DATE: November 17, 2004

TO:  Mayor Foy and Town Council

FROM: Chapel Hill Transportation Board

RE:  Recommendation for appointment to fill T-Board vacancy

At its regularly-scheduled meeting on November 16^th, the Chapel Hill Transportation Board voted 6-0 to recommend to the Town Council that Steven “Alex” Smith be appointed to the vacancy on the Board.  The Board interviewed both Mr. Smith and the only other valid applicant who had expressed interest in serving on the Board, Mr. Matt Hapgood.  Both Mr. Smith and Mr. Hapgood were considered to be excellent candidates, either of whom would be an asset to the Board.  However, based on the facts that the majority of Chapel Hill Transit users are UNC students and that Mr. Smith is already actively involved with Transit issues on the UNC campus (Director of Safe Ride) the Board felt that Mr. Smith’s appointment would add immediate value to the work of the Board.

            If the Council chooses to appoint Mr. Smith we will contact Mr. Hapgood and strongly encourage him to keep his application open as we believe he would be an excellent member and the Board has at least one vacancy coming open in the next six months.

George Cianciolo, Chair