Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSunshine RossFrom:webadmin@bozeman.net To:Agenda Subject:Citizen Advisory Board Application Date:Thursday, September 30, 2021 5:13:06 PM A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted. Form Name:Citizen Advisory Board Application Date & Time:09/30/2021 5:12 PM Response #:91 Submitter ID:44244 IP address:72.174.92.178 Time to complete:40 min. , 29 sec. Survey Details Page 1 WELCOME Thank you for your interest in joining a Citizen Advisory Board. The City of Bozeman elected officials and staff believe in the value of public participation and local governance in the decision-making process and encourage all interested members of our community to apply. As set forth in Resolution 5323, the City is committed to building Advisory Boards that advance the City’s goals of increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Because of this goal, the City is actively working to achieve membership that reflects, at the least, the demographics of our community. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. CONTACT INFORMATION The City will need to communicate with all board members via email for a number of annual communications, so a valid email address is required for all applicants. Please notify the City Clerk's Office if your email address changes for any reason. The City will need to communicate with all board members via email for a number of annual communications, so a valid email address is required for all applicants. Please notify the City Clerk's Office if your email address changes for any reason. Please note that your application will become public information. All required fields are marked with a red asterisk *. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT Each official and employee serving on a multimember agency is expected to devote the time and effort necessary to ensure the successful functioning of such agency (Bozeman Municipal Code, Section 2.03.490.C.). Additional standards of conduct and norms are included in Resolution 5323. Applicant Information First Name Sunshine Last Name Ross Physical Address 1211 Holly Drive PO Box (if different from physical address) Not answered City Bozeman State Montana Zip Code 59715 Primary Phone (406) 209-4929 Additional Phone (406) 587-2434 Current Occupation Transportation Director Employer HRDC Email sross@thehrdc.org Which position are you applying for? (○) Transportation Board Do You Live in the City Limits? (Some positions do require you live within Bozeman city limits while others do not.) (○) Yes How long have you lived in the Bozeman Area? (○) 11 years or more Have you ever served on a City or County Board or Commission? (○) No Please describe your professional and personal experiences, interest, and qualifications that make you a good fit for this board. I am the HRDC Transportation Director, I joined the team at HRDC in 2009 as the Transportation Accountant in the Fiscal Department. Since then, I’ve done everything from dispatch, to marketing, to operations planning. I am also certified as the Safety and Security Officer by the Community Transportation Association of America. I helped to bring the Transportation for America (T4A) Transportation Training Workshop, a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant administered through Smart Growth America, to Bozeman. There were several projects that were identified from that workshop, and I have led the development and implementation of those projects. That includes leading the Redesign Streamline 2020 and the implementation of new bus routes, improving wayfinding through the upcoming installation of all new, more visible bus stop signs and route indicator signs, and engaging in regional planning efforts. I regularly attend and/or present to the Triangle Planning Coordinating Committee and the Transportation Coordinating Committee. I am the Chair for the Bozeman Area Transportation Advisory Council (BATAC), a group designed to coordinate with agencies and organizations with transportation needs and challenges. One responsibility of the BATAC is prioritizing the vehicle needs of community organizations serving our most vulnerable residents every year for the grant application submitted to the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). I also recently severed on a grant review panel with NEA for the Mayor’s Institute on City Design Program, Our Town. Our Town provides project support for creative placemaking activities that integrate arts, culture, and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities by advancing local economic, social, physical and/or systems outcomes. I reviewed approximately 40 applications with projects from a wide range of community make up, all with the goal to use art and transportation to overcome some challenges. I was raised in Gallatin County and I am a long-time resident of Bozeman; I graduated from MSU in 2002 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business-Accounting. My husband and I raised our three children here and I introduced them to public transportation in middle school. In fact, they often travelled to high school or to work by riding the bus, bicycle, and/or walking. Now we have very young grandchildren that are growing up learning about these transportation options. I hope to be a part of building a community that offers our future generations better connectivity, access, and inclusivity while continuing to value our culture. Every time I visit a new community, either for work or vacation, I research the local multimodal options in the community. I have visited family on the east coast and the west coast, and even Alaska. In each visit they educated me on the transportation history and options within their respective communities. I have taken these opportunities to utilize different types of mobility offered and I’ve gained valuable perspective. The City of Bozeman strongly values diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Describe any efforts you have engaged in to expand your understanding of DEI. HRDC issued our own statement regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion and has since created an Equity Committee. Each week meaningful information is communicated with us all on various topics, so I make sure to take the time to read it and put some careful thought into the subject. I am also looking into a couple of national trainings led by experts on this very important topic. It is something that I've always tried to be aware of particularly in regards to the transportation services that we provide. The makeup of the Streamline/Galavan Advisory Board is designed with that value in mind. The new Streamline routes were designed to intentionally provide access with diversity, equity, and inclusion at the forefront of the system. An example of how I've been able to put diversity, equity, and inclusion into action is the infographics that were created in Spanish in response to the growing immigrant population moving to the area. These infographics explain "How to Ride Streamline" and how to specifically get to/from relevant locations. I certainly acknowledge that I have a lot to learn on this matter and I am eager to expand my horizons beyond the civil rights training that I receive annually. References: Please provide name, phone, and email contact information for two references. Reference 1 David Kack (406) 994-7526 dkack@montana.edu Reference 2 Scott Birkenbuel (406) 594-0532 sbirkenbuel@milp.us The Bozeman City Charter, voted in by the citizens of Bozeman in 2008, requires annual ethics training. If appointed, do you understand you will be expected to take online and in person ethics training? (○) No How did you hear about this board or vacancy? emails Is there any other information that you feel we need to know? When I was at MSU studying for my accounting degree I always knew I wanted to work in an industry that made a difference in the community. Since that time I have worked for and with non-profit organizations in Bozeman. I was hired by HRDC as the Transportation Accountant and was surprised by how much I was interested in learning about transportation. The more knowledge I gain, the more I want to learn and that has expanded beyond just the public transportation aspect. Smart growth is a topic I want to continue seeking expert knowledge on so that the concepts can be used in our community. If you have a disability that requires assistance or need accommodations, please contact our ADA Coordinator, Mike Gray, at 582-3232 (TDD 582-2301). Please note that for most Citizen Advisory Boards, materials are distributed electronically for each meeting. Your application and all information submitted is considered a public record. All applications are included in the City Commission’s Meeting materials for consideration which are electronically archived and available to the public. Thank you, City Of Bozeman This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email. From:Sunshine Ross To:Agenda Subject:[SENDER UNVERIFIED]Citizen Advisory Board Application Date:Thursday, September 30, 2021 5:20:55 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Hello, I'm not sure who to contact, I just submitted an application for theTransportation Advisory Board. When I was reviewing my submission I noticed that "NO" was selected in error on the question asking about the annual ethics training. Would you please pass on to whomever is the appropriate person that I intended to select "YES"? Thank you in advance for your help! Sunshine -- Sunshine Ross Transportation Director Streamline/Galavan 1812 N. Rouse Ave. Bozeman, MT 59715 p (406) 587-2434 | f (406) 582-7946 www.thehrdc.org www.streamlinebus.com