IN THIS ISSUE: July 6, 2007
Issue #26-2007
Page 4: League Holds Third Policy Committee Meetings of the Year
Page 6: July 2007 Issue of Focus on Housing Published
On-Camera Media Training Available for City Officials at the Annual Conference
Page 7: Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
SB 303 BECOMES A TWO-YEAR BILL
SB 303, the League-opposed legislation sponsored by the California Major Builders Council that
would have added more burdensome requirements to the housing element, became a two-year
bill earlier this week, when it failed to pass out of the Assembly Committee on Local Government
on Tuesday, July 3. For more, see Page 2.
•••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• ••
STATE BUDGET UPDATE: CONFERENCE COMMITTEE CLOSES, NEGOTIATIONS
CONTINUE WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP
On Friday, June 29, the Joint Senate/Assembly Budget Conference Committee acted on the
final transportation budget items it was evaluating. The committee adopted the State Assembly
version of Proposition 1B funding and compromised on both transit spillover and high-speed rail
authority funding issues. For more, see Page 2.
•••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• ••
COALITION-SPONSORED EMINENT DOMAIN REFORM MEASURE ADVANCES
Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 8, the eminent domain reform measure authored by
Assembly Member Hector De La Torre, D-South Gate, and sponsored by Californians for
Eminent Domain Reform, passed out of the Assembly Committee on Judiciary on Tuesday, July
3, on a 7-3 vote. For more, see Page 3.
2
‘SB 303’ Continued from Page 1…
The chair of the committee, Assembly Member Anna Caballero, D-Salinas, expressed
reservations about SB 303, and said she wanted more time to study the issue. She also
committed her office to discussions with the bill’s author, Sen. Denise Ducheny, D-San Diego,
and all critical stakeholders, to see if an acceptable solution could be found to the various
concerns parties have with SB 303.
Local Officials Rally to Oppose SB 303
The defeat SB 303 was a priority of the League of California Cities and it showed at the hearing.
A large number of local elected officials traveled to Sacramento to testify against the bill. The bill
was heard in a small committee room, and when all of these officials stood up to get in line to
oppose the bill it made a dramatic impression on the committee.
League staff cannot stress how important it is for local officials to make an appearance at
hearings when critical bills are heard. Legislators take serious note when local elected officials
take time out of their busy schedules to express their opinion on a particular piece of legislation.
The League thanks the following individuals for attending the hearing:
City Officials
• Cecilia Aguilar-Curry, council member, Winters
• Ken Cooley, council member, Rancho Cordova
• Steve “Woody” Culleton, mayor, Paradise
• Patricia Fruiht, public information officer, Santa Rosa
• Sharon Gieras, mayor, Colfax
• Connie Gonsalvez, council member, Jackson
• Suzanne Ise, redevelopment manager, Watsonville
• Scott Lotter, vice mayor, Paradise
• Jyl Lutes, council member, Salinas
• Ellen Powell, intergovernmental relations director, Roseville
• Andrew Rodriguez, vice mayor, Jackson
• Don Saylor, council member, Davis
• Tim Smith, council member, Rohnert Park
• Miguel Ucovich, council member, Loomis
City Lobbyists
• John Ariaga, representing Monterey County, League of California Cities’ Latino Caucus
• Anne Blue, representing Burbank, Lake Forrest, Lancaster, Mayors and Council
Members of Marin County, Murrieta, Pasadena, Sacramento, Walnut Creek
• Anthony Gonzalves, representing Chino, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Pomona, and
more than 15 other cities
SB 303 – What’s Next
Now a two-year measure, SB 303 is effectively dead for the remainder of the year. The bill can
be reconsidered during the new legislative session next year, however, given that this is the
second attempt at this type of bill, it’s unlikely that it will be resurrected.
While the issue may be put to rest for the remainder of 2007, Sen. Ducheny and the bill’s sponsor
are still committed to moving something along in this area. League staff will continue to monitor
this issue and will engage in the discussions organized by the committee chair.
______________________________________________________________________
‘State Budget Update’ Continued from Page 1…
Below is an update on the actions the committee took, and their impacts to cities:
3
Prop. 1B - $2 Billion for Local Streets and Roads – Adopted Assembly Version
The Joint Senate/Assembly Budget Conference Committee moved and passed the Assembly
version: $600 million for cities and counties for local streets and roads from Prop. 1B for FY 2007-
08. Cities would receive $300 million of this appropriation. This is potentially subject to change,
however, based on legislative leadership meetings expected to occur in the near future.
The League of California Cities is continuing to advocate for the full $1 billion for cities.
Transit Spillover – Adopted Compromise
The Joint Senate/Assembly Budget Conference Committee provided $551 million of the transit
funds (including spillover revenue for General Fund relief) in the following manner:
• $339 million for debt service
• $129 million for Developmental Services – Regional Center Transportation
• $83 million for Prop. 42 loan pay off
Approximately $800 million will go to transit for operating costs. This represents a one-year
approach with respect to transit spillover revenues, without addressing the multi-year approach
as was previously proposed by the Assembly and would have affected the current Prop. 42
formula. As with Prop. 1B funding, legislative leadership meetings might affect whether or not a
multi-year approach for transit funding is pursued in the budget.
High-Speed Rail Authority – Adopted Compromise
The Joint Senate/Assembly Budget Conference Committee provided $55.5 million for the High-
Speed Rail Authority, which is slightly more than previously proposed by either house in the past
weeks. This revenue will come from two sources: $40 million from the Public Transportation
Account and $15.5 million from Prop. 116.
What's Next
Although the committee took action on several transportation items of importance to cities,
negotiations will continue with legislative leaders and Gov. Schwarzenegger until a final budget
package emerges. These discussions may impact appropriations levels of the infrastructure
bond package, in particular, the Prop. 1B local street and road funds.
The League will continue to provide updates in future issues of Priority Focus as these
discussions continue.
____________________________________________________________________________
‘ACA 8’ Continued from Page 1…
Assembly Member De La Torre was joined by League Executive Director Chris McKenzie and
California Mexican American Chamber of Commerce President Frank Moreno in supporting the
legislation at the hearing.
If it passes through the Legislature, ACA 8 would be placed on the 2008 ballot. If approved by
voters, the constitutional amendment would prohibit the use of eminent domain to take an owner-
occupied home to convey to another private party and new restrictions on the taking of small
business properties for conveyance to private parties.
Specifically, ACA 8 would do the following:
• Prohibit the state or local governments from using eminent domain to acquire an owner-
occupied home (including townhomes and condos) for transfer to another private party 4
• Prohibit government from using eminent domain to acquire a small business to transfer to
another private party, except as part of a comprehensive plan to eliminate blight and only
after the small business owner is first given the opportunity to participate in the
revitalization plan
• Require state or local governments that used eminent domain on a home or small
business property give the original owner a right to repurchase the property if the
property isn't used for a public use
What’s Next for ACA 8
There are additional hurdles in the Assembly for ACA 8. The measure has been re-referred to
the Assembly Rules Committee which will assign it to a second policy committee for hearing in
the near future.
Companion Measure
AB 887 (De La Torre), a companion measure to ACA 8, is currently set to be heard in the Senate
Local Government Committee on Wednesday, July 11. If passed, the bill would provide
enhanced protections for small business owners confronted with eminent domain.
The measure includes the following key provisions:
• If a small business does not participate in the revitalization plan it, can choose between
relocating or receiving the value of the business. If the small business relocates, it will
receive fair market value of the real property (if owned by the small business); plus all
reasonable moving expenses; plus expenses to re-establish the business at a new
location, up to $50,000; plus compensation for the increased cost of rent or mortgage
payments for up to three years
• If the small business does not relocate and is bought out, it will receive fair market value
of the real property (if owned by the small business) and 125 percent of the value of the
business if the business could not have been relocated and remain economically viable
_____________________________________________________________________________
League Holds Third Policy Committee Meetings of the Year
The League of California Cities held its third policy committee meetings of the year last week in
San Jose. The committees addressed an array of issues, including land use planning and growth,
pension reform, library funding, utility boxes, and infrastructure bond implementation.
Below is a recap of the issues discussed and acted upon by each of the League policy
committees:
Administrative Services
The Administrative Services Policy Committee acted on AB 1634 (Levine), the California Healthy
Pets Act. After discussing the issue, the committee voted to recommend a neutral position on the
bill, and directed League staff to draft a letter to Assembly Member Levine citing a number of
concerns on the bill that were cited by the committee members. The item will next go before the
League board of directors in July.
Community Services
The Community Services Policy Committee continued to discuss the subject of healthy
communities and had an overview of survey responses concerning what cities are currently doing
regarding health and wellness. Results will be posted on the League’s Web site in the near future. 5
Stephan Harvey, assistant director of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy came to
talk with the committee about what cities are doing to promote healthy lifestyles.
Members of the committee also discussed senior citizen fall prevention programs and a plan to
explore the issue further in 2008.
Employee Relations
Dan Pellissier, secretary of the California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility, spoke to the
Employee Relations Policy Committee about an initiative recently filed by the California
Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility that would apply a defined benefits cap to all new state, local
government, school district, university and special district employees beginning on July 1, 2009.
The policy committee chose to establish a task force to take a closer look at the initiative.
The committee also heard a presentation from Sara Rogers (health consultant to Sen. Kuehl) and
Mia Orr (legislative aide in Sen. Kuehl’s office) on SB 840 (Kuehl), a bill on single payer health
care coverage. They discussed how the intent of the bill is to provide universal healthcare for all
Californians while providing patients with the right to choose their own physician. Instead of
taking a position on SB 840, the committee decided to establish a task force to begin developing
League policy on health care.
Environmental Quality
The Environmental Quality Policy Committee voted to remain neutral on the California Air
Resources Board Off-Road Diesel Construction Equipment proposed regulations and requested
information on related health impacts. The League’s Transportation, Communications and Public
Works Committee took up this issue as well, but came to a different conclusion (discussed
below). Both committees’ recommendations will go to the League board of directors later this
month.
Members of the committee voted to support proposed changes by the California Stormwater
Quality Association to the California State Water Resources Control Board preliminary draft
construction stormwater permit.
The committee voted to request clarifying amendments to AB 1338 (Huffman), legislation that
addresses National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System stormwater permits which would be
included as a part of a coastal city’s Local Coast Program which is coastal city’s guide to
development in coastal zones done in partnership with the California Coastal Commission.
Housing, Community & Economic Development
SB 375 (Steinberg), a bill with significant impact for cities related to transportation and land use
planning, was the focus of the majority of the Housing, Community and Economic Development
Policy Committee meeting in anticipation of the Assembly Local Government committee hearing
on Tuesday, July 3. The committee directed staff to continue to express concerns with Sen.
Steinberg and the Assembly Local Government Committee.
The bill moved through the Assembly Committee on Local Government this week and goes to the
Assembly Committee on Transportation next week.
Public Safety
Jim Tilton, secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, made a
presentation to the public safety policy committee on issues facing the correctional system and
the work the department is doing with cities to identify re-entry facilities to house prisoners prior to
release.
The Public Safety Policy Committee recommended that the League send a letter to the California
Departments of Homeland Security and Commerce urging them to provide greater funding for
California under the Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant Program. This funding is 6
critical because the state faces significant challenges related its high risk of terrorist attacks,
natural disasters and communication coordination between public safety agencies.
Revenue and Taxation
The Revenue and Taxation Policy Committee debated whether to adopt a more comprehensive
League policy on statewide economic development bills involving state tax incentives, grants and
other strategies moving through the Legislature. The committee decided that it would be more
effective to discuss these statewide approaches on a case-by-case basis since not all measures
have direct city impact.
Updates were given on a number of timely issues including the state budget, infrastructure bonds,
mandate reform and eminent domain. They also discussed the potential impacts of SB 375
(Steinberg) related to transportation funds and land use planning.
Transportation, Communications & Public Works
The Transportation, Communications and Public Works Committee reviewed several items
related to infrastructure bond implementation including Prop. 1B and the allocation of $1 billion for
local streets and roads.
Presentations were made to the committee on universal broadband, AT&T utility boxes and the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s strategic plan for funding local streets and roads
maintenance.
_____________________________________________________________________________
July 2007 Issue of Focus on Housing Published
The July 2007 edition of Focus on Housing, the League of California Cities’ monthly electronic
newsletter on affordable housing, was published on Monday, July 2. The new issue features a
Q&A interview with Assembly Majority Leader Karen Bass, a roundup of housing news from
across California, and much more.
To access this month’s issue and for all back issues of Focus on Housing, visit
www.imakenews.com/focusonhousing. Communications Specialist Brian Heaton
(bheaton@cacities.org) serves as managing editor and principal writer. League Communications
Director Eva Spiegel (espiegel@cacities.org) is the editor-in-chief.
For more information, or to submit information or story ideas, please contact Brian at the e-mail
address above.
_____________________________________________________________________________
On-Camera Media Training Available for City Officials at the Annual Conference
Do you need to deliver your city’s message more effectively during media interviews? If so, take
advantage of this free opportunity for professional on-camera media training at the League’s
Annual Conference on Sept. 5-8, in Sacramento.
This 45-minute training session will include a short, on-camera interview, where instructors will
ask questions about issues vital to your city, critique your “performance” and provide an
opportunity for a follow-up interview. A DVD copy of your session will be available to take home
for your own personal review.
The training session instructors are noted public information and media experts from cities
throughout California. After this brief introductory session, you’ll feel more comfortable with
delivering your city’s important messages in newspaper, radio and on-camera interviews.
Space is limited! Register today! The League expects a very high demand for these one-on-
one sessions, which are limited to just six sessions per day on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 6 and 7
7, and three sessions on Saturday, Sept. 8. The training will be held in the League Press Room
at the Sacramento Convention Center, which is convenient to all conference sessions.
To take advantage of this outstanding opportunity, which can regularly cost thousands of dollars,
call League staff member Adrienne Sprenger at (916) 658-8278 to reserve a training session. All
reservations must be made by Thursday, July 19.
Reservations will be accepted on a paid first-come, first-served basis. Please note that, while
there is no charge for the training, in an attempt to address the problem of “no-shows,” there is a
$20 charge, refundable as a $20 CityBooks coupon for those who attend the training. No refunds
or coupons will be issued for “no shows.”
On-Camera Interview Training Session Times
Thursday, Sept. 6 and Friday, Sept. 7
9 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. - Open
10 a.m. –10:45 a.m. - Open Sept. 7 (Fulfilled for Sept. 6)
11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Open Sept. 7 (Fulfilled for Sept. 6)
1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. - Open
2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. - Open Sept. 7 (Fulfilled for Sept. 6)
3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. - Open Sept. 7 (Fulfilled for Sept. 6)
Saturday, Sept. 8
8 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. - Open
9 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. - Open
10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. - Open
*If you get voicemail when making a reservation please:
• Leave a message with your two preferred time slots.
• Tell in some detail about an important issue facing your city so that we can prepare
interview questions that are tailored to your community.
• Leave your complete contact info including cell phone.
_____________________________________________________________________________
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: July 13, 2007
Issue #27-2007
Page 3: HCD to Host Workshop on Enterprise Zone Application Preparation
Page 4: Web Seminar on Secure Community Reentry Facilities
Latino Caucus to Host 2007 Summer Conference and 6th Annual Golf Classic
Page 5: July 2007 Issue of Focus on Housing Published
On-Camera Media Training Available for City Officials at the Annual Conference
Page 6: Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
Legislative Bill Summaries
BUSY WEEK FOR EMINENT DOMAIN ISSUES
In the wake of Proposition 90 last November, the League has been supporting an eminent
domain reform package to provide meaningful relief on the issues raised in the U.S. Supreme
Court decision Kelo v. City of New London. Assembly Member Hector De La Torre (D-Los
Angeles) has introduced that package as author of both ACA 8 and AB 887. Actions were taken
on both bills in recent days, as well as another constitutional amendment the League opposes:
ACA 8 (De La Torre). This League-supported constitutional amendment would limit the ability of
local agencies to take owner occupied homes for purposes related to economic development.
Last week ACA 8 passed out of the Assembly Committee on Judiciary and has been referred to
the Assembly Committee on Local Government. For more, see Page 2.
•••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• ••
LEAGUE TAKES POSITION ON SB 375
On Monday, July 9, SB 375 (Steinberg) passed out of the Assembly Committee on Transportation
and goes next to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. The League’s executive committee
reluctantly took an “oppose unless amended” position prior to Monday’s hearing. For more, see
Page 2.
•••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• ••
PROPOSITION 1B IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE
Proposition 1B Related Bills Move Closer to the Governor’s Desk
Legislative hearings this week resulted in several Proposition 1B implementation bills moving
closer to the Governor’s desk. For more, see Page 3.
2
‘Busy Week For Eminent Domain Issues’ Continued from Page 1…
AB 887 (De La Torre). This is the League-supported companion measure to ACA 8 designed to
address a special set of issues that arise when a redevelopment agency takes a small business.
AB 887 passed out of both the Senate Local Government and the Senate Judiciary Committees
this week.
ACA 2 (Walters). This League-opposed measure would have prohibited nearly all uses of
eminent domain related to redevelopment and was defeated this week in the Assembly
Committee on Judiciary.
Although much progress has been made, there is still more work ahead on eminent domain
reform. ACA 8 will need the support of a number of Republicans to secure the two-thirds vote
needed to place the measure on the ballot. League staff and others are engaged in sensitive
negotiations to achieve this goal. No further action is likely in the next few weeks because of the
Legislature’s immediate budget focus.
______________________________________________________________________
‘League Takes Position On SB 375’ Continued from Page 1…
The intent of SB 375 is to align transportation funds with regional strategies designed to reduce
reliance on automotive use and vehicle miles traveled. This will help achieve the landmark
greenhouse gas reduction goals established by AB 32 (Nuñéz) which passed last year. The
League remains supportive of the stated intent of the bill, and since the April 17 version of the
legislation has worked with the author and sponsors to make sure that city concerns would be
addressed in the legislative process.
League Objectives with SB 375:
• Protect Local Land Use Authority. The League seeks clear assurances that SB 375 does
not directly or indirectly undercut local land use authority when a regional agency
develops and adopts a “preferred growth scenario” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
from vehicles. The bill now says explicitly that “nothing in a preferred growth scenario
shall be interpreted as superseding or interfering with the exercise of the land use
authority of cities and counties within the region”.
• Ensure Full Participation. The League wants to ensure that any role of the regional
transportation planning agencies in adopting approaches—and allocating funding—to
projects supporting greenhouse gas reductions reflects a “bottoms up” process involving
full participation and agreement of its participating cities and counties.
• Realistic Emission Reduction Targets. It is imperative to the League that if regional
targets for emissions reductions are established by the Air Resources Board, that those
targets are neither excessive nor arbitrary but are realistic. They also must be
established as part of a collaborative process involving local governments, transportation
agencies, the business sector and other stakeholders with knowledge and experience in
land use and transportation policy.
• Treatment of Specific Lands. The League wants to make sure that local land use powers
are not infringed upon by provisions in the bill which exclude certain lands (parks, open
space, lands subject to conservation or agricultural easements, etc.) from a regional
“preferred growth scenario” adopted by regional transportation planning agencies.
• Reduce Surprises. And finally, the League wants to ensure that all remaining vagueness
in SB 375’s language is removed to guarantee that there are no surprises for local
governments based upon future litigation.
Cities are Urged to Examine SB 375 Closely as it Moves Forward
Cities should take a close look at SB 375 and help assess its impacts on your city. As explained
above, the bill is set to be heard next in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations where the 3
focus will be on fiscal impacts of the measure. This hearing will likely be scheduled in late August
when the Legislature returns from its summer break. However, if the budget is not passed and
the Legislature works through its scheduled summer recess, the bill may have an earlier hearing
date. During this time, the League will continue to work with the authors and sponsors to ensure
that these issues are adequately addressed or advocate that the measure become a two-year bill.
We will keep you posted.
______________________________________________________________________
‘Proposition 1B Implementation Update’ Continued from Page 1…
Passed in November 2006, Prop. 1B provides $19.92 billion for various transportation projects to
rebuild California. Of the total amount, $1 billion is allocated for cities and $1 billion for counties
for streets and road projects.
The development of the $1 billion State-Local Partnership Program and $3.1 billion “goods
movement” and air quality programs are underway. In addition, the allocation schedule of the $4
billion for public transit, intercity, commuter rail and waterborne transit still needs to be
established.
Related Legislation and Current Status
The allocation of the Prop. 1B local street and road funds is currently being negotiated with the
legislative leadership and the Governor. The League of California Cities continues to advocate
for the allocation of the full $1 billion for cities in FY 2007-08.
The League is sponsoring SB 286 (Lowenthal and Dutton) to provide a framework for the
program and establish accountability and oversight for use of the bond money. SB 286 passed
out of the Assembly Committee on Transportation this week with unanimous bi-partisan support
and is now headed to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
There are two measures in the Legislature that attempt to define the $1 billion State-Local
Partnership Program which requires a local match to access bond fund: AB 1351 (Levine) and
SB 748 (Corbett). These bills differ in the criteria for eligible matching funds.
AB 1351 includes only sales tax dedicated to transportation as a match, thus limiting the program
only to “self-help” counties. SB 748, on the other hand, broadens the local match to also include
all voter approved taxes and fees, bridge tolls and Uniform Developer fees.
SB 748 passed out of the Assembly Committee on Transportation this week with a vote of 8-3
with Democrats supporting the bill and Republicans opposing. AB 1351 passed out of the Senate
Transportation and Housing Committee as well with a vote of 7-3. Both bills will now be
considered by the appropriate Appropriations Committee in the Senate and Assembly.
The $3.1 billion "goods movement" and air quality program are encompassed in Sen. Lowenthal’s
SB 9 and SB 19. Both measures passed out of the Assembly Committee on Transportation
Committee and will be scheduled to be heard in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. It is
not yet determined if the bills will ultimately be incorporated into budget trailer language or
debated further to define the “goods movement” program under Prop. 1B.
_____________________________________________________________________________
HCD to Host Workshop on Enterprise Zone Application Preparation
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is hosting a
Enterprise Zone designation workshop on Monday, July 16, in Los Angeles. The workshop will
provide an overview of the designation process and offer suggestions on how to prepare an
effective application.
The workshop will be held at 1200 West 7th Street, 4th Floor, Room 4C, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
To attend the workshop, or to obtain an Enterprise Zone application, contact Tammy Tran at
(916) 322-1112 or ttran@hcd.ca.gov.
4
The Enterprise Zone program targets economically distressed areas throughout California.
Special state and local incentives encourage business investment and promote the creation of
new jobs. The purpose of the program is to provide tax incentives to businesses and allow
private sector market forces to revive the local economy.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Web Seminar on Secure Community Reentry Facilities
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), in partnership with the
League and other statewide associations, is hosting an informational Web Seminar on Secure
Community Reentry Facilities on Monday, July 16. The Webinar (a Web based seminar) will
focus on AB 900 (Solorio and Aghazarian), a comprehensive prison reform and rehabilitation
package recently passed by the Legislature. The legislation provides funding for 16,000 jail
inmate beds in local reentry facilities. Reentry facilities will be built in cities, counties or regions
willing to partner with CDCR to accomplish the reentry legislation’s goals. These are facilities to
house prisoners within one year of their release date. They are designed to give inmates access
to rehabilitative, vocational, psychiatric and other services that will ensure their success upon
their release.
Webinar participants from across California will learn about reentry facilities and the role of
interested local agencies. The program will provide an outline for the next steps involved with
locating reentry facilities. There will be an interactive question and answer session with state
leaders from working on corrections and prison reform.
Register Now
For additional information and registration for the Webinar please visit:
www.cce.csus.edu/cdcrwebinar
Additional details are as follows:
Event Date: Monday, July 16 2007
Event Time: 10:30am – 11:30am PT
Event Site: www.cce.csus.edu/cdcrwebinar
_____________________________________________________________________________
Latino Caucus to Host 2007 Summer Conference and 6th Annual Golf Classic
The League of California Cities’ Latino Caucus is hosting its 2007 Summer Conference and 6th
Annual Golf Classic on July 26-27, in conjunction with the League’s 2007 Mayors & City Council
Members Executive Forum in Monterey.
The conference (consisting of a forum titled “No Nonsense: This is How Affordable Housing
Works”) and reception is scheduled for Thursday, July 26, at the Portola Plaza Hotel in Monterey.
The forum will take place in the Serra Ballroom from 10-11:30 a.m. and will feature Amerland
Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ruben Islas.
A joint reception will be held in the De Anza Ballroom in the De Anza Ballroom at 5:30 p.m. Join
elected officials from throughout California (including members of fellow League caucuses) for an
evening of networking.
The 6th Annual Golf Classic will be held on Friday, July 27 at Rancho Cañada Golf Course in
Carmel. Registration begins at 11 a.m., with a 1 p.m. start time. Registration includes a post-
game reception, prizes, a box lunch, golf cart and beverages.
For more information and to RSVP, call (916) 669-1343, or e-mail CalLatinoCaucus@aol.com.
_____________________________________________________________________________
5
July 2007 Issue of Focus on Housing Published
The July 2007 edition of Focus on Housing, the League of California Cities’ monthly electronic
newsletter on affordable housing, was published on Monday, July 2. The new issue features a
Q&A interview with Assembly Majority Leader Karen Bass, a roundup of housing news from
across California, and much more.
To access this month’s issue and for all back issues of Focus on Housing, visit
www.imakenews.com/focusonhousing. Communications Specialist Brian Heaton
(bheaton@cacities.org) serves as managing editor and principal writer. League Communications
Director Eva Spiegel (espiegel@cacities.org) is the editor-in-chief.
For more information, or to submit information or story ideas, please contact Brian at the e-mail
address above.
_____________________________________________________________________________
On-Camera Media Training Available for City Officials at the Annual Conference
Do you need to deliver your city’s message more effectively during media interviews? If so, take
advantage of this free opportunity for professional on-camera media training at the League’s
Annual Conference on Sept. 5-8, in Sacramento.
This 45-minute training session will include a short, on-camera interview, where instructors will
ask questions about issues vital to your city, critique your “performance” and provide an
opportunity for a follow-up interview. A DVD copy of your session will be available to take home
for your own personal review.
The training session instructors are noted public information and media experts from cities
throughout California. After this brief introductory session, you’ll feel more comfortable with
delivering your city’s important messages in newspaper, radio and on-camera interviews.
Space is limited! Register today! The League expects a very high demand for these one-on-
one sessions, which are limited to just six sessions per day on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 6 and
7, and three sessions on Saturday, Sept. 8. The training will be held in the League Press Room
at the Sacramento Convention Center, which is convenient to all conference sessions.
To take advantage of this outstanding opportunity, which can regularly cost thousands of dollars,
call League staff member Adrienne Sprenger at (916) 658-8278 to reserve a training session. All
reservations must be made by Thursday, July 19. After this date call Eva Spiegel at (916)
658-8228 to inquire about reservations.
Reservations will be accepted on a paid first-come, first-served basis. Please note that, while
there is no charge for the training, in an attempt to address the problem of “no-shows,” there is a
$20 charge, refundable as a $20 CityBooks coupon for those who attend the training. No refunds
or coupons will be issued for “no shows.”
On-Camera Interview Training Session Times (Still Available)
Thursday, Sept. 6 Saturday, Sept. 8
9 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. 8 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
9 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 7 10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
10 a.m. –10:45 a.m.
11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
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*If you get voicemail when making a reservation please:
• Leave a message with your two preferred time slots.
• Tell in some detail about an important issue facing your city so that we can prepare
interview questions that are tailored to your community.
• Leave your complete contact info including cell phone.
_____________________________________________________________________________
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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Legislative Bill Summaries
PUBLIC SAFETY
AB 81 (Torrico). Child Protection. Safe Surrender. AB 81 allows a local fire agency, upon
approval of the appropriate governing board, to designate safe-surrender sites for accepting
physical custody of a minor child 30 days old or younger. City fire departments have an
established history of operating safe-surrender sites in coordination with the county. Allowing
local fire agencies to designate safe-surrender sites will likely expand the program based on
circumstances and conditions specific to the community.
Staff: Liisa Lawson Stark; Status: AsmAppr; Position: Support.
AB 104 (Solorio). Criminal Records. City Attorneys. AB 104 clarifies current law so that a city
attorney can request criminal history records from the Attorney General's Office for the purpose of filing a
civil injunction or drug abatement action.
Gang members and drug dealers plague communities with violent crimes and illegal drugs. The
League supports legislation that hinders such nuisances as gang activity and the selling of drugs.
AB 104 will allow local governments the ability to increase enforcement resources against gangs
and drug dealers by removing any potential legal barriers from city attorneys handling civil
injunctions. Staff: Liisa Lawson Stark, Status: Enrolled; Position: Support.
AB 1509 (Spitzer). Sex Offenders. Community Placement. AB 1509 amends Penal Code
Section 3003 to guarantee that victims of Sexually Violent Predators (SVP), or those who are
victims of continuous sexual abuse, have the right to insist that parolees not be placed within 35
miles of the actual residence of the victim. Staff: Liisa Lawson Stark; Status: SenAppr;
Position: Support.
SB 604 (Cox). Prisoners. Local Cost Reimbursements. SB 604 requires the California State
Controller to pay interest upon reimbursement claims filed by cities and counties for costs
incurred in connection with state prisons and prisoners. Specifically, SB 604 requires the
Controller to pay accrued interest on claims made by cities and counties for reimbursement of
costs connected to state prisons and prisoners, if the payment is made more than 90 days after
receipt of a reimbursement claim.
Delayed payment on reimbursement claims related to state prisons and prisoners puts a financial
burden on already-strapped cities and counties. Under the current system, local officials must
incur the costs first, and then file for reimbursement with the Controller, a process that can take
many months. Smaller cities are hit particularly hard by delays in reimbursement payments due
to limited tax base and resources. SB 604 will ensure that cities and counties are reimbursed
and/or compensated for costs incurred in connection with state prisons and prisoners. Staff:
Liisa Lawson Stark; Status: AsmAppr; Position: Support.
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TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATION & PUBLIC WORKS
AB 468 (Ruskin). Abandoned Vehicle Abatement. AB 468 revises current statute relating to
the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program. Specifically, AB 468 clarifies the definition of
“abatement” for service authorities that administer this program to provide more flexibility to use
the fees imposed on vehicle registration, as well as the moneys received from the Abandoned
Vehicle Trust Fund, for the abatement and removal, or the disposal of abandoned vehicles.
To date, the abandoned vehicle removal programs in place have been quite successful.
However, a recent interpretation of the current statute by the CHP has called into question the
activities of many countywide authorities’ activities. Their interpretation suggests that a
countywide authority could only use the fees for the removal of vehicles, removal meaning the
towing and destroying of abandoned vehicles. It is imperative for the health and safety of all
California citizens, that the service authorities be allowed more flexibility to remove vehicles
without these vehicles necessarily being destroyed. Staff: Liisa Lawson Stark; Status: SenAppr;
Position: Support.
AB 945 (Carter). Transportation Needs Assessment. AB 945 would require the California
Transportation Commission (CTC) to develop an assessment of the unfunded costs of
programmed state projects and federally earmarked projects in the state, as well as an
assessment of available funding for transportation purposes and unmet transportation needs on a
statewide basis. The legislation requires the process to be done every five years. An on-gong
needs assessment is necessary to evaluate where our transportation infrastructure stands
because of California’s continual population growth and increasing vehicle miles traveled in the
state. Staff: Liisa Lawson Stark; Status: SenAppr; Position: Support.
SB 619 (Migden). Retention Proceeds. SB 619 would require that contract retention proceeds
not exceed five percent of the payment of all contracts entered into after January 2008, between
a public entity and an original contractor, between an original contractor and a subcontractor, and
between all subcontractors. This bill removes the authority of public entities to decide the
appropriate amount of retention.
Local agencies commonly reduce retention to five percent at 50 percent completion of public
works projects, if adequate progress is being made and the contractor is acting in good faith.
However, SB 619 would require local agencies to reduce retention regardless of the progress or
good faith of the contractor, thus protecting potential bad actors either unknown to the public
agency or even known “bad actors”. Thus, this measure protects those contractors and places at
risk the public interest and public funds.
The League has had many discussions in recent years regarding similar proposals (AB 1949:
Conroy, 1996, vetoed; AB 940: Miller, 1997, vetoed; AB 806: Keeley, 1999, vetoed); however, we
continue to express concern over these measures because we have yet to see specific examples
where 10 percent retention is problematic. On the other hand, we have specific examples from
cities opposed to these proposals because in certain instances current retention of 10 percent is
inadequate. Staff: Liisa Lawson Stark; Status: AsmAppr; Position: Oppose.
SB 717 (Perata). Transportation Investment Fund. SB 717 will continuously authorize sales tax revenue
derived from the sale of motor vehicle fuels to be transferred to the Transportation Investment Fund (TIF)
beginning in fiscal year 2008-09 under Proposition 42. SB 717 would also maintain the current distribution
formula of the tax revenues at 20 percent to the Public Transit Account (PTA), 40 percent to the State
Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), and 40 percent to cities and counties (20 percent to cities and 20
percent to counties) for street and road purposes. Staff: Liisa Lawson Stark; Status: AsmAppr; Position:
Support.
Want To Send A Letter In Support Of A League Position? Here’s Who To Call:
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE—(17)—Torlakson (Chair), Cox (Vice Chair),
Aanestad, Ashburn, Battin, Calderon, Cedillo, Corbett, Correa, Dutton, Florez, Kuehl, Oropeza,
Ridley–Thomas, Runner, Yee and vacancy. Phone: (916) 651–4101. Room: 2206.
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ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS— (18)—Leno (Chair), Walters (Vice Chair),
Caballero, Davis, DeSaulnier, Emmerson, Huffman, Karnette, Krekorian, La Malfa, Levine, Lieu,
Ma, Nakanishi, Nava, Runner, Solorio, and 1 Democratic vacancy. Chief Consultant: Geoff Long.
Principal Consultants: Mary Adér, Steve Archibald, Chuck Nicol, Kimberly Rodriguez, Julie
Salley–Gray, Brad Williams. Secretary: Laura Lynn Gondek. Phone: (916) 319–2081. Room
2114.