City Advocate Weekly

For a printable copy of City Advocate Weekly please visit the League's Web site.

Please note that City Advocate Weekly will not be published on Sept. 18. League staff will be in San Jose for the 111^th League of California Cities’ Annual Conference. For more information about registration for this event please visit the League's Web site.

Budget Clean-Up Expected on Prop. 1A Securitization, HUTA Deferral and Redevelopment
The Legislature is expected amend and place into print three budget clean up measures related to (1) the securitization of the Proposition 1A property tax loan, (2) the deferral of the Highway User Tax Account (HUTA), or gas tax revenues, and (3) changes to previously adopted redevelopment legislation. Today the measures are anticipated to appear in identical Assembly and Senate versions. It is not clear when or which vehicle will be voted on. This update is based upon the last versions of draft language available to League staff.
[FULL STORY]

Register Now for Prop. 1A Securitization Workshops
California Communities will be offering webinars on the Proposition 1A Securitization Program on Sept. 10 and 11. The Prop. 1A Securitization Program is being offered by California Communities in cooperation with the League, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and the California Special Districts Association (CSDA).
[FULL STORY]

Assembly Revises and Approves New Prison Reform Package
Plans Announced to Appeal Prison Population Ruling

The Assembly this week passed SBx3 18 a revised package of prison reforms passed by the Senate two weeks ago. Before approval, several parts of the package were removed including plans to change some wobbler crimes to misdemeanors and the creation of a sentencing commission.
[FULL STORY]

Opposition Letters Needed on Bill to Limit Retention Proceeds
SB 802 Expected to Go to Governor Next Week

Local agencies must accept the lowest responsible bidder for construction projects, and often use retention proceeds on progress payments to ensure that projects are timely and complete. Local agencies commonly begin with a 10 percent retention rate. The reduction rate is typically reduced to 5 percent if adequate progress is being made on the project and the contractor is acting in good faith. SB 802 however would require local agencies to limit retention to 5 percent over the life of a project which protects potential bad actors and placing public interests and public funds at risk.
[FULL STORY]

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Updates and Additional Funding Opportunities
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Registration Required for Federal Reporting. On Aug. 17, registration for funding recipients required to report under ARRA Section 1512 opened on www.FederalReporting.gov. All funding recipients must register prior to fulfilling their reporting obligations. The first reporting period starts Oct. 1 and the first quarterly reporting deadline is Oct. 10. Prerequisites for recipient registration include obtaining a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet and registering with Central Contractor Registration (CCR).
[FULL STORY]

CalTRUST Launches New Money Market Option
CalTRUST just launched a new money market account in response to participant requests for a CalTRUST option with same day liquidity and a stable net asset value (NAV), or share price. This new account option is open to all CalTRUST participants and has already has taken in over $100 million in assets in its first week.
[FULL STORY]

State Water Resources Control Board Approves Construction General Permit
Non-compliance Will Result in Penalties for Waste Water Dischargers

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) this week approved a general permit for storm water runoff from construction sites. The general permit is in compliance with the federal Clean Water Act and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit process. The state’s general permit authorizes the discharge of storm water to surface waters from construction activities that result in the disturbance of one or more acres of land, provided that the discharger satisfies all permit conditions.
[FULL STORY]

CCS Partnership Local Leadership Summit Toolkit to Support Regional Reform Events
The Cities Counties Schools (CCS) Partnership is releasing a Local Leadership Summit toolkit on Sept. 7 to help guide local agencies that are interested in developing regional events to discuss state governance and fiscal reform ideas with their fellow local leaders. The toolkit was developed in response to requests from city, county and school board elected officials interested in holding regional events modeled after Rebuilding California—From the Ground Up. The Summit was held in July in Sacramento and hosted by the CCS Partnership.
[FULL STORY]

State Auditor Releases Proposed Citizens Redistricting Commission Application for Public Comment
Hearing to be Held Sept. 14 in Sacramento

California’s State Auditor Elaine M. Howle has released the proposed application for the Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) for public comment. The application will allow Californians to apply for membership to the Commission.
[FULL STORY]

ILG Releases Updated Public Service Ethics Resource
The Institute for Local Government (ILG) recently released an updated and consolidated suite of public service ethics publications. The revised publications include information on the four areas of ethics law as well as a fifth publication on ethics principles. Each organized chapter is offered individually or as a complete set.
[FULL STORY]

Upcoming Events

September

10 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: 11 a.m. – Three U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) offices will host a webinar on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Section 1512 reporting requirements (due October 16). The Office of Justice Programs, in cooperation with the Office on Violence against Women and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, will offer recipients of related ARRA funding additional guidance on reporting requirements and procedures. To register for the upcoming DOJ webinar please go online. For questions or concerns regarding the central reporting please visit the Office of Justice Programs Web site.

11 Last day for any bill to be passed

16 California Energy Commission (CEC) Business Meeting -10:00 a.m. During this business meeting, the CEC will consider adopting the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program Guidelines regarding implementation and administration of projects funded by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Location:   1516 Ninth Street,  First Floor, Hearing Room A,  Sacramento, California  (Wheelchair Accessible). For more information please see the meeting agenda. The Committee Draft version of the Guidelines are available online.

21 California Transportation Plan 2035 Public Workshop – Sacramento

Location: Department of Health, 1500 Capitol Avenue, Training Room A.B.C., 12 – 3 p.m.

Caltrans invites your input on the next update of the California Transportation Plan “Moving into the Future…” which will contain the state’s transportation policies through 2035. For more information please California Transportation Plan Web site.

30 California Transportation Plan 2035 Public Workshop – Redding

Location: Shasta County Public Library, Community Room, 1100 Parkview Avenue, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Upcoming League Events:

September

16-19 League of California Cities’ Annual Conference and Expo, San Jose

[FULL STORY]

E-MAIL TO A COLLEAGUE