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Article Features By Jackie Krentzman

Too much of a good thing? As e-bike usage soars, cities scramble to keep commutes safe

“It can be easy to give e-bikes a bad rap when you see underage kids speeding or doing wheelies down the street, but e-bikes are a fantastic resource for residents and tourists alike,” says Dale Leda, Half Moon Bay’s interim city engineer. “If the infrastructure and policy can catch up, they will be such an asset for our city.”

Article Local Works By Ria Pavia and Jordan Villwock

How Ontario is building big projects and public trust at the same time

When Ontario city leaders asked voters to support major investments in infrastructure, they believed residents should be able to see how those dollars are being used and what progress is being made — whether on regional destination projects or smaller neighborhood upgrades.

Article Local Works By Juddy Montenegro

The city behind LA County’s biggest STEM initiative

Large group at Downey's City of STEM event

Downey’s City of STEM inspires thousands of kids of all ages every day in April to create, experiment, explore, and have fun. The program targets youth traditionally underrepresented in STEM learning, bringing providers to them to create dialogues and raise awareness about related careers and activities. 

Article Features By Caren Ray Russom, Bobbie Singh-Allen, Jason Behrmann, and Jan Perkins

Four ways to maintain control and decorum during city council meetings

Smooth public meetings are the direct result of good governance, deliberate preparation, and consistent application of clear procedures officially established in advance. Here are a few proven strategies, based on our over 90 years of combined experience in local government.  

Article Features By Aaron Meyer, MD, and Ann Marie Council, JD

CARE Court isn’t working as expected. What can cities do to strengthen it?

Hand reaching for support

State leaders have improved the CARE Act every year to address concerns over its scope, cost, and practices. Yet the challenges facing cities and patients alike remain the same: People with severe mental illness are cycling through emergency medical services without a sustained improvement in care. 

Article Local Works By Jackie Krentzman

Crescent City leverages federal funding and exceeds housing goals

Group of people with long ribbon in front of new housing development

“The goal is to get more activity downtown, to help the city’s overall economic development,” says City Manager Eric Wier. “We don’t want our downtown to close down at 5 p.m. — this mix of new residential and retail will add a constant synergy to the area.”

Article Local Works By Caleb Zimmerschied Valadez

‘We are worth it.’ For Bell Gardens residents, a new pool is more than a place to cool off

The renovated Dreamers Aquatic Center in Bell Gardens features multiple heated pools, water slides, and community spaces designed for year-round use. City officials hope the aquatic center can serve as a springboard for other community projects. 

Article Local Works By Caleb Zimmerschied Valadez

What cities can learn from Pacifica’s ambitious new local coastal plan

View of Rockaway Beach in Pacifica

Pacifica’s new coastal land use plan recognizes the need for area‑specific approaches to long‑term coastal management and outlines a phased framework for implementation.

Article Local Works By Jackie Krentzman

Tulare city officials hope new shelter model moves people from the streets to stability

Aerial view of homeless shelter under construction

“The goal of these stages, as shelter guests get back on their feet, is to help them establish an employment record,” says City Manager Marc Mondell, “so we can vouch for them with private sector businesses in the community, help them land jobs, and move into permanent housing and out of homelessness.”