The Metro Council has named its most diverse group of residents ever to an influential transportation committee.
Council on Thursday, Nov. 18 appointed three citizen members to the Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee, a 21-member panel that advises regional policymakers on transportation projects and plans across the Portland metropolitan area.
“I’m proud to appoint this highly qualified group of citizen members, who will help us ensure that our transportation dollars are spent most effectively,” Metro Council President Carlotta Collette said. “Metro is committed to addressing the needs of all the people in our region, especially those who have not traditionally had a seat at the table in our planning decisions.”
Council appointed two Latinos and an expert on climate change, and reappointed one member to fill a an upcoming vacancy. The new members are:
- Marta Carrillo of Wilsonville. Carrillo is a graduate of the Latino Network’s Diverse Civic Leaders Academy, and works as a bilingual public involvement specialist on planning issues for the City of Woodburn.
- Chris Beanes of North Portland. Beanes is a Latino bike activist who has a landscape architecture and urban planning background. He speaks from personal experience about the health benefits of active transportation. Beanes is a former land use plan reviewer for the City of Portland.
- Charlie Stephens of Oak Grove. Stephens is an engineer and an expert on climate change science, especially as it pertains to building efficiency. He also has been active in improving natural areas preservation for the Milwaukie light rail project.
Council also reappointed Mara Gross of Northeast Portland. Gross has served one two-year term on the committee and will continue for a third year, filling in for an upcoming vacancy. She is the policy director for the Coalition for a Livable Future, a Portland-based nonprofit that advocates for sustainability, affordable housing and open space preservation.
Metro received a record 40 applicants for the four citizen openings. An important 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 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.
TPAC is comprised of 15 professional transportation staff appointed by area cities, counties and government agencies, and six at-large citizen members.