Traffic Commission Agendas and Minutes

Page 1 of 5 June 24, 2024 MINUTES OF THE COHOES TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MONDAY JUNE 24, 2024 IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF COHOES CITY HALL AT 3:00 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Paul Johnston Commissioner Stephen Hennessey Fire Chief Joseph Fahd MEMBERS ABSENT: Lieutenant Kevin Reiter Director Stephen Napier ALSO PRESENT: Theresa Flatley, Recording Secretary CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 20, 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. Commissioner Hennessey seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE RECISSION OF REGULATION 3-2020 This request was submitted by Chairman Johnston. Chairman Johnston stated that this Regulation approved the installation of a driveway for John McDonald of #10 Roosevelt Boulevard for a driveway exiting onto Elaine Court. John McDonald has informed Secretary Flatley that he has now decided not to construct the driveway. Accordingly, the Chairman’s recommendation was to both rescind approval for the driveway and Regulation 3-2020. Chief Fahd made a motion to rescind Regulation 3-2020 and for the approval for a driveway at #10 Roosevelt Boulevard. Commissioner Hennessey seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE RECISSION OF REGULATION 10-2022 This request was submitted by Chairman Johnston. Chairman Johnston stated that this Regulation approved the installation of a driveway for Jane DiGirolamo of #42 McElwain Avenue. Ms. DiGirolamo has informed Secretary Flatley that she has now decided not to construct the driveway. Accordingly, the Chairman’s recommendation was to both rescind approval for the driveway and Regulation 10-2022.  Page 2 of 5 June 24, 2024 Chief Fahd made a motion to rescind Regulation 10-2022 and for the approval for a driveway at #42 McElwain Avenue. Commissioner Hennessey seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL RE-APPLICATIONS FOR EXISTING RESIDENTIAL HANDICAP PARKING SIGNS This request was submitted by Chairman Johnston. Chairman Johnston stated that the City’s MIRA policy requires the annual re-application of the applicants. The re- applications have been reviewed and are in order and are on file. The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the re-applications that are detailed on Attachment “A” to the agenda. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request for the annual approval of the handicap re-applications in accordance with Attachment “A” to the agenda. Commissioner Hennessey seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE REMOVAL OF HANDICAP PARKING SIGNS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS This request was submitted by Chairman Johnston. Chairman Johnston stated that these signs were originally approved for the three (3) individuals detailed on Attachment “B” to the agenda. The City’s MIRA policy requires the annual re-application by the applicant. During this year’s re-application process, the listed individuals failed to respond to our re-application requests or state that the sign is no longer required. Accordingly, for those not responding, it is assumed that the signs are no longer needed. The Chairman’s recommendation was to remove the handicap parking signs in accordance with Attachment “B” to the agenda. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request to remove the Residential Handicap Parking signs detailed on Attachment “B” to the agenda. Commissioner Hennessey seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGNS ON MAIN STREET AT THE COLUMBIA STREET INTERSECTION This request was submitted by Chairman Johnston. Chairman Johnston stated that the request is for the installation of permanent Stop signs on Main Street at the Columbia  Page 3 of 5 June 24, 2024 Street intersection. The traffic signal at this location has recently been placed in flash mode and in the interim, a temporary Stop sign, was installed. The National MUTCD states that when a signal is in the flash mode, for non-mechanical failure reasons, the signal is considered an Intersection Control Beacon. The MUTCD states that “a Stop sign shall be used on approaches to which a flashing red signal indication is displayed on an Intersection Control Beacon.” MUTCD also states that, at an intersection, a Stop sign should be placed on the lesser important road with a main road where application of the normal right-of-way rule would not be expected to provide reasonable compliance with the law. The lesser road, in this case, is Main Street. Based on the aforementioned MUTCD requirement, the Chairman’s recommendation was to install two permanent Stop signs with high intensity orange Sign Markers on Main Street at the Ontario Street intersection in accordance with Attachment “C” to the agenda. Chief Fahd made a motion to install the Stop signs and high intensity sign markers on Main Street in accordance with Attachment “C” to the agenda. Commissioner Hennessey seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGNS ON SIMMONS AVENUE AT THE VLIET BOULEVARD INTERSECTION This request was submitted by Chairman Johnston. Chairman Johnston stated that the request is for the installation of permanent Stop signs on Simmons Avenue at the Vliet Boulevard intersection. The traffic signal at this location has recently been placed in flash mode. The National MUTCD states that when a signal is in the flash mode, for non-mechanical failure reasons, the signal is considered an Intersection Control Beacon. The MUTCD states that “a Stop sign shall be used on approaches to which a flashing red signal indication is displayed on an Intersection Control Beacon.” MUTCD also states that, at an intersection, a Stop sign should be placed on the lesser important road with a main road where application of the normal right-of-way rule would not be expected to provide reasonable compliance with the law. The lesser road, in this case, is Simmons Avenue. Based on the aforementioned MUTCD requirement, the Chairman’s recommendation was to install two permanent Stop signs on Simmons Avenue at the Vliet Boulevard intersection in accordance with Attachment “D” to the agenda. One sign would be located at the exit from The Church of the Holy Trinity parking lot where the signal  Page 4 of 5 June 24, 2024 currently displays a flashing circular red display. Additionally, there is a Stop Here on Red sign on Simmons Avenue that is no longer applicable and, accordingly, should be removed also in accordance with Attachment “D”. Chief Fahd made a motion to install the Stop signs on Simmons Avenue and remove the Stop Here On Red sign in accordance with Attachment “D” to the agenda. Commissioner Hennessey seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGNS ON THIRD STREET AT THE BRIDGE AVENUE INTERSECTION This request was submitted by Chairman Johnston. Chairman Johnston stated that the request is for the installation of permanent Stop signs on Third Street at the Bridge Avenue intersection. The traffic signal at this location has recently been placed in flash mode. The National MUTCD states that when a signal is in the flash mode, for non-mechanical failure reasons, the signal is considered an Intersection Control Beacon. The MUTCD states that “a Stop sign shall be used on approaches to which a flashing red signal indication is displayed on an Intersection Control Beacon.” MUTCD also states that, at an intersection, a Stop sign should be placed on the lesser important road with a main road where application of the normal right-of-way rule would not be expected to provide reasonable compliance with the law. The lesser road, in this case, is Third Street. Based on the aforementioned MUTCD requirement, the Chairman’s recommendation was to install two permanent Stop signs on Third Street at the Bridge Avenue intersection in accordance with Attachment “E” to the agenda. Chief Fahd made a motion to install the Stop signs on Third Street in accordance with Attachment “E” to the agenda. Commissioner Hennessey seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A DRIVEWAY INSTALLATION AND CURB CUT AT #52 SARGENT STREET This request was made by P & C Quality Homes, LLC. They are requesting permission to construct a driveway and curb cut for the house at #52 Sargent Street. The proposed driveway would be in the rear of the house and would exit onto Congress Street. The proposed driveway would be 25± feet in width with a 10 feet wide curb cut. The curb cut would be equally spaced in the middle of the driveway parking area as detailed  Page 5 of 5 June 24, 2024 in their sketch attached to the agenda. There is an existing concrete sidewalk along Congress Street that would remain in place. Chairman Johnston stated that he had looked at the location and the request will have no adverse effect on on-street parking and will only improve it The Chairman’s recommendation was to approve the request for the driveway of 25±’ in width and a curb cut of 10±’ in width in accordance with the sketch attached to the agenda, the driveway being constructed out of a typical driveway construction material of either asphalt, concrete or other approved hard surface material and contingent upon receipt of a City building permit. The concrete sidewalk is to remain in place be reconstructed as needed to current ADA standards Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request for the installation of the driveway and curb cut in accordance with the sketch attached to the agenda, the driveway being constructed out of a typical driveway construction material of either asphalt, concrete or other approved hard surface material and contingent upon receipt of a City building permit. The concrete sidewalk is to remain in place or be reconstructed as needed to current ADA standards. Commissioner Hennessey seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF ALL WAY SIGNS AT THE McDONALD DRIVE AND DEERFIELD DRIVE INTERSECTION This request was submitted by Chairman Johnston. Chairman Johnston stated that this intersection is a three-way stop intersection. MUTCD details that All Way signs are required at all-way stop intersections. The Chairman’s recommendation was to install the All Way signs in accordance with Attachment “F” to the agenda. Chief Fahd made a motion to approve the request to install All Way signs in accordance with Attachment “F” to the agenda. Commissioner Hennessey 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 July 22, 2024 at 3 PM. Chairman Johnston made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Hennessey seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 3:06 PM.