Mohawk Hudson Regional
Canalway Trail Group Meeting
August 18, 2003
Meeting Review
|
NAME |
REPRESENTING |
ADDRESS |
TELEPHONE NUMBER |
E-MAIL ADDRESS |
|
Bob Speece |
328 State St. Schenectady, NY 12305 |
388-0282 |
||
|
Ivan Vamos |
NYBC |
13 Maple Lane South Loudonville 12211 |
459-2026 |
|
|
Louis Rossi |
72B Devonshire Dr. Guilderland, N 12084 |
221-3782 |
||
|
Arden Rauch |
ECOS |
2346 Knolls View Dr. Schenectady, NY 12309 |
372-2932 |
|
|
Eric Hamilton |
67 Pico Road Clifton Park, NY 12065 |
371-7548 |
||
|
Patrick Clear |
ECOS |
PO Box 9118 Niskayuna, NY 12309 |
370-4125 |
|
|
Milt Mitchell |
City of Schenectady |
City Hall, 105 Jay St. Schenectady, NY 12305 |
382-5093 |
|
|
Steve Feeney |
Schenectady County |
107 Nott Terrace Schenectady, NY 12308 |
386-2225 |
|
|
John DiMura |
NYS Canal Corp |
200 Southern Blvd. Albany, NY 12209 |
436-3034 |
|
|
Don Odell |
Friends of MHBHT |
97 Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12203 |
482-4574 |
|
|
Elaine Troy |
NYSDOH Healthy Heart |
Frear Building 1 Fulton St. Troy, NY 12180 |
402-0723 |
q The meeting review noted, in the Regional Updates, that Ivan Vamos reported that the Albany Visitors Center has plans to rehabilitate Lock 1. Don Odell noted that Kathy Quandt had informed him that the Visitors Center has no plans to rehabilitate Lock 1.
q Steve Feeney referred all to the City of Schenectady’s bike route plan issued in 2001. He indicated that this is still the plan of record.
q Milt Mitchell indicated that the city would install on-road signs provided to it and in accordance with a plan provided by the Canalway group.
q Re discussion on the Guilford rail crossing, there was some discussion about how to address this conflict. There seemed to be some sentiment to not giving up the rights to having a trail crossing at this point, but that it was not worth making a test case out of a loss of life to someone crossing the rail line on the trail. There was some discussion about signing to make the crossing an “unpreferred” route at this time.
q Members of the group will walk the City and develop a plan for on-road signage. Arden Rauch and Pat Rush will conduct a walking survey on Tuesday, August 19, and Lou Rossi and Don Odell will follow up with this effort on Wednesday, August 20.
q There were comments made about TIP and TIP Enhancement funding for trail improvements in Schenectady. Subsequently, your editor contacted the CDTC on this item. The following is your editor’s review of the information received from the CDTC:
In 1999, the City of Schenectady was awarded $120,000 in Enhancement funds of which the federal share is capped at $96,000 for improvements to bike/ped trails in the City. Also in 1999, the City was awarded $24,000 (federal share capped at $19,000) in the first round of CDTC's Spot Improvement Program for improvements to the Nott Street Crossing. The City elected to combine these two projects. The respective difference between the $120,000 and $96,000 ($24,000), and between $24,000 and $19,000 9 ($5,000), are local shares. Both projects are committed, but under one administrative process.
Also, there is $345,000 federal funds allocated in a $700,000 project to fund pedestrian and bicycle improvements between the trailhead east of SCC and the intersection of State and Washington Streets.
Finally, there is $370,000 in CMAQ funds for the City of Schenectady to provide sidewalks on the west side of Kings Road.
q The status of the enhancement program in the 2004 federal transportation bill is in jeopardy. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has taken a position on the possible elimination. [Ed. note: Ivan Vamos subsequently noted that the New York Parks and Conservation Association (NYPCA) is coordinating the importance of the Enhancements program, and advises us to contact kmcloughlin@nypca.org)] Those present were encouraged to contact Congressman Sweeney, who is on the House Appropriations Committee, and Congressman Boehler, who has some influence in Congress on this.
q In follow ups subsequent to the meeting, your editor reports the following:
The House Appropriations Committee voted to delete the Enhancement funding requirement in the 2004 federal transportation bill. This is to remove the requirement that the states use 10% of their STP funds for Enhancement projects. The vote apparently went along party lines. If New York State also removed this requirement, the Canal Corp would stand to lose up to $10 million in federal Enhancement funding next year. The next step is the full House floor vote, which is scheduled for September. After that, the Senate markup would be the next step. Congressman Sweeney is on the House Appropriations Committee. Your editor notes that since the vote is now going to the full House, all members are important, but it appears that the Republican members are most important. It is better if people contact their own individual House members.
LATE NEWS (as of September 9, 2003): Your reviewer has been informed that the House has successfully passed an amendment to the transportation bill restoring the Enhancement requirement.
q The Albany County/CDTC report on the HRVG financed Connections project is still not available.
q The Canalway group will continue to consider options in Saratoga County as well as Albany and Schenectady Counties for east-west connections between the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers corridors.
q There has been some interest indicated by a roller blading competition-racing group in assuming a role in cleaning up the trail from Schenectady Community College to Lock 8.
q There was a brief discussion about the role of volunteers in trail maintenance. It appears that some jurisdictions, including Schenectady County, have some reservations about the role of volunteer groups. This seemed to be most prevalent if the use of machinery was involved. Keeping trash removed seemed to be the most acceptable role.
q Don Odell reported on the recent CTANY meeting in Brockport. The meeting was moved there as part of an effort to move the meetings around to different points on the Canalway so that members could see different parts of the trail. Specifically, there was a newly completed trail segment in Brockport. Lacking a quorum of the regional “directors”, the association conducted no official business. Karl Beard, from the National Park Service, presented the latest draft of the “Trail Management Planning Handbook”. While it is still a draft, he feels his work is basically done, and wants responses from Association members. Copies of the plan were shared with those present. If anyone wants a copy of these guidelines, please let Don know.
q [Ed. note: Ivan Vamos reports that he talked to Carl Beard after the meeting. Ivan noted that Carl has suggested from past programs that coordination with emergency service providers, and responsibilities for check of adjoining owners impact / unauthorized use of public trail corridor lands be noted and reported (i.e. dumping and timber poaching).]
q Ivan Vamos noted that Albany County has put out requests for proposals or interest (RFI) on its rehabilitation project for the approved TEA 21 Enhancement Grant. It is seeking RFI’s for design and Inspection of the Hudson River trail rehabilitation
q Eric Hamilton reported that the Governor has signed the legislation creating the Mohawk Hudson ByWay.
q There was some discussion about State Bike Route 5, as to its creation, and present and future designations. Lou Rossi provided maps for everyone present.
q [Ed. note: the following is added after receiving information following the meeting.] Kathy Quandt noted that the Visitors Center has no plans to rehabilitate Lock 1. However, the Visitors Center will be hosting an exhibit between October 4-November 30 titled Uncovering Lock One and Rediscovering the Erie Canal in Albany County. Also there will be a lecture presentation on November 8th by Denis Foley and Andrew Wolfe, followed by a tour of the digsite (which will require a reservation). Denis Foley and Andrew Wolfe have uncovered the Collectors House, the Albany Weighlock and the Northwest section of Lock One.]
The next meeting is scheduled for 3 PM, September 29, 2003 in Clifton Park.
SUBMITTED BY:
Don Odell, recorder