Kindness is about culture; it is a way of thinking and acting.
The ability to foster community resiliency is one of the most
important benefits of promoting kindness.
This voluntary program recognizes elected officials for
continuing their education to enhance their knowledge and skills
and for undertaking leadership roles to better serve the public.
Prevailing wage laws have changed again. Because prevailing wage
requirements apply to all public works contracts over $1,000,
these new requirements will apply to the vast majority of
municipal…
When making decisions or taking action, the savvy local official
embraces the notion that the law creates a floor for ethical
behavior — not a ceiling. In other words, just because a
particular…
A $25 million Community-Based Transitional Housing Program offers
incentive grants for providing transitional housing sites for
recently released offenders.
The decision is an important reminder for cities that the
creation of Mello-Roos Community Facilities Districts may be a
potential tool to supplement funds needed to provide services to
new…
A foundation of community trust and strong community
relationships is crucial for law enforcement to effectively
prevent crime and safely resolve situations that involve
residents.
First Weekend Palm Desert helps increase the city’s tax revenues
and makes it a regional center for the arts by drawing crowds to
lively events from November through May.
The California Civic Leadership Institute® is an educational
program sponsored by the League Partners and designed for local
government elected officials interested in running for the
Legislature….
Immigrants contribute significantly to California’s economy, both
as employers and workers. The cities of Brawley, Oakley and
Mountain View offer examples of how engaging immigrant
communities…
The California Civic Leadership Institute® is an educational
program designed for local government elected officials
interested in running for the Legislature.
The Cities Combating Hunger Through After-School and Summer Meal
Programs (CHAMPs) initiative supports city-led efforts that
increase access to summer and after-school meal programs.
The small-town feeling of community that many of us experienced
as youngsters has become more elusive. Volunteering gives us a
sense of connectedness and offers multiple benefits.
Obesity and related diseases threaten the health of cities’ most
vulnerable populations, particularly children and youth. In
response, California cities are participating in the Healthy
Eating…
The city took legal action to help property owners effect change
and address the shootings, illegal drug sales, traffic and other
problems that plagued the complex.
A new community for formerly homeless veterans with disabilities
comprises 50 apartments, with plans underway to expand the
project, add more housing and provide permanent supportive
services on-site.
Significant barriers and disincentives constrain the production
of housing. These include local and national economic and job
market conditions, challenges for developers and a lack of
funding and…
Although the No Place Like Home program funds will not be
available until 2018, the California Department of Housing and
Community Development has released the Notice of Funding
Availability for…
A recent report underscores the critical need in California to
develop a transportation funding solution that will keep
residents and the economy moving forward.
The ability to communicate is critically important for first
responders in emergency situations. The First Responder Network
Authority is working to deliver a broadband network for public
safety…
Keeping track of legislation and priority bills that affect your
city is critically important for elected officials. The League
provides an array of helpful tools to make this task easier.
Carolyn Coleman is the League’s first female executive director
and its fourth executive director since 1934. She brings over 25
years of experience in public service and advocacy to her new…
Despite another chaotic legislative session, city officials can
be satisfied that the League helped hold the line to preserve
local control, revenue and flexibility and made progress in
several areas.
Understanding the essentials of city finance is critical for city
decision-makers. Elected officials find their job is easier when
they can explain municipal finance’s basic elements to their…
Public employers often face situations in which the religious
beliefs of their employees become a major legal issue. This
article explains applicable law and addresses some common
scenarios.
Cities and counties are partnering with the California Statewide
Communities Development Authority to offer developers a way to
maximize project cash flow.
At the League’s largest conference of the year, network with
2,000 elected officials and staff, and choose from more than 60
sessions designed to educate and inform.
The City of Los Angeles launched a program in which parks are
kept open until 11:00 p.m., and volunteers and staff facilitate
safe, healthy activities.
Using programs ranging from truancy reduction to summer reading,
cities are taking unique and collaborative approaches to combat
summer learning loss and prepare students of all ages to return
to…
Open library access can lead to dilemmas such as situations
involving patrons who bring in excessive amounts of personal
belongings and use the library as a temporary shelter.
Because a healthy democracy is built upon a foundation of engaged
citizens, inspiring young people to become involved is essential
to the future of strong cities.
Despite the many innovative efficiency measures now in place
throughout the country, the United States wastes more than half
of all energy produced. Eight California cities are competing for
a $5…
Woodland strives to promote the importance of expanding its tree
canopy to provide environmental, economic, health and aesthetic
benefits. Because trees help reduce greenhouse gases, the city
aims…
The annual Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Project Awards
Program recognizes projects that promote fiscal and environmental
sustainability in the local transportation system and can be…
For years, the City of El Cajon grappled with the impacts of
aggressive panhandlers, transients, serial inebriates and illegal
alcohol sales to minors.
The city revitalized a historic neighborhood using public
infrastructure improvements, economic development and the arts to
attract new visitors, shoppers and businesses.
Continuing education is essential in every profession. These two
conferences are geared to both experienced and recently elected
mayors and council members.
The program offers an enjoyable way for children and adults to
learn organic gardening, be physically active, make smart food
choices and work together.
By definition, effective public managers are both problem-solvers
and leaders, but it requires a special type to take the helm of a
public agency in crisis.
The City of Clovis transformed a three-acre unimproved lot into
an educational community recreation area that protects natural
resources and promotes healthy living.
As California residents and businesses increase the amount of
material they recycle, local governments seek ways to build
additional recycling facilities and expand existing programs.
Each year we ask a diverse group of about 100 city officials to
tell us which policy envelopes we need to push, which walls we
need to scale and what partnerships we need to build. Bringing…
The steadily growing use of recreational drones has risen to the
level of endangering first-responder aircraft as well as
commercial jetliners. New regulations, while helpful, may not go
far…
Following a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, California cities
should ensure that their sign codes comply with the court’s
strict approach to defining content neutrality.
Although we have millions of acre-feet of empty space behind dams
to capture storm runoff and snowmelt, that space cannot protect
Californians against levee breaks, mudslides or overflowing
urban…
Significant positive developments for the League included the
adoption of a new economic development tool for lower-income
communities and the passage of a medical marijuana regulatory
bill package.
The strategic goal-setting process involves representatives from
all of the League’s policy committees, departments, divisions and
diversity caucuses as well as its entire board of directors….
Technology will soon be radically transforming agriculture and
the Salinas Valley, home to an agricultural industry that
generates over $8 billion annually.
Ensuring that residents properly dispose of hazardous wastes —
such as pesticides, batteries, needles and pharmaceuticals — from
their homes is an important part of protecting the environment…
It takes only one scandal to give the public the impression that
all local elected officials are not to be trusted, and public
perception can be very slow to change. How can we build our…
The State of California houses a treasure trove of extremely
valuable information; the problem is extracting and presenting it
in a way that is meaningful and readily accessible. The Fair…
When a city and a recognized employee organization are unable to
reach agreement on matters within the scope of bargaining, an
impasse occurs. In addition to any other resolution process
the…
California finally has a strong regulatory framework that upholds
local control, protects public safety and enhances patient
safety. League staff and legal counsel are participating in…
The lingering revenue effects from the Great Recession, changes
to pension contributions, rising retiree medical costs and other
factors almost guarantee that the financial future for
California…
The consolidation occurred without layoffs, demotions or loss of
pay to the affected employees and provided immediate financial
relief for both cities.
The U.S. Communities purchasing alliance provides world-class
products, resources and solutions. California cities saved
approximately $4.5 million in 2014 through U.S. Communities.
A crime-ridden trail spurred unhappy residents into action and
led to a collaborative effort involving a local nonprofit, the
city, school district and multiple agencies.
The California Supreme Court in June 2015 issued one of its most
important and city-friendly decisions in many years, reaffirming
the breadth of cities’ power to address the affordable housing…
