[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6292073,"mediaKeyId","2528150-b2a6a02fb7f8537651bc4976e917006c","parentId",2528150,"title","Votes at a glance: COPTA meeting actions and outcomes","audioSeconds",1757,"startMs",776000,"endMs",2533000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528150-b2a6a02fb7f8537651bc4976e917006c&start=776&end=2533","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528150-b2a6a02fb7f8537651bc4976e917006c/thumbnail_776000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6292073/Oklahoma/Votes-at-a-glance-COPTA-meeting-actions-and-outcomes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6292073-f5197d7cd4d4330fe8321d4e66e0f1ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1770917153&Signature=nzcwX4eFfo3MwDPEzHGHMq3uo4wSQZn66UQZ7aWb~gIoP6ecxROZ9qynP0b2BB2VZXDXqv~jKihXnHxzm~JPeyfjHDJLEhGZE3mzy0K0p6MpY6PLjIZLuing9L6yGSPnVuBxiny4Wc3L20hA6fLde~21J1Voc3CELr1IKLl05OXZODBG0jHkWyvuJA0lYRnl~NMj~egOHCJEc7KzP9kSD5~IluFI1mUXAMa3Ct6dmrX2lSYphvBArQYNRS5KLid5TyMZXiiQod75R6Fzlo3-wK-W2ilDlWCP20w4uKzXmceqDk282V-JMlOTmfSs3LJWQqYLAAkSDiy83V7c1aA2bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Oklahoma","date","2025-03-08T04:27:44Z","article","At the March 8, 2025, meeting the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority recorded a series of motions and votes on routine and substantive items. The board took the actions listed below; vote tallies were not read into the public transcript and motions were recorded as passed electronically.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution: Recognize and commend Laura A. Johnson for service to COPTA (appointed finance director surrogate 09/02/2011\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 to 10/04/2024). Outcome: Passed. (Item: resolution read by Jesse; motion moved/seconded; \"Motion passes\" recorded.)

- Approve plans and specifications for COPTA parking garage inspection and repairs; authorize administrator to advertise for bids. Outcome: Passed. (Item 4.a; staff will return with bid tabulation and contract recommendation.)

- Approve parking lease agreement with Investrust as trustee of the Parham Gorham Family Trust for 426 Northwest Fifth Street; estimated annual cost $16,800; term 04/01/2025 through 03/31/2030. Outcome: Passed (consent docket, Item 4.b).

- Adopt resolution approving the 2025 Title VI program updates (triennial FTA submission; language translations and service-equity thresholds included). Outcome: Passed (Item 5.c).

- Authorize municipal counselor to prepare and file paperwork to effectuate settlement in the claim of Ronald Smith, or alternatively go into executive session to consult with attorneys; trustees moved into executive session and, on return, adopted the resolution authorizing settlement without admission of liability. Outcome: Passed (Item 5.d).

- Ratify claims and payroll for the period February 1\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 through February 28, 2025. Outcome: Passed.

- Approve minutes of the February 7, 2025 COPTA board meeting; approve consent docket and receive program and financial reports. Outcome: All motions passed as recorded.

What passed and next steps

- Procurement: Staff will advertise the garage-repair bid documents and return with results and a contract recommendation.

- Contracts/Leases: Staff will execute the approved lot lease effective April 1, 2025.

- Compliance filing: Staff will submit the adopted Title VI program update to the Federal Transit Administration in accordance with Circular 4702.1B.

Details and provenance: See individual agenda items for excerpts and staff presentations recorded in the meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority 3/7/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal motions and outcomes from the COPTA meeting, including resolutions, procurement authorizations and routine approvals recorded as passed by electronic vote.","taxTitle","Other Public Meetings, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma","taxId",69689,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6292078,"Community group urges Embark and partners to address low frequencies on Routes 15 and 19",284,1427000,1711000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528150-b2a6a02fb7f8537651bc4976e917006c&start=1427&end=1711","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528150-b2a6a02fb7f8537651bc4976e917006c/thumbnail_1427000.jpg","/articles/6292078/Oklahoma/Community-group-urges-Embark-and-partners-to-address-low-frequencies-on-Routes-15-and-19","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6292078-00c515e7e209b3da5e91406f0e66a2a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770917153&Signature=PWV8Aw6Whnqq-7A3ejY7m9SPIzodoro~o7i0X27yLEyc7uTLt9EknRlVl-v~xIj2-vQTiRl5MOr8hhQVRiUEQKLeWuo1n-H1zwMsrudyHnbFI3ShhdOUd-LdkR5h5Hz9He656zIIdle6TLioT1Mv~IVJJaOpT4bjWJeatUXUmJXgmDw6urqho-oSL-DSERjf6arBQ~HfVEYVWjAo6lQ67AUfUHQFVHmdybSUCbkbvOuNYjdVwVmmE7z5RtjNLW6IA5WNApCZuga1pJR6jcGJNfOmBmQCR3KcnLCZa9NzXUSUMP2rkBewBeOhAPswn-w3V1ilwWikCY8hGb8T~rG3UQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A community advocate and former Embark planning director told trustees that riders on Routes 15 and 19, which serve Midwest City, Spencer and parts of Oklahoma City, face long and inconsistent headways and urged a four-way discussion among Embark, Midwest City, Oklahoma County and other partners to seek improvements.

Larry Hopper, speaking for the Alliance for Public Transportation (APT), said he and APT board members had ridden Route 15 and found that it operates about every 80 minutes and that Route 19 operates hourly but contains a three- to four-hour midday gap. Hopper said those headways fall short of Embark\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's more typical half-hour standard on many routes and that riders \u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 are \"suffering\" under the current patterns; he called the issue one of the top topics APT is pursuing.

Hopper asked that Embark staff participate in APT's planning meetings so the nonprofit, Embark, Midwest City and Oklahoma County can discuss route-combination ideas and potential pilot changes that could increase frequency where funding or bus availability permits. He noted the OKC Moves plan recommends combining the two routes and that combining them could allow a second bus to double frequency for some or all of the day as a pilot.

Hopper also described difficulties getting staff to attend prior APT work-group meetings and asked Embark to send staff to an upcoming Monday meeting to present internal thinking about route futures and funding. Trustee Chairman and Director Jesse acknowledged Hopper's remarks and said the agency looked \"forward to communication.\" No formal board action was taken; the item was placed in \"residents to be heard\" and recorded as public comment.","A representative from the Alliance for Public Transportation asked Embark to engage Midwest City, Oklahoma County and Rose State on possible route consolidations or frequency increases for Routes 15 and 19, citing long headways and rider impacts.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6292083,"Trustees approve bid advertisement for garage repairs; parking staff report operations and Skywalk transfer",2273,1772000,4045000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528150-b2a6a02fb7f8537651bc4976e917006c&start=1772&end=4045","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528150-b2a6a02fb7f8537651bc4976e917006c/thumbnail_1772000.jpg","/articles/6292083/Oklahoma/Trustees-approve-bid-advertisement-for-garage-repairs-parking-staff-report-operations-and-Skywalk-transfer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6292083-0755f732a5e9b4d98c1485c0bfac6559/orig.mp4?Expires=1770917153&Signature=ofyFqj0TnnL3yTGsJs1iUmai2aO8LPZuOqGwaKAgMAD5QjPYls6MduTtBAE5wdzR6nwhPD2A4VFYCl9i1tUtHFyYtMmvi6fR3MasW~0sMX9oHcK9FP6mEsY3jNb-PJWQ75fOODhVTi9hWlks5Ig2dJKytTs9az11qdcPQss6HtYjjdUjfSlCJPMz2fNP1BwJFMVr7PNX6ZYfqM37lufhDiIFXJ5uljFmiHcS836ZuGnnq-9018n~uTxIFtRkeW1UwFxGdpy4txFvUcbyXk8PgFMmca8U6zHu57XECpsOqmiSa02vFaUvE5APKsL8fn2TYaNX2bERN9V7QJZgQZZVaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees authorized Embark staff to advertise for bids to repair multiple off-street parking garages after an engineering assessment identified structural and maintenance needs, and separately approved a five-year parking-lease renewal for a small lot near the downtown transit center.

Jesse presented the bid package based on the Kirkpatrick Forrest & Curtis engineering report; trustees approved putting plans and specifications on the street. Jesse said the base bid covers beam, deck, staircase and fireproofing corrosion repairs, and that priority-1 and priority-2 items include facade repairs, concrete patching and crack-injection work. The motion to approve the plans and specifications and authorize advertising for bids was moved and seconded and passed electronically; no roll-call tallies were read into the public transcript.

Trustees also approved a parking lease renewal with Investrust as trustee of the Parham Gorham Family Trust for the parcel at 426 Northwest Fifth Street, a small lot used for staff parking near the downtown transit center. Staff said the estimated annual cost is $16,800 and the proposed term is April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2030; trustees approved the lease renewal on the consent docket.

Parking services manager Corey reported operational highlights and recent changes: staff managed freeze events in February, conducted ice- and snow-removal operations across facilities, and reported no slip-and-fall incidents in parking facilities over the past nine years. Corey said the Skywalk (Santa Fe/SkyBridge) responsibility has moved to the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority following an earlier sale of the Santa Fe garage; staff are transitioning operational details.

Corey summarized event-parking trends and the impact of the recent Cox Garage closing; staff said many contract parkers moved to other facilities but a small number were lost to competing operators. The board received the parking report as part of the program reports; trustees did not take separate substantive action beyond the approvals listed above.

Votes: The board approved advertising bid documents for garage inspection and repairs and approved the Investrust parking lease (motion passed).","Board authorized staff to advertise for bids for parking garage inspections and repairs after engineering recommendations; trustees also approved a five-year lease renewal for a small lot and heard a parking-services report that included transfer of the Skywalk to the public property authority.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6292089,"COPTA adopts updated Title VI program; staff cites FTA requirements and service-equity thresholds",451,1935000,2386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528150-b2a6a02fb7f8537651bc4976e917006c&start=1935&end=2386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528150-b2a6a02fb7f8537651bc4976e917006c/thumbnail_1935000.jpg","/articles/6292089/Oklahoma/COPTA-adopts-updated-Title-VI-program-staff-cites-FTA-requirements-and-service-equity-thresholds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6292089-d8f50da6f1d478b354a0fcea87b4b2ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770917153&Signature=DEgh3YMuO-9Dkhoo0BkcT1~s4N3JOa0IobbtqoBqTyrazCRcX0eksKzT2a9uM3x5WsWKW7VkUSTdO3IslN6zTy41Y-sF9idEL4WN3X2mTiE3rVqhjDrMXMFrlVTF9uyUDchhOzoPNld2nNjQ54kmzp14ekNhjKUeoc0lRa2M3I~6Sv4WaK1AYJ3wUxldB~yrwt57RiKcXGFPMro46YAetpXuLxqC6yHT54HHnDMThWe4s1A1cA1lRkaod7YWJrpBqafe1hGDmYE4X1ddXERMraQ1HxCsoBpXw9LbTDBTlGjdUW9Wyq7fUAqJwbVl9EpCfTSkqVMb9Qe62mce~q-Tlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority adopted a 2025 update to its Title VI program, the board was told, meeting Federal Transit Administration reporting requirements and outlining the agency\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's procedures for assessing disparate impacts of major service changes.

Chip Nolan, who presented the update, said the program implements nondiscrimination obligations from the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related FTA guidance in Circular 4702.1B. Nolan described Title VI notice translations for Embark\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 (Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese), the three-year reporting cadence to the FTA, and the agency's definition of a \"major service change\" that triggers a required service-equity analysis. Nolan said the agency had exceeded the FTA threshold of operating 50 buses in peak service in prior cycles and that the plan codifies standards staff and other agencies use.

Nolan told trustees that major service changes are defined for Embark as route additions or route modifications that change more than 25% of route hours or miles; such changes require community meetings, board approval and a service-equity analysis to identify and mitigate disproportionate effects on minority or low-income populations. Nolan identified the Northwest Rapid launch and OKC Moves service adjustments associated with that BRT launch as the primary service changes in the covered period; staff said those analyses did not identify disparate-impact violations and that no mitigation actions were required.

Trustee questions sought clarity on whether the 25% threshold is a staff-level policy or a board-approved standard; Nolan said the threshold was part of prior Title VI updates and follows common practice among comparable transit agencies. Trustees moved, seconded and voted to adopt the resolution approving the Title VI updates; the motion passed electronically. No individual roll-call tallies were read into the public transcript.

Adoption allows Embark staff to submit the updated Title VI program to the FTA as part of the agency's triennial documentation and maintains eligibility for federal transit funding, Nolan said. The board received the presentation and adopted the resolution in the same meeting.

Votes: The board adopted the \"2025 Title VI program updates\" resolution (motion passed).","The trustees voted to adopt the 2025 Title VI program update required by the Federal Transit Administration; staff summarized analysis of recent service changes and required mitigation steps for major changes.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6292094,"Embark launches rider service-alerts, reports ridership milestones and event partnerships",208,125000,333000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528150-b2a6a02fb7f8537651bc4976e917006c&start=125&end=333","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528150-b2a6a02fb7f8537651bc4976e917006c/thumbnail_125000.jpg","/articles/6292094/Oklahoma/Embark-launches-rider-service-alerts-reports-ridership-milestones-and-event-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6292094-d7ab15fd50566297b214e65da3754dbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770917153&Signature=KZydodnrjV9LEbLcC9DD4~rAA~q~wPhfxSLp3-hUIrdfiRs8BX31fT95qObPYfy-exY81bP4GyiepriHfKA~7rUslAmyR-aASYJzRNN7meZQWoj0ECG18sTScg~e3giH6VYKOEpxknP6kk6fE9ATA~yM3ajbd4-jfiOm0P4Q2uDInLaoj9wMwZA4fqquhxT-tzQyOhuu6X2c6zw3zR0J2WB1pxZxJJ5Pto7AO9Cu99AG9n~aKQ0IZ3dnNc12T09zK0t01qw9xOl-fIedpzFrazRTWqaplQ0X~ExXNtdo4IXP0iyuoJZ~nPpdrHsiTS5JTQ0Pn-VRWc-hYhtRd4FoCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Embark unveiled a new rider-facing service-alert system and highlighted recent outreach and event partnerships that staff said helped grow ridership and public awareness of its transit services.

The system allows riders to subscribe to text or email alerts for service disruptions, detours and stop-specific notifications, and riders can customize alerts by route or stop, Embark staff said. Armando (moderator) introduced the marketing update; Craig (marketing staff) presented the system and other outreach highlights.

The marketing presentation emphasized community events and earned-media coverage used to promote services. Craig said the service-alert system was a \"vital part of our customer outreach during our recent weather disruptions\" and that more than 7,500 people had subscribed to date. Staff also described outreach at career events, a Spanish-language bond meeting, participation in the MLK parade and a panel appearance by Chip Nolan with the International Council of Shopping Centers\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000.

Staff highlighted Rapid Northwest\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 (the BRT line) milestones: Rapid turned one in December, surpassed 500,000 riders in January and received recognition in a ULI impact award. Craig credited the team and marketing for promoting those milestones and said media placements yielded about $40,000 in earned-media value.

Other business-development efforts cited included group-pass and convention partnerships with Visit OKC that staff said produced more than 11,000 streetcar rides under a show-and-go badge program, a Thunder game-day park-and-ride shuttle that provided over 6,500 rides, and a planned festival- and marathon-support schedule. Craig also said staff planned updates on river cruise season activity and work to improve the Embark Connect app tied to new scheduling software for MobilityPlus.

Trustees asked several follow-up questions. Trustee Cooper asked whether the hall-pass program had been expanded beyond minors; staff replied that a formal policy change would be required and had not been implemented at the time of the meeting. Director Jesse and other presenters confirmed staff would provide additional logistical information on upcoming event services.

The board received the marketing update as part of the program reports; no formal action was required beyond acknowledging the presentation. The presentation included photos and event metrics the marketing team will circulate to trustees by email, staff said.","Embark staff described a new real-time service-alert system, community outreach and partnerships that supported ridership growth, and promoted recent milestones including Rapid Northwest\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: COPTA meeting actions and outcomes

Community group urges Embark and partners to address low frequencies on Routes 15 and 19

Trustees approve bid advertisement for garage repairs; parking staff report operations and Skywalk transfer

COPTA adopts updated Title VI program; staff cites FTA requirements and service-equity thresholds

Embark launches rider service-alerts, reports ridership milestones and event partnerships