Office of the City Clerk
City of South San Francisco
City Clerk
2 Rosa Govea Acosta
City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
City of South San Francisco
Public Service – A Balanced Triangle
4 City Council – Policy & Legislative Authority
▪ Elected officials who represent the public.
▪ Sets local laws, budgets, and policies.
▪ Provides direction for the city manager and oversight for city operations.
City Manager – Administrative Executive
▪ Appointed by the city council.
▪ Carries out the council's policies and manages day-to-day operations. ▪ Supervises departments, prepares budgets, and ensures service delivery.
City Clerk – Transparency & Recordkeeping
▪ Responsible for records management, meeting agendas/minutes, elections, and public access to information.
▪ Serves as a neutral facilitator of government transparency. ▪ The link between citizens, council, and administration.
Why It's a Balanced Triangle
➢ City Council relies on the City Clerk for accurate records and procedural compliance. ➢ City Manager implements policies approved by the City Council. ➢ City Clerk supports both by managing documentation, and upholding transparency.
Each side represents accountability, communication, and collaboration. The triangle must remain balanced for good governance and public trust.
5 Role of the City Clerk
• The City Clerk serves as a steward of the
democratic process and is a liaison between
the City Council and members of the public.
She is a partner in democracy, providing
information and ensuring transparency.
• The City Clerk is an elected representative
of the people and serves a four-year term,
current term will end November 2026. The
City Clerk has legal responsibilities
described in California Government Code
Sections 40800, et seq., the Elections Code,
and City ordinance.
Key Functions of the City Clerk’s Office
6 Public Noticing – Ensure compliance with the Brown Act Meetings must adhere to the “Brown Act” Government Code 54950 et seq. The Brown Act was enacted to ensure all deliberations and actions are taken openly. • Agenda Preparation: Coordinate with all City Departments • Produce electronic and paper agenda packet for public view • Agenda posting:
• Regular Meeting: At least 72 hours in advance
• Special and Emergency Meetings: At least 24 hours in advance • Publish & Post legal notices.
• Assure actions are recorded and easily accessible to members of the public.
Records Administration
• Official record keeper for the City.
• Ordinances, Resolutions, Minutes, Deeds, Contracts & Agreements. • Maintain records: preserved, searchable, and accessible.
Key Functions of the City Clerk’s Office
7 Elections
South San Francisco elections are consolidated with the San Mateo County Registration and Elections Division – the County prints the ballots, prepares and prints the voter guide and administers the registration rolls.
• Municipal Elections: Candidates seeking office, Ballot Measures, Initiative (Elections Code 9214), Referenda (Elections Code 9236) 11360) are assisted by the City Clerk or Assistant City Clerk.
Political Reform Filing Officer for the Fair Political Practices Commission Public officials must publicly disclose economic interests which may prohibit the official from certain legislative decisions that will result in a material financial effect on the official’s economic interests. • Statement of Economic Interest filings and reporting: Form 700 • Maintain and update the City’s Conflict of Interest Code – Designated employees required to explain how they get their money and other financial interests. • Campaign filings: Campaign Committees – Form 460 and 470 • Ethics Training: AB 1234
Accessing Public Information
8 DIGITAL ACCESS TO FPPC FORMS
Public officials must publicly disclose economic interests which may prohibit the official from certain legislative decisions that will result in a material financial effect on the official’s economic interests. https://www.ssf.net/Departments/City-Clerk/Fair-Political-Practices-Commission-FPPC-Information Requesting Public Information
9 California Public Records Act (PRA) requests
https://www.ssf.net/Departments/City-Clerk/Services/Public-Records-Request Office of the City Clerk
City of South San Francisco
Questions?
Office of the City Treasurer
City of South San Francisco
City Treasurer
12 Frank Risso
City Treasurer
13 Role of the City Treasurer
• Maintain an autonomous role for oversight and decisions relating to the investment and safe keeping of City funds.
• Independent of the City Council, who has the role and responsibility for City government including establishing City policies such as the City’s Investment Policy.
• Function is defined by California Government Code Section 41001-41007 and guided by the City’s Investment Policy. 14 SSF Investment Policy Objectives
The investment policies and practices of the City Treasurer are based upon federal, state, and local laws, as well as, prudent money management.
The primary objectives of these policies are, in priority order:
• To assure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws governing the investment of monies.
• Safety of Principal - To maintain the principal of the City’s investments.
• Liquidity - To remain sufficiently liquid to meet all expenses. • After safety and liquidity are assured, to generate the maximum amount of investment income or yield.
15 Types of Investments
City’s Investment Policy and the Cal. Gov.’t Code allow the City to invest in the following provided the credit ratings of the issuers are acceptable to the City and approved percentages and maturities are not exceeded. 16 Source of Investment Funds
• Taxes:
o Property taxes
o Sales taxes
o Transient Occupancy
taxes
o Franchise fees
• Licenses and permits
• Charges for Services
• Interest and rentals
• Intergovernmental
17 Treasury Oversight
REPORTING: Quarterly report detailing the investments of the City.
INVESTMENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE: The Committee, which consist of the City Treasurer, the City Manager, and the Finance Director, meets at least quarterly for the purpose of:
• Reviewing the portfolio to ensure compliance.
• Making policy change recommendations to the City Council. • Meeting as needed to review marketplace change and any expected impact to City’s portfolio.
Office of the City Treasurer
City of South San Francisco
Questions?
City Council
City of South San Francisco
Elected Officials
20 Eddie Flores
Mayor
District 5
Flor Nicolas
Councilmember
District 3
James Coleman
Councilmember
District 4
Mark Nagales
Councilmember
District 2
Mark Addiego
Vice Mayor
District 1
• General City Law
• Council-Manager form of Government
• City Council has 2 employees
• City Manager runs day-to-day operations of the city
• City Attorney keeps us legal
21 Government Structure
• The governing body of the City of South San Francisco, elected position (four-year term)
• Establish local laws and policies by enacting ordinances and resolutions
• Determine how the City obtains and spends funds
• Appoint members to advisory/municipal boards and
commissions
22 Role of City Council
• Provides direction to the City Manager
• Meets the second and fourth Wednesday of every
month (meetings are open to the public)
• Holds various special meetings and study sessions to
discuss issues in detail such as the budget, large
development projects, etc. (meetings are open to the
public)
23 Role of City Council
• Sits as the Successor Agency to the South San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, Industrial Development
Authority, Surplus Property Authority, Capital
Improvement Financing Authority and Recreation & Park
District
• Represents the City on Regional and County
committees/boards whose policies may impact South
San Francisco
24 Role of City Council
• New Safeway: Q2 2026
projected opening!
• Approx. 64K ft.² facility
• Approx. 8K ft² commercial
space facing El Camino real
• Additional food/beverage
retail expected!
25 El Camino Real & Spruce Ave.
City Council
City of South San Francisco
Questions?
Citizens’ Academy 2025
City of South San Francisco
CONGRATULATIONS
TO THE CLASS OF 2025!!!