GTC Board - Minutes

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GENESEE TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL

QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING

Radisson Hotel

Henrietta, NY

March 8, 2007

GTC BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

Maggie Brooks, Monroe County (GTC Chairperson)

Lois Giess, Rochester City Council

Mary Pat Hancock, Genesee County

Paul E. Haney, Rochester At-Large

James Hoffman, Wayne County

Daniel Hogan, Monroe County At-Large

Esther Leadley, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council

Wayne Zyra, Monroe County

ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT

E. Joseph Gozelski, Wyoming County, representing A. Douglas Berwanger

Stephen W. Hendershott, RGRTA, representing John G. Doyle, Jr.

Paul Johnson, Monroe County Planning Board, representing Bonnie Pedrick-Coles

Scott Leathersich, Monroe County At-Large, representing Edward Marianetti

Edward G. Muszynski, Empire State Development Corporation, representing Daniel Gundersen

Kevin OBuckley, NYSDOT Region 4, representing Astrid C. Glynn

Chris Wilson, Yates County, representing Robert Multer

David Woods, Livingston County, representing James Merrick

GTC BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT AND UNREPRESENTED

Robert Arnold, Federal Highway Administration

George Bower, Orleans County

Philip Brito, Federal Aviation Administration

Robert Duffy, City of Rochester

Theodore Fafinski, Ontario County

Michael Fleischer, NYS Thruway Authority

Brigid Hynes-Cherin, Federal Transit Administration

Carl Johnson, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Tracy Logel, Monroe County Supervisors Association

David L. Watson, Rochester City Planning Commission

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE

Deborah Elliott, GTC Staff

James Fabino, Wayne County

Ron Hayes, NYSDOT Office of Transportation Strategy

Daniel Hallowell, NYSDOT Region 4

Paul Holahan, City of Rochester

Matthew M. Latko, Jr. NYS Thruway Authority

Richard Perrin, GTC Staff

Terrence J. Rice, Monroe County

Robert Scholl, NYSDOT Region 4

Robert Slaver, Jr., NYSDOT Region 4

Petra Staats, GTC Staff

James Stack, GTC Staff

John Thomas, City of Rochester

David Zorn, Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council

 

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

Chairperson Brooks called the meeting to order at 8:37 a.m.

James Stack, GTC staff, called the roll; a quorum was present.

2. Public Forum

No one from the public spoke during the Public Forum.

3. Approval of Minutes

Daniel Hogan moved for approval of the minutes from the December 8, 2006 GTC Quarterly Board meeting; E. Joseph Gozelski seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as submitted.

4. Communications and Announcements

Richard Perrin announced:

By his election as Chairman of the Seneca County Board of Supervisors, Edward Barto is now a Genesee Transportation Council Member with voting privileges.

By her nomination to be considered for confirmation as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, Astrid C. Glynn is now a Genesee Transportation Council Member with voting privileges.

By his appointment as Upstate Chairman of the Empire State Development Corporation, Daniel Gunderson is now a Genesee Transportation Council Member with voting privileges.

By his appointment as Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Carl Johnson is now a Genesee Transportation Council Member with voting privileges.

By her appointment as Regional Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration Region II, Brigid Hynes-Cherin is now a Genesee Transportation Council Member without voting privileges.

John G. Doyle, Jr., Chairman of the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority has designated Stephen Hendershott as his alternate to the Genesee Transportation Council Board.

Chairperson Brooks announced that Robert Shipley chose not to seek reelection as Chairman of the Seneca County Board of Supervisors. Accordingly, he is no longer a member of the Genesee Transportation Council and cannot serve as Vice Chairman. The Executive Committee will be convened to fill that position for the remainder of the term in accordance with the Genesee Transportation Council By-Laws.

5. Reports and Action on Old Business

a.      Planning Committee Report David Woods, Chairman

David Woods provided the following report:

The Planning Committee met January 11, 2007 and February 15, 2007 and recommends that the GTC Board:

        Adopt the FY 2007-2008 Unified Planning Work Program

         Accept the report, Travel Time Data Collection Assessment, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 7120

         Adopt two amendments to the 2005-2010 Transportation Improvement Program as requested by:

      Monroe County and

      Wayne County

Additionally, the Planning Committee took the following actions:

         Approved the DRAFT FY 2007-2008 Unified Planning Work Program Public Review Document

         Approved the DRAFT 2007-2012 Transportation Improvement Program Update Project Lists for Public Review

         Approved a scope of work for the Local Update of Census Addresses Phase 1 project

b.      GTC Staff Report Richard Perrin, Executive Director

Richard Perrin provided the following report:

Since the December 14, 2006 Board meeting, GTC staff have spent significant time developing the three federally-required major products.

The fiscal year 2007-2008 Unified Planning Work Program will be presented for consideration as agenda item 6.a.

The second of the major products being developed is the 2007-2012 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The draft program of projects for the TIP is currently available for public review. The Planning Committee at its February 15 meeting approved the draft program for 45-day public review. Originally intended for a 30-day public review, it was realized that two additional weeks could be added without compromising the timeline for adoption. As part of the public review, a legal notice was published in the Democrat & Chronicle. The draft document is available at the county planning offices in the seven-county TIP region, NYSDOT-Region 4 offices, the central repository libraries in the four Transportation Management Area counties, plus the GTC offices and the GTC website.

Comments are being accepted via mail, fax, and a dedicated e-mail address. Interested parties can provide comments at the four public meetings that have been scheduled on March 15, 19, 21, and 22. A media release announcing the meetings will be issued Friday, March 9.

The projects in the draft program represent over $222 million in new investment for transportation infrastructure reconstruction, vehicles for public transportation, system management, additional bicycle and pedestrian facilities, preventive maintenance of roads and bridges, and projects that will specifically target improving air quality.

The draft program is significant in that we are the only region in New York State programming funds for highway and bridge preventive maintenance as well as adding more new projects (in number and in value) than anywhere in upstate New York, despite record increases in materials prices that have necessitated cost increases on existing projects.

The draft 2007-2012 TIP will be provided for Board consideration at the June 21 meeting.

The third and final major product is the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) which is also currently under development.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) has resulted in new planning requirements for Metropolitan Planning Organizations which must be met by July 1 to ensure the uninterrupted receipt of federal highway and transit funds. New planning requirements include revised planning factors for safety and security, increased coordination with local and state land use and economic development plans and associated agencies, incorporation of non-air environmental mitigation activities, increased emphasis on operations and system management, and integration of congestion management.

GTC is enhancing the data analysis, performance measurement and recommendation components of the LRTP. The proposed approach for updating the LRTP was presented to the Planning Committee on January 11 and the LRTP Development Committee met February 15 to provide further direction to GTC staff on advancing the update. The draft LRTP will be provided for Board consideration at the June 21 meeting.

An air quality conformity analysis will be conducted for both the TIP and the LRTP for Board consideration at the June meeting.

In addition, GTC staff are actively participating in the development of the transportation portion of the State Implementation Plan to meet the eight-hour ground level ozone standard.

GTC staff is continuing to advance other activities including projects funded through the Circulation, Accessibility, and Parking and Priority Trails Advancement programs.

c. Old Business

There was no old business to report.

6. New Business

a.      Adopting the FY 2007-2008 Unified Planning Work Program - Action on Proposed Resolution 07-1.

Richard Perrin explained that the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is the program of projects that further develop the policies and actions of the LRTP. It allocates funding to support GTC staff activities necessary to fulfill the federally required metropolitan planning organization requirements and to conduct studies by member agencies and others to identify needed transportation system and service delivery improvements.

A few highlights of the FY 2007-2008 UPWP are:

         The amount allocated for GTC staff activities is $2,111 (or approximately three percent) above the current fiscal year and makes approximately $1.1 million available for studies by or on behalf of other agencies in the region.

         The Monroe County and Regional Land Use Monitoring Reports, Circulation Accessibility and Parking, and Priority Trails Advancement programs as well as the Local Update of Census Addresses project will continue to receive funding.

         Funding is provided for new projects including a Corridor Study on NYS Route 31 in Macedon, a Bicycle Plan for Penfield and surrounding communities, a Traffic and Circulation Study for the Susan B. Anthony neighborhood in Rochester, and Public Transportation Operations and Asset Management studies.

         GTC staff will develop an Intelligent Transportation System Strategic Plan Update, Travel Time Data Collection Program, Safe Routes to School program, and Diversion Route Planning Initiative.

In addition, GTC has requested funding from the NYSDOT Statewide Planning and Research Program to supplement projects in the UPWP. If GTC is successful, any additional funds will be added to the UPWP as part of the annual reconciliation in June.

The UPWP was developed through a call for projects that was issued to all nine counties, 192 municipalities, and regional agencies in the region. The UPWP Development Committee reviewed the more than 20 proposals received and developed the draft program that the Planning Committee approved for public review from January 12 to February 12. No comments were received.

GTC staff undertook a thorough review of other regions UPWPs from across the country for the first time in almost ten years and added sections on revenues and public participation requirements.

The Planning Committee recommended this draft document for Board approval at its February 15 meeting.

James Hoffman moved to approve Resolution 07-1; Wayne Zyra seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

b. Accepting the report, Travel Time Data Collection Assessment, as evidence of completion of UPWP Task 7120 - Action on Proposed Resolution 07-2

Richard Perrin noted GTC staff conducted this study which evaluated potential methodologies to collect travel time data in support of the federally required Congestion Management Process and other regional transportation planning activities.

Cost effectiveness, sustainability, and usefulness for planning and operational activities were considered. Four primary methods were evaluated: (1) existing ITS and operations data, (2) toll/fare data from E-Z Pass, (3) Global Positioning System (GPS) data from floating vehicles, and (4)wireless device monitoring which is a relatively new method and not fully developed.

The recommendation of the assessment is to pursue GPS-based data in near term, while keeping the other three options open for longer term.

The Planning Committee recommended this report for Board approval at its February 15 meeting.

Daniel Hogan moved to approve Resolution 07-2; E. Joseph Gozelski seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

c. Adopting amendments to the 2005-2010 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

(1) Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by adding the Multi-Agency Green Fueling Stations project Action on Proposed Resolution 07-3

Richard Perrin explained that this amendment is being proposed by Monroe County whose Department of Environmental Services has offered to serve as the lead agency on behalf of the County, the City of Rochester, and the Rochester City School District. The proposed project would utilize Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to establish three alternative fuel dispensing stations at sites operated by the County, the City, and the School District. This was proposed as part of the 2007-2012 TIP update and was the highest ranked air quality improvement project. An amendment is being proposed now because of the lead time needed to develop the necessary interagency agreements.

The Planning Committee recommended this amendment for Board approval at its February 15 meeting.

Wayne Zyra moved to approve Resolution 07-3; Esther Leadley seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

Lois Giess asked what kind of fuels would be used. Richard Perrin noted that a final decision has not been made but initially Monroe County and the City of Rochester are planning to use Ethanol (E-85) on light duty trucks and sedans. Bio-diesel is also being considered.

(2) Amending the 2005-2010 TIP by increasing the total cost of the Erie Street Bridge project Action on Proposed Resolution 07-4

Richard Perrin explained that this amendment is being proposed by Wayne County to reconstruct the Erie Street Bridge and realign its approach with New York State Route 350 in the Village of Macedon. They are requesting an additional $1,017,600 due to material cost, engineering and right-of-way acquisition increases. The source of the additional funds is the Highway Bridge Program and the monies are available.

The Planning Committee recommended this amendment for Board approval at its February 15 meeting.

James Hoffman moved to approve Resolutions 07-4; Scott Leathersich seconded. The motion passed unopposed.

Joe Gozelski asked if this is an extension of an existing project. Richard Perrin responded that it was. Joe asked why the increase is so large. Richard discussed materials increases and unanticipated issues. Dan Hogan and Terry Rice stated that they have experienced the impacts of rapidly increasing material costs on projects that they are involved in.

7. Any Other New Business

Richard Perrin reiterated that four TIP public meetings will be held on March 15, March 19, March 21, and March 22.

8. Next Meeting

The next GTC Board meeting will be held Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. at the Radisson Hotel in Henrietta.

9. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9:03 a.m.