GTC PLANNING COMMITTEE

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GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING

New York State Department of Transportation Region 4

Henrietta, New York

January 6, 2011

 

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT

Angela Ellis, Livingston County

Erik Frisch, City of Rochester At Large

Tom Goodwin, Monroe County Planning Board

Andrea Guzzetta, Rochester City Council

Daniel Hallowell, New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Region 4

Paul Holahan, City of Rochester

Kristen Mark Hughes, Ontario County (Chairperson)

Scott Leathersich, Monroe County At Large (Vice Chairperson)

Terrence J. Rice, Monroe County

Kevin Rooney, Wayne County

C. Mitchell Rowe, Seneca County

Chuck Thomas, Rochester City Planning Commission

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

ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT

Richard Beers, Jr., Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), representing Robert Griffith

David Cook, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), representing Mark Aesch

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED

Robert Colby, Monroe County

Todd Gadd, Wyoming County

James Fletcher, Monroe County At Large

Timothy Hens, Genesee County

Peter McCann, Monroe County Supervisors Association

Edward Muszynski, Empire State Development Corporation

Henry Smith, Jr., Orleans County

Douglas Tokarczyk, New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA)

Steven Urlass, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

(Vacant), Federal Transportation Administration (FTA)

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

(Vacant), Yates County

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE

Chris Ameigh, Citizen

Eric Ameigh, City of Geneva

Tony Favro, GTC staff

Don Higgins, Livingston County

Dennis Judson, Fisher Associates

Richard Perrin, GTC staff

Jody Pollot, GTC staff

James Stack, GTC staff

 

1. Call to Order & Introductions

The meeting was called to order at 10:03 a.m. Kris Hughes welcomed everyone and Members, Alternates, and others present introduced themselves.

2. Public Forum

No one from the public spoke during the Public Forum.

3. Approval of Minutes

Scott Leathersich moved for approval of the minutes from the November 18, 2010 Planning Committee meeting; Chuck Thomas 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:

          There is no progress to report on the Supplemental Professional Services Database Programming project.

          As part of GTC Strategic Planning, GTC staff are continuing to develop the proposal outline for the Regional Planning Working Group - the development of the draft long range transportation plan is clarifying the topics to be emphasized. GTC staff provided input to AMPO on proposed changes to metropolitan planning requirements in the next authorization for transmittal to the new House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee staff.

          As part of Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Update/Implementation, GTC staff is continuing the development of the next LRTP. The first round of public involvement concluded December 17, 2010. Many of the comments received were in support of continuing to enhance the safety of and expand the bicycle and pedestrian network, doing more to maintain mobility for seniors, and reduce delay at specific intersections. The LRTP will be discussed later in the meeting.

          With regard to the Air Quality Planning and Outreach task, the Interagency Consultation Group concurred with the GTC staff-proposed analysis years to conduct the regional emissions analyses for the LRTP conformity statement at its December 15, 2010 meeting.

          Three proposals were received for the GTC Household Travel Survey Phase 1 by the December 17, 2010 deadline. GTC staff are reviewing the proposals and will recommend a preferred consultant to the GTCS, Inc. Commissioners at their February 3 meeting.

          With regard to the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Strategic Plan Update, the final component of the project, which is the update of the regional ITS architecture, is expected to be completed by mid-February.

          There is no progress to report on the Diversion Route Planning Initiative.

          The Priority Trails Advancement Program consists of two projects. A Steering Committee meeting for the Pultneyville to Marion Trail is scheduled for January 25. The first public meeting for the Route 104 Ontario to Sodus was held December 1, 2010 and the consultant is addressing the comments provided at that meeting, including working with the Ontario Midland Railroad.

          With regard to the Circulation, Parking, Accessibility, and Parking Program, the Brown's Square Neighborhood project is complete and was accepted by the GTC Board at its December 9, 2010 meeting.

          The update of the Congestion Management Plan (CMP) is advancing as part of the development of the LRTP. Recommendations that directly address reducing delay will be noted as such in the LRTP document.

          With regard to the Greater Rochester Regional Commuter Choice Program, the consultant is developing the program capabilities assessment and developing and collecting the necessary data.

          With regard to the Travel Time Data Collection Program, the first phase of data collection on select Minor Arterials and Collectors is complete and was accepted by the GTC Board at its December 9, 2010 meeting. Travel time data collection is complete for the second phase on Principal Arterials with speed limit and intersection verification being conducted.

          Focus group meetings are being conducted for the Coordinated Public Transit/Human Services Transportation Plan Update to complete the inventory of conditions and needs assessment.

           With regard to the Regional Goods Movement Strategy, the stakeholder participation plan has been finalized. The regional economic and freight profile has been drafted with a survey to be distributed and interviews with major shippers and carriers to be conducted this month. The first steering committee meeting will be held in February to gather input on the draft regional profile and discuss associated needs.

G/FLRPC

Dave Zorn reported:

         There is no progress to report on the 2010 Census TAZ Analysis and Revisions project as G/FLRPC is waiting for the release of the 2010 Census data.

         The 2009 Regional Land Use Monitoring Report is complete and was accepted by the GTC Board at the September 8 meeting. Data collection for the 2010 report is underway.

         The Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Inventory of Culturally Significant Areas is progressing. G/FLRPC staff are finalizing the draft document.

Livingston County

Don Higgins reported:

         The RFP for the Livingston County Safe Passing Zone Survey is expected to be released this month.

 

Monroe County

Tom Goodwin reported:

         Data collection for the 2010 Monroe County Land Use Monitoring Report is kicking off with surveys to municipalities to be distributed soon.

Terry Rice reported:

         The draft report for the Monroe County Audible/Tactile Pedestrian Signal Device Study is being reviewed. Project close-out is expected at the April Planning Committee Meeting.

         The final report for the Monroe County Vertical Curve Safety Study is expected shortly.

         The consultant for the Monroe County Sign Inventory Location Upgrade has completed about 50 percent of the work and is currently in the data collection phase.

         There is no progress to report for the Monroe County High Accident Location Program.

         The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Monroe County Accident Rate Database GIS Conversion project has been advertised and proposals are due January 7.

City of Rochester

Chuck Thomas reported:

        The contract for the Center City Tourist/Visitor Circulation and Pedestrian Wayfinding Study has been signed and work will commence February 1.

Erik Frisch reported:

       With regard to the Center City Circulator Study, the city expects to distribute the draft final report the week of January 10. The final public meeting will be held in February.

       Regarding the City of Rochester Urban Trail Linkages Feasibility Study, the draft RFP has been developed and is being sent to stakeholders for a final review.

       With regard to the Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Parking and Circulation Study, field work has been completed and the final draft report is expected to be sent to Steering Committee members in January.

       A contract for the St. Paul and North Clinton Two-Way Conversion Study is expected to be awarded in January.

RGRTA

David Cook reported:

        Five proposals have been received for the RGRTA Suburban Transit Station Study and three firms have been shortlisted with interviews scheduled for the week of January 17.

        There is no progress to report for the RTS Signal Prioritization project.

        The RGRTA Energy Study is complete and was accepted by the GTC Board at its December 9 meeting.

        There is no progress to report for the RGRTA Transit-Supportive Development Guidelines project.

        The RGRTA Route Analysis project is ongoing.

Seneca County

Mitch Rowe reported:

 

         The NYS Routes 5 & 20/414 Corridor Study is complete and was accepted by the GTC Board at its June 17 meeting.

Wayne County

Kevin Rooney reported:

         The draft report for the Cluster Development Enhancement Project Feasibility Study is being reviewed by the Steering Committee.

         The final report for the Wayne County Safe Passing Zone Survey has been received and project closeout is expected in February.

Other Agencies

Richard Perrn reported:

         The Regional Traffic Count Collection project is complete and will be presented to the Planning Committee at the February 10 meeting.

         A Letter of Agreement for the Auburn Trail/Ontario Pathways Trail Connection Feasibility Study has been executed and the RFP is being finalized.

         GTC is awaiting the signed Letter of Agreement for the Irondequoit Seneca Multi-Use Trail Feasibility Study to execute it and will work with the Town to develop the RFP.

         The Village of Arcade Main Street Study is complete and was accepted by the GTC Board at its December 9, 2010 meeting.

         The Dewey Avenue Corridor Traffic Calming Study is complete and was accepted by the GTC Board at its December 9, 2010 meeting.

         The Town of Macedon NYS Route 31 Corridor Study is complete and was adopted by the GTC Board at its September 8 meeting.

         With regard to the Genesee County Central Corridor Plan, the consultant is incorporating final Steering Committee comments on the draft report.

         The final report for the City of Geneva Lakefront/Downtown Connectivity Study will be presented by City of Geneva staff later in the meeting as agenda item 5.b.

         There is no progress to report for the Victor Transportation Systems Plan.

 

b. Any Other Old Business or Announcements

1.      Update and discussion on proposed federal legislation.

Richard Perrin informed the committee that on December 22, 2010, the President signed the fourth continuing resolution (CR) of Federal Fiscal Year 2011, extending government programs including SAFETEA-LU through March 4. This is the sixth short-term extension of SAFETEA-LU, which expired September 30, 2009. The CR maintains funding levels at Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2010 levels. None of the dozen appropriations bills for FFY 2011 have been completed.

The 112th Congress held its first session on January 5. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee staff of the new Republican majority are looking to draft the next authorization for deliberation in joint conference committee with the Senate in the spring. Their emphasis appears to be on ensuring the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund without raising motor fuel taxes. To do this, they are seeking to redefine the national interest in transportation which could potentially reduce highway spending by approximately 20 percent from just over $40 billion in FFY 2011 to the approximately $33 billion and reducing transit spending by a similar percent (~$8.5 billion to ~$6.8 billion from the HTF).

One major issue is a provision in the Rules package for the 112th Congress that House Republicans passed January 5. It is still being considered by the full House. It repeals a clause originally introduced in TEA-21 that does not allow spending in appropriations to fall below the guaranteed minimum spending levels included in the multi-year authorization (subject to revenue aligned budget authority). Prior to TEA-21 in 1998, Congress used the Highway Trust Fund in a sort of shell game whereby balances would be accrued in the Highway Trust Fund which would allow increased spending in other areas but not with Highway Trust Fund monies the federal budget would be maintained even though debt would have to be incurred for spending in other areas.

Paul Holahan asked what agencies should do to plan for such uncertainty.

Rich responded that MPOs are required to program the TIP and LRTP to reasonably expected revenues. The current TIP meets this definition. If there are significant changes in revenues for surface transportation then the TIP will need to be revisited. Furthermore, this regions emphasis on preventative maintenance and not on expansion positions us to better respond to changes in funding levels.

Erik Frisch asked if there was a sliver lining to the recent emphasis on no new earmarks and if this would result in increased funding levels.

Richard noted that many of the earmarks in this region are for projects that have come through the TIP process. Having no earmarks does make the full statewide allocation available to regions. If funding is cut, it may be better that the full allocation is programmed to projects that have been evaluated with respect to overall regional needs.

5.                 Action Items
 

a.      Action concerning approving the Draft FY 2010-2011 Unified Planning Work Program Project List for public review

Richard Perrin stated that the UPWP is the annual program of federally-funded transportation activities to be undertaken by GTC staff, its member agencies, and communities throughout the region. Included in the meeting package on pages 22 through 27 is the draft project list. Projects included in the current UPWP that are not complete by March 31, 2011 will automatically be rolled into the new UPWP.

After allocating the needed funding to the GTC core budget - presented as the first project GTC Staff Activities and funds for the second phase of the GTC Household Travel Survey that were committed as part of the current UPWP, there were over $1.35 million in requests which is nearly double the $699,500 available.

The UPWP Development Committee met on November 18, November 29, and December 6 of last year as well as deliberated via e-mail to develop this program of projects which represents their consensus recommendation to this committee. Richard expressed appreciation to the UPWP Development Committee for their work given how difficult it was given the amount of requests relative to available funding.

Chuck Thomas moved to recommend approval of the Draft FY 2010-2011 Unified Planning Work Program List for public review, Dan Hallowell seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.

Kris Hughes deferred item 5.b. to allow time for Geneva staff to arrive.

6.                 New Business

a.      Discussion on the Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region: 2035

Richard Perrin discussed the first public review period of the LRTP 2035. Comments were limited but focused on increasing safety and recreational opportunities for bicyclists and pedestrians along with providing transportation choices to seniors.

Richard then noted the potential agenda for the regularly-scheduled February Planning Committee meeting and suggested that the committee consider a separate special meeting specifically for the LRTP 2035. This meeting would provide the Committee the necessary time to review and discuss the LRTP 2035.

There was general agreement among Planning Committee members that a special meeting for the LRTP 2035 should be held.

Richard emphasized the importance of the LRTP as it sets the framework for the near-term, including the next TIP, as well as the long-term.

Richard asked the Planning Committee if any members have particular opportunities or issues that they have not raised to GTC staff before but would like to be addressed via the LRTP 2035.

Kris Hughes noted an increased interest in water-based recreational opportunities and the potential connections to the transportation system as well as water-borne freight.

Richard noted the LRTP 2035 will not specifically address implementing recreational opportunities but can address travel and access to recreational opportunities. Blueways have similar needs as greenways such as defined trail heads, parking, and so forth. Ontario County could look to the G/FLRPC Blueways report for additional guidance.

In addition, water-borne freight is being considered as part of the current Regional Goods Movement Study.

5.                  Action Items

b. Recommendations to the GTC Board concerning accepting the City of Geneva Lakefront/Downtown Connectivity Study as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 7601 / Proposed Council Resolution 11-2

Eric Ameigh discussed the impetus for the study, the study process, and major recommendations. Major recommendations included a road diet both a light and heavy diet and creation of a roundabout to slow traffic down and create a gateway. The public suggested a pedestrian bridge, since there was one in the past. This alternative was also explored by the study. Eric expressed appreciation for the support for the study as well as participation by GTC and NYSDOT staff.

Dan Hallowell noted that removing the right turn lanes on Routes 5 & 20 is recommended. Eric responded in the affirmative; the right turns are present on Routes 5 & 20 and have been suggested for removal via the road diet.

Dan wondered if doing so would increase rear-end accidents. He noted that the pedestrian bridge may eliminate the need to remove the turn lanes and limit other changes to Routes 5 & 20 through the road diet.

Angela Ellis recalled during her participation on the Route 14 Truck Study, that NYSDOT was opposed to a pedestrian bridge over 5&20 which may have put pressure on Geneva to look at other alternatives to access the lake and potential impacts to the configuration of Routes 5 & 20.

David Cook moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 11-2, Terry Rice seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.

Terry Rice stated that the Planning Committee agreed to have the TDC review progress on TIP projects and asked GTC staff about the schedule concerning the TIP Status Report.

Richard referred to the TIP Procedures Manual and noted since this was the first time through the process the schedule allows for flexibility and the Manual can be amended as needed. He noted that the Procedures Manual calls for GTC staff to analyze the most recent Annual Listing of Federally Obligated Projects and present it findings to the TDC at its January meeting.

6.                  Public Forum

No one from the public spoke during the public forum.
 

7.                  Next Meeting
 

February 10, 2011 at the Livingston County Highway Department

8.                  Adjournment
 

The meeting adjourned at 11:17 a.m.