Humboldt Transit Authority

The meeting addressed several items, commencing with the approval of minutes from meetings held in September 2009 through January 2010. Following Citizen Communications, the board approved the Consent Agenda, which included the presentation of Financial Statements and Performance Statistics for various services. Key discussion focused on responses to the 2008-09 Fiscal and Compliance Audit concerning excess TDA funds for several transit systems, where actions were taken to restrict funds for future capital purchases or use them to reduce operating expenses. Furthermore, the board amended the HTA Salary Manual in three actions: adding a new position of Administrative Assistant II, granting a $1.00 per hour pay increase for staff employees effective January 1, 2010, and granting a $1.00 per hour pay increase for the general manager effective January 4, 2010. During a closed session, the board authorized a $35,000 payment for a property damage claim submitted by Steve Hoffman, and held a second closed session regarding a personnel matter with no action taken. The General Manager provided an update on the PTMISEA Corrective Action Plans.

The key discussion items for this Regular Board Meeting included a special presentation on the public operation of Fortuna Transit, following its decision to open to the public and seek regional funding. Another special presentation covered the findings of the Western Transportation Institute's analysis of the Humboldt Transit Authority Dial-a-Ride service structure and funding. New business focused on selecting a minority of Board members to attend the Partnering Assets and Authorities for Comprehensive Transit (PAACT) Project Workshop and requesting approval for the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Measure O Work Plan, which details planned expenditures for system maintenance, service expansion, and bus purchases. Reports included updates from Caltrans District 1 and a review of draft December 2025 system statistics and financial statements.

Key discussions for this regular meeting included the review and potential approval of staff responses concerning findings from the 2008-2009 Fiscal and Compliance Audit. The board was also scheduled to review, discuss, and direct staff regarding the amendment of the HTA Salary Manual to include a new staff position necessary due to organizational growth. Further agenda items included reviewing the Financial Statement and Ridership Statistics for various transit services and a staff presentation on PTMISEA Corrective Action Plans. A closed session was planned to discuss a personnel matter.

The February 4, 2026, meeting agenda included several key items for discussion and potential action. The reports section covered updates from Caltrans District 1, draft November 2025 statistics and financial statements, a general HTA projects update, and the Deputy General Manager's report. New Business centered on a Paratransit Update, reviewing performance statistics since HTA took over direct operation in July 2025, and the Redwood Transit System Streamlining and Increased Frequency Concept aimed at reducing travel times and increasing headways.

The meeting included a review of the annual Fiscal and Compliance Audit by the CPA firm, noting findings related to excess TDA funds received by some entities and inadequacies in HTA's accounting software. The board directed staff to prepare responses to these findings for the February meeting. The Consent Agenda was skipped because financial and statistical information was not ready. Under the discussion agenda, the board unanimously approved an amendment to the vehicle lease agreement between HTA and City Ambulance of Eureka (CAE), transferring routine maintenance responsibilities for three dial-a-ride vehicles to CAE. The board also discussed amending the HTA Salary Manual to add an Administrative Assistant II position and review pay increases, directing staff to provide further financial justification regarding new revenues from Southern Humboldt transit services. An update was provided on the initial weeks of the new Southern Humboldt services. Finally, the annual election of officers for 2010 was conducted, naming new Chairman and Vice Chairman, and members for the Finance & Operations Committee.