Sunset Commission Progress Report
Senate Bill 1263, passed by the Texas Legislature in 2009, required the Sunset Advisory Commission to "evaluate the governance, management, and operations of Capital Metro to determine what improvements are needed to ensure that Capital Metro operates efficiently and effectively." The Sunset Commission issued their recommendations in July 2010, and we are pleased to report on our progress thus far.
You may download the full report in a printer-friendly PDF version, including a message from Capital Metro CEO Linda S. Watson and Austin Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez.
The Sunset Commission identified four key focus areas for Capital Metro:
The Commission recommended that Capital Metro create policies to facilitate public discourse.
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Recommendation
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Status
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4.1 Develop an improved public involvement policy
4.1: Require Capital Metro to develop and implement a policy that guides and encourages more meaningful public involvement efforts. (Statutory Recommendation)
The Capital Metro board adopted a Community Involvement Policy on September 24, 2010. The policy incorporates the provisions of the Sunset recommendation and delineates how Capital Metro will work to ensure that its decision-making processes are open and accessible to all interested parties. Furthermore, it establishes how Capital Metro will develop and implement a comprehensive community involvement strategy for receiving input from the community.
Capital Metro staff has begun reaching out to a greater number of stakeholders though social media and technology. For example, the community engagement process for the FY2011 budget included an online video and surveys and a virtual public meeting that allowed customers to participate from their computers at work or home.
Lastly, the Capital Metro board has ended its use of consent agendas, which limited public participation opportunities at board meetings.
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4.2 Provide sufficient materials to Board Members well in advance of meetings
4.2: Capital Metro should provide sufficiently developed materials to Board members well in advance of meetings. (Management Recommendation)
Since February 2010, staff provides a draft agenda and related backup materials ten days in advance of all regularly-scheduled board meetings. Final agenda packets are provided to the board four days in advance of meetings. Since February 2010, staff provides a draft agenda and related backup materials ten days in advance of all regularly-scheduled board meetings. Final agenda packets are provided to the board four days in advance of meetings.
Capital Metro staff will also continue to brief board members in advance of meetings to ensure that each member has the opportunity to fully consider and ask questions about significant matters on which they will be required to vote.
A board committee structure has been created that focuses on labor, financial, and operational issues and enables the board to delve into greater detail on agency business.
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4.3 Implement an Advisory Committee reporting policy
4.3: The Board should develop a policy for advisory committee reporting to ensure consideration of committee input in advance of Board decisions. (Management Recommendation)
See response to Issue 4.4
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4.4 Assess input process for Paratransit issues
4.4: The Board should assess its overall process for receiving input on paratransit issues, including evaluating the size and composition of the Access Advisory Committee. (Management Recommendation)
The board adopted an Advisory Committee Policy on September 24, 2010.
This policy incorporates the provisions of the Sunset recommendation and assesses the overall process for all current advisory committees. The policy restructures the existing advisory committees using a new appointment process and delineates specific roles and responsibilities in order to best facilitate citizen input on Capital Metro services, including paratransit issues. The new appointments process allows for greater involvement and oversight by the Capital Metro board.
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Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200
