REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Appoint Councilmember Fong as Official City Representative on Delegation Trip to Taiwan with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) of San Francisco
Report
BACKGROUND
Each year, the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) under TECO launches several different visiting programs to invite young (under age 40) politicians, and public opinion leaders to visit Taiwan to further enhance US-Taiwan relations.
Councilmember Fong has been invited and approved by MOFA to participate in an all- expenses paid delegation trip to Taiwan, on March 25-31, 2019. Councilmember Fong inquired about whether a Council process existed to enable him to participate in this Program as an Official City Representative.
EXISTING POLICY
2019 Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials
Policy 7.3.4, Roles and Responsibilities of Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilmembers
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 153780 (b)(5) in that it is a governmental organization or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
If the City Council wishes to appoint Councilmember Fong as the Official City Representative while he participates in this Program, then the appropriate mechanism would be for the City Council to take a formal action appointing him as the Official City Representative on this trip.
After reviewing City Council Policies, there does not appear to be a specific Council Policy regarding Councilmember Fong being designated as an Official City Representative to attend this Program. The Program does not involve an intergovernmental assignment therefore Council Policy 7.4.12 is not applicable. The Program does not involve a Council subcommittee or Mayor created task force therefore Council Policy 7.4.13 is not applicable. T...
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