January 10, 2006
SUBJECT: Annual Membership Dues for Intergovernmental Associations and Procedural Change in Payment Process
REPORT IN BRIEF
Invoices for 2006 membership dues have been received from the League of California Cities (Attachment A), and the National League of Cities (Attachment B). The League of California Cities invoice is in the amount of $25,941, which is a $1,236 increase from 2005. The National League of Cities invoice is in the amount of $8,600, which is a $331 increase from 2005.
BACKGROUND
The League of California Cities (LCC) is a statewide organization representing the interests of city governments. LCC provides advocacy, conferences and training services, and publications such as: weekly legislative bulletins, League newsletters, and Western City magazine. LCC dues cover all League operations, including the grassroots network of regional representatives. The grassroots network was introduced in 2001 to improve both regional and statewide effectiveness and advocacy.
The National League of Cities (NLC) represents municipal governments throughout the United States and has 1,700 member cities. The League provides a network for information sharing and for speaking on behalf of America’s cities in Washington, D.C. and all state capitols. It has worked on a wide range of issues including sales and use tax on goods and services purchased over the Internet, and funding for transportation and Community Development Block Grants.
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:
· The National League of Cities (NLC)
· U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM)
· League of California Cities (LCC)
· Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
· Santa Clara County Cities Association (SCCCA)
DISCUSSION
Traditionally, the City Council has approved annual membership dues payments to organizations which have been identified as providing support and service to local governments.
The City of Sunnyvale has been actively involved with the LCC for many years. Councilmembers and staff have participated as speakers on the LCC Annual Conference panels, served on policy committees, and have worked closely with the LCC on a variety of projects including transportation funding for cities, fiscal reform, and binding arbitration for public safety officers. In 2005, former Mayor Chu served on the Transportation, Communications, and Public Works Committee; former Vice Mayor Ron Swegles served on the Housing, Community and Economic Development Policy Committee; and former Councilmember Julia Miller served as the Peninsula Division Past President, and on the Employee Relations Policy Committee.
Historically, Sunnyvale Councilmembers have also been active in NLC committees. In 2005, former Mayor Chu and Councilmember Lee participated on the Asian Pacific American Municipal Committee (APAMO), and former Councilmember Miller served on the Women in Municipal Government Board of Directors.
Proposed Change to IGR Membership Dues Payment Process
IGR agency annual membership dues are included in the City’s annual operating budget and approved by Council as part of the City’s budget process. Currently, staff also brings Reports to Council for approval of dues payments as invoices are received during the fiscal year. Over the past three years, three to four reports have been prepared annually for IGR agency dues payments. To improve efficiency, staff is proposing that this second step be eliminated. Instead, staff proposes that effective immediately, dues payments for the following agencies (which are included in the Council-approved fiscal year operating budget) be approved by the Mayor and processed routinely by staff for invoices under $50,000:
· Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
· League of California Cities (LCC)
· League of California Cities (LCC) Peninsula Division
· National League of Cities (NLC)
· Santa Clara County Cities Association (SCCCA)
· United States Conference of Mayors (USCM)
Currently there are no invoices over $50,000; however should one occur it would be brought before the full Council for consideration.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with 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 at the Library and the City Clerk’s Office.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Pay the 2006 membership dues for the League of California Cities and the National League of Cities.
2. Council directs staff to include annual membership dues payments for the following IGR agencies in the Council-approved fiscal year operating budget, and that dues payments under $50,000 be paid with the approval of the Mayor without an additional report to Council:
· Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
· League of California Cities (LCC)
· League of California Cities (LCC) Peninsula Division
· National League of Cities (NLC)
· Santa Clara County Cities Association (SCCCA)
· United States Conference of Mayors (USCM)
3. Pay dues to one of the organizations, but not all.
4. Do not pay the 2006 membership dues.
5. Other action as directed by Council.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Alternative #1 and #2:
1. Pay the 2006 membership dues for the League of California Cities and the National League of Cities.
2. Council directs staff to include annual membership dues payments for the following IGR agencies in the Council-approved fiscal year operating budget, and that dues payments under $50,000 be paid with the approval of the Mayor without an additional report to Council:
· Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
· League of California Cities (LCC)
· League of California Cities (LCC) Peninsula Division
· National League of Cities (NLC)
· Santa Clara County Cities Association (SCCCA)
· United States Conference of Mayors (USCM)
Participation in these IGR agencies is an effective way of maintaining a voice on state and regional issues. Dues payments were approved in the FY05/06 budget. The procedural change will result in a more efficient way to process Council approved dues payments.
Reviewed by:
Robert Walker, Assistant City Manager
Prepared by: Coryn Campbell, Neighborhood and Community Resources Manager
Approved by:
Amy Chan
City Manager
Attachments
A. Invoice from the League of California Cities for 2006 Membership dues (.pdf)
B. Invoice from the National League of Cities for 2006 Membership dues (.pdf)