>> It is 9 AM on the dot. Good morning
ladies and gentlemen welcome to the
August meeting at the METRO Board of
Directors. I will now call the meeting
to order Ms. Greenhouse will commence
the roll call of Board members. Good
Morning, please respond when you hear
your name to confirm attendance for the
record. Chair Brock present First Vice
Chair Preston present Second Vice Chair
Vilaseca Secretary Fry here Director Han
Director Han Director Ponce here Director
Trevino. I Vilaseca? She should be joining
virtually any moment
>> Let the record reflect a quorum of the
Board is present. METRO is conducting
the meeting using inclusive practices so
you can watch, hear or
participate in the discussion. This
is in line with our continuing commitment
to increase accessibility for all.
Closed caption is available for those
viewing the meeting online. I'd like to
remind Board members to state your name
for the record when making or
seconding a motion on any item of
business for the agenda. Are there any
registered speakers that would like to
provide public comment on item number
one of the agenda? Seeing none, The
Board will consider approval of the
minutes from July 30, 2026. Is there a
motion? Preston so moved, second. It
has been properly moved and seconded
the minutes of the meeting July 30,
2026 of the METRO Board of Directors
has been approved. Any discussion? All
in favor? Any opposed? The ayes have it
and the motion has been approved. Ms.
Greenhouse will call the names of
speakers who have registered to provide
public comment on the remaining agenda
items. . We have 19 speakers to address
the Board this month. Each speaker has
three minutes to provide comment. The
first speaker is Dexter Handy
>>Good morning. I am Dexter Handy, United
States Air Force retired, I chaired the
complete streets coalition and citizen
transportation coalition also the vice
president of super neighborhood
coalition 22. I want to thank METRO
for the improvements made to
Washington Avenue along the Boost 85
route. As you may know that coalition
and the greater Houston coalition for
complete streets are committed to
making streets safer for all people
from ages eight through 80 and beyond
including mass transit riders
pedestrians bicyclists the elderly and the
Disabled. In the summer of 2025,
In cooperation for Houston hosting
World Cup events you all repaved
several major thoroughfare routes. We
asked if you were fixing streets could
you also fix the sidewalks and
crosswalks and enhance the bus stops as
well. We already provided will you with
results of the Washington Avenue which
documented over 300 sidewalk
intersection crosswalk and bus stop
efficiencies along this path with
recommendations for enhancements and
improvements. Over 85 volunteers
completed 10 audits producing over 1000
photographs and images of deficiencies
in addition to 300 deficiencies
mentioned before. We reference the
report we provided you as a guide for
fixing the corridor. Your team got to
work and fixed are cracked and broken
sidewalks added bus shelters, with
seating we really love that, restriped
and redid the major crosswalks with
high visibility striping making things
safer for pedestrians including the
aged and ADA folks and mass transit
users. We really appreciate the work
you did for us. . And schedules during
this period improved our local commuter
experience in addition to the ability
to move hundreds of thousands of fans
to and from the Fan Fest experience. I
encourage you to look at ways to keep
the service running long-term as it
appears to reduce congestion and help
improve overall air quality during this
period according to recent reports.
Again thank you for all you are doing
to improve our transportation
experience in Houston. Thank you
>> Thank you Mr. Handley. I'd like to
note for the record Second Vice Chair
Vilaseca has joined virtually. The next
speaker is Stacy Fairchild
>>Good morning. I am here to thank you
all for the boost 85 project
improvements. Very well received in
Washington corridor. You all were very
responsive to us whenever we requested
some additional improvements. As it
pertains to crosswalks at seven
intersections along the Avenue. I'm
here to thank you, I'm sorry my breath
is out I was walking upstairs. Very
much appreciated, also, Mr. Jasien, I
appreciate you responding whenever the
cement trash cans were in the right
lane on both sides of Washington Avenue
at two different shelters. Within the
hour they were picked up and put back
in their rightful place. You know, you
all are great to work with and thank
you for the service. Chief Tien has
been highly responsive whenever we've
had issues with homeless hanging out at
the different shelters along the
Avenue. I have noticed that PD officers
handle these individuals with care
which is very much appreciated. Also
the shelters, we love the improvements
all of them. They are all clean. We
look forward to what else you have in
the corridor for us so thank you
>> Thank you Ms. Fairchild. The next
speaker is Mr. John Nix [Speaker off
mic]. The next speaker is Ariel Stone
>>Ms. Stone is virtual
>> The next speaker is Melissa Manney
>> Good morning. Good morning. Okay. As
the owner and property manager retail
center at 15155 Westheimer Road we
request the relocation of bus stop 7886
due to vagrant activity and ongoing
security will concerns. These extend to
the neighboring property at 15015
Westheimer Road. The owner has made
significant investments additional
security measures including extensive
camera surveillance system, planned
barbed wire fence along the rail of the
property and security patrols while
these measures are intended to mitigate
ongoing concerns we believe relocating
the bus stop will provide additional
benefit and improve the situation. ,
Despite the security measures we
continue to experience recurring issues
including individual sleeping on the
property accumulation of trash and
human waste and break-ins. Most recently
at 15015 Westheimer experienced a break
in last month. We included several
photos for representative examples of
activity on the property daily. The
safety and well-being of tenants and
patrons is our highest priority. We
want tenants to fill safe secure and
comfortable while operating business
allowing them to thrive and remain at
the property long-term. Their success
is essential to individual businesses
and maintaining a safe stable retail
center. Given the ongoing tenant
safety security and overall condition
of the property we request that bus
stop 7886 be reviewed and relocated to
a more suitable location. We believe
this change combined with security
measures implemented will significantly
improve the safety and overall
environment for tenants patrons and
surrounding properties.
>> Thank you for your comments.
Apologies that you are having to deal
with these issues. We want to make sure
we address them. We have cheap TM not
hear about Santiago, you can get with
Santiago for some resolutions.
>> We will take care of it we will get
with you after the meeting
>> Or if you leave contact information,
I can reach out to you
>> I can meet with you after the
meeting if that is possible thank you
>> Mr. Nix has arrived are you ready to
speak?
>> Sorry for the delay, you can blame
METROLift Dan traffic for the delay.
Several things to talk about today.
Including I want to see on the maps the
METROLift drivers use, , some drivers
will say they are dispatch will tell
them only use the ride co maps. The
ride co maps are worse than
trapeze. I can give you plenty of
horror stories. How it always wants to
rout you down lumpy bingo instead of
going to the Beltway, like if I go from
my apartment in Spring Branch like to
[Indiscernible] as an example. It would
be a lot better Reiko garbage we need
to also do a complete overhaul of the
system now of the service area of the
extended area there is a lot of mess
and I could go on and on. Other issues
too I'd like to see more of a Spring
Branch curb2curb micro-transit, it
is much needed, Almost like a transit
desert outside of [Indiscernible] and
its much-needed also I'd like to see
the 46 be extended from [Indiscernible]
to Willowbrook and the 88 extended from
the college to Bay area park-and-ride
among other issues. Of those issues as
well. Desperately needed with the
budget coming up, desperately tried to
reach out to private partnerships like
with management districts or
corporations to try to raise the budget
to where we can experience nothing gets
cut we experience as a rider. We are
the backbones and the ones that are
transit dependent we need METRO to get
around, we desperately need METRO to be
stronger not weaker [Indiscernible] as
well. Even tried to get money from H
JAC more money from them, keep the
projects alive. That would be all I
have to say and thanks so much. Have a
great day go team whatever team you are
rooting for. Thank you Mr. Nix. The
next speaker is Michelle Blackwell
>>Does the podium need to be raised up?
>>My name is Ms. Blackwell, I'm
speaking on behalf of my twin sister
who lives in the [Indiscernible] area
in regards for a request for frequency
of two buses. The first one is the 137
North Shore express for bus. , There is
a need for that bus running every 23
minutes it needs to run every 10
minutes during peak hours in the
morning from at least 6:30 AM until 9
AM. And then in the evening it needs to
run from 4 PM until 6:30 PM during peak
hours every 10 minutes. There is a need
for the 78 wayside bus, that buses
running once an hour. Also in the
morning it needs to run every 30
minutes starting from 7 AM until 9 AM,
And in the evening during rush time it
needs to run from 4 PM to 7 PM every 30
minutes. When my twin sister and other
people get on that bus, the bus will
break down, There's not another bus
coming and they have to wait another
hour. My twin sister either has to wait
another hour or choose to walk a mile
home someone coming to -- have
to catch that bus going to school or
things like that thank you. Thank you
Ms. Blackwell. The next speaker is Mr.
Nolan
>> Mr. Nolan? Robert Kuter? Jacob
Clementage
>> Hi guys. I have a gift for Mr. Ponce
from Leslie you did a good job of
pushing METRO so I got this for you
from Leslie. Also what I want to say is
you all did such a good job making me
feel like a satisfied customer, that I
went to the ride store and bought a
pair of socks. I think that's how
people can help support METRO more and
more like going to the ride store, the
ride store and purchasing, they have
umbrellas, ponchos, you name it they
have it. Finally I wanted to push
myself by saying I got this from a
Congresswoman [Indiscernible] Garcia.
It's a certificate of special
congressional recognition presented to
Jacob on this day August 12, 2026 On
behalf of the 29th District of Texas my
sincere admiration for your unwavering
dedication to our community. Watching
you continued success and many more
opportunities to make a difference.
Signed Sylvia Garcia. This is for Mr.
Ponce. I can give it to you. Also what
I wanted to say, Ms. Brock, I'd like
you to be my guest when I'm honored at
the Houston city Council because Mayor
Whitmire's office the other day and he
says we will have to honor you. Will
you be with me? I would be honored to
be with you Jacob. [Applause]. Ms.
Teresa Morales works for
[Indiscernible] and I have a bank
account.
>> Okay. Thank you Jacob. Jessica right
behind you will grab that from you.
Thank you for your invitation and your
kind words. Thank you for letting me
know they have those cool socks at the
ride store because I want some.
>> The next speaker is Carolyn
Charlotte. Good morning. To the Board
members. And director. My name is
Carolyn Charlotte. I am 73 years old. I
am a senior citizen. On July 21 I fell
on the eight W. Belford bus. I was
taken to the hospital and the ambulance
and the METRO police came and gave me a
claim number and the information I
needed. So it was so hard to call, to
put the claim in, that I left so many
messages, I called so much and I could
never reach anyone. So finally I
decided I want to speak to a
supervisor, the supervisor that called
me was Mr. Shelton. He then told me
that the [Indiscernible] would be
Diane Martinez but that was not true.
The lady that did call me named Joy,
she had a real real real bad attitude.
She told me who was [Indiscernible] and
the name was Terry. Terry talked to me
real bad. The only thing she asked me
for that day was for my driving license
number and my date of birth. She asked
me some questions, I told her why don't
you just look at the video because I
know the bus had a camera on the bus.
She said as soon as I do that I will
call you right back and she never did.
Finally the supervisor, her supervisor
did call me and she was very upset that
I went over her head to talk to Mr.
Shelton. She told me, I don't know why
you called Mr. Shelton, he can't do
nothing for you. I said ma'am, I've
been trying to get in touch with
somebody and he was the only one that
would return my call. Terry emailed me
and told me my claim was denied because
I was at fault and the driver did
nothing wrong. I let her know I was not
the bus driver, I was a passenger on
the bus. I asked Joy on Monday because
I came down here Monday, I was told I
could not see or talk to anybody. So
that evening, Joy called me on the
phone, I asked her I said ma'am, if I'm
wrong, let me see the video. She said
she was going to send it to me but I
never received it. I asked, did Ms.
Terry look at the diagnosis from the
hospital? She said well, she did not
need to do that, because you are at
fault. So I'm asking you directors this
morning, let me see if I was wrong. Why
can't I see the video? I don't even
think it is a video now. I talked said
to somebody named Jos , he said he
would listen to it but it never
happened. I'm asking you all to please
help, let me see the video. If I'm
wrong all I want is a fair hearing, a
fair judgment, and I want the truth.
>> Charlotte, [Indiscernible] overseas
that group, he will reach out and visit
with you after the meeting is done.
>> Thank you. [Indiscernible] is my
director of risk management and he will
get your information. Raise your hand.
>>. Mr. Thomas. Hello everybody how are
you doing today? Good morning. As a US
military veteran and [Indiscernible]
and Police Department and having just
spoke at the City Hall City Council,
having been lifelined before and coming
back from the military, learning about
the system because I actually was a
navigator at North side getting the
transit centers and park and rides from
the 45 and the 72, 77 going all the way
to Homestead, I knocked on doors, I
don't have that paperwork before me I
might have it somewhere I'm pretty
organized but I might be too organized.
The thing about organization is, after
coming here and seeing all these people
it makes me feel good to be back into
the building 1201 Louisiana, I remember
that building over there. When you are
lifelined you can't talk or to because
your shot in your left eye and you
draw your own blood, you take a bus and
they had construction by the Catholic
Church, you get off the bus at
Westheimer and the Beltway, And some
youngsters I'm over 70 my birthday is
September 17 next year I will be 70,
you get off the bus and was under
construction they jump out and try to
shoot you. You tell them my duffel bag
has my uniform in it, dry cleaning bag
around it. So I need to go to work. God
always listens. Their gun jammed and they
hit me in the head, and I did not get
knocked out. Instead of [Indiscernible]
which I could do, I decided I was going
to get my uniform, the Bible was in
there and they started the church
[Indiscernible] so I know about buses,
they know me and saw I could talk to
when I was [Indiscernible]. Now having
to catch these buses and talking to
people at customer service on the
phone, I'm not talking about them in
general I'm not going to name anyone
when people hang up on the phone they
clear their throat and Jan and all of
that, You talk to customer service
representative which is not dispatch
the call taker then they have to go
on the phone and have you talked to
someone else sitting on the fourth
floor they can hand them the phone. The
misnomer about everything, the nucleus
of everything is on the World Cup thank
you my grandmother [Indiscernible] they
did not let me come back to see the Red
Cross paid for the trip. Every time I
think about Elizabeth it's always to
greet my grandmother. I think about
that name in my heart right here. What
happened is that they had the World
Cup, Park and ride was open until
midnight, people thinking it's still
open and they can go out on Cyprus. I
came from a METRO board meeting, they
let me three hours [Indiscernible] go
around Bagby and come down Louisiana
Street three hours on 18 August. They
called me over and over again that they
could not come around the block. So the
news people came, I was talking out
loud so they could hear me, I know they
could hear my voice. The main thing is
for 20 years they haven't had anything
on the Northwest corridor the
park-and-ride military veteran, why do
we have to wait until [Indiscernible]
to ride the bus until three as a
citizen of the United States when they
take your Social Security at 62. Yet to
wait until your 70 to ride the bus for
free. You can only write three times go
to vote jury duty or ride the METROLift
for free only when you go to vote and
one time they [Indiscernible] that's
it. I have to wait until I'm 72 do that
to ride METROLift. I was suspended with
this new app because they don't know
the difference between same-day trip
being you can make resurrection now you
cannot ride a feeder trip to the
park-and-ride the nearest one to me is
[Indiscernible] on West Road and
[Indiscernible] they will do that and
they will take a park-and-ride so I can
go to Cyprus but they will not let
METROLift go north, Sam's Club right
there and they won't go there either.
That's the Northwest corridor, called
the Northwest transit center. I had to
take a bus when I got suspended all the
way down, I walked 35 minutes, My
neighbor is a truck driver and delivers
to the Houston Food Bank, he said don't
be walking out there in the middle of
the street. So I walked in he dropped
me off came down to the federal
building and of course he knows my
military background he gave me a
knuckle bump in the uniform, I caught
the monorail, not caught the light rail
train to go to the airport. You have 30
seconds. 30 seconds we need to get that
going, METROLift pulls right in there
so we can get there, we have a
wheelchair person riding in the middle
the street by 711 and a blind person
trying to get to the park-and-ride. The
police are writing all kinds of
tickets. We need to call and tell them
to [Indiscernible]
>> That's it thank you all God bless
you
>> Isaiah Lopez
>>My name is Isaiah, I'm a community
member fed up with the voter approved
METRONext plans being gutted year after
year. I'm here to talk about METRO
recent Gulfton proposal in the 2027
budget. I will start with some
background, In 2024 Mayor Whitmire took
office appointed a CenterPoint
executive to Chair METRO, together they
have shifted The agency focus from
serious transit expansion with METRONext
to more policing surveillance and
micro transit with their plan no one
voted for METRO now. The same year when
discussing METRONext plans in Gulfton,
the extension of the silver line, the
Mayor made the following racist
comments about residents. , They are
largely undocumented immigrants , they
want basic services you think they will
be welcome in the Galleria? Two years
later delay after delay the agency has
unveiled its Gulfton proposal,
unfortunately it seems to appease the
Mayor race from two years ago. The
Gulfton BRT is no longer an extension
of uptown Silver line , it's a separate
line. Most of its route is now mixed
with general traffic instead of
dedicated lanes to improve frequency
and travel time. , As it is instead a
more reliable buses that stops
Residence in immigrant communities
Seymour METRO police surveillance and
cooperation with HPD which itself has
been cooperating with ice. Just
yesterday shared a story about ice
boarding a METRO bus and detaining
passengers not too far from Gulfton.
This is shameful and one example of how
increases to METRO police funding M
investments in drones mobile command
units don't reflect community safety.
Communities are afraid to meet their
[Indiscernible] and ride the bus . On
top of this the most recent proposal
link often gets rid of the circulator
buses and replaces service with micro
transit for which METRO has been
subsidizing Uber and live during peak
hours. This is not only bad for transit
riders but operators like many of the
fine people we have here today. As
Andrew from [Indiscernible] transit
union puts it, everybody understands
how Uber and Lyft constantly screw
over their Drivers and we see a lot of
similarities in micro transit in some
ways it's worse because we fund us with
our tax dollars someone is paying one
or two dollars for micro transit trip
that might cost the agency 40 or $50.
We are subsidizing inefficient services
that incentivizes the destruction of
good jobs. Clearly we need more union
members and transit riders on the
Board, not corporate executives.
Micro-transit is meant to complement
not replace bus routes. In closing I
stand in solidarity with community
members and transit workers to demand
shift the focus back to METRONext back
to transit equity and sustainability,
back to what we voted for. The next
speaker is virtual, Trinidad
[Indiscernible]. Good morning I was
going to say briefly for the new buses,
do you know when they will be in
service? They have not arrived for the
small ones and the other
[Indiscernible] in terms of CNG buses?
>>We will have someone look into it and
get back with you on that. Okay thank
you. That's it
>>Joseph Lawrence
>> Good morning ladies and gentlemen.
[Indiscernible] how are you doing this
morning? I have been before you guys
several times in regards to the
community connector when it was evolved
and circuit. My position is what it was
last time I came before you. I really
would like for you guys to think about
and reconsider expansion in the second
Ward. I live in [Indiscernible] now. In
our area, the smallest of the areas it
is served by the community connector,
we only have two cars. We really could
use at least three cars, excuse me, at
least three cars. We really would like
to have the area expanded out to at
least Harrisburg Wayside because a lot
of the people that live [Indiscernible]
are elderly and will some of them ride
the bus. If they wanted to go to
Walgreens at Wayside, the walk from the
bus stop or even the platform is a
little much for them. When this first
started, it covered all the way past
[Indiscernible] I understand the
numbers weren't that great or it was
putting a strain on the vehicles. But
right now we really could use that
service. It's a wonderful service. It
is something very much appreciated by
everyone in my community. The only
thing we are asking is that you really
reconsider the expansion, also to
expand the time. Because right now we
have until 7 to 5. Downtown has 7 to 7. We
would appreciate if you could do at
least a 7 to 7 and if at all
possible or any new cars with some air
conditioning because this heat is
unbearable and these drivers are out
here in this heat. They do deserve to
have some air conditioning. One last
thing before I go, I have been asking
about bus shelters at [Indiscernible]
and the bus shelter I have seen is not
very accommodating at all. The seat
might be big enough for two people. You
are talking about a community here the
people that catch the bus, not
everybody can stand. I wish you all
will go back to the old bus shelters
that had a little bit more room. Right
now the bus shelter you are putting in
place is not working out all. Basically
that's about all I have to say. I
appreciate everything you guys are
doing for the community connector.
Please reconsider the expansion part,
we really really really need it. Thank
you guys and have a wonderful day
>> Thank you. This is Michael
Andreotti, we will reach out to you
thank you for your comments. We
continue to evaluate the second Ward
and the community connectors zones, if
there's anything we can do for
expansion of hours we will work with
you on that. No decisions have been
made yet but we will reach out to you
and see what your comments are and what
we can do to address those
>>Michael we also report back to the
Board and let us know the outcome.
>> Absolutely. Thank you
>> The next speaker is Ken Rogers
>>Good morning. My name is Ken Rogers,
I'm president of greater third Ward
super neighborhood number 67. My
concern is [Indiscernible] I'm sure you
all remember the connector started in
the third Ward. We were a test. We love
the connector. We have always loved the
connector. We love the idea of the
connector. But, the speaker before me,
Mr. Lawrence, extension of hours. I
think we need that. We need that in the
third Ward. I think it needs to be
uniform across Houston. Especially with
this daylight savings time. It does not
get dark until after 7 PM. Daylight
burning. If you get off work and you
need to run to the grocery store real
quick, that would come in handy.
Getting off at 5 PM not everybody works 9
AM to 5 PM, some of us work a little
later it would be helpful if we could
have that extension of time and have a
uniform so no matter where you are what
neighborhood you are in that you can
utilize the community connector. I'd
like to thank Michael for all his
support and help in the third Ward.
and, everybody I come in contact with
the METRO, Stephanie, she is a Pearl, I
really appreciate all the help I get.
Unfortunately sometimes I go to them
with a problem, and they say ken, you
probably need to come to the Board and
talk to them so I am here now. I'm
pulling on your heartstrings as I often
do. It's a difficult out there. And
that air-conditioning in the
connectors, they would benefit not only
the drivers but our community also.
and, so that you don't forget, I still
have a dream for Sunday mornings, the
ladies in the church house on their way
to church on the connector. I was at
[Indiscernible] elementary the first
day of school, a tradition we do we
welcome the kids and high-fived them, I
looked up And they asked us not to take
pictures of the kids. But I looked up,
and I looked on the street, and there
was a parent and a kid getting out of
the connector, coming to the
elementary. This is an important thing
that you guys are supporting, we have
the connection of the school you know
it is a lot of pressure on the schools
especially in our area. We are asking
that you help us keep the kids in
school. And enrollment up. Thank you
for listening to me. My ramblings.
Thank you so very much
>> Thank you for your comments. As you
know the community connector is near
and dear to my heart. It was my
understanding we were supposed to
switch out the current vehicles with
air conditioning? Do you know where we
are on that?
>> Absolutely, I have some great news
we have the 12 hour AC units coming in
in the next 60 days. We will be
replacing all of the older units, that
is coming soon
>> Did I tell you about that guy he is
awesome. If you will report as well on
the expansion of hours? Absolutely
thank you
>> Sebastian Laporte
>> Hi thank you for your time and thank
you for stepping up during the World
Cup. Since it is budget season, I'd
like to request a targeted improvement
to the green and purple lines. I work
at the University of Houston the main
campus in the third Ward. I take the
Purple Line into campus from the south
side. But sometimes after work if I'm
going into downtown for something, I
get on the train and continue north,
from UH. In my observation a lot of UH
and TSU students take the Purple Line
between campus and downtown. For
instance if you ride that train at four
or five in the evening and is packed
with students. I've asked him what a
lot of them do is catch buses from the
west side into downtown and transferred
to purple for the final leg of the
journey to UH or TSU. The other day I
ran into a former student who takes the
park-and-ride from Kati, transfers to
purple and comes into campus. The issue
I would like to highlight is the
service on the last 10 blocks in
downtown between the theater district
and Convention Center is often
irregular because the tracks are not
blocked off from traffic. During rush
hour the tracks fill up with cars,
sometimes delivery vehicles will idle
on the tracks. I've even seen an image
of someone locked out of their car they
parked on the tracks and got locked
out, The train was delayed until they
were able to get back into their car.
All of this degrades the service. The
last 10 blocks through downtown can
take five minutes or 15 minutes. This
can make students late to class or
cause them to miss connections of
traveling back home. I believe among
the components of METRONext that were
paused was a measure to add some kind
of barrier separating the train tracks
along Rusk and capital, Reviving that
project would do a lot to improve
service on the two east-west train
lines and make it through service is a
better use of money. Also one final
thing we learned the other week the
block at Carolyn and Walker will soon be
a 12 story parking garage. It
will soon have an entrance along Rusk
Street along the green and purple line
tracks. I worry that once the garages
open rush-hour traffic in and out of
the garage could cause further delays,
adding something to separate trains and
traffic along Rusk could help us get in
front of that problem before it becomes
one. Thank you
>> Thank you for your comments.
>> Owen Taten
>>Owen Taten? Dominic Maisoc
>>Good morning. The redline was an
enjoyable trip into town. I think
everybody needs to do something in this
room. It's on the METRO website. It is
the actual official ballot language and
Board paperwork that went with
METRONext. I think people need to read
it. Specifically, not everything was on
the ballot, the ballot referred to
resolution 2019, part of that is within
that, yes it says METRO may borrow
money for this, on the other hand you
look at Proposition A or Exhibit A,
METRO is not to do things to put its
financial situation in danger. People
need to read the original documents.
Reverand, you try to get the best
translations of the Scriptures before
you do your hominy, it is the same
here. Michael, I appreciate you riding
the train this morning, I saw Michael
on the train. That's a good thing. One
thing about the Gulfton, I was texting
Tom about this, we have universities
here rise, TSU U of H TTI, near the
Northwest transit center. With some of
these new students, can we take all of
this data about Gulfton, put it through
An AI program and see what they come up
with. I think this could be a good
student project I know there were some
students when Christoph was on the
Board, they were doing engineering
projects concerning METRO. I think
that's a good thing. Also, with transit
why are they the only people receiving
transit when nobody else is. It's
complete METRO project, I think that is
wrong I think that is wrong. I know I'm
coming up in my 30 seconds. My thing is
if you are not going to do the whole
BRT thing for the University line, the
line for Gulfton, you do what all or
you do it none. Lastly the meeting on
Tuesday was good except one thing,
Robert I agree with you that meeting
should have been last month. The
discussion was good. I think John Nix
once the area to have curb2curb
service, I think it should be complete
through the system. We need to look at
new bus network 2.0, start over again
completely. Lastly, curb2curb and
community connector. That was promised
in the 79 ballot election, I was
involved in doing it. The first idea
would be the 344. I ran out of time so
thank you. Thank you Mr. Maisoc. Pastor
David Smith
>>Good morning everyone. My name is
David Smith the pastor of missionary
Baptist church, also the former
president of [Indiscernible]
neighborhood. I'm here to recognize the
positive work METRO has done in our
community. Over the past few months
we've had meaningful improvements that
make a difference in residence
businesses seniors and families who
depend on public transit. We especially
appreciate repaving along
[Indiscernible] Drive, This has me
traveling through our area safe or
comfortable for METRO passengers
motorists and pedestrians . Investment
demonstrates METRO understands the
importance of maintaining strong .
Transportation infrastructure in every
community we are thankful for new bus
shelters in our area more than just a
place to wait it provides protection
from Houston heat rain unpredictable
weather, Especially important for
seniors individuals with disabilities
parents with young children and those
who allow one METRO as a primary means
of transportation. In addition to
installing new shelters METRO responded
to concerns regarding cleanliness and
upkeep of these shelters . Keeping
these areas clean safe and accessible
helps passengers feel confident while
using public transportation. We also
appreciate and are compassionate matter
which METRO addresses homelessness in
our area of some of the bus shelters.
These situations can be challenging but
it's important every person be treated
with dignity compassion and respect. .
I'm grateful for METRO has worked to
address safety issues for our community
and remain sensitive to the needs of
humanity and individuals experiencing
homelessness on behalf of our community
I'd like to thank Tom Jasien his staff
[Indiscernible] Rocky Marrero and
Christine for maintaining open
communication with us At the
community their willingness to listen
respond continue concerns provide
updates and work collaboratively has
helped us drink the relationship
between METRO and are community. Good
communication builds trust and
responsive experience shows we can help
and work together with public agencies
community leaders working together .
Toward a common purpose we recognize
there's always work to be done but
today, I want to pause and say thank
you thank you thank you For what
listening to her concerns investing in
our area infrastructure maintaining bus
shelters and treating the people with
dignity and respect. I look forward to
continued partnership with METRO as we
work together to make our community
safer stronger and more accessible to
everyone. I've been a pastor in the
area for 34 years this is the first
improvement I've seen in 34 years. I
have another meeting this morning but I
want to come here publicly and say
thank you for the work you have done in
our area. God bless you and God keep
you in our prayers. Madam Chair this
concludes the registered speakers
>> Thank you Ms. Greenhouse. I would
like to open this up, like I normally
do with comments with gratitude. I want
to thank you all for being here. I went
to thank, whether you come here to
address an issue, or coming here to say
thank you to the Board and the
leadership team and staff for the work
they do, whether coming here to address
safety issues like Ms. Manny, we don't
know what's going on in the community
you are boots on the ground coming and
talking to us, so we can be aware of
situations. We can't be everywhere so
your voice is important. I want to
thank the Board for their service, for
everything you do. I want to thank the
CEO and leadership team and the staff
for all the work they do. Thank you
very much. I want to also address a
couple of concerns we had regarding
community connector. We will definitely
take a look at that. Chief Tien is not here
today, But I also wanted to recognize
him and his team for the great work
they do regarding the homeless. We have
a lot of work and progress made, we
still have work to do. But his group
that interact with the homeless hour
care unit, we lead with care, so I
think they are doing a great job making
sure they are sensitive to the needs of
the community. Also want to, again I
have a clicker, I am supposed to flip
through here, let me see if I can do
this. Also want to highlight the work
in Gulfton, the curb2curb. We went
on a ride along, the community is very
excited about the curb2curb service
now being extended into the Gulfton
area this is a tremendous service that
will help mothers with children, it
will help our elderly, also connect
people to places they need to go,
picking them up from where they are and
taking them where they need to be. The
community connector, I mean the curb to
curb will circulate among the
community. We have also been working
with Commissioner [Indiscernible] on
the initiative. I appreciate all the
work that has been done there. We went
out and met with the community, they
are very very excited, as you can see
in the photos of the new service there.
I also want to thank Michael for the
implementation of the services. Also
I want to thank Council member
[Indiscernible] for inviting us to meet
with the LGBTQ+ community leaders
regarding how to better connect with
the community and what the needs are in
terms of safety and sensitivity
training. It was a very healthy meeting
on how we can interact better with the
Montrose center and serve that
community. Thank you Council Member
Castillo for helping us coordinate that
meeting. Also, this month we had the
Texas 21 statewide meeting held here.
The team was very very appreciative to
METRO for hosting a two day conference
On how to build a stronger more
connected transit system. Everybody
worked diligently to talk about issues
and how they can be improved. Our newly
elected Congressman came and spoke to
the group about how we can better
interact at the federal level and some
of the things he's thinking about. He
was listening to the feedback and also
talking to us about what he thinks, how
we can better engage with his office as
well. We also, I was able to moderate a
discussion with Commissioner Briones
with the greater Houston partnership.
We talked about the budget. It was very
much parallel process in terms of how
we are approaching the budget. You put
a process in place so you can support
programs and services and create
outcomes. I want to thank the County
Commissioners for the work they are
doing. It can be a tough process.
I want to thank our leadership team
and Tom Jasien for the work they are
doing. If you take into consideration
we just came off of a really busy FIFA
season. We had all hands on deck,
nobody taking vacation, everybody
working overtime to host the World Cup.
We nailed it, hit it out of the park.
Immediately rushed into budget season.
A lot of work has been done, I want to
take a moment to acknowledge that on
behalf of the team. It's been a busy
year. Thank you for your work. Also I
don't want to steal Director Morales
thunder but she will have comments
regarding the budget in the process and
principles as we go into the next
phase. She's also going to try to
coordinate another budget workshop,
that way we can continue to
double-click into the issues regarding
our budget process and get us to a
great place. Also want to remind people
as we talk about METRONext, and METRO
now principles, over the last, we have
implemented over $400 million worth of
METRONext initiatives, that includes
bus projects, Booster projects
universal accessibility projects
transit center improvements Park and
ride improvements. Many of the approved
items have been implemented, along with
METRO now initiatives to make sure we
are cleaner, more accessible. That we
have addressed good state of repair
that we are also taking care of the
issues that are safety concerns. Making
sure we have MPD fully staffed and have
a decentralized presence in the
community. Lots of work has been done.
Want to take a moment to acknowledge
that. Let's see if there is anything
else I want to highlight. Maybe my
clicker will tell me, I jumped into
that without clicking so there you have
it. That concludes my remarks, With
that I will turn it over to Mr. Jasien
who will present his president and CEO
comments. Thank you Chair Brock,
Michael Andreotti, you were clearly
winning today. I'm keeping score and
you are way ahead of everybody so
congratulations. I did want to make
note, we talked about METRO and coming
out of FIFA and our police focus was
quite active during FIFA. We have not
stopped what we are doing. While it's
continuing to be a challenge, I want
you to be aware Board that METRO
police, every sworn officer from the
chief down to the newest recruit, is
out on the system. There's a new
requirement they [Indiscernible] four
hours per week. There is a presence
spreading throughout the system not
just the train but the bus network as
well. This will be helpful to help
address the issue of a safe environment
to operate in and ride in. We look
forward to reporting the results of
that initiative. Just wanted you to be
aware that is something not talked
about very much. Now I want to mention,
the thing we enjoyed to do every month.
The bus operators of the month. I want
to acknowledge them and call them out.
Cavelle Nash from Hiram Clarke, Patrice
Walton from Polk, Mohammed -- from West,
Wanda McDonald Robinson from Fallbrook,
Adenuga Gabedo from Kashmere. Okay
thank you. Those are the top operators
of the month, please give them a round
of applause. [Applause] I'd also like
to add we have the top techs of the
month. Julio Nieto from Kashmere
Agusto Alvarado from West. Hector Marino
from electronic maintenance and Kevin
Washington from Fallbrook. Let's give
them a round of applause [Applause].
Our top METROLift contract service
operators of the month, Pedro Sepulveda
METROLift Transdev operator, Anthony
Jones Transdev operator Derek Brown
METROLift MVD operator. Give them a
round of applause and could the entire
group come forward for a quick
photograph.
>>Thank you. If I could now refer to
our retirees coming up this month. I
want to recognize Ray Linford with 27 years
of experience, Elliott Swainson with 33
years of service. I want to thank them
and let them know we appreciate all
their service to METRO and the
community. A copy of the proclamation
is in the packet to consider today.
Before I close I want to recognize
somebody else who is retiring and did
not make the list. It snuck up on us
but we have someone here in the
audience by the name of Allen Clark. If
you have not met Allen coming you have
missed it. Allen will retire next week.
We are thrilled for Allan to be able to
move on in retirement. I want to
acknowledge all the work he has done
for METRO. He came to us five years ago
from HGAC, He brought decades of
knowledge and experience not to mention
the fact that decades ago he started at
METRO as a young planner. Allen has had
a tremendous impact in shaping the
future of this organization. He has
served as the chief strategy officer
and led the department with vision and
clear focus on positioning METRO for
long-term success. Allen's significant
accomplishments is his leadership,
Hundreds of millions of dollars in
federal funds and other grant funding
to address METRO priorities and major
investments. Allen's contributions go
beyond funding and strategy, He's been
a trusted advisor and thoughtful leader
dedicated public servant, always kept
the mission of METRO and people we
serve at the forefront. Allen thank you
for your leadership, Your dedication
and lasting impact you have made on the
organization and community at large. We
wish you a well-deserved retirement
with happiness good health and plenty
of time to enjoy what comes next.
Congratulations Allan and thank you for
everything you have done. Will you take
a bow? [Applause]
>> I'd like to get a legal opinion on
this, We truly appreciate your service
Allen. You will be dearly missed. .
That concludes my report
>> Thank you Mr. Jasien. We will now
turn to the monthly working committee
reports, First Vice Chair Preston
filling in for Secretary Fry for the
committee will present the monthly
committee report
>> Let me say, I was out of the
country. Reverend Preston decided to
sit in for me when he was told to.
Thank you for doing that. It's in good
hands take off
>> Thank you Board Member Fry for the
privilege to sit in on your behalf. Of
course this is the committee report for
the infrastructure mobility planning
working committee we met on August 19,
we did have public comment. We have one
Board requests authorization item. And
then we had our committee briefings. We
had committee briefing on the capital
project update, the Gulfton bus rapid,
we had the universal accessibility and
bus shelter program update, we had the
construction update. Following that we
had a briefing on the Wheeler transit
center reconstruction. That concludes
my report for today for the
infrastructure mobility planning
working committees
>> Thank you first Chair Preston. Next
vice Chair Preston Chair of Public
Safety Committee will present his
report. Thank you once again Madam
Chair. The Public Safety working
committee report is as follows, we met
on August 19, 2026. We did have public
comment. Following that we had a
monthly safety message. The topic was
back to school, getting people ready
for travel and being safe during the
school day. We had one request board
authorization item. Following that we
had to committee briefing items. One
was the monthly police security report,
the other the monthly bus and rail
safety report. That concludes our
report for today
>> Thank you First Vice Chair Preston.
Director Ponce Chair of customer
experience operation committee will
present his report
>> Thank you Madam Chair. Also thank
you Reverend Preston for chairing the
last week committee meeting. We had two
registered, I'm sorry this is for the
customer experience operation committee
report, we had two registered speakers
this month. The committee discussed and
recommended for items for board
approval. I do want to highlight today
item number 13 this will be a new
system to enhance safety not just for
riders but to monitor driver behavior.
I believe this goes in line within our
METRO now goal to keep riders safe. We
also have four committee briefing
items, two were the regular monthly
discussions, monthly operation report,
monthly business development report, in
addition we received an update on
METROLift procurement quarterly reports
FY26 third-quarter. This concludes the
customer experience operation committee
report thank you
>> Thank you Director Ponce. Next is
Second Vice Chair Vilaseca Chair of
audit human services will report her
report
>> Good morning everybody. Home
Wednesday, August 19 HR committee is
conducted in the boardroom. There were
a few public comments. There were two
committee briefing items presented by
staff. The first the monthly audit
compliance report, the second the human
resources metrics report. There are no
board authorization items presented on
today's agenda from the meeting. That
concludes the report thank you
>> Thank you Second Vice Chair
Vilaseca. Director Morales Chair of
finance business administration will
present her report
>> Thank you Chair Brock. The finance
business administration meeting met on
August 19, We had one item for board
approval the program for projects
fiscal year 2026 FTA formula funds. We
had two briefing items one the regular
monthly financial report. The full
report is in the board packet, we
discussed sales tax revenue, there is
softness including World Cup tax
revenue. It is below projection of what
we originally anticipated however it is
enough. If you add that to the grant
money enough to make a profit after the
World Cup expenses. We also had a
briefing item for fiscal year 27
budget. We are facing headwinds due to
the softness and sales tax revenue
while seeing increases to our cost such
as field and labor. However I am
encouraged because of the hard work of
the Board, the finance team, Tom
Jasien. As Chair Brock mentioned, we
are adding an additional workshop to be
scheduled next week. The bottom line is
that everybody is committed to ensure
we maximize our resources while not
compromising our core services and our
ridership. I think that is on
everyone's mind so I'm encouraged about
that. This concludes my report. Thank
you Director Morales, thank you for all
the work you have done to get us to
this point. Thank you for listening to
the Board members and adding a solution
of an additional meeting. You've done
to make sure we don't have anything
that impacts services, thank you very
much for your service in this process.
We will now turn to the consent agenda.
Do we have a motion to approve the
items on the consent agenda? Preston so
moved, is there a second? Ponce second.
It has been properly moved and seconded
the consent agenda be approved any
discussion? All in favor? Opposed? The
ayes have it. Let's turn to items for
separate consideration. Item 11
>> First Vice Chair Fry. Preston. I'm
reading it sorry.
>> Madam Chair, item 11, I move the
board authorize Interim President CEO
to negotiate and execute a sole-source
contract with Frauscher Sensor
Technology Inc. for a purchase of
interlocking axle counters with a
maximum contract amount of 1,538,000.
>> Bob Fry second. It has been properly
moved and seconded. Any discussion? All
in favor? Opposed? The ayes have it and
the motion has been approved. Item 12
Director Morales
>> I move the Board approved the
program of projects for fiscal year 26
FTA formula funds outlined in Board
meeting materials authorize interim
president and CEO to approve final
adjustment funding allocations Submit
associated FTA grant applications
perform required administrative actions
and execute grant agreements and
related documents to secure and
administer FTA formula grants for the
Houston urbanized area consistent with
METRO projects capital plans and
federal grant requirements
>> Is there a second? Preston's second.
It has been properly moved and
seconded. All in favor?
>> Hi there, it is me. I know we are
moving click through these few items. I
wanted to go ahead and speak to this
item if that is okay Madam Chair. I do
want to say, I know the formula funds
are distributed across METRO service
here in the city that county works
collaboratively with the county to go
through the process to make sure funds
are distributed in time to make sure
there is no service interruptions or
anything like that. I wanted to say
that Harris County rides program, to
share about it, it provides service in
unincorporated Harris County, a lot of
residents depend on it. It is valuable
and needed, and available to residents
in those parts. There are rising costs
to operate it. We all know there are
constraints all around on funding
sources all around. I want to emphasize
as we have earlier and throughout the
discussions and budget season and
today, we don't want service to be in
danger or compromised in any way. With
that I just wanted to share those
comments as we have Any further
discussion? on the agenda item. I
wanted to share those thoughts on
behalf of the county. , Thank you for
your comments we also share your values
to ensure we don't have disruption of
service thank you.
>> Any more discussion? All in favor?
Opposed? The ayes have it and the
motion has been approved. Item 13
Director Ponce
>> Thank you Madam Chair. I move the
Board authorize interim president and
CEO to negotiate and execute a one-year
sole-source contract with Seon Design
DBA safe fleet to upgrade METRO
existing safe fleet video system all
METRO revenue vehicles to a cloud-based
operation called Nexus, $289,560. Is
there a second? Second by Bob Fry. It
has been properly moved and seconded.
Any discussion? All in favor? Opposed?
The ayes have it and the motion has
been approved. Item 14 First Vice Chair
Preston. Thank you Madam Chair I moved
the Board authorize interim President
and CEO to negotiate and execute a
one-year interlocal agreement with
Houston forensic science Center Inc. to
provide MPD with accredited forensic
laboratory services on an as-needed
basis for maximum contract amount of
$250,000
>> Is there a second? Ponce second.
The item has been properly moved and
seconded. All in favor? Opposed? The
ayes have it and the motion has been
approved.
>>Okay, there are no further items on
the agenda. Do we have a motion for
adjournment? Preston so moved. Is there
a second? Ponce second. It has been
properly moved and seconded. Any
discussion? All in favor any opposed
The ayes have it and the motion has
been approved. We stand adjourned,
thank you everyone for your service.
>> Wednesday, September 2 at 1 PM