Antrim County Transportation Committee

Meeting Minutes September 2, 2005

Present:  Dawson, Howelman, McLeod, White, Rhoads.

Meeting called to order by Chairman Dawson at 9:00am.

Minutes of August 5 meeting were reviewed.

Letter from MDOT was presented indicating that ACT’s Accessibility Plan has been reviewed and approved.

Wetzel Lake bus schedule was presented.  The bus service was offered on a two-week trial basis from Mancelona to Wetzel Lake.  There was very little ridership, so the service was mutually terminated and will be initiated next summer with more advertising.

An update was provided on the progress of several facility improvements:

            -  The main overhead garage door has been installed.

            -  The new fuel card reader and tank monitor systems have been ordered.

            -  The new slab has been poured and arrangements have been made to move the

                entry door to the front of the building to avoid ice buildup in the winter.

            -  Computer and printer for the fuel card reader system have been ordered.

Presentation of final agreement with Bellaire Schools and ACT to transport Early Childhood Development students to and from Mancelona for the 05-06 school year.

Financial reports were presented including vouchers for September and a fund balance update.  Motion by McLeod, support by Howelman to approve the vouchers and reports as presented.  All voting aye.  Motion carried.

Larry Ager remains off work recuperating from knee replacement surgery.

Rhoads presented an update on ACT hours of operation which are moving from reduced summer hours back to 6am - 6pm beginning September 6.

With the increased workload created by added school and Meadow Brook transportation, Rhoads is in the process of interviewing for two additional part-time (on-call) drivers to be used on an as-needed basis.  In addition, Rhoads is working with the Coordinator/ Planner and the Administration Committee to move Judy Simmons from Regular Part-Time to Full-Time status.  She will continue to serve as the afternoon dispatcher and drive in the mornings.  The Transportation Committee concurred with these plans as long as current full-time driver hours are not affected.

Meadow Brook ridership report was presented.  A total of 22 trips were completed for medical appointments in August.  The general ridership report was presented and indicates an increase of 246 riders over the same month last year.

Rhoads is moving ahead with plans to fingerprint all current and any new drivers to allow for FBI criminal history searches nationwide.  This has become standard procedure for anyone working around school children.

Next meeting is October 7, 2005 at 9:00am.

Meeting adjourned at 9:55am.