Did you know that University Level continuing education is eligible toward the ‘Advanced Leadership’ level of the League of California Cities’ Mayors and Council Members Department Leadership Academy? USC is planning an executive education forum for local leaders in Sacramento, April 26-27, 2013. Save the date, and look for more information to come.

One of the many ways you can be involved in the League is to participate in a Diversity Caucus. Throughout the year, the League’s Diversity Caucuses hold meetings, events and there are leadership opportunities through these groups as well.

The League’s Policy Committees met in Sacramento, January 17-18, 2013. The Mayors and Council Members Department has eight representatives who serve on the policy committees on behalf of the Department. Their updates from the meetings can be found here. More information about policy committees, including full highlights from the meetings, can be found on the League’s Web site.

Last week was a busy week in Sacramento for the more than 450 city officials who attended the sold-out 2013 League of California Cities’ New Mayors and Council Members Academy in Sacramento, Jan. 16–18.

The Mayors and Council Members Department wants to recognize you for participating in continuing education and for your service to your community and the League. It’s easy – just submit your qualifications for the Mayors and Council Members Academy, and at the next Department Meeting at Annual Conference, you will be recognized with a certificate and pin in front of your peers.

Members of the Mayors and Council Members Department:  Thanks to all who attended the Mayors and Councilmembers Department Meeting in San Diego. For those who did not, I would like to provide a quick summary of the actions taken at the meeting.

The Mayors and Council Members Department is currently seeking applicants for representatives to the League’s eight Policy Committees. The first meeting of the Policy Committees is in January. This year, applications for these appointments are being sought from the League membership. If you are interested in serving please send your application to Samantha Caygill (scaygill@cacities.org or 916-658-8240) by October 19.

The Mayors and Council Members Department approved of the following individuals to serve on the Department’s Executive Committee at the 2012 Business Meeting at Annual Conference.

The Executive Committee recommends that the amendments to the bylaws as set forth in the document linked to here be approved, and that the membership waive the 90 day notice requirements in Article IX of the bylaws. A vote on approval of this document will take place at the Mayors and Council Members Department Meeting at the League of California Cities’ Annual Conference in San Diego. This meeting will take place at the San Diego Convention Center on September 5 from 2-3:30 p.m.

The Mayors and Council Members Department is appreciative of the following appointees who are volunteering their time to review and select members of the 2012-2013 Executive Committee.

The Mayors and Council Members Department is seeking applicants for the 2nd Vice President and Director positions on the Executive Committee. Apply by August 3 for the 2nd Vice President or Director positions.

Regional government may be just the forum you need to solve that vexing problem. Given recent policy changes, most local officials probably think of regional governance in terms of SB 375 and its Sustainable Communities Strategy. But COGs are much more than that.

Early February, the League Board of Directors met and created a special task force to develop a strategy that identifies needed fixes to AB X1 26, the bill that mandated the dissolution of our Redevelopment Agencies and liquidation of our assets.  The Task Force also was asked to develop short and long-term strategies for providing cities with additional and stronger economic development tools.

The City of Bell recently convened a historic bi-lingual Community Forum that brought residents together to deliberate and to offer guidance to local officials on goals and budget priorities for the 2012-13 fiscal year. This process is one of several initiatives of the new Bell City Council to restore transparent, community-focused government to Bell. The Institute for Local Government’s website has more information about these efforts in the City of Bell and resources for local officials at http://www.ca-ilg.org/BellMaterials.