Mount Clemens to expand senior shopper route with $54,054 federal operations grant

The Mount Clemens City Commission approved an operations grant agreement Tuesday that will expand the city’s Senior Shopper transportation service to include major grocery destinations such as Meijer, Kroger and Walmart.

City administration said the Federal Transit Administration awarded $54,054 in MAP-21 federal operations funding that will pass through SMART; the city must provide a local match of $27,027 through in-kind services (the city’s commitment to expand the service). “The total amount awarded is $54,054. The City of Mount Clemens will be responsible to fund the local match portion of the grant or $27,027 through in kind services,” the city report said.

Commissioners asked for clarification about what qualifies as the in-kind match; staff said it will be the city’s agreement to expand services and noted standard grant recordkeeping requirements, including retaining records for seven years. Commissioners also asked whether the shopper service would be a timed route versus dial-a-ride; staff confirmed the Senior Shopper will operate as a timed route on specified days.

The commission approved the contract by roll call; all present voted yes. City staff will finalize contract execution with SMART and begin planning service adjustments and scheduling.