Committee Agenda for Public Service and Transportation Committee 12/09/2020

CITY OF WORCESTER

Public Service and Transportation Committee Meeting

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 5:36 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:17 P.M.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty	www.worcesterma.gov	Clerk of the City Council Nikolin Vangjeli
Committee Members
Chairperson Gary Rosen
Vice Chairperson Donna M Colorio
Councilor Sarai Rivera

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

	Present Were:	Chairperson Councilor Gary Rosen Vice Chairperson Councilor Donna M Colorio Councilor Sarai Rivera

	Also:	WRTA Administrator Dennis Lipka Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk

Approval of the Minutes



1a.	Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Public Service and Transportation hereby approves the minutes of the Public Service and Transportation Committee on November 9, 2020.	View Agenda

	Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Colorio absent)

Public Participation



2a.	In order to ensure the continuation of active public engagement, the City of Worcester will now use a phone conference line for members of the public to participate in all public meetings. To participate during the public participation phase of City Council, you may call the direct line indicated: Levi Lincoln Chamber - 415-655-0001 (Access Code: 179 597 1640) or enter the below URL into your web browser. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user during public participation you may dial *3. https://cowevents.webex.com/cowevents/onstage/g.php?MTID=e4e95637c3edbd637c01987a433309bd0	Attachments

	No speakers were recognized during this portion of the meeting.

Miscellaneous Items



3a.	Order of Councilor Gary Rosen, Councilor Matthew E. Wally, Councilor Sarai Rivera, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey, Councilor Sean M. Rose and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation Committee hold a public hearing to discuss possible options in light of the MBTA's proposed cuts that will, among others, eliminate commuter rail service on weekends and after 9 p.m. on weekdays. These major service cuts will cause definite hardship for some of Worcester's essential workers and city residents for whom public transit is a necessity. # 10c CC November 17, 2020	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and discussed the importance of the MBTA’s commuter rail to the commuting community of the city. Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized the Chief Development officer, who discussed the city’s advocacy efforts to the MBTA, as well as the potential for expanded services in the long-term. Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed issues relative to individuals who require public transportation in order to get to their places of work. Chairperson Councilor Rosen brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Council and the City Manager notify the Governor of the Commonwealth, the city’s local delegation and the MBTA Administration, once the threat of COVID-19 has diminished, that commuter rail service between Worcester and Boston, including on weekends and after 9 p.m., be fully restored. Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the ridership numbers of the MBTA prior to COVID-19, including providing the workforce with necessary transportation services. Chairperson Councilor Rosen moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

	Chairman's Orders
	Request City Council and the City Manager notify the Governor of the Commonwealth, the city’s local delegation and the MBTA Administration, once the threat of COVID-19 has diminished, that commuter rail service between Worcester and Boston, including on weekends and after 9 p.m., be fully restored.


3b.	Order of Councilor Gary Rosen - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation invite to an upcoming meeting and offer support to the owners of Ride The Woo, a 6-trolley experience, marketing and transportation service company that will serve the downtown business district beginning in 2021. # 8a CC January 14, 2020	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and moved to recommend the item be held. Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.


3c.	Petition of Jo Hart request City Council provide a master plan for public transportation to the Polar Park area. # 9e CC August 13, 2019 In Committee February 24, 2020 - Held In Committee June 1, 2020 - Held	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and recognized the WRTA Administrator, who discussed the project of Polar Park and its effect relative to the bus routes in the area surrounding the Ballpark, which is extremely close to the WRTA Hub, located in downtown Worcester. Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the traffic patterns associated with the streets surrounding Polar Park. Chairperson Councilor Rosen moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent)