REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Appoint a Council Representative to the Santa Clara Valley Water District Water Commission
Report
BACKGROUND
On January 23, 2017, the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Office of the Clerk of the Board requested confirmation of Sunnyvale’s representative/alternate appointments, or notification of new appointments, to the Water Commission for a two-year term. The Water Commission is charged with assisting the Water Board with policies and issues pertaining to water supply, flood protection and environmental stewardship.
Typically, all Council appointments are made annually in January; however, this assignment was incorrectly identified as an Outside Agency appointment versus a Council appointment.
The purpose of this Report is for Council to appoint a primary and alternate representative. Appointees represent the City's interests and influence policies and regulations of other agencies.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.4.12, Council Appointments to Intergovernmental Agencies
Council Adopted Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials
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
The District’s Board of Directors is seeking representatives and alternates who can commit to regularly attending Water Commission meetings to participate in discussions, vote on action items, and report important information back to the Council. When a representative is not available to attend a meeting, the appointed alternate representative attends on their behalf. When making IGR appointments, Council considers the City’s overall intergovernmental priorities as well as the particular interests and backgrounds of individual Councilmembers.
This Commission meets from Noon to 2 p.m. at the Santa Clara Valley Water District Boardroom on the fourth Wednesday of the month, unless a holiday falls on that Wednesday or in April, when the Commission meets on the second week. Upcoming meeting dates include April 12, 2017; July 26, 2017; October 25, 2017; and January 24, 2018.
As noted in Council Policy 7.4.12, Council Appointments to Intergovernmental Agencies, staff support will be provided to Councilmembers serving on IGR bodies as directed by the City Manager. Typically, staff support consists of reviewing and advising on upcoming committee agendas for issues pertaining to Sunnyvale and, as needed, assist Council in presenting those issues.
In previous years, the City has appointed a staff member to serve as alternate. The Water District is encouraging elected officials to serve as alternates. Most of the alternates on the Water Commission are now elected; City staff recommends the Council appoint another Councilmember to serve as the alternate representative.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Appoint a Councilmember to serve at the City’s primary representative on the Water Commission.
2. Appoint a Councilmember to serve as the City’s alternate representative on the Water Commission.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternatives 1 and 2: 1) Appoint a Councilmember to serve at the City’s primary representative on the Water Commission; and 2) Appoint a Councilmember to serve as the City’s alternate representative on the Water Commission.
Staff
Prepared by: Yvette Blackford, Senior Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Walter C. Rossmann, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager