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Council hears questions about $17.5 million RiverNorth transit cooperative agreement; staff says primarily grant-funded
Summary
Public commenter and council members probed a proposed RiverNorth Transit cooperative agreement (noted at about $17.5 million over five years); staff said the contract is largely funded by federal grants and farebox revenue, with some local match and built-in fleet upgrades in later years.
A citizen who signed up on the consent agenda asked for details about a RiverNorth Transit LLC cooperative purchasing agreement tied to transit services and vehicle leasing. Harold Willis asked "what is a 7 91 purchasing cooperative agreement?" and later pressed for where the $17,500,000 would come from.
Carol DeBries, director of transportation and mobility, replied that the cooperative (referred to in the packet as the '791' coop) is similar to BuyBoard and allows greater buying power. She said the contract’s funding is "primarily grant" money from federal transit programs and farebox revenue, with some local match. DeBries described the operational model — drivers often lease vehicles from a third party and are employed by the transit operator — and noted the contract includes periodic fleet upgrades in years two and four.
