Luzerne County Transportation Authority Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Date:

Attendance

Board Members Present

Legal Counsel Present

Board Members Absent

Administrative Staff Present

Other Attendees

Meeting Business

1. Pledge of Allegiance

Board Chairman Mr. Sciandra welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited those present to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Roll Call

The following Board members were present for the meeting: Mr. Alshefski, Mr. Cefalo, Mr. Padavan, Mr. Polakoski, Ms. Villano, Mr. Zeller, and Mr. Sciandra.

3. Public Comment

Jim Durland asked if Route 7 could be changed for people who live at Lincoln Plaza. Mr. Fiume said LCTA is currently looking at all routes and would add this item to the list for review.

4. Approval of Minutes

Board Chairman Mr. Sciandra asked for approval of the minutes from the , Board meeting. Ms. Villano made a motion, and Mr. Polakoski seconded it. The motion carried.

5. Treasurer's Report

Presenter: Mr. John Young

Board Chairman Mr. Sciandra asked for a motion to approve the Treasurer's Report pending audit. Mr. Padavan made a motion, and Mr. Cefalo seconded it. All members present voted yes; the motion carried.

6. Chairperson's Report

Presenter: Mr. Charles Sciandra

Mr. Sciandra gave a big thank-you from the Board for a job well done at the recent festival in Wilkes-Barre, adding that everyone did an exceptional job. He said Ms. Wintermantel did a great job with the buses for America 250.

7. Solicitor's Report

Presenter: Attorney Joseph Blazosek

Attorney Blazosek noted for the record that the Board entered an executive session at and remained in session until approximately During that time, Mr. Fiume updated the Board on pending real estate matters. No decisions were made. The Board received an update on future events and referred to the motion to approve a new real estate contract.

8. Executive Director's Report

Presenter: Mr. Robert Fiume

Mr. Fiume reported that LCTA is working on a request for proposals for video cameras. LCTA is reviewing its routes and microtransit services to identify opportunities for greater efficiency and cost savings. The Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association asked LCTA to host the August Roadeo in 2028. LCTA will host a Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting on . LCTA also recently hosted an Avail training with participants from different parts of eastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. Fiume thanked the staff for their work during the America 250 concert. He noted that this was the first time LCTA had handled an event of this magnitude and that staff had planned for it over a period of weeks and months. He spoke with drivers during the event and said they enjoyed their work, moved people quickly, and received many positive comments and thanks without a negative comment.

Mr. Fiume recognized Mr. Marriggi, Mr. Gifford, Ms. Dennis, Ms. Wintermantel, Mr. Horton, Mr. Coviello, the bus and van drivers, and Mr. Roselle, who planned the routes and helped ensure the lots would be accessible. He said it was a team effort and was pleased to see everyone come together.

Motions Presented by the Executive Director

9. Committee Reports

Customer Service/Public Transit Ridership Committee

Chairperson: Valerie Kepner

Dr. Kepner was absent from the meeting.

Operations/Safety Committee

Chairperson: Gary Polakoski

Mr. Polakoski did not have a report at this time.

Strategic Planning Committee

Chairperson: Michael Cefalo

Mr. Cefalo said a presentation created by a Niagara company in New York had been circulated to the state. The presentation addressed how that company is combining its Shared Ride and on-call services. He said LCTA would continue to advocate for improvements to Shared Ride from a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation standpoint. He added that LCTA's consultant serves on the study committee for that item.

Personnel and Continued Progress Committee

Chairperson: Joe Padavan

Mr. Padavan said LCTA is almost fully staffed. LCTA recently hired a part-time dispatcher who is expected to start within the next week or so. He commented that LCTA's union workers, including Amalgamated Transit Union and Teamsters members, are working well with the administration and that everyone seems to be working together.

Finance and Budget Committee

Chairperson: Joseph Zeller

Mr. Zeller referred to Mr. Lisman's email containing comments on the 2026-2027 budget. He thanked Mr. Lisman for the good work and presentation.

10. Old Business

There was no old business.

11. New Business

There was no new business.

12. Remarks

There were no remarks.

13. Adjournment

With all business completed, Mr. Cefalo made a motion to adjourn, and Mr. Polakoski seconded it. The motion carried.