yeah it's gonna say some yes yeah it's their story behind them so gas or whatever the cost
is get over this absolutely you're absolutely right yeah good yeah we always got to give ourselves an outdoor
beer in case you need a bag
which stands out
we don't learn
something but I grew up in Florida I still know that
yep federal bank needs like a beggar
you see nine mile you're like I got this I know where she was that I'm almost that everyone loves a grid
31?
Right Good evening like to call the SMART Board meeting on August 24 2023 To order if we can stand for the Pledge of Allegiance
please state your
pledge allegiance
any issue
Thank you Miss SmartNIC will take the roll please.
Chairwoman Miss Hilary chambers. VICE CHAIRPERSON Mr. Abdo had is.
Mr. Apison
that occurred is Ivory President Mr. Royce manucho. Mr. Bert rands again Brosa Mr. John Paul Raya, their sticky Wolber President
All right, we'll move to item number four adoption of the agenda. I would like to remove item F. Do I need an amendment before we approve the agenda to remove item F Tiffany or can we just make that change and then approve these?
You may make the change. Okay,
so we're moving item F.
Madam Chair, make a move motion to approve the agenda with the removal of item add
support.
It's been moved in supported all those in favor, aye. Aye. Any opposed? The eyes have it the agenda is adopted. Certification of public notice
SmartWool hold the August 24 2023. Board of Directors meeting at 6pm and Macomb County Community College Elbert l Renville. Cultural Center, building K located on located on 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township, Michigan 48038. This meeting is open to the public.
I'll take a motion to
approve the minutes from the board meeting on July 27.
So move support. It's been moved and supported. All those in favor. Aye. Any opposed? Hearing none the meetings
are approved. Are there members of the public that would like to participate
in come forward and please state your name and your city of residence
seem I'm the only one good evening members of the board. My name is Lukas wisekey I'm from Farmington Hills Oakland County. I attended the board meeting in August of last year in which smart declared that it had become the new smart new branding new livery is on the buses a massive ad campaign that smart was moving on from what it was and turning into something new. But in that one year of new smart, their drivers the rank and file who make this organization Ron had been working for just a week shy of nine months without a contract, which is causing a major struggle to attract and retain new operators and make progress toward a crisis. There's been affecting this agency for many years and causing cancellations. cancellations, which in spite of my previous comments do seem to be not only not getting better, but actively getting worse as we speak. few anecdotes just from the past week, your basic cuts on the 796 two days in a row at last at least one run I think actually two runs yesterday out of it's for a seven run gap twice in the past week on routes 14 and 420, leaving no service in one direction on both routes for eight hours straight. No 460 service at all. This past Sunday, both of the scheduled runs at two hour headways were canceled according trackers, a triple caught on to six one last week leading a two hours service gap for those trying to get to Metro airport and maybe catch expensive scheduled flights that they were depending on smart to get them to. So if smart cannot deliver the service, it's already promising. We have no assurance that they will be able to deliver on Oakland transit, after it's been nearly nine months, more than nine months that they've had the funding that the voters have entrusted them with to expand into all of Oakland County. We've seen the cuts that we were told would make that possible but none of the plant extensions into Novi, Waterford, Rochester Hills, et cetera. We've seen the 796 and 760 go away on Saturdays, but nothing gained to speak of in that compromise we were promised was necessary. So we cannot expect to be on par with other regions. If smart cannot be on par with the service provided just four years ago. I would urge you to make more progress toward ratifying a contract and solving the operator crisis so we can get moving with expansion. And to close, I would ask that the written comments be read into the record at today's meeting, because there are a number of my colleagues who weren't able to make it today. And I would appreciate if they were assured that their comments weren't ignored as many of them fear they are. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Thank you. Is there anyone else from the public that would like to speak? Madam Chair, I have an email from Robert Pulaski. I would like to read that's okay. Please. Good afternoon, members of the board and staff. I hope you are doing well and enjoying the nice weather this week. I am not trying to be rude while voicing this comment. But after six years of my life I have been passionate about advocating for public transit. This is one of the worst times for Smar I've seen in many years of riding this system for the past year and eight months of consistent Miss Ron's lack lack of drivers cutbacks on service, and plans to expand service in Oakland County. It has been made made known that smart does not just have big goals but cannot fulfill them. We saw people at the July board meeting come in with anger including people who don't live within smart service zone. It has been clear that most of the board wants to see action including some staff. After the last meeting. Members of the public last month talked about multiple topics that I've already listed. The one thing that sticks out is Miss Ron's. We all know how we got there, and it's disgraceful to see these drivers suffer much worse than the rapid bus drivers strike in Grand Rapids earlier this year. This has got to stop and it's beget is getting beyond ridiculous and uncalled for on a leadership level. Smart has so much hope going into the future. And I'll continue to advocate for it. However, the issue we have been brought up repeatedly without listening, listening. And leadership is doing the same thing constantly by ignoring us when we want better transit service. That's not leadership. It's corruption. Listen to your board members and staff who wants to change stop making excuses and do the work you are hired to do. Keep your promises and let's get back to normal and continue normal and continue to grow smart. And it's named for many years. Thank you Best regards, Robert Palacky vice chair of the RTA Those are all the comments via email, Madam Chair. Thank you.
Seeing no other members of the public that would like to participate, we'll close public participation and move on to item number eight, the chairpersons report. Well, I am very pleased to be back at Macomb Community College and this lovely campus on Garfield and MC 89. I would ask my colleagues from a call if they would like to say any words of welcome or update in any any any anything JP, thinking,
Thank you, Chairwoman chambers. We want to welcome everyone not only to the side but appreciate the strong partnership and advocacy that Macomb community college presidents or the Board of Trustees and all the advocates across the entire organization have given to mobility enhancements across Macomb County. Having the anchor here were not only the crosstown routes, and the Garfield route come in as a hub and spoke model for here has not only helped us anchor the flex service along and 59. But having celebrated and actually launched that a few short years ago here. I think it really is taking hold to a number of those aspirations that we've had in that new mobility models. So very much appreciative of everyone coming out to the side and obviously with the impending and still pending doom of weather that is in the area. appreciate my colleagues showing up today. And Vicki, I'll throw it over to you for anything.
No, I think I'm good. You said it. Well. JP. Thank you,
Madam Chair. Yes, my apologies for the interruption. There was one more that I missed. And for the record, his name is Michael Woolard to allow for that to the board for them to review.
Thank you. Okay, moving on to
item number eight, nine, the general manager's report.
Good afternoon.
Good afternoon, members of the board. All right. I'm going to have some of my colleagues helped me on the general manager manager's report. The first one is going to be from our Vice President of planning to talk about some service that we're going to be implementing in September.
Good evening, Madam Chair, members of the board. I'm here to share that on Monday, September 11, which is the beginning of our quarterly run pick, we will kick off the first round of expansions in Oakland County, we will have 68 new bus stops serving no by Wixom and Bloomfield Hills, I think it's to be of no that this is the first time in 28 years, there will be transit service, and no by and Bloomfield Hills. And to the best of my knowledge, it'll be the first time Wixom has had fixed route transit service. So we are thrilled to begin the expansion and to get these buses out on the road in these communities. Thank you.
The next thing I'd like to bring up the bar with the board on is our vice president External Affairs is going to give a recap of a conversation that I two conversations as a matter of fact that I've had with the minority newspapers that represent the Asian, Hispanic, the Jewish and the Arab American communities. And one of the things that one of the reasons why we wanted to do it is we want our service our staff to reflect the region that we serve. So we're going to be doing a lot of outreach in terms of jobs in those communities. And through those newspapers. That alternative is open or not.
So good afternoon, Bernard Parker, Vice President of External Affairs and through the chair. Ironically, our boss stole my thunder because exactly what he just articulated. I've written typed that up, fall, but yes, absolutely. A few weeks ago, we met with the new Michigan media. And as we as we move forward to be more diverse and inclusive in a ridership. We met with five major newspapers, Arabic, Asian, Jewish, Latino, and then also we've been meeting with African American newspaper through Michigan Chronicle, Hiram Jackson. And again, the purpose is simply this is to reach a targeted audience for recruitment to hear about their experiences as it relates to ridership, transit, and then even workforce development. What's unique about these publications, JP is that you know, particularly the Jewish community, the publication's reach over 140,000 targeted folks, whether it's on websites, or the newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and forums, So what was thrilling was just an opportunity for the very first time for them to meet Mr. Pharaohs general managers smart, but for them to tell their stories. And what we found is each community is different in its own way. Some were more concerned about elderly, others were concerned more about workforce development. And then some was just just simply, we just want to be able to have the opportunity to be mobile, or transit throughout the three major, three major communities within the counties rather within Southeast Michigan. So it's very eye opening. And of course, we're keeping that dialogue. And in closing, we've already started in some of the publications and doing some of the things, for instance, our last hiring event, through the Arab American news gap, we actually went and had our advertisement translated into Arabic. And so we look to do that within the other communities as well. So thank you very much of your time.
The only thing I'd like to add to that is not only do we want to diversify our staff, but also contracting opportunities. There are a number of small businesses and minority owned businesses that are out there that don't even think about the fact that they could do business with us. So in the coming months, we'll be coming to the board. Because we do spend federal dollars we are required to have so many of our so much such a certain percentage of our contracts go to disadvantaged businesses, which is defined by them. But that does not mean that the board cannot have its own goals as it relates to minority vendors, women own vendors, and veterans. So we're going to be developing something in the coming months with you all in concert, so that we can spread the spread the wheel for lack of a better term to the business in Southeast Michigan.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank
you, Mara. Was there any other additional items in your general
manager's report?
No. Oh, oh, yes. There he is. I'm sorry.
So Madam Chair
This is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the partnership between smart and MTA. So 50 years no time. I have black hair back then. So
so so and that presented it to us or it was
presented to us at the Michigan Public Transportation associated me Association meeting earlier this earlier.
Very nice. So Bernard wants a picture.
Thank you. All right.
So do we all want to share what we're doing? Are you working in Oklahoma City and
at any level, did everyone
know that Mr. Manica was in our planning? Brett, it's filled by mammals and smiles.
Wow. Wow, a lot of typos in those. The up to
L How about you? What were you doing in 1873 74?
It's 73. I was born politically because it's the first year I ran for political office in 73. I ran for city council in the city of Waco.
Very nice. Congratulations, you,
Madam Chair. I do have one story to tell in 1976 when the first county executive came in, I was tasked to go to every community with Dan Dirks, who was the general manager. At that time, he was a planner I think for simta. And we were asked to look at a half mil from each community to have a county wide dial right system 63 communities at that time night meetings. I think I was out there a full year at least trying to get into rose Township, Springfield Township, et cetera. And it was a very interesting experience at that time to get the pulse of the community. Again, the southeast portion of the county wanted public transit, they wanted the dial right system. But the other three quarters of the county certainly was opposed to it. So it was a very interesting process. I thought we had a chance when we began, when I got done meeting with 63 communities. I felt in talking to county executive Murphy, I said, we don't stand a snowball's chance. But I'm glad to see 50 years later, we do have a county wide millage
took us 50 years where we got it over the finish line.
Sometimes planning takes a long time.
Imagine where we're going to be in 2073.
Thank you.
So we'll move on to item number 10. The board briefings the HR hiring update is first.
Good afternoon.
Well, last month for our board update on the hiring update, we did a much more involved discussion to bring you up to speed on the past year of hiring, and what the experience has been in that presentation committed to you that every month we would come back with the numbers from the previous month to show that at that same activity. So for this month, what we have seen is still a strong number of applications coming in for our CSS aids, we had 26 applications from July 24. To today, from mechanics just two applications have come in. For fixed route operators, we sell 48 applications. And for connector drivers or app readers, we saw 38. So for drivers overall, we saw 86 applications total for these positions 114 applications. In that we did hire for 24 Total positions for various positions. But I'll highlight the three that I think are most poignant to this audience. And that is we hired eight fixed route coach operators, one connector bus operator, and for mechanics overall. So we had some applications that were still in process from the previous month. So we were able to get some more mechanics on board. From that. We also want to be honest about the number of folks that are no longer with us. So what we also looked at was the number of separations in that same time for your period. And what we saw was that we had a total of 11 separations of fixed route and connector operators that were still in training. So total for hiring for this particular month is a net negative to on the operator side, I wish I had better news to share. But that is our reality. At this time, we are beginning a process of looking into what is happening in the training process and working with Amy may to determine if there is something that we can do to do to better retain our trainees. Once they're in the in the system. We don't We must a lot of it is sometimes we have no shows, they get the job, we set them up. And then they just don't come to training. There's not too much we can do about those. But for the ones that are in the system and start to show up, we'll see if we can do a deep dive into how to better retain them. We did have this this past month a hiring event. It Focus HOPE Bernard alluded to that a very successful event. We will continue to do those we had 88 attendees, we made 29 offers. Three of those offers are complete, and we have start dates for August 28 for those candidates, and we are still in the process, the hiring process, but the remaining offers that were made. So more to come on that hope to have some news to share next month and a hiring update concerning the operators and what we are going to move forward that agenda.
Thank you. We appreciate the transparency even when it's difficult news with the separations. Do you I mean they were actually employee you don't count as a separation? If they went through training and didn't start they were no shows shows? Or do you count that as a separation?
Our system does count them as the separation they were we never counted them officially as operators in our system. But they didn't make it through the training. We're trying to show what we are doing in terms of hiring because if we didn't do that, we would have no numbers to show and
do you do you have an opportunity to do any type of exit interview with any of them in terms of call reasons.
Or sometimes we can get a reason it is rare that you can get them from the
trainees. So one of the
one of the things that we are going to do, there are certain there are certain steps that they have to progress through. Some of them don't have CDL, some of them have more difficulty getting CDLs some will get discouraged and quit because they couldn't get a CDL and things like that. So we want to work through that to see if we can help eliminate that. Because it takes a lot for us to recruit somebody. And so if it's just a matter of you not being able to pass the CDL we'll work with you and to do so there are some things that we're going I'm trying to work through as far as that's concerned.
That's cool. Any other questions from my colleagues? And then item number b is
the new paratransit vans.
Good evening.
Good evening.
Excuse me. This is a video from the Blues Brothers.
The other ones hiding here. Oh, he's up here. So members of board Good evening, we LaWanda and I worked with smart staff to put together a video to show the difference between the rear loading and the side loading paratransit vans that the board graciously approved the funding to allow us to upgrade them and then after the video plays we're going to show with the with those vehicles will look like with the new paint design so that
don't want to miss this Good morning
as far as board of directors on behalf as far as maintenance department and smarts paratransit department, we bring to you the game changer. The game changers takes the vehicle from being a rear mounted with sight and Floyd vehicle. This actually brings more of a more safe, direct approach to loading ADA passenger onto smart transportation.
Smart its
focus is is always on the safety of passengers and our operators. And the game changer takes that to another level. With our current fleet of cutaway vehicles we have smart has always had a side loading functionality, as you see with this new game changer. And we believe that this is a safer feature for our passengers as well as our operators. And you're going to see a few slides of why the differences are so important to Natalie smart for to the region and the community.
As we explored the differences between the rear loading transit vehicle, and the side loading transit vehicle will first begin with the rear loader. As the driver gets into position to drop off and add a rider they may need assistance in order to get the vehicle safely into position to drop off the rider. Once in position. The rider then can be safely deployed onto the curb side. While the rider is safe, the vehicle may still be impeding traffic. And now let's take a look at that same rear loading vehicle as it approaches curbside. This time we'll be picking up a rider. So as that same rider was deployed safely on curbside in order to board the vehicle Once again, the rider may be forced to load in impeding traffic and that may not be safe. So now we'll take a look at the side loading vehicle. The game changer. The side loading vehicle is a lot safer. As it pulls up to the curb side. The driver is able to deploy the rider safely on the curb side and the vehicle is not impeding traffic. This is the same when the rider is being picked up and plays back on board the vehicle. So of course we believe the game changer is the smart way to go.
We would like to thank Quincy Lewis from smarts marketing team, norm of Hotjar from smarts paratransit team and a special thanks to Aaron Bosley, one of smarts Oakland paratransit operators for assisting in this demonstration today.
We also like to give a big thanks now to mobility transportation, who is responsible for the actual manufacturing of both of these vehicles
smart would also like to thank SMART Board of Directors for graciously approving smart to purchase the sideloading Game Changer vehicles at the June board meeting.
Thank you smart news. Yeah.
As I remember, it was done scripted.
And we did do probably a half dozen takes on it. It's not
really we're not we're not
gonna know what the outtakes
I was thinking that boys might be in the chair coming down. I'd
love to do that next time next time.
Absolutely. Fabulous. Thank you. So we would also like to show what these vehicles will look like with the new paint scheme. And so first is going to be the van the game changer with the side load feature. And then next will be our paratransit vans or vehicles, the cutaways with the new paint
colors.
And so those should be coming towards the end of this year.
Yes. Very nice.
How many of the rear loading vans do we have and then what becomes of them doing just use them without using the rear loading
or have smart only operates right now six rear loading bands, majority of the fans are now in the communities which now as we move forward, the game changer will be available for their purchase.
So currently directly operated, we don't have any rear loading. All of our cutaways are currently in service, those load from the side, the vans are going to were added to the fleet to access, you know, tighter spaces, apartment complexes, and areas where we feel that loading from the back is really unsafe. And so this present provides us the opportunity to add additional safety features. And as Luan said, we now have a an option for the communities going forward. I'm sure.
Game one,
how's the training been going with the operators on this? Obviously, with a new feature on that end, one of the things we've been discussing is safety and providing the resources to our operators to make sure this as seamless as possible. How's that process been going? And what's the feedback we're hearing from the operators?
So if you're referring to the wheelchair training that we haven't got, yeah, it's been really good. We've done three sessions. Now we did the last one in a few weeks ago, in Wayne, where we had communities from all three different all three counties show up, we've been able to not only teach better ways to strap wheelchairs down, but also the wheelchair extenders, and how to properly use those so that the chair is chairs are as secure as possible. Operators have been learning new methods, our operators have been getting good feedback from communities. It's been really good interactive back and forth.
Thank you gentlemen, really appreciate it. Well done on the video. Thank you.
One of the other things as is two things. Actually, if you'll note in the video, there were times when the operator had to back up of which we don't want them doing. Yeah. So that eliminates that. And the other thing is those vehicles will be in all likelihood, well, we will deploy when we when we expand flex, as opposed to what VA uses right now, which is some. Right. So so that's the intent is to deploy vehicles like that, when smart bring some of that and started delivering flex service itself as we expand.
It's interesting.
I mean, why did the rear loading become the way that people went? Well, it seems so obvious at first, it felt like okay, I could see reloading, but when he had to back in to the space, it was like, why would you think that was the way to go?
Well, it's, it's a lot easier just from the vehicles perspective to put a rear loader in because you don't have to make any modifications to the vehicle to put the side leg again, you got to cut. Right. So you have to do a lot of engineering to make sure that the structure is Sam once you cut a big deal, big hole in the side. So that's it. And so that's, I think, to me, that's the future. It's certainly our future. But I think that it's going to be the the future of the industry going forward.
Okay, any other questions from the board?
Do you have one, Madam Chairman? Will any of these be electric?
One day, yes. So just just so that the board will, will know, we currently have on the street, an RFP for an alternative fuel analysis. That will come to the board for approval ultimately. And in doing so, they're going that that assessment is going to determine for the future, what our mix needs to be between electric and hydrogen. The electric vehicles quite frankly, just don't have the range. We've talked to some other people who have done it. AC Transit for one thought they were gonna go 100% As it turned out, they went 30% Electric and 70% hydrogen. And so one of the things I've also found out recently that there's some green hydrogen generation opportunities. So once we get that done, then we can determine what percentage of the of our fleet because I think right now they run on propane.
Yeah, so the cutaways will remain propane. The vans will come in as gasoline
for now, for now.
And the struggle that we have had as an industry, you can't get a diesel one of these in More. Nobody makes a diesel engine in a paratransit space. So it's either gas or propane powered, which is a, which is a real problem because they're really not designed to do the kind of heavy duty work that we're doing. So just FYI. Thank you. Okay, we'll move
on to new business. Number A, I'll take a motion to approve the nominating committee appointments.
Everyone's a little hesitant about this one. I don't think
we have yet but probably needed.
I know, approved and supported. And,
Lord, do you want to tell us
what we can do here? Yeah, I know where this is leading. But yes,
this agenda items seeks Board approval of the chairs appointments to a nominating committee, which will recommend candidates to the full board to serve as chair and vice chair during the 2324 term. In accordance with board bylaws, Article Three sections three and four, the board chair subject to the approval of the SMART Board shall appoint a nominating committee. The chair will name three board members to the committee and board approval by resolution is required. And here to request that the board chair name three board members to the committee, none of whom are currently board officers and specify which member will serve as chairperson and
remind us of the officers. So that would that would Mr. Hatice is not an app is not a candidate for this nomination.
Correct. Is there anyone else? The chair and vice chair by right? Yeah, I know I'm known. Okay,
so we have Miss Wolber is a volunteer. And Brett Raz again is a volunteer. And then Dr. ibori, or Mr. Manica has any any any volunteers?
What is this entails
generally one meeting before our October meeting. Right or before September?
Correct. Before the September meeting.
In person? I don't know. Historically, yes. In person. Yep.
And you generally do before the next meeting? Yeah. Okay. So, generally before the next board meeting in September, the Committee will need
any volunteers?
Do they have to be separate? It has to be someone from every county should be meeting. Okay. And it can't be so duck ivory. Sorry. You're nominated. So, okay,
so, okay,
so what am I nominated
to be on the committee that selects the next board chair and vice chair because we rotate every year looking. Okay. Excellent. And Vicki will serve as the chair of this committee. So Vicki Woolgar as the chair and Brett rise again and Dr. Curtis, ivory as the members of the committee,
Madam Chair, I make that motion for those members nominated. I'll support it madam
chair. It's been moved in supported all those in favor, Aye. Any opposed? And the eyes habits so moving on. Thank you. Item number b I'll take a motion to approve a resolution authorizing a contract for water vacuum and hydraulic hoses and fittings service so moved man support moved in supported
for Good evening Madam Chair, SMART Board of Directors General Manager, Faro, Deputy General Manager Gunder smart staff and participating members of the public and we have smart things department is the recommendation that the Board adopted catch resolution authorizing a contractor award water vacuum hydraulic hoses and fitting surfaces to exotic auto automations. This is a three year contract with two one year options, and it costs are to exceed $175,000. Any questions?
No questions. All those in favor? Aye.
Any opposed? The eyes have it the resolution is approved. We'll move on to item number c I'll take a motion to award a contract for sign poles and anchor sleeves. So support that's been moved and supported.
Is the recommendation that the board adopts the attached resolution authorizing award contract beside poles and anchor sleeves to Volcom Inc. This is a one year contract with one one year renewal option at a total cost of $240,000. Any questions?
Is this the incumbent
a new no this is not the incumbent. I believe this actual was presented to the board. Maybe three board members three board meetings ago and actually the incoming didn't produce a COI so this is the second runner up
Okay, any questions? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed?
And the resolution is approved. I'll take a motion to award a two month contract ratifying the swiftly mobility platform for transit.
So move support, been moved and supported. Good evening. Good evening.
Before Miss Brownlee, this is our first presentation. It
is nice welcome.
Good evening, Madam Madam Chair, Board members, General Manager, barrel, Deputy General Manager, gumpa, staff and public. Thanks for allowing me to present this recommendation to the Board staff recommend board's approval of resolution authorizing a two month contract ratification. The length of this contract ratification is due to negotiations between smart and swiftly. continuation of this project, it's important to the daily operations of smart for the departments that are involved with operations and passengers. Staff recommends Board approval of the resolution authorizing disapproval for the following contract to swiftly at a cost up for two months of $62,629.67. Hey, what the operating dollars continuation of this project is imperative for all our daily operations.
Thank you. Any questions? Seeing no questions? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The eyes have it and the resolution is approved. Thank you.
And moving to item number G. A resolution the fiscal year 2020. For unified work program. I'm sorry. Oh, nicely. D sorry. Resolution II. Okay, we're back to swiftly authorizing a 10 Month Award for swiftly mobility platform for transit.
Staff recommends Board approval of a resolution authorizing the approval of a 10 month contract with two one year options. continuation of this project. Again, it's very important for our daily operations. both the public and the employees at Smart Staff recommends Board approval the resolution authorizing the approval of the following contracts swiftly at a cost not to exceed $1,179,374.27.
Any questions,
Madam Chair, make that motion
support is moved and supported all those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
We'll take a motion to consider a resolution for the fiscal year 2020 For unified work program.
So moved. It's been moved in supported Miss Lloyd. Thank you.
Staff recommends Board approval of the resolution authorizing the general manager to execute of project agreement with some cog for an FTA section eight technical studies grant and to confirm that a local match is available. This grant is commonly known as the unified work program. This is an annual grant that smart receives from sem CAG that allows us to conduct planning activities throughout the year. It assists with such cost as planning staff salaries, public hearing costs and trainings. This year's grant will allow funding for staff to manage the areas of persistent poverty grant that we've received two for the city of Pontiac. The grant is for 389,500, of which smart's 18.15% match is $70,694. And it has been included in this year's
budget. staff is available for questions. Are there any questions? All those in favor? Aye. Aye.
Any opposed? And the eyes have it and the resolution is approved. I'll take a motion to go into Executive Session. So
moved, moved and supported roll call
madam Hillary chambers Mr. Abdo, Hatice. Yes, that's occurred is Ivory. Mr. Royce manucho Yes, Mr. Brett raise again. Yes, Mr. John Korea. Yes, Miss Vicki Wahlberg. Yes.
All right. Thank you all for your patience. I'll take a motion,
Madam Chair and make a motion that we proceed as recommended by counsel in closed
session. It's been moved in supported all
those in favor, Aye. Any opposed?
Does it have to be a roll call now? No. Thank you. The motion is approved. Seeing no board member
business, I'll take a motion to adjourn. So move Madam Chair.
