COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC MEETING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES - - - Room 400 City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Weds., 4/11/01, 10:18 a.m. - - - BILL 010070 - Authorizing Parkway Corporation to construct and maintain various encroachments. . . BILL 010091 - Prohibiting sidewalk sales within an area bounded by Oregon, Packer. . . BILL 010122 - Granting permission to MCImetro Access Transmission to construct, maintain, operate, replace a telecommunications system. . . BILL 010128 - Held at request of sponsor. BILL 010130 - Held at request of sponsor. BILL 010151 - Re intergovernmental agreement for a Southeast PA Regional Household Hazardous Waste Education Collection and Management Project. BILL 010180 - Authorizing the revision of lines grades on a portion of City Plan No. 44-F. . . BILL 010182 - Granting permission to Amerimar Net-Works Management to construct, maintain and operate, replace and remove a duct bank. . . BILL 010192 - Authorizing the striking from City Plan No. 17-F and abandoning of a certain right-of-way for gas main purposes. . . BILL 010195 - Granting permission to Williams Communications LLC to construct, maintain and operate a telecommunications system. . . PRESENT: COUNCILMAN FRANK DICICCO, Chairman COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN, Vice Chair COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO - - - VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 561-2220 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES COMMITTEE I N D E X Page Bill 010070 N. Sen, Engineering Supervisor, Streets Dept. Carl Primavera, Esq., for Parkway Corporation Ross Wilson, Parkway Corporation. . . . . . . Bill 010091 O. Haigler, Streets Dept. (Written Testimony) Bill 010128 P. Lonie, Survey Bureau Mgr., Streets Dept. M. Soffer, City Planning Commission . . . . . S. Pollock, Esq., for Champion Development. . Bill 010128 P. Lonie, Survey Bureau Mgr., Streets Dept. S. Pollock, Esq., for Champion Development. . Bill 010180 P. Lonie, Survey Bureau Mgr., Streets Dept. M. Soffer, City Planning Commission . . . . . Bill 010192 P. Lonie, Survey Bureau Mgr., Streets Dept. Bill 010196 N. Sen, Engineering Supervisor, Streets Dept. Bill 010151 Scott McGrath, Streets Sanitation Division 18 Bill 010122 19 N. Sen, Engineering Supervisor, Streets Dept. 41 20 Bill 010195 N. Sen, Engineering Supervisor, Streets Dept. 43 21 Valerie McCaw, for Williams Communications 45 22 Bill 010182 N. Sen, Engineering Supervisor, Streets Dept. 49 23 Carl Primavera, Esq., Amerimar Net-Works. . . 52 John Smyth, Amerimar Net-Works. . . . . . . . 53 3 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010070 P R O C E E D I N G S
Good morning. The public hearing on the Committee on Streets and Services is now in session. We have a quorum. In attendance are Councilmembers Mariano, Councilmember Wilson Goode, Councilmember David Cohen, Councilmember Clarke. And also in attendance is Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. The clerk will read the title of the first bill to be heard. Thank you.
Bill No. 010070, an ordinance authorizing the Parkway Corporation, owner of the properties 1501 to 1509 Spruce Street and 1506 to 1508 Latimer Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19102, to construct and maintain various encroachments in, on, over, and under the north footway of Spruce Street, the west footway of 15th Street, and the south footway of Latimer Street adjacent to the properties 1501 to 1509 Spruce Street and 1506 to 1508 Latimer Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, and please identify yourself for the record. 4 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010070
Good morning, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Nancy Sen, I'm here as the engineering supervisor representing the Streets Department to testify on Bill No. 010070. This bill authorizes the Parkway Corporation to construct and maintain the following encroachments on, above, and under the public footways for the parking garage structure being developed in the area bounded by Spruce Streets, 15th Street, and Latimer Street: A total of two electrified signs, each approximately 1 foot wide by 23 feet high. The first signs located over the north footway of Spruce Street, projecting a maximum of 5 feet into the north footway of Spruce Street, with the lowest point approximately 22 feet above the footway. The second sign is located over the west footway of 15th Street, projecting a maximum of 5 feet into the west footway, with the lowest point approximately 22 feet above the footway. Also, a total of 12 rigid awnings, all projecting a maximum of approximately 7 feet into 5 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010070 the footway, with a minimum vertical clearance of feet above the footway. The length of each 4 varies between 20 feet minimum and 32 feet 5 maximum. 6 Three of the awnings are located over 7 the north footway of Spruce Street, three on the 8 south footway, and a total of six are located over 9 the west footway of 15th Street. Also, decorative screen panels mounted to and stretching across the three exposed facades of the parking garage building, projecting a minimum of 1 foot into the footway. All have a minimum 20-foot vertical clearance above the sidewalk and run up to a point just below the roof line of the building. Also, there's a total of 7 bollards, all 6 inches in diameter, each with an approximate height of 3 feet, and each projecting a maximum foot into the footway. Three are located on the 21 south footway of Latimer Street, two or on the 22 north footway of Spruce Street, and two are 23 located in the west footway of 15th Street. 24 All of these encroachments leave 25 adequate width and clearance of unobstructed 6 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010070 footway. Therefore, the Streets Department has no 3 objection to the passage of this bill.
Thank you for your testimony. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify? (Witness comes forward.)
Carl Primavera. I represent Parkway Corporation. We do have with us today some colored drawings of these various encroachments. This is the parking facility for the Regional Performing Arts Center. Obviously, Council has been extremely helpful and supportive of this project. I am pleased to say that we are on time, and the cooperation of this committee would be greatly helpful in terms of moving this process forward. So I do have drawings to give you a 7 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010070 sense of how beautiful and how attractive this signage and these encroachments will be. And also here I have Ross Wilson from Parkway, who can answer any questions you may have.
Just one quick question. Are there any anticipated changes in the structure at all, color scheme, since the presentation to the community organization?
Not that I'm aware of. I'll let Ross answer that in particular, just in case there has been something I'm not aware of.
No changes at all, okay. 8 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010070
And we have sent a letter to Judith Eden, I guess, about a week ago, just to confirm that this hearing was coming up today. CCRA has been very, very supportive, and we've been working with them, as you know, Councilman Clarke, so I don't think that there's been anything that's been changed in any way that would be either a surprise or inconsistent with what we've shown before.
That's a good question; I was asking that myself. I'll let Ross answer that .
My name is Ross Wilson, and I'm with Parkway Corporation. We have no signed tenants at this point. We are having conversations with some tenants. None of them are at the point where there are even letters of intent yet.
But they are restaurants, I understand it. 9 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010070
We have had conversations with both restaurants and supermarket-food store tenants, and the current interest is from restaurant tenants.
Okay. As you get closer to a letter of intent or a sign at least, can you notify me? 'Cause I'm interested in the retail mix of that particular facility.
Any other questions for these witnesses? Councilman Cohen.
Are these signs necessary to the purposes of Parkway Corporation?
Yes. I am pleased to tell you, Councilman Cohen, that we also have an agreement with CCRA. There are no billboards or (indiscernible) signs. All the signage is either related to the garage or the tenants. So there are no billboards or other signs that aren't related to this facility. And I 10 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010091 know you're concerned in that regard.
So I'm easily happy to tell you that there's no concern to that.
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 010091, an ordinance amending Section 9-205 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Sales," by prohibiting sidewalk sales within the area bounded by Oregon Avenue, Packer Avenue, Seventh Street, and 20th Street, and within the area bounded by Oregon Avenue, I-95, Front Street, and Seventh Street, all under certain terms and conditions. We have written testimony submitted by Otis Haigler, Jr. for the Department of Licenses and Inspections, which states as follows: "Good day, Councilman DiCicco and members of the Committee on Streets and Services. I am Otis Haigler, Jr., Legislative and Regulatory 11 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010091 Affairs Manager for the Department of Licenses and Inspections. I'm here to provide testimony on Bill 010091, which, if enacted, will amend Subsection 9-205 of the Philadelphia Code to prohibit sidewalk sales in the area bounded by Oregon Avenue, Packer Avenue, Seventh Street, and 20th Street, and within the area bounded by Oregon Avenue, I-95, Front and Seventh Street. "With respect to this bill, the Department offers no objections to its enactment."
Thank you. Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 010128 is going -- I'm sorry 010122 will be held to the end of the hearing. Bill No. 010128, an ordinance 22 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 319 of an area bounded by Rhawn Street, Dorcus Street, and the New York Shortline Railroad by striking from the City Plan 12 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010128 and vacating portions of Stanwood Street, Pennway Street, and Solly Avenue by placing on the City Plan Meadowbrook Drive, Peach Tree Lane, Apple Blossom Way, Cherry Blossom Way, Apple Blossom Drive, Rose Petal Way, and Rose Petal Drive, and by placing on the City Plan two rights of way for drainage purposes, all under certain terms and conditions, including the dedication to the City free and clear of all encumbrances the beds of Meadowbrook Drive, Peach Tree Lane, Apple Blossom Way, Cherry Blossom Way, Apple Blossom Drive, Rose Petal Way, and Rose Petal Drive.
Let the record show that Councilman Rizzo is now in session with us. (Witnesses come forward.)
Gentlemen, good morning, and please identify yourself for the record.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following 13 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010128 testimony on Bill No. 010128: This is not an administration ordinance 4 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Jack Bienenfeld of Champion Development, 828 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia. The purpose of this ordinance is to revise the lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 319 to allow for the construction of 85 detached single-family dwellings on 87 lots. 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 committee. My name is Martin Soffer from the City Planning Commission. The Planning Commission reviewed and recommended approval of the proposed City Plan changes as part of a preliminary plat to subdivide a 19-acre parcel of ground to allow for the construction of 85 detached single-family dwellings along 5 new City streets on November 2nd of the year 2000. Therefore, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill No. 010128 be approved. Thank you. 14 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010128
Anyone else here who wishes to testify, please step forward and identify yourself for the record. (Witness comes forward.)
Good morning, Councilman DiCicco and other Councilmen who are here, esteemed Councilmen. My name is Steven Pollock. I represent Champion Development and Mr. Jack Bienenfeld, and we are asking for this committee's consideration of this bill. I have a site plan that would show the Councilmembers, if they would like to see it, the layout, which is the approved plot plan of the 85 lots. We are going to be building these -- they will be in the range of about -- starting at about $180,000. It's in the area right near where the Orleans vocational center is, not far from Rhawn and (indiscernible) or Northeast High School, in that vicinity. And we would ask for a suspension of the rules if this committee would look favorably 15 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010130 upon this bill.
Anyone else here who wishes to testify? (No response.)
Thank you, gentlemen. The clerk will please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 010130, an ordinance authorizing the paving of Meadowbrook Drive, Peach Tree Lane, Apple Blossom Way, Cherry Blossom Way, Cherry Blossom Way, Apple Blossom Drive, Rose Petal Way, and Rose Petal Drive, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 010130: This is not an administration ordinance 16 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010130 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Jack Bienenfeld of Champion Development. The purpose of this ordinance is to permit the Streets Department to enter into a private paving agreement with the developer to pave the streets, which will allow for the reconstruction of 85 detached single-family dwellings. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Again, Steven Pollock on behalf of the developer. We would ask for a suspension of the rules. We have worked these plans out for this subdivision with the City Planning Commission and the Dungan Road Civic Association and through the good offices of Councilman O'Neill.
Mr. Pollock, how many units did you say were being built?
It will be 85 single-family detached homes. They're about a quarter acre -- about 3600 square feet of lot 17 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010130 space. And we have two lots: One is going to be used as a right-of-way for access and another one will be a drainage right-of-way.
You know, with the ten-year abatement, there's still some confusion. If they don't make application for the abatement within 60 days of the date the permit is pulled, the potential buyers won't be entitled to the abatement.
So we haven't been able to clean that out yet -- clean that up yet, but in the interest of their potential buyers, I would advise you to advise your client to make sure he does that.
Thank you. Any other questions for these witnesses? 18 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010130 Councilmember Clarke?
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Actually, I'm interested in the fact that this development is taking place, not so much as it relates this particular bill specifically. Are these going to be market-rate housing?
Okay. And the financing's in place? I mean, this is a go?
This is a go, yes. Mr. Bienenfeld's family has been in the City of Philadelphia and has been building for about 45 years. Up in the Northeast, he's probably as well known as Orleans or Korman or those names were in the early '60s.
Thank you. Any other questions. (No further questions.)
Hearing none, the 19 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010180 clerk will read the title of the next bill.
We're going to skip over Bill 010151 for the time being and go to 010180, an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines grades on a portion of City Plan No. 44-F by striking from the City Plan and vacating Tenth Street from Pattison Avenue to a point approximately 846 feet northwardly therefrom and by placing on the City Plan Hartranft Street at a point approximately 846 northwardly from Pattison Avenue, extending from Tenth Street to Darien Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 010180: This is an Administration ordinance 21 requested by the Streets Department. The purpose of this ordinance is to legally move Tenth Street from the City Plan to place Hartranft Street to facilitate the construction of a new baseball stadium. This ordinance is supported by the 20 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010180 Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Martin Soffer from the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. The Planning Commission reviewed and recommended approval of the proposed City Plan change as part of a master plan, a sports stadium district, a zoning map amendment on December 7, 2000. Therefore, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill 010180 be approved. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for these witnesses? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 010192, an ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill 24 No. 990366), approved July 1, 1999, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the striking from the City 21 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010192 Plan No. 17-F and abandoning of a certain right-of-way for gas main purposes and public utility purposes within the lines of former Annin Street extending from a 50 feet wide right-of-way, formerly 28th Street to 29th Street, under certain terms and conditions," by extending the period for compliance with the authorization conditions therein.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 010192: This is not an Administration ordinance 17 but an ordinance requested Mr. Michael Mattioni, 399 Market Street, Philadelphia, who represents Rosa Food Products. The purpose of this ordinance 20 is to extend the time period for legally abandoning a right-of-way in former Annin Street between 29th and 28th, to erect a new facility for Rosa Foods Incorporated. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your 22 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010196 committee for a favorable action.
Thank you. Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 010196, an ordinance granting permission to Herman Hinton, owner of the newsstand located on the north footway of Fairmount Avenue near the northwest corner of 19th and Fairmount Avenue to construct, use, and maintain overhead electrical and telecommunications lines from existing utility poles over and across the public right-of-way for the purpose of supplying electrical and phone service to his newsstand under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Nancy Sen. I'm an engineering supervisor for the Streets 23 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010196 Department, and I am here to testify on Bill No. 3 010196 on behalf of the Department. This bill grants permission to Herman Hinton, owner of the newsstand located on the northwest corner of 19th and Fairmount Avenue, to construct, use, and maintain an electrical conduit with electrical service line and a fiber-optic conduit with telephone service line on and under the public right-of-way for the purpose of supplying electrical service and telephone service to his newsstand. The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no 15 objection to the passage of the bill.
Miss Sen, do you happen to know what material the newsstand is made of?
All right. 'Cause, you know, we had never resolved the other 24 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151 newsstand issue, and my understanding is that L&I will soon be out there citing people for not being in compliance with the materials.
We've had a few come in already. I believe they're actively doing that.
Okay, thank you. Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill.
I'm going to go back to Bill No. 010151, an ordinance authorizing the Streets Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to execute an intergovernmental agreement for a Southeast Pennsylvania Regional Household Hazardous Waste Education Collection and Management Project, under certain terms and conditions. (Witness comes forward.)
Good morning 25 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151 please identify yourself for the record.
My name is Scott McGrath. I'm with the Streets Sanitation Division, and we are presenting Bill No. 010151, which is which the Streets Department asks for the authorization to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties. The intergovernmental agreement is for the joint operation of a Regional Household Hazardous Waste Program. This program presents the City with the unique opportunity to continue to work with the counties over a second three-year period. The regional program, which was awarded the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence in November 1999, will allow the City to continue its expansion of this important program. The regional program was implemented and the number of drop-offs scheduled in the City has increased from 4 to 6. The quantity of household removed from the waste stream since the program was implemented was increased from 65 tons in fiscal year 1997 to about 100 tons for fiscal year and the year 2000. Additionally, the 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151 Department has begun offering weekday drop-off events for those residents unable to participate on Saturdays for any variety of reasons. So the Regional Program residents can also participate in other county drop-off events. Throughout the region, there are drop-off 8 events scheduled in the year 2001. 9 By working together, the counties share 10 planning responsibilities, expenses, advertising 11 expenses, and use their collective experiences and 12 expertise in solving problems and developing 13 improved services. For example, the counties 14 jointly developed an RFP issued during the summer 15 of 2000, in which for household hazardous waste 16 processing, transportation, disposal, or 17 recycling, which resulted in a 10 percent 18 reduction in the unit price for managing these 19 materials. 20 Additionally, the Department of 21 Environmental Protection has agreed to commit 22 $500,000 per year and 50 percent matching grant 23 funds per year, with a maximum of 100,000 per each 24 county and the City for the regional program. Removal of potentially hazardous 27 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151 materials from the waste stream through this program not only will have a positive impact on the environment but will also have a positive impact on workers' safety. Since these materials are removed from the waste stream, they cannot come in contact with the workers while collecting refuse. Also, hazardous material such as used oil cannot be dumped in storm drains and damage streams or the City's waste water treatment system. The initial intergovernmental agreement was implemented during the spring of 1997 and was recently updated by the City and counties. The agreement presented in Bill 010151 is a result of the cooperative work of the City and five counties. Attached to your testimony that was distributed is the schedule for the City and the five counties. The Streets Department asks for the committee's favorable consideration of this bill.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? Councilman Cohen? 28 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151
Could you tell in us simple words what the programs is? What are these drop-offs, what's the nature of the program?
Yes. Residents -- we have, for example, in the City this year six drop-off events. They are one-day events where we advertise locally and through KYW radio, for example, that residents throughout the City can drop off household hazardous waste, such as old paints, pesticides, and other poisons at one of these drop-off events. We accept the materials during the day; they are usually scheduled on a Saturday. And our vendor processes the materials. They segregate them and package them for transportation to a disposal facility. And in this way, they're handled separately from the waste stream, and we can also assure that they are disposed of and/or recycled appropriately. For example, used oil, antifreeze, and mercury are all items that are actually recycled that are accepted.
And the advertising is for residents to bring these waste materials to a place called a "drop-off center"? 29 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151
Exactly. For example, on April 21st, the City's having its first drop-off event, which is scheduled to take place at our facility up in the Northeast, at State Road and Ashbourne Street.
One further question. In connection with the KYW announcements, are those announcements public service announcements or are they paid for by the City of Philadelphia?
It's actually both. We do some paid advertising, but KYW has also done some PR, so to speak, of the program, as also is a news item when time permits. So they've been very helpful in getting -- in helping us getting the word out. We also do paid newspaper advertising.
The reason I raise the question is, there was a time when those who used the air space freely -- meaning the radio and TV stations -- had to, as part of their acceptance of the privilege of using that air space free, had to contribute a certain amount of public service time. And it would seem to me in this program and other programs like it -- for example, the blight 30 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151 program, the schools programs of various kinds - it seems a waste of funds from short funding that cities have available to them to spend the money on advertisements, but I think it would be great if we could reinstitute public service announcements.
We do work with other radio stations and have also worked with their public relations directors to get extra air time. Last year, for example, through the Inquirer, they published as a public service a quarter-page ad for the regional program. They did five of them throughout the year, in the year 2000.
And so we continue as a region to pursue these types of programs as a group. We also have a little more weight because we represent a large population.
Thank you. I know you're increasing it from four to six times a year. Why is it that we can't do it on a monthly basis?
That's what we're moving 31 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151 toward. We had planned to have at least one more event this year. But with the imminent closure of our facility at Seventh and Pattison, we don't have a site for South Philadelphia as yet, but that's something that we may be able to schedule in. During the winter months, it's extremely difficult to offer these events, but ultimately, we may be able to work on providing at least one event during what we considerate the regular collection season, which is roughly nine months out of the year. During the winter, because of the cold weather, the vendors have a very difficult time processing the material because it also changes the consistency of the material.
Has there ever been any consideration -- and I understand there's a cost involved -- to do it as a pickup, a curbside pickup, as opposed to a delivery by the individual to the drop-off station? And I say that because I'm pretty fanatical, I guess, about recycling and things like that, but it is somewhat of a hardship 32 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151 sometimes for people to remember the date, on that day, they may be out of town, to have to go to a distance, a considerable distance, to drop off. And I'm not being critical of what you're doing; I respect what it is your attempting to do here, but I see it all the time -- people leaving paint cans out, and if they're not exposed, they're in a plastic bag, and when the plastic bag breaks, all of a sudden, you see paint all over the sidewalks and the street. So most people, I would suspect, are not recycling these solvents and hazardous materials; they're putting them in with the regular trash.
As a region and also from the City's perspective, this is something that we do continue to investigate. Right now, it is to -- the Streets Department can't do -- provide pickup service on its own because of the federal and State transportation requirements, 'cause you need special vehicles, special personnel, and that's getting into a whole 'nother world of, I usually say, regulatory issues. As far as having a vendor do it for 33 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151 you, it is a cost issue. It costs three or four times as much to do that, provide sort of a curbside type of service. And it is something that as a region we are looking into as either providing it as an action to the drop-offs or as an additional service. It's something we might be able to do in the future.
Are we held to any standards by the federal government or the State Department of Environmental Protection as to what materials are being collected and subsequently brought to a landfill site or something like that?
Yeah, yeah. Are we held to any particular standards? Meaning, does the federal government, as an example, require that certain materials not be included in trash, and is that the reason for the $500,000 commitment? Which, to me, in the scheme of things, doesn't seem to be all that much money. I mean, are we really getting the full -- are we taking advantage of whatever dollars 34 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151 may be out there from the feds and the State that can be applied for an enhanced program of collection of hazardous materials?
Yes. We are trying to make every effort to take advantage of all of the financial resources that are available through the State Department of Environmental Protection. The type of materials that we're taking about are exempt under the federal regulation, so if they end, say, in the trash truck when they go to the landfill, that's not illegal for that to happen.
But it's not the best thing to do, which is why the State encourages the development of these types of programs.
So we're not subject to any fines or penalties because of that, all right.
No. In fact, we are probably protecting ourselves from future environmental liability by having a program because we're removing these things.
Thank you. 35 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151 Councilman Rizzo?
Thank you. I have a couple observations here, just to comment on Councilman DiCicco's idea about curbside, and he, I think, alluded to it. I think we have to move carefully in that direction because I wouldn't want to see a person put out a half a gallon a paint at the curb and vandalism and some kids that are up to no good start throwing this stuff all over the roadway. So I think that we would, you know, want to move carefully on how we would do that. In your educational piece, I know a lot of -- at least when we talk about motor oil --
-- Pep Boys -- correct me if I'm wrong -- and some other -- Sears and similar businesses will allow people to bring used motor oil for them so they can dispose of it in their bulk containers. Are you communicating that? Because I know if I am a weekender maintenance person on my car and I change the oil in my driveway, I doubt very much that I would 36 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151 want to hold it for a week or two weeks in some, you know, plastic bottles, that we ought to encourage people to utilize these locations that have volunteered to accept at least motor oil.
Yeah. We do try to encourage that. And, in fact, our Customer Service Unit is provided with that type of information. As well on our Web site, there's a link to the Department of Environmental Protection site, where you can essentially type in your zip code, and it will tell you where all of these locations are, like the Pep Boys, that will accept used motor oil. So that is something that we are trying to encourage.
Also, the City employees that are going to be involved, I assume there will be City employees involved in the acceptance of these materials, correct, at some locations?
No, there are no City employees involved in the actual processing of the 37 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151 material. We have our people there as far as helping to direct traffic. We conduct a survey of those who participate and we also have a trash collection vehicle there to accept residual waste that's processed by the vendor, but the actual handling of the hazardous material is done by our vendor.
My concern is that who knows what people have stowed away in the basement. There are some chemicals that years ago, cleaning solvents that were acceptable, and we've learned along the way that they are carcinogenic. There's cleaning, again, solvents for industrial uses. And I'm hoping that in this process, that the employees, whether they're City employees that are on the fringe, that all the protective devices, that the safety standards that are used, because again, there's things that are going to be coming in their unlabeled like trychlorethylene, things like that.
I'd be very concerned about who and how -- and I'm sure if this is a private vendor, that they are equipped 38 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151 with respirators, gloves, but City employees, I hate to hear five, eight years from now that we have people like our firefighters that have made contact with toxic substances or carcinogenic because they weren't equipped with the proper equipment to protect that kind of contact.
Yes. The personnel that I have assisting me on the site are actually required to attend a safety meeting that the vendor is required to have, where we indicate how materials are processed, where the fire extinguishers are, and all of the other safety aspects of the event. Additionally, we also have a representative from the haz-met (ph.) administrative unit on the site as an additional precaution.
The Fire Department, yes. And our personnel, the City personnel, never come in contact with the material themselves, but they are made aware of everything that's going on the site and where the vendor processes the materials so they know where they 39 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010151 can and can't go.
My final observation is if you want to invest in sending to all of the local media that accept the public advertising, that you do that, because they, on many occasions, will play that. Even if it's in the middle of the night, people hear it, and I think the investment is worth the potential that it will get aired other than on the one radio station that you described.
So I think that whoever's managing that part of the program, that the more the merrier, because I think it's an insignificant investment, a short 30-second or 60-second cassette tape.
Yeah. We've also been successful in getting the local television networks to -- on Saturdays when they do their community events little deal, that they've been announcing the program also. We have at times noticed that that has a pretty good impact right there.
If they hit at the right time, sometimes that really does work well.
Thank you. Any other questions for this witness? (No further questions.)
Bill No. 010122, an ordinance granting permission to MCImetro Access Transmission Services, LLC, a Delaware corporation, its successors and assigns, to construct, maintain and operate, replace and remove a telecommunications system along, over, in, and under the public rights-of-way and City streets, and to place such telecommunications system within the existing facility owned by Verizon Pennsylvania, Incorporated, Exelon Company, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, CSX Corporation, Norfolk Southern 41 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010122 Corporation, Consolidated Rail Corporation, Shared Assets, or other entities holding a grant, pursuant to other City ordinances, subject to such owner's; all under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Nancy Sen, and I'm an Engineering Supervisor for the Streets Department. I am here to testify on Bill 010122 on behalf of the Streets Department. This bill authorizes MCImetro Access Transmission Services to construct, maintain, and operate, replace and remove a telecommunications system in, under, and above the public right-of-way. The purpose of the request is to construct a route connecting a Verizon central office location at Broad and Snyder Streets, with existing MCI facilities near 21st and Lombard Streets. The route is composed of a combination of new conduit and manhole construction, leased existing underground conduit from Verizon and PECO Energy, and lease space on existing PECO poles to 42 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010195 run new area lines. The Streets Department has reviewed the preliminary plans for this project. The new construction portion of the route has no impact on the City's resurfacing schedule. Therefore, the Streets Department has no objection to the passage of this bill.
Thank you. Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 010195, an ordinance granting permission to Williams Communications LLC, its successors and assigns, to construct, maintain and operate, replace and remove a telecommunications system along, over, in, and under the public rights-of-way and City streets and/or to place such telecommunications system within the existing facilities owned by 43 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010195 Verizon Pennsylvania, PECO Energy Company, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, CSX Corporation, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Consolidated Rail Corporation, Shared Assets, or other entities holding a grant pursuant to other City ordinances, all under certain terms and conditions.
Again, Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Nancy Sen, and I'm here to testify on Bill No. 010195 on behalf of the Streets Department. This bill authorizes Williams Communications to construct, maintain and operate and remove a telecommunications system in and under the public right-of-way. The purpose of this request is to provide a primary route for Williams between the AT&T pop at 2401 Locust Street, where they have existing facilities, and a second pop at 801 Arch Street, where they have recently secured space. For a majority of the route, Williams has contracted with Teleport Communications Group, TCG, to acquire one of their inner ducts that are presently being installed in the right-of-way. 44 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010195 The TCG route was authorized under Bill 3 No. 1191, signed into law in 1987, under the name of Eastern Telelogic Corporation. Near the end of the route, at the 801 Arch Street location, Williams will transition to existing PECO Energy ducts under a leasing agreement. Williams also proposes new conduit construction at two intersections to complete the route. The purpose of this new conduit construction is to link the proposed Williams system on the TCG route noted above, with PECO facilities at the following intersections: Ninth and Filbert and Eighth and Cherry. The Streets Department has reviewed the preliminary plans for this project. Since the proposed route is primarily an existing conduit with new construction proposed at only two intersections, there will be no impact to the City's resurfacing schedule. Therefore, the Streets Department has no objection to the passage of the bill.
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify? Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your 45 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010195 testimony.
My name is Valerie McCaw (ph.), and I'm here to represent Williams Communications. Williams Communications has been in Philadelphia for more than eight years, and our pop location at 2401 Locust, as Nancy stated, we are out of space there, and so we're expanding into a new pop, at 801 Arch. We have been finishing out that space, and it's close to being done right now, so we've been putting money in the local economy for that. For our fiber project, we have estimated about $2 million worth of work that we're going to be doing in Philadelphia, using local Philadelphia companies. What we're doing is building a fiber route between these two pops. I'll be happy to answer any questions.
Could you explain to me the scope of this project, what it allows your business to do?
What it allows us to do is 46 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010195 basically widen our on-ramp to get on the information highway. We have that right now from 2401 Locust, but we need the ability to add more customers. We're a wholesale carrier. We sell to other businesses if they want space on our line. Am I being clear on this? Okay. Does that answer your --
How will your business actually be expanded through this bill?
Well, by the facility at 801 Arch, we physically will have more space to put customers' equipment there and then we'll be able to sell them space --
What I was asking more so is, how much will your business grow?
How much will our business grow, like by dollars? I don't know the answer to that.
Yes. We -- I know that we've hired star at the pop; I'm not sure of the 47 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010195 exact numbers, but I would say less than half a dozen people. For this job, mainly the money that we're pumping in will be for the construction.
You made two reference in your testimony to helping the local economy and hiring local businesses. Could you elaborate on that?
Yes. Right now, I have Edwards Kelsey representatives from Edwards Kelsey Engineering Firm, and also Mr. Velsky (ph.) from our law firm that we use. We'll also be hiring local construction contractors to build the fiber line and pull the fiber and also finish out some interior work in the building in terms of the fiber construction.
And what's the proposed project cost on this project? Costs on this project?
And is thee an economic opportunity plan for this project?
Not right now. But we'll be happy to do one. We can do that by the next 48 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010195 reading of the ordinance.
And that will include opportunities for minority, women, and disabled businesses?
Actually, we're already on that, sir. We -- one of our contractors is a have a woman-owned firm, and we've also -- I've spoken with Mr. Jones regarding this issue, and he's gotten me in contact --
And he's gotten me in contact with another firm who we're discussing their qualifications right now.
Thank you. Any other questions for these witnesses? (No further questions.)
Anyone else who wishes to testify? 49 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. Thank you.
Bill No. 010182, an ordinance granting permission to Amerimar Net-Works Management Company Incorporated, its successors and assigns, to construct, maintain, and operate, replace and remove a duct bank of 12 4-inch diameter ducts for certain 13 telecommunications uses under and in the public 14 rights-of-way and City streets, all under certain 15 terms and conditions.. 16
Chairman and members of the 17 committee, again, my name is Nancy Sen, and I'm 18 here to testify on Bill No. 010182. I would also 19 like to introduce an amendment to the legislation. 20 I will start with my testimony on behalf of the 21 Streets Department. 22 This bill authorizes Amerimar Net-Works 23 Management Company Incorporated to install a new 24 fiber optics underground raceway structure connecting their property at 15th and Spring 50 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 Garden Streets under development to become a telecom hotel to the existing telecom hotel at 401 North Broad Street. In tune with industry standards, the proposal calls for building a primary and a secondary route between these buildings to provide redundancy. The route also crosses the 16th Street bridge structure and will be reviewed for compliance with industry standards. PECO Energy is also planning construction along a portion of the proposed route to bring additional needed energy to the buildings in the area. The Streets Department has reviewed the proposed plans and believes that construction of a link between this new development by the Amerimar organization and the existing telecom hotel at 401 North Broad is a win-win condition. It will serve the needs of the developers and the proposed tenants who may need connectivity to an existing telecom hotel already operating in the City. By creating a multi-duct run in one trench between these two buildings, the City gets the benefit of minimal street excavations, while serving the needs of the industry in the 51 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 development of this important area of commerce. Therefore, we have no objection to the passage of this bill.
I would also like to add that we have a proposed amendment to the bill. And I'll just -- if you want to distribute some copies and I'll just read that into the record.
Okay. I'd like to amend Section 1. (e) by inserting the boldface, as you can see in your copy, and I'll just read Section 15 (e) as it should be proposed. "The permission granted by this ordinance is conditioned upon the approval of the Department of Streets as to the construction and installation of the duct bank at any location along the Phase route or the Phase route and is not a guarantee that the duct bank can be placed at any particular location along either route. In the event that it is impossible or infeasible to construct and install any portion of the duct bank along the Phase route or the Phase 52 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 route, Amerimar may propose, and the Department of Streets may approve, an alternate route for the location of such portion of the duct bank. Such alternate route, as may be approved by the Department of Streets, is hereby authorized. No 7 City department, agency, board, or commission shall be required, solely by virtue of this ordinance, to issue any permit, license, or approval that Amerimar Net-Works must by law obtain prior to construction of conduit or a duct bank or occupancy of existing conduit or duct banks in the public right-of-way.
Yes. Councilman DiCicco, Carl Primavera here. I'm here with John Smyth from Net-Works, and we have a very brief -- probably less than a minute -- update on the status of this project, in which the City's been enormously helpful, and we thought that that may help put this in perspective in layman's terms. So I would like to introduce for a very brief update to Council John Smyth, and then he's available for any questions regarding this project.
Thank you. 53 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record.
Thank you. Yes, my name is John Smyth, and I'm involved with Amerimar Enterprise.
Certainly. S-M-Y-T-H. I'm involved with Amerimar Enterprises, which is a national real estate company located in Philadelphia, and furthermore, I'm involved with the Net-Works project at 1500 Spring Garden. The Net-Works, located at 1500 Spring Garden, is a major redevelopment project for the former SmithKline drug manufacturing and corporate offices. We have approximately 1,100 square feet -- excuse me, 1,001,000 square feet of rentable space. The Net-Works project is a carrier-neutral master plan facility designed to accommodate the needs of the telecommunications industry and also to create e-commerce office opportunities within our office tower. The project has an investment budget of $116 million, with $55 million completed to date. 54 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 The environmental remediation and demolition is substantially complete. The fiber, electrical, and mechanical shafts have been constructed. The new (indiscernible) and steel (indiscernible) are in place. The mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and elevators and fire life safety systems construction is in place. Now, 120,000 square feet of space is currently available for immediate occupancy. This was completed in the second floor of March 3rd 2001. A contract was signed with PECO Energy on February 9, 2001 to supply the building with a total of 28 megs of power. The agreement provides the facility with 8 megs of power available immediately and another 20 megs of power in June 2002. We currently have agreements with MFM, Level 3, and Quest to supply fiber to the building. During our presentation to the PIDC, before the project began, the City of Philadelphia Streets Department requested that we run a series of fiber conduits to the building to prevent what other telecommunications buildings and the City streets experienced: numerous individual runs 55 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 with competitive street openings. In September of 2000, we conducted a presentation to a large group national and local communications fiber providers and City officials, detailing our fiber duct bank plan for 15th and 16th Streets at Callowhill to Spring Garden. They strongly suggested that we provide connections from our building to 401 North Broad Street. That design has been completed and submitted to the City of Philadelphia Streets Department. Therefore, we respectfully request the granting of permission for the ordinance to construct a duct bank consisting of four-inch 15 ducts in the public rights-of-way and the City 16 streets to allow fiber providers access to our 17 facilities, the surrounding area, and furthermore 18 advancing the City's infrastructure. 19 Thank you. 20
Thank you. 21 Any questions for these witnesses? 22 Councilman Cohen. 23
Oh, the PIDC meeting was basically a presentation of our project before we even got started, where we met with all of the City agencies and the local utilities, and they had a chance to ask us questions about our project. And the only thing that was strongly urged, as I had mentioned, that we didn't continuously open up the street from past experience the City had with these kinds of facilities.
Did it have any relationship to the financing of the project?
Councilman Cohen, Carl Primavera. I mean, there were discussions separate and apart on financing, but the meeting that 57 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 Mr. Smyth was talking about was a part of the City's red-carpet coordination of City agencies for developers. And the concept was that rather than having the street opened numerous occasions, let's try to provide a common duct work so that once the infrastructure's in, then individual companies can take conduit through that, but you wouldn't have the streets opened up numerous times. And that was really the original thought that led to the ordinance here today.
Well, I was wondering if PIDC is involved in financing the various industrial enterprises or commercial enterprises. Is PIDC involved in the financing of this development?
This was a TIF project, and they may have acted as an agent.
I think Councilman Clarke may shed some light on that.
The answer is yes. PIDC was involved. This is a Tax Increment Financing project, and their involvement was early 58 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 on during that process of the TIF hearing. My understanding is that they continue to be involved in the project as it continues to be developed, not only upon completion, but it also monitors the job and the revenue associated with the project on an ongoing basis. So the answer is yes, Councilman.
Because of the timing and because of the work needed to light up the building, which I think is the term, we also ask the committee if we could have the rules suspended for acceleration of this project. Thank you.
Yeah. Did we ever do this before? This is for the Streets Department. Did we ever do this before, where we did amendment here, where it says, you know, if they can't get into one route, they can do another? Did we ever do that before? Is this something new?
No. Actually, there was some 59 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 concern expressed about, you know, the first and second phase. And the Streets Department offers this amendment as -- I mean sometimes, as we know, the City is getting congested, the right-of-way to build, and the intention is that -- I believe if there is a problem in construction and it becomes difficult to use the proposed route, for some unforeseeable reasons, there is a way that they can come back to the Streets Department and get approval for a changed route. And that's kind of the nature of this portion of the --
But then they don't have to come back here and get our approval. Is that --
No, no. That's really just a redesign issue around whatever construction problem may happen, you know, during the latter part of design or construction.
Now, does this set a precedent for everybody else coming after? You know, they get to do the same thing?
No. Actually, the Streets Department, after Council approves any kind of a 60 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 construction similar to this, there are street opening permits issued, and we record where the facilities are going into the street so that we have a record of it. And so normal procedure is for if there's any changes in construction, we get Asbell (ph.) drawings and, you know, we attach them and note any change in the permit as documented.
I don't know if you understood my question. If another firm comes in on another project, will you be doing the same thing? After this project, if we're doing something three years from, and they're going to come in and said, Well, you did this for them three years ago; are we going to do this for us? And then so on and so on. 'Cause the City wage tax was a one-time tax; we're still paying it. This the same deal?
Actually, I -- technically, I guess, because this project is connecting two buildings and they need a -- the industry needs a second route to make it a viable solution, no one would really want to probably go in a connection to the two buildings without having a backup 61 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 should anything happen and --
Councilman, let me see if I can answer the question. I mean, the typical ordinance is that Council approves, has a three-block radius or a three-block vicinity. So if your preferred route doesn't work out, it's built into it. This is actually a more restrictive ordinance than you typically see for this. So rather than setting a precedent that's liberal to some extent, we'd rather have the three blocks, but the City won't give us that. So I think it's more restrictive.
Based on this amendment, is there anything other than the route that is affected here that would get Council out of the loop? I think what I'm hearing is that Council's now out of the loop on anything that could develop. Is there anything that we aren't seeing here that this amendment or this change could 62 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 affect that we're not hearing?
This is not citywide; this is specific to this, am I correct? So, I mean, my point is that if any other -- if a similar type of request were made at another location, they'd still have to come back to Council for an ordinance.
The question is, is there anything that will be affected in this entire project other than the second route? Is there anything else that we're not hearing today that could be affected?
I don't believe so, because at this point, we have plans that have been reviewed by the Streets Department. And, you know, our testimony is based on that.
So there's no other -- there's no fine print or there's nothing that a month from now, six months from now, that this affects?
I mean, from my viewpoint, there isn't. We have actually submitted detailed plans and drawings showing the route that we intend to undertake. If for some 63 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 reason -- and we've done some pretty good homework so we don't expect a problem, but as lawyers, we all know that there's always something that can happen. If there's some condition or some obstruction and we need to move feet or feet 8 to get around that obstruction, because of the 9 timing of the project, we didn't want to come back 10 to City Council and go through a whole elaborate 11 process. 12 So what it says here is that subject to 13 approval by the Streets Department, if something 14 unintended happens in terms of this route, then it 15 builds into this system that the Streets 16 Department, if they think it's a prudent request, 17 will grant it, and we don't lose the time. 18 Because our tenants who are hopefully going to be 19 coming into this building can only come in if we 20 can guarantee delivery of the fiber. 21 So it's really a time sensitivity. If 22 we didn't have the pressure of time, we wouldn't 23 mind coming back. I certainly don't mind coming 24 back in front of this committee; I enjoy it. 25 (Laughter.) 64 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182
Again, my question is, I understand the issue that we're discussing today. My -- the bigger question is, is anything else folded into this deal that could be affected other than the route of the -- the issue that we're discussing? Are there any other issues that could be affected that would take City Council out of the loop and put the decision process into the Streets Department only?
I don't believe so. I. . . You know, the next step, an agreement will be signed between the Amerimar organization and the City, and then all permits will be cut based on the description that's given in the ordinance.
Are you answering that as a matter of fact? You said you think so. Are you able to say absolutely not?
I am able to say that I will be a part of that process of getting information. As soon as we find that the bill is passed, and usually the organization comes back to get their agreement started, myself and the Law Department will be a part of that, and we will be making sure that the drawings presented then are just as they 65 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 are described in this legislation. That's one of the things that the Streets Department will be a part of that to assure that that's going to be what's built.
To the Streets Department representative: In the ordinary situation if there were a need, as Mr. Primavera indicated, of moving 10 feet or 25 feet, would the Streets Department have the authorization to approve that without coming back to City Council?
Yes. The procedure is to make sure that the proposal is actually okayed by the other utilities in the street. In other words, if you're going to move your location, we want to make sure, and we have inspectors and we have people that are -- that see how the job is progressing to make sure that any changes are done under coordination with other utilities, because we don't want people moving to locations that are already occupied by, say, for instance, a gas main 66 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 or something. So in that regard, we will oversee that portion of it.
And you wouldn't have to come back to City Council to get approval for that?
That will be done under a revision to the street opening permit issued by the Streets Department.
Well, I guess I'm wondering, why is there a need for this special, even more restrictive provision? Why is there a need for an amendment at all if you already have that authorization?
The typical ordinance 19 actually gives us a three-block flexibility, but the Streets Department, in their wisdom, didn't want to ask Council for that three-block flexibility. So we would be happy to operate under the traditional process, but this has been asked to be more restrictive. 67 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182
Councilman Cohen, it's called "departmental bureaucracy." That's what this is.
I think I would like to just give a little clarity to this issue.
Make it more difficult to attract businesses to the City.
I got a little bit more involved than I planned to on this one, but this was the coaching of the City that took me here. I think I have to put things in perspective. As you drive your car or walk around the City, you've seen the City streets get ripped up for one or two conduits going there, okay? And you see the side of those plastic conduits that eventually get fiber. The undertaking we have here is 22 4-inchers going twice. That's why we said, can't 23 we have the three blocks? The 24 4-inchers is 24 basically an infrastructure that's 8-foot-by-8- foot. We have to find a way through the City 68 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010182 streets, and we've paid for the engineering to do this, to get ourselves basically from 401 North Broad Street to 1500 and then back around again. It's approximately 4,500 linear feet.
Any other questions for these witnesses? (No further questions.)
Anyone else who wishes to testify for or against the bill? (No response.)
This concludes the public hearing on the Committee on Streets and Services. Mr. Primavera, did you want to say something?
Likewise. Thank you for your time today. - - - 69 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING
We will now move into the public meeting. We have just been notified by Councilman Brian O'Neill that at his request, we will hold Bill No. 010128 and 010130. They are being held at the request of the sponsor. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cohen for a motion on Bill No. 010070.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 010070 be reported out with a favorable recommendation and with a request for a suspension of the rules to permit first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010070 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. All those in favor of the bill will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. 70 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen for a motion on Bill No. 010091.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 010091 be reported out with a favorable recommendation and with a request for a suspension of rules to permit first reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010091 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. All those in favor of the bill will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 010122 be reported out with a favorable recommendation and with a request for a suspension of the rules to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. 71 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010122 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. All those in favor of the bill will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen -- oh, I'm sorry, Bill No. 010128 is being held at the request of the sponsor, as is Bill No. 16 010130. They're both being held at the request of the sponsor. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen for a motion on Bill No. 010151.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 010151 be reported out with a favorable recommendation and with a request for a suspension of the rules to permit first reading at the next City Council meeting. (Duly seconded.) 72 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010151 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. All those in favor of the bill will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 010180 be reported out with a favorable recommendation and with a request for a suspension of the rules to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010180 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. All those in favor of the bill will 73 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 010182 be amended as read to the Council Committee. (Duly seconded.)
It has been properly moved and seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 010182 be approved. All those if in favor signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The amendment is approved. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen for a motion on Bill No. 010182 as amended.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 010182, as amended, be reported out with a favorable recommendation and with a request for the rules to be suspended to permit first reading at the next Council session. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010182, as 74 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING amended, be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. All those in favor of the bill will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 010192 be reported out with a favorable recommendation and with a request for a suspension of the rules to permit first reading at the next Council session. (Duly seconded.)
It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010192 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. Those opposed? The bill is approved. 75 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 010195 be reported out with a favorable recommendation and with a request for a suspension of the rules to permit first reading at the next Council session. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010195 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. All those in favor of the bill will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen for a motion on the next bill.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 010196 be reported out with a favorable recommendation and with a request that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next meeting of City Council. 76 4/11/01 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010196 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. All those in favor of the bill will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. This concludes the public meeting on the Committee of Streets and Services. Thank all members for attending, and a happy holiday to everyone.
Happy holiday, Mr. Chairman. (Adjourned 11:30 a.m.) 77 C E R T I F I C A T E I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of Wednesday, April 11, 2001, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of same. RE: COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES BILL NO.'S 010070, 010091, 010122, 010151 010180, 010192, 010195, 010196 __________________________________, JOSEPHINE CARDILLO, Registered Professional Reporter