Title
Recommendation to Direct the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Delegate(s) to Vote on the ABAG and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Consolidation Budget and Work Plan. (Community Development)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and
Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach
City Manager
Date: May 16, 2017
Re: Direct the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Delegate(s) to Vote on the ABAG and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Consolidation Budget and Work Plan
BACKGROUND
For more than 12 months, ABAG and MTC have been working through a process to consolidate the two organizations. ABAG’s Regional Planning Committee has prepared ABAG’s Budget and Work Program 2017-2018 <http://abag.ca.gov/abag/events/agendas/r050317a-Agenda%20Packet.pdf>, which is under review and is scheduled for approval at the June 5th ABAG General Assembly. This is an important component of the ABAG - MTC Staff Consolidation process.
It is necessary to direct the City’s ABAG delegate(s) to cast the City’s vote on the budget and work plan at the June 5 ABAG General Assembly meeting.
DISCUSSION
An important part of the consolidation process is ensuring that local jurisdictions continue to play a role in regional decisions---particularly around the topics of housing and land use. It is important that the budget and work program continue ABAG’s important work around the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process, Plan Bay Area, and working with local leadership on important housing and land use issues. Exhibit 1 is a draft comment letter encouraging continuation of this important work as the consolidation moves forward.
The City’s ABAG delegate(s) should be directed to oppose the current proposed budget and work program and approve a budget and work program that reflects the continued commitment to involving local jurisdictions in important regional land use and housing decisions contained in the draft comment letter.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund from authorizing the City’s ABAG delegates to approve the budget and work plan at the ABAG General Assembly.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The City’s participation in ABAG is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Authorizing delegates to vote on the ABAG budget and work program as part of the ABAG-MTC consolidation is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the ABAG delegates to vote on the ABAG and MTC consolidation budget and work plan.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Potter
Community Development Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair
Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Draft City of Alameda Comment Letter