Traffic Commission Agendas and Minutes

Page 1 of 3 August 28, 2023 MINUTES OF THE COHOES TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MONDAY AUGUST 28, 2023 IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF COHOES CITY HALL AT 3:02 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Paul Johnston Fire Chief Joseph Fahd Lieutenant John Shanahan City Planner Joseph Seman-Graves Commissioner Stephen Hennessey ALSO PRESENT: Theresa Flatley, Recording Secretary Sean Quell, Gent’s Barber Company CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 24, 2023 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 NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER SIGN ON THE NORTH SIDE OF GEORGE STREET AT THE MAIN STREET INTERSECTION This request was made by Chairman Johnston. The Chairman stated that numerous recent inspections of George Street reveal that parking is saturated in this area and vehicles are parking on the north side of George Street up to the edge of the curb line of Main Street. This is contrary to the NYS MV & T Law and also impedes satisfactory sight distance of southbound Main Street vehicles and precludes vehicles from satisfactorily turning west, from Main Street to George Street. This failure, most importantly, is a safety issue. The Chairman’s recommendation was to install a No Stopping Here To Corner sign on the north side of George Street in accordance with Attachment “A” to the agenda. Lieutenant Shanahan made a motion to approve the installation of a No Stopping Here To Corner sign on George 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 A RESIDENTIAL HANDICAP PARKING SIGN AT 164 CONGRESS STREET This request was submitted by George Leibach. Chairman Johnston stated that the application and the recommendation from the Center for Independence were both in order with the City’s MIRA policy.  Page 2 of 3 August 28, 2023 The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the request in accordance with Attachment “B” to the agenda. Joseph Seman-Graves made a motion to approve the request for a Residential Handicap Parking sign at 164 Congress Street in accordance with Attachment “B” to the agenda. Chief Fahd seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A CURB CUT ON EDWARD STREET The request was submitted by Linda Alesio of #38 Edward Street for a curb cut for an existing driveway at #38 Edward Street. Ms. Alesio states that she would like 8 feet of the curb removed so that she can reconstruct the concrete sidewalk to provide satisfactory access to her recently widened driveway. Chairman Johnston stated that he had looked at the location and the request will have no adverse effect on parking as the widened driveway already exists. The request will have no adverse effect on on-street parking and will only improve. The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the request for the curb cut of 8 feet in width in accordance with the sketch attached to the agenda. Lieutenant Shanahan made a motion to approve the request for a curb cut of 8± for the driveway #38 Edward Street. Chief Fahd seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF REMSEN STREET FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL BASH The request was submitted by Sean Quell of Gent’s Barber Company. Mr. Quell is requesting to be allowed to close Remsen Street between Ontario Street and Oneida Street on Sunday September 3, 2023 between the hours of 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The closure would be to allow the first annual Back To School Bash event. Sean Quell stated that he is looking to have live entertainment in Canal Square so that they can distribute 200 back packs and various school supplies to the participating children. He is looking to have the street closed for safety concerns of the public. Commissioner Hennessey stated that because of the event being held on a Sunday there would be no one from DPW to install the requisite barricades and that the applicant would have to install and remove them himself. There was discussion about notifying CDTA of the closure in advance so that an adequate detour route could be established.  Page 3 of 3 August 28, 2023 Chairman Johnston stated that the Traffic Commission historically has approved the closure of various streets for other public events. The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the request contingent on the applicant having satisfactory insurance, receiving a permit from the City and notifying CDTA of the closure. Lieutenant Shanahan made a motion to approve the request for the closure of Remsen Street between Ontario Street and Oneida Street on Sunday September 3, 2023 between the hours of 9 AM to 3 PM. Chief Fahd 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 September 25, 2023 at 3 PM. Chairman Johnston made a motion to adjourn. Joseph Seman-Graves seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 3:08 PM.