Title
Staff Report for Member Agency Voting Methodology Related to StopWaste.org’s Proposed Energy Council Board Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
At the January 23, 2013 Alameda County Waste Management Authority (ACWMA) Board meeting, StopWaste.org staff will present the final Energy Council Board Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA) to include the weighted voting methodology among member cities. The larger cities have stepped up advocacy for the weighted voting model, which they would gain from, and have garnered support. The weighted voting model would benefit larger cities by increasing their votes on the ACWMA Board for Energy Council-related matters based on their larger energy usage rates and populations. Under the weighted voting model, Oakland would receive three votes; Hayward, Fremont and Alameda County would have two votes each; and all other member cities including San Leandro would have one vote each.
Tonight, the City Council should discuss and provide direction to Councilmember Pauline Cutter, who represents the City on the ACWMA Board, primarily on the voting methodology language in the JPA. Staff will present the final JPA in its entirety for City Council review in early March. Staff recommends 1) the one agency/one vote structure primarily as a matter of equity among member agencies and 2) against the weighted vote option. However, because the weighted vote option will ensure that all Alameda County cities will participate in the JPA, there are some benefits to joining even under this weighted model and staff will present them when the full JPA comes before the City Council in early March.
BACKGROUND
The ACWMA and the Source Reduction and Recycling Board are known collectively as StopWaste.org and function as one agency to provide waste management and program planning services in Alameda County. The ACWMA Board consists of elected officials from each of the seventeen member agencies, ...
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