Every day local leaders work to make their cities better places in which to live, work, and play. They approve projects to increase affordable housing, address homelessness, improve streets and roads, spur economic growth, and deliver essential services to protect citizens.
The Cal Cities #LocalWorks initiative shines the spotlight on examples of local actions that are making a difference to their communities. See below how local works and if you have a #LocalWorks story to share, please contact your Regional Public Affairs Manager or the Cal Cities Communications Department.
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City Projects
February 12, 2020
The world of municipal finance management can be complex and difficult to navigate. Cities face increasing fiscal challenges as they strive to effectively balance rising pension costs and other unfunded liabilities with providing services to keep their residents safe and their communities thriving.
- See more at: https://www.cacities.org/Top/News/News-Articles#sthash.uTrqTMsD.dpuf
February 12, 2020
The world of municipal finance management can be complex and difficult to navigate. Cities face increasing fiscal challenges as they strive to effectively balance rising pension costs and other unfunded liabilities with providing services to keep their residents safe and their communities thriving.
- See more at: https://www.cacities.org/Top/News/News-Articles#sthash.uTrqTMsD.dpuf
February 12, 2020
The world of municipal finance management can be complex and difficult to navigate. Cities face increasing fiscal challenges as they strive to effectively balance rising pension costs and other unfunded liabilities with providing services to keep their residents safe and their communities thriving.
- See more at: https://www.cacities.org/cms/getdoc/0361e858-1f1b-447e-bf17-12bb04ccca35/News-Articles.aspx?viewmode=3&showpanel=1&cmscontentchanged=false&lang=en-US&langobjectlifetime=request#sthash.i1jspoH5.dpuf
February 12, 2020
The world of municipal finance management can be complex and difficult to navigate. Cities face increasing fiscal challenges as they strive to effectively balance rising pension costs and other unfunded liabilities with providing services to keep their residents safe and their communities thriving.
- See more at: https://www.cacities.org/cms/getdoc/0361e858-1f1b-447e-bf17-12bb04ccca35/News-Articles.aspx?viewmode=3&showpanel=1&cmscontentchanged=false&lang=en-US&langobjectlifetime=request#sthash.i1jspoH5.dpuf
February 12, 2020
The world of municipal finance management can be complex and difficult to navigate. Cities face increasing fiscal challenges as they strive to effectively balance rising pension costs and other unfunded liabilities with providing services to keep their residents safe and their communities thriving.
- See more at: https://www.cacities.org/cms/getdoc/0361e858-1f1b-447e-bf17-12bb04ccca35/News-Articles.aspx?viewmode=3&showpanel=1&cmscontentchanged=false&lang=en-US&langobjectlifetime=request#sthash.i1jspoH5.dpuf
March 31, 2021
Further north, the city of Ukiah has completed the first three phases of a new water recycling facility which provides an additional 1,000 acre-feet per year of water to the Ukiah Valley. The project addresses several local needs including meeting regulatory requirements that limit the city’s wastewater discharge to the Russian River. It also creates a more diversified and drought resilient water supply and provides water for agricultural uses like irrigation and frost protection.
March 17, 2021
A new trail in the city of Blue Lake is getting a lot of use from local residents and regional recreation enthusiasts. In fact, it was recently featured at the annual North Coast Trails Summit that was hosted virtually this year by Senator Mike McGuire. Groundbreaking on the first segment of the Annie & Mary Trail in Blue Lake began in May last year and was completed in November 2020. Today, residents use the trail to ride horses, bikes, skateboards, roller skate, walk, and run.
February 23, 2021
Before the pandemic, approximately one in five California students lacked high-speed internet or an appropriate computer to do school work at home. When the pandemic hit and a majority of students began distance learning, new barriers arose, including Internet speed limits. To address these challenges, the city of Temecula created creating WiFi gardens in public parks, where students can use city WiFi free of charge to complete their schooling.
February 2, 2021
In December 2020, San Luis Obispo, Manhattan Beach, and San Leandro received a Small City Honorable Mention award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors for their climate protection best practices. Specifically, former Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery, San Leandro Mayor Pauline Cutter, and San Luis Obispo Mayor Heidi Harmon were recognized for their leadership in taking local action and are featured in the 14th Annual Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards.
January 6, 2021
The Human Rights Campaign, in partnership with the Equality Federation Institute, released its 2020 Municipal Equality Index in which 15 California cities received the maximum score of 100 on the nationwide assessment of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law, policy, and services.
December 9, 2020
California cities have been working to find innovative ways to support their local businesses. Like many of the businesses impacted by the pandemic, the restaurant industry has struggled to keep their doors open. To assist local restaurants, the City of Pico Rivera launched an exciting new program called the Parklet Pilot Project, which creatively transformed street areas into outdoor dining spaces using shipping containers.
December 1, 2020
Since 1949, communities from across the country have competed for the prestigious All-America City Award, presented by the National Civic League. By celebrating the best in local innovation, civic engagement, and cross-sector collaboration, the All-America City Awards recognize cities’ ability to tackle tough issues and create real change.
November 18, 2020
In lieu of parades and large in-person celebrations, cities across the state found meaningful ways to engage residents in commemorating the service, sacrifice, and contributions of our nation’s veterans. From virtual presentations to military flyovers to collecting letters for veterans and active service members, cities worked hard to ensure the brave men and women who fearlessly defended our freedom received the recognition they deserve.
November 4, 2020
Although Halloween was celebrated differently this year, cities around the state worked hard to provide fun and creative activities and contests to help residents safely enjoy the holiday. From drive through trick-or-treating, to scarecrow contests, parades, and scavenger hunts – there was no shortage of safe Halloween festivities.
October 21, 2020
Since the pandemic began, more residents are utilizing e-cart or grocery delivery services. Now, in Modesto residents have another grocery shopping option: robot delivery.
When presented with the opportunity to bring cutting-edge technology to their community, Modesto city officials moved fast to make this safe, low-cost, and physically-distant way to get groceries delivered a reality.
September 30, 2020
On Sept. 24, Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs took part in California Climate Action Day, as one of the featured speakers in a series of virtual conversations with world, state, city, tribal, and business leaders to discuss innovative solutions to climate challenges. Mayor Tubbs served as a panelist where he talked about climate justice and the correlation between racial inequities and climate impacts.
September 8, 2020
Cities across the state have been working hard to educate residents about the importance of participating in the 2020 Census. When looking at cities by population size, the California Secretary of State reports that the cities of Monte Sereno, Piedmont, and Yorba Linda have top census self-response rates.
August 18, 2020
Realizing that peer-to-peer communication is often very effective in driving change, city officials in South Lake Tahoe recently launched a resident-led safety ambassador program. Residents who sign up to volunteer for the program are supplied with face masks from the city and then they hit the streets to encourage fellow residents and visitors to “mask up.”
August 11, 2020
As parents, teachers, and school districts adapt to new distance and hybrid learning models to start the new academic year during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of San Jose is addressing one major hurdle to this new virtual learning, internet accessibility.
July 15, 2020
The beginning of July usually kicks off National Parks and Recreation month, however summer during a pandemic is tough on everyone, especially children and working parents. Fortunately, many city parks and recreation departments quickly adapted in-person camps so children could participate in hands-on activities in small clusters. Many cities are offering a series of creative virtual camps and programs, keeping kids active, engaged, and educated over the summer.
July 8, 2020
Libraries are a staple of the community and many residents, however with COVID-19 disrupting all aspects of life libraries have transformed their services to provide as many resources as they can to communities, including resources not typically associated with libraries.
June 3, 2020
With beaches closed, San Diego lifeguards were asked to step into a new role to help the homeless population staying at the convention center during the pandemic, by maintaining a clean environment, taking temperatures, and building connections.
May 22, 2020
Recognizing that students would not be able to participate in traditional graduation ceremonies, the City of Lancaster launched its “Turn your Tassel” campaign which rolled out a series of ways to publicly recognize students graduating this year.
May 22, 2020
The City of Folsom created "Stop, Pop, and Go" to make donations easy for community members to help gather food and supplies for residents in need.
May 5, 2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and safe at home guidelines, the city launched its Oakland Slow Streets program to support safe physical activity by creating more space for physical distancing for its residents.
May 5, 2020
The Town of Yountville Neighbors Network encourages connections with neighbors to meet new needs that developed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 17, 2020
The City of Watsonville brought joy to families in their community through a virtual Easter egg hunt, which took place Easter morning. Since families were unable to gather Easter Sunday, the city brought Easter to residents.
April 13, 2020
Tony Elliot, City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Director, shared a video message on ways to help keep families and the community safe by adhering to the stay-at-home order, physical distancing guidance, and all posted department notices during the pandemic.
April 10, 2020
The Culver City Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department converted their on-site meal program for seniors to a pick-up and delivery service. The program serves hundreds of meals while practicing safety guidelines and physical distancing.
February 14, 2020
California droughts heavily impacted Grass Valley’s fields and parks, resulting in uneven dirt spaces and costly to water and maintain. The city heard the cry of unhappy residents and proposed a one-cent sales tax for police, fire, road improvements, and parks. After voter approval, the city partnered with the Grass Valley School District to create a $1.5 million all-season 84,000-square-foot all-weather sports field for school and public use.