Rules Committee recommends reappointments to Municipal Transportation Agency board

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee on March 14 voted to forward two mayoral reappointments to the Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors with positive recommendations.

Chair Aaron Peskin moved to amend the items to remove the word “rejecting” from the long title and then to send the nominations to the full Board. The committee recorded ‘Aye’ votes from President Shamone Walton, Vice Chair Rafael Mandelman and Chair Peskin, and the motions passed without objection.

The nominations cover two seats: a reappointment of Stephanie Kajina to a term ending March 2026 and a reappointment of Gwyneth Borden for a term ending March 1, 2026, as read into the record by committee clerk Victor Young. Committee members thanked the nominees for service during COVID and praised MTA staff for adapting operations during the pandemic.

Gwyneth Borden, who was present in the chamber, described internal challenges at the agency and priorities if reappointed. “We have a racial equity action plan, both internal and external to the agency that is a top priority,” Borden said, adding she looks forward to restoring service and opening new projects, including “the central subway, this summer.”

A public commenter, David Pilpel, urged the MTA to rebuild community trust and to simplify the agency’s reporting structure. “Unless the MTA works on building and rebuilding community trust, I think that any future revenue measure will likely fail,” Pilpel said, and he recommended reorganizing to clarify lines of authority.

The committee’s approval sends the nominations to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration on the Board agenda expected March 22, 2022.

The Rules Committee took no further action on MTA governance or budget items during the meeting.