Board President Kendra Smith called the meeting to order at 4:00pm

Trustees Present: Kendra Smith, Mary Morrison, Heather Baker, Dr. W.L. Perryman, Lou Thomson, Zachary Schmidt, Gary Gonya, Karen Poore, Brittany Ford

Trustees Absent: Joel Beren, Dr. Tiffany Whitman, and Matt Killam

Officers Present: Laura Koprowski - CEO, James Karasek – Secretary-Treasurer, Stephen Hartman – General Counsel

Minutes approved from the previous meetings: December 18, 2025 and January 15, 2026. 

A motion was made my Dr. Perryman and was seconded by Lou Thompson to accept the meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.

Andy Cole
Reminder of Public Comment Guidelines

• Each speaker must sign in prior to the start of the meeting.
• Public comment is limited to 3 minutes per person or 5 minutes per group, per meeting.
• Public comment may also be provided in writing until 12:00 p.m. on the date of the scheduled board meeting and should be emailed to Andy Cole at acole@tarta.com.
• Please contact Andy Cole at acole@tarta.com or 419-245-5213 about providing comments at TARTA Board meetings, if special accommodations are needed to attend the meetings or with any questions.

Fran Miller, Transportation Manager, was recognized for her 15 years of service at TARTA. She started as a driver, then Transportation Supervisor and retired as Transportation Manager. Laura Koprowski, Charles Odimgbe, and Oscar Correa spoke during this recognition. She was joined by her husband for this recognition.

Juan Gonzalez, Fixed Route Operator, was recognized for his 23 years of service. He was unable to attend.

Lewis Vassel, Fixed Route Operator, was recognized for his 29 years of service. Laura Koprowski, Oscar Correa, and Fran Miller spoke on his behalf. He was joined by his wife for this recognition.

Final Review of 2025 Performance Management Program

Luke Allison, TransPro and Susan Gettum, Chief Planning & Program Manager

Luke went over the latest 4th quarter report. Several questions were asked from the board which were all answered to their satisfaction.

A motion was made by Lou Thomson and seconded by Mary Morrison to adopt Resolution No. 02-26 to approve fare-free days on all services for Ohio Loves Transit Week on Saturday, February 14 and Tuesday, February 17. The motion passed unanimously.

Kendra Smith, Vice President

Susan Gettum, Chief of Staff

Resolution No. 01-24
AUTHORIZING A NO FARE DAY ON OHIO LOVES TRANSIT DAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2024 – Sam Melden, Chief Communications & External Affairs Officer

Resolution No. 02-24
AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER TO EXECUTE A SERVICE CONTRACT WITH HART INC. TO PERFORM CREATIVE SERVICES – Sam Melden, Chief Communications & External Affairs Officer

Secretary-Treasurer Report

Chief Financial Officer James Karasek reported that cash and Investments remain strong at $60.3 million. Accounts Receivable are lower than last year due to timing of grant draws. Capital Assets increase from last year is mostly due the additional 21 buses and the Apron Fence project. Labor overage is due to fixed line new hire training classes to prepare for frequency changes. This also caused Transportation to be over budget. Fringe Benefits overage is due to higher workers compensation premiums than budgeted. Materials and Supplies are over mainly due to large inventory valuation adjustment. This also caused Maintenance to over budget. Claims and Insurance were over due to a 4th quarter adjustment of prepaid insurance. Paratransit was over budget due to increased overtime and timing of VIA invoices. Safety was over due to outside security service being higher than budgeted. November Sales Tax was $2.99 million dollars compared to November 2024 of $3.1 million dollars. December Sales Tax was $4.13 million dollars compared to December 2025 of $3.91 million dollars. TARTA had $164,846 in Investment Income.

CEO Report

Laura Koprowski, CEO reported on the Bus Coalition Retreat that she attended in Washington, D.C. $2.4 million community directed project funding for TARTA’s Maintenance Modernization Project, Reauthorization Year for Federal Transportation Bill FY26 & FY27, Appropriations is Critical 2026 Advocacy Strategy - Jan. '26 - Summer '26. Reminder about the Legislative conference in February in Columbus and the TARTA Winter Service change kick off on January 25^th.

Vice President Report

Mary Morisson, vice president thanked everyone for their continuing service to TARTA and the community.

President Report

President Kendra Smith let the board members know we will be choosing a meeting date for the February additional Strategic Plan meeting next week by Doodle poll.

A motion was made by Mary Morrison and seconded by Lou Thomson to hold another special board meeting in February to further review the 2026 Strategic Plan prior to the February 19^th Board meeting.

Meeting Calendar- The next regularly scheduled TARTA Board of Trustees meeting will take place on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the TARTA Board Room at 130 Knapp St., Toledo OH 4364.

Adjournment- A motion was made by Mary Morrison and seconded by Brittany Ford to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 5:06 PM.

February 22, 2024