News from the Institute for Local Government
February 2022:
We Love Local Government
A Message From ILG's CEO & Executive Director
LATEST NEWS
Greetings from ILG’s New Board Chair
Teresa Acosta, Councilmember, City of Carlsbad
Dear Friends of ILG,
 
Thank you for your continued support of ILG's important work to promote good government at the local level throughout California!
 
As this year's chair of the board of directors, I am committed to strengthening our services and growing our network. We have been helping and supporting local leaders for more than 65 years now, and excitingly, over the past couple of years, we successfully leveled up, adapting to new and challenging circumstances alongside you. Under the leadership of our amazing CEO Erica Manuel, our team of staff have been convening top experts to train and share best practices with you, while we simultaneously produce and update a variety of critical resources for local governments.
 
I welcome and invite those who don't really know us to reach out to us, follow us on social media, and attend some of our virtual events and trainings. Stay tuned for announcements about this year's programming lineup, and please feel free to reach out any time with your suggestions and questions.
 
In this together,
 
Teresa Acosta
ILG Board Chair 2022-23
Carlsbad City Councilmember
info@ca-ilg.org
Bi-Annual Report Now Available
For Download
ILG Releases Bi-Annual Report of 2020-2021 Impact

The Bi-Annual Report for 2021-2021 is now available. Read about what we’ve been up to during the pandemic; how we’ve adapted to the “new normal” and continued to make an impact for cities, counties and special districts in the state.
SHOWING LOVE FOR LOCAL LEADERS
New Article: Managing Angry Mobs Disrupting Governing Board Meetings
By Frank Benest, Rusty Kennedy & Erica L. Manuel

Responses to the recent ILG planning survey highlighted that local government leaders are still struggling with contentious and unruly behavior at governing board meetings. Public frustration about issues ranging from COVID-19 safety protocols to homelessness to social justice continues to impact the tone and tenor of public meetings. Our new article explores this growing trend and shares some of the governance tools that local leaders can consider when determining the best approach for maintaining order while also being responsive and empathetic to community needs.
ILG Receives Dozens of Nominations for Local Government Champions in February

We’ve had a great response to our call for nominations of local government staff, elected and appointed officials who are doing great work in the service of their communities. We started recognizing some of our nominees in social media and will continue to highlight at least one nominee each week for the rest of the year. But all of our nominees deserve to be highlighted. Here’s a list of this month’s nominees.
  • Salem Afeworki, Energy and Sustainability Services Manager, City of Costa Mesa
  • Al Austin II, Councilmember, City of Long Beach
  • Jason Behrmann, City Manager, City of Elk Grove
  • Elena Bolbolian, Chief Innovation Officer, City of Glendale
  • Joy Brenner, Council Member, City of Newport Beach
  • Yolanda Bundy, Environmental Sustainability Department Director, City of Malibu
  • Jennifer Carvalho, Recreation Supervisor, Town of Yountville
  • Shasa Curl, City Manager, City of Richmond
  • Alexa Davis, Assistant City Manager, City of Rolling Hills Estates 
  • Bridgette Dean, Director, Department of Community Response, City of Sacramento
  • Serge Dedina, Mayor, City of Imperial Beach 
  • Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager, City of Whittier
  • Robert Garcia, Mayor, City of Long Beach
  • Ani Garibyan, Planner, County of San Luis Obispo
  • Laura Garnette, Chief Probation Officer, County of Santa Clara
  • Stacey Gill, Permit Center Supervisor, Town of Danville
  • Greg Grammer, City Manager, City of Rolling Hills Estates 
  • Ryan Heitz, Economic Development Specialist, County of Humboldt
  • Jack Johnson, Senior Sustainability Specialist, County of San Mateo County
  • Wendy Macias, Public Works Manager, City of Paramount
  • Porsche Middleton, Mayor, City of Citrus Heights
  • Bridgette Moore, Councilmember, City of Wildomar 
  • Devin T. Murphy, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Pinole
  • Chris Parman, Communications and Events Manager/LGBTQ Liaison to City Executives, City of Cathedral City
  • Kevin Perkins, Planning Director, County of Yuba
  • Merritt Perry, City Manager, City of Fortuna
  • Frank Rush, City Manager, City of Big Bear Lake
  • Joe Simitian, Supervisor, Santa Clara County
  • Thomas Soule, Public Affairs Manager, City of Palm Desert
  • Greg Spotts, Chief Sustainability Officer & Executive Officer, City of Los Angeles
  • Jack Steinmann, Resource Conservation Specialist, County of San Mateo
  • Stacey Stevenson, Deputy City Manager, City of Murrieta
  • John Takhtalian, Deputy City Manager, City of Glendale
  • Michael T. Thornton, General Manager, San Elijo Joint Powers Authority
  • Wanda Williams, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Suisun 
Thank you for your great work!
 
There’s still time to nominate someone you think deserves a pat on the back. Throughout the year, we will highlight your nominees in social media posts, future newsletters and on our website.
 
As further incentive, if you submit a nomination, you’ll be entered to win a free registration to an upcoming ILG training (valued at up to $1,000).
CELEBRATING SUCCESS, CARING ABOUT CLIMATE
Get Recognition for Your Agency's Work
in Sustainability

After multiple years of unique challenges facing California's cities, counties and special districts, ILG is more excited than ever to honor the amazing work local governments have accomplished to build more sustainable, resilient and equitable communities. As a result, we have expanded the timeframe for award consideration.

The Beacon Awards Program application is NOW OPEN and will remain open through Monday, May 2!
 
Agencies do NOT have to be a Beacon Program participant to apply.
Join Beacon: Get Free Ongoing Assistance
to Meet Your Agency's Sustainability Goals

Local agencies are always welcome to join the Beacon Program anytime (not just when the awards application window opens). Program participants have the opportunity to share, learn and connect with other local agencies that are implementing sustainability best practices, saving energy and reducing GHG emissions. ILG provides resources and technical support to assist participants on their journey. There is no deadline to apply to join the program. 
About Beacon
ILG’s Beacon Program is designed to support and celebrate cities, counties and special districts that are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving energy and adopting policies that promote sustainability. 
 
Beacon is part of ILG's Sustainable & Resilient Communities Pillar, which seeks to build resources and relationships to help local leaders address difficult decisions around the environment, land use, public services and community resilience. Learn more at ca-ilg.org.
APPRECIATING STRONG LEADERS
Recognizing African-American Leadership at ILG
 
During Black History Month, we reflect on the long proud history of African-Americans in public service. We are grateful to ILG’s African-American leaders, including board members Michele Beal Bagneris (City of Pasadena), Carolyn Coleman (Cal Cities) and Pat Martel (ICMA), as well as ILG’s CEO & Executive Director Erica L. Manuel.
ILG AFFILIATE NEWS
ILG is the non-profit training and education affiliate of Cal Cities, the California State Association of Counties and the California Special Districts Association.
Cal Cities Planning Commissioners Academy
Wednesday, March 16 - Friday, March 18, 2022
San Ramon, CA
 
Join the League of California Cities for three days of in-person educational sessions and peer-to-peer networking at the 2022 Planning Commissioners Academy, taking place March 16–18, 2022 at the San Ramon Marriott.
 
Designed for new and seasoned planning commissioners alike, this conference will provide you with information about the roles and responsibilities of a planning commissioner, offer a review of legal and practical policies and practices, and foster relationships with fellow planning commissioners. Now more than ever, the opportunity to learn from and network with each other provides invaluable support. 
 
The ILG team will be hosting three sessions at the conference, including a new overview for planning commissioners.
 
And stay tuned for an all-new edition of ILG's popular Planning Commissioners Handbook, coming soon!

2022 CSAC Legislative Conference
Wednesday, April 20 - Thursday, April 21, 2022
Sacramento, CA
 
The CSAC 2022 Legislative Conference is set to take place April 20 – 21 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, CA.
 
For more information and to register, visit the Legislative Conference website. Early bird registration ends March 19! Learn More and Register Here.
 
If you have questions, please contact Porsche Green, CSAC Meeting Planner, at pgreen@counties.org.
CSDA Award Nominations Now Open

The California Special Districts Association annual awards program recognizes special districts' outstanding contributions to the communities they serve. There are award categories for individuals, districts. and chapters. Each of these awards will be presented at the CSDA Annual Conference & Exhibitor Showcase from August 22-25, 2022 in Palm Springs.

All award nominations must be submitted by Monday, May 2, 2022. 
 
Learn more and submit nominations online at csda.net/awards. For questions, email Vanessa Gonzales at awards@csda.net.
Special Districts Encouraged to Request County Transfer
of Federal COVID Relief Funds Before Deadline
 
Under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), California counties are expected to receive a total of $7.67 billion in direct allocations from the federal government for COVID-19 relief funding. Each county has received the first half of its funds, with the remaining payment coming in May 2022. The deadline is approaching for special districts to apply for transfer of funds from counties. Read more.
WE LOVE OUR PARTNERS!
February Featured Partner:
Renne Public Law Group
 
ILG does important work in support of local governments, but we could not provide the education, training, consultation and resources to our local agencies without the steadfast support of our corporate partners.
 
This month’s featured partner is Renne Public Law Group (RPLG). RPLG has been a longtime partner of ILG. Our two organizations share a love for local government and the desire to help cities, counties and special districts navigate the complexity of the evolving local government landscape. We are also committed to the next generation workforce.
 
RPLG's fellowship program offering, in its third year, is particularly timely.
 
For more news and resources from other ILG partners, see below.
Join RPLG's Public Law Fellowship Program

Renne Public Law Group is hosting its third annual Public Law Fellowship Program, which is designed to introduce law students and public administration and public policy graduate students to local government advocacy.

Fellows will be immersed in the field of local government law and initiatives, gaining valuable knowledge from a wide range of legal issues including:
  • California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
  • Housing and Land Use
  • Homelessness policy
  • Wildfire Mitigation
  • and MORE!

Applications due Friday, March 4 by 5:00 p.m.

Renne Public Law Group® LLC practices throughout California, advocating for and defending local public agencies and nonprofit entities, and representing a diverse group of individual clients and private entities who are in need of effective, responsive and ethical legal assistance. Learn more.

RPLG is an ILG Platinum Level Partner. To learn more about ILG's Partner Program visit www.ca-ilg.org.
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
WEBINAR: How to Be a Successful Applicant
Thursday, March 24
10:00 a.m.

Bobbi Peckham McKenney and Phil McKenney will offer a FREE live webinar focused on how to be a successful applicant. They will provide tips and talk about what is considered in the review of applications and candidates for positions and discuss a variety of “do’s” and “don’ts” for being successful in a recruitment process. Register here.
ARTICLE: Design Trends: Using Visual Design for Authenticity

In a world that feels less certain, audiences are gravitating towards communications that look and feel earnest, trustworthy and relatable. This trend impacts all sorts of design. Striving for “authenticity” within work for public agencies presents certain challenges. Read more.
ARTICLE: Heavyweight Firefighting Aircraft Knocks Out Emerging Wildfires

SCE contributed $18 million last year to lease the firefighting equipment in a partnership with the Orange County Fire Authority, Los Angeles County Fire Department and Ventura County Fire Department. SCE’s 2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plan update calls for the continued support of regional fire agencies. Read more.
ARTICLE: In With the New –
Part Five

This legislative session added a mix of new telecommunications laws: two oriented to benefit the industry’s desire to fast-track their deployments, and two others to give local governments a new funding source for broadband and to bolster customer service requirements applicable to cable providers. Read more.