As part of its consent calendar, the Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved Tuesday the appointment of David Feinberg to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Westside/Central Service Governance Council.
Feinberg works with the Big Blue Bus (BBB) as a Transit Government Relations Officer. City staff stated he was nominated because of his experience with bus transit policy development, interagency coordination, and operations planning.
The appointment was made pursuant to a request made to Santa Monica by the Westside Cities Council of Governments (COG) to make a nomination from within the City to serve on the Governance Council.
According to City staff, the governance council assists Metro in improving bus service, increasing agency accessibility and responsiveness, maintaining supportive work environments for employees, and creating a customer-focused management structure.
The Sector Governance Councils, City Hall added, “oversee the planning and implementation of service within their area,” including: implementing transit rout service changes; conducting public hearings for major service changes; and, hosting monthly meeting or public hearings for transit users to have a forum to voice concerns or make suggestions.
Three seats on the Governance Council are shared among four Westside area cities, including Beverly Hills, Culver City, West Hollywood, and Santa Monica.
The COG must approved Feinberg’s nomination before the Metro board can formally appoint him.
City staff stated nominations to this council must “reflect the broad spectrum of interests, including bus transit service planning and an ability to forge consensus with other sector members.”
“Another benefit in Mr. Feinberg’s nomination is the coordination it will provide between Metro and Big Blue Bus service. For example, Mr. Feinberg will help Metro understand how a proposed service change will impact BBB customers,” City staff stated.
