Awards, insight, and motivation abound at the 2023 annual conference

Over 2,000 Golden State city officials gathered in Sacramento last week for the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo. The three-day event was a chance for local officials to come together, discover solutions to city-specific issues, and celebrate noteworthy successes.

Four lawmakers receive top legislative award

During the annual conference, Cal Cities awarded Asm. Chris Ward, Asm. Sharon Quirk-Silva, Asm. Lori Wilson, and Sen. Bill Dodd the Distinguished Legislative Leadership Award for their dedication to local communities. Each lawmaker played a pivotal role in advancing Cal Cities’ member-driven legislative priorities this year.

Ward authored a ballot measure that would require future ballot measures that increase voter approval requirements to also pass by the same margin. As he accepted the award, he emphasized the importance of local government and the power of united city advocacy.

“Getting a big lift like this through the legislature really required your quick advocacy,” Ward said, recalling how last-minute calls from city leaders convinced several lawmakers to vote yes.

“I deeply appreciate how special the work is and the demands neighbors are making of you to deliver more,” he continued. “So, when I see something coming that’s going to make it harder for local governments to do their job, it is a nonstarter for me.”

Quirk-Silva led an effort to secure endorsements from a bipartisan group of lawmakers for permanent funding to help cities increase affordable housing and reduce homelessness. Wilson co-authored a ballot measure that would lower the voter-approval threshold for public infrastructure and affordable housing special taxes and bonds. Dodd authored a law that will allow city councils to fully adjust their pay for inflation for the first time since 1984.

Quirk-Silva, Wilson, and Dodd will formally accept their awards at a later date.

Municipal law expert gets Lifetime Achievement Award

Cal Cities also announced Betsy Strauss as the recipient of the 2023 Past Presidents’ Lifetime Achievement Award. As special legal counsel, Strauss has advised Cal Cities on a wide range of municipal finance and land use issues for three decades. She played a critical role in several successful ballot measure campaigns, including a 2004 measure that protects local tax revenues from diversion by the state.

Strauss emphasized city leaders’ collective desire to dream big and improve their communities. “There is always a way forward,” Strauss said. “Sometimes it’s hard to listen to different points of view. Yet at the end of the day, we know it’s possible to bridge differences by listening to what brings us together.”

Strauss previously served as city attorney for the cities of Napa, Fairfield, and Rohnert Park. Most recently, she played a key role in shaping ACA 1 (Aguiar-Curry), which would reduce local voter thresholds for local measures to fund infrastructure and affordable housing.

Ten cities receive awards for outstanding local programs

Cal Cities also revealed the winners of the annual Helen Putnam Award for Excellence. A member-led committee chose each city for its outstanding, innovative efforts to improve the quality of life and delivery of services in their communities. This year’s winners include:

• Agoura Hills: Internal Administration
• Azusa: Community Services and Economic Development
• Corona: Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics, and Community Involvement
• Corona: Planning and Environmental Quality
• Modesto: Housing Programs and Innovations
• Modesto: Public Safety
• Moreno Valley: Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government
• Pleasanton: Health and Wellness Programs
• Riverside: Economic Development through the Arts
• Santa Monica: Public Works
• Shafter: Intergovernmental Collaboration
• West Sacramento: Cal Cities Partners Award for Excellence in City-Business Relations

The 2023 winners were chosen from 142 submissions. Each city will also be recognized in Western City magazine.

Keynote speakers emphasize adaptability, civility, and empathy

This year’s keynote speakers and breakout sessions discussed possible solutions to challenges related to affordable housing, homelessness, climate change, infrastructure, incivility, equity, and economic development.

During the opening ceremony, Vice Mayor Eric Guerra reflected on how Sacramento’s immigrant-driven past helped it respond and adapt to new challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. “We continue to use this spirit of opportunity to make things better,” he said. “We need to work together to send a message to our state and regional leaders [about what cities need].”

Keynote speaker Matt Lehrman, a governance expert and self-described “practical idealist” shared that sentiment. Lehrman discussed how civic engagement often leaves people feeling both frustrated and empowered. Courage, he noted, is patiently listening to people you disagree with vehemently.

“Where people work together courageously, their potential is unlimited,” Lehrman advised.

Another keynote speaker, Brandon Fleming, called on city leaders to put humanity before business and meet people where they are. “People cannot be who they cannot see,” Fleming said, drawing on his experience as an at-risk youth and a Harvard debate coach. “Love first and lead second … is our moral imperative.”

Likewise, musician Valerie Vigoda discussed how to reconnect with ourselves and one another. She recounted the story of Ernest Shackleton, who led three expeditions to the Antarctic — including a nearly disastrous 1915 trip.

“The reason we remember Shackleton … is that by inspiring his people he was able to save every single life,” Vigoda said.

City leaders also had the opportunity to take away tangible policy ideas during several dozen breakout sessions. Experts discussed everything from enacting bold policies that support minority leaders and affordable housing programs to the minutia of tax policies and cybersecurity.

New leadership and board members announced

The Cal Cities Board of Directors swore in Fowler Mayor Daniel Parra to serve as president, Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Pro Tem Lynne Kennedy as first vice president, and El Cerrito Council Member Gabe Quinto as second vice president. Artesia Council Member Ali Sajjad Taj, who served as the 2022-23 president, became the immediate past president.

“It is an honor to serve as president for Cal Cities during its 125th year of advocacy and education on behalf of California cities,” Parra said. "I'm eager to help lead California cities in fostering diverse, inclusive, and equitable communities that cater to the needs of all Californians."

The Board also elected six at-large directors for a two-year term: Covina Mayor Walter Allen III, Diamond Bar Mayor Andrew Chou, Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Britt Huff, Palm Springs Council Member Lisa Middleton, Bell Vice Mayor Ana Maria Quintana, and Walnut Creek Mayor Cindy Silva.

Next year’s annual conference is scheduled for Oct. 16-18 in Long Beach.