TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Linda A. Nemeroff, District Secretary
SUBJECT: Accessibility Advisory Committee
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider adoption of Resolution No. 20-058 reaffirming the establishment of the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), and amending the terms of office and membership qualifications.
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Strong Public and Policymaker Support
Initiative - Service Quality
The AAC performs a vital role in ensuring that the District’s fixed route bus service is accessible to seniors and people with disabilities, and their input is vital in shaping plans and programs in furtherance of the District’s mission and goals.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no budgetary/fiscal impact associated with this report.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The AAC was established by the Board of Directors in 1991 to review, comment and advise the Board of Directors and District staff regarding the implementation and enhancement of planning programs and services for seniors and people with disabilities. The committee consists of 14 members with two members being appointed by each of the seven elected members of the District’s Board of Directors.
At the September 9th joint meeting of the Board of Directors and AAC, discussion was had regarding a proposal to extend the existing terms of Committee members from one year to two years and to limit eligibility to serve on the Committee to individuals living within the District’s geographic jurisdiction (as opposed to the District’s service area which has expanded well beyond the jurisdictional boundary).
Feedback from the Board and AAC was entirely positive with several committee members noting the amount of time it takes for new Committee members to become acclimated to transit terminology. Some Committee members also expressed a desire that each member be required to live within the Ward of the appointing Board member. While this should be the goal, the reality is that recruitment efforts don’t always produce applications from every ward of the District and having unfilled vacancies on the Committee does not serve the District’s goal to have full participation from the Committee.
Members of the AAC take great pride in serving on the Committee and in being a valuable resource to the District, and staff fully supports its recommendation to extend their terms. Should the Board approve the extension of terms, Committee members who were appointed/re-appointed for a one-year term commencing on March 1, 2020, would serve on the Committee until February 28, 2022. However, it should be pointed out that no member’s term on the Committee shall extend beyond the appointing Directors term of office. All other provisions associated with the establishment of the AAC will remain in effect except that applications for appointment to the Committee will now be accepted on an ongoing basis and a formal recruitment will be conducted every two years beginning in 2022 instead of annually.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
The advantages of these amendments will ensure continuity on the AAC and robust participation by the Committee in meeting its mission as set forth by the Board. There are no disadvantages to staff’s proposal.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
There are no practical alternatives associated with this report. The proposed changes to the term’s membership qualifications were discussed at the joint meeting of the Board of Directors and AAC held on September 9th and received concurrence to proceed.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Resolution No. 10-047
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 20-058
Prepared by:
Linda A. Nemeroff, District Secretary
In Collaboration with:
Mallory Brush, Accessible Services Manager
Approved/Reviewed by:
Linda A. Nemeroff, District Secretary
Jill A. Sprague, General Counsel