Councilmember Quirina Orozco, who acknowledged the lack of representation in her district, favors Corey Cummings to sit on the Transportation, Mobility, and Infrastructure Commission, which makes important recommendations to city officials on significant projects.

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The Transportation, Mobility, and Infrastructure Commission (TMI) has a new sitting member.

Before approving Corey Cummings for the post, City Manager Jennifer Cusmir detailed the commission appointment process to City Council on June 26, explaining the need to fill a sitting and alternate member position that became vacant earlier this year.

Both members resided in District 4.

"Both were moving out of the area," Cusmir said, noting sitting member Dr. Matthias Hess's move was delayed. "He asked to be reconsidered for appointment."

 The West Sacramento City Manager, Jennifer Cusmir, explains to City Council the need to fill a full-time sitting vacancy for the Transportation, Mobility, and Infrastructure Commission.

Councilmembers Norma Alca and Quirina Orozco favored a certain resident for the sitting post.

"I know District One has quite a few folks on it but I would like to recommend someone," Alca said of Corey Cummings, who she noted lived in West Sacramento for 15 years. "He just recently graduated from our Citizens Academy."

 Councilmember Norma Alca made the initial recommendation for Corey Cummings, who she called an exceptional candidate for a needed commission appointment. 

Cumming's community involvement, including partaking in the city redistricting process and levy maintenance issues, among others, qualifies him, according to Alca, who said, "he does not just peruse documents; he really dissects them."

"I think it is that type of involvement that is an exception and makes him an exceptional candidate to fill one of those vacancies," Alca said.

Filling a Transportation, Mobility, and Infrastructure Commission vacancy entails serious work. The commission makes recommendations on matters within the scope of their duties and assignments, which are referred to them by council members and the city manager.

According to a staff report, that scope includes transportation planning; bicycle and pedestrian policies and facilities planning; goods movement; charging and fueling infrastructure for electric, hydrogen and other alternate fuel vehicles; public transit and ridesharing; transportation network services; taxicabs; and plans and standards for roads, bridges and highways.

Orozco said she appreciates the council's ability to publicly discuss the candidates, especially Cummings.

"It's very unusual to receive one that is six pages long and is also very rich with content and not just narrative," Orozco said, specifically noting his work with the redistricting process several years back. "He spoke in detail about the precise map and how it should be reflected in the Rivers Community."

The city needs that type of attention to detail with future planning, according to Orozco. 

"Especially given some of the new changes facing our city, specifically our incoming traffic we are going to be experiencing with River Cat Stadium and our new MLB visitors from everywhere who are going to enjoy the national stage in our backyard," Orozco said.

But most of all, Cumming's work in the prison system impresses Orozco the most due to her work as a prosecutor.

"The prisons are like mini cities; they have to facilitate all of the needs of the residents that reside there, including their safety, their food, mental health and medical, recreation, and the list goes on," Orozco said, adding that Cummings’ perfect attendance in the Citizen's Academy also makes him ideal.

Councilmember Verna Sulpizio Hull and Vice-Mayor Dawnte Early shared their concerns over district representation. While Early commends Cummings' abilities, she also said that Districts 3 and 4 need more advocacy.

Mayor Martha Guererro also recommended an alternate member. However, councilmembers directed the council to consider making a motion on Cummings, "who they all agree" is the best choice.