Local Works

Overview

Local Works

Bikers on a path
Article Local Works By Jill Oviatt

Arcata rises to the challenge: innovative upgrades to award-winning wastewater treatment plant

Just 34 years ago, Arcata’s pioneering wetland wastewater treatment facility was the talk of the town, winning multiple awards for its integration of oxidation ponds and fresh water marshes to do the dirty work of cleaning the city’s wastewater through a mostly natural process involving bacteria, plants, and sunlight. But the once groundbreaking equipment is breaking down, and the city has developed a two-phase project to not only replace 50-year-old parts, but develop new strategies to face new challenges.  

City of Redlands Police Chief Chris Catren sits with members of the community.
Article Local Works By Brian Lee-Mounger Hendershot

“We look way too similar to Derek Chauvin”: Building public trust in an era of distrust

At Redlands — where Chief Catren has spent his entire career — building trust is as simple as being transparent and following through on every call or complaint, no matter how mundane they may seem. To put it another way, “They know you’re going to do what you say you’re going to do, because you always do it.” There’s practically a non-zero chance that someone will have a neutral encounter with the police. It’s either positive or negative. Every department must “outweigh a single negative experience with hundreds of positive ones.” 

San Diego Central Library Hosts Portrait of Pomeroy Art Exhibit showcasing paintings and drawings by San Diego artists of the 1950s and 1960s.
Article Local Works By Jonathan Glus

An economic engine: San Diego works to support its local creative industry during the pandemic and beyond

Six months into the pandemic, it was clear that San Diego’s creative industry was suffering. By September 2020, 14,500 local artists, photographers, dancers, filmmakers, graphic designers, architects, and computer programmers had lost their jobs. The city of San Diego knew it had to act quickly and purchased visual art by area artists to get badly-needed funds to working artists. 

The cogeneration facility at the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility features artwork by Buster Simpson.
Article Local Works by Lisa Yarbrough

Cities of San José and Ukiah lead the way on critical water infrastructure projects

Looking ahead at growing population demands, many cities are embarking on infrastructure modernization projects to ensure water reliability. They are also taking a long view and designing these projects with climate change in mind. As droughts and warmer temperatures become more common, cities are on the front lines working to ensure their constituents have a sustainable source of water now and into the future. 

Exterior view of St. Paul’s Commons in Walnut Creek, CA.
Article Local Works by Jill Oviatt

A community partnership brings a transformative affordable housing development to Walnut Creek

A dynamic group of committed religious, community, housing, and local government leaders in Walnut Creek came together to solve one of our state’s most pressing problems: the need for more affordable housing. Working together they created St. Paul’s Commons, a mixed-use, transit-oriented affordable housing development that opened its doors to residents in February 2020, just before the pandemic hit.

City of Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg delivers speech about #ALLINSAC effort.
Article Local Works by Lisa Yarbrough

Sacramento’s Measure U helps maintain critical services and advance equity during pandemic

The City of Sacramento is one of many California cities to put a general sales tax measure on the  ballot to bring in much-needed revenue for local projects. Voter approval to renew or raise local sales tax has given some cities a sustained source of revenue to maintain critical services, invest in local infrastructure, and create additional amenities for the community.

Article Local Works by Jill Oviatt and Lisa Yarbrough

Lessons in Leadership: Outgoing mayors and city council members share advice on what it takes to be an effective leader

Through their many years of service in local government these outgoing mayors and council members have sage advice about how to be an effective city leader and wise words for new mayors and council members as they embark on their journey to lead their city forward.

Article Local Works by Jill Oviatt

Rancho Cucamonga: 2020 All-America City Winner One of 10 Cities Honored and the Only City in California to Make the List

The National Civic League recognized Rancho Cucamonga for promoting inclusive civic engagement to address health and well-being in the community. The city’s ongoing efforts have created stronger connections among residents, businesses, nonprofits, and government leaders that have improved the quality of life.

Article Local Works by Adam M. Lara

Long Beach Launches Office of Equity to Engage, Educate, and Serve

Long Beach established its Office of Equity in January 2017 to address and improve equity, community health, and safety for those most underserved in its communities.

Article Local Works by Heather Cousin

Libraries Respond in Crisis and Beyond

Library staff throughout California put on masks and gloves and transformed their work with new processes and procedures and with safety and community service as their top priorities.

Article Local Works by Rose Kevranian

Virtual Camps and Librarians Printing Face Shields: Not a Typical Summer for City Services

City libraries and parks and recreation departments have transformed their operations to serve and support their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Article Local Works by Amanda Cadelago

Cities Harness Creativity as They Develop Safe Reopening Plans

­While different regions and industry sectors opened at various times, the desire to safely reopen businesses and give residents opportunities to carefully move about their communities was a common theme guiding city leaders’ decisions.

Article Local Works

Affordable Housing: More Than a Mandate in San Marcos
How San Marcos Leveraged Affordable Housing for Smart Growth

In an area that lacked basic infrastructure, two mixed-use affordable housing developments brought improvements including new streets, drainage, and lighting. A complex mix of federal, state, and city funding, matched with private-sector loans, covered the costs.

Article Local Works by Jill Oviatt

Cities Use Technology to Keep Constituents Informed and Engaged During Pandemic

City leaders worked hard to ensure that local government remained accessible and residents were able to participate in council meetings and obtain essential services.

Article Local Works

California Cities Demonstrate Resiliency and Leadership During COVID-19 Crisis

With “safer at home” orders in effect in an attempt to flatten the curve of COVID-19 spread, cities were on the front lines maintaining essential services and working to protect residents who were out of work or lost their job because of the crisis.

Article Local Works by Jill Oviatt

League Launches Initiative Showing City Projects Making a Difference in Their Communities

Collectively, California cities are creating hundreds, if not thousands, of projects each year that improve the lives of residents. While many people often lament that other levels of government do not always seem to work, California cities can show powerfully through #LocalWorks that local government works.