CAPITAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

Meeting Minutes

December 7, 2005

 

MEMBERS ATTENDING

 

Dave Bailey, City of Troy

Geoff Bornemann, City of Saratoga Springs (Vice-Chairman)

Judy Breselor, representing Fred Howard, Rensselaer County

Frank Commisso, Albany Port District Commission

Todd Fabozzi, representing Rocky Ferraro, CDRPC

Steve Feeney, Schenectady County

Mike Franchini, Albany County (Chairman)

Stephen Iachetta, Albany County Airport Authority

Tom Kearney, FHWA

Barb McHugh, Town of Clifton Park

Phil Pearson, Town of Colonie

Marybeth Pettit, City of Rensselaer

John Poorman, Capital District Transportation Committee (Secretary)

Dave Rettig, NYSDOT Region 1

Jill Ross, NYS Thruway Authority

Deirdre Rudolph, City of Albany

Bernard Sisson, City of Schenectady

Erin Thomas, City of Cohoes

Mike Valentine, Saratoga County

Steve Watts, Town of Halfmoon

Kristina Younger, Capital District Transportation Authority

 

STAFF AND OTHERS

 

Anne Benware, Capital District Transportation Committee

Robert Hansen, NYSDOT Region 1

David Jukins, Capital District Transportation Committee

Ted Kolankowski, Fraser & Associates

Jeff Lipnicky, Town of Bethlehem

Fred Mastroianni, representing the Village of Colonie

Sandra Misiewicz, Capital District Transportation Committee

Roger Murman, Fraser & Associates

Chris O’Neill, Capital District Transportation Committee

Mark Pesce, City of Troy

Andrea Poley, City of Troy

Jason Purvis, Capital District Transportation Committee

Russ Reeves, City of Troy

Deb Stacey, Capital District Transportation Committee

 

 

 

 

VISITORS ISSUES

 

Chairman Franchini opened the meeting at approximately 9:40 am.  He welcomed members and guests who introduced themselves.

 

 

Action Items

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

Approval of the November 2, 2005 Meeting Minutes

 

The minutes of the November 2, 2005 meeting were then approved as written.

 

 

PRESENTATION BY FRASER & ASSOCIATES ON THE LANSINGBURGH LINKAGE STUDY

 

Ted Kolankowski and Roger Murman of Fraser and Associates presented highlights of the Lansingburgh Linkage Study.  The study addressed through traffic corridors, bicycle path connections, zoning issues and “urban village” redevelopment, including business center and park renovations.  The City of Troy is actively pursuing implementation of the recommendations.

 

 

2006-08 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM

 

John Poorman reviewed the previously-distributed outline for the 2006-08 UPWP.  The intention is to adopt a two-year program to move the UPWP development and TIP development onto alternate two-year cycles.  Major work will include New Visions 2030 (and its successor), the Transit Development Plan, development of the 2007-12 TIP, the fourth Spot Improvement Program round and a new round of Enhancement project solicitations, two years’ of Linkage program studies, the regional Safety Management System and continuation of the Clean Cities program, Bike & Pedestrian and Goods Movement task forces.  Transition to new requirements of SAFETEA-LU will also occur.

 

A full narrative will be available for January and a complete draft for action in February.  Members approved the outline as the basis for the new UPWP.

 

 

TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENTS

 

A296, Relocation of Maxwell Road Part 1 and A392, Relocation of Maxwell Road Part 2

 

Chairman Franchini described the nature and cause of the requested TIP actions.  Due to increased costs of stormwater management and construction materials, the current estimate for A296 is higher than that on the TIP.  Scope changes were considered but were insufficient to make up the difference.  The proposed amendment would shift the $1.248 M in STP-Flex funds from A392 to A296.  The remainder of the $2.844 M funding gap in A296 would be made up by an increase in GEIS mitigation fees and by an additional commitment of local funds by the town of Colonie; the funds transferred from A392 would be made up in the same manner.  Members approved the request.  Due to the nature of the change to A392 (elimination of all federal funds), that part of the action will require Policy Board consideration at its meeting on December 15.

 

 

Discussion Items

 

 

PRESENTATION ON THE NATIONAL COLLOQUY ON THE COMING TRANSFORMATION OF TRAVEL

 

Mr. Poorman made a PowerPoint presentation on the national “Colloquy on the Coming Transformation of Travel” and its products.  The effort was funded by the NYSMPO Association and FHWA, with NYSDOT match, and facilitated by CDTC.  The colloquy involved approximately 35 national and international experts in the areas of demographics, economics, public policy, technology and urban growth.  Over 48 hours at the Rensselaerville Institute, participants produced consensus statements of 30-40 year expectations in each subject and identified implications and recommendations for metropolitan planning.

 

Discussion ensued regarding application of the material in the Capital District and mechanisms to publicize the products.  Members also encouraged a presentation to the Policy Board on December 16.

 

 

STATUS OF PLANNING ACTIVITIES

 

CDTC Staff

 

Sandy Misiewicz reminded members that the deadline for Linkage submissions is January 6.

 

CDTA

 

Kristina Younger reported that CDTA has hired a new director of facilities and a new director of transportation.  Work continues at the Rensselaer station for the “Business Development” department.  TDP work continues with Saratoga Springs specifics expected soon.  She also described CDTA’s annual shelter request evaluation process.

 

NYSDOT

 

Dave Rettig noted the significance of the Bond passage.  He reported that Main Office allocations to individual regions is in draft and that Region 1 receives an increase due to pavement conditions.  The Exit 3 process has included two meetings to boil down alternatives to a manageable number.  The Region is also looking at early roundabout actions in the Balltown Rd / Rexford Bridge corridor prior to the full TIP actions.

 


Albany County Airport Authority

 

Steve Iachetta reported on progress with the $3 M security checkpoint expansion, and on design work for concourses D and A.  Runway 1-19 project is 60% complete.  Enplanements are stable.

 

 

TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

 

Bids and Lettings

 

Bob Hansen reported that lettings include S172 (Crosstown), RG15 (Pavement Markings); and A196 (Rt 7/I-890/Curry Rd.).  There continues to be concern with the increased costs in recent bids; the Crosstown project is a particularly large concern.  No bids are scheduled for December or January.

 

 

OTHER

 

The next Planning Committee meeting was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on January 11, 2006.  There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:20 a.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

John P. Poorman

Secretary