The following list includes outside agencies in which the City of Santa Clara has an appointed Councilmember serving as a representative and/or City staff assigned. The outside agency committees support regional efforts for various projects, issues and initiatives. The outside agency is responsible for preparing and posting agendas for meetings.

View the 2025 City Committees & Outside Agency Committee List

Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) (General Assembly)

The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) was established in 1961 to protect local control, planning for the future and promoting cooperation in area-wide issues.

Member: Councilmember Kevin Park
Alternate Member: Councilmember Albert Gonzalez

Bay Area Water Supply and Conversation Agency (BAWSCA)

The Bay Area Water Supply and Conversation Agency (BAWSCA) was established February 2003 to allow the City to have a greater voice in planning and funding of improvements in the Hetch-Hetchy regional water supply system.

Member: Councilmember Karen Hardy

Caltrain Modernization Local Policymaker Group (CalMod)

The Caltrain Modernization Local Policymaker Group (CalMod) was established by Caltrain Joint Powers Board for Caltrain modernization/electrification.  Members represent cities along the Caltrain corridor.

Member: Councilmember Raj Chahal
Alternate Member: Councilmember Suds Jain

Cities Association of Santa Clara County

The Cities Association of Santa Clara County is comprised of:

• Board of Directors
  • Member: Vice Mayor Kelly Cox
  • Alternate Member: Mayor Lisa Gillmor
• City Selection Committee: Established to promote cooperation among the fifteen cities of Santa Clara County and to promote legislative action that will affect local control.
  • Member: Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor  
• Legislative Action Committee
  • Member: Vice Mayor Kelly Cox
  • Alternate Member: Councilmember Suds Jain

City/Mission College Liaison Committee

Established on-going communication and review of joint programs with Mission College. Members of the City Council, the Mission College President and two board members participate on the Committee.

Members:
Councilmember Albert Gonzalez (Chair)
Councilmember Raj Chahal
Councilmember Karen Hardy

Alternate Member: Councilmember Kevin Park

City/School Liaison Committee (Santa Clara Unified School District)

Established to maintain ongoing communication and coordination of joint projects/programs between City officials and Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD) officials. Members of the City Council, the School Board representatives and School Superintendent are members of the Committee.

Members:
Councilmember Raj Chahal (Chair)
Councilmember Albert Gonzalez 
Councilmember Karen Hardy

Alternate Member: Councilmember Suds Jain

Grand Boulevard Initiative Task Force/El Camino Real

Member and alternate appointed by Council on February 21, 2006. The first meeting was held March 2006. Joint Venture Silicon Valley Network/Peninsula Policy Partnership formed the Grand Boulevard Initiative Task Force/El Camino Real for the purpose of looking for ways to raise the status of the El Camino Real to a world-class boulevard with special attention to the aesthetic, safety and interjurisdictional issues.

Member: Councilmember Raj Chahal 
Alternate Member: Councilmember Suds Jain

Human Trafficking Commission

The Human Trafficking Commission was established on April 29, 2014 to investigate the nature and scope of human trafficking in the County, including both labor and sex trafficking; identify model victim-centered policies, services, and preventative measures to address this issue; make legislative and policy recommendations to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors; support the apprehension and prosecution of traffickers; and collaborate with partners regionally, nationally, and internationally to share information and strategies for ending human trafficking. 

Member: Mayor Lisa Gillmor
Alternate Member: Councilmember Kevin Park

Joint Recycling Water Policy Advisory Committee

The Joint Recycling Water Policy Advisory Committee was established in 2010 to review and advise the Santa Clara Water District and the City of San Jose (lead agency for the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant) on all policy issues related to recycled water including operations and capital improvements.

Member: Councilmember Karen Hardy
Alternate Member: Councilmember Albert Gonzalez

League of California Cities (Peninsula Division)

The Peninsula Division of the League of California Cities was established to encourage greater participation in the Division’s activities, thereby creating a strong and unified voice for cities in the Peninsula Division. The responsibilities of the liaison include keeping the Council informed about and engaged in the Division’s legislative activities, to provide periodic League updates at Council meetings and to attend Division and League events whenever possible.

Member: Councilmember Kevin Park
Alternate Member: Councilmember Suds Jain

Neighborhood University Relations Committee

The Santa Clara University Liaison / Neighborhood-University Relations Committee was established in 1990 to review student housing issues (formerly Student Housing Committee).  Established a forum for on-going communication and problem solving among City officials, neighborhoods, property owners and Santa Clara University officials and students.  Santa Clara University/City Liaison Committee and NURC were combined because of the similar topics that the two committees cover. Three NURC meetings will be held per year (October/November, February and April) for neighborhood issues, and the Staff Task Force and the City Neighborhood Forum will no longer be held (pursuant to Council action of June 23, 2009). A University-City Subcommittee comprised of NURC City Councilmembers, University officials and City Executive Team Members will meet as needed.  

Members: 
Councilmember Suds Jain (Chair)
Councilmember Raj Chahal 

Alternate Member: Councilmember Albert Gonzalez

Northern California Power Agency (NCPA)

The Northern California Power Agency (NCPA), a California Joint Action Agency, was established in 1968 by a consortium of locally owned electric utilities to make joint investments in energy resources that would ensure an affordable, reliable, and clean supply of electricity for customers in its member communities. NCPA members include municipalities, a rural electric cooperative, and other publicly owned entities for which the public agency provides such services as the purchase, aggregation, scheduling, and management of electrical energy.

Member: Councilmember Suds Jain
Alternate Member: Councilmember Raj Chahal

Police Activities League (PAL)

Founded and incorporated in 1970 as a nonprofit organization to provide a place where the youth of the City may enjoy educational and social benefits and athletic activities under competent supervision.  The organization is managed by a board of directors comprised of volunteers.

Member: Vice Mayor Kelly Cox
Alternate Member: Councilmember Kevin Park

Recycling & Waste Reduction Commission of Santa Clara County (RWRC)

The Recycling & Waste Reduction Commission of Santa Clara County (RWRC) was established per requirements of the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939) and subsequent amending legislation in order to coordinate and provide input to the countywide solid waste management program. Membership appointed through the City Selection Committee of Santa Clara County Cities’ Association.

Member: Councilmember Albert Gonzalez 

San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water System Financing Authority

Established February 2003 to allow the City to have a greater voice in planning and funding of improvements in the Hetch-Hetchy regional water supply system. The Regional Financing Authority is a parallel organization with the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Authority Agency (BAWSCA).

Member: Councilmember Karen Hardy

San Jose/Santa Clara Clean Water Financing Authority

A joint powers authority created under CA Gov Code (Articles 1, 2 and 4 of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1) pursuant to the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement dated March 1, 1981, as amended and restated, between the City of San José and the City of Santa Clara. CWFA’s purpose is to acquire and construct any additions and improvements to the existing wastewater treatment plant and related facilities jointly owned by the City of San José and the City of Santa Clara.

Members: 
Councilmember Kevin Park
Councilmember Suds Jain
Alternate Member: Councilmember Karen Hardy

San Jose/Santa Clara Treatment Plant Advisory Committee (TPAC)

Reviews and advises the City of San Jose City Council on all issues relating to the operation and capital improvement of the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant.

Members: 
Councilmember Karen Hardy
Councilmember Albert Gonzalez
Alternate Member: Mayor Lisa Gillmor

Santa Clara County Comprehensive Expressway Planning Study Policy Advisory Board (PAB)

 The Santa Clara County Comprehensive Expressway Planning Study policy Advisory Board (PAB) will provide a forum for policy input from elected officials for updating the Expressway Study’s Implementation Plan originally adopted in August 2003.

Member: Councilmember Karen Hardy
Alternate Member: Councilmember Kevin Park

Santa Clara Sister Cities Association

 The Santa Clara Sister Cities Association, an independent non-profit organization, assists the City in exchange activities with Coimbra, Portugal, Izumo, Japan and Limerick, Ireland -- Santa Clara's three sister-cities. The Council appoints a representative to serve as liaison to the Association.

Member: Councilmember Kevin Park
Alternate Member: Councilmember Raj Chahal

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA)

 The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) is comprised of:

1. Board of Directors: Sets VTA policy; establishes committees to give advice on policy matters and provide. 
   Member: Councilmember Suds Jain
   
   
2. Caltrain Policy Advisory Board: Inactive. Established by the VTA Board of Directors on 1/7/99.  Ensures that local jurisdictions are involved in guiding the planning, design and construction of projects in the Caltrain Corridor.
    
3. County Expressways Policy Advisory Committee: Appointments made by VTA Board of Directors.  This committee is a Policy Advisory Board subcommittee. 
   
   
4. El Camino Rapid Transit (ECRRT) Policy Advisory Board (PAB): Established by the VTA Board of Directors in October 2010 to guide the planning and implementation of Bus Rapid Transit corridors in Santa Clara County.
   
   

5. Policy Advisory Committee: Ensures that all jurisdictions within the County have access to development of VTA's policies. 
   Member: Councilmember Raj Chahal
   Alternate Member: Councilmember Kevin Park

6. Silicon Valley Rapid Transit Corridor (BART) Warm Springs Extension Policy Advisory Board: Established by the VTA Board of Directors on January 11, 2001, to replace all previous policy committees associated with the "Fremont-South Bay Corridor" (BART) to review the progress of the upcoming Major Investment Study/Environmental Impact Report.

Santa Clara Valley Water Commission (SCVW)

The Santa Clara Valley Water Commission was established by the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors to review and advise on issues relating to water supply and water pricing.

Member: Councilmember Karen Hardy 
Alternate Member: Councilmember Suds Jain

Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority (SVACA)

The Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority was established in 2000 to provide animal control field services and shelter services for the participating cities. The Board is comprised of three members representing the participating cities of Santa Clara, Campbell and Monte Sereno.

Member: Councilmember Raj Chahal
Alternate Member: Vice Mayor Kelly Cox

Silicon Valley Regional Interoperability Authority (SVRIA) Board of Directors

In 2001 several agencies in the area established the Silicon Valley Regional Interoperability Project to design an implementation strategy of an interoperable communications network; purchase a radio and data communications system or network; integrate this system or network with other nearby regional public safety communications systems; participate in regional interoperability; and to jointly apply for grants and funding to facilitate these goals.  In 2010, a Joint Powers Agreement was established to implement and operate the SVRIA and other projects. The nine-member Board of Directors of the JPA consists of elected officials from different geographic regions of the County and will serve as the governing body of agreement. The City of Santa Clara is represented in the "Central County Agencies" that also includes Sunnyvale and Milpitas.

Member: Councilmember Karen Hardy

Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor Steering Committee

The Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor Steering Committee was established in 2019. The cities of Cupertino, Santa Clara, San José, and Santa Clara County adopted resolutions in support of a vision study of the Stevens Creek Corridor, formalizing interest in creating a common vision for high-capacity transit along the Stevens Creek Corridor that will improve mobility and its interrelationship with walking, biking, placemaking, and enhancing the quality of life for all community members in a seamless manner. A steering committee of elected officials from the participating jurisdictions formed to provide a forum for their elected representatives to meet, discuss and provide direction on a common vision for the Stevens Creek Corridor.

Member: Vice Mayor Kelly Cox

Triton Museum of Art Liaison Committee

The Triton Museum of Art is an independent non-profit organization. The Council appoints a representative to serve as a liaison to the Triton Museum Board. The participation of a Council Member at the Triton Museum Board meetings will further the communication and knowledge of the City's support.

Member: Councilmember Kevin Park
Alternate Member: Councilmember Raj Chahal