Administration and Finance (A&F) Meeting Minutes
Draft Memorandum for the Record
Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Meeting
October 20, 2022, Meeting
9:00 AM–10:00 AM, Zoom Video Conferencing Platform
Brian Kane, Chair, representing the MBTA Advisory Board
The Administration and Finance Committee agreed to the following:
See attendance on page 4.
There were none.
A motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of August 25, 2022, was made by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) (Eric Bourassa) and seconded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Office of Transportation Planning (Derek Krevat). The motion carried.
H. Gandhi provided a status update of the revenue and expenses for the first quarter of the State Fiscal Year. H. Gandhi presented a graph comparing the projected revenue to actual revenue received in the first quarter. The majority of Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS) revenue is under what was projected for Quarter One overall, receiving 19 percent less revenue than originally projected. One of the major reasons for this trend continues to be the staffing shortage. CTPS staff is working to hire additional staff but has not been able to hire to the levels expected. In the first quarter, CTPS hired seven new staff members while also having some staff attrition. H. Gandhi presented a graph comparing the projected expenses versus the actual expenses. Overall expenses were on target with what MPO staff expected for this quarter. Fringe salaries are trending eight percent higher than projected, with most of this change due to vacation payout related to staff retirements. The leadership team is committed to monitoring these trends and strategizing how to increase CTPS’ revenue. In the second quarter, CTPS staff expect revenue to increase with the addition of new staff members.
B. Kane asked if there is concern that fringe salaries trended higher than expected even though staffing had decreased. H. Gandhi answered that the number of staff retirements in August is what contributed to the increase in fringe salaries. When CTPS hires new staff members, new staff will accrue and use less sick time.
Lenard Diggins, Regional Transportation Advisory Council, asked if the increase in fringe salaries was because of family and medical leave due to COVID-19 illnesses. Tegin Teich, Executive Director answered that a mix of factors lead to the increase.
Derek Krevat, MassDOT Office of Transportation Planning, asked how revenue is defined. H. Gandhi answered that CTPS staff projects each budget needed for a contract. CTPS staff will then charge their work to specific contracts. If the projected work hours are not met, CTPS cannot fully invoice the contract.
T. Teich emphasized CTPS’ active recruiting efforts and encouraged Committee members to share open positions among their networks.
H. Gandhi introduced the discussion of reimbursing staff for a portion of the Bluebikes membership. CTPS would give staff access to the Sliver Plan, where the employee pays $45 and CTPS pays $45 annually. This plan allows for unlimited rides up to the first 45 minutes of each ride. The annual membership is good for 365 days. The total potential cost to CTPS is $2,700 a year.
E. Bourassa asked if this was the same program MAPC currently offers. H. Gandhi answered yes, and that currently five members of MAPC staff use the membership.
E. Bourassa asked if the $2,700 figure was based on every employee participating. H. Gandhi answered yes that the figure was based on 60 staff members participating
L. Diggins stated his support for the program.
B. Kane asked if CTPS offers a similar program for parking. H. Gandhi stated that CTPS does not have a parking program, but CTPS does have a transit subsidy program. T. Teich added that CTPS offers parking passes on an as-needed basis.
A motion to approve reimbursing staff for a portion of the Bluebikes membership was made by the Regional Transportation Advisory Council (Lenard Diggins) and seconded by the MAPC (Eric Bourassa). The motion carried.
E. Bourassa stated that it would be helpful for Committee members to have Operations Plan materials with discussion questions in advance of the next meeting. T. Teich added that MPO staff would send meeting materials directly to Committee members in advance of the next A&F Committee meeting.
A motion to adjourn was made by the Regional Transportation Advisory Council (Lenard Diggins) and seconded by the MAPC (Eric Bourassa). The motion carried.
|
Members |
Representatives
and
Alternates |
|
MBTA Advisory Board |
Brian Kane |
|
Metropolitan Area Planning Council |
Eric Bourassa |
|
Regional Transportation Advisory Council |
Lenard Diggins |
|
MassDOT Office of Transportation Planning |
Derek Krevat |
|
Other
Attendees |
Affiliation |
|
Maha Aslam |
|
|
MPO
Staff/Central Transportation Planning Staff |
|
Tegin Teich, Executive Director |
|
Silva Ayvazyan |
|
Jonathan Church |
|
Annette Demchur |
|
Hiral Gandhi |
|
Sandy Johnston |
|
Ethan Lapointe |
|
Srilekha Murthy |
|
Gina Perille |
|
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: ·
Relay Using
TTY or Hearing Carry-over:
800.439.2370 ·
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Voice Carry-over: 866.887.6619 ·
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Text to Speech: 866.645.9870 For more information, including numbers for Spanish
speakers, visit https://www.mass.gov/massrelay. |