GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL

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GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING

Wayne County Courthouse

26 Church Street, Lyons

July 9, 2015

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT

Erik Frisch, City of Rochester At Large

Todd Gadd, Wyoming County

Roy Gates, Seneca County

Thomas Goodwin, Monroe County Planning Board

Andrea Guzzetta, Rochester City Council

David Hartman, Yates County

Scott Leathersich, Monroe County At-Large (Chairperson)

Terrence Rice, Monroe County

Kevin Rooney, Wayne County

Bill Wright, Ontario County

David Zorn, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council (G/FLRPC)

ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT

David Cook, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), representing Bill Carpenter

Don Higgins, Livingston County, representing Angela Ellis

Christopher Reeve, New York State DOT-Region 4, representing Daniel Hallowell

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED

Mark Assini, Monroe County Supervisors Association

Thomas Beck, Monroe County At-Large

Maria Chau, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Robert J. Colby, Monroe County

William Eick, Orleans County

Timothy Hens, Genesee County

Norman Jones, City of Rochester

Edward Muszynski, Empire State Development Corporation

C. Mitchell Rowe, Rochester City Planning Commission

Douglas J. Tokarczyk, NYS Thruway Authority

Steven Urlass, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

(Vacant), Federal Transportation Administration (FTA)

(Vacant), NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE

Razy Kased, G/FLRPC

Richard Perrin, GTC staff

James Stack, GTC staff

Robert Torzynski, GTC staff

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 member of the public spoke during the Public Forum.

3. Approval of Minutes

Terry Rice moved for approval of the minutes from the May 14, 2015 Planning Committee meeting; Bill Wright seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as presented.

4. Reports and Action on Old Business

a. Reports on UPWP Projects and Other Activities

GTC

Richard Perrin reported:

GTC Strategic Planning: GTC staff developed a Planning Committee Resolution and letter of support for the RGRTA TIGER application for a Real-Time Fleet Technology Replacement project. GTC staff worked with the New York State Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) to develop and submit comments to the docket for the FHWA Asset Management Plans Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by the May 29 deadline. GTC staff provided comments on the relationship between performance management requirements of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century and the Clean Air Act Conformity requirements to the national AMPO. GTC staff have reviewed and will discuss initial impressions of the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act proposal as agenda item 4.b.1.i.

Regional Traffic Count Collection: All counts have been completed in the seven participating counties and final processing is underway. A presentation to the Planning Committee is expected at the August 11 meeting.

Terry Rice asked if the existing traffic count collection contract could be extended if Monroe County were to get Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) funds. Richard responded that this would be unlikely because the original Request for Qualifications did not include Monroe County. However, Richard indicated that it would be worthwhile to look toward a modified structure for the contract going forward, such as a two-year initial term with three one-year optional extensions as has been done for other ongoing initiatives in the UPWP.

LRTP Update/Implementation: GTC staff is continuing the development of the Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region 2040 (LRTP 2040) draft document. A presentation and working session on the draft financial plan, alternatives, and performance measures will be done as agenda item 6.

Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Critical Transportation Infrastructure Vulnerability Assessment: GTC staff distributed the initial draft vulnerability assessment scoring methodology to the Steering Committee on May 22. GTC staff are reviewing draft scoring tables for the roads, bridges, and facilities assets.

Advancing Health-Informed Transportation Decision Making: The Scope of Work was approved at the May 14, 2015 meeting. City of Rochester Bureau of Planning and Zoning developed necessary transmittals for City Council consideration to approve Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency as the preferred consultant on July 14.

Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional TSMO Strategic Plan: The Scope of Work was approved at the May 14, 2015 meeting. The Request for Proposals (RFP) was reviewed and approved by NYSDOT, NYSTA, Monroe County, the City of Rochester, and RGRTA. It was advertised on June 8 with proposals due July 17. Sixteen RFP packages have been distributed.

Diversion Route Planning Initiative: The Steering Committee met July 7 and approved the draft report with minor modifications. A presentation to the Planning Committee is expected at the August 11 meeting.

Congestion Management Process (CMP): GTC staff have identified two potential travel time reliability performance measures for incorporation in the LRTP 2040. The current version 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.

Greater Rochester Regional Commuter Choice Program: GTC staff will restart work on the awareness campaign, including implementing a social media campaign and reaching out to large employers later this summer and fall.

Travel Time Data Collection Program: Contract execution with INRIX occurred June 1. Access to the data was uninterrupted and GTC staff reviewed the data to conduct brief assessments of major incidents and other events.

Regional Mobility Management Business Planning: Livingston County is requesting that funding from this task be used to implement an online one-stop portal for human service transportation agencies. The concept was developed by the Livingston County Transportation Advisory Committee and all of the data collection was conducted by Committee members.

Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Trails Initiative Update: The draft plan is being revised to incorporate the final Steering Committee comments. A presentation to the Planning Committee is expected at either the August 11 or October 8 meetings.

Regional Walkability Improvement Program: All 10 of the draft reports are expected to be provided to the respective local Steering Committees by the end of next week for their review.

Rochester Area Bike Sharing Program Study: The project was accepted by the GTC Board at its March 12 meeting. GTC staff met with Reconnect Rochester and Rochester Cycling Alliance members on May 5 to discuss next steps.

G/FLRPC

David Zorn reported:

Regional Land Use Monitoring Report: This item has been completed and is on the agenda as item 5.a.2.

Regional Rights-of-Way Study: A draft inventory of abandoned Rights-of-Way is out for review until the middle of next week.

Regional Transportation and Food Systems Analysis: A draft list of interview questions as well as a list of stakeholders has been developed and is out for review.

Regional Viewshed Inventory and Analysis: A final draft is out for review and is anticipated to be presented for close out at the August 11 meeting.

Livingston County

Richard Perrin reported:

Dansville Transportation and Commercial & Industrial Access Study: The consultant is finalizing the report and executive summary in response to Steering Committee comments and the report is anticipated to be presented to the Planning Committee on August 11.

Monroe County

Tom Goodwin reported:

Monroe County Land Use Monitoring: This item has been completed and is on the agenda as item 5.a.1.

Terry Rice reported:

Monroe County Guiderail Inventory Program: The RFP is currently being advertised.

Monroe County High Accident Location Program: Three additional locations have been studied since May.

Richard Perrin noted that an inadvertent error to the projects in kind and cash budget has been discovered and that a correction will be brought to the August 11 Planning Committee meeting.

Ontario County

Richard Perrin reported:

Ontario County Freight Corridor Development Plan: The first Steering Committee meeting will be held on July 13.

City of Rochester

Erik Frisch reported:

City of Rochester Monroe Avenue Parking Study: An RFP is under development.

Richard Perrin noted that GTC staff received the final draft for review yesterday.

JOSANA Trail Feasibility Study: The study is anticipated to be presented for close out on August 11.

Rochester East Main Arts & Market District Plan: A Steering Committee meeting was held on June 16 and a well-attended public meeting was held on June 17. The consultant is beginning to draft the final report.

Richard Perrin reported:

City of Rochester Zoning for Transportation Choice: GTC is coordinating with the City on the development of the RFP.

Erik Frisch Reported:

Rochester Bicycle Boulevard Plan: The final Project Advisory Committee meeting was held on June 30 and the study is expected to be presented to the Planning Committee on August 11.

RGRTA

David Cook reported:

RGRTA Regional Operational Service Audit: The RFP has been advertised and 38 packages have been distributed so far. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for July 16 and the proposal due date is August 4.

RTS Route Overhaul and Refinement Analysis: Route changes for the Henrietta and South Clinton Avenue routes are being implemented on August 31. Route 106 serving Hilton, Hamlin and Clarkson is next to be reviewed.

Rochester Area Vanpool Feasibility Study: RTS is working with Reconnect Rochester to identify interested parties. More than 700 responses to the survey have been received. A draft Technical Memorandum has been submitted for internal review.

Other Agencies

Richard Perrin reported:

Downtown Seneca Falls Parking and Improvement Study: Initial public outreach was conducted May 16 as part of the Seneca Falls Arts Walk Festival. The consultant met with Town departments and other stakeholders on May 19 and July 8. The draft inventory of existing and planned conditions is being developed for discussion at the second Steering Committee meeting, which will be held in late-July/early-August.

Hojack Trail Feasibility Study: The consultant is collecting data and information for the inventory of existing and planned conditions.

Silver Lake Trail Feasibility Study: The Scope of Work was approved at the May 14, 2015 meeting. The RFP was advertised on June 30 with proposals due August 7.

Village of Scottsville Zoning Code Update: A public design workshop was held May 28. The consultant is preparing the draft Zoning District and Specified Used component of the deliverables.

NYS Route 250 Transit Supportive Mixed Use Development District: Town staff are continuing revisions to the draft manual.

Town of Penfield Transit Supportive Mixed Use Development District: The Town of Penfield has decided not to advance this project at this time, preferring to see what the results of the Transit Supportive Mixed Use Development District project are before proposing more revisions to their codes. The GTC Board removed the funding from the project at its June 18 meeting, and these monies will be reprogrammed in the FY 2016-2017 UPWP.

Village of Brockport Active Transportation Plan: The Steering Committee met on June 25 and the second public meeting was held on June 30. The consultant is revising the draft recommendations based on feedback received at both.

Town of Henrietta Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Plan: The second public meeting was held on June 9. The consultant is revising the draft recommendations based on feedback received at the public meeting.

Pittsford Active Transportation Plan: The consultant is developing a draft of the inventory of existing and planned conditions.

Geneva Active Transportation Plan: The Scope of Work was approved at the May 14, 2015 meeting. GTC staff developed and provided a draft of the RFP to the Town on June 11.

Town of Irondequoit Active Transportation Plan: The Scope of Work approved at the May 14, 2015 meeting. The RFP was advertised on June 29 with proposals due August 3.

Town of Chili Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Study: The executive summary and sidewalk plan are being developed based on final comments from Monroe County. Final revisions to the report are being made.

Town of Perinton Active Transportation Plan: Town staff met on June 10 to provide final comments and the consultant is making associated revisions.

Terry Rice noted that Monroe County has not reviewed the draft report. Robert Torzynski responded that the report is currently being reviewed by Town staff and will then be distributed to the Steering Committee following that review.

b. Any Other Old Business or Announcements

1. Federal Legislative and Funding Update

i. DRIVE Act

Richard Perrin reported that on August 8, 2014, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st century Act (MAP-21), the current federal surface transportation authorizing legislation, was extended through May 31 at funding levels that are the same as the two previous Federal Fiscal Years (FFYs). After debate leading up to the May 31 deadline, Congress ultimately decided on a two-month extension through July 31 which was signed by the President on May 29. The latest estimate is that there will be a sufficient balance in the Highway Trust Fund to cover outlays through July 31 without an infusion of monies from the general fund of the Treasury so this allowed Congress to not have to address the revenue issue for another two months.

The House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing June 17 and the Senate Finance Committee met June 18 to discuss long-term funding options. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the Highway Trust Fund will require an extra $85-$90 billion through 2021 just to maintain current funding levels with minimal adjustments for inflation.

Even without the sources of revenue identified, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) introduced and unanimously approved its portion the highway title of a six-year reauthorization bill on June 24. This has prompted the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee to schedule a hearing on its portion on July 16. The other involved Senate committee (Housing, Banking, and Urban Affairs) has not disclosed its plans or schedule for the transit title of the legislation.

A few highlights of the Senate EPWs Driving a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act:

In terms of overall funding, it increases approximately $1 billion per year from contract authority of nearly $44 billion in 2016 to just over $49 billion in 2021;

After taking the smaller programs off the top, the split among the core programs is adjusted with the National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) going from 63.7 percent to 65 percent, Surface Transportation Program (STP) going from 29.3 percent to 29 percent, and the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) going from 7 percent to 6 percent;

The 15 percent set-aside for bridges would change from being for those not carrying federal-aid roads to those carrying non-National Highway System roads and would come off the top of STP rather than be equal to 15 of the FFY 2009 amount of the SAFETEA-LU Highway Bridge Program;

As a result of the change in where the set-aside for non-NHS bridges comes from, the amount of STP funds suballocated to Transportation Management Area (TMA) MPOs will be less than under MAP-21 even with an increase in the percent of STP funds being distributed to TMA MPOs;

Adds a new planning factor related to resiliency and reliability, requiring long range plans to include strategies to reduce vulnerability due to natural disasters;

Must also consider intercity buses, commuter vanpool, and ports to a greater degree;

Freight program includes $2 billion in FFY 2016 increasing to $2.5 billion in FFY 2021 with funds apportioned to the States based on their share of all NHS mileage and up to an additional 10 percent of mileage in each State;

Replaces the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program with the Assistance for Major Projects (AMP) Program, which would still be administered by USDOT for projects with a total cost of $350 million or more and a federal portion of $50 million or more (less for rural areas); and

ii. Congress is also working on developing appropriations for FFY 2016. On June 9, the House passed the transportation and housing appropriations bill for next year by a slim margin. The surface transportation portion maintains highway funding at $41 billion but overall is approximately $1 billion less than FFY 2015: $400 million of this is reductions in the National Infrastructure Investments Program (i.e., TIGER), $240 billion is reductions in capital and debt subsidies to Amtrak, and $200 million is reductions in the FTA Capital Investment Grants (i.e., New Starts/Small Starts).

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development bill on June 25. It maintains the highway funding as well and restores the TIGER program to $500 million. FTA Capital Investment Grants (i.e., New Starts/Small Starts) are reduced even more than the House version, from $2.1 billion to $1.6 billion.

It wouldnt be surprising if we end up with an Omnibus Appropriations at the end of the year when regular order blows up.

Terry Rice noted that it is his understanding that the States were promoting using NHPP on any bridge. Richard confirmed that he had heard that NYSDOT supported this proposal.

2. Functional Classification of Roadways in the Rochester Metropolitan Planning Area

Richard Perrin noted that, per Brighton Supervisor Bill Moehles request at the March 12 GTC Board meeting, proposed Resolution 15-3 was tabled pending a discussion with the Monroe County Supervisors Association. GTC staff have reached out to Supervisor Moehle to identify a future meeting of the Association that Terry Rice and Richard Perrin can attend to provide an overview of Functional Classification and answer questions on what it is and how the roads are categorized based on it. The Association does not meet during the summer so we expect the discussion to take place in the fall with Board consideration of Resolution 15-3 at the December 10 meeting.

3. FTA Section 5310 Funding

Richard Perrin reported that, as discussed at the May 14 meeting, the solicitation for FFYs 2013, 2014, and 2015 FTA Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program funds was issued by NYSDOT on April 30 with applications due June 8. Funds apportioned to the Rochester Urbanized Area total approximately $2.1 for these three years. We were under a much expedited timeline so that we didnt lose the FFY 2013 funds.

At its June 18 meeting, the GTC Board adopted Resolution 15-49, amending the 2014-2017 TIP by increasing the cost of the FTA Section 5310 Blocked Program project based on the review and recommendation of the TIP Development Committee (the process concurred with by the Planning Committee at the May 14 meeting).

5. Action Items

a. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning accepting reports as evidence of completion of various UPWP Tasks.

Scott Leathersich suggested grouping items 5.a.1 and 5.a.2. under a single action to be taken following the discussion of the items. No member or alternate objected.

1. Action concerning recommending the acceptance of the Land Use Report for Monroe County, New York Major Projects Proposed, Approved, and Constructed in 2014 as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 4210
/ Proposed Council Resolution 15-50

Tom Goodwin discussed the methodology for conducting this task, noting that it is the same as has been followed in the past. He provided an overview of the results of the project.

2. Action concerning recommending the acceptance of the 2014 Regional Land Use Monitoring Report as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 4220 / Proposed Council Resolution 15-51

Razy Kased discussed the methodology for conducting the task and discussed the highlights of the report. David Zorn noted that G/FLRPC coordinates this work with Monroe County and Task 4210 and that the full report is available through the G/FLRPC website.

Bill Wright moved to recommend that the GTC Board adopt Proposed Council Resolutions 15-50 and 15-51; Kevin Rooney seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.

6. Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region 2040: Presentation and Working Session

Richard Perrin provided a presentation on the status, progress, and proposed content of the draft LRTP 2040 public review document, including a description of the Financial Plan, Plan Alternatives, and Performance Measures. The presentation included a verbal report and a PowerPoint presentation.

With respect to the Plan status, Richard reported that the LRTP 2040 must be adopted by June 17, 2016, in keeping with the Regions current attainment status with respect to the Clean Air Act. He further stated that the Plans draft recommendations for public review are to be provided to the Planning Committee for consideration on August 11, 2015. In addition, the second round of public engagement is expected to occur from August 17 through September 30, 2015, to include open houses and presentations to GTC members as well as direct mailing to affected agencies and Environmental Justice organizations.

Richard discussed the Financial Plan, whereby the LRTP 2040 must demonstrate fiscal constraint based on system-level estimates of costs and revenue sources that are reasonably expected to be available. He discussed the requirements that these estimates be prepared in a cooperative manner with NYSDOT and RGRTA and that they reflect costs in year of expenditure dollars.

Richard provided an overview of the Alternatives including the categories of Preservation and Maintenance, Management & Operations, and Expansion. He then provided further details on each of the categories, as follows: Preservation and maintenance includes Asset Management and Improved Design, with recommendations that address all modes and users within the system; and Management & Operations includes major topical areas of Technology, Coordination, and Demand. Richard described the related recommendations including specific examples.

The third category discussed, Expansion, includes Complete Streets, Public Transportation, and Vehicle Options. Richard indicated that with respect to expansion, these three areas are the main emphasis of planning in the region. Richard described how the proposed Complete Streets Policy for the region will include all modes of transportation and is intended to be a holistic approach to complete streets, including freight, and ITS which are not typically considered part of the Complete Streets paradigm.

Finally, Richard discussed the Performance Measures that GTC anticipates to include in the Plan. He further noted that, for the most part, these are the same measures included in the previously-adopted LRTP.

Terry Rice suggested, with respect to revenue, one option would be to match expected revenues to need and say that we expect Congress to Act. Richard responded that may not pass muster with FHWA and FTA with a more likely scenario being to continue as before, and project what we can reasonably expect to receive based on historical allocations.

Erik Frisch asked how a project like the Inner Loop East would be categorized, and Richard responded that it could be considered improved design at the end of its useful life as well as, generally speaking, asset management and right sizing.

Scott Leathersich noted that, with respect to communication infrastructure, the Countys conversion of its co-axial cable network to fiber optic was completed last week and should be accounted for in the related plan inventories. Richard indicated that this would be done.

Erik Frisch asked about Reconnnect Rochesters idea for a street car and how that would fit into the planning process. Richard responded that one path forward for such as study would be to assess the feasibility of a high-capacity transit line that does not pre-suppose any particular system to provide service. He stated that this would require the support of, at a minimum, the City and RGRTA.

Terry Rice asked if there should be a Performance Measure that would account for bicycle space along roads that would reflect the fact that many of these facilities arent formally designated bike lanes or bicycle boulevards and may represent easy wins for safety improvement. Richard Perrin responded that we can look into this but that one challenge we need to be aware of is the potential difficulty in obtaining reliable data which would need to be consistently collected by the participating agencies in order to provide a meaningful foundation for decision making.

7. New Business

No new business was discussed.

8. Public Forum

No member of the public spoke during the Public Forum.

9. Next Meeting

At the request of several members, the Committee agreed to change the date and time of the August meeting to Tuesday, August 11, at 10:30 a.m. Subsequent to the meeting, it was determined that the location will remain unchanged.

August 11, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Monroe County Fleet Center

Building 10, Room 140

145 Paul Road

Chili, NY

All materials for items to be considered at this meeting should be submitted to GTC staff no later than Friday, July 31, 2015.

10. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 12:13 p.m.