[00:00:01]
CAN I GET STARTED IN A SECOND? WE'RE GOOD.
[Call to Order]
GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEETING TODAY'S SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2025.
I'LL CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 2:05 PM THE MEETING HAS BEEN HELD AT THE AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP LOCATED AT 2 0 3 COLORADO STREET IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
AS A REMINDER, THE AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES BOTH AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND OTHER INTERPRETER SERVICES.
IF YOU NEED THESE SERVICES, PLEASE CONTACT CHLOE MAXWELL, OUR AIRPORT LIAISON AND MEETING ORGANIZER.
[1. Public Comment]
WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER REGISTERED TO SPEAK.MR. CARLO LEON, IS HE HERE? YES.
AND THERE'S A BUTTON HERE SO YOU CAN TURN IT ON.
SO IN CARLOS LEON, FIRST AND FOREMOST, FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TO ACTION ITEMS FOUR AND FIVE.
DO NOT NEGOTIATE WITH CAT METRO UNTIL THEIR FRAUDULENT SIX MONTH SUSPENSION AGAINST ME IS RESCINDED, OFFICIALLY RESTORING MY FULL ACCESS TO THEIR SERVICES AND PROPERTIES.
CAT METRO IS WRONGLY PUNISHING ME FOR RIGHTLY WHISTLE BLOWING THEIR SERIOUS ONGOING MISCONDUCT AND CRIMINALITY, THOUGH MY 173 PAGE PDF EMAILED TO YOU BOARD BEFORE THIS MEETING DOCUMENTS AND EXPLAINS THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF CAP METRO'S, DISCRIMINATION AND RETALIATION AGAINST ME.
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DARYL JAMAL'S, FRAUDULENT SEPTEMBER 8TH, SUSPENSION LETTER AND SECURITY BULLETINS, FALSE PRETENSES STATEMENTS AND REPRESENTATIONS FALSELY PROJECTING GUILTY CAC, METRO EMPLOYEE ABUSE AND VIOLATIONS ONTO ME, ATTEMPTS TO OFFICIALLY CREATE AN UPSIDE DOWN ANTI-REAL INJUSTICE BY ALLEGEDLY TAMPERING WITH A GOVERNMENTAL RECORD, COMMITTING OFFICIAL OPPRESSION AND ABUSING HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY, SERIOUS CRIMES MERITING HIS IMMEDIATE FIRING AND CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
BETWEEN JUNE 17 AND SEPTEMBER 8TH, I SENT YOU MAIL, 57 EMAILS DOCUMENTING CAB METRO DRIVERS ALMOST DAILY DENIED ME SERVICE AND HARASSING ME SO HE COULD IDENTIFY THE CULPRITS, HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE, AND STOP THEM TARGETING ME.
INSTEAD, HIS LETTER AND BULLETIN IGNORED THEIR WRONG, BLAMING ME AND DISTORTING MY SELF DEFENSE REACTIONS TO WHAT THEY INITIATED IN ESCALATED, LIKE THE BULLETIN PICTURE IN FRONT OF YOU.
SEE THIS BECAUSE THE GUILTY DRIVER THERE WAS ABOUT TO PASS ME UP.
I STOOD IN FRONT OF HER BUS, POINTED TO THE BUS STOP, AND TOLD HER TO PULL OVER AND TRANSPORT ME.
SHE REFUSED IDLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LINE AND BLOCK TRAFFIC BEHIND HER.
SHE DELAYED SERVICE FOR 50 MINUTES.
DRIVERS PREVIOUSLY NOT FOLLOWING CAT METRO'S CODE OF CONDUCT TO WRONGLY DENY ME SERVICE ARE NOW FOLLOWING A FRAUDULENT SECURITY BULLETIN TO WRONGLY DENY ME SERVICE AGAIN, TO STOP ME GETTING TO CHURCH WORK AND HEB TO STARVE ME OUT.
THOUGH INTERSTATE TRAVEL AND WORK ARE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS IN TEXAS, CAT METRO CELEBRATES ROSA PARKS REFUSING THE BACK OF THE BUS, BUT SUSPEND ME, REFUSING TO BE PASSED UP LYING TO ABUSED OR BULLIED BY CAT METRO DRIVERS AND MANAGEMENT TARGETING ME.
THUS, I DID NOT REQUEST A RIGGED CAT METRO HEARING TO OVERTURN THIS BECAUSE YOU DON'T ASK A THIEF TO GIVE BACK WHAT HE STOLE, RIGHT? THIS WRONG NOW.
OR I REPORT THIS ALL TO YOUR STAR COMPLIANCE HOTLINE.
FOR STARTERS, GOD IS WATCHING AND JUDGING.
[2. Executive Director Report]
THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? NO OTHER SPEAKERS? THANK YOU,[00:05:01]
MR. CANAL.WE WILL BEGIN WITH YOU NOW FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT.
BOARD CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, UM, WELCOME PUBLIC TO OUR SEPTEMBER A TP BOARD MEETING.
A FEW ACTION ITEMS TO GO THROUGH TODAY, INCLUDING THE ADOPTION, HOPEFULLY, OF OUR, UH, FISCAL YEAR 25, 26 BUDGET.
REAL QUICK ON JUST AN UPDATE, WE, UH, OUR QUARTERLY PROJECT CONNECT STATUS REPORT.
THIS IS NOT ONLY AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE ON AUSTIN LIGHT RAIL, THE ADMINISTRATIVE HIGHLIGHTS OF WHERE A TP IS, BUT ALSO OUR PARTNER UPDATES ON THE COMPONENTS THAT THEY ARE LEADING.
UH, WE CONTINUE TO PUBLISH THIS AND IT'S ONLINE AND AVAILABLE.
UM, AS YOU KNOW, PART OF OUR OVERALL READINESS AND ENGAGEMENT, UM, OBVIOUSLY WE'RE DOING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY ONGOING, BUT OUR INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT HAS BEEN REALLY CRITICAL FOR US AS WE HEAD INTO 26 WITH, UM, SOME VERY LARGE PROCUREMENTS THAT WE'RE ADVANCING.
UH, OUR TEAM HAD A CHANCE TO WORK WITH THE CHAMBER SMALL BUSINESS PROCUREMENT SUMMIT.
THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT THING, AN ENGAGEMENT FOR US.
PARTNERED WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN ON THEIR SMALL BUSINESS CONNECTIONS CONFERENCE.
AGAIN, WE KNOW THAT WHILE WE ARE BRINGING IN, UM, CONTRACTORS FROM IN SOME LEVEL AROUND THE COUNTRY, IT'S REALLY GONNA BE CENTRAL TEXAS HERE THAT'S GONNA HELP US BUILD THIS PROJECT.
SO US CONTINUING THAT ENGAGING, WE REALLY APPRECIATE, UM, THE CITY OF AUSTIN HOSTING THAT EVENT AND HAVING US JOIN THEM.
UH, AND THEN SEVERAL OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS, AND I KNOW OTHERS, UH, FROM CAP METRO AS WELL, WERE AT THE NATIONAL TRANSFORM CONJURES BY APTA, INCLUDING, UH, BOARD MEMBER HORN WAS THERE AS WELL.
UM, JUST KIND OF HAVING A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ABOUT WHERE WE'RE ON TRANSIT.
A REALLY A REALLY GREAT, UH, OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER, UH, AROUND THE COUNTRY.
UM, ON THE NEXT SLIDE, UH, ONE LAST THING WE DID HERE, TALKING ABOUT OUR LOCAL ENGAGEMENT, UH, BOARD, IF YOU REMEMBER, UH, YOU RECENTLY, UH, CREATED, UH, THE AUSTIN LIGHT RAIL ADVISORY GROUP AND WE HAD OUR FIRST KICKOFF MEETING WITH THEM.
IT WAS REALLY A GREAT GROUP OF, OF LOCAL AUSTINITES WHO ARE, UH, NOT ONLY CHEERING US ON, BUT I THINK ARE GONNA BE ABLE TO PROVIDE US AND THE BOARD WITH REALLY SOME GREAT INSIGHT ABOUT, UH, HOW TO COMMUNICATE ABOUT THIS PROJECT.
HOW TO ENGAGE WITH THE PUBLIC, UM, NOT ONLY NOW, BUT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
AND WE REALLY WANNA APPRECIATE, UH, UH, CHAIR AND, UH, BOARD MEMBER GARZA FOR, FOR LEADING THAT EFFORT.
UM, A REALLY GOOD DIALOGUE AND WE CONTINUE TO HAVE, UM, CONTINUE TO ADVANCE THAT DIALOGUE ON A REGULAR QUARTERLY BASEMENT WITH THIS ADVISORY GROUP.
AND WE ULTIMATELY THANK ALL OF THOSE FOLKS FOR THEIR CONTINUING SERVICE.
MANY OF THEM WEAR MANY HATS
AND IT'S ALWAYS NEAT WHEN, UM, OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS STEP UP TO PUT ON YET ANOTHER HAT, UM, IN ADDITION TO ALL THEIR OTHER WORK GOING ON.
SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT, THAT EFFORT.
UM, THAT WRAPS UP FOR, FOR US, OUR BOARD REPORT.
ANY QUESTIONS FROM FELLOW MEMBERS? COMMENTS? YEAH, IT'S FINALLY GREAT TO KICK OFF THIS, THIS GROUP.
AND I DO KNOW WE HAVE TWO MORE POSITIONS OPEN ON THE BOARD FOR FINANCIAL EXPERTISE.
SO PLEASE APPLY FOR THIS, UM, COMMITTEE.
[3.1. Approval of minutes from the July 30, 2025 ATP Board Meeting.]
MOVING ON TO, UM, I LOST AGAIN MY PLACE IN THE AGENDA.OH YEAH, I MOVED IT OVER THIS WAY.
SO NOW WE'RE MOVING ON TO OUR ACTION ITEMS. I'D LIKE TO TAKE UP ACTION ITEM ONE, WHICH IS THE APPROVAL OF THE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE JULY 30TH BOARD MEETING.
I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A MOTION AND A SECOND.
MOVED BY BOARD MEMBER BILION SECOND.
OH SECOND BY BOARD MEMBER HORN.
UM, EVERYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.
MEETING MINUTES HAVE BEEN APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
[3.2. Approval of a resolution adopting the Austin Transit Partnership Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget.]
IS THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET.AND WITH US IS BRIAN RIVERA, THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TO PRESENT THIS ITEM.
GOOD AFTERNOON BOARD CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS.
UM, SO I HAVE A COUPLE SLIDES THAT WE'RE GONNA JUST RUN THROUGH REAL QUICK HERE.
UM, BETWEEN JULY AND WHERE WE ARE TODAY, THERE, THERE'S A STAFF RECOMMENDED BUDGET CHANGE TO THE APPROPRIATIONS THAT WE'RE ASKING THE BOARD TO APPROVE AS PART OF THE FY 26 BUDGET AND THAT APPROPRIATION CHANGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CAP METRO PROJECT FUND.
SO YOU GUYS WILL TAKE UP HERE LATER TODAY.
UM, THERE WE'RE ENTERING INTO AN LOCAL AGREEMENT WITH CAP METRO TO FUND THESE NEXT SET OF CAP METRO COMPONENT PROJECTS THAT THEY'RE IMPLEMENTING ON BEHALF OF THE PROJECT CONNECT PROGRAM.
AND ONE OF THOSE PROJECTS ARE THE PARK AND RIDE FACILITIES AT THE END OF THE EXPO IN PLEASANT VALLEY, BRT LINES THAT THEY'RE CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTING.
AND AS WE'RE CONTINUING DISCUSSIONS WITH, UM, CAP METRO STAFF AND FINALIZING THE AGREEMENTS IN AUGUST, WE IDENTIFIED SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT WERE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE PROJECTS THAT WEREN'T ORIGINALLY CAPTURED AND INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET THAT WE BROUGHT FORWARD IN JULY.
UM, SO THAT'S THE ONE CHANGE THAT WE HAVE HERE FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER AS PART OF THIS ACTION.
SO IT'LL BRING THE TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS FROM
[00:10:01]
99 MILLION TO WHAT WE, UM, PROPOSED BACK IN JULY, UP TO 105 MILLION ACROSS THE DIFFERENT CAPITAL FUNDS WITHIN OUR FUND STRUCTURE.UH, AGAIN, JUST REPORT OUT TO THE BOARD MORE SO THAN ANYTHING.
I KNOW WHEN WE WERE, WHEN WE MET BACK IN JULY, UM, WE MENTIONED WE WERE GONNA BE MEETING WITH THE CAC AND THE AUSTIN LIGHT ROD ADVISORY GROUPS, UM, TO PROPOSE OUR BUDGET, SEE IF THERE WERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS BACK IN MIDDLE OF AUGUST.
WE WENT TO THE CAC, UM, MEETING.
WE MADE AVAILABLE THE SAME PRESENTATION THAT WE DID FOR THE BOARD IN JULY, AND WE WERE AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR RECOMMENDATION, RECOMMENDATIONS THEY MIGHT HAVE HAD.
THERE WERE NO QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR RECOMMENDATIONS.
AND THEN AS, AS GREG MENTIONED EARLIER IN SEPTEMBER, WE MET WITH THE AUSTIN LIGHTRO ADVISORY GROUP.
UM, A PART OF THAT WAS A, A BUDGET PRESENTATION BUDGET UPDATE FOR THEM, UM, SOME, SOME CONVERSATION AND JUST BRINGING THEM UP TO SPEED WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
BUT AGAIN, NO QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR CONCERNS WITH THE BUDGET THAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF THE BOARD TODAY.
THESE NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES, I'M JUST GONNA TOUCH ON THEM REAL BRIEFLY.
THEY WERE, WE WENT OVER THEM BACK IN BACK IN JULY.
UM, JUST AGAIN, AS AS AN OVERVIEW FOR FY 26, THE PROP A REVENUE THAT WE'RE ANTICIPATING TO RECEIVE OVER THAT FISCAL YEAR.
THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR IS 185 MILLION WITH SOME FUNDS BEING GENERATED VIA OUR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO.
UM, AND AS I MENTIONED HERE AND MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY ON THE OPERATING FUND SIDE, WE'RE APPROPRIATING APPROXIMATELY $105 MILLION ACROSS THE DIFFERENT CAPITAL FUNDS.
AND LASTLY, THIS LAST SLIDE I'LL TOUCH ON BEFORE WRAPPING UP, IS AGAIN, JUST OVERVIEW ON THE LIGHT RAIL CAPITAL FUND SPEND SPEND PLAN FOR FY 2026.
ON THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SIDE, WE HAVE ABOUT $77 MILLION PLANNED, UM, FOR FY 26, WHICH COVERS AN ARRAY OF DIFFERENT CONTRACTS, ONE OF THEM BEING THE DELIVERY PARTNER, WHICH THE BOARD APPROVED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
AND TWO CONTRACTS THAT WE'LL HOPEFULLY BE BRINGING TO THE BOARD DURING FY 26 FOR ADOPTION AND APPROVAL, WHICH ARE THE PROGRESSIVE DESIGN BUILDERS FOR THE LIGHT RAIL CIVIL WORKS PACKAGE, AS WELL AS THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FACILITY.
AND LASTLY, THE OTHER PORTION OF THE SPEND PLAN IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES FOR RUNNING A TP AS AS A WHOLE.
SO THESE ARE ALL OF THE OTHER, UH, EXPENSES NOT RELATED DIRECTLY TO THE PROJECT.
SO THINK LEGAL, FINANCIAL ADVISORY SERVICES, STAFF TIME, RENT.
UM, SO WITH ALL THAT, WE HAVE A SPEND A SPEND PLAN INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET AND IN FRONT OF YOU ALL FOR CONSIDERATION OF $118 MILLION.
AS I MENTIONED, THESE SLIDES WE WENT THROUGH, UM, IN JULY AND OH, WHOA, LITTLE TOO FAST.
UM, THAT'S EXACTLY HOW I REMEMBER THEM.
YEAH, IF YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO THE, ALL RIGHT, SO I JUST WANT TO END HERE FOR, FOR THE BOARD.
UM, AGAIN, AS MENTIONED, THESE ARE KIND OF SOME OF THE KEY ACTIVITIES THAT WE HAVE SCHEDULED FOR FY 26.
UM, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, ONE, ONE BIG MILESTONE THAT WE'RE HOPING TO ACHIEVE IN FY 26 IS THE ONBOARDING OF OUR PROGRESSIVE DESIGN BUILD CONTRACTORS, AS WELL AS ADVANCING FINAL DESIGN FOR THE LIGHT RAIL PHASE ONE, SO THAT WE CAN CHECK THE NEXT BOX IN THE FDA PROCESS WITH ENTERING INTO THE RISK ASSESSMENT PHASE.
UM, ANY QUESTIONS? ANY QUESTIONS FROM MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS? NO QUESTIONS.
SO SECOND, ANYONE WANTS TO SECOND APPROVALS? ACTION ITEM NUMBER TWO, I'LL SECOND MOVE.
UH, MOVED BY MAYOR WATSON, SECOND BY, UM, BOARD MEMBER PAVILION.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.
UH, EVERYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
ACTION ITEM NUMBER TWO IS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
[3.3. Approval of a resolution adopting the Austin Transit Partnership Fiscal Year 2025-26 Investment Policy.]
ON TO ACTION ITEM NUMBER THREE, WHICH IS THE RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 INVESTMENT POLICY.UM, SO THIS IS AN ANNUAL ITEM THAT WE HAVE TO BRING UP TO THE BOARD.
SO, UM, OUR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO IS GOVERNED BY THE PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT.
UM, AND OUR INVESTMENT POLICY IS ALL STRUCTURED AROUND THAT PARTICULAR STATE STATUTE.
THE POLICY THAT WE'RE ASKING THE BOARD TO APPROVE HAS NO MATERIAL CHANGES.
UM, WITHIN IT, THIS LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THERE WEREN'T
[00:15:01]
ANY CHANGES TO THE PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT.THE ONLY CHANGES THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE POLICY THAT'S BEFORE THE BOARD ARE JUST SOME ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES TO JOB TITLES FOR THE FOLKS THAT MAKE UP OUR INVESTMENT COMMITTEE.
SO THEY WERE, UM, A DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING AND DIRECTOR OF BUDGET POSITIONS NAMED AS THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
WE MOVED THOSE UP TO THE SVP TITLES THAT THOSE POSITIONS ARE NOW A PART OF.
SO THOSE ARE THE ONLY PROPOSED CHANGES THAT WE HAVE BEFORE THE BOARD TODAY.
WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO MOVE, UM, ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MOVE APPROVAL OR QUESTION APPROVE.
I MOVE, APPROVE, MOVE BY MAYOR WATSON, SECOND BY MAYOR, UM, BOARD MEMBER GARZA.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE FINANCIAL? NO, NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.
EVERYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
THIS, UM, ITEM NUMBER THREE HAS BEEN APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
[3.4. Approval of a resolution authorizing negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement with the City of Austin to define the respective duties and responsibilities of the parties concerning acquisition of real property in support of Austin Light Rail.]
IS THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS THAT EACH BOARD MEMBER HAS BEEN BRIEFED ON INDIVIDUALLY, AND I'D LIKE TO CALL FOR A VOTE ON EACH OF THEM.ACTION ITEM NUMBER FOUR, AUTHORIZES NEGOTIATION AND EXECUTION OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO DEFINE RESPECTIVE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES CONCERNING ACQUISITION OF REAL ESTATE PROPERTY IN SUPPORT OF AUSTIN LIGHT RAIL.
I'D LIKE TO REQUEST A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THIS ITEM.
SO MOVED, MOVED BY BOARD MEMBER HORN, SECOND BY BOARD MEMBER GARZA.
ANY DISCUSSION? NO DISCUSSION.
I'D JUST LIKE TO THANK OUR PARTNERS AT THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR HELPING US MANAGE THIS PROCESS.
UM, THIS IS GONNA BE AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE AS WE EMBARK.
SO I APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK, ALEX, FOR MOVING THIS FORWARD.
AND, UM, I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR FOR APPROVING THIS ITEM ON YOUR END FROM THE CITY SIDE.
SO EVERYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
UH, I DON'T KNOW IF I HEARD YOU BOARD MEMBER GARZA.
SO EVERYONE IN, UM, HAS BEEN APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
[3.5. Approval of a resolution authorizing negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement with Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority for capital funding for CapMetro components for a term ending September 30, 2031, for a total amount not to exceed $148,600,000.]
ITEM NUMBER FIVE, AUTHORIZES NEGOTIATION AND EXECUTION OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH CAB METRO FOR CAPITAL FUNDING FOR CAB METRO PROGRAM COMPONENTS.I'D LIKE TO REQUEST A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THIS ITEM, MOVE APPROVAL MOVED BY MAYOR WATSON.
SECOND BY BOARD MEMBER BILION.
ANY DISCUSSION? NO DISCUSSION.
UM, I JUST WANT TO THANK CAP METRO FOR BUILDING ALL OF OUR WORK.
I ALSO WANNA APPRECIATE YOUR, YOUR MEMO FOR SENDING ME THE DETAILS.
UH, EVERYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
ACTION ITEM NUMBER FIVE, APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
[3.6. Approval of a resolution amending the interlocal agreement with Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority for capital funding of MetroRapid Projects extending the term of the agreement through September 30, 2026.]
AMENDS THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH CAPITAL METRO FOR CAPITAL FUNDING OF METRO RAPID PROJECTS EXTENDING THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2026.I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THIS ITEM.
SO MOVE MOVED BY MAYOR WATSON AND THEN SECOND BY BOARD MEMBER GARZA.
ANY DISCUSSION? NO DISCUSSION BOARD MEMBERS ON THIS ONE.
I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION ABOUT THE EXTENSION OF THE TIME, UM, AS WE MOVE INTO LESSONS LEARNED ON PERMITTING OR SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS FOR THIS EXTENSION OF TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN ADVANCE THE PROJECTS.
I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND BETTER HOW CAN WE WORK THIS BETTER FOR THE FUTURE AND WHAT WE CAN FACILITATE.
SO, UM, THAT'S REALLY THE ONLY COMMENT I HAVE, SO THANK YOU FOR THE HEAVY LIFT.
UM, IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, I'D LIKE TO MOVE APPROVAL.
SO MOVED BY BOARD MEMBER HORN, SECOND BY BOARD MEMBER GARZA.
EVERYONE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
ACTION ITEM NUMBER SIX IS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
SO THIS CONCLUDES OUR ACTION ITEM.
[4.1 Presentation of the Audit of Oracle User Roles.]
TO INTERNAL AUDIT DISCUSSION, AND I'D LIKE TO INVITE ATP'S, CHIEF AUDIT EXECUTIVE KATIE HOUSTON, AND SENIOR INTERNAL AUDITOR CAMERON LAG TO PRESENT ON THE INTERNAL AUDIT TERM ITEMS. WELCOME.UM, UH, WE HAVE A FEW ITEMS, UH, TO BRING FORTH TO Y'ALL TODAY.
TWO AUDITS AND THEN TWO ACTION ITEMS. I'LL START WITH THE FIRST AUDIT HERE.
UH, IT WAS OUR REVIEW OF USER ROLES AND KEY SYSTEMS, WHICH
[00:20:01]
WAS MAINLY ORACLE.UH, AND THIS IS KIND OF A BREAD AND BUTTER TYPE, UH, PROJECT FOR AUDITORS.
I ANTICIPATE, UH, WHETHER IT'S US OR FUTURE REVIEWERS, THIS WILL BE A TOPIC I THINK PEOPLE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT.
UM, THE MAIN PURPOSE HERE IS TO CONFIRM THAT WE ARE SEPARATING CRITICAL DUTIES ACROSS MULTIPLE, UH, EMPLOYEES.
THE, THE MEAT HERE IS WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THE PERSON WHO HOLDS THE PURSE DOESN'T ALSO MAKE THE JOURNAL ENTRIES, DOESN'T ALSO APPROVE THE TRANSACTIONS.
SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE STUDYING HERE ON THIS ONE.
UH, AND OVERALL WE FOUND WE'RE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE THAT WE HAVE, UH, THE APPROPRIATE, UH, PROCESSES IN PLACE TO DISPERSE CRITICAL FUNCTIONS.
WE NOTED A FEW INCA INCOMPATIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE.
UH, THE FIRST ONE RELATES TO KIND OF USER, OUR EXISTING USER ACCESS.
AND WHAT WE WOULD SAY HERE IS, IT'S PROBABLY JUST TIME FOR LIKE A SPRING CLEANING IS WHAT WE'D SAY.
UH, A LOT OF THE ROLES THAT ARE ASSIGNED, UH, WERE SEATED ROLES THAT WE CARRIED OVER FROM A ST WHEN WE FIRST BROUGHT THE SYSTEM IN HOUSE.
AND THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY NOW TO GO IN CULL THROUGH THAT, MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WHO HAS ASSIGNED ACCESS THAT THAT APPROPRIATELY MATCHES THEIR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND KIND OF CLEAN OUT THE EXCESS PERMISSIONS.
UH, WE ALSO FOUND ROOM TO IMPROVE OUR TEMPORARY USER ACCESS.
AND HERE, WHAT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS TO SEE THAT MORE FORMALLY DOCUMENTED.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE NOTED, AND I THINK THIS IS REALLY COMMON IN, IN RELATIVELY SMALL ORGANIZATIONS, IS WE HAVE SOME PRETTY TINY TEAMS. TEAMS OF TWO OR THREE.
UH, SO IT'S NOT UNCOMMON THAT, YOU KNOW, ONE PERSON'S OUT ON VACATION LEAVE, ANOTHER PERSON'S OUT SICK, THE THIRD PERSON IS, YOU KNOW, KIND OF LEFT HOLDING THE BAG, UH, TRYING TO KEEP THE SHIP AFLOAT.
AND SO WE SOMETIMES HAVE TO ASSIGN TEMPORARY ACCESS IN THE SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE THE BUSINESS GETS DONE.
WHAT WE'D LIKE TO SEE THERE IS A FORMAL PROCESS SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE WE UNDO THAT ACCESS WHEN EVERYONE'S BACK IN THE OFFICE.
UH, WE KIND OF PARTICULARLY NOTED SOME CONCERNS THERE WITH OUR, OUR SMALL FINANCE TEAM.
UH, THAT TEAM LOOKS LIKE IT'LL BE EXPANDING AS WE GROW, SO THAT'LL, THAT'LL KIND OF NATURALLY SOLVE ITSELF THERE.
UM, BUT ROOM TO KIND OF FORMALIZE THAT PROCESS.
AND THEN THE LAST AREAS WHERE WE NOTED, UH, SOME ROOM TO IMPROVE HAS TO DO WITH VENDOR AND COMPENSATION MANAGEMENT.
AND HERE WE NOTED THERE'S REALLY ONE PERSON WHO MAKES VENDOR CHANGES AND THEN ALSO APPROVES THEM.
WE'D LIKE TO SEE THAT DISPERSED BETWEEN TWO EMPLOYEES WITH A SECOND SET OF EYES.
AND THEN AS IT RELATES TO COMPENSATION MANAGEMENT, UH, AT THE TIME OF THE TESTING WE REVIEWED, WE DIDN'T HAVE A DOCUMENTED POLICY KIND OF OUTLINING HOW WE MAKE COMPENSATION MANAGEMENT DECISIONS.
THE GOOD NEWS THERE IS, AS OF MAY, WE HAVE SOME DOCUMENTED GUIDELINES TO HELP GUIDE THIS PROCESS.
SO SOME IMPROVEMENTS ALREADY THERE.
UH, AND THEN THIS KIND OF JUST THE INVERSE OF THOSE ARE WHAT WE RECOMMENDED HERE REGULARLY CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF OUR USER ACCESS, DEVELOP THAT USER ACCESS POLICY, BUILD IN THAT TWO PERSON REVIEW PROCESS FOR THE VENDOR CHANGES, AND THEN ENHANCE OUR TRANSPARENCY AROUND COMPENSATION MANAGEMENT TO CREATE A DOCUMENTED APPROVAL PROCESS CONSISTENT WITH OUR ESTABLISHED POLICIES.
SO, UH, THERE'S MANAGEMENT ACTION, YOU KNOW, CONSISTENT WITH OUR REPORTS ALWAYS IN THE REPORT.
UM, AND, AND MANAGEMENT AGREED WITH WHAT WE HAD HERE.
I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE HERE OR WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM.
ANY QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? JUST HAVE A QUICK NOTE.
I JUST WANT TO, THIS IS, UM, WE APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT KATIE AND CAMERON DID AND THE TIMING TIMELINESS OF THIS.
YOU KNOW, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT OUR READINESS AS AN ORGANIZATION FOR WHAT'S COMING IN TERMS OF THIS FINAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, INTEGRATING OUR NEW CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.
SO HAVING THESE FINANCE IS THE EXACT THING WE NEED AS WE BUILD THAT NEXT PHASE.
SO WE APPRECIATE THERE'S A LOT OF HEAVY LIFT IN THIS AND WE APPRECIATE THE RECOMMENDATIONS, UH, AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND AS, AS KATIE SAY, WE'RE IN SUPPORT OF THOSE AND WE'LL GET WORKING ON THEM AS WELL.
IT'S A GREAT MOMENT HOW WE, UH, TO GET THE PROJECT DONE.
WELL, YOU GOTTA PLAN WELL AND YOU GOTTA THINK WELL ABOUT HOW WE'RE DOING ALL THE INTRICATE, INTRICATE THINGS AROUND, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE SYSTEMS AND, UM, BOTH FINANCIAL SYSTEMS AND, UH, PROJECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. SO I JUST COMMEND THEM AND THANK THEM FOR THAT EFFORT.
MADAM CHAIR, UH, JUST ONE THING.
UH, I LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING TWO SETS OF EYES ON THE PROCESS.
UH, BUT I ALSO LIKE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
IF WE HAVE, UH, SOMETHING SO THAT EACH HAS TO SIGN OFF MM-HMM
THEN YOU KNOW THAT YOU'VE GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS, YOU KNOW THAT YOU'VE HANDLED THE DETAILS AND YOU KNOW THAT, UH, BOTH HAVE LOOKED AT IT WITHIN A TIMELY MANNER.
SO I JUST, IF, IF WE CAN PUT OPERATING PROCEDURES ON TOP OF THAT PROCESS, I THINK WE GET GOOD LONG-TERM RESULTS.
[4.2 Presentation of the Audit of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goals.]
FOR THE NEXT ITEM HERE.SO I'M GONNA TALK THROUGH OUR DBE GOALS AUDIT.
SO, UM, THIS ONE IS PRETTY QUICK.
IT WAS A PRETTY, UM, QUICK AND SMOOTH PROCESS.
THE TEAM IS REALLY GREAT, THEY WERE GREAT TO WORK WITH.
[00:25:01]
WE FOUND THAT A TP HAS ESTABLISHED A DBE PROGRAM AND DEVELOPED GOALS ALL IN ALIGNMENT WITH CURRENT FEDERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS AROUND, UH, D-E-B-D-B-E PROGRAMS WITH THE DOT.UM, AND WE'RE NOT A CURRENT GRANT RECIPIENT, OF COURSE, OF ANY DOT GRANTS, BUT WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING OUR PROGRAM TO HOPEFULLY BECOME ONE ONE DAY.
SO, UM, WE'RE SET UP IN THE WAY THAT WE HAVE SET UP OUR PROGRAM, UM, TO BE READY FOR, UH, CONTRACTS WITH GOALS THAT ARE RELATED TO DBE.
UM, I'LL MAKE ONE NOTE THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE RULES THAT ARE CURRENTLY UNDER A FEDERAL REVIEW.
UM, SO WE KIND OF KEPT THAT IN MIND AS WE WERE DOING THIS WORK, BUT THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY DECISION MADE ON THAT AT THIS POINT.
UM, SO THIS IS JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL.
UM, A TP HAS REALLY, LIKE WE SAID, ESTABLISHED THE GROUNDWORK FOR THIS PROGRAM.
THEY HAVE KIND OF THREE KEY DOCUMENTS THAT ARE GUIDING THAT THIS PROGRAM POLICY, A PROGRAM INITIATIVES DOCUMENT, AND THEN A PROGRAM PLAN, ALL KIND OF DETAIL HOW THEY WILL OPERATE AND MONITOR AND, YOU KNOW, MEASURE THESE GOALS.
UH, THEY ALSO DID AN AVAILABILITY STUDY, UM, HAD A CONTRACT WOULD COME IN AND DO A REALLY DETAILED AVAILABILITY STUDY LOOKING AT KIND OF WHAT DOES THE LOCAL LANDSCAPE LOOK LIKE FOR DBES AND WHAT'S THE AVAILABILITY THERE FOR OUR UPCOMING CONTRACTS.
AND THEN THAT ALSO PRODUCED A GOAL CALCULATOR THAT WILL, UM, LIKE WHEN YOU PUT IN THE, UM, THE INFORMATION FOR YOUR CONTRACT, IT AUTOMATICALLY CALCULATES A SUGGESTED DBE E GOAL FOR, UH, THAT CONTRACT.
SO REALLY GOOD TOOLS THAT CAME OUT OF THAT STUDY AND SOME GOOD INFORMATION.
UM, WE ALSO LOOKED AT FOR THIS, WHAT ARE WE SPENDING LOCALLY? SO OF OUR, YOU KNOW, FUNDING AND OUR MONEY THAT WE HAVE SPENT SINCE WE LOOKED AT IT SINCE OCTOBER, 2022.
UH, WHAT HAS A TP SPENT ON LOCAL SUPPLIERS? UM, AND WE FOUND THAT ABOUT 17% OF ATP'S MONEY HAS GONE TOWARDS LOCAL SUPPLIERS.
UM, AND WE SPOKE WITH PROCUREMENT AND THEY ARE WORKING ON DEVELOPING KIND OF A MORE DETAILED, UH, METHODOLOGY FOR CALCULATING THAT ON A MORE REGULAR BASIS.
AND THAT WAS OUR ONE RECOMMENDATION FROM THIS WAS THIS, THAT PROCUREMENT SHOULD DEVELOP THAT AND THEN REGULARLY REPORT ON THAT SPENDING.
WITH THAT SAID, THAT WILL BE DONE BY JANUARY.
ANY QUESTIONS FROM MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS? WE'RE GOOD.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE HEAVY LIFT.
SO, UM, ACTION ITEMS. YES, SURE.
[5.1. Approval of a resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Audit Plan.]
GO THROUGH THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 AUDIT PLAN.SO, UM, I'D LIKE TO REQUEST A MOTION FOR THIS MOVE BY BOARD MEMBER GARZA SECOND FOR THIS ACTION ITEM.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS OR QUESTIONS? NO.
UM, EVERYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.
AS WELL, IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
[5.2. Approval of a resolution adopting amendments to the Austin Transit Partnership Internal Audit Charter.]
THANK YOU.SO THIS IS OUR FINAL ACTION ITEM AND THIS IS THE APPROVAL OF OUR RESOLUTION ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE AUSTIN TRANSIT PARTNERSHIP, INTERNAL AUDIT CHARTER.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO NOW REQUEST A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE CHARTER MOVE APPROVAL MOVED BY BOARD MEMBER IAN, I SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? NO, NO DISCUSSION.
SO EVERYONE IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.
SO THIS CONCLUDES OUR MEETING FOR THIS, UM, FOR SEPTEMBER.
THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO CAME AND I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TODAY, THIS MEETING.
THE MEETING OF THE A TP BOARD STANDS ADJOURNED AT 2:34 PM THANK YOU.