GTC Planning Committee - Minutes

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GTC PLANNING COMMITTEE

Wayne County Court House

February 19, 2004

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT

James Brady, Wayne County

Joan Dupont, NYSDOT Region 4

Sean T. Hanna, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Kristen Mark Hughes, Ontario County

Charles Nesbitt, Jr., Empire State Development Corporation

Terrence J. Rice, Monroe County

George Stam, City of Rochester

ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT

Richard Beers, Jr., representing Robert Griffith, FHWA

David Cook, representing Donald Riley, RGRTA

Tom Goodwin, representing Paul Johnson, Monroe County Planning Board

Don Higgins, representing David Woods, Livingston County

Christopher Lucas, representing Wayne Zyra, Monroe County

David Thielman, representing Richard Garrabrant, NYS Thruway Authority

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE

Mark Anduze, NYS Thruway Authority

Ambrose Barbuto, NYS Thruway Authority

Kristin Bennett, GTC Staff

James E. Clements, NYSDOT Region 6

Deborah Elliott, GTC Staff

Brian Lakeman, GTC Staff

Richard Perrin, GTC Staff

Bob Scholl, NYSDOT Region 4

Rob Slaver, NYSDOT Region 4

James Stack, GTC Staff

John Thomas, City of Rochester

Thomas Tucker, RGRTA

Ann Wallace, RGRTA

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED

Philip Brito, FAA

Glenn Cooke, Seneca County

Stephen Ferranti, Monroe County At Large

Timothy Hens, Genesee County

Tracy Logel, Monroe County Supervisors Association

Kenneth Rush, Orleans County

Larry Stid, City of Rochester Planning Commission

William Sullivan, Rochester City Council

Clara Wallace-Douglas, FTA

(Vacant), Wyoming County

(Vacant), Yates County

David Zorn, G/FLRPC




1. Call to Order

Kris Hughes called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

Kris welcomed Richard Perrin as the new Acting Executive Director of the Genesee Transportation Council.

2.                 Public Forum

No public comment was offered.

3. Approval of Minutes

Terrence Rice moved for approval of the minutes from the January 15, 2004 Planning Committee meeting; David Cook seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.

4.                 Reports and Action on Old Business

a. Reports on UPWP Projects and Other Activities

GTC

Richard Perrin reported:

        The Rural County Resource Development Initiative work plan has been finalized and staff is proceeding on the project

        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

        The scope of work is being finalized for Transportation and Industrial Access Phase 2 to procure professional services to review access issues and offer concept-level recommendations for high priority industrial sites in the region

        The Regional Rights-Of-Way Preservation Study is progressing with continued classification of existing rights-of-way

        The Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Study Steering Committee met on January 29. Two round table discussions have been scheduled for February 26 and a public meeting is scheduled for the evening of March 11, all will be held at the Henrietta Town Hall. The Steering Committee will consider input from these meetings before finalizing the report. Project close-out is anticipated at the May Planning Committee meeting.

        The Priority Trails Advancement has three sub-projects. The consultant for the Canandaigua Rail with Trail project is finalizing a draft report for review by the City prior to being forwarded to the Steering Committee. The consultant for the Auburn Corridor Trail is producing a draft report and working with NYSDOT on signal warrant issues at one crossing as well as discussing the possibility of using land owned by the NYS Canal Corporation with that agency. The consultant for the City of Rochester Neighborhood Connectors project is continuing work on the various neighborhood connectors

        Staff is finalizing the scope of work for the On-Street Bicycle Facility Opportunities Review and will begin work shortly

        A report on the Regional Trails Initiative Phase 2 will be presented later in the meeting

        The TIP Management Enhancement Study contract is awaiting the consultants signature. An initial project meeting is being scheduled

 

G/FLRPC

Richard Perrin spoke with Dave Zorn prior to the meeting and reported:

        The methodology for the Regional Development Projections was reviewed by the G/FLRPC Planning Coordination Committee and work is progressing

        Last month the Planning Committee recommended that the GTC Board accept the Regional Population Forecasts at its March 11 meeting

        GTC Staff met with G/FLRPC staff to discuss final edits to the Regional Atlas. The project is nearly complete awaiting GTC Staff review and approval of the maps

Monroe County

Tom Goodwin reported:

        Reponses are being received for the Monroe County Land Use Monitoring project. The County has already received 22 out of 30 surveys

        Paul Johnson previously alerted the Committee to a potential rollover situation on the Monroe County Parking Study. This project will rollover so parking demand for additional seasonal uses can be surveyed

Terry Rice reported:

        Work will begin this spring on the Monroe County Traffic Count Collection

        Consultant work for the GIS Database Integration for Monroe County DOT is complete. QA/QC is underway. Project completion is expected in March

        Legislative approval of the contract for the Pedestrian Activity Safety Study will be sought in March

        Legislative approval of the contract for the Ballantyne Road Corridor Study will be sought in April

 

Ontario County

 

Kris Hughes reported:

        Final edits to Phase I of the Route 332 Corridor Management Study are underway. The scope of work for Phase 2 is being finalized

        The Routes 5 & 20 Corridor Study is nearly complete. The final public meeting attracted approximately 65 participants

        The Canandaigua Regional Transportation Study Steering Committee met on February 5. A focus group on Land Use issues is being planned for mid-March

City of Rochester

 

George Stam reported:

        The Street Condition Rating Update Study is nearly complete. The City is currently testing and debugging the database reports

        The consultant is developing the final recommendations for the Highland Park/Canalway Neighborhood Connector Trail Study

RGRTA

David Cook reported:

        A report on the RGRTA Transit Focus Group Study will be presented later in the meeting

        The RFP for the ITS Implementation Plan is being completed this is a priority for RGRTA

        No progress to report on the Gates-Chili Transit Study

        No progress to report on the Area Wide Job Access and Reverse Commute Plan

        No progress to report on the Security and Safety Plan for Public Transportation

        The Route Analysis Information System project is expected to be presented for close-out at the April Planning Committee meeting

Wyoming County

 

Richard Perrin reported:

        Delays in the Transportation & Scenic/Historic Resources in Wyoming County are due to elimination of the County Planner position in Wyoming County and the closing of the consultants Western New York office. GTC staff has completed a review of the work to date and needs to discuss next steps with the consultant

Yates County

 

Richard Perrin reported:

        GTC staff discussed comments on the draft Route 14A Corridor Study with the consultant. The consultant is revising the alternatives. The next Steering Committee meeting is expected in April

Other Agencies

Richard Perrin reported:

        Review of the draft report and guidebook is underway for the Conesus Transportation and Safety Management Plan

        The Monroe Avenue/I-590 Interchange Study final report is almost complete with project close-out expected in April

b.      Any Other Old Business or Announcements

1.      Per direction from the Planning Committee at its January 15 meeting, the Call for Projects for the next round of the Regionally-Significant Corridors program was issued February 5 with proposals due March 12

2.      Jim Stack announced that since the last Planning Committee meeting GTC has received the following Appointments:

        Monroe County Supervisors Association Supervisor Tracy Logel appointed to the Committee

        Orleans County Legislator Kenneth Rush appointed to the Committee, Wayne Hale designated as Alternate to Mr. Rush

        Monroe County Christopher Lucas designated as Alternate to Wayne Zyra

3.      Richard Perrin announced that the J.P. Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge will be held on May 27 at R.I.T. This is the fifth year that GTC will be hosting a team. He encouraged Committee members to hold the date and consider participating

5.                 Planning Committee Action Items

a.       Recommendation to GTC Board concerning the Draft FY 2004-05 & FY 2005-06 Unified Planning Work Program / Proposed Council Resolution 04-1

Richard Perrin distributed and summarized the one public comment that was received on the Draft FY 2004-05 & FY 2005-06 Unified Planning Work Program.

Richard also distributed a copy of a letter received from Dennis Pelletier, then-President of the Monroe County Legislature, supporting the Village of Spencerports East Avenue proposal. He noted that the UDC specified that $5,000 of GTC Staff time be allocated to Local Study Support to assist the Village on this proposal

Joan Dupont noted that NYSDOT Main Office staff also reviewed the draft UPWP. They commented that the draft provided a clear understanding of project objectives and budgets. Main Office would like a commitment to the New York State Energy Plan through analysis of the TIP and LRTP. They also noted interest in MPOs abilities to accommodate and respond to the outcomes of the NYSDOT Transformation initiative as reflected in their respective UPWPs.

Terrence Rice asked how Spencerport would be notified of this funding if the project itself was not funded.

Richard responded that the $5,000 worth of GTC staff time from Local Study Support for Spencerports proposal would be reflected in the Villages disposition letter.

David Cook moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 04-1; Terry Rice seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

b. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning the Draft GTC Public Participation Policy / Proposed Council Resolution 04-3

Jim Stack explained the proposed changes and additions that were made to the draft Policy that was approved for public review based on comments received from FHWA.

Joan Dupont moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 04-3; David Thielman seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

c.       Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Accepting the report, Regional

Trails Initiative Phase 2 Final Report and Action Plan, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 8740 / Proposed Council Resolution 04-4

Kristin Bennett gave an overview of the Regional Trails Initiative Phase 2.

Terrence Rice asked what happens now that this Initiative has been laid out for the entire region. Kristin responded that projects can move forward through the Priority Trails Advancement project in the UPWP and construction funds would be available through the TIP. Other sources of funds may also become available.

Terrence Rice moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 04-4; James Brady seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

d. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Accepting the report, RGRTA Focus Group Research Services, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 4710 / Proposed Council Resolution 04-5

Ann Wallace from RGRTA gave an overview of the project. She discussed the objective and the parameters for selection to a Focus Group. She then discussed the findings and recommendations.

David Cook moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 04-5; David Thielman seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

e. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Updating the Functional Classification System and National Highway System within the Rochester Transportation Management Area / Proposed Council Resolution 04-6

Richard Perrin explained the purpose of and process to update the Functional Classification System and the National Highway System.

Bob Scholl from NYSDOT Region 4 explained NYSDOTs involvement in the update process. Bob noted that the next step is NYSDOT Main Office and FHWA review and approval.

John Thomas and Terrence Rice requested that a map showing the proposed changes be made for the GTC Board meeting.

Terrence Rice moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 04-6; Don Higgins seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

f. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2003-2008 TIP by adding the Lift Line Radio Communications System project and removing the Purchase Trolley Buses project / Proposed Council Resolution 04-7

David Cook from RGRTA explained that RTS no longer needs to purchase trolley buses because of the termination of the EZ Rider program. RGRTA would like to be able to improve and expand the communication system for the Lift Line program, which will improve privacy.

David Cook moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 04-7; George Stam seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

g. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2003-2008 TIP by adding the Trip Itinerary Planning Software project and reducing the cost of the RTS Bus Shelter Replacements project / Proposed Council Resolution 04-8

David Cook gave an overview of the RTS Bus Shelter Replacement program over the last four years. RTS is now looking to develop smart shelters at major activity centers. This would allow RTS to offer real-time next bus information and trip itinerary planning. The trip itinerary software is web-based and the trip planning feature would initially be available through the RGRTA website and RTS Customer Service department. RGRTA wants to eventually place kiosks out in the field for public use. RGRTA has already replaced nearly 100 shelters and will continue to replace the oldest of the inventory.

Joan Dupont moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 04-8; David Thielman seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

h. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2003-2008 TIP by adding the FFY 2004 Jobs Access Reverse Commute Program project / Proposed Council Resolution 04-9

David Cook gave an overview of the Jobs Access Reverse Commute program and the funding earmarked in the latest USDOT Appropriations Act.

David Cook moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 04-9; Terrence Rice seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

i. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2003-2008 TIP by adding the Thruway Concrete Repair, Interchange 44 to 45 project / Proposed Council Resolution 04-10

Ambrose Barbuto from the NYS Thruway Authority explained the need for the proposed project.

Terrence Rice requested that the NYS Thruway Authority expand on the proposal given the amount of funding to be added, including the date of the last repair/upgrade and uses on that segment of the Thruway.

Discussion ensued regarding the repair and use of concrete products versus asphalt products.

Kris Hughes moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 04-10; David Thielman seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

j. Recommendation to GTC Board concerning Amending the 2003-2008 TIP by increasing the total cost of the Canalway Trail Long Pond Road to Clover Street project / Proposed Council Resolution 04-11

Mark Anduze from the NYS Thruway Authority gave an overview of the proposed amendment.

George Stam from the City of Rochester expressed concern for the lack of canal trail improvements on some sections. Most notably, improvements to Section #2 in the City and the Town of Brighton were not included in the draft design report.

The committee requested that the Canal Corporation address the City of Rochesters concerns before the March 11 Board meeting.

Charles Nesbitt moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 04-3; David Thielman seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

6. Planning Committee Information Items

a.       Long Range Transportation Plan Update

Richard Perrin updated the Committee on progress made in the development of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). He noted the next step will be to identify the universe of alternatives to address transportation issues. An Environmental Justice Survey will be sent out shortly. The next round of public meetings is expected in May with focus groups of professionals to be held in March.

b. Air Quality Update

Richard Perrin updated the Committee on Air Quality issues. At the direction of the Executive Committee, letters were sent to Governor Pataki and NYSDEC Commissioner Crotty regarding the EPA proposal to designate the six-county Rochester MSA as non-attainment for ground level ozone. NYSDEC did not comment to EPA prior to the deadline. The Executive Committee plans to request a meeting with EPA regional officials to discuss the issue prior to final designations being promulgated.

Sean Hanna discussed the NYSDEC perspective. Since the issues and potential solutions are statewide in nature, the department does not feel the designation of an individual region is a disadvantage.

7. New Business

No new business was reported.

8. Next Meeting

The next Planning Committee meeting will be held April 15, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at the GTC offices.

9. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.