GTC PLANNING COMMITTEE
Ontario County Municipal Building
January 15, 2004
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
James Brady, Wayne County
Joan Dupont, NYSDOT
Richard Garrabrant, NYS Thruway Authority
Paul Johnson, Monroe County Planning Board
Kristen Mark Hughes, Ontario County
Terrence J. Rice, Monroe County
David Woods, Livingston County
David Zorn, G/FLRPC
ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
David Cook, representing Donald Riley, RGRTA
Harriett Haynes, representing Glenn Cooke, Seneca County
Scott Leathersich, representing Stephen Ferranti, Monroe County At Large
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE
Deborah Elliott, GTC Staff
Erik Frisch, GTC Staff
Steve Gleason, GTC Staff
Richard Perrin, GTC Staff
James Stack, GTC Staff
William Wright, Ontario County Highway Department
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED
Philip Brito, FAA
Donald Cooley, Orleans County
Robert Griffith, FHWA
Timothy Hens, Genesee County
Charles Nesbitt, Jr., Empire State Development Corporation
George Stam, City of Rochester
Larry Stid, City of Rochester Planning Commission
William Sullivan, Rochester City Council
Clara Wallace-Douglas, FTA
(Vacant), Monroe County Supervisors Association
(Vacant), NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation
(Vacant), Wyoming County
(Vacant), Yates County
Wayne Zyra, Monroe County
1. Call to Order
David Woods called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.
Mr. Woods congratulated Steve Gleason on his new position and thanked him for his leadership.
2. Public Forum
No public comment was offered.
3. Approval of Minutes
Terrence Rice moved for approval of the minutes from the November 20, 2003 Planning Committee meeting; David Zorn seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
4. Reports and Action on Old Business
a. Reports on UPWP Projects and Other Activities
GTC
Steve Gleason reported:
The Rural County Resource Development Initiative work plan will be reviewed so staff can proceed
An update on the Long Range Transportation Plan will be presented later in the meeting
An update on Air Quality Planning and Outreach will be presented later in the meeting
A scope of work is being developed for Transportation and Industrial Access Phase 2 to procure professional services to review access issues and offer concept-level recommendations for the regions high priority industrial sites
The Regional Rights-Of-Way Preservation Study is progressing using New York State orthoimagery files to estimate widths of rights-of-way; the rights-of-way will then be classified by their potential transportation uses
The Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Study conference was cancelled due to the small number of registrations. As a substitute, forums will be held in February. A Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for January 29
The Priority Trails Advancement project has three sub-projects. The first public meeting for the Auburn Corridor project was held December 11. The next stakeholder meeting will be at the end of January. The final public meeting is anticipated in February. The final public meeting for the Canandaigua Rail with Trail project was held December 8. The consultant is incorporating the public comments into the draft alternatives for stakeholder review. The next stakeholder meeting is anticipated in late January. The consultant is drafting a report for the two City of Rochester neighborhood connector trails. The City is targeting the end of February for completion. All three projects are expected to come before the Planning Committee for recommendation to the Board in April
Staff is finalizing the scope of work for the On-Street Bicycle Facility Opportunities Review
Staff is in the middle of the public review period for the Regional Trails Initiative Phase 2. Eight public meetings have been scheduled throughout the region and five have already been held. The full public review package is available at the county planning offices and central repository libraries in the project area as well as through the GTC website. The Steering Committee will review any comments received and is scheduled to meet February 5.
The TIP Management Enhancement Study contract is currently being reviewed by the consultant
G/FLRPC
David Zorn reported:
Data for the Regional Development Projections is being gathered; the test County is complete. The methodology will be reviewed by the G/FLRPC Planning Coordination Committee at their next meeting on February 6.
The Regional Population Forecasts were accepted by the G/FLRPC Board at its January meeting. The report is available on the G/FLRPC website
Staff began data collection for the Rural County Land Use Monitoring Report last week
The narrative, definitions, and layout for the Regional Atlas are under review
Monroe County
Paul Johnson reported:
Surveys have been sent to municipalities for the Monroe County Land Use Monitoring report. Responses are expected by the end of February
Staff conducted field surveys over the holiday peak period and data continues to be processed for the Monroe County Parking Study. This project is a potential rollover situation as there are seasonal land uses not captured last summer that are desired for inclusion in the study
Terry Rice reported:
The County legislature approved the consultant contract for the Monroe County Traffic Count Collection in December. Data collection will begin in Spring 2004
Staff is still verifying the monuments for the GIS Database Integration for Monroe County DOT project. So far 1,500 survey monuments have been verified. The consultant is developing computer routines for data retrieval
Legislative approval of the contract for the Pedestrian Activity Safety Study will be sought in March 2004, work will begin soon thereafter
The consultant scope and fee is being negotiated for the Ballantyne Road Corridor Study. Legislative approval of the contract will be sought in April
Ontario County
Kris Hughes reported:
Phase 1 of the Route 332 Corridor Management Study is nearly complete; a meeting was held January 6 to identify steps to complete Phase 1 and to review expectations for Phase 2. The scope and schedule for Phase 2 is being refined
Work is proceeding on the Routes 5 & 20 Corridor Study as scheduled
The first focus group for the Canandaigua Regional Transportation Study was held on January 14. It related to economic development and tourism. Additional focus groups will be held in the coming months
City of Rochester
Steve Gleason reported:
No change has been reported on the Street Condition Rating Update Study
A Project Advisory Committee meeting for the Highland Park/Canalway Neighborhood Connector Trail Study was held on December 8
The High Volume Bus Stop Pavement Management Study final report was approved by the GTC Board at the December 2003 meeting
RGRTA
David Cook reported:
The Transit Focus Group Study is complete; the project is expected to come before the Planning Committee in February for recommendation to the Board
RGRTA and the City of Rochester met to review the ITS Implementation Plan, an RFP will be finalized soon
The Gates-Chili Transit Study was conceived in order to serve the growing population in that area. Since that time, new service has been introduced in the Gates-Chili area. RGRTA will re-examine the purpose of this study
The RFP for the Job Access Reverse Commute plan is being finalized
The RFP for the Security and Safety Plan for Public Transportation had been finalized. However, Seneca County has since joined the Authority and RGRTA would like to add Seneca County to the project scope
Harriett Haynes moved to add Seneca County to the scope of the Security and Safety Plan for Public Transportation; David Cook seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
The Route Analysis Information System is expected to be complete in February
No change has been reported on the Alternative Fuels Technology Study
Wyoming County
Steve Gleason reported:
GTC staff is working with the consultant to revise the initial recommendations for the Transportation & Scenic/Historic Resources in Wyoming County project. The project will be delayed due to the elimination of the County Planner position in Wyoming County and the closure of the consultants Western New York office
Yates County
Steve Gleason reported:
GTC Staff will provide comments on the draft Alternatives for the Route 14A Corridor Study to the consultant by the end of the month
Other Agencies
Steve Gleason reported:
The Steering Committee for the Conesus Transportation and Safety Management Plan met December 7 to review the draft recommendations and draft How-To Guidebook. Their next meeting is scheduled for February 4
The Town of Brighton and the consultant are making revisions to the Monroe Avenue/I-590 Interchange Study final report based on comments from GTC and NYSDOT
The Lexington Avenue Extension Study was approved by the GTC Board at the December 2003 meeting
b. Any Other Old Business or Announcements
No old business or announcements were reported.
1. Planning Committee Action Items
a. Planning Committee Action concerning the FY 2004-05 & 2005-06 Unified Planning Work Program Draft Public Review Document
Jim Stack, GTC Staff, noted that the next UPWP will cover a two-year period from April 1, 2004 through March 31, 2006.
The meeting package includes two documents. The first provides financial details on the suggested balanced program for Planning Committee reference. The second is the Draft Public Review Document, which focuses on the project purpose.
Jim reviewed the UPWP development process to date. He noted that the recommended program consists of both continuing and new projects.
Jim stated that, pending approval by the Planning Committee today, the Draft Public Review Document will be released for a 30-day public review period from Monday January 19 through Tuesday February 17.
It is anticipated that the Planning Committee will recommend a draft Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) to the GTC Board at its February 19, 2004 meeting. It is anticipated that the GTC Board will act on the Planning Committee recommendation at its March 11, 2004 meeting.
Terry Rice requested that the Regional Traffic Count Collection be administered through individual agreements by the four counties conducting the study and that this arrangement along with the $5,000 in-kind contribution by each county be noted in the document. Steve Gleason responded that these details can be incorporated into the draft UPWP and do not need to be part of the Draft Public Review Document.
Terry Rice asked who would be managing the Strategic Plan for Public Transportation - Yates County project given that there is no County Planner in Yates County. Steve Gleason responded that Yates County proposed that GTC manage this project and there is $7,500 included for GTC Staff in the project budget.
Terry Rice asked if the Region-Wide Pavement Management System project did not receive funding due to an unsuccessful prior attempt at standardizing the regions various pavement-scoring mechanisms. Joan Dupont responded that the project merely did not receive enough votes to make the UPWP.
Richard Garrabrant asked whether GTC had examined an increased level of funding based on pending Federal legislation. Steve Gleason responded that current estimates are calling for a 1.5% share of the budget. However with the increasing number of MPOs in the nation, it is difficult to identify what the GTC share would be until the final bill is passed. Steve noted that the UPWP is based on a flat line projection of current revenue.
David Woods moved to approve the FY 2004-05 & 2005-06 UPWP Public Review Document for a 30-day public review; Joan Dupont seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
b. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Accepting the report, Regional Population Forecasts, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 5230 / Proposed Council Resolution 04-2
Steve Gleason explained the Proposed Council Resolution. He noted the Planning Committee was given a presentation in November but did not take formal action since the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council had not yet adopted the Forecasts.
Joan Dupont moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 04-2; David Cook seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
6. Planning Committee Information Items
a. Long Range Transportation Plan Update
Rich Perrin, GTC Staff, updated the Committee on progress made in the development of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The following is a summary of recent actions and next steps:
The first round of public comment on the LRTP concerning issues and opportunities facing the nine-county region concluded on December 31, 2003. This round included six public meetings and the acceptance of written comments via mail, fax, and a dedicated Internet comment form on the GTC website. A summary of the issues and opportunities was prepared and will be posted to the GTC website shortly.
Five principal themes emerged from this first round of comment:
1. Economic development and job creation is the number one priority
2. Transportation facilities serve as gateways to the region and, as such, are integral to community character and identity
3. Mobility for the physically challenged and seniors will take on even greater importance over the next 20 years
4. Access to medical services is undergoing significant change due to closings and consolidation of facilities, with major impacts for the regions residents
5. The need to balance regional objectives with local priorities will continue to be a major determinant of quality of life and economic success
Staff will be organizing six focus groups (two per day at three locations) of approximately 10 participants each in February 2004 to convene professionals from various disciplines to determine transportations role and associated alternatives to improve the social and economic vitality of the region; Committee members will be invited as participants as well as contacted to identify additional participants for the focus groups
Staff is developing an Environmental Justice survey to identify transportation issues and needs affecting low-income and minority persons groups not traditionally well-represented in the transportation planning process as well as to determine how GTC can better involve these persons in the development of the LRTP, as well as other GTC programs and projects
Staff will begin identifying the universe of transportation alternatives that have the potential to meet the issues and capitalize on the opportunities of the region. Staffs initial compilation will be provided to the Planning Committee for review, comment, and revision before being taken to the public via the second round of six public meetings in Spring 2004.
b. Air Quality Update
Rich Perrin, GTC Staff, informed the Planning Committee that the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) received a letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December 3, 2003 stating that EPA intends to modify Governor Patakis recommended designation for the six-county Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) from unclassifiable to nonattainment.
EPA has provided NYSDEC with the opportunity to comment by February 6, 2004 per federal regulations, only New York States comments are required to be considered by EPA prior to promulgation of final designations on or before April 15, 2004.
Per the GTC Executive Committee meeting of December 30, 2003, Staff has drafted letters to Governor Pataki, NYSDEC Commissioner Crotty, and our federal elected officials urging their continued support in obtaining an unclassifiable designation. The letters are currently out for review by the chief elected officials of the six MSA counties and the City of Rochester. Rich Perrin will be visiting the chief elected officials to obtain their signatures, with the goal of mailing the letters by the end of next week.
David Woods inquired about Staffs efforts to arrange a meeting between the chief elected officials of the MSA and Commissioner Crotty, as instructed by the Executive Committee. Rich Perrin responded that, given the difficulties associated in finding a mutual time for the chief elected officials to attend such a meeting in Albany, Staff would provide the chief elected officials with Commissioner Crottys contact information and relevant talking points so that they may contact her directly by telephone to urge her support as the States top environmental official for an unclassifiable designation.
Rich Perrin stated that per Executive Committee instruction, Staff would be arranging meetings with the Greater Rochester Enterprise and Rochester Business Alliance to discuss the issue with them and ask for their support in urging the Governor to insist that EPA honor his recommendation of an unclassifiable designation.
Rich Perrin also stated that RGRTA has retained Jaeckle, Fleischmann, Mugel, LLP on behalf of the affected counties and City to provide counsel of a both a legal and strategic nature for efforts related to obtaining an unclassifiable designation. Rich noted that federal funds could not be used for this purpose and, as such, local funds would be solicited from the affected counties and the City, but that levels of contribution were yet to be determined.
David Woods requested that a formal request with a suggested amount be submitted to the individual counties and the City of Rochester so each member agency could begin the process of determining their contribution and obtaining appropriate approvals from their respective legislative body. Rich stated that Staff would provide such a request in as timely a manner as possible.
7. New Business
Terry Rice asked the Committee what should be done with regards to another round of the Regional Corridors program. Discussion on the program ensued. Joan Dupont noted that there should be language in the Call for Projects that explicitly states that there is no guarantee that a project will be selected this round.
Kristen Hughes moved to hold a Call for Projects for the Regional Corridors program, with the noted modifications; Terrence Rice seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
David Woods asked whether it made sense for GTC to continue with studies that could be affected by the appointment of a new Executive Director. Terry Rice responded that GTC must proceed with the TIP Management Enhancement Study because the next round of the TIP begins later this year. He also noted that proceeding with the GTC Staff Strategic Plan could be troublesome. Steve Gleason replied that the Staff Strategic Plan could be put on hold pending a decision on a new Executive Director since such a document affects internal operations of GTC Staff. Terry Rice suggested that GTC wait to see what the GTC Executive Committee decides regarding a new Executive Director before making a decision on the Staff Strategic Plan.
8. Next Meeting
The next Planning Committee meeting will be held February 19, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at the Wayne County Court House.
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.