right look all the December meeting of the RTA board to word is anyone everyone they can look at the agenda, recording in progress we'll make a motion to approve the agenda for our labor approval of the November board meeting seller, does anyone have any changes suggestion? Applications entertain a motion to approve words All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Public for the public is there anyone online?
I don't see anyone
once or twice a day until October 2022 financial reports this is an action lat
last month leaving
the area
I like so, for today, we have the financial statements for both sides over in November. As you may or may not recall there was a lease expense for October which you will see as my oh
you will see a charge of 86,500 under other contracts 80 I believe that whole entire mount is for agreement software license which is our planning software. Also in the month of October is the transportation services expense of just under $1.5 million. That is m one rail for the disagreement that we have for their expenses for their fiscal year ended September
21.
So are there any questions on financials?
Okay, motion to approve
all in favor. Aye. Any opposed? For November on the income statement, again, most everything satisfied. There is again transportation services charges for both operations and marketing. That is the expenses for the DC eight service for the quarter ended September 30 2022. is about that is the only out of the ordinary. Is there any questions I'm
hearing none, I'll entertain a motion to approve. Hello I'm Peter Hi. 2023 RTA board meeting element
the last Yeah.
Okay
we have in front of you in front of you the standard meeting calendar for the for 2023. One o'clock meetings every third Thursday are standard public transit pack meetings system advisory committee meetings. So it's pretty straightforward in terms of action. I do want to maybe for board consideration, think about and we can bring an adjusted schedule potentially doing every quarter during a meeting at a different county. So didn't want to open when made with Washington calm. So I guess want to get some input on that. And then also potentially those meetings and or other meetings moving to an evening meeting as I thought that obviously is open to everything we know we have some board members that are coming from further away. We have some board members who work during the day, certainly members of the public. So I think we're open to doing a few meetings in the evening and keeping some other meetings you know, at the one o'clock time or whatever the board's open. So folks are open till we can give you a better
suggestion
in our meetings found
worked well for us to our going to get some and I think evening works a little bit better. So that would be
options. I would be curious what kind of anticipate when we get our online audience
it's pretty limited.
I mean today's fairly limited. It depends on our account but I mean depends on the topic.
Range like what's the most
I would say in the last like two or three years average maybe what does in is like? Insane. It doesn't Yeah, I mean,
it doesn't get any more
more convenient from wherever they are, that they're interested in. Football and wherever there's people watching part of what we're doing. I just wonder if the logistics of you all actually going wherever you got to go into somebody in some remote locations to move things around. But this person microphones pollinated plates right
so I don't know. Everybody's call them okay. Especially it just told us spring summer may be considered at that time especially if we have something going on. Valid January, February, March, April. Maybe that's okay. That bird is a foul there's a lot goes into remotely
all. Flexible
but I do agree with Bremen winter evening meetings people often what I found is an elected official is that people in come out more live when there was a passionate issue that they cared about. Okay. Do like you know,
we've always been flexible. So I think what we'll do is we'll keep our standard theme schedule. So it's just it's nice and solid and this is what it is and we'll just kind of keep our eye on it. And if we feel like we have a meeting or we're kind of coinciding the meeting, maybe it was something else, you know, some kind of reasonable showcase with the providers or something that's a little bit you know, we can kind of put both together and want to go to a central location in a different time, we can kind of coordinate it around. So let's keep it open. So I just want to let the board know we are looking for different options, but everyone's kind of comfortable with this and their schedules i definitely read during the winter. And I would just also say that it's become even harder with the technology stuff because we have to make sure to bring them to point if we go into another place we have to make sure people can still attend virtually with these guys know about all the stuff and it's that we can just show up there anymore. So we'll keep our eye on and they will look at a couple of venues just so if we want to make that change. We did have a couple of days one or two just counting and we're like okay, we know this is
okay, good. Thank you.
Next on the agenda is the 5310 Golf or project strategy now this is not an action information. So,
Dale is going to watch that presentation up on the screen so everyone can see. Just for the record, my name is harmony Lloyd I'm the chief operating officer and I will be working closely with staff to coordinate this project. So we wanted to just give the board an overview. It isn't an action item but we want you to be fully informed of of this project which will occur over the next few months. So we'll discuss the coordinating human service plan and program management plan and how those play into the 5310 call for projects, what the schedule looks like and the funding that's going to be available to the community the application process and the scoring criteria. So 5310 is the official name by the Federal Transit Administration is the enhanced mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities. The government typically likes to make few acronyms, but for some reason this one, they didn't choose to do that. So you will hear it referred to as 5310 and that's this pot of money. It supports as its name indicates transportation services that are planned, designed and carried out to address the specific and unique needs of older adults and people with disabilities. RTA is the designated recipient of this funds similar to the 15 rule seven money that comes into this region. So it's our responsibility to take that money and then distribute it. The difference is this comes in as a competitive stream of money. So we do get a set amount from FTA but then it is up to us as an agency to do a call for projects and you have organizations that provide these services, submit applications for funding and we have to make choices around that. We are going to do a two year call for projects. That's how we did it last time they covered 2021 and 2022. So this will cover fiscal year 23 and 24. And like I said it's a competitive process.
So how do we
know how to do this? There's a federally mandated coordinated human service transportation plan that was done by RTA and completed in 2021. So you hear a lot about these studies and these plans and programs and there is typically a good reason behind them and this is one of those you do have to have a coordinated plan that shows that you've been out in the community and gotten input from both the people you're looking to serve and then people who provide the services to really understand where the gaps in service are and where best the needs can be met. And so through that plan, you develop strategies to improve transportation, include them in the plan, and then when people apply, they have to make the connection to those strategies so that we make sure that we are funded things that the community really needs. The other plan that governs this is called the program management plan. And that really is more of on the administrative side. That's the document that guides us as RTA on how to distribute the funds how to work with what is called the sub recipients, the people that get the funding and then the guidelines they have to follow which because it's federal money, there are many and they can be very detailed. So we work with the program management plan and to guide us and to make sure that the sub recipients have our support so that they can meet any requirements that they have to
accept that federal money.
The schedule we're looking at for the call for projects will start in February. We will release the information to the public we will spend a significant amount of time. You can see from February to April we will do active outreach to organizations that have and providers that have received the funding in the past and make sure they know about it. And then also organizations that may have not received it but are providing services that could potentially be a good option for this funding path. So we will be working tirelessly to make sure that people know this money is out there and available and that if it fits with what they're doing that they have the opportunity to apply. In March we'll put together a project selection committee. It is a large committee and a combined RTA representatives members of the CAC the Citizens Advisory Council, we use
providers. Usually we'll have somebody here who represents the facilities
aging
facility network somebody expect a nonprofit world that's horses.
people to realize
there are a lot of applications split.
They will go through a scoring process which I'll touch on in a minute. We'll review the applications and then in May of 23. We'll we'll bring those to the board with our recommendations and the board will select the projects that are funded.
This is the funding amounts
that we have to work with one of the important things to note is there is just like the other funding method B 307. Money 5310 is divided into an arbors funding and then the Detroit areas funding and we cannot change those amounts. So we have to add which is 790,000 for Ann Arbor and about a little over 12 million for the Metro Detroit region. This is a significant bump. So it's a really great opportunity for us to fund some things that maybe we weren't able to in the past was
3.8 billion
or fist bump is
thanks. Oh actually yeah, the bump is actually 22. It's about 1.5 million, and about 93,000. And so that's from the infrastructure and so the infrastructure at court more money and all formula programs, including this one, that's why they're 22 money, we program 22 And then the infrastructure don't happen. So now we're taking that extra money and so that's actually that's the bulk right there good, you should we have a slide we have slide. Yeah.
Sorry. Okay. So one of the interesting things about this 53 tenon pot of money is that FTA divides it into what they call traditional projects and non traditional projects, and you have to keep within those buckets of money. So 55% of that funding that you saw, has to go to traditional projects, and those are typically bus replacements. They often go to places like senior centers, people who are doing transportation for for these populations and need help with replacing their vehicle. Mobility Management programs have become incredibly popular over the past few years. Those are now considered at one point those were non traditional. They're now in the traditional bucket because they're strongly encouraged. By FTA. And then we can use 45% for non traditional and those are things like capital projects that would fall outside of a vehicle replacement. Travel training, which is another program that's become popular in recent years, which is really about teaching people how to use the transit system in their community. And then if people want to do expansion program, so it may be somebody who has received funding from us in the past. They want to try something new or new partnerships, something to enhance the service that they're providing, then that would fall under that traditional projects, but it would be something that's eligible. Sure.
So there are some transportation
agencies that I'm aware of Yes, may follow this statement.
As long as their funding for this program for this pot of money, their primary purpose is to use it for older adults and people with disabilities than they would qualify.
Absolute Absolutely,
absolutely. Area Agency on Aging. We do.
Our profilers, like
for example, this Jewish Family Services. Yeah.
They are a very elastic system. So when they apply separately
they upgrade that's great question. They're one of our largest recipients of this funding, both in the Washington area and in the metro Detroit area. They apply independently, but they have to have a direct recipient so you're smart. RTA, Tripoli, TA and in arbor. B their pastoral so classically Jewish family firms services has a relationship with smart so Jewish Family Services apply to us we say yes, this is a this is a project or somebody's done this work before and clearly eligible. All things are good. We grant the money. We technically kind of grant the money to smart and then smart has the the actual flow of money goes between MTA smart. So that's just one of the weird parts of this money but but Jewish Family Services absolutely applies. We fund tripling one the mobility management program, the RTA runs with Tripoli Wednesday through this month.
So to be able to apply when different, smaller people so we're thinking to develop a relationship first.
So what we would love you to ask if they haven't done this before is that we would want them to attend a meeting we probably would do a little matching with them and say, does it make more sense for just for smart to take you on a sub recipient BRCA can take you on as a sub recipient, kind of do a little matching, essentially and figure out like yeah, everything else is eligible. You just have to find somebody who's gonna be able to do this. So, yeah, yeah, absolutely. That's a part of that. That extensive outreach is like especially new people to the program is very complicated. It's about money and all those things. So we try and like do the technical assistance, things to make sure that people can
can move along. I'm sorry, how many? Can you give me an example give us an example of capital projects.
So I capital projects would be something like repairing. Yeah, like I'm on a senior center, I guess.
So I'll give you about one. I'll give you two examples. One is the Peoplemover. This is actually to be funded to people who are in the past to do like audio announcements for their stations, so but people with visual disabilities so you don't have to do that to comply. With the Americans Disabilities Act, but it is a good thing to do to make it more accessible. So this is really fine line up like they're not they don't want to you to use this money to just comply with ADA because you should be doing that. It's things above and beyond. So another example that doesn't often get funded would be doing ATA ramps in and around lock peddling us prospects. For example. Now, most of these have these bus stops already as ATA ramps and around those bus stops. Okay, so usually funded by things like that
are
gonna do it it also includes shelter upgrades, or I don't think
it could. Let's put it that way. I don't think it would probably wear ties or other things, but in theory, it has to have. I'll give you a good example. If we had a large Senior Center, and they did not have and they had a fixed route bus stop off the front of that stop and there weren't
shelters there.
In this this could pay for those shelters. And maybe over the course of business meetings that's super heavily used, but they're just seniors. It used to be interesting. You know, it's like it wouldn't maybe hit the list of what smart is looking at it on a regular basis.
This, this can be used.
So,
for the application process, that's really what we will be doing internally as we go through this. Starting already. We've already started this. We're going to work to create a more user friendly project application. So it'll be an online application we're going through and refining it to truly make sure that it's as simple as it can be and really isn't a barrier for people wanting to apply and also makes it more streamlined when we receive those applications. To be able to effectively process them. So we're doing that we'll have that ready to go before that February time when it's posted. I mentioned the scoring committee and and how that's comprised grouping the projects that will happen as they come in and we look at them and figure out which path they should be in. And then the last bullet point, the areas of interest are things that hear within within our TAs region, what we're looking for things that we have an interest in funding would be seen some examples of regional coordination. Obviously that fits with our mission. And we'd love to see how organizations that serve older adults, people with disabilities can really work together and do something that maybe they haven't tried before with an organization that's outside of their service area. Again, mobility management, there's a huge emphasis on that by FTA. So those projects are generally really looked upon finally, we are very focused on equity. We want to make sure that projects have are equally equitably distributed among all of the groups that could potentially qualify for them. So that'll be part of our outreach is to make sure that we're reaching groups that maybe haven't applied in the past and that we want to let them know about this opportunity. And then also taking into consideration the recent funding increases. That Oakland County has the smart millage, the Ann Arbor millage, how can we effectively leverage leverage this money with some of the money that they may have gotten locally to create some really exciting new opportunities for for the communities we serve. So those are things that will are a little above and beyond just what is eligible? But what is really something that's going to make the committee want to give that funding?
Yes, another question. We know that Oakland County just issued a grant processes in place federal money for senior fires service services seem separate. They're really reaching out to the same standards or they are seeing their services beyond that. Just maybe, average.
We definitely do.
Yes, that's part of our work. Get through
to the Area Agency on Aging. Networks, all the other networks not just strictly when needed, but all the all the
other triple A's.
And then we have a list of states around 200 different contracts, most of them senior senators, or eight or nonprofits that have expressed interest or actually funding this guy wants to take for granted Of course. We have a pretty robust list. Yeah, yeah.
Good agency and aging works with us. We strongly encourage if there's one that you know that you think should apply or might be interested that as the information comes out that we're members, you know, share that information so that we can work with those organizations to see, that's a good I'll also be very conscious of not being duplicative and making sure that programs and projects are things that really should fall in this 5310 and couldn't be otherwise funded with other money that is available to organizations. And then just quickly, the scoring criteria just so that you're aware, and these are all pretty, I guess, pretty obvious the need and the benefit to the populations, the coordination and partnership what I talked about earlier, we want to see that people are making an effort to work together because we know transportation doesn't exist in a bubble, the project readiness so we are there to provide technical support, but we want to make sure that there's some sense of being able to carry out the project that there's the capacity to be able to do this and then a highly competitive project. So there will likely be a few extra points extra credit, if you will, if somebody comes up with some sort of solution that addresses multiple needs. That really looks at making that connection between the coordinated human service plan and what they are proposing to do. And that is something we would look really favorably on and want to fund. So that's where we are oh the last side is the previously funded projects, which you asked about. So you can see there's some examples for both annarbor and for the metro Detroit area. And it's a lot of organizations that I'm sure you're familiar with. And it lists some other projects and it's
Yeah, I think the takeaway here is, you know, between the two person I've met almost 70 projects, just under 50 recipients wide range of different types of recipients. I just Republic samples out here. Types, continued operations scheduling vehicle replacement, I'd say that's vehicle replacements and continuing operations are the bulk of what we get or at least what we got last time, and we are working to see what we can do with this program to kind of thing, then the art a little bit more towards newer projects, more coordinated projects, not just kind of like it just is just replacing and just kind of continuing to do the same thing. Very gentle bend because we don't these are very people do count on this funding, but by the same time it is a competitive program. So we need to kind of bend the arc a little bit as far as being along. I will also say that we're just getting ready to talk. Looks like it's going to be you know, annually 5.65 point 7 million a year. What's the average size of a project? How many are we going to be doing? That's a great, that's a really good question. And I have a great average size. I'd say you're looking at like $100,000 per project, okay because a lot of smaller projects, rather here's $3 million to do is correct. I think that's what I was trying to drive out a little bit is that we haven't seen out the specific city of Detroit is applied a few times to really supplement their paratransit program they there needs to be some work done with nonprofits. In the city in particular to kind of get a larger program together. Clearly they need some additional support for the paratransit services out there. So that's one where that we may end up seeing a larger application because that would be a newer type of program. We also want nature's do and so that'd be the one difference but generally speaking, these are placing buses on 1000 bucks per operations.
federal limit on how large projects we know.
So that's all
I have. Do you have any questions? You'll be hearing about this? Probably many times over the next few months, the first quarter of calendar year 23. This will really be a big focus for staff and for you know, working on the community to get these funds in the hands
of the people who need it. Thank you. Any other questions? Okay.
Next item on
the agenda is the communications report was going to be a chef.
Afternoon Hello. Hello sir. Okay.
I have prepared two documents for everyone. First of all, I want to go through the communication strategy, just beginning to really look to streamline our communication assets better. And so we go to the first inside page. strategically looking at four different areas that we want to focus on each month to grow and develop. One improving our social media presence to external communications how the public sees us. Our partnerships in the community about outreach and events. Where are we? Where's our face?
What are we shaking hands with?
So flipping over to social media, and also the slides on the screen as well continue to grow across the board. And I mean, that's probably going to be our consistent game is just growing social media. Looking at the various four buckets, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Those are where we see the most activity and probably what we're going to stick with those four different areas.
I'm sorry, getting in as like, Are you saying that like LinkedIn 200 Already 200 Chat X?
Yes. Plus, LinkedIn followers, Twitter 2800.
Estimate, email these consistently. People consistently are following us but this is about the average numbers, Instagram that's the area looking to really grow in. And then Facebook, which has our biggest where we see the most likes and shares for Facebook. He also have a newsletter, a monthly newsletter that goes out I asked if you are not subscribed to our newsletter, definitely look to subscribe and we'd love to have you share it. That's where we on a monthly basis talk about what we've done at the RTA on a monthly basis. And then you see some averages that are listed. We successfully have delivered to 3000 subscribers over 1000 open and over 1000 people actually open these letters so we send it out. That's one thing but people that actually open it, read it. Think about that people do that. So of course once again increasing those numbers and then also increasing the demographic age. Really want to look between that 18 to 24
year old branch to
external communications excited that last month we did a big press release announcement with the downtown Detroit AirPort Express service. He did an awesome job. She was featured on W X Y Z she did an interview and then also we did a podcast with Detroit daily. So if you did not get a chance to see that that has also been featured on our social media Harmony's going to see her
live a number of partnerships.
We had our first big events where Ben was the presenter in front of the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber. And that was a luncheon that was held down river. And it was Monday, December 5, where he presented on just the state of transportation, and then we were able to really focus it on the downriver community, one of the largest audiences that they had at a chamber event in a really long time. They told us back there is a lot of interest in regional transit in downriver and they really saw large numbers and a great response for people wanting to come and hear more about what plans are with that RTA. So living in duplicate back definitely. Last month, I talked about our chamber partnerships that we've joined several, and we're becoming really active with a lot of the chambers across the four
top regions.
And then finally,
outreach and events. We have had three major events. We were partnering with Wayne State University for warrior Wednesdays where we were in the student center, just talking about transit options and promoting D to A two and then we left and we went over to Ann Arbor and talked about D to make to Britain and that circumstance or begins really depending on where you pick up a bus. And then there has been a wonderful pilot program, the University of Detroit Mercy where Khalil was really instrumental and helping those students do a capstone project based on transportation and they actually just had their final I guess maybe graduation ceremony kind of capstone presentation to the community with ECN, Eastside community network last night. So that project came to an end. And with great response, they had a number of over 50 people in the audience that showed up just to really hear the finalized project. So those are the ways that we are looking to connect and those four pillars. So what's next for us, continuing to increase engagement activities, developing our key community partnerships, especially with our marginalized populations, our nonprofits and social service agencies. And then of course, our citizen advisory committee. We are revamping the application to streamline it and make it a lot more easier and appealing for people to want to apply for the CAC and then the CAC is in the process of recruiting for new board members. So we are looking to definitely have the big drive and really want to do some really bad fun exciting things with our community advisory council, because that's the best way you're going to grow those involve the community. So that's our strategy going here on out
slowly then the second sure for the Chamber of Commerce. I'm interested because you said they were fairly positive. I mean, are they did they didn't talk about partnerships. It would seem to me that a key to any future expansion was to have you know, one of the major groups have to have a business up there. And so they're not just interested in hearing but interested in partnering or participating in averages sort of to get that view. Absolutely.
Even talking about maybe that has come back in 2028 year updates. They want to continue to engage with the RTA and they'll be just like the open door building that relationship with that partnership actually organizations. So I wanted to do a second walkthrough and on purpose, I took out the talking points. So last month, we had a discussion about developing talking points to help guide who can work on what to talk about what to say when you're out in the community. And one thing that I really wanted to focus on is just making sure that everyone is on the same page when it came to the RTA message, be it a board be us as a staff be it our consultants and our partners just asked we're talking and I know individuals that you may come across when they ask questions, what is the RTA doing what is the RTA up to that we all are talking the same a core so I broke down some of the probably the most common questions we get and develops some responses. And I wanted to present this to you to have you look at it. It's a document it's a working document. So if you find that you're talking to individuals and you're hearing different questions that are coming up, let us know and we can begin to formulate you know an answer that is something that we can all agree upon and a message that we can all share as one big as the public facing of the RTA. So if you take a look we have it broken down, what is the Regional Transit Authority, just the basic what is it? What do we do? And we have a definition. Next to that talking about what the RTA actually
is who do we serve? Basic or
common region, being able to explain to our stakeholders the areas that we cover, going down to our area of
focus number three, we coordinate on plan
and accelerate transit and mobility projects that are flipping over to our overall goal and just exactly what do we overall want to accomplish as an organization? And then number five, the question we often get Ballard and village, does it go into winter? will activate. So just really thinking about how we want to approach that question as it comes about with individuals asking us our key priorities. That's a transit and mobility gaps. In addition, we are working to develop several innovative projects that help Southeast Michigan become a leader in transit mobility,
and then our history.
We tell that story best I think we it's up to us to divine out in there are a lot of individuals want to talk about what has possibly happened in the past. I look at what we are looking to accomplish in the future. So as individuals ask about the past, well, we can talk about how you were actually governed and heard the state of Michigan happier charter, but also looking at where we're looking to go as an
organization which is going
on. So as I stated, this is a moving document for working documents. I would like to take a look at it if there's any feedback that you have for me, welcome it, but this is something that
I would love to just read at first glance and then we can pick it
back up with
suggestions observations.
So I think it looks great at first glance, and I call this the questions will help once we discuss it soon versus later. That we also
it's exactly the summer ever faster, even though it's grayed out.
Thank you. Yeah, I like it a lot too. And I especially appreciate knowing that you and the rest of the team that are getting out going different places to organization to individuals. You know, being on TV is probably the best thing we can do on the radio in terms of stretching that presence. I mean, it's such a small spot there were things that we could set up to do it we started looking at that period. And I think that's really key especially with regard to ballot initiatives, public funding, which are going for more than we're out there. Waiting to do here have put in place articulated here. Be very aggressive with that on a day to day basis. I mean we meet once a month, but he has a year every day. And they don't always catch the public to focus on the public eye which is putting like 100% focus time at the ranch that has public access and I agree, but I did some examples. This is like going through a job interview and you know, I someone's gonna ask, what is the direction you will accomplish? And that's I guess that's what I was looking for. So that we didn't talk about a little bit of history. You know, what, what are the RTA was able to do and help you move forward. And then specifically, what are some of the things that we're looking at? Because before you tell me, you're going to ask your mentor, tell him what you've been able to do with what you can do
this is pretty nice. As sort of general talking points for your presentation. You talked about what to do next with increasing engagements and things like that. This point obviously can help with that. We have a you know, a lot of people know a lot of people in our members of groups that are related to SEO, but certainly people occasionally listen to both papers and thing. So I'm curious if you want us to be doing that now. Or if you want it and I see heads nodding or if you want us to be waiting until we get a little more concrete with future plan. That's it. You can't take two bites at the apple, you could probably go and talk to an economic club now about the state of regional transit, post Smart Village etc, etc and then go back a year or two. If there was something more concrete, I just would ask that you think about that sort of question. Maybe make a list of places that you think are worthwhile movement toward no pay if you have a connection at this organization or that like the Southwest Way Regional Chamber you've got that we've covered it Crystal Palace has to be put your name up in life. I haven't pictured that. It's pretty cool. Yeah, it was it was a bit much for you know certain people Well, years ago Yeah. In 37 people were there but my name was. But beyond that there are probably other places. So let us know where we can. Yes,
especially as we're looking to grow with developing those key partnerships as what's next, especially in our naturopathic communities. Where I know a lot of you are really strong and nonprofit sector as we're looking to put the call outs within the pretend projects as we're just really looking to connect better with people that can analyze our applications must they come through? If you if we're really looking to connect with a backpack community that couldn't work these applications, who better to review is one of your peers or somebody that works in that pocket that was within that agency sector. So as we are looking to see who we can send our newsletter to, when we can have join our CAC, who we can have it was more so on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn, those community partnerships and those agencies we would love to be able to have like entrance into them. And then just say hey, would you mind sharing the link to the RTA website page which by sharing the link to our newsletter, and then that way, that's how we also increase our engagement numbers as well. So the immediate answer is those nonprofit connections, those community connections, and then as we look to grow them having some more of those public facing activities.
That's a general response is often Yes, but I can't agree with them more. It kind of took the words out of my mouth. You guys are all very self starters you get a game. You don't ask for help. Because that's, oh, there's no point. There's a door out there that maybe you can't get into. It could just pick up the phone and say, hey, get a call with your favorite book and stuff. makes your job a lot easier. Taking people to lunch, just call
it whatever you want to take.
You know, that's, I think that's really the biggest asset that we can offer you the people that we work with and so forth. Practice and make your job a lot more effective and cost effective.
Okay, 20 years old on the last one.
I use the microphone is a great report. Thank you. I'm good planning and as everyone says, We need to be woven into the outreach process.
I have one question. On the definition of our region. We do cover four counties. But our statute specifically includes Detroit as part of a five region process. So my question is should we have the four counties and see it's hard to tell people why you single out the city of Detroit and not included in the county in which it lives. But our statute does and are making that kind of
recognition of our charter.
Everyone. Thank you. Yep.
And we'll definitely change any other comments observations? Next item on the agenda is that report thank you very much. All right,
talks about the 5310 copper projects. You'll see that the fun programming section of this report is expanded a little bit and I guess I want to make that put that as a note for the board is that we're really going to be focusing on our role as the designated recipient and fund manager in the region. So this is kind of a chronological order of the funding actions and activities we're going to be doing in 2023. And there's a calendar at the end that kind of lays out generally what we think these are going to get. So 5310 will be the first step we got first quarter. The state funding applications which we do every year we're familiar with, that's usually February, March timeframe. The federal funding that we do every year is 307. That'll be in like the May timeframe. We do want to do a little bit more discussion around the structure of what's included in those applications and what are the providers doing with that? Funding? That's a big chunk of funding that we get every year is about $7 million American rescue plan so we talked about we developed a process for that that that process should be executed that would be kind of quarter two and quarter three, so like spring, summer, so get there get to 310 pick ourselves up, getting the federal funding, that'll be like spring, summer, and then closing out the year we'll do the access to transit grant program, which I've talked about a little bit. We had 2 million $2 million grant to do kind of a pilot program where we'll be working with local communities. Transit providers to do like access to improvements around major stops. So some close to the border. Remember we did this mobility oriented development study a while back we would record or what could be done around autogenerate re spankings and all these other things around fast stops in particular so now we actually have some funding to be able to execute a couple of those programs. I think you will have heard me say that I totally completely stole this from Chad RCA. They have been doing this program for years and years and years and years using federal see that money to do it. So I was able to convince some guys to give us enough money to do it as a pilot. I'm hoping it's something that we can start adding more money to do it on an ongoing basis, I think rolling this as a program with multiple funding sources. So this will be our first round and during Fall Winter 20 You didn't steal it you transfer it best practice.
We are still waiting on we did submit a grant application for a mobility Wallet project. In a universal basic mobility pilot. This is looking at how we can use technology to allow people to access multiple types of mobility. We took equity and more of that. How do we build this with equity and cash based users have other things in mind? We'll see with the state things they may have wanted more of. We're grabbing a technology partner and just going to partner with them we would bid more about we need to plan this kind of setup the pilot will be approach so we'll see what yields from that gratification probably three faster training we talked about. That was the a trap updates administrative update for that in early 23 as well. GTA two continues to do well we did see a little ridership dropping by and large that's because of the Thanksgiving holidays. There's less days in November nothing thinking this is an issue yet. We'll probably see the same thing in December that I hopefully will pop back up to January if I start to see it not popping back up again very than it was then I'll start start getting a little more. We are going to be working on doing surveys of riders and some of the major stakeholders are about integration. So that's something we talked about getting up and running for a year we've had some good success. It's been growing really well. We want to ride our surveys understand the demographics a little more obviously major stakeholders What else do we are going to also have a marketing programs a marketing program, we've had some TV spots, Facebook, that's all right to continues to be good at airport service pilot. So we did get that funding and of course the planner in the US just like but but resolved to do it. We it'll take it'll take a couple of months to get the funding sorted out. That's how these things work. So our our goal is really by the end of 23 to have a plan and do the public engagement and public hearings. If you'll recall, and it was pre pandemic what we did for DCMA to where we did have formal public hearings and the board approved and we'll go through that same process so it will be a very formal public engagement hearing Board approval process that probably ended 23 It'll take three to six months for the funding to get all sorted out. You do not want to understand the details. They are boring, and they will be frustrating to us for us to deal with but we'll get there.
And then are you are you considering one of the current providers or privates in that same interview?
We're going to talk about that. That's that's one of the things we're we've had a few conversations about that. You know, we'll talk as best as possible. I think there's possibly we could work with some of the providers. There's something to be said for just propping up the service or a year in piloting testing. I think it'd be interesting trying to potentially see which one works. One of the things we'll have to work on in tests remains that it is is this a traveler based service technical people think about when they think about this or how do we how do we integrate work are really the ones who are going to use it on a more regular basis. mentorship, so trying to figure out how to balance a kind of test which one of these is the right market
it was I think that's
it I as I typically do, I didn't put a 20 to 30 Board look ahead, just just to kind of say hey, during this month as to where I think these things are gonna fall in 2023 Of course it's always adjusted a little bit but just to give you a sense of these are when things are going to cave throughout the year. Nothing major I went through all the years. That's it.
Again, I did this report. This is my favorite part. I find out all these things that are going on it even though we hear about them in a very brief summary example. I mean, again, I'm looking to explain to someone what do these revisions are made this helps me tremendously. The other any new business and we have one
yes. Yeah, there's one I just want to maybe formally formally thank God for everything that she's done for the RCA
for me, this her so happy for her.
But just want to thank thank her for
years here before me so what's getting ready to happen is I have accepted a position with Qh y which is a currently public accounting firm in Southeast Michigan and will be working with their an ever office. I am as a couple of you I will actually be making a full circle back to where I started when I graduated from college because I will again be working the people I worked with. Back then 30 years ago, including my sister in law wasn't my system. I am I'm excited but nervous to change. I I really appreciate all of you, since you will hold up as the years and I appreciate the support that you've given me under that time. That you're not really getting rid of me 100% Because I still I can take a job assignment protection, because it's something I felt strongly about even before they're able to screen. So I will still be paying attention seeing what's going on. Because I can I have sprayed with their things I should think about now but but thank you very much I really
it's been great as you already know, most of what you do you have so much behind the scenes every day judges put out fires so it's got his work cut out
my my exit was timed around making sure that things were in as good shape as I could. The audit was as good a shape as I put them and you know we we do have our new contractor that I've been working with them and getting things in order and getting things separated. Your community continue to function financially, once I've gone well that's I say thank you for
thank you very much.
I would like to act. Great. Thank you. You have been a steadying hand for us. Since we started. I could always count on you for answers. Guidance. I think you are one of the key people who made us work through all of our transitions and you work well with everybody who's come on board. You are going to be missed. I will try and bump into you every once in a while
while we were in the in harbor but thank you very much is pretty much a thank you for your service.
My understanding of transit What if you're able to go out the door? Well, you no actually I believe
that's it you okay, I want to echo everybody else. She took care of me when I was in the CAC working as you know with the border center, she was always the glue would have the answers for me and took care of me and same thing our TA I so appreciate what you've done for all of us. And she's very mission oriented. That's why she stuck around for 30 years. We're
grateful that you did so thank
you I don't want her to go
I'd like to offer a personal thank you. Because in the early growth stages of the RTA with someone who wasn't sure what he was supposed to do and how they're supposed to do it without their cervix that tell me what to do that to explain to the both sides of the issue and I appreciate that anything else? Graduations any other new business during that you are? recording stopped