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Citizens Advisory Committee

 

 

The Spokane Transit Citizens Advisory Committee meets the second Wednesday of each month (except August) at 5:00 p.m. in the Northside Conference Rooms, 1230 West Boone Avenue, Spokane. All meetings are open to the public. View meeting agendas and minutes.

 

Members

David Swalling, Chair
Margaret Jones
Dean Lynch
Brenda Smits

Fryne Bemiller

Victor Frazier

B. Elaine Hoskin


Citizen’s Advisory Committee Charter
Charter
Spokane Transit Authority


ARTICLE I – NAME OF GROUP

The name of this group shall be Spokane Transit Citizens Advisory Committee.

 

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

The mission of the Spokane Transit Citizens Advisory Committee, hereinafter referred to as CAC, is to:

  • Increase public participation in the functions of Spokane Transit.
  • Ensure accountability of the organization’s actions.
  • Act as an educational arm of the organization to the public.
  • Act as a focused, educated form of public input and feedback to the organization.
  • Be representative of a wide range of stakeholders and transit service.

The CAC will represent the interests of the community and assist staff and the Board of Directors in making the region proud of its public transportation system.

 

ARTICLE III- SCOPE OF WORK

The initial work of the CAC will be to:

  • Assess baseline performance of Spokane Transit.
  • Examine where Spokane Transit is heading.
  • Explore emerging public transportation issues.
  • Assess Spokane Transit’s progress in achieving its measurable goals and objectives.
  • Make recommendations, at its discretion, and present them to the Board.

The CAC is advisory to the Spokane Transit Board of Directors and not to the agency itself.
It is recognized that during the first year the CAC will require basic education regarding Spokane Transit. Staff will provide orientations to the CAC in specific areas including, but not limited to, defined responsibilities and legal requirements, nomenclature, history, mission, vision, services, policies, budget, strategic marketing plan, Transit Development Plan, partnerships, and community outreach practices.

ARTICLE IV – COMPOSITION

The CAC shall be composed of no more than 15 members appointed by the Spokane Transit Board of Directors. Membership shall reflect Spokane Transit’s service area and strive for broad, inclusive, regional, and diverse representation from membership-based organizations to increase the reach and effectiveness of its purpose. This is to include proponents and opponents and/or critics of public transportation. The following list represents groups from which participation should be sought:

  • Senior Citizens
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Higher Education/Administration/Faculty
  • Public Agencies/Law Enforcement
  • College Students
  • Chambers of Commerce
  • Business Owners
  • Service Users (Fixed Route, Paratransit, Vanpool)
  • Youth
  • Social Service Agencies
  • Medical Community/ Public Health
  • Neighborhood Associations
  • Rural Community
  • Citizens-at-Large
  • Rotary, Kiwanis, Ahana, Martin Luther King and/or other Fraternal and Civic Associations
  • Faith Community

 

ARTICLE V – SELECTION PROCESS

Selection of the members of the CAC shall be through an application process with Spokane Transit Board approval.

 

ARTICLE VI – OPERATING GUIDELINES

The CAC will conduct its business in accordance with Washington State’s Open Public Meetings Act, RCW 42.30 and Public Disclosure Laws RCW 42.17. The CAC will adopt operating procedures at its first meeting.

  • The CAC shall meet monthly.
  • The CAC will select its own chair.
  • The Chair will be the appointed spokesperson for the CAC.
  • The Chair, or a delegated CAC member, may provide the Spokane Transit Board of Directors with the CAC's input and advice on any issue or action item before the Board during Board meetings.The Chair of the Spokane Transit Board shall solicit the CAC's input on all action items on the Board's Agenda.
  • The CAC shall provide meeting minutes to the Clerk of the Authority to be forwarded to the Spokane Transit Board of Directors. All CAC records will be open to public review.
  • A charter review will be conducted at least once every three years.
  • The STA Board shall establish length and rotation of terms on the CAC after the initial pilot period.
  • The STA Board shall establish a yearly budget for the CAC.
  • The members of the CAC serve in a voluntary role and without compensation.

 

ARTICLE VII – STAFFING

As authorized by the Board, the CEO shall appoint staff members to serve as the CAC Staff Liaisons. Staff shall acquire meeting facilities and equipment, record, transcribe, and distribute minutes, and distribute other materials, including the agenda. Other duties include preparation of agenda forms and attachments to communicate CAC issues and recommendations to committees and the Spokane Transit Board of Directors.