BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
JUNE 18, 2015
ATTENDANCE:
PRESENT:
D. ABRAHAM J. ARMER W. BLUM J. COHN D. GORDON E. MCCLURE T. MISKEL M. MURPHY M. SILVERMAN J. OLTMAN SMITH J. THOMPSON U. ZIMMERMAN
EXCUSED:
R. SLOANE
ABSENT:
D. DECOSTANZO S. LONIAL S. MATHEWS-NOVELLI
R. RIGOLLI
GUESTS:
A.WILSON – REP. FOR HON. BRAD LANDER, CITY COUNCIL MEBER
N. ELBOGEN C. MARTUSEWICZ B. CHANCEY
***MINUTES***
The meeting was called to order at 6:41PM by the Co-Chair, Tom Miskel.
Presentation and discussion with representatives for the Whole Foods Market of 214 3rd Street (southwest corner of 3rd Avenue) and the Department of Transportation on the store’s real-time traffic impacts on the community a year after opening.
Whole Foods General Manager, Sam Fishman made a presentation. Previous complaints were received regarding delivery trucks blocking bike lanes on 3rd Avenue. This has been resolved by the store’s refusal to unload trucks that are blocking the lanes. A previous complaint about broken bollards at the parking lot entrance is now fixed. Received a request to put in bike racks on 3rd Street. Unresolved. Traffic light at driveway – light needs to be timed better so that traffic can leave the lot, turn right and get through light at 3rd Avenue to prevent back-ups. Not resolved yet by DOT. May get paid police to direct traffic on holidays.
Nathan Elbogen of Old American Can. Had questions. Q. Did you do follow-up traffic study? A. No. Will do so and present. (Note – it was on agenda)
Q. Loading is not being done as promised. But sidewalk on 3rd Avenue is effectively the loading dock.
Q. Street parking was removed for Whole Foods traffic plan. Would like some restored with meters installed – DOT issue. Another DOT issue is that bike lanes need repainting.
Q. Geometry of intersection may need to change especially for cars westbound through 3 rd Avenue intersection. Maybe should have right lane for right turn only and left lane straight or left. A. The DOT representative, Henry said that he will follow-up.
Comment – 3rd Street bike lane has nearly disappeared. Need better turning for bikes into parking lot.
Jerry Armer – sidewalk is being blocked by trucks. Can DOT have additional traffic counts done? We need to confer with DOT to see if plan is working. Request that DOT do counts. The DOT rep said he will follow up.
Madelaine Murphy asked when street markings around the city be repaired. The DOT rep said it was a long winter and they are working on it. Please bear with us.
Comment – Need more bike racks. Whole Foods said they will get more installed.
Jerry Armer: Public notice required before meters installed? DOT?
Will Whole Foods give up parking space for bike parking? Faster than DOT!
Q. Car share dedicated space? A. A good idea.
Idea: LED’s to warn pedestrians regarding conflict with cars.
School across street – needs to be considered regarding safety issues.
Jerry Armer: Traffic study needs levels of service and comparison with projections. Bottom line: Whole Foods needs to do the study preferably by fall.
Minutes of the previous meeting held on May 21, 2015 were approved unanimously.
Presentation and discussion with representatives for the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications on the LinkNYC program, New York City’s initiative to repurpose coin-operated public payphones into public Wi-Fi kiosks.
DOITT representatives made a presentation regarding converting payphone kiosks into wifi kiosks supported by advertising.
Pay phone usage has declined a lot. Contracts ended in 2014. How to re-adapt? More Wi-Fi Did an RFP – LinkedNYC was chosen. These are gigabyte speed installations Free downloads 911 access 311 access Touch screens Digital access All free
It’s a franchise and makes money for the city. Sites are being determined. Wi-Fi range is 150 feet. Want to make sure there is adequate capacity for all nearby users. Also will be used for emergency services.
Q. Is this the vehicle for free Wi-Fi everywhere in NYC? A. It is one of several solutions.
Q. Is this in use elsewhere? A. No. We are first. Rollout by October/November and then 500 in first year.
Q. Maintenance? A. Will be twice a week inspection.
Five percent of ads will be PSAs. Franchise is for 15 years and rollout will take five years.
Craig Hammerman, CB6 District Manager is soliciting ideas to present to the city regarding this project. Give him any ideas.
Q. Can Fire Alarm boxes be a part of the network since the underserved areas like Red Hook and Gowanus have boxes but not pay phones?
Q. Is there any alternate power – power back-up? A. There exists a 24 hour battery back-up. Solar may be tried also. Pilot.
Borough Presidents are working with Community Boards and the general public. DOITT will come back to discuss siting.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05pm.
The minutes were respectfully submitted by Bill Blum.