March 26, 2002

Invoices for the year 2002 membership dues have been received from the National League of Cities, the League of California Cities, and the United States Conference of Mayors. The National League of Cities invoice is in the amount of $7,645, a 10% percent increase over last year. The League of California Cities invoice is in the amount of $22,826 (includes annualized cost of Grassroots Network), and reflects a 4% increase over last year. The United States Conference of Mayors invoice is in the amount of $7,374, a 4% increase over last year. Staff recommends that Council approve payment of these dues, which are included in the FY 01/02 Resource Allocation Plan.

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.

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:

• National League of Cities
• United States Conference of Mayors
• League of California Cities
• Association of Bay Area Governments

Traditionally, the City Council has approved annual membership dues payments to organizations which have been identified as providing support and service to local governments. We have received the following invoices covering the period of January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2002: from the National League of Cities (NLC) in the amount of $7,645.00; from the League of California Cities in the amount of $22,826 (includes the League’s new Grassroots Network); and from the United States Conference of Mayors in the amount of $7,374.00. During the current fiscal year, the Council already has approved payment of dues and membership in the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Santa Clara County Cities Association. The cost of all of these dues was planned for in the FY 2001/2002 Resource Allocation Plan.

The NLC is the primary lobbying organization for cities in Washington and has worked on a wide range of issues including sales and use tax on goods and services purchased over the Internet, and funding for transportation and Community Development Block Grants. Historically, Sunnyvale Councilmembers have been active on NLC committees. Vice-Mayor Miller and Councilmember Vorreiter serve on the Women in Municipal Government Board of Directors. Currently, Vice-Mayor Miller serves on the Human Development Steering Committee, and Councilmember Vorreiter serves on the Community and Economic Development Steering Committee. Additionally, most Councilmembers have attended NLC conferences and staff use publications provided by NLC.

The City of Sunnyvale has been actively involved with the League of California Cities for many years. Councilmembers and staff have participated as speakers on Annual Conference panels. Several City directors have served on policy committees and have worked closely with the League on a variety of projects including transportation funding for cities, fiscal reform, and pension issues for public safety officers. Councilmembers are currently serving on the following League committees:

The United States Conference of Mayors (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). A bi-weekly newsletter, The Mayor, also is provided to members. While the USCM tends to be more influenced by larger cities and cities with directly-elected mayors, Sunnyvale mayors sometimes have been active on USCM committees. This year, both the Mayor and Vice-Mayor attended the USCM Conference and will attend the Annual Congress of Cities in December 2002

No impact; funds for these dues are included in the FY 2001/2002 budget.

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City’s web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk’s Office.

1. Pay the 2002 membership dues for the following: NLC dues in the amount of $7,645; LCC dues in the amount of $22,826; USCM dues in the amount of $7,374.
2. Pay dues to one or two organizations, but not all three.
3. Do not pay the 2002 membership dues.

Staff recommends Alternative #1, pay the 2002 dues to the NLC, LCC, and USCM.

Reviewed by:
Amy Chan
Assistant City Manager

Approved by:
Robert S. LaSala
City Manager