Title
RIVERCITIES TRANSIT GOVERNANCE
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The governance relationship between the Cowlitz Transit Authority (CTA) and the City of Longview has a long history. Since the creation of the Public Transit Benefit Area (PTBA) in 1987, the Cowlitz Transit Authority has acted as the governing authority of public transportation services within the PTBA, and Longview has operated as the contractor to the CTA. The model is one that has worked for many years, but is convoluted and has created challenges for auditors, the Federal Transit Administration, council members and staff as the transit system continues to grow and develop.
The CTA/City governance model and options have been evaluated twice in the past five years. In 2014, the Cowlitz Transit Authority commissioned TCF Architecture to study the governance model in detail and present options to both the CTA and the City. At a joint workshop of all CTA member agencies, the decision was made to continue the existing governance model and retain the current interlocal agreement for public transportation services. However, as the transit system has evolved and expanded, city council objections and resistance to CTA-approved actions have presented challenges for staff to implement the direction given by the CTA, and led staff to believe public transit governance may need to be revisited for a third time.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Discussion and direction to staff.