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�� A-_�r NLC DECLARES NATIONAL SMALL CITIES AND TOWNS DAY STATE WATER BOARD ADOPTS PHASE I I STORM WATER PERMIT The National League of Cities (NLC) has set June 20, 2003 for its third annual National Small Cities and Towns Day. The NLC has asked that small cities and towns across the country schedule an event on this day to call attention to their efforts to build partnerships with the federal government and demonstrate how federal investment has made a difference to their community. Watertown, South Dakota will host this year's event, holding a press conference at noon, E.S.T. to kick off the day. The focus of this year's event is on renewing the federal -local partnership by maintaining funding for essential programs. The NLC and its Small Cities Council is asking leaders in small cities to participate by providing examples of successful federal -local partnerships that have made a difference to their citizens, whether they be in the form of affordable housing, public safety or other programs. A resource kit is available on the National League of Cities Web site, www.nlc.org. LEGAL ADVOCACY UPDATE: INJURED DRUNKS MAY NOT RECOVER AGAINST CITY The California Supreme Court recently issued a favorable opinion shielding cities and counties from lawsuits brought by intoxicated individuals that are temporarily detained and injured by other inmates in local jails. In a unanimous decision the court overturned a $172,000 jury verdict against a city brought by a suspected drunken man who suffered from injuries from another inmate. California law precludes prisoners from suing the agency holding them if they suffer injuries from another inmate. The city argued that the intoxicated individual was a prisoner, and therefore could not sue the city for his injuries, and the court agreed. The League thanks Martin Mayer and Michael Capizzi of Jones & Mayer for writing the friend -of -the court brief on behalf of ten California cities and other interested associations. The name of the case is Teter v. City of Newport Beach, _ Cal. 4'" _ (April 28, 2003). These briefs and others recently filed by the League are available on the League's website at www.cacities.or¢/ leealadvocacv. On April 30, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted a slightly revised Small MS4 Gen- eral Storm Water Permit, otherwise known as the Phase II Storm Water Permit This permit generally applies to cities under 100,000 population that are not part of a Phase I permit. It also applies to other entities. In response to a letter submitted by the League, the Board made some changes to the permit and attached Fact Sheet to respond to the League requests to clarify the so- called "safe harbor" issue in the permit. The revised draft permit and accompanying staff comment document was available to the Board meeting attendees only five minutes before the Board began discussion of this agenda item. Thus, while it appears some progress has been made in responding to the request for clarification of the 'safe harbor issue, the League is still evaluating the changes in the permit, the Fact Sheet, and the accompanying staff comments, as well as the verbal comments made by the Board members during the League's testi- mony. The revised and adopted permit is available on the State Board's website: www.swrcb.ca.aov. LOOKING FOR CALIFORNIA'S BEST TO FILL A POSITION IN YOUR CITY? Western City Magazine's job opportunity section is the source for job seekers looking for positions in local government. According to our reader survey, the job opportunity section is the best read section of our magazine! When you place an ad in Westem City Magazine, it will be posted at no additional charge on our website, which receives over 60,000 hits per month. Call to place your recruitment ad today! 800 262 -1801 or visit our website www.westemcity.com. Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS /PAGE 5