GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
New York State Department of Transportation-Region 4
1530 Jefferson Road, Henrietta
January 10, 2013
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
Andrea Guzzetta, City of Rochester, City Council
James Fletcher, Monroe County At Large
Scott Leathersich, Monroe County At Large (Chairperson)
Kevin Rooney, Wayne County
David Zorn, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council (G/FLRPC)
ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
David Cook, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), representing Bill Carpenter
David Hartman, Yates County
James McIntosh, City of Rochester, representing Paul Holahan
Chris Reeve, NYS Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)-Region 4, representing Daniel Hallowell
Paul Zakrzewski, NYS Thruway Authority, representing Douglas J. Tokarczyk
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED
Donald Allport, Orleans County
Robert Colby, Monroe County
Timothy Hens, Genesee County
Peter McCann, Monroe County Supervisors Association
Edward Muszynski, Empire State Development Corporation
Terrence J. Rice, Monroe County
Mitchell Rowe, Seneca County
Steven Urlass, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
William Wright, Ontario County
(Vacant), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
(Vacant), Federal Transportation Administration (FTA)
(Vacant), NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
(Vacant), Yates County
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE
Tony Favro, GTC staff
Roy Gates, Seneca County
Marc Kenward, Erdman Anthony
Tom Lichtenthal, Town of Batavia
Rod Penniman, Popli Design Group
Richard Perrin, GTC staff
John Polimeni, NYSDOT-Region 4
James Stack, GTC staff
Patrick Waterman, KCI Engineering
1. Call to Order & Introductions
Scott Leathersich, Planning Committee Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. Members, Alternates, and others present introduced themselves.
2. Public Forum
No one from the public spoke during the Public Forum.
3. Approval of Minutes
Paul Zakrzewski moved for approval of the minutes from the November 8, 2012 Planning Committee meeting; Angela Ellis seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as presented.
4. Reports and Action on Old Business
1. Reports on UPWP Projects and Other Activities
GTC
Richard Perrin reported:
Strategic Planning: The formula for distributing federal planning funds throughout the state was approved by the FHWA and FTA on December 21, 2012 and is being used in the development of the FY 2013-2014 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). Due to the population growth in the Rochester Transportation Management Area, the amount of funding to GTC has increased. GTC staff participated on a webinar related to FHWA apportionments under MAP-21. GTC staff is continuing to participate in the development of the Finger Lakes Regional Sustainability Plan.
Regional Traffic Count Collection: Data collection is complete and delivery of data in a preferred geocoded format is underway.
LRTP Update/Implementation: Staff conducted an assessment of the Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region 2035 (LRTP 2035) using the FHWA INVEST tool to determine areas for improvement. A schedule and preliminary work plan for the LRTP 2040 (to be adopted in June 2015) has been developed.
Air Quality Planning and Outreach: Staff has been working with the Genesee Region Clean Communities on their Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program-funded initiative to expand alternative fuel vehicles in public, private, and not-for-profit fleets. The Request for Proposals for the Program was issued on December 12, 2012 with applications due February 15.
GTC Household Travel Survey: The project is complete.
Diversion Route Planning Initiative: De facto diversion routes (i.e., those that drivers are most likely to use in the event of a facility being closed) based on information from the GTC Travel Demand Model have been developed and are being finalized. The next step is the determination of preferred diversion routes.
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 information included in the LRTP 2035 has been provided to the Transportation Management Committee for its review with initial discussion set to take place at that group's meeting on January 15.
Greater Rochester Regional Commuter Choice Program: The program was accepted by the GTC Board at its September 17 meeting. GTC staff continues to administer the website and make modifications as necessary to improve users' experience.
Travel Time Data Collection Program: GTC staff has negotiated final deliverables with the preferred vendor and are developing the procurement agreement with execution expected in late-January/early-February.
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: The draft scope of work was reviewed by human service transportation providers, county social service agencies, and not-for-profit organizations that serve mobility-limited individuals.
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: Assessment of curves and signage is approximately 75 percent complete. A draft final report was expected by the end of 2012.
G/FLRPC
David Zorn reported:
Regional Land Use Monitoring Report: Staff has begun work on the survey of 2012 activity and expects to distribute it to communities soon.
Genesee-Finger Lakes Region Population Projections: The quantitative portion of the analysis is complete. Staff has already met with eight counties to review the quantitative analysis and discuss qualitative measures. Qualitative analysis will be used to make adjustments.
Regional Atlas: Final data acquisition and review is complete. Preliminary formatting is underway.
Dave Zorn provided an update on the status of the Regional Sustainability Plan. He provided background on the project, including state funding for planning and implementation. He noted that the source of funds is the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) of which the purpose is to reduce CO2 emissions in the Northeast. Dave discussed the planning team and consortium structure, including the roles of Monroe County, GTC, and G/FLRPC with regard to contract and project management. He discussed the involvement of stakeholder groups and the status of current deliverables. Dave also discussed the remaining project schedule, including upcoming public meetings, and the remaining deliverables.
Livingston County
Angela Ellis reported:
Livingston County Transportation Connectivity Plan: Draft existing conditions report expected in February. Approximately 600 public survey responses have been received. A Livingston Area Transportation Service ridership survey was completed in November, and both an Open House and Advisory Committee meeting took place on November 27.
Monroe County
Tom Goodwin reported:
Monroe County Land Use Monitoring Report: Preparation work for the survey of 2012 activity is underway.
Scott Leathersich reported:
Monroe County Sign Inventory Location Upgrade: Testing is being done to detect any anomalies in the linking of the updated sign inventory to the existing database.
Monroe County Horizontal Curve Study: All ball banks are complete. Review of summary report is underway.
Monroe County High Accident Location Program: Analysis of 36 out of 54 (77 percent) locations has been completed.
Monroe County Accident Rate Database GIS Conversion: Project complete. Products received in December. Expected to be presented to the Planning Committee for closeout in February.
Ontario County
Richard Perrin reported:
Routes 5 & 20 and State Route 364 Multi-Modal Study: Per Julie Gotham, Ontario County Senior Planner, the Steering Committee met on December 17, 2012 to discuss existing conditions in the study area. Preparation for the first public meeting is underway with the date and location to be finalized soon.
City of Rochester
Erik Frisch reported:
Center City Tourist/Visitor Circulation and Pedestrian Wayfinding Study: The study is complete.
City of Rochester Urban Trail Linkages Feasibility Study: Draft report is complete. Expected to be presented to the Planning Committee for closeout in February.
Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Parking and Circulation Study: The study is complete.
St. Paul and North Clinton Two-Way Conversion Study: Executive summary will be presented to the Planning Committee at todays meeting.
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: Contract is expected to be executed next week with project kickoff in February.
RGRTA
David Cook reported:
RGRTA Suburban Transit Station Study: The study is complete.
RTS Signal Prioritization Study: Executive summary to be presented to the GTC Board for consideration in March.
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
Kevin Rooney reported:
Wayne County Horizontal Curve Sign Study: Field work is complete with draft report expected in February. Consultant analyzed 30 percent more curves than specified in the RFP (extra work paid for by Wayne County).
Wyoming County
Todd Gadd reported:
Wyoming County Horizontal Curve Sign Study: The field work is complete and a report is expected soon.
Yates County
David Hartman reported:
Yates County Safe Passing Zone Survey: Executive summary will be presented to the Planning Committee at todays meeting.
Other Agencies
Richard Perrin reported:
Auburn Trail Connection to the Ontario Pathways Trail: Town of Farmington, GTC, and NYSDOT-Region 4 staffs met with the consultant to discuss final edits to the report on December 18, 2012. Delivery of the final report is expected by the end of the month.
Irondequoit Seneca Multi-Use Trail Feasibility Study: The Steering Committee was being organized in December 2012.
Black Creek Stream Corridor Trail Feasibility Study: The second public meeting was held on November 29, 2012. The summary of the final public meeting was distributed for Steering Committee review on December 10, 2012 with comments due December 21, 2012.
Village of Scottsville Traffic Circulation and Safety Study: A public meeting was held on December 5, 2012 and the Steering Committee is scheduled to meet on January 30 to discuss existing conditions.
Webster Village Core Circulation, Accessibility, and Parking Study: A preferred consultant was selected and the contract was executed. Work on the inventory of existing conditions is progressing.
Victor Transportation Systems Plan: The Town of Victor has identified additional activities - High Street Striping Review and a Future Needs Assessment - to supplement the comprehensive plan materials and will advance these with the remaining FHWA planning funds and Town funds.
NYS Route 250 Transit Supportive Mixed Use Development District: The contract with the preferred consultant was executed and the Steering Committee met on December 19, 2012. The Steering Committee will meet again on February 5 to review initial work products.
Brighton Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Plan: The final Steering Committee meeting was held on November 15, 2012 and the draft plan is under review by the committee.
Town of Greece Active Transportation Plan: The contract with the preferred consultant was executed on December 20, 2012 and the Steering Committee is being assembled.
Village of Pittsford Active Transportation Safety Plan: No progress to report.
2. Federal Legislation Update and Discussion
Richard Perrin reported
Congress passed and the President signed the American Tax Payer Relief Act into law last week. The bill avoids the most severe effects of the fiscal cliff but delays the massive spending cuts (sequestration) for two months. This means another round of difficult negotiations between the House, Senate, and President. At the end of 2012, the government hit the federal borrowing limit. The Treasury Department took action that will delay default on obligations until the end of February. The new law establishes tax rates on income over $400,000 for individuals and for couples making over $450,000. The bill addresses many other tax matters, including the extension of several tax credits and other provisions that benefit specific industries. In terms of FFY 2013 Appropriations, the current continuing resolution expires on March 27. Passage of appropriations for FFY 2013 remains unsettled until Congress and the President decide how to avert the spending cliff before the end of February.
As noted at the November 8, 2012 Planning Committee meeting, 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 reduced spending targets.
3. 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program Development
Richard Perrin reported:
On November 24, 2012, NYSDOT-Main Office issued revised Planning Targets for FHWA funding programs that kept the total amounts to each of the 11 NYSDOT regions the same but increased the amount of Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds available for programming to non-National Highway System (NHS) facilities and decreased the amount of National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) funds. This was done at the request of GTC based on the reasoning that many of the projects selected to receive funding through the Statewide Prioritization Program administered by NYSDOT-Main Office will be NHPP-eligible projects and, since the amount of FHWA funds able to be spent on non-NHS facilities under Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century is significantly less than previous authorization legislation, MPOs should have maximum flexibility in programming STP funds to the most appropriate projects as determined at the regional level.
A revised TIP Call for Projects package was provided to the TIP Development Committee (TDC) for their review on December 10, 2012 and the TDC met on December 17, 2012 to finalize its components, including the guidebook, application, project evaluation criteria, and schedule. The 2014-2017 TIP Call for Projects was issued December 17, 2012 and a TIP applicant workshop will be held this afternoon with project applications due January 23. GTC and NYSDOT-Region 4 staffs will process the applications later this month and in February for the TDC to review the initial rankings and develop an initial draft list of projects for Planning Committee consideration at the April 11 meeting. A 30-day public comment period with public meetings is anticipated to be conducted between April 12 and May 13. The Planning Committee will meet on May 23 (either as a separate meeting or a rescheduling of the May 9 meeting) to recommend a draft 2014-2017 TIP to the GTC Board. The GTC Board will consider the draft program at its June 20 meeting.
4. FHWA/FTA Joint Certification Review
Richard Perrin reported:
On November 30, 2012, FHWA and FTA provided the official letter notifying GTC of their joint Certification Review of the metropolitan transportation planning process for the Rochester Transportation Management Area (TMA). Federal regulations require that FHWA and FTA conduct this review not less than every four years. On December 31, 2012, GTC staff provided FHWA and FTA with the information requested in their notification letter that included hyperlinks to required planning products and other work activities conducted by GTC over the past four years.
FHWA and FTA conducted the site visit component of the review on January 7, 8, and 9 at the GTC offices with a public meeting held in Rochester City Council Chambers on the evening of January 8. Richard thanked Chris Reeve and David Cook for their participation and support over the three days as FHWA and FTA reviewed nearly every facet of the GTC planning and programming process. GTC Chairperson Mary Pat Hancock and Vice Chairman Jim Hoffman participated in the opening session on issues affecting the region that GTC has and is actively addressing. In the closeout session, FHWA and FTA informed GTC that they anticipated that their review will include several recommendations but no corrective actions. The date upon which the final certification document will be provided to GTC is yet to be determined
Chris Reeve congratulated GTC staff for their preparation for and conduct during the review.
David Cook added his congratulations.
Marcia Barry asked what types of recommendations were made by the reviewers.
Richard stated that the recommendations will likely include: better tracking and analysis of public participation; consideration of freight enforcement issues; expanding the security discussion in future LRTPs; and cooperation with other MPOs to create a peer exchange on bi-national issues.
5. Any Other Old Business of Announcements
Richard Perrin reported:
The call for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) projects was issued by NYSDOT in May 2012 with workshops for prospective applicants held in Rochester, Canandaigua, and Batavia in June. GTC and NYSDOT-Region 4 staffs ranked the applications received by the October 5, 2012 deadline. These rankings were reviewed through the regular TIP amendment process with TIP Development Committee and Planning Committee consideration and recommendations made prior to submittal for GTC Board action. The GTC Board endorsed the ranked list for this region at its December 13, 2012 meeting.
On January 4, 2013, NYSDOT announced the awards of the SRTS funds. The total amount awarded statewide was $26.5 million. Projects in the GTC TIP area received $1.9 million (7.2 percent). Richard reviewed the awards in the GTC TIP area as well as those in Seneca and Yates counties. He noted that the awards included two more projects than originally expected given the estimate of funding for the GTC TIP area. The SRTS program was not reauthorized in MAP-21 but SRTS-eligible projects can be programmed with STP and Transportation Alternatives Program funds.
Todd Gadd asked where the extra funds came from.
Richard responded that we did not have a specific regional allocation but rather an estimate of the amount to be provided to the region and that additional funds may have been awarded to projects in the GTC TIP area because they were stronger projects than those submitted from other areas of the state.
Jim Fletcher asked if the list of awardees is on the GTC website.
Richard responded that GTC can make it available. It was noted by a member of the public that the information is currently on the NYSDOT website. Accordingly, GTC will not publish the list on its website but will direct those seeking it to the NYSDOT website.
5. Action Items
a. Action concerning approving the Draft FY 2013-2014 Unified Planning Work Program Project List for public review
Tony Favro discussed the draft project list, including available funding, the project solicitation process, diligence of the UPWP Development Committee, and the public review schedule. He distributed and reviewed a graphic illustrating the proposed distribution of FHWA and FTA Metropolitan Planning funding in the FY 2013-2014 UPWP by project category.
Jim Fletcher asked if FHWA recommended the proposed transportation infrastructure vulnerability assessment during their recent certification review.
Richard Perrin responded that project applications were due in October 2012, well before the review, and that proposal was identified as a natural extension of current GTC security-related activities (namely, the Diversion Route Planning Initiative).
Todd Gadd asked about the nature and status of the withdrawn proposal to review TIP delivery.
Richard Perrin responded that the intention was to review final project costs and schedules as well as amendments and change orders relative to the original programming. A more thorough review of the project scope is needed before deciding if and how the project should proceed. He added that there is the potential that significant data can be made available by NYSDOT which may allow for an in-house effort.
James Fletcher moved that the GTC Planning Committee approve the Draft FY 2013-2014 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 reports as evidence of completion of various UPWP Tasks / Proposed Council Resolutions 13-2 and 13-3
Scott Leathersich proposed grouping consideration of Resolutions 13-2 and 13-3 for consideration under a single motion. No Member or Alternate objected.
1. Action concerning recommending the acceptance of the Yates County Safe Passing Zone Survey as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 6221 / Proposed Council Resolution 13-2
Dave Hartman summarized the survey and process of developing it.
David Cook asked three questions: (1) Do you follow federal and state guidelines? (2) Is the county obligated to take corrective actions if a deficiency is found? (3) How do you update the database?
Dave Hartman responded: (1) The consultant followed standards established for the type of facility; (2) Yes, but none requiring immediate attention were identified; (3) The uses along roads in Yates County do not usually have significant changes, thus requiring relatively few updates.
Kevin Rooney noted that many deficiencies often can be dealt with fairly easily, such as painting a solid line over a dotted line. If new passing zones are called for they can be established when repaving or restriping occurs.
Todd Gadd noted that his county used the same consultant for a similar study, and the software the consultant turns over to the county makes database updates simple.
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 13-3
Erik Frisch summarized the results of the study, which found that two-way conversion is feasible within the current roadway geometry with modest impact on levels of service and significant improvements for pedestrian movements and wayfinding. The city is moving forward with conversion north of Main Street and has worked with RGRTA to secure an FTA grant. Changes south of Main Street will take more time due to cost considerations.
Jim McIntosh added that the city is moving forward north of Main. He also noted that the conversion would allow for increased capacity and disability access to the bus terminal and expressed satisfaction that levels of service are expected to remain essentially the same.
Jim Fletcher was curious about the cost of signal alterations.
Erik Frisch responded that the cost is typically $25,000 to $100,000 per signal, depending on circumstances.
Scott Leathersich pointed out that no new mast arms are needed; most of the cost is in adding or moving signals.
David Cook asked if anyone had researched why the streets were converted to one-way years ago.
Erik Frisch said no, but it was a trend at the time.
Scott Leathersich noted that by looking at the entire corridor, the present study should improve operations
Kevin Rooney moved to recommend that the GTC Board adopt Council Resolutions 13-2 and 13-3; James Fletcher seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
Scott Leathersich requested that an additional action item be added at the request of NYSDOT. No Member or Alternate objected.
3. Action concerning modifying the 2011-2014 TIP by changing the NYSDOT PIN of the Portageville Bridge project / Planning Committee Resolution 13-1
Richard Perrin distributed a draft Planning Committee Resolution for review. He noted that the only change is to the NYSDOT Project Identification Number (PIN). This action will allow NYSDOT to progress the state funded and the federal funded portions of two related projects through separate environmental processes.
Tom Goodwin moved to recommend approval of Planning Committee Resolution 13-1; Todd Gadd seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
6. New Business
There was no new business.
7. Public Forum
No one from the public spoke during the public forum.
8. Next Meeting
February 14, 2013 at Livingston County Highway Department
4389 Gypsy Lane
Groveland, NY
All materials for items to be considered at this meeting should be submitted to GTC staff no later than Friday, February 1, 2012.
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.