REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Appoint Councilmembers as the City’s Alternate Representative to the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) and as the Alternate Director for the Central Cities Grouping to the Silicon Valley Regional Interoperability Authority (SVRIA)
Report
BACKGROUND
On January 7, 2025, Council made their annual intergovernmental appointment assignments. Councilmember Richard Mehlinger was appointed as an alternate representative to the Valley Transportation (VTA) Policy Advisory Committee (PAC). On February 13, 2025, Councilmember Mehlinger resigned from this assignment (Attachment 1).
Councilmember Eileen Le serves as the primary appointee. Meetings are held on the second Thursdays of the month at VTA Headquarters in San Jose.
Silicon Valley Regional Interoperability Authority (SVRIA) assigns city groupings. Sunnyvale is in the Central Cities grouping with Milpitas and Santa Clara. Appointed representatives for the grouping alternate among the cities and serve 3-year terms. In 2024, Sunnyvale, Milpitas, and Santa Clara notified SVRIA of the approved rotation for 2025 - 2031, for three consecutive 3-year terms (Attachment 2).
Sunnyvale was scheduled for the alternate appointment beginning July 1, 2025. On January 28, 2025, the Cities Association of Santa Clara County (CASCC) appointed a Santa Clara Councilmember to SVRIA as the CASCC Representative. Santa Clara was due to hold the primary appointment until June 30, 2025. However, their city cannot be represented on two seats. SVRIA requires that the 2025 rotation of Milpitas as primary and Sunnyvale as alternate for the Central Cities grouping begin following CASCC’s appointment of Santa Clara Councilmember Hardy. The term will last 3 years and expire on June 30, 2028.
SVRIA generally meets on the fourth Thursdays of every other month, with a break for summer. Their adopted 2025 schedule is included as Attachment 3.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.4.12, Council Appointments to Intergovernmental Agencies
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378 (b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
Per Council Policy 7.4.12, Council Appointments to Intergovernmental Agencies, in the event of a vacancy on an intergovernmental assignment, Council will select a member to serve the remainder of that term as part of a noticed agenda at a regular Council meeting.
Councilmembers may express interest in these appointments and Council shall decide on appointees.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Appoint a Councilmember to serve as the City’s alternate representative on the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Policy Advisory Committee (PAC).
2. Appoint a Councilmember to serve as the City’s representative for the Central Cities Grouping Alternate Director on the Silicon Valley Regional Interoperability Authority (SVRIA).
3. Other direction as provided by Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternatives 1 and 2:
1: Appoint a Councilmember to serve as the City’s alternate representative on the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Policy Advisory Committee (PAC); and
2: Appoint a Councilmember to serve as the City’s representative for the Central Cities Grouping Alternate Director on the Silicon Valley Regional Interoperability Authority (SVRIA)
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
___ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
_X_ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: Victoria Ketell, Executive Assistant
Reviewed by: Michelle Zahraie, Sr. Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Councilmember Richard Mehlinger’s Letter of Resignation from VTA PAC
2. 2024 Letter Outlining the SVRIA Central Cities Grouping Rotation for 2025 - 2031
3. 2025 Adopted SVRIA Meeting Schedule