June 7, 2005
SUBJECT: Ratification of Council Intergovernmental Committee Appointments
REPORT IN BRIEF
In January of each year, City Council fills a number of positions for intergovernmental assignments. Throughout the year, Councilmembers may be appointed to additional intergovernmental assignments. The following appointments and memberships have occurred since January: the Valley Transportation Authority appointed Mayor Dean Chu to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors; the U.S. Conference of Mayors appointed Mayor Dean Chu to the Transportation and Communication Standing Committee and the International Affairs Standing Committee.
Additionally, Mayor Dean Chu and Councilmember Otto Lee became members of the National League of Cities’ (NLC) Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials (APAMO) organization. Council must ratify intergovernmental appointments made by outside agencies. Ratification of councilmembers memberships in the constituency groups is not required but is consistent with past practices and therefore is also included in this report. Attachment A is a list of the 2005 Council Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Committee Assignments, including these new assignments and memberships.
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, the appointments must then be ratified by Council.
EXISTING POLICY
Legislative/Management Sub Element, 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.
Legislative/Management Sub Element, Policy 7.3.C.1 – Represent adopted City policy in intergovernmental activities.
Legislative Policy 7.3.15 – City Council Assignments
DISCUSSION
A brief description of each appointing agency and committee assignment follows, followed by a designation of staff support, as requested.
VTA appointment to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority
The Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district responsible for bus and light rail operations, congestion management, specific highway improvement projects, and countywide transportation planning.
The Capitol Corridor Intercity Rail Service is a 170-mile train corridor from Auburn and Sacramento to San Jose, through Placer, Sacramento, Yolo, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda and Santa Clara Counties. In Santa Clara County, Capitol Corridor trains provide service at Santa Clara Great America Station and San Jose Diridon Station. On July 1, 1998, management and administrative control for Capitol Corridor service was transferred from the State to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors (CCJPB). A Joint Powers Agreement among the member agencies established the 16-member CCJPB, which is composed of six board members from the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and two board members from each of the five other member agencies (VTA, the Sacramento Regional Transit District, the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency, the Solano Transportation Authority and the Yolo County Transportation District. VTA Director Forrest Williams currently serves as a VTA appointed member and Vice Chair of the CCJPB. BART serves as the Managing Agency for the CCJPB.
Staff support for this assignment will be provided by Jack Witthaus, Transportation/Traffic Manager, Department of Public Works.
U.S. Conference of Mayors appointments to standing committees
The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of the nation's 1,183 U.S. cities with populations of 30,000 or more. Each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. The primary roles of the Conference are to promote the development of effective urban/suburban policy; strengthen federal-city relationships; ensure that federal policy meets urban needs; provide mayors with leadership and management tools; and create a forum in which mayors can share ideas and information. Standing committees meet twice per year.
Staff support to Mayor Dean Chu for the Transportation and Communications Standing Committee will be provided by Marvin Rose, Director of Public Works; staff support for the International Affairs Standing Committee will be provided by Peter Bassett, Management Analyst, Office of the City Manager.
National League of Cities’ Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials constituency group memberships
The National League of Cities is the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States. Its mission is to strengthen and promote cities as centers of opportunity, leadership, and governance.
The Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials (APAMO) is a constituency group organized within the National League of Cities. Its mission is to provide Asian Pacific American municipal officials and their colleagues with a forum to share ideas and develop leadership experience. It also serves as a vehicle for members to discuss problems and explore solutions, debate policy issues, and contribute to the success of American cities and towns. APAMO has a Board of Directors as well as general members. It was established at NLC in 1985.
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 ratifies Mayor Dean Chu to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors and to the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Transportation and Communication Standing Committee and International Affairs Standing Committee. Council ratifies Mayor Dean Chu and Councilmember Otto Lee’s memberships to the National League of Cities’ Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials constituency group.
2. Council takes no action at this time.
3. Other action as directed by Council.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Alternative 1: Council ratifies Mayor Dean Chu to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors and to the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Transportation and Communication Standing Committee and International Affairs Standing Committee. Council ratifies Mayor Dean Chu and Councilmember Otto Lee’s memberships to the National League of Cities’ Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials constituency group.
Reviewed by:
Robert Walker
Assistant City Manager
Prepared by:
Coryn Campbell
Manager, Neighborhood and Community Resources
Approved by:
Amy Chan
City Manager
Attachments
A. 2005 Council IGR Committee Assignments