REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Designate a Voting Delegate and Alternate(s) for the 2025 League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo on October 8-10, 2025
Report
BACKGROUND
The 2025 League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo will be held in Long Beach, California from October 8 through October 10, 2025. During the Annual Conference, the League of California Cities will convene a member-driven General Assembly at the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo on Friday, October 10, 2025.
The League of California Cities issued an informational packet (Attachment 1) advising City Council action by September 24, 2025, as the final date to designate a voting delegate and alternate delegates. The City of Santa Clara is a full-voting member of the League of California Cities. Each member city has a right to cast one vote on matters pertaining to League of California Cities policy. Per the League of California Cities bylaws, to vote at the General Assembly, the City Council must designate a voting delegate and up to two alternate voting delegates, one of whom may vote if the designated voting delegate is unable to serve. The voting delegate and alternates must be approved by City Council action and cannot be accomplished by individual action or by the Mayor or City Manager alone. Voting delegates will consider and vote on resolutions during the General Assembly. Potential League of California Cities bylaws amendments are also considered at this meeting. Resolutions approved during the General Assembly become League of California Cities policy.
The League of California Cities has not received any general resolutions to be considered by the General Assembly at the Annual Conference by their August 9, 2025 deadline. However, there may be petitioned resolutions introduced and qualified during the annual conference which will convene the General Assembly, requiring the City’s voting delegate to vote on behalf of the City. Such vote(s) should align with the City’s Legislative Advocacy Position (LAP) Policy (Attachment 2) and 2025 LAPs and staff will provide support as needed with reviewing any petitioned resolutions.
DISCUSSION
The League of California Cities requests that the City of Santa Clara designate a voting delegate and up to two alternates who will be present at the General Assembly on October 10, 2025 during the conference.
Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor, Vice Mayor Kelly Cox, City Councilmember Albert Gonzalez, City Councilmember Raj Chahal, and City Councilmember Kevin Park are currently registered to attend the 2025 League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo.
As the Mayor will be in attendance, consistent with the position’s designated leadership role and past practice, the recommendation is to designate Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor as the voting delegate for the 2025 League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo. The City Council should discuss and consider delegating two alternate voting delegates for the conference among the Councilmembers in attendance in case Mayor Gillmor or the first alternate is unable to participate.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Cal Cities Annual Conference expenses for City Council attendance are included in the FY 2025/26 Adopted Biennial Operating Budget. City representatives participate and represent the City of Santa Clara given the legislative activity that is in the City’s interest.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the City Manager’s Office and City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Designate Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor as the Voting Delegate for the 2025 League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo; and
2. Designate two City Councilmembers as First and Second Alternate Voting Delegates for the 2025 League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo
Staff
Reviewed by: Maria Le, Assistant to the City Manager
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025 League of California Cities Voting Delegate Information Packet
2. P&P 052 Legislative Advocacy Position Policy