AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2026-80R, approving a contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to develop a Transit Development Plan for Public Transportation services in the amount of $199,570.00 of which $39,914.00 will be paid by the city and $159,656.00 will be paid by the Federal Transit Administration; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the contract on behalf of the city; and declaring and effective date.
Body
Meeting date: May 19, 2026
Department: Public Works
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $199,570.00
Account or Project Number (C = CIP funds): 23006345-52230
Funds Available: Yes
Account Name: Professional Services
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: Click or tap here to enter text.
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
Mobility & Connectivity
Choose an item.
Choose an item.
Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from dropdown menu below]
☐ Arts and Culture - Choose an item.
☐ Economic Development - Choose an item.
☐ Environment & Resource Protection - Choose an item.
☐ Housing + Neighborhoods - Choose an item.
☐ Land Use + Community Design and Character - Choose an item.
☐ Parks & Public Spaces + Health, Safety & Wellness - Choose an item.
☒ Transportation - TR-2: Create a multi-modal, well-connected, and efficient transportation network that minimizes congestion, energy use, and climate pollutants
☐ Core Services
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
Choose an item.
Background Information:
As the Direct Recipient of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds, the City of San Marcos is required to update its Transit Development Plan every five years. The current plan, adopted by City Council in 2020, is now due for renewal. An adopted Transit Development Plan is necessary for the City to apply for any FTA operational or capital grant funds, and each grant application must identify the project’s alignment with the current Transit Development Plan.
To meet this need, the City of San Marcos issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ 2026-030) for Transit Route Study on January 5, 2026, with responses due on February 5, 2026. The City received Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from seven (7) firms. The evaluation committee members completed their evaluations of each SOQ received and completed interviews with the two (2) highest-ranked firms. Ultimately, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. was selected as the most highly qualified firm based on demonstrated competence and qualifications, pursuant to the Texas Government Code, Chapter 2254.
In partnership with Texas State University and the FTA, the City will conduct a comprehensive update to the Transit Development Plan. This effort will evaluate existing transit operations for both the City’s transit system and the University’s Bobcat Shuttle. The scope of work includes public engagement, analysis of existing service performance, review of route structures, and identification of opportunities to improve efficiency and better meet community needs. The plan will also assess capital and fleet requirements and develop strategies to enhance system integration, reduce redundancy, and create a more coordinated and seamless transit network for residents and students. Additionally, the study will examine potential “micro-transit” service options and establish a financial framework to support the Plan’s capital and operational recommendations.
Throughout the planning process, Kimley-Horn and City staff will host multiple public engagement opportunities to gather community input. Engagement efforts will be guided by recommendations from the Equity Cabinet to help ensure inclusive outreach. Over the summer, staff will work with Kimley-Horn to prepare an existing condition report for both transit systems. Once Texas State students return from summer break, public engagement activities will begin in order to capture feedback from the broader community. Staff will present initial findings to City Council for review, after which the project team will begin developing recommendations. These recommendations will be directly informed by feedback from the community and Council to ensure alignment and coordination between the two transit systems. Kimley-Horn, in coordination with staff, will then conduct a second round of outreach to gather input on the draft recommendations before the plan is finalized. Once complete, the draft plan will be presented to City Council for consideration and adoption.
Key components of the Transit Development Plan include:
• Coordination between the San Marcos Transit system and the Bobcat Shuttle
• Evaluation of micro-transit zones to support on-demand service
• A five-year financial forecast
• Recommendations for capital investments over the next five years, including fleet needs and potential maintenance facilities
The project will be funded through an 80/20 FTA grant match. Of the total contract amount, twenty percent ($39,914.00) will be covered by the City’s General Fund, while the remaining eighty percent ($159,656) will be funded through FTA grant dollars.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Alternatives:
Click or tap here to enter text.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval.