The following list includes outside agencies in which the City of Santa Clara has a appointed Councilmember serving as a representative and/or City staff assigned to serve on these committees. 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. Learn more about the committees below.

View the 2024 Outside Agency Committee List Assignments

Outside Agencies

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

Established in 1961 to protect local control, planning for the future and promoting cooperation in area-wide issues.

Bay Area Water Supply and Conversation Agency (BAWSCA)

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.

Caltrain Modernization Local Policymaker Group (CalMod)

Established by Caltrain Joint Powers Board for Caltrain modernization/electrification.  Members represent cities along the Caltrain corridor.

Cities Association of Santa Clara County

A.        Board of Directors
B.        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.
C.    Legislative Action Committee

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.

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

Established on-going communication and coordination of joint projects/programs between City officials and SCUSD officials. Members of the City Council, the School Board representatives and School Superintendent are members of the Committee.

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 Task Force 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.

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. 

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.

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.

Peninsula Division of the League of California Cities

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.

Joint Recycling Water Policy Advisory Committee

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.

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

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.

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).

San Jose/Santa Clara Clean Water Financing Authority

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.

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.

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.

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.

Santa Clara University Liaison / Neighborhood-University Relations Committee (NURC)

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. 

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA)

1. Board of Directors: Sets VTA policy; establishes committees to give advice on policy matters and provide.
   
   
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. 

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)

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

Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority (SVACA)

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.

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.

Stevens Creek Corridor Steering Committee 

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. On August 29, 2023, the Council voted to name Councilmember Anthony Becker as Primary member. 

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.