Over 1,800 City Officials Gathered in Long Beach for the League’s Annual Conference & Expo

Sep 16, 2018
IMG_9946-cropped-(1).jpgThe Annual Conference featured over 40 educational sessions, 267 exhibitors and three informative general sessions. Attendees celebrated the League’s 120th Anniversary and individual city accomplishments, applauded the installation of the League’s 2018–19 officers and board of directors, learned about innovative practices in California cities throughout the state, and adopted policy resolutions.   
 
“Cities today are dynamic, innovative and evolving — all of which happen because of the people who dedicate themselves day in and day out to their communities working for and serving in local government,” said League President Rich Garbarino, council member, South San Francisco, as he welcomed attendees to the conference at the opening general session on Wednesday, Sept. 12. “This is your League, powerful, diverse and led by people who are inspired to make their communities the best places to live, work and raise a family.”
 
The opening general session also featured a video highlighting the League’s accomplishments spanning its 120 year history and remarks from Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia who welcomed attendees to the city. 
 
IMG_0021-cropped.jpgExecutive Director Carolyn Coleman delivered her State of the League address during a general session on Thursday, Sept. 13. “From advocacy in the Legislature and at the ballot box and educational programming, the League had a strong year working together with all of you to protect and expand local authority through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians,” said Coleman. 
 
The conference keynote speakers included leadership expert Drew Dudley, who challenged city officials with an inspiring message about everyday leadership, and political strategists Paul Mitchell, Gale Kaufman, and John Thomas, who shared their outlook and predictions on the 2018 elections. 59-(1).jpg
 
In her remarks during the closing general session, National League of Cities (NLC) First Vice President Karen Freeman-Wilson, mayor, Gary, Indiana, underscored the value of the partnership between the League and NLC and provided an update on NLC’s Rebuild with Us initiative, a call to action for Congress to partner with cities and invest in our vision to rebuild and reimagine America’s infrastructure.
 
2018–2019 League Officers and Board of Directors Elected
 
IMG_7980.jpgAt its board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 13, the League board elected Grass Valley Council Member Jan Arbuckle to serve as its president, Murrieta Council Member Randon Lane to serve as first vice president and Yountville Mayor John Dunbar as second vice president. South San Francisco Council Member Rich Garbarino, who served as the 2017–18 president, became immediate past president. The board also elected seven new at-large board members. 
 
For a complete list of 2018–2019 League board members, read the New Officers press release.  
 
Helen Putnam Award for Excellence
 
Twelve cities received the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence at the conference for their outstanding efforts to deliver services and engage residents. The award was established in 1982 and honors the League’s first woman president, a dedicated public servant and Petaluma’s mayor. 
 
This year’s winners were: 
  • CCS Partnership Intergovernmental Collaboration Award: Santa Clarita for its Community Court Diversion Program.
  • Community Services and Economic Development: Milpitas for its Milpitas Workforce Development Initiative.
  • Economic Development through the Arts: Long Beach for its POW!WOW! Long Beach program.
  • Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics & Community Involvement: Garden Grove for its Neighborhood Improvement Committee Community Revitalization Initiative.
  • Health & Wellness Program: Davis for its Pedal for Polar Bears and Rancho Cucamonga for Healthy RC.
  • Housing Programs and Innovations: Patterson for HOST House.
  • Internal Administration: La Quinta for La Quinta Leadership Development.
  • Planning & Environmental Quality: Porterville for its East Porterville Water Supply Project.
  • Public Safety: Fontana for its Fontana Leadership Intervention Program.
  • Public Works, Infrastructure & Transportation: Truckee for its Mousehole Pedestrian and Bicycle Project.
  • Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government: Fresno for its Youth Commission.
  • League Partners Award for Excellence in City-Business Relations: Santa Clarita for its Santa Clarita Business Incubator and Davis for its Rental Resources Program.
Conference attendees enjoyed a video featuring the winning cities during the opening general session. 
 
Past Presidents’ Council Lifetime Achievement Award28-(3).jpg
 
League Immediate Past President JoAnne Mounce, mayor pro tem, Lodi, presented the Past Presidents’ Lifetime Achievement Award to JoAnne Speers, who served the League for two and a half decades in various capacities, including as general counsel and executive director of the Institute for Local Government.

The award is given annually to an individual whose lifetime of public service has had a significant impact on California cities and the state as a whole.
 
Institute for Local Government Beacon Award
 
The Institute for Local Government recognized eight cities with the 2018 Beacon Award. This award honors local governments that lead the way on climate, energy and sustainability through voluntary action.
 
This year’s winning cities were:
  • Redwood City (Gold);
  • Santa Cruz (Gold);
  • Carson (Silver);
  • Long Beach (Silver);
  • Mill Valley (Silver); and
  • Santa Rosa (Silver).
Each winning city is featured in 2018 Beacon Award video. 
 
Resolutions
 
During the General Assembly, voting delegates approved two resolutions: Calling Upon the League to Respond to the Increasing Vulnerabilities to Local Municipal Authority, Control and Revenue and Explore the Preparation of a Ballot Measure and/or Constitutional Amendment that Would Further Strengthen Local Democracy and Authority; and Declaring its Commitment to Support the Repeal of Preemption in California Food and Agriculture Code § 11501.1 that Prevents Local Governments from Regulating Rodenticides.
 
More information on these resolutions is available on the League’s website at www.cacities.org/resolutions.
 
Conference photos can be viewed on the League’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/leagueofcacities.