CMCA DECEMBER 2025
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE CMCA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: UPCOMING TRAINING & YEAR-END REFLECTIONS THE SECRET WISHES OF MUNICIPAL CLERKS/ RESOLUTIONS THAT NEVER QUITE MAKE IT MENTOR PROGRAM UPDATE
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V O L U M E 2 6 I S S U E 11
MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT — KEEPING CMCA PREPARED, ONE DOLLAR AT A TIME! SHOP CMCA’S MERCH STORES! THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS! HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM CMCA
P resident ’ s M essage
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE CMCA DECEMBER 2025 V O L U M E 2 6 I S S U E 11
ASHTON R. AROCHO, MMC | PRESIDENT “All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney As we close out another remarkable year for CMCA, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the profession and your municipalities. This year has been especially meaningful for me, both professionally and personally. Looking back, I can’t believe it’s already been 8 months since I was sworn-in as your President. Within these short months, your Board of Directors has continued to advance education, elevate professional standards and strengthen connections statewide. We’ve also taken multiple policy rewrites and even called a Special Election for proposed changes and amendments to the Association Bylaws. From conferences to committee work and collaborative partnerships, CMCA has remained focused on providing the tools and support you need to excel in your roles. None of the achievements would be possible without our dedicated volunteers, Board of Directors, association management staff and members who give their time and expertise so generously – thank you for all you do. AS H TO N R. A R O C H O
Recently, I began a new chapter in my own career as the City Clerk Services Director for the City of Rancho Cucamonga. I am deeply grateful for the support, encouragement, and kind words many of you have shared during this transition. While stepping into a new role is always exciting, doing so with the backing of our incredible clerk community has made it especially rewarding. I look forward to continuing to serve you as your CMCA President while bringing fresh perspective from this next stage in my journey. As we look ahead to 2026, I am excited by the opportunities before us. CMCA will continue expanding professional development offerings, enhancing resources for clerks at every stage of their careers and fostering a culture of innovation and empowerment. During this busy season, I hope each of you finds time to rest, recharge, and enjoy meaningful moments with those you cherish. The work we do is demanding and taking time for ourselves is essential to serving others. However you choose to celebrate, I wish you a peaceful holiday season. Thank you once again for the privilege of serving as your CMCA President. I am honored to walk alongside such dedicated and exceptional professionals. Here’s to a wonderful holiday season and an even brighter year ahead! Merry Christmas from the Arocho Family.
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C M C A L egislative U pdate : U pcoming T raining & Y ear - E nd R eflections
CMCA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: UPCOMING TRAINING & YEAR-END REFLECTIONS KERRY BIGELOW, MMC, DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS As the Legislature enters its annual recess, this is a natural moment to pause, reflect, and prepare KERRY BIGELOW for the year ahead. Lawmakers will reconvene on January 5, 2026, and CMCA will be ready to resume monitoring new bill introductions, committee activity, and proposals affecting municipal operations and public access.
she prepares for retirement. Her insight and professionalism have been invaluable, and we wish her all the best in this next chapter. We are now seeking a special district clerk to fill the vacancy. If you are interested in serving on the Legislative Committee, please contact Kerry Bigelow at kbigelow@chulavistaca.gov T H A N K YO U F O R YO U R E N GAG E M E N T I N 2025
This year has been exceptionally active for clerk-related legislation, and your involvement has strengthened CMCA’s advocacy work. From participating in listening sessions and trainings to sharing on-the-ground perspectives about how bills impact your agencies, your engagement has shaped CMCA’s positions and helped us advocate for clear, workable laws.
LO O K I N G A H E A D : 20 2 5 L E G I S L AT I V E A N D L E GA L R E C A P & D E E P D I V E I N T O S B 7 07
We are pleased to announce that CMCA will host the 2025 Legislative and Legal Recap on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Virtual). This interactive session will review major laws enacted in 2025 and highlight key legal updates that clerks should be aware of as we enter the new year. The program will include a focused look at SB 707, recent updates to the Brown Act, and strategies for navigating new compliance requirements—along with opportunities to discuss challenges and share approaches with fellow municipal clerks. Register online.
Even during recess, CMCA continues to review new legal guidance, coordinate with partner organizations, and develop training and implementation materials to support clerks statewide. E N D - O F -Y E A R R E F L E C T I O N S
As we close out 2025, I want to extend my sincere thanks for your continued support of CMCA’s legislative and policy efforts. Your professionalism, expertise, and commitment to public service ensure that the municipal clerk’s voice remains strong in California’s policymaking process.
C OM M I T T E E U P DAT E & C A L L F O R SPECIAL DISTRICT CLERK
Wishing you a restful holiday season and a bright start to the new year. I look forward to working alongside you in 2026 as we navigate another legislative session together.
CMCA wishes to thank Linda Nemeroff for her service on the Legislative Committee. Linda, our first special district member, stepped down at the end of November as
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CMCA DECEMBER 2025 V O L U M E 2 6 I S S U E 11
T he S ecret W ishes of M unicipal C lerks / R esolutions T hat N ever Q uite M ake I t
THE SECRET WISHES OF MUNICIPAL CLERKS/RESOLUTIONS THAT NEVER QUITE MAKE IT
A LIGHTHEARTED LOOK AT THE DREAMS, BAT TLES, AND SMALL VIC TORIES OF THE PEOPLE WHO AC TUALLY KEEP LOCAL GOVERNMENT RUNNING JOZI PLUT, CMC, CPMC, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Every January, clerks across the state sit down— probably between agenda deadlines, public records requests, and three simultaneous event planning meetings—to contemplate their New Year resolutions. Not Council resolutions. Clerk resolutions. You know, the ones that don’t require a unanimous vote but still somehow die quietly in committee. JOZI PLUT
Below is a peek behind the curtain at the top resolutions clerks wish for, the ones that thrive, the ones that flatline, and tips to possibly keep them alive.
T H E R E S O LU T I O N S C L E R KS W I S H F O R ( B U T R A R E LY G E T )
• A Citywide Deadline Calendar That Everyone Follows THE DREAM: A magical calendar that employees consult before submitting staff reports at 4:59 p.m. REALIT Y: The only people who follow the deadline calendar are you… and future you. STATUS: DOA. • A Perfect Agenda Packet on the First Draft No attachments missing. No redlines forgotten. No surprise staff report appearing two hours before posting with a cheerful, “This will only take 5 minutes.” STATUS: Has never lived. May not be humanly possible. • PRA Requests That Are Reasonable Just once, a request like: “Hi, I only need one document. Yes, I know the date. Sure, I can pick it up.” STATUS: Died before introduction. T H E R E S O LU T I O N S C L E R KS AC T U A L LY C A N K E E P A L I V E
• Streamlining the Chaos Create templates, workflows, checklists, SharePoint folders… Sure, you are one person, but you are also a system. SURVIVAL RATE: High — clerks excel at creating order from municipal spaghetti. • Investing in Professional Development An Athenian Dialogue, PSLA, MMANC, CMCA—these give oxygen to the clerk soul. A rare moment to learn instead of putting out fires. SURVIVAL RATE: Strong — as long as Council doesn’t schedule a special meeting that day. 5
CMCA DECEMBER 2025 V O L U M E 2 6 I S S U E 11
T he S ecret W ishes of M unicipal C lerks / R esolutions T hat N ever Q uite M ake I t
CMCA DECEMBER 2025 V O L U M E 2 6 I S S U E 11
• Document Everything If it happened, you have it. If it didn’t happen, you can prove that too. Minutes, emails, logs, time stamps — clerks preserve history one keystroke at a time. SURVIVAL RATE: Eternal. This is your superpower. H O W T O K E E P C L E R K R E S O LU T I O N S A L I V E
• Build Your Army Your deputy, your intern, your city manager’s assistant — anyone who knows the secret language of AgendaDay™ is a hero. • Celebrate Small Wins All attachments in one email? A PRA requester who says thank you? A Council meeting that ends before 11 p.m.? Pop confetti. These are clerk miracles. • Advocate for Your Office More staffing, better titles, salary adjustments — clerks often carry entire cities on their shoulders. Say it proudly: “You need two people to do the work I’m doing alone.” You’re not wrong. T H E E L F ’S C O N D U C T E D A P O L L :
Britt Avrit from City of Saratoga Work Christmas wish list isn’t big~! It only has a few things on it! • I’d really like a Deputy City Clerk (my boss had to remind me I’ve been asking for one for the past 2 years) • I’d love it if we didn’t receive requests for public records anymore, if there wasn’t such a thing • I’d love a response from the vendor for a request for a quote I sent them 6 weeks ago Angel Ibarra from City of Brisbane Work Christmas Wish List: • People who constantly request ridiculous PRAs get banned. • Magical elves who do the mundane records keeping at night (like the shoemaker elves) If nothing else, may 2026 bring fewer surprise attachments, at least one respected deadline, and the reminder that clerks are never doing this work alone. Happy Holidays CMCA Clerks!
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M entor P rogram U pdate
MENTOR PROGRAM UPDATE BY CANDICE ALVAREZ, MMC | MENTOR DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Happy December, Clerk Family! As we wrap up 2025 and step into a season filled with wonder, light, and celebration, I’m reminded of the magic that tells us “all it takes is a little faith, trust, and pixie dust.” This time of year invites us to pause, reflect on the journey we’ve taken, and appreciate the moments, big and small, that have shaped our growth as municipal clerks and as a community. As the holidays sparkle around us, let’s embrace the joy that CANDICE ALVAREZ comes from connection, mentorship, and shared purpose. It has been an honor watching our members lift one another up, champion each other’s goals, and create a supportive network that would make even the Fairy Godmother proud. NEW CMC AND MMC DESIGNEES
I am delighted to recognize the following individuals who have earned their Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) and Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) designations since last month’s issue. Your accomplishments represent dedication, resilience, and the drive to keep learning, qualities that truly embody the heart of our profession. C E RT I F I E D M U N I C I PA L C L E R KS ( C M C S )
Monique Saviez
City of Sonoma
Nicolle Hall
City of American Canyon
Weston Montgomery
City of Ojai
Eleanor Granflor
City of Los Alamitos
Nessa Morales
City of La Quinta
Julia Gautho
City of Capitola
Diana Robles
City of Pomona
Necy Lopez
City of Tracey
Darrick Ryser
City of Tracy
Isabelle Schultz
City of Lakewood
Maggie Rodriquez
City of Half Moon Bay
A heartfelt congratulations to each of you! What a magical way to finish out the year.
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CMCA DECEMBER 2025 V O L U M E 2 6 I S S U E 11
M entor P rogram U pdate
NEXT NEW MENTOR TRAINING
CMCA DECEMBER 2025 V O L U M E 2 6 I S S U E 11
As we look ahead to 2026, there’s no better time to step into your next chapter. If you hold your CMC or MMC and feel called to share your experience, guide others, and help shape the future of our profession, I invite you to join one of our upcoming New Mentor Trainings. Just like every Disney hero discovers their purpose through the help of others, you too can be that guiding star for a new clerk beginning their journey. • Wednesday, January 14, 2026 @ 10:00 a.m. – Registration Link • Thursday, April 16, 2026 @ 10:00 a.m. – Registration Link • Wednesday, July 15, 2026 @ 3:00 p.m. – Registration Link • Thursday, October 15, 2026 @ 3:00 p.m. – Registration Link N U T S & B O LT S M E N T E E S
As part of our ongoing effort to strengthen pathways for new clerks entering the profession, I have reached out to 11 potential mentees from the Nuts & Bolts program to invite them to opt in to the Mentor Program. Their participation will help us continue building a strong foundation of support for those beginning their clerk journey. If they choose to join, I will begin working on mentor assignments in December to ensure they are welcomed into the program with thoughtful matches and the resources they need to be successful. C LO S I N G O U T 2025 W I T H M AG I C A N D G R AT I T U D E
As twinkling lights fill our municipalities and holiday music drifts through the air, I find myself reflecting on the many moments of magic we’ve shared this year. From new designees to new mentors, from conference connections to program milestones, each has added its own sparkle to 2025. Let’s carry that magic forward into 2026 with open hearts and bold optimism. Whether you’re celebrating the holidays with family, enjoying a quiet moment of rest, or strolling down Main Street, U.S.A. soaking up a little extra Disney spirit, I hope this season brings you joy, warmth, and wonder. Here’s to a magical holiday season, a strong finish to 2025, nd a bright, empowering year ahead.
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M onthly F inancial R eport — K eeping C M C A P repared , O ne D ollar at a T ime !
CMCA DECEMBER 2025 V O L U M E 2 6 I S S U E 11
MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT — KEEPING CMCA PREPARED, ONE DOLLAR AT A TIME! RICCA CHARLON, CMC | TREASURER This year, CMCA once again proved that organization does save the day - both in communication and in finances. In short: We spent wisely, saved cleverly, and stayed wonderfully compliant.
R I CCA C H A R LO N
While CMCA is not exactly Wall Street, we still handled a variety of revenue streams, met with committees, balanced the books and that kept things running smoothly – THANK YOU ASSOCIATION RESOURCE CENTER (ARC) FOR ALL YOU DO!
Bank change update: We have completed the changeover in our payment processor (for YourMembership) to our new bank and away from Chase. We are one step closer to severing ties to them… F I N A N C I A L S N A P S H O T AS O F O C T O B E R 31, 2025
Chase Checking
$121,997.95
LAIF
$326,067.95
FFB Checking (Region IX)
$16,456.24
First Foundation Checking
$72,982.28
First Foundation Savings
$414,326.54
Total Assets
951,830.96
FULL FINANCIAL REPORT
A M E SS AG E O F T H A N KS
CMCA is grateful for your trust, your patience, and your partnership throughout the year. We remain dedicated to delivering transparent, friendly, and efficient service to our membership. Thank you again for your trust and continued support! For any questions or additional details, I’m always here to help! Ricca Charlon rcharlon@ridgecrest-ca.gov
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S hop C M C A ’ s M erch S tores !
Connect , Commit, and Empower SHOP CMCA’S MERCH STORES!
CMCA now has two merchandise stores where you can purchase branded clothing, bags, and more! These items go beyond style—they’re a way to connect with fellow clerks, show your commitment to our profession, and strengthen the network that supports and uplifts us all. Whether you’re at a conference, in the office, or out in the community, wearing CMCA gear is a simple yet powerful way to empower yourself and others by sparking conversations about the essential work we do. HOW TO FIND THEM
Visit the CMCA website, go to the Resources tab, and select either the CMCA Apparel Store or the CMCA Bonfire Store. Then click, shop, and share your connection to the California Municipal Clerk community!
APPAREL STORE BONFIRE STORE
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CMCA DECEMBER 2025 V O L U M E 2 6 I S S U E 11
T H A N K Y O U T O O U R PA R T N E R S !
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS! CMCA DECEMBER 2025 V O L U M E 2 6 I S S U E 11
Complete Paperless Solutions
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HAPPY CMCA HOLIDAYS FROM CMCA DECEMBER 2025 V O L U M E 2 6 I S S U E 11
Dear CMCA Members, As the year comes to a close, we extend our sincere thanks for the dedication, professionalism, and care you bring to the clerk profession every day. From agendas and elections to records, ceremonies, and community engagement, your work strengthens transparent, effective local government throughout California. Your commitment does not go unnoticed. We hope the holiday season offers you a well-deserved opportunity to rest, reflect, and enjoy time with family and friends before the year ahead. On behalf of the CMCA Board and leadership, thank you for being part of this remarkable community. We look forward to continuing to Empower one another in the year ahead. Warm holiday wishes and best wishes for a healthy, successful New Year. CMCA Board & Leadership Team
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
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