City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 5, 2014
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RASHAD M. YOUNG, CITY MANAGER/s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of a Proposed Amendment to City Code Section 2-4-161, Alexandria Transportation Commission - Composition.
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Council consideration is requested of an amendment to add two (2) additional citizen representatives to the Alexandria Transportation Commission ("the Commission").
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve the proposed ordinance (Attachment 2) on first reading and set the ordinance for public hearing, second reading, and final passage on November 15, 2014 for an amendment to City Code Section 2-4-161 (Alexandria Transportation Commission - Composition) to add two additional citizen representatives to the Transportation Commission, one residing east of Quaker Lane and one residing west of Quaker Lane.
BACKGROUND: At its July 23, 2014 meeting, the Transportation Commission discussed its overall structure and the desire to add additional at-large members. The composition of the Commission, as included in City Code Section 2-4-161, currently consists of nine members, appointed by City Council, as follows:
· Two (2) members from the Planning Commission, nominated by the Planning Commission;
· One (1) member of the Traffic and Parking Board, nominated by the Traffic and Parking Board;
· One (1) member of the Environmental Policy Commission, nominated by the Environmental Policy Commission;
· One (1) member of the Alexandria Transit Company Board of Directors, nominated by the Alexandria Transit Company Board;
· Two (2) citizen members, who shall be residents of the City possessing qualifications in land use, transportation and/or municipal finance, of whom one shall reside east of Quaker Lane and one shall reside west of Quaker Lane; and
· Two (2) ex-officio, non-voting members from the City Council, who shall be selected from among Council members who serve on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Transportation Planning Board (MWCOG/TPB), Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC), or the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).
DISCUSSION: Transportation Commission members are called to represent the Commission on additional advisory groups and committees for various Citywide projects with transportation elements such as Small Area Plans and Transit Corridor groups. The Commission agrees that it is important that the perspective of the Transportation Commission be represented in these Citywide initiatives and projects. The majority of the current members serving on this Commission are already serving in two capacities before commitments to additional advisory groups and committees. In order to minimize the number of secondary appointments required of Commissioners, the members discussed at their July 23 meeting expanding the number of citizen representatives to the Commission. The purpose of expanding the size of the Commission by adding two citizen representatives is to reduce the burden on existing Commissioners and increase the pool of Commissioners able to represent the Commission on Citywide projects.
Also discussed was whether additional citizen members should have transportation experience, as is currently required of the Transportation Commission's existing two at-large seats. In order to maximize the number of citizens eligible to serve as members, and to diversify the Transportation Commission's membership, it was recommended that any additional citizen seats be without additional qualifications, but ensure representation from across the City, and that any new seats include geographic requirements.
In an August 19, 2014 letter to City Council (Attachment 3), the Commission requested that Council consider an amendment to City Code Section 2-4-161 (Alexandria Transportation Commission - Composition) to broaden the Transportation Commission membership to include two additional citizen representatives (one residing east of Quaker Lane and one residing west of Quaker Lane).
Upon further consideration, and in keeping with the City's desire to keep civic and community engagement at the forefront of the City's planning process, a recommendation is being made to add two (2) additional citizen members, one residing east of Quaker Lane, and one residing west of Quaker Lane.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Ordinance Cover Letter
Attachment 2: Ordinance Amendment
Attachment 3: August 19, 2014 Transportation Commission Letter to City Council
STAFF:
Mark Jinks, Deputy City Manager
Christopher P. Spera, Deputy City Attorney
Yon Lambert, AICP, Acting Director, Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES)
Sandra Marks, AICP, Deputy Director, Transportation, T&ES