Scotts Valley City Council member becomes League of California Cities President

On Friday, Nov. 28, Scotts Valley City Council Member Stephany Aguilar assumed the Presidency of the League of California Cities.
Aguilar began working with the League more than 17 years ago and has served on the Public Safety Policy Committee as well as President of the Mayor and Council Members Department. She has filled every position in the local division of the League, including president, treasurer, and director.
The League of California Cities represents around 480 cities throughout California and its purpose is to lobby for the well-being and benefit of cities in terms of local control, transportation, and housing, Aguilar said.
“It’s a lobbying group to ensure that the well-being of our communities is recognized by our representatives,” she explained.
The lobbying process is broad based, and the league collaborates with local legislators as well as national representatives in Congress and Washington, D.C.
“The main focus has been to work with the legislature in getting some economic stimulus in our communities,” Aguilar stated.
California has removed redevelopment agencies (or RDAs), which were mechanisms for redevelopment in communities, she said.
“We lost that so we are trying to lobby to get some of those mechanisms back to our communities so we could stimulate the economy and create jobs.”
Aguilar said she is honored that her peers in California have elected her to the position of President and to represent them not only statewide, but nationally as well.
“It’s been a wonderful journey and I am glad that it is continuing and I can serve not only our city and the region, but all of California,” Aguilar said.