Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on September 14, 2004

 

 

Attendance:  Salim Adler (PTNY), Judy Breselor  (Rensselaer County), Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB), Jesse Day (NYBC), John Dennehey (HRVG), David Gehrs (CDTA), Andy Labruzzo (Albany County Planning), Fred Mastroianni (Laberge Group), Don Odell (Retired), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart),  Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Shelley Lang (CDTC),  Teresa La Salle (CDTC),  Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

 

The August 2004 meeting minutes were approved.

 

2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES

 

2.1 Zim Smith Trail Update- Jaime O’Neill-Saratoga County Planning:  The presentation was cancelled at the last minute.

 

3.0 ONGOING TASKS

 

3.1 Guilderland Pathways Committee: No one was present from the Pathways Committee.

 

3.2 Greenway Linkage-Rensselaer County: J. Purvis reported that the final draft document is currently being reviewed by the Study Advisory Committee.  The final public meeting will be held on September 30th at 6:30 p.m. at the Bloomingrove Church in North Greenbush.

 

3.3 Toolbox Update-Safety Objectives: J. Purvis noted that the document is near completion and is awaiting CDTC internal review.

 

3.4 Patroon Greenway Linkage: T. La Salle reported that the consultant has completed Task 3 (Planning Level Conceptual Designs) and is about halfway done with Task 4 (Refinement of Cost Estimates and Funding Opportunities).  The next SAC meeting is scheduled for September 29th, with a second public meeting scheduled for October 20th. The project is on schedule and on budget.

 

4.0 NEW BUSINESS

 

4.1 Increased Meeting Participation:  Members suggested inviting SPOT Fund recipients to upcoming meetings.

 

4.2 Spot Improvement – Round 3:  J. Purvis noted nine projects were approved for funding at CDTC’s Planning Committee meeting on the 8th of September.  CDTC will hold an informational meeting for recipients on October 12th at 10:00 a.m.

 

4.3 Other New Business: 

 

I. Vamos circulated copies of the TEA-21 Recreational Trails Program 2005 Grant Applications.

 

J. Purvis noted that the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail Map is expected to be awarded to a printer this week and that final production is expected in two to three weeks.  J. Purvis asked for suggestions regarding mass distribution of the maps to visitor’s centers and chambers of commerce.  Members suggested that CDTC produce a flyer to send to these entities with info about the map and that requests for maps be made from the flyers, so that maps are not distributed as part of an overall package and therefore are more apt to be put in the hands of trail users.  D. Gehrs inquired about existing data regarding trail counts.

 

J. Purvis reported that he will be participating in the trail planning of a NYS Thruway Trail from Rotterdam to Montgomery County.

 

S. Adler noted that comments will be accepted on the Waterford-Cohoes Trail Plan Draft through Monday, September 26th.  A Public Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 30th at 6:30 p.m. at the Cohoes Visitor Center.  Copies of the CD are available on the Parks and Trails NY website.

 

J. Day noted that GTSC grants are running behind.  He also circulated flyers for upcoming safety workshops in Malta and Clifton Park.  J. Day reported that at new bicycle coalition has formed in Albany.  The groups’ main priority is to get bike lanes on priority routes, to get regular news articles regarding bike issues in the media, and to increase community involvement.

 

F. Mastroianni requested to be informed of any potential funding opportunities so that he may share this information with interested municipalities.

 

D. Gehrs noted that CDTA now has 90 bike racks on their bus flee, with ten awaiting installation.

 

5.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

 

-        The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5th, 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.