Meeting_Body
AD HOC BOARD COMPOSITION COMMITTEE
APRIL 27, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: GUIDING VALUES FOR AD HOC BOARD COMPOSITION COMMITTEE DELIBERATIONS
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
ADOPT the guiding values to support and inform the Ad Hoc Board Committee’s deliberations regarding governance considerations (Attachment A).
Issue
ISSUE
As the Metro Ad Hoc Board Composition Committee considers governance-related issues in the context of Measure G, it is appropriate to identify guiding values that frame and inform Committee deliberations. This report presents a set of potential values aligned with Metro’s mission, Strategic Plan, and adopted principles for the Ad Hoc Committee’s approval.
Background
BACKGROUND
The passage of Measure G represents the most significant change to Los Angeles County governance. While Measure G does not apply to Metro and does not alter Metro’s governance structure, it has prompted broader discussions regarding governance alignment, accountability, and representation within the County.
Metro remains a separate legal entity governed by state statute, with responsibilities that include stewardship of countywide transportation revenues, oversight of long-term capital investments, and delivery of services to a diverse regional population. In this context, staff identified a set of guiding values, first presented to the Committee at its March meeting as a receive and file item, that may assist the Committee in framing its deliberations and are now brought forward for adoption.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
To frame the Committee’s discussion, the following guiding values are intended to help ground deliberations in shared principles that reflect Metro’s statutory role, regional responsibilities, and long-term obligations to riders and taxpayers. Together, they provide a values-based lens through which potential governance considerations can be evaluated.
Guiding Values
• Legal Integrity - Governance changes shall maintain Metro’s status as an independent legal entity governed by state statute.
• Intergovernmental Balance - Metro should reflect a regional body that balances the interests of the county, city of Los Angeles, and the other 87 cities, councils of government, and state interests.
• Electoral Accountability - Governance should reflect clear accountability to countywide voters.
• Regional Equity - Board composition should reflect represent the geographic, demographic, and economic diversity of Los Angeles County, with proportional consideration given to the communities that most rely on and utilize the Metro system.
• Transparency and Public Trust - Governance structures and any changes should be understandable, explainable, and defensible to the public.
• Fiscal Stewardship - Decision-making authority shall be grounded in responsibility for long-term fiscal risk, including budgets, debt, and capital programs, and shall not impose additional costs or obligations on taxpayers.
• Functional Effectiveness - Governance should support stable oversight, institutional memory, and the Board’s ability to make timely, informed, and high-quality decisions, particularly for multi-decade investments and programs.
• Customer Experience - Governance should support decisions that prioritize customer experience, rider outcomes, and system performance, while recognizing the full range of users, stakeholders and infrastructure overseen by Metro, including transit, active transportation, highways and Metro-owned assets.
• Adaptability - Governance structures should be resilient and flexible in response to future changes in county or regional governance.
Last month, the Committee discussed proposed guiding values intended to inform its deliberations. During that discussion, Committee members expressed a desire to more meaningfully incorporate local stakeholder perspectives into the regional equity framework, as well as to broaden the conversation to reflect the full range of roles Metro plays in the transportation system.
In response, staff have incorporated these principles into the materials presented here. Specifically, the Intergovernmental Balance section has been revised to reflect all 88 cities and Councils of Governments, and the Regional Equity section has been updated to provide proportional consideration to communities that most rely on and utilize Metro services.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
This action has no direct impact on safety.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This action has no financial impact.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
This item does not propose changes to Metro governance, policies, or programs. The identification of guiding values that include regional equity, accountability, and customer experience supports Metro’s commitment to equitable outcomes by encouraging governance discussions that consider the diverse needs of communities and riders across Los Angeles County.
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.
As part of these ongoing efforts, this item is not expected to contribute to further reductions in VMT. Because the Metro Board has adopted an agency-wide VMT Reduction Target, and this item 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 Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
This recommendation supports Metro Strategic Plan goal 5 related to organizational excellence, customer focus, equity, and transparent governance by establishing shared values for Committee deliberations.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Ad Hoc Committee may choose to amend the guiding values or to not adopt them.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon adoption of the guiding values, staff and the Ad Hoc Board Composition Committee will refer to them in future discussions and recommendations.
Attachment
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A - Ad Hoc Board Composition Committee Guiding Values
Prepared by: Madeleine Moore, Deputy Executive Officer, Government
Relations, 213 922-4604
Marisa Perez, Deputy Chief, Community Relations, 213-922-3808
Reviewed by: Nicole Englund, Chief of Staff, 213-922-7950
