The League of Cities take money from your city. Then they go to Sacramento, on your dime, and lobby for higher taxes, bad housing and environmental laws—to be imposed on your city.
““They have a sort of different political opinion,” Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill said, adding that the league’s support of Proposition 1 was the “tipping point” in his decision to vote against renewing membership this year.
Prop 1 to modernize the Mental Health Services Act for the first time in nearly two decades is poised to win statewide in the recent primary election, though in Orange County it didn’t quite reach 42% support. It includes the state floating a $6.38 billion bond to pay for more than 11,000 new treatment beds and housing units for people with the most acute behavioral health needs who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
“You can’t have a concentration of sober living homes and recovery housing in one area,” O’Neill said, adding that Newport Beach is particularly opposed to the legislation because it broadens the by-right approval of facilities in more areas of a city. “If you’re taking away local control regarding sober living homes, that harms us. You can’t just pay for an organization to advocate against our interests.”
It is time for the League of cities to register with the FPPC as a Democrat controlled Committee.
Newport Beach leaves league of cities, Huntington Beach eyeing exit
By ERIKA I. RITCHIE Orange County Register and MICHAEL SLATEN. 3/26/24 https://www.ocregister.com/2024/03/26/newport-beach-leaves-league-of-cities-huntington-beach-eyeing-exit/ |
Recently, Newport Beach leaders decided what Cal Cities has to offer no longer fits local goals.
So, when the annual $24,000 renewal for membership in the organization also known as the League of California Cities came around this month, the Newport Beach City Council voted 5-2 to step away. Councilmembers Erik Weigand and Robyn Grant thought it was worth staying with the league to “keep a seat at the table,” but like their colleagues weren’t happy with some of its recent decision-making, they said.
Cal Cities lists a robust roster of member cities from throughout the state. Newport Beach had been part of the group since its inception, but recent action by the league supporting legislative issues that they felt threaten the beach community’s way of life has been a turnoff for city leaders. And they aren’t alone, Huntington Beach’s council majority has also directed their staffers to withdraw the city from the league.
“They have a sort of different political opinion,” Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill said, adding that the league’s support of Proposition 1 was the “tipping point” in his decision to vote against renewing membership this year.
Prop 1 to modernize the Mental Health Services Act for the first time in nearly two decades is poised to win statewide in the recent primary election, though in Orange County it didn’t quite reach 42% support. It includes the state floating a $6.38 billion bond to pay for more than 11,000 new treatment beds and housing units for people with the most acute behavioral health needs who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
“You can’t have a concentration of sober living homes and recovery housing in one area,” O’Neill said, adding that Newport Beach is particularly opposed to the legislation because it broadens the by-right approval of facilities in more areas of a city. “If you’re taking away local control regarding sober living homes, that harms us. You can’t just pay for an organization to advocate against our interests.”
Assistant City Manager Seimone Jurgis also said Cal Cities “didn’t have our backs when the state pushed” housing mandates, moving regional allocations to coastal cities from the Inland Empire.
Connor Medina, regional public affairs manager for Cal Cities, said in a statement the organization represents 482 cities and fights for local control.
“Every position Cal Cities takes is the result of a democratic, member-driven process that reflects a fundamental belief that cities are stronger when we stand together. While consensus is not always possible, we always strive to represent the best interests of all cities.” Medina said in a statement.
“This legislative session, Cal Cities is sponsoring a four-bill package of bipartisan legislation that would create more oversight and regulation over sober living homes and hold bad actors accountable,” he added. “We respect the decisions of Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. Regardless of membership, we will continue to represent the interests of all California cities.”
O’Neill said being part of the league has had its benefits, especially when it comes to resources for the city manager and city attorney, such as information on new policies, and there have been times when the city of Newport Beach has seen a benefit from organizing with other cities on common goals.
But the league “represents the entire state, and the needs of the north are different from those of Southern California,” Jurgis said. “One size does not fit all; that doesn’t work for us.”
Huntington Beach councilmembers said Cal Cities’ support for Proposition 1 was unforgivable.
“I want to send a message that they shouldn’t have been on board with Prop 1 in the first place,” Councilmember Tony Strickland said at a March 19 meeting. “Their job is to represent us at the local government, not to represent (Gov.) Gavin Newsom.”
But those councilmembers opposed to the withdrawal said the city would lose out on lobbying representation and might not get back the $38,000 already paid in dues for this year.
“To say I don’t like the way you are doing this so we are going to teach you a lesson, that’s going to teach us a lesson, because our voice is going to be limited and minimized,” Councilmember Natalie Moser said.
Medina pleaded in person for Huntington Beach to not withdraw, saying at the recent council meeting that cities benefit from being able to stand united to fight for funding or maintaining local control.
While Mission Viejo’s Mayor Trish Kelley said there has been no discussions in her city about leaving Cal Cities, she understands Newport Beach ‘s decision given the league’s support of Prop. 1. Mission Viejo councilmembers also oppose the proposition’s by-right approval process.
Kelley said she’s on one of the league’s policy committees and recently participated in a meeting that included information on legislation that can impact cities.
“The league does work in support of local control,” she said. “We’re not happy (about support of Prop 1), but it’s important to have a seat at the table on things that go on in the state.”
O’Neill said he’s heard from leaders in other cities who are also weighing their memberships, adding that he thinks Newport Beach’s exit won’t have much effect on the group unless others leave, too.
“I’ve talked to at least five other cities now looking at this,” he said. “My frustration has never been with the local Orange County board, but with the executive decisions.”
“I hope they change,” he added. “I hope next year when we have a chance to join they’ll give us a good reason to join.”
