Title
New Transportation Commission Introduction
Body
Transportation Commission
September 26, 2018
Item 3A
Information
New Transportation Commission Member Introduction
Background
The Transportation Commission has three new members who were nominated by the Mayor and appointed by the City Council per the Transportation Commission bylaws (Exhibit 1). The Transportation Commission consists of seven voting members, and may also have one AC Transit and one BART representative as non-voting, ex-officio members should these agencies choose to send a representative. The appointed members shall serve four year terms, and a maximum of two full terms plus any unexpired term, which the member has been appointed to complete.
The Transportation Commission was approved by City Council in April 2002, and shall advise the City Council on City transportation policies, through the development of transportation plans, and shall monitor, via quarterly staff reports, implementation of approved transportation plans and policies. The Transportation Commission shall review proposed plans and policies with the Planning Board, where appropriate, prior to making recommendations to Council
Discussion
The three new Transportation Commission members are David Johnson, Alysha Nachtigall and Sharon Nearn, and their bios are as follows:
David Johnson: Dr. Johnson has been an Alameda resident and dentist since the 1980s, is a member of the Greater Alameda Business Association and Bike Walk Alameda, and has a passion to see Alameda continue to be a community that is safe and enjoyable for families and all residents of Alameda.
Alysha Nachtigall: Ms. Nachtigall lives in Alameda and works for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which is the region’s transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency, and manages the region’s 511.org - the traveler information system for the San Francisco Bay Area. Ms. Nachtigall has a master’s in Public Policy with a transportation focus.
Sharon Nearn: Ms. Nearn is a registered nurse working and living in Alameda. Ms. Nearn is an advocate for public health, safety and multimodal travel who has completed the Fire Department’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. Ms. Nearn brings solid skills in anticipatory planning, efficiently connecting the dots to enhance and expand transportation.
City staff provided an orientation for the three new Transportation Commission members and discussed the following key resources:
• Transportation Commission bylaws (Exhibit 1)
• City of Alameda Sunshine Ordinance: https://library.municode.com/ca/alameda/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CHIIAD_ARTVIIISUOR#TOPTITLE <https://library.municode.com/ca/alameda/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CHIIAD_ARTVIIISUOR>
• Transportation Choices Plan: <https://alamedaca.gov/transportation-choices-plan>
• Key City Projects: <https://alamedaca.gov/public-works/projects>
• Key City Documents: <https://alamedaca.gov/public-works-key-documents>
• Transportation and Housing Overview (Exhibit 2)
Other topics of discussion included the “500 Foot Rule” concerning conflicts of interest that prohibit public officials from making or participating in governmental decisions when those decisions affect the financial interests of the public official including interest in real property that the official owns or leases. Another topic of discussion was the use of cell phones during meetings, which are inconsistent with the spirit of government transparency and the purpose of the Brown Act. The purpose of the Brown Act is to allow the public to attend, observe, monitor and participate in the decision-making process at the local level of government.
Budget Considerations/Fiscal Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund.
Municipal Code/Policy Document Cross Reference
This action does not affect the Alameda Municipal Code.
Environmental Review
Not applicable.
Recommendation
New Transportation Commission Member Introduction
Respectfully submitted by,
Andrew Thomas, Planning and Building Director
Gail Payne, Senior Transportation Coordinator
Exhibits:
1. Transportation Commission Bylaws
2. Transportation and Housing Overview