Citizen Advisory Committee

The CAC is looking for new members. Would you like to serve?

Fill out an application at the following link: Citizen Advisory Committee Member Application.

This committee is comprised of qualified volunteer citizen members. The purpose of this committee 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 reach out to the public and act as a focused, educated forum for public input and feedback to the organization and represent a wide range of stakeholders and transit service employees. Members serve a term of three years.

All meetings are the second Wednesday of February, April, June, September and November at 5:00 p.m. and conducted within virtual meeting environments while Covid-19 meeting restrictions are in place (unless otherwise noted).

To view the Final CAC Charter updated in July of 2023, click here.

Members

Dan Brown – Committee Chair

Tino Andrade

Konrad Capeller

Linda Carroll

Steve Faust

Chris Fortensky

Susan Gray

Caleb McDougall

Kinzie Michael

JT Ramsey

Andrew Tse

Rhonda Young

CHARTER
SPOKANE TRANSIT AUTHORITY
CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Updated July 2023

ARTICLE I – NAME OF GROUP

The name of this group shall be Spokane Transit Authority (STA) Citizen Advisory Committee.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

The mission of the STA Citizen Advisory Committee (“CAC”) is to:

  • Represent a wide range of stakeholders from the STA Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA).
  • Increase public participation in the functions of STA and act as a focused, educated forum for public input and feedback to the organization.
  • Ensure accountability of the organization’s actions.
  • Act as an educational arm of the organization to reach out to the public.

The CAC is advisory to the STA Performance Monitoring and External Relations Committee and not to the agency itself.

The CAC will represent the interests of the community and assist staff and STA in furthering STA’s stated mission, vision, and goals, in accordance with the regular input received from the public and stakeholders.

ARTICLE III – SCOPE OF WORK

The CAC will:

  • Review and assess STA’s performance measurements.
  • Review and assess STA’s progress in achieving its measurable goals and objectives.
  • Explore and advise STA of emerging public transportation issues.
  • Make recommendations, at its discretion, and present them to the Performance Monitoring and External Relations Committee, for review and potential recommendation to the STA Board of Directors.

When requested and for new members, Staff will provide an information packet and orientation to CAC members in specific areas including, but not limited to, defined responsibilities and legal requirements, nomenclature, history, mission, vision, services, policies, budget, strategic communications 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 Performance Monitoring and External Relations Committee. Membership shall reflect the PTBA service area and strive for regional and demographic representation and diversity of opinion.

ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Members of the CAC must reside within the PTBA service area. The residency requirement may be waived if the applicant or member demonstrates in their application that they are a consistent user of STA’s fixed route buses, paratransit, or Rideshare service. STA strives to have varied geographic and socioeconomic representation, and also seeks applicants with demonstrated lived experience.

CAC members are expected to introduce and discuss STA in as many venues as are open to the member. The following list represents groups from which participation may be sought:

  • Business Owners
  • Chambers of Commerce
  • College Students
  • Community Based Organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, AHANA, and Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center
  • Faith Community
  • Higher Education/Administration/Faculty
  • Medical Community/ Public Health
  • Neighborhood Associations/Councils
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Public Agencies/Law Enforcement
  • Rural Community
  • Senior Citizens
  • Service Users (Fixed Route, Paratransit, Rideshare)
  • Social Service Agencies
  • Youth

ARTICLE VI – MEMBERSHIP SELECTION PROCESS

Selection of the members of the CAC shall be through an application process:

  • The CAC will review applicants and select potential candidates.
  • Staff and a CAC representative will meet with potential candidates and may recommend them to the CAC for further consideration.
  • The CAC may vote to recommend candidates to the Performance Monitoring and External Relations Committee to be CAC committee members.
  • The Performance Monitoring and External Relations Committee will vote to appoint members of the CAC.

ARTICLE VII – MEMBERSHIP ROTATION PROCESS

Annually, in November, the CAC members will select the Chair of the CAC. The new chair shall be seated at the February meeting. Annual membership recruitment will occur each September, or as needed from time to time at the discretion of the PMER Committee. Membership recruitment and filling vacancies is an ongoing process.

Membership on the CAC is for a three-year term. At the end of their term, a member can reapply to serve a second term for a total of two consecutive three-year terms. Following the expiration of a member’s second consecutive three-year term, a member must wait one full year before reapplying for a new three-year term.

If a member cannot fulfill their term, a new candidate may be selected to serve out the remainder of the term. The CAC Chair will poll the members each April as to their desire to remain on the Citizen Advisory Committee. Any member who has three consecutive unexcused absences will be called by the CAC Chair or staff representative to determine their interest in continuing on the committee.

Membership applications may be sent to all who have requested an application, to people recommended by current or former CAC members, other citizens, and/or to groups representing the previously stated participation list.

ARTICLE VIII – OPERATING GUIDELINES

The CAC conducts its business in accordance with Washington State’s Open Public Meetings Act, RCW 42.30 and Public Disclosure Laws RCW 42.56. The CAC has adopted the following operating guidelines:

  • The CAC shall meet five times a year: February, April, June, September, and November.
  • Special meetings may be called if necessary.
  • The Chair, or the Chair’s designee, will be the appointed spokesperson for the CAC.
  • As designated on the Performance Monitoring and External Relations Committee agenda, the CAC Chair, or a delegated CAC member, may provide the STA Board of Directors with the CAC’s input and advice.
  • The CAC shall provide meeting minutes to the Clerk of the Authority to be forwarded to the Performance Monitoring and External Relations Committee and STA Board of Directors.
  • A charter review will be conducted at least once every three years, or as necessary from time to time at the discretion of the CAC or Performance Monitoring and External Relations Committee.
  • The members of the CAC serve in a voluntary role and without salary. With pre-approval, travel is reimbursed according to STA policies and procedures.

ARTICLE IX – 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 the Performance Monitoring and External Relations Committee and/or the STA Board of Directors.

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