CITY OF WORCESTER | Public Service and Transportation Committee Meeting | Thursday, March 30, 2023 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:30 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:32 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Morris A Bergman | | Vice Chairperson Thu Nguyen | | Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Morris A Bergman
Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson | | | | | Also: | WRTA Administrator Dennis Lipka
Chairman of WRTA Advisory Board Gary Rosen
WRTA Representative Janine Winters
WPD Lieutenant Timothy Walsh
Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Virtual Attendee Call-In Information | |
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| | | 1a. | Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated.
Public Service and Transportation Committee Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/99057901613
Public Service and Transportation Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Public Service and Transportation Committee Zoom Access Code: 990 5790 1613 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Kamara Scott, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to item #3c
2. Adam Thielker, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to item #3c | |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 2a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Public Service and Transportation hereby approves the minutes of the Public Service and Transportation Committee meeting on January 5, 2023. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman 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 (Nguyen absent) | |
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| | | 3a. | Order of Councilor Morris A. Bergman - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to collaborate with the WRTA Director to ensure signage for bus stops are present and readable.
# 21q CC August 10, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the WRTA Administrator, who discussed the installation of bus stop signage and reports relative to damaged poles or missing signs.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the process for removing bus stop signs in locations that no longer have bus stops and plans concerning updating bus stop signage, installation of information hub and new design and functions for the WRTA website with the WRTA Administrator.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 3b. | Order of Councilor Morris A. Bergman - Request City Manager request Police Chief collaborate with the WRTA Director to determine best practices for preventing and enforcing illegal parking in “No Parking Bus Stops” signage locations.
# 21r CC August 10, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the WPD Lieutenant, who discussed possible methods to prevent and enforce illegal parking at bus stops.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman then discussed the ticketing and fine for bus stop parking violations with the WPD Lieutenant and the WRTA Administrator.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request City Solicitor review the penalties associated with parking in bus stops.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the WRTA Representative, who discussed the No Parking signage design for the bus stops and the new bus stop and signage reporting form on the website.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request City Solicitor review the penalties associated with parking in bus stops. | |
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| | | 3c. | Order of Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Donna M. Colorio, Councilor Etel Haxhijaj, Councilor Khrystian E. King, Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, Councilor Thu Nguyen, Councilor Sarai Rivera, Councilor Sean M. Rose, Councilor George J. Russell, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey and Mayor Joseph M. Petty - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation hold a public discussion concerning: 1) passenger usage from 2019-2022 (March); 2) funding sources available, potentially including ARPA, federal and state grants to offset zero fare; 3) bus routes as they relate to where the city’s top 10 employers are located; 4) what, if any, public input and/or marketing efforts are occurring to improve ridership; and 5) working with area colleges to determine increased consistency and improved routing around said colleges.
# 12b Tuesday, April 26, 2022
In Committee May 3, 2022 - Held
In Committee January 5, 2023 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Clerk provide City Council with the North High School Transportation Youth Plan relative to how students travel to and from school.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the WRTA bus route and schedule relative to North High School with Speaker #1.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the WRTA Administrator, who discussed the modification of bus routes and schedules to provide additional services to public schools.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the bus routes and schedules relative to North High School and the Ecotarium.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the WRTA Administrator, who discussed the timeline concerning the recommendations provided by the WRTA audit and finance departments at the WRTA meeting.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman discussed the new fiscal year budget with the WRTA Administrator.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the Chair of the WRTA Board, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Clerk provide City Council with the North High School Transportation Youth Plan relative to how students travel to and from school. | |
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