WANT MORE DETAILS
ON BILLS?
Visit the League of
California Cities
Web site at
www.cacities.org/
billsearch.
CalPERS Announces Retirement Planning Fairs for 2007
Apply Today for the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards
Support SCR 31 - ‘Healthy Communities Awareness Month’
Communities for Healthy Kids Program Receives $1.7 Million Grant
Legislative Bill Summaries
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???????????????????????? ??????????????
April 13, 2007 Issue #14-2007
Page 2
AB 1254, a bill authored by Assemblywoman Anna Caballero (D-Salinas)
passed out of the Assembly Local Government Committee by a 5-2 vote this
week. If signed into law, AB 1254 would reward local governments that approve
affordable housing developments operated by nonprofit housing providers.
For more, see Page 4.
AB 1254 PASSES OUT OF ASSEMBLY LOCAL
GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
Last month, randomly selected mayors, council members and city manag-
ers received a request from the League to participate in a survey to evaluate
the League’s Grassroots Network. If you were selected for the survey and
have not responded, please do so now by taking the survey online or complet-
ing and returning the printed questionnaire you received in the mail.
For more, see Page 3.
APRIL 19 DEADLINE LOOMS FOR LEAGUE
GRASSROOTS NETWORK SURVEY
The League of California Cities is in strong support of AB 1654 (Huffman), a
bill that would allow California’s general law cities the option of conducting all-
mail ballots. The League encourages cities to review and support the measure.
For more, see Page 4.
LEAGUE ENCOURAGES SUPPORT OF
ALL-MAIL BALLOT BILL (AB 1654)
Page 5
Page 3Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 2 - PRIORITY FOCUS
April 13, 2007 - Issue #14
The California Public Employees Retirement
System (CalPERS) has announced its 2007
retirement planning fair schedule. The fairs will be
held in a variety of locations statewide during the
next three months.
These retirement planning fairs, operating
under the theme “It’s Never too Early … It’s Never
too Late,” will provide employees with a chance to
get acquainted with representatives from their
local regional offices, as well as a chance to learn
about a variety of CalPERS programs.
The fairs are free, “drop-in” events. For more
information, including the schedule of fairs, visit
the CalPERS Web site at www.calpers.ca.gov or
call the Employer Contact Center at (888)
CalPERS.
CALPERS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
PLANNING FAIRS FOR 2007
Applications for the Governor’s Environmental
and Economic Leadership (GEEL) awards are
now available! This award program is California’s
highest environmental honor, and recognizes
those that have demonstrated exceptional leader-
ship and have made notable, voluntary contribu-
tions to conserving California’s natural resources,
protecting the environment and building public-
private partnerships.
Since 1993, the Governor has recognized
numerous individuals, organizations, businesses,
trade associations and communities with GEEL
awards. This year, a new award category has
been established – climate change – expanding
the breadth of recognition possibilities.
To apply for the 2007 awards, visit
www.calepa.ca.gov/awards/geela for an applica-
tion. Applications are due by May 25.
? ? ?????????????????????
APPLY TODAY FOR THE GOVERNOR’S
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC
LEADERSHIP AWARDS
The League of California Cities and the Cities,
Counties, Schools (CCS) Partnership is sponsoring
SCR 31, a resolution that recognizes the impor-
tance of health and wellness in communities and
declares May as “Healthy Communities Awareness
Month.”
While the measure still must go through the
legislative process to be signed into law, the
League encourages cities, in conjunction with this
resolution, to think about how your city will cel-
ebrate this month, and to adopt your own resolu-
tions declaring May as “Healthy Communities
Awareness Month.” A sample resolution is located
at www.cacities.org/healthyresolution.
Co-authored by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima)
and Assemblywoman Anna Caballero (D-Salinas),
SCR 31 is part of a number of activities the League
is working on in the health and wellness arena.
Last year, during the League’s Annual Conference,
the general assembly of the League adopted a
resolution to focus on health and wellness. The
action items included developing a clearinghouse
of information that cities can use to promote
wellness policies and healthier cities.
In an effort to collect this information, the
League has developed a survey that asks about
what your city is doing in this area. To view and fill
out this survey, visit www.cacities.org/healthysurvey.
Obesity is an issue that crosses local jurisdic-
tions and is the kind of issue that requires a col-
laborative, multi-faceted approach. Last year, the
CCS Partnership developed “Healthy Children,
Healthy Communities: An Action Guide for Califor-
nia Communities,” which sets forth principles and
strategies for how to best address childhood
obesity in California. For a copy of this report, visit
www.ccspartnership.org/pdf/
CommunityActionGuide.pdf, or call (916) 323-6011.
If you do celebrate May as “Healthy Communi-
ties Awareness Month,” please e-mail League
Legislative Analyst Genevieve Morelos at
gmorelos@cacities.org. Too often, the good work
that cities do is forgotten. Take this opportunity to
celebrate and share with others the work you are
doing.
SUPPORT SCR 31 - ‘HEALTHY
COMMUNITIES AWARENESS MONTH’PRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 3 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
April 13, 2007 - Issue #14
The Blue Cross of California Foundation has
awarded the Institute for Local Government (ILG) –
the nonprofit research arm of the League of
California Cities and California State Association of
Counties – a $1.7 million grant for Communities
for Healthy Kids, a new program designed to help
increase the number of children enrolled in no-
and low-cost health insurance.
The three-year grant will enable cities and
counties in California to work collaboratively with
local health insurance companies and other state
and local partners to identify and enroll kids who
are eligible for health insurance through the
Healthy Families Program or Medi-Cal. A cer-
emony to celebrate the grant award was held
recently at the League’s board of directors meet-
ing in Oakland.
“We are thrilled to have received the grant,”
said Harriet Miller, ILG president. “Communities for
Healthy Kids will take advantage of the connec-
tions California local agency officials have as
trusted sources of information and to reach out to
those families whose children are potentially
eligible for no- and low-cost health insurance.”
Communities for Healthy Kids is a joint effort
between the ILG, the League, the California T each-
ers Association, the California Association of
Health Plans, the City-County-Schools Partner-
ship, and Teachers for Healthy Kids.
Cities and counties have regular contact with
many, if not all of these children and their parents.
Examples include local parks and recreation,
library, low-income housing and anti-gang pro-
grams.
“Some local agencies may wish to reach out
and partner with their local business community,
the schools, or faith-based communities in order
to identify and enroll eligible children,” explained
Yvonne Hunter, Communities for Healthy Kids
program director. “A key partner in the success of
COMMUNITIES FOR HEALTHY KIDS PROGRAM RECEIVES $1.7 MILLION GRANT
this program will be the health insurance compa-
nies that offer insurance in participating communi-
ties.”
For more information on Communities for
Healthy Kids, e-mail Yvonne Hunter at
yhunter@ca-ilg.org.
To increase survey validity, it is essential that a
high percentage of the selected city officials
participate. Results will be analyzed in a number
of different ways including position, division and
city population, so every response if important.
If you have questions about this project (or if
you were not selected but would like to participate)
please contact one of the following individuals:
• Dan Harrison, League of California Cities
Phone: (916) 658-8267
E-mail: dharrison@cacities.org
• Chrystine Zacherau, APCO Insight
Phone: (202) 778-1000
E-mail: czacherau@apcoinsight.com
??????????? ????????????
GRN SURVEY from page 1
Visit (and bookmark!) the League’s
Legislative Resources 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.
FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS,
LEG COMMITTEE – OR ASK
LEAGUE LEG STAFFVisit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 4 - PRIORITY FOCUS
April 13, 2007 - Issue #14
AB 1254 from page 1 ????????????????????????????????????????? ???????
A common complaint among local officials is that
the revenue derived from housing often fails to match
local service costs. One area where this situation is
particularly acute is when local governments approve
affordable units operated by nonprofits. These units
typically pay no property taxes, because the state
grants a “welfare exemption” for these units pursuant
to subdivision (f) or (g) of Section 214 Revenue and
T axation Code.
Sponsored by the League of California Cities, AB
1254 provides a solution. The bill would reward
“good actor” communities by offsetting what they
lose on property tax on any new affordable units
approved after January 1, 2008.
While the property tax exemption provided to
nonprofit operators of affordable housing develop-
ments promotes affordable housing policy by assist-
ing in maintaining units at affordable rents, local
governments are left with no property tax revenue to
provide police, fire, park, recreation, library and other
services to residents of these units.
For local governments, this loss of revenue can
operate as a disincentive to approve affordable units.
But even when these units are approved, it can
produce undesirable effects: agencies are faced
with reducing community services, transferring
revenues from other public priorities, or chasing retail
tax dollars.
AB 1254 reduces the required local transfers of
property tax for (ERAF) education purposes by an
identical amount. This would allow these communi-
ties to retain more property tax at the local level to
provide services to the residents of affordable
housing.
This measure is patterned after SB 1509 (Dunn)
of 2001, which received significant bipartisan sup-
port, but was vetoed by Gov. Gray Davis. A sunset
date is also included in AB 1254 so that the State
Legislature may properly evaluate the effectiveness
of this law in rewarding communities approving
affordable units.
While AB 1254 has taken one step forward by
passing through the Assembly Local Government
Committee, the real work to have it appear on Gov.
Schwarzenegger’s desk is just beginning. Cities are
encouraged to send letters supporting this bill. T o
look up more information on the measure and
access a sample letter, visit www.cacities.org/
billsearch.
AB 1654 from page 1
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Voting by mail has increased steadily in Califor-
nia for more than 40 years. Providing a proper
addition to the institutionalized “Ballot Casting at
the Polls” for general law cities is a way to increase
voter turnout and to cut costs of elections for cities
and counties.
This is one of the major reasons that local
government entities such as the League, the
California State Association of Counties (CSAC),
the California Association of County Election
Officers (CACEO) and the City Clerks Association
of California (CCAC) all support AB 1654.
The League has met with labor, community
based organizations, civil rights groups and mem-
bers on both sides of the aisle to gather input and
continue to educate on how cities are losing money
on the current ballot system. The larger the voting
pool, the more diverse the opinion. Does it really
matter if a vote comes from the voting booth or via
mail?
States such as Oregon have benefited from all-
mail ballots. Oregon’s voter turnout in 2002 was
the fifth-highest in the nation and by 2004 they
were the fourth-highest – a savings of 30 percent
in election related costs. AB 1654 is good public
policy that is in need of local government support.
Letters of support for AB 1654 can be sent to
Assemblyman Huffman at:
The Honorable Jared Huffman
State Capitol Building, Room 4139
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Support AB 1654 (Huffman)
Please remember to copy League Legislative
Representative P. Anthony Thomas and your local
assembly member on the letter. Thomas can be
reached at athomas@cacities.org.PRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 5 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
April 13, 2007 - Issue #14
Le Le Le Le Legisla gisla gisla gisla gislati ti ti ti tiv v v v ve Bill e Bill e Bill e Bill e Bill Action Action Action Action Action
The following are summaries of just a few of the legislative bills that are currently being acted upon
by the League of California Cities. For more information about these and other bills, please visit
the League website to access information about legislation, policy issues and related develop-
ments. You can track information on bills (www.cacities.org/billsearch), locate legislators and
legislative committees, send letters to legislators or the media through the online Advocacy Center
(www.cacities.org/advocacycenter), research League policy positions, access useful related
links, and much more.
AB 1496 (Swanson) Local Government:
Cities and Counties: Civil Service. AB 1496
would mandate restrictive changes to all city and
county civil service and merit systems by March 1,
2008. Specifically it would require inclusion of all
employees within the civil service or merit system
except:
1) Apprentices or technical experts employed
temporarily for a specific project, or
2) Substitute or short term employees paid for
less than 50 percent of work days in a fiscal year,
where the employment is not needed on a con-
tinuing basis. Substitute employees would be
restricted to a person(s) collectively employed no
longer than 60 days.
In addition to significant staffing restrictions
imposed on local agencies, this bill would be very
costly when it forces replacement of temporary
personnel with permanent personnel on regular or
overtime payment. It would impact city’s summer
program staff, reserve police officers, snow
removal personnel, lifeguards hired annually, and
peak work-load staff hired by planning and building
departments, just to name a few.
This bill is being heard on April 18th. Please
send in letters of opposition and let your legislators
know how this would impact your city. Staff:
Anthony Thomas; Status: Assembly Public
Employees, Retirement and Social Security;
Position: Oppose.
Stay Up-to-Date on Bills That
May Impact Your City
www.cacities.org/billsearch
Become a regular user of the League’s
online Legislative Tracking System. The
League’s website is your gateway to all the
information you need: bills sorted by subject
areas, showing the bill history, current
status, committee analyses, votes, and
much more. You can even view League
letters of support or opposition, and access
the League lobbyist working on the bill.
WANT TO SEND A LETTER IN
SUPPORT OF A LEAGUE POSITION?
HERE’S WHO TO CALL:
ASSEMBLY PUBLIC EMPLOYEES,
RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY
(6)—Hernandez (Chair), Jeffries (Vice
Chair), Anderson, Mullin, Soto, and
Torrico. Chief Consultant: Karon Green.
Phone: (916) 319-3957; Location: 1020 N
St., Rm. 153.
April 20, 2007
Issue #15-2007
IN THIS ISSUE:
Page 4: League’s City Attorneys’ Department to Meet in Monterey
Institute for Local Government Releases New Housing Publication
Page 5: Find a Bill, Legislator, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
Legislative Bill Summaries
SENATE SCHEDULED TO HEAR TWO LEAGUE-SPONSORED BILLS NEXT WEEK
Measures Concern Public Safety and Local Transportation Priorities
Two League-sponsored bills are scheduled to be heard in the Senate next week. SB 266
(Steinberg. D-Sacramento) would allow vehicles to be seized from people engaged in illegal
motor vehicle speed contests. SB 286 (Lowenthal, D-Long Beach and Dutton, R-Inland Empire)
outlines the allocation schedule for the $2 billion in bond funds for cities and counties for local
transportation priorities. For more, see Page 2.
•••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• ••
LEAGUE OPPOSES SB 964 (ROMERO)
Bill Would Impede City Officials’ Communication with City Councils
The League of California Cities is opposing SB 964, a bill authored by Sen. Gloria Romero (D-Los
Angeles). A broad-sweeping measure, if signed into law, SB 964 would significantly limit the
ability of city officials to communicate with city councils outside an open and public meeting.
For more, see Page 3.
•••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• ••
AB 2987 UPDATE: WHERE THINGS STAND ON THE TELECOM FRONT
In 2006, the California Legislature enacted a completely new franchising law for companies
intending to provide video services to the state’s residents – AB 2987, the Digital Infrastructure
and Video Competition Act of 2006.
For cities, a number of questions exist on the law’s implementation, what the law does and who
has authority on franchising issues. The following summary provides some clarification.
For more, see Page 2. 2
League-Sponsored Bills, Continued from Page 1…
Tragedies resulting from illegal street racing have become far too common in California. To
address this growing public safety issue, many local governments have enacted street racing
ordinances. Co-sponsored by the League and the city of Elk Grove, SB 266 is another tool to
help combat street racing. If signed into law, SB 266 would allow the vehicles of those who take
part in these races to be confiscated.
The measure also would allow for the release of a vehicle used in a street race to an innocent
registered owner or community property interest owner. This measure strikes a balance between
the need for cities to have the option of keeping nuisance vehicles used in speed contests off the
streets, while allowing other owners of the vehicle not involved in illegal activity continued use of
the vehicle.
SB 266 will be heard in the Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, April 24. The League
urges cities to review this legislation and contact your legislators in support of it.
Transportation Bond Implementation
SB 286 is a bill that defines an allocation schedule for the $2 billion included in Proposition 1B as
a direct allocation to cities and counties. Specifically, SB 286 guarantees that every city will
receive at least half of their Prop. 1B funds to spend in the next two fiscal years - the 2007-08
Prop. 42 “gap” year and 2008-09.
Funding in these two years is extremely important, because without significant funding in the
2007-08 Prop 42 “gap” year, cities and counties will not receive any funds for local streets and
roads. SB 286 allocates any remaining money (funds not spent in 2007-08 and 2008-09) to cities
no later than Jan. 1, 2010 for fiscal years 2009-10 and 2010-11.
In addition, SB 286 provides that a city may receive up to the entire amount of its share of Prop.
1B funds in the next two fiscal years if the ability to spend the funds is demonstrated. Every city
would also be guaranteed at least $400,000 in the first two years of the program.
This measure will be heard in the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee on Tuesday,
April 24. The League believes endorsement of SB 286 is paramount and encourages cities to
review the bill and give it their support.
_____________________________________________________________________________
AB 2987 Update, Continued from Page 1…
What AB 2987 Does
AB 2987 pre-empts local franchises and establishes the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC) as the sole franchising authority in California for video service providers. We expect this
state paradigm to stay in place and set the policy for years to come.
The Public Right-of-Way
Local government still controls the public right-of-way. The current law, applicable to telephone
companies performing construction in the public right-of-way, is the same standard adopted in AB
2987.
The provisions of AB 2987 require the local entity to allow the holder of a state franchise to install,
construct, and maintain a network within the public rights-of-way under the same time, place, and
manner provisions as those governing telephone corporations under applicable state and federal
law.
3
Encroachment Permits
AB 2987 requires a local entity to either approve or deny an application from a holder of a state
franchise for an encroachment permit within 60 days of receiving a completed application. An
application for an encroachment permit is complete when the applicant has complied with all
statutory requirements, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). If the local
entity denies an application for an encroachment permit it shall furnish to the applicant a detailed
explanation of the reason for the denial.
Customer Service
Enforcement of customer service standards is still under the authority of local governments.
However, the authority in AB 2987 is weak in comparison with the authority local governments
had under local franchise agreements.
The local entity shall enforce all of the customer service and protection standards with respect to
complaints received from residents within the local entity’s jurisdiction, but it may not adopt or
seek to enforce any additional or different customer service or other performance standards.
Franchise Fees
Franchise fees are set at five percent of gross revenues and will go directly to cities as they did
before.
League Efforts
The League has heard from many local entities about the telecom survey the industry put out with
cooperation from the League. Telephone companies continue to request that cities fill out the
survey. While it is encouraged that you fill out the survey and the League believes it will help with
implementation, it remains completely voluntary on the part of the local municipality.
If there are agreements that other cities have that they would like to share, or you have further
questions on this issue, contact League Legislative Representative P. Anthony Thomas at
athomas@cacities.org.
Helpful Links:
• CPUC Rulemaking on AB 2987 – www.cpuc.ca.gov (search under “documents,” then
“final decisions”)
• League Summary on AB 2987 – www.cacities.org/telecom
_____________________________________________________________________________
SB 964, Continued from Page 1…
This bill presents a myriad of problems for local government. Specifically, the bill is broadly
worded to prohibit agency staff communications with a majority of the governing body that
“advances or clarifies a member’s understanding of an issue.”
The League views the sweep of this bill as prohibiting the following common agency
communications:
• Summary reports of the upcoming week’s events and other items of interest from the
agency’s executive to the legislative body (which are typically public records)
• Memorandum from agency staff to the legislative staff unless the communication is part
of an agenda packet and relates to an item on an agenda 4
• Attorney-client privileged legal communications from the agency’s legal counsel
• Informational briefings between agency staff and individual legislative body members
(recently found to be lawful under Wolfe v. City of Fremont)
• Any materials in support of a closed session that would not otherwise be included in the
agenda packet. Therefore, all closed session materials would have to be presented to
the legislative body in closed session, or included in the agenda packet that is a public
record
• Draft reports prepared by agency employees or consultants
The League will continue to oppose legislation that claims to enhance open and public meetings
that in practice, unnecessarily complicates the ability of a local governing body to properly
communicate and function on behalf of their citizens.
SB 964 will be heard in the Senate Local Government Committee on Wednesday, April 25.
_____________________________________________________________________________
League City Attorneys’ Department to Meet in Monterey
Spring Conference Scheduled for May 2-4
The League of California Cities’ City Attorneys’ Department will hold its annual Spring Conference
on May 2-4 in Monterey. This year’s program features a wide-range of topics, including sessions
on Utility User Taxes (UUTs), mobile home park conversions, AB 2987 implementation, and
much more!
Additional areas of discussion at the conference will include Proposition 218, bond disclosure
issues, architect and engineer design liability, the Public Records Act, substance abuse recovery
facilities, housing element certification and stormwater control law. The Spring Conference is the
premier education event providing California city attorneys with information tailored to their
specific and immediate needs.
Online registration is now closed for this event, but on-site registration will be available. The cost
for city attorneys, deputy city attorneys and assistant city attorneys is $500. For more
information, additional price structures, and a listing of sessions, visit www.cacities.org/events to
download the conference announcement.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Institute for Local Government Releases New Housing Publication
The Institute for Local Government (ILG), the nonprofit research arm of the
League of California Cities and California State Association of Counties, has
published The Name Game: Housing-Related Acronyms and Terms.
The publication is designed to assist local officials by defining key terms
associated with housing policy options and issues.
Copies of The Name Game: Housing-Related Acronyms and Terms have been
mailed to city and county planning directors. In addition, the publication is
available online without charge at www.ca-ilg.org/housingacronyms.
Additional hardcopy versions of the publication may be ordered from ILG for $5 for a set of five or
at discounted bulk rates. Visit www.ca-ilg.org/ilgpubs for more details.
ILG would like to express its gratitude McDonough Holland & Allen PC for its generous financial
support for the project.
_____________________________________________________________________________
5
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.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Legislative Bill Summaries
PUBLIC SAFETY
AB 57 (Soto). Highways. Safe Routes to School Construction Program. AB 57 eliminates
the sunset date for the “Safe Routes to School” construction program within the California
Department of Transportation (Caltrans), thereby making the program permanent.
The League encourages cities to promote healthy lifestyles and supports measures that provide
opportunities for local jurisdictions to construct safe bicycle and pedestrian access projects. AB
57 would provide continued grants for local governments to build transportation projects to
encourage children to travel to and from school on foot or by bicycle.
The construction of bicycle and pedestrian safety and traffic calming projects such as sidewalks,
trails, bike lanes, and intersection improvements are integral components for safe travel for
children walking to and from school. Staff: Liisa Lawson Stark; Status: AsmAppr; Position:
Support.
AB 325 (Nava). Peace Officers. Recruitment. AB 325 would create a Peace Officer
Recruitment and Retention Commission for the purpose of developing recommendations for the
Governor and the Legislature on what measures the state can take to address the shortage of
peace officers in California. In addition, the Commission will develop and implement a pilot
project in Napa, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties aimed towards advertising the benefits of a
career in law enforcement.
Currently, there are approximately 10,000 vacant peace officer positions in California, which is a
major public safety issue. With California’s increasing population, coupled with law enforcement
shortages, communities will likely face an increase in crime, leaving law enforcement unable to
adequately respond.
The League of California Cities supports any measure which seeks to rectify a shortage of peace
officers in California. Staff: Liisa Lawson Stark; Status: AsmAppr; Position: Support.
TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATION & PUBLIC WORKS
AB 642 (Wolk) Design-Build. Counties, Cities, and Special Districts. AB 642 would allow
cities, upon approval of the city council, to utilize design-build contracting until Jan. 1, 2018.
Currently, this method of contracting is available only to some cities in California. The League
supports allowing cities options to use design-build contracting in order to bring efficiency to
public contracting.
Design-build contracting has shown it is effective in reducing project cost and expediting project
completion. This bill would allow cities to use design-build if a local agency desired, allowing
cities the option of a more efficient process. Staff: Liisa Lawson Stark; Status: AsmLGov,
Hearing April 25; Position: Support.
6
SB 445 (Torlakson). Road User Task Force. SB 445 establishes a Road Users Task Force to
analyze how increased use of alternative fuels and increased vehicle fuel efficiency will affect
revenues for the construction, maintenance, and operation of highways, local streets, roads and
transit systems.
Current funding mechanisms for California’s transportation systems fall far short of needs, both
short and long-term. When needs outweigh available resources, it is imperative that state and
local governments, as well as other transportation stakeholders, work cooperatively to identify
alternative ways to fund those needs to ensure a long-term seamless transportation system for
our state.
SB 445 will provide an opportunity to transportation stakeholders, as well as the public, together
with the goal of providing specific recommendation to fund California’s transportation needs in to
the future, which is essential for continued economic prosperity. Staff: Liisa Lawson Stark;
Status: SenAppr; Position: Support.
SB 717 (Perata). Transportation Investment Fund. SB 717 continuously authorizes 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.
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. The League supports continuous funding for local transportation
needs. SB 717 ensures an equitable and continuous distribution of TIF funds to state, local, and
transit systems.
A permanent shift of sales tax on gasoline for transportation purposes and the agreed upon
formula under Proposition 42 will ensure that cities and counties can preserve, maintain, and
rehabilitate the local street and road system. Staff: Liisa Lawson Stark; Status: SenRev&Tax,
Hearing April 25; Position: Support.
Want to Send a Letter in Support of a League Position? Here’s Who to Call:
Assembly 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.
Assembly Local Government (7)—Caballero (Chair), Houston (Vice Chair), De La Torre,
Lieber, Saldaña, Smyth, and Soto. Secretary: Dixie Petty. Phone: (916) 319–3958. 1020 N
Street, Room: 157.
Senate Appropriations (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.
Senate Revenue and Taxation (8)—Oropeza (Chair), Cogdill (Vice Chair), Alquist, Corbett,
Harman, Machado, Runner and Scott. Staff Director: Gayle Miller. Consultant: Colin Grinnell.
Assistant: Marisa Lanchester. Phone: (916) 651–4119. Room: 408.
WANT MORE DETAILS
ON BILLS?
Visit the League of
California Cities
Web site at
www.cacities.org/
billsearch.
League’s Legal Advocacy Committee Publishes Quarterly Report
‘Small Cities Can Be Cool’ Virtual Seminar a Success
Sign-up Now for Flex Your Power’s Flex Alerts!
SB 375: Another Vision for How California Should Grow
SB 1020 and SB 1016: Bills Would Impact Solid Waste Diversion in California
Republican Legislators Ask Governor to Adopt ‘Good Neighbor’ Policy on Group Homesenate
Residential Group Homes Legislation: Bills Continue to Move Through Legislature
???????????????????????? ??????????????
??????????????????????? ???????????????
April 27, 2007 Issue #16-2007
Page 2
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPLEMENTATION BILLS UPDATE
SB 303 (DUCHENY) SIGNIFICANTLY AMENDED, LEAGUE
CONTINUES ITS OPPOSITION
A plan to address the issue of overcrowding in California’s prison system
passed both the State Assembly and Senate on Thursday, April 26. The $7.4
billion plan, outlined in AB 900 (Solorio), is headed to Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger’s desk. For more, see Page 7.
PLAN TO ADDRESS PRISON OVERCROWDING
HEADS TO GOVERNOR’S DESK
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
With the California Legislature back from its spring recess, a number of
bills that address the infrastructure bond measures passed in 2006 are
starting to evolve. The League is keeping a close eye on 48 bills that are
moving through both the State Senate and Assembly, all with various imple-
mentation impacts on Propositions 1B, 1C, and 84. For more, see Page 8.
SB 303 (Ducheny), a bill with major land use implications for local govern-
ment, including a requirement for local agencies to establish a 10-year land
supply, was significantly amended prior to passing unanimously by the Senate
Environmental Quality Committee on Thursday, April 26.
For more, see Page 6.Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 2 - PRIORITY FOCUS
April 27, 2007 - Issue #16
The League of California Cities’ Legal Advo-
cacy Committee published its quarterly report last
week. The summary provides details on 31 cases
the committee reviewed from January 1 through
April 18. It also includes developments concern-
ing the California Voting Rights Act and communi-
cation system fees.
Of particular note in the report were develop-
ments in Bay Area Cellular Telephone v. City of
Union City and Sanchez v. City of Modesto.
Bay Area Cellular Telephone involves the
legality of Union City’s 9-1-1 fee ordinance. The
trial court concluded the fee was a special tax that
could only be imposed by voters. The matter is
still pending, as Union City has appealed. The
League will file an amicus brief in support of the
city.
In Sanchez, Latino voters sued the city under
the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) alleging
they were precluded from electing any candidates
in the city’s at-large city council elections due to
racially polarized voting. After the trial, the court
granted the city’s motion for judgment on the
pleadings, the appellate court reversed, holding
the CVRA constitutional.
The holding called into question a city’s ability
to hold at-large elections and the Supreme Court
declined to Modesto’s petition for review.
Copies of all the League’s amicus filings in the
report are available online at www.cacities.org/
recentfilings.
LEAGUE’S LEGAL ADVOCACY
COMMITTEE PUBLISHES
QUARTERLY REPORT
Summary Provides Details on 31 Cases
On April 11, the League of California Cities
sponsored a virtual seminar entitled “Small Cities
Can Be Cool.” The seminar was a great success,
featuring 55 individual listening sites, representing
eight states and 42 California cities – 263 partici-
pants in total.
The seminar included speaker Dave Ivan of
Michigan State University. Ivan was a popular
presenter last year at the League’s Annual Confer-
ence in San Diego.
Based on a research project he conducted,
Ivan identified successful themes that “cool” small
communities shared. These included citizen
engagement; realistic and flexible land use oppor-
tunities; adaptable zoning regulations; cultural
economic development; engaging and retaining
youth and families; preserving a town’s heritage
and natural amenities and a willingness to do it
yourselves.
As a result of the event’s success, the League
is now looking into other virtual seminar possibili-
ties. A CD-ROM that contains a Windows Media
recording of the event that you can play on your
computer and handout materials in .pdf format, is
available at www.cacities.org/coolsmallcities.
If you have a suggestion, please contact
Lorraine Okabe at lokabe@cacities.org.
‘SMALL CITIES CAN BE COOL’ VIRTUAL
SEMINAR A SUCCESS
Flex Your Power has created a Flex Alert
Network to help prevent California electrical
emergencies. Flex Alerts are sent via e-mail
24 hours in advance of impending energy
crunches.
Each e-mail includes important tips for
conserving electricity immediately. Join the Flex
Alert network now and help spread the word
before the lights begin to dim. To sign-up, visit
www.FlexYourPower.org/now. For more energy
saving tools and programs provided by Flex
Your Power, visit www.FlexYourPower.org.
SIGN-UP NOW FOR FLEX YOUR
POWER’S FLEX ALERTS!PRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 3 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
April 27, 2007 - Issue #16
SB 375: ANOTHER VISION FOR HOW CALIFORNIA SHOULD GROW
SB 303 is not the only bill concerning land use
and housing policy this session. SB 375, recently
amended by Sen. Darrell Steinberg, would elevate
the role of the regional transportation plans of
Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPSs) as
the framework for planning on a regional basis for
all land use needs, including housing.
Under this proposal, SB 375 would also serve
as the framework for allocating transportation
funding within each region. In addition, the mea-
sure provides important California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) relief.
Sponsored by the League of California Con-
servation Voters (a key League ally in defeating
Prop. 90 last year), SB 375 would have regional
transportation agencies (MPOs) develop “pre-
ferred growth scenarios” as part of the next
regional transportation plan.
These plans would be based on a variety of
standards, but would also be used to achieve
certain air quality standards as set by local air
quality boards.
While the bill states that these plans should
not affect local land use authority, SB 375 provides
that the MPOs expenditure of various transporta-
tion funds on projects shall be consistent with the
preferred growth scenario. The measure also
includes language that would relax CEQA review
for projects consistent with the preferred growth
scenario.
Will the Bill Produce Better Results?
On many levels, the idea behind this bill
makes sense. Many cities have recognized the
need for coordinated regional planning. Unlike the
“housing first” approach included in SB 303, SB
375 introduces a more balanced framework to
consider these issues regionally.
Cities have long complained that silo-like state
policies favoring competing goals in housing,
resource protection, farmland protection, and
business development without any coordination at
the state or regional level give cities an impossible
task in carrying out their land use responsibilities.
SB 375 may provide a vehicle for considering all
of these goals in the context of a regional growth
scenario, developed by locally elected officials.
As the legislation is analyzed and evaluated,
there are a number of key questions to consider:
• Is this a preferred approach to the one-
size-fits-all model of SB 303 and legislation of its
vintage?
• Will it produce better results for cities and
their residents? Will it lead to more sustainable
development?
• Can a regional “preferred growth scenario”
be used as an adequate yardstick to fund and plan
for regional and local transportation projects?
• Will the CEQA relief contained in the
measure be meaningful and promote more sus-
tainable development?
• How specifically will the “preferred growth
scenario” be developed, and what are the potential
impacts could it have on local land use authority?
League Position/Involvement
The League will not have a position on SB 375
until questions such as these are carefully an-
swered. However, the League has indicated a
willingness to discuss with Sen. Steinberg how
SB 375 might work.
There are a number of concerns, but the bill
touches on a variety of matters the League is
currently addressing, including housing, climate
change, air quality and flooding. Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 4 - PRIORITY FOCUS
April 27, 2007 - Issue #16
The League has received a number of inquiries
about SB 1020 (Padilla) and SB 1016 (Wiggins). Both
measures, if passed, would have significant impact on
the California Integrated Waste Management Act of
1989 (commonly referred to as AB 939).
If signed into law, SB 1020 would increase the AB
939 solid waste diversion mandate from 50 percent to
75 percent for all jurisdictions in California beginning
on Jan. 1, 2012.
SB 1016 had originally proposed a number of
major changes regarding how local jurisdictions track
and report their compliance with AB 939. These
changes were based on a series of stakeholder
meetings held in 2004 by the California Integrated
Waste Management Board (CIWMB).
It was clear, however, that the language did not
reflect the intent of the CIWMB and the language was
subsequently amended out of the bill on April 10.
In its current form, SB 1016 would authorize the
California Integrated Waste Management Board
(CIWMB) to allow a city or county to submit their
annual report every two years, if the jurisdiction has
diverted more than 50 percent of its solid waste from
landfill disposal through source reduction, recycling
and composting activities.
League Position
The League currently has no position on SB
1020 or SB 1016. Existing League policy does not
address increasing the statewide diversion require-
ments above 50 percent. Based on League policy
committee review of similar past bills, however, the
League has indicated that while it does not have a
position on an increased AB 939 goal, any such
proposal must also include significant efforts to
streamline the provisions of AB 939 to assist in
compliance.
In addition, existing League policy supports
legislation to provide changes to AB 939 to place
more emphasis on implementation of waste diversion
programs and less upon strict mathematical account-
ing (i.e. bean counting); and expansion of market
development activities. This includes the development
SB 1020 AND SB 1016: BILLS WOULD IMPACT
SOLID WASTE DIVERSION IN CALIFORNIA
of non-burn transformation technologies and provid-
ing funding for research and development of recy-
clable materials.
Future Developments
SB 1016 and 1020 passed the Senate Environ-
mental Quality Committee on Monday, March 16 and
will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee
where they will likely be heard in May.
Stay tuned to Priority Focus for future updates as
these bills are amended or negotiations on alterna-
tives progress.
???????????? ???????????
REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS ASK
GOVERNOR TO ADOPT ‘GOOD
NEIGHBOR’ POLICY ON GROUP HOMES
Assemblyman Bill Emmerson (R-Redlands) and
Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Inland Empire) recently circu-
lated a letter to their respective colleagues in the
Assembly and Senate. This letter asks them to
sign a letter to Gov. Schwarzenegger requesting a
meeting to discuss the adoption by the Administra-
tion of a “good neighbor policy” designed to im-
prove that interaction between state agencies and
local communities over the siting and operation of
group home facilities.
The petition letters were signed by all Republi-
can members of the Assembly and the Senate and
delivered to the Governor.
The letters discussed the different agencies
that either license or refer individuals to group
home facilities. They also stressed the need for an
adoption of practices that would significantly
improve coordination between the various agen-
cies that license these facilities and the communi-
ties in which they are sited.
The League commends both Assemblyman
Emmerson and Sen. Dutton on their dedication to
addressing the group homes issue and will con-
tinue to issue updates on this petition as develop-
ments occur.PRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 5 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
April 27, 2007 - Issue #16
RESIDENTIAL GROUP HOMES LEGISLATION: BILLS
CONTINUE TO MOVE THROUGH LEGISLATURE
During the last few weeks, a number of bills
addressing different aspects of residential group
homes have been heard in the Legislature. Al-
though many of the measures received of support,
only a handful passed out of their first committee –
AB 724, SB 992, AB 411, SB 709 and AB 370.
Below is an update of these League-supported
bills, and where they currently reside in the Legis-
lature:
• AB 724 (Benoit) Sober Living Homes –
AB 724 provides local governments the ability to
distinguish between a legitimate sober living home
and an illegitimate one. If signed into law, the bill
would create a definition of “sober living home” in
order to clarify a local government’s authority to
regulate the use and occupancy of a single-family
residence location in a single-family residential
zone that is not a sober living home or other
licensed facility.
AB 724 has been referred to the Assembly
Committee on Appropriations for a future hearing.
• SB 992 (Wiggins) Adult Recovery Main-
tenance Facilities – This measure would create
a new class of alcohol and drug recovery facilities
know as “Adult Recovery Maintenance Facilities”
(ARMF) to be licensed by the Department of
Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP).
SB 992 provides quality assurance and ac-
countability for programs that already exist in the
continuum of services available for people who
are in the process of recovering from drug or
alcohol dependency.
The bill is currently in the Senate Appropria-
tions Committee.
• AB 411 (Emmerson) and SB 709
(Dutton) Residential Care Facilities:
Overconcentration – If signed into law, these
measures would authorize a city or county to
submit to the Director of the Department of Social
Services (DSS) additional documentation and
evidence regarding the siting of a proposed facility
designed for six or fewer residents.
AB 411 and SB 709 would require the director
to review and consider the information to deter-
mine whether the adjacent uses are compatible
with the proposed facility. If the director deter-
mines that the proposed location is not appropri-
ate, he or she may suggest to the applicant to
consider alternative siting locations.
AB 411 provides an opportunity for the director
of DSS to have full information of the conditions
that exist at a proposed location, which will pro-
mote improved siting decisions.
Currently, AB 411 is in the Assembly Commit-
tee on Appropriations suspense file, while SB 709
is on the Senate Appropriations Committee sus-
pense file. While the costs in these bills are
negligible, this mechanism was used to kill similar
bills last year.
• AB 370 (Adams) Sex Offenders: Resi-
dency Restrictions – This bill would permit a city
or county to prohibit a registered sex offender
released on parole from residing with any other
person on parole in a residential facility serving six
or fewer residents. The exception is if the other
resident is related by blood, marriage or adoption.
AB 370 has been re-referred to the Assembly
Committee on Public Safety.
For more information on these bills, contact
League Legislative Analyst Genevieve Morelos at
gmorelos@cacities.org.
Our Mission
Restore and protect local control for cities
through education and advocacy to
enhance the quality of life for all Californians.Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 6 - PRIORITY FOCUS
Arpil 27, 2007 - Issue #16
???????????????????????? ?????????????????????????
SB 303 from page 5
After the bill was closely scrutinized by the
committee for more than two hours earlier in the
week, and again in a special hearing, Sen. Ducheny
agreed to take out a number of troublesome provi-
sions in the bill.
The major items that were removed from SB
303:
• Removed the narrowed the definition of
“health and safety”
• Removed the required a four-fifths vote
• Removed language requiring courts to give
the California Department of Housing and
Community Development (HCD) determina-
tions about local housing elements greater
deference
Many of the League’s concerns were amended
out of the bill, but several issues remain. These
include:
• 10-Year Update. Requires each element in
the general plan to be updated as needed every 10
years.
• 10-Year RHNA Number; Five (5)-Year
Review. The Regional Housing Needs Assess-
ment (RHNA) planning period would stay at five
years. Local agencies would be given a 10-year
number, however, with the idea that this will provide
a longer term outlook in the planning process.
• Five (5)-year zoning + Five (5)-year
designation. Those who are “in the know” are
wondering what cities will do with a 10-year RHNA
number and a five-year planning period. Cities will
have to zone for five years and designate intended
areas to zone for the second five years.
This is likely to cause problems with general
plan consistency requirements and SB 303’s
language will have to be read closely when it comes
into print.
• Three years to pre-zone the RHNA.
Local agencies will be given two years to complete
their housing element when they are given their
RHNA number, and then have one year after that to
complete their zoning for the five-year planning
period. Therefore, the zoning would have to be
complete one year after the housing element is
completed.
• Charter City Consistency. The requirement
that zoning will have to be consistent with the general
plan would apply to charter cities by January 1, 2011.
• Funding and Mandates. There is no word
yet on how all of this will get funded. Significant
mandates are involved. Sen. Ducheny has agreed to
keep working on this issue.
• Health and Safety Finding. Though the
super-majority vote requirement is gone, local agen-
cies would be limited to the extent that they could
change a zoning designation after an application if
filed upon a simple majority of the legislative body
making specific health and safety findings.
• Required Review of Open Space Ele-
ment. Environmentalists requested certainty on
environmental concerns to counter the emphasis on
housing and development in SB 303. Sen. Ducheny
agreed to amendments that would require periodic
updates of the open space element of the general
plan. The language to these amendments will follow
shortly.
SB 303 will next go to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, where some of the significant funding
and cost issues are likely to be addressed. The
League continues its opposition to the bill and re-
quests cities to submit oppose letters to the Legisla-
ture.
For more information and a sample opposition
letter on SB 303, visit www.cacities.org/billsearch and
look up the measure. Further updates on this legisla-
tion will appear in future editions of Priority Focus.
Questions should be directed to League Legisla-
tive Representative Bill Higgins at
bhiggins@cacities.org or Legislative Director Dan
Carrigg at dcarrigg@cacities.org .PRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 7 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
April 27, 2007 - Issue #16
Continued on Page 8
While AB 900 passed off the Assembly Floor
with virtually no discussion, the measure faced a
larger hurdle in the Senate. The plan was debated
primarily by Republicans, who said they needed
more time to renew the plan after having just hours
to study the language befire the vote.
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata revealed
that while the plan isn’t ideal, action was needed to
avoid federal involvement.
“Democrats are not in favor of the plan as a
whole, but the Legislature has not acted to give
Governor Schwarzenegger the authority or plan to
deal with the overpopulation issue,” Perata said.
“Something has to be done now to avoid the federal
government from taking over California’s prison
system.”
Sen. Perata also said that the AB 900 plan is
more responsible than many of the measures that
move through the Legislature because it contains
two phases. Specifically, it requires reporting on the
success of Phase I prior to seeking authorization to
implement Phase II.
Re-entry Facilities, a Role for Cities?
While much of the two-phased plan calls for
16,000 “infill” beds at existing prisons, of particular
interest to local governments is the addition of
16,000 “re-entry” beds at facilities at the local level.
These “re-entry” beds would be used to house
short-term parole violators and inmates in the final
months of their terms.
Each facility would include 500 beds and house
inmates within one year prior to being released
from custody. The plan stipulates that re-entry
facilities will only be cited in communities that
request a facility and a city or county has authority
to identify the proposed location of the facility.
The purpose of the re-entry facilities is to break
California’s entrenched cycle of parolee failure.
The goal is to reduce post-release criminal behav-
ior of high risk offenders by returning parolees to
their county of last legal residence, and to scale
back the failure rate of at-risk parolees revoked
with no new prison term.
PRISON REFORM from page 1 ??????????????????????????? ??????????????
Details of the Plan
The prison plan will be funded primarily through
lease revenue bonds. It also includes local match
funding for county jail facilities as well as General
Fund appropriations. The plan adds 53,000 beds
to new and existing state and local facilities in two
phases as follows:
Phase I:
• 12,000 infill beds at existing state facilities
• 6,000 beds at re-entry facilities
• 6,000 beds at health care facilities
• 8,000 beds at county jail facilities
Phase II:
• 4,000 infill beds at existing state facilities
• 10,000 beds at re-entry facilities
• 2,000 beds at health care facilities
• 5,000 beds at county jail facilities
In addition, the plan includes the following:
• Transfer of inmates to out of state prison
facilities
• Mitigation funds for local governments
impacted by prison facilities (details are
not yet available)
• Funding for infrastructure improvements at
facilities expected to receive infill beds
• Program requirements for facilities accom-
modating infill beds to include
academic or vocational education, drug
treatment, work programs, etc.
• Mental health day treatment programs
• The development of a “prison-to-work”
program
• Establishes an 11-member Correctional
Rehabilitation Oversight Board
Updates to this issue will be reported in Priority
Focus and on the Public Safety section of the
League’s Web site (www.cacities.org/ps) as they
develop.Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 8 - PRIORITY FOCUS
April 27, 2007 - Issue #16
Continued on Page 9
INFRASTRUCTURE from page 1
?????????????????? ??????????????????????
There are a number of bills of particular
interest to cities. Here is a brief summary on
some of these measures, and where they cur-
rently stand in the Legislature:
Proposition 1B
Local Street and Road Funds
• SB 286 (Dutton). SB 286 is a League-
sponsored bill that defines an allocation schedule
for the $2 billion included in Prop.1B as a direct
allocation to cities and counties. Specifically, SB
286 guarantees that every city will receive at least
half of their Prop. 1B funds to spend in the next
two fiscal years (the 2007-08 Prop. 42 “gap” year
and 2008-09).
This is extremely important for local govern-
ments. Without significant funding in the 2007-08
Prop 42 “gap” year, cities and counties will not
receive any money for local streets and roads.
SB 286 allocates any remaining funds (funds not
spent in 2007-08 and 2008-09) to cities no later
than January 1, 2010 for fiscal years 2009-10 and
2010-11.
Recent Activity: SB 286 passed out of the
Senate Transportation and Housing Committee on
Tuesday, April 24, with a 10-1 vote. Next, it will be
heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The League continues to advocate for accelerated
payments of these funds to cities and will seek a
full appropriation in the state budget of the $1
billion for cities.
Cities should send support letters on this bill.
For a sample letter, look up SB 286 at
www.cacities.org/billsearch.
State-Local Partnership Program Legislation
Prop. 1B includes $1 billion for the State-Local
Partnership Program (SLPP), which requires local
matching funds to access bond money. There are
three bills currently moving forward in the Legisla-
ture that attempt to outline the criteria and eligibility
requirements for implementing the SLPP. Those
measures are:
• AB 1351 (Levine)
• SB 748 (Corbett)
• SB 872 (Ackerman)
These measures outline the sources of the
local eligible match required to compete for the
funding, though not all outline the same source
(i.e. voter approved sales taxes vs. parcel taxes
vs. bridge tolls vs. other voter approved taxes and
fees dedicated to transportation purposes).
The League is advocating for maximum
flexibility for the local match. A comparison of the
three measures can be found at www.cacities.org/
infrastructure.
Goods Movement
• SB 9 (Lowenthal). This bill establishes a
process for selecting projects under the $2 billion
Trade Corridor Improvement Fund. The measure
requires that proposed projects be included in an
approved regional transportation plan.
Factors in selection include:
• An estimate of the emissions produced
during the construction
• Operation of a proposed project
• Ongoing monitoring and mitigation of air
impacts of projects funded by these bond
funds
Recent Activity: SB 9 passed out of the
Senate Transportation and Housing Committee
and was referred to the Senate Appropriations
Committee.
• SB 19 (Lowenthal). SB 19 specifies
projects eligible to receive $1 billion in funding
made available under Prop. 1B to reduce air
emissions associated with goods movement.PRIORITY FOCUS - PAGE 9 Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org
April 27, 2007 - Issue #16
??????????????? ?????????????????????????
INFRASTRUCTURE from page 8
Recent Activity: This bill passed out of the
Senate Transportation and Housing Committee
and was referred to the Senate Appropriations
Committee for a future hearing.
The League encourages cities interested in
goods movement to track both SB 9 and SB 19
and engage in discussions on these issues as
appropriate.
Proposition 1C: Housing and Infrastructure
Bond
More than half of Prop. 1C funds are allocated
to traditional state housing programs that do not
require additional legislative action. As a result,
the legislative focus is concentrated in three
areas:
• Allocating $850 million in infill infrastructure
funds
• Allocating 200 million in funding urban,
suburban and rural parks
• Allocating $100 million in housing innova-
tion funds (In addition, there has been
some legislative action to add require-
ments to the $300 million transit-oriented
development fund.
Allocation of $850 Million:
While there have been numerous bills intro-
duced relating to this topic, the following two
measures are likely to emerge as the implementa-
tion measures:
• SB 46 (Perata). Requires the California
Department of Housing and Community Develop-
ment (HCD) to establish and administer a com-
petitive grant program to allocate those funds to
selected qualifying infill projects.
Recent Activity: The Senate Transportation
and Housing Committee recommended that the
bill be passed, but first required that it be re-
referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee
for a hearing. This measure will likely have a
hearing in May.
• AB 1053 (Nunez). Although this bill
continues to be a work in progress, the League
believes that this bill will eventually emerge as the
main Assembly vehicle on this issue.
Recent Activity: AB 1053 was heard and
passed in the Assembly Committee on Housing
and Community Development early this week. It
was referred to the Assembly Committee on
Appropriations for a future hearing.
Allocation of $200 Million for Parks:
• AB 1252 (Caballero). If signed into law,
AB 1252 would create the Housing-Related Parks
Program within the Department of Parks and
Recreation using the $200 million in funding
allocated for housing-related parks grants in
urban, suburban and rural areas in Prop. 1C.
Overall, the bill would provide grants to cities
and counties (on a per bedroom basis for related
new or underserved affordable housing) for the
creation or rehabilitation of parks in conjunction
with eligible housing projects.
Recent Activity: AB 1252 was amended and
passed through the Assembly Committee on
Housing and Community Development. It will next
be heard at the Assembly Committee on Appro-
priations, most likely in May.
Housing Innovation Funds:
• SB 582 (Dutton). Since Sen. Dutton was
the key vote in getting out the housing bond, most
predict that his bill will be the vehicle to watch.
Currently, SB 586 creates four separate accounts
for this money:
° $50 million for a revolving land acquisi-
tion account to help jumpstart affordable
housing
° $5 million for a construction liability
insurance reform program
° $35 million for a local housing trust fund
Continued on Page 10Visit the League’s Official Website--www.cacities.org PAGE 10 - PRIORITY FOCUS
April 27, 2007 - Issue #16
matching program that would empha
size first time homebuyer programs
° $10 million for the existing Mobile Home
Park Ownership Program.
Recent Activity: This fund is somewhat
unique because the language in Prop. 1C states
that the criteria for the $100 million in this fund
must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the
Legislature. This bill will be heard in the Senate
Appropriations Committee on May 7.
Proposition 84 - The Safe Drinking Water,
Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control,
River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of
2006
While there are a number of bills in both
houses that direct funds from Prop. 84 to different
specific uses (funds for urban parks, urban
greening, groundwater contamination, and flood
protection), SB 732 (Steinberg) is emerging as the
most comprehensive of all Prop. 84 bond bills.
Budget proposals, budget trailer bills, and
more comprehensive Assembly bills will likely
surface as the legislative session continues.
However, at this time, there are no other bills that
have taken as broad a look at funds under Prop.
84.
• SB 732 (Steinberg). This measure is the
Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply,
Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond
Act of 2006. SB 732 establishes a number of
requirements and guidelines about the allocation
of the $580 million available through Prop. 84.
Recent Activity: The bill was heard in and
passed by the Senate Committee on Natural
Resources and Water. It was referred to the
Senate Committee on Appropriations for a future
hearing.
• AB 1253 (Caballero). AB 1253 would
create the Sustainable Communities Regional
and Local Land Use Planning Program within the
Resources Agency. The program would use the
$90 million made available from Prop. 84 for
planning grants and incentives for the development
of specified regional and local land use plans.
Grants and loans to local governments, coun-
cils of governments, and other public agencies
would be made for these purposes, subject to
specified criteria developed by the Office of Plan-
ning and Research.
Recent Activity: AB 1253 was heard in and
passed by the Assembly Committee on Water,
Parks and Wildlife on Monday, April 23. The
measure was referred to the Assembly Committee
on Appropriations for a future hearing.
• SB 167 (McLeod). This bill would require
the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research to
administer a grants and loan program to prepare,
adopt, and amend general plans and regional
blueprints.
The program would use the $90 million made
available from Prop. 84 for planning grants and
incentives for the development of specified re-
gional and local land use plans. The measure
would draw from the same source of funds as AB
1253 (Caballero).
Recent Activity: AB 1253 passed out of the
Senate Local Government Committee and is now
off to the Senate Appropriations Committee for its
next hearing.
For further updates to these bills and other
measures affecting infrastructure implementation,
please visit www.cacities.org/infrastructure.
Information will also be published in future issues
of Priority Focus.
??????????????? ?????????????????????????
INFRASTRUCTURE from page 9
May 4, 2007
Issue #17-2007
IN THIS ISSUE:
Page 3: League African American Caucus to Host Inaugural Breakfast
U.S. Communities Celebrates 10 Years – And Saves Cities Millions
Page 4: CMTA Celebrates Municipal Treasurers Day and Week
Page 5: Have a Housing Success Story? Tell Us About It!
Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee – or Ask League Leg Staff
Legislative Bill Summaries
LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS SET FOR MAY 16-17 IN SACRAMENTO
Make Your Voice Heard at the State Capitol!
The League of California Cities’ annual Legislative Action Days are scheduled for May 16-17, at
the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel, in Sacramento.
Join your colleagues to learn the latest on League priority issues such as infrastructure, eminent
domain reform, climate change and the state budget. In addition, Legislative Action Days are a
prime opportunity for your city to meet with legislators and deliver the clear message of
preserving local services throughout California. For more, see Page 2.
•••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• ••
DENSITY BONUS BILLS GO THE TWO-YEAR ROUTE
Two density bonus bills, AB 1256 (Caballero) and the AB 1449 (Saldana), will be held in the
Assembly Local Government Committee until next year. The issues presented in these bills will
now become the focus of a Density Bonus Law Working Group, consisting of practitioners and
stakeholders. For more, see Page 2.
•••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• •• •••• ••• ••• ••
KEEPING UP: EVA SPIEGEL HIRED AS LEAGUE
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
The League of California Cities is pleased to welcome Eva Spiegel as its new communications
director. Eva officially started on April 25. She brings a diverse background as a journalist and
project manager to the League’s Communications Department. For more, see Page 3.
2
‘Density Bonus Bills’ Continued from Page 1…
The group hopes to come to a consensus on the structure, language and impacts on the state
law, and come back next year with a process and design that works for everyone.
Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, chair of the Assembly Local Government Committee, will
oversee the process.
The League is sponsoring AB 1256, which would exempt local agencies that have inclusionary
housing ordinances from meeting specified criteria in the state Density Bonus Law. AB 1449,
sponsored by the California Chapter of the American Planning Association, would streamline and
clarify the process for granting incentives and bonus under the law.
Specific details on the Density Bonus Law Working Group remain to be worked out, but the
meetings could start as soon as June or July. Further updates on the group will be published in
Priority Focus as they become available.
______________________________________________________________________
‘Legislative Action Days’ Continued from Page 1…
Confirmed general session speakers include:
• Sen. Alex Padilla (former League president), who will discuss SCR 31 and Healthy
Communities Month
• Sens. Alan Lowenthal and Bob Dutton, who will speak on SB 286 and infrastructure
issues
• Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, chair, Assembly Local Government Committee
• Assemblyman John Laird, chair, Assembly Budget Committee
• Sen. Dick Ackerman, Senate Republican Leader
• Assemblyman Roger Niello, vice chair, Assembly Budget Committee
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez; Business, Transportation and Housing Secretary Dale Bonner;
and California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Linda Adams are also invited to give
remarks.
In addition, Sen. Christine Kehoe and Assemblyman Dave Jones will be honored with a special
presentation.
A Healthy Evening Reception
Wednesday evening, come join a variety of legislators and your city colleagues at a special
legislative reception at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento. “Healthy Communities” is among the
themes of this reception. The event will highlight the ways California cities are promoting healthy
communities through parks and recreation programs, community design and other measures.
Bill Mabie, chief of staff to Sen. Alex Padilla is also scheduled to make a presentation at the
reception to acknowledge the 10th anniversary of the Cities, Counties and Schools (CCS)
Partnership.
Incorporated in 1997, the CCS Partnership is a nonprofit, nonpartisan collaboration of the League
of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties and the California School Boards
Association. The CCS Partnership promotes collaboration among jurisdictions to achieve strong,
healthy communities for children and their families.
For more information on Legislative Action Days and a tentative schedule of events, visit
www.cacities.org/events.
_____________________________________________________________________________ 3
League African American Caucus to Host Inaugural Breakfast
Majority Leader Karen Bass Will Discuss ‘The State of Black California’
The League of California Cities African American Caucus will host its inaugural legislative
breakfast during the League’s Legislative Action Days on Wednesday, May 16.
California Assembly Majority Leader Karen Bass will discuss “The State of Black California,” a
report that was commissioned by the Legislature. The goal of the report was to develop a public
policy agenda for the California Legislative Black Caucus, local elected and appointed officials
The breakfast will be held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento, from 8 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Attendance is free and breakfast will be provided. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP
to Yvette Harris at (916) 658-8253.
For more information on the League’s African American Caucus, visit www.cacities.org/caucus1.
Membership forms are available from League Legislative Representative P. Anthony Thomas.
Thomas can be reached at (916) 658-8279 or athomas@cacities.org.
Latino Caucus Event Also Planned
From 9 a.m. to noon, the Latino Caucus will have a discussion on the challenges of civic
engagement. A continental breakfast will be served at this event. Registration is available on a
first-come, first-serve basis by calling (916) 669-1343.
_____________________________________________________________________________
‘Eva Spiegel’ Continued from Page 1…
Eva comes to the League from the American Communications Foundation (ACF), a nonprofit that
had a mission to produce news stories on substantive public policy and social issues for
commercial broadcast news outlets.
Eva began her tenure at ACF in 1995, when she was hired to produce a series for The Osgood
File (CBS Radio Network) on democracy, citizenship and community. She also covered other
subjects, including religion and American society, rural America, environment, and science and
technology.
A firm believer that people are most engaged politically at the local level, Eva is excited to
combine her interest in the political process with her journalism roots. League Executive Director
Chris McKenzie is equally as enthusiastic to add Eva’s talents to the League’s management staff.
“We’re delighted to have Eva onboard here at the League,” said League Executive Director Chris
McKenzie. “Her wide range of experience as a journalist, particularly on community and civic
engagement issues, will help strengthen the League’s ability to communicate its mission.”
Eva graduated with a master’s degree in broadcast & electronic communications arts from San
Francisco State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the
University of California, Davis.
To contact Eva, e-mail her at espiegel@cacities.org.
_____________________________________________________________________________
U.S. Communities Celebrates 10 Years – And Saves Cities Millions
The U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance marked its 10-year anniversary recently,
celebrating with a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington D.C.
4
At the conference, Rick Grimm, chief executive officer of the National Institute of Government
Purchasing and chair of the U.S. Communities board of directors, gave the program high marks.
He revealed that U.S. Communities has saved its 20,000 participants more than $735 million,
with $150 million of that amount in 2006 alone. In 2006, the program generated more than $1
billion in total sales.
One of the powerful effects of tapping into the collective purchasing power of public agencies
nationwide is that municipalities separated by vast geography can collaborate. For example,
Gerry Hyland, supervisor of Fairfax County, Va., reports that his county has saved millions using
Los Angeles County’s contract.
Hyland cited the office and school supply program as a prime example.
“By using the Los Angeles County contract, Fairfax County saved over $1.6 million in fiscal year
2006 [on just] one contract,” he said.
Program History
Originally part of California Communities, the program was created by the League of California
Cities and the California State Association of Counties (CSAC). It became a national program in
1997 and was renamed to reflect its national scope. The program is co-sponsored by the National
League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the
Association of School Business Officials and the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing.
U.S. Communities provides increasing value for growing number of participating California public
agencies. Large cities and counties are the greatest users of U.S. Communities, but small cities
have the largest percentage of savings, as they cannot secure the level of discounts on their own.
Here are some of the primary advantages of the U.S. Communities Purchasing Alliance:
• Competitive solicited contracts by a lead public agency
• Most favorable public agency pricing
• No cost to participate, each contract is optional and non-exclusive
• Broad range of high quality products
• Thousands of environmentally certified products and services
• Nationally sponsored by leading associations and purchasing organizations
• Effectively aggregates purchasing power of public agencies nationwide
• Managed by public purchasing professionals
For more information on the program, visit www.uscommunities.org or contact Dan Harrison at
dharrison@cacities.org.
_________________________________________________________________________
CMTA Celebrates Municipal Treasurers Day and Week
The California Municipal Treasurers Association (CMTA), an affiliate organization of the League
of California Cities, celebrated Municipal Treasurers Day and Week during its Annual Conference
in Long Beach.
CMTA sponsored a special measure, Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 33, in the State
Legislature to highlight the many accomplishments of municipal treasurers in California. ACR 33
commemorated May 2 as Municipal Treasurers Day and the week of April 30 - May 6 as
Municipal Treasurers Week.
Authored by Assemblywoman Anna Caballero (D-Salinas), chair of the Assembly Local
Government Committee, the measure flew through both the Assembly and Senate. It was
recently chaptered by the Secretary of State, with additional support from the League, State
Treasurer Bill Lockyer, and the California Special Districts Association. 5
Lockyer was on-hand to help kick-off the CMTA conference, delivering the keynote address on
Municipal Treasurers Day. CMTA President Vikki Beatley recognized and thanked Lockyer and
Caballero for their work on ACR 33, saying that the association looks forward to making it an
annual celebration.
For more information about ACR 33, look up the bill at www.cacities.org/billsearch.
_________________________________________________________________________
Have a Housing Success Story? Tell Us About It!
Focus on Housing, the League of California Cities’ electronic monthly housing newsletter, is
seeking new housing success stories to profile for its upcoming issues.
Has your city redeveloped a blighted or underused site with new affordable housing in the past
two years? If so, we want to know about it. Typical housing success stories published in Focus
on Housing range between 250-400 words, and include “before and after” photos to illustrate the
property’s change.
For an example of one of the newsletter’s success stories, visit
www.imakenews.com/focusonhousing and read “Las Brisas Helps Revitalize South Los Angeles.”
Questions and submissions should be sent to League Communications Specialist Brian Heaton
at bheaton@cacities.org.
_____________________________________________________________________________
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.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Legislative Bill Summaries
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
AB 1496 (Swanson) Local Government: Cities and Counties: Civil Service. AB 1496 would
mandate restrictive changes to all city and county civil service and merit systems by March 1,
2008. Specifically, it would require inclusion of all employees within the civil service or merit
system except:
1) apprentices or technical experts employed temporarily for a specific project, or
2) substitute or short term employees paid for less than 50 percent of work days in a fiscal year,
where the employment is not needed on a continuing basis. Substitute employees would be
restricted to a person(s) collectively employed no longer than 60 days.
In addition to significant staffing restrictions imposed on local agencies, this bill would be very
costly when it forces replacement of temporary personnel with permanent personnel on regular or
overtime payment. It would impact city's summer program staff, reserve police officers, snow
removal personnel, lifeguards hired annually, and peak work-load staff hired by planning and
building departments.
Please send in letters of opposition and let your legislators know how this would impact your city.
Staff: Anthony Thomas; Status: AsmFlr, Third Reading; Position: Oppose.
6
AB 553 (Hernandez) Public Employment Relations Board. AB 553 would eliminate local
government's ability to seek injunctive relief for a potential strike, by providing the Public
Employment Relations Board (PERB) with exclusive authorization to seek court injunctive relief.
Cities and counties have a long history, statutory authority and common law over issues of public
health and safety, while PERB. This bill would add an unnecessary delay and additional step to a
process designed to protect the public health and safety, and would usurp existing city and
county authority. Staff: Anthony Thomas; Status: AsmPER&SS, Hrg May 2; Position: Oppose.
Want to Send a Letter in Support of a League Position? Here’s Who to call:
ASSEMBLY PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY (6)—Hernandez
(Chair), Jeffries (Vice Chair), Anderson, Mullin, Soto, and Torrico. Chief Consultant: Karon Green.
1020 N Street, Room 153. (916) 319-3957.
_____________________________________________________________________________