IN THIS ISSUE: October 10, 2008
Issue #39-2008
Page 6: October Meetings on Transit Oriented Development and Infill Incentive Grant Program
ARB Proposed Scoping Plan Release Delayed
New Sharps Waste Disposal Program Guidelines Now Available
Page 7: Sustainability Feature: Pasadena’s Think Green Training Module
Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
FACT ACT COMPLIANCE REQUIRED BY NOVEMBER
Final rules have been set out by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act of 2003
which requires compliance by Nov. 1, 2008. The FACT Act added new provisions to the Federal
Credit Reporting Act to protect consumers against identity theft. New regulations published Nov.
1, 2007 require that financial institutions and creditors develop and implement written identity theft
prevention programs. For more, see Page 2.
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BARELY DRY STATE BUDGET ALREADY IN TROUBLE
By Dwight Stenbakken
While the state budget was signed roughly three weeks ago, it’s now being reported that this
“infant” FY 2008-09 state budget is in reality approximately $5 billion short of being “balanced.”
What happened? For more, see Page 2.
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INFRASTRUCTURE BOND IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE
With the passage of the FY 2008-09 budget, additional allocations of the state infrastructure
bonds are being made available. The League has prepared a brief update on the implementation
of each of the infrastructure bonds passed in November 2006. As new developments occur with
each bond, updates will be distributed through the League’s Web site and Priority Focus.
For more, see Page 3. 2
‘FACT Act’ Continued from Page 1…
It is important for city officials to understand that they may be considered a “creditor” as it is
defined in the act, according to the Federal Trade Commission. A city could be considered a
creditor if they provide for deferred payments on goods or services. “Deferring payments” refers
to postponing payments to a future date and/or installment payments on fines or costs. Likely
examples for cities may include providing public utility services or providing a payment plan for
parking tickets.
To comply with the new FACT Act regulations, known as the Red Flag Rules, entities will be
required to provide for the identification, detection, and response to patterns, practices, or specific
activities (“red flags”) that could indicate identity theft in their identity theft prevention programs.
To learn more about these new regulations and what your city can do to prepare please visit:
www.cacities.org/RedFlagRules
Contact League Legislative Analyst Natasha Karl with questions at (916) 658-8254 or
nkarl@cacities.org.
_____________________________________________________________________________
‘Budget’ Continued from Page 1…
“What happened” is a series of extraordinary events in the economy coupled with a state budget
that falls far short of any standards of excellence. The United States economy is in turmoil with no
clear indication of where, when or if it will ultimately recover. Congress has acted to bail out major
financial institutions, a 500 point drop in the stock market is becoming routine and unemployment
statistics continue to climb.
With this backdrop, the “get-out-of-town,” gimmick-filled, state budget passed by the Legislature
and signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sept. 23 is beginning to unravel. The revenue
estimates used to put the budget together, albeit over 80 days late, are already outdated due to
what’s happened in the economy in just these short weeks. If the infant budget is already $5
billion short, it’s likely that when the Legislature begins to tackle the FY 2009-2010 budget, the
state may be facing another $15 to $18 billion deficit.
The most immediate fiscal challenge to California is trying to sell a Revenue Anticipation Note
(RAN) in the teetering financial markets. RANs ensure that the state has the cash to meet its
obligations until tax revenues start to come in later in the fiscal year. The state routinely does this
annually but it may be considerably more difficult this year in a financial market that, to be kind, is
having its own problems and where the practice of lending is hard to find.
Earlier this week, the Governor announced that he was concerned about the difficulties the state
would face trying to sell a RAN to meet cash flow demands. He said he would seek a federal
bailout if the markets don’t/can’t buy the state’s RAN. In addition to getting into the banking
business in a big way, it looks as though the federal government could also find itself in the “state
business.” Could California become a federal subsidiary or have we already become one?
It now appears optimistic that California and other states will be able to sell short term debt.
Massachusetts went to the short-term market for the same reasons and found multiple institutions
interested in purchasing the state’s paper.
If California can also be successful in the market, this may provide at least some short–term
stability for the state budget, although “stability” is a word not much in fashion in today’s financial
world. Most importantly for cities, California’s ability to secure the sale of its RAN, means the
state will be able to deliver the money to the programs outlined in its budget, including money that
goes to local governments. It is a critical first step to calming the financial climate.
The Governor and legislative leadership met this week to talk about a special session to open up
the FY 2008-09 budget to make adjustments that will reduce the problem before the next fiscal
year. No decision was made in regard to a special session. Many question whether a special
session would be productive given the entrenchment on both sides of the aisle in the taxes
versus cuts debate. 3
The League will continue to provide regular updates on this year’s budget, and developments that
occur as lawmakers begin to tackle the FY 2009-2010 budget in earnest and the impact to
California cities and critical services provided to their residents.
Dwight Stenbakken is the League’s deputy executive director.
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‘Infrastructure’ Continued from Page 1…
Transportation Bond: Proposition 1B
This measure provides $19.92 billion for various transportation projects to rebuild California.
Comprehensive information on various aspects of Prop. 1B are available at
www.bondaccountability.dot.ca.gov/bondacc/.
Priority transportation programs of significant interest to California cities are:
Local Street and Road Funds. A total of $550 million was made available to cities and counties
in FY 2007-08. The allocation guarantees that each city receives a minimum of $400,000, or half
of their total bond funds, whichever is greater. However, prior to receiving an allocation, local
governments must submit a list of projects expected to be funded with these funds to the
Department of Finance (DOF).
DOF reports to the Controller monthly on which agencies have submitted the list. As of Sept. 26,
456 of the state’s 478 eligible cities have received an initial allocation, totaling $486.5 million.
Twenty-two cities have yet to request their initial allocation and the League advises that these
cities do so immediately.
DOF has Prop. 1B information on its Web site at:
www.dof.ca.gov/bonds/proposition_1b_disbursements/2007-08_appropriation/.
The League was successful in securing an additional $187 million allocation of these funds in the
FY 2008-09 budget, AB 88 (Budget Trailer Bill). This appropriation will be available on a first-
come, first-served basis to cities that have already received their full allocation in FY 2007-08.
Cities must meet the following criteria to be eligible for funding:
1. Received full allocation for FY 2007-08;
2. Submitted Prop. 1B LSR Annual Report to Department of Finance for FY 2007-08 (We
expect the reporting criteria to be released in October, and the report to be due in
November);
3. Agreed to use the funds only for projects that do not currently have dedicated funding;
4. Must have committed the funds to projects before July 1, 2009; and
5. Must certify that the unencumbered balance of their road fund is no more than three
months of anticipated Highway User Tax Account (HUTA) and Prop. 42 incomes. If the
unencumbered balance exceeds this amount, the city must agree to decrease the
unencumbered balance to either of the following:
a. An amount equivalent to the allocation received in FY 2008-09, or
b. Until the unencumbered balance is no more than three months of anticipated
HUTA and Prop. 42 incomes.
Note: For the purpose of this item, "unencumbered" means any portion of funding that is not
designated, through prior approval by the city council, for use on the planning, review, design, or
construction phase of a project currently underway at the time of the road fund report.
State-Local Partnership Program. The budget appropriates approximately $200 million in FY
2008-09. The Legislature also included implementing language for the Prop. 1B State-Local
Partnership Program in AB 268 (Transportation Trailer Bill). This $1 billion program requires a
dollar-for-dollar match to access funds and creates two separate sub-accounts. 4
Ninety-five percent of the funds will be available by matching funds from voter-approved fees or
taxes solely dedicated to transportation purposes, and 5 percent will be available by matching
funds from uniform developer fees through a competitive grant program. The California
Transportation Commission (CTC) released draft program guidelines on October 1, which can be
found at http://www.catc.ca.gov/Draft_SLPP_Guidelines.pdf. The CTC will discuss the draft
guidelines at the October 29-30 meeting in Riverside, and the December 10-11 meeting in
Oakland.
Additional information on these and other transportation programs can be found online at:
CTC: www.catc.ca.gov/programs/
DOT: www.dot.ca.gov/hq/transprog/ibond.htm
High-Priority Grade Separation Projects. $122.5 million in the FY 2007-08 budget, and an
additional $63 million in AB 1252 (Caballero), Chapter 39 of 2008, was allocated for high-priority
grade separation projects.
Local Bridge Seismic Retrofit. $13.5 million (with the potential authority for an additional $2.8
million) was allocated in the FY 2007-08 budget, and an additional $21 million in the FY 2008-09
budget, to CTC for this program. These funds are to be allocated prior to June 30, 2010 and will
be administered by Caltrans to provide the federal match requirement for local agencies for work
on bridges, overpasses and ramps.
Public Transportation Capital Improvements. Prop. 1B designated $4 billion for various transit
improvements, of which $3.6 billion will be distributed per an established formula among the
state’s transit agencies. $600 million was allocated for these transit capital improvements projects
in the FY 2007-08 budget and an additional $350 million in the FY 2008-09 budget.
Housing and Infrastructure Bond Proposition 1C
This measure allocates $2.85 billion for housing and infrastructure projects, most of which will be
distributed by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Approximately half of the bond, $1.45 billion, will fund existing programs including the Multifamily
Housing Program (MHP), Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP), and Building Equity
and Growth in Neighborhoods (BEGIN) programs. The remaining $1.4 billion is designated for
infill infrastructure ($850 million), parks ($200 million), transit-oriented development ($300 million),
and innovative programs ($100 million).
Additional information on available funds can be found on HCD’s Web site at:
www.hcd.ca.gov/fa/.
Funding for Infill Infrastructure. $540 million total. $240 million was allocated in the FY 2007-
08 Budget, and an additional $100 million in AB 1252 (Caballero), Chapter 39 of 2008, and an
additional $200 million allocation was included in the FY 2008-09 budget.
These funds have been made available for a wide variety of capital improvements to support infill
development. Grants are available to local agencies and non-profit or for profit developers for
developing in qualifying infill areas. Housing element compliance is a precondition.
Fifteen percent of housing units must be affordable (for very low income households if the units
are rental, or for moderate income households if the units are owner-occupied). Priorities will be
given to projects that can demonstrate project readiness, higher density, proximity to transit,
parks, schools and jobs, consistency with adopted regional blueprints, and demonstrated local
support. Additional guidelines are provided by HCD.
Brownfield Remediation. $60 million is allocated for loans and grants in the FY 2008-09 budget
to cleanup brownfields that promote infill residential and mixed use development consistent with
regional and local land use plans. This program is required to be administered, in consultation 5
with HCD, through the California Recycle Underutilized Sites (CALReUse) program operated
under the state Treasurer’s Office.
Additional information can be found online at: www.treasurer.ca.gov/cpcfa/calreuse/faq.pdf.
Transit Oriented Development. $240 million was allocated over the last two years ($95 million
in the FY 2007-08 budget, and an additional $50 million in AB 1252 (Caballero), Chapter 39 of
2008. The FY 2008-09 budget includes another $95 million for this popular program designed to
provide assistance to public agencies and developers with developing higher density housing
within one-quarter mile of a transit station.
Parks and Housing. AB 2494 (Caballero), Chapter 641, Statutes of 2008, a League supported
bill, contained implementation criteria for this program that rewards the production of housing with
funds to develop and rehabilitate local or regional parks. (Cities should note that parks
development is also an eligible use of funds under the infill infrastructure program listed above.)
The FY 2008-09 budget includes $200 million for this program. The earliest that grants are
expected to be available is 2010. The HCD is planning to host stakeholder discussions when
developing guidelines for this program.
Housing Innovations Fund. $95.5 million for FY 2008-09 budget from Prop. 1C for the Housing
Innovations Fund among four programs as follows:
1. $35 million is designated for the local housing trust fund matching grant program
established under Proposition 46 (Guidelines should be available for this program in mid
October);
2. $50 million is designated to fund the acquisition of property to develop or preserve
affordable housing;
3. $5 million is available for the Construction Liability Insurance Reform Pilot Program (The
purpose of the program is to promote best practices for residential construction quality
control as a means of reducing insurance rates for condominium developers); and
4. $10 million is available to increase and maintain affordable homeownership opportunities
for Californians with lower incomes.
Proposition 84: Environmental Quality Bond
This measure designates $5.4 billion for improving natural resources and water programs
including state projects and flood control, safe drinking water, water quality improvement,
integrated water management, water planning and sustainable communities.
• $400 Million in Park Funds. AB 31(De Leon), Chapter 623, Statutes of 2008, requires
the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to establish a local assistance
program to distribute grants to the most park needy communities across the state, with
funding derived from the $400 million that was designated for this purpose in Proposition
84.
The Parks Department Web site has additional information at:
www.parks.ca.gov/?Page_id=24452
• $90 Million in Planning Funds and $90 Million in Urban Greening. SB 732
(Steinberg), Chapter 729, Statutes of 2008, creates a "Sustainable Communities Council"
to coordinate the activities of various state agencies that aim to improve air and water
quality, natural resource protection, affordable housing, and transportation through land
use planning.
The Council is also tasked with developing guidelines and criteria to allocate the $90
million in planning funds. The first priority for these funds is for regional planning efforts
not funded through federal funds, in effect; prioritizing these funds to assist the regional
planning purposes of SB 375 (Steinberg), but funding other local planning purposes may
also be eligible. Plans must be deemed consistent with state planning principles and
reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
6
The Council will also prepare criteria to allocate the $90 million in “urban greening” funds.
Cities, counties and non profits will be eligible to apply directly for a wide variety of “urban
greening” projects. The Resources Agency was allocated $500,000 to begin the guideline
development process, but no additional information from the agency is yet available.
Additional information can be found online at http://resources.ca.gov.
_____________________________________________________________________________
October Meetings on Transit Oriented Development and Infill Incentive Grant
Program
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has announced a
series of stakeholder meetings for Proposition 1C transit oriented development and infill incentive
grant program funds. The next meetings are scheduled Oct. 17 in Los Angeles, and Oct. 20 in
Sacramento. Additional information about the meetings can be found on HCD’s Web site at
www.hcd.ca.gov. (www.hcd.ca.gov/fa/Bond_Program_Workshops.pdf)
Meeting Schedule
The meetings are scheduled from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. with an hour break at noon for lunch. The
morning session will address infrastructure funding (water, sewer, traffic, site cleanup, etc.). The
afternoon session will focus on funding for housing and related infrastructure near transit stations.
Oct. 15: San Diego
Civic Center Concourse Building
202 C Street, Silver Room
Oct. 17: Los Angeles
Ronald Reagan Building, First Floor Auditorium
300 South Spring Street
Oct. 20: Sacramento
400 R Street, River Room
_____________________________________________________________________________
ARB Proposed Scoping Plan Release Delayed
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has delayed the release of the next draft of its Scoping
Plan, originally scheduled for Oct. 3. ARB was expected to take up the final Scoping Plan at its
November board meeting in time to meet the AB 32 deadline of Jan. 1, 2009 for approval.
The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) requires ARB to prepare a Scoping Plan to
meet California’s greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction goals. ARB released an initial
Scoping Plan on June 26. Subsequently, League staff held conference calls with city officials and
provided comments on the draft to ARB.
League staff anticipates that ARB will release the Proposed Scoping Plan in the immediate future.
Information will be forwarded to city officials and it is likely conference calls will be scheduled to
discuss major components of the draft. Please watch for updates in Priority Focus and through
the League’s listservs.
_____________________________________________________________________________
New Sharps Waste Disposal Program Guidelines Now Available
The California Integrated Waste Management Board has released program information for
syringe and sharps disposal, following the Sept. 1 enactment of the new law that makes it illegal
to dispose of sharps waste in the trash or recycling containers. The new law also requires that all
sharps waste be transported to a collection center in an approved sharps container.
For more information on collection, disposal, and other guidelines for local jurisdictions, please
visit http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/HHW/Sharps/default.htm. 7
_____________________________________________________________________________
Sustainability Feature: Pasadena’s Think Green Training Module
Pasadena’s employees are more green thanks to an interactive online environmental education
program launched as part of the city’s Green Action Plan. In just under four months, half of the
city’s 2,300 employees have taken the 10 minute course. Developed to inform, educate, motivate
and inspire city employees and the community, the program focuses on the city’s Green
Initiatives.
Pasadena’s plan is modeled around the United Nation’s Urban Environmental Accords and is
organized around seven core areas: energy, water, urban nature, urban design, environmental
health, waste production and transportation. Although the online course is designed for people
new to sustainability concepts, it also has the depth of information that makes it applicable to
more knowledgeable environmentalists.
The program includes information about sustainability, the city’s action plan and tips users can
implement at work and home to improve the environment. Each section of the site introduces the
user to the sustainability concept, outlines the city’s action on the concept and features a quick tip
that can be easily implemented.
Ursula Schmidt, environmental analyst with Pasadena, worked with the city’s green team to
create the online training. “We hope they get an understanding of what the city is doing related to
sustainability, that they feel inspired to support and participate in the initiative and get a sense of
awareness of how their every day actions contribute to environmental conservation,” said
Schmidt.
City staff have encouraged community members to take advantage of the training. There were
press releases and stories published in the Pasadena Journal and featured in the city newsletter,
In Focus, that reaches 146,000 residents. They are also working with Pasadena Water & Power
and the local Chamber of Commerce to notify the public about this resource.
For more information about the online training program visit Pasadena’s Green Web site.
____________________________________________________________________________
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: October 17, 2008
Issue #40-2008
Page 2: Transit Oriented Development and Infill Incentive Grant Program Meeting Oct. 20
Page 3: Budget Fallout: Suspended Mandates
Apply Now for League Policy Committee Membership
Page 4: Mayors and Council Members Seeking Session Proposals
Page 5: Register Today for the 2008 Financial Management Seminar and Mini Expo
Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
PROPOSITION 42 PAYMENTS MADE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS
The State Controller’s office made the first Proposition 42 payments to local governments in two
years on Oct. 16. The distributions are made automatically and the total allocations, by city and
county, for this quarter are available at: http://www.sco.ca.gov/ard/payments/traffic/index.shtml.
For more, see Page 2.
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CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD RELEASES AB 32 SCOPING PLAN
League Schedules Informational Calls for City Officials
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) released the next draft of its Scoping Plan. Originally
scheduled for release Oct. 3, the draft came out on Wednesday, Oct. 15. The proposed Scoping
Plan, which is the state’s plan for how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, will be considered by
ARB in December, in time to meet the Jan. 1, 2009 approval deadline established by the Global
Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32). For more, see Page 2.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE RELEASES PROP. 1B REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS
The Department of Finance (DOF) released reporting instructions this week for the FY 2007-08
allocation of Proposition 1B Local Streets and Roads (LSR) funds. The report is due by Nov. 26,
and the instructions can be found at www.dof.ca.gov/bonds/proposition_1b_disbursements/2007-
08_appropriation/. For more, see Page 2. 2
‘Prop. 42’ Continued from Page 1…
Prop. 42, also know as the Traffic Congestion Relief Program, was under scrutiny in this year’s
budget negotiations as part of the potential legislative borrowing scheme from local government,
which was later scrapped due largely to staunch opposition from cities.
_____________________________________________________________________________
‘Scoping Plan’ Continued from Page 1…
AB 32 requires ARB to prepare a Scoping Plan to meet California’s greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions reduction goals. The state must reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. ARB
released its initial draft on June 26.
The League scheduled statewide conference calls to give city officials an opportunity to ask
questions and provide input on the draft Scoping Plan. The calls are scheduled for Friday, Oct.
24, are open to all city officials, and scheduled for 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Each call will
have the same information and should last no more than one hour. Call-in numbers will be
available Tuesday, Oct. 21 and will be distributed through the League’s regional public affairs
managers.
ARB has posted its notice for public hearing on its Web site at
www.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/document/scopingplandocument.htm
Visit www.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/document/scopingplandocument.htm to access a copy of
ARB’s Scoping Plan.
_____________________________________________________________________________
‘Prop. 1B’ Continued from Page 1…
Prop. 1B requires local agencies to submit a report on their Prop. 1B LSR expenditure plan to the
DOF. Project expenditure reporting will continue to occur on an annual basis at the end of each
fiscal year until all bond funds are exhausted. In addition, the FY 2008-09 budget requires cities
to submit the report before requesting a second allocation of Prop. 1B LSR funding.
Further instructions for the FY 2008-09 application process will be released soon. Please watch
for information in future Priority Focus articles.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Transit Oriented Development and Infill Incentive Grant Program Meeting Oct. 20
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is hosting a meeting
in Sacramento on Monday, Oct. 20 on Proposition 1C transit oriented development and infill
incentive grant program funds. The meeting is the third meeting HUD scheduled around the state
on this topic. Previous meetings were held on Oct. 15 in San Diego and Oct. 17 in Los Angeles.
Additional information about the meetings can be found on HCD’s Web site at www.hcd.ca.gov.
(www.hcd.ca.gov/fa/Bond_Program_Workshops.pdf)
Meeting Schedule
The meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m.– 4 p.m. with an hour break at noon for lunch. The morning
session will address infrastructure funding (water, sewer, traffic, site cleanup, etc.). The afternoon
session will focus on funding for housing and related infrastructure near transit stations.
Oct. 20: Sacramento
400 R Street, River Room
_____________________________________________________________________________
3
Budget Fallout: Suspended Mandates
The Department of Finance (DOF) has notified local agencies of the suspended state mandate
programs for FY 2008-09. The decision comes as a result of one of the many budget cuts the
Legislature found to balance the budget. This was the first time such a notice was given as
required by provisions of a statute adopted in 2007.
Until the FY 2009-2010 Budget Act is enacted, 29 mandates including full compliance with
Megan’s law, and activities associated with SIDS babies have been suspended and local
agencies are not required to implement or give effect to any mandate that has been suspended.
Only the legislature can suspend mandates, the Governor has no role in this other than to
recommend to the Legislature that it suspend a mandate. If a city elects to implement a
suspended mandate, it can assess fees to persons or entities which benefit from the statute.
The statute declares that "No local agency shall be required to implement or give effect to any
statute or executive order, or portion thereof, during any fiscal year and for the period immediately
following that fiscal year for which the Budget Act had not been enacted for the subsequent fiscal
year.”
The League has posted a full list of suspended mandates on its Web site.
(http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/27281.suspended mandates.pdf)
Allan Burdick with Maximus is the director of the California State Association of Counties and
League of California Cities’ SB 90 Program, and staffs the State Mandates Committee. He is
available to answer any questions. Please contact him by e-mail at allanburdick@maximus.com.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Apply Now for League Policy Committee Membership
City officials interested in participating in League policy committees during 2009 should apply
immediately. The deadline is Friday, Oct. 31.
There are several ways to join a policy committee:
Division
Elected or appointed officials should contact their division president to express interest in serving
on a policy committee. Each division president has two appointments per committee.
Department
City staff should contact their department president to express interest in serving on a policy
committee. Each department president has one appointment per committee.
Affiliate
Several statewide associations have been granted affiliate status with the League (CAPIO,
CSMFO, etc.). Some members designate one representative to each policy committee; others
only designate a representative to committees pertinent to their organization. Certain affiliates
(CALBO, CALCOG, CALPELRA, CTA and NORCAL) may designate an ex-officio (non-voting)
member to specified League policy committees.
Presidential
Elected officials or city staff who have first contacted their division or department president and
determined that their appointments have been filled can contact League President Heather Fargo
in writing to request a presidential appointment. The president has 16 appointments per
committee. The request letter should include a brief background statement about yourself and
should indicate the policy committee on which you wish to serve.
Send presidential request letters to the League, not directly to the president.
Letters should be sent either by U.S. mail, fax or email. Send your request to:
4
Mayor Heather Fargo, President
League of California Cities
Attention: Linda Hicks
1400 K Street, Suite 400
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 658-8240
E-mail: lhicks@cacities.org
Policy Committee Background
There are eight policy committees:
• Administrative Services
• Community Services
• Employee Relations
• Environmental Quality
• Housing, Community and Economic Development
• Public Safety
• Revenue and Taxation
• Transportation, Communication and Public Works
Policy committees meet four times annually. The schedule for 2009 is:
Jan. 21-22: Sacramento
Wednesday, Jan. 21 Thursday, Jan. 22
Community Services Administrative Services
Employee Relations Environmental Quality
Housing, Community and Eco. Dev. Revenue and Taxation
Public Safety Trans., Comm., & Public Works
April 2-3: Los Angeles
Thursday, April 2 Friday, April 3
Community Services Administrative Services
Employee Relations Environmental Quality
Housing, Community and Eco. Dev. Revenue and Taxation
Public Safety Trans., Comm., & Public Works
June 25-26: Sacramento
Thursday, June 25 Friday, June 26
Community Services Administrative Services
Employee Relations Environmental Quality
Housing, Community and Eco. Dev. Revenue and Taxation
Public Safety Trans., Comm., & Public Works
Sept. 16: San Jose
Annual Conference, times TBA
_____________________________________________________________________________
Mayors and Council Members Seeking Session Proposals
The Mayors and Council Members department is currently accepting session proposals for the
2009 Mayors and Council Members Executive Forum. The event is scheduled for May 27-29 in
San Diego. The deadline to submit a session is Friday, Nov. 7.
Visit www.cacities.org/events and click on the session proposal link.
_____________________________________________________________________________
5
Register Today for the 2008 Financial Management Seminar and Mini Expo
Register now for the 2008 Financial Management Seminar and Mini Expo scheduled to be held
at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. Topics covered at this meeting will range from how cities are
coping with tough economic times to managing retirement and Fair Labor Standards Act issues.
Visit www.cacities.org/events to register online. The deadline to register is Wednesday, Nov. 12.
____________________________________________________________________________
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: October 31, 2008
Issue #41-2008
Page 5: SB 375 Conference Scheduled For Nov. 13
Page 6: FPPC Expected To Adopt New “Gift” Regulations December 11
HCD Neighborhood Stabilization Program Stakeholder Workshops Scheduled
Page 7: Reduced Rate for November Summit on Water Policies and Climate Change
FACT Act Compliance Delayed Until May 1
Page 8: Register Today for the 2008 Fire Chiefs Leadership Seminar
Sustainability Feature: Davis Low Carbon Diet Pilot
Page 9: Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
GOVERNOR CALLS SPECIAL SESSION TO DEAL WITH BUDGET “EMERGENCY”
AND SAYS “EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE”
With cities already facing staggering declines in key revenues while aggressively tackling the
mortgage foreclosure crisis that is at the heart of the economic meltdown, the Governor is calling
the legislature back next week to consider extraordinary proposals to address a serious revenue
shortfall in the just-adopted state budget. Like city budgets the state budget is being ravaged by
the current economic conditions, and the Governor feels strongly that it is better to deal with
these problems sooner than later. For more, see Page 2.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
GOVERNOR APPOINTS COMMISSION ON
MODERNIZING CALIFORNIA’S TAX SYSTEM
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Executive Order S-12-08 on Wednesday, Oct. 29,
immediately creating the bipartisan Commission on the 21st Century Economy to re-examine and
recommend how to modernize California’s out-of-date revenue-gathering laws. The 12-member
commission to be made up of as yet unidentified legislative and gubernatorial appointees is
charged with suggesting changes to create more stability in the state’s revenues and to
modernize its provisions to reflect the evolution of economic activity in the state.
For more, see Page 3.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
ASSEMBLY BILL 32: IMPLEMENTING CALIFORNIA’S
CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGE
In 2006, California enacted the most forward reaching environmental law of its kind, Assembly Bill
32 (AB 32) (Nuñez, Chapter 488, Statutes of 2006). AB 32 requires California to reduce its
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. By requiring California to reduce its
emissions, the stage has been set for a major transition in the state to a sustainable, clean
energy future. For more, see Page 4.
2
‘Special Session’ Continued from Page 1…
While the details are still emerging, the Governor has announced his intention to call the special
session to begin on November 5—the day after the election. The current legislature will serve in
office until November 30, giving them just a few precious weeks to address a budget gap in the
current year that is reportedly approaching $10 billion. The new legislators will be sworn in
December 1.
Earlier this week the Governor met with the Education Coalition to begin the dialogue with those
organizations that have a direct stake in the state general fund. In that meeting, the Governor
outlined the difficult economic position of the state and the lack of alternatives to deal with the
problem. He also indicated that all organizations with a stake in the budget would likely have to
take a share of the cuts that must be made and that new revenues (such as his sales tax
proposal) would be needed.
The Governor followed that meeting with a statement on Wednesday in which he described the
situation as a “state of emergency” which required that all services be “on the table” for reduction,
including law enforcement, prisons, health and education. Private briefing sessions with
stakeholder groups, including one with transit advocates on Thursday and local government
today, included similar statements. These public pronouncements by the Governor signal a very
difficult, potentially long and painful budget debate that will likely result in serious cuts to the
current 2008-09 budget and perhaps even deeper cuts when constructing the 2009-10 budget.
Cities are once again at risk during these budget debates, whether in the form of reductions in
public safety subventions (e.g., COPS and Booking Fees) or potential “loans” of local property
taxes or transportation revenues. As you know, borrowing local funds will only deepen the local
budget crisis and increase the state structural budget deficit. It also will delay the economic
recovery and put our citizens’ safety at risk.
As the frontline troops in attacking the mortgage foreclosure crisis that is at the root of our
economic problems, cities use their local property tax revenues to keep citizens safe and
transportation and redevelopment funds to make infrastructure investments that are critical to the
state’s economic recovery. Most city officials believe it would destructive to force cities to bailout
state government during this time of crisis. If fact, it will dig a deeper hole, lead to greater
community blight and loss of property values where foreclosures have occurred, and put citizens
and neighborhoods at risk.
City officials are urged to call their legislators immediately and make these simple points,
supported by local examples.
• City Revenues Are Declining. City revenues are declining and cities have already
made deep budget cuts and are preparing to make deeper ones. Many cities have
eliminated positions, including police and fire positions.
• Cities Are At the Front Line in Attacking the Foreclosure Problem. With a variety of
resources cities are leading the way in helping convert foreclosed homes to affordable
housing, keeping neighborhoods safe and attractive and helping stabilize declining
property values.
• A Local Government Bailout of the State Will Delay the Economic Recovery! If local
government revenues are used to bailout the state budget, cities will not be able to keep
neighborhoods safe, assist with the sale of foreclosed properties, and make the
economic and infrastructure investments that help create jobs and economic growth.
Redevelopment agencies are key partners of the state in promoting the economic
recovery and have already lost $350 million to the state that could have been used to
support the economic recovery.
City officials are urged to deliver these messages as soon as possible. It is critical that the state
budget crisis not be allowed to deepen the local budget crisis. It needs to be contained and dealt 3
with by state officials with state funds while city leaders do the same thing locally, keeping our
neighborhoods safe and supporting the economic recovery.
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‘Commission’ Continued from Page 1…
Its report will be due April 15, 2009. The Governor indicated this is long-term action that will help
avoid the extreme revenue swings that cause crippling deficits while maintaining a tax structure
that will ensure our continued competitiveness and attraction to employers and workers.
In support of this action, the Governor’s Office noted:
California’s antiquated revenue system is a major contributor to our feast-or-famine
budget cycles. Our tax system has not been restructured in over 80 years even though our
economy has changed dramatically.
• Fifty percent of California’s personal income tax revenues come from just 1
percent of residents. That’s fewer than 150,000 taxpayers, and much of their income is
based on volatile investment income – so when their income dips the state’s tax
revenues fall too.
• When Wall Street sneezes, California catches a cold. Nearly 15 percent of our
revenue comes from capital gains – meaning the turmoil on Wall Street brings pain
straight to Main Street, California.
In contrast, the state of Washington is projecting a revenue shortfall of less than 1
percent, while our state may face a shortfall of nearly 10 percent. The difference is that
our state’s tax revenues reflect Wall Street’s economy more than California’s economy.
This annual uncertainty makes it difficult to fund government operations year-to-year.
Boom years produce more spending than can be sustained in bust years, putting state services in
constant annual jeopardy.
• Such a volatile revenue stream is unacceptable for California’s 38 million residents who
rely on a stable funding for a host of state-funded programs.
We need a revenue system as diverse as our economy. Unlike our budget system, California
has one of the most diverse economies in the world. A tax system as diverse as our economy
would produce stable revenue.
• An improved revenue-gathering system would decrease the pressure for future tax
increases to address revenue shortfalls, which will continue to occur if the volatility of our
tax system is not reduced.
• A tax structure that better reflects California’s economic strengths could actually grow the
economy. For example, reducing the corporate income tax would boost hiring, creating
jobs.
The news release from the Governor’s Office on the creation of the commission contained
supportive, but nuanced, statements from the four legislative leaders:
"California's tax system is antiquated and long overdue for an overhaul. Our state is one of the
most advanced economies of the 21st century, but it relies upon an outdated and volatile tax
model that no longer makes sense. This commission will examine how to best capture revenue in
California's dynamic economy and put the state's finances on the stable and sound footing
needed to remain a global leader."
- Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata
"We need a multifaceted approach to the national economic downturn. That's why I proposed a
thorough, non-partisan review of California's economic structure, which was built for the 1930s.
This Commission will provide recommendations to help get vital programs like education, 4
firefighting and children's healthcare off the budget roller coaster. The Commission has a tall
order: we need maximum performance in a minimum period of time. We're not looking to punt the
problem-we're looking for a playbook filled with potential options. I applaud Governor
Schwarzenegger for helping make this Commission a reality, and I appreciate the other legislative
leaders' commitment to bringing about modernization and stability to California's economy."
- Assembly Speaker Karen Bass
"Keeping California competitive in a global economy is the key to a strong and healthy state
budget. I applaud the Governor for working with legislative leaders to address California's broken
budget system and I look forward to reviewing revenue-neutral recommendations from the
commission, not just on fixing our revenue system, but also on how the state can adjust its
spending levels to come into alignment with revenues.”
- Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill of Modesto
"The Commission has a unique opportunity to update California's tax laws and improve our
lagging economy while ensuring that taxpayers are protected. I believe the Commission can also
play an important role in improving our business climate and putting California jobs first by
helping to restore our state as a place where businesses can grow and prosper.”
- Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines of Fresno
_____________________________________________________________________________
‘AB 32’ Continued from Page 1…
The lead state agency for implementation of AB 32 is the California Air Resources Board (ARB).
ARB met the first milestone required by AB 32 in 2007 when it developed a list of nine discrete
early action measures. In 2007, ARB also developed an inventory of historic emissions,
established greenhouse gas emission reporting requirements for major emitters, and set the
numeric limit for the 2020 emission reduction mandate under AB 32.
The focus for ARB in 2008 was a document referred to as the “Scoping Plan.” The Scoping Plan
(Plan), which under AB 32 must be approved by ARB by January 1, 2009, proposes a
comprehensive set of actions designed to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions in California.
It is essentially the plan on how the state will achieve the necessary reductions in greenhouse
gas emissions by 2020. The Plan includes actions in areas such as energy efficiency,
transportation, green building, recycling and waste, housing, high speed rail, industrial emissions,
water, agriculture and land use planning.
Under the Plan, actions may be implemented through direct regulations, alternative compliance
mechanisms, monetary and non-monetary incentives, voluntary actions, and market-based
mechanisms such as a proposed cap-and-trade system. The Plan was released on Oct. 15, 2008
and will be considered for approval at the ARB Board hearing on Dec. 11, 2008.
Key Issue Areas for Local Governments in ARB’s Plan:
• Voluntary 15 percent reduction in local government GHG emissions. The Plan
encourages local governments in California to track emissions using their recently
adopted Local Government Operations Protocol as well as encourages local
governments to adopt a reduction goal for municipal operations emissions and move
toward similar goals for community emissions that parallel the State commitment to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 15 percent from current levels by
2020.
• Maximize Energy Efficiency Building and Appliance Standards, and Pursue Additional
Efficiency Efforts Including New Technologies, and New Policy and Implementation
Mechanisms. The Plan sets targets for annual energy demand reductions statewide. The
reductions include actions like: “zero net energy” buildings, green building codes,
appliance efficiency standards, improved compliance and enforcement of existing
building standards and voluntary efficiency and green building targets beyond mandatory
codes. For municipal utilities it also includes more aggressive utility programs to achieve
long term energy savings, including Renewable Portfolio Standards for municipal utilities
mandating all utilities, achieving a 33 percent renewable energy mix by 2020. 5
• Establishment of Regional Transportation-Related Greenhouse Gas Targets. In
September, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 375 (Steinberg, Chapter
728, Statutes of 2008) which establishes mechanisms for the development of regional
targets for reducing passenger vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. The Plan states that 5
million metric tons of emissions will be reduced as a result of transportation related
planning programs, or almost 3 percent of the total needed to achieve AB 32’s 2020
target. This number, however, is a placeholder as the Plan states that the total target “will
ultimately be determined during the SB 375 process.”
• Adopt Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Efficiency Measures. The Plan suggests
requiring aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance retrofits of medium and heavy-duty
vehicles to improve fuel efficiency. It also suggests hybridization of medium and heavy-
duty vehicles, specifically those used in urban, stop-and-go applications to achieve
increased fuel efficiency.
• Expand the Use of Green Building Practices to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of
California’s New and Existing Inventory of Buildings. The Plan pulls from a number of
areas to produce greenhouse gas savings through buildings that exceed minimum
energy efficiency standards, decrease consumption of potable water, reduce solid waste
during construction and operation, and incorporate sustainable materials. The Green
Building strategy under the Plan also includes siting considerations—noting that buildings
that are sited close to public transportation or near mixed-use areas can work in tandem
with transportation-related strategies to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Local
governments are encouraged under the Plan to adopt “beyond-code” local green building
requirements.
Additionally, the Plan anticipates the State Building Standards Commission will adopt a
mandatory code in 2011 which will institute minimum environmental performance
standards for all occupancies. The Plan also envisions green building zero-energy targets
in the future. Furthermore, the Plan recommends the establishment of an environmental
performance rating system for homes and commercial buildings and further recommends
that California adopt mechanisms to encourage and require retrofits for buildings that do
not meet or exceed minimum standards of performance.
• Reduce Methane Emissions at Landfills. Increase Waste Diversion, Composting and
Commercial Recycling. Move Toward Zero-Waste. The Plan recommends reduction in
landfill methane, through the Discrete Early Action measure for landfill methane control.
This measure is expected to be presented to the ARB Board for approval at their January
2009 Board Meeting. The Plan also suggests policies like Extended Producer
Responsibility and Environmentally Preferable Purchasing along with commercial
recycling and increased production and markets for compost to achieve higher levels of
recycling and promotion of zero-waste goals.
What’s Next?
Rulemakings and other regulatory actions outlined in the Plan and noted above will take place
over the next two years. Under AB 32, the Plan must be in place by January 2009, and measures
outlined in the Plan must be in place by January 2012. League staff will continue to update its
membership over the next two years through League list serves, Priority Focus, and through
League policy committees dealing with climate change issues.
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SB 375 Conference Scheduled For Nov. 13
City officials are invited to attend Building Forward: Creating a Sustainable California and Fighting
Global Warming with SB 375 in San Francisco on Thursday, Nov. 13. Authored by Senate
President-Elect Darrell Steinberg and signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in
September, SB 375 connects transportation funding and land use planning to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions while protecting local land use control. 6
The one day conference will feature a keynote address by Senate President-Elect Steinberg and
a closing address by Peter Calthorpe. Other confirmed guests include: Tom Adams, president,
California League of Conservation Voters; Steve Heminger, executive director, Metropolitan
Transportation Commission; and Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, Jr. League of
California Cities Legislative Representative Bill Higgins is moderating a session.
The event is sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Northern California, Bay Area
Council, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, San Francisco Planning and Urban Research
Association and the California Alliance for Jobs.
Event Details
Thursday, Nov. 13: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
PG & E Auditorium
77 Beal Street
San Francisco, CA
Register online at www.buildingforwardcalifornia.com. The conference registration fee is $150.
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FPPC Expected To Adopt New “Gift” Regulations December 11
On Sept. 11, the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) staff recommended that FPPC
amend and adopt regulations surrounding the issue of tickets, free admissions, and items given
to and by agencies to officials in those agencies. The FPPC voted 5-0 to adopt the staff
recommendation and to present the new regulations for adoption. It is now expected that the
FPPC will adopt the new regulations at its next meeting on Dec. 11. Mountain View City Attorney,
Michael Martello spoke on behalf of the League of California Cities to express opposition to the
proposed action.
FPPC staff proposed to amend Regulation 18944.1, “Recipient of the Gift: Passes or Tickets
Given to an Agency.” This regulation addresses whether tickets and other free admissions to
events that public officials receive from their agencies are gifts to those officials. The proposed
amendments will repeal the current regulation and adopt new rules that clarify that tickets and
free admissions received by public officials, whether from an outside source and through the
official’s agency, or directly from the official’s agency, are gifts to the official unless use of the
ticket/admission furthers a specific governmental or public purpose.
FPPC staff also proposed that Regulation 18944.3 be added. This regulation would clarify that a
payment is a gift when an agency makes a payment that provided a personal benefit to an official
and that payment is not a lawful expenditure of public funds.
Contact League Legislative Analyst Natasha Karl with questions at (916) 658-8254 or
nkarl@cacities.org.
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HCD Neighborhood Stabilization Program Stakeholder Workshops Scheduled
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is reviewing the
recently released regulations and guidelines for the new Neighborhood Stabilization Program
(NSP). Two stakeholder meetings are scheduled in November for Sacramento and Merced.
Meeting Details
Sacramento: Nov. 3
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
VCGB Building
400 R Street
Sacramento, CA 95811 7
Merced: Nov. 7
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Merced County Board of Supervisors Chambers
2222 M Street, 3rd Floor
Merced, CA
All interested parties are invited. In addition, HCD is planning to hold an additional strategic
meeting with entitlement jurisdictions receiving NSP funds directly from HUD. HCD will provide
regular updates to jurisdictions and other interested parties as additional information becomes
available.
If you would like to attend one of the stakeholder meetings, please send your request to be
included and contact information to cdbg@hcd.ca.gov or call (916) 552-9398. Agendas will be
sent by e-mail as they become available.
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Reduced Rate for November Summit on Water Policies and Climate Change
City officials are invited to attend a special summit on water policies and climate change
scheduled for Nov. 13-14 in Long Beach. Sponsored by the California Department of Water and
the Water Education Foundation, the event will bring together top experts from local water
agencies, city and state government and the water community. The discussion will focus on the
effects of climate change and adaptation on California’s water management.
Program Highlights
With California facing its second consecutive dry year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has
declared a statewide drought. The existing water system in California was planned and built
before climate change scenarios were considered. The summit is an opportunity for professionals
in the water community to discuss and debate the impact of climate change as well as how best
to handle the risks and uncertainties of water resource management.
Participants will have time to discuss pending federal legislation and learn about the development
of regional climate change models, risk management tools, and the extensive efforts underway to
incorporate planning for climate change into state and local water management policies.
Topics include:
• Adaptation and management;
• Assessing hydrologic risks;
• Incorporating flood planning into cities’ General Plans;
• Rising sea levels; and
• Preparing for a dry 2009.
Summit Details
Nov. 13 - 14, Long Beach Hilton, Long Beach.
The Water Education Foundation would like to offer a special reduced registration rate of $125 for
the upcoming Climate Change Summit. This includes materials, continental breakfasts, lunch
and an evening reception on Nov. 13.
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FACT Act Compliance Delayed Until May 1
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has moved the deadline for compliance with the Fair and
Accurate Credit Transaction (FACT) Act “Red Flag’” rule from Nov. 1, 2008, to May 1, 2009. This
rule requires some cities to implement written identity theft prevention programs.
8
The FACT Act added new provisions to the Federal Credit Reporting Act to protect consumers
against identity theft. New regulations require financial institutions and creditors to develop and
implement written identity theft prevention programs.
Visit www.cacities.org/RedFlagRules to learn more about the new regulations and what cities can
do to prepare. The FTC has information on its Web site on the changes. Visit
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/10/redflags.shtm to access the latest FTC news release.
Contact League Legislative Analyst Natasha Karl with questions or to receive sample
programs/ordinances at (916) 658-8254 or nkarl@cacities.org.
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Register Today for the 2008 Fire Chiefs Leadership Seminar
If you are involved in municipal fire service issues, emergency/disaster response planning, or
labor management, you won’t want to miss this year’s Fire Chiefs Leadership Seminar. The
conference is scheduled for Dec. 3 – 5 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.
Educational sessions include:
• Finding fiscal solutions in tough budget years;
• Building relationships between fire service leadership, city hall and with labor unions; and
• Ensuring local authority is protected in emergency response contracting negotiations.
Visit www.cacities.org/events to register online. The deadline to register is Wednesday, Nov. 12.
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Sustainability Feature: Davis Low Carbon Diet Pilot
One hundred Davis households started a diet in October but the goal of this diet isn’t about losing
body fat. These dieters are going on the “Low Carbon Diet” as part of a pilot program the city is
running to encourage residents to increase energy efficiency, reduce waste and greenhouse gas
emissions (GhG).
The program started on Oct. 12, ends Nov. 10, and includes households from a cross section of
Davis residents. Participants are using the Empowerment Institute’s workbook Low Carbon Diet:
A 30 Day Program to Lose 5,000 Pounds. The program and workbook are designed so
participants take actions in the first 30 days that set them up to meet that goal of cutting 5,000
pounds of GhG’s in 12 months.
The City of Davis launched the Low Carbon Diet pilot after staff calculated emissions at the city
level, figuring out what percentage of emissions came from city operations and what came from
residents. When staff learned that the city operations only amounted to approximately 4 percent
of GhGs produced by Davis, they recognized that the only way for the city to be more sustainable
would be to engage the residents.
Mitch Sears is the City of Davis’ sustainability program manager and one of the residents whose
household is part of the pilot. “It’s a systematic approach to help households reduce their footprint
over the course of a year, said Sears. “People understand that there is a problem but don’t know
what to do. We can offer a program that allows residents to take direct action with measurable
results. Plus, we can show that the program works and that you are combining your efforts with
others to make an even larger difference,” continued Sears.
The average U.S. household emits 42 metric tons of CO2 annually according to Cool California,
which is supported by the California Air Resources Board, the Berkeley Institute of the
Environment, the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, the California Energy Commission and Next
10.
Using the workbook, participants start by calculating their household’s annual carbon footprint
and then design a carbon reduction plan. The workbook features 19 main actions that households 9
can implement to achieve the 5,000 pound goal and highlights a wide range of options a person
can employ to reduce their emissions.
For example:
• Switching from a 60 gallon garbage can to a 30 gallon garbage can saves 3,100 pounds
annually;
• Installing a low-flow shower head and cutting shower time to five minute saves 300
pounds per household resident annually;
• Substituting one vegetarian meal in place of one meat meal per week saves 700 pounds
of carbon annually;
• Replacing an incandescent light bulb with a fluorescent one saves 100 pounds of carbon
annually;
• Keeping your car tuned up and with the appropriate tire pressure saves 1,500 pounds of
carbon annually;
• Tuning up a furnace every year saves 800 pounds of carbon annually; and
• Replacing a car that gets 20 mph with one that gets 40 mph saves 5,000 pounds of
carbon annually (assuming 10,000 miles driven per year).
The 100 households in the pilot program are broken into groups of 10 with a facilitator from one of
the households who checks in with other members of their group. The idea is that similar to
Weight Watchers, the Low Carbon Diet’s success will depend on peer support.
Sears says that the pilot program is attracting a lot of positive attention. “The only negative
comment so far is that the pilot is too small,” commented Sears. A second pilot will start in 2009
but ultimately Sears says the city’s goal is to engage 75 percent of Davis’ 25,000 households in
the program.
City staff is collecting ideas from participants to help make the program more Davis focused since
the workbook is not tailored to the city but based on more general concepts. Sears mentioned
they will be looking at integrating actions that fit the Sacramento Valley Mediterranean climate
such as the installation of a whole house fan and native plants to replace a typical grass yard.
Please visit the City of Davis’ Web site for more information about the city’s Low Carbon Diet pilot
program.
www.cityofdavis.org/pgs/Sustainability/lcd_main.cfm
Information about the workbook the city is using can be found on the Empowerment Institute’s
Web site. www.empowermentinstitute.net/lcd/
Cool California has a tool to calculate your carbon footprint at www.coolcalifornia.org.
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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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