GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL
QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING
Radisson Hotel
Henrietta, NY
September 13, 2007
GTC BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Maggie Brooks, Monroe County (GTC Chairperson)
Mary Pat Hancock, Genesee County (GTC Vice-Chairperson)
Paul E. Haney, Rochester At-Large
James Hoffman, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council
Daniel Hogan, Monroe County At-Large
Lois Giess, Rochester City Council
Wayne Zyra, Monroe County
ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
Mark Aesch, RGRTA, representing John G. Doyle, Jr.
Richard Beers, Jr., Federal Highway Administration, representing Amy Jackson-Grove
James Fabino, Wayne County
E. Joseph Gozelski, Wyoming County, representing A. Douglas Berwanger
Daniel Hallowell, NYSDOT Region 4, representing Astrid C. Glynn
Kristen Mark Hughes, Ontario County, representing Theodore Fafinski
Matthew Latko, NYS Thruway Authority, representing Michael Fleischer
Scott Leathersich, Monroe County At-Large, representing Edward Marianetti
David Woods, Livingston County, representing James Merrick
GTC BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED
Edward Barto, Seneca County
George Bower, Orleans County
Philip Brito, Federal Aviation Administration
Robert Duffy, City of Rochester
Linda A. Faubel, Monroe County Planning Board
Daniel Gundersen, Empire State Development Corporation
Brigid Hynes-Cherin, Federal Transit Administration
Pete Grannis, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Tracy Logel, Monroe County Supervisors Association
Robert Multer, Yates County
David L. Watson, Rochester City Planning Commission
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE
Merton Edwards, NYSDOT Region 4
Deborah Elliott, GTC Staff
Julie Gotham, GTC Staff
Ron Hayes, NYSDOT Office of Transportation Strategy
David Lyon, Wayne County
Richard Perrin, GTC Staff
Terrence J. Rice, Monroe County
Robert Slaver, Jr., NYSDOT Region 4
James Stack, GTC Staff
John Thomas, City of Rochester
Robert Torzynski, GTC Staff
David Zorn, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Chairperson Brooks called the meeting to order at 8:34 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
Mary Pat Hancock moved for approval of the minutes from the June 21, 2007 GTC Quarterly Board meeting; Wayne Zyra seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as submitted.
4. Communications and Announcements
Richard Perrin announced:
By her appointment as Acting Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration New York Division, Amy Jackson-Grove is a non-voting GTC member.
Thruway Authority Executive Director, Michael Fleischer has designated Matthew Latko as an alternate to the GTC Board.
Richard Beers announced that Jeff Kolb has been hired to replace Robert Arnold at the Federal Highway Administration New York Division.
5. Reports and Action on Old Business
a. Planning Committee Report David Woods, Chairman
David Woods provided the following report:
The Planning Committee met August 16th and recommends that the GTC Board:
Amend the current Unified Planning Work Program to reflect the reprogramming of FHWA Metropolitan Planning funds
Accept the report, 2006 Regional Land Use Monitoring Report, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 4220
Accept the technical memorandum, Bicycle and Pedestrian Supportive Code Language, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 5510
Adopt four amendments to the 2007-2012 Transportation Improvement Program as requested by NYSDOT and the City of Rochester, and adopt two amendments to the 2005-2010 Transportation Improvement Program as requested by RGRTA
Additionally, the Planning Committee took the following actions:
Approved the DRAFT Public Participation Plan for 45-day public review
Approved three projects for Priority Trails Advancement funding
Approved scopes of work for UPWP tasks to be conducted by the Town of Macedon and GTC staff
b. GTC Staff Report Richard Perrin, Executive Director
Richard Perrin provided the following report:
Staff have completed editorial reviews of the Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region: 2007-2027 Update (LRTP: 2007-2027 Update) and 2007-2012 Transportation Improvement Program (2007-2012 TIP) and both of which were adopted at the June 21 meeting. The errors in the combined table of contents and summary index noted at that meeting have been corrected. The design and printing of both documents is progressing.
The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration issued a positive Air Quality Conformity Determination for the LRTP: 2007-2027 Update and 2007-2012 TIP on July 30. This was done with review and concurrence by the Environmental Protection Agency and NYSDOT Environmental Analysis Bureau.
As noted by Planning Committee Chairman Woods, the Draft Public Participation Plan is available for public review and comment. The 45-day public review period began August 22 and ends October 5. This plan is an update to the current GTC Public Participation Policy. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) included new requirements. Both the 2007-2012 TIP and LRTP: 2007-2027 Update public participation processes met these requirements. Notice of availability of the document was published via legal notice in the Democrat & Chronicle and the document is available at the GTC, NYSDOT, and county planning offices as well as the central repository libraries of the counties in the Rochester Transportation Management Area (TMA).
The Call for Projects for the FY 2008-2009 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) will be issued Friday, September 21. An advance notice was sent to the nine counties and 192 municipalities in the region on September 7. Approximately $900,000 will be available for planning studies in the region. In addition, staff are continuing to advance other planning activities per the current UPWP.
On July 20, GTC received verification that $304,000 in Statewide Planning and Research funds have been allocated to the Regional Goods Movement Strategy project.
c. Old Business
At the June 21 Board meeting, Empire State Development Corporation representative Ed Muzsynski asked that a presentation on how bridges are selected for inclusion in the TIP be provided to the Board.
Due to the collapse of the I-35 West Bridge in Minnesota, GTC staff, through the Planning and TIP Development Committees, have discussed steps that can be taken to help ensure that a tragedy like the one in Minnesota doesnt occur in this region. A discussion on bridges in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region is agenda item 7.a.
6. New Business
a. Amending the FY 2007-2008 UPWP to reflect the reprogramming of FHWA Metropolitan Planning (PL) funds - Action on Proposed Resolution 07-24
Richard Perrin explained that the Monroe County Department of Transportation has requested this resolution and has realized $7,000 in savings in its portion of the Regional Traffic Count Collection task. They have also identified ten additional locations that can be studied as part of the High Accident Location Program task. They are proposing to transfer the $7,000 in savings from the Regional Traffic Count Collection task to the High Accident Location Program to study these locations.
The Planning Committee recommended this amendment for Board approval at its August 16 meeting.
Scott Leathersich moved to approve Resolution 07-24; Dan Hogan seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
Chairperson Brooks suggested that Resolutions 07-25 and 07-26 be considered under one motion. The Board concurred.
b. Accepting a final project report and technical memorandum and associated materials as evidence of completion of various UPWP Tasks
(1) Accepting the report, 2006 Regional Land Use Monitoring Report, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 4220 - Action on Proposed Resolution 07-25
Richard Perrin explained that this annual report, produced by the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council (G/FLRPC), is a survey of building permits issued by municipalities in the region that assists in identifying future development and likely impacts on transportation systems. As in previous years, the largest numbers of residential permits were issued in Webster, Henrietta, and Greece. The largest numbers of commercial and industrial permits were issued in the Rochester TMA counties.
A full report is available from G/FLRPC in hard copy and on their website.
(2) Accepting the technical memorandum, Bicycle and Pedestrian Supportive Code Language, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 5510 Action on Proposed Resolution 07-26
Richard Perrin noted that the Executive Summary and five fact sheets are provided on pages 41 through 51 of the meeting package. This task was conducted by GTC staff with assistance from G/FLRPC staff. The objective was to identify noteworthy examples of zoning code and site planning language that can be incorporated by municipalities to improve safety and access for bicyclists and pedestrians. Examples were taken from municipalities in the region and other parts of New York State to ensure their applicability. Based on a survey of planning directors, the topics identified for study as part of the project were:
1. Sidewalks adjacent to both new and existing development
2. Provision of bicycle parking
3. Design and location of parking lots
To provide the information in a format useful to local officials, the fact sheets and an associated presentation were developed by GTC staff.
The Planning Committee recommended these studies for Board approval at its August 16 meeting.
Mary Pat Hancock moved to approve Resolutions 07-25 and 07-26; Dan Hogan seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
Chairperson Brooks suggested that Resolutions 07-27 and 07-28 be considered under one motion. The Board concurred.
c. Adopting amendments to the 2007-2027 Transportation Improvement Program and 2005-2010 Transportation Improvement Program
(1) Amending the 2007-2012 TIP by adding the At-grade Railroad Crossing Improvements Block Program project Action on Proposed Resolution 07-27
Richard Perrin explained that both amendments were requested by NYSDOT.
Resolution 07-27 adds the at-grade railroad crossing improvements block program project. Individual at-grade railroad crossing improvements are included in the 2007-2012 TIP. The block program is intended to fund relatively small improvements identified in the future without requiring individual TIP amendments. This project was inadvertently omitted from the draft TIP presented at the June 21, 2007 Board meeting.
(2) Amending the 2007-2012 TIP by increasing the total cost of the I-390 Interchange Improvements @ Rt. 15 (Exit 16 Part 2) project Action on Proposed Resolution 07-28
Richard Perrin explained that Resolution 07-28 increases the cost of the I-390 interchange improvements at West Henrietta Road project. The Construction cost included in the 2007-2012 TIP is lower than it should have been and lower than programmed in the previous TIP. This amendment reconciles the project amount with what originally was required and agreed upon for the project.
Mark Aesch moved to approve Resolutions 07-27 and 07-28; Wayne Zyra seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
Paul Haney asked the schedule for the I-390 project.
Dan Hallowell noted that construction is scheduled for 2010 and 2011.
Chairperson Brooks suggested that Resolutions 07-29 and 07-30 be considered under one motion. The Board concurred.
(3) Amending the 2007-2012 TIP by changing the schedule of the Rochester DES Automated Vehicle Locator/Weather Sensor ITS Project Action on Proposed Resolution 07-29
(4) Amending the 2007-2012 TIP by adding a phase to and changing the schedule of the Rochester Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Charging Stations/Vehicle Expansion Project Action on Proposed Resolution 07-30
Richard Perrin explained that the amendments are interrelated. Both projects are programmed with Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds. To maintain fiscal constraint for each and every year in the TIP, the City is proposing to switch the years that the projects would receive funding. The change is requested because the City has modified their priorities and anticipates that plug-in hybrid vehicle charging technologies will continue to drop in price resulting in cost savings.
Lois Giess moved to approve Resolutions 07-29 and 07-30; Dan Hogan seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
Chairperson Brooks suggested that Resolutions 07-31 and 07-32 be considered under one motion. The Board concurred.
(5) Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by adding the RTS Evening & Weekend JARC Services project Action on Proposed Resolution 07-31
Richard Perrin explained that both amendments are requested by RGRTA.
Resolution 07-31 provides Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) funds for the continuation of routes that provide service on evenings and weekends for Rochester residents to and from employment opportunities in Greece, Henrietta, Ogden, Perinton, and Sweden.
(6) Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by adding the Enhanced Lift Line Paratransit Service project Action on Proposed Resolution 07-32
Richard Perrin explained that Resolution 07-32 programs New Freedom funds to expand service for physically-challenged individuals beyond Americans with Disabilities Act requirements via additional paratransit service.
The availability of both JARC and New Freedom programs funds were advertised in the Democrat & Chronicle and on the RGRTA and GTC websites. Only three applications were received; two for JARC and one for New Freedom. All three applications were evaluated based on criteria that addressed the individual performance measures as stated in the official FTA circulars for the respective programs and considered by the TIP Development and Planning Committees.
Dan Hogan moved to approve Resolutions 07-31 and 07-32; Wayne Zyra seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
Joe Gozelski asked if there has been a study demonstrating the necessity for night and evening service.
Richard Perrin noted that funds are split between urban and non-urban areas. There is a JARC plan for the Rochester area. A coordinated public transportation-human services transportation plan is approximately ninety percent complete and was delayed until FTA issued final guidance.
Mark Aesch added that RTS has been providing JARC service for several years at approximately 150,000 rides annually.
7. Any Other New Business
a. Information item: Status report on bridges in the region
Richard Perrin discussed the memorandum regarding the status report on bridges in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region that was included in the meeting package.
Dan Hogan asked if the Council thought the inspections are sufficient.
Richard Perrin responded that is what we want to examine. Inspections meet Federal guidelines and New York State inspections are even more stringent. The media uses the terms Functionally Obsolete and Structurally Deficient without providing definitions. These terms do not mean the bridge is unsafe.
Richard Perrin reviewed the layers of evaluation, ratings, flags, and sufficiency. The reports do not show the region has unsafe bridges. We want to determine if we are missing something. We have said all eligible bridges that have been submitted for TIP funding are funded, but what we dont know is whether all eligible bridges are being submitted.
Dan Hogan asked if the canal bridges were included. Richard responded yes.
Mary Pat Hancock asked if the railroad bridges were inspected by NYSDOT and are included in the reports. Richard noted that all railroad bridges are inspected.
Merton Edwards responded that some railroad bridges were inspected by NYSDOT and some were inspected by the railroads depending on who owns them. NYSDOT inspection reports are readily available. NYSDOT has to work with individual railroads to get their inspection reports.
Mary Pat Hancock asked what percentage of the railroad bridges were inspected by NYSDOT. Merton did not have the specific percentages of bridges inspected by NYSDOT and the railroads on hand.
Mary Pat Hancock stated that this could be a concern that needs to be addressed and improved upon.
Richard Perrin discussed the idea of an ad-hoc committee to work with the railroads to look into that and also to reach outlying counties to generate bridge applications.
Joe Gozelski asked if the railroads use the same inspection process. Merton stated that he does not know what the inspections show but they have to meet federal standards and certify that the bridges meet standards.
Dan Hogan asked if it was possible to get a list.
Merton responded that it would be a long process. This is not something that is asked for routinely.
Paul Haney asked about the status of the Smith Street Bridge based on the recent inspection.
Paul Holohan noted that no additional issues have been identified. Although of a similar design, it has more redundancy than the one in Minnesota. The design for the upcoming project was able to address concerns from previous inspections.
Richard Perrin noted that the project was unique in that funding was precluded based on a federal sufficiency rating which prevented the City from advancing sooner.
Richard Beers clarified the sufficiency rating; less than 50 is eligible for replacement, 50 to 80 is eligible for rehabilitation unless it is more cost effective to replace.
John Thomas noted that there was also an issue with a safety repair that replaced a pin on the Smith Street bridge based on concerns with design which triggered a rule that precludes using federal funds for further investments for 10 years.
Merton Edwards informed the Board that the Smith Street inspection would be completed this week. The Irondequoit Bay Bridge was given a yellow flag and potential repairs are being identified.
8. Next Meeting
The next GTC Board meeting will be held Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. at the Radisson Hotel in Henrietta.
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.