DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Establishment and criteria of a 15 Member City Bond Oversight Commission
SUMMARY:
Transportation & Capital Improvements Department (TCI) is seeking approval of the establishment and criteria of a 15 member City Bond Oversight Commission to oversee the implementation and completion of the City’s 2017 Bond Program to ensure efficiency, equity, timeliness and accountability.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On September 11, 2003, City Council approved Ordinance 98146 to create the Joint City-County Citizens Bond Oversight Commission (CBOC). 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. The Governance Committee, however, did not sunset this Commission.
On June 27, 2017, Councilmember Manny Pelaez issued a Council Consideration Request requesting the establishment of a 33 member Citizens Bond Oversight Commission to oversee the completion of the City’s 2017 Bond Program to ensure efficiency, equity, timeliness and accountability. During the Governance Committee meeting held on August 30, 2017, the Transportation & Capital Improvements (TCI) staff presented their recommendation of the appointment of an 11 member Commission. The Governance Committee requested an alternate composition size somewhere between 11 and 33 members.
Based on the feedback received during the August 30, 2017 Governance Committee meeting, staff revised their recommendation, and on October 18, 2017, the Governance Committee approved staff’s recommendation on the establishment and criteria for the appointment of a 15 member City’s Citizen Bond Oversight Commission. With City Council approval of this item, the Joint City-County Citizen Bond Oversight Commission will be dissolved and a new City Citizen Bond Oversight Commission will be established.
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 Citizens 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 Citizens Bond Oversight Commission to sustain the public’s confidence in the delivery of the City’s Bond Program, provide transparency and increase communication.
On October 18, 2017 Governance Committee approved staff’s recommendation on the establishment and criteria for the appointment of a 15 member Commission with terms of office to run concurrent with the Councilmembers’ terms of office.
The recommended 15 member Citizens Bond Oversight Commission will comprise of:
• One (1) Commission Chair appointed by the Mayor;
• One (1) Vice-Chair appointed by the Mayor;
• Three (3) individuals each appointed from and representing the Parks & Recreation Board, the San Antonio Public Library Board, and the Bexar Regional Watershed Management Committee appointed by the Mayor; and
• Ten (10) individuals representing the ten City Council districts with one appointed by each City Council member.
The CBOC will meet on a quarterly basis to review the progress 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 Citizens Bond Oversight Commission.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the City’s Budget as a result of this Ordinance.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends City Council approve the ordinance to establish and approve the criteria of a 15 member City Citizens Bond Oversight Commission to oversee the completion of the City’s 2017 Bond Program to ensure efficiency, equity, timeliness and accountability.