Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER APPOINTMENT
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVE the appointment of the Chinese American Construction Professionals (CACP) to the Transportation Business Advisory Council (TBAC) membership.
Issue
ISSUE
The TBAC was created in 1992 by Assembly Bill 152 and codified into law as Public Utilities Code Section 130051.19(c). The purpose of TBAC is to advise the Metro on matters regarding small business enterprises.
Small business organizations interested in TBAC membership must submit applications to the TBAC membership committee. TBAC’s membership committee evaluates applications to determine whether the organization’s mission aligns with TBAC’s purpose. Organizations recommended for TBAC membership are forwarded to Metro’s Board of Directors for consideration and appointment.
Background
BACKGROUND
Public Utilities Code section 130051.19(c), states: “The authority shall establish a Transportation Business Advisory Council to advise it on matters regarding the disadvantaged business enterprise program to enable the authority to meet or exceed small business enterprise participation goals. Members of the council shall be selected by the authority and shall include representatives of professional organizations and other groups that advocate on behalf of greater participation of women and minority business enterprises in public contracts. The chairperson of the authority or his or her designee shall meet with the council, and the authority shall provide adequate staff support for the council and shall consider all recommendations made by the council.”
The TBAC meets monthly to provide recommendations on strategies, programs, and processes that enhance small business participation in Metro’s procurement opportunities. TBAC also has standing committees including Construction, Professional Services, Commodities, Membership, and Legislative, which focus on issues relevant to their respective areas. Metro staff provides administrative support and attends all monthly TBAC general and committee meetings.
TBAC currently consists of 17 member organizations, excluding CACP, as listed below.
Public Utilities Code Section 130051.19(c) provides that “Members of the council shall be selected by the authority…” The term “authority,” although not expressly defined in the statute, has been generally interpreted to mean Metro’s Board of Directors. To comply with Section 130051.19(c), the Metro Board must select or appoint TBAC members.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
CACP is a nonprofit professional organization that has served Southern California’s design and construction industry for more than four decades. CACP’s membership includes architects, engineers, contractors, and other professionals representing a broad range of design, construction, and development disciplines. CACP is committed to enhancing the competitiveness of its members, providing professional and business networking opportunities, serving the community and construction industry, and developing the next generation of design and construction professionals.
CACP previously served as a member of TBAC before withdrawing its membership on July 1, 2015. CACP has since expressed renewed interest in participating in TBAC and is seeking to rejoin the council. CACP submitted a TBAC membership application with the required supporting documentation to TBAC in June 2026 for review and approval. Staff confirmed that CACP’s application satisfied the membership criteria established in Section 3 (Membership Criteria) of the TBAC Bylaws. The TBAC membership criteria include the following:
• The organization must have a membership of at least 25 small business owners.
• The organization must advocate for the development and success of small businesses.
• The organization must support TBAC’s mission, purpose, and objectives.
• The organization’s principal business address must be located within Los Angeles County.
• The organization must submit a complete application with all required supporting documentation listed in the requirements section of the application.
Additionally, CACP’s mission and established presence within the construction industry and its representation of architects, engineers, contractors, and other design and construction professionals will bring valuable industry perspectives to TBAC and support the council’s efforts to promote the development, capacity, and participation of small businesses in Metro’s contracting and procurement opportunities.
TBAC reviewed and approved CACP’s membership application and forwarded it to Metro staff for review and approval per TBAC’s bylaws. In accordance with the defined statute, staff is advancing the CACP organization for approval to be appointed by Metro’s Board of Directors to the TBAC membership.
If appointed by the Metro Board, the CACP will be added to the current TBAC organization membership listed below:
1. American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California
2. Arab American Association of Engineers & Architects: California Chapter
3. Asian American Architects & Engineers Association
4. Black Business Association
5. Filipino American Society of Architects & Engineers
6. Latin Business Association
7. Los Angeles Chapter - Elite Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business Network
8. Los Angeles Chapter of National Organization of Minority Architects
9. Los Angeles Chapter of the Disabled Veteran Business Alliance
10. Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce
11. National Association of Minority Contractors
12. National Association of Women Business Owners - Los Angeles
13. Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
14. Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers - Los Angeles Chapter
15. US Veteran Business Alliance (USVBA)
16. Women’s Business Enterprise National Council - West
17. Women’s Transportation Seminar - Los Angeles Chapter
TBAC recruits member organizations through semi-annual or annual membership drives, supported by Metro staff. The most recent recruitment effort was conducted in conjunction with the Meet the Primes event on March 12, 2026. Over the past 10 years, TBAC has maintained a membership of approximately 15 to 20 organizations, providing broad representation of the small business community, including African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Arab American, Native American, Hispanic American, women, disabled veteran, and small business organizations. TBAC is responsible for managing its membership and recruiting organizations that align with its mission. Should membership decline or representation gaps be identified, Metro staff may recommend
additional organizations for TBAC’s consideration.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
There is no safety impact related to this action.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact related to this action.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
TBAC plays a vital role in connecting Metro with the small business community throughout Los Angeles County. Representing hundreds of small businesses, TBAC supports firms that contribute to local job creation and economic activity, helping to ensure that transportation-related investments continue to circulate within the region. The Council's membership includes businesses that have historically faced barriers to participation in public contracting opportunities, including small, women-owned, and minority-owned firms.
Expanding TBAC membership will strengthen the council by broadening representation and increasing engagement from historically underrepresented businesses seeking to participate in Metro contracting opportunities. Increased membership will also enhance Metro’s ability to support the small business community by expanding outreach, gathering valuable stakeholder feedback, and disseminating information regarding contracting opportunities, policies, and programs to a wider audience. Through continued relationship-building and a deeper understanding of the challenges facing small businesses, the Diversity and Economic Opportunity Department (DEOD) can further strengthen its support framework. A strong small business presence in Metro contracting contributes to regional economic growth, supports the long-term viability of small businesses, and promotes wealth-building opportunities in historically disadvantaged communities.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
While this item does not directly encourage taking transit, sharing a ride, or using active transportation, it is a vital part of Metro operations, as it supports small, disadvantaged, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses by providing them with access to contracting opportunities and helping them grow their capacity to participate in Metro's large-scale infrastructure projects and day-to-day operations. Because the Metro Board has adopted an agency-wide VMT Reduction Target, and this item generally supports the overall function of the agency, this item is consistent with the goals of reducing VMT.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from the highway performance monitoring system data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
This recommendation supports the strategic plan Goal 5.5, “Expanding opportunities for businesses and external organizations to work with Metro” by increasing the number of small businesses engaged.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could elect not to approve CACP’s appointment to TBAC. This alternative would limit TBAC’s access to the perspectives and experiences of CACP’s small business members, particularly those within the construction and professional services industries, when developing recommendations to Metro on strategies to increase small business participation in contracting opportunities. It would also limit the breadth and diversity of industry representation on TBAC.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon the approval of this appointment by the Metro Board, the CACP will be added to the TBAC membership.
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Keith A. Compton, Director, Diversity Economic Opportunity Department, (213) 922-2406
Elke Campbell, Senior Executive Officer, Diversity Economic Opportunity Department, (213) 418-3081
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Sharon Gookin, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, (213) 418-3101
