TO:City Council
FROM:David Newman, Mayor
Tie Gutierrez, Councilmember
DATE:April 8, 2025
SUBJECT: League of California Cities Channel Counties Division Meeting Update, City of Goleta - March 14, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive report.
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Direct and indirect costs are included in the Adopted FY 2024-25 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
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 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 479 California cities. Today, 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.”
Cal Cities Channel Counties Division Meeting Update - March 14, 2025 April 8, 2025
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DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Cal Cities coordinates quarterly Channel Counties Division meetings to bring together local officials from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. At the meetings, members discuss regional issues and coordinate legislative efforts. The City of Goleta hosted the most recent division meeting, held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Santa Barbara. Mayor David Newman, Councilmember Tie Gutierrez, and Legislative Affairs Manager Mina Layba attended.
A. Welcome by City of Goleta Mayor:
Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte officially welcomed attendees and guest speakers Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and California Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara). She shared a video of their public education academy which won a Helen Putman Award for Public Engagement.
B. Keynote Speakers:
Congressman Carbajal (CA-24): Congressman Carbajal provided an update on the new White House Administration. He juxtaposed the programs and grants implemented by the Biden Administration (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act) to the recent cuts and program freezes of the White Administration. He voted against the Republican-sponsored Continuing Resolution (CR) which increased military spending and reduced domestic spending. He expects the Senate to pass the CR on party lines. He expressed concerns about the White House Administration’s immigration enforcement, tariffs, and trade. He is especially concerned about the Department of Government Efficiency terminating federal employees without a methodical process or analysis. He asked cities to inform his office about the impacts of cuts to healthcare and social services to residents.
Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D- Santa Barbara) - Assemblymember Hart gave an overview of State facts and figures, highlighting how California ranks in the world economy, education, manufacturing, small businesses, and agriculture. He noted that California is a donor state that contributes $80 billion to other states’ economies. He expressed concern about the White House Administration’s policies that will impact residents (Medicaid) and the State’s economy (tariffs and interest rates).
C. Division Updates:
Election of First Vice President: Grover Beach Councilmember Cliff Wyrick was elected as the Division’s First Vice President.
Cal Cities Channel Counties Division Meeting Update - March 14, 2025 April 8, 2025
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Board of Directors Update: The Division’s Past President Erica Stewart, Councilmember San Luis Obispo, announced that Senator Limon (D-Santa Barbara) has created a Greenhouse Gas Reduction (GHG) working group for her district. Participants discuss ideas for how to reduce greenhouse gas in the State and region. Cal Cities is sponsoring a suite of bills to address group homes. Cal Cities Board of Directors is recruiting an “At Large” position. Members are encouraged to apply.
Cal Cities Update: Channel Counties Division Public Affairs Manager Dave Mullinax announced that the Legislature introduced 2,300 bills. Cal Cities planned a webinar on the new bill introductions for March 17, 2025. Cal Cities planned to convene the Policy Committee meetings the week of March 26-27, 2025, at the Los Angeles Marriott Hotel, Burbank. The Spring Summit, Cal Cities’ legislative action days will be held in late April. Registration is available online.
Announcements/Upcoming Events: The Next Channel Counties Division Dinner will be hosted by the City of Pismo Beach in late summer, date to be determined.
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\ City Council\Council Items\2025 Staff Reports\040825 Channel Counties Division Meeting Staff Report.docx