Harbor Transit Multi-Modal Transportation System (HTMMTS)
Board Meeting Minutes
Spring Lake Township
102 West Savidge Street, Spring Lake MI 49417
March 22 at 5:30pm
Meeting Called to Order at 5:28 p.m.
Present: Craig Bessinger, Bob Monetza, Patrick McGinnis, Joanne Marcetti, Pete LaMourie, Mike DeWitt, Bill Cargo, Cathy Pavick
Absent: Chris Burns, Joel TePastte, Gordon Gallagher
Also Present: Shelly Converse, Customer Care and Compliance Manager, Tiffany Bowman, Transportation Director, Anthony Dionese, Operations Manager, Bonnie Suchecki, Human Resources Manager
Approval of January 24, 2018 HTMMTS Board Meeting Minutes
Motion by Bill Cargo, second by Mike DeWitt, to accept the minutes of the January 24, 2018 meeting as corrected. Motion carries.
Approval of the Regular Agenda
Joanne would like to discuss bus search under Board Member Comments
Mike would like to discuss Harbor Trolley LLC under Board Member Comments
New Business – Item B – Approval of the budget
Motion by Bill Cargo, second by Mike DeWitt to approve the agenda as amended for the March 22, 2018 meeting. Motion carries.
General Business/Call to Audience
Public Hearing
President Bessinger opens the public hearing to receive public discussion at 5:31 p.m. concerning the FY 2019 Capital and Operating Budget and to set the millage rate at .580 within the Harbor Transit service area.
President Bessinger closed the public hearing at 5:32 p.m.
New Business
Updates to the Harbor Transit Website
Tiffany explained that the website is often a point of concern during the triennial review, so we have completely updated the Harbor Transit update. Don Rogers is the consultant who updates the site. She ran through a quick demonstration of the site.
Approval of the Budget and Millage Request
Motion by Joanne Marcetti, second by Pete LaMourie to approve the FY 2019 Capital and Operating Budget and to set the millage rate at .580 within the Harbor Transit service area. Motion carries.
Directors Report – Tiffany Bowman
Update on MDOT and FTA grant requests
The proposed expenditure of operating funds to be used to buy buses to be reclassified as capital expenses is not yet finalized by MDOT but will be within the next few weeks. To allay concerns about cash reserves, Tiffany will provide detail about cash reserves from end of last fiscal year and end of current fiscal year.
Questions about budget
Cost of living increase is proposed at 2% for all employees. Driver wages at $14.04 are considered very competitive – we do not feel that wage level is hurting recruitment efforts.
Board Members Comments:
Joanne thanked Pat McGinnis for taking minutes. Mike discussed Harbor Trolley LLC and request from Holland Tulip Time for buses. Tiffany responded that we do not have enough staff available to provide the service this year. Last year was the first time we provided service. We earned $3,200 during Tulip Time.
Mike also reported that he had received complaints on Harbor Trolley that we have not returned calls in a timely fashion – Tiffany checks the line a few times a week. Joanne commented that our Director should not be spending time on the Trolley LLC and this should be delegated. There were other customers who did not have a trolley show up. These were due to a no-show driver and a misunderstanding about pick up times.
There was a concern with a mechanical provider that was unhappy with Harbor Transit, Harbor was also unhappy with that provider.
Mike also feels that the Trolleys should be parked indoors next year.
General Business/ Call to Audience
Adjournment
Next Board Meeting will be held on May 23, 2018 at 5:30pm at City of Ferrysburg, 17290 Roosevelt Road