DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Establishment of City Bond Oversight Commission
SUMMARY:
On June 27, 2017, Councilmember Manny Pelaez issued a Council Consideration Request requesting the establishment of a City Bond Oversight Commission that oversees the completion of the City’s 2017 Bond Program to ensure efficiency, equity, timeliness and accountability.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Joint City/County Citizens Bond Oversight Commission (CBOC) was created and adopted in 2003 through City Ordinance, 2003-09-11-98146. The purpose of the Commission was to increase public confidence in the bond program delivery, increase communication and effectively coordinate future bond programs. The Commission was comprised of 20 appointed members, 10 of which were appointed by the City and 10 appointed by the Bexar County Commissioner Court. Each member served two year terms, but no longer than three consecutive terms (6 years) and Bexar County residence was required.
In May 2015, the Governance Committee voted to convene an Ad Hoc Committee on Board and Commission Sunset Review, in accordance with Sec. 2-541 of City Code. The Ad Hoc committee met three times to develop recommendations to sunset, consolidate, modify, or review the City’s 92 boards and commissions. During this process, staff analyzed the legal basis of all boards and commissions, gathered data about vacancies and meeting frequency, gathered staff input, and surveyed members of several boards and commissions. Based on analysis and feedback from the Ad Hoc committee, staff recommended the sunset of seven boards/commissions one of which included CBOC.
ISSUE:
On May 6, 2017, the voters passed all six propositions of the 2017-2022 Bond Program which included 180 projects. In June 2017, staff briefed the City Council on the 2017-2022 Bond Implementation Plan which included the recommendation of the establishment of a City Bond Oversight Commission (CBOC) to oversee the completion of the bond program.
As similarly done with the 2007 and 2012 Bond Programs, TCI recommends the establishment and continuation of a City Bond Oversight Commission to sustain the public’s confidence in the delivery of the City’s Bond Program, provide transparency and increase communication. TCI recommends an 11 member Commission to include a chair appointed by the Mayor and 10 members appointed by City Council. The Commission would have quarterly meetings to review the progress of the Bond Program and produce an annual report to be presented to City Council.
ALTERNATIVES:
As an alternative, Governance Committee could recommend to not to proceed with creation of a CBOC.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this briefing.
RECOMMENDATION:
TCI recommends the appointment of an 11 member City Bond Oversight Commission comprised of a chair appointed by the Mayor and 10 citizens appointed by the City Council. To ensure a diverse representation from each of the respective districts, TCI recommends consideration of the appointed members being selected from the group of 160 appointed citizens that served on the 2017 Community Bond Committees.