CAPITAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

 

DRAFT Meeting Minutes

June 5, 2014

 

MEMBERS ATTENDING

 

Carm Basile, Capital District Transportation Authority, Vice Chair

Brad Birge, representing Mayor Joanne Yepsen, City of Saratoga Springs

Thomas Dolin, Town of New Scotland

Flora Fasoldt, Town of Sand Lake

Steve Feeney, representing Anthony Jasenski, Schenectady County

Rocky Ferraro, representing Mike Stammel, Capital District Regional Planning Commission

Terrence Hurley, Albany Port District Commission

Steve Iachetta, representing John O’Donnell, Albany County Airport

Andrew Kreshik, representing Mayor Lou Rosamilia, City of Troy

Joseph LaCivita, representing Paula Mahan, Town of Colonie

Joe Landry, Town of Niskayuna

Michael Loftus, NYS Thruway Authority

Tom Richardson, representing Mayor Dennis Baker, City of Mechanicville

Paul Sausville, Saratoga County

Mayor Kathy Sheehan, City of Albany, Chair

Ralph Signoracci, representing Shawn Morse, Albany County

Jeremy Smith, representing Mayor Mike Manning, City of Watervliet

Edward Tremblay, representing Mayor George Primeau, City of Cohoes

Linda von der Heide, representing Kathleen Jimino, Rensselaer County

Christopher Wallin, representing Mayor Gary McCarthy, City of           Schenectady

Thomas Werner, Saratoga County

Sam Zhou, NYS Department of Transportation-Region 1, Secretary

 

STAFF AND OTHERS

 

Anne Benware, Capital District Transportation Committee

Corey Bixby, Capital District Transportation Authority

Frank Bonafide, NYS Department of Transportation-Region 1

Chris Desany, Capital District Transportation Authority

Ross Farrell, Capital District Transportation Authority

Michael Franchini, Capital District Transportation Committee

David Jukins, Capital District Transportation Committee

Randy Milano, City of Albany

Sandy Misiewicz, Capital District Transportation Committee

Chris O’Neill, Capital District Transportation Committee

Mike Williams, Capital District Transportation Authority

 

OPENING REMARKS

 

Mayor Sheehan opened the Capital District Transportation Committee meeting at 3:02 PM and welcomed those in attendance.  Members and attendees introduced themselves.

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

Approval of the March 13, 2014 Meeting Minutes

 

The March 13, 2014 meeting minutes were approved by the members.

 

Presentation: Panama Canal Expansion Video

 

Mike Franchini presented a video about the Panama Canal expansion.  Terry Hurley said the Panama Canal expansion has great potential to expand economic activity at the Port of New York and New Jersey, and although the larger ships won’t come to Albany, the secondary impacts to Albany should be significant. 

 

2013-2018 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENTS

 

SA108/S96, Balltown Road, from Riverview Road to Aqueduct Road (Rexford Bridge)

 

Frank Bonafide said that this amendment would move this project from the Post 2018 TIP into the five year TIP.  The project will be funded with Beyond Preservation NHPP funding approved by the Main Office, and will not count against the regional or MPO allocation.  Members approved the amendment.

 

A547, South Mall Expressway Bridges, I-787 to Empire State Plaza

 

Frank Bonafide said that this project will address deck replacements on the two structures leading out from the South Mall.  A list of offsets was provided to Mike Franchini.  The offsets included deleting two bridge inspection projects from the STIP and one guide rail project; and reducing the NHPP portion of the State Bridge Preservation set-aside.  Members approved the amendment.

 

NEW TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM: PROJECTS PROGRAMMED FROM SET-ASIDES

 

Mike Franchini explained that the materials in the mail out package explain Planning Committee recommendations for projects to be programmed for 8 TIP set-aside projects.  Solicitations for project went out to all 78 municipalities in the four counties.  Staff spent two months evaluating project applications, calculating benefits and filters.  The Planning Committee discussed the project merits and made recommendations for programming.  Policy Board approval is needed.

 

Mike reviewed the projects recommended for the following set-asides:

 

·        RG28: Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Set-Aside, funding was recommended for project number 1;

·        RG39: ITS Set-Aside for Local Traffic Signals, funding was recommended for project numbers 3, 5, 2, and 4;

·        RG102: Alternative Fuel Program for Non-CDTA Fleets Set-Aside, funding was recommended for project numbers 6 and 7;

·        RG103: Bicycle/Pedestrian Network Set-Aside, funding was recommended for project numbers 8, 14, 11, 12, 13, and 9, with funding for project number 11 capped at $220,000; 

·        RG119: Linkage Program Implementation Set-Aside, funding was recommended for project number 17;

·        RG124:  Intersection Safety Improvements Set-Aside, project number 18 was previously fully funded with CMAQ and NHPP funding.

·        RG125: Pavement Preservation Set-Aside for Non-State Roads, funding was recommended for project numbers 27, 55, 57, 54, 25, 28, 46, 21, 41, 26, 59, and 56 (all projects “above the line”) and project number 32 (“below the line”). 

 

Tom Werner commented that only four projects in Saratoga County were recommended.  Mike Franchini said that that not all municipalities submitted projects, and not all funds were utilized.  The Pavement Preservation set-aside was fully programmed.  The Planning Committee will decide when to solicit for the remainder.  He said there is flexibility in sponsor scheduling of these projects.  Tom Dolin asked about the potential for funding for CSX railroad overpasses.  Sam Zhou explained that railroad bridges are the company’s responsibility.

 

Members approved the projects as recommended by the Planning Committee.

 

UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM AMENDMENTS

 

Resolution Approving the Addition of a Task to Examine Bridge Preservation Treatments and Costs for Local Bridges

 

Mike Franchini handed out this draft resolution (attached).  He explained that this contract will examine local bridges for local governments that don’t have the resources to identify preservation treatments and costs.  Members approved the resolution. 

 

Resolution Approving the Addition of the Local Freight Data Improvement Project

 

Mike Franchini handed out this draft resolution (attached). 

The resolution would give approval for the addition of this task to the UPWP.  This task will be funded by the SHRP2 program, and CDTC will work with RPI on this task.  Members approved the resolution.

 

CDTA’s RIVER CORRIDOR BUS RAPID TRANSIT PRESENTATION

 

Carm Basile explained that BusPlus service on Route 5 has been a big success and that the Washington/Western Avenues Transit Alternatives Analysis is well underway.  The last piece in the 40 miles of BRT is the River Corridor BRT.  Ross Farrell gave a presentation on work completed so far for the River Corridor BRT.  He explained that CDTA is leaning toward Alternative 2, which would follow Broadway.  CDTA hopes to have approval for a preferred alternative in August or September.

 

CAPITAL CARSHARE, INC.

 

Mike Franchini explained that the Capital CarShare program will be launched by the end of June.  There will be eight vehicles, all fuel efficient.  This will be the first public car share in the Capital District, and it will be not for profit.  Mayor Sheehan said that the City will look at this to help with parking requirements for new housing.  Mike said the goal will be to expand to other cities if successful.

 

 

ALBANY, SCHENECTADY, SARATOGA SPRINGS, AND TROY BIKESHARE

 

Mike Franchini explained that bike share will be different from CarShare in that it will be a very preliminary pilot program consisting of one week in each of four cities: Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, and Troy. 

 

NEW VISIONS PLAN UPDATE – COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Mike Franchini handed out a summary of issues and meetings of the New Visions committees (attached).  He said that the committees are working on white papers to be completed in July.  CDTC will hire a consultant for public input and marketing for the Plan update.

 

Mike presented the results of a survey conducted during the meeting and completed by all attendees of the meeting.  The survey asked about how to allocate $100 to eight different categories for the transportation plan.  The results of all surveys handed in at the meeting are as follows:

 

 

Mode of Transportation

Allocated Funding

 

% Votes

Alternative Fuel Technology

  $188

   6%

Bicycle and Pedestrian

  $374

  12%

Freight

  $302

  10%

Intelligent Transportation Systems

  $211.50

   7%

Road and Bridge Repairs

$1,172

  37%

Transit – Buses

  $462

  15%

Transit – Light Rail

  $257

   8%

Travel Demand Management

  $133.50

   4%

Total

$3,100

 100%

 

 

Mike Franchini noted that these results were extremely similar to the results when this survey was conducted at the CDRPC planning conference.

 

STATUS OF PLANNING ACTIVITIES

 

CDRPC

 

Rocky Ferraro said that CDRPC is working on analysis of employment and journey to work data at the TAZ level.  Analysis will include examination of the ten counties surrounding CDTC.  Employment forecasts will be developed at the TZA level.  The Combined Sewer Overflow project is progressing well.  Governing structures are being developed and will be transmitted to NTSDEC by September 1.

 

NYSDOT

 

Sam Zhou reported that Frank Bonafide was appointed Regional Planning and Program Managers for Region 1.  There has been good progress on State and local projects this year with respect to schedule and budget.  Consistent bid savings have been experienced.  Bids have been off by as much as 30% with respect to each other.  The harsh winter paving program will be funded with savings from bids.  NYSDOT will be moving as a tenant to the new Thruway Authority headquarters.

 

Albany County Airport Authority

 

Steve Iachetta reported that the Albany International Airport to progressing a $7.5 million grant program; and has recently installed the electric vehicle charging stations open to the public.

 

Albany Port District Commission

 

Terry Hurley reported that there was a 15 to 25% increase in cargo in the first five months of the year.  Work on the Rensselaer Dock is going well and should be completed by the end of the year.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Sam Zhou

Secretary