Annual Conference and Expo Preview

Article Solutions for Cities By Laura Glenn

Cal Cities sponsors new investment pool for public agencies

California CLASS provides an investment option for daily liquidity and strategic reserve investments that prioritizes safety, liquidity, and yield, as well as transparency and diversification. 

Article Local Works By Matthew Tate

Four steps to beef up your rural retail development strategy

Retail development is a critical part of creating communities where people can grow and prosper. However, rural markets are often overlooked during initial retail expansion plans. The rural communities of Blythe, Clearlake, and Fortuna have each invested in proactive retail attraction strategies that raise their profile, creating tangible, positive results in the process.

Article Executive Director's Message By League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman

Inspiring keynote speakers, policy experts, and solutions for top city issues — all at the 2022 annual conference

The annual conference will showcase the creativity and innovation of cities, recognize city leaders who are moving their communities forward, and celebrate the success of our advocacy. We’ll also hear from two powerhouse keynote speakers about leading with courage and the economic future of the Golden State.

Article Solutions for Cities

Meet the 2022 Annual Conference and Expo exhibitors

Over 200 exhibitors are scheduled to showcase their products, solutions, and services to League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo attendees. The Expo is open on Sept. 7 and 8. 

Article News from the Institute for Local Government By Erica L. Manuel

ILG explores housing, ethics, climate, and equity at the Annual Conference and Expo

The Institute for Local Government will host sessions on a number of timely topics, including housing, climate change, and equity, at this year’s annual conference. 

Article Features By Ken Striplin

How to respond to harassment and incivility without sacrificing civic debate

Peaceful protests are a staple of American democracy. However, public discourse has become increasingly abusive and violent. When this happens, it is vital that municipalities respond with solutions that build greater community trust and equip city leaders with strategies to protect themselves and their families.

Article Solutions for Cities By Christen McKay

Benicia leverages forecasting software and federal financing tool to pay down and plan for pension liabilities

Benicia’s pension obligations are projected to reach 28% of its general fund revenues by 2031. To create better policy responses, officials are using financial forecasting software to simplify information and provide real-time projections.

Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President Cindy Silva

Six lessons learned while serving California’s cities

I started this year with just one goal: To help all of us, as city leaders, re-energize and put new vigor into our collective work to improve the quality of life of all Californians. Little did I know, the year would turn out to be so much more. I learned valuable lessons that will serve me well beyond this year as president.

Article Features By Jennifer Whiting

What to expect at the 2022 Annual Conference and Expo

Next month, over 1,800 California city officials will come together for the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo in Long Beach. The conference offers numerous ways to learn, collaborate, and connect with like-minded professionals about top city issues, including housing, infrastructure, organic waste recycling, and public meetings. 

Article Legal Notes By Harveen Gill

Brush up on major land use, public safety, and public works laws at the Annual Conference and Expo

The Annual Conference and Expo offers multiple ways to earn legal education credits. These practical, “how-to” sessions provide training on the most important legal issues for cities, such as land use, public safety, and public contracts.

Article Features By Helene Schneider

The secret sauce: Creative ways California communities are addressing homelessness

Public agencies are often caught between demands for swift action to solve or hide homelessness and the reality that sustainable solutions take time, investment, and political will to bring to scale. Officials throughout California are finding bold, creative ways to break this decades-old stalemate.

Article Local Works By Richard Rojas

ARPA funding and tailored public engagement spur neighborhood revitalization in Norwalk

Many cities hoped that the American Rescue Plan Act would both help address pandemic-related issues and build an inclusive future for communities. For the city of Norwalk, this hope is becoming a reality. Staff focused their efforts on one of the city’s oldest and most underserved neighborhoods: the One-Ways.

Article Features

Climate change, pension costs, public safety, equity, and more: Upcoming Annual Conference and Expo speakers provide a sneak preview

For the first time in two years, city leaders throughout the state will come together in-person to collaborate on shared issues and celebrate the successes of the past year, at the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo, September 22-24, in Sacramento. The excitement is palpable: More than 750 officials signed up within the first 10 days of opening registration. Western City invited conference speakers to share key insights from their upcoming talks. 

Article By Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo speakers

Labor relations, ethics, and litigation: What cities need to know

To the uninitiated, public service seemed relatively straightforward. You run for office and serve your term or you apply for the position, just like any other job. However, due to the nature of their position, city officials are governed by a complex set of laws and principles that do not necessarily apply in the private sector. Moreover, many officials are part of unions or local employee associations, which are also governed by their set of laws and principles. 

Article Local Works By Erica A. Stewart, Any Peaase, and Beya Makekau

A roadmap to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in a predominately white, affluent community

After seeing thousands of San Luis Obispo residents march through the streets for George Floyd, the San Luis Obispo community and city council knew that more work needed to be done to create a diverse, inclusive community. While diversity and inclusivity have long been core values of the city government, it became clear that there was much more to be done. 

Article By Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo speakers

Digital city hall: How data, social media, and new technologies are changing public service

City leaders have more data and ways to interact with their residents than ever before. However, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Many leaders, especially those operating on shoestring budgets and staff, may have difficulty cutting through the noise to find the right data points, if they have the time to do so at all. Additionally, regardless of their ability to leverage data, all city leaders must contend with the legal challenges of an increasingly polarized, negative, and at times, hostile, public discourse on social media. 

It takes a village; Moreno Valley partnership creates new afterschool program

One-third of California’s TK-12 students perform below grade level, including students in Moreno Valley, Riverside County’s second-largest city. The city recognized the need to support students, parents’ need to work, and the community overall. Realizing this, Moreno Valley collaborated with local school districts to create an expanded afterschool learning program.

Article By Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo speakers

Innovation and culture: How leaders are improving public safety from within city hall

Keeping families and communities safe is one of the primary functions of city government. However, the last few years have brought new challenges, including a sharp increase in cybercrimes, a lack of dedicated resources for critical issues, a desire from residents for faster services, and recent legislative changes that require new ways of approaching old problems.  Here’s how several city leaders and industry experts are meeting these challenges head-on. Learn more by attending their session during this year’s League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo. 

Article By Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo speakers

How the public and private sectors are creating more energy-efficient cities

Even if the world meets the goals set forth by the Paris Climate Agreement, the effects of a warming environment will be felt in California for decades. “Historical and unprecedented” wildfire seasons and droughts are becoming the norm and sea levels are predicted to rise by as much as seven feet by 2100. However, many local leaders are doing more than just hardening their communities against climate change; they are also actively working to reduce its effects.

Article By Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo speakers

Tools for California’s housing crisis: Surplus land requirements, sortition, and short-term rental policies

The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated California’s housing crisis, adding even more urgency and complexity to an already dire situation. Land availability and housing affordability continue to dominate local policy discussions, while at the same time city leaders grapple with the best way to implement regulations for the growing short-term rental industry. Moreover, all of these decisions require significant public input. During the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo, hear from city leaders and industry experts about ways in which cities throughout the state can tackle the myriad of housing issues facing their communities.