Berkley council approves SMART contract; staff outlines door-to-door senior transportation program

The Berkley City Council on April 7 approved a contract authorizing mayoral execution of a SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) agreement to provide municipal and community credits to support local public transportation services for the period July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

Parks and Recreation Superintendent Dan McMinn described the service to council and said it is “a door-to-door transportation service for anyone who is over the age of 50, retired or semi-retired,” and that all three city vehicles have wheelchair lifts for riders who need them.

Why it matters: The SMART municipal/community credit helps offset operating costs for Berkleys’ ride program — which city staff said supports older adults’ access to medical appointments, shopping and other essential trips — and preserves a local, accessible option for riders with mobility needs.

Council discussion and program details

Dan McMinn told the council the contract covers municipal and community credits administered through SMART that help offset program costs such as driver wages, equipment and phones. He provided recent usage figures for the program’s winter months: 589 total passengers, 2,822 miles driven and about 374.5 van-hours of service. McMinn said the city’s two drivers are Brian Bolland and Mike Milligan and credited Parks and Recreation office staff Josie Modrack and Amanda Slusarski for scheduling.

McMinn said rides must begin within Berkley and end by 4 p.m.; vehicles start as early as 8:30 a.m. He gave the department phone number for scheduling as (248) 658-3470 and described the pickup process: riders receive a card with a van-specific cell number they can call when ready for return pickup.

Council member Hennen asked whether funding for the program is federal, state or local. McMinn replied that funding is a mix: “I believe the funding is a mixture of both local and federal. You know, we do get the funds from SMART, which is funded locally and federally.”

Areas of ambiguity recorded in the meeting

McMinn described the program’s service area boundaries but the transcript’s numeric phrasing around north–south limits was unclear. He identified Lahser and John R. as the east–west boundaries; council and staff did not provide a clarified north–south street pair in the meeting record.

Votes at a glance (items approved)

- Motion M2225 — Authorize mayor to execute contract with SMART for municipal and community credits to provide public transportation services (07/01/2024–06/30/2025). Motion made by Council member Patterson; supported by Mayor Pro Tem Gavin. Vote (roll call): Patterson — yes; Vilani — yes; Baker — yes; Black — yes; Gavin — yes; Mayor Bridget Dean — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Consent agenda (approved as a block). Items included: • Approval of minutes (regular and special meetings of March 17, 2025). Outcome: approved. • Motion M1925 — Purchase of a Utiliguard 2RTK line locator from Ditwich Sales of Howell, Michigan, in the amount of $11,054.58. Outcome: approved. • Motion M2025 — Purchase of trash carts from Rearrig Pacific Company in the amount of $14,075. Outcome: approved. • Motion M2125 — Additional HRC funds to continue GIS support for FY 2024–25 in the amount of $10,000. Outcome: approved. • Proclamations P725–P1225 — Multiple proclamations including Volunteer Week (April 20–26, 2025), Arbor Week, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Autism Awareness Month and Fair Housing Month. Outcome: approved.

What the council directed or decided

The council’s formal action was approval of the SMART contract (M2225) and adoption of the consent agenda. No additional formal direction or follow-up tasks related to M2225 were recorded in the meeting minutes; Parks and Recreation staff said they would report back on why the contract typically arrives for council approval at this time of year.

Looking ahead

Staff provided contact and scheduling details for the ride program and usage data that indicate active demand during the winter months. Council members praised the program’s staff and drivers during the discussion. No motions in the meeting tied immediate new funding or service-area changes to the contract approval.