GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Wayne County Courthouse
Lyons, New York
August 16, 2007
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
James Brady, Wayne County
Daniel Hallowell, NYSDOT Region 4
Kristen Mark Hughes, Ontario County
Paul Johnson, Monroe County Planning Board
Terrence J. Rice, Monroe County
David Woods, Livingston County
David Zorn, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council
ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
David Cook, RGRTA, representing Mark Aesch
Harriett Haynes, Seneca County
Matthew Latko, Jr., NYSTA, representing William Leslie
James Pond, Monroe County At Large, representing Scott Leathersich
John Thomas, City of Rochester, representing Paul Holahan
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED
Jeffrey Adair, Monroe County
Philip Brito, FAA
William Eick, Orleans County
James Fletcher, Monroe County At Large
Robert Griffith, FHWA
Timothy Hens, Genesee County
Fred Humphrey, Wyoming County
Tracy Logel, Monroe County Supervisors Association
Edward Muszynski, Empire State Development Corporation
William Sullivan, Rochester City Council
Charles Thomas, Rochester City Planning Commission
(Vacant), Yates County
(Vacant), City of Rochester At Large
(Vacant), FTA
(Vacant), NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE
Scott Allen, Town of Macedon
Deborah Elliott, GTC Staff
Erik Frisch, City of Rochester
Marvin Kleinberg, NYSDOT Region 4
Richard Perrin, GTC Staff
Kevin Rooney, Wayne County Highway Department
Rob Slaver, NYSDOT Region 4
Robert Torzynski, GTC Staff
1. Call to Order & Introductions
David Woods, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. Members, Alternates, and others present introduced themselves.
Richard Perrin introduced Julie Gotham, the new GTC Assistant Program Manager for Community Transportation Planning. Julie has a Masters Degree in Planning from the University at Buffalo. Prior to entering planning she was involved in product development and will be responsible for managing the development of the UPWP, CAP Program, and Environmental Justice / Title VI activities.
Richard Perrin announced that GTC Assistant Director Jim Stack and his wife are the proud parents of a six-pound, six-ounce baby girl, Teagan, born Monday, August 13.
2. Public Forum
No one from the public spoke during the Public Forum.
3. Approval of Minutes
Terrence Rice moved for approval of the minutes from the May 17, 2007 Planning Committee meeting; John Thomas 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:
There is no progress to report on the Supplemental Professional Services Database Programming project.
GTC staff will reinitiate Strategic Planning activities this fall. Major activities will be to reaffirm the mission, vision, and values that were developed in Spring 2006 and identify current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
The need for the Rural County Resource Development Initiative will be reviewed as part of the UPWP update for the next fiscal year. The intent was to collect and make available information and resources on rural transportation. Much of this information is available via three national websites: the National Association of Development Organizationss ruraltransportation.org, FHWAs Rural Transportation Planning, and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics Rural and Agricultural Data and Information Resources.
GTC staff is working on the redevelopment of the GTC website. The site will feature a Resources page that will include a Rural Transportation Planning component that incorporates these three sites as well as others.
The GTC Board adopted the LRTP: 2007-2027 Update at the June meeting. A RFP for graphic design services will be advertised in the NYS Contract Reporter.
The GTC Board adopted the Conformity Statement for the LRTP 2007-2027 Update and 2007-2012 TIP at its June meeting. FHWA and FTA provided notification of a positive conformity determination on July 30 (including review and concurrence by EPA and NYSDOT EAB).
A summary of the April 5 State Implementation Plan (SIP) local task force meeting was mailed on May 17. GTC is continuing to monitor the development of the eight-hour ozone SIP. At present, the Rochester nonattainment area is not included in the version of the SIP sent by DEC to EPA on Tuesday, August 14. We are likely going to be redesignated as maintenance this Fall. In addition, a court decision vacated a portion of the eight-hour ozone standard regarding classification.
GTC staff is working with NYSDOT EAB to develop a template for completeness determinations for the thirty-five projects in the 2007-2012 TIP that will require them as a prerequisite for receiving CMAQ funds. GTC staff is coordinating with NYSDOT-Region 4 on the schedule for conducting the completeness determinations to expedite them in a timely manner based on various aspects of the projects (i.e., year programmed, existing or new, type, etc.).
Draft reports have been produced for all ten sites for the Transportation and Industrial Access project. Reports for Orleans and Wyoming counties have been finalized. GTC is awaiting final comments from IDAs and Economic Development Departments on the others.
GTC staff is finalizing the transit network for the Travel Demand Model Enhancement project. The consultant has completed the morning peak period and other time-of-day components. The transit network will be incorporated and the base year model will be calibrated. Future year models will then be developed. There may be a need for additional funding for on-call services prior to the start of next fiscal year.
The Bicycle & Pedestrian Supportive Code Language project will be presented as agenda item 5.c.2. on page 18.
GTC staff expects to work with the UPWP Development Committee to develop a scope of work for Planning Committee consideration in November for the Safe Routes to School Program and Site Assessments.
A scope of work for the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Strategic Plan Update will be presented as agenda item 5.f.1. A RFP will be issued with a maximum contract amount of $100,000 as programmed in the current UPWP. Additional FHWA Statewide Planning and Research (SPR) funds for this project have yet to materialize.
The Diversion Route Planning Initiative was discussed at the July Transportation Management Committee meeting. GTC received a draft of a handbook for a similar, but smaller-scale, initiative being developed for Route 17/I-86 in Horseheads, New York.
All four Priority Trails Advancement projects are progressing. The first Steering Committee meeting for the Rochester Erie-Attica Railroad Bridge Project is scheduled for September 13. Data collection and inventory is nearing completion. Data collection and inventory is also nearing completion for the Penfield Irondequoit Creek Stream Corridor project. A meeting of affected landowners of the Caledonia Lehigh Valley Railroad project was held July 24. A letter informing them of the meeting and requesting their participation was sent in late-June. NYSDOT Region 4 and GTC staff will work on developing costs for Right-of-Way acquisition as part of trail projects. The first public meeting for the New York Central Westshore Branch project was held the evening of August 14. A preferred alternative will be developed based on comments received at that meeting.
GTC anticipates finalizing and providing materials for the On-Street Bicycle Facility Opportunities Review project for Planning Committee consideration in October or November.
Data collection for the Pedestrian Facilities Inventory project is complete and is undergoing quality control. A summary document of findings will be developed for Planning Committee consideration later this calendar year.
A public workshop for the Circulation, Accessibility, and Parking Program study in Perry was conducted on July 18. Approximately thirty-five people attended the workshop and alternatives are being developed. A similar workshop is being held on Saturday, August 18 in Hilton with an initial Steering Committee meeting held June 28. Barton & Loguidice was selected as the preferred consultant for the Macedon study and a contract has been executed. A Gantt chart for the project was provided on August 13 and the initial Steering Committee meeting will be scheduled for late-August or early-September. The City of Rochester has contacted GTC staff about starting the Browns Square Neighborhood project.
An updated identification of congested roadways and toolbox of mitigation strategies are included in the adopted LRTP: 2007-2027 Update for the Congestion Management Process.
The scope of work for the Travel Time Data Collection Assessment was approved at the May 17 Planning Committee meeting. A RFP was advertised in the August 13 NYS Contract Reporter with proposals due September 7. This will be key to further enhancing the Congestion Management Process.
A final draft for the Strategic Plan for Public Transportation in Yates County was completed and distributed to the Steering Committee. The second public meeting was held on August 6 and the final Steering Committee meeting to review comments was held August 9. The final plan and an executive summary are expected to be finalized in the next month with presentation to the Planning Committee in October.
GTC received written verification from NYSDOT Main Office on July 20 that $304,000 of SPR funds have been awarded to the Regional Goods Movement Strategy. There are currently $120,000 in FHWA metropolitan planning funds programmed in the UPWP. The maximum contract amount will be $424,000. GTC staff discussed the project at the August 7 Rochester Finger Lakes Regional Development Corporation meeting and expects to begin developing the scope immediately for review by county IDAs, planning departments, City of Rochester economic development officials, and business groups (including the Greater Rochester Enterprise).
Other Activities
The 2007-2012 TIP was adopted by the GTC Board at the June 21 meeting. GTC staff have corrected issues with the document that were raised at the Board meeting such as duplicate costs in summary tables and detail sheets for selected projects.
GTC staff is working with NYSDOT Regions 3 and 6 to ensure that we have accurate information for Seneca and Yates counties, respectively, which are included for informational purposes. Staff expects to have the final document ready for publication in mid-September.
GTC staff will begin development of the FY 2008-2009 UPWP the first week of September with the mailing of the advance notice of availability of funding and the application package during the third week of September.
It is anticipated that proposals for consultant services for GTC staff-led projects and activities will be less than in prior years. GTC staff have large projects currently programmed whose advancement will be an emphasis for the remainder of this fiscal year and FY 2008-2009, including the Goods Movement Strategy, ITS Strategic Plan, and Diversion Route Planning Initiative.
GTC is attempting to identify eligible planning projects by communities in region based on recent requests for technical assistance from GTC staff, and suggestions from member agencies via their communities are encouraged.
A brochure on what MPOs are was developed the NYSMPOs and is available for distribution. If you need additional copies for your communities, let GTC staff know and we will provide them to you.
GTC staff has and continues to ensure that community character and context sensitive solutions are integrated into transportation planning activities. Ten case studies, including ARTwalk in Rochester, have been conducted through a NYSMPOs Share Cost Initiative and the final document is available for distribution to communities in the region.
G/FLRPC
David Zorn reported:
G/FLRPC staff are sending letters to counties and municipalities for the Local Update of Census Addresses - Phase 1 project. Staff will process signed letters as they are returned.
The 2006 Regional Land Use Monitoring project will be discussed later in the meeting.
The LRTP Non-Air Environmental Scan project was approved at the June GTC Board meeting.
Final reports have been delivered to Scottsville and Newark for the Preparing Village Main Streets for Planning project. The development of the guidebook is continuing.
G/FLRPC staff is developing the corridor description narratives and alternatives and continuing outreach to municipal officials for the Optimizing Transportation Infrastructure through Effective Land Use project.
Monroe County
Paul Johnson reported:
The 2006 Monroe County Land Use Monitoring report is complete and is available on the county website. Data collection is continuing for 2007.
The Monroe County Parking Study report has been transmitted to the graphic designer and will be available within four to six weeks.
Terrence Rice reported:
The Accident Rate Database project is progressing well with road classifications included in the final iterations. The final product will be available in a GIS format.
The Monroe County Overhead Traffic Sign Visibility Upgrade study is progressing and is approximately 46 percent complete.
No progress to report on the Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity Study. The project is on hold pending new guidelines from FHWA. Testing is being done in selected locations.
The Safe Passing Zone Survey is complete.
Twelve more locations have been analyzed as part of the Monroe County High Accident Location Program and possible additional funding for the project will be discussed later in the meeting.
Ontario County
Kristen Mark Hughes reported:
The State Route 96 / State Route 318 Rural Corridor Study is underway with Bergman Associates as the consultant. A kick off meeting will be held in September. Angela Ellis will be assuming project manager responsibilities.
The joint CATS/Ontario County Highway facility opened August 10. Kris expressed his thanks to members of the Planning Committee that were instrumental in advancing the project.
City of Rochester
John Thomas reported:
The draft final report for the Port of Rochester Transportation Evaluation and Support Study is still being reviewed internally.
The Neighborhood Traffic Calming Concept Design and Implementation project is still being reviewed internally.
Focus group meetings have been held for the Center City Parking Development and Management project. The inventory of parking spaces has been completed and the survey has been posted on the Citys website.
A scope of work is being developed for the Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Parking and Circulation Study.
The draft final report for the City of Rochester Vehicle Fleet Alternative Fuels Systems Study is being reviewed internally by fleet management personnel. This study was well-timed as the City is using the results as part of the development of the Multi-Agency Green Fueling Stations project.
RGRTA
David Cook reported:
The Market Research for Regional Transit Service project is complete and is expected to be presented to the Planning Committee in October.
The Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan is a FTA requirement. Stuart I. Brown Associates is the consultant and has prepared a draft copy of the plan for steering committee review.
Stuart I. Brown Associates is the preferred consultant for the RGRTA Suburban Transportation Service Study. The study is underway.
The consultant for the RTS/Lift Line Operational Analysis & Facility Utilization Study is assessing potential sites for the relocation of Lift Line.
Field work has been completed for the Facility Asset Management Plan for RTS & Lift Line. The team of Parrone Engineers, SWBR Architects, and M/E Engineering was selected.
A Maryland-based firm has been selected for the RTS Operational Process Study and has conducted a site visit and interviews.
RGRTA Route Analysis is an on-going project for the Scheduling Department and a presentation will be provided to the Planning Committee in October.
Genesee County
Richard Perrin reported:
No progress to report on the Genesee County Safe Passing Zone Survey.
Wayne County
James Brady reported:
The Cluster Development Enhancement Project Feasibility Study draft report is nearly complete.
A public meeting for the Palmyra Route 21 Truck Traffic Study was held on April 28 and a draft report is being developed.
Richard Perrin noted that Monroe County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) comments on the draft Palmyra Route 21 Truck Traffic Study were provided to the Wayne County Planning Department for transmittal to the project consultant.
Wyoming County
Richard Perrin reported:
No progress to report on the Transportation Elements of Scenic/Historic Resources in Wyoming County project.
Other Agencies
Richard Perrin reported:
Two responses were received for the Regional Traffic Count Collection project RFQ. The responses were forwarded to the involved counties for them to select a preferred consultant. Contracts for Genesee, Livingston, and Wayne Counties are being developed by GTC staff.
The draft final report for the New York Route 96 Traffic Signal Coordination Study was developed and received August 6. A final steering committee meeting is being held this afternoon.
The final draft report for the Meridian Centre Boulevard Extension Study is being revised to incorporate MCDOT comments. Presentation of the results to the Planning Committee is expected in October.
The build-out analysis for the Route 250 Corridor Study is being finalized and GTC staff will conduct travel demand model runs based on this analysis.
The scope of work for the Macedon NYS Route 31 Corridor Study will be presented later in the meeting.
A Steering Committee meeting was held July 30 for the Williamson Route 104 & Route 21 Gateway Concepts study. The next Steering Committee meeting will be held September 17 to review alternatives. A public meeting is scheduled for September 26.
A scope of work for the Town of Penfield Bicycle Facilities Plan is expected to be presented to the Planning Committee in October.
Terry Rice reported:
Monroe County continues to conduct supplemental counts under their portion of the Regional Traffic County Collection project.
b. Any Other Old Business or Announcements
John Thomas asked how completeness determinations for CMAQ-funded projects would be progressed.
Richard Perrin reiterated that GTC staff are coordinating with NYSDOT Region 4 and that an initial scan has been conducted to determine the year CMAQ funds are programmed to the project; whether the project is included in the 2005-2010 TIP or new to the 2007-2012 TIP; and the type of project that is being funded with CMAQ funds. This scan was conducted to ensure that those projects that are scheduled first have their completeness determinations made first, that those projects that had other fund sources replaced with CMAQ funds were done before those that did not, and that projects whose completeness determinations can be completed by GTC staff using existing staff information and data can begin while additional information is requested from member agencies for the others.
John Thomas asked what they needed to provide in order for the Mt. Hope Avenue project to be included in the rankings.
Richard Perrin responded that, because that project is traffic flow improvement that is not a roundabout, GTC staff expect to use volume and speed data from the GTC Travel Demand Model to conduct the completeness determination. However, if additional information is available from a design report, GTC staff would be interested in receiving it.
Terry Rice asked if there has been any additional activity on developing a means for tracking the progress and costs of projects in the TIP for discussion by Planning Committee members, similar to this discussion on UPWP-funded projects. Terry noted that this could be a function of the TIP Development Committee (TDC).
Richard Perrin stated that GTC staff now receive information on obligations from NYSDOT annually. Accordingly, comparing actual obligations to programmed amounts by phase is possible but limited as GTC staff only have information for the two most recently completed federal fiscal years. Richard concurred that it could be discussed at the TDC level and that it would be put on the agenda for the next meeting on November 1.
5. Action Items
a. Planning Committee action concerning approving the DRAFT Public Participation Plan for 45-day public review
Richard Perrin noted that SAFETEA-LU included new requirements for MPO Public Participation Plans compared to those in TEA-21 and ISTEA. The SAFETEA-LU Public Participation Plan requirements expanded on those in previous surface transportation bills by requiring the development of the Public Participation Plan in consultation with affected local, regional, and state agencies; including visualization techniques, and making information accessible electronically. The final rule revised 450 CFR 316 and was published in the February 14, 2007 edition of the Federal Register.
The Public Participation Plan for the LRTP 2007-2027 Update was presented to the Planning Committee in January (a month before the final rule was published) and the Public Participation Plan for the development of 2007-2012 TIP exceeded the requirements of the current Public Participation Policy. Both clearly met SAFETEA-LU requirements, including increased consultation, visualization, and information being made available electronically via the GTC website.
Differences between the current Public Participation Policy and Draft Public Participation Plan include:
Specific mention of GTC website in baseline requirements and standards
Inclusion of a second public forum near conclusion of Planning Committee meetings
Convening of LRTP Development Committee
Provision of summary of written comments to Planning Committee and GTC Board for major products
Specific mention of incorporating visualization techniques, as appropriate
Requirements for air quality conformity statements
Each of these revisions codifies what GTC already does for its policy, planning, and investment decision making processes.
Richard noted that both the current Public Participation Policy and SAFETEA-LU require that any revisions be made available for a 45-day public review period. Staff are proposing to conduct the review period from August 22 to October 5 including publishing a legal notice in the Democrat & Chronicle, providing the draft document to county planning offices and NYSDOT Region 4, mailing notices of the availability to comment directly to the agencies consulted with on the 2007-2027 LRTP Update and the GTC Environmental Justice database; and making the full document available on the GTC website.
Kristen Mark Hughes moved to approve the DRAFT Public Participation Plan for a 45-Day Public Review period; Dan Hallowell seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
b. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the FY 2007-2008 UPWP to reflect the reprogramming of FHWA Metropolitan Planning (PL) funds / Proposed Council Resolution 07-24
Richard Perrin noted that Monroe County Department of Transportation requested $7,000 from their portion of Task 4510 Regional Traffic Count Collection that are remaining after that task has been completed in accordance with the UPWP be reprogrammed to Task 6230 High Accident Location Program to evaluate ten additional locations. Funds would move to Task 1600 Program Reserve from Traffic Count Collection and then from Program Reserve to High Accident Location Program as stated in the proposed resolution.
Terry Rice explained that the original intent was to return the funds for reprogramming in the next UPWP. However, work on the project to-date identified the need for the supplemental funds to study additional locations.
Kris Hughes asked if there were other existing projects that have a greater need for supplemental funding or if the proposed reprogramming would limit resources for the next UPWP.
Richard Perrin responded that there are currently funds in Program Reserve as a result of savings from last years GTC staff budget and not fully programming the FY 2007-2008 allocation during the development of the current UPWP. Richard noted that the current rule of thumb is that no more than 10 percent of the current years FHWA or FTA allocations can be programmed to Program Reserve as FHWA and FTA want to ensure that funds are being used to advance projects.
Kris Hughes added that it could be a mechanism for funding other projects.
Richard responded that it is possible, but that the Program Reserve task was created to ensure that there are a limited amount of funds available in the event that an unexpected expenditure arises during a current fiscal year. Richard stated that the UPWP Development Committee could discuss this during the development of the FY 2008-2009 UPWP.
Dan Hallowell moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 07-24; James Brady seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
c. Recommendations to the GTC Board concerning accepting a final project report and technical memorandum and associated materials as evidence of completion of various UPWP Tasks
David Woods suggested grouping the two resolutions together under one vote. The Committee concurred.
1. Accepting the report, 2006 Regional Land Use Monitoring Report, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 4220 / Proposed Council Resolution 07-25
David Zorn reviewed highlights of the 2006 Regional Land Use Monitoring Report.
Terry Rice asked for clarification on the number of permits issued versus the number of units issued in certain municipalities.
Dave responded that the number of permits and the number of units differ because some permits are issued for multi-family residences resulting in more units permitted than permits issued.
Terry and James Pond noted that this could be clarified in the executive summary.
2. Accepting the technical memorandum, Bicycle and Pedestrian Supportive Code Language, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 5510 / Proposed Council Resolution 07-26
Robert Torzynski gave a presentation on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Supportive Code Language project.
James Pond moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolutions 07-25 and 07-26; John Thomas seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
John Thomas requested that information from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Supportive Code Language project be forwarded to the City of Rochester Bureau of Buildings and Zoning.
Richard Perrin responded that GTC would forward the full technical memorandum and fact sheets to the Bureau.
David Zorn suggested that the presentation could be part of a session at a future local government workshop sponsored by G/FLRPC.
Richard responded that GTC staff would look forward to the opportunity to present the results of the project to the local elected officials and planning and zoning board members that attend the workshops.
d. Approval of project recommendations for FY 2007-08 Priority Trails Advancement funding
Richard Perrin noted that, consistent with past practice, the Regional Trails Initiative Steering Committee evaluated the proposals received and met on August 2 to review and discuss the proposals for FY 2007-08 Priority Trails Advancement funding. The Committee is recommending that all three of the proposals received be allocated the funding requested. The three proposals total $75,000 and $117,994 in federal funds is available. The Steering Committee requested clarification and minor revisions on each of the proposals. GTC staff contacted the three sponsors and each agreed to the committee recommended revisions.
James Pond moved to approve recommendations for FY 2007-08 Priority Trails Advancement funding; Paul Johnson seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
Terry Rice requested that MCDOT be provided the opportunity to review alternatives for the I-590 Bicycle/Pedestrian Bypass trail as it will cross county roads.
James Pond noted that Brightons proposal for the I-590 Bicycle/Pedestrian Bypass trail includes crossing Westfall Road to access Buckland Park. Jim strongly suggested that the crossing be considered where MCDOT installed a traffic signal at Barclay Square Drive.
Kris Hughes inquired about the current status of the Lehigh Valley Trail (including direction), irrespective of the current proposal being considered. Richard responded that, to his knowledge, the Lehigh Valley Trail currently runs east-west and that the proposal is for another branch of the former railroad.
e. Planning Committee recommendation and action concerning amendments to the 2007-2012 TIP and the 2005-2010 TIP
David Woods suggested combining all the amendments together under one vote. The Committee concurred.
1. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning amending the 2007-2012 TIP by adding the At-grade Railroad Crossing Improvements Block Program project / Proposed Council Resolution 07-27.
2. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning amending the 2007-2012 TIP by increasing the total cost of the I-390 Interchange Improvements @ Rt. 15 (Exit 16 Part 2) project / Proposed Council Resolution 07-28.
Rob Slaver reviewed the two amendments to the 2007-2012 TIP addressed by Proposed Council Resolutions 07-27 and 07-28, and explained that the first should have been included in the 2007-2012 TIP, but was inadvertently omitted by GTC staff.
Richard reminded the Planning Committee that the At-Grade Railroad Crossing Improvements Block Program project was recommended by the TDC for inclusion in the 2007-2012 TIP.
3. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning amending the 2007-2012 TIP by changing the schedule of the Rochester DES Automated Vehicle Locator/Weather Sensor ITS Project / Proposed Council Resolution 07-29
4. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning 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 / Proposed Council Resolution 07-30
John Thomas reviewed the two amendments to the 2007-2012 TIP addressed by Proposed Council Resolutions 07-29 and 07-30, and explained the need to change the obligation dates because the former project can be advanced earlier and the latter is dependent on emerging technologies that are not fully developed, and will likely be less expensive in the future.
5. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning amending the 2005-2010 TIP by adding the RTS Evening & Weekend JARC Services project / Proposed Council Resolution 07-31
6. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by adding the Enhanced Lift Line Paratransit Service project / Proposed Council Resolution 07-32
David Cook reviewed the two amendments to the 2005-2010 TIP addressed by Proposed Council Resolutions 7-31 and 07-32. RGRTA, in coordination with GTC staff, conducted a competitive solicitation that was advertised in the Democrat & Chronicle, the RGRTA website, and the GTC website. Three proposals were received and evaluated by RGRTA and GTC staff based on criteria that were articulated in the application package. The two proposals that were most responsive to the these criteria were the RGRTA proposals.
Richard stated that the criteria were based on the FTA circulars for the respective programs and that the other proposal was from the Catholic Family Center for the national Ways to Work program. This program provides loans to low-income persons to purchase used automobiles. Richard noted that the RGRTA JARC proposal would cost one-tenth the cost per job accessed and 40 percent less per ride (both FTA JARC Program Measures) than the other proposal. He also noted that encouraging single occupancy vehicle use in older automobiles was not consistent with the GTC Congestion Management Process or responsive to the regions emphasis on improving air quality.
Kristen Mark Hughes moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolutions 07-27, 07-28, 07-29, 07-30, 07-31 and 07-32; David Cook seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
John Thomas complimented RGRTA and GTC on explaining the selection process to both the Planning Committee and TDC on the JARC and New Freedom project selection process, noting that it could be a sensitive topic with only RGRTA receiving funds from these programs this year.
f. Approval of UPWP Project Scopes of Work
David Woods suggested grouping the two scopes of work together under one vote. The Committee concurred.
1. Task 5601 ITS Strategic Plan Update
Richard Perrin discussed the proposed project scope of work
2. Task 7571 Macedon NYS Route 31 Corridor Study
Scott Allen, the Town of Macedon engineer and building inspector/zoning officer discussed the proposed project scope of work.
Dan Hallowell asked about the lack of a land use component in the study noting that projected increases in traffic will result from development that has recently been approved and built in the corridor.
Scott responded that the development is consistent with the Towns master plan that was adopted in 1999 which identified this portion of the corridor for commercial development of the type currently being built
Kris Hughes asked if the county is or will be involved in the study given the potential impact to areas east of the proposed corridor if significant transportation improvements are recommended and implemented. Kris stated that this study could be of regional significance and that any recommendations should be assessed based on impacts on surrounding areas.
Terry Rice asked for clarification on the project limits.
Scott responded that the study area includes NYS Route 31 from the Monroe County line to the western boundary of the Village of Macedon only.
Terry asked whether traffic counts will be collected before or after the Lowes home improvement store opens.
Scott responded that traffic count information will be available both before and after the opening of the WalMart and Lowes in the corridor and that recommendations from the study will incorporate these impacts.
Terry Rice asked if traffic impact studies were conducted by WalMart and Lowes prior to receiving approval to build and if any improvements were identified at that time. Terry stated that any identified improvements could be eligible for federal funds and have an impact on future TIPs.
Scott stated that the traffic impact studies were conducted and potential improvements included widening Wayneport Road north of NYS Route 31.
James Pond noted the location of traffic signals along the corridor and stated that the timing of these could be optimized to improve operations.
Harriett Haynes moved to recommend approval of the UPWP Project Scopes of Work for Tasks 5601 and 7571; James Brady seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
6. New Business
a. Discussion on condition of highway bridges in the region
Richard Perrin stated that selection of bridges for funding through the TIP was raised at the last Board meeting in June by Ed Muszynski of Empire State Development Corporation.
Richard stated that this is of particular relevance given the collapse of I-35W in Minneapolis/St. Paul and that GTC staff and the Planning Committee, in its role, would be remiss if the condition of bridges was not discussed to ensure that we are doing everything possible at the MPO level to ensure a tragedy like that one doesnt occur in the region.
Terry Rice asked what information would be provided to the Board on this topic given the technical nature of bridge engineering and design.
Richard responded that GTC staff would like to discuss that at this time with Planning Committee members, as many of the departments they head or represent are responsible for the maintenance and operation of bridges in the region, to determine what information would be most useful to the Board.
Terry Rice said that an explanation of the terminology is needed as the media has focused on terms such as structurally deficient and functionally obsolete without accurately conveying what they mean in terms of safety.
Ed Walsh explained the process that the state uses to rate bridges, what sufficiency ratings are and that, typically, sufficiency rating decrease approximately .05 points per year without maintenance, rehabilitation, or reconstruction. Further, Ed explained that bridges in the region are in adequate condition compared to the rest of the State and that deficient bridges need work but are generally safe. Ed noted that approximately 60 percent of bridges with a condition rating below 4.25 are programmed for improvement in the TIP.
Jim Brady noted that in Wayne County many of the structurally deficient bridges are already programmed in the TIP.
Terry noted that some county highway departments own and maintain all of the non-state bridges.
Richard stated that in smaller communities (counties and municipalities) there may be federal-aid eligible bridges but that those communities may not be aware that they can apply for funding through the TIP much less have the resources available to manage a federal-aid project.
Rob Slaver explained that a bridge can be classified as structurally deficient but not be programmed in the TIP because the sufficiency rating does not allow for federal funds to be expended.
John Thomas suggested the possibility of having a circuit rider-type position that could assist communities with determining whether or not and what type of improvements could or should be scheduled.
David Woods stated that providing technical assistance to further evaluate bridge conditions and improvements would be useful.
Richard Perrin stated that the issues raised need to be communicated to the Board at the next meeting so that we can assure them to the degree possible at this time that the regions bridges are safe.
7. Public Forum
No one from the public spoke during the Public Forum.
8. Next Meeting
October 18, 2007 RGRTA
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m.