COPTA approves contracts, grants and small pay increase; authorizes mediation in pending lawsuit

The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority on April 10 approved a series of contracts, grant agreements and budget adjustments and authorized mediation in a pending lawsuit.

The board approved a professional services agreement with Vox Audio Video to purchase, install and maintain integrated audio‑video equipment across authority facilities at an estimated cost not to exceed $1,303,712 for the period 04/10/2026–04/09/2029. Jesse (staff member) told trustees six proposals were reviewed and Vox was recommended as the best value.

Trustees also renewed multiple vehicle maintenance pricing agreements with vendors including Gillig LLC and New Flyer for an estimated annual cost of $1,550,000 and authorized open‑market purchases for repair parts estimated at $500,000. The board adopted a separate cost increase of $450,000 to bring automotive parts and supplies funding to $2,000,000 for the period ending 05/19/2027, a change staff said was needed after recent engine replacements.

A resolution increasing sole‑source Genfare aftermarket parts spending by $200,000 (total $350,000 through 10/02/2026) passed after staff said much of the fare hardware dates to the late 1990s and parts are harder to find. Trustees approved a change order with Terra Construction for parking garage inspections and repairs with a net change of $5,648.20.

On transit planning and procurement, the board authorized staff to advertise an RFP for bus rapid transit vehicle purchases in anticipation of future Northeast and South BRT lines and the LA 2028 games; Jesse said the authority has partnered with the MAPS program to help fund the local match if a BUILD grant is awarded.

The board approved a Community Development Block Grant operating agreement with the City of Oklahoma City to support transportation services for low‑to‑moderate income residents (estimated cost $168,250; estimated revenue $209,000 for 07/01/2026–06/30/2027) and approved Section 5310 subrecipient grant agreements with the Veil Living Center, the Oklahoma Foundation for the Disabled and Harris Senior Citizens for vehicle purchases using FTA Section 5310 funds. Jesse said Embark serves as the state program manager for the Section 5310 allocations and that federal guidance and audits will apply.

Trustees ratified Amendment No. 3 with Manhattan Road & Bridge for the First Americans Museum riverboat landing, increasing that contract by $15,602; staff expects the landing to accept boats beginning May 1. The board approved Amendment No. 2 with Beck Design for continued architectural and construction administration work on the South Main renovation (fee increase $28,000) and approved a three‑year (with renewals) uniform rental agreement with UniFirst at an estimated annual cost of $100,000.

On personnel, trustees adopted a resolution authorizing a 1% stipend and a 1% pay plan adjustment for COPTA non‑represented employees for fiscal year 2025–2026 at an estimated cost of $123,000, retroactive to 07/01/2025; staff noted represented employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the ATU.

The board moved into executive session on a pending lawsuit (Kenneth Roy Cummings Jr. v. Embark/COPTA) and later, in open session, authorized counsel to pursue mediation and to prepare settlement paperwork if an agreement is reached (Jason moved; Robert seconded). Trustees also ratified claims and payroll for 02/19/2026–03/24/2026.

Most motions were approved by electronic or voice vote; individual vote tallies were not recorded in the public transcript for each item. Several items will return to the board with additional details or recommendations where staff noted further testing or pending grant awards.

Ending: Staff plans to bring a budget amendment in June to address timing variances in federal grants and other lines; items tied to pending grants or outcome of RFPs will be reported back when results are available.