SR-106-045
F:\CMANAGER\Staff Reports\mta service sector.doc
Council meeting: November 12, 2002 Santa Monica, CA
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Nominate Candidate For The Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (MTA) Westside/Central Service Sector Council
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council make recommendations for appointment
to serve on the MTA’s Westside/Central Service Sector Council.
Background
On October 22, 2002, the Council directed staff to solicit applications from interested
members of the community to serve on the MTA’s Westside/Central Service Sector
Council.
The Service Sector Governance Council is meant to assist the MTA in its efforts to
improve bus service; increase agency accessibility and responsiveness; promote
greater coordination; maintain an employee supportive work environment and create a
more efficient and customer focused management structure for the delivery of bus
service. Key principles are to localize control; maintain a single point of contact for
route level service issues; balance responsibility with authority; streamline the decision
making process; and support agency policies, plans and safety initiatives.
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The Sector Governance Councils will oversee the planning and implementation of
service within their area. Their responsibilities include: approval of the sector General
Manager’s budget proposal for the Chief Executive Officer’s consideration and
recommendation to the MTA Board; calling and conducting public hearings for sector
bus lines; approval and evaluation of sector programs; implementing service changes;
reviewing and developing policy recommendations for MTA Board approval; ensuring
compliance with all MTA policies and procedures and legal agreements (e.g. collective
bargaining agreements, Consent Decree); providing input into the Sector General
Manager’s performance review; and participating in annual meetings with the MTA
Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, the other Sector Governance
Councils and General Managers.
Under this policy, the MTA Board of Directors will retain all mandated responsibilities in
accordance with MTA enabling legislation under Public Utilities Code 130051 et seq.
For example, the Board will retain hiring of the Chief Executive Officer and other Board
appointees; approval of the agency budget and capital plan; negotiation of collective
bargaining agreements; setting fare and service policies; establishing and monitoring
agency programs; conducting public hearings for fare changes and service changes to
corporate bus lines, Rapid Bus and rail service; conducting major procurements;
managing construction projects, setting regional policies and having ultimate
responsibility for resolving disputes regarding agency matters. Lastly, MTA Finance will
be responsible for administering all banking, investing and debt issuance.
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Nominations from Santa Monica will be considered along with nominations elsewhere in
the sector area, which also includes Beverly Hills, Culver City, West Hollywood, Malibu
and portions of the City and County of Los Angles. The MTA Board will confirm and
appoint the sector’s Governance Council representatives from the nominations
submitted. Although the Westside cities have elected to make nominations through
their respective City Councils, consensus with other sector members is desirable. MTA
will facilitate this consensus process. Up to 9 councilmembers may be nominated from
the sector, although some subregional Council of Governments have requested
additional representation. As much as possible Councils will reflect the broad spectrum
of interests, including transit consumers, and geographic areas of the sector.
Discussion
On October 24, 2202, staff issued a Notice Inviting Applications on the City’s website
and “Hot Topics”. In addition, an advertisement was placed in the Los Angeles Times.
Press releases were sent to the media. All neighborhood groups were notified. Further,
final candidates recommended for the Lincoln Corridor Task Force were contacted to
submit an application. Applications were due November 4, 2002. A copy of the
information sheet is included as Attachment A. In total, 3 Santa Monica applicants
returned completed forms. The 3 applicants represent a range of interests related to
MTA’s Westside/Central Sector. All completed applications are attached to this report
for Council review (Attachment B). The following criteria were developed to evaluate
candidates:
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The candidate has knowledge, interest and experience in transit, specifically with
bus planning/operations.
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The candidate has the ability to work effectively with representatives from other
jurisdictions to build consensus where possible and to assist the MTA to improve
bus service and increase accessibility and responsibility.
Based on the criteria, a committee of City staff evaluated the applications. Staff
recommends that the Council nominate Dennis Woods based on his experience with
transit operations planning, coordination and usage.
Budget and Financial Impact
There is no budget impact.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council nominate Dennis Woods to serve on the MTA
Westside/Central Service Sector Council.
Attachment A: Information Sheet
Attachment B: Applications of All Candidates
Prepared by: Kathryn Vernez, Asst. to the City Manager, Government Relations
Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services
Ellen Gelbard, Assistant Director, PCD
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