Comments on: Alameda Governance: Whither the TC? http://johnknoxwhite.com/2010/02/03/alameda-governance-whither-the-tc/ mindfulness in the face of a challenge Sat, 10 Jul 2010 14:41:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Another case for the Alameda Transportation Commission | Stop, Drop and Roll - mindfulness in the face of a challenge http://johnknoxwhite.com/2010/02/03/alameda-governance-whither-the-tc/comment-page-1/#comment-2814 Another case for the Alameda Transportation Commission | Stop, Drop and Roll - mindfulness in the face of a challenge Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:12:45 +0000 http://johnknoxwhite.com/?p=1208#comment-2814 [...] mentioned a little while back, the Alameda Transportation Commission (TC) has disappeared.  Not even next month’s impending major AC Transit service changes appear to have warranted [...] [...] mentioned a little while back, the Alameda Transportation Commission (TC) has disappeared.  Not even next month’s impending major AC Transit service changes appear to have warranted [...]

]]> By: Jon Spangler http://johnknoxwhite.com/2010/02/03/alameda-governance-whither-the-tc/comment-page-1/#comment-2776 Jon Spangler Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:56:40 +0000 http://johnknoxwhite.com/?p=1208#comment-2776 There are currently three unfilled vacancies on the TC, and at least one of them (John Knox White's) has apparently been vacant since June 2009: http://www.ci.alameda.ca.us/gov/bdcm.html?entity=5 The very slow pace (if there is any pace at all) of filling these vacancies strikes me as being totally inappropriate, and raises questions in my mind about the mayor's intentions re: the TC and/or perhaps her ability to perform the duties of her office in a timely manner. (CAVEAT: I only know what I have seen on the City's Web site and have not been able to research this with the City Clerk's office or other sources.) It does not take a rocket scientist to make sure that vacancies are advertised (by City staff), candidates screened (mostly, again, by staff), and to select appropriate individuals... Or does it? Is there, as I suspect there may be, a connection between the staff's "refusals" to support TC meetings and the fact that the TC is still missing three appointees? Visit: http://www.ci.alameda.ca.us/gov/bdcm.html?entity=5 There are currently three unfilled vacancies on the TC, and at least one of them (John Knox White’s) has apparently been vacant since June 2009:

http://www.ci.alameda.ca.us/gov/bdcm.html?entity=5

The very slow pace (if there is any pace at all) of filling these vacancies strikes me as being totally inappropriate, and raises questions in my mind about the mayor’s intentions re: the TC and/or perhaps her ability to perform the duties of her office in a timely manner. (CAVEAT: I only know what I have seen on the City’s Web site and have not been able to research this with the City Clerk’s office or other sources.)

It does not take a rocket scientist to make sure that vacancies are advertised (by City staff), candidates screened (mostly, again, by staff), and to select appropriate individuals… Or does it?

Is there, as I suspect there may be, a connection between the staff’s “refusals” to support TC meetings and the fact that the TC is still missing three appointees?

Visit:

http://www.ci.alameda.ca.us/gov/bdcm.html?entity=5

]]> By: Jon Spangler http://johnknoxwhite.com/2010/02/03/alameda-governance-whither-the-tc/comment-page-1/#comment-2774 Jon Spangler Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:52:40 +0000 http://johnknoxwhite.com/?p=1208#comment-2774 The creation of the Transportation Commission (on which many of us worked for years) is probably the crowning achievement of groups like BikeAlameda, Alameda Transit Advocates, and Pedestrian Friendly Alameda. Is it possible that the tangible outcomes of the TC's work, like the landmark Transportation Master Plan, rebalance the auto-overloaded scales just a wee bit too much? Are some higher-level City staff not very comfortable with actually implementing realistic non-auto solutions and therfore trying to kill the messenger of this carbon-loaded "bad" (anti-auto) news? Shortcutting or eliminating the meeting of duly-appointed commissions--about art or transportation--is an unfortunate and anti-democratic choice that should never be made by City staff. But such choices have clearly been made at the highest levels of the City administration, without any public decisions or discussions by the Council. Time to clean the administrative house? The creation of the Transportation Commission (on which many of us worked for years) is probably the crowning achievement of groups like BikeAlameda, Alameda Transit Advocates, and Pedestrian Friendly Alameda.

Is it possible that the tangible outcomes of the TC’s work, like the landmark Transportation Master Plan, rebalance the auto-overloaded scales just a wee bit too much?

Are some higher-level City staff not very comfortable with actually implementing realistic non-auto solutions and therfore trying to kill the messenger of this carbon-loaded “bad” (anti-auto) news?

Shortcutting or eliminating the meeting of duly-appointed commissions–about art or transportation–is an unfortunate and anti-democratic choice that should never be made by City staff. But such choices have clearly been made at the highest levels of the City administration, without any public decisions or discussions by the Council.

Time to clean the administrative house?

]]> By: Michael Rich http://johnknoxwhite.com/2010/02/03/alameda-governance-whither-the-tc/comment-page-1/#comment-2773 Michael Rich Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:43:03 +0000 http://johnknoxwhite.com/?p=1208#comment-2773 Thanks for the clarification. I can't imagine that the Council would not want a forum for public input on transportation, given that traffic is a big concern in Alameda. I know there are efforts at different levels of government to consolidate appointed commissions to reduce overlap, streamline decision-making and save money. Whatever the plan is, if there is a plan, it should be communicated. Thanks for the clarification. I can’t imagine that the Council would not want a forum for public input on transportation, given that traffic is a big concern in Alameda. I know there are efforts at different levels of government to consolidate appointed commissions to reduce overlap, streamline decision-making and save money. Whatever the plan is, if there is a plan, it should be communicated.

]]> By: John Knox White http://johnknoxwhite.com/2010/02/03/alameda-governance-whither-the-tc/comment-page-1/#comment-2772 John Knox White Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:58:41 +0000 http://johnknoxwhite.com/?p=1208#comment-2772 Kathi, I termed out last June so am no longer on the TC, but that raises another big question, there are 2-3 members who's terms expire in June, do they get an extra year on the commission before terming out? or do they lose a year of council-appointed service to the city because someone doesn't want the TC to meet? Kathi,

I termed out last June so am no longer on the TC, but that raises another big question, there are 2-3 members who’s terms expire in June, do they get an extra year on the commission before terming out? or do they lose a year of council-appointed service to the city because someone doesn’t want the TC to meet?

]]> By: John Knox White http://johnknoxwhite.com/2010/02/03/alameda-governance-whither-the-tc/comment-page-1/#comment-2771 John Knox White Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:56:51 +0000 http://johnknoxwhite.com/?p=1208#comment-2771 Hi Mike! Actually, not speculating about a secret vote, more about whether the council is even aware that the TC doesn't meet anymore and if so, are they planning on taking a vote to officially get rid of it? Hi Mike!

Actually, not speculating about a secret vote, more about whether the council is even aware that the TC doesn’t meet anymore and if so, are they planning on taking a vote to officially get rid of it?

]]> By: Michael Rich http://johnknoxwhite.com/2010/02/03/alameda-governance-whither-the-tc/comment-page-1/#comment-2770 Michael Rich Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:20:46 +0000 http://johnknoxwhite.com/?p=1208#comment-2770 Wouldn't a vote to eliminate the commission need to be taken in public? The question you're raising sidesteps whether you think the Council has some unstated reason for canceling the meetings. It seems clear that you do think there is a subtext. If you prefer not to speculate as to a reason so as to avoid coming off as paranoid, I understand that, but on the other hand, speculating about a secret vote amounts to the same thing, and doesn't get to the underlying issue. Wouldn’t a vote to eliminate the commission need to be taken in public? The question you’re raising sidesteps whether you think the Council has some unstated reason for canceling the meetings. It seems clear that you do think there is a subtext. If you prefer not to speculate as to a reason so as to avoid coming off as paranoid, I understand that, but on the other hand, speculating about a secret vote amounts to the same thing, and doesn’t get to the underlying issue.

]]> By: david burton http://johnknoxwhite.com/2010/02/03/alameda-governance-whither-the-tc/comment-page-1/#comment-2769 david burton Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:04:31 +0000 http://johnknoxwhite.com/?p=1208#comment-2769 54% of carbon emissions in Alameda are transportation related. The city has commited, through its Local Action Plan for Climate Protection (http://casa-alameda.pbworks.com/f/LOCAL+ACTION+PLAN.pdf) to a goal of reducing Alameda's carbon emissions to 25% below 2005 levels by 2020. If the council and city staff are serious about that commitment then the Transportation Commission, and the master plans you mentioned, are an integral part of taking action. I'm interested to hear an explanation for the inaction. 54% of carbon emissions in Alameda are transportation related. The city has commited, through its Local Action Plan for Climate Protection (http://casa-alameda.pbworks.com/f/LOCAL+ACTION+PLAN.pdf) to a goal of reducing Alameda’s carbon emissions to 25% below 2005 levels by 2020. If the council and city staff are serious about that commitment then the Transportation Commission, and the master plans you mentioned, are an integral part of taking action. I’m interested to hear an explanation for the inaction.

]]> By: Kathi Young http://johnknoxwhite.com/2010/02/03/alameda-governance-whither-the-tc/comment-page-1/#comment-2768 Kathi Young Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:02:17 +0000 http://johnknoxwhite.com/?p=1208#comment-2768 I think it's disgusting that they can cancel the TC meetings, something that affects every one of us on the island, whether we have a car or not, but yet they make sure the Golf Commission is meeting regularly. With the service changes for bus riders pending, as well as good weather (fingers crossed) in spring for riding around the island on your own two wheels, lets all make this happen. John, are you no longer chair of the TC? To hell with the staff, let's hold a meeting on the stairs of city hall to show that we're determined to make things happen!! I think it’s disgusting that they can cancel the TC meetings, something that affects every one of us on the island, whether we have a car or not, but yet they make sure the Golf Commission is meeting regularly.

With the service changes for bus riders pending, as well as good weather (fingers crossed) in spring for riding around the island on your own two wheels, lets all make this happen. John, are you no longer chair of the TC? To hell with the staff, let’s hold a meeting on the stairs of city hall to show that we’re determined to make things happen!!

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