1995-11-03 SP
I,
QUEENSBURY RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
NOVEMBER 3, 1995
Minutes of the special meeting of the Recreation Commission of the
Town of Queensbury held Friday, November 3, 1995 at the Queensbury
Town Office Building, Queensbury, New York. Chairman Simmonds
called the meeting to order at 7:34 a.m.
PRESENT:
Commissioners Auer, Carusone,
Schachner and Simmonds
Hersh,
Maine
ALSO
PRESENT:
Director Hansen
ABSENT:
Commissioner LaBombard (ex)
VISITORS:
Dave Hodgson and Hobbes
BIKE TRAIL EXTENSION
Chairman Simmonds welcomed Dave Hodgson and explained that his
presence had been requested in order for the Commission to clarify
some of their (the Commission's) concerns regarding the bike trail
cost estimate. Commissioner Auer mentioned that he had driven the
9.4 miles of roadway listed in the cost estimate and that a 2'-4'
paved shoulder already existed on many of the roads. Therefore,
his estimate (Hodgson's) which included cost figures for as'
extension were somewhat inaccurate and, in fact, double counting.
In addition, a number of the roads listed had guardrails, fences,
mailboxes, and in some cases fire hydrants less than 5 feet from
the edge of the present roadway. Was the expense to relocate these
items included in the $50,000. estimate per mile? Furthermore,
where did the $50,000. figure corne from? D. Hodgson explained that
the per mile estimate reflected only the cost for materials to
build a brand new 5' shoulder extension (surface and sub-surface
materials). This information had been obtained from K. Wheeler
(Washington Co., DPW) and R. Gebo (Warren Co. DPW) and was, in
fact, considered a low estimate by P. Naylor, Qby. Highway
Superintendent (probably did not include labor costs). Regarding
the cost to relocate items which might have to be moved, Hodgson
mentioned that they were not included in the $50,000. cost
estimate. In terms of the 9.4 miles of roads scheduled in the
project, Dave pointed out that those roads that already had some
road shoulder (2'-4' approximately) would only receive an
additional amount (1'-3' approximately) in order to make the "end
result" a 5 foot bikeway.
-2-
A number of Commissioners summed up the discussion assuring D.
Hodgson that philosophically the Commission was in favor of his
project. However, the cost estimate was "somewhat generic" and
before making a recommendation to the Town Board, this would have
to be corrected. Dave explained that the ISTEA funding was
different in that changes and/or additions to the original
application were permissible as long as the "spirit of the project
was maintained." Therefore, if a specific road in the original
grant was eliminated, or did not need 5 foot of shoulder, then that
money could be arbitrarily diverted to another roadway chosen by
the applicant. He assured the Commission that this grant
application was quite flexible and could be modified. The Director
explained that in terms of the ISTEA grant, the Town was obligated
to spend the entire amount ($530,800.) up front and then be
reimbursed for the 80% "grant share." He also mentioned that based
on Dave's rationale and explanation (grant flexibility /modifi-
cation) that the Town would certainly expend whatever amount it
agreed to fund ($106,160. request). After further discussion,
Commissioner Schachner made the motion to recommend that the
Recreation Commission draft a letter of support for the project.
Commissioner Carusone seconded the motion which was unanimously
approved. Chairman Simmonds was directed to draft and sign the
letter and then insure that copies were distributed to all Town
Board members.
There being no further business, the Commission meeting was
adjourned at 8:25 a.m. The next meeting will be held on December
12, 1995, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Supervisor's conference
room (#37), at the Queensbury Town Office Building.
~;(~~
/Sharron L. Simmonds, Chairman
Minutes prepared by Harry R. Hansen