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Citizens Advisory Committee of the Regional Transit Authority of SE MI
Monday, January 25, 2015, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
DRAFT Meeting Notes
Chaired by Tina Abbate-Marzolf, outgoing vice chair
Welcome / Quorum
Opened at 4:40pm with a quorum (26/40)
Update re parking, meeting space, please clean up after yourself
Public Comment
Jim Casha – “don’t drink the kool-aid;” don’t assume leaders want what’s best re State Fairgrounds
Megan Owens – invite to TRU’s Annual Meeting, Tuesday January 26 at MSU Detroit Center
Paul Bridgewater of Detroit Area Agency on Aging – #1 challenge for Detroit seniors is transportation, committing his agency to help in whatever way they can (comments mid-meeting)
Approval of Minutes – December 14, 2015
Moved by Carlo Santia, approved by Susan Pollay, minutes approved
Getting to Know You – Susan Pollay, outgoing parliamentarian
Shared names, roles, residency, why transit matters to you
General notes and comments:
CAC includes a County Commissioner, a travel agent, a real estate broker, a SMART driver, a special education teacher, transportation planners, a retired teacher, environmental activists, a
vehicle emissions researcher, architects, a flight attendant, a former union rep, active transportation advocates, a labor attorney, economic developers, and more
CAC members work with seniors, foster grandparents, students with developmental disabilities, disadvantaged populations, bike share, small businesses, and many others
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CAC members shared stories of love of DC transit, challenges using our local transit, appreciation of AAATA service, determination to not be stuck at home, freedom of travel in
Africa, mother driving streetcars, taking Greyhound bus to grad class in Ann Arbor
CAC members want to be about to go places, do things, have freedom, connect cultures, get downtown, ensure visitors can get around to locations of choice, and keep talented grads here
“Transit is the glue that makes large areas much smaller.”
“Everyone should be able to get around without a car.”
“Provide universally accessible transit for those who need it most and you’ll have great transit for all riders.”
“Most of us will outlive our ability to drive by 8-10 years and will want to stay active.”
5 people lived in DC
5 people are planners
15 people work with/for advocates
15 people with government and/or election experience
CAC Review & Purpose – Megan Owens, outgoing secretary
CAC 2014 was brand new, created processes, bylaws, mission, vision, and subcommittee structure
Official resolutions regarding meeting accessibility best practices, vision for regional transit planning,
SMART boarding policy, effective CAC meetings, Woodward BRT, transit values, and effective public involvement effectiveness

Unofficial input on regional transit map, RTA CEO priorities, and more
In 2015, CAC built effective working relationships with the new RTA staff
Adopted official recommendations on BRT strategies, winter bus stop maintenance, fare policy, DDOT travel training, and Michigan Avenue
Election of NEW Officers – RTA Board Liaison Liz Gerber
Electing from within CAC. Sent self-nomination form electronically last week, will also accept selfnominations from the floor.
CAC officers include Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Parliamentarian
Lots of other opportunities for leadership roles
Candidates for Chair include Susan Pollay, Helaine Zack, and John Waterman
Susan Pollay voted Chair
Candidates for Vice Chair include Helaine Zack, Tina Abbate-Marzolf, and Megan Owens
Megan Owens voted Vice-Chair
Remaining candidate for Secretary: Tina Abbate-Marzolf
Remaining candidate for Parliamentarian: Arthur Divers
RTA Update – Michael Ford
Michael: Inspired by personal stories. Agree that nothing is more important for our region than getting transit done in 2016. That work starts today!
Ben Stupka, RTA Manager of Planning: will provide regular updates on planning projects, lots moving forward quickly.
Question re timing of transit plan and ballot measure: plan will be ready in the spring; actively working with elected leaders and others to build a plan that can get support
Question re political campaign: RTA will develop plan, others will create both a public support campaign and a political ballot campaign, more details available in coming weeks.
Momentum: a Regional Coalition for 21 st Century Transit is actively working to build support among groups and businesses. More info and sign on at TransitMomentum.org
Question re gentrification: will be discussed moving forward
New Chair added that former liaisons to board committees and RTA project teams are asked to continue to serve in those roles. A listing of liaison opportunities and meeting schedules will be provided soon and others will be invited to be liaisons as well.
Adjournment
CAC members in Attendance
Tina Abbate-Marzolf
Kathleen Alessandro
Moe Ayoub
Lauren Baker
Andrew Evanch
Frank Cunningham

Karen DeShields
David Dillingham
Arthur Divers
Stephanie Donaldson
Patty Fedewa
Daniel Grey
Prashanth Gururaja
John Harris
Gerald Hasspacher
Frank Kalinski
Cindy Mathys
Jelani McGadney
Renard Monczunski
Richard “Murph” Murphy
Lisa Nuszkowski
Megan Owens
Michael O’Meary (phone)
Marie Pacini
Robert Polk
Susan Pollay
Carlo Santia
Micki Solonika
Lissa Spitz
Jeri Stroupe
Brian Urquhart
JoAnn Wardell
John Waterman
Patricia White
Helaine Zack
Next Meeting: Monday, February 22, 2015 at 4:30 pm
SEMCOG 1001 Woodward Suite 1400 Detroit, MI