Agenda Item Number 4
CITY OF SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM REPORT FOR MEETING OF: August 4, 2026
==================================================================================== To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: City Manager Mary Gourley
Department: City Management
Subject: Approval of Voting Delegate, League of California Cities Annual Conference & Expo, Anaheim CA September 23-24-25, 2026 (Mayor McLewis Registered for Conference) ==================================================================================== RECOMMENDATION(s):
That the City Council by Resolution Designate the City’s voting delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference & Expo, Anaheim CA September 23-24-25, 2026.
PROCESS OF AGENDA ITEM:
If the item remains on the Consent Calendar, no presentation is required, and the item will be approved as part of the Consent Calendar.
If the item is removed from the Consent Calendar, it will be heard as a regular agenda item and will proceed as follows:
• Presentation by staff
• Council questions and discussion
• Public comment
• Council deliberation and action
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City of Sebastopol is a member of the League of California Cities/CAL CITIES. Founded in 1898, the League is an association of California city officials who work together so that they may influence policy decisions that affect cities. The League provides legislative and ballot measure advocacy, legal advocacy, education, and advocates to defend and expand local control in the Legislature, at the ballot box and in the courts and through strategic outreach to the public, policymakers and opinion leaders.
The League of California Cities Annual Conference & Expo is an important event for city officials to learn and collaborate on solutions to common challenges. Each year, the League holds a conference at which delegates from across the State come together to enhance their knowledge and skills, exchange information, and combined resources.
BACKGROUND:
Every year, Cal Cities convenes a member-driven General Assembly to vote on policy resolutions that impact local control. The General Assembly, held this year in Anaheim on Sept. 25, is a meeting of all voting delegates, one from every member city. Cities must appoint a voting delegate by Sept. 1.
A voting delegate is a council-appointed city official who represents their city at the General Assembly.
Delegates play an important role during the General Assembly by voting on resolutions, which if approved, become Cal Cities policy.
DISCUSSION:
If designated at the Council meeting, staff will notify the League of the Council’s Voting delegate. Voting Delegates and alternates must be registered for the Annual Conference. As of the writing of this agenda item, the City of Sebastopol Council has one registered attendee:
• Mayor McLewis
Agenda Item Number 4
City Council Meeting Packet for August 4, 2026
Agenda Item Number 4
Should Cal Cities receive a resolution by the July 25 deadline, the resolution(s) will be sent to member cities for council consideration. Typically if Resolution(s) are proposed for consideration, they are typically received from the League sometime in late August for review by the Council prior to this conference. Review of resolution(s) if any, are tentatively scheduled for the October 6, 2026 Council meeting.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS/PRIORITIES/ AND OR GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
This agenda item represents the City Council goals/priorities as follows:
Goal 4: HIGH PERFORMANCE ORGANIZATION; Restore public trust, improve public communications, and strengthen collaborative partnerships with outside agencies and service providers.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
As of the preparation of this staff report, no public comments have been received on this item. Any comments received after distribution of the report will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials. Public comment will also be accepted during the meeting.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
This item has been noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended action tonight; however, there will be costs associated for conference registration fees, travel and lodging which have been allocated in the proposed FY 26 27 City approved budget. Each Council member will receive an annual budget as approved by the City Council and divided equally among all City Councilmembers to cover costs related to attending conferences, meetings, and training sessions. For FY 26 27; the budget allocation for travel/registration/hotel is $2000 per member.
RESTATED RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council by Resolution Designate the City’s voting delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference & Expo, Anaheim CA September 23-24-25, 2026. (Mayor McLewis).
CITY COUNCIL OPTIONS:
1. Deny the recommendation
2. Deny recommendation and provide direction to staff
ATTACHMENT(S):
League of CA Cities Memo
Resolution
APPROVALS:
Department Head Approval: Approval Date: 7-25-2026
CEQA Determination (Planning): Approval Date: NA
The proposed action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) General Plan Goal (Planning): Approval Date: 7-25-2026
Administrative Services (Financial) Approval Date: 7-25-2026 Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A Account Code (f applicable) _______________________________ City Attorney Approval: Approval Date: 7-25-2026
City Manager Approval: Approval Date: 7-25-2026
Agenda Item Number 4
City Council Meeting Packet for August 4, 2026
Agenda Item Number 4
RESOLUTION NO. XXXX-2026
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEBASTOPOL APPOINTING A VOTING DELEGATE TO THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES 2026 GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHEREAS, the Bylaws of the League of California Cities (League) require the appointment of a Voting Delegate and Alternate Delegate to the League of California Cities General Assembly by approval of a majority of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to appoint a Voting Delegate to the League of California Cities General Assembly.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of Sebastopol does hereby resolve as follows:
Mayor Jill McLewis is hereby appointed to serve as the Voting Delegate to the League of California Cities representing the City of Sebastopol.
The above and foregoing Resolution was duly passed, approved, and adopted at a meeting by the City Council on the 4th day of August 2026.
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City of Sebastopol City Council by the following vote:
VOTE:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED: _________________________________
Mayor, Jill McLewis
ATTEST: ______________________________________________
Mary Gourley, City Manager
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ____________________________________ Alex Mog, City Attorney
Agenda Item Number 4
City Council Meeting Packet for August 4, 2026
Agenda Item Number 4
Council Action Advised by September 1, 2026
DATE: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
TO: Mayors, Council Members, City Clerks, and City Managers RE: DESIGNATION OF VOTING DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES
League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo, Sept. 23-25, 2026 Anaheim Convention Center
Every year, the League of California Cities convenes a member-driven General Assembly at the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo. The General Assembly is an important opportunity where city officials can directly participate in the development of Cal Cities policy.
Taking place on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 the General Assembly is comprised of voting delegates appointed by each member city; every city has one voting delegate. Your appointed voting delegate plays an important role during the General Assembly by representing your city and voting on resolutions.
To cast a vote during the General Assembly, your city must designate a voting delegate and up to two alternate voting delegates, one of whom may vote if the designated voting delegate is unable to serve in that capacity. Voting delegates may either be an elected or appointed official.
Action by Council Required. Consistent with Cal Cities bylaws, a city’s voting delegate and up to two alternates must be designated by the city council. Please note that designating the voting delegate and alternates must be done by city council action and cannot be accomplished by individual action of the mayor or city manager alone.
Following council action, please submit your city’s delegates through the online submission portal by Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. When completing the Voting Delegate submission form, you will be asked to attest that council action was taken. You will need to be signed in to your My Cal Cities account when submitting the form.
Submitting your voting delegate form by the deadline will allow us time to establish voting delegate/alternate records prior to the conference and provide pre-conference communications with voting delegates.
Conference Registration Required. The voting delegate and alternates must be registered to attend the conference. They need not register for the entire conference; they may register for Friday only. Conference registration opens June 2.
For a city to cast a vote, one voter must be present at the General Assembly and in possession of the voting delegate card and voting tool. Voting delegates and 1400 K Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814 • 916.658.8200 • calcities.org Agenda Item Number 4
City Council Meeting Packet for August 4, 2026
Agenda Item Number 4
alternates need to pick up their conference badges before signing in and picking up the voting delegate card at the voting delegate desk. This will enable them to receive the special sticker on their name badges that will admit the voting delegate into the voting area during the General Assembly.
Please view Cal Cities’ event and meeting policy in advance of the conference.
Transferring Voting Card to Non-Designated Individuals Not Allowed. The voting delegate card may be transferred freely between the voting delegate and alternates, but only between the voting delegate and alternates. If the voting delegate and alternates find themselves unable to attend the General Assembly, they may not transfer the voting card to another city official.
Seating Protocol during General Assembly. At the General Assembly, individuals with a voting card will sit in a designated area. Admission to the voting area will be limited to the individual in possession of the voting card and with a special sticker on their name badge identifying them as a voting delegate.
The voting delegate desk, located in the conference registration area of the Anaheim Convention Center, will be open at the following times: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 24, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 25, the voting delegate desk will be open at the General Assembly, starting at 7:30 a.m., but will be closed during roll calls and voting.
The voting procedures that will be used at the conference are attached to this memo.
Please share these procedures and this memo with your council and especially with the individuals that your council designates as your city’s voting delegate and alternates.
Once again, thank you for submitting your voting delegate and alternates by Tuesday, Sept. 1. If you have questions, please contact Zach Seals at [email protected].
Attachments:
• General Assembly Voting Guidelines
• Information Sheet: Cal Cities Resolutions and the General Assembly Agenda Item Number 4
City Council Meeting Packet for August 4, 2026
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General Assembly Voting Guidelines
1. One City One Vote. Each member city has a right to cast one vote on matters pertaining to Cal Cities policy.
2. Designating a City Voting Representative. Prior to the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo, each city council may designate a voting delegate and up to two alternates; these individuals are identified on the voting delegate form provided to the Cal Cities Credentials Committee.
3. Registering with the Credentials Committee. The voting delegate, or alternates, may pick up the city's voting card at the voting delegate desk in the conference registration area. Voting delegates and alternates must sign in at the voting delegate desk. Here they will receive a special sticker on their name badge and thus be admitted to the voting area at the General Assembly.
4. Signing Initiated Resolution Petitions. Only those individuals who are voting delegates (or alternates), and who have picked up their city’s voting card by providing a signature to the credentials committee at the voting delegate desk, may sign petitions to initiate a resolution.
5. Voting. To cast the city's vote, a city official must have in their possession the city's voting card and voting tool; and be registered with the credentials committee. The voting card may be transferred freely between the voting delegate and alternates but may not be transferred to another city official who is neither a voting delegate nor alternate.
6. Voting Area at General Assembly. At the General Assembly, individuals with a voting card will sit in a designated area. Admission to the voting area will be limited to the individual in possession of the voting card and with a special sticker on their name badge identifying them as a voting delegate.
7. Resolving Disputes. In case of dispute, the credentials committee will determine the validity of signatures on petitioned resolutions and the right of a city official to vote at the General Assembly.
1400 K Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814 • 916.658.8200 • calcities.org Agenda Item Number 4
City Council Meeting Packet for August 4, 2026
How it works: Cal Cities
Resolutions and the General Assembly
Developing League of California Cities policy is a dynamic process that engages a wide range of members to ensure Cal Cities represents cities with one voice. These policies directly guide Cal Cities’ advocacy to promote local decision-making, and lobby against statewide policies that erode local control.
The resolutions process and General Assembly is one way that city officials can directly participate in the development of Cal Cities policy. If a resolution is approved at the General Assembly, it becomes official Cal
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The petitioned
resolution is an
alternate method
to introduce policy
proposals during
the annual conference. The
petition must be signed by
voting delegates from 10% of
member cities, and submitted to
the Cal Cities President at least
24 hours before the beginning
of the General Assembly.
Cities policy. Here’s how resolutions and the General Assembly work.
Prior to the Annual Conference and Expo
General Resolutions
Sixty days before the
Annual Conference
and Expo, Cal Cities
members may submit
policy proposals on
issues of importance
to cities. The resolution must
have the concurrence of at least
five additional member cities or
individual members.
Policy Committees
The Cal Cities
President assigns
general resolutions
to policy committees
where members
review, debate, and recommend
positions for each policy proposal.
Recommendations are forwarded
to the Resolutions Committee.
During the Annual Conference and Expo
Petitioned Resolutions
General Assembly
Resolutions Committee
The Resolutions
Committee considers
all resolutions. General
Resolutions approved1 by
either a policy committee
or the Resolutions Committee are next
considered by the General Assembly.
General resolutions not approved, or
referred for further study by both a
policy committee and the Resolutions
Committee do not go to the General
Assembly. All Petitioned Resolutions
are considered by the General
Assembly, unless disqualified.2
During the General Assembly, voting delegates
debate and consider general and petitioned
resolutions forwarded by the Resolutions
Committee. Potential Cal Cities bylaws
amendments are also considered at this meeting.
Who’s who
Cal Cities policy
development is a memberinformed process,
grounded in the voices and
experiences of city officials
throughout the state.
The Resolutions Committee
includes representatives
from each Cal Cities
diversity caucus, regional
division, municipal
department, and policy
committee, as well as
individuals appointed by
the Cal Cities president.
Voting delegates
are appointed by each
member city; every city
has one voting delegate.
The General Assembly is a
meeting of the collective
body of all voting
delegates —one from
every member city.
Seven policy committees
meet throughout the year
to review and recommend
positions to take on bills
and regulatory proposals.
Policy committees include
members from each Cal
Cities diversity caucus,
regional division, and
municipal department,
as well as individuals
appointed by the Cal
Cities president.
1 The Resolution Committee can amend a general resolution prior to sending it to the General Assembly. 2 Petitioned Resolutions may be disqualified by the Resolutions Committee according to Cal Cities Bylaws Article VI. Sec. 5(f).
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City Council Meeting Packet for August 4, 2026
For more information visit www.calcities.org/general-assembly