Traffic Commission Agendas and Minutes

Page 1 of 3 April 22, 2024 MINUTES OF THE COHOES TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MONDAY APRIL 22, 2024 IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF COHOES CITY HALL AT 3:02 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Paul Johnston Lieutenant Kevin Reiter Director Stephen Napier Commissioner Stephen Hennessey Fire Chief Joseph Fahd ALSO PRESENT: Theresa Flatley, Recording Secretary CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 25, 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 except Lieutenant Reiter who abstained. The motion passed. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURES ON COLUMBIA STREET FROM VETERAN’S MEMORIAL PARK TO REMSEN STREET AND REMSEN STREET BETWEEN COLUMBIA AND CAYUGA STREETS FOR THE COHOES MEMORIAL DAY PARADE This request was submitted by Matthew LaBombard of the Recreation Department. The closure request was to permit the annual Memorial Day Parade on Thursday May 23, 2024 beginning at 6 PM until completion of the parade. The applicant states that the closure will be a rolling closure with police escorts on both ends of the parade. After the parade passes Ontario Street, Remsen Street will be closed between Ontario and Cayuga Streets for closing ceremonies. Chairman Johnston stated that the Commission has historically approved closures of city streets for other City endorsed public events. Chairman Johnston’s recommendation was to approve the request contingent on notification to CDTA of the proposed closures. Director Napier made a motion to approve the request for the street closures of Ontario and Remsen Streets on Thursday May 23, 2024 between the hours of 6 PM to parade completion. Chief Fahd seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously.  Page 2 of 3 April 22, 2024 CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURES ON REMSEN STREET BETWEEN ONTARIO AND CAYUGA STREETS AND SENECA, ONEIDA AND MOHAWK STREETS FOR THE COHOES CAR SHOW This request was submitted by Matthew LaBombard of the Recreation Department. The closure request was to permit the annual Cohoes Car Show on Sunday May 19, 2024 between the hours of 7 AM to 2 PM. Remsen Street would be closed between Ontario and Cayuga Streets. Oneida Street would be closed to traffic from Remsen Street to the Ogden Mills parking lot and at Mohawk Street. Seneca Street would be closed between Remsen Street and Mohawk Street and Mohawk Street would be closed between Ontario and Cayuga Streets. Additionally, no parking would be allowed in any of the parking spaces on aforementioned streets. Chairman Johnston stated that the Commission has historically approved closures of Remsen, Seneca, Mohawk and Oneida Streets for this and other City endorsed public events. Chairman Johnston’s recommendation was to approve the request contingent on notification to CDTA of the proposed closures. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request for the street closures of Remsen, Oneida, Mohawk and Seneca Streets and to prohibit parking in the parking spaces on the aforementioned streets on Sunday May 19, 2024 between the hours of 7 AM to 2 PM. Director Napier seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF STREET CLOSURES FOR THE MOHAWK HUDSON RIVER MARATHON AMD HANNAFORD HALF MARATHON ON OCTOBER 13, 2024 This request was submitted by Barbara Sorrel of the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club. Chairman Johnston explained that Ms. Sorrell is looking to have Bridge Street and Lincoln Avenue, between Alexander Street and Saratoga Street closed, as well as a 5’ portion of a lane closure on the east side of Saratoga Street from Bridge Street to the southern city line closed to traffic for their race on Sunday October 13, 2024. These closures would be from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM. These are the identical closures that were presented to us last year. Chairman Johnston stated that Commission has approved this request in previous years. The Chairman’s recommendation was to again approve the request contingent on the applicant having satisfactory insurance and receiving a permit from the City. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request for the road closures. Director Napier seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously.  Page 3 of 3 April 22, 2024 CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF A NO PARKING SIGN ON WHITE STREET BETWEEN CONGRESS AND SARGENT STREETS This request was submitted by Ken O’Melia of 74 Sargent Street. Mr. O’Meila is requesting that an additional No Parking sign be installed on the north side of White Street between Congress and Sargent Streets. He is requesting that the sign be strategically placed so that no vehicles can park on the sidewalk adjacent to his home at 74 Sargent Street. He states that vehicles illegally parked on the sidewalk damage his concrete sidewalk. Chairman Johnston stated that the north side of White Street already has a No Parking Fire Lane prohibition. The signs, between Congress and Sargent Streets, are spaced 100 feet apart; well below the MUTCD recommendation of 200 feet maximum and are highly visible to motorists. Traffic signs are not installed to physically prevent vehicles from parking but to convey a message to motorists of the prohibition. As parking on a sidewalk is contrary to the NYS MV & T Law, any parking on the sidewalk is an enforcement issue for the Police Department. The Chairman’s recommendation, based on the aforementioned information, was to deny the request. Chief Fahd made a motion to deny the request for any additional No Parking sign(s) on White Street. 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 May 20, 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 3:08 PM.