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>> It is 9 AM on the dot. Good morning

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ladies and gentlemen welcome to the

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August meeting at the METRO Board of

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Directors. I will now call the meeting

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to order Ms. Greenhouse will commence

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the roll call of Board members. Good

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Morning, please respond when you hear

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your name to confirm attendance for the

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record. Chair Brock present First Vice

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Chair Preston present Second Vice Chair

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Vilaseca Secretary Fry here Director Han

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Director Han Director Ponce here Director

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Trevino. I Vilaseca? She should be joining

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virtually any moment

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>> Let the record reflect a quorum of the

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Board is present. METRO is conducting

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the meeting using inclusive practices so

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you can watch, hear or

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participate in the discussion. This

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is in line with our continuing commitment

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to increase accessibility for all.

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Closed caption is available for those

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viewing the meeting online. I'd like to

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remind Board members to state your name

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for the record when making or

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seconding a motion on any item of

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business for the agenda. Are there any

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registered speakers that would like to

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provide public comment on item number

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one of the agenda? Seeing none, The

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Board will consider approval of the

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minutes from July 30, 2026. Is there a

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motion? Preston so moved, second. It

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has been properly moved and seconded

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the minutes of the meeting July 30,

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2026 of the METRO Board of Directors

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has been approved. Any discussion? All

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in favor? Any opposed? The ayes have it

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and the motion has been approved. Ms.

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Greenhouse will call the names of

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speakers who have registered to provide

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public comment on the remaining agenda

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items. . We have 19 speakers to address

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the Board this month. Each speaker has

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three minutes to provide comment. The

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first speaker is Dexter Handy

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>>Good morning. I am Dexter Handy, United

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States Air Force retired, I chaired the

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complete streets coalition and citizen

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transportation coalition also the vice

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president of super neighborhood

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coalition 22. I want to thank METRO

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for the improvements made to

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Washington Avenue along the Boost 85

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route. As you may know that coalition

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and the greater Houston coalition for

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complete streets are committed to

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making streets safer for all people

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from ages eight through 80 and beyond

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including mass transit riders

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pedestrians bicyclists the elderly and the

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Disabled. In the summer of 2025,

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In cooperation for Houston hosting

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World Cup events you all repaved

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several major thoroughfare routes. We

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asked if you were fixing streets could

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you also fix the sidewalks and

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crosswalks and enhance the bus stops as

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well. We already provided will you with

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results of the Washington Avenue which

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documented over 300 sidewalk

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intersection crosswalk and bus stop

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efficiencies along this path with

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recommendations for enhancements and

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improvements. Over 85 volunteers

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completed 10 audits producing over 1000

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photographs and images of deficiencies

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in addition to 300 deficiencies

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mentioned before. We reference the

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report we provided you as a guide for

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fixing the corridor. Your team got to

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work and fixed are cracked and broken

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sidewalks added bus shelters, with

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seating we really love that, restriped

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and redid the major crosswalks with

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high visibility striping making things

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safer for pedestrians including the

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aged and ADA folks and mass transit

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users. We really appreciate the work

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you did for us. . And schedules during

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this period improved our local commuter

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experience in addition to the ability

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to move hundreds of thousands of fans

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to and from the Fan Fest experience. I

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encourage you to look at ways to keep

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the service running long-term as it

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appears to reduce congestion and help

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improve overall air quality during this

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period according to recent reports.

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Again thank you for all you are doing

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to improve our transportation

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experience in Houston. Thank you

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>> Thank you Mr. Handley. I'd like to

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note for the record Second Vice Chair

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Vilaseca has joined virtually. The next

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speaker is Stacy Fairchild

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>>Good morning. I am here to thank you

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all for the boost 85 project

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improvements. Very well received in

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Washington corridor. You all were very

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responsive to us whenever we requested

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some additional improvements. As it

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pertains to crosswalks at seven

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intersections along the Avenue. I'm

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here to thank you, I'm sorry my breath

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is out I was walking upstairs. Very

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much appreciated, also, Mr. Jasien, I

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appreciate you responding whenever the

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cement trash cans were in the right

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lane on both sides of Washington Avenue

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at two different shelters. Within the

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hour they were picked up and put back

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in their rightful place. You know, you

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all are great to work with and thank

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you for the service. Chief Tien has

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been highly responsive whenever we've

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had issues with homeless hanging out at

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the different shelters along the

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Avenue. I have noticed that PD officers

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handle these individuals with care

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which is very much appreciated. Also

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the shelters, we love the improvements

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all of them. They are all clean. We

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look forward to what else you have in

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the corridor for us so thank you

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>> Thank you Ms. Fairchild. The next

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speaker is Mr. John Nix [Speaker off

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mic]. The next speaker is Ariel Stone

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>>Ms. Stone is virtual

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>> The next speaker is Melissa Manney

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>> Good morning. Good morning. Okay. As

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the owner and property manager retail

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center at 15155 Westheimer Road we

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request the relocation of bus stop 7886

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due to vagrant activity and ongoing

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security will concerns. These extend to

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the neighboring property at 15015

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Westheimer Road. The owner has made

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significant investments additional

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security measures including extensive

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camera surveillance system, planned

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barbed wire fence along the rail of the

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property and security patrols while

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these measures are intended to mitigate

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ongoing concerns we believe relocating

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the bus stop will provide additional

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benefit and improve the situation. ,

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Despite the security measures we

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continue to experience recurring issues

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including individual sleeping on the

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property accumulation of trash and

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human waste and break-ins. Most recently

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at 15015 Westheimer experienced a break

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in last month. We included several

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photos for representative examples of

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activity on the property daily. The

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safety and well-being of tenants and

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patrons is our highest priority. We

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want tenants to fill safe secure and

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comfortable while operating business

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allowing them to thrive and remain at

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the property long-term. Their success

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is essential to individual businesses

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and maintaining a safe stable retail

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center. Given the ongoing tenant

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safety security and overall condition

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of the property we request that bus

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stop 7886 be reviewed and relocated to

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a more suitable location. We believe

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this change combined with security

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measures implemented will significantly

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improve the safety and overall

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environment for tenants patrons and

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surrounding properties.

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>> Thank you for your comments.

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Apologies that you are having to deal

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with these issues. We want to make sure

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we address them. We have cheap TM not

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hear about Santiago, you can get with

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Santiago for some resolutions.

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>> We will take care of it we will get

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with you after the meeting

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>> Or if you leave contact information,

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I can reach out to you

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>> I can meet with you after the

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meeting if that is possible thank you

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>> Mr. Nix has arrived are you ready to

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speak?

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>> Sorry for the delay, you can blame

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METROLift Dan traffic for the delay.

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Several things to talk about today.

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Including I want to see on the maps the

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METROLift drivers use, , some drivers

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will say they are dispatch will tell

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them only use the ride co maps. The

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ride co maps are worse than

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trapeze. I can give you plenty of

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horror stories. How it always wants to

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rout you down lumpy bingo instead of

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going to the Beltway, like if I go from

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my apartment in Spring Branch like to

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[Indiscernible] as an example. It would

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be a lot better Reiko garbage we need

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to also do a complete overhaul of the

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system now of the service area of the

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extended area there is a lot of mess

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and I could go on and on. Other issues

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too I'd like to see more of a Spring

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Branch curb2curb micro-transit, it

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is much needed, Almost like a transit

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desert outside of [Indiscernible] and

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its much-needed also I'd like to see

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the 46 be extended from [Indiscernible]

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to Willowbrook and the 88 extended from

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the college to Bay area park-and-ride

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among other issues. Of those issues as

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well. Desperately needed with the

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budget coming up, desperately tried to

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reach out to private partnerships like

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with management districts or

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corporations to try to raise the budget

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to where we can experience nothing gets

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cut we experience as a rider. We are

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the backbones and the ones that are

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transit dependent we need METRO to get

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around, we desperately need METRO to be

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stronger not weaker [Indiscernible] as

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well. Even tried to get money from H

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JAC more money from them, keep the

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projects alive. That would be all I

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have to say and thanks so much. Have a

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great day go team whatever team you are

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rooting for. Thank you Mr. Nix. The

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next speaker is Michelle Blackwell

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>>Does the podium need to be raised up?

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>>My name is Ms. Blackwell, I'm

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speaking on behalf of my twin sister

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who lives in the [Indiscernible] area

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in regards for a request for frequency

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of two buses. The first one is the 137

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North Shore express for bus. , There is

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a need for that bus running every 23

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minutes it needs to run every 10

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minutes during peak hours in the

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morning from at least 6:30 AM until 9

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AM. And then in the evening it needs to

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run from 4 PM until 6:30 PM during peak

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hours every 10 minutes. There is a need

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for the 78 wayside bus, that buses

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running once an hour. Also in the

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morning it needs to run every 30

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minutes starting from 7 AM until 9 AM,

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And in the evening during rush time it

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needs to run from 4 PM to 7 PM every 30

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minutes. When my twin sister and other

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people get on that bus, the bus will

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break down, There's not another bus

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coming and they have to wait another

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hour. My twin sister either has to wait

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another hour or choose to walk a mile

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home someone coming to -- have

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to catch that bus going to school or

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things like that thank you. Thank you

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Ms. Blackwell. The next speaker is Mr.

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Nolan

276
00:15:06,100 --> 00:15:09,100
>> Mr. Nolan? Robert Kuter? Jacob

277
00:15:26,100 --> 00:15:28,100
Clementage

278
00:15:32,100 --> 00:15:37,401
>> Hi guys. I have a gift for Mr. Ponce

279
00:15:44,100 --> 00:15:45,100
from Leslie you did a good job of

280
00:15:45,100 --> 00:15:46,100
pushing METRO so I got this for you

281
00:15:46,100 --> 00:15:49,100
from Leslie. Also what I want to say is

282
00:15:49,100 --> 00:15:54,100
you all did such a good job making me

283
00:15:54,100 --> 00:15:58,100
feel like a satisfied customer, that I

284
00:15:58,100 --> 00:16:02,801
went to the ride store and bought a

285
00:16:05,100 --> 00:16:06,100
pair of socks. I think that's how

286
00:16:06,100 --> 00:16:09,100
people can help support METRO more and

287
00:16:09,100 --> 00:16:12,100
more like going to the ride store, the

288
00:16:12,100 --> 00:16:15,601
ride store and purchasing, they have

289
00:16:18,100 --> 00:16:21,601
umbrellas, ponchos, you name it they

290
00:16:22,100 --> 00:16:26,201
have it. Finally I wanted to push

291
00:16:28,100 --> 00:16:32,100
myself by saying I got this from a

292
00:16:32,100 --> 00:16:33,100
Congresswoman [Indiscernible] Garcia.

293
00:16:33,100 --> 00:16:35,100
It's a certificate of special

294
00:16:35,100 --> 00:16:37,401
congressional recognition presented to

295
00:16:39,100 --> 00:16:42,601
Jacob on this day August 12, 2026 On

296
00:16:43,100 --> 00:16:47,801
behalf of the 29th District of Texas my

297
00:16:49,100 --> 00:16:52,100
sincere admiration for your unwavering

298
00:16:53,100 --> 00:16:56,100
dedication to our community. Watching

299
00:16:59,100 --> 00:17:00,100
you continued success and many more

300
00:17:00,100 --> 00:17:03,100
opportunities to make a difference.

301
00:17:05,100 --> 00:17:09,201
Signed Sylvia Garcia. This is for Mr.

302
00:17:11,100 --> 00:17:14,100
Ponce. I can give it to you. Also what

303
00:17:14,100 --> 00:17:18,801
I wanted to say, Ms. Brock, I'd like

304
00:17:21,100 --> 00:17:24,100
you to be my guest when I'm honored at

305
00:17:24,100 --> 00:17:27,601
the Houston city Council because Mayor

306
00:17:33,100 --> 00:17:34,100
Whitmire's office the other day and he

307
00:17:34,100 --> 00:17:35,100
says we will have to honor you. Will

308
00:17:35,100 --> 00:17:40,401
you be with me? I would be honored to

309
00:17:46,100 --> 00:17:49,601
be with you Jacob. [Applause]. Ms.

310
00:17:55,100 --> 00:17:57,401
Teresa Morales works for

311
00:18:03,100 --> 00:18:04,100
[Indiscernible] and I have a bank

312
00:18:04,100 --> 00:18:06,100
account.

313
00:18:07,100 --> 00:18:10,601
>> Okay. Thank you Jacob. Jessica right

314
00:18:11,100 --> 00:18:14,100
behind you will grab that from you.

315
00:18:14,100 --> 00:18:18,100
Thank you for your invitation and your

316
00:18:18,100 --> 00:18:22,201
kind words. Thank you for letting me

317
00:18:27,100 --> 00:18:28,100
know they have those cool socks at the

318
00:18:28,100 --> 00:18:29,100
ride store because I want some.

319
00:18:29,100 --> 00:18:30,100
>> The next speaker is Carolyn

320
00:18:30,100 --> 00:18:33,601
Charlotte. Good morning. To the Board

321
00:18:49,100 --> 00:18:52,100
members. And director. My name is

322
00:18:52,100 --> 00:18:56,201
Carolyn Charlotte. I am 73 years old. I

323
00:18:57,100 --> 00:19:01,801
am a senior citizen. On July 21 I fell

324
00:19:06,100 --> 00:19:08,100
on the eight W. Belford bus. I was

325
00:19:08,100 --> 00:19:12,201
taken to the hospital and the ambulance

326
00:19:17,100 --> 00:19:20,100
and the METRO police came and gave me a

327
00:19:20,100 --> 00:19:23,601
claim number and the information I

328
00:19:24,100 --> 00:19:26,100
needed. So it was so hard to call, to

329
00:19:26,100 --> 00:19:31,401
put the claim in, that I left so many

330
00:19:32,100 --> 00:19:36,801
messages, I called so much and I could

331
00:19:39,100 --> 00:19:40,100
never reach anyone. So finally I

332
00:19:40,100 --> 00:19:41,100
decided I want to speak to a

333
00:19:41,100 --> 00:19:44,100
supervisor, the supervisor that called

334
00:19:44,100 --> 00:19:48,801
me was Mr. Shelton. He then told me

335
00:19:53,100 --> 00:19:54,100
that the [Indiscernible] would be

336
00:19:54,100 --> 00:19:57,100
Diane Martinez but that was not true.

337
00:19:57,100 --> 00:20:01,100
The lady that did call me named Joy,

338
00:20:01,100 --> 00:20:05,801
she had a real real real bad attitude.

339
00:20:08,100 --> 00:20:09,100
She told me who was [Indiscernible] and

340
00:20:09,100 --> 00:20:13,801
the name was Terry. Terry talked to me

341
00:20:16,100 --> 00:20:17,100
real bad. The only thing she asked me

342
00:20:17,100 --> 00:20:20,100
for that day was for my driving license

343
00:20:20,100 --> 00:20:24,801
number and my date of birth. She asked

344
00:20:27,100 --> 00:20:28,100
me some questions, I told her why don't

345
00:20:28,100 --> 00:20:32,100
you just look at the video because I

346
00:20:32,100 --> 00:20:37,401
know the bus had a camera on the bus.

347
00:20:38,100 --> 00:20:39,100
She said as soon as I do that I will

348
00:20:39,100 --> 00:20:43,100
call you right back and she never did.

349
00:20:43,100 --> 00:20:45,100
Finally the supervisor, her supervisor

350
00:20:45,100 --> 00:20:48,100
did call me and she was very upset that

351
00:20:48,100 --> 00:20:53,100
I went over her head to talk to Mr.

352
00:20:53,100 --> 00:20:56,100
Shelton. She told me, I don't know why

353
00:20:56,100 --> 00:21:00,100
you called Mr. Shelton, he can't do

354
00:21:00,100 --> 00:21:03,100
nothing for you. I said ma'am, I've

355
00:21:03,100 --> 00:21:07,100
been trying to get in touch with

356
00:21:07,100 --> 00:21:08,100
somebody and he was the only one that

357
00:21:08,100 --> 00:21:12,201
would return my call. Terry emailed me

358
00:21:14,100 --> 00:21:18,801
and told me my claim was denied because

359
00:21:19,100 --> 00:21:23,100
I was at fault and the driver did

360
00:21:23,100 --> 00:21:26,100
nothing wrong. I let her know I was not

361
00:21:26,100 --> 00:21:30,100
the bus driver, I was a passenger on

362
00:21:30,100 --> 00:21:32,100
the bus. I asked Joy on Monday because

363
00:21:32,100 --> 00:21:37,100
I came down here Monday, I was told I

364
00:21:37,100 --> 00:21:41,100
could not see or talk to anybody. So

365
00:21:41,100 --> 00:21:43,100
that evening, Joy called me on the

366
00:21:43,100 --> 00:21:48,100
phone, I asked her I said ma'am, if I'm

367
00:21:48,100 --> 00:21:52,801
wrong, let me see the video. She said

368
00:21:53,100 --> 00:21:55,100
she was going to send it to me but I

369
00:21:55,100 --> 00:21:59,201
never received it. I asked, did Ms.

370
00:22:00,100 --> 00:22:02,100
Terry look at the diagnosis from the

371
00:22:02,100 --> 00:22:04,100
hospital? She said well, she did not

372
00:22:04,100 --> 00:22:08,801
need to do that, because you are at

373
00:22:10,100 --> 00:22:13,100
fault. So I'm asking you directors this

374
00:22:13,100 --> 00:22:16,100
morning, let me see if I was wrong. Why

375
00:22:16,100 --> 00:22:20,100
can't I see the video? I don't even

376
00:22:20,100 --> 00:22:23,100
think it is a video now. I talked said

377
00:22:23,100 --> 00:22:27,100
to somebody named Jos , he said he

378
00:22:27,100 --> 00:22:31,100
would listen to it but it never

379
00:22:31,100 --> 00:22:32,100
happened. I'm asking you all to please

380
00:22:32,100 --> 00:22:36,100
help, let me see the video. If I'm

381
00:22:36,100 --> 00:22:41,401
wrong all I want is a fair hearing, a

382
00:22:42,100 --> 00:22:46,100
fair judgment, and I want the truth.

383
00:22:46,100 --> 00:22:48,100
>> Charlotte, [Indiscernible] overseas

384
00:22:50,100 --> 00:22:51,100
that group, he will reach out and visit

385
00:22:51,100 --> 00:22:55,201
with you after the meeting is done.

386
00:22:56,100 --> 00:22:58,100
>> Thank you. [Indiscernible] is my

387
00:22:58,100 --> 00:23:00,100
director of risk management and he will

388
00:23:00,100 --> 00:23:03,601
get your information. Raise your hand.

389
00:23:06,100 --> 00:23:09,601
>>. Mr. Thomas. Hello everybody how are

390
00:23:24,100 --> 00:23:28,801
you doing today? Good morning. As a US

391
00:23:29,100 --> 00:23:31,401
military veteran and [Indiscernible]

392
00:23:35,100 --> 00:23:36,100
and Police Department and having just

393
00:23:36,100 --> 00:23:38,100
spoke at the City Hall City Council,

394
00:23:38,100 --> 00:23:40,100
having been lifelined before and coming

395
00:23:40,100 --> 00:23:43,601
back from the military, learning about

396
00:23:44,100 --> 00:23:48,100
the system because I actually was a

397
00:23:48,100 --> 00:23:49,100
navigator at North side getting the

398
00:23:49,100 --> 00:23:51,100
transit centers and park and rides from

399
00:23:51,100 --> 00:23:55,201
the 45 and the 72, 77 going all the way

400
00:23:57,100 --> 00:24:00,100
to Homestead, I knocked on doors, I

401
00:24:00,100 --> 00:24:04,201
don't have that paperwork before me I

402
00:24:05,100 --> 00:24:06,100
might have it somewhere I'm pretty

403
00:24:06,100 --> 00:24:08,100
organized but I might be too organized.

404
00:24:08,100 --> 00:24:11,601
The thing about organization is, after

405
00:24:14,100 --> 00:24:15,100
coming here and seeing all these people

406
00:24:15,100 --> 00:24:16,100
it makes me feel good to be back into

407
00:24:16,100 --> 00:24:18,100
the building 1201 Louisiana, I remember

408
00:24:18,100 --> 00:24:22,201
that building over there. When you are

409
00:24:25,100 --> 00:24:26,100
lifelined you can't talk or to because

410
00:24:26,100 --> 00:24:27,100
your shot in your left eye and you

411
00:24:27,100 --> 00:24:30,100
draw your own blood, you take a bus and

412
00:24:30,100 --> 00:24:33,601
they had construction by the Catholic

413
00:24:35,100 --> 00:24:36,100
Church, you get off the bus at

414
00:24:36,100 --> 00:24:39,601
Westheimer and the Beltway, And some

415
00:24:41,100 --> 00:24:42,100
youngsters I'm over 70 my birthday is

416
00:24:42,100 --> 00:24:45,601
September 17 next year I will be 70,

417
00:24:46,100 --> 00:24:47,100
you get off the bus and was under

418
00:24:47,100 --> 00:24:50,100
construction they jump out and try to

419
00:24:50,100 --> 00:24:51,100
shoot you. You tell them my duffel bag

420
00:24:51,100 --> 00:24:54,100
has my uniform in it, dry cleaning bag

421
00:24:54,100 --> 00:24:59,100
around it. So I need to go to work. God

422
00:24:59,100 --> 00:25:00,100
always listens. Their gun jammed and they

423
00:25:00,100 --> 00:25:04,100
hit me in the head, and I did not get

424
00:25:04,100 --> 00:25:05,100
knocked out. Instead of [Indiscernible]

425
00:25:05,100 --> 00:25:08,100
which I could do, I decided I was going

426
00:25:08,100 --> 00:25:12,801
to get my uniform, the Bible was in

427
00:25:14,100 --> 00:25:15,100
there and they started the church

428
00:25:15,100 --> 00:25:18,601
[Indiscernible] so I know about buses,

429
00:25:19,100 --> 00:25:20,100
they know me and saw I could talk to

430
00:25:20,100 --> 00:25:23,601
when I was [Indiscernible]. Now having

431
00:25:25,100 --> 00:25:26,100
to catch these buses and talking to

432
00:25:26,100 --> 00:25:29,601
people at customer service on the

433
00:25:30,100 --> 00:25:34,201
phone, I'm not talking about them in

434
00:25:35,100 --> 00:25:36,100
general I'm not going to name anyone

435
00:25:36,100 --> 00:25:37,100
when people hang up on the phone they

436
00:25:37,100 --> 00:25:39,100
clear their throat and Jan and all of

437
00:25:39,100 --> 00:25:42,601
that, You talk to customer service

438
00:25:44,100 --> 00:25:45,100
representative which is not dispatch

439
00:25:45,100 --> 00:25:46,100
the call taker then they have to go

440
00:25:46,100 --> 00:25:48,100
on the phone and have you talked to

441
00:25:48,100 --> 00:25:49,100
someone else sitting on the fourth

442
00:25:49,100 --> 00:25:53,801
floor they can hand them the phone. The

443
00:25:58,100 --> 00:25:59,100
misnomer about everything, the nucleus

444
00:25:59,100 --> 00:26:02,100
of everything is on the World Cup thank

445
00:26:02,100 --> 00:26:03,100
you my grandmother [Indiscernible] they

446
00:26:03,100 --> 00:26:04,100
did not let me come back to see the Red

447
00:26:04,100 --> 00:26:07,100
Cross paid for the trip. Every time I

448
00:26:07,100 --> 00:26:09,100
think about Elizabeth it's always to

449
00:26:09,100 --> 00:26:10,100
greet my grandmother. I think about

450
00:26:10,100 --> 00:26:12,100
that name in my heart right here. What

451
00:26:12,100 --> 00:26:15,100
happened is that they had the World

452
00:26:15,100 --> 00:26:19,201
Cup, Park and ride was open until

453
00:26:20,100 --> 00:26:21,100
midnight, people thinking it's still

454
00:26:21,100 --> 00:26:23,100
open and they can go out on Cyprus. I

455
00:26:23,100 --> 00:26:27,201
came from a METRO board meeting, they

456
00:26:29,100 --> 00:26:32,100
let me three hours [Indiscernible] go

457
00:26:32,100 --> 00:26:34,100
around Bagby and come down Louisiana

458
00:26:34,100 --> 00:26:37,601
Street three hours on 18 August. They

459
00:26:39,100 --> 00:26:40,100
called me over and over again that they

460
00:26:40,100 --> 00:26:43,100
could not come around the block. So the

461
00:26:43,100 --> 00:26:44,100
news people came, I was talking out

462
00:26:44,100 --> 00:26:46,100
loud so they could hear me, I know they

463
00:26:46,100 --> 00:26:50,801
could hear my voice. The main thing is

464
00:26:51,100 --> 00:26:52,100
for 20 years they haven't had anything

465
00:26:52,100 --> 00:26:55,100
on the Northwest corridor the

466
00:27:02,100 --> 00:27:03,100
park-and-ride military veteran, why do

467
00:27:03,100 --> 00:27:04,100
we have to wait until [Indiscernible]

468
00:27:04,100 --> 00:27:05,100
to ride the bus until three as a

469
00:27:05,100 --> 00:27:06,100
citizen of the United States when they

470
00:27:06,100 --> 00:27:07,100
take your Social Security at 62. Yet to

471
00:27:07,100 --> 00:27:11,801
wait until your 70 to ride the bus for

472
00:27:13,100 --> 00:27:14,100
free. You can only write three times go

473
00:27:14,100 --> 00:27:18,100
to vote jury duty or ride the METROLift

474
00:27:18,100 --> 00:27:19,100
for free only when you go to vote and

475
00:27:19,100 --> 00:27:22,100
one time they [Indiscernible] that's

476
00:27:22,100 --> 00:27:27,100
it. I have to wait until I'm 72 do that

477
00:27:27,100 --> 00:27:31,201
to ride METROLift. I was suspended with

478
00:27:34,100 --> 00:27:35,100
this new app because they don't know

479
00:27:35,100 --> 00:27:36,100
the difference between same-day trip

480
00:27:36,100 --> 00:27:37,100
being you can make resurrection now you

481
00:27:37,100 --> 00:27:41,201
cannot ride a feeder trip to the

482
00:27:49,100 --> 00:27:50,100
park-and-ride the nearest one to me is

483
00:27:50,100 --> 00:27:51,100
[Indiscernible] on West Road and

484
00:27:51,100 --> 00:27:52,100
[Indiscernible] they will do that and

485
00:27:52,100 --> 00:27:53,100
they will take a park-and-ride so I can

486
00:27:53,100 --> 00:27:56,100
go to Cyprus but they will not let

487
00:27:56,100 --> 00:27:57,100
METROLift go north, Sam's Club right

488
00:27:57,100 --> 00:27:58,100
there and they won't go there either.

489
00:27:58,100 --> 00:28:00,100
That's the Northwest corridor, called

490
00:28:00,100 --> 00:28:03,100
the Northwest transit center. I had to

491
00:28:03,100 --> 00:28:06,100
take a bus when I got suspended all the

492
00:28:06,100 --> 00:28:09,601
way down, I walked 35 minutes, My

493
00:28:10,100 --> 00:28:11,100
neighbor is a truck driver and delivers

494
00:28:11,100 --> 00:28:13,100
to the Houston Food Bank, he said don't

495
00:28:13,100 --> 00:28:17,801
be walking out there in the middle of

496
00:28:26,100 --> 00:28:27,100
the street. So I walked in he dropped

497
00:28:27,100 --> 00:28:28,100
me off came down to the federal

498
00:28:28,100 --> 00:28:29,100
building and of course he knows my

499
00:28:29,100 --> 00:28:30,100
military background he gave me a

500
00:28:30,100 --> 00:28:33,100
knuckle bump in the uniform, I caught

501
00:28:33,100 --> 00:28:34,100
the monorail, not caught the light rail

502
00:28:34,100 --> 00:28:38,801
train to go to the airport. You have 30

503
00:28:39,100 --> 00:28:43,100
seconds. 30 seconds we need to get that

504
00:28:43,100 --> 00:28:44,100
going, METROLift pulls right in there

505
00:28:44,100 --> 00:28:48,801
so we can get there, we have a

506
00:28:51,100 --> 00:28:52,100
wheelchair person riding in the middle

507
00:28:52,100 --> 00:28:53,100
the street by 711 and a blind person

508
00:28:53,100 --> 00:28:54,100
trying to get to the park-and-ride. The

509
00:28:54,100 --> 00:28:57,601
police are writing all kinds of

510
00:29:12,100 --> 00:29:13,100
tickets. We need to call and tell them

511
00:29:13,100 --> 00:29:14,100
to [Indiscernible]

512
00:29:14,100 --> 00:29:15,100
>> That's it thank you all God bless

513
00:29:15,100 --> 00:29:16,100
you

514
00:29:16,100 --> 00:29:17,100
>> Isaiah Lopez

515
00:29:17,100 --> 00:29:21,201
>>My name is Isaiah, I'm a community

516
00:29:25,100 --> 00:29:26,100
member fed up with the voter approved

517
00:29:26,100 --> 00:29:29,601
METRONext plans being gutted year after

518
00:29:31,100 --> 00:29:32,100
year. I'm here to talk about METRO

519
00:29:32,100 --> 00:29:33,100
recent Gulfton proposal in the 2027

520
00:29:33,100 --> 00:29:36,100
budget. I will start with some

521
00:29:36,100 --> 00:29:39,100
background, In 2024 Mayor Whitmire took

522
00:29:39,100 --> 00:29:40,100
office appointed a CenterPoint

523
00:29:40,100 --> 00:29:43,601
executive to Chair METRO, together they

524
00:29:44,100 --> 00:29:47,601
have shifted The agency focus from

525
00:29:49,100 --> 00:29:50,100
serious transit expansion with METRONext

526
00:29:50,100 --> 00:29:51,100
to more policing surveillance and

527
00:29:51,100 --> 00:29:53,100
micro transit with their plan no one

528
00:29:53,100 --> 00:29:56,100
voted for METRO now. The same year when

529
00:29:56,100 --> 00:29:58,100
discussing METRONext plans in Gulfton,

530
00:29:58,100 --> 00:30:02,100
the extension of the silver line, the

531
00:30:02,100 --> 00:30:05,100
Mayor made the following racist

532
00:30:05,100 --> 00:30:07,100
comments about residents. , They are

533
00:30:07,100 --> 00:30:09,401
largely undocumented immigrants , they

534
00:30:10,100 --> 00:30:11,100
want basic services you think they will

535
00:30:11,100 --> 00:30:15,100
be welcome in the Galleria? Two years

536
00:30:15,100 --> 00:30:17,100
later delay after delay the agency has

537
00:30:17,100 --> 00:30:19,401
unveiled its Gulfton proposal,

538
00:30:21,100 --> 00:30:22,100
unfortunately it seems to appease the

539
00:30:22,100 --> 00:30:26,100
Mayor race from two years ago. The

540
00:30:26,100 --> 00:30:27,100
Gulfton BRT is no longer an extension

541
00:30:27,100 --> 00:30:31,100
of uptown Silver line , it's a separate

542
00:30:31,100 --> 00:30:35,100
line. Most of its route is now mixed

543
00:30:35,100 --> 00:30:36,100
with general traffic instead of

544
00:30:36,100 --> 00:30:39,100
dedicated lanes to improve frequency

545
00:30:39,100 --> 00:30:40,100
and travel time. , As it is instead a

546
00:30:40,100 --> 00:30:43,100
more reliable buses that stops

547
00:30:44,100 --> 00:30:45,100
Residence in immigrant communities

548
00:30:45,100 --> 00:30:48,100
Seymour METRO police surveillance and

549
00:30:49,100 --> 00:30:50,100
cooperation with HPD which itself has

550
00:30:50,100 --> 00:30:53,100
been cooperating with ice. Just

551
00:30:54,100 --> 00:30:55,100
yesterday shared a story about ice

552
00:30:55,100 --> 00:30:57,100
boarding a METRO bus and detaining

553
00:30:57,100 --> 00:31:00,601
passengers not too far from Gulfton.

554
00:31:05,100 --> 00:31:06,100
This is shameful and one example of how

555
00:31:06,100 --> 00:31:07,100
increases to METRO police funding M

556
00:31:07,100 --> 00:31:08,100
investments in drones mobile command

557
00:31:08,100 --> 00:31:11,100
units don't reflect community safety.

558
00:31:11,100 --> 00:31:12,100
Communities are afraid to meet their

559
00:31:12,100 --> 00:31:15,601
[Indiscernible] and ride the bus . On

560
00:31:17,100 --> 00:31:18,100
top of this the most recent proposal

561
00:31:18,100 --> 00:31:19,100
link often gets rid of the circulator

562
00:31:19,100 --> 00:31:22,601
buses and replaces service with micro

563
00:31:23,100 --> 00:31:25,100
transit for which METRO has been

564
00:31:25,100 --> 00:31:28,100
subsidizing Uber and live during peak

565
00:31:28,100 --> 00:31:31,100
hours. This is not only bad for transit

566
00:31:31,100 --> 00:31:32,100
riders but operators like many of the

567
00:31:32,100 --> 00:31:36,100
fine people we have here today. As

568
00:31:36,100 --> 00:31:38,401
Andrew from [Indiscernible] transit

569
00:31:46,100 --> 00:31:47,100
union puts it, everybody understands

570
00:31:47,100 --> 00:31:48,100
how Uber and Lyft constantly screw

571
00:31:48,100 --> 00:31:51,100
over their Drivers and we see a lot of

572
00:31:51,100 --> 00:31:52,100
similarities in micro transit in some

573
00:31:52,100 --> 00:31:56,801
ways it's worse because we fund us with

574
00:31:58,100 --> 00:31:59,100
our tax dollars someone is paying one

575
00:31:59,100 --> 00:32:00,100
or two dollars for micro transit trip

576
00:32:00,100 --> 00:32:03,601
that might cost the agency 40 or $50.

577
00:32:04,100 --> 00:32:05,100
We are subsidizing inefficient services

578
00:32:05,100 --> 00:32:07,100
that incentivizes the destruction of

579
00:32:07,100 --> 00:32:09,100
good jobs. Clearly we need more union

580
00:32:09,100 --> 00:32:10,100
members and transit riders on the

581
00:32:10,100 --> 00:32:12,401
Board, not corporate executives.

582
00:32:14,100 --> 00:32:15,100
Micro-transit is meant to complement

583
00:32:15,100 --> 00:32:19,201
not replace bus routes. In closing I

584
00:32:26,100 --> 00:32:27,100
stand in solidarity with community

585
00:32:27,100 --> 00:32:28,100
members and transit workers to demand

586
00:32:28,100 --> 00:32:29,100
shift the focus back to METRONext back

587
00:32:29,100 --> 00:32:30,100
to transit equity and sustainability,

588
00:32:30,100 --> 00:32:34,801
back to what we voted for. The next

589
00:32:40,100 --> 00:32:42,401
speaker is virtual, Trinidad

590
00:32:45,100 --> 00:32:46,100
[Indiscernible]. Good morning I was

591
00:32:46,100 --> 00:32:50,100
going to say briefly for the new buses,

592
00:32:50,100 --> 00:32:54,100
do you know when they will be in

593
00:32:54,100 --> 00:32:58,201
service? They have not arrived for the

594
00:33:05,100 --> 00:33:06,100
small ones and the other

595
00:33:06,100 --> 00:33:09,601
[Indiscernible] in terms of CNG buses?

596
00:33:11,100 --> 00:33:15,801
>>We will have someone look into it and

597
00:33:24,100 --> 00:33:28,801
get back with you on that. Okay thank

598
00:33:30,100 --> 00:33:31,100
you. That's it

599
00:33:31,100 --> 00:33:32,100
>>Joseph Lawrence

600
00:33:32,100 --> 00:33:35,100
>> Good morning ladies and gentlemen.

601
00:33:48,100 --> 00:33:51,601
[Indiscernible] how are you doing this

602
00:33:55,100 --> 00:33:56,100
morning? I have been before you guys

603
00:33:56,100 --> 00:33:57,100
several times in regards to the

604
00:33:57,100 --> 00:34:00,601
community connector when it was evolved

605
00:34:02,100 --> 00:34:03,100
and circuit. My position is what it was

606
00:34:03,100 --> 00:34:07,801
last time I came before you. I really

607
00:34:10,100 --> 00:34:11,100
would like for you guys to think about

608
00:34:11,100 --> 00:34:12,100
and reconsider expansion in the second

609
00:34:12,100 --> 00:34:16,201
Ward. I live in [Indiscernible] now. In

610
00:34:17,100 --> 00:34:19,100
our area, the smallest of the areas it

611
00:34:19,100 --> 00:34:21,100
is served by the community connector,

612
00:34:21,100 --> 00:34:25,100
we only have two cars. We really could

613
00:34:25,100 --> 00:34:29,801
use at least three cars, excuse me, at

614
00:34:32,100 --> 00:34:33,100
least three cars. We really would like

615
00:34:33,100 --> 00:34:37,801
to have the area expanded out to at

616
00:34:39,100 --> 00:34:40,100
least Harrisburg Wayside because a lot

617
00:34:40,100 --> 00:34:42,100
of the people that live [Indiscernible]

618
00:34:42,100 --> 00:34:45,100
are elderly and will some of them ride

619
00:34:45,100 --> 00:34:49,801
the bus. If they wanted to go to

620
00:34:50,100 --> 00:34:52,100
Walgreens at Wayside, the walk from the

621
00:34:52,100 --> 00:34:53,100
bus stop or even the platform is a

622
00:34:53,100 --> 00:34:57,100
little much for them. When this first

623
00:34:57,100 --> 00:35:01,100
started, it covered all the way past

624
00:35:01,100 --> 00:35:02,100
[Indiscernible] I understand the

625
00:35:02,100 --> 00:35:04,100
numbers weren't that great or it was

626
00:35:04,100 --> 00:35:08,201
putting a strain on the vehicles. But

627
00:35:09,100 --> 00:35:10,100
right now we really could use that

628
00:35:10,100 --> 00:35:13,601
service. It's a wonderful service. It

629
00:35:16,100 --> 00:35:17,100
is something very much appreciated by

630
00:35:17,100 --> 00:35:18,100
everyone in my community. The only

631
00:35:18,100 --> 00:35:22,801
thing we are asking is that you really

632
00:35:25,100 --> 00:35:28,100
reconsider the expansion, also to

633
00:35:28,100 --> 00:35:31,100
expand the time. Because right now we

634
00:35:31,100 --> 00:35:35,100
have until 7 to 5. Downtown has 7 to 7. We

635
00:35:35,100 --> 00:35:36,100
would appreciate if you could do at

636
00:35:36,100 --> 00:35:40,100
least a 7 to 7 and if at all

637
00:35:40,100 --> 00:35:43,100
possible or any new cars with some air

638
00:35:43,100 --> 00:35:46,100
conditioning because this heat is

639
00:35:46,100 --> 00:35:47,100
unbearable and these drivers are out

640
00:35:47,100 --> 00:35:49,100
here in this heat. They do deserve to

641
00:35:49,100 --> 00:35:51,100
have some air conditioning. One last

642
00:35:51,100 --> 00:35:55,801
thing before I go, I have been asking

643
00:36:00,100 --> 00:36:01,100
about bus shelters at [Indiscernible]

644
00:36:01,100 --> 00:36:03,100
and the bus shelter I have seen is not

645
00:36:03,100 --> 00:36:06,601
very accommodating at all. The seat

646
00:36:07,100 --> 00:36:11,801
might be big enough for two people. You

647
00:36:13,100 --> 00:36:14,100
are talking about a community here the

648
00:36:14,100 --> 00:36:17,601
people that catch the bus, not

649
00:36:18,100 --> 00:36:19,100
everybody can stand. I wish you all

650
00:36:19,100 --> 00:36:20,100
will go back to the old bus shelters

651
00:36:20,100 --> 00:36:23,100
that had a little bit more room. Right

652
00:36:23,100 --> 00:36:26,100
now the bus shelter you are putting in

653
00:36:26,100 --> 00:36:30,100
place is not working out all. Basically

654
00:36:30,100 --> 00:36:34,801
that's about all I have to say. I

655
00:36:35,100 --> 00:36:36,100
appreciate everything you guys are

656
00:36:36,100 --> 00:36:38,100
doing for the community connector.

657
00:36:38,100 --> 00:36:40,100
Please reconsider the expansion part,

658
00:36:40,100 --> 00:36:44,201
we really really really need it. Thank

659
00:36:46,100 --> 00:36:49,100
you guys and have a wonderful day

660
00:36:49,100 --> 00:36:52,100
>> Thank you. This is Michael

661
00:36:52,100 --> 00:36:53,100
Andreotti, we will reach out to you

662
00:36:53,100 --> 00:36:56,601
thank you for your comments. We

663
00:36:57,100 --> 00:36:58,100
continue to evaluate the second Ward

664
00:36:58,100 --> 00:37:01,601
and the community connectors zones, if

665
00:37:02,100 --> 00:37:03,100
there's anything we can do for

666
00:37:03,100 --> 00:37:06,100
expansion of hours we will work with

667
00:37:06,100 --> 00:37:07,100
you on that. No decisions have been

668
00:37:07,100 --> 00:37:12,401
made yet but we will reach out to you

669
00:37:14,100 --> 00:37:15,100
and see what your comments are and what

670
00:37:15,100 --> 00:37:16,100
we can do to address those

671
00:37:16,100 --> 00:37:19,100
>>Michael we also report back to the

672
00:37:19,100 --> 00:37:23,201
Board and let us know the outcome.

673
00:37:34,100 --> 00:37:35,100
>> Absolutely. Thank you

674
00:37:35,100 --> 00:37:36,100
>> The next speaker is Ken Rogers

675
00:37:36,100 --> 00:37:40,201
>>Good morning. My name is Ken Rogers,

676
00:37:47,100 --> 00:37:48,100
I'm president of greater third Ward

677
00:37:48,100 --> 00:37:50,401
super neighborhood number 67. My

678
00:37:55,100 --> 00:37:56,100
concern is [Indiscernible] I'm sure you

679
00:37:56,100 --> 00:37:57,100
all remember the connector started in

680
00:37:57,100 --> 00:38:01,100
the third Ward. We were a test. We love

681
00:38:01,100 --> 00:38:04,100
the connector. We have always loved the

682
00:38:04,100 --> 00:38:08,100
connector. We love the idea of the

683
00:38:08,100 --> 00:38:11,601
connector. But, the speaker before me,

684
00:38:14,100 --> 00:38:17,601
Mr. Lawrence, extension of hours. I

685
00:38:18,100 --> 00:38:23,401
think we need that. We need that in the

686
00:38:24,100 --> 00:38:28,100
third Ward. I think it needs to be

687
00:38:28,100 --> 00:38:31,100
uniform across Houston. Especially with

688
00:38:31,100 --> 00:38:35,201
this daylight savings time. It does not

689
00:38:36,100 --> 00:38:39,601
get dark until after 7 PM. Daylight

690
00:38:41,100 --> 00:38:45,801
burning. If you get off work and you

691
00:38:46,100 --> 00:38:49,100
need to run to the grocery store real

692
00:38:49,100 --> 00:38:52,601
quick, that would come in handy.

693
00:38:53,100 --> 00:38:54,100
Getting off at 5 PM not everybody works 9

694
00:38:54,100 --> 00:38:59,401
AM to 5 PM, some of us work a little

695
00:39:01,100 --> 00:39:02,100
later it would be helpful if we could

696
00:39:02,100 --> 00:39:03,100
have that extension of time and have a

697
00:39:03,100 --> 00:39:05,100
uniform so no matter where you are what

698
00:39:05,100 --> 00:39:09,201
neighborhood you are in that you can

699
00:39:10,100 --> 00:39:12,100
utilize the community connector. I'd

700
00:39:12,100 --> 00:39:15,100
like to thank Michael for all his

701
00:39:15,100 --> 00:39:19,201
support and help in the third Ward.

702
00:39:20,100 --> 00:39:24,201
and, everybody I come in contact with

703
00:39:26,100 --> 00:39:29,100
the METRO, Stephanie, she is a Pearl, I

704
00:39:29,100 --> 00:39:32,100
really appreciate all the help I get.

705
00:39:32,100 --> 00:39:35,601
Unfortunately sometimes I go to them

706
00:39:39,100 --> 00:39:40,100
with a problem, and they say ken, you

707
00:39:40,100 --> 00:39:41,100
probably need to come to the Board and

708
00:39:41,100 --> 00:39:43,100
talk to them so I am here now. I'm

709
00:39:43,100 --> 00:39:45,100
pulling on your heartstrings as I often

710
00:39:45,100 --> 00:39:49,100
do. It's a difficult out there. And

711
00:39:49,100 --> 00:39:51,401
that air-conditioning in the

712
00:39:52,100 --> 00:39:55,100
connectors, they would benefit not only

713
00:39:55,100 --> 00:39:58,601
the drivers but our community also.

714
00:39:59,100 --> 00:40:02,100
and, so that you don't forget, I still

715
00:40:02,100 --> 00:40:04,100
have a dream for Sunday mornings, the

716
00:40:04,100 --> 00:40:08,100
ladies in the church house on their way

717
00:40:08,100 --> 00:40:12,801
to church on the connector. I was at

718
00:40:13,100 --> 00:40:15,401
[Indiscernible] elementary the first

719
00:40:18,100 --> 00:40:19,100
day of school, a tradition we do we

720
00:40:19,100 --> 00:40:23,100
welcome the kids and high-fived them, I

721
00:40:23,100 --> 00:40:24,100
looked up And they asked us not to take

722
00:40:24,100 --> 00:40:27,100
pictures of the kids. But I looked up,

723
00:40:27,100 --> 00:40:31,801
and I looked on the street, and there

724
00:40:32,100 --> 00:40:35,100
was a parent and a kid getting out of

725
00:40:35,100 --> 00:40:38,100
the connector, coming to the

726
00:40:38,100 --> 00:40:41,100
elementary. This is an important thing

727
00:40:41,100 --> 00:40:45,201
that you guys are supporting, we have

728
00:40:48,100 --> 00:40:52,201
the connection of the school you know

729
00:40:54,100 --> 00:40:55,100
it is a lot of pressure on the schools

730
00:40:55,100 --> 00:40:58,100
especially in our area. We are asking

731
00:40:58,100 --> 00:41:02,801
that you help us keep the kids in

732
00:41:04,100 --> 00:41:06,100
school. And enrollment up. Thank you

733
00:41:06,100 --> 00:41:09,601
for listening to me. My ramblings.

734
00:41:11,100 --> 00:41:12,100
Thank you so very much

735
00:41:12,100 --> 00:41:15,100
>> Thank you for your comments. As you

736
00:41:15,100 --> 00:41:16,100
know the community connector is near

737
00:41:16,100 --> 00:41:19,100
and dear to my heart. It was my

738
00:41:19,100 --> 00:41:22,100
understanding we were supposed to

739
00:41:22,100 --> 00:41:25,601
switch out the current vehicles with

740
00:41:26,100 --> 00:41:27,100
air conditioning? Do you know where we

741
00:41:27,100 --> 00:41:29,100
are on that?

742
00:41:29,100 --> 00:41:32,601
>> Absolutely, I have some great news

743
00:41:33,100 --> 00:41:34,100
we have the 12 hour AC units coming in

744
00:41:34,100 --> 00:41:36,100
in the next 60 days. We will be

745
00:41:36,100 --> 00:41:40,201
replacing all of the older units, that

746
00:41:43,100 --> 00:41:44,100
is coming soon

747
00:41:44,100 --> 00:41:49,401
>> Did I tell you about that guy he is

748
00:41:50,100 --> 00:41:51,100
awesome. If you will report as well on

749
00:41:51,100 --> 00:41:54,100
the expansion of hours? Absolutely

750
00:41:58,100 --> 00:41:59,100
thank you

751
00:41:59,100 --> 00:42:00,100
>> Sebastian Laporte

752
00:42:00,100 --> 00:42:04,801
>> Hi thank you for your time and thank

753
00:42:05,100 --> 00:42:09,100
you for stepping up during the World

754
00:42:09,100 --> 00:42:13,201
Cup. Since it is budget season, I'd

755
00:42:14,100 --> 00:42:15,100
like to request a targeted improvement

756
00:42:15,100 --> 00:42:19,100
to the green and purple lines. I work

757
00:42:19,100 --> 00:42:20,100
at the University of Houston the main

758
00:42:20,100 --> 00:42:23,100
campus in the third Ward. I take the

759
00:42:23,100 --> 00:42:26,100
Purple Line into campus from the south

760
00:42:26,100 --> 00:42:28,100
side. But sometimes after work if I'm

761
00:42:28,100 --> 00:42:31,601
going into downtown for something, I

762
00:42:32,100 --> 00:42:35,100
get on the train and continue north,

763
00:42:35,100 --> 00:42:37,100
from UH. In my observation a lot of UH

764
00:42:37,100 --> 00:42:40,100
and TSU students take the Purple Line

765
00:42:40,100 --> 00:42:43,100
between campus and downtown. For

766
00:42:47,100 --> 00:42:48,100
instance if you ride that train at four

767
00:42:48,100 --> 00:42:50,100
or five in the evening and is packed

768
00:42:50,100 --> 00:42:52,100
with students. I've asked him what a

769
00:42:52,100 --> 00:42:55,100
lot of them do is catch buses from the

770
00:42:55,100 --> 00:42:58,601
west side into downtown and transferred

771
00:43:00,100 --> 00:43:01,100
to purple for the final leg of the

772
00:43:01,100 --> 00:43:06,100
journey to UH or TSU. The other day I

773
00:43:06,100 --> 00:43:10,100
ran into a former student who takes the

774
00:43:10,100 --> 00:43:11,100
park-and-ride from Kati, transfers to

775
00:43:11,100 --> 00:43:12,100
purple and comes into campus. The issue

776
00:43:12,100 --> 00:43:16,201
I would like to highlight is the

777
00:43:18,100 --> 00:43:20,100
service on the last 10 blocks in

778
00:43:20,100 --> 00:43:23,100
downtown between the theater district

779
00:43:23,100 --> 00:43:25,100
and Convention Center is often

780
00:43:25,100 --> 00:43:26,100
irregular because the tracks are not

781
00:43:26,100 --> 00:43:28,100
blocked off from traffic. During rush

782
00:43:28,100 --> 00:43:32,201
hour the tracks fill up with cars,

783
00:43:33,100 --> 00:43:36,100
sometimes delivery vehicles will idle

784
00:43:36,100 --> 00:43:39,100
on the tracks. I've even seen an image

785
00:43:39,100 --> 00:43:40,100
of someone locked out of their car they

786
00:43:40,100 --> 00:43:42,100
parked on the tracks and got locked

787
00:43:42,100 --> 00:43:44,100
out, The train was delayed until they

788
00:43:44,100 --> 00:43:47,100
were able to get back into their car.

789
00:43:47,100 --> 00:43:51,201
All of this degrades the service. The

790
00:43:52,100 --> 00:43:53,100
last 10 blocks through downtown can

791
00:43:53,100 --> 00:43:56,601
take five minutes or 15 minutes. This

792
00:43:59,100 --> 00:44:00,100
can make students late to class or

793
00:44:00,100 --> 00:44:02,100
cause them to miss connections of

794
00:44:02,100 --> 00:44:05,100
traveling back home. I believe among

795
00:44:05,100 --> 00:44:07,100
the components of METRONext that were

796
00:44:07,100 --> 00:44:10,100
paused was a measure to add some kind

797
00:44:10,100 --> 00:44:12,100
of barrier separating the train tracks

798
00:44:12,100 --> 00:44:15,601
along Rusk and capital, Reviving that

799
00:44:20,100 --> 00:44:21,100
project would do a lot to improve

800
00:44:21,100 --> 00:44:23,100
service on the two east-west train

801
00:44:23,100 --> 00:44:24,100
lines and make it through service is a

802
00:44:24,100 --> 00:44:27,100
better use of money. Also one final

803
00:44:27,100 --> 00:44:31,201
thing we learned the other week the

804
00:44:35,100 --> 00:44:36,100
block at Carolyn and Walker will soon be

805
00:44:36,100 --> 00:44:39,100
a 12 story parking garage. It

806
00:44:41,100 --> 00:44:42,100
will soon have an entrance along Rusk

807
00:44:42,100 --> 00:44:44,100
Street along the green and purple line

808
00:44:44,100 --> 00:44:48,100
tracks. I worry that once the garages

809
00:44:48,100 --> 00:44:49,100
open rush-hour traffic in and out of

810
00:44:49,100 --> 00:44:52,100
the garage could cause further delays,

811
00:44:52,100 --> 00:44:55,601
adding something to separate trains and

812
00:45:06,100 --> 00:45:07,100
traffic along Rusk could help us get in

813
00:45:07,100 --> 00:45:08,100
front of that problem before it becomes

814
00:45:08,100 --> 00:45:09,100
one. Thank you

815
00:45:09,100 --> 00:45:10,100
>> Thank you for your comments.

816
00:45:10,100 --> 00:45:12,100
>> Owen Taten

817
00:45:19,100 --> 00:45:20,100
>>Owen Taten? Dominic Maisoc

818
00:45:20,100 --> 00:45:23,601
>>Good morning. The redline was an

819
00:45:35,100 --> 00:45:38,601
enjoyable trip into town. I think

820
00:45:39,100 --> 00:45:41,100
everybody needs to do something in this

821
00:45:41,100 --> 00:45:45,801
room. It's on the METRO website. It is

822
00:45:50,100 --> 00:45:51,100
the actual official ballot language and

823
00:45:51,100 --> 00:45:52,100
Board paperwork that went with

824
00:45:52,100 --> 00:45:56,201
METRONext. I think people need to read

825
00:45:58,100 --> 00:46:01,100
it. Specifically, not everything was on

826
00:46:01,100 --> 00:46:04,601
the ballot, the ballot referred to

827
00:46:09,100 --> 00:46:12,601
resolution 2019, part of that is within

828
00:46:14,100 --> 00:46:18,100
that, yes it says METRO may borrow

829
00:46:18,100 --> 00:46:19,100
money for this, on the other hand you

830
00:46:19,100 --> 00:46:23,201
look at Proposition A or Exhibit A,

831
00:46:24,100 --> 00:46:25,100
METRO is not to do things to put its

832
00:46:25,100 --> 00:46:27,100
financial situation in danger. People

833
00:46:27,100 --> 00:46:30,601
need to read the original documents.

834
00:46:33,100 --> 00:46:34,100
Reverand, you try to get the best

835
00:46:34,100 --> 00:46:35,100
translations of the Scriptures before

836
00:46:35,100 --> 00:46:39,801
you do your hominy, it is the same

837
00:46:43,100 --> 00:46:44,100
here. Michael, I appreciate you riding

838
00:46:44,100 --> 00:46:46,100
the train this morning, I saw Michael

839
00:46:46,100 --> 00:46:50,100
on the train. That's a good thing. One

840
00:46:50,100 --> 00:46:54,201
thing about the Gulfton, I was texting

841
00:46:56,100 --> 00:46:59,601
Tom about this, we have universities

842
00:47:01,100 --> 00:47:06,401
here rise, TSU U of H TTI, near the

843
00:47:07,100 --> 00:47:10,601
Northwest transit center. With some of

844
00:47:11,100 --> 00:47:12,100
these new students, can we take all of

845
00:47:12,100 --> 00:47:15,100
this data about Gulfton, put it through

846
00:47:15,100 --> 00:47:20,401
An AI program and see what they come up

847
00:47:24,100 --> 00:47:25,100
with. I think this could be a good

848
00:47:25,100 --> 00:47:26,100
student project I know there were some

849
00:47:26,100 --> 00:47:27,100
students when Christoph was on the

850
00:47:27,100 --> 00:47:30,100
Board, they were doing engineering

851
00:47:33,100 --> 00:47:34,100
projects concerning METRO. I think

852
00:47:34,100 --> 00:47:38,201
that's a good thing. Also, with transit

853
00:47:45,100 --> 00:47:46,100
why are they the only people receiving

854
00:47:46,100 --> 00:47:49,601
transit when nobody else is. It's

855
00:47:52,100 --> 00:47:53,100
complete METRO project, I think that is

856
00:47:53,100 --> 00:47:55,100
wrong I think that is wrong. I know I'm

857
00:47:55,100 --> 00:47:59,100
coming up in my 30 seconds. My thing is

858
00:47:59,100 --> 00:48:04,100
if you are not going to do the whole

859
00:48:04,100 --> 00:48:08,201
BRT thing for the University line, the

860
00:48:11,100 --> 00:48:12,100
line for Gulfton, you do what all or

861
00:48:12,100 --> 00:48:15,100
you do it none. Lastly the meeting on

862
00:48:15,100 --> 00:48:18,601
Tuesday was good except one thing,

863
00:48:19,100 --> 00:48:20,100
Robert I agree with you that meeting

864
00:48:20,100 --> 00:48:23,601
should have been last month. The

865
00:48:25,100 --> 00:48:28,100
discussion was good. I think John Nix

866
00:48:28,100 --> 00:48:32,100
once the area to have curb2curb

867
00:48:32,100 --> 00:48:36,100
service, I think it should be complete

868
00:48:36,100 --> 00:48:37,100
through the system. We need to look at

869
00:48:37,100 --> 00:48:40,601
new bus network 2.0, start over again

870
00:48:42,100 --> 00:48:45,100
completely. Lastly, curb2curb and

871
00:48:49,100 --> 00:48:50,100
community connector. That was promised

872
00:48:50,100 --> 00:48:51,100
in the 79 ballot election, I was

873
00:48:51,100 --> 00:48:55,100
involved in doing it. The first idea

874
00:48:55,100 --> 00:49:00,100
would be the 344. I ran out of time so

875
00:49:00,100 --> 00:49:04,201
thank you. Thank you Mr. Maisoc. Pastor

876
00:49:08,100 --> 00:49:09,100
David Smith

877
00:49:09,100 --> 00:49:12,601
>>Good morning everyone. My name is

878
00:49:18,100 --> 00:49:21,601
David Smith the pastor of missionary

879
00:49:22,100 --> 00:49:23,100
Baptist church, also the former

880
00:49:23,100 --> 00:49:25,100
president of [Indiscernible]

881
00:49:28,100 --> 00:49:29,100
neighborhood. I'm here to recognize the

882
00:49:29,100 --> 00:49:32,100
positive work METRO has done in our

883
00:49:32,100 --> 00:49:35,601
community. Over the past few months

884
00:49:38,100 --> 00:49:39,100
we've had meaningful improvements that

885
00:49:39,100 --> 00:49:40,100
make a difference in residence

886
00:49:40,100 --> 00:49:41,100
businesses seniors and families who

887
00:49:41,100 --> 00:49:44,601
depend on public transit. We especially

888
00:49:45,100 --> 00:49:47,100
appreciate repaving along

889
00:49:48,100 --> 00:49:51,100
[Indiscernible] Drive, This has me

890
00:49:52,100 --> 00:49:53,100
traveling through our area safe or

891
00:49:53,100 --> 00:49:54,100
comfortable for METRO passengers

892
00:49:54,100 --> 00:49:56,401
motorists and pedestrians . Investment

893
00:50:01,100 --> 00:50:02,100
demonstrates METRO understands the

894
00:50:02,100 --> 00:50:04,401
importance of maintaining strong .

895
00:50:07,100 --> 00:50:08,100
Transportation infrastructure in every

896
00:50:08,100 --> 00:50:09,100
community we are thankful for new bus

897
00:50:09,100 --> 00:50:11,100
shelters in our area more than just a

898
00:50:11,100 --> 00:50:12,100
place to wait it provides protection

899
00:50:12,100 --> 00:50:15,100
from Houston heat rain unpredictable

900
00:50:15,100 --> 00:50:17,401
weather, Especially important for

901
00:50:21,100 --> 00:50:22,100
seniors individuals with disabilities

902
00:50:22,100 --> 00:50:23,100
parents with young children and those

903
00:50:23,100 --> 00:50:24,100
who allow one METRO as a primary means

904
00:50:24,100 --> 00:50:27,100
of transportation. In addition to

905
00:50:28,100 --> 00:50:29,100
installing new shelters METRO responded

906
00:50:29,100 --> 00:50:30,100
to concerns regarding cleanliness and

907
00:50:30,100 --> 00:50:33,100
upkeep of these shelters . Keeping

908
00:50:36,100 --> 00:50:37,100
these areas clean safe and accessible

909
00:50:37,100 --> 00:50:40,100
helps passengers feel confident while

910
00:50:42,100 --> 00:50:43,100
using public transportation. We also

911
00:50:43,100 --> 00:50:44,100
appreciate and are compassionate matter

912
00:50:44,100 --> 00:50:45,100
which METRO addresses homelessness in

913
00:50:45,100 --> 00:50:49,100
our area of some of the bus shelters.

914
00:50:49,100 --> 00:50:50,100
These situations can be challenging but

915
00:50:50,100 --> 00:50:51,100
it's important every person be treated

916
00:50:51,100 --> 00:50:54,100
with dignity compassion and respect. .

917
00:51:01,100 --> 00:51:02,100
I'm grateful for METRO has worked to

918
00:51:02,100 --> 00:51:03,100
address safety issues for our community

919
00:51:03,100 --> 00:51:04,100
and remain sensitive to the needs of

920
00:51:04,100 --> 00:51:05,100
humanity and individuals experiencing

921
00:51:05,100 --> 00:51:08,601
homelessness on behalf of our community

922
00:51:10,100 --> 00:51:14,100
I'd like to thank Tom Jasien his staff

923
00:51:14,100 --> 00:51:16,401
[Indiscernible] Rocky Marrero and

924
00:51:18,100 --> 00:51:20,401
Christine for maintaining open

925
00:51:25,100 --> 00:51:28,100
communication with us At the

926
00:51:28,100 --> 00:51:29,100
community their willingness to listen

927
00:51:29,100 --> 00:51:30,100
respond continue concerns provide

928
00:51:30,100 --> 00:51:31,100
updates and work collaboratively has

929
00:51:31,100 --> 00:51:32,100
helped us drink the relationship

930
00:51:32,100 --> 00:51:35,100
between METRO and are community. Good

931
00:51:35,100 --> 00:51:36,100
communication builds trust and

932
00:51:36,100 --> 00:51:38,100
responsive experience shows we can help

933
00:51:38,100 --> 00:51:39,100
and work together with public agencies

934
00:51:39,100 --> 00:51:41,401
community leaders working together .

935
00:51:44,100 --> 00:51:45,100
Toward a common purpose we recognize

936
00:51:45,100 --> 00:51:49,201
there's always work to be done but

937
00:51:51,100 --> 00:51:52,100
today, I want to pause and say thank

938
00:51:52,100 --> 00:51:55,100
you thank you thank you For what

939
00:51:55,100 --> 00:51:56,100
listening to her concerns investing in

940
00:51:56,100 --> 00:51:58,100
our area infrastructure maintaining bus

941
00:51:58,100 --> 00:52:01,100
shelters and treating the people with

942
00:52:01,100 --> 00:52:05,201
dignity and respect. I look forward to

943
00:52:06,100 --> 00:52:07,100
continued partnership with METRO as we

944
00:52:07,100 --> 00:52:08,100
work together to make our community

945
00:52:08,100 --> 00:52:10,100
safer stronger and more accessible to

946
00:52:10,100 --> 00:52:12,100
everyone. I've been a pastor in the

947
00:52:12,100 --> 00:52:13,100
area for 34 years this is the first

948
00:52:13,100 --> 00:52:16,601
improvement I've seen in 34 years. I

949
00:52:19,100 --> 00:52:20,100
have another meeting this morning but I

950
00:52:20,100 --> 00:52:21,100
want to come here publicly and say

951
00:52:21,100 --> 00:52:23,100
thank you for the work you have done in

952
00:52:23,100 --> 00:52:24,100
our area. God bless you and God keep

953
00:52:24,100 --> 00:52:28,201
you in our prayers. Madam Chair this

954
00:52:32,100 --> 00:52:34,401
concludes the registered speakers

955
00:52:36,100 --> 00:52:38,100
>> Thank you Ms. Greenhouse. I would

956
00:52:38,100 --> 00:52:42,100
like to open this up, like I normally

957
00:52:42,100 --> 00:52:44,100
do with comments with gratitude. I want

958
00:52:44,100 --> 00:52:49,100
to thank you all for being here. I went

959
00:52:49,100 --> 00:52:52,100
to thank, whether you come here to

960
00:52:52,100 --> 00:52:53,100
address an issue, or coming here to say

961
00:52:53,100 --> 00:52:54,100
thank you to the Board and the

962
00:52:54,100 --> 00:52:58,201
leadership team and staff for the work

963
00:53:01,100 --> 00:53:02,100
they do, whether coming here to address

964
00:53:02,100 --> 00:53:06,201
safety issues like Ms. Manny, we don't

965
00:53:10,100 --> 00:53:11,100
know what's going on in the community

966
00:53:11,100 --> 00:53:13,100
you are boots on the ground coming and

967
00:53:13,100 --> 00:53:16,100
talking to us, so we can be aware of

968
00:53:16,100 --> 00:53:17,100
situations. We can't be everywhere so

969
00:53:17,100 --> 00:53:19,100
your voice is important. I want to

970
00:53:19,100 --> 00:53:23,201
thank the Board for their service, for

971
00:53:24,100 --> 00:53:25,100
everything you do. I want to thank the

972
00:53:25,100 --> 00:53:28,100
CEO and leadership team and the staff

973
00:53:28,100 --> 00:53:32,801
for all the work they do. Thank you

974
00:53:33,100 --> 00:53:37,801
very much. I want to also address a

975
00:53:38,100 --> 00:53:41,601
couple of concerns we had regarding

976
00:53:45,100 --> 00:53:46,100
community connector. We will definitely

977
00:53:46,100 --> 00:53:51,100
take a look at that. Chief Tien is not here

978
00:53:51,100 --> 00:53:55,201
today, But I also wanted to recognize

979
00:53:56,100 --> 00:53:57,100
him and his team for the great work

980
00:53:57,100 --> 00:53:59,100
they do regarding the homeless. We have

981
00:53:59,100 --> 00:54:01,100
a lot of work and progress made, we

982
00:54:01,100 --> 00:54:05,801
still have work to do. But his group

983
00:54:06,100 --> 00:54:08,100
that interact with the homeless hour

984
00:54:08,100 --> 00:54:12,100
care unit, we lead with care, so I

985
00:54:12,100 --> 00:54:16,100
think they are doing a great job making

986
00:54:16,100 --> 00:54:19,100
sure they are sensitive to the needs of

987
00:54:19,100 --> 00:54:23,201
the community. Also want to, again I

988
00:54:25,100 --> 00:54:29,801
have a clicker, I am supposed to flip

989
00:54:30,100 --> 00:54:31,100
through here, let me see if I can do

990
00:54:31,100 --> 00:54:34,100
this. Also want to highlight the work

991
00:54:34,100 --> 00:54:36,100
in Gulfton, the curb2curb. We went

992
00:54:36,100 --> 00:54:40,801
on a ride along, the community is very

993
00:54:50,100 --> 00:54:51,100
excited about the curb2curb service

994
00:54:51,100 --> 00:54:53,100
now being extended into the Gulfton

995
00:54:53,100 --> 00:54:54,100
area this is a tremendous service that

996
00:54:54,100 --> 00:54:56,100
will help mothers with children, it

997
00:54:56,100 --> 00:54:59,601
will help our elderly, also connect

998
00:55:00,100 --> 00:55:02,100
people to places they need to go,

999
00:55:02,100 --> 00:55:05,100
picking them up from where they are and

1000
00:55:05,100 --> 00:55:09,801
taking them where they need to be. The

1001
00:55:10,100 --> 00:55:13,100
community connector, I mean the curb to

1002
00:55:13,100 --> 00:55:16,100
curb will circulate among the

1003
00:55:17,100 --> 00:55:18,100
community. We have also been working

1004
00:55:18,100 --> 00:55:20,401
with Commissioner [Indiscernible] on

1005
00:55:23,100 --> 00:55:24,100
the initiative. I appreciate all the

1006
00:55:24,100 --> 00:55:27,100
work that has been done there. We went

1007
00:55:27,100 --> 00:55:29,100
out and met with the community, they

1008
00:55:29,100 --> 00:55:33,100
are very very excited, as you can see

1009
00:55:33,100 --> 00:55:36,100
in the photos of the new service there.

1010
00:55:36,100 --> 00:55:39,100
I also want to thank Michael for the

1011
00:55:39,100 --> 00:55:42,100
implementation of the services. Also

1012
00:55:47,100 --> 00:55:50,601
I want to thank Council member

1013
00:55:51,100 --> 00:55:52,100
[Indiscernible] for inviting us to meet

1014
00:55:52,100 --> 00:55:54,100
with the LGBTQ+ community leaders

1015
00:55:54,100 --> 00:55:55,100
regarding how to better connect with

1016
00:55:55,100 --> 00:55:59,801
the community and what the needs are in

1017
00:56:00,100 --> 00:56:03,100
terms of safety and sensitivity

1018
00:56:09,100 --> 00:56:10,100
training. It was a very healthy meeting

1019
00:56:10,100 --> 00:56:11,100
on how we can interact better with the

1020
00:56:11,100 --> 00:56:12,100
Montrose center and serve that

1021
00:56:12,100 --> 00:56:15,100
community. Thank you Council Member

1022
00:56:15,100 --> 00:56:18,601
Castillo for helping us coordinate that

1023
00:56:21,100 --> 00:56:22,100
meeting. Also, this month we had the

1024
00:56:22,100 --> 00:56:25,100
Texas 21 statewide meeting held here.

1025
00:56:29,100 --> 00:56:30,100
The team was very very appreciative to

1026
00:56:30,100 --> 00:56:33,100
METRO for hosting a two day conference

1027
00:56:33,100 --> 00:56:37,201
On how to build a stronger more

1028
00:56:40,100 --> 00:56:41,100
connected transit system. Everybody

1029
00:56:41,100 --> 00:56:42,100
worked diligently to talk about issues

1030
00:56:42,100 --> 00:56:44,100
and how they can be improved. Our newly

1031
00:56:44,100 --> 00:56:47,601
elected Congressman came and spoke to

1032
00:56:51,100 --> 00:56:52,100
the group about how we can better

1033
00:56:52,100 --> 00:56:54,100
interact at the federal level and some

1034
00:56:54,100 --> 00:56:56,100
of the things he's thinking about. He

1035
00:56:56,100 --> 00:57:00,201
was listening to the feedback and also

1036
00:57:03,100 --> 00:57:07,100
talking to us about what he thinks, how

1037
00:57:07,100 --> 00:57:11,801
we can better engage with his office as

1038
00:57:14,100 --> 00:57:18,100
well. We also, I was able to moderate a

1039
00:57:18,100 --> 00:57:20,100
discussion with Commissioner Briones

1040
00:57:20,100 --> 00:57:22,100
with the greater Houston partnership.

1041
00:57:22,100 --> 00:57:26,801
We talked about the budget. It was very

1042
00:57:29,100 --> 00:57:30,100
much parallel process in terms of how

1043
00:57:30,100 --> 00:57:32,100
we are approaching the budget. You put

1044
00:57:32,100 --> 00:57:36,801
a process in place so you can support

1045
00:57:38,100 --> 00:57:40,100
programs and services and create

1046
00:57:40,100 --> 00:57:44,100
outcomes. I want to thank the County

1047
00:57:44,100 --> 00:57:46,100
Commissioners for the work they are

1048
00:57:46,100 --> 00:57:50,201
doing. It can be a tough process.

1049
00:57:52,100 --> 00:57:55,100
I want to thank our leadership team

1050
00:57:55,100 --> 00:57:58,100
and Tom Jasien for the work they are

1051
00:57:58,100 --> 00:58:01,601
doing. If you take into consideration

1052
00:58:04,100 --> 00:58:07,100
we just came off of a really busy FIFA

1053
00:58:07,100 --> 00:58:11,201
season. We had all hands on deck,

1054
00:58:13,100 --> 00:58:14,100
nobody taking vacation, everybody

1055
00:58:14,100 --> 00:58:17,100
working overtime to host the World Cup.

1056
00:58:17,100 --> 00:58:20,100
We nailed it, hit it out of the park.

1057
00:58:20,100 --> 00:58:22,100
Immediately rushed into budget season.

1058
00:58:22,100 --> 00:58:27,100
A lot of work has been done, I want to

1059
00:58:27,100 --> 00:58:28,100
take a moment to acknowledge that on

1060
00:58:28,100 --> 00:58:32,100
behalf of the team. It's been a busy

1061
00:58:32,100 --> 00:58:36,801
year. Thank you for your work. Also I

1062
00:58:37,100 --> 00:58:40,601
don't want to steal Director Morales

1063
00:58:41,100 --> 00:58:42,100
thunder but she will have comments

1064
00:58:42,100 --> 00:58:45,100
regarding the budget in the process and

1065
00:58:45,100 --> 00:58:49,201
principles as we go into the next

1066
00:58:50,100 --> 00:58:52,100
phase. She's also going to try to

1067
00:58:52,100 --> 00:58:54,401
coordinate another budget workshop,

1068
00:59:00,100 --> 00:59:01,100
that way we can continue to

1069
00:59:01,100 --> 00:59:03,100
double-click into the issues regarding

1070
00:59:03,100 --> 00:59:05,100
our budget process and get us to a

1071
00:59:05,100 --> 00:59:08,100
great place. Also want to remind people

1072
00:59:08,100 --> 00:59:12,100
as we talk about METRONext, and METRO

1073
00:59:12,100 --> 00:59:16,201
now principles, over the last, we have

1074
00:59:20,100 --> 00:59:22,100
implemented over $400 million worth of

1075
00:59:22,100 --> 00:59:24,401
METRONext initiatives, that includes

1076
00:59:26,100 --> 00:59:28,401
bus projects, Booster projects

1077
00:59:30,100 --> 00:59:31,100
universal accessibility projects

1078
00:59:31,100 --> 00:59:34,100
transit center improvements Park and

1079
00:59:34,100 --> 00:59:35,100
ride improvements. Many of the approved

1080
00:59:35,100 --> 00:59:38,100
items have been implemented, along with

1081
00:59:38,100 --> 00:59:41,100
METRO now initiatives to make sure we

1082
00:59:41,100 --> 00:59:44,601
are cleaner, more accessible. That we

1083
00:59:45,100 --> 00:59:48,100
have addressed good state of repair

1084
00:59:48,100 --> 00:59:52,801
that we are also taking care of the

1085
00:59:55,100 --> 00:59:58,100
issues that are safety concerns. Making

1086
00:59:58,100 --> 01:00:02,801
sure we have MPD fully staffed and have

1087
01:00:03,100 --> 01:00:06,100
a decentralized presence in the

1088
01:00:06,100 --> 01:00:09,100
community. Lots of work has been done.

1089
01:00:09,100 --> 01:00:12,100
Want to take a moment to acknowledge

1090
01:00:12,100 --> 01:00:16,201
that. Let's see if there is anything

1091
01:00:18,100 --> 01:00:21,100
else I want to highlight. Maybe my

1092
01:00:21,100 --> 01:00:25,100
clicker will tell me, I jumped into

1093
01:00:25,100 --> 01:00:27,100
that without clicking so there you have

1094
01:00:27,100 --> 01:00:30,601
it. That concludes my remarks, With

1095
01:00:33,100 --> 01:00:34,100
that I will turn it over to Mr. Jasien

1096
01:00:34,100 --> 01:00:35,100
who will present his president and CEO

1097
01:00:35,100 --> 01:00:38,100
comments. Thank you Chair Brock,

1098
01:00:39,100 --> 01:00:42,100
Michael Andreotti, you were clearly

1099
01:00:43,100 --> 01:00:45,100
winning today. I'm keeping score and

1100
01:00:45,100 --> 01:00:48,100
you are way ahead of everybody so

1101
01:00:48,100 --> 01:00:51,601
congratulations. I did want to make

1102
01:00:53,100 --> 01:00:56,100
note, we talked about METRO and coming

1103
01:00:56,100 --> 01:00:59,100
out of FIFA and our police focus was

1104
01:00:59,100 --> 01:01:02,100
quite active during FIFA. We have not

1105
01:01:02,100 --> 01:01:06,201
stopped what we are doing. While it's

1106
01:01:08,100 --> 01:01:11,100
continuing to be a challenge, I want

1107
01:01:11,100 --> 01:01:15,201
you to be aware Board that METRO

1108
01:01:17,100 --> 01:01:18,100
police, every sworn officer from the

1109
01:01:18,100 --> 01:01:19,100
chief down to the newest recruit, is

1110
01:01:19,100 --> 01:01:23,201
out on the system. There's a new

1111
01:01:24,100 --> 01:01:26,401
requirement they [Indiscernible] four

1112
01:01:28,100 --> 01:01:29,100
hours per week. There is a presence

1113
01:01:29,100 --> 01:01:32,100
spreading throughout the system not

1114
01:01:33,100 --> 01:01:36,100
just the train but the bus network as

1115
01:01:36,100 --> 01:01:40,201
well. This will be helpful to help

1116
01:01:41,100 --> 01:01:44,100
address the issue of a safe environment

1117
01:01:44,100 --> 01:01:48,100
to operate in and ride in. We look

1118
01:01:48,100 --> 01:01:51,601
forward to reporting the results of

1119
01:01:54,100 --> 01:01:55,100
that initiative. Just wanted you to be

1120
01:01:55,100 --> 01:01:57,100
aware that is something not talked

1121
01:01:57,100 --> 01:02:00,100
about very much. Now I want to mention,

1122
01:02:00,100 --> 01:02:02,100
the thing we enjoyed to do every month.

1123
01:02:02,100 --> 01:02:05,100
The bus operators of the month. I want

1124
01:02:05,100 --> 01:02:09,201
to acknowledge them and call them out.

1125
01:02:11,100 --> 01:02:14,601
Cavelle Nash from Hiram Clarke, Patrice

1126
01:02:16,100 --> 01:02:20,100
Walton from Polk, Mohammed -- from West,

1127
01:02:20,100 --> 01:02:23,100
Wanda McDonald Robinson from Fallbrook,

1128
01:02:29,100 --> 01:02:32,100
Adenuga Gabedo from Kashmere. Okay

1129
01:02:35,100 --> 01:02:38,100
thank you. Those are the top operators

1130
01:02:38,100 --> 01:02:42,801
of the month, please give them a round

1131
01:02:49,100 --> 01:02:50,100
of applause. [Applause] I'd also like

1132
01:02:50,100 --> 01:02:54,100
to add we have the top techs of the

1133
01:02:54,100 --> 01:02:57,100
month. Julio Nieto from Kashmere

1134
01:03:03,100 --> 01:03:04,100
Agusto Alvarado from West. Hector Marino

1135
01:03:04,100 --> 01:03:06,100
from electronic maintenance and Kevin

1136
01:03:06,100 --> 01:03:07,100
Washington from Fallbrook. Let's give

1137
01:03:07,100 --> 01:03:10,601
them a round of applause [Applause].

1138
01:03:12,100 --> 01:03:13,100
Our top METROLift contract service

1139
01:03:13,100 --> 01:03:16,601
operators of the month, Pedro Sepulveda

1140
01:03:23,100 --> 01:03:25,401
METROLift Transdev operator, Anthony

1141
01:03:29,100 --> 01:03:31,100
Jones Transdev operator Derek Brown

1142
01:03:31,100 --> 01:03:34,601
METROLift MVD operator. Give them a

1143
01:03:41,100 --> 01:03:42,100
round of applause and could the entire

1144
01:03:42,100 --> 01:03:43,100
group come forward for a quick

1145
01:03:43,100 --> 01:03:45,100
photograph.

1146
01:05:12,100 --> 01:05:16,801
>>Thank you. If I could now refer to

1147
01:05:38,100 --> 01:05:42,201
our retirees coming up this month. I

1148
01:05:44,100 --> 01:05:48,100
want to recognize Ray Linford with 27 years

1149
01:05:48,100 --> 01:05:51,100
of experience, Elliott Swainson with 33

1150
01:05:54,100 --> 01:05:57,100
years of service. I want to thank them

1151
01:05:57,100 --> 01:05:58,100
and let them know we appreciate all

1152
01:05:58,100 --> 01:06:01,100
their service to METRO and the

1153
01:06:01,100 --> 01:06:02,100
community. A copy of the proclamation

1154
01:06:02,100 --> 01:06:06,201
is in the packet to consider today.

1155
01:06:08,100 --> 01:06:09,100
Before I close I want to recognize

1156
01:06:09,100 --> 01:06:10,100
somebody else who is retiring and did

1157
01:06:10,100 --> 01:06:13,100
not make the list. It snuck up on us

1158
01:06:13,100 --> 01:06:16,100
but we have someone here in the

1159
01:06:16,100 --> 01:06:19,100
audience by the name of Allen Clark. If

1160
01:06:19,100 --> 01:06:22,100
you have not met Allen coming you have

1161
01:06:22,100 --> 01:06:26,201
missed it. Allen will retire next week.

1162
01:06:28,100 --> 01:06:29,100
We are thrilled for Allan to be able to

1163
01:06:29,100 --> 01:06:32,100
move on in retirement. I want to

1164
01:06:32,100 --> 01:06:36,100
acknowledge all the work he has done

1165
01:06:36,100 --> 01:06:40,100
for METRO. He came to us five years ago

1166
01:06:40,100 --> 01:06:43,601
from HGAC, He brought decades of

1167
01:06:50,100 --> 01:06:51,100
knowledge and experience not to mention

1168
01:06:51,100 --> 01:06:52,100
the fact that decades ago he started at

1169
01:06:52,100 --> 01:06:55,100
METRO as a young planner. Allen has had

1170
01:06:55,100 --> 01:06:56,100
a tremendous impact in shaping the

1171
01:06:56,100 --> 01:06:59,601
future of this organization. He has

1172
01:07:01,100 --> 01:07:04,601
served as the chief strategy officer

1173
01:07:05,100 --> 01:07:06,100
and led the department with vision and

1174
01:07:06,100 --> 01:07:09,100
clear focus on positioning METRO for

1175
01:07:09,100 --> 01:07:10,100
long-term success. Allen's significant

1176
01:07:10,100 --> 01:07:12,401
accomplishments is his leadership,

1177
01:07:17,100 --> 01:07:18,100
Hundreds of millions of dollars in

1178
01:07:18,100 --> 01:07:19,100
federal funds and other grant funding

1179
01:07:19,100 --> 01:07:21,100
to address METRO priorities and major

1180
01:07:21,100 --> 01:07:22,100
investments. Allen's contributions go

1181
01:07:22,100 --> 01:07:25,100
beyond funding and strategy, He's been

1182
01:07:25,100 --> 01:07:28,601
a trusted advisor and thoughtful leader

1183
01:07:29,100 --> 01:07:30,100
dedicated public servant, always kept

1184
01:07:30,100 --> 01:07:31,100
the mission of METRO and people we

1185
01:07:31,100 --> 01:07:35,201
serve at the forefront. Allen thank you

1186
01:07:36,100 --> 01:07:39,100
for your leadership, Your dedication

1187
01:07:39,100 --> 01:07:40,100
and lasting impact you have made on the

1188
01:07:40,100 --> 01:07:43,601
organization and community at large. We

1189
01:07:45,100 --> 01:07:47,100
wish you a well-deserved retirement

1190
01:07:47,100 --> 01:07:48,100
with happiness good health and plenty

1191
01:07:48,100 --> 01:07:51,100
of time to enjoy what comes next.

1192
01:07:51,100 --> 01:07:52,100
Congratulations Allan and thank you for

1193
01:07:52,100 --> 01:07:56,201
everything you have done. Will you take

1194
01:08:02,100 --> 01:08:03,100
a bow? [Applause]

1195
01:08:03,100 --> 01:08:07,801
>> I'd like to get a legal opinion on

1196
01:08:09,100 --> 01:08:12,601
this, We truly appreciate your service

1197
01:08:16,100 --> 01:08:19,601
Allen. You will be dearly missed. .

1198
01:08:28,100 --> 01:08:29,100
That concludes my report

1199
01:08:29,100 --> 01:08:31,100
>> Thank you Mr. Jasien. We will now

1200
01:08:31,100 --> 01:08:34,601
turn to the monthly working committee

1201
01:08:35,100 --> 01:08:36,100
reports, First Vice Chair Preston

1202
01:08:36,100 --> 01:08:39,100
filling in for Secretary Fry for the

1203
01:08:39,100 --> 01:08:40,100
committee will present the monthly

1204
01:08:40,100 --> 01:08:41,100
committee report

1205
01:08:41,100 --> 01:08:45,801
>> Let me say, I was out of the

1206
01:08:47,100 --> 01:08:48,100
country. Reverend Preston decided to

1207
01:08:48,100 --> 01:08:49,100
sit in for me when he was told to.

1208
01:08:49,100 --> 01:08:53,801
Thank you for doing that. It's in good

1209
01:08:56,100 --> 01:08:57,100
hands take off

1210
01:08:57,100 --> 01:08:58,100
>> Thank you Board Member Fry for the

1211
01:08:58,100 --> 01:09:02,801
privilege to sit in on your behalf. Of

1212
01:09:07,100 --> 01:09:08,100
course this is the committee report for

1213
01:09:08,100 --> 01:09:09,100
the infrastructure mobility planning

1214
01:09:09,100 --> 01:09:10,100
working committee we met on August 19,

1215
01:09:10,100 --> 01:09:14,100
we did have public comment. We have one

1216
01:09:14,100 --> 01:09:17,100
Board requests authorization item. And

1217
01:09:17,100 --> 01:09:21,201
then we had our committee briefings. We

1218
01:09:22,100 --> 01:09:25,100
had committee briefing on the capital

1219
01:09:25,100 --> 01:09:28,601
project update, the Gulfton bus rapid,

1220
01:09:30,100 --> 01:09:31,100
we had the universal accessibility and

1221
01:09:31,100 --> 01:09:34,100
bus shelter program update, we had the

1222
01:09:34,100 --> 01:09:37,100
construction update. Following that we

1223
01:09:39,100 --> 01:09:43,201
had a briefing on the Wheeler transit

1224
01:09:46,100 --> 01:09:47,100
center reconstruction. That concludes

1225
01:09:47,100 --> 01:09:50,100
my report for today for the

1226
01:09:50,100 --> 01:09:51,100
infrastructure mobility planning

1227
01:09:51,100 --> 01:09:52,100
working committees

1228
01:09:52,100 --> 01:09:55,601
>> Thank you first Chair Preston. Next

1229
01:09:57,100 --> 01:09:58,100
vice Chair Preston Chair of Public

1230
01:09:58,100 --> 01:10:00,100
Safety Committee will present his

1231
01:10:00,100 --> 01:10:03,601
report. Thank you once again Madam

1232
01:10:04,100 --> 01:10:05,100
Chair. The Public Safety working

1233
01:10:05,100 --> 01:10:08,100
committee report is as follows, we met

1234
01:10:08,100 --> 01:10:11,601
on August 19, 2026. We did have public

1235
01:10:14,100 --> 01:10:16,100
comment. Following that we had a

1236
01:10:16,100 --> 01:10:18,100
monthly safety message. The topic was

1237
01:10:18,100 --> 01:10:21,601
back to school, getting people ready

1238
01:10:22,100 --> 01:10:25,100
for travel and being safe during the

1239
01:10:25,100 --> 01:10:28,100
school day. We had one request board

1240
01:10:28,100 --> 01:10:31,100
authorization item. Following that we

1241
01:10:31,100 --> 01:10:34,100
had to committee briefing items. One

1242
01:10:34,100 --> 01:10:37,601
was the monthly police security report,

1243
01:10:38,100 --> 01:10:42,100
the other the monthly bus and rail

1244
01:10:42,100 --> 01:10:43,100
safety report. That concludes our

1245
01:10:43,100 --> 01:10:44,100
report for today

1246
01:10:44,100 --> 01:10:47,601
>> Thank you First Vice Chair Preston.

1247
01:10:48,100 --> 01:10:51,100
Director Ponce Chair of customer

1248
01:10:51,100 --> 01:10:52,100
experience operation committee will

1249
01:10:52,100 --> 01:10:53,100
present his report

1250
01:10:53,100 --> 01:10:56,100
>> Thank you Madam Chair. Also thank

1251
01:10:56,100 --> 01:10:57,100
you Reverend Preston for chairing the

1252
01:10:57,100 --> 01:11:01,201
last week committee meeting. We had two

1253
01:11:03,100 --> 01:11:04,100
registered, I'm sorry this is for the

1254
01:11:04,100 --> 01:11:06,401
customer experience operation committee

1255
01:11:07,100 --> 01:11:10,100
report, we had two registered speakers

1256
01:11:10,100 --> 01:11:11,100
this month. The committee discussed and

1257
01:11:11,100 --> 01:11:14,100
recommended for items for board

1258
01:11:19,100 --> 01:11:20,100
approval. I do want to highlight today

1259
01:11:20,100 --> 01:11:24,100
item number 13 this will be a new

1260
01:11:24,100 --> 01:11:25,100
system to enhance safety not just for

1261
01:11:25,100 --> 01:11:26,100
riders but to monitor driver behavior.

1262
01:11:26,100 --> 01:11:30,801
I believe this goes in line within our

1263
01:11:31,100 --> 01:11:35,801
METRO now goal to keep riders safe. We

1264
01:11:37,100 --> 01:11:40,100
also have four committee briefing

1265
01:11:40,100 --> 01:11:42,100
items, two were the regular monthly

1266
01:11:42,100 --> 01:11:44,401
discussions, monthly operation report,

1267
01:11:45,100 --> 01:11:48,100
monthly business development report, in

1268
01:11:52,100 --> 01:11:53,100
addition we received an update on

1269
01:11:53,100 --> 01:11:55,401
METROLift procurement quarterly reports

1270
01:11:58,100 --> 01:12:01,100
FY26 third-quarter. This concludes the

1271
01:12:02,100 --> 01:12:03,100
customer experience operation committee

1272
01:12:03,100 --> 01:12:04,100
report thank you

1273
01:12:04,100 --> 01:12:07,601
>> Thank you Director Ponce. Next is

1274
01:12:12,100 --> 01:12:13,100
Second Vice Chair Vilaseca Chair of

1275
01:12:13,100 --> 01:12:14,100
audit human services will report her

1276
01:12:14,100 --> 01:12:15,100
report

1277
01:12:15,100 --> 01:12:17,401
>> Good morning everybody. Home

1278
01:12:18,100 --> 01:12:19,100
Wednesday, August 19 HR committee is

1279
01:12:19,100 --> 01:12:20,100
conducted in the boardroom. There were

1280
01:12:20,100 --> 01:12:24,100
a few public comments. There were two

1281
01:12:24,100 --> 01:12:27,100
committee briefing items presented by

1282
01:12:27,100 --> 01:12:30,601
staff. The first the monthly audit

1283
01:12:31,100 --> 01:12:34,100
compliance report, the second the human

1284
01:12:34,100 --> 01:12:36,100
resources metrics report. There are no

1285
01:12:36,100 --> 01:12:37,100
board authorization items presented on

1286
01:12:37,100 --> 01:12:40,601
today's agenda from the meeting. That

1287
01:12:42,100 --> 01:12:43,100
concludes the report thank you

1288
01:12:43,100 --> 01:12:46,100
>> Thank you Second Vice Chair

1289
01:12:46,100 --> 01:12:49,100
Vilaseca. Director Morales Chair of

1290
01:12:50,100 --> 01:12:51,100
finance business administration will

1291
01:12:51,100 --> 01:12:52,100
present her report

1292
01:12:52,100 --> 01:12:54,100
>> Thank you Chair Brock. The finance

1293
01:12:54,100 --> 01:12:57,100
business administration meeting met on

1294
01:12:58,100 --> 01:13:02,100
August 19, We had one item for board

1295
01:13:02,100 --> 01:13:03,100
approval the program for projects

1296
01:13:03,100 --> 01:13:06,601
fiscal year 2026 FTA formula funds. We

1297
01:13:07,100 --> 01:13:10,100
had two briefing items one the regular

1298
01:13:10,100 --> 01:13:11,100
monthly financial report. The full

1299
01:13:11,100 --> 01:13:13,100
report is in the board packet, we

1300
01:13:13,100 --> 01:13:16,601
discussed sales tax revenue, there is

1301
01:13:17,100 --> 01:13:20,100
softness including World Cup tax

1302
01:13:20,100 --> 01:13:24,100
revenue. It is below projection of what

1303
01:13:24,100 --> 01:13:27,601
we originally anticipated however it is

1304
01:13:30,100 --> 01:13:31,100
enough. If you add that to the grant

1305
01:13:31,100 --> 01:13:34,100
money enough to make a profit after the

1306
01:13:34,100 --> 01:13:35,100
World Cup expenses. We also had a

1307
01:13:35,100 --> 01:13:38,100
briefing item for fiscal year 27

1308
01:13:39,100 --> 01:13:41,100
budget. We are facing headwinds due to

1309
01:13:41,100 --> 01:13:44,601
the softness and sales tax revenue

1310
01:13:48,100 --> 01:13:49,100
while seeing increases to our cost such

1311
01:13:49,100 --> 01:13:52,100
as field and labor. However I am

1312
01:13:52,100 --> 01:13:54,100
encouraged because of the hard work of

1313
01:13:54,100 --> 01:13:57,601
the Board, the finance team, Tom

1314
01:14:00,100 --> 01:14:03,100
Jasien. As Chair Brock mentioned, we

1315
01:14:03,100 --> 01:14:07,201
are adding an additional workshop to be

1316
01:14:08,100 --> 01:14:10,100
scheduled next week. The bottom line is

1317
01:14:10,100 --> 01:14:13,100
that everybody is committed to ensure

1318
01:14:13,100 --> 01:14:16,601
we maximize our resources while not

1319
01:14:20,100 --> 01:14:23,601
compromising our core services and our

1320
01:14:25,100 --> 01:14:26,100
ridership. I think that is on

1321
01:14:26,100 --> 01:14:28,100
everyone's mind so I'm encouraged about

1322
01:14:28,100 --> 01:14:31,601
that. This concludes my report. Thank

1323
01:14:32,100 --> 01:14:33,100
you Director Morales, thank you for all

1324
01:14:33,100 --> 01:14:36,100
the work you have done to get us to

1325
01:14:36,100 --> 01:14:40,201
this point. Thank you for listening to

1326
01:14:43,100 --> 01:14:44,100
the Board members and adding a solution

1327
01:14:44,100 --> 01:14:47,601
of an additional meeting. You've done

1328
01:14:49,100 --> 01:14:53,100
to make sure we don't have anything

1329
01:14:53,100 --> 01:14:54,100
that impacts services, thank you very

1330
01:14:54,100 --> 01:14:57,100
much for your service in this process.

1331
01:14:57,100 --> 01:15:01,100
We will now turn to the consent agenda.

1332
01:15:01,100 --> 01:15:02,100
Do we have a motion to approve the

1333
01:15:02,100 --> 01:15:05,100
items on the consent agenda? Preston so

1334
01:15:05,100 --> 01:15:09,201
moved, is there a second? Ponce second.

1335
01:15:18,100 --> 01:15:19,100
It has been properly moved and seconded

1336
01:15:19,100 --> 01:15:20,100
the consent agenda be approved any

1337
01:15:20,100 --> 01:15:21,100
discussion? All in favor? Opposed? The

1338
01:15:21,100 --> 01:15:25,100
ayes have it. Let's turn to items for

1339
01:15:25,100 --> 01:15:26,100
separate consideration. Item 11

1340
01:15:26,100 --> 01:15:29,601
>> First Vice Chair Fry. Preston. I'm

1341
01:15:38,100 --> 01:15:39,100
reading it sorry.

1342
01:15:39,100 --> 01:15:42,601
>> Madam Chair, item 11, I move the

1343
01:15:47,100 --> 01:15:48,100
board authorize Interim President CEO

1344
01:15:48,100 --> 01:15:51,601
to negotiate and execute a sole-source

1345
01:15:54,100 --> 01:15:56,401
contract with Frauscher Sensor

1346
01:15:59,100 --> 01:16:00,100
Technology Inc. for a purchase of

1347
01:16:00,100 --> 01:16:03,100
interlocking axle counters with a

1348
01:16:04,100 --> 01:16:06,401
maximum contract amount of 1,538,000.

1349
01:16:11,100 --> 01:16:15,201
>> Bob Fry second. It has been properly

1350
01:16:17,100 --> 01:16:20,601
moved and seconded. Any discussion? All

1351
01:16:23,100 --> 01:16:24,100
in favor? Opposed? The ayes have it and

1352
01:16:24,100 --> 01:16:27,601
the motion has been approved. Item 12

1353
01:16:34,100 --> 01:16:35,100
Director Morales

1354
01:16:35,100 --> 01:16:36,100
>> I move the Board approved the

1355
01:16:36,100 --> 01:16:37,100
program of projects for fiscal year 26

1356
01:16:37,100 --> 01:16:38,100
FTA formula funds outlined in Board

1357
01:16:38,100 --> 01:16:39,100
meeting materials authorize interim

1358
01:16:39,100 --> 01:16:42,601
president and CEO to approve final

1359
01:16:43,100 --> 01:16:45,401
adjustment funding allocations Submit

1360
01:16:50,100 --> 01:16:51,100
associated FTA grant applications

1361
01:16:51,100 --> 01:16:52,100
perform required administrative actions

1362
01:16:52,100 --> 01:16:55,100
and execute grant agreements and

1363
01:16:56,100 --> 01:16:57,100
related documents to secure and

1364
01:16:57,100 --> 01:17:00,601
administer FTA formula grants for the

1365
01:17:03,100 --> 01:17:04,100
Houston urbanized area consistent with

1366
01:17:04,100 --> 01:17:05,100
METRO projects capital plans and

1367
01:17:05,100 --> 01:17:06,100
federal grant requirements

1368
01:17:06,100 --> 01:17:08,100
>> Is there a second? Preston's second.

1369
01:17:08,100 --> 01:17:10,100
It has been properly moved and

1370
01:17:10,100 --> 01:17:12,401
seconded. All in favor?

1371
01:17:14,100 --> 01:17:18,100
>> Hi there, it is me. I know we are

1372
01:17:18,100 --> 01:17:22,201
moving click through these few items. I

1373
01:17:23,100 --> 01:17:24,100
wanted to go ahead and speak to this

1374
01:17:24,100 --> 01:17:29,401
item if that is okay Madam Chair. I do

1375
01:17:30,100 --> 01:17:33,100
want to say, I know the formula funds

1376
01:17:33,100 --> 01:17:36,100
are distributed across METRO service

1377
01:17:36,100 --> 01:17:40,100
here in the city that county works

1378
01:17:40,100 --> 01:17:41,100
collaboratively with the county to go

1379
01:17:41,100 --> 01:17:43,100
through the process to make sure funds

1380
01:17:43,100 --> 01:17:45,100
are distributed in time to make sure

1381
01:17:45,100 --> 01:17:48,601
there is no service interruptions or

1382
01:17:50,100 --> 01:17:51,100
anything like that. I wanted to say

1383
01:17:51,100 --> 01:17:54,100
that Harris County rides program, to

1384
01:17:54,100 --> 01:17:57,100
share about it, it provides service in

1385
01:17:57,100 --> 01:17:58,100
unincorporated Harris County, a lot of

1386
01:17:58,100 --> 01:18:02,100
residents depend on it. It is valuable

1387
01:18:02,100 --> 01:18:05,100
and needed, and available to residents

1388
01:18:05,100 --> 01:18:08,100
in those parts. There are rising costs

1389
01:18:08,100 --> 01:18:09,100
to operate it. We all know there are

1390
01:18:09,100 --> 01:18:12,100
constraints all around on funding

1391
01:18:12,100 --> 01:18:16,201
sources all around. I want to emphasize

1392
01:18:17,100 --> 01:18:18,100
as we have earlier and throughout the

1393
01:18:18,100 --> 01:18:20,100
discussions and budget season and

1394
01:18:20,100 --> 01:18:21,100
today, we don't want service to be in

1395
01:18:21,100 --> 01:18:24,100
danger or compromised in any way. With

1396
01:18:24,100 --> 01:18:28,201
that I just wanted to share those

1397
01:18:29,100 --> 01:18:30,100
comments as we have Any further

1398
01:18:30,100 --> 01:18:33,100
discussion? on the agenda item. I

1399
01:18:33,100 --> 01:18:34,100
wanted to share those thoughts on

1400
01:18:34,100 --> 01:18:38,201
behalf of the county. , Thank you for

1401
01:18:42,100 --> 01:18:43,100
your comments we also share your values

1402
01:18:43,100 --> 01:18:46,100
to ensure we don't have disruption of

1403
01:18:46,100 --> 01:18:47,100
service thank you.

1404
01:18:47,100 --> 01:18:50,601
>> Any more discussion? All in favor?

1405
01:18:54,100 --> 01:18:55,100
Opposed? The ayes have it and the

1406
01:18:55,100 --> 01:18:58,100
motion has been approved. Item 13

1407
01:18:58,100 --> 01:18:59,100
Director Ponce

1408
01:18:59,100 --> 01:19:03,201
>> Thank you Madam Chair. I move the

1409
01:19:12,100 --> 01:19:13,100
Board authorize interim president and

1410
01:19:13,100 --> 01:19:14,100
CEO to negotiate and execute a one-year

1411
01:19:14,100 --> 01:19:15,100
sole-source contract with Seon Design

1412
01:19:15,100 --> 01:19:18,601
DBA safe fleet to upgrade METRO

1413
01:19:19,100 --> 01:19:22,601
existing safe fleet video system all

1414
01:19:24,100 --> 01:19:27,601
METRO revenue vehicles to a cloud-based

1415
01:19:32,100 --> 01:19:34,401
operation called Nexus, $289,560. Is

1416
01:19:38,100 --> 01:19:41,100
there a second? Second by Bob Fry. It

1417
01:19:41,100 --> 01:19:44,601
has been properly moved and seconded.

1418
01:19:48,100 --> 01:19:49,100
Any discussion? All in favor? Opposed?

1419
01:19:49,100 --> 01:19:51,100
The ayes have it and the motion has

1420
01:19:51,100 --> 01:19:54,601
been approved. Item 14 First Vice Chair

1421
01:19:55,100 --> 01:19:59,201
Preston. Thank you Madam Chair I moved

1422
01:20:00,100 --> 01:20:01,100
the Board authorize interim President

1423
01:20:01,100 --> 01:20:04,100
and CEO to negotiate and execute a

1424
01:20:04,100 --> 01:20:05,100
one-year interlocal agreement with

1425
01:20:05,100 --> 01:20:08,601
Houston forensic science Center Inc. to

1426
01:20:10,100 --> 01:20:12,100
provide MPD with accredited forensic

1427
01:20:12,100 --> 01:20:14,100
laboratory services on an as-needed

1428
01:20:14,100 --> 01:20:17,601
basis for maximum contract amount of

1429
01:20:22,100 --> 01:20:23,100
$250,000

1430
01:20:23,100 --> 01:20:24,100
>> Is there a second? Ponce second.

1431
01:20:24,100 --> 01:20:28,201
The item has been properly moved and

1432
01:20:31,100 --> 01:20:32,100
seconded. All in favor? Opposed? The

1433
01:20:32,100 --> 01:20:36,801
ayes have it and the motion has been

1434
01:20:37,100 --> 01:20:38,100
approved.

1435
01:20:38,100 --> 01:20:42,201
>>Okay, there are no further items on

1436
01:20:54,100 --> 01:20:56,100
the agenda. Do we have a motion for

1437
01:20:56,100 --> 01:20:59,601
adjournment? Preston so moved. Is there

1438
01:21:01,100 --> 01:21:03,100
a second? Ponce second. It has been

1439
01:21:03,100 --> 01:21:06,100
properly moved and seconded. Any

1440
01:21:07,100 --> 01:21:10,601
discussion? All in favor any opposed

1441
01:21:12,100 --> 01:21:16,801
The ayes have it and the motion has

1442
01:21:24,100 --> 01:21:25,100
been approved. We stand adjourned,

1443
01:21:25,100 --> 01:21:26,100
thank you everyone for your service.

1444
01:21:26,100 --> 01:21:28,401
>> Wednesday, September 2 at 1 PM