Dear Members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors:
We are writing to express our strong support for the appointment and confirmation of Mike Chen to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors.
Mike Chen’s extensive background in San Francisco’s transportation landscape demonstrates his qualifications to serve as an SFMTA Director. He served on the SFMTA Citizens’ Advisory Council from 2020 to 2024, including two years as Chair. During his tenure, Mike Chen led the CAC to craft recommendations to the full board on the budget, transit service planning, capital infrastructure projects, and other areas. As a frequent user of the various modes of transportation under SFMTA’s purview, including Muni, biking, walking, and cars, Mike Chen has the broad understanding of San Francisco’s transportation challenges and opportunities that SFMTA needs.
Mike Chen will also bring a much-needed perspective to the SFMTA Board as the only API and only LGBTQ+ director. Mike Chen has fought for and uplifted these communities through his work at the GLBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA), Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ+ Democratic Club, and the Edwin M. Lee Asian Pacific Democratic Club, among other capacities.. Mike Chen understands what it takes for the SFMTA to serve San Francisco’s many diverse communities and their needs, including protecting seniors and the vulnerable, keeping transit safe for students and children, and keeping our transportation systems affordable and accessible.
San Franciscans need leaders that understand the full breadth of the City’s transportation needs and capabilities, and Mike Chen is that dedicated leader. We strongly support the confirmation of Mike Chen to the SFMTA Board of Directors.
Signed,
Edwin M. Lee Asian Pacific Democratic Club
- State Senator* Scott Wiener
- Assemblymember* Matt Haney
- Aaron Leifer, SFMTA Citizens’ Advisory Council, Chair and District 8 Representative*
- Jonathan Buenemann, SFMTA Citizens’ Advisory Council, District 2 Representative*
- Eliza Panike, SFMTA Citizens’ Advisory Council, District 4 Representative*
- Rob Jaques, SFMTA Citizens’ Advisory Council, former District 6 Representative*
- Sascha Bittner, SFMTA Citizens’ Advisory Council, District 7 Representative*
- Yensing Sihapanya, SFMTA Citizens’ Advisory Council, District 9 Representative*
- John Lisovsky, SFMTA Citizens’ Advisory Council, Mayoral Appointee*
- Nancy Tung, Chair, San Francisco Democratic Party*
- Carrie Barnes, 2nd Vice Chair, San Francisco Democratic Party*
- Cedric Akbar, 3nd Vice Chair, San Francisco Democratic Party*
- Michael Lai, Finance Director, San Francisco Democratic Party*
- Michela Alioto-Pier, San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee*
- Dan Calamuci, San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee*
- Trevor Chandler, San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee*
- Parag Gupta, San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee*
- Lily Ho, SF DCCC*, Community Leader
- Bilal Mahmood, San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee*
- Joe Sangirardi, San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee*
- Cyn Wang, Vice President, Entertainment Commission*
- Sharky Laguana, Homelessness Oversight Commission*
- Derek W. Braun, San Francisco Planning Commissioner*
- Shakirah Simley, Community Leader
- United Democratic Club
* Title for identification purposes only
Updates
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Supervisors. Here’s an overview of the process:
- Nomination by the Mayor: The Mayor selects candidates for the SFMTA Board.
- Public Hearing: The Board of Supervisors holds a public hearing to discuss and review the Mayor’s nominees.
- Confirmation by the Board of Supervisors: After the public hearing, the Board of Supervisors votes to confirm the nominees. A majority vote (six votes) is required for confirmation.
This process ensures that the SFMTA Board members are carefully selected and approved by both the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors. Here are updates on Mike Chen’s nomination:
- 5/30/24: Mayor Breed Nominates Mike Chen to the Board of Directors for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Press release)
- 6/4/24: Board of Supervisors assigned item to the Rules Committee.
- 6/29/24: Rules Committee Meeting: Item 9. 240589
Chair Safai moved to keep this Motion open until called by the Chair. The motion passed with the following votes: Ayes: 3 – Safai, Walton, Peskin