Capital District Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on August 15, 2006

Attendance: Terry Conway (Parks & Trails NY), Dom De Cecco (Retired), Rocky Ferraro (CDRPC), William Mackesey (Saratoga County/Town of Clifton Park), Fred Mastroianni (Foit-Albert Associates), Susan Olsen (NYSDOT Region 1), Deb Spicer (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), John Stangle (Town of Colonie), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Teresa La Salle (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

The minutes from July’s meeting were approved without changes.

2.0 NEW BUSINESS

2.1 Transportation Enhancement Program: Attendees were provided with a summary packet that will go to CDTC’s Planning Committee for action on Wednesday, August 23^rd. Included in the packet were the project rankings from CDTC’s review committee. Approximately $23 million in funding was requested for the Capital District. CDTC’s Planning Committee has three options: 1) Option 1 is to accept the prioritized list based on Cost Effectiveness and Overall Rank, 2) Option 2 is to accept the prioritized list strictly be Overall Rank, 3) Option 3 is to compile any other combination of prioritized projects to be sent to the statewide review committee. Following Planning Committee’s action, the prioritized list will got to CDTC’s Policy Committee for approval and then on to the Statewide Review Committee.

2.2 Status of Trail User Survey and Adjoining Residential Property Owner Survey: The residential survey is complete and there was about a 40% return rate. CDRPC is analyzing the data.

The user survey is complete for weekdays. There are still quite a few weekends that have not been completed. CDTC and CDRPC are looking at completing any remaining weekends in September with the possible help of new SUNY students.

2.3 Spot Improvement Program: Solicitations went out July 31^st and applications are due September 29^th. The funding total is $100,000 per year over 3 years. Three copies of each application must be submitted. Notifications are expected in late November.

Attendees received a packet.

2.4 Other New Business:

S. Olsen noted that she is in the process of reviewing state designated bicycle routes, scenic byways, and other state roads for bikeability.

D. Spicer reported that there will be a State Pedestrian Conference in April of 2007 in Corning, New York. CDTC may be interested in presenting the findings of the Trail Survey.

B. Mackesey noted that the Ushers Road Trail is near completion and that the Vischer Ferry Trail is well underway. A possible spring project is the Grissom Road Trail with a connection to the Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve. He also noted that three or four additional trail projects are likely in Clifton Park in the next 3-4 years.

I. Vamos reported that he will be submitting comments regarding CDTC’s New Visions Air Quality Conformity Plan regarding goals for the increase of walking and bicycling, particularly during the summer months.

I. Vamos also noted that NYBC is negotiating with NYSDOT regarding Safe Routes to School.

D. Spicer requested that Safe Routes to School be added to CDTC’s Bike/Ped Task Force as a regular agenda item.

S. Olsen stated that she is the Regional Safe Routes to School Coordinator.

E. Troy noted that on October 11^th and 12^th NYSDOT Region 1 will be hosting Safe Routes to School Training. NYSDOH will be participating by presenting the health perspective on the Safe Routes to School Program.

E. Troy also noted that municipalities have responsibility for the engineering aspect of Safe Routes to School, not the school districts.

T. Conway reported that a new round of applications of the “Healthy Trails, Health People” grants are out and are due November 17^th. Awardees will be announced on December 15^th. The program is through the NYS Health Department and is geared toward technical assistance and support. Attendees received brochures and applications.

T. Conway requested that task force members email addresses be included in the minutes.

2.2 Status of Trail User Survey and Adjoining Residential Property Owner Survey: The residential survey is complete and there was about a 40% return rate. CDRPC is analyzing the data.

The user survey is complete for weekdays. There are still quite a few weekends that have not been completed. CDTC and CDRPC are looking at completing any remaining weekends in September with the possible help of new SUNY students.

2.3 Spot Improvement Program: Solicitations went out July 31^st and applications are due September 29^th. The funding total is $100,000 per year over 3 years. Three copies of each application must be submitted. Notifications are expected in late November.

Attendees received a packet.

2.4 Other New Business:

3.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.

2.2 Status of Trail User Survey and Adjoining Residential Property Owner Survey: The residential survey is complete and there was about a 40% return rate. CDRPC is analyzing the data.

The user survey is complete for weekdays. There are still quite a few weekends that have not been completed. CDTC and CDRPC are looking at completing any remaining weekends in September with the possible help of new SUNY students.

2.3 Spot Improvement Program: Solicitations went out July 31st and applications are due September 29th. The funding total is $100,000 per year over 3 years. Three copies of each application must be submitted. Notifications are expected in late November.

Attendees received a packet.

2.4 Other New Business:

3.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. at the CDTC Offices.

2.3 Spot Improvement Program: Solicitations went out July 31^st and applications are due September 29^th. The funding total is $100,000 per year over 3 years. Three copies of each application must be submitted. Notifications are expected in late November.