AuthorPPA Staff

 

 

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):
  
• • 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.

 

 

Chairman’s Items – Joesph T. Ashdale

• Board Chairman, Joseph T. Ashdale, invited comment from members of the general public.
  • Members of the taxi industry commented on Transportation Network Service regulations and taxicab meter rates.

 

Director’s Report – Clarena I.W. Tolson

Executive Director, Clarena Tolson, provided the Board updates on the following:

Contracts:

• The Authority received five (5) proposals from potential Pay-By-Cell service vendors and are currently being reviewed by Authority Staff.
• The Authority received three (3) proposals from potential Automated Red Light Camera vendors and are currently being reviewed by Authority staff.

Parking Enforcement Officers:

• 120 Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs) have received homeless outreach training in an effort to assist Philadelphia’s homeless population.
• Starting June 1st, 2017, PEOs will receive situational awareness training from the Philadelphia Police Department’s Counter-Terrorism Unit.

Parking 101 Workshop:

• The Authority will host a two-hour Parking Workshop on June 17th, 2017. The workshop will educate attendees on how to avoid future parking tickets and provide lessons on parallel parking.

Billboard Advertising on Authority Municipal Lots:    

• Questions have been raised regarding advertising at PPA operated neighborhood parking lots. Ms. Tolson stated that the Authority will not allow advertisements with alcohol as the subject matter and will veto any proposal with inappropriate content.
• Advertising has been in place at PPA neighborhood lots for many years.
• Many of the PPA neighborhood lots are free and revenue from advertisements will support cleaning, snow removal and maintenance of those lots.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs):

• The Authority’s Taxi & Limousine Division will begin selling sixty-one (61) WAV medallions and evaluate locations for additional taxis stands.

 

Finance and Administration

Record Retention Policy:

The Board unanimously approved a Record Retention Policy which establishes minimum periods of time for retention and makes clear that document disposal is not required. The policy mirrors those recommended for municipalities by the Pennsylvania Local Government Records Committee and Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Bureau of Archives.

Employee Manual:

The Board unanimously approved changes to the Authority’s employee manual policies to be consistent with public sector standards. Those changes include:

• Reducing limits on leave time balances that can be carried over to the following year
• Updating provisions regarding retirement health benefits
• Updating and setting limits on tuition reimbursement

 

On-Street Division

Supplemental Debt Collection Services:

The Board unanimously awarded a three year contract for Supplemental Debt Collection Services to the following firms:

• Penn Credit
• Progressive Financial
• Sabatine & Associates
• Harris & Harris

The Supplemental Debt Collection Services will be utilized to pursue unpaid on-street parking and red light camera debt. Additionally, the Authority estimates a three hundred and twenty five thousand dollar ($325,000) savings annually. The Authority also expects additional revenues through a competitive debt collection assignment process.

Purchase of License Plate Recognition Systems for the Booting Department:

The Board unanimously approved the purchase of four (4) additional License Plate Recognition Systems in the amount of one hundred twenty six thousand eight hundred twenty five dollars and seventy cents ($126,825.70). This system has proven to be very cost effective in Authority enforcement efforts.  Once installed, the system will scan license plates throughout the City of Philadelphia and notify Authority staff of boot eligible vehicles.

 

Airport Operations

The Board unanimously approved a contract award to Northeast Fence & Iron Works Inc to install helix fencing at Authority Airport Parking Facilities. The proposed total amount is $77,900, contingent upon the successful negotiation and execution of a contract with the Authority.  

 

Taxi & Limousine Division

Docket No. A-17-02-02

The Board unanimously approved of the sale to transfer the ownership of Medallion No. P-1024 along with the issuance of a corresponding taxicab certificate of public convenience to operate the medallion.

Applicant-Buyer: Iggys Taxi, LLC, CPC Application No. A -103490-01

Owner-Seller: J-S Gabrielle Corp., CPC No. 1000042-01

Sale Price: $60,000

 

Docket No. A-17-03-02

The Board unanimously approved the issuance of a limousine certificate of public convenience to provide luxury limousine service in the City of Philadelphia.

Applicant: Grayling LM, LLC

CPC Application No.: A-1035666-07

 

Docket No. P-17-02-01

At the request of the taxicab industry and without objection, the Board unanimously approved an amendment to the “flat-rate” zone boundaries for all taxicab trips between the Center City zone and Philadelphia International Airport. The flat-rate of $29.05 will remain the same. However, the new flat-rate zone takes effect July 1st, 2017 and is as follows:

The area between the Schuykill and Delware Rivers between Washington Avenue and Fairmount Avenue. West of the Schuykill River, the northern boundary continues west along the north side of 30th Street Station on 2900 Arch, then southward on 30th Street to its intersection with Market Street. The boundary proceeds west along the north side of Market Street to 48th Street, south on 48th Street to Spruce Street and east on Spruce Street to its intersection with South Street.