Yes, sir. Charles 80 BILL 980900 Trainor, Acting Chief Traffic Engineer. The Streets Department offers the following testimony in support of Bill No. 980900, authorizing the installation of stop signs on 3rd Street and George Street in a manner consistent with PennDOT regulations. The Traffic and Engineering Study will be forwarded to PennDOT's District Traffic Engineer in order to confirm the city's consistency with current state regulations. City Council will be promptly informed on the receipt of a response from PennDOT. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Any questions for this witness? Mr. Trainor, just for the record, do you recall you and I had a conversation a year, a year and a half ago, about 3rd Street, between Brown and Girard, when I had originally made a request for a stop sign at 3rd and George? And I believe during that conversation, you had indicated that we might look, you would look into the striping of 3rd Street, kind of putting in some sort of a lane to squeeze the lane down, maybe to slow? 81 BILL 980900 We were looking for some sort of traffic-calming devices or street striping implementation that would calm traffic down. Do you recall that?
I recall that, Councilman. We are basically talking about providing, for want of a better term, edge lines or parking lane lines to narrow the perception of the street to the driving public. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Could you tell me why we never even at least did that?
Councilman, I cannot answer that. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: When you and I left that meeting, we had that understanding, that in lieu of the stop sign, at least we would try that out. What's the next step in the process? You go to someone else in the Streets Department?
The Traffic Engineering Division prepares a work order for the markings, and that work order is then submitted to the Highway Division for inclusion in their marking program. 82 BILL 980900 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: All right. Because I kind of was always waiting for it to happen. And as many times as I drive through there, because it is part of my district, I guess I was being a lot more patient than I probably should have. No disrespect to you. I probably should have called you and said, what's going on here. Because I was down there about a week ago. And the interesting thing is, there was a lot more activity, pedestrian activity, along that strip of 3rd Street now that we have Liberty Lands, which is a community park land that our office was instrumental in getting the Redevelopment Authority to turn over to the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association. And there are kids now that are actually going across 3rd Street. Where about two, three years ago, when we first talked about stop sign installation, there was a limited amount of pedestrian traffic. And there is a considerable amount more, especially in the spring and summer months. Would that change anything in the 83 BILL 980900 mindset of your department as to whether or not another device would be necessary or would be considered? And this is just hypothetical. I am just curious. Would that make a difference?
An increase in traffic volume, be it pedestrians crossing the street or vehicles on George Street, would change the result, could change the result, of the study. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Well, the pedestrian traffic increase is now crossing over from east to west on 3rd, further north than George, somewhere between Brown and I think it's Wildey Street, Wildey Street, which is about a block or two north of -- I mean, south of George. That's the park area is on the east side. There is actually another little park called Oriana Park, which is kind of a dog run, on the west side. And, again, because of the dog park, Oriana Park, and Northern Liberties Lands, there is a lot of activity there, and especially in the summer months. They have concerts outside. And I am just curious if they could 84 BILL 980900 take another look at that.
From the position of the George Street itself, with the activity taking place at a different location, it would not affect the intersection of George. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Of George.
Whether additional signing -- and what's coming to mind, and I don't know what the facilities are at the park, Playground signs, or something of that nature. These are, basically, warning signs to let people know that there is something there. If the pedestrian activity at the other intersection is, to some extent, unexpected and of a significant volume -- and I don't know what that number is -- possibly a warning sign of a pedestrian crossing, with or without the crosswalk, would be appropriate. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: In giving the nature of what I described to you -- and I think I gave you a pretty clear picture of what's going on there -- would not striping, at least in your mind, I am not putting words in your mouth, in your mind, would striping help in any way? 85 BILL 980900 Do you think that may help slow the traffic down, and something we should look to again?
Placing the edge lines in there should be done, yes. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Okay. Is this enough notice for you, or do I need to do another letter?
This is enough notice for me. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Councilman Rizzo.
Could you help refresh my memory, I want to get back to stop signs and traffic signals. You talked about the consistency with PennDOT. When you took down four-way stop signs and traffic signals, were those intersections all restudied prior to the removal of four-way stop signs?
Using four-way stop signs specifically, the only four-way stop signs that were converted to a conventional stop were locations that were on federal aid routes, where 86 BILL 980900 funding was received through the state from the federal government for resurfacing purposes. Those intersections had to be justified for their control prior to the resurfacing, prior to the funding. If we had a study that had justified those intersections, they stayed. If the study that we did or tried to recreate could not justify those controls, that was when they were removed. That's the all-way intersections. The traffic signals were different. The traffic signals, we did a study. It was the city's movement to convert the intersections from signals, to an all-way stop. One of the warrants justifying an all-way stop is at a location where a traffic signal is justified. But while you are waiting to place the traffic signal, you can put an all-way stop in. So what we've done is, with these low to moderate -- low-to-medium-volume streets that did not really justify the traffic signal, the all-way stop sign is the correct approach. Because the volumes are equal, and they are close to or above what is required of an all-way. 87 BILL 980900
Yes, Councilman. And based on our -- PennDOT doesn't have regulations, per se, for removing a signal. PennDOT's regulations, as we do projects where we're upgrading traffic signals, those intersections have to be justified, signalized, every time federal or state money is spent on them. They have to be rejustified. And if they don't meet their warrants by the -- by one vehicle, their position is to remove it. Based on the city's experience of over 15 years, the federal government has a signal conversion booklet, work book. And, basically, we look for 80 percent. If you have an existing signal, and you meet 80 percent of the numbers, you can keep it in. We are fighting that battle with PennDOT on existing signals now.
When we look at these 88 BILL 980900 low-to-moderate-volume intersections, it is not just the minor street, but it is also the major street that we are looking at on these conversions.
One of the complaints I get in the Northwest is that stop signs were installed to slow traffic, in many locations to stop the momentum of the traffic. There are a few locations in Northwest, Chestnut Hill especially, where Stop signs have been removed. And now the district's reporting, police district is reporting, accidents occurring at those locations. So you are telling me that if you removed the Stop sign, and in your professional judgment that that Stop sign should be considered to be reinstalled at the location, you can do that because it was once at that location?
If the study indicates that the warrants -- whether it is the volume warrant or whether it is the accident warrant -- has been met, then we can install the Stop sign there. Whether it was there before or not, it doesn't matter. We will do the study, and --
But I'm trying to 89 BILL 980900 cut through this bureaucracy a little bit here. If the sign was there -- it is still not clear why you took it away -- but if you want to put it back, does it require a study?
Okay. Thank you, Mr. Trainor. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Councilman Cohen.
Just as a matter of information, when we pass these bills that require the filing of a grievance satisfactory to the law department getting bonds, the filing of bonds, payment of money, what does the person actually have to do who has the responsibility? What department does the person go? Let me refer, for example, to Bill 23 926, 980926, the closing by striking of the City Plan Mayland Street. Now, that's a private bill that was 90 BILL 980900 introduced, in this case, by Councilwoman Miller. Is there somebody else that -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Would you be able to answer this? I know it is really for Mike Longshore.
Does the person, applicant, go to the Streets Department, or do they go to the Law Department? COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Law.
They get a letter from either the Streets Department or the Law Department. Because the Law Department has to draft the agreement, and it got to them for review and signature. So it goes to the Law Department.
Notifies the people that initiated the legislation originally?
So, apparently, there is some record. There is no specific part of the law department, you are familiar with it?
I think in the Streets Department, it goes through Jerry Clark, who is the Law Department's representative to the Streets Department. Because I know that I have had discussions with him regarding private interest bills that have come through our office, and whether or not the person has paid the money and signed the agreement.
Do you know, is he in the Streets Department, assigned by the City Solicitor, or does he still work out of the --
He works out of the law department, but he is assigned to the Streets Department. But his physical office is -- 92 BILL 980900
Okay. Thank you. That will at least get the people involved started. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Any other questions? This concludes the Public Hearing. We now move into the Public Meeting. (Public Hearing adjourned.) - - - 93 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC MEETING of the COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES - - - Thursday, March 4, 1999 - - - Public Meeting conducted by the Committee on Streets and Services, held in Room 400, City Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the above date, to consider action on the following: BILLS 990078, 980717, 980720, 980747, 980802, 980898, 980899, 980900, 980924, 980925, 980926, 980929, 980946, 980947, 980948, 980951, 980968, 980969, 990029, 990030, 990031, 990035 - - - PRESENT: COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO, Chair COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN, Vice Chair COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO - - - 94 PUBLIC MEETING COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Bill No. 5 980715; I am sorry. I make a motion to report Bill No. 7 980717 out of this committee with a favorable recommendation, and the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at its next scheduled hearing. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980717 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Nay? The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 980720 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Properly moved 95 PUBLIC MEETING and seconded that Bill No. 980720 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Nay? The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 980747 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation, and the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980747 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Nay? The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 980802 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the Rules of Council be suspended. 96 PUBLIC MEETING (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980802 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 9 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 980898 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980898 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 23 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved. 97 PUBLIC MEETING
I make a motion that Bill No. 980899 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980899 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 13 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 980900 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980900 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. 98 PUBLIC MEETING All those in favor of the bill 3 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 980924 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the Rules of Council of suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980924 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 17 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 980925 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been 99 PUBLIC MEETING properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980925 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 7 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 980926 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation. And that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980926 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 21 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 980929 be reported out of this 100 PUBLIC MEETING committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980929 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 11 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 980946 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980946 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 25 signify by saying aye. 101 PUBLIC MEETING Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 980947 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980947 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 15 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bills No. 980948 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980948 be reported out of committee with a favorable 102 PUBLIC MEETING recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 5 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion to amend Bill No. 980951. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980951 be amended. All those in favor of the amendment signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is amended.
I make a motion that Bill No. 980951 be reported as amended out of this committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been 103 PUBLIC MEETING properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980951 as amended be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 7 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 980968 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980968 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 21 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 980969 be reported out of this 104 PUBLIC MEETING committee with a favorable recommendation and that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980969 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 11 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 988029 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 990029 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 25 signify by saying aye. 105 PUBLIC MEETING Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 990030 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 990030 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 15 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 990031 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 990031 be reported out of committee with a favorable 106 PUBLIC MEETING recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 5 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 990035 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and that the Rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 990035 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 19 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved.
I make a motion that Bill No. 990078 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. 107 PUBLIC MEETING (Duly seconded.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 990078 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, and that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor of the bill 9 signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The bill is approved. This concludes the Public Meeting on the Committee of Streets and Services. Thank you all for spending time with me today. (Public Meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.) 108 C E R T I F I C A T I O N I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of Thursday, March 4, 1999, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of same. RE: COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES _____________________________________ DEBRA A. WHITEHEAD, RPR