Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on June 22, 2004

 

Attendance: Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB), Mark Castialione (HRVG), Lindsay Childs (Guilderland Pathways), Jessica DesLauriers (HRVG), Fran Gotcsik (Parks & Trails NY), Andy Labruzzo (Albany County Planning), Kevin McLoughlin (Parks & Trails NY),  Don Odell (Retired), Bob Speece, (NYSDOT Region 1), Deb Spicer (NYSDOH ), John Stangle (Village of Menands), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Ernesto Acosta (CDTC), Ross Ferrell (CDTC), Teresa La Salle (CDTC),  Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

 

The May 2004 meeting minutes were approved with one change, Don Odell was omitted from the attendance list.

 

2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES

 

 

3.0 ONGOING TASKS

 

3.1 Guilderland Pathways Committee: L. Childs reported that the group has completed two more documents Walkable Destinations in Guilderland: A Pathways Master Plan and Biking in Guilderland.  CDTC and Albany County were provided with copies of the documents.  The documents were submitted to the town board in May.  L. Childs also reported that they have received a small Greenway Grant and to add these documents to the Master Plan with the assistance of a consultant.  The Pathways Committee continues to stay on top of new developments with sidewalk/path suggestions.  The committee is optimistic of a trail near the Normanskill.

 

3.2 Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail Map update: T. La Salle reported that the map is complete and that bids are being solicited for printing.  CDTC has a $5000 budget for the printing of the map and is requesting 12,000 copies.  It is expected that printing will be completed within a month. 

 

3.3 Greenway Linkage—Rensselaer County: J. Purvis reported that the final report draft document is expected to be delivered to the study advisory committee soon and that the SAC will be meeting July 8th.  There will be a final public meeting, which has yet to be scheduled.

 

3.4 Patroon Greenway Linkage: T. La Salle reported that the consultant has completed both task 1 (Inventory of Existing Conditions) and task 2 (Regional Impact Analysis) on time.  A public meeting was held on June 9th.  The consultant is currently working on task 3 (Planning Level Conceptual Designs), with expected completion by October.  All of the documents completed to date can be obtained from the sub-consultant’s website: www.taconicgreen.com.  Tasks 1 and 2 documents are available on CDTC’s website as well.

 

4.0 NEW BUSINESS

 

 

4.1 Toolbox Update: J. Purvis reported that he hopes to have a hard copy to the task force before the July meeting.  Members should come prepared to discuss at the July meeting.  Comments will be accepted until July 23rd.

 

4.2 Canalway Events:  J. Purvis reminded members that there will be a public meeting on Wednesday, June 23rd at the Cohoes Visitor Center at 6:30 p.m. regarding the Canalway/Parks & Trails NY East-West Connection Study.

 

4.3 Other New Business: 

 

E. Troy reported that the State Pedestrian Conference in Rochester was a success.  The one and ½ day workshop featured two major presenters; Mark Fenton (Community Advocate) and Fred Hill (Project for Public Spaces).  The program included site visits, bike/ped rodeos, safety training, senior advocates, and transportation advocates.

 

J. Purvis reported that applications for the Spot Improvement Program are due July 30th and that requests are coming in daily.

 

J. Purvis noted that as part of the New Visions process, working group C- Big Ticket items may be seeking input from the task force.

 

J. Purvis shared a growing concern for regional cooperation with task force members.  Members suggested ways to increase participation form municipalities outside of Albany County, including the possibility of rotating meeting locations to draw in new attendees.  F. Gotcsik of Parks and Trails NY inquired whether CDTC has a Regional Bike Plan.  She noted GTC, the Rochester, NY MPO’s plan and the success it has on regional cooperation.  Task force members agreed that the development of a regional bike plan should be considered.

 

B. Speece reported that NYSDOT brought in Dan Burden to do a charette regarding the at-grade crossings at Morris and Cordell Streets.

 

A. Labruzzo noted that negations are ongoing with CP rail regarding the track from Voorheesville to Albany.

 

J. Stangle noted that Menands has received a Greenway Grant to do surveying and engineering for an extension of the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail from Schuyler Flatts to Broadway.

 

J. Stangle also noted that Verizon contributed to 25% of the cost of new sidewalks on Broadway.

 

J. Stangle reported that Broadway will be shut down from 3 to 4 ½ weeks in mid-July.

 

J. Stangle noted that Elan will be doing a summary of the Menands/Colonie Walkable Community Workshop.

 

 

 

5.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

 

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