California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Overview December 29, 2017

California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Article April 1, 2021 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

City of Alameda works to build climate resiliency and advance sustainability

The city of Alameda is an island community in the San Francisco Bay Area that faces an existential threat from sea level rise. The city responded to this challenge by developing a cutting-edge Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, including a roadmap for a “Climate Safe Path,” in which Alameda aggressively reduces its own greenhouse gas emissions as well as raise climate awareness.

Article March 1, 2021 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Palmdale’s latest housing innovation: the Courson Arts Colony

In recent years, the city of Palmdale saw housing costs outpace the area’s income levels, resulting in a shortage of affordable housing in the area. The Courson Arts Colony, the latest component of Palmdale’s city center revitalization and housing innovation, provides affordable housing and incorporates an arts component to serve as a healing element for veterans who may be suffering from PTSD.

City of Escondido public works employees remove graffiti.

Article February 1, 2021 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

City of Escondido develops innovative and collaborative program to eliminate graffiti

Graffiti destroys property, costs cities hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, and can blight entire communities. To address graffiti issues, the City of Escondido created a custom designed smartphone app to crowdsource information from the community to help keep their city clean and free of graffiti.

Article January 1, 2021 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Santa Clarita prepares for “silver tsunami” with Gold Star College Internship Program

Through Santa Clarita’s College Internship Program interns get a taste of work life after completing their degree and gain exposure to key aspects of local government. The city benefits because it develops the next generation of public sector employees and provides professional development opportunities for current employees. Santa Clarita’s succession planning strategy has proven to be a success and can serve as a model for other cities as they work to develop future city employees and leaders.

Article December 1, 2020 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Norwalk Offers Empathy and Critical Support to Teens in Crisis

Developed by a volunteer team of recreation staff, the We Have Project offers a forum for dealing with challenging issues, including depression and anxiety, and links Norwalk teens and youth with professional resources.

Article December 1, 2020 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Norwalk Offers Empathy and Critical Support to Teens in Crisis

Article November 1, 2020 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Alisal Vibrancy Plan Addresses Equity Issues in Salinas

This plan is the result of advocacy and a collaborative process with city staff, community-based organizations, and residents that increased public engagement, public dialogue, and trust and brought new leadership into planning processes.

Article August 1, 2020 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Costa Mesa Summer Camp Focuses on Sports, Music, and Arts

This camp introduces youths to a range of sports, music, art activities, and extracurricular interests.

Article August 1, 2020 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Camp Achieve Provides Summer Fun and Learning for Richmond’s Youth

This summer camp program delivers a diverse array of learning enrichment activities including robotics, chess, the arts, and physical fitness.

Article July 1, 2020 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Greening the Concrete Jungle: Daly City Partners With Residents

Project Green Space is a robust urban forestry and green infrastructure program convened by the city and driven by residents. The program empowers community members to actively reshape the future of their neighborhoods by adopting new trees and planting and maintaining rain gardens.

Article June 1, 2020 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

South Pasadena Teens Provide Tech Expertise to Senior Community

This increasingly popular program bridges the digital divide and fosters intergenerational communication.

Article May 1, 2020 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Dublin Provides Affordable Housing for Veterans

An innovative public-private-nonprofit partnership transformed a former car dealership site into housing for veterans, comprising 66 units that are 100 percent affordable.

Article May 1, 2020 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Encinitas Retools Planning to Increase Housing Options

The city retooled its existing zoning and standards to make it easier for property owners to add accessory dwelling units, also known as granny flats. Encinitas also successfully sponsored state legislation to make the changes possible.

Article April 1, 2020 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Fontana Motivates Residents to Walk More and Improve Health

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.

Article April 1, 2020 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

West Sacramento’s On-Demand Ride-share Service Addresses Transit Needs

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.

Article March 1, 2020 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Napa Lighted Art Festival Draws January Crowds

The Napa Lighted Art Festival takes a bold, contemporary approach to the visual arts by bringing emerging light technologies into the city’s streets, where buildings function as large outdoor canvases and attract crowds.