Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on January 13, 2004

 

Attendance: Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB), Andy Labruzzo (Albany County Planning), Kevin McLaughlin (N.Y.P.C.A.), Richard Nussbaum (Citizen) Don Odell (Retired Planner), Barbara Quint (Guilderland Pathways Committee), Robert Ritter (Louis Berger), Paul Russell (Town of Colonie), John Stangle (Village of Menands), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Teresa La Salle (CDTC),  Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

 

The December 2003 meeting minutes were approved.

 

2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES

 

 

3.0 ONGOING TASKS

 

3.1 Canalway Initiative: D. Odell reported there was no new business to report.  The next meeting will be held Monday, January 26th, location TBD.

 

3.2 Guilderland Pathways Committee: B. Quint noted that The Pathways Committee would be meeting that evening to plan for the next year.  They have received further confirmation that the sidewalk master plan will be used as a guide for neighborhood planning.

 

3.3 Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail Map update: T. La Salle noted that she is starting to work on the insets for the North-South layout.  An updated map was passed around for review of requested inset areas. 

 

3.4 Greenway Linkage—Rensselaer County: J. Purvis noted that the study is moving along and that the SAC would be meeting at the end of January. I. Vamos noted that the consultants will be meeting with the Rensselaer County Sewer District on Monday, January, 19th.  The consultants will also be meeting with representatives from the Rensselaer Tech Park.

 

3.5 Patroon Greenway: The project will focus on a feasible routing option from the Pine Bush Preserve through the Tivoli Preserve, to the Corning Preserve.  T. La Salle reported that the Expressions of Interest were due last week. A total of ten proposals were received.  The consultant selection committee is currently reviewing the proposals. T. La Salle is the main contact for this project.

 

 

4.0 NEW BUSINESS

 

 

4.1 Department of Health Walkable Community Workshops: J. Purvis reported that CDTC and NYSDOH are organizing 5 local workshops.  Possible locations are: Arbor Hill, Saratoga Springs, Rotterdam, and Rensselaer.  The proposed dates of the workshop are the week of May 17th 2004.  If you have any comments or questions regarding the planned workshops, please contact Jason or Elaine Troy.  For specific information regarding the Albany County sites, please contact Andy Labruzzo.

 

J. Purvis noted that CP Rail/D&H Rail has proposed the abandonment of a rail line from Green Island to Cohoes.  CDTC sent comments regarding the identification of this area as a link in the recently completed Albany County Connection Study Linkage Project.

 

J. Purvis reported that the Toolbox Update Document will be the Bicycle/Pedestrian component of CDTC’s Long Range Plan.  This means there is a stricter timeframe for updating the document. The Toolbox subcommittee will continue to meet and will share draft documents with the Task Force.

 

J. Purvis noted that CDTC may look into trying to reconvene meeting with the Bethlehem Pedestrian Safety group.  He will contact the Town Supervisor.

 

I. Vamos noted that the NYS Thruway is looking at redesigning the Thruway from Selkirk to Schenectady.  He noted that the NYS Thruway needs to be reminded o trail connection possibilities.  He has been in contact with Wendy Allen of the Thruway.

 

P. Russell noted that the Town of Colonie may be paving the remaining unpaved portion of the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail in the Town.  P. Russell also noted that the Town has put together a new Grants Committee.

 

J. Stangle reported that the Village of Menands application for Estuary money for trail connections near Schuyler Flatts was denied.  The Village is now working with the Greenway for a possible grant.  J. Stangle also reported that the Village will be using GPS to collect data on several trails in the Village green space.

 

A. Labruzzo gave an update on the status of the D&H Rail abandonment from the Port of Albany to Voorheesville.  Albany County’s deadline has been extended six months.  The County has a pending grant with NYS Parks for half of the cost of acquisition.  Scenic Hudson is also working with the County.  If the County is successful in obtaining the property they plan extensive public participation to ensure public say in the future of the land use.

 

A. Labruzzo also noted that according to Mike Franchini, Albany County DPW, the County is on schedule regarding bike trail Enhancement funds.

5.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

 

-         The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.