October 21, 2005
Issue #41-2005
The Legislature is
in recess until
January 4.
WANT MORE DET AILS
ON BILLS?
Visit the League of
California Cities
website at
www.cacities.org/
billsearch.
ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARD APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
28 GRADUATE FROM THE MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ACADEMY
CITY ATTORNEYS ADOPT ETHICAL STANDARDS
Page 2
The State Controller’s office (SCO) has just released the schedule of true-
up amounts for the 2004-05 fiscal year vehicle license fees (VLF Adjustment
Amount), as well as amount of the actual 2005-06 VLF Adjustment Amount
payments. For more, see Page 4.
STATE CONTROLLER RELEASES VLF
ADJUSTMENT AMOUNT REPORT
On November 15, the International City/County Management Association
(ICMA) will host a 90-minute webcast entitled “Eminent Domain: Implications
from the Kelo v. City of New London case.” For more, see Page 3.
ICMA TO HOST EMINENT DOMAIN WEBCAST
The League of California Cities is hosting two legislative briefings in both
Northern and Southern California next month. The Northern California meet-
ing will take place on Wednesday, November 16, at the Sacramento Conven-
tion Center in Sacramento. The same program will be repeated on Thursday,
November 17, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Ontario. Both programs begin at
9:30 a.m. For more, see Page 4.
LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE BRIEFINGS
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER
Page 3Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 2 - PRIORITY FOCUS
October 21, 2005 - Issue #41
Applications for the 2006 All-America City
Award are now available! Presented by the Na-
tional Civic League, the All-America City Award is
the oldest community recognition program in the
country.
Started in 1949, the award recognizes commu-
nities that are overcoming challenges through
innovative leadership and collaborative problem
solving. In total, more than 500 communities of all
sizes – cities, towns, counties, neighborhoods and
regions - have received the prestigious award.
Applications are available online at
www.ncl.org. All applications must be received by
March 9, 2006. The National Civic League will
announce the 30 finalists on April 14, 2006. Final-
ists advance to the 57th annual All-America City
Awards competition on June 9-12, 2006, in Ana-
heim, Calif.
For more information, contact Gary Chandler at
(303) 571-4343, or write to aleksh@ncl.org.
A recognition ceremony for the 28 city officials
graduating from the League of California Cities
Mayors and Council Members Academy (MCA)
was held at the League’s annual conference in
San Francisco earlier this month. 19 individuals
graduated from Advanced Leadership and nine
from Leadership in Action.
During the Mayors and Council Members
annual business meeting, Second Vice President
Ben Wong, council member, West Covina,
recognized the group. The graduates participated
in educational programs and community activities
that enhanced their knowledge, skills, and abili-
ties to better serve the public.
Combined with years of service as a city
elected official, the graduates met all require-
ments of the Academy for their respective level
and received a framed certificate of completion.
Advanced Leadership graduates also received a
two-torch lapel pin while the Leadership in Action
graduates received a three-torch pin. The num-
ber of torches signifies the level, and the torch
itself is symbolic of their learning experience.
A complete list of the 28 MCA graduates can
be found on the League website at
www.cacities.org, by clicking on “About the
League” followed by “Municipal Departments.”
Created by the League in 1995, the Mayors
and Council Members Academy consists of
educational programs and community activities
that allow the mayor or council member to in-
crease competence, gain greater respect among
peers, and enhance the public’s trust in his or her
work. MCA is a voluntary program with three
levels: Leadership, Advanced Leadership, and
Leadership in Action.
For more information, please visit
www.cacities.org and go the Mayors and Council
Members Municipal Department page.
The League wants to stay in touch!
Just because you are leaving your position
with the city doesn’t mean you stop caring
about or wanting to be involved in city
issues. Keep abreast of developments
affecting cities and the League by becom-
ing part of the League’s alumni group.
Members will receive periodic updates on
city issues and League activities. This is
the League’s way of saying “thank you” for
your public service—there is no fee for this
service.
To join, go to www.cacities.org/alumni
or send your contact information to
dharrison@cacities.org.
Leaving City Office? Retiring?
ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARD
APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
28 GRADUATE FROM THE MAYORS AND
COUNCIL MEMBERS ACADEMYPRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 3 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
Oct. 21, 2005 - Issue #41
City managers have theirs, as do planners,
clerks, and finance officials. Although city attorneys
in California have always had the State Bar’s Rules
of Professional Conduct, they now have taken their
commitment to ethics in the practice of municipal
law one step further in identifying a series of ethical
principles particularly relevant for city attorneys.
At their department business meeting at the
League’s annual conference, city attorneys
adopted a document designed to:
• Serve as an aspirational guide to city
attorneys in making decisions in difficult
situations
• Provide guidance to clients and the public
on the ethical standards to which city
attorneys aspire
• Promote integrity of the city and city
attorney office
The document addresses issues such as:
• Promoting, defending and exemplifying the
rule of law
• Earning client trust through quality legal
advice
• Avoiding politicization of the city attorney’s
position
Each ethical principle is followed by a series of
examples that explain how the principle applies in
specific situation. For example, under the “no
politicization” principle, an example reads as
follows:
The city attorney or persons seeking to
become city attorney should not make
campaign contributions to or participate
in the campaigns of that city’s officials,
including candidates running for that
city’s offices or city officers running for
other offices. For private law firms serv
ing as city attorney or seeking to become
city attorney, this restriction should
apply to the law firm’s attorneys.
The full document can be viewed at
www.cacities.org/cityattorneysethicalprinciples. It
will be the subject of ongoing discussion and
refinement over the course of the coming year.
The development and adoption of ethical
principles for city attorneys comes on the heels
of last year’s groundbreaking publication of
Practicing Ethics: A Handbook for Municipal
Lawyers. This publication analyzes city attor-
neys’ responsibilities under the State Bar’s Rules
of Professional Conduct and other state ethics
laws.
CITY ATTORNEYS ADOPT ETHICAL STANDARDS
EMINENT DOMAIN from page 1
The webcast will review the major implications
the Supreme Court decision will have on local
governments, highlight how local governments have
successfully used eminent domain in the past, and
will look at what Congress and the state legislatures
are likely to do to curb local government powers in
the future.
Featured speakers for this event include:
• Joe Schilling, professor in practice,
Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech
• Israel Small, assistant city manager,
Savannah, Ga.
• Peter Byrne, law professor, Georgetown
University
• Susan Frederick, senior committee director
– Law and Criminal Justice Committee,
National Conference of State Legislatures
Those that will benefit by attending this webcast
include city and county managers, planning and
economic development directors, and other local
government officials. The cost of the webcast is
$95 per site. Participants may take part as a group,
but must have a computer with Internet access
(56K modem or higher) and a separate telephone
line for the audio portion of the webcast.
To register, visit www.lgean.org/html/training/
icmaindex.cfm. Registration can also be done over
the phone at (877) 865-4326.Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 4 - PRIORITY FOCUS
October 21, 2005 - Issue #41
The 2004-05 state budget included a one-time
“swap” of property tax in lieu of vehicle license
fees. This VLF Adjustment Amount reflects the
difference between what cities and counties would
have received in 2004-05 under the old 2 percent
VLF rate and what cities and counties actually
received in 2004-05 under the adjusted .65 percent
VLF rate.
In the 2004-05 fiscal year, cities received
estimated VLF Adjustment Amount payments -
these were distributed in January and May of this
year. The newly released true-up amounts are a
one-time settle-up payment.
Cities and counties will not see a similar
settle-up payment in future years. In subsequent
years, each agency’s VLF Adjustment Amount will
increase in proportion to the change in Assessed
Valuation in the jurisdiction from the prior year.
The law required the state to provide the VLF
Adjustment amounts for the 2005-06 fiscal year.
However, in the future county auditors will make
those calculations.
The SCO report and corresponding cover
letter can be viewed on the League website at:
www.cacities.org.
Michael Coleman, fiscal policy advisor for the
League, has provided a memo that further explains
items on the SCO report. That memo can also be
accessed on the League website at
www.cacities.org.
Any questions on the State Controller docu-
ments can be referred to David Smart at
dsmart@sco.ca.gov. If you have further questions
please contact Jean Korinke by e-mail at
jkorinke@cacities.org, or via phone at (916) 658-
8245.
VLF from page 1 LEG BRIEFINGS from page 1
Featured luncheon speakers are Greg Lucas,
bureau chief, San Francisco Chronicle (Northern
California), and Michelle De Armond, political
reporter, The Riverside Press-Enterprise (South-
ern California). Both speakers will be providing a
commentary on the 2005 Special Election and
prospects for 2006.
Please register online by Monday, November
7, at www.cacities.org/events. The cost for
attending is only $140. Early registration is
advisable because space is limited. Only ad-
vance registration is available for this workshop.
Don’t miss this opportunity to get the
League’s most useful reference tool.
This comprehensive California directory
provides important contact information
for mayors, council members and city
department heads. The directory also
features the League’s staff directory,
League partners, affiliate organizations
and a wide variety of advertisers.
INFORMATION YOU NEED, RIGHT
A T YOUR FINGERTIPS!
Purchase this publication online at
www.cacities.org/store or call (916) 658-
8257 for an order form. City officials
price $30, non-city official price $65,
plus shipping & handling.
THE 2005 CITY HALL
DIRECTORY IS NOW
AVAILABLE
October 28, 2005
Issue #42-2005
The Legislature is
in recess until
January 4.
WANT MORE DET AILS
ON BILLS?
Visit the League of
California Cities
website at
www.cacities.org/
billsearch.
LEAGUE LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE TRAINING MODULE
MAKING AFFORDABLE HOUSING A MEDIA MATTER
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SEMINAR SET FOR MONTEREY
Page 2
Every year, the California Legislature passes bills that may contain state-
mandated local programs as outlined in article XIII B, Section 6 of the California
Constitution. If the Legislature has included adequate funding in the bill for
covering the costs of these programs, then they are not eligible for consider-
ation as a reimbursable mandate. For more, see Page 3.
REIMBURSABLE MANDATES: AN INFORMATIONAL UPDATE
Nearly 200 attendees filled the California State Association of Counties
(CSAC) Conference Center in Sacramento on October 26, as the League of
California Cities, CSAC, the California State Sheriffs’ Association and the
California Tribal Business Alliance presented “Government to Government
Relationships: A Forum on Indian Gaming.” For more, see Page 2.
INDIAN GAMING FORUM BRINGS LOCAL AND TRIBAL
GOVERNMENTS TOGETHER
Larry Clark, mayor of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, and newly ap-
pointed member of the League of California Cities board of directors, was
appointed to the California Coastal Commission by Senate President pro Tem
Don Perata, chair of the Senate Rules Committee. For more, see Page 4.
LARRY CLARK APPOINTED TO COASTAL COMMISSION
Page 3Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 2 - PRIORITY FOCUS
October 28, 2005 - Issue #42
“Performance Coaching and Leadership” is a
brand new interactive training module recently
unveiled by the League of California Cities’ LeaguE
Campus.
The theme of this interactive training module is
developing others through effective performance
coaching while accomplishing your city’s mission
and goals. You will learn about new roles and
techniques to create optimal workplace environ-
ments where employees are treated as partners –
with responsibility to achieve the goals and objec-
tives of the city.
Achieving honest commitment and a sense of
enthusiasm among employees does not happen by
accident. But imagine an organization where
employees feel valued, empowered and important.
Who wins - both employees and the organization!
This training module will focus on:
• Creating a work environment that supports
employee retention
• Providing opportunities for employees who
are not high performers to become high
performers
• Making a connection for employees
between the work they do everyday and
the goals and mission of your city
There are seven mini series’ within this training
module that deal with specific performance coach-
ing and leadership topics – New Employee Orienta-
tion, Performance Measures, Effective Communica-
tion, Performance Goals and Action Plans, Delega-
tion and Decision Making, Corrective Action, and
New Leadership Roles. Each series contains
printable handouts and ends with a quiz to test
comprehension.
When you have completed each of the seven
topic series, you will be instructed to proceed to the
post test where you will have the opportunity to go
back and review sections pertinent to any missed
questions.
For more information, contact Kanat Tibet at
(916) 658-8261. Kanat can also be reached via e-
mail at ktibet@cacities.org.
INDIAN GAMING from page 1
The first of its kind, the forum was arranged to
discuss how local and tribal governments can
better work together to fulfill common goals, and
featured in-depth discussions on tribal sover-
eignty, public safety and memorandums of under-
standing, and a presentation by George Skibine,
acting deputy assistant secretary, Indian Affairs
Policy and Economic Development, U.S. Depart-
ment of the Interior. In addition, City of Indio Police
Chief Brad Ramos provided an overview of public
safety enforcement issues and stressed the
importance of working in partnership with local
tribes.
Those attending of the event consisted of
officials from local and tribal governments, law
enforcement, water, parks and transportation
agencies, state and legislative departments, and
business and labor groups. Due to the popularity
of the forum, organizers are already considering
holding a similar event in the future.
Event organizers and participants noted that
the forum marked a new chapter in local/tribal
government relations as the four sponsoring
groups worked together to share experiences and
overcome differences.
“We need to look into the future and find a
better way to form an enduring partnership be-
tween local governments and tribal governments-
that’s what this forum is about,” said Paula
Lorenzo, chairwoman of the Rumsey Band of
Wintun Indians and chairwoman of the California
Tribal Business Alliance, in a statement. “We look
forward to working with the people of California to
provide a better future for all.”
Restore and protect local control for cities
through education and advocacy to
enhance the quality of life for all Californians.
Our Mission
LEAGUE LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE
TRAINING MODULEPRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 3 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
Oct. 28, 2005 - Issue #42
“Making Affordable Housing a Media Matter,” a
conference hosted by the Campaign for Affordable
Housing and Century Housing, is set for Tuesday,
November 8, in Long Beach.
Sponsored in part by the League of California
Cities, the California Association of Realtors,
Ameriquest Mortgage Company, and Washington
Mutual, this conference will focus on how to turn
the media’s eye towards affordable housing is-
sues. The event is designed to educate attendees
on how to:
• Determine appropriate free and paid media
outlets given campaign goals
• Frame affordable housing issues to gain
exposure
• Identify relevant resources needed to
develop successful media campaigns
• Locate and leverage successful media
campaigns completed by other
organizations
The conference will take place at the Westin
Long Beach hotel. The keynote speaker will be
Parker Blackman from Fenton Communications.
The fee for attending is $125, which includes a
continental breakfast and lunch. To register, go to
www.tcah.org/nov8, or call (323) 330-0540.
MAKING AFFORDABLE HOUSING
A MEDIA MATTER
MANDATES from page 1
If adequate funding to cover local costs is not
included, then local governments can file a test
claim – starting the process of review by the Com-
mission on State Mandates (COSM) to determine if it
should become a reimbursable mandate as allowed
under law.
Last year, legislation was passed that provided
only one year (formerly three years) from the effec-
tive date of new laws for locals to file test claims as
part of the mandate process. It’s important that you
are aware of this critical change in the mandate
reimbursement process.
During the League of California Cities’ recent
annual conference, a panel discussed state-man-
dated local programs in the wake of Proposition
1A. The materials distributed can be found on the
League website at www.cacities.org/revandtax, and
contain an overview of the mandate reimburse-
ment process, a list of pending test claims, and full
details on 2004-05 and 2005-06 reimbursements
for currently approved mandates.
The League and the California State Associa-
tion of Counties (CSAC) have created a joint
advisory committee on mandates. If you are
interested in participating or have further ques-
tions, please contact Jean Korinke at
jkorinke@cacities.org, or (916) 658-8245.
The League of California Cities is proud
to present a financial management seminar
from November 30 to December 2 in
Monterey.
To be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel,
don’t miss this opportunity to network with
colleagues and increase your knowledge of
the profession as you enjoy the charm of
Monterey.
Some featured sessions include:
• The Future of the Economy
• Managing PERS Costs
• Telecommunications and other Legal
Issues
• Drawing Out the Best in People
• How Infrastructure Maintenance Can
Save Your City Money
• Skyrocketing Housing Prices and the
Impact to Cities
• What Does Ethics Have To Do With
City Finance?
• PLUS a Exposition of Vendors during
the Wednesday Reception
To register, visit the League website at
www.cacities.org/events.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SEMINAR
SET FOR MONTEREYVisit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 4 - PRIORITY FOCUS
October 28, 2005 - Issue #42
CLARK from page 1
Mayor Clark was selected from a list of nomi-
nees submitted by the City Selection Committees
and Boards of Supervisors of Los Angeles and
Orange County. Elected mayor of Rancho Palos
Verdes in 2005, Clark recently finished a term as
chairman of the League’s Revenue and Taxation
Committee, and was Vice Chair of the League’s
General Resolutions Committee at this year’s
annual conference.
On the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council,
Mayor Clark dealt with numerous coastal issues.
He also serves on the Palos Verdes Peninsula
Land Conservancy Capital Campaign. Clark’s
term on the California Coastal Commission ends
in May 2009.
“Mayor Clark understands the coast’s unique
status and has been actively involved in coastal
issues, both as a private citizen and a public
official,” Perata said. “I think he will be a strong
addition to the commission.”
Western City magazine’s job opportunity
section is the source for job seekers looking
for positions in local government. According
to our reader survey, the job opportunity
section is the best read section of our
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