CaliforniaCityNews.org

Riverside Mayor Elected to NLC Executive Board

  Ron Loveridge, Mayor of Riverside and former President of the League of California Cities was elected as 2nd VP of the National League of Cities at NLC's Annual Conference in New Orleans this week.  Loveridge is now in line to assume NLC presidency in 2010, making him the first Californian to serve in that capacity since Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles.(Insider's note: former Santa Barbara Mayor Hal Conklin was in line for the same post in the late 1980's before a voter enacted term limitation obliged him to leave city office). 

Click here to read more about Ron Loveridge.  In brief, he has served the city of Riverside for nearly 30 years, and has taught political science at UC Riverside since the 1960's.  League of California Cities' Executive Director Chris McKenzie was quoted at the conference on the significance of having a Californian leading NLC:  "California cities have a stronger voice at the national level with Ron's election... His qualifications are substantial--superb policy skills, an inclusive management style and a strong commitment to the diversity of our nation's cities."

Congratulations go to Ron and the NLC, who has selected an outstanding individual to its leadership.

For The First Time in World History The Planet is More Urban Than Rural - More Of The Worlds Citizens Are Moving To Cities

By Mike Madrid

Here in California it's easy to forget about the rest of the world. We live on the cutting edge of almost everything humankind has to offer. We're arguably at the most fascinating, diverse and complex place in the world at any point in history.

In fact, as California cities grapple with terms like exurbs, gentrification and revitilization, its hard to conceive of the plight faced by cities and their people from throughout the world. To put some of these changes in perspective, I've linked to an extraordinary story from the New York Times that ran this weekend illustrating the radical transformations occurring among people largely as migratory shifts occur in India and China. A monumental move of people to cities.

Much of what our country experienced during The Age of Industrialization is just now occuring throughout the developing parts of the world. And while, for many, learning about this urbanization trend was merely an academic exercise - we should stand back and realize that we have a unique opportunity to witness those historic changes firsthand.

Indeed, for the first time in mankinds history, there are more people living in urban settings than rural. This massive shift is chronicled in this story from The New York Times

Romance Still Alive at SF City Hall

The SF Board of Supes voted down 10 - 1 last night a measure that would have expressly prohibited romantic relationships between city managers and city employees.  The measure was forwarded by Chris Daly, a vocal foe of mayor Gavin Newsom who--as the Chron points out--was widely condemned for having an affair last year with a city staffer, who happened to be his campaign manager's wife.

Whether the overwhelming vote was a condemnation of Daly's tactics and ongoing feud with the mayor, or simply deference to the power of love, we'll leave up to our readers to decide. 

Rent Control Discussion Spreading

If there was any doubt the current rent control roll back measure being promulgated by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association will exacerbate the discussion on rent control being held in city council chambers throughout the state, take a moment and read this guest editorial by city councilman Ted Long from South Lake Tahoe, in the tahoe Daily Tribune Guest Editorial

With rent control issues emerging in regions throughout the state, the rent control roll back measure, funded by Apartment Association and Mobile Home Park Owner lobbies, have put forth an initiative that would eliminate rent control in California.

California City News reported at the time that this could have the unintended consequence of breathing life into an issue that was best left under the radar for Apartment owners. As Councilman Long's editorial suggests - that debate is well underway. It appears as though, for some reason, they would rather fight the issue out before the voters (even though its common knowledge that rent control is politically popular in California).

Is there any doubt this high-profile statewide fight will influence the debate being held in cities like South lake Tahoe? Whats a city to do when results come in showing that rent control is popular in their community and people are clamoring for affordable housing options?

Winning Local Revenue Measures: Tips for City Leaders

This article "Winning Local Revenue Measures: Tips for City Leaders" first appeared in this months issue of Western City magazine. The response has been strong so we've decided to run it here as well.

by Mike Madrid

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Mike Madrid is a political consultant who serves as public affairs director for the League and advises city governments on political campaigns. He can be reached at mmadrid@cacities.org.

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It used to be that as a city grew and needed to expand the quality of services for its residents or respond to their calls for increased services, the city council would vote to place a revenue enhancement measure on the ballot in the following election. Through word of mouth, a smattering of yard signs and a campaign run by volunteers out of the city manager's garage, a few cities managed to eke out a victory and go forward with plans promised to the voters. Unfortunately, this strategy has not succeeded for most cities. As technology and campaigns become more sophisticated, city officials would be well advised to consider a few points before committing their family room as the campaign headquarters for the upcoming sales tax measure campaign. Complete Western City Story Here

Cities move to hold parents responsible for wild teen parties

About a year and a half ago, Morgan Hill police responding to an out-of-control party showed up at a home to find nearly 100 kids drinking, fighting, throwing up and trashing surrounding yards. The only penalty for the party, recalls Police Chief Bruce Cumming, was a small fine of less than $100 for the young adult who hosted it and a stern phone call to his parents when they came home. Deborah Lohse in the San Jose Mercury -- 11/19/07

First Plastic Water Bottles - Now Plastic bags

Last week Califronia City news reported on movement among cities to stop purchasing and providing water in plastic bottles. Now, it seems, some cities are taking further steps against plastic.

Starting Tuesday, plastic bags illegal at big San Francisco grocery stores -- Attention San Francisco shoppers: Plastic grocery store bags are going, going, gone. Starting Tuesday, large grocery stores in the city can no longer use the traditional plastic bags that are a staple of the supermarket checkout line, as a city ordinance passed earlier this year to ban the bags takes effect. Wyatt Buchanan in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 11/19/07

Rumors Abound On New Raid of Local Government Revenue

The Good Old Days - Governor Schwarzenegger stands by local elected officials during a Proposition 1A press conference committing to protect local government and stop Sacramento's raids on city revenues.

By Mike Madrid

Given the recent headlines and dire warnings of a financial shortfall for the state budget in the range of $10 billion in Sacramento over the last few weeks, it should come as no surprise that a number of politicans have already begun the discussion of balancing the state budget on the backs of local government. Few Sacramento insiders haven't heard the rumors reverberating off of the inside of the capitol dome. There's just no other way to close that big a gap.

"Whoa!", you might be saying. "That's why we fought for and passed Proposition 1A a few years back. To stop Sacramento politicians from stealing our money."

Thats true, but remember, there's a provision in Proposition 1A that allows the state government to borrow local government funds twice in any ten year period - if there's any doubt that legislators are beginning to eye that money than clear your mind of any confusion.

$10 billion is a big number and it wont be found without inflicting some pain.

While city governments shouldn't be surprised that lawmakers are openly talking about raiding their coffers, theres plenty of room to be disappointed. As an institution the legislature is incapable of setting their own ship straight, that's why they "borrowed" billions of local government dollars for as long as we allowed them to do it. And, as the old saying in Sacramento goes "If it come down to stealing from local government or taking on the education lobby - I'm stealing from local government."

And remember also, that in order to borrow local government monies a second time, they have to first repay the old loan. That was the catch we employed to keep the politicians in Sacramento honest. They have to actually pay back the money they've borrowed - and even then, only twice in a ten year period.

No surprise that Sacramento's political class is instinctively looking to dine on local government budgets. Disappointing that they've failed to surpass the expectations that they might never have to use an escape clause to borrow their way out of a problem again.  Prudent of local goverments to recognize they'd be falling back on old habits and take matters into their own hands.

So while at this point they are just rumors, the fact that more than one discussion has been had about town means we're headed in a difficult direction. If you want to test this theory, ask your legislator during the Thanksgiving break if they will publicly commit to only voting for a budget that does not include "borrowing" money from city governments. That blank stare can only mean one thing.

Be ready for a fight this budget season - if rumors are true Sacramento won't be asking "if" they're going to take city money, it will be "how much?"

How Safe is Your City?

CQ Press, an division of Congressional Quarterly known for producing rankings of cities and states based on a range of attributes (safety, livablity, etc), has released its 14th "City Crime Rankings," and found Mission Viejo the safest city in America.  Two other Orange County Cities also rated high in the rankings, with Lake Forest at number 10 and Irvine just behind at number 11. 

Several California cities also featured into the 'most dangerous' list, including Oakland (4th most dangerous) and Richmond (9th). 

You can purchase the full report here.  CQ includes in its report "all metro areas and cities of 75,000 or more that reported statistics to the Federal Buraue of Investigation." 

Read Here to Find Out Why L.A. is Going Broke

By Mike Madrid

Expect a lot more articles like the following one in the coming months (Why LA is going broke - LA Daily News). Demographics, retirements and a host of other financial decisions (some might say irresponsible ones) are converging to make the already heightened tensions around public workers pay and pension reform an even more highly charged topic.

"Since 2000, Los Angeles workers' costs have surged 53 percent - to $4 billion a year - rising an average 7.5 percent every year."

There's no question, the costs of employee pay and pensions will be a defining one for cities, council members and management staff for at least the next decade. The financial constraints hampering budgets as they seek to contain costs will be much like those that affected cities during the ERAF shifts during the last decade. One big difference - many cities were complicit in setting out extraordinary and unmanageable pay and benefits packages to city employees. Not all cities, of course - and clearly there have been other cost drivers, especially as it relates to pensions.

Nevertheless, the voting publics tolerance for this isnt likely to last long. A few months of daily discussion on multi-billion dollar shortfalls at the state level, cities growing concerns about revenue shortfalls as a result of the housing market collapse and headlines about rich pay and benefits that private sector workers don't enjoy could spell voter anger if all parties dont sit down and work something out.

Clearly, if ever there were an issue that needed to be debated and worked out in the legislature this is it. However, the institution is incapable of solving problems of significance and so, it seems we're relegated to the initiative process. No doubt the unions will have a solution, as will taxpayer advocates and a bevy of other special interests. The Governor, with a his most high profile special election loss forever etched in his memory isn't likely to champion this cause again. At least not while he's enjoying international acclaim on saving the world from climate change.

And so, county supervisors, city council members and mayors - most of them in the politically uneviable position of having to discuss this issue with the public as a matter of fiscal prudence - balance that need with the possible end of their political careers by having to discuss this issue with their city and county employee unions.

Yes, this is a tough issue - and it's going to get tougher before it gets easier. Just ask former Assemblyman Keith Richman.