Sound Transit Citizen Oversight Panel Releases Year-End Performance Report
For Immediate Release January 23, 2002
Contact:
Art Carter, COP Chair 206.324.9995
Larry Shannon, COP Vice Chair 425.746.6019
Panel Sees Real Progress at Sound Transit Urges Focus on Regional Goals and Delivering the Program
The Citizen Oversight Panel (COP) appointed to monitor Sound Transits performance released its year-end 2001 report today. After previous reports that were critical of agency management, the Panel gave Executive Director Joni Earl credit for real accomplishments in the last half-year. COP found that the agency made strides on the issues of fiscal discipline, project management and public communications. In his letter to the Sound Transit Board, COP Chair Arlington W. (Art) Carter Jr. said the Panel had identified three themes:
Accomplishments
The panel observed a new management discipline under Executive Director Earls leadership and a new degree of rigor in budgets and schedules. The Panel stated in its report that it was especially happy to note that the Central Link program once again has a defined project in place. Also, Sounder and Express Bus services have been validated through increasing ridership and high customer satisfaction. Chairman Carter observed, These accomplishments are real and noteworthy.
Keep the Regional Focus
In its second theme, the Panel said that with several new Board members and a new Board Chair, an opportunity was created for the Board to re-exert the regional mission of the agency. COP challenged the Board to overcome the continuing concerns about the role of the Board by demonstrating an ability to keep the focus on the regional nature of the Sound Transit program.
Manage and Monitor Execution
Finally, reported Carter, monitoring, fiscal discipline, project control and management continue to be essential. The Panel found that the necessary management and systems are coming into place and it urged that the agency's leadership continue to provide strong oversight and emphasize accountability throughout the organization.
