Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on February 8, 2005

 

 

Attendance:   Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB),Lindsay Childs (Guilderland Pathways),  Carol Fraser (NYSDEC), David Gehrs (CDTA), Scott Lewendon (Clough Harbour), William Mackesey (Town of Clifton Park),  Jim Mearkle (Albany Co. DPW), Kevin McLoughlin (PTNY), Mary McNeill (NYSDOT Region 1),  Don Odell (Retired), Henrietta O’Grady (Halfmoon Trails Committee), Ed Peck (Halfmoon Trails Committee),  Joshua Poppel (NYBC), Deb Spicer (NYSDOH), John Stangle (Village of Menands), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Ivan Vamos (NYBC),  Teresa La Salle (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

 

The January 2005 meeting minutes were approved.

 

2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES

 

2.1 Presentation—Guidelines for Accessible Trail Construction

 

Carol Fraser of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation gave a PowerPoint presentation summarizing guidelines for the ADA and universal access for outdoor developed areas. 

 

 

3.0 ONGOING TASKS

 

3.1 Local Trails/Pathways Committees:

 

3.1.1 Guilderland – L. Childs reported that Jim Donovan of Wilbur Smith Associates had   been hired with funding from a Greenway Grant to look at the Pathways master plan.  Jim Donovan identified that the Thruway Path was more of a regional idea and would be better presented by a regional agency.

 

L. Childs noted that the next meeting regarding the reconstruction of the NYS Thruway between exits 23 and 25 will be held Tuesday, February 15th at 6:30 p.m. at St. Sophia’s on Whitehall Road in the City of Albany.

 

Mike Franchini of Albany County Public Works reported to the Mckownville Improvement Association that improvements to bike/ped access in the area would be addressed within the next 5 years.

 

3.1.2 Halfmoon – H. O’Grady noted that a public information meeting is being planned for a proposed 2 mile trail along the Mohawk River.

 

3.1.3 Clifton Park – W. Mackesey noted that Clifton Park is in the process of revisiting and revising the town’s master plan.  He also noted that the town will be using TIP monies to build a trail from Vischers Ferry Road to NY146A, onto Kinns Road and Carleton Road.  Many additional trail connections are planned within the town.

 

3.2 Greenway Linkage (clean-up site status):  I. Vamos noted that the cap will be placed and correspondence has ended.

 

3.3 2005-06 Linkage Program: J. Purvis noted that CDTC received 14 applications, with two bike/ped specific projects.  Planning Committee will decide on funding at their 2/9 meeting.  The bike/ped specific projects were submitted by Malta/Ballston and Clifton Park/Halfmoon.

 

3.4 iHi Symposium-March 18, 2005: For more information visit the SUNY Albany website.  The symposium is free and partly funded by NYSDOH Healthy Heart.

 

3.5 PTNY Trails Conference: K. McLoughlin noted that the conference will be held June 17th and 18th at SUNY New Paltz.  Registration is $115 for members and $130 for non-members.  Lodging on campus is available at $45-55.

 

 

4.0 NEW BUSINESS

 

4.1 Other New Business: 

 

L. Childs requested verification of a quote he received regarding the cost of sidewalks.  Task force members referred him to Eric Ophardt at NYSDOT.

 

D. O’dell noted that the new Albany Bicycling Coalition group is concerned about the bikeability of Albany City streets. Many members bicycled to the City Common Council meeting on 2/7 regarding a temporary committee on bicycle safety.  He also mentioned NYBC’s Bicycle Movie Festival.

 

 J. Poppel reminded members that May is National Bike month and that NYBC will be sponsoring many events including a River Ride on 5/7, a legislative breakfast/ride, and the bicycle commuter of the year award.  NYBC is still in the process of securing funding for the event and are still in search of a primary donor.

 

E. Peck inquired regarding the status and schedule of the Zim Smith trail project.  J. Purvis referred him to Julie Stokes of Saratoga PLAN.

 

K. McLoughlin noted that the Canalway will hold a celebration again on National Trails Day

 

J. Purvis requested information on benefit costs for bicycle facilities.  S. Lewendon agreed to send Jason relevant information.

 

D. Spicer noted that due to cuts by President Bush, the Healthy Heart program is in major funding jeopardy.

 

J. Mearkle noted that sidewalks and striped shoulders will be added to parts of Schoolhouse Road.

 

4.2 NYSDOT Region 1 Bike/Ped Coordinator:  J. Purvis announced that Mary McNeill is replacing Bob Speece as Region 1 Bike/Ped Coordinator.  M McNeill noted that she was eager to have the opportunity to work with the task force.

 

4.3 TIP Update: J. Purvis noted that Planning Committee will be meeting on 2/9 to determine funding for TIP projects.  Five projects are bike/ped specific, including 2 in Guilderland, 1 in the City of Rensselaer, 1 in Albany County, and 1 in Halfmoon/Clifton Park.

 

4.4 Schenectady Workshop on Smart Growth: Workshop will be held on 2/25 at Union College from 9-4.  Registration is $25 including lunch and is due by 2/18.  ECOS is one of the sponsors.

 

4.5 Albany County Rail Trail: J. Purvis noted that according to a newspaper article, Albany County has received $350,000 of a total grant of $700,000 towards acquisition of rail lines from Voorheesville to the Port of Albany to develop the Helderberg Rail Trail.  The county continues to work with CP Rail and Scenic Hudson.

 

5.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

 

-        The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.