REMARKS
Chair Brooks-Powers introduces committee meeting and explains proposed introductions
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3 min
Chair Selvena N. Brooks-Powers opens the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure meeting and introduces two proposed introductions: 103-A and 104-A, both sponsored by Council Member Joann Ariola. She explains the purpose and requirements of each introduction, emphasizing their importance for improving communication between city agencies and addressing safety concerns.
- Proposed Intro 103-A requires DOT to notify council members about parking space removals for specific purposes.
- Proposed Intro 104-A mandates FDNY consultation with local firehouses and information sharing with DOT for certain projects.
- Brooks-Powers highlights the importance of these introductions for emergency response times and safety.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
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Good Good morning, and welcome to the hearing of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
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I am Silvina Brooks Powers, the chair of the committee.
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Today, we will be voting on proposed intro 103 a, sponsored by council member Joanne Arriola, a local law in relation to notification of the removal of parking spaces, and proposed intro number 104 a, also sponsored by council member, Areola, a local law in relation to requiring the Department of Transportation to consult with the fire department prior to approving open street applications in certain bicycle lane projects to require the fire department to confer with any affected firehouse prior to approving open street applications, bicycle lane projects, and major transportation projects.
0:01:37
Proposed intro number 103 a would require the Department of Transportation to notify affected council members 10 days prior, the removal of any street parking space, when that space would be used.
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A street level bicycle corral requested by a local business, car share program, or a bike program.
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The notice would include a minimum would include, at a minimum, the expected date of the removal, the location of the space, and the intended new use of the space.
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It is important to also highlight that this does not slow down the process, it is merely a notification, and that these approved projects will still go forward.
0:02:17
Proposed intro number 104 a would require the fire department to confer with local affected fire houses and submit to the Department of Transportation certain information before Department of Transportation approves open street applications or implements major transportation projects, including bicycle lane projects.
0:02:38
This bill would also require DOT to consult with FDNY prior to approving open street application, which is already required for major transportation projects.
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DOT would also be required to provide in their notice to community boards and local elected officials the information provided by FTNY pursuant to this law.
0:02:58
I wanna emphasize on this one too, that this is necessary because what I personally have found is when I met with then commissioner, Laura Kavanaugh, in my local firehouse, the big house in Far Rockaway, there was concerns that hard infrastructure changes to our roadways took place, and that information unfortunately did not trickle down from the headquarters to the local fire houses, which as a result can increase the time in response for the FDNY to respond, or local personnel in general.
0:03:36
1, if you need if you're in an emergency situation, you don't want a delay like that, and we don't want our firefighters putting themselves in even more dangerous dynamic because of lost time.
0:03:48
I will now allow council member Areola to speak on her introductions.
