PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
NYSDOT Region 4 Offices
November 17, 2005
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
James Fletcher,
Paul Johnson,
Scott Leathersich,
Edward Muszynski, Empire State Development Corporation
George Stam, City of
David Zorn, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council
ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
Timothy Frelier,
David Thielman, NYS Thruway Authority, representing Richard Garrabrant
Charles Walker, RGRTA, representing Mark Aesch
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED
Jeffrey Adair,
James Brady,
Philip Brito, FAA
Glenn Cooke,
Robert Griffith, FHWA
Timothy Hens,
Kristen Mark Hughes,
Fred Humphrey,
Tracy Logel,
Kenneth Rush,
William Sullivan,
Chris Wilson,
(Vacant), FTA
(Vacant), NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
(Vacant), City of
(Vacant),
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE
Geoff Benway, Town of
James Clements, NYSDOT Region 6
Deborah Elliott, GTC Staff
Erik Frisch, GTC Staff
Dan Hallowell, NYSDOT Region 4
Richard Perrin, GTC Staff
Peter Plumeau, Wilbur Smith Associates
Christine Quinlan,
Robert Scholl, NYSDOT Region 4
Rob Slaver, NYSDOT Region 4
James Stack, GTC Staff
Phil Swanson,
John Thomas, City of
Robert Traver, NYSDOT Region 4
1. Call to Order & Introductions
Prior to calling the meeting to order, the Planning Committee observed a moment of silence for Larry Stid.
2. Public Forum
No one from the public spoke during the Public Forum.
3. Approval of Minutes
James Fletcher moved for approval of the minutes from the August 18, 2005 Planning Committee meeting;
4. Reports and Action on Old Business
a. Reports on UPWP Projects and Other Activities
GTC
Richard Perrin reported:
With respect to the GTC Strategic Plan, GTC staff have reviewed SAFETEA-LU and assessed provisions and requirements impacting metropolitan planning organizations. Interviews for the vacant planner position were conducted with two candidates the week of November 14
Minor work has been accomplished on the Rural County Resource Development Initiative since the last planning committee meeting. This project will be a priority for the individual who fills the vacant planner position
The Transportation Safety Information Analysis project is progressing. A survey based on issues and concerns of information users was developed and distributed to information providers, primarily law enforcement agencies, on November 2. Questions focus on how the information is collected, when it is available, and the format in which it is provided. Responses to the survey are due by November 18; to date, 30 of the 65 surveys distributed have been returned
The covers for the
With respect to Air Quality Planning and Outreach, a draft validation document has been developed for the new GTC TransCAD travel demand model for review by the Interagency Consultation Group (ICG). The model validation is required before a conformity analysis can be conducted. The conformity analysis for the current LRTP and TIP was conducted using the TModel2 travel demand model formerly used by GTC. The air quality consultant is continuing work on CMAQ evaluation criteria which will be included in future TIP project evaluation. The consultant is also beginning discussions with the ICG regarding the regions Motor Vehicle Emissions Budget (MVEB). Conformity analyses are now done based on a build/no-build test. Once the MVEB is approved, conformity will be based on whether emissions exceed the MVEB
Interviews for the Transportation and Industrial Access Phase 1 & 2 projects have been conducted with the City of Rochester Economic Development Department and all of the county Industrial Development Agencies.
GTC staff developed a work plan for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Supportive Code Language project consistent with the Scope of Work approved at the July 21 Planning Committee meeting. GTC staff met with G/FLRPC staff on October 3 to finalize a work plan. They also discussed the project with the G/FLRPC Planning Coordination Committee (PCC) at their meeting on October 7. On November 1, a memo regarding topics on which to survey the PCC was provided to G/FLRPC staff, who will conduct the survey.
A kickoff and initial Steering Committee meeting for the Greater Rochester Transportation Operations and Management Organization Feasibility Study was held September 15. Steering Committee interviews were held on October 19 and 20. Peer area reviews have been completed. A Steering Committee roundtable will be held on November 30 to discuss findings and hear a presentation by John Mason, a former six-term mayor of
The three studies that comprise the 2004-05 Priority Trails Advancement project are progressing. Draft reports have been developed for the Oatka Creek Trail and Lakeville-Livonia Trail projects. Steering Committee meetings to review the draft reports will be held December 21 for the Oatka Creek Trail and December 7 for the Lakeville-Livonia Trail. A public meeting for the City of
The Rochester Bicycling Club has yet to finish their ratings of roads in the Rochester TMA for the On-Street Bicycle Facilities Opportunities Review. These ratings form the foundation of the inventory task of the project and are expected to be completed by the end of the month. The ratings that have been completed are being converted to GIS format
Technical memoranda providing an introduction, overview, and baseline requirements have been drafted for the GTC Congestion Management System (CMS) project. GTC staff should have a document for review and comment by the CMS Working Group early next year. An outline for the NYSMPO CMS Study shared cost initiative final report was developed in October. GTC staff attended a statewide workshop on September 16 as part of that project. A final report is being drafted
A Scope of Work for the Travel Time Data Collection Assessment project has been drafted and will be presented to the Planning Committee at the January 2006 meeting. The results of the project will be integral to the GTC CMS
The Strategic Plan for Public Transportation in
This years topic for Transportation Information Resources, Integrating Safety in Transportation Planning will be complete and posted to the website by the end of the year
The Scope of Work for the Regional Goods Movement Strategy for Planning Committee review will be developed in early 2006 with input from Economic Development Departments and IDAs in the region
The TIP Management Enhancement Study will be presented to the Planning Committee for recommendation to the GTC Board later in the meeting
G/FLRPC
David Zorn reported:
The 2004
With respect to the Preparing Village Main Streets for Planning project, steering committees in the two communities have been meeting. An update of the project was provided to the project Technical Committee on November 8. Draft reports are under review and public meetings will be held in January
Identification of corridors and research is ongoing for the Optimizing Transportation Infrastructure through Effective Land Use project. A list of candidate corridors has been distributed to the Steering Committee. The postponed September Steering Committee meeting will be rescheduled for December
Distribution of the completed Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Atlas is underway
The Horizontal Alignment Safety Study final report is being finalized and is expected to be presented at the January 2006 Planning Committee meeting for recommendation to the GTC Board
Paul Johnson reported:
Data collection will begin in January 2006 for the 2005 Monroe County Land Use Monitoring project
The database for the Monroe County Parking Study is being finalized and reports should be ready for printing and distribution by the March 31 deadline
Scott Leathersich reported:
A Scope of Work for the Accident Rate Database project will be presented at the January 2006 Planning Committee meeting
A Scope of Work for the Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity Study will be presented at the January 2006 Planning Committee meeting
A Scope of Work for the Safe Passing Zone Survey will be presented at the January 2006 Planning Committee meeting
The Pedestrian Activity Safety Study is progressing. MCDOT staff is reviewing preliminary recommendations from the consultant
Results of the Ballantyne Road Corridor Study will be presented later in the meeting
Richard Perrin reported:
There is no progress to report on the State Route 96/State Route 318 Rural Corridor Study Phase 2
The Canandaigua Regional Transportation Study is progressing. The Steering Committee met August 25 to review alternatives. The consultant is drafting the report
City of
John Thomas reported:
Chapters of the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Concept Design and Implementation Study have been drafted
Analysis of the collected traffic counts, turning movements, and other observations is underway for the
The final report for the ITS/AVL Implementation Plan will be presented to the Planning Committee for recommendation to the GTC Board later in the meeting
RGRTA
Charles Walker reported:
RGRTA hopes to combine the Lift Line Strategic Plan and the Area Wide Job Access and Reverse Commute Plan into one study to fulfill SAFETEA-LU requirements. This request will be presented later in the meeting
The Security and Safety Plan for Public Transportation is finishing up. The RGRTA Leadership Team received incident management training on October 25
The RTS Fare Modification Study is approximately 50-75% complete. RGRTA is looking at new technologies for fare collection and options for new types of fare media
The Alternative Fuels Technology Study/RTS Hybrid Bus Study will be completed within the next 60-90 days
Richard Perrin reported:
There is no progress to report on State Route 96/State Route 318 Rural Corridor Study Phase 1
Richard Perrin reported:
A meeting with the consultant for the Cluster Development Enhancement Project Feasibility Study was held August 25
The Scope of Work for the Palmyra Route 21 Truck Traffic Study will be presented later in the meeting
Richard Perrin reported:
There is no progress to report on Transportation & Scenic/Historic Resources in
Richard Perrin reported:
The Route 14A Corridor Study project is progressing. Chris Wilson has begun work as the new
Other Agencies
The Regional Traffic Count Collection project is a four-county effort.
The Scope of Work for the
The Scope of Work for the Route 250 Corridor Study will be presented later in the meeting
b. Any Other Old Business or Announcements
A heads up letter for the FY 2006-07 UPWP was mailed on September 9 and a Call for Projects package was mailed on September 23. GTC held a workshop on October 12 at
The UPWP Development Committee was scheduled to meet following the November 17 Planning Committee meeting but the meeting has been postponed. A meeting schedule is being finalized to develop a program of projects for the Planning Committee to consider for public review at its January 2006 meeting.
Yates County Planner, Chris Wilson, has been designated as the Countys Planning Committee member and alternate to the GTC Board effective November 15.
5. Planning Committee Action Items
a. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the FY 2005-06 UPWP budget to incorporate FTA MPP grant balances / Proposed Council Resolution 05-35
Richard Perrin informed the committee that these leftover FTA planning monies from FY 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 will be rescinded if GTC does not reprogram and spend these funds by the end of the current fiscal year, March 31, 2006.
NYSDOT Main Office wants to close out these older FTA planning grants per FTA instructions. By adding the funds to the GTC core budget for staff activities, we know they will be expended by March 31 of next year. The GTC core budget must be maintained at the level approved by the GTC Board.
To allow GTC staff to expend these funds, an equal amount of FTA funds from a more recent grant must be removed from the GTC core budget. The funds from the newer grant will be reprogrammed to UPWP Task 1600 Program Reserve and will then be reprogrammed in FY 2006-07; situations such as these are one reason the Program Reserve task is included in the UPWP. Essentially, we are switching funds from a newer grant for an equal amount from older grants so we do not lose them.
James Fletcher moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 05-35; Scott Leathersich seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
b. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the FY 2005-06 UPWP to reprogram FTA MPP Funds / Proposed Council Resolution 05-36
Richard Perrin explained that SAFETEA-LU includes a requirement that a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan be in place by October 1, 2006 to qualify for receipt of federal transit funds from Jobs Access Reverse Commute, Elderly and Disabled, and New Freedom programs.
RGRTA is requesting an amendment at this time because the other option would be to reprogram the funds in the FY 2006-07 UPWP which does not become effective until April 1, 2006, six months before the plan is due. The projects from which the funds are being reprogrammed, the Area Wide Jobs Access and Reverse Commute Plan and the Lift Line Strategic Plan, are major elements of the mandated public transit-human services transportation plan. Consolidating them is more prudent than conducting them separately and then having to integrate their findings and recommendations into the mandated format. The UPWP Development Committee reviewed the amendments and recommends favorable action on them.
David Thielman moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 05-36;
c. Recommendations to the GTC Board concerning accepting final projects reports as evidence of completion of various UPWP Tasks
1. Accepting the report, City of Rochester Automated Vehicle Locator (AVL) Study, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 5610 / proposed Council Resolution 05-37
John Thomas explained what an AVL system is and reviewed the Executive Summary for the study and key recommendations.
Ed Muszynski asked if this was the same system that is used by RTS. Charles Walker noted that it was a similar radio-based system, though operated differently. John Thomas noted that the RTS system is focused on schedule adherence.
James Fletcher noted that this type of system could be useful in determining the proportion of public works services on town, county, and state routes. John Thomas added that this system would also be useful for disaster billing to FEMA.
James Fletcher stated that he could see labor issues involved with implementing such a system. John Thomas responded that a grievance has already been filed by the City water bureau workers.
Ed Muszynski asked if the City could obtain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds to implement this system. John Thomas responded that the City is looking into potential funding sources, including DHS.
Robert Traver asked if the recommendations of this study are transferable to other municipalities in the region. John Thomas stated that any agency could make use of the recommendations included in this report.
Ed Muszynski moved to recommend approval of proposed Council Resolution 05-37; James Fletcher seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
2. Accepting the report, GTC TIP Management Enhancement Study, as evidence of completion of a component of UPWP Task 6100 / proposed Council Resolution 05-38
Richard Perrin noted this project was conducted by GTC staff with the TIP Development Committee serving as the Steering Committee. The TIP Development Committee recommended favorable action on this report at its November 3 meeting.
Richard noted that the last two pages of the results in brief and recommendations were inadvertently left out of the mailed package. He apologized for this omission and distributed copies of the missing pages. The recommendations contained on these pages deal primarily with monitoring the progress of TIP projects and obtaining the information to do so.
GTC staff have begun to work on a TIP procedures manual to implement the recommendations of the study. The TDC will oversee the development of the manual, which will be brought to the Planning Committee for recommendation to the GTC Board.
Richard introduced Peter Plumeau from Wilbur Smith Associates who discussed the findings of the project.
Scott Leathersich moved to recommend approval of proposed Council Resolution 05-38;
d. Recommendations to GTC Board concerning various amendments to the 2005-2010 TIP
The Committee agreed to consider the RGRTA projects together and the NYSDOT projects together under two separate motions.
1. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning amending the 2005-2010 TIP by increasing the total cost of the Preventive Maintenance project / proposed Council Resolution 05-39
2. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning amending the 2005-2010 TIP by increasing the total cost of the Transit Enhancements project / proposed Council Resolution 05-40
3. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning amending the 2005-2010 TIP by increasing the number of vehicles for Lift Line Vehicle Purchase project / proposed Council Resolution 05-41
4. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning amending the 2005-2010 TIP by decreasing the total cost of the Lift Line Bus Replacement project / proposed Council Resolution 05-42
5. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning amending the 2005-2010 TIP by increasing the number of vehicles purchased through the RTS Bus Replacement project / proposed Council resolution 05-43
6. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning amending the 2005-2010 TIP by increasing the total cost of the RTS Fare Collection System Replacement project / proposed Council Resolution 05-44
7. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning amending the 2005-2010 TIP by adding the FFY 2006 Jobs Access Reverse Commute Program project / proposed Council Resolution 05-45
Richard Perrin explained that the first seven amendments are requested by RGRTA and result from notification from FTA of the availability of funds above the estimates used to develop the 2005-2010 TIP and changes to projects for which FTA approved grants prior to adoption of the 2005-2010 TIP that must now be included in the current TIP.
Charles Walker, RGRTA, reviewed each of the seven amendments.
Richard Perrin noted that the TDC recommended approval at its November 3 meeting.
Ed Muszynski moved to recommend approval of proposed Council Resolutions 05-39 through 05-45; George Stam seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
8. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning amending the 2005-2010 TIP by adding a Right-of-Way Acquisition phase to the Route 15A (
9. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning amending the 2005-2010 TIP by adding a Right-of-Way Acquisition phase to the I-590 Interchange at
Richard Perrin noted that the TDC recommended approval at its November 3 meeting.
David Thielman moved to recommend approval of proposed Council Resolutions 05-46 and 05-47; James Fletcher seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
f. Planning Committee concurrence concerning the classification of FY 2005-06 UPWP Update Tasks in accordance with the GTC Public Participation Policy
Richard Perrin explained that the Planning Committee must determine the classifications of UPWP projects prior to approving Scopes of Work for UPWP projects. GTC staff recommendations for each project class and associated justifications are provided in the agenda package. This item does not require GTC Board action.
James Fletcher moved to approve the classification of FY 2005-06 UPWP Update Tasks in accordance with the GTC Public Participation Policy; Scott Leathersich seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
g. Planning Committee concurrence concerning the approval of UPWP Project Scopes of Work
Richard Perrin explained that the Planning Committee must concur with the Scope of Work for each project included in the UPWP prior to work beginning on the project.
1. Task 6521
Phil Swanson, Trustee from the
Charles Walker asked if this bridge is located north or south of Routes 5 & 20. Phil Swanson responded that it is about 100 yards north of Routes 5 & 20 near a newly created fishing access site on the
Ed Muszynski asked for clarification on the nature of this study. Phil Swanson stated that the project will examine the usefulness of the abandoned historic railroad bridge as well as trail options in its vicinity.
2. Task
Richard Perrin discussed the project Scope of Work, noting that the Town of
George Stam asked for clarification on where the landfill is located.
James Fletcher suggested looking at the number of trucks using Thruway Exit 43 relative to the total number of trucks going to High Acres landfill. He added that the Town of
3. Task 7570 Route 250 Corridor Study (Town of
Geoffrey Benway from the Town of
James Fletcher moved to approve UPWP Project Scopes of Work for Tasks 6521, 6611, and 7570; Scott Leathersich seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
6. Planning Committee Information Items
a.
Richard Perrin explained that the Ballantyne Road Corridor Study was conducted by the Monroe County Department of Transportation. This study was not a UPWP project. It was funded through the TIP using funds allocated for the Regionally Significant Corridors program. Therefore, no action is required by the GTC Board or the Planning Committee.
Scott Leathersich from the Monroe County Department of Transportation discussed the project process, findings, and preliminary recommendations. He noted that the recommendations were well received at a public meeting held on October 26.
Charles Walker asked about the benefits of a modern roundabout as opposed to a traffic signal at the
Scott Leathersich stated that these recommendations could be completed as separate projects or together in one major project.
b. 2006 Meeting Calendar
Richard Perrin presented the 2006 Planning Committee Meeting Calendar. He noted that GTC staff will determine locations for the May, July, August, and November 2006 meetings and include an updated calendar in the January 2006 Planning Committee package.
7. New Business
Scott Leathersich asked about Section 406 funds for highway safety contained in SAFETEA-LU. An article in Governing Magazine stated that $500 million is available through this program.
8. Next Meeting
The next Planning Committee meeting will be held January 12, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the Livingston County Government Center in Geneseo.
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.