Powerhouse keynote speakers, awards, and more: Highlights from Cal Cities’ 2024 annual conference

By Brian Hendershot, Cal Cities Advocate managing editor

Close to 2,300 city officials joined Cal Cities and subject matter experts in Long Beach for the 2024 Annual Conference and Expo - the largest gathering since 2015. The three-day event was a chance for local officials to come together, discover solutions to city-specific issues, and celebrate major accomplishments.

Keynote speakers remind city officials of their power and duties

During the opening ceremony, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson noted that cities are at an inflection point on key housing and climate goals.

"Will we ignore them or leave them to future generations," he asked the crowd before reminding them of a time-tested proverb: As California goes, so goes the nation.

Journalist Celeste Headlee discussed the ongoing political divide and rancor, which she says is partially the result of our collective inability to talk with people we don't like.

"You can hear someone's opinion without endorsing it," she said, noting this is also affecting our wellbeing.

In a conversation with Cal Cities CEO and Executive Director Carolyn Coleman, outgoing Cal Cities President Daniel Parra reflected on his time in office. He was particularly proud of his efforts to uplift issues important to his community, including the impact of climate change on farmworkers.

"Start small," he told future Cal Cities leaders. "Jump in there. Don't hesitate. It took me a few tries to get where I am today."

Economist Christopher Thornberg, Ph.D., cautioned attendees that political narratives and economic realities often conflict to the detriment of good policy. "The narrative is running amok," he said after reflecting on the statewide housing crisis. "We are spinning downstream without any concept of how we will get there."

He urged people on both sides of the aisle to be more objective, leave their narratives at the door, and start having rational conversations with political opponents.

Captain Sandy Yawn, the star of Bravo's "Below Deck," closed the conference out by reminding people about what true leadership means: support, empathy, a commitment to personal growth, and trust.

"Trust takes seconds to break and forever to repair," she said.

The conference also featured dozens of breakout sessions selected by members on wildfire insurance, artificial intelligence, housing, hate speech, the economy, and more.

Cal Cities honors SB 1 author with a lifetime achievement award

Honoring cities and city champions is a key feature of every annual conference. This year, Cal Cities awarded former state Senator Jim Beall with the 2024 Past Presidents' Lifetime Achievement Award. Beall is perhaps best known for his work on SB 1, a 2017 measure that provides $5.4 billion annually to repair roads, freeways, and bridges statewide.

"Jim Beall has been a true champion for California's communities," said former Cal Cities President and Artesia Mayor Pro Tem Ali Sajjad Taj. "His work embodies the spirit of public service, and his contributions will benefit California's cities and residents for generations to come."

Beall also helped secure funding for regional transportation projects in the Bay Area and $4 billion in funding for affordable housing and veterans' homeownership. He is a former San Jose council member and Santa Clara County supervisor.

10 cities receive coveted Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

It wouldn't be an annual conference without a slate of Helen Putnam Award for Excellence winners. A member-led committee honored ten cities (out of 183 submissions) for their outstanding, innovative efforts to improve the quality of life and services in their communities: Benicia, Brisbane, Citrus Heights, Concord, Goleta, Livermore, Modesto, Moreno Valley, Vacaville, and Watsonville.

New leadership and board members announced

The Cal Cities Board of Directors swore in new board officers and members. Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Pro Tem Lynne B. Kennedy became president, El Cerrito Council Member Gabe Quinto is the new first vice president, and Carlsbad Council Member Teresa Acosta will serve as second vice president. Fowler Mayor Daniel Parra became the immediate past president.

Kennedy, a lifelong public servant, has been a Rancho Cucamonga council member since 2014. Her diligent work ensured a balanced city budget and the preservation of essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Together we are stronger. We are louder. We are more powerful," Kennedy told the crowd contrasting Cal Cities' collective power to the percussive sounds of the Etiwanda Marching Eagle Regiment that played moments before.

The board also elected six at-large directors to serve a two-year term: Morgan Hill Council Member Yvonne Martinez Beltran, Los Altos Council Member Neysa Fligor, Chino Hills Council Member Ray Marquez, Woodlake Mayor Rudy Mendoza, Union City Council Member Jaime Patino, and Artesia Mayor Pro Tem Ali Sajjad Taj.

General resolution advances to Board for consideration

During the conference, the General Assembly voted on a resolution urging legislators to stop passing laws that establish rules for local officials that don't apply to themselves. The General Assembly is comprised of delegates from every member city.

The General Assembly approved a recommendation to adopt an amended resolution. However, due to a lack of a quorum, the vote was advisory. The Cal Cities Board of Directors will take up the measure for consideration at its next meeting.

The 2025 annual conference is also in Long Beach, Oct. 8-10.

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