CAPITAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

 

Meeting Minutes

March 24, 2005

 

 

MEMBERS ATTENDING

 

Donald Bell, New York State Thruway Authority

Steve Bland, Capital District Transportation Authority

Mary Brizzell, Town of Colonie

Willard Bruce, representing Mayor Gerald Jennings, City of Albany

Ken DeCerce, representing Mary Ann Johnson, Saratoga County

Steve Feeney, representing Susan Savage, Schenectady County

Michael Franchini, representing Michael Breslin, Albany County

Kent Grey, Schenectady County

Bruce Hidley, representing Mayor Robert Carlson, City of Watervliet

Terry Hurley, Albany Port District Commission

Steve Iachetta, representing John O’Donnell, Albany County Airport
   Authority

Arthur Johnson, Town of Wilton

Mayor John McDonald, City of Cohoes, Chairman

Mayor Mike McLaughlin, Village of Scotia

Robert Phillips, Saratoga County, Vice-Chairman

Bernie Sisson, representing Mayor Brian Stratton, City of

   Schenectady

Mike Stammel, Capital District Regional Planning Commission

Linda von der Heide, representing Kathleen Jimino, Rensselaer 
   County

Tom Werner, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1, representing

   Commissioner Joe Boardman

 

 

STAFF AND OTHERS

 

Tom Connolly, Town of Bethlehem

David Jukins, CDTC staff

Tom Kearney, Federal Highway Administration

Brian McMahan, Edwards & Kelcey

Sandy Misiewicz, CDTC staff

Jason Newman, FHWA/CDTC

John Poorman, CDTC staff

Glenn Posca, CDTC staff

Jason Purvis, CDTC staff

Dave Rettig, NYS Department of Transportation Region 1

Jill Ross Schmelz, New York State Thruway Authority

Deborah Stacey, CDTC staff

Tom Kearney, Federal Highway Administration

Joel Stashenko, Business Review

Dick Usas, Harriman Development Group

 

 

OPENING REMARKS

 

Chairman McDonald opened the Capital District Transportation Committee meeting at approximately 3:05 p.m. and welcomed those in attendance to the CDTC offices. Members and attendees then introduced themselves.

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

December 16, 2004 Meeting Minutes

 

 

The minutes of the December 16, 2004 CDTC meeting were approved as written.

 

Administrative & Financial Standing Subcommittee Report

 

John Poorman reported that the Subcommittee met March 15 and approved a line item budget for 2005-06 based on the Unified Planning Work Program that will be considered today.  Additionally, the plan to introduce employee contributions to health insurance will be implemented in 2006; there was not sufficient lead time in December to get it going for 2005.

 

Nominating Subcommittee Report

 

Steve Bland presented the report from the Nominating Subcommittee.  The Nominating Subcommittee met on March 15.  Members present included Tom Werner, Charles Houghtaling, Paul Tazbir, and Mr. Bland.

 

There are three groups of nominations.  The first group of nominations pertains to CDTC's officers for 2005-06. The Nominating Subcommittee enthusiastically recommends re-election of John McDonald as CDTC's Chairman and Bob Phillips as Vice-Chairman.  Tom Werner, DOT Regional Director, would continue the tradition of serving as CDTC's Secretary.  There being no other nominations, members elected these individuals for another term and expressed appreciation for their service.

 

The second group of nominations pertains to CDTC's two at-large positions set aside for towns and villages.  The Nominating Subcommittee nominates Mike McLaughlin, mayor of the village of Scotia and Arthur Johnson, supervisor of the town of Wilton to serve as members for the coming year.  They have served as alternates over the past year.  Terry Egan, supervisor of the town of Bethlehem and Phil Herrington, supervisor of the town of Brunswick are nominated to serve as alternates for the coming year.  It is expected that they would be nominated as members for the following year.

 

Should Ms. Egan or Mr. Herrington decline the invitation, Ed Clark, supervisor of the town of New Scotland and Steve Robelotto, supervisor of the town of Sand Lake would be asked to serve as alternates.

 

Members approved these nominations.

 

The third group of nominations pertains to a single at-large position on CDTC's Planning Committee reserved for towns and villages.  The Nominating Subcommittee nominates John Stangle from the village of Menands to continue to serve as member for the coming year.  In the interest of full participation in the process, alternate member status is proposed for Kevin Corcoran of Glenville, Barbara McHugh of Clifton Park, Kathy Matern of Niskayuna, Steve Watts of Halfmoon, George Laveille of Bethlehem, Heather Malozzi of Malta, Peter Comenzo of Rotterdam, Keith Manz of Wilton and Jim Moore of East Greenbush.

 

Members approved these nominations.

 

Members then expressed appreciation to Paul Tazbir and Ken Runion for their service during their two-year period as alternates and members of CDTC.  .

 

 

Appointment of the 2005 Administrative & Financial Standing Subcommittee

 

Chairman McDonald noted that it is CDTC’s practice for the Chairman to annually appoint the Administrative & Financial Standing Subcommittee for the coming year.

 

For the 2005-06 fiscal year, he named the following individuals to serve with him: Steve Bland, CDTA; Charles Houghtaling, Albany County; Mayor Mark Pratt, City of Rensselaer; Tom Werner, NYSDOT; Bob Phillips, Saratoga County.

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

 

Chairman McDonald indicated that CDTC provides an opportunity for visitors to address items on the agenda. There was no request to speak to the Committee.

 

 

UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM

 

Mr. Poorman reported that the Planning Committee recommends approval of draft resolution 05-1, adopting the 2005-06 UPWP.  The program contains a wide range of study activity, including continuation of New Visions 2030 and six new Linkage studies.  He noted that maintaining this level of financial commitment beyond 2005-06 is dependent upon adequate funding in the TEA-21 Reauthorization.  Members approved the UPWP by resolution.

 

TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM REVISIONS

 

A460, Operational Subsidy for Container Shipments for the Port of Albany

 

Terry Hurley reported that the proposed action will continue the use of CMAQ funds for operating support for the barge feeder service between the Port of New York and New Jersey and the Port of Albany.  The $2.500 M entry is for the current fiscal year and will come from statewide CMAQ resources, beyond those allocated to the Capital District.  Members approved the proposed amendment.

 

T77, Preventative Maintenance for Commuter Services Reporting to the National Transit Database (NTD)

 

Mr. Poorman reported that Adirondack Trailways has begun reporting its eligible urban transit passenger and service activity to the Federal Transit Administration.  This brings additional federal funds to the Capital District.  The proposed $.0592 M project for the current fiscal year will pass the new funds through CDTA to Adirondack Trailways.  A portion will be retained by CDTA for administration and oversight, and a portion will be used for activities that help integrate Trailways’ urban services with the rest of the regional transit service.  Members approved the proposed amendment.

 

A471, Port of Albany Rehabilitation and Operational Improvements

 

Mr. Hurley noted that this project is funded with FFY05 National Corridor Planning and Development and Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program funds.  The $1.250 M project will help rehabilitate the wharf system at the Port of Albany.  Members approved the proposed amendment.

 

 

2005-10 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

 

Mr. Poorman reported on progress of the 2005-10 TIP Update.  The Planning Committee has solicited and evaluated a number of candidate projects within a “focused” effort limited to CMAQ, NHS, IM and HBRR fund sources.  The draft program has updated the status and schedule for all existing projects and recommends addition of three bike/pedestrian projects, three urban pavement rehab projects, five Interstate Maintenance projects, three transit projects and fourteen bridge projects.

 

He reported that the draft TIP also contains the air quality conformity assessment and noted that the assessment assumes no widening of the Thruway between Exits 24 and 25 as part of the Thruway’s planned reconstruction of that section.

 

Once released by the Policy Board, a public review period would begin immediately, concluding in May with final action by the Planning Committee and Policy Board.  The CDTC TIP would then be assembled with others to form the statewide TIP (STIP) which is the formal document that receives federal acceptance by October 1.

 

During the public review period, the Planning Committee will continue to refine project details.  It will also complete its review and discussion of candidates for the use of $7.4 M in remaining CMAQ funding.

 

Members agreed to release the draft program for public review and comment.

 

TEA-21 REAUTHORIZATION

 

Mr. Poorman reported that Congress has picked up the Reauthorization efforts by re-introducing the bills approved last year by each house.  Budget differences between the two bills appear to be narrowing.  There are hopes that the bills will be passed and moved into conference committee in the near future, but such hopes have been dashed before.  Once in conference, there are many structural differences between the two bills that must be resolved.

 

STATUS OF PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES

 

Capital District Transportation Authority

 

Steve Bland reported that CDTA is preparing for implementing its new simplified fare system on April 1.  The Transit Development Plan effort continues.  He also noted that Jobs Access funding is in flux, and may go directly to counties instead of to a regional program.

 

Capital District Regional Planning Commission

 

Mike Stammel reported on CDRPC’s efforts on the multi-jurisdictional Combined Sewer Overflow planning study.  CDRPC is also finalizing population growth scenarios for New Visions work.

 

New York State Thruway Authority

 

Don Bell reported that the Thruway Authority will be conducting a public hearing on its proposed toll rate change at Siena College on April 6.

 

 

 

New York State Department of Transportation

 

Tom Werner reported that Commissioner Boardman has received an appointment to head the Federal Railroad Administration.  The Region 1 letting program was $83 M in 2004-05.  The current I-90 Phase 2 rehab in Albany County is $44 M – one of the largest contracts in years.  The contractor will use semi-permanent lighting system for extra nighttime productivity.  Other projects include the upcoming I-87 Exit 12 project, I-87 Exit 16 to Warren County resurfacing, and the Kinns Road overpass.

 

 

Albany County Airport Authority

 

Steve Iachetta reported passenger activity continues to grow.  The airport is letting $6 M in projects through the summer including checkpoint security upgrades and work on Concourse D development.  $20 M in runway 19 improvements and work toward a roundabout at Watervliet-Shaker Rd also continue.

 

Albany Port District Commission

 

Terry Hurley reported that the port experienced a good year in 2004 with both imports and exports up.  Cocoa was handled for the first time in years.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The next meeting was tentatively scheduled for 3:00 pm, Thursday May 19, 2005 at the CDTC offices.  There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 3:55 pm.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Thomas C. Werner

Secretary