Traffic Commission Agendas and Minutes

Page 1 of 5 October 17, 2022 MINUTES OF THE COHOES TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MONDAY OCTOBER 17, 2022 IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF COHOES CITY HALL AT 3:05 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Paul Johnston Fire Chief Joseph Fahd Lieutenant John Shanahan MEMBERS ABSENT: City Planner Joseph Seman-Graves Commissioner Stephen Hennessey ALSO PRESENT: Theresa Flatley, Recording Secretary Kathleen LaBombard, Secretary to the Mayor CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 19, 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. Lieutenant Shanahan seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF A RESIDENTIAL HANDICAP PARKING SIGN AT 52 VLIET STREET This request was submitted by Eugene Franco. Chairman Johnston stated that the application and the recommendation from the Center for Independence were both in order with the City’s MIRA policy. The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the request in accordance with Attachment “A” to the agenda. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request for a Residential Handicap Parking sign at 52 Vliet Street in accordance with Attachment “A” to the agenda. Lieutenant Shanahan seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF A RESIDENTIAL HANDICAP PARKING SIGN AT 110 CONGRESS STREET This request was submitted by Timothy Morgan. Chairman Johnston stated that the application and the recommendation from the Center for Independence were both in order with the City’s MIRA policy. The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the request in accordance with Attachment “C” to the agenda.  Page 2 of 5 October 17, 2022 Lieutenant Shanahan made a motion to approve the request for a Residential Handicap Parking sign at 110 Congress Street in accordance with Attachment “C” to the agenda. Chief Fahd seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF A RESIDENTIAL HANDICAP PARKING SIGN AT 125 ONTARIO STREET This request was submitted by Christopher DeRasmo. Chairman Johnston stated that the application and the recommendation from the Center for Independence were both in order with the City’s MIRA policy. He stated that 125 Ontario Street does have a driveway on River Street but it has been confirmed that the driveway is for the sole use of the property owner and not the tenants. Additionally, since there is no parking allowed on Ontario Street, any handicap parking sign would have to be installed on River Street. The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the request in accordance with Attachment “D” to the agenda. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request for a Residential Handicap Parking sign at 125 Ontario Street in accordance with Attachment “D” to the agenda. Lieutenant Shanahan seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE ON REMSEN STREET BETWEEN COLUMBIA AND CAYUGA STREETS This request was submitted by the Ed Krajewski of the City of Cohoes’ Recreation Department. The closure request was to permit the Cohoes Halloween Parade and Trunk or Treat on October 28, 2022 between the hours of 3 PM to 9 PM. All cross streets would be closed to traffic. Kathleen LaBombard explained that the event was very popular and highly populated last year. She stated that the Police Department’s officers had a hard time simultaneously controlling traffic on the open cross streets and pedestrians on Remsen Street. It was for the safety of the children that it was decided by the event organizers to close the cross streets to traffic this year. She stated that Ontario Street traffic would be detoured north via Olmstead Street. Since the parade starts at the K of C, Columbia Street would be re-opened to traffic as soon as the parade finishing crossing the street. In the interim, traffic would be detoured onto Mohawk Street. Chairman Johnston stated that the Commission has historically approved closures of streets for City endorsed events. Chairman Johnston’s recommendation was to again approve the request contingent on notification to CDTA of the proposed closures. Lieutenant Shanahan made a motion to approve the request for the street closure of Remsen Street on October 28, 2022 between the hours of 3 PM to 9 PM. Chief Fahd  Page 3 of 5 October 17, 2022 seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A DEAD END SIGN ON MAIDEN LANE AS PER MUNICIPAL LAW OF NYS This request was made by Mary Gregory. Chairman Johnston stated state law requires that motorists be given notice of certain highway conditions. Section 125A of the General Municipal Law requires that municipalities post, and keep posted, signs giving motorists notice of dead end streets and roadways. Ms. Gregory states that although there is a 10 feet wide gravel alley that exits onto Church Street, motorists elect not to use the alley and try to turn around at the end of the street. Chairman Johnston stated that Maiden Lane, although not a true dead-end, should have a dead end sign. His recommendation was to approve the request to install a dead end sign on Maiden Lane in accordance with Attachment “E” to the agenda. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the installation of the Dead End sign on Maiden Lane in accordance with Attachment “E” to the agenda. Lieutenant Shanahan seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF NO PARKING SIGNS ON BEVAN STREET BETWEEN JAMES STREET AND THE LANSING PARK PARKING LOT This request was made by Lieutenant Shanahan. The Chairman stated that Resolution 50 for the Year 2000 approved by the City Council directed the installation of No Parking and No Standing During July and August signs, for pool season, on both sides of this section of Bevan Street. The signs on the north side of Bevan Street were removed by Regulation 47-2018 and the more restrictive No Stopping signs installed. This was to improve vehicle and pedestrian safety during school arrival and dismissal times. At last month’s meeting, Lieutenant Shanahan stated that when cars park on the south side of Bevan Street, a hazard is also created as students and parents attempt to cross to and from the parked cars and around and through traveling vehicles. The Lieutenant and Chairman Johnston agree that the No Parking signs detailed on Attachment “F” to the agenda, which prohibit parking only during school arrival and dismissal times, are prudent and would further increase pedestrian safety for this section of Bevan Street. The Chairman’s recommendation was to install No Parking 7AM – 9AM, 2PM – 4PM, School Days signs on the south side of Bevan Street between James Street and the Lansing Park parking lot in accordance with Attachment “F” to the agenda. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the installation of No Parking 7AM – 9AM, 2PM – 4PM, School Days signs on Bevan Street in accordance with Attachment “F” to the  Page 4 of 5 October 17, 2022 agenda. Lieutenant Shanahan seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A STREET CLOSURE OF REMSEN STREET BETWEEN COLUMBIA AND CAYUGA STREETS This request was submitted by Steve Napier of the Cohoes Local Development Corp. The closure request was to permit the Small Business Saturday to have in-street dining. The closure will be on Saturday November 26th between the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM. Howard, White and Ontario Streets will remain open to traffic. Newcomb Street will be partially closed allowing only access to the Matchbox parking lot. Chairman Johnston stated that the Traffic Commission has historically approved closures of Remsen Street for other City endorsed public events. Chairman Johnston’s recommendation was to approve the request contingent on notification to CDTA of the proposed closure. Lieutenant Shanahan made a motion to approve the request for the street closure of Remsen Street between Columbia and Cayuga Streets on November 26, 2022 between the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM. Chief Fahd seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE INSTALLATION OF NO PARKING SIGNS ON SARATOGA STREET BETWEEN MAIN AND MOHAWK STREETS Chairman Johnston stated that there was recently an accident on this section of Saratoga Street where a motorist ran into a vehicle that was parked. The motorist has questioned if this section of Saratoga Street is a no parking zone. Ordinance Number 16, for the year 1973, by the City Council, approved the installation of no parking signs on both sides of Saratoga Street. There is no record of the Ordinance being repealed. The Chairman stated that there are remnants of old sign posts along the street but no No Parking signs currently remain. The Chairman further stated that when this Ordinance was passed, 787 had not been constructed and Saratoga Street, Route 32, was the primary north-south route though the city. During rush hours, the route was heavily congested. There was discussion amongst the members about whether the signs should be re- installed, if they were currently needed at all, or if alternate sign designs were applicable and necessary. It was felt that further research was prudent. Chief Fahd made a motion to table any action on either the removal of Ordinance 16 for the year 1973 or installation of No Parking signs for further research by Chairman Johnston. Lieutenant Shanahan seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously.  Page 5 of 5 October 17, 2022 Since there was no further business on the agenda, Chairman Johnston stated that the next meeting of the Traffic Commission would be on November 21, 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 3:23 PM.