180,924 / 63.1% Yes votes ...... 105,890 / 36.9% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

This measure also enacts a new charter provision, section 301 (b) in the article of the Charter relating to the powers and duties of the Board of Supervisors. This new provision establishes the County policy directive to address regional issues and encourages regional cooperation without requiring a specific mechanism or organization. This measure gives the Board of Supervisors flexibility in its approach to regional issues, rather than mandating a specific organization, while recognizing regional cooperation as a goal of local government.

ANN MILLER RAVEL	By: SUSAN G. LEVENBERG
County Counsel	Chief Deputy County Counsel

However, it remains important that cooperation among public agencies in Santa Clara County and the San Francisco Bay Area be encouraged. Therefore, Charter Section 301(b) is recommended to be added to the Charter in order to promote solutions to regional issues of mutual concern to Santa Clara County and other agencies.

BLANCA ALVARADO,	CHUCK REED,
Chairperson, Board of Supervisors	Chairperson, Charter Review Committee

JOANNE BENJAMIN,
President, Santa Clara County Cities Association

The excuse: The Intergovernmental Council was dissolved in 1993 "by consent of its members."

The truth: The County Charter does not state that its requirements may be ignored if some people "consent."

The County Charter is the constitution of the County. It creates the 5-member Board of Supervisors and assigns Supervisors powers and duties. County Supervisors are elected by district. The current Supervisors are Joseph Simitian of Palo Alto, Blanca Alvarado and Jim Beall of San Jose, Pete McHugh of Milpitas and Don Gage of Gilroy. County Supervisors should obey the County Charter even if there are some provisions they don't like.

In establishing the requirement of an Intergovernmental Council many years ago, county voters recognized the need for cooperative planning for the entire county. In the absence of the Intergovernmental Council (since 1993), the county and various city governments have acted in a selfish and shortsighted manner.

The less formal body formed by cities (the SCCCA) has not done the job. As a county, we face overcrowding, a housing crisis, transportation problems and environmental deterioration.

Voters should tell County Supervisors to obey the Charter and re-establish the Intergovernmental Council. Nothing in the County Charter prevents the Supervisors from forming the proposed regional chat group as well. The more communication, the better.

MELVIN L. EMERICH
Attorney at Law

Instead of abiding by the Charter, Supervisors are asking voters to change the Charter and eliminate this requirement!

The County Charter was adopted by voters and may only be amended by voters. Elected and non-elected county officials should obey the Charter.

As currently written, Section 507 of the County Charter requires the Board of Supervisors to "establish an intergovernmental council, broadly representative of the public agencies within the county." The County Charter further mandates that the "intergovernmental agency shall develop improved cooperative relationships among local public agencies... identifying and recommending solutions."

The intergovernmental council is a good idea and it is mandated by the County Charter. The requirement should remain and the Board of Supervisors should abide by it.

MELVIN L. EMERICH

The County still has the ability under its Charter to create any other regional body it deems necessary to address specific regional concerns and is encouraged to do so by the addition of Charter Section 301(b). The deletion of Charter Section 507 allows the County greater flexibility in dealing with regional issues. We urge you to vote yes on MeasureC.

BLANCA ALVARADO	CHUCK REED
Chairperson, Board of Supervisors	Chairperson, Charter Review Committee
JOANNE BENJAMIN
President, Santa Clara County Cities Association

Amendments in Article III:

Section 301.²The Board of Supervisors shall:

(a) Adopt a statement of the goals of the county reflecting the quality and direction of the activities of county government for the enhancement of human and physical resources of the county. The board shall annually review the adopted goals and may modify them as necessary.

(b) Encourage cooperation among local public agencies both within Santa Clara County and the San Francisco Bay Area. When appropriate recommend and promote solutions to regional issues of mutual concern to Santa Clara County and other agencies.

(c) (b) Appoint, suspend, or remove subject to the provisions of this Charter the County Executive, County Counsel, Public Defender, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Chief of Correction, and members of boards and commissions.

(d) (c) Adopt an administrative code by ordinance which shall prescribe the powers and duties of appointive departments and officers and the procedures and rules of operation of all departments and officers of the county.

(e) (d) Provide for the number and compensation of all officers and employees.

(f) (e) Adopt such ordinances as may be necessary to establish and carry into effect the provisions of this Charter. ²Section 301: Amended and ratified by the Voters November 4, 1980; November 2, 1993; June 6, 1998.

Amendments in Article V:

Section 507. The Board of Supervisors, by ordinance, shall establish an Intergovernmental Council, broadly representative of the public agencies within the county. The ordinance shall provide for the number of members, the manner of appointment, the term of office, the qualifications of members, the remuneration, if any, of members, and any other necessary provisions. The ordinance may provide for weighted voting.

The Intergovernmental Council shall develop improved cooperative relationships among local public agencies. It shall assist in identifying and recommending solutions to problems requiring joint jurisdictional action. It shall study and recommend needed functional consolidation of services. It may make recommendations to regional agencies whose jurisdiction includes Santa Clara County. The Board of Supervisors, by ordinance, may assign other duties to the council consistent with this Charter.

The council may appoint subcommittees on projects related to its functions which may be composed of representatives of public agencies, private volunteer groups, and public members to study and make recommendations to the council.

The Board of Supervisors shall budget funds for the work of the council. It may, by ordinance, establish a staff for the council and fix its compensation. The Ordinance may provide for the manner of appointment of the staff and it may provide that the staff is a part of the unclassified service. The council may receive grants or assistance from other public agencies provided such grants or assistance are approved by the Board of Supervisors.