TransNet Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee

Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 9:30 A.m. - 11:30 A.m.

SANDAG Board Room

1011 Union Street, First Floor

San Diego, CA 92101

Voting Members Present:

• Chair Frank Rivera (Licensed Civil/Traffic Engineer)
• Vice Chair Sunnie House (Private Sector/CEO)
• Jacqueline Appleton-Deane (Contractor/Construction)
• Maryam Babaki (Municipal/Public Finance and Budgeting)
• David Santistevan (Real Estate/Right-of-Way Acquisition)

Voting Members Absent:

• Lorraine Ahlquist (Biology/Environmental Science)

Others Absent:

• Tracy Drager (San Diego County Auditor’s Office)

Meeting Video

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1.

Call to Order

Chair Rivera called the meeting to order at 9:31 a.m. 

2.

Non-Agenda Public Comments/Member Comments

Public Comments: None. 

Members shared farewell messages for outgoing member Les Hopper.  

Chief Administrative and Public Affairs Officer Robyn Wapner provided an update on agency activities. 

3.

Consent

Public Comments: None. 

• Motioned by: Vice Chair House
  Seconded by: Maryam Babaki

  To approve Consent item nos. 3.1 and 3.3 through 3.8.

  For (5)	Maryam Babaki, Chair Rivera, Jacqueline Appleton-Deane, Vice Chair House, and David Santistevan
  Absent (1)	Lorraine Ahlquist

  The motion passed. (5 to 0)

3.1

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Approved the July 9, 2025, meeting minutes. 

3.3

Final 2025 ITOC Annual Report

Approved the final 2025 ITOC Annual Report.

3.4

TransNet ITOC Member Appointment Process

This report provided an overview of the financial status of the TransNet Program.

3.5

Quarterly TransNet Financial Reports for the Period Ending June 30, 2025, and Other Financial Data

This report provided an update on the latest developments in the financial markets, economy, sales tax revenues, and strategies being explored and implemented to minimize possible impacts to the TransNet Program.

3.6

Overview of Developments in the Financial Markets, Quarterly Finance Report as of June 30, 2025

This report provided an update on the latest developments in the financial markets, economy, sales tax revenues, and strategies being explored and implemented to minimize possible impacts to the TransNet Program.

3.7

TransNet Major Corridor and Regional Bikeway Program of Projects: Quarterly Status Report

This report provided an update on TransNet Major Corridor and Regional Bikeway Program projects.

3.8

2025 Regional Transportation Improvement Program: Amendment No. 9

This report provided an update on the 2025 Regional Transportation Improvement Program, Amendment No. 9.

3.2

TransNet Triennial Performance Audit: Completion Recommendations 

Public Comments: None. 

• Motioned by: David Santistevan
  Seconded by: Jacqueline Appleton-Deane

  To approve the TransNet Triennial Performance Audit Completion Forms, with the exception of request FY 2024, Item No. 12.

  For (5)	Maryam Babaki, Chair Rivera, Jacqueline Appleton-Deane, Vice Chair House, and David Santistevan
  Absent (1)	Lorraine Ahlquist

  The motion passed. (5 to 0)

3.9

TransNet Grant Programs: Biannual Status Update

This report provided an update on the progress and performance of projects funded by TransNet grant programs.

Public Comments: None.

4.

TransNet Smart Growth Incentive Program Cycle 6 Funding Recommendations

Senior Grants Program Analyst Goldy Herbon presented the proposed TransNet Smart Growth Incentive Program projects recommended for funding to ensure consistency with the TransNet Ordinance and consider a recommendation to the Board of Directors for approval.

Public Comments: Stephen Manganiello 

• Motioned by: Vice Chair House
  Seconded by: Jacqueline Appleton-Deane

  To recommend that the Board of Directors reject the City of Escondido’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund project application. 

  For (4)	Maryam Babaki, Chair Rivera, Jacqueline Appleton-Deane, and Vice Chair House
  Absent (2)	Lorraine Ahlquist, and David Santistevan

  The motion passed. (4 to 0)

5.

FY 2018, FY 2021, and FY 2024 TransNet Triennial Performance Audit Recommendations

5.1

Quarterly Update Report

Financial Analyst Vanessa Leon and Senior Financial Programming and Project Control Analyst Saba Fadhil presented an overview of progress made to date on recommendations from the FY 2018, FY 2021, and FY 2024 TransNet Triennial Performance Audit (fourth, fifth, and sixth Triennial Performance Audits).

Public Comments: None. 

5.2

2018 Triennial Performance Audit Recommendations - Performance Monitoring

Senior Director of Data Science and Business Information and Technology Services Grace Miño, Deputy Director of Mobility Planning Jennifer Williamson, Director of Financial, Budgets, and Grants Susan Huntington, presented an overview and update on completing the recommended goals of the remaining FY 2018 Triennial Performance Audit recommendations related to the Performance Monitoring.

Public Comments: None. 

• Motioned by: Chair Rivera
  Seconded by: Maryam Babaki

  To approve proceeding with completion forms to close out the remaining FY 2018 Triennial Performance Audit recommendations that are related to Performance Monitoring. 

  For (4)	Maryam Babaki, Chair Rivera, Jacqueline Appleton-Deane, and Vice Chair House
  Absent (2)	Lorraine Ahlquist, and David Santistevan

  The motion passed. (4 to 0)

6.

FY 2024 TransNet Local Street and Road Program Annual Status Report

Associate Financial Analyst Richard Radcliffe presented the annual status report for the FY 2024 TransNet Local Streets and Roads Program.

Public Comments: None. 

7.

Adjournment

The next TransNet Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

Chair Rivera adjourned the meeting at 11:38 a.m.