Attendance

NAME	REPRESENTING	ADDRESS	TELEPHONE NUMBER	E-MAIL ADDRESS
Don Odell	Section Director (retiring)	97 Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12203	482-4574	dodell@nycap.rr.com
Pat Clear	Environmental Clearinghouse of Schenectady (ECOS)	PO Box 9118 Niskayuna, NY 12309	370-4125	ecos@global2000.net
Paul Russell	Town of Colonie	347 Old Niskayuna Rd. Latham, NY 12110	783-2839	Russellp@colonie.org
Jason Purvis	CDTC	5 Computer Dr. West Albany, NY 12205	458-2161	jpurvis@cdtcmpo.org
Teresa LaSalle	CDTC	5 Computer Dr. West Albany, NY 12205	458-2161	tlasalle@cdtcmpo.org
Gail Kehn	Chamber of Schenectady County	306 State Street Schenectady, NY 12305	372-5656	gkehn@schenectadychamber.org
Ivan Vamos	New York Bicycling Coalition (NYBC)	13 Maple Lane South Loudonville, NY 12211	459-2026	ivanvamos@hotmail.com
John Stangle	Village of Menands	250 Broadway Menands, NY 12204	434-2922	johnstangle@hotmail.com
John DiMura	NYS Canal Corp	200 Southern Blvd. Albany, NY 12209	436-3034	John_Dimura@canals.state.ny.us
Bob Speece	NYSDept. of Transportation, Reg. 1	328 State St. Schenectady, NY 12305	388-0282	rspeece@dot.state.ny.us
Pat Rush	ECOS	1177 Oxford Pl. Schenectady, NY 12308	374-6995	c.c.rushassociates@verizon.net
Arden Rauch	ECOS	2346 Knolls View Dr. Schenectady, NY 12309	372-2932	raucha@union.edu
Elaine Troy	NYSDOH Healthy Heart	Frear Building 2 Fulton St. Troy, NY 12180	402-0723	eht01@health.state.ny.us

1. Review/approval of December 8, 2003 meeting review. Approved as submitted.

2. Update: Schenectady Trail Signage.

q Don also reported that he has not forwarded the survey from last summer of signage in the City of Schenectady to proper authorities. Since this is his last meeting, he promised to forward to appropriate persons as soon as possible.

3. Update: Mohawk Hudson Bikeway maps panels.

q Bob Speece provided copies of the proposed NYSDOT panels for three locations along the Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail as agreed to between himself and Lou Rossi. Those present reviewed this material.

q Jason Purvis asked that the CDTC be informed of changes, and be given an opportunity to review before the final signage is produced.

q It was requested that the route at the Watervliet-Green Island boundary be corrected to remove the portion of Lower Hudson between Broadway in Watervliet and Albany Ave. in Green Island. This change is on the Mohawk Hudson bike hike trail map in preparation, and the signage has been changed.

4. East West connections. David-Iman Adler will be at one of the next two meetings to discuss the study being conducted by the New York Parks & Conservation Association (NYPCA). These connections will focus on connections in Cohoes.

5. Volunteer Opportunities – Regional Canalway organization. This is Don Odell’s last meeting as section director and meeting secretary. There was some discussion of assuming his responsibilities in the future. There was some discussion about a rotating meeting reviewer, but no one has specifically stepped forward to assume either of these responsibilities. Don will be going to the next Canal Trailways Association of New York (CATNY), and would like to have a replacement accompany him, but it looks like he will be going to say goodbye to CTANY.

6. Statewide Canalway Trail Celebration – June 5 National Trails Day.

q There was some discussion. John DiMura distributed the Event/Organizer Information Form, and letter announcing the statewide Canalway Trail Celebration. He noted there were possibilities for coordination among various organizations, specifically noting the promotion of healthy activity currently underway in the NYS Dept. of Health. He also noted that there is hope in getting the Governor to participate in upcoming ribbon cuttings or ground breakings. There may be giveaways to participants, such as tee shirts or hats. The project promoters & sponsors are looking for media coverage

q There was some discussion of available sources of getting coverage. The Schenectady Chamber has a calendar of events and is linked to a tourism website. The Chamber also has a print edition, published monthly in the summer season and less frequently in the winter months. The Canalway Trail has a link on the Canal webpage.

7. Regional Updates

q John DiMura indicated that a series of workshops is planned in areas where the trail is complete to focus on how communities can take advantage of the trail. These workshops will focus on economic development benefits, how to develop signs that identify access to and from the trail, and the opportunity to promote tourist attractions and features in communities for bike trail users.

q Pat Clear reviewed progress on the Montgomery County trail guide, which will be similar to that published for Schenectady County. ECOS is working with an ad hoc committee in Montgomery County on this. The guide will focus mostly on natural features along the trail, and may include some historic features.

q John DiMura noted that the NYPCA is assembling a statewide trail guide, which will consist of 10 mile units showing a number of features, including bike shops, restaurants, etc.

q Ivan Vamos suggested that the Hudson River Trail publication being developed by the Hudson River Valley Commission might be a guide in the development of such material.

q Jason Purvis noted that the CDTC is continuing work on a Livingston Ave. bridge to the Menands Bridge bike-hike connection along the sewer district right-of-way in Rensselaer County.

q Teresa LaSalle noted that a Patroon Island connections study is continuing which will result in a Pine Bush to Corning Preserve bike-hike connection, with this study covering Rensselaer Lake to Corning Preserve.

q Elaine Troy reported that the Dept .of Health has funds to conduct five pedestrian safety road shows, and that the money must be spent before June 29. These workshops are intended to target one area and provide illustrations. Three communities are in definite consideration: Albany/Arbor Hill, Rotterdam and Saratoga. The Town of Bethlehem is a possibility. These will each be one-half day events, and will probably take place in the first part of May.

q Pat Rush reported that Al Hastings, ride director for Cycling the Erie Canal, would be in Schenectady on Tuesday to look at several possible locations for the bike tour's overnight stop in Schenectady

8. Other business. None.

9. Next Meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for 3 PM, Monday, March 8, 2004 at a location to be determined.

SUBMITTED BY:

Don Odell