Attendance: Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB), Karen Nolan (GTSC), Don Odell (Albany County), Don Robertson (NYSDOT - Region 1), Bert Schou (CDTA), Deb Spicer (NYSDOH), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH), Katherine Forster (CDTC)

There were no changes to the January Task Force meeting notes. NYSDOH Events was added to the agenda.

(September 14, 2000) The Task Force requested that another bicycle count be done now that Delaware Avenue was open to traffic. No action as of yet.

(November 14, 2000) I. Vamos to talk to Scenic Hudson about the Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail. I. Vamos has not been able to talk to Scenic Hudson yet.

3.1 Regional Trail Logo: CDTC contacted the Canal Corporation in regards to the possibility of twinning the new logo with the Canal logo. The Canal cannot produce a Regional trail logo sign but can provide Canalway signs. Jaime Reppert of the Albany County Waterfront Committee has not been contacted yet. CDTC staff director indicated that CDTC should not pursue this without the interest and support of the municipalities.

3.2 Pedestrian Postcard Survey Update: NYSDOT will be implementing a leading interval for pedestrians at 50 Wolf Road at the end of this month. Studies have shown that this leading interval for the pedestrian is very effective allowing for decreased conflicts. NYSDOT staff and CDTC staff plan to observe the intersection after the change to the signal timing has been made. It was suggested that CDTC do another survey afterwards.

3.3 Schenectady Urban Bike Route Master Plan: The second Steering Committee meeting will be held on February 15, 2001 at 2:30 pm at City Hall. The consultant has been meeting with the various landowners in the industrial park along Maxon Road. The main focus for the steering committee meeting will be a discussion on alternate routing for the off-road bike path and the preparations for the first public meeting.

4.1 Regional Bike/Hike Map: B. Schou brought the Clearinghouse books to the meeting. Staff will use these books to verify trails and parks on the Regional map and have this prepared for the next Task Force meeting.

D. Robertson provided the information for the ownership map of the Mohawk-Hudson Bike Hike Trail to CDTC. It will be added to the maintenance information and these two layers will be presented on one map. This map will be prepared in house by CDTC staff.

4.2 Education and Enforcement Campaign: At least 30 people attended the ACTSAC meeting last month. There was support for the idea of an education and enforcement campaign from many members but there was not enough time on the agenda to really engage the various organizations in a discussion of possibilities for the Capital Region. Therefore a follow-up meeting was arranged for February 14, 2001. This date must be changed and those involved in the E & E campaign at the Task Force meeting agreed that February 28, 2001 would be good. At this meeting the focus will be on the resources that are presently available from different organization and the opportunity to create a schedule for this campaign to move forward.

B. Schou found a very detailed report on the Right-on-Red campaign that can be shared at the next E & E meeting. He has also received the Bicycle and Pedestrian Crash Analysis Tool FHWA CD-ROM. If anyone is interested in using it, he is lending it out.

5.1 National Congress of Pedestrian Advocates: The congress will be held August 16-18 in Oakland, California. It will be a gathering of pedestrian advocates to build momentum and synergy, sharing ideas and best practices. Registration fee is $150. You can get more information http://americawalks.org/congress/.

5.2 Quality Communities Task Force Report: The Governor's Task Force released this report this week. The report has 41 recommendations that would help to reduce sprawl, protect farmland and help urban areas. There are several recommendations that apply directly to transportation. It will be very effective if they can move this from a report to policy. More information is needed on the next steps of this effort.

It was suggested that this type of information along with the E & E campaign, winter sidewalk conditions and new technology should all be included in the next discussion the Task Force has on the New Vision 2030 update.

5.3 NYSDOH Events: The Center for Chronic Disease annual meeting will be held June 5-6 in western New York. NYSDOH is looking for speakers on Walkable Communities. It was suggested that perhaps someone from NYBC, NYPCA or a local Traffic Safety Board might want to help.

The Task Force was curious about signs near Albany Memorial Hospital saying, "This is a Walkable Community". Are they part of the NYSDOH initiative? E. Troy thought that they might be Healthy Heart signs.

The Task Force also discussed possible ways to disseminate information better. It was suggested that having a web site that posted information on innovative practices in the Capital Region, local meetings and local resources would be great. There may be a possibility to use either the GTSC web page and/or the CDTC web page. This will be explored further at a future meeting.

• The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13, 2001 at the CDTC office, 5 Computer Dr. West, at 4:30 p.m.
• NYSDOH Video Conference with Mark Fenton: March 22, 2001, 12:00 PM. Mark Fenton will be live at the Community College in Rensselaer. There is seating for 200 people.
• NYSDOH Train the Trainer Workshop in Syracuse: April 23-25, 2001. This workshop is free. Participants are only expected to pay for accommodations, travel and meals.