GARDEN GROVE : City Won’t Renew SCAG Membership

City Council members have overridden staff recommendations and voted not to renew membership in the Southern California Assn. of Governments, questioning the benefit of being a dues-paying member of the giant planning and research agency.

“The benefit (from past membership) if anything has been negligible,” Councilman Robert F. Dinsen said. “I can’t see that it provides anything of value as large as it is. We’re just a little guy looking on with no say. Most of the decisions are made for the people of Los Angeles.”

Councilman Mark Leyes cast the only vote to renew membership, which carries an annual price tag of $7,733.

“SCAG is powerful, probably too powerful,” Leyes said. “It has far-reaching regional authority over land use, growth, air quality and transportation. It’s better to be influencing that power (as a member) than standing back and letting them do it to us.”

SCAG Communications Director Fernando del Rio said the action means that Garden Grove is no longer a member of SCAG and cannot vote in executive sessions, although it can still benefit from some services.

He said that SCAG, which is composed of six Southern California counties with a population of 18 million to 20 million people, is increasing the number of members on its executive board from 23 to 70 members to get better representation.

Del Rio, who called Garden Grove’s decision to drop out shortsighted, said air pollution, traffic and waste “know no boundaries. Everything is regional.”

City Manager George Tindall, in a report to the City Council recommending membership renewal, said SCAG provides valuable services to the city, including planning data, technical advice, accurate census data and information on grant opportunities.

But he also told the council that SCAG is unwieldy and that its organizational makeup and traveling to meetings in Los Angeles are problems.