COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - - - Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Tuesday, March 17, 1998 10:05 a.m. - - - BILL NO. 980001 - Ordinance to adopt the capital program for six fiscal years '99 through 2004. BILL NO. 980002 - Ordinance to adopt a fiscal 1999 capital budget. BILL NO. 98004 - Ordinance amending Chapt. 19-1500 of Philadelphia Code entitled "Wage and Net Profits Tax" by decreasing rates of the tax. BILL NO. 98005 - Ordinance amending Chapt. 19-2600 of Philadelphia Code entitled "Business Privilege Taxes" by decreasing the rates of the tax based upon gross receipts. BILL NO. 980131 - Resolution calling on Council's Committee of the Whole to hold hearings, conduct investigation into the School District's proposed FY '99 budget. BILL NO. 980138 - Resolution supporting transfer of $15 million from City's General Fund to School District of Philadelphia. PRESENT: PRESIDENT JOHN F. STREET, Chairman COUNCILWOMAN ANNA C. VERNA, Vice Chair COUNCILWOMAN AUGUSTA A. CLARK COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILMAN FRANK DICICCO COUNCILMAN W. THACHER LONGSTRETH COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO - - - VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 561-2220 2 PUBLIC HEARING - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE P R O C E E D I N G S
Now we will go into Council Committee of the Whole. If I could -- we actually are just shy of a forum. I'd like for Council Members to please come to the chambers for a meeting of the Council Committee of the Whole. (More Council Members enter chamber.)
We will now have the Council Committee of the Whole. Is Mr. Kaplan here? Mr. Kaplan, could I ask you to take the witness stand for just a minute. (Dean Kaplan comes forward to the witness stand.)
This is a meeting of Council Committee of the Whole. Today we will have a public meeting and take testimony, if necessary, on Bill No. 980001, an ordinance to adopt the capital program for the six fiscal years 1999 through 2004. Bill No. 980002, an ordinance to adopt a fiscal 1999 capital budget. And Ordinance No. 980003, an ordinance 25 adopting the operating budget for the fiscal year PUBLIC HEARING - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 1999. And Bill No. 98004, an ordinance 4 amending Chapter 19-1500 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Wage and Net Profits Tax," by decreasing the rates of the tax. And Bill No. 98005, an ordinance 8 amending Chapter 19-2600 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Business Privilege Taxes," by decreasing the rates of the tax based upon gross receipts. And Bill No. 980131, a resolution 12 calling on the City Council's Committee of the Whole to hold hearings and to conduct an investigation into the School District's proposed FY '99 budget. And Resolution No. 980138, supporting the transfer of $15 million from the City's General Fund to the School District of Philadelphia. Mr. Kaplan, during the course of our considering, I guess it's Bill No. 98001, there was some discussion about the capital funding for the libraries and for certain improvements to the libraries. And we asked some specific questions about how much money would be available and 4 PUBLIC HEARING - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE whether or not there would need to be any delay in any of those improvements. What can you tell us?
Thank you. I'm Dean Kaplan, Budget Director for the City. Mr. President, the Mayor has met with the President of the Free Library and considered the issue and is prepared -- the Administration is prepared to offer an amendment at the appropriate time to the FY '99 capital budget to provide an additional $900,000 for the Free Library, and that will allow the Library to carry forward its originally proposed renovation program.
Thank you very much. Does Mr. Shelkrot know that? Mr. Shelkrot, are you aware of this?
(Off mike; responds in 5 PUBLIC HEARING - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE the affirmative.)
Councilwoman Clark is happy. Thank you very much, Mr. Kaplan. We appreciate it. Are there any other questions for Mr. Kaplan? I think that was the one issue that we wanted to make sure we had some clarity on. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
During the course of the budget, we talked about the Street Lighting Program, and I asked for a response on whether or not the street lights were going to be -- the alley lights were going to -- was there enough money in the program to complete the alley lighting program in the 9th Councilmatic District. We got responses to other requests; we have not gotten a response on that.
I'm sorry about that. I was under the impression that a response had been provided, but I'll look into it.
I don't -- I don't -- I 6 PUBLIC HEARING - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE think -- as I recall, they had -- the Streets Department was planning to contact your office directly and meet with you. If that hasn't happened, I will call them today and make sure that we --
We have spoken to them. As with all the requests that were made from Council Members, they came to the President in the form of a written response; we do not have a written response. And I had a verbal response before, and no action was taken. We got no alley lights. I want a written response as to what is going to happen and when it's going to happen.
Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you, Mr. President. 7 PUBLIC HEARING - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Mr. Kaplan, the issue of the Park Rangers, I know that we're looking for outside sources of funding, but I would hope that after hearing the Executive Director of Fairmount Park's testimony, the importance of that program, that the Administration is doing something along with outside funding to retain such a very important program.
Yes. As you've mentioned, the Administration is looking into ways to extend the Park Ranger Program. I think that clearly the Mayor's position has been that it is very important that a significant amount of that support come from the private sector. And we're continuing those discussions.
The Administration, though, if that private funding isn't available, will do everything that they can do to fund the program without outside funding?
I don't think I could say that on the Mayor's behalf today. I think that the program would have to involve both public and private funding. 8 PUBLIC HEARING - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Councilman, I can tell you that I discussed the Park Rangers with the Mayor's as recently as this morning, around 8:30. And there's a commitment to do everything we can to continue the program. There is an interest on everybody's part that there are some changes made to revitalize it. And I have to tell you that the reason why Mr. Kaplan and the Mayor are hedging the way they are hedging is because if he sits here and says, "We'll fund it if we don't get anything from the private sector," then that's the one way to be sure that we won't get any additional cooperation out of the private sector. So he really has to say that, or else we know we won't get any help. But, actually, I've talked to almost every member of the Council. There is strong support for continuing the Park Rangers, but there's an equally strong sentiment that the private sector should be involved in it with us. And I think we have sufficient commitment from the Administration. The question is whether or not we get, you know, a revised and a kind of enhanced 9 PUBLIC HEARING - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE program, and then we make sure that we keep the private sector involved in it as our partner. It's important to us.
Actually, Mr. President, my light is on inadvertently. Many of the questions that I had been prepared to ask have already been asked and answered. So it's a quiet day for me so far.
Thank you. That usually is a good thing. Anyone else? I see no lights. Is there anyone else to testify on any of these bills? Is there anyone else to testify on any of these bills? (No response.)
If not, this brings us to the end of our public meeting. - - -
We will now go into our public meeting. 10 PUBLIC HEARING - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Verna for a motion on Bill No. 98001.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 980001 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. Also a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
All in favor, let it be known by saying aye. All those opposed, say nay. The ayes have it. Bill No. 980001 is reported from this committee with a favorable recommendation, and a recommendation that the rules be suspended to permit first reading at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Verna for a motion on Bill No. 980002.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 980002 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. Also a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our 11 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - BILL NO. 980001, 980002 next session of Council.
All in favor, let it known by saying aye. All those opposed, say nay. The ayes have it. Bill No. 980002 is reported from this committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Verna for a motion on Bill No. 980003.
I move that Bill 16 No. 980003 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. Also a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
All those in favor, let it be known by saying aye. Those opposed say, nay. The ayes have it. Bill No. 980003 will 12 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - BILL NO. 980003 be reported from this committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Verna for a motion on Bill No. 980004.
I move that Bill 9 No. 980004 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. Also a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
All those in favor, let it be known by saying aye. All those opposed, say nay. The ayes have it. Bill No. 98004 will be reported from this committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading at our next Council session. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Verna for a motion on Bill No. 980005.
I move that Bill 13 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - BILL NO. 980138 No. 980005 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. Also a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
All in favor, let it be known by saying aye. All those opposed, say nay. The ayes have it. Bill No. 90005 will be reported from this committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Verna for a motion on Resolution No. 980138.
I move that Resolution No. 980138 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. (Duly seconded.)
All in favor, let it be known by saying aye. All those opposed, say opposed nay. The ayes have it. Resolution No. 980138 will be 14 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - BILL NO. 980131 reported from this Committee with a favorable recommendation. The Chair recommends that the committee hold Resolution No. 980131. This brings us to the end of our public meeting. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Just a point of information, maybe I missed it. Bill No. 980005 --
This brings us to the end of our public meeting. Thank you very much. (Adjourned at 10:15 a.m.) - - - 15 C E R T I F I C A T E I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of Tuesday, March 17, 1998 were reported and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of same. RE: Council Committee of the Whole Bill No.'s 980001, 980002, 98004, 98005, 980131, 980138 __________________________________, JOSEPHINE CARDILLO, RPR