TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Ingrid Hardy, Assistant City Manager
DATE:February 14, 2023
SUBJECT: 2023 Southern California Association of Governments General Assembly - Delegate Representative
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Designate Al Adam, Mayor Pro Tem, as the Delegate Representative and Councilmember Bob Engler as the Alternate Representative for the City at the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Conference and General Assembly, which will take place May 4-5, 2023.
2. Find that designating a delegate is not a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15378(b)(5).
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. The City’s annual SCAG membership dues are included in the Adopted FY 2022-23 General Fund Budget and cover the cost for the Councilmember’s participation in the SCAG General Assembly.
BACKGROUND:
Founded in 1965, SCAG is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) under California state law, established as an association of local governments and agencies that voluntarily convene to address regional issues. Under federal law, SCAG is designated as a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and under state law, as a Regional Transportation Planning Agency and a Council of Governments.
The SCAG region encompasses six counties (Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura) and 191 cities in an area covering more than 38,000 square miles. The agency develops long-range regional transportation plans, including Sustainable Communities Strategy and growth forecast components, regional transportation improvement programs, regional housing needs allocations, and a portion of the South Coast Air Quality management plans.
In 1992, SCAG expanded its governing body, the Executive Committee, to a 70- member Regional Council to help accommodate new responsibilities mandated by
2023 SCAG General Assembly - Delegate Representative
February 14, 2023
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4 the federal and state governments, as well as to provide more broad-based representation of Southern California’s cities and counties. With its expanded membership structure, SCAG created regional districts to provide for more diverse representation. The districts were formed with the intent to serve equal populations and communities of interest. Currently, the Regional Council consists of 86 members.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
From May 4-5, 2023, more than 1,000 local leaders from throughout Southern California will convene for SCAG’s 58th Annual Regional Conference and General Assembly. The General Assembly will be held at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. This conference will feature presentations and panel discussions on the new technologies to enhance mobility, economic opportunity, and quality of life. The conference brings together state and local elected officials, CEOs, business and civic leaders, transportation and environmental stakeholders, local government staff, and others. The program will also feature the 2023 SCAG Sustainability Awards, which recognizes exemplary transportation and land use projects in the region.
SCAG requires that the City formally designate a delegate and alternative representative to attend the General Assembly. Mayor Pro Tem Adam has represented the City for the last few years as the designated voting delegate.
Councilmember Engler has served as the alternate representative. Both have been actively involved in SCAG Committees and Ventura Council of Governments.
A copy of the staff report must be submitted by March so SCAG can officially publish Mayor Pro Tem Adam and Councilmember Engler to the list of delegates.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goal:
B. Provide municipal government leadership which is open and responsive to residents, and is characterized by ethical behavior, stability, promoting public trust, transparency, confidence in the future, and cooperative interaction among civic leaders, residents, business representatives, and staff, while recognizing and respecting legitimate differences of opinion on critical issues facing the City.
PREPARED BY: Mina Layba, Legislative Affairs Manager
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