Cal Cities Board advances key initiatives, takes action on legislative priorities during February meeting
The League of California Cities Board of Directors gathered for a two-day board meeting last week, where they reviewed progress on the Cal Cities 2022 Action Agenda, voted on policy positions, and adopted recommendations to further the organization’s governance work.
Cal Cities President and Walnut Creek Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Silva kicked off the board meeting with a recap of the organization’s efforts to ensure cities’ top priorities are heard in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. President Silva reported to the board the progress made advancing city interests in recent meetings between Cal Cities leadership and state and federal lawmakers to discuss city priorities and opportunities for partnership. Key meetings included a discussion with Senator Dianne Feinstein about water and drought issues, wildfires, economic recovery, and the ways California cities are putting American Rescue Plan Act dollars to work.
On the advocacy front, Cal Cities staff updated the board on current legislation before the state Legislature that impacts cities, such as Cal Cities-sponsored SB 1466 (Stern), a recently introduced measure that would establish a state partnership with cities and counties to provide an ongoing, sustainable, and accountable source of funding to address our housing crisis. The board also reviewed and provided feedback on possible strategies to reform state housing laws and increase state funding to spur housing supply.
Two Cal Cities policy committees put forth recommendations to the board, both of which were adopted during the meeting. The first recommendation was from the Public Safety Policy Committee, urging support of legislation that calls for the repeal of Prop. 47, except for the provisions involving cannabis, to be placed on the ballot at the next statewide general election for voter approval. The board also approved the policy committee’s proposal to develop additional strategies to address crime in communities through prevention and intervention efforts, as well as improved re-entry programs.
The second recommendation was from the Revenue and Taxation Policy Committee regarding a new policy involving supplemental payments for cities impacted by disasters and economic disruptions.
A good portion of the meeting was devoted to Cal Cities ballot measure advocacy efforts, and opposition to the California Business Roundtable measure that would restrict voters, local government, and state authority to raise revenues for local services. Cal Cities outlined its opposition efforts, including a new initiative through CitiPAC to support upcoming fights at the ballot box. Learn more about these efforts on the CitiPAC website.
City officials can contact their Regional Public Affairs Manager for more information, such as how to adopt a resolution.
With recent federal legislation dedicating historic funding for strengthening and modernizing infrastructure across the country, board members participated in breakout sessions to identify the barriers and challenges for cities to access these funds and recommended the role Cal Cities can play in helping cities access funding opportunities. City officials will use the work generated by the breakout groups later this month when they travel to Washington, D.C. to speak to lawmakers during the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference.
Cal Cities’ governance work is also moving forward, with the board’s approval of a new standing Board Governance Committee and a first-year work plan for the committee that establishes priority issues for the initial year of work.
Another important takeaway from the meeting was shared during the finance update, which demonstrated the organization’s fiscal strength, with membership levels the highest they have been since 2008. Out of 482 California cities, 479 are Cal Cities members.