City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
Public Transit Advisory Commission  
Conference Room  
1A/1B  
Tuesday, April 16, 2024  
5:30 PM  
City Hall  
701 E. Broadway  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
The meeting was called to order by Matt Wright at 5:32 pm.  
II. INTRODUCTIONS  
City Staff: Mike Sokoff, John Ogan, Gus Harmon, and Shannon Hemenway  
9 -  
Present:  
Dawn Zeterberg, Matt Wright, Candy Cornman, Gabi Jacobs, Sarah Johnson, Joy  
Rushing, Katharine Meagher, Jack Russell and Adam Thorp  
2 - Tammy Teel and Donald Jackson  
Excused:  
Absent:  
1 - Heath Immel  
1 - Robert Boone  
Unexcused:  
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Sarah made a motion to approve the agenda with a second from Katherine. The  
vote to approve the agenda was unanimous at 5:34 pm.  
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Gabi made a motion to approve the minutes after corrections with a second from  
Matt. The vote to approve the minutes was unanimous at 5:34 pm.  
March 19 Minutes  
Attachments: March 19 Minutes  
V. City Council & Other Commission Updates: Vision Zero, Disability,  
Bike/Ped, CATSO  
Matt reminded the commission to stay on topic during the meeting on each agenda  
item. Matt mentioned that our report went to council and city staff wants to keep  
appointed commission members as a hard number. But, the other parts they were  
open to and he would reach out to Stephens and Columbia College about the  
appointed members.  
VI. OLD BUSINESS  
Earth Day  
Matt went over the sign-up sheet. He explained that we will have boards presented  
on Earth Day with materials sent by Olsson. He also mentioned there will be a public  
meeting at the Wabash and there will be a survey and comment cards. Donald will  
bring items to handout and Gabi will have a comment box for Earth Day. Adam asked  
if Matt could send out the schedule. Gabi asked where the booth would be located,  
to which Matt responded K15.  
VII. NEW BUSINESS  
1. Bus Stop Evaluation Matrix  
Attachments: 2012 Sidewalk Master Plan  
Matt went over the sidewalk master plan and noted that the sidewalk plan is on  
tonight's city council agenda. He suggested to the commission the idea of creating their  
own proposal to add or update any bus shelters and sidewalks. Mike mentioned that  
our raise grant has allocated money for bus shelters. Matt inquired about the time  
frame that we need to spend the raise grant funds, to which Shannon responded,  
2032.  
Joy asked if ridership would be part of the Olsson study. Mike confirmed that it will  
be part of the study. Adam sought for clarification on whether the study would focus  
on improving existing bus stops or identifying new ones. Matt clarified that all aspects  
would be considered. Matt discussed the idea of potentially implementing a tier  
system to assess each stop. Mike mentioned that he could have someone come talk  
to us about it.  
Shannon mentioned that they have a list of the amenities for each bus shelter. The  
commission requested that this document be sent to them. Candy asked if we have  
ridership at each stop. Shannon confirmed that we do.  
2. Elections  
Sarah nominated Matt Wright to continue his tenure as Chair, with a second from  
Adam. The vote to reelect Matt Wright as commission chair was unanimous at  
5:57 pm.  
Joy nominated Gabi Jacobs to continue as Vice Chair seconded by Adam.  
Katherine Meagher nominated herself to be Vice Chair seconded by Adam. Matt  
asked the commission how they wanted to vote, and they agreed for a show of  
hands. Sarah, Jack, Adam, Joy, Dawn, and Candy voted for Gabi. The vote to  
approve Gabi as vice chair passed at 5:59 pm.  
VIII. RIDERSHIP  
Candy inquired about the current driver shortage. Mike informed the group that we  
are 7 drivers short and have multiple prospects in the works. Dawn asked how many  
do we need. Mike stated that 36 drivers are needed to run at full service and we have  
29. Joy questioned the pay comparison to the trash collectors. Mike indicated that the  
pay rates are similar. He also noted that the benefits package is worth about 6-8  
dollars an hour.  
March Ridership  
Attachments: March Ridership  
IX. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, MEMBERS AND STAFF  
Mike mentioned that there will be a meeting at the Wabash on April 23rd, from 4-6  
pm where Olsson will update the public and ask for input. He also noted that they are  
scheduled to do one more after this and that the formal recommendations can be  
expected sometime in September. Sarah asked about the public release date for this  
information. John explained that he would post it anywhere he could and it would be  
covered in the news.  
Gabi shared news about MU’s new parking structure and questioned whether transit  
would become a greater priority for Mizzou. Mike clarified that while general service  
won't change, an additional route will be introduced. He mentioned that parking in the  
outer lots of the new structure will cost $5 a month increasing the demand for another  
route.  
Katherine asked if there had been talks about a route from Columbia to Jefferson  
City. Adam mentioned that MODOT conducted a survey about a year ago.  
The commission discussed parking, the costs associated with it, and the relation with  
transit. Mike noted that they have had conversations with the consultants about this  
issue. Katherine asked about Columbia's comparison to other cities. Mike explained  
that there are many variables to this but Columbia’s parking rates aren’t among the  
highest.  
Zoom Link  
Attachments: Zoom  
X. NEXT MEETING DATE - 5/21/2024  
XI. ADJOURNMENT  
Matt motions to adjourn at 6: 28 pm.  
Members of the public may attend any open meeting. For requests for accommodations related to  
disability, please call 573-874-CITY (573-874-2489) or email CITY@CoMo.gov. In order to assist staff in  
making the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in  
advance of the posted meeting date as possible.  
USB DRIVES PROHIBITED: Due to cybersecurity concerns, flash drives and other media devices  
are no longer permitted for delivering files or presentation materials. A speaker who desires to  
display a presentation must upload the presentation, in advance, to the city network using an  
upload portal. To upload your files and learn more, visit CoMo.gov/upload. (Effective Jan. 1,  
2023)