The Cities Association of Santa Clara County is an association of all 15 cities in the county. Since 1990, representatives from the cities have been meeting monthly and collaborating on issues that affect each of us, striving to create a unified voice. These cities are members of the association.

Community Partners

The Cities Association collaborates with many community organizations, business and industry leaders to address issues of affecting our region’s quality of life.

FAQs

The CASCC was established in 1990 as an unincorporated association to replace separate meetings of which many of the same people were attending (Mayors meetings, City Selection Committee, and a meeting with the County/Cities). CASCC has collected dues since that time and has hired an executive director and supportive staff to coordinate these activities. In 2024, the organization established itself as a Joint Powers Authority (JPA). All 15 cities in Santa Clara County currently hold membership in the JPA. The goal of the organization has remained unchanged: to work collaboratively on issues that don’t stop at a city’s and our county’s border.

Since the founding of the Cities Association, each city of the association has an equal voice and vote and collaboratively work to provide a unified voice. Our guiding principle remains to promote cooperation among the cities and advocate for positive action and enhance the quality of life for the residents of our county.

Our success includes the formation of clean choice energy/Silicon Valley Clean Energy, minimum wage policies, age friendly communities, single use bags, healthy cities initiatives, Santa Clara Santa Cruz Community Roundtable (SCSC Roundtable), a Planning Collaborative, mental health awareness and more.

Typically, the Board meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7PM. Exceptions are:

  • No meeting in July
  • General Membership Events in May or June and December. General Membership includes all elected officials of the 15 cities and city management
  • Meeting agendas, minutes & videos are under the website’s “meetings” tab
  • Membership event information under the website’s “events” tab

The agenda is set by the Executive Committee. If there is a topic you and your city would like to be discussed, please contact us at info@citiesassociation.org. The Executive Committee will discuss it at the next opportunity. Items must be received preferably a week before the Executive Committee meeting in order to be agendized according to the Brown Act.

Yes, the Cities Association abides by the California Brown Act as its members and financing come from the 15 cities (public agencies) of Santa Clara County. The Cities Association Brown Act Committees are noticed at the location site and the Cities Association website. Cities Association Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Cities Selection Committee and Legislative Action Committee all abide by the Brown Act.

Yes, the Cities Association must comply with public records request. Using your city email address for communications is recommended.

Cities Association Meetings (Executive Committee Meetings, Board of Directors Meetings, City Selection Committee Meetings, Legislative Actions Committee Meetings or any other Brown Act committee) are open to the public.

Yes, the meetings are open to the public, so several elected members or general public from the same jurisdiction may attend. However, only one member may participate and vote for the jurisdiction. Public comments are always permitted.

The CSC is a standing committee of the Cities Association and is also created by California government code 50270 statute. In any county in which two or more cities are incorporated, there is a city selection committee for the purpose of appointing city representatives to boards, commissions, and agencies as required by law. The membership of each such city selection committee shall consist of the mayor or the mayor’s designee of each city within the county.

The CSC meets prior to the CASCC Board of Directors Meetings or at special meetings, as needed.

LAC is a standing committee of the Cities Association and reviews legislation and makes recommendations to the CASCC Board of Directors. LAC Meetings are held as needed prior to the Board of Directors Meetings.

Each city appoints one member and one alternate to the Board of Directors, Cities Selection Committee, Legislative Action Committee. Per the Association by-laws, the Executive Committee is elected yearly (in November) by the Board of Directors. In many of the cities, the Mayor or associated Council makes the board appointments annually.