Policy Watch: Week of 11/6

County of Santa Clara

Developing Business License program for unincorporated areas of SCC; may be used to help enforce against wage theft

Board will consider directing staff to develop a proposed business license program for the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. The county is working to adopt a business license program because it would offer numerous benefits to the County including the ability to more effectively communicate with businesses regarding proposed requirements or in the event of an emergency, have reliable information on the numbers and types of businesses to monitor trends and patterns in economic activity, enforce local regulations including zoning compliance, and other purposes.

A business license program could also advance policy goals by using a business license as an enforcement mechanism for wage and hour laws. Counties have broad authority to regulate businesses through business licensing requirements, and other jurisdictions use that authority to suspend or revoke a business license as a means to enforce a judgment, decision, determination, or order related to a wage and hour violation.  It is recommended that this program be structured to accomplish this purpose, with the understanding that the goal of the Administration is to always encourage compliance and to assist businesses in fulfilling their obligations, and to use the County’s enforcement powers as a last resort failing all other means to obtain compliance.

The Administration preliminarily estimates an 18-to-24 month implementation period from the point of adoption of a Program.

Where:  Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors

When:  November 7, 2017 9:30 AM County Building 70 West Hedding St

Link to item:

http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=8506&MediaPosition=&ID=88778&CssClass=

Link to agenda:   http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=8506

 

Approve pilot program to enforce wage and hour laws through Food Facility permits

The board will provide input and direction from the Board of Supervisors on a proposed County pilot program that would, separate and in addition to a business license program, provide the County with another means by which to ensure local compliance with labor standards.  With the CSFC’s consideration of this proposal and Board approval, the Administration would conduct further research and prepare a program proposal for the Board’s consideration in the late fall 2017 or first quarter 2018. In conjunction with the Administration’s report on a proposed Business License Program for businesses in the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County (see Legislative File #88533), the Administration is also proposing a pilot program to evaluate the feasibility of encouraging compliance with labor standards and enforce wage and hour laws through the exercise of the County’s authority over Food Facility Permits.

The proposed pilot program would entail providing access to the Office of Countywide Contracting Management’s database of California Department of Labor Standards Enforcement and Federal Department of Labor case files on hearing decisions to a proposed County Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE).  In a separate report to the Board of Supervisors, the Office of the County Executive is presenting analysis about establishing an office of labor standards enforcement at the County of Santa Clara.

If the County OLSE became aware of a judgment against a relevant business, OLSE staff would work with the business to resolve the judgment through appropriate means.  If administrative efforts to remedy the violation have been exhausted, and the violation against the business remains outstanding, then the County may issue a notice to the business owner of the County’s intention to suspend or revoke the business’s County-issued Food Facility Permit.  Suspension of the permit would require the business to close and to refrain from conducting any food-related business.

The Administration recommends a pilot program – rather than countywide implementation – to try out and evaluate the processes and procedures on a small scale and then refine the Program, as necessary, before a full implementation.

Where:  Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors

When:  November 7, 2017 9:30 AM County Building 70 West Hedding St

Link to item:  http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=8506&MediaPosition=&ID=88537&CssClass=

Link to agendahttp://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=8506

 

Establish an Office of Labor Standards Enforcement for SCC

The board will consider taking a number of actions related to the creation of an Office of Labor Standards Enforcement. The OLSE would do the following:

  • Receiving complaints, conducting investigations, and levying penalties for infractions and/or violations.
  • Researching, tracking, reporting, and developing programs for enforcement of labor standards in unincorporated areas of the County.
  • Facilitating the exchange and dissemination of information related to wage regulations to all parties contracting with the County.
  • Providing training and educational materials to workers and employers, and maintaining a collaborative partnership with community based organizations (CBOs) and the business community.

Where:  Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors

When:  November 7, 2017 9:30 AM County Building 70 West Hedding St

Link to item:  http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=8506&MediaPosition=&ID=88239&CssClass=

Link to agenda:   http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=8506

 

Updates on living wage, County Wide Contracting and Ariba project

Item report from Office of County Executive on Countywide Contracting and updates on the Ariba Project.

The Ariba Project is a County-wide cloud-based procure-to-pay software solution that includes purchasing, contracting, and accounts payable functions. The Ariba system is composed of multiple modules, each serving a unique function. The County has been recognized as a trendsetter in its efforts with Ariba.

So far, the County has recorded 32,365 transactions for a total spend of approximately $125.19 million through October 29, 2017. This is a 100.9% increase in spend and 73.6% increase in transactions over the last five months. Procurement and Finance have provided ongoing training, support, and service requests recorded at 4,348 to County users. The Project team will continue to work with Ariba to co-innovate the upstream modules to enhance the functionality and user experience.

For living wage policy, report provides updates on continued dialogue with community stakeholders on proposed policy provisions for Community-Based Nonprofit Contractors. Special considerations have been given to a three-year phase-in approach, a limited-term conditional waiver process, and clarifications on existing policy provisions under Board Policy 5.5.5.5.

The Administration intends to schedule a series of meetings with representatives from labor and community-based organizations to discuss policy options for the remaining non-compensatory provisions with the goal of bringing forward proposed language for consideration by the relevant policy committee.

For County-wide contracting, the Administration requested and received initial funding to hire professional consultant services to conduct a system-wide, structural examination of contracting across the County. In fall 2015, with significant assistance from the Procurement Department, Office of Countywide Contract Management (OCCM) proceeded with issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Consulting Services for Countywide Contracting.

On May 10, 2016, the Board of Supervisors approved the original agreement with KPMG to provide consulting services for countywide contracting in the amount of $470,000 for a period May 20, 2016 through December 31, 2016. The purpose of the original agreement was to conduct a comprehensive structural analysis of countywide contracting, and to examine compliance, governance, and related issues. As a key deliverable of the agreement, KPMG constructed a future state operating model of the County’s procurement function, as well as a gap analysis and an implementation road map to guide the County’s transformation from the current state to the future target model. On October 18, 2016, KPMG presented its Final Report on Countywide Procurement & Contracting Assessment Findings and Recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.

The County determined to focus on developing the foundational procurement capabilities through a three-pronged approach:

  • establish a Procurement Steering Committee (PSC) to serve as the central function of a Countywide procurement governance structure;
  • enhance the procurement skillset countywide through a skills assessment and a targeted training curriculum for decentralized contacting; and
  • evaluate six time-sensitive procurement sourcing initiatives identified by the Procurement Department to provide a fixed-fee milestone based proposal to support to Procurement Department in conducting solicitations and providing category knowledge and expertise

County stakeholders are currently reviewing the curriculum and content of four advanced training modules, with completion of the review expected by the end of November 2017. Advanced procurement trainings will be rolled out in the first quarter of 2018. KPMG is also developing a full training calendar for 2018, which will include a schedule for both fundamental and advanced training modules.

Where:  Santa Clara County Finance and Government Operations Committee

When:  11/9/17 2:00 PM Board of Supervisors’ Chambers

Link to item:   http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=SplitView&MeetingID=8739&MediaPosition=&ID=88890&CssClass=

Link to agenda:   http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=8739

 

Update & direction on development process for County Fairgrounds Property

In 2013, the Finance & Government Operations Committee (FGOC) requested Administration to suggest a process and identify resources to improve the County Fairgrounds property. After several years of planning and public outreach, as well as an RFQ process, an RFP for development and use proposals was released in early 2017. Only one of the respondents offered a comprehensive proposal, but that proposal also proposed a County financial commitment. The lack of multiple, comprehensive proposals for the entire 150-acre site made it highly unlikely that any future negotiations would result in achieving the desired results from this RFP process.

At the August 10, 2017 meeting, FGOC was advised that the Administration intends to recommend that the Board reject all proposals from the RFP process.  Subsequently, Administration requested that the item be deferred to a date uncertain in order to explore alternative ideas.

Where: Santa Clara County Finance and Government Operations Committee

When:  11/9/17 2:00 PM Board of Supervisors’ Chambers

Link to item:  http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=SplitView&MeetingID=8739&MediaPosition=&ID=88781&CssClass=

Link to agenda:   http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=8739

 

 

City of San Jose

Modifying Tenant Protection Ordinance to allow eviction if tenant’s sibling moves in, reduce max occupancy considered cause for eviction, and exempting affordable housing units if unit has its own Just Cause provision

Staff recommend amending the Just Cause eviction protections of the Tenant Protection Ordinance as follows: :

  • Exempting restricted affordable or government operated rental units from the requirements of the TPO, if the required rental agreement or provides that tenants shall only be evicted for just cause;
  • Allow tenants to be evicted for the addition of a brother or sister to a tenant household; and
  • Reduce the maximum occupancy limit (which tenants may be evicted for exceeding) to two adults per bedroom, regardless of total square footage, unless more are allowed in the rental agreement.

In addition, Part 6 of the TPO, “Evictions”, and Part 7, “Evictions from Certain Units Built after the Effective Date of this Chapter”, are currently suspended  This section will be amended to unsuspend and reinstate Part 6 and Part 7 to allow the amended Apartment Rent Ordinance to take effect as intended.

Where: San Jose City Council

When: Nov. 14, 2017, 1:30 pm

Link to item:  http://sanjose.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=0ea78271-79e0-46fa-9ba5-3463cd454e05.pdf

Link to agenda:   https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=561254&GUID=56C16667-9EFA-4EC0-B97A-BF74F632A4DA

 

Amending the ARO (rent control law) to either retain a 5% annual rent increase, or to allow additional increase, and other changes

Staff rec is to amend the Apartment Rent Ordinance (ARO) to revise the petition and hearing process, provide for the registration of rent stabilized units, exempt units with affordable housing vouchers from annual rent increase limitations, authorize tenant buyout agreements, and including one of the following options:

(1) Retain the limit on annual rent increases as 5% with no banking, and implement a capital improvement pass through petition process for specified improvements including sustainability, safety and seismic upgrades and major system upgrades that improve housing services.

Or

(2) Modify the annual increase to 100% of the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), with a 2% floor and an 8% ceiling for annual increases, allow maximum allowable rate form of banking with a limit of 5% in any one year implement a capital improvement pass through petition process for specified improvements including sustainability, safety and seismic upgrades, major system upgrades that improve housing services and major maintenance replacements for a five-year period, and allow the pass through of 50% of program administrative fees.

Staff also recommend not to include a one-year lease requirement or rent control for duplexes.

Where: San Jose City Council

When: Nov. 14, 2017, 1:30 pm

Link to item:   http://sanjose.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=b274a318-2dd3-4970-84d6-bacf15a8207a.pdf

Link to agenda:   https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=561254&GUID=56C16667-9EFA-4EC0-B97A-BF74F632A4DA

 

Approve staffing plan & landlord fees proposed for new ARO legislation

Staff recommend approving a staffing plan adding 6.0 full time positions to the City Council, and increases to Housing Department budget, Finance Department budget, City Attorney budget, as well as the fees and rates charges estimate.

Approval of the recommended actions will enable the Housing Department to implement the changes to the Apartment Rent Ordinance (ARO), including implementation of the rent registry, new capital improvement pass throughs, expanded public outreach, education, and compliance efforts. This action will re-set the fiscal year 2017-2018 fee structure for the Apartment Rent fee.

Where: San Jose City Council

When: Nov. 14, 2017, 1:30 pm

Link to item: http://sanjose.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=2d9d12de-a48e-4aea-ab45-6915035312bf.pdf

Link to agenda:   https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=561254&GUID=56C16667-9EFA-4EC0-B97A-BF74F632A4DA

 

Change Revolving Door Ordinance to include non-profits

Committee to consider a change to the Revolving Door Ordinance that mitigates potential conflicts of interest and simplifies the rules surrounding former designated employees who work for non-profit organizations as lobbyists or on legislative or administrative matters which they worked on as part of their City employment. Potential policy directions include:

  1. a) Narrowing the non-profit exemption to 501(c)(3) organizations, regardless of whether the organization had received support from the City; or
  2. b) Striking the non-profit exemption, such that the same rules apply whether former designated employees go to work for non-profit or for-profit organizations.

Where:  San Jose City Council Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices

When:  November 8, 2017 5:30PM City Hall Room W-120

Link to item:   https://sanjose.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3142470&GUID=11A7CBBE-7F46-48FD-AEAD-9EF3C0C7FB72&Options=&Search

Council Memo: https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=5396019&GUID=4AD5A359-0C85-4197-ABE3-56A6EDF740C7

City Council Synopsis: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/71877

Link to agenda:   http://sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/73003

 

UPDATE: New Memo from Mayor Liccardo re Deferment of vote on Retirement Services Audit

Memo from Mayor arguing for deferment of discussion of action on this item until November 28, 2017. The memo cites the need to consider a forthcoming report from Stanford University that compares the performance of San Jose’s retirement plans to peer public plans.

Original item: Council to accept the findings of an audit of the Office of Retirement Services, which administers the City of San Jose’s retirement plans. The audit made the following findings:

  • Retirement Services’ Budget Process Is Not Well Defined.
  • Improving Communications Between the Retirement Boards and the Plan Sponsor.
  • Formalizing Policies to Improve Oversight, Transparency, and Delegation of Investment Decisions.
  • San José’s Basic Costs to Administer the Plans Were Comparable to Benchmark Jurisdictions.
  • The Office of Retirement Services Could Improve Customer Service Through More Efficient Tools.

Where:  San Jose City Council

When:  November 7, 2017 1:30PM City Hall

Link to item:   Staff Memo: https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=5523098&GUID=891D6E06-F963-4AA2-A445-36733E3FB1AC

Mayor Liccardo Memo: https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=5536725&GUID=02729474-AA47-401C-8E0A-40A0F64BA897

Link to agenda:   https://sanjose.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=561242&GUID=3234F4AF-71BD-4B76-A2F3-114B80C74982&Options=info&Search=

 

City of Mountain View

Considering early and partial payment of $10M in housing impact fees by LinkedIn in exchange for community benefits credit for Middlefield Campus

Staff are recommending that Council approve the prepayment of $10 million in Housing Impact Fees for the LinkedIn Middlefield Campus as proposed by LinkedIn, and direct staff to continue its work with LinkedIn and the Housing Trust of Silicon Valley to finalize an agreement. In addition, staff are recommending that Council approve the concept of LinkedIn’s early investment in Mountain View affordable housing as a Community Benefit fro the LinkedIn Middlefield Campus.

The City Council adopted the North Bayshore Precise Plan in December 2014, which included a Bonus Floor Area Ratio (FAR) process for new development over 0.45 FAR within the plan area. In May 2015, the Council deliberated on how to award 2.2 million square feet of bonus office space in the North Bayshore Area. As part of their proposal, LinkedIn originally proposed to provide $40 million up front to affordable housing developer MidPen Housing to develop new affordable housing units through a variety of ways, including acquisition and rehab and new construction. LinkedIn presented this proposal of an up-front payment as a Community Benefit. Staff and LinkedIn had extensive conversations about the concept at the time, but a final plan was not developed. About a year later, LinkedIn and Google announced a land swap allowing Google to acquire LinkedIn’s North Bayshore properties and the Bonus FAR potential and LinkedIn acquiring the Middlefield and West Maude properties in the East Whisman Precise Plan Area it is currently proposing to develop.

LinkedIn submitted an application for new development to the City on February 24, 2017, and is proposing a net addition of approximately 612,000 square feet of new office space at 700 and 800 East Middlefield Road and 1100 West Maude Avenue, commonly referred to as LinkedIn Middlefield Campus. The company is still interested in prepaying a portion of its Housing Impact fees as a Community Benefit. Under the City of Mountain View’s Affordable Housing Program, new office/high-tech/industrial projects are required to pay the Housing Impact Fee at issuance of building permits.

Currently, the fee is $13.14 per square foot of development for the first 10,000 square feet and $26.27 for square footage above 10,000 square feet. Should the office development be approved, LinkedIn would be required to pay the City approximately $16 million in Housing Impact fees at the issuance of building permits which staff currently anticipates will happen in May 2019. Both the Environmental Planning Commission and the City Council supported LinkedIn working with staff to study alternative methods of satisfying the Housing Impact Fee with the potential for LinkedIn’s project receiving Community Benefit credit for early funding of the fee at Study Sessions held on April 19, 2017 and May 2, 2017, respectively. With this proposal, the funds will be immediately available for the development of affordable housing in the City prior to the issuance of building permits for the project.

Where: Mountain View City Council

When: November 7, 2017, 5:30pm

Link to item: https://mountainview.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3203245&GUID=0496D1A5-4E0C-4721-97BE-597178BF5891&Options=&Search=

Link to agenda: https://mountainview.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=559114&GUID=7BAC4C30-F569-4E83-940C-168A25520996&Options=info&Search=

 

City of Milpitas

Providing guidance on remaining General Plan Update process, including community engagement process

Staff are recommending that Council receive a status report on the General Plan Update process and direct staff regarding the upcoming schedule and public process.

On April 5, 2016, Council approved a contract with DeNovo Planning Group for $1.8 million in professional services related to development of the Plan – including facilitating an in-depth discussion on Land Use, Housing, Circulation, Noise, Safety, Conservation and Open Space, Air Quality and Energy, Community Design, Economic and Fiscal Sustainability, Flood Management, Parks and Recreation, Water and Implementation. Several documents will be prepared and published throughout the course of the project, including an existing conditions report, issues and opportunities report, land use alternatives report, environmental impact report (EIR) and draft and final General Plan document. The process kicked off in September of 2016 and is expected to take two to two and a half years to complete.

The General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) was appointed by the Council in December of 2016 and includes 13 members of the community. The GPAC will meet approximately nine more times over the course of the project to ensure the Plan reflects community needs and concerns.

In addition to the City Council and Planning Commission hearings and workshops, there will also be additional community open house meetings and workshops conducted in 2018. Staff is seeking guidance from Council on the General Plan process to date, input concerning future outreach, and input concerning any alterations to the process that are desired.

Where: Milpitas City Council

When: November 7, 2017, 7:00pm

Link to item: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/_pdfs/council/2017/110717/attachments.pdf

Link to agenda: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/_pdfs/council/2017/110717/Agenda.pdf

 

Approving staff time to develop an industrial land preservation plan

Staff are recommending that Council consider Councilmembers Nuñez and Phan’s request to approve more than four hours of staff time toward a plan to preserve industrial land in the City of Milpitas.

Where: Milpitas City Council

When: November 7, 2017, 7:00pm

Link to item: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/_pdfs/council/2017/110717/attachments.pdf

Link to agenda: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/_pdfs/council/2017/110717/Agenda.pdf

 

Report & direction on General Fund Surplus for FY 2016-17; city has a $21.6M surplus fund balance

Staff are recommending that Council receive the year-end financial report for FY 2-16-17, and consider several recommendations related to the General Fund Surplus, including: approving transfer of $20.19 million from the FY 2016-17 General Fund Surplus to PERS Stabilization Account for $10.1 million, General Government CIP Fund for $9.59 million and $500,000 to the Storm Drain Fund.

For the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2017, preliminary General Fund revenues exceeded expenditures by $21.64 million. $7.28 million of this surplus was due to the onetime sale of the McCandless property to the Milpitas Unified School District (MUSD). $14.36 million was due to other revenue and expenditure items which will be explained in more detail. These are preliminary numbers subject to change as the City’s annual audit is finalized (tentatively scheduled for December 2017). As a result of the surplus, the Unassigned Fund Balance in the General Fund is $37.33 million as of the end of the fiscal year. Milpitas has historically used General Fund Unassigned to measure its conformance to the City Council adopted 15% reserve requirement as measured against expenditures. As of the end of the fiscal year, the General Fund reserve balance equaled 47.05%; thereby exceeding requirements by 32.05 percentage points or $25.43 million.

After the Great Recession, significant budget cuts in 2012, and a prolonged period of slow economic growth, the presence of an operating surplus is welcome news. However, staff cautions the City Council against spending down a substantial amount of this fund balance since the next economic downturn, natural disaster, or emergency could happen at any time. And in light of rising pension, retiree healthcare, and other benefits costs, the City would be prudent to build up its reserves to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. Use of General Fund operating surpluses and reserve policies will be discussed in more detail in a companion report to this.

Specific recommendations include revising general fund surplus policies in order to:

  • Increase Contingency Reserve dedication to 16.67%, thereby adding $1.45 million;
  • Contribute 50% to PERS Stabilization Reserve, thereby adding $10.10 million;
  • Following current policy and setting aside required $500,000 to Storm Drain Replacement Reserve;
  • Utilizing remaining surplus and shifting $9.59 million for General Government Capital Improvements, of which $2.07 million is already earmarked for Fire Apparatus purchases;
  • Provide the City with flexibility to address its pension liabilities through a multi-pronged approach in the future including possible establishment of a Section 115 Pension Trust dedicated to pension rate stabilization.

Where: Milpitas City Council

When: November 7, 2017, 7:00pm

Link to item: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/_pdfs/council/2017/110717/attachments.pdf

Link to agenda: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/_pdfs/council/2017/110717/Agenda.pdf

 

Authorizing membership in Joint Powers Agreement for Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority

Staff are recommending that Council adopt a resolution requesting approval of the City of Milpitas as a Member of the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority by the Authority’s Board of Directors; adopt a resolution approving the Joint Powers Agreement establishing the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority; and direct staff to return to Council for appointment of a regular Director and alternate Director to the Authority’s Board of Directors.

On October 17, 2017, the City Council voted to proceed with the steps required to join Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE). SVCE is a Community Choice Aggregator. The City of Milpitas will join the current SVCE member communities of Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Saratoga, Sunnyvale and unincorporated Santa Clara County.

SVCE maintains a full-time staff and is governed by a public Board of Directors comprised of an elected official from each member community. The regular director must be an elected official from the governing body of each community. Member communities also designate a board alternate. The alternate is appointed by the respective governing body, and can be a member of the body, City staff or the public.

SVCE currently has over 240,000 active accounts within its service area, with a total load of approximately 3,500 gigawatt-hours. SVCE began serving customers in April 2017. The participation rate is 97%. Nearly 90% of SVCE customer accounts are residential, however, more than 60% of the total electric load are commercial and industrial customers.

Based upon 2016 electricity usage data, Milpitas is projected to add approximately 25,000 residential and commercial accounts to SVCE, and an additional electric load of approximately 640 gigawatt-hours or 18% of SVCE’s current load. Once SVCE launches services to all Milpitas customers, Economic Development Division staff will continue to be the point of contact to residents, businesses, and SVCE representatives.

Where: Milpitas City Council

When: November 7, 2017, 7:00pm

Link to item: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/_pdfs/council/2017/110717/attachments.pdf

Link to agenda: http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/_pdfs/council/2017/110717/Agenda.pdf

 

City of Sunnyvale

Selecting Preferred Alternative for $162M Civic Center Master Plan & approving next steps

Staff are recommending that Council approve budget modification No. 23 to increase the budget for Civic Center Modernization Project by $30,000 to fund preparation of a cost allocation study and financial consulting services to be included with the final Civic Center Master Plan; and select a Preferred Alternative for the Civic Center Master Plan.

The two alternatives differ in design and phasing, but are similar in projected design & construction costs ($162 to $163 million).

The cost allocation study will determine an appropriate percentage of funds to be used from various City funding sources to pay for Phase 1 of the Civic Center Modernization Project. Phase 1 of the project includes a new City Hall which provides space for a wide variety of City programs and services. Funding for the project should be split proportionally among different funding sources based on the amount of space used by each program. Master Plan alternatives were developed to give the Council a range of options to choose from as it considers the placement of buildings, parking facilities, and open space amenities. Staff believes that both proposed alternatives meet City objectives for the project as defined by the Vision Statement, Success Criteria, and Needs Assessment adopted by Council in 2015. The selection of a preferred alternative at this time will result in that alternative becoming the proposed project for further CEQA analysis and is not a final approval for the Civic Center Master Plan.

Where: Sunnyvale City Council

When: November 11, 2017, 7:00pm

Link to item: https://sunnyvaleca.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3202454&GUID=7597B6BF-FF80-419D-97E9-400156509C7A&Options=&Search=

Link to agenda: https://sunnyvaleca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=527762&GUID=0BD2BFC1-5B1E-4F49-91F1-938B1C1125FD

 

City of Palo Alto

Approve Comprehensive Plan Update, certify final EIR and adopt implementation actions – including possible transportation impact fee and housing production ordinance

Staff are recommending that Council conduct a third public hearing on several actions related to the Comprehensive Plan Update, including:

  1. Receive and consider the Planning & Transportation Commission (PTC) report and recommendations regarding the Comprehensive Plan Update and adopt a motion thanking the PTC and identifying specific changes to the June 30, 2017 Comprehensive Plan Update desired as a result of the Commission’s work;
  2. Adopt a resolution certifying that the Council has reviewed and considered the Comprehensive Plan Update Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) dated August 30, 2017, the Final EIR has been completed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the Final EIR reflects the independent judgment and analysis of the City of Palo Alto;
  3. Adopt a resolution making required CEQA findings, including findings related to significant environmental impacts, mitigation measures and alternatives, adoption of a statement of overriding considerations, and adoption of a mitigation monitoring and reporting program (MMRP);
  4. Adopt a resolution adopting the updated Comprehensive Plan dated June 30, 2017 with the specific corrections and changes included in Attachment A, comprehensively updating and superseding the 1998-2010 Comprehensive Plan in its entirety, except for the Housing Element adopted in 2014 which will remain part of the Comprehensive Plan;
  5. Direct staff to prepare and disseminate electronic and paper copies of the updated Comprehensive Plan with appropriate formatting, illustrations, and acknowledgements; and
  6. Direct staff to return to Council for another review of the implementation chapter of the Comprehensive Plan in 2018 and in the interim, prioritize the following implementing actions to bring forward to Council on future agendas in the near term:
    1. Adoption of an Updated Transportation Impact Fee Ordinance;
    2. Adoption of Comprehensive Plan Implementing Ordinance #1 amending Title 18 (Zoning Ordinance) of the Municipal Code to support the production of new housing and the preservation of existing units;
    3. Initiation of a Coordinated Area Plan for the North Ventura area (also referred to as the Fry’s site); and
    4. Initiation of discussions with Stanford University about the potential for developing housing in the Stanford Research Park, Stanford Shopping Center, and Stanford University Medical Center vicinity.

Where: Palo Alto City Council

When: November 13, 2017, 5:00pm

Link to item: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/61914

Link to agenda: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/61931

 

City of Gilroy

Direction on General Fund revenue options, incl. a sales tax, parcel tax, utility tax or TOT

The City Council has had since March of 2017 a series of 3 special meetings to discuss the challenges presented by the limitations of the City’s operational capacity, the significant unfunded liabilities that the City faces, and a discussion about the potential revenue resources that might be available to the City.

City in discussion as to whether it should pursue a ballot measure for a revenue increase. During previous study session conversations, staff has presented on different taxes that could be increased to generate additional resources for the City. They include:

  1. Parcel Tax
  2. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)
  3. Utility User Tax (UUT)
  4. Sales Tax

Staff report states that a sales tax measure would produce the largest likely revenue with a dispersed burden not only on residents, but believe that burden would be spread to those who shop in Gilroy, but don’t require services.

The cost for a ballot measure varies into two categories. If the ballot were to go to the voters with the primary election in June of 2018, assuming a 6 page measure, the ROV estimates the cost would be $88,729. If the City were to take a ballot measure at the general election in November of 2018, then the cost would be $53,656.

Where:   Gilroy City Council

When:  11/6/17 6:00PM City Council Chambers, City Hall

Link to item:   http://www.cityofgilroy.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/2792?fileID=6747

Link to agenda:   http://www.cityofgilroy.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/2786?fileID=6729

 

VTA

Adopt commuter shuttle program policy for commuter shuttle operators to access VTA-owned or controlled properties

The committee will give direction to staff on this issue which would give private shuttle operators access to VTA-owned or controlled properties (park and rides, bus stops, etc.) as part of Commuter Shuttle program.

Where:  VTA Technical Advisory Committee

When:  November 8, 2017 1:30PM, VTA Conference Room B-106 3331 North First St.

Link to agenda:   http://vtaorgcontent.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Site_Content/tac_110817_packet.pdf

 

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