City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
Public Transit Advisory Commission  
Conference Room  
1C  
Tuesday, January 16, 2024  
5:30 PM  
City Hall  
701 E. Broadway  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
The meeting was called to order by Matt Wright at 5:39 pm.  
II. INTRODUCTIONS  
City Staff: Mike Sokoff, John Ogan, Gus Harmon, and Shannon Hemenway  
7 -  
Present:  
Matt Wright, Candy Cornman, Adam Thorp, Gabi Jacobs, Sarah Johnson, Joy  
Rushing and Heath Immel  
4 - Dawn Zeterberg, Shaunda Hamilton, Tammy Teel and Donald Jackson  
Absent:  
1 - Robert Boone  
Unexcused:  
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Sarah made a motion to approve the agenda with a second from Matt. The vote  
to approve the agenda was unanimous at 5:41 pm.  
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
Sarah made a motion to approve the minutes with a second from Candy. The  
vote to approve the minutes was unanimous at 5:42 pm.  
Sept. 19 Minutes  
Attachments: Sept. 19 Minutes  
V. City Council & Other Commission Updates: Vision Zero, Disability,  
Bike/Ped, CATSO  
No new updates.  
VI. OLD BUSINESS  
Olsson Study Update  
Mike reported that he plans to meet with Shawn Strate, the project manager, next  
week for updates on the project's progress. Sarah inquired about any new information  
from the recent public meeting. Mike responded that they plan to provide updates to  
PTAC in February or March.  
VII. NEW BUSINESS  
1. Vice Chair Election  
Adam Thorp nominated Gabi Jacobs to be Vice Chair seconded by Matt Wright.  
Gabi accepted the nomination and was elected Vice Chair unanimously at 5:46  
pm.  
2. Establishing Legislation Review  
Attachments: PTAC Establishing Legislation Review  
Matt provided an overview of the legislation review. See attached. Matt suggested  
this topic be revisited in the next meeting for further discussion and recommendations  
for changes to the city council.  
During the discussion, Matt inquired about bullet number 4, seeking clarification. Gabi  
responded that it was CATSO. Mike added that discussions regarding transit at  
CATSO are rare.  
Matt asked about bullet number 6, expressing interest in whether a master plan exists.  
Mike informed the committee that this is what the ongoing Olsson study aims to  
address.  
Matt urged everyone to review the membership section. Adam raised concerns about  
the designated seats on PTAC, suggesting that they should be reconsidered and filled  
by individuals genuinely interested in contributing. Matt asked about the history and  
rationale behind this setup. Candy shared her knowledge of the evolution of this  
commission, explaining her predecessor's motivations and emphasizing the importance  
of collective input.  
Joy shared her observations on the crosswalk lights in Columbia.  
Matt and Sarah agreed they should abolish the one-year term, echoed by Adam. The  
commission talked about what the ideal quorum should be, with Adam proposing a  
target of 5 members.  
Candy proposed recruiting a member from Columbia College the director of security.  
Matt asked Candy if she could talk to him about joining.  
Adam asked the group if it would be beneficial to have an annual report to send to the  
city council each year.  
3. Future Agenda Items  
Matt opened the floor to everyone if they had input on future agenda items. Gabi  
suggested adding Earth Day to the agenda. Additionally, Matt proposed including  
Driver Appreciation Month as a topic for discussion. Mike shared insights about  
GOCOMO's multiple BBQ events throughout the year.  
Gabi raised the idea of discussing a potential bus route from Columbia to Jefferson  
City. Mike provided details about this plan and his discussions with Olsson. Candy  
asked if that would include a stop at the airport, to which Mike explained that this had  
been brought up with Olsson.  
Matt advocated for adding a bus stop evaluation matrix to the agenda. Mike  
mentioned that a significant portion of a recently awarded grant went towards bus  
stop improvement, though there isn't a formal evaluation process in place. He clarified  
that while documents exist outlining existing bus stop locations, a structured evaluation  
process is currently absent.  
VIII. RIDERSHIP  
December Ridership  
Attachments: Ridership Dec. FY 2024  
Mike mentioned that the biggest loss in ridership is commuters, and they are finding  
other ways to get to work. Adam asked if there was a path to restoring our service.  
Sarah asked about the highlighted part on the ridership document. Mike clarified that  
the highlighted portion pertained solely to paratransit services. He elaborated on  
ongoing efforts to establish qualification criteria for paratransit clients, particularly  
regarding proximity to fixed routes. Additionally, he mentioned discussions  
surrounding fare adjustments due to misuse of paratransit services.  
Adam shared concerns about the level of service and frequency of routes and then  
charging fares on top of that would be unfair. Mike clarified that fares would only be  
considered once service levels go back to the way they were. Gabi asked about  
Kansas City and their approach to addressing these similar challenges, to which Mike  
explained they have a designated tax for transportation.  
IX. REQUESTS FROM COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER  
No new requests.  
X. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, MEMBERS AND STAFF  
Shannon reported that two drivers are currently undergoing CDL training, with three  
CDL drivers in the works and seven E-class drivers potentially ready to start.  
Gabi raised concerns about access to senior living facilities on the outskirts of  
Columbia and proposed discussing the matter with the city council.  
Matt inquired about the current shortage of drivers, to which Mike indicated that the  
numbers have remained relatively the same.  
Sarah mentioned that Earth Day sign-up starts today and wanted to know whether or  
not the proposed budget was accepted. Matt expressed uncertainty but believes they  
do not have a budget. Candy recommended initiating discussions with Sheela Amin  
for budget-related matters.  
Sarah asked if the Greyhound bus was still stopping at the Wabash. Mike said yes.  
Zoom Link  
Attachments: Hyperlink  
XI. NEXT MEETING DATE - 2/20/2024  
XII. ADJOURNMENT  
Sarah motioned to adjourn with a second from Adam at 6:58 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)