The Bridging the Gap (BTG) Levy Oversight Committee is a dedicated group of 15 community members who meet quarterly to review and track the progress of the BTG transportation initiative that was passed by Seattle voters in 2006. They are charged with ensuring that the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is delivering on the promises made to voters.
Committee members come from all across the city and from all walks of life. They each take their oversight and accountability role seriously and they work closely with SDOT to ensure that BTG is not only meeting its goals, but that it helping to shape the goals of the department.
The newest committee member is Chisula Chambers. She comes to us from southeast Seattle. She grew up in the Rainier Valley and Central District and still has family in those communities. She has been very active in her community and her personal (and exciting) experience navigating Rainier Avenue South as a beginning cyclist helped lead her to the committee. We are thrilled to have her as member.
The other committee members include:
- Ann Martin, Co-chair, West Seattle
- Kristen Lohse, Co-chair, Ravenna
- Ref Lindmark, Greenlake
- Betty Seith-Croll, Greenlake
- Renee Staton, Maple Leaf/NE
- John Coney, Queen Anne
- Jeremy Valenta, Columbia City
- Barbara Wright, Montlake
- Chisula Chambers, Southeast
- Allegra Calder, Bicycle Advisory Board member
- Lydia Heard, Pedestrian Advisory Board member
- David Mendoza, Freight Advisory Board member
- Beth Goldberg, City Budget Director
- Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, Transportation Committee Chair
Being accessible to the public is very important to the committee. Their quarterly meetings are open to the public and residents are encouraged to attend and share their views on BTG during the public comment period. The next meeting is scheduled for September 9, 6 – 8 p.m., Seattle City Hall Boards and Commissions Room (L-230). If you are interested in how your tax dollars are allocated, why not mark your calendar and join us this Thursday. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up aspiring to serve on a future committee.
For more information, please visit BTG Levy Oversight Committee website.