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COPTA trustees approve contracts, grants and a transit‑center feasibility study
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Summary
Trustees approved multiple items including a marketing contract (up to $160,000/yr), a Genfare sole‑source resolution, a $217,587 garage repair change order, a $2.06M STBG grant application for three CNG buses (local match ~$412,283), a $1.7M Kimley‑Horn transit center feasibility contract, and a free‑fare resolution for Oct. 14, 2025.
The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority voted to approve a slate of procurement and grant actions at its Oct. 3 meeting, moving forward with marketing, equipment, maintenance, grant applications and a transit‑center feasibility study.
What passed: Trustees approved a professional services agreement with Staples Marketing LLC, DBA Affirm Agency, to provide marketing services at an annual cost not to exceed $160,000 for the three‑year period Oct. 3, 2025–Oct. 2, 2028. The board also adopted a sole‑source resolution authorizing purchases of farebox equipment, parts and services from Genfare LLC, with an estimated annual cost of $100,000 for Oct. 3, 2025–Oct. 2, 2026. Staff noted a long relationship with the manufacturer dating to 2006 and that some existing farebox equipment is "starting to sunset," prompting a future RFP to reexamine fare policy and equipment.
In capital maintenance, trustees approved Amendment No. 2 and Change Order No. 2 with Tera Construction for inspection and repairs to Embark parking garages for a combined total of roughly $217,587.37; the work includes concrete patching at the Sheridan Walker Garage and replacement of post‑tension cables.
On fleet replacement, the board adopted a resolution to apply for Surface Transportation Block Grant urbanized area funds for the Embark FY2029 CNG bus project. Staff said the total project cost would be $2,061,417, with a federal share of $1.6 million and a local match estimated at $412,283 to acquire three compressed natural gas buses.
Transit center study: Trustees approved an agreement with Kimley‑Horn for a transit center feasibility study at a cost not to exceed $1,700,000 for work through April 2, 2027; staff said portions of the work will be funded by a previously awarded RAISE grant and that work orders will be recommended per task rather than obligating all tasks at once.
Other actions: The board adopted a resolution authorizing free fare on fixed‑route, BRT (Northwest Zone 1), ADA paratransit and streetcar services on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, consistent with the board’s authority for special election days. The claims and payroll for the period Aug. 20–Sept. 23, 2025 were ratified, and the consent docket (four items) and minutes from the Sept. 5 meeting were approved.
How the votes were recorded: For most items trustees used the meeting’s electronic voting; minutes and consent items passed after motions were moved and seconded and the chair announced "Motion passes." The executive session/settlement authorization on the lawsuit Reginald Goosby v. COPTA was moved by Robert and seconded by Meg and the motion to enter executive session carried.
What to watch next: Staff said a forthcoming RFP will revisit farebox equipment and fare policy; the STBG grant application will proceed with the local match if awarded; and Kimley‑Horn will return with task recommendations as the feasibility study progresses.
