Fiscal and Management Control Board
February 1, 2016, 2016
10 Park Plaza, Suite 3830
Transportation Building
Boston, MA
MEETING MINUTES
Members: Chairman Joseph Aiello, Director Lisa Calise, Director Brian Lang, Director Steven Poftak, and Director Monica Tibbits-Nutt
Present: Chairman Joseph Aiello, Director Lisa Calise, Director Brian Lang, Director Steven Poftak, and Director Monica Tibbits-Nutt
Quorum Present: Yes
Others Present: Secretary Stephanie Pollack, Frank DePaola, Brian Shortsleeve, John Englander, Owen Kane
PROCEEDINGS:
At the call of the Chair, a meeting of the Fiscal and Management Control Board was called to order at 12:05 p.m at the State Transportation Building, Suite 3830, Boston, Massachusetts.
Chairman Aiello opened up the public comment period. The first speaker was Steven Kaiser, who commented on Agenda Item F, a discussion of the updated Service Delivery Policy.
Next, Louise Baxter from the T Rider’s Union commented on absenteeism at the MBTA and improving morale.
Next, Mela Miles from On the Move and the Greater 4 Corners Action Coalition commented on Agenda Item F, the service delivery policy and how it related to the Fairmount Line.
Next, Rich Prone from the MBTA Advisory Board commented about the commuter rail schedule, particularly the Kingston Line.
The last speaker was Russell Gittlen, MassDOT board member and the area director for the Machinists Union, Local 447, who said that working with the unions was the best way to get costs and absenteeism under control.
REPORTS/PRESENTATIONS:
Next, Chairman Aiello said that in order to accommodate schedules he was going to take some agenda items out of order. The Chair skipped to Agenda Item D and asked Chief Administrator Shortsleeve to give his report. Mr. Shortsleeve’s discussion focused on absenteeism, as set forth in a short presentation labeled “Absenteeism, February 1, 2016.”
Next, the Chair asked the Chief Administrator to present Agenda Item G, a discussion of the Authority’s existing debt obligations. Mr. Shortsleeve informed the Board that the Authority hired an outside firm to assist in the broad review of the MBTA’s debt. PFM Financial & Investment Advisors is the largest independent financial advisor in the municipal industry and will undertake four tasks: analyze current outstanding debt; analyze the swap portfolio; review the Authority’s debt policy and evaluate system debt capacity. Mr. Shortsleeve introduced June Matte from PFM to begin the discussion, as set forth in the attached presentation labeled, “PFM: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Fiscal and Management Control Board, February 1, 2016.”
Next Chairman Aiello asked the Board to approve the minutes for the December 9 and December 14, 2015 board meetings.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was
VOTED: to approve the minutes of the December 9, 2015 meeting.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was
VOTED: to approve the minutes of the December 14, 2015 meeting.
Next, Chairman Aiello asked General Manager Frank DePaola to give his report, Agenda Item C. The General Manager updated the board on the week’s operations and system performance and noted he attended the South Acton Commuter Rail Station opening on Saturday, January 30, 2016.
Brian Kane continued with Agenda Item E discussing proposed upcoming agenda items for the Fiscal and Management Control Board, as set forth in the attached document entitled “FMCB Agenda.”
Chairman Aiello asked Laurel Paget-Seekins, Director of Strategic Initiatives to present Agenda Item F, a discussion of the draft updated service deliver policy. Ms. Paget-Seekins began the discussion of the service delivery policy by outlining the MBTA’s service standards, evaluation techniques and service planning methods in addition to other activities, as set forth in the attached presentation labeled, “Service Delivery Policy, February 1, 2016.”
On motion duly made and seconded,
By roll call:
Chairman Aiello yes
Director Calise yes
Director Lang yes
Director Poftak yes
Director Tibbits-Nutt yes
VOTED: to enter into Executive Session at 1:25 p.m. to discuss the negotiation of labor contracts and pending litigation.
DOCUMENTS RELIED ON IN THE MEETING
Minutes of December 9, 2015 FMCB meeting
Minutes of December 14, 2015 FMCB meeting
CA Report – Absenteeism slides
FMCB Agenda
Service Delivery Policy
PFM Presentation on Debt