CAPITAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
MEMBERS ATTENDING
Josephine Ashworth, Town
of
Steve Feeney,
Rocky Ferraro,
representing Mike Stammel, Capital District
Regional Planning Commission
Michael Franchini,
representing Michael Breslin,
Terry Hurley, Albany Port
District Commission
Steve Iachetta,
representing John O’Donnell,
Airport Authority
Secretary
Mayor Scott Johnson, City
of
Andrew
Kreshik, representing Mayor Harry Tutunjian, City of
Joe
LaCivita, representing Supervisor Paula Mahan, Town of
Michael
Loftus,
Mayor
of
Tom Richardson,
representing Mayor Anthony Sylvester, City
of
Linda von der Heide,
representing Kathleen Jimino,
Tom Werner,
District Transportation Authority
Frank Bonafide, NYS
Department of Transportation Region 1
David Jukins, Capital District Transportation Committee
Sree Nampoothiri, Capital District Transportation
Committee
Chris O’Neill, Capital District Transportation Committee
John Poorman, Capital District Transportation Committee
Ken Williams, Interested Citizen
OPENING REMARKS
Chairman McDonald opened the
Capital District Transportation Committee meeting at
Approval of the
The
Administrative & Financial Standing Subcommittee
Report
John Poorman gave a report on
the A&F Standing Subcommittee meeting of
The A&F Subcommittee also
started a discussion on staff continuity and transitions related to staff
retirement plans.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Chairman McDonald indicated that CDTC provides an
opportunity for visitors to address items on the agenda. Ken Williams spoke about the importance of
national transportation issues. He cited
the recent bus accident in
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION POLICY
John Poorman presented the
updated CDTC Public Participation Policy.
He explained that the current draft addresses comments received from the
Planning Committee. The existing Public
Participation Policy was adopted in 2007.
Existing policies will continue.
The revised version clarifies that the CDTC TIP amendment procedures are
consistent with federal guidelines released by FHWA. This document also reaffirms CDTC’s social
media policy. The draft will be available for public review and will be adopted
in September. Members approved the
Public Participation Policy document as presented as a draft for public review.
2011
COORDINATED PUBLIC TRANSIT HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION
New Visions 2035 Plan Update
The
draft New Visions 2035 Plan Update was presented. The update summarizes changes by subject area
since 2007, updates the planning horizon to 2035, and reaffirms the New Vision
Plan, including its planning and investment principles and strategies and
actions. The update also presents
potential topics for further development during the next update, which will be
a more comprehensive update over a three year period. A comment was made that the plan should
mention the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and the importance of the
partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
(NYSERDA). Members approved the draft
New Visions 2035 Plan Update for public review, with final Plan approval
anticipated at the September 1 Policy Board meeting. Members authorized the staff to make any
technical changes required to the Air Quality Conformity Statement based on
comments received from the ICG (Interagency Coordinating Group), and to then
release the New Visions 2035 Plan Update for public review on June 13.
indicates
that a
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Review of the Firm Cost Cap
on Bicycle and Pedestrian TIP Projects
John
Poorman explained that after discussion, staff analysis, and review spanning
several meetings, the Planning Committee recommended removing the firm cap on
existing and future bicycle and pedestrian TIP projects. The Planning Committee’s recommendation was
based on a desire for consistency with other project types. Members approved the Planning Committee
recommendation as presented.
STATUS OF
“The Transportation,
Community, and System Preservation (TCSP) Program is a comprehensive initiative
of research and grants to investigate the relationships between transportation,
community, and system preservation plans and practices and identify private
sector-based initiatives to improve such relationships” (FHWA website). Frank Bonafide explained that Region 1
received 11 responses to a solicitation for proposals; there were 51 responses
statewide. $61 million are available
nationally, 8% to 10% of that funding could go to
FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION
John Poorman explained that
discussions on the federal transportation reauthorization bill are active in
both the House and the Senate with their respective transportation committees
hoping to introduce draft bills in late June. The administration has previously asked for
large increases in the federal program.
Due to budget concerns and lack of political will to raise revenues, the
proposed House bill would provide an effective 30% reduction from current
funding levels. A six year bill
programming 30% less would represent a major exit of the federal government from
its role of managing the national transportation system. The Senate proposal centers on a shorter time
frame of two years to hold funding to current revenues. A positive note is that all parties think
highways, transit and metropolitan planning are important.
STATUS OF PLANNING
CDTA
Kristina Younger explained that in cooperation with
NYSDOT, the funding package for the Schenectady Rail Station, double tracking
from
The BusPlus rollout has been a success; early
ridership indicators have been positive.
The New Karner Queue Jumper project starts next week. The
The
CDRPC
The Combined Sewer Overflow Study held a public
meeting on June 1. The long term control
plan will be submitted to NYSDEC on June 30.
The cost for plan implementation is $110 million. An inter-municipal shared services grant will
likely be sought to assist with implementation.
Mayor McDonald praised CDRPC for their work on this and indicated it
would be a good candidate to receive a shared services grant.
CDRPC will lead a full day training session for
local municipal planners on June 15.
NYS
Thruway Authority
A new Chairman has been nominated by the Governor.
NYSDOT
Mary Ivey reported that the
Steve Iachetta reported that the Airport purchased
a new CNG bus, thanks to the Clean Cities Group. Bids were open on a $4.2
million runway paving project and were 25% less than estimated.
Terry Hurley reported that Port business is being
maintained during construction which should be completed by the end of the 3rd
quarter.
CDTC
Dave Jukins reported on CDTC staff activities. The
I-87/Route 9 Integrated Corridor Management Study
is underway, in partnership with NYSDOT.
CDTC staff is participating in the NYSDOT High Speed Rail Study and the
Mohawk-Erie Multimodal Transportation Corridor Study. Staff has updated the highway condition
inventory for locally owned roads and is gearing up for the two year full
condition inventory. Staff will attend
Congressman Tonko’s Mighty Waters conference.
Public meetings will be held next week for the Clifton Park Linkage
Study.
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately
Respectfully
submitted,
Mary
E. Ivey
Secretary