REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Ratify the National League of Cities’ (NLC) Appointment of Councilmember Linda Sell to the NLC Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee
Report
BACKGROUND
Sunnyvale is a member of the National League of Cities (NLC). NLC works to advocate for the interests of cities through influencing federal policy, strengthening local leadership, and driving innovative solutions. NLC has seven (7) Federal Advocacy Committees, comprised of local officials from NLC member cities, that develop federal policy positions. Proposed policy positions are then voted on by the wider NLC membership annually.
When a Councilmember is appointed to an assignment by an outside agency, Council Policy 7.4.12 requires that City Council ratify the appointment before the Councilmember begins serving.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.4.12, Council Appointments to Intergovernmental Agencies, Council Subcommittees, and Council or Mayor-Created Task Forces
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
On January 28, 2026, NLC appointed Councilmember Linda Sell to the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee (EENR). The 2026 roster is included as Attachment 1. The EENR leads NLC’s policy and advocacy efforts on water infrastructure, climate change, energy, resilience, solid and hazardous waste, brownfields, and parks/open space.
The EENR Committee will have three in-person meetings and additional virtual meetings. The term of the appointment will conclude with the 2026 NLC City Summit, scheduled for November 18 - 21, 2026.
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.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff makes no recommendation. By approval of the Consent Calendar, Council ratifies the National League of Cities’ (NLC) Appointment of Councilmember Linda Sell to the NLC Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
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, Senior Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026 NLC EENR Committee Roster