CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
4/13/2026
1 SUBJECT:
Adoption of the Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the Municipal Pooling Authority and Appointing Members to the Board of Directors.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a Resolution:
1) Approving the Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the Municipal Pooling Authority for providing Property, Workers' Compensation, Public Liability, and other insurance coverages, and authorizing the City Manager to execute the Agreement; and
2) Appointing the Primary and Alternate Members to the Board of Directors for Municipal Pooling Authority of Northern California.
STAFF CONTACT:
Zach Harris, Human Resources Manager
650-339-3461
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Marisol Gómez, Director of Finance and Administrative Services 650-501-0257
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
The Municipal Pooling Authority (“MPA”) is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) that provides risk pooling services to member agencies, was approved by the state as of July 1, 1977. It currently comprises 21 member municipalities, primarily located in Contra Costa County, with some in Santa Clara, San Joaquin, and San Mateo counties. MPA was formed primarily to reduce the rising costs of private insurance for liability and workers’ compensation. The founding members agreed to pool fiscal resources and share the cost of administering and litigating claims. This pooling of funds is allowed under the Joint Exercise of Powers Act (“JPA”), Government Code, Sections 6500-6536. There are over 1800 JPAs in California providing agencies with pooled coverage for benefits, liability, workers' compensation, and other services. By pooling funds, MPA members share the risk and cost of claims, which helps stabilize individual members' exposure. The cost of claims is spread among all members. Pooling also brings economies of scale, providing members with access to additional insurance options that are only available through the pool. This includes employers' liability, property, cyber, crime, and deadly weapons coverage. MPA provides valuable resources for training and education, including a comprehensive wellness program, ergonomics program, dental and vision plans, life insurance, and online training modules. Risk mitigation support includes mandatory safety training, inspection support to ensure regulatory compliance, and required employee certifications.
The City of Pacifica has been a member of MPA since 2006. MPA provides members with Pacifica City Council 2
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administration and self-insured coverage for liability, workers’ compensation, vehicle physical damage, and short-term disability, as well as access to participate in 14 additional programs that offer coverage for property, crime, cyber, and employee benefits. To be a member of MPA, each member’s governing body must agree to the Joint Powers Authority Agreement (the JPA).
The JPA is the foundational document that outlines MPA’s powers and organizational structure.
The last version was adopted by the Board of Directors in 2004 and executed in 2005 by its members. The JPA has undergone an extensive review and revision process. This review was undertaken because the JPA had not been substantively updated since its adoption in 2004 and execution in 2005, and was necessary to ensure alignment with current laws, consistency with other MPA governing documents, and clarity in governance and administrative provisions and is being presented to the Pacifica City Council for adoption of the revised Municipal Pooling Authority Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (“the Amended/Restated JPA”)
At the February 27, 2025, meeting, as part of its review of MPA’s governing documents, the MPA Coverage and Governance Committee approved recommended amendments to update the JPA and ensure it aligns with other MPA governing documents and applicable laws. Those recommended amendments were then reviewed by the MPA Executive Committee, which approved the recommended amendments with certain revisions on March 26, 2025. The revised recommended amendments were then approved by the MPA Board of Directors on April 10, 2025.
The recommended amendments and revisions include both substantive clarifications and administrative updates. Key changes include clarification of MPA’s formation and continuation under current Government Code authority; updates to governance provisions, including the scope and limitations of MPA’s powers; refinement of member responsibilities, including ongoing obligations and support for claims administration; and clarification that withdrawal or expulsion does not relieve a member of existing obligations under the agreement. Additional non-substantive edits were made throughout the document to improve clarity, organization, and consistency.
The amendments approved by the MPA Board of Directors were then sent to each member for review and feedback. The feedback received was reviewed by MPA Staff and Legal Counsel, and additional revisions were made based on that feedback.
The final recommended amendments were approved by the MPA Board of Directors on January 13, 2026, as the Amended/Restated JPA attached. The proposed amendments are attached as Exhibit B.
The Amended/Restated JPA must now be approved by each member by resolution of the member’s governing body and signed by each member’s designee.
Participation in a JPA is invaluable for reducing claims exposure and cost. Members receive dividends in years when reserved funds have exceeded actual costs. These dividends aided members during the COVID-19 revenue decline. MPA has also provided members with grants to meet safety needs within their cities.
MPA has a Board of Directors. Each member in the pool has a seat on the Board. The Board decides how claims are managed and what is covered by the pool. Through the Coverage and Governance Committee, the Board reviews the bylaws, the JPA agreement, and program coverage details annually to determine coverage terms. The Joint Powers Authority Agreement is the required document that members’ governing bodies must approve to join any MPA program.
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MPA requires the governing body of each member agency to appoint a board member and alternate board member to the Board of Directors. Currently, the HR Manager serves as the primary board member on the MPA Board of Directors, and the Senior HR Analyst serves as the alternate board member, and staff recommendation is to continue as structured.
Overall, the amendments are intended to modernize and clarify the JPA Agreement and do not materially alter the City of Pacifica’s membership status, financial obligations, or representation within MPA. There is no direct fiscal impact associated with adoption of the Amended and Restated JPA.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
No alternative action is recommended. These contract revisions are administrative in nature.
The member agencies of the Municipal Pooling Authority have already adopted the proposed language, and adoption by the City of Pacifica is necessary to maintain consistency with the Authority’s governing documents.
RELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND WORK PLAN:
Being a member of MPA aligns with Council’s Strategic Goals #1 and #2.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Approval of the MPA Amended and Restated JPA Agreement and Appointment of Board Members is not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., "CEQA") and CEQA Guidelines (Title 14 California Code of Regulations §§ 15000, et seq.), because it constitutes an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with approving this revised agreement and appointing board members. The proposed contract amendments are primarily administrative in nature and do not affect the methodology used to calculate workers’ compensation premiums or the City’s annual contribution. The City’s participation costs will be included in the FY 2026-27 base budget.
ORIGINATED BY:
Human Resources
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Exhibit A-2026.01.13 JPA Agreement with Letter Head (DOCX) Exhibit B-32-2026.01.13 BOD Regular Meeting-Action Item VII.2 JPA Agreement-Final Red Line Changes Exb 1. (PDF)
Exhibit C-2026.01.14 JPA letter to members(PDF)
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RESOLUTION NO. _______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PACIFICA APPROVING THE
MUNICIPAL POOLING AUTHORITY JOINT EXERCISE OF POWERS AGREEMENT (JPA)
FOR PROVIDING PROPERTY, WORKERS' COMPENSATION, PUBLIC LIABILITY AND OTHER INSURANCE COVERAGES; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT; AND APPOINTING THE PRIMARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEMBERS OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE MUNICIPAL POOLING AUTHORITY OF
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS, Municipal Pooling Authority (MPA) was formed in 1977 by a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pacifica has been a Member Agency of MPA since 2006; and WHEREAS, there have been amendments to the Municipal Pooling Authority Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Municipal Pooling Authority Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement, a copy of which is attached, has been amended to reflect these amendments; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is familiar with the contents thereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pacifica does hereby resolve as follows:
That the adoption of the Municipal Pooling Authority Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for providing property, workers' compensation, public liability, and other insurance coverages, attached hereto, is hereby approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the designated primary Board member shall be the HR Manager and the alternative Board member shall be the Senior HR Analyst.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute the Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney, with minor amendments which may be approved by the City Attorney and City Manager, on behalf of the City.
• • • • •
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pacifica, California, held on the 13th day of April 2026, by the following vote:
AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
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ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
_________________________________
Christine Boles, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________ _________________________________ Sarah Coffey, City Clerk Michelle Kenyon, City Attorney Pacifica City Council 6
April 13, 2026
EXHIBIT A
Municipal Pooling Authority Amended and Restated Joint
Exercise of Powers Agreement