TO:City Council
FROM:Kevin McNamee, Mayor
Bob Engler, Councilmember
David Newman, Councilmember
DATE:May 9, 2023
SUBJECT: League of California Cities Leaders Summit- April 12-14, 2023 RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive report.
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Direct and indirect costs are included in the Adopted FY 2022-23 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
The League of California Cities (Cal Cities) is an association of California city officials who work together to enhance their knowledge and skills, exchange information, and combine resources so that they may influence policy decisions that affect cities.
Founded in 1898 on the principles of local control and interagency cooperation, Cal Cities has grown from a handful of public officials to include the voluntary membership of 478 California cities. Cal Cities and its member cities are working hard to strengthen the effectiveness of their advocacy efforts. Cal Cities’ mission statement reflects this commitment to "restore and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians." DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Cal Cities Leaders Summit- April 12-14, 2023
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1 Cal Cities offers year-round education and networking opportunities for new and seasoned city leaders. Comprehensive, specialized programs allow officials to learn about new developments in their field while exchanging ideas on solutions to common challenges. Cal Cities held its second City Leaders Summit at the SAFE Convention Center in Sacramento. The purpose of the summit was to bring city officials together to influence policy decisions in the Capitol and gain top-notch leadership skills. This pinnacle event offers city officials exceptional opportunities to meet with legislators to advocate for cities’ top priorities, as well as participate in peer-to-peer discussions and in-depth sessions covering topics ranging from leadership to emerging issues facing cities. The summit allows city officials to learn about key legislative issues and meet with their State Legislative members in the Capitol. Mayor Kevin McNamee, Councilmembers Robert Engler and David Newman, and Legislative Affairs Manager Mina Layba attended.
I. MEETINGS WITH STATE LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTITIVES
On Wednesday, April 12, 2023, meetings with state elected members were conducted by Mayor McNamee, Councilmembers Engler, and Newman, and Legislative Affairs Manager Layba. City delegation discussed Cal Cities 2023 Priorities (Attachment #1) and discussed specific bill interests.
In accordance with the Brown Act and rules governing quorum, only two Councilmembers attended each meeting as noted.
•Elissa Ouchida, Legislative Director for Assembly Member Muratsuchi: City representatives discussed AB 1035 regarding rent control for mobile homes, AB 1538 concerning climate change catalyst, and AB 1708 regarding amendments to Prop 47 related to theft. (Mayor and Councilmember Engler)
•Gil Topete, Legislative Director for Senator Stern: City representatives discussed SB 717 concerning a diversion program for criminals with mental health issues and discussed SB 572 regarding the implementation of better planning by natural gas utilities to prevent spikes in pricing. (Mayor and Councilmember Newman)
•Assembly Member Jacqui Irwin, Chief of Staff Brett Williams, and Legislative Director Brandon Bjerke: Representatives from the Assembly Member’s Office discussed AB 1637 on government websites transitioning to “.gov.” (Mayor and Councilmember Engler)
II. CITY LEADERS SUMMIT
A. Welcome
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1 Executive Director Carolyn Coleman and Legislative Director Melanie Perron welcomed attendees and reviewed the schedule for the City Leaders Summit.
They provided an overview of the legislative cycle. For the first year of the legislative biennium, a historic 2,600 bills were introduced. This is more than any legislative cycle. The legislature had 30 percent new members sworn in. In fiscal year 2022, the State had a $100 billion surplus, and now has a growing $27 billion deficit.
The 2023 Cal Cities Priorities were introduced:
1. Protect and expand investments to prevent and reduce homelessness.
2. Increase the supply and affordability of housing while retaining local decision-making.
3. Improve public safety in California communities.
4. Safeguard essential local revenues and support fiscal sustainability.
A recent survey on cities’ involvement in homelessness was presented. According to the data, limited affordable housing and ongoing funding are the barriers to addressing homelessness. Approximately 84 percent of cities report that they have implemented homeless programs and 79 percent report that they have used general funds to implement these programs. Finally, 84 percent of cities report they have long-term fiscal concerns about maintaining homeless support programs. As part of the Cal Cities priorities, they are seeking funding from the state budget. The request is $3 billion in continual funding for affordable housing and homeless programs for local governments.
In addition to affordable housing and homeless programs, Cal Cities is asking the legislature for reimbursements for unfunded mandates. The state owes nearly $1 billion to local governments for two decades worth of costs related to state- mandated programs.
B. Presentation by Cal Cities Lobbyists
Cal Cities lobbyists presented an update on key legislative bills. Hundreds of bills are currently being heard in committee that impact local government.
Housing:
•SB 891: This bill would require cities to allow two-story accessory dwelling units.
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1 •SB 423: This measure would permanently modify and expand SB 35 provisions that allow certain multifamily housing developments to take advantage of a streamlined, ministerial approval process. •AB 1630: This measure would override existing zoning and development standards by requiring a city or county to ministerially classify student or faculty and staff housing as a permitted use on all real property within 1,000 feet of a university campus.
Transportation:
•AB 2120: This bill would seek to prioritize State funding received under the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act for local bridges.
Community Services:
•SB 929: This bill would collect data about involuntary detentions related to mental health concerns.
•SB 1154: This bill would create an online registry of available beds in psychiatric facilities.
Environmental Quality:
•AB 1985: This bill would create an online database of organic waste products on the market to enable local governments to connect with local farmers and community members seeking their products.
C. The Shared Path to Preventing and Reducing Homelessness CA State Association of Counties (CSAC) hosted their legislative action conference at the same time as Cal Cities. CSAC and Cal Cities hosted a joint session featuring panels of cities, counties, and legislative members sharing their perspectives on homelessness. Key points raised:
•There is a need for ongoing permanent funding and support for cities. •Local government and State need to work together.
•Focus should be on underlying issues such as mental health, substance abuse, and addressing conservatorship programs and longer holds in hospitals or jails.
•State needs to streamline assistance. There are 30 different programs run by nine agencies. Implementing local programs often requires funding from 15 different funding sources.
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1 •One size fits all approach does not work. State needs to give local agencies greater flexibility.
D. Opening Session: Get Them to “Yes!” - Persuasive Critical Communication Skills for City Leaders
Opening keynote speaker, Tracy Miller, former prosecutor and communications coach, provided tips for how City Councils can get to consensus or “yes.” •Deal with the issue and let it go. Do not hold on to bad feelings or the past. •Take a pause when you are angry or upset.
•Resolve conflict in person or through a phone call. Do not use social media or texts.
•Conflict is healthy. Do not attack a person’s character, looks, or family. •Adopt a positive mindset.
•Be mindful of language used.
•Begin with what the group agrees on.
•Be curious not judgmental.
•Stay professional.
•Attitude is everything.
E. Strategies for Local Governments to Prevent Organized Retail Crime A panel consisting of speakers from the California Highway Patrol Organized Retail Crime Task Force, Rite Aid, and California Retailers Association provided a broad overview of organized retail crime (ORC). In 2021, California ORC lost $3 billion in tax revenue while retailers suffered $19 billion in losses. ORC is linked to other organized crime. “Boosters”—or the front-line thieves—resell stolen goods to “fences”—or illicit vendors—who resell items at flea markets, convenience stores, or even online. High-end boosters can make as much as $3 million a year. The top stolen products are designer clothing, designer purses, detergent, liquor, and allergy medicine. High-level fences make their money by reselling products to stores in warehouses or online platforms. Retail stores are adding more theft- detection devices to their products.
F. Future of Homekey: Motel Conversions Over the Next 10 Years Speakers representing housing authorities from Anaheim, Sacramento, and Orange County were joined by CA Department of Housing Branch Chief on Homelessness to discuss the successes and considerations of developing Homekey Projects. Interested cities should determine available motels in their community. They should assemble a budget, examine all available funding streams (veterans funding, vouchers, etc.), and the cost for renovations and Cal Cities Leaders Summit- April 12-14, 2023
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1 providing services. Cities should consider a developer who is already knowledgeable about conversions and grants. Community partnerships will help identify resources. Homekey projects are faced with several challenges including vocal community opponents, displacement of long-term motel tenants, construction delays, and added costs from unexpected structural issues.
G. Navigating Housing Challenges Associated with Short-Term Rentals Dustin Reilich, Vice President of Government Relations for Deckard Technologies shared ways cities can work with short-term rentals (STR). STRs are a $500 billion industry and growing. After COVID-19, more people are traveling and working from home, making the option to work from travel destinations popular. In 2023, 98,000 properties were featured on over a hundred websites. STRs are supposed to identify themselves to the local jurisdictions and comply with all business practices including payment of Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT). Cities have a number of options: (1) they could consider having online platforms collect and remit TOT or (2) collect TOT themselves. The speaker suggests cities should (3) leverage professional support from companies who have the data and software to monitor STR activity, collect data, and support TOT collection.
H. Best Practices in Addressing Illegal Dumping
Taylor Grimes, Special Projects Coordinator of the Mattress Recycling Council, shared best practices for resolving illegal dumping—specifically furniture and mattresses. Strategies include collaborating with stakeholders, creating awareness and engagement through education, providing waste disposal options (free bulky pick-up, drop-off centers, or events), and strengthening enforcement with greater surveillance to help identify perpetrators. The Mattress Recycling Council is working with other industries to help create an extended producer responsibility program. When new mattresses are delivered from a store, old ones are taken away and recycled.
I. Surplus Land Act and its Housing and Land Use Impacts A panel facilitated by Larry Kosmont, CEO of the Kosmont Companies, provided an overview of the Surplus Land Act (SLA) and how to apply it. Due to the housing shortage, new state bills have been adopted to address the crisis through SLA.
SLA requires local agencies to make land available for affordable housing before selling or leasing the land for another purpose. The panel recommends cities survey and catalogue potential properties, determine how SLA applies to each property, and work with the State Housing and Community Development on required documents and processes.
J. Universal Inclusionary Housing
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1 Ethan Walsh, Attorney from Best Best and Krieger, and Rob Wiener, Executive Director for CA Coalition for Rural Housing, discussed inclusionary zoning and ways cities can fund the development of more affordable housing. They covered the following: (1) parcel tax, (2) tax phased over time, (3) on-site affordable housing within a development, (4) in-lieu fee, and (5) transfer tax alternative. Speakers also shared incentives to offset developer costs including density bonus, flexible design, subsidies, fee deferrals, and fast-track processing.
K. How Cities Can Fight Crime with Civil Litigation
Ryan Griffith, former City of Vallejo Neighborhood Law Attorney and Adam Abel, Assistant City Attorney Santa Rosa, shared abatement options for cities dealing with drug houses, illegal businesses, illegal casinos, and criminal activity. Although cities have the tools to use fines and citations, nuisances often require civil litigation. Speakers presented case studies on how to apply legal remedies such as (1) drug abatement, (2) red light abatement, and (3) receivership.
L. Closing Session: “Citizens, Cities, Resilience: Engage the Never Give Up Mindset”
Scott Lesnick shared methods for being more resilient by recounting his personal journey of having his children kidnapped to the Middle East. The speaker shared ways for council members to manage and reduce stressful situations: self-care (eating and sleeping), deep breathing, opening up to others, and allowing people to assist. He shared a thumb and index finger pressure point technique and emphasized that the power of music helps increase dopamine which creates a feeling of euphoria.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goal:
B. Provide municipal government leadership which is open and responsive to residents, and is characterized by ethical behavior, stability, promoting public trust, transparency, confidence in the future, and cooperative interaction among civic leaders, residents, business representatives, and staff, while recognizing and respecting legitimate differences of opinion on critical issues facing the City.
PREPARED BY: Mina Layba, Legislative Affairs Manager
Attachment:
Attachment #1 – Cal Cities 2023 Priorities
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