CAPITAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Meeting Minutes

February 16, 2006

MEMBERS ATTENDING

Steve Bland, Capital District Transportation Authority

Mary Brizzell, Town of Colonie

Ken DeCerce, representing Mary Ann Johnson, Saratoga County

Theresa Egan, Town of Bethlehem

Michael Franchini, representing Michael Breslin, Albany County

Kent Gray, Schenectady County

Robert Hansen, representing Commissioner Tom Madison, NYSDOT

Charles Houghtaling, Albany County Legislature

Terry Hurley, Albany Port District Commission

Art Johnson, Town of Wilton

Mayor Valerie Keehn, City of Saratoga Springs

Mayor John McDonald, City of Cohoes, Chairman

Mayor Mike McLaughlin, Village of Scotia

Robert Phillips, Saratoga County, Vice-Chairman

Jill Ross, representing Don Bell, New York State Thruway Authority

Mike Stammel, Capital District Regional Planning Commission

Linda von der Heide, representing Kathleen Jimino, Rensselaer
County

STAFF AND OTHERS

Frank Bonafide, NYSDOT Region 1

Eric Durr, Business Review

Dave Kahlbaugh, Clough Harbour

Tom Kearney, Federal Highway Administration

Sandy Misiewicz, CDTC staff

Jim Moore, Town of East Greenbush

Chris O’Neill, CDTC staff

John Poorman, CDTC staff

Jason Purvis, CDTC staff

Cliff Thomas, New York State Department of Transportation

Ken Williams, Citizens for Transportation

OPENING REMARKS

Chairman McDonald opened the Capital District Transportation Committee meeting at approximately 3:05 p.m. and welcomed those in attendance to the CDTC offices. Members and attendees then introduced themselves.

ADMINISTRATION

December 15 Meeting Minutes

The minutes of the December 15, 2005 CDTC meeting were approved as written.

Administrative & Financial Standing Subcommittee Report

John Poorman reported that the Subcommittee met on December 21 to accept the 2004-05 audit report (there were no problems found) and approve the 2006 staffing plans and salary structure. He also noted that implementation of new health insurance practices occurred on January 1. The Subcommittee met February 15 to approve a line item budget for the coming year.

Appointment of Nominating Subcommittee

Ken DeCerce reported on the results of the February 15 Nominating Subcommittee meeting. Members present included Tom Werner, Charles Houghtaling, Mary Brizzell, and Mr. DeCerce.

There are three groups of nominations. The first group of nominations pertains to CDTC's officers for 2006-07. The Nominating Subcommittee enthusiastically recommends re-election of John McDonald as CDTC's Chairman and Bob Phillips as Vice-Chairman. Tom Werner, DOT Regional Director, would continue the tradition of serving as CDTC's Secretary.

The second group of nominations pertains to CDTC's two at-large positions set aside for towns and villages. The Nominating Subcommittee nominates Terry Egan, supervisor of the town of Bethlehem and Beth Secor, supervisor of the town of Schodack are nominated to serve as members for the coming year. Phil Barrett, supervisor of the town of Clifton Park, and Steve Tommasone, supervisor of the town of Rotterdam are nominated to serve as alternates for the coming year. It is expected that they would be nominated as members for the following year.

Should Mr. Tommasone decline the invitation, Frank Quinn supervisor of the town of Glenville would be asked to serve as an alternate.

The third group of nominations pertains to a single at-large position on CDTC's Planning Committee reserved for towns and villages. The Nominating Subcommittee nominates Barbara McHugh from the town of Clifton Park to serve as member for the coming year. In the interest of full participation in the process, alternate member status is proposed for Kevin Corcoran of Glenville, Barbara McHugh of Clifton Park, Kathy Matern of Niskayuna, Steve Watts of Halfmoon, George Laveille of Bethlehem, Heather Malozzi of Malta, Peter Comenzo of Rotterdam, Keith Manz of Wilton and Jim Moore of East Greenbush.

Members approved the nomination and expressed thanks to Chairman McDonald and Bob Phillips for their willingness to continue as CDTC officers.

Mr. DeCerce also express thanks on behalf of the Committee to Art Johnson and Mayor Mike McLaughlin for their service during their two-year period as alternates and members of CDTC.

Appointment of the Administrative & Financial Standing Subcommittee for 2006-07

Chairman McDonald noted that it is CDTC’s practice for the Chairman to appoint members to the Administrative and Financial Standing Subcommittee on an annual basis.

For the coming 2006-07 fiscal year, he appointed the following to serve with him:

Steve Bland, CDTA

Charles Houghtaling, Albany County

Kent Gray, Schenectady County

Tom Werner, NYSDOT

Bob Phillips, Saratoga County

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

Chairman McDonald extended privilege of the floor to visitors wishing to address the meeting agenda. Ken Williams of Citizens for Transportation presented a request for additional evening service, NY 5 service and nursing home and Memorial Hospital service. He also noted the condition (potholes) at the corner of Hoosick Street, the need for better coverage of phone service for the Guaranteed Ride Home program, and offered support for purchase of hybrid electric buses. There were no other visitors wishing to speak.

2006-08 TWO-YEAR UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM

Mr. Poorman reported on the successful development of a two-year work program. The two-year cycle will allow CDTC to alternate between TIP development and UPWP development each year. The UPWP is supported primarily by federal planning funds, increased modestly by the passage of SAFETEA-LU. The federal program will allow CDTC to continue its planning effort, including the Linkage program, at roughly current levels.

He highlighted aspects of the work program, including the coming 2007-12 TIP development, completion of New Visions 2030 and the Transit Development Plan and other items. Members approved the work program for submission to NYSDOT, FHWA and FTA.

Mr. Poorman also provided an overview of the nine new Linkage studies, bringing the total Linkage study commitments since 2000 to 50 in 28 municipalities. A joint study of Route 20 in Princetown and Guilderland is recommended to receive funds CDTC set aside for inter-municipal work.

Members approved the two-year program.

2005-10 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT

A474, Port of Albany Rehabilitation

Terry Hurley explained that this project addition ($0.813 M) is for funds earmarked to continue rehabilitation of the wharf and for maintenance dredging at the port. Members approved the amendment.

R265, South Rensselaer County Port Connector

This project will use a federal earmark to eliminate private at-grade rail crossings at Teller’s and Abele’s locations. It may also include a connector road to eliminate the need for Staat’s Crossing. Members approved the amendment

AIR QUALITY CONFORMITY ACTION

Mr. Poorman reported that consultation on the air quality conformity impacts is underway for the TIP amendments; no impacts are expected. He also noted that the Adirondack – Glens Falls Transportation Council (AGFTC) is completing an interim long-range plan which may require CDTC to update the regional air quality conformity statement. He asked the Board to delegate to the Planning Committee the responsibility for acting on that conformity statement, as appropriate, if triggered by the AGFTC action Members agreed to delegate that responsibility.

DISCUSSION OF NYSDOT STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN

Cliff Thomas made a PowerPoint presentation of the draft statewide master plan, citing the demographic changes and needs of coming years. He noted that completion of the plan marks the beginning, not the end, of collaboration on difficult issues.

Members then reviewed the draft comment letter for CDTC to send as an official statement on the draft plan. Mr. Poorman noted that the NYSMPO Association has also commented and raised a point about the lack of discussion of the relationship between MPO and NYSDOT plans in the draft master plan. Members agreed to add an additional point about that subject to the CDTC comment letter and authorized transmittal of the letter to NYSDOT.

STATUS OF PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES

Capital District Transportation Authority

Steve Bland reported that CDTA has released its draft service plan for Saratoga Springs as part of the Transit Development Plan effort. CDTA has also awarded a contract for early aspects of the Schenectady rail station rehabilitation. CDTA is evaluating proposals for a five-year transit vehicle purchase contract and is briefing the board on alternate fuel vehicles. A five-year detailed operating plan is expected over the next year. He also reported that CDTA is completing work outfitting the Rensselaer station for CDTA offices.

Capital District Regional Planning Commission

Mike Stammel reported on CDRPC’s multi-jurisdictional Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) planning study; work is underway. CDRPC is also working with CDTC, CEG and the University at Albany on a fiscal impact assessment of growth scenarios. Age cohort projections are complete and CDRPC is engaged in groundwork for the 2010 Census.

New York State Thruway Authority

Jill Ross reported that the Thruway Authority has released a draft EIS for the Exit 23-24 project; a public hearing on March 14 is set, with comments accepted through March 31.

New York State Department of Transportation

Bob Hansen reported that the Region is grappling with a number of Congressional High Priority projects and FFY05-06 appropriations. He reported on the Round Lake Bypass public hearing and noted that the Schenectady Crosstown Arterial project will be let this spring. He also reported that the Exit 6 and Exit 5 Northway bridge project as been split into two projects with Exit 5 to be let in 2006 and Exit 6 in 2007. The Exit 3 scoping effort has narrowed the list to five alternatives for the DEIS stage. He also discussed the nature of cost increases being experienced in New York and elsewhere.

Albany Port District Commission

Terry Hurley reported that the 2006 is looking good for port activity across the board.

ADJOURNMENT

The next meeting was tentatively scheduled for 3:00 pm, Thursday June 1, 2006 at the CDTC offices. There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas C. Werner

Secretary