HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/21/2018 14 National League of Cities MembershipITEM TITLE:
SUBMITTED BY:
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDASTATEMENT
1
Item No. 14.
For Meeting of: August 21, 2018
Discussion regarding National League of Cities membership
Randy Beehler, Communications & Public Affairs Director
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
Recently, the Council directed City staff to gather information regarding membership in the
National League of Cities ("NLC") and report back to the Council at its August 21st regular
meeting. 1 n addition to a memo included in the August 21st regular meeting packet, NLC
membership information folders will be provided to Council members at the Council's August
21st regular meeting. Additional information about the NLC can be found on the organization's
website at https://www.nlc.org/.
ITEM BUDGETED:
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APPROVED FOR
SUBMITTAL:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
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ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date
0 NLC 819/2018
Type
Coyer Memo
2
RA
DDD[D
To: City Council Members
From: Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler
Subject: National League of Cities Membership
Date: Thursday, August 9th, 2018
City Council members,
Recently, the Council directed City staff to gather information regarding membership in the National
League of Cities ("NLC") and report back to the Council at its August 21s1 regular meeting. In
addition to this memo, NLC membership information packets will be provided to Council members at
the Council's August 21s1 regular meeting. Additional information about the NLC can be found on
the organization's website at https:ll nnr.nlc.org/.
Yakima was previously an NLC member, but discontinued its membership several years ago as part
of expenditure reduction efforts.
The NLC is a member organization currently comprised of more than 1,900 cities from across the
U.S. Founded in 1924 by 10 state municipal leagues, the organization was originally known as the
American Municipal Association. The name of the organization was changed to National League of
Cities in 1964 to better convey its emphasis on cities being members of the association.
NLC dues are based on the population of member cities. Using the current NLC dues schedule,
based on its population, NLC dues for Yakima would be $7,816 per year.
Included among NLC membership benefits, as explained on the NLC website, the organization,
"...is the voice of cities in Washington. On Capitol Hill and in the White House, we advocate to
make sure cities have the freedom and resources to create conditions that make their cities thrive."
In addition to its advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., the NLC offers several training and
educational opportunities to its member cities. Through webinars, online discussion groups, policy
analysis reports, original research, and conferences, the NLC provides technical assistance,
education, and training for member cities on issues including economic development, preemption,
municipal funding, operational procurement, and more.
While NLC membership dues cover the cost of member cities accessing webinars, online discussion
groups, policy analysis reports, and original research, the cost of attending NLC conferences,
conventions, and other training and educational events is over and above the cost of membership.
For example, the cost of attending the NLC's 2018 Congressional Cities Conference, which was
held in March in Washington, D.C., was $865 per person. This year's NLC Convention, which was
held in July in Houston, cost $300 per person to attend. And, the 2018 NLC City Summit, which will
take place in Los Angeles in November, costs $745 per person to attend. Travel, lodging, and other
costs associated with attending NLC events depend on the location of an event and other factors.
NLC members have access to several products and services offered by the organization including
its U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, Prescription Discount Program, Service Line
Warranty Program, Grant Access Program, Build America Mutual Underwriting Services,
Community Showcase Program, and Public Finance Authority Bond Program.
NLC members are encouraged to help shape the direction of the organization by joining its Federal
Advocacy Committees, Member Councils, Constituency Groups, Race, Equity and Leadership
Council, or Board of Directors.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information about this issue.