Philadelphia Parking Authority

The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) is an agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that manages many parking operations for Philadelphia.[2] The PPA was created by the Philadelphia City Council on January 11, 1950, for the purpose of conducting research for management of off-street parking and to establish a permanent, coordinated system of parking facilities in the city.[3][4] Since then, the PPA's scope has expanded to include parking operations at the Philadelphia International Airport, most street-parking policy enforcement, and regulation and enforcement of taxicabs and limousines.[3]

Philadelphia Parking Authority
Agency overview
FormedJanuary 11, 1950 (January 11, 1950)
JurisdictionPhiladelphia
Headquarters701 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106[1]
39.95581°N 75.185357°W / 39.95581; -75.185357
Agency executive
  • Richard Lazer, Executive Director
Parent agencyCommonwealth of Pennsylvania
Websitehttps://www.philapark.org

The PPA's status as an agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania rather than the City of Philadelphia allows for the Republican-controlled state authorities to offer patronage positions in the largely Democratic city.[lower-alpha 1][5] The former board chairman Joseph Ashedale has over 10 family members on the agency's payroll.[6] An audit found the former PPA's director, former Republican state representative Scott Petri, did not meet the minimum qualifications of the job description and his $210,000 salary was above comparable positions in other cities.[7]

The Parking Authority:

  • Generates needed revenue for the city
  • Coordinates the parking efforts of public agencies
  • Builds and operates public parking facilities
  • Does planning and analysis of parking requirements

to provide full parking services for Philadelphia residents, businesses and visitors.[4]

In popular culture it is the basis of the reality television show Parking Wars.

Policies

Off-street parking

Originally, the Parking Authority provided parking garages and parking lots, but various city departments were responsible for on-street parking.

On-street parking

In 1982, Philadelphia City Council was authorized by the Pennsylvania General Assembly to delegate certain powers formerly exercised by various city departments to the Parking Authority. In April, 1983, City Council transferred on-street parking responsibilities to the Authority.[4]

Functions transferred from the Streets Department:

  • Location, installation and maintenance of all parking meters throughout the city
  • Preparation of documentation to modify existing or implement new parking regulations, establishing time limits, loading zones, fire hydrant restrictions, reserved parking for people with disabilities, tow-away zones and residential permit parking
  • Preparation of work orders for parking regulations signs

Functions transferred from the Revenue Department:

  • Meter Collections

Functions transferred from the Police Department:

  • Issuance and processing of parking tickets
  • Towing of motor vehicles
  • Impoundment of motor vehicles

However, both Police Department officers and SEPTA supervisors can issue parking tickets.

Functions transferred from the Department of Licenses and Inspections:

  • Issuance of Loading Zone Permits
  • Administration of the Residential Parking Permit Program

A vast majority of revenue for On-Street parking for PPA is generated from ticketing violations (63%) and meter parking (29%). Other revenue categories comprise less than 9% of PPA's On-Street parking income.[8]

Booting

A program to "boot" repeat parking violation offenders was authorized by City Council in 1983.[4]

Taxicabs and limousines

The Authority was authorized by the General Assembly in July 2004 to regulate taxis and limousines operating in the city, and to adopt and enforce regulations for their operations.[4]

Red Light Camera Program

The Authority has been authorized by the General Assembly to administer a pilot red light enforcement program.[4] Cameras are installed at intersections with a high accident rate, and fines are imposed for motorists who run red lights. Notices are sent by mail to offenders, based on photos of license plates and the motorists themselves.[9]

Inspection Expired

The PPA can penalize legally parked cars with expired inspection stickers, and can escalate those ticket to the point where they will repossess your vehicle and sell it at auction. Many have argued that the practice seems highly unethical . If you are someone who may travel abroad for a significant amount of time remember to keep your inspection current and find somewhere to park out of the PPA's jurisdiction.[10]

Staff

PPA Executive Staff
  • Executive Director – Richard Lazer[11]
  • Deputy Executive Director – Gabe Roberts
  • Deputy Executive Director – Corinne O'Connor

Board Members

Originally, the Authority's board of directors was controlled by city officials, but the legislature, acting at the initiative of Representative John Perzel,[12] has shifted control to state officials, including the Governor and officers of the legislature.[13]

  • Lynette M. Brown-Sow, Chairperson
  • Beth C. Grossman
  • Patricia M. Furlong
  • Alfred W. Taubenberger
  • Obra S. Kernodle, IV
  • Mark C. Nicastre

Finances
YearAssetsLiabilitiesNet Assets
2014 $348,552,000.00$236,017,000.00$112,535,000.00[14]
2013 $358,504,000.00$246,896,000.00$110,260,000.00
2012 $367,825,000.00$263,113,000.00$104,712,000.00[15]
2011$379,346,000.00$281,646,000.00$97,700,000.00
2010$376,351,000.00$282,787,000.00$93,564,000.00[16]
2009$379,974,000.00$296,739,000.00$83,235,000.00

See also

Notes
  1. All local governments in every state is a part of the state government but with limited geographical jurisdiction. Supreme authority over local governments in Pennsylvania rests with the Pennsylvania General Assembly which has decided to prohibit the city from influencing the PPA whilst allowing it to influence other state agencies that are specific to Philadelphia.

References
  1. "Philadelphia Parking Authority - Fact Sheet". Archived from the original on 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2011-10-12. Headquarters Located: 3101 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
  2. "CITY OF PHILADELPHIA v. RENDELL". Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  3. "Performance Audit Report Philadelphia Parking Authority Employment Policies and Procedures" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  4. "Philadelphia Parking Authority - History". Archived from the original on 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
  5. Tricia L. Nadolny and Angela Couloumbis (2016-10-02). "How the Parking Authority became a Republican patronage haven". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  6. Seidman, Andrew (26 July 2019). "'Ashdale family tree': Philadelphia Parking Authority has hired 10 relatives of board chairman Joseph Ashdale". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  7. ""Philly's parking agency still overpays executives and has too many political patronage jobs, audit finds"". 9 December 2020. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  8. "Unticket". Archived from the original on 2014-12-10. Retrieved 2014-12-04.
  9. "Philadelphia Parking Authority - Redlights". Archived from the original on 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
  10. "Philadelphia Parking Authority". Archived from the original on 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
  11. Bender, William; Marin, Max (10 March 2022). "Philadelphia Parking Authority abruptly ousts executive director Scott Petri". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
  12. "The PA Report "Power 75" List" (PDF). Pennsylvania Report. Capital Growth, Inc. January 31, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-09-20. With the possible exception of the late Jim Manderino, Pennsylvania has not had, in recent years, a legislative leader with the power of this Philadelphian.
  13. PPA Team Members, The Philadelphia Parking Authority
  14. http://philapark.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/PPA-Financial-Statements-2014.pdf
  15. 2012 Financial Statement
  16. 2010 Financial Statement
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