SAN MATEO COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT

CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The goal of this policy is to help the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) plan a transportation system that is safe, efficient, cost-effective, energy-efficient, environmentally responsible, and responsive to the needs of the broadest range of Citizens and transit users in the San Mateo County. SamTrans firmly believes that the people who use a transportation system, or are affected by it, should have a voice in deciding the “where,” the “what,” and the “when” of the operations of SamTrans.

In recognition of the importance of SamTrans fixed-route bus service in our multi- modal system, the focus of the SamTrans Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is on issues of direct concern to users of fixed-route bus service. Members of the CAC may concurrently represent the concerns of other constituent groups as they relate to fixed-route bus service, as indicated in the following section. Members of the CAC need not be citizens of the United States. When making appointments to the CAC, the Board may give preference to residents of the County of San Mateo if such preference could result in a more informed membership.

Membership

Fifteen (15) members shall be appointed-at-large, representing and divided among the following constituencies:

Bus Riders – Representing the diverse population of both San Mateo County and SamTrans fixed-route ridership, e.g.; Hispanic riders, Asian riders, Caucasian riders, African American riders, Disabled riders, Senior riders, Student riders, Transit Dependent riders.

Multi-modal Riders – Representing the riders who use SamTrans fixed-route service to connect to another one of the available transit modes, e.g.; bus-to- Caltrain riders, bus-to-BART riders, bus-to-bus riders.

Community – Representing community interests which also interact with SamTrans fixed-route service, e.g.; Schools, Labor, Business and Industry, Environmental interests.

Current Number of Vacancies:  8

Four Bus Riders – terms expiring 2014
Community Rider – term expiring 2014
Community Rider – term expiring 2015
Multimodal Rider – term expiring 2014
Multimodal Rider – term expiring 2015

Quorum/Majority Vote

A majority vote and/or quorum, as approved by the Board of Directors by motion in its meeting of October 20, 2004, shall be the “majority of those currently appointed, provided that the majority vote is not less than seven members.”

Meetings

Regular meetings are normally held at the District headquarters at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month and are open to the public (Resolution No. 2000-43). Meetings of the CAC shall be held in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Open Meetings Act. The SamTrans Board meets the second Wednesday of each month at 2:00 p.m.

Each year the CAC will have one month without a regular meeting. Usually this bye meeting is during the summer months.

A  special  meeting  is  held,  usually  in  December,  honoring  and  thanking  the Committee. The time and the location of this meeting are determined each year. The Chairperson of the Citizens Advisory Committee may call special meetings at a time and place approved by a majority vote of the Committee’s members.

Attendance/Absence

The Attendance Policy adopted by the Board of Directors under Resolution No. 2003-15 on May 14, 2003 provides as follows:

“As an integral part of the public transportation picture of  San Mateo County, active participation and attendance at all meetings will help insure the success of the Committee. Effective January 1, 2004, the following policy has been set forth by the Community Relations Committee of the SamTrans Board and is an obligatory condition of membership on the Citizens Advisory Committee.

1. Members are required to notify the Assistant District Secretary (cacsecretary@samtrans.com or 650-508-6279) if they plan to be absent by 5 p.m. the day of the meeting.

1. Members will be allowed no more than three absences in a calendar year.

1. When a member incurs four absences in a calendar year, the Citizens Advisory Committee Chair shall immediately notify the Community Relations Committee Chair of the SamTrans Board of Directors, recommending that the Board request   the   absent   CAC   member’s   resignation   and/or declare the member’s position vacant.

1. Any resulting vacancy shall be filled for the duration of the departing member’s term.”

Committee Purpose

The Citizens Advisory Committee has direct liaison to the Board of Directors through the Community Relations Committee.

The Committee shall assist the transit Board of Directors in any manner the Board deems appropriate.

In a broad sense, the purpose of the Citizens Advisory Committee parallels that of the Community Relations Committee of the SamTrans Board of Directors. The purpose of the CAC is to advise the Board on programs, policies and actions which will encourage greater utilization of public transportation in the District’s service area; to maintain and develop liaison with other transportation community-oriented organizations, and to improve the public perception of the value of transit in the progress of local communities, the state and the nation.

Chairperson Duties

The CAC shall each year elect two of its members to serve as Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.  The term of office shall be one year.

The Chairperson of the Committee shall call to order each meeting. It is the responsibility of the Chairperson to conduct meetings in an orderly and efficient manner, in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order. The Chairperson shall follow procedures established by the Board of Directors for the handling of reports, comments, and concerns which are designed to result in a timely response by the appropriate staff member.

The Chairperson of the Committee shall designate one committee member and one or more alternates to act as a liaison with the Community Relations Committee of the Board of Directors and represent the CAC at the Board of Director meetings.

In addition, the Chairperson of Committee may designate representatives to attend various committee meetings of the Board of Directors, meetings of other advisory committees and (the) various public hearings on bus route and commute rail schedules, such as: