The Westland City Council approved a resolution to allocate up to $75,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to purchase a transit vehicle for the Westland Friendship Center to support senior transportation and programming.

Council members said the center frequently borrows a city van that seats 11 and that demand outpaces available transportation for lunches, outings and special events. Councilmember Motkowski, who moved the item, said the vehicle will support regular programming and help expand membership and outings. “There’s a great need from our Friendship Center and our senior program to have reliable transportation,” she said.

Mayor (name not specified) introduced Director Beth Wackenbach, Senior Resources Director, who described current limitations and potential uses: monthly lunch club trips that sell out because of limited seating, visits to Eastern Market, Tiger games, DSO concerts, Frankenmuth and grocery shopping for homebound seniors. “Right now, we borrow Paul Motz’s van, and it only allows us to take 11 people at a time,” Wackenbach said. She listed multiple activities that could be expanded if the center had its own larger vehicle.

Council debate was brief and supportive; members said the purchase had been discussed in ARPA planning and would restore items deferred in the budget process. The motion passed with no dissent.