Report to the Commission and the ABAG Executive Board: May 22, 2019
California Academy for Regional Leaders
April 30, 2019
Dave Vautin and Kenny Kao were selected to participate in the first Academy for Regional Leaders this past year, and were honored on April 30th among other program “graduates.” Congratulations to both!
Housing Activities
May 1 & May 10, 2019
On May 1, the Housing Legislative Working Group wrapped up its five week assignment providing information on a slate of housing related bills targeted to come forward to the Legislation Committees of ABAG and MTC. On May 10, those groups met in a joint session, and forwarded consistent recommendations to both governing boards. Coupled with a Joint meeting of the MTC Planning and ABAG Administration Committees, May 10 was a session approaching 8 hours, speaking to the import of the topics addressed, and the commitment of the respective committee members to tackle them. The ABAG Executive Committee is taking up these Committee recommendations later on the agenda.
State Legislative Visits
May 3 & May 15, 2019
I and several staff members visited Senator Wiener in his San Francisco District office on May 3. With MTC Chair and ABAG Executive Board member Scott Haggerty, we had an all day visit in Sacramento May 15, meeting with 12 other Bay Area delegation members, and hosting a reception where several other members and their staffs were in attendance. Thank you to MTC Vice Chair Alfredo Pedroza and MTC Commissioner/ABAG Executive Board member Dave Cortese for joining us at the reception as well.
San Francisco Foundation Reception
May 8, 2019
The SFF hosted a reception for me to meet with key social equity and environmental justice stakeholders from around the region. It was a great chance to meet personally with important partners that will play a key role in our Plan Bay Area 2050 and other related efforts.
Bike to Work Day
May 9, 2019
There was lots of enthusiasm among the almost 100,000 bicyclists who pedaled through misty, cool conditions for Bike to Work Day on May 9 this year. Many of our Commissioners participated by biking or volunteering at one of the over 400 energizer stations around the region, including one here at the Metro Center. There is a great gallery of pictures from the events throughout the region on the MTC website and if you haven’t taken a look, please do. It really depicts what a great time the participants were having. This year commemorated the 25th anniversary of Bike to Work Day which began in 1994 – and I don’t have to tell you how far cycling has come as a commuter choice in that time. Presented by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, 511.org and Alaska Airlines, Bike to Work Day encourages local residents to try commuting by pedal power for the first time and celebrates those who bike to work regularly. Here is a video we put together of the event.
East Bay Leadership Council
May 16, 2019
I was invited to a discussion with the EBLC Transportation Task Force, representing business and local government interests in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. It was a timely opportunity to share perspectives on mobility, housing and employment challenges and opportunities in this area of the region.