The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutJuly 20, 2026 Minutes GREATER ROANOKE TRANSIT COMPANY July 20, 2026 A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Greater Roanoke Transit Company was called to order by President Joseph Cobb on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 12:30 p.m., in the City Manager's Conference Room, Room 364, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Avenue, S.W., Roanoke, Virginia, pursuant to written notification by the Secretary of the Corporation. PRESENT: Directors Ross Campbell, Matthew Crookshank, Maxwell Dillon, Karen Michalski-Karney, Vivian Sanchez-Jones. Cody Sexton and President Joseph L. Cobb. ABSENT: None. Also present were Valmarie Turner, Vice-President of Operations; Lavar Youmans, Assistant City Manager; Laura Carini, ;City Attorney; Cecelia F. McCoy, Secretary; Kevin L. Price, General Manager, Valley Metro; and Ronnie Parker, Assistant General Manager, Valley Metro; Corey Alshouse, Interim Director of Finance, Valley Metro; Acquenatta Harris, Interim Director of Finance; and Pete Peters, Town of Vinton. President Cobb declared the existence of a quorum. MINUTES: Without objection by the Board, President Cobb advised that the reading of the minutes of the regular meeting held on Monday, June 15, 2026, would be dispensed with and approved as written. (See copy of Minutes on File in the Secretary's Office.) REPORTS OF OFFICERS: SECRETARY: ELECTION OF OFFICERS: The Secretary submitted a written report advising that Article V, Officers, of the By-Laws of the Greater Roanoke Transit Company provides that the Board of Directors, promptly after their election each year, shall elect a President, one or more Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, atnd such other officers as the Board may deem proper to serve for a term of one year each, commencing upon the date of their election and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. (For full text, see copy of report on file in the Secretary's Office.) Director Michalski-Karney placed the following names in nomination: Council Member Joseph L. Cobb as President; Council Member Vivian Sanchez-Jones as Vice- President; Valmarie Turner, City Manager as Vice-President of Operations; Lavar Youmans, Assistant City Manager as Assistant Vice President of Operations; Cecelia F. 1 McCoy, City Clerk as Secretary; Cecelia T. Webb, Deputy City Clerk as Assistant Secretary; Acquenatta Harris, Interim Director of Finance as Treasurer; Laura Carini, City Attorney as General Counsel and Registered Age t; and David Collins, Deputy City Attorney as Assistant General Counsel, for one-year terms of office, each, ending June 30, 2027. There being no further nominations, the following persons were reappointed/appointed as officers of the Greater Roanoke Transit Company for terms of one-year, each, ending June 30, 2027: FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS COBB AND SANCHEZ-JONES, CITY MANAGER TURNER, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER YOUMANS, CITY ATTORNEY CARINI, DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY COLLINS, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF FINANCE HARRIS, CITY CLERK MCCOY, AND DEPUTY CITY CLERK WEBB: Director Karney moved to the nominations of the individuals as officers of the Greater Roanoke Transit Company for a one-year term, each, ending June 30, 2027. The motion was seconded by Director Crookshank: AYES: Directors Campbell, Crookshank, Dillon, Karney, Sanchez-Jones, Sexton and President Cobb-7. NAYS: None-0. GENERAL MANAGER: MANAGEMENT UPDATE: Vinton STAR User Update: The Town of Vinton requests GRTC staff review the STAR eligible passenger list for any certifications with a Vinton zip code, then compare certified STAR passengers to the Town of Vinton corporate limits. After review, three passengers were found with addresses outside of the Town of Vinton's corporate limits. Following evaluation, GRTC staff contacted one of the frequent user passengers and recommended Cortran service Transit Passenger Advisory Committee— New Membership Update: Mr. Price reported that TPAC was established with staggered two-year terms, with members eligible to serve a maximum of three consecutive terms. GRTC received two eligible applications presented to the Board for approval. Director Karney made a motion to elect Mr. I. eith and Mr, McCulloch to the TPAC Committee. The motion was seconded by Director Sexton: 2 AYES: Directors Campbell, Crookshank, Dillon, Karney, Sanchez-Jones, Sexton and President Cobb-7. NAYS: None-0. TPAC Meeting Update: Mr. Price reported a virtual meeting of TPAC was held on June 11., 2026. The primary discussion was held regarding membership updates, Transit Strategic Plan updates, transit ridership updates, bus stop accessibility and transit route detours. (See full report on file in the Secretary's office). GRTC 5-Year Capital Plan Discussion: The General Manager briefed the Board on the 5-Year Capital Plan. Following questions and request for clarifications, President Cobb stated the report would be received and filed. GRTC FINANCIAL REPORT: Corey Alshouse, Interim Director of Finance updated the Board on GRTC Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Net Position; and Statement of Net Position reports (Assets, Liabilities, and Net Position). (See report on file in the Secretary's office). GRTC Proposed Fare Increase Discussion/Adoption - Effective January 1, 2027. Director Sanchez-Jones offered the following resolution: "A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING A REVISED PASSENGER FARE SCHEDULE FOR THE GREATER ROANOKE TRANSIT COMPANY (GRTC), DBA VALLEY METRO; AND AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL MANAGER OF GRTC TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO IMPLEMENT SUCH REVISED PASSENGER FARE SCHEDULE TO TAKE EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 2027." (For full text, see report on file in the Secretary's Office.) Director Sanchez-Jones offered the following resolution: Director Sanchez-Jones moved the adoption of the Resolution. The motion was seconded by Director Campbell and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Directors Crookshank. D'Ardenne, Dillon, Michalski-Karney, Peters, and Vice-President Sanchez-Jones-6. 3 NAYS: None-0. (President Cobb was absent.) FY26 Annual Audit Plan Presentation Ethan Paitsel, CPA, Senior Associate at Brown Edwards, presented the following FY26 Annual Audit Plan: (See full Annual Audit Plan on file in the Secretary's office). • Audit Plan o We will perform a full scope audit of Greater Roanoke Transit Company. o The objective of our audit will be the expression of an opinion on the fairness with which the financial statements present the financial position and results of operations. • Audit Approach o Planning o Interim Field Work o Final Field Work • Significant Audit Areas o Capital Assets o Grant Revenues and Receivables o Federal Compliance o Follow up on findings from prior years • New for 2026 • Single Audit Testing • Engagement Staffing • Questions Mr. Paitsel concluded his presentation and asked whether there were any questions regarding the approach or the broader large-governmental practice. He further stated that Board members and Officers are welco ime to contact the engagement team at any time and encouraged ongoing two-way communication. President Cobb thanked Mr. Paitsel for the 'presentation. The presentation was received and filed. OTHER BUSINESS: None. NEXT MEETING: President Cobb also reminded the next meeting of the Greater Roanoke Transit Company Board of Directors will be held in the HR Learning Center, Noel C. Taylor 4 Municipal Building, 215 Church Avenue, S. W., Third Floor North, Suite 310, Roanoke, Virginia, on Monday,September 21, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. There being no further business, the President declared the regular meeting adjourned at 1:38 p.m. APPROVED: ATTEST: 6:e.c.6;c (O7-e- Joseph L. Cobb Cecelia F. McCoy President Secretary 5