PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Meeting Minutes
November 2, 2011
Melissa Ashline-Heil, City of Cohoes
Bradley Birge, City of Saratoga Springs
Frank Bonafide, NYS Department of Transportation Region
1
Robert Cherry, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1
Peter Comenzo, Town of Rotterdam
Todd Fabozzi, representing Rocky Ferraro, Capital
District
Regional Planning Commission
Ross Farrell, representing Kristina Younger, Capital
District
Transportation Authority
Steve Feeney, Schenectady County
Michael Franchini, Albany County (Chairman)
Steve Iachetta, Albany County Airport Authority
Andrew Kreshik, City of Troy
Joseph LaCivita, Town of Colonie
Patrick McCarroll, representing Michael Loftus, NYS Thruway
Authority
Barbara McHugh, Town of Clifton Park
Mike Morelli, Town of Bethlehem
Rosemary Nichols, City of Watervliet
John P. Poorman, Capital District Transportation
Committee
(Secretary)
Paul Reuss, Village of Menands
Tom Richardson, City of Mechanicville
Dede Rudolph, City of Albany
Joseph Teliska, representing Wayne Bonesteel, Rensselaer
County
Steve Watts, Town of Halfmoon
STAFF AND
OTHERS
Scott Baker, NYS Department of Transportation Main
Office
Julie Barney, NYS Assembly
Richard Benko, Town of East Greenbush
Ann Benware, Capital District Transportation Committee
Jennifer Ceponis, Capital District Transportation
Committee
Fred Erickson, Town of Sand Lake
Peter Faith, Greenman Pederson
Chris Franklin, Capital District Transportation
Committee
Bob Hansen, Creighton Manning
Karen Hulihan, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1
David Jukins, Capital District Transportation Committee
Monika King, Town of Bethlehem
Lowell Lingo, NYS Department of Transportation Main
Office
Matt Mastin, Town of East Greenbush
Larry Mulvaney,NYS Department of Transportation Region 1
Chris O’Neill, Capital District Transportation Committee
Jeff Pangburn, Creighton Manning
Glenn Posca, Capital District Transportation Committee
Osvaldo Priotti, City of Rensselaer
Jason Purvis, Capital District Transportation Committee
Heidi Romines, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1
John Stangle, Village of Menands
Mike Wieszchowski, Laberge Group
VISITORS ISSUES
Chairman Franchini opened the meeting at approximately
9:35 am. There were no visitor’s issues.
PRESENTATATIONS
2000-2005
LINKAGE MEDLEY PRESENTATION BY CDTC STAFF
CDTC staff gave presentations
highlighting four CDTC Linkage studies to illustrate how Linkage studies are
being used by communities. Sandy Misiewicz gave an overview of the Hoosick
Street Phase II Corridor Plan. Implementation of a Hoosick Street zoning
overlay district was one of the results of this study.
Dave Jukins gave an overview of the NY
7 & NY 2 Corridor Transportation and Land Use Study. This study resulted in a formal update of the
Airport Area FGEIS. Exit 6 and the Wade
Road Extension were built in harmony with this study. The service road plan is being implemented.
Dave also discussed the US 9W Corridor Transportation Planning Assessment
Study. This study recognized that due to
funding constraints, we can’t afford to make the peak hour traffic work
perfectly; the study focused on the whole day.
Roundabouts were recommended on Route 9W especially at Feura Bush
Road. A hamlet development concept was
recommended around Wemple Road.
Anne Benware gave an overview of the
Route 4 Corridor Study in East Greenbush.
Sidewalks, bike lanes and traffic calming were recommended. Roundabouts were recommended at Route 151 and
at Mannix Road. A new Linkage study will
focus on site design guidelines for Route 4.
ACTION ITEMS
ADMINISTRATION
Approval
of the October 5,2011 Meeting Minutes
Members approved the October 5th minutes as
submitted.
Annual Self-Certification
Dave Jukins explained that the
current self-certification is similar to the previous self-certification. The MPO host agreement is being negotiated
with NYSDOT Main Office. CDTC is seeking
exceptions to the NYSDOT guidelines to reflect the unique host relationship
CDTC has with CDTA. The CDTC Prospectus
was updated; a financial plan is still needed.
Staff would base the financial plan on new federal legislation, but the
schedule for Congressional approval of a new federal transportation bill is
uncertain. Rosemary Nichols noted that
the spelling of the word “roll” should be corrected to “role” on page 9 of the document. John Poorman noted that the new federal
transportation bill is expected to demand more accountability from state
departments of transportation with respect to performance measures. It is also expected to maintain a strong role
for MPOs. Members approved the
CDTC Annual Self-Certification.
2010-15 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Region One Program Update Status
Frank Bonafide distributed a handout
that documented the Region One Capital Program that was submitted to the Main
Office. He explained that the numbers
are subject to review and revision.
Projects being pushed back one year were highlighted in yellow. Projects being pushed back more than one year
were highlighted in grey. The emphasis
is on preservation. 70% of lettings are
for preservation projects. The bridge to
pavement ratio is 60/40, while the Main Office wants this ratio to be
50/50. Numbers were presented in federal
dollars for the entire Region 1 area, not just the CDTC area. The Patroon Island Bridge could cost $140 M,
which is about one and a half years worth of Region One’s letting program. The Region would like to request extra
funding for the Patroon Island Bridge from the statewide allocations of
funding. HBRR is a challenge.
John Poorman stated that we are not
in the middle of a TIP update and we must walk a fine line in reviewing the
Region One Capital Program update. The
schedule updates do not require a TIP update.
But the Region One Capital Program update provides a context for
considering TIP amendments. The table
represents Region One’s best estimate of what moves forward and what gets
delayed.
Frank Bonafide stated that without a
new federal bill there must be some speculation about available funds, yet the
program update attempts to be realistic, assuming somewhat less than a flat
line in funding. John Poorman explained
that there is a continuing dilemma--the PSS (Project Scheduling System)
management tool changes daily as a working document, so we can’t keep the
official, publicly vetted TIP/STIP consistent with the PSS.
Budget Estimates vs. Current Programming Status
Glenn Posca reviewed the CDTC table
which summarized the Capital Program for the four county CDTC area. He explained that the table is a snapshot and
needs fine tuning. Further
reconciliation with NYSDOT numbers is necessary. Not including IM (Interstate Maintenance),
the table indicates $18 million in under-programming for this fiscal year and a
small amount of over-programming over three years. John Poorman explained that
for the next meeting in January, CDTC staff will try to clarify the impacts of
the Capital Program for CDTC.
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENTS
T17 (1820.48), Transit Bus Replacement/Expansion
T70 (CDTA.13), NY 5 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Stations
T87, Washington Western BRT Alternatives Analysis
The above three TIP amendments were presented by Ross
Farrell. These proposed amendments
represent good news for CDTA, since they were required because CDTA received
new FTA grant funding. In the State of Good Repair Program, CDTA’s bus
replacement program was approved on the amount of $4.0M (federal)- $5.0M with
match included. In the Livability
Program, Completion of the NY5 Bus Rapid Transit project was approved in the
amount of $5.5M (federal), $6.875M with match included. Lastly, in a project new to the TIP (but not
to the UPWP), moving the Washington/Western Bus Rapid transit from a planning
project to the Alternatives Analysis phases was approved in the amount of
$400,000 ($500,000 with match). Members
approved these three TIP amendments.
SA268
(1758.02), I-87 1R, Mohawk River to Exit 12
Frank Bonafide explained that longitudinal cracks are
separating on this section of the Northway, and that 1R treatment will address
this problem and provide needed maintenance.
Originally programmed with SDF money, the Region has found the capacity
to fund this project with Interstate Maintenance funding. The Region will realize a $3.5 million
savings in IM due to award of Interstate Discretionary funds that were awarded
for PIN 105158, Clinton Avenue Viaduct.
John Poorman explained that it is CDTC practice to allow NYSDOT latitude
in programming IM funding. IM funding
can only be used on the Interstate system.
Members approved this TIP amendment.
A502
(1758.02), Meads Lane/Van Dyke Road Intersection
Mike Morelli explained that the Town of Bethlehem had
just received a copy of a letter from Rob Cherry to John Poorman. The letter
states that, based on the amount of safety benefits for the project, NYSDOT and
FHWA can not be supportive of increasing the expenditure of additional HSIP
funding for this project. Mike Morelli
requested that this item be tabled to give the Town more time to review the
letter. John Poorman explained that the
HSIP funding already programmed in the TIP for this project should still be
available; but in considering the proposed TIP amendment, collectively the question
should be asked, are there other safety projects more worthy of the additional
HSIP funds being requested. Rosemary
Nichols asked if the previous eligibility for HSIP would be changed. Rob Cherry stated that HSIP funding is
appropriate at this location, but that additional HSIP funding is not
appropriate from the Department’s perspective.
Chairman Mike Franchini stated that action on this item
will be postponed.
R279
(1757.99), US 4/Mannix Road Roundabout
A table titled “CMAQ Deferrals in the 2010-15 TIP” was handed out. This table indicated that R279, the US
4/Mannix Road Roundabout, was deferred for two years at the May 2010 Planning
Committee. The TIP currently shows
construction for the project in 2014-2015.
The deferral was approved because of fiscal constraints identified at
that time. John Poorman explained that
we have an incomplete picture of CMAQ funding availability. We still need to resolve the status of the
transfer of CMAQ funds to STP funds to provide funding for the TMC
(Transportation Management Center) approved by CDTC.
John Poorman handed out a safety table showing the six
projects on the TIP currently funded with safety money. It was pointed out that the Region One
Capital Program shows two safety projects moving from 2013-14 to 2014-15. These projects are R295, 21st
Street Alignment, and SA258, North Line Road/Old Post Road/Malta Avenue
Reconstruction. According to the Region
One Capital program Table, an ending balance of $2.543 million in Safety (HSIP)
funds will be available in federal fiscal year 2015. The CDTC budget estimates also show funding
availability for Safety Funds.
Karen Williams stated that $250,000 in HSIP funding
could be justified for the Mannix Road project.
Richard Benko stated that the Town of East Greenbush is
ready to move forward with this project.
John Poorman stated that we have CMAQ money to allow the
Mannix Road project to go at the programmed amount, but whether the Committee
should increase CMAQ funding for the project is a question. Mike Franchini expressed concern about
fairness to other CMAQ projects that were moved back.
Rosemary Nichols made a motion to table action on the
Mannix Road project and the Saratoga Springs Ballston Avenue project to allow
time to look at other projects for fairness.
Brad Birge asked to have a chance to present the merits of the Ballston
Avenue project before a vote on tabling both projects was held. Chairman Franchini allowed Brad Birge to
proceed before entertaining a second of the motion to table action on both
projects.
SA201
(1756.60), Ballston Avenue, from Union Street to Hamilton Street: Safety
Improvements
Brad Birge presented information about this
project. The City of Saratoga Springs is
requesting an increase in funding of $577,000.
The current project limits include the intersections of Ballston Avenue
with Union Street and Hamilton Street.
Safety concerns have been identified at the Ballston Avenue/Lincoln
Street intersection, which is 360 feet southwest of Union Street. Fifteen crashes have occurred at the
Ballston/Lincoln intersections. There is
also a significant renovation of the Price Chopper which will affect operation
of the intersection. There is also a
significant amount of pedestrian traffic related to nearby senior apartments.
The motion to table action the Mannix Road and Ballston
Road projects was seconded, and failed with two “no” votes. Next, a motion was made to defer action on
the Mannix Road project, which was seconded and approved by members. Members then approved a motion to defer
action on the Ballston Road project.
Brad Birge asked what information was still needed. John Poorman explained that more information
was needed about how much safety funding was available and more information was
needed about the benefit cost analysis used by NYSDOT to determine how much
HSIP funding can be programmed for each project.
PRELIMINARY 2012 UPWP
DISCUSSION
John Poorman explained that there are still a number of
factors that need to be understood before developing the next UPWP. Whether or not the CDRPC application for the
HUD Sustainability grant is approved will have a big impact on CDTC staff
efforts. Another program that will
affect staff efforts is the application for the Cleaner, Greener Communities
Program. The City of Albany is
submitting an application for this program on behalf of the eight counties in
the Capital Region Economic Development Council area. If approved, CDTC staff will
participate. Work on the development of
a 2040 Regional Transportation Plan will be incorporated into the new UPWP,
although CDTC has four years to develop the plan update. The pace of the effort will depend on a
number of events. The next UPWP should
include a significant effort on safety data analysis and planning. The need for consultant assistance has been
identified. Finally, MPO funding levels
are uncertain pending federal legislation.
Staff will provide more information in January.
LINKAGE
2012-13
Linkage Program
Sandy Misiewicz explained the staff proposal for the
2012-2013 Community and Transportation Linkage Planning Program. Funding will be reduced to $150,000 for
consultant services. The program will be
entirely focused on implementation activities related to existing Linkage
studies or other completed local planning work.
There would be a January deadline for applications, and a February
review by the Planning Committee.
John Poorman asked for action to approve the concept
presented. Rob Cherry asked what steps will be taken to ensure that planning
studies are consistent with the NEPA process. Sandy Misiewicz responded that these concerns
will be addressed in Linkage program studies.
Members approved the concept for the Linkage Program as presented.
STATUS OF PLANNING ACTIVITIES
CDRPC
Todd Fabozzi noted that the HUD Sustainability grant application
was submitted by CDRPC less than a month ago.
An extensive consortium with local participants is an important feature
of the application. He also explained
that CDRPC has begun developing preliminary population projections based on the
Census.
CDTA
Ross Farrell reported that the Washington Western BRT
Study is completed. November 13th
and 14th will be the roll out of Phase 1 of the Albany route
restructuring plan. Extensive public
outreach has indicated that a majority of people support the plan.
Albany County Airport Authority
Steve
Iachetta reported that the Albany County Airport Authority has completed an
update to the five year Program, and has submitted a number of Consolidated
Funding Applications (CFAs) for the Governor’s regional economic development
initiative.
City of
Watervliet
Rosemary Nichols reported that the City of Watervliet
received three CDGB (Community Development Block Grant Program) projects.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:00
PM. The next Planning Committee meeting
is scheduled for January 4,2012. The
next Policy Board Meeting is scheduled for December 1, 2011.
Respectfully submitted,
John P. Poorman