COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON THE STREETS AND SERVICES Room 400, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 10:10 a.m. - - - Bill 080645 - Re cellphone usage while driving. Bill 090001 - Re open-air sidewalk café... Bill 090002 - " " " " " " Bill 090008 - Held at request of sponsor. Bill 090009 - Establishing a parking regulation. Bill 090010 - " " " " Bill 090011 - " " " " Bill 090013 - Re parking for car-sharing orgs. Bill 090014 - " " " " " " Bill 090015 - Re newsstands. Bill 090017 - Establishing a parking regulation. Bill 090018 - " " " " Bill 090019 - " " " " Bill 090020 - " " " " Bill 090021 - " " " " Bill 090022 - " " " " Bill 090023 - " " " " Bill 090024 - " " " " Bill 090025 - " " " " Bill 090026 - " " " " Bill 090070 - Authorizing paving of Keely St. Bill 090076 - Revision of lines and grades... Bill 090120 - " " " " " ... Bill 009121 - Est. no-truck-parking regulation. Bill 090122 - Held at request of sponsor. Bill 090123 - " " " " " Bill 090126 - Re open-air sidewalk café... Bill 090129 - Est. no-truck-parking regulation. COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Frank DiCicco, Chair Curtis Jones Bill Green Maria Quinones-Sanchez William K. Greenlee - - - V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Specialists 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670 2 3/24/09 - COMMITTEE ON STREETS & SERVICES I N D E X WITNESS Bills: 090001, 002, 076, 070, 120, 121, 126, 129 Kristen Del Rossi, Streets................... 6 William Erickson, City Planning.............. 7 Thomas Marro, Streets........................ 11 8 Robert Black, Streets........................ 9 10 Bill 090015 (Newsstand Legislation) 11 Steve Buckley, Transportation/Pub. Utilities 12 John Rocco, Chairman, Newsstand Association 30 13 Joseph Beller, Newsstand Association......... 31 John Cunningham, JMC Consulting.............. 35 Mary Tracy, SCRUB............................ 68 Harold Jacobs, SCRUB, Logan Square Neighbors 87 Gray Smith, Architect, Urban Planner......... 93 Paul Levy, Center City District..............108 Bill 080645 (Re cellphone usage while driving) Lt. F. Healy, Spec. Advisor to Comm. Ramsey 149 Rebecca Cunningham, Accident Survivor........162 Thos. Minehart, Concerned Citizen (pro-legis)164 Prof. Thomas Gambescia, Drexel University....166 Bill Arnold, Concerned Citizen (anti-legis.) 185 3 3/24/09 - COMMITTEE ON STREETS & SERVICES I N D E X WITNESS Bills 090013, 14, Parking for Car-Sharing Eli Master, PhillyCarShare...................196 Mark Norman, Zipcar..........................203 James Callahan, Enterprise Rent-A-Car........207 - - - PUBLIC MEETING...............................222 4 3/24/09 - COMMITTEE ON STREETS & SERVICES
Good morning, everyone. The public hearing on the Committee on Streets and Services is now in session. My name is Frank DiCicco; I'm the chair of this committee. To my immediate left is Councilman William Greenlee, to my far right is Councilman Bill Green, to my immediate right is Councilman Curtis Jones. We do have a quorum. What we're going to do is, my legislative assistant, Mr. Abernathy, will read a number of bills that we feel are not controversial. We'll take those bills first and then we'll go on to the bills that we expect we'll have a lot more testimony on. So, Mr. Abernathy, please read the titles of those bills.
Bill No. 090008, 090122, and 090123 are being held at the request of the sponsor. Bill No. 090121, an ordinance 5 3/24/09 - COMMITTEE ON STREETS & SERVICES establishing a no-truck-parking regulation on the 5200 block of Marshall Street from Fisher Avenue to Duncannon Avenue, on the eastern side. Bill No. 090129, an ordinance 7 establishing a no-truck-parking regulation on both sides of North Hancock Street between Jefferson Street and Thompson Street. Bill No. 090076, an ordinance 12 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 63 by relocating the northerly houseline and curbline of Harmer Street from 15th Street to 16th Street; authorizing the dedication to the City of the privately- owned widened portion of Harmer Street; and authorizing the opening of the widened Harmer Street, including a portion owned by the City; all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 090070, an ordinance 24 authorizing the paving of Keely Street from Henry Avenue southwestwardly to a 6 3/24/09 - COMMITTEE ON STREETS & SERVICES cul-de-sac turnaround, under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 090120, an ordinance 5 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan City No.s 107 and 130 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally-open portions of 47th Street from Fairmount Avenue to Brown Street, striking from the City Plan and vacating Aspen Street from 47th Street to Markoe Street; and reserving on the City Plan and authorizing the City acceptance of right-of-ways for various purposes within the lines of 47th Street and Aspen Street being stricken; all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 090001, an ordinance 20 authorizing Hossein Elbanna to construct, own, and maintain an open-air sidewalk café at 3901 Walnut Street, under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 090002, an ordinance 25 authorizing Hardev Singh to construct, 7 3/24/09 - COMMITTEE ON STREETS & SERVICES own, and maintain an open-air sidewalk café and planters at 4004 Chestnut Street, under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 090126, an ordinance 7 authorizing Manuel C. and Maria E. Terrivel to construct, own, and maintain an open-air sidewalk café at 1801 South 4th Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. Will the witnesses who are testifying on the bills please come to the witness table. It's Mr. Morelli, Mr. Erickson, Miss Del Rossi or someone from Streets, Mr. Black. And I know I left someone out. Dlugosz, am I pronouncing it right? (Witnesses come forward.)
Okay. Why don't we begin with 090121. Miss Del Rossi, will you be testifying? Thank you. What I'd like to do is, if 8 3/24/09 - COMMITTEE ON STREETS & SERVICES there's anything other than the testimony that -- your written testimony that's being written for the record, if you have any other comments, please state them; if not, we'll accept your testimony, your written testimony. And just maybe identify yourselves for the record; that way, we know you're here, and then we'll go from there.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. My name is Kristen Del Rossi, and I am appearing on behalf of David Dlugosz, District Traffic Engineer for the Streets Department. I am here today to offer testimony on Bill No. 090121. The Streets Department has no 22 objections to this bill. The no-parking- anytime signs were placed on the street on May 28, 2008. Thank you for the opportunity to 9 3/24/09 - COMMITTEE ON STREETS & SERVICES appear before you today. I will be happy to answer any questions you have for me at this time.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, ladies and gentlemen, there -- is this the only one you're testifying on?
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. My name is 10 3/24/09 - COMMITTEE ON STREETS & SERVICES Kristen Del Rossi, and I am the district traffic engineer for the Streets Department. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill No. 090129. The Streets Department has no 7 objections to this bill. We will be posting this block of no-truck-parking under a trial ordinance and can have the signs placed within four weeks. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today, and I'm happy to answer any questions.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify? (No response.)
Seeing none, the titles have already been read into the record. Again, we have written testimony. Is there anything else that any of you would like to add to any of 11 3/24/09 - COMMITTEE ON STREETS & SERVICES the bills that you may be testifying to? (No response.)
Please just go around and identify yourselves for the record.
I am William Erickson from the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, and you've received my testimony, and I have nothing else to add.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Thomas Marro, City Plans Officer for the Department of Streets Department, and I'm testifying today in place of Mr. Morelli, who was unable here today. I'm testifying on Bill No.'s 090070, 090076, and 090120. 12 3/24/09 - COMMITTEE ON STREETS & SERVICES These bills are supported by the Department of Streets Department and recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good morning, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Robert Black, and I'm a construction engineer with the Streets Department. There's no change in any testimony for Bill No.'s 090001, 090002, 090008, and 090126.
Thank you. Any questions for these witnesses on any of the bills that have been just been read? (No questions or comments.)
Is there anyone else who wishes to testify on any of these bills? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you all for coming in. 13 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. Seeing none, Mr. Abernathy, please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 090015, an ordinance amending Section 9-212 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Newsstands," to permit the placement of commercial advertising on newsstands and revise the fee for a newsstand license, all under certain terms and conditions. (Witnesses come forward.)
Okay. Just for the record, I want to go back for a minute. I have a letter that was submitted by the University of Pennsylvania in support of Bill No. 18 090001, and that was submitted to me by Councilwoman Blackwell's office, and I just want to -- a copy of this will be given to the stenographer. Thank you. What we're going to do is ask the Streets Department to testify first, and then we'll go to the newsstand 14 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. testimony. You guys can either stay there or get some other chairs or whatever makes it easier. Good morning.
Good morning, Councilman DiCicco and members of the Committee on Streets and Services. My name is Steve Buckley, and I am the director of policy and planning for the Office of Deputy Mayor for Transportation, Public Utilities, Rina Cutler, and I'm here today to present testimony on Bill No. 090015, which amends Section 9-212 of the Philadelphia Code pertaining to newsstands. Bill No. 090015, introduced by Councilman DiCicco, revises the fee for a newsstand license from $250 to $350 and provides significant changes to the amount and type of advertising on newsstands by allowing for electronic or digital media, increasing the size and the amount of advertising, and allowing commercial or non-accessory signage on 15 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. newsstands. The increase in the amount of signage, coupled with permitting commercial advertising, will significantly enhance the value of the newsstand. The Administration recognizes the challenge faced by small businesses during this current economic crisis. And while we appreciate Councilman DiCicco's effort to make available a new source of revenue for these small-business owners, the Administration does not support this legislation in its current form. Important public policy questions are raised when considering new forms of advertising in the right-of-way, including on newsstands: First, should newsstands be treated as a part of a comprehensive street-furniture program or a separate element? Second, how much and what type of advertising is appropriate in the public right-of-way? 16 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. To address the first question, the Administration wishes to see newsstands included in comprehensive street-furniture contracts. Newsstands are an important piece of the streetscape. When included in the comprehensive street-furniture program, the City can be assured of a common and an esthetically distinctive design that complements other street furniture features, which may include bus shelters, furniture, City information panels, and newspaper corrals. The City and newsstand owners can be guaranteed a maintenance program that keeps newsstands in a state of good repair and graffiti-free. The City will be provided with considerable advertising revenue to support the street-furniture program in the City's General Fund. According to at least one industry expert, newsstand advertising typically contributes 30 percent of total advertising revenue in 17 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. large-city street-furniture programs. In terms of the second issue, the amount and type of advertising in a public right-of-way is an issue that warrants more comprehensive public process than has been taken place to date with review of options and public input. , Boston, and Chicago. Advertising in the public right-of-way must be appropriate in both scope and content. Through a comprehensive street-furniture contract, the City has the ability to monitor and oversee advertising without running afoul of First Amendment protections. It is our analysis that the bill's prohibition of ads for tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and cabarets raises some difficult constitutional issues that may be subject to court challenge. 18 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. The Administration will issue an RFP for a comprehensive street-furniture program by the end of 2009 for implementation in 2010. The RFP will include a design competition and be preceded by public-involvement process to solicit public input on design and advertising density. Based on foregoing concerns and in light of our plan to move forward on a comprehensive street-furniture program in the near future, we respectfully request that this bill not be reported out of committee. Thank you for allowing me to testify before you today, and I would be happy to answer any questions.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. And I should have said this at the onset: I apologize for those who attended last month's meeting that was scheduled and had to be canceled at the very last minute. I sincerely apologize. 19 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. I don't think in all of the years that I've been here that I've ever canceled a meeting that had been advertised. In any event, thank you for your testimony. Do you have any sense of where we are on the streetscape furniture legislation that has been we've been working on for a number of years now? How close are we, or are we close?
The RFP, sir? The RFP -- the Deputy Mayor intends to have the RFP advertised by the end of 2009. What she would like to do, though, is solicit some significant public involvement in this because, I guess, some of the concerns that are raised are: What is the appropriate amount of advertising? and what's the public appetite for increasing advertising on the streetscape? Obviously, these have implications for the City financially, but we just want to be sure that we're 20 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. going to balance kind of the public need here with the -- I guess the revenue that can come in from street-furniture advertising.
And that public input would obviously be before the end of '09.
Any sense of when that discussion is being -- I mean, when we may have that discussion?
The intent was that it would be -- it would begin during the summertime.
I think it's either in the Solicitor's or maybe it's in your testimony -- yes, I think it is.
The concern about running afoul of the First 21 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. Amendment protections as it relates to the prohibitions on -- of ads for tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, cabarets and stuff like that, is there a prohibition on it currently?
Currently, the City has the right to approve the advertising that goes out there, so it's a part of our street-furniture contract, the existing street-furniture contract. And basically having all of this as a comprehensive package would better permit the City to control what sort of advertising goes out there. We've had an instance recently where a movie that was advertised that, I guess, a (indiscernible) that was, I guess, of question. The advertising firm, CBS Outdoor, who currently owns it, worked with us and basically developed an advertisement that was to the taste of the City?
Again, I'm not an attorney and maybe I'm just not 22 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. understanding it. We do not currently permit advertisement for tobacco and alcohol products.
Are we not running afoul of the First Amendment already? I mean, what changes? How do we say that we cannot -- we're prohibiting uses that we're now being told we may be in violation for prohibiting. I mean, how does that change?
I -- I -- if I can get back to you with a response on that, I --
I'm not promoting that type of advertising, but I just am curious if we're saying that this is a prohibited use and we're asking that this bill be held because of some of the concerns and you're raising that as a concern, I don't understand how it changes. I'm just not clear on that. And I'd like for that to be cleared up. 23 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS.
Any other questions from this committee? Councilman Greenlee.
Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning. On the issue -- and I don't know if you can answer all of this. The whole street-furniture program that you talk about, as the chairman said, it's been going on for a while. I have to admit -- and this is just me -- that I had some concern about that original program because of what I thought was, in my opinion, some unfair or unequal treatment of the newsstand operators. How much has that changed, or do you know, has it changed? 'Cause if I remember right, it was kind of taking basically ownership of the stands away from them. Is that still in the works in what -- in the plan that you have now? Do you know? 24 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS.
I think it's open for discussion at this point. I think that there is some perceived benefit in having newsstands that are -- that look consistent and also could match the entire street furniture design look.
So that was -- I think there was an intent that having them look similar and also be well- maintained by the vendor would be a benefit to the City.
Well, we agree with that. And, again, I don't want to get in -- this is going beyond what this bill says today.
But I guess my question is: When you talk about benefit, was it benefit to the newsstand operators? who obviously are out there -- and a lot of 'em -- and I agree that some of the stands haven't been maintained, and I think they would 25 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. agree, but the vast majority have been. And when there are problems, they seem to be fixed pretty quickly. So I'm trying to, you know...
The Deputy Mayor has been in touch with Mr. Rocco, I believe, and I think there has been some discussion as to if the newsstands would be put into a street-furniture contract --
-- that amenities could be included within the newsstands themselves, that would be of benefit to the newsstand operators as well as -- everything perhaps from power to refrigeration, things like that, which have been given to other newsstand operators in other cities as part of their street furniture --
Mm-hmm, but what about the whole ownership? because I remember there was -- and, again, I don't want to belabor this point 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. right now, but I remember that was a big issue with certainly the newsstand owners for obvious reasons.
Has that been addressed or changed or anything, do you know?
At this point in time, I don't believe it's been finalized, but I don't believe there's been any significant desire to change that at this point.
Okay. Well, I have to admit just on the record -- I'll say it right now --
-- that I would have a real problem with that, with that plan, you know, just, you know, I -- you know, I'm not arguing with you; I'm just saying we would have a real problem 27 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. with that plan. And just -- and one of the reasons I think this bill makes sense is -- separating the newsstands is -- and I'll ask this and let me see if I make sense in my question. What other thing, when you're talking about street furniture, involves actual people operating something? If I'm making sense. You know, like we're talking -- otherwise, we're talking about, you know --
Yeah, all of that. People eventually use them, but people don't operate them. So, I mean, it would be my argument that the 28 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. newsstands are a much different entity, a different thing on that. Do you have any opinion on that?
You know, I -- I -- you're correct. I'd say that that would be the primary piece that would be operated by a private operator.
Mm-hmm. So they're different than, as the chairman said, benches and trashcans and that stuff.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's my understanding that the spirit of this is to create some sense of uniformity and conformity to certain L&I standards; is that correct?
I'm not sure if it's L&I standards, but it's just an 29 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. overall cohesion of, I guess, elements that are within a right-of-way that would be considered a part of the streetscape.
I'd like to interject. I mean, L&I does play a role in this. The newsstands -- and correct me, Joe, or someone, if I'm wrong -- were to be of a certain size, height, width. And we went through this years ago when we tried to do something similar with a company that was actually going to provide new newsstands similar to what some of the newer stands that you see out there are today. And we had to amend legislation or the code that would have allowed for a newsstand that was higher than normally I think it was eight foot we went to nine to allow for the security gate and central air-conditioning system needs to be in place within the box so L&I does have a role in this.
So the issue 30 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. for me is uniformity and conformity to some type of standard that can be replicated around the City.
How many locations officially do we have as designated newsstand locations?
I'm John Rocco, Chairman of the Newsstand Association. And we have approximately about 120.
Excuse me for interrupting. Is that 120 within your association, or is that 120 throughout the City?
And, currently, they're licensed in a way that gives some type of ownership, not necessarily ownership, but adverse 31 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. possession, if you would, to occupying that location? How does that work?
With a great deal of work from your colleagues to your left, some years ago, before you were on Council, the standard was set as to both uniformity, conformity, and operation. And they are licensed year by year by the City so that there is that check. And if I must say, you can't just go out and do it any which way; the parameters, the heights, and so forth are all absolutely encumbered by the act itself, which this Council passed. So Council waited; it wasn't just a regulation from L&I. So each person has to have a license and that's renewed, and that prevents this willy-nilly somebody coming in. You have to get approval from the Streets Department as to where it's located, you have to get approval from L&I, you have to make sure that you got 32 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. your business privilege tax in order, you got to make sure you pay your taxes, and then your license is renewed. So it's not open season, and you can't do just what you want. And, if I may, in terms of your question, conformity and uniformity, some years ago, you may remember, they were all different colors, different shapes, some were wood, some were tin. With the help of this Council and the very real investment by each of these individuals, upwards of $20,000, so this is one of those great examples where government empowers people, and those people do the job. One of the problems with the -- if I can jump in to this business of everybody being under one umbrella in street furniture -- is that this is already been accomplished in a partnership with City Council and the newsstand operators. Those stands have been built one-by-one, and they've had to 33 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. lend each other money very often, and you're talking about close to $20,000 for each of those stands. And they are prettier much and they are much nicer. And, as I say, you can thank your colleagues to your left, who were very helpful and, also, I must say, watched us pretty closely, to make sure that we didn't overstep our bounds. So you have your uniformity, you have your conformity, you have your check and balance each and every year. And, by the way, in terms of fixing and cleaning, the Newsstand Association is out there within a day or two; we do suffer from graffiti in this city sometimes. And that's one less burden that the City would have; we take care of it ourselves, out of our budget, and that's -- you'll hear later why we're asking for what we're asking.
Further questioning on the idea of conformity: Are there restrictions by way of 34 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. advertising currently on newsstands?
In terms -- there was a certain type of advertising, and there was -- the places on the stand where you could advertise, and we're asking for some change in that, to be more realistic for the needs of the operators. So the answer is: There would be a change, but the change would be with your blessing and Council's blessing. And we're not just going to -- again, it's not going to be willy-nilly; it will be uniform. Each stand will then have what they're allowed to have according to this --
So is it your testimony that you want to increase, decrease, regulate how you advertise or change a method; is that the purpose of this? 35 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS.
My name is John Cunningham, representing JMC Consulting, and my client is the Newsstand Association. The essential change to the current ordinance is to allow digital advertising on the sidewalk side of the stand.
Only approximately four square feet of digital advertising and then some digital advertising on the top of the stand, which is in the form of an LED. On the rear of the stand, which faces the street, we're only asking for a increase of about 37 percent square footage, so it's going from 7-feet-by-2 to 7-foot-by-4, but it clearly would not be digital; it would be graphic. So those are the key pieces of 36 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. the change.
And out of these 120 newsstands, we charges you business privilege -- you pay for a business privilege license, correct?
All of the taxes -- the sales tax, the general business tax, and net business profits tax as well.
Do you have a sense of with what that 120 membership represents by way of contribution in taxes annually?
Well, what I have in a general sense is that if the ordinance is passed, we would be looking at somewhere between and $30,000 22 annually in increased taxes. 23
And that would be 24 an additional tax. And in the litany of 25 taxes, there's another one called wage 37 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. tax, because obviously, these folks do have people working for them in many instances. John may have some idea, but it's a considerable amount of money that gets paid each and every year, and this would be additional.
I think Mr. Rocco could answer a lot of those questions. If you care do so now, John?
If you care to weigh in on some of those questions about the revenues that your organization, the newsstand operators, represent and --
Well, from what I can gather, as John said, it's about 20 to $30,000. And we would probably 21 increase that with the increase in 22 advertising. 23 If you broke it down 24 individually, you have, as John 25 reiterated, or I can reiterate, you have 38 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. the net-profits tax, the business- privilege tax; it's a sizeable amount of money from 120 members here in the City. What exactly it is, I couldn't really say specifically.
Let the record reflect that Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez is also present; she's a member of this committee.
Yes, vice chair. Sorry. In this day and age, there's been a lot of discussion and talk about newspapers failing across this country; in fact, two newspapers in Philadelphia have recently filed for bankruptcy. How has that impacted your business in terms of sales as it relates to newspapers and overall the impact? Maybe not individually, but as an 39 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. industry, the reduction in income, if you will, as a result of the people going from newspapers to computer technology, reading online and what have you?
Our business has been impacted significantly. Just seven, eight years ago, if a newsstand owner was selling, let's say, 200 papers a day, he's down to 50 now; that's a big drop in seven or eight years. And I'm talking about the Daily News and The Inquirer. Our cigarette sales have fallen particularly in the last couple of weeks with the increase that took place in cigarette prices. Basically, our sales are flat, we're down. And what this bill, if it was passed, would help keep a lot of people above water, keep a lot of people at their newsstands. If we don't get this sort of help, I don't foresee as many newsstands as you see now five, six, seven years from now. So this bill would help keep us 40 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. afloat and keep us going and keep the entrepreneurship from our membership going.
If the current trend continues -- and I know you have no crystal ball -- but you're talking four, five, six years out, some of the newsstands may not be operational as a result of the decline in readership and purchasing of, you know, cigarettes and/or newspapers? What percentage of newsstands do you think may not be -- what percentage do you think will be declining?
About 18 percent? 19 And just for the record, do all 20 of -- or what percentage of the newsstand operators are owners of the stand, if you will, operate their own business? Are any of the stands owned by outside interests as a business and then put somebody to work? 41 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS.
Or are these pretty much self-operated, family-run businesses?
95 percent of the newsstands are owned and operated by the individual newsstand owners.
Thank you again, Mr. Chairman. Along those lines, Mr. Rocco, could you just go into the, I guess, demographics of your membership? I know a lot of people -- this is oftentimes their first venture when they come into the United States.
Could you maybe get into where some come from, that 42 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. kind of thing?
Point of information, if I can. I don't mean this to be disrespectful or insulting, but I'm familiar with a number of your members, and I think they're in the audience.
If newsstand operators are here, would you just please stand up for a moment. (Newsstand owners/operators in audience stand and appear to be of varied nationalities, ethnicities, races.)
That kind of answered my question. I just wanted to get that on the record, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you. you may sit down. Thank you. You can continue, Councilman.
I think that kind of answered my question, Mr. Rocco. 43 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS.
Yeah, absolutely. And on average, how many hours a day does the newsstand operator work?
About ten hours a day. And how many days a week? I guess it varies.
Five to six. One other question. And Mr. Beller touched on this, but what about the maintenance of your newsstands? And I know -- again, you and I have gone through this, so I know -- but for the record, when you get calls that there either is damage or particularly graffiti to your newsstand, how long does it usually take you to -- 44 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS.
It takes about 72 hours to get our people out there and move the graffiti and/or repaint the stand.
And you have a -- kind of a company on call; am I right?
Yeah, yeah. In the last two years, we've put out close to $15,000 in cleaning newsstands. On average, it's around $7,000 a year because of all of the graffiti that takes place.
Editorial comment: Seventy-two hours sounds like a lot quicker than I see on most properties in the City of Philadelphia. Editorial comment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you. I just want to follow up on that same line of questioning. If this legislation were to pass and you were able to get some of the additional 45 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. advertising that you're requesting, would your association still be responsible for removing graffiti, or would any of these entities be responsible? I'm going back in history when we dealt with this years ago, when we had to change the size of the newsstands, and we had similar conversation about additional advertising. And correct me if I'm wrong, when that was proposed, there was a company that was going to supply your newsstand operator with a new newsstand maybe, and a part of the contract was that it would have been their responsibility to remove the graffiti and stuff like that. The question is: Would your association, should this legislation pass, still be the entity that would remove the graffiti?
Okay. So we're not relying on anyone else to do that. 46 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. By way of the electronic billboards that you're going to use, are they in any way connected with other networks such as emergency broadcasting or Amber Alert or anything of that nature? Or are they independent?
Councilman, it's our intention to connect that free of charge. We've been having discussions with the police department, for example, for running Amber Alerts and, you know, SEPTA-related delays and things like that, any kind of emergency management. We'll be hooking that system up to the City, the emergency-planning system.
So for the record, these things will be a part of an emergency broadcasting system that includes, but is not limited to, Amber 47 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. Alerts or major civic emergencies and things of that nature as part of a communications system, if you would.
I just want to go back. Currently on many of newsstands, there are the digital -- what do they call that --
On the front, I'm sorry. And you want to be able to add that to the back, or would it just go completely around?
No, we want to be able to add a flat screen -- it's an LCD, 24 inches horizontally or diagonally in 48 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. width.
And where would that be mounted; on the top or within the opening?
Correct. It would be one that -- it would be hanging down from a shelf.
So to see it, you would pretty much have to get -- 49 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS.
Well, as you walk up, you'll be able to see it at least five feet from the stand.
Thank you. I've been -- an issue and I had brought it up when we met in terms of the additional advertising on the street side of the street. You're requesting an extension from a maximum of 7-feet-wide-by-2 to 4. In light of the fact that you're asking us to put LCDs where you can do advertising, why the added on the street? I'm concerned about not only the visual part of it, but the fact that that begins to impact drivers; as people are going by, the sign is too big. Why the need for that in addition to the fact that we're giving 50 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. you the ability to...
Councilwoman, the purpose of that is to also help subsidize the need for revenue. The current size now is not very appealable to the advertising industry. And what we're trying to do there is just simply mirror what you see now in the current transit shelter programs, only turn it into a landscaped view as opposed to the portrait view that you see now. But it's not going to be digital. And it's in our plan to use it only in a lithographic manner.
How is that comparable from the bus shelters now; is it the same size?
And how much revenue do you generate from that? 51 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS.
That's a good question, and that's what we're hoping to try to find -- I mean it's -- every advertiser is different. And we've had estimates of anywhere from 300, $400 a month per stand. It just really depends on the advertiser and what they're willing to pay and the pedestrian count that's there at those particular intersections. So they vary.
Councilwoman, if I may. Joseph Beller. One of the things, when Mr. Cunningham discusses this dollar, I want you to understand that the intention is that all of the dollars that are raised will come to the association to be first used for the repairs that we were talking about a few moments ago and the painting and the upkeep and helping the individuals. And then in kind of an NFL kind of thing, it would then be 52 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. distributed. So all of the stands would help one another so that we wouldn't have this drop-off, because some places sell more papers, some places sell less -- well, they all sell less than they used to. So what would happen is, this would be the effort within the community of the newsstand operators to help each other first before there's any distribution. So 300 on one stand, because it's in the right location. And I think, as Mr. Cunningham said, it won't be any larger than what you see on the bus shelters now; it would just be laid out slightly differently, so it's about a 30-some percent increase in what is already legal. And, as I say, it would be used for the overall maintenance of the stands.
Yeah. I guess my issue -- and as I mentioned to the Newsstand Association when I met with 53 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. them, you know, I applaud the fact that 90 percent of the newsstands are a part of your membership, but that percent 5 represents a lot of the newsstand 6 operators that are in neighborhoods, and 7 in particular in mines. So we don't have 8 the full compliance that we have in 9 Center City because we don't have the 10 enforcement that we have in Center City. So while, you know, I also know that provisos and exemptions, you know, we're not in a position to be able to really enforce them. I'm just concerned because, right now, I have newsstands along the -- you know, I have the Frankford line, the ten stops on the Frankford line, and I have newsstand operators who don't comply, who don't have, you know, their stands as neat as they do in Center City because of the enforcement. And I'm very concerned about what that means. Some of them do advertise tobacco. So, you know, while I -- again, 54 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. I understand the need for it, the economy is bad, you know, what happens to those neighborhood stands that are not represented by the association in neighborhoods where we have a compliance issue already?
Councilwoman, we would make the effort to coordinate something with you to go down there and work with those folks, have them maybe join our organization. But if not, you know, we would help them realize what they're doing in terms of being in noncompliance and so forth. So whatever we could do to help facilitate the problem, we're there.
Well, that's an issue of enforcement again with L&I. And that's why -- you know, we legislate, and if we don't really put the money behind the department that has to do it, it becomes an issue.
And, 55 3/24/09 - STREETS/SVCS. - NEWSSTANDS LEGIS. again, Center City is a very different situation than what I have in the neighborhood.
It would be to their advantage to have us help them help themselves because they're obviously in the same situation in terms of income.
So that's something that it might be much more palatable with this bill being passed. And, by the way, the member is under --