Orange County Transportation Authority meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

OCTA board to take up San Clemente coastal rail protection, $46.4 million Metrolink subsidy

No votes were recorded at the Orange County Transportation Authority's recent meetings. Agendas were published for the Board, the Technical Steering Committee, the Legislative Committee, the Finance and Administration Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee, but minutes have not yet been posted for any of them, so what was decided — if anything — is not yet documented. The largest items now sit before the Board, which meets today, Oct. 26.

San Clemente coastal railroad

The Board will consider emergency shoreline protection and sand placement at Reinforcement Areas 1, 2 and 4 in San Clemente, described in the agenda as work to prevent railroad embankment failure. The same item appeared on the Oct. 12 Board agenda. The Citizens Advisory Committee was also scheduled on Oct. 20 to hear a presentation on Coastal Rail Emergency Projects. No action on the item has been recorded in the published materials.

Metrolink and transit funding

The Finance and Administration Committee reviewed a proposed $21,396,759 additional operating subsidy for Metrolink, which the agenda describes as bringing the total to $46,396,759. The committee also reviewed proposed contributions of $2,083,752 in capital funds and $22,730,805 for rehabilitation.

The same committee reviewed authorization of $49,285,273 in State Transit Assistance Fund claims. That item is listed on today's Board agenda as claims for fiscal year 2026-27.

Contracts, fares and legislative advocacy

Two contracts that appeared on Oct. 15 committee agendas are also on today's Board agenda: a $5,713,113 contract with Sidepath Inc. for VMware subscription renewals, and a $432,000 agreement with Topp Strategies, LLC for state legislative advocacy and consulting services covering Jan. 1, 2027 through Dec. 31, 2028.

The Legislative Committee was scheduled to hear an update on Sacramento legislative items from State Legislative Advocate Moira Topp and to discuss draft revisions to the agency's 2027-28 State and Federal Legislative Platforms. The Board is also set to approve an updated Schedule of Tariffs to incorporate the OC Streetcar fare structure.

Other items on recent agendas

The Oct. 12 Board agenda also listed a $1.5 million agreement for State Route 74 Ortega Highway Gap Closure plans and specifications; a $4 million California Energy Commission grant for Santa Ana Bus Base Hydrogen Fueling Modernization; a $1,255,750 contract extension with ShelterClean Services, Inc. for bus stop maintenance; and $3,870,044 in Measure M2 funding for eight environmental cleanup projects.

The Technical Steering Committee on Oct. 14 was scheduled to discuss retroactive application of 2027 Comprehensive Transportation Funding Programs Guidelines to projects already awarded, hold a review session on program payment forms, and approve minutes from June 24, 2026.

Coming up

• **Oct. 26 — Board.** Emergency shoreline protection and sand placement in San Clemente; the Sidepath Inc., Topp Strategies and State Transit Assistance Fund items; OC Streetcar fare tariffs.
• **Oct. 27 — Accessible Transit Advisory Committee.** Presentations on paratransit software, the OC ACCESS Virtual Interview Pilot and the OC Streetcar, plus the Bimonthly Transit Performance Report.
• **Oct. 28 — Technical Advisory Committee.** Requested adjustments to Measure M2 grant-funded projects, a proposed transition framework for 2027 funding guidelines, the Zero-Emission Bus Transition Study and a Measure M2 Expenditure Report overview.
• **Oct. 29 — State Route 91 Advisory Committee.** Joint 91 Express Lanes status reports for March through August 2026, corridor improvement updates and a legislative update on bills affecting tolling facilities.
• **Nov. 4 — Environmental Oversight Committee.** Cancelled. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Feb. 3, 2027.

OCTA agendas take up San Clemente rail erosion, a $46.4 million Metrolink subsidy and $3.87 million in water-quality awards

Seven Orange County Transportation Authority meetings were scheduled between Oct. 5 and Oct. 15, and the agendas for all seven list items for action or discussion. Minutes have not been published for any of them, so no outcome — approval, rejection or vote tally — is confirmed in the public record summarized here. What follows is what each body was set to consider, with amounts as listed in the agendas.

Board agenda: San Clemente railroad embankment

The Board of Directors' Oct. 12 agenda listed emergency shoreline protection and sand placement at Reinforcement Areas 1, 2 and 4 in San Clemente, which the meeting summary describes as intended to prevent railroad embankment failure. The same agenda carried items that had moved through committee: a $1.5 million agreement for State Route 74 Ortega Highway Gap Closure plans and specifications, a $4 million California Energy Commission grant for the Santa Ana Bus Base Hydrogen Fueling Modernization, a $1,255,750 contract extension with ShelterClean Services, Inc. for bus stop maintenance, and $3,870,044 in Measure M2 funding for eight environmental cleanup projects.

Metrolink subsidy proposal totals $46.4 million

The Finance and Administration Committee on Oct. 15 was scheduled to review a proposed $21,396,759 additional operating subsidy for Metrolink, which the agenda describes as bringing the total to $46,396,759. Also listed were a proposed $2,083,752 capital contribution and $22,730,805 in rehabilitation contributions for Metrolink, a proposed $5,713,113 contract with Sidepath Inc. for VMware subscription renewals, authorization of $49,285,273 in State Transit Assistance Fund claims, and an update to the Schedule of Tariffs to incorporate the OC Streetcar fare structure.

Transit: fueling contracts and grants

The Transit Committee's Oct. 8 consent calendar included Agreement No. C250282 with Clean Energy for $2,726,457 for compressed natural gas fueling station operation and maintenance at the Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana bus bases, with a $545,292 budget increase. Members were also set to consider acceptance of a $4 million California Energy Commission grant and Resolution No. 2026-064 for $6,652,885 in Low Carbon Transit Operations Program funds for the Santa Ana Bus Base Hydrogen Fueling Modernization Project, plus $3,262,461 for Youth Ride Free and $1 million for OC Streetcar operations. Two sole-source agreements with New Flyer of America, Inc. — $208,000 for technical support on ten fuel-cell electric buses and $279,945 to refurbish fuel-cell stacks on nine — were listed, along with Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. C-1-3408 with ShelterClean Services, Inc. for $1,255,750, extending bus stop maintenance through Nov. 30, 2028 and raising total contract value to $4,456,081.

Water-quality awards, SR-55 and SR-74

The Regional Transportation Planning Committee on Oct. 5 was scheduled to act on a five-item consent calendar, most of it recommendations to the Board, which has final approval authority. Items included Amendment No. 3 to Agreement C-0-2726 with Caltrans for $1,670,000 in additional construction support services for the State Route 55 Improvement Project between Interstate 405 and Interstate 5; Change Order No. 13 to Agreement C-5-4033 with Condon-Johnson & Associates, Inc. for $321,437 for a pedestrian trail fence tied to Mariposa Beach access improvements; and $3,870,044 in Measure M2 Tier 1 Environmental Cleanup Program funding for eight water-quality projects, with an exception allowing the City of Huntington Beach to be recommended for funding while temporarily ineligible for Measure M2 funds. A Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans, No. C260556, for $1.5 million for plans, specifications and estimates on the SR-74 Ortega Highway project was also listed, plus $3.581 million and $1.1 million in additional State Transportation Improvement Program funds.

Pavement funding, legislative platforms, funding guidelines

The Executive Committee on Oct. 5 was set to hear a market-conditions presentation on Measure M2 Next 10 Delivery Plan cost drivers and to review an evaluation of a competitive pavement maintenance subprogram, with staff recommending no further action and prioritizing arterial road rehabilitation for federal fiscal years 2028-29 and 2029-30 Surface Transportation Block Grant/CMAQ funding. The Legislative Committee on Oct. 15 was scheduled to discuss draft revisions to the 2027-28 State and Federal Legislative Platforms and a proposed $432,000 contract with Topp Strategies, LLC for state legislative advocacy from Jan. 1, 2027 through Dec. 31, 2028. The Technical Steering Committee on Oct. 14 was to discuss retroactive application of 2027 Comprehensive Transportation Funding Programs Guidelines to projects already awarded.

Coming up

The Citizens Advisory Committee meets Oct. 20 with presentations on the State Route 55 Improvement Project, Coastal Rail Emergency Projects and the 2026 Zero-Emission Bus Study, plus an update from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Active Transportation Subcommittee. The agenda also lists approval of minutes from the July 21, 2026 meeting.

OCTA board agenda lists emergency San Clemente shoreline work; committees to weigh $46.4M Metrolink subsidy

Four Orange County Transportation Authority meetings were held between Oct. 5 and Oct. 12, 2026, but no minutes have been published for any of them. Everything below comes from agendas: items listed for a vote or discussion, not confirmed outcomes. Where a committee only recommends, the Board of Directors holds final approval authority.

San Clemente railroad erosion heads to the Board

The Board of Directors' Oct. 12 agenda listed emergency shoreline protection and sand placement at Reinforcement Areas 1, 2 and 4 in San Clemente, described as work to prevent railroad embankment failure. The same agenda carried a $1.5 million agreement for State Route 74 Ortega Highway Gap Closure plans and specifications, a $4 million California Energy Commission grant for Santa Ana Bus Base Hydrogen Fueling Modernization, a $1,255,750 contract extension with ShelterClean Services, Inc. for bus stop maintenance, and $3,870,044 in Measure M2 funding for eight environmental cleanup projects.

Water quality, SR-55 and SR-74

The Regional Transportation Planning Committee met Oct. 5 on a five-item consent calendar. Items included awarding $3,870,044 in Measure M2 Tier 1 Environmental Cleanup Program funding for eight water-quality projects, plus an exception allowing the City of Huntington Beach to be recommended for funding while temporarily ineligible for Measure M2 funds. Also listed: Amendment No. 3 to Agreement C-0-2726 with Caltrans for $1,670,000 in additional construction support services for the State Route 55 Improvement Project between Interstate 405 and Interstate 5; Contract Change Order No. 13 to Agreement C-5-4033 with Condon-Johnson & Associates, Inc. for $321,437 for redesign and construction of a pedestrian trail fence tied to Mariposa Beach access improvements; and Cooperative Agreement No. C260556 with Caltrans for $1.5 million for plans, specifications and estimates on the State Route 74 Ortega Highway Gap Closure and Multimodal Improvement Project, plus $3.581 million and $1.1 million in additional State Transportation Improvement Program funds. The committee also was scheduled for an information update on south Orange County projects, including the Los Patrones Parkway Extension, Ortega Highway improvements, and Interstate 5 work from the County Line to Avenida Pico.

Transit: CNG, hydrogen and bus stops

The Transit Committee's Oct. 8 agenda included Agreement No. C250282 with Clean Energy for $2,726,457 for compressed natural gas fueling station operation and maintenance at the Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana bus bases, with a $545,292 budget increase. Members were also asked to accept a $4 million California Energy Commission grant and approve Resolution No. 2026-064 for $6,652,885 in Low Carbon Transit Operations Program funds for the Santa Ana Bus Base Hydrogen Fueling Modernization Project, plus $3,262,461 for Youth Ride Free and $1 million for OC Streetcar operations. Two sole-source agreements with New Flyer of America, Inc. were listed — $208,000 for technical support on ten fuel-cell electric buses and $279,945 to refurbish fuel-cell stacks on nine — along with Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. C-1-3408 with ShelterClean Services, Inc. for $1,255,750 to extend bus stop maintenance through Nov. 30, 2028, raising total contract value to $4,456,081.

Executive Committee: pavement funding

The Executive Committee's Oct. 5 agenda included a proposed 2027 Board and committee meeting calendar, an annual market conditions update on the Measure M2 Next 10 Delivery Plan, and results of an evaluation of a competitive pavement maintenance subprogram within the Measure M2 Regional Capacity Program, with staff recommending no new subprogram. One item directed staff to prioritize arterial road rehabilitation for federal fiscal years 2028-29 and 2029-30 Surface Transportation Block Grant/CMAQ funding.

Coming up

• **Oct. 14 — Technical Steering Committee:** discussion of retroactive application of 2027 Comprehensive Transportation Funding Programs Guidelines, plus a review session on program payment forms.
• **Oct. 15 — Legislative Committee:** a proposed $432,000 contract with Topp Strategies, LLC for state legislative advocacy from Jan. 1, 2027 to Dec. 31, 2028; draft revisions to the 2027-28 State and Federal Legislative Platforms; an update from State Legislative Advocate Moira Topp.
• **Oct. 15 — Finance and Administration Committee:** a proposed $21,396,759 additional operating subsidy for Metrolink, totaling $46,396,759; $2,083,752 in capital and $22,730,805 in rehabilitation contributions for Metrolink; a $5,713,113 contract with Sidepath Inc. for VMware subscription renewals; authorization of $49,285,273 in State Transit Assistance Fund claims; and an update to the Schedule of Tariffs to incorporate the OC Streetcar fare structure.

OCTA board to weigh $7.1M hydrogen fuel projects, bus buybacks

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) board is scheduled to meet today to consider $7.1 million in state funding for hydrogen fueling stations and amendments to zero-emission bus purchase orders. The meeting follows a month of cancelled committee sessions and informational-only agendas, with no decisions made in the past two weeks.

Board meeting today

The board will consider approving $7.120 million in SB 1 state funding for hydrogen fueling projects in Garden Grove and Santa Ana. It will also authorize a $2.37 million amendment for 40 fuel-cell electric buses and $491,669 for 10 battery-electric buses. Other consent items include 2027 health insurance agreements with Kaiser, Anthem, Delta Dental, Vision Service Plan, and Voya; approval of the Federal Transit Administration program of projects for fiscal year 2025-26; and release of an invitation for bids for VMware Cloud Foundation and Live Recovery subscriptions.

Recent meetings

Several meetings were cancelled. The Aug. 10 board meeting was cancelled, as were the Aug. 12 Technical Steering Committee and the Aug. 13 Transit Committee. The Transit Committee's next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m. at 550 South Main Street, Orange.

The Environmental Cleanup Allocation Committee met Aug. 13 and will recommend $3,870,044 in Tier 1 Environmental Cleanup Program funding for eight projects. It will also consider an exception to allow Huntington Beach to receive funding despite not being deemed eligible for Measure M2. The committee also received informational updates on scoring and meeting schedules.

The Legislative Committee met Aug. 20 and received updates on state and federal legislative matters, including Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-7-26 to accelerate transit and passenger rail project delivery, the fiscal year 2026-27 state budget agreement, and a final report on the Los Angeles–San Diego–San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor. The committee also heard about the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 and surface transportation reauthorization. No votes on substantive policy were scheduled.

The Finance and Administration Committee met Aug. 20 and heard a presentation on the annual 30-year taxable sales forecast for Measure M2 from a California State University, Fullerton economist. The committee also reviewed consent items including internal audit reports on bus and Metrolink marketing and travel training services, the Investment and Debt Programs Report for June 2026, and 2027 health insurance agreements.

All recent meetings were listed as agenda-only, with minutes not yet published, so no final decisions have been made.

Coming up

The board's meeting is scheduled for today, Aug. 24. The Transit Committee next meets Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m. The Technical Steering Committee next meets Oct. 14.

OCTA committees to weigh $3.87M cleanup funding, transit legislation

Most Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) committee meetings scheduled over the past two weeks were cancelled, leaving no formal decisions on the record. The most significant item on any agenda is a recommendation for $3,870,044 in environmental cleanup funding for eight projects, which the Environmental Cleanup Allocation Committee considered at its Aug. 13 meeting. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so the outcome is not known.

Recent cancellations

Five OCTA bodies cancelled their August meetings:

• **Executive Committee** (Aug. 3) – cancelled; next meeting Sept. 8.
• **Regional Transportation Planning Committee** (Aug. 3) – cancelled; no items discussed.
• **Board of Directors** (Aug. 10) – cancelled; no items discussed.
• **Technical Steering Committee** (Aug. 12) – cancelled; next meeting Oct. 14.
• **Transit Committee** (Aug. 13) – cancelled; next meeting Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m. in the Board Room, 550 South Main Street, Orange.

Environmental Oversight Committee (Aug. 5)

The committee's agenda included updates on the Environmental Mitigation Program (EMP) endowment fund, a completed restoration project at Chino Hills State Park, and the 2025 annual report for the OCTA M2 Conservation Plan. Staff also provided progress reports on the Trabuco Rose Preserve gully erosion project and a recent tour of the Pacific Horizon Preserve. The agenda also included approval of minutes from the May 6, 2026 meeting. No decisions have been published.

Environmental Cleanup Allocation Committee (Aug. 13)

The committee's agenda included a recommendation to approve $3,870,044 in Tier 1 Environmental Cleanup Program funding for eight projects. It also considered recommending an exception to allow Huntington Beach to receive funding despite not being deemed eligible for Measure M2. Other items included approval of minutes from Feb. 12, 2026, Tier 1 scoring updates, and a meeting schedule update. As with other recent meetings, minutes have not yet been published.

Upcoming meetings (Aug. 20)

Two committees are scheduled to meet on Thursday, Aug. 20. Both are informational in nature, with no substantive votes on policy listed.

• **Legislative Committee** – will receive updates on state and federal legislative matters, including Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-7-26 to accelerate transit and passenger rail project delivery, the fiscal year 2026-27 state budget agreement, a final report on SB 1098 (improving the Los Angeles–San Diego–San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor), federal actions under the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, and surface transportation reauthorization. The committee will also approve minutes from its June 18, 2026 meeting.
• **Finance and Administration Committee** – will hear a presentation on the annual 30-year taxable sales forecast for Measure M2 from a California State University, Fullerton economist. The consent calendar includes internal audit reports on bus and Metrolink marketing (Report No. 26-511) and travel training services (Report No. 26-514), the Investment and Debt Programs Report for June 2026, and agreements for health insurance services for 2027 with Kaiser, Anthem, Delta Dental, Vision Service Plan, and Voya.

Coming up

• **Legislative Committee** – Aug. 20, 2026 (agenda available on OCTA's website).
• **Finance and Administration Committee** – Aug. 20, 2026 (agenda available on OCTA's website).

Both meetings are open to the public. Agendas and materials are posted on the OCTA website.

OCTA Board weighs $1.95M land sale, contracts; several meetings cancelled

The Orange County Transportation Authority Board met July 27 to consider a $1.95 million land sale and several infrastructure contracts, though minutes have not yet been published. No decisions have been reported for any of the week's meetings. Several scheduled meetings were cancelled.

Board meeting (July 27)

The Board's agenda included the sale of surplus land at Marguerite Parkway and Avery Parkway for $1,950,000. Members also reviewed a $335,555 contract with High-Light Electric, Inc. for 91 Express Lanes entrance gantries and a $1,071,679 amendment with HDR Engineering, Inc. for the State Route 55 Improvement Project.

The Board also considered approving 33 of 35 local jurisdictions for Measure M 2 net revenue eligibility, and selected Dahl Taylor & Associates, Inc. for a solar photovoltaic feasibility study at bus bases. In addition, the agenda included a review of CEO Darrell E. Johnson's performance and compensation, a long-range transportation plan for 2050, and the potential relocation of the Newport Transportation Center.

Because minutes are not yet published, the outcomes of these items are not known.

Accessible Transit Advisory Committee (July 28)

The committee met to elect a Chair and Vice Chair and to review paratransit software implementation. Presentations covered the Long-Range Transportation Plan, OC ACCESS operations and mobility management programs, and ACCESS Driver Exceptional Service Awards. Minutes are pending.

Environmental Oversight Committee (Aug. 5)

The committee heard updates on the Environmental Mitigation Program (EMP) endowment fund, a completed restoration project at Chino Hills State Park, and the 2025 annual report for the OCTA M2 Conservation Plan. Staff also provided progress reports on the Trabuco Rose Preserve gully erosion project and a recent tour of the Pacific Horizon Preserve. The committee approved minutes from its May 6 meeting. Minutes from this meeting are not yet published.

Cancelled meetings

Two meetings scheduled for Aug. 3 were cancelled: the Executive Committee and the Regional Transportation Planning Committee. The Executive Committee's next regular meeting is set for Sept. 8, 2026.

Coming up

Two upcoming meetings have been cancelled: the Board meeting scheduled for Aug. 10 and the Technical Steering Committee meeting scheduled for Aug. 12. The Technical Steering Committee's next meeting is Oct. 14, 2026. No other meetings are listed in the next 14 days.

OCTA Board to weigh $1.95M land sale, CEO compensation; several August meetings cancelled

Board agenda includes land sale, contracts, and CEO review

The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors was scheduled July 27 to consider selling surplus land at Marguerite Parkway and Avery Parkway for $1,950,000. The same agenda included evaluating the performance and compensation of CEO Darrell E. Johnson.

Board members were also set to review several infrastructure contracts: $335,555 to High-Light Electric, Inc. for 91 Express Lanes entrance gantries; a $1,071,679 amendment with HDR Engineering, Inc. for the State Route 55 Improvement Project; and selection of Dahl Taylor & Associates, Inc. for a solar photovoltaic feasibility study at bus bases. The agenda also listed approval of 33 of 35 local jurisdictions for Measure M2 net revenue eligibility and consideration of a long-range transportation plan for 2050, including the potential relocation of the Newport Transportation Center.

Minutes for the July 27 meeting have not yet been published, so it is not yet confirmed which items were approved.

Technical Advisory Committee to weigh Measure M2 funding guidelines

The Technical Advisory Committee met July 22 to consider revised guidelines for Measure M2 funding programs, which allocate revenues for transit, environmental cleanup, and local streets and roads projects. Staff recommended advancing the revisions to expedite grant payments and streamline the 2027 call for projects process. The committee also discussed the 2027 Surface Transportation Block Grant / Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program call for projects and received a presentation on MPAH facilities build-out. Minutes have not yet been published.

Advisory committees set leadership elections

The Citizens Advisory Committee met July 21 to elect a Chair and Vice Chair, approve minutes from April 21, 2026, and receive a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget. The agenda also included a planning studies update and a Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee report. Minutes are not yet available.

The Accessible Transit Advisory Committee met July 28 to elect a Chair and Vice Chair and review implementation of paratransit software. Members were also scheduled to hear presentations on the Long-Range Transportation Plan and the OC ACCESS Operations and Mobility Management Programs, and to recognize ACCESS Driver Exceptional Service Awards. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

Several upcoming meetings have been cancelled: the Executive Committee (August 3, next meeting September 8), the Regional Transportation Planning Committee (August 3), the Board of Directors (August 10), and the Technical Steering Committee (August 12, next meeting October 14).

The Environmental Oversight Committee is scheduled to meet August 5. The agenda includes approval of minutes from May 6, 2026; a presentation on the Environmental Mitigation Program endowment fund investment report; a sign-off presentation on the Chino Hills State Park restoration project; an overview of the OCTA M2 Conservation Plan 2025 annual report; and an update on the Trabuco Rose Preserve gully erosion project. Staff will also report on a recent committee tour of the Pacific Horizon Preserve.