Traffic Commission Agendas and Minutes

Page 1 of 3 March 25, 2024 MINUTES OF THE COHOES TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MONDAY MARCH 25, 2024 IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF COHOES CITY HALL AT 3:04 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Paul Johnston Fire Chief Joseph Fahd Director Stephen Napier Commissioner Stephen Hennessey MEMBERS ABSENT: Sergeant Michael Kendrick ALSO PRESENT: Theresa Flatley, Recording Secretary CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 26, 2024 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. Director Napier seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE REMOVAL OF A RESIDENTIAL HANDICAP PARKING SIGN AT #126 ONTARIO STREET This request was submitted by Mrs. Ana Kushnick. Chairman Johnston stated that this sign was originally approved for Mark Kushnick and it has been confirmed that Mr. Kushnick is deceased. The Chairman’s recommendation was to remove the sign in accordance with Attachment “A” to the agenda. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request to remove the Residential Handicap Parking sign from #126 Ontario Street in accordance with Attachment “A” to the agenda. Director Napier 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 126 ONTARIO STREET This request was submitted by Ana Kushnick. Chairman Johnston stated that the application and the recommendation from the Center for Independence are in order with the City’s MIRA policy. The Chairman stated that the sign is being requested to be installed on River Street adjacent to the rear entrance of the house. The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the request in accordance with Attachment “B” to the agenda.  Page 2 of 3 March 25, 2024 Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request for a Residential Handicap Parking sign at 126 Ontario Street, sign to be located on River Street, in accordance with Attachment “B” to the agenda. Director Napier seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER A CHANGE TO THE TIMING OF THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT THE MASTEN AVENUE & COLUMBIA STREET INTERSECTION This request was submitted by Sean Van Sleet of #18 Orchard Street. Mr. Van Sleet is requesting that the timing on the Masten Avenue sides of the Columbia Street signal be increased. He states that traffic heading to the Cohoes Middle School only has a short time to go through the intersection. He also states that there is no crossing guard at the intersection which is true. Chairman Johnston stated that there are no crossing guards assigned to every intersection in the city; guards are only assigned where there are significant school child crossings in the morning and afternoon. This signal is a fixed time traffic signal meaning that, to change the lights, the traffic light system uses an electro-mechanical signal controller that has movable components and a dial timer. The light is configured to change colors after a predetermined period of time and at regular intervals regardless of the actual traffic conditions. A dial timer does not change for every change in traffic volumes. This is in lieu of using traffic detectors that detect and respond to real-time traffic volumes. The current set times are a result of both Commissioner Hennessey and I evaluating the traffic volumes at various times through the intersection. The volumes detail that there is minimal traffic exiting either side of Masten Avenue throughout the day. Any potential increase in traffic, to or from Masten Avenue, is during the morning and afternoon school rush hour; the delay lengths are minimal in duration. Based on this, the green time was set at the current 10 seconds which should allow for 3-4 cars to navigate through the intersection which at most times is adequate. Also, the predictability of the fixed times makes pedestrians an equal part of the traffic system by providing them with consistent intervals at which to cross Masten Avenue thereby enhancing their safety and convenience. Increasing the green time for Masten Avenue would allow for additional traffic to navigate through the intersection but would reduce the available time for pedestrians, mainly students, to cross Masten Avenue. Since the school rush hours are minimal in the length of time, any change would significantly impact the satisfactory and desired flow of traffic on Columbia Street. This would not be prudent.  Page 3 of 3 March 25, 2024 Finally, this intersection is currently being evaluated as part of the Columbia Street reconstruction project. As a result of the study for that project, any safety recommendations, for either pedestrians or vehicular traffic, will be incorporated into that project. Chairman Johnston’s recommendation based on the aforementioned information was to deny the request. Chief Fahd made a motion to deny the request to increase the timing on the Masten Avenue sides of the Columbia Street traffic signal. Director Napier seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion to deny the request 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 April 22, 2024 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 unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 3:06 PM.