Articles

Overview

Articles

Article Sustainable Cities Ken LomanYvonne Hunter

Working With Energy Utilities to Finance Energy-Efficiency Improvements

Local agencies throughout California are striving to reduce costs, even as the demand for services grows. Improving efficiency helps agencies do more with their existing resources and can offer a…

New Resources to Help Involve Your Community

The institute releases materials for local agencies about involving the public in local budgeting, working with local clergy and congregations, and public engagement stories.

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzieKen Pulskamp

The New Transparency in Local Government

Article City Forum Lisa G. Rosenblum

Sunnyvale’s Investment Increases Efficiency and Improves Library Services

It’s ironic but true: During tough economic times as library budgets are being cut, public library use increases. Sunnyvale used technology to overcome this challenge.

Article Features Web Exclusive David SanderShelly Blanchard

Rancho Cordova’s Remarkable Transformation

Article Features Dustin McDonald

Effective Advocacy: What City Officials Need to Know About Pursuing Federal Grant Funding

A much larger share of federal spending is being distributed in the form of competitive grant funding through executive branch departments and agencies.

Article Features Terry Amsler

Cities Engage Residents in Budget Planning

Local officials throughout California are finding new and more participatory ways to involve residents in local budgeting processes.

Article President’s Message Jim Ridenour

Fighting to Protect Our Communities’ Economic Health and Quality of Life

The impact of state raids on local funds threatens not only the economy but also the vital community services and residents’ safety and quality of life.

Article Features J. Scott TiedemannJack HughesTodd Simonson

What You Need to Know About Regionalizing Public Safety Responsibilities

As public agencies explore cost-saving measures, one option is regionalizing public safety services by consolidating, contracting or sharing services with neighboring agencies.

Article Sustainable Cities Terry Amsler

Involving Youth in Local Planning

Terry Amsler is program director of the Institute for Local Government’s Public Engagement and Collaborative Governance program and can be reached at tamsler@ca-ilg.org. Greg Keidan, program coordinator of the Public Engagement and Collaborative Governance program, also contributed to this article.


More and more frequently, young people are being asked — and are asking — to play a larger role in discussions and decisions about local land use and other plans in their community. A growing number of California cities are involving youth in planning processes as local officials discover the capacity of young people to participate and the value of their insights.

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

It’s STILL the Economy: Proposition 22 Will Protect Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs

State government says it is serious about job creation but kills jobs in the private and public sectors by raiding and borrowing local government funds. Proposition 22 offers a solution.

Article City Forum Francesca WrightConnie Busse

Using Safe Routes to School

Article Legal Notes Steven L. Dorsey

Making Contracts Stick

Article Features Web Exclusive Kathy Espinoza

Danger Lurking at Your Keyboard

Article Features

Annual Conference Preview: Conference Offers a Multitude of Opportunities

More than 1,500 city officials will gather in San Diego form Sept. 15-17 for three days of educational sessions, social media training, policy discussion and more.

Article Features

A Word From Outgoing League President Robin Lowe

Lowe summarizes the League’s challenges and successes during the past year.

Article Features Scott SummerfieldSheri Benninghoven

Crisis at City Hall: Planning Ahead Can Make The Difference, Part 2

Article Features Scott SummerfieldSheri Benninghoven

Crisis at City Hall: Planning Ahead Can Make The Difference, Part 1

Article Sustainable Cities Julia Lave Johnston

Partnering to Build Better Communities

The Strategic Growth Council offers technical assistance and administers grant funding for local governments.

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Obsession Can Be a Virtue in Protecting Local Revenues From the State

While public support for our ballot measure is strong, we have to ask ourselves whether we are prepared to devote the effort, resources and focus to this priority to ensure success in November.

Article Features Kyra Ross

Understanding the New Water Conservation Mandates:

The state’s newest water conservation requirements for local governments will affect virtually every community in California.

Article President’s Message Robin Lowe

Finding Strength in Shared Values and Diversity

Our shared values of local control and self-determination affect the breadth and depth of our organization’s leadership in every action we take. The policy-making process and procedures we employ…

Article City Forum

U.S. Communities: The Gold Standard for Cooperative Purchasing

While many purchasing cooperatives offer services, the League sponsors only one: U.S. Communities. Since 2001, the program has saved public agencies more than $1.3 billion. Several key elements set…

Article Features Greg Keidan

Using Keypad Polling to Enhance Public Meetings

It can be a challenge to design public meeting that allow a large and diverse group of residents to collaboratively identify and offer their preferences or recommendations to decision-makers in a…

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Jobs and the State’s Inability to Connect the Dots

California’s economy is in the worst shape since the Great Depression, and the state is shutting down its only viable source of economic development.

Article City Forum John Pilger

Sunnyvale Dramatically Accelerates Capital Improvement Projects

Innovative thinking helped Sunnyvale speed the execution of about 30 projects with a total value of $60 million. A winning combination of low bids, grants and a streamlined administrative process…

Article Legal Notes Michael JenkinsLauren FeldmanSonia CarvalhoJeff Dunn

Addressing the Issue of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

The two articles presented here examine the legal standards and practices under which cities may enact local laws either to ban or regulate dispensaries.

Article President’s Message Robin Lowe

Enough Is Enough! Join the Fight to Save Vital Local Services

Ongoing state raids and state borrowing of local revenues continue to jeopardize the services that Californians need most. Borrowing local taxpayer and transportation funds exacerbates budget…

Article Features Charlotte Dickson

Lower Your Costs by Adopting an Employee Wellness Policy

Obesity-related health care and physical inactivity cost California $41 billion annually. In their role as employers, cities can affect two leading components of health: nutrition and exercise….

Article Sustainable Cities James W. AndrewCharles A. Long

Keys to Successful Mixed-Use and Infill Development

Cities use a variety of strategies to overcome the challenges associated with mixed-use and infill development.

Article Features Dan Carrigg

2009 Legislative Review

Article Features

2009 Annual Conference Review

More than 1,500 city officials attended the League of California Cities 2009 Annual Conference and Exposition held Sept. 16-18 in San Jose. Dozens of sessions and workshops focused on timely…

Article Everyday Ethics for Local Officials

Ethics and the Agency Auditing Function

Auditors can help elected officials and agency managers make sure that public resources are properly used. By conducting periodic audits, local agencies can underscore their commitment to ethics…

Article Features Bill Statler

Municipal Fiscal-Health Contingency Planning

Good times come and go. How can cities best position themselves to weather the bad times? One city’s approach involves having a fiscal-health contingency plan in place so it doesn’t face…

Article Legal Notes John H. KnoxMarc A. Levinson

Avoiding and Using Chapter 9

The stresses that can result in the drastic step of filing for bankruptcy protection are currently affecting many municipalities, but filing for Chapter 9 protection should be considered a last…

Article Sustainable Cities Yvonne HunterKen Loman

Financing Local Sustainability Efforts

Even in these difficult financial times, local agencies are undertaking a wide range of activities that promote sustainability. Regardless of the reason behind the activities, they have one thing…

Article City Forum James HamillMark Curran

California Communities STAR Bond Program Offers Cities a Cost-Effective Financing Tool

Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal government is providing a way for cities to issue taxable Build America Bonds and Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds, which…

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Rebuilding California Requires Restoring Local Control of Local Revenues

This year, the dysfunction in our state governance became painfully evident as the Legislature and governor adopted budget after budget that failed to meet the test of responsibility in the eyes of…

Article President’s Message Robin Lowe

Public Safety Depends on Police, Fire — and More

City officials are grappling with the challenges of balancing their city budget while preserving the critically important services that are a central component of our quality of life. Clearly,…

Article Features Scott SummerfieldSheri Benninghoven

Managing More Effectively With a Strategic Communications Plan

Article Legal Notes Nicole Hoeksma GordonMargaret M. Sohagi

Shovel-Ready on a Shoestring: Tools for Efficient, Cost-Saving CEQA Compliance

Cities can take many simple steps to maximize the efficiency of CEQA review while maintaining legal defensibility, and streamlining the process can also save money.

Article Sustainable Cities Yvonne Hunter

The Co-Benefits of Sustainability Strategies

Sustainability strategies save money, conserve resources for future generations, improve public health, respond to climate change and make communities more attractive places to live.

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

The Constitution Is Not “An Inconvenient Truth”

In the past few years, some state leaders have proposed budget “solutions” that are clearly unconstitutional and fly in the face of the intent of not only the voters but the Legislature itself.

Article City Forum Jennifer Persike

Helping Your Community Save Water

Article President’s Message Judy Mitchell

Vigilance Is Crucial

Regardless of how the state budget deficit is addressed, we have a long, hard road ahead of us to protect funding for local services in the years to come. City revenues continue to be on the table,…

Article Features

Coping with the Crunch: Utility and Water Savings

Cities are implementing a number of innovative strategies.

Article Features Don BenninghovenJim DahlLeslie Daigle

An Ocean of Opportunity

The Marine Life Protection Act gives cities a tool to protect both economic and natural resources.

Article Web Exclusive Yvonne HunterDana Papke Waters

Carbon Calculators: Definitions and Related Resources

Article Legal Notes Michelle Marchetta Kenyon

How Cities Can Manage Legal Costs Without Increasing Risk

City attorneys are exploring ways to provide more cost-effective legal assistance while maintaining the level of service expected by the city.

Article City Forum Heidi Sanborn

Too Much Waste Costing Too Much Money: It’s Time for Product Stewardship

Despite recycling efforts, waste generation continues to increase.

Article Sustainable Cities Yvonne HunterDana Papke Waters

Calculating Carbon Emissions

Is it better to invest in high-efficiency fluorescent lamps or a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system if you can’t do both?

Article Features Eric Mchenry

How GIS Can Save Money and Increase Efficiency for Cities

Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to automate the notification process reduced the amount of staff time needed to do the job by 90 percent. And that’s just one of several recent…

Article Features Michael Siminovitch

Tips for Your Community: How to Save Lighting Energy

The California Lighting Technology Center at the University of California, Davis, puts the goals of green design and energy-efficient lighting into practice and offers local governments a number of…

Article President’s Message Judy Mitchell

Regional Effort Helps Communities Save Money, Energy, Water and the Environment

City officials are searching for ways to improve municipal efficiency, conserve resources and stretch the public’s dollars. In Southern California, a regional collaboration has found a way to do…

Article Features John F. Shirey

Is the State Eating Its Seed Corn? How Cutting Redevelopment Kills Jobs

Investments by redevelopment agencies represent one of the state’s most meaningful economic development programs.

Article City Forum Troy BrownAnton DahlerbruchMarcia L. GodwinJulie C.T. Hernandez

Cultivating Diversity in Municipal Management

Article Legal Notes Michael EstradaDebbie Cho

Using Design-Build Can Save Money on Public Construction

The Legislature recently granted California cities expanded authority to use the design-build project delivery method.

Article Sustainable Cities Margo Reid Brown

Building a Green Economy: The Recycled Market Development Zone Program Provides Help and Resources

The RMDZ program provides affordable loans and technical assistance that can help a manufacturing business through the challenging formative stages of developing new recycled-materials products.

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Reforming California’s Governance: Is It Time for a Grassroots Revolution?

Amid mounting evidence that the state government is hopelessly dysfunctional, various groups are putting together a reform agenda.

Article Features Kyra RossBill HigginsJennifer WhitingMeghan Mckelvey

What the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Means for Your City

The federal economic stimulus funding is on a fast track. Here’s what you need to know about what’s available and how to apply.

Article Features Greg CoxJim MadafferJohn Ohanian

Help Starts Here: 211 Connects Residents With Resources

Article City Forum Anne C. Fairchild

Unusual Recipe Averts a Staffing Crisis

Thoroughly screened and well-prepared interns were quickly able to help staff meet heavy workload demands in the City of San Luis Obispo. Now the city has a pool of highly trained and certified…

Article Everyday Ethics for Local Officials

The Gift That Keeps on Giving: Changes to the Gift Rules, PART 1 OF 2

In 2008, the Fair Political Practices Commission modified the Political Reform Act’s gift rules. One of these changes – the increase in the limit on the annual monetary value of gifts local…

Article President’s Message Judy Mitchell

Hard Times: Why We Must Protect Funding for Vital Community Services

It’s critically important for city officials to continue reminding our state leaders that without these essential services, that quality of life will decline precipitously.

Article City Forum Patricia Lock-DawsonRonald O. Loveridge

The Santa Ana River Trail and Parkway Builds a Path to Success

For the first time ever, the three counties that surround the Santa Ana River have joined forces with 14 cities and the private sector to complete the crest-to-coast trail.

Article Legal Notes Richard Lam

Clean It or Lien It: Dealing with Foreclosed or Abandoned Properties

What are the viable options to protect the safety of neighborhoods where foreclosed homes are abandoned and become unsightly invitations to unlawful activity and sources of health risks?

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Sustainable Communities: An Urban Imperative

The League has set its strategic sights for the second year in a row on “supporting sustainable communities.”

Article Features Souri Amirani

New Approaches for Urgently Needed Road Maintenance

Thinking outside the box, using new technologies and leveraging funding opportunities are innovative strategies that cities can use to address deteriorating streets and pavement.

Article City Forum Dorothy Johnson

Developing New Talent in Public Works

Article President’s Message Judy Mitchell

It’s Time to Get Back to Basics

The League’s strategic goals for 2009 include promoting economic stimulus and infrastructure investment.

Article Features Dan Carrigg

2008 Legislative Highlights and Recognition

The legislative year was dominated by a three-way battle among the governor, Democrats and Republicans over how to close a $24 billion deficit spanning two budget cycles.

Article Legal Notes Nikki Hall

Addressing ADA Accessibility Issues in the Public Sector

Although the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 has been in effect for nearly two decades, many public entities are not yet in compliance with its accessibility requirements.

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Commonplace Miracles of Local Democracy

Voters are overwhelmingly reinvesting in their local governments, local infrastructure and local services by approving ballot measures that authorize tax increases and bond issues for public…

Article Features Patricia E. HealyAlma Flores

Santa Ana Uses Inclusive Approach to Develop Ethics Code

Article President’s Message Heather Fargo

Looking Ahead to the New Year

The coming year holds new possibilities and challenges, including the need for budget reform at the state level. At the national level in preparation for a new president, the U.S. Conference of…

Article City Forum Terrence Murphy

Tax-Exempt Lease-Purchase Financing Options for Local Governments

Local agencies use this solution to leverage time and resources.

Article Features John Laird

Two-Thirds Budget Vote Has to Go

Article Features Fred Silva

California’s Two-Thirds Legislative Vote Requirement and Its Role in the State Budget Process

What does the two-thirds requirement mean for California’s budget process?