COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES - - - Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wednesday, November 29, 2006 10:15 a.m. - - - PRESENT: COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO, CHAIR COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER BILLS 060741, 060742, 060759, 060760, 060761, 060763, 060764, 060765, 060798, 060800, 060802, 060830, 060831, 060835 - - - V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Services Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670 2 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Good morning. This is the Committee on Streets and Services. My name is Frank DiCicco, Chairman of the Committee. Members of the board are Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller and Councilman Darrell Clarke. I would ask Mr. Abernathy to read the title of the first bill. We know the Streets Commissioner is not here. Is there someone from the Streets Department that will be testifying on Bill 765? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: We'll hold that bill until the Commissioner arrives. Please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 060761, an ordinance amending Chapter 12-900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Parking Regulations and Penalties," by adding a new Section 12-918, entitled "Parking for Car Sharing Organizations," to provide 3 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. on-street parking restricted to vehicles owned by such organizations and amending Section 12-2809, entitled "Civil Penalties and Costs," to provide for penalties, all under certain terms and conditions. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony, whoever will begin.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. My name is Charles Denny and I am the Assistant Chief Traffic Engineer for the Department of Streets. I am here to offer testimony on Bill No. 060761. The Streets Department supports this bill. The shortage of parking spaces is a problem in many neighborhoods. Residents own more vehicles than there are spaces to park. Residents end up parking illegally in 4 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. corner clearances, reducing visibility at intersections, and on sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to walk in the street. Both of these illegal parking actions are safety concerns. Car sharing reduces the total number of vehicles needed in a neighborhood and reduces demand on existing spaces. This reduces illegal parking and improves safety. Thank you for the opportunity to talk to you today and I'm here to answer any questions. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Anyone else testifying.
Good morning. My name is Fran Westefer and I'm the Manager of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, Parking Management. I'm here to testify in favor of Bill No. 060761, which would authorize the installation of designated parking spaces for car-sharing organizations. All installations of the car-sharing zones will be performed by the Philadelphia Parking Authority. In 5 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. addition, the Philadelphia Parking Authority is in full agreement of the process set forth in Bill No. 060761. Thank you.
Hello. I also have a written statement as well. Good morning. My name is Clayton Lane. I am a founder of PhillyCarShare, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing automobile dependence. I'm also Deputy Executive Director, and today I am here to support the proposed bill to enable and regulate the use of on-street parking by non-profit car-sharing services. I will first provide some information about how car sharing works and who uses it. Then I will share some compelling evidence from Queen Village, where the neighborhood experienced a one-year trial providing on-street space for car sharing. And, finally, I'll share four important reasons why I think the Council should support this bill. 6 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. First, what is car sharing and who does it serve? The Parking Authority conducted an informal survey in residential areas of Center City to discover that 60 percent of vehicles parked on street did not move for three days straight, 60 percent. These cars are owned by people who only drive occasionally. They can get to work on the bus or train or by walking or biking, and they need a car for going grocery shopping, visiting the doctor, attending a job interview or hauling supplies from the home improvement store, but they archive their vehicles on street, and these cars are the reason that you cannot park in South Philadelphia or University City or Port Richmond and so on. Car sharing fixes this problem. PhillyCarShare, for one, provides an occasional car or second car by the hour from over 100 neighborhood locations in our City. As a member, you receive a personal electronic key to the entire 7 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. fleet, including hybrid Priuses, Mini Coopers, wagons, pickup trucks and more. To drive, simply reserve online or by phone moments in advance, walk a block, hop in and drive. 90 an hour and cents a mile 9 cover everything, reserved parking, premium insurance and even gasoline. There's a fuel card in the glove box, and gas is free, paid for by the car-sharing organization. You essentially get the freedom of driving without the hassles of owning a car. And you save a lot of money. Instead of paying huge fixed costs to own a car, insure it, maintain it and park it, you simply pay for the hours you actually drive. It's a brilliant system. In Philadelphia, PhillyCarShare started with just nine members and two cars in 2002. We have grown to several thousands of members, sharing 150 vehicles in neighborhoods represented by 8 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. over 30 community groups, from diverse Mount Airy, Frankford, Center City, to low-income areas such as Kensington, Point Breeze and Cedar Park. The Council's constituents value PhillyCarShare, and I believe we have enormous potential to make a positive difference in our City. So here is our question: What is the public value of providing on-street space for non-profit car sharing? For the answer I'll turn to experience from Queen Village, the first neighborhood in our City to designate an on-street car-sharing space. Queen Village had an intractable parking crunch. They still do. The Queen Village Neighbors Associations looking for innovative solutions asked the City to designate on a trial basis two on-street parking spaces for PhillyCarShare at 4th and Catharine and 4th and Gaskill. The first space was designated in March of 2005. 9 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Neighbors were enthusiastic, but skeptical. From the beginning, they wanted a survey after one year to substantiate the impacts. If residents who had joined PhillyCarShare had given up two cars, the neighborhood would have broken even on the two car-sharing spaces. If residents now owned three fewer cars, then the neighborhood would have won. The results? The residents of Queen Village who joined PhillyCarShare reported reducing the car ownership by 45 cars.
These 45 cars were replaced by just two car-sharing vehicles, meaning that each on-street PhillyCarShare vehicle had replaced an average of 19 cars. 20 Remember the Parking 21 Authority's survey of all those cars on 22 street that never moved? Those are the 23 ones we got in Queen Village. On a busy day, each PhillyCarShare vehicle was efficiently driven by four or five local 10 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. residents. We replaced 45 immobile cars with two really busy ones. In that year in Queen Village, PhillyCarShare membership also doubled, even while we conducted no marketing in the neighborhood. In fact -- and this is important -- 92 percent of new members said that some attribute of the on-street space had increased their likelihood to join PhillyCarShare and sell their car. They responded to three things: The on-street spaces improved proximity, affordability and visibility. With proximity, the on-street space at 4th and Catharine was five blocks closer than PhillyCarShare would have parked in a commercial garage up on South Street. The closer proximity made the difference for 58 percent of participants. Affordability. When PhillyCarShare moved from that commercial garage into the free on-street space, we passed all the savings directly to 11 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. constituents, because we're a non-profit and we want residents to benefit. Forty five percent of them said that that made the difference for them, the affordability. And, finally, visibility. The greater visibility improved residents' awareness of the service and subsequently improved their likelihood to join the car-sharing service and sell a car. Forty five percent of new participants said that they saw one of the on-street car-sharing vehicles before they joined. So altogether moving the double counting, 92 percent of new participants cited one of these three attributes of the on-street space as having increased their likelihood to participate. Interestingly, members also report driving 53 percent fewer miles after they join. Why is this? Car owners drive. Non-car owners think, Should I take the bus? Should I walk or bike? And they drive when it makes the 12 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. most sense to spend 10 or 15 extra dollars for the convenience of a car. In Queen Village not only did residents sell their cars and drive less, they also reported saving a lot of money, about $4,000 annually each. That money otherwise would have flowed out of our City into the global auto industry. Instead, with car sharing, that $4,000 is staying here and getting spent largely on local businesses that support our neighborhoods and our residents. And City government itself also is benefiting. In 2004, Philadelphia became the first government in the world to share cars with local residents in a major fleet reduction effort. Those same cars, those same car-sharing vehicles in Queen Village and elsewhere in our City are being driven by City workers during business hours. And the pioneering project has helped replace over 100 municipal vehicles in a project that has saved taxpayers about $5 million so far. 13 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Reasons to support the proposed bill: Moving forward, I believe there are four compelling reasons to support the use of on-street spaces by non-profit car sharing. First, to bring car sharing to every neighborhood. We actually cannot serve most of this City unless we use on-street space. Outside of Center City, in residential neighborhoods, there simply is not commercial parking available to host our vehicles. In West Philadelphia, for example, 80 percent of our current locations are supported by the Parking Authority. In South Philadelphia and Mount Airy, 60 percent of our cars are parked in public spaces. In these residential neighborhoods, there wouldn't be car sharing without the Parking Authority. That's how essential these on-street spaces are for serving all of our City.
Number two, promote economic equity. The poorest fifth of Americans, many of whom live here in Philadelphia, 14 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. spent 36 percent of their income on car ownership. That's more than they spend on food, education or healthcare and often more than is spent on housing. Car sharing provides a necessary alternative to car ownership. And, again, we can only serve low-income residential neighborhoods throughout our City with the use of public parking spaces. Third, promote participation. Experience in Queen Village shows us that using on-street spaces doubles participation, even in areas that have commercial parking, by providing greater proximity, affordability and visibility. And fourth, promote the benefits, quality of life, environmental sustainability and Philadelphia's economy. Eighty percent of our members say that they're favoring residential neighborhoods near our cars. That's a compelling testament to quality of life. Citywide, members have reduced their car ownership by nearly 4,000 vehicles -- 15 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. that's according to them -- the cars that are causing the parking problems. And collectively, members are saving $16 million annually that's staying here in our local economy. And environmentally, by owning fewer cars, driving less and driving hybrids, our members are producing 95 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions that are causing global warming. In summary, I strongly encourage the Council to support the proposed bill. It's a win-win for Philadelphia. Thank you for your consideration. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Very informative. Would you happen to have a list -- if you don't have it with you, you can supply it to me -- of the locations that you currently have parking spaces for PhillyCarShare?
Yes. 16 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: In particular -- I guess the City would be fine, because my colleagues would like to share in it as well. I started out with you a long time ago.
It's been a while. We've come a long way. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I'd just like to see what's going on in my district south of Washington Avenue.
Yes. South of Washington Avenue, I think we have about five locations now. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Let me be more precise. Maybe south of Snyder Avenue, east of Broad.
South of Snyder, east of Broad, we have one location. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I figured that. 17 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC.
But we're getting there. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I'm surprised you even have one. But I'd like to get involved with you again and start bringing you around and talking to some of the community groups down there. I don't think that the word is getting out to them. It's not your fault. I just don't think the community leaders down there are aware of what's going, and I think they should, and I'd like to bring you out to some of those community meetings.
I think you're right and I appreciate the invitation. Thank you. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I think the first one we did was Bella Vista, if I'm not mistaken.
That's right. Yes. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: A long time ago. Thank you. Any questions for this witness 18 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. from the Committee? Councilwoman Miller.
The way it works is that shared vehicles are parked in the neighborhood every few blocks apart and they're parked in reserved spaces, and as a member, you get a key to all of the cars in the whole fleet, and they include pickup trucks, hybrids, Mini Coopers, the whole nine yards. You reserve a car on the Internet or by phone. Twenty-four hours a day you can do it. And you hop in using your electronic key. You actually hold it over the dashboard where there's a reader and the car unlocks for you. 19 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. The ignition key is inside and there's an on-board computer that not only gives you access but tracks your use. And then you pay $5.90 an hour, plus cents a mile, 6 which is automatically debited to you. 7 And those rates include everything, the 8 parking, insurance and even the gas. And 9 that's it. You put it right back in the reserved space. You walk home, and you're done. You don't have to worry about the car.
So it works best if you live near where one of the on-street parking cars are located.
Exactly. And that's why it's so important to bring the service to where people live. In places where we have the service very well established, it's why we actually have locations every block or two blocks literally, because we're trying to bring the service closer to people than they could park their own cars, so even exceed the convenience of owning a car. 20 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC.
Sure. Thank you. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Any other questions? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you all for your testimony. Anyone else? Mr. Dixon.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In addition to Mr. Westefer, who you've already heard from, Linda Bradley is here from the Philadelphia Parking Authority. She's the Manager of Planning and Analysis and she's had a lead role in working with PhillyCarShare and community groups and Council offices in establishing these zones, and I would just add that the relationship that I think that's been established between PhillyCarShare and various neighborhood groups have been a very positive one, and we've received nothing but positive feedback from the 21 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. areas in which these zones have been established. While the Authority supports enactment of this ordinance, we do have an amendment that we've submitted for the Committee's consideration. The way the ordinance was originally drafted, it indicated that there's a $150 fee to be paid to the City of Philadelphia. At the same time, it designates the Authority to be the agency that's responsible for the review and installation of these zones, and we would request that that be amended so that the fee would be paid to the Authority at the same time that those zones are approved. All of this money would go to the City's General Fund in the same way that all of the other on-street money does, but it just seems like it would be much simpler for PhillyCarShare or any other applicant for this that they would have one place through which all of these things would be processed. And since the 22 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Authority is accepting responsibility for all of the work that's involved with it, we would be able to recoup some of the costs associated with it, and all of the net revenue from that, like all other on-street revenue, would then go to the City. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And, again, I know it's in Clayton's testimony. How many spaces are we currently speaking of, approximately?
I think on street right now, there are a total of eight spaces.
And they're designated in the ordinance, those on-street locations that they're asking the Council to confirm. Is that correct?
Yes. There are some that are in the process of being confirmed, so they're pending for -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: So that number will keep changing as spaces come 23 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. on.
Yes. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: But currently there are eight spaces. So it's $1,200 a year. Thank you. Okay. Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, gentlemen. Just one question with respect to the amendment. Does the Administration/City agree with the amendment in terms of both the revenue going ultimately to the City of Philadelphia?
I don't know the answer to that question, so I'll have to get back to you on that.
We're being asked to vote on an amendment that 24 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. changes the revenue stream. We're being told that it ultimately goes to the City's coffers, but I just want to find out if the Administration concurs with that scenario.
I certainly can't speak for the Administration, Councilman, but I would say to you that this is consistent with the way all other fees for loading zones, valet zones, residential permit parking zones are applied and collected by the Authority as the City's agent for parking-related matters.
Okay. Administration? I see a BlackBerry in motion. I guess we'll get an answer soon.
And as Councilman DiCicco pointed out, the revenue from this is a couple thousand dollars a year.
Is that it? Okay. Thank you. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Any other 25 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. questions for these witnesses? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, Mr. Abernathy, please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 060765, an ordinance amending Title 11 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Streets," by adding a section requiring approval of City Council before certain permits are granted allowing the closure of City streets, under certain terms and conditions. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Good morning, Commissioner. Welcome. COMMISSIONER TOLSON: Good morning. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Please identify yourself for the record and begin with your testimony. 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. COMMISSIONER TOLSON: My name is Clarena Tolson, Commissioner of the Streets Department. Good morning, Councilman DiCicco, Councilwoman Miller and Councilman Clarke. I'm here to testify today regarding Bill No. 060765, which would amend The Philadelphia Code to require Council approval of permits allowing for any street opening -- for any part of a street opening to be closed in connection with private construction or demolition for a period longer than six consecutive months. The Administration strongly supports the intent behind this bill and believes that a District Councilperson should be included in the process of reviewing potential street closures in the respective districts. Councilmembers need to be included as the standard procedural protocol, not the exception. I believe we will achieve our shared goal of including City Councilmembers in the process and will 27 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. not create any additional burden or undue delay through an alternative to the ordinance. I would respectfully suggest continuation of an alternative action that has worked very, very well for us. The Streets Department will continue to commit to including Council in the permit process by requiring appropriate District Councilpersons to review each permit in addition to the Streets Department and the Police Department. If any of the parties, whether it's the Street Department or the Police Department or the District Councilmember, has any concerns, the permit will be delayed. I believe that by addressing this matter through an administrative procedure, we will be able to minimize delays in these important closures. Again, please let me emphasize that the Streets Department supports the idea that the Councilmembers should participate and must participate in the review process for these major projects. 28 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. We appreciate your consideration of this alternative. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, Ms. Tolson. COMMISSIONER TOLSON: Good morning.
Ms. Tolson, thank you for your testimony. For those members of the Committee or this body that don't know the purpose of this, this bill was actually introduced several years ago. It was actually prior to you becoming the Commissioner, but I think you were the Deputy Commissioner at the time, and there were some concerns as a result of an abuse of a temporary street closure by a particular university in my district. And it was basically two years of a particular street, a highly traveled street, on a three-month temporary 29 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. permit. So as a result of that, we felt it was necessary to have a process that would ensure that the local residents or any vehicular traffic that had to utilize those roadways would have some say-so into whether or not any business or any institution can just simply close a street down forever. So as a result of that, we had an earlier agreement, and I actually think there was some form that you guys actually sent over to the Councilperson to just kind of add the signature. And while I don't think it's appropriate for the Councilmembers to micromanage the process in the Streets Department or any other process, we have to make sure that there is some fairness in terms of allowing that level of intrusion into a particular neighborhood. Right now we have a situation in Center City where there's a request to close a street down for two years, a highly traveled street. And at the time, it wasn't made aware to certain 30 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. individuals in the Department that that agreement was between the last administration. So we introduced this bill. Fortunately, you being a veteran of government, you remembered that, and I'm glad to see that you're here today to acknowledge that we did have such an agreement. So as a result of that, I'd be more than willing to hold the bill, given the fact that you indicated a willingness to work with the Council on any long-term street closures. COMMISSIONER TOLSON: Absolutely. We thank you for your consideration on that matter. The individual staff person was new to the position and task. However, everyone around them was very, very familiar with the agreement and our new processes -- not new processes, the processes that we've had for the last several years, and we certainly will continue with that process, because it's important for us to 31 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. know where the citizens stand, the community stands with regard to the closures, and the best way for us to know that is through the District Councilperson. So it's important for us to have your input.
Thank you, Commissioner. COMMISSIONER TOLSON: Thank you. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Will you be testifying? COMMISSIONER TOLSON: No. 15 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Just back-up. Okay. Whoever else will be testifying on this, please come to the witness table. I assume you'll be hanging around, Commissioner? COMMISSIONER TOLSON: Yes.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman. My name is Neil Sklaroff. I'm an attorney with Ballard, Spahr, 32 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Andrews and Ingersoll here in Philadelphia. I, in particular, represent the developers of Ten Rittenhouse Square, whose workings with regard to street closure and sidewalk closure undoubtedly was the most recent reason for Councilman Clarke's measure. If Councilman Clarke is asking that the measure be withheld and not voted on this morning, we can be very brief. However, I think it is important to point out that were we to have in Philadelphia a situation in which a permit for a street closure for a project that takes longer than six months goes back to City Council for approval in a legislative act which has no specific criteria, we might be elevating that permit, that street closure permit, into the kind of permit that a lender requires a developer to have before they go forward, a final and unappealable permit, if it's a zoning permit or a building permit. And if we have a situation in 33 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. which six months from now, for whatever reason, the project may not be able to be built because a permit to have a partial road closure is revoked in a legislative act rather than some administrative act through a judicial process, we may be in a situation where lenders will no longer look to Philadelphia, especially for very large projects, which take a long period of time. I appreciate the reason, and the Councilman knows that the developers of Ten Rittenhouse are continuing to work with the neighbors. In fact, it was the developers who when they learned from their general contractor that they may have to ask for a partial street closure of an entire width of the street that went out to the community and went to the Councilman to discuss this, and we're continuing to work on that, and we're very grateful for the good offices of Councilman Clarke to be able to do that. But it is important I think for the 34 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. record here to understand that we may be raising something which will have profound effects on the ability of any developer to be able to fund any project of any great measure. But we appreciate the Councilman's indulgence for our testimony and agreement to hold the measure. With me today -- and he may have some brief comments -- is Craig Schelter, who I'm sure is known to the Committee members.
My name is Craig Schelter for the record, S-C-H-E-L-T-E-R. I just wanted to comment here in terms of what the impact of this bill 18 would be on construction projects Citywide in terms of the timing of construction, that if this bill were to be passed --
Why don't you just briefly do it. I think the Councilman is going to hold it. We don't want to make -- 35 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Absolutely. I think everyone understands the issue, myself included, because of a lot of development that occurs in my district, especially in the Center City area where streets are not really made for all this kind of traffic and stuff. So I think the Councilman is doing the right thing by holding it, and further discussions I'm hopeful will come out with a reasonable solution to this issue.
Thank you, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Councilman. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Thank you for coming today. I'll ask the Clerk to read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 060798, an ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Use of an Automated Red Light Enforcement System to Prevent Red Light Violations," by authorizing the installation of red light 36 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. enforcement systems at the intersection of Welsh Road at Roosevelt Boulevard and at the intersection of Rhawn Street at Roosevelt Boulevard and at the intersection of Levick Street at Roosevelt Boulevard, and by reducing to 60 days the phase-in period during which only warnings are issued, all under certain terms and conditions; and Bill No. 060802, an ordinance 12 amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Use of an Automated Red Light Enforcement System to Prevent Red Light Violations," by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of Southampton Road at Roosevelt Boulevard, and by reducing to 60 days the phase-in period during which only warnings are issued, all under certain terms and conditions. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Good morning.
Good morning, 37 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Mr. Chairman. I have copies of my testimony up here. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning. It's always nice to be back at City Council. My name is Christopher Vogler. I'm the Manager of the Red Light Camera Program at the Philadelphia Parking Authority. I'm here to testify in favor of Bill No. 060798 and 060802, two ordinances which would authorize the installation of red light cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard at the intersections of Levick Street, Rhawn Street, Welsh Road and Southampton Road. With me to my left is Vince Fenerty, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority. I'd like to first thank Councilman DiCicco and the members of this Committee for allowing me to testify today. The Red Light Camera Program is currently in operation at four locations in the City. These locations are Grant Avenue at Roosevelt Boulevard, Red Lion Road at Roosevelt Boulevard, Cottman 38 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Avenue at Roosevelt Boulevard and Broad Street at Oregon Avenue. The fifth location, 34th Street and Grays Ferry Avenue, will be operational by the end of this week, hopefully tomorrow, or if not tomorrow, Friday. The first three intersections on Roosevelt Boulevard had a 120-day warning period at inception, while Broad Street at Oregon Avenue, 34th Street at Grays Ferry Avenue and the new proposed intersections have a 60-day warning period. The program is in its pilot stage, which will run until December of 2007. The goal of the program is to increase the safety of vehicle and pedestrian traffic at dangerous intersections by decreasing the amount of red light running. As we are all aware, even with the three current locations on Roosevelt Boulevard, the amount of vehicular accidents, pedestrian injuries and deaths 39 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. along the overall length of Roosevelt Boulevard is unacceptable. Working in coordination with City Council and in the case of these two ordinances, Councilmembers Krajewski and O'Neill, who I would like to thank for their sponsorship, the Parking Authority is committed to work for improving the safety of all who travel on, across and near Roosevelt Boulevard. Because of the initial success of the red light program, I am confident that the new intersections will work in conjunction with the current ones to help improve safety. The data that the Parking Authority has to compare the number of violations committed at a particular intersection from one year to the next shows that the number of violations has significantly fallen. I will now cite a few examples. At Red Lion Road and Roosevelt Boulevard, the number of violations has fallen from 1,072 for a period starting 40 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. in May of 2005 to 297 for a period starting in May of 2006. That is a decrease of 72 percent. For the period in June of 2005 compared with June of 2006, the decrease was from 1,317 to 299, a 77 percent. And July 2005 to July 2006 the decrease was 1,720 to 675, a 60 percent decrease. At Grant Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, the numbers are even more encouraging. From 4,065 violations in a period starting in May of 2005 -- and I want to add quickly that the period means it started in the middle of the month. It's a 30-day period. It's a month period, total number of days it's taken. The number of violations have plummeted to 340 in a period starting in May of 2006, a decrease of 92 percent from the previous time in the previous year. The percentage decrease in violations at Grant Avenue has been 69, 75, 82, 92, 90 and 87 percent from the same period in the previous year. 41 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Cottman Avenue is omitted because the cameras have not been operational for the period of time to yet compare periods from this year to the previous one.
This very large decrease in the number of violations shows that the program is having a positive effect on the safety at these intersections on Roosevelt Boulevard. Grant Avenue and Red Lion Road at Roosevelt Boulevard were rated by State Farm Insurance as the second and third most dangerous intersections in the entire country. I would like to now briefly describe how the red light camera system works at a particular intersection. A red light camera system is connected to the traffic signal and also to sensors buried in the street before the crosswalk. After the traffic signals turn completely red, if a vehicle then passes over the sensors and enters the intersection, the camera will be 42 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. triggered and two pictures will be taken. The first picture will show the vehicle before it enters the intersection with the red light clearly visible, while the second picture typically shows the vehicle in the middle of or past the intersection, proving the vehicle continued through during a red light. The first picture is also enlarged so we can read the license plate of the offending vehicle. Additionally, when a person has a question or concern about a notice of violation, the Parking Authority has a customer service number which is printed on the ticket and there is an appeal process a person who has received a violation can follow, and the first appeal of a red light violation is of no 21 cost to the citizen. I would like to say again that the purpose of this program is to increase the safety and quality of life for the citizens of Philadelphia, and I 43 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. firmly believe that by expanding the red light program on Roosevelt Boulevard with the four intersections in these bills, the positive and successful progress that the program has started will continue. Finally, I would like to thank Councilmembers Krajewski and O'Neill for their sponsorship of these two bills today. Thank you again for the opportunity to testify before the Committee this morning, and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Mr. Fenerty, are you testifying or just --
I'm just sitting and listening. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Just back-up again.
I'm the back-up quarterback today in case there's any questions. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Any 44 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. questions for these witnesses? Councilman Clarke.
Yes. Thank you, Councilman Clarke. I did omit that, that tomorrow Councilman Clarke -- we worked with Councilman Clarke's office and Will Carter, the Councilman's legislative aide. There will be an ordinance 12 introduced tomorrow for a red light intersection at Mascher Street and the Boulevard, because in that stretch of the Boulevard, which is the stretch that is in the Councilman's district, that is, we have identified, as the most dangerous intersection in that stretch, because as I mentioned in the testimony, we want to expand the program not just in the Northeast but along the whole length of the Boulevard where we find the need.
Thank you. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Any other questions for these 45 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. witnesses? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill? Please step forward. SERGEANT BEE: Good morning, Mr. Chairman. My name is Sergeant Christopher Bee from the Philadelphia Police Department, Special Patrol Bureau. Councilman Clarke, good morning. I'd like to thank you for inviting me to speak here today regarding red light camera enforcement. As you heard a couple minutes ago, State Farm Insurance Company did compile a list of the most dangerous intersections in the country. Unfortunately, Roosevelt Boulevard claimed the top two out of three intersections, the intersections being Grant and the Boulevard and Red Lion Road and the Boulevard. Today these intersections have red light camera systems in place and we're happy to 46 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. report that the systems have made a positive impact at these locations. With public safety in mind, we are here today to support the installation of additional red light camera systems throughout the City to enhance the safety of vehicular traffic and for all our citizens. The roles of agencies in regard to red light camera enforcement are carefully circumscribed under state law. The Philadelphia Police Department has a relatively narrow but important role in this process and works closely alongside with the system's administrator, the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Specifically, police officers from the Special Patrol Bureau review film images from red light cameras and determine if citations should be issued. The program has been extremely successful in reeducating drivers. In addition to reeducating drivers, the red light camera enforcement keeps heavily traveled routes clear, 47 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. while allowing citations to be issued to violators. It also allows police officers who would otherwise be citing traffic violators to focus on other enforcement and emergency 911 needs. Early critics of red light cameras alleged the operations of these cameras would cause drivers to stop suddenly to avoid being cited, thus causing rear-end collisions and nullifying the very purpose of red light cameras. Experience has shown this concern is unfounded. Intersections having red light cameras are now safer. One death is tragic and, unfortunately, this year there have been far too many people killed involving vehicles in the City. Today there are many more vehicles on the roads and highways, requiring new enforcement strategies to be implemented to keep the roads and citizens safe. In closing, as a result of the positive impact experienced with the Red 48 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Light Camera Program, the Police Department supports the installation and use of additional red light camera systems Citywide. Thank you for your time. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Sergeant. Any questions? Mr. Fenerty.
Councilman DiCicco, I'd also like the Councilmembers to know that during the two-month period which there would be no citations issues, the Parking Authority has received a grant from the state in the amount of $400,000 as a back-up to pay for these intersections during the non-revenue periods. So there will be no financial strain at all on the program itself or on any other financial abilities of the Authority to do this. We have the money in the bank. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Thank you. Very good information to 49 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. have. Thank you. Any other questions for these witnesses? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, I'll ask Mr. Abernathy to read the title of the next bill. Thank you, gentlemen.
Bill No. 060760, an ordinance authorizing the Water Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to enter into an agreement with the owners of 228 East Mount Airy (Premise A), 7131 Devon Street (Premise B), 268 Sydney Street (Premise C), 263 Sydney Street (Premise D) and 265 Sydney Street (Premise E) for the grant of a right-of-way to the City for drainage, sewer purposes and water main purposes through the property on the line of Devon 50 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Street from East Mount Airy Avenue to Sydney Street, under certain terms and conditions. MR. McCLOSKEY: Good morning, Mr. Chairman, members of the Committee. My name is Paul McCloskey. I'm with the Water Department. This bill authorizes the acceptance of a right-of-way for drainage, sewer purposes and water main purposes through the proposed "The Enclave at Devon" housing development located in the 7100 block of Devon Street. The developer proposes to construct sanitary and storm sewers and a water main for his complex in Devon Street projected from East Mount Airy Avenue to Sydney Street. The developer has agreed to build the sewers and water main at his expense to City standards. He will then grant the City a right-of-way for drainage, sewer and water main purposes for the new facilities. The City will assume 51 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. ownership and maintenance of the facilities in accordance with the Philadelphia Code. We recommend that this bill be favorably reported out of Committee, and thank you for your time. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Any questions for this witness? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, I'll ask Mr. Abernathy to read the title of the next bill. MR. McCLOSKEY: Thank you very much. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you.
Bill No. 060800, an ordinance amending Section 9-205 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Sales," by prohibiting sidewalk sales on 52 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. portions of Stokley Street and Hunting Park Avenue. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Mr. Haigler.
Good day, Councilman DiCicco and members of the Committee. I am Otis Haigler, Jr., Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Licenses and Inspections. Today I am here to provide testimony on Bill 060800, which, if enacted, will prohibit sidewalk sales on portions of Stokley Street and Hunting Park Avenue located in the Eighth Council District. With respect to the Department's position on the proposed bill, we offer no objection to the bill's enactment, as this is within Council's prerogative under Section 9-205, Subsection (8), Subsection (p) of The Philadelphia Code, and we are prepared to enforce its provisions should the bill 24 pass in Council and is signed into law by the Mayor. 53 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Thank you for the opportunity to provide the Department's testimony on this bill, and I will be happy to answer any questions at this time. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Mr. Haigler. Any questions for Mr. Haigler? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, anyone else here who wishes to testify on behalf of this bill? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none. Oh, I apologize. I got ahead of myself. Good morning. I apologize. Good morning.
Good morning, Councilman DiCicco and Councilwoman Miller and Councilman Clarke. I'm Katherine Levins, Director of Government Affairs for the Temple University Health System. Thank you for the opportunity to testify here today. This ordinance would restrict 54 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. sidewalk sales in front of the entrance of our new corporate headquarters when it opens earlier next year. We worked with Councilwoman Miller's office. It's very limited in the area where these sidewalk sales would be prohibited, and what we did was, we determined that it would just go in front of the entrance to the building and also around the entrance to the parking lot. In close proximity along Hunting Park Avenue, we determined that that would be a good place for the sidewalk vendors, if they want to set up shop. There aren't any there right now, but if they chose to do so once we moved in, it would be a very short walk for our employees and a short walk for the residences if they wanted to, but it wouldn't impinge on the residents. So we thought that this would be a win-win for everybody. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Any questions for Ms. Levins? Councilwoman Miller. 55 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC.
And I do agree, that I believe the way that this has been arranged and set up, it will be a win-win for everyone.
Well, thank you, and thank you very much for the services of your office. We appreciate everything that they did to help us with this.
And we look forward to being your neighbor. Thank you. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Any other questions? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.) 56 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, I will ask Mr. Abernathy to read the title of the next bill.
Bill 060759, an ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 312 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the southeasterly 20-foot portion of Arendell Avenue from State Road northwestwardly to James Street thereby narrowing Arendell Avenue, under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Frank Morelli, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 20 060759. This is not an administrative ordinance, but an ordinance requested by Mr. Simon, 9240 State Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114. The purpose of this ordinance 57 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. is to strike a portion of Arendell Avenue from the City Plan for the requestor to install a sewer line on his property. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your Committee for favorable action.
Good morning, Chairman and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Martin Soffer. I'm Director of the Development Planning Division and I'm here to testify on behalf of the City Planning Commission. The purpose of this ordinance 17 is to allow for the construction of a private sewer to service an existing commercial business located on James Street. The staff of the Planning Commission has no objections to this bill. Therefore, the Planning Commission staff recommends that Bill No. 060759 be approved. 58 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Thank you. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Any questions for these witnesses from the Committee? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, Mr. Abernathy, the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 060763, an ordinance authorizing the paving of Croskey Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Frank Morelli, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 060763. This is not an administrative 59 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. ordinance, but an ordinance requested by Mr. Daniel Reisman of Eckert, Seamans, Cherin and Mellot, L.L.C., 1515 Market Street, 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102. The purpose of this ordinance 8 is to pave Croskey Street to facilitate the construction of 43 single-family homes. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your Committee for favorable action. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against this bill? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, I will ask Mr. Abernathy to read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 060830, an 60 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 46-S within an area bounded by 26th Street, the Schuylkill Expressway, Penrose Ferry Road, Hartranft Street, 22nd Street and Penrose Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Frank Morelli, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 15 060830. This is not an administrative ordinance, but an ordinance requested by Mr. Michael Mattioni, 399 Market Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106. The purpose of this ordinance 21 is to strike and place several streets on the City Plan to facilitate the construction of 310 townhomes and the construction of an administrative building for the Philadelphia Housing 61 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Authority. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your Committee for favorable action.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Martin Soffer, Director of the Development Planning Division and I am here to testify on behalf of the City Planning Commission. The purpose of this ordinance 15 is to allow for the construction of 313 attached single-family dwellings on proposed new streets and an 80,000 square foot administrative building for PHA, the Philadelphia Housing Authority. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission approved a preliminary plat of subdivision for this development at its meeting on October 17, 2006. Therefore, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill No. 060830 be approved. 62 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Thank you. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I apologize. I wasn't paying attention to the testimony. Where are these streets located?
26th Street and Hartranft. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I'm sorry. I saw Blackwell. Okay. It's consistent with the Reserves. It's a little touch of Italy there.
Yes, indeed. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. I've been looking to move to Italy. I figure I could maybe stay a little closer to home, but anyway. Thank you. Any questions for these witnesses from the Committee? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill? 63 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, I'll ask the Clerk to read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 060831, an ordinance authorizing the paving of Palmermo Drive, Colli Drive, Milano Drive, San Vincenzo Drive, Napoli Way, Pietro Way, Messina Way, Hartranft Street, Calabria Way, Foggia Drive, Salerno Way, Roma Drive, Genoa Drive and Trieste Way, under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Frank Morelli, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 21 060831. This is not an administrative ordinance, but an ordinance requested by Mr. Michael Mattioni, 399 Market Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106. 64 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. The purpose of this ordinance 3 is the paving of Palmermo Drive, Colli Drive, Milano Drive, San Vincenzo Drive, Napoli Way, Pietro Way, Messina Way, Hartranft Street, Calabria Way, Foggia Drive, Salerno Way, Roma Drive, Genoa Drive and Trieste Way, under certain terms and conditions. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your Committee for favorable action. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Any questions? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, I will ask Mr. Abernathy to read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 060741, an ordinance granting permission to Atul 65 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Amin and A&J Newsstand Corporation, owner and operator of the newsstand located on the southeast corner of 9th Street and Market Street, to construct, use and maintain conduits for fiberoptic facilities in, under and across the southeast corner of 9th and Market Streets for the purpose of applying electrical service and telephone service to said newsstand.
Good morning, Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 060741. This bill grants permission to Atul Amin and A&J Newsstand Corporation, owner of the newsstand at the southeast corner of 9th and Market Street, to construct, use and maintain an electrical conduit with electrical service line and a telecommunications conduit with a telephone service line in and under the 66 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. public rights-of-way for the purpose of supplying electrical and telephone service to the newsstand. The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no objection to the passage of the bill. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Mr. Mautz. Any questions? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Mr. Abernathy, please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 060742, an ordinance granting permission to Manu Patel, owner and operator of the newsstand located on the northeast corner of 7th Street and Market Street, to construct, use and maintain conduits for 67 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. fiberoptic facilities in, under and across the northeast corner of 7th and Market Streets for the purpose of supplying electrical service and telephone service to said newsstand.
Good morning, Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I am here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 060742. This bill grants permission to Manu Patel, owner of the newsstand at the northeast corner of 7th and Market Street, to construct, use and maintain an electrical service conduit with electric service line and a telecommunications conduit with a telephone service line in and under the public rights-of-way for the purpose of supplying electrical and telephone service to the newsstand. The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no objection to the 68 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. passage of the bill. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Mautz? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Anyone else here who wishes to testify? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, Mr. Abernathy, title of the next bill.
Bill No. 060764, an ordinance granting permission to Shailesh Tilvawala, owner and operator of the newsstand located on the southwest corner of 15th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, to construct, use and maintain conduits for fiberoptic facilities in, under and across the southwest corner of 15th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard for the purpose of supplying electrical service and telephone service to said newsstand.
Good morning, Chairman and members of the Committee. 69 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. My name is William Mautz and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 060764. This bill grants permission to Shailesh Tilvawala, owner of the newsstand at the southwest corner of 15th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, to construct, use and maintain an electrical service conduit with electric service line and a telecommunications conduit with a telephone service line in and under the public rights-of-way for the purpose of supplying electrical and telephone service to the newsstand. The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no objection to the passage of the bill. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Any questions for this witness? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Anyone else here who wishes to testify? 70 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Mr. Abernathy, please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 060835, an ordinance granting permission to Nirlesh Desai, owner and operator of the newsstand located on the southeast corner of 16th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, to construct, use and maintain conduits for fiberoptic facilities in, under and across the southeast corner of 16th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard for the purpose of supplying electrical service and telephone service to said newsstand.
Good morning, Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I am here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 060835. This bill grants permission to Nirlesh Desai, owner of the newsstand at 71 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. the southeast corner of 16th and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, to construct, use and maintain an electrical service conduit with electric service line and a telecommunications conduit with a telephone service line in and under the public rights-of-way for the purpose of supplying electrical and telephone service to the newsstand. The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no objection to the passage of the bill. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, I'll ask Mr. Abernathy to read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 060859, an ordinance granting permission to John Rocco to construct, operate and maintain underground electrical and phone conduit feeds for the newsstand located at the 72 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. northwest corner of 20th and Market Streets, Philadelphia, under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I am here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 060859. This bill grants permission to John Rocco, owner of the newsstand at the northwest corner of 20th and Market Streets, to construct, use and maintain an electrical conduit with electrical service line and a telecommunications conduit with a telephone service line in and under the public rights-of-way for the purpose of supplying electrical and telephone service to the newsstand. The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no objection to the passage of the bill. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. 73 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Any questions for this witness? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Anyone else here who wishes to testify? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, this concludes the public hearing of the Committee on Streets and Services. We will now go into the public meeting. Do you have testimony?
I don't have testimony. This is Stephanie Marshall. Michelle Lai is on her way over on behalf of the Administration to testify to the proposed amendment on 060761. I was just told that she is on her way over here to give the Administration's testimony regarding the amendment that Philadelphia Parking Authority has proposed. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: We're going to go back into the public hearing to get some testimony from the Administration.
Good morning, 74 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Council. Thanks for waiting. I'm Michelle Lai. I'm Deputy Director of Finance. I believe PPA submitted an amendment that would change the money to remit to PPA and have them pass the money over to the City. We would prefer that the money come directly to the City. It's a quicker, more efficient process. If you have any other questions, I can take them now. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Councilman Clarke.
Is this particular bill, is it an Administration bill?
We don't believe so. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: No. It was my bill. (Off-the-record discussion.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. This concludes the public hearing of the Committee on Streets and Services. We will now go into the public meeting. 75 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 060761 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and request for rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The bill 19 is approved. Councilman Clarke.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 060798 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and request for rules suspension as to allow reading at 76 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 060798 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The bill 17 is approved. Councilman Clarke.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 060802 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.) 77 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 060802 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The bill 15 is approved. Councilman Clarke.
I move that Bill No. 060760 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that 78 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Bill No. 060760 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The bill 13 is approved. Councilman Clarke.
I move that Bill 060800 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for rules suspension. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 060800 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended. 79 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The bill 9 is approved. Councilman Clarke.
Mr. Chair, I move that Bill 060759 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 060759 has been reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. 80 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. (Aye.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The bill 7 is approved. Councilman Clarke.
I move that Bill 060763 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 060763 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Those opposed? 81 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The bill 4 is approved. Councilman Clarke.
I move that Bill 060830 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for a suspension of the rules to allow reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 060830 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The bill 82 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. is approved. Councilman Clarke.
I move that Bill 060831 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 060831 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The bill 23 is approved. Councilman Clarke.
I move that 83 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Bill 060741 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 060741 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The bill 20 is approved. Councilman Clarke.
I move that Bill 060742 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for rules suspension. 84 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 060742 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The bill 15 is approved. Councilman Clarke.
I move that Bill 060764 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 060764 be reported out of this 85 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. Committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The bill 12 is approved. Councilman Clarke.
I move that Bill 060835 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 060835 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended. 86 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The bill 9 is approved. Councilman Clarke.
I move that Bill No. 060859 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 060859 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. 87 11/29/06 - STREETS - BILL 060741, ETC. (Aye.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The bill 7 is approved. I'll also note for the record that Bill No. 060765 is being held at the request of the sponsor. This concludes the public meeting of the Committee on Streets and Services. Thank you all for attending. (Committee on Streets and Services adjourned at 11:20 a.m.) - - - 88 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on November 29, 2006, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)