TO:City Council
FROM:Mikey Taylor, Mayor
David Newman, Councilmember
DATE:May 19, 2026
SUBJECT: League of California Cities City Leaders Summit - April 22-24, 2026
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 2025-26 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 483 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 "expand and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians."
Cal Cities City Leaders Summit - April 22-24, 2026
May 19, 2026
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DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
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 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, meet with their State Legislative members in the Capitol, and network with other cities. Mayor Mikey Taylor, Councilmember David Newman, and Legislative Affairs Manager Mina Layba attended.
I. MEETINGS WITH STATE LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES -
Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Meetings with state elected members were conducted by Mayor Taylor, Councilmember Newman, Legislative Affairs Manager Layba and the City’s State lobbyists California Public Policy Group.
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, and Chief of Staff Brett Williams: City representatives thanked the Assemblymember for her support on federal grant applications and provided an update on their recent lobbying trip to Washington DC. Representatives discussed legislative bills regulating solar tax, missing middle townhomes, and power sharing between Clean Power Alliance members. They shared the Cal Cities legislative priorities. Sharon Smith, Outreach Analyst, State Insurance Commissioner’s Office:
City representatives discussed concerns about insurance-required tree-pruning levels, impacting trees in right-of-way. Representatives sought guidance to help address these conflicting requirements from the fire department and insurance companies.
Chief John Mahan, Office of the State Fire Marshall/Cal Fire: City representatives discussed concerns about insurance-required tree-pruning levels, impacting trees in right-of-way. Representatives shared information learned from the State Insurance Commissioner and asked for clarification on amendments to Zone Zero regulations.
Assemblymember Steve Bennett and Legislative Director Alexander Soto:
City representatives thanked the Assemblymember for introducing amendments to Assembly Bill (AB) 367 (Water: County of Ventura: Fire Cal Cities City Leaders Summit - April 22-24, 2026
May 19, 2026
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Suppression) via AB 1873 (County of Ventura: Fire Suppression: Backup Energy Source). Representatives updated the member on their recently submitted emergency plan as part of AB 367, and efforts to coordinate a regional letter of support for AB 1873. Member Bennett shared his future ideas for wildfire education, that includes online instructional videos and a dedicated wildfire preparedness week.
Gil Topete, Legislative Director for Senator Stern: City representatives thanked the office for their support of federal interests, they discussed the City’s priorities including the Downtown Thousand Oaks Project and provided an update on the Thrive Grove Navigation Center. They thanked the office for their support on federal grant applications. They shared the Cal Cities legislative priorities.
Caleb Rabinowitz, Legislative Director for Assemblymember Issac Bryan:
City representatives discussed amendments to AB 1349, which is a consumer protections bill regulating ticket sellers. City representatives asked the Assemblymember’s staff for amendments that would prohibit 3rd party ticket vendors from using the names or likenesses of City theaters in their business/website.
II. CITY LEADERS SUMMIT - Thursday, April 23 - Friday April 24, 2026 A. Welcome/Opening Session
Cal Cities Executive Director Carolyn Coleman, President Gabe Quinto and Senior Legislative Director Jason Rhine welcomed attendees and reviewed the schedule for the City Leaders Summit. They provided an overview of the legislative cycle and the budget deficit.
The 2026 Cal Cities legislative priorities were discussed:
1. Homelessness and Housing
2. Disaster Preparedness
3. Fiscal Sustainability
4. Public Safety
Cal Cities lobbyists identified key bills impacting cities associated with these priorities (Attachment #1).
B. Breakout Sessions Attended:
Securing Future Water Supply
Rumor Has it: Tackling Misinformation
The California State Budget, Federal Uncertainty and What It Means for Local Leaders
Cal Cities City Leaders Summit - April 22-24, 2026
May 19, 2026
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The New Grants and Economic Development Playbook
AI Applications in Local Government: Empowering Public Safety, Transportation, Urban Planning and Citizen Services
C. Gubernatorial Candidate Panel:
Cal Cities Executive Director interviewed Scott Shafer, Senior Government and Policy Editor for KQED on his perspective of the gubernatorial race and the recent candidates who dropped out of the race. Shafer moderated one-on-one conversations with three gubernatorial candidates: Former US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Beccera, Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
D. Preview of Cities Week Video
Cal Cities is kicking off an annual Cities Week celebration to educate the public on the importance of cities in supporting quality of life. A video was produced and shown highlighting 16 member cities. The Mayors and Councilmembers Department seek more cities to volunteer to help expand the Cities Week celebration.
E. Closing Session and Keynote Speaker/Author Doug Griffins - 13 Ways to Kill Your Community.
The Speaker was a public official from Alberta, Canada. The speaker shared his best methods to solve practical problems and build a community using his top thirteen tips for local officials touching on areas such as economic development, engaging seniors, water and communications.
The 2027 City Leaders Summit is scheduled for April 21-23, 2027, in Sacramento.
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 2026 Legislative Priorities
CMO:150-20\H:\COMMON\City Council\Council Items\2026 Staff Reports\051926\2026 League of California Cities Leaders Summit Staff Report