Jul 11, 2025 | HTMMTS Meeting Minutes, Local Advisory Council
Harbor Transit Multi-Modal Transportation System
Local Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
May 14, 2025 at 1:15 P.M., Four Pointes Center for Successful Aging
1. Meeting called to order 1:15pm by Carrie Uthe, Chairperson
2. Roll Call by the Board Chair
Norman Cunningham – Present
Christina Shannon – Present
Carrie Uthe – Present
Lisa Greenwood – Present
Heather Phillips – Absent
Sarah Wheeler – Absent
John Phillips – Present
Rebecca Hopp – Present
Kim Sibilsky – Present
Brandon Bucek – Present
Harbor Transit Staff Present:
Tom Burghardt
Shonda Walski
Brian Woline
3. Approve or Change Agenda – Cunningham motion to approve, seconded by Sibilsky. Motion passes.
4. Call to Audience – No Comments
5. General Business
a. Approval of the February 12, 2025 Meeting Minutes – Cunningham motioned to approve, Shannon seconded. Motion passes.
b. Welcome and Introduction of New Council Member, Brandon Bucek – Uthe welcomed Bucek to the council and gave a brief summary of his background.
c. At-Large Member Nomination and Vote – The group reviewed resumes from both candidates, Bonnie Shears and Cindy Wilhelm, and agreed that both were highly qualified. While Cindy Wilhelm, who represents the Momentum Center, would be a valuable addition, the group ultimately voted to nominate Bonnie Shears for the At-Large seat. This decision was based on the desire to bring in a different perspective, as the group already includes a member affiliated with the Momentum Center. Bonnie’s nomination will be forwarded to the Harbor Transit Board for approval.
5. Reports
a. Operations Report – Tom Burghardt
• Ridership: 13,928 rides provided in April 2025. Average ride distance was 4.2 miles, with an average duration of 12.9 minutes.
• On-Time Performance: 93% on-time pick-up rate and 97% on-time drop-off rate.
• No-Shows: 192 no-shows recorded in April.
• Safety: No reportable crashes, injuries, or road calls.
b. Finance Report – Brian Woline
• Revenue: $1,978,781.23 YTD (36.28% of budget completed).
• Demand Response Fares: $64,323.87 (32.16% of projection)
• Trolley Fares: $182.35
• Expenses: $1,816,174.27 YTD (37.84% of total budget used).
• Administration Department: $309,564.58 (38.80%)
• Operations Department: $1,156,373.08 (38.53%)
• Maintenance Department: $165,991.92 (30.14%)
• Dispatch Department: $183,695.82 (40.84%)
• Deviated Fixed Route Department: $269.70 (new department)
• Assets: Cash: $2,195,455.72, Land: $2,191,726.80
c. Transportation Directors Report – Tom Burghardt
• FTA Triennial Review: Originally scheduled for May, now moved to July 23–24, 2025 at the FTA’s request.
• NEPA Compliance: SHPO concurrence letter sent April 14; FTA requested clarification on May 8. Resubmission planned for May 16.
• MDOT Local Bus Operating (LBO) Reimbursement: Reimbursement rate changed from 60% to 50% due to population adjustment.
• Legislative Visit: State Senator Roger Victory to visit Harbor Transit on April 16 to discuss LBO funding cuts and project updates for the new facility.
d. Board Members’ Comments
• Bucek: Shared highlights from a recent advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., where he attended six meetings representing the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). He met with two U.S. Senators and commended Harbor Transit’s services, emphasizing how well the system serves individuals with disabilities.
• Greenwood: Promotes Harbor Transit services to senior residents inquiring about transportation alternatives after they can no longer drive. Noted that many seniors choose to remain in the area because of Harbor Transit’s accessible service, which isn’t available in many other communities. Suggested exploring expanded service hours and implementing weekday hours on Saturday.
• Uthe: Noted that local businesses are utilizing the trolley system for staff transportation and expressed support for the deviated fixed-route model, citing its reliability and timeliness. Also shared that some riders have expressed concerns about using the MATS connection due to fixed route limitations.
6. Meeting adjourned at 2:35pm.
Jul 11, 2025 | HTMMTS Agenda, Local Advisory Council
Harbor Transit Multi-Modal Transportation System (HTMMTS)
Local Advisory Council Meeting Agenda
May 14, 2025 at 1:15 P.M., Four Pointes Center for Successful Aging
1. Meeting called to order. Carrie Uthe, Chairperson
2. Roll Call by the Board Chair
Norman Cunningham
Lisa Greenwood
Heather Phillips
John Phillips
Christina Shannon
Sarah Wheeler
Carrie Uthe
Rebecca Hopp
Kim Sibilsky
Brandon Bucek
3. Approve or Change Agenda
4. Call to Audience
5. General Business
a. Approval of the February 12, 2025 Meeting Minutes
b. Welcome and Introduction of New Council Member – Brandon Bucek
c. At-Large Member Nomination and Vote
6. Reports
a. Operations Report
b. Finance Report
c. Transportation Directors Report
7. Board Members’ Comments
8. Adjournment
The next regularly scheduled Harbor Transit Local Advisory Council meeting will be held on August 13, 2025, at Four Pointes Center for Successful Aging.
Attachments:
• Local Advisory Council Meeting Minutes from (February 12, 2025)
• Operations Report
• Finance Report
• Directors Report
• Local Advisory Council 2025 Meeting Schedule
• HTMMTS Board Meeting Minutes
• Candidate Resume – Bonnie Shears
• Candidate Resume – Cindy Wilhelm
LAC Membership Roster (Updated May 2025)
May 27, 2025 | HTMMTS Agenda
Harbor Transit Multi-Modal Transportation System (HTMMTS) Board Meeting Agenda
Ferrysburg City Hall
17290 Roosevelt Rd. Room # 5,
Ferrysburg, MI 49409
May 28, 2025 AT 4:30 PM
- Meeting Called to Order
- Roll Call
- Approval March 26, 2025 HTMMTS Board Meeting Minutes
- Additions/Corrections to the Agenda
- Approval of Regular Agenda
- General Business/Call to Audience
- Consideration for Approval of Consent Agenda:
- Discussion/Action Payable Warrants.
- File/Receive Financial Reports.
- File/Receive LAC Meeting Minutes.
- Approval Appointment Bonnie Shears as At-Large-LAC Board Member.
- Discussion/Action FY2025 New Grant Project
- New Business:
- Discussion/Action of FY2025-26 Budget Amendment
- Discussion/Action of FY2025-26 Resolution of Intent
- Discuss/Action of BS&A Cloud migration contract.
- Reports:
- Operations Report – Tom Burghardt
- Executive Directors Report – Scott Borg
- Board Members Comments:
Craig Bessinger
Bill Cargo
Ashley Latsch
Kevin Mclaughlin
Joel TePastte
Brady Selner
Gordon Gallagher
Cathy Pavick
Bill Cate
Deanna McIntyre
Will Whittemore
Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting will be held on July 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM at the Village of Spring Lake Administrative Offices, 102 West Savidge Street, Spring Lake, MI 49456
Apr 2, 2025 | HTMMTS Boards, HTMMTS Meeting Minutes
Regular HTMMTS Board Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2025
Spring Lake Township
1. Meeting called to order by President Craig Bessinger at 4:30 PM.
2. Roll Call:
Present: Craig Bessinger, Bill Cate, Gordon Gallagher, Cathy Pavick, Brady Selner, & Will Whittemore
Absent: Bill Cargo, Ashley Latch, Deanna McIntyre, Kevin McLaughlin, & Joel TePastte
Also Present: Scott Borg, Brandon Bucek, Michelle Bucek, Andrea Dumbrell, Carrie Uthe, Annelise Walker, & Michael Vredeveld
3. Approval of January 22, 2025 HTMMTS Board Meeting Minutes: Motion by Pavick, second by Whittemore to approve as written. Motion carried.
4. Public Hearing: Discussion of trolley fare rate increases opened at 4:31 PM.
5. Public Hearing closed without comments at 4:32 PM.
6. Additions/Corrections to the Agenda: None.
7. General Business/Call to Audience Opened at 4:33 PM: No comments; closed at 4:33 PM.
8. Consideration for Approval of Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of FY2025 Capital Grant Projects
b. Approval of Payables Warrant
c. File/Receive Financial Statements
d. File/Receive LAC meeting minutes
e. Approval of updates Harbor Transit’s DBE program
f. Approval/Appointment Brandon Bucek LAC Board Member
Motion by Gallagher, second by Cate to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.
9. New Business
a. Discussion/Action on Harbor Transit 2024 Financial Audit & Request for Improvement of Deficiencies-CAP (Presented by Michael Vredeveld of Vredeveld Haefner CPA’s LLC).
Motion to approve by Gallagher, second by Whittemore. Motion carried.
b. Discussion/Action on Increase in Trolley Fares. Motion to approve by Pavick, second by Whittemore. Motion carried.
c. Discussion/Action on Contract with Village of Fruitport. Motion to approve by Gallagher, second by Selner. Motion carried.
d. Discussion/Action on EEO Program Amendments – Resolution 2025-0326-01: Motion to approve by Gallagher, second by Whittemore. Motion carried.
e. Discussion/Action on Personnel Manual Amendments – Resolution 2025-0326-02: Motion to approve by Whittemore, second by Pavick. Motion carried.
f. Discussion/Action on Contract Amendment with Progressive A/E: Borg advised that $225,000 is needed to extend the contract to Aug 1, 2027 due to delays in the NEPA study on the new HTMMTS property. Motion to approve by Gallagher, second by Cate. Motion carried.
10. Reports
a. Marketing. Walker reported on:
• The “Squishy Bus” campaign to celebrate Harbor Transit’s 50th Anniversary.
• The Harbor Transit partnership with Ferry Voyager Elementary School.
• The winners of the bus wrap art contest for the 50th Anniversary of Harbor Transit.
b. Operations Report. Borg reported on:
• Total ridership for Jan-Feb 2025 was down from 2025 by 9%, but Trinity Lakes ridership is up slightly.
• Monthly on time performance for Jan-Mar 2025 was up slightly for both pick ups and drop offs over the same period last year.
• No-shows continue a significant downward trend.
• There were no reportable crashes, injuries, or road calls.
c. Transportation Director’s Report. Borg reported on:
• The FTA Triennial Review: Harbor Transit has completed the Recipient Information Request (RIR) as required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Review Team. The next phase of the review process includes an on-site visit scheduled for May 13-14, 2025.
• Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE): On March 4, 2025, Harbor Transit officially notified the EGLE Water Resources Division that the current conceptual design for the project does not impact any existing wetlands on the property. This notification successfully addresses concerns previously raised by EGLE regarding potential environmental impacts.
• National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) Compliance: The ASC Group continues to make significant progress in completing the required National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) study for the ongoing project. The study is expected to be submitted to the FTA for review within the week.
11. Board Member Comments:
a. Pavick asked if HTMMTS could consider extending hours to include early evenings and full weekends. Borg explained that they want to expand, but finding qualified job candidates is a problem.
b. Cate advised that he will not be available for the May 28, 2025 meeting and asked that someone record the minutes. Any signatures required of the Secretary will have to be completed electronically.
11. Meeting Adjourned at 5:23 PM.
12. Next Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting: 4:30 PM, May 28, 2025, City of Ferrysburg, 17250 Ridge Ave, Ferrysburg, MI 49409
Mar 28, 2025 | HTMMTS Boards, HTMMTS Meeting Minutes
Regular HTMMTS Board Meeting Minutes
January 22, 2025
Grand Haven Township
1. Meeting called to order by President Craig Bessinger at 4:34 PM.
2. Roll Call:
Present: Craig Bessinger, Bill Cargo, Bill Cate, Gordon Gallagher, Cathy Pavick, & Brady Selner
Absent: Ashley Latch, Deanna McIntyre, Kevin McLaughlin, Joel TePastte & Will Whittemore
Also Present: Dana Appel, Scott Borg, Tom Burghardt Jr., & Andrea Dumbrell
3. Approval of November 20, 2024 HTMMTS Board Meeting Minutes: Selner noted that the date was incorrect (Nov 25). Motion by Gallager, second by Pavick to approve as amended. Motion carried.
4.Additions/Corrections to the Agenda: None.
5.Public Hearing: Adoption of Harbor Transit’s FY 2025-26 Budget. Opened at 4:35 PM; no comments; closed at 4:35 PM.
6. General Business/Call to Audience Opened at 4:36 PM: No comments; closed at 4:36 PM.
7. Consideration for Approval of Consent Agenda:
a. Discussion/Action on Payable Warrant
b. Receive/File Financial Statements.
Motion by Cargo, second by Gallagher to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.
8. New Business
a. Discussion/action on 2025-26 Fee Schedule: Motion to approve by Pavick, second by Gallagher. Motion carried.
b. Discussion/action on 2025-26 Uniform Millage Rate Determination: Motion to approve by Cargo, second by Gallagher. Motion carried.
c. Discussion/action on Final FY 2025-26 Budget: Motion to approve by Cargo, second by Gallagher. Motion carried.
d. Discussion/action on FY 2025-26 Resolution of Intent: Motion to approve by Cargo, second by Selner. Motion carried.
e. Discussion/action on 2025-26 Contract Clauses Ceritification: Motion to approve by Cargo, second by Gallagher. Motion carried.
f. Discussion/action on Hard Caps Resolution No. 2025-0122: Motion to approve by Cargo, second by Pavick. Motion carried.
9. Reports
a. Marketing. Borg reported on:
• VIA marketing campaigns to retain and attract riders.
• The bus wrap art contest for the 50th Anniversary of Harbor Transit.
• Community engagement efforts, including the Spring Lake Sparkle Festival Shuttle, the Grand Haven Jingle Bell Parade, Wine about Winter, and Winterfest.
b. Operations Report. Borg reported on:
• Total ridership for 2024 was down from 2023, but better than 2022, as is Trinity Lakes ridership.
• Monthly on time performance was down slightly in Dec due to poor weather conditions.
• No-shows are down significantly.
• There was one crash caused by another vehicle pulling out in front of a bus and one bus was towed to the Ford dealership for a warranty repair after a transmission failure.
c. Transportation Director’s Report. Borg reported on:
• The current status of the NEPA study: Documentation should be complete by the end of Feb 2025. A 30-day review period follows the study. Assuming no significant issues arise during the review, HTMMTS anticipates being able to obligate project funding by Apr 1, 2025.
• The FTA is conducting a Triennial Review of HTMMTS. The review should be complete by mid to late summer 2025.
• HTMMTS notified the City of Grand Haven of the official two-year notice of intention to vacate the existing facility on Ferry St.
9. Board Member Comments: Gallagher thanked Borg for the good job by HTMMTS during the recent bad weather.
10. Meeting Adjourned at 5:04 PM.
11. Next Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting: 4:30 PM, Mar 26, 2025, Spring Lake Township, 102 W. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456
