Bullhead City transit staff unveil 45-day public participation plan, outline grant and consultant steps

Bullhead City transit staff and the Bullhead City Metropolitan Planning Organization outlined a 45-day public comment period for a Title VI public participation plan and detailed next steps for a $250,000 MPO-funded short-range transit plan during a commission meeting.

The presentation said the draft public participation plan implements Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related federal directives on environmental justice and requires outreach to minority, low-income, elderly and disabled populations. "This right here is our map. This is the whole area that we cover. We cover Bullhead City, Fort Mohave, Mohave Valley, and the Fort Mohave Indian Tribe," said Steve D'Amico, Bullhead City MPO executive director, describing the geographic scope for outreach.

Why it matters: the plan sets how the MPO and city will reach underserved riders and other stakeholders ahead of a separate 30-day outreach tied to the transit short-range plan and future service changes. Officials said the process is intended to surface problems early, improve project design and broaden participation in transit planning.

Transit staff reported several related updates. Michael, transit staff, said the city closed out most of its 5311 grant funding and is working with ADOT on remaining capital items. He also described steps needed to access recurring operating apportionments from the Federal Transit Administration, including adoption of a transit asset management (TAM) plan and any required system updates. "We're hoping to end up cresting over about 150,000 rides for the year," Michael said when summarizing ridership trends.

On the MPO short-range transit plan, staff said the MPO was awarded a $250,000 grant and that roughly 93% of the project cost is covered by the award, leaving about $14,000 for local match. Staff are completing an RFP shell with the city attorney and expect to open procurement for roughly 30 days, then convene a city/MPO review team to recommend a consultant. Because the project is MPO-funded, the MPO executive board will give final approval of the consultant selection; if a contract requires city action the city council would approve it.

Staff described outreach and access features in the draft public participation plan: posting the draft on the Bullhead City MPO website and at the MPO office for at least 45 calendar days, offering alternative formats (large print, braille, audio) on request, and conducting town halls and presentations to community organizations. D'Amico gave two scheduled town-hall dates: Aug. 11 and Sept. 8, both at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers, and provided contact details (sdamico@bullheadcityaz.org; (928) 201-8664) for groups that want presentations.

Commissioners and staff also discussed outreach to riders who lack internet access. Michael said the transit office will use newspaper, radio, nonprofit groups, churches and postings on vehicles to reach people who rely on the bus system, and that staff plan to include vehicle postings so riders directly affected will know about public meetings.

Staff warned of a possible short delay tied to FTA's system maintenance: the FTA asset-management system is scheduled for an annual update in September, which could briefly delay applications for apportionment funds after the city completes its TAM plan. Staff expect to have the TAM plan finalized for council consideration in August or early September and to have more information on apportionment reimbursement by November.

Commissioners also heard items on operations: passenger-complaint reports showed zero complaints in the last quarter, ridership is trending upward, and a senior transportation service has had zero trips for several months because core volunteers stepped away for health reasons. Staff asked for help recruiting volunteers and listed volunteer expectations: typically one day a week, roughly 8 a.m.–3 p.m., training provided on a low-floor minivan and no commercial driver’s license required for volunteer drivers. Paid driver openings include a full-time driver (requires a commercial driver's license with passenger endorsement) and part-time driver roles; a transit office specialist position was also posted.

Two upcoming service closures were announced: transit will not operate on Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day) and Monday, Oct. 13 (Columbus Day), both city-observed holidays.

Votes and formal actions taken during the meeting were limited. The commission approved the minutes of the May 5, 2025 commission meeting by voice vote after a motion and second; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

The commission adjourned after identifying no additional agenda items.