Mike Hill

The Board Operations Committee meeting addressed several procedural and operational items. Key discussions included the review and approval of the committee agenda, committee chair comments, and the review/approval of the February 11, 2026, committee meeting minutes (noting the January 14, 2026, minutes were approved in that session). The committee reviewed the 2026 Board Operations Committee Work Program and discussed next steps for the anticipated review of the agency's bylaws. The agenda for the upcoming April 1, 2026, STA Board Workshop was reviewed. A resolution was presented for a determination that maintaining a public records index is unduly burdensome. Committee chair reports from Planning & Development and Performance Monitoring & External Relations were received. The draft agenda for the March 19, 2026, STA Board Meeting was reviewed for corrections/approval, as was the draft agenda for the next Board Operations Committee Meeting on April 8, 2026. The meeting concluded with a CEO Report and an Executive Session to consider real estate acquisition matters.

Connect Spokane is a comprehensive plan for public transportation by the Spokane Transit Authority, setting a vision and policy framework to guide decisions for at least the next 30 years. The plan focuses on providing safe, inclusive, convenient, and efficient public transportation services, and connecting individuals to opportunities within Spokane area communities. It is structured around key service areas including High Performance Transit, Fixed-Route Service, Paratransit, Flexible Services, and System Integration, alongside programs addressing Transit Equity and Inclusion, System Infrastructure, Communications and Public Input, Revenues and Fares, Monitoring and Improvement, Regional Transportation, Land Use, Economic Development, Sustainability, and Safety & Security.

The key discussion topics included the review of the 2026 Planning & Development Committee Work Program, which governs activities such as the development of the 2027-2032 Transit Development Plan (TDP) and updates on the Wellesley Corridor Development Plan and Connect Spokane minor updates. Other significant items involved receiving an overview of the 2027-2032 TDP process, a report on existing conditions for the Wellesley Corridor Development Plan, a draft review of the Connect Spokane minor update, an update on the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Pilot Project (identifying South Hill Park & Ride as the preferred site), and a presentation on the redistribution of Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 funds for 2021-2024. The committee also reviewed the upcoming February Board Workshop preview and discussed the draft agenda for the March 4, 2026, meeting.

The Performance Monitoring & External Relations Committee meeting included action items for the Board, specifically recommending approval for contract awards for High Performance Transit Markers & Light Poles and Technology Master Plan Development Services. Committee reports covered a Legislative Update concerning the 2026 session priorities, results from the 2025 Fixed Route Rider Survey, an update on the 2026 Service Revisions Outreach, and the Connect 2035 Funding Requirements Public Outreach Plan. Information reports included December 2025 Operating Indicators and January 2026 Sales Tax Revenue, along with the 4th Quarter 2025 Service Planning Public Input Report. The committee also reviewed the draft agenda for the subsequent March 4, 2026, meeting.

The agenda for the Board Meeting included several key items. Recognitions and Presentations covered the retirement of a Paratransit Van Operator and Years of Service awards for the 4th Quarter of 2025. Consent Agenda actions involved the approval of December 2025 Vouchers and the final acceptance of several Public Works Contracts and specific procurements, including the Boone Security Camera Replacement and Plaza Rotunda 1 Furniture. Key actions included the Election of a Chair Pro Tempore and the confirmation of Board Member appointments to the Planning & Development, Performance Monitoring and External Relations, and Board Operations Committees for 2026. The CEO provided a report, and the meeting concluded with a planned Executive Session to evaluate an applicant for public employment or review employee performance.