CAPITAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

Meeting Minutes

May 4, 2005

MEMBERS ATTENDING

 

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

Kevin Corcoran, Town of Glenville

Todd Fabozzi, representing Rocky Ferraro, CDRPC

Steve Feeney, Schenectady County

Mike Franchini, Albany County (Chairman)

Steve Iachetta, Albany County Airport Authority

Heather Mallozzi, Town of Malta

Phil Pearson, Town of Colonie

Marybeth Pettit, City of Rensselaer

John Poorman, Capital District Transportation Committee (Secretary)

David Rettig, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1

Dede Rudolph, City of Albany

John Stangle, Village of Menands

Steve Watts, Town of Halfmoon

Kristina Younger, Capital District Transportation Authority

 

STAFF AND OTHERS

 

Bob Hansen, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1

Shelley Lang, Capital District Transportation Committee

Sandra Misiewicz, Capital District Transportation Committee

Glenn Posca, Capital District Transportation Committee

Jason Purvis, Capital District Transportation Committee

Chuck Rappozzo, NYS Department of Transportation Main Office

Mark Sargent, Creighton Manning

Deb Stacey, Capital District Transportation Committee

Anne Sutkin, NYS Department of Transportation

 

 

VISITORS ISSUES

 

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

 

LINKAGE PRESENTATION BY THE TOWN OF ROTTERDAM

 

Peter Comenzo presented the results of the completed Route 7, I-88, and NYS Thruway Exit 25A Land Use and Transportation Study.  The study successfully led the town through a public process to consider alternative development plans for a key area of the town.  The town has adopted the findings and is pursuing follow-up activities to modify zoning and other ordinances to facilitate implementation of the preferred development pattern.  Deb Stacey and Jason Purvis served as CDTC staff on the study.

 

Action Items

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

Approval of the April 6, 2005 Meeting Minutes

 

John Poorman noted that Jill Ross-Schmelz had e-mailed to ask for the addition of the phrase “on the proposed toll rate charges” to the statement about the scheduled Thruway public hearing in the March minutes.  The minutes of the April 6, 2005 meeting were then approved as amended.

 

Self-Certification

 

Mr. Poorman led members through a review of the previously-distributed ten-page question-and-answer documentation to support CDTC’s self-certification of compliance with federal statute and regulation.  He noted that the once-every-three-years formal federal certification report was for FFY04, and that CDTC must complete a new self-certification this year prior to adopting the TIP.

 

The self-certification report positively addresses every question.  The final page includes the comments contained in the formal federal certification report last year, and responses.

 

Members commented on the favorable material, and agreed to recommend action by the Policy Board to certify CDTC’s compliance.

 

2003-08 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT

 

A473, Albany Waterfront/ Corning Preserve

 

The TIP action involves a $250,000 special appropriation for further work in the Corning Preserve.  Members approved the addition.  No Policy Board action is required.

 

SA133, South Broadway at Ballston Avenue

 

Mr. Poorman noted that this TIP change does not require Planning Committee concurrence, falling below the funding change threshold to trigger action.  Following past practice, however, the change is being shared with members as a notification of the use of “project selection” latitude provided in TIP procedures.  The change involves addition of right of way incidentals and acquisition phases totaling $80,000.

 

2005-10 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE

 

Review of Comments Received on the Draft TIP

 

Mr. Poorman directed members’ attention to the previously-distributed draft of Appendix F of the 2005-10 TIP related to public comments.  Members reviewed the draft responses and concurred that no change to the draft TIP is required as a result.  (Secretary’s note:  a third comment was received recommending funding of the Helderberg-Hudson rail trail; this project was addressed in the CMAQ discussion described below.)

 

CMAQ Programming Discussion

 

Members reviewed the previously-distributed updated summary of CMAQ programming options.  Several options were described:  option 1 focusing on a multi-modal ITS emphasis; option 2 focusing on immediate air quality benefit; option 3 providing for implementation of long-range New Visions concepts; and option 4 deferring action until a later date.  Members agreed that option 4 would not be desirable, due to the potential for loss of funds if they are not committed to specific projects.

 

Additional variations were raised during the discussion.  After extensive discussion of the merits of different projects and programming approaches, members agreed to a package that funds option 3, and adds the Fuller Rd./ Washington Avenue project with a commitment of $2.000 M in NHS funds toward the estimated $4.870 M budget.  (The balance, if required based on the final scope of the project, is assumed to come from local or developer funds.)  Dave Rettig abstained from the vote.  The projects added to the draft TIP from this action are:

 

A464:      Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail: Phase 1...... $2.960M

A465:      Guilderland Center Pedestrian Safety........ 0.681M

A462:      Queue Jumper at the Intersection of Central Ave. and New Karner Rd........................... 0.590M

A463:      Queue Jumper at the Intersection of Central Ave. and Wolf Road............................... 0.640M

RG100:     Transit Service Pilot Program............... 1.000M

A461:      Intersection of Fuller Road and Washington Ave............................................. 4.870M

 

(Costs for A462 and A463 are shown at the corrected 3/05 values, which are slightly higher than those in the summary sheet.)  The Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail commitment is a capped amount.  Additionally, $1.960 M was added to the balance in RG28, Regional ITS Implementation Set-aside, for a project total of $5.710 M.

 

Review of Actions to Date

 

Members were provided an update to information in the draft TIP.  An updated Appendix K citing completed projects rolling off the TIP was distributed along with an updated Appendix L with a map of project locations.  No action is required.

 

Action on the Draft TIP

 

Having completed all necessary activity, members agreed to recommend that the Policy Board adopt the draft 2005-10 TIP as modified and to forward the TIP for incorporation into the new Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.  There were no abstentions to this action.  Air quality conformity information will be updated to reflect the project additions.

 

Discussion Items

 

STATUS OF PLANNING ACTIVITIES

 

CDTC Staff

 

Mr. Poorman reported on the staff’s effort preparing for the national “Colloquy” on future transportation factors to be held at the Rensselaerville Institute Conference Center in early June.  CDTC is the host agency for this effort.

 

CDRPC 

 

Todd Fabozzi reported on work on age cohort projections and on New Visions working group A products.

 

CDTA

 

Kristina Younger commented on Jack Reilly’s upcoming retirement and on the successful implementation of the simple fare policy.  Ridership and Swiper sales are both up.  A workshop is planned for June 7 with Saratoga Springs stakeholders.

 

NYSDOT

 

Mr. Rettig reported on the products of the value engineering effort for the I-90 project, including the recommended closures to save time and cost.  He expressed thanks to Chris O’Neill for his help in modeling diversions.

 

Albany County Aiport Authority

 

Steve Iachetta reported that the Airport has awarded four contracts including airside, road and garage expansion.

 

Albany Port District Commission

 

Frank Commisso reported that tonnage at the port continues to exceed 2004 levels.

 

 

TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

 

Bids and Lettings

 

Bob Hansen distributed a list of April lettings and May/June bids.  SA48, NY 67 at Exit 12, came in $1.6 M over the TIP.  I-87 from Exit 16 to Warren County was also let.  Upcoming bids include Kinns Rd/I-87 bridge replacement and a re-letting of A372, Watervliet Shaker Rd.

 

 

 

OTHER

 

The next Planning Committee meeting was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on July 6, 2005.  A June meeting will be held only if necessary.

 

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:50 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

John P. Poorman

Secretary