CAPITAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
Peter Comenzo, Town of
Frank Commisso, Albany Port
District Commission
Kevin Corcoran, Town of
Michael Franchini,
Dave Gehrs, Capital District
Transportation Authority
Fred Howard,
Steve Iachetta,
Tom Kearney,
Barbara McHugh, Town of
Phil Pearson, Town of
Dave Rettig, NYSDOT Region 1
Deirdre Rudolph, City of
Bernard Sisson, City of
Erin Thomas, City of
STAFF AND OTHERS
Anne Benware, Capital
District Transportation Committee
Paul Buckhurst, BFJ Planning
Nita J. Chmielewski,
Town of
Robert Hansen, NYSDOT Region
1
Melissa Kaplan-Macey, BFJ Planning
Teresa LaSalle, Capital
District Transportation Committee
Sandra Misiewicz, Capital
District Transportation Committee
Fred Mastroianni,
Foit-Albert Associates
Mike Morelli,
Town of
Sree Nampoothiri, Capital District Transportation Committee
Chris O’Neill, Capital
District Transportation Committee
Tony Papile,
Clough, Harbour & Associates
Glenn Posca, Capital District
Transportation Committee
Paul Reuss,
Deb Stacey, Capital District
Transportation Committee
Steve Szanto,
Monique Wahba, City of
VISITORS ISSUES
Chairman Franchini opened the meeting at approximately
PRESENTATION OF THE ROUTE 9
Paul Buckhurst of BFJ Planning presented the results of
the Route 9 Malta Linkage study. The
study built upon the work of the previous downtown Malta Linkage study and the
products of the Luther Technology Campus GEIS and addressed development, site
design, street system, access management and other issues.
The
resulting plan is intended to: encourage nodes of mixed-use development, promote
workforce and senior housing and preserve the natural landscape; create design
standards that require attractive gateways to new developments and enhance the appearance
of existing developments; and improve traffic safety, enhance access
management, and improve non-vehicular circulation.
Adoption
by the town is expected shortly.
Action Items
ADMINISTRATION
Approval
of the
The minutes of the
2006
SELF-CERTIFICATION
John Poorman reminded members that federal law
requires annual certification of the MPO process by the MPO and the state. Once every three years, the federal agencies
conduct the review of CDTC; in the other two years, it is CDTC’s
responsibility. A federal review is due
in FFY 2006-07.
Mr. Poorman reviewed the previously-distributed
summary of the certification assessment.
Members approved the assessment and recommended action by the Policy
Board by resolution at its meeting on September 7.
2005-10
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
SAFETEA-LU Enhancement Program,
Round 1
Jason
Purvis described the evaluation process conducted by the review committee. A group of seven from CDTC, NYSDOT, CDTA,
Parks and Trails New York and the State Health Department reviewed the projects
independently and compared rankings. The
evaluation process used was approved by the Planning Committee in April.
From the
combined rankings, two options were discussed for prioritization. Option 1 uses cost-effectiveness as well as
overall rank, taking the top two ranking projects from each of three funding
categories: less than $500,000; $500,000
to $1,000,000; and over $1,000,000; this adds an additional project to bring
the “above the line” list to total approximately $6,000,000 which is estimated
at the maximum amount of funding for the Capital District. The second option strictly uses the rankings.
Members
discussed the two options. It was noted
that the NYSDOT criteria favor projects that create new transportation (bike,
pedestrian) access over rehabilitation or other projects that do not address
access or do not add access. Option 1
does seek to address the absence of cost effectiveness as a significant
criterion in the NYSDOT list.
After
discussion, members agreed to forward all proposed projects to NYSDOT, ranked
according to a modified Option 1 (top two projects from each funding category,
then continuing the list according to overall rank regardless of funding
category. No “line” will be shown
between the top projects and the rest of the list. The transmittal will include notes on several
of the proposals. Members also agreed to
point out to the NYSDOT statewide review committee the fact that new sidewalk
and trail projects are favored by the evaluation criteria. Members also agreed to explore possible
modifications to the CDTC prioritization process to help address this prior to
the next Enhancement round. The
prioritized list will be on the agenda of the September 7 Policy Board meeting.
Section 5310 Applications
Deb
Stacey reported on this year’s set of Section 5310 applications for vehicles
for private non-profit agencies. Three
of four applicants in the Capital District from FFY 2005-06 received
funding. This year, there are eight
applicants. Four are rated as “high
priority” by CDTC staff and four as “medium priority”. CDTC’s evaluations are used as one piece of a
statewide evaluation process.
After
discussion, members concurred with the staff evaluations.
Functional Classification Change
Ms.
Stacey described the previously-distributed proposal to correct an oversight in
the existing functional classification.
A portion of
2007-08 LINKAGE PROGRAM
Sandy
Misiewicz reviewed the previously-distributed outline for the next Linkage
solicitation. This will be for year two
of the two-year 2006-08 Unified Planning Work Program. Only slight differences are proposed from the
program guidelines from 2006-07: a
clearer definition of eligibility for the “regional” set-aside; an earlier
schedule for submission and approval; limits of CDTC staff technical
involvement; and information on schedule dependence upon staff availability.
Mr.
Poorman noted that there is also about $92,000 (federal) available from the
Corridor Management item on the TIP to supplement Linkage funding if appropriate
to the projects submitted. He asked if
the proposal deadline of October 6 poses a problem; members indicated that it
is not a problem.
After
further discussion, members approved the guidelines and authorized a
solicitation of project proposals.
Planning Committee action in November and Policy Board approval in
December is scheduled.
SAFETEA-LU PROPOSED RULEMAKING
Mr.
Poorman reported that FHWA is entertaining comments on proposed rules for
Metropolitan Planning and Statewide Planning to implement SAFETEA-LU. Current regulations date back to ISTEA.
He noted
that NYSDOT has spent a great amount of time identifying concerns, and he
briefly highlighted the previously-distributed highlights of the NYSDOT
comments. Key comments focus on areas in
which the draft regulations go well beyond the statute.
Mr.
Poorman asked for authority to have CDTC participate in a New York State
Metropolitan Planning Organizations (NYSMPO) comment letter that parallels the
NYSDOT comments. Members agreed to that
request. Dave Gehrs
noted that Kristina Younger has some concerns with some of the NYSDOT comments
but had not had time to clarify these concerns with him. Mr. Poorman offered to follow up with her.
2005-10 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM AMENDMENTS
SA227 and SA228,
Bob
Hansen reported on the progress made to identify which funding source is to be
used for which element of the Luther Forest Technology Campus transportation
plan. High Priority Project earmarked
funds have the greatest flexibility in use, and there are appropriations
earmarks available as well. SA227 would
create a
Members
approved the request. Due to the nature
of the request, Policy Board action on these two new projects will be scheduled
for its meeting on September 7.
S160, Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike
Trail
This
project “rolled off” the TIP based on CDTC’s understanding that the funds had
been obligated prior to October 2003.
Because the project is now ready to be let, the project has to be added
back onto the TIP in order for the funds to be obligated prior to letting.
Members
approved the request. Due to the nature
of the request, Policy Board action will be scheduled for its meeting on
September 7.
S161, Glenville & Scotia
Sidewalks
Kevin
Corcoran reported that there had been a three-way agreement among the town,
village and school district to share the non-federal portion of the cost of
this successful Enhancement application.
Unfortunately, the three parties are not willing to fill the gap caused
by the escalating cost of the project.
The town is requesting that the project be deleted from the TIP.
Mr.
Poorman noted that the statewide nature of the Enhancement program is such that
CDTC does not have the ability to reprogram these funds to another priority
use; the Glenville-Scotia project had been CDTC’s top ranking project in the
previous Enhancement round.
Members
approved the request, with Dave Rettig abstaining from the vote. Due to the nature of the request, Policy
Board action will be scheduled for its meeting on September 7.
A400,
Mike
Franchini reported that project development on this bridge has indicated that
the design concept must change. What was
originally thought to be a single span structure is now expected to be a
three-span structure at a longer skew to accomplish both the required minimum
vertical clearance of 23 feet and to minimize right of way and environmental
impacts. Soil conditions also add to unexpected
costs.
The
proposed amendment would add a total of $2.221 M, or 48%, to the existing TIP
budget for the project. Members approved
the requested amendment.
Stabilizing of
Mr.
Poorman reported that this project resulted from an appropriations earmarked
secured for the town of
Members
approved the request. Due to the nature
of the request, Policy Board action will be scheduled for its meeting on
September 7.
SA101,
This
amendment seeks to correct the omission of the Sherwood Dawson Trail from this
project. The trail is a Spot Improvement
bundled with SA101 in the 2003-08 TIP.
The 2005-10 TIP must be amended to include the trail in the project
description. Members approved the
amendment; Barb McHugh abstained from the vote.
CENTER FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH REQUEST
Mr.
Poorman raised an item not listed on the agenda. The NY State Office of Science, Technology
and Academic Research (NYSTAR) is forming a foundation
that will oversee, implement and administer regional economic development
initiatives and programs. The Center for Economic Growth has asked community
stakeholders like the Capital District Transportation Committee to express
their support for CEG’s selection as the lead
regional economic development agency for the new foundation and to sign onto a
memorandum of understanding to participate in a regional forum led by CEG. He suggested that it would be appropriate for
CDTC to sign onto the MOU once CDRPC has signed it. Rocky Ferraro has reported to Mr. Poorman
that CDRPC has a few items to review before signing on. Members agreed to the proposed approach.
2007-12 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM
Mr.
Poorman noted that this item had been listed as a discussion item, but action
is required on the proposed schedule.
Referring
to the proposed schedule, he reported that CDTC and NYSDOT Region 1 staff have met to review rough order-of-magnitude
numbers. Although they are not
completely confident with the numbers and will be meeting with Main Office
staff soon, the broad picture can be estimated.
It appears that there will be CMAQ funds available to program and
perhaps Safety and bridge funds.
Currently, the availability of a broad solicitation for STP-type
projects appears unlikely.
He
suggested that, given pressures to consider diesel retrofits and other
non-traditional CMAQ projects, it would be better to approach CMAQ programming
more at the program level than project level.
Members agreed to the proposed schedule, and agreed to consider the
suggested approach to CMAQ programming.
They agreed to not undertake a project solicitation until funding
availability is better known.
Discussion Items
2005-10
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Bids and
Lettings
Mr. Hansen reported on four lettings (SA122, S129, A242
and RG40). Low bids continue to run
higher than TIP estimates, even revised TIP estimates such as for A242, the
Slingerlands Bypass. The bid cost
(including supervision of construction) exceeds current TIP values by 57%, 55%
and 18%, respectively, for the first three lettings listed above.
STATUS OF
PLANNING ACTIVITIES
Mr. Poorman distributed a semi-annual progress report
for the 10/05 to 3/06 period. Chairman
Franchini reminded members of the upcoming October 5 Goods Movement Conference
sponsored by CDTC.
In the interest of time, a thorough discussion of the status
of planning activities was deferred.
OTHER
The next
Respectfully submitted,