MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE A/GFTC TAC August 15, 2011
Attendees Agency
Members and Participants
Brian Abare Village of South Glens Falls DPW
Frank Bonafide NYSDOT
Lorenzo DiStefano NYSDOT
Edward Doughney Warren County DPW
Mike Fiorillo Village of Hudson Falls DPW
Kevin Hajos Warren County DPW
Jim Lindsay Town Kingsbury
Wayne LaMothe Warren County Planning
Heidi Romines NYSDOT
Scott Sopczyk GGFT
Steve Sweeney NYS Canal Corp.
Jeff Tennyson Warren County DPW
Scott Tracy Washington County DPW
Michael Valentine Saratoga County Planning
Karen Williams NYSDOT
Dick Wilson Washington County DPW
Staff
Aaron Frankenfeld A/GFTC
Kate Mance A/GFTC
Minutes of the Meeting
1. Welcome & Introductions – Aaron called the meeting to order at 9:30 and explained
that this meeting would be followed by detailed discussion of the status of TIP projects
with project sponsors. The purpose will be to have the sponsors re-affirm the program
and project priorities. The TIP will then be updated accordingly. This is in place of a full
TIP amendment, which has been delayed one year by NYSDOT.
2. Visitor Issues – There were no visitor issues.
3. Administrative Items
A. Host Agency Agreement: Aaron noted that the draft Host Agency Agreement
discussed at the last TAC meeting was approved by the DOT Main Office and will be
sent to the Regional Planning Board.
B. Unified Planning Work Program Amendment. As a result of a federal bill that was
signed in April, there was a reduction in the size of the FTA grant for A/GFTC in the
amount of approximately $59.00. A/GFTC has been asked to complete a UPWP
amendment to account for this change. As the amount of funding is quite minor,
Aaron would like to request approval that the public comment process be waived.
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TAC Minutes – August 2011
MOVED BY: Scott Sopczyk SECONDED BY: Michael Valentine MOTION CARRIED
Aaron also noted that there is a $15,000 increase in FHWA funds. This funding can
programmed next year, negating the need for a UPWP amendment.
4. Annual Work Program
A. Ongoing Activities
1. Glens Falls residential traffic calming study: Aaron gave an update on the
status of the study, explaining that the traffic counts are complete.
Temporary striping had been applied earlier in the summer, and the speed
wagon had been deployed as well. Data was collected for the control
condition, the striped condition, and the striping plus speed wagon. Counts
were also collected on two parallel streets to determine if behavior on these
streets was altered. A survey was distributed to the residents. Early feedback
has been mixed, and some negative comments have been made to City Hall
(although not to A/GFTC directly). Once the results of the traffic counts have
been analyzed, further findings will be made to the TAC, probably within the
next few months.
2. Warren County Bicycling Master Plan: Kate Mance updated the committee,
stating that over the last few months a work plan and methodology were
identified to narrow the scope of the project into a feasible product. In
addition, Kate field-verified the shoulder widths and speed limits of the
potential bike routes identified by the Warren County Safe & Quality Bicycling
Organization to determine whether the shoulders would be adequate to
support designated bicycle use. The majority of the roadways do not provide
adequate bicycling space in their current condition. The next step will be to
assist the WCS&QBO to set feasible priorities, and also to add in any local
priorities as identified by municipalities in planning documents. The goal will
be to create an action plan, which can be used by the WCS&QBO in working
with local municipalities to improve bike conditions. Kate also asked for
feedback from the TAC on the desire for WCS&QBO to “rate” specific routes
as part of this plan (i.e. which routes are suitable for experienced cyclists vs.
children or casual cyclists). Kate stated that her understanding is that this
sort of designation is outside the purview of the A/GFTC for this plan.
However, the WCS&QBO could use the GIS layers created as part of this plan
and issue their own map as a separate project, perhaps through Warren
County’s GIS department. Aaron noted that the bike group had identified the
Herkimer-Oneida County Bike Atlas as an example of the type of product
that they would eventually like to produce, but that this is not the type of
project that A/GFTC had anticipated including in the UPWP. Jeff Tennyson
noted that he had also been helping the bike organization, and that
managing their expectations was a large part of their discussions. He stated
that the county’s priorities are on the drivable portions of the roadways
themselves, and stand-alone shoulder projects are not currently feasible.
Finding off-road solutions will be an important component, as will add-ons
from other funding sources like the Make the Connection program. Frank
Bonafide also stated that Enhancement funding or similar sources will
become more important moving forward, and that doing as much of the
preparation as possible prior to seeking funding will help. For example, a
sponsor could obtain design approval for a trail, at their own cost, which
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would greatly increase the chance of obtaining Enhancement funds by
ensuring that many of the right-of-way and acquisition questions are
answered up front.
3. GIS Services contract: Aaron noted that Fountains Spatial had been
mobilized to revise the transit ridership software to account for route
changes. Given that the Trolley routes only run until Labor Day, it is likely
that this portion of the data collection will have to be collected manually if
the application is not updated in time.
4. Analysis of 2010 Census data: Kate reviewed a preliminary analysis of the
Census 2010 data. The goal of the analysis is to determine what trends are
occurring in the region, so that appropriate transportation priorities can be
set in future planning efforts. As the data is being released on a piecemeal
basis, the analysis will be prepared as the new information is released.
Population, age, and travel time to work summaries have been prepared to
date. Each analysis is composed of a one-page summary with appropriate
mapping and/or charts as appropriate. In terms of population, there was a
trend reversal, in which the communities which had grown from 1990-2000
had lost population from 2000-2010, and vice versa. As such, most of the
villages had increased growth. Kate also noted that no studies of national
trends which mirror the local condition in terms of population had yet been
identified. With regards to age, several communities were identified which
had proportionally higher numbers of 20-30 year old residents, and also had
a lower mean age than the rest of the region. These communities include
many of the villages which also grew in population. Finally, in terms of
travel-to-work, areas closest to Glens Falls had the shortest travel time to
work. Certain areas which also have significant local employment centers,
such as Granville and Whitehall, also have correspondingly shorter travel
times. Jim Lindsay noted that some of the data as presented may be as a
result of Census methodology shifting from 2000 to 2010, especially in
Kingsbury. The local, anecdotal perspective is that coverage of the area for
the 2000 census was not complete, resulting in under-counting. However,
the 2010 methodology was improved and local outreach was better, so the
more recent numbers may be more accurate. Wayne LaMothe also asked
whether there would be any new urbanized areas in NYS. Kate responded
that she had not researched this topic as it was outside the MPO boundary.
Aaron also noted that the local urbanized area boundary criteria had yet to
be finalized.
5. iPoolNorth update: Aaron noted that the iPoolNorth ridesharing software is
being updated, both for A/GFTC and for CDTC, as the two systems are
linked. This update was instigated by the software designers, not the MPOs,
and the update will not result in an increased cost in the software contract.
CDTC is working with the vendor to implement the changes as they have a
larger pool of people enrolled in the system and have more complex user
needs than A/GFTC. Once the modifications are made, the updated software
platform will be activated, probably within the next month or two. This will
also result in needing to re-enroll all participants in the ridesharing program,
as that information cannot be imported to the new program.
6. WWIDA Shovel Ready Certification: Aaron reported that A/GFTC is still
waiting for data to be generated from the Hicks Road reconstruction project.
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GPI had indicated that turning movement counts would be collected as part
of that project, which would be a valuable inclusion in the Shovel Ready
project. IDA has been contacted for additional background information for
the project as well.
7. Queensbury commercial / industrial access road: Aaron reported that of the
twelve consultants that responded to the RFP, four were interviewed.
Creighton Manning Engineering was selected to complete the study. A kick-
off meeting will be held on Monday, August 22, at 1:00. Jeff Tennyson
recommended holding the meeting in the conference room at the airport, to
facilitate a walk-through. Aaron noted that the feasibility analysis will take
about six months to complete, and will focus on what potential value a
connector roadway will have with regards to traffic operations and economic
development.
5. Transit
A. GGFT Update: Scott Sopczyk noted that July was the busiest month in GGFT’s
history. Most of this is attributable to use of the trolleys. This is partly because of
high gas prices and also due to international and summer workers traveling
between Glens Falls and Lake George. The weather also affected usage. Year-
round routes remained essentially flat. Route changes went into effect July 18.
This resulted in a similar amount of service re-allocated within the transit area.
For example, service to Bay Road/ACC increased, while lesser-used routes
decreased in frequency. Regarding capital projects, the lift in the GGFT garage
has been replaced. The Ridge Street terminal has been rehabbed, and the
pavement/re-striping portion of the project will be completed next week. The
striping design was made possible through the engineering assistance of A/GFTC,
and is intended to prevent cars from parking in the bus drop-off area. GGFT has
been coordinating with the Sheriff’s Department to get space on the radio tower
for a new repeater, which will address radio coverage. Federal funding is stable
through 2012, although State funding is still in question. Mike Valentine asked
what the effect of construction to Exit 18 has been on transit. Scott responded
that the direction of the route was reversed to go out on Luzerne Road and return
on Corinth Road and signs were installed. This has been working well.
6. TIP
A. Amendments and Modifications:
1. Discussion of Beach Road amendment: Aaron noted that a ballot had
been faxed to the TAC for a $1.2 million increase, along with a letter
from the DPW explaining why the increase was necessary. The ballot
was approved for 30-day public review, which is underway. The
comment period will expire at the beginning of September, which will
allow for the Policy Committee to review in time to make the
amendment within the current federal fiscal year. Wayne asked whether
the amendment would affect other TIP projects. Aaron responded that
NYSDOT R1 staff, working with CDTC, was able to find the requisite
offsetting funds within CDTC’s program. This will allow us to process the
amendment without a reduction within the A/GFTC program. Frank
Bonafide noted that any increase will have an effect eventually. Since
the MPOs in the region were not over-programmed, especially A/GFTC,
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the TAC is not looking at massive cuts in the next few years. Overruns
and unexpected contingencies will also use up much of the leeway in the
under-programmed TIP. Aaron noted that this under-programming was
deliberate and takes into account the need for unexpected offsets. Mike
Valentine asked about the process when an offset is required, but
cannot be obtained from the sponsor. Frank replied that funds within the
region may be shifted, or funding for state projects might be used.
Frank also asked whether the current Beach Road estimate was accurate
and sufficient. The representatives present from Warren County DPW
indicated that it was.
B. Projects: Since the normal discussion of project status will be superceded by the
more detailed discussion between project sponsors and DOT, to happen later
today, Aaron opened the floor to the committee to pose any questions regarding
projects. He began by giving an update regarding the Route 9 Safety Project in
South Glens Falls. NYSDOT, local officials, A/GFTC and Saratoga County Planning
representatives met last week to discuss the DOT’s draft design concepts for the
corridor. This concept includes a continuous two-way left turn lane between
Feeder Dam Road in the south and River Street in the north. Aaron noted that
this concept is likely to have significant impacts to on-street parking. Mayor
Donohue has requested a site walkthrough with DOT, and coordination for this is
ongoing. In terms of the Exit 18 project, Kevin Hajos reported that the project is
85-90% complete. The top course of asphalt will be installed in the next few
days, with topsoil and incidentals to follow. There is an October 1 anticipated
finish date. Scott noted that the placement of the transit signage along the
roadway is also sufficient. Wayne asked about the status of the other City
projects in the vicinity. Aaron noted that Glens Falls does have two capital
projects, Broad Street and Hudson Avenue, that the it is still pursuing. The City
has indicated to A/GFTC that their main priority is to hold the Broad Street
reconstruction project to the current schedule.
C. Reprogramming instructions for FFY 2012-2014: Directly after this meeting,
Warren County representatives will remain behind to discuss individual projects,
and that meeting will reconvene at 1 p.m. with the Washington County project
sponsors.
7. Adjourn: Frank Bonafide made a motion, seconded by Mike Valentine, to adjourn at
10:45. The meeting was adjourned.