Maximilian Cao

This Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) for the San Joaquin Regional Transit District serves as a strategic roadmap for the planning, operation, and development of public transit services across San Joaquin County over a ten-year period. The plan is structured around key focus areas including statutory and regulatory compliance (e.g., Title VI, PBPP, TAM), enhancing transit reliability and accessibility, promoting environmental sustainability through fleet modernization, and ensuring sound financial management. It aims to deliver efficient, equitable, and sustainable transit services, reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, and establish RTD as the transportation service of choice for the region.

The regular Board of Directors meeting agenda included the election of officers, special presentations recognizing various employee achievements (apprenticeship graduates, retirees, employees of the quarter/year), and information items such as a marketing update and a financial update. Consent calendar items involved approving the minutes from the January 20, 2026, Special Board of Directors Meeting, and authorizing contract extensions and sole-source purchase orders related to security services, CAD/AVL hardware retrofits, and temporary staffing. Action items focused on authorizing contracts for bus refurbishment with Complete Coach Works and a contract amendment with Gillig LLC for additional hybrid electric buses. Discussions covered RTD standing board committee assignments, and closed session items addressed public employee appointment (Interim CEO) and labor negotiations, followed by possible action on the Interim CEO employment contract.

The Special Board of Directors Meeting agenda included the election of officers for 2026, special presentations such as the Job Preparation Academy overview, and various reports from the CEO (including updates on recent committee meetings), Marketing (covering the 27th Annual Stuff the Bus Food Drive results and upcoming service changes), and Finance (presenting the December 2025 financial reports and updates on the ERP system restoration). Information items covered Federal and State Legislative Updates. The Consent Calendar involved the approval of the November 20, 2025, minutes, the appointment of a new Alternate Retirement Board Member, authorization for legislative advocacy on board eligibility clarification, authorization for vehicle refurbishment contracts, approval of the Title VI Service Equity Analysis for Route 40 service continuation, and approval of authorized bank signatories. Action items focused on authorizing updates to the Personnel Manual regarding military leaves and authorizing a contract amendment to increase funding for ADA complementary paratransit services with RydeTrans, Inc.

The meeting included a special presentation recognizing General Counsel Christopher W. Waddell for his eight years of service. The board reviewed and considered approving the minutes of the August 28, 2025, regular Retirement Board meeting and the 2026 quarterly Retirement Board meeting schedule. Additionally, they reviewed and accepted the asset and liability study report prepared by Callan for the RTD's Defined Benefit Pension Plan and ratified the Retirement Plan audit services with Brown Armstrong Accountancy Corporation for FY2023, FY2024, and extended the contract by one year for FY2025 Retirement Plan audit services. The board also received updates on quarterly investment performance and recent retirements. Furthermore, the board discussed the election of officers for the calendar year 2026.

The meeting included a public hearing to gather public comments regarding RTD vacancies and retention and recruitment efforts. The Chief Executive Officer provided an update on various topics. There was also a marketing update that included information regarding free shuttle service to the County Fair and other past and upcoming events. The Finance Manager presented May financial reports. The board also discussed federal and state legislative updates.