GTC PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
NYSDOT Region 4 Office Building
April 26, 2001
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
James Brady, Highway Superintendent Wayne County Highway Dept
Joan Dupont, NYS Department of Transportation
Steven Finn, Director of Planning, Ontario County
Steve Hendershott, Supervisor, Town of Chili
Paul Howard, Chairman, GFLRPC
Terrence J. Rice, Director, Monroe County DOT
David Woods, Director, Livingston County Planning Dept.
ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
Paul Johnson representing Rocco DiGiovanni, Monroe County Planning
Chuck Switzer representing Don Riley, RGRTA
David Thielman representing William Leslie, NYS Thruway Authority
John Thomas representing George Stam, City of Rochester
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE
Deborah Elliott, GTC Staff
Steve Gleason, GTC Staff
Brian Lakeman, GTC Staff
Rob Slaver, NYSDOT
James Stack, GTC Staff
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED
John Accorso, City of Rochester
S. William Baker, US EPA
Philip Birto, FAA
Glenn Cooke, Seneca County
Donald Cooley, Orleans County
Stephen Ferranti, Member-At-Large, Monroe County
Glenn Guarino, Member-At-Large, Monroe County
David Hartman, Superintendent of Highways, Yates County
Timothy Hens, Genesee County
Jonathan McDade, FHWA
Mark Scheuerman, Empire State Development
Thomas Skoglund, Wyoming County Planning Department
William Smith, Monroe County Legislator
Larry Stid, City of Rochester
William Sullivan, Chief Legislative Assistant, City of Rochester
Clara Wallace-Douglas, FTA
(Vacant), Member-At-Large, City of Rochester
1. Call to Order
Chairman Paul Howard called the meeting to order at 10:09 a.m.
2. Public Forum
No public comment offered.
3. Approval of Minutes
David Woods made a motion for approval of the minutes from the March 15, 2001 Planning Committee meeting; Joan Dupont seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as submitted.
4. Information Items
GTC Staff and Committee Reports
Steve Gleason reported on GTC Staff and Committee activities:
GTC staff is working with NYSDOT staff to finalize the five-year TIP.
GTC staff changes were summarized as follows: Jane Naylon has resigned and accepted a position elsewhere, Cathie Towner has retired, and Erik Frisch will be returning this summer as an intern and has accepted an offer to join the GTC in December as an Assistant Program Manager while he completes his Masters thesis in Urban and Regional Planning.
The Rochester Amtrak Station Revitalization Study is underway. An RFP was released on Tuesday, April 24 with Proposals due May 25. This UPWP Task includes $40,000 from Assemblyman David Gantts office to support the study. A new logo was developed for the project and Fact Sheets are available.
Gateway Park Road Plan (Livonia) is progressing.
GTC is managing a statewide MPO Shared Cost Initiative. This $200,000 study will assess the funding needs for transportation improvements in each of the 12 metropolitan areas in New York State for the next 20 years.
GTC staff has made progress on the Staff Strategic Plan.
Results of Census 2000 may impact MPO funding due to increased number of MPOs and size of TMAs throughout the country.
GTC staff is working on Technical Amplifications for Planning Committee review and approval.
All participating agencies are invited to join GTC at the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge Run on May 31st.
Fred Hiffa, First Deputy Commissioner NYS DOT, visited the GTC offices to discuss future funding and activities.
Jim Stack highlighted the GTC website.
Participating Agency Reports
Monroe County (DOT)
Terry Rice reported:
Construction on Lyndon Road Bridge and the ORorke Bridge is underway.
The Airport/Transportation Operations Center is expected to be completed in the Fall of 2001.
The Wilson Road Bridge is out to bid.
The Elmwood Avenue project is in the consultant selection phase.
NYSDOT
Joan Dupont reported that NYSDOT staff have been working with GTC staff to establish background and support information for projects in the current TIP. The I-390/I-490 Interchange to Ridge Road EPP has begun.
NYS Thruway Authority
Nothing to report.
R-GRTA
Chuck Switzer reported:
The second draft of the Suburban Circulator Study is under internal review.
Data is being gathered for the Genesee County Transportation Strategic Plan.
The Steering Committee for the Livingston County Transportation Strategic Plan is meeting on May 8th. A presentation is anticipated at the June Planning Committee meeting.
Paul Howard inquired about the status of the Intermodal Freight Terminal Study. Chuck Switzer responded the final draft has been forwarded to Monroe County for comment.
City of Rochester
John Thomas reported:
The final report for the Inner Loop Improvement Study is being completed. The City is working with NYSDOT to ensure the study recommendations can advance with TIP funding.
The Center City Way-Finding Sign Update Study has been advertised in Contract Reporter.
Lake Avenue construction will start soon.
City staff have also been involved in developing background and support information for projects in the current TIP
The Art Walk project will be starting soon.
Terry Rice inquired about the next phase of the Inner Loop Improvement Study. John Thomas responded that the City will work with NYSDOT to develop a project scope. Terry requested that Jim Pond be involved in the scope development.
Monroe County (Planning Department)
Paul Johnson reported:
The data collection for the Monroe County Land Use Monitoring project is being finalized.
The Monroe County Pavement Management System project is complete.
Monroe County Supervisors Association
Steve Hendershott reported:
The Town of Chili was pleased that the Genesee Transportation Council was able to have a TIP Meeting at the town hall.
He invited RGRTA to present the Suburban Circulator Study at a future Supervisors Association meeting.
Livingston County
David Woods reported that the County is now occupying the new highway garage and the radio system will receive a final inspection in two weeks.
Wayne County
James Brady reported:
Engineering will be starting on the Bear Creek and Lake Road project.
The Marion/Walworth Road project has experienced a cost increase due to changes during construction.
GFLRPC
Paul Howard reported:
A graduate student will be starting in June to work on the Regional Satellite Imagery Project.
GFLRPC staff is finishing the development analysis for the Rural County Land Use Monitoring project.
The TMA TIGER File Enhancement & Base Map project is near completion. Paul mentioned that if the TMA boundary expands based on new Census data, additional work will be needed.
Ontario County
Steven Finn reported:
The Ontario County committee for the Route 5 & 20 project met with a citizens group. A meeting with the consultant to set guidelines is scheduled for May 1st.
An agreement with GFLRPC to conduct the Route 332 Corridor Management Study is being finalized.
The Ontario CATS Bus System Plan has had significant progress. Ontario County would like to make a presentation at a future Planning Committee meeting.
He requested that information on the Statewide GIS Sharing Initiative be presented at a future Planning Committee meeting.
The Ontario County Board of Supervisors has a higher awareness of the Genesee Transportation Council and is very complimentary of the UPWP process.
5. Planning Committee Action Items
2001-2006 TIP Update
NYSDOT and GTC staff have been working together to advance the TIP. Based upon comments received during the 30-Day Public Review of the TIP Update the following amendments were proposed:
Remove Mill Road Reconstruction Phase III
Add Chili Avenue Improvement Project
Add Janes Road Reconstruction Project
Add Inner Loop Detailed Traffic Study
Add Otis Street Railroad Crossing
Add Emerson Street Railroad Crossing
Add Route 350 Railroad Crossing
Add Armstrong Road Railroad Crossing
Add Canal Street Railroad Crossing
Add King Street Railroad Crossing
Add State/Local Bridge Inspections (various locations)
The TIP Development Committee concurred with these proposed changes which were then subject to a 10-Day Public Review.
Steve Gleason summarized the comments received during 2001-2006 TIP 10-Day Public Review Period.
GTC and NYS DOT staff have reviewed the comments and feel the document can stand as presented if the Planning Committee approves.
Steve Gleason explained the need to recommend a 5-year TIP document at the May 17th Planning Committee meeting.
Steven Finn motioned to accept the 2001-2006 TIP Update as presented. Steve Hendershott seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
Steve Gleason suggested a TDC meeting be held on May 10 to review changes in the first three years (i.e., the current TIP) of the program before the Planning Committee meets.
It was agreed that the TDC would meet May 10, 2001 at 9:00 a.m. at GTC offices. Prior to the meeting, the changes will be faxed to TDC members. If the TDC members concur with these changes, the TDC meeting will be cancelled.
Steven Finn suggested that the next TIP process included suggestions to municipalities on how to increase public input into application process. In particular he noted comments received regarding the Penfield Four Corners Project.
Joan Dupont commented that the Penfield Four Corners project may not have been eligible for Surface Transportation Program funds.
Paul Johnson commented that we need to be clear on GTC role in public participation versus project sponsors role in public participation.
David Woods expressed concern about managing expectations, particularly if a project is not eligible for federal transportation funds. He is also concerned about the appropriate timing of public input.
Proposed Resolution 01-6: Amending the 1999-2004 TIP by increasing the cost of, and moving funds for, the City of Rochesters Elmwood Avenue Bridge Project
John Thomas explained change in budget and schedule for Elmwood Avenue Bridge Project.
John Thomas motioned to accept Proposed Resolution 01-6. Terry Rice seconded. Discussion ensued.
Steve Finn asked if a seismic retrofit on this project would set a precedent for retrofitting all bridges. Joan Dupont responded that seismic retrofits are standard for bridges meeting specific criteria; however, it was missed in the initial design of this project.
The motion passed unopposed.
Proposed Resolution 01-7: Amending the 1999-2004 TIP by increasing the cost of, and moving funds for, the City of Rochesters Port of Rochester Harbor Improvements Project
John Thomas explained the Citys proposed amendment. Total project cost does not change. New activity with the proposed fast ferry service requires site work prior to start up. The City is planning to start work prior to the start of the 2001-2006 TIP.
Steve Gleason noted that due to the type of amendment proposed, only a Planning Committee Resolution is needed. Proposed Resolution 01-7 was renumbered to Planning Committee Resolution 01-3.
Joan Dupont motioned to accept Planning Committee Resolution 01-3. Steven Finn seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
Proposed Resolution 01-8: Amending the 1999-2004 TIP by adding a New York State Department of Transportation project (I-390 Concrete Repair Project).
Joan Dupont explained the proposed amendment. The project will use Interstate Maintenance funds instead of State Dedicated Funds so the project is not delayed. This amendment must be considered by GTC because a portion of the project falls within the TMA.
Due to the reclassification of the previous Proposed Resolution, Proposed Resolution 01-8 was renumbered to 01-7.
David Woods motioned to accept Proposed Resolution 01-7. Terry Rice seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
Terry Rice asked if State Dedicated Funds will be available for another project in the region. Joan Dupont stated she could not answer at this point in time.
Planning Committee Concurrence on FY 2001-2002 UPWP New Project Technical Amplifications
Steve Gleason described the Technical Amplifications included in the Planning Committee mailing. Task #6620 Route 332 Corridor Management Study description was changed to read engage GFLRPC instead of engage consultant". Due to suggested changes from Wyoming County, consideration of Task #8260 Strategic Plan for Public Transportation Wyoming County was deferred until the May Planning Committee meeting.
David Woods motioned to accept the Technical Amplifications with the noted change to #6620 and deferral of #8260. Terry Rice seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
6. New Business
The Lyndon Road Bridge project brought up a potential eligibility issue with Marchiselli funds. Marchiselli funds are typically used by local jurisdictions to cover the 15% match of Federal funds. Marchiselli funds may not be eligible for use on stand-alone bicycle and pedestrian projects. Future projects will get case-by-case review. John Thomas has heard that bicycle and pedestrian projects are being proposed to be amended into the Marchiselli funds eligibility. GTC staff will research legislation and potential changes. It was suggested that GTC may want to send a letter of support to change eligibility criteria.
7. Next Meeting
The next Planning Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2001, 10:00 a.m. at the Livingston County Government Center.
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:26 a.m.