Title
Partial Appointments to Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority Board
Action
Action:
Adopt a resolution appointing members to the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority Board based upon the recommendation of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, the recommendation of the Foundation for the Carolinas, and confirming appointments by the Mayor.
Body
Council Resource
James Mitchell, Committee Chair, MPTA Appointments Work Group
Staff Resource(s):
Liz Babson, City Manager’s Office
Andrea Leslie-Fite, City Attorney
Explanation
§ Under the PAVE Act, the City must make 12 appointments to the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority (MPTA).
§ On November 4, Mecklenburg County’s ballot referendum for a one-cent sales tax under the PAVE Act was approved by voters, authorizing the City to proceed with its 12 appointments to the MPTA board.
§ At least three of these appointments must be made upon the recommendation of an entity that represents business interests in the county.
§ The City Council agreed to divide appointment powers for its appointments to the MPTA as follows:
- Council shall appoint two members based upon the recommendation of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance (Business Alliance);
- Council shall appoint one member based upon the recommendation of the Foundation for the Carolinas;
- Council shall appoint seven additional members:
§ one shall have experience owning or operating a small business as defined in the PAVE Act, and
§ one shall be an individual who is otherwise qualified to serve on the MPTA board and who is also an active user of the current Charlotte Area Transit System with demonstrated public transportation system experience; and
- Council shall appoint two members based upon the recommendation of the Mayor.
§ On October 14, Council received a list of all interested applicants for the City’s appointments to the MPTA board.
§ On October 20, Council requested recommendations from two other entities as required by the PAVE Act and outlined its proposed process, including questions and interviews of eligible candidates.
§ Council has received the recommendations of the Business Alliance and the Foundation for the Carolinas for appointments.
- Wyatt Dixion and Lucia Zapata-Griffin were recommended by the Business Alliance; and
- Peter Pappas was recommended by the Foundation for the Carolinas.
§ Council has received the Mayor’s recommendations for appointments.
- Charles Bowman and Christy Long were recommended
§ On November 24, Council will appoint the remaining appointments to the board of trustees of the MPTA.
Background
§ On July 1, 2025 the Projects for Advancing Vehicle-Infrastructure Enhancements (PAVE) Act was enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly.
§ The PAVE Act authorizes Mecklenburg County to obtain an additional source of revenue to expand and improve roadway systems and public transportation for the Mecklenburg County region by assessing a one-cent sales and use tax subject to approval of ballot referendum and establishing a Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority (MPTA).
§ The PAVE Act requires a governing body for the MPTA consisting of a 27-member board of trustees to be appointed before January 1, 2026. As the largest municipality in Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte has 12 appointments.
§ A Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) was entered between Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, the Towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville outlining a process for appointment of members to the MPTA board.
§ Based on the framework set forth in the MOU, on September 26, the Mayor appointed an Ad Hoc Work Group to define a process and create an outline for City Council’s review and approval of nominations and recommendations for appointment to the MPTA board, pending voter approval of a ballot referendum.
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Resolution