Kellner to Assume Bigger Role with League of California Cities

Novato City Council member Madeline Kellner said protecting local governmental control would be one of her priorities as she assumes a leadership role with the nonprofit League of California Cities.

Kellner, a health care administrator by day, was elected president of the league's North Bay Division at a recent executive committee meeting. She will take the oath of office in September at the annual installation meeting in conjunction with the league's annual conference.

"It will be a fun role," Kellner said. "I like working with the other cities in our four-county area and the league as a whole to keep our cities strong."

In many public meetings, Kellner has said she is wary of the firm push back against state and regional pressure to meet housing quotas and other long-term goals. Novato residents and elective officials have been engaged in fierce debates about the power of the Association of Bay Area Governments and occasionally the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and state agencies.

"We as California cities must work together to strengthen and protect local control, so cities can better serve our residents," Kellner said in a league release. "This is an exciting opportunity to work with city officials throughout the region to meet the challenges that all cities face."

In addition to Kellner, Sebastopol Council Member Kathleen Shaffer will serve as vice president, Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson will be second vice president and Vacaville Council Member Curtis Hunt will have a board seat.

The North Bay Division is comprised of 30 cities in Marin, Sonoma, Napa and Solano counties. Established in 1898, the League of California Cities is a nonprofit statewide association that advocates for cities with the state and federal governments and provides education and training services to elected and appointed city officials. 

Kellner will replace John Dunbar, Yountville's mayor. He said the North Bay Division is one of the most active of the state's 16 divisions.

"The league’s divisions are the backbone of our grassroots efforts to protect the interests of local government, and the North Bay Division membership is vital to our success as a statewide organization," Dunbar said in the release. "We are truly fortunate to have such dedicated leaders in the North Bay.