001Amber. >> Okay, I'm going to call the meeting to order. I'm sorry we're a couple minutes late trying to sort things out here. Um, we'll take a roll call in and then we'll have respects to the flag. >> Okay. Um, McDonald >> here, >> Flood >> here, >> Breakfield >> here, >> Ferrari >> here, >> Curtis >> here, >> Moore >> here. >> Uh, uh, Granger is excused. Mador is excused. Carrie Hil Hilden Gondorf, >> sorry. Um, Ashley Ross, uh, had emailed to be excused. Tanya Wapo also emailed stuck on Oxford traffic. >> Okay. >> I cut the side routes to get here. I don't know. I just did. I didn't know where I was going. >> Okay. So with that will respect to the flag. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
002United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> I want to say stay standing for the invocation. And >> it's going to happen one day. I'm going to do it every time and they're going to say okay you win. >> Okay. >> Well, you got me to stay standing. Um, okay. Um, just for purposes, we have a a new member uh from the village of Lake Oran, uh, Nancy Moir. And quick, if you don't mind, Nancy, we'll just go around the table and introduce ourselves. And it did. You probably won't remember everybody the first time around, but Mike, we'll start with you and go around counterclockwise, so to speak. >> Mike Brafield, I mean Mike Flood, Township. >> You go
003this way. >> Which way do you want to go? >> Carrie Township trustee. >> Joe Ferrari, Oxford Township Treasurer. >> Jack Curtis, Oxford Township Supervisor. >> This is Rachel. She's with the NOTA organization. And Lynn Gustoson is our I know >> Gaski force a habit. Too many years doing this. Yes. >> Um is our director. I'm Mike McDonald. I'm the treasurer in Addison and also the chair of the NOA committee uh board. >> I'm Ed Breakfield uh trustee Addison Township. >> I'm Bill Moore, president of the Leonard Village Council. >> Very good. Thank you and welcome. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Okay. So, uh, the board has before it an agenda for this, uh, meeting. Are there any edits? Otherwise, approval will be in order. >> I'll make a motion to approve the agenda as
004written. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any questions on the motion? Hearing none. All in favor of the approval of the agenda as presented, please say I. >> I. Opposed, please say no. >> Okay, the agenda is approved. The board has received the minutes of our previous meeting. Chairman, I move to approve the minutes as submitted. >> I'll second. >> Okay, the motion's been made. Any questions on the motion? Hearing none, all in favor of the motion to approve the minutes, please say I. >> Oppos, please say no. >> Minutes are approved. >> And when Lynn finishes, I'd like to make the motion to receive file. I beat it before she even preemptive >> director's report. >> Um, >> okay. >> No beating you guys. >> I'm I'm going to call on
005our director to uh present her report. >> Yes. Good afternoon, everybody. So, just uh for for September, we had 93 um 05 rides and uh we still are in need of drivers. Not we're not meeting 100% of our needs right now at peak time. So, we're we're in the process of um training six new drivers that we hired. Um there's just key times um early morning and in the afternoon that um just uh don't have the capacity for everything right now, but we're we're working on trying to accommodate as much as we can. So >> what do they do? Just stop by the office and fill out an application or >> a lot of it's online now. It's mostly majority >> out online fill it out and um the demand has just been really increasing.
006>> They can you can work with them and customize their hours. That's that's what I was going to ask is maybe >> nobody wants to work just three hours though or is that what we're looking for? >> No, we're hiring. >> The other thing I was think I was listening to some people is they don't want to work eight hours, >> right? >> I don't want to work afternoons. >> Yes. >> I can work from 5 to 9. I can work from 7 to 2. >> Do you customize the hours? >> We do. And actually all of our part-time um the ones that we're hiring right now, we're only hiring them primarily for five five hour days. So we're doing like 25 hours. So >> what's your biggest need? >> So we have in the
007morning like a 6 to 11 and then in the afternoon like a two to you know like doing and and varying ones um to the evening. So we're we're hiring primarily the five hour shifts and we're kind of just putting it where our key um ride you know demand is. But >> you have to have a chauffeur license. >> You do have You do. But that's really easy to get. It's not like a CDL, you know. It's just a 10 question, I think. Uh >> I see Jack is filling out the application and we need the money >> and and we have enough vehicles. >> We are somewhat limited with vehicles, but what we're doing is vehicle sharing, you know, so we'll do like a a morning and an afternoon routes with the same vehicles,
008you know, so we're we're double using those. But um >> what is that? not.com or >> ridota.org. >> Ridenot.org. >> Mhm. >> All right. Looking forward to your application there, Jack. >> Yeah, I was going to say we'll put it on our Facebook. >> Okay. Sorry to interrupt. Go right ahead with your report. >> That's right. Um for the building expansion, um still haven't received our final plans yet from our architect. They're I spoke with them today. We're supposed to be getting the final plans um on October 27th is the date that they gave me, which is then where they're going to go for the permits and then our construction manager can then go back out for bid. So, it's been taking longer than I was hoping unfortunately. Um but we did do a you
009know, we can talk about it. Um that's just kind of where it looks like as far as timing. um our IG we have a we'll be talking about that as well, but it looks like our note attorney and the attorneys for um three townships have all reviewed and approved the uh agreement that we have before us tonight. And then um the vehicle camera project smoked spoke to SMART today and they just began to review this even though they've had it for over a month. uh our final documents that we sent them and they're supposed to get it to us by Monday and we're hoping to post it next Wednesday. So, and keep it out there for a month. So, looking forward to that. Uh with our Oakland County Transit contract that uh is currently uh
010Emma's actually attending the ad hoc committee at the um uh at Oakland County right now. It's the first level approval before it goes to the board of commissioners. Um, it's a five-year contract where we had a three-year prior to that and um that's uh um it looked like it was going through, but there were some questions on whether they want to do a three-year contract or a five-year contract when I was watching it online before I left, but I didn't see the final um decision. And uh um and then we just have the uh transit planning, which we can talk about um >> that's on the agenda. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Okay. Anybody got any brief question to Lynn about a report? >> I'll second Jack's motion to file. >> Jack didn't make that
011motion. I did. >> Okay. Motion. Well, so far nobody has. The whoever makes the motion needs to speak up. >> I'll make a motion to receive a more. >> Okay. >> We need new leadership. >> Okay. I'll say no more. Um, okay. We have a motion and a second. Any uh no questions on the motion? All in favor of receiving and filing the director's report, please say I. >> Oppos, please say no. >> Okay. Report is filed. Thank you. Uh, Public comments. Hearing none, we'll move on then to our number eight, which is the approval of financial activity 8A, theformational portion. What's the pleasure of the board? >> So move to receive and file. >> Support. >> We have a motion and a second to receive and file. Any questions on the motion? Hearing none.
012All in favor, please say I. I. >> Opposed, please say no. >> Moving on then to the approval of bills for September of 2025. Um, what's the pleasure of the board? Well, I can make a motion to approve the uh bills to be paid. Total for September 2025 for total $673,970.15. >> I'll support that. >> Okay, we have a motion, a second. We'll need a roll call vote for this, please. Lynn. >> Okay. >> McDonald, >> yes. >> Flood, >> yes. >> Breakfield, >> yes. >> Ferrari, >> yes. Curtis, >> yes. >> Moore, >> yes. >> Mocher, >> yes. >> Hilor, >> yes. >> Very good. Motion carries. >> Move on to the 2026 budget adjustments to match the Oakland County contract. Lynn, I'll ask you to >> Yes. >> do the honors on that.
013>> Yes. So, um the board, the not board approved the 2026 budget um last month. Um, and then we were working with the contracts and with Oakland County and we did have some changes in the last month. And so I just wanted to change the not budget so that we're um equaling the one that Oakland County has um before them. So it's basically an uh it's on 8C and it's an increase in revenue of 667,548. Uh it brings our total revenue and expenses from 12,91242 to 13,57950. The increase is um related to a carryover that we um are taking for our building renovations paving projects camera uh that we didn't finish in 25 that we're bringing over to. And under Eli Cooper's recommendation, he suggested that we added two additional transits to make our spare
014ratio 20%. So, um, we added two, um, two of those as well. And we also adjusted our LBO because the state um we had budgeted for a 5% decrease in LBO because we were anticipating um reduction but the state did come through and pass it that kept LBO um our rate was whole so we were able to bring that back up. So for the uninitiated, LBO is >> Oh, local bus operating. I'm sorry. It's a That's okay. It's a match that the state it's a percentage that um that we get based on our operating expenses and it's a set percent >> and there's a set percent for rural and a set percent for urban. We we have both um and it's roughly about 30% of match that we get for state operating every year. So
015it's a continual grant. It's something that will get in in continuity but that rate changes. >> So that was good. We were really happy that there was a lot of people fighting for LBO and so I think a lot of uh and I Donnie Steel was one of the ones that was there helping um trying to get us that transportation budget. So we appreciate all the the help from that. >> Um so that's that's basically what the changes are with the adjustment. So >> Okay. I have a question when uh the motion that you want to increase your adjust the budget to reflect the 135799. >> That's correct. It's kind of confusing the way I had it. Yes, >> I'll make that motion. >> Okay. Thank you. >> In order for it to match the
016Oakland County. >> Thank you. >> For 2026. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, we have a motion. Is there a second? >> I'll second that. >> Okay, Mr. Breakfield. Are there any questions on the motion? If not, if none, we're uh going to ask for approval of the uh amended 2026 budget um to reflect the 13 mil uh 13,579,950 total. >> Correct. >> Okay. Could we have a roll call, please, Lyn? >> Sure. Uh McDonald, >> yes. >> Flood, >> yes. >> Breakfield, >> yes. >> Ferrari, >> yes. >> Curtis, >> yes. >> Moore, >> yes. >> Mohir, >> yes. Barnett. >> Yes. >> Uh Hilenorf. >> Yes. >> Okay. Uh welcome uh Chris. Good to see you. >> We have a new member uh from the village of Lake Orient. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
017Okay. Very good. >> All right. Um, moving on then to old business um intergovernmental agreement. As Lynn indicated in her initial in her report, um, it appears that we have approval uh, not official approval, but that all of the, uh, township communities and some of the village communities have agreed with the proposed language. Is there anything we need to add to that, Lynn? No, I haven't received any other additional comments that you know um from all I understand that uh all the parties that have gotten feedback from are in agreement. >> Okay. So at this point um a motion would be in order for the NOTA board to recommend to the member communities being the original communities that organized NOTA to approve the agreement that they've seen um so that we can get that signed
018and back to us uh for our next meeting. >> So moved. And when you say sign, Mike, you mean the >> the approval of the board? >> Yeah. To our agenda. We can put it on for Monday. >> Yeah. >> I know this was on the last agenda, but it got taken off. >> Yeah. >> Be on the 12th of November, >> which is fine. You know, most of us meet once a month. So, >> it that'll work for the village of Leonard, >> work for Addison Tuesday. >> Linda had said earlier we had till the end of the year really to get this. >> Right. Right. Yeah. And ideally, we'll meet you know, the same third third week in November and we'll have our ducks in a row. >> So, okay. So, u just
019a comment that um Jack and I worked we share an attorney, >> right? Thank you, Lynn, for your efforts and getting we had some tweaks, but we're we're satisfied. Our our goal, and I think Addison shared the same, is to to protect making sure that we are protecting the original communities, Addison, Oxford, and Orians investments, and that's reflected in this intergovernmental agreement. Um, >> so that's that's what that's the what the tweaks reference. >> Yeah. The the major the one of the other major changes is or not change but the emphasis is not only providing the services to our uh users but also the contract uh the funding arrangements through Oakland County are brand new to this agreement. Our previous agreement had no real uh direct way to address it other than outside funding. So
020we got pretty specific on this one about the funding path. >> Mike, the local communities here, we have a lot of capital invested in and we don't want to make sure we ever lose that base. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. And I think Lynn will agree that that I bend her ear with that concern every so often just to make sure that we're, you know, we want to take care of our people, but we also have to take care of our assets and investments. So, >> and Chris and Jack, thank you very much for your attorneys looking at it for us. >> Yeah, for sure. Unfortunately, uh, trust has eroded between the county and the CVT or the V villages and townships and so we have to really watch our back more now than ever, unfortunately. >>
021I agree. Um, >> okay. >> So, we do we did we vote on that? >> Um, thank you. Um, sure. We didn't Oh, it was Chris and Mike made the motion, but we didn't actually >> roll call in this one. >> Yeah, we'd like a roll call again. Okay, please. Thank you. Um, McDonald, >> yes. >> Flood, yes. >> Breakfield, >> yes. >> Ferrari, >> yes. >> Curtis, >> yes. >> Moore, >> yes. >> Mosher, >> yes. >> Barnett, >> yes. >> Gentor, >> yes. >> All right. Thank you everybody. Um, Lynn already touched on the building renovation update. There is a a diagram reflecting the latest revisions that we were introduced to at our last meeting. Um, Lynn, if you want to make a comment or >> Yes. Um, so we we did make
022a few adjustments. Um, looking uh talking to Bob, our our construction manager, he thinks that we were going to be able to do the two lifts and build it into the existing budget that we have. So, we built um we built this into this uh plan, but we did move it. So, we we actually extended out the offices a little bit more because we found that we were um not having any excess. And so we wanted to make sure we had a few, you know, access u offices to grow into. So we moved it out maybe 12 feet. Um we changed around um just some of the office uh like the offices against the walls will have uh windows. Um and then with glass panels to come through to let the light through. The middle
023area that you see with um will be the other dispatch area. There'll be a conference room. And we added a female an extra female bathroom. just seemed like uh that's the need was there. And then we have the maintenance um is going to be in the suite a uh with a little m uh maintenance office added there. And then the back half we is pretty much going to be open. We're going to have the back area that's going to be a bus wash, not a a formal one, but it's a drive-thru like with a wet willies wand and um uh vacuums and whatnot that you can pull through. And the rest of it will be space for parking. At this point, the area that's existing uh will be the um like a driver's room that
024they can um hang out in. There's like a little kitchen area. Above that will be a mezzanine and then there'll be um actually a shower added to the one unisex bathroom in the back. So, that's kind of the plan. >> Refresh my memory. I don't remember all the specs. We have some change. Do we have to install the uh air exhaust air systems on there like we do our fire stations? >> We do. So, in the back half, we have them in the front. They're going to have to be moved because we're moving out. Um, >> you currently have them already. >> We have them in the part A where we currently have them, but we're going to have to move them because we're replacing them with offices and we're going to have to put
025drains in in the back, sprinklers, and also exhaust so we can u pull the vehicles. >> The existing one we have now and just add on to it. >> Yes. And the the good thing is the sprinkler system that we had put in to um a um when Bob knew that we had the whole building but we weren't using it, he built a big enough line to accommodate so we don't have to tap back into the line. We can use existing line to just carry it forward. So that it should be a lot cheaper. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Anybody else? >> Yeah. Have you presented this to the village council or village >> Oh, they're the permits the final specs are coming up for the electrical and mechanical. So, we don't actually get the
026final drawing until October 27th. That's when they're going to go to the permits. >> Okay. Because you're increasing your water usage and drainage. And, you know, they may have a little bit to say about that. >> I I think we when we we did plan ahead at the at the time that we did all of the improvements the first time around. So, I'm cautiously optimistic that we'll have that covered, Jack. But again, we don't have the specs in front of us. So >> does Tom Ber still >> he's at that's the village. >> Okay. >> Tom used to be just the township. >> Car's got a question. >> Is that the question? You said that uh they indicated that it would still be within the original not to exceed amount that was mentioned in the
027August meeting. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> We're hoping. I haven't I haven't gotten the final budget yet because he still has to we have to get the final plans and then he's going to have to go up to bid to the vendors. But his estimate is that we're going to be able to do that. So hopeful. >> Okay. If there's nothing further, we'll move on to you don't need any action. There's really nothing to do here. Okay. And then uh old business 9C vehicle camera RFP update. I can tell you >> right up front that you remember here. Smarts involved. Go ahead. >> It's just been a big waiting game. It's been very frustrating. I um I sent them the the updated all the RFP documents that they wanted um before I went on vacation.
028It was like midepptember and we still they still haven't looked at it. Um I spoke with someone finally today. They said it's on her desk. She's looking at it today. We're going to hopefully get it to you tomorrow or Monday. Um just really hoping that this goes through. Um they're they're they're hoping that we can get this on the Mitten website on Wednesday. So that's what our our hopefully go live date is. They're suggesting that we we have it out there for a month. Um minimum is two weeks. Um they're suggesting a month. Um I originally had put a three-week time in there, but we'll we'll talk to them further and it's going to be about that. So, um, we're hoping to then, you know, based on the timeline to maybe, um, it'll be November
02920th or so is when when we're then going to have to do the review of the proposals and then go through and um, do the demos and and whatnot to determine um, you know, which provider that we're going to have. And then it takes about uh, four to six weeks for the installation. The the issue is that we're coming up right against the same time that we're going to be starting construction. So, um, we might be needing an additional facility to in like an indoor facility like temporarily to do these installations. So, if anyone from the community has any extra >> spaces that we can maybe rent or use temporarily, >> just like one at a time. >> Yeah, they're hoping to I think they can do like I mean >> Oh, they just cycle.
030>> They can cycle them through, right? >> Yeah, we probably could. Yeah, we probably could help. >> Okay, that would be great. I was wondering. Well, DP Yeah, DPW or even uh the po the our parks barn out at Friendship, but yeah, we could help. >> Oh, that'd be great. >> Thank you, Chris. >> And we're and we're still funded um >> for a small fee. >> Okay, that's great. >> Glad to pay it. >> No, just a firm handshake. >> Um and budgetarily, we're all set. We've got 150 plus the 44 that >> Yes. >> carryover. Plus, we have grant money of 140 that we have to use. So, with this RFP, we have to split it out into two projects. Um, they're smart allowed us to do it, which is took a long
031time for us to get the pass agreement. >> But, it'll basically be two projects. We're going to do one project with just the smart own vehicles and that's going to be our grant money. And so, they said do those first, finalize it, get a bill, and then we can separate it and then we'll do start with our vehicles so that way we can keep the money separate and follow the grant guidelines. >> Okay. If nobody has any questions, we'll move on to new business. Item A. Um, this is the meat and potatoes right here, folks. We need to uh protect ourselves, perform our services in the manner we customarily do so. And we're being offered a five-year contract uh this time, which is the longest uh we've seen to date. Um perhaps it would be
032good, Lynn, if you have any specific points. Um we could touch on them or concerns. >> You know, there really is has not not a lot of changes. There really are not a lot of changes in this um agreement. The um funding is is very similar to what we've had in the past. Uh the 26 budget is 8 million747311, but it includes a 1.7 million carryover. So that nets to like 6.9 million, which is pretty close to our 25 budget of 6.6. So it's very close to what um we had gotten before. It is a 5-year um contract. Um >> if you find it, tell me what page you're looking at. >> Oh, this is um 10 A. Then what you're looking for? >> Sure. >> There are no other attorney reviewed this yet. >>
033Um to my knowledge, no. >> No. >> Um that is part of the process. And in fact, I think that's what we need to do is to do that formally along with have each of our communities review it and and send any comments or requirements, requests on to both uh Lynn and your and your attorney. You know, >> we can't vote on this tonight. >> No, no, no. We're kicking off time. >> Yeah. would just got what when they looking to have this done? >> Well, it's end of the year. End of the year one. >> Yeah, >> it is. It's the end of the year. >> Okay. >> Um, >> I got it, Lyn. >> That's right. >> 113. >> Yeah. Oakland County had their ad hoc committee meeting today, actually, at 3. So,
034Emma went um this is like the first time where they're reviewing it. So, I was watching it um remotely until I had to leave. Um, and looked like Dave Woodward was questioning the five-year. You said he would really prefer a three-year contract with two one-year extensions. So, there was some conversation, but I had to leave to come here. So, I didn't find I didn't see what it actually final what the final outcome was. I think that they're hoping to bring it to the board of commissioners in November. Um, but it may go till December. A lot of times they cancel their November meeting and whatnot. So, I'm not sure when it's going to go through. >> If this funding disappears, when does it still in effect? If the funding have my tax thing floating around,
035if that were to be passed, >> if the funding >> disappears, >> you mean the open are gone, >> would we still be obligated to perform these services? >> I look there's a motion out there with acts your tax getting rid of property tax. Oh, >> if that if that gets on the ballot and passes, Joe's concern is, are we going to be stuck with $13 million a year and have no funding? >> That's all to be >> Oh. >> way out there. >> Make sure that we're there as long as the funding's there. >> Their funding goes away. I don't say, "Hey guys, you're on the hook." >> If if there may be a clause that could be added for conditions that change, >> um, good point. Excellent, actually. And that's what that's why
036unfortunately we need to act quickly. So if if we can take this uh proposed plan and >> I'm I'm just going to digress for a moment. Um the fact that Dave Woodward was talking about a three-year contract with two renewables, it's almost a slap in the face to the providers, not just us, because we have met every requirement they have. and to be looking at uh that kind of conditional approval given the amount of experience they have with us now and what they've seen us do. um it's it's not only reflected in in his comments, but if you when you have a chance to look through the um the no the implementation plan that uh they're looking at as well, it's much like I said last at our last meeting. They're still talking about eventually
037having only two providers, SMARTT and one other entity, which would assumingly be a conglomeration of >> what we're doing of of the original partners. But I don't think there I don't think we can count that there's any guarantee that that will happen. Um, I can't imagine another entity wanting to get into the transportation business because it's a it's it's you don't make money providing transportation. If it weren't for grants and funding, the federal funding and that, >> we'd all be walking if if you needed a bus or a ride. So, >> law isn't that we voted in what's that? 10 year. >> It's a 10-year millage, right? >> And we're in our what? Second year. >> Third. This is third. And so we're going to go out five um our um our internal not agreement
038the IGA we went um >> to 2033 one year past >> one year past their >> termination of the millillage so that or it'll need renewal >> just so that we be prepared to and organized uh assuming that we'll get the full 10 years. >> Okay. So, I I had to emphasize that because uh it's a very real um and concrete possibility that they're going to start pressuring uh us. And if they should do that, um we need to hold their uh feet to the fire on software and cooperation because um if we let SMART drive it, um we're not we're not going to be able to they're not going to be able to reach their goal. It has to be a a real effort on behalf of all of all the parties, not just
039one or two. >> So, okay. I'm sorry. So, um, anything anything else? >> The only thing is I can't find it right now, but, um, I I had it highlighted earlier where they want you to agree to this plan. So, the this H&TB plan. So, that was part of my concern is that um, that they had verbiage that, you know, you're agreeing to follow this Oakland County transit plan, which is consolidating these things. So, it's kind of built in. It's um, and so that's what we had a and we can talk about it. I think it's in the next agenda item about this um transit plan. But >> you want a motion on this somehow? >> I I think it would be appropriate for the >> receive a file >> and make sure that it
040goes to our member communities that that the boards get this and the attorneys >> really this one >> I'm taking it to uh the board in November 12th. >> Okay. >> How about to Britney? Yeah, >> I think >> I'd like you to add that comment that in case the revenue does stop the taxes. >> Okay. >> We got to be covered some way. There's got to be something in there to protect us. >> Amended motion. >> Okay. Who made the motion? Chris. >> Okay. Sorry, Chris. All right. Have you got it? Uh, Lynn, >> was it Chris? And who was the second? Oh, Mike. >> Big M. >> And we're just receiving file. Yeah. and we're going to send it to our >> board and attorneys. Okay. >> But just just from um very
041recent past history, >> um you know, we'll we'll see if there's I mean, I just read through it really high level, but you know, we had the problem with assessing or with sheriff's contracts with assessing. We're not a a water um we're not part of the WRC, but they haven't allowed us to amend anything so far. So, I don't know if they're going to allow us to make any changes. Woodward has anything to do with it, we won't be able, >> right? >> We still have to make the effort. >> Yeah, I agree. We're going to um Yeah, >> I'm curious to see what the attorneys had to say. You know, >> they're going to protect our interest, our attorneys. >> Exactly. Just like they tried we tried to with the sheriff's contract and assessing
042it. We didn't make >> We didn't win. >> They just passed it to us and said, "Sign it or go start your own police department." >> But we got our own notice. >> This might be different because we have assets and things. >> Exactly. But >> we also had a police station, too. So, >> yeah. Well, that's true. >> But anyway. Okay. Okay. Try. But you're going to send this to Britney to review for both of us. >> But Eli did make the He's like, "Well, if you don't sign, there's you don't get the check January one, you know." So, that's kind of >> that's the intergovernmental agreement. >> No, no, no. >> No. This is >> This is the This is the >> This is the open body. I'm sorry. 108. >> Yeah. Um,
043okay. So, we have a motion to receive and file for action from the member communities. >> And one more question for Lynn. I mean, you're going to go through and like because what we won't know, our attorneys from the Kelly firm, they're not going to know the numbers. I mean, you're you're going to have to tell us these numbers make sense as to what we've been getting paid. >> Yes. >> I.e., we're not getting screwed. >> No, this is um actually it comes right from my budget. So dealing with that part has been really actually pretty >> so you know we'll look at the other language our attorneys will but as far as like the numbers they're not going to know if that's those are the right numbers or not. >> Those correct >> yeah
044those are correct. >> Okay. Um so we have a motion and a second. Uh all in favor of the motion please say I. I >> oppose please say no. >> Okay. Um this one also strikes to what I said. Uh Lynn, go ahead um with the any update you want to make on the the H&TB transit plan draft. >> So this is a very rough draft. It's not completed. I just I shared I didn't include it all into the board packet because um it's not finalized, but I wanted I did email it out um earlier. Was it last week? Um when we had our meeting just to share it with you so you could start to review. Uh we had a meeting with the four local providers, not with SmartRT, um with Oakland County and
045H&TB, which is a consulting firm they hired last week to kind of just do first thoughts. And so we all brought our concerns about it. They're really um they've kind of set it up as um they they came out one day to review each of the local providers so that it's not like they got a lot of understanding of us. Um they gathered a lot of data. Um and they really are suggesting um which I kind of included here like three packages. There's package one, two, and three. Um package one is our current four LSPs, local service providers and smart. And um package two is two local service providers and smart. Package three is one and smart. Um and so they they were really pushing this um package three saying this is going to be
046this consolidation that is going to be happening after the next mill election. And so that's not going to really go into into effect until they pass the next one in 2032. So it looks like that will and it it will take some time. It sounds like it's not going to be immediate, but um there's some short-term, midterm, uh long-term like phases of implementation um that have been kind of spelled out. Uh the short-term ones are kind of aligning policies and fairs and whatnot and dispatch systems, which we're currently do doing anyway. Um the midterm you have a little bit more coordination with shared planning joint procurements. Uh they want to do a facility evaluation you know kind of thing. I think they're looking to see do we want to keep all of the facilities? Do
047they want them to be satellites? Do they want to have one one main one? You know um I think that's something that they're reviewing ongoing this H&TV. Um but the concerns that the local providers came is that we didn't really like the way that we were looking. Um they really they showed that we are like almost like poor like we're rated very low even though our survey results are 95 plus you know in our ratings from them. So we asked them to go back and rewrite it because it really doesn't reflect our current um the way we're currently operating. So they agreed to do that. So they're going to go back and um rewrite that. And also the fact that um it was very unclear uh if this was going to be a takeover, is
048this going to be a consolidation? Is this going to be, you know, can we be clear as far as what your intentions are? Are you sure it's not going to be SMART wanting to take over all of it? Eli assured me, Eli's now the vice chair on SMART's board. Um, which is good. Um, but he's assuring me that's not what they want at all, but they have to have SMART separate because they're the designated recipient. And so they will stay in their area. But the other four local providers um take up like 73% of Oakland County. So we take up the majority of land area. You know, Smart is in a very uh you know, urban area, you know, down in the um souththeast corner. So that's primarily for populations at right. So they would
049stay and they're looking at consolidating. >> Um so they did agree that they would um kind of go back and rework it and um bring another uh draft to us. So they they used they they claim to be very open to suggestions and changes but we'll see what they end up doing. So um I brought some concerns about you know what is like local control and governance is then um if we consolidate are all the boards going to go away you know they said that's a possibility kind of thing. I'm not sure if there'll be a need for it is kind of what the you know it's not really spelled out particularly. I also brought up our recognition of our notice premage net position, you know, like if it was um if we consolidated, you
050know, how is that recognized and we should, you know, have it we have to be mindful of that if they were to consolidate that there was, you know, premill county millage assets that need to be dealt with. And um and then also, you know, just uh how the consolidation would impact our facilities, our staffing. they're looking at possibly consolidating, you know, um administrative facil, you know, uh jobs and whatnot. So, I asked, you know, what what was the job loss expectation, you know, for each of our communities or that you're expecting and you know, but they really didn't have answers for that yet. So, it's all very high level. >> Are they going to dictate to you at some point that um now HR all comes out of central office and whoever does their HR
051is just not going to be paid for anymore? >> It could very well be. >> Yeah, >> it could be. the the county is not communicating at all with us. >> Y >> I don't know how we're supposed to respond to this because you know >> it would be a lot for >> it's a lot for you and you work here every day. I mean, we just see this. I'm be honest, >> right? >> I don't know if this is good, bad, or indifferent. All these things. >> It's just >> so I mean, I think what I'm saying is if it's not good, you need to tell us and we can try to use our political pressures if we have any left to push back. I mean, that's what they're going to do. I mean,
052that's what they've sort of said is the savings comes from not, you know, it's the sheriff's office model. You don't need >> Mhm. >> you need one HR department. You don't need one at every police station. You need one >> payroll. You don't need one at every, >> you know, AP pay, you know. So, >> but I mean, I don't know. I kind of want clear in any of this what Chris is saying here because this was prepared by you Lyn and it says >> the plan goal is to eliminate township barriers. >> I don't know of any township barriers other than our animosity towards them taking us over. >> That's a perfect reflection of their attitude though. That's the attitude commission has. >> Future consolidation may eliminate independent boards and decision making authority. The
053next one down is potential facilities consolidation. >> So what I'm reading here is going what I've said is why do we have a not a board >> but you're trying to protect your assets but in the same time you're getting rid of it all >> and you know we have to look at it from an efficiency point of view. Of course, when you acquire when you merge organizations, you don't you get rid of the redundancy. >> But if we're and that makes sense from a business point of view, >> from a business point of view, it makes sense. But we are a contracted service to the county and that's exactly how they're treated. >> What Dave Woodward said, sorry to interrupt, Mike. >> No, no, no. Go ahead. >> When this all went down and
054we were not supporting I I don't Miller didn't pass up these parts. We said, you know, he kept saying, "You're just going to be a service a contractor. You guys can they we admit you guys work efficiently, frankly, probably more efficiently than smart. And so, we're just going to pay you and you just keep doing everything. >> But this to me seems like that's not what they're saying now. >> Thanks for the building. Thanks for all your help. Thanks for everything else. See you later. Bye. >> Goodbye." >> Well, >> and I don't mind losing it, but >> that's an eventuality that We may we may face if if they if they figure or fi think they have a way to operate in the whole county with one or two providers. Um we're protecting our
055assets. You know, that's >> that's part and parcel of this. Speaking of which, $7,500 lease. How come they're only paying us $7,500 lease for not the county? What is it >> in our uh in their budget document? Building rent lease 7500. >> Oh, am I wrong? >> You know what? There is that's actually zero. Um it's snow removal landscaping. That was when we were um >> Yeah. No, that's there's actually Okay, I see. You don't have a zero there. >> Yeah, there's >> Well, zero is worse than 7,500. But I mean that's my point is we're absorbing the wear and tear of not only operating but expansion etc. And we're really not even profiting or staying even because we're we're picking all that up on our own and it's our depreciation. We're depreciating. Sure. >>
056And not being uh re compensated for it. Am I wrong? >> Well, we do have depreciation included in the budget. So we do we do include that as part of their budget that they pay for. So they are building that into the budget. >> Be interesting to know if it's really realistic. >> First thing I saw was right. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I'm sorry Joe started this whole thing with all would have before. No myself. I don't have any interest in this. I saw how was this all I can play it all out in my head. I lived through it was smart. Bigger is not always better. >> Yeah. >> I have it here. We concentrate on the service to our people. Once you centralize in Pontiac, which it was with Smart, Oxford's the same
057as White Lake, >> same as Milford, same as South Lanch, we don't. We concentrate on Oxford or Madison. >> We concentrate on ours. >> I'm not I hope does well. I hope White Lake does well. Ferndale, Pontiac. I hope they do well. That's not my issue. >> If you want us to provide this, I'd rather keep it the local level. We have control over it. >> Let's say, >> well, that's why I brought it up. They say we like Eli when you're gone. >> Eli's going to run everything. That's exactly what could happen. >> Now we have control over how we're spending it, where things are going. Look, we just saw the building. >> You become part of smart and all. You're not going to see any of this kind of stuff. >> Well, we
058were forced into the situation because they passed a millillage. >> I mean, it was a ghost a ghost organization. There was no organization. There was no transit, >> anything. And when we made that quite clear, which didn't make us friends either, >> but you know, that's the truth. This is the eventuality that we have to recognize and that's it's good that we're doing it now. We don't want to be five years from now looking at and then county comes and says uh we're going to let your territory be taken over by um oh just for uh sake of discussion our neighbor our older OPC OPC says they can handle your area. So what do you want to do? You know bid against OPC? No. So, we're facing that though. Realistically, that's what we're facing. So,
059as long as we're all conscious of that, >> well, I take it one step further. If you see these things happening, you have to tell us >> specifically the electeds. >> Yeah. >> Because then we can go down to the county commission meetings and caucus meetings, which we've been at multiple times and we have not been successful. But to at least say one year, two years, three years ago, you told us we run more efficient than smart. We know our service areas. We provide excellent service and we're more efficient. You said it. We're cheaper. You're going to just pay us to run our system. That's what we're like before the decisions are made. If we feel like it's going that way, we need to go down there and pound the table and get in the
060Oakland Press and and on there's a new page that is is um shine the light on them a lot what they're doing down there. I mean, we have to use political pressure. >> So, you but >> I I can't I mean, this this is like reading a foreign language to me what they're proposing because I'm not in the your business every single day, right? But if you feel like our control is going away, we will be I'm bouncing me and Jack and anybody else that's interested, but Jack has to come with me. >> Um, >> but we will go I mean, we need to know like we need to go down there and get Mike Angel involved and Mike Spizz and the people that represent us on the county commission to at a minimum bring
061it up and talk about it publicly down there. Otherwise, otherwise, if you haven't ever watched a county commission meeting, it's the one of the wildest meetings you'll ever watch. It's compare I'd compare it to the English Parliament where they yell and scream at each other and then they go in the back room, make deals and come out and vote on stuff. It's it's it's wild. >> Nothing like any of our meetings, >> but that will happen and it'll happen in one meeting and it'll be over. And it happened on Thanksgiving last year for our police contracts and nobody even knew. We weren't even invited. So, if you catch any win, you don't have to be the bad guy, but please >> text, call, this is important. I don't think this looks good. There's a caucus
062meeting at the transportation caucus of the county commission and that's where the deals are made. >> Some of them are televised and a lot of them are quietly behind closed doors. >> One final observation. >> I know we're being recorded back. >> We have we do have um partners >> in in as much as they are also providers the other providers. Now PEX is a private >> People's Express. It's a It's a nonprofit, but they will operate out of um multiple counties. >> So, they may or they may or may not want be interested, but I think we need to really start working closely with our partners. >> WAD definitely >> with Woda >> and with OPC. I OPC >> may not recognize the threat. Mhm. >> Um or or >> they have a brand
063new director there. So he does he's just getting cut out because um so there's >> but W is very involved. >> Yeah. >> So I think that's important that that we keep that >> or emphasize that relationship so that it's not it's not three townships trying to tell the county we don't like it. It's the providers all working together. um to do that, you know, to make the aware raise awareness >> and I think certainly this the discussion we had today should be relayed to them as well what we've seen what we're seeing in this draft plan. >> Okay. And we'll rely on our director to do that. >> Okay. >> Well, and also we need to talk to people's express wa like you said like >> we need to say if we feel like
064they're having conversations and >> we are not included. We being all the contractors like we need to call Rick Hamill. We have relationships with all these supervisors to say, >> you know, there's strengthen numbers when we when we show up. But please activate us and do it quietly. You can text us or whatever, but then we will get our troops going. >> Perhaps formalizing a meeting >> with all of the meeting, a regular meeting >> type of thing. Yeah. Um >> I'm assuming they're nervous too at the same time. >> And and frankly, I don't think the county needs to be invited unless there's something that they need to ask the county >> uh on the behalf of their organizations. >> So, >> I like that. >> I I just don't see and this is
065directly in response to this like this tenative report, this draft report. Let's let's not sit idly by and just see what happens. And I think Chris makes an excellent point. Everybody has that's spoken to it. So, and beyond that, there's really nothing we can do. >> I move to receive and file the draft update. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Second. >> Okay. I think Mr. Flo did it. >> All in favor of the motion to receive and file, please say I. >> Opposed, please say no. >> No. >> Okay. Noted. that. >> Gosh, I want to know why, but >> sure. >> Okay. Um, uh, trolley update. Uh, this ought to be good. Go ahead. >> I'm sorry. >> We've, uh, we've been having some issues finding drivers who want to drive the trolley lately.
066Um, we had some late night participants on the trolley that were causing some trouble and some of the drivers no longer really want to deal with, um, some of the issues that they've had. Um we've had some illnesses from some of the some of the drivers so they've been out and um and then just kind of lack of of interest because I think um they've not just hasn't have a lot of um people showing up unless it's a special event. Um so we um I did talk with Kim and um she said that the DDA is actually reviewing what their plans are going to be ongoing with the service. We have a contract with them till April of 26 right now. um we generally stop providing service like at the end of October. She's asked
067that we extend through the end of the year. Um but I said, you know, it really is dependent on weather and whether we can get drivers. Um I said, but we will make it um you know, there's there's two big events um that we will make sure that we can have it as long as it's operating correctly. So that's kind of where we're at. >> That's where we were a month ago, though. >> Yeah, it was. She just um asked us to extend um every weekend until the end of December. And so, um, we normally stop it in October, you know, because it it just gets cold and I just don't even see that. I mean, even in the summer on the Fridays, we were getting only four or five people. It wasn't a very
068big one with special events. So, and the fact that we are um I think she was disappointed because we we've been struggling with getting drivers, but it's kind of been out of our control. >> Well, maybe we should terminate the contract, give them 30 days notice, and they can figure it out. Lynn, >> I mean, >> we can't dream drivers up. It's a voluntary. It's not our >> main mission. It's not our >> We do have some responsibility because of the contract. I know that's not what they want to hear, >> right? >> But maybe a casebyase basis, >> right, >> after terminating. >> Yeah. >> Um >> I think the two events are are fine to do because those are big events like the Witches Nice next weekend and one there's one in Polar
069Express. I guess those are the two big events that they they like to do. Um >> Mike, >> uh this this contract expires April the 26th. Correct. >> Correct. >> And like Mike said, there's a clause here where you can give them 30-day note. >> Correct. >> Do they operate the trolley in the winter time? >> We generally don't. Only for special events like we'll sometimes we'll do like the parade at Christmas and you know like like there's this Polar Express event. It's not really designed for winter travel. We're talking maybe six or seven months before this contract. >> We're almost almost done with this. And I think um I spoke with um someone that that's on the the board also today works for us and he said that they're thinking about just getting rid
070of the trolley after the first of the year. So I think it's I think it's a short-term thing. I just wanted to update >> drivers. Are they paid a premium? >> They are. They paid $25 an hour. >> Is that a good enough premium to entice them? >> No. right now it I don't think it's good enough because I think it's a lot of hassle for what they're getting because our drivers >> kind of look at it it's so different than when I go to Kroger. >> Right. >> Look, we can't find anybody in the deli. >> 20 bucks an hour and you'll find somebody in the deli. >> Right. Right. And we mention and Rachel mentioned it to to Kim and uh just to say you might have to bump up your price. >>
071Maybe get a premium to I told Kim we'd pay additional for November 12th. >> That's the That's the >> That's our He's requesting. >> Oh, for that. Okay. All right. >> What do you know? 26,000. >> You just Oh, okay. Sorry. You didn't know that one. So, um, yeah, those are just issues that we're having, but but >> And when is it your date? >> We're doing a November 12th. >> Okay. It's a during the week. It's a >> Yeah, Wednesday, Thursday. >> Well, 30 days notice would get us past that, but they wouldn't help them with the polar thing. >> I think that's in December or sometime, I forget. >> I mean, it's pretty much event driven though, right? And and it's if we can't get a driver, the trolley doesn't drive. >> Well,
072but if she wants >> liability of the trolley, >> right? >> Correct. >> And it's >> well safety too. If our drive if the drivers are concerned about >> you can say >> the interactions with passengers. >> Well, we're talking about mostly events right now though, right? >> I think the vents are fine. >> I mean, look, I I read the Christmas book on the Polar Express. It's all kids and >> Right. Like I I I'm I'm not I mean it's a it's a cool thing to be able to use for >> events >> for the the events and yeah I don't think the running on the weekends between the two villages till midnight might not be a long sustaining thing but I I'm not necessarily >> I think the relationship between the DDAS and
073NOTA and having the availability to have the cool trolley for events >> and we own it. I I'm not ready to personally ready to shove it all together. >> Do we know how many from what is the if you look back at the last two years for the events, do we know how many people actually use the trolley? >> We do. I think in the uh you can see from our ridership um data which is like this page I have like the trolley so you can see month by month um and I and it doesn't show for the events but you can see like in March you know there's like 598 495 in the month that's just generally one month that's usually like our um >> Marty GR or what not um what is um
074St. Patrick's Day right so there's St. Patrick's Day, right? So that's >> those that's how many passengers for the month and that's just going to be >> pretty good. >> It is, but it's event driven. So the rest of them it's >> the events sell out. I mean I did the express two in a row. I mean it's you had a point. >> I raised it up earlier when this contract expiring and how much we do and what >> I would Chris I like can we get by another six months and when the contract expires we could >> make a decision then. Can we get through another six months? You find the drivers >> as long as we have the drivers and they're operating not running and we we recognize that in our contract driver
075stays in the parking lot. >> I mean six months and then we get >> Mhm. >> I'm not really I wasn't really looking for action. I just wanted to let you guys know what's happening >> 30-day notice. >> Okay. Okay. So, and our contract does provide that if we can't do it, there's mechanical or no ms that we're not liable for anything. So, so we're we're covered. I you know, this all started just over the uh funding uh the federal funding caveat, right, about using >> Oh, with the special events and whatnot. Yes. >> But this is different because it's owned by the DDA. Actually, the DDA owns it. So, it's >> So, we got clarification on that for sure. Okay. All right. >> So, do you need a motion or just go ahead? >>
076No. No. >> Receive and file the report. >> That sounds good to me. >> I'll make that motion. >> I'll second it, Mike. >> All right, Mr. Breakfield. Second. Any questions on what we're doing, receiving and filing the update. All in favor, please say I. >> Oppos, please say no. >> Okay. Public comments. Any hearing? None. Uh motion to receive >> receive file the monthly writer and mileage reports. >> I'll second it. >> All right. Motion and second. Any questions on the motion? Hearing none. All in favor, please say I. >> Oppos? No. >> Very good. Board member comments. Um we'll start with our new member. >> Sorry not to put you on the spot, but got some thoughts, some initial thoughts. Um, do you want to >> learning? Um, I'm learning. Um, but I
077do really enjoy seeing the NOA bus at Kroger. Um, today there was an elderly woman and the driver was helping her on and um it's there all the time. So, um I >> that's a core core value for us. >> It's it's it's really really wonderful to see. I mean, it's there. I don't know if I'm there a lot but but it's always there when I'm there. Um so I do enjoy that and thank you for having me. Um I will be in Washington DC the next meeting for a convention uh my national convention. So I will not be here. >> Okay. Well, thank you for that. >> And I will be getting my continuing education >> okay >> credits after 40 years. I still have to do that. >> Well, congratulations. >> But thank
078you so much for welcoming me and it's been wonderful. >> Very good. Thank you, Mike. I want to welcome our new member and uh what's coming up now? October Halloween. So, we still got the Veterans Day I think before our next meeting. So, veterans on Veterans Day. >> That's it. >> All right. >> Thank you. Not much other than have a safe and happy Halloween. >> No comments, Chris. >> Nothing today. Good to see you all. Um I lied. I do have um you know, Thursdays are I bet. Thank you to Mike and Carrie for representing the township. Uh Thursdays are the days we cut ribbons and there's always the bigger businesses. I usually try to be there. Today I skipped cottage and pizza even though I could have gone pizza, but I got you
079all. So, thanks to the amazing township team. They're they're smarter than me anyway. So, >> okay. Um, >> that's it. >> We good? >> Is there a motion then? >> Make a motion to journ I. >> Okay, there you go. >> All in favor? I better.