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<br />APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR <br />INNOVATIONS IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AWARD <br /> <br />The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of <br />Government is now accepting applications for the 2007 Innovations in American Government <br />Awards, <br /> <br />Administered in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government, the award is given <br />annually to programs that serve as examples of creative and effective government at its best. An <br />units of federal government - federal, state, local, tribal and territorial - are eligible and <br />encouraged to apply. <br /> <br />Five winners will be selected and each will receive a $100,000 grant to support replication and <br />dissemination activities. The deadline for applications is September 12. For additional <br />information and an application, visit www.ashinstitute.harvard.edu. <br /> <br />KEEPING UP: JARMAN APPOINTED SAN DIEGO FIRE CHIEF <br /> <br />Earlier this week, the San Diego City Council accepted the recommendation of Mayor Jerry <br />Sanders to appoint Tracy Jarman as Chief of Fire-Rescue Services. Jarman becomes the first <br />female fire chief in the history of San Diego, <br /> <br />A 22-year veteran of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, Jarman (a native of Escondido) <br />had been the department's interim chief since former Fire Chief Jeff Bowman resigned on June 2. <br />The League congratulates Chief Jarman on her new position, <br /> <br />FIND A BILL, LEGISLATORS, LEG COMMITTEE - OR ASK LEG STAFF <br /> <br />Visit (and bookmark!) the League's LeQislative Resources page (www.cacities,orQ/leQresources). <br />You'll find a roster and contact information for the League's legislative staff; the online Bill Search <br />program, background materials on lobbying your legislators, and more. <br /> <br />LEGISLATIVE BILL SUMMARIES <br /> <br />ADMINISTRATIVE <br /> <br />SB 1818 (Alarcon). Attorneys Fees. Big Box Lawsuits. As proposed to be amended, SB <br />1818 would permit cities and counties to be awarded attorneys fees and other litigation expenses <br />when the city or county prevails in certain zoning lawsuits brought against them by big-box <br />retailers who have a history of improper conduct in litigation and seek to use their superior size <br />and resources to intimidate the local government. In this proposed form, the bill passed the <br />Assembly Judiciary Committee and now moves to the Assembly Floor, <br /> <br />S8 1818 responds to a very real problem faced by many small and medium sized cities that are <br />sued by Wat-Mart in an attempt to intimidate the city to approve Wal-Mart's proposed <br />development. The bill's scope was narrowed by the amendments taken in the Assembly <br />Judiciary Committee - but, nevertheless, it would provide protections against litigation abuse for <br />those cities or counties that complied with land use and zoning laws in the process of denying a <br />big-box permit. <br /> <br />sa 1818 now goes to the Assembly Floor. Cities are encouraged to send letters of support to the <br />author and their Senators and Assembly Members. Staff: Yvonne Hunter; Status: Pending on <br />AsmFlr; Position: Support. <br /> <br />SB 1179 (Morrow). Skateboard Parks. Liability. SB 1179 passed the Assembly Judiciary <br />Committee on consent this week, sa 1179 would lower the age from 14 to 12 for which local <br /> <br />9A <br />Page 18 <br /> <br />10 <br />