League of California Cities

An El Niño event is expected to hit California this winter. How can your city prepare? Join Cal Cities on Nov. 4 for a discussion on city readiness, emergency communications, and how to use weather forecasts to inform planning efforts. ➡️ bit.ly/el-nino-roundtable

Wearable technology, including smart glasses, watches and rings, can record audio or video without co-workers’ knowledge. 🕶⌚️ But as these devices become more common, banning them in the workplace may not be practical, according to legal experts. www.westerncity.com/article/your...

Redwood City is celebrating United Against Hate Week with a series of community events, including an Empathy Wall for teens, Skate Against Hate, creative activities at the Downtown Library, including a special story time promoting belonging and understanding. 👏 #UAHWeek

“For a community of 20,000 to produce so many units of affordable housing over the course of five years is unprecedented in CA, much less the nation." Learn how Oroville is delivering housing for its community and displaced Camp Fire residents. 🏘️ www.westerncity.com/article/what...

Join the Cal Cities Roundtable to prepare your community for El Niño + other #CalCitiesAdvocate highlights: 🔸 Visalia is a leader in building new homes for farmworkers 🔸 Cities mark United Against Hate Week with cultural festivals, trainings, and more Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/el-nino-roundtable

Cal Cities’ Advancing Equity Advisory Committee is surveying city officials to learn what’s working, what challenges cities face, and where additional resources and support could help. Take the survey today! ➡️ bit.ly/equity-survey

Prop 43 puts critical local services at risk. From police and fire departments to roads, schools, and healthcare, our communities deserve the ability to fund the services we rely on. Vote NO on Prop 43. #NoOn43CA

Pasadena kicked off #UAHWeek with a Neighborfest celebrating community, connection, and inclusion! 🎉 Pasadena’s Human Relations Commission partnered with community groups to bring neighbors together for speakers, food, music, and resources, all while spreading love & standing against hate.

After 30 years of planning, West Sacramento is transforming a rundown stretch of West Capitol Avenue into a vibrant destination with hundreds of new homes, expanded transit, and retail. Learn more about the city’s future Grand Gateway project. 🏘🚌🛍️️ www.westerncity.com/article/west...

How are cities building a community where everyone feels welcome? Santa Clara City Library is inviting residents this United Against Hate Week to share their thoughts and messages on belonging, community, and actions the city can take to stand against hate. 📚💭 #UAHWeek

🚲 @thecityofpetaluma is on a mission to completely eliminate severe or fatal traffic collisions. The city's investments in bike and pedestrian infrastructure are giving residents more ways to get around while improving traffic safety. ➡️bit.ly/Petaluma-road-safety

Over the summer, the U.S. Supreme Court put an end to a decade-long legal saga involving development impact fees — for now. Going forward, cities can expect to see more federal constitutional challenges to fee programs that seek to mitigate the impacts of new development. bit.ly/3U0IMYh

Is your city exploring ways to thoughtfully implement AI tools? The National League of Cities released an AI policy fact sheet, which includes resources from the GovAI Coalition, led by San José. www.nlc.org/resource/cre...

“Wildfire resilience depends on neighbors working together to protect each other," writes Nevada City Council Member Gary Petersen and Dr. Elissa Lee. Learn how the city is taking a collaborative approach to wildfire prevention. 🔥🌲 #LocalWorks www.westerncity.com/article/prev...

Do you work with an outstanding city management professional? The Cal Cities City Managers Department is accepting nominations for three awards that will be presented at the 2027 City Managers Conference in San Diego this February. 🏆 Nominations are due Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. bit.ly/4ymRL4a

📣 Cal Cities is accepting proposals for the City Leaders Summit, April 21-23 in Sacramento! Share your ideas for sessions that help city officials strengthen leadership skills, tackle local challenges, and shape state policy. Submit your proposal by Nov. 9! www.calcities.org/home/post/20...

Help Cal Cities provide equity-related resources and training by sharing your experiences + other #CalCitiesAdvocate highlights: 🔸 Learn which of the over 1,000 new laws could impact your city 🔸 How this rural, low-income city reduced construction costs Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/4dBqlAb

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee joined frontline workers last week at a rally in opposition to Proposition 43. The November statewide ballot measure requires all local special taxes to receive two-thirds voter approval. www.calcities.org/home/post/20...

Cal Cities and the United Against Hate campaign are partnering to help cities address hate and bias in their communities during United Against Hate Week, Oct. 18–24. Learn how your community can participate ➡️ bit.ly/4y4Sw1P

Today, we recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day and honor the histories, cultures and, contributions of Indigenous communities. We celebrate their resilience and acknowledge the enduring connections to the lands we call home.

At the core of Calabasas’s plan is a simple assumption: Everyday communication will fail during an earthquake or wildfire. The city spent four years building a network of residents who are trained, equipped, and organized to help each other when emergencies strike.

Passionate about coastal issues? 🌊 Cal Cities is accepting applications for a year-long appointment to its Coastal Cities Group Leadership Committee. The group collaborates on sea level rise mitigation, land use regulations, and other coastal issues. Apply by Oct. 30! bit.ly/4rVaqSZ

“The promise of America may be written in our nation’s founding documents, but it is delivered in our cities,” writes Cal Cities CEO Carolyn Coleman. “At a time when national politics often measures success by winning an argument, cities are measured by whether they solve problems.” bit.ly/3Wey01g

Is your city exploring ways to leverage AI tools to boost efficiency? Join VC3, Cal Cities’ cybersecurity partner and technology service provider, for a look at how cities can use AI to quickly search records, improve service, and preserve institutional knowledge. 🖥️ bit.ly/3VBdlV5

Cities scored big legislative wins this year + other #CalCitiesAdvocate highlights: 🔸 Mayors and frontline workers rally to oppose Prop. 43 🔸 Cal Cities seeking proposals for marquee advocacy event, City Leaders Summit Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/47cC9VU

ICYMI: Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to bolster statewide El Niño preparedness. Forecasters say it could become the strongest El Niño event on record. www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/21/g...

It's a new month, which means a fresh batch of Western City stories is here! Dive into the latest city-focused articles, featuring collaborative wildfire preparedness efforts, traffic safety initiatives, and more. 🔥🚲 www.westerncity.com

✨ This #HispanicHeritageMonth, Cal Cities celebrates the contributions of Hispanic and Latino city officials who help strengthen and enrich our communities! Their leadership and dedication not only enhance our local governance but also inspire inclusivity and representation.

More cities are trying to find local solutions to skyrocketing grocery bills, exacerbated by federal cuts and changes to CalFresh. Experts estimate that cuts to CalFresh alone will reduce or eliminate food support for 3 million CA households. www.westerncity.com/article/hung...

California cities are caught between mounting public anger over data centers and local economic needs. Many have decided to outright block new data centers or create stricter environmental and public consultation standards for future projects. www.westerncity.com/article/citi...

The Western City team asked the leaders of the Cal Cities’ policy committees what they believe the next Governor should do when he takes office. Their answer was clear: It’s time to do things differently. www.westerncity.com/article/citi...

Cal Cities-sponsored AB 2296 was signed into law! TY to Asm. Diane Papan for partnering with cities to provide greater flexibility to meet state housing element requirements. Cities are doing the work to plan for housing, and with the right resources and support, they will keep delivering results. 🏘️

We’re excited to announce our newest Cal Cities Board Officer and 2nd VP, Arcadia Council Member Michael Cao, M.D.! Michael's public service career spans military leadership, healthcare, and local government. We are eager to work with him in his new leadership role at Cal Cities. 👏 bit.ly/4yiKRhi

Can we eliminate traffic deaths? Petaluma is trying + other #CalCitiesAdvocate highlights: 🔸 Deadline extended: Policy and equity committee applications due Oct. 2 🔸 Join the Coastal Cities Group Leadership Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/47sypzD

San José Council Member David Cohen was sworn in as our 1st VP last week! With a background in education, engineering, and public service, David has consistently focused on helping communities thrive. 👏 We look forward to working with him to amplify city priorities! bit.ly/4yiKRhi

Introducing Cal Cities’ new president: Carlsbad Council Member Teresa Acosta! 🎉 We look forward to working with Teresa and our new board officers to strengthen cities this coming year through commitment, collaboration, and compassion! 👏 Learn more about our new president. ➡️ bit.ly/4yiKRhi

It’s official! Carlsbad Council Member Teresa Acosta is the new Cal Cities president for 2026-27! 🎉 Her plan? To lead with commitment, collaboration, and compassion.   We’re excited to welcome Teresa into this role and look forward to working alongside her to serve California cities. 👏

✨ Congratulations to the 12 winners of the 2026 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence! 🏆 These cities were recognized for their outstanding efforts and innovative programs that are improving quality of life and service delivery in their communities. 👏  www.calcities.org/home/post/20...

Are you attending #CalCitiesAnnual? Be sure to download our new and improved events app to keep up with the conference schedule, session materials, and more! Just search "League of California Cities" or "Cal Cities" in your device's app store. 📱

Asm. Mark González, local officials, and business leaders urged Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign AB 1941 last week. Co-sponsored by Cal Cities, the bill increases penalties for organized metal theft. bit.ly/4rlMrML

Cal Cities, @cacounties.bsky.social, Rural County Representatives of California, California Special Districts Association, and Urban Counties of California appreciate @cagovernornewsom.bsky.social’s decision to veto AB 1383, protecting PEPRA and the long-term financial health of local communities.

Cal Cities sent a letter this week pushing back on a federal proposal by the FCC that could limit local authority over broadband deployment in public rights-of-way. Cities have until Sept. 21 to submit comments on the proposals. ➡️ bit.ly/FCC-proposal

🚨 California loosened pension rules once without guardrails, and it cost taxpayers billions. PEPRA helped fix it — AB 1383 threatens to undo that progress. Cities can't afford to absorb another costly unfunded mandate. Urge the Governor to VETO AB 1383.

FCC broadband proposal preempts local authority + other #CalCitiesAdvocate highlights: 🔸 Local leaders urge action on organized metal theft 🔸 November ballot measure could limit voters’ ability to fund essential local services Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/4gSY7Ty

#CalCitiesAnnual is next week! 🤩 To help you get the most out of your time in Anaheim, we’ve compiled a few tips for first-timers and conference veterans alike, including where to park and what to pack. www.calcities.org/home/post/20...

🗣️ There’s still time to make your voice heard! Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto hundreds of measures. The Cal Cities Advocacy Team summed up the top bills that cities should consider advocating for or against. www.calcities.org/home/post/20...

The National League of Cities is holding a free, five-part virtual series this month that walks cities through the full lifecycle of managing a federal award. Learn more. 👇️ www.nlc.org/events/nlcu-...

25 years later, we remember. Today we honor the lives lost on 9/11/2001, the heroes who responded, and the countless acts of courage and compassion that followed.