Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on July 15, 2003

 

Attendance: Lindsay Childs (Guilderland Pathways), Jesse Day (NYBC), Dom De Cecco (Retired Legislator), David Gehrs (CDTA Planning), Andy Labruzzo (Albany Co. Planning), Kevin McLoughlin (NYPCA), Ralph Pascale (Cohoes), Barbara Quint (Guilderland Pathways), Bob Speece (NYSDOT Region 1), Deb Spicer (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), John Stangle (Village of Menands),  Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Teresa La Salle (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

 

B Quint noted the following amendment to the June 2003 minutes: "3.5 Guilderland Pathways Committee", "Legislator" should read, "Legislature".

 

2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES

 

3.0 ONGOING TASKS

3.1 Greenways Grant for Regional Bike Trail: J. Purvis reported that the grant is near completion.  The draft document is currently being reviewed.  Completion is expected within a few weeks.  When complete the study will be available on the web.  Additionally, J. Purvis noted that a Linkage Study on the Rensselaer side of the river will begin soon. 

 

3.2 CDTC's Bicycle/Pedestrian Priority Network: J. Purvis noted that he needs to meet with David Jukins and Deborah Stacey of the CDTC staff to finalize the Bicycle/Pedestrian Priority Network. 

 

3.3 Game Plan and Toolbox Update:  J. Purvis reported that the Toolbox working group is making progress and will be presenting some material to the task force at the August meeting.  J. Purvis noted that sue to construction, CDTC interns have been unable to complete all of the comparison counts.

 

3.4 Canalway Initiative: No update was given.

 

3.5 Guilderland Pathways Committee: J. Purvis reported that neither FHWA nor NYSDOT have policy regulations prohibiting the proposed Thruway Trail. J. Purvis noted that there may still be feasibility issues.  L. Childs reported that the Pathways group may pursue a possible boat launch at the Nott Road Park as part of the Normanskill study.  B. Quint noted that work continues on the development of Guilderland’s Master Plan for trails.  L. Childs reported that there is no visible progress on the French’s Mill Bridge.

 

3.6 Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail Map update: A. Labruzzo requested the GIS files for the bikemap.  T. La Salle noted that she had received comments from Ivan Vamos.  T. La Salle also noted that she just received a GIS file of many of the Trailhead Parking areas along the trail.  Specifics of the map were discussed including map layout, detail and attributes.  Work on the map will continue as time allows.  Printing options were discussed at length.

 

4.0 NEW BUSINESS

 

4.1Other new business: K. McLoughlin noted that approximately 400 riders participated in the Canal ride from Buffalo to Albany.  Participants came from 39 different states and Canada.

 

A. Labruzzo inquired whether or not CDTC maintained an electronic version of the map distribution list.  J. Purvis noted that requests from individuals are maintained in a LabelMaker database.

 

B. Speece announced that he is the acting Bike/Ped Coordinator for NYSDOT Region 1. 

 

J. Purvis noted that Saratoga Open Space has been awarded a $100,000 trail development. 

 

E. Troy noted that she attended the recent Canalway Charrette regarding Scrafford Lane.  About thirty people were in attendance, including a representative from the Railroad. The main debate focused on the options of a bridge or a tunnel at the site.  No conclusions were made at the meeting. Several other issues were discussed including the need for more trail signage (way finding), trail beautification, and handicapped accessibility.   There will be a follow-up public meeting.

 

J. Purvis noted that an education facility in Massachusetts is putting together a report of collaborating departments of health and transportation professionals.  NYSDOH and CDTC’s relationship is being highlighted as one of several case studies.  A final report will be provided to the task force when it becomes available.

 

J. Day noted that NYBC is working on a Statewide Safe Routes to School Grant

 

A. Labruzzo provided an update on the D&H railroad abandonment.  Albany Count has been granted a request to acquire the property.  Albany County has until January 2004 to negotiate the acquisition of the Corridor with CP Rail.  The cost of acquisition is $700,000.  The County is currently working with Scenic Hudson on possible funding.

 

R. Pascale noted an error in the brochure for the Erie Canal Ride.  R. Pascale reported that the City of Cohoes has applied for a grant for trail development form the Green Island Bridge to 112ths Street through the Land and Conservation Grant.  The city is currently debating with Parks regarding property from Ontario St to Peebles Island.  Cohoes also has a project on the TIP for pedestrian enhancements at the Green Island Bridge.

 

J. Purvis noted that there had been a request to hold the task force meetings earlier in the day, in an attempt to get more municipalities to attend.  The August meeting will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday the 12th.

 

5.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

 

-         The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.