The City pays membership dues to a variety of intergovernmental organizations that are determined to further the City’s interests. The United States Conference of Mayors is an organization open to all mayors in the nation and represents city interests in Washington, D.C.

The U. S. Conference of Mayors has submitted an invoice for the 2000 membership dues in the amount of $6,900. Staff recommends that Council approve payment of the dues.

General Plan Goal 7.3.C: 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.

City Council Policy 7.3.12: Each year the Council will assess the benefit of City membership in the following organizations which have traditionally been identified as providing support and service to local governments:

USCM is an organization of mayors, open to any city over 30,000 population. USCM sponsors and analyzes city-related federal policies and regulations. USCM provides information on current issues of interest to cities, lobbies on behalf of cities, acts as the clearinghouse for Judicial, Executive and Legislative information, and provides technical assistance/training for mayors and their staffs. Lobbying efforts before Congress on behalf of local governments is broad based, much like National League of Cities (NLC). Its efforts, combined with NLC and the many state municipal leagues (such as LCC), can effect national municipal policy within reasonable expectations. A bi-weekly newsletter, The Mayor, also is provided to members.

USCM holds two conferences each year, one in Washington, D.C. and the other in a rotating location. At the Washington, D.C. meeting, there are traditionally meetings with the President and senior Administration and Congressional officials to present the USCM priorities and concerns. Councilmembers also may attend the annual conference. There are several USCM committees on which only the City’s Mayor may serve. Although not as active as Councilmembers have been with the National League of Cities, in past years Sunnyvale mayors sometimes have been active on USCM committees

The City of Sunnyvale is regularly contacted by USCM on a variety of subjects. Often information is requested of the City in order to present it to the Congress or the Administration on behalf of cities.

Dues for the City of Sunnyvale’s membership in the USCM are $6,900, which represents a 2% increase from 1999 dues. There are sufficient funds included in the 1999-00 Resource Allocation Plan to cover the membership dues.

Publication of the agenda and posting of the report on the Internet.

1. Approve payment of the USCM 2000 membership dues.
2. Do not approve the dues request.
3. Take no action at this time.

Staff recommends alternative #1, approve payment of the USCM 2000 membership dues.

Prepared by:

Daniel Rich
Assistant to the City Manager

Reviewed by:

Amy Chan
Assistant City Manager

Approved by:

Robert S. LaSala
City Manager