[Colorado-Talk] RTD Meeting Update

[Tim Keenan]

Hey, RTD riders and transit advocates!

Quick but important update before Wednesday's Board meeting.

I've been digging into the newly posted agenda for the May 27 meeting, and I
can confirm: the proposed service cuts are not on the agenda for a vote
Wednesday night. The Recommended Actions section - which is where a vote on
management's proposal would appear - is completely empty. I compared it to
prior agendas where actual votes were scheduled, and the difference is
clear. When something is being voted on, it shows up there with a full
description. Wednesday's agenda has nothing.

There's a Board Study Session scheduled at 3:00 PM before the 5:30 PM Board
meeting. As far as I know, that session is open to the public to attend or
listen to, though there's no public comment during study sessions. My best
guess is that management will use the study session to present whatever
revised proposal they've been working on, and the Board will discuss it -
but no vote will happen Wednesday.

So what does this mean for us?

It does not mean we stay silent. Not even close.

Public comment at Wednesday's meeting is still one of the most powerful
things we can do right now. Here's why: the Board is clearly still
deliberating. The fact that management's proposal isn't on the agenda for a
vote suggests the Board hasn't given them the green light yet - which means
our voices are landing. Showing up Wednesday and making noise reinforces
that message before any decision gets locked in.

It also means the fight isn't over in one night. The vote will likely come
at a future meeting - possibly June 23, which is the next regular Board
meeting. We'll keep watching the calendar and keep you informed.

For Wednesday, here's what you need to know:

The Board Study Session starts at 3:00 PM. This should be public, but
there's not a Zoom link. If it's private, Jaime Lewis of the Colorado
Cross-Disability Coalition is looking into why and trying to make it public.
This is important because that's where we're likely to hear whatever
management is currently thinking, which could be very useful when
formulating your public comment for the meeting.

The Board Meeting starts at 5:30 PM. Whether you show up in person or attend
via Zoom, we still need everyone affected to make public comment. Register
for the Zoom meeting at
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_x8BY5TdBSH-kLMrJO3zOUg#/registra
tion

And be sure to submit written comment to RTD.Directors at rtd-denver.com
<mailto:RTD.Directors at rtd-denver.com>  beforehand.

The fact that management's proposal isn't ready for a vote tells us
something important: the pressure is working. Let's keep it up.

See you Wednesday.

 

Enjoy your long weekend, and remember why most of us have a day off Monday!

 

 

Cheers,

 

Tim Keenan

State Transportation Chair

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

 

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