EDWARD SIM Village of Colonie DEPUTY MAYOR VILLAGE HALL PATTY SCHWARZ 2 THUNDER ROAD LOCKART COLONIE, NY 12205 TRUSTEE (518) 869-7562 FAX (518) 464-0389 ART WHITE THOMAS J. TOBIN TRUSTEE MAYOR JAMES RUBINO TRUSTEE villagehall@colonievillage.org www.colonievillage.org JAMIE BLOT CLERK MINUTES VILLAGE OF COLONIE TRAFFIC COMMITTEE THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2023 The Village of Colonie Traffic Committee meeting was held on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at 2 Thunder Rd, Albany, NY 12205. Chairman Prevratil opened the meeting with the pledge of allegiance at 6:30 p.m. Roll Call: Chairman, Frank Prevratil Present Dan Hornick Present John Gillivan Absent George Lashoff Present Les Samiof Present Michael Normandin Present Liasion Ed Sim Present CPD Liaison Investigator DePaulo Absent Kevin France Present Coordinator Hannah Curran Present The minutes from the regularly scheduled April 14th meeting were reviewed by the present members of the committee. Mr. Samiof made a motion to approve the minutes, and Mr. Lashoff seconded this motion. Vote: All in favor. NEW BUSINESS: Coordinator Curran read aloud correspondence that she received from Mr. Phil Minnisale, resident of Harriet Street. He and his wife were present in the audience to further discuss their concerns. The letter detailed severe speeding that is occurring on Harriet Street, highlighting an instance of speeding, along with reckless driving, of an employee from Monroe Muffler. He also stated that there is an increase of tractor trailers using the side streets as a cut through. Liaison Sim explained that when traffic counts were taken on Harriet Street, the speed results were surprising. Going Eastbound on Harriet Street, the 85th percentile speed was 28 miles per hour, while going Westbound, the average speed was 34 miles per hour. Liasion Sim asked Mr. Page 1 of 4 Minissale if he felt those numbers were accurate, and he said yes. Liasion Sim stated that they did the count in order to research where the next solar speed sign should be placed. The Village is purchasing 4 more that will likely be placed somewhere on Lanci Lane, Broderick Street and Harriet Street. He added that he knows Investigator DePaulo has been diligently stopping trucks on Lincoln Avenue, and he can also send Code Enforcement to Stewart’s to discuss the problem of their delivery trucks traveling through neighborhoods. Mr. France added that he has seen trucks backing into the strip mall on the opposite side of Lincoln Avenue, and it’s too sharp of a turn for them to make it onto Central Avenue. Therefore, they cut through the neighborhoods in order to make it back onto the main road. Liasion Sim stated that they would investigate this and visit the Village businesses if necessary. He mentioned that when drivers are stopped by Colonie Police, they claim that they are just following their GPS, which takes them through the neighborhoods. He stated that he has discussed the possibility of alerting Google Maps to let them know that large trucks cannot be traveling on those roads. Mr. Minissale stated that he has noticed an increase in test driving occurring on Hawley Avenue from Monroe Muffler. Liasion Sim replied that he would also send Code Enforcement there to hopefully remedy the issue. Mr. France stated that when the traffic counts were taken, there was a 100-car discrepancy going from East to West. He added that this now makes sense knowing that test driving is happening, and the driver would only go around the block to return to Monroe Muffler. Mr. Hornick added that drivers may use Harriet Street, and surrounding streets, to cut the light. Mr. Minissale also asked what other options are available to curb speeding, in addition to the solar speed signs. Liasion Sim replied that there is a 4 way stop sign at the Holland Avenue intersection, which was intended to slow everyone down in the area. Mr. Minissale mentioned that Maria Drive in the Town of Colonie has 4 stop signs at each intersection, and asked if that was possible. Mr. Hornick advised that those stop signs are illegally placed, so it is unlikely that something similar could happen in the Village. Liasion Sim suggested that a request is made to the state level legislature to inquire about something similar to the work zone laws, where cars are now being photographed and ticketed if they are caught speeding. Chairman Prevratil mentioned that the red-light cameras work the same way, and a monetary fine is charged for those caught. Mr. Minissale suggested that a camera could be placed at the intersection of Lincoln and Central Avenue, and Mr. Samiof offered one at the Locust Park and Central Avenue intersection. Liasion Sim stated that this concept has been successful recently with the school buses, as it is impossible for law enforcement to see everything. The committee thanked Mr. and Mrs. Minissale for attending and stating their concerns. A discussion was held regarding the sign on Lincoln Avenue that indicates vehicles should use Petra Lane instead of Lincoln Avenue to travel to Central Avenue between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. during the week. A resident had asked if the sign could be moved, because they feel as though employees of Colonie Block can’t see the sign and use Lincoln Avenue during that time. Liasion Sim mentioned that the sign’s location was chosen based on the limited space of where it could be placed and offered that an additional sign could be placed at the exit of Colonie Block’s property. He also suggested that the Village could talk to the owners and have them advise their employees of the situation. Page 2 of 4 A discussion was held regarding the upcoming Family Fun Day, on June 10th from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Traffic Advisory Committee will be staffing a table to spread awareness of the work that they do within the Village. Mr. Hornick inquired if a complaint form could be made for committee members to fill out if residents come to them with comments. Coordinator Curran stated that she could make one and would bring it to the event on Saturday for the table. Chairman Prevratil and the entire Traffic Advisory Committee welcomed new member, Michael Normandin, to the committee. OLD BUSINESS: Liasion Sim provided an update on the CDTC Sand Creek Road study that is well underway. He explained that there is a large Study Advisory Committee that oversees the components of the study. Within the last month, there have been a couple of meetings where the existing conditions of the road have been reported. The CDTC took measurements of all of the intersections along the corridor as they are currently. He stated that while these reports may look skewed, the committee went on a walk along the corridor so members could see the faults of Sand Creek Road firsthand. Feedback from the community is also going to be relied upon heavily in the creation of the final report. Liasion Sim added that flyers regarding the study would be handed out at the upcoming Family Fun Day, and a table would be set up designated to the CDTC study. There is a survey available on the study’s website, and there is also a space on there for additional comments and suggestions. At the next traffic meeting on July 13th, the CDTC will be present to give a presentation to members, and the members of the Albany Bike Coalition. The CDTC would also be meeting with members of the Sunset Boulevard Neighborhood Association, as well as business stakeholders along the Sand Creek Road corridor. There will be a public wrap-up meeting, likely around the end of July, for all community members to be heard. This meeting will be held at the Rec Center, and information will be available as the date becomes finalized. The final report will be provided to the Mayor and Board of Trustees later this year, and a public meeting will be held around that time as well. He reminded the committee that the purpose of the study is to identify improvements that can be made and have a baseline report to use for grant applications. There may be minor improvements that the Village can make themselves, but it is important for the study to be complete first. Chairman Prevratil noted that the traffic committee has been working very hard. Mr. Gariepy was present in the audience with his daughter to discuss his concerns with traffic on Sand Creek Road. He asked about the possibility of adding solar speed signs to Sand Creek Road, like the ones on Locust Park. Liasion Sim stated that this was not discussed, due to the fact that the Sand Creek Road study is underway. Mr. Gariepy mentioned that he witnesses many large trucks traveling down Sand Creek Road in the morning, and he is often woken up by them. He is worried about being able to pull out of his driveway since they are usually speeding as well. Liasion Sim stated that the same engineering firm working on the Sand Creek Road study is working on the Watervliet Shaker Road project, and he may be able to talk to them about construction vehicles using Sand Creek Road as a cut through to get to the jobsite. Members of the traffic committee all agreed that speeding on Sand Creek Road is a large problem, and members recounted even being passed by speeding cars. Liasion Sim stated that he appreciates Page 3 of 4 Mr. Gariepy’s patience and feedback, and that the Village hopes to see changes to Sand Creek Road in 2024, based on the results of the study. Mr. Lashoff stated that he plans on canvassing Sand Creek Road to hand out flyers regarding the study. Mr. Gillivan added that he could go around the surrounding streets. Liasion Sim mentioned that the Village is able to order a variable message board trailer, and it could be used as a slow down sign as well, if necessary. A motion was made by Mr. Hornick to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 p.m. This motion was seconded by Mr. Normandin. Vote: All in favor. Respectfully submitted, Hannah Curran Traffic Advisory Coordinator Page 4 of 4