GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Monroe County Fleet Center
145 Paul Road, Chili
August 11, 2011
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Erik Frisch, City of Rochester At Large
Paul Holahan, City of Rochester
Kristen Mark Hughes, Ontario County (Chairperson)
Todd Gadd, Wyoming County
Tom Goodwin, Monroe County
Andrea Guzzetta, Rochester City Council
Scott Leathersich, Monroe County At Large (Vice Chairperson)
Kevin Rooney, Wayne County
C. Mitchell Rowe, Seneca County
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
Don Higgins, Livingston County, representing Angela Ellis
Edwin Welsh, 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
Robert Griffith, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Timothy Hens, Genesee County
Peter McCann, Monroe County Supervisors Association
Edward Muszynski, Empire State Development Corporation
Terrence J. Rice, Monroe County
Henry Smith, Jr., Orleans County
Steven Urlass, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
(Vacant), Federal Transportation Administration (FTA)
(Vacant), NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
(Vacant), Rochester City Planning Commission
(Vacant), Yates County
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE
Dennis Judson, Fisher Associates
Razy Kased, G/FLRPC
Tom Kicior, G/FLRPC
Richard Perrin, GTC staff
Michael A. Philipson, The Philipson Group
John Polimeni, NYSDOT-Region 4
Jim Pond, Monroe County
James Stack, GTC staff
Robert Torzynski, GTC staff
1. Call to Order & Introductions
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 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
Kevin Rooney moved for approval of the minutes from the May 12, 2011 Planning Committee meeting; Scott Leathersich seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as presented.
Kris Hughes suggested that the agenda be revised to move item 6.a., Presentation on Greentopia and the Garden Aerial, forward in the agenda. No member or alternate objected.
6. New Business
a. Presentation on Greentopia and the Garden Aerial (The Philipson Group)
Michael Philipson, Principal of The Philipson Group, presented an overview of the Greentopia Festival and the Garden Aerial project. The Greentopia Festival will be held September 17 and 18 at High Falls and will showcase environmental sustainability in and for the region. The Garden Aerial project would create a loop trail including an aerial garden around the High Falls Gorge by constructing a bridge immediately above the brink of the Falls using existing footings that would connect the High Falls Observation Deck to the foot of Commercial Street.
4. Reports and Action on Old Business
a. Reports on UPWP Projects and Other Activities
GTC
Richard Perrin reported:
The Supplemental Professional Services Database Programming project was accepted by the GTC Board at its June 16 meeting.
Regarding GTC Strategic Planning, GTC staff continues to monitor developments related to the next surface transportation authorization legislation. GTC staff provided an assessment of current and desired highway data to NYSDOT-Main Office in June. GTC staff developed a discussion paper on opportunities and issues for review and comment by the Regional Working Group as part of an August 8 meeting on funding opportunities related to sustainability.
The Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region 2035 (LRTP 2035) was adopted by the GTC Board at its June 16 meeting. GTC staff are developing a status and monitoring report to track the progress in advancing the recommendations of the LRTP 2035.
Regarding the Air Quality Planning and Outreach task, the conformity statement for the LRTP 2035 was adopted by the GTC Board at its June 16 meeting. GTC staff reviewed the public outreach and involvement plan for the 2013 NYS Energy Plan in June and determined that no comments needed to be submitted.
Regarding the GTC Household Travel Survey, GTC staff approved the project management plan. The draft survey and associated materials and website have been developed and a pre-test was conducted on August 4 and August 9.
The Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Strategic Plan Update was adopted by the GTC Board at its June 16 meeting.
There is no progress to report for the Diversion Route Planning Initiative.
The Priority Trails Advancement Program consists of two projects. A public meeting was held on July 14 for the Route 104 - Ontario to Sodus Trail and the plan is being finalized based on these comments. The draft report for the Pultneyville to Marion Trail feasibility study was provided on August 1 and the Steering Committee met on August 8 to discuss it.
The update of the Congestion Management Process (CMP) is included in the draft LRTP 2035 that was adopted by the Board on June 16. GTC staff has drafted the outline for a CMP performance monitoring plan that may be included in the LRTP status report.
The draft version of the Greater Rochester Regional Commuter Choice Program website is under internal review and the final version is expected to be available to the public in September.
Regarding the Travel Time Data Collection Program, the second round of data collection on Principal Arterials was accepted by the GTC Board at its June 16 meeting. GTC staff has evaluated the change in travel times on Principal Arterials between the two phases and has determined that the purchase of archived data will provide better information and be more cost-effective than the current methodology.
The update to the regions Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan will be presented as agenda item 5.a.5.
The Steering Committee for the Regional Goods Movement Strategy met on June 15 to discuss strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOTs). Focus groups were held throughout the region on June 13 through June 16. The draft document discussing regional freight-related needs based on the SWOT analysis has been developed and is being revised. A public meeting will be held in September with the next Steering Committee to be scheduled later in the fall.
G/FLRPC
Dave Zorn reported:
The 2010 Census TAZ Analysis and Revisions project will be presented as agenda item 5.a.1.
The 2010 Regional Land Use Monitoring Report will be presented as agenda item 5.a.3.
Livingston County
Don Higgins reported:
A consultant has been selected for the Safe Passing Zone study and work is expected to be underway within the next several weeks.
The consultant selection team for the Livingston County Transportation Connectivity Plan was formed in June and met on July 11 to review the draft Request for Proposals (RFP). A meeting was held with RGRTA on August 10 to discuss the public transit route analysis component of the RFP. The target for completion of the RFP is the end of August.
Monroe County
Tom Goodwin reported:
The Monroe County Land Use Monitoring Report will be presented as agenda item 5.A.2.
Scott Leathersich reported:
The Monroe County Audible/Tactile Pedestrian Signal Device Study was adopted by the GTC Board at its June 16 meeting.
The Monroe County Vertical Curve Safety Study will be presented as agenda item 5.A.4.
The consultant for the Monroe County Sign Inventory Location Upgrade has collected the necessary data and it is being manually integrated into the database.
The consultant selection process for the Monroe County Horizontal Curve Sign Study is underway.
As part of the Monroe County High Accident Location Program, five additional sites have been analyzed, for a total of 23 complete. The project is 43 percent complete.
Monroe County is negotiating the project agreement with the selected consultant for the Accident Rate Database GIS Conversion project, with an October startup anticipated.
Ontario County
Kris Hughes reported:
The scope of work for the Routes 5 & 20 and State Route 364 Multi-Modal Study is being developed and is expected to be presented at the October meeting.
City of Rochester
Erik Frisch reported:
The consultant for the Center City Tourist/Visitor Circulation and Pedestrian Wayfinding Study has completed the inventory and analysis and is developing sign concepts. A public meeting was held June 29.
The Center City Circulator Study was adopted by the GTC Board at its June 16 meeting.
A consultant for the City of Rochester Urban Trail Linkages Feasibility Study is under contract and the kickoff meeting was held July 12. Inventory and analysis work is underway, the consultant is scheduled to meet with Kodak the week of August 15, and a public meeting is anticipated for September or October.
Comments on the draft report for the Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Parking and Circulation Study are being reviewed, along with the results of the associated business and neighborhood parking surveys conducted by City staff. The final public meeting is anticipated for late-August or early-September.
The existing conditions analysis for the St. Paul and North Clinton Two-Way Conversion Study is complete and a steering Committee Meeting was held in July. A website has been launched to collect public input on issues and opportunities with the first public meeting to be scheduled.
Richard Perrin reported:
With respect to the Mt. Read Boulevard Corridor Study, GTC in consultation with the City of Rochester and NYSDOT is looking at working with XEROX on new approaches to planning and intends to evaluate alternative strategies to advance the study.
RGRTA
David Cook reported:
Regarding the RGRTA Suburban Transit Station Study, the first steering committee meeting was held on July 29. The consultant is developing the transit market analysis and a public meeting is anticipated for October.
There is no progress to report on the RTS Signal Prioritization Study.
There is no progress to report on the RGRTA Transit-Supportive Development Guidelines project.
The RGRTA Route Analysis project is ongoing.
Wayne County
Kevin Rooney reported:
The consultant has submitted a pre-final version of the Cluster Development Enhancement Project Feasibility study which was revised in response to the project steering committee comments on the previous draft.
The Wayne County Safe Passing Zone Survey was accepted by the GTC Board at its June 16 meeting.
Other Agencies
Richard Perrin reported:
The first Steering Committee meeting for the Auburn Trail/Ontario Pathways Trail Connection Feasibility Study was held on June 29 with the second meeting scheduled for August 25 to review existing and planned conditions.
There is no progress to report on the Irondequoit Seneca Multi-Use Trail Feasibility Study.
The scope of work for the Black Creek Stream Corridor Trail Feasibility Study was approved at the May 12 Planning Committee meeting. The RFP was advertised May 31 with 11 proposals received by the July 13 deadline. The consultant selection committee is scheduled to meet August 12.
There is no progress to report on the Genesee County Central Corridor Plan.
There is no progress to report on the Victor Transportation Systems Plan.
The RFP for the Brighton Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan was advertised June 3 with six proposals received by the July 15 deadline. The consultant selection committee is scheduled to meet August 12.
b. Any Other Old Business or Announcements
Richard Perrin reported that Rochester Mayor Thomas Richards designated Paul Holahan as his alternate to the GTC Board on June 14.
Richard Perrin reported that the next UPWP solicitation is anticipated to begin in late-August or early-September, including the distribution of the advance notice of available funds on September 6 with staff discussion and brainstorming in early-September.
1. Proposed federal legislation update and discussion
Richard Perrin provided the following report:
House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee Chairman John Mica introduced the outline of the committee majoritys version of the next surface transportation authorization on July 7. The proposal is for a six-year bill funded with the Congressional Budget Office-projected amount of revenue expected to be available from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). This would be approximately $230 billion in total ($201.6 billion in the Highway Account and $30.9 billion in the Mass Transit account) or $38.3 billion per year. Using this funding amount, the House T&I Committee proposal is consistent with the House Budget Committee rules that require spending levels be supported by projected HTF receipts.
In terms of policy, the outline included provisions for leveraging additional funding via financing methods including state infrastructure banks, streamlining the project delivery process, reducing the size and complexity of the existing Federal program by consolidating or eliminating approximately 70 programs, and increasing the use of performance measures.
Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer introduced the outline of that committee majoritys version of the next surface transportation authorization Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) on July 20. The proposal is for a two-year bill funded at $109 billion or $54.5 billion per year. The funds would come from the $75 billion expected to be available from the HTF and the expected unspent balance of $21.7 billion in the fund at the end of Federal Fiscal Year 2011. This would leave a shortfall of $12 billion, which Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has said could be identified in a way that does not increase the deficit. In terms of policy, the outline includes provisions of the same nature as the House T&I Committee proposal but with differing aspects.
The two proposals represent a fundamental difference of opinion in what the federal role should be in transportation. The House T&I Committee proposal re-envisions that role as being limited to projects of national significance with states and localities expected to take greater responsibility for their systems while the Senate EPW Committee proposal provides for a more expansive federal role as a vehicle for job creation. Given difference in opinion regarding the federal role in transportation, the difficult task of identifying revenues in the current economic climate, and the current Congressional recess, it is unlikely that new surface transportation authorization legislation will be passed before the extension to the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) expires on September 30, 2011.
Complicating matters are the precedent that the federal aviation authorization legislation has created and the expiration of the majority of the federal gas tax on September 30, 2011. On Saturday, August 5, federal aviation programs were extended through September 16 as the Senate agreed to the legislative language proposed by the House of Representatives. The federal aviation authorization legislation expired in 2007 and this latest stop-gap measure is the 21st extension to the bill. The political machinations evidenced recently in the federal aviation legislation debate could likely be expected in the upcoming one on the federal surface transportation legislation.
SAFETEA-LU extended federal excise taxes on fuels and other fees that contribute to the HTF for six years ending on September 30, 2011. If allowed to expire, the federal gas and diesel taxes would drop from 18.4 cents per gallon and 24.4 cents per gallon, respectively, to 4.3 cents per gallon. The expiration of the federal aviation legislation on July 22 resulted in $30 million per day in ticket taxes not being collected by the federal government from airlines, but there was no appreciable decrease in fares during that time. The HTF brings in approximately $90-$100 million per day and some feel the same could happen with gas prices by allowing the extension to SAFETEA-LU to lapse. Many Washington insiders (including the Americans for Tax Reform) feel that the federal fuel excise taxes and other fees will be extended albeit after some political wrangling and posturing.
Given these considerations, it is highly likely that SAFETEA-LU will be extended an eighth time but the length of the extension is very much unknown. To account for likely reduced revenues than originally anticipated when the 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program (2011-2014 TIP) was adopted in June 2010, NYSDOT with concurrence from FHWA is requesting that TIPs be revised to program Federal Fiscal Years (FFYs) 2012 through 2014 at FFY 2011 levels. This would result in a reduction of approximately 40 percent if the FFY 2011 allocation to NYSDOT-Region 4 remains the same as it was when the 2011-2014 TIP was developed. This was discussed with the TIP Development Committee (TDC) and GTC staff met yesterday to review the draft program instructions that NYSDOT-Main Office provided and develop a schedule for producing a revised TIP for GTC Board consideration in December. Due to the extremely short timeline, the schedule for accomplishing this is very tight and may necessitate a special Planning Committee meeting in late-November depending on public comments received. A memo outlining the preferred process, reasoning behind it, and associated schedule will be provided to the TDC.
5. Action Items
a. Recommendations to the GTC Board concerning accepting submission of reports as evidence of completion of various UPWP Tasks
Kris Hughes suggested that proposed Council Resolutions 11-89 through 11-93 be considered as a single action; no Member or Alternate objected.
1. Action concerning recommending the acceptance of the executive summary, 2010 Census TAZ Analysis & Revisions, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 4186 / Proposed Council Resolution 11-89.
Dave Zorn introduced Tom Kicior who discussed the TAZ Analysis and Revision process and noted that the revisions were submitted to the Census Bureau in June and included more than 100 small revisions and approximately 30 larger ones.
2. Action concerning recommending the acceptance of the Land Use Report for Monroe County, New York 2010, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 4210 / Proposed Council Resolution 11-90
Tom Goodwin discussed the development of the report and noted that the materials are posted to the Countys web site. He described the categories included in the report and the general distribution of major projects (residential and non-residential) within Monroe County during the reporting period.
3. Action concerning recommending the acceptance of the report, 2010 Regional Land Use Monitoring Report, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 4220 / Proposed Council Resolution 11-91
Dave Zorn introduced Razy Kased who discussed the development of the report and discussed trends in the number of permits issued in the region. Dave Zorn noted that the report is available on the G/FLRPC website. Kris Hughes asked if those who responded to the survey could be contacted to let them know that the report was available. Razy Kased responded that most of the respondents could be contacted by e-mail and Dave Zorn indicated that this would be done.
4. Action concerning recommending the acceptance of the report, Monroe County Department of Transportation Vertical Curve Safety Study, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 6202 / Proposed Council Resolution 11-92
Jim Pond discussed the project background, scope of work, and the screening criteria that were used, noting that vertical curves can be difficult to find because there are many conditions under which they occur. He discussed the studys ranking process which was applied only to those links that had higher-than-county average crash rates and the recommendations for the highest ranking locations.
5. Action concerning recommending the acceptance of the report, Genesee-Finger Lakes Region Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan Update, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 8150 / Proposed Council Resolution 11-93
Robert Torzynski discussed the need for the plan update, its overall goals, and the public involvement process used to develop it. He noted that focus groups were conducted in each of the nine counties in the region and that two sets of public meetings were held. He described the plans documentation of existing conditions and service providers in the region and the primary themes that emerged during plan development. Robert reviewed the 17 strategies included in the Plan Update categorized as Regional and County Mobility Management, Information, and Service Improvement.
Mitchell Rowe moved to recommend approval of proposed Council Resolutions 11-89 through 11-93; Scott Leathersich seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
b. Action and Recommendations to the GTC Board concerning amendments to the 2011-2014 TIP
Richard Perrin stated that all of the items, with the exceptions of items 4 and 5 have been recommended by the TIP Development Committee (TDC). With regards to items 4 and 5, he reported that while preparing the meeting package for the August 11, 2011 meeting, GTC staff realized a conflict in the proposed offset for the Penfield Road Bridge over Irondequoit Creek project (Proposed Council Resolution 11-96). The meeting package was sent in accordance with the TDC recommendation while GTC and NYSDOT-Region 4 staffs worked on a solution. After exploring other possibilities for providing an offset in the correct fund source, it was determined that the only available offset would be to reduce the cost of the Klem Road Bridge over Mill Creek Tributary project at this time.
The Klem Road Bridge over Mill Creek Tributary project was originally programmed in the TIP as a replacement project but Monroe County has determined that it is a candidate for rehabilitation. Monroe County originally offered to reduce the cost of the Klem Road Bridge over Mill Creek Tributary project to provide an offset for the increase in the Penfield Road Bridge over Irondequoit Creek project (Proposed Council Resolution 11-96). Since it was anticipated that another offset would be available, the TDC did not recommend reducing the cost of the Klem Road Bridge project.
Proposed Planning Committee Resolution 11-6 (agenda item 5.b.4) was prepared to modify the project type and description of the Klem Road Bridge project. This resolution is being replaced by Proposed Council Resolution 11-131 which also decreases the cost of the project. Monroe County has agreed to the proposed amendment, as they had originally offered to use the funds from the Klem Road Bridge project as the offset for the Penfield Road Bridge project.
Richard Perrin distributed a copy of Proposed Council Resolution 11-131.
Kris Hughes asked if there were any questions or concerns about any of the proposed amendments. There being none, Kris Hughes suggested that proposed Planning Committee Resolutions 11-5 and 11-7, proposed Council Resolutions 11-94 through 11-129, and proposed Council Resolution 11-131 be considered as a single action; no Member or Alternate objected.
1. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by increasing the cost of the Rochester Amtrak Station Improvements project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-94 (City of Rochester)
2. Action concerning modifying the 2011-2014 TIP by modifying the project type and project description of the Twin Bridge Road over Oatka Creek project / Proposed Planning Committee Resolution 11-5 (Monroe County)
3. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by increasing the cost of the Kirk Road Bridge over Round Pond Creek and Round Pond Creek Tributary project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-95 (Monroe County)
5. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by increasing the cost of the Penfield Road Bridge over Irondequoit Creek project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-96 (Monroe County)
6. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by combining five Monroe County highway preventive maintenance projects / Proposed Council Resolution 11-97 (Monroe County)
7. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by increasing the cost of the Scott Crescent Bridge over Millrace project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-98 (NYSDOT)
8. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by adding the York Landing Culvert Washout Repairs project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-99 (NYSDOT)
9. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by combining three City of Rochester highway preventive maintenance projects / Proposed Council Resolution 11-100 (NSYDOT)
10. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by combining two City of Rochester highway projects / Proposed Council Resolution 11-101 (NYSDOT)
11. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by combining three City of Rochester multi-use trail projects / Proposed Council Resolution 11-102 (NYSDOT)
12. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by combining two Wyoming County bridge preventive maintenance projects / Proposed Council Resolution 11-103 (NYSDOT)
13. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by increasing the cost of the West Street Bridge over Cattaraugus Creek project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-104 (NYSDOT)
14. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by modifying the scope and description of the High Risk Rural Road Improvement in Wyoming County project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-105 (NYSDOT)
15. Action concerning modifying the 2011-2014 TIP by modifying the costs of select phases of the Dunlop Road over Oak Orchard Creek project / Proposed Planning Committee Resolution 11-7 (NYSDOT)
16. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by reinstating six railroad crossing projects / Proposed Council Resolution 11-106 (NYSDOT)
17. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by adding nine railroad crossing projects / Proposed Council Resolution 11-107 (NYSDOT)
18. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by modifying the source of a portion of the funding for the I-590 Interchange at Winton Road project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-108 (NYSDOT)
19. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by decreasing the cost of the I-490 Bridge over Marsh Road project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-109 (NYSDOT)
20. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by increasing the cost of the Rt. 64 over Irondequoit Creek project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-110 (NYSDOT)
21. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by decreasing the cost of the Rt. 98 at Genesee Rd. in Wyoming County project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-111 (NYSDOT)
22. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by decreasing the cost of the Rt. 33A Bridge over Black Creek project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-112 (NYSDOT)
23. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by decreasing the cost of the ITS Operations project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-113 (NYSDOT)
24. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by adding the Route 590 ITS Improvements Part I project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-114 (NYSDOT)
25. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by adding the Route 590 ITS Improvements Part II project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-115 (NYSDOT)
26. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by deleting the Underwater Bridge Inspection (2014) project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-116 (NYSDOT)
27. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by decreasing the cost of the Geneva Park & Ride, Intersection of Rt. 14 and the Thruway project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-117 (NYSDOT)
28. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by increasing the cost and modifying the scope of the Canandaigua Road Bridge over the Erie Canal project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-118 (NYSDOT)
29. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by advancing phases of the Rt. 390 Ramp Bridge over Rts. 104 and 390 project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-119 (NYSDOT)
30. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by deleting the Hindsburg and Allens Rd. Canal Bridges project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-120 (NYSDOT)
31. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by decreasing the cost of the Highway Safety Improvement Block Program project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-121 (NYSDOT)
32. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by increasing the cost of the Rt. 251 Rehabilitation project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-122 (NYSDOT)
33. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by decreasing the cost of the Rt. 590 Bridges over Rt. 941V (Blossom Rd.) project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-123 (NYSDOT)
34. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by increasing the cost of the Route 590 and Route 104 Bridge Repairs project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-124 (NYSDOT)
35. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by increasing the Federal share of the Rt. 33 from Marway Circle to the Canal MbC project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-125 (NYSDOT)
36. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by decreasing the cost of the Rt. 18 over Moorman Creek project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-126 (NYSDOT)
37. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by increasing the cost of the I-390 Rest Areas project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-127 (NYSDOT)
38. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by advancing phases of and increasing the cost of the Underwater Bridge Inspection (2012) project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-128 (NYSDOT)
39. Recommendation to the GTC Board concerning amending the 2011-2014 TIP by increasing the cost of the Replace 5 RTS Transit Buses (FFY 2010) project / Proposed Council Resolution 11-129 (RGRTA)
Kevin Rooney moved to approve proposed Planning Committee Resolutions 11-5 and 11-7, proposed Council Resolutions 11-94 through 11-129, and proposed Council Resolution11-131; Erik Frisch seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
Richard Perrin distributed and discussed proposed Planning Committee Resolution 11-6, modifying the costs of select phases of three railroad crossing projects. He explained that on March 10, 2011 the GTC Board added these three railroad crossing projects to the TIP. As proposed by NYSDOT, these projects programmed all of the funding to the Other phase. NYSDOT-Region 4 staff then prepared eSTIP ballots to formally add these projects to the STIP.
In July 2011, NYSDOT-Region 4 received Federal Highway Administration guidance requiring railroad crossing projects to have a design phase distinct from the Construction phase to allow for design approval before authorizing funds for construction. Since the eSTIP ballots that were prepared in March had not yet been approved by NYSDOT-Main Office personnel, they were rejected on August 2, 2011 for not meeting the requirement to separate the phases.
NYSDOT-Region 4 has requested an Administrative Modification to modify the projects by redistributing the costs and revenue from the Other phase into a Preliminary Engineering phase and a Construction phase. This will allow the projects to move forward in the current Federal Fiscal Year. The changes are revenue neutral within the respective projects and do not impact any other projects on the TIP.
The TIP Development Committee (TDC) reviewed the proposed modification via email and recommends favorable action.
Scott Leathersich moved to approve proposed Planning Committee Resolution 11-6; David Cook seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
Richard Perrin distributed and discussed proposed Resolution 11-130. The resolution amends the FY 2011-2012 Unified Planning Work Program (FY 2011-2012 UPWP) by decreasing Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5303 Metropolitan Planning Program (MPP) funds by $892 and deleting Task 9310.
The reduction in FTA MPP funds is necessary to account for the difference between the amount programmed in the FY 2011-2012 UPWP based on November 2010 estimates provided by NYSDOT and the statewide appropriation published in the Federal Register Vol. 76, No. 98 of Friday, May 20, 2011.
Per FTA Circular C 5010.1C, Grant Management Guidelines, Chapter I.6, the exact amount of FTA MPP funds appropriated must be programmed (i.e., there can be no over or under programming of FTA MPP funds). As a result of the difference between the NYSDOT estimate and the FTA apportionment, every Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) UPWP including the GTC FY 2011-2012 UPWP is over-programmed. GTC staff is proposing that the $892 reduction in FTA MPP funds from Grant NY-80-0020 be taken from UPWP Task 1600 Program Reserve so that no existing projects will be impacted.
Richard explained that GTC manages the New York State Association of MPOs (NYSAMPO) staff training initiative, UPWP Task 9310. NYSAMPO has decided that additional funds are needed for NYSAMPO staff services to address statewide planning and collaboration needs, monitoring and review of the reauthorization of the federal surface transportation legislation, and facilitation of working group activities. These additional funds, in the amount of $25,000, would come from Task 9310 NYSMPO Staff Training, leaving this task with a balance of zero dollars. Accordingly, GTC staff is proposing that UPWP Task 9310 be deleted. This change would have no impact on GTC as these funds are not available for programming to GTC staff or member agencies.
Don Higgins moved to approve proposed Resolution 11-130; Kevin Rooney seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
7. Public Forum
No one from the public spoke during the public forum.
Erik Frisch asked if any other member agencies or their municipalities are considering submitting an application for this round of the TIGER Discretionary Grant Program and if there would be the opportunity for the GTC Board to endorse a project as the regions highest priority. Mitchell Rowe stated that Seneca County submitted applications the past two years on behalf of Finger Lakes Railroad, but has not been contacted about submitting an application in this cycle. Kris Hughes noted that the City of Geneva is considering a project but that he does not have any specifics. Ed Welsh noted that the State was not successful in the past and is not sure if NYSDOT will submit any applications this cycle.
Richard Perrin stated that if a proposal were available for review, it could be distributed to the Planning Committee for consultation and comment. However, unless a special meeting was held, the Planning Committee would not be able to develop a formal recommendation to the Board. Any presentation to the Board would note that the Planning Committee had been consulted but had not taken action with respect to a formal recommendation for Board action.
8. Next Meeting
Next Meeting: October 13, 2011 at the Ebenezer Watts Conference Center
47 South Fitzhugh Street
Rochester, NY
All materials to be considered at this meeting should be submitted to GTC staff no later than Friday, September 30, 2011.
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:54 a.m.