REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Appoint a Councilmember to the Valley Transportation Authority El Camino Real Rapid Transit Policy Advisory Board to Serve as a Voting Member and if necessary Appoint an Alternate Member
Report
BACKGROUND
On March 29, 2016, Councilmember Whittum submitted his resignation as the City appointee to the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board of Directors and the El Camino Real Rapid Transit Policy Advisory Board (Attachment 2). In response, on April 5, 2016, the Council appointed Mayor Hendricks to serve out the rest of the 2016-2017 term as a Director representing the City as part of the North East Cities Grouping.
This report presents an opportunity for Council to make an appointment to the El Camino Real Rapid Transit Policy Advisory Board. Before resigning, Councilmember Whittum served as the voting Member; with Councilmember Davis serving as the Alternate. Staff recommends that Council fill this vacancy; however, makes no recommendation on whom to appoint.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.4.12, Council Intergovernmental Appointments.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378 (b) (5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
As a result of the vacancy created by Councilmember Whittum’s resignation, the Council has an opportunity to appoint a replacement to represent the City's interests and influence policies and regulations of the VTA, specifically the El Camino Real Rapid Transit (ECRRT) Policy Advisory Board. This appointment to serve as a Board member would finish Councilmember Whittum’s term, which ends in December 2017 or upon the appointment of a replacement.
VTA has established one Policy Advisory Board for each rapid transit corridor under study/construction and in the case of Caltrain, under operation by VTA. Each Policy Advisory Board consists of two Board Members and other elected officials from jurisdictions within a particular corridor. The purpose of the Policy Advisory Boards is to ensure that the local jurisdictions most affected by major transportation improvement projects are involved in guiding the planning, design and construction of these projects.
Current membership of the ECRRT Policy Advisory Board
|
Jeannie Bruins |
Chairperson |
City of Los Altos |
|
Ken Yeager |
Vice Chairperson |
County of Santa Clara |
|
Cory Wolbach |
Member |
City of Palo Alto |
|
VACANT |
Member |
City of Sunnyvale |
|
Joe Simitian |
Member |
County of Santa Clara |
|
Leonard Siegel |
Member |
City of Mountain View |
|
Pierluigi Oliverio |
Member |
City of San Jose |
|
Charles "Chappie" Jones |
Alternate |
City of San Jose |
|
Jim Davis |
Alternate |
City of Sunnyvale |
|
Liz Kniss |
Alternate |
City of Palo Alto |
|
Mary Prochnow |
Alternate |
City of Los Altos |
|
Pat Showalter |
Alternate |
City of Mountain View |
|
TBD |
Member |
Santa Clara VTA |
|
Teresa O'Neill |
Alternate |
City of Santa Clara |
This report presents an opportunity for Council to make an appointment to the El Camino Real Rapid Transit Policy Advisory Board to serve as a voting Member. Before resigning, Councilmember Whittum served as the voting Member; with Councilmember Davis serving as the Alternate. Staff recommends that Council fill this vacancy; however, makes no recommendation on whom to appoint.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Appoint a Councilmember to the Valley Transportation Authority El Camino Real Rapid Transit Policy Advisory Board to serve as a voting Member.
2. If necessary, appoint a Councilmember to serve as Alternate on the Valley Transportation Authority El Camino Real Rapid Transit Policy Advisory Board.
3. Other direction as determined by Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff makes no recommendation.
Staff urges Council to make an appointment to fill this vacancy and, if necessary to appoint a Councilmember to serve as Alternate; however, makes no recommendation on whom to appoint.
Prepared by: Yvette Blackford, Senior Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Walter C. Rossmann, Assistant City Manager
Reviewed by: Kent Steffens, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENT
1. Letter from Councilmember Whittum to the Council, dated 3/27/2016