COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Manager's Office

DATE:

July 24, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 5, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

John L. Maltbie, County Manager

SUBJECT:

Execution of the Joint Powers Agreement for the Continuation of C/CAG and San Mateo County Participation

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing execution of the Joint Powers Agreement among participating cities and the County of San Mateo for the continuation of the City/County Association of Governments for a term of four (4) years.

BACKGROUND:

The City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) was established through a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between the twenty cities and the County of San Mateo in 1991. The JPA was renewed in 1995 and again in 1999. Its purpose is to provide a cooperative, cost-effective means to respond to countywide federal and state mandates. C/CAG also provides a forum for agencies to work together on common issues. San Mateo County is currently a voting member of C/CAG.

C/CAG'S PURPOSE:

Specifically, the purpose of C/CAG is to:

_

Develop consensus on countywide transportation issues and to manage congestion to allow for orderly economic growth in San Mateo County;

_

Receive funds from the cities and County through a special assessment to fund the Congestion Relief Plan to achieve the Countywide Transportation Plan;

_

Administer the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's Transportation Fund for Clean Air program (Assembly Bill 434) in San Mateo County;

_

Facilitate investment of federal Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds for pedestrian and bicycle projects;

_

Establish policy and administer the Federal Clean Water Act mandate NPDES - Storm Water Management Plan;

_

Act as the San Mateo Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service Authority; and

_

Function as the designated Airport Land Use Committee for San Mateo County.

C/CAG provides a sub-regional forum to educate and elevate the decision-making of elected officials and technical professional staff on Countywide concerns, and provides the opportunity to develop consensus on common issues of concern to the general public.

C/CAG Performance:

The total amount of C/CAG member dues and assessments for FY 2002-03 was $1,950,439. As the Congestion Management Agency, permit holder for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and administrator of the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program, the Airport Land Use Commission and other programs, C/CAG was able to leverage member dues and assessments to supplement these countywide programs. A total of $5,161,639 or 2.6 times the amount of FY 2002-03 dues and assessments was secured by C/CAG to support programs in San Mateo County. C/CAG accomplishes its mission with just two direct staff and contract staff for the remaining tasks.

C/CAG provides a cost-effective means to meet mandated program requirements. An overview of the C/CAG programs and comparison with the other counties in the Bay Area was performed. The results indicate that C/CAG has met the program requirements in a cost-effective manner. The attached C/CAG Overview and Performance report provides you with additional detailed information on the program's performance and cost effectiveness.

C/CAG BENEFITS:

C/CAG benefits to member agencies includes:

_

a forum to share ideas and solutions among agencies for common issues;

_

all agencies have the opportunity to vote in the distribution of State and Federal Transportation funds ($70 to $80 million every two years) allocated in San Mateo County;

_

support and assistance to agencies in getting and maintaining funds;

_

cost-effective programs to assist member agencies in meeting mandates;

_

active intergovernmental support for San Mateo County and the member agencies in the Region; and

_

additional information to agency staff on the system-wide transportation impacts of proposed developments such that better local decisions can be made.

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE:

This year, C/CAG established a Legislative Committee and retained advocacy representation in Sacramento. During the 2003-04 Legislative Session C/CAG is sponsor to and is advocating Assembly Bill 1546 (Simitian) to enable C/CAG to impose a fee of up to $4 on vehicle registrations in the County to fund congestion management and storm water pollution projects. Currently, there are 700,000 vehicles registered in San Mateo County, thus if fully imposed, the $4 fee could generate as much as $2.8 million annually.

JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT TERMS:

The current Joint Powers Agreement expires December 1, 2003. The current agreement is similar to the previously approved Joint Powers Agreement. The Board structure retains the same voting Board members (20 agencies plus the County). Two Ex-Officio members are included on the Board (SamTrans and the Transportation Authority). Permissive language was added to allow the Board to add Ex-Officio members using the special voting procedures (4.(c) majority of the members representing a majority of the population). It is proposed that C/CAG continue the same role and function.

The Joint Powers Agreement establishes the effective date the agreement is executed after July 1, 2003 and the termination date of December 1, 2007. The Joint Powers Agreement must be signed by a majority of cities with a majority of the population and the County. Since the same Joint Powers Agreement must be signed by all parties, it is important to adopt the Joint Powers Agreement as presented.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the attached agreement.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

C/CAG provides a forum for leaders to work together across boundaries to preserve and enhance our quality of life to achieve goal # 23 Leaders throughout the County provide the impetus for broader regional solutions in land use, housing, childcare, education, health and transportation.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The County's membership General Fund contribution FY 2003-04 is $19,650. This amount has been budgeted under Memberships in the County's Recommended Budget for FY 2003-04. This represents the County's pro rata share based on population.

Additionally, the County pays $30,723 gas tax and $110,500 congestion relief (out of the 1/2-cent road fund) and $143,170 in NPDES (Flood Control Fees) assessments to C/CAG for a total of $304,043.