Community Services and Economic Development
City leaders in Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek independently recognized the increased need for volunteer efforts to help worthwhile causes in their cities. The challenge was to find a way to harness the power of human energy and put it to work for as many community opportunities as possible. The solution was a city sponsored, community-wide Community Service Day. In one day, thousands of volunteers donate tens of thousands of volunteer hours for a variety of worthwhile community causes. As an added benefit, Community Service Day has increased civic pride, has proven that people want to get involved and give back to their community Ð and that, together, the power of human energy is unbeatable.
Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics, & Community Involvement
The City of Santa Clarita created a civic engagement program designed to build community trust, enhance public safety, increase resident involvement, and bridge cultural divides with City staff, law enforecment and local service agencies. The Neighborhood Services Team and Outreach Program encourages residents of East Newhall to work with the City to address important issues like crime, gangs, graffiti, blight, and other issues through the creation of neighborhood specific services.
Health & Wellness Programs
In addressing the problem of disadvantage and health inequality in targeted unhealthy, socio-economically challenged neighborhoods, the City of Lancaster developed a multi-pronged approach to link residents with much needed social and economic support services and resources: (1) rehabilitate vacant homes and (2) partner with area medical facilities and organizations to provide community hubsÑWellness Homes, Community Homes and Community GardensÑwith free health services, wellness information and educational classes. This program illustrates that despite recent economic conditions, with community-wide support networks it is possible for disadvantaged neighborhoods to thrive and promote the health and overall well-being of their residents.
Housing Programs & Innovations
The City of Fontana has renewed and revitalized its once dilapidated, crime-ridden downtown area, transforming it with the addition of four affordable senior housing complexes designed in the same Spanish Mission-style envisioned by the City's founder in 1913.
Internal Administration
The City of San Carlos resolved a $3.5 Million structural General Fund budget deficit and increased services to the public over a 18 month period. This was done in the areas of Police, Fire, Parks Maintenance & Recreation Services through a mix of Shared Services, Contract Services and Becoming a Recreation Service Provider in partnership with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, City of Redwood City and the City of Half Moon Bay.
League Partners Award for Excellence in City-Business Relations
Riverside's high technology businesses, city leaders, community organizations, universities, government agencies, high tech suppliers, and venture capitalists have joined together as SmartRiverside to help create one of the Country's leading digital cities, economic development hot spots, regions for job growth, and attractive places to live, work and enjoy. SmartRiverside has become the City's platform for technology innovation and economic development. Through SmartRiverside the City is providing free internet service citywide, bridging the digital divide by providing all low income families with free PCs and free technology training, and attracting/retaining graduates and high tech businesses in record numbers.
Planning & Environmental Quality
Through the use of innovative energy and cost saving measures, the City of Cathedral City has reduced greenhouse gases in the air stream, achieved a 16.1 percent energy savings at municipal facilities and an 11.2 percent energy savings throughout the community. Energy-related projects include solar photovoltaic systems, revamped HVAC units, lighting upgrades and countless other initiatives. Amidst a tough economic climate, the City received financial assistance from federal and state agencies, Southern California Edison and the Honeywell Corporation to complete the projects, which have and will continue to save the City well over $120,000 in yearly energy costs.
Public Safety
"Be Ready, Be Safe, Be Involved!" Campaign to Increase Community Preparedness and Involvement
Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation
Redlands311 is a smartphone app that allows the public to identify infrastructure issues (potholes, graffiti, water leaks) directly to City staff. The app allows users to attach media (picture, video, sound), to an issue, and have it geocoded to a point in the City's GIS.
Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government
The Redlands Emergency Services Academy (RESA) is an outstanding program to encourage, train, and mentor youth in the community who have an interest in Public Safety, and desire to gain real world experience from professionals who are expert in their respective fields.
Cities Counties Schools Partnership Intergovernmental Collaboration Award
The community of Enchanted Heights straddles the western boundary of the City of Perris with half of its 446 residences within Perris and half in Riverside County. For many years, this community was plagued with failing septic tanks due to an increase in population which was not envisioned when the neighborhood was developed in the 1970s. Compounding the problem was the shallow bedrock underlying the area that prevented the systems from working properly