Kansas City Area Transportation Authority Board of Commissioners (Jan. 28, 2026)

By Connye Griffin, Kansas City Documenter

These notes were produced through Kansas City Documenters, which trains and pays community members to take fact-checked notes at public meetings, strengthening transparency and accountability in local government.

Summary

• Commissioners approved the new fare policy, setting a $2 base fare per ride and advancing a phase one rollout targeted for June 1.
• The search for KCATA’s next CEO is underway, with staff aiming to have a search firm selected by the end of March 2026.
• Staff reported that training for a new ambassador program planned for the World Cup had begun and that limited deployment was underway. However, the board declined approval pending a completed contract and plans to revisit the item at a virtual meeting ahead of the Feb. 25 board meeting.
• Development attorney Allison Bergman reviewed the legal framework governing interstate compacts, bonds and transit-oriented development, concluding that KCATA’s START initiative is authorized under the compact and consistent with those requirements.

Notes

Meeting Attendance:

• Reginald Townsend, chair
• Bridgette Williams, current vice-chair and chair-elect
• Julie Lorenz, treasurer-elect
• Eric Bunch, secretary-elect
• Chris Whiting (virtual), vice-chair-elect
• Tyjaun Lee
• Tom Burroughs
• Mike Stieben
• Deb Hermann
• Mindy Rocha (virtual)
• Chuck Ferguson, acting CEO
• Terri Barr-Moore, chief of staff
• Keith Smith, chief legal officer
• Greg Goheen, legal counsel
• Bryan Beck, chief technology officer
• Mike Leone, chief financial officer
• Don Bowlin, chief transit experience officer
• June Berry, senior director of human resources
• Nick Miller, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1287 president 

• Two community members stepped to the podium for public comment.
  • First, Paula Henry addressed what she described as unsightly KCATA-owned properties, suggesting that stored materials and vehicles be repurposed, sold or salvaged to improve conditions and potentially offset costs.
    • Chuck Ferguson, acting CEO, replied and explained the items stored at sites on Lydia and Truman are salvaged when there is no longer any useful part left. 
  • The second speaker, Platte County Commissioner Wes Minder, asked the board to insist that the mayor act on a replacement commissioner for Platte County. He suggested the mayor’s delay is partisan.
    • Commissioners conferred with the board’s attorney before Townsend explained commissioners have no authority to act on the mayor’s behalf or choose from the Platte County slate of nominees. Commissioner Lee offered to let the mayor’s office know about Minder’s concern.
• Connie Foster was honored as employee of the month for her loyalty, work ethic, kindness and grace. She was similarly honored in 2011. Bowlin also congratulated her on her Jan. 30 retirement after 21 years on the job. (See Page 3 in the agenda packet.)
• An update from the Economic and Real Estate Committee referred commissioners to Page 4 in the agenda packet. Later, commissioners addressed economic and development issues requiring approval. (See agenda items VII and IXa.)
• Commissioner Lorenz referred the board to the Finance Committee’s minutes from Dec. 8, 2025 (Pages 78 and 79 of the agenda packet). Though not discussed during this meeting, those minutes reference the InFocus Strategic Plan (Pages 47 to 51) and contracts between KCATA and North Kansas City (Pages 86 to 95). During the Finance Committee report, Lorenz noted that the committee intends to review the current KCATA travel policy to include travel for training. 
• In light of the upcoming World Cup, Lorenz suggested KCATA needs to communicate the value of organizational contributions.
  • As an example, she said a $3,000 contribution would equal 1,500 rides if the new fare of $2 per ride were approved. Such a contribution could be useful for the upcoming World Cup transportation demands.
• The Security Subcommittee reported fewer disruptions in December than in November, declining from 103 to 83. (Pages 44 and 45)
  • Union President Nick Miller said barrier door products have been reviewed and that, pending board direction, staff are interested in piloting a barrier door to evaluate operator safety and usability.
• The board approved an officer slate by asking for nominations from the floor in an effort to be transparent. They then nominated Bridgette Williams for chair, Chris Whiting for vice-chair, Eric Bunch for secretary and Julie Lorenz for treasurer. Each accepted the nomination, and no others were nominated. Commissioner Williams began acting as chair throughout the rest of the meeting.
• Outgoing Chair Townsend thanked the board and all KCATA staff for their service and professionalism. He noted that serving on the board reminded him that “leadership is . . . about stewardship.” (00:30:15)
• The Governance and Audit Committee deferred comment until the matter of fares was taken up as new business.
• All listed consent items were approved. 
• Treasurer Leone reviewed the 2025 Financial Overview and explained that because a budgeted change in service miles and hours did not occur, employee levels were higher than projected. (Page 186)
  • Leone also noted that YTD funding as of the November report was $103,897,442 with Kansas City providing 67% and federal funds covering 18%. (Page 187) 
  • KCATA reached an agreement with Kansas City to offset the deficit (00:35:09). The board voted to accept the report.
• Chief of Staff Barr-Moore introduced Amit Sangani of Strive Well-Being, Inc., a health services provider, to present an overview of the ambassador program.
  • Staff reported that training for a new ambassador program tied to World Cup planning was underway and that ambassadors were already deployed in a limited capacity.
  • Sangani offered Los Angeles, another site for the World Cup, as an example of what Kansas City can expect: improved public perceptions of safety and customer experiences based on data collected in real time.
  • He added that ambassadors receive training in de-escalating disruptions, trauma care and mental health first aid. They will also be of service for wayfinding and translations for international visitors.
  • Fifty percent of the cost for the program is reimbursable with a Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) grant that has been approved, but the deadlines ahead of the World Cup and for MoDOT are pressing. The grant requirements are the details still being worked on before completing the contract. 
  • After some discussion, the board confirmed that Strive is the sole-source bid and learned that is because of Strive’s work in L.A. and the tight timeline to prepare for the World Cup. 
  • The board declined to vote to approve the contract with Strive until a completed contract is made available to them. The board will hold an emergency virtual meeting when the contract is complete and printed for their study. 
  • Commissioner Bunch asked for additional information about outcomes in L.A. and the software used by Strive. The emergency virtual meeting will precede the regular Feb. 25 board meeting. 
  • Chair-elect Williams advised staff that, going forward, staff must complete documents and provide more than a few hours to review them before asking the board to vote.
• The board considered insurance policies and rates for 2026. (00:40:52)
  • The annual cost will increase by 1%, approximately $65,000, a point emphasized by the board. Commissioner Bunch asked if commissioners are covered and learned they are.
    • There were no documents in the agenda packet about this. The presentation was delayed until copies could be made and distributed to commissioners only.
• Linda Clark, KCATA senior project manager, provided an update on bus shelters. They are made of corrugated metal mesh, are 5 by 10 feet, have solar-powered lights and are ADA compliant. (01:15:45)
  • Commissioner Stieben asked if the shelters are made in America. Clark confirmed they are.
  • Four shelters are already in place: one outside the former Bob Jones Shoes at 19th and Grand in the Crossroads, and three are at Cleaver and Main. 
  • They were purchased and designed to improve the customer experience, installed by staff to reduce the cost, and have been tested by staff to determine if they offer adequate rain and wind protection.
    • They do offer rain and wind protection. However, public comment has been “neutral,” neither good nor bad. 
    • KCATA now plans to buy 80 more through a one-bid contract after analysis to determine if the bid is “fair and reasonable.” (Pages 228 and 229)
    • KCATA will buy 20 initially at a cost of $10,900 each, and KCATA will complete purchases in two years. The shelters are warrantied for one year after the final payment. Some locations will require ADA construction prior to installation.
• Brien Starner, KCATA community and real estate development director, introduced Allison Bergman, a development lawyer, who provided an overview (Pages 230 to 252) of the law and KCATA’s practices regarding compacts and transit-oriented development. (01:24:45) 
  • Bergman provided historical context, beginning with the federal Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, which established expectations that states and local governments act as responsible stewards of public transportation resources. (Page 235) 
  • Both Kansas and Missouri passed mirror legislation thereafter with slight differences in how bonds could be issued. Due to federal law and with congressional approval, states that need legal remedy bypass all state and federal courts. Their cases were heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. (Page 238) 
  • In addition, when commissioners are elected, they have a duty to uphold federal law. Bergman then reviewed KCATA’s initiatives for compliance, analysis and outcomes (Pages 248 to 251). 
  • Bergman concluded by asserting, “KCATA’s START program is an investment in the infrastructure that underpins everything else.” (Page 251) (01:43:11)
  • Follow-up discussion noted that KCATA should prioritize its Transit Oriented Community Development program, and Starner directed the board’s attention to the InFocus Strategic Plan, which includes projects related to economic development. 
  • Commissioner Bunch said historic land-use policies have contributed to inequities and emphasized the need to reverse those patterns. (01:44:51) 
  • Barr-Moore added that she hoped the update provided at this meeting would help spur future growth.
• Starner reported the transfer of five properties to Palestine Economic Development Corporation is expected to be finalized in approximately 60 days, with streetlight work still to be completed.
• Starner next reported on the 39th and Roanoke START project, a 69-unit apartment project located six blocks east of the University of Kansas Medical Center. (01:53:13)
  • The site has been purchased and processed through the Economic Development Committee. 
  • Vetting for financial prospects has determined a return on investment is reasonable. Starner added that three opportunities for public engagement were held. Remediation for the site, a former gas station, has been completed. 
  • The average cost per unit is $260,000. That amount takes into account underground parking for residents. 
  • The developer, represented by Curtis Petersen with the Polsinelli law firm, has been responsive to neighborhood input. 
  • KCATA expects to add ridership of 3,600 to 5,000 and thereby funds due to the project. 
  • The developer has agreed to contribute to the ambassador program and to provide two new bus shelters. 
  • As this was the first reading for this project, a vote to approve or disapprove will take place at the next meeting. (Pages 256 to 279)
• Phase one of the fare policy was approved after A.J. Farris, director of planning and scheduling at KCATA, reviewed steps and analysis prior to the vote. (02:05.17)
  • He noted that the fare was $1.50 in 2019 and will be $2.00 in 2026. 
  • Farris added that fares may be tailored according to the type of service, e.g., different for express service.
  • Fares will be reviewed at least every three years, but annual reports will be made and analyzed. 
  • After the vote, Farris moved on to discuss fare collection plans (02:12:18), including selling transit cards at outlets such as city halls and large retailers. 
  • One commissioner, Deb Hermann, objected, saying Walmart gets enough of the people’s money, but she was assured that Walmart does not profit by upcharging for the cards. 
  • Another concern was how riders who qualify for reduced fares could take advantage of that feature of the policy using digital and electronic methods.
    • Farris advised that the contractor, Genfare, is working on a way to make that possible. 
  • Subsequently, the board approved a contract for fare collection with GenFare and by request waived the second reading requirement to do so.
• Finally, Commissioner Lorenz reviewed the process for selecting a new CEO, beginning with selecting a search firm. She anticipates a firm to be in place by March 2026.
• The board then began an executive session, and after reconvening for the public, Chair-elect Williams reported that three settlements and one executive contract were approved.    

Observations & Follow-Up Questions

• How will the return of fares, downturns in employment and issues of homelessness in the region affect ridership and therefore funding for KCATA?
• What will be the outcome for the ambassador program?
• What are the data-driven outcomes that L.A. has experienced after implementing their own ambassador program?

Read more about this meeting and see all Kansas City Documenters notes here.