New Mayors and Council Members Academy

January 20-21 and January 27-28, 2022

Virtual

Designed for newly elected officials and veterans wanting a refresher course, the New Mayors and Council Members Academy fosters relationships between elected officials and introduces city officials to the League of California Cities' services, as well as the basic legal and practical framework in which city officials operate. Last year's conference touched on topics like diversity, relationships between city council and city management, effective advocacy, financial responsibilities, and more.

For questions about registration, please contact registrar, Megan Dunn. For all other questions, please contact Conference Program Manager Caitlin Cole.

Please see our event and meeting policies.

Explore Previous Academies

2021 Academy Session Descriptions

Thursday, January 21

Morning Coffee Chat with the Department Executive Committee

8:30-9:15 a.m.

Join officers of the Mayors and Council Members Department for an informal “Coffee Chat” before the conference begins for the day. Come (virtually) network with your peers, and gear up for everything you will learn in the day ahead!

Cal Cities Mayors and Council Members Department Officers: Lori Ogorchock, Department President and State League Director, Council Member, Antioch | John Minto, Department First Vice President, Mayor, Santee | Dominic Foppoli, Department Second Vice President, Mayor, Windsor | Melanie Bagby, Department Immediate Past President, Council Member, Cloverdale

City of Dysfunction Junction - How to Conduct an Effective and Respectful Council Meeting

9:30-11:30 a.m.

Enjoy a popular and hilarious skit, contrasting the wrong and the right ways to conduct your city council meetings.

Welcome and introductions: Lori Ogorchock, Council Member, Antioch, President, Mayors and Council Members Department, League of California Cities

Facilitators: Christi Hogin, City Attorney, Artesia, Lomita, Malibu, and Palos Verdes Estates, Best Best & Krieger | Michael Jenkins, City Attorney, Goleta, Hermosa Beach, Rolling Hills, and West Hollywood, Of Counsel, Best Best & Krieger

Your Cal Cities and How to Use It

1-1:45 p.m.

As a city official, you are the League of California Cities. Its success, along with your own, depends on your involvement and leadership. Learn about the structure of our organization, and the many different opportunities for you to get involved and make the most of your city’s membership. Join us as we work together to make a difference in your city.

Moderator: Jennifer Whiting, Director of Education and Member Services, League of California Cities

Speakers: Cheryl Viegas Walker, President, League of California Cities, Mayor, El Centro | Carolyn Coleman, Executive Director, League of California Cities

Relationship between City Council and City Management

2-3:30 p.m.

As an elected official, there will be various competing values and priorities that drive you and your colleagues within your city. Your success on the council requires an effective relationship with your city manager, city attorney and staff, where everyone’s values are respected and represented. Learn how to work together while cultivating each of your diverse roles.

Moderator: Patricia Martel, West Coast Regional Director, ICMA

Speakers: Jim Lewis, City Manager, Pismo Beach | Ed Waage, Mayor, Pismo Beach

Friday, January 22

Morning Coffee Chat with Cal Cities Board Officers and Executive Director

8:30-9:15 a.m.

Join the League of California Cities Board officers and Executive Director for an informal “Coffee Chat” before the conference begins for the day. Come (virtually) network with your peers and gear up for everything you will learn in the day ahead!

Cal Cities Board Officers and Executive Director: Cheryl Viegas Walker, President, League of California Cities, Mayor, El Centro | Cindy Silva, First Vice President, League of California Cities, Council Member, Walnut Creek | Ali Sajjad Taj, Second Vice President, League of California Cities, Council Member, Artesia | John F. Dunbar, Past President, League of California Cities, Mayor, Yountville | Carolyn Coleman, Executive Director, League of California Cities

Financial Responsibilities, City Revenues Workshop

9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Learn about your responsibilities as elected officials in exercising fiduciary accountability and transparency in open government. Discuss the local government financial cycle, elected official financial oversight duties, and state and local funding relationships, and identify the four stages of fiscal meltdown. The importance of structurally balanced budget tips for setting city council goals, and the need for financial policies will be stressed. Learn to avoid micromanagement and complacency management.

Moderator: Nicolas Romo, Legislative Representative, League of California Cities

Speakers: Michael Coleman, League Fiscal Policy Advisor, CaliforniaCityFinance.com | Christina Turner, City Manager, Morgan Hill

Thursday, January 28

Effective Advocacy & Key City Issues

9:30-10:30 a.m.

Meet the League of California Cities’ legislative team, and learn about Cal Cities' 2021 Strategic Goals, legislative calendar, and trending issues in the legislature. Lobbyists will also share ideas for establishing practical skills to develop persuasive arguments and testimony that will serve your city’s interests.

Moderator: Melanie Perron, Deputy Executive Director, Advocacy & Public Affairs, League of California Cities

Speakers: Bismarck Obando, Director of Public Affairs, League of California Cities | Jason Rhine, Assistant Legislative Director, League of California Cities | Derek Dolfie, Legislative Representative, League of California Cities | Bijan Mehryar, Legislative Representative, League of California Cities | Nicolas Romo, Legislative Representative, League of California Cities | Caroline Cirrincione, Policy Analyst, League of California Cities | Johnnie Piña, Policy Analyst, League of California Cities

Policy Role in Land Use Planning

11 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Land use planning is one of the most important aspects of a city official’s responsibilities because of the long-term impacts it can have on a community’s environment, economic vitality and the physical health of its residents. Learn about tools and processes in land use planning such as the general plan, zoning, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as well as the role of regional agencies and the state. This knowledge will help you foster a solid working relationship with your city’s planning commission and planning staff.

Moderator: Dominic Foppoli, 2nd Vice President, Mayors and Council Members Department, League of California Cities, Mayor, Windsor

Speakers: Mark Teague, Principal, PlaceWorks | Eric Nelson, Vice Chair, Planning Commissioner, Dana Point

Your Legal Powers and Obligations

1:30-3:00 p.m.

You were elected to make things happen in your city. Learn the breadth, as well as the limitations of your powers as a city official. Acquire a basic understanding of the legal authorities and restrictions under which cities and city officials operate, with a focus on the Brown Act.

Moderator and Speaker: Corrie Manning, General Counsel, League of California Cities

Speakers: Thomas Brown, Partner, Burke, Williams & Sorensen LLP

Friday, January 29

Morning Coffee Chat with the Department Executive Committee and Premier League Partners

8:30-9 a.m.

Join officers of the Mayors and Council Members Department and the Premier League Partners for an informal “Coffee Chat” before the conference begins for the day. Come (virtually) network with your peers, and gear up for everything you will learn in the day ahead!

Premier League Partners: Amazon, California Water Service, Curative, Richards, Watson & Gershon, SitelogIQ, Southern California Edison

Communications and Civic Engagement

9:15–10:30 a.m.

With constant advancements in social media over the last several years, it can be hard to keep up with the “do’s and don’ts” of every platform. There is a wide variety of almost immediate online informational sources, and elected officials need to be quick on their feet with the necessary skills to proactively manage public perceptions about local governmental affairs. Discover what cities should be doing to communicate with their constituents in the 21st century, and the rules that elected officials need to follow.

Speakers: Brandon Castillo, Partner, Bicker, Castillo & Fairbanks | Traci Park, Partner, Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP

From Dangerous Discourse to Extraordinary Engagement: Changing the Conversation on Inclusion

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is a choice. If 2020 has taught us anything, it's that it is important to take a good, hard, long look at how we are doing business and truthfully examine how to do business better. Inclusion has moved beyond a buzzword and is now an expectation of our communities, our organizations, and our teammates. As elected officials, it is incumbent upon us to ask and effectively answer two questions: "Who else needs to be included in our conversations?" and "How can we effectively engage them?" This session will give you a new personal lens into conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion, and it will equip you with specific strategies for changing how you do business to be more inclusive.

Closing Comments: John Minto, Mayor, Santee, 1st Vice President, Mayors and Council Members Department, League of California Cities

Speakers: Eric Bailey, Managing Partner, Extraordinary Balance | Nicole Lance, Managing Partner, Extraordinary Balance

2021 Academy Session Materials

Presentations

2021 New Mayors & Council Members Resource Guide

2021 Academy Access for Registered Attendees

In addition to access to all live sessions, session materials, and virtual networking opportunities, registering for the conference grants you access to all session recordings for later viewing for a limited time. View the session recordings.

Previous Academy Session Materials

2020 Session Materials

Presentations

2020 New Mayors & Council Members Resource Guide

2019 Session Materials

Presentations

2019 New Mayors & Council Members Resource Guide