title
APPOINTMENT TO SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL TRANSIT DISTRICT BOARD
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution appointing one commissioner to fill the vacancy on the San Joaquin Regional Transit District Board for a term commencing immediately and ending December 31, 2029.
body
Summary
On January 1, 2026, Member Baldwinder Singh’s term on the of the San Joaquin Regional Transit District Board expired, creating the vacancy to be filled this evening, in accordance with Council Policy Chapter 3.02, City Council and Mayoral Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees. The Office of the City Clerk conducted applicant interviews on December 2, 2025, December 4, 2025, and January 5, 2026 interviewing three candidates. The interviews were streamed to be viewed live or through the archive by the members of the City Council before tonight’s meeting.
DISCUSSION
Background
The function of the San Joaquin County Regional Transit District Board is to supervise and regulate every facility owned and operated by the Transit District, including the fixing of rates, rentals, charges and classifications, and making and enforcing rules, regulations, contracts, practices, and schedules for or in connection with transit facilities owned or controlled by the District.
The four-year term of Baldwinder Singh will expire on January 1, 2026, which will create the vacancy we are seeking to fill this evening. The term for the newly appointed Commissioner will begin on immediately upon appointment and end on December 31, 2029.
By the close of the recruitment period, four applications were received to fill the one vacant position, and three applicants were scheduled for the interviews held on December 2, 2025, December 4, 2025, and January 5, 2026.
Pursuant to Council Policy Chapter 3.02, City Council and Mayoral Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees, a two-step interview and appointment process is used to fill current vacancies on boards and commissions, which is as follows:
1. The City Clerk conducts the initial applicant interviews, which are video streamed live so that the Council can view the live stream or view it from the archive; and,
2. The Council makes the appointment at a regularly scheduled Council meeting.
The City Clerk's Office conducted the interviews using a list of prepared questions approved by the San Joaquin County Regional Transit District Board. Of the four applicants, the following three applicants participated in the interview process:
1. Kyle Espiritu
2. Derek Graves
3. Baldwinder Singh - Incumbent
The applicants were notified of tonight's meeting; however, their attendance is not mandatory.
Present Situation
Tonight the City Council will proceed with the following method for appointment pursuant to Council Policy Chapter 3.02:
A. From the list so provided to the Council, each Councilmember, including the Mayor, will rank the applicants for each Commissioner such that the number of applicants that each Councilmember ranks will be one number greater than the number of vacancies and/or the number of Commission members whose terms will be expiring. (This will likely avoid tie votes.) For example, if there is only one vacancy or only one term expiring, the Councilmember’s first choice for appointment will be ranked with the number “2” and the Councilmember’s second choice with the number “1.” If because of a vacancy and/or because of an expiring term, there is more than one appointment to a Commission, the Councilmember will assign to the Councilmember’s first choice the higher(est) number and lesser number(s) to the Councilmember’s other choice(s). For example, if there were one vacancy and one term expiring, each Councilmember would rank three applicants, assigning the number “3” to the Councilmember’s first choice, the number “2” to the Councilmember’s second choice and the number “1” to the third choice.
B. After the Council has ranked the applicants, the City Clerk will tally the rankings and the applicant (s) receiving the highest number(s) would, subject to Council ratification, be appointed. If there is a tie, then the process described in A above will be repeated only as to the applicants who are tied.
The City Clerk will present the resolution upon appointment of the individual selected for a term to commence immediately, and end on December 31, 2029.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There is no financial impact to the City as a result of this appointment.
Attachment A - Redacted Applications