Nov 14, 2025 | HTMMTS Meeting Minutes, Local Advisory Council
HARBOR TRANSIT MULTI -MODAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
LOCAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
August 13 , 2025 at 1:15 P.M., Four Pointes Center for Successful Aging
1. Meeting ca lled to order 1:15pm by Carrie Uthe, Chairperson
2. Roll Call by the Board Chair
Christina Shannon – Absent
Carrie Uthe – Present
Lisa Greenwood – Present
Heather Phillips – Absent
Sarah Wheeler – Present
John Phillips – Present
Rebecca Hop p – Absent
Kim Sibilsky – Present
Brandon Bucek – Present
Bonnie Shears – Present
Harbor Transit Staff Present:
Tom Burghardt
Shonda Walski
Brian Woline
3. Approve or Change Agenda – Sibilsky motion to approve , seconded by Wheeler . Motion passes .
4. Call to Audience – No Comments
5. General Business
a. Approval of the May 14, 2025 Meeting M inutes – Sibilsky motion ed to approve , Wheeler seconded. Motion passes.
b. Welcome and Int roduction of New Council Member, Bonnie Shears – Uthe welcomed Shears to the council and gave a brief summary of her background.
c. At-Large Member Resignation – The council was informed that Norm Cunningham has submitted his resignation due to relocation.
6. Reports
a. Operations Report – Tom Burghardt
– Ridership : 13,928 rides in April 2025; Trinity @ the Lakes ridership continues to grow.
– Trolley : July 2025 recorded 15,706 rides.
– On-Time Performance : April pick -ups 93%, drop -offs 97%. YTD average: 92% / 94%.
– No-Shows : 192 in April (down from 442 in 2024).
– Safety : No crashes, injuries, or major road calls.
b. Finance Report – Scott Borg
– Revenue : $3.3M YTD (61% of budget); fares $115K Demand Response, $1.6K Trolley.
– Expenses : $3.6M YTD (75% of budget). Operations is the largest share ($2.3M).
– Balance Sheet : $1.1M cash, $2.2M land, $444K in construction in progress.
– Fund Balance : $6.6M ending.
c. Marketing Report – Scott Borg
– 50th Anniversary : Ongoing campaigns (ads, guides, social media, Squishy Bus). Celebration set for Sept 12, 12–4 PM .
– Summer Services : Lakeshore Trolley and Park & Ride for local events.
– Community Events : Loutit Library Touch -A-Truck (June 16); Farmers Market table (Aug 6).
– Advertising : Midwest Miniatures bus wrap completed; Harbor Lights Dental wrap in progress.
d. Director’s Report – Scott Borg
– FTA Review : Completed July 31 with no repeat findings; two minor issues resolved.
– NEPA Approval : FTA cleared new Operations Center on July 9; groundbreaking set for Spring 2026.
– Facility Planning : Met with Township officials; next review Sept 2.
– Coast Guard Festival : 2,779 Park & Ride riders (up 948 from 2024); Saturday service steady at ~5,000 riders.
7. Council Members’ Comments
– Sibilsky : Referenced the Coast Guard Festival Saturday shuttle and asked if coordination had taken place with Public Safety regarding timing around the start of the fireworks.
– Greenwood: Requested guidance on how to check her account balance using the Lakeshore Go App.
– Uthe: Referenced Coast Guard Festival activities and suggested focusing attention on the south end of town by utilizing Park & Ride signage and related measures.
8. Meeting adjourned at 2:15pm.
Sep 26, 2025 | HTMMTS Boards, HTMMTS Meeting Minutes
Regular HTMMTS Board Meeting Minutes
July 16, 2025
Village of Spring Lake
1. Meeting called to order by President Craig Bessinger at 4:00 PM.
2. Roll Call:
Present: Bessinger, Cargo, Cate, Gallagher, McIntyre (4:07 PM), McLaughlin, Selner, & Whittemore
Absent: Latch, Pavick, & TePastte
Also Present: Finance/Asst Dir Appel, Exec Dir Borg, Ops Supervisor Burghardt, HR Dir Dumbrell, Marketing Specialist Walker, & Village of Spring Lake Intern Keefe
3. Approval of Agenda: Motion by Cargo, second by Whittemore to approve the Agenda aspresented. Motion carried.
4. Unscheduled Public Appearances/Call to Audience: None
5. Approval of Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of May 28, 2025 Regular Board Meeting Minutes
b. Approval of Bills Memo in the Amount of $1,727,829.39
c. Receive Financial Statements
d. Receive Estimated FY2025 Budget
Motion by Cargo, second by Gallagher to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.
6. New Business
a. Approve Resolution 25-0716-01—Amendments to Personnel Manual. Motion to approve by Cargo, second by Gallagher. Role call vote; motion carried unanimously. (McIntyre not present.)
b. Discussion/Action on AIA Agreement with the Christman Construction Co. Motion to approve by Cargo, second by Whittemore. Discussion: Cargo recommended that a Harbor Transit employee with construction knowledge be appointed as an Owner’s Representative. Motion carried.
c. Discussion/Action on the new Park and Ride Fares. Appel reported that fares are being rounded up to the nearest dollar to eliminate use of coins. Motion to approve by Cargo, second by McIntyre. Motion carried.
7. Reports
a. Marketing. Walker reported on:
• Touch-A-Truck event on Jun 16.
• Farmer’s Market Table on Aug 6.
• Harbor Transit’s 50th Anniversary on Aug 22.
b. Operations. Borg reported on:
• Total ridership is up by 21% over last year.
• Trinity at the Lakes ridership is up over the same period last year.
• Deviated fixed route (trolley) ridership is down primarily due to changes in routes.
• No-shows are down significantly.
• There were no reportable accidents, injuries, or breakdowns for the previous two months.
c. Transportation. Borg reported on:
• FTA Triennial Review Site Visit is Jul 23 & 24 with an exit conference on Jul 31
• Final changes and updates to the NEPA submission were completed in Jun 23; we have not received FTA’s response.
• HTMMTS is currently in the Design Development Phase of the building project with Progressive AE; next step is site plan approval by Grand Haven Township in early to mid-Aug 2025.
• HTMMTS is actively preparing for Coast Guard Week 2025 with the goal of alleviating parking constraints and efficient transportation of riders in and out of downtown Grand Haven.
8. Board Member Comments: None.
9. Meeting Adjourned at 4:21 PM.
10. Next Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting: 4:30 PM, Sep 24, 2025, City of Grand Haven, 519 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Jul 18, 2025 | HTMMTS Boards, HTMMTS Meeting Minutes
Harbor Transit Multi-Modal Transportation System
Board Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the HTMMTS Board was called to order at 4:33 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Board members present: Bessinger, Latsch, McLaughlin, Pavick, McIntyre, Whittemore
Board members absent: Cargo; Cate; Gallagher, arr. 4:55 p.m.; Selner; TePastte
Also present were Executive Director Borg, Finance/Asst. Director Appel, Human Resources Director Dumbrell, and Interim Marking Specialist Uthe.
III. APPROVAL OF MARCH 26, 2025, REGULAR BOARD MINUTES
Motion by Pavick and seconded by Whittemore to approve the board minutes. Which motion carried.
IV. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
Motion by McLaughlin and seconded by Pavick to approve the meeting agenda. Which motion carried.
V. PUBLIC COMMENTS None.
VI. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of Payable Warrants
2. Receive Financial Reports
3. Receive LAC Meeting Minutes
4. Approve Bonnie Shears as At-Large LAC Board Member
5. Approve FY 2025 New Grant Project
Motion by McLaughlin and seconded by Latsch to approve the items listed on the Consent Agenda. Which motion carried.
VII. OLD BUSINESS None.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion/Action of the FY 25-26 Budget Amendment
Appel presented information related to a notification from the State that HT was in the wrong reimbursement rate group. Changes were made to account for HT’s rural service, which made up the shortfall for the change in the reimbursement rate group.
Management and the Board will reevaluate COLA or bonuses for staff near the end of the FY 25-26 year.
Motion by Pavick and seconded by McIntyre to approve the FY 25-26 Budget Amendment. Which motion carried pursuant to the following vote:
Yeas: Bessinger, Latsch, McLaughlin, Pavick, McIntyre, Whittemore
Nays:
Absent: Cargo, Cate, Gallagher, Selner, TePastte
2. Discussion/Action of the FY 25-26 Resolution of Intent
Motion by Pavick and seconded by Whittemore to approve the FY 25-26 Resolution of Intent. Which motion carried pursuant to the following vote:
Yeas: Bessinger, Latsch, McLaughlin, Pavick, McIntyre, Whittemore
Nays:
Absent: Cargo, Cate, Gallagher, Selner, TePastte
3. Discussion/Action of the BS&A Cloud Migration Contract
Motion by McLaughlin and seconded by Latsch to approve the BS&A Cloud Migration Contract. Which motion carried pursuant to the following vote:
Yeas: Bessinger, Latsch, McLaughlin, Pavick, McIntyre, Whittemore
Nays:
Absent: Cargo, Cate, Gallagher, Selner, TePastte
IX. REPORTS AND CORESPONDENCE
1. Operation’s Report, which included information about:
a. Ridership is down 5%, as compared to April of last year.
b. Significant drop in no shows, as compared to April of last year.
c. April rider rating was 4.9 out of 5.
d. Largest number of riders for the year, at Trinity at the Lakes, 325.
2. Executive Director’s Report, which included information about:
a. FTA Triennial Review pushed to July 23, 2025
b. NEPA Study updates should be returned to FTA on May 29, 2025
c. Groundbreaking for new operations center expected Spring of 2026 and construction is slated as a 13-month project.
X. BOARD MEMBERS COMMENTS
1. Whittemore praised finance for their work and noted hope that COLA is available for staff.
2. Bessinger and Board Members agreed the next HTMMTS Board Meeting will be held July 16, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m.
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.
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
