Philadelphia City Council Committee on Rules, 11 Jun 2019

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From YouTube: Committee on Rules 6-11-2019

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The Committee on Rules of the Council of the City of Philadelphia held a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at 10:00 AM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following item:

190233 An Ordinance continuing the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (“District”) beyond its termination date, in an area that generally includes both sides of East Passyunk Avenue from the south side of Federal Street to the east side of South Broad Street, certain blocks of streets that intersect that portion of East Passyunk Avenue, both sides of South Broad Street from the north side of McKean Street to the north side of Snyder Avenue, and the west side of South Broad Street from the south side of Mifflin Street to the north side of McKean Street for which the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District, Inc., a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, is the Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association for the District; approving a final plan and report for the District, including a list of proposed improvements and their estimated cost, and providing for assessment fees to be levied on property owners within the District; authorizing the Director of Commerce, on behalf of the City, to execute an agreement with the East Passyunk Avenue Improvement District, Inc. relating to the District; and authorizing the East Passyunk Avenue Improvement District, Inc. to assess certain property owners within the District a special property assessment fee to be used in accordance with the approved final plan; all in accordance with the provisions of the Community and Economic Improvement Act, and under certain terms and conditions.

This hearing is also being held in compliance with Section 5 of the Community and Economic Improvement Act (53 P.S. § 18105) for the purpose of receiving public comment from affected property owners on the proposed neighborhood improvement district plan for the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (“District”), a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A to Bill No. 190233. The Council of the City of Philadelphia initiated action to establish the proposed District by enacting Resolution No. 190245 (adopted April 4, 2019).

Committee on Rules
Chair: Councilman Bill Greenlee (At Large)
Vice Chair: Councilman Mark Squilla (1st District)

A

Good morning, everybody, this is the rules committee we have obtained a quorum consisting of vice-chairman counts from school accounts. President Clark Councilwoman, Sanchez and Councilwoman bass. Miss Marconi. Will you please read the title of the one bill we have today bill.

B

Number one: nine zero two three three: an ordinance continuing the East Passyunk Avenue Business, Improvement District beyond its termination date in an area that generally includes both sides of East, Passyunk Avenue from the south side of Federal Street to the east side of South, Broad, Street, certain blocks of streets that intersect that portion, the East Passyunk Avenue.

B

Both sides of South Broad Street from the north side of McKean Street to the north side of the Snyder Avenue and the west side of South Broad Street from the south side of Mifflin Street to the north side of McKean Street, for which the East Passyunk Business Improvement District, incorporated a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation.

B

Is the neighborhood Improvement District Management Association for the district, approving a final plan and report for the district, including a list of proposed improvements and their estimated costs and providing for assessment fees to be levied on property owners within the district authorizing the director of commerce, on behalf of the city, to execute an agreement with the East Passyunk Avenue Improvement District, incorporated related to the district and authorizing East Passyunk Avenue, Improvement, District Incorporated to assessor and property owners.

B

Within the district, a special property assessment fee to be used in accordance with the approved final plan, all in accordance with the provisions of the community and economic Improvement Act, all under certain terms and conditions and.

A

Is a long title? Thank you. It's mica who's, our first witnesses, Dennis.

B

Murphy Adam Leiter and Sarah Anton. Why.

A

Don't the other two also come up mr. Murphy wanted to start, please identify yourself and Percy.

C

Good morning, chair greenly and members of City Council, my name is Dennis Murphy I'm, director of corridor development within the Commerce Department I'm, here to testify in support of bill number one: nine zero 233 providing for the reauthorization of the East Passyunk Business Improvement District in 2002, property owners and people along East, Passyunk and South Broad created a Business Improvement District to pay for supplemental services bid assessments have funded marketing, promotions, special events, cleaning and beautification, and support and promotion of district businesses among other activities.

C

The city has been pleased to support these efforts through business grants such as the storefront, Improvement, Program and support of the bids operations through the CDC tax credit program. Since 2002 the district has become a regional dining destination and a vibrant gathering place for neighbors and for visitors. The bid has been instrumental in this growth. The bids work has been complemented by cleaning property acquisition, management and business recruitment provided by park the passionate Avenue we have vitalization corporation.

C

We are pleased that the bids proposed plan includes a cooperative partnership with park, where both organizations work together to provide the critical services that the area will need to remain strong in creating the proposed five-year plan, the bid has been very sensitive to the challenges confronted by property owners facing higher real estate tax assessments.

C

They have created a budget budget with the lowest possible bid rate, while still providing the services that the district continues to need, as East Passyunk evolves, the leadership and services the bid provides are critical to maintaining the success that they've established along with their partners. These efforts deserve the support of the city. Thank you for your consideration. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

A

Ok, Thank You mr. Murphy, before we hear from anyone else, I first is there. Anyone here opposed to this bill, anyone! Okay, fine, because we have a tight schedule here today. I know a lot of you have that are down to testify.

A

I've also submitted written testimony that full written testimony will be a part of the record I'm asking everybody to. Please summarize your written statements so that we can move through because again, there's a number of the things going on here today and it looks like we're in unanimity here. My everything I could see. So please, sir, identify yourself and Percy good.

D

Morning, Sharon Greenlee and members of the Rules Committee, my name is Adam Leiter I am the executive director of EES passion, Avenue Business, Improvement District I'm, here to testify in bill number one 902 33, which approves a new plan today. I'll summarize, the testimony is Thank You Burton copies, so when EPA bid was initially formed, the business corridor was in need of stabilization and revitalization. After years of stagnancy, many properties were in disrepair or going on rented and businesses that we're doing well were at risk of being affected by the surrounding environment.

D

What makes us unique today is that we are the only mile, long continuously walkable business corridor in the city of Philadelphia, we've been recognized by food wine magazine as one of the top ten foodie streets of the 150, independently owned businesses in the EPA bid over 40% are owned or co-owned by women, which is double the overall city and national average we've become a diverse mix of businesses that represent varying price points.

D

Styles, length of establishment and donor backgrounds, since its founding EPA bid has seen the amount of businesses significantly grow and, in turn, helped establish the broader surrounding neighborhood as a highly desirable place to live in South Philly. We actively work with property owners, business owners, real estate brokers as key stakeholders to grow the economic vitality and activity of the long standing commercial corridor, the inherent relationship between the offerings of the business corridor and support of the residents that surround it is a great symbiotic pillar of success.

D

Without our services, it would be a huge challenge for the businesses along East Passyunk, to coordinate and promote the area as a whole through our marketing efforts, events promotions, we're presenting a collective passive package of everything that East Passyunk has to offer and our year-round event programming brings in tens of thousands of visitors for a variety of thematic offerings, including our flavors on the Avenue. These passion of Car, Show farmers, markets holiday happenings and so much more. Thank you. Thank you.

D

Even with the success of the past decades, the EPA bid is still need today. Amidst shifting retail environments, modern shopping habits, changing city demographics and competition between neighborhoods within the city, the work is more critical than ever to keep the East Passyunk Avenue business area, attractive, vibrant and economically strong. In the last 10 years, there's been exponential growth in competition amongst Philadelphia neighborhoods, to attract and retain businesses to draw in visitors and to support the commerce needs of surrounding communities.

D

While these passion, Cavs gained recognition as a thriving area, it takes a lot of work to maintain what has been established. We appreciate the assistance by Councilman school and his staff and request your support in reauthorizing, the Business Improvement District. Thank you, sir, and.

A

Again, your full statement would be made part of the record understood. Is there any questions for either mr. Murphy mr. Leiter councilman? Will one.

E

Quick statement I just want to thank the city, Dennis and Adam, from the bid to really working together and and putting this out there, and you know it's always a challenge when reauthorization comes through and concerns and from the businesses, but you guys have done a really remarkable job and much appreciated from our standpoint, because it makes our job easier. So thank you for all your work and continued work in this effort. Thank.

A

You councilman, the record will please reflect the council and Reynolds Brown. Member of the committee is pressing if there's no other questions for these panelists miss. Thank you both. Thank you. Both miss Marconi, who else do we have on on the list here.

B

Joseph Marino Bryan Fenster marker and Alexander Snyder and Christina Russo Schneider.

F

Hi, my name is Sara Anton and I. Understand. I was called I'm. Sorry I was waiting in line okay.

A

F

I am I, understand we're short for time, so I'm gonna briefly at my statement, I didn't.

A

Please you have to thank you David.

F

So good morning, thank you for hearing my testimony. My name is Sara Anton and I'm. The president of passion, square Civic, Association, a board member of passion, Avenue, revitalization, Corporation and a resident of South Philadelphia I'm here to express my support for the reauthorization of East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District as a neighbor living just off the Avenue. Since 2003, it has been a privilege to watch the corridor come to thrive under the bids, guidance and leadership. Neighbors, look forward to the annual flavors of the Avenue and Restaurant Week events.

F

We are regularly reminded that shopping. Local is a great and convenient choice. We eagerly await the opening of the fountain farmers market and we get to take pride in our neighborhood when hearing news coverage of behind the scenes stories, like the supportive network of women-owned businesses on the Avenue I hope this neighborhood commercial corridor will continue to be seared by such a strong organization as a neighbor and on behalf of the Neighborhood Association I, look forward to a continued partnership with the East Passyunk Avenue bid and enthusiastically encourage City Council to approve its reauthorization.

F

Thank you very much. Thank.

A

You thank you same time. You ever like to go next.

G

Good morning, chairman Greenlee and members of the Rules Committee, my name is Brian Fenster maker I'm, the executive director of passing Avenue revitalization corporation on behalf of park and its board I'm here to support, build number one: nine zero 233, which is a reauthorization of the he's passing on Cavinder Business Improvement District I've, submitted my testimony and at this point I'll be Benton. Okay,.

A

Thank you. Thank you see that's a great testimony. You can't do any better than that sit. We're gonna record that to make sure everybody tomorrow, when our 30 bills heard that please.

H

I receive make yourself comfortable good.

A

H

Councilman Greenlee councilmember Greenlee, a chair and all the other members of council. My name is Joseph F, Marino and I have the pleasure of being a lifelong South. Philadelphia person, who's always lived in East Passyunk Avenue district I am proud to be the current president of the Advisory Council, a special on community center and the founding co-chair of a special Crossing Civic. It is with my full support and a detailed testimony that you have written in front of you that I commend your approval of bill.

H

One nine zero to three three to reinstate the Business Improvement District on East Passyunk Avenue. They work very strongly in tandem with both a Civic Association and the community center, and you can't have a thriving and healthy Elm Street without driving and healthy main street. They are our main street. We are the Elm Street. Thank you for your time. Thank.

A

You mr. marina I appreciate it no questions for any of the witnesses. I appreciate that mr. Marconi, we have anybody else on the list. Pete.

B

Pina and Nancy melchiorri either.

A

Is there anyone else here? Who else is here to testify? That's it just two three, please just come up and okay, whoever like to start, please state your name in my.

I

Name is Pete's being at Peter's family I own, a property on the district as well as several in the neighborhood I just submitted my testimony and support it's hard to imagine the area's continued success without the bid and its effort. So we appreciate councilman squirrel and everyone's support in renewing our certification. Thank.

A

You, sir, please hi.

J

My name is Christina Ross ocean Eider, I'm co-owner of a novel idea on pasion I'm. Just gonna keep this really short as a brand brand new business that just opened in December, my husband and I have felt an outpour of support from the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District EPA bid is such an asset because of its inclusivity of local businesses. Having this business district creates a sense of community in East Passyunk, and we feel very fortunate to be a part of it. It is an invaluable asset for both new and established businesses.

J

Thank you thank.

A

You very much, sir, please state your name in speaking of microphone and voice.

K

That carries you still want me to use this yeah.

A

You have to use it so there, okay, thank the eastern agra fur, can hear all your eloquent words good.

K

Morning, my name is Terry Shearer and I'm, one of the three original signers of the bid. Unfortunately, the other two gentlemen had other things that they had to do today. I am amazed at the accolades that I'm hearing today when we first came up with this idea and found out that bids were being done and we sat down with Frank DeCicco.

K

Jemmy Kenny and some other people, and we went forward with this and I, cannot believe how it has grown and how it is being handled, which has been fantastic as a property owner I heartily request that you guys don't even think twice and you stamp it. Thank you very much, and hopefully maybe the next time. You comes up I'll, be back to say, hello again, okay, look.

A

Forward to it, I won't be here, but we'll look, no I know anyone else here to testify and as I said when to some people before to here, he started usually with these bids. Somebody has a problem with it, so it just kind of shows how well you've done this, because there's nobody here in opposition, so that is, is great. So congratulations to everybody. So if there's no other questions or comments, we will now go into our public meeting.

A

So chair recognizes councilman squelen Thank.

E

You mr. chair I moved the bill number one: nine zero. Two three three: we moved out of committee with a favorable recommendation. It's.

A

A moved and seconded all in favor, aye, enthusiastic eyes: okay opposed hearing none bill, number one: nine, zero, two three threes reporters committee with a favorable recommendation: it will have to sit on the calendar into the fall because that's the rules we put it has been on for 45 days. So with that, thank you all very much for your shortened testimony. We really appreciate that and congratulations keep keep doing the good work. Thank you. That concludes the work of the Rules Committee today and please, the committee remember: tomorrow we have a very long hearing.

A

If we could get started right on time, it would appreciate it and don't even kid about not coming Councilwoman and lunch will be provided. Okay, if that helps it all.