Posting Language
Title
Approve a resolution appointing Joseph El Habr to fill a vacancy on the Project Connect Community Advisory Committee to an unexpired term ending December 31, 2027, as recommended by the Community Advisory Committee. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact.
De
Lead Department
Project Connect Office, Management Services.
Fiscal Note
This item has no fiscal impact.
Prior Council Action:
December 14, 2023 - City Council appointed members to the Project Connect Community Advisory Committee (CAC) as recommended by the Nominating Committee.
September 21, 2023 - City Council approved amendments to the CAC bylaws that updated the member appointment process along with other elements. The CapMetro Board and the Austin Transit Partnership Board approved the same amendments at their respective September meetings.
June 6, 2023 - City Council, the CapMetro Board, and the Austin Transit Partnership Board approved amendments to the Project Connect CAC bylaws to allow a member of the CAC to serve after the expiration of the member’s term for up to six months if a replacement has not been appointed.
March 24, 2022 - City Council approved the Project Connect CAC Bylaws.
December 18, 2020 - City Council approved Resolution No. 20201218-004 and CapMetro Board approved Resolution No. AI-2020-1402 to jointly establish the CAC.
For More Information:
Robert Goode, Interim Mobility Officer; Liane Conte, Chief of Staff, 512-974-7922.
Additional Backup Information:
The Project Connect Community Advisory Committee (CAC) was jointly established by the Austin City Council (Resolution No. 20201218-004) and CapMetro Board of Directors (Resolution No. AI-2020-1402) in December 2020 to assist the Austin Transit Partnership Board, City Council, and CapMetro Board in “engaging the community and advising on anti-displacement and equity matters related to Project Connect as well as to assist the community and the City Council in the creation and evaluation of neighborhood-level anti-displacement strategies and priorities, and the identification of key performance indicators related to equity and displacement and triggers thereof.” The resolution creating the CAC is reflected in the Joint Powers Agreement adopted by the three Project Connect partners, and in the CAC Bylaws, also adopted by all three parties. Amendments to the Bylaws were approved in Fall 2023.
With the recent resignation of one CAC member, creating a mid-term vacancy, the CAC commenced the process to appoint a new member. Following Section 3.7 of the CAC Bylaws, which allows the CAC to make a mid-term vacancy recommendation for final approval by City Council and the ATP and CapMetro Boards, the CAC formed an Appointments Working Group to review applications from the most recent CAC applicant pool.
The Working Group considered the current expertise on the CAC and potential gaps to identify the best candidate for the current vacancy. The recommendation was approved unanimously by the CAC on June 12, 2025. The ATP and CapMetro Boards must also consider these appointments, which are occurring at the July meetings.