October 12, 2004
SUBJECT: Intergovernmental Assignment to the Valley Transportation Authority Design Enhancements (DE) Committee
REPORT IN BRIEF
The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has established the Design Enhancements (DE) Committee (Attachment A) to oversee the design enhancement process in highway and rail projects. VTA has asked the City to appoint a member of the City Council, a member of the Arts Commission, and a staff member to represent the City of Sunnyvale.
Staff recommends Council appoint a Councilmember to serve until January 2005. Staff and the Arts Commission recommend the appointment of Wallace Harper as the Arts Commission representative. The City Manager has appointed Transportation and Traffic Manager Jack Witthaus to serve as the staff representative.
BACKGROUND
Traditionally, in January of each year, the City Council fills a number of positions for intergovernmental (IGR) assignments. The City Council 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. The City Council also ratifies the appointment of Councilmembers made by other organizations. From time to time appointments come up that require Council action outside of the normal timeframe.
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.
DISCUSSION
The new VTA Design Enhancements (DE) Committee (Attachment A) augments the role of the Community Oriented Design Enhancements Committee, which was established in 2000. The new DE Committee’s purpose is to oversee the design enhancement process in highway and rail projects contained in the Valley Transportation Plan. The DE committee includes representatives from each city in which a project that is appropriate for enhancements is located. The VTA has requested Sunnyvale appoint:
· One City Councilmember
· One Arts Commission member
· One staff member from Planning or Public Works
The Arts Commission considered nominations for an Arts Commission appointee at its September 29, 2004 public meeting. The Commission recommends Wallace Harper as its representative for appointment to the VTA Design Enhancements Committee.
The City Manager has assigned Transportation and Traffic Manager, Jack Witthaus to be the staff member on the committee and the support staff to the Councilmember serving on the committee.
The DE committee will meet at least once every three months, with meeting times yet to be established.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to this report.
CONCLUSION
The VTA has requested appointments be made to the new VTP DE Committee. This Committee will review and make recommendations on design enhancements and public art associated with transportation projects of the Valley Transportation Plan. City Council will need to appoint a Councilmember to serve until January 2005, and that this Committee be added to this list of IGR assignments. Staff and the Arts Commission recommend Wallace Harper be appointed as the Arts Commission representative. The City Manager has assigned Transportation and Traffic Manager Jack Witthaus to be the staff member on the committee and the support staff to the Councilmember serving on the committee.
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 City Clerk’s Office
ALTERNATIVES
1. Make the following appointments to the DE committee:
a) Appoint a Councilmember to serve until January 2005.
b) Appoint Wallace Harper as recommended by the Arts Commission at its September 29, 2004 public meeting as the Arts Commission appointment to serve concurrent with their term on the Arts Commission.
2. Do not appoint a Councilmember to serve on the DE committee.
3. Do not appoint an Arts Commissioner to serve on the DE committee.
4. Take no action at this time.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Alternatives 1: a) appoint a Councilmember to serve until January 2005; and, b) appoint Wallace Harper as the Arts Commission representative to the Valley Transportation Authority Design Enhancements Committee as recommended by the Arts Commission at its September 29, 2004 public meeting.
Reviewed by:
Marvin A. Rose
Director
Public Works
Prepared by:
Jack Witthaus
Transportation and Traffic Manager
Robert Walker
Director
Parks and Recreation
Approved by:
Amy Chan
City Manager
Attachments
A. Valley Transportation Plan Design Enhancement Committee Appointment Request and Committee Bylaws (.pdf format)