REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Appointing a City of Santa Clara Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee Member to Serve as the City’s Representative on the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) requests that cities appoint members to the VTA Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (VTA BPAC). The VTA BPAC is comprised of one representative from each of the sixteen member agencies, which includes the City of Santa Clara. VTA BPAC members serve two-year terms starting on July 1 and ending on June 30 of the second year and may serve successive terms.
The VTA BPAC advises the VTA Board of Directors on matters pertaining to funding and planning issues for bicycle and pedestrian projects and serves as the countywide bicycle advisory committee for Santa Clara County. Typical duties involve review of regional plans related to bicycling and walking, review of funding proposals for projects and consideration of specialized issues of regional or cross-jurisdictional significance.
DISCUSSION
The VTA has notified the City that the term for the City’s current VTA BPAC representative, Betsy Megas, will end on June 30, 2022. Therefore, the City must appoint a new VTA BPAC representative.
The City’s VTA BPAC representative must live and/or work in Santa Clara County during their term. The VTA also requires that the representative be either a member of the City’s BPAC or an individual interested in bicycle or pedestrian issues and not a City or VTA staff person.
At the March 28, 2022 Santa Clara BPAC meeting, the BPAC voted to recommend to Council that member Betsy Megas continue to serve as the City’s VTA BPAC representative. Betsy Megas’ membership on both the City and VTA BPAC facilitates communication between the City and the other member agencies. If appointed, she will serve a term which will end on June 30, 2024.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organization or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional cost to the City other than staff time and expense.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the City Manager’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, and City Clerk’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Appoint the City of Santa Clara Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee member Betsy Megas to serve as the City’s representative on the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Rajeev Batra, City Manager