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RTC#03-193

June 3, 2003

SUBJECT:

Association of Bay Area Governments 2003-04 Dues

REPORT IN BRIEF

The Association of Bay Area governments (ABAG) has submitted an invoice for the 2003-04 assessment in the amount of $17,516 (Attachment A), a $113 decrease from 2002-03 dues. Staff recommends payment of the dues.

BACKGROUND

The Association of Bay Area Governments is a regional planning agency for the nine counties and nearly 100 member cities in the Bay area. This organization offers its members either free or discounted technical assistance, such as credit pooling. It also prepares environmental impact reports and general plan elements, as well as detailed information from its regional census center. ABAG prepares special studies of region-wide responsibilities, such as serving as the regional review body for Federal grant applications from local governments in the Bay Area. In addition to these standard activities, other benefits of ABAG include:

  • ABAG leasing and credit pooling financial services
  • The provision of classes/seminars through the "Training Center for Excellence"
  • Sponsoring of HAZMACON, a technical training conference for emergency response staff

Publications on various topics, including census data and projections, earthquake preparedness, economic development, energy, environmental management, hazmat, housing.

EXISTING POLICY

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

DISCUSSION

Since its formation in 1961, ABAG has relied primarily on state and federal funding for its operations. Only a small portion of its budget comes from membership dues. Per capita dues have increased modestly in the past few years. Sunnyvale’s FY 2003-04 dues of $17,516 are actually a $113 decrease over 2002-03 dues of $17,629.

The City has previously availed itself of ABAG’s financial services by participating in a financing pool for the purchase of modular classrooms for childcare at several Sunnyvale School District sites. Without ABAG’s financing pool, the $2.3 million issue would have been impractical to finance.

Council has one member on the General Assembly, the governing body of ABAG. Councilmember Howe serves as the City’s representative to ABAG. Mayor Miller is on the ABAG Executive Board, the Legislation and Governmental Organization Committee, the Regional Planning Committee, the Finance and Personnel Committee, the Earthquake and Transportation Information Review Committee, the San Francisco Bay Trail Board of Directors, and the Regional Airport Planning Committee.
 

FISCAL IMPACT

No-impact funds for these dues are included in the FY 2003/2004 budget.

PUBLIC CONTACT

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.

ALTERNATIVES

  1. Pay the ABAG dues in the amount of $17,516.
  2. Do not pay the ABAG dues.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends Alternative #1.

Prepared by:
Aretha R. Ferrell-Brown
Assistant to the City Manager

Reviewed by:
Amy Chan
Assistant City Manager

Approved by:
Robert S. LaSala
City Manager

 

Attachments

1. Invoice for FY 2004-04 ABAG Dues

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