Complete Streets Advisory Board

SARATOGA SPRINGS COMPLETE STREETS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 14TH, 2023 - 5:00 P.M. ATTENDEES: CHAIR KEN GREY, VICE-CHAIR TED OROSZ, LINDLEY HICKOX, SUZANNE JAGODA, MIKE KING, LYNN KEATING, JENNIFER NATYZAK STAFF: JEN DUNN, MICHAEL DUTRE ABSENT: N/A MEETING MINUTES ARE NOT A WORD-FOR-WORD TRANSCRIPT. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. I. Public Comment Members of the public attended to express concern about Union Ave plans. Vice- Chair Orosz explained no decisions have been made and nothing is happening in the immediate future. Jen Dunn added the city is closing out their contract with JMT and how the project proceeds is up to the new administration and City Council. II. Administration a. Approval of November Minutes Chair Grey and Vice-Chair Orosz reviewed and approved Michael Dutre’s minutes. The rest of the board did not get to review. Michael Dutre printed the minutes for everyone and will post to the City site. III. Updates a. 25mph Speed Limit – Inner Tax District Vice-Chair Ororsz iterated that Complete Streets is recommending the City lower speed limits in the inner tax district where possible. b. Regatta View/Planning Board agreement with Belmonte Builders Vice-Chair Orosz noted that Belmonte has agreed to build the path along their development as originally planned. c. Capital Budget 2024 $500,000 Approval Jen Dunn clarified that the capital budget is now $250,000. d. Congress Gateway Jen Dunn updated that the Planning Department is working with DPS and DPW to gather input on the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) project. e. ADA Transition Plan Mike King and Lindley Hickox consolidated the City’s ADA priority list. Locations near municipal buildings, Broadway and schools take precedence. 1 IV. Action Items a. JMT Final Recommendations for Union Ave and next steps Mike King illustrated that four lanes of travel, parking and curbs on Union Ave would remain as they are now. Upgrades include: additional crosswalks, signal time improvements and painted bike lanes to match the state’s work. b. Volunteer for minutes 2024 Lynn Keating volunteered to be Complete Street’s secretary and she will take over writing the minutes for Michael Dutre. V. 2023 CSAB Achievements a. Grant for Dark Skies Lighting at Railroad Run – YMCA to Rt. 50 Jen Dunn is working with DPW staff such as the City electrician, engineer and arborist to determine the most appropriate plan. b. Missing Links Sidewalk installation Jen Dunn is closing out the popular project and suggested a ‘phase 2’ to complete the remaining missing links throughout the City. c. Advocates for Caroline St sidewalk installation Chair Grey commended DPW for a successful Complete Streets and ADA job. d. DOT bike lanes eastbound to Crescent Ave to Saratoga Lake Vice-Chair Orosz observed that the street was paved ahead of schedule and DOT has been more communicative and collaborative than in years past. e. Completion of Downtown Connector Jen Dunn is closing out the project and setting up a ribbon cutting event. VI. 2024 Priority Projects and Grant Planning a. Sidewalk and Crosswalk – YMCA to Pitney Meadows Jen Dunn is working with DPS and on design and installation of a crossing on West from the YMCA to PMCF. Chair Grey noted that the students run at Pitney and safety is key. b. Union Ave bike lanes (East to Nelson) Mike King reiterated for the public that proposed bike lanes would be painted to match the state’s work. Suzanne Jagoda added language for board approval, “Complete Streets will move to investigate collaborative efforts for a safe cross over 87 along Union to the Lake.” She emphasized that often action isn’t taken until someone is hurt or killed and Complete Streets and the City shouldn’t wait for a tragedy. DOT advised last year that when they painted for bike lanes from exit 14 to Crescent Ave (near Saratoga Lake), they could not promise bike lanes over the bridge. That project would require extensive technical review and would have postponed any painting of bike lanes c. Crescent Ave Vice-Chair Orosz outlined that Tonko’s office has advocated for $300,000 toward construction but grants and collaboration with our MPO and DOT will be necessary to complete. d. Rt 50 from W Fenlon to State Park Trail Jen Dunn highlighted this multimodal trail as being a huge improvement for the neighborhood as it enhances safety and accessibility. 2  e. Lake Ave extend to Downtown Connector westbound and extend eastbound to Gilbert and Weibel Rd Vice-Chair Orosz pointed out a path near Stewarts on Weibel is going in. Since this corridor is heavily traveled, it needs to safely connect to the rest of the Complete Streets network. f. What do you want to accomplish in 2024? Suzanne Jagoda reminded the group that the invasive species, oriental bittersweet is destroying native plants throughout the City. Chair Grey noted that Complete Streets will change their meeting times starting in January to the 2nd Wednesday of each month. VII. Communications Coordinator Chair Grey has no stories for the Communications Coordinator at this time. VIII. Public Comment #2 Members of the public asked for a recap of the Union Ave plans which Vice-Chair Orosz and Mike King provided. Members of the public also wanted to clarify if the Congress Gateway would influence the Mary Lou Whitney Horse. Jen Dunn said the horse would be unaffected. IX. Adjourn 3