2008 Mayors & Council Members Academy Executive Forum will be held at the Squaw
Creek Resort in Squaw Valley on June 4-6, 2008.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
Visit (and bookmark!) the League’s Legislative Resources Web page
(www.cacities.org/legresources). You’ll find a roster and contact information for the League’s
legislative staff; the online Bill Search program, background materials on lobbying your
legislators, and more.
_____________________________________________________________________________
IN THIS ISSUE: Oct. 12, 2007
Issue #39-2007
Page 5: League Legislative Briefings Scheduled for November
Fire Chiefs Leadership Seminar Set for December
Does Your City Have Unclaimed Assets?
Call for Education Session Ideas: 2008 Mayors & Council Members Academy, Executive Forum
Page 6: Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER OUTLINES THE CRITICAL NEED FOR WATER
STORAGE IN LETTER TO LEGISLATURE
In a letter to legislative leaders on Wednesday, Oct. 10, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger outlined
the critical need for water storage reservoirs in a comprehensive infrastructure plan to help solve
California's water crisis. The Legislature is currently considering proposals during the special
session which the Governor called on Sept. 11. The Governor has proposed a $9 billion plan
that includes $5.1 billion for surface storage, including two new reservoirs and the expansion of
one existing reservoir. For more, see Page 2.
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LOS ANGELES BUSINESS COUNCIL TO HOST 2007 MAYORAL HOUSING SUMMIT
The Los Angeles Business Council (LABC) will host the 2007 Mayoral Housing Summit on
Wednesday, Oct. 17, in Los Angeles. The event will be held at the Korn Convocation Hall of the
University of California, Los Angeles, Anderson School of Management from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more, see Page 4.
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CALIFORNIA CITIES PARTCIPATE IN ACWA PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM
Two New TV Spots and Brochure Launched This Week
Cities across the state are participating in the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA)
public education program on current and future water issues. The program addresses challenges
to the state’s water supply and delivery system. For more, see Page 4.
2
‘Gov. Schwarzenegger’ Continued from Page 1…
The original version of the Governor’s letter is located at www.gov.ca.gov/news-room, under
“press releases.” Below is an edited version (indented and bolded):
October 10, 2007
Dear Speaker Núñez, Senator Perata, Mr. Villines and Senator Ackerman,
As a water crisis slowly grips California cities and towns, we find ourselves
embroiled in the most important debate on this issue since the State Water Project
was built more than half a century ago. The question is not just which immediate
steps should be taken to protect our great state, but how California's water
infrastructure will serve future generations for many decades to come.
The most controversial element of the debate is the proposal to expand
California's reservoir system. Opponents of building new reservoirs have used
three major arguments to make their case: first, that California has plenty of
reservoir capacity. Second, that we can solve California's growing water crisis
with conservation and recycling. Third, that reservoirs should be paid for only by
local water agencies, not the statewide public.
It is a fact that California's existing reservoirs are dangerously low this year. The
capacity to store additional flood waters will provide us with tremendous flexibility
and bring greater reliability to our state's water supply.
From October 2005 to September 2006, two reservoirs, Shasta and Folsom,
released more than 6.5 million acre-feet of water to the ocean because they did not
have room to store flood flows from the Sacramento River. Flood waters stretched
our aging levee system to the breaking point. Last year alone, 1.25 million acre-
feet of water had to be released from Millerton Lake reservoir off the San Joaquin
River because there was no room to store flood flows when the Sierra snowmelt
collided with winter storms. Towns along the river, like tiny Firebaugh, were
threatened with devastation.
In 2006, the State's major reservoirs released millions of acre-feet of flood waters,
well beyond that needed for the environment or other beneficial purposes - and
more than enough to fill the proposed new reservoirs at Sites and Temperance
Flat, and an expanded Los Vaqueros. This water, had some of it been captured,
could have been used to maintain water quality in the Delta, protect threatened fish
populations and complete water deliveries to cities and farms when the Delta
pumps were shut down to protect endangered fish.
Instead, due to drought conditions this year, the State's major reservoirs have 2.5
million acre-feet less in storage than normal for this time of year. Combine this
low storage with drought conditions and reduced pumping from the Delta, and
what you have are cities throughout California facing water rationing. Had my
comprehensive water plan been in place, we would have started the 2007 water
year with an additional 3.3 million acre-feet of water in storage, allowing us to
deliver more water and better protect the ecosystem.
Conservation is key, but cannot solve California's growing water crisis alone.
Conservation cannot capture the Sierra snowmelt when it floods the Sacramento
or San Joaquin River. There are no conservation measures that would have
helped us benefit from the flood flows in 2005-06; that was simply a matter of
limited space in our existing reservoirs.
However, conservation certainly must be a critical component of California's water
future. The City of Los Angeles has grown by more than 1 million residents since
1975 and, with aggressive conservation efforts such as low-flow toilets and 3
showerheads, still uses the same amount of water today that it did thirty years
ago. California farmers and water suppliers have adopted state-of-the-art water
conservation measures, such as micro-irrigation and satellite crop and soil
moisture sensing systems to improve water management and irrigation practices.
As a result, agricultural water use efficiency, measured in tons of production per
acre-foot of water, has increased by nearly 40 percent since 1980.
There is certainly much more we can do to use water more efficiently, which is why
I plan to sign Assembly Bill 715 to require low-flush toilets in new building
construction, and why I proposed $1 billion in funding for local conservation and
water recycling programs as part of our bond package. But much more, even
beyond conservation, remains to be done.
Estimates are that Los Angeles now saves more than 900,000 acre-feet per year in
water through conservation compared to thirty years ago. As good as that is, it
didn't prevent Mayor Villaraigosa from having to ask Los Angeles residents to cut
back water usage by 10 percent this year because of water supply problems. Local
officials in Los Angeles and San Diego counties recently considered denying
permits for new housing developments because state and local water agencies
cannot guarantee enough water to serve those homes. California's population is
expected to reach 60 million over the next forty years. Conservation alone cannot
possibly meet that demand.
The public has a strong interest in building new reservoirs.
Critics claim State government should not agree to build new reservoirs until
private water users agree to pay for all or most of it. They point to former
Governor Pat Brown and the State Water Project as a model to replicate. The fact
is that the Legislature approved funding to build reservoirs and canals for the
State Water Project before a single private contract was in place to pay for any
portion of it. Government leaders then had a vision for California's water
infrastructure needs, and they took the lead in building reservoirs knowing that
local governments and water agencies would pay their share of the costs
commensurate with the benefits they would receive.
But we can no longer afford to have our reservoirs and water supplies governed
primarily by the needs of local water contractors. The fact is that we need
reservoir capacity for flood control purposes, and we need a place to store water
for environmental purposes, especially since our traditional storage - the Sierra
snowpack - is less reliable due to climate change. Environmental water can be
used to keep cold water flowing in rivers during spawning season for salmon. It
can be used to keep drinking water safe from saltwater intrusion in the Delta. It
can be used to make critical water deliveries to Central and Southern California
when the pumps are idled to protect tiny Delta Smelt from extinction.
My proposal assumes that the public would own and benefit from up to half of the
new capacity in the proposed reservoirs. Local beneficiaries would contract to pay
for their share before a single public dollar was spent to begin building these
facilities. That's more protection for an investment of public dollars than our
predecessors gave when the State Water Project was first built.
California needs a balanced and comprehensive plan for our water future. While
some want to limit the actions we take, I believe we must invest in a wide range of
tools including expanded storage, new conveyance and conservation. The plan
does not work if we don't have all three.
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger
_____________________________________________________________________________ 4
‘Mayoral Housing Summit’ Continued from Page 1…
Join your colleagues for a variety of presentations and keynote addresses from numerous
speakers, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-
Calif.), State Controller John Chiang, California Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata and many
other public and private housing leaders.
Topics of note during the summit will include the new economic realities of housing, creating
workforce housing, and preparation for an economic upswing.
Registration for LABC members is $250, $350 for non-members. For more information on the
event and to register, visit www.labusinesscouncil.org.
_____________________________________________________________________________
‘ACWA’ Continued from Page 1…
As part of an effort to educate their citizens about the water crisis, many cities are using their
Web sites by posting materials related to the water crisis program with information, the program’s
banner ad (instructions below on how to download) and a link to www.calwatercrisis.org.
A number of cities are distributing brochures and showing a five minute video ACWA produced at
council meetings. In addition, over 40 public access and local government channels are running
the TV spots and the informational video.
Partner with ACWA
Cities interested in partnering in the ACWA program should contact Statewide Outreach Director
Scott Adams at (818) 760-2121 or scott@calwatercrisis.org.
New TV Spots Launched This Week
ACWA’s program, titled “California’s Water: A Crisis We Can’t Ignore,” launched two new TV
spots this week. These are the third and fourth spots in the series. The two new 30-second
spots are airing across the state in California’s major media markets and are designed to educate
viewers about the state’s water crisis.
In the spot titled “Family Farmer,” Jim Beecher, a family farmer from the Central Valley, discusses
how the water crisis impacts agriculture in the state and why the delta needs to be fixed. “Half
Empty,” the fourth TV spot in the program’s series, focuses on the contributing factors to the
water crisis.
Program Information Brochures
ACWA has produced an information campaign that can be distributed to people at meetings,
events and conferences. The brochure can be downloaded and reproduced for distribution. It
can be found at www.calwatercrisis.org. Click on “About the Program” on the right-hand side and
scroll down to the bottom to find the .pdf file for download.
Copies of the brochure can also be ordered by contacting Kym Belzer at (818) 760-2121 or
kbelzer@redgatecommunications.com.
Cities Encouraged to Post Banner Link
The ACWA program has made its logo available for partner organizations to use on their Web
sites. This banner helps raise the visibility of the program and is designed to look and feel like the
program’s Web site.
The banner is on the program’s Web site at www.calwatercrisis.org. Click on “About the
Program” on the right side. The banner logo is available on the right side of the “About the
Program” page.
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League Legislative Briefings Scheduled for November
The League of California Cities is hosting two briefing sessions in November. Scheduled for
Wednesday, Nov. 28, in Pasadena and Thursday, Nov. 29, in San Jose, these identical briefings
will focus on bills of note to city officials that passed in the previous legislative session.
Tentative session topics will include:
• Implementation of the State Infrastructure Bond Package
• The fate of ACA 8 and pending initiatives—What’s next on eminent domain and
regulatory takings
• Climate Change: ARB Regulations, SB 375 (Steinberg), the attorney general’s lawsuits,
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines: Are your ready for this kind of
“green heat?”
• Growing Pains: Legislation affecting redevelopment, flood control, environmental issues,
housing and land use
• Employee relations and workers compensation
• Sex offender management, gang abatement, and prison overcrowding: local implications
The cost of attendance is $140, which includes a luncheon. Registration and further information is
available at www.cacities.org/events.
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Fire Chiefs Leadership Seminar Set for December
The League of California Cities Fire Chiefs Leadership Seminar is set for Dec. 5-7, at the
Monterey Conference Center in Monterey.
Join your fire chief colleagues from across the state for an informative event that features state
speakers Ruben Grijalva, director, Cal-Fire and California State Fire Marshall Kate Dargan. A
keynote address will also be given by Gordon Graham of Graham Research Consultants, on the
topic of management quality control.
Cost of this event is $440 for city officials/staff, and $600 for all others. For more information on
the seminar and to register, visit www.cacities.org/events. One-day registration is not available,
and registration closes on Nov. 13. Housing for this event is filling fast, so those interested in
attending are encouraged to register soon.
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Does Your City Have Unclaimed Assets?
Remember that feeling of discovering a few dollars in an old coat pocket that you hadn’t worn in
ages? Now cities have a chance to have the same experience.
The California State Controller’s Office has an online “Unclaimed Property Search” system at
http://scoweb.sco.ca.gov/UCP. A number of California municipalities are on the list as having
unclaimed assets. Cities are encouraged to visit the site and research what property may be
sitting out there unclaimed.
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Call for Education Session Ideas: 2008 Mayors & Council Members Academy,
Executive Forum
Do you have a great idea for a session or speaker for the 2008 Mayors & Council Members
Academy Executive Forum in Squaw Valley next year? If so, we want to know about it!
The League’s 2008 Mayors and Council Members Executive Forum Planning Committee will be
considering session ideas for any topic area. To submit your ideas, a fully-completed proposal
form packet is due on or before noon on Monday, Oct. 15. 6
This packet is available at www.cacities.org/events. Any individual, group, business or
organization may submit a proposal suggestion.
Who are the thought leaders that understand municipal government and the issues our cities face
on a daily basis? What are the vital issues our membership must learn to succeed beyond 2008?
This is an exciting opportunity to share your ideas, knowledge and expertise with local
government staff, elected officials and decision makers.
The 2008 Mayors & Council Members Academy Executive Forum will be held at the Squaw
Creek Resort in Squaw Valley on June 4-6, 2008.
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Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
Visit (and bookmark!) the League’s Legislative Resources Web page
(www.cacities.org/legresources). You’ll find a roster and contact information for the League’s
legislative staff; the online Bill Search program, background materials on lobbying your
legislators, and more.
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