Public Transportation System
15 Blandin Avenue, Framingham, MA 01702
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The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) Advisory Board met on Monday, June 29, 2020, at 11:00 am at the call of Joseph Nolan, Advisory Board Chair/Wayland. Due to the cotiunuing COVID-19 pandemic the meeting was held virtually, with Advisory Board members and the public provided access via gotomeeting.com.
A roll call of members present was conducted by Eva Willens, Deputy Administrator. In attendance were: Karen Adelman-Foster/Natick, Ed Burman/Ashland-Vice Chair, Brian Herr/Hopkinton, John K. Higley/Sherborn, Jack Hunter/Hudson-Clerk, Larry Jacobs/Holliston, Meghan Jop/Wellesley, Thatcher Kezer/Framingham, Carole Mullen/Hopedale, Joseph Nolan/Wayland-Chair, Trish Pope/Marlborough.
Also participating: Ed Carr/Administrator, Eva Willens/Deputy Administrator, John Glynn/CFO, Patrick Moynihan/General Counsel, Joy Glynn, Paula Doucette, Ieshia Price, Emily VanDewoestine, Roger Kiessling/Kiessling Transit.
Not participating: Kathleen Bartolini/Southborough, Debra Galloway/Sudbury, Craig Hughes/Dover, Will Kingkade/Milford, Jean MacQuiddy/Weston, Susan Stocker of Sudbury/Disabled Community.
Chair Joseph Nolan, presiding, began the meeting with a review of the agenda, declared a quorum present, and the meeting was called to order at 11:05 am.
A motion was made by Mr. Burman of Ashland: Approval of minutes from the Advisory Board Meeting of April 27, 2020. Second by Mr. Herr of Hopkinton. The vote was unanimous.
Mr. Nolan requested any public comments from the audience. No public comments were presented.
Mr. Carr discussed the following items:
1) A summary of Solar PV Project production for the MWRTA was presented to the Board. The cost of electricity for the main building in 2018 was $91,000. The cost was down to $0 in 2019, and MWRTA received a $1,000 refund from the electric company, for a net year-on-year savings of $92,000. The Authority is currently six months into the second year with again relatively no cost for electricity. Mr. Carr thanked Hopkinton Board member, Brian Herr, for guiding the MWRTA through the solar project process.
2) Mr. Carr reported that ridership has plummeted with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with slow recovery to date. As the Authority moves forward post-COVID, Mr. Carr believes that public transportation generally and the MWRTA specifically will need to reinvent itself. The cost of business under this new model will surely increase. For now, MWRTA has adhered to all social distancing and other CDC recommended procedures. As of this time, there have been no COVID related illnesses associated with the RTA, its passengbers or employees. All employees and visitors entering the building, are required to have their temperatures taken daily. Drivers have been protected through the installation of barriers in all buses and the implementation of a vehicle disinfectant protocol.
3) Mr. Carr reported that the MWRTA is searching for a Micro Transit Manager. Micro transit is a form of demand response service that can be utilized by all passengers, not just ADA eligible riders. The service can be used for all journeys, whether to work or elsewhere. The labor force to provide this type of transportation is already in place within current staffing. To illustrate micro transit service potential, MWRTA is anticipating developing a demand response type service that fills in gaps that cannot currently be serviced via fixed route. Corporate sponsorship of micro transit routes could help in paying for the service. It would be similar to Lyft and Uber, but with public transportation and with a ridesharing component. Roll out of the service will begin in the fall to gauge demand. KTI has indicated they are in the process of developing a TNC (Transportation Network Company) Program and would like MWRTA to be a partner with MWRTA pilot a micro transit service through TNC.
4) MWRTA CATCH App is now available. Mr. Carr believes this as a first step towards implementing micro transit service. Daniel Fitch, MWRTA’s IT consultant, reported to the Board that the CATCH App is now live on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The App integrates MBTA data with respective stops for each route. This allows MWRTA shuttles to get the customer to and from their first mile/last mile destinations. Customers can also live chat with MWRTA dispatchers. There will be other platforms available in the future, as well. There are currently 70 users that have downloaded the App MWRTA will advertise CATCH at the Framingham Commuter Rail Station.
5) MWRTA has executed the Fixed Route/Shuttle Services and Demand Response Services contracts with National Express/KTI.
6) Mr. Carr reported that Governor Baker recently signed the 1/12 budget to continue funding for state contract assistance at the same level as last fiscal year, pending approval by the legislature of the FY 2021 state budget. He noted that even with the delay in the final state budget, MWRTA was one of the first RTAs to lockdown CARES Act (COVID-19) funding, and stated that receiving timely access to these funds will help to sustain the Authority as the legislature continues to debate the final state budget.
MWRTA CFO, John Glynn, presented the revised FY20 budget for Board approval, which is in line with the actuals. In FY20, the overall expenses decreased as a result of the COVID pandemic. The MWRTA operates on a break-even basis. The Board can compare the initial FY20 budget to the revised FY20 budget to see where any line item changes took place. Total expenditures for the final 2020 budget will end up at
$10,414,170 compared to the initial approved budget of $$11,443,166. Total revenue for FY2020 consists of Transportation Revenue $1,323,305; Federal Assistance and Training Initiatives $1,817,478; State Contract Assistance $3,202,464; and Local Assessments $4,070,922.
A motion was made by Mr. Burman of Ashland: To accept the revised FY20 budget as presented. Second by Mr. Hunter of Hudson. The vote was unanimous.
Mr. Glynn, presented the proposed FY2021 budget. He stated that next quarter’s activity from July 2020 to September 2020 will be low with activity anticipated to increase in November and December, which would result in adjustments to the budget plan. The $3,200,000 federal COVID-19/CARES Act funding will help with the anticipated budget shortfall. Anticipated state contract assistance funding is expected to ultimately reduce the amount of CARES Act funding required. Total budgeted expenditures for FY2021 are $11,491,076. Total budgeted revenue for FY2021 consists of Transportation Revenue $1,344,015; Federal Assistance and Training Initiatives $3,369,420; State Contract Assistance $2,604,946 and Local Assessments $4,172,695; all as set forth in the schedule entitled “Revised FY 2020 Budget – MWRTA – Proposed FY 2021 Budget” attached hereto.
A motion was made by Mr. Kezer of Framingham: To accept the FY21 budget, as presented. Second by Mr. Hunter of Hudson. The vote was unanimous.
In accordance with FTA and MassDOT requirements, Mr. Glynn, presented the MWRTA Financial Management – Written Financial Policies and Procedures. This document, which requires Advisory Board approval, summarizes the duties and obligations of the MWRTA financial staff charged within fiscal management. Systems are in place to ensure records are accurate, complete, and to address any issues, all in compliance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations. Mr. Glynn noted that the Authoirty is also subject to an annual independent audit and to periodic audits conducted by the Massachusetts State Auditor and MassDOT.
A motion made by Mr. Burman of Ashland: To approve the MWRTA Financial Management – Written Financial Policies and Procedures, as presented. Second by Ms. Adelman-Foster of Natick: The vote was unanimous.
Under Section 2.2 of the MWRTA By-Laws, the Advisory Board shall hold an election of officers annually at the last regularly scheduled Board meeting of the fiscal year. The Chair noted that this was the last meeting of FY 2020 and opened the floor for nomination of officers. The current officers are Mr. Nolan, Chair, Mr. Burman Vice Chair and Mr. Hunter, Clerk. After discussion in which the current slate of officers expressed a willingness to continue to serve, no one else expressed an interest in becoming a Board officer. It was noted that Mr. Hunter will retire on July 31 of 2020, but may be retained by the Town of Hudson as its Advisory Board representative. If Mr. Hunter does not continue on the Board, in accordance with the by-laws, the vacancy will be filled at the next regular meeting.
A motion made by Mr. Herr of Hopkinton: To approve the Board reorganization with the current slate of officers. Second by Mr. Kezer of Framingham: The vote was unanimous.
MWRTA will provide a link to the AECOM survey assessment that allows riders and member communities to ask or answer survey questions related to service in their cities and towns. These survey results will enable MWRTA to obtain more user information.
The next Advisory Board meeting, unless there is an emergency, will be held at the end of September/early October, 2020.
A motion was made by Mr. Higley of Sherborn: To adjourn the meeting. Second Mr. Burman of Ashland:
The vote was unanimous.
Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 11:53 am.
The undersigned being the duly qualified acting clerk of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board acknowledges that the foregoing minutes accurately reflect the actions taken at a legally convened meeting of the Advisory Board held on June 29, 2020.
___________________ Clerk
REVISED FY 2020 BUDGET MWRTA PROPOSED FY 2021 BUDGET
Initial FY 2020 Budget
Revised FY 2020 Budget
Proposed FY 2021 Budget
Fare &Pass Revenue
$ 380,920
$ 311,200
$ 373,440
ADA /Demand Response Revenue
$ 244,690
$ 168,191
$ 200,989
Interest Income
$ 8,072
$ 5,121
$ 5,950
Fuel Tax Rebate/Other
$ 548,594
$ 637,045
$ 544,365
Intermodal Parking Lot Operating Revenue
$ 292,305
$ 201,749
$ 219,271
Total Transportation Revenue
$ 1,474,581
$ 1,323,305
$ 1,344,015
EXPENSES
Fixed Route:
$ 3,283,967
$ 3,246,190
$ 3,674,666
Demand Response:
$ 284,790
$ 299,822
$ 316,200
ADA:
$ 2,735,424
$ 2,114,651
$ 2,496,109
Call Center
$ 420,466
$ 401,915
$ 437,174
Fuel
$ 792,969
$ 583,671
$ 600,298
Insurance
$ 504,276
$ 546,680
$ 569,114
Advertising/Promotion/Printing
$ 39,875
$ 40,485
$ 48,200
Administrative
$ 1,181,786
$ 1,122,805
$ 1,168,758
Administrators Meetings and Meals Allowance
$ 3,661
$ 3,771
Interest Expense
$ 255,485
$ 162,189
$ 169,934
Operations Center
$ 1,471,554
$ 1,519,473
$ 1,609,579
Professional Services
$ 158,814
$ 170,879
$ 178,002
Intermodal Parking Lot Operating Expense
Total Expenses
$ 11,421,711
$ 10,414,170
$ 11,491,076
Less Projected Income
Transportation Revenue
UZA 5307 Federal Assistance
$ 1,836,012
$ 922,968
UZA 5307 Cares Act Proceeds
$ 825,000
$ 3,298,479
Travel Training Initiative
$ 100,000
$ 69,510
$ 70,941
5310 Federal Assistance
$ 200,000
Projected Net Cost of Service
$ 7,811,118
$ 7,273,386
$ 6,777,641
State Contract Assistance
$ 3,630,555
$ 3,202,464
$ 2,604,946
Local Assessments
$ 4,180,563
$ 4,070,922
$ 4,172,695
Operating Deficit Total
$ -
$ (0.00)
Advisory Board Meeting - September 28, 2020
Advisory Board Meeting - April 27, 2020
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