Merab Talamantes

The board meeting included the recognition of employees of the quarter, an update on the recovery from a recent cyber attack, and the initiation of a forensic audit to ensure transparency and public trust. The board authorized the interim CEO to execute on-call professional services contracts for construction management and engineering support and approved a revised operating budget for the 2026 fiscal year due to grant funding shortfalls. Additionally, the board discussed future financial recovery strategies, including the reallocation of capital project funds to stabilize reserves.

The committee held a special meeting to discuss options for investing district reserve funds and to formulate recommendations for the Board of Directors.

The board meeting agenda included several key topics: recognizing Employees of the Quarter, receiving an update from the Interim CEO, and reviewing marketing, financial, federal legislative, state legislative, and paratransit operations status reports. Action items included the authorization of contracts for construction management support services and the approval of a revised fiscal year operating budget to address revenue shortfalls. Additionally, several consent items were slated for board approval, including the authorization of a contract for a pedestrian collision avoidance system, the transfer of commuter buses, the designation of authorized account signatories, and updates to the Title VI Program.

The board meeting agenda included several key items such as the election of the Vice Chair, updates from the Interim CEO and on various legislative and grant-related activities. Action items included authorization of board travel expenses, contract amendments for security services and hybrid electric bus purchases, replacement of an emergency operations center project with a hybrid electric bus project for advocacy, and the delegation of administrative functions for claims. Furthermore, the board reviewed financial updates and committee assignments, and discussed closed session litigation.

The meeting agenda includes the authorization of the FY2025-26 Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) application to fund the Student Transit Access Program, which will provide fare-free transit on fixed-route services for students. Closed session items involve the appointment and contract negotiations for the Interim CEO and the appointment of Board Counsel, with subsequent potential open session approvals for these contracts.