How to Get Involved
Welcome to the League of California Cities!
Local city officials are the reason California's cities are resilient and diverse communities where our residents can live, work, and play. Cal Cities is here to help ensure you are the best city official you can be for your community.
To help you get started with Cal Cities, the resources below outline your membership benefits and how you can engage with and get the most out of your membership.
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Members' Roadmap
New to Cal Cities or want to get the most from your membership? We’ve created a roadmap to help you get started.
2023 Advocacy Priorities
We stand ready to work collaboratively with the state and federal governments and other stakeholders to accomplish our strategic advocacy priorities.
News
The League of California Cities engages with city officials through a variety of channels to keep them informed on the issues that matter most to cities.
Western City Magazine
Dive deeper into big policy issues and trends and receive practical ideas for city officials in the monthly digital Western City magazine.
Cal Cities Delivers
Cal Cities delivers major victories for cities year after year – protecting local control, securing billions of dollars in new funding, and preserving existing city resources.
Get Involved
Departments
Functioning as professional societies with educational and networking opportunities, municipal departments play an essential role in forming Cal Cities policy and programs. Each department is represented on the Cal Cities’ board of directors and policy committees.
Regional Divisions
Representing virtually every city and town in California, Regional Divisions are at the core of our advocacy efforts. City officials — both elected and career — help develop region-specific programs and carry out grassroots activities that support chosen legislative, regulatory, and ballot measure goals.
Caucuses
Caucuses advocate for equitable state policies within Cal Cities’ internal committees and departments, ensure that the unique needs of their respective communities are responded to, and promote the advancement of officials from traditionally marginalized communities.
Coastal Cities Group
Composed of 61 cities located within California's coastal zone, the Coastal Cities Group (CCG) collaborates on sea level rise mitigation efforts, land use regulations, and other issues of mutual interest.
Rural City Information Exchange
Rural communities often face different challenges than their urban counterparts and, even when the issues are similar, the solutions can differ dramatically.
Policy Committees
City officials actively debate, shape, and steer Cal Cities’ policy-making process and advocacy efforts. Over 400 officials collectively add their expertise and guidance to Cal Cities through one of seven policy committees.
Advocacy Tools
Cal Cities provides up-to-date information about the legislative process, lobbying, and which bills are scheduled for hearings. Hone your advocacy skills by diving into our Advocacy Tools.
Mission, Vision, and Beliefs
Our mission is to expand and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians. Our vision is to be recognized and respected as the leading advocate for the common interests of California's cities. Learn more about Cal Cities' core beliefs.
Planning Commissioners Academy
March 29-31, 2023
Hyatt Regency Orange County
11999 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA
RegisterDesigned for new and seasoned planning commissioners alike, this conference provides city officials with information about the roles and responsibilities of a planning commissioner, offers a basic legal and practical framework, and helps foster relationships with fellow planning commissioners. Previous topics included CEQA, how to prepare findings and conditions of approval, the planning commission’s role and responsibilities, diversity and inclusion, leadership, relationships between commission, staff, and city council, key legislative issues, and more.
For questions about registration, please contact registrar, Megan Dunn. For all other questions, please contact Associate Manager, Event Program, Kayla Boutros.
2023 Academy Information
Full Registration Includes:
- admission to all educational sessions
admission to the Wednesday evening reception, Thursday breakfast and lunch, and Friday breakfast
access to all program materials
Full Conference Registration Fees
Member-city Planning Commissioners and Department Staff | $675 |
All Others | $800 |
Non-Member City | $1,675 |
One-Day Registration Fees
Member-city Planning Commissioner Professionals | $375 |
All Others | $550 |
Non-Member City | $1,375 |
Guest Pass to Wednesday Reception | $50 |
*The guest/spouse fee is restricted to persons who are not city or public officials, are not related to any League Partner or sponsor, and would have no professional reason to attend the conference. It includes admission to Wednesday’s networking reception only. There is no refund for the cancellation of a guest/spouse registration. It is not advisable to use city funds to register a guest/spouse.
Refund Policy
Advance registrants unable to attend will receive a refund of rate paid, minus a $75 processing charge, only when a written request is submitted to Megan Dunn, and received on or before March 22. Refunds will not be available after this date. If you are unable to attend, you may substitute a colleague for your entire registration.
A limited number of hotel rooms are available at a reduced rate for conference attendees. The discounted hotel rate cut-off is Feb. 28, 2023.
STEP ONE: Register for the Conference
After your registration for the conference is received and processed, a confirmation email will be sent containing a link to the discounted hotel reservations page.
STEP TWO: Book a hotel room
Hotels are subject to sell out prior to the deadline – reserve early!
Conference Location:
Hyatt Regency Orange County
11999 Harbor Blvd
Garden Grove, CA 92840
(714) 750-1234
Group Hotel Rate (per night): $195 – Single/Double Occupancy (plus tax and fees)
Hotel Changes or Cancellations
Hotel reservation changes, date modifications, early check-out, or cancellations must be made directly through the hotel. Please note that after Feb. 28, 2023 has passed, you may incur a financial penalty and minimum one-night room charge or attrition fees.
PLEASE NOTE: The information you provide to Cal Cities when registering for a Cal Cities conference or meeting may be shared with the conference or meeting hotel(s). The hotel(s) will also share with Cal Cities the information you provide to the hotel(s) when you make your hotel reservation for the conference or meeting. The information shared between Cal Cities and the hotel(s) will be limited to your first name, last name, email, and dates/length of stay in the hotel.
CAUTION! You must be registered for the conference prior to booking a hotel room. Do not make a hotel reservation unless you are sure it is needed. Your city/company will be financially responsible for all cancellation/attrition fees. If you are making hotel reservations for others, please confirm with each individual, in advance, that they actually need hotel accommodations and intend to use them on the dates you are reserving.
Registration Open
9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Breakfast on your own.
Walking Tour
9:00-11:00 a.m.
Join us on a walking tour of the Downtown Disney District located in the heart of the Disneyland Resort to learn about this entertainment, dining and shopping destination. The walking tour will cover the history of the two Disney parks, the development of Downtown Disney and how it has evolved over time, and the planning efforts underway to update the Disneyland Resort development approvals. Advanced registration required; limited to 25 attendees.
Tour Guide
Linda Johnson, Retired Principal Planner, Retired from the City of Anaheim
Pre-Conference Trainings
10:00 a.m.-noon
Take this opportunity to complete one of your state-mandated biennial trainings before the conference officially kicks off. Sign-in will begin 45 minutes prior to the session, and you must be present for the full two hours to receive the certification of attendance. Entry will be prohibited once sessions begin.
Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws and Principles (AB 1234)
State law requires elected and appointed officials to receive two hours of training in specified ethics laws and principles every two years. Newly elected and appointed officials must receive this training within one year of becoming a public servant. Join us to learn from an expert on how to navigate ethics laws and principles.
Speaker
Matthew Summers, City Attorney, Barstow, Calabasas, Ojai, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC
Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors and Officials (AB 1661)
This informational and interactive workplace harassment prevention training will focus on current and emerging issues, and teach officials and supervisors how to identify, prevent, and properly respond to workplace harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and abusive conduct in order to avoid personal and agency liability in compliance with AB 1825, AB 2053, AB 1661, and SB 396.
Speaker
Jennifer Martinez, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Hanson Bridgett LLP
The Institute for Local Government is a State Bar of California minimum continuing legal education (MCLE) approved provider and certifies this activity meets the standards for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California in the total amount of two hours (general credits). Provider #13881
Lunch on your own
noon-1:00 p.m.
Opening General Session: Navigating Change Without Losing Focus
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Welcoming Remarks
Debbie Chamberlain, President, Planning and Community Development Department and Community Development Director, San Ramon
Keynote speaker, Berké Brown will guide planning commissioners through a series of motivational concepts and an exploration of how their personal and work values can produce unshakeable resilience in the face of challenges and clarity
in the face of change. Participants will leave feeling inspired to serve as true leaders and will be equipped with the necessary tools to navigate the unknowns with confidence while strengthening their community’s bonds.
Speaker
Berké Brown, Global Speaker, Organizational Coach, and Behavior Change Specialist
Concurrent Sessions
2:45-4:00 p.m.
Fundamentals Session
CEQA: Basics
Hear an introduction about the role of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and join us as we pull back the curtain on parts of the process, including the types of documents you will see, how environmental decisions are made, and the responsibilities of staff and the commission at each stage in the process. The tools and approaches taken by those who prepare the documents for your review will also be discussed.
Speakers
Mark Teague, Managing Principal, PlaceWorks
Shannon George, Vice President/Principal, David J. Powers & Associates
Emerging Issues Session
When the Gavel Strikes: Tips for Efficient and Effective Public Meetings
Public meetings influence how your agency is perceived by the public. Meeting management strategies can make planning commission meetings more effective and promote an image of efficiency and transparency. In this session, a planning manager and a city attorney will share tips for minimizing disruptions, facilitating public participation, and fostering a thoughtful-yet-convivial atmosphere during commission meetings.
Moderator
Debbie Chamberlain, President, Planning and Community Development Department and Community Development Director, San Ramon
Speakers
Brendan Kearns, Shareholder, Richards Watson & Gershon
Talyn Mirzakhanian, Planning Manager, Manhattan Beach
4:15-5:30 p.m.
Fundamentals Session
Planning Commission 101: The Nuts and Bolts of Planning
Commissioners will learn the basics about planning laws, typical planning documents, and how they fit together. Speakers who have worked as planning staff, planning commissioners, and consultants will introduce the nuts and bolts of General Plans, Housing Elements, Specific Plans, zoning codes, subdivision ordinances, design review, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and will walk commissioners through typical project review and decision-making processes. Participants will also learn how plans, codes, and regulations can be written to ensure that principles of sustainability, equity, and community-building are incorporated in new development.
Moderator and Speaker
David Early, Senior Advisor, PlaceWorks
Speakers
Don Anderson, Chairman, Westminster Planning Commission
Marc Roberts, Member, California Planning Roundtable
4:15-5:30 p.m.
Emerging Issues Session
Planning for the Future: Creative Strategies and Lessons Learned
Cities across the state are struggling to meet increased housing needs in their communities. Planning commissioners often help bridge the divide between community members and city councils who set policy direction. To help address this, many commissioners are seeking training, resources, and tools to not only do their jobs better, but help set their cities up for success. Join a panel of experts from local government, state government, and the private sector for a roundtable discussion covering creative policies, community engagement techniques, financing tools, and other innovative strategies to help meet community, regional, and state priorities.
Moderator
Melissa Kuehne, Senior Program Manager, Institute for Local Government
Speakers
Bryan Dopp, Planning Commissioner, Rancho Cucamonga
Sohab Mehmood, Senior Housing Policy Manager, CA Department of Housing and Community Development
Sandra Moberly, Community and Economic Development Director, Mammoth Lakes
Andrea Ouse, Community
Development Director, West Sacramento
Mark Teague, Managing Principal, PlaceWorks
Networking Reception
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Make new friends and catch up with old ones while enjoying delicious appetizers and tasty beverages during the evening networking reception. It’s the perfect opportunity to form support networks inside your profession.
Registration Open
7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Networking Breakfast and Visit with Sponsors
7:45-8:45 a.m.
Joint Session
Processing Housing Development Applications under SB 330
9:00-10:15 a.m.
In this interactive session, learn about the constraints and requirements in processing housing development applications under SB 330. SB 330 amended the Permit Streamlining Act by imposing new timing requirements in considering housing projects and amended the Housing Accountability Act by imposing limits on an agency’s consideration and approvals/disapproval of housing projects. In addition, SB 330 created a new streamlining process and vesting mechanism by creating a preliminary housing application. This session will highlight what staff and planning commissioners need to know and be watchful for in processing and considering housing projects.
Moderator
Debbie Chamberlain, President, Planning and Community Development Department and Community Development Director, San Ramon
Speakers
Patricia Curtin, Land Use Attorney, Fennemore Wendel
Barbara Kautz, Partner, Goldfarb & Lipman LLP
Amara Morrison, Director, Fennemore Wendel
Concurrent Sessions
10:30-11:45 a.m.
Fundamentals Session
Relationship Between Planning Commission, City Council, and Planning Staff
As a city official, there will be various competing values and priorities that drive you and your colleagues within your city. Your success on the planning commission requires an effective relationship with your planning staff and city council, where everyone’s values are respected and represented. Learn how to work together while cultivating each of your diverse roles.
Moderator
Meghan McKelvey, Department and Member Services Manager, League of California Cities
Speakers
Debbie Chamberlain, President, Planning and Community Development Department and Community Development Director, San Ramon
Ray Marquez, Council Member, Chino Hills
Eric Nelson, Department Director, Planning
and Community Development Department and Planning Commissioner, Dana Point
Emerging Issues Session
CEQA: Advanced
This session assumes some familiarity with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Hear an in-depth discussion on the process of crafting mitigation measures, long- and short-term impacts, and how the CEQA landscape changes with legislation, court decisions, and agency preferences. Dive into why CEQA documents look the way they do, the role of findings, and what to do with late-hit letters. Finally, some of the more technical sections of the document will be demystified.
Speakers
Mark Teague, Managing Principal, PlaceWorks
Shannon George, Vice President/Principal, David J Powers & Associates
Networking Lunch
11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Joint Session
Planning Commissioner Jeopardy
1:15-2:30 p.m.
The session will run in a show game format similar to Jeopardy. Attendees will be presented with an answer and will be given an opportunity to respond in a question format. The Jeopardy hosts will work through five different categories with difficulty ranging from 100 points to 500 points. Categories will include: Brown Act (with emphasis placed on Social Media), Conflicts of Interest, Housing, Parliamentary Procedure, and Constitutional Issues. Winning participants will be eligible for prizes!
Moderator
Joel Rojas, Immediate Past President, Planning and Community Development Department and Development Services Director, San Juan Capistrano
Facilitators
Henry Castillo, Associate, Best Best & Krieger
Albert Maldonado, Associate, Best Best & Krieger
Concurrent Sessions
2:45-4:00 p.m.
Fundamentals Session
Planning Commission: Roles, Responsibilities and Restrictions
Planning commissioners will walk away having learned the answers to the following questions: What is the role of the planning commission as defined by state laws, city charter or local ordinance? What is the planning commission’s role in policy making versus policy recommendations? What are the responsibilities of the planning commission that it must understand and implement as a local agency body? What are the restrictions placed on the planning commission, such as new housing laws, Brown Act, Public Records Act, and conflicts of interest regulations?
Moderator
Anita Gutierrez, Second Vice President, Planning and Community Development Department and Development Services Director, Pomona
Speakers
Jolie Houston, Los Altos City Attorney, Berliner Cohen
Nick Zornes, Development Services Director, Los Altos
Extended Speed Sessions
Moderator
Benjamin Yee, First Vice President, Planning and Community Development Department and Planning Commissioner, Fremont
Emerging Issues Session
Surplus Land Act: Know the Impact Before You Transact
2:45-3:15 p.m.
California is faced with a housing crisis. The state has revved up enforcement to accelerate the production of affordable housing including the use of public agency-owned land. Effective in 2020, the Surplus Land Act (SLA) requires all public agencies to follow a process to sell or lease any public property by first offering it to a state-controlled list of affordable housing developers. Learn how the SLA process impacts local land use and how to navigate the sale/lease/licensing of public agency property to pursue public-private projects that are compliant with state requirements and produce preferred community and economic development.
Speaker
Larry Kosmont, Chairman and CEO, Kosmont Companies
Emerging Issues Session
Burning Questions, No Judgment
3:30-4:00 p.m.
Have a question that you are afraid to ask in a public meeting, or feel that you should already know the answer to? Join us in a safe environment and receive answers to your most burning questions.
Speakers
Debbie Chamberlain, President, Planning and Community Development Department and Community Development Director, San Ramon
Robert Combs, Planning Commissioner, Danville
Joint Session
Objective Standards: How to Apply Objective Standards to Comply with State Law and Retain Local Control
4:15-5:30 p.m.
Recent state housing legislation requires that certain housing projects be reviewed only against objective standards such as “objective zoning standards,” “objective subdivision standards,” and “objective design standards.” As a result, objective standards are the only basis that a jurisdiction may use to deny or reduce the density of certain projects. This session will present alternative approaches for developing objective standards that comply with state law and ensure the appearance of new development is compatible with a jurisdiction’s vision. Learn how to measure design objectively, how to differentiate between a design guideline and a design standard, and how to apply a variety of approaches for developing standards that are measurable and verifiable.
Moderator
Joel Rojas, Immediate Past President, Planning and Community Development Department and Development Services Director, San Juan Capistrano
Speakers
Julia Malisos, Principal - Planning/Community Design, WHA
Isaac Rosen, Associate, Best Best & Krieger
Registration Open
7:45 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
7:45-8:45 a.m.
Joint Session
Legislative Update
9:00-10:15 a.m.
Learn about recent bills that have passed, as well as top issues that are trending in the legislature, and their significance for planning commissioners.
Speaker
Jason Rhine, Assistant Director, Legislative Affairs, League of California Cities
Joint Session
Closing Keynote: State-Local Relationships in an Era of Hyper-Politics
10:30 a.m.-noon
Closing Remarks
Benjamin Yee, First Vice President, Planning and Community Development Department and Planning Commissioner, Fremont
Land use was once the exclusive province of local governments, but for a variety of reasons, including climate change and housing shortages, the state has assumed an ever-larger role in deciding how land is developed. No one knows how far this trend will reach, and it creates tension between state and local officials, because land use decisions often have impacts on local government revenues.
Speaker
Dan Walters, Political Columnist for CALmatters, Author
- CEQA Advanced
- CEQA Basics
- Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors and Officials (AB 1661)
- Hyatt Regency Orange County Floor Plan final
- Objective Standards How to Apply Objective Standards to Comply with State Law and Retain Local Control - Rosen
- Objective Standards How to Apply Objective Standards to Comply with State Law and Retain Local Control - Malisos
- Planning Commission 101 The Nuts and Bolts of Planning - Anderson
- Planning Commission 101 The Nuts and Bolts of Planning - Early
- Planning Commission Roles, Responsibilities and Restrictions - Houston
- Planning Commission 101 The Nuts and Bolts of Planning - Roberts
- Planning for the Future Creative Strategies and Lessons Learned
- Processing Housing Development Applications under SB 330 - Curtain
- Surplus Land Act Know the Impact Before You Transact
- Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws & Principles AB 1234 Training
- When the Gavel Strikes Tips for Efficient Effective Public Meetings
2022 Academy Session Descriptions
2022 Planning Commissioners Academy Program (PDF)Registration Open
Pre-Conference: City Center Walking Tour
Explore San Ramon’s new downtown area on this guided group tour and get an inside look at the latest developments since the 2016 Planning Commissioners Academy. Experience the new 300,000 square foot City Center, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, which opened in the fall of 2018 and offers a range of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Learn about planned updates to the Bishop Ranch Business Park with the recently approved CityWalk Master Plan which will guide the development of residential and commercial uses, along with public amenities within the Master Plan area, to complement and support City Center Bishop Ranch. The buildout of the Master Plan envisions the addition of up to 4,500 dwelling units over 25 years; a 169-key hotel; 166,000 square feet of commercial uses, and more than 38 acres of parkland.
Walking Tour Leads
Lauren Barr, Planning Manager, San Ramon
Jeff Dodd, Senior Vice President, Retail, Sunset Development Company
Jerry Engen, Senior Vice President, Development and Construction, Sunset Development
Pre-Conference Workshop: Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws and Principles (AB 1234)
State law requires elected and appointed officials to receive two hours of training in specified ethics laws and principles every two years. Newly elected and appointed officials must receive this training within one year of becoming a public servant. Join us to learn from an expert on how to navigate ethics laws and principles.
Speaker
Nicholaus Norvell, Partner, Best Best & Krieger LLP
Pre-Conference Workshop: Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors and Officials (AB 1661)
This informational and interactive workplace harassment prevention training will focus on current and emerging issues resulting from the #MeToo movement, and teach officials and supervisors how to identify, prevent, and properly respond to workplace harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and abusive conduct in order to avoid personal and agency liability in compliance with AB 1825, AB 2053, AB 1661 and SB 396.
Speaker
Heather R. Coffman, Associate, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Opening General Session
Creating a City Where People Want to Live: Why Working Together is so Important
Great places and great cities don’t happen by accident, they are purposeful. Full of examples and anecdotes, this keynote shares the
important role that planning staff and planning commissioners play in improving the quality of life of their communities. Building relationships, listening, and establishing expectations are important components of an effective planning
process that can lead to a meaningful experience for all involved.
Debbie Chamberlain, President, Planning and Community Development Department, League of California Cities and Community Development Director, San Ramon
David Hudson, Mayor, San Ramon
Keynote Speaker
Mick Cornett, Mayor of Oklahoma City, 2004-2018
Concurrent Sessions
Planning Commission 101: The Nuts and Bolts of Planning
Fundamentals Session
Commissioners will learn the basics about planning laws, typical planning documents, and how they fit together. Speakers who have worked as planning staff, planning commissioners, and consultants will introduce the nuts and bolts of general plans, housing elements, specific plans, zoning codes, subdivision ordinances, design review, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Understand the typical project review and decision-making processes that commissioners need to be successful. Participants will also learn how plans, codes, and regulations can be written to ensure that principles of sustainability, equity, and community-building are incorporated in new development.
An Irregular Meeting of the City of Dysfunction Junction Planning Commission
Emerging Issues Session
Speakers
Concurrent Sessions
CEQA: An Introduction
Fundamentals Session
Hear an introduction about the role of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in the planning process, as we cover the basics in this dynamic session. Join us as we pull back the curtain on parts of the process, including the types of documents you will see, how environmental decisions are made, and the responsibilities of staff and the commission at each stage in the process. The tools and approaches taken by those who prepare the documents for your review will also be discussed, with an opportunity to ask questions throughout the session.
Presider and Speaker
Tools for the Trade: New Resources for Planning Commissioners
Emerging Issues Session
Planning commissioners must balance the needs of their city, the vision of their community members, and state and local regulations while making decisions that are in the best interest of all they serve. To effectively do this, planning commissioners must be fast learners and seek out resources to become more effective leaders. Join a panel of planning experts to hear about emerging issues and trends in the planning field and new resources that can help you do your job better and with more confidence.
Speaker
Eric Nelson, Department Director, Planning and Community Development Department, League of California Cities and Planning Commissioner, Dana Point
Jenni Byers, Community Development Director, Lakeport
Peer-to-Peer Connections
Registration Open
Networking Breakfast
Understanding and Navigating SB 9 (Atkins, 2021) in Your City
SB 9 (Atkins, 2021) allows “upzoning” of single-family neighborhoods irrespective of zoning codes, community input, and environmental review. As planning commissioners, you may have questions: Does SB 9 override Common Interest
Development or Homeowner Association restrictions? How can municipalities preserve local control? How does SB 9 interface with Accessory Dwelling Unit laws? Must a city approve eight units on a single-family lot (a duplex and two granny
units on each parcel after a lot split)? Or may cities approve only four of those units? Discover the answers to these questions and more as we assist planning commissioners in navigating the intricacies of implementing SB 9.
Moderator
Eric Nelson, Department Director, Planning and Community Development Department, League of California Cities and Planning Commissioner, Dana Point
Speakers
Joan Cox, Partner, Burke Williams & Sorensen
Barbara Kautz, Partner, Goldfarb & Lipman LLP
Concurrent Sessions
Relationship Between Planning Commission, City Council, and Planning Staff
Fundamentals Session
As a city official, there will be various competing values and priorities that drive you and your colleagues within your city. Your success on the planning commission requires an effective relationship with your planning staff and city council, where everyone’s values are respected and represented. Learn how to work together while cultivating each of your diverse roles.
Moderator
Meghan McKelvey, Department and Member Services Manager, League of California Cities
CEQA: Advanced
Emerging Issues Session
This session assumes some familiarity with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Hear an in-depth discussion on the process of crafting mitigation measures, long- and short-term impacts, and how the CEQA landscape changes with legislation, court decisions, and agency preferences. Dive into why CEQA documents look the way they do, the role of findings, and what to do with late-hit letters. Finally, some of the more technical sections of the document will be demystified.
Presider and Speaker
Mark Teague, Managing Principal, PlaceWorks
Speaker
Shannon George, Vice President/Principal, David J. Powers & Associates
Networking Lunch
Streamlined Housing Laws and New Housing Legislation
Learn about the recently adopted laws SB 35 (Weiner, 2017) and SB 330 (Skinner, 2019) that provide for expedited processing and approval of qualifying housing projects, review recent court cases interpreting SB 35 and the Housing Accountability
Act, and provide an update on new pro-housing legislation signed by Governor Newsom, including SB 9 (Atkins, 2021) and SB 10 (Weiner, 2021). Planning commissioners are tasked with understanding how to consider and process streamlining
applications. Speakers will review whether planning commissioners have the authority to approve or deny such projects and the findings that need to be made if they deny a project. Lastly, understand how the legislature has limited decision-making
roles in making decisions on streamlining applications.
Moderator
Debbie Chamberlain, President, Planning and Community Development Department, League of California Cities and Community Development Director, San Ramon
Patricia Curtin, Attorney, Wendel Rosen LLP
Coffee Chat
Concurrent Sessions
How to Prepare Findings and Conditions of Approval
Fundamentals Session
As a planning commissioner, your decision to approve an application is based on whether you can make the required findings and draft conditions of approval that can be implemented. Learn the reasons why findings are so important in rendering a decision on a project and what conditions of approval are and how to prepare them.
Moderator
Joel Rojas, Immediate Past President, Planning and Community Development Department, League of California Cities and Development Services Director, San Juan Capistrano
Speakers
Patricia Curtin, Attorney, Wendel Rosen LLP
Speed Sessions
Post-COVID-19 Zoning Playbook: Value Capture Meets Quality of Life
Emerging Issues
The post-COVID-19 world’s economy is being driven by consumer preferences and online retail, private sector investment has shifted from retail and office to residential and industrial. Urban is moving to suburban, and rooftops (housing) now yield more economic impact given work and consumer buying activity. To counter losses, sales tax, zoning, and entitlements can generate currency when used to capture value via entitlement agreements that use density and financing tools in exchange for amenities and infrastructure. Learn about the “development currency and value capture” tools that cities can use to reset local economies and maximize community and fiscal benefits through land use, zoning, and entitlement tools.
Speaker
Larry Kosmont, Chairman and CEO, Kosmont Companies
Wildfire Planning in the General Plan
Emerging Issues
Senate Bill 1234 (Kehoe, 2012) revised the safety element provisions in California state law which requires all cities and counties whose planning area is within the State Responsibility Area or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to address and incorporate specific information regarding wildfire hazards. This includes the risk, policies, and programs to address and reduce unreasonable risks associated with wildfire. The specific requirements are codified in GC § 65302(g)(3) and 65302.5(b). Learn about this important law before a wildfire occurs in your city.
Speaker
Brian Barkley, Fire Captain, CAL FIRE
Burning Questions, No Judgement
Emerging Issues
What Planners Need to Know About City Finance Today
Learn the essentials and the latest hot topics in city finances in a session specially geared to city planners and planning commissioners. Hear about the rules and trends in taxes, fees, and other city revenues; the relationship with the state budget; and problems and prospects for reform. Explore the valid relationship of city finances with land use planning, and get your questions answered about the most pressing fiscal issues facing cities.
Speaker
Michael Coleman, CaliforniaCityFinance.com
Registration Open
7:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Networking Breakfast
7:45-8:45 a.m.
Legislative Update
9:00-10:15 a.m.
Joint Session
Learn about recent bills that have passed, as well as top issues that are trending in the legislature, and their significance for planning commissioners.
Speaker
Jason Rhine, Assistant Director of Legislative Affairs, League of California Cities
Closing General Session
10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
How Planning Commissioners Can Be Leaders for Equitable and Engaged Communities
Fogbreak will share how Planning Commissioners can promote equity and be inclusive leaders. In this one-and-a-half-hour talk, organizational
change and leadership expert, Berké Brown, will present a research-based and human-centered approach to meaningful leadership. Equity, diversity, and inclusion have become words that are used so often that sometimes the meaning
behind them loses their power. If we dig deeper and understand that it is truly about being humane and empathetic, we can turn the tide from “checking off boxes” to making small but impactful actions that create equitable communities.
Berké Brown will share and lead a workshop about the tools and strategies — derived from the model of procedural justice — leaders can use in everyday interactions with community members to make this vision a reality.
Closing Remarks
Cindy Silva, President, League of California Cities and Mayor Pro Tem, Walnut Creek
Debbie Chamberlain, President, Planning and Community Development Department, League of California Cities and
Community Development Director, San Ramon
Keynote Speaker
Berké Brown, Partner, Fogbreak Justice
Adjourn
12:00 p.m.
*Schedule subject to change
2022 Academy Session Materials
- CEQA: Advanced
- CEQA: An Introduction
- Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors and Officials (AB 1661)
- How Planning Commissioners Can Be Leaders for Equitable and Engaged Communities
- How to Prepare Findings and Conditions of Approval
- Legislative Update
- Planning Commission 101 - Early
- Planning Commission 101 - Hauge
- Planning Commission 101 - Roberts
- Post-COVID-19 Zoning Playbook: Value Capture Meets Quality of Life
- Streamlined Housing Laws and New Housing Legislation
- Tools for the Trade: New Resources for Planning Commissioners
- Understanding and Navigating SB 9 in Your City
- Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws and Principles (AB 1234)
- Wildfire Planning in the General Plan
Previous Academy Session Materials
- CEQA 101 From the Beginning
- CEQA: In the Weeds
- From Dangerous Discourse to Extraordinary Engagement Changing the Conversation on Inclusion
- Glossary of Land Use and Planning Terms - Acronyms and Abbreviations
- How to Prepare Findings and Conditions of Approval
- In The Trenches with Your General Plan - Amsden
- Legislative Update - Enright
- Legislative Update - Rhine
- Planning Commission 101 The Nuts and Bolts of Planning - Early
- Planning Commission 101 The Nuts and Bolts of Planning - Roberts
- Planning Commission 101: The Nuts and Bolts of Planning - Anderson
- The Planning Commission's Role and State Limits on Its Discretion
- Value Capture Zoning and Entitlements as Currency Generators for Cities
- You Got Your RHNA - Now What - Follow-up
- You Got Your RHNA - Now What?
- 2020 Planning Commissioners Academy Program
- ADU Regulation Challenges
- CEQA, From the Beginning
- CEQA, In the Weeds
- Development Agreements: The Planning Commission's Role in Reviewing Them
- Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors and Officials (AB 1661)
- How to Prepare Findings and Conditions of Approval
- In the Trenches With Your General Plan
- LCC Planners 2020
- Legislative Update - Mehmood
- Legislative Update - Rhine
- Meeting Management Tips for Efficient and Effective Public Meetings Campbell Kearns
- Planning Commission 101: The Nuts and Bolts of Planning - Early
- Planning Commission 101: The Nuts and Bolts of Planning - Hauge
- Planning Commission 101: The Nuts and Bolts of Planning - Roberts
- Shared Mobility: Ins and Outs
- Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws and Principles (AB 1234)
- What Planners Need to Know About City Finance Today
- You Are What You Tweet: An Official Survival Guide
- Your Legal Powers and Obligations
- Downtown Turnaround: Sustaining Investment and Innovation Lessons from Long Beach
- High Hopes with Cannabis Regulations
- Homelessness Emergency Aid Program
- How To Build And Maintain The Public's Trust: Practical Ethics And The Law (AB 1234)
- Is Your City Ready for SB 35?
- Legislative Update
- Making Findings that Stand Legal Challenge
- Planning Commission 101 The Nuts and Bolts of Planning
- Planning Commission 101: The Nuts and Bolts of Planning - Anderson
- Planning Commission 101: The Nuts and Bolts of Planning - Roberts
- Sexual Harassment Prevention Training (AB 1661)
- Transportation to What Ends? Updating the Metric of Transportation Impact Under CEQA
- Understanding Density And Development Intensity
- What Planners Need To Know About City Finance Today
- You Are What You Tweet
- Your League and How To Use It
Thank You Sponsors
Speaker Center
In the Speaker Center, you can find resources for all speaker-related details including deadlines, audiovisual requests, presentation submission directions, panelist agreements, and key event contacts.
Below are key presenter deadlines and a link to the Speakers Agreement. Please read and complete the required fields to acknowledge your acceptance of the League of California Cities’ presenter guidelines. Providing your digital signature
allows Cal Cities to move forward in planning and promoting your session, as well as publish your name and affiliation on our website and in marketing materials. Your contact information will remain strictly confidential.
Should you have any questions, please contact the education department.
Important deadlines
Dec. 19: Complete the Speakers Agreement and note any specific audiovisual requests. On the day of their presentation, speakers are provided a one-day complimentary registration (not including meals or special events), which needs to be completed via the form. If you would like to register for additional conference days or activities, please contact Megan Dunn.
Feb. 28: Discounted hotel rate cut off. Once you register for the conference, you will be prompted to book a hotel room.
March 22: Deadline for advanced conference registration.
December-March: To ensure each speaker is comfortable with their responsibilities during the presentation, please hold at least one conference call with all of the panelists in your session. The session planning chair, typically the person who submitted the proposal for the conference, is responsible for connecting with the other speakers to hold a session planning call.
March 20: Submit your final presentation to Cal Cities via the presentation submission page.
Our goal is to provide exceptional educational experiences, networking opportunities, and innovative tools that will make attendees and their cities more successful. Studies show that adults learn best when they are actively involved in the process rather than passively listening or watching. Most attendees are knowledgeable about the subject, and therefore are interested in hearing what others know and what their experiences have been. Accordingly, we urge you to plan your presentation with these suggestions in mind.
- "The presentation was a 'sales' pitch for a particular product or service."
- "I couldn't read the slides."
- "One speaker took so much time that the others were not able to give their full presentations."
- "I'd like more practical knowledge."
- Relevant content for experienced audiences that stretches thinking and provides new approaches.
- Content that is delivered in an engaging way and draws on the experience of the attendees.
- Examples and case studies of real success (and successful failures).
- Try to add stories, anecdotes, testimonials, or demonstrations that emphasize your point. We all remember a good story, and thus more easily the lesson with it.
- Provide tools and information that the audience can implement.
- If there are other speakers in your session, coordinate with them in advance to decide your speaking order and ensure that all presentations fit into the assigned time allotment. If you do not have the contact information for your co-presenters, please contact us at education@calcities.org.
- Selling from the podium creates conflict of interest problems. Cal Cities educational sessions should never be an advertisement. Therefore, presentations may not include any commercialism for specific products or consulting services.
Submitting Your Session Materials
The League of California Cities encourages our presenters to use the most engaging educational platform possible when speaking at the Planning Commissioners Academy. We recognize that each session has a unique format and presentation style based on the preferences of the speaker(s) and content being presented, but the following three examples are provided as a general guideline in planning your session.
- Welcome
- Frame session
- Introduce speakers
- Summary of relevant experience
- Learning objectives
- Core session content
- Summary of key points
- Facilitate Q&A
- Final comments
- Welcome
- Frame session
- Introduce speaker
- Summary of relevant experience
- Learning objectives
- Core session content
- Summary of key points
- Facilitate Q&A
- Final comments
Speed Sessions: (20 minutes)
Speaker #1 (15 minutes)
- Self-introduction
- Frame session
- Fun and engaging presentation
Final thoughts (5 minutes)
- Facilitate Q&A
- Final Comments
Call for Proposals
We encourage you to take advantage of this exciting opportunity to share your ideas, knowledge, and expertise with this important audience!
Who Can Submit
How It Works
Target Audience
- Is the topic new and/or critical for city government?
- Will it draw a wide audience?
- Will this issue stimulate action and further important discussion?
- Does this session apply to both seasoned and new planning commissioners?
- Will members leave the sessions having learned something new? Are there key takeaways?
- Does this session reflect the diversity of California cities (political affiliations, north/south, large/small, urban/rural)?
Tips for Successful Proposals
- Think big
- Vary the viewpoint
- Pare down the panel
- Speaker skills matter
- Plan for a crowd
- Try something new
- Interact with the audience
- Fill in the blanks
- Quality counts
Types of Proposals
- Keynote Speaker
Keynote speakers are high-profile and designed to bring everyone together for a general session / and may set the tone of the event. This format permits approximately 45-60 minutes of an engaging presentation by a single speaker. Depending on time restrictions, the presentation may be followed by approximately 15 minutes of questions and answers with the audience or a moderator. - Panel Discussion
Panels consist of a moderator and a maximum of three speakers who participate in a 60 minute engaging presentation and discussion followed by approximately 15 minutes of questions and answers. - Speed Sessions
Fifteen minute bursts of information on one topic by one speaker followed by five minutes of questions & answers. Typically, these engaging presentations are based on focused projects or personal experience. - Facilitated Group Discussion
A 75 minute interactive conversation on a topic led by a single facilitator. You may include a maximum 15 minute presentation on which the issue/concern is framed and, then, guide a discussion among the attendees with prepared questions. At the conclusion of the discussion, the facilitator must spend time summarizing key findings, suggestions, and points. - Alternative Format
Be creative! If your session does not fit one of the above formats, this is your opportunity to propose something different. Please be sure to provide the time, room setup, and other important details. Alternative formats will be accommodated based on interest level, space, and set-up availability.
Submission Requirements and Review
Successful Proposal Considerations
- Relevance - What are the practical applications of your ideas? Have you included reasoning and documentation to support your conclusions, recommendations and outcomes? Conference attendees prefer presentations focused on outcomes or results. Make the definition and background portions of your presentation brief. Highlight problems encountered, options available, choices made, documented pre- and post-change effects and lessons learned.
- Content expands attendees' knowledge - Will your presentation expand knowledge beyond entry-level basics? Most conference participants are elected officials, appointed officials, and seasoned professionals. In general, direct your presentation to an intermediate or advanced audience.
- Originality - Does your presentation advance existing ideas or present new ideas? Has this material been presented elsewhere? You might apply proven techniques to new problems or identify and apply new approaches, techniques or philosophies. Assess the degree to which an application is a new tool. Avoid highlighting a named product or service…focus instead on the general attributes, benefits and drawbacks of a given application, process or tool.
- Examples - Do you have an appropriate number of examples? Documenting comparative results convinces participants that your ideas have been tested in the real world.
- Timeliness - Will your presentation still be up-to-date and cutting-edge in six to nine months when the conference occurs? Will your topic have implications in the future? How relevant is your topic in the context of pending legislation, regulations and technology?
- Inclusion of good, solid insights - What attendees want to learn is the reality versus the hype, the positive and negative attributes, problems encountered but not often discussed, realistic expectations for the operational use and adaptability to a changing environment. They are searching for guidelines and models to simplify or manage their own application or installation.
- Logical conclusions - Are your conclusions supported by data? Attendees place a high value on supporting data in assessing the value and applicability of presentations. Include adequate and convincing details.
- Identification of outside resources - Have you included sources of information, benchmark data or other examples?
- Avoidance of product/vendor commercial - No commercials and/or proprietary information for particular products, services or vendors are permitted.
- Completeness of proposal - The quality, completeness and accuracy of the proposal will be considered during session selection process.
- Preferred Speaker Qualifications - Panelists should reflect the diversity of California with a north/south, large/small, urban/rural representation when possible.
- Five or more (5+) years of public presentation experience.
- Two or more (2+) years of experience related to working in or presenting on the topic or idea.
- More than two (2) successful speaking engagements to large audiences at a regional or state level in the past two years.
- Must not pose a conflict of interest with subject/business area or must disclose such information in each speaker bio submitted.
- No commercialism.
To ensure a variety of perspectives, Cal Cities policy limits the number of times an individual, group, business or organization can speak at a single conference. In addition, each panel should have no more than one panelist per city/county, firm, company or organization (exceptions may apply).
- Overall - In the end, you must make your case for the importance of this topic and its relevance to participants.
Registration and Speaker Policy
Privacy Policy
We value your privacy and will never share any of your personal information nor sell your e-mail address to an outside party.
Cal Cities by the Numbers
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57 Board Members
16 Regional Divisions
10 Municipal Departments
5 Diversity Caucuses
Cal Cities Bylaws
Cal Cities staff, boards, departments, finances, committees, and divisions are governed by an extensive set of bylaws.
FPPC Compliance
The League of California Cities is a “publicly funded nonprofit organization” for purposes of Government Code section 84222.5. This statute imposes several requirements, including posting Cal Cities’ FPPC ballot measure campaign filings on its website.