CAPITAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

 

Meeting Minutes

December 6, 2007

 

 

MEMBERS ATTENDING

 

Mary Brizzell, Town of Colonie

Bill Bruce, City of Albany

Steve Feeney, representing Susan Savage, Schenectady County

Michael Franchini, representing Michael Breslin, Albany County

Charlie Houghtaling, Albany County

Terry Hurley, Albany Port District Commission

Steve Iachetta, representing John O’Donnell, Albany

  International Airport

Mayor John McDonald, City of Cohoes, Chairman

Ellen McNulty-Ryan, Village of Green Island

Ray Melleady, Capital District Transportation Authority

Bob Phillips, Saratoga County

Frank Quinn, Town of Glenville

Brian Rowback, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1,
  representing Commissioner Astrid Glynn

Phil Serafino, representing Bill Rinaldi, NYS Thruway Authority

Bernie Sisson, representing Mayor Brian Stratton, City of
  Schenectady

Mike Stammel, Capital District Regional Planning Commission

Linda von der Heide, representing Kathleen Jimino, Rensselaer
  County

 

STAFF AND OTHERS

 

Joe Cimino, Clough Harbour Associates

David Jukins, Capital District Transportation Committee

Peter Melewski, Bergmann Associates

Sandy Misiewicz, Capital District Transportation Committee

Sree Nampoothiri, Capital District Transportation Committee

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

David Rettig, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1

Diedre Rudolf, City of Albany

Deborah Stacey, Capital District Transportation Committee

Cathy Woodruff, Albany Times Union

Lindsey Zeftig, Bergmann Associates

 

 

OPENING REMARKS

 

Vice-Chairman Phillips opened the Capital District Transportation Committee meeting at approximately 3:10 p.m. and welcomed those in attendance to the CDTC offices. Members and attendees then introduced themselves.

 

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

October 4, 2007 Meeting Minutes

 

Three corrections to the minutes of the October 4, 2007 CDTC meeting were noted. NYDOT requested that the paragraph for project A416 the under the heading 2007-12 Transportation Improvement Program be modified to state “the design phase of this project” rather than “this project”.  NYSDOT also requested that the term “IM” under project A452 be changed to “Bond Funds”.  CDTA noted that there was a typo under CDTA’s Status of Planning Activities –the date 1890’s should read 1980’s.  Members approved the minutes with these changes noted.

 

Administrative & Financial Standing Subcommittee Report

 

The Administrative and Financial Standing Subcommittee met in November.  The Subcommittee reviewed the findings of CDTC’s annual audit.  No problems were identified in the audit.

 

Appointment of Nominating Subcommittee

 

Brian Rowback, Tom Richardson, Ray Melleady and Ellen McNulty were appointed to the nominating subcommittee.

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

 

Chairman McDonald indicated that CDTC provides an opportunity for visitors to address items on the agenda. No one registered to address the board members today.

 

 

INTEGRATED DESIGN PRESENTATION

 

INTEGRATED COMMUNITY & TRANSPORTATION PLANNING & DESIGN REPORT

 

David Jukins prepared a PowerPoint to review this shared cost study funded by the association of NYS MPOs with the Board. The presentation provided information about the study and demonstrated how well NYS has done in understanding the relationship between Community Design, Land Use and Transportation.  A brochure was developed as part of the study, highlighting 10 of the most notable integrated land use and transportation projects in NYS.  Two of the ten projects are located in the Capital Region.

 

 

 

2008-10 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM

 

John Poorman reviewed the 2008-10 UPWP schedule and major programming emphases.  The 2008-10 UPWP will be the first work program to be based on the recently adopted New Visions 2030 Plan.  Financial issues and regional growth patterns are expected to be major emphases of the New Visions Summary document.  This board needs to collectively raise the profile of financial issues to NYS legislative representatives.

 

2007-12 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENTS

 

SA206/A496 I-87 Bridge over the Mohawk River Replacement of Cables

 

NYSDOT is experiencing difficulty with an estimate for this project, but is certain that the amount currently budgeted in the 2007-12 TIP will not cover the cost of the project.  It is expected that the cost will be in the vicinity of $15.7M, not the $8.6M that currently appears in the TIP. The cost of the project is spit between projects A296 and SA206 since the bridge connects Albany with Saratoga County.  The cables are in very poor condition.  The goal of keeping all three lanes on the bridge functional during construction is driving the cost up.  Letting is expected in February ’08. 

 

Members approved the amendment to projects A296 and SA206 that are listed in the 2007-12 Transportation Improvement Program.

 

 

STATUS OF PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES

 

Capital District Regional Planning Commission

 

Mike Stammel reported that the Fiscal Impact Study is complete and will be available for distribution by the end of the year.  The Center for Economic Growth produced a slick 4-page brochure highlighting the work of the study.  The brochure has been printed; copies were distributed to members.

 

New York State Department of Transportation

 

Brian Rowback reported that the STIP was submitted to FHWA for approval.

 

Albany County Airport Authority

 

Steve Iachetta reported that Stewart Airport, which is smaller than Albany’s Airport, just received notification of funding for direct access of the NYS Thruway.  According to Steve, the Albany Airport is the only airport of its size that does not have direct access.  He noted, however, that a productive meeting on this issue was held recently with the Project Advisory Committee for the Northway Exit 3/4 project.

 

 

City of Schenectady

 

Bernie Sisson reported that work on the redesign of Erie Blvd has been progressing.  Joe Cimino from Clough Harbour provided a brief overview of the Erie Blvd redesign project.  A public information meeting regarding the redesign was held on November 29th.  The proposed improvements to Erie Blvd were well received.  The project limits are from I-890 to the RR bridge north of State Street. Portions of Erie Blvd are 110’ in width, which makes it feasible to design a curve linear boulevard with a landscaped median.  A Roundabout is being considered at the Ferry Street intersection. Driveways will be consolidated with many converted to rights in/rights out only. Parking conflicts will be minimized. Erie Blvd will accommodate bicycles with either a shared lane or designated bike lane. A public meeting will be held in the Spring to unveil the final design recommendations.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The next meeting was tentatively scheduled for 3:00 pm, Thursday March 6, 2008 at the CDTC offices.  The chairman thanked Mary Brizzel and Bob Phillips for their participation on the board.  Both members will not be returning in 2008.

 

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:40 pm.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

John P. Poorman

Secretary