SR 09-13-2016 3E
Ci ty Council
Report
City Council Meeting : September 13, 2016
Agenda Item: 3.E
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rick Cole, City Manager , City Council
Subject: Amendment to Westside Cities Council of Governments Joint Powers
Authority Agreement
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the Mayor and City M anager to
execute a First Amendment to the 2007 Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of
Powers Agreement (JPA) for the Westside Cities Council of Governments (WSCCOG),
to allow the County of Los Angeles to appoint a senior -level staff member as the
alternat e voting representative should the Governing Board Representative be unable to
attend a meeting.
Executive Summary
The Westside Cities Council of Governments (WSCCOG) is a regional cooperative
effort between five member cities and the County of Los Angele s to leverage their
influence at the State and Federal level for the benefit of the region. The Board of
Directors meets bimonthly to discuss matters of regional importance but struggle s to
have voting representation at its meetings from all of the member entities. In an effort to
have voting representation from all entities moving forward, the WSCCOG is proposing
an amendment to its bylaws to allow the County of Los Angeles to designate a senior -
level staff member to cast a vote should the elected official be unable to attend a
meeting.
Background
The Westside Cities Council of Governments (WSCCOG) is a Joint Powers Authority
(JPA) created by the cities of Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Culver City, West Hollywood,
Los Angeles (Districts 5 and 11) and the C ounty of Los Angeles (Districts 2, 3 and 4).
The WSCCOG was formed to preserve and enhance the quality of life in the region by
building relationships, maximizing resources, promoting policy and advocating for the
benefit of its approximately 750,000 resid ents, 60,000 businesses and visitors. The
Board of Directors is comprised of a Delegate and Alternate from each of the member
entities, appointed by their respected legislative bodies.
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The WSCCOG and its bimonthly meetings provide a forum for discussion a nd
communication between the member cities and through the role of its Executive
Director, the WSCCOG has formalized representation and advocacy with government
agencies at the local, state and federal level. The WSCCOG also monitors legislation
that could have an impact on the region and seeks opportunities for regional, state and
federal funding. The WSCCOG Board has historically focused on issues such as
transportation, mobility, economic health, sustainability, land use, housing, social
services, homela nd security and public safety.
Discussion
At its meeting on June 25, 2016 the WSCCOG board discussed a proposed
amendment to the 2007 Joint Powers Authority agreement (JPA) to allow member
representatives to designate a non -elected official member as an alternate voting
member. The thought was that this would be a feasible means to increase participation
from all member entities, especially the County and City of Los Angeles whose elected
representatives often face scheduling challenges that prevent them from regular
participation in the WSCCOG meetings.
The Board was presented with three alternatives modeled after JPA agreements from
neighboring subregional COGs including San Gabriel Valley COG, South Bay Cities
COG, San Fernando Valley COG and Gateway C ities COG. These alternatives included
the designation of a non -elected official as an alternate voting member or an ex -oficio
member as well as the option of teleconferencing for board members to participate and
vote remotely.
After all three alternative s were discussed amongst the board, they approved the
recommendation to allow only the County of Los Angeles to appoint a senior -staff
person as the alternate representative. The board then directed the WSCCOG Counsel
to draft language on the proposed amen dment to the JPA to be taken before each
member city’s respective legislative body. The proposed language is below; changes
are underlined.
Section 2. Section 5.B.3 of the JPA Agreement is amended to read as follows:
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3. The Board of Supervisors of the Cou nty of Los Angeles shall designate the chief of
staff or a senior -level staff member from the office of the appointed Governing Board
Representative as an alternate representative to serve in the absence of the Governing
Board Representative (“Alternate Go verning Board Representative”).
Section 3. Section 5.C of the JPA Agreement is amended to read as follows:
A. Eligibility . No person shall be eligible to serve as a Governing Board
Representative or an Alternate Governing Board Representative unless that
person is, at all times during the tenure of that person as a Governing Board
Representative or Alternate Governing Board Representative, a member of the
legislative body of one of the appointing Members , except for the Alternate
Governing Board Representa tive from the County of Los Angeles, who shall be
employed as the chief of staff or a senior staff member to the County’s Governing
Board Representative pursuant to Section 5.B.3 above. In addition, the
Governing Board Representative and the Alternate Gove rning Board
Representative of the City of Los Angeles must be a council member from a
district that is located immediately adjacent to any portion of the cities of Beverly
Hills, Culver City, Santa Monica, or West Hollywood. The designation of a
Governing Board Representative and Alternate Governing Board Representative
shall be evidenced in writing to the Chair of the WSCCOG. Should any person
serving on the Governing Board fail to maintain the status as required by this
Section 5, that person’s position o n the Governing Board shall be deemed
vacated as of the date such person ceases to qualify pursuant to the provisions
of this Section 5 and the Member shall be entitled to appoint a qualified
replacement.
Next Steps
Member cities of the WSCCOG will take the proposed amendment to the JPA before
each of their legislative bodies for action and approval of the amendment. Approval by
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four of the six member cities’ legislative bodies is needed for the agreement to be
amended.
Financial Impacts and Budget Act ions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action.
Prepared By: Stephanie Venegas, Council Office Coordinator
Approved
Forwarded to Council