City Advocate Weekly

League of California Cities

2009 Issue #43

November 6, 2009

CONTENTS

Editor's Note

Historic Water Package Passes The Legislature

Results Generally Positive for Local Revenue Measures Decided Tuesday

Federal Transportation Reauthorization Still Pending

Update on 2006 Infrastructure Bond Available Now

Pension Reform Focus of Special League Employee Relations Policy Committee Meeting

Apply Now for a League Policy Committee Position

FCC Seeking Input on National Broadband Strategy

SAFER Application Period Begins Nov. 16

Upcoming Events

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ARCHIVE

2009 Issue #42
October 30, 2009
Vol. 1 Issue 203

2009 Issue #41
October 23, 2009
Vol. 1 Issue 202

2009 Issue #40
October 16, 2009
Vol. 1 Issue 201

2009 Issue #39
October 9, 2009
Vol. 1 Issue 200

2009 Issue #38
October 2, 2009
Vol. 1 Issue 199

2009 Issue #37
September 25, 2009
Vol. 1 Issue 198

2009 Issue #36
September 14, 2009
Vol. 1 Issue 197

2009 Issue #35
September 11, 2009
Vol. 1 Issue 196

2009 Issue #34
September 4, 2009
Vol. 1 Issue 195

2009 Issue #33
August 28, 2009
Vol. 1 Issue 194

[MORE]

NEWS

Editor's Note

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

Historic Water Package Passes The Legislature
In the early morning hours of Wednesday, Nov. 4, the Legislature approved a package of five bills designed to address critical water issues facing the state.
[FULL STORY]

Results Generally Positive for Local Revenue Measures Decided Tuesday
Elections were held across California on Tuesday, Nov. 3, deciding the fate of more than 100 local measures including 57 concerning taxes, fees or bonds for cities, counties, special districts and schools. There were five local bond measures, including three for schools, seeking approval of a total of $214 million to finance capital facility construction and repair. There were also 11 school parcel tax measures requiring two-thirds voter approval. Among the non-school local fiscal measures, 42 concerned cities and one concerned a special district.
[FULL STORY]

Federal Transportation Reauthorization Still Pending
SAFETEA-LU Extended to Dec. 18

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), a six-year federal transportation program that expired on Sept. 30, has been extended for a second time. The extension ensures that current levels of funding will continue until Dec. 18.
[FULL STORY]

Update on 2006 Infrastructure Bond Available Now
The voters approved the first part of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Strategic Growth Plan in 2006. The plan authorized $42 billion in general obligation bonds for investments in transportation (Proposition 1B), housing (Prop. 1C), education (Prop. 1D), flood control and levees (Prop. 1E) and parks/environmental resources (Prop. 84).
[FULL STORY]

Pension Reform Focus of Special League Employee Relations Policy Committee Meeting
The League’s Employee Relations Policy Committee met Friday, Oct. 30 to discuss the League’s pension reform policy. City Mangers Department President Ken Pulskamp and Rod Gould, city manager, Poway, provided recommendations for updating League policy in this area. At the heart of the managers’ recommendations lies the belief that pensions should be fiscally sustainable and politically defensible. They recommend that to get there the League support regional efforts to address the growing pension problem.
[FULL STORY]

Apply Now for a League Policy Committee Position
City officials interested in being on a 2010 League policy committees must immediately apply. Friday, Nov. 13 is the deadline to be considered for a presidential appointment. The application includes a request and a brief biography.
[FULL STORY]

FCC Seeking Input on National Broadband Strategy
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) invites local officials to comment on a National Broadband Policy currently being developed. Comments are due Feb.17, 2010. The policy is being developed as the National Telecommunications Information Administration and USDA work to make decisions on the broadband funding included in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009. Broadband initiatives funded through ARRA are intended to accelerate broadband deployment in unserved, underserved, and rural areas and to strategic institutions that are likely to create jobs or provide significant public benefits.
[FULL STORY]

SAFER Application Period Begins Nov. 16
Applications Due by Dec. 18

The US Department of Homeland Security announced this week that it will begin accepting applications on Nov. 16 for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants. Dec. 18 is the application deadline for the $210 million in SAFER funds. A second application period will open in early 2010 for the $420 million appropriated for the federal fiscal year 2010.
[FULL STORY]

Upcoming Events

November

9 RCRC Workshops to Facilitate Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Hollister. RCRC staff has coordinated several workshops in member counties to inform its members of the type of projects and opportunities that are eligible for these funds, and the application process and other procedures that must be followed to access and use these funds. Location: Veterans Memorial Hall, Second floor, Room 218, 649 San Benito Street, Hollister, CA.

19 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Voluntary letter of intent due to www.grants.gov, for cities interested in competing for federal stimulus funding available through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG). (See information for November 4 DOE Webinar, or review information in the League’s City Funding Book, available on the League’s Web site.

30 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Deadline for local jurisdictions, non-profits or private organizations to submit to the California Energy Commission (CEC) their proposals for the Municipal Financing Program ('AB 811-type programs'), the California Comprehensive Residential Building Retrofit Program, and the Municipal and Commercial Building Targeted Measure Retrofit Program. Up to $95 million in ARRA funds are being offered with three State Energy Program (SEP) competitive solicitations. For the Solicitations go to CEC's Web site.

December

14 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Applications due for federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) competitive grants for “Retrofit Ramp-up Program” and “General Innovation Fund”. For details, please visit the EECBG Web site. More information is also available in the League’s City Funding Book on the League’s Web site.

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

[FULL STORY]

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