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Hi! I'm Brandi Childress,
and with me today is Charlotte Powers,
Chair of VTA's Citizens Advisory Committee
or what we call: the CAC.
The CAC is one at five advisory committees for the VTA Board of Directors.
Today we're going to talk about the CAC's role
in the 2000 Measure A Program and how they provide oversight for that program.
But before we get into that,
I'd like to talk with Charlotte a little bit about her background in transportation planning.
Welcome!
>> Thank you, Brandi, for asking me today.
Yes, I have been involved in transportation for a number of years.
I was a former member of the San Jose City Council
when VTA was authorized to become an independent agency.
I was on that first VTA Board,
and I've been Chair of the Board at one time,
and served all the eight years I was on the city council.
I then took a little hiatus so that I could be retired,
and now I'm back as the Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee
and loving every bit of it!
I just love transportation.
>> Well, we love your commitment to transportation, and we thank you.
What is CAC and the role it plays for VTA?
>> The Citizens Advisory Committee (or CAC)
was established by the VTA Board of Directors
and is composed of 17 individuals
who represent organizations throughout the county, such as: labor, the chambers of commerce,
the homebuilders association,
commercial management and other organizations,
bicyclists, pedestrians.
And we listen to reports and issues
that come before our committee
and we make recommendations to the Board.
Once a month, I go to the Board
and if there is some action item that we believe needs to be addressed,
or given to the Board, we address the Board with our recommendation on that item.
>> Great.
Back in November 2000,
the voters in Santa Clara County passed a ballot measure
that dedicated a half-cent sales tax over the next 30 years
to a very specific set of transit projects that would be funded by that sales tax,
known as 2000 Measure A.
How was CAC involved in that major initiative?
>> A part of Measure A also requires an audit committee
to see if expenditures are being made in accordance with
the terms and projects that are listed in Measure A,
and CAC was then identified to serve as that audit committee.
So we are responsible for
seeing that the Measure A projects are on target,
and that the money is being spent in accordance with the terms of the measure.
We hire an independent auditor to help us with this,
and he prepares a report which we present annually to the Board and to the public.
We hold a public hearing and then we make recommendations
(if there are some that the audit committee makes)
to the Board,
to make sure they are in compliance with the terms of Measure A.
>> So how does the CAC monitor the progress on delivering these projects
and ensure that the money is being spent correctly?
>> Well, we receive reports from the project managers
who come to the committee and give us updates
as the projects are underway.
We take tours, and we've visited several of the sites -- especially BART,
to see how the initial steps are being taken to start the construction of BART.
We hire the auditor,
we hold public hearings,
and we make reports and recommendations to the Board
as we see the progress being made.
In addition, the CAC members are actively involved in the community.
We attend public hearings,
where the issues are brought to the public's attention
as they are being developed.
We also go to Senate hearings and other areas of funding,
and follow legislation that has an impact on Measure A.
We like to share all the information that we have with our constituent groups as well.
We do take the info back to them
so that they have a broader range of input from their own constituent groups
to bring to the committee.
>> Bottom line: Was CAC satisfied with VTA's progress to-date?
>> Well, after careful review of the audit
and receiving input from the community and others:
Yes, we are very pleased with the progress to-date,
and have found them to be in compliance with the terms of Measure A.
>> Although the voters passed the measure in 2000,
VTA has only been collecting the sales tax since 2006.
>> That's correct.
>> It's only been five years,
but what kind of progress has VTA made on projects?
Oh, there's been substantial progress
on the projects that are in Measure A.
And even despite the steep decline in sales tax revenue
that's been a part of the recession,
we have really made some great progress.
For example, in the BART project, particularly
-- which is a high priority --
we've started prepare the corridor by buying the right way,
and moving the utilities and rail lines
so that when actual construction can start, we are ready to go.
VTA has purchased 70 low-floor light rail vehicles that are currently in operation.
We have worked on the pedestrian improvements
that are currently underway in the initial stage of
the Capitol Expressway light rail project to Eastridge Transit Center.
We're working on the Blossom Hill Pedestrian Bridge in south San Jose,
and it is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year --
providing a safe crossing for the public over the Union Pacific railroad tracks
at Monterey Highway, and that's a major project.
VTA has implemented the 522 Express Bus Service
along El Camino Real, servicing Palo Alto to east San Jose.
These are just a few of the projects that are under way.
And remember that we have a long way to go until 2036.
>> That is quite an impressive list of accomplishments!
Charlotte, I want to thank you for coming in today and speaking with us.
I'd also like to thank the CAC for the service you provide to the Santa Clara County voters.
>> You're very welcome.
>> For a complete list of projects and the annual report that we spoke about today,
please visit www.vta.org.
And if you're interested in learning about the other advisory committees,
please check back here in the future for videos coming soon.