Technical Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 15, 2015 1:00 PM
Attendees Agency
Brian Abare Village of South Glens Falls DPW
Stu Baker Town of Queensbury Community Development
Frank Bonafide NYSDOT Region 1
Tracy Conlon Trustee, Village of Fort Edward
Paul Cummings The Chazen Companies
Lindsay Donnellon FHWA NY Division
Ben Fischer FHWA NY Division
Karen Hulihan NYSDOT Region 1
Steve Haskins Washington County
DPW
Fred Mastroianni Greenman ‐ Pedersen Inc.
Scott Sopczyk Greater Glens Falls Transit
Jeff Tennyson Warren County DPW
Mike Valentine Saratoga County Planning Department
Greg Wichser NYSDOT Region 1
A/GFTC Staff
Aaron Frankenfeld
Kate Mance
1. Welcome and Introductions ‐ Aaron called the meeting to order at 1:00.
2. Visitor Issues ‐ none.
3. UPWP
A. 2014‐15 Work Program activities (Kate)
1) EV Network Screen ‐ The final revision was released for a two‐week public comment
period. Substantive comments were received
from SUNY Albany (possibly resulting from
a presentation that Kate did for Capital District Clean Communities at CDTC) and will be
incorporated into the document, which will then be transmitted to the urban area
municipalities. Scott asked if any materials were available for Earth Day activities at SUNY
Adirondack; staff
agreed to check.
2) Crash Data Analysis ‐ The draft Warren County report is complete and being reviewed by
DPW. It should be ready for committee review by the June 17 meeting. The report could
be used as a template for other areas. New data includes roadway departures and
intersection analyses; the
new content is a significant improvement over previous staff‐
based analyses.
3) River Street Conceptual Plan ‐ The draft has been made available for public comment
(Kate circulated copies of the document). A public meeting was held in conjunction with
the Warrensburg Town Board meeting. Comments were generated at the meeting,
and a
Adirondack / Glens Falls Transportation Council
11 South Street, Suite 203
Glens Falls, NY 12801
p: (518) 223 – 0086 f: (518) 223 – 0584
info@agftc.org
www.agftc.org
volume of comments have been received from NYSDOT. The final draft will be sent to the
TAC in May with a goal of a June approval to support any CFA applications that may be
forthcoming from the Town. The Town is happy with the plan. Kate thanked Paul
Cummings of Chazen
for helping to prepare a solid report. Jeff Tennyson asked if the
report had generated any controversy; Kate noted that there was no dispute from the
public. A detailed cost estimate was prepared by Chazen but is not being included in the
final report.
4) GGFT brochure ‐ Kate noted the
ongoing work on behalf of GGFT; Scott Sopczyk
circulated a draft. The new version consolidates all route information into one handout.
B. 2015‐16 Work Program activities (Aaron)
1) Dix Avenue reassessment ‐ This project will review a 2000 corridor study and update of
conceptual improvements and assessment of forecasted traffic
and growth. RFPs were
sent to over 20 consulting firms; target cost at $35,000; responses are due Friday.
Volunteers will be sought to evaluate the proposals.
2) Exit 18 rezoning and trip generation analysis ‐ The Town of Queensbury has requested a
traffic impact analysis of proposed zoning changes in the Exit
18 area to:
determine the effects of maximum buildout on the surface transportation system
conceptual improvements needed to accommodate buildout
applicability of impact fees and cost‐sharing models
and potential changes to the zoning that would prevent capacity from being
exceeded
The Town is in a
position to move this and has indicated to staff that this is a high
priority. We will work on a request letter with the Town and circulate to our on‐call
consultants. This effort will force us to put Halfway Brook Trail connector on hold to limit
cash flow issues with
host. This project would be administered as an on‐call project. The
committee concurred that this was worthwhile effort.
3) Performance‐Based Planning Transition Strategy ‐ A/GFTC staff has been advised by our
NYSAMPO staff consultants to hold off on this, pending further developments at the
State and national level.
4)
Development of an Indirect Cost Rate ‐ NYSDOT has communicated to A/GFTC that there
is a federal requirement to develop an indirect cost rate (the ratio of costs not
attributable to any particular deliverable to direct costs, including salaries and project
related expenses). The value of this exercise remains unclear. This appears
to be a
requirement of the host agency and is to be established between it and its largest federal
contributing agency. LC‐LGRPB has no such rate in place. The risk is perceived to be
inability for the feds to reimburse for our expenses, so we will be working with
LC‐LGRPB
and their accountants to satisfy the requirement. A motion was made to request that
LC‐LGRPB share in the accounting cost to satisfy this requirement.
Moved by : Frank Bonafide Seconded by: Stu Baker Motion Carried.
Jeff Tennyson asked what office of NYSDOT was requesting this information; Frank
Bonafide replied that it was the Statewide Planning bureau in the Main Office.
5) NCHRP Project ‐ Commercial Vehicles in Smart Growth Environments ‐ The National
Cooperative Highway Research Program has contracted with Cambridge Systematics to
develop a guide for incorporating commercial vehicles within smart growth
environments. They have identified Glens Falls
as smart growth environment by virtue of
being retrofitted aging commercial corridor, and would like to include this area as a case
study. They have looked to A/GFTC to help put this together and assemble a stakeholder
meeting. After some discussion pertaining to the role of NCHRP, it was determined that
there was no committee objection to staff
assisting Cambridge Systematics with this
request.
Aaron noted to Tracy Conlon that staff would be in touch with the Village regarding the
planned trail project in Moreau.
4. GGFT Update ‐ Scott Sopczyk reported that GGFT was preparing for trolley season. A second larger
trolley has been received. These new
vehicles accommodate standees better than the older fleet
vehicles and will be used on the Glens Falls to Lake George runs. GGFT is actively seeking drivers for the
summer season. Ridership is up in 2015 by 7.4% compared to the quarter of 2014; this is noteworthy
given the long winter.
The value of the brochure (agenda Item 3.A.4.) was discussed. Scott noted that
GGFT was working with a private venture that is looking to obtain operating authority to provide transit
services between Warrensburg and Glens Falls. There are some apparent logistical issues associated
with the application. GGFT is interested in having
the proposed new service connect to existing GGFT
operations, possibly in Lake George or at the Warren County Municipal Center.
5. TIP
A. Bridge Preservation analysis ‐ Aaron ‐ A revised application including prior comments and a
cost estimation utility was circulated to the DPWs and DOT for comment; no additional
comments
were received. GPI is working to incorporate data from all three counties by the
end of the month, with the report to follow.
B. Amendments and Modifications
1) STP Off System Bridge Program ‐ Aaron ‐ amendments to the bridge program have been
processed following PC approval; some eSTIP issues persist.
2)
Route 9 over Trout Brook ‐ Aaron ‐ TIP amendment request for a new project from
NYSDOT. Bridge preservation had been proposed, but the structure’s condition is beyond
preservation and is a candidate for replacement. The funding offset has been identified
as a rural county pavement preservation setaside. Frank reported the
costs as $2.1M for
construction and $0.240M for construction inspection. Design is being advanced with
State funds. New projects require Policy Committee approval. A motion was made to
approve this request for public comment and Policy Committee consideration.
Moved by : Mike Valentine Seconded by: Scott Sopczyk Motion Carried.
3)
CR 10 over the Poultney River ‐ Aaron ‐ The State of Vermont has requested that it be
allowed to move ahead with this bi‐state project, with future reimbursements from
Washington County. They are only looking to advance design at this point; Frank noted
that it is anticipated that the construction
schedule can be coordinated with
development of the TIP update. Discussion ensued regarding the source of funds; Frank
indicated that we will continue to be overprogrammed in STP Off System Bridge funds. A
motion was made to program $0.150M for the reintroduced PE phase.
Moved by : Mike Valentine Seconded
by: Frank Bonafide Motion Carried.
4) Transit
i. Facility Rehabilitation ‐ Scott articulated the request to move FFY 14‐15 facility
improvement funds to FFY 15‐16. This constitutes an administration
modification; no amendment is required. Staff will make the change.
ii. Operations Vehicle ‐ Scott Sopczyk communicated GGFT’s request that a project
be added to the TIP
to allow GGFT to replace the 2003 operations vehicle. The
project cost is $0.026M. Aaron stated to the committee that since this
constitutes a new project, a public comment period and Policy Committee
approval were necessary. A motion was made to approve this request for public
comment and Policy Committee
consideration.
Moved by : Mike Valentine Seconded by: Jeff Tennyson Motion Carried.
C. Project updates from sponsors
Warren County ‐ Jeff Tennyson ‐ Working on scope change for Palisades Road from
element specific rehab to replacement; Valley Road bids were opened on the 7th and
were under budget. Blair Road is
in the ROW acquisition phase, letting in August. The
bridge painting project will proceed this month. MTC projects will be constructed this
year.
Washington County ‐ Steve Haskins ‐ CR 113 bridge design agreements are being
signed and returned.
Saratoga County ‐ no ongoing projects
City of Glens Falls ‐ no
report
Town of Queensbury ‐ Stu Baker ‐ final payments and closeouts for Aviation Road will
follow last billing.
NYSDOT ‐ Karen Hulihan distributed the Regional Directors commitment list for the
preceding year; local delivery of projects was good. Frank Bonafide noted that there
were 31 local projects administered by the Region
during the year, totaling $60M.
The large program was a strain on capital and staff resources. The negative funding
balance may have to be accommodated within the TIP update. Route 9 Gateway is
let, $1M under estimate. Frank credited GPI for getting the project designed within a
year. Maintenance paving
projects include Route 40 in Easton, Routes 32/911E/254
in Hudson Falls and Queensbury, Route 8 in Thurman and Johnsburg (31 miles).
D. Capital Project Setasides
1) Pavement Preservation ‐ Aaron ‐ A/GFTC received $4.365m in applications (14 projects)
against approximately $1.819 in available funds.
2) Bridge Preservation ‐ Aaron‐ there is $1.561M tied
up in hard‐to spend STP Flex eligible
bridge preservation. Committee may wish to consider moving that money to pavement
preservation. Doing so yields $3.380M, enough to fund priority pavement projects 1 and
2 from Warren County and Saratoga County, as well as 1, 3, and 4 from Washington
County. Frank
Bonafide has explored trading in that STP Flex for STP Off System, which is
much more in demand within A/GFTC. This may not be permissible; Frank is awaiting a
response from NYDOT Main Office. Jeff Tennyson noted that he would prefer to have
more flexibility with bridge funding, as the
paving projects are easier projects to
administer with County resources. If allowed, we could move some to pavement and
some to Off System bridge. Frank should have an answer within 2 weeks. The decision to
award pavement projects was deferred pending receipt of additional information
regarding funding options.
3) FTA 5310
i. Solicitation process ‐ Aaron briefly noted the program and the lapsed solicitation
schedule. Kate explained the Sharepoint application process is new and issues had to
be resolved. Once up and running, it should be an improvement.
ii. Selection criteria ‐ Kate ‐ MPOs will be rating and ranking the projects
for the first
time (formerly a State responsible). A priority listing of goals from Coordinated
Human Services Transportation Plan was distributed. That list is intended to serve as
a guide for applicants and reviewers. Committee members will be asked to assist
with project evaluations. Scott asked if sustaining operations was
identified as a
priority. Kate replied that since the priorities were developed from an operator
survey, that wasn’t specifically called out in the list. We will add that to the list for
emphasis.
E. Proposed revisions to the Make the Connection program solicitation ‐ Kate ‐ In an attempt to
address project
deliver issues associated with MTC, staff has revised the solicitation
narrative. Changes include:
sidewalk repairs are not eligible
no ROW is emphasized
allowing design as an eligible expense; requiring new sponsors to apply for design
only
project minimum ($50,000 fed) for construction and $20,000 for design
2 year solicitation
no in‐kind service matches
Frank asked what the implications of design‐only projects might be on the ten year rule. He
also noted previous discussion encouraging applicants to have design completed before
approaching the MPO for funding. Discussion ensued regarding sponsoring municipalities,
staff assistance to applicants, increasing the project minimum, staff‐facilitated training,
outside funding opportunities, and consultant ‐ assisted training. Aaron asked that the
committee review the draft and be ready to provide comments to Kate within a couple of
weeks.
F. State transportation budget ‐ no specific details were discussed. Jeff
asked Frank for a listing
of ongoing State‐sponsored transportation projects to provide information to town and
county officials.
6. Other Items ‐ Aaron noted that a solicitation for the TIGER program was underway. Frank noted the
following changes: Matt Driscoll has been announced as the new NYSDOT Commissioner; Rosemary
Powers
is the new Chief Operating Officer. Karen Hulihan and Greg Wichser will be responsible for the
development of the Region’s entire State and local capital program.
7. Adjourn ‐ next meetings are June 17, then September 16. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting
at 3:20.
Moved by :
Frank Bonafide Seconded by: Brian Abare Motion Carried.