California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence Archive

SmartRiverside Transforms Community and Fosters Innovation

SmartRiverside has helped transform the city by promoting high-tech businesses, encouraging collaboration and creating a forum for communication between students and high-tech organizations.

Lancaster’s Holistic Approach to Healthy Neighborhoods

The Neighborhood Impact Program uses neighborhood revitalization and partnerships to address health, safety and social issues.

Fontana Revitalizes Downtown With a Focus on Seniors

The city provided its senior population with high-quality, affordable housing close to the services they need.

Perris Reaches Out to Make Sewer System Upgrade Possible

How one city overcame significant community resistance.

Santa Clarita’s Neighborhood Approach Builds Trust and Community Involvement

San Carlos Adopts Innovative Contracting Techniques to Maintain Service Levels

Like many California cities, San Carlos has faced some serious budgetary challenges in recent years.

San Mateo Helps Residents "Be Ready, Be Safe, Be Involved!"

Santa Monica Opens Career Doors for Young Girls

Cathedral City Partnership Program Focuses on Schools

Hollister Uses Solar Technology to Save Money and Educate Workforce

The city took an innovative tack in dealing with unpredictable electricity rates and used a public-private partnership to train workers for the green energy industry.