August 13, 2025 Local Advisory Council Meeting Minutes

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.

May 14, 2025 Local Advisory Council Meeting Minutes

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.

August 14, 2024 Local Advisory Council Meeting Minutes

Nov 19, 2024 | HTMMTS Meeting Minutes, Local Advisory Council

HARBOR TRANSIT MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
LOCAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

August 14, 2024 at 1:15 P.M., Central Park Place

1. Meeting called to order at 1:15pm by Carrie Uthe.

2. Roll Call
Norman Cunningham – Present
Angie Devries – Absent
Chrysteen Moelter-Gray – Present
Lisa Greenwood – Absent
Heather Phillips – Present
John Phillips – Present
Christina Shannon – Present
Sarah Wheeler – Present
Carrie Uthe – Present
Rebecca Hopp – Present
Kim Sibilsky – Present
Also present – Scott Borg, Andrea Dumbrell, Brian Woline, Annelise Walker

3. Approve or Change Agenda
– No changes. Motion to approve by John Phillips, Cunningham seconds.

4. Call to Audience
– No comments.

5. General Business
a. Approval of the May 15, 2024 Meeting Minutes
– Motion to approve by Shannon, Moulter-Gray seconds.
b. Discussion/Action Members with upcoming term expirations
– Uthe reminds members that some terms are coming to an end in November 2024, and asks them to consider whether or not they would like to continue with the committee.
c. Discussion, HT LAC delegates-roles in community
– Borg expresses appreciation for the LAC members and the different skills, experiences and connections they offer to assist Harbor Transit.
– Borg discusses the FTA’s long term goal for regionalization of public transportation.
– Hopp mentions the importance of providing education to the municipalities we serve.
d. Discussion, HT liaison role
– Uthe suggests that as Harbor Transit grows, hiring a Community Liaison position may be helpful.
e. Discussion, Four Pointes to educate its members on riding Harbor Transit
– Sibilsky expresses desire to see more clear information and education about Harbor Transit services. She suggested a fixed sign in the lobby with information. Shannon explains the signage, and phone for member use, that is currently at Four Pointes, but is open to additional or larger signage.
– Uthe asks if there is a way for Four Pointes staff to assist riders waiting. Woline explains the process of using the Lakeshore Go web app.
f. Discussion, utilizing community newsletters/Social Media to inform others about Harbor Transit services.
– Hopp mentions Ferrysburg newsletter as an option for educating community.
– Uthe mentions Spring Lake Township and Village newsletters for other options.
g. Discussion, Identify/Utilize LAC member’s talents to assist with advocacy and other outreach when needed
– No additional comments at this time.

6. Reports
a. Operations Report – Scott Borg
– Borg mentions that ridership is down, Soccer in the Sand ridership was down as well due to poor weather.
– Lakeshore Trolley numbers were lower this year, likely due to the implementation of fares.
– Trinity at the Lakes stop ridership continues to increase.
– On time performance is good at 93%.
b. Coast Guard Report – Scott Borg
– Harbor Transit transported more riders during the 2024 festival than in 2023. Overall the operation was successful and things went smoothly.
– Harbor Transit also operated a shuttle throughout the week of the festival.
– Borg addresses the question of not using Harbor Island as a parking location on Coast Guard Saturday, explaining that traffic control is unmanageable.
c. Marketing Report – Annelise Walker
– Walker shares recent marketing initiatives, including community engagement at the Farmers Market, YMCA, and Coast Guard Grand Parade. Mentions Rider Survey going out through Via. Uthe suggests putting out an announcement letting riders know they may be getting an email or a pop-up in the app to take the survey.
d. Finance Report – Brian Woline
– Woline shares an update on Harbor Transit budget and expenditures, and funding for the new operations center.
e. Transportation Directors Report – Scott Borg
– Borg mentions the $16.2 grant award for the new facility.
– Bus order placed in 2021 has been fulfilled.
– The NEPA study at the new facility site will be given a Categorical Exclusion.
– Spring Lake Village/Township Millage renewal passed.

7. Board Members’ Comments
– John Phillips suggests putting out more information about the basic concept of Demand- Response rides.
– Wheeler – Suggests starting a “Travel Training” class on a regular basis.
– Uthe suggests handouts about Harbor Transit services for the courts to have on hand for people who lose their drivers license.

8. Adjournment: 2:51pm.

Next regularly scheduled Harbor Transit Local Advisory Council meeting will be held on
November 13, 2024, at 1:15 PM, at Central Park Place.