Traffic Commission Agendas and Minutes

Page 1 of 3 January 23, 2023 MINUTES OF THE COHOES TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MONDAY JANUARY 23, 2023 IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF COHOES CITY HALL AT 3:03 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Paul Johnston Lieutenant John Shanahan Fire Chief Joseph Fahd City Planner Joseph Seman-Graves MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Stephen Hennessey ALSO PRESENT: Theresa Flatley, Recording Secretary CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 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, Lieutenant Shanahan made a motion to approve the minutes. Chief Fahd seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A STREET CLOSURE OF REMSEN STREET BETWEEN COLUMBIA AND CAYUGA STREETS This request was submitted by the Kyleigh Cherry of The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. The closure request was to permit the 13th Annual Mac-n- Cheese Bowl on March 25, 2023 between the hours of 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. After last year’s large turnout, they are requesting, for safety reasons, that all cross streets be closed to traffic except Ontario Street. That street will have police presence to control traffic and pedestrians. Chairman Johnston stated that the Commission has historically approved closures of streets for City endorsed events. The Chairman’s recommendation was to again approve the request contingent on notification to CDTA of the proposed closures. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request for the street closure of Remsen Street and the aforementioned cross streets on March 25, 2023 between the hours of 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 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 FOR 105 LANCASTER STREET; SIGN INSTALLED ON LANSING STREET This request was submitted by Perla Candelaria. Ms. Candeleria is requesting that the sign, if approved, be installed on Lansing Street as access to the rear entrance of her house is easier for her. Chairman Johnston stated that the application and the  Page 2 of 3 January 23, 2023 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. Joseph Seman-Graves made a motion to approve the request for a Residential Handicap Parking sign for 105 Lancaster Street, with the sign installed on Lansing Street, 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 unanimously. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF 30 MINUTE PARKING LIMITATION SIGNS AT 216 COLUMBIA STREET This request was submitted by David Dufresne of Dufresne Funeral Home. Mr. Dufresne said that the 30 Minute signs are needed when he has a funeral to park the hearse and associated funeral vehicles in front of the funeral parlor. Adjacent homeowners have been parking in front of the funeral home preventing an orderly funeral procession. Chairman Johnston stated that the Commission has received similar requests from local businesses and have historically approved them. There was discussion amongst the Members about the need for the signs and the time length limitation being requested and the amount of parking the business already has. Lieutenant Shanahan stated that if parking exceeded the 30 minute limitation, and a complaint was received, the responding officer would have to enforce the 30 minute limitation. Based on this, it was thought to be prudent to have the applicant decide what time limitation, if any, was suitable for the business. Chief Fahd made a motion to table the request so that more discussion and input could be obtained from the applicant. 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 FOR THE COHOES WINTER CARNIVAL This request was submitted by Ed Krajewski of the City of Cohoes’ Recreation Department. He is requesting that the various streets detailed on the attachment to the agenda, be closed, and parking prohibited, to permit the Cohoes Winter Carnival. The closures are being requested so that the proposed horse and carriage rides are safe for the horse and riders. The closures would be between the hours of 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. There was discussion amongst the Members about the streets that were to be closed and at what exact locations traffic would be prohibited. Lieutenant Shanahan expressed  Page 3 of 3 January 23, 2023 concern over the impacts that the closures would have on Delaware Avenue traffic. There was discussion about locating a variable message sign or a local traffic only sign at the Delaware Avenue and Ontario Street intersection. Chairman Johnston stated that the Traffic Commission has historically approved closures of streets for City endorsed events. Chairman Johnston’s recommendation was to again approve the request. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the aforementioned street closures and parking prohibitions on Saturday, February 11, 2023 between the hours of 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. 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 February 27, 2023 at 3 PM. Chairman Johnston made a motion to adjourn. Lieutenant Shanahan seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 3:24 PM.