PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Meeting
Minutes
May 2, 2012
MEMBERS
ATTENDING
Melissa Ashline-Heil, City of Cohoes
Bradley Birge, City of Saratoga Springs
Frank Bonafide, NYS Department of Transportation R1
Robert Cherry, NYS Department of Transportation R1
Darrell Duncan, Albany County
Ross Farrell, Capital District Transportation Authority
Rocky Ferraro, Capital District Regional Planning
Commission
Steve Iachetta, Albany County Airport Authority
David Jukins, Capital District Transportation Committee
Andrew Kreshik, City of Troy
Joe LaCivita, Town of Colonie
Patrick McCarroll, representing Michael Loftus, NYS
Thruway
Authority
Mike Morelli, Town of Bethlehem
Rosemary Nichols, City of Watervliet
Dede Rudolph, City of Albany
Stephen Strichman, City of Schenectady
Joseph Teliska, representing Wayne Bonesteel, Rensselaer
County
Steve Watts, Town of Halfmoon
STAFF AND
OTHERS
William Anslow, Albany County
Anne Benware, Capital District Transportation Committee
Mike Cooper, Bergmann Associates
Lee Ecker, Clough Harbour Associates
Kathy Fisher, Town of Rotterdam CAC
Bob Hansen, Creighton Manning
Karen Hulihan, NYS Department of Transportation R1
Teresa LaSalle, Capital District Transportation
Committee
Larry Mulvaney, NYS Department of Transportation R1
Chris O’Neill, Capital District Transportation Committee
John Poorman, Capital District Transportation Committee
Glenn Posca, Capital District Transportation Committee
Jason Purvis, Capital District Transportation Committee
Jim Rivers, Greenman Pedersen Inc.
Gregory Roy, McFarland Johnson
Carrie Ward, Capital District Transportation Authority
Mike Wieszchowski, Laberge Group
Ed Wolk, Capital District Transportation Authority
VISITORS
ISSUES
Steve Iachetta opened the meeting at approximately 9:31 AM. He invited visitors to comment. Kathy Fisher spoke in favor of ensuring that
the Western Gateway Bridge project provides high quality bicycle and pedestrian
facilities as part of the deck reconstruction.
ACTION ITEMS
ADMINISTRATION
Approval of
the April 4, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Bradley Birge noted that the April 4th
minutes, as mailed, incorrectly indicated that he had stated that there was
enough capacity on the Western Gateway Bridge for bicycle and pedestrian
accommodations, while he had actually said that the capacity of the bridge
should be reviewed to determine if there is adequate capacity for bicycle and
pedestrian accommodations. With this correction, members approved the April 4th
minutes.
TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENTS
T17
(1820.48), Transit Bus Replacement/Expansion
Ross Farrell explained that CDTA has received approval
for their application to the (FTA) Section 5308 Clean Fuels Competitive
Discretionary funding program. They were
awarded $2,500,000 in federal dollars for a project total of $3,012,048. Members approved the amendment.
TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Transportation
Improvement Program 2013-18 Update
John Poorman explained that work will begin on an update
of the TIP this summer. An update of the
STIP will be required by June 2013.
Funding allocations are expected this summer. Frank Bonafide explained that most likely the
program will be flat.
New York
Works Infrastructure Program Report
Frank Bonafide distributed two handouts (attached to
these minutes) showing the status of the SFY 2013 program in the CDTC area
based on conversations with sponsors and their consultants. Frank also
distributed a list of projects (attached) that Mary Ivey has committed to
deliver on time and within the current budget. Any delay in the PS&E
delivery beyond the current schedule could result in the project letting being
held by DOT until adequate funding is available. NYSDOT is expected to
tighten the delivery of projects on the State side and the local side.
Project sponsors have been notified. Region 1 staff will work with
project sponsors to help meet their proposed schedules. It was agreed
that, based on CDTC’s procedures, NYSDOT has discretion in moving
schedules. John Poorman stated that he appreciates the great job Region 1
is doing to facilitate project delivery. He also noted that delays can
potentially cause Region 1 and CDTC to lose money.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
TRAINING PROGRAM REPORT
Jason Purvis reported on the Continuum of Training for
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety for Law Enforcement recently conducted by CDTC. Officers learned how Engineering, Education
and Enforcement must work together to make the bicycle and pedestrian travel
environment safer for people of all ages and abilities. The 2 day in-person training was held on
April 30th and May 1st at the NYS Police Training Academy
on the Harriman Campus. Twenty one
officers from across the Capital Region were fully engaged and participated. Feedback
has been very positive. There have been discussions of either offering the same
training again or expanding it to include more subject matter.
FEDERAL
TRANSPORTATION BILL AUTHORIZATION
John Poorman explained that the House and the Senate will
form a conference committee on the reauthorization of surface transportation
legislation. There are big policy
differences and many feel that agreement is unlikely. The working assumption is that Congress may
continue to continue extending the old bill through the end of the calendar
year.
STATUS OF
PLANNING ACTIVITES
CDTC
Dave Jukins announced a retirement gathering for John
Poorman for May 10th. A
number of members spoke about the importance of John’s service as staff
director and suggested different ways to show the Committee’s appreciation for
John.
CDRPC
Rocky Ferraro reported that CDRPC will be hosting a
Local Government Planning & Zoning Workshop on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 from
8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. In addition to traditional topics, there will
be sessions on green infrastructure and storm water management. CDRPC is continuing work on age cohort
projections, with Schenectady and Albany Counties completed. The NYSERDA contract for the Climate Smart
Communities initiative was signed.
CDTA
Ross Farrell reported that CDTA service planning
continues, with Phase 2 of the Albany County restructuring under
development. CDTA is planning changes to
the Northway NX service. CDTA will
progress a river corridor BRT initiative concurrently with the Washington
Western BRT Alternatives Analysis. CDTA
would like to begin BRT serving Albany, Menands, Watervliet, Cohoes and Troy in
the next two years.
John Poorman commented that is nice to see the positive
press that CDTA been receiving. Ross
Farrell noted the Times Union article about businesses nearby BRT stations that
see their location as favorable to business.
NYSDOT
Frank Bonafide commented on John Poorman’s unique
ability to see both sides of an issue, and to consistently lead a diverse group
to consensus. He commented that CDTC
members are always collaborative even when they disagree. This is due in no small part to John’s work.
New York
State Thruway Authority
Patrick McCarroll reported that construction on the
Thruway between Exits 23 and 24 is going well.
Nine different noise barriers are included in the project.
Albany
Airport Authority
Steve Iachetta noted the ABC news special on Global
Foundries. Passenger growth has been
experienced for three consecutive months, for the first time since 2006, with
3% growth so far this year.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:55 PM. The next Planning Committee meeting is
scheduled for July 11, 2012.
The next Policy Board Meeting is scheduled for June 7, 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael V. Franchini
Secretary