Thank you, Council President. It's a pleasure to be here this afternoon. Delighted to speak about Camp William Penn. I think the Commissioner has outlined many of our most recent initiatives. Both Michael and I started last April with this project, so the last year was our first encampment, so to speak, in a leadership role. And I've been looking -- I can talk 376 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 a lot about what we're doing internally with the programs. But I think, you know, I'll try to address -- And a lot of exciting things, and it is -- it's a lot about environmental education, and it's a lot working with the School District of Philadelphia, as well as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. As the Commissioner indicated, a 671 acre camp is about 100 acres of development or what we call the center camp. The remaining is almost wilderness. It's, quite frankly, never been harvested from a timber management. The land has never really been managed in any fashion. So, we are looking into that, as it would go to forest rehabilitation issues, such as over browsing of deer, infringing development, and then also with the possibility of revenue enhancement. I think we can help sustain the forest and perhaps take some timber off areas that have not been really ever 377 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 harvested, to my knowledge. We back up to the Delaware State Forest, so it's an incredible expanse of wilderness. It's about miles from the 6 Delaware Water Gap, and it's in a pristine 7 Pocono region. So, it is a highly 8 desirable location. 9 As the Commissioner indicated, none 10 of it is winterized. It has been since its 11 inception a seasonal operation. 12 We're looking at some of the 13 properties. And there are... In 100 acres 14 of center camp, there are probably a dozen 15 major facilities, like girls and boys rec 16 halls, dining halls, offices, infirmary, 17 things of those nature, buildings of that 18 nature that perhaps we could do some 19 long-term winterization projects in so that 20 the camp could grow into the other weeks and months of the year. We've had discussions with the School District about using the facility in June and in September when -- in the beginning and the conclusion of our normal 378 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 camp for two-day science projects, come up with a science teacher, do the lab work up there, in a -- in a -- some sort of a fee arrangement type process, as we would have to have some counseling staff there as well. So we are looking, I think on the short-term, to grow it a month on each end, and then longer term, and perhaps a conference center or some sort of an entrepreneurial operation. There are, I believe, some opportunities there. Lastly, I'm having the area mapped, both from an aerial perspective and using tax assessor maps, with the purpose to see if there could be some de-accessioning of some of the property. There is development surrounding the camp. And I think we have some opportunities here of... for perhaps de-accessioning small portions of the camp. We're a long way, if you will, in that process. We need to do deed determinations, 379 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 and looking at the history of how the camp was acquired, and any conveyances or any types of legal issues associated with the property. Can the property be developed for... And in what manner? Is there a proper percolation, et cetera? So, we are -- we are certainly looking into that. I don't really know what the property value of the entire facility is, but it would be a fairly significant amount.
I would think. Would you, either Commissioner or Mr. Mifflin, at least entertain or explore getting an appraisal?
That's one of his directives I gave him. He's got a couple of months to go, sir. Thank you. 380 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04
Very good. I guess the last thing I would tell you is that this is one of those situations where more than likely, again, beyond the school use... I mean, if we were going to maximize the use of the property, while maintaining, I mean, a significant portion of the kind of untouched, undeveloped components, so there had to be some balance, probably the easiest way to get some kind of development there is through a long-term lease arrangement with someone who's basically in the development business.
Who would be looking to primarily use the property, for instance, in the fall and winter. Built into the lease agreement is a 381 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 first right of use for the Recreation Department and possibly through us the School District, for now we're talking about expanding on each side of your normal period. So now you're really talking about June through September.
And I don't even know what our complete needs would be during that time. But, you know, all you ever -- You hear about people, you know, they're going to the Poconos; they're going to the Poconos; they're going to the Poconos. Well, they're going up there for something.
And to the extent that we entered into that kind of arrangement with someone, they're going to invest their own capital in the site for their own for-profit purposes.
Through our lease agreement, we cover ourselves. And 382 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 the facility, one, should take care of itself, and probably return some dollars to the City and cover all the costs for the camp activity.
I agree with you, Councilman. We are certainly not excluding any partnership with a for-profit operation. It sits in an area where there are golf courses nearby. There's certainly a plethora of recreational opportunities in the area. I think there is a sincere opportunity for development of some type, in a recreational manner, that would be consistent with what we are providing in the camp.
Let me also mention that just internally within the City for this past year we reached out for the first time. And again, this isn't a revenue issue, but I wanted to mention that we had the Office of Emergency Services using the 383 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 camp for their family shelter. Mothers and children used the camp for a good week for the first time. And we also reached out to Police Athletic League. So we are getting a real cross-section of Philadelphians using the... Children and the ages of 8 to 12.
We've also reached out locally to the East Stroudsburg High School. Their girls soccer camp is coming for a week which is also a revenue producing operation for us. So, we're starting to tap the local community as well.
The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President, and good afternoon.
Good afternoon COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: General 384 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 location, Poconos. When we talk about the Poconos, is it near Split Rock...
It's not real close to Split Rock. The closest resort, if you've ever heard of Shawnnee. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Shawnee.
Yeah. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Which is closer to the City than Split Rock is, right?
Yes. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: So it's before the tunnel? It's before the tunnel exit?
You exit the Lehigh Valley. The best way is exiting Lehigh, so it is before the tunnel, yes. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Right before the tunnel.
Yeah. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I'm just trying to get a general idea where it is.
It's 15 miles 385 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 northwest of East Stroudsburg. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Okay. Familiar with that. Familiar with that. I used to take my kids skiing up there. What do the four full-time employees do off season? Are they part Rec employees? Are they assigned to Department of Rec activities or what happens with them?
Michael right here is responsible for the camp year round. He's back and forth at the camp. He has one clerical assistant that does all of the clerical stuff on a daily basis year round. And we have two full-time caretakers. One actually lives on the property, quite naturally. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: That's part of that four full-time employees, I assume?
Yes, sir, these are the full. The other two are -- Both of them are named Fred. Fred and Fred. Fred Rockworth and -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: We don't have a 386 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 residency issue here, do we?
No, sir. But they're... I mean, you have to see this property. People always want to come on it and drive ATV's. And that's part of Fred's job, as well, is the security of the property. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Okay. I understand that. I understand that.
They also do all of the roofing work. They do all of the plumbing work, and everything else. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: So it's general maintenance year round. Okay. What type of structures are on the property or how many of them are there, generally speaking.
There's... And Michael, you can help me. There's 100 buildings. There's one massive rec hall, that's as big as this entire facility. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: 100 buildings?
Yes, sir. The camp -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: What kind of 387 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 buildings?
When you talk about main camp, main... That is where the camp itself is. And the other two-thirds or three-fourths of the property is undeveloped wilderness. And we only use sections of that sporadically. And I'll explain. In the center of the camp is the camp director's office, and there's a cabin for the camp director. And then you have the infirmary. There's a full infirmary that can sleep and house two nurses. One of our national requirements that we meet is that we have to have at least one and preferably two full-time R.N.'s on staff around the clock. And right next to that is what we call the mess hall which is gigantic. And we bring in all of the children at one time. So this one facility can house 280 minimum children to feed them at one time. That is -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: How many? 388 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04
280. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: That was going to be my -- Excuse me for interrupting. That was going to be one of my questions. What's the maximum number of young people who are at the facility at any given time?
We can house 140 boys and 140 girls. The way the camp is set up and designed, on one end of the camp is nothing but the girls' side of the camp, and on the other end -- and the lake is pretty much the midway dividing point. So on the other end is where the boys are. And also overlooking the lake -- And I'll proud to say we have a brand new structure up, the outside shell and a brand new roof on the rec hall, the girls' rec hall. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The 240 or so children who stay there, the young people, that makes up that one five-day and the 389 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 three eight-day encampments.
Yes, sir. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Councilman Nutter spoke about some issues. He mentioned entrepreneurial issues. And I'm going to take it to a different level, I guess. Certainly this is a great facility and offers opportunities for urban young people who may never get to experience this kind of activity. What makes... Tell me what's so different, other than the lake, about Camp William Penn, in terms of the activities that young people could engage in, different than Fairmount Park.
I'd like to take a shot at that. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It's outside the City. I understand it's not urban. It's country. But we have 9100 acres or so in Fairmount Park, in a setting which if you were -- if you didn't know Philadelphia and someone dropped you out of a plane -- 390 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 and I mean this sincerely -- and you landed in Belmont plateau or somewhere near Wissahickon Creek along near one of those trails, you would never know that you were in the middle of an urban setting. So again, I'm putting my entrepreneurial hat, on without meaning any disrespect to the William Penn program and the fine things that it offers people. But I'm... We're faced with a budget situation here. I hear 670 acres in the heart of the Poconos. It's got to be worth a lotta lotta money, a lotta lotta money. And I'm just thinking in the simplest of terms, if the land were to be sold, assuming we can even sell it -- and I don't know if there's any prohibition on selling it -- it's got to generate millions of dollars. That money could be used to set up a facility or facilities within the Fairmount Park System that would offer young people similar types of activities, again, with 391 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 the exception of the lake, although we do have a river, we have streams, we have bridal paths, all those kinds of things. I'm just looking at this purely as a business venture. Has anyone ever given -- And Bill Mifflin, I'm glad your here because, obviously, your previous position with the Fairmount Park Commission, you can speak from... No disrespect to you, Commissioner Richard. You can speak from experience. Did anyone ever think about that? I mean, with the -- with the -- with the onset... And I know we're going to get slots in this state. I can't imagine what one of those casinos would pay for that 670 acres because they're going to be up in the Poconos. We're going to get at least two in Philadelphia, more than likely slot parlors. And they're going to build new facilities throughout this Commonwealth. And the Poconos are one of those areas where they're actually looking to build. I 392 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 mean, you're probably talking minimum of $50 million. How many great rec centers and all those other things we talked about today... I mean, this isn't taking something away from somebody. I'm certainly not looking to do that. But just, you know, the business person in me I guess is coming out, although I was never successful in business, but... Don't look at my record when I owned a restaurant. You'll see bankruptcy all over it. But in any event...
I'm going to let Bill 17 talk a little bit, but I have to go on record to say that this is a queen gem of this City. We're very fortunate. We neglected to put, and I neglected to put in my testimony that this camp just won an award that was only awarded to four or five overnight camps out of almost 2400, an international award because The Peace 393 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 Award. And it is relative to diversity and cultural and environment enrichment. The property, if I can use a quadrant, this property is split almost in perfect quadrants. And I've never seen it from the air, from an aerial view. I have driven every inch of all 671 acres. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: But excuse me for interrupting. We're not using all 671.
Right. So that's what I'm going to get to. I believe that, you know, what Councilman Nutter has said, what you've presented as well, that was part of the challenge that I presented to Bill and Mike -- and it might not be two months ago that we discussed this -- to look at the logging and also to have the property assessed. I would like to see the City put into a position because they have enough land, that not only it could be considered to do what you're talking about. And we could do it without disrupting the camp, 394 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 and have it that far away, and also the possibility of still... And I'm not doing a commercial. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: You're talking about subdividing the property so it wouldn't interfere with... And that's a win-win for everybody. There's no question about that.
And so you know, Your Honor, so I can further help you, there's a highway. And I don't know the name of the road. But we own... As a matter of fact, there's an intersection. We own all four parcels of that intersection. So, it can be done. Not only that; we could even approach Marriott, Hilton or somebody that's in the corporate resort business to say, we want you to look at this. Would you want to do a feasibility study for the City of Philadelphia? Would it be profitable for your company to partner with the City and build a commercial, 12-month, year-around corporate resort facility? 395 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 That's how much property that we own. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Well, I would suggest that the conversation begin with the gaming industry because that's where the big big bucks are. And you can probably just... You know, off the top of my head, even if it wasn't a straight-out sale, if you did some sort of a long-term lease, the revenue stream, assuming it works for the gaming industry, that the site fits. And, you know, this may all be moot at some point because the site doesn't work. But if it did, if it did, you would have a revenue stream that would take care of all your problems in the Department of Rec. We could probably handle all of the problems that we had with the cultural and the arts institutions that we're talking about cutting. I think that we have to start -- as a City, have to start looking. And that's a great asset. I'm not talking about 396 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 selling any portions of Fairmount Park, before I get in trouble. But I'm just talking about a facility that is many, many miles away that serves a good purpose. But there could be a very win-win situation here for all of us. And I think it's something we should have on the front burner.
Thank you. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you, Councilman. Councilman, before you made the statement, I said to Mr. McPherson, this would probably be an ideal place for the gaming commission to be looking at because they're talking about, I assume. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Assuming that the lot size --
Council President, I did mention that, that there are some. 397 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 We've just begun with the City Solicitor's Office looking into this issue. You may remember that this was once property opened by Girard College. And so, I think back in the early 1950s it was given by the College to the City of Philadelphia. It was originally Camp Happy, I think, and became Camp William Penn. So, it has a long history. I don't... The cursory review, I don't see any major issues from a deed restriction that would prohibit the types of things that we're talking about here. I wouldn't want people to leave today thinking that we've got the 671 acre facility, and let's put aside 100 acre of summer camp, and the other 570 could be developed in casinos or something, because the topography and the environmental issues and the ingress and the egress, it just... It wouldn't work. Having said that, I think there probably is a portion that we should -- 398 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04
I think we should definitely be looking at that.
Madam Chair, thanks. I've been there. I went and visited it. It is as far off the beaten trail, boy, just -- It's an education just getting onto the road that gives you access to it. It's like... You feel like you're LeMans. It's not a place that I'd want to go play the slots. But welcome the new director. But I can tell you that I know camping is supposed to be rough and tumble, but when I went and visited and spent the day -- I met Fred and Fred, by the way. And they gave us the little goodies to take home with us. It was really in disrepair. The mattresses were beat up. I understand after my visit we got some new mattresses. Some of the City vehicles that were 399 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 there were... Probably they should have been at the auction maybe five years ago. It was really... You could see it was where everything -- all the hand-me-downs were. The director at the time would take the bed linens to the prison to get them washed, drive them all the way to the jail. I would hope that every time a car -- one of the vehicles that breaks, I hope we have a relationship with a car dealer, the Ford store up there, where we don't have to drive the car all the way back to Fleet Management, take the laundry to the prison, fix some -- The showers were so dirty at the time, that I think if any of the parents saw it, they'd be troubled by having their kids there. So I'm talking about... You know, it's a place -- It's rough. You're not supposed to be going to Four Seasons. But it was... They even used their own lumber. They cut the trees down to fix the floors in many of the areas, where little 400 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 lean-to's, whatever they call them, were. So there was a lot of creativity done by the staff that worked there. But I think that something really needs to change there. And if it means possibly some day not having that as part of our inventory and doing something differently or trading -- You know, we talked about this trade-off. Maybe there's somebody that would like to have all that acreage for something smaller and we could make a few bucks or create a camp right here within the Fairmount Park. I don't know. We're just brainstorming here today. But I can tell you that I was disappointed to see that we didn't maximize on the number of encampments that we could have. And I don't know if you've done that, you've used every available day out of school. I know there were two encampments short, I think one at the beginning and one at the end, at least at the time that I 401 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 visited. So I hope you're getting the maximum out of it at this point. But it's fun. It's great for the City to say they have this facility. But I think it really needs to be looked at hard because we've got employees, we've got vehicles, we've got expenses. And it's a luxury that maybe we might not be able to hang onto for too much longer.
I appreciate... And I take notes of everything that you say. I would also like to take the opportunity to talk about my personal use of the facility and also the investment that the City has made. A couple years ago, as recent as two years ago, you're correct on the bedding and some of the other items. The year before last we had a major, I guess, working retreat where we had 72 employees from the department that volunteered to go up. We paid them their regular time, fed them. We had a ball. And I believe if you go back and 402 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 take a look at the camp now, you have a different opinion on outlook. We totally changed all of the bedding of the camp. We had done almost all of the new washers and dryers. I think we have enough new roofing material now to do all of the roofs twice, and that was just as recent as this past winter. So, yes, there was a lot of work that has to be done. We still believe there is some work to be done. And I also agree with you, Mr. Nutter and Mr. DiCicco that we should continue to look at the possibility of using the facility in a different capacity, to make real revenue. So, thank you. And thank you for your leadership there, sir.
Also I want to say that we have all new boats coming this year as well. So all of that stuff is being discarded. And we are having new canoes, rowboats and everything delivered this 403 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 summer.
Commissioner, what about my one observation, at least at the time, that there were some opportunities that weren't being utilized, whether it was funding or whether it was just management at the time? Is every opportunity this summer, is there an encampment.
I'll let Michael answer that. I want to say I'm very comfortable with Michael and Bill, and the direction that they're going in. But... Michael.
Councilperson Rizzo, having worked at Camp William Penn since 1987 --
I'm sorry. Having worked at Camp William Penn since 1987, I can agree with some of the statements you made about the condition of the camp in the past. When I started there, camp was all 404 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 summer long. It began the end of June and ended the end of August. And we had four groups of kids who would come up for two weeks at a time.
Four. Presently... That changed in the early '90s and it got lowered down to four groups of kids coming up for eight days at a time. And it has stayed at that point. And that was mainly done due to budgetary problems back then, that they reduced the number of -- the encampment. And that's where it stays to this point, at four encampments eight days apiece. Could we extend it? Possibly.
Is there an advantage... Is there anything that you're not accomplishing with the short encampment?
Well, one of the things -- And it's too late. But in our last planning meeting, I threw a challenge 405 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 to Michael and Bill to take a look at instead of having the three eight days, the possibility of toying and looking with creating one, maybe two more five-day encampments, that we could attract more children, and especially when they leaving home for the first time. And I believe that's what Michael was saying, that it used to be two weeks. Now it's one five and it's eights. And we also have to stay abreast of the change in society, and also the services that we provide, in order to get full utilization. So you're right on track. And those are the things that we're working with.
That visit was one of the more valuable. To be able to say I saw it, I walked it. And I know exactly as you are describing it. And I would encourage more people, adults, to see that facility because I was quite impressed with everything that I saw there. Thank you, Madam Chair. 406 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasko.
I don't have any questions about Camp William Penn. I had to leave the chambers to go to a meeting. I still had a question for Mr. Richard about the selection process for closing rec centers, so I will yield if someone else has a question about Camp William Penn.
No. I think you're the last one to be recognized.
Last fall I met with the Capital Program Office and the Planning Commission. And they informed me that the capital improvements would be made at Fisher Park this spring. And during the April 5th Capital Budget and Program hearing, my office spoke with Karen Borski and her staff. And they stated that the bids for the improvements 407 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 would be going out in the spring. So now you tell me that you're getting ready to close Fisher Park. Have you spoken with the Planning Commission or the Capital Programs Office, and are you all coordinating these closings? And if we're going to close it, why are we going to do the improvements to the park?
Your Honor, I appreciate that. I am familiar with the money -- as a matter of fact, that money was just awarded. It may be a year. If it hadn't been a year, that... Yes; and we are working with Capital, and we also are working with the Planning Commission. I have been really pushing to have the Capital -- the Planning Commission more out front in the process which I want to say that Maxine, along with her entire team, have been stepping up to that because this is really what we need, the Planning Commission saying, okay, we got this building here. Do we build another one or 408 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 do we tear down this type of building and continue to do it? And that's what the Planning Commission is stepping up to do. So, I appreciate that. I made a commitment -- and I'm sorry you had to leave -- that Thursday I will have the list -- supposedly the list -- typed and presented to Madam Chair Thursday by lunch time, and it will all be on there.
Well, we got a list today. Does that mean it's going to change?
It is -- I'm not foreseeing it to change at all. But everything that was handwritten or whatever, all of that stuff will be formally typed up.
But my question is: Should the Fairmount Park Commission go ahead with the renovations at Fisher Park, if you're planning to close it? That's a waste of money.
And I agree. Right now, because we don't have any definitive 409 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 if it is going to close or not, a lot of the projects, we're having them put on hold, to see if the process -- where the money can be reappropriated somewhere else.
They would be reassigned to another facility, and the rest of the layoffs will -- The rest of the... position statements that is being required of the department would be absorbed through people retiring through attrition.
Well, have you taken into consideration the community that it services? And who would maintain that 410 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 park? And who would provide the program services in that park?
Madam Councilwoman, if I may say that I appreciate you bringing it up. That facility is probably four or five blocks from my home. I spent about an hour or an hour and a half there Saturday myself with the fantastic day with the community. We had Grover Washington, Jr. Middle School band out there playing. They had people -- kids running. I am very aware and concerned of what you're presenting as well. Yeah. I appreciate it.
It is very challenging and also very... I guess for a different term painful as well, based on the City's fiscal status. Where will we end? I don't know. I'd like to get there as well. The role and the responsibility that I have is to the entire City. 411 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 I understand my role directly to Recreation. And I also have to make sure that the stuff that I present meets national standards as far as where are we, as far as the per capita, the types of buildings, so that we can have at least an educated formal process.
Well, let me ask you a question. How many people are on the list to retire who are recreation leaders?
I'd have to see if my staff still has that. I can -- I can tell you off the top of my head right now... No. I have the numbers in front of me. Hang on. That it's 55 employees, and that is full-time employees. There are 17 part-time permanent employees that we would have to not replace or lay off. I want to say at the present we have 42 full-time vacancies that we have not replaced as of yet, that if we have to adopt what is presented, 42 of the 55 are already vacant. 412 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 So I... And I mentioned early on that one of my biggest concerns is, in working with this budget and with this process, that I do not lay off one permanent employee. And so far I've achieved that. I... I need my employment as well, so I'm very sensitive of that.
So you're saying you have how many people that are leaving?
Right now, in order to meet this budget, in full-time positions there's 55 positions, permanent full-time that we would have to eliminate. And right now 42 are vacant. And in the part-time permanent ranks there is 17 positions that we would have to meet.
So you need 52 positions to meet your budget requirement.
55 Permanent full-time, 17 permanent part-time; and the number with seasons, with the pools and the 413 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 camps, that number would be 535.
So in essence we don't have too much of a summer recreation program.
Yeah, we would still have. It wouldn't be as big. In '04 our budgeted for a seasonal temporary employees was 1778. And we're taking out the 535. That would bring it down to, like, 1261.
So you still have 13 people that you have to do something with?
Yeah. They would either be through our maintenance unit or through our program. And we had that broken down. As of right now 17 are in 414 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 program, 21 are in maintenance, and open positions are in the Administrative Division. So that would be the rest. And the way, if I have to adopt this budget or work in it, I would address it by the same way presently now. I wouldn't lay off anyone.
How many of the people who are of that 52 are recreation leaders?
I don't have that off the top of my head. I'm sorry. But I know of those are in the 15 Program Division. But I'd have to look and 16 see. 17
My name is Mary Platt Coles. I'm Deputy Commissioner of Recreation Department. If I could add to the Commissioner's remarks here, a response to you, with the budget the way it sits now, the Program Division would have 34 fewer full-time positions. Now, as far as how many of those 415 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 would equate into rec leader positions, I would ask Mr. Carapucci to respond to that, but I would say there would probably be most of them.
Did you all discuss how you determine which centers you are going to close, other than not being adequately used or something else? What was the criteria for closing?
Give me one second. I have it right in front of me. I had it. I read it earlier. I'm just moving stuff...
Could you provide it to us. Councilwoman, while looking for the information, the stenographer would just like a three-minute break. (Brief recess.) MR. McPHERSON: Commissioner, if you have the answer you can...
The criteria, age of the facility, we looked at 40 years and older and 30 years and older; the type of material that the building was constructed 416 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 with at that time; and also, emphasizing being maintenance free and practical to the day's technology; design and layout of the facility for practical intended use, taking into consideration the risk and safety as well; the present structural condition of the facility. We took into consideration the usage, being the volume of clients; the proximity; location to another facility and the type of that other facility; and the density of the population -- of the population versus the location of that particular facility. Those are the criteria of the items that we used.
And nothing about the relationship of quality of service to the community?
Mostly anything relative to that was usage and volume, along with the type. The type of the facility would dictate a lot of... The layout and the amenities that the physical plant offered would dictate the quality and 417 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 the type of usage. So, just to have a bullet to take a look at, was it just used by itself? All of those were taken into consideration, all... What is it? Seven bullets, seven criteria factors that we use.
I'd have to get that information back in my office. But, yeah. Is it -- Is it used? It's used, but it's more used, from my knowledge, as a passive. It's programmed very little. The type of park it is, I know it has a ball field down at the bottom. We just put in a community garden last year which, once again, I participated in, cutting and digging and planting the flowers. But that facility is more of a passive facility and non-program. And that's mainly due to its past use and also the type of building. If it was a preexisting building 418 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 that had more amenities, an auditorium, a gymnasium, a dance studio, it would be ranked, then, a higher used or as we deem an A facility. But, yes, it still has value. So it's not to get rid of the park. Our thing would be to... We look at the savings that we could possibly recuperate to add back towards this $4 million from the non-program and having the employee there permanent year round.
Has the park been permanently officially transferred to the Recreation Department yet?
Okay. Then why is the Fairmount Park doing the work there?
It was already in place with the grant funding, but we're working -- we're working side by side on the design work, when it will get done and everything else. So, we're working together. We -- We were out there working together Saturday. 419 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04
Okay. And I asked a question. You were going to answer it. Thank you.
Councilwoman, if... The way the present budget is proposed, there will be 34 full-time people, not in the Program Division, less next year. There's right now. There's 17 10 vacancies right now. So, there will be an 11 additional 17. And hopefully, that will 12 come through attrition. And 17 permanent 13 part-time also. 17 vacancies now permanent 14 part-time, and they wouldn't be filled. 15
All the 16 Recreation Centers that are presently open 17 have recreation leaders?
Correct. Every programmed recreation center -- I would say 99 percent of them -- have a full-time rec leader.
Right. But 420 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 you're saying of the ones that are already in existence, so many of those are going to leave; is that true?
We don't know if 6 are going to leave this coming fiscal year 7 through attrition. The Personnel Office 8 will have to give us an approximate number. 9 I don't think it's that high. 10 This past year it was high because 11 this was the first year of the DROP plan. 12 I don't know if next year -- I don't think 13 next year will be as high. 14 And our goal is not to have any 15 layoffs, hopefully. So, that -- But the 16 number, according to our budget, is 34. 17
So if you close Fisher Park, where you would you put the rec leader?
Well, what would happen is, if a rec leader, let's say, retired or left from a facility, like a nearby facility, maybe a Morris Estate or a Sturgis, that rec leader would be transferred over to one of the other ones. 421 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04
So you don't know yet what it looks like, in terms of retirement for next year.
We do have a listing -- and I don't know if we have the listing with us -- of the people that are scheduled to retire. But, yes, we do have an idea. I'm sorry I don't have it. Do we have our anticipated DROP list with us?
We have people 15 leaving next year. I don't have that list 16 with me, but we have identified nine 17 positions not to fill through DROP savings. 18 Not a one of them is a rec leader position. At this time.
I guess I'm trying to figure out how you decide to close my center and put the staff person in another center, and you don't know yet whether you need them.
That we don't know yet 422 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 if we need them on that?
Mm-hmm. He said that -- You told me that the person would go from Fisher Park someplace else; you're not going to lay that person off, right?
All right. So that if you close Fisher Park, where do you put that employee?
We would evaluate in your District any facility where the next person would either retire or people transfer out or they just leave and take other jobs. And we would -- we would assign him or her to another facility in your District or maybe in another Councilperson's District, to one of the facilities that would still be recommended to be operating and open.
You all are coming back, right? 423 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04
Yeah. I have some documents that I have to present to you all on Thursday morning. I'll have them.
Thank you. I'll have some other questions for you then.
As there are no further questions, any further comments? (No response.)
Atwater Kent Museum, you are next. Good afternoon. Thank you for your patience. Good afternoon. Feel free to identify yourself for the record and begin your testimony.
Councilman Blackwell, I am Vickie Sand. President Verna, I am Vickie Sand, Director of the Atwater Kent -- 424 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04
Excuse me. Before you start, we do have copies of your testimony. It will be given to the stenographer. It will be transcribed in full. So if you could abbreviate, we would really appreciate it.
Well, this is the second year that I've come on at about exactly the same moment.
Or the second time, a year ago. And I appreciate all of the hard work that you've done. And let me just make very brief remarks and summarize. I'd like to also mention that David Rasner, former President of the Board of Trustees is here and currently the Mayor's representative on the Board. We are here to advocate for restoration of funds to the fiscal year 2004 level. All of us associated with the Atwater Kent Museum appreciate the difficult financial issues facing the City, 425 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 and we respect the competing interests that the Council must balance. We are appreciative of the leadership provided by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown and Councilman Kelly, to find a level of support for cultural institutions in this City, in order that the arts community can make the contribution it can to the vitality of the City, to its educational purposes, and to its -- and for its financial benefits. We are here to say that elimination of City funds, total elimination of City funds for the Atwater Kent is disproportionate. If allowed to stand, it brings to an end a public-private partnership that's been in place in this City since 1938, and it also puts an end to a collaborative relationship. For the past three years, when the City and the Board of Trustees really worked to have worked to create a vibrant Atwater Kent that's a part of 426 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 Philadelphia's heritage tourism campaign. The public-private partnership that's been established has really been essential. These six key positions, what they've done is we've -- they now represent about one-third of the museum's budget. We generate two-thirds of our budget through private funds. Let me just briefly recount some of those. The museum took possession of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania collection, now numbering -- and created a collection -- now number a hundred thousand items. Those two positions support that work. And separately, then, we were able to raise $250,000 privately. So not one additional dollar of City funds went to support taking on that important collection. We have private -- We have also totally moved into the 21st century, in terms of technology, by using the MOIS, the office of MOIS and the Recreation 427 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 Department, and then generating over $300,000 for that, and most recently a modest amount of money from the Recreation Department. And I want to applaud Commissioner Richard and his staff for the work they've done to renovate at a cost of about $40,000 -- we raised $150,000 -- so that we could have a space that really allowed for a new presentation of this great collection and also what we are calling the Philadelphia Game. I want to make just one last comment, and then we'll respond to whatever question you have. We, too, were cut by the City's School District, their teacher program. That happened about two years ago. And through much of the 30 or 35 years, schools came to the Atwater Kent. We went to the Federal Government and received one of 12 grants in the State of Pennsylvania and one of 169 across the country, to integrate our programs around what we're calling the Philadelphia Game 428 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 with the public schools. We have been invited to participate with the Office of Curriculum and Instruction and Professional Development, to build our program into the new social studies curriculum. We believe that we have operated and responded to what the challenge was of the City Council, to begin to develop a public-private partnership. And we think that is coming to fruition, and that the cuts at this point would really negate a very significant investment that the City has made, and that we are in fact returning to the City. The very last comment is that we -- And who is our audience? Who comes to the Atwater Kent? We have begun to do a series of preliminary visitor surveys.
And what I can tell you is that those figures reflect that 52 percent are from Philadelphia or the region. And the most surprising of all is that 57 percent are between the ages of 25 and 40. They're 429 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 new people in the City, and they're young families. We are attracting Philadelphians and a new generation who want to learn about the greatness of the City. And we hope that you will consider the museum's request as part of a broader request by the cultural community.
Thank you. Let me ask you a question, if I may. Did the Administration meet with you and discuss the fact that they were planning on eliminating the City's support for the museum?
No. We did hear about this eight days in advance of the -- about eight days in advance.
So you have had no discussion at all with anyone from the Administration.
Other than eight days ago, eight days prior to the 430 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 budget presentation; is that what you're saying?
If the reduction were to stand, would it threaten the very existence of the museum?
We are a different organization today than we were ten years ago. Ten years ago the museum was fully funded by the City. We now are one-third funded by the City. This is critical support in all of the ways that you've heard spoken about. These are core staff positions. We do use it for matching money for grants and other kinds of aide. And we also... There is the issue if the City doesn't support the City's museum, where there's a 66-year relationship, why should we? And I think that... So, will it -- will it -- Is it a death blow? No. But it is a very, very difficult circumstance at the moment, when the City has invested so 431 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 much in having it really come to fruition in the way we want it. David may want to comment.
Yes. Vickie identified me. David Rasner. I've been on the Board of Trustees for quite some time. I am currently the Mayor's appointee to the museum -- I served as the Mayor's appointee under Mayor Rendell, and have managed to retain that august title and situation -- and former Chairman of the Board of the Atwater Kent. And this is the City's history museum. And the City, I believe, has a fundamental responsibility to support its own museum. We don't ask for much. In fact, as Vickie said, when -- years ago we were fully funded by the City. Now we're one-third funded by the City. The rest is 432 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 private and corporate gifts, and other grants that we receive. If the City doesn't fund its own museum, we'll be in a very difficult position of securing funds from others because foundations always ask us, if the City doesn't support you, who will. You asked also -- I remember you asking the Art Museum a question, in terms of what is their legal relationship with the City. And I fought for the Atwater Kent. Back in 1938 there was an Ordinance that was passed and adopted by City Council that said that upon the condition of the gift being made by Mr. Kent which, when he purchased the former Franklin Institute and gave it to the City as the history museum, the City would agree to maintain the building as a showcase for objects, and so forth, as well as maintain the building itself. And that was an Ordinance adopted by the City of Philadelphia July 28th of 1938. And I have copies here, if you wish 433 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 it.
We have. I take my job seriously, and so does Vickie. And I believe it's a small price to pay. I mean, it's a museum that's worthy of support. And we've taken the charge from Mayor Rendell very seriously. Privatize yourselves. Okay. The operating funds which we are losing will support seven employees, I believe.
Six. Six employees. Okay. The rest of the staff. I think you have a staff of what? 14? Okay. We have 8 private employees; 6 are City funded, whereas years ago every staff member was a City employee. So we've done our homework. And we're at a critical juncture in our history. And although this would not be a 434 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 death knell for the museum, it would be a serious body blow from which I don't think we could recover.
We understand fully, believe me. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I believe you said at best. And I wrote down here the quote, the City has a responsibility to support its own museum. The sentiments I shared during the testimony of the Philadelphia Art Museum, and the collective sentiments of all of my colleagues, the cuts as they currently stand are unacceptable. And again, the investment that comes from what we get from the arts: Stack the arts against the sports stadiums, stack the arts with the hospitality industry, what that means for the industry. It's essential that we, as members of this body, re-look at the cuts as they 435 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 are currently proposed. So, all of us have pledged that we will. We believe, again, that the cuts should be restored. And you have my commitment and pledge that we will continue over the next short weeks to change what currently exists on paper. Thank you for your testimony.
Thank you. Any other questions from members of the Committee? Thank you so much for your patience. You've been sitting here all day. We fully understand.
Okay. 436 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 Philadelphia Prisons is next. I will ask you to identify yourself for the record. And I will reiterate what I said to our previous witness. We do have copies of your testimony.
It will be given to the stenographer. It will be transcribed in full. I would ask you to please abbreviate your testimony.
Okay. Good morning, Madam President. I'm Leon King, Commissioner of Prisons. If you just give me 30 seconds to pull something out of my bag, I'll be ready to go.
Good afternoon again. To my left is seated Deputy Commissioner Allen Appel. He's the Deputy Commissioner for for Treatment. And to my right our Fiscal Office, Mr. Semansky. I really will sort of wrap things up in maybe three sentences, to add to the statement that we've given up for the 437 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 official record. And just to indicate for everyone, that we are moving forward at the Philadelphia Prisons, trying to be pro-active to a lot of the issues that are facing the system, and a lot of issues that are facing the City. And the primary areas that we're focusing on are reentry and rehabilitation, and improving those services in the prison, as a matter of fiscal restraint and public safety, as well as looking at our management services and our medical services. And if you have any questions about any of those things, I'm right here. And I would open the floor for questions.
Thank you. I'll be very brief. You state in your testimony that PPS is in the process of obtaining accreditation for the National Commission on Correctional Health Care?
438 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 Accreditation will be a step towards stemming the rising costs of inmate medical and behavioral health services. What is the accreditation process and how will it help you to stabilize your inmate health care costs?
Well, first I'd just like to explain the National Commission on Correctional Health Care is a organization that came under the American Medical Association back in the '70s. And they accredit prisons and jails around the country, in regard to how we deliver medical services. The process works wherein they've come a few months back, did a mock survey of our services, and they're coming back in June, I believe, to take a survey to find out whether or not we meet the national standards. Using national standards streamlines our services and makes it more cost effective because we have standardized things that we do across our correctional 439 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 facilities. And it creates more of an atmosphere where we're able to measure what we do, as opposed to just sort of doing it. And when you measure what you do, and you have some clearly defined expectations for your contractors and people who work for you, that enables you to make decisions that allow you to save money. And that's the general picture.
Thank you. What are you projecting to spend on inmate health care in FY '05?
I believe that in FY '04 the projection was $43 million. What's the current projection?
It's... FY '05 would be $45.3 million, plus $2 million that's funded from the Health Department budget, $2,045,000. That would be a total of $47 million.
$47 440 Whole - Operating Budget - 4/20/04 million?
You mentioned the additional $250,000 that the City is investing towards prisoners' reentry efforts in FY '05. Where is the additional $250,000 budgeted?