Yes. Good morning, everybody. My name is Colleen Puckett. I'm the president of Queen Village Neighbors Association, and we too support the "Don't Block the Box" Bill 22 that would help alleviate blocking of intersections along South Street. I have a personal experience I'd like to share, where I experienced personally the 68 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 problems with coming up to an intersection and trying to get across and not being able to cross. About seven-and-a-half years ago, it was a stinking, hot August night, as we tend to get here in Philadelphia, I went into labor with my second child. And here it comes -- they said the second child comes quickly, and I can attest that that is absolutely the case. My husband and I were in the car at the intersection of 7th and South trying to go north to get to Pennsylvania Hospital and had to actually sit through two or three lights, change of lights, while I'm plottsing (ph), let's put it that way. So anyway, I'd like to say that this Bill is just really one part of a larger strategy to try to improve the atmosphere and lessen the negative impact of quality of life issues that South Street brings to the neighborhoods. And we've been working with Councilman DiCicco, as have the other neighborhoods along the South Street corridor, for several years now. We really got kicked into gear fighting the Mardi Gras situation a few years ago. We've worked together to ensure that there's adequate staffing 69 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 and presence at the police station on South Street. We have Lieutenant Walker here to talk about that. And most importantly, Councilman DiCicco is instrumental in forming what we're calling the South Street Alliance, which is a working group of City agencies that have impact on South Street; the police, the PLCB, community groups, as well as the business districts, so we can actually start doing some of this long range planning that Councilman Ortiz is saying is so crucial. So again, we're very supportive of this. We're talking about nothing less than a culture change on South Street. We still want people to have fun. South Street is never going to be Manayunk, to use one recent example. We do want people to have fun there, but what we want to get rid of is the "anything goes" kind of atmosphere that for too long has really typified activities on South Street. So for all these reasons, we fully support Bill 020437, "Don't Block the Box".
Thank you. Thank 70 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 you, Colleen. And thank you, Paul, for your patience this morning and testifying. Next witnesses. Good morning gentlemen. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good morning. My name is Francis Healey. I'm Special Advisor to Police Commissioner Johnson, and to my right is Lieutenant Walker. He's a commanding officer of the South Street unit. First, let me apologize for Commissioner Johnson's absence. However, the purpose or the role of today's hearings are to address your questions regarding the situations as they exist on South Street, and Lieutenant Walker, being the commanding officer of that unit, is best served in that capacity. So based upon that, I welcome any questions to the Lieutenant regarding the traffic conditions on South Street and the area.
Good morning, Members of the Committee and Chairperson. Basically South Street -- again, the congestion on South Street is created basically 71 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 by volume.
Excuse me, sir. You need to identify yourself for the record.
Lieutenant John Walker, Philadelphia Police Department, Commanding Officer of the South Street detail. The volume on South Street of traffic creates the problems moving eastbound. The biggest complaints I get from the community are the north and south numbered streets, which become heavily congested due to vehicles overtaking the intersection while they're moving eastbound. The vehicle traffic starts Monday through Thursday, from 12:00 noon up until about 6:00 p.m., from 2nd Street to 6th Street where the heavy congestion begins. And on the weekends, our congestion starts at 2nd and South and moves all the way up to as far as 16th and South moving eastbound. The problem continues to be the intersections being blocked, especially the 6th Street intersection, which is where the fire house is. And the Fire Department personnel, attempting to get through these intersections when they're blocked with vehicles, 72 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 has created some problems for us. In addition, at 9th and South, you have medical transportation trying to get to Pennsylvania Hospital and to the emergency room, which sometimes becomes blocked as a result of people overtaking the intersections. These intersection blockages have created sometimes fights on the highway, assaults and, again, numerous complaints, including those phone calls from the Councilman being stuck in traffic. And that's the general conditions down there on South Street at this time.
Thank you. Lieutenant, I know that you're not -- either not permitted or you're not here today just to speak in reference to the legislation, but you're here as an expert witness. A number of vehicles on any given weekend, especially in the high, warm weather months that travel up and down South Street, do you have an approximate number of those?
We'll see on a Friday night, a busy night, anywhere from 5,000 to 8,000 vehicles coming through the street. And repeat 73 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 people coming through the street cruising, somewhere around 1,000.
Do you think in your experience, understanding that there is a Motor Vehicle Code that does provide for the issuance of a citation if you block an intersection, that a "Block the Box" program would be helpful? And do you think, in your professional opinion -- and don't agree because it's what I said earlier -- but I need your professional opinion, that the signage would both be helpful, not only to the motorist, but also to the Department in its issuance and enforcement of the code?
Councilman, as I said, we're not authorized to actually comment or opine on the legislation itself. We can only testify as to the conditions that are on South Street in the area.
New York City has the gridlock law, which is what we're talking about here. How is it working in Manhattan, for 74 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 example? Do you have any information as to that?
I think it's been -- knowing people who work in the NYPD and speaking to them, I think it's been very effective up there in New York City.
And the enforcement, in order to break up the gridlock, how are the police going to organize themselves to enforce the law and so on?
That will be a policy decision that's made by the Commissioner.
If you're on 5th and South and the light changes, but there's traffic and you move right into the middle of the intersection, are you going to have a police officer there to write a ticket immediately on that?
That would be an assessment we would do depending on what the impact is in that area. Fifth Street is highly impacted, along with 6th Street, because of the 5th Street corridor into New Jersey.
Because one thing is, we can write the law. I'm trying to find out 75 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 how is it that we're going to go forward in terms --
Generally -- if I can interrupt for a minute. Generally the -- especially on the busy weekends, busy nights which are weekends, you do have, at most intersections, police personnel at those intersections anyway, generally speaking.
Generally speaking, we cover from 2nd up to 8th Street with police officers actually doing traffic control.
So they're going to keep the traffic away from the middle of the intersection?
They control the intersection. They can also do enforcement at those posts that they're assigned to. We have additional officers assigned to bike patrols and foot patrols who also can assist with enforcement.
Do you have any knowledge of your officers who, from time to time, may issue a violation, motor vehicle violation, for someone who is blocking the 76 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 intersection? Any comments by the motorists saying that they didn't know it was illegal or anything like? Do people not normally know that they shouldn't be blocking the intersection?
Most people have no idea that they should not. And the other law that we're all aware of is the loud music law. When we stop people to write tickets, they say, we're not aware of it. That's a big concern, that we have signage to say that.
We're going to be installing signs, as you know, on that. Councilman Rizzo.
Lieutenant, when I first introduced "Don't Block the Box," we met with the Police Department, and the Police Department said that introducing Citywide "Don't Block the Box" would be very difficult because of the personnel issue associated with it. That's why then Streets Commissioner Johnson offered the suggestion to bring cameras into play to take care of that situation. And that basically is my question again. That without a commitment from the Police Department, because the minute your 77 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 officer that's got that intersection, pulls a car over -- in other words, we have to develop possibly a policy where -- I believe they call it a "hard back," where the officer doesn't even have to stop the vehicle. He could issue the ticket to the owner of that vehicle just based on writing the number down. Because I can't imagine what congestion -- or how you would deal with stopping a car that is creating a gridlock situation at 5th and South. You lose the officers for 10, minutes, I assume, at the 13 best. I think you really -- the Police 14 Department's response to this legislation is 15 going to be critical. Are we going to have the officers committed? And once you do commit them, or you use the existing officers that are patrolling South Street? Because I believe an officer probably could spend the entire tour of duty enforcing "Don't Block the Box" at 5th and South. So -- and then, what do you do with the vehicle? Do you pull the vehicle over? Does it block the middle of the intersection? So I think there's some strategies which you discussed. It's a 78 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 policy issue on how this program would be enforced. Again, it sounds to me like if not handled properly, the intent of the legislation could create to the confusion.
Councilman, I agree with you. If this legislation does come to pass, the Department would sit down and develop a policy on how to enforce it the most effective way possible. The first step in developing a policy, we would first go to New York and identify how their police officers handle these situations, as well. It's my understanding peripherally that the officers up there actually issue the citation by the time the light actually changes. They're that quick. So that's my understanding of how they actually enforce it up there. They're prepared. The tickets are pretty much all written except for the vehicle information and driver's name and address. So they actually get them done and off in the same direction. The objective is not to add more congestion by pulling them over to the side.
It would be like 79 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 filling out a survey.
Thank you. Any other questions for these witnesses? (No response.)
Mr. Levy, is there a representative from Washington Square West?
Thank you, Lieutenant. Thank you for your patience, Mr. Levy. You are a patient man, as we all know.
Good morning. My name is Paul Levy. I'm the Executive Director of Central Philadelphia Development Corporation, and I am here to testify in favor of Bill No. 020437. Let me first just preface my comments by thanking City Councilmembers on this Committee for taking on this issue and the parking issue. These are not isolated issues. It is really part 80 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 of how we manage parking and transportation and traffic in Center City. And since they are part of the system, I think they need to be addressed as part of the system. I have copies of my testimony here with maps attached, if people are interested getting copies. Let me say, as well, that for over a year, through an organization we have formed called the Central Philadelphia Transportation Management Association, we have been having SEPTA, Patco, the Philadelphia Police, the Streets Department, private parking operators and others meeting to address issues of traffic flow in Center City, and they have put their finger on traffic congestion as the number one issue that is really restraining activity in Center City. What I'd like to just say quickly in my prepared remarks is that we've gotten very good in this City at focusing on problems that result from the loss of market share; when we're dealing with abandoned houses, when we're dealing with vacant lots. But I think if we wish to retain and grow jobs, we also need to devote equal attention to managing the problems that 81 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 come with success. And chief among these problems is traffic congestion. If you look back on the last decade, we had 169 percent growth in restaurants within Center City. And we had a growth of the Center City population of percent. The Delaware 8 Valley Regional Planning Commission documents 9 that between 1995 and 2000, we had a 39 percent increase in cars coming into Center City each day. 300,000 cars each day now come into Center City. This is a wonderful, good sign of the vitality of Center City. We're also very focused on trying to get individuals to switch over, to the extent possible, to public transportation, since public transportation can help us minimize the congestion that we're getting. But clearly one strategy which we strongly endorse is this "Don't Block the Box" legislation. It is one very important tool in making sure the traffic can move for both safety, as well as traffic movement. I can concur with many of the questions that Councilmembers were raising. One, 82 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 I think this legislation clearly needs to be accompanied with good signage. In cities like New York City, they literally paint a box at the intersection so it's as clear as day that that is special zone. I would urge that we do that in Philadelphia. Secondly, as several of the Councilmembers have noted, enforcement of this is essential. Clearly putting the law up will be a deterrent, but we need enforcement. Unfortunately, for budgetary reasons, we have far fewer traffic officers in Philadelphia than we had 10 or years ago. I think there are two 15 alternatives that are really worth looking at, and we would love to join with Council and others in looking at these. One is the obvious one, is simply increasing the budget of the Philadelphia Police Department so that there are more traffic officers. I fully recognize the limits in the City budget. But the New York City example, which you have raised and I've attached to my testimony on the third sheet summaries from both New York City and Baltimore, both Baltimore, 83 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 Maryland and New York City have "Don't Block the Box" legislation, and they enforce it with civilians who are managed by their police departments. New York City has traffic enforcement agents. Just to give you a sense of that, I have here from their web site a posting for their job.
In a traffic enforcement agent, starting salary range is $23,000 to $26,000, which is significantly less expensive than, obviously, a fully-equipped police officers. These individuals are managed by the New York City Police Department. So the issue of control and management is central. So I'm in favor of the legislation, in favor of having signage and enforcement. I have attached a map and it includes sites, not only in Councilman's DiCicco's district, but in Councilman Clarke's district of other sites. Through conversations with SEPTA, parking operators and others, that we think are key points of congestion. There's a map designating a variety of locations. Let me just have one that many of you who may come in from the northwest are fully 84 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437 familiar with, if you come in the Vine Street expressway and get off at 15th and Vine. There is a huge problem at morning rush hour with traffic coming south on 15th by Hahnemann that completely blocks the box there and creates major traffic congestion backup onto the expressway. There are evening rush hour problems. And I think Councilman DiCicco is absolutely correct in starting in the first location on South Street where you already have police officers on the street. But I urge Council to look at this issue more comprehensively and recognize the very success we've enjoyed in Center City comes with a price. That price is traffic congestion. And quite simply, people who get frustrated with this problem will simply cease to come. We have the opportunity to really move traffic well and grow business or the opportunity to frustrate people. So again, I really compliment Council on looking at the parking issue, at looking at the Block the Box issue, and urge you to look at this in a comprehensive fashion and urge the support of this piece of legislation. Thank you. 85 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - BILL 020437
Thank you, Mr. Levy. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against this Bill? (No response.)
I believe that was the last Bill. Councilman Goode is also in attendance today. He is a member of this Committee as well. This concludes the public hearing on the Committee on Services. - - - 86 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC MEETING COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES - - - Wednesday, February 5, 2003 - - - Public Meeting conducted by the Committee on Streets and Services, held in Room 9 696, City Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the above date, to consider action on the following: BILLS 020437, 020762, 020763, 020815, 020822, 020825, 030011. - - - PRESENT: COUNCILMAN FRANK DICICCO, Chairman COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED-MILLER COUNCILMAN ANGEL ORTIZ - - - 87 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING
We will now begin with the public meeting on the Committee on Streets and Services for purposes of voting out Bills. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Ortiz for a motion on Bill 020825.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 020825 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020825 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.)
Those opposed? (No response.) 88 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING
Mr. Chairman, I move that we report Bill 020815 out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020815 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.)
Mr. Chairman, I 89 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING move that Bill 020822 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading in the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020822 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.)
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 030011 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the 90 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 030011 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.)
The Bill is approved. I'm going to offer an amendment to Bill No. -- make a motion that the amendment to Bill No. 020437 be approved. I remember this Committee has had a copy.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 020437 be reported out of Committee, as amended, and that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading in the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.) 91 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020437 be reported out of this Committee as amended with a favorable recommendation and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The Bill is approved. Councilmember Clarke, do you have an amendment to Bill No. 762?
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we're going to amend this on the Calendar because the amendment is not prepared yet. I just want to, for the record, note that it will be amended on the second reading.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 020762 be reported out of 92 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING Committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading in the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020762 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.)
The Bill is approved. At the request of Mr. Dickson of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, I offer an amendment to Bill No. 020763, that the effective date would be changed to April 1, 2003. (Duly seconded.)
It's properly moved and seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 93 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING 020763 be reported favorably. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The amendment is approved. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 020763 be reported out of Committee, as amended, with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading in the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020763 as amended 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 94 2/5/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? I am voting no on this. Majority rules the Bill is reported out favorably. This concludes the public meeting of the Committee on Streets and Services. Thank you. (Council adjourned at 11:55 a.m.) 95 C E R T I F I C A T I O N I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of February 5, 2003, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES ___________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR and Notary Public