March 26, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

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

January 22, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

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

November 25, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Jan 10, 2025 | HTMMTS Boards, HTMMTS Meeting Minutes

Regular HTMMTS Board Meeting Minutes

November 25, 2024
City of Grand Haven

1. Meeting called to order by President Craig Bessinger at 4:30 PM.

2. Roll Call:
Present: Craig Bessinger, Bill Cargo, Bill Cate, Gordon Gallagher, Ashley Latch, Deanna McIntyre, Brady Selner, & Joel TePastte
Absent: Kevin McLaughlin, Cathy Pavick, & Will Whittemore
Also Present: Dana Appel, Scott Borg, Andrea Dumbrell, Annelise Walker, & Carrie Uthe (Local Advisory Council)

3. Additions/Corrections to the Agenda: Bessinger noted that Item 6, New Business, should be Item 7 and that Item 7, Old Business, should be Item 6.

4. General Business/Call to Audience Opened at 4:31 PM: Carrie Uthe addressed the Board on topics from the Local Advisory Council (LAC):
• Concerns about future plans for connections to other locations and transit systems, particularly Allendale and Holland.
• The need for a community liaison position within HTMMTS.
• A desire for extended HTMMTS operating hours up to 11:00 PM on weekdays.
• Openings on the LAC.
Closed at 4:37 PM

5. Consideration for Approval of Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of Sep 25, 2024 HTMMTS Board Meeting Minutes
b. Approval of Regular agenda (as amended — see item 3)
c. Approval of Payable Warrant
d. File/Receive Financial Report
e. Approval of FY2025/26 Estimated Budget
f. EEO Data
g. Approval of Updated Operations Policy to Include Code of Ethics
h. File/Receive Local Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
Motion by Cargo, second by TePasste to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.

6. Old Business: Discussion on Harbor Transit Laker Trolley Loop:
The board discussed the effects of fare reinstatement on ridership, the HTMMTS contract with the Village of Fruitport, route optimization efforts, exploration of ways to condense the deviated fixed route (Laker Loop), and marketing and outreach efforts.

7. New Business
a. Resolution to Approve 2027/29 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Projects. Motion by Gallgher, second by Cargo to approve. Motion carried.
b. Resolution to Approve Safety Management System (SMS):
• Borg advised that SMS includes data analysis and measures for the safety of the bus operators.
Motion to approve by Cargo, second by TePastte. Motion carried.

8. Reports
a. Marketing Report (Annelise Walker)
• HTMMTS continues to offer a free rides promotion to encourage non-riders to try Harbor Transit.
• Community engagement efforts include visits to Four Pointes, participation in the annual Boomerang Career Fair and the Haunted Haven Halloween event.
• In December HTMMTS will use one of the Lakeshore Trolleys to provide weekend park-n-ride service for the Spring Lake Sparkle Festival.
• In January 2025 HTMMTS will provide a shuttle for the Grand Haven Winterfest.
b. Operations Report (Scott Borg)
• Total ridership continues to be down; currently by 18% from last year, 11% YTD.
• Trinity at the Lakes ridership is down in comparison to last year, but up from 2022.
• Monthly on-time ratings for pick-ups and drop-offs is at 93% and 92% respectively.
• No-shows continue a downward trend, thanks to improved rider communication and accountability.
• A Harbor Transit bus collided with a passenger vehicle, causing property damage but no injuries. There were no vehicle road calls.
c. Transportation Director’s Report (Scott Borg)
• Harbor Transit is scheduled for an FTA Triennial Review in 2025.
• Harbor Transit and the ASC Environmental Group submitted our Joint Permit Application on July 26, 2024, and we met with EGLE to review the project details on Oct 23. We are waiting further direction from EGLE regarding the next steps before submitting the final application to proceed with construction.
• The Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment was updated on Oct 17; the draft Archaeology and Above Grounds Reports were submitted to FTA on Nov 11; and ASC estimates the NEPA Review will be ready to submit to FTA by Feb 2025.

9. Board Member Comments: None

10. Meeting Adjourned at 5:07 PM.

11. Next Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting: 4:30 PM, Jan 22, 2025, Grand Haven Township, 13300 168th Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417

September 25, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Minutes

Jan 10, 2025 | HTMMTS Boards, HTMMTS Meeting Minutes

Regular HTMMTS Board Meeting Minutes
September 25, 2024
City of Grand Haven

1. Meeting called to order by President Craig Bessinger at 4:30 PM.

2. Roll Call:
Present: Craig Bessinger, Bill Cate, Ashley Latch, Kevin McLaughlin, Cathy Pavick & Will Whittemore
Absent: Bill Cargo, Gordon Gallagher, Deanna McIntyre, & Joel TePastte
Also Present: Dana Appel, Scott Borg, Tom Burghardt Jr., Annelise Walker, & Jim Koens (Muskegon Area Transit System)

3. Approval of July 24, 2024 HTMMTS Board Meeting Minutes.
Motion by Pavick, second by McLaughlin to approve the minutes of the July 24, 2024 meeting minutes. Motion carried.

4. Additions/Corrections to the Agenda:
• Correct Item 7c to FY2024 and Item 7d to FY2024/25. Change the title of Item 9a to “Discussion/Action on Executive Director Performance Appraisal.”

5. Approval of Regular Agenda:
Motion by Pavick, second by McLaughlin to approve the regular agenda as corrected. Motion carried.

6. General Business/Call to Audience: None.

7. Consideration for Approval of Consent Agenda:
a. Discussion/Action of Payable Warrant
b. File/Receive Financial Report
c. Approval of FY2024 Final Amended Budget
d. Review FY2023/24 Budget pre-implementation review of budget.
i. Capital Projects
ii. COLA-Wage Scale
d. Approval of Fiscal Year 2024-25 Bi-Monthly Regular Meeting Dates
Motion by McLaughlin, second by Cate to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.

8. Old Business
Discussion on Harbor Transit Laker Trolley Loop at the November Meeting

9. New Business
a. Discussion Action on Executive Director Performance Appraisal
• Dumbrell reported that Borg’s review was completed on Sep 10 and thanked all review participants. The Board approved an evergreen agreement last year so the Board will not have to approve an employment agreement any longer. The appraisal was a 360-degree appraisal and Scott received high scores from all. Scott is at the top of the wage scale, and he will receive a COLA increase beginning October 1.
• Pavick and McLaughlin thanked and congratulated Borg.
b. Discussion/Action to elect or re-elect HTMMTS Board Officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Pavick moved that all current officers be nominated and elected to serve another year, second by McLaughlin. Motion carried.
c. Discussion/Action on Propane Contract
• Borg reported that Wesco submitted the lowest bid for propane for FY2024/25/26 at $1.1385 per gallon.
• Motion to approve by Latch, second by Pavick. Motion carried.
d. Discussion/Action on Construction Manager at Risk
• Borg recommended awarding the Christman Company the contract as Construction Manager at Risk for Harbor Transit’s new facility project and to instruct the Harbor Transit Executive Director to being contract agreement as presented.
• Motion to approve by McLaughlin, second by Pavick. Motion carried.

10.Reports
a. Marketing Report (Annelise Walker)
• HTMMTS is offering a free rides promotion to encourage non-riders to try Harbor Transit.
• HTMMTS is now advertising in the Four Pointes monthly newsletter.
• All municipalities within our service area will include information about HTMMTS in their newsletters.
• HTMMTS will participate in the Boomerang Career Event at Grand Haven High School.
• The new rate for bus wraps will be $200 beginning Oct 1, 2024 (up from $100).
b. Operations Report (Tom Burghardt Jr.)
• Total ridership continues to be down; currently by 22% YTD.
• Trinity at the Lakes ridership is comparable to previous years.
• Monthly on-time ratings for pick-ups and drop-offs is at 89% and 94% respectively.
• No-shows are down considerably, thanks to improved rider communication and accountability.
• There were no safety incidents since the last board meeting.
c. Transportation Director’s Report (Scott Borg)
• Rides on Coast Guard Saturday totaled 5,016, an increase of 823 over 2023.
• Rides for the Folds of Honor Golf Tournament totaled 1,307, a slight decrease from 2023 (1,371), but higher than 2022 (516).
• Aug 18 was Harbor Transit’s 49th Anniversary.
• The ASC Group is currently working on the NEPA Study for the 172nd Ave. property. The FTA granted a Categorical Exclusion (CE), but the property must still undergo a review to ensure no extraordinary circumstances exist that could lead to significant environment issues. ASC estimates that the NEPA will be completed by Apr or May 2025, so ground breaking could take place by May or June.
• The Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for GHAPS sent an email to parents advising that they don’t believe Harbor Transit is a viable transportation option for elementary and intermediate school students. Borg estimates this caused a reduction in ridership of about 50. Borg and Appel are working with GHAPS to mitigate this situation and assure GHAPS that Harbor Transit want to continue working with them.

9. Board Member Comments: None

10. Meeting Adjourned at 5:05 PM.

11. Next Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting: 4:30 PM, Nov 20, 2024, City of Grand Haven, 519 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417