Resolution 010281

..Title Authorizing City Council's Public Safety Committee to fully investigate, and conduct Public Hearings relating to, the "Sinking Homes" problem affecting residents in the Feltonville section of the City of Philadelphia, including the progress and plans made by the City of Philadelphia on the issue, and further authorizing the Committee to issue subpoenas and such other process as may be appropriate to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents in furtherance of the investigation to the full extent authorized by Section 2-401 of the Home Rule Charter. ..Body WHEREAS, For several years residents of the Feltonville community have registered complaints and expressed concern with regard to the safety and structural integrity of their homes which are situated on or near the reclaimed valley of the Wingohocking Creek; and WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia, through Senator Arlen Spector, Senator Rick Santorum, U.S. Representative Robert Brady, has requested the assistance of the US Army Corps of Engineers to investigate the problem; and WHEREAS, On July, 2000 the Army Corps of Engineers issued it's Logan (Feltonville) Sinking Homes Study including findings that "portions of the Feltonville section of Philadelphia are situated on the reclaimed valley of the former Wingohocking Creek that has been filled in with miscellaneous fill including ash and cinders." It was further noted that many buildings in the area are "experiencing significant stress and are progressively becoming more unstable with time" due to the differential settlement of the fill; and WHEREAS, The Army Corps of Engineers' Feltonville report, recommends further investigation and monitoring of the problem including an immediate inspection of the sewer, water and natural gas infrastructure and a detailed structural inspection of the homes located in the affected areas; and WHEREAS, The Feltonville sinking homes problem is historically rooted to diverted creeks and streams and may be eligible for assistance under the Southeastern Pennsylvania Environmental Assistance Program, Section 566 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996; and WHEREAS, The magnitude of the Feltonville "Sinking Homes" problem may require the condemnation of homes, the relocation of residents and repairs to utilities and street infrastructures and is beyond the scope of resolution by homeowners without government intervention and assistance; and WHEREAS, A substantial number of families in the Feltonville community are currently living in unsafe structures which poses a threat to public safety; now therefore RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Authorizes the City Council Public Safety Committee to fully investigate, and conduct Public Hearings relating to, the "Sinking Homes" problem affecting residents in the Feltonville section of the City of Philadelphia, including the progress and plans made by the City of Philadelphia on the issue, and further authorizes the Committee to issue subpoenas and such other process as may be appropriate to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents in furtherance of the investigation to the full extent authorized by Section 2-401 of the Home Rule Charter. ..End