COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, November 14, 2024 2:05 p.m. PRESENT: COUNCILMAN JEFFREY YOUNG, JR., CHAIR COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA, VICE-CHAIR COUNCILWOMAN NINA AHMAD
240664, 240876, 240877, 240871, 240879, 240880, 240881, 241026, 241027, 241028, 241030 - - -
Welcome to Philadelphia City Council's Committee on Streets and Services. I note that the hour has come. Mr. Pullin, would you please call the roll to establish a quorum.
Present. Thank you, Mr. Pullin. I note for the record that a quorum of this Committee is present and this hearing is called to order. This is the public hearing of the Committee on Streets and Services considering testimony on Bill Nos. 240664, 240876, 240877, 240871, 240879, 240880, 240881, 241026, 240 -- 241027, 241028 and 241030. Before we begin, I'm going to see if any of my colleagues have any opening remarks? Seeing none -- oh, sorry. I see Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada has joined us here in the Committee today. And the Chair recognizes Councilmember Lozada.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for joining us today. I'm here today to discuss an important measure that impacts the cleanliness, safety and overall quality of life in the 7th Council District. Today we are addressing a proposed amendment to Title of 10 The Philadelphia Code specifically relating to the regulation of litter near mobile providers of goods. As you know, our city is vibrant and diverse, home to bustling streets, hardworking vendors and residents who value both convenience and community. Mobile providers of goods such as food trucks, street vendors and social services mobile units contribute to the local community, economy, well- being and culture offering services and products to our neighborhoods in ways that are accessible and convenient. However, with this dynamic growth comes a responsibility, both for the providers, vendors and the City to ensure that our public spaces remain clean, safe and enjoyable for all. As we've seen in various districts, litter left behind by mobile providers often distributing goods poses environmental hazards, disrupts the aesthetic value of our streets and affects the health and well-being of our residents. Bill No. 240664 seeks to address this issue by requiring mobile providers of goods to take responsibility for cleaning up litter within a 50-foot radius of their operations. This initiative will apply initially in the 1st and 7th Council Districts as a pilot program with the goal of expanding its success across the city. The key points of the proposed measure include a definition of mobile providers of goods, including street vendors, social service providers and businesses operating from vehicles, a clear responsibility for these vendors to remove any litter generated from their activities ensuring the area remain free from debris. A penalty structure for those who fail to comply, including the cost incurred by the City for cleanup, in addition to any other applicable penalties. We recognize the valuable role that these businesses play in our local economy, but we also believe that maintaining a clean environment is essential to the City's continued growth and appeal by requiring mobile vendors to take a proactive step to clean our street -- to keep our streets clean. We are investing in the health of our neighborhoods and the overall well-being of Philadelphia residents. As we move forward with this legislation, it is crucial that we balance the needs of our community with our shared responsibility to protect the environment and the public health. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and engaging in productive discussion on how we can improve this proposal to better serve all Philadelphia's residents and businesses. Thank you for valuing the 7th Council District and the residents that call it home as we work towards reimagining the 7th Council District that future generations can be proud of. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
You're welcome, Councilmember. Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the first bill.
Bill No. 6 240664 titled, Amending Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity," by adding prohibitions and penalties related to litter near mobile providers of goods, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Please call the witnesses to testify on this bill.
First witness to testify is Francis Healy, Deputy Police Commissioner for the Philadelphia Police Department. (Witness approached Witness table.)
Good afternoon, Mr. Healy. Please state your name for the record and begin with your testimony. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HEALY: Sure. Good afternoon, sir. Good afternoon, Chairmember Young, Vice-Chairmember Squilla and distinguished members of the Committee of Streets and Services. My name is Francis Healy and I serve as Deputy Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department on behalf of Commissioner Bethel. I'd like to express our appreciation for the opportunity to provide our comments regarding Bill No. 240664, which addresses refuge and littering, particularly in relation to mobile providers of goods. I would like to begin by stating that the Philadelphia Police Department fully supports this bill. This proposed amendment introduces additional penalties for mobile providers of goods who fail to remove litter within 50-foot radius from the locations from where they distribute goods. Importantly, this provision applies specifically to the 1st and 7th Councilmanic Districts which include the neighbors of Kensington and other East Police Division neighborhoods. We recognize and appreciate the charitable work carried out by many individuals and organizations that provide food, clothing and other essential items to those in need in East Division and Kensington. However, it's become increasingly clear through complaints from our residents and firsthand observations from the police officers that the good intentions of these efforts often result in significant litter and debris being left behind in the wake of the distribution events. We regularly find you used Styrofoam food containers, food wrappers, disposable cups, water bottles, pallets and various forms of packaging scattered throughout the area. While we acknowledge the valuable work of these groups, it's important to recognize that the responsibility for the cleanliness of our neighborhoods should not fall solely on the Department of Sanitation. Our sanitation workers do an outstanding job managing the day-to-day litter and debris in our communities, but they should not be expected to clean up the additional waste created by others, particularly when this waste is generated during organized distributions. While these charitable activities serve an important purpose, they should not come at the expense of the residents who live, work and raise families in these neighborhoods. The organizations and individuals involved in these efforts must take the responsibility for removing the litter they generate when they leave. This bill is not intended to restrict the ability of individuals or organizations to distribute food or other goods to those in need, rather it places a reasonable and necessary responsibility on the groups to ensure that they leave the area clean. This goal is to improve, not worsen the conditions in our neighborhood. By holding mobile providers accountable for the litter they create, we can ensure that our public space remain safe, clean and welcoming for all residents. For these reasons the Philadelphia Police Department again supports Bill No. 240664. This concludes my testimony. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
Thank you, Commissioner. Any questions from members of the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you for your testimony. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HEALY: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Pullin, would you please call the next two witnesses to testify on this bill.
The next witnesses to testify are Robert Evans, Donna Aument and Jeremy Loughrey, residents of Kensington. (Witnesses approached Witness table.)
Thank you. Could you please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Thank you. Good afternoon, Councilmembers and distinguished guests. My name is Robert Evans. I'm a resident of Kensington and a corridor manager for Impact Services Avenue (inaudible). I'm here today to voice my strong support for Bill No. 13 240664 introduced by Councilwoman Lozada. I'm a voice for Kensington community representing the many small business owners and residents who are deeply affected by the ongoing issue of litter, waste and trash. Every day our neighbors in our neighborhoods is constantly dealing with the accumulation of trash left behind by the well- meaning, but unregulated distribution of food and goods, leaving street litter and our environment increasingly unsanitized. Every time food and goods are distributed by mobile providers without oversight, our street became a serious health risk, harming our quality of life and putting an extra burden of those of us who are committed to keep Kensington clean and safe. By passing this bill, you would be helping us create a cleaner and safer Kensington community. This bill is not about help -- sorry. It's not about stopping help. It's about respecting our community and protect our environment. Passing this bill will allow us to manage our shell space better, help keep our streets clean and improve the overall quality of life for everyone in Kensington. Thank you for considering this important step toward meaningful support for our neighborhood. Together we can make it work. We can make a real difference in Kensington. Thank you to Councilwoman Lozada for keeping us together with hope, believing and change of Kensington. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Evans, for your testimony. Please state your name and begin with your testimony.
Hello. My name is Jeremy Loughrey. I'm a lifelong resident of Kensington and I'm a medical professional. I'm here to speak for Bill 240664 proposed by the Councilwoman. The litter that is being left in the neighborhood is not just an eyesore. It is a hazard to the community by bringing in rodents such as rats, raccoons, stuff like this, exposing pets, children, senior citizens to possible rabies vaccines, and rabies which for a person is about $1,200 for one dose, not including what your animal would have to get or if you had to put your animal down. Also, this trash is literally just clogging up streets, causing flooding damages, being used for debris which can cause fires. Another thing is the mobile medical clinic for the wound care, these people who are in these areas have many diseases. I know this for facts of a generalized area. One of the major ones is necrotizing fasciitis, which if exposed to a child who puts their hand on a street gets it, is now going to be contaminated and have large parts of their body removed. I feel like this bill is going to help, really should help, keeping these people responsible and accountable for trying to "help this community by cleaning up their waste." Thank you.
Hi. Good afternoon. My name is Donna Aument. I've lived in my house since 1970 which is over 50 years. As a community liaison, I have meetings with the community once a month to see what the biggest problems are. And one of the biggest problems is the trash that is left behind. As a resident of the neighborhood, we are told what day to put our trash out and what time to put it out and we have to adhere to those regulations. But when these mobile places come and they put food out and clothing out and do medical things, they leave everything there. If we have to adhere to strict regulations as taxpayers and homeowners in the community, why do we have to suffer with all this trash that is left behind? Number one, it is making our rat situation horrible. I mean, absolutely horrible with the rats. The other thing is I'm a cancer survivor. I have to be very careful with my medical waste. Yet they leave their medical waste there. As Jeremy said, I don't know what kind of diseases they have but my immune system is weak. I don't want to catch anything that somebody else has, and I don't want any of the children in our neighborhood to be suffering their entire life or not make a life because of what's left behind. I think it's very disrespectful to the neighbors in Kensington and it appalls me that these people that are professional people leave all this waste for us to live with. Plus, the fact that the homeless people set them on fire. I don't want to be burned up in a fire because as you can see, I can't run. I cannot outrun a fire and neither can children. These things are very, very dangerous for the people in my neighborhood. Thank you.
No, thank you for your testimony. Are there any questions of these witnesses from members of the Committee? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Ahmad.
Thank you so much for your testimony. I just wanted to know in the past years before my colleague has put this bill forth has there been any attempts by anybody to clean this up or address this in any manner or fashion?
Other than the people who live in the houses and own their residences cleaning up their own personal blocks. I've seen very little done by the City because during the pandemic it was not a top priority. I feel like it should have been a priority. But if I get fined for putting my trash out a day early, why shouldn't they.
No, I hear you. Thank you. I just wanted to for the record say that there has been no attempts made prior to this to address this issue.
No, I'm good. You know, just to the fact that in all candor everybody knows that's my son and my motherin-law. I live right next door on the same block and have to deal with the same issues that the rest of my neighbors have to deal with. And as somebody in recovery, I get what they're trying to do. But what they don't get is that they're dealing with addicts and they come out and they give them a bag of clothes because they think they need clothes and they do. And then they give them a bag of fruit or food because they think they need the nutrients and the vitamins and they do. But what they don't realize is that they're dealing with addicts and they take it and then they walk about a half a block, they get into their nod and then the clothes go here, the food goes here. Now, the rats have a place to live with free food right next door. It's a huge problem. Last week alone I called -- Carlton Williams is going to get tired of hearing from me. You know, my area is actually starting to get better, but now we have people driving down and dumping on the corner of my block. Trash is a real problem. The neighbors in there they're trying to do their best to keep up with this stuff. So I just have to say I know good intentions and I get it. But the fact of the matter is that this is creating havoc in real people's lives, hundreds upon thousands of people. So I applaud Quetcy for putting her money where her mouth is and doing the work that needs to be done. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilmember. Mr. Pullin, could you please -- oh, sorry. Are there any questions from members of the Committee or anyone in chambers? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you. Mr. Pullin, could you please call the next witnesses to testify on this bill.
The next witness is testify is Silvanna Mazella, Lead Executive Officer at Prevention Point Philadelphia. (Witnesses approached Witness table.)
First of all, Ms. Mazella, good afternoon. Could you please state your name for the record and then begin with your testimony.
Silvanna Mazella, Lead Executive Officer, Prevention Point Philadelphia. Thank you. I'm not here to speak in favor or against this proposal. I do just want to say for the record that a lot of, as has been said, medical providers that go mobile, outreach teams that are mobile, people that are trying to provide survival resources that do that through mobile units need to be able to help people. I also do want to acknowledge that it is the right thing to do to be responsible in providing those mobile services. We should be expected like others to clean up after ourselves and to encourage people that we support to clean up after themselves or to be able to stay present long enough if we're doing an outreach activity to collect any waste. We have worked with Councilmember Squilla in another neighborhood where we started taking before and after pictures of some of our mobile services. And I know that they do that in Baltimore, a lot of the mobile units do that. The Health Department does that. I think it's reasonable we've asked our teams to do that. Before we go out to an area, we assess and document what's there and that we try to leave the place better than when we got there. And that is something that we have been working on with some of the cleanup teams and when we have mobile units out. But they are important services.
Thank you. Are there any -- I'm sorry. Do you have any testimony to -- UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: I don't.
Thank you. And thank you for your testimony. And I was going to mention that we worked out when there was issues in South Philadelphia about before and after pictures because of this exact reason, so it sounds like -- you said you don't support or oppose it, but it sounds like you're supporting it in your testimony, right?
We think it's reasonable that mobile providers do their diligence to be the best neighbors possible and we would commit to that.
Okay. I just want to make sure, because I mean obviously we want to make sure that if people are creating a burden that they, you know, we understand that they're helping people or the intention is to help people. We don't want to negatively impact the residents that live close by, and that's why I think you'll see most people will support this. So thank you for that.
Thank you, Councilmember Squilla, Mr. Vice-Chair. Chair recognizes Councilmember Lozada.
Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to reiterate and support what Councilmember Squilla just said, right. I think we all recognize that the services are important. But you raised a very important point, and that is that in other neighborhoods mobile providers clean up after themselves. It is disrespectful that in the Kensington community they choose not to. And so, it is unfortunate that as legislators we have to take these types of measures to ensure that the residents and the businesses who call Kensington Harrowgate home receive the same level of respect that they deserve. And I also find it mindboggling that it would be something that is considered a priority in other neighborhoods but not ours. It goes to say or it goes to show you the level of disrespect that some of these mobile providers have in my community. And so, this is just the beginning of legislation in order to restore quality of life in Kensington because the people in my community deserve it. At no time have we said that we don't want to allow mobile services. And I want to put that on the record and I want to say it here in front of you all. We are not saying, Councilmember Quetcy Lozada is not saying that I do not want mobile services in the 7th Council District. What I am saying and what I am demanding is that my residents be respected because they deserve to live in dignity and respect like you all provide and do in other neighborhoods. The level of disrespect by mobile providers or by providers in general in the 7th Council District will end. It will end. And if I have to legislate the hell out of it, I am going to do it because my community deserves it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Councilmember. Are there any other questions, statements of this witness by members of the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you so much for your testimony. I appreciate you being here today. Mr. Pullin, are there any other witnesses to testify on Bill 9 No. 240664?
Thank you. Seeing none, again thank you for your testimony. Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the next bills to be heard.
Bill No. 19 240876 titled, Establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Point Breeze Avenue between Moore Street and Mifflin Street; Rosewood Street between Jackson Street and Wolf Street; Dorrance Street between Snyder Avenue and McKean Street; Garnett Street between Snyder Avenue and McKean Street; Mifflin Street between South 20th Street and South 21st Street; Chadwick Street between Jackson Street and Passyunk Avenue; 22nd Street -- South 22nd Street between McKean Street and Mifflin Street; Mifflin Street between South 30th Street and South 29th Street; Colorado Street between Snyder Avenue and McKean Avenue. And also Bill No. 240877 titled, Establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Mifflin Street between South 23rd Street and South 22nd Street; South 21st Street between Moore Street and Mifflin Street; Bouvier Street between McKean Street and Snyder avenue; South 15th Street between Snyder avenue and Jackson Street; Hicks Street between Moore Street and Morris Street; Mifflin Street between South 19th Street and South 18th Street; Hicks Street between Jackson Street and Snyder avenue; Dudley Street between South 18th Street and South 19th Street; Mole Street between Jackson Street and Snyder avenue; Lambert Street between McKean Street and Mifflin Street. And also Bill No. 240878 titled, Establishing a parking regulation on Corlies Street between Tasker Street and Morris Street; Wilder Street between 21st Street and 20th Street; Myrtlewood Street between Dickinson Street and Tasker Street; Alter Street between South 18th Street and South 17th Street; South 17th Street between Tasker Street and Morris Street; South 16th Street between Morris Street and Tasker Street; Hicks Street between Morris Street and Tasker Street; Titan Street between South 20th Street and Point Breeze Avenue; South 16th Street between Tasker Street and Dickinson Street; South 16th Street between Reed Street and Wharton Street. And also Bill No. 240879 titled, Establishing a parking regulation on Garnet Street between Snyder Avenue and McKean Street; Wharton Street between South 24th Street and South 25th Street; Bucknell Street between Oakford Street and Federal Street; Cleveland Street between Dickinson Street and Tasker Street; Dickinson Street between South 24th Street and South 23rd Street; Dickinson Street between South 22nd Street and South 23rd Street; South 32nd Street between Grays Ferry Avenue and Wharton Street; Morris Street between South 21st Street and South 20th Street; Dudley Street between South 19th Street and South 20th Street; South 21st Street between Morris Street and Moore Street. And also Bill No. 240880 titled, Establishing a parking regulation on Elmwood Avenue between South 63rd Street and S 64th Street; Greenway Avenue between South 59th Street and South 60th Street; South 67th Street between Greenway Avenue and Upland Street; Yocum Street between Lloyd Street and South 72nd Street; Grays Avenue between South 62nd Street and South 63rd Street; Dewey Street between Elmwood Avenue and Buist Avenue; South 61st Street between Buist Avenue and Elmwood Avenue; 22nd Street between Dickinson Street and Reed Street; Ellsworth Street between South 18th Street and South 17th Street; Tasker Street between Point Breeze Avenue and South 23rd Street.
Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Would you please call the next witness to testify on these bills.
The next witness to testify is Michelle Helms, Supervisor for the Philadelphia Parking Authority. (Witness approached Witness table.)
Thank you. And good afternoon, Ms. Helms. Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good afternoon, Council. My name is Michelle Helms and I'm a Supervisor for the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Thank you for allowing me to testify before Council regarding Ordinances 240876, 240877, 240878, 240879 and 240880, establishing parking regulations. The Philadelphia Parking Authority has no objection to the ordinances previously read before Council and we recommend favorable consideration. Thank you for your time. I would be happy to answer any questions.
Thank you, Ms. Helms. Are there any questions of this witness by members of the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you for your testimony. Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the next bill to be heard.
Bill No. 18 240881 titled, Authorizing the striking from City Plan Nos. 292 and 321, an abandonment of a certain right-of-way reserved for gas main purposes located along the southwestwardly side of Ashburner Street, southeast of Hegerman Street, and extending southwestwardly therefrom, under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. Would you please call the next witnesses to testify on this bill.
The next witnesses to testify are Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets; and Sarah Chiu, Development Director for the City Planning Commission. (Witnesses approached Witness table.)
Good afternoon, Ms. Marconi. Please state your name and proceed with your testimony.
Good afternoon, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill No. 4 240881 introduced by Councilmember Driscoll. This is not an Administration ordinance, but an ordinance requested by Darwin Beauvais of Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel representing RG Torresdale LLC. This proposed ordinance will authorize the striking from the City Plan and abandonment of the certain right-of- way reserved for gas main purposes located along the southwesterly side of Ashburner Street, at a point approximately 431 feet southeast of Hegerman Street, and extending southwestwardly approximately 417 feet therefrom. The Philadelphia Gas Works has confirmed that there is no 24 gas utility facilities within the right-of-way and PGW has no 2 objection to the abandonment of the right-of-way. The purpose of this action is to remove this currently unused right-of-way as an encumbrance on the underlying property, thereby facilitating the owner's ability to redevelop this site. The Department of Streets has no objection to this proposed ordinance and recommends it to the Committee for favorable action. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Ms. Chiu, please proceed with your testimony.
Good afternoon, Chairmember Young and members of the Committee on Streets and Services. I'm Sarah Chiu, City Planning Manager with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 240881 introduced by Councilmember Driscoll on October 10, 2024. This bill will strike and abandon a certain right-of-way reserved for gas main purposes. The right-of-way is located along the southeasterly side of Ashburner Street, southeast of Hegerman Street. The owner wishes to remove the restrictions on this property for future development opportunities. There will be no physical change to the street grid or traffic pattern should this right-of-way be removed. The Planning Commission is scheduled to consider this bill at its meeting on November 21, 2024 with the staff recommendation for approval. And I'll be happy to answer any questions at this time.
Thank you, Ms. Chiu. I do have one question regarding this easement. So this easement, was there ever any gas utility lines underneath the property at some point?
Okay. Thank you. Any questions of these witnesses by members of the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you for your testimony. Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the next bill to be heard.
Bill No. 22 241026 titled, Amending Section 2 of an Ordinance (Bill No. 220188) approved August 31, 2022, entitled "An Ordinance Authorizing the striking from City Plan No. 269 and abandonment of a portion of a certain right-of-way for drainage purposes and water main purposes in the vicinity of the northwesterly side of Civic Center Boulevard, northeast of Osler Circle, under certain terms and conditions," by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein.
Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Would you please call the next witnesses to testify on this bill.
The next witnesses to testify are Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets and Sarah Chiu, Development Director for the City Planning Commission.
Ms. Marconi, please proceed with your testimony. Ms. MARCONI: Good afternoon, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill No. 12 241026, introduced by Councilmember Gauthier. This is not an Administration ordinance, but an ordinance requested by Christine Zadareky, Senior Project Manager for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The purpose of this proposed ordinance is to amend a previous ordinance (Bill No. 220188) which authorized the striking from the City Plan and abandoning a portion of an existing right-of-way for drainage purposes and water main purposes, which extends northwestwardly from a point on the northwesterly side of Civic Center Boulevard approximately 275 feet northeast of Osler Circle. The portion of the right- of-way proposed to be stricken extends from a point approximately 43 feet northwest of Civic Center Boulevard to a point approximately 378 feet further northwestwardly therefrom. The bill will extend the operable period for compliance with the terms and conditions of the authorizing ordinance for an additional two years. This action has been requested by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to facilitate their University City inpatient expansion project. The Department of Streets has no objections to this proposed ordinance and recommends it to the Committee for favorable action. Thanks for the opportunity to appear before you today. I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Ms. Chiu, would you please proceed with your testimony.
Good afternoon, Chairmember Young and members of the Committee on Streets and Services. I'm Sarah Chiu, City Planner Manager with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 241026, introduced by Councilmember Gauthier on October 31, 2024. This bill extends the compliance period to August 31, 2026 for a previously approved Bill No. 21 220188. The former bill was passed to strike from the City Plan and abandon a portion of drainage and water main right-of-way that is currently underneath East Service Drive. This action will facilitate the Children's Hospital's New Patient Tower Building, including a 29-story hospital building and underground parking garage. The Planning Commission recommended approval for its rezoning action at its meeting on June 2021. The Planning Commission is scheduled to consider Bill No. 13 241026 at its meeting on November 21, 2024 with a staff recommendation for approval. I'll be happy to answer any questions at this time.
Thank you, Ms. Chiu. Are there any questions of these witnesses regarding Bill 21 No. 241026? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you. Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the next bill to be heard.
Bill No. 5 241027 titled, Authorizing Posel Woodland Associates, L.P. or a subsequent owner to install, own, and maintain an encroachment at 4116-18 Chester Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Please call the next witness to testify on this bill.
The next witnesses to testify are Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets; and Sarah Chiu, Development Director for the City Planning Commission.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Please begin with your testimony. Ms. MARCONI: Good afternoon, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill No. 10 241027, introduced by Councilmember Gauthier. This bill authorizes Posel Woodland Associates LP or a subsequent owner to install, own and maintain an encroachment at 4116-18 Chester Ave, all under certain terms and conditions. A proposed building ramp access ramp will be located along the property line of 4116-18 Chester Avenue and will encroach a distance of approximately 5'6" towards the east along the west footway of Woodland Avenue. The Department of Streets is not opposed to legalizing this existing encroachment as it will maintain a minimum of feet of 4 clear unobstructed footway. This 5 concludes my testimony. I'm pleased 6 to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Ms. Chiu, please proceed with your testimony.
Good afternoon, Chairmember and members of the Committee on Streets and Services. I'm Sarah Chiu, City Planning Manager with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 241027, introduced by Councilmember Gauthier on October 31, 2024. This bill will authorize a property owner to replace an existing building access ramp at 4116-18 Chester Avenue. This replacement leaves 6-foot clear walking zone space which meets minimum required walking zone dimensions of the Complete Street Policy. The Planning Commission is scheduled to consider Bill 241027 and is meeting on October 21, 2024 with a staff recommendation for approval. I'll be happy to answer questions at this time.
Thank you, Ms. Chiu. Are there any questions of these witnesses regarding this bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you. Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the next bill to be heard.
Bill No. 24 241028, titled Amending Chapter 12-2700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Permit Parking Districts," by changing certain boundaries and establishing new permit parking districts, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank 8 you, Mr. Pullin. 9 Would you please call the 10 witness to testify on this bill. 11
The next 12 witness to testify is Noelle 13 Marconi, Legislative Affairs 14 Director for the Department of 15 Streets. 16
Thank 17 you, Ms. Marconi. Would you please 18 proceed with your testimony. 19 Ms. MARCONI: Good 20 afternoon, Chairperson Young and 21 members of the Streets and Services 22 Committee. My name is Noelle 23 Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill No. 3 241028, introduced by Councilmember Gauthier. This bill changes boundaries of parking permit boundaries in District 3 and establishes a permit parking district, District 41. District 3 will add the west side of North 48th Street and the north side of Haverford Avenue on the southeast, the west side of North 44th Street and Belmont Avenue on the east. The new parking district, District 41, will encompass the area bounded by the SEPTA Regional high- speed line tracks on the east and northeast, City Line Avenue on the north, and the east side of Belmont Avenue and North 44th Street on the west, the south side of Haverford Avenue and the east side of North 48th Street on the southwest and the north side of Market Street on the south. The Department of Streets has no objections to this proposed bill. The Philadelphia Parking Authority will be charged with enforcing this bill. This concludes my testimony. I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Are there any questions of this witness on this bill by members of the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you. Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 22 241030 titled, Amending Chapter 23 12-3400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Use of An Automated Speed Enforcement System," to improve safety by providing for the use, administration and enforcement of automated speed cameras on State Route within the boundaries of 6 Philadelphia and amending the 7 Internet website notice requirement, 8 all under certain terms and 9 conditions. 10
Thank 11 you, Mr. Pullin. 12 Would you please call the 13 witnesses to testify on this bill.
The next witness to testify is Nicholas Cole Appleman, Policy Analyst for the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. (Witnesses approached Witness table.)
Good afternoon, Mr. Appleman. Please state your name for the record and begin with your testimony.
Nicholas Cole Appleman, Policy Analyst with the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. As we'd already said, good afternoon, everyone, Committee Chair Young and the members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Cole Appelman. I'm a Policy Analyst with the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems also known as OTIS. I'm here today to offer testimony in support of Bill No. 241030 sponsored by Councilmember Driscoll. In addition to Councilmember Driscoll, I would like to thank Chairperson Young and the members of this Committee for their ongoing engagement and support for automated speed enforcement measures throughout this past year. This bill entitled, "Use of Automated Speed Enforcement to Improve Safety," would add Automated Speed Enforcement, otherwise known as ASE, cameras along State Route 13, which includes sections of Frankford Avenue, Hunting Park, 33rd Street and Baltimore Avenue. Speed cameras reduce speeding as well as reckless driving, therefore reducing deaths and serious injuries along this corridor. Our analyst -- our analysis, excuse me, shows that from 2019 to 2023 there were 123 fatal and serious injury crashes, 160 speeding-related crashes and 258 crashes involving pedestrians along streets that make up Route 13. After Broad Street, for which similar legislation we passed earlier this year, our analysis shows that Route 13 had the second highest need for speed camera enforcement. ASE is a proven method of slowing drivers down. Four years ago the City deployed speed cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard, at the time the most dangerous road in Philadelphia and one of the most dangerous in the state. In the years since we've seen a remarkable level of progress on the Boulevard, including a 95 percent reduction in speeding and 50 percent reduction in pedestrian-involved crashes as well as a percent reduction in all 15 fatal and serious injury crashes. 16 Earlier this year this 17 Committee passed legislation to 18 expand this lifesaving strategy to 19 Broad Street, as I mentioned before, 20 and this bill would allow this work 21 to expand to yet another very dangerous corridor in this city. The installation of the new system would be accompanied by strong educational messages as well as a 60-day driver warning period, ensuring that the pilot program is fair, balanced and transparent. We look forward to continuing our work with the Philadelphia Parking Authority as well as the program administrators, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on effective program communication, sharing the message that this program is not about issuing tickets. It's about changing people's behavior and preserving human life. Thank you for the opportunity to testify and provide information to support our position on this program on Route 13. It's an effective way to increase safety by changing driver behavior in a simple way, managing driver speeds. Thank you very much for the opportunity to testify before you today. Happy to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you, Cole. I have one question. Who determines or how is the speed on the corridors determined, like what the speed limit will be?
So just to clarify, you're asking how the speed limit is determined?
Okay. And my understanding is it's a traffic and engineering study. My colleague here Marco would actually probably be a little better-equipped to explain exactly how they come to concluding that speed.
Sure, yeah. Members of the Committee, the speed limit is determined --
I'm sorry. Can you please state your name for the record and then begin. Sorry.
Absolutely. Marco Gorini. I'm the Vision Zero Program Manager with OTIS. So the state legislation that made the speed cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard permanent and also allowed us to expand to five additional corridors requires that the City in partnership with PennDOT undertake a traffic and engineering study on each corridor to justify the speed cameras. And part of that is also an evaluation of what the appropriate speed limit should be. So that traffic and engineering form has to be approved by traffic engineers both at PennDOT as well as in the Streets Department.
Thank you so much. Are there any other questions of these witnesses on this bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you for your testimony. Mr. Pullin, please call the next witness to testify on this bill.
The next witness to testify is Jared Johnson, volunteer with 5th Square. (Witness approached Witness table.)
Good afternoon, Mr. Johnson. Please state your name for the record and begin with your testimony.
Thank you. Good afternoon, Councilmember Young and the members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Jared Johnson. I am a volunteer and a transit and safe street advocate for 5th Square. I'm here today to testify and support Bill No. 241030 regarding the automated traffic enforcement cameras on Route 13. Route stretches from 5 Southwest Philly to Northeast Philly 6 which is densely populated with 7 residents and businesses, which has 8 seen its share at drivers speeding 9 in the last few years that have 10 resulted in numerous traffic 11 accidents and fatalities. Also, 12 Route 13 has been ranked as one of 13 the highest corridors in the state routes in Pennsylvania for speeding pedestrian crashes in Philadelphia that could have been prevented if these speed cameras would have been installed earlier. Fortunately, they got their act together and there has been a solution to decrease the number of traffic incidents by installing (inaudible) traffic cameras along Roosevelt Boulevard which has reduced traffic accidents slightly in the last year. Also, this past year some of us from 5th Square as well as members from BCGP, The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, went to Harrisburg to testify on safer streets, and that includes putting up speed cameras, automated speed cameras. Although this is a trend in the right direction, there's still more work to be done in the city of Philadelphia along the rest of city streets to make pedestrians feel safe and have drivers prepare ahead of time when they're behind the wheel. But this is a step in the right direction, and I know that it's not going to be an overnight fix. But over time bit-by-bit we have made pedestrians and drivers feel safe and this will be a positive in the right direction. Thank you very much for your time and I appreciate the time that you give me.
Thank you so much for your testimony. Are there any questions of this witness by members of the Committee?
Thank you for your testimony. I just wondered because you are involved in community engagement how much of a communication effort needs to happen in order for people to know this is happening and they would voluntarily slow down or what is your thoughts on letting community know this is coming and do you think that's effective?
Basically it's pretty much by word of mouth. It's getting the message out. We have been getting the message out through social accounts such as Twitter and Facebook and basically just getting the message out to 5th Square members and passing it on to neighbors and friends who may not be familiar with 5th Square, who may not be familiar with The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and just getting the message out, who are bicycle riders, who do drive cars that are well aware of what's going on because there's many people that don't know what's going on.
The reason I ask you that is do you think it would be useful to have a citywide campaign around this? We have different organizations who step up and do this work just like you are and these organizations you mentioned. However, do you think as a government we have a responsibility to have campaigns around this, a concerted campaign around this? We hear a lot about it, but I don't know how intentional those campaigns are. And as a community activist, I wanted to know what your thoughts were on that and how that might or might not be helpful.
I would say that we would have to do a little more. I'm not sure really because I just joined the organization myself, but more campaigning would do the trick.
Thank you. Are there any other questions by members of the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, this hearing will now transition to our public comment session. Mr. Pullin, would you please call the first speaker for public comment.
Thank you so much. I would like to thank you all, thank all of our witnesses for joining us today. We will now end the public hearing and go into the public meeting. I note for the record that a quorum of the Committee is present. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion on the amendment to Bill No. 241028.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I offer an amendment to Bill No. 241028. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of the Committee. I move that the amendment to Bill No. 8 241028 be adopted. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill 13 No. 241028 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Ayes have it. In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it and thank you. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion on Bill Nos. 240644, 240876, 240877, 240878, 240879, 240880, 240881, 241026, 241027, 241028 as amended and 240130.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that all bills read into the record be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that all bills read into the record be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of these bills at the next session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Ayes have it. The motion carries. Bill 9 Nos. 240644, 240876, 240877, 240878, 240879, 240880, 240881, 241026, 241027, 241028 as amended and 241030 will be reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation with a request that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the first reading at the next session of Council. Are there any final remarks by members of this Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, this concludes the business before you today with the Committee of Streets and Services. Thank you so much for your attendance. (Committee on Streets and Services concluded at 2:58 p.m.) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I, hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence noted are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me in the foregoing matter, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. __________________________________ TANEHA CARROLL