Aug. 24, 2016
Issue #72

Editor's Note

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Demographics are Destiny and Costly

A Wave of New Employees will follow the Silver Tsunami, Rapidly Retiring Generation

AB 2835’s (Cooper) estimated $350 million annual cost will only grow as new employees become the new norm. Cities will face workforce demands as baby-boomers turn retirement age. Workforce supply issues will be amplified by proposed burdensome and costly requirements for new employee orientations. The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) has reported that large numbers of Californians are reaching retirement age.

Employee Relations, Legislation, Hot Bills
 

Bill Protecting Code Enforcement Officers Heads to Governor

Cities Urged to Request Governor’s Signature on League Co-Sponsored Legislation

Legislation establishing the Code Enforcement Officers Standards Act is now on Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk. Co-sponsored by the League and the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers, Assembly Member Ken Cooley’s (D-Rancho Cordova) AB 2228 directs the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers to develop and maintain standards for the various classes of Certified Code Enforcement Officers. Standardized training will ensure consistent enforcement, improve officer safety, in addition to reducing potential local agency liability. This measure promotes such training without imposing a mandate of any kind.

Public Safety, Legislation
 

Legislation Giving State Appointments to SCAQMD Threatens Local Control

Amendments taken last week to SB 1387 (de León) do not rectify the bad precedent this legislation establishes by giving state additional authority over appointments to a regional board. Under SB 1387, the Governor, the Senate and the Assembly will appoint one new member each to the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board (SCAQMD) who represent disadvantaged communities within the district. This measure is now eligible for a vote in the Assembly and cities are urged to take action immediately to communicate their opposition.

Environmental Quality, Legislation
 

AB 1217: The Opening Wedge to State Take-Over of Joint Powers Authorities

Legislation Going to Governor, Cities Urged to Request Veto

A bill on its way to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk will establish the legal precedent for state interference in the governance of local joint powers authorities (JPAs). AB 1217 (Daly) is limited in scope to the Orange County Fire Authority, but opens the door to state micromanagement of JPAs throughout California.

Public Safety, Legislation
 

Application Period Opening Oct. 1 for Community-Based Transitional-Housing Grants

Plan Now Since Applications Will Be Awarded on a First-Come Basis

Cities interested in obtaining grants as an incentive to help house and provide transitional services to recently released offenders returning to their communities should prepare now to apply for a new Department of Finance (DOF) program that will offer cash grants to communities willing to site additional facilities. Ideally these facilities help reduce recidivism and improve public safety by enabling law enforcement to better monitor such individuals who may already be in the community. Applications will be opening Oct. 1 and will continue until funds are exhausted.  

Grants and Funding, Housing
 

Make Plans to Attend the Speaker Theater during Annual Conference

Registration Closes Sept. 2

Speaker Theater sessions are once again being planned for this year’s Annual Conference & Expo, Oct. 5-7 in Long Beach. These special sessions, which will be held on the Expo Floor, highlight successful examples of public-private partnerships. Topics feature case studies of innovative projects and programs that have worked in California cities and are presented by elected officials, city staff and industry experts who have found creative solutions to some of the challenging problems that cities face.

Meetings and Events
 

High-Speed Broadband in California Public Libraries

The California State Library, joined together with The Califa Group and the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) to bring high-speed broadband to all of California’s public libraries by connecting to CalREN, a high-capacity 3,800-mile fiber optic network.

Community Services, Library Services, Technology
1400 K Street ■ Sacramento, CA 95814 ■ (916) 658-8200
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