Carson Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Meeting – September 9, 2026

The meeting began at 4:30 p.m. with roll call confirming a quorum. Item 5A was deferred to the next meeting. The board approved the August 12, 2026 minutes, received presentations on CAMPO’s FY 2026 activities, transportation manager’s report, and NDOT update, and heard public comment on a proposed bus ambassador program.

Public Comments & Testimony

• First Public Comment Period: No comments.
• Second Public Comment Period: Dee Dee Formaster, representing Rule Center for Independent Living, expressed support for a grant program that would place ambassadors on buses to assist disabled individuals, reduce anxiety, and improve bus driver safety by reducing distractions. She indicated she would resubmit the grant proposal.

Discussion Items

• Item 5B – Discussion and Presentation on CAMPO Activities for FY 2026: Transportation Manager Chris Martinovich presented the annual summary, covering the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for FY 2025-26 and transitioning to FY 2027-28. Highlights included under-budget spending, building a roll-forward to avoid federal fund lapses, and completion of all scheduled milestones. Member questions clarified that the Public Participation Plan was completed in FY 2025 and the Transit Asset Management (TAM) plan work will be discussed in a future meeting.
• Item 6A – Transportation Manager’s Report: Chris Martinovich reported on a federal/state funding update: the IIJA expires at month-end but a continuing resolution extends transportation funding through December at flat levels; a new five-year bill (Build America 250) is under development with slightly increased formula funding and fewer discretionary grants; state-level transit funding needs and legislative bill draft requests were noted. He also mentioned upcoming AMPO conference in Sacramento and coordination on the South Carson Street/US 50/I-580 interchange.
• Item 6B – NDOT Report: Kevin Verre reported on an upcoming NDOT board meeting, including approval of the annual work program and short-range element (four-year program), which will feed into the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). He noted the US 50 project awarded and progressing, with coordination on interlocal agreements for signals with Lyon County. He also addressed questions about the US 50 East William project and potential impacts on traffic.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve the August 12, 2026 minutes passed unanimously (all aye).
• Deferral of Item 5A: The proposed performance targets for FFY 2027 public transit capital assets were deferred to the next meeting.
• No Other Actions Taken: All remaining agenda items were for discussion or report only; no further votes occurred.