TO:City Council
FROM:Mikey Taylor, Mayor
Bob Engler, Mayor Pro Tem
DATE:April 14, 2026
SUBJECT: Annual Federal Meetings and 2026 National League of Cities Congressional Cities Conference, Washington D.C.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive report.
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
LEVINE ACT: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Direct and indirect costs for City Council and Staff to attend the conference are included in the Adopted FY 2025-26 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
The National League of Cities (NLC) is the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States. Its mission is to strengthen and promote cities as centers of opportunity, leadership, and governance. Working in partnership with the 49 state municipal leagues, the NLC serves as a resource and advocate for the more than 2,675 cities, villages, and towns.
While at the NLC Congressional Cities Conference, City delegates conduct meetings on Capitol Hill as part of the City’s continuing efforts to obtain federal support for local needs and priorities. Such meetings with federal officials have been successful in yielding financial support for various projects including widening of the S.R. 23 Freeway; building the City’s LEED Certified Transit Center; and “seed money” toward the widening of the U.S. 101/S.R. 23 Interchange.
Annual Federal Meetings and National League of Cities
April 14, 2026
1 5
0 2
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
MEETINGS ON CAPITOL HILL – MARCH 12-13, 2026
City delegates attended several meetings with Congressional officials before the start of the conference to discuss the City’s 2026 project interests and local issues.
Meetings with Congressional members and agency staff were attended by Mayor Mikey Taylor, Mayor Pro Tem Bob Engler, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Director Alexandera South, and Legislative Affairs Manager Mina Layba, as well as federal lobbyist James Crum, Van Scoyoc Associates.
A. Meetings with Congressional Member Representatives
1. Congressmember Julia Brownley’s Office – Sharon Wagener, Legislative Director
2. Sen. Alex Padilla’s Office – Jacob Huls, Policy Advisor, and Nora Simon, Appropriations
3. Sen. Adam Schiff’s Office – Danielle Fulfs, Policy Director City delegates thanked the offices of Congressmember Brownley, Senators Schiff, and Padilla for their support of the FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending requests. At each meeting, they discussed FY27 Congressionally Directed Spending project interests (Attachment #1):
Downtown Storm Drain Rehabilitation
Wildfire Watershed Treatment and Education
Backup Power for Critical Waterpump Stations
Completion of Transitional Homeless Housing Project
Small Business and Entrepreneur Training Incubators
Critical Intersection Improvements at Lynn Road for Evacuation B. Meetings with Federal Agencies
City delegates met with specific federal agencies to discuss individual Congressionally Directed Spending project interests:
1. U.S. Department of Transportation Meeting with Melissa Newton (Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs), Sabrina McNeal (Congressional Affairs Specialist), Grant Burdette (Office of Public Liaison), and Paten Kidd (Special Advisor for Intergovernmental Affairs).
2. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Meeting with Colton Buckley (Associate Chief), Astrid Martinez (Deputy Chief for Programs), and Kyle Allen (Policy Advisor).
3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Meeting with Lisa Biddle (Branch Chief Water Branch).
Annual Federal Meetings and National League of Cities
April 14, 2026
1 5
0 2
4. U.S. Small Business Administration Meeting with Miguel Penaloza (Finance Manager), Gregorius Suryadi (Senior Financial Loan Specialist), and J.
Christopher Webb (Chief – Office of Community Advantage/Office of Economic Opportunity).
5. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Meeting with Geoff Smith (Dep. Assistant Secretary; Office Gov’t Relations), Trey Allen (Senior Advisor), and Steven Sullivan (Policy Advisor).
NLC ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL CITIES CONFERENCE – MARCH 14-18, 2026 The NLC annual Congressional Cities Conference was held on March 14-18, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis and Convention Center in Washington, D.C. City officials gathered for leadership meetings, policy discussions, and legislative briefings to learn about current federal issues and priorities for America’s cities and towns. Mayor Pro Tem Engler and Legislative Affairs Manager Layba represented the City.
Pre-Conference Meetings:
A. Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy Committee (PSCP) Meeting – Mayor Pro Tem Engler is appointed to the PSCP Committee.
1. PSCP Chair Mark Myers, Mayor, Greenwood, IN, welcomed committee members, introduced PSCP Policy Advocate Yucel Ors, and reviewed the agenda.
2. NLC President Kevin Kramer, Councilmember, Louisville, KY, welcomed members and thanked them on behalf of the Board of Directors for their service.
3. Public Safety Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Guest speaker Megan Stoltz, Senior Program Manager of Research, International Association of Chiefs of Police described AI as a transformative "new era" for law enforcement that must be balanced with strict ethical guardrails. AI can support report writing, research, training, and algorithms. It should not be used solely for decision-making or investigations.
4. Committee Reviewed and Approved the 2026 Workplan:
Federal Emergency Management & Disaster Resilience
Public Safety Grants & Federal Resources
Emergency Communications & Public Safety Technology
Violence Prevention & Community Safety
Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies
9-1-1 Operations & Emergency Communications
Firefighting & Emergency Response
5. National 9-1-1 Program Office: Housed within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 9-1-1 Program provides the technical and federal framework for the nation’s 9-1-1 infrastructure. Representatives shared their primary duties, including the country’s transition from analog to digital “Next Generation 911,” the integration of drone technology, cybersecurity, and the administration of federal grants to help local law enforcement.
Annual Federal Meetings and National League of Cities
April 14, 2026
1 5
0 2
6. Joint session with the Human Development (HD) Policy Committee: The committees examined how shifting federal immigration policies impact local governance, community stability, and public trust.
7. Announcements: The next PSPS meeting will be scheduled at the NLC Summer Leadership Meeting, July 8-10, 2026, in Louisville, KY.
Conference Program:
A. Keynote Speakers/Panel Presentations
1. NLC Board First Vice President, Van Johnson – Mayor, Savannah, GA, officially welcomed delegates and reviewed the conference agenda and speakers.
2. NLC Board President, Kevin Kramer – Councilmember, Louisville, KY, delivered his Presidential Address. President Kramer’s priorities for 2026 focus on developing an online research library and toolkit to address the nation's current political polarization. Additionally, he is challenging cities to adopt a civility pledge.
3. Clarence Anthony, NLC Executive Director, presented an NLC Leadership Award to the District of Columbia (D.C.) Mayor, Muriel Bowser. He thanked her for service and contributions to local government. Mayor Bowser welcomed delegates to D.C. and announced that this will be her final year in public office.
4. America 250 Panel: A panel of local elected officials from Harrisburg, VA; Philadelphia, PA; Colorado Springs, CO; and Baltimore, MD shared their city’s programs for the America 250 Celebration. Programs include special tributes at sporting events, such as the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup; a 250-quilt display; 250-meal events to support local charities; fireworks at key mountain summits; and parades. One city created a “250 app”, listing year-round activities. To help cities plan: www.america250.org
5. Legal Panel: Legal experts Amanda Karras of the International Municipal Lawyers Association, Mary Richardson Lowry, corporation counsel, in conversation with Carolyn Coleman, Executive Director of the League of California Cities discussed the changes in federal policy and lawsuits impacting grants and federal funding.
Cities are facing funding uncertainties with grants being reduced or clawed back.
Grants are subject to new regulations eliminating immigration or diversity provisions. Although some cities are taking legal action, speakers noted that the judicial outcome is not universal. Only cities that join in suits are subject to the settlement. Cities may consider joining a lawsuit.
6. Scott Agnew, President of FirstNet & Public Sector Mobility, AT&T, provided an update on the FirstNet, largest public safety broadband network and new technology integration via Mission-Critical Push-to-Talk (MCPTT) with Land Mobile Annual Federal Meetings and National League of Cities
April 14, 2026
1 5
0 2
Radio (LMR) systems. The next FirstNet reauthorization is in July 2027. He urges all public safety agencies, especially tribal and rural communities, to provide comments to their legislators on what they would like to see in the next iteration of FirstNet.
7. Transportation Reauthorization Panel: Congressmembers Mike Flood (NE-1), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-8), and Rob Bresnahan (PA-8) discussed the ideal provisions for bipartisan reauthorization. The panel supports Bridges and Safety Infrastructure for Community Success (BASICS) Act. The BASICS Act will streamline funding opportunities and remove red tape, shifting more power and funding directly to local and regional governments rather than state agencies. It aims to increase the "suballocation" of federal highway funds to support locally identified bridge repairs and safety projects.
8. Panel in State and Local Leadership: Executive Directors of the major local and state organizations, including NLC, U.S. Conference of Mayors, International City County Management Association, Council of State Governments, and National Governors Association, discussed the shift in the political landscape charged with partisanship, political rhetoric, and adversity. During the discussion, panelists emphasized that state and local governments remain the primary engines of effective governance, as residents rely directly on cities and counties for essential services and programs. However, they noted a growing trend of federal intervention in traditionally local domains, such as elections. The conversation also highlighted how social media and AI are contributing to a decline in public trust. To counter this, the panel agreed there is an urgent need for more data-driven solutions and a return to greater civility in public discourse.
9. Panel on Housing: Mayor Angela Birney of Redmond, WA, Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, DC, and Mayor Corey Woods of Tempe, AZ: Addressing the nationwide housing shortage, three mayors shared a range of innovative strategies designed to tackle the crisis at the local level. Their proposed solutions emphasize the importance of developing comprehensive housing plans and fostering robust public-private partnerships to bridge funding gaps. The panelists also highlighted the success of citizen-approved housing bonds and the potential for the adaptive reuse of underutilized public assets. Examples such as defunct wharves or former federal hospitals converted into residential units can expand housing supply.
10.Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) presented his concerns about climate change as part of his Insurance-to-Mortgage Collapse Theory. Whitehouse views climate change not just as an environmental issue, but as a systemic financial risk. As insurers withdraw from high-risk areas or raise premiums sharply, mortgage affordability declines. Widespread uninsurability could trigger a mortgage collapse.
Such a shift would not only devalue existing property but could spark a broader economic crisis.
Annual Federal Meetings and National League of Cities
April 14, 2026
1 5
0 2
11.Congressional Bipartisan Panel: Congressmember Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Greg Stanton (AZ-9) discussed their experiences on Capitol Hill working in a bipartisan fashion. Both are leaders in the New Democrat Coalition (NDC), the largest caucus in the House, described as "bipartisan." NDC is working on two key areas (a) an affordability agenda to address housing, healthcare, and the cost of groceries; and (b) Immigration and Border Security Framework, which will address smart border security and the Farm Worker Modernization Act.
12.Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) shared his perspective on federalism. He shared that most effective and accountable governance occurs at the state and local levels, where leaders are directly answerable to their constituents. He argued that the federal government has evolved into an "overgrown bureaucracy" whose "one- size-fits-all" mandates often stifle municipal innovation and local autonomy.
Ultimately, he maintains that while the federal government should provide a stable framework for national defense and constitutional rights, the actual delivery of essential services—from public safety to urban planning—should be kept strictly within the hands of cities and states to ensure they remain responsive to the unique needs of their communities.
13.Census Panel: Local elected officials from New York, NY, Springdale, AK, and Spartanburg, SC, discussed the U.S. Census Bureau’s activities and how communities can get involved now to ensure an accurate count. Ideas shared include collaboration between the Census Bureau and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS); the creation of Complete Count Committees to help with outreach to immigrant communities; and precision mapping via the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA). LUCA cross-references satellite imagery with address databases to identify missing addresses or double counting.
14.Freddie O’Connell, Mayor, Nashville, TN: O’Connell presented a video featuring his city and encouraged delegates to register for 2026 City Summit, November 18-
21. He reminded delegates that registration is now open with a discount to those who attended the Congressional Cities Conference.
D. Breakout Sessions Attended:
1. Simplifying Federal Grants: How Communities Can Shape the New Wave of Grant Reform
2. Public Safety and Tech: What Local Leaders Need to Know
3. Shaping the Next Era of Disaster Recovery and Assistance
4. Western Municipal Association Meeting
5. Powering Local Climate and Clean Energy Progress
6. Federal Agency Office Hours – US Department of Transportation
7. Hill Day Issues Briefing
E. National League of Cities 2026 Federal Advocacy Agenda Annual Federal Meetings and National League of Cities
April 14, 2026
1 5
0 2
President Kramer presented the NLC’s 2026 Federal Priorities “Strengthening Local Economies Through Federal Partnership” (Attachment #2):
1. Simplify Federal Requirements for Communities
2. Improve Housing Attainability
3. Promote Public Safety
4. Strengthen Infrastructure Investment
5. Build Future-Focused Communities
6. Build Community Resilience and Support Local Economies
7. Reduce Legal and Financial Burdens on Local Governments F. NLC Congressional Hill Day
Mayor Pro Tem Engler, and Legislative Affairs Manager Layba participated in Hill Day on March 18 to support NLC priorities and present the 2026 Federal Advocacy Agenda. City delegates met with:
Congressmember Julia Brownley (D-24) and Sharon Wagener, Legislative Director
Congressmember Jay Obernotle (CA-23) and Tom Morel, Legislative Assistant. A special joint briefing was hosted by the League of California Cities (Cal Cities) for California delegates with Senators Schiff and Padilla to discuss Senate priorities.
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
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Federal Funding Interests 2026
Attachment #2 – NLC 2026 Federal Advocacy Agenda Handout cmo:150-20/H:/COMMON/City Council/Council Items/2026 Staff Reports/041426/ National League of Cities Congressional Cities Conference