COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON RULES - - - Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Tuesday, October 2, 2007 10:10 a.m. - - - PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA, CHAIR COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN WILLIAM GREENLEE COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN DANIEL SAVAGE BILL 070338 - An ordinance continuing a neighborhood improvement district beyond the date of termination of such district in an area bounded generally by the eastern side of Tulip Street, the northern side of Allegheny Avenue, the western side of Amber Street, and the northern side of Venango Street, known as the Port Richmond Industrial Development Enterprise (PRIDE)... - - - V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Services Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670 2
Good morning, everyone. This is a public hearing of the Committee on Rules. I would ask Mr. McPherson to please read the title of Bill No. 070338. MR. McPHERSON: An ordinance 8 continuing a neighborhood improvement district beyond the date of termination of such district in an area bounded generally by the eastern side of Tulip Street, the northern side of Allegheny Avenue, the western side of Amber Street, and the northern side of Venango Street, known as the Port Richmond Industrial Development Enterprise Neighborhood Improvement District.
Do we have someone from the Administration to testify? (No response.)
Is there anyone here to testify on this bill? Please approach the table. 3 10/2/07 - RULES - BILL 070338
My name is Steve Jurash. I'm the President and CEO of the Urban Industry Initiative. We manage the PRIDE Industrial District. I had given testimony in response to this pretty comprehensively on June 12th, so I'm basically here to answer any questions anybody may have regarding this matter.
You said you had given testimony before on this bill?
I was referring to my previous testimony on June 12th, which was comprehensive at the time. So I basically am here to answer any questions anyone may have.
This bill had a hearing previously. It was recessed until today. The reason for the recess is to assess the commercial properties of the neighborhood improvement districts, and it requires that two public hearings be held on the 4 10/2/07 - RULES - BILL 070338 bill. So that is why we're having the second hearing. To your knowledge, can you just tell us, have the tax-exempt property owners offered any cash or in-kind services?
Well, under Section 2 of Exhibit A provides that while there are residential properties within the district, they will not be assessed and that the tax-exemption properties located within the district will be encouraged to contribute cash or in-kind services.
If I understand you correctly, you're referring to the residents?
The best example I can give of that is this past Saturday we had a major clean-up in the area which we involved as well as the industrial companies who are assessed all of the residents participated and came out. So very frequently they will become involved in some of the more community-based activities that the NID encourages.
Fine. And to the best of your knowledge, do you know of any reason why this should not be passed and what percentage of property owners are represented?
Well, of course, all of the property owners are -- the commercial property owners are assessed. I see no reason why this shouldn't be passed. It's benefitted the area tremendously. It's kept businesses in place. It's actually kept a lot of companies who prior to the origination of this were considering leaving the City 6 10/2/07 - RULES - BILL 070338 and they have decided to stay as a result of this. We've made substantial improvements throughout the area, and I think those are the type of improvements which not only benefit the businesses but have really benefitted the residents as well, such as security cameras, improved pedestrian lighting. So the benefits of the district don't just benefit the businesses. They also are designed to benefit the residents as well.
Thank you very much. Any questions from members of the Committee, any comments? (No response.)
Do we have anyone else that would like to testify on this bill? Good morning. 7 10/2/07 - RULES - BILL 070338
My name is Tom Cerchiaro. I testified before also. I'm Vice-President of Active Radiator in Port Richmond. Before PRIDE, we were considering leaving the area, but since the establishment of PRIDE and our participation in it, we have actually expanded our operation. We've acquired another 80,000-square-foot plant. We employ 150 employees in the area, and PRIDE has really contributed. We now have security cameras. They help with cleaning the area up, capital improvements as far as lighting. We have a rapport with the police that we meet once a month. If it wasn't for PRIDE, I don't think we would have been in the area. We would have been moving out of the district. So I hope very much that this gets extended, because we are active in it and I think it does a lot for the community. 8 10/2/07 - RULES - BILL 070338
Thank you very much, and we're delighted you're staying in the City. Anyone else to testify? (No response.)
That will then conclude our public hearing. We will now go into our public meeting, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a motion on Bill 12 No. 070338.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Bill No. 15 070338 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Bill No. 20 070338 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those 9 10/2/07 - RULES - BILL 070338 opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. And this concludes our public meeting. Thank you. (Committee on Rules adjourned at 10:20 a.m.) - - - 10 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on October 2, 2007, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)