Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on July 13, 2010

 

Attendance: Don Odell (Albany Bicycling Coalition), Jason Purvis (CDTC), Jen Ceponis (CDTC), Todd Fabozzi (CDRPC), Carrie Ward (CDTA), Nelson Ronsvalle (Town of Halfmoon), Raj Malhotra (NSYDOT), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Katie Bronson (City of Albany), Jim Levy (Wilbur Smith Associates), Jason Crane (NYBC), Judy Rightmyer (Tobacco-Free Coalition and Capital Region Healthy Communities Coalition), Omar J. Peters (CDTC), Jim Mearkle (Albany County), Jeff Gritsavage (NSYDOT), Rob Leslie (Town of Bethlehem), Gina Gillooley (NYSDOH Bureau of Injury Prevention), Melissa Ashline-Heil (City of Cohoes)

 

1.0   New Business

1.1 TIP Update Status – The Planning Committee has decided to hold off on further TIP programming for at least six months.  All projects are still on the table until any further decisions are made.  There are too many uncertainties about future transportation legislation on the Federal level.   

 

1.2 Capital Coexist

1.2.1 Website – The site has received thousands of hits from 17 different states.  If anyone has any bike related material or events that would be appropriate for the website they should be forwarded to info@capitalcoexist.org.

 

1.2.2 Capital Coexist is scheduled to table at three Valley Cats games: June 24, July 28 and August 3. 

 

1.2.3 Stickers are now available.  If you are interested in obtaining one email info@capitalcoexist.org.

 

1.2.4 Outreach/displays – The contract with Lamar for the bus advertisements has expired but some wraps may remain on buses until new advertisements are received.  Capital Coexist material/information is currently being displayed in the NYSDOH’s window in Troy and the Albany Public Library.

 

1.3 CDTC Newsletter – The Summer 2010 newsletter focuses on bikes and highlights Capital Coexist.  Anyone interested in receiving the newsletter should email newsletter@cdtcmpo.org and provide name/address and whether you prefer an electronic or printed copy.    

 

1.4 Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail Maps – Price Chopper has inquired about getting maps to distribute at their stores.  CDTC has mapped out a 3-mile buffer from the MHBH trail and distributed the maps to 14 locations. 

 

1.5 Local Project Updates  

1.5.1 Route 50 Southern Gateway Study – The last public meeting was in June and the study is now wrapping up.  The final report is currently being developed and J. Purvis will present final recommendations at the August or September bike/ped task force meeting.

 

1.5.2 Albany Education District Enhancement Study – The second public meeting will be scheduled for September.  Preliminary recommendations include bicycle and pedestrian improvements throughout the study area, amenities such as benches, trash receptacles and pedestrian-scaled lighting, and design guidelines to make the area more vibrant and safe.   

 

1.6 “They just don’t get it….”

1.6.1 J. Gritsavage noticed that Price Chopper put up barbed-wire fence along the MHBH trail.  Jason will look into this further and follow up with the City and County of Schenectady.

 

1.6.2 J. Crane reported that the Hilton Garden Inn across from Albany Medical Center installed their bike racks on sharp stones too close to the building. 

 

1.7 Other New Business

1.7.1 I. Vamos announced that the public meeting for the Fuller/Washington Reconstruction is schedule for July 22 at 6:30 pm at NanoFab South Auditorium/Rotunda at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering's (CNSE) Albany NanoTech Complex located at 255 Fuller Road in Albany; The Smart Growth and Infrastructure bill has gone through both the legislature and the Senate but has not yet been signed by Gov. Patterson.  The Complete Streets Bill is being amended due to the concerns of rural communities. 

 

1.7.2 J. Purvis recently visited Minneapolis and shared bicycle and pedestrian-related highlights of his trip; There will no Spot Improvement Project solicitation for 2010.  

 

1.7.3 K. Bronson announced that the City of Albany applied for funds for a bike share program.

 

1.7.4 J. Gritsavage is looking into NYSDOT policy and security guidelines to see if CDTC employees can utilize the locker and shower facilities at their 50 Wolf Road building.  This would be beneficial to employees who ride their bikes to work. 

 

1.7.5 E. Troy announced that the NYSDOH’s “Heart Check” program now asks businesses if they provide showers for cycling employees. 

 

1.7.6 R. Leslie spoke about the Bethlehem Pathways Committee’s priority network matrix.  He will present the evaluation process to the Task Force when it is finalized. 

 

1.7.7 G. Gillooley announced that the NYSDOH’s injury prevention website now includes a bike safety toolkit (http://www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/injury_prevention/children/toolkits/bicycle_safety/index.htm)

 

1.7.8 T. Fabozzi announced that CDRPC is in process of applying for sustainability grant.

 

1.7.9 J. Rightmyer introduced herself; she is from the Capital Region Healthy Communities Coalition; the Capital Region received a grant from the CDC to encourage physical activity and tobacco prevention. 

 

1.7.10 N. Ronsvale announced the Town of Halfmoon awarded the contract to construct the trail connection between Mechanicville and Waterford.

1.7.11 J. Mearkle shared that Albany County is thinking of applying for TIGER II funds for the Patroon Creek Greenway and completed of the Helderberg / Albany County Rail Trail. 

 

2.0  Upcoming Events – Next Bike-Ped Meeting is scheduled for August 10, 2010 at 9:00 AM (Note: the Task Force is meeting at a new time)