Indigo board adopts eminent-domain ordinance for bus-stop improvements and approves multiple contracts, upgrades and renewals

The Indigo Board of Directors took a slate of formal actions at its June 18, 2025 meeting, including adoption of an ordinance authorizing the agency to acquire property interests needed to construct ADA-accessible bus stops and approval of multiple multi-year contracts and contract amendments.

The board adopted Ordinance No. 2025-01, authorizing Indigo to acquire certain real-property interests necessary to complete local bus-stop improvement projects in accordance with Indigo's ADA transition plan and, if negotiations fail, to exercise the power of eminent domain. The ordinance was introduced May 15 and after a public hearing June 18 the board voted by roll call. Directors recorded their votes as follows: Director Slash, aye; Director Quick, aye; Director Fagan, aye; Director Wilson, aye; Director Gardner, aye. The motion carried.

The board also approved several contracting and budget items by motion and voice vote. Highlights include:

- Fair policy adoption and implementation support: The board authorized the president and CEO to amend the contract with City Strategies LLC to provide support for adoption and implementation of the new fare policy, increasing the not-to-exceed contract amount by $124,950 to a total not-to-exceed $219,900 and extending the expiration to Dec. 31, 2026.

- Program management support: The board approved an amendment to the HNTB Corporation program-management support contract for an additional not-to-exceed $2,265,000 (new total $9,673,000) and extended the contract to June 30, 2029. The work supports implementation of capital projects such as the Purple and Blue lines.

- Facilities and maintenance contracts: The board authorized a three-year contract with the Shuck Corporation for shelter cleaning and maintenance (not to exceed $4,243,076). Separate janitorial contracts covering multiple facilities were approved (combined not-to-exceed totals presented in the packet) and the board approved a special procurement to contract with GHW Waste Services for waste removal and recycling (initial annual not-to-exceed $48,000; three-year not-to-exceed $144,000; optional extensions as specified).

- Garage supplies and maintenance: The board authorized an amendment to the Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc. contract for parts-washer cleaning and paint supplies, increasing the contract by $145,000 to a new total not to exceed $232,600.

- Federal-government consulting: The board extended an agreement with Cardinal Infrastructure LLC to continue federal transit and FTA-related consulting for eight months at a cost of $96,000 (total contract amount not to exceed $204,000).

- Electronic fare-collection system upgrade: The board authorized a contract with Mesabi LLC (leveraging a Neuride master service agreement) to upgrade Indigo's electronic fare-collection system for a not-to-exceed amount of $2,165,000 (includes 10% contingency) and a three-year term. Staff said the contract covers the software platform, onboard and off-board validators, inspection devices and enhanced mobile features; ticket vending machines from the prior contractor will be retained. Marcus Burnside, Indigo chief information officer, said equipment lead times are estimated at three to six months and that the agency is targeting July 1, 2026 for implementation if scheduling and supply chains allow.

- Insurance renewal: The board approved the agency's 2025 insurance renewal (coverage from 07/01/2025 through 06/30/2026) for an amount not to exceed $1,458,499, with coverage procured via the broker Aon.

Most items passed by voice vote after motions and seconds. Where the packet or transcript recorded a roll call, votes are reported above. The board's approvals authorize staff to execute contract amendments and agreements within the approved amounts and timings reported to the board.

What it means: The ordinance and contract approvals are intended to advance Indigo's ADA-transition bus-stop upgrades, maintain day-to-day facility operations and move forward with planned technology upgrades (notably the electronic fare system) and program-management continuity for multi-year capital work. Several approvals include optional extensions and contingency funding, and staff flagged that operating costs for the new fare platform may vary as MyKey usage and retail reload options change. Several procurement items included discussion of DBE/XBE goals and the limits of participation for certain underwriter-sourced procurements.