GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL
QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING
Radisson Hotel
Henrietta, NY
December 12, 2013
GTC BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Jeffrey Adair, Monroe County and Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council (G/FLRPC)
Mark Assini, Monroe County Supervisors Association
Allen G. Casey, City of Rochester At-Large
Mary Pat Hancock, Genesee County (Chairperson)
James Hoffman, Wayne County (Vice Chairperson)
Daniel Hogan, Monroe County At-Large
ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
Marcia Barry, Rochester City Planning Commission, representing David L. Watson
Bill Carpenter, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), representing James Redmond
Jerry Davis, Wyoming County, representing A. Douglas Berwanger
Angela Ellis, Livingston County, representing James Merrick
Tom Goodwin, Monroe County Planning Board, representing Linda A. Faubel
Gerald Gray, Orleans County, representing David B. Callard
Andrea Guzzetta, Rochester City Council, representing Lovely Warren
Daniel Hallowell, New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), representing Joan McDonald
Paul Holahan, City of Rochester, representing Thomas Richards
Donald House, Yates County, representing H. Taylor Fitch
Dorothy Huber, Ontario County, representing John F. Marren
Scott Leathersich, Monroe County At-Large, representing Daniel M. DeLaus, Jr.
Edward G. Muszynski, Empire State Development Corporation, representing Kenneth Adams
Douglas Tokarczyk, New York State Thruway Authority, representing Thomas J. Madison, Jr
GTC BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED
Maggie Brooks, Monroe County
Robert Hayssen, Seneca County
Joe Martens, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Jonathan McDade, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Marilyn Shazor, Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Steven Urlass, Federal Aviation Administration
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE
Joseph Bovenzi, GTC staff
Dennis Judson, Fisher Associates
Esther Leadley, Genesee County
Ken Miller, Wayne County
Richard Perrin, GTC staff
John Polimeni, NYSDOT-Region 4
Christopher Reeve, NYSDOT-Region 4
James Stack, GTC staff
John Thomas, City of Rochester
Robert Torzynski, GTC staff
David Zorn, G/FLRPC
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Chairperson Hancock called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m.
James Stack, GTC staff, called the roll; a quorum was present.
2. Public Forum
No one from the public spoke during the Public Forum.
3. Approval of Minutes
Daniel Hogan moved to approve the minutes from the September 12, 2013 Quarterly Meeting as presented; Paul Holahan seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
4. Communications and Announcements
Chairperson Hancock explained that per the GTC By-laws, the Board must elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among its members every two years with both officer positions serving two-year terms. The last elections were held at the March
8, 2012 meeting. Accordingly, the next elections for Chairperson and Vice
Chairperson will be held at the March 13, 2014 GTC Board meeting. A Nominating Committee responsible for identifying officer candidates must be formed at least 45 days prior to the meeting, which is Monday, January 20, 2014.
Chairperson Hancock stated her intention to form a Nominating Committee of three individuals who cannot be considered as candidates for the positions of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson prior to the end of 2013. This committee will work with Richard Perrin to develop the slate of officers for the Boards consideration at the March 13, 2014.
5. Reports and Action on Old Business
a. Planning Committee Report Scott Leathersich, Chairperson
Scott Leathersich provided the following report:
The Planning Committee met October 10 and November 14 and recommends that the GTC Board:
Amend the FY 2013-2014 Unified Planning Work Program (FY 2013-2014) to accept Federal Highway Administration Statewide Planning and Research Funds for Task 8780 Rochester Area Bike Sharing Program Study; and
Adopt 43 amendments to the 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program (2014-2017 TIP) as requested by Monroe County, NYSDOT, Ontario County, the City of Rochester, and RGRTA.
Additionally, the Planning Committee took the following actions:
Endorsed the Regional Project Priorities List for the 2013 round of the Transportation Enhancements Program.
b. GTC Staff Report Richard Perrin, Executive Director
Richard Perrin provided the following report:
The Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Unified Planning Work Program (FY 2014-2015 UPWP) Call for projects was issued on Friday, September 13. An applicant workshop was held on Wednesday, September 25 at the Henrietta Town Hall. Nineteen proposals requesting $1,222,400 in federal transportation planning funds were received by the Friday, October 18 deadline. There is $1,093,900 available for programming in the FY 2014-2015 UPWP.
The 19 proposals were evaluated by GTC staff based on the information contained in the applications. The submitted proposals, an associated summary, and the evaluation form used by GTC staff were distributed to the UPWP Development Committee (UDC). The UDC met on November 14, 26, and December 5 to review the proposals, discuss additional factors based on their professional judgment, and develop the draft FY 2014-2015 UPWP project list.
The draft FY 2014-2015 UPWP project list will be presented to the Planning Committee at its January 9, 2014 meeting. Based on any changes made at that meeting, an initial draft program will be approved for 30-day public review and a final draft program for Board adoption will be recommended by the Planning Committee at its February 13, 2014 meeting. The Board will consider the final draft FY 2014-2015 UPWP at its March 13, 2014 meeting and the adopted UPWP will take effect April 1, 2014.
The funds that are available to proposals submitted by member agencies and communities throughout the region are the result of GTC being able to meet and exceed federal requirements with only 55 percent of next years Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) planning revenues. Richard noted that a 2010 FHWA report found that slightly less than half of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) were able to meet federal requirements with just their FHWA and FTA funds, and nearly nine out of 10 MPOs used local funds to meet them. GTC staff conducts all federally-required activities and receives no local funds to do so.
Since the September 12 Board meeting, the major work activity for staff has been the development of a strategic plan for the next three FYs (2014-2015 through 2016-2017). The plan will focus on five Key Result Areas (KRAs) that encompass what GTC does and how GTC does it: Strategic Direction, Concept Development, Investment Decisions, Customer Engagement, and Internal Operations. There is a team for each KRA made up of two staff members that regularly work in that area and others chosen randomly, while Richard does not participate on any of the teams. This allows for more open discussion among staff members and feedback from the Executive Director after various milestones are accomplished. Richard noted that staff have been fully engaged in this process and have spent considerable time and effort on the initiative.
Each of the KRA teams has conducted a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (or SWOT) analysis, identified and ranked potential action items to address the SWOTs, and selected Priority Action Items to be advanced. The next steps are to determine the resources required to advance the Priority Action Items and develop a summary document.
c. Old Business
Richard Perrin provided the following report:
As discussed at the September 12 meeting, 14 proposals requesting $10 million, or approximately four times as much as is expected to be available for projects in NYSDOT-Region 4, were submitted as part of the most recent and final round of the Transportation Enhancements Program (TEP). The TEP provides funding for projects that improve and support bicycling and walking. Project selection is made by NYSDOT-Main Office with input from MPOs and NYSDOT regions. The timeframe for this round was much more condensed than previous ones, and did not allow for endorsement of the regions prioritized list by the Board. The Planning Committee endorsed the Regional Project Priorities List for the 2013 round of the TEP at its October 10 meeting and the list was forwarded to NYSDOT-Main Office on October 17. Announcements of selected projects are expected by the end of the year.
The TEP was replaced in Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) by the Transportation Alternatives Program, which combined the TEP, Safe Routes to School Program, and Recreational Trails Program with an approximately 35 percent reduction in total funding. MAP-21 includes a provision that provides direct allocation of TAP funds to large MPOs, including GTC. The estimated direct allocation to GTC is approximately $480,000 per year for FFYs 2013 and 2014. NYSDOT will have approximately $28 million in each of those years for projects located anywhere in the state. A joint call for TAP projects will be conducted by NYSDOT and the MPOs in 2014.
With respect to federal funding, the Senate and House of Representatives were unable to agree on a Continuing Resolution to extend appropriations into the current FFY, resulting in the first partial shutdown of the federal government in nearly 20 years. A short-term Continuing Resolution was passed by Congress and signed by the President on October 16. Key provisions include funding through January 15, 2014 along with a debt limit suspension through February 7, 2014. The Continuing Resolution also incorporates the March 1 sequestration order, and apportions 29.32 percent of that base rate for every appropriated budget account. This results in essentially flat funding levels for the first 107 days of FFY 2014. Any account that existed in FY 2013 but which got zero funding in either the House or Senate version of its appropriation bill does not get funded under the Continuing Resolution; this includes the Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program.
Budget negotiators from the Senate and House of Representatives reached a deal on Tuesday that resulted in a bill that would result in an additional $23.5 billion in non-defense discretionary funding compared to if the Continuing Resolution was extended for the entire year. It also extends sequestration two more years through FFY 2023, provided Congress doesnt pass a bill modifying or eliminating it between now and then. The main item from a transportation standpoint is that offsets for transfers from the General Fund to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) are required in the same year that the transfer is made. The HTF is scheduled to receive a $12.6 billion transfer from the General Fund this FFY.
One item of note is the Update, Promote, and Develop America's Transportation Essentials Act of 2013 (H.R. 3636) proposed by Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, which would increase the federal gasoline tax by 15 cents as proposed by the Simpson-Bowles National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, and then index it to inflation. An initial increase of eight cents would occur this year followed by an additional four cents in 2015 and three cents after 2015, raising the total to 33.3 cents with adjustments for inflation after that.
6. Action Items
a. Proposed Resolution 13-154 Amending the FY 2013-2014 UPWP to accept Federal Highway Administration Statewide Planning and Research Funds for Task 8780 Rochester Area Bike Sharing Program Study
Richard Perrin explained that the current UPWP includes $75,000 of FHWA Metropolitan Planning funds to retain a consultant to determine the feasibility of implementing a bike sharing system in Monroe County and adjoining areas. After the adoption of the FY 2013-2014 UPWP, GTC staff identified an opportunity through a joint New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)-NYSDOT solicitation to obtain funds to conduct the study with an expanded scope. GTC was successful in being awarded $75,000 of funds through that solicitation that will be matched with $25,000 of the FHWA Metropolitan Planning funds currently programmed.
Proposed Resolution 13-154 was reviewed and recommended for the Boards approval by the Planning Committee at its November 14, 2013 meeting.
Mark Assini asked about the applicability of a bike sharing program to this region, the security of such a system, and what the source of funds for program implementation would be. Richard responded that the study would investigate the type of system that would be most appropriate for this region. For example, a public-private partnership could be established to provide resources for implementation. There are several examples of large corporations sponsoring such programs. Bike sharing programs are typically very secure systems; members must register and use a credit card to access the system and the bikes are distinctively marked and stored in dedicated facilities.
Mark Assini added that its unfortunate that the funds could not be spent to improve roads and bridges, and that a bike sharing program should be secondary to maintaining our existing infrastructure.
Bill Carpenter moved to approve proposed Resolution 13-154; Marcia Barry seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
b. Amending the 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
Mary Pat Hancock suggested considering Proposed Resolutions 13-155 through 13-197 in a single motion. No Member or Alternate objected.
Richard Perrin presented the following:
(1) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by decreasing the cost of the STP-Flex Block Program project / Proposed Resolution 13-155
(2) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the Twin Bridge Road over Oatka Creek and Oatka Creek Tributary project / Proposed Resolution 13-156
(3) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the Walnut Street Bridge over Keshequa Creek project / Proposed Resolution 13-157
(4) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by increasing the cost of the Livingston County Bridge Preventive Maintenance project / Proposed Resolution 13-158
(5) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the Erie-Attica Trail to Avon project / Proposed Resolution 13-159
(6) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the Main Street Fishers Bridge over Irondequoit Creek project / Proposed Resolution 13-160
(7) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the Old Mill Road Bridge over Flint Creek project / Proposed Resolution 13-161
(8) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by decreasing the cost of the STP-Urban Block Program project / Proposed Resolution 13-162
(9) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the Jefferson Avenue, Ayrault Road to Route 31F project / Proposed Resolution 13-163
(10) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by decreasing the cost of the Hulberton Road over West Branch Sandy Creek project / Proposed Resolution 13-164
(11) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by increasing the cost of the Route 279 over Oak Orchard Creek Preventive Maintenance project / Proposed Resolution 13-165
(12) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by deleting the Ellinwood Road Railroad Crossing project / Proposed Resolution 13-166
(13) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by deleting the Walworth Road Railroad Crossing project / Proposed Resolution 13-167
(14) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the Evans Road Railroad Crossing (R&S RR) project / Proposed Resolution 13-168
(15) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the State Street Railroad Crossing project / Proposed Resolution 13-169
(16) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the North Street Railroad Crossing project / Proposed Resolution 13-170
(17) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the Portageville Bridge project / Proposed Resolution 13-171
(18) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by increasing the cost of the I-490 EB to Route 590 NB Safety Improvements project / Proposed Resolution 13-172
(19) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by decreasing the cost of the Inner Loop Bridge over Brown's Raceway project / Proposed Resolution 13-173
(20) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by decreasing the cost of the Interstate System Preventive Maintenance (2014) project / Proposed Resolution 13-174
(21) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by decreasing the cost of the I-390 Interchange Improvements @ Rt. 15 (Exit 16 Part 2) project / Proposed Resolution 13-175
(22) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by decreasing the cost of the NYSDOT Principal Art. or Higher Prev. Maint. @ 5 Locations (2015) project / Proposed Resolution 13-176
(23) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by increasing the cost of and advancing select phases of the Route 104 Irondequoit and Webster Bridge Painting (FFY 2016) project / Proposed Resolution 13-177
(24) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by increasing the cost of and advancing select phases of the Interstate 490 Bridge Painting - City of Rochester (FFY 2017) project / Proposed Resolution 13-178
(25) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the Route 441 Prev. Maint. & I-490 Bridges Prev. Maint. project / Proposed Resolution 13-179
(26) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the Route 390 @ I-490 Interchange Improvements Stage 1 (Lyell Bridge) project / Proposed Resolution 13-180
(27) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by increasing the federal share of the State Bridge Inspection (2015) project / Proposed Resolution 13-181
(28) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the NHPP Block Program project / Proposed Resolution 13-182
(29) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the Route 63 (Livingston Co. Line to Rt. 20) Preventive Maintenance project / Proposed Resolution 13-183
(30) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the Route 104 (Preemption Rd. to Rt. 414) Preventive Maintenance project / Proposed Resolution 13-184
(31) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the Route 104 (Rt. 89 to Cayuga Co. Line) Preventive Maintenance project / Proposed Resolution 13-185
(32) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by increasing the cost of the FTA Section 5310 Block Program project / Proposed Resolution 13-186
(33) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by consolidating two City of Rochester Preventive Maintenance projects into the City of Rochester Highway Preventive Maintenance Group # 1 project / Proposed Resolution 13-187
(34) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by consolidating two City of Rochester Preventive Maintenance projects into the City of Rochester Highway Preventive Maintenance Group # 2 project / Proposed Resolution 13-188
(35) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by consolidating two City of Rochester Preventive Maintenance projects into the City of Rochester Highway Preventive Maintenance Group # 3 project / Proposed Resolution 13-189
(36) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by consolidating two City of Rochester Preventive Maintenance projects into the City of Rochester Highway Preventive Maintenance Group # 4 project / Proposed Resolution 13-190
(37) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by consolidating two City of Rochester Preventive Maintenance projects into the City of Rochester Highway Preventive Maintenance Group # 5 project / Proposed Resolution 13-191
(38) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the Brooks Landing Transportation Improvement project / Proposed Resolution 13-192
(39) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by deleting the Vouchers for Disabled Veterans to Ride Lift Line Services project / Proposed Resolution 13-193
(40) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the John Street Extension, Bailey Rd. to Lehigh Station Rd. project / Proposed Resolution 13-194
(41) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the Monroe Co. Camera Deployment & ITS Integration Stage 5 project / Proposed Resolution 13-195
(42) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by increasing the cost of the Downtown Two-Way Conversion Phase II project / Proposed Resolution 13-196
(43) Amending the 2014-2017 TIP by consolidating the Broad Street Preventive Maintenance project and the Broad Street Tunnel East Approach/ Aqueduct project / Proposed Resolution 13-197
Richard Perrin discussed the proposed amendments to the 2014-2017 TIP, explaining the need for each and the offsets and other funding sources that would be applied to maintain fiscal constraint. Richard stated that Resolutions 13-155 through 13-197 were reviewed and recommended for GTC Board approval by the Planning Committee at its November 14 meeting.
Edward Muszynski asked for clarification on Proposed Resolution 13-193 regarding deleting the Vouchers for Disabled Veterans project. He noted that he wanted to ensure no veterans benefits were lost through this amendment. Richard Perrin explained that this amendment did not remove any benefits. Through action of the GTC Board in September, funds for this project were made available sooner than originally anticipated and this program is currently in operation. Bill Carpenter added that a Korean War veteran was the first to take advantage of the program within days of being launched. He noted that this program was proposed by an RGRTA employee and was implemented within six months.
Dorothy Huber moved to approve Proposed Resolutions 13-155 through 13-197; Daniel Hogan seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
7. New Business
a. 2014 Meeting Calendar
Richard Perrin explained that the 2014 Board Meeting Calendar was provided as part of the meeting package. He noted that the Planning Committee meetings are included for the Board members information.
b. NYSDOT proposal to amend the 2014-2017 TIP by adding the I-390 Interchange Improvements @ NY 15A over the Erie Canal [I-390 Phase 3] project / Proposed Resolution 13-198
Richard Perrin reported that per the November 27, 2013 memorandum from Dan Hallowell, NYSDOT-Region 4 Planning and Program Manager, NYSDOT-Main Office will provide $15 million to complete the only unfunded phase of the project: Phase 3, the NYS Route 15A (E. Henrietta Road) bridge over the Erie Canal.
Dan Hallowell discussed the status of the Access I-390 project. He explained that the projects implementation activities are divided into a series of phases (1, 2A, 2B, 3, and 4), and distributed a graphic showing the location of each phase. Phases 1, 2A, and 2B have either been completed or are currently under construction. The 2014-2017 TIP includes funds for Phase 4 but not for Phase 3. However, Phase 4 is dependent on the construction of Phase 3.
Dan explained that he and Robert Traver, NYSDOT-Region 4 Acting Director, recently met with NYSDOT Commissioner Joan McDonald to discuss the projects funding status. NYSDOT-Main Office committed additional statewide funds to implement Phase 3. These funds will allow Phases 3 and 4 to be bundled together so they can progress under a single design-build contract.
Edward Muszynski asked for clarification as to why Phase 4 was funded in the TIP while Phase 3 was not. Dan Hallowell explained it was because Phase 3 was scored as an individual bridge project, and did not rate as high as other bridge projects. Phase 4 was scored as a highway project, separately from Phase 3, and scored very well.
Chairperson Hancock asked for clarification on the sources of funding for Phase 3 and whether it impacts other regional projects. Dan Hallowell responded that funding for Phase 3 would come from statewide sources and would not impact any other regional projects.
Richard Perrin explained that Phase 4 of the Access I-390 project was included in the TIP because it was one of the highest scoring projects submitted for consideration. The Access I-390 projects were submitted for funding from statewide sources with a contingency plan to fund additional projects from a standby list in the event the statewide sources for Access I-390 became available.
Dan Hallowell noted that NYSDOT-Main Office will soon start developing guidance for the next TIP update. He added that the region should continue to identify projects that will respond well to NYSDOT-Main Office selection criteria.
Daniel Hogan moved to approve Proposed Resolution 13-198; Dan Hallowell seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
Richard Perrin acknowledged outgoing Board members Esther Leadley, Dorothy Huber, and Donald House, and thanked them for their service. He then presented Chairperson Hancock with a certificate of appreciation from the Genesee Transportation Council in recognition of her service as Chairperson of the Board from 2010 through 2013.
8. Next Meeting
The next GTC Board meeting will be held on March 14, 2014 at the Radisson Hotel, 175 Jefferson Road in Henrietta.
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:22 a.m.