Editor's Note
For a printable copy of City Advocate Weekly please visit the League Web site.
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Next Steps for the 2009-10 State Budget
Now that several weeks have passed since the conclusion of the most recent round of state budget revisions city officials are attempting to get their bearings. They are asking concrete questions about the impacts of various state decisions on local budgets, and what else they might expect as the Legislature reconvenes to conclude its session Aug. 17 – Sept. 11. With Democrats upset over some budget vetoes by the Governor, and a pending lawsuit over this matter filed by Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, the environment is expected to be tense.
[FULL STORY]
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Cities and Counties May Be Able to Conduct Elections Utilizing Ranked Voting
On Aug. 17, the Senate Appropriations Committee will hear AB 1121 (Davis), a League supported bill. The bill would establish a pilot project that allows up to 12 general law cities and counties to conduct local elections using Ranked Voting (RV). Of those 12 cities and counties, no more than four agencies from each of California’s three regions (northern, central and southern) will be selected.
[FULL STORY]
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Coastal Cities and Counties Hold Meaningful Roundtable Discussion with Coastal Commissioners
On Wednesday, Aug. 12, representatives from coastal cities and counties participated in a historic roundtable discussion with Coastal Commissioners as part of a special workshop in San Francisco on improving the Local Coastal Program (LCP) process. The workshop further opened the lines of communication between local coastal governments and the Coastal Commission who serve as partners in implementing the California Coastal Act.
[FULL STORY]
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REMINDER: Small Cities looking at Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Funding Must Turn in Form to California Energy Commission by Aug. 21
Cities in California that did not receive Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds from the Federal Government through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will need to turn in an “Intent to Apply” form to the California Energy Commission (CEC) no later than Aug. 21 or they may forfeit their EECBG funding allocation.
[FULL STORY]
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EECBG Small City Grant Applicants: Check your City Files for Records of OMB Audit Requirements
A letter sent earlier this month by the California Energy Commission (CEC) to smaller cities contains one instruction regarding compliance with federal audit requirements that is likely to cause confusion for city officials.
[FULL STORY]
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U.S. EPA Launches Online Forum on Clean Water Enforcement
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched an online discussion forum to receive public input on the future direction of EPA's national water enforcement program. The public will be able to provide feedback through the EPA Web site, between now and Aug. 28, giving them a forum to address any concerns about EPA's efforts to protect the water in their communities
[FULL STORY]
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H1N1 Response Guidelines for Cities and Towns Now Available
Last week, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, and Homeland Security updated federal guidelines for fall flu season planning. The following guidelines may be helpful to cities and towns as they prepare for rapid response to outbreaks at varying levels of the H1N1 virus, particularly in local schools.
[FULL STORY]
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Annual Conference and CityBooks are a Winning Combination
The League’s Annual Conference & Expo will be held in San Jose this year with sessions and events scheduled that are not only personal enriching but a great added value to your city’s growth. CityBooks, the League’s bookstore, will be available again this year with our inventory of over 600 relevant publications. If you are looking for practical, current information on local government and professional development topics then take a few minutes to discover what CityBooks has to offer.
[FULL STORY]
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On-Camera Media Training Available for City Officials at the Annual Conference
Do you need to deliver your city’s message more effectively during media interviews? If so, take advantage of this opportunity for professional on-camera media training at the League’s annual conference in San Jose, Sept. 16-18.
[FULL STORY]
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Registration Open for ILG Annual Conference Luncheon Symposium
The Institute for Local Government (ILG) will present its Fifth Annual Luncheon Symposium at the League’s Annual Conference in San Jose on Sept. 17.
[FULL STORY]
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Upcoming Events
August
28 Last day for fiscal committees to hear and report bills to the Floor
September
11 Last day for any bill to be passed
October
15 The Great California Shakeout: Statewide Earthquake Preparedness Drill
Upcoming League Events:
September
16-19 League of California Cities’ Annual Conference and Expo, San Jose
[FULL STORY]
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