The Metropolitan Transportation Commission voted unanimously to approve ABAG’s Plan Bay Area funding through June 30, 2016 and amend the proposal put forth by MTC staff to transfer 13 planners from ABAG to MTC. The adopted resolution, with modifications, can be viewed here.
The action requires the two agencies to expedite the hiring of a consultant and complete a merger implementation plan (MIP) by June 1, 2016. The transfer of planners is on hold until the MIP is complete; however, elimination of the partial merger proposal altogether appears to be tied to the successful completion of the MIP and adoption of the plan by both agencies.
This unanimous decision is a positive development for moving forward with a fully merged organization. MTC Commissioners appear to be committed to creating a successful merger plan. MTC Commissioner Anne Halsted (BCDC) stated in today’s meeting that she wanted to make sure that planning for shoreline parks/open space, climate change and the Bay Trail are incorporated into the MIP.
In the coming months the Bay Trail Board of Directors will have opportunities to weigh in on the merger plan discussions, as will the Water Trail Project Management Team. We anticipate meetings to be open to the public, with input encouraged from all stakeholders.
There is a great deal of work ahead for MTC, ABAG and their respective boards. You’ll be hearing from me periodically with information about key meetings and decision points over the next eight months. John and I will discuss bringing this issue to the Bay Trail Board as an agenda item for a future meeting.