RESOLUTION NO. 168
REQUESTING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO MAINTAIN PORTIONS OF MOHAWK-HUDSON BIKE-HIKE TRAIL
Introduced: 5/10/21
By Messrs. O’Brien, Mayo, Bruschi, Ms. Cunningham, Messrs. Ricard, A. Joyce, Beston, Cleary, Domalewicz, Ethier, Mss. Lekakis and Plotsky:
WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and Federal Highway Administration authorized the development of the land between I-787 and the Hudson River from Colonie Street in the City of Albany to the Hudson Shores Park in the City of Watervliet for recreational use and as a bikeway section of the Mohawk Hudson Greenway, thereafter designated the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail, and;
WHEREAS, the County of Albany and the NYSDOT thereafter entered into an agreement wherein the County would maintain the bike path, including the landscape adjacent to the asphalt path, in this section, an agreement which has since expired, and;
WHEREAS, the NYSDOT has been responsible for the maintenance of the bikeway and landscape adjacent to the asphalt path along this section of the Mohawk Hudson Bike-Hike Trail since the expiration of the prior agreement, and
WHEREAS, the bikeway has apparently fallen into disrepair and the citizens of Albany County, as well as the surrounding communities, would benefit from the recreational use of the public lands, and
WHEREAS, it would be in the interest of the general public for certain portions of the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trial between the City of Albany at Colonie Street to the Hudson Shores Park in Watervliet to be maintained by the County of Albany, and
WHEREAS, any agreement entered into shall direct that all highway and highway related maintenance for I-787 remains the responsibility of the NYSDOT, including but not limited to the structural integrity of right-of-way fencing and highway related feature, and
WHEREAS, any agreement entered into shall direct that the asphalt surface shall remain the obligation of the NYSDOT, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, the County Executive is requested to enter into an agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation to allow the County of Albany maintain portions of the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail, on the public lands between I-787 and the Hudson River, from the northerly boundary of the City of Albany to and including the northerly terminus known as the Fourth Street parking area in the City of Watervliet, and, be it further
RESOLVED, that pursuant to any agreement, the County shall maintain the areas adjacent to the asphalt bikeway shared-use path, but not the asphalt surface itself, including pavement markings, bollards, signage, lighting, trash receptacles, benches, tables, animal carcass removal, grass and woody areas including mowing, trimming and the removal of felled trees and limbs, etc. in the area bounded by ROW fencing along I-787 to the top of the slope at the river’s edge; and be it further
RESOLVED, that pursuant to any agreement, the County may acquire and maintain portable restroom facilities along the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail between the cities of Albany and Watervliet; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the County should endeavor to seek out any potential grant funding available to it from the state or federal governments for the purposes of further enhancing the great asset that is the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the County Legislature is directed to forward certified copies of this resolution to the appropriate County Officials.
Referred to Law Committee - 5/10/21