RECORD OF MEETING

FREIGHT TASK FORCE

DATE/TIME/PLACE: Monday, July 15, 1996; 2 PM; CDTC Offices, Colonie

ATTENDANCE: Dick Corp (NYSTA), Steve Iachetta, Howard Goldstock (Albany County Airport), Ted Thompson, Andy Mohr, and Jack Earl (NYSDOT), Tom Magliocca (Port), Kristina Younger (CDTC)

DISCUSSION SUMMARY: Welcome and introductions started the meeting. A review of the previous meeting notes corrected the Supersteel rail sidings report to note that they are being built. It was also reported that EZ Pass tie-ins to Airport parking systems are "being worked on".

Status Reports: CDTC: NHS designation of intermodal connections included in the packet was noted. Status of New Visions Regional Transportation Plan and TIP update briefly noted. NYSTA: With the acceptance of EZ Pass tags between Albany and NYC, sales are up to 3100/day. Commercial EZ Pass is expected to begin on August 15. PORT: Cargo tonnage is down from recent years. NYSDOT Region: A potential new truck stop may open up in the vicinity of Exit 25 A, which may help deal with Rotterdam's truck parking issue and access to Golub warehouses. There is a new Regional Director, Bonny J. Cawley, as Richard Maitino has taken a one-year appointment in NYC. NYSDOT Main Office: John Lemmerman took early retirement -- Jack Earl will be assuming his former duties with the Intermodal Management System. Jim Utimark has been appointed as a Deputy Commissioner to advise the Commissioner on Economic Development issues, which will be a major focus for the NYSDOT. Reorganizations have occurred to reflect this emphasis, and a new organizational chart will be forthcoming. RAILROADS: No railroad representatives were present, but the imminent strike was noted. No announcements regarding sales of Capital District lines have been made, but Conrail's new System Diagram Map and CP Rail's ongoing negotiations and rumored spin-off of the St. Lawrence and Hudson were noted. TRUCKING: No trucking representatives were present but there are a number of issues impacting Capital Region trucking that are emerging, including: potential closure of tandem yard at Exit 23, necessitating action on new yard at the Port; Route 50/Glenridge Road/Balltown Road corridor planning in light of Exit 26 opening; corridor planning for Route 29 in Saratoga and CDTC's Planning Committee negative reaction to a $15M price tag. Efforts to ensure continued participation by truckers is needed to address these issues.

Fall Roundtable: Planning is proceeding and response to co-sponsorship requests was quite positive. Private sector panel is the most uncertain, but will be firmed up soon. Contact with individual sponsors, panelists, and display/resource table participants will occur as needed. See action items.

Presentations: AIRPORT CARGO FACILITY: Howard Goldstock gave an overview of this public-private partnership. Groundbreaking is scheduled for July 17. Aerial photographs and site maps were used to describe the new facility, which will be able to be expanded in the future. Main access will be off Sicker Road, with emergency access to Pine Grove. The developer will build the road, then dedicate it to the Town of Colonie. Long term plans would upgrade this access to provide a direct connection to Route 7. A 250,000 square foot apron and a 50-60,000 square foot building will be a 24-hour, 365-day a year operation that will accommodate up to 6 planes with direct runaway access. A Standard building footprint will be provided -- companies desiring customization will be required to commit to a longer lease.

Project development was aided by significant property acquisitions by the Airport as part of its noise abatement program. The site is now prepared to host significant commercial development. A limited partnership is building the cargo facility -- a shopping center analogy was used to simply explain the arrangement. The Airport owns the land, and a private partnership (Airport Authority 50%) owns the building. The Airport Authority has oversight over the project, but the private partner (AFCO) manages the facility. Under a 30+ year contract, net proceeds are dividing among the partners.

Questions centered around the structure of the partnership, comparisons with the Thruway rest stop renovation program, and the relationship to overall economic development in the region. The issue of a Foreign Trade Zone was discussed -- if there is customer demand for the designation of such a zone it will be pursued. The independence of the cargo facility project from overall terminal renovations was reiterated.

ACTION ITEMS:

* ROUNDTABLE: Thursday, September 12, 1996, RPI Heffner Alumni House, Troy, 9 -1. Publicity and contacts regarding panelists, displays, and other matters can be expected with various task force members prior to the event.

* NEXT MEETING: Monday, October 21, 1996, 2 - 4 PM, CDTC Offices. Agenda to include: Roundtable follow-up, member updates, New Visions budgets, TIP project selection criteria.