GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL

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GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING

Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority

1372 East Main Street, Rochester

November 8, 2012

 

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT

Marcia Barry, Rochester City Planning Commission

Angela Ellis, Livingston County (Vice Chairperson)

Erik Frisch, City of Rochester At Large

Todd Gadd, Wyoming County

Tom Goodwin, Monroe County Planning Board

Daniel Hallowell, New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)-Region 4

Paul Holahan, City of Rochester

Scott Leathersich, Monroe County At Large (Chairperson)

Terrence J. Rice, Monroe County

William Wright, Ontario County

David Zorn, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council (G/FLRPC)

ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT

Thomas Beck, Monroe County At Large, representing James Fletcher

David Cook, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), representing Bill Carpenter

David Hartman, Yates County

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED

Donald Allport, Orleans County

Robert Colby, Monroe County

Timothy Hens, Genesee County

Robert Griffith, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Peter McCann, Monroe County Supervisors Association

Edward Muszynski, Empire State Development Corporation

Mitchell Rowe, Seneca County

Douglas J. Tokarczyk , NYS Thruway Authority

Steven Urlass, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

(Vacant), Federal Transportation Administration (FTA)

(Vacant), NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)

(Vacant), Yates County

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE

Josh Artuso, Rochester City Planning Commission

Doug Benson, Rochester City Planning Commission

Tony Favro, GTC staff

Julie Gotham, Ontario County

Don Higgins, Livingston County

Dennis Judson, Fisher Associates

Richard Perrin, GTC staff

John Polimeni, NYSDOT-Region 4

James Stack, GTC staff

Robert Torzynski, GTC staff

 

1. Call to Order & Introductions

Scott Leathersich, Planning Committee Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 10:06 a.m. Bill Carpenter, CEO of the Rochester Genesee Transportation Authority, welcomed those in attendance. Members, Alternates, and others present introduced themselves.

Richard Perrin informed the Planning Committee that GTC Chairperson Mary Pat Hancock has appointed Scott Leathersich, Monroe County - At Large, as the Chairperson of the Planning Committee, replacing Kris Hughes who resigned his position as Director of the Ontario County Department of Planning and Research effective September 14. Angela Ellis, Livingston County, has been appointed as Vice Chairperson, filling the position vacated by Scotts appointment as Chairperson.

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 August 9, 2012 Planning Committee meeting; Daniel Hallowell 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:

         Strategic Planning: GTC staff are continuing to gather information, review guidance, and analyze data related to MAP-21, including (but not limited to) impacts on funding levels and eligible project types, implementation of performance measures, and freight elements. GTC continues its involvement in the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority-funded Finger Lakes Regional Sustainability Plan executive committee and as the contract administrator on behalf of Monroe County, as the applicant. The steering committee, executive committee, and stakeholder groups have met and continue to meet with each convening again next week. GTC staff also reviewed the formula for distributing federal planning funds throughout the state and this formula has been approved by all MPOs for use in FY 2013-2014 Unified Planning Work Programs (UPWPs).

         Regional Traffic Count Collection: Counts have been collected and work is continuing at the direction of the Monroe County Department of Transportation.

         LRTP Update/Implementation: GTC staff finalized the prioritization of the advancement plans for each of the recommendations in the Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region 2035 (LRTP 2035) and this framework was used in the determination of proposals submitted for consideration for inclusion in the FY 2013-2014 UPWP.

         Air Quality Planning and Outreach: The positive conformity determination to include the Kendrick Road interchange project in the LRTP and TIP was issued by FHWA and FTA on August 27. GTC staff is implementing the MOVES emissions model so that we can conduct the necessary analysis for air quality- and energy-related LRTP 2035 performance measures as well as being prepared in the event that we are designated as a nonattainment area under a future National Ambient Air Quality Standard. GTC staff also reviewed the draft of a report by AMPO and FHWA on climate change and energy planning in its role on the project steering committee and as a presenter in two of the initiative's webinars.

         GTC Household Travel Survey: The project was accepted by the GTC Board at its September 17 meeting.

         Diversion Route Planning Initiative: GTC staff has provided Travel Demand Model outputs to the consultant for evaluation of the identified de facto diversion routes (i.e., those that drivers are most likely to use in the event of a facility being closed). The prime consultant on the project is located on Long Island and delays due to Superstorm Sandy are anticipated.

         Priority Trails Advancement: The project is complete.

         Congestion Management Process (CMP): The update of the CMP is included in the LRTP 2035 that was adopted by the Board on June 16, 2011. A CMP report that expands on the base version included in the LRTP 2035 has been drafted for internal review.

         Greater Rochester Regional Commuter Choice Program: The program was accepted by the GTC Board at its September 17 meeting. GTS staff is working with NYSDOT-Main Office staff on the integration of the program website with 511NY.

         Travel Time Data Collection Program: The preferred vendor has been selected and GTC staff will negotiate final deliverables based on information received from another MPO that has used the preferred vendor in the recent past.

         Coordinated Public Transit/Human Services Transportation Planning: The plan was accepted by the Board at the September 8, 2011 meeting.

         Regional Mobility Management Business Plan: A draft scope of work been developed and reviewed by GTC staff. Discussions to ensure compliance with FTA directives to NYSDOT-Main Office are underway.

         Regional Goods Movement Strategy: The plan was accepted by the Board at the September 17 meeting.

Genesee County

Richard Perrin reported:

         Genesee County Horizontal Curve Sign Study: Eight proposals were submitted and the preferred consultant was approved by the Genesee County Legislature on October 24.

G/FLRPC

David Zorn reported:

         Regional Land Use Monitoring Report: The project is complete for 2011 and G/FLRPC staff will be beginning work on the 2012 report in December.

         Genesee-Finger Lakes Region Population Projections: The quantitative portion of the analysis is underway and additional supporting data is being reviewed.

         Regional Atlas: Final data acquisition and formatting is underway.

Livingston County

Angela Ellis reported:

        Livingston County Transportation Connectivity Plan: Development of the existing conditions report is underway. Approximately 400 public survey responses have been received. A LATS ridership survey is underway this week and next. An Open House is scheduled for November 27, and an Advisory Committee meeting is to be set.
 

Monroe County

Tom Goodwin reported:

        Monroe County Land Use Monitoring Report: The project is complete for 2011 and work for 2012 will begin in December.

Terrence Rice reported:

        Monroe County Sign Inventory Location Upgrade: The final task of linking the inventory with the existing database is underway to be followed by combining the Countys existing database with the consultants information. The County is funding this work which is beyond original project scope. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

        Monroe County Horizontal Curve Study: The field work (ball bank analysis) is 97 percent complete. The consultant has provided initial data to the County for review and comment. Data collection and recommendations for sign changes is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

        Monroe County High Accident Location Program: Seven additional sites have been completed since the last report for a total of 34 out of 54 locations (63 percent) completed.

        Monroe County Accident Rate Database GIS Conversion: Database conversion for the pilot project area continues with a demonstration of the pilot project to be scheduled soon. Development of network update utilities and editing utilities to upload the Monroe County Traffic Summary are complete. Work by MCDOT staff to do the actual upload should be completed by the end of the month.

 

Ontario County

Julie Gotham reported:

        Routes 5 & 20 and State Route 364 Multi-Modal Study: The data collection is being completed. An FLCC student survey as well as the existing conditions report is under development. A steering committee meeting is anticipated in December and a public meeting is anticipated in January.

City of Rochester

Erik Frisch reported:

        Center City Tourist/Visitor Circulation and Pedestrian Wayfinding Study: The study was accepted by the Board at the September 17 meeting.

        City of Rochester Urban Trail Linkages Feasibility Study: The final report is under development for review by the advisory committee and is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

        Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Parking and Circulation Study: The final report will be presented later in the meeting.

        St. Paul and North Clinton Two-Way Conversion Study: The final report is complete but its presentation to the Planning Committee has been deferred until January in order to provide NYSDOT an additional opportunity to review.

        Rochester Bicycle Boulevard Plan: The scope of work was approved at the August 9 Planning Committee meeting and an RFP is under development.

        Mt. Read Boulevard Corridor Study: A preferred consultant has been selected for the project and contract negotiations are underway.

RGRTA

David Cook reported:

      RGRTA Suburban Transit Station Study: The study was accepted by the Board at the September 17 meeting.

      RTS Signal Prioritization Study: RGRTA is revising the executive summary for transmittal to the Board for its consideration.

      RGRTA Transit-Supportive Development Guidelines: The project is being advanced by staff and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of calendar year 2013.

      RGRTA Route Analysis: The project is ongoing.

Wayne County

Richard Perrin reported:

      Wayne County Horizontal Curve Sign Study: The project is progressing and the consultant is conducting the field survey.

Wyoming County

Todd Gadd reported:

      Wyoming County Horizontal Curve Sign Study: The field work is 99 percent complete and the report is expected to be complete in the next two weeks.

Yates County

David Hartman reported:

      Yates County Safe Passing Zone Survey: The work has been completed and all deliverables provided to the county.

Other Agencies

Richard Perrin reported:

         Auburn Trail/Ontario Pathways Trail Connection Feasibility Study: The final public meeting was held August 22. A draft of the final report has been produced and reviewed. GTC staff and NYSDOT-Region 4 staff are meeting with Town of Farmington staff on November 9 to finalize the report.

         Irondequoit Seneca Trail: A preferred consultant was approved by the Irondequoit Town Board on August 21.

         Black Creek Corridor Trail: The Steering Committee met on October 11. A draft final report has been produced and reviewed. The second public meeting is scheduled for November 29.

         Village of Scottsville Traffic Circulation and Safety Study: Proposing consultants were shortlisted with interviews held August 28. The preferred consultant was selected and the first Steering Committee meeting was held October 22.

         Webster Village Core Circulation, Accessibility and Parking Study: Twelve proposals were received by the September 14 deadline. Proposing consultants were shortlisted with interviews held October 16. The preferred consultant was selected and the contract is being executed.

    • Victor Transportation Systems Plan: GTC staff has discussed potential additional work that can be conducted with the remaining funds in the UPWP. GTC staff and NYSDOT-Region 4 staff met with the Town and Village on October 19 to discuss issues and related opportunities.

      Terrence Rice asked if the Town of Victor study included a review of signal coordination. Richard responded that it was not a part of the Comprehensive Plan update but a previous study has looked at the potential for signal coordination. Richard also stated that plans or proposals to increase capacity or to add additional interchanges with I-490 would not be consistent with the LRTP 2035 and would need to be discussed by the Planning Committee before they could be advanced. Daniel Hallowell noted that NYSDOT has informed the Town that FHWA is unlikely to approve a new interchange at Eastview Mall without closure of existing interchanges.

         NYS Route 250 Transit Supportive Mixed Use Development District: Interviews were held with two of the six proposing firms on August 16 and 20. The preferred consultant was approved by the Penfield Town Board on October 3 and the contract is being executed.

         Brighton Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Plan: The Steering Committee met September 24 and the second public meeting was held October 2. The Steering Committee is meeting November 15 to provide final comments on the draft report.

         Town of Greece Active Transportation Plan: Six proposals were received by the September 7 deadline. The preferred consultant was approved by the Greece Town Board on October 16 and the contract is being executed.

         Village of Pittsford Active Transportation Safety Plan: No progress to report.

Terrence Rice asked which firms were selected for the various UPWP Tasks discussed. Richard Perrin identified the firms.

b.     Any Other Old Business or Announcements

Richard Perrin reported:

Ontario County Board of Supervisors Chairman Theodore Fafinski has appointed William Wright, Commissioner of Public Works, as the Ontario County member of the GTC Planning Committee and Julie Gotham, Senior Planner, as Mr. Wrights alternate.

As discussed at the August 9 Planning Committee meeting, FHWA and FTA will be conducting their quadrennial certification review of the GTC planning process later this year and into 2013. The site visit component of the review will be conducted January 7-9, 2013. The next step in the process is for FHWA and FTA to provide a letter to GTC requesting materials for the desk audit component of the review.

1.      Federal legislation update and discussion

A Continuing Resolution (CR) through March 27, 2013 was enacted on September 28 and took effect on October 1. The amounts available to agencies and programs represent 48.77 percent (178 days divided by 365 days) of the 2012 amounts with a 0.612 percent increase. However, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is not providing access to the increase because it was spread across all agencies and programs as a political placeholder and the increase (if it materializes) will likely be concentrated in only certain agencies budgets and programs.

For the highway program, MAP-21 provides $39.699 billion in contract authority in FFY 2013 but the CR sets a full-year obligation limitation of $39.144 billion. For the transit program, the same is true where FFY 2013 MAP-21 contract authority is $8.478 billion and the CR full-year obligation limitation is $8.361. Both are 1.4 percent less than the contract authority amount, which is equivalent to the increase included in MAP-21, and may not be reinstated depending on final action for FFY 2013 appropriations.

Congress will return for a lame duck session to deal with numerous issues related to the so called fiscal cliff, including the expiration of the 2001 and 2003 Bush-era tax cuts ($221 billion per year) and two percent payroll tax cut ($95 billion per year) as well as the looming sequestration, which will take effect January 2, 2013. According to initial OMB estimates, all but a small portion of the FFY 2013 highway program is exempt from sequestration cuts as are transit formula grants. However, the General Fund transfer to the Highway Trust Fund in FFY 2013 is subject to the sequestration process and would be cut by 7.6 percent as a non-exempt, non-defense mandatory program. Transit capital grants are considered a non-exempt domestic discretionary program and would be cut by 8.2 percent or $163 million (including administration expenses). For FFYs 2014 through FFY 2021, the impacts of sequestration are unclear as Appropriations Committees will have discretion to attain the new spending targets.

5. Action Items

a.      Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning adopting the Genesee Transportation Council Title VI Nondiscrimination Implementation Plan / Proposed Council Resolution 12-139
 

Tony Favro discussed the Title VI Nondiscrimination Implementation Plan including its goals, principal recommendations, and next steps. Richard Perrin noted that, while Title VI plans are federally required, it is his understanding that GTC is the first MPO in New York State to develop a Title VI Plan that meets the newest federal guidance.

Daniel Hallowell moved to recommend that the GTC Board adopt Council Resolution 12-139, William Wright seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.

b.     Action concerning modifying the FY 2012-2013 UPWP to reflect the actual allocations of FY 2012-2013 federal metropolitan planning funds, the contribution of actual FY 2011-2012 FTA MPP rollover amounts, and the correct Uses of Funds component of Task 8535 / Proposed Planning Committee Resolution 12-13
 

Richard Perrin explained that the FY 2012-2013 UPWP was programmed with estimates of new FHWA Metropolitan Planning (PL) and FTA Metropolitan Planning Program (MPP) funds for the current year. The actual allocations of these funds were provided by NYSDOT on August 2. Combined, the actual amounts of FHWA PL and FTA MPP funds allocated to GTC for FY 2012-2013 are $239,545 or 12.4 percent less than the estimated amounts that were provided by NYSDOT on November 18, 2011.

During the development of the current UPWP, GTC staff recognized that the NYSDOT-estimated FY 2012-2013 FHWA PL amount for GTC was $150,750 or 11 percent higher than our estimate, which was the same as the previous year (FY 2011-2012). Accordingly, we programmed to our more conservative estimate, recognizing that any additional funds would be available for programming at a later date. This reduces the impact of the difference between estimated amounts and actual amounts. The difference between the estimated FTA MPP allocation and actual one is an increase of $813 or 0.21 percent.

In addition, GTC staff realized that we had not included FTA MPP savings from the GTC core budget in the annual June amendment that reconciles the UPWP adopted in March with actual fourth quarter expenses. This rollover amount for FY 2012-2013 totals $19,759. When the reduction in FY 2012-2013 FHWA PL funds is combined with the savings in FTA MPP funds for the previous years the result is a net reduction of $69,848. GTC staff is proposing to the remove this amount from Task 1600 Program Reserve, which has sufficient funds to cover the reduction ($169,501) and will not require that any adjustments be made to member agency projects or programs included in the current UPWP.

A correction also needs to be made to the presentation of uses of funds for Task 8535 RTS Route Analysis. The FY 2012-2013 UPWP currently shows the funds being used for contractual services but this is an ongoing activity conducted by RGRTA staff. Accordingly, the Project Description should be modified to present the current amounts of FTA MPP and in-kind funds being used for Staff services.

Because no increase is being made in the total budget and there is no change in the local shares among the participating agencies, these modifications to the FY 2012-2013 UPWP can be made via Planning Committee action with the concurrence of the GTC Board Chairperson.

David Zorn moved to recommend approval of Planning Committee Resolution 12-13, Erik Frisch seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.

c.       Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning accepting reports as evidence of completion of various UPWP Tasks / Proposed Council Resolutions 12-140 and 12-141

1.      Action concerning recommending the acceptance of the Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Circulation, Access and Parking Study as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 6801 / Proposed Council Resolution 12-140
(City of Rochester)

Doug Benson discussed the project and noted that it follows up on several recommendations for further study included in the Center City Master Plan. He also noted that the plan responds to needs created by the increasing numbers of visitors arriving at the Susan B. Anthony House site via tour bus. He distributed color copies of the Executive Summary that was included in the meeting package as well as enlarged copies of select tables from the Executive Summary to the Planning Committee members to facilitate the review of the study. Josh Artuso provided details on the findings of the parking inventory, occupancy counts, sign inventory, and resident and business surveys undertaken as part of the project. Josh then discussed the project recommendations including those related to parking, lighting, access, public transportation, and signage.

Terrence Rice moved to recommend that the GTC Board adopt Council Resolution 12-140, Marcia Barry seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
 

2.      Action concerning recommending the acceptance of the North Clinton/South Clinton Avenue, St. Paul Street/South Avenue Two-Way Conversion Study as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 7211 / Proposed Council Resolution 12-141 (City of Rochester)

Erik Frisch noted that the City has agreed to defer consideration of this item to the January, 2013 Planning Committee meeting to allow additional time for NYSDOT to provide comments.

d.      Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning endorsement of the Regional Project Priorities List for the NYSDOT Safe Routes to School Program / Proposed Council Resolution 12-142
 

Robert Torzynski provided a report on the NYSDOT Safe Routes to School Program including the goals of the program, the types of projects eligible for funding, the schedule for this funding round, the review and ranking process, and the next steps. He noted that eight applications, seeking approximately $2.5 million in funding were received in the region and that approximately $1.66 million in funding is available for the region based on NYSDOT-Main Offices most recently distributed estimate. He noted that the funding announcements are anticipated to be made by the Governors Office by the end of the year.
 

Tom Goodwin moved to recommend that the GTC Board adopt Council Resolution 12-142, Daniel Hallowell seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
 

e. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program / Proposed Council Resolutions 12-143 through 12-151

Scott Leathersich proposed grouping consideration of Resolutions 12-143 through 12-151 for consideration under a single motion. No Member or Alternate objected.

1.      Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by advancing portions of select phases of the O'Connor Road Realignment project / Proposed Council Resolution 12-143 (Town of Perinton)

2.      Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by reprogramming portions of select phases of the Highway Safety Improvement Block Program project / Proposed Council Resolution 12-144 (Town of Perinton)

Richard Perrin discussed Proposed Council Resolutions 12-143 and 12-144. He noted that Proposed Council Resolution 12-143 will advance portions of the Construction and Construction Inspection Phases for the OConnor Road project with an offset being provided by the Highway Safety Improvement block via Proposed Council Resolution 12-144.
 

3.      Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by reprogramming and deferring select phases of the Paul Road-Fisher Road Corridor Improvements - Phase 2 project / Proposed Council Resolution 12-145 (Monroe County)

Richard Perrin indicated there is still a need to reconcile the final figures for the phases of the Paul Road-Fisher Road project between MCDOT, NYSDOT, and GTC staff. He noted that the Paul Road-Fisher Road project is funded through an earmark and that Monroe County is requesting that the Resolution be recommended to the GTC Board so the project can proceed to bid without further delay, noting that it has no impact on any other projects. Fully reconciled figures would be used in the final draft of the resolution that is provided to the GTC Board.
 

4.      Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by deferring select phases of the Rt. 19 Bridge over Wiscoy Creek project / Proposed Council Resolution 12-146 (NYSDOT)

5.      Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by deleting the Interstate System Preventive Maintenance (2014) project / Proposed Council Resolution 12-147 (NYSDOT)

6.      Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by increasing the Federal share of the I-390 Interchange Improvements @ Exit 16 Phase 2A (Kendrick Road) project / Proposed Council Resolution 12-148 (NYSDOT)

Richard Perrin discussed Proposed Council Resolutions 12-146 through 12-148. John Polimeni provided additional details indicating that Proposed Council Resolutions 12-146 and 12-147 provide offsets for the I-390 Interchange Improvements @ Exit 16 Phase 2A (Kendrick Road) project which is addressed in Proposed Council Resolution 12-148.
 

7.      Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by decreasing the cost of the Deploy Ultra-Clean Switcher Locomotives project / Proposed Council Resolution 12-149 (CSX Transportation)

8.      Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by increasing select phases of the CMAQ Block Program project / Proposed Council Resolution 12-150 (CSX Transportation)

Richard Perrin noted that Proposed Council Resolution 12-149 is needed because CSX has had issues with the technology involved in its original proposal in other areas and, as a result, is seeking to use a more reliable technology. CSX has also determined that fewer locomotives are needed at the Goodman yards. There is a net reduction in the overall cost of the project which will make CMAQ funds available for other projects. Richard noted that Proposed Council Resolution 12-150 is a placeholder for the CMAQ funds that would be released by Proposed Council Resolution 12-149. Richard indicated that he expects TIP amendments that would utilized the available CMAQ funds to be presented in February and that he expects the region will not be able to use CMAQ funds after FFY 2014.

9.     Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by deleting the Town of Marion Hamlet Connectivity project / Proposed Council Resolution 12-151 (NYSDOT on behalf of the Town of Marion)

Richard Perrin informed the Committee that the Town of Marion was unable to establish a sidewalk district via referendum as originally anticipated when the associated Transportation Enhancements Project (TEP) project was developed and approved. The sidewalk district would have provided the funding for the local match. Accordingly the Town has to decline the TEP funds. Richard added that the associated TEP funds will be lost to the region and that sponsors should expect greater scrutiny of proposed local funding sources for future applications.
 

Terrence Rice moved to recommend that the GTC Board adopt Council Resolutions 12-143 through 12-151, David Cook seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.

6. New Business
 

c.      2013 Meetings Calendar
 

Richard Perrin reviewed the 2013 Meetings Calendar. Daniel Hallowell raised a concern that given the scheduled Board Meeting date of September 12, 2013, it will be extremely difficult to get the TIP amendments through the state financial system while meeting timelines external to the GTC TIP development process. Richard responded that the GTC Board Meeting calendar is coordinated with the meeting schedule of the G/FLRPC and any proposed changes to the meeting calendar will need to be considered by the G/FLRPC Board as well as the GTC Board. David Zorn noted that arrangements to secure the meeting venue need to be confirmed soon. Richard Perrin stated that the matter could be brought up at the December 13 GTC Board Meeting for further consideration.

 

a.      2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program Development

Richard Perrin reported that GTC staff received the NYSDOT TIP/STIP Guidance and Instructions along with the associated Planning Targets for FFYs 2015 through 2018 by FHWA program on September 26. Richard reviewed the changes to the structure of FHWA programs under MAP-21 and discussed the new NYSDOT approach of splitting the projected apportionments of FHWA funds to the state into allocable (70 percent of the total) and non-allocable (25 percent of the total) components with a small amount (five percent of the total) reserved for the NYSDOT Commissioners priorities.

The major effect of the MAP-21 changes to FHWA programs is that significantly more of the funds must be spent on the National Highway System (NHS), which has been expanded to include all roadways classified as Principal Arterial. As a result, fewer funds are available for highways and bridges that are owned, maintained, and operated by local governments. The impact is that there is not enough funding available for projects that were removed from the current TIP in December 2011 when the previous Planning Targets were reduced by $130 million (40 percent) to account for the change in direction by Congress regarding the federal role in transportation.

In addition, NYSDOT is placing a major emphasis on preventive maintenance activities and has revised its policy for providing Marchiselli funds to incentivize local agencies to also adopt this emphasis. To date, GTC has not allowed the programming of FHWA funds to many of the NYSDOT-defined preventive maintenance activities as they represent treatments that should be undertaken with non-federal funds (as many member agencies have and continue to do) and that federal funds should be programmed to more capital-intensive activities.

The TIP Development Committee (TDC) met on October 11 and 22 to discuss these changes and begin developing a process for developing the next TIP, which will add FFYs 2015 through 2017 to the current program. One item of follow-up has been to request that the non-allocable component be funded entirely with National Highway Performance Program funds so as to maximize the amount of funds available for programming by MPOs. NYSDOT has indicated that it is strongly considering this approach but that the total amounts contained in the Planning Targets for regions will not change much.

In terms of next steps, GTC staff will await the revised Planning Targets that should provide more flexibility and make a recommendation to the TIP Development Committee about how to proceed, recognizing that federal funds have been obligated to projects that must advance to completion within ten years or pay back any federal funds expended for pre-construction design and right-of-way activities.

Terrence Rice noted that the Highway Superintendents Association has been trying to get NYSDOT to shift the funding for the non-allocable portion. Terrence also noted that it was his understanding that it had been decided at the TDC to solicit new projects for the upcoming TIP. Daniel Hallowell responded that his understanding is that soliciting new projects is an option but that a firm decision hadnt been made.

Dan distributed a list of projects that would be submitted for the Beyond Preservation portion of funds under the statewide prioritization set-aside. Erik Frisch asked if the $122 million cap mentioned with respect to the submittal referred to the maximum that could be requested or what the region could expect to be awarded. Richard Perrin responded that the $122 million refers to the maximum that may be requested and that amount provided will be less.

William Wright asked for clarification regarding any new call for TIP projects. Richard Perrin responded that we can wait for the revised Surface Transportation Program targets and then work with the TDC on options that could range from a limited clean your plate approach to a full solicitation. Terrence Rice commented that if we have to focus on preservation then we need to revisit projects and solicit new projects so sponsors can re-evaluate the scope of their projects as well as identify new preservation projects. Richard Perrin noted that the TDC can be convened to discuss the best way to proceed, and that we may end up with a call for projects that considers only preservation projects. William Wright suggested that everything should go back on the table.

Scott Leathersich concluded that the discussion is getting to a point that is more appropriate to discuss at the TDC.

Terrence Rice asked about continuing the project status report that was discussed at the August Planning Committee meeting. Daniel Hallowell responded that we need to figure out a way to make it more effective, noting that NYSDOT can prepare a report in advance of the Planning Committee mailings, perhaps looking at projects above a certain threshold that are scheduled to be delivered within a certain time period. This would give sponsors an opportunity to discuss the status of the listed projects at the meeting.

b.     FY 2013-2014 Unified Planning Work Program Development

Richard Perrin stated that the FY 2013-2014 UPWP Call for projects was issued on Friday, September 14. An applicant workshop was held on Thursday, September 27 at the NYSDOT-Region 4 offices with three potential project sponsors attending. Twenty two proposals requesting $1,322,255 in federal transportation planning funds were received by the Friday, October 19 deadline.

After accounting for GTC core requirements and adding FHWA balances from FY 2011-2012 and the FTA balances from previous years that were approved earlier in the meeting, there is approximately $1 million available for programming in the FY 2013-2014 UPWP.

The 22 proposals were evaluated by GTC staff based on the information contained in the applications. The submitted proposals along with a summary of them, the evaluation form used by GTC staff, a worksheet, and the GTC staff rankings were provided to the UPWP Development Committee (UDC) on November 1. The UDC will meet as necessary to review the proposals and discuss additional factors based on their professional judgment. The first meeting of the UDC will be held after this Planning Committee meeting and a draft FY 2013-2014 UPWP will be developed for presentation to the Planning Committee at its January 10, 2013 meeting.

Based on any changes made at that meeting, an initial draft program will be approved for 30-day public review and a final draft program for Board adoption will be recommended by the Planning Committee at its February 14, 2013 meeting. The Board will consider the final draft FY 2013-2014 UPWP at its March 14, 2013 meeting and the adopted UPWP will take effect April 1, 2013.

7. Public Forum

No one from the public spoke during the public forum.
 

8. Next Meeting

Next Meeting: January 10, 2013 at NYS Department of Transportation-Region 4
1530 Jefferson Road

Henrietta, NY

All materials for items to be considered at this meeting should be submitted to GTC staff no later than Thursday, December 27, 2012.

9. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 12:22 p.m.