GTC PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Livingston County Highway Department
October 25, 2001
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Joan Dupont, NYSDOT Region 4
Angela Ellis, Senior Planner, Ontario County
Steve Hendershott, Monroe County Supervisors Association
Paul Howard, Chairman, G/FLRPC
Terrence J. Rice, Monroe County DOT
David Woods, Director, Livingston County Planning Department
ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
Rob Slaver, Jr., NYSDOT Region 4
David Thielman, representing William Leslie, NYS Thruway Authority
John Thomas, representing George Stam, City of Rochester
Charles E. Walker, representing Don Riley, RGRTA
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE
Kristin Bennett, GTC Staff
Deborah Elliott, GTC Staff
David Erbland, NYSDOT Region 4
Richard Garrabrant, NYS Thruway Authority
Steve Gleason, GTC Staff
Marvin Kleinberg, NYSDOT Region 4
Brian Lakeman, GTC Staff
Lisa Smith, GTC Staff
Robert Traver, NYSDOT Region 4
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED
John Accorso, City of Rochester
S. William Baker, US EPA
Philip Birto, FAA
James Brady, Highway Superintendent, Wayne County Highway Department
Glenn Cooke, Seneca County
Donald Cooley, Orleans County
Rocco DiGiovanni, Monroe County Planning
Stephen Ferranti, Member-At-Large, Monroe County
Glenn Guarino, Member-At-Large, Monroe County
David Hartman, Superintendent of Highways, Yates County
Timothy Hens, Genesee County
Jonathan McDade, FHWA
Mark Scheuerman, Empire State Development
Thomas Skoglund, Wyoming County Planning Department
William Smith, Monroe County Legislator
Larry Stid, City of Rochester
William Sullivan, Chief Legislative Assistant, City of Rochester
Clara Wallace-Douglas, FTA
(Vacant), Member-At-Large, City of Rochester
1. Call to Order
Paul Howard called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.
2. Public Forum
No public comment was offered.
3. Approval of Minutes
John Thomas made a motion for approval of the minutes from the August 23, 2001 Planning Committee meeting; Joan Dupont seconded. The minutes were approved as submitted.
4. Information Items
a. GTC Staff and Committee Reports
Steve Gleason reported on GTC Staff and Committee activities:
GTC has completed the debrief with NYSDOT to improve and review the TIP process. GTC and NYSDOT staff will present their suggestions for process improvements at the next TIP Development Committee meeting (to be scheduled)
Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) applications are due on November 1. Terry Rice noted that NYSDOT and GTC staff comments on the draft applications are very helpful
GTC is engaged in the development process for the FY 2002-2003 UPWP. Project proposals are due to GTC on November 2. A more detailed update is presented later in the meeting
Congestion Management System development is also underway. A more detailed update is presented later in the meeting
The Regional Trails Initiative officially kicked off with its first Steering Committee meeting on October 16and a press conference on October 18. Public input workshops are scheduled for November 13 (Greece Canal Park), November 14 (Downtown Central Library), and November 15 (Perinton Town Hall)
The Livingston County Access Management Case Studies are progressing in Avon, Geneseo, and Mount Morris. The consultant, Clark Patterson Associates, has completed most of its initial research and meetings with the communities and is drafting the first technical reports
The Gateway Park Road project is nearing completion. A public meeting has been scheduled for November 14, 2001, at 7:00 p.m. at the Livonia Courthouse. [David Woods noted that this public meeting may be rescheduled due to possible conflicts with County budget hearings]
The Amtrak Station Revitalization Study held its first Steering Committee meeting on October 15. A public workshop has been scheduled for October 30, 2001from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the Kate Gleason Auditorium at the Downtown Central Library
The Orleans ARC Rural Transportation Strategic Plan Steering Committee held its third meeting on October 24, 2001. The Committee has developed goals, objectives, and service criteria and has identified potential funding issues
Consultant proposals to provide professional services for the Route 14 Truck Study in Geneva are due on October 29, 2001
Another meeting of the Seneca County Public Transportation Strategic Plan Steering Committee is scheduled for October 29, 2001. The Committee will be reviewing service descriptions and cost estimates for plan recommendations
The kick-off meeting for NYSMPOs Statewide Long Range Transportation Funding Needs study was held on October 15, 2001. The consultant team of Cambridge Systematics and Wilbur Smith has been hired conduct this project. The project is expected to be completed by March 2002. Steve noted that the funding for this project is from a statewide pot of MPO funding and that GTC staff are providing project and consultant management and oversight
Spectra Environmental Group (based in Albany) was selected to provide professional services for the Air Quality Monitor Assessment. Steve noted that the funding for this small project ($7,500) came from contributions from most of the counties in the region and the City of Rochester
Results of GTCs Triennial Federal Certification Review should be available in approximately six weeks for the GTC Board to review and act on at its December meeting
b. Participating Agency Reports
NYSDOT
Joan Dupont reported:
NYSDOT staff has been providing support for UPWP studies that involve the States transportation facilities
NYSDOT staff has been working closely with the GTC on the TIP debriefing
City of Rochester
John Thomas reported:
The I-490/Inner Loop Improvement Project is nearing completion
The City hired Corbin Associates as the consultant for the Center City Way-Finding Sign Update Study. Corbin Associates is working on sign design and location. The Genesee River and Main Street Corridor are focus areas of the study
The Street Condition Rating Study will begin in the winter
Paul Howard inquired about the progress of the Port of Rochester improvements and the Fast Ferry project. In response, John Thomas noted that:
River Street is under construction and the design of the river wall improvements is underway
Design for the street improvements and parking associated with the ferry project is also underway
The City will be renovating the North warehouse as the new ferry terminal; it was determined that the reuse of this existing structure was more cost effective than building a new one. INS/Customs have come to an agreement on several issues and have approved the design for this building renovation, a major step
Joan Dupont noted that the FHWA has separated the Port and Ferry project elements so that the Port improvements can proceed while issues with federal funding for the Ferry project are resolved.
NYS Thruway Authority
David Thielman introduced Richard Garrabrant, the new Division Maintenance Engineer. Richard noted that either he and/or David would be representing the Thruway Authority at GTC Planning Committee meetings.
Monroe County
Terry Rice reported:
Construction of the Woolston Road Bridge has been delayed until next year
Several other TIP-funded projects are in the early planning, design, or construction phase (more details can be provided on specific projects if requested)
The east side of the ORorke Bridge is progressing faster than the construction of the west side of the bridge
Livingston County
David Woods reported:
County staff are assisting the Village of Avon with its TEP application
The Livingston County and Ontario County Planning Departments are working on a joint UPWP proposal
The new LATS Advisory Committee has held two meetings and is working with RGRTA on implementing the recommendations in the LATS Public Transportation Strategic Plan
Ontario County
Angela Ellis reported:
The Countys consultant has submitted the preliminary draft final report for the Routes 5 & 20 Access Management Study. Angela noted there is some concern about how public and Advisory Committee comments have been incorporated in the report
The County has interviewed three firms for design services for the CATS maintenance facility project. Staff will provide its recommendation for a consultant to the County Board of Supervisors in December. The County is ahead of schedule on this project but is expecting some delays with FTA due to the terrorist attacks in New York City in September
Monroe County Association of Town Supervisors
Steve Hendershott had nothing to report.
RGRTA
Chip Walker reported:
The Fare Structure Study is nearing completion
RGRTA has issued an RFP for professional services for the Wayne and Wyoming County Public Transportation Strategic Plans
G/FLRPC
Paul Howard reported:
G/FLRPC staff is developing the draft report and digitizing zoning districts in the nine counties for its Regional Development Analysis project
The land cover classification is complete for the Satellite Imagery project. Staff is now completing map production and a visual/statistical analysis and report
The final data (street centerline and address ranges) for the TIGER/Line File Enhancement project has been delivered to GTC staff
Staff has completed it comprehensive plan review and abandoned railroad corridors database tasks for the Regional Trails Initiative. Staff is completing abandoned rail corridor digitization and bicycle road ratings digitization for this project
John Thomas inquired as to whether City staff have seen the TIGER file enhancement data. Brian Lakeman stated that he and Monroe County staff are reviewing the data. A CD with the data will be forwarded to the City for its review.
c. CMS Working Group Report
The CMS Working Group is meeting monthly and held its most recent meeting before todays Planning Committee meeting. The committee has developed and finalized goals and objectives to guide the CMS; now it is developing performance measures.
d. FY 2002-2003 UPWP Development
The UPWP Call for Projects deadline is Friday, November 2 at 4:30 p.m. GTC staff is available to assist with any questions. The first UPWP Development Committee (UDC) meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, November 14 at 8:30 a.m. at the GTC offices. Copies of all the project proposals and a summary table will be sent out to UDC members the week following the November 2 deadline.
e. Other Announcements
There were no other announcements.
5. Planning Committee Action Items
a. Proposed Planning Committee Resolution 01-7: Amending the 2001-2002 UPWP for G/FLRPC Tasks 4428 and 8520.
Paul Howard reviewed the reason for the resolution for the Committee. David Woods expressed concern about the ability of agencies with more than one UPWP-funded project to shift around funds within those projects. David felt that these funds should come back to the Planning Committee for reprogramming, which may include shifting available funds to other projects.
Joan Dupont noted that some flexibility is needed in the UPWP. Paul Howard suggested the Committee consider developing a Resolution to address this issue. Steve suggested this issue be discussed at the November 14th UDC meeting. David Woods concurred, adding that he would not want the Committee to act quickly.
Steve Hendershott motioned to accept proposed Planning Committee Resolution 01-7. Terry Rice seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
b. Proposed Council Resolution 01-18: Accepting The City of Rochesters Inner Loop Improvement Study as completion of UPWP Tasks 7510 and 7520.
Joan Dupont stated that NYSDOT staff needs more time to review the final report. John Thomas said the City had no problem with tabling this Resolution until the November Planning Committee meeting.
Joan Dupont motioned to table this resolution until the November Planning Committee meeting. Terry Rice seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
c. Proposed Council Resolution 01-19: Changing the Functional Classification Designation of Clay and Gravely Roads in the Town of Henrietta.
Joan Dupont reviewed the Resolution under consideration and distributed a map showing the location of Clay and Gravely Roads. The State is requesting that Clay and Gravely Roads be classified as urban collectors (i.e., added to the Federal Aid Road System) to more appropriately reflect their functioning after construction of a bridge connecting the two roads as part of the East Henrietta Road and Jefferson Road reconstruction project. Within the TMA, the MPO needs to authorize any change to the functional classification system.
There were several questions about the upcoming review of the federal aid road classifications (expected to begin in late 2003/early 2004). The Committee requested that more detailed information on the federal aid road system and the classification process and thresholds be provided in the future for their information.
Joan Dupont motioned to accept proposed Council Resolution 01-19. Steve Hendershott seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
d. Proposed Council Resolution 01-20: Amending the 2001-2006 TIP by adding rights-of-way acquisition phases to the Old Penfield Road Bridge, Lake Road Bridge, and North Street Reconstruction Projects.
Rob Slaver reviewed the projects under consideration, noting that there are no cost changes to the projects. However, action is necessary to add rights-of-way acquisition phases for these projects to the 2001-2006 TIP since these phases were not obligated as planned prior to October 1, 2001. A mail ballot was requested.
Joan Dupont and Steve Gleason noted that FTA suggested GTC consider a rollover clause in the TIP to automatically roll over projects from one federal fiscal year to the next federal fiscal year. This suggestion will be discussed at the next TDC meeting. Steve also noted that the TDC will discuss a funding rescission mechanism for those TIP projects lagging significantly behind schedule.
Terry Rice motioned to recommend Board adoption of proposed Council Resolution 01-20. Joan Dupont seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
6. New Business
Terry Rice informed the Committee about the development of a new Local Design Services Agreement (LDSA). The LDSA is a list of up to 15 pre-screened consulting firms that can be accessed by public agencies for planning and design services (not construction). The LDSA is an attempt to streamline the consultant selection process. The County Highway Superintendents Association is spearheading this effort.
7. Next Meeting
The next Planning Committee meeting will be held on November 29, 2001, 10:00 a.m. at the NYSDOT - Region 4 offices. The next Board meeting will be held on December 13, 2001, 8:30 a.m. at the Radisson Inn in Henrietta.
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.