COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC HEARING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS '03 OPERATING BUDGET TRANSFER ORDINANCES - - - Room 696, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wednesday, February 19, 2003 10:35 a.m. - - - BILL 030007 - An Ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations from the General Fund... BILL 030069 - An Ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2003 within the Grants Revenue Fund from the Director of Finance... BILL 030070 - An Ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2003 within the Water Fund... BILL 030071 - An Ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2003 within the Grants Revenue Fund... BILL 030072 - An Ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2003 within the Aviation Fund... - - - PRESENT: COUNCILWOMAN JOAN KRAJEWSKI, Chairperson COUNCILMAN MICHAEL NUTTER COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN BRIAN O'NEILL COUNCILMAN FRANK DICICCO COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE - - - V A R A L L O, INCORPORATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 (215) 561-2220 I N D E X WITNESS PAGE ROBERT DUBOW, Budget Director .............. PATRICIA SMITH, Director of Neighborhood Transformation ........................ 14 JAY MCCALLA, Redevelopment Authority ......... 17 DEBORAH MCCOLLOCH, Director of Housing ....... 26 TOM NESTEL, Deputy Police Commissioner ....... 31 ALBERT TOCZYDLOWSKI, Deputy District Attorney.. 32 3 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS
Good morning. I want to thank you all for being patient. The Committee on Appropriations is now in session. Will the Clerk please read the title of the bills?
Bill No. 030007, an Ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2003 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions and from the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance - Provision for Other Grants and from the Community Development Fund, the Director of Finance - Community Development Block Grant - To Be Allocated to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions. And Bill No. 030069, an Ordinance 18 authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2003 within the Grants Revenue Fund from the Director of Finance - Provision for Other Grants to the District Attorney. And Bill No. 030070, an Ordinance 23 authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2003 within the Water Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to 4 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions. And Bill No. 030071, an Ordinance 5 authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2003 within the Grants Revenue Fund from the Department of Licenses and Inspections to the Mayor Office of Housing and Community Development, the Director of Finance and the Mayor's Office of Information Services. And Bill No. 030072, an Ordinance 12 authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2003 within the Aviation Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
Good morning, Councilwoman Krajewski and Members of the Appropriations Committee. My name is Rob Dubow, and I serve as the Budget Director for the City of Philadelphia. I appear today to offer testimony on Bills No. 030007, 030069, 030070, 030071 and 030072, which make Fiscal 2003 budget appropriations 5 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS transfers between and among classes and departments in the City's General Fund, Grants Revenue Fund, Water Fund, and Aviation Fund. I'll start with 030007, which is the Fiscal Year 2003 General Fund mid-year transfer ordinance. As shown in Exhibit A which is attached to the testimony, there are a total of transfers 10 requests in this bill, including 18 that involve a 11 net change in departmental appropriations and 7 that 12 are transfers between classes within a department 13 but don't result in any net change in 14 appropriations. 3 in Class 100 for fringe benefit funds to the 17 Director of Finance to cover the increased costs of 18 employee benefits as a result of arbitration. 9 million in Class 100 appropriation 21 and an increase of 700,000 in the Class 200 22 appropriation for the Police Department to cover 23 overtime and meal expenses resulting from special 24 events and homeland defense. Of the requested Class 25 200 increase, 100,000 is an internal transfer from 6 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS the Department's Class 300 and 400 appropriations. million for the Department of Human Services Class 200 appropriation of which about million is an internal transfer from the Department's Class 100, 300 and 400 appropriations. The increase is to reflect a change in the method of state payment for transitional placement of delinquent youth. Rather than paying for the beds directly, the State will fully reimburse the City for the cost of the service. million is requested for the Philadelphia Prison System's Class 100 and 200 appropriations to cover overtime expenses resulting from record inmate population levels and to cover the cost of the new medical services contract. 6 million to the Fire Department's appropriation for increased Class 100 costs, $255,000 for increased payments to the City's EMS fee collection fender resulting from record collections, and about 800,000 for the increased water bill costs. 9 million for the Managing Director's Office, Class 100 and 200 appropriations for increased graffiti removal, lot cleaning, code enforcement, and tree maintenance activities as part of the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative. 3 million for Streets Department's Class 200, 300 and 400 appropriations to cover contractor of costs and purchases of salt and equipment incurred in snow removal efforts. million. million is for contracted plows, front-end loaders, lifting sets and a melter. Those costs are related to the storm that the Streets Department has been fighting for the last few days. 1 million in Class 200, 300, and 400 appropriations for automation and system improvement projects for the Department of Records. And the costs of those improvements will be completely 8 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS offset by fees that the Council increased recently. Additionally, the Administration requests an increase of 900,000 in the Class 200 appropriation for the Office of Emergency Shelter and Services to provide additional shelter beds as a result of the harsh winter. The Sheriff requests an additional 885,000 in Class 100, 200, 300 and 400 for overtime, outside legal counsel and increase materials supplies and equipment. The District Attorney requests an increase of $679,212 in Class 100 appropriation to fully fund uniformed police officers detailed to the District Attorney's Office. An increase of 195,000 is requested for the Clerk of Quarter Sessions to fully fund personal service requirements for the Fiscal Year.
An increase of $123,992 is requested for Director of Finance Legal Services to provide the Defender Association in order to achieve Administrative staff salary parity with the District Attorney. Additionally, an increase of $120,000 is requested for the Register of Wills to fully fund 9 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS personal service requirements for the Fiscal Year and to fund the purchase of computer software. The Atwater Kent Museum requests an increase appropriation of $38,626 for executive salary and other personnel costs. 9 million from Director of Finance-Provision for Other Grants and million in appropriations from the 11 Director of Finance-Community Development Block 12 Grant. 13 As part of the increase for the Streets 14 Department, we're increasing that request for both 15 the Provision for Other Grants and the Community Development Block Grant. 75 million are available because interest rates have been lower than expected and because some services that were expected to be funded through the proceeds of the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative bonds have been provided by the Managing Director's Office and citizen service departments with General Fund money. 10 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS Internal transfers with no net change in appropriation level include a little over 111,000 from 100 to 200 within the Department of Revenue to cover the increased cost of postage. Other internal transfers include the Mayor's Office Information Services for 45,000 to be transferred from 200 to 300 and 400; the Commission on Human Relations for 33,000 from 100 to 200; the Department of Recreation-Board of Trustees of William Penn for 29,985 and 100 to 200; and the City Representative for 28,000 from 200 to 100, and that's the Civic Center. That concludes my testimony on that bill. We can move on to the other ordinances. Bill 030069 is Fiscal Year 2003 Grants Revenue Fund mid-year transfer ordinance. 4 million. 4 million to the DA Class 100 and 200 appropriations for increases in confidential investigations. The increase is available due to increased revenue as an increase in drug enforcement forfeitures. 54 million. That is to the Department of Revenue Sinking Fund Commission to cover the cost of arbitrage payments to the federal government related to Water Fund debt. An additional increase of $40,259 in Class 100 and Class 200 appropriation is requested the Mayor's Office of Information Service for the transfer of one employee from the Water Revenue Bureau to increase support of the Bureau's website. 5 million from the Water Department due to lower-than-expected personnel expenditures. The Administration also requests transfers of $38,259 in excess Class 200 appropriation from the Revenue Department and $2,000 of excess Class 200 from the Mayor's Office of Information Service. 5 million. The money was placed in Class 200 in the budget of the Department of Licenses and Inspections but will be expended in other departments as part of NTI. The Administration requests an increase of 10 million in Class 200 appropriation for the 12 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS Office of Housing and Community Development for NTI related housing preservation and development programs and for lot stabilization initiatives. 4 million in Class 200 appropriations is requested for the Office of Director of Finance for wrap-around insurance on demolition projects. 1 million in Class 200 appropriation for the Mayor's Office of Information Services to fund the development of Unified Land Records Management System and Vacant Property Management System. And finally, Bill 030072 is an Aviation Fund mid-year transfer of $1,165,490. That request is for increases in 100, 200, 300 and 400 appropriations for the Police Department to cover the costs of additional police officers at Philadelphia International Airport due to anti-terrorism preparedness measures.
An increase of $55,000 is requested for Fire Department to cover increased Class 100 costs and 4,850 is requested to pay for increased water bill costs as a result of a rate increase. 13 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS The transfer is possible because of savings from the City Representative Director of Commerce's Class 800 appropriation. I hope these comments have been helpful in describing the content of the ordinances before you. I respectfully request your favorable consideration of the bill. I also request suspension of the rules for the General Fund ordinance 030007. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. The representatives are various departments are here if you have questions of them, and I'd also ask that we read their testimony into the record.
Thank you. I would just like to recognize Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilwoman Miller, Councilman DiCicco, and Councilman O'Neill, Councilman Nutter, Councilman Rizzo, and myself. Thank you very much. Under bill 030071, the testimony is as submitted by Ms. McColloch. There is funding listed for vacant property stabilization. How many properties can be 14 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS stabilized for $2 million? Please give your name for the record.
Patricia Smith, Director of Neighborhood Transformation, Office of the Mayor.
Thank you. I also have another question with the first question. What is it included in the stabilization? Is it a new roof, doors, windows? My office has gotten a number of different answers, and I would like to know what will be involved in stabilization.
With respect to the budget for Fiscal Year '03, we allocated $2 million out of bond proceeds to support stabilization activities citywide. And that was based on a general estimate of spending approximately 10,000 per house. What I really think is important to note is that in the program statement that was approved by City Council last June, we allocated different amounts of monies to each district. And if I remember correctly, for example, we would allocate approximately, say, 250,000 on average to some of the districts. So when we say what can be covered with that, I really think it's a case-by-case basis. 15 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS What we're attempting to do, as a Redevelopment Authority sits down with each District Councilperson to identify properties that are going to be stabilized. I think that's when we have to talk about which ones would make sense to put on a new roof, a window, doors, and the like. The more improvements we make, the larger cost that could be. So I really see it as a give and take type of situation on a case-by-case basis, where the property is located in terms of the neighborhood and what make sense for that community. So I really see it working that way. So I'm saying there's no hard and fast rule on that.
Well, could you tell me how the block surveys are done? Over 60 percent of the homes on the list that I received for stabilization recommendations are occupied. In fact, out of 207 properties on the list, my inspector only agreed with 12. That's quite a difference.
One of the things that we've done in order to sort of like move forward the stabilization property selection was to bring on board members from the Redevelopment Authority to 16 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS serve as a point person. The Council liaison for the program is Jay McCalla. And one of the things that they did as a starting point is just identify from our records and other records all the outstanding requests around stabilization. We didn't go out and re-inspect. So after doing that, they then will meet with each District Councilperson. Apparently, a number of properties that have been kind of like hanging around in the system were, in fact, occupied properties. Since then, what we've done is, I believe, narrowed down a list of approximately 32 properties which we reviewed with members of your office which includes properties that the District Council brought to light as well as ones that we identified as vacant on blocks where there was only one or two properties. Once that process is finalized, before any stabilization work can start, there's a field inspection, just to make sure that the property remains vacant, a primary cost write-up of what it will cost to stabilize the property, and then a final submission to the Council office with 17 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS signature. Under the ordinance, we're required to have Council's signature for any properties to be stabilized or demolished.
Well, I still don't understand where you came up with the figure 207 in my district.
If I may, I would like to bring Mr. McCalla to the table because he's been coordinating this work for us.
Good morning. For the record, I'm Jay McCalla with the Redevelopment Authority. The total number of 207 properties came in almost like lint from all the different places in government, L&I, MOCS, and maybe properties that were in the system waiting to be cleaned and sealed for a long time. But the process began to really get down to hard targets when we met with members of your staff and the staff at Ganet Flemming. They have data that might be two or three years old now, and so the purpose was to sit down and meet and find out, one, what your exact priorities are, what your hot buttons in your district, where your problems are, how well they fit in the overall criteria for encapsulation or stabilization and that is most 18 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS cases and hopefully in all cases there will be one property on an otherwise good block that's vacant. So if we fix that one property, we've helped out that whole block.
Yeah, it really is. It's a terrible difference. But again, a lot of those addresses that were on this original list came in from old L&I requests for clean and seal. You know, if they don't get dealt with, they don't disappear, so sometimes they wind up on other lists. But that's why we sat down to have a zero base and a clean data on exactly what you need, exactly what fits the criterion in our district and we came up with 32 candidates.
We came up in the end with a list of 32 candidates in your district, of 32 properties. Now, we're going to go out and OHCD is going to do a block survey to make sure that our data is still right. And once you sign off on this -- we'll do our normal stuff, take a look at 19 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS the property, find out how much it will cost to fix, how likely that is to fit into our HRP program which gives money. And if it fits neatly in the program, then we know we can rehab it. And we know that you are very much in touch with the groups in your district and you may well have people to whom you'd like to give these properties, some CDC, some private developer. So once we've done our due diligence, you'll then have a property either one or two in an otherwise good block, you'll know what it will cost to rehab, you'll have a strong likelihood that we'll have the money to rehab it. And if all our jobs are done right, in the end we'll have a sense as to who these properties can be disposed to in the end. But what we've got now is a list of 32 properties in your district that are going to be surveyed very, very shortly by the Office of Housing and Community Development, and then the process begins. We're trying to target and schedule the actual encapsulations of the properties in your district right now.
Based on our conversation 20 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS today, let me tell you we'll have it fast. Probably in the middle of the next week.
I just get upset when I see that it was over 200 when in fact my inspector said it was 12, from 207. I just 7 can't imagine where those figures came from. 8
I agree. But again, a lot 9 of these requests are left around from old clean and 10 seal requests. We have a lot of systems whereby 11 properties that need to be boarded up get fed into 12 the system, maybe the local police district MOCS. A lot of people call in, citizens who call in and say, "Hey, would you clean and seal that property?" And those requests accumulate like lint.
What role does L&I play in the stabilization? Do they help to determine --
The Department of Licenses and Inspections, in fact, have to inspect and cite the property before we can officially do any work to it so that we can then register a lien against that property. They're a part of the team that would do the field survey when people go out to check the condition of the property. 21 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS The reason why we've moved appropriation authority over to OHCD is that we really wanted this to be seen, not just as a code enforcement program, we're a program where we also coordinate funding for rehab as well as moving forward with the acquisition. So it's treated as a whole property. But they're part of the team. We meet on a weekly basis to review the status of projects.
Yes, I believe they do. I know there were some additional inspectors on top of this. And again, we're augmented, where possible, with representatives from the Redevelopment Authority and OHCD to do the actual initial survey work. But they're a critical part of the program because of the code enforcement powers of L&I.
Well, who will make the decision of what homes will be stabilized?
The District City Councilperson because they have to sign a form that approves their list of properties to be stabilized, and that's required by the ordinance authorizing the NTI bond program. 22 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS
Are there any other questions? Councilwoman Miller.
I have questions about the retaining wall. Are you testifying for Deborah McColloch, Pat?
Just a follow-up on Councilwoman Krajewski's question before I leave there. The stabilization activities for this year or the one that we're talking about now per council district over year one, each year there will be additional stabilizations, correct?
For the retaining wall, in regards to the retaining wall, in the testimony it states that 3 of the 45 walls submitted have been selected for treatment and repair. My question is, how were they selected and which three are they, and what's going to happen to the other 42 or how many are we actually going to do?
With respect to the retaining walls, we budgeted $1 million in the 23 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS FY '03 budget to do repair of what we call private infrastructure. One of the things that we wanted to do and we talked about with respect to that budget was to identify three walls that we could test out new resources in way of repairing a retaining wall to lower the cost. So three walls were selected that were longstanding dangerous walls. They went out and I believe they did field surveys, came up with specs, and the cost to repair those three walls would be approximately a little more than $400,000. Now, in addition to that, they, again, went through the existing list of all the retaining walls for which there were complaints, and I believe the Streets Department has recently completed a survey to determine which of those walls are imminently dangerous. And once we complete the three, then they were going to go back and start doing cost estimates on the remaining walls that are imminently dangerous. Because we're using our police power, the walls do have to be considered dangerous.
So those walls, the three you've identified will be completed by June. When will the survey be completed by the 24 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS Streets Department, did you say, on some of the other remaining walls?
I know I went to one meeting where they had the additional 45. I'm not sure what the status of that is. I can go back and check with the Managing Director's Office because they were convening those meetings. I do know it's probably well underway, if not completed.
So that means that by June, three walls will be completed; the other ones are still being surveyed and assessed and analyzed.
And a cost estimate put together. And that was part of our commitment for this year in the budget was to select three pilot walls that were very dangerous, using new technologies and methods of repair and then to begin to do a more comprehensive analysis of how to treat the remaining ones that were considered dangerous.
So the 600,000 will sit there -- you said the cost for repairing those walls would be about 400,000?
That was the number that I was given. 25 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS
Where are the walls, where are the three walls located?
I don't know the exact address. But in districts where there was a large number of retaining walls, I believe there was one in the 4th, one in the 9th and one in the eighth.
Well, we'd like to know. I know that our office submitted a list. I'm sure most Council offices did submit a list of retaining walls and we just need to have information back.
And I'll provide you a updated status on the remainder of the list and whether or not they're completed cost estimates on the remainder of the list.
Okay. I have one more question for OHCD concerning the development of an employer assisted housing program. We understand that four people responded the RFP for assisted housing programs. Who are four and are you currently negotiating and who are you currently negotiated with for this contract?
I'll bring Deborah to talk about the details because we've just finished that 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS process.
Good morning. My name is Deborah McColloch, I'm the Director of Housing. We received four proposals. One was from Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, GPUAC, one was from the University of Pennsylvania, one David Feldman and Associates, and one was from Robert Brans (ph) organization that the name of which is escaping me at this moment. That's it, Solutions for Progress. And we're in the midst of negotiating with GPUAC.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Ms. Smith, I'm sorry I missed most of the retaining wall discussion, and please don't go over anything that you may have covered with Councilwoman Miller. The one question I did want to ask is, do you have any sense of the timetable in terms of the start of the work on the three walls? And your information was correct, there's one in the 27 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS 4th, one in the 8th, and one in the 9th.
What I will do is go back and get the most recent information. The last meeting that I personally attended was prior to the Christmas holidays. And I'm quite sure they made progress. They were in the process of doing specs at that point. I don't know if they bidded it out, you know, the whole the procurement process. We'll provide you that information.
That would be helpful for all of us to know an estimated start and completion date. Lastly, in that same area, the other -- and I heard the Councilwoman make reference to the balance of probably the million dollars. Can you tell us or give us any update on the study that was supposed to take place on the other public infrastructure items, curb sides, walks, alleys and driveways?
With respect to the remaining of the retaining walls, I know they've completed the survey and they were trying to prioritize based on dangerous condition. And what I will do is provide an update as to where they are 28 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS with respect to that. With respect to issues like the repair of curbs and sidewalks and driveways, one of the concerns the Administration has historically had was the source of funding for that type of private infrastructure. And what we're doing is exploring various options, including looking at whether, for example, federal iced tea money could be used to support that type of private infrastructure. We would like to have conversations with the Governor about funding a state program for which -- we call it private infrastructure because technically the property owner is supposed to be responsible for it. So for us, the important thing was looking for other funding sources to support that type of work.
I understand. I think all I'm really trying to ask you is what's the status of the study that was to be conducted as a part of the funding that was provided?
For the remainder, our focal point has been trying to -- the study is focusing on 29 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS other sources of funding for this type of work.
Yes. There have been people looking into it from both my office, we've made inquiries about federal sources and we're also going to explore, with the new Governor coming on board, the state. So that's been the focus of our work.
My understanding of identifying the funding side of the discuss, but I think, again, at that time my recollection was also that the study was going to look at both the scope and magnitude of the issue and the problem. I mean, it seems a little difficult to try to figure out how you get funding for something if you haven't quantified what you need the funding for. So do we know what the issue is?
Yes, I understand. And again, what our priority was -- in terms of Administration capacity, we focused on retaining 30 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS walls, getting that moving forward, updating that list. And I will go back with the Streets Department and the Managing Director's Office and look at how we can start quantifying the other work. But we did give priority to the retaining walls because they did, in some instances, present dangerous conditions.
I know. I'm well aware of that. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Mr. Dubow, back to you again. Under Bill 030072, we're transferring money to cover costs associated with an increased police present at the airport.
I'm a little confused by this testimony. Is this transfer to cover overtime or is it to be used for the cost of hiring 15 new officers assigned to the new terminal?
It's for both. The cost of the 15 police officers for 2003 is about 525,000 and 31 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS then the overtime cost is about 557,000, so that combines for the total Class 100 cost of slightly over a million dollars.
How many police officers are currently assigned to the airport full time and how much overtime accrued by these officers?
I think the total overtime for this year is about 4.2 million, but the total number, I'll have to ask Deputy Nestel to give us.
Good morning. Tom Nestel, Deputy Police Commissioner. There are 159 sworn personnel assigned to the airport.
Thank you. Are there any other questions? (No response.)
Regarding Bill 22 030069, if I understand this ordinance correctly, it seems as though the DA's Office is bringing in more revenue than originally thought. Could you explain to me this bill in further detail? 32 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS
I'm going to ask Al Toczydlowski from the District Attorney's Office to explain that bill.
Good morning, Councilwoman. Albert Toczydlowski from the DA's Office, Deputy District Attorney. With me is Ed Flood, our Director of Administration. Basically, the way the Forfeiture Act works is the Police Department and the DA's Office, Philadelphia's Housing Authority, various agencies make seizures in enforcement of the Drug Act. They can take the form of cash; property, including automobiles and houses. That money is then -- we file petitions in court to forfeit that money. Those monies are then deposited with the City. And under the State Forfeiture Act, the money is then to be released back to the District Attorney's Office for use in enforcing the Drug Act. Over the past three or four years, I'd say, the average total amount of forfeit of proceeds was between 3 and 3 and a half million dollars. And that money is, by the City, put in the Grant Revenue Fund, which is why this is coming up under the Grants Revenue Fund. 33 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS This year, I think mostly because of Operation Safe Streets, the amount of monies seized has increased to, we project, close to $8 million. And we do not have sufficient appropriation power in the Grant Revenue Fund to expend those proceeds if we choose to do so, so we're asking for an increase in appropriation power.
It's used for any enforcement of the Drug Act, not just Safe Streets.
Thank you. We'll go to Bill 03007. I believe it's the Police Department. Is the Commissioner here?
I understand the cost of overtime associated with special events is mentioned. Do we provide policing free of charge to all these events? Do other cities provide free policing to various events?
There are some events where we do receive reimbursement, however, in many cases that does not cover all of the resources that we are 34 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS required to put there. But there are some events where if it is determined that the City is going to benefit with that event, then we may not be reimbursed in that case. But it really varies from City to City on how that funding is done. Some cities will insist upon reimbursement prior to making a commitment. We are in the process of developing a procedure for that for many of the smaller details.
Could you explain the overtime meal expenditures? And how much money are we talking? How does this work?
By contract, if an officer works in excess of 11 consecutive hours, that officers receives $7 in meal money.
Maybe you can tell me the status of the bike patrols. The last time we spoke, there were 15 new bike patrols ready to go. Some of these patrols were to be deployed in the Northeast. Really, I haven't seen any. Should I assume you are waiting to deploy them until the spring or they went to Safe Streets or what?
There are now over a hundred bicycle officers who have been added to the 35 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS narcotics division alone. They are predominately working at this present time in East Division. It is my understanding there are some in Northeast. I will get that information for you.
I haven't seen any of them. We were promised some time back in 8 the summer. I'm still waiting. 9
The Commissioner will be 10 addressing Council tomorrow, and I believe that's 11 one of the topics he's going to discuss. But I'll 12 also look into it for you. 13
I just wanted to make mention -- I know that we're meeting with Commission Johnson tomorrow, but the spring is coming and we're going to need to have those bike officers in other parts of the City. I understand the 25th or East Division is high-crime division, but we also need them. I have residents and actually some police officers that have really missed having the bike patrols.
Councilwoman, and we are 36 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS looking at that. I do believe there are still some bike officers in most of the districts. When we talk about an additional 100, the majority of those were not bicycle officers. They had been trained. So this is in addition to our normal complement.
I believe they're the ones that are being utilized with the civilian patrols throughout the City.
Well, I have further questions. I have questions that I will ask tomorrow in the briefing with Commissioner Johnson. Thank you.
I'd like to mention Councilman Clarke is also here. Are there any other questions from Members of the Committee regarding any of the bills? 37 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - '03 TRANSFERS (No response.)
Hearing none, that completes our committee on appropriations. - - - 38 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC MEETING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS - - - February 19, 2003 - - - Public Meeting conducted by the Committee on Appropriations, held in Room 696, City Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the above date, to consider action on the following: BILLS - 030007, 030069, 030070, 030071, 030072. - - - PRESENT: COUNCILWOMAN JOAN KRAJEWSKI, Chairperson COUNCILMAN MICHAEL NUTTER COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN BRIAN O'NEILL COUNCILMAN FRANK DICICCO COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE - - - 39 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - PUBLIC MEETING
Now we'll go into our special meeting. I believe that we'll report one bill out. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter with respect to 030007.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I wish to put forward an amendment to Bill 030007. In a conversation with Sheriff Green earlier this morning, the Sheriff indicates that he is in need of an additional $25,000 to cover unanticipated costs from the tax lien sale management as well as additional sheriff-related service provision. And so I believe the current amount in that particular bill for the sheriff is $65,000. (Pause.)
The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter for the purpose of Bill 20 030007.
Thank you, Madam Chair. There are two sets of amendments. One is to the Streets Department, and the second is to the Sheriff's Office. I'm going to start on with Line 248, Department of Revenue Sinking Fund 40 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - PUBLIC MEETING Commission. The debt service line is being increased by $15,000. That number will change from 3,750,001 to 3,765,001, making the total of that item 5,765,001. In the Grants Revenue Fund on the bill, Item No. 9.21, Director of Finance Provision for Other Grants. The present number is 48,884,404. That number will change to 49,584,404. The total number will be the same. The total from Grants Revenue Fund is the same, 49,584,404. Under the Director of Finance number, 11.4, presently the bill reads advance and other miscellaneous payments, $15 million. That number is changing to $18 million. The total is million. 16 The total from on the Community Development Fund is 17 $18 million. And the total "from" number is now 18 77,690,254. In the 2 section. Line Item 2.13, Department of Streets, there appears to be a new line called "Personal Services," the total of which is $400,000 -- I'm sorry, that was a mistake. The line should read personal service of $400,000. The next line is item purchase of services. The present line reads $800,000. That number is being change to 41 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - PUBLIC MEETING $3,600,000. The next line is materials, supplies, and equipment present reads $500,000. That number is being changed to $1 million. The total for that 2.13 line item is being changed from $1.3 million to a total of $5 million. of the bill, line item 2.66, Sheriff, in the line that purchase of service, presently it's $65,000. That is being changed to $80,000. The total for that section will then change from $900,000 from previously reading $885,000. The total of the 2 section is now $77,690,254 which should be the same as the "from" section in the previous part of the bill. Those are the amendments, Madam Chair. I move the adoption of those amendments.
The ayes have it. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter 42 2/19/03 - APPROPRIATIONS - PUBLIC MEETING for the purpose of calling Bill 030007, as amended.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that Bill 030007, as amended, be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session.
Therefore, Bill 15 030007 will be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation with a suspension of rules as to permit first reading at the next Session of Council. Therefore, Bill 030069 will be held, as well as 030070, 030071, 030072. We stand in recessed at the call of the Chair. (Council adjourned at 11:35 a.m.) - - - 43 C E R T I F I C A T I O N I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of February 19, 2003, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS ___________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR and Notary Public