CAPITAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

Meeting Minutes

April 6, 2005

MEMBERS ATTENDING

 

David Bailey, City of Troy

Geoff Bornemann, City of Saratoga Springs (Vice-Chairman)

Judy Breselor, representing Fred Howard, Rensselaer County

Peter Comenzo, Town of Rotterdam

Frank Commisso, Albany Port District Commission

Leif Engstrom, representing Rocky Ferraro, CDRPC

Steve Feeney, Schenectady County

Mike Franchini, Albany County (Chairman)

Steve Iachetta, Albany County Airport Authority

George Laveille, Town of Bethlehem

Tom Kearney, Federal Highway Administration

Heather Mallozzi, Town of Maltan

Barbara McHugh, Town of Clifton Park

Phil Pearson, Town of Colonie

Marybeth Pettit, City of Rensselaer

John Poorman, Capital District Transportation Committee (Secretary)

David Rettig, NYSDOT Region 1

Jill Ross-Schmelz, New York State Thruway Authority

Bernard Sisson, City of Schenectady

John Stangle, Village of Menands

Kristina Younger, Capital District Transportation Authority

 

STAFF AND OTHERS

 

Michael Burns, Town of Glenville

Bob Hansen, NYSDOT Region 1

Shelley Lang, Capital District Transportation Committee

Rodrigo Marion, Capital District Transportation Committee

Mary Marsh, CDTA

Fred Mastroianni, Village of Colonie

Sandra Misiewicz, Capital District Transportation Committee

Sree Nampoothiri, Capital District Transportation Committee

Jason Newman, FHWA/CDTC

Susan Patalino, NYSDOT

Glenn Posca, Capital District Transportation Committee

Jason Purvis, Capital District Transportation Committee

 

 

VISITORS ISSUES

 

Chairman Franchini opened the meeting at approximately 9:35 am.  He welcomed members and guests who introduced themselves.

 


Action Items

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

Approval of the March 9, 2005 Meeting Minutes

 

The minutes of the March 9, 2005 meeting were approved as written.

 

Process for Alternate Representation

 

John Poorman reported on the action of the Policy Board on March 24, in appointing a town and village at-large member to the Planning Committee for the coming year.  John Stangle has been asked to serve in this capacity.  Additionally, in the interest of inclusiveness, the Policy Board appointed several alternates to this position (in order of their seniority of service to the Planning Committee): Kevin Corcoran of Glenville, Barb McHugh of Clifton Park, Kathy Matern of Niskayuna, George Laveille of Bethlehem, Heather Malozzi of Malta, Peter Comenzo of Rotterdam, Keith Manz of Wilton and Jim Moore of East Greenbush.

 

Mr. Poorman noted that he had informed the alternates that, for purposes of a quorum and for voting “no” or abstaining, only the member would count, or in his absence, the most senior alternate.  He said that, since this would be a Planning Committee operating procedure, the practice should more appropriately be determined by the Planning Committee.  After a brief discussion, members agreed to the procedure outlined by Mr. Poorman.

 

2003-08 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT

 

A242, Slingerlands Bypass (NY 85) Phase 2

 

Mr. Rettig described the need for an amendment to cover the detailed design work needed to prepare the project for letting.  A $700,000 entry is required in the current federal fiscal year.  Members approved the amendment.

 

2005-10 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE

 

Review of Actions to Date and Additional Information

 

Mr. Poorman directed members’ attention to the previously-distributed list of eighteen items regarding updated information and corrections from the previous agreements and understandings of projects.  Discussion ensued on each item.

 

Item 1 notes that the TIP now reflects energy impacts updated to include Planning Committee actions in March.  No action was required.

 

Item 2 reflects NYSDOT’s request to add a new IM project in the 2005-10 TIP for mill and fill from the Patroon Island Bridge to Exit 10.   Members agreed to this change.

 

Item 3 notes that A413, R229, and S155 will be left on the TIP although all funding was obligated prior to October 2003, because construction has not occurred.  No action was required.

 

Item 4 reports a correction to state operating assistance for T14A and T14B.  No action was required.

 

Item 5 corrects the exempt / non-exempt status for several TIP entries.  No action was required.

 

Item 6 notes other minor corrections to listings.  No action was required.

 

Item 7 relays NYSDOT’s request for deletion of RG76.  Members agreed to this change.

 

Item 8 reports NYSDOT’s proposed schedule shift (from 2008-09 to 2009-10) for construction of A240, I-87 Exit 3 or 4.  After discussion, members agreed to this change.  Kristina Younger and Steve Iachetta abstained from the vote.

 

Item 9 reports NYSDOT’s request to delete A337, NY 443 Reconstruction.  A more modest state-funded project has taken priority over the federal-aid project.  Members agreed to this change.

 

Item 10 reflects inclusion of $6 M construction in the post-2010 period for R187.  Members agreed to this change.

 

(Items and 11 and 12 were redundant with items 2 and 3.)

 

Item 13 reflects an increase in the estimate of the post-2010 construction phase of projects SA108 and S96 (Balltown Road).  Discussion ensued regarding funding availability in the next TIP update and project scoping.  Members agreed to this change.

 

Items 14 and 15 reflect NYSDOT’s proposal to remove S93, NY 7 at Five Corners, and S94, NY 7 at NY 146, from the TIP.  Current listing shows no activity in the five-year period.  Peter Comenzo stated that these are important locations in the town of Rotterdam and he is not prepared to take action without more opportunity to review the proposal with the town.  No action was taken.

 

Item 16 reflects NYSDOT’s proposal to remove S97, NY 50 Corridor Improvements, from the TIP.  Mike Burns requested an opportunity to review this proposal with the town before any action is considered.  No action was taken.

 

Item 17 reflects NYSDOT’s request for a particular treatment of “Demo” funds in the listings for A243 and A452.  This request was withdrawn.  Mr. Poorman also noted the unresolved matter of preliminary project phases for A243.  This will need to be explored before May.

 

Item 18 reflects schedule changes proposed by NYSDOT:  (a) A435.  No action was taken, pending comment from Albany.  (b) A440.  No action was taken, pending comment from Albany.  (c) A451, move construction to 2007-08.  Members agreed to this change.  (d) A452, move design to 2007-08.  Members agreed to this change.  (e) R175, move construction to 2009-10 per Marybeth Pettit’s modification of the request.  Members agreed to this change.  (f), SA199, move construction to 2005-06.  This request was withdrawn.

 

Mr. Poorman then distributed a supplemental list of two items for consideration.  Item 1 notes that the air quality emissions impact assessment has been modified.  No action was required.

 

Item 2 reflects NYSDOT’s request to add $0.836 M P and $0.100 I to the project in the committed period.  Members agreed to the changes.

 

Finally, Mr. Poorman noted that the CMAQ discussion will be revisited at the May meeting.

 

 

 

Discussion Items

 

STATUS OF PLANNING ACTIVITIES

 

CDTC Staff

 

Mr. Poorman reported on work with the Center for Economic Growth on a “regional development compact” and on ARISE’s upcoming statewide urban issues / suburban growth forums in Albany and Syracuse.  He also reported on initial planning for a detailed infrastructure cost estimation effort with CEG, SUNYA, and CDRPC in conjunction with the New Visions 2030 Working Group A alternative growth scenarios.

 

CDRPC 

 

Leif Engstrom reported also on CDRPC’s work on age cohort projections.

 

CDTA

 

Ms. Younger reported on implementation of CDTA’s revised, simplified fare structure on April 1.  The Transit Development Plan effort also continues.

 

NYSDOT

 

Mr. Rettig reported on the plans for a state transportation bond, and noted that a draft statewide master plan is expected to be released soon.  He also commented on NYSDOT’s Transformation process which includes a number of organizational changes happening in the near future.

 

NYSTA 

 

Jill Ross-Schmelz reported on a public hearing set for April 6 on the proposed toll rate charges.  She also noted that an Exit 23 ramps project has been let, as well as mill-and-fill on the Berkshire Spur.

 

Albany County Aiport Authority

 

Mr. Iachetta reported that the Airport is proceeding with Concourse D design, design of parking garage expansion, and discussion of a roundabout on Watervliet-Shaker Rd at Old Wolf.

 

Linkage / Local Planning Activities

 

Phil Pearson reported on the upcoming release of the draft Town of Colonie Comprehensive Plan.  George Laveille noted that the Bethlehem Comprehensive Plan has been referred to the town board.  Mr. Poorman noted the upcoming meeting of the “Linkage Regional Coordination” group on April 19.

 

 

TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

 

Bids and Lettings

 

Bob Hansen distributed a list of March lettings and April/May bids.  A319 (ITS, TRANSMIT), RG23 (Traffic Signal Standby) and A372 (Watervliet Shaker Rd. phase 2) were let.  Due to lack of cooperation by the utility company (Verizon) it appears that A372 will not go to construction this year and will have to be relet sometime in the future.  Upcoming bids included SA48, NY 67 at Exit 12.

 

 

OTHER

 

The next Planning Committee meeting was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on May 4, 2005

 

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:00 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

John P. Poorman

Secretary