Equity Advisory Committee approves member liaison to Active Transportation Program technical advisory committee

The Equity Advisory Committee voted to approve a motion allowing the committee to designate one of its members to serve as a liaison to the Active Transportation Program Technical Advisory Committee, the committee decided after members discussed the role and application process.

The action authorizes the EAC to nominate a committee member to serve as a subject‑matter expert and liaison on the ATP Technical Advisory Committee for a two‑year term. The liaison is expected to attend up to four TAC meetings a year (three virtual and one in‑person) and may support TAC subcommittee work, staff said.

Why it matters: the Active Transportation Program (ATP) distributes competitive state funds for walking and bicycling projects; EAC liaison participation gives the committee a direct channel to advise ATP technical deliberations and guidance development on project selection and equity implementation.

Caltrans and commission staff described the liaison role and the application process during the discussion. Anya Allenbacher, who manages the ATP at the California Transportation Commission, told members the ATP TAC has been in place since about 2014–2015 and today includes roughly 30–40 members representing geographic regions, advocacy groups and technical disciplines. "We also have quite a few advocacy groups," Allenbacher said, naming bicycle and Safe Routes organizations as examples.

Alidore Westbrook, who staffs the ATP TAC from Caltrans’ Division of Local Assistance, said the TAC membership roster is published online and that staff will share a link to it with EAC members.

Several members asked procedural questions. Member Howard Wong asked how long the TAC has existed and who typically serves; Allenbacher supplied the background. Member Vice Chair Ana Gonzalez asked how and when the EAC would learn the identity of the selected liaison; staff said the selection could be completed and reported back to the committee by the December meeting with a likely start date in January.

The motion to approve sending a liaison nomination process to staff was made by Member Michelle Roussy and seconded on the record; the committee then proceeded to a roll call vote. The roll call showed 12 ayes and no recorded dissent; the clerk announced the motion passed.

Votes at a glance - Motion: "Approve committee member liaison to serve as a representative on the Active Transportation Program Technical Advisory Committee for a two‑year term." Mover: Michelle Roussy. Second: not specified on the record. Outcome: approved. Roll call recorded ayes from Gary Akiemi Hernandez; Lisa Marie Alvarado; David Acevedo; Ana Gonzalez (vice chair); Gloria Huerta; Naomi Hiwasaki; Andres Ramirez; Michelle Roussy; Randy Torres Van Vleck; Poulani Vasquez; Howard Wong; and Chair Martha Armas Kelly (12 ayes).

Next steps and clarifications: staff said members interested in the liaison role should complete the application to the ATP team; the interagency staff team and ATP staff will review applications and identify a member. Staff indicated the liaison would be selected via that application process and that the committee could expect an update at the December EAC meeting.

The committee’s approval does not name an individual. Staff and members said the appointment process will follow the application and internal review before the liaison begins the two‑year term.

The committee moved on to other agenda items after the vote; staff will circulate application details and the TAC membership page to committee members.