MPO Meeting Minutes
Draft Memorandum for the Record
Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Meeting
June 3, 2021, Meeting
10:00 AM–12:05 PM, Zoom Video Conferencing Platform
David Mohler, Chair, representing Jamey Tesler, Acting Secretary of Transportation and Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) agreed to the following:
See attendance on page
There was none.
T. Teich reminded MPO board members to respond for the memorial service for former CTPS Executive Director, Karl Quackenbush.
T. Teich provided an update on recent CTPS hires and promotions.
T. Teich provided an update on recent MPO staff outreach activities.
T. Teich reminded members that the TIP Project Costs Ad-Hoc Committee would meet following the MPO board.
Johannes Epke (Conservation Law Foundation) advocated for the MPO to reject the draft FFY 2022–26 TIP and allocate MPO funds to projects that make the transportation system more equitable. J. Epke stated that MPO investments should be required to prioritize emissions reductions and investments for transportation equity populations, noting that the draft TIP shows equity populations continuing to experience less of an absolute decrease in emissions than their non-equity population counterparts. J. Epke noted bus electrification on routes that serve transportation equity populations or fully funding the Red/Blue Connector as possible projects to prioritize.
Wig Zamore (Somerville resident) advocated for changes to project #606528 (I-93 Corridor Improvements in Somerville) to address air and noise pollution and improve pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. W. Zamore stated that the health effects from exposure to emissions in the corridor result in one thousand times as many deaths as the pedestrian and bicycle crashes. W. Zamore stated that studies show large increases in lung cancer mortality, childhood asthma, and cardiovascular disease mortality in people who live closest to highways.
There were none.
L. Diggins provided an overview of the recent Advisory Council meeting and stated that the next meeting would take place on June 9, 2021, and feature researchers on the mortality implications of the regional Transportation and Climate Initiative.
A motion to approve the minutes of the two-part meeting of March 25—April 1, 2021, was made by the MBTA Advisory Board (Brian Kane) and seconded by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) (Eric Bourassa). The motion carried.
A motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 8, 2021, was made by MAPC (E. Bourassa) and seconded by the North Suburban Planning Council (City of Woburn) (Tina Cassidy). The motion carried.
1. FFYs 2021–25 TIP Amendment Six
M. Genova stated that Amendment Six proposed cost and description updates for three highway projects currently programmed in FFY 2021. Amendment Six also proposed changes to the FFYs 2021–25 transit program, including the alignment of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s FFYs 2021–25 programming with its proposed FFYs 2022–26 programming, and the addition of a state funding match to a federally funded maintenance project in FFY 2021 for the Cape Ann Transportation Authority. The 21-day public comment period for Amendment Six began May 10, 2021, and extended until May 31, 2021. MPO staff received no public comments on the amendment.
A motion to approve Amendment Six to the FFY 2021–25 TIP was made by MAPC (E. Bourassa) and seconded by the Advisory Council (L. Diggins). The motion carried.
2. Public Comments Received on the Draft FFYs 2022–26 TIP
3. Summary of Public Comments and Draft Responses
M. Genova provided a summary of the contents of the draft FFYs 2022–26 TIP and public comments received during the 21-day public review period. M. Genova stated that the draft TIP includes $4.75 billion in investments in highway and transit projects throughout the Boston region, detailing all of the investments proposed using MPO Regional Target funds and investments proposed by MassDOT, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Cape Ann Transportation Authority, and MetroWest Regional Transit Authority using federal funding. Regional Target funds represent roughly 11 percent of all federal and state matching funds in the region.
M. Genova stated that MPO staff received 600 public comments during the public comment period, in addition to the more than 500 comments received during the development of the TIP.
M. Genova stated that, pending endorsement, MPO staff would submit the final TIP to MassDOT for incorporation in the Statewide TIP, which is then submitted to the MPO’s federal partners for approval. The new TIP will go into effect on October 1, 2021.
Jillian Linnell (MBTA) responded to M. Genova’s summary of public comments advocating for funding for improvements to Newton Commuter Rail Stations, clarifying that design funding is currently included in the MBTA’s Capital Investment Plan and the project was included in the TIP as a potential project funded by future federal loans.
David Koses (At-Large City) (City of Newton) asked that the draft response to Newton residents who commented be edited to reflect this clarification and the fact that the MPO has not voted to remove funding for this project.
E. Bourassa asked staff to respond to earlier public comments regarding the equity analysis. E. Bourassa asked specifically whether the results of the equity analysis largely reflect the air quality impacts of the Green Line Extension.
M. Genova stated that part of the reason the MPO is limited in making progress on the equitable distribution of funds to projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions for environmental justice populations is because the MPO chose not to program any new projects in the new TIP because of cost increases, meaning the distribution of funds reflects a status quo of the last TIP. M. Genova noted that the MPO did add funding for center-running bus lanes on Columbus Avenue in Boston to FFY 2021, but this is not reflected in the draft TIP because it occurred 2021.
Betsy Harvey (MPO Staff) stated that the equity analysis for the TIP is conducted by analyzing each project individually using Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality data and then aggregating the data at the regional level. The analysis reflects the distribution of air quality impacts across the entire system. B. Harvey stated that the Green Line Extension would have improved air quality overall but there was limited change over the last TIP because of the lack of new projects.
L. Diggins asked whether the volume of public comments was up compared to last year. M. Genova stated that controlling for the fact that most comments were submitted on a few specific projects, comments were slightly up from last year.
D. Mohler asked whether the equity analysis showed that air quality is improving across the region for both equity populations and non-equity populations, but it is not improving as much for equity populations or is air quality actually deteriorating for equity populations and improving for non-equity populations.
B. Harvey stated that for most equity populations the decrease in emissions was greater for the equity population than their non-equity counterparts. However, this does not reduce existing disparities. B. Harvey noted that part of the challenge is that the MPO does not have good data on existing baseline disparities for the region. MPO staff are conducting a study next year to determine this baseline to better measure performance.
J. Epke clarified the concern that while air quality is getting better everywhere, it is getting better faster where it needs to the least. Communities with the best air are getting the greatest reductions, which widens the gap.
B. Harvey noted that there was an improvement over last year but that certainly for some populations MPO investments are not addressing existing inequities.
L. Diggins asked whether the disparity between the reductions for equity populations versus non-equity populations would be considered statistically significant. B. Harvey replied that more analysis would be needed to determine this.
A motion to endorse the FFY 2022–26 TIP was made by MAPC (E. Bourassa) and seconded by the MBTA Advisory Board (B. Kane). The motion carried.
1. Route 53 Corridor Study in Norwell
C. Wang presented the findings of the Route 53 Corridor Study in Norwell. This report identifies specific transportation issues and concerns in the Route 53 corridor in Norwell; presents an in-depth analysis of multiple transportation-related factors, such as accommodations for people who walk and bike and safe access to adjacent businesses; proposes short- and long-term improvements to address the problems; and provides a vision for the corridor’s long-term development.
L. Diggins asked whether 217 responses to the community survey conducted as part of the study indicates strong community engagement, and whether the survey asked for demographic information. C. Wang stated that based on MPO staff experience, this is a relatively strong response rate for a corridor with about 4,000 households. C. Wang stated that demographic questions were not asked on this survey, but standard demographic questions have been instituted for corridor studies going forward.
L. Diggins asked about the potential for mixed-use development on the corridor. E. Bourassa stated that MAPC was involved in the study and is working with the South Shore Coalition on improving last-mile connections in the subregion. Mark Abbott (MPO Staff) noted that MAPC first introduced the possibility of a corridor study to Norwell as part of a rezoning process, and the town is considering the possibility of mixed-use development along the corridor.
1. CTPS Draft Strategic Plan as of 2021.05.24 Prepared by Navin Associates and Claremont Consulting
T. Teich presented the draft CTPS Five-year Strategic Plan. T. Teich stated that this strategic plan is for CTPS as an organization, and not for the Boston Region MPO. The CTPS strategic plan was intended to be completed before the MPO decides how to progress in developing an MPO operations plan as recommended in the 2019 federal certification review report. T. Teich stated that following the meeting, staff would finalize the strategic plan document, including the creation of an evaluation dashboard and estimates of resources needed for certain actions.
The consultant team facilitated a research process, extensive engagement, and the development of the plan. The bulk of engagement was with a steering committee of 20 members representing a cross-section of CTPS personnel and stakeholders from the MPO Board. The process consisted of an organizational assessment, interviews and focus groups with almost 100 stakeholders, and a two-day retreat with the steering committee to develop a revised mission, vision, goals, and objectives.
The revised vision statement parallels the MPO vision and is grounded in themes and values around leadership, collaboration, diversity and equity, climate resiliency, transparency, and integrity. Goal 1 is focused on Sector Leadership. Goals 2 and 3 are focused on Programs and Services. Goal 4, Governance, is mostly deferred except for an objective to improve training for new and existing Board members. Goal 5 is focused on Organizational Structure and Staffing. Goal 6 includes objectives related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Goal 7 is Marketing and Public Presentation. Goals 8 and 9, Funding and Operations, are partially deferred and involve considering the feasibility of accessing additional funding sources. The timeline for implementation is to develop plans, processes, or materials related to objectives in the first two years of the plan, SFYs 22 and 23, with implementation in the final three years, SFYs 24 through 26.
D. Amstutz expressed support for the inclusion of Goal 6 and asked whether this goal would also be integrated into the other goal areas. T. Teich agreed that DEI should be integrated into everything the agency does, but also needs its own dedicated space to ensure the attention it needs.
D. Mohler stated that the next MPO and an Administration and Finance Committee meeting were scheduled for June 17, 2021, but that the MPO meeting would possibly be canceled. D. Mohler noted that Governor Baker’s Executive Order allowing remote participation in meetings was set to expire on June 15, after which a quorum would need to be present in-person to hold meetings. D. Mohler stated that legislation had been filed to extend the order, but it had not yet been extended.
A motion to adjourn was made by MAPC (E. Bourassa) and seconded by the Advisory Council (L. Diggins). The motion carried.
|
Members |
Representatives
and
Alternates |
|
At-Large City (City of Everett) |
Jay Monty |
|
At-Large City (City of Newton) |
David Koses |
|
At-Large Town (Town of Arlington) |
Daniel Amstutz |
|
At-Large Town (Town of Brookline) |
Heather Hamilton |
|
City of Boston (Boston Planning &
Development Agency) |
Jim Fitzgerald |
|
City of Boston (Boston Transportation
Department) |
Bill Conroy |
|
Federal Highway Administration |
Ken Miller |
|
Federal Transit Administration |
|
|
Inner Core Committee (City of Somerville) |
Tom Bent |
|
Massachusetts Department of Transportation |
David Mohler John Bechard |
|
MassDOT Highway Division |
John Romano |
|
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
(MBTA) |
Jillian Linnell |
|
Massachusetts Port Authority |
|
|
MBTA Advisory Board |
Brian Kane |
|
Metropolitan Area Planning Council |
Eric Bourassa |
|
MetroWest Regional Collaborative (City of
Framingham) |
Thatcher Kezer III |
|
Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal
Coordination (Town of Acton) |
|
|
North Shore Task Force (City of Beverly) |
Darlene Wynne |
|
North Suburban Planning Council (City of
Woburn) |
Tina Cassidy |
|
Regional Transportation Advisory Council |
Lenard Diggins |
|
South Shore Coalition (Town of Rockland) |
|
|
South West Advisory Planning Committee
(Town of Medway) |
Peter Pelletier |
|
Three Rivers Interlocal Council (Town of
Norwood/Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce) |
Tom O’Rourke |
|
Other
Attendees |
Affiliation |
|
Aleida Leza |
Belmont resident |
|
Benjamin N.W. Muller |
MassDOT OTP |
|
Bonnie Friedman |
|
|
Bryan Pounds |
MassDOT OTP |
|
Cheryll-Ann Senior |
MassDOT |
|
Colette Aufranc |
|
|
Constance Raphael |
MassDOT |
|
Eric Johnson |
City of Framingham |
|
Garrett Wollman |
|
|
Jarrod Goentzel |
|
|
Joe Blankenship |
Boston Transportation Department |
|
Johannes Epke |
Conservation Law Foundation |
|
Jon Seward |
|
|
Joy Glynn |
MWRTA |
|
JR Frey |
Town of Hingham |
|
Kate Bowen |
|
|
Matt Moran |
Boston Transportation Department |
|
Michelle Ho |
MassDOT OTP |
|
Owen MacDonald |
Town of Weymouth |
|
Paula Doucette |
|
|
Rich Benevento |
WorldTech Engineering |
|
Schuyler Larrabee |
|
|
Steve Olanoff |
TRIC Alternate |
|
Todd Blake |
City of Medford |
|
Todd Kirrane |
Town of Brookline |
|
Wig Zamore |
|
|
MPO
Staff/Central Transportation Planning Staff |
|
Tegin Teich, Executive Director |
|
Mark Abbott |
|
Matt Archer |
|
Annette Demchur |
|
Róisín Foley |
|
Hiral Gandhi |
|
Matt Genova |
|
Betsy Harvey |
|
Sandy Johnston |
|
Anne McGahan |
|
Marty Milkovits |
|
Rebecca Morgan |
|
Ariel Patterson |
|
Gina Perille |
|
Barbara Rutman |
|
Michelle Scott |
|
Chen-Yuan Wang |
|
Kate White |
|
The Boston Region
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) operates its programs, services, and
activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws including Title
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), the Civil Rights Restoration
Act of 1987, and related statutes and regulations. Title VI prohibits
discrimination in federally assisted programs and requires that no person in
the United States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color, or
national origin (including limited English proficiency), be excluded from
participation in, denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to
discrimination under any program or activity that receives federal
assistance. Related federal nondiscrimination laws administered by the
Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, or both,
prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, sex, and disability. The Boston
Region MPO considers these protected populations in its Title VI Programs,
consistent with federal interpretation and administration. In addition, the
Boston Region MPO provides meaningful access to its programs, services, and
activities to individuals with limited English proficiency, in compliance
with U.S. Department of Transportation policy and guidance on federal
Executive Order 13166. The Boston Region MPO also
complies with the Massachusetts Public Accommodation Law, M.G.L. c 272
sections 92a, 98, 98a, which prohibits making any distinction,
discrimination, or restriction in admission to, or treatment in a place of
public accommodation based on race, color, religious creed, national origin,
sex, sexual orientation, disability, or ancestry. Likewise, the Boston Region
MPO complies with the Governor's Executive Order 526, section 4, which requires
that all programs, activities, and services provided, performed, licensed,
chartered, funded, regulated, or contracted for by the state shall be
conducted without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, age, gender,
ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion,
creed, ancestry, national origin, disability, veteran's status (including
Vietnam-era veterans), or background. A complaint form and
additional information can be obtained by contacting the MPO or at http://www.bostonmpo.org/mpo_non_discrimination. To request this
information in a different language or in an accessible format, please
contact Title VI Specialist By Telephone: For people with hearing or speaking difficulties,
connect through the state MassRelay service: ·
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TTY or Hearing Carry-over: 800.439.2370 ·
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Voice Carry-over: 866.887.6619 ·
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