MTC Seeks to Fill Vacancies on Advisory Body

OAKLAND, CA — The Metropolitan Transportation Commission – the Bay Area’s transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency – is recruiting interested Bay Area residents to fill three vacancies on its Policy Advisory Council. In Contra Costa County, there is an opening for an individual representing disabled interests. In Santa Clara County, the vacancy is for an individual to represent either the economy or the environment. And the third vacancy is an at-large seat, to be filled by an individual representing either the economy or the environment from any of the nine Bay Area counties. The Council meets the second Wednesday of the month from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in Oakland, and advisors are reimbursed for their transportation to and from the meeting.

Created by the Commission in November 2009 to advise MTC on transportation policies in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Policy Advisory Council incorporates diverse perspectives relating to the environment, the economy and social equity. The Council advises MTC on a range of dynamic topics, including:

• Regional planning efforts linking transportation, housing and land-use plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Public transit service productivity improvements to produce more efficiency from the region’s existing transit investments.
• Pursuit of new revenues to support a transportation system that better serves all Bay Area residents.
  
   

“The Commission wants and needs to hear various viewpoints when making transportation policy and investment decisions,” said MTC Chair Amy Rein Worth. “Incorporating different perspectives enhances our decision-making process. The Policy Advisory Council helps the Commission to improve mobility for all Bay Area residents.”

Applications for the three vacancies will be accepted through February 9, 2015. No specific educational background is needed for most seats – just a background in the specific application category, and an interest in transportation and how it affects residents in the nine Bay Area counties. Experience working on public policy issues or community-related issues is desirable. Appointed advisors are expected to attend monthly meetings at MTC’s offices in Oakland and will serve through the term ending in July 2017. While positions are voluntary, advisors do receive a small stipend for their attendance at certain meetings.

MTC’s appointing Commissioners will review the applications, and the full Commission is scheduled to approve the selections in March. The selected applicants will attend their first meeting on April 8, 2015. To apply for a vacant position or to learn more about the Policy Advisory Council, visit www.mtc.ca.gov/get_involved/advisory or call (415) 778-6757.

Contact:

Pam Grove: (415) 778-6706

Leslie Lara: (510) 817-5813