RTA Board of Directors Meeting

Today’s agenda was hard to find, but it’s available in a google drive: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bi9ygM73bof2T4gYExMLrnyKbZBmwNLI/view https://t.co/TPqrE8P2jT

The zoom link is available here: https://detroit.documenters.org/assignments/rta-board-of-directors-meeting-5240/

Here’s a thread of last week’s RTA Citizens Advisory Meeting from Documenter @colleencirocco https://twitter.com/colleencirocco/status/1599883146774073344

She also posted notes from last month’s Board of Directors meeting: https://twitter.com/colleencirocco/status/1599885001784721408

Here’s last month’s Board of Directors live tweet thread from @civicDetroitDan https://twitter.com/civicdetroitdan/status/1593283814490611716

Meeting called to order at 1:08!

There are no public commenters. We’re going into October and November Financial Reports. A woman board member is saying there is a $86,500 charge for “agreement software license” which she says is their planning sponsor.

She also says the October transportation services expense is just under $1.5 million.

October financial report was approved. We’re moving on to November.

She says the only out of the ordinary expense was that transportation service charges for operations and marketing expenses for the service for the quarter ended in September 30th.

I wish I could offer more information about what that means but unfortunately, I don’t know.

We’re moving on to approve the 2023 standard meeting calendar. A male board member says that they would not be opposed to holding some evening meetings because people may come from far away or have work during the day.

A woman board member says that evening meetings might work better.

It’s a little hard to hear exactly what everyone is saying. A male board member is speaking and I’m having a hard time hearing him.

A woman board member said that people were more likely to come out during meetings if there was a hot issue on the agenda. A male board member said they will keep the calendar how it is now and if they notice they’ll need to change the time and location, they’ll change things.

He says it’s becoming a bit harder with the technology stuff because if they change locations, they need to make sure its compatible with virtual streaming so people can access meetings virtually.

Onto 5310 “Call for Projects” https://t.co/P4oGIcSuuj

The presenter says this isnt an action item but wants the board to be informed of what projects are going on.

5310 is the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program administered by the Federal Transit Administration. https://t.co/BPnw4YQLZK

She says it is up to the agency (RTA) to do a call for projects and have organizations provide services and submit applications for funding.

She says when people apply they need to have a coordinated plan that shows they’ve been out into the community and got input from community members. They have to develop strategies to improve transportations and applicants need to make the connection to those strategies. https://t.co/sAClyrCRTO

She days they’ll spend February-April 2023 doing outreach to partners and organizations who’ve formally received funding to let them know this is going on. Applications are due in April 2023. In May 2023, they’ll bring projects to the board for decision making. https://t.co/kuoXUrLxpX

They cannot change funding amounts that are allocated for Detroit vs Ann Arbor. She says this funding is a “significant bump” and they might be able to fund things they haven’t in the past. A male board member says the Infrastructure Bill has created this “bump” in funding. https://t.co/KIPMAIjfNc

55% of funding just go to “traditional projects” like bus/van replacements, mobility management programs, and contracted transportation services.

45% will go to “non-traditional projects” like travel training, capital projects, and new operations or operational updates. https://t.co/5qELk41Awa

The presenter said the primary use must go toward projects for older adults and people with disabilities.

A male board member says people want to go above and beyond ADA requirements, like adding audio announcements at bus stops. He also says that ADA ramps don’t usually get funded but could be getting funded with the extra money.

They want to make the application process more accessible so applying doesn’t become a barrier for people.

Areas of interest are things here within RTA’s region, things they have an interest in funding. Examples include regional coordination, mobility management, and equity. https://t.co/Oj0OCPZor5

She says they would love to see how organizations that serve older adults and people with disabilities can work together and do something they haven’t tried before.

She says part of their outreach will be to reach groups who haven’t applied in the past. She’s asking how they can properly leverage these funds with money Ann Arbor and Oakland County have gotten locally.

The presenter strongly recommend board members share organizations they think should apply.

Here is some of the scoring criteria: https://t.co/kRqkBC3yRJ

And here are some examples of previously funded projects: https://t.co/pQVa0GDnRS

Onto the communications report https://t.co/dB1HTdm3Vw

They have 4 strategies they want to use to grow and develop: https://t.co/ktkEN9B52n

They see the most engagement with LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. https://t.co/0JcM8Kv3ur

They also have a monthly newsletter they encourage people to sign up for. Over 1,000 people open the letters while 3,000+ people are subscribed. She wants to increase the demographic age. https://t.co/oA4AyxAVeZ

https://t.co/DKZH9gJG5l

They had three outreach events, one at Wayne State, one at University of Detroit Mercy, and Ann Arbor Spark Mobility Row. https://t.co/YnPqwXzT73

She says they want to make it easier and more appealing to apply to the Citizens Advisory Committee. She says involving the community is the best way to grow. https://t.co/99AFR4Url5

She wants to make sure everyone is on the same page about RTA’s message with talking points people share with the community so everyone is talking on the same accord. https://t.co/goBo7BZq2K

A male board member mentions that people may ask what the RTA accomplishes and what they’re looking to accomplish in the future.

A woman board member is asking about the definition of their region. She says their statues specifically include Detroit and wonders if that should be included in their explanation of the regions they cover. The presenter said she’ll make that change.

Onto the staff report.

He’s talking about funding actions and activities they’re going to do in 2023. He keeps mentioning the 5310 program.

He mentions an “Access to Transit” grant program which is a $2 mil grant to make access improvements to major bus stops.

He says they’re waiting on a grant application for a Mobility Wallet project, to see how they can use technology to allow access to multiple types of mobility.

They’ll be working on doing a survey of riders and major stakeholders to understand the demographics of riders. He says they’re also going to have a marketing program.

He says their goal at the end of 2023 is to increase public engagement and formal public hearings.

And the staff report is finished.

A board member, Ginny, has accepted a position at a Southeast Michigan accounting firm. Board members are telling her congratulations and giving short statements about her work on the board.

Meeting adjourned at 2:16pm!

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