Board Meeting Round-Up: June 28th, 2017
Chairman’s Items – Joesph T. Ashdale
- Board Chairman, Joseph T. Ashdale, invited comment from members of the general public.
- Members of the taxi industry provided a proposal to expand taxi stand locations throughout Philadelphia.
- Ms. Tolson noted that the Authority is already in discussions with the Philadelphia Streets Department regarding new taxi stands, which must be approved by the City.
Director’s Report – Clarena I.W. Tolson
Executive Director, Clarena Tolson, provided updates on the following:
Authority Policies and Procedures:
- Over several months, the Authority has been extensively reviewing and implementing new standard operating procedures throughout all departments.
- The implementation of new standard operating procedures initially began with the Authority’s Human Resources, Payroll and Time Control Departments.The new procedures and protocols are being developed to support transformative change at the Authority.
Contracts:
- The Authority sought Request for Proposal responses from potential vendors to continue the Authority’s Red Light Enforcement Program. The Authority’s main objective was to improve service at decreased costs.
- A designated panel of Authority staff continue to review proposals from mobile parking payment vendors. Beginning July 10th, 2017, the review of proposals and the negotiation of terms will continue through direct presentations from potential vendors with the goal being to have a new mobile parking payment system operational in the Fall 2017.
Airport Operations:
- The Authority has refined its capital program in partnership with a board approved financial advisor. After productive meetings with the financial advisor, a presentation is being prepared for the City’s Division of Aviation after which the Authority will seek approval from the City to move forward.
Employee Training:
- 85% of Authority employees have completed sexual harassment awareness training. Training of all Authority staff should be complete by mid August 2017.
- 87% of Authority management and supervisory staff have completed ethics training. All training for management and supervisory personnel will be complete by September 2017.
Public Outreach:
- On June 17th, 2017, the Authority held its inaugural workshop titled “Parking 101.” Two Parking Enforcement Supervisors and other Authority staff presented information on how to read parking signs, how to avoid tickets and how to safely park.
- The Bicycle Coalition also joined in this event to make vehicle operators more mindful to sharing the road.
- The Authority’s On-Street parking staff has been selected to present on the topic of fraudulent disabled placards at the Pennsylvania Parking Association Conference.
Finance and Administration
Legal Services:
- While the Authority handles over 95% of most legal matters in-house, from time-to–time matters are referred to outside counsel. After a competitive public process designed to create a pool of qualified outside counsel, the Board unanimously approved entering into contracts with the following firms (there are no guaranteed minimums):
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- Leonard, Sciolla, Hutchinson, Leonard & Tinari
- The Chartwell
- Schaff & Young
- Archer
- Sand & Saidel
- Merkin Shotland
- Marshall Dennehey
- Swartz Campbell
- Eckert Seamans
Managed Print Services:
In continuation of the Authority’s contract with KDI, Inc. for Managed Print Services, the Board unanimously approved spending an additional $105,588.32 to cover the Authority’s printing costs through the end of September 2017.
Amendments to the Employee Manual:
- The Board unanimously approved amendments to the Authority’s employee manual in an effort to encourage the highest standards for public employees. In particular, amendments concerning overtime, compensatory time and leave benefits make the Authority’s policies more consistent with the private sector and the City.
Conflict of Interest Policy:
- The Board unanimously approved a new Conflict of Interest Policy. The policy is intended to clarify circumstances where an employee or Board Member may be in a position contrary to the best interests of the Authority. The policy makes clear that those circumstances are to be avoided and provides a mandatory disclosure process and requires continued training.
On-Street Division
Red Light Traffic Signal Photo Enforcement System:
The Board unanimously approved entering into a contract with Conduent State & Local
Solutions to administer the Authority’s Red Light Traffic Signal Enforcement System in Philadelphia. After considering proposals from three (3) vendors, the Authority’s Selection Committee recommended awarding the contract to Conduent at a price of $2,583.00 for each camera per month (the current cost per camera is $3,825). This award will reduce operational costs by $161,460.00 per month ($1,937,520.00 annually).
Engineering and Design
Repair Lintels over Garages at Essington Avenue:
The Board unanimously approved entering into a contract with Schneider Restoration, Inc. to repair lintels at the Authority’s Impound and Vehicle Maintenance Facility at 6801 Essington Avenue for the proposed total amount of $193,000.00, contingent upon the successful negotiation of a contract with the Authority.
Taxi & Limousine Division
Docket No. A-17-04-01
The Board unanimously approved the sale to transfer ownership of Medallion No. P-1428 along with the issuance of a corresponding taxicab certificate of public convenience.
Applicant-Buyer: Sunsheen Cab Co, CPC Application No. 103575-01
Owner-Seller: V.V.V. Cab Company, CPC No. 1000759-01
Sale Price: $63,000.00
Docket No. A-17-05-01
The Board unanimously approved the sale to transfer ownership of Medallion No. P-1203 along with the issuance of a corresponding taxicab certificate of public convenience.
Applicant-Buyer: Zega Trans Inc, CPC No. 1034935-01
Owner-Seller: AIM Trans., CPC No. 1017317-01
Sale Price: $40,000.00
Docket No. A-17-05-02
The Board unanimously approved the sale to transfer ownership of Medallion No. P-0802 along with the issuance of a corresponding taxicab certificate of public convenience.
Applicant-Buyer: Kler Taxi Inc, CPC Application No. A-1035731-01
Owner-Seller: Oged, Inc., No.1000740-01
Sale Price: $53,000.00
Docket No. A-17-05-03
The Board unanimously approved the sale to transfer ownership of Medallion No. P-0544 along with the issuance of a corresponding taxicab certificate of public convenience.
Applicant-Buyer: Arshad Co, CPC Application No. A-1035735-01
Owner-Seller: Oged, Inc., CPC No. 1000740-01
Sale Price: $53,000.000
Docket No. A-17-05-04
The Board unanimously approved the sale to transfer ownership of Medallion No. P-0396 along with the issuance of a corresponding taxicab certificate of public convenience.
Applicant-Buyer: Das Cab, LLC, CPC Application No. A-1035754-01
Owner-Seller: Baz Cab, LLC, CPC No. 1034921-01
Sale Price: $52,500.00
Taxi & Limousine Adjudication Department
The Board unanimously approved changes to the composition of the Taxi & Limousine Division (TLD) Adjudication Department. Effective July 5, 2017, the Honorable Sheldon T. Jelin will be appointed as the presiding officer in the TLD’s Adjudication Department.