TO:City Council
FROM:David Newman, Mayor Pro Tem
Bob Engler, Councilmember
DATE:July 2, 2024
SUBJECT: National League of Cities Summer Board and Leadership Meeting, Rancho Cordova, CA, June 11-13, 2024
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive report.
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Direct and indirect costs are included in the Adopted FY 2023-24 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
The National League of Cities (NLC) hosts a Summer Board and Leadership Meeting each year. The purpose of the summer session is to bring together the organization’s leadership with members of five Federal Advocacy Committees to hear federal policy updates and develop policy positions for consideration.
Councilmember Engler, who serves on the Public Safety Crime Prevention Federal Advocacy Committee, Mayor Pro Tem Newman, and Legislative Affairs Manager Mina Layba, who both serve on the Energy Environment and Natural Resources Federal Advocacy Committee, attended. The Summer Board and Leadership Meeting was held at the Rancho Cordova Marriott, in Rancho Cordova, CA.
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DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The Summer Board and Leadership Meeting went as follows:
A. Mobile Workshop
The host city, Rancho Cordova, coordinated a mobile workshop called the “Rancho Cordova Cultural Experience” to showcase the rich culture and arts of the city. Delegates toured the Mills Station Arts and Culture Center. The Center is located at a regional rail station in a 1922 historic building. It offers free admission to the art gallery and operates as a non-profit organization with a Cultural Center Committee. The City passed a half-cent sales tax to support the Center’s lease and utility costs. The half-cent sales tax also provides community enhancement grants for local arts and community events. The Center features displays by local artists, renowned artists, and traveling exhibits from the Smithsonian. The outdoor plaza is used for community movie nights, concerts, and food truck events.
The second site of the mobile tour was the KP International Market. The market was once an empty 65,000-square-foot lot. The market features products from 170 different countries, a food court, a deli, and a bakery. The market reflects the cultural diversity of their community. Rancho Cordova has been rated as the 20th most diverse suburb in the state. Their population is less than 80,000 yet their residents speak over 120 languages. Immigrants are responsible for most of the new businesses that support the City’s economic vitality.
B. Special Presentations
1. Press Conference: NLC leaders held a press conference to bring attention to critical issues impacting cities. Board members called on the White House and Congress to provide support in addressing affordable housing, the opioid epidemic, the passage of the bipartisan Rail Safety Act, and the passage of the ten remaining spending bills. NLC is turning 100 years old and vowed to continue fighting for cities.
2. Electric Vehicle (EV) Open House: Corporate sponsor Enterprise Mobility coordinated an open house for delegates. Representatives from General Motors, Dodge Ram, Mullin, Bollinger, Tesla, Rivian, Geotap, Chargepoint, and Qmerit showcased EVs and charging technology. Representatives discussed electrification options and fleet solutions with delegates.
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C. Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy Committee (PSCP) Meeting Councilmember Engler attended the PSCP Committee meeting:
1. Showcase of Sacramento Metro Fire, Fire Chief Adam A. House: Chief House presented information on the 7th largest fire operation of the State of California.
The fire district has over 100 fire stations and has a 359 square-mile service area.
He shared information on specialized units that support community risk reduction including: construction, inspection, weed abatement, and code enforcement.
2. Committee Discussion of New NLC Policy on Wildfire Prevention: The PSCP Committee discussed the emerging impact of wildfires and the need for greater prevention efforts. NLC does not have an existing policy on wildfire prevention. In 2023, former Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced S.1715 - "Wildfire Emergency Act of 2023." The legislation focuses on emphasizing landscape-scale forest restoration and enhancing community resilience to wildfires through various programs and initiatives. As a result of this bill, Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) began discussions on integrating wildfire as a new NLC Municipal Policy. The committee reviewed a draft resolution for adoption.
3. Review of Community Development Block Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Grant Program: Senator Brian Shatz (D-HI) introduced a bipartisan bill S.1686 to establish a community disaster assistance fund for housing and community development and to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide, from the fund, assistance through a community development block grant disaster recovery program. The PSCP Committee discussed the key components of the bill and the importance of having a funding source to support local disaster efforts. The PSCP Committee reviewed a draft NLC resolution supporting the passage of the bill and adoption as a new NLC Municipal Policy.
4. Review of Public Safety Resolutions: The PSCP Committee examined and edited public safety resolutions that will be presented to the NLC's General Assembly during the annual City Summit Conference in Tampa Bay:
· In Support of Federal Efforts to Recruit and Retain a Diverse Public Safety Workforce
· Urging The Federal Government to Provide Direct Funding and Assistance to Cities, Towns, And Villages to Support Violence Prevention Program · Transforming the Nation’s 9-1-1 System for Enhanced Crisis Response and Support Services
· Enhancing Public Safety Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations Beyond NLC Summer Board and Leadership Meeting
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Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) And Multiple UAS Deployment · Urging Federal Investment In Safe And Effective Counter UAS Technologies · Urging The Federal Government to Support Local Government Efforts to Prevent and Respond to Mass Shootings
· Support of Comprehensive Substance Use Disorder Solutions, Additional Resources for Law Enforcement, And Combating Fentanyl and Xylazine Trafficking
5. Joint Meeting: PSCP held a joint meeting with the Community and Economic Development Committee and Human Development Committee to discuss the topic of homelessness and public safety. Speakers from the City of Rancho Cordova and the County of Sacramento presented information on their Homeless Outreach Teach (HOT). The HOT Team walks through the community daily to connect homeless individuals and families to psychological and medical services, and resources, including food and necessities, key documents, transportation, job opportunities, treatment, and both temporary shelter and permanent housing.
6. Next PSCP Meeting: The next PSCP meeting will be a virtual session in September to finalize resolutions for submission for the annual City Summit Conference in Tampa Bay, FL. The PSCP meeting at City Summit will take place as a pre-conference session on November 12, 2024.
D. Energy, Environment and Natural Resources (EENR) Policy Committee Meeting
Mayor Pro Tem Newman attended the EENR Committee meeting:
1. Committee members shared current sustainability projects and initiatives being developed in the communities including EV infrastructure, saltwater pond restoration, zero-scape landscaping, community gardens, and publications including the Climate Environmental Action Plan.
2. Gregg Fishman, Board Vice President and Director, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD): The speaker shared information on how their agency was adopting greater energy efficiency and technology. As the 6th largest utility in the country, it serves 1.4 million customers in Sacramento County. SMUD offers the lowest utility rates in California. SMUD Board directed staff to reach carbon zero by 2030. SMUD incorporated existing technology into solar assets, geothermal, battery storage, wind, and long-term battery storage. SMUD worked with customers to install EVs and solar in their homes. Some residents even converted to all-electric homes. They offered rebates and incentives to disadvantaged communities for energy-efficient appliances.
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SMUD also works with institutions and business districts to adopt carbon-zero operations and green workforce development via apprentice training, and line worker scholarships, and opportunities for women in skilled trade.
3. Evan Jacobs, Vice President, Business Development, Communications, and External Affairs, California American Water (Cal Am): The speaker discussed the impacts of California water agencies in addressing Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued an order for water suppliers by 2027 to test for PFAS in the measurement of four parts per trillion in maximum contaminant levels. According to the speaker, this measurement is equal to one drop of water in a football stadium. Water utilities do not have the testing or treatment technology to support the EPA order. Although water utilities are not the polluters of PFAS they are still liable under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) as passive carriers of the pollutant. EPA estimates the cost to comply with the order is $1.8 billion. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) disagrees and estimates the cost of $47 billion, plus ongoing operating expenses. Although the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law earmarked $9B for PFAS mitigation, it is not enough. There is a national coalition, including NLC and AWWA lobbying Congress for more money. Water providers are concerned that the EPA order will incite consumer lawsuits.
4. Raef Porter, Transportation and Climate Change Program Manager, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD): The speaker discussed collaborative ways the seven-county region is developing a greenhouse gas inventory. During the initial study transportation was the biggest contributor to the region’s pollution. So far 24 areas will be studied including the built environment, transportation, and both natural and working lands. SMAQMD is working with college students to assist with the associated climate projects as part of the inventory.
5. Tour of Bear Hollow Stormwater Basin: Rancho Cordova public works staff took EENR members on a walking tour of the Bear Hollow Stormwater Basin and Pump Station. The one-mile basin captures stormwater from 600 acres and holds up to 75,000 gallons. It serves as a nature preserve for ducks and birds, and connects to a local stream system. Rancho Cordova planted over 800 trees in addition to the flora and fauna which help with carbon sequestration. The basin is integrated into an existing bike trail.
6. EENR Joint Session with Information Technology and Communications Policy Committee; and Finance Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Committee on Cyber Security on the topic of cyber security and water infrastructure: The joint session featured local speakers Cybersecurity and NLC Summer Board and Leadership Meeting
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Infrastructure Security Agency, and Environmental Protection Agency shared free services and tools available to cities to protect them from malware and cyber- attacks on their servers and water infrastructure. New threat assessment tools are available to protect systems against attacks during elections.
7. Next EENR Meeting: EENR will hold two virtual sessions in July to review, edit, and finalize resolutions for submission for the annual City Summit Conference in Tampa Bay, FL. The EENR meeting at City Summit will take place as a pre- conference session on November 12, 2024.
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
CMO:150-20\H: COMMON\\Council Items\2024 Staff Reports\070224 NLC Summer Leadership Forum Staff Report.docx