Takata board approves FTA compliance resolution, names interim director as VIA takes over operations

The Takata Twin Cities Area Transportation Authority board unanimously approved a resolution of compliance with Federal Transit Administration directives and authorized the appointment of Tresa Gshock as interim director with limited signature authority.

Board Chair Alexander Little read the resolution outlining the transition of operations to VIA, requirements for ECHO-authorized draw documents, and steps to submit updated organizational charts, policies and a milestone schedule to FTA. "Takata will seek to work closely with FTA and MDOT through the process and the implementation of this service transition," Little said during the reading.

Board members and staff discussed how responsibilities will be divided after VIA assumes day-to-day operations. Little said VIA would handle operations, scheduling, maintenance and insurance while Takata would retain procurement and drawdown responsibilities: invoicing through the ECHO system to obtain FTA payments, and limited accounting tied to documentation provided by VIA. The board noted invoices may be structured as an amount not to exceed one‑twelfth of the cited $2.8 million figure, roughly $233,000 per month, though the resolution acknowledged FTA may require payroll or additional supporting detail.

Jack, participating remotely, flagged contract oversight and audit preparation as priorities: "the other thing that is going to be really important for the next few months is making sure that we're prepared for the future audits," he said, urging consolidation of PC Trans and VIA data and preparation of packets for reviewers.

Oliver Lindseay, identified in the resolution as a consultant and retained as an ECHO-authorized signatory, and Mark, described as procurement and grant staff, were named in the board discussion as part of the paperwork and oversight process. The board agreed to observe the initial transition period and to draft a new job description and organizational chart before making any permanent staffing decisions.

The motion to approve the FTA compliance resolution passed on a unanimous roll call of Chair Alexander Little and Trustees Robinson, Jackson, Hatchard and Nesbbit. The resolution directs staff to obtain an updated opinion of counsel and to work with FTA and MDOT on the transition schedule and documentation.

Next steps include finalizing the interim job description, preparing audit materials, and reporting back to the board at the next meeting on how the VIA transition is functioning and what additional actions may be required.