City Council Pushes Ahead With New Fines For Skateboarders Who Damage Public Art
It was a heated debate in City Council Thursday morning over slapping skateboarders who damage public art with hefty fines.
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It was a heated debate in City Council Thursday morning over slapping skateboarders who damage public art with hefty fines.
The changes are aimed at easing neighbor-versus-neighbor squabbles.
"This bill will add some vitality to some blocks, particularly in center city, which particularly after the normal business hours are rather dark and uninviting," Councilman Bill Greenlee said as the hearing opened.
The measure was approved in Committee and goes to the full council for a vote later this month.
City Council President Darrell Clarke, whose district includes the Temple campus, has gotten an earful over the years from nearby residents who are furious that students are clogging up parking.
The Korman Company had hoped to build a $100-million development in the Eastwick neighborhood -- fifty-one, two-story buildings, for a total of 722 apartments.
Schwartz served one term on City Council, from 1984 until 1988. But he is remembered as well for his work promoting neighborhood activism.
"We want to just level the playing field so that in all city documents, in all city applications, in all city benefits that the city offers everyone else, then everyone should be able to partake in them," Kenney said.
The lawmakers updated regulations on outdoor signs but put off a vote on the controversial issue of billboards.
Firefighters opposed to the plan packed Council chambers today as councilmembers Jim Kenney, Bobby Henon, and Mark Squilla questioned Commissioner Ayers firsthand about the transfer policy.
The hearing lasted hours and was dominated by school parents and other advocates who object to the closure process.
"A lot of our constituents have been used to the firefighters in their area, and they feel comfortable that they know where they're going. And they're fearful if they implement this policy, it may cause danger to the community," Councilman Mark Squilla said.
Councilman Mark Squilla, author of the plan, calls it "Complete Streets" -- an extensive series of changes to the Philadelphia traffic code -- prompted particularly by the growing number of people on bikes.
Joe Syrnick of the Schuylkill River Development Corporation said the final legislation should satisfy both environmentalists and developers.
A controversial plan to build new affordable housing in the city's Point Breeze section was given an initial okay Tuesday by a city council committee.
At issue: whether the water commissioner should have the final say on rate hikes.
The sponsor, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, says once the mayor signs it, the measure will take effect next March.
Before the City Council finance committee today was a proposal from Councilman Bill Green to require that half the man-hours on many contracts be performed by Philadelphia residents.
A city councilman wants to make it a bit more difficult for Philadelphia neighborhoods to acquire residential parking permits, because the current system often invites mini-civil wars.
Philadelphia city council has put off a vote on a bill to boost penalties against skateboarders and others who do damage to public art and memorials.
The new assessment system dubbed the Actual Value Initiative ("AVI") will result in higher assessments, and that means the mayor and City Council will have to lower the millage rate significantly.
"We simply do not have the space in Philadelphia to allow for safe operation of these vehicles and to create a buffer to help prevent community and environmental disruptions," said parks commissioner Michael Diberardinis.
The Friends of Manton Street Park and Community Garden are celebrating their second-place win in a "Best/Worst Lot" contest held by the "Campaign To Take Back Vacant Land."
City Council this week will decide whether to boost the penalties against skateboarders and others who do damage the art.
Philadelphia city officials are looking to impose, for the first time, penalties for the use of all-terrain vehicles ("ATVs") on sidewalks.
