Traffic Commission Agendas and Minutes

Page 1 of 4 MINUTES OF THE COHOES TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MONDAY JULY 25, 2022 IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF COHOES CITY HALL AT 3:04 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Paul Johnston City Planner Joseph Seman-Graves Lieutenant John Shanahan Commissioner Stephen Hennessey Fire Chief Joseph Fahd ALSO PRESENT: Theresa Flatley, Recording Secretary Amanda Primeau, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Kathleen LaBombard, Secretary to the Mayor Tim Keefe, Asst Chief of Police Theresa Bourgeois, Director of Operations Lauri Pitkus, HeyDey Productions CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 27, 2022 MEETING Chairman Johnston asked if there were any comments, questions or concerns regarding the minutes as published. As there were no questions, concerns or comments, Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the minutes. Joseph Seman-Graves seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT SIGNS ON ELM STREET The request was submitted by Pam Fitzgerald of #74 Elm Street. The Chairman stated that in the e-mail attached to the agenda, Ms. Fitzgerald states that she lives two houses from the High School on Elm Street and is concerned about the perceived speeding on Elm Street, especially during arrival and dismissal times. Additionally, she is concerned about the lack of posted speed limit signs. In reviewing the location, the Chairman stated that Ms. Fitzgerald lives on the south side of Elm Street and approximately 200± feet east of the Stop sign at the high school. He further stated that there is only a School Speed Limit sign in the westbound direction of Elm Street and that it is located just west of the Conliss Avenue intersection. There is no speed limit sign in the eastbound direction which makes speed enforcement in that direction unenforceable. The westbound direction is signed correctly. The Chairman’s recommendation was to install a School Speed Limit Assembly in the eastbound direction of Elm Street and in accordance with Attachment “A” to the agenda.  Page 2 of 4 Joseph Seman-Graves made a motion to approve the request to install School Speed Limit Assembly signs in accordance with Attachment “A” to the agenda. Chief Fahd seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF AN ANNUAL RE-APPLICATION FOR A RESIDENTIAL HANDICAP PARKING SIGN AT #112 ONTARIO STREET This request was submitted by Suzanne Benson of 112 Ontario Street. Chairman Johnston stated that the City’s MIRA policy requires the annual re-application of the applicants. He also stated that at last month’s meeting we approved the removal of Ms. Benson’s handicap parking sign for her failure to return her re-application. After the sign was removed, her application was expeditiously returned to the secretary, in her office, despite her physician stating that she can only walk less than 20 feet. Despite this, the Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the re-application and re-install the handicap parking sign at #112 Ontario Street. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request for the annual approval of the handicap re-applications for the handicap parking sign at #112 Ontario Street. Lieutenant Shanahan seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF STREET CLOSURES FOR THE MOHAWK HUDSON RIVER MARATHON AMD HANNAFORD HALF MARATHON ON OCTOBER 9, 2022 This request was submitted by Barbara Sorrel of the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club. Chairman Johnston stated that at the March 21, 2022 meeting, the Commission approved the temporary closure of other city streets to allow the race. Because of the on-going construction on the bike path, a detour of the planned race route is necessary. In addition to the previously approved streets, Ms. Sorrell is now looking to have the race exit onto Lansing Lane and then proceed over the following city streets: Reservoir Street, Richmond Street, Division Street, Garner Street and then to re-enter the bike path at the path entrance adjacent to the US Food Mart at #118 Garner Street. Additionally, she is requesting that parking be prohibited on the west side of the aforementioned streets to create a five (5) foot coned running lane. The no parking prohibitions would be from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM on Sunday October 9, 2022. Race officials would install and remove the necessary cones for the race. City personnel would install and remove the requisite temporary No Parking signs. There was discussion amongst the Members about the impact the no parking prohibitions would have on the residents of Garner Street. On Sunday mornings, Garner Street is saturated with resident’s parked vehicles. Lieutenant Shanahan thought it would be prudent to notify the Garner Street residents, in advance, of the parking  Page 3 of 4 prohibitions. Joseph Seman-Graves said that the City would provide advance notification to the residents. The Chairman stated that since we already approved the closure of other city streets and parking prohibitions for the race, his recommendation was to also approve this additional request contingent on the applicant having satisfactory insurance, receiving a permit from the City and the residents being notified in advance of the prohibitions. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request for the race on the aforementioned streets and for the requisite no parking prohibitions on them and contingent on the applicant having satisfactory insurance, receiving a permit from the City and the residents being notified in advance of the parking prohibitions. Lieutenant Shanahan seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF VARIOUS STREET CLOSURES, PARKING PROHIBITIONS AND TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES FOR THE FILMING OF THE HBO GILDED AGE ON VARIOUS DATES This request was submitted by Lauri Pitkus of HeyDey Productions. The Chairman stated that Ms. Pitkus is requesting various streets closures, parking prohibitions and traffic calming measures on various streets to allow the filming of the Gilded Age. The July 20, 2022 memorandum from Ms. Pitkus, which was attached to the agenda, details the numerous parking prohibitions, street closures and traffic calming measures that the production requires and is being requested. Ms. Pitkus spoke in detail to the Members and reviewed what requisite measures would be required for the production. Responding to Lieutenant Shanahan’s question about the effects of any potential delays in the filming schedule, she stated that they try to stay on schedule but weather or health concerns could definitely impact the proposed schedule. Chief Fahd questioned what impact the production would have on any EMS or fire responses. She stated that there would always be a traffic lane available for any emergency vehicle response. Lieutenant Shanahan questioned about the need for towing of any vehicles ignoring the no parking prohibitions and who would be responsible for the towing of the vehicle, either the City or HeyDey Productions. Ms. Pitkus responded that either way was acceptable to her. Lieutenant Shanahan also advised that CDTA should be notified of the production as the various closures will affect their bus operations. Theresa Bourgeois presented detailed plans to various Members to show what impact the closures would have on city streets and what detour routes were necessary. The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the request contingent on the applicant having satisfactory insurance and receiving a permit from the City.  Page 4 of 4 Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request for the various street closures, parking prohibitions and traffic calming measures necessary for the filming and contingent on the applicant having satisfactory insurance and receiving a permit from the City. Joseph Seman-Graves seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Since there was no further business on the agenda, Chairman Johnston stated that the next meeting of the Traffic Commission would be on August 15, 2022 at 3 PM. Chairman Johnston made a motion to adjourn. Chief Fahd seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 3:26 PM.