City Advocate Weekly

Senate Approves SB 67 And SB 65, Governor’s Signature Expected Soon
Deadline Looms, Cities Urged to Register for Prop. 1A Securitization Program

Local governments breathed a sigh of relief this week when the Senate passed SB 67 and SB 65. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to sign the legislation in the near future.
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Governor Completes Action on Bills
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger released his final decision on hundreds of bills on Sunday, Oct. 11. He had held the legislation hostage for weeks hoping that the Legislature would agree to a comprehensive water package. In the end, a final agreement on water was not reached. Enough progress was made however that the Governor said that he felt comfortable signing bills. Below is a list of his actions on major bills tracked by the League.
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Governor Calls Seventh Extraordinary Session to Address California Water Issues
After several days of intense negotiations by legislative leaders, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called a special session late Sunday to continue working on California’s water crisis. A water deal had been a stipulation of the Governor’s in exchange for evaluating legislation. He decided several hours before the final deadline to sign or veto bills that enough progress had been made by the Big 5 leaders on water for him to take action on bills. It was at that time that the Governor called the Seventh Extraordinary Session to finalize work on water.
[FULL STORY]

Legislature’s Governance Reform Committees Release Work Plan
Joint Meetings Scheduled Across California on Substantive Topics

The upcoming months promise to be busy for the Senate and Assembly Select Committees on Improving State Government as members travel across California holding joint meetings on reform issues. Sen. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) is chair of the Senate committee, and Assembly Member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) chairs the Assembly committee. While each committee is tasked with examining reform issues individually, the committees are also meeting jointly.
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Federal Government Offers Guidance on Late ARRA Reporting
FederalReporting.gov announced this week that it’s extended a 10 day grace period for agencies filing first quarter American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 reports. Originally due Oct. 10, the Web site will now remain open until Oct. 20. Information from the federal government explains that the deadline was extended because this is the first filing deadline and some states are encountering technical challenges in filing bulk reports.
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Saving Energy Equals Saving Money for Local Governments
California will receive almost $275 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 funding. These funds will go to the California Energy Commission (CEC) which is offering $36 million for the Energy Efficient and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) Program and up to $95 million in State Energy Program (SEP) funds to help local governments implement energy efficiency measures and photovoltaic systems. To help maximize the funds, another $25 million in SEP stimulus funds are being incorporated into a statewide program offering low interest loans for public energy efficient or renewable projects. These loans can be coupled with grants and other awards to leverage ARRA dollars.
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DOE Offering Online Publication to Help Local Governments Develop Solar Power
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is offering an online guide aimed at helping local governments build sustainable local solar markets. The online publication called Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments is available on the Solar America Cities Web site.
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First Annual Central Valley Golf Tournament Draws Golfers and Dollars for CitiPAC

Lodi Mayor Larry Hansen with Mayor Pro Tem Phil Katzakian, Deputy City Manager Jordan Ayers and Community Center Director James Rodems pose with the first place trophy.

On Thursday, Oct. 8, the Central Valley Division of the League held its inaugural CitiPAC Golf Tournament in Modesto. Modesto Mayor and League First Vice President Jim Ridenour hosted the event at the Dryden Golf Course.
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Become a Facebook Fan of the California Local Government Finance Almanac

Facebook users can now receive regular news and updates on California municipal finance topics and new briefs and data from CaliforniaCityFinance.com through Facebook. Become a fan of the California Local Government Finance Almanac by searching for “CaliforniaCityFinance.com” and clicking “Become a Fan.”

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Upcoming Events

October

20 Pre-Bid Conferences for the State Energy Program Solicitations American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) – 9 a.m. California Energy Commission staff will conduct three Pre-Bid Conferences to discuss their Municipal Financing District Program (AB-811-type programs); California Comprehensive Residential Building Retrofit Program; and Municipal and Commercial Building Targeted Measure Retrofit Program. Up to $95 million are expected to be made available through the solicitation process for these three programs. The conference will be held at the California Energy Commission, 1516 9th Street, Hearing Room A, Sacramento, CA. For more information please visit the CEC Web site.

28 Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Cities Campaign Seminar: Arcata. Arcata Mayor Mark Wheetley and Eureka City Council Member Linda Atkins invite Mayors, Council Members, City Managers and Planning, HR, RDA Directors to join them at the B Street Community Center in Arcata from 3:45-7:30 p.m. Please RSVP by Oct. 14 to Heather Stevens, City of Arcata, (707) 822-7091 or RSVP online. To learn more about the HEAL campaign, please visit www.HEALCitiesCampaign.org.

November

6 Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Cities Campaign Seminar: Mountain View. Mountain View Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga and members of Healthy Silicon Valley invite Peninsula Division Mayors, Council Members, City Managers and Planning, HR, RDA Directors to join a workshop on healthy general plans from 8-10:30 a.m. at Mountain View’s city hall. Please RSVP by Oct. 23 to Carol Clayton at CCPHA, (530) 297-6000 or RSVP online. To learn more about the HEAL campaign, please visit www.HEALCitiesCampaign.org.

Upcoming League Events:

November

17 Legislative Briefings, Sacramento

17 Legislative Briefings, Webinar

18 Legislative Briefings, Anaheim

December

2 - 4 City Clerks New Law, Elections & Leadership Conference

2 - 4 Fire Chiefs Seminar

2 - 4 Municipal Finance Institute

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