April 6, 2022
Issue highlights:

  • Proposed federal COVID-19 response bill protects and expands the use of ARPA dollars for cities
  • Federal agencies release new recovery resources, including anticipated funding opportunity dates and updated ARPA guidance
  • Submit your city's Helen Putnam Award for Excellence application by April 14

Read below for more news and events.
Proposed federal COVID-19 response bill protects and expands the use of ARPA dollars for cities
A bipartisan COVID-19 response bill that protects and expands the use of American Rescue Plan Act dollars for cities is advancing through Congress. The increased flexibility would help communities meet their recovery priorities more holistically and optimize investments. Read more
Upcoming legislative hearings on bills of interest to cities
The Legislature’s spring recess begins after both houses adjourn on April 7. When lawmakers return, they will face a crucial legislative deadline. Policy committees must send any bills with fiscal impacts to appropriations committees by April 29. Read more
Cal Cities is recognized as 2022 Annual Webby Awards Honoree
The League of California Cities earned the distinction of “Webby Honoree” in the Best Association Websites and Mobile Sites category of the 26th Annual Webby Awards. The new website ranked in the top 20% of the thousands of projects submitted this year. Read more
Guide to Local Recovery Update: April 6

Support is needed for a federal bill that protects and expands the use of American Rescue Plan Act dollars; the U.S. Department of the Treasury has released an updated reporting guide for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program; federal agencies have provided new resources for infrastructure programs; the National League of Cities has released new resources for the federal infrastructure law; and the White House has launched one-stop-shop for COVID-19 vaccines, tests, treatments, and masks. Read more
Cal Cities seeking proposals for fire chief and municipal finance conferences

The League of California Cities is seeking unique, forward-looking topics for two December conferences, the Fire Chiefs Leadership Seminar and Municipal Finance Institute. Both events take place at the Hyatt Regency Monterey, Dec. 7-8, 2022. Submissions from individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations on any topic of interest are welcome. Read more
Cal Cities Speaker Series presents:

  • Daniel Hahn, retired city of Sacramento chief of police — With a deep commitment to public service and his exemplary record of leadership and resilience, Chief Daniel Hahn is uniquely positioned to discuss trends in leadership and policing, such as civil unrest, police department transparency and accountability, and the rise in organized retail theft. Wednesday, April 20, 10:00 a.m. Register today

  • Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., California Secretary of State — With an impressive career as an educator, legislator, California’s current Secretary of State, and a life-long commitment to secure and expand civil rights, Dr. Shirley Weber brings a unique and captivating perspective to issues and trends that matter most to cities and city leaders. Registration must be completed by May 3 at noon. Don’t miss it! Wednesday, May 4, 1:00 p.m. Register today
Register now for City Leaders Summit; reduced hotel rate ends April 19

May 11-13 — Taking place in Sacramento, the City Leaders Summit is a new event where city officials can influence policy decisions in the Capitol and expand their knowledge and policy chops during three days of in-depth sessions and discussions on the key issues facing cities. A limited number of hotel rooms are available at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento at a reduced rate for conference attendees that register before April 19. Register today
Last chance: Help shape the 2022 Annual Conference and Expo program

The League of California Cities is recruiting volunteers to help shape the program at this year's Annual Conference and Expo, scheduled for September in Long Beach. Volunteers will provide feedback through an online survey, which helps Cal Cities ensure that the broadest representation of members can inform decisions on educational programming. The deadline to volunteer is today, April 6. Read more
Round 2 Homekey program grant applications now open

The California Department of Housing and Community Development is making an estimated $1.45 billion available to local public entities to convert non-residential units into permanent or interim housing, purchase affordability covenants, and other related housing projects for unhoused residents. The deadline to apply is May 2. Read more
$1.5 million in funding for rural fire departments available

An increasingly dry climate means that rural California is under almost constant threat of wildfire. The Rural Fire Capacity Grant Program provides local and rural fire departments with funding for training, communications, and safety equipment support for their volunteer firefighters. The program is not intended for major equipment purchases and a 50/50 match is required. Apply by May 4. Read more
Specialized Emergency Housing Program applications due May 23

Unhoused residents have a variety of needs that extend beyond shelter, which often create additional hurdles to permanent housing. The Specialized Emergency Housing Program expands emergency shelter and housing assistance and provides supportive services for victims of crime with specialized needs (elderly, youth, men, disabled, LGBTQ+, non-English speaking, and culturally or religiously marginalized) who cannot be served through a traditional shelter. Read more
Local Governance Summer Institute scholarships available 

Taking place July 24-29, the Local Governance Summer Institute seminar brings together Stanford University, industry, and local governance experts to create innovative and appropriate solutions for pressing local government issues, including COVID-19, equity, public safety, wildfires, housing, and homelessness. Three scholarships from the California Statewide Communities Development Authority are still available for local government professionals interested in attending the seminar. Read more
Submit your city's Helen Putnam Award for Excellence application by April 14

Each year, the League of California Cities honors the outstanding work of member cities through the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program. The awards, sponsored by Cal Cities League Partners, recognize the successes of cities, as demonstrated by beneficial innovations, resourceful efficiencies, improved public service, and overall enhanced public trust and support. Entries must be submitted online by April 14, at 5:00 p.m. Read more
Interested in serving on the 2022-23 Cal Cities Board of Directors?

Serving on the Cal Cities Board of Directors is an opportunity for you to shape state policy and the actions of the organization. Cal Cities is currently accepting applications for second vice president and six at-large positions. Applications are due by the close of business on April 27. Read more
CalRecyle to host SB 1383 procurement requirements webinar

Tuesday, May 3, 10:00 a.m. — CalRecycle is hosting a webinar on how jurisdictions are implementing SB 1383 (Lara, 2016) procurement requirements. The webinar will highlight how jurisdictions are coordinating their procurement efforts, ways to utilize procured compost and mulch, and how to form agreements with direct service providers. To get your question answered during the webinar, email SLCP.Organics@calrecycle.ca.gov and indicate that the question(s) is for this webinar. Register today
Federal infrastructure package ends a years-long funding drought, and Cal Cities is committed to ensuring all cities get their turn at the faucet

After months of negotiations, Congress passed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. If your city is like mine, you have a long list of infrastructure projects that need funding. The challenge is that the federal infrastructure package is incredibly complicated, encompassing hundreds of separate programs across multiple agencies. Read more
Congress passed a historic infrastructure law: What this means for California and its cities

For years, the League of California Cities has fought for state and federal infrastructure funding. In 2021, the federal government responded with an infrastructure package, including $45 billion expected for California. Cal Cities is carrying out multiple strategies to ensure cities have what they need to access the funding. Read more
4 LA County cities, including Redondo Beach, Whittier, file legal challenge against state housing bill, Mar. 31, Los Angeles Daily News, The Orange County Registrar, and 25 others

Four Los Angeles County cities have filed a legal challenge to Senate Bill 9, a state law that permits single-family lots to be divided for development of two-to-four houses. About 240 cities and the League of California Cities presented Newsom with a letter ... in which they urged him to veto the bill. “SB 9 strips cities of their local land use authority and in essence eliminates single-family residential zones,” said Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes. The bill “takes away the power of cities to respond to the housing crisis in meaningful and practical ways that will best suit the unique circumstances facing each local community.” Read more
Cities, counties unite against initiative, Mar. 31, The Sacramento Bee

The California State Association of Counties and the League of California Cities have teamed up to oppose a proposed ballot measure that would restrict voter input by making it more difficult for local voters to pass measures that fund local services and infrastructure. “This far-reaching initiative would retroactively cancel measures that were already passed by local voters — effectively undermining their rights to decide what their communities need,” said Carolyn Coleman, executive director and CEO of the League of California Cities. Read more
Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities and a leader in the clean energy transformation. For more than 130 years, Southern California Edison has provided safe, reliable, and affordable electric service. Learn more
April 13
Mayors and Council Members Roundtable

April 19
Senior Centers and Resources Roundtable

April 20
Cal Cities Speaker Series presents: Daniel Hahn, retired city of Sacramento chief of police

April 21
City Clerks Roundtable

April 27
City Managers Roundtable
May 4
Cal Cities Speaker Series presents: Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. California Secretary of State

May 4-6 (Sold out!)
City Attorneys Spring Conference

May 11-13
City Leaders Summit

Sept. 7-9 (Save the date!)
Annual Conference and Expo

Dec. 7-8 (Save the date!)
Municipal Finance Institute
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