Farmington Council Wrap-Up: SMART Talk, Block Grant Funds Dominate Meeting

When Farmington and Farmington Hills city officials gather for their annual joint meeting on Dec. 5, regional transportation is likely to be a hot topic.

In a discussion during council comments, officials talked Monday about the impact of SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) bus route changes that have left the city with only one fixed route. SMART officials announced route eliminations last week to deal with a $6.5 million shortfall in this year's budget. 

"I am quite concerned about the route changes," Mayor Tom Buck said. "I think we need to examine how to help our residents get around."

Cities are able to opt out of the regional system, as neighboring Livonia and Novi have done. However, City Manager Vince Pastue said Farmington residents have turned out to support SMART during City Council meetings and at the polls when the ballot has included a question about whether to remain part of the system.

Council member Greg Cowley asked whether SMART could provide ridership statistics that would help the city determine the level of use by residents. Buck said SMART can track riders who stay on the bus for the length of a route, but not the total number of people who ride buses that have a Farmington stop.

Council member JoAnne McShane said she is troubled by the "further dismantling" of the regional bus system. She said private firms have told her in the past that they could provide local service for a reduced cost. "It is so important that people can get around and get to work," she said.

Pastue said transportation will likely be on the Dec. 5 agenda, along with shared services and recycling service updates.

CDBG Funds to Senior Services

Officials also approved their intention to dedicate $24,137 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to services for senior citizens, shared with the city of Farmington Hills. The federal funds, designed to give cities flexible funding to meet a wide range of needs, are allocated through Oakland County.

Earlier this year, to apply for a larger share of the federal grant funds through the state of Michigan. But Pastue said "domestic spending is probably targeted for significant reductions" in the federal budget.

McShane said she hoped the city would be able to take advantage of the state program for redevelopment in the downtown area. Given the likelihood of decreased funding and the fact that there isn't a downtown project on the horizon, she said, "I think it's probably a good idea at this time to put the money where we're putting it."

Referring to senior transportation provided by SMART, council member Bill Galvin said he is concerned about giving money to a program that may be defunct in the future. Pastue said he would compile a list of alternative uses for the funds, which include any county program that serves residents with low and moderate incomes.

An agreement for shared senior services with the city of Farmington Hills will be considered at a future meeting.