PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Meeting
Minutes
November
28, 2012
MEMBERS ATTENDING
Melissa Ashline-Heil, City of Cohoes
Brad Birge, City of Saratoga Springs
Rob Cherry, NYS Department of Transportation R1
Peter Comenzo, Town of Rotterdam
Darrell Duncan, Albany County
Ross Farrell, Capital District Transportation Authority
Steve Feeney, Schenectady County
Rocky Ferraro, Capital District Regional Planning
Commission
Michael Franchini, Capital District Transportation
Committee
Nadine Fuda, Town of Schodack
Steve Iachetta, Albany County Airport Authority
Randy Milano, Albany County
Mike Morelli, Town of Bethlehem
Ozzie Priotti, representing
Sarah Crowell, City of Rensselaer
Russ Reeves, City of Troy
Paul Reuss, Village of Menands
Tom Richardson, City of Mechanicville
Joe Teliska, representing Wayne Bonesteel,
Rensselaer County
Michael Tengeler, representing
Joseph LaCivita, Town of Colonie
Michael Valentine, Saratoga County
Chris Wallin, representing Steve Strichman,
City of Schenectady
Steve Watts, Town of Halfmoon
STAFF AND
OTHERS
Bill Anslow, Albany County
Anne Benware, Capital District Transportation Committee
Jennifer Ceponis, Capital District Transportation
Committee
Joe Cimino, CHA Inc.
Christopher Desany, NYS
Department of Transportation R-1
Bob Hansen, Creighton Manning
Karen Hulihan, NYS Department of Transportation R-1
Dave Jukins, Capital District Transportation Committee
Maryanne Mariotti, NYS
Department of Transportation R-1
Fred Mastroianni, Greenman Pederson
Sandy Misiewicz, Capital District Transportation
Committee
Larry Mulvaney, NYS Department of Transportation R1
Chris O’Neill, Capital District Transportation Committee
Glenn Posca, Capital District Transportation Committee
Jason Purvis, Capital District Transportation Committee
Jim Rivers, Greenman Pedersen
Inc.
VISITORS’
ISSUES
Steve Iachetta opened the meeting at
approximately 9:31 AM. There were no
visitors’ issues.
ADMINISTRATION
Previous
Meeting Minutes – November 7, 2012
Mike Morelli noted that Erik Deyoe’s name was misspelled, and that Erik Deyoe was representing Bethlehem at the meeting. With these changes noted, members approved
the November 7th minutes.
ACTION
ITEMS
2010-15
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENTS
R262
(1757.37), Park and Ride Lots in US 20, City of Rensselaer
Ozzie Priotti
explained that the City of Rensselaer does not want this project and does not
have a good location for this project.
Ross Farrell explained that this project is not consistent with the Park
and Ride Study recently completed by CDTA. The TIP amendment would remove this
project from the TIP. Mike Valentine
asked how this project was originally programmed in the TIP. Mike Franchini said that staff will find out
and report. Members approved the TIP
amendment.
R242
(1756.37), Spring Avenue Over Poestenkill:
Bridge Replacement
Russ Reeves explained that the original
cost estimate for this project was not based on a detailed engineering
estimate. The cost increase is the
result of a number of factors. Mike
Franchini asked about an offset for this amendment. Karen Hulihan said that the Department found
an offset. Rocky Ferraro expressed concern that, given limited funding, historical
preservation concerns may not be warranted in protecting old bridges, especially
if the historical resource is not of high value, for example, a bridge
abutment. Russ Reeves explained that in
this case, the abutments are in relatively good condition and actually are not
increasing costs. Steve Iachetta
commented that State and federal laws must be followed regarding historic
preservation. Tom Richardson commented
that in many cases, older construction may have been really built well, and are
often still in good condition.
Mike Valentine asked a question about
finding offsets in general. Karen Hulihan
explained that cost savings from projects may lead to the ability to find
offsets, based on monthly updates, and sponsors should check to see if offsets
are available. Larry Mulvaney commented
that the whole State has to be in fiscal balance. When the State is out of balance, offsets are
hard to find. When the State is in
balance, more flexibility is possible.
Members approved the amendment.
2013-18
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
A.
Beyond Preservation Project List (see enclosed)
Mike Franchini discussed the list of Beyond
Preservation projects that was in the mail out.
The list showed projects that were submitted to the Region, and
indicated which projects were submitted by the Region to the Main Office. Projects
were submitted based on the index score, and narratives were evaluated. Chris Wallin asked what would happen if a
project cost changed; specifically since he is concerned that the abutments may
not be able to be saved on the Kings Road project. Rob Cherry said that funding is capped, but
if scope increases, consideration may be given.
Karen Hulihan said to submit new information as soon as you have
it. Mike Franchini explained that the
funding is capped for Beyond Preservation projects, but for Preservation First
projects, we do not have guidelines.
Ozzie Priotti
asked in regard to the Third Avenue bridge project submitted from the City of
Rensselaer. Karen Hulihan said it is not
Beyond Preservation. Mike Franchini
commented it was below the line, meaning it was not selected for submittal to
the Main Office.
Steve Watts asked in regard to Sitterly Road Project, which is not shown on the list of
Beyond Preservation Candidates. Mike
Franchini responded that it may have been a Preservation First candidate. He said he will check on this project.
Ozzie Priotti
asked in regard to the East Street project, which was submitted, but which does
not show on the list. Karen Hulihan said
the project was reviewed, but did not make it.
She said the list is dynamic, and it will be updated to show this
project, but the project was not submitted to the Main Office for Beyond
Preservation.
Joe Teliska asked in regard to project R196—if
it is not on the Beyond Preservation list, can it move forward as a
Preservation First project. Karen responded that that was most likely the
case. Mike Franchini commented that we
should look carefully at the TIP, because if the project is programmed after the
first two years, all bets are off. Joe
Teliska asked a question regarding the status of CR 68 (R287). Karen Hulihan said he should call her to
discuss.
B.
CDTC Sub-Allocations
Mike Franchini distributed two handouts
(attached) that show planning targets by region for FFY 13-14 and for FFY
15-18. Mike noted that the funding
amounts are unmatched. Steve Iachetta
and Rocky Ferraro expressed concern that some regions’ funding increased faster
than Region 1. Mike Franchini explained
that this is the result of applying the formulas to each region, and we
shouldn’t over–simplify the comparisons.
Mike Franchini distributed a handout (a corrected version of this handout will be
included in the mail out for the December 12 meeting) that shows
sub-allocations to the MPOs in Region 1 (CDTC and A/GFTC). The table shows NYSDOT goals for “Regional
Preservation”, “Regional Capital”, and “STP Off FA
System Bridge”, but it is still up to CDTC to program these funds.
Steve Watts asked if federal funds were
diminished, or if our share of federal funds is diminished. Mike Franchini explained that statewide federal
funds are about flat, based on the MAP-21 legislation passed this summer. There has been a change in the process for
distributing federal funds within the State.
A significant portion of federal funding has gone to a statewide
competition for Beyond Preservation funds.
The State believes that competition will produce better projects. Chris Wallin asked why SDF funds were not
sub-allocated. Mike Franchini explained
that these are State budget funds and that CDTC does not program SDF funds,
although SDF projects are shown on the TIP for information. Rob Cherry said that 70% of the SDF funds are
dedicated to debt retirement.
Rocky Ferraro commented that he does not
agree with the new practice of the State taking federal money off the top for
Beyond Preservation, because CDTC is very qualified to select the best
projects. Mike Franchini stated that
CDTC has some of the best criteria in the country in selecting projects. Several people asked whether CDTC has to
accept the projects selected by NYSDOT.
Mike Franchini said that CDTC members will have to decide, and that CDTC
operates by consensus. Dave Jukins
explained that DOT developed the new process and goals because we have severe
funding constraints, and because the infrastructure is falling apart. Preservation First
is a reasonable approach for the State system.
DOT would like the locals to take the same approach. CDTC will do a thorough analysis of the local
system to evaluate if the approach makes sense for the local system. Because the timeline is tight, this analysis
will have to be completed later. In two
years’ time, when the TIP is updated again, we will be able to reassess these
questions. Frank Bonafide is advocating
a set-aside approach so we can consider these questions in more depth.
Mike Franchini commented that AADT is in
important factor in evaluating projects in the beyond preservation process. Joe Teliska commented that there needs to be
a way to address the needs of low volume bridges.
C.
Preservation Project List
Mike Franchini said that although there
have been solicitations by CDTC and NYSDOT, there have been few preservation
projects submitted. It may be better to
program with set-asides, because locals will have better knowledge about local
budgets given more time. Larry Mulvaney
noted that 85% of ARRA funds went to local projects. Mike Franchini asked that any preservation
projects to be considered at the December 12 meeting should be submitted by
December 7.
D.
Set-Aside Programming
Dave Jukins presented information about
existing CDTC set-aside projects in the TIP.
These projects support a number of very important programs, such as the
Transportation Management Center (TMC).
Funding is very limited.
Set-asides will be reviewed in detail at the December 12 meeting, and
staff will develop options for programming set-asides.
E.
CDTC Screening
Mike Franchini explained that CDTC staff is
screening projects based on the CDTC project review process. The results will be presented at the December
12 meeting.
STATUS
OF CMAQ PROJECTS
Mike Franchini handed out a status report
of CMAQ projects (attached). The purpose
of this monthly status report is to determine which projects can be implemented
by October 1, 2014. He explained that
there
has been a solicitation for CMAQ projects that could be implemented quickly if
funding is available.
UNIFIED
PLANNING WORK PROGRAM (UPWP) UPDATE
Mike Franchini reported that the staff is
working on an update of the UPWP. Major
changes are not expected. Revisions will
need public review.
NYSDOT
PROJECT DELIVERY SCHEDULE
Karen Hulihan distributed a handout
(attached) that showed the project delivery status of projects. This status report goes to the Commissioner,
and is prepared monthly. Mike Franchini
said that we may need to think about reprogramming projects that have not been
progressed. Rob Cherry said that late
projects will sit in a late pile and that other projects can move in.
Status
of Planning Activities
CDTC
Mike Franchini stated that discussion will
be needed at the December Planning Committee meeting about who will administer
the 5310 program. He distributed a memo
(attached) from the Main Office about the statewide solicitation process for safety
(HSIP) projects. There will be strict
criteria and a short deadline (December 13) for FFY 13 projects. There will be a March 30 deadline for FFY 14
projects. The process will be very data
driven. Sandy Misiewicz will coordinate
with Mike Doody of Region 1. Sandy is available to help. CDTC staff will develop data for applications
and is available to help in the application process.
Mike Franchini said that the Committee will
need to decide what to do with projects that are currently programmed on the
TIP for 2015. He referred to a list of
projects that was discussed at the October 24 meeting. Options include placing projects on the fifth
year of the new TIP; placing projects in the post-five year period; and creating
a contingency list of projects that would be available if more funding became
available. Karen Hulihan also suggested
thinking about projects that should be taken off the TIP. Current fifth year projects will be an agenda
item for the December 12 meeting.
Tom Richardson expressed appreciation to
NYSDOT and CDTC for the South Street Safety Upgrade project in Mechanicville,
which is almost finished and will make a big difference. Mike Valentine also noted that the Batchellerville Bridge opened last week.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at approximately
12:27 PM. The next Planning Committee
meeting is scheduled for December 12, 2012.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Franchini
Secretary