COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - - - Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 1:50 p.m. - - - PUBLIC TESTIMONY: PROPOSED 2011 CITY BUDGET COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Anna C. Verna, Chair Darrell L. Clarke Wilson W. Goode, Jr. Bill Green William K. Greenlee Curtis Jones, Jr. - - - 2 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET
Good afternoon, everyone. AUDIENCE: Good afternoon.
Welcome. This is a continued public hearing off the Committee of the Whole. I would just like everyone to know that we have approximately 55 people who are on our list to testify. We do want to hear everyone. Therefore, we're going to give everyone three minutes to testify. Our first witness will be Pete Matthews. (Applause, cheers.) (Witness comes forward.)
Madam President, that cheer was for you so you can give me a little bit more than three minutes. (Applause, cheers.)
Welcome. Please identify yourself for the record. and proceed with your testimony. 3 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET
Thank you, thank you, Madam President. Members of City Council, thank you for this opportunity to come before you and testify to the City of Philadelphia on the 2010 budget. With Philadelphia currently facing an estimated $150 million budget deficit --
Anyone having conversation, I suggest you do so in the corridor. I think every witness deserves our attention and our respect. Thank you.
Thank you. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET With Philadelphia currently facing a estimated $150 million budget deficit, the Mayor's put before City Council two scenarios to raise new revenue in order to balance the City budget -- a $300-per-year trash fee, and a 2-cents-per-ounce tax on sugared sodas and fruit drinks. It appears the Mayor and City Council and the citizens are entered into a discussion about the best possible course from a number of different directions. As the representatives of the City's largest workers' union, AFSCME District Council 33 is more than just an interested party to these discussions. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET the State last September for those changes as well as approval for the City to raise the sales tax by a percentage point. These two initiatives helped the City to generate $700 million to balance that budget that City Council passed last June. Since that time, District Council 33 has continued working with the City to find ways to maintain the level of City services that the citizens and taxpayers of the City demand. For the past two years, AFSCME District Council 33 has been working closely with the City to find ways to operate more efficiently to maintain vital City services and to find the necessary revenue to continue delivering those services. Recently, District Council 33 led the way when it comes to making sure that our health benefits are affordable to the City. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET contract in at least the last twelve years, it is clear that District Council 33 and District Council 47 have received the lowest per-member, per-month contributions for health care for all City workers by a very wide margin. Last December, District Council 33 was the first City union to move to a self-insured model that allowed us to maintain our health benefits without adding expense to the City. In fact, we have been maintaining our benefits, in spite of rising costs, even though we have not received a health benefits contribution increase in the last two years. In spite of our demonstrated record of controlling health-care costs, there is still pressure, mostly generated by the media, for the City to consider benefit cuts for our members when that option is not justified by the facts. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET of the City, we have an interest in any proposals before City Council that would change the taxes our members pay. We understand that both of the Mayor's proposed revenue enhancements are controversial because they are both regressive taxes that target poor and middle-class working families of the City disproportionately. However, we also recognize that the City needs new revenue sources to continue to deliver the vital City services that our members provide, services that most of the citizens of the City have made clear they support. With that in mind, we would urge you to also consider options or amendments to these proposals that would make them more fair and progressive. One such proposed amendment would increase the real-estate tax to cover the added expenses associated with trash collection. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET because it would allow taxpayers and homeowners, including senior citizens, to deduct this added expense as part of their real-estate taxes and would positively impact the real-estate tax rebates that senior citizens receive. District Council 33 will continue to deliver quality services to the best of our ability. All we are asking you to do is to find ways to fund those services in the fairest manner possible. We believe that Mayor Nutter did the right thing by presenting City Council with a responsible budget proposal that recognizes the need for maintaining vital City services. During last year's budget discussion, it was clear that many citizens in many neighborhoods around the City were angered that they were not receiving City services in a timely manner.
10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET recent snowstorms, which virtually closed down most City businesses. It should be noted that the number of City workers staffing cutbacks over the past several years was the cause of the City's inability to clear many neighborhood streets; it was not due to the unwillingness of District Council 33 members to do the work. If it was up to the members of District Council 33, we would be out there in every neighborhood in the City, making sure that our friends, neighbors, and families were able to dig out and get back to normal, but that was not our call. We can only do so much when staffing levels and equipment and supply budgets have already been cut to the bone. Given these serious limitations, we think the Mayor is making the right choice by looking for more revenue as opposed to more service cuts in order to balance the City as budget. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET A recent editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer correctly pointed out that the percent family poverty 5 rate in the City is a very large 6 contributing factor to the City's budget 7 difficulties. People can't pay wage 8 taxes if they don't have jobs. And yet, 9 the very fact that they are in poverty 10 increases demand for services. 11 However, blaming the City 12 workers who deliver those services, as 13 the Inquirer also did in another recent 14 editorial because taxes also go to pay 15 for their wages and benefits, is not 16 justified. Cutting health and pension 17 benefits for active and retired City 18 workers will only add to the poverty rate 19 because our members and retirees pay 20 taxes too. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET benefits in lieu of high wages. That equation has helped the City to function for a long time. One administration after another has tried to reduce the City's workforce by layoffs, attrition, and by privatizing vital City services while turning a blind eye to the obligations they had to the City's employees as a result of the contract and arbitration settlements. To continue on this path this year instead of exploring new revenue sources would be a mistake. It is becoming more and more obvious that the citizens of the City want and deserve basic services but are unwilling to pay because they have been promised both lowered taxes and increased services for too long. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET they live, in spite of shrinking staffing at all operational levels. Thank you. And I'm available to answer any questions you may have on our position on the budget or on the contract negotiations with the City. Thank you. )
Thank you. Mr. Matthews. We certainly are very grateful for the vital services your members provide the City. Are there any questions from members of the committee? Or any comments? The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you very much for your testimony, Mr. Matthews. I just wanted to -- I wonder if the unions have had a chance to look at the amount of Class 200 spending that the 13 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET City does, which is about $681 million of services that are paid for by contract, and what impact you think that has on citizens. I also want to note that while your workers were making their hourly wage out there, cleaning our streets of snow, private contractors were being paid one man in a truck $600 an hour. (Applause, cheers.)
$600 an hour for them to clean snow. That's not fair and that's not reasonable. So what I'd like to suggest is, I look forward to working with you to find ways to make government more efficient in part by bringing some of these services back into being performed by our City workers. Thank you. (Applause, cheers.)
Well, I think that is a great question, Councilman Green, one that we have been pursuing 14 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET ever since I've been in this union about private contractors, and we bring up exactly that point, that they're overpaid for -- in most instances, we do the work over that they do because they fail to do a good job -- (Applause.) (Cheers.)
So I am very hopeful that you will pursue that avenue with us because I think that would be a significant saving with all of the savings we have already saved the City; we have saved the City significant amounts of money. And (indiscernible), everybody tries to make a point of health care. I would like to point out, we've received over the years significantly less money on our health care, we've provide our benefits, and we have saved the City millions of dollars over the years by the way in which we manage our health with welfare, so I look forward to working 15 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET with you on that. Thank you. (Applause, cheers.)
So we talk about efficiencies in City government, and I still think City government can be efficient in some other ways, but I guarantee you, there is a lot of fat in the $681 million we spend contracting out services to other people. (Applause.)
I would absolutely agree with you on that. And one thing I would say, when I gave a speech out there, and I think I gave it in our testimony here: There is no fat; we are cut to the bone with what we do. So I agree with that, and I look forward to working with you on that. Thank you. (Applause, cheers.)
Are there any questions or comments from 16 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET members of the committee of this witness? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you very much. We appreciate your coming in.
Thank you, Madam President, the opportunity to come in today.
I would ask our visitors to please leave quietly. We would like to continue to conduct business. Thank you. Our next witness?
Tom Kaiden, from the Cultural Alliance. (Witness comes forward.) MR KAIDEN: Good afternoon, President Verna and members --
Mr. Kaiden can you wait just a minute? 17 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET It's just too noisy. MR KAIDEN: Yep.
All right, Mr. Kaiden, kindly identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony. MR KAIDEN: Thank you. I'm Tom Kaiden, Acting Executive Director of the Cultural Alliance. Before I begin my prepared remarks, I just want to thank Council. I was in here a few months ago for the recognition of our past president, Peggy Amsterdam, and very much appreciate your recognition of her contribution, and I just want to assure you that we are committed to continuing her great legacy and ensuring that Philadelphia remains a world-class cultural city as we carry her work forward. And I'll now read my prepared remarks. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET Council. I'm here today representing over 375 regional arts and cultural institutions, which provide 19,000 jobs, engage 24,000 volunteers, and serve million residents and visitors each 7 year. On their behalf, I testify in 8 support of keeping arts and cultural 9 funding intact in the City's Fiscal Year 10 2011 Operating Budget and Five-Year Plan. 11 There is an incredible will to 12 make and enjoy art in this region. 13 Creativity is a vital part of who we are 14 as Philadelphians, and it's central to 15 how we grow our economy, our communities, and ourselves. In the current environment, cultural organizations are maintaining a delicate balance of community service and financial survival. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET and, in some cases, even increasing -- affordable, high-quality cultural programs. The African-American Museum in Philadelphia is a great example of this. " And given the percent increase in 15 attendance since the exhibit's opening, 16 we know they're doing the right thing for 17 Philadelphians. 18 As you can see, in the midst of 19 an incredibly challenging economy, 20 cultural organizations are showing 21 remarkable resilience in producing more 22 art with less money. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET and personal contributions to help make up for shortfalls in corporate foundation and other government support. Along with arts organizations and residents, the City of Philadelphia has done a notable job of maintaining investment in its cultural assets. Today, I urge you to continue that investment. We're a world-class city. And to stay competitive, we need to keep the investments that provide a solid return. Time and again, the arts have proven themselves to be that kind of investment. Every dollar invested from local government returns $5 in local tax revenue. And don't forget what arts and culture is doing to support some of Philadelphia's other key industries too. In this region, arts audiences spend almost $185 million per year at our hotels and over $250 million per year at our restaurants. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET Another defining characteristic of a world-class city is its distinctiveness. Philadelphia's arts and culture sector is often cited as one of our most extraordinary assets. Our arts and culture sector is not only unique but is an inseparable part of our identity. Unlike other businesses that take advantage of the chance to move when it most benefits their bottom line, the roots of our cultural institutions are deep and strong. They are woven into the fabric of who we are, what we've been, and who we will become. When we're all gone, the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be standing tall. Most importantly, though, the mission of every cultural organization is to meet the needs of our residents. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET median ticket price to our region's cultural attractions is just $14. We could raise those prices to cover our costs, but that means the prices would triple, and it would mean closing our doors to a large portion of the City's residents. In fact, 43 percent of all admissions to arts organizations are free -- free. It makes it possible for the arts to be available to all Philadelphians. It's the kind of public access we can't afford to keep up without your continued support.
And its access is vital to a generation who will rely on their creativity to compete in the global committee. Residents are now relying on arts and culture offerings even more. To meet public demand, nearly half of our region's cultural organizations have actually increased, or expect to increase, their programming. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET up from 27 percent in October; this at a time when no one has a dime to spare. The public is doing its part, and their actions demonstrate that arts and culture are a valuable asset to Philadelphia and the region. But the public alone can't keep these organizations afloat. That's the bottom line of our nonprofit status: We're not in it for the money; we're in it for the public good. We're here to provide a service that has been demonstrated to be more vital to our community now than ever before. So I urge all of you to match our residents' support with continued City funding for arts and cultural organizations. It's an investment that improves Philadelphia's competitiveness, its quality of life, its educational network, and, ultimately, its bottom line. It's how we grow. Thank you for you go allowing me to speak today. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET
Thank you very much. MR KAIDEN: And I urge you to continue your investment in the arts and culture sector. Thank you. (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you for come in to testify. Our next witness?
Good afternoon. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good afternoon. I'm Shelly Yanoff. I'm Executive Director of the region's child advocacy organization, Public Citizens for Children and Youth. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET government. So we advocate for kids. For many years, as you well know, President Verna, I've come in and spoken before this body about things that kids and families need to help them grow and to help Philadelphia be the place it should be. I am glad to see and to say that many times, you've heard us. Council heard us ten years ago, when we said that the across-the-bar drink tax would not destroy local pubs or bars but would bring in needed funding for schools. You heard us, and it happened. And no bad things happened to the bars or pubs, but kids got more in school. Thank you. You heard us in subsequent years when we urged that the City support efforts to end lead poisoning, a permanent injury and injurer of too many of our children. You heard us when we spoke of the importance of staffed and open house centers to this community. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET You heard us when we said that neighborhoods would not be safe unless we invested in them -- in lighting their streets and supporting their arts and their recreation centers and in their libraries. You heard us, and we thank you for this support. But every year, as inflation grows, while these programs and services have not thus far been cut in major ways, they are, at best, left stagnant, limping along when what we need to be doing is much more. At worst, they've endured continuous small cuts. And as you well know, communities as well as individuals have been harmed by hundreds of small cuts. But today, we're threatened with much more than that. We must close the budget gap or face drastic changes, with impact on many of us who need City services. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET nation, state, and, city have only heard the down-with-government noise. Unfortunately, the media plays to this sound. Last week in Springfield, Illinois, thousands of people went to the State capitol and said, "Don't cut our schools, don't cut services. Show some guts and raise the money to save our future. Show some guts," they said. But we didn't hear or read much about it. Too often, it wasn't reported. Few heard the majority feeling expressed that people expect and want government to provide them needed good services, that it costs us much too much not to. The kids with nothing to do get in trouble, that waiting lists for needed services are very expensive, that finding centers closed or kids untreated are costly in both physical, emotional, and physical terms. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET of the consequences or other choices. If we ask others or ourselves whether we support more taxes, we will say no. 6 If we ask, however, Would you rather have libraries, recreation centers, health centers stripped of more resources, would you rather have the number of children with lead exposure grow or fewer after-school programs, longer waiting lists to health centers, fewer swimming pools open, fewer facilities for the homeless, or would you be willing to support a fair tax? the answer would change. Most citizens of this city have shown over and over again that they want good services, they're willing to pay for them, but they want to be treated fairly. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET the answer would be no. 3 If you ask whether the med-ed industries and universities should start contributing something since they don't pay property taxes, the answer would be yes resoundingly. Large nonprofits in other cities support the government in which they are sited; why not here? What happened to pilots in silence? If Boston's nonprofits can contribute millions to their city, why are we not asking publicly that Penn and Temple and Drexel and all of them do as well.
If obesity is a problem -- and it is -- and the tax on sugar-sweetened beverages would bring in funds and help the fight against obesity -- which it will -- and the majority of citizens again have been polled and support it, in spite of the lobbyists, to the contrary, why are you not supporting it? 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET healthier, that should be considered a good. We understand that these are hard times in both the City and State, and there are not easy choices. ) But the consequences of our choices need to be closely examined. How much will it cost us not to support health centers, prevention programs, libraries, after-school and community programs, or lead-prevention work? How much will it cost us in crime and loss of business and loss of lives? We are in the worst economic time in many, many decades; that's when we need more services, not fewer. The alternatives to not increasing some broad general tax are few, and most are not fair. Can we not agree at this time to suspend the perks for the richest among us, suspend for a while the abatements. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET universities and other nonprofits for funding. Enact a property tax for two years while the assessment process becomes more fair, and help our kids become more healthy. It's never easy for a politician to raise taxes, but if you do it fairly, then it's right. " There are 23,000 babies born in Philadelphia each year. We ask you to invest in their families and in their communities' future. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Just for the record, I am holding a poll that shows -- it was an independent poll with much more 32 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET independent questions that show that 63 percent of Philadelphians, including every single demographic -- Democratic Republican, Independent, et cetera, White, Latino or African-American, every single demographic opposes a sugary- drinks tax by at least 62 percent. And I understand our need for services that you're asking for, and I share your goals with respect to everything you're talking about. I don't think that you're that concerned with where or how the resources come from; you're concerned with the end-game. And so, I don't think you're here really testifying in favor of any specific revenue measure; you're here, looking for resources for the areas that you work so hard in and care about so much. Is that fair?
I think that's fair. I do think that we need to 33 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET enact a broad general tax, and I think it should be time-limited so that we can maybe get in front of the ball.
Thank you very much. Any other questions or comments from members of the committee? (No response.)
34 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET Please identify yourself for the record.
I'm Dave Tukey. I live in West Mount Airy. I've been a tree tender for four or five years. Good afternoon, members of Council. I do want to divert a little bit from my prepared remarks; I know all of you can read them, so let me just do a little more extemporaneous version. There are lots of benefits for trees; the last page of the handouts I'm passing out lists them in 28 different kinds and 6 different categories. Most important for your consideration are the economic benefits. Research has shown that for every dollar a city spends on trees, the city receives $2 in benefits of various kinds, including storm-water abatement, improved energy efficiency, and even improvement of street maintenance. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET ledgers. In many cities around the country, inclusion of that has helped their bond ratings. Trees are not just about things that look good; they are capital improvements of various important kinds for the City. Philadelphia has a lot of trees in some areas and very few trees in others. The quality of life in our areas tremendously depends upon the trees that we have. In terms of the budget hearings that you had with the Commissioner and his proposed Parks and Recreation budget, I especially appreciated questions from Councilman Green, Councilwoman Sanchez, and Councilwoman Brown; I want to touch on those briefly. It's hard to figure out exactly what that department needs to do with so many needs. One of the questions was the about manager-level positions in the service district that they were proposing. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET I know across the country, one of the best things that a city has been able to do is focus neighborhood efforts on trees and getting city staff and local residents to work together in partnerships with school districts, local organizations, and business associations. In Philadelphia, there's a huge gap between the staff of Fairmount Park and things going on at the citizen level. The Penn Hort Society has filled that gap a little bit with the Tree Tender Program, but that does nothing for tree maintenance. We need some people that respond effectively in the neighborhoods for such issues, which brings me to questions that Councilwoman Sanchez talked about in terms of removals. It was mentioned that day that Philadelphia is a thousand trees behind in removals. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET have dead branches, trees with fungus, and bark coming off of the trees up to 4 feet high. I've been trained to identify 5 these hazards, I know them when I see 6 them just on a quick visual inspection. 7 We need people to take down those trees. 8 And this leads me to another 9 issue that was mentioned, I believe, by 10 Councilwoman Brown: Why do we have so 11 many contractors doing work with trees 12 outside of Philadelphia that don't have 13 our state license plates on them or even 14 addresses from Philadelphia? 15 Councilman Green has talked about the fat in the budgets for contract work. I know, in many cases, the contract work done for tree-planting is not supervised by City supervised by City staff. In my neighborhood alone, I know contract work planting trees where those trees have died within two to three months. It's either bad material or bad planting, whatever it is, but that's a lot of money going in per tree. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET not planting enough trees and they're not doing well. I recommend that we have more tree workers hired by the City, that Philadelphians plants their own tree because we care about our trees more than contractors outside the area care about them. In short, I think there's a lot more we can do with trees. They're an investment in our quality of life, they're an investment in our workforce, and they draw people to the City. Thank you very much for your kind attention. )
Thank you. Your full testimony will be given to the stenographer.
And it will, indeed, be made a part of the record. Thank you. 39 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET
Mike McCrea. (Witnesses come forward.) MR. McCRAE: The next three of us will come up together.
Oh, that's fine. So it would be Mike McCrae, Jim Helman, and Claudia Sherrod. MR. McCRAE: That would be correct. Thank you.
Good 40 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET afternoon.
And my fellow City Council members. My name is Claudia Smith Sherrod. It is indeed a pleasure to testify today. As I view the proposed budget for the youth Recreation Department, I can certainly say it is more favorable than the past budgets. Our children in the community applaud you for putting them back on the radar. Our youth are a priority, and our proposed budget shows concern for our children. The budget also encourages communities to be involved and to be there to provide backup and support. In addition to the budget that is proposed, I am hoping that additional support will be provided for the playgrounds, especially the South Philadelphia playgrounds that are in dire need, such as Smith Playground and Chew Playground. The activities at each are growing and more demanding, need more 41 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET staff to support the facilities, supervisors with assistants. Our playgrounds, with the City guidance, must attempt to fulfill the need in freeing up the facilities' supervisors so that they can become proactive in programs created and fulfilling the need each facility encompasses. We also want to keep the present youth and galvanize more youth and community support. I can personally speak on Chew and Smith playground looking to expand; however, it needs backup to support the facility supervisors. Are the jobs for the recreation center so low on the totem pole that they cannot be considered to build our centers because of the limited resources? The proposed budget is a favorite, positive thing for playgrounds and centers. Keeping the budget in a favorable mode, won't you please go a little further to give the support needed 42 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET to help provide quality direction for our youth. That's my overall testimony in terms of what I view. But I'd like to just make a few more comments regarding trees and grass, green space. I think they're beautiful, but I don't think they should come before our youth. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, President Verna and members of Council my name is Jim Helman. I'm a resident of Grays Ferry, and I'm privileged to serve my community as President of Smith Playground, 25th and Jackson Streets; Vice President of Donald P. Finnegan Playground, 30th and Morton Streets; and Secretary-Treasurer of Vare Recreation Center 26th and Morris Streets. I am here to testify in support of funding for the Department of 43 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET Recreation, soon to become a component of the Department of Parks and Recreation. In a recent interview on public broadcasting radio, Mayor Michael Nutter was asked a question about public safety. The interviewer was referring to the police and fire departments. In his response, the Mayor said that we must not forget public recreation, which is an important part of public safety. (Applause.)
While it was unusual to hear an occupant of the second floor of City Hall say such a thing publicly, why wouldn't the Mayor say what we have been saying for years; after all, aren't our children safer in our buildings than on our streets? Don't we prefer to hear the sound of bouncing basketballs than the sound of gunshots? (Applause.)
Wouldn't we rather deal with the commotion of free play and structured programming than deal with the 44 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET commotion of crime in our neighborhoods? And who would not want our young people to visit our playgrounds and recreation centers to play, learn, and grow with us? As if to advance his thinking, the Nutter Administration has proposed a budget with a more than $2 million increase and $5 million for capital improvements; that is certainly a step in the right direction, and we support it. Unfortunately, it is not nearly enough to repair the debilitating damage caused by the brutal budget cuts of the last two years. Much more will be needed to return public recreation to the level it was at when Mayor Nutter took office. In fact, department staffing today is near what it was at the beginning of the Rendell Administration, in the early '19990. In addition to the poor staffing levels, public recreation and the public safety it represents seems to be taken second place to parks in the 45 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET upcoming merger of the two departments. In point of fact, it is unusual to even hear the phrase "public recreation" anymore. It seems that we have become something called "out-of- school-time activities" in the minds of some of our recreation professionals, including those at the very top who are guiding the merger. The department has even appointed an out-of-school-time activities coordinator to, well, I guess coordinate something. In a recent printed response to a question posed by the Philadelphia Parks Alliance, Commissioner Michael DeBerardinis stated the goals and strategic objectives of the merger. The Commissioner included: "Develop high-level practices and expand leadership in out-of-school-time activities." The statement was buried in an avalanche of green spaces, natural resource, forest management, outdoor 46 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET recreation, environmental assets, and green practices. The merger seems to be a story of trees, green spaces, carbon footprints, and nature trails -- and very precious little about the people-oriented City service that public recreation has always represented. To paraphrase an old saying, we are losing sight of the needs of our citizens, especially our young people, because the trees are blocking our view. Now, we are certainly not opposed to trees and green spaces. These are vital subjects in today's society, and they need to be addressed. (Interruption by cell phone sound coming from balcony.)
Jim, just a minute. I don't think you need that background. Whoever is -- where's that coming from? Okay. Please proceed.
I'll start that 47 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET paragraph over. Now, we are certainly not opposed to trees and green spaces. These are vital subjects in today's society, and they need to be addressed, but they must be put in perspective. We must be careful not to allow our forests to become more important than our people. We must avoid the disposition of resources to the creation of nature trails at the expense of quality programming for our young people. Yet that seems to be what is happening. In next year's proposed budget, the department wants to hire as many as 40 arborists, while the same number of positions in public recreation remain vacant, and many have been vacant for well over a year: Recreation leaders I, Assistant Recreation Leaders, and Custodians -- all missing from the field while we rush to plant trees. The organization chart for the merged department is amazingly top-heavy 48 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET while the field has a problem hiring RSIs, which are crucial to effective programming at the local level. There are virtually no plans, and even very little talk, about developing programming which, by the way, we were told would happen by the Mayor before the merger vote. Nothing is heard about more teen centers or summer teen camps or structures athletics or field trips, all immensely beneficial to the young people we serve. And let's, for a movement, examine the after-school-time activities, which has become the catch phrase for what used to be called "public recreation." At our facilities, we serve older teenagers, young adults, and older adults who clearly do not fall into the category. It's almost as if the current department administration wants to grab hold of our young people and bend their 49 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET minds into green advocates, environmentalists, and arborists. Now, we can talk about green spaces. Let's start with all those green spaces with their carefully manicured lawns, nicely pruned trees and shrubs that create an almost parklike setting. You know the green spaces I'm talking about. We call them "cemeteries," and they are the green spaces where we have deposited so many of our young people over the years. Let's talk about those green spaces and figure out what we can do to preserve them for people of my generation instead of the generations that come after me. (Applause.)
Thank you. Let's talk about our carbon footprint. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET communities, and let's figure out what we can do better to help reduce them. Why is this happening? It could be that the Mayor's statement about public recreation being part of public safety are mostly empty words. It could be that our commissioner was the Commonwealth's Secretary of Conservation and Resources and whose wife is senior director of the Horticultural Society responsible for overseeing the Philadelphia green project. It could be that the leadership of Fairmount Park are strong and dedicated people while the leadership of Recreation are weak and complacent. It could be any of those or any number of other things. What is important is that we do not go running around blindly planting trees and forget to help plant a quality future for many of the young people of our city. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET Thank you. ) MR. McCRAE: He's a tough act to follow. I am Mike McCrea, President of Philadelphia Recreation Advisory Council. To all members of Council, the last two years have been difficult for all of us, and I first have to thank City Council for their continued support; without that, things really could have easily been much worse. As volunteers, we continue to support the vital partnership we have with the Parks and Recreation Department over the last two years with this department. While it has lost over 19 percent of its operating budget, it 20 continues to deliver the same vital 21 services offered at every facility across 22 the City of Philadelphia. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET department as well as the volunteers that support their local facilities. In large part, it is the partnership that really makes it work. The mutual respect we have for each other and the reality that each of us would not be as successful without the other goes a very long way. Obviously, again, none of this happens in a vacuum. During our merger discussions over the last twelve months, the vision of the combined Parks and Recreation Department is communicated and amplified on many occasions. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET have been saying for many years and have not heard from the second floor of City Hall in a long time As the Mayor guaranteed us during the merger negotiations, we want to be sure the quality of these services and the resources necessary to carry them out would remain intact. 5 million increase from last year's operating budget level. In their testimony, the department stated most of it would go to funding over 40 positions; more than half of that which would support the Administration's goal of planting trees. We had several discussions with the department concerning currently unfilled program and maintenance worker positions. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET minimum staffing level in program level, and full-time custodians short of that 4 same goal in the Maintenance Department, 5 the majority of which of these positions 6 have been unfilled for at least a year. 7 The answer was, they could not 8 promise how many of these positions could 9 be filled in this proposed budget. That 10 minimum level, however, supports the 11 minimum number of employees required to 12 safely operate every staff facility for 13 the requisite number of hours per week 14 While we support the increase 15 in funding, we also believe these open 16 and unfilled field-level positions that 17 provide direct people services to the 18 community must get equal consideration. If we want to be a first-class parks and recreation department, we cannot allow our children to become second-class recreation citizens. ) MR. McCRAE: I like that. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET the green initiatives laid out by this administration, and we truly get the benefits of planting more trees, we also believe there's a need to be a little more perspective and balance involved in the discussion.
While we have heard time and time again about the need for reducing our carbon footprint, the need to reduce the bloody footprints that continue to proliferate in many of our communities is crying out for equal time. Basic public safety, especially as it pertains to our youngest and most vulnerable, should never have to take a backseat in any discussion. The Parks and Recreation Department, among other things, is charged with the operation of over 150 safe havens spanning every community across the City. It's hard to imagine a more daunting task. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET ownership in it, and support the partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation that we continue to have. We will continue to hold out hope that we can develop the same kind of partnership with this administration. Thank you.
Thank you. I want to publicly thank both of you for your commitment to our community. I know how involved you are with the youth and with the recreation centers, and I often think, what would it be like if you weren't there? I really want to, as I said, publicly thank you for all that you do. Thank you. MR. McCRAE: Thank you, Madam President. (Applause.)
Just a moment. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke. 57 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Good afternoon. As a councilmember who had a small involvement in the park merger, I would just like to, first of all, thank you for your continued involvement from the recreation side. And I want to say that I understand your concern. Being involved from the early phases of this process, it was clear that the number of advocates -- this was when people were in opposition to the merger. The number of advocates on the park side of it was much more numerous than the number of advocates from the recreation side. As a matter of fact, the folks on the recreation side were cooperating in a way to say, If this happens, let's ensure that the recreation is not left behind. And that actually continued through the process, where we sent out requests for opportunities to be on the 58 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET newly-formed Parks and Recs Commission. It was heavily weighted to park advocates than recreation. We had to go out of our way to make sure that there were people who had recreation backgrounds. And, frankly speaking, that level of involvement continues. And we all know, you know, in the City, the folks that use the rec centers tend to be more local, tend to be the people that live in those particular neighborhoods who may not necessarily be characterized as an advocate but more so as a user. MR. McCRAE: Yes.
So their advocacy skills and the need to be advocates, frankly speaking, is jut not there. MR. McCRAE: Correct.
But I just 59 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET want to say that in my conversations and other Councilmembers' conversations with Mr. DeBerardinis, we emphasize that every day, to make sure that this unification of these two departments is done in a fair and equitable way, where ultimately, the true merger of those departments, that it will be a seamless transition, and you will not even know the difference between the two entities, because all of it, at the end of the day, is supposed to provide support to the citizens of Philadelphia. So I understand your concern; it's real. But I just want to say, you know, as this Councilperson -- and I go so far as to speak for all Councilmembers, we're going to be on top of that to make sure it's done in a reasonable way. MR. McCRAE: Thank you, Councilman.
Thank you for your continued support. 60 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET
Certainly. MR KAIDEN: We know you, Councilman Clarke, we know you to be a supporter of public recreation. And we were not opposed to the merger.
We met several times with the Mayor, who promised us a lot -- very little of which we've actually seen. And when you say you emphasize to the Commissioner every day, maybe you should start emphasizing it every hour. (Laughter.)
Well, I will go so far as to -- because I do feel responsible in maybe even a little more 61 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET than in a small way for this merger, that I would go so far as to commit to you today that if it calls for a convening of the meeting with the Commissioner and any Councilmembers who would want to be in that particular meeting, and if it calls for members of the Administration, to sit down with the new commissioner, 'cause I do know the Commissioner. As you know, he used to be a Recreation person, and I knew him personally before I was even involved in government or any of the political realm, and I knew him to be a committed person. But I would be very confident in setting up and commit to you to setting up whatever format we need to do to make sure that the level of support is there from the recreation side, and I'll make that commitment to you publicly.
You're welcome. Thank you, Madam President. 62 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET
You're welcome. Any further comments or questions from members of the committee? (No response.) Thank you. And, Jim, please learn to say what you really think. (Laughter.)
I'm Brian Villa, V-I-L-L-A, a resident of the 2nd Councilmatic District. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET members and guests, thank you for hearing my budgetary and Park and Recreation Department comments. I am Brian Villa, Director of Philly Tennis Advocates and the 10th and Lombard Street Seger Park Tennis Club. With me is Kitty Perrin, United States Tennis Association staff member and Philadelphia and Delaware County Service Representative; she will also testify today. 4 million increase supporting the capital budgets for Parks and Recreation infrastructure. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET study. As a consequence, Parks and Recreation conditions and operations in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th Council Districts have drawn noted interest; here, an abstracted tennis court analysis has been developed. In the greater downtown area and including the FDR Park at Broad and Pattison Streets, the public park tennis courts leave much to be desired. Examples include courts that lack light for nighttime play or have severely worn-through court surfaces, courts replete with cracks and fissures, and courts that have been institutionally abandoned. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET estate indicators or birth rate statistics. Accordingly, there is a lack of recreational opportunity since overburdened and under-maintained Parks and Recreation facilities cannot meet demand. To be a first-class city, this must change. The people of Philadelphia require more tennis courts and would benefit from it. Tennis is a growing sport. It reaches diverse populations in terms of age and ethnicity, yet it reaches far fewer than it should, or could, due to lack of playing opportunity. But the cost is more than lack of play; the City also loses out. The City loses out because, without capital monies for courts, private money and professional resources from the USTA and other national nonprofits cannot leveraged. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET grants cannot be sought or implemented if playing facilities are substandard and in dire need of repair. The City also loses out in terms of economic and social development because inferior sites cannot hold local, regional, or national tournaments that would otherwise bring in revenue through shoppers, visitors, and hotel users to town. Philadelphia's history is one that includes it being a successful tennis town. However, that reputation is severely diminished today when the local infrastructure is not fit or cannot accommodate play. ) In the area around City Hall and beyond, that is the case. Visit Seger Park, Marquardt, Weccacoe, and Garden Court playgrounds, or the tennis courts of FDR Park. What you will see is not pretty; yet, starting today, it can be changed by each and every one of you. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET Please pass the proposed operating and capital budgets for Parks and Recreation and begin turning around the City's recreational infrastructure, with a clear eye towards the tennis topics presented. You should not be surprised to find a large amount of support and mountains of social benefit. Thank you for your interest in my comments. I look forward to meeting and working with you to improve Philadelphia's tennis environment and the City as a whole.
Didn't we have new tennis courts installed there two years ago?
Two, I think. 68 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET
No? She's saying yes and you're saying no. 5 Which was it? I think it was approximately two years ago.
Well, no matter the case, we acknowledge that tennis courts were put in place on the border of Broad and Pattison. However, I think that it is important to recognize that the ten tennis courts in the back were reduced to five; and, therefore, there's only a net gain of five for the area as a whole. As the Council President, I am sure, would take note, the area of the Stadium Complex is legislated to undergo a redevelopment as well as the Naval Yard; therefore, bringing in additional populations. So my point, I believe, is supported that the incoming population is not adequately serviced by the present 69 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET state of the tennis-supporting infrastructure. The same is the case for the Center City area. In Center City, basically, Washington to Spring, and river to river, there are only five publicly-available tennis courts, and they're in terrible shape now. Many people who otherwise support parks through reservation system, such as at Seger Park, are basically abandoning the site because it's not worth the cost. Therefore, people leave town, they spend money their money elsewhere, and you get into, so to speak, a bit of an economic death spiral. If the City were to invest in more tennis sites that have three courts or more, they could be eligible for grants and opportunities through the USTA. There are lots of children that want to become tennis superstars, and their parents support them in these endeavors. 70 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET Tennis tournaments, if adequately structured, take place over the weekend or multitudes of weekends. That means people have to stay around and spend their money. It also improves communities. It's a very cost-effective economic engine.
I'm very sorry to hear that the five tennis courts in the back at FDR Park were not rehabilitated. I was told they were going to be repaired, they would have new fencing; but apparently, that hasn't happen. I was absolutely delighted with the new tennis court fronting Broad Street, and I know it's not enough, but I'm afraid the money in the City is not enough either.
The money in the City, respectfully, Madam Council President, can be leveraged with the USTA and with other organizations such as the 71 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET National Recreation and Parks Association.
Kitty Perrin, United States Tennis Association, Middle State Section. Thank you very much for the opportunity to voice my support for the increased funding for Parks and Recreation. As you may have noticed from my introduction, I have a real interest in the state of tennis in the Philadelphia. Philadelphia has a lot of history with tennis. Bill Tilden, U.S. Pro Indoor. U.S. open started here. Philadelphia also has three grass court tennis facilities that are 72 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET over a hundred years old. And with almost 300 tennis courts located in the Fairmount Park and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department sites, you could say tennis has been an important part of parks and recreation in the Philadelphia area. To add to the dimension of that, Philadelphia has the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center, one of the finest in the country. It also has the Althea Gibson Tennis Center that serves the youth and adult in that area. Has the Black Women in Sports Foundation, which supports not only tennis but supports -- but all sports to youth in Philadelphia. Tennis is a sport for a lifetime, and it promotes healthy lifestyles. Families play together, you can play on a wall, you can play with another person. It can be a team, it can be tournaments, it can be national tournaments, it can be the U.S. Open 73 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET Challenger series; I kind of added a little bit there. You can have junior-team tennis, adult leagues, quick start for and under. 6 Tennis has shown an increase of 7 43 percent over all other traditional 8 sports since the year of 2000. 9 Enough about the tennis and my 10 passion for it. I'm really here to promote the passing of the increased budget for the Parks and Recs. With my job, the visits that I make, I have a deep concern not only for the tennis but all recreation facilities. So I started attending the Park Alliance meetings, the Hunting Park meetings with the revitalization of the park, and the Fairmount Park Conservancy. I work with the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department, the Fairmount Park Commission. And I must say it has been a pleasure. My concerns are not -- concerns about not getting the increased funding 74 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET are not unfounded. When I visit the schools in Philadelphia and the Parks and Recreation sites, I see obesity, children that can't even walk or play without being out of breath, or really don't want to participate with the activity. I am concerned about these things. Recreation is so very important in the lives of everyone, especially the children. It brings families together, keeps them fit and healthy, easy to make positive decisions for their lives, and has proven to increase grades in schools. Tennis being a part of recreation, young and old can play in the sport for a lifetime. It also gives children another choice in life from the traditional sports of football, baseball, and soccer. I am a person that grew up in the Parks and Recreation programming, and it made a significant impact on my life. In conclusion, the people of Philadelphia love their parks and want 75 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET them to be maintained, provide safe and clean sites for children and adults so they can all have successful lives. Healthy parks promote healthy and fit people. With that being said, please support the passage of the increased funding for the Parks and Recreation. It is time for City Council to take hold of their Parks and Recreation sites to make them the best that they can be for everyone to enjoy. Thank you very much.
Thank you. Any questions or comments from members of the committee? (No response.)
The tree 76 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET situation. We're wanting to plant more trees, which are wonderful for the City. But the gentleman that spoke about planting the trees also talked about how they aren't maintained. If we continue to keep planting trees, how are we going to maintain the ones -- we can't even maintain the ones that we have. They were planted at, Auberry, a site at Auberry. That site needs painting and repair. Trees are great, but let's look at it carefully. Thank you.
Mr. Villa, before you leave, would you see Tiffany from my office? We have a report on the tennis courts. Good afternoon. Please 77 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET identify yourself for the record.
Before I do proceed, I would like just to say a few words about the tree issue. I'm here as a private individual, and it's about making some suggestions for raising needed funding. I've been a member of Tree Tenders since '95, and part of our mission statement is to restore the urban forest in East Falls and to generate environmental stewardship. A week ago Friday, we had 220 children at a local park that was well- groomed because of both the Park Department and volunteers enjoying trees, and I would hate to think that any of us who are interested in planting trees think that they're more important than children. We work with children, and 78 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET we've worked with over, I think, 8,000 children at this point. So please don't think people who like trees do not like children. President Verna and members of Council, thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts on how to balance the Fiscal 2011 budget for the City of Philadelphia. First, enact a 1-cent-per-ounce tax on sugar and non-alcoholic beverages. Some have cited possible job loss as a reason such a tax is unwise. Since the tax could result in more people drinking sugar-free beverages, jobs delivering unsweetened drinks might increase, thereby counteracting any loss of jobs delivering sugar-laden beverages. What is vitally important is the long-term improvement and the health of all citizens. By stopping, or at least decreasing, intake of sweetened drinks, and drinking more of our fine Philadelphia Water Department water, men, 79 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET women, and/or children might lose weight, or at least decrease their rate of gaining weight. I took the bus in today, and I was atypical in terms of my weight because I was normal weight, and a number of the people on the buses had clasped in their hands their bottles of soda. Obesity can generate or aggravate health problems, problems which affect quality of life, length of life, self-confidence, and productivity. As a consequence, personal health costs increase, a high price to pay indeed for a bottle of a sugar-ladened soda or juice drink. Also, the intake of milk by children might increase, therefore ensuring they have healthy teeth and strong bones. Next suggestion: Eliminate unnecessary or redundant positions such as the sheriff and city commissioners. Next suggestion: Change the 80 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET current real-estate abatement program to either five or ten years, with the following payment schedule: Year 1, payment of percent; Year 2, 6 percent; Year 3, 40 percent; Year 4, 60 7 percent; Year 5, 80 percent; Year 6 and 8 forward, a hundred percent of full 9 real-estate tax. And I have a ten-year 10 plan; I won't bother reading that. 11 But aside from the fact such 12 changes would generate desperately-needed 13 income for the City, it would also be a 14 strong statement about how the Mayor and 15 City Council feel about the plight of 16 current property owners who have been 17 paying full real-estate tax bill year 18 after year after year. 19 Since 1971, my husband and I 20 have been paying our full real-estate tax bill. We have also been paying for the maintenance of an 81-year-old house, which weekly seems to generate an expensive repair. For instance, estimates for chimney repair were as high 81 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET as $15,000. My driveway replacement would cost in excess of 30,000. The concrete is crumbling and cannot be patched. Were we rich, we could move every nine years to a new abode and not have to pay taxes and pay the asking price of a $12 million Rittenhouse Square penthouse. I don't know if you saw yesterday's paper, but people who have the means, I think, to pay those very high prices, I don't think, would be uncomfortable having to pay more taxes and earlier. (Applause.)
A graduated payment plan would also generate personal fiscal responsibility. In the next two to three years, some property owners will be required to pay their full estate taxes for the first time. Instead of paying $200, they might be required to pay 6,000 -- (Timer bell rings.) 82 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET
When the budget is balanced, the Department of Parks and Recreation will be able to fill the positions necessary to increase the number of trees planted throughout the City so there will be a 30 percent tree cover. Currently, the overall canopy is percent, but only 11 percent in East 10 Falls and much less in other 11 neighborhoods. 12 Once that happens, you and I 13 and other Philadelphians will breath a 14 great deal easier. 15 Thank you
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. Cynthia, I want to thank you for what you do. I was amazed as to the wide number of issues that you spoke to today. I had you pegged just as a tree 83 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET tender.
I wanted to thank you for what you do in East Falls and also in conjunction with your citywide effort to do more tree-planting. My only request is that Mr. Spivey, who lives up in East Falls, loves planting trees with you a little too much. And I was looking at the tree you mostly recently planted, and I thought it was a little to the left. So -- but I want to thank you, and I want to encourage you. If the Mayor is to achieve his goal of planting the number of trees that he he's requested, it is only through groups like yours that we will eventually get it done. 84 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET So thank you.
Thank you. Any other questions or comments from members of the committee? (No response.)
Seeing none. Thank you very much. Our next witness?
Bette Begleiter and Danyell Williams. (Witnesses come forward.)
Good afternoon. My name is Bette Begleiter, and I'm here for Maternity Care Coalition, who, for 30 years, has been working to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women, babies, and families with very young children. Today, we're here today to talk to you, and we're not going to ask for money.
85 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET Wonderful.
We're here to tell you about a reentry program that works, and we're really here to tell you about a population that has been very ignored, and that is women who are incarcerated. About five years ago, we were approached by the Philadelphia Commissioner -- Deputy Commissioner of Treatment at the Prisons, and he asked us to bring our MOMobile program to the prison that was being built, the Riverside Correctional Facility. He told us about the pregnant women up there and women with very young children that were really, really in desperate need. He said, "We have space for you; we have no money." We went out and we raised the money to start a program, and we got a four-year grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and we found over 15 local funders to help us out; no City 86 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET money. We started the program about four years ago. And what we do is, we -- any woman who is pregnant at the prison is referred to our MOMobile there. We work with them and we work with women with children under the age of two. And we work with them in educational groups, where we give them the information and the education and the resources they need to have a healthy beginning. We learned that pregnant women were having their babies alone, with only correctional officers in the delivery room. And we went to -- he was then the warden, but Commissioner Giorla and said we'll get our staff trained as doulas -- which are labor-support people -- if you let us go with them. He said yes. And since, I guess it's, June 2009, we've attended almost 50 births. The important part of this program is we don't just stay with the women while they're in prison. We're in 87 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET prison; we have offices there, but we stay with them when they leave. And this is the key part: We know that such a critical period, when women leave and go back to the community. We work with them for up to a year, visiting them in their home, helping them reconnect to family, 'cause we know that for women -- we've always used a male model for reentry, but the needs of women are really different. And for women, the key to successful reentry is reconnecting with their family successfully. We want to tell you it's working. What we're most proud of is our 28 percent recidivism rate. Now, we're told that generally, the recidivism rate in our City jails is about 65 percent. Ours is 28 percent. The women are staying out of jail. They're getting connected to the resources they need. We know that they're learning about parenting. We do pre- and 88 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET post-tests. They're improving their knowledge. And the women that we've looked at in terms of their bonding, over 93 percent have healthy bonding with their babies. We're excited about this program, we want to keep it going. And there is a lot of interest in the program locally and nationally. But when you hear numbers -- I mean, we've served 350 women, we have that 28 percent recidivism rate, but the real heart of the story is in the women's lives. And Daniel's here to tell us a little bit about it.
Hello, good afternoon. As Bette stated, over 90 percent of our clients, when they are released from Riverside Correctional Facility, are successfully reunified with 89 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET their children, and that's including our clients who give birth while incarcerated and clients who gave birth prior to their incarceration. Most of our clients lead successful lives. As stated, less than 30 percent return to Riverside Correctional Facility. And I wanted to talk about a specific client. When she came to our program in May of 2008, we had been at Riverside since November of 2006. When she came to us in May of 2008, she was five months' pregnant, and she had already been there for the majority of her pregnancy, at Riverside. She eventually gave birth while incarcerated at Riverside, in November of 2008. Subsequently, the following month, she was released from the program and successfully reunified with her child due to instrumental part that the MOMobile program played in making sure that reunification happened. 90 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET The client has been in our program since that time, December of 2008. She successfully completed our program in December of 2009, but she is still very much active in our program. Anytime we need her to come out and do something for our program or talk about her story, she has done so successfully. Actually, she participated in a BBC piece that was down done on the MOMobile program here in Philadelphia, in January. So that was exciting for her. She just completed her nursing degree; she's actually going for her LPN license in September of this year. And she is a happy, productive member of society and raising her child appropriately. So this is definitely a program that's worked. It's cost-effective. Men and women, it's an annual of $30,000 a year to house a person at one of the Philadelphia jails. For a pregnant woman, it's triple that amount. So it's 91 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET important to keep these women out, keep them reunified with their families and, most importantly, their children. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Your program sounds very successful. Do we have anyone -- Councilman Jones?
Thank you for your testimony. If I understood you correctly, the amount of newly-incarcerated females is going up, but the recidivism rate based on that kind of treatment and care and attention to deal is going down, meaning they don't go back to prison.
Right. And when we talk about the recidivism rate, we're talking just about the women who participate in our program.
We like to 92 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET think that.
The key factor is the continued services that these women receive up to a year post their release date. There are several programs that are provided to women and men while they're incarcerated, but the program stops as soon as they hit the door. So if those support services are not continued, the circumstance are set up for the clients to come back.
And just what I'd like to add is, we actually just submitted a proposal with folks from the University of Pennsylvania and Rutgers University to the National Institute of Health to test and say, well, what is making the difference? This is the most comprehensive program in the state working with incarcerated people, you know, in this target group. And they're going to compare it with a jail in Delaware County 93 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET and a jail in Camden that don't have that level of services. So I'm hoping we can come back and say yes, we know for sure this is what made the difference.
Could I make a request that you also provide that information to what is called CJAB, Criminal Justice Advisory Board, to its members and then one honorary member, Councilman Curtis Jones, so that we can take a look at what works so we can try to attempt to replicate it, particularly if it's cost-effective.
You know, one of the things -- this is a very ignored 94 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET population. And, you know, there are about one woman for every eight or nine men that are in jail, but they are really important. And then, when we provide services to women, we're getting a double win, because we're not just winning for the woman; we're winning for the family that they left behind. And so, I just hope that we can just start a conversation where we think about treating women differently, 'cause their needs really are different.
Samuel Clarke. 95 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET (Witness comes forward.)
Yes. My name is Samuel Clarke, a researcher. And thank you for the opportunity. I'm here to discuss corruption and discrimination in the Philadelphia Police Department, specifically the McKenna brothers and Ray Carnation. In May of 2008, a federal jury, after examining the documentary evidence and hearing testimony of witnesses and cross examination, concluded that the Philadelphia Police Department retaliated against the McKenna brothers and Ray Carnation because they reported discrimination and corruption. The most culpable persons that the juror cited was a Captain Colarulo, if I'm pronouncing his name correctly, 96 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET Lieutenant Beckmire, and a Sergeant John Maroney. All these three individuals have been promoted. They now have an incentive to continue their racist conduct leveled at African-American officers and African-American citizens. The lack of disciplinary sanctions against these officers provides an incentive to retaliate against any other officer that would come forward to exercise their responsibility legally and ethically to report discrimination and corruption. I certainly don't believe that the citizens of Philadelphia want to continue paying the salaries of supervisors who are retaliating against honest officers that reported discrimination and corruption. This type of arrangement rewards the guilty and sanctions the innocent. In addition, one of the attorneys that works for the law firm 97 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET that the City of Philadelphia hired to defend this indefensible situation, he posted on his facebook that "My job is to make certain the City of Philadelphia continues to discriminate against its employees." Now, this case is a huge financial burden to the citizens of Philadelphia because the jury awarded $10 million to these officers. So it's not the words -- I'm just repeating the conclusions that the jury reached by examining the evidence, and the City of Philadelphia certainly paid a pretty penny to the law firm to defend this. So they were able to look at everything and conclude that yes, these officers were retaliated against and fired simply because they exercised their legal and ethical responsibility to report corruption and discrimination. I think it's important to really ask what policies or programs have 98 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET been put in place in the Philadelphia Police Department that would definitely prevent this type of action, this type of retaliatory action, from occurring to anyone else that would step forward and report discrimination and corruption. And I might also add that there are other cases in the pipeline, if you will, that will also be a tax -- you know, a burden for the taxpayers for the City of Philadelphia. (Timer bell rings.)
So I would hope that the citizens, and certainly this Council who represents the interests of the citizens, would make efforts to make certain that discrimination and corruption is eliminated from the Philadelphia Police Department. At present, because of the actions that were taken by the Philadelphia Police Department, it appears that there is systemic corruption in that department that should be 99 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET addressed immediately. I thank you
Thank you. Any questions or comments from members of the committee? (Applause.) (No response.)
I will be available to, you know, assist you in any way that I can.
We'll call together: Dynnita Bryant, Lashan Stewart, Eduardo Soriano Castillo, and Fabricio Rodriguez. (Witnesses come forward.) 100 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET
My name is Dynnita Bryant. Hello. I'm a security officer for the Allied Barton Security Services, and I'm also a shop steward at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I'm here because of the poor conditions and the way that we're being treated at the Art Museum. I can't go to the pharmacist for my prescriptions if I don't go to family and friends to take the same prescription as I do. I simply cannot take medicine necessary for me to live a healthy, normal life. I recently suffered an infection in my left knee, and I was hospitalized for 13 days. As I left the hospital, the hospital asked me for my 101 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET health insurance. Like many Allied officers, I have none. Like many Allied officers, I am paid too little to afford the health plan. Excuse me. And because I'm paid -- I mean, because I can't pay my medical bills for treatment, I live on the debt that I have to pay out-of-pocket to survive. It is not an oversight that Allied Barton fails to provide a health plan that's affordable for our low wages, it is not by oversight that Allied Barton makes a profit because their cost of business is onto the workers. And they need to be responsible for what they put us through. Standing for twelve hours a day, causing problems on our backs, knees, and ankles and feet. Women who are pregnant are expected to stand at their post until the day of childbirth. After childbirth, it is not uncommon for a single mother to be taken to court by a highly-paid Allied Barton lawyer when she claims unemployment 102 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET benefits for her maternity leave. This is why we fought to be represented by a union for three years. The union is calling for access to a more affordable health plan. The union called for family-sustaining wages, and the union wants to allow elderly and pregnant women to sit at their posts. Please do not award the museum until the subcontractors Allied Barton has provided that they're willing to respect our voices. Thank you.
Hello. My name is Lashan Stewart. I am a single mother living in West Philadelphia. I am also the secretary for the Philadelphia Security Officers Union. I work as a security officer for Allied Barton at the 103 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET Museum of Art. Allied Barton wage is so low that I constantly have to work overtime. I barely have the time to see my own son. Despite working overtime, that continues to (indiscernible) into my shoulders. My insurance is so inadequate that I am left paying bills out of my pocket for necessary medical tests. And while I am at work, trying to break even, I get phone calls from bill collectors. There is nothing I can do to satisfy them. As a woman working are for Allied Barton, I feel unsafe. Women working as a security guard are sexually harassed on a regular basis. Male managers prey on young women. Many of them are single mothers like me, who are afraid to lose their job. Like me, they are afraid that if they speak out, they will lose the earnings they can provide for their families. We are taught that we do not 104 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET have the same rights as these men. It is well known at the museum that some of these managers have a history of making unwanted sexual advances; they're allowed to keep working anyway. Working for Allied Barton I, see people slipping into debt, living in fear, and working themselves to the grave; I don't want to end up like them. I want to be able to spend more time with my son, buy a car, and finance a new house. I want to defend my rights without being afraid of losing the income that I can provide for my family. For the sake of my son, my community, and my coworkers, we need to get things better at the museum now. Please do not award the museum until the subcontract to Allied Barton has proven that it is willing to respect our voice. Thank you for your time. (Applause.) (Councilman Clarke assumes chairmanship of hearing.) 105 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET
Thank you. Please proceed. State your name for the record.
Good afternoon. My name is Eduardo Soriano Castillo. I'm an organizer with the Philadelphia Security Officers Union. We proudly represent 135 officers currently working at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I have been privileged to work one-on-one with Allied Barton security officers since the fall of 2005. In those few years, I've had the privilege of walking side-by-side with hundreds of security officers in the City on a path towards justice and a voice at the workplace. Today, I wish to share with you a story of Mr. Shake. Mr. Shake wasn't able to be here today for a number of good reasons. I met Mr. Shake, a security officer at the museum for 34 years, at a 106 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET small diner in Northeast Philly a couple weeks ago. Mr. Shake is a short, frail, 79-year-old man, with gray hair and thick-rimmed glasses. He looked like he'd been standing on his feet a long time. He explained to me, with an undertone of sadness during our conversation, what happened to his life after Philadelphia took his good union job and privatized it in the name of saving $2 million. He explained to me, in 1993, it was either the City guards or the City road workers that were facing the ax. And what Mr. Shake said was, "I guess it was us they deemed less deserving of fair wages, job security, and dignity." Mr. Shake still works full-time at the Museum of Art as a security guard, and it's not because he needs something to occupy golden years; but it's because if he stops working, he and his wife will literally go hungry. If Mr. Shake stops 107 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET working, he can't pay the monthly premium of $128 for his health insurance, which him and his wife literally rely on to survive and live. If Mr. Shake stops working, he may never be able to afford the repairs that his home desperately needs; currently, he is living with a roof and walls that leak year-round. If Mr. Shake stops working, he can't forward the day-to-day cost of living expenses like groceries and general household products. During the course of our conversation, I embarrassingly observed Mr. Shake struggling with his lunch, a floppy slice of pizza. And then, as if to punctuate the injustices that his man has had to endure, one of his teeth fell out and bounced across the table towards me. After retrieving his tooth and reinserting it into the appropriate gap, Mr. Shake went on to explain that because 108 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET of lack of resources, he has to have his teeth glued back into his jaw. He can't afford the procedure that he actually needs, and lives in day-to-day pain because of it. Charles Shake support the Philadelphia Security Officers Union, not because he will be around long enough to reap the full benefits of the union, but because, as Mr. Shake says, no one should ever suffer what I've been through at the hands of Allied Barton Security Services in the name of profits. Councilmen and Councilwomen, on behalf of Mr. Shake and the 135 members of the Philadelphia Security Officers Union, we call on you to call on Allied Barton and our beloved Museum of Art accountable. Please move the $2.3 million budgeted to the museum into the City's general budget and send a clear message to the Museum of Art and Allied Barton Security Services that in Philadelphia, we value our working 109 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET families. Thank you your time and consideration. (Applause.)
Thank you. Hello. My name is Fabricio Rodriguez. Thanks to our City leaders for taking a moment to hear our concerns. I'd like to hold up Councilman Greenlee, who's been a big leader on our issues for a long time. I'm the lead coordinator for the Philadelphia Security Officers Union, and I have been fighting to reform the security industry in our city since 2004. We have heard how our City taxpayers are subsidizing the profits of companies like Allied Barton and institutions like the museum so that our security officers can get health care from emergency rooms and City clinics. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET We've heard all these workers paid an enormous price the last time our city was facing budget troubles. But we think the problem is much bigger than the museum. There are 16,000 security guards in our city, and 97 percent of these workers are African-American, half of them are women. The vast majority of them are poor and lack any health care. These are hard stories to hear and hard statistics to learn about, but our movement isn't driven by sadness; we're driven by the dream of a new day. It is our vision that thousands of workers in our city and millions of Philadelphians and visitors that depend on their -- on these security guards can have better public safety by increasing the training that the museum is fighting -- that the Security Guards Union is fighting for to prevent violence, report crimes better, and deescalate critical situations. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET The Philadelphia Security Officers Union isn't only fighting for better jobs; we're fighting to create a better security officer. The first step on that road to our vision is winning our first contract of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The museum should be concerned with increasing security at that facility. We've given 'em plenty of opportunities over the last three years to take a proper stand. At every step of the way, we've been ignored or undermined. This year, our city will contribute five City buildings to the museum, worth $171 million. 4 million. 3 million. The museum is, by far and away, our City's most generously supported nonprofit. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET lots of other sources; in fact, they raise on the average a million dollars every two-and-a-half days. I know that the museum is vigorously lobbying City Council for those resources. They're telling you not to miss the big picture, about how much they stimulate the economy. 3 million means a lot to our city at a time when we're cutting back our libraries, pools, and after-school programs, it barely represents 2 percent of the museum's total budget. They could raise it in less than a week. While the museum is housed for free in five City buildings, full-time security guards are homeless. While our city pays for the museum's utilities, security guards that work full-time have their lights and their heat shut off. 10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET poverty. The Bible says: When someone is given much, much will be required in return; and when someone is entrusted with much, even more will be required. The security guards of the Museum of Art are doing everything in their power to create a better, safer museum. But the museum leaders, on the other hand, are given much, yet fail to do even the smallest thing to help these secure guards. Museum leaders have failed to do what is required. Today, Philadelphia must be prepared to do what is required of us. On behalf of the 16,000 security guards in our city, the millions of citizens and visitors that rely on the services they provide, we are calling on City Council to follow the lead of Councilman Goode, who believes that the museum and Allied Barton should be held accountable to a higher standard.
10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET allotted to the museum into the City's general budget as a Class 500 grant, assuring that the museum and Allied Barton are going to do right by their workers, do right by the collections, and do right by their patrons. Thank you. )
Thank you for your testimony. Any questions by members of the committee for these witnesses? Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, Mr. Rodriguez. Thank you for your testimony, and Miss Bryant, Miss Steward, and Mr. Soriano Castillo. Simply put, you are absolutely right. First and foremost, Allied Barton, as long as it is contracted to the museum, should be held responsible. The museum itself should be held 115 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET responsible for who it contracts with and what is put within that RFP and contract in terms of fair-labor practices and in terms of a wage standard and benefits standard. And then, of course, if we award that money, appropriate that money, City Council should be held responsible. And so, we stand behind you, and we'll do what we can do to make sure that, particularly after the art museum came in here, in budget testimony, and acknowledged that they could do it, but has chosen not to do it and left it up to themselves to make the decision, they clearly don't respect the fact that this Council's asked them to do things fairly and to put the contract back out to bid. And so, we do stand with you, and I thank you for your testimony again. (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilman. Any other members have any 116 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET questions of these witnesses? (No response.)
There being none, I want to thank you very much for your testimony. PANEL MEMBERS: Thank you.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. I really --
I'm sorry. My name is Judith Robinson, and I'm here today to testify regarding the budget hearing. I really thought today that I 117 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET would come down here and talk about funding with the SRC, and I see that hearing is scheduled for next week, so I'm going to switch gears a little bit and connect this all together because it's sort of related to some of the things I've heard today. On December the 7th, in the Public Property and Public Works Committee, there was a hearing on Bill 12 No. 090786, and it was regarding a subdivision of land from our school, Duckrey School, at 15th and Susquehanna. This land, which has presently a basketball court being used -- and it's behind the school, so children may come and ride their bikes. I mean, there's a drill team that practices there. Children, as they do, they have these little skateboards they ride down; I forget what they're called. But any number of recreational activities take place at that site. And the subdivision that was 118 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET done to make this land available for sale to a nonprofit organization, it was to subdivide it from the Duckrey School playground and to be sold to a nonprofit organization for $1. My testimony today was to say to you all, because we are such in need of tax dollars, that you not ever again take money from our School District. And I'll tell you what I mean and make the connection. According to the resolution 14 that was prepared by the School District to take this land and subdivide it from the school, according to that document, if the City sold the land, the money would come back to our school children, okay? So I'm very, very much concerned that this Council, a division of it, did not consider that very important fact. If that money was to come back to our school children, then perhaps our students wouldn't be reading 119 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET at such a low level. I want this to please go into the record. When we were trying to ascertain what was going on with this land deal in a meeting that we held in our community, our elected official Jewell Williams came to the meeting with these statistics, but he didn't come -- and I want this in the record, please. Can I get this in the record? I want you all to please see it, what I'm talking about here.
Well, I want to make sure you see it as I am talking about it, sir, please, because the students at the school are reading -- like 73 percent of them are not proficient in reading, and over 60 percent are not proficient in math. We asked the principal about this in fact. But our elected official Jewell Williams, the state representative, came 120 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET to the meeting about land, bringing these statistics. (Timer bell rings.)
He didn't bring them like he was trying to help these children; he was brought 'em sort of like Big Willie, you know, almost like if these children are reading so bad, not only will we take this land; we'll take the whole school. The entity that you all were proposing to give this land to for $1, I have a Google search that I did, and it says that this organization has access of $110 million; I want this to go on the record too. Because I just feel -- and I'm going to come back; I hope I can come back and talk when you have your school session, because to be honest with you, I was really, as a real estate broker, interested in focusing on this land deal. But, you know, it's like once you see something bad, you can't turn back, you 121 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET know. These children are doing so badly here, at the school that, you know, I can hardly focus, to be honest with you, on the land deal. But basically what I want to say to you all is that we need to focus on why our children aren't learning, why over 70 percent of them are not reading on proficient levels. In addition, we have these renaissance schools we're about to divvy them up to our children and give them to these folks. Are we assured that before we spend the money that our children will get a curriculum that will help them develop? I just want to put all of this information in the public record. So, you know, I want to make sure nobody thinks that I agree with what's going on with how we are funding our schools, and not only how we're funding 'em; how we are taking our eyes off of the process 122 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET once the funding is given to them. There was a article in the Daily News about this court -- this land deal, with these basketball courts, so I really hope I'm not sounding too disjointed, that I'm really clear about what my concerns are. My concerns basically are that you're selling land, especially with this property -- public property bidding process that's just being into play recently, that you give fair market value, especially when the land -- or proceeds, I should say, will go back to our children So if I could just have all of this put into the record. Thank you very much. (Applause.) (Council President Verna resumes chairmanship of hearing.)
You're welcome. Our next witness? 123 5.4.10 PUBLIC TESTIMONY RE 2011 BUDGET