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_�4--a a:3 LEAGUE BOARD APPROVES KEY NEXT STEPS ON INITIATIVE LOS ANGELES DIVISION'S CITY MANAGERS' MEETING HUGE SUCCESS Meeting in Newport Beach November 14 -15, the ' -eague board of directors identified passage of the Local Taxpayers and Public Safety Protection Act, the November 2004 ballot initiative cosponsored by the League, as its number one strategic goal for 2004. The board adopted its key policy priorities for 2004 during a meeting with the heads of the League's divi- sions, policy committees, departments and caucuses, a group collectively known within the League as the "League Leaders ". In addition to giving the ballot measure top billing in its listing of priorities, the board re- viewed and approved a recommended budget that contemplates a substantial financial contri- bution from the League's non - public revenues to the campaign. This will come in the form of both a cash contribution to the campaign as well as an in -kind contribution of staff time, both of which will be financed from non - public (or private) sources of revenue available to the League, a non - profit mutual benefit corporation under state law. Over the next few months city, county and special district officials will be working with community leaders and members to make passage of the Local Taxpayers and Public Safety Protection Act a key priority of individuals and groups around the state. City officials members who want to help with the campaign on their personal time are urged to contact their regional representative www.cacities.org/ issuesandadvocacy or Mike Madrid, Director of Public Affairs at the League, at MadridM(a)caciteis.orq or 916- 658 -8273. The League will help you get the information you need to make a difference. For further information on the ballot initiative, visit the League's website at www.cacities.orq. City managers throughout the Los Angeles Division convened for their annual countywide meeting on Wednesday, November 5, at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center. It is one of the few opportunities city managers in all of Los Angeles County have for getting together and networking on local issues. This year's meeting shattered all other attendance records with over 100 registered attendees. David Janssen, Chief Administrative Officer for the County of Los Angeles, opened the meeting by providing the Division's city managers insight into the County's budget and organizational challenges, short and long -term financial issues, and service changes that will be impacting cities. The greatest concern of Los Angeles County's is the future of the Vehicle License Fee (VLF). Janssen noted that the Governor -elect has prom- ised his constituents that he will roll back the VLF, but at the same time is committed to protecting public safety. "The Governor -elect wants to protect public safety but how will he do it by cutting the VLF ?" Other high priority issues in Los Angeles County include the National Pollutants Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements, and workers' compensation and health care reform. Lobbyist Amy Brown provided the Division's city managers with a legislative update on priority employee relations bills that will be impacting cities throughout California. These bills include: SB 440 (Burton); AB 719 (Negrete- McLeod); AB 1082 (Laird); AB 1321 (Oropeza); and SB 2 (Burton); SB 227/228 (Conference Committee). Brown also provided a report on the League's Health Insurance Work Plan which will serve as a guide for cities that are interested in pulling out of CalPERS Health. Executive Director Chris McKenzie concluded the meeting with a status report on the League's ballot initiative, emphasizing the importance of city officials raising funds for an effective campaign. "This very moment is one of the most important times in League's history. We have filed the ballot initiative and we will be getting feedback from the Attorney General." The short-term goal for the Los Angeles Division is to raise an additional $100,000 by the end of 2003. Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS /PAGE 3