GTC Board - Minutes

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GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL

QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING

Park Plaza Hotel

Henrietta, NY

September 8, 2005

GTC BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

Maggie Brooks, Monroe County (GTC Vice Chair)

Marvin Decker, Wayne County (GTC Chairman)

Lois Giess, Rochester City Council

Mary Pat Hancock, Genesee County

Daniel Hogan, Monroe County At-Large

Esther Leadley, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council

Edward Marianetti, Monroe County At-Large

ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT

Jeffrey Adair, Monroe County, representing Wayne Zyra

Samuel Casella, Ontario County, representing Carmen Orlando

David Cook, RGRTA, representing John G. Doyle, Jr.

Edward Doherty, City of Rochester, representing William Johnson

Joan Dupont, NYSDOT Region 4, representing Thomas Madison

E. Joseph Gozelski, Wyoming County, representing A. Douglas Berwanger

Paul Johnson, Monroe County Planning Board, representing Bonnie Pedrick-Coles

William Leslie, NYS Thruway Authority, representing Michael Fleischer

Edward G. Muszynski, Empire State Development Corporation, representing Charles Gargano

David Woods, Livingston County, representing James Merrick

GTC BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED

Robert Arnold, Federal Highway Administration

Philip Brito, Federal Aviation Administration

Paul E. Haney, Rochester At-Large

Dana K. Miller, Rochester City Planning Commission

Robert Multer, Yates County

David W. Schantz, Monroe County Supervisors Association

Denise M. Sheehan, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Robert Shipley, Seneca County

Letitia Thompson, Federal Transit Administration

Marcia Tuohey, Orleans County

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE

Deborah Elliott, GTC Staff

James Fabino, Town of Lyons

Richard Perrin, GTC Staff

Terrence J. Rice, Monroe County

Richard Rudolph, Genesee County

Robert Slaver, NYSDOT Region 4

James Stack, GTC Staff

John Thomas, City of Rochester

David Zorn, G/FLRPC



1. Call to Order

Chairman Decker called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.

2. Roll Call

James Stack, GTC staff, called the roll; a quorum was present.

3. Public Forum

No one from the public spoke during the Public Forum.

4. Approval of Minutes

Richard Rudolph* moved for approval of the minutes from the May 5, 2005 GTC Quarterly Board meeting; Joan Dupont seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as submitted.

5. Communications and Announcements

No communications or announcements were received.

6. Reports and Action on Old Business

a.      Planning Committee Chairmans Report David Woods

David Woods provided the following report:

At its November 17, 2005 meeting, the Planning Committee:

         Recommended that the GTC Board amend the FY 2005-06 UPWP budget to incorporate FTA planning grant balances

         Recommended that the GTC Board amend the FY 2005-06 UPWP to reprogram FTA planning funds

         Recommended that the GTC Board accept Final Project Reports as evidence of completion of UPWP Tasks 5610 and 6100:

      City of Rochester Automated Vehicle Locator Study

      GTC TIP Management Enhancement Study

         Approved the scopes of work for the following UPWP tasks:

      Bicycle and Pedestrian Supportive Code Language

      Strategic Plan for Public Transportation in Yates County

At its August 18, 2005 meeting, the Planning Committee

         Recommended that the GTC Board amend the FY 2005-06 UPWP budget to reflect the contribution of audited FY 2004-05 rollover amounts

         Recommended that the GTC Board accept the report, 2004 Regional Land Use Monitoring Report, as evidence of completion of a UPWP Task

         Recommended that the GTC Board amend the 2003-2008 TIP by increasing the number of vehicles purchased through and renaming the Lift Line Bus Replacement project

         Recommended that the Board amend the 2005-2010 TIP by:

      Increasing the total cost of the Preventive Maintenance project

      Decreasing the total cost of the RTS Bus Replacement project

      Increasing the funding to the Renaissance Square project

      Decreasing the total cost of the Route I-490 Highway and Bridges project

      Increasing the federal share of the I-390 Concrete Pavement Restoration in Geneseo (SR 408 US 20A) project

      Increasing the federal share of the I-390 Concrete Pavement Restoration in Rush (Routes 5&20 SR 251) project

         Recommended that the Board adopt five additional amendments to the 2005-2010 TIP conditional upon a positive air quality conformity analysis

b.      GTC Executive Directors Report Richard Perrin

Richard Perrin provided the following report:

         The six-county Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) received a positive air quality conformity determination on the LRTP for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region 2005-2025 and 2005-2010 TIP by the federally imposed June 15 deadline. Neither the LRTP nor the TIP contributes to increased amounts of ground level ozone and the region can continue to receive federal transportation funds. The conformity determination was adopted by the GTC Board via mail ballot in early June

         The consultant has finalized the TIP Management Enhancement Study, incorporating comments from the TIP Development Committee which served as the steering committee for the study. GTC staff has been developing a TIP Development and Management Procedures document that will codify the existing GTC practices the consultant found to be noteworthy and incorporate the recommendations of the study

         GTC staff is continuing the update of its congestion management system. The congestion management system takes on greater importance now that the Rochester MSA is an ozone nonattainment area. Any project that has the potential to increase travel by private automobiles, regardless of whether the project improves air quality, must be part of an approved congestion management system. The update of the congestion management system was one of the primary recommendations of the Federal Highway and Federal Transit administrations certification review completed earlier this year

         GTC staff are also beginning the development of the FY 2006-07 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). GTC staff will be working with the UPWP Development Committee to develop the program. The call for projects will be issued on September 23, with applications due five weeks later. The FY 2006-07 UPWP will be brought before this body for adoption in March 2006

c. Old Business

On August 10, President Bush signed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). SAFETEA-LU is the successor to TEA-21 which was extended a dozen times since it expired on September 30, 2003. There was close to $270 million in additional highway funds allocated to New York State over the amount in TEA-21, representing a 19 percent increase. The actual amount allocated to GTC is being determined by NYSDOT, but will be very close to what is programmed in the 2005-2010 TIP which covers the time period of SAFETEA-LU.

SAFETEA-LU continues the role of MPOs, including GTC, as set forth in TEA-21 and its predecessor ISTEA. In addition, GTC expects to receive an approximate 20 percent increase in FHWA and FTA planning funds. We do not expect that additional GTC staff will be necessary to meet the added planning requirements of SAFETEA-LU which means extra monies will be available for projects proposed by member agencies and others.

Primary changes for MPOs include: changes to the timing of updates to the LRTP and TIP, which can be easily accommodated; increased public participation and consultation; and a greater role in freight planning. GTC anticipated all of these activities and is currently doing them as part of its planning process.

Ed Doherty asked if the guidelines for flexing funds across sources have changed.

Richard Perrin responded that he has not seen any changes to the STP-Flex Program and it is traditionally up to individual states to decide how they manage funds.

Ed also asked if staff can prepare an explanation for Board members to better understand the changes (if any) to funding rules

Richard responded that GTC staff can identify changes to fund sources and eligible costs and provide this information to the Board.

Copies of the 2005-2010 TIP are available and are also being mailed to project sponsors. The 2005-2010 TIP is also available on the GTC website.

7. New Business

a.      Adopting the FY 2005-06 Unified Planning Work Program Update action on proposed Resolution 05-18

Richard Perrin explained that the original FY 2005-06 UPWP was developed in Spring 2004. As noted before, TEA-21 was extended a dozen times. Those extensions increased the amount allocated to GTC for planning activities. There was no need to increase the allocation for GTC staff, so the additional allocation of $378,000 in FHWA funds was made available to the nine counties and their municipalities as well as for consultant services for regional projects.

The FY 2005-06 UPWP Update document is an addendum to the FY 2005-06 UPWP. The Planning Committee recommended the program of projects for 30-day public review at its April 21 meeting. The public review period ran from April 25 through May 24. No public comments were received.

Richard noted that the proposed Resolution was reviewed and recommended for approval at the Planning Committee meeting of July 21, 2005.

Dan Hogan moved to approve Resolution 05-18; Maggie Brooks seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

b. Amending the FY 2005-06 UPWP budget to reflect the contribution of audited FY 2004-05 rollover amounts action on proposed Resolution 05-21

Richard Perrin discussed the annual adjustment necessary to allow for the continuation of planning activities that were not completed by the end of the immediate past fiscal year (i.e., March 31, 2005). The rollovers of balances for planning projects underway in 2004-05 that will continue in 2005-06 are presented on page 70 of the agenda package. In many instances, the project balances are now lower due to advancement or in some cases completion of the projects between March 31 and today. GTC estimates rollover from one year to the next. Because the FY 2005-06 UPWP was part of a two-year UPWP, no rollover was estimated in March 2004 due to the difficulty of doing so 18 months in advance.

Richard noted that the proposed Resolution was reviewed and recommended for approval at the Planning Committee meeting of August 18, 2005.

Samuel Casella moved to approve Resolution 05-21; Edward Muszynski seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

c. Accepting the final project reports as evidence of completion of various UPWP tasks

Chairman Decker suggested that the following three proposed Resolutions be considered under one motion. The Board concurred.

(1) Accepting the report, 2004 Land Use Report for Monroe County, as evidence of the completion of UPWP Task 4210 action on proposed Resolution 05-19

(2) Accepting the Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Atlas as evidence of the completion of UPWP Task 5810 action on proposed Resolution 05-20

(3) Accepting the report, 2004 Regional Land Use Monitoring Report, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 5800 action on proposed Resolution 05-22

Richard Perrin noted that Monroe County Planning and Development and Genesee/ Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council have completed the 2004 Land Use Report for Monroe County and the 2004 Regional Land Use Monitoring Report respectively. The data from each is used in the GTC Travel Demand Model and CMS as well as provided to communities, consultants, and others within and outside the region. Each task inventories the number of new and the status of existing permits issued for new building by type.

G/FLRPC has finalized the Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Atlas, which will serve as an informational and promotional piece for the region. The information will be used by planners, economic developers, and others while the final product will serve as a promotional and information piece. Greater Rochester Enterprise and Energy East are assisting with production costs through the purchase of advertisements. The final document is currently being printed and should be distributed soon.

Richard noted that proposed Resolutions 05-19 and 05-20 were reviewed and recommended for approval at the Planning Committee meeting of July 21, 2005; and proposed Resolution 05-21 was reviewed and recommended for approval at the Planning Committee meeting of August 18, 2005.

Maggie Brooks moved to approve Resolutions 05-19, 05-20 and 05-22; Richard Rudolph* seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

d. Amending the 2003-2008 Transportation Improvement Program by increasing the number of vehicles purchased through and renaming the Lift Line Bus Replacement project - action on proposed Resolution 05-23

RGRTA is seeking to increase the number of vehicles purchased for paratransit services from eleven to fifteen. The name change is requested to reflect RGRTAs fleet analysis and associated recommendation that different vehicles at a lower per unit cost be used to provide paratransit services via Lift Line.

This resolution amends the 2003-2008 TIP rather than the 2005-2010 TIP because, with the exception of projects that affect the air quality conformity determination, the 2003-08 TIP is effective until October 1, 2005 and RGRTA would like to advance the purchase this month.

Richard noted that the proposed Resolution was reviewed and recommended for approval at the Planning Committee meeting of August 18, 2005.

Esther Leadley moved to approve Resolution 05-23; Maggie Brooks seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

e. Adopting amendments to the 2005-2010 Transportation Improvement Program

Chairman Decker suggested that the following three proposed Resolutions be considered under one motion. The Board concurred.

(1) Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by increasing the total cost of the Preventive Maintenance project action on proposed Resolution 05-24

(2) Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by decreasing the total cost of the RTS Bus Replacement project action on proposed Resolution 05-25

RGRTA has requested an increase in the preventive maintenance project by $50,000 in federal funds FY 2005-2006 to more cost effectively maintain RTS vehicles.

The additional funding is available due to favorable pricing for the buses RGRTA will purchase through its RTS Bus Replacement project and the associated decrease. Bus price estimates used for this project were developed in 2001.

These two resolutions represent an even exchange of FTA Section 5307 funds that are only available to RTS.

(3) Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by increasing the total cost of the Renaissance Square project action on proposed Resolution 05-26

Richard Perrin explained that this Resolution is the acceptance of a congressional earmark of $15.125 million for Renaissance Square. These monies represent additional funds to the region. As discussed at the May 5, 2005 Board meeting, these funds were not included in the adoption of the 2005-2010 TIP because the public review document for the 2005-2010 TIP included only the $12.5 million in federal formula funds and not these discretionary funds. GTC did not want to be perceived as adding additional monies to an individual project without public review.

Richard noted that the proposed Resolutions were reviewed and recommended for approval at the Planning Committee meeting of August 18, 2005.

Daniel Hogan moved to approve Resolutions 05-24, 05-25, and 05-26; Ed Doherty seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

Chairman Decker suggested that the following three proposed Resolutions be considered under one motion. The Board concurred.

(4) Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by decreasing the total cost of the Route I-490 Highway and Bridges project action on proposed Resolution 05-27

(5) Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by increasing the federal share of the I-390 Concrete Pavement Restoration in Geneseo project action on proposed Resolution 05-28

(6) Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by increasing the federal share of the I-390 Concrete Pavement Restoration in Rush project action on proposed Resolution 05-29

The amendment to the I-490 Highway and Bridges project is being requested by NYSDOT. This request removes the lighted pylons from the Troup Howell Bridge contract to receive more favorable bids from specialized contractors. In addition a different, more cost-effective pavement treatment is recommended for the roadway.

This amendment makes approximately $6 million in Interstate Maintenance funds available that NYSDOT proposes to allocate to I-390 restoration projects in southern Monroe and Livingston counties

Both I-390 restoration projects are included in the 2005-2010 TIP with limited federal funds. Proposed Resolutions 05-28 & 05-29 would increase the federal share of the projects from 2 percent to 88 percent each with a minimal cost decrease overall of the northern project

Richard noted that the proposed Resolutions were reviewed and recommended for approval at the Planning Committee meeting of August 18, 2005.

David Woods moved to approve Resolution 05-27, 05-28, and 05-29; Daniel Hogan seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

Ed Muszynski asked if GTC has any role in mitigating the impacts of the rising gasoline prices.

Richard Perrin responded GTC has and continues to ensure that transportation planning and investment is made across and between modes.

Maggie Brooks asked Richard Perrin if he was aware of any impacts to transportation funds to the region because of the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Richard Perrin stated that he was not aware of any impacts at present. Richard noted that he would keep the Board apprised of any information that develops. David Cook noted that funds were diverted from ISTEA to respond to the earthquakes in northern California in the early 1990s.

f. Any Other New Business

NYSDOT has requested five additional TIP amendments. The funding for these amendments is tied to two projects that will require a new air quality determination. GTC staff will work with NYSDOT on obtaining a positive conformity determination for the amendments and bring them to the board for consideration at a future meeting.

On a related note, it was communicated to the Board at the May 5 meeting that NYSDOT main office had estimated $3 million annually in CMAQ funds. Provisions in SAFETEA-LU appear to place this amount at closer to $1.1 million per year.

8.                 Next Meeting

The next Board Meeting will be held Thursday, December 8, 2005 at 8:30 a.m. at the Radisson Inn in Henrietta.

9. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9:06 a.m.




* Mary Pat Hancock had not yet arrived. As Ms. Hancocks designated alternate, Mr. Rudolph was the Genesee County representative until her arrival.

* Mary Pat Hancock had not yet arrived. As Ms. Hancocks designated alternate, Mr. Rudolph was the Genesee County representative until her arrival.