AgdaPkt 2002-12-09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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�.�� I HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LEA�GUE BOARD MEETING-NOVEMBEit 22-23, 2002 � League Board Establishes Strategic Goals for 2002-2003. State Budget, Housing and Ethics Are Focus. The League board of directors set the course of the organization for 2002 when it met with the leaders of the • League's divisions, caucuses, departments and pulicy committees. After breaking irrto ten separate discussion groups, the directors considered a list of proposed strategic goals in eight categories of concern that had been formulated by directors and the other League Leade�s in the groups. When the board reconvened Saiurday morning, November 23, board members cast votes for their top priority goals and three emerged with the highest votes: • Protect City Services and Revenues from State Budget Cuts • Expand the Supply of Housing in California ln Balance With the Location of Jobs • Restore Public Confidence in Government, Particularly City Government Each of these strategic goals will form the basis for the action plan of the League and each of iu subunits over the next year. The board will receive a status report on implementation of the plan at each of its meetings over the next year. League Role Key to Passage of Housing Bond. Board members received a report about the key role city officials and the League played to secure passage of Proposition 46, the housing bond measure on the November ballot. This measure contains financial resources to help provide much-needed additional housing in California. Some close to the campaign credit the League with making the difference. Especially impor[ant were activities of the League's regional representatives who formed the field staff for the campaign and the work of Action for Better Cities with the campaign committee. . League Budget Adopted for 2003. The board adopted the League budget for �_ During �. �riod of expanding League services and rapidly increasing insurance, benefit and retirement costs, the League fashionea a budget for the organization that includes a 2.13% dues increase, equal to the California consumer price increase for the past twelve months. The budget continues the League's full service program, with two significant areas of expansion. First, a major overhaul of the League's Web site (www.cacities.oral will give members easier access to online legislative monitoring, a grassroots advocacy center, updated font-page news features and easier site navigation. The Web site is playing an increasingly large role in meeting the League's need to communicate with members about strategic advocacy goals. Members will readily see and appreciate the improvements that are planned in 2003. � Second, the budget expands the League's commitment to distance learning. One online training program, "The Basics of Municipal Finance,'" was prepared in 2002 and several more are planned for 2003. These are designed to allow elected and appointed officials to pursue customized high-quality education on impor[ant local government issues and skills ' without suffering the inconvenience and cost of traveling. Learn more about this at www.cacities.org/ed. Board Expands Involvement with Top Legat Issues. The Board a!so reviewed and updated the League's legal advocacy policies. The revised policy adopted by the Board gives clearer direction and authority to the Legal Advocacy Committee. The new policy will allow the League to respond faster to requests for friend-of-the-court assistance. Among other things, the new policy expands circumstances under which a friend-of-the-cour[ brief can be filed in the League's name. The revised policy is posted on the League's web site http://www.r,acities.org/legaladvocacy PAGE 8/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the L�ague's Official Web Site--www.cacities.org