REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Appoint the Bond Compliance Oversight Committee Members (Chosen by Lottery), Approve the Committee Bylaws, and Determine the Role of the Alternate Committee Members
Report
BACKGROUND
On November 5, 2024, voters in the City of Santa Clara approved ballot Measure I, the Public Facilities and Infrastructure Bond Measure. Measure I authorizes the issuance of up to $400 million in general obligation infrastructure bonds to help address over $600 million in unfunded infrastructure needs, including aging fire stations, storm drain systems, and aquatic facilities. City staff have identified priority projects within the Measure I approved Expenditure Plan, and the bond funding will provide a clear path forward for making essential repairs and improvements across Santa Clara.
As required by Measure I, the City must establish a Bond Compliance Oversight Committee (COC) to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of Measure I projects. The role of the COC is to:
1. Ensure that project implementation aligns with all bond measure requirements, including the terms of the Expenditure Plan.
2. Review and report on annual audits.
3. Review and provide recommendations to the City Council on any proposed amendments to the Expenditure Plan.
4. Inform the public about the expenditure of bond proceeds.
The Committee is to be comprised of:
• (1) One large business representative (50+ employees) (4-year term)
• (1) One small business representative (2-year term)
• (7) seven total residents of the city of Santa Clara, representing the following with the initial term limits*
o District 1 (2-year term)
o District 2 (4-year term)
o District 3 (2-year term)
o District 4 (4-year term)
o District 5 (2-year term)
o District 6 (4-year term)
o At-Large Member (4-year term)
*All members are eligible to serve up to two full 4-year terms.
The application period for the COC opened on March 18, 2025 and closed on April 29, 2025. The applications were reviewed by the City Clerk’s office to confirm eligibility. On May 6, 2025, the sole eligible applicant in the Large Business category withdrew from the process. The City Clerk’s Office will initiate a new recruitment for this position.
As contemplated by the terms of Measure I, on May 7, City Clerk Bob O’Keefe administered a random draw selection process to choose the Members to serve on the COC. This item presents the results of that selection process for Council ratification, along with other actions related to the COC.
DISCUSSION
Bond Compliance Oversight Committee
Per the Measure I Ordinance, the COC consists of nine (9) members selected through a random lottery process and appointed by the City Council. The City Council's appointment serves as a ratification of the lottery process and confirmation that the selection aligns with the criteria outlined in the Ordinance.
At the meeting on May 7, 2025, City Clerk Bob O’Keefe administered the random draw selection for the COC. Through the random selection process, City Clerk O’Keefe selected Committee members for each category as well for an alternate member for each category. The City Clerk did not draw for the large business representative - as the sole applicant withdrew on May 6, 2025.
On May 7, 2025, the applicants below were randomly selected to serve as the Committee Member or the Alternate Member in the following categories:
Primary Members of the Bond Compliance Oversight Committee
1. Gaurav Dutta - District 1 Member
2. Brian Tickler - District 2 Member
3. Sandy Rodrigues - District 3 Member
4. Ruby Pomerleau - District 4 Member
5. Edem Ibragimov - District 5 Member
6. Anurag Dixit - District 6 Member
7. Mathew Clopp - At-Large Member
8. Nader Haddad - Modern Technologies and Resources - Small Business Member
9. Vacant - Large Business Representative
Alternate Members of the Bond Compliance Oversight Committee
1. Hee Sung Kang - Alternate District 1
2. Jayakumar Natarajan - Alternate District 2
3. Murali Krishna Devarakonda - Alternate District 3
4. Frank Mangini - Alternate District 4
5. Kevan Michael Walke - Alternate District 5
6. Alok Agarwal - Alternate District 6
7. Neeraj Tandon - Alternate At-Large
8. Fen Zhang - CollTech North America - Alternate Small Business
9. Vacant - Alternate Large Business
At the April 8, 2025 City Council meeting, the City Council approved the criteria for representatives for residents and term limits for the COC. As a standard practice, an Alternate Member was also drawn on May 7, 2025 for each category. Subsequent to this action, staff requests a determination from the City Council on the defined role of the Alternate Member.
The City Council has the following two primary options for the role of the Alternate Member:
• Active Alternate Member: The alternate member would attend and participate in COC meetings in the place of the primary member when the primary member is not able to attend a meeting.
• Stand-By Alternate Member: The alternative member would attend meetings and participate in place of the primary member only if and when the primary member resigns or vacates their position.
Bylaws of the Bond Compliance Oversight Committee
Attached to this staff report, City Council will find the proposed bylaws that will govern the establishment and conduct of the COC. As proposed the COC would meet as needed but no more than quarterly each year. The first meeting is scheduled for June 4, 2025. Pursuant to Section 13(b) of Ordinance No. 2069, and as outlined above, the COC’s defined roles and functions are to:
1. Ensure that project implementation aligns with all bond measure requirements, including the terms of the Expenditure Plan.
2. Review and report on annual audits.
3. Review and provide recommendations to the City Council on any proposed amendments to the Expenditure Plan.
4. Inform the public about the expenditure of bond proceeds
Note:
Proposed phases for projects would be presented to the COC in advance of presentation to the City Council in order for the COC to confirm compliance with the terms of the Expenditure Plan. As such, under the proposed Bylaws, the COC would not have responsibility to establish priorities or order of project implementation, approve project design, select project consultants or contractors, or select Measure I auditors. All such actions would be implemented in accordance with City procurement standards, with ultimate approval by the City Council. The City Council would also reserve authority to make any required appointments or reappointment to serve on the Committee, based on Measure I’s requirements.
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 an administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact for the random draw selection meeting for the Measure I Bond Compliance Oversight Committee other than staff time.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Manager’s Office and City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the meeting 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. 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. Appoint the Bond Compliance Oversight Committee Members and Alternate Members Selected by lottery on May 7, 2025 in accordance with Measure I requirements.
2. Determine the Role of the Alternate Member for the Bond Compliance Oversight Committee
3. Approve the Bylaws of the Bond Compliance Oversight Committee Members including the Role of the Alternate Member in substantially the form presented, with such modifications as the City Council may deem necessary and appropriate, in a final form approved by the City Attorney.
Staff
Reviewed by: Elizabeth Klotz, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Bylaws