GTC Planning Committee - Minutes

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GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING

Monroe County Fleet Center

Chili, New York

August 18, 2005

 

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT

Jeffrey Adair, Monroe County

James Brady, Wayne County

Joan Dupont, NYSDOT Region 4

James Fletcher, Monroe County At Large

Kristen Mark Hughes, Ontario County

Paul Johnson, Monroe County Planning Board

Scott Leathersich, Monroe County At Large

David Woods, Livingston County

ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT

Richard Beers, FHWA, representing Robert Griffith

David Thielman, NYS Thruway Authority, representing Richard Garrabrant

John Thomas, City of Rochester, representing George Stam

Charles Walker, RGRTA, representing Mark Aesch

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED

Philip Brito, FAA

Glenn Cooke, Seneca County

Timothy Hens, Genesee County

Fred Humphrey, Wyoming County

Tracy Logel, Monroe County Supervisors Association

Edward Muszynski, Empire State Development Corporation

Terrence J. Rice, Monroe County

Kenneth Rush, Orleans County

Larry Stid, Rochester City Planning Commission

William Sullivan, Rochester City Council

David Zorn, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council

(Vacant), FTA

(Vacant), Yates County

(Vacant), NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

(Vacant), City of Rochester At Large

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE

Deborah Elliott, GTC Staff

Jason Heremza, G/FLRPC

Richard Perrin, GTC Staff

Rob Slaver, NYSDOT Region 4

Jennifer Spino, Center for Disability Rights

James Stack, GTC Staff

Robert Torzynski, GTC Staff

 

1. Call to Order & Introductions

David Woods, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. Richard Perrin introduced Robert Torzynski, new GTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager. Members, Alternates, and others present introduced themselves.

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 July 18, 2005 Planning Committee meeting; Joan Dupont seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as submitted.

4. Reports and Action on Old Business

a. Reports on UPWP Projects and Other Activities

GTC

Richard Perrin reported:

         The initial draft of the NYSMPO Staffing and Operations Survey materials were received. Passage of SAFETEA-LU clarifies the programmatic requirements and availability of resources required to complete this project

         A memo documenting organization, presentation, and maintenance of the clearinghouse framework for A Rural County Transportation Information Clearinghouse (ARTIC) has been finalized. Compilation and review of in-house resources has progressed and is being incorporated into a larger project of consolidating GTC resource databases

         The proceedings of the NYSMPO and FHWA safety forum have been completed and posted to the TRB website. GTC staff will be restarting work on the Transportation Safety Information Analysis survey of safety information providers

         The LRTP graphic design consultant is revising a draft cover for the Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee Finger Lakes Region: 2005-2025. A final layout and design is expected to be completed by the October Planning Committee meeting

         For the Air Quality Planning and Outreach project, the air quality consultant is developing CMAQ selection criteria that will be included in a comprehensive TIP development and management procedures manual. GTC staff have attended USDOT training on CMAQ funding and regional mobile source emissions estimation. New CMAQ funding requirements include a cost-effectiveness analysis

         GTC staff has notified the county IDAs that have not been interviewed for the Transportation and Industrial Access project and the City of Rochester Economic Development Department that the project is restarting. Summaries of the interviews conducted previously will be provided for review and new interviews will be conducted if necessary

         A scope of work for the Bicycle & Pedestrian Supportive Code Language project was approved at the July 21 Planning Committee meeting. GTC staff will begin work on this project in August

         A contract has been executed with IBI Group for the Greater Rochester Transportation Operations and Management Organization Feasibility Study per authorization by the RGRTA Board of Commissioners. A conference call between GTC staff and the consultant is scheduled for August 31. The project kickoff meeting is scheduled for September 15

         The three studies that comprise the 2004-05 Priority Trails Advancement project are progressing. A public meeting was held for the Lakeville-to-Livonia Trail on August 8. GTC staff prepared a fact sheet on trails impacts on property values and crimes for the Oatka Creek Trail. This fact sheet can be used by others. Draft alternatives have been developed for the City of Rochesters Genesee Riverway-Downtown to Lower Falls Trail and a public meeting is expected to be held in September. The next round of applications will be solicited in the fall but will not coincide with FY 2006-07 UPWP applications

         The On-Street Bicycle Facilities Opportunities Review is progressing with the Rochester Bicycling Club (RBC) expecting to complete the road ratings by October 1

         A critical path schedule and report outline have been drafted for the NYSMPO Congestion Management System (CMS) Study. Logistics for the NYSMPO CMS forum on September 16 have been finalized. GTC Staff is progressing work on the GTC CMS

         A scope of work for the Strategic Plan for Public Transportation in Yates County project was approved at the July 21 Planning Committee meeting

         A draft of Integrating Safety in Transportation Planning as the topic for the FY 2005-06 Transportation Information Resources project is being reviewed

         A draft of the final report for the TIP Management Enhancement Study was received on August 4 and distributed to the TDC for comments by August 12. GTC staff will begin work on the TIP development and management procedures manual

G/FLRPC

Jason Heremza reported:

         The executive summary of the 2004 Regional Land Use Monitoring Report is included in the meeting package and production of the final report is underway

         G/FLRPC staff has met with both pilot communities (Newark and Scottsville) to gather data for an outline for a manual for the Preparing Village Main Streets for Planning project

         A second meeting of the technical committee for the Optimizing Transportation Infrastructure through Effective Land Use project will be scheduled in late September

         The final report for the Regional Atlas is being printed

Livingston County

 

David Woods reported:

         Data collection is complete for the Horizontal Alignment Safety Study and integration of the inventory into GIS is progressing

Monroe County

Paul Johnson reported:

         The final report for the 2004 Monroe County Land Use Monitoring project was reviewed at the July 21, 2005 Planning Committee meeting and recommended for approval by the Board

         Analysis of the count results for the Monroe County Parking Study is continuing and the project is on schedule for completion by the end of 2005

Scott Leathersich reported:

         The consultant for the Ballantyne Road Corridor Study is finalizing the draft alternatives for public outreach with a public meeting to be scheduled for late summer/early fall

         The Pedestrian Activity Safety Study is progressing

Ontario County

Kris Hughes reported:

         The Canandaigua Regional Transportation Study is progressing

         There is no progress to report on the State Rts. 96/318 Rural Corridor Study Phase 2

City of Rochester

John Thomas reported:

       There is no progress to report on the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Concept Design and Implementation Study

       Traffic counts for the Port of Rochester Transportation Evaluation and Support Study are completed and data analysis is underway

       The City is working with the consultant on finalizing the report for the ITS/AVL Implementation Plan

RGRTA

Charles Walker reported:

        Regional Transit Service Fare Modification Study includes RTS and Lift Line. Due to anticipated budget constraints, RTS is looking at improved efficiency and equipment options to control costs. An RFP was issued, a consultant was selected from four proposals, and a contract has been executed. A kick-off meeting was held on August 15. An analysis is expected by the end of October
 

Seneca County

Richard Perrin reported:

         There is no progress to report on the State Route 96/State Route 318 Rural Corridor Study Phase I

Wayne County

James Brady reported:

        There is no progress to report on the Cluster Development Enhancement Project Feasibility Study

Wyoming County

 

Richard Perrin reported:

         There is no progress to report on the Transportation & Scenic/Historic Resources in Wyoming County project

 

Yates County

Richard Perrin reported:

        There is no progress to report on the Route 14A Corridor Study

Other Agencies

         The Regional Traffic Count Collection project is a four-county effort. Ontario County is progressing their portion of the project in-house. Wayne and Livingston counties will meet this month to finalize the RFP for consultant services. Monroe County will restart their counts in September

b.      Any Other Old Business or Announcements

Since the last Planning Committee meeting, GTC has received the following appointments and designations:

         Monroe County At Large James Fletcher appointed to the Committee

         Monroe County At Large Thomas Beck designated as Alternate to James Fletcher

Richard Perrin informed the committee that the TIP has been posted to the GTC website and that hard copies are available to Board and Planning Committee members.

President Bush signed SAFETEA-LU on August 10, 2005. This is the reauthorization of TEA-21 which expired in October 2003. This region will receive approximately $60 million in funds from earmarks. There are programmatic requirements for GTC and new flexibility in schedules for the LRTP, TIP, and Conformity. MPOs now have an increased role in freight capacity. Funding for the Safe Routes to School program will be $1 million per year for each state. FHWA planning funds have been increased, but the impact to GTC has yet to be determined.

Joan Dupont noted that there were many discrepancies in the media coverage.

5. Planning Committee Action Items

a.      Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning Amending the FY 2005-06 UPWP Budget to Reflect the Contribution of Audited FY 2004-05 Rollover Amounts / Proposed Council Resolution 05-21

Richard Perrin explained the process for determining rollover amounts for UPWP Tasks. He noted that since the current UPWP covered two years, GTC could not estimate rollover amounts for the new fiscal year as has been done in the past. The rollover amounts shown on the table represent project balances as of March 31, 2005. Rich noted that several projects have made significant progress since then, including some that have been closed out. This amendment reconciles the budget with actual project status.

Jeffrey Adair moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 05-21; Scott Leathersich seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.

b. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning Accepting the report, 2004 Regional Land Use Monitoring Report, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 5800 / Proposed Council Resolution 05-22

Jason Heremza noted that the executive summary was included in the Planning Committee package and circulated a copy of the full report

Kris Hughes moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 05-22; Jeffrey Adair seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.

c. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning Amending the 2003-2008 TIP by increasing the number of vehicles purchased through and renaming the Lift Line Bus Replacement project / Proposed Council Resolution 05-23

Richard Perrin discussed the resolution and explained the need to amend the 2003-2008 TIP.

Charles Walker discussed the RGRTA review of RTS and Lift Line fleet vehicle mixes.

James Fletcher moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 05-23; Scott Leathersich seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.

d. Recommendations to GTC Board concerning Various Amendments to the 2005-2010 TIP

The Committee agreed to consider 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 05-24

2.     Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by decreasing the total cost of the RTS Bus Replacement project / Proposed Council Resolution 05-25

Richard Perrin discussed Resolution 05-24 and the request for increased preventive maintenance funds. He also discussed Resolution 05-25 and noted that the decrease in the bus replacement amount was due to the lower estimated unit cost per vehicle.

3.     Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by increasing the funding to the Renaissance Square project / Proposed Council Resolution 05-26

Richard Perrin discussed Resolution 05-26, noting that the increased funds were included in the FFY 2004-05 USDOT Appropriations Act.

Jeffrey Adair moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolutions 05-24, 05-25, and 05-26; Joan Dupont seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.

4.     Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by decreasing the total cost of the Route I-490 Highway and Bridges project / Proposed Council Resolution 05-27

5.     Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by increasing the federal share of the I-390 Concrete Pavement Restoration in Geneseo (SR 408 US 20A) / Proposed Council resolution 05-28

6.     Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by increasing the federal share of the I-390 Concrete Pavement Restoration in Rush (Routes 5&20 SR 251) project / Proposed Council Resolution 05-29

7.     Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by decreasing the total cost of the Route 390 Reconstruction project / Proposed Council Resolution 05-30

8.     Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by adding the Route 390 @ I-490 Interchange Improvements project / Proposed Council Resolution 05-31

9.     Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by decreasing the total cost of and renaming the I-390 Reconstruction Stage 1 project / Proposed Council Resolution 05-32

10. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by adding the I-390 Interchange Improvements @ Rt. 15 (Exit 16 Part 2) project / Proposed Council Resolution 05-33

11. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by changing the schedule of the Route 252 (Jefferson Road) Stage 2 project / Proposed Council Resolution 05-34

Richard Perrin noted an error on Proposed Council Resolution 05-33 and distributed a corrected version.

Joan Dupont discussed the proposed resolutions noting that a new air quality conformity determination may be needed. If NYSDOT Main Office requires a new conformity determination, some resolutions will not be presented to the Board in September. This is a fiscally constrained package that should be considered as a whole.

Joan explained that NYSDOT is putting more emphasis on preventive maintenance along with procedures to increase pavement life. It is a more balanced approach to addressing the entire system in the seven-county area with new lower cost techniques.

Joan distributed a table of the shifting federal funds demonstrating constraint and explained the proposed changes to the projects.

Scott Leathersich asked if the capacity issues on I-490 will still be addressed. Joan responded that the most critical areas are being addressed. Others will be addressed as bridges reach the end of their useful life.

Scott Leathersich asked if a single point interchange is still under consideration for Route 390 at Lyell interchange. Joan noted that it was and NYSDOT has already identified the issues to be considered.

John Thomas noted that the City of Rochester supports the project proposals. They would like NYSDOT to give serious consideration to access to Kendrick Road and the University of Rochester campus.

James Fletcher asked if the I-390 slip ramp to Brighton Henrietta Town Line Road is still under consideration. Joan responded that a contract is almost complete and construction is expected to be completed in 2006.

Paul Johnson asked about the gain in useful life with the different techniques. Joan noted that they will get significant improvements with improved savings.

David Woods noted that at the TDC meeting this was a subject of discussion regarding how preventive maintenance and rehabilitation can be better factored into the TIP process. The current TIP development system does not rate these types of projects well.

Joan Dupont moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolutions 05-27 through 05-34, conditional on positive conformity determination; Kristen Hughes seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.

6. Planning Committee Information Items

a. Jackson Road/Atlantic Avenue Intersection TIP amendment request

Richard Perrin explained that the Town of Penfield requested an amendment to the Jackson Road/Atlantic Avenue intersection project. The request was considered by the TDC at the August 4 meeting but there are no additional federal funds available. NYSDOT will cover the increase using state funds with the understanding that the Town, NYSDOT, and GTC will attempt to identify additional federal funds.

Joan Dupont noted safety issues will be addressed in the detailed design phase.

Scott Leathersich added that the Town has worked diligently to reduce costs.

7. New Business

Richard Perrin discussed development of the upcoming 2006-07 UPWP

 

8. Next Meeting

The next Planning Committee meeting will be held October 20 at 10:00 a.m. at RGRTA.

9. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 11:13 a.m.