REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL, STADIUM AUTHORITY BOARD, SPORTS AND OPEN SPACE AUTHORITY BOARD, AND HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Four Resolutions Delegating Authority to the City Manager/Executive Director, Director of Human Resources, and Risk Manager or their designees to Act on Behalf of the City of Santa Clara, Santa Clara Stadium Authority, Sports and Open Space Authority, and Housing Authority, with Regard to Official Matters of the Public Risk Innovation, Solution and Management Joint Powers Authority
Report
BACKGROUND
In 2004, the City of Santa Clara joined the California State Association of Counties Excess Insurance Authority (“CSAC EIA”) for procurement of insurance and risk management services. CSAC EIA rebranded in March 2020, changing the organization’s name to Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management (PRISM). Initially, the City participated in PRISM’s excess workers’ compensation and general liability programs but has since extended its participation to PRISM’s employee benefit offerings. Presently, PRISM programs cover the City of Santa Clara as well as the City of Santa Clara Stadium Authority, the City of Santa Clara Sports and Open Space Authority, and the Santa Clara Housing Authority.
Member organizations collectively establish and oversee the governance of PRISM. To ensure that individuals are authorized to act on behalf of their respective entities, PRISM, requires the governing board of all member entities to officially designate a representative or representatives, either individuals or positions that have authority to officially act on behalf of their entity. Resolution No. 10-7767 adopted on August 31, 2010, delegated to the City Manager the authority to act on behalf of the City of Santa Clara with regard to official matters relating to being a member of CSAC EIA.
DISCUSSION
PRISM is a member-directed risk sharing pool of public agencies that was originally formed to serve California counties (Counties). Currently, fifty-four of fifty-eight Counties are members of PRISM, and all Counties are members of the PRISM Board of Directors. In 2001, PRISM began accepting non-county public agencies, referred to as Public Entity members. Public Entity members such as the City of Santa Clara have a limited voice in the governance of PRISM.
PRISM is in the process of updating its governance documents to better reflect the current composition of its overall membership. Adoption of the proposed changes is anticipated at PRISM’s Board of Directors (Board) meeting in March 2026. The proposed revisions to PRISM’s governance documents are intended to increase Public Entity member participation by (a) doubling the number of Public Entity members on the PRISM Board from 10 to 20; (b) eliminating the provision that County members comprise a minimum of 80 percent of the PRISM Board; and (c) eliminating the restriction that Public Entity members can have no more than two seats on the PRISM Executive Committee.
The proposed resolution does not change current City operations or procedures but serves as an administrative update to allow the City’s Director of Human Resources, and Risk Manager, in addition to the City Manager, to participate in PRISM’s governance. The City’s insurance broker Alliant Insurance Services, Inc., has advised that most PRISM members have adopted resolutions where multiple staff roles are authorized to act on official matters related to PRISM.
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(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no economic or fiscal impact other than administrative time and expense.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the City Manager’s Office and Human Resources Department.
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
Approve four Resolutions, as follows:
1. City of Santa Clara Resolution Delegating Authority to the City Manager, Director of Human Resources, and Risk Manager or their designees to Act on Behalf of the City of Santa Clara with Regard to Official Matters of the Public Risk Innovation, Solution and Management Joint Powers Authority;
2. Santa Clara Stadium Authority Resolution Delegating Authority to the Executive Director or his designee(s) to Act on Behalf of the Santa Clara Stadium Authority with Regard to Official Matters of the Public Risk Innovation, Solution and Management Joint Powers Authority;
3. City of Santa Clara Sports and Open Space Authority Resolution Delegating Authority to the Contract Administrator or his designee(s) to Act on Behalf of the City of Santa Clara Sports and Open Space Authority with Regard to Official Matters of the Public Risk Innovation, Solution and Management Joint Powers Authority; and
4. Santa Clara Housing Authority Resolution Delegating Authority to the Executive Director or his designee(s) to Act on Behalf of the Santa Clara Housing Authority with Regard to Official Matters of the Public Risk Innovation, Solution and Management Joint Powers Authority.
Staff
Reviewed by: Glen Googins, City Attorney
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Resolution (City Council)
2. Draft Resolution (Santa Clara Stadium Authority)
3. Draft Resolution (Sports and Open Space Authority)
4. Draft Resolution (Housing Authority)