GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Ebenezer Watts Conference Center
Rochester, New York
January 5, 2012
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
James Fletcher, Monroe County At Large
Erik Frisch, City of Rochester At Large
Thomas Goodwin, Monroe County Planning Board
Andrea Guzzetta, Rochester City Council
Daniel Hallowell, New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Region 4
Paul Holahan, City of Rochester
Kristen Mark Hughes, Ontario County (Chairperson)
Scott Leathersich, Monroe County At Large (Vice Chairperson)
Kevin Rooney, Wayne County
C. Mitchell Rowe, Seneca County
David Zorn, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council (G/FLRPC)
ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
Tim Freiler, Monroe County
David Hartman, Yates County
Don Higgins, Livingston County
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED
Bill Carpenter, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority
Robert Colby, Monroe County
Todd Gadd, Wyoming County
Robert Griffith, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Timothy Hens, Genesee County
Peter McCann, Monroe County Supervisors Association
Edward Muszynski, Empire State Development Corporation
Henry Smith, Jr., Orleans 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), Rochester City Planning Commission
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE
Tony Favro, GTC staff
Richard Perrin, GTC staff
James Stack, GTC staff
1. Call to Order & Introductions
The meeting was called to order at 10:01 a.m. Kristen Mark 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
November 10, 2011 Planning Committee meeting; Kevin Rooney
seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as presented.
4. Reports on UPWP Projects and Other Activities
a. Reports on UPWP Projects and Other Activities
GTC
Richard Perrin reported:
Supplemental Professional Services - Database Programming: Accepted by the GTC Board at its June 16, 2011 meeting.
GTC Strategic Planning: A presentation on the Senate-proposed authorization legislation was given to the Board at its December 8 meeting, and a memo further detailing potential impacts to the region was provided on December 30. A small working group, consisting of Livingston County, Monroe County, and G/FLRPC met on November 30 to discuss potential partnerships that could expand the resources available to local governments. GTC staff is formulating a strategy for creating these partnerships with colleges, universities, and community groups.
LRTP Update/Implementation: Adopted by the GTC Board at its June 16, 2011 meeting. Progress continues on the development of Recommendation Advancement Plans for each of the recommendations of the Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region 2035 (LRTP 2035).
Air Quality Planning and Outreach: GTC staff participated on the December 21, 2011 Interagency Consultation Group teleconference and received concurrence on the RGRTA facilities upgrade project that was awarded Transit Investment in Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) funding. GTC will be participating as a member of the University of Rochester's Environmental Health Community Advisory Board.
GTC Household Travel Survey: A preliminary draft report has been provided for GTC staff review and initial results of the preferential attitude questions have been received.
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Strategic Plan Update: The ITS Strategic Plan for Greater Rochester was adopted by the GTC Board at its June 16, 2011 meeting. The draft assessment of how the Transportation Management Committee can be improved was reviewed by the committee at its meeting on November 15, 2011 and staff is reviewing the results.
Diversion Route Planning Initiative: The contract was executed on November 28, 2011. Project Advisory Committee members have been contacted and the first meeting is being scheduled.
Priority Trails Advancement: The NYS Route 104 - Ontario to Sodus Trail was accepted by the GTC Board at the December 8, 2011 meeting. The second public meeting for the Pultneyville to Marion Trail Feasibility Study has been scheduled for January 19 to present the draft alignment and design.
Greater Rochester Regional Commuter Choice Program: The roll-out plan, including promotional materials for commuters and businesses, a press conference, and other outreach activities, is being finalized and associated activities will be scheduled.
Travel Time Data Collection Program: The second round of data collection was accepted by the GTC Board at its June 16, 2011 meeting. GTC staff intends to purchase archived data from a private vendor if this task is included in the adopted FY 2012-2013 UPWP.
Coordinated Public Transit/Human Services Transportation Planning: The plan was accepted by the Board at the September 8, 2011 meeting.
Regional Goods Movement Strategy: The third Steering Committee meeting was held November 17, 2011. Draft alternatives were reviewed and discussed. GTC staff and the consultant have been meeting with member agencies and others to discuss additional alternatives. The project evaluation form has been finalized and alternatives are being analyzed.
G/FLRPC
Dave Zorn reported:
2010 Census TAZ Analysis and Revisions: The project is complete.
Regional Land Use Monitoring Report: The 2010 report is complete and preliminary work has begun on the 2011 report.
Livingston County
Don Higgins reported:
Livingston County Safe Passing Zone: The study is on this meetings agenda for Planning Committee consideration.
Livingston County Transportation Connectivity Plan: No progress to report.
Monroe County
Tom Goodwin reported:
Monroe County Land Use Monitoring Report: The 2010 report is complete and preliminary work has begun on the 2011 report. The County will coordinate with G/FLRPC on the survey for the report.
Scott Leathersich reported:
Monroe County Audible/Tactile Pedestrian Signal Device Study: The study is complete.
The Monroe County Vertical Curve Safety Study: The study is complete.
Monroe County Sign Inventory Location Upgrade: Data continues to be integrated into the project database.
Monroe County Horizontal Curve Study: The contract is expected to be presented to the County Legislature in March 2012.
Monroe County High Accident Location Program: Analyses for twenty-nine sites (55 percent of projected total) are complete.
Monroe County Accident Rate Database GIS Conversion: Consultant work is underway.
Ontario County
Kristin Mark Hughes reported:
Routes 5 & 20 and State Route 364 Multi-Modal Study: A draft scope of work is on todays agenda.
City of Rochester
Erik Frisch reported:
Center City Tourist/Visitor Circulation and Pedestrian Wayfinding Study: The Steering Committee met in October. Various sign options have been displayed at Rochester Downtown Development Corporation (RDDC) events to solicit feedback. Preferred alternative routes are being discussed by city staff and will be selected in January.
Center City Circulator Study: The project is complete.
City of Rochester Urban Trail Linkages Feasibility Study: The Project Advisory Committee will meet in late-January or early-February.
Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Parking and Circulation Study: City staff have completed a parking survey. A draft final report will be sent to the Project Advisory Committee in advance of its meeting on January 31. A public meeting will be scheduled for February at the Susan B. Anthony House.
St. Paul and North Clinton Two-Way Conversion Study: Project is back on track and a feasibility analysis is underway.
Mt. Read Boulevard Corridor Study: A draft scope of work is on todays agenda.
RGRTA
Rich Perrin noted:
RGRTA Suburban Transit Station Study: The final report is being developed based on the revised scope of work. A public meeting will be scheduled to provide the results.
RTS Signal Prioritization Study: No progress to report.
RGRTA Transit-Supportive Development Guidelines: No progress to report.
The RGRTA Route Analysis: The project is ongoing.
Wayne County
Kevin Rooney reported:
Cluster Development Enhancement Project Feasibility Study: The study is complete.
Wayne County Safe Passing Zone The study is complete.
Other Agencies
Richard Perrin reported:
Auburn Trail/Ontario Pathways Trail Connection Feasibility Study: The inventory has been completed and the needs assessment is being finalized. The development and screening of preliminary alternatives are being conducted.
Irondequoit Seneca Trail: No progress to report.
Black Creek Corridor Trail: No progress to report.
Genesee County Central Corridor Plan: The plan was accepted by the GTC Board at its December 8, 2011 meeting.
Brighton Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Plan: The kickoff meeting was held November 15, 2011. The consultant is advancing the inventory of existing conditions and resident survey is being reviewed by the Steering Committee.
Kristen Mark Hughes reported:
Victor Transportation Systems Plan: Work is progressing as part of the larger effort to update the Victor Comprehensive Plan. The Advisory Committee is meeting every two weeks. The transportation component is essentially complete.
Jim Fletcher asked how the Route 96 Corridor functioned during the holidays. Kris Hughes responded that there were no backups during the shopping season, likely due to new traffic management procedures.
b. Any Other Old Business or Announcements
1. Proposed federal legislation update and discussion
Richard Perrin reported:
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) released its version of the highway portion of the next surface transportation authorization bill on November 4, 2011. Entitled Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), it passed EPW unanimously on November 9, 2011. The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (CST) approved its safety, research, and freight portions of the draft authorization on December 14, 2011.
The proposed legislation would authorize $109 billion in spending for two years. Unlike previous authorizations where the level of funding has increased in recognition of growing needs, this amount would be similar to the current amount of federal transportation funding that is now provided. Richard discussed the key policy provisions of program consolidation, performance management, increased emphasis on freight, project delivery improvements, and financing, and the largest potential impacts to GTC (recognizing that rulemakings subsequent to the enactment of the legislation will play a role in the magnitude of the impacts). These major impacts include:
The proposed consolidation of programs would result in fewer funds available for non-National Highway System (NHS) bridges and not provide any additional funds for non-NHS highways, even with the increase in funding through the proposed Transportation Mobility Program compared to the current Surface Transportation Program.
The proposed revision to the boundaries of MPOs (under the performance management section) to be either the 1.) existing urbanized area and any contiguous areas expected to be urbanized over the next 20 year or 2.) entire metropolitan statistical area (MSA), as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget, would result in Genesee, Seneca, Wyoming, and Yates counties no longer being part of GTC.
Paul Holahan asked if it is too soon for GTC to adopt a resolution supporting that nine-county GTC geography. Richard responded that it is not but noted that this can also be accomplished through Congressional outreach that GTC members may be undertaking.
Don Higgins asked Richard to send the Planning Committee a summary of the status of MAP-21. Rich responded that he would send the summary that was recently completed and provided to GTC Board members and alternates.
5. Action Items
a. Action concerning approving the Draft FY 2012-2013 Unified Planning Work Program Project List for public review
Richard Perrin stated that the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is the annual program of federally-funded transportation activities to be undertaken by GTC staff, its member agencies, and communities throughout the region. Included in the meeting package on pages 21 through 23 is the draft project list along with the associated transmittal materials for public review. Projects included in the current UPWP that are not complete by March 31, 2012 will automatically be rolled into the new UPWP.
After allocating the needed funding to the GTC core budget, there were nearly $1.5 million in requests with $1.1 million available. The UPWP Development Committee (UDC) met on November 10, November 30, and December 5 of last year as well as deliberated via e-mail to develop this program of projects which represents their consensus recommendation to this committee. Richard expressed appreciation to the UDC for their work in developing the draft program.
Of note in the draft project list presented to the Planning Committee for its consideration is the continuation of land use monitoring reports, updates to the regional atlas and Greater Rochester Area Bicycling Map, several safety studies, two circulation, accessibility, and parking studies, and the development of a regional mobility management plan that is a recommendation of the LRTP 2035 and recently-adopted Coordinated Public Transit/Human Services Transportation Plan.
The draft project list will be made available for public review from January 6, 2012 through February 6, 2012 on the GTC website and at the GTC offices, county planning offices, the NYSDOT-Region 4 offices, and the central repository libraries in the Rochester Transportation Management Area counties.
Don Higgins stated he was pleased the Yates County Safe Passing Zone Study was recommended for funding.
James Fletcher moved to approve the Draft FY 2012-2013 Unified Planning Work Program Project List for public review. Erik Frisch
seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
b. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning accepting submission of a report, Livingston County Safe Passing Zone Study, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 6223 / Proposed Council Resolution 12-2
Don Higgins summarized the study, noting its safety benefits for the County, and expressed appreciation for UPWP funding.
Kevin Rooney moved to recommend accepting submission of the Livingston County Safe Passing Zone Study as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 6223. Tim Frelier seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
c. Action concerning consideration of UPWP Project Scopes of Work
Kris Hughes suggested that proposed UPWP Project Scopes of Work be considered as a single action; no Member or Alternate objected.
1. Task 7541 Rts. 5&20 and State Rt. 364 Multi-Modal Safety and Access Improvement Study (Ontario County)
Kris Hughes discussed the proposed scope of work, characterizing the project as a fairly typical corridor study for a busy and growing area.
2. Task 7574 Mount Read Boulevard Corridor Study (City of Rochester)
Erik Frisch discussed the proposed scope of work, noting that access and capacity issues are particularly important to study on the busy commercial thoroughfare.
Scott Leathersich proposed additions to the background and tasks portions of the proposed scope of work. Erik Frisch agreed that these additions should be included in the scope of work.
Andrea Guzzeta moved to approve the scopes of work for the Rts. 5&20 and State Rt. 364 Multi-Modal Safety and Access Improvement Study and the Mount Read Boulevard Corridor Study. Dan Hallowell seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
6. New Business
The Planning Committee congratulated Mitch Rowe on his appointment as Seneca County Manager.
Erik Frisch asked if anyone had information on Governor Cuomos proposed NY Works program/fund. Richard Perrin said he heard that many details are still to be worked out and noted that, although any additional funding is welcome, how the program is funded will determine the impacts on transportation infrastructure needs in the long-term.
Dan Hallowell said he doesnt know where funding is coming from or who can use it. He said that NYSDOT is discussing the acceleration of state bridge projects, possibly moving to design-build as appropriate.
7. Public Forum
No one from the public spoke during the public forum.
8. Next Meeting
Next Meeting: February 9, 2012 at
Livingston County Highway Department
4389 Gypsy Lane
Groveland, NY
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:48 a.m.