City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council discuss the nomination process and potentially
recommend an individual to the Westside Cities Council of Governments
(WSCCOG) to be forwarded to Metro for Appointment to the Metro Westside/Central
Governance Council for a term to begin on July 1, 2007 and to expire on June 30,
2010.
BACKGROUND:
In an effort to improve bus service quality and bring the decision-making process
nearer to the customer, Metro has decentralized its bus operations into five Service
Sectors countywide, by geographic regions. These service sectors are arranged as
follows: Gateway Cities, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, South Bay,
Westside/Central, and Metro Rail Operations. Culver City is part of the
Westside/Central sector and the current representative to the Governance Council is
Councilmember Carol Gross.
This Westside/Central service area includes large portions within the City of Los
Angeles as well as the cities of Beverly Hills, Culver City, Malibu, Santa Monica and
West Hollywood. Metro Westside/Central is responsible for the bus operations of
Division 6 located in Venice, Division 7 in West Hollywood and Division 10 in Central
Los Angeles. There are over 1,300 employees including bus operators, mechanics,
service attendants, clerks and others. The sector operates over 600 buses on some
of the most heavily traveled lines in Los Angeles.
Meeting Date: 02/26/07 Item Number: A-6
AGENDA ITEM: Discussion of the Nomination Process and Potential Selection of
a Nominee to be Recommended to the Westside Cities Council of Governments
for appointment by Metro to the Metro Westside/Central Governance Council.
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg,
Intergovernmental Relations Officer
Phone Number: (310) 253-6008
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification:
Master Notification List (02/21/07)
Department Approval:
Martin R. Cole (02/21/2007)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Iker) (02/21/2007)
City Controller Approval:
Marlee Chang (02/22/2007)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (02/22/2007)City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Service Sector Governance Councils oversee the planning and implementation of
service within their area. Their responsibilities include: approving the sector budget
within designated funding levels; calling and conducting public hearings for sector
bus lines; approving and evaluating sector programs; implementing service changes;
reviewing and developing policy recommendations to the Metro Board; ensuring
compliance with Metro policies, procedures and legal agreements (e.g. labor
agreements and the Consent Decree); providing input into the Sector General
Manager's performance review; and participating in annual meetings with the Metro
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Deputy CEO and the other Sector Governance
Councils and General Managers.
In January, the WSCCOG received and filed a letter from the General Manager of
the Westside/Central Service Sector, requesting the WSCCOG proceed to nominate
or re-nominate the three representatives to the Westside/Central Sector Governance
Council for three year terms beginning on July 1, 2007 and expiring on June 20,
2010. Pursuant to the Service Sector Governance Council Bylaws (attached), the
Councils are comprised of up to nine members of the community who reside or work
within the boundaries of a given sector. Currently, the Westside/Central Service
Sector is comprised of eight members. Elected officials and/or private citizens may
serve on the Governance Councils. There is an emphasis placed upon transit
consumers as potential members of the Governance Council. The Governance
Council’s eight current appointees are recommended from the following entities:
City of Culver City (1); City of Beverly Hills (1); City of West Hollywood (1); City of
Los Angeles (2); Los Angeles City Council (1); Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke (1); and
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky (1). Generally, the appointees have been primarily staff
members and community members.
Governance Council members serve three-year terms and receive a stipend of $100
per meeting, up to a maximum of $200 per month from Metro. Metro
Westside/Central Governance Council meets the second Wednesday of every
month at 5 pm at the La Cienega Tennis Center, 325 S. La Cienega, Beverly Hills.
DISCUSSION:
Metro will soon consider appointing Members to the Westside/Central Service
Sector Governance Council. Of the Westside Cities, Santa Monica will take a bye
on a nominee given Pam O’Connor’s position on the Metro Board, and the City of
Los Angeles has its own designated representative slots. Therefore, each of the
Cities of Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Culver City are asked to submit one
recommendation each for the Westside/Central Sector Governance Council for the
May 24, 2007 WSCCOG Meeting.City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
The cities of Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Culver City are to forward the name
and a brief biography of one individual to be nominated/re-nominated to the
Governance Council by April 30, 2007. All three names will be forwarded to Metro.
The Transportation Director suggests the Council consider nominating Deputy
Transportation Director Art Ida. Staff believes his appointment would enhance the
coordination of services with Culver City Bus and further Mr. Ida’s professional
development.
The City Council may also choose to consider the following options for nominating a
member to the WSCCOG for the Sector Governance Council. These options are
listed in no particular order:
1. Publish a Notice in the newspaper announcing the vacant Sector Governance
Council position and have the City Council appoint an individual at the April 9,
2007 City Council Meeting; or
2. Direct staff to forward the name and resume of Art Ida, Deputy Transportation
Director to the WSCCOG as the recommended appointee from the City of
Culver City; or
3. Direct staff to forward the name and resume of a member of the City Council
to be selected as part of the City Council reorganization process at the April
23, 2007 City Council meeting; or
4. Provide other direction to staff.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Service Sector
Governance Council Bylaws.
MOTION:
That the City Council:City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
1. Publish a Notice in the newspaper announcing the vacant Sector Governance
Council position and have the City Council appoint an individual at a future
Council meeting (tentatively scheduled for April 9, 2007); or
2. Direct Staff to forward the name and resume of Art Ida, Deputy Transportation
Director, as the recommended nominee from the City of Culver City; or
3. Recommend a Council Member to serve as the nominee, with the City
Councilmember to be selected at the time of the City Council reorganization
process at the April 23, 2007 City Council meeting; or
4. Provide other direction to staff.
MEETING DATE: February 26, 2007
AGENDA ITEM: Discussion of the Nomination Process to Recommend
an Individual to the Westside Cities Council of
Governments for the Metro Westside/Central
Governance Council.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
1-5
Service Sector Governance Council BylawsAmended
October 28, 2005
LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
SERVICE SECTOR GOVERNANCECOUNCIL BYLAWS
ARTICLE I: PURPOSE
The purpose of the Service Sector Councils is to guide the staff at the local Service Sectors for
the purpose of improving bus service within each respective sector.
In order to achieve MTA's mission of being responsible for the continuous improvement of an
efficient and effective transportation system for Los Angeles County, the Service Sector
Councils shall support staff in:
• Facilitating a partnership along a shared vision for responsive community based
transportation services;
• Organizing the functions of the MTA to best serve our customers in a manner that is
efficient and effective;
• Developing an organizational framework that will lead the MTA into being a world class
transportation agency;
Fostering a more dynamic worlcing environment,• to reduce management layers by
moving responsibility and accountability closer to the customer; and
• Achieving overall improvement in service quality.
The General Managers, in concert with the Councils, will support Sector efforts to deliver,
monitor, and improve safety and performance of all bus service operated by the divisions within
their respective Sector; develop efficient coach operator work assignments and service schedules
that are responsive to customer needs and monitor existing service resource allocations; develop
and implement changes in bus service that improve service quality, ridership and operational
efficiency; and, develop and implement a planning and public communication process that elicits
and responds to the community and the customer.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
A. COMPOSITION: The Councils are comprised of up to nine members of the
community residing or working within the boundaries of a designated Service Sector
of the MTA. Members of the Service Sector Council may be elected officials and/or
private citizens, and shall require that at least fifty percent of the Council members be
consumers of transit service. Sectors have the option of retaining structures already
in place and may request to the MTA Board a change in the number of members
represented on the Council. MTA Board Members and employees are prohibited
from membership on a Service Sector Council.
B. TERMS OF SERVICE: Each member of the Service Sector Councils shall serve a
term of three-years, which shall be staggered among members, and are subject to the
same restrictions as the MTA Board members.C. ELIGIBILITY: Members of the Service Sector Councils must reside or work within
the Service Sector boundaries.
D. APPOINTMENTS: MTA Board Members shall confirm and appoint members of the
Service Sector Councils based on nominations submitted through a locally adopted
process by a coalition comprised of Councils of Governments, Interim Joint Powers
Authorities and any cities and unincorporated county areas. As much as possible,
members of the Councils shall be selected to reflect a broad spectrum of interests and
geographic areas of the Sector. Membership on the Council is not transferable or
assignable.
E. CODE OF CONDUCT: Members of the Service Sector Councils shall adhere to the
MTA Board Code of Conduct and all other relevant State and Federal laws. Sector
Governance Council Members have no individual authority over MTA Operations
and must act only through the Governance Council of which they are a member.
F. VACANCIES: Council vacancies will be filled in the same manner as appointments
are made.
G. ATTENDANCE: If a member has more than three absences in a row or in a six-
month period, the Council Chairperson may declare the council representative
inactive and initiate a nomination process to fill the vacancy of the inactive member.
H. RESIGNATION: A member of the Service Sector Council may render their
resignation from the Sector Council by writing a letter to the MTA Board Secretary
with copies to the MTA Board and the nominator.
I. REMOVAL: The Council can remove any member of the Council at any time if it
deems this is in the best interest of the Service Sector. Removal by the Council
requires a 2/3, supermajority vote of those members of the Council that are present
and confirmation by the MTA Board. Members may also be removed by a simple
majority of the MTA Board if: 1) removal of the member is requested by the
nominating authority of the member; or 2) for any cause for which the Board deems
removal of the member to be warranted.
ARTICLE III: GOVERNANCE
A. OFFICERS: The officers of the Council shall consist of the Chairperson and Vice-
Chairperson, each of who shall be elected from among members of the Council. The
Council, annually, or at its June meeting and at such other time as there may be a
vacancy, shall elect officers. The term of office shall be one year. Each shall serve
for the balance of the current term.
I. Duties of the Chairperson: The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the
Council and shall exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be
assigned by the Council or prescribed herein.
2. Duties of the Vice-Chairperson: The Vice-Chairperson shall perform the duties
of the Chairperson in his or her absence, and when so acting shall have all the
powers of and be subject to all the restrictions of the Chairperson.
B. SECRETARY: The MTA Board Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept minutes of
each meeting for distribution to the MTA Board and the MTA Chief Executive
Officer. The MTA Board Secretary shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, an up-
Service Sector Council Bylaws 2to-date roster of members, (and those individuals receiving agendas and minutes) and
have it available at all meetings of the Council.
C. In the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair, the Sector Council shall determine the
presiding officer for the meeting.
ARTICLE IV: WORK PROGRAM
In June of each year, the Council shall adopt an Annual Council work program, which
outlines the activities and priorities of the Council for the following year. The work
program shall be consistent with the MTA Board adopted mission, vision and goals and
must comply with all Board adopted policies, service standards and other criteria.
ARTICLE V: MEETINGS
A. AGENDA: Matters to be placed on the agenda for any regular meeting will be
coordinated through the General Manager. Any member of the Council may also
place items on the agenda through the MTA Board Secretary. The Secretary shall
cause the agenda to be prepared and copies thereof to be mailed or delivered at least
seven working days prior to the regular meeting date to council members, MTA staff
and the public.
B. REGULAR MEETINGS: The Council will hold regularly scheduled meetings. If a
regularly scheduled meeting day falls on a holiday, the meeting shall be held on the
next business day. Scheduled meetings should not conflict with regularly scheduled
MTA Committee and Board meetings. Council meetings shall be conducted pursuant
to Robert's Rules of Order.
C. RALPH M. BROWN ACT: All meetings of the Council shall be called, noticed and
conducted in the manner prescribed by the Section 54952.3 of the Government Code
(the Ralph M. Brown Act) as amended from time to time.
D. PARTICIPATION: Anyone attending the meeting is eligible to be heard. No person
or member shall address the Council at any meeting until first recognized by the
Chairperson. The decision of the Chair not to recognize a person may be changed by
vote of a majority of the members of the Council present at the meeting. The
Chairperson may, in the interest of facilitating the business of the Council, limit the
amount of time which a person or member may use in addressing the Council.
E. ANNUAL MEETING: The Councils shall meet and confer with the MTA Chief
Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and other Sector Governance
Councils on an annual basis to discuss the overall effectiveness of the Sectors and
other related matters.
F. QUORUM: A majority of council members (50%+1) shall constitute a quorum to do
business; two-thirds of the Council shall constitute a supermajority.
G. STIPEND: Members of the Service Sector Councils will be paid a stipend for a
maximum of two meetings per month, in an amount to be determined by the MTA
Board.
Service Sector Council Bylaws 3ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS
AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS: The Board, by a simple majority, or the Council, by a
2/3 supennajority vote of the membership as listed on the membership roster at the time
of such a vote may amend the bylaws from time to time. Any proposed bylaws
amendments must be properly noticed on the agenda of a regularly scheduled Council
meeting and scheduled for a membership vote at that same regularly scheduled Council
meeting. Any Council amendments to the bylaws are subject to MTA Board approval.
ARTICLE VII: AUTHORITY
The Council is created and given perpetual succession by tenris of the Los Angeles
County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The Council's authority will include,
directing the Sector General Manager to:
A. Develop route planning studies to better route and schedule Tier 2 and 3 services
operated within the Sector and those Tier 1 routes so designated;
B. Develop efficiency studies to identify ways to decrease the unit cost of services
provided in the Sectors;
C. Call public hearings pertaining to all Tier I, 2 and 3 bus route changes within the
Sectors, including Rapid Bus, following State and Federal law and policy pertaining
to public hearings;
D. Make changes, add or delete bus services within the Sectors in conformance with
MTA service standards, collective bargaining agreements and MTA policies; except
that any proposed changes to Tier I services, which include Rapid Bus, must
come back to the MTA Board before they are implemented.
E. Make efficiency changes to the operations as appropriate;
F. Contract with planning, businesses, consultants, other local transit operators and any
other contracting needs unique to the Sector in accordance with agency guidelines;
and,
G. Work with MTA planning staff and municipal operators to insure coordination of
services, including Tier 1 services.
ARTICLE VIII: RESPONSIBILITIES
The Council's delegated responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to:
A. Meet with the Sector General Manager and MTA Deputy Chief Executive Officer
before the budget is adopted and further establish goals in coordination with the
Sector General Manager that conform with the MTA performance evaluation plan;
B. Prior to the budget adoption by the MTA Board, meet with the Deputy Chief
Executive Officer to review the performance of the Sector General Managers in
accordance with the MTA performance criteria at least once per year;
C. Meet and confer with the Deputy Chief Executive Officer to provide input into the
General Manager's evaluation;
Service Sector Council Bylaws 4D. Meet in a general forum with all members of the Service Sector Councils and the
MTA Board of Directors to report on the progress each Sector has made and establish
lines of communication to ensure cooperation between each of the Sectors and the
MTA Board at least once per year; and,
E. Provide input to the MTA Board on budget, capital needs, Tier 1 service plans, and
other issues the councils feel the MTA Board should be informed of.
ARTICLE IX: POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
Service Sector Council Members shall be subject to the restrictions that are imposed on
MTA Board Members.
ARTICLE X: LIABILITY PROTECTION
Any member of the Service Sector Council made or threatened to be made a party to any
action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that s/he is or was a Director or Officer of
the Service Sector Council shall be indemnified and defended by the MTA pursuant to
the law in the same manner as an officer or employee the MTA.
Service Sector Council Bylaws 5