Capital
District Transportation Committee
Bicycle
and Pedestrian Task Force
Record of
Meeting on
Attendance: Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB),
Scott Lewendon (Clough Harbour Associates), David Iman Adler (N.Y.P.C.A.), Don Odell
(Retired Planner),
1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW
The February 2004 meeting minutes were approved.
2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES
3.0
ONGOING
TASKS
3.1 Guilderland Pathways
Committee:
L. Childs reported that the Pathways Committee is hoping to secure a grant with
the Hudson River Valley Greenway. The
Pathways Committee actively participated in the Thruway’s Albany Corridor
public meeting at the
3.3 Greenway Linkage—
3.4 Patroon Greenway Linkage: The project will focus on a feasible routing option
from the Pine Bush Preserve through the Tivoli Preserve, to the Corning
Preserve. The kick-meeting with the
consultants was held. The next steps
will be to gather background information from the preliminary work done by
NYSDOT.
3.5 Department of Health
Walkable Community Workshops:
4.0 NEW BUSINESS
4.1
Toolbox
Update: J.
Purvis discussed the items included in the mailout related to the Toolbox
Update. It was agreed that there be a
task force recommendation after each section of text. The members provided some comments. Additional comments can still be sent to
Jason. Also discussed were the draft
goals and objectives. Particular
attention was given to the “multi-jurisdictional” objective. There was a lot of discussion as to an
appropriate percentage goal for multi-jurisdictional projects. It is expected that these issues will be
revisited at future meetings. Jason will
continue to distribute materials prior to the meetings. Members are asked to be prepared to discuss
the materials at the meetings.
4.2
NYBC
Capital District Bike to Work Week: J. Day
reported that May 8th-14th is Capital District Bike to
Work Week. Jesse distributed a flyer
highlighting the week’s events and a nomination form for commuter of the
year. Some of the activities will
include a Tri-County River Ride on May 8th and a poster
contest. Claire Nolan is the contact for
these events.
Jesse
also noted that NYBC is in the process of creating an events calendar for
2004. Please go to www.nybc.net or call
436-0889 to submit your event or to obtain more information.
4.3 NYS MPO Bicycle and
Pedestrian Planning Staff: Jason mentioned that the first
meeting of the NYS MPO bicycle and pedestrian planning staff will be held at
the SMTC offices on April 27th.
The purpose of this meeting is to 1) share information and ideas on
successful/unsuccessful projects and plans, 2) focus on enhanced communication
within the MPO’s and with state/regional/local agencies. Discussions are expected on the possibility
of a larger meeting with the Regional DOT Bike/Ped coordinators.
4.4 Regional Bike/Ped News: Articles from
local papers were included in the mailout for informational purposes. There was no discussion on these articles.
Deb Spicer and Brittany
Ekleberry are in the process of compiling a comprehensive list of all of the
different grassroots pedestrian groups throughout the state. Members thought this was a very good
idea. It was mentioned that trail groups
and disability groups should be included as they often are advocates on
pedestrian issues. Contacting the other
MPO’s and County officials was also suggested.
David Iman Adler reported
that the NYS Canalway has asked NYPCA to look at an east-west connection from
the Waterford Visitors’ Center to the existing Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike
Trail. This connection would provide a
logical terminus for the Canalway Trail.
Route options through the City of
David also reported on
NYPCA’s events on National Trails Day (June 5th). Events include give-aways, runs/bikes/walks
for health, an informational treasure hunt, general clean up activities and
much more. Please visit www.nypca.org
and click “special event” for more information.
NYPCA will be changing their
name to Parks and Trails New York on June 1st.
The NYS Thruway’s public
meeting was discussed. Letters from Task
Force members have been sent to the Thruway regarding any decision that may
impact bicycle and pedestrian travel along
Ivan Vamos distributed a
letter he received regarding the need for bicycle racks at the Rensselaer Amtrak
Station. There are bike racks at the
station and Dave Gehrs will look into this further.
.