Portage Area Regional Transit Authority

The key discussions for this meeting centered on several resolutions and committee reports. The Administration Committee considered Resolution #2025-10-01 concerning the amendment of the Title VI Policy/Program, which is required for federal compliance. The Finance Committee reviewed monthly financial reports, including un-audited revenue and expense statements as of September 30, 2025, and capital finance reports. The Operations Committee was scheduled to consider Resolutions #2025-10-02 and #2025-10-03. Resolution #2025-10-02 involves authorizing a contract with Safety Vision for upgrading mobile camera systems across the fleet, utilizing ODOT funding. Resolution #2025-10-03 seeks approval for a five-year agreement with Duo-Gard Industries for the production and delivery of bus shelters to enhance passenger infrastructure. Additionally, the board agenda included approval of the minutes from the September 25, 2025, meeting and consideration of proposed revisions to the PARTA By-Laws.

The meeting included committee reports and the consideration of several resolutions. The Administration Committee reviewed and recommended Resolution 2025-10-01 regarding the amendment of the Title VI Policy/Program. The Finance Committee reviewed finance reports and the investment portfolio. The Operations Committee reviewed and recommended resolutions for mobile camera systems (Resolution 2025-10-02) and bus shelters (Resolution 2025-10-03). The Personnel Committee reported on the General Manager's annual review and subsequently entered into executive session to discuss compensation for a public employee. Key resolutions approved unanimously were the amendment of the Title VI Policy/Program, authorization for purchasing mobile camera systems, and authorization to enter a five-year agreement for bus shelters.

The Board of Trustees meeting agenda addressed several critical items, including the approval of the minutes from the October 23, 2025 meeting, and subsequent committee reports. Key discussions involved the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budgets for both PARTA and the Kent Central Gateway (KCG). Resolutions requiring roll call approval included authorizing participation in the Ohio Transit Risk Pool (OTRP), approving expenditures for IT managed services with QualityIP, approving expenditures for software system maintenance with CTS Software, and authorizing the purchase of up to nine low-floor wheelchair accessible Light Transit Vehicles (Low-Floor LTVs) from TESCO for 2026. The meeting packet also included the General Manager's Report, Operations Committee agenda, and schedules for upcoming Board and Finance Committee meetings.

The meeting commenced with a roll call establishing a quorum. Key discussions centered on committee reports and resolutions. The Finance Committee reviewed and forwarded budgets for Fiscal Year 2026 for Board approval. The Operations Committee reviewed and recommended Resolution 2025-11-06. The Personnel Committee provided an update on the General Manager's 2025 annual review. New Business included a presentation by consultants Benesch regarding findings from the transit feasibility study (TFS) and transit development plan (TDP). The Board subsequently addressed and unanimously approved several resolutions, including the Fiscal Year 2026 proposed budgets for PARTA and the Kent Central Gateway (KCG), authorization to participate in the Ohio Transit Risk Pool (OTRP), expenditures for IT managed services with QualityIP, expenditures for software systems with CTS, and the purchase authorization for up to nine low-floor wheelchair accessible light transit vehicles in 2026. The Board convened in Executive Session to consider compensation of a public employee, approving a 1% bonus for the General Manager for 2025 and an additional $12,000 bonus payable in January 2026.

The meeting included discussions regarding the implementation guidelines for a potential virtual meeting option during severe weather or for traveling board members. The General Manager reported on recent staff promotions, including new Directors of Human Resources and Operations, and provided an update on succession planning ahead of her planned retirement. Committee reports indicated that the Administration Committee recommended two resolutions concerning amendments to the Personnel Policy Manuals and updating the pay structure for exempt employees. The Finance Committee recommended three resolutions related to contract awards for gasoline fuel (Sunoco, LLC) and diesel fuel (Gresham Petroleum Company) for 2026, and the authorization to purchase up to three clean diesel urban transit buses from Gillig. All five resolutions were subsequently approved unanimously by the Board of Trustees. The meeting concluded with the distribution of trustee service awards for 2025.