City Advocate Weekly

California Redevelopment Association Prevails in Lawsuit Blocking Unconstitutional State Raids of Redevelopment Funds
The California Redevelopment Association (CRA) and cities throughout the state received good news Thursday, April 30 when Sacramento Superior Court Judge Lloyd Connelly ruled unconstitutional a provision in the FY 2008-09 budget signed in September 2008 which would have required redevelopment agencies statewide to transfer $350 million to be used to fund state obligations.
[FULL STORY]

Senate Bill Altering Redevelopment Law Remains of Concern to Cities
For the last month the California Redevelopment Association (CRA) and the League have been involved in an effort to negotiate and resolve issues associated with SB 93 (Kehoe), a bill which contains provisions which would expose local redevelopment projects across California to unnecessary costs, delays and litigation. Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) originally introduced the legislation in response to what she viewed as an inappropriate use of funds to construct public facilities distant from a designated redevelopment project area in San Diego.
[FULL STORY]

Budget Action Day Scheduled for Wednesday, June 3
The League is holding a special event in Sacramento on June 3 following the release of the May Budget Revise to bring city officials to lobby their legislators and administration officials on possible implications of the May 19special election results. The timing of this session is designed to allow many city officials to come in just for the day.
[FULL STORY]

Oppose Bill that Limits Local Authority to Seek Reimbursement for Emergency Response Expenses
The League urges cities to oppose AB 1004 (Portantino), a bill which would infringe on local authority to levy fees or seek reimbursement for emergency response costs unless that incident is clearly the fault of a non-resident of that local jurisdiction. In addition, AB 1004 could have far-reaching consequences that further limit a city’s ability to levy fees on other public services.
[FULL STORY]

Support Greater Local Agency Flexibility in Alcoholic Beverage Licenses Review
Send your SB 415 Letter to Your Legislator Today

The League urges cities to give their support to SB 415 (Oropeza), a bill which would increase local agency flexibility in reviewing alcoholic beverage license requests.
[FULL STORY]

An Open Letter from CalPERS CEO to California Cities

Dear League Member,

As the new chief executive officer of CalPERS, I appreciate this opportunity to introduce myself and address a few topics of mutual interest.

As you may be aware, prior to my appointment as CEO, I was CalPERS’ chief operating investment officer. Before that, I served as chief deputy State Treasurer.

[FULL STORY]

League Water Task Force Update
The League’s Water Task Force is beginning its work of analyzing and recommending changes to Water Guidelines that the League jointly developed with the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) more than 20 years ago. The guidelines have been used since their adoption in 1988 to help shape League policy on water issues.
[FULL STORY]

California Communities Launching AB 811 Energy Efficiency Financing Program
Energy efficiency upgrades are an increasingly valuable asset to any property and soon California Communities can help cities finance these projects for home and business owners.
[FULL STORY]

Corrections Department Proposals Rely on Risk Assessment to Cut $400 Million from Budget
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) put forward five reform proposals in response to the $400 million budget cut the department faces with the FY 2009-10 budget passed in February. CDCR Secretary Matt Cate announced that these solutions are “smart on crime and tough on crime,” allowing CDCR to maximize limited resources without jeopardizing public safety. The proposals’ main thrust would shift the majority of resources towards the serious, violent, and sexual offenders who are at the highest risk of reoffending.
[FULL STORY]

Block Grant Funding for Local Government Workshops
The California Energy Commission (CEC) is hosting workshops for local officials in early May on provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act related to funds for specific energy related projects. The workshops will focus on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (Block Grant), including program description and objectives, funding sources, DOE guidance, application process and timelines for providing input into developing guidelines.
[FULL STORY]

Register Now for City Finance Workshop, May 29-30
There is no more pressing subject these days than the economy and how city budgets are being affected by dramatically declining revenues. The League’s Advanced Leadership Workshop will feature a special track this year—City Finances: What You Need to Know. Scheduled for May 29-30 at the Paradise Point Resort in San Diego, this in-depth seminar will focus on the essential topics of California city finance that every local elected official should know.
[FULL STORY]

Become a Facebook Fan of the League of California Cities
There is a new way to connect with the League—Facebook. Launched on Friday, March 27, the page features updates on legislative developments, League activities as well as organizational information.
[FULL STORY]

Upcoming Events

May

1 Last day for policy committees to hear and report Assembly fiscal bills for referral to fiscal committees

4 California Energy Commission workshops:

1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

4 p.m. - 8 p.m. State Energy Program Funding Allocation

South Coast Air Quality Management District, 21865 Copley Dr., Auditorium,

Diamond Bar, CA 91765

4 5 - 7:30 p.m. California Latino Legislative Caucus Invites you to Latino Heritage

Celebration, State Capitol, North Steps, Sacramento, CA.

Please RSVP your attendance to Armando Chavez at (916) 319-2023.

6 California Energy Commission workshops:

1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

4 p.m. - 8 p.m. State Energy Program Funding Allocation

UCSF Fresno Center for Medical Education and Research, 155 N. Fresno St., Auditorium, Fresno, CA 93701

7 California Energy Commission workshops:

1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

4 p.m. - 8 p.m. State Energy Program Funding Allocation

California Energy Commission, 1516 Ninth Street, First Floor, Hearing Room A

Sacramento, California 95814

June

1 California Emergency Management Agency Senior Leaders Summit, Los Angeles (Space is very limited; if interested, please email Dorothy Johnson by Monday, May 4)

5 California Emergency Management Agency Senior Leaders Summit, Sacramento (Space is very limited; if interested, please email Dorothy Johnson by Monday, May 4)

5 Last day for Assembly to pass Assembly bills

Upcoming League Events:

May

6-8 City Attorneys Spring Conference, Squaw Creek

27-30 Mayors and Council Members Executive Forum, San Diego

June

3 Budget Action Day, Sacramento
[FULL STORY]

E-MAIL TO A COLLEAGUE