GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
City Place, 2nd Floor Balcony
50 W. Main Street, Rochester
January 9, 2014
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Angela Ellis, Livingston County (Vice Chairperson)
James Fletcher, Monroe County At Large
Erik Frisch, City of Rochester At Large
Todd Gadd, Wyoming County
Andrea Guzzetta, Rochester City Council
Daniel Hallowell, NYSDOT-Region 4
Scott Leathersich, Monroe County At Large (Chairperson)
Terry Rice, Monroe County
Kevin Rooney, Wayne County
Bill Wright, Ontario County
David Zorn, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council (G/FLRPC)
ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
Rochelle Bell, Monroe County Planning Board, representing Thomas Goodwin
David Cook, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), representing Bill Carpenter
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED
Donald Allport, Orleans County
Marcia Barry, Rochester City Planning Commission
Carm Carmestro, Monroe County Supervisors Association
Robert Colby, Monroe County
David Hartman, Yates County
Timothy Hens, Genesee County
Edward Muszynski, Empire State Development Corporation
Mitchell Rowe, Seneca County
Douglas J. Tokarczyk, NYS Thruway Authority
Steven Urlass, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
(Vacant), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
(Vacant), Federal Transportation Administration (FTA)
(Vacant), NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE
Jody Binnix, GTC staff James Stack, GTC staff
Darrell Byerts, Village of Webster Chris Tortora, GTC staff
John Cahill, Village of Webster Robert Torzynski, GTC staff
Glenn Cooke, Webster Comm. Coalition for Econ. Dev.
Steve Ferranti, SRF Associates
Donald Higgins, Livingston County
Dennis Judson, Fisher Assocaites
Sharon Lilla, Barton & Loguidice
Richard Perrin, GTC staff
John Polimeni, NYSDOT-Region 4
Christopher Reeve, NYSDOT-Region 4
Tom Robinson, EDR
1. Call to Order & Introductions
Scott Leathersich, Planning Committee Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. Members, Alternates, and others present introduced themselves.
2. Public Forum
No one from the public spoke during the Public Forum.
Scott Leathersich suggested that items 5.b.1 and 5.b.2 be moved forward in the agenda out of courtesy to the guests. No Member or Alternate objected.
5. Action Items
b. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning accepting reports as evidence of completion of various UPWP Tasks / Proposed Council Resolutions 14-2 and 14-3
2. Action concerning recommending the acceptance of the Village of Webster Village Core Circulation, Accessibility, and Parking Study as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 6807 / Proposed Council Resolution 14-3 (Village of Webster)
Glenn Cooke, representing the Webster Community Coalition for Economic Development, introduced Village Mayor John Cahill and provided background on the impetus for the study. This includes the desire to support and enhance access to village businesses while protecting the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians affected by traffic generated, in part, by development occurring outside the village. Mayor Cahill indicated that he came to office after the study started but was impressed by the process and appreciative of the recommenda-tions. Mayor Cahill stated that he expects the Village will be able to start implementing the recommendations soon.
Steve Ferranti, with SRF Associates, discussed the study process and provided an overview of its content. He noted that it includes several unique elements related to zoning for five areas recognizing economic development opportunities. Steve then highlighted the key study recommendations.
Terry Rice asked why the cost estimates for the recommendations are so high if they include only restriping which is much less expensive than resurfacing. Steve responded that the cost estimates are total cost (including resurfacing) and that the restriping is a small part of the total. Steve indicated that the full cost is included to emphasize that the recommendation is to include the restriping with as part of larger projects and not as a separate activity.
Dan Hallowell noted that it is not too often that the timing of a study lines up with scheduled road work as this one does. Dan stated that NYSDOT has a preventive maintenance project that will be advanced soon and the proposed restriping can be accomplished as part of this because of the efforts made by SRF Associates to coordinate the development of the recommendations of the plan with NYSDOT-Region 4 Planning and Programming and Traffic and Safety staff.
Bill Wright moved to recommend that the GTC Board adopt Proposed Council Resolution 14-3; Daniel Hallowell seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
1. Action concerning recommending the acceptance of the Irondequoit Seneca Trail Feasibility Study as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 6523 / Proposed Council Resolution 14-2 (Town of Irondequoit)
Tom Robinson, with Environmental Design & Research (EDR), summarized the purpose and need for the study, the process (including public involvement and the development of alternatives), and the studys key findings and recommendations. Principal issues included property ownership, jurisdiction over the trail, accessibility for people with disabilities, and potential impacts to the privacy of adjacent landowners.
Tom discussed how the selection of the preferred alternative responded to the constraints identified during the assessment of existing conditions and to Monroe County Department of Parks staff recommendations regarding County-owned facilities. Tom discussed the cost of the preferred alternative, which includes two phases to account for the existing land ownership of the corridor.
Erik Frisch asked if further information was available as to why the Monroe County Parks Department preferred not to use the existing alignment adjacent to the park boundary and Tom responded that he couldnt speak for the Parks Department; however, he noted that the affected section of the trail was within 50-feet of many of the adjacent homes and concern for residents privacy could have affected their recommendation.
Terry Rice stated that the ownership of the trailhead recommended for the northern terminus of the trail likely falls with the State and not the County as indicated in the study. Terry explained that the County maintains the bridge in question for the State under an agreement, but the State actually owns the facility.
Tom responded that when and if the northern segment were constructed, the owners of the prospective trailhead site would be involved to ensure that their concerns are addressed.
Jim Fletcher moved to recommend that the GTC Board adopt Proposed Council Resolution 14-2; Bill Wright seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
3. Approval of Minutes
Terry Rice moved for approval of the minutes from the November 14 Planning Committee meeting; David Cook seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as presented.
4. Reports and Action on Old Business
a. Reports of UPWP Projects and Other Activities
GTC
Richard Perrin reported:
GTC staff is identifying the final elements of the strategic plan for 2014-2015 through 2016-2017. GTC has and continues to work with the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) and NYSAMPO to develop and submit comments on proposed FHWA/FTA rules and guidance. GTC staff participated in the roundtable of federal and state elected officials that was organized by Fisher Associates to discuss transportation issues. The joint NYSAMPO-NYSDOT Integrated Planning Workgroup will meet via teleconference on January 21.
Dennis Judson, of Fisher Associates, expressed his appreciation to Bill Wright and Richard Perrin for participating in the funding roundtable.
Terry Rice inquired about the New York State Legislators reaction to the bridge and culvert program.
Dennis noted that some Legislators were unaware of the extent of funding issues surrounding the program and all gained a better understanding at the roundtable. They did not realize that the counties had such little say in the process and outcomes regarding how the funding was allocated and spent.
Bill Wright agreed and stated that the consultants and contractors are being negatively impacted by the heavy emphasis on preventive maintenance compared to rehabilitations and reconstruction projects.
Terry Rice stated that the county highway superintendents expressed the need for balancing the types of projects going forward, as the current program dedicated solely to preventive maintenance is not a balanced program.
Regional Traffic Count Collection: There is no funding for additional counts in the FY 2013-2014 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), activities will be limited to analysis and dissemination of the data by GTC staff. The GTC staff proposal to conduct counts in seven of the nine counties in the region is included in the draft FY 2014-2015 UPWP that will be considered later in the meeting.
LRTP Update/Implementation: The transportation system status report that has been being developed will be used for outreach as GTC begins the development of the Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region 2040 (LRTP 2040). A customer engagement plan for the LRTP 2040 is currently being developed and will rely less on traditional public meetings and more on outreach by GTC staff to members of the community.
Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Critical Transportation Infrastructure Vulnerability Assessment: The draft Request for Proposals (RFP) will be advertised in the NYS Contract Reporter and Rochester Business Journal on January 10 with proposals due February 21. A preferred consultant is expected to be selected April 3.
Diversion Route Planning Initiative: The GTC staff response to the consultant's letter with guidance on our expectations for the remainder of the project was sent on November 22, 2013.
Congestion Management Process (CMP): The update of the CMP is included in the LRTP 2035 that was adopted by the Board on June 16, 2011. The CMP Technical Documentation report that expands on the information included in the LRTP 2035 was accepted by the GTC Board at its June 20, 2013 meeting. GTC staff have been assessing and are preparing a proposed travel time reliability performance measure.
Greater Rochester Regional Commuter Choice Program: As a result of the sale of the underlying software platform, the website is undergoing a migration to a new provider's hosting infrastructure, which should be complete today. The GTC staff proposal to continue the website, as well as increase its marketing, is included in the draft FY 2014-2015 UPWP that will be considered later in the meeting.
Travel Time Data Collection Program: GTC staff finalized user agreements that satisfy the data providers (INRIX) requirements and distributed those to interested member agencies. This data serves as the basis for the calculation of the travel time reliability performance measure.
Regional Mobility Management Business Plan: GTC staff will work affected organizations and agencies to advance mobility management planning in FY 2014-2015 as the single proposal received by the September 27, 2013 deadline was deemed not adequate by the proposal evaluation committee.
Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Trails Initiative Update: Approval to enter into a contract with the preferred consultant was received on December 17, 2013 and the contract is under development.
Rochester Area Bike Sharing Program Study: The contract with the preferred consultant is expected to be executed by the end of the week.
Genesee County
Richard Perrin reported:
Genesee County Horizontal Curve Sign Study: The study was accepted by the GTC Board at its June 20, 2013 meeting.
G/FLRPC
David Zorn reported:
Regional Land Use Monitoring Report: The database is being reviewed and updated. Coordination with Monroe County to update and refine the survey is also underway.
Inventory and Mapping of Regional Zoning District Boundaries and Inventory of Land Use: Initial digitization has begun and municipal follow up is underway.
Regional Rights-of-Way Study: Data acquisition and review are underway with mapping needs being explored.
Genesee-Finger Lakes Region Population Projections: The project was accepted by the GTC Board at its June 20, 2013 meeting.
Planning for Transportation and Climate Change: The draft document is being revised based on comments received and is expected to be brought to the Planning Committee in February.
Regional Atlas: The draft document was sent out for review, comments were received, and edits are underway.
Livingston County
Angela Ellis reported:
Dansville Transportation and Commercial & Industrial Access Study: The project kick-off meeting is scheduled for January 16.
Livingston County Transportation Connectivity Plan: The plan is essentially complete and will be presented to the Planning Committee in February.
Monroe County
Terry Rice reported:
Monroe County High Accident Location Program: Four additional locations have been analyzed and the current round of the program is 23 percent complete.
Rochelle Bell reported:
Monroe County Land Use Monitoring Report: The land use monitoring survey is being sent out January 9. The development of the survey was coordinated with G/FLRPC.
Ontario County
Richard Perrin reported:
Routes 5 & 20 and State Route 364 Multi-Modal Study: The study was accepted by the GTC Board at its September 12, 2013 meeting.
City of Rochester
Erik Frisch reported:
Urban Trail Linkages: The City is in agreement with Monroe County regarding the additional comments and a resolution has been reached.
JOSANA Trail Feasibility Study: The RFP has been developed.
Mt. Read Boulevard Corridor Study: The advisory committee met to discuss the draft alternatives. The second and final public meeting will be held in early February.
Rochester Bicycle Boulevard Plan: The existing conditions and analysis of maps is underway. A public meeting will be held in late-January or early-February.
RGRTA
David Cook reported:
RGRTA Transit-Supportive Development Guidelines: RGRTA no longer wishes to advance this project and is relinquishing the funds, which have been made available for reprogramming in the FY 2014-2015 UPWP.
RGRTA Route Analysis: This project is ongoing and a presentation was made at the October 10, 2013 Planning Committee meeting.
RTS Route Overhaul and Refinement Analysis: This project is ongoing and a presentation was made at the October 10, 2013 Planning Committee meeting.
Bus Stop Optimization Study: The RGRTA Board authorized awarding a contract in November. Since the contract would use FTA Metropolitan Planning Program funds, approval of the consultant selection process is needed from NYSDOT-Main Office to allow the project to move forward. RGRTA submitted the proper documentation to GTC, in turn GTC submitted to the documentation to NYSDOT-Main Office on behalf of RGRTA. Both parties are awaiting a response.
Wayne County
Kevin Rooney reported:
Wayne County Horizontal Curve Sign Study: The study was accepted by the GTC Board at its June 20, 2013 meeting.
Wyoming County
Todd Gadd reported:
Wyoming County Horizontal Curve Sign Study: The study was accepted by the GTC Board at its June 20, 2013 meeting.
Other Agencies
Richard Perrin reported:
Auburn Trail Connection to the Ontario Pathways Trail: The study was accepted by the GTC Board at its June 20, 2013 meeting.
Irondequoit Seneca Multi-Use Trail Feasibility Study: The project was presented for closeout earlier in the meeting.
Black Creek Stream Corridor Trail Feasibility Study: The study was accepted by the GTC Board at its June 20, 2013 meeting.
Village of Scottsville Traffic Circulation and Safety Study: The study was accepted by the GTC Board at its September 12, 2013 meeting.
Webster Village Core Circulation, Accessibility, and Parking Study: The project was presented for closeout earlier in the meeting.
East Rochester Transportation Improvement Study: The initial public open house was held November 18, 2013. The draft report documenting existing and future conditions along with associated needs was provided to the Steering Committee on January 7 and the meeting to discuss it is scheduled for January 21.
Victor Transportation Systems Plan: A presentation is expected at the February 13 Planning Committee meeting.
NYS Route 250 Transit Supportive Mixed Use Development District: The Steering Committee met November 19, 2013 to review the "80 percent" draft of the design manual and the Manitou Lake Subcommittee met December 19, 2013 to gather input from affected citizens.
Town of Penfield Transit Supportive Mixed Use Development District: The RFP has been finalized and will be advertised when the "80 percent" design manual for Task 8514 is complete, pending public review.
Brighton Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Plan: The study was accepted by the GTC Board at its June 20, 2013 meeting.
Town of Greece Active Transportation Plan: Draft plan was provided for review and the Steering Committee met on December 16, 2013.
Village of Pittsford Active Transportation Safety Plan: No progress to report.
Town of Chili Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Study: A preferred consultant was identified on January 7, 2013.
Town of Perinton Active Transportation Plan: A draft RFP was provided for GTC staff review on December 31, 2013.
b. Any Other Old Business or Announcements
1. Action concerning recommending the acceptance of the Urban Trail Linkages Eastman and Genesee Riverway Trails Planning and Preliminary Design Study as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 6524 / Proposed Council Resolution 13-62 (City of Rochester)
Erik Frisch reported that when the project was initially presented to the Planning Committee, the City realized that Monroe County did not have an adequate opportunity to provide input on the study. Erik noted that the City has worked with Monroe County DOT staff and agreed that the County DOTs comments will be addressed in the form of an addendum to the document.
Bill Wright moved to recommend that the GTC Board adopt Proposed Council Resolution 13-62; Terry Rice seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
2. Update on Joint FHWA/FTA Quadrennial Certification Review
On December 13, 2013 GTC staff received the Final Draft of the FHWA/FTA Joint Certification Review report to review and provide technical comments. The report contains nine recommendations and 18 commendations with no corrective actions. GTC staff has reviewed the report and will provide comments on technical items that may need to be corrected by the close of business today. Richard thanked staff from NYSDOT-Region 4 and RGRTA for their participation and support.
5. Action Items
a. Action concerning approving the Draft FY 2014-2015 Unified Planning Work Program Project List for public review
Richard Perrin stated that the FY 2014-2015 UPWP Call for Projects was issued on Friday, September 13. An applicant workshop was held on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at the Henrietta Town Hall. Nineteen proposals requesting $1,222,400 in federal transportation planning funds were received by the Friday, October 18, 2013 deadline. There is $1,093,900 available for programming in the FY 2014-2015 UPWP.
The 19 proposals were evaluated by GTC staff based on the information contained in the applications. The submitted proposals, an associated summary, and the evaluation form used by GTC staff were distributed to the UPWP Development Committee (UDC). The UDC met on November 14, 26, and December 5, 2013 to review the proposals, discuss additional factors based on their professional judgment, and develop the draft FY 2014-2015 UPWP project list.
Pending Planning Committee review and input, GTC staff will finalize the FY 2014-2015 UPWP Project List and make it available for public review from January 10 through February 10. It is anticipated that, following the consideration of public comments, the FY 2014-2015 UPWP can be finalized and the associated draft document can be provided to the Planning Committee for consideration and recommendation to the GTC Board at the February 13 meeting The Board will consider the final draft FY 2014-2015 UPWP at its March 13 meeting and the adopted UPWP will take effect April 1.
Richard asked the committee members if they had any questions regarding the draft project listing.
Terry Rice asked about the status of the Town and Village of Pittsfords UPWP projects.
Richard noted that the Village of Pittsford has not progressed the Active Transportation Safety Plan that was originally awarded $30,000. The Town submitted for a similar project, the Town of Pittsford Active Transportation Plan, during the most recent round of funding. The UDC thought it best to combine the projects to fully consider the entire Pittsford communitys active transportation needs. The remaining $23,000 will be made available for future UPWP projects.
Jim Fletcher moved to approve the Draft FY 2014-2015 Unified Planning Work Program Project List for public review; Erik Frisch seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
6. New Business
a. Status of Functional Classification Update based on 2010 Census
Richard Perrin reported that FHWA released its updated concepts, criteria, and procedures for Functional Classification updates. He informed the committee that the process officially begins with the formal approval of the adjusted urban area boundaries by FHWA and that they highly recommend the process be completed in three years. The GTC-recommended Rochester Adjusted Urbanized Area Boundary was approved by the GTC Board via Resolution 13-150 at its September 12, 2013 meeting and agreed to by NYSDOT. It has been forwarded to FHWA-NY Division and is awaiting approval.
A notable change to the process includes the addition of two new classifications: Urban Minor Collectors and Rural Principal Arterials Other Freeway/Expressway (i.e., non-Interstate). Also, reclassifying facilities as Principal Arterials will not make them eligible for National Highway Performance Program funds; that was a one-time event when MAP-21 expanded the National Highway System to include all Principal Arterials as of October 1, 2012.
As in the past, GTC will be responsible for updates in the Rochester TMA and NYSDOT will be responsible for areas outside of the TMA. Richard reviewed the primary factors that could lead to a change in Functional Classification. He noted that GTC will look at traffic volume data in tabular format to help inform any potential changes to a roads Functional Classification.
Erik Frisch noted that Functional Classification changes within the city are likely to consider intermodal connectors.
Richard added that GTC staff will prepare a timeline and guidance and will reach out to member agencies for potential changes that they or their municipalities would like to have considered.
Dan Hallowell noted that the Statewide Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) applications are due February 21 and that he would like to have this as an agenda item at the February 13 Planning Committee Meeting so a prioritized list can be submitted.
Richard noted that all materials for the February 13 Planning Committee need to be submitted to GTC by January 31.
Terry Rice noted with regard to HSIP that the region has done well in the past; however, there may be good projects that wont qualify this time around due to program requirements.
Dan Hallowell stated to the Planning Committee (as was announced at the December 12, 2013 GTC Board Meeting) that the region was able to secure $15 million in Statewide funds for the I-390 @ Route 15 Project Phase 3 & 4 as a combined design-build project.
7. Public Forum
No member of the public spoke during the Public forum.
8. Next Meeting
February 13, 2014 at Livingston County Highway Department
4389 Gypsy Lane
Groveland, NY
All materials for items to be considered at this meeting should be submitted to GTC staff no later than Friday, January 31, 2014.
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:42 a.m.