Meeting_Body
FINANCE, BUDGET AND AUDIT COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 19, 2022
Subject
SUBJECT: MEASURE M INDEPENDENT TAXPAYER OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE SELECTION
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVE Paul Rajmaira, the recommended nominee for the Measure M Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee for area of expertise E, management of large-scale construction projects.
Issue
ISSUE
The Measure M Committee consists of seven members representing various areas of expertise. In April 2022, the professional in the Area of expertise E - management of large-scale construction projects resigned due to a change in residence. This action seeks to fill the resulting vacancy.
Background
BACKGROUND
The Measure M Ordinance (Ordinance), approved by voters in November 2016, requires the establishment of a Measure M Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee of Metro (“Committee”) to provide an enhanced level of accountability for expenditures of sales tax revenues made under the Expenditure Plan. The Committee carries out the responsibilities laid out in the Ordinance and plays a valuable and constructive role in the ongoing improvement and enhancement of project delivery contemplated under the Measure M Ordinance. See Attachment A for Committee requirements.
The Committee is comprised of seven members representing the following areas of expertise:
A. A retired Federal or State judge;
B. A professional from the field of municipal/public finance and/or budgeting with a minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience;
C. A transit professional with a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in senior-level decision making in transit operations and labor practices;
D. A professional with a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in management and administration of financial policies, performance measurements, and reviews;
E. A professional with demonstrated experience of ten (10) years or more in the management of large-scale construction projects;
F. A licensed architect or engineer with appropriate credentials in the field of transportation project design or construction and a minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience; and
G. A regional association of business representative with at least ten (10) years of senior-level decision making experience in the private sector.
The Measure M Ordinance states that the Selection Panel consisting of Metro’s Board Chair, Vice Chair, and Second Vice Chair or their designees shall select the Committee Members for approval. The Selection Panel developed guidelines to solicit, collect, and review applications of potential candidates for membership on the Committee.
The Metro Board shall approve the recommended candidates for Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee Membership by a simple majority per the selection panel guidelines (Attachment B).
Discussion
DISCUSSION
As stipulated in the guidelines, in September 2022, staff presented the candidate to the Selection Panel for review and approval. The Selection Panel reviewed the candidate’s qualifications and recommended that the candidate be approved for the Committee. The candidate is an engineering and construction executive with experience in leading teams across multiple disciplines in the construction field. See Attachment C for additional details on the candidate’s qualifications and background.
Currently, there are three vacant positions on the Committee. Approval of the staff recommendation will result in two vacant positions. Staff has also continued efforts to fill the remaining vacancies in specialty area A and B, retired federal or state judge and professional in municipal/public finance and/or budgeting, respectively. Public Relations staff recently released a press release to hundreds of media outlets and issued a Source article on Metro.net. informing the public that Metro is currently recruiting members to serve on the Committee.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Approval of this item will not negatively impact the safety of Metro’s patrons or employees.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approving the recommended action brings no financial impact to the agency.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Responsible and transparent stewardship of taxpayer dollars is an important component of equitable governance. This action will fill a vacant position on this oversight committee. There is no adverse equity impact anticipated with this action.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Approval of this item supports Metro Vision 2028 Goal #5: Provide responsive, accountable, and trustworthy governance within the Metro organization as the Committee was established to ensure that Metro and local sub-recipients comply with the terms of the Ordinance.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could choose not to approve the recommended member for the Committee and re-solicit applications. This is not recommended as it would limit the number of members on the Committee and increase the likelihood of not obtaining the quorum necessary to review and discuss important Measure M matters. This may impact the ability to provide an enhanced level of accountability for expenditures of sales tax revenues made under the Expenditure Plan.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon approval, staff will schedule an orientation session for the selected member. In addition, staff will continue recruitment efforts to fill vacancies in the areas of expertise A, a retired federal or state judge, and expertise B, a municipal financial/budget professional.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Committee Membership Requirements
Attachment B - Selection Panel Guidelines
Attachment C - Candidate Bio
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Lauren Choi, Deputy Executive Officer, Administration (Interim),
(213) 922-3926
Monica Del Toro, Audit Support Manager, (213) 922-7494
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Sharon Gookin, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, (213) 418-3101
