This just in from Metro:
Metro seeks applicants for four citizen seats on influential transportation committee
Metro’s Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee (TPAC) is seeking citizens interested in transportation issues to serve on the panel starting January 2011. There are four citizen positions up for appointment: Three are two-year terms and one is a one-year position intended to fill an upcoming vacancy.
TPAC is an advisory committee that reviews regional plans and federally funded transportation projects across the three-county Portland area. It advises regional leaders on transportation spending priorities as well as policies related to transportation, such as efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. It also recommends needs and opportunities for involving citizens in transportation matters.
An essential responsibility of TPAC is to advise the Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT), a panel of elected officials and transportation agency executives that controls federal transportation spending in the Portland area. TPAC also advises the Metro Council, which reviews and must approve all major JPACT actions.
TPAC is comprised of 15 professional transportation staff appointed by area cities, counties and government agencies, and six at-large citizen members. Citizen member John Reinhold plans to vacate his position for personal reasons, so a new member will be appointed to serve the remaining year of his term, from January to December 2011.
Citizen members of TPAC are selected through an application, interview and appointment process. Metro council members who serve on JPACT and Metro staff will conduct interviews and recommend candidates for the Metro council president to nominate. Candidates nominated by the council president must be confirmed by the Metro council.
All applicants should be able to attend regular meetings that take place on weekdays during normal working hours. Metro seeks diverse representation on all its advisory committees. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Visit www.oregonmetro.gov”>www.oregonmetro.gov to submit your application online, or download the form and mail it completed to Metro Council Office, Attn. Kelsey Newell, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97232. Applications are due at Metro by 5 p.m. on Oct. 15, 2010.
For more information on the application process, call Kelsey Newell, 503-797-1916. For more information on TPAC roles and responsibilities, call Dylan Rivera, 503-797-1551. Hearing impaired may call TDD 503-797-1804.
For more information on TPAC, including bylaws, a member roster and meeting agendas, see:
http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=419To apply online see:
http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=28550