Jerry Estrada

The board approved the renewal of Commercial Automobile and General Liability insurance coverage for a 15-month period. Members reviewed the first draft of the upcoming fiscal year budget and authorized the submittal of the Measure A Program of Projects. The General Manager's report covered participation in the California Transit Association Executive Committee retreat, legislative developments, transit agency funding challenges, and the sustainability of providing school bus services for the local school district given current budget constraints.

The Board of Directors meeting agenda included several key items for action and information. Action items covered the approval of Cash Reports for the period of January 24, 2026, through February 6, 2026, and the recommendation to approve the Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 (FTA 5310) Fiscal Year 2025-26 Program of Projects for the Santa Barbara Urbanized Area, which included funding allocations for Easy Lift and Community Partners in Caring. Informational items included a Financial Update and Second Quarter Review of Fiscal Year 2025-2026, the FY 2025-2026 Second Quarter Performance Reports (for the period ending December 31, 2025), an update on the Terminal 2 Recommissioning -- Phase 2 Project, and the General Manager's Report. The agenda also scheduled recesses to Closed Session to discuss existing litigation, real property negotiations concerning 4678 Calle Real / 149 North San Antonio Road, and the performance evaluation of the General Manager.

This document outlines the certifications and assurances required for the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District to receive Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) funds for the FY 2025-2026 period. It details compliance with legal requirements, project administration, reporting obligations including annual project activity and audit reports, cost principles, and record retention. The document also includes a resolution authorizing the General Manager to execute necessary forms for LCTOP funding, specifically mentioning the SBMTD Microtransit Pilot Extension project.

The Board of Directors discussed and took action on several items including the adoption of resolutions for TDA fund claims and LCTOP funding for microtransit pilot projects. Key informational items included presentations on the Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Section 5339(a) Program of Projects and a Draft Service Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-27, which outlines proposed service reductions to address budget deficits. Additionally, the General Manager provided updates on operations, fleet maintenance, capital projects like ZEV infrastructure improvements, and legislative activities.

The Board of Directors meeting agenda covered several action and informational items. Key discussions included the renewal of Commercial Auto and General Liability Insurance policies for a 15-month term with a projected cost increase. Staff presented the first draft of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027 budget, projecting a $5.8 million deficit based on current revenue and expense estimates. The Board was also asked to approve the submittal of the Measure A Program of Projects for FY 2026-2027. A closed session was scheduled to discuss real property negotiations concerning the property at 4678 Calle Real / 149 North San Antonio Road.