Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
MAY 19, 2022
Subject
SUBJECT: METRO ADVISORY BODY COMPENSATION POLICY UPDATE
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. APPROVING proposed amendments to the Metro Advisory Body Compensation Policy (ABC Policy) (Attachment A); and
B. DELEGATING authority to the CEO or their designee to amend the ABC Policy, with the exception of the advisory body tiers and respective compensation amounts, as-needed to implement the policy.
Issue
ISSUE
The ABC Policy became effective on October 1, 2021. Policy implementation has surfaced the need to 1) clarify the Elected Official and Staff exemption and 2) facilitate a consistent method for collecting demographic information on advisory body membership to comply with requirements under the Federal Transit Administration’s Title VI Circular 4702.1B.
Background
BACKGROUND
During the Metro Board meeting on September 23, 2021, the Board approved the Metro Advisory Body Compensation Policy (ABC Policy) and delegated authority to the CEO, or the CEO’s designee, to compensate Metro advisory body members pursuant to Metro’s ABC Policy. (See Attachment B.) The ABC Policy determines if and when members of the public who serve on Metro advisory bodies can be compensated. Advisory bodies are defined as Metro-created or sanctioned groups that voluntarily provide input to Metro on programs, projects, and other initiatives. The ABC Policy has three tier categories for compensation: 1) Advise, 2) Advise and Prepare, and 3) Advise and Collaborate, and each tier authorizes compensation amounts of 1) $100, 2) $150, and 3) $200, respectively, per general meeting. (See Attachment C.) The level of responsibility, time commitment, and roles of the advisory member increase with each tier. (See Attachment C.) All members may also be compensated at $50 per subcommittee meeting. Compensation is entirely voluntary and is not required.
Implementation for each advisory body includes four steps: 1) Compensation Tier Determination, 2) Advisory Member Notification and Decision, 3) Administrative Paperwork Submission; and 4) ABC Policy Payment Processing, which is ongoing. During step two, staff administering the five Metro Service Councils raised questions about the eligibility exemption for Elected Officials and asked for clarification, noting that Elected Officials that serve on the Service Councils were eligible for compensation prior to the approval of the ABC Policy. The approved ABC Policy language states, “The Policy currently excludes LACMTA employees and any public agency, Councils of Governments, or elected office staff who serve on advisory bodies as part of their professional role.”
Furthermore, the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Title VI Circular 4702.1B states that FTA financial assistance recipients “that have transit-related, non-elected planning boards, advisory councils or committees, or similar committees, the membership of which is selected by the recipient, must provide a table depicting the racial breakdown of the membership of those committees, and a description of efforts made to encourage the participation of minorities on such committees.” Based on discussions with Metro’s Title VI program staff, regular collection and tracking of demographic data would assist Metro in complying with the Federal Transit Administration’s Title VI Circular 4702.1B.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Proposed Amendments
1. Elected Officials
The five Metro Service Councils were established in 2003 through approval by the Metro Board. Per agreement with regional stakeholders who participated in the Councils’ creation, Service Council members, including Elected Officials, are eligible for compensation. Accordingly, staff recommends that the ABC Policy be updated to 1) add a grandfather clause that allows Elected Officials that serve on one of the five Metro Service Councils established in 2003 to remain eligible for compensation, and 2) clarify that, except as exempted under the Service Council grandfather clause, Elected Officials and staff of Elected Officials are not eligible for compensation under the ABC Policy if participating on a Metro advisory body in their role as an Elected Official or staff of an Elected Official. Elected Officials serving on the Service Councils must meet all other requirements for eligibility to receive compensation.
2. Demographic Data
To ensure compliance with the FTA’s Title VI Circular 4702.1B, staff recommends amending the ABC Policy to require all Metro advisory body administrators distribute a survey to all advisory body members to collect demographic data, including race/ethnicity. This information would be gathered as each new member joins and every three years with the Title VI program update. Completion of the survey would be voluntary for members. Upon the approval of this Report, initial surveys must be distributed and collected by July 1, 2022.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the existing FY22 budget as a result of this report.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The Advisory Body Compensation Policy is one tool in a growing toolkit that helps reduce barriers and support participation in Metro’s decision-making and planning processes. The ABC Policy was developed to advance equitable outcomes that uplift the lived experiences of individuals representing historically marginalized and vulnerable groups by providing fair compensation and alleviating a financial barrier to participation for members who do not have the ability to donate their time to Metro. These amendments will provide the data to help Metro track advisory body member demographics and help ensure diverse representation that reflect the LA County region and Metro’s ridership. These amendments will also help ensure implementation of the Policy remains fair and equitable.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
These recommendations supports strategic plan goals #4.1 and #3.3 by helping Metro collaborate with the public, foster trust with everyday stakeholders in its planning processes and creates an opportunity for robust community engagement opportunities that reflect the communities Metro serves.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, the Advisory Body Compensation Policy will be amended.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Amended Advisory Body Compensation Policy
Attachment B - File #: 2021-0509 Metro Advisory Body Compensation Policy
Attachment C - Metro Advisory Body Policy
Prepared_by
Prepared by: KeAndra Cylear Dodds, Executive Officer, OER (213) 922-4850
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Nicole Englund, Chief of Staff, (213) 922-7950
