001I'm going to call the meeting to order and uh welcome everybody. This is the regular board meeting for the North Oakland Transportation Authority, NOTA, as we finally refer to ourselves. Uh today is Thursday, August 21st, 2025, being hosted today um by Oxford Township. Thank you again for being the standing host, Jack. Um, I'm going to call the meeting to order and we'll do a roll call, but as a variation, we have a couple new faces. So, if for all our benefits, uh, when Lynn calls her name, say hi and, uh, introduce yourself as we go around. >> What's your bank account number? >> Ask. It's not a scam. All right. Mike McDonald >> here. >> All right. Mike Flood. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Yeah. Um, Edison Township Treasurer. And what else? I'm the chair
002of the committee. >> Uh, Mike Flood, >> uh, president Orient Township Trustee. >> Uh, Ed Brefield, >> uh, here. And I'm Edison Township Trustee. >> And, uh, Joe Bur, excuse. Ashley Ross, excuse. Tanya Waffle. >> Uh, I'm a chief clinical officer at uh, TTI, Training and Treatment Innovations. >> Uh, Jack Curtis. >> Jack Curtis here. Uh, Oxford Township Supervisor. >> Bill Lower is excused. Chris Bernett is excused. Amber Granger. >> Amber Granger. I represent Easter Seals Mor and I am the VP of urban cycle. >> Joe Mador is excused. Jennifer and Carrie Hilden Hilgenorf >> here, trustee Oregon Township. >> Thank you. And then we have Scottlair. >> Scott Clear here, present. Uh, safety and compliance officer noticed. >> Very good. Well, welcome everybody. >> Thank you. >> I'm just going to try and figure
003that out. Addison or >> That's all we need. Leonard >> to three townships. Yeah, technically. Um, yeah. So, we should be all set. Uh, >> March turd. We missed. >> Who's here? >> Carl had to resign from the village council at Mc. >> Oh, yeah. That's I think that was on agency. >> And I did send a note to the village kicked off >> reminding them that we do need a >> we >> now we can get started. >> I apologize. I tried. >> What's Ashley with us? >> All right. Where's my >> Okay, so we do have a quorum. Um, Ed, would you lead us in respects to the flag to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty
004and justice for all. >> One day we're going to stay for the invocation. one day >> maybe. >> Okay. Um, okay. The board has before it an agenda. I guess there was a last minute addition of material but not is it was it to the actual number of items? >> No, no, it was just u you know I can discuss it and but if you'd like to have that copy, it's just copy of the budget. >> If anybody needs it, we have the copy. >> I think it was sent out today in an email. So the agenda item's there. It's just the actual attachment. >> It's just the attachment. Yes. >> Okay. Um >> did you >> So >> Mr. Chairman, I would move to approve the agenda as presented. >> I'll second it. >>
005Okay. Fled. That's it. But >> we have a motion and a second to approve the agenda as presented. All in favor of the motion, please say I. >> Opposed, please say no. >> Okay. Dang it. Uh the board has in the minute in the uh packet the minutes from the last regular meeting. Are there any questions, changes, or corrections? If none, a motion to approve as presented would be in order for the June 19th meeting. >> I'll second Jack's motion. [Laughter] So move. >> He's on a roll. Any >> We have a motion and a second. Any questions on the motion? Hearing none. All in favor of approval of minutes of the June 19th meeting, please say I. >> I. >> Post, please say no. Okay, minutes are approved. Uh, the director's report. Lyn, >>
006yes. Good afternoon, everyone. Um, hope you all had a great summer. It's hard to say that's almost to the end. Um, it's been busy for NOTA. Um, which I just got back from the MPT annual conference uh last night and it was um a great conference. M. that FTA are there. Uh M and Jeff came with me as well. Um and all the transit providers from Oakland County were there. Um and we actually got uh the driver John Comperroni was selected as a rising star award to and he was he was recognized for his efforts when he um uh noticed that one of his riders was having a stroke and got her back to the ER like I think we discussed it back in the June meeting, but it was nice to get some recognition
007and and that was great. Um in no um in uh September 18th is our next meeting which will be our truth and budget meeting. So we'll be getting the budget meeting coming together. Again um as far as the communities go, there'll be no requests for any general fund money. It'll all be um the open county millillage other than the municipal credits which is your normal um things. And then uh I just wanted to kind of point out and I put it in the packet at the back that not received RTA grant awards. um which were great. We received three vehicle replacements and also a two-year operational grant for $663,540. In total, it was a,71,540 which is about 10% of the total grant awards. So, that was a really great um award just funded and those
008that operational grant is for 25 and 26. So, those were all good news. Uh some other things just to highlight uh we have our website that's up and running. uh revised take a look at it if you get a chance. Um happy with that. We're still working on our internet which is a employee only site but um uh that's that's great. I want to thank Veronica kind of really and um and also Rachel for helping with that process and our surveys still are are coming back really positively. We've had over a thousand responses and we're at about 95% satisfaction on the top two boxes which is great news. Um since we didn't have a meeting in July, there's a couple other things. We did have a all employee uh development day on July 3rd and
009it was really a successful day. Um it was um it's great and I want to thank Joe from Oxy TV for filming it and for also giving us the footage that we're going to be using in future training. So thank you Joe. Appreciate that. Uh some other things. Let's see if we want to these are all separate items that we talk about. And I just wanted to introduce do um Scottlair. That's why I asked him to come today. Our new safety and compliance officer. I wanted to um we are now fully staffed. We have hired our PM driver support and we have all our Ford trainers in place which is great. We're happy. We've been I feel like we've been interviewing. Um >> um but I wanted to just introduce have you um meet Scott
010and have Scott give you an update on just a couple of things that he's been working on. He's been super busy. He's made a lot of progress in a short time. So Scott, >> um yep. Thank you, Lynn. Uh about two months on with Nota. Uh very appreciative. A great group of people getting to know them and the opportunity to come in here. Um just a very quick nutshell of my background. I I ran as FSI on safety and compliance with General Motors, LG Electronics, and FedEx Ground in the past as a regional safety ambassador. Um, so coming in here is great. I I live in Metamora, so I'm not far away from here. It's nice to be local instead of traveling across the country. Uh, so thank you for the opportunity. Um some things
011uh we've tasked or I've been tasked uh is leading the AI and telematics camera and software procurement uh project um in the vetting process uh and working with smart to uh get a pass through working agreement and uh to allow us to drive this program and not rely uh as a split uh program with smart. So we're looking at having that come to a going to come to a head in in agreement maybe midweek next week. uh we'll have some resolution on that as far as them being able to pass that over to us and move forward. Um we've worked uh greatly on building security uh personnel safety um implementing new procedures there. Uh worked with Miosha to come in with a uh a preventative maintenance sort of situation with the building. Uh it's a
012consultation service. So they come in and they work with us and we uh identify things. Now we grade it out very highly uh very well. I didn't have any any large outstanding situations or um events that would have find that we would have gotten fined for. So that was very positive. Um so we're also going to do that post construction. Uh and we have a nice relationship working there. So that's on the right track. Uh we participated with OSHA um and several several other uh safety u heads uh with over 7,300 businesses nationwide. For last week it was with Safe and Sound 2025. Um and so we were recognized we did receive recognition as being part of that initiative and in compliance and participation with that. Uh so that was that's a great marketing tool
013and and a good thing to use and and and public perception right there. Um and along with that we're reformatting we're revising safety risk management plans uh emergency preparedness checklist and emergency guides for drivers on the road that will eventually be mastered binder safety um procedures for the entire company. So, we're working our way towards that. So, there's a lot of work to do, but we're making very quick headway. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Scott. Appreciate it. >> That's um my report for tonight. Thank you. >> Great. >> Um one question um will we be seeing a draft budget before the next meeting? >> I think the board would appreciate that just so we can get some familiarity. >> Absolutely. >> When it's available. >> We're working on that next week. That's our next
014big progress project. >> Thank you for that before Rachel. >> Mr. Chairman, >> I would move to receive a file of director report >> before before Educ. >> Okay. Uh any questions on the motion? Hearing none. All in favor of the motion to receive and file, please say I. >> I. >> Opposed, please say no. >> Okay. Received and filed. Um, okay. This is now an opportunity for the public if any to make comments. Hearing none, we'll move on then to approval of the financial activity. Um, first item is financial activityformational. What is the pleasure of the board? >> Generally, we receive motion to receive file uh item A financial activity information. Any questions on the motion? Hearing none. Uh, all in favor of receiving and filing the financial activity, please say I. >> I.
015>> Opposed, please say no. >> Motion carries. Uh, Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion to approve the bills to be paid June 2025 with total uh 623,42629 and July 2025 of 83846571. >> I can't sneak in this. >> I have. >> Okay, we have a motion proposed. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Is that Mr. Fry? >> Yes, it is. >> Thank you, Joe. Okay. They have a motion and a second to pay the bills in the amount stated. Uh, do we have a roll call for that, please? >> Sure. >> McDonald, >> yes. >> Flood, >> yes. >> Wakefield, >> yes. >> Ferrari, >> yes. >> Uh, Ross, >> yes. >> Waffle, >> yes. >> Curtis, >> yes. >> Moore, >> yes. >> Granger, >> yes. >> Hilor, >> yes. Okay,
016guess we'll pay the bills. Motion car. >> We had an issue with equipping. We'll come back in two days. Shut down the whole system. Huh? >> See you Monday. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Moving on to old business. Um we we've got a brief uh intergovernmental agreement update. basically status where I saw that there's been some work done, but um are we going to be in a position by next meeting to have the individual communities attorneys have a chance to look it over before we >> I'm hoping for next meeting to have some. So, if you have comments, I I have some counts that I went through. Um I was out of town, so I just received it, so I wasn't able to get it back to the attorney to get an updated one. Um, one
017one of the questions I want to bring up is how many years do we want to have this? Because currently he has it for eight years, which would take it to um uh 2033, which is the year after the Oakland County Miligence or the Oak County Mill through 32. I didn't know if we wanted to tie it with that or if we wanted to just does it matter doesn't want to keep it at 8. Those are just questions I wanted to bring up. Um, I also noticed that the service area that was mentioned um is no longer really the case because now with Oakland County, our service area is kind of expanded um beyond what our communities that we serve are. Even with the expanded service areas, we go beyond um our our actual communities
018that we serve. So, that was uh something that I wanted to bring up. and also eligible persons because um we also transport residents from not just our core um six townships and our villages but also for our neighboring um townships if they're an Oakland County resident and if they're traveling to Nota you know in our NOTA area that's what we we do we kind of work with our transit providers you know VOD and um OBC and Smart and we do transfers and sometimes if it makes sense we just do the trip for them and they do likewise for us. So, I think I'll have to do some changes with um our eligible riders. Um and then I also noticed that he added a suspend of the transportation fund on page five. So the there's a
019section there where um the not board you know used to have a funding mechanism to cover any shortages and basically says um excuse me that it shall be suspended um for such time as a county knowledge is in place unless otherwise agreed to in writing. So I think that transportation fund where we split have to split costs. So basically there's really not a funding mechanism that we're that it looks like from this agreement that the townships would and the um communities would have to be responsible for other than the municipal credits. So just wanted to >> which letter is that >> which letter? >> Oh this is the IGA page five >> IGA page five. Yep. >> Under funding >> for my part. Yes. >> Before we get too too many stacked up Lynn. >>
020Yeah. Um, the term of the agreement, I think it's good if it extends at least a year beyond >> Excuse me. I'm sorry. >> That's good. >> Beyond the county uh funding profile. >> Okay, good. >> Excuse me. I don't have COVID. I was tested. So, and it's just one of those long things. >> You've been down there by it. >> Yeah. Yeah. Apologies. >> They called it highly contagious bronchitis. That's okay, Mike. Well, I'll I'll offer up to see if somebody no >> upper respiratory or respiratory, >> but um the service models that the county is looking at service types over the next 10 years, they're looking to simplify in their terminology, but reality is there's four four providers with not being one of um and smart and then in some given period of
021time they want to move somehow smart still there but they want to go to like one um one for all intents and purposes one provider but they they think it'll be consist of the current providers acting more as one >> and of course that hinges on software and cooperation among the providers Um, and I had a long conversation with Eli because I mean in black and white it's it says one when the when their current process um, and there are good arguments for trying to um, share services and and work cooperatively, but um, it's a big change for each one of the organizations as they currently exist. Um, and I see it's it will it will be not in and of itself problematic, but it's going to create some stresses as we try to deliver
022to the county satisfaction and yet maintain our uh quality and levels of service. Obviously, with as a bigger organization, communication really has to be good with our workers and our customers. So, >> what's the proposed date to do these things? Like when by when? >> They're currently they have currently um a company called H&TB >> is doing a they've got a quarter million dollar contract at least and they're looking at Oakland County Transit and deciding or helping the county to decide what they're going to look like when all is said and done it to get all of their goals. And um it's going to be tough. >> Yes. Talking to Eli, it sounds like it's going to be out of ways though because it's not something that he he thinks that this change isn't going
023to happen um until the next um millage election comes into play, which is in 2033 or 2232 is what he's anticipating that's going to happen. But I think what they're trying to do is get us kind of um aligned um with the understanding of that's kind of how they're moving. Um that's kind of how they're we're picking a new um software for all of us to be on one platform and whatnot. I think they're they're slowly working that way. But um Eli seems to think that it's going to be happening more in the next millillage election than than in this current election. So it's probably not going to be the next seven years. >> I think the contract should run the length of the millillage. There should be a caveat in there depending on how
024a MI tax thing goes that that would sever it. >> You're you're preaching to the convert. We started with that as our initial position and they we only got one year. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. You know, the first contract. Um we got three the last >> there's three years and right now they're looking at uh four to five with this next one. That's what um um >> you also want to add caveat if the funding's not there. >> If somehow this thing goes through and there's no more property taxes, >> well, I don't want to have to be on the hook for, you know, a $2 million bus system. We we have to recognize that their strategy is for their benefit and the you know the entire county's benefit. They're we're a contractor. I mean
025there's no um we're not even making a profit, you know, we're just providing the services hopefully and getting reimbursed for the costs that it takes for us to do it. um that may not be always be the model, but in public transportation, I don't know of any public transportation that's actually making money for the operators, >> right? >> Other than private. In private, they have to make a profit or they go out of business. So, so it's a, you know, they're painting this rather casually right now, but you have to read between the lines and this is the way they are thinking and it and it's good thinking to to have one organization and be able to operate it the way you want, but it will be very impactful on whoever the contractors are. hopefully
026won't remain the premier contractor, but you know, we >> time will tell. >> So, and so that I only didn't mean to take over the conversation, but I I do think that we should at least extend beyond the county's um >> monetary, you know, deadline. since then. Great. >> And and of course every everybody's welcome to comment if you have one or have a thought on that >> because that's what Lynn Lynn needs right now is our input how we think our communities would like to see operate with within this framework. >> Okay. >> So you want to put some type of a clause in there saying as long as the millage money is available. So if there's no millage money I'm not obligated out of the general fund. No, at at right now. No.
027>> Right. That's where that suspend the transportation fund is. As long as the milled money's is on there. >> They have that and that's on that um as long as the millillage money is or mill county mill is in place. So that's that wording >> that would cover us. >> Okay. >> So that's and then other things I had was um they don't mention general population writers and the fairs and some and the signatures have to change. So those are the changes that I saw um right off the top. But if there's anybody else that has changes or things, please um send me some comments and um we can try to get that into the attorney and get a an updated one and I'll send it as soon as I get it from the attorney.
028Now, I won't wait for the board meeting if I get it early. >> Do you have a timeline that you want to you're looking forward? I see it expires into this year. Right. >> Right. Right. That's our timeline. >> We started months ago and >> Right. >> We're going to really need to get nose to the grindstone here now and get this done. >> Right. So, if we can have the not board approve it next month and then send it to your individual communities, you know, >> and hopefully a month will be long enough for the each individual community to review their respective areas and get back get their attorney or if if you desire have your attorney review it and then get it back to us. So, >> well, should we reactivate that subcommittee
029for yourself, Supervisor Curtis, Supervisor Barnett to look through it on behalf of each communities, then report back to us? >> Um, at that point in time, at the point in time that we >> like, no, like right now, have each of the communities sit down together, analyze it, then report back to this board. Um there's some merit to that uh idea, but I think in all it should be the supervisors themselves from each community. So it would be Pearson, >> Jack, and Chris. >> Have them sit down, look at it, and come to some agreement. >> Right. Um it's what's the pleasure of what's the pleasure of the board? I'll make a motion that we recommend the intergovernment agreement be forwarded to the tantra of Addison Tantra of Oxford Tanchorian have the three supervisor sit
030down and work through the uh agreement to make a recommendation to our board or well of course they're going to be in integrally in involved regardless so that makes good sense um we can just start earlier integrating you. >> If they agree, then it'll help us out. >> Call the role. >> Exactly. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I'm not going to make a decision for Barnett. Exactly. >> Yeah. >> Chair is asking u asking the board uh what's your pleasure on the proposed uh uh ad hoc committee >> on the IGA? All in favor of the motion, please say I. >> I. >> Opposed, please say no. >> No. Okay. >> You want You really want us to record that? No, I'm just It passes. You know, >> it was about voice vote. All in favor?
031>> All right. >> Or not all in favor? Voice vote. Eyes. >> Majority. >> Okay. Um, you want me to take this one? >> Is that it? Is that it for the IDA? Uh, Lyn, cover it. >> Okay. If if board's in agreement, I'm going to ask uh Ed to take over the talking part of this. Um so you don't have to listen to me >> unless unless Mike starts. >> No, no, it's okay. >> Well, I probably won't shut up, but >> on the um on the meeting on the building renovation went real good. We three build Mike and I were there. We met Steve Augger. Um Steve had everything covered. I mean, he his homework was in incredible. We I think all three of us felt extremely comfortable after meeting with Steve. >>
032I think it was Bob. >> Bob. Bob. Bob. >> Steve is okay. Bob and we had and and he had things covered that we didn't even have a clue that it was even in there. Piping for an example, continuation piping and everything. So I think that um after that meeting, we felt extremely well to go ahead and let KMBB handle this project. And and that was it. And if you want to pick it up here. >> Sure. Yeah. K&B was the we issued um we did put out an RFP and KMBB was the only one that um responded. Um and just to give a little background um KB was the uh construction manager when we moved in in 2019. So we're comfortable with Bob. I've worked with him before. His office is actually right down
033the street on Glasby Street. So we have a good working relationship. So and I think he's great as far as trying to costsaving lesser measures. Um he um just I just got a budget from him today. Um Rachel forwarded it on to you. Um the original budget that Steve Auger, our architect, had come up with um a year or so ago was like 1.9 million for the renovation. And so we had 1.5 coming from Oakland County roughly and 500,000 out of our fund balance. That's what what's built into our current year budget. Um Bob um the the plans that were done by the architect aren't completely finished. They don't have um all the specs spelled out exactly. So it was hard for Bob to have his trades people come in and get give really um
034concrete um estimates on budget. So they kind of overestimated it to to put that cushion in there. It came back at 1.276 like 1,276,000 which is under what our budget is. Uh there's some things that we want to add to it that aren't included in the drawing. So we met we had a meeting with um Steve after the meeting that you guys had where we were reviewing the layout plan and wanted to um we wanted to add a mezzanine to do some storage above the u buildout of our office area. um that ended up being too costly because of the um just the steel and um just >> the coordination between being able to do the work before or after how much disruption it would cause. There's a there's a real efficient way to do
035it and an inefficient way to do it. And that's excuse me for >> No, no, no. That's true. So, but um looking in the back half in our suite B, the part that we're going to be renovating to open up, there's um a current office there. and that area is actually they think structurally sound to do a mezzanine there much more cost effective be great. We're just looking at some storage areas. So, um that's going to be a big cost savings as well. So, we're able to do that and because we're cost savings there, we're going to be able to add the mechanics bays, he believes with the lifts this year in the budget and still get it under budget. He thinks he can get all of the additions um new office furniture to be
036under the 1.5 where we may not even need to get into our fund balance draw. So, that's encouraging. I'm really excited about moving forward and getting the project started. Um, and I just wanted to see if you had any questions. >> One thing, and I mentioned the piping and everything, when Bob, one thing Bob did was really, really impressed me. They did the first part of the project uh years ago. He put piping in to handle the fire suppression and everything in advance. He he whoever was going to take this new job, the renovation would have a lot of um work already done for them because they put the piping in and then then put a shut off. So now when they have to do the fire uh suppression, all they have to do now
037is come in, hook it up, turn it on. And I was really impressed with that that he anticipated not necessarily him getting it, but whoever got it, it would be easy for them to pick it up and go. So, uh, I don't know where we would go with this. I think we need to make a motion that we give the contract and we can't just leave that up in the air. And I believe the kind then I was there and so I will go ahead and make that motion. We give the building renovation uh to K, is it KMBB? >> K&B. Um, and because they are under budget as well. Should we put a do not exceed amount? >> That's going to be a hard thing to do because it's being modified as we go.
038>> Okay. >> But um we do have a budget, but I believe they're under budget right now, but we're Lyn's making necessary changes, not for an example that mezzanine and things like that. So, we really not sure exactly what the budget's going to hit on that one. We we do have a standing um understanding that we're not spending we only using Oakland transit monies. Um we're not dipping into the NOA funds that were uh the result of past year's activities. To do that, we'd have to we would have to as a board agree to it. So >> we actually have $500,000 of fund balance draw built into this year's budget. was because our original so that that is part of the budget but we're hoping to not have to get into it if if we
039can stay under the 1.5 million. >> That money was accumulated though under the transit. >> It was from it's that is county money is what she's saying. We have a fund balance >> of being efficient and still have the money. We've already talked Lynn's talked with the county already and they're in agreement that money if it's available can be used for not purposes. So again, we're not diving into the our own I guess you'd say the >> pre22 money or basically by >> pre Yeah, pre-22 money would be the probably the best way to describe that. Yeah. >> Yeah. I don't if you want to put a not to exceed at 90%. He's at 90% of the plans completed. That's these budget numbers. So >> he's got a pretty significant contingent in >> you could
040approve not to exceed 1.3 and with the contingent coming back to state once it's 100% done the revisited number could be approved then >> and that being said I will modify my motion to make it not to exceed the 1.3 and come back to the >> okay so because right now we had he was he was thinking he was going forward with a 1.5 which was what was approved in the budget four to put in these extras. Is that what you mean? So, >> so is the 1.5 100% of the cost? >> That's what he he's hoping he can get with those extras. Get the 1.5 which is in our current budget to get these extras like the two mechanic bays, the compressed airlines, the van hoist and the mezzanine and whatnot. >> If he
041if he can, he'll have to come back >> if he goes over the 1.5 that's already in the budget. >> I just saw the 1.2 following Jet. >> Good. I just want to make sure that we're it's 1.550. I have the actual number that's built in that the it's actually Oakland County's got it in the budget line item. I think it's 1 million550,15. That's the actual amount that's in the Oakland County budget for this year with us. So, >> yeah. Um are there any questions from the board members about what we've just discussed? because we're basically saying we're going to approve um K andB as our general contractor. That's the right number. >> and then um there will be a cap on the project of one >> one million >> $1,550,15 >> which is what
042Oakland County Transit agreed to provide for this purpose. >> I'll second that. >> Okay. So that was >> Yeah. >> Ed's Ed's motion. Yes. >> Jack second. Any questions on the motion? >> Hearing none. Uh, let's do a roll call on that when you're ready. Uh, >> sure. McDonald, >> yes. >> Blood, >> yes. >> Breakfield, >> yes. >> Ferrari, >> yes. >> Ross, >> yes. >> Waffle, >> yes. >> Curtis, >> yes. >> Moore, >> yes. >> Granger, >> yes. >> Okay, very good. Motion carries. Uh, and we'll move on. >> I think was there anything else? Okay. >> All right. The uh next item is the vehicle camera RFP update. Scott already touched on it a little bit. Um I will tell you that Lynn and the admins have been struggling with SMART
043to try and get them to this point because if you might recall I think two meetings ago we were talking about actually doing our own because we waiting for smart to make a decision is time consuming. Now, they're saying in a couple weeks they're going to have a written agreement that will pass we'll be able to take advantage of a pass through from them. Um, not have to order different or different source to get exactly the same equipment, which is a a plus. And, uh, unfortunately, we don't have it to look at today, but we will in a week or so. >> Sure. >> So, um, that's where we are with that. Now, is there anything you wanted to add? No, I'm just happy that they're letting allowing us to um they're we we've done
044this in the past and they are using us as a test pilot. They're like I know we've done it Lyn and in the years gone, but they've not allowed um subreients to handle the procurement on their own without going through the procurement department. But so their plan is that we'll come up with the they've given us we basically have the RFP done. We're just going to take out smart, put note on, change things where we needed. We're going to do a review of the RFP before it goes out. We'll put the RFP out. We'll do the same processes. We'll have the approvals by them and then then hopefully we can do our entire fleet, not just the smart fleet and then have to go back. So, I'm excited about um once we can get that
045out once we um have the the documents um tweaked um hopefully we'll be able to start pick uh looking at the vendors in about a month or so. So, I'm excited about that. And Scott's been actually already pre-demoing all of the vendors right now so that we can determine what specs we want to have as um and uh I just gave him a whole bunch of stuff from the conference yesterday. I said here's here's some vendors we want to make sure research and uh yeah so I think it's great. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Do you have we have all the information next month on the cameras of everything that we could make an approval to move forward on the cameras next month? >> I have. Well, it depends on when we re We have
046to put the RFP out for so many weeks. So we have to follow whatever their procedures are. So it depends on when I get those documents and approval. We have to get a pass through agreement which I'll have to sign and then we have to get the RFP and then they have to approve the RFP and then it has to go out for so many weeks. So, I have to I'm not not sure it's going to be ready for next month, but >> Well, we should >> we could just table it right now and >> yeah, if once we get their agreement that they're willing to have with us, we can get that approved to proceed and then that'll mean the RFPs and all of that will be >> developed and we'll see where it
047goes. That's basically. So, should I be waiting for the board to approve the pass through agreement or can the board approve the pass through agreement for me to to to take that on or is that going to be on the next >> Well, I guess it depends on uh how the board feels about not having something in public, >> right? You know, just to remind some of the members will recall that we recent well, we bought software for our dispatch because we were waiting for we'd been told SMART was going to get great software. Turned out to be not so great. We had a lot of problems. So then they shifted again and said we're going to get a new program and no progress was made on getting RFPs and out. we rather than wait
048uh the county paid for it but we asked them we just went ahead and bought new software that we're currently using um which is head and tails above what we had before that. So bottom line is is would the board's pleasure be to authorize um the uh pass through agreement for the purpose of purchasing cam uh vehicle cameras um for our buses through smart basically it >> you're looking to go out to bid right >> correct our >> that's all you're asking yes >> this board to approve >> to issue requests for proposals Once we have that agreement and motion >> and I'll second it. >> Okay. >> My concern. >> Nothing ventured, nothing gained. >> That's right. >> Okay. >> It's really complicated. >> Okay. Uh does the board require a reading of the
049motion? Are we clear? >> Okay. on the motion to authorize the uh letting of the RFPs once we have the executive director's uh signature available for the pass through agreement with smart um >> all in favor of that authorization please say I >> oppose please say no >> okay you've got the authorization >> thank you board um trolley update I don't want to touch this. Well, I'll be honest. I there's been so much back and forth and things that things that came up that we had no under no realization of how it might impact our organization. Um, but I will hand it over to the pros. >> Yes. Um, no, it has. And I'm I've been including Mike in all the emails, so I apologize. It's probably been blowing your emails up as well, but
050I appreciate I just wanted to have you. Um, so I know uh we we switched over from our normal deductible insurance to our self-insured and I didn't think about the trolley back then when we were doing this. I'm like, whoa, wait a minute. You know, and it was after our June meeting and I'm thinking if we have an issue with the trolley now, if there's an accident, we're responsible for $75,000 because that's what our deductible is now with our self-insured fund and up to 112 for a year. But that's a big liability when I think we're just billing $250 a month for insurance and it doesn't it's not going to cover it. So once I realized that I'm like, you know, we're insuring a vehicle that's we don't own um but we're putting ourselves at
051liability. I just didn't feel comfortable operating because I felt the liability is just putting us at risk. And it was after our meeting. Um so I talked to Mike about it. He agreed. is like that's too much of a risk for us to be out there knowing that if something happened we're liable for 75,000 and I um asked the DDA if they were comfortable taking on that risk not until they got insurance and they weren't comfortable so they started to look for insurance so in the meantime when I realized that the trolley was in the shop so I thought well we've got time this a broken it's a 97 almost 30 year old trolley you know it's I didn't know how long it was going to be out they had to they have to actually
052make parts they don't actually have parts because the company's out, you know. So, it's I didn't really think it was going to be an issue, but then it was done. It was ready and um I think I think it was the beginning of August and I thought, well, we don't have this finalized yet because um in the meantime, they were able to to come up with a million dollars of insurance, which is far under the five million that the open county has. Um plus we had a $10 million umbrella. So, I'm like, okay. So, then I had to go to our attorney. I had to go to Oak County like where does this fall? This is what's going on. Are we able to do that? From Oakland County standpoint, they were okay with it. Um
053our attorney was like, "Okay, well, you're still liable, you know, like over that." So, you just have, you know, I would feel more comfortable if you um had an umbrella and whatnot. So, I got the attorney's opinion. They have come back. Then, they were able to receive um $9 million in umbrella coverage. So, um, after they received that $10 million of coverage, then I think it was, uh, we were able to go out last weekend was the first weekend. So, then we we sent drivers out. So, it's just, um, wanted to bring this up to the board. It is liability that's out there. You know, we're just um, with all that's given gone on the last couple years, it's just a lot of changes for us. I think we started out um, you know, this
054is a community service that we've done. We're not making any money on this. Um, and it has been good, but there, you know, have been issues with the trolley. It's an old trolley and it's breaking down and I don't know if that's putting us at risk um for potential liabilities because it's an old trolley. Um, I just wanted to bring this to the the board to see um are you, you know, comfortable continuing to operate the trolley under this um situation now that where we're at. So that's kind of >> yeah, you have to re remember in considering this that three years ago uh before I should say pre-opland transit, we were a communitydriven still are we're a communitydriven organization but we're servicing a much larger demographic. um technically much larger. We're we're still not
055doing much public transportation, but um we we ran into the uh questions about chartering and having um uh problems with our insurance and our coverage if in doing so. Um so I think it's only fair that the board has to make any decisions going forward. It's not it shouldn't be up to me or Lynn. Um, I guess at this point we would ask what if you have questions or you want to make comments. >> I guess I would want to know like the frequency of the the usage like the frequency of the riders, the the the benefit to the community. I mean, I would want to know like all of those things in order to make a informed decision based on >> it wouldn't affect just the the trolley, the DDA and the DDA's involved
056because some of the activities that they want to do um could like having um u bar visits and >> right I think we talked about that in length the last time >> there's enhanced it's not what not what normally we would service. I mean, yeah, I'm sure we pick up some customers that have had a drink for at home even or mostly, but um uh we have to look at our exposure. Uh I recognize you if you ask. Um >> so from the Charlie standpoint, so just for full transparency, I also sit on the Oxford DA. Um, I the numbers aren't high, but they do make an impact. The trolley only runs most of the time during nicer weather months. Um, the DDA recognizes that it is an old machine and so it's kind of
057backtracking a little bit. The parts we do have to make from here on out. So, we're trying to find solutions whether we buy a new trolley, whatnot. I will say coming to find out that all of a sudden service was just done over the summer when it's the only time the trolley really runs was very it was disappointing. Right? There was no notice from my end. All of a sudden it's done. We get community sponsors. The DDA doesn't make any money on it either. It's a free service. We all kind of do it as a community. Here's a good thing. Came out of the Stronger Together campaign. At this point, Lake Oran has shown less interest in participating in it in the future. And so, we've had conversations about running it as a community service
058around Oxford. So, looking at picking up in neighborhoods like Waterstone or Oxford Lakes, going to 925 to make it more accessible for families within the community. So outside of the DDA district, outside of the village, but still within Oxford Township as well, if we did not have NOTA as a partner, the trolley would be done. We cannot we don't have the capacity to run this type of system that NOTA does. Um I'm glad we were able to figure it out, get it back up and running. I think we can make absolute agreements. Hey, if we're not doing bar crawls, which we had decided as a group here as a board not too long ago, I think that DDA would be completely amendable to that. But for a regular service running Thursday through Sunday, you know,
059almost every week, Lake Orian would only like it during their concerts in the park or a special event service um in the future. And so we're looking at what does this look like moving forward. We like the continued running on a regular basis, but looking at possible different routes and maybe maybe a new trolley in the future, but the actual operation of it outside of holding the insurance, I don't think that we could manage having drivers and figuring that out on our own accord. What is the remaining liability for not if they have their own insurance? Just because that's a higher risk vehicle, the trolley like you know one side is complete benches. If it gets in an accident, all of those riders are going to get they have a high risk of getting hurt,
060>> right? There's no seat belts and there's no seat belt children. >> Yeah. I mean, you can always get named in lawsuits, right? It's it's not just because they have their own insurance doesn't mean that we wouldn't be named. I mean, and that's just a reality of what it is. The other issue I have is just because it's old as far as the reliability of having an accident due to the the you know, it being old and not having and we don't really have a maintenance person to really review to see is it is it really going like I know it was like leaking oil and it's like we don't we don't know, you know, it's we don't really have a maintenance person that's reviewing it. So, it's like I'm concerned about it being properly
061maintained, too, because we don't we'll take it into Dieseltech if one of the drivers says it's running funny, you know, or whatever, but we aren't expert. We know we we aren't experts in trolley, um, especially the 30-year-old one. So, that is a concern, too. Um just what what about possibly having because if it's Oxford and Lake Oran that are using it selling the vehicle to them. >> It's there. >> It's ours. We have it already. >> I don't know. I thought it was still not at that time. >> It used to be smart owned. It was smart owned and it smart basically leased it to for free kind of like our um vehicles. That's how it started. And then the DDA wanted to purchase it because Smart wouldn't let them put advertising on it. So
062then they auctioned it off and bought it. So now it's they own it. We run it. Um and we just literally just build them for the time. >> So the insurance is just mainly for the drivers. It's not actually for the vehicle too. >> Why can't >> No, the insurance liability coverage covers everything. Everything. >> We pay for the workers comp. because we are we're hiring the drivers and then they're paying for the liability insurance for the um for the vehicle. >> That's $75,000 you're talking about. >> Well, we no longer insurance. They insure that. So, >> how much does they insurance for >> for It's a million plus 9 million of um umbrella. So, up to 10 million. >> But no, no cost of the insurance. >> Oh, I don't know what the cost
063is. I I don't have that number up. >> More than a trolley is worth. Oh, and it is. I'm gonna tell you that the trolley is worth nothing >> outside of warm and fuzzies. And it's a good thing to do, >> right? >> The original concept was great when we did that. Mhm. >> It was between Lake Gory and Oxford so we could get the the people >> in between the villages when they had other special events and then but now the concept is sounds like you said the maybe it's run its course that >> I don't think the concept has run it wants to get out of >> Sure. >> Yeah. >> Yes. I've been watching the the PDA meetings too. >> Yeah. So Matt wants to get out of it. It's not I
064don't think that they necessarily want to utilize it in the same way that they may have used to. >> Right. >> Um >> but we have great responses from everybody that does use it. >> Oh, it's but like you said, it's been down all summer when when they really needed it. >> I I think the problem is is we want to use the trolley, but we don't plan to use it. It's broke. So now it's like, oh, forget the trout. So when I say we, nine, eight grandkids and they want to come over, we want to go here, go there. Well, without it reliability, you then don't count on it or use it. All of a sudden, it's back. I saw it weren't running today. I don't know what they were moving, but you're >>
065It was senior day or something. 113 old people. Yeah. >> Our group. >> Yeah, our group. So, you know, it's it's a DDA thing that says it is a great concept, but if it's not reliable, then no one's going to use it. If no one's going to use it, why would they pay a monstrous amount of insurance and continue to spend fixing money on it? So, this is a do they really want it? >> It seems like the really high numbers are on the special events nights. Those are the nights when we see, you know, like um >> if it ran 20 if it ran 20 days out of the month, your rates, your your user rates would be extremely high. But the reliability not being there, people don't even count on correct >> a
066night out. >> And I think the board completely knows and recognizes that. It's something that this year with leadership transition and knowing where it was at that it was it's been kind of a put up or shut up year and understanding our partner communities as well. I think that we at the end of this season, so I would at least ask, you know, the board to let us get through this season and sit back at take a step back as the Oxford DDA, look at our numbers and see where we are vehicle-wise and what the plans for the future are. I think if to shut it down once again this summer, I mean, that puts us DOA at this point. Hey, we got it back up and running for a week, but now we're going
067to vote and say no. The end of the season is what? End of September, I think. I don't have the date off the top of my head. So, if we can get through this and give us some time to look at our equipment failure. Um, I know that would at least be appreciated to get through this particular season right now. >> Seems reasonable to them. Our I looked at our agreement and then promptly forgot the date the term of it. >> 30 days of termination >> for termination. But I meant oh three year. >> It's a three year. >> So March of 26 or April 26. >> Oh, that's fair. >> Yeah. >> Okay, >> that's fair. That gives the DDA time to figure out >> and we don't even run it for most of
068the winter anyway, even though it does have heat. Now, >> which is not a good starting point for selling this. >> I think the same caveats apply that are already in the agreement. It has to be maintained. It has to be safe not only for the public but for our employees and uh that are operating it and uh we basically can't be responsible for things we don't have control over >> mechanical wear breakdowns etc. >> So as long as the insurance liability is adequate to continue um and then we can review it. Um, sounds like you're in a state of possible change with Orian in Orian's involvement. >> Yeah. And the agreement in general, too, because Oran doesn't own the trolley. The agreement moving forward would continue to just it should just be with Oxford.
069So, obviously, we all were, this was learning for all of us. So, moving forward, I think we can clean it up and button it up and at least have a good answer in the next few months. >> Okay. So, you don't think we need to undo an amendment or anything to the existing? We'll just kind of ride this one out. I mean, because it talks about us paying for insurance in the agreement. I didn't know, but I wasn't sure. I thought I'll let the attorney know if we need to do some type of amendment after this meeting, you know. >> Well, yeah. I would assume you'd be agreeable to that. >> Yeah. We're already paying for it. So, >> modifications >> to the agreement itself would would cover the change in responsibility for the insurance.
070Mhm. >> And if we can get through April with this agreement, I think we will all come to the table a lot more informed. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Um Lyn, can we make that your responsibility to get with the attorney and look at it, make the right amendments, and then get it? Uh we can uh vote to have Lynn authorized to have those changes and meet, you know, meet with the the village to sign sign the changes. >> That's good. >> We allow >> with Lake Corin and Oxford DDA both. >> It would just be so this agreement in here >> current agreements. Both of those are in our current agreement. >> Well, if they're not involved, we'll take them out. >> Exactly. So I I think that's maybe a question to ask the attorney
071because Oran is a partner. They have no liability outside. I mean we do their events but they don't own it. They don't have the insurance it. So to me it would be moving forward just with Oxford but I don't know how we want to amend it. >> Well do you wish to consider do you wish that the trolley continue to service orans? Yes, they do through the end of this >> agreement. Okay. >> Yeah. >> So then the amendment would just be relating to the insurance for now >> through through the end of >> through the April end through the rest of the season. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Let's just do that. >> So I get this. They're going to use it September and cold weather is coming in and you're going
072to retire it just for the winter. So basically October all the way through April gives DDA a lot of time. >> It gives us time. They do a special events occasionally. Um, >> so they might run it for like Scarecrow Fest. They might run it for they've done the trolley express >> um in Oregon and in Oxford. So, >> but it's very very minimal usage. >> Okay. >> Yeah. The lighted parade for Christmas and whatnot, that kind of stuff. >> You need a motion. >> Yeah. Yeah. If we could authorize um Mr. Rakefield's made a motion to authorize the executive director to work with legal counsel to amend the uh agreement between the not and the >> Oxford and Orian DDA's uh regarding coverage term and uh related matters >> insurance >> well insurance coverage
073>> yes thank you >> sorry >> is there any question on the motion >> and participation in the agreement. >> Yeah. Well, if Oxford wants to pay, they're paying for everything. >> Exactly. >> Sounds like >> I mean before he meets out >> if they want to let Orian in, that's Yeah, it's their dime, >> right? >> Hate to put it that way, but um Okay, so we have a motion. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Jack, any questions on the motion? >> Hearing none. All in favor of the motion, please say I. I. >> Oppos, please say no. have a problem. It was a very difficult thing to go to work to real quick. Very difficult. I was reading the notes and everything and I didn't know where to go from here.
074>> Yeah. >> Good job. >> Well, we're still Nota is still owned and operated by those at the table here. So we don't want to arbitrarily slight any of our members but we also have to be cognizant of the operating parameters that and they do change and that's what happened in this case I believe so okay um moving on then boys is a long meeting folks um Oakland County's uh drafting a new agreement that's where I mentioned uh part of that uh will be impacted by their uh the study that they're doing. But Lynn, you want to give us a quick update? >> Yes. Um I've included their draft agreement. I highlighted all the changes. There's just a few changes. Um but the one that is the most concerning I think to me is um
075on page three where it says that parties will work collaborative collaboratively and in good faith um for the expansion of the transportation services to include a larger geographical service area broader array of transportation services increase in hours of operation andor increase in ridership consistent with industry practices and the and the one part that I'm concerned with and the Oakland County community transit plan and the transit plan hasn't actually been approved yet. So, um that's my concern is that the funding >> we haven't seen plan is um >> and apparently the plan is due in September that's supposed to be finalized um at the county in September, but it's hard for I think they want us to approve this before they've approved that plan. So, that's my concern. So, >> is it the board wish to
076take any action on this? >> Hearing none, we'll move on. Okay. >> Okay. Okay. Yeah, it's that time of year. The municipal contract uh contracts are coming through from SMART. So, um NOTA has to sign an agreement with SMART to uh get credit for those and that's the intent of the agreement that's in your packet for that purpose. And the one thing is with this is it's um normally it's an annual agreement and this one's like um it's like a oneanddone kind of agreement. So similar to all of your individual communities have to used to used to have to do annual agreements to to pass the municipal credits to NOTA. Um they've changed that which makes it a lot easier for everybody um that it basically until you rescend it um that your municipal credits
077are going to NOA and this is a like a oneandone so we don't have to do it annually. It's just a big time saver. So, are there any questions on it? Otherwise, Oh, go ahead, Jack. >> You have to take this to our boards to get them approved, >> right? Your individual >> Yeah. Our individual boards will have to approve and authorize to sign since it is different. Even if it wasn't different, we'd have to get them to sign it. So, is this it right here? >> This is the one for not, not your individual community. Your the community one, I think, has already been done because I sent that to you and been done. That one's not in perpetuity though. >> That one is in perpetuity. >> Yep, that one is. And this is
078a similar one just for not to approve with smart. >> Okay. >> so at this time, would the board consider um authorizing Lynn to sign the agreement regarding the uh credits from smart being utilized by not >> second motion? Second. >> Yes. >> Very good. Okay. Are there any questions on the motion? Hearing none. Uh >> let's do a roll call vote. This is kind of a monetary transfer kind of thing. >> Oh, sure. McDonald. >> Yes. >> Flood? >> Yes. >> Frankfield? >> Yes. >> Ferrari? >> Yes. >> Ross? >> Yes. >> WPEL? >> Yes. >> Curtis? >> Yes. >> Uh Granger? >> Yes. >> Copen? Yes. >> Okay. Motion carried. Okay. Um final item under uh new business is um as some of us who have been on the board know Carl Cyroski
079I understand moved out of the village of Lake Orian. So he can no longer sit on the not board. Um I have contacted the village and let them know that we're awaiting uh their appointee as soon as practical. Um and they said okay they acknowledge that they need to do that but I have not heard anything. Um but I I just like to on behalf of the board extend our best wishes and gratitude to Mr. Sowski for his activity and participation in the NOTA um agency's uh activities. He was definitely a a contributor. Would this be something that Lynn could have uh Rachel write a letter with the uh noted letter head >> so he could put it on his wall. That would be a nice letter of thank you. Mhm. >> Well, it's appreciation.
080>> Yes. >> Okay. >> Notice I'm not even asking them to do it anymore. >> Okay. I think by ascent the board agrees and >> it's a great idea. >> We'll do that. >> Thank you. Okay. Um when moving on to >> public comments are already done. >> No, that's good. >> Okay. Okay. Hearing no public comments. Um, what's the pleasure of the board regarding receiving and filing the monthly rider and mileage reports? >> I move to receive and file the monthly rider and mileage reports. >> Okay. Motion by second by Brafield. Any questions on the motion? Hearing none. All in favor of the motion, please say I. >> I. >> Post, please say no. >> Board member comments. We'll start on this side. >> Like I said earlier, this is a very very difficult
081board meeting today. There's a lot of things we got accomplished which I wasn't sure we expected with the insurance and good job everyone on this whole board be able to get that final. >> Mr. Curtis, >> um do we do any picking up or dropping off of school children? We only do that if it's like for related to like a work um so like maybe a special needs it's going to some like a work uh >> like a workshop >> workshop right something workrelated um but we don't handle school like >> you pick them up at school and take them to a workshop >> if it's something that's um job related or something that you're learning a skill something we'll do will help with that but >> the thing about it minors comes up >>
082right Who's have we looked into liability with transporting minors without their parents or guardians on the bus? >> Right. We have a um we have a agreement with like if you're a minor, you have to sign this for parents in order to to ride without parents. So, um we have that. >> I had a question. Can I use this to go from here to here as a school child parenthood? That'd be a good question for not, but I'll ask you. >> No, then again, if it's under for under 14, they won't, but if it's over 14, if you have if you have a a parent's um signature, but we don't do school, >> nothing under 14 alone. You know, you can with a parent, but um but not school related if it's just school. >>
083Super. That's all I have. >> I don't have anything other than just enjoy the rest of your summer and have a fun and safe Uh, Labor Day holiday. >> Thank you. >> Uh, share what Carrie said and it's nice meeting you. >> Yes, you >> and uh I used to be in charge of a planned maintenance at a production facility auto so I know what you're going through. >> My condolences. >> No comment. >> Bill. >> Oh, sorry I was late. Had a very important meeting. really excited about this and a lot of a lot of the board members from the village there that came to this were all exited for the mill. It's the best opportunity we've had and if we can put a package together for a proposal on on our uh September
0848th meeting we're going to look at doing that and we're going to start with outside venues on the grounds and while we look at the inside of the mill going forward to to be able to utilize the inside and outside. So the village of Leonard is going to have a destination. [Laughter] We're gonna have entertainment people doing yoga and I guess all kinds of stuff. So I >> think some place to mill around, huh? >> Mill around. >> Yeah, I just live down the street. I can walk there and you know just keep looking around stuff. >> You like to mill around too, don't you? >> No, I'm not. I'll make a motion that we adjourn >> board.