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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-22Dryden Rail-Trail Friends and Task Force Minutes of the January 22, 2018 Meeting Dryden Town DPW Attendance: David Keifer, Steve Winans, David Fogel, Dave Burnett, Russ Nelson, Ewa Wdzieczak, John Kiefer, Diane Tessaglia-Hymes, Chris Tessaglia-Hymes, Bob Beck, Judy Pierpont, Mark Witmer, Alice Green, David Bravo-Cullen, Bruno Schickel Call to Order (7:07 pm) –Bob Beck No additions to the agenda Minutes were approved. Design Committee Report Diane presented logo concepts. She said the committee wants the trail logo to: • Identify, and promote recognition of our trail system • Be inviting by projecting a friendly face and promoting an enjoyable, outdoor experience • Be an eye catcher, or hook, so people who see it are drawn in and come closer to learn more • Be used for various modes of communication and outreach: letterhead, posters, trail mile markers, t-shirts etc.. She showed several different iterations of logo concepts that have evolved through the committee’s work. The latest draft preferred design features an oval shape formed in part by train tracks, enclosing a Dryden-type hillside horizon, and a walker with a backpack at center. The words “Dryden Rail Trail” wrap the bottom half of the logo. Another option would add the shape of the trail, with dots indicating the communities along it. Bruno commented that simpler is better; the preferred design “brings a smile.” David F. suggested the backpacker might not be the best image for a trail user. He added that the oval shape mirrors the Town of Dryden logo. Discussion of various design elements followed, including questions about what places in Dryden might be considered “iconic” for inclusion: lines of hills and mountains along the horizon, creeks and drainage areas throughout the town, bridges, particularly the FH Fox bridge across Route 366. Bob noted that earlier, more complicated designs might work well for other uses, such as t-shirts, or trail posters. Russ said the final design should be trademarked. Diane said she recommends including guidelines for using the logo on the trail website. Russ circulated a mockup of a possible trail-rules sign. This, together with sign and rules suggestions generated on the list serve, will provide for discussion in future Design Committee meetings. Strategic Tourism Implementation Grant County Invitation to Apply – Todd Tompkins County has invited the Rail Trail Task Force to apply for one of two available grants this year. Available are a Strategic Tourism Grant (STG) (recommended for this year) and a Capital Project Program Grant (which might be applied for next year.) The STG offers up to $30,000, and requires no local match. It could cover preparing preliminary concept design and cost options for construction of a bridge or tunnel across Route 13. Application Deadline is in mid-march, with notifications expected in early April. Todd will continue to work on details for this grant application The Capital Improvements Grant offers up to $75,000. RFP sent (for preliminary design and cost for Route 13 Trail Bridge) – John In order to identify costs associated with the design and cost estimates for the Route 13 bridge work, John K has worked with the town planning department to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) to five New York based engineering firms with experience doing similar work. Proposals are due Feb. 9, and will include scope of the work and costs, including 3 meetings with the town, a kick off session, meeting half way through, and final presentation. The study will cover both bridge and tunnel options, with and without equestrian use. David F. suggested including a local engineer who consulted on Freeville’s Genung Rd. Bridge. David K. asked if the Strategic Tourism Initiative grant could be considered part of the local match for the NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP) Grant. Todd said this question will be asked of Kathleen McIsaac, grant manager for NYSOPRHP. Fiscal Planning Committee report Funding strategy for trail development – Todd, Bruno, John, Alice, Bob Todd reported on a committee meeting earlier in the month to plan a strategy to best leverage funding sources and available matches to finance the trail. He reiterated that State Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton has set aside state money that could be applied to Route 13 bridge development costs, but not to be part of the local share for other state funds. He recommended that this money be applied to part of the bridge costs, and applying for the rest through the next round of Department of Transportation (DOT) Transportation Alternative Program grants. He noted that DOT officials are strongly supportive of the project, and that although the town’s last TAP grant application for the trail was not approved, it was highly ranked. Bruno asked why not apply for the capital project grant this year and apply it directly to costs of acquiring easements needed to complete the Etna to Freeville section of the trail, if the costs of the Bridge Study come in higher than the $30,000 maximum for the STI grant. Todd recommended that all the possible options for spending on the trail should be laid out in the next conversation with Barbara Lifton about applying the set aside state monies. Steve asked why not use the existing intersection at Routes 13 and 366. Todd repeated that the DOT recently completed a traffic study and recommended against adding more pedestrian, bike and possibly equestrian traffic to the intersection which is almost at an unsatisfactory level of congestion already. Bruno said that until the whole trail is completed with stone dust surface to ADA standards, the trail won’t attract bike commuters who need a bridge to access their destinations. He recommended developing and using the alternative route north and under the existing Route 13 bridge until the rest of the easements are acquired, the total surfacing is complete, and there is actual demand for the bridge across Route 13. He said the temporary diversion under the existing bridge is a scenic route to the parking lot next to the creek, which will be a trailhead. Eva noted that not all rail trails follow the complete route of the old rail bed. She cited a trail in Elmira that veers from the rail path in a certain section. Todd said the proposed spur to the existing Route 13 Bridge follows utility easements already in place, and Bob said that it could provide a good alternative for horseback riders, allowing the bridge or tunnel to accommodate only bikes and pedestrians. This could bring down construction costs. Todd said DOT should be checked to see if equestrians could legally pass under the existing bridge. He noted that the FH Fox Bridge would already accommodate horses. Regarding strategies for overall trail funding, Alice reported that by state law, any solicitations for donations to the trail must be done by individuals who are not employees or appointees of the Town. The town may receive donations to a separate account that could be created for the trail, but they must be solicited by a separate group. For example, there could be a separate meeting of the Friends of the Trail that oversees fundraising. OPRHP Grant Implementation Project Manager for the Grant Bob said he has talked with all the principles in the grant application process, and volunteered to take on the role of project manager, as long as he “can call on the enormous expertise of the various members.” Bruno said he was concerned that Bob already has a huge responsibility as coordinator of the whole project and that John should be project manager. John K. said he was willing to be, but that he’d be glad to support Bob in that role. Alice and Todd agreed that it makes sense for Bob to retain overall coordination responsibilities for the whole trail, and to delegate responsibility for managing this project to John, since John has deep experience in this area and is willing. Bob said he is grateful that John is willing to take this on in his retirement. Todd made a motion, seconded by David Fogel, that John K. be appointed project manager for the OPRHP grant. All eight present Task Force members (Todd, Bruno, John, Alice, Bob, Judy, David F., and Chris) approved the motion. Meeting scheduled with Grant Administrator Kathleen McIsaac – Bob Following approval of the OPRHP grant, Kathleen McIsaac sent an email outlining next steps, which include: 1) A Town Board resolution accepting the grant 2) Documentation of all easements indicating that the town controls the entire right of way for the portion of the trail covered by the grant. 3) Attestation by the town attorney of the legality of the easements 4) Submission of the easements to the OPRHP commissioners in Albany Assembling required trail right-of-way documentation – Bob Bob said he has begun work to assemble into a single pdf the relevant easement information, which includes 27 parcels and 19 property owners. He noted that the Task Force is still waiting for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) promised last summer by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) that would allow the trail to traverse the Game Farm area. Dan has been liaison to the DEC. Bob recently contacted the head of one of the sportsmen’s groups that has opposed the trail to reassure him the Task Force wishes to support the Game Farm operation, and he also spoke with DEC’s Jim Farquhar, who said the town “could expect something in writing in the next 2-3 weeks.” Bob said the OPRHP grant is good leverage to get the final agreement. He said he hopes OPRHP will accept the five- year MOU in lieu of a permanent easement. Coordination w/Town Hall and DPW – Bob, John, Alice As a newly appointed member of the Town Board, Alice will join Bob and John in coordinating trail development details with Town Hall and DPW. Members of the Planning Department and DPW staff will join in the upcoming meeting with Kathleen McIsaac of OPRHP. Doppelt Family Fund (RTTC) Grant application submitted- John, Bob At Bob’s request, John K. completed a new application for a Doppelt grant through the Rail to Trail Conservancy. It could yield $15,000 to $50,000 in funds that could be applied toward the local match for the parks grant. John noted that to the extent we can lower local match funds, it builds momentum for the trail project. Easements Update- Bob, Bruno There area two more easements necessary to extend the trail from Route 13 to Pinckney Road and three more to get to Route 366 at Etna. Bob said he expects to be talking to a lawyer for one of the businesses soon. Bruno talked with the owner of Hanson Aggregates last week, and he will be reviewing the easement request with his real estate manager. He added that the NYSEG easement request is also moving along through the hierarchy at NYSEG. Bob has scheduled a meeting Jan. 23 with Cornell Ag and Real Estate representatives to finalize details for the last needed Cornell Easement at Stevenson Rd. Milo Richmond volunteered to join that meeting. There is still an outstanding issue about fencing and vegetative hedge along the compost driveway. Bruno suggested a volunteer project planting bare root shrubs along a woven wire fence to divide the roadway to separate compost trucks from the pedestrian users. Todd noted that the soil is highly compacted and it would be difficult for shrubs to grow there. He suggested planting along the ditch rather than in the roadway. Bob said Cornell Ag is willing to share some of these costs. Task Force Membership update for 2018 Recommendation for appointment by Town Board – Bob Bob noted that Alice’s appointment to the Town Board has created a vacancy for a voting member on the Task Force. Alice suggested reaching out to the list serve for volunteers. Also, the Dryden Recreation and Youth Commission will need to appoint a new representative to the Task Force, since David Bravo-Cullen no longer serves on the Commission. Bob said due to the late hour, further discussion of the Task Force membership should be taken up at the next meeting. Next Meeting: Feb. 19 in the Freeville Village Hall. Adjournment at 9:28 pm Respectfully Submitted by Alice Walsh Green