TO:City Council
FROM:Tie Gutierrez, Councilmember
DATE:February 25, 2025
SUBJECT: Update on League of California Cities Mayors and Councilmembers Academy - January 29-31, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive report.
2. Find that receiving said report is not a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Costs for City Council meeting attendance and staff time to prepare the report are included in the Adopted FY 2024-25 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 State 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.”
Update on League of Cal Cities Mayors and Councilmembers Academy February 25, 2025
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DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The 2025 Mayors and Councilmembers Academy was held in Garden Grove from January 29-31, 2025. The academy's purpose is to provide background and training for newly elected/appointed officials. Councilmember Gutierrez and Legislative Affairs Manager Layba attended. The academy featured training in:
1. Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors and Officials (AB 1661):
Public policy law firm Richards, Gershon, and Watson facilitated an interactive training for officials focusing on workplace discrimination, retaliation, and abusive conduct. Councilmember Gutierrez received her certification for this required training.
2. Your Cal Cities and How to Use It: Cal Cities President Lynne Kennedy and Executive Director Carolyn Coleman shared the organization’s mission, structure, and operations. Cal Cities provides legislative and legal advocacy, education (newsletters, conferences, and webinars), and networking through professional departments, division events, and diversity caucuses.
3. Social Media / Digital Communications and Civic Engagement: BCFS Public Affairs presented information on digital communication sources, statistics on consumer use, and consumer preferences (streaming/live video platforms, and Facebook). Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP shared strategies for responsible social media use, legal considerations such as privacy and First Amendment rights, and use policies.
4. Your Legal Powers and Obligations; Open Government and Conflicts of Interest:
Roxanne Diaz, Chair of the Cal Cities City Attorney’s Department provided a general overview on city powers and limitations, the difference between general law vs. charter cities, raising revenue, and open government transparency.
5. Policy Role in Land Use Planning: Eric Nelson, City of Dana Point Planning Commissioner and Mark Teague, Principal at PlaceWorks, reviewed the purpose of a general plan, housing element, and specific plan. They discussed the types of zoning, permitted vs. conditional uses, and objective design standards. They explained the purpose of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), CEQA exemptions, and the Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
6. Effective Advocacy and Key City Issues: Director of Legislative Affairs Jason Rhine shared the Cal Cities policy process, principles of advocacy, and 2025 priorities. Director of Public Affairs Kristine Guerrero introduced the regional division structure, advocacy resources, and 16 division managers. Cal Cities lobbyists shared legislative trends for their policy area.
Update on League of Cal Cities Mayors and Councilmembers Academy February 25, 2025
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7. Developing an Effective City Council and City Manager Team: The Key to Good Governance and City Success: International City/County Management Association (ICMA) facilitated a discussion between current City Manager and Councilmember from the City of El Cerrito on helpful tips and best practices in building a good council-management relationship.
8. Financial Responsibilities - Part 1: Fiscal Policy Advisor, Michael Coleman, explained sources of local revenue including property and sales taxes, the differences in taxation and fees, and the fiduciary role of elected officials and staff.
City Manager Christina Turner, City of Morgan Hill, explained the different types of municipal budgeting, capital improvement program, management’s discussion analysis (MDA), and the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
9. Diagnosing Municipal Financial Heath - Part 2: Fiscal Policy Advisor, Michael Coleman, shared common financial issues and the standards for financial stability.
He encouraged cities to do a risk assessment and offered a financial health diagnostic tool. He reviewed the history of municipal financing measures (Proposition 13 and Education Revenue Augmentation Fund). He shared methods for financing projects (pay-as-you-go, bonds, and public-private partnerships). City Manager Christina Turner discussed pension funding (classic vs. Public Employment Pension Reform Act), and the impact of unfunded liabilities.
She suggested cities have financial policies and practices in place (cost recovery, reserves, audits, contracting, travel, etc.).
10. Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws and Principles (AB 1234): HongDao Nguyen, Partner of Best, Best and Krieger provided training on the components of the Political Reform Act 1974, the Levine Act, and public contracts. She discussed personal financial interests (political contributions and gifts), and the use of public funds. She reviewed the Brown Act and California Public Records Act.
Councilmember Gutierrez received her certification for this required training.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
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: City Council/Council Items/2025 Staff Reports/Cal Cities Mayors and Councilmembers Academy Staff Report