July 10, 2015
Issue #67

Editor's Note

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Senate Attempts to Move RDA Trailer Bill, AB 113, Monday

League Remains Opposed Due to Provisions Harmful to Cities

The Senate on Thursday waived rules to enable AB 113 (Committee on Budget) to be heard Monday in the Senate Budget Committee. Despite the fact that Gov. Jerry Brown signed the FY 2015-16 budget several weeks ago, disputes have lingered over a 100-page bill drafted by the Department of Finance (DOF) that contains significant revisions to the redevelopment dissolution process, some of which seek to reverse recent court decisions benefitting affected cities. There may also be an attempt to move it quickly off the Senate Floor on the same day.

Legislation, Hot Bills, Redevelopment, State Budget
 

Bills in Committee: July 13-17

The last full week of policy committees will commence next week, with the Legislature adjourning for summer break on July 17. Both houses return on Aug. 17 for the final weeks of the 2015 legislative session that ends on Sept. 11. The League will continue to be engaged on several more bills, with many of them flagged as Hot, during the week of July 13-17. Cities are encouraged to weigh in on these bills.

Assembly, Senate, Legislation, Hot Bills
 

Unrealistic Housing Parking Measure, AB 744, Passes Senate Transportation and Housing Committee

League Opposition Compels Amendments as Bill Moves to Senate Governance and Finance Committee for Hearing on July 15

“One-size-doesn’t fit all” is the often-heard refrain from local officials reflecting the diversity of circumstances throughout 482 cities. However, AB 744, a measure that attempts to apply unrealistically-low housing parking criteria under state Density Bonus (DB) Law that may barely work for the few, let alone the many, is getting closer to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk. The Senate Transportation and Housing Committee passed the measure on July 7 and it will next be heard by the Senate Governance and Finance Committee on Wednesday, July 15.

Action Item, Assembly, Legislation, Hot Bills, Transportation
 

Effective Financing of Community-Based Public Benefit Projects through CSCDA

Some of the most significant benefits of League membership for cities since 1988 have flowed from the League’s co-sponsorship of the California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA). With 525 local government members, which include 337 cities, CSCDA is the premiere joint powers authority (JPA) in California providing access to low cost, tax-exempt financing and economic development tools. CSCDA is a resource for cities, their strategic partners and developers that are looking for an efficient financing tool to build infrastructure, provide affordable housing, create jobs, or help residential and commercial property owners finance clean energy.

Financial Solutions for CA Cities
 

California City Solutions: Elk Grove Creates Multicultural Event and Awareness in the Community

This story is part of an ongoing series featuring Helen Putnam Award entries. The 2014 entries are available on the League’s website as a resource for cities in a searchable database called California City Solutions. Elk Grove’s Multicultural Awareness Program and Annual Festival was submitted in 2014 for the Economic Development through the Arts award category.

CA City Solutions, Helen Putnam, Economic Development, Arts
 

Register for July 29 City Attorney Webinar on Workplace Investigations

The League of California Cities® City Attorneys Department will offer a 90-minute webinar on July 29 entitled Workplace Investigations — A Practical Approach for City Attorneys. Management and human resources staff, as well as city attorneys will find the webinar informative.

City Attorneys, Personnel and Emlpoyee Relations, Meetings and Events
 

Get Ready for NLC’s 2015 Congress of Cities Conference in Nashville

The National League of Cities (NLC) will be holding its annual Congress of Cities conference in Nashville this November. The conference is Nov. 4-7 and will bring together city officials from throughout the United States.

NLC
 
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