COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA2 COMMITTEE ON RULES3 - - - Room 400, City Hall5 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wednesday, April 8, 2009, 10:20 a.m.6 - - - Bill 080901 - An ordinance continuing the9 Chestnut Hill Business Improvement District beyond its date of termination...10 Bill 090128 - An ordinance continuing the East Passyunk Business Improvement District beyond12 its termination date... (Full text of both bills attached hereto.)14 COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT:16 Anna C. Verna, Chair W. Wilson Goode, Jr.17 James F. Kenney, V. Chair William K. Greenlee Blondell Reynolds Brown Jack Kelly18 Darrell L. Clarke Donna Reed Miller Frank DiCicco19 - - -22 V A R A L L O Incorporated23 Litigation Support Specialists 1835 Market Street, Suite 60024 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.267025 2 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281
Good2 morning. Good morning, everyone.3 This is the public hearing of4 the Committee on Rules. I would ask5 Mr. Erickson to please read the title of6 Bill No. 080901.7
Bill No. 080901,8 an ordinance continuing the Chestnut Hill9 Business Improvement District beyond the10 date of termination of the District in11 the area that generally includes both12 sides of Germantown Avenue from 7640 to13 8705, both sides of Bethlehem Pike, from14 10 to 105, and certain blocks of streets15 that intersect that portion of Germantown16 Avenue, and for which Chestnut Hill17 Business Improvement District, Inc., a18 Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation,19 serves as the Neighborhood Improvement20 District Management Association for the21 District; approving a plan for the22 District, including a list of proposed23 improvements and their estimated cost,24 and providing for assessment fees to be25 3 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 levied on property owners within the2 District; authorizing the Director of3 Commerce, on behalf of the City, to4 execute an agreement with Chestnut Hill5 Business Improvement District, Inc.,6 relating to the District; and authorizing7 Chestnut Hill Business Improvement8 District, Inc. to assess property owners9 within the District a special property10 assessment fee to be used in accordance11 with the approved plan; all in accordance12 with the provisions of the Community13 Economic Improvement Act and under14 certain terms and conditions.15
Thank16 you.17 Do we have anyone to testify on18 this bill?19 (No response.)20
Is21 there anyone here to testify on this22 bill?23 (No response.)24
Okay.25 4 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 Seeing no one, I would ask Mr. Erickson2 to please read the title of Bill No.3 090128.4
Bill No. 090128,5 an ordinance continuing the East Passyunk6 Avenue Business Improvement District7 ("District") beyond its termination date8 in an area that generally includes both9 sides of East Passyunk Avenue, from the10 south side of Federal Street to the east11 side of South Broad Street, certain12 blocks of streets that intersect that13 portion of East Passyunk Avenue, both14 sides of South Broad Street, and the15 south side of McKean Street to the north16 side of Snyder Avenue, and the west side17 of South Broad Street, from the south18 side of Mifflin Street to the north side19 of McKean Street, and for which East20 Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement21 District, Inc., a Pennsylvania nonprofit22 corporation, is the Neighborhood23 Improvement District Management24 Association; approving a final plan for25 5 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 and report concerning the District,2 including a list of proposed improvements3 and their estimated cost, and providing4 for assessment fees to be levied on5 property owners within the District;6 authorizing the Director of Commerce, on7 behalf of the City, to execute an8 agreement with East Passyunk Avenue9 Business Improvement District, Inc.10 relating to the District; and authorizing11 East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement12 District, Inc. to assess property owners13 within the District a special property14 assessment fee to be used in accordance15 with the approved final plan, all in16 accordance with the provisions of the17 Community and Economic Improvement Act,18 under certain terms and conditions.19
Thank20 you very much.21 Is Mr. Frishkoff here to22 testify?23 (Witness comes forward.)24
Good25 6 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 morning.2
Thank you. Good3 morning, Madam Chairwoman and members of4 City Council. My name is Andrew5 Frishkoff. I'm the Director of6 Neighborhood Economic Development for the7 City of Philadelphia's Commerce8 Department.9 I'm here today to provide10 testimony in support of Bill No. 090128.11 This bill will allow for the12 reestablishment of the East Passyunk13 Avenue Business Improvement District.14 The creation of business15 improvements districts, or BIDs, as they16 are commonly known, is consistent with17 the Mayor's Philadelphia Plan, especially18 with the core-service areas of economic19 recovery and job creation and enhancing20 public safety.21 BIDs strengthen commercial areas22 and the surrounding neighborhoods through23 cleaning, beautification, public safety,24 and marketing activities. BIDs are also25 7 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 consistent with the goals of our ReStore2 Philadelphia Corridors Program, designed3 to help revitalize neighborhood4 commercial corridors. BIDs offer5 significant opportunities for6 collaboration between the City and our7 neighborhood commercial corridors.8 The East Passyunk BID is one of9 eight corridor organizations10 participating in the Commerce11 Department's Main Street Program. The12 BID is also working with Commerce on13 facade and streetscape improvements on14 East Passyunk Avenue. These activities15 improve the environment within which16 business owners and their customers live,17 shop, and work.18 In these difficult economic19 times, efforts to keep East Passyunk20 Avenue competitive are more important than21 ever. Given the economic stresses22 currently confronting neighborhood23 retailers, we urge the BID to maintain24 high-quality services at the lowest25 8 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 possible cost to businesses and property2 owners. The Commerce Department is3 supportive of the BID's proposed services4 as long as they have the backing of the5 assessed businesses.6 Well, I'll be happy, as always,7 to answer any questions that you may have.8 I would urge you to hear from the business9 people and community members who are here10 today; they are the experts and they are11 the ones who will be able to answer most12 of your questions13 Thank you for your time and14 consideration.15
Thank16 you.17 Mr. Frishkoff, to your18 knowledge, and only to your knowledge,19 have any of the affected property owners20 objected to the continuation of the21 District?22
I have heard23 that they have. The Commerce Department,24 however, which has an operating agreement25 9 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 with the BIDs in the City, is not a party2 to any of the communications. I think3 that there have been communications to4 Council concerning both support and5 opposition.6
Okay.7 Paragraph 10 of Exhibit A states that the8 District's assessment fee will be 209 percent of the taxes due on any10 commercial property within the service11 area. Is it the same amount that has12 been charged in previous years?13
The rate, I14 believe, is the same, but there is a --15 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Point of16 order, Madam President.17
Yes, some18 clarification.19 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Point of20 order, Madam President.21
The22 Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.23 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you,24 Madam Chair.25 10 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 I have an amendment that I will2 be offering today that will address that3 issue in the anticipation that there are4 tax increases and/or full value that will5 give protections as best we can to the6 existing BID and the rate at which7 they're paying today.8
Great.9 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: So I'll be10 offering that amendment.11
Thank12 you.13 Are there any questions from14 members of the committee?15 The Chair recognizes Councilman16 DiCicco.17 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you,18 Madam Chair.19 Good morning.20
Good morning.21 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Do you have22 the number of properties that are23 currently in the BID?24
I don't have25 11 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 that here, no. I believe it's 300, but I2 don't have the -- it's in the ordinance,3 which I don't have in front of me.4 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: All right.5 Miss Gillinger may have that, the6 executive director, when she comes up.7 So if she does, I'll wait for her.8 (Councilman DiCicco confers off9 the record with legislative aide.)10 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Okay, it's11 289. My legislative assistant just12 handed me the information. It's 28913 properties within the BID, and I just14 wanted to bring that to everyone's15 attention, to the Councilmembers'16 attention, because we'll see, as the17 testimony goes on, the number of people18 who are actually protesting the19 reissuance of the BID.20
The25 12 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.2
Thank you.3 Mr. Frishkoff, you're from the4 City of Philadelphia; is that correct?5
Is there any8 members of the board or -- that they're9 operating the services right now? Are10 they present, or are they going to be11 testifying?12
All right.18 Thank you.19 Then I have no questions, Madam20 Chair.21
Thank22 you.23 Thank you very much,24 Mr. Frishkoff, and you will remain?25 13 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281
Thank4 you.5 I would ask Mr. Erickson to6 please call the first witness.7
Please13 identify yourself for the record and14 proceed with your testimony.15
19 Good morning. Okay. 21 We have identified a garage,22 which will be vacated by the end of the23 week, and the pickup service -- and we24 hope to have all of the new systems in25 16 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 place by Monday. 5 As a result, the budget for6 other programmatic work will need to be7 reevaluated to figure out how to stretch8 our funds further. 12 I believe that there are many13 advantages in having the BID, but I never14 felt a greater need for it than I do now,15 now that the organization will have full16 responsibility for maintaining the17 cleanliness of the Avenue. 9 I will also note that the10 advantage of having the Business11 Improvement District is the ability to12 apply for and receive public funds. 24 We are constantly looking for25 18 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 new funding opportunities and have just2 submitted a beautification grant on3 Friday. If successful, we will be4 partnering with the Mural Arts Program on5 two more murals for the Avenue and, with6 our local civic association, East7 Passyunk Crossing, put a community garden8 at the empty lot, which is currently9 cleaned out by Citizens Alliance, at East10 Passyunk and Morris Avenue. It's the11 center of the length of the Avenue. 15 The BID also spends a fair16 amount of resources on advertising, but17 this is one of the areas of our budget18 most at risk for elimination and19 reduction when our potential assessment20 income is not met. 24 In addition to these larger25 19 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 projects to keep our avenue vibrant and2 clean, I spend part of every day helping3 the merchants and property owners with4 anything I am able to. 17 I also just started a new18 monthly LGBT -- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,19 Transgender -- social event, which, the20 first month, brought out 180 people to a21 restaurant, and last night, brought out22 over 150 people on a Tuesday night to a23 restaurant that typically serves only24 about 20 people on this particular25 20 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 evening. 19 All of this -- special events,20 advertisements, the website, monthly21 nights out, facade-improvement grants,22 and street-cleaning would not take place23 without the East Passyunk Avenue Business24 Improvement District. 5
Thank6 you.7 Are there any questions or8 comments from members of the committee?9 The Chair recognizes Councilman10 Kelly.11
Thank you,12 Madam Chair.13 Miss Gillinger, what I just want14 to know is: How many board members do15 you have?16
We currently17 have nine because we just had a18 resignation.19
Yes. And we25 22 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 also have four working committees that2 meet monthly. So programmatically, it's3 broken down into design, beautification,4 promotions, economic development, and5 organizational structure and management.6
We have one,15 two, three... I think we have three16 property owners, three merchants -- two17 merchants maybe who, you know, are rental18 merchants. I'm sorry. I just need to19 think about this for a second.20 So, yes. So we have a property21 owner who's also a merchant, another22 property owner who's also a merchant, a23 merchant, a merchant, Councilman DiCicco24 has a representative on the board,25 23 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 Councilman Kenney has a representative on2 the board. And Christian DiCicco is on3 our board as the head of Citizens4 Alliance; I don't know if that will5 change or not.6 Yeah, that's everybody.7
It doesn't8 matter who.9 You mentioned about the -- how10 much of the funding goes into street-11 cleaning?12
Currently, we17 spend about $55,000 a year on the18 street-cleaning, and a little bit of19 money -- a little bit of that is --20
Our potential23 budget is $320,000 for the year, but24 that's assuming that everybody actually25 24 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 would pay their assessments.2 Right now, what I operate on3 is -- I think I just passed it forward --4 $230,000 for this year, is what I5 actually anticipate to collect from6 assessments. So that's what I -- that's7 for the --8
And that's9 lower than previous years; is that right?10
Yeah, it's about15 average, yeah.16 I mean, there's a -- I think17 everyone knows there's a lot less grant18 money out there right now.19
So, you know,21 we're really only receiving one grant22 from Main Street, and the rest of it is23 assessment money.24
So will you25 25 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 be taking money that -- I guess you'll be2 appropriating more money for street-3 cleaning since --4
-- Citizens6 Alliance will no longer be providing that7 service.8
Yeah. The9 budget for street-cleaning will increase10 by about $20,000 because of the need of11 trash pickup. I'm trying to negotiate12 that to be a little lower.13 And then also, there's the need14 for more special-project days. Like we15 did a street-cleaning on Saturday for the16 Mayor's cleanup program and --17
Plan to24 invest in as far as supporting --25 26 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281
Another one of2 our -- like I said, our big component is3 our special-events program. Now, we did4 just cancel Flavors of the Avenue because5 that event costs about $20,000 to produce6 'cause there's a -- the rental fees for7 it alone are at least $10,000.8 But we have other events that we9 are going to maintain. We just did an10 Easter egg hunt last -- two weeks ago,11 which brought out over 200 families to12 the Avenue; that event only cost about13 $2400 to produce. And most of the cost14 is because of advertising and printing15 and banners and all that.16
Do you17 receive any funding other than the18 property-tax assessment?19
We receive money20 from the Main Street Program. As a21 member of the Main Street Program, we22 receive $50,000 for salary and $25,00023 for facade-improvement grants. And that24 money is sort of a pass-through. It's in25 27 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 our budget, but there's a pass -- it's2 pass-through money.3 So merchants apply for facade4 improvement, which is up to $5,000 for an5 individual to $10,000 for a corner --6
That money9 comes -- it actually comes through the10 Commerce Department.11
Yeah -- well,23 it's 50,000 for salary, and 25,000 goes24 directly to the stores for facade25 28 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 improvements. They submit an invoice, we2 submit an invoice, we get the check, we3 give them the check.4
It's not money6 that we can spend in any other way,7 shape, or form.8
Okay, all9 right. Thank you.10 Thank you, Madam President.11
Thank12 you.13 Are there any other questions or14 comments from members of the committee?15 (No further questions or comments16 from committee members.)17 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:18 Hearing none, thank you.19
I21 would ask Mr. Erickson to please call up22 our next witness.23
Cathy Lee.24 (Witnesses come forward.)25 29 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281
Good morning. We are8 here. This is my husband, Francis9 Cratil. We opened our restaurant on the10 1900 block of East Passyunk Avenue11 about -- it's going on 18 months.12
You just wanted us20 to identify ourselves at this point,21 right?22
So we're the owners25 30 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 of Le Virtù, at 1927 East Passyunk2 Avenue.3
Well, I have to say6 that without the BID, our business7 wouldn't exist. The only reason we had8 any confidence in investing in the high9 six figures to buy two properties and10 erect an entire building on East Passyunk11 Avenue was the sense of direction and12 purpose that the BID provided and that we13 could see the improvements in facades and14 the fact that someone was taking care of15 cleaning up on the Avenue and the events16 that the BID was having.17 And we also live in that18 neighborhood, so we saw for years a19 general improvement and a -- I want to20 say a forward momentum. Things were21 looking up in a lot of ways. A lot of22 businesses that we really admired were23 opening up, and when we talked to them,24 they all spoke very highly of the BID.25 31 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 And in our meetings with the2 BID, the BID helped us, and it was3 invaluable in publicizing the opening of4 our place. Because we had delays due to5 zoning and delays due to -- we imported6 our chef from Italy, and we had delays7 with the federal government.8 The BID kept word of our9 business alive and to the events like10 Flavors of the Avenue before we opened.11 We actually probably earned hundreds, if12 not thousands, of customers just from the13 stand we put up and the food that we14 produced for those kinds of events.15 I shudder to think, you know,16 with all of the delays and all of the17 problems that we had, what kind of a18 situation we would have been in when we19 finally opened our business if not for20 the BID.21 And now I just don't want to22 think about Passyunk Avenue without the23 cleaning services that the BID is going24 to have to provide, because, the previous25 32 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 speaker is absolutely correct: In just2 one day, you see the trash accumulate,3 and trash just seems to come out of4 nowhere.5 But we have profited from almost6 all of the events, even up at the7 fountain, the market that was up for a8 while. I mean, when the BID would ask us9 to open for these events or to do10 something, we always received a response11 because people were walking up and down12 the Avenue because they came to an event,13 and we would do something to make them --14 you know, to present ourselves to make15 them come in. And because we are open, I16 think, to what the BID was asking us to17 do, we profited from it, I think,18 enormously.19 And we've had a bunch of events20 since then like little pub crawls that21 have brought in customers that probably22 would have never come through the doors23 of our restaurant if not for the BID and24 its efforts.25 33 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281
Thank2 you.3 Any questions or comments from4 members of the committee?5 The Chair recognizes Councilman6 DiCicco.7 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you,8 Madam President.9 Good morning and thank you for10 taking the time out of your busy schedule11 to be here this morning.12 Francis, you mentioned that you13 reside in the neighborhood. How long14 have you lived in that community?15
I've lived in the16 neighborhood since 1996.17 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And18 where do you -- do you live in proximity19 to the Avenue?20
Yes. We live on21 13th, between Tasker and Morris, so a22 block.23 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: A block, a24 block or so off the Avenue.25 34 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281
Yeah.2 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And the3 reason I ask you that is, as a resident4 for over a decade now, could you just5 speak to what the conditions were ten6 years ago on the Avenue and as it relates7 to how the Avenue is operating and the8 appearance of the Avenue today.9
Well, there was10 much less that we could do when we first11 moved here. Cathy worked at the Art12 Museum, I was busy during the day. A lot13 of businesses were not open, hours were14 sporadic. It was very difficult for us15 to -- Cathy never was able to shop on the16 Avenue due to -- somewhat due to hours.17 But also, there were a lot of, I18 think, properties in decay that are now19 viable businesses that were attracted by20 the BID. I mean, there are a lot of21 businesses now that we frequent that22 didn't exist when we came to that23 neighborhood.24 But it's beyond just Passyunk25 35 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 Avenue. A lot of our current neighbors,2 a lot of people who were attracted by the3 businesses that have opened since we4 moved to the neighborhood, probably a lot5 because of the BID, because we know all6 the -- a lot of these owners who have7 opened up businesses. And we have8 neighbors now who basically will come9 down, walk around the neighborhood, and10 get a very good feel for what was going11 on on East Passyunk Avenue and invest12 then in a house in our neighborhood.13
Residents.16 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: So the BID17 has actually had a twofold benefit.18
Oh, it has, without19 a doubt. I mean, and people -- there's20 also people, longtime residents in our21 neighborhood, who've completely redid22 their facades, redid their houses just23 out of a sense of optimism.24 Because when we first moved to25 36 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 13th and Tasker, we had -- actually, the2 guy we bought our house from and people3 said, "You got here too late. It's4 over." Well, it wasn't over. In fact,5 it's been -- it's just been getting6 better and better every year we've been7 there.8 And I don't think that it's9 possible to separate that from the10 activities of the BID.11 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And that's12 important.13 I just -- and I'm familiar with14 your restaurant; I go there, as you know,15 frequently. The building that you16 occupy, was that vacant, a vacant17 building?18
It was vacant.19 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And next20 door -- I'm not sure -- my colleagues may21 not have been down there so I'm trying to22 give them a sense of what's going on, on23 the 1900 block at least.24 And the building you operate now25 37 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 as a restaurant was once a vacant2 building.3
Yes.4 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And you5 also have access to a green lawn type of6 space, property --7
Yes.8 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: -- that was9 also the site of a vacant building that10 had been demolished?11
But the building we12 bought was vacant. Next to it was an13 abandoned property that had been14 demolished; there was nothing there but a15 muddy field. And then next to that is16 what is currently the large garden17 expanse.18 And we erected a building on19 that. We remodeled the building we20 bought and we erected a building on what21 was the vacant property.22 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you.23 And let's just go back to your24 private residence, and I'm not asking for25 38 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 exact numbers, but what you paid for your2 house when you bought it in '97, would3 you agree that you've seen a significant4 increase --5
Fivefold.6 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: -- in the7 value of your property?8
Fivefold.9 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And do you10 think that the increase in your property11 value, aside from the fact that the12 economy was good up until we went in the13 tank recently, do you think that any of14 that is attributable to the BID and how15 the BID has made improvements to the East16 Passyunk Avenue corridor?17
I think a great18 deal of it is attributable to the BID,19 yes.20 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you.21 Thank you.22
Any23 other questions or comments?24 The Chair recognizes Councilman25 39 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 Kelly.2
I just had a3 question. You're currently paying the4 assessment for the services now?5
Would you7 have any objections if that fee was to be8 increased?9
No. For the amount14 we've paid, what we've gotten back is --15
I know16 Councilman DiCicco mentioned something17 about amendments.18 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Yeah. I --19
But we're20 speaking about now how there could be a21 property-tax increase. There could be;22 I'm not saying there will be, but based23 upon that --24 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Point of25 40 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 order, if I can.2 The amendment will adjust that3 so that there's not any significant4 increase.5
Okay.6 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I think it7 will probably stay the same, but if there8 is an adjustment, it would be minimal at9 best.10
Okay. So you11 will adjust it in case there is.12 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: That's what13 the amendment addresses.14
Michael Clausten.24 (No response.)25 41 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281
All14 right, fine. Then let's go to the next15 witness.16
I'm23 sorry. Please identify yourself for the24 record.25 42 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281
I'm sorry. I2 forgot to identify myself. My name is3 Walter Lucidi. I have a store on4 Passyunk Avenue, and I also am employed5 by the City Department, at the Department6 of Human Services, so I'm not at my store7 every day; my store is only open part-8 time.9 But, anyhow, I came here today10 because I heard that the Citizens11 Alliance is being shut down as of April12 30th and that we're no longer going to13 have street-cleaning. You know, to me14 street-cleaning is very important15 because, you know, I live on the Avenue16 and also have my business there.17 So when everybody goes home on18 Saturdays and Sundays, I'm stuck picking19 up the trash and cleaning the streets.20 Anybody who knows me sees me out there21 every day with the broom, the mop, the22 hose, and everything else.23 I saw Councilman Curtis Jones24 come in here a few minutes ago. You25 43 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 know, when Mr. Jones was in charge of the2 PCDC, I used to go up there because I3 used to run the association. I used to4 go up there and beg and borrow to try to5 get some services for our district. And6 Mr. Jones used to say to me you, you7 know, "You guys are on standby because8 you have a great corridor." You know,9 "You don't need any help from us."10 Then I used to go to Front and11 Spring Garden and talk to Mr. Rocky12 Nelson to get the street cleaned, and we13 always got services. Then, all of a14 sudden, everything stopped, and the15 street became a pig pen.16 So then this BID came along.17 And, at first, you know, I didn't see18 much improvement. Then they hired this19 guy Rocky, and the guy's out there three,20 four times a week cleaning the streets.21 Now I heard that they hired a Gold Medal22 Company to pick up the trash, and this23 guy Rocky still wants to continue to24 clean the street.25 44 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 So I came here today basically2 to talk about the street-cleaning. You3 know, for me, it's a pet peeve, whatever4 you call it. You know, it's important to5 me.6 So Councilman...7
Mentioned something9 about $50,000 or $55,000. I don't know10 the figures. I don't know, you know, how11 much of the BID money goes here or there;12 I don't know.13 All's I know is, today, before I14 came here, I did the math: I pay about15 275 a year. And to me, it comes out to16 about $1.75 a day to pay this guy to17 clean my street. And to me, it's worth18 it, you know, to have the streets19 cleaned.20 So that's what I'm here to21 testify to. I like the street-cleaning.22 You know, I think it's important as a23 resident and as a merchant on Passyunk24 Avenue, and I want it to continue.25 45 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281
Thank2 you very much.3 Any questions or comments from4 members of the committee?5 (No questions or comments from6 committee members.)7
Good morning,18 Council. My name is Anthony Maugeri. I19 own a store called Today's Styles. I20 also am a BID director.21 I've been on Passyunk Avenue for22 almost 30 years now, as a store- and23 property-owner; I also own the property24 there. I used to own two properties25 46 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 there with another retailer, which I had2 closed down just recently.3 The BID -- I seen Passyunk go4 from, in its heydey, when it was as busy5 as anything, to it going down. And in my6 view, we're back, starting to come back7 again.8 And the BID has kept the streets9 clean, which is so important to retail.10 It has helped us project. People have11 talked that there's a buzz about the12 street. Retailers want to come here,13 people are looking at the street.14 Businesses are coming there, and fronts15 are being repaired. There's activity16 there.17 And I think the BID has served a18 decent function in the last couple of19 years. We have put up lighting on the20 street, which are beautiful; people have21 complimented the lighting that we have22 put up there. So we do serve a function.23 I understand that people are24 upset because we tax them. And at this25 47 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 time, anything that says taxes is not a2 favorable thing with people today. But I3 think for the amount of money that it4 comes to, it's so minimal that if we5 could get past that and realize how small6 of amount of money that is, that it's7 very beneficial to the street itself.8
Thank9 you very much.10 Any questions or comments from11 members of the committee?12 (No questions or comments from13 committee members.)14
Good morning. My24 name is Anthony Criniti. I own a real25 48 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 estate on Passyunk Avenue as well as2 several properties on the Avenue, and3 I've been an investor and an owner since4 1984.5 I'm here to say that I'm happy6 with the job that the BID has done. I've7 received money through the BID for facade8 programs on several of my properties.9 And the streets are well-10 maintained. For a small amount of money,11 for a little over a dollar a day, I can't12 see what the problem is.13
Thank14 you.15 Are there any questions or16 comments?17 Councilman DiCicco.18 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you,19 Madam President.20 Thank you also for being here21 today.22 As a Realtor -- you heard my23 questions to Francis and Cathy earlier --24 do you see the benefit of the BID as it25 49 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 relates not only to individual businesses2 but to the corridor and the adjacent3 community?4
Oh, absolutely.5 In '99, there was 14 properties on the6 Avenue for sale; everybody was leaving.7 Since the BID came about in, I'd say, in8 early 2000 or whenever, somewhere's in9 that area, they took these vacant10 properties, they renovated them, they11 created services for the Avenue, and they12 issued these facade programs. I mean, I13 took advantage of 'em; I don't know how14 many other people did, but I took15 advantage of it.16 And I think it's made a big17 improvement. It brought in a new18 generation to an almost-dead corridor.19 You know, ten years ago, there was no20 young people on the Avenue, there was no21 interest in being there. The stores were22 closing and the people were leaving.23 It could have been another24 Seventh Street, you know. And you know,25 50 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 you've been around long enough to know.2 Seventh Street, back in the old days, was3 thriving. Forget it, it's been deserted4 for 40 years now.5 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And how6 many properties you said were vacant at7 one time?8
Fourteen.12 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Okay.13 Those are -- but they have all -- most of14 those properties, correct me if I'm15 wrong, have been purchased.16
Yes.20 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And they21 have been renovated or are under --22
They've been23 renovated or are under renovation right24 now.25 51 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you.2 And they'll be made available to3 entrepreneurs or whoever, correct?4
Good morning. My17 name is Rosemary Gallo. 22 I opened the first center in23 1998 on the 1500 block of East Passyunk24 Avenue. At that time, only two other25 52 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 storefronts were occupied by businesses;2 all the other storefronts were empty and3 in disrepair. 6 Today, every storefront is7 occupied. There are now nine additional8 businesses on my block, and the street is9 bright, active, and very clean. 14 Before the formation of the BID,15 the streets and sidewalks surrounding our16 daycare were full of trash. 20 Thanks to the BID and the21 monumental assistance of Citizens22 Alliance for Better Neighborhoods, our23 streets and sidewalks are clean and24 pedestrian-friendly. 6 It will be a huge challenge to7 keep our streets clean without Citizens8 Alliance, but I'm confident that the BID9 will work diligently to find an10 alternative solution. 13 My husband and I are lifelong14 residents of East Passyunk Avenue, and15 we've raised our two daughters here. We16 are committed to the success and17 continued improvement of our18 neighborhood. In 2004, we renovated and19 moved into the upper floors of our20 property located at 1510 East Passyunk21 Avenue. 9 In conclusion, I would like to10 see the Passyunk Avenue Business11 Improvement District continue its12 mission. 4
Thank5 you.6 Any questions or comments from7 members of the committee?8 (No questions or comments from9 committee members.)10
Good16 morning and welcome. Please identify17 yourself for the record.18
My name is Lynn19 Rinaldi. I own two restaurants along20 East Passyunk Avenue: Paradiso, which I21 opened in November of 2004, and we just22 recently opened a Japanese restaurant on23 1601 East Passyunk Avenue.24 When I started looking for25 57 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 property along the Avenue, I seen a lot2 of potential. I mean, it was 2003; there3 wasn't too much going on, there was still4 a lot of vacant properties.5 But when I started to do a6 little bit of investigating, I found out7 that there was -- it was a Business8 Improvement District. And I have to say9 that's what attracted me to leasing and10 then purchasing my property, my first11 restaurant.12 And for the amount of money that13 gets paid, I think all of the businesses14 and the community as a whole sees the15 benefit of the BID. And if I did not16 have confidence that the BID would17 proceed to make the Avenue grow, I would18 have never invested in a second19 restaurant.20 So I just hope to see that the21 BID exists in the future.22
Thank23 you.24 The Chair recognizes Councilman25 58 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 Kenney.2
Thank you,3 Madam Chair.4 Could you tell me what was in5 your -- in Paradiso restaurant prior to6 it being Paradiso?7
It was a vacant8 furniture store. I believe it was vacant9 for approximately five years.10
And when you11 opened your Izumi, the sushi restaurant,12 on the corner, what was in there?13
When I was14 younger, it was a dry cleaners, and then15 I believe it was an office.16
Thank24 you.25 59 4/8/09 - RULES COMMITTEE - BILLS 080901, 0901281 Any other questions or comments?2 (No questions or comments from3 committee members.)4