Council reviews plan to dissolve Transportation Commission and reassign airport and street duties

Councilwoman Landry presented a proposal to dissolve the Transportation Commission and reassign its duties: airport development would be added to the Economic Development Commission's mission and streets, bicycling, pedestrian and transit duties would be added to the Neighborhoods Commission.

Landry, who has served as liaison to the commission, said members had expressed frustration with limited opportunities to act and that the proposed reorganization would allow members to work where their skills and interests can have more impact. She proposed inviting current Transportation Commission members who are interested in aviation to join the Economic Development Commission and those interested in surface-transportation topics to participate in the Neighborhoods Commission until membership terms align.

A member of the public who attends Transportation Commission meetings said the commission feels it could be doing more but lacks a clear path and that aviation-focused members have discussed partnering with Economic Development. Council members and staff said the change would better align the airport—s economic-development activities with the Economic Development Commission while preserving neighborhood-level transportation discussions under the Neighborhoods Commission, which already raises sidewalk and connectivity issues.

Council members asked that staff seek feedback from current commissioners before finalizing the change; staff confirmed the proposal will be advanced as a resolution and an update to the council handbook. Council direction at the work session was to prepare the resolution for formal consideration and to solicit commissioner input.

Sources and attribution: Councilwoman Landry, an attendee who identified as a frequent commission participant, and city staff discussed the restructuring during the work session on the record.