Articles

The city faced alarming rates of obesity in its community and launched an innovative effort to improve fitness among residents of all ages. The program exceeded its goals, and its popularity continues to increase.

The ride-share service improves access to critical daily amenities and is helping to change the lives of transit-dependent residents. The program has improved mobility for all, especially seniors and youths.

When a public agency needs entry-level professionals and lacks qualified candidates, what can be done? Cities and the public sector now have a number of available options, including apprenticeships, to consider.

In most cities, economic development competes for resources and attention as local officials deal with urgent issues that include affordable housing, emergency response, and more. Despite these challenges, many cities are building momentum in realizing their economic development goals. This article explores some of the tools, potential team members, and tactics that can help your city boost its economic vitality.

Attracting new businesses, retaining employers, and providing opportunities for a skilled workforce are essential to fostering a healthy economy in our cities. California cities are using diverse approaches, programs, and tools to help support economic development and thriving communities.

Because not all potential code violations can be investigated from the public right of way, code enforcement investigations may require access to enclosed or shielded areas of private property. In these settings, code enforcement staff may be strongly tempted to rely on emerging drone technology.

Since October 2019, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company has cut power to Californians more than half a dozen times, with the smallest power shutoff affecting about 30,000 people and the largest affecting nearly 2.5 million. But cities have made it clear that this cannot be the new normal, and power shutoffs are in fact putting residents at real risk.

When the 2019 legislative session began, Democrats had gained historic supermajorities in the Legislature. Yet progress for the progressive Democratic agenda was muted. And in the face of multiple attacks on local zoning authority and other challenges, the League and cities emerged surprisingly well.

A recent decision from the Public Employment Relations Board provides clarity for employers struggling to balance the need for strict confidentiality with the due process rights of the accused and union requests for information, particularly in cases of sexual harassment.

A bipartisan coalition of 26 mayors, CEOs and stakeholders representing nearly 17 million residents intends to ignite a national conversation about the fact that strong housing policy is pro-family, pro-jobs and pro-investment — and helps hardworking people.

When utility-initiated power shutoffs began, city officials stepped up in new and creative ways to provide practical help to residents and communities left in the dark.

How a city that had the highest per capita murder rate in California turned things around.

The challenges associated with disasters include tech-related issues, risk management and the need to create incentives for updating and retrofitting homes to improve wildfire and earthquake resilience.

The shortage of affordable housing is a crisis for cities statewide and the focus of a League 2019 strategic goal. The League’s hard work on this issue was boosted by an executive order from Governor Newsom earlier this year.

This option reduces electricity costs, provides cleaner energy options, and offers economic opportunity and increased transparency.

A look at local zoning and safety regulations that cities may adopt and apply to firearms retailers.

An innovative program targets young children.

Lessons from one of the worst fire years in California history.

Proposition 6 would repeal the Road Repair and Accountability Act.

Talent is mobile and in short supply.

The city stepped up when wells ran dry.

This project conserved water and generated a new revenue stream for the city.

Energy production is a key factor both in the state’s economy and its environmental quality. Water quality and supply reliability also play a central role in our state’s economy.

Connecting with young people in your city to promote civic education and engagement provides a number of benefits and has the potential to create a generation of active, informed citizens.

Western City asked League members which books inspired them as local government leaders, and their recommendations comprise the magazine’s first-ever summer reading list. Whether you’re selecting books to take along on summer vacation or read at home, consider these intriguing titles.

The City of Temecula won the Award for Excellence in the Economic Development Through the Arts category of the 2017 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program. For more about the awards program, visit www.helenputnam.org. 

As new tools emerge, expect local officials to exercise caution.

The League has focused on transportation infrastructure needs for over a decade, and this remains a priority for California cities in 2018.

A new report from the League and its partners showcases existing and emerging approaches that are having a positive impact on homelessness in California communities.

A recent court decision offers clarification on which standards and regulations apply to which government

The community and city collaborated to build a much-needed park.

Cities are working to improve walking, bicycling and transit options. The “All Ages and Abilities” approach uses bikeways that are physically separated from highspeed and high-traffic roadways.

The nation’s largest sidewalk repair effort gets underway.

An inclusive and interactive gathering of highly engaged city leaders from throughout the state ensures that the League’s highest priorities reflect the common interests of California cities.

An unusual emergency services agreement yielded significant benefits when disaster struck.

With over 2,500 bills introduced during the session, the League represented city interests on many issues to protect local control, revenue and flexibility.

The city launched a pilot program after local homelessness-related services were reduced or cut.

Fifteen bills made it into the “Housing Package” that Gov. Jerry Brown signed, which includes the League’s “Blueprint for More Housing” legislation.

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…

Obstacles to city incorporation should be removed to give communities the same option for self-government that existing cities had.

Council members describe their city’s most challenging fiscal issue.

Diversity enriches California’s culture and economy and also plays a critically important role in the League.

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…

The city mobilized a hard-hitting campaign to address a crisis.

We have achieved important victories on behalf of cities this year on our strategic goals and in other areas.

A partnership of the League and the FPPC can provide numerous resources to support community dialogue about transparency.

The coming revolutions in electric, shared and automated vehicles present many potential scenarios.

Partnerships between state agencies and cities maximize resources and move us closer to resolving California’s affordable housing challenges.

Council members describe their city’s greatest strength.

Don’t miss ILG sessions and events at the conference. Meet the staff, browse materials and get answers to your questions.

Local agency employees’ personal accounts and devices may be subject to the state’s Public Records Act.

City Corps participants gain valuable career skills.

Public figures need to pay attention to more than just newspaper coverage.

Technology increasingly serves as the backbone for providing local services.

Cities should note key deadlines and prepare now.

Concerned residents volunteered to implement a program to mitigate the drought’s impact.

The city’s efforts will save an estimated 450 million gallons of drinking water per year.

The app provides immediate access to information about hazardous materials a railcar is carrying.

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….

An underused set of funding resources offers tools that cities can use for virtually any site.

Animal shelters nationwide are inundated during “kitten season.”

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.

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.

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…

Changes in the law related to marijuana raise many concerns for cities.

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.

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.

The city and its partners created a model that helps communities use limited resources to solve multiple problems.