Area Transit District

MIDDLETOWN AREA TRANSIT Minutes for Wednesday, November 14, 2018 Meeting Thomas A. Cheeseman Transportation Center, Middletown Area Transit Maintenance Facility, 91 North Main Street, Middletown, CT 1. Call to Order - B. Lawrence called the meeting to order at 6:05pm. Board Members Present: Beverly Lawrence; James Dunn Board Members Absent: None Voting Members Excused: None Guests Present: Samuel Gold, Executive Director, River Cog; Edward Bailey, First Selectman, Middlefield; Joseph Samolis, City Planner for City of Middletown; Laura Francis, Town of Durham, First Selectman; Joe Comerford, First Transit Staff Present: Lisa Seymour, Administrator; Whitney Klare, Clerk, Steven Bochinski, Supervisor Public Present: Aleese Lawrence. 2. Public Comments - J. Samolis stated that he and Middletown Mayor Daniel Drew have reviewed the route changes that are being proposed. They are enthusiastic about the changes because it will increase the number of runs for specific routes and it will be useful to the new FedEx facility. The mayor endorses the proposed changes as stated. (J. Samolis exits at 6:08pm) 3. Acceptance of Minutes of October 10, 2018 Meeting - J. Dunn MOVED to accept the minutes of the October 10, 2018 Meeting as presented. B. Lawrence SECONDED. MOTION PASSED unanimously. 4. Administrators Report- L. Seymour presents administrators report. L. Seymour speaks high praise of the Minority Construction Council Transportation Matchmaker Conference. The Accounting Policy and Procedures Manual has been revised according to Board recommendations. DOT has accepted the Corrective Action Plan submitted for findings on FY17 Audit pending approval of auditing policies. 5. Financial Report- L. Seymour presents financial report. The Medical Insurance for non-union employees is up for renewal. The premium decreases slightly but the benefits increase slightly without an HRA. The Medical Insurance will cost approximately $20,000 less than last year. All expenses were under budget except ADA. Payroll expenses are higher because there are five weeks in the month of November. J. Dunn MOVED to accept the financial report as presented. B. Lawrence SECONDED. MOTION PASSED unanimously. 6. Operations Report- L. Seymour presents operations report. Discussion of ridership. Westlake Drive ridership increased due to recent route changes. Washington ridership also increased because it is a transfer point for Westlake Drive. Overall ridership is increasing as well. There is a significant decline in no-show rates. J. Dunn thanks L. Seymour for providing yearlong financial data. L. Seymour states she will continue to provide yearlong financial data regarding operations on an annual basis. J. Dunn MOVED to accept the operations report as presented. B. Lawrence SECONDED. MOTION PASSED unanimously. 7. Old Business - a) Accounting Policies - L. Seymour did make requested changes to the Accounting Policies and Procedures Manual. Jonathan Shapiro reviewed the new accounting policy as revised from last meeting. Jonathan Shapiro accepts the manual as presented. J. Dunn MOVED to adopt the Middletown Accounting Policies and Procedures Manual as presented. B. Lawrence SECONDED. MOTION PASSED unanimously. b) Route Changes Discussion of Westlake Drive and MLINK route changes. MAT wants input from the public and views this potential change as a partnership with the public. There will be a public hearing at 5:30pm November 28, 2018. Discussion of installing a bus shelter near Big Lots in Middletown. c) Medical Insurance for Non Union Employees - Discussion of the renewal of Medical Insurance for non union employees. Discussion of advantages and disadvantages of the current Anthem plan and the Connecticut 2.0 plan. There is a three year commitment with the Connecticut 2.0 plan. J. Dunn MOVED to adopt the Connecticut 2.0 plan as the group plan for the non union employees. B. Lawrence SECONDED. MOTION PASSED unanimously. 8. New Business - Sam Gold is working with Nelson\Nygard to get a draft of the scope. L. Seymour received an FOA letter about the pending lawsuit. 9. Adjournment - B. Lawrence MOVED to adjourn. J Dunn SECONDED. MOTION PASSED unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:02pm. Respectfully submitted by Whitney Klare