During the August 2021 Measure X Citizens Oversight Committee meeting, member Fosler stated that there have been numerous public comments expressing serious concerns about the SURF! project. He asked if the committee felt the project should be revisited or if the committee was satisfied with their oversight of the project. In response to his questions, member Dayton asked for a staff report to clarify the issue at their next meeting. He also requested staff to include the language in the Measure X Ballot Measure which authorizes the project, and the responsibilities of the committee as defined in the ballot language and committee bylaws.
The Measure X Citizens Oversight Committee was formed on March 22, 2017, in order to facilitate the Transportation Agency's Transportation Safety and Investment Plan and Retail Transaction and Use Tax Ordinance 2016-01. The Oversight Committee's purpose is to be an additional layer of transparency so that the public is assured that the Transportation Agency, the County of Monterey and the participating cities are operating consistent with the terms of the Ordinance.
Their duties as defined in the Policies & Project Descriptions for the Transportation Safety & Investment Plan are as follows:
- Conduct independent audits to assure that funds are being expended in accordance with requirements of the Transportation Safety & Investment Plan;
- Review and make recommendations on any proposed changes to the plan, prior to the Transportation Agency Board consideration;
- Review and comment on project delivery schedules as represented in the Strategic Expenditure Plan and make recommendations to the Transportation Agency on any proposals for changing project delivery priorities; and
- Prepare annual reports regarding the administration of the program, to be presented to the Transportation Agency Board of Directors and available for public review.
On April 26, 2017, the Transportation Agency Board of Directors approved the Measure X Citizens Oversight Committee Bylaws which governs the committee. The Bylaws were modified on August 28, 2019 to change the term of office for the committee's Chair and Vice Chair, and to clarify the language in the attendance, voting, communication and conflicts of interest sections of the bylaws.
Attached to this report are the Measure X Citizens Oversight Committee Bylaws and the Measure X Transportation Safety & Investment Plan Ordinance. The Ordinance, known as Measure X is anticipated to raise $30 million annually for an anticipated $600 million over 30 years.