On Thursday, May 23, 2024, the BART Board of Directors appointed Melissa Hernandez to the seat representing District 5.
For the last eight years, Hernandez has served as a Dublin councilmember and is currently the city’s mayor. She has chaired three regional transit boards: the Livermore-Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA), Tri Valley/San Joaquin Valley Regional Transportation Authority (Valley Link) and the Finance committee of the Alameda County Transportation Commission.
“My vision is to keep public transportation working for everyone – and to keep BART reliable, affordable, and safe for everyone who rides,” said Hernandez, “By fostering dialogue with my colleagues, partnerships with state and Federal agencies and leaders, and championing equitable policies, I will strive to create a more inclusive and accessible transportation system that benefits everyone.”
“Melissa Hernandez is going to be able to walk into many of the rooms that we need to have leadership and representation, whether that’s in Sacramento or with the San Jose Extension,” said BART Board President Bevan Dufty. “Melissa has a tremendous set of experiences and is well known. Former Director John McPartland has been supportive of Melissa’s candidacy and that heartens me as well."
The BART Board of Directors is comprised of nine elected officials from the nine BART districts. The District 5 seat became vacant on March 28, 2024, when John McPartland announced his immediate resignation from the BART Board. McPartland cited family matters as his reason for needing to step down. His current term was through December 6, 2024.
Hernandez and two other individuals who submitted applications were interviewed by the Board at their May 9, 2024 regular meeting.
Hernandez will serve as the District 5 representative through the unexpired portion of the current term. If Hernandez wishes to continue serving on the Board of Directors after the current term expires, she will need to run for election to the seat in the general election to be held in November 2024.
Notice of Vacancy – District 5
Updated May 9, 2024.
The application period for the seat representing District 5 on the BART Board of Directors is now closed. The Board of Directors conducted interviews of the applicants on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 9:00am at their board meeting. Watch the meeting.
The Board of Directors are expected to make an appointment at the May 23, 2024 Board meeting.
The following individuals submitted timely applications for the Board of Directors’ consideration:
- Bruce Delevaux - View the submitted application.
- Melissa Hernandez - View the submitted application.
- Gabriel Rodrigues - View the submitted application.
Please contact the District Secretary with any questions via phone at (510) 464-6080 or email at [email protected].
Notice is hereby given that a vacancy exists on the Board of Directors for the seat representing District 5. District 5 lies in Alameda County and its boundaries currently include the cities/regions of Castro Valley, Cherryland, Dublin, Fairview, Hayward, Livermore, Pleasanton, and Sunol. The vacancy is due to the resignation of John McPartland, effective March 28, 2024.
At the April 11, 2024 board meeting the BART Board of Directors approved a motion to move forward with filling the vacant seat using an appointment process pursuant to California Government Code Section 1780.
Application packets are due by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
Process to Fill the District 5 Vacancy
Applicants must be a registered voter and resident of the geographical boundaries of District 5. Eligibility can be verified by contacting the Alameda County Registrar of Voters located at 1225 Fallon Street, Rm. G-1, Oakland, CA 94612 (phone: 510-272-6973). You may review district boundaries on the District Boundaries webpage.
The successful applicant will serve as the representative for District 5 through the unexpired portion of the current term, which expires on December 6, 2024. If the appointed applicant wishes to continue serving on the Board of Directors after the current term for the seat representing District 5 expires, they must run for election to the seat in the general election to be held on November 5, 2024. The term of service for all newly elected Board Members is four years. Information about elections is posted on the Director Elections webpage.
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors are generally held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month beginning at 9:00 a.m. Additionally, duties include service on Board Committees, representing BART on various external Boards and Committees, and attendance at special meetings and other meetings as required. Board members that meet attendance requirements receive a monthly stipend of approximately $2,026.91. Board Members are also eligible to receive medical, dental, vision, and other benefits. We've posted other helpful links and resources below.
How to Apply for the District 5 Seat (Update: Now Closed)
All interested applicants must complete and submit an application form and packet as outlined below. Application packets are due by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The application materials outlined below must be submitted to the Office of the District Secretary via email at [email protected] or in person/via courier at BART Headquarters, 2150 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612.
Failure to complete all parts of the application form or to submit all required application materials may result in rejection of the application. All finalists are subject to a background check prior to appointment.
The Application Packet Includes:
- Application Form (download and fill it out)
- Background Check Form (download and fill it out)
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Two (2) References
Please contact the District Secretary with any questions via phone at (510) 464-6080 or email at [email protected]. We encourage all applicants to monitor the District’s Board Agenda and Minutes webpage to view agendas for upcoming Board Meetings.
Previous Updates Provided
The Board of Directors is scheduled to discuss the process that will be used to fill the seat at its regular Board Meeting on April 11, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in the BART Board Room, 2150 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612. The agenda for the April 11th Board Meeting will be posted on the District’s Board Agenda and Minutes webpage.
Information and Resources