Bill No. 040371, an ordinance amending Section 9-402 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Animal Drawn Carriages," by authorizing the Department of Streets to make temporary alterations to the approved routes for animal drawn carriages; all under certain terms and conditions.
Before you begin your testimony, Mr. Haigler, just for a point of information, I believe there is one vendor in that area somewhere between Market and Walnut on Eighth. If you get a complaint or the Department hears anything from that individual, I'd be more than willing to talk 78 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040371 about relocating that individual to another area on Eighth Street away from where they are now. Because this was brought to me basically by a complaint from one of the jewelers that has a business on Eighth Street where the vendor is literally in front of the doorway and it does cause a problem. So I'm not trying to knock someone out of business, but maybe I can relocate him to the other side the Chestnut Street. So if you hear anything about that, direct them to my office and I'll certainly try to accommodate them.
Thank you, Mr. Haigler. Good afternoon. Please identify yourself.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. My name is Charles Denny and I'm the Assistant Chief Traffic Engineer of the Department of Streets. I am here to offer 79 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040371 testimony on Bill 040371. Bill No. 040371 is an ordinance 4 amending Section 9-402 of The Philadelphia Code entitled "Animal Drawn Carriages" by authorizing the Department of Streets to make temporary alterations to the approved routes for animal drawn carriages. The Streets Department supports this bill. Normal construction and emergency repairs make the temporary detour of carriage routes necessary for the safe and efficient movement of traffic. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have at this time.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, 80 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040464 the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040464, an ordinance establishing a no stopping anytime regulation on the east side of State Road, between Ashburner Street and Linden Avenue, and a no truck parking regulation on the west side of State Road, between Ashburner Street and Linden Avenue.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to be appear before you today. My name is Charles Denny, I'm Assistant Chief Traffic Engineer for the Department of Streets. I'm here to offer testimony today on Bill No. 040464. The Streets Department has no 19 objections to the bill. The signs were posted under a trial ordinance last October. We have had no objections since then. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.
Thank you, Mr. Denny. 81 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040517 Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040517, an ordinance authorizing the installation of all-way stop signs at the intersection Second Street and Poplar Street.
Good afternoon again, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. My name is Charles Denny. I'm the Assistant Traffic Engineer for the Department of Streets. I'm here to offer testimony on Bill 040517. The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code requires PennDOT to develop regulations governing traffic control devices in 82 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040517 accordance with the Federal Highway Administration Manual and Uniform Traffic Control Devices. These regulations apply to all public highways in the Pennsylvania, and the City Solicitor has ruled the Streets Department is legally obligated to comply with the Vehicle Code and related PennDOT regulations. The federal and State criteria require that an all-way stop control be warranted by an engineering study of traffic conditions, police accident records, traffic volumes, speed, and sight distance. The study conducted as a result of this request concluded that the present day conditions at this location do not satisfy the Federal and State warrants for an all-way stop control. Second Street is a major signalized arterial. The placement of a stop control is inappropriate, particularly with overhead signals at Second and Brown Street which is 450 feet south. Drivers who are coming south on Second Street which has a signal control from Erie Avenue will see the signal at Brown 83 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040517 easier than the stop sign at Poplar Street. This will lead to an increase number of rear end crashes at Second and Poplar Street. When installing additional traffic control at any intersection, the results should be a safer intersection. Installing stop controls against Second Street at Poplar will not accomplish that goal. The streets Department cannot comply with this request. The Streets Department is redesigning Second Street from Poplar Street to Fairmount Avenue. The design includes bump-outs at each of the three intersections. The provides shorter pedestrian crossings and also allows for better placement of traffic signals. The design also includes back-in angle parking. Backing into a parking space is safer than backing out. The redesign is to provide safer operation on Second Street from Poplar Street to Fairmount Avenue. We are using federal funds to build these changes. Streets with unwarranted stop controls are not eligible for federal funds. Therefore, we would lose $352,000 in funding for these 84 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040517 changes if we installed an all way stop. We have reviewed the crash history for the last two years available. There has been a reduction in crashes from crashes 6 occurring between November 2001 to October 7 2002 to four crashes occurring between 8 November 2002 to October 2003. The primary 9 reduction in crashes is angle crashes going 10 from six with three injuries in the earlier time period to one injury angle crash in the time period. This is a significant reduction. We believe the construction of the bump-outs will improve the safe operation at this intersection. At Second and Poplar Street, we are dealing with the situation in which prevailing traffic conditions indicate that establishing an all-way stop control would lead to a safety problem. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have at this time.
Mr. Denny, what is your position with the Streets Department? 85 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040517
There's the Chief Traffic Engineer who reports to the Chief Engineer and Surveyor who reports to the Streets Commissioner.
To oversee the engineering section of the Traffic Engineering Division.
Thank you for your testimony, Mr. Denny. As you know, I'm very involved in the redesign of Second Street. I've been representing that district for a better part of almost 8 years, 9 years now. And I understand the bump-outs that we've agreed to from Poplar to Brown. The problem still remains, though, is the high rate of speed at which vehicles are traveling from Girard Avenue to Brown. I'm not in total 86 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040517 agreement with you -- you're the expert, I'm not -- that people will have a better view of the Brown Street signal as opposed to the Poplar because Second Street kind of goes on in a slight incline from somewhere between Girard and Poplar and midway between there, I'm not sure what the street would be, and then it kind of goes up on a gradual incline to get to popular. So I don't know how you kind of see over that. But that being said, the area of Second and Poplar has changed dramatically and has been changing and in the last year has changed dramatically. In addition to the Standard Tap Pub, we have a number of other restaurants. We have a huge catering operation there right next to or a couple doors away from the Standard Tap. On the southeast corner there's a condo development that is under construction. On the northwest corner there's apartments or condos. So it is going to be a much more busier intersection in all aspects than it's ever been before. And when and if the Smith's Brewery site gets developed and the Liberty 87 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040517 Walk and all that other stuff, we're going to have literally thousands of cars and pedestrians who will be residing in that neighborhood and using that and hopefully coming to that neighborhood to shop and dine in addition to what we already have now. I mean, there's probably thousands of people who now converge on that intersection either walking, driving, or what have you today than there were two years ago or even a year ago. So from my perspective, I wonder if it would not be in the best interest to have some sort of device there to slow the traffic down before it gets to Brown. It's a highway. It's not unlike what we went through a few years ago before you got in your position when Charley was there Third Street. From Spring Garden to Girard there were no signals. One was eventually put at Brown because there were always accidents at Third and Brown. We fought back and forth and we got a stop sign, thank you, at Third and Wildey I think it was, either George and Wildey. So to me, the Third Street situation is not unlike the Second 88 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040517 Street situation, but in fact Second Street is probably worse because Third Street has residents but it doesn't have as much retail commercial activity from Brown to Wildey. Where Second and Poplar, that is, I mean there's more stuff going on there than goes on at Second and Fairmount. So I'm concerned about the position that your Department is taking that it may cause accidents when in fact -- you're right, it may cause car accidents; I don't know. I can't predict the future. But it always seems that we're more concerned with the vehicles as opposed to pedestrians. And that's why I introduced this bill because I was at that catering hall about a month ago and it was dangerous for me getting out of my car. I was parked on the west side of Second just north of Poplar. And I literally was taking my life in my hand trying to get out of my car. I wasn't even trying to jaywalk, I was just trying to get out of the car. Those cars, they didn't care who was there. They just keep flying by. And I don't know what the 89 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040340 average speed was. I'll bet you it's got to be a minimum, minimum of 40 miles an hour. And they're probably doing faster than that. Councilman Cohen.
I would like to ask Mr. Denny, the traffic engineer, but I notice there were other people here and I was wondering if he's going to be here on other bills later this afternoon.
Because if we can hold it until later so that we don't hold up all the other people --
Thank you. We'll hold that bill for further hearing and proceed with the next bill.
Bill No. 040340, an ordinance authorizing the construction of sewers in portions of Garnet street.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is Paul McCloskey representing the Water Department of the City of Philadelphia. Bill No. 040340 authorizes the Water Department to construct a sewer in Garnet Street from Dauphin Street to York Street. This block consists of row houses in the North Philadelphia section of the City. The properties are currently being serviced by a private sewer. The sewer has outlived its usefulness and requires total replacement. The failure of the sewer has created an unsanitary condition. In light of the fact the residents are serviced by public water, the residents have requested a public sewer. An assessment shall be levied against the owners having frontage in order to absorb a portion of the cost of construction. We recommend that this bill be favorably reported out of committee and also recommend that the Rules be suspended so it can be heard at the next Council hearing
Councilman 91 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040340 Rizzo.
Thank you. Could you give me a feel for the assessment?
The assessment is currently $9 a foot. It has not changed since 1967.
Typically, it's roughly, I believe, 15-foot frontages ed on these houses.
Since 1967. In fact, we would like to change it, obviously. But what we'd also like to report is that there are many blocks similar to this where it's a private sewer, it's a hundred years old, people don't even know it's a private sewer, and under the current laws we're forced when we replace it to charge them the assessment. We would prefer not to because they've already paid a hundred years worth of 92 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040340 water bills and the capitalization for the rest of the people, so we'd like perhaps in the future put a bill in to raise the assessments to current costs but also to include that in as a clause.
We believe that the realistic cost right now is roughly $180 a foot.
We don't want to discourage people from correcting an unsanitary condition. Could that do that or would you move forward on the replacement even without their approval?
How it's currently structured is the people have come to us in one street, and there's a sister bill to this that they have not come to us. We know it's exactly the same situation. We met with the community at a local Baptist church and explained the situation, that it's necessary 93 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040340 that -- we don't want to force people out of their houses. The area is financially depressed, very poor people, they're struggling. We would prefer not to charge them, but unfortunately we have to. And how it's structured is that the contractor who puts the silver in collects the assessment. So it's up to him to collect, to put a mechanics lien against the house or whatever. If they choose not to pay, the house would -- the estate if think died would then pay off the assessment to the contract.
I don't particularly like that. We have no input on what the tactics the contractor uses.
If we do legislation, could we possibly -- we probably have identified already the problem areas. Could we put them on notice that they would do the $9 deal if they do it promptly and then anything after a certain date they go to the new number? 94 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040340
Well, we take these situations on a case-by-case basis. Basically we receive requests made from a half dozen to a dozen communities a year. Some we can help, some we can't help. And we proceed with the ones that are the most feasible and economically viable.
Well, you know I've been talking about this since I've known you about the number of septic systems that we still have in the county of Philadelphia. But I think also you would know where these problematic areas are.
There's roughly 200 locations, 200 blocks of the area that we're aware of. Strangely enough, this is in North Philly. There's a lot in South Philly. Chestnut Hill is a barren area for sewers.
The last thing I would want to see is -- you described it as a poor area -- to add to the burden of a bill or a lien, you'd probably create a very situation for some of these people 180 or $190 a foot to make that repair, we'd probably put some 95 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040340 people in their grave.
Right now if we don't step in, we're looking at a $30,000 repair. We're stepping up to the plate to try to help them as much as we can. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you. I do like your comment and your recommendation about fees and how that could be used to offset those private sewer issues that we have because I have a few of them in my district and they're very painful to the residents, through no fault of theirs or the City's for that matter. They've been living in the house for decades and all of sudden they find out that they're responsible to replace a sewer because it happens to be in the back of their house as opposed to the of the house. And the people down the other end of the block don't have to pay for sewer replacement when it has to be replaced because it's out front. So I'd like to work with you on whatever it is we need to do to adjust that so we don't have to deal with the problem that we've had. And we 96 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040340 were in court, I think, two weeks ago for South Sixth Street in my district for the very issue. And many of those cases are senior citizens who just can't afford to replace a sewer system.
We would love to modernize and bring it up to date and also avoid the situation where we're punishing people who paid -- you know, my sewer needs to be replaced; I don't have to pay for it. Why should they?
Unfortunately, it's a bitter pill that we have to feed them every town hall meeting we go to. Councilman Rizzo is well aware of a lot of these meetings that I've had to go to.
I'd like to work on that during the summer and have some legislation ready for the fall. 97 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040340
I'll report back to my Commissioner your support on it. I can proceed to give you a bill that we have prepared we'd like to go through.
My legislative assistant, Mr. Abernathy, get it to him and I'll share it with this Committee and we'll do the legislation.
Thank you the Committee for their support. Thank you very much.
Thank you. Any other questions for this witness? (No response.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against this bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill 24 that has to do with those three folks who have been waiting patiently. 98 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040265
Bill No. 040265, an ordinance authorizing the Department of Veterans Affairs to construct and maintain a pedestrian bridge over and across University Avenue between Curie Boulevard and Civic Center Boulevard, under certain terms and conditions.
Whoever is testifying, you can all come up to the witness table at this time.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager for the Department of Streets. The Department would like to offer the following testimony on Bill 040265: This is not an Administration ordinance, but an ordinance requested by Michael Sullivan, Director of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University, Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia. The purpose of this ordinance is construct a pedestrian bridge that will connect the Veterans Affairs Medical Center parking garage with the VANC 99 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040265 Nursing Home Care Unit. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your Committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon and thank you for patience. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
I'm Margaret O'Shea Caplan and I'm the Chief Operating Officer of the VA Medical Center in Philadelphia. I just wanted to share a little bit of information with you about the nursing home and the facility and why this is so important to us. We operate a 240-bed nursing home care unit which is across the street from the main medical center. Currently, the census in the nursing home is about 100 patients larger than our acute care facility. Due to changes in health care delivery, we treat more patients now on an outpatient basis than we do on an in-patient basis. So we have a larger population at the nursing home. For any time when a resident of the nursing home needs 100 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040265 specialty care, dental care, to see a pulmonologist, cardiologist, neurologist, they have to come over to the medical center in order to be seen by that specialist. Currently, we have no mechanism to get them across the street other than to use either commercial transport such as an ambulance or to use one of our vehicles if it happens to be during the day. So it's a rather inconvenient way to move residents back and forth and it also is a costly way to move our residents back and forth. So the bridge would not only ease in the movement of residents and patients, but it also would allow our staff to move back and forth more easily and more freely. We have had several employees who have been hit by crossing that street and have sustained numerous injuries, some quite serious. One employee actually had to have hip surgery as a result of crossing the street and getting hit by an automobile. University Avenue is a busy street, gets busier all the time. And this bridge would allow and ensure safer transport, 101 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040265 not only for patients but for our staff. I have Phil Hatsis (ph), our chief engineer with me as well. We have some drawings we'd be happy to show you. And if you have any technical questions, he can assist in answering those.
Is it enclosed so that in foul weather the patients and the staff are protected from the weather?
And, Councilman, these plans have been reviewed by the Streets Department structural engineers to make sure everything is safe is very nice.
Thank you. Any other questions for these witnesses? (No response.)
Thank you again 102 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040497 for your patience. Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040497, an ordinance granting permission to Campus Technologies, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, its successors, assigns and agents, to construct, maintain and operate, replace, and remove a telecommunications system along, in, over and under the public rights-of-way and City streets, by placing such telecommunications system within and/or attached to the existing facilities owned by PECO Energy Company and/or other entities authorized by other City ordinances, subject to such owner's consent; all under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz. I'm a construction engineer with the Streets Department. I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 24 040497. This bill grants permission to 103 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040497 Campus Technologies, Inc. to construct, maintain and operate, replace and remove an aerial telecommunications system attached to existing PECO facilities in and over the public rights-of-way and City streets in University City area. The proposed aerial telecommunications system will provide voice and data transmission to properties owned and managed by the parent could Campus Property management, Inc. The Streets Department has reviewed the proposed build out routes for this project and has no objection to the passage of the bill.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? Councilman Rizzo.
I wasn't focused when you started your conversation. Are you telling me we are going to install aerial wire?
Why in this day 104 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040497 and age would we be installing aerial and not trying to utilize access that may be underground? The clutter with aerial facilities is bad enough, rather than in 2004 start to add more?
The Campus Technologies, that is there designated method of providing the services to their buildings.
I would really -- and I'll ask the Chair. I'd really like some rationale why. I understand it's cheap and the way to go, but I'd like to find out more why there isn't a proposal that this facility be put underground.
Any other questions from this witness from the Committee? Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify?
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and Members of Council. Adam Laver of Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers. And with me is Andrew Marshall. Could you please state your name and 105 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040497 title for the record?
Andrew Marshall, Chief Technology Officer of Campus Technologies, Inc.
Mr. Marshall would like to address Councilman Rizzo's question regarding the aerial lines.
Councilman, it's a very limited area of construction in University City. And in area in which we're planning to construct, there are no 15 underground facilities. The other only facilities there are available are actually aerial. So there isn't -- particularly on 41st, 42nd, and 45th Street in that area, there are no underground facilities at all.
But they could be put underground at an additional expense to you, correct?
I'm sorry, I'm not qualified to answer that particular question.
My speculation is 106 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040497 that it would be doable; am I right?
Anything is doable, but understand that the actual underground construction in that area is because it's actually quite old. It actually goes back over a hundred years. There's quite a lot underground there and actually building underground facilities would be complicated and expensive.
But you can understand I'm trying to look out for the community and making sure that we're not adding to aerial -- you know there's ordinances right now the Public Utility Commission won't allow you to build a more than X number of homes, then they require under grounds facilities. So West Philadelphia is a neighborhood that's really moving forward and all I'm asking is why wasn't there a proposal to put these facilities underground. And the District Councilperson is here. As a Councilmember at-large, we work very closely together and I'm sure the District Councilperson would want 107 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040497 to assure that the job is done the best way humanly possible. And in this day and age most facilities like this are placed underground, if possible, or required.
I'd like to acknowledge the presence of Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell who is a sponsor of this bill. She's joined us and she has some comments. Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Let me thank everyone for being here and thank my colleague for his questions about this project. We have worked with the City, we've worked with Public Property, and we can assure you that this project was ready to go. We support it. We'd like to get this reported out if we can, Mr. Chairman, so that it can be voted on before our Council adjourns. Everybody was satisfied. We have no problems with it, and we worked with all the varying people in the community from the university to residents. And we're satisfied that there are 108 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040497 no problems and that the project will be done well and that it will be done as it should. The City worked with us on it. I see Paul Lonie here. We've kind of worked it out. It wasn't always easy, but we've come through and we worked out the kinks so we're satisfied with the project.
Councilwoman, I just wanted to point out, and I'm sure you appreciate me pointing out, the fact is that there is an alternative to putting more wires on existing wood poles cluttering up a community unnecessarily. If there is an alternative, it should have been considered in the proposal to put these facilities underground.
I would love to tell you I know anything about this subject; however, I only know about our end of it. And once we put all the principals together and the varying City departments and they came back along with community support, then I assume that we're fine with it. I would like to -- if everyone would support it, 109 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040503 to move ahead.
To the folks from Campus Technologies, I assume that you have a schedule and this may be time sensitive; is that correct?
Thank you. I just wanted that for the record. Thank you.
Any other questions for these witnesses from the Committee? (No response.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040503, an ordinance authorizing Mayfair Community 110 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040503 Development Corporation, 6810 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, its successors and assigns to construct own and maintain raised planters and benches from Harbison Avenue to Rhawn Street, and Cottman Avenue from Frankford Avenue to Leon Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 14 0404503: This bill authorizes the Mayfair Community Development Corporation to construct, own and maintain raised planters and benches on the public footways of Frankford Avenue from Harbison to Rhawn Street and Cottman Avenue from Frankford to Leon. The encroachment describe follows: The Benches: The metal benches, colored black with anti-graffiti coating will not display any advertisement. The benches, located approximately 3 feet off the curbline 111 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040503 come in two sizes, a foot length near the corners and a foot length mid block. The 4 benches, placed parallel to the curbline facing the building facade, will be anchored to the existing concrete sidewalk. It is anticipated that four benches will be installed per side per block face. Raised Planters: The metal planters, colored black with an anti-graffiti coating, are 30 inches in diameter by 30 inches high, located approximately three feet off the curbline. It is anticipated that four planters will be installed per side per block. Each planter will contain a tree. The Streets Department has reviewed the preliminary plans for this project and has no objection to the passage of the bill.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.)
Just to say, Mr. 112 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040503 Chairman --
My name is Tom Forkin. I'm Vice Chairman of the Mayfair Community Development Corporation. Just to say that obviously we're in total support of this particular bill. We will purchase, install and maintain the benches at our own cost. This is something that the merchants along Frankford Avenue and Cottman Avenue have asked us to do as well as their customers as well as visitors and other people that frequent the Avenue. We think this is a quality of life issue for the people in Mayfair, and we think this ultimately will be a good thing for the people that live, work and shop in the Mayfair area. Thank you.
Thank you. Any other questions? Anyone else who wishes to testify? 113 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040509
Just for the record, this Al Merchandante (ph) the operations manager at the Mayfair CDC. He does the bulk of the work.
Welcome. Thank you. Good luck to you. The Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040509, an ordinance authorizing the revision of City Plan No. 296 by relocating a portion of a certain right-of-way for drainage purposes, which lies between Shawmont Avenue and Cross Street, under certain terms and conditions.
509. Mr. LONIE: Thank you. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 040509: This is not an Administration 114 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040341 ordinance but an ordinance requested by Mr. William O'Brien of the Manayunk Law Office, 4322 Main Street for Valley Building & Construction Corporation. The purpose of ordinance is to relocate a portion of a certain right-of-way to facilitate new residential development. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your Committee for favorable action.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the committee? (No response.)
Are there any non-government folks here who have to testify on a particular bill? If so, just tell me the Bill No. And we can do that one next. The Clerk read the title of the neck bill.
Bill No. 040341, an ordinance authorizing the construction of sewers and appurtenant work on portions of 115 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040341 Opal Street.
Good afternoon again, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is Paul McCloskey, I'm representing the Water Department of the City of Philadelphia. Bill No. 040341 authorizes the Water Department to construct a sewer in Opal Street from Dauphin Street to York Street. This block consist of row houses in the North Philadelphia area of the City. The properties are currently being serviced by a private sewer. The sewer has outlived its usefulness and requires total replacement. The failure of the sewer has created unsanitary conditions. In light of the fact that the residents are serviced by public water, the residents have requested a public sewer. An assessment shall be levied against the owners having frontage in order to absorb a portion of the cost of construction. We recommend that this bill be favorably reported out of Committee and also request a suspension of the Rules in light of 116 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040469 the impending recess of City Council.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040469, an ordinance authorizing the construction of sewers and appurtenant work in a portion of right-of-way for drainage, sewer and water main purposes in the bed of a private street known as Blakiston Lane.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is Paul McCloskey. I'm with the City of Philadelphia Water Department. Blakiston lane is a private street in the Holmsburg area of the City. The bed of the street for the most part is a right-of-way 117 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040469 for drainage and sewer and water main purposes. The south side of the street is a grouping of single family dwellings. The north side of the street is St. Dominic's Roman Catholic Cemetery. The block is currently being serviced by a water main, a private drain and a public sewer. The private drain has become deteriorated and outlived it's usefulness. The homeowners have requested the construction of a public sewer. An assessment will be levied against the homeowners having frontage in order to absorb a portion of the cost of construction in accordance with the Philadelphia Code. We recommend that this bill be favorably reported out of Committee and also request a suspension the Rules. Thank you very much.
So we may have that other legislation in place that would 118 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040469 cover some of the cost.
Basically, what I've already done is initially the community had asked for us to take over the water main. The water main I discovered was constructed by the Holmesburg Water Company in around 1840. The Administration agreed with me that it was a public water main that we inherited from this defunct water company. In order to go in and maintain it, we asked the residents to grant us a right-of-way. An ordinance was passed last year for that, and most of the agreements has been signed. Seeing that the water main was going to be replaced, they developed problems with their sewers. Luckily I had put in the provisions for a sewer in the right-of-way agreement. Now we can just reconstruct the entire street. The Streets Department has agreed that we construct the water main and sewer that they will pave it for us.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? 119 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040335 (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040335, an ordinance authorizing Samuel Rappaport, Ltd., a.k.a. Samson Asset Management, 722 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, its successors and assigns, to construct, own and maintain raised planters on the public footways for nine properties in Center City, under certain terms and conditions.
Good after, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill 040335. This bill authorizes Samuel Rappaport Limited, a.k.a. Samson Asset Management to construct, own and maintain raised planters on the public footways for 120 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040339 nine properties located in Center City. All planters, which are inches high with a 4 variable diameter, 21 inches at the base to 30 5 inches at the top, will be place adjacent to 6 the building face. A total of 30 planters are 7 proposed which will encompass the following 8 properties: 219 South Broad, 227-31 South 9 Broad, 337 South Broad, 1308 Chestnut, 1517 10 Chestnut, 1624 Chestnut, 2100 Chestnut, 722 11 Market and 726 Market street. 12 The Streets Department has reviewed 13 the plans and has no objection to the passage 14 of the bill. 15
Thank you. 16 Any questions for this witness from 17 the Committee? 18 (No response.) 19
Seeing none, 20 the Clerk will read the title of the next 21 bill. 22
Bill No. 040339, an 23 ordinance granting permission to Ratilal 24 Patel, owner of the newsstand at the southwest 25 corner of 15th Street and Ranstead Street, to 121 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040339 construct, use and maintain an electrical conduit with an electrical service line and a telecommunications conduit with a telephone service line in and under the public rights-of-way for the purpose of supplying electrical service and telephone service to the newsstand, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I am here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 15 040339. This bill grants permission to Ratilal Patel, owner of the newsstand at the southwest corner of 15th and Ranstead Street to construct, use and maintain electrical conduit with electric service line and a telecommunications conduit with a telephone service line in and under the public rights-of-way for the purpose of supplying electrical and telephone service to the newsstand. 122 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040368 The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no objection to the passage of the bill.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, The Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill 040368, an ordinance granting permission to Well Grounded, a Comfortable Coffee, Inc., located at 3720-3724 Midvale Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19129, to operate and maintain an open air sidewalk cafe on the east sidewalk of Midvale Avenue north of Ridge Avenue, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name IS William Mautz and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 25 040368. 123 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040399 This bill grants permission to Well Grounded, a Comfortable Coffee, Incorporated located at 3720-3724 Midvale Avenue to operate and maintain an open air sidewalk cafe on the east sidewalk of Midvale Avenue adjacent to the property. Four tables are proposed for the east sidewalk of Midvale Avenue. No rails will be used. A minimum of feet clear 10 width will be maintained for pedestrians. 11 The Streets Department has reviewed 12 the cafe plan and has no objection to the 13 passage of the bill. 14
Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040399, an ordinance authorizing Peter Capolino, 604 South Front Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, owner of the property 604 South Front Street, Philadelphia, his successors and assigns to 124 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040399 construct and maintain a terrace projection, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz, and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I am here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 9 040399: This bill authorizes Peter Capolino, owner of the property 604 South Front to construct and maintain a third floor terrace projection over the west footway of South Front Street. The terrace is feet wide and 15 will project 2 feet 6 inches over the public footway at a height of approximately 21 feet. The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project. As the encroachment does not adversely affect the public right-of-way, the Streets Department recommends passage of the bill.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.) 125 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040425
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040425, an ordinance authorizing John and Sharon Miller, 7800 Jackson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19136, owners of the property 7800 Jackson Street, a.k.a. 4400 Hartel Street, their successors and assigns, to construct and maintain privately owned underground water and sewer branch mains, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I am here to offer the following testimony for Bill 040425: This bill authorizes John and Sharon Miller 7800 Jackson Street, owners the property 7800 Jackson Street, also known as 4400 Hartel, to construct, own and maintain privately owned water and sewer branch mains which will connect to their new residence on Hartel Street. 126 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040431 The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for the project and has no objection to the passage of the bill.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040431, an ordinance authorizing Karl's Furniture, located at 724-6 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, its successors and assigns, to construct, own and maintain a building addition on the north public footway of Ionic street, under certain terms and conditions
Good afternoon, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz, and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 25 040431: 127 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040502 This bill authorizes Karl's furniture, located at 724-26 Chestnut Street to construct and maintain a building addition on the north public sidewalk of Ionic Street adjacent to the rear of 726 Chestnut. The existing addition which is a steel structure approximately feet long by 3 feet by 12 9 feet high is used for storage of cardboard 10 boxes. The addition, which is mounted atop 11 the north sidewalk, is only accessible from 12 Ionic Street. 13 As the existing addition is located 14 on a street used primarily for commercial 15 deliveries and non-roll off dumpster 16 placement, the structure does not adversely 17 affect the public right-of-way. The Streets 18 Department recommends passage of this bill. 19
Thank you. 20 Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing non, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. O40502, an 128 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040502 ordinance granting permission to Christy Garrett, owner of the property 201 North 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, to operate and maintain an open air sidewalk cafe on the northeast corner of North 36th and Race Streets, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz, and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 13 040502. This bill grants permission to Christy Garrett, owner of the property 201 North 36th Street to operate and maintain an open air sidewalk cafe on the northeast corner of North 36th and Race Streets adjacent to the property. Nine tables are proposed for the north sidewalk of Race Street. No rails will be used. A minimum of 10 feet clear width will be maintained for pedestrians. The Streets Department has reviewed the cafe plan and has no objection to the passage of the bill. 129 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040504
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040504, an ordinance granting permission to TCG Delaware Valley, Inc., a Delaware corporation, its successors and assigns to construct, maintain and operate, replace, and remove telecommunications service connections and fiber optic cables for telecommunications purposes along, over, in and under the public rights-of-way of State Road, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I am here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 23 040504: This bill authorizes TCG Delaware Valley to construct, operate and maintain an 130 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040513 aerial and underground telecommunications service connection providing local telephone service to the Philadelphia prison facility on State Road. The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no objection to the passage of the bill.
Thanks you. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040513, an ordinance granting permission to Muhammed Shaukat, 6650 Kindred Street, Philadelphia, PA 19149, owner of the newsstand at the southwest corner of 10th Street and Market Street, to construct, use and maintain an electrical conduit with an electrical service line and a telecommunications conduit with a telephone service line in and under the public rights-of-way for the purpose of supplying 131 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040513 electrical service and telephone service to the newsstand, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 10 040513: This bill grants permission to Muhammed Shaukat, owner of the newsstand at the southwest corner of 10th and Market Street to construct, use and main an electrical conduit with electrical service line and a telecommunications conduit with a telephone service line in and under the public rights-of-way for the purpose of supplying electrical and telephone service to the newsstand. The Streets Department has reviewed the proposed construction plan for this project and has no objection to the passage of the bill.
Thank you. 132 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040515 Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040515, an ordinance authorizing Chemical Heritage Foundation, 315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2702, its successors and assigns, to construct, own and maintain a variable height masonry retaining wall planter on the north footway of Chestnut Street adjacent to their property, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 21 040515: This bill authorizes Chemical Heritage Foundation, 315 Chestnut Street, to construction and maintain a variable height masonry retaining wall planter on the north 133 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040516 footway of Chestnut Street adjacent to the property. The wall is approximately 50 feet in length and encroaches feet onto the north 5 footway of Chestnut Street, leaving 12 feet of clear unobstructed footway. The Streets Department has reviewed the plans and has no objection to the passage of the bill.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040516 an ordinance granting permission to Starbucks Coffee Company, tenant of the property located at 2201-19 South Broad Street, to operate and maintain an open air sidewalk cafe on the east footway of South Broad Street south of Jackson Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz and I'm a Construction Engineer 134 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040518 with the Streets Department. I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 4 040516: This bill grants permission to Starbucks Coffee Company, tenants of the property 2201-19 South Broad Street to operate an open air sidewalk cafe on the east sidewalk of Broad Street adjacent to the property. Four tables and one ADA table are proposed which will leave feet of clear, 12 unobstructed footway. No rails will be used. 13 The Streets Department has reviewed 14 the cafe plan as has no objection to the 15 passage of the bill.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040518, an ordinance authorizing Thomas Jefferson University, Suite 2100, 130 South Ninth Street, Philadelphia, its successors and 135 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040518 assigns to construct, own and maintain an underground pneumatic conduit ductbank connecting two hospital campus buildings in the vicinity of 10th and Chestnut Streets, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz and I'm a Construction Engineer with the Streets Department. I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill 040519: This bill authorizes Thomas Jefferson University to construct, own and maintain an underground pneumatic ductbank connecting two hospital campus buildings in the vicinity of 10th and Chestnut Streets. The ductbank consisting of two pneumatic conduits and two spare conduits will connect hospital buildings 925 Chestnut to 1000 to 1032 Chestnut Street. The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no objection to the passage of the bill.
Any questions for this witness from the Committee? 136 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040523 (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 040523, an ordinance authorizing the paving of Country Club Boulevard, Palmer Drive, Par Drive, Nicklaus Drive, and Player Drive, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager for the Department of Streets. The Department would like to offer the following testimony on Bill 040523. This is not an Administrative ordinance, but an ordinance requested by Mr. Charles Durkin of Durkin Associates, Special Care Building, 717 Bethlehem Pike, Erdenheim, PA 19038. The purpose of this ordinance is to pave these new streets to facilitate new residential development.
Any questions 137 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040523 for this witness from the Committee?
Mr. Lonie, what is your title with the Streets Department?
What is your relationship compared to Mr. Denny's work?
We work for the Streets Department. He's in the traffic engineer section. My relationship is kind of in the legal section of the City Plan and the streets and the surveying end of things, the lines and grades of the streets.
We work together on a lot of different things. Sometimes the movement or whatever the traffic coincides with the narrowing of widening of streets, the opening and closing of streets, the placing of streets on the City Plan, different things like that. We do work together quite often.
I would ask the Chairman of the Committee to continue either this case with the understanding Mr. Denny 138 05/26/04 - STREETS - BILL 040337 would also be available for discussion and you would be further available until tomorrow afternoon at some point after the Council meeting at either 2 or 2:30, something like that, because I have a line of questions that I think I've got to find out about the procedure of both the inspection department and engineering department. I think you and Mr. Denny are two critical factors. So I'm going to make that request of the Chairman, to continue action on this bill and direct the two of you be available for tomorrow or as soon as the chairman is able to work that out. It has to be a time certain.