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