Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on April 15, 2003

 

Attendance: Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB), Andy Labruzzo (Albany County Planning Dept.), Scott Lewendon (Clough Harbour & Assoc.) Kevin McLoughlin (NYPCA), Don Odell (Friends of MHBHT), Barbara Quint (Guilderland Pathways), Paul Russell (Town of Colonie), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Sarah Kurpiel (CDTC), Teresa La Salle (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

 

March 2003 minutes were approved.

 

2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES

 

3.0 ONGOING TASKS

3.1 Greenways Grant for Regional Bike Trail: J. Purvis reported that the 2nd public meeting will be held at the Cohoes Visitor Center on Wednesday, May 7th at 7:00 p.m.  The final maps and graphics will be presented at the meeting. A summary with some graphics will be available on CDTC’s, Albany County’s, and the Greenway’s websites, prior to the meeting.

 

3.2 CDTC's Bicycle/Pedestrian Priority Network: J. Purvis noted that after speaking with John Poorman, the Bicycle/Pedestrian Priority Network can be brought to CDTC’s Planning Committee as part of the whole Toolbox Update document, rather than as a separate document.  T. La Salle provided maps highlighting proposed additions to the existing network for review.  A discussion was held regarding how to prioritize potential additions.  J. Purvis noted that no facilities will be deleted from the existing network, but rather those that have experienced improvements will be shown as “success stories”.  J. Purvis also noted that geographic balance should be kept in mind when adding new facilities to the existing network.  The task force agreed to review the proposed additions county by county.  Comments on proposed additions in Albany County will be reviewed at the next meeting.  J. Purvis reminded everyone that all off-road/on-road trails (multi-purpose trails), such as the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail are automatically on the network. 

 

3.3 Game Plan and Toolbox Update:  J. Purvis noted that there will be a meeting on Tuesday, April 29th at 1:30 p.m. at CDTC, to discuss the direction to take in the update of the Toolbox.  S. Kurpiel is updating the charts and graphs with 1990 and 2000 Census data comparisons.  A. Labruzzo noted that Rocky Ferraro at CDRPC is working on projections of selected Census data to the year 2030.  J. Purvis agreed to contact Rocky regarding Census projections.  J. Purvis noted that drafts of the Toolbox update will be sent to task force members.

 

3.4 Canalway Initiative: D. Odell reported that ECOS update of the Canalway Brochure is at the printer and should be completed soon.  The Albany Visitors center has received a $5000.00 grant from the Greenway.  State Parks is going through the preferential rights process regarding CSX abandonment of tracks in Pattersonville.  D. Odell reported that Saratoga County has sold land along the route of the proposed Old Champlain Canal Trail to adjoining landowners.  The Friends group has determined that Adopt-A-Trail efforts should be concentrated at local levels.  D. Odell noted that ADK will be participating in cleanup efforts on National Trails Day.  In the past Canal Lock 23 has been cared for by Union Colleges’ Civil Engineering Department, but that the department will be closing in the near future. The Town of Rotterdam has some interest in taking over the maintenance of the lock.  Lastly, D. Odell noted that ECOS will be holding their annual dinner on April 28th at the Schenectady County Community College.  The cost for non-members is $30.00.

 

3.5 Guilderland Pathways Committee: B. Quint reported that the committee’s presentation to the town board on April 1st regarding the preliminary sidewalk masterplan was well received.  A public hearing will be held. 

 

4.0 NEW BUSINESS

 

4.1 Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail Map update: T. La Salle noted that preliminary work on the recreation/update of the map is underway.  The size and general layout of the map will be based on the Old Croton Trailway State Park map.

 

4.2 Other New business: I. Vamos brought attention to proposed legislation to allow Segways on sidewalks at high speeds.  I. Vamos stressed the safety concerns this would pose for pedestrians.  Please email any comments you may have to Ivan at: Ivanvamos@hotmail.com.

 

E. Troy mentioned the NYSDOH’s walking campaign in Binghamton for persons aged 40 years and over.

 

K. Mcloughlin noted that Robin Dropkin has been appointed to the position of Executive Director of NYPCA. 

 

M. Cashman noted that Lou Rossi, the author of “Bicycling Along the trails of New York”, will be attending the MHCC meeting at St. Michaels Episcopal Church in Colonie on Thursday, My 1st at 7:30 p.m.

 

P. Russell noted that he is working on a slide presentation of the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway and offered to present the presentation at the next task force meeting.

 

5.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

 

-         The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2002 at 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.