GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Wayne County Courthouse
Lyons, New York
July 9, 2009
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
David Dunning, Monroe County Supervisors Association
Angela Ellis, Livingston County
Erik Frisch, City of Rochester At Large
Tom Goodwin, Monroe County Planning Board
Kristen Mark Hughes, Ontario County (Chairperson)
Scott Leathersich, Monroe County At Large (Vice Chairperson)
Terrence J. Rice, Monroe County
Kevin Rooney, Wayne County
Chuck Thomas, Rochester City Planning Commission
Douglas Tokarczyk, New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA)
David Zorn, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council (G/FLRPC)
ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
David Cook, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), representing Mark Aesch
Rob Slaver, New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Region 4,
representing Daniel Hallowell
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED
Robert Colby, Monroe County
James Fletcher, Monroe County At Large
Paul Holahan, City of Rochester
Todd Gadd, Wyoming County
Robert Griffith, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Timothy Hens, Genesee County
Gary Kent, Orleans County
Edward Muszynski, Empire State Development Corporation
Mitchell Rowe, Seneca County
William Sullivan, Rochester City Council
Steve Urlass, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
(Vacant), FTA
(Vacant), NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
(Vacant), Yates County
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE
Julie Gotham, GTC staff
Don Higgins, Livingston County
Marvin Kleinberg, NYSDOT Region 4
Richard Perrin, GTC staff
James Stack, GTC staff
1. Call to Order & Introductions
The meeting was called to order at 10:03 a.m. Kris Hughes welcomed everyone and Members, Alternates, and others present introduced themselves.
2. Public Forum
No one from the public spoke during the Public Forum.
3. Approval of Minutes
Scott Leathersich moved for approval of the minutes from the May 14, 2009 Planning Committee meeting; Chuck Thomas seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as presented.
4. Reports and Action on Old Business
a. Reports on UPWP Projects and Other Activities
GTC
Richard Perrin reported:
No progress to report on the Supplemental Professional Services Database Programming project.
As part of the Strategic Planning task, the Cooperative Agreement identifying responsibilities for carrying out the metropolitan transportation planning process in the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region was adopted by the GTC Board on June 18, 2009. All parties have signed the Cooperative Agreement.
A new UPWP task SAFETEA-LU Succession Program was amended into the UPWP by the GTC Board on June 18, 2009. Work under this task will be discussed as part of agenda item 6. Initially, all funds for this task were listed as Contractual. In order for GTC staff to conduct work under this task, Salary, Fringe, and Overhead expenses have been reprogrammed to this task with a corresponding amount of similar expenses reprogrammed from other GTC staff tasks. There is no change to the total GTC Core Budget for staff activities.
As part of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Update/Implementation, GTC staff has been working on performance measures, incorporating Universal Design, and scenario planning. GTC staff intends to convene the LRTP Development Committee (LDC) this summer and conduct an initial round of public involvement in the fall. It is anticipated that there will be sub-committees of the LDC to focus on particular issues and that member agencies will be more involved and provide greater input on the development of the LRTP than in the past.
With regard to the Air Quality Planning and Outreach task, GTC staff is finalizing the Regional Travel Demand Model (Model) validation document for Interagency Consultation Group consideration in August. The Model needs to be validated in order to conduct the required air quality conformity analysis of the next TIP and LRTP. GTC staff also reviewed national climate change bills from both the House and Senate and commented on specific provisions relating to MPOs and transportation.
For the GTC Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program and SRTS Site Assessments, the draft Guidebook will be presented to officials from school districts in the region on July 23. The draft Guidebook will be finalized for Planning Committee consideration at its August 13 meeting. Final comments on the individual site plans are due July 10.
For the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Strategic Plan Update, interviews with stakeholders were held June 30 and July 1. The draft plan will be developed this summer/fall.
The consultant selection team for the Diversion Route Planning Initiative provided their evaluations to GTC staff on June 29. GTC staff will discuss the evaluations with the selection team and a decision on whether or not to hold interviews with any of the proposing firms will be made later in July.
The 2007-2008 Priority Trails Advancement Program consists of three projects. The consultant provided a draft report for the I-590 Bicycle Pedestrian Bypass project on May 18, the steering committee met May 28, and the final public meeting has been scheduled for July 27. The consultant is finalizing the draft reports for the Lehigh Valley (Honeoye Falls) project and the Erie Canal Glenwood Lake Connector project. A final public meeting will be scheduled for each project following steering committee review of the respective draft report. The consultant prepared initial cost estimates for the Erie Canal Glenwood Lake Connector project for a potential TIP application.
The Planning Committee approved two projects for the 2008-2009 Priority Trails Advancement Program at its May 14 meeting. An RFP has been drafted for the Pultneyville to Marion project. Wayne County has requested the project limits be extended for the Ontario to Sodus Route 104 Trail project. This request will be discussed as agenda item 5.b.
The 2007 Circulation, Accessibility, and Parking (CAP) Program consists of four projects. The Village of Perry, Village of Hilton, and Village of Macedon projects are complete. The draft report for the Browns Square Neighborhood project is being developed.
The 2008 CAP Program consists of one project. Accident data and traffic projections have been provided to the consultant for the Village of Fairport project. A steering committee meeting was held June 18. The first public meeting is scheduled for July 21.
Development of the Congestion Management Process (CMP) has been a major part of the activities for the next LRTP. Strategies in the CMP toolbox have been developed for review by the LRTP Development Committee. GTC staff reviewed data for areas outside the TMA to determine if there is congestion using volume to capacity ratios.
Roadways and specific segments to be included in the next phase of the Travel Time Data Collection Program are being identified. The next phase will focus on Minor Arterial and Collector roads. GTC staff is developing a draft RFP for steering committee review and comment.
The Regional Goods Movement Strategy is expected to be restarted this summer with the RFP being issued in August. NYSDOT Main Office has offered to schedule a conference call with the MPOs in Buffalo and Binghamton as well as officials in Ogdensburg, which are completing similar studies, to discuss lessons learned.
Terry Rice asked if the next phase of the Travel Time Data Collection Program will include someone from Monroe County DOT on the steering committee. Richard Perrin responded that Jim Pond is on the steering committee.
Richard added that the roads selected to have data collected will be determined based on the time necessary to collect the data. We expect to get approximately two-thirds of the mileage covered in Phase 1 (Principal Arterials) due to stop-and-go conditions. GTC staff will look at volume to capacity ratios to determine the routes most likely to be congested in order to focus the data collection effort.
Terry Rice asked about the Safe Routes to School Site Assessments noting that the School 19 report makes reference to a toolbox of strategies. He asked if any of the communities that have experience with school safety issues have had input on the Guidebook. Richard Perrin responded that such input would be welcomed, keeping in mind that the intended audience is school district officials and not traffic engineers. Terry commented that the Guidebook should be clear that school districts need to coordinate improvements with the relevant transportation agencies to implement the changes. Richard fully agreed and assured Terry that the Guidebook would clearly state the need for school district officials to coordinate with transportation agencies.
G/FLRPC
David Zorn reported:
The scope of work for the Local Update of Census Addresses Appeals project was approved by the Planning Committee at its May 14 meeting.
G/FLRPC staff is continuing its research and analysis for the 2010 Census TAZ Analysis and Revisions project, including assessment of trip generation data.
G/FLRPC staff is finalizing the analysis and developing the draft report for the 2008 Regional Land Use Monitoring project.
A draft report for the Historic Transportation Gateway Inventory and Assessment task is being developed.
Monroe County
Tom Goodwin reported:
The results of the 2008 Monroe County Land Use Monitoring project will be presented later in the meeting.
Terry Rice reported:
A consultant contract for the Monroe County Audible/Tactile Pedestrian Signal Device Study has been awarded. The project kick-off meeting was held July 8.
The Monroe County Overhead Traffic Sign Visibility Upgrade study is approximately 66 percent complete. Review of mast arm mounted signs is complete and the consultant is analyzing span wire mounted signs.
A consultant contract for the Monroe County Vertical Curve Safety Study has been awarded. The project kick-off meeting was held July 8.
An RFP for the Monroe County Sign Inventory Location Upgrade is being developed.
The Monroe County High Accident Location Program is 50 percent complete with analysis of 25 locations conducted.
Ontario County
Kris Hughes reported:
The results of the State Routes 96/318 Rural Corridor Study will be presented later in the meeting.
The CATS Route Analysis and Service Improvement Plan is progressing. Ontario County is using social networking sites as part of the public participation component of the project, including a survey. The consultant has conducted extensive analysis of routes and there has been outreach to the ARC to identify coordination/collaboration opportunities. An internal presentation was made to County leadership.
City of Rochester
Erik Frisch reported:
The consultant for the Port of Rochester Transportation Evaluation and Support Study has addressed all of the comments on the draft report. The City will send a copy of the final draft to Monroe County DOT. A presentation of the study is expected at the August 13 meeting.
An RFP for the Center City Circulator Study will be advertised in the New York State Contract Reporter on July 13.
Chuck Thomas reported:
A final meeting with Monroe County DOT on the draft Neighborhood Traffic Calming Concept Design and Implementation Study report has been scheduled for July 10. A presentation of the study is expected at the August 13 meeting.
An RFP for the Center City Tourist/Visitor Circulation and Pedestrian Wayfinding Study is expected to be issued in the third quarter of this year.
The Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Parking and Circulation Study project is progressing. Project closeout is expected in the third quarter of this year.
RGRTA
David Cook reported:
There is no progress to report for the Market Research for RGRTA Regional Services task.
The RGRTA Suburban Transportation Service Study is complete and a presentation to the Planning Committee is anticipated at the August 13 meeting.
A project kick-off meeting for the RTS Signal Prioritization Study was held June 18. Data collection is underway.
The Information Technology Assessment Study is complete and a presentation to the Planning Committee is anticipated at the August 13 meeting.
A scope of work for the RGRTA Energy Study will be presented later in the meeting.
There is no progress to report for the RGRTA Transit-Supportive Development Guidelines task. A new Business Development Manager has been hired and the study is expected to progress soon.
The RGRTA Route Analysis project is on-going.
Seneca County
Richard Perrin reported:
The draft Existing Conditions Report for the NYS Routes 5&20/414 Corridor Study is complete. The next steering committee meeting is scheduled for July 27.
Wayne County
Kevin Rooney reported:
There is no progress to report on the Cluster Development Enhancement Project Feasibility Study.
Wyoming County
Richard Perrin reported:
The scope of work for the Wyoming County Safe Passing Zone Survey was approved at the May 14 meeting. The RFP will be advertised in the New York State Contract Reporter on July 13 with proposals due August 5.
Other Agencies
Terry Rice reported:
The Monroe County portion of the Regional Traffic Count Collection Program is continuing. The consultant has completed the remaining 2008 counts and is preparing to collect the 2009 counts.
Richard Perrin reported:
The consultant for the Village of Arcade Main Street Study is conducting an inventory of existing and planned conditions.
The Village of Geneseo Circulation and Parking Study is progressing. GTC staff provided traffic count data on June 2. A draft report of existing conditions, issues, and opportunities has been completed. A steering committee meeting was held June 24. The study team is looking at the visual impact of a potential traffic signal at the intersection of Main Street and North Street/Court Street.
The next steering committee meeting for the Dewey Avenue Corridor Traffic Calming Study is being scheduled.
A public meeting for the Spencerport Eastern Village Corridor Concept Study was held June 1. The implementation component of the draft plan is being developed for steering committee review.
A steering committee meeting for the Town of Macedon NYS Route 31 Corridor Study was held May 28 and the first public meeting was held June 24.
An RFP for the Genesee County Central Corridor Plan was advertised in the New York State Contract Reporter and proposals are due today.
The draft RFP for the City of Geneva Lakefront/Downtown Connectivity Study was reviewed by NYSDOT and GTC staffs; comments were provided to the City of Geneva.
The Victor Transportation Systems Plan is progressing through various Town committees. Consideration and discussion on the transportation component (which is UPWP-funded) is expected to begin in August.
The Town of Penfield Bicycle Facilities Plan was accepted by the GTC Board at its June 18 meeting. The project is complete.
b. Any Other Old Business or Announcements
1. Update on the status of projects funded via The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Rob Slaver discussed the status of projects funded via The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Both the region and the State are progressing projects well. Earlier in the process it was taking approximately three weeks to get the Governors signature on the required Section 1511 Certification for projects. This process in now being completed in approximately one week. NYSDOT Main Office has also established contracting goals for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), even on projects costing less than $1 million. So far, two projects in this region have been revised to have a 5 percent DBE goal.
Every State was able to meet the initial obligation deadline of the use it or lose it provisions of ARRA. Accordingly, NYSDOT does not expect there to be a redistribution of ARRA funds among States.
Terry Rice mentioned conversations with other counties indicating that bid savings on selected projects are being used to fund illustrative projects. He stated he is not comfortable giving up funds programmed to a project before there are reasonable assurances on items like asphalt pricing, especially when the project will be advanced next construction season. He thinks there needs to be a discussion on the issue at the next TIP Development Committee (TDC) meeting. Terry requested a recap of the process to fund illustrative projects be prepared for the next TDC meeting.
Richard Perrin did not recall a detailed discussion on bid savings but did recall the discussion to allow a project sponsor the option of advancing an illustrative project with less than 100 percent ARRA funding.
Richard Perrin mentioned that member agencies can expect to receive a letter from NYSDOT Main Office regarding the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grant program. This program is meant for large projects that are of regional or nation significance. TIGER projects must be a minimum of $20 million and a maximum of $300 million, unless a waiver from USDOT is obtained. Projects must be completed by February 17, 2012. NYSDOT has been directed by the Governors office to conduct outreach on this program. NYSDOT will prioritize projects statewide, including any they might be submitting. The deadline for applications is September 15 and the applications must be 25 pages or less.
Terry Rice asked if any agencies are planning to submit an application for the TIGER program. Erik Frisch responded that the City of Rochester is considering two projects for possible submission.
Richard Perrin discussed the national High-Speed Rail (HSR) initiative. This national initiative makes $8 billion available for projects to implement HSR. NYSDOT is preparing an application for the Empire Corridor from Buffalo to Albany, connecting to the existing Northeast Corridor from Boston to Washington, D.C. The Federal Railroad Administration released program guidance on June 17. The Empire Corridor is one of ten corridors nationwide that is eligible for the HSR program, with an additional corridor to be identified.
NYSDOT is working with a coalition of chambers of commerce and public/private economic development organizations, including the Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE) to develop regional impact assessments throughout the corridor. GRE requested GTC staff participation in producing Regional Impact Statements for inclusion in the NYSDOT application.
The NYSDOT proposal is expected to have a multi-phase approach to the initiative. GTC does not have any information on specific projects that would be undertaken.
Terry Rice noted that he was at a public meeting last week and the community asked if the at-grade railroad crossing of Pixley Road near Hinchey Road would be removed under the HSR initiative. He asked if there is a possibility of having NYSDOT Main Office make a presentation to the Planning Committee. Richard Perrin responded that if the Planning Committee is agreeable, he will invite someone from the project team to make a presentation at the August 13 meeting. Committee members thought a presentation would be beneficial. Richard requested that any specific questions committee members might have be submitted to him ahead of time so he could forward them to the NYSDOT project team.
David Cook discussed the status of ARRA transit projects via funding allocated directly to RGRTA. RGRTA has approximately $9 million worth of projects pending grant approval from the Federal Transit Administration. RGRTA took advantage of its ability to pursue procurement before the final award in order to progress the projects. A separate grant application for non-revenue vehicles selected for funding under the Highway and Bridge portion of ARRA is pending.
David Cook stated that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) reached out to RGRTA in an effort to use ARRA funds to support projects pursuant to the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA).
David Cook also mentioned that NYSDOT Main Office is leading the effort to get grant approval for RGRTA projects to be funded via ARRA as part of the set-aside for public transportation in Rural and Small Urban areas.
Richard Perrin added that this grant includes projects in Ontario County. GTC adopted a TIP amendment to include these projects based on funding estimates from NYSDOT Main Office. No further MPO action is needed unless there is a significant change from what was originally proposed.
Angela Ellis asked if specific locations have been identified for the bus signs and shelters. She suggested that RGRTA reach out to the community to help identify the best locations. David Cook responded that RGRTA still needs to identify the locations. The various regional operations managers should be coordinating the locations with stakeholders in each County.
2. Update on the development of the 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
Richard Perrin discussed the planned schedule for developing the 2011-2014 TIP. The target date for adopting the next TIP is March 2010. A targeted Call for Projects was issued June 19. Project applications are due July 24. A TIP applicant workshop was held July 8.
As discussed at the May meeting, the schedule change was made to better align with NYSDOTs effort to update the NYSDOT Program, which includes both federal and state funds. This creates the need to have a FFY 2010 omnibus TIP amendment to continue the realignment of costs and schedules of existing projects. This will also include programming project phases that were deferred as part of the FFY 2009 omnibus TIP amendment that was adopted March 12. The FFY 2010 omnibus TIP amendment is expected to be presented to the GTC Board in September.
NYSDOT Main Office is in the process of recalculating regional allocations by fund source. The regional allocations are expected to be seven to 20 percent lower than those provided last summer. This will likely create the need for a mid-year adjustment to the FFY 2010 program of projects. It will also impact the programming of the 2011-2014 TIP as projected allocations build on those of previous years; if one years allocation is changed, subsequent allocations must be adjusted as well.
There is still uncertainty with regard to the timing of the next authorization. The Obama administration has proposed an 18-month extension of SAFETEA-LU. The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee has proposed a new authorization but the House Ways and Means Committee has not addressed the funding for that authorization.
Rob Slaver noted that NYSDOT Main Office has been asking about offsets to accommodate the omnibus amendment. He added that NYSDOT has been taking the offsets from projects that are not moving.
Scott Leathersich stated that Ed Welsh reached out to Monroe County DOT to get credible dates for projects. This may create opportunities for offsets.
Don Higgins asked if there is any guidance as to how much Highway Bridge Program funding will be available for the next TIP round. Richard Perrin responded that we have been working with an estimate of approximately $50 million for the two new/last years of the TIP (FFY 2013 and FFY 2014).
Richard Perrin stated that if project sponsors are pursuing bridge preventive maintenance projects, GTC staff can create a table for the necessary data to streamline the application for multiple projects. Several project sponsors expressed interest in such a table.
5. Action Items
a. Recommendations to the GTC Board concerning accepting submission of reports as evidence of completion of various UPWP Tasks
1. Accepting the report, Land Use Report for Monroe County, New York 2008, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 4210 / Proposed Council Resolution 09-39
Tom Goodwin discussed the Land Use Report for Monroe County, New York 2008. He offered to send the full report to anyone who wanted a copy. He summarized the data collection process and findings of the report.
Chuck Thomas suggested that conversions of buildings to new uses (i.e., manufacturing to residential) be tracked since they can have land use impacts. Tom offered to work with the City to assess the feasibility of incorporating this type of information.
Terry Rice moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 09-39; Chuck Thomas seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
2. Accepting the report, Routes 96 & 318 Rural Corridor Study, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 7550 / Proposed Council Resolution 09-40
Kris Hughes discussed the Routes 96 & 318 Rural Corridor Study. He gave an overview of the study purpose, process, and findings.
Chuck Thomas moved to recommend approval of Proposed Council Resolution 09-40; Angela Ellis seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
b. Action concerning modification to study area for the Route 104 Corridor Trail Feasibility Study
Kevin Rooney discussed the request to extend the project limits of the Route 104 Corridor Trail Feasibility Study east to Sodus. Wayne County believes the extended limits can be studied within the existing budget for the project.
Terry Rice moved to approve the requested modification to the study area for the Route 104 Corridor Trail Feasibility Study; Erik Frisch seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
c. Action concerning consideration of a UPWP Project Scope of Work
1. Task 8425 RGRTA Energy Study
David Cook discussed the proposed scope of work for the RGRTA Energy Study
Tom Goodwin moved to approve the Scopes of Work for Task 8425 as presented; Scott Leathersich seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
6. New Business
a. Update and discussion on the next surface transportation authorization legislation
Richard Perrin noted that the meeting package included a memorandum discussing the next surface transportation authorization legislation. He noted one correction. Richard asked that any comments be provided to him so he can pass them on to the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations Policy Committee.
7. Public Forum
No one from the public spoke during the Public Forum.
8. Next Meeting
August 13, 2009 at the Monroe County Fleet Center.
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:37 a.m.