The results of an independent evaluation of VTA’s Board governance is ready for public review and will be received by the VTA Ad Hoc Board Enhancement Committee Friday morning.
Board governance was identified as a top priority by VTA’s 2019 Board of Director Chair Teresa O’Neill and a Ad Hoc Board Enhancement Committee was established earlier this year. This committee’s mission was to look at a broad range of board governance practices to identify ways that VTA Board engagement and effectiveness could be improved. Consultant RSM US LLP was engaged to perform an independent and unbiased evaluation, resulting in the VTA Governance Assessment Report.
“I am pleased to see this year-long effort culminate into a deliverable that provides well thought out recommendations to help VTA enhance Board effectiveness and engagement,” said Board Chair Teresa O’Neill. “I set this goal to help broaden our perceptions of how we as Board members can be better prepared to be effective advocates of transportation for our residents, our business community, and our representatives in other levels of government. A stronger Board will make for a stronger VTA.”
The 134-page report provides the recommendations of RSM based on their professional opinion which was informed by significant research, dialogue, analysis and extensive community input over the last five months. Public meetings, city council presentations, a virtual town hall (webinar), and an online survey, yielding close to 400 responses, provided insight into the consultant’s 27 observations and recommendations that will be reviewed and discussed by the Ad Hoc Committee.
All decisions on these recommendations must be approved by the VTA Board of Directors. Due to the comprehensive and interrelated nature of the recommendations, the Board Enhancement Committee and VTA Board will be developing a working timeline to consider these recommendations and future actions.
The Ad Hoc Board Enhancement Committee meeting will take place on Friday, December 20 at 8:00 a.m. at the Valley Transportation Authority office, 3331 North First Street, Conference Room B-106, San Jose, CA.