December 2, 2003
SUBJECT: Ratification of Councilmember Miller's Appointment to the Association of Bay Area Governments' (ABAG) Inter-Regional Partnership Board of Directors
REPORT IN BRIEF
Traditionally, in January of each year the City Council fills a number of positions for intergovernmental assignments. Within the list of assignments, those made by outside organizations must be ratified by Council.
In September 2003, Councilmember Julia Miller was appointed as a member of the ABAG Inter-Regional Partnership (IRP) Board of Directors (Attachment A.) Because this intergovernmental appointment was made by an outside agency, Council must ratify it. Attachment B is a list of the IGR assignments as of November 14, 2003, when this report was written, which includes Councilmember Miller’s new appointment.
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. Specific intergovernmental appointments are sometimes made by other agencies. Council ratifies these appointments. The ABAG Inter-Regional Partnership Board is an example of such an appointment.
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
DISCUSSION
The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) was established in 1961 to protect local control, plan for the future, and promote cooperation on area-wide issues. It is a regional planning agency focusing on issues regarding land use, housing, environmental quality, and economic development. ABAG is owned and operated by the cities and counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Inter-Regional Partnership (IRP) is a cooperative of elected officials from Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Santa Clara counties, plus three councils of governments, including ABAG. The IRP focuses on issues related to the jobs/housing balance, i.e. the geographic separation of housing and employment, mounting traffic and air pollution, and growth.
By City policy, Council is required to review and ratify all appointments that are made by outside agencies. In reviewing the new appointments, Council should consider the City's overall intergovernmental priorities and the particular interests and backgrounds of the individual Councilmember. Council ratifies appointments by other agencies only when first made if they have set terms, but annually if they do not have set terms.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to this report.
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, publication of the Council agenda in the San Jose Mercury News, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk's Office.
Alternatives
1. Council ratify Councilmember Julia Miller’s appointment to the ABAG Inter-Regional Partnership Board of Directors.
2. Council does not ratify the appointment.
3. Take no action at this time.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Alternative 1.
Prepared by:
Coryn Campbell
Neighborhood and Community Services Manager
Reviewed by:
Amy Chan
Assistant City Manager
Approved by:
Robert S. LaSala
City Manager
Attachments
A. Letter dated September 17, 2003 to Inter-Regional Partnership Chairs from Supervisor Pete McHugh
B. 2003 Sunnyvale Council IGR Assignments