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January 25, 2000
SUBJECT: CITY COUNCIL INTERGOVERNMENTAL ASSIGNMENTS
REPORT IN BRIEF
Traditionally, in January of each year the City Council fills a number of positions for intergovernmental (IGR) assignments. This report provides a short description of each agency, including membership composition and meeting frequency, to assist Councilmembers in that process. Attachment A is a list of the current IGR assignments and the term lengths. All intergovernmental positions that have terms expiring (either due to the bylaws of the organization or Council policy) are to be appointed in January. Staff recommends Council appoints and ratifies intergovernmental assignments as noted in this report.
BACKGROUND
The City Council annually appoints members to a variety of intergovernmental agencies in order to represent the City's interests and to influence policies and regulations of other agencies. There are some intergovernmental agencies on which Councilmembers serve, but are appointed by other agencies (i.e., League of California Cities policy committees and National League of Cities policy and steering committees). The Council ratifies these appointments. In addition, the Mayor or her designee has a seat on the Santa Clara County City Selection Committee and the Military Affairs Council. The City Council has also established two working subcommittees – the Moffett Complex Subcommittee and the Technology Subcommittee.
EXISTING POLICY
GOAL 7.3C: PARTICIPATE IN INTERGOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING NATIONAL, STATE AND REGIONAL GROUPS, IN ORDER TO REPRESENT THE CITY'S INTEREST, INFLUENCE POLICY AND REGULATIONS, AND ENHANCE AWARENESS.
Policy 7.3C.1 Represent adopted City policy in intergovernmental activities.
Legislative Policy 7.3.15 – City Council Assignments (Attachment B)
DISCUSSION
All IGR appointments that expire in January or do not have set term lengths are made annually in January. In making appointments, Council should consider the City's overall intergovernmental priorities and the particular interests and backgrounds of individual Councilmembers.
The following is the list of IGR committees to which Council should make appointments. The current representative and the new term expiration are listed after the organization in italics. If a Councilmember who currently serves on an IGR assignment is not interested in continuing that assignment, he or she should inform the rest of the Council at the January 25 meeting (or before). Councilmember Miller indicated she did not want to continue as the alternate on the VTA Policy Advisory Committee, and former Councilmember Kawczynski’s position on the ABAG General Assembly is also open. At the December 7, 1999 meeting, Council appointed Manuel Valerio to the VTA board of directors for a two year term, so it is not listed here.
City Council Appointments
The following is a short description of each agency - its membership composition, term of assignment, meeting frequency, etc. for the IGR assignments to which Council makes appointments. This list only reflects those agencies for which it is within Council's authority to make the appointment. Attachment A includes all the IGR positions and indicates which appointments are not made by Council.
Association of Bay Area Governments (General Assembly Delegate/Alternate): The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) is the regional planning and coordination agency for the nine Bay Area counties and cities within those counties. ABAG also reviews federal grant requests. Each member city or county has one vote on the General Assembly, which meets twice a year (March and October) to set policy for the organization. The City pays dues of approximately $13,000 to ABAG. Stan Kawczynski served as the City's delegate to the General Assembly and Julia Miller as the alternate. Councilmember Miller has indicated in a letter (Attachment C) to Council that she is interested in the delegate position.
Bay Area Water Transit Task Force
The task force was created by the legislature in 1997. The Bay Area Council and Bay Area Economic Forum were directed to set up a task force to look at improving mobility in the Bay Area by significantly increasing water transportation services and facilities. The task force made recommendations to the legislature and legislation was enacted, but the task force is still in existence. Sunnyvale was asked to have a representative, and Council appointed Julia Miller.
League of California Cities Legislative Delegate: Several years ago, the League of California Cities asked each member city to designate one Councilmember as their lead legislative delegate. The League is the association of cities in California and provides a number of services to cities including lobbying in Sacramento, seminars, and Western Cities magazine. The City pays dues of approximately $11,000. The legislative delegate is the key contact for the League's grassroots lobbying program. The League has not used this mechanism very often but has indicated a desire to enhance legislative activity in 2000. The goal is to try to have fairly frequent contact with state legislators in order to maintain a good working relationship and thus be more effective when priority issues arise. Jim Roberts has served as the City's representative.
NOVA PIC Membership Selection Committee: The North Valley Private Industry Council (PIC) is a 20 member board that oversees the job training and placement programs on the North Valley cities (Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos). A Selection Committee comprised of a Councilmember, the director of the Chamber of Commerce, and the PIC chair review applications and make recommendations to the full Council (this process was established by the Council). The Selection Committee meets as needed. Julia Miller has served as the City's representative.
Santa Clara County Cities Association (Board Representative/Alternate): The Santa Clara County Cities Association (Cities Association) was established in 1990 through a joint powers agreement to develop an effective means to represent the interests of the diverse cities within Santa Clara County in their dealings with other agencies and levels of government. It also functions as a source of education, information, and networking for elected officials. It is governed by a board of directors with one representative from each city. Board meetings are generally the second Thursday of the month at Sunnyvale City Hall. The City pays dues of approximately $3,000 to the Cities Association. Julia Miller has served as the City's representative and Manuel Valerio is the alternate.
Santa Clara County Cities Association - Legislative Task Force: The Cities Association has a Legislative Task Force to review legislation and make recommendations to the board of directors. The task force has also organized countywide meetings with legislators and coordinated lobbying trips to Sacramento. In the past, the task force has been an informal group of any interested councilmembers or staff (staff can vote if authorized by the member). It is not required that each city have a representative, and it could be a staff member, but the Cities Association would prefer to have a councilmember appointed and attend regularly. Meetings are on the fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 at Sunnyvale City Hall. Pat Vorreiter has served as the City's representative (and is the chair).
Santa Clara Emergency Preparedness Council: The purpose of this group is to organize and coordinate the emergency activities of the governing bodies and political subdivisions of the county. It is made up of one representative from each city and one representative from the County. Members develop and recommend emergency and mutual aid plans and agreements for adoption by the county and individual cities. Regional coordination is critical for emergency preparedness. The Council meets on the first Thursday of the second month of each quarter. Fred Fowler has served as the City’s representative.
Santa Clara County Housing Bond Advisory Committee: This group provides advice to the County Board of Supervisors on the Mortgage Credit Certificate Program and the Mortgage Revenue Bond Program, which provide funds for first-time homeowners and for affordable housing. Each member city, as well as the County and industry officials are represented on the Advisory Committee. It meets twice a year. Pat Vorreiter has served as the City's representative.
Santa Clara Valley Water District - North Central Zone Advisory Committee: The basic purpose of the various advisory committees is to oversee the planning, construction and maintenance of all major storm drains in the county. The North Central Zone is comprised of Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and Saratoga; there is also a county representative and two at-large positions. The City's main concern has been with the ongoing maintenance of the storm drain facilities. The North Central Zone currently meets the second Wednesday of February, May, August and November at 9:00 AM. For the most part, the meetings are technical in nature and staff can attend as a voting alternate (Marvin Rose serves in that capacity). Fred Fowler has served as the City's representative.
Santa Clara Valley Water District - North West Zone Advisory Committee: Same as above, except the North West Zone includes Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale. The committee also has a representative of the county and two at-large positions. Meetings are the third Wednesday of February, May, August and November. Jack Walker has served as the City's representative.
Santa Clara Valley Water District - Water Commission: The Water Commission is an advisory panel to the Water District. It is made up of one representative from each city and one representative from the Board of Supervisors. Its primary role is to advise the district on issues such as proposed water rates, district master planning activities, drought planning, legislation impacting the county water supply, and other related water issues. Generally, the Commission meets once or twice a year (it was more often during the drought), usually starting with a working lunch and ending in the early afternoon. Jack Walker has served as the City's representative.
Tasman Corridor Project Policy Oversight Committee (Member/Alternate): This is the group of elected officials from the county, and cities of Sunnyvale, San Jose, Milpitas, Mountain View, and Santa Clara that provided policy direction to the ongoing Tasman Corridor light rail project. It is advisory in nature. The project is underway and is to be completed in 1999/2000. The committee generally meets on the first Thursday of the month at 4:00 at the County building. Jack Walker has served as the City's representative and Julia Miller as the alternate.
Valley Transportation Authority - Policy Advisory Committee (Member and Alternate): The Authority is made up of a representative from each city in the county and advises the Transit District board of directors on issues such as bus service, light rail, and congestion management. They meet monthly on the second Thursday. Manuel Valerio currently serves as the City's representative and Julia Miller has served as the alternate. Since Councilmember Valerio is now on the VTA board, he can’t sit on the PAC, and Councilmember Miller has indicated she is no longer interested in serving as alternate.
City Council Subcommittees
Council subcommittees can be created, altered or eliminated by a majority vote of the Council. The three current subcommittees are described below.
Technology Subcommittee: The Technology Subcommittee was established to review and make recommendations to the full Council on issues and decisions related to telecommunications legislative activities and ongoing implementation issues. The subcommittee has evolved to also advise the Council on use of technology to enhance communications with Sunnyvale residents and businesses. Some of the priority issues have included ensuring public benefit access, protection of public infrastructure, compensation for use of public rights-of-way, and Internet taxation. The subcommittee consists of three councilmembers appointed by the City Council. Jack Walker, Manuel Valerio and Fred Fowler serve on this subcommittee.
Moffett Complex Subcommittee: The "Moffett Complex" has been defined as Ames Research Center, Moffett Federal Airfield, Onizuka Air Station and related programs. Because of the constantly changing and high priority nature of the issues related to the Moffett Complex, this subcommittee was established so that the City can be prepared to address all necessary activities related to the complex. The future of Moffett and its viability as a federal facility is a long-term issue for the community. The subcommittee consists of three councilmembers appointed by the City Council. Pat Vorreiter, Jack Walker and Julia Miller serve on this subcommittee.
Protocol Subcommittee: Council established this subcommittee last year to define more clearly the behavior, manners, and courtesies that are suitable for various occasions. The subcommittee is also considering a wide variety of policy changes and clarifications designed to make public meetings and the process of governance run more smoothly. The subcommittee has developed a draft "handbook" that will be reviewed and approved by Council. Jack Walker chairs the subcommittee, with Fred Fowler and Jim Roberts also serving on it.
Appointments to be Ratified by Council
Appointments by other agencies are ratified by Council when first made and only once if they have set terms but ratified annually if they do not have set terms. The following appointments made by other organizations need to be ratified by the Council (additional LCC and NLC appointments are possible):
League of California Cities –Mayor’s Appointments
The Mayor is the recognized City representative on certain organizations. She may serve or select a designee to serve in her place. The organizations are described below:
City Selection Committee
: This organization appoints representatives from Santa Clara County cities to boards, commissions, and agencies as required by law. The membership is made up of the mayor or his/her designee from each city in the county. It appoints to agencies such as the ABAG Executive Board, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Air Quality Board, etc. It is officially a committee of the Cities Association and it meets as needed to make appointments. Manuel Valerio served as the City's representative during his term as mayor.Military Affairs Council: This group was established several years ago by the Air Force and other resident agencies at Moffett Federal Complex as an informal group to update the resident agencies, the cities of Sunnyvale and Mountain View, and the chambers of commerce regarding issues related to the Moffett Complex. The Mayor is the official invitee but the Moffett Subcommittee chair has traditionally attended these meetings. Pat Vorreiter has represented the City.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to this report.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Publication in the San Jose Mercury News and posting of the Council agenda. All reports are available in the Sunnyvale Public Library and on the City of Sunnyvale Internet home page.
Alternatives
Appoint representatives to the following intergovernmental relations positions:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends alternatives 1, 2, & 3.
Prepared by:
Daniel Rich
Assistant to the City Manager
Reviewed by:
Amy Chan
Assistant City Manager
Approved by:
Robert S. LaSala
City Manager
Attachments
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