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Article Local Works By Jackie Krentzman

La Mesa is doing a lot with little on climate change

La Mesa has made climate action attractive for residents and developers alike. “La Mesa is a small city and not a wealthy city,” says one local climate activist. “Yet the city has gotten so much done, from adapting clean energy, reducing solid organic waste, and passing transportation measures to cut our carbon emissions.”  

Article California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence By Colette Schow and Sarah Shawky

Benicia voters overwhelmingly approved two revenue measures. Here’s why

In the city of Benicia, a budget crisis almost unraveled community life. What sets this story apart isn’t just the challenge Benicia faced, but how city leadership turned a financial crisis into an opportunity for unprecedented community engagement and transparency.

Article Local Works By Jackie Krentzman

The small city of Colusa is determined to overcome a history of prioritizing single-family homes

A semi-rural city in Sacramento Valley added its first affordable housing project in close to a decade earlier this year. Colusa City Manager Jesse Cain says projects like these are critical to the community’s future, in part because many homes never hit the open market. 

Article Local Works By Caleb Zimmerschied Valadez

Education, culture and community — free at the Santa Fe Springs Library

You may think of libraries as places to borrow books and access the internet. But think again — especially if you live near the Santa Fe Springs ​​​​Library. Bit by bit, it has become the city’s go-to institution for culture and entertainment.

Article Features by Jackie Krentzman

Housing in God’s backyard picks up as cities seek new ways to close the affordable housing gap

As congregations continue to dwindle, many churches and other houses of worship have found themselves with empty swaths of parking lots and land. Some are building affordable housing on the roughly 47,000 acres of potentially developable land. 

Article Local Works By Jackie Krentzman 

Tiny bubbles create big ripples in Lake Elsinore

Like many freshwater lakes in the U.S., Lake Elsinore’s water quality has long been an issue. And it only got worse as temperatures and flooding increased. But in 2022, the namesake city found a way to restore this crown jewel that once attracted Hollywood celebrities like Steve McQueen.

Article Features By Betsy Montiel

Should your city embrace GenAI? It’s complicated

Many cities have long used artificial intelligence for routine tasks. Some are seizing on advances in AI to further automate everyday tasks. But as with any new tool or policy, there are benefits and costs to using AI. Experts say it’s crucial for cities to have guardrails over anything AI produces.

Article Special to Cal Cities By Matt Lehrman

Opinion: Local leaders have a responsibility to defend civic trust

“Trust in government isn’t built through authority alone,” writes civic facilitator Matt Lehrman. “Too often, local leaders focus on explaining decisions rather than engaging the public in shaping them. Governance works best when people see themselves as active participants, not outsiders to the process.”

Article California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence By Jennifer Ortega and Justin Ezell

Colorful murals infuse new energy into downtown Concord

In Concord, peregrine falcons flock to the sky, Aztec jaguars bare their teeth, and abstract flowers sparkle in the sun. Contemporary and bold, these murals put the city on the map for art in Contra Costa, a region with the lowest art budget of all the Bay Area counties. 

Article Features By Robert J. Landeros

Housing affordability has become a public service issue, with potentially devastating impacts

A 5-over-1 residential building with ground-floor commercial space.

The high cost of housing has had repercussions on all aspects of life, including employee recruitment and retention. And while staffing shortages are impacting nearly every public service sector, they are potentially life-threatening for public safety.

Article Special to Cal Cities By Heidi Sanborn and Jordan Wells

It’s time for California to help cities manage household hazardous waste

Household batteries in a trash bin

California has become a leader in passing laws that hold producers, not ratepayers, responsible for properly managing product and packaging waste. The state needs to take a similar approach to the state’s dangerous (and frequently, deadly) household hazardous waste.

Article Local Works By Jackie Krentzman

‘The best way to get them is to develop homegrown talent.’ Temecula works to boost the region’s struggling medical workforce

Temecula is federally classified as a medically underserved community, with residents routinely traveling for hours even for primary care. But a city-run workforce program is working to change that.