December 2, 2003
SUBJECT: Ratification of Councilmember Miller's Appointment to the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project Stakeholder Forum
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 November 2003, Councilmember Julia Miller was invited to be a member of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project Stakeholder Forum (Attachment A), and accepted the invitation. The first meeting of the Stakeholder Forum will be on December 4, 2003, and Council must ratify this appointment before Councilmember Miller attends the first meeting. Attachment B is a list of the IGR assignments as of November 24, 2003, which includes this new assignment.
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 Stakeholder Forum 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 goals of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project include: restoring wetlands, improving the physical, biological, and chemical health of the environment, and providing increased habitat for endangered species in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay. In addition to state and federal agency support, representatives from a dozen Bay Area cities, including Sunnyvale, are involved in this project. The Stakeholder Forum's role is to help the Project Partners develop a restoration, flood management, and public access plan that enjoys broad public support.
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 participation in the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Stakeholder Forum
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 November 6, 2003 to Mayor Miller from the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project Partners and Project Management Team
B. 2003 Sunnyvale Council IGR Assignments