DATE: August 18, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Clerk and City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Cal Cities 2026 Annual Conference: Adopt Resolutions (1) Designating a Voting Delegate and Alternates for the Conference Scheduled for September 23-25, 2026 , and (2) Directing the City’s Voting Delegate to Vote on a Proposed League of California Cities General Assembly Resolution Calling for a Working Group to Consider Actions to Ensure Final Local Authority Over Housing and Land Use Decisions
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the City Council adopts two resolutions (Attachments II and III) 1) Designating a voting delegate and alternates to represent Hayward at the General Assembly during the Cal Cities 2026 Annual Conference, and 2) Directing the City’s voting delegate to vote to support the proposed League of California Cities General Assembly resolution calling for the formation of a working group to consider a state constitutional amendment or other form of initiative to ensure final local authority over housing and land use decisions.
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SUMMARY
The Cal Cities Annual Conference will be held September 23-25, 2026, in Anaheim at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Attending League of Cities conferences provides the Mayor and Councilmembers with the opportunity to defend local authority, shape state policy, and lobby for the City’ interests effectively. In addition, the conference provides education and professional growth regarding legal, financial, and ethical duties, successful policy solutions enacted by other agencies, and updates on state regulations as well as the opportunity to network with peers in other local organizations to share best practices and discuss challenges and opportunities.
The Cal Cities Annual Conference includes an Annual Business Meeting (General Assembly), scheduled for Friday, September 25, where voting delegates from municipalities consider and vote on proposed Cal Cities resolutions. To participate in the voting process, the City Council must designate a voting delegate and up to two alternates.
One resolution that the 2026 General Assembly will consider is a resolution calling for a working group to develop potential strategies to strengthen local authority over housing and land use decisions while preserving the State Legislature’s authority to establish broad statewide goals, including a state constitutional amendment, legislation, policy changes, or a ballot initiative. Staff recommends that Council support this effort to strengthen local authority.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Resolution Designating Delegates
Attachment III Resolution Regarding Cal Cities Resolution
Attachment IV Cal Cities Annual Conference Information