CAPITAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
December 3, 2009
MEMBERS ATTENDING
Carm Basile, Capital District Transportation
Authority
Michael Franchini, representing Michael
Breslin,
Charles Houghtaling,
Terry Hurley, Albany Port District Commission
Airport Authority
Arthur Johnson,
Joseph LaCivita, representing Paula Mahan,
Town of
Joe Landry, Town of
Mayor
Jim Rivers, representing Mayor Harry
Tutunjian, City of
Authority
Michael Stammel, Capital District Regional
Planning Commission
Linda von der Heide, representing Kathleen
Jimino, Rensselaer
County
STAFF
Nancy Benedict, Interested Citizen
Lucille Brewer, Interested Citizen
Dave Jukins, Capital District Transportation
Committee
Sandra Misiewicz, Capital District
Transportation Committee
Chris O’Neill, Capital District
Transportation Committee
Susan Pedo, The Walters Group
Paul Reuss,
OPENING
REMARKS
Chairman McDonald opened the Capital District
Transportation Committee meeting at approximately
AD
Members approved the September 3, 2009
meeting minutes as
written.
Administrative
& Financial Standing Subcommittee Report
The Administrative & Financial Standing
Subcommittee will meet in mid-December.
The A & F will discuss cash flow, funding, the annual audit, the
Fred Field Award, the Prospectus Update, and C
Appointment
of the Nominating Subcommittee
Paula Mahan, Mayor Brian Stratton,
PRIVILEGE
OF THE FLOOR
Chairman McDonald indicated that C
Nancy Benedict also addressed the board. Ms. Benedict described the up and down cycle
of CDTA ridership; she expressed concern that the fare increase has somewhat
negated the ridership increase that occurred when the price of fuel rose to
nearly $4.00 per gallon. Ms. Benedict
stated that it is in the public’s best interest to use the bus because it is
good for the environment, reduces fuel consumption and puts less pressure on
parking needs. Ms. Benedict is also
concerned that the elimination of some bus stops has impacted the blind and
mobility disabled population.
PRESENTATION—
PROSPECTUS
MPO Planning Agreement
The MPO Planning
Agreement included in member’s packets is required by the Federal
Government. The agreement spells out the
relationship between CDTC, CDTA and NYSDOT. A shorter version was initially reviewed by
FHWA; FHWA requested that more detail be provided. Members approved the agreement.
Air Quality Memorandum of Understanding
The Air Quality Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) is an agreement between CDTC and A/GFTC. The agreement is required because the town of
Moreau is in A/GFTC’s Planning area, but is in CDTC’s Air Quality Attainment
area. Members approved the MOU.
Committee Practices
CDTC does not have
by-laws, but rather procedures. In
updating the Prospectus, it became apparent that CDTC does not have
documentation of their procedures. For
example, no where is it spelled out if an alternate member counts as part of a
quorum. This Committee Practices
document will serve as a reference. John
noted one correction on page five, item 11.
CDTC’s consensus voting policies might have to be looked at once the new
Federal transportation Bill is passed; early drafts are suggesting that MPOs
look at proportional voting. Members
approved the document.
Prospectus Schedule
Part One of the Prospectus
describes CDTC’s Planning approach and is posted on CDTC’s website. Part two is an expanded version of the MPO
Agreement and Committee practices and will be posted on CDTC’s website now that
they are approved. Part 3 will be a
brief description of CDTC’s planning commitments, potential new areas of
activity and financial prospects. The
final document will be reviewed by the board for adoption in March or June.
2010-15 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Status
of TIP Update
The last full TIP solicitation was conducted
in 2002. Although funding targets are up
in the air, $100M is the placeholder value for projects. Eighty-three projects were submitted as
candidates by the area municipalities, NYSDOT and CDTA. Staff will evaluate the candidate projects and
provide an opportunity for the Planning Committee to review the evaluations in
early January. A second Planning
Committee meeting in January is scheduled to start to build the new program of
projects. Interim TIP products will be
posted on CDTC’s website.
Federal Funding Update
Transportation
reauthorization is not high on Congress’s agenda; consequently we will likely
see short extensions of the current Transportation Bill. Members reviewed the ARRA report. Most of the Capital District’s projects are
moving along. One of the projects in the
NYSDOT Region 1 territory was the first to be approved and the first to be
completed.
STATUS OF PLANNING
Terry Hurley reported that the Port received
stimulus funds for phase 2 of the wharf improvements. Phase 2 has been put out to bid.
CDTA
CDTA has experienced a decline in ridership
since the fare was increased; however, the ridership declines have not been proportionately
distributed. CDTA will analyze the
ridership trends and adjust schedules.
Albany
Airport
The Albany Airport is firming up the details
of a $6M stimulus project to remove runway obstructions. The Albany Airport is one of two NYS Airports
to receive stimulus funding.
CDRPC
CDRPC is gearing up for
extensive Census work. CDRPC will work
with CDTC staff on some of the initiatives.
CDRPC is working with Stakeholders, Inc. to develop a series of Smart
growth Educational Programs for the first half of 2010. A kick-off event is scheduled for February 10th. CDRPC has submitted an application to the
Foreign Trade Zone Board to reorganize their current foreign trade zone program
to conform to the new Foreign Trade Zone Framework Guidelines.
CDTC
Staff
CDTC staff will update
the Unified Planning Work Program over the next few months. A new task will address ADA Compliance
requirements as it relates to the planning process. The Saratoga County Annual Planning Conference
will be held in January; CDTC and CDRPC staffs will set up a booth at the
conference.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately
4:40 pm. The next meeting is scheduled
for 3:00 pm, Thursday March 4, 2010.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary E. Ivey
Secretary