Daron Brown

The board meeting addressed several action items. The Finance Personnel and Planning Committee recommended two action items, including the contract award for the electric trolley bus power substation project, noting that the Greater Dayton RTA operates one of only four remaining electric trolley bus systems in the country and needs to replace aging substations. They also recommended approving a three-year contract for office supplies with multiple vendors. The Planning Committee recommended approving a one-year renewal for the Ross software maintenance and license agreement, which serves as the core enterprise resource planning system. Furthermore, the board approved a change order to extend the bus internet, VPN, and website hosting contract with Data Yard for one year during a transition to new AT&T services. The CEO report highlighted the successful, swift relocation of the police department into a renovated historic building downtown, followed by a presentation on the inaugural RTA Winter Olympic Games held in the Longworth garage, which included recognition for employees, notably one who served as a torchbearer for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

The joint committees meeting addressed several procurement matters requiring recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Key discussions included recommending a contract award to Trolley Support LLC for trolley carbon inserts, contingent upon Federal Transit Administration approval of a Buy America waiver. Another item involved recommending the approval of a contract award to Osterfeld Champion Service for a server room cooling system replacement HVAC unit. Furthermore, the committees recommended approval of Resolution No. 2025-10-1, authorizing staff to seek Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Flexible Funding for transit projects, specifically the replacement of paratransit buses. The committees also recommended a contract award, not to exceed $1,300,000, for Automatic Passenger Counter (APC) Sensors, pending satisfactory bids received later. Updates were provided on the Customer and Business Development report, the July 2025 Financial Report, and Small Purchasing Information. The CEO reported that Mr. Weckesser would chair the Board Nominating Committee. The document also contains details regarding a future action item concerning the purchase of twenty-five new Gillig diesel buses.

The Board reviewed and approved the agenda for the current meeting. Key actions included the approval of a contract award to Gillig for the purchase of twenty-five 35-foot diesel buses totaling $18,838,985, which is part of the normal replacement plan. The Board also approved a contract award via ODOT vehicle contracts for five small transit buses and four transit vans, totaling $1,219,900, primarily for ADA (Paratransit) services. Furthermore, Resolution No. 2025-11-1 was approved, authorizing the filing of Federal Capital Assistance Grant applications for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027 (USC 5307, 5337, 5339). Resolution No. 2025-11-2 was approved to authorize applications for State Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028 Ohio Urban Public Transportation Grant Programs. The Board approved the 2026 Administrative Compensation Guide, recommending a 3.5% adjustment across the board for non-union employees. New business involved the nomination and approval of Ms. Sharon D. White as President and Ms. Belinda Matthews-Stenson as Vice-President for the 2025-2026 term. Additionally, authorization was granted to expend up to $950,000 from existing federal grants for safety and security-based facility improvement projects at the Downtown Campus. Committee reports included updates on recent departmental activities, such as a safety campaign and community outreach.

The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Key actions included the approval of the day's agenda and the minutes from the August 5, 2025 board meeting. The Finance/Personnel Committee recommended and the Board approved a contract award to Kiepe Electric for $300,000 (including contingency) to conduct a feasibility study for the NexGen trolley bus battery system replacement, necessitated because the current manufacturer ceased providing replacement parts. A three-year contract, with two optional years, totaling up to $913,523 was approved with Superior Uniforms for transportation uniforms. The Planning Committee recommended three action items: Approval was granted for a five-year contract award of $1,166,419 (including contingency) to ConnX, Inc. for a full replacement of the aging phone system using a Cisco Webex Calling-based solution. The renewal of the Clever Devices, LTD Maintenance Agreement was approved for a total contract value of $3,145,462, which includes a two-year base contract, two one-year options, and the addition of the Disruption Management Solution and Microsoft Entra ID Integration. Finally, the Board approved the updated Human Resources, Public Records Policy #1 to align with current Ohio Law. The Chief Executive Officer recognized four recently promoted staff members. Public comments raised concerns regarding passenger waiting areas during inclement weather, accessibility issues with a driver lowering a ramp, and a severe road bump impacting ridership comfort. The Board concluded by entering into an Executive Session to discuss security measures before adjourning.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the Board Meeting Agenda. Key discussion items focused on recommendations from the Finance/Personnel and Planning Committees. Action Item #2 involved the approval of a three-year contract award to Trolley Support LLC for the purchase of trolley carbon inserts, contingent upon Federal Transit Administration approval of a Buy America waiver. Action Item #3 addressed the replacement of an HVAC unit in the Server Room at the Wright Stop Plaza facility, awarding the contract to Osterfeld Champion Service. Action Item #4 concerned the approval of Resolution No. 2025-10-1, authorizing staff to seek Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Flexible Funding to replace 25 small buses. The Planning Committee recommended Action Item #5, which was the award of a contract to Passio Technologies for the purchase and installation of automatic passenger counter sensors. The CEO reported on excellent customer service provided by a Transit Ambassador. The Board also recessed into Executive Session to discuss security matters.