COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Tuesday, September 17, 2024 10:33 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCILMAN JEFFREY YOUNG, JR., CHAIR COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA, VICE-CHAIR COUNCILWOMAN NINA AHMAD COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS
240532, 240578, 240583, 240611, 240654, 240658, 240659, 240667, 240668, 240669, 240670, 240673 - - -
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Philadelphia City Council's Committee on Streets and Services. I note that the hour has come. Mr. Pullin, would you please call the roll.
Present. Thank you, Mr. Pullin. I note that a quorum of the Committee is present and this meeting will be called to order. This is a public hearing of the Committee on Streets and Services considering testimony on Bill Nos. 240532, 240578, 240583, 240611, 240654, 240658, 240659, 240667, 240668, 240669, 240670, 240673. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Brooks for a motion on Bill No. 240532.
Thank you, Chair Young. At the request of the sponsor Councilmember Young, I move that Bill No. 240532 be withdrawn. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 240532 be withdrawn. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes 9 have it. The motion carries and 10 Bill No. 240532 has been withdrawn. 11 The Chair recognizes 12 Councilmember Brooks for a motion 13 on Bill No. 240583. 14
Thank 15 you, Chair Young. 16 At the request of the 17 sponsor Councilmember O'Neill, I 18 move that Bill No. 240583 be 19 withdrawn. 20 (Duly seconded.) 21
Thank 22 you. It has been moved and 23 properly seconded that Bill No. 24 240583 be withdrawn. 25 All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and that bill has been withdrawn. Before we begin, do any of my colleagues have any opening remarks? (No response.)
Seeing none, Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of Bill No. 240654.
Bill No. 240654 titled, Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 1320 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Can you please call the witnesses to testify on this bill.
The first witnesses to testify are Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets and Ian Hegarty, Senior Environmental Planner at the City Planning Commission. (Witnesses approached Witness table.)
Thank you. Good morning to the witnesses. Could you please state your name and proceed with your testimony in any order.
Good morning, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill No. 240654 introduced by Councilmember Phillips. This bill authorizes Dungan-Cottman LLC, the owner, to install, own and maintain encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café at Smegy's Pub Too located at 1320 Cottman Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions. A total of 3 tables and 12 seats for a sidewalk café will be located along the property line of 1320 Cottman Avenue. The Department of Streets is not opposed to this proposed sidewalk café as it will maintain 5 feet of passable sidewalk space as listed in The Philadelphia Code, Section 9-208(6)(B). This concludes my testimony and I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Mr. Hegarty, can you please proceed with your testimony.
Yes. Good morning, Chairmember Young and members of the Committee of Streets and Services. I'm Ian Hegarty. I'm Senior Planner with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 240654 introduced by Councilmember Phillips on September 5th. The bill will allow the installation of the sidewalk café at 1320 Cottman Avenue. A minimum of 5 feet of clear sidewalk space will remain on Dungan Street after installation. And so, this proposed encroachment meets the Complete Streets Policy. The City Planning Commission is scheduled to hear this bill at its meeting on Thursday, September 19th. The staff recommendation for this bill 21 is approval. I'm happy to answer any questions at this time.
Thank you for your testimony. Are there any questions for these witnesses? (No response.)
Seeing none, Mr. Pullin, could you please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 240659 titled, authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 3200 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Could you please call the names of the next witnesses. The next witnesses to testify are Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets, and Ian Hegarty, Senior Environmental Planner for the City Planning Commission.
Thank you. Ms. Marconi, please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill No. 240659 introduced by Councilmember Gauthier. This bill authorizes Drexel University, the owner, to install, own and maintain encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café at La Scala Fire located at 3200 Chestnut Street, all under certain terms and conditions. A total of 10 tables, 40 seats and 4 planters for a sidewalk café will be located along the property line of 3200 Chestnut Street. The Department of Streets is not opposed to this proposed sidewalk café as it will maintain 9 feet of unobstructed footway. This concludes my testimony. I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Mr. Hegarty, please proceed with your testimony.
Thank you, Chair. Good morning, Chair Young and members of the Committee. I'm Ian Hegarty, Senior Planner with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 24 -- sorry, 240659. This bill will allow the installation of a sidewalk café at 3200 Chestnut Street. A minimum of 9 feet 0 inches of clear sidewalk space will remain on Chestnut Street after installation. And so, this proposed encroachment meets the Complete Streets Policy. The City Planning Commission is scheduled to hear this bill at its meeting this Thursday, September 19th with a staff recommendation for approval. I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you.
Thank you. Are there any questions for these witnesses on Bill No. 240659? (No response.)
Seeing none, Mr. Pullin, can you please read the title of Bill No. 240668.
Bill No. 240668 titled, authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 1601 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19148, under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Can you please call the names of the next witnesses.
The next witnesses to testify are Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets, and Ian Hegarty, Senior Environmental Planner for the City Planning Commission.
Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Ms. Marconi, can you please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill No. 240668 introduced by Councilmember Squilla. This bill authorizes Anthony and Theresa Criniti, the owners, to install, own and maintain encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café at Fountain Porter located at 1601 South 10th Street, all under certain terms and conditions. A total of tables and 4 seats for a sidewalk café will be 5 located along the south sidewalk of 6 Tasker Street and the east sidewalk 7 of South 10th Street, along the 8 property line of 1601 South 10th 9 Street. 6 tables and 12 seats will 10 be located along the curbline of 11 1601 South 10th Street. Two tables 12 and four seats will be located 13 along the property line of 1601 14 South 10th Street. One table and 15 two seats will be located along the 16 property line of 1601 South 10th 17 Street and will encroach a distance 18 of feet, inches towards the west along the east footway of South 10th Street, starting from a point of feet, inches south of Tasker Street south curbline leaving a minimum of 5 feet for clear unobstructed footway. The Department of Streets is not opposed to this proposed sidewalk café as it will maintain the feet of passable sidewalk 4 space as listed in The Philadelphia 5 Code, Section 9-208(6)(B). This concludes my testimony. I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Mr. Hegarty, can you please proceed with your testimony on Bill 13 No. 240668.
Yes. Thank you. Good morning, Chair Young and members of the Committee on Streets and Services. I'm Ian Hegarty, Senior Planner with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission here to testify on Bill 21 No. 240668 introduced by Councilmember Squilla. This bill will allow the installation of a sidewalk café at 1601 South 10th Street. A minimum of feet of clear sidewalk space is to remain on Tasker and 10th Streets after installation. The City's Complete Streets Policy recommends a walking zone equal to at least half of the total sidewalk widths. These sidewalks are feet wide so the clear and obstructed walking zones should be 6 feet. And so, for these proposed encroachments the proposed walking zones are undersized relative to the Complete Streets Policy. The proposal does not meet the Complete Streets Policy. The City Planning Commission is scheduled to hear this bill at its meeting on September 19th. The staff recommendation is not for approval. I'm happy to answer any questions.
Thank you, Mr. Hegarty. Are there any questions of these witnesses on Bill No. 240668? (No response.)
Seeing none, Mr. Pullin, please read the title of Bill No. 240611.
Bill No. 240611 titled, authorizing the installation, ownership, replacement and maintenance of various encroachments of the vicinity of 615 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19123, under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Could you please call the next witnesses for this bill.
The next witnesses to testify are Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets, and Ian Hegarty, Senior Environmental Planner for the City Planning Commission.
Thank you. Ms. Marconi, please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill No. 240611 introduced by Chairperson Young. This bill authorizes Congregation Rodeph Shalom, owners, to install, own and maintain and replace certain encroachments in the sidewalk in front of 615 North Broad Street, the encroachments, all under certain terms and conditions. Security bollards will be located on the sidewalk in front of the formal entrance doors at 615 North Broad Street. There will be a total of 11 fixed bollards set in a reinforced foundation, placed in a three-sided trapezoidal array in front of the Rodeph Shalom building doors on Broad Street. One side of the array, parallel to Broad Street, will be made up of seven bollards with a centerline of at least 6 feet back from the curb face. The other two sides of the bollard array are along lines at an angle from each of the north and south corners of the building steps and aligning with, respectively, the northernmost and southernmost bollards of the row parallel to Broad Street. Each of the angled sides of the array has two bollards. The Department of Streets is not opposed to this proposed encroachment as it will maintain 60 inches, 5 feet, of clear passable space between the bollards which exceeds the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and those of the City of Philadelphia. This concludes my testimony. I'm pleased to answer any questions.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Mr. Hegarty, can you please proceed with your testimony on Bill 8 No. 240611.
Yes. Thank you. Good morning, Chair Young and members of the Committee on Streets and Services. I'm Ian Hegarty, Senior Planner for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 240611 which was introduced by Councilmember Young on June 13th. This bill will allow installation of 11 security bollards at 615 North Broad Street. A minimum of 5 feet of clear sidewalk space between bollards will remain after installation. The City Planning Commission has not considered this bill at its public meeting yet. It is scheduled to be discussed at its meeting on September 19, 2024 and we have no staff recommendation at this time. I'm happy to answer any questions.
Thank you, Mr. Hegarty. Yes, I have one question. You said there's no 10 staff recommendation at this time?
Correct. And is there -- so when there's no 13 staff recommendation, what is I guess the procedure for advisement by the Planning Commission to City Council? Are we able to pass the legislation without something from the Planning Commission if there's no recommendation?
To answer your last question, I believe that that is the case. If the City Planning Commission does not submit a recommendation within 30 days, then it's presumed to be approved by the City Planning Commission.
Thank you. Thank you for the clarity. Any questions by the members of the Committee on Bill 6 No. 240611? (No response.)
Thank you. With that, Mr. Pullin, could you please read the title of the next bill, 240673.
Bill No. 240673 titled, amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Designation of Bicycle Lanes," to add a bicycle lane on South 3rd Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. Mr. Pullin, could you please call the witnesses for Bill No. 23 240673.
The next witnesses to testify are Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets and Lydia Kenselaar, Complete Streets District Manager for the North, Northwest District Team for the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. (Witnesses approached Witness table.)
Mr. Pullin, could you please read the correct title for Bill No. 14 240673.
Got it. Bill 16 No. 240673 titled, establishing parking regulations, one-way regulations and the designation of a bicycle lane in the vicinity of Maplewood Avenue from Green Street to Wayne Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Could you please call the witnesses for Bill No. 240673. 2
The witnesses to testify are Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets, and Lydia Kenselaar, Complete Streets District Manager for the North, Northwest District Team for the Office of Transportation Infrastructure Systems.
Thank 12 you, Ms. Marconi. Could you please 13 proceed with your testimony. 14
Good morning, 15 Chairperson Young and members of 16 the Streets and Services Committee. 17 My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm 18 the Director of Legislative Affairs 19 for the Department of Streets. I'm 20 here today to offer testimony on 21 Bill No. 240673 introduced by 22 Councilmember Bass. 23 This bill establishes a 24 one-way regulation on the 100 block 25 of Maplewood Avenue from Green Street to Wayne Avenue westbound. It also establishes public parking on the north side of Maplewood Avenue from Green Street to Wayne Avenue. A no-stopping any time tow-away zone will also be established on the south side of Maplewood Avenue from Green Street to Wayne Avenue. The Streets Department is also authorized to designate a buffered bicycle lane on the south side of Maplewood Avenue from Green Street to Wayne Avenue traveling westbound. Maplewood neighbors have been advocating to make Maplewood Avenue between Wayne Avenue and Green Street a one-way street with a dedicated bike lane and asphalt speed cushions. A majority of residents on the block have signed a letter of support for this change. The Department of Streets is not opposed to these proposed safety enhancements of Maplewood Avenue. This concludes my testimony and I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Ms. Kenselaar, can you please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. My name is Lydia Kenselaar. I am the Complete Streets District Manager for the North, Northwest District at the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems, OTIS. I'm here today to offer my testimony on Bill 240673 sponsored by Councilmember Bass. The bill 23 permits the installation of a bike lane along Maplewood Avenue from Wayne Avenue to Green Street in the 8th City Council District. Maplewood neighbors have been advocating to make Maplewood Avenue between Wayne Avenue and Green Street a one-way street with a dedicated bike lane and asphalt speed cushions. The majority of residents on the block have signed a letter of support for this change. OTIS supports this improvement to connect the planned future neighborhood bike improvements in Germantown. Thank you for the opportunity to appear today. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
Thank you so much for your testimony. Are there any questions for these witnesses on Bill No. 240673? (No response.)
Seeing none, is there any other person wishing to testify on Bill No. 25 240673? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you for your testimony. Mr. Pullin, could you please read the title of Bill No. 6 240578.
Bill No. 240578 titled, authorizing 5217 Whitby Mt. Mariah, LLC or a subsequent owner to install, own and maintain an encroachment at 5217 to 5219 Whitby Avenue, under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Would you please call the witness to testify on this bill.
The next witness to testify is Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill No. 240578 introduced by Councilmember Gauthier. This bill authorizes 5217 Whitby Mt. Mariah, LLC or a subsequent owner, the owner, to install, own and maintain an encroachment at 5217-5219 Whitby Avenue encroachment, all under certain terms and conditions. A building access ramp will be located adjacent to the building line of 5217-5219 Whitby Avenue. The Department of Streets is not opposed to this proposed encroachment as it will maintain 9 feet of clear passable sidewalk space. This concludes my testimony. I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Are there any questions for this witness on Bill No. 240578? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you, Mr. Pullin. Could you please read the title of Bill 10 No. 240658.
Bill No. 240658 titled, authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café in the vicinity of 3527-31 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, under certain terms and conditions.
Mr. Pullin, could you please call the witnesses for this bill.
The next witness to testify is Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets.
Ms. Marconi, can you please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill No. 240658 introduced by Councilmember Gauthier. This bill authorizes Mattis Madis Coffee One LLC, the owner, to install, own, and maintain encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café at Madis Coffee Roasters located at 3527-31 Lancaster Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions. A total of 7 tables and 14 seats for a sidewalk café will be located along the south sidewalk of Race Street along the property line of 3527-31 Lancaster Avenue. Three tables and six seats will be located adjacent to the building of 3527-31 Lancaster Avenue, and another four tables and eight seats will be located adjacent to the building of 3527-31 Lancaster Avenue. The Department of Streets is not opposed to this proposed sidewalk café as it will maintain 8 feet of unobstructed footway. This concludes my testimony. I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. I see, Mr. Hegarty, you have testimony on this bill as well?
I will. Thank you, Chair. Good morning, Chair Young and members of the Committee on Streets and Services. I'm Ian Hegarty, Senior Planner with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 240658 introduced by Councilmember Gauthier on September 5th. This bill will allow installation of a sidewalk café at 3527-31 Lancaster Avenue. A minimum of 8 feet of clear sidewalk space is to remain on Race Street after the installation. And so, this proposed encroachment meets the Complete Street's Policy. The City Planning Commission is scheduled to hear this bill at its meeting this Thursday, September 19th with a staff recommendation for approval. I'm happy to answer any questions at this time.
Thank you. Are there any questions of these witnesses on Bill No. 240658? (No response.)
Seeing none, is there anyone here wishing to testify on Bill No. 240658? (No response.)
Seeing none, Mr. Pullin, could you please read the title of Bill No. 240667.
Bill No. 240667 titled, amending Chapter 12-2700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Permit Parking Districts," by amending the boundaries for certain permit parking districts, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Could you please call the witnesses for this bill.
The next witness to testify is Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill No. 240667 introduced by Councilmember O'Neill. This bill establishes a new permit parking district in Fox Chase. The new permit district will be District 40 which encompasses the area bounded by both sides of Elberon Avenue and Rhawn Street to Solly Avenue. The Streets Department has no 22 objections to this proposed bill. The Parking Authority will be in charge with enforcing this bill. This concludes my testimony. I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Are there any questions of this witness on Bill No. 240667? (No response.)
Seeing none, Mr. Pullin, please read the title of Bill No. 240669.
Bill No. 240669 titled, authorizing encroachments in the nature of a marquee canopy in the vicinity of 2654 South Alder Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19148, under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Please call the witness to testify on this bill.
The next witness to testify is Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill No. 240669 introduced by Councilmember Squilla. This bill authorizes Joyce Wagner and Joyce Carroll, the owners, to install, own and maintain an encroachment in the nature of a marquee canopy at Tankie's Tavern located at 2654 Alder Street, all under certain terms and conditions. A marquee canopy made of permanent construction and supported from the ground will be located along the property of 60 -- excuse me, 2654 South Alder Street. The Department of Streets is not opposed to this proposed encroachment as it will maintain 4 feet of clear unobstructed footway. 5 This concludes my testimony. I'm 6 pleased to answer any questions you 7 may have. 8
Thank 9 you, Ms. Marconi. Are there any questions of this witness on Bill No. 240669? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you, Ms. Marconi. Mr. Pullin, could you please read the title of Bill No. 17 240670.
Bill No. 240670 titled, amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Designation of Bicycle Lanes," to add a bicycle lane on South 3rd Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Could you please call the next witnesses to testify on this bill.
The next witness to testify is Anna Kelly, Senior Policy Advisor for Electric Vehicles and Parking for the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. (Witness approached Witness table.)
Good morning, Ms. Kelly. Please proceed with your testimony.
Thank you. Good morning, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. My name is Anna Kelly, Senior Policy Adviser of EV and Parking at the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems, OTIS. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill 240670, sponsored by Councilmember Squilla. This bill permits the removal of a vehicle travel lane and installation of a bike lane along South 3rd street from South Street to Market Street in the 1st City Council District. OTIS will work closely with Councilmember Squilla's office to plan the analysis and community engagement needed to implement a successful project. We are confident that our offices can work together to install a bikeway that provides a safe, sustainable, healthy transportation option for people of all ages and abilities. We are respectfully requesting that proposed amendments that we have worked collaboratively on with the sponsor will be adopted today. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have at this time.
Thank you, Ms. Kelly. Are there any questions for this witness? Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla.
Anna, thank you. Thank you for your work and the office's work on this. We will be introducing the amendment that OTIS had worked on and that'll be passed out with the amendment. So thank you for your help.
Thank you, Vice-Chair Squilla. Are there any other questions of this witness on Bill 21 No. 240670?
We have a Job Itzkowitz, Executive Director for Old City District. (Witness approached Witness table.)
Thank you. Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Chair Young, members of the Committee. My name is Job Itzkowitz. I'm the Executive Director of the Old City District here to testify in support of 240670 with the supported amendments. Thank you, Councilmember Squilla, for introducing this bill. The Old City District worked on a vision plan 10 years ago called Vision 2026, where we discovered that Old City stakeholders want more people in Old City and fewer cars. So we've been working on ways to get people to commute to Old City in other modes. In 2017 with Councilmember Squilla's support, we conducted a Market Street Transformation Study. That project is about to kick off. It adds two parking-protected bike lanes to Market Street and that construction is slated to start in the next few weeks. So with that, those amendments are really helpful because we're going to need some space for loading zones to move onto 3rd Street. But after that, we really are excited about the opportunity to have that northbound lane and hopefully we can work together in the future to figure out a southbound lane as well. That concludes my testimony. I'm happy to answer any questions.
Thank you. Are there any questions of this witness on Bill No. 240670? Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla.
Thank you, Job, for testifying. It's exciting to hear about the Market Street plan and it really is starting.
I mean, I'll defer to OTIS. That's what we're bracing for, yeah.
Okay. No, that's great. I know we've been waiting a long time for that. That'll be a major transformation with a little bit of disruption in the meantime until it gets going but looking forward to that project. So thank you both.
Thank you. Are there any other questions of these witnesses? (No response.)
Seeing none, are there any other witnesses for Bill No. 240670? Thank you, sir. Please come forward, state your name for the record and begin with your testimony. (Witness approached Witness table.)
Hi. My name is Brion Scheffler. I live in South Philly. I'm here for both bike safety ordinances. As the Mayor recently said, she wants the city to not only be greener and safer, but she wants that to be accessible to everybody in the city. So to see it expand, includes more people in this beautiful city, I'd love to see that. I frequently bicycle. When I'm not in bike lanes, things get even more dire for myself and everybody else. I've had people gun their engines directly behind me to the degree where I'm almost getting bumped and I know friends who have had that happen, people that speed, people have been knocked off their bikes by angry motorists. To feel the heat of a car that's two or three times surging behind you and then have a water bottle hit you from the same driver is not a great feeling. It's something that the police definitely don't care about and it's something no one should have to deal with. But we should keep in mind that a bike lane is Step 1 on making the city safer, greener and more accessible to everybody. We need concrete bike lanes to make them truly safe. But Step 1 is at least a degree of progress. We're decades behind in this so I encourage everybody to please consider that and let's go with it. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony, Mr. Scheffler. Are there any questions of this witness? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you. Okay. I note for the record that a quorum of the Committee is present. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion on the amendment to Bill No. 240670 to -- sorry. The Committee will now enter a public meeting. The Chair recognizes -- excuse me. Mr. Pullin, will you please call attendance.
Present. The Chair recognizes that a quorum of the Committee is present. And now the Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion on amendment to Bill 22 No. 240670.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I offer an amendment to Bill No. 240670. A copy of that amendment has been circulated to all members of the Committee. I move that the amendment to Bill No. 5 240670 be adopted. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 240670 be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The amendment carries. And the amendment to Bill No. 21 240670 has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion on Bill Nos. 240578, 240654, 240658, 240659, 240667, 240668, 240669, 240670 as amended, 240673 and 240611.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that all bills just entered into the record be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that all bills entered into the record be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Bill 7 Nos. 240578, 240654, 240658, 240659, 240667, 240668, 240669, 240670 as amended, 240673 and 240611 will be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation with a request that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the first reading at the next session of Council. This concludes the business before the Committee on Streets and Services. Thank you so much for your attendance and you all have a good day. (Committee on Streets and Services concluded at 11:00 a.m.) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I, hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence noted are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me in the foregoing matter, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. __________________________________ TANEHA CARROLL