STAR has sent a letter to the SacRT board and staff on the board composition issue, objecting to any action, legislation or policy, that would preclude the possibility of non-elected members of the board. Letter in pdf, and below. SacTRU and Ridership for the Masses joined us in this letter. This is a followup to two posts on board composition: SacRT board composition meeting and SacRT board composition meeting #2.

During the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Board Composition and Voting Structure Subcommittee, the idea was raised that board membership by non-elected persons, appointed by the board entities, should be considered in any revisions to PUC Code through legislation. In the second meeting, staff presented some history on board membership by non-elected persons, which occurred from initiation through 1992. Staff also suggested that though legal interpretation was that this was already allowed, it might be useful to have clarifying language making it explicit. However, during the subcommittee meeting, the idea was raised that such participation by non-elected persons should be prohibited. At least two of the committee members wanted non-elected persons to continue to be an option, but apparently the recommendation of the subcommittee to the board was that it be prohibited.

The Sacramento area transit advocacy organizations strenuously oppose any legislation modifying PUC code, or any board policy, that prohibits non-elected people from sitting on the board. While we do not have any specific proposals at this time to select and appoint non-elected members, we feel that it is critically important that this possibility not be precluded.

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