Arenac Public Transportation Authority
Regular Meeting
October 15th 2025, 5:00 pm
APTA Conference Room

Pledge Meeting called to order 5:03 pm Ray. 

Roll Call:
Ray Koroleski, Ashley Sweet phone, Nancy Selle, Mike Bowers, Angie Masson, Rachel Vallad, Jim Hazeltine   

Guest: Bill Francis, Heather, Shane, Mac and Jerry. 

Approval of Agenda Nancy made a motion, Jim second, all in favor. 

Approval of Minutes (09.17.2025) Jim made a motion, Nancy second, all in favor. 

Treasurer’s Report Jim made a motion, Mike second, all in favor. 
Approval of Bills 
Financial Report Bill will create the 2026 breakdown so it’s easier for the board to read the percentage with the remaining balance for each item. 
Investment Report No signific increase. 

Public Comment: Heather came to the board and voiced her concerns regarding barriers that interfere with dispatch. It’s a 3-page summary of what she feels takes away from her doing her job.  The board listened to her concerns. The board advised her next time she needed to schedule a meeting with the board to have a conversation that discussed staff members.  It was not appropriate to have this conversation in a public meeting. The board also let Heather know that not all employees have the same employment arrangements.  

Unfinished Business:
A.	Facility Construction NEPA: 
a.	Awaiting Update (no movement) 
B.	APTA policy on carrying groceries (place holder, no movement) 
C.	Final TripMaster unrolling plan 
a.	Go live date: 10.16.2025 While the drivers were at the meeting the board directed some questions to them.  The board asked how are things going, what do you think?  Mac said it’s already easier and it’s positive. Jerry said the paper schedule and table schedule will be flipped, but he knows enough to go where he needs to go, and he was able to fix it.   
D.	Full-time employee health insurance Walker, Future and Farm Bureau took two weeks to get the quote. Bill will send what he can via email.  

New Business:
A.	Vehicle #127 accident 09/25/2025 Defensive driving class has been suggested by the board.  We can only make a person take it, if its court ordered. Mike will set up a defensive driving course for all drivers to practice driving, stopping and pedestrian safety. We can also come up with an internal safety community they can meet every 3 months or more frequently if needed. Have YouTube safety videos playing on the tv in the break room. Making our drivers away and road. We’re down to 14 vehicles again. We will check into a replacement or another spare vehicle. 
a.	With MMRMA, possible total loss, awaiting repair estimate, Bill will see if we can buy the bus back or if it’s a total loss. The main parts will fit in #128.  
B.	FY26 Budget Adjustment (in work, will have new budget outlook at meeting) Bill will email the new FY26 budget to the board. 
C.	Julia Templeton 1 year anniversary: $16.32 (included annual 2% raise), does APTA increase? At this time the board will stay with the annual raise calendar. 
D.	Longevity 2 employees hit their 5-year mark one on Oct. 1st and Oct. 27th They will get their bonus for their dedication during their next pay period. 
E.	Ashman is requesting their rent to be paid in 1 lump sum $300.00 x 10 months = $3,000.00 All in favor of issuing a check in the amount of $3,000.00 to Ashman for rent. 

Director’s Report: The overall rides have been going well for October. Picking up school age children for school, medical transport, everyday riders. Did not lose any employees in October, they’re inquiring about health insurance now that the Marketplace is changing. The offices are in the process of being reorganized, maybe changing the paint color. TripMaster will be going live.  
 
The board went into a closed meeting from 6:06 pm-6:20 pm 

Adjourn 6:28 pm 
Mike made a motion, Nancy second, all in favor. 

Closed APTA Meeting 6:06 PM 6:20 PM
The board requested a closed meeting to discuss with Bill the claims Heather brought forward to the board and the public.  
Bill explained his actions with the employees he’s been struggling with, especially job performance. He called all employees into the office and explained to them where they needed to improve. If they’re doing great, he let them know that too. Bill wanted all the employees to know you get a verbal, written and then a termination. He isn’t going to babysit anyone, we’re all adults. Come to work and do your job. 
Heather didn’t follow the chain of command. She didn’t go to Bill with her concerns; she went directly to the board. It has been noted that she’s been talking to the drivers to stir the pot. She has been given verbal warnings about using her cell phone while at work. This time she was given a written warning about job performance, and she refused to sign. 
They’re having the operation manager fix the dispatch schedule because they can’t get it right for the next day. It’s out of frustration that this needs to be fixed for everything to run smoothly. In closing we’re going to end with TripMaster Kick Off tomorrow! 

6:28 Adjour Ray made a motion, Mike second, all in favor.