Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Carole Groom, District 2
Supervisor David J. Canepa, District 5
Subject: Appointments to the San Mateo County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Adopt a resolution clarifying that geographic representation across all county districts shall be a consideration in the appointment of alternate members of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee; and
B) Appoint the following to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee:
1. Cristina Aquino, as First Alternate, for an initial partial term ending June 30, 2022; and
2. Annie Tsai, as a Second Alternate, for an initial partial term ending June 30, 2024.
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BACKGROUND:
The responsibility of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (Committee) is to advise and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, to develop and implement an annual work plan, and to provide a public forum for input from the members of the public including identifying unmet needs. The Committee acts as an advocate for people walking and bicycling, and fulfills other duties and engages in other activities as directed by the Board of Supervisors. Committee membership consists of five voting members and two alternate members who shall be residents of the County of San Mateo and who regularly walk and/or ride a bicycle for transportation purposes. For the regular voting members, one member shall represent the interests of the Safe Routes to School Community; one member shall represent the interests of Older Adults; one shall represent the interests of Bicycling Transportation; and the two remaining seats shall be At-Large. The alternate members actively participate in discussions with the regular voting members but may only vote on matters before the Committee at meetings when one or more of the five regular members are absent.
Resolution 073998 authorized the establishment of the Committee with up to five regular voting members and Item 2c within it states that, “Consideration shall be given to geographic representation across the five County districts, but no more than two members may reside in the same district.”
Resolution 074494 subsequently expanded the membership to provide for the appointment of up to two alternate members. It didn’t, however, include any language pertaining to the geographic representation of the alternate members. While staff acknowledge that there may not be an equal number of applicants from each District to fill alternate member vacancies, it is recommended that Resolution 074494 be amended to state that consideration be given to the selection of alternate members from Districts that currently aren’t represented on the Committee. This would extend consideration of geographic representation across the five County districts that is currently undertaken in the appointment of regular voting members to all Committee members.
At its August 4, 2020, meeting, the Board reappointed a regular voting member and approved the appointment of the two existing alternate members to regular voting member positions. At that time, it was noted that a future clarification of Resolutions 073998 and 074494 would be made regarding the geographic representation of the regular voting members and alternate members.
DISCUSSION:
Cristina Aquino is being recommended for the First Alternate position that was vacated when former First Alternate, John Langbein, was appointed as a regular voting member representing Bicycle Transportation. Cristina lives in Daly City and should her appointment be approved, she will be the only Committee member representing District 5. Cristina started bicycling more during the pandemic, which has increased her awareness of the need for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. She approaches decision making in a strategic manner and considers many factors on an issue before reaching a conclusion. Cristina is very active in civic activities and is the President Elect of the South San Francisco Rotary Club and serves as its Youth Services Chair. She is also the Membership Chair for the South San Francisco Sister City Association.
Annie Tsai is being recommended for the Second Alternate position that was vacated when former Second Alternate, Elaine Salinger, was appointed as a regular voting member in an At-Large position. Annie lives in San Mateo and should her appointment be approved, she will be the only Committee member representing District 2. Annie has lived in San Mateo since 1988, is an advocate for improving bikeways and walkability, and desires to formally support this work as a member of the Committee . She views active transportation as beneficial for both recreation and as part of commute trips. Annie is also very active in civic activities and currently serves on the San Mateo County Housing and Community Development Committee and the San Mateo County Emergency Medical Care Committee. She also is an advisory board member for Moms in Tech.
The proposed resolution clarifies that that geographic representation across all county districts shall be a consideration in the appointment of alternate members of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Currently, the makeup of the existing Committee members, both regular and alternate, doesn’t include representation from District 2 or District 5. Should the Board approve the current recommendation, there will be representation from each District on the Committee.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved this resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.