Seat at the table

Lansing officials say they have the authority to select and appoint a CATA representative, while CATA says it has that authority. In search of a solution for the standoff, both bodies asked the planning commission to expand its board membership by one more seat — a seat for CATA.

The commission´s executive committee rejected the expansion proposal Feb. 18.

“The Commission discussed CATA’s request and does not support or recommend expanding membership at this time,” read minutes from the meeting. “The Commission may consider reassessing the structure based on population in the future.There should be a substantial reason to change the structure and membership of the Commission. At that time bylaws and policies will be reviewed based on current laws.”

The request from CATA dates back to November 2013 but was only taken up by the planning body last month after Susan Pigg, the executive director, brought concerns about the appointment battle to the executive committee, according to minutes.

The commission is a multi-agency planning body which facilitates addressing regional planning issues and concerns, particularly transportation. The board represents communities in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties and a small portion of Shiawassee County. It is governed by a 19- member board.

Since the inception of the planning commission in 1956, the city of Lansing has been assigned five seats. Those seats were apportioned based on population size. In 1992, the city of Lansing and CATA signed an agreement whereby one of the city’s five seats would be allocated to CATA. In return, CATA would pay the $20,000 annual dues for the seat.

That arrangement has continued since. Ralph Monsma, a longtime planning commission CATA representative, is an East Lansing resident. His appointment was selected by the CATA governing board, without approval of the city of Lansing.

“The authority to appoint CATA’s representative to TCRPC may be subject to differing opinions, but the organization’s bylaws are clear: The City of Lansing is the “governmental member unit” that has the authority to appoint this representative,” said Bernero spokesman Randy Hannan. “That’s not how it has worked in practice.”

Hannan said that Monsma’s appointment “diminished” the voice of Lansing on the planning body. To address that, Bernero supported CATA’s request to create a new seat on the planning body specifically for the transportation organization.

Ken Fletcher, supervisor of Delta Township and commission vice-chairman, said the commission may have to revisit the situation. Ultimately he said the commission must make sure CATA “has a seat at the table.”

He said the conflict between the city and CATA is a mistaken one, noting that the seat allocated to CATA is not a Lansing specific seat, under the 1992 agreement; rather it is a CATA representation seat.

Laurie Robison, director of marketing at CATA, said the city and the transportation agency have differing interpretations on the 1992 agreement and appointment authority. She also noted that federal law now requires transportation authorities be represented on such regional planning authorities.

“CATA is seeking the allocated seat from this legislation,” said Robison.

Lansing City Councilwoman Carol Wood, who was a commission board member for eight years, said she is not certain expanding the body’s size is the right answer.

“Tri-County bylaws talk about representation based on population and over the years we are well aware of the decrease in City of Lansing population, so based on that I don’t believe Lansing should necessarily have a seat given back to them,” she said. “Based on new federal requirements to include mass transit with a seat on the Commission the seat should allow representation for CATA, Etran and Clinton Transit System.”

Regardless of the disagreements, Bernero is prepared to forge his own path.

“In the absence of some movement toward implementing this solution, the City of Lansing intends to proceed with selecting the CATA appointee to TCRPC from among Lansing’s representatives on the CATA board,” said Hannan.

Hannan said Bernero will forward his nominee for the position to City Council Monday night. Council, breaking with tradition, approved Bernero’s recommendations for city officials appointed to the commission Feb. 23. Previously, the City Council president made such appointments. City Council members Judi Brown Clark and Jessica Yorko, as well as City Clerk Chris Swope were approved by Council to serve on the commission. Their terms expire Dec. 31.

The city’s other seat is held by Shirley Rogers. Hannan said the mayor is determining whether she will be reappointed to the position.

Bernero has not yet recommended an appointment for the CATA seat.