PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Meeting Minutes
MEMBERS
ATTENDING
Melissa Ashline-Heil, City of
Bradley Birge, City of
Frank Bonafide, NYS Department of Transportation Region
1
Wayne Bonesteel.
Robert Cherry, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1
Peter Comenzo, Town of
Frank Commisso, Albany Port District Commission
Sarah Crowell, City of
Todd Fabozzi, representing Rocky Ferraro, Capital
District
Regional
Planning Commission
Steve Feeney,
Michael Franchini,
Steve Iachetta,
Andrew Kreshik, City of
Joseph LaCivita, Town of
Patrick McCarroll, representing Michael Loftus, NYS
Thruway
Authority
Rosemary Nichols, City of
(Secretary)
Paul Reuss,
Tom Richardson, City of
Steve Watts, Town of
Kristina Younger, Capital District Transportation
Authority
(Vice-Chair)
STAFF AND OTHERS
Susan Andrews, NYS Department of Transportation
Joe Cimino,
Marie Corrado, NYS Department of Transportation
Erik Deyoe, Town of
Rich Filkins, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1
David Jukins, Capital District Transportation Committee
Rob Leslie, Town of
Sandra Misiewicz, Capital District Transportation
Committee
Larry Mulvaney, NYS Department of Transportation Region
1
Chris O’Neill, Capital District Transportation Committee
Gregory Roy, McFarland Johnson
John Stangle,
Angelo Trichilo, NYS Department of Transportation Region
1
VISITORS ISSUES
Chairman Franchini opened the meeting at approximately
PRESENTATATIONS
Town of
Rob Leslie of the Town of
New York
State Department of Transportation: Rail Projects and High Speed Rail
Susan Andrews and Marie Corrado of the New York State
Department of Transportation Office of Major Projects gave a presentation on
rail projects and high speed rail, focusing on the Capital District. High speed rail goals for
Discussion followed about the
New York
State Department of Transportation: I-87 Exit 3-4 Project
Angelo Trichilo gave a presentation on the I-87 Exit 3-4
Project. Primary project objectives
include improving access between I-87 and
Two alternatives are being dismissed: the Exit 4
Upgrades alternative and the Single Point Urban Interchange alternatives. Two alternatives are being carried forward:
the Diamond Alternative, $36.5M construction, $20.0M ROW; and the Flyover
Alternative, $26.3M construction, $9.0M ROW.
The project schedule indicates bid letting for the replacement of the
bridges in September 2013, with construction of the bridges in 2014 and
2015. Letting and construction of the
remainder of the project will be subject to availability of federal funds and
cost of the final alternative selected.
The CDTC TIP has funding programmed in 2010-2015 that would be enough to
fund the flyover alternative.
New York
State Department of Transportation: Route 146 Corridor
Rich Filkins presented the status of the
TDM, transit and park and ride lots are being
considered. A two way left turn lane is
also being considered. The schedule
calls for construction beginning in 2014.
ACTION ITEMS
ADMINISTRATION
Approval
of the
Members approved the May 4th meeting notes as written.
HUD SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES REGIONAL PLANNING GRANT
Resolution Supporting CDTC as a Co-Applicant with CDRPC
Todd Fabozzi explained that there
will be a second round of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development
Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program, and CDRPC will be
applying again. The application proposal
will be very similar to last year. CDTC will be a co-applicant and additional
consortium members are still being identified and reaffirmed by CDRPC. There is a new section in this year’s grant
requirement regarding energy efficiency, and CDRPC’s pending application for a
NYSERDA grant should address this issue.
Members approved a resolution confirming CDTC’s participation as a co-applicant.
UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM
Progress Report
The CDTC Progress Report for
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Section 5310 Project Evaluations
Section 5317 New Freedom Program Report
CDTA as the designated recipient for
New Freedom Funds, conducted an area wide solicitation for applications for projects
for 2011 New Freedom activities in February.
One application was received, with four agencies collaborating. Because the New Freedom program encourages
collaboration, this can be regarded as a strong application. The application is to purchase Digital Mobile
Radio technology for the aggregate fleet of 124 vehicles. In addition, $23,000 in federal funds
allocated to Saratoga County and $5,500 remaining in the
Albany-Schenectady-Troy allocation will be added to the Accessible Taxi program
to allow it to expand to eight taxis.
The figure of $267,500 needs to be included in the 2010-15
Transportation Program for the proposed New Freedom activities to proceed
($238,750 for A-S-T and $28,750 for Saratoga).
The members approved this action item.
R240 (1755.20) Brookside Avenue over Wynanskill
R198 (1754.70) New Sidewalks on the east side of
Brookside Avenue
The above two items were presented
and discussed together. Joe Cimino
presented information about both projects.
The R240 amendment does not involve a scope change, but involves a
requested increase in funding. He also
mentioned that the project schedule is shown incorrectly on the STIP, but
correctly on the CDTC TIP. The R198
amendment is requesting a scope change.
Originally the scope was to construct an asphalt strip on the west side
of the street. Because of drainage
issues and other considerations, the Town would like to construct a sidewalk
with a curb and closed drainage on the east side of the street and provide an
overlay the entire roadway.
After discussion it was concluded
that the R240 amendment would need an HBRR offset that has not yet been
identified. It was also explained that
the incorrect schedule on the STIP requires a simple correction to agree with
the TIP, and no action is required by the Planning Committee to change the
STIP. The members voted to table action on R240 until NYSDOT could look into
finding an HBRR offset and report back.
A number of members expressed the
opinion that due to the size of the proposed amendment for R198, a TIP
amendment would not be appropriate, and that instead the proposed new scope would
need to compete as a new project in a future TIP project solicitation. However, it was explained that if the project
is not advanced, the Town would owe the federal government roughly $15,000 for
charges already expended on the project.
The members approved a motion to deny the amendment for R198, and to
give the Town a chance to hear and discuss potential ramifications before
removing the project from the TIP.
A532 (1933.16) & RG40, Warning Device Upgrade – New
Courtland St., Cohoes
A533 (1933.17) & RG40, Municipal work at various
rail crossing locations, Cohoes
R303 (1932.08) & RG40, Hunt Road Crossing of Pan Am
Railways, Pittstown
The above three items were discussed
and voted on together. Frank Bonafide
explained the need for these three TIP amendments. The amendments were approved by the members.
TIP Project Monitoring, Tracking and Amendments
John Poorman explained that NYSDOT
is upgrading its monitoring system to result in better management of project
schedules. This initiative is consistent
with desires expressed by staff and Planning Committee members to more
carefully monitor projects and prevent excessive project delays. Staff will put together a proposal to address
these issues. One aspect of this can be
to develop percentage guidelines for TIP amendments that will trigger comparisons
with other project candidates that did or will compete with the project for
funding. Frank Bonafide expressed
caution that procedures should not be overly prescriptive but should leave room
for judgment which this Committee has been good at.
TCSP PROGRESS REPORT
Frank Bonafide explained that about
$6 million is available statewide, and FHWA will make the decisions for this
program. Information is limited at this
time. Many good proposals have been
submitted, some based on Linkage Studies.
Selections are expected by the end of the federal fiscal year. John Poorman said that FHWA has left the MPOs
out of the loop for this program.
STATUS OF PLANNING ACTIVITIES
NYSDOT
Frank Bonafide reported that 17 people from Design will
be leaving Region 1 as a result of layoffs.
This will impact the Region’s ability to deliver the program. Statewide, 199 people will be leaving NYSDOT.
CDTA
Kristina Younger reported that CDTA will be holding four
public meetings to discuss the Albany County Route Restructuring Plan.
Albany
County Airport Authority
Steve Iachetta reported that May 2011 enplanements
(departing passengers) were 2.7% higher than May 2010. The Airport is commencing construction on
$3.8M in Runway 10-28 related taxiways and air cargo ramp pavement
rehabilitation.
Adjournment
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned
at 12:13 PM. The next Planning Committee
meeting is scheduled for August 3, 2011.
Respectfully submitted,
John P. Poorman