Sidewalk Cleaning Program

The Frankford Special Services District sidewalk-cleaning program proposes to complement existing services currently provided by the Philadelphia Streets Department with a supplementary program of sidewalk cleaning

The Philadelphia Streets Department will continue to focus its efforts on cleaning the cart-ways from curb line to curb line and emptying public trash receptacles.  The Frankford Special Services District will employ private subcontractors to assist property owners to keep their sidewalks free of litter and debris.  Sweeping of the sidewalks throughout the District will be performed approximately five days per week by uniformed crews so that the commercial district will be clean and litter-free.

Security Program

The Police District, SEPTA Police, Main Street Program and the Frankford Special services District will cooperate to improve safety by building upon the 15th District’s commitment to community policing, by better improving communication between the two police departments and the community and working on strategies that will discourage and prevent crime.  

The Frankford Special Services District will work to seek additional funding that will enable the District to reinstate the Safety Ambassadors Program.

Administration

The Frankford Special Services District Authority is governed by a nine member Board of Directors representing Frankford’s major property owners and occupants, and a wide cross-section of prominent leaders of business, labor, educational, cultural and health care institutions.

The Frankford Special Services District will be administered by a part-time staff person overseeing the subcontracted services and reporting directly to the District’s Board of Directors.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

It is the policy of the Frankford special Services District to provide all persons equality for opportunity in employment and contracting by the Frankford Special Services District.  In furtherance of that policy, the Frankford Special Services District will develop and implement a plan to ensure equality of opportunity to participate in the bidding process without impediments of illegal discrimination and to ensure that the Frankford Special Services District does not contract with businesses, which illegally discriminate in the solicitation and utilization of subcontractors and suppliers.




Proposed Method of Assessment

The Frankford Special Services District proposes to fund the additional services by an annual assessment on all taxable properties within the district.  Individual assessments are derived by multiplying the total annual cost of the project by a ratio of the 1996 assessed value of the individual property for taxable purposes to the total 1996 assessed valuation for taxable purposes of all taxable properties in the District.



Inflation Factor

As per both the City Finance Department and Pennsylvania Economy League, a five percent (5%) inflation factor has been applied to calculate the expected income for each successive year, including the charges to be paid by abated properties.

Contributions from Exempt Properties

Within the boundaries of the Frankford Special Services District there are a number of tax-exempt properties.  The Frankford Special Services District will solicit these organizations for contributions.  This budget does not assume or include these contributions.

Proposed Method of Billing and Collection

Billing will be conducted on an annual basis.  Following the certification by the Philadelphia Board of Revision of Taxes of property assessments, the Frankford Special Services District will calculate individual property assessments for Frankford Special Services District purposes and shall bill and directly collect Frankford Special Services District charges.

Fine and Penalty Assessment for Late and Delinquent Properties

Beginning the first month of nonpayment of an assessment, the District will apply a fine to the principal amount of the assessment.  This fine will accrue at a rate of 1.5 percent per month.  IN the event the assessment remains unpaid, then the full amount of accumulated fines will be added to the original principal amount, and the combined amount will be the new principal amount.  Beginning on February 1st of the year following the assessment, interest (1.0%) and penalty (0.5%) will be placed on the principal of the property’s bill.  This is a total of “1.5%” on delinquent properties.  Penalties will accrue monthly.  The District may also commence legal action, against property owner who do not meet their obligations.