Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of the Meeting on May 14, 2013

Attendance: Linda Von der Heide (Rensselaer County), Mary Harding (NSYDOT SRTS), Don Odell (Albany Bicycling Coalition), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Nelson Ronsvalle (Halfmoon), Melissa MacKinnon (Niskayuna Safe Routes), Ed Tremblay (Cohoes), Steve Wilson (CHA), Gina Gillooley (NYSDOH), Joanna King (CDRPC), Carrie Ward (CDTA), Emmett McDevitt (FHWA) Jason Purvis (CDTC)

1.0 New Business

1.1 Safe Routes to School

Mary Harding indicated they she has received an approved procurement record from the State Comptroller for the SRTS Program. This will help in the processing of the local agreements. PIN numbers have been established for the projects.

1.2 Bike to School Day/Bike Month

There was discussion about upcoming Bike to School Day events. ABC had an event in Washington Park on Sunday May 5^th and it they estimated 500 people attended. There was an assembly Zoller Elementary School on May 8^th with approximately 350 grades 1-5 students in attendance. The event at Hammagrael Elementary School on May 15^th was cancelled due to school testing. The Ride of Silence is was May 15^th, and Niskayuna Safe Routes is hosting Dinner and Bikes at the First Unitarian Society Church – tickets are available on the eventbrite site, at Plains and Sons and at Broadway Bikes.

1.3 Capital Coexist

Jason reported the interest in expanding Capital Coexist to include pedestrians. The timing coincides with a series of articles from the Times Union about pedestrian safety on Central Avenue. This will be a great opportunities to develop new and strengthen existing partnerships showing how the E’s are working together. NYSDOT has convened a regional committee looking at the safety of pedestrians along Central Avenue. The outcomes of this group will help guide how pedestrians are incorporated into Capital Coexist.

1.4 Transportation Enhancement Program Solicitation

NYSDOT announced they are soliciting for the next round of the Transportation Enhancement Program funds. Information can be found on the DOT website at https://www.dot.ny.gov/programs/tep Applications are due on August 16^th. Sponsors that have did not attend a Federal Aid 101 workshop in 2012 are required to do so in 2013 to be eligible for TEP funds. The schedule of workshops can be found on the DOT site.

1.5 Local Program Updates

· There was a lot of discussion about the Times Union article where Jeff Speck was interviewed. Several members suggested letters to the editor to highlight the progress the City has made and to support the incremental changes.

· Carrie mentioned that NYSDOT is working with the City of Troy to make bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Hoosick Street.

· Ed reported that the Heritage Trail System and interpretive system is finishing. The City is working on final approvals to start the Black Bridge Project.

· Nelson reported that the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors will take action on an easement for land in Waterford/Mechanicville as part of the completion of the Champlain Canalway. Once constructed, this will fill an important gap in the trail system.

· Linda indicated that there has been interest from outside groups to build a trail along the abandoned line along Route 22.

· Steve Wilson reported that NYSERDA would soon be soliciting for Cleaner Greener funding that would have bicycle/pedestrian eligible elements.

1.6 Scheduling of meetings July-December 2013

The meetings for the remainder of 2013 are schedule for:

July 9^th

August 6^th (note this is the first Tuesday)

September 10^th

October 8^th

November 12^th

December 10^th

Because of the required TEP workshops on June 11^th and 18^th, the Task Force members elected to cancel the June Meeting

· “They Just Don’t Get It”

Nothing to report

2.0 Upcoming Events

Meetings Open to the Public:

NEXT CDTC BIKE & PED TASK FORCE MEETING: July 9, 2013 9:00 AM

NOTE: There will not be a June meeting