The USCM is the official non-partisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more.  Each participating City is represented in the Conference by its Mayor.  The Conference holds a Winter Meeting each January in Washington, DC, and an annual meeting each June in a different U.S. city.  The primary roles of the Conference are to promote the development of an effective national city and metro area focused policy, strengthen federal-city relationships, ensure that federal policy meets city needs, provide mayors with leadership and management tools that allow them to do their jobs better and make them more effective as leaders, and to create a forum in which mayors can share ideas, information, and best practices.  

Garden Grove’s Mayor has been invited to attend the USCM Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. on January 24-26 to learn about membership and how the Conference can benefit Garden Grove.  Conference topics will include: Managing the New Economy, The Current State of Political and Social Affairs, Strengthening Police-Community Relations While Reducing Violent Crime, Homelessness, Housing, Disaster Recovery, City Design, Small Business: Promoting Job Creation and Neighborhood Development, as well as many other relevant topics. (See attached draft program agenda.) 

Pursuant to the City’s expense guidelines and reimbursement policy for City Council Members, expenses for out-of-state travel and expenses in excess of $1,500 require City Council approval.  

The cost to attend the conference along with related travel and lodging is approximately $3,300.  Funds for this expense will be paid from the current City Council budget. 

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Authorize attendance by the Mayor at the USCM Winter Meeting in Washington, DC on January 24-26, 2018 including travel, lodging, food, and other ancillary expenses.