PTAC Minutes 06/18/2025MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING
NAPLES, FLORIDA
JUNE 18, 2025
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Public Transit Advisory Committee in and for the County of Collier,
having conducted business herein, met on this date at 1:00 P.M. in REGULAR SESSION at
Collier County Museum Lecture Hall, 3331 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, Florida with the
following members present:
Chair: John DiMarco, III
Vice Chair: Peter Berry (Virtual)
Cliff Donenfeld (Virtual)
Dewey Enderle
Sonja Lee Samek (Excused)
Benita Staadecker
Open Seat
ALSO PRESENT: Omar DeLeon, Public Transit Manager, Collier County PTNE
Alexander Showalter, Senior Planner, Collier County PTNE
Elena Ortiz-Rosado, Events, Sales and Marketing Coordinator, PTNE
Keyla Castro, Operations Support Specialist, Collier County PTNE
Nolan Begley, Fixed Route Manager, MV Transportation
Jacob Stauffer, Transit Planner, MV Transportation
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1. Call to Order
Chair DiMarco called the meeting to order at 1:00 P.M.
2. Roll Call
Roll call was taken, and a quorum was not established.
3. Approval of Agenda
Staff noted that due to absence of a quorum the meeting would be held as an informational meeting
in accordance with the Agenda.
4. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the March 19, 2025, Public Transit Advisory Committee meeting will be considered
at the July 16, 2025, meeting.
5. Committee Action
a. Membership Application — John DiMarco III & Jake Wayne Bates
Mr. Showalter presented Executive Summary "Membership Applications " for John DiMarco III and
Jake Bates.
John DiMarco III
The PTNE Staff endorses "Renewal of Membership to the Public Transit Advisory Committee
(PTAC) " for John DiMarco III noting, as standing Chair, he has been an important contributor to the
overall success of CAT over his time on the Committee, providing feedback and advice to staff and
vendors on improving transit operations and efficiencies in Collier County.
Jake Wayne Bates
The PTNE Staff submitted for the committee's consideration an application from Jake Wayne Bates,
to join PTAC.
Due to absence of a quorum, the applications will be considered at the July 16, 2025, meeting.
b. FY2025 Program of Projects
Mr. DeLeon presented an Executive Summary "Endorsement of the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA) " to inform the PTAC Advisory Committee of the Program of Projects for the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) Sections 5307 and 5339 grant application submittals for FY25-FY26.
Section 5307
• The Public Transit Neighborhood Enhancement (PTNE) Division receives federal grant
funds for the management of the Collier Area Transit (CAT) system annually to be used for
capital projects and operating assistance as defined by the FTA.
• Collier County is located within the Bonita Springs/Naples Census Urbanized Area.
• A portion of the Section 5307 funding received is shared with Lee County.
• The total amount allocated to the Urbanized Area Formula Program is $7,119,688 of which
$5,470,056 is awarded to Collier County, $113,915 to FDOT, and $1,561,200 distributed to
Lee County.
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June 18, 2025
The FDOT portion of $113,915 is split between Lee and Collier Counties. Lee County will
receive $25,483 and Collier County will receive $88,432.
With the FDOT funds, Collier County will receive $5,558,488 and Lee County $1,561,200
of grant funds.
Projects proposed for the appropriated funding may include, as funding permits:
1. Transit Improvement Projects which may include Bus Stops Improvements (shelters)
and Bus Wraps.
2. Safety and Security Equipment Badge access and camera system enhancement.
3. Replacing Intelligent Transportation Equipment.
4. Provision of operational expenses for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Paratransit services.
5. Funding for the maintenance and operations facility, contingent on availability of
funds.
6. Fleet preventative maintenance.
7. Fixed Route and Paratransit operational expenses.
Section 5339
• The program provides capital assistance to states and transit agencies to replace, rehabilitate
and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus -related facilities.
• Collier County is the designated recipient for the urbanized area.
• $502,127 is allocated to the Bonita Springs/Naples Urbanized Area for USC Section 5339
for the Maintenance and Operation Facilities Urbanized Area Formula program.
Next Steps
• Public Comment Period — thirty days (completed)
• PTAC Endorsement
• Board of County Commissioners' Approval
• FTA Submission and Approval
In response to Committee member comments Mr. DeLeon noted:
• The Public Comment process focused on funding allocation.
• The proposal is for the FTA application approval. Funding allocation will be submitted to the
FTA for finalization on approval.
Recommendation
The Committee endorsed the Collier Area Transit 5307 FY25-26 Program of Projects in the
amount of $5,558,488.00, financed by Federal Grant Funds, and 5339 FY25-26 Program of
Projects in the amount of $502,12 7. 00for transit capital projects and operating assistance to the
Collier Area Transit (CAT) system.
c. DBE Goal Update FY26 to FY28
Mr. Showalter presented the Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal for Collier Area Transit
(CAT). He noted:
• The Collier County Board of Commissioners (BCC) receives Federal financial assistance
from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT).
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June 18, 2025
• The Board must comply with Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), part 26, to
qualify for assistance.
• The Board is required to have a DBE program in accordance with regulations of the United
State Department of Transportation, as provided in Title 49 of the C.F.R.
• The program ensures that DBE's have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in FTA
and DOT assisted contracts by ensuring non-discrimination in award and administration of the
State and Federal contracts.
• Every three years a goal is established as part of CAT's DBE Program, a requirement of Title
49 C.F.R., part 26.
• Collier Area Transit is re-establishing its goal effective for FY26, FY27, and FY28.
• The goal setting method included Census data and the DBE directory (businesses in the area),
approved by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).
• The DBE FY 2026-2027-2028 Goal Worksheet totals $12,096,983.00 ($4,032,328.00 per
year).
Outreach Process
• CAT will host a workshop to discuss the DBE Program, the methodology for establishing
the goal, and information on the solicitation process, including how to register and bid on
projects.
• The goal will be published and available for public comments for thirty days.
Committee Discussion
Mr. Showalter noted that businesses are not precluded from reapplying to the program based on
previous participation.
Recommendation
The Committee endorsed the established Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal for Fiscal
Year 2026 through Fiscal Year 2028 for the Collier Area Transit (CAT).
6. Reports and Presentations
a. Off -Season Schedule Change
Mr. Stauffer presented the Executive Summary "November Route Changes " to update the
Committee on service modifications implemented with the off-season schedule changes in effect
since April 27, 2025. He noted:
• Changes across multiple Collier Area Transit (CAT) routes were implemented due to
changes in traffic and travel patterns.
• The proposed schedule modifications were distributed throughout the community and posted
on social media, and the RideCAT.com websites.
• Many off-season changes aim to improve the On -Time Performance of the fixed route
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• Data collected on the run times and feedback from the drivers resulted in adjustments to the
timepoint providing riders with a more accurate estimation of bus arrival at their stop. The
data also enables time for the driver to remain on schedule.
• The only significant route changes are related to Route 24 and Route 27.
• Route 24 now terminates at Charlee Estates allowing more frequency along US-41.
• The Livingston Park and Ride location was removed from Route 27 due to extremely low
ridership.
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June 18, 2025
• Changes have been published with the updated paper schedule, on RideCAT.com, and
through the app.
Committee Comment Responses
• Ridership has declined by approximately two thousand per month.
7. Member and Staff Comments
Mr. Showalter informed the Committee the Museum Lecture Hall meeting location is not available for
future meetings.
The new meeting location effective July 2025 will be:
Collier County Government Center
Human Resources Building `B"
HR Training Room
3303 Tamiami Trail E.
Naples, FL 34112
8. Public Comments
None
9. Next Meeting Date July 16, 2025 - 1:00 P.M.
Collier County Government Center
Human Resources Building `B"
3303 Tamiami Trail E
Naples, FL. 34112
10. Adjournment
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by the
chair at 1:39 P.M.
Public Transit Advisory Committee
John DiMarco III, Chair
These minutes approved by the Board/Committee on ,2025 as presented or
as amended
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Committee Action
Item 5a
Membership Applications -- John DiMarco III, Jape Bates
Objective:
To obtain recommendation of renewal for John DiMarco and recommendation for Jake Wayne Bates to join
the Public Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC).
Considerations:
PTNE staff submits for the Public Transit Advisory Committee consideration, an application from John
DiMarco III, to renew membership on PTAC. Mr. DiMarco has previously served on PTAC and looks to
continue his tenure on the board.
This applicant has been evaluated based on the potential and previous contributions to the PTAC and are
recommended on those criteria to be eligible for the committee.
Based on John DiMarco's experience with the Fixed Route and Paratransit services, he has been, and will
continue to be an asset to this committee by providing feedback and advice to staff and vendors on improving
transit operations and efficiencies in Collier County.
PTNE staff also submits for the committee's consideration, an application from Jake Wayne Bates, to join
PTAC. Mr. Bates is a UCF graduate with a bachelor's in both economics and anthropology. Mr. Bates has a
history of community service, positioned as the Community Service Chair for 3 years for Alpha Tau Omega
Eta Rho Chapter at UCF.
Jake Wayne Sates None Specified 3 years Resident
John DiMarco III System Rider 3 years Resident
Recommendation:
That the PTAC recommend that the Board of County Commissioners approve the renewal of membership for
John DiMarco to the PTAC and recommend membership of Jake Wayne Bates to PTAC at their next available
Board meeting.
Attachments:
PTAC Applications
Prepared by: /ft/Date:
Alexander Sl9walter, Planner II
Approved by: Date.
Omar DeLeon, PTNE Transit .Manager
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