[0:05] >> It is 9 AM on the dot. Good morning
[0:08] ladies and gentlemen welcome to the
[0:09] August meeting at the METRO Board of
[0:10] Directors. I will now call the meeting
[0:14] to order Ms. Greenhouse will commence
[0:15] the roll call of Board members. Good
[0:20] Morning, please respond when you hear
[0:21] your name to confirm attendance for the
[0:23] record. Chair Brock present First Vice
[0:24] Chair Preston present Second Vice Chair
[0:25] Vilaseca Secretary Fry here Director Han
[0:40] Director Han Director Ponce here Director
[0:46] Trevino. I Vilaseca? She should be joining
[0:48] virtually any moment
[0:55] >> Let the record reflect a quorum of the
[0:56] Board is present. METRO is conducting
[0:57] the meeting using inclusive practices so
[1:02] you can watch, hear or
[1:08] participate in the discussion. This
[1:09] is in line with our continuing commitment
[1:10] to increase accessibility for all.
[1:11] Closed caption is available for those
[1:12] viewing the meeting online. I'd like to
[1:16] remind Board members to state your name
[1:17] for the record when making or
[1:19] seconding a motion on any item of
[1:20] business for the agenda. Are there any
[1:23] registered speakers that would like to
[1:27] provide public comment on item number
[1:28] one of the agenda? Seeing none, The
[1:34] Board will consider approval of the
[1:35] minutes from July 30, 2026. Is there a
[1:38] motion? Preston so moved, second. It
[1:47] has been properly moved and seconded
[1:48] the minutes of the meeting July 30,
[1:50] 2026 of the METRO Board of Directors
[1:52] has been approved. Any discussion? All
[1:57] in favor? Any opposed? The ayes have it
[2:00] and the motion has been approved. Ms.
[2:10] Greenhouse will call the names of
[2:11] speakers who have registered to provide
[2:12] public comment on the remaining agenda
[2:15] items. . We have 19 speakers to address
[2:16] the Board this month. Each speaker has
[2:18] three minutes to provide comment. The
[2:29] first speaker is Dexter Handy
[2:30] >>Good morning. I am Dexter Handy, United
[2:36] States Air Force retired, I chaired the
[2:40] complete streets coalition and citizen
[2:46] transportation coalition also the vice
[2:47] president of super neighborhood
[2:52] coalition 22. I want to thank METRO
[2:53] for the improvements made to
[2:54] Washington Avenue along the Boost 85
[2:57] route. As you may know that coalition
[3:00] and the greater Houston coalition for
[3:01] complete streets are committed to
[3:02] making streets safer for all people
[3:03] from ages eight through 80 and beyond
[3:09] including mass transit riders
[3:11] pedestrians bicyclists the elderly and the
[3:12] Disabled. In the summer of 2025,
[3:19] In cooperation for Houston hosting
[3:20] World Cup events you all repaved
[3:21] several major thoroughfare routes. We
[3:25] asked if you were fixing streets could
[3:26] you also fix the sidewalks and
[3:27] crosswalks and enhance the bus stops as
[3:31] well. We already provided will you with
[3:34] results of the Washington Avenue which
[3:36] documented over 300 sidewalk
[3:42] intersection crosswalk and bus stop
[3:43] efficiencies along this path with
[3:44] recommendations for enhancements and
[3:47] improvements. Over 85 volunteers
[3:51] completed 10 audits producing over 1000
[3:55] photographs and images of deficiencies
[3:56] in addition to 300 deficiencies
[4:00] mentioned before. We reference the
[4:01] report we provided you as a guide for
[4:04] fixing the corridor. Your team got to
[4:06] work and fixed are cracked and broken
[4:07] sidewalks added bus shelters, with
[4:09] seating we really love that, restriped
[4:12] and redid the major crosswalks with
[4:20] high visibility striping making things
[4:21] safer for pedestrians including the
[4:22] aged and ADA folks and mass transit
[4:23] users. We really appreciate the work
[4:24] you did for us. . And schedules during
[4:39] this period improved our local commuter
[4:43] experience in addition to the ability
[4:45] to move hundreds of thousands of fans
[4:46] to and from the Fan Fest experience. I
[4:55] encourage you to look at ways to keep
[4:56] the service running long-term as it
[4:57] appears to reduce congestion and help
[4:58] improve overall air quality during this
[4:59] period according to recent reports.
[5:03] Again thank you for all you are doing
[5:04] to improve our transportation
[5:08] experience in Houston. Thank you
[5:09] >> Thank you Mr. Handley. I'd like to
[5:14] note for the record Second Vice Chair
[5:15] Vilaseca has joined virtually. The next
[5:24] speaker is Stacy Fairchild
[5:25] >>Good morning. I am here to thank you
[5:32] all for the boost 85 project
[5:35] improvements. Very well received in
[5:38] Washington corridor. You all were very
[5:42] responsive to us whenever we requested
[5:45] some additional improvements. As it
[5:49] pertains to crosswalks at seven
[5:50] intersections along the Avenue. I'm
[5:51] here to thank you, I'm sorry my breath
[5:54] is out I was walking upstairs. Very
[6:01] much appreciated, also, Mr. Jasien, I
[6:05] appreciate you responding whenever the
[6:09] cement trash cans were in the right
[6:11] lane on both sides of Washington Avenue
[6:12] at two different shelters. Within the
[6:14] hour they were picked up and put back
[6:17] in their rightful place. You know, you
[6:23] all are great to work with and thank
[6:24] you for the service. Chief Tien has
[6:26] been highly responsive whenever we've
[6:29] had issues with homeless hanging out at
[6:35] the different shelters along the
[6:38] Avenue. I have noticed that PD officers
[6:41] handle these individuals with care
[6:44] which is very much appreciated. Also
[6:49] the shelters, we love the improvements
[6:51] all of them. They are all clean. We
[6:56] look forward to what else you have in
[6:57] the corridor for us so thank you
[6:58] >> Thank you Ms. Fairchild. The next
[7:06] speaker is Mr. John Nix [Speaker off
[7:15] mic]. The next speaker is Ariel Stone
[7:16] >>Ms. Stone is virtual
[7:17] >> The next speaker is Melissa Manney
[7:39] >> Good morning. Good morning. Okay. As
[7:58] the owner and property manager retail
[7:59] center at 15155 Westheimer Road we
[8:00] request the relocation of bus stop 7886
[8:01] due to vagrant activity and ongoing
[8:02] security will concerns. These extend to
[8:04] the neighboring property at 15015
[8:08] Westheimer Road. The owner has made
[8:12] significant investments additional
[8:13] security measures including extensive
[8:19] camera surveillance system, planned
[8:20] barbed wire fence along the rail of the
[8:21] property and security patrols while
[8:22] these measures are intended to mitigate
[8:24] ongoing concerns we believe relocating
[8:25] the bus stop will provide additional
[8:27] benefit and improve the situation. ,
[8:34] Despite the security measures we
[8:35] continue to experience recurring issues
[8:36] including individual sleeping on the
[8:38] property accumulation of trash and
[8:39] human waste and break-ins. Most recently
[8:45] at 15015 Westheimer experienced a break
[8:50] in last month. We included several
[8:51] photos for representative examples of
[8:52] activity on the property daily. The
[8:55] safety and well-being of tenants and
[8:56] patrons is our highest priority. We
[9:03] want tenants to fill safe secure and
[9:04] comfortable while operating business
[9:05] allowing them to thrive and remain at
[9:07] the property long-term. Their success
[9:10] is essential to individual businesses
[9:11] and maintaining a safe stable retail
[9:13] center. Given the ongoing tenant
[9:22] safety security and overall condition
[9:23] of the property we request that bus
[9:24] stop 7886 be reviewed and relocated to
[9:25] a more suitable location. We believe
[9:32] this change combined with security
[9:33] measures implemented will significantly
[9:34] improve the safety and overall
[9:35] environment for tenants patrons and
[9:36] surrounding properties.
[9:37] >> Thank you for your comments.
[9:41] Apologies that you are having to deal
[9:44] with these issues. We want to make sure
[9:48] we address them. We have cheap TM not
[9:49] hear about Santiago, you can get with
[9:53] Santiago for some resolutions.
[10:07] >> We will take care of it we will get
[10:08] with you after the meeting
[10:09] >> Or if you leave contact information,
[10:12] I can reach out to you
[10:13] >> I can meet with you after the
[10:14] meeting if that is possible thank you
[10:23] >> Mr. Nix has arrived are you ready to
[10:26] speak?
[10:27] >> Sorry for the delay, you can blame
[10:37] METROLift Dan traffic for the delay.
[10:39] Several things to talk about today.
[10:46] Including I want to see on the maps the
[10:50] METROLift drivers use, , some drivers
[10:57] will say they are dispatch will tell
[10:58] them only use the ride co maps. The
[11:02] ride co maps are worse than
[11:05] trapeze. I can give you plenty of
[11:10] horror stories. How it always wants to
[11:11] rout you down lumpy bingo instead of
[11:12] going to the Beltway, like if I go from
[11:16] my apartment in Spring Branch like to
[11:17] [Indiscernible] as an example. It would
[11:23] be a lot better Reiko garbage we need
[11:24] to also do a complete overhaul of the
[11:33] system now of the service area of the
[11:34] extended area there is a lot of mess
[11:35] and I could go on and on. Other issues
[11:38] too I'd like to see more of a Spring
[11:39] Branch curb2curb micro-transit, it
[11:44] is much needed, Almost like a transit
[11:45] desert outside of [Indiscernible] and
[11:53] its much-needed also I'd like to see
[11:54] the 46 be extended from [Indiscernible]
[12:00] to Willowbrook and the 88 extended from
[12:01] the college to Bay area park-and-ride
[12:04] among other issues. Of those issues as
[12:06] well. Desperately needed with the
[12:10] budget coming up, desperately tried to
[12:16] reach out to private partnerships like
[12:17] with management districts or
[12:19] corporations to try to raise the budget
[12:20] to where we can experience nothing gets
[12:23] cut we experience as a rider. We are
[12:29] the backbones and the ones that are
[12:30] transit dependent we need METRO to get
[12:32] around, we desperately need METRO to be
[12:36] stronger not weaker [Indiscernible] as
[12:39] well. Even tried to get money from H
[12:41] JAC more money from them, keep the
[12:46] projects alive. That would be all I
[12:47] have to say and thanks so much. Have a
[12:51] great day go team whatever team you are
[12:53] rooting for. Thank you Mr. Nix. The
[13:00] next speaker is Michelle Blackwell
[13:01] >>Does the podium need to be raised up?
[13:14] >>My name is Ms. Blackwell, I'm
[13:37] speaking on behalf of my twin sister
[13:38] who lives in the [Indiscernible] area
[13:39] in regards for a request for frequency
[13:40] of two buses. The first one is the 137
[13:42] North Shore express for bus. , There is
[13:45] a need for that bus running every 23
[13:49] minutes it needs to run every 10
[13:50] minutes during peak hours in the
[13:55] morning from at least 6:30 AM until 9
[13:59] AM. And then in the evening it needs to
[14:03] run from 4 PM until 6:30 PM during peak
[14:04] hours every 10 minutes. There is a need
[14:06] for the 78 wayside bus, that buses
[14:09] running once an hour. Also in the
[14:16] morning it needs to run every 30
[14:17] minutes starting from 7 AM until 9 AM,
[14:23] And in the evening during rush time it
[14:24] needs to run from 4 PM to 7 PM every 30
[14:26] minutes. When my twin sister and other
[14:27] people get on that bus, the bus will
[14:31] break down, There's not another bus
[14:32] coming and they have to wait another
[14:38] hour. My twin sister either has to wait
[14:39] another hour or choose to walk a mile
[14:43] home someone coming to -- have
[14:50] to catch that bus going to school or
[14:51] things like that thank you. Thank you
[15:02] Ms. Blackwell. The next speaker is Mr.
[15:03] Nolan
[15:06] >> Mr. Nolan? Robert Kuter? Jacob
[15:26] Clementage
[15:32] >> Hi guys. I have a gift for Mr. Ponce
[15:44] from Leslie you did a good job of
[15:45] pushing METRO so I got this for you
[15:46] from Leslie. Also what I want to say is
[15:49] you all did such a good job making me
[15:54] feel like a satisfied customer, that I
[15:58] went to the ride store and bought a
[16:05] pair of socks. I think that's how
[16:06] people can help support METRO more and
[16:09] more like going to the ride store, the
[16:12] ride store and purchasing, they have
[16:18] umbrellas, ponchos, you name it they
[16:22] have it. Finally I wanted to push
[16:28] myself by saying I got this from a
[16:32] Congresswoman [Indiscernible] Garcia.
[16:33] It's a certificate of special
[16:35] congressional recognition presented to
[16:39] Jacob on this day August 12, 2026 On
[16:43] behalf of the 29th District of Texas my
[16:49] sincere admiration for your unwavering
[16:53] dedication to our community. Watching
[16:59] you continued success and many more
[17:00] opportunities to make a difference.
[17:05] Signed Sylvia Garcia. This is for Mr.
[17:11] Ponce. I can give it to you. Also what
[17:14] I wanted to say, Ms. Brock, I'd like
[17:21] you to be my guest when I'm honored at
[17:24] the Houston city Council because Mayor
[17:33] Whitmire's office the other day and he
[17:34] says we will have to honor you. Will
[17:35] you be with me? I would be honored to
[17:46] be with you Jacob. [Applause]. Ms.
[17:55] Teresa Morales works for
[18:03] [Indiscernible] and I have a bank
[18:04] account.
[18:07] >> Okay. Thank you Jacob. Jessica right
[18:11] behind you will grab that from you.
[18:14] Thank you for your invitation and your
[18:18] kind words. Thank you for letting me
[18:27] know they have those cool socks at the
[18:28] ride store because I want some.
[18:29] >> The next speaker is Carolyn
[18:30] Charlotte. Good morning. To the Board
[18:49] members. And director. My name is
[18:52] Carolyn Charlotte. I am 73 years old. I
[18:57] am a senior citizen. On July 21 I fell
[19:06] on the eight W. Belford bus. I was
[19:08] taken to the hospital and the ambulance
[19:17] and the METRO police came and gave me a
[19:20] claim number and the information I
[19:24] needed. So it was so hard to call, to
[19:26] put the claim in, that I left so many
[19:32] messages, I called so much and I could
[19:39] never reach anyone. So finally I
[19:40] decided I want to speak to a
[19:41] supervisor, the supervisor that called
[19:44] me was Mr. Shelton. He then told me
[19:53] that the [Indiscernible] would be
[19:54] Diane Martinez but that was not true.
[19:57] The lady that did call me named Joy,
[20:01] she had a real real real bad attitude.
[20:08] She told me who was [Indiscernible] and
[20:09] the name was Terry. Terry talked to me
[20:16] real bad. The only thing she asked me
[20:17] for that day was for my driving license
[20:20] number and my date of birth. She asked
[20:27] me some questions, I told her why don't
[20:28] you just look at the video because I
[20:32] know the bus had a camera on the bus.
[20:38] She said as soon as I do that I will
[20:39] call you right back and she never did.
[20:43] Finally the supervisor, her supervisor
[20:45] did call me and she was very upset that
[20:48] I went over her head to talk to Mr.
[20:53] Shelton. She told me, I don't know why
[20:56] you called Mr. Shelton, he can't do
[21:00] nothing for you. I said ma'am, I've
[21:03] been trying to get in touch with
[21:07] somebody and he was the only one that
[21:08] would return my call. Terry emailed me
[21:14] and told me my claim was denied because
[21:19] I was at fault and the driver did
[21:23] nothing wrong. I let her know I was not
[21:26] the bus driver, I was a passenger on
[21:30] the bus. I asked Joy on Monday because
[21:32] I came down here Monday, I was told I
[21:37] could not see or talk to anybody. So
[21:41] that evening, Joy called me on the
[21:43] phone, I asked her I said ma'am, if I'm
[21:48] wrong, let me see the video. She said
[21:53] she was going to send it to me but I
[21:55] never received it. I asked, did Ms.
[22:00] Terry look at the diagnosis from the
[22:02] hospital? She said well, she did not
[22:04] need to do that, because you are at
[22:10] fault. So I'm asking you directors this
[22:13] morning, let me see if I was wrong. Why
[22:16] can't I see the video? I don't even
[22:20] think it is a video now. I talked said
[22:23] to somebody named Jos , he said he
[22:27] would listen to it but it never
[22:31] happened. I'm asking you all to please
[22:32] help, let me see the video. If I'm
[22:36] wrong all I want is a fair hearing, a
[22:42] fair judgment, and I want the truth.
[22:46] >> Charlotte, [Indiscernible] overseas
[22:50] that group, he will reach out and visit
[22:51] with you after the meeting is done.
[22:56] >> Thank you. [Indiscernible] is my
[22:58] director of risk management and he will
[23:00] get your information. Raise your hand.
[23:06] >>. Mr. Thomas. Hello everybody how are
[23:24] you doing today? Good morning. As a US
[23:29] military veteran and [Indiscernible]
[23:35] and Police Department and having just
[23:36] spoke at the City Hall City Council,
[23:38] having been lifelined before and coming
[23:40] back from the military, learning about
[23:44] the system because I actually was a
[23:48] navigator at North side getting the
[23:49] transit centers and park and rides from
[23:51] the 45 and the 72, 77 going all the way
[23:57] to Homestead, I knocked on doors, I
[24:00] don't have that paperwork before me I
[24:05] might have it somewhere I'm pretty
[24:06] organized but I might be too organized.
[24:08] The thing about organization is, after
[24:14] coming here and seeing all these people
[24:15] it makes me feel good to be back into
[24:16] the building 1201 Louisiana, I remember
[24:18] that building over there. When you are
[24:25] lifelined you can't talk or to because
[24:26] your shot in your left eye and you
[24:27] draw your own blood, you take a bus and
[24:30] they had construction by the Catholic
[24:35] Church, you get off the bus at
[24:36] Westheimer and the Beltway, And some
[24:41] youngsters I'm over 70 my birthday is
[24:42] September 17 next year I will be 70,
[24:46] you get off the bus and was under
[24:47] construction they jump out and try to
[24:50] shoot you. You tell them my duffel bag
[24:51] has my uniform in it, dry cleaning bag
[24:54] around it. So I need to go to work. God
[24:59] always listens. Their gun jammed and they
[25:00] hit me in the head, and I did not get
[25:04] knocked out. Instead of [Indiscernible]
[25:05] which I could do, I decided I was going
[25:08] to get my uniform, the Bible was in
[25:14] there and they started the church
[25:15] [Indiscernible] so I know about buses,
[25:19] they know me and saw I could talk to
[25:20] when I was [Indiscernible]. Now having
[25:25] to catch these buses and talking to
[25:26] people at customer service on the
[25:30] phone, I'm not talking about them in
[25:35] general I'm not going to name anyone
[25:36] when people hang up on the phone they
[25:37] clear their throat and Jan and all of
[25:39] that, You talk to customer service
[25:44] representative which is not dispatch
[25:45] the call taker then they have to go
[25:46] on the phone and have you talked to
[25:48] someone else sitting on the fourth
[25:49] floor they can hand them the phone. The
[25:58] misnomer about everything, the nucleus
[25:59] of everything is on the World Cup thank
[26:02] you my grandmother [Indiscernible] they
[26:03] did not let me come back to see the Red
[26:04] Cross paid for the trip. Every time I
[26:07] think about Elizabeth it's always to
[26:09] greet my grandmother. I think about
[26:10] that name in my heart right here. What
[26:12] happened is that they had the World
[26:15] Cup, Park and ride was open until
[26:20] midnight, people thinking it's still
[26:21] open and they can go out on Cyprus. I
[26:23] came from a METRO board meeting, they
[26:29] let me three hours [Indiscernible] go
[26:32] around Bagby and come down Louisiana
[26:34] Street three hours on 18 August. They
[26:39] called me over and over again that they
[26:40] could not come around the block. So the
[26:43] news people came, I was talking out
[26:44] loud so they could hear me, I know they
[26:46] could hear my voice. The main thing is
[26:51] for 20 years they haven't had anything
[26:52] on the Northwest corridor the
[27:02] park-and-ride military veteran, why do
[27:03] we have to wait until [Indiscernible]
[27:04] to ride the bus until three as a
[27:05] citizen of the United States when they
[27:06] take your Social Security at 62. Yet to
[27:07] wait until your 70 to ride the bus for
[27:13] free. You can only write three times go
[27:14] to vote jury duty or ride the METROLift
[27:18] for free only when you go to vote and
[27:19] one time they [Indiscernible] that's
[27:22] it. I have to wait until I'm 72 do that
[27:27] to ride METROLift. I was suspended with
[27:34] this new app because they don't know
[27:35] the difference between same-day trip
[27:36] being you can make resurrection now you
[27:37] cannot ride a feeder trip to the
[27:49] park-and-ride the nearest one to me is
[27:50] [Indiscernible] on West Road and
[27:51] [Indiscernible] they will do that and
[27:52] they will take a park-and-ride so I can
[27:53] go to Cyprus but they will not let
[27:56] METROLift go north, Sam's Club right
[27:57] there and they won't go there either.
[27:58] That's the Northwest corridor, called
[28:00] the Northwest transit center. I had to
[28:03] take a bus when I got suspended all the
[28:06] way down, I walked 35 minutes, My
[28:10] neighbor is a truck driver and delivers
[28:11] to the Houston Food Bank, he said don't
[28:13] be walking out there in the middle of
[28:26] the street. So I walked in he dropped
[28:27] me off came down to the federal
[28:28] building and of course he knows my
[28:29] military background he gave me a
[28:30] knuckle bump in the uniform, I caught
[28:33] the monorail, not caught the light rail
[28:34] train to go to the airport. You have 30
[28:39] seconds. 30 seconds we need to get that
[28:43] going, METROLift pulls right in there
[28:44] so we can get there, we have a
[28:51] wheelchair person riding in the middle
[28:52] the street by 711 and a blind person
[28:53] trying to get to the park-and-ride. The
[28:54] police are writing all kinds of
[29:12] tickets. We need to call and tell them
[29:13] to [Indiscernible]
[29:14] >> That's it thank you all God bless
[29:15] you
[29:16] >> Isaiah Lopez
[29:17] >>My name is Isaiah, I'm a community
[29:25] member fed up with the voter approved
[29:26] METRONext plans being gutted year after
[29:31] year. I'm here to talk about METRO
[29:32] recent Gulfton proposal in the 2027
[29:33] budget. I will start with some
[29:36] background, In 2024 Mayor Whitmire took
[29:39] office appointed a CenterPoint
[29:40] executive to Chair METRO, together they
[29:44] have shifted The agency focus from
[29:49] serious transit expansion with METRONext
[29:50] to more policing surveillance and
[29:51] micro transit with their plan no one
[29:53] voted for METRO now. The same year when
[29:56] discussing METRONext plans in Gulfton,
[29:58] the extension of the silver line, the
[30:02] Mayor made the following racist
[30:05] comments about residents. , They are
[30:07] largely undocumented immigrants , they
[30:10] want basic services you think they will
[30:11] be welcome in the Galleria? Two years
[30:15] later delay after delay the agency has
[30:17] unveiled its Gulfton proposal,
[30:21] unfortunately it seems to appease the
[30:22] Mayor race from two years ago. The
[30:26] Gulfton BRT is no longer an extension
[30:27] of uptown Silver line , it's a separate
[30:31] line. Most of its route is now mixed
[30:35] with general traffic instead of
[30:36] dedicated lanes to improve frequency
[30:39] and travel time. , As it is instead a
[30:40] more reliable buses that stops
[30:44] Residence in immigrant communities
[30:45] Seymour METRO police surveillance and
[30:49] cooperation with HPD which itself has
[30:50] been cooperating with ice. Just
[30:54] yesterday shared a story about ice
[30:55] boarding a METRO bus and detaining
[30:57] passengers not too far from Gulfton.
[31:05] This is shameful and one example of how
[31:06] increases to METRO police funding M
[31:07] investments in drones mobile command
[31:08] units don't reflect community safety.
[31:11] Communities are afraid to meet their
[31:12] [Indiscernible] and ride the bus . On
[31:17] top of this the most recent proposal
[31:18] link often gets rid of the circulator
[31:19] buses and replaces service with micro
[31:23] transit for which METRO has been
[31:25] subsidizing Uber and live during peak
[31:28] hours. This is not only bad for transit
[31:31] riders but operators like many of the
[31:32] fine people we have here today. As
[31:36] Andrew from [Indiscernible] transit
[31:46] union puts it, everybody understands
[31:47] how Uber and Lyft constantly screw
[31:48] over their Drivers and we see a lot of
[31:51] similarities in micro transit in some
[31:52] ways it's worse because we fund us with
[31:58] our tax dollars someone is paying one
[31:59] or two dollars for micro transit trip
[32:00] that might cost the agency 40 or $50.
[32:04] We are subsidizing inefficient services
[32:05] that incentivizes the destruction of
[32:07] good jobs. Clearly we need more union
[32:09] members and transit riders on the
[32:10] Board, not corporate executives.
[32:14] Micro-transit is meant to complement
[32:15] not replace bus routes. In closing I
[32:26] stand in solidarity with community
[32:27] members and transit workers to demand
[32:28] shift the focus back to METRONext back
[32:29] to transit equity and sustainability,
[32:30] back to what we voted for. The next
[32:40] speaker is virtual, Trinidad
[32:45] [Indiscernible]. Good morning I was
[32:46] going to say briefly for the new buses,
[32:50] do you know when they will be in
[32:54] service? They have not arrived for the
[33:05] small ones and the other
[33:06] [Indiscernible] in terms of CNG buses?
[33:11] >>We will have someone look into it and
[33:24] get back with you on that. Okay thank
[33:30] you. That's it
[33:31] >>Joseph Lawrence
[33:32] >> Good morning ladies and gentlemen.
[33:48] [Indiscernible] how are you doing this
[33:55] morning? I have been before you guys
[33:56] several times in regards to the
[33:57] community connector when it was evolved
[34:02] and circuit. My position is what it was
[34:03] last time I came before you. I really
[34:10] would like for you guys to think about
[34:11] and reconsider expansion in the second
[34:12] Ward. I live in [Indiscernible] now. In
[34:17] our area, the smallest of the areas it
[34:19] is served by the community connector,
[34:21] we only have two cars. We really could
[34:25] use at least three cars, excuse me, at
[34:32] least three cars. We really would like
[34:33] to have the area expanded out to at
[34:39] least Harrisburg Wayside because a lot
[34:40] of the people that live [Indiscernible]
[34:42] are elderly and will some of them ride
[34:45] the bus. If they wanted to go to
[34:50] Walgreens at Wayside, the walk from the
[34:52] bus stop or even the platform is a
[34:53] little much for them. When this first
[34:57] started, it covered all the way past
[35:01] [Indiscernible] I understand the
[35:02] numbers weren't that great or it was
[35:04] putting a strain on the vehicles. But
[35:09] right now we really could use that
[35:10] service. It's a wonderful service. It
[35:16] is something very much appreciated by
[35:17] everyone in my community. The only
[35:18] thing we are asking is that you really
[35:25] reconsider the expansion, also to
[35:28] expand the time. Because right now we
[35:31] have until 7 to 5. Downtown has 7 to 7. We
[35:35] would appreciate if you could do at
[35:36] least a 7 to 7 and if at all
[35:40] possible or any new cars with some air
[35:43] conditioning because this heat is
[35:46] unbearable and these drivers are out
[35:47] here in this heat. They do deserve to
[35:49] have some air conditioning. One last
[35:51] thing before I go, I have been asking
[36:00] about bus shelters at [Indiscernible]
[36:01] and the bus shelter I have seen is not
[36:03] very accommodating at all. The seat
[36:07] might be big enough for two people. You
[36:13] are talking about a community here the
[36:14] people that catch the bus, not
[36:18] everybody can stand. I wish you all
[36:19] will go back to the old bus shelters
[36:20] that had a little bit more room. Right
[36:23] now the bus shelter you are putting in
[36:26] place is not working out all. Basically
[36:30] that's about all I have to say. I
[36:35] appreciate everything you guys are
[36:36] doing for the community connector.
[36:38] Please reconsider the expansion part,
[36:40] we really really really need it. Thank
[36:46] you guys and have a wonderful day
[36:49] >> Thank you. This is Michael
[36:52] Andreotti, we will reach out to you
[36:53] thank you for your comments. We
[36:57] continue to evaluate the second Ward
[36:58] and the community connectors zones, if
[37:02] there's anything we can do for
[37:03] expansion of hours we will work with
[37:06] you on that. No decisions have been
[37:07] made yet but we will reach out to you
[37:14] and see what your comments are and what
[37:15] we can do to address those
[37:16] >>Michael we also report back to the
[37:19] Board and let us know the outcome.
[37:34] >> Absolutely. Thank you
[37:35] >> The next speaker is Ken Rogers
[37:36] >>Good morning. My name is Ken Rogers,
[37:47] I'm president of greater third Ward
[37:48] super neighborhood number 67. My
[37:55] concern is [Indiscernible] I'm sure you
[37:56] all remember the connector started in
[37:57] the third Ward. We were a test. We love
[38:01] the connector. We have always loved the
[38:04] connector. We love the idea of the
[38:08] connector. But, the speaker before me,
[38:14] Mr. Lawrence, extension of hours. I
[38:18] think we need that. We need that in the
[38:24] third Ward. I think it needs to be
[38:28] uniform across Houston. Especially with
[38:31] this daylight savings time. It does not
[38:36] get dark until after 7 PM. Daylight
[38:41] burning. If you get off work and you
[38:46] need to run to the grocery store real
[38:49] quick, that would come in handy.
[38:53] Getting off at 5 PM not everybody works 9
[38:54] AM to 5 PM, some of us work a little
[39:01] later it would be helpful if we could
[39:02] have that extension of time and have a
[39:03] uniform so no matter where you are what
[39:05] neighborhood you are in that you can
[39:10] utilize the community connector. I'd
[39:12] like to thank Michael for all his
[39:15] support and help in the third Ward.
[39:20] and, everybody I come in contact with
[39:26] the METRO, Stephanie, she is a Pearl, I
[39:29] really appreciate all the help I get.
[39:32] Unfortunately sometimes I go to them
[39:39] with a problem, and they say ken, you
[39:40] probably need to come to the Board and
[39:41] talk to them so I am here now. I'm
[39:43] pulling on your heartstrings as I often
[39:45] do. It's a difficult out there. And
[39:49] that air-conditioning in the
[39:52] connectors, they would benefit not only
[39:55] the drivers but our community also.
[39:59] and, so that you don't forget, I still
[40:02] have a dream for Sunday mornings, the
[40:04] ladies in the church house on their way
[40:08] to church on the connector. I was at
[40:13] [Indiscernible] elementary the first
[40:18] day of school, a tradition we do we
[40:19] welcome the kids and high-fived them, I
[40:23] looked up And they asked us not to take
[40:24] pictures of the kids. But I looked up,
[40:27] and I looked on the street, and there
[40:32] was a parent and a kid getting out of
[40:35] the connector, coming to the
[40:38] elementary. This is an important thing
[40:41] that you guys are supporting, we have
[40:48] the connection of the school you know
[40:54] it is a lot of pressure on the schools
[40:55] especially in our area. We are asking
[40:58] that you help us keep the kids in
[41:04] school. And enrollment up. Thank you
[41:06] for listening to me. My ramblings.
[41:11] Thank you so very much
[41:12] >> Thank you for your comments. As you
[41:15] know the community connector is near
[41:16] and dear to my heart. It was my
[41:19] understanding we were supposed to
[41:22] switch out the current vehicles with
[41:26] air conditioning? Do you know where we
[41:27] are on that?
[41:29] >> Absolutely, I have some great news
[41:33] we have the 12 hour AC units coming in
[41:34] in the next 60 days. We will be
[41:36] replacing all of the older units, that
[41:43] is coming soon
[41:44] >> Did I tell you about that guy he is
[41:50] awesome. If you will report as well on
[41:51] the expansion of hours? Absolutely
[41:58] thank you
[41:59] >> Sebastian Laporte
[42:00] >> Hi thank you for your time and thank
[42:05] you for stepping up during the World
[42:09] Cup. Since it is budget season, I'd
[42:14] like to request a targeted improvement
[42:15] to the green and purple lines. I work
[42:19] at the University of Houston the main
[42:20] campus in the third Ward. I take the
[42:23] Purple Line into campus from the south
[42:26] side. But sometimes after work if I'm
[42:28] going into downtown for something, I
[42:32] get on the train and continue north,
[42:35] from UH. In my observation a lot of UH
[42:37] and TSU students take the Purple Line
[42:40] between campus and downtown. For
[42:47] instance if you ride that train at four
[42:48] or five in the evening and is packed
[42:50] with students. I've asked him what a
[42:52] lot of them do is catch buses from the
[42:55] west side into downtown and transferred
[43:00] to purple for the final leg of the
[43:01] journey to UH or TSU. The other day I
[43:06] ran into a former student who takes the
[43:10] park-and-ride from Kati, transfers to
[43:11] purple and comes into campus. The issue
[43:12] I would like to highlight is the
[43:18] service on the last 10 blocks in
[43:20] downtown between the theater district
[43:23] and Convention Center is often
[43:25] irregular because the tracks are not
[43:26] blocked off from traffic. During rush
[43:28] hour the tracks fill up with cars,
[43:33] sometimes delivery vehicles will idle
[43:36] on the tracks. I've even seen an image
[43:39] of someone locked out of their car they
[43:40] parked on the tracks and got locked
[43:42] out, The train was delayed until they
[43:44] were able to get back into their car.
[43:47] All of this degrades the service. The
[43:52] last 10 blocks through downtown can
[43:53] take five minutes or 15 minutes. This
[43:59] can make students late to class or
[44:00] cause them to miss connections of
[44:02] traveling back home. I believe among
[44:05] the components of METRONext that were
[44:07] paused was a measure to add some kind
[44:10] of barrier separating the train tracks
[44:12] along Rusk and capital, Reviving that
[44:20] project would do a lot to improve
[44:21] service on the two east-west train
[44:23] lines and make it through service is a
[44:24] better use of money. Also one final
[44:27] thing we learned the other week the
[44:35] block at Carolyn and Walker will soon be
[44:36] a 12 story parking garage. It
[44:41] will soon have an entrance along Rusk
[44:42] Street along the green and purple line
[44:44] tracks. I worry that once the garages
[44:48] open rush-hour traffic in and out of
[44:49] the garage could cause further delays,
[44:52] adding something to separate trains and
[45:06] traffic along Rusk could help us get in
[45:07] front of that problem before it becomes
[45:08] one. Thank you
[45:09] >> Thank you for your comments.
[45:10] >> Owen Taten
[45:19] >>Owen Taten? Dominic Maisoc
[45:20] >>Good morning. The redline was an
[45:35] enjoyable trip into town. I think
[45:39] everybody needs to do something in this
[45:41] room. It's on the METRO website. It is
[45:50] the actual official ballot language and
[45:51] Board paperwork that went with
[45:52] METRONext. I think people need to read
[45:58] it. Specifically, not everything was on
[46:01] the ballot, the ballot referred to
[46:09] resolution 2019, part of that is within
[46:14] that, yes it says METRO may borrow
[46:18] money for this, on the other hand you
[46:19] look at Proposition A or Exhibit A,
[46:24] METRO is not to do things to put its
[46:25] financial situation in danger. People
[46:27] need to read the original documents.
[46:33] Reverand, you try to get the best
[46:34] translations of the Scriptures before
[46:35] you do your hominy, it is the same
[46:43] here. Michael, I appreciate you riding
[46:44] the train this morning, I saw Michael
[46:46] on the train. That's a good thing. One
[46:50] thing about the Gulfton, I was texting
[46:56] Tom about this, we have universities
[47:01] here rise, TSU U of H TTI, near the
[47:07] Northwest transit center. With some of
[47:11] these new students, can we take all of
[47:12] this data about Gulfton, put it through
[47:15] An AI program and see what they come up
[47:24] with. I think this could be a good
[47:25] student project I know there were some
[47:26] students when Christoph was on the
[47:27] Board, they were doing engineering
[47:33] projects concerning METRO. I think
[47:34] that's a good thing. Also, with transit
[47:45] why are they the only people receiving
[47:46] transit when nobody else is. It's
[47:52] complete METRO project, I think that is
[47:53] wrong I think that is wrong. I know I'm
[47:55] coming up in my 30 seconds. My thing is
[47:59] if you are not going to do the whole
[48:04] BRT thing for the University line, the
[48:11] line for Gulfton, you do what all or
[48:12] you do it none. Lastly the meeting on
[48:15] Tuesday was good except one thing,
[48:19] Robert I agree with you that meeting
[48:20] should have been last month. The
[48:25] discussion was good. I think John Nix
[48:28] once the area to have curb2curb
[48:32] service, I think it should be complete
[48:36] through the system. We need to look at
[48:37] new bus network 2.0, start over again
[48:42] completely. Lastly, curb2curb and
[48:49] community connector. That was promised
[48:50] in the 79 ballot election, I was
[48:51] involved in doing it. The first idea
[48:55] would be the 344. I ran out of time so
[49:00] thank you. Thank you Mr. Maisoc. Pastor
[49:08] David Smith
[49:09] >>Good morning everyone. My name is
[49:18] David Smith the pastor of missionary
[49:22] Baptist church, also the former
[49:23] president of [Indiscernible]
[49:28] neighborhood. I'm here to recognize the
[49:29] positive work METRO has done in our
[49:32] community. Over the past few months
[49:38] we've had meaningful improvements that
[49:39] make a difference in residence
[49:40] businesses seniors and families who
[49:41] depend on public transit. We especially
[49:45] appreciate repaving along
[49:48] [Indiscernible] Drive, This has me
[49:52] traveling through our area safe or
[49:53] comfortable for METRO passengers
[49:54] motorists and pedestrians . Investment
[50:01] demonstrates METRO understands the
[50:02] importance of maintaining strong .
[50:07] Transportation infrastructure in every
[50:08] community we are thankful for new bus
[50:09] shelters in our area more than just a
[50:11] place to wait it provides protection
[50:12] from Houston heat rain unpredictable
[50:15] weather, Especially important for
[50:21] seniors individuals with disabilities
[50:22] parents with young children and those
[50:23] who allow one METRO as a primary means
[50:24] of transportation. In addition to
[50:28] installing new shelters METRO responded
[50:29] to concerns regarding cleanliness and
[50:30] upkeep of these shelters . Keeping
[50:36] these areas clean safe and accessible
[50:37] helps passengers feel confident while
[50:42] using public transportation. We also
[50:43] appreciate and are compassionate matter
[50:44] which METRO addresses homelessness in
[50:45] our area of some of the bus shelters.
[50:49] These situations can be challenging but
[50:50] it's important every person be treated
[50:51] with dignity compassion and respect. .
[51:01] I'm grateful for METRO has worked to
[51:02] address safety issues for our community
[51:03] and remain sensitive to the needs of
[51:04] humanity and individuals experiencing
[51:05] homelessness on behalf of our community
[51:10] I'd like to thank Tom Jasien his staff
[51:14] [Indiscernible] Rocky Marrero and
[51:18] Christine for maintaining open
[51:25] communication with us At the
[51:28] community their willingness to listen
[51:29] respond continue concerns provide
[51:30] updates and work collaboratively has
[51:31] helped us drink the relationship
[51:32] between METRO and are community. Good
[51:35] communication builds trust and
[51:36] responsive experience shows we can help
[51:38] and work together with public agencies
[51:39] community leaders working together .
[51:44] Toward a common purpose we recognize
[51:45] there's always work to be done but
[51:51] today, I want to pause and say thank
[51:52] you thank you thank you For what
[51:55] listening to her concerns investing in
[51:56] our area infrastructure maintaining bus
[51:58] shelters and treating the people with
[52:01] dignity and respect. I look forward to
[52:06] continued partnership with METRO as we
[52:07] work together to make our community
[52:08] safer stronger and more accessible to
[52:10] everyone. I've been a pastor in the
[52:12] area for 34 years this is the first
[52:13] improvement I've seen in 34 years. I
[52:19] have another meeting this morning but I
[52:20] want to come here publicly and say
[52:21] thank you for the work you have done in
[52:23] our area. God bless you and God keep
[52:24] you in our prayers. Madam Chair this
[52:32] concludes the registered speakers
[52:36] >> Thank you Ms. Greenhouse. I would
[52:38] like to open this up, like I normally
[52:42] do with comments with gratitude. I want
[52:44] to thank you all for being here. I went
[52:49] to thank, whether you come here to
[52:52] address an issue, or coming here to say
[52:53] thank you to the Board and the
[52:54] leadership team and staff for the work
[53:01] they do, whether coming here to address
[53:02] safety issues like Ms. Manny, we don't
[53:10] know what's going on in the community
[53:11] you are boots on the ground coming and
[53:13] talking to us, so we can be aware of
[53:16] situations. We can't be everywhere so
[53:17] your voice is important. I want to
[53:19] thank the Board for their service, for
[53:24] everything you do. I want to thank the
[53:25] CEO and leadership team and the staff
[53:28] for all the work they do. Thank you
[53:33] very much. I want to also address a
[53:38] couple of concerns we had regarding
[53:45] community connector. We will definitely
[53:46] take a look at that. Chief Tien is not here
[53:51] today, But I also wanted to recognize
[53:56] him and his team for the great work
[53:57] they do regarding the homeless. We have
[53:59] a lot of work and progress made, we
[54:01] still have work to do. But his group
[54:06] that interact with the homeless hour
[54:08] care unit, we lead with care, so I
[54:12] think they are doing a great job making
[54:16] sure they are sensitive to the needs of
[54:19] the community. Also want to, again I
[54:25] have a clicker, I am supposed to flip
[54:30] through here, let me see if I can do
[54:31] this. Also want to highlight the work
[54:34] in Gulfton, the curb2curb. We went
[54:36] on a ride along, the community is very
[54:50] excited about the curb2curb service
[54:51] now being extended into the Gulfton
[54:53] area this is a tremendous service that
[54:54] will help mothers with children, it
[54:56] will help our elderly, also connect
[55:00] people to places they need to go,
[55:02] picking them up from where they are and
[55:05] taking them where they need to be. The
[55:10] community connector, I mean the curb to
[55:13] curb will circulate among the
[55:17] community. We have also been working
[55:18] with Commissioner [Indiscernible] on
[55:23] the initiative. I appreciate all the
[55:24] work that has been done there. We went
[55:27] out and met with the community, they
[55:29] are very very excited, as you can see
[55:33] in the photos of the new service there.
[55:36] I also want to thank Michael for the
[55:39] implementation of the services. Also
[55:47] I want to thank Council member
[55:51] [Indiscernible] for inviting us to meet
[55:52] with the LGBTQ+ community leaders
[55:54] regarding how to better connect with
[55:55] the community and what the needs are in
[56:00] terms of safety and sensitivity
[56:09] training. It was a very healthy meeting
[56:10] on how we can interact better with the
[56:11] Montrose center and serve that
[56:12] community. Thank you Council Member
[56:15] Castillo for helping us coordinate that
[56:21] meeting. Also, this month we had the
[56:22] Texas 21 statewide meeting held here.
[56:29] The team was very very appreciative to
[56:30] METRO for hosting a two day conference
[56:33] On how to build a stronger more
[56:40] connected transit system. Everybody
[56:41] worked diligently to talk about issues
[56:42] and how they can be improved. Our newly
[56:44] elected Congressman came and spoke to
[56:51] the group about how we can better
[56:52] interact at the federal level and some
[56:54] of the things he's thinking about. He
[56:56] was listening to the feedback and also
[57:03] talking to us about what he thinks, how
[57:07] we can better engage with his office as
[57:14] well. We also, I was able to moderate a
[57:18] discussion with Commissioner Briones
[57:20] with the greater Houston partnership.
[57:22] We talked about the budget. It was very
[57:29] much parallel process in terms of how
[57:30] we are approaching the budget. You put
[57:32] a process in place so you can support
[57:38] programs and services and create
[57:40] outcomes. I want to thank the County
[57:44] Commissioners for the work they are
[57:46] doing. It can be a tough process.
[57:52] I want to thank our leadership team
[57:55] and Tom Jasien for the work they are
[57:58] doing. If you take into consideration
[58:04] we just came off of a really busy FIFA
[58:07] season. We had all hands on deck,
[58:13] nobody taking vacation, everybody
[58:14] working overtime to host the World Cup.
[58:17] We nailed it, hit it out of the park.
[58:20] Immediately rushed into budget season.
[58:22] A lot of work has been done, I want to
[58:27] take a moment to acknowledge that on
[58:28] behalf of the team. It's been a busy
[58:32] year. Thank you for your work. Also I
[58:37] don't want to steal Director Morales
[58:41] thunder but she will have comments
[58:42] regarding the budget in the process and
[58:45] principles as we go into the next
[58:50] phase. She's also going to try to
[58:52] coordinate another budget workshop,
[59:00] that way we can continue to
[59:01] double-click into the issues regarding
[59:03] our budget process and get us to a
[59:05] great place. Also want to remind people
[59:08] as we talk about METRONext, and METRO
[59:12] now principles, over the last, we have
[59:20] implemented over $400 million worth of
[59:22] METRONext initiatives, that includes
[59:26] bus projects, Booster projects
[59:30] universal accessibility projects
[59:31] transit center improvements Park and
[59:34] ride improvements. Many of the approved
[59:35] items have been implemented, along with
[59:38] METRO now initiatives to make sure we
[59:41] are cleaner, more accessible. That we
[59:45] have addressed good state of repair
[59:48] that we are also taking care of the
[59:55] issues that are safety concerns. Making
[59:58] sure we have MPD fully staffed and have
[1:00:03] a decentralized presence in the
[1:00:06] community. Lots of work has been done.
[1:00:09] Want to take a moment to acknowledge
[1:00:12] that. Let's see if there is anything
[1:00:18] else I want to highlight. Maybe my
[1:00:21] clicker will tell me, I jumped into
[1:00:25] that without clicking so there you have
[1:00:27] it. That concludes my remarks, With
[1:00:33] that I will turn it over to Mr. Jasien
[1:00:34] who will present his president and CEO
[1:00:35] comments. Thank you Chair Brock,
[1:00:39] Michael Andreotti, you were clearly
[1:00:43] winning today. I'm keeping score and
[1:00:45] you are way ahead of everybody so
[1:00:48] congratulations. I did want to make
[1:00:53] note, we talked about METRO and coming
[1:00:56] out of FIFA and our police focus was
[1:00:59] quite active during FIFA. We have not
[1:01:02] stopped what we are doing. While it's
[1:01:08] continuing to be a challenge, I want
[1:01:11] you to be aware Board that METRO
[1:01:17] police, every sworn officer from the
[1:01:18] chief down to the newest recruit, is
[1:01:19] out on the system. There's a new
[1:01:24] requirement they [Indiscernible] four
[1:01:28] hours per week. There is a presence
[1:01:29] spreading throughout the system not
[1:01:33] just the train but the bus network as
[1:01:36] well. This will be helpful to help
[1:01:41] address the issue of a safe environment
[1:01:44] to operate in and ride in. We look
[1:01:48] forward to reporting the results of
[1:01:54] that initiative. Just wanted you to be
[1:01:55] aware that is something not talked
[1:01:57] about very much. Now I want to mention,
[1:02:00] the thing we enjoyed to do every month.
[1:02:02] The bus operators of the month. I want
[1:02:05] to acknowledge them and call them out.
[1:02:11] Cavelle Nash from Hiram Clarke, Patrice
[1:02:16] Walton from Polk, Mohammed -- from West,
[1:02:20] Wanda McDonald Robinson from Fallbrook,
[1:02:29] Adenuga Gabedo from Kashmere. Okay
[1:02:35] thank you. Those are the top operators
[1:02:38] of the month, please give them a round
[1:02:49] of applause. [Applause] I'd also like
[1:02:50] to add we have the top techs of the
[1:02:54] month. Julio Nieto from Kashmere
[1:03:03] Agusto Alvarado from West. Hector Marino
[1:03:04] from electronic maintenance and Kevin
[1:03:06] Washington from Fallbrook. Let's give
[1:03:07] them a round of applause [Applause].
[1:03:12] Our top METROLift contract service
[1:03:13] operators of the month, Pedro Sepulveda
[1:03:23] METROLift Transdev operator, Anthony
[1:03:29] Jones Transdev operator Derek Brown
[1:03:31] METROLift MVD operator. Give them a
[1:03:41] round of applause and could the entire
[1:03:42] group come forward for a quick
[1:03:43] photograph.
[1:05:12] >>Thank you. If I could now refer to
[1:05:38] our retirees coming up this month. I
[1:05:44] want to recognize Ray Linford with 27 years
[1:05:48] of experience, Elliott Swainson with 33
[1:05:54] years of service. I want to thank them
[1:05:57] and let them know we appreciate all
[1:05:58] their service to METRO and the
[1:06:01] community. A copy of the proclamation
[1:06:02] is in the packet to consider today.
[1:06:08] Before I close I want to recognize
[1:06:09] somebody else who is retiring and did
[1:06:10] not make the list. It snuck up on us
[1:06:13] but we have someone here in the
[1:06:16] audience by the name of Allen Clark. If
[1:06:19] you have not met Allen coming you have
[1:06:22] missed it. Allen will retire next week.
[1:06:28] We are thrilled for Allan to be able to
[1:06:29] move on in retirement. I want to
[1:06:32] acknowledge all the work he has done
[1:06:36] for METRO. He came to us five years ago
[1:06:40] from HGAC, He brought decades of
[1:06:50] knowledge and experience not to mention
[1:06:51] the fact that decades ago he started at
[1:06:52] METRO as a young planner. Allen has had
[1:06:55] a tremendous impact in shaping the
[1:06:56] future of this organization. He has
[1:07:01] served as the chief strategy officer
[1:07:05] and led the department with vision and
[1:07:06] clear focus on positioning METRO for
[1:07:09] long-term success. Allen's significant
[1:07:10] accomplishments is his leadership,
[1:07:17] Hundreds of millions of dollars in
[1:07:18] federal funds and other grant funding
[1:07:19] to address METRO priorities and major
[1:07:21] investments. Allen's contributions go
[1:07:22] beyond funding and strategy, He's been
[1:07:25] a trusted advisor and thoughtful leader
[1:07:29] dedicated public servant, always kept
[1:07:30] the mission of METRO and people we
[1:07:31] serve at the forefront. Allen thank you
[1:07:36] for your leadership, Your dedication
[1:07:39] and lasting impact you have made on the
[1:07:40] organization and community at large. We
[1:07:45] wish you a well-deserved retirement
[1:07:47] with happiness good health and plenty
[1:07:48] of time to enjoy what comes next.
[1:07:51] Congratulations Allan and thank you for
[1:07:52] everything you have done. Will you take
[1:08:02] a bow? [Applause]
[1:08:03] >> I'd like to get a legal opinion on
[1:08:09] this, We truly appreciate your service
[1:08:16] Allen. You will be dearly missed. .
[1:08:28] That concludes my report
[1:08:29] >> Thank you Mr. Jasien. We will now
[1:08:31] turn to the monthly working committee
[1:08:35] reports, First Vice Chair Preston
[1:08:36] filling in for Secretary Fry for the
[1:08:39] committee will present the monthly
[1:08:40] committee report
[1:08:41] >> Let me say, I was out of the
[1:08:47] country. Reverend Preston decided to
[1:08:48] sit in for me when he was told to.
[1:08:49] Thank you for doing that. It's in good
[1:08:56] hands take off
[1:08:57] >> Thank you Board Member Fry for the
[1:08:58] privilege to sit in on your behalf. Of
[1:09:07] course this is the committee report for
[1:09:08] the infrastructure mobility planning
[1:09:09] working committee we met on August 19,
[1:09:10] we did have public comment. We have one
[1:09:14] Board requests authorization item. And
[1:09:17] then we had our committee briefings. We
[1:09:22] had committee briefing on the capital
[1:09:25] project update, the Gulfton bus rapid,
[1:09:30] we had the universal accessibility and
[1:09:31] bus shelter program update, we had the
[1:09:34] construction update. Following that we
[1:09:39] had a briefing on the Wheeler transit
[1:09:46] center reconstruction. That concludes
[1:09:47] my report for today for the
[1:09:50] infrastructure mobility planning
[1:09:51] working committees
[1:09:52] >> Thank you first Chair Preston. Next
[1:09:57] vice Chair Preston Chair of Public
[1:09:58] Safety Committee will present his
[1:10:00] report. Thank you once again Madam
[1:10:04] Chair. The Public Safety working
[1:10:05] committee report is as follows, we met
[1:10:08] on August 19, 2026. We did have public
[1:10:14] comment. Following that we had a
[1:10:16] monthly safety message. The topic was
[1:10:18] back to school, getting people ready
[1:10:22] for travel and being safe during the
[1:10:25] school day. We had one request board
[1:10:28] authorization item. Following that we
[1:10:31] had to committee briefing items. One
[1:10:34] was the monthly police security report,
[1:10:38] the other the monthly bus and rail
[1:10:42] safety report. That concludes our
[1:10:43] report for today
[1:10:44] >> Thank you First Vice Chair Preston.
[1:10:48] Director Ponce Chair of customer
[1:10:51] experience operation committee will
[1:10:52] present his report
[1:10:53] >> Thank you Madam Chair. Also thank
[1:10:56] you Reverend Preston for chairing the
[1:10:57] last week committee meeting. We had two
[1:11:03] registered, I'm sorry this is for the
[1:11:04] customer experience operation committee
[1:11:07] report, we had two registered speakers
[1:11:10] this month. The committee discussed and
[1:11:11] recommended for items for board
[1:11:19] approval. I do want to highlight today
[1:11:20] item number 13 this will be a new
[1:11:24] system to enhance safety not just for
[1:11:25] riders but to monitor driver behavior.
[1:11:26] I believe this goes in line within our
[1:11:31] METRO now goal to keep riders safe. We
[1:11:37] also have four committee briefing
[1:11:40] items, two were the regular monthly
[1:11:42] discussions, monthly operation report,
[1:11:45] monthly business development report, in
[1:11:52] addition we received an update on
[1:11:53] METROLift procurement quarterly reports
[1:11:58] FY26 third-quarter. This concludes the
[1:12:02] customer experience operation committee
[1:12:03] report thank you
[1:12:04] >> Thank you Director Ponce. Next is
[1:12:12] Second Vice Chair Vilaseca Chair of
[1:12:13] audit human services will report her
[1:12:14] report
[1:12:15] >> Good morning everybody. Home
[1:12:18] Wednesday, August 19 HR committee is
[1:12:19] conducted in the boardroom. There were
[1:12:20] a few public comments. There were two
[1:12:24] committee briefing items presented by
[1:12:27] staff. The first the monthly audit
[1:12:31] compliance report, the second the human
[1:12:34] resources metrics report. There are no
[1:12:36] board authorization items presented on
[1:12:37] today's agenda from the meeting. That
[1:12:42] concludes the report thank you
[1:12:43] >> Thank you Second Vice Chair
[1:12:46] Vilaseca. Director Morales Chair of
[1:12:50] finance business administration will
[1:12:51] present her report
[1:12:52] >> Thank you Chair Brock. The finance
[1:12:54] business administration meeting met on
[1:12:58] August 19, We had one item for board
[1:13:02] approval the program for projects
[1:13:03] fiscal year 2026 FTA formula funds. We
[1:13:07] had two briefing items one the regular
[1:13:10] monthly financial report. The full
[1:13:11] report is in the board packet, we
[1:13:13] discussed sales tax revenue, there is
[1:13:17] softness including World Cup tax
[1:13:20] revenue. It is below projection of what
[1:13:24] we originally anticipated however it is
[1:13:30] enough. If you add that to the grant
[1:13:31] money enough to make a profit after the
[1:13:34] World Cup expenses. We also had a
[1:13:35] briefing item for fiscal year 27
[1:13:39] budget. We are facing headwinds due to
[1:13:41] the softness and sales tax revenue
[1:13:48] while seeing increases to our cost such
[1:13:49] as field and labor. However I am
[1:13:52] encouraged because of the hard work of
[1:13:54] the Board, the finance team, Tom
[1:14:00] Jasien. As Chair Brock mentioned, we
[1:14:03] are adding an additional workshop to be
[1:14:08] scheduled next week. The bottom line is
[1:14:10] that everybody is committed to ensure
[1:14:13] we maximize our resources while not
[1:14:20] compromising our core services and our
[1:14:25] ridership. I think that is on
[1:14:26] everyone's mind so I'm encouraged about
[1:14:28] that. This concludes my report. Thank
[1:14:32] you Director Morales, thank you for all
[1:14:33] the work you have done to get us to
[1:14:36] this point. Thank you for listening to
[1:14:43] the Board members and adding a solution
[1:14:44] of an additional meeting. You've done
[1:14:49] to make sure we don't have anything
[1:14:53] that impacts services, thank you very
[1:14:54] much for your service in this process.
[1:14:57] We will now turn to the consent agenda.
[1:15:01] Do we have a motion to approve the
[1:15:02] items on the consent agenda? Preston so
[1:15:05] moved, is there a second? Ponce second.
[1:15:18] It has been properly moved and seconded
[1:15:19] the consent agenda be approved any
[1:15:20] discussion? All in favor? Opposed? The
[1:15:21] ayes have it. Let's turn to items for
[1:15:25] separate consideration. Item 11
[1:15:26] >> First Vice Chair Fry. Preston. I'm
[1:15:38] reading it sorry.
[1:15:39] >> Madam Chair, item 11, I move the
[1:15:47] board authorize Interim President CEO
[1:15:48] to negotiate and execute a sole-source
[1:15:54] contract with Frauscher Sensor
[1:15:59] Technology Inc. for a purchase of
[1:16:00] interlocking axle counters with a
[1:16:04] maximum contract amount of 1,538,000.
[1:16:11] >> Bob Fry second. It has been properly
[1:16:17] moved and seconded. Any discussion? All
[1:16:23] in favor? Opposed? The ayes have it and
[1:16:24] the motion has been approved. Item 12
[1:16:34] Director Morales
[1:16:35] >> I move the Board approved the
[1:16:36] program of projects for fiscal year 26
[1:16:37] FTA formula funds outlined in Board
[1:16:38] meeting materials authorize interim
[1:16:39] president and CEO to approve final
[1:16:43] adjustment funding allocations Submit
[1:16:50] associated FTA grant applications
[1:16:51] perform required administrative actions
[1:16:52] and execute grant agreements and
[1:16:56] related documents to secure and
[1:16:57] administer FTA formula grants for the
[1:17:03] Houston urbanized area consistent with
[1:17:04] METRO projects capital plans and
[1:17:05] federal grant requirements
[1:17:06] >> Is there a second? Preston's second.
[1:17:08] It has been properly moved and
[1:17:10] seconded. All in favor?
[1:17:14] >> Hi there, it is me. I know we are
[1:17:18] moving click through these few items. I
[1:17:23] wanted to go ahead and speak to this
[1:17:24] item if that is okay Madam Chair. I do
[1:17:30] want to say, I know the formula funds
[1:17:33] are distributed across METRO service
[1:17:36] here in the city that county works
[1:17:40] collaboratively with the county to go
[1:17:41] through the process to make sure funds
[1:17:43] are distributed in time to make sure
[1:17:45] there is no service interruptions or
[1:17:50] anything like that. I wanted to say
[1:17:51] that Harris County rides program, to
[1:17:54] share about it, it provides service in
[1:17:57] unincorporated Harris County, a lot of
[1:17:58] residents depend on it. It is valuable
[1:18:02] and needed, and available to residents
[1:18:05] in those parts. There are rising costs
[1:18:08] to operate it. We all know there are
[1:18:09] constraints all around on funding
[1:18:12] sources all around. I want to emphasize
[1:18:17] as we have earlier and throughout the
[1:18:18] discussions and budget season and
[1:18:20] today, we don't want service to be in
[1:18:21] danger or compromised in any way. With
[1:18:24] that I just wanted to share those
[1:18:29] comments as we have Any further
[1:18:30] discussion? on the agenda item. I
[1:18:33] wanted to share those thoughts on
[1:18:34] behalf of the county. , Thank you for
[1:18:42] your comments we also share your values
[1:18:43] to ensure we don't have disruption of
[1:18:46] service thank you.
[1:18:47] >> Any more discussion? All in favor?
[1:18:54] Opposed? The ayes have it and the
[1:18:55] motion has been approved. Item 13
[1:18:58] Director Ponce
[1:18:59] >> Thank you Madam Chair. I move the
[1:19:12] Board authorize interim president and
[1:19:13] CEO to negotiate and execute a one-year
[1:19:14] sole-source contract with Seon Design
[1:19:15] DBA safe fleet to upgrade METRO
[1:19:19] existing safe fleet video system all
[1:19:24] METRO revenue vehicles to a cloud-based
[1:19:32] operation called Nexus, $289,560. Is
[1:19:38] there a second? Second by Bob Fry. It
[1:19:41] has been properly moved and seconded.
[1:19:48] Any discussion? All in favor? Opposed?
[1:19:49] The ayes have it and the motion has
[1:19:51] been approved. Item 14 First Vice Chair
[1:19:55] Preston. Thank you Madam Chair I moved
[1:20:00] the Board authorize interim President
[1:20:01] and CEO to negotiate and execute a
[1:20:04] one-year interlocal agreement with
[1:20:05] Houston forensic science Center Inc. to
[1:20:10] provide MPD with accredited forensic
[1:20:12] laboratory services on an as-needed
[1:20:14] basis for maximum contract amount of
[1:20:22] $250,000
[1:20:23] >> Is there a second? Ponce second.
[1:20:24] The item has been properly moved and
[1:20:31] seconded. All in favor? Opposed? The
[1:20:32] ayes have it and the motion has been
[1:20:37] approved.
[1:20:38] >>Okay, there are no further items on
[1:20:54] the agenda. Do we have a motion for
[1:20:56] adjournment? Preston so moved. Is there
[1:21:01] a second? Ponce second. It has been
[1:21:03] properly moved and seconded. Any
[1:21:07] discussion? All in favor any opposed
[1:21:12] The ayes have it and the motion has
[1:21:24] been approved. We stand adjourned,
[1:21:25] thank you everyone for your service.
[1:21:26] >> Wednesday, September 2 at 1 PM