Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on July 11, 2006

Attendance: Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB), Dom De Cecco (Retired), Rocky Ferraro (CDRPC), Fran Gotcsik (Parks & Trails NY), Jim Mearkle (Albany County DPW), Don Odell (Albany Bicycling Coalition), Susan Olsen (NYSDOT Region 1), Erin Thomas (City of Cohoes), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Teresa La Salle (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

The minutes from June’s meeting were approved without changes.

2.0 NEW BUSINESS

2.1 Regional Greenway Visioning Workshop - RECAP: The workshop was held on Tuesday June 20^th at the Crossings of Colonie and went very well. Approximately 50 attendees provided useful input and the consultant will be putting the info together in the next few months. Final presentations will be given and a final report will be distributed.

2.2 Status of Trail User Survey and Adjoining Residential Property Owner Survey: The user survey is ongoing. Weekdays are going well for the most part, but there is not a lot of coverage on the weekends. CDTC will be meeting with Rocky Ferraro to discuss slots that need to be rescheduled. CDTC has received about 40% of completed residential surveys.

2.3 Transportation Enhancement Program: Proposals were due June 30^th at NYSDOT Region 1. NYDOT Received more than 30 applications for all of Region 1. CDTC will receive them on July 18^th. CDTC’s review committee has been selected and will meet the week of July 17^th. Hopefully, ranking information will be available at the August Task Force meeting.

2.4 Other New Business:

SPOT Improvement solicitation is expected to go out around July 30^th and applications will be due in September. The funding total is $100,000 per year over 3 years with federal funds capped at 240,000 and a 60% minimum local match.

The next round of Linkage Solicitation will begin in the fall.

E. Troy noted that she received a trail use survey from the Canal Corporation for a statewide survey.

E. Troy also noted that NYSDOH met with NYSDOT regarding Safe Routes to School. NYSDOT will be hosting a training session in September at Region 1. NYSDOT is also promoting mapping of Safe Routes to School as an alternative to busing. They are looking for a school district to pilot a program.

E. Troy also reported that there will be a Pedestrian conference in the spring of 2007.

E. Thomas reported that the City of Cohoes will be meeting with CDTC next week to work on the scope of the Van Schaick Island Linkage Project.

I. Vamos and R. Ferraro both mentioned a Canal Corporation statewide grant program for municipalities and not for profits for infrastructure and tourism promotion.

I. Vamos also noted that NYS Parks and Parks & Trails New York surveyed organizations on trail maintenance and ownership.

F. Gotcsik noted that the Cycling the Erie Canal ride is ongoing and has the highest number of riders ever at 513. The ride will be terminating in Albany on Sunday July 16^th and volunteers are needed.

E. Troy reported that the Schenectady Bike Master Plan is in the process of being implemented.

R. Ferraro noted that Jason Kemper is the new planning director for Saratoga County.

3.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.