Heather Higgins

The joint meeting addressed several key items. The Board of Directors approved the award of RFP 2025-200 for a Workforce Housing Developer to Servitas, authorizing the execution of a Pre-Development Agreement to leverage locally owned land for affordable housing, with projected construction commencement in 2027 if successful. The Board also approved the FY2025 Annual Report, which highlighted accomplishments such as the passage of Proposition 488 for service expansion and an AdWheel Award, authorizing submission to state and partner agencies. Furthermore, the Board approved a restructuring of the Transit Advisory Committee (TAC) to enhance effectiveness, including changes to membership representation and a move to a quarterly meeting schedule beginning in January 2026. Progress reports were skipped in the interest of time. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a Strategic Planning Advance session, which included reviewing mission, vision, and values, assessing the 2020-2025 Strategic Work Plan, and conducting exercises to define success metrics and SWOT analysis. The Performance Scorecard section was not completed due to time constraints.

The meeting commenced with a safety minute covering holiday safety tips. The Board then moved into an executive session, which was delayed due to technical difficulties, to discuss the evaluation of the Mountain Line CEO and General Manager, including the associated wage range and wage adjustment, with legal counsel present. Upon reconvening the public meeting, the Board considered and discussed the Mountain Line CEO and General Manager wage range and the wage amendment based on the evaluation and wage range, but no formal action was taken on these items. Future agenda items for the January 2026 meeting were also identified.

The Board meeting included a safety minute regarding fall hazards, recognition of staff milestone anniversaries, and a call to the public with no comments received. Key discussions and actions involved the consideration and approval of a three percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and General Manager, retroactive to August 21, 2025. The Board also approved a Revised Organizational Structure plan aimed at supporting the 5-year plan implementation. Furthermore, the Board approved the FY2024 Financial Audit Report and the related Corrective Action Plan for financial management compliance. The Electric Bus Performance Report reviewed key metrics like efficiency and fuel/carbon dioxide avoided. The Biannual Performance Report covered financial and service benchmarks, and the item regarding the FY2025 Annual Report was tabled until November. Discussions also took place regarding joining a Virtual Power Purchasing Agreement for energy sourcing.

The meeting covered several key discussion points, including an update on insurance policy excess limit requirements, where staff reported that the $10 million excess coverage would not be renewed, leading to a Board approval of $13 million in coverage. The committee also discussed potential changes to the Transit Advisory Committee structure, proposing a move to quarterly meetings to encourage greater engagement, with feedback provided on scheduling and continuity. An update was provided regarding the Mountain Express service for the upcoming season, focusing on funding strategies, including the use of advertising revenue for temporary frequency increases, pending a future operational assessment. Additionally, staff reported on the adoption of a revised organizational structure, noting an oversight where the TAC was initially omitted from the chart. Information was shared regarding the Board's decision to proceed with drafting an intergovernmental agreement for a Virtual Power Purchasing Agreement, with Northern Arizona University covering exploration costs. Finally, the committee reviewed the draft Board Business Agenda, noting that the FY2025 Annual Report was still being finalized, and provided input on various progress reports.

This Zero-Emission Bus Fleet Transition Study for Mountain Line Transit assesses the feasibility, technology options, transition timelines, and costs associated with converting the entire fixed-route fleet to 100% zero-emission technology. The study analyzes various scenarios, including a baseline diesel/hybrid fleet, a Battery Electric Bus (BEB) depot-only charging strategy, and a BEB depot with on-route (pantograph) charging. It evaluates fleet composition, procurement timelines, fuel consumption, and infrastructure requirements, with a strategic goal to reduce the organization's carbon footprint and enhance environmental outcomes over the period from 2024 to 2040.