Ten cities receive Helen Putnam Award for Excellence for outstanding programs

Contact:
Kayla Sherwood, 530-844-1744, [email protected]

Sacramento, CA - The League of California Cities announced the 10 winning cities of the esteemed Helen Putnam Award for Excellence for 2024. Each city was chosen for its outstanding efforts and innovative programs to improve the quality of life and delivery of services in their communities. The winning cities are listed below with a link to a video featuring their initiatives:

• City of Benicia, Internal Administration
  Benicia's "Believe In Benicia" campaign addressed a $6-9 million budget deficit by educating residents, fostering dialogue, and gaining record-breaking voter approval for local tax increases, securing the city's financial future.
• City of Brisbane, Planning and Environmental Quality
  Brisbane is making significant strides in climate action by implementing new rules for building audits and retrofits, which are expected to reduce citywide greenhouse gas emissions by over 5%.
• City of Citrus Heights, Public Works, Infrastructure, Transportation
  Citrus Heights' beautification program removed over 79 tons of debris in its first year. Through a coordinated, proactive effort to address blight and illegal camps, the city is enhancing public spaces, infrastructure, and community pride.
• City of Concord, Economic Development through the Arts
  Vibrant murals and public art installations have revitalized Downtown Concord thanks to the Create Concord program, which increases community access to arts and culture.
• City of Goleta, Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics, and Community Involvement
  LEAD Goleta, a bilingual six-week program designed to help residents understand and engage with local government, has empowered over 30 participants to actively participate in city governance and community decision-making.
• City of Livermore, Intergovernmental Collaboration
  Livermore partnered with its local school district to revitalize Horizons Family Counseling, expanding mental health support for youth and families through on-site counseling, workshops, and crisis intervention in schools.
  
• City of Modesto, Health and Wellness Programs
  The Healthy Room Project addresses juvenile delinquency by providing bedroom makeovers for vulnerable children, improving their living conditions, strengthening community bonds, and enhancing their well-being.
• City of Modesto, Housing Programs and Innovations
  Modesto has partnered with a local nonprofit to create a comprehensive program for unhoused residents that offers outreach, job training, and housing assistance.
• City of Modesto, Public Safety
  Modesto's Student Engagement Officer program focuses on early intervention and building positive relationships with youth, resulting in reduced suspensions, fewer altercations, police calls, and mental health incidents.
• City of Moreno Valley, Cal Cities Partners Award for Excellence in City-Business Relations
  The Hire Mo-Val program created nearly 34,000 jobs and revitalized the local economy by fostering business partnerships, offering workforce development, and offering direct hiring incentives. The program boosted household incomes by 53% and enhanced residents' well-being.
• City of Vacaville, Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government
  Vacaville's Summer at City Hall program empowers high school students, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, by blending classroom education with city internships, fostering workforce development, civic engagement, and youth empowerment.
• City of Watsonville, Community Services and Economic Development
  Watsonville's Opportunity to Work program provides young adults with valuable skills and job training, resulting in the city hiring over a dozen participants and strengthening the local workforce.

Established in 1982 by the League of California Cities, the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence, given annually in 12 categories, recognizes outstanding achievements made by California's 483 cities. These winning cities have made unique contributions to community residents and businesses, which have resulted in lower costs or more effective delivery of services. The purpose of the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program is to promote innovative solutions by city governments.

The 2024 winners were chosen from 184 submissions.

Established in 1898, the League of California Cities is a nonprofit statewide association that advocates for cities with the state and federal governments and provides education and training services to elected and appointed city officials. Cal Cities' mission is to expand and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians.

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