COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES - - - Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, December 7, 2006, o'clock a.m. 7 - - - 8 BILL 060890 - Amending chapter of Philadelphia 9 Code entitled "Use of an Red Light Enforcement System to Prevent Red Light Violations"... BILL 060891 - Granting permission to Muhammad R. Shaukat, owner and operator of newsstand located at Broad and Montgomery to construct, use, maintain... COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Frank DiCicco, Chair Juan F. Ramos, Vice Chair Darrell L. Clark Donna Reed-Miller Frank Rizzo Daniel J. Savage - - - V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Specialists 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670 12/7/06 - STREETS and SERVICES WITNESS PAGE BILL 060890 Chris Vogler, Manager................... Red Light Photo Camera Program, PPA Sgt. Christopher Bee, PPD............... 14 special Patrol Bureau BILL 060891 William Mautz, Construction Engineer.... 23 with the Streets Department 3 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690
Good morning. Good morning, everyone. We're about to begin our public hearing. Could I have everyone's attention, please? Thank you. We're about to begin the public hearing of the Committee on Streets and Services. My name is Frank DiCicco, and I'm the chair of this committee. To my extreme right is Councilwoman Donna Reed-Miller. To my immediate left is Councilman Clarke, and just about ready to return to the table is Councilman Rizzo. We do have a quorum. I would ask Mr. Abernathy to read the title of the first bill.
Bill No. 060890, an ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Use of an Red Light Enforcement System to Prevent Red Light Violations" by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the 4 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 intersection of Mascher Street at Roosevelt Boulevard, and by reducing to 60 days the phase-in period during which only warnings are used, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, gentlemen. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Councilman DiCicco. My name is Chris Vogler, V-O-G-L-E-R, and I'm the manager of the Red Light Camera Program for the Philadelphia Parking Authority. I know a couple of my former coworkers. As I've mentioned, I'm not in Council more than when I worked here. It may seem as such, but I'm not. Good morning. As I said, my name is Chris Vogler, and I'm the manager of the Red Light Photo Camera Program at the Philadelphia Parking Authority. And I'm here to testify in favor of Bill 060890, an ordinance which 5 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 authorizes the installation of red light cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard at Mascher Street. To my right is Christopher Bee of the Philadelphia Police Department, who, in coordination with the Philadelphia Parking Authority, administers the program. Again, I would like to thank Councilman DiCicco and the members of the committee for allowing me to testify today. I will have abbreviated remarks because the same members are here that were here last week during my testimony for Bill No. 060798 and 060802 for four other intersections on the Boulevard. As I mentioned previously last week, there were four active intersections in the City; there are now five -- the three on Roosevelt Boulevard at Red Lion, Grant, and Cottman Avenue; Broad Street and Oregon Avenue, which went active on October 31st; and 34th and Grays Ferry, which, as I mentioned 6 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 last week, was supposed to go active at the end of last week, and it did last Friday. So now there are five active intersections in the City. Broad Street and Oregon Avenue and 34th and Grays Ferry are in their 60-day warning period. This bill is the next piece of the puzzle, as you would say, in dealing with the very dangerous and unacceptable swaying on the Roosevelt Boulevard. As I mentioned last week, working with City Council, the Parking Authority is trying its best, in coordination with the Police Department, of picking the worst intersections on the Boulevard and working towards having a comprehensive plan from north to south along the entire residential stretch of the Boulevard in the City of Philadelphia to expand the Red Light Camera Program, because, as I mentioned before, the program has been extremely successful in 7 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 its first three locations. Now, adding a camera system at Mascher Street and the Boulevard, we will go from Mascher Street, which is one of the last intersections in the southern part of Roosevelt Boulevard before it comes an expressway, to South Hampton Road, which is the northern-most intersection in the City on Roosevelt of having a red light camera enforcement north to south along the entire residential stretch of the Boulevard, which, myself and the Parking Authority, feels will continue to work with the three current intersections to help decrease the number of speeders, red light runners, and pedestrian and vehicle accidents on the Boulevard. I, again, would like to thank Councilman Clarke and the work of his office in crafting this legislation and, introducing it and sponsoring it. I would also like to thank the cosponsors Councilman Rizzo and 8 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 Councilman Kelly. And with that, I would like to conclude my testimony with a request to ask for a suspension of the rules to allow for first reading at the next Council session. And I'll be happy to answer any questions the committee may have.
First of all, I'd like to congratulate you on the success. The statistics are impressive at the Grant Avenue, Red Lion, and Cottman, the reduction in red light runners and, subsequently, the reduction in vehicle accidents at those three locations. The culture has changed, and I appreciate that, but this leads me just to publicly announce that next Tuesday, the 12th, we start here at 10 o'clock, and we're going to have hearings on, 9 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 again, other improvements to the Roosevelt Boulevard, and then we recess here at Council and will move the hearing to Cora Services on Verree Road at 2 o'clock. And we expect PennDOT and, hopefully, Mr. Vogler, yourself, to report to the citizens and listen to the citizens about what they believe could improve, but I personally believe that the red light cameras and the additional cameras will lend to making the roadway alone a safer place. And then the other improvements that we can develop will certainly even enhance that. So congratulations on a program that I believe is working well and fair.
Thank you very much, Councilman. I would like to add quickly briefly that I would like to thank you for your resolution. The Paring Authority, we will be here next Tuesday. 10 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 And as I mentioned in the testimony last week and at a press conference, that yourself and some of the other Councilmembers at Council -- Councilwoman Krajewski, Councilman O'Neill, Councilman Kelly -- about inoculative by State Representative George Kenny approximately six weeks ago to bring speed cameras to the Boulevard. And as I mentioned last week, and I'll say it again briefly, the Red Light Camera Program is very effective, but it's just a piece of the puzzle on the Boulevard. Red light running is a significant problem on the Boulevard. But also, a number of the accidents and pedestrian fatalities are because of people speeding not just through lights, not just at intersections, but along the length of the Boulevard. And I do think next week that that's one of the things we want to talk about because this is a part of an 11 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 overall plan which, you know, you're going to talk about. And because this is just a piece of the puzzle, this doesn't finish the puzzle for the Boulevard.
Well, I'll make sure that we have not neglected to invite Representative Kenny to that hearing. And also, if you could just briefly comment. I understand the new phase, the new generation of red light cameras, will have the ability to do more, something about monitoring speeds on green?
Yes. Actually, the current apparatus that is on the Boulevard has that capability, and that would be something that the Parking Authority --
It's just more or less is -- briefly, it does have the 12 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 capability to measure speed through the phase by the taking of two photos, just like you would when going through an intersection. The red light camera system, as I've mentioned previously, as State legislation has provided for us in the City, the sensors are not digital; they're in the ground. So, you know, when an automobile hits the sensors before the stopper on the red light, the camera is activated. It will more or less be using the same technology on the green phase 'cause, you know, the car hits the intersection during the green phase too, and we'll just be able to operate the sensors on that green phase and more or less just take what happens on red, and just do it for both phases.
Thank you. 13 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 Any other questions for this witness? (No further questions.)
Sergeant Bee, are you testifying? SERGEANT BEE: Yes, I am.
Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony. SERGEANT BEE: Sergeant Christopher Bee. I'm from the Philadelphia Police Department Special Patrol Bureau. Chairman DiCicco, Councilwoman Miller, Councilman Clarke, Councilman Rizzo, thank you again for inviting me to speak today here regarding the red light camera enforcement. A few years ago, State Farm Insurance Company compiled a list of the most dangerous intersections, as you've heard before, and Philadelphia had the two worst intersections, being Grant Avenue and also Red Lion and the 14 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 Boulevard. Today, these intersections have red light cameras at their intersections, and we're happy to report that the impact has been very successful. Keeping public safety in mind, we're here today to support the installation of additional red light cameras throughout the City to enhance the safety of vehicular traffic and also for our citizens. The roles of agencies regarding red light camera enforcement are certainly circumscribed under State law. The Philadelphia Police Department has a relatively narrow role in this, but it is important. Thus, we do final review and approval of these red light citations and we work hand in hand with the Philadelphia Parking Authority. The program has been extremely successful in re-educating drivers. In addition to re-educating drivers, red 15 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 light camera enforcement keeps heavily traveled routes clear while allowing citations to be issued. It also allows police officers, who would otherwise be citing violators, to focus on other enforcement and emergency 9-1-1 needs. Early critics of the Red Light Camera Program allege that operations of these cameras would cause drivers to stop suddenly to avoid being cited, thus causing rear-end collisions and nullifying the very purpose of the red light cameras. Experience has shown that this concern is unfounded. Intersections that have red light cameras are now safer. One death is tragic and, unfortunately, this year, there have been far too many people killed involving vehicles in the City. There are many more vehicles on the roads and highways, requiring new enforcement strategies to be implemented to keep 16 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 roads and citizens safe, and the red light camera enforcement is certainly one of them. In closing, as a result of positive impact experienced with the Red Light Camera Program, the Police Department supports the installation and use of additional red light system citywide. Thank you very much. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them.
Thank you, Sergeant. Mr. Vogler, I think in either one of our prior committee hearings or just in informal conversations with either you or Mr. Finnerty, I mentioned -- and I know there are a lot of dangerous intersections or intersections that are prone for people to run red lights. But the intersections around this very building in which we're 17 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 sitting in is probably one of the worse areas in the City. I mean, I continually see people running these red lights constantly. Legislation would be required to request those for that to happen here as well, right? For having the lights?
Yes. And if I may comment, you did send a letter to the Parking Authority actually a couple months ago listing a number of intersection's in your district. A number of them were -- are essentially in the area that you do represent. I could tell you for the record now that some of them are ones that we're going to look at more closer and possibly do what we call "a VIM study," which is just a study over a period of time just to see on average how many cars go through the intersection on a red phase. Specifically in your district, 18 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 actually, the one that has -- the Parking Authority has the most interest in using accident data because accident data is the main criteria for when we start the process, is actually Aramingo and Lehigh. We were out and did an onsite visit actually during the time of schools being let out. And, as you know, that intersection is a wide intersection, and it's really the gateway to Port Richmond if you're coming up Aramingo or going down Aramingo or going below that. And out of the intersections in your district, that is one that the Parking Authority does have an interest in because of the data. We will definitely look into that, most definitely. There are some other ones in the City. There were a couple on Vine Street; I think Eighth and Vine is one of your requests, and it looks like it 19 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 fits the criteria to look at closer. And myself and the Parking Authority would be more than happy to work with yourself or with any other individual Councilmembers that have concerns. I know Councilwoman Tasco, we've been in touch with her office with a couple intersections in her district. And some of problems, though -- it looks like an intersection is bad, but on the accident data, it doesn't show up. And one of the reasons I think that occurs -- and some of the intersections in Center City fit that bill -- is 'cause a lot of it is, you know, the whole Don't Block the Box Initiative that was undertaken, I think, about two years ago. That is a big problem. There's not as much red light running to a degree as people entering the intersection and then are stuck there. And then the light turns. And the 20 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 people that have that green, to use a G or a GP version of what they would say or do, they're going 'cause they feel they have the right-of-way, and that is what is the cause of a number of those accidents, not somebody blowing a red light specifically. But there are some in Center City that do fit the bill, especially on Vine Street. They want to get to one place, and just 'cause that light turns, it doesn't necessarily mean that's going to stop them from getting to where they want to go.
Councilman Rizzo. 21 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690
You know, you talk about "Don't Block the Box." One of the negatives that commerce has in the Center City is the fact that you could miss two, three cycles of a traffic light. All the signage in the world -- "Don't Block the Box," the fine -- if there's no enforcement --
Without enforcement, it's a waste of money on the signs. Thank you.
Thank you. Are there any others questions for these witnesses? Councilwoman Miller.
Good morning. I don't have a question; I just have a comment. I think it's important that we educate and continue to educate the public on crossing the street properly. The red lights help. You know, 22 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 080690 all these things help, and I think we should do all of the above. But I think we still have to tell people and remind them, you know, Philadelphia is a city of jaywalkers. And we have to remind people and we have to reinforce that these mechanisms only work when people are crossing the street properly.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Also let the record reflect that two other members of this committee have joined us: Vice chair to my immediate right, Councilman Ramos; and to my far right, Councilman Savage. Are there any other questions for these witnesses? (No further questions.)
Seeing none, will the clerk please read the 23 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 060891 title of the next bill. Thank you gentlemen.
Bill No. 060891, an ordinance granting permission to Muhammad R. Shaukat, owner and operator of the newsstand located on the southeast corner of Broad Street and Montgomery Avenue, to construct, use, and maintain overhead electrical and telecommunications lines from the existing utility pole over and across the public right-of-way for the purposes of supplying electrical service and telephone services to said newsstand.
Good morning, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is William Mautz, and I'm a construction engineer with the Streets Department, and I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 060891. This bill grants permission to Muhammad Shaukat, owner of the newsstand 24 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 060891 at Broad and Montgomery Avenue, to construct, use, and maintain overhead electrical and telecommunications lines from an existing utility pole over and across the public rights-of-way for the purpose of supplying electrical and telephone service to the newsstand. The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no objection to the passage of the bill.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mautz. Are there any questions from the committee?
Was there any effort to engineer this so that it could be underground?
There is an 25 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES - BILL 060891 existing pole on Montgomery Avenue that has telephone and electrical service, and there's nothing in the Code that would require them to go underground.
So, in other words, they're just going to run the wire with existing wire.
Thank you. Any other questions from the members of the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here to testify for or against this bill. (No response.)
Seeing none, this concludes the public hearing on the Committee of Streets and Services. * * *
We will 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING now go into the public meeting. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ramos.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that Bill No. 060890 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of this bill at our next Council session. (Motion seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill 16 No. 060890 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 will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill's approved. Councilman Ramos? 27 12/7/06 STREETS/SERVICES PUBLIC MEETING
I move that Bill No. 060891 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next Council meeting. (Motion seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill 12 No. 060891 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 Council session. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. This concludes the public meeting of the Committee on Streets and Services. Thank you all for attending. 28 C E R T I F I C A T E I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings of the City of Philadelphia Council Committee on Streets and Services are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me on Thursday, December 7, 2006, and that this is a true and correct statement of same. __________________________________ JOSEPHINE CARDILLO Registered Professional Reporter (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)