Draft Memorandum for the Record
Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization
Ad Hoc Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Committee Meeting Summary
October 25, 2023, Meeting
12:00 PM–12:40 PM, Zoom Video Conferencing Platform
Tom Bent, Chair, representing Mayor Katjana Ballentyne, the Inner Core Committee, and the City of Somerville
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Ad Hoc MOU Committee agreed to bring the memorandum discussion topics and processes for updates of the MOU to the full MPO Board.
Materials for this meeting included the following:
1. Recommended Topics and Processes for the MOU Memo (pdf) (html)
See attendance on page 4.
There were none.
T. Teich stated that content discussed at the previous meeting has been reformatted into a memorandum to the full board making a recommendation on processes and themes for updates. Section one contains a recommendation to rename and expand the purview of this ad hoc committee. Section two includes topic summaries. Section three provides context and process recommendations for specific topics.
T. Teich stated that the memo includes a recommendation to rename the committee to the MOU Update Committee, retaining the same composition of the ad hoc committee, while meeting approximately monthly for nine months to one year. The first meeting will review federal regulations related to MOUs, peer MOUs, and topics in this memorandum, along with a proposed work plan and schedule for updates to present to the full board. The committee’s work will culminate in a set of recommended updates to the MOU.
T. Bent asked the committee if there is consensus on recommending that deliberations for MOU updates should be in a committee setting, rather than the full board. Lenard Diggins, Regional Transportation Advisory Council, agreed with this approach and recommended opening membership to any additional members of the board who are interested in participating.
Eric Bourassa, Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), asked when the committee would bring updates to the full MPO board. T. Teich stated that the draft memorandum proposes that the committee should provide a minimum of quarterly updates to the board. L. Diggins supported frequent updates to the board. T. Bent asked if the committee would be asking for approval from the full board. Derek Krevat, Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), suggested combining updates of similar topics together.
E. Bourassa asked if there are additional clarifying revisions that will be done to the document. T. Teich stated that most straightforward updates were approved by the board in July 2023, while there are also staff-led topics that are proposed in the memorandum.
T. Bent prompted a discussion of the timeframe and frequency of the committee’s work. T. Teich stated that the memo proposes nine months to one year of work with monthly meetings, with an acknowledgement that annual MPO work may shift the schedule. Jen Rowe, City of Boston, suggested beginning work in January 2024. John Romano, MassDOT, suggested working around staff capacity. J. Romano stated that the committee should meet twice a month when beginning the work.
A motion to bring the memorandum of recommended processes and themes to guide updates to the MOU was made by the MAPC (E. Bourassa) and seconded by MassDOT (J. Romano). The motion carried.
There were none.
A motion to adjourn was made by the Regional Transportation Advisory Council (L. Diggins) and seconded by the MAPC (E. Bourassa). The motion carried.
|
Members |
Representatives and Alternates |
|
Massachusetts Department of Transportation |
Derek Krevat John Romano |
|
Metropolitan Area Planning Council |
Eric Bourassa |
|
Regional Transportation Advisory Council |
Lenard Diggins |
|
City of Boston (Boston Transportation Department) |
Jen Rowe |
|
Inner Core Committee (City of Somerville) |
Tom Bent |
|
City of Framingham (Metrowest Regional Collaborative) |
|
|
MBTA Advisory Board |
|
|
Other Attendees |
Affiliation |
|
Tyler Terrasi |
MetroWest Regional Transit Authority |
|
MPO Staff/Central Transportation Planning Staff |
|
Tegin Teich, Executive Director |
|
Annette Demchur |
|
Dave Hong |
|
Erin Maguire |
|
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 · Relay Using Voice Carry-over: 866.887.6619 · Relay Using Text to Speech: 866.645.9870 For more information, including numbers for Spanish speakers, visit https://www.mass.gov/massrelay |