Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE St. John's AME Church 2114 S. 71st Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wednesday, March 14, 2012 6:25 p.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DENNIS O'BRIEN COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO BILL 120164 - An ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2013-2018 inclusive. BILL 120165 - An ordinance to adopt a Fiscal 2013 Capital Budget. BILL 120166 - An ordinance adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2013. RESOLUTION 120167 - Resolution providing for the approval by the Council of the City of Philadelphia of a Revised Five Year Financial Plan... - - - Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com
Good evening, everyone. It is truly a pleasure to be here. I got to tell you that I got lost, and once I found my way, I got behind a trolley on Woodland Avenue. I'm sure you all know what that's about living out here. Folks, real briefly, before we actually get into the script, I just want to say that it's a pleasure to be here. City Council in years past had a number of hearings in the neighborhoods. I do want to say that this is actually an official public hearing. This actually starts the process as it relates to our first budget hearing period, and we happen to have it in a particular neighborhood. I would like to thank my good friend -- (Applause.)
I would like to thank my good friend and Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. colleague Kenyatta Johnson for pulling this together -- (Applause.)
-- to host the first session. Councilman, would you like to give us a few words as the host of this wonderful event, sir.
Yes. Sure. First, I would like to say good evening. (Good evening.)
I am truly honored and privileged to be here in the capacity of a Councilman in the 2nd Councilmanic District. I like to call it the great state of South and Southwest Philadelphia. And when the Council President talked to me early on about going out into our individual districts Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. and putting on a budget forum and I talked about that although I am from South Philadelphia, Southwest Philadelphia is my second home and it would be very, very fitting for me to organize and host this budget hearing in the Southwest part of my district. And I do thank my constituents and community leaders from South Philadelphia who have traveled here to be here so you can have your voice heard as we address the 2013 City government budget. So I'm honored and I'm happy that everyone is here, and I look forward to engaging in a constructive dialogue as related to your issues, concerns regarding the budget. But I will say -- and I'm quite sure that Council President will lay the ground rules -- this is budget-related testimony, and if you do want to give testimony, my staff is in the back, Ms. Deborah Hopkins -- raise your hand -- you can officially sign up for your comment Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. so they can be included in the record. I will ask if it's not budget related and you have specific issues, maybe you may want the Councilman to address some of the abandoned buildings or clean some alleyways or some potholes, to please refrain from that particular part of -- just refrain from those comments, particularly because this is specifically relating to the budget, and what I will do is, I'll make a public commitment to do a follow-up meeting to address particular neighborhood issues. Is that kind of fair, how I'm explaining it?
Because this is specifically dealing with the dollars and cents, your dollars and cents as taxpayers as it relates to this upcoming budget. And so I just wanted to kind of put that out there, and I'm going to turn Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. it over to the Council President. But I would want to also acknowledge the Pastor of this great church, Pastor Burns. Can you raise your hand. (Applause.)
For giving us this space. I know he's going to go upstairs. We are celebrating Lent this Wednesday starting off this month, but I do appreciate you humbly and sincerely for opening up the doors to this church for this actual budget hearing. So I'm going to turn it over to Council President Darrell Clarke at this time.
Thank you, Councilman. I would like to say currently we have the members present. I would like to recognize our members here today and thank them for helping us kick off this budget season. We have Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. (Applause.)
And the aforementioned Councilman Kenyatta Johnson. Okay, folks. Pastor, would you like to have a couple of comments before you go upstairs? You're good? Councilman Goode.
I hear you. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC.
Thank you, Mr. President. It's good to be in the district of the Honorable Kenyatta Johnson. I was raised in this district, the 2nd District, under the previous two Councilpeople. When I say raised in this district, I mean right here. I grew up down the street at 6921 Greenway Avenue. This church used to be the First Baptist Church of Paschall. I was actually baptized upstairs, took my first communion upstairs. I attended Sunday school down here. This is where we held our church banquets. So consider this budget process officially blessed by starting here. Thank you.
Okay. We now have officially established a quorum. We were actually stalling until we got our quorum established. Councilman Mark Squilla. (Applause.)
Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Councilman, a new member of the Serious Six. And Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. (Applause.)
Okay. Any other comments by members? (No response.)
If not, we will now officially kick off the budget season with a wrap, boom. Good evening. The hour has come and a quorum is present. The Committee will now come to order. I'd like to ask everyone please be seated, but the reality is, we do not have enough seats. So for those of you who are standing, you will have to continue to stand. We apologize for that. This is the public hearing of the Committee of the Whole regarding Bill 23 No. 120164, Bill No. 120165, 120166 and Resolution No. 120167. I would ask Ms. Lewis to please Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. read the titles of the bills and resolutions.
Bill No. 5 120164, an ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2013 through 2018 inclusive. Bill No. 120165, an ordinance 9 to adopt a Fiscal 2013 Capital Budget. Bill No. 120166, an ordinance 11 adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2013. Bill No. 120167, a resolution 14 providing for the approval by the Council of the City of Philadelphia of a Revised Five Year Financial Plan for the City of Philadelphia covering Fiscal Years 2013 through 2017, and incorporating proposed changes with respect to Fiscal Year 2012, which is to be submitted by the Mayor to the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (the "Authority") pursuant to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement, authorized by an ordinance of this Council approved by the Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Mayor on January 3rd, 1992 (Bill No. 3 1563-A), by and between the City and the Authority.
Thank you. This evening we convene the first public hearing of the Committee of the Whole to consider various bills read by the secretary that constitute proposed Operating and Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2013, a Capital Program and a forward-looking plan for 2014. As I said earlier, you all have entrusted us to be the stewards of the budget as it relates to representing you as Councilmembers, and we will ensure you that we take that seriously and we will appropriately with respect listen to your priorities this evening. So as we enter into this process to determine how we spend your money, we will take into account the priorities that have been established at these community sessions. What I'd like to do now, I Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. would like to proceed and ask if there are any additional comments by members of the Committee? (No response.)
There being none, we will now proceed with our first witness. As Councilman Johnson said earlier, we're going to ask that you limit your comments to the budget, because we have a packed house and we want to have an opportunity to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to talk about the things that are important to them as relates to our budget process. We'll ask again if anyone wants to speak, please sign up to testify so we can ensure that we get your input in tonight. Okay. I'm supposed to talk about this timer, but I know you all are going to respect the number of people here, so I'm not going to deal with the timer today. Councilman asked me about Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. that timer. I said, Councilman, I don't know. Okay. Ms. Lewis, will you please read the title of and the name of the first individual who will be testifying.
David Krain. David Krain. (Witness approached microphone.)
Hi. Good evening. My name is David Krain. First, I'd like to thank Council for coming out to the neighborhoods, in the sense that most people would not normally be down at City Hall. Secondly, I'm a social worker at DHS. I'm also a shop steward with AFSCME Local 2187. In regards to the budgetary concerns from the Department, I hope that Council would not be fooled by the slogans that the Department is going to propose to you. They're going to speak Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. about improving the outcomes for children. That's just going to be a slogan. They're going to be speaking about streamlining cases. That's just going to be a catch phrase. It's going to get right down to privatization. For years, workers go out and perform cases. They want to outline it, so that way, private providers will be the only ones to see children once we do the investigations. I'm sure Council has seen from the past they had another catch phrase called "alternative response systems." In January of 2011, when they have that alternative response system, we had a baby die at our Travelers Aid shelter, when they only allowed the private providers to see children. This is a very deep concern for me and the members and ongoing will be the families. I hope that Council can take that serious. They will also provide a study from New York and they might provide a Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. study from Florida to show how they streamlined it. I found a study from New York -- I found a study from Georgia State University that shows that outsourcing social services has never worked. The clear example was from New York. If Council would like to see the study, I have a few extra copies with me. I'm going to keep it short, you know, in respect to the rest of the people. And I'm sure from the Councilmembers that I've spoken to and have a great deal of respect for, that they understand that myself, my brothers and sisters in 47, 33 and the Police and Fire, our jobs are to protect the lives of the families and citizens, not to protect the lives of, so far, a tone-deaf Administration. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you for your testimony. Let the record reflect that we Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. have been joined by Councilman Dennis O'Brien, one of the Serious Six. (Applause.)
Folks, I'd like to ask you again to please turn off your cell phones. It's important that we be able to conduct business without the phones ringing. And in addition to which I've been told by the Councilman that there's an overflow room upstairs that's being monitored. So if anybody is interested who is standing and would like a seat, there's an overflow room upstairs. Thank you.
Carol Bangura. Carol Bangura. (Witness approached microphone.)
Good evening. I actually have folders. I don't know if someone -- do you want me to pass it out?
The Sergeant-At-Arms will. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC.
This is for the Council President. He has the original, and then copies, but no slighting intended. My name is Carol Bangura and I'm here to speak on behalf of two separate issues regarding the City funding. The first is for the children as a whole of Southwest Philadelphia. According to the School District of Philadelphia, more than 70 percent of the children in this community live below the federal poverty guidelines. Less than 40 percent of the children are reading at or below grade level. There are limited amounts of after-school programs for the Southwest community, and Education Works dominates a lot of the contracts, and for the last ten years, according to study, the Education Works is not working. The literacy rate for the children and their reading is on a consistent decline. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. There are no publicly open recreation centers. I'm not going to read verbatim on this. I'm making targets. There are no publicly open recreation centers in this vicinity. The closest is Myers, which is at 58th and Kingsessing, and then on the other side of Lindbergh Boulevard and then down, I believe, around 49th Street. I currently have a former recreation center, which is at 65th and Elmwood, and I'm contracted with the City to run my program, which I'll get to, but because children are consistently knocking at the door, we let them in. In terms of literacy for the children, again, the after-school programs, they play. They're not learning. In terms of literacy for the community, that 70 percent that I mentioned means literally that a lot of the parents are not -- do not have their GED or higher education. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. the Mayor's Commission on Literacy, they just funded agencies $30,000 to create partnerships. I'm sorry. I didn't recognize anyone here. I apologize. I'm nervous, but good evening to everyone and thank you guys very much for being here. And, Councilman Jones -- but Councilman Johnson is a God send to this community. I mean, he really is. He's down and working and he's only been here a few months. They funded $30,000 to create partnerships to recruit. Thirty thousand dollars will go a long way. Last year, we had a literacy, an adult literacy, program, and it's not funded this year by the School District. There's nowhere to go in this entire community. If you go to the rec center now, my center is in the middle of a park. It's glass, broken bottles everywhere, and it's full of kids. The kids are out there playing. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. their life now. And the second piece that I wanted to add is, I stand here for all the children, but I also stand here for the African and Caribbean immigrant community. I'm an African immigrant. I was born in Sierra Leone, raised in the public school system, lived in North Philly. And even in this room, to be honest with you, I heard disparaging remarks about the Africans. And I hear it all the time, until I say to someone, I'm African. And it's like, Oh, excuse me. I didn't mean it that way. In regards to the budget and as taxpayers, we all pay taxes. Even if we work at Walmart, we pay taxes. The African and Caribbean immigrant community pays taxes. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Asian community. We're immigrants. And I get an argument all the time, Oh, we're all black. Okay. If you ask me my culture, it's totally different from the next person, even in Liberia, Sierra Leone culture. So you can't lump everyone in. And because of Title III funding, which is a federally funded program, if everyone's lumped in, our community doesn't get the dollars. And right now I'm going back and forth with the School District regarding their contracting. I've submitted a series of right-to-know requests, and what I'm doing is, I want to know the Hispanic agencies that they're funding, the Asian agencies that they're funding, because if you look traditionally, they're getting all the money.
Last year the School District got a supplement of $158 million from the state. It didn't trickle down to our community. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Councilman Johnson will tell you, Councilman Tasco will tell you, even Councilman Sanchez will tell you and Councilman Oh. I mean, you name it, I've been in stairways meeting with folks. I was on unemployment for two years running my program. No one gave me a dime. I fought tooth and nail with the Department of Economic Development with the state for them to give us some grant funding. Right now at the center, we have laptops not in use, because we 15 don't have any Internet. The Mayor 16 promised us that we in this community 17 would be part of the Freedom Rings, and 18 that was last June. We're still waiting. 19 The Freedom Rings, they're supposed to 20 have 11 -- no; I'm sorry; 77 neighborhood centers. There's only one in this community and it's for a homeless men's shelter. So it's not open to the public. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. that I do want to make. Again, I stand here for all the children, because I know how it is. I know how it is as an African kid coming here and losing my accent because I had to, because even things that I've heard in this room, I know what it's like to be called an African booty scratcher. I know what it is for people to say, Oh, y'all stink. I know what it is for people to say, Your foods stink. And even if you look at this community, there's a lot of tension between the communities, and what people don't realize is a lot of people that come to Southwest Philadelphia from Africa and the Caribbean islands, a lot of folks went through a ten-year or more civil war. The kids didn't go to school. So there's a huge gap in education. You have adults that have no more than a second-grade level education having kids. They only speak their own languages at home. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. their kids, they don't know how. There aren't parenting classes for us. If you look at DHS -- I'm glad David brought up DHS. I met with DHS. DHS receives millions of dollars and they contract it out. There's -- I mean, it's not coming down to our community. DHS doesn't know what to do with African and Caribbean kids. I get calls from the funded agencies, Carol, can you? Nope, sure can't. Sure can't, you know. And just two more points.
Okay. The demographics, when you look at the demographics, I touched on it, and also the languages. If you look at the City of Philadelphia, there are eight major languages supported with the Managing Director's Office, and that's Spanish, French, Arabic, Albanian, Russian, Chimera, Chinese and Vietnamese. We speak Krio, Temne, Fullah, Mende, Loko. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. What are we supposed to do? What are we supposed to do? Why should my mom have to come and learn English and no one else does? And then just one more thing. This is the last one.
You said one more thing about five minutes ago.
This is the last one. We're just really asking that you take a look in your budget. I was floored when I looked at the numbers and contracts for your services throughout the budget, what the Mayor is proposing and what you guys are proposing, and to give us a little bit so that we can provide services so that we can raise the literacy rate for the entire community. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Thank you.
We're going to please ask people, because we got a lot of people, we want to make sure everybody has an opportunity to speak. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Use that timer, brother.
Yeah, it's getting ready to happen. Got to use the timer.
The next speak is David Feldman, and will David Krain also tee up. He's after that. (Witness approached microphone.)
Folks, if you have written testimony, don't feel like you have to read it all. Just kind of summarize it, because we will in fact -- I'm just saying, some of Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. you have written testimony. So if you just want to summarize it, that's fine, because we will in fact read the documents that you submit.
Good morning, (sic) Council President Clarke, members of City Council. Thank you for the opportunity to testify this evening. My name is David Feldman. I'm the President of Right-Sized Homes, a sustainable redevelopment company based in Center City working in Grays Ferry and throughout the City. I'm also a member of the Association of -- Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations and the Design Advocacy Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Group and a proud native Philadelphian. Thank you for holding hearings out in the community at a time that's convenient for residents to speak to Council, and I'd like to weigh in on three budget issues; specifically, the reduction in federal HUD funds; the Housing Trust Fund, the Actual Value Assessment and a related, not specifically budgeted, ordinance to establish a land bank in Philadelphia. And while many areas of the City are financially stressed in the budget, especially the CDBG -- I'll try and summarize -- CDBG funds from HUD have reduced by millions, if not tens of millions of dollars, the amount of money for housing preservation, new housing production, homeownership counseling and neighborhood economic development. So we're looking for creative ways to make up some of those losses from the federal funds. The primary source for a lot of Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. that work alternatively to CDBG is the Housing Trust Fund, which was established by City Council working cooperatively with the State Legislature in 2005, and this has provided funds free of federal restrictions to support rental, for-sale housing, rehabilitation, new construction, home repairs for low-income homeowners, housing preservation and homelessness preservation programs. In the first five years, the $47 million of funding from the Housing Trust Fund brought in over $234 million in private funds for these purposes. Thanks to strong support from City Council, the Pennsylvania Legislature this year has approved a new source, an additional source, for the Housing Trust Fund. So I'm hoping that the City Council can step forward like they did in both those cases and that can-do attitude to find other sources to build up the Housing Trust Fund to help make up for some of the HUD cuts. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. The Actual Valuation Assessment, while stirring controversy, is actually long overdue, and it's encouraging to see that Council and the Administration are showing their political will to tackle the issue that after the Zoning Code is the most outdated, dysfunctional property-related aspect of City government. Not only would this bring the City in line with state laws, it will provide transparency and fair determination of values. At the same time, the big concern with actual valuation is around the dramatic sudden changes to people's tax bills and the impact on low-income homeowners -- (Bell rings.)
-- and seniors, especially long-time residents in neighborhoods that have seen dramatic rises in property values since these Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. folks have bought these homes. So clearly we need to look at ways to limit the amount of increase in property taxes in individual homeowners and to provide relief for low-income homeowners and seniors when the actual value comes in play. And, again, I bring this up here because it is an issue that people in the community should be aware of and be aware to speak out and vote in support of, and understand that it's a difficult issue that Council luckily is tackling, because it will be fairer when it's all flushed out if these safeguards are in place. The final issue I want to talk about -- I really mean it -- is the land bank ordinance, which while it's not strictly a budget, it's related to the budget, because the City spends $20 million a year now maintaining the vacant property. And as I summarize in here, the recent PHA auction, in the course of Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. two months with 500 single scattered sites, PHA received over seven and a half million dollars in unrestricted funds, and that's for over 500 properties. There are thousands of individual scattered site single homes, single vacant houses and lots that could be developed, and there should be a simple administrative process for these to be transferred, these single lots, like the PHA auction, individual neighborhood residents who want to buy the home down the block or buy the vacant lot next to them or small developers who are buying one or two properties to rehab that's taken out of the cumbersome process of all the City agencies now. While the front-door process is going to streamline and make clearer, more transparent what properties are available and what they're worth, there should be a simple administrative process that allows those single properties to move quickly, because clearly there's demand. That Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. would give tens of millions of dollars of revenue to the City. The large properties -- the large collections of adjacent closely related properties are ones that need to be done more in conjunction with the Planning Commission and the new Zoning Code. So the new Planning Commission as 2035 comes into play and the new Zoning Code has a Civic Design Review, that might be a time in fact people are looking for larger developments, that the Civic Design Review actual come into play at the time that the larger properties are requested.
You actually have a question by a member of Council.
I'm going to try to ask very few questions so that we won't belabor this, but I was interested Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. to hear what your plans on surplus property is and the cuts from the federal government. Are you in support of what Harrisburg is talking about doing by way of allowing for municipalities to acquire these properties and dispose of them in a way that allows community groups to take control of some of these vacant properties? What's the --
Yes. Absolutely. And we should also maintain what we have now, which is that properties for things like affordable housing, community gardens, rec centers, you know, community uses be done at reduced or nominal transfer.
One quick -- for the thousands of individual residential Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. lots and vacant houses owned by the City entities, the lessons from the PHA auctions are clear. These should be part of a simplified administrative process. And happily, the land bank ordinance 7 actually improves on the way PHA did it, because it includes safeguards of requiring that people obtaining the property actually are not delinquent on other property taxes and don't have any L&I violations, something that was not a requirement in the PHA auction and should also be required in Sheriff's sale, which is not currently a requirement. So I thank you very much for your time.
Folks, what we're going to have to do, we're going to have to do a five-minute limit for your presentation so it allows in the event that Councilmembers ask some Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. questions. Is that okay? (That's fine.)
David Krain and after -- I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Donna Henry, and after Donna Henry is Marsha Wall. (Witness approached microphone.)
Good evening. I'm Donna Henry. I'm the Executive Director at Southwest CDC. Southwest CDC is funded by the City with federal Community Development Block Grants for our housing counseling, our Neighborhood Advisory Committee, the Woodland Avenue Revitalization Project, our employment counseling. We are funded by other non-profits who have contracts with the City for the Neighborhood Energy Center and the after-school and drug and alcohol prevention programs. Southwest CDC supports the Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Mayor's plan for additional police officers. Southwest has more than its fair share of crime, and it has been proven that additional police presence is a deterrent for criminal behavior. Mayor Nutter's budget does not talk about employment initiatives, and the people in this neighborhood need jobs. The Philadelphia Department of Commerce -- I'm sorry; the Philadelphia Department of Commerce has already told Southwest CDC that they will be eliminating the $44,000 Southwest CDC gets out of the CDBG budget and that there is a high risk that these services will be terminated. This will leave more than 400 neighborhood residents without a place to go to get help for jobs. Philly Rising is a new initiative to strengthen the neighborhoods. Essentially, Philly Rising is doing the work of the NACs. The City recreated the wheel, but would have been more efficient by working Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. closer with the existing NACs. Instead of hiring strangers to work in Southwest, the City could have filled the funding gaps left by CDBG budgets and empower the existing NAC staff to do the work Philly Rising is doing now. While Southwest CDC funding originates at the federal level, we are paid by the City. And even though there is a proven track record of providing services to the neighborhood residents on the behalf of the City for more than 14 years, there is no contract advances. 15 The City expects small non-profits like 16 Southwest CDC to carry the funding for 30 17 to 90 days and occasionally longer. This 18 causes hardship to the non-profits, but 19 especially to the staff, who sometimes 20 have to wait to get their paychecks and 21 are accruing additional costs as a 22 result. Please consider allowing 23 contract advances. 24 Lastly, Southwest CDC thanks 25 Councilman Johnson for focusing attention Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. on Woodland Avenue. His tour in February and his participation in the cleanup on Saturday is demonstrating to the merchants that he understands that small businesses can help strengthen the neighborhood. Thank you. (Applause.)
Ms. Henry, very briefly, the Commerce Department told you that they were cutting your targeted neighborhood support grant?
They told us we were -- they told us that they are eliminating the employment counseling. We have two contracts with the Department of Commerce, and that in the Consolidated Plan, they're going to eliminate the three organizations that citywide get the funding for employment counseling, we have been told.
I guess my Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. question is, was it a targeted grant that went to your organization every year, and did they say anything about you being able to compete for grant money beyond that?
They only said that there are three organizations citywide. Lighthouse is one of them --
That's not the question I'm asking you, and I'll put it a different way. Five percent of all CDBG money has to go to economic development done by CDCs. That's the law. I know because I did the law. So whatever 5 percent of that pot is, even the budget is shrinking from the federal government, that money has to be available. I'm asking whether they are eliminating certain programs or did they tell you that Southwest CDC is not going to be able to compete for any of the funding? Because I would be surprised to hear that at all.
We have been told Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. that they're eliminating the line item for employment counseling.
Other than that, you're able to compete for other economic development funds?
Ms. Henry, I was just curious, you said that you feel that Rising Philly is doing similar work of the NACs. Do you think they duplicate the work that you do and other NACs throughout the area?
They have smaller concentrations, but with the CDBG cuts that have come along in the last year and more expected this year, that the funding for Philly Rising could have filled the gap that all of the NACs are feeling in their budgets.
Do you feel that the Philly Rising has helped Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. the CDCs and also the NACs in the area?
Thank you so much for your testimony. (Applause.)
There's a gray Jeep Liberty blocking someone in the parking lot. (Parking issue already taken care of.) (Witness approached microphone.)
Good evening and welcome, Council President Clarke and all the members of City Council and our guests. Thank you for coming to our community. My name is Marsha Wall and I'm the President of the Southwest Community Advisory Group. I'm also a block captain for the 6000 block of Trinity Street, but, more importantly, I Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. am a 35-plus year resident of Southwest Philadelphia. I am well aware that other proposed projects targeted for our community that I don't necessarily agree with, but I hope you would consider a revitalization project for our neighborhoods, such as businesses, housing and beneficial development. There are several acres of land, entire City blocks of vacant and abandoned, trash-filled lots that can be used for in-fill housing and new businesses. Honorable Councilmembers, please consider in your 2013 budget using those parcels of land for positive development, new businesses and residential homes. As in the words of the City Council -- the City's vision -- the citywide vision for 2005, Framing for Our Future - Help, Thrive, Connect and Renew our community back to what it once was and even better. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Thank you again for your attention. (Applause.)
Claudia Sherrod, and after Ms. Sherrod is Gloria Kellem. (Witness approached microphone.)
Good evening to our President Darrell Clarke and to the many Councilpeople, rather than to call you name by name. It's an honor to be able to stand up here and speak before you. I'm going to speak on two particular topics - expanding housing opportunities and facilitating strong neighborhood commercial corridors. But I would like to piggyback on what the young lady just spoke about with the CDBG funds that were cut, because I was hit hard with it myself. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. It was a competitive bid because of the federal dollars. However, I just thought that money would go to only community-based organizations, which in fact it did not happen in Point Breeze. I do represent Point Breeze. And I think that is something you as City Councilmen need to really do your homework and watch these OHCD, RDA where they spend their dollars and who they direct their dollars to. Sometimes the people who are in control are not the people they favor. (Applause.)
Expand funding for the housing. Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund is close to becoming a reality. Given the overwhelming need for resources to expand housing opportunity, the City should also make a commitment from its General Fund for affordable homes. When I say "affordable homes" now, I don't mean 200 and excess. I mean 200 and decreasing. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC.
Because right now, thank God for City Council and their support, I am doing developments. It 7 went from 110,000 to 180,000. Now 8 presently, it has strangely been risen to 9 135,000 to 250,000, and it is shocking 10 me. I may be hurting myself up here, but 11 it's okay, because I'm working for the 12 people. I don't work for Claudia. And I 13 think it's time that the people come out 14 and tell you guys what's going on. You 15 need to find out what's going on in these 16 RDAs, OHCDs, and they're filling their 17 pockets and pockets of their friends. 18 (Applause.) 19
The next thing is to facilitate strong neighborhood commercial corridors. I do have a proposal in for that. I am the only one through my community organization, South Philadelphia Homes, that has ran a fantastic corridor manager, Mrs. Alice Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Gaberdine. And we're waiting for the money to come so we can continue that path so we can help the many -- when I say minority, I'm not necessarily talking about black. I'm talking about people who are poor, who are struggling to make their business work. Number two, I am concerned about our community recreation centers. We only have one in Point Breeze, one, Chew. It's a room, not as big as this. When you're talking about capital dollars, see if you can put some of them dollars away for the very, very small community recreation centers such as Chew's. Look at what we need, our needs. We have a petition of over 500 people five years ago. We thought it was going to fly. It didn't. I'm asking you, I'm urging you, think about when you do the budget of putting some money aside for these neighborhoods that are growing. Ours is growing by leaps and bounds, and it's a good thing, but it's not as good Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. as it could be if we had the resources we need to grow it. On that, I'm going to quit so others can talk. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you so much. Let the record reflect that Councilman Bill Green has joined us. Real quick, in response to that, the last part of what you reference relating to rec centers, recently, I think maybe two weeks ago, there was an issue, the School District was actually suggesting that a number of facilities were going to close gyms and some of the things that related to activities for young people, and there was this process that was established that utilized both the City facilities and the School District facilities and created an opportunity during different hours for everybody to have an opportunity to Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. participate in recreational programs. I think one of the things as we move through this process, understanding the dwindling dollars that we have, that we need to be in a position if there's not the appropriate recreation centers numbers-wise in the community, then maybe we need to come up with a strategy to have schools or some of the other facilities that have gyms or other recreational opportunities. Too often this is an issue whether we're going to do either/or. Sometimes we can figure out a way to do both. Five years ago there was actually an approach to talk about merging the capital programs of both the City and the School District where you would instead of building a recreation center down the street and have a school a block away that had a gym, why don't we merge the new construction to incorporate all of those facilities, and I think we need to get back to that discussion, that if Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. we're going to build a gym in the school and we're going to build a gym in a rec center, why not consolidate those so you'll be able to utilize them, saving money that will allow to build more facilities throughout the City. So those are the kind of things that we need to be talking about, and I believe that Councilmembers will in fact be very aggressive. I actually think that Councilwoman Bass, who is the Chair of the Committee on Recreation and Parks, had a discussion a week or so ago about utilizing some of the facilities in the neighborhoods. So you're right, we don't have enough in recreation, and we have to come up with better strategies. Thank you so much for that testimony.
Gloria Kellem, and after Ms. Kellem is James White. (Witness approached microphone.) Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC.
Good evening, everybody. Giving honor to God. I was placed on the list without being told or known or aware. So I have not looked at the budget. Because I am a representative and a lifetime resident of Southwest Philadelphia, but I also represent an organization, Utility Emergency Services Fund, and I'm a housing stabilization manager and counselor. And I speak not only for my neighborhood, but I also speak about the 37 percent budget cut with the City Community Development Block Grant and the $120 million that HUD has been decreased on, but to also acknowledge that the banks have given billions of dollars for housing and housing services. But what I do stand up here and say as a resident and as a 30-year service representative in the City, I have been in a non-profit for over 30 years, servicing the public and assisting the residents of Philadelphia. We need Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. to address homeless prevention and housing stabilization in this city. Right now we are turning away hundreds of folks who are either in eviction or already living in the street, and the shelters are full. And I plead and I ask that City Council go back and reassess the budgets that were cut with HPRP as of 2012 that came down through the stimulus and the ARRA program and look at the crisis that we are facing with the disadvantaged in the next year to five years if there is not some money placed in these programs to service those that are poor, moderate and the new group called the new poor, who have never needed or had to come to the neighborhood energy centers, the community -- (Applause.)
-- organizations and my organization seeking assistance. And I also support a housing revitalization program for the blight, not only citywide but definitely in our Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. neighborhood, because my question is, in the last years, I have never known or 4 seen City Council or our public officials 5 come to our neighborhood, which is 6 neglected and under-serviced in this 7 area. 8 (Applause.) 9
I work every day. 10 I pay taxes. I was unemployed for three 11 years and I got up every day and I went 12 out and I worked for Labor Ready to keep 13 my home and a roof over my head, and 14 never once did I miss paying my real 15 estate taxes or my insurance. 16 So I don't like being 17 classified as low in income or poor or 18 shiftless, and I appeal to our President, 19 our Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and the 20 entire Council to look at -- and you, Wilson, Jr. since you were a resident here -- to look at our need, to the blight in this neighborhood, to address the housing, to allow us because we have no representation. We have no recreation Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. center. We don't have a community development corporation out here. We don't have a housing development corporation out here. Heck, we don't even have an advisory committee out here, but we put new housing in the neighborhood, which was a blessing, but it's undesirable. We want to bring people in, but what do we have here to offer? So I'm just asking that you consider citywide the issues that we are facing in large numbers, and that's housing issues and homeless prevention, and that the issues that we are facing in our neighborhood here in Paschall is unemployment and jobs and affordable housing. And to also my baby, which is green and sustainability, that we also consider when we look at economic development and urban lending and housing, that we begin to look at -- I have 20 years in weatherization and conservation, and I say that it's time Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. for us to bring manufacturing into this city, that we begin to start to build -- (Applause.)
-- windmills, that we begin to start to build solar panels, not from Germany, not bringing in manufacturers down in South Philly, but doing it right here in our neighborhoods. And that we also focus on not just renovating and rehabbing and new construction, but that when we do it, we do it on an E basis and we start from scratch, that we begin to build houses for low income so that it's sustainable and that we build them energy efficient. Thank you. (Applause.)
The next speaker is Shawn Kelly -- I'm sorry; James White, and then Shawn Kelly is after James White. (Witness approached Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. microphone.)
Boy, it's good to be back in the 2nd District in Southwest. I lived on Lindbergh for about seven years. Good evening, and thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is James White, and I'm the Policy Coordinator of the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations. We're a citywide association of 100 organizations, including 50 CDCs. Some of our members you've already heard from this evening on a number of issues. I'll just highlight some and go very quickly, because I know there's other people that want to talk. Our members are very engaged and experienced in accessing a lot of City programs, as you know. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. neighborhoods. The City is facing, as you've heard, further significant cuts in federal resources to address local housing and community development needs that will necessitate hard decisions on how to allocate these scarce resources. We count on the Council to address the loss of the $30 million, or the 37 percent, as someone of my colleagues have mentioned, in federal and state support for housing and community dollars. We also know that we've been successful in lobbying to get an increase in the Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund from the General Assembly. 5 million a year. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. previous Administrations, to consider putting in some of the General Fund, some of the proceeds that are gained from some of the new vehicles the City now uses to address anti-blight. This fall, the City started a Blight Court for absentee landlords and landlords that neglected properties. I went to the first hearing. They collected $90,000 in one afternoon. It wasn't even a whole day, one afternoon. They've had three of these sessions where they're collecting thousands and thousands of dollars. None of this money is recycled back into the community. We ask the Council to look into recycling that money back into the community for affordable housing for residents, for homeless prevention. Help us rebuild our communities. Recycle the dollars back in from the Capital Program. You have ways to do it. We're asking you to look at doing that. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. hemorrhaging from maintaining vacant property, $20 million annually. The City loses an additional 2 million because some of these are tax delinquent. Ten thousand properties are vacant that the City owns, scattered among four agencies. You know who they are. But yet when our developers for- and non-profit try to put an assemblage together, we start here, we run there, and we get a runaround. And we're trying to put these properties back into productive use. Yes, the front door that the Administration suggests is great, but we need more than that. We need a land bank, and we ask Council to work with the community and the Administration to make it happen. The last thing, we're doing this citywide reassessment, as we all know, on actual property values. Myself, like a lot of new property owners in moderate and low income -- well, hey, I work for a non-profit. I don't have to tell you. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. faced with a big challenge, and we need Council. We know that the state General Assembly has a homestead exemption of the first 15,000 that they're grappling with in Harrisburg, and the Administration will hopefully -- and we hope they do it -- will phase in the increase for seniors, but we want you to actually look beyond our elders and look to young working family folks like myself and my colleagues here. We could use some phase-in, too. Thank you for your time. )
Thank you so much for your testimony, Mr. White. I've been informed that our buzzer is no longer operable. Somebody did something to it. So we're keeping the time up here, so you may hear a verbal request, someone saying it's time. We ask that you please finish up your remarks. We do have a significant number Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. of people still want to testify.
Shawn Kelly, and after Mr. Kelly is Tyrone Buckley (sic). (Witness approached microphone.)
-- Darrell Clarke and fellow Councilmen. I wanted to speak about something that Mr. White had just spoke about. My name is Shawn Kelly again. I'm the President of Community Achievement Association. I'm also a retired Philadelphia firefighter stationed right down at 65th and Woodland. The concern that I have and I think a lot of people have in the community is twofold, and it's regards to the increase in property taxes. As the taxes go up with the full assessment, Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. there also is concerns with the development that goes along with that, too. As we improve the community, the market values of those properties will go up. The City is going to go to a full assessment. The concern is, those people on fixed income, like the seniors, people who receive Social Security, the people who are unemployed and underemployed, as those increasements occur, those income of those individuals will be the same. The concern is, how are they going to sustain themselves as the adjustments are made with those taxes? Because if they don't sustain yourself, then you talk about possible displacement and, again, we talk about homeless. That's all I wanted to say. (Applause.)
Thank you so much. Thank you, sir. That will be an issue that there's going to be significant conversations about, probably will be the cornerstone of this Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. particular budget.
Tyrone Buckley. Tyrone Buckley. And the next speaker is Judith Burrell. Judith Burrell is after Mr. Buckley. (Witness approached microphone.)
Good evening. I want to first start off about Southwest, for them that don't know. We have some homes and homeowners that been under water in 2011, 2010, and I'm asking how do you get fair market value? My particular home, I've invested a lot of money and it's sinking. I had this discussion with ex-Mayor John Street. We had several meetings. We had a couple houses taken off, and now you're going to tell us that we're going to come up with a budget by doing some assessments to a house I was told I have no market value. I have no market value to 6843 Lindbergh Boulevard. On my particular block, there Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. are homes that's shifting. The City don't take responsibility. They know that they were involved with the reorganization of the City of that area under urban renewal, and they walked away. Now, I'm a senior now. I've been there 34 years. My home is paid for, but I cannot sell it to you, not one of you Councilpeople, because I can't disclose. How do you give me a fair market value? So I'm actually buying a home or I've paid for a home that have no 15 worth. I'm 65 years old June. So I worked 37 years driving trains to not to have no value. The homes that are under water, they bought some homes, left some homes, left some of these people in disarray, but yet in front of City Hall we see a major construction where Occupy get put off. Some Councilpeople I don't know, but I go back a long way with Bill Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Greenlee, and I have never seen nothing like this. We have areas out here where we're paying high taxes and children don't even have a place to play. (Applause.)
We had a community organization. We was disfunded, which was the Eastwick PAC. You disfunded us. And this was before you, Darrell, so I cannot say as President of Council that some of y'all were involved. But we were disfunded. Now you have no voice in the community. People don't have nobody to talk to. Our politics is weak, but yet I rode down Northern Liberties and I see the money expansion. Where's the budget? Where's the budget? We just want a piece of the pie. We don't need the whole pie. Give us our slice. (Applause.)
I thank you, and I thank you for your time. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. (Applause.)
Thank you, sir, so much for that testimony. If you can -- sir, can I ask your particular situation, you seem to have -- particularly if you can just give your name to someone, because the whole issue about how you get the valuation of your property given the condition I'm sure will be reflected. So if you can just give us your name and number. (People yelling out.)
I understand. It's a whole area, I understand. I just need a reference point so we can --
I would like to say one thing. We really need, we really need -- and we appreciate immensely y'all being here. We need y'all to walk with us and talk with us and look at our problem. It's major. Out of all the City, you have a major problem. I have a lady literally crying on my block. If I Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. take you to her house, you will shake your head. She's young and now she's disillusioned.
You are fortunate enough to have a great Councilperson. I think he wants to speak about the followup.
Mr. Beverly, how you doing, sir? I mentioned this earlier when I first got started that the issue separate from the budget, as a new Councilman, I am fully committed to doing an actual followup. We can actually, separate from the tour, sit down and talk about the nitty-gritty regarding the actual issues relating to Paschall. So I want that to be noted for the record. And we can sit down, have a frank conversation regarding support for the Paschall actual area. And I'm quite clear -- just for the record, I picked Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Southwest for a specific reason, so we can start addressing your actual issues and concerns. And so we will definitely follow up. (People yelling out.)
We'll follow up. And I actually -- it was interesting, Councilman referenced the fact that he selected Southwest, because I'm not as familiar with his entire district. He had a whole lot of areas to choose from, you know, and he chose -- this is the first one, and there was a reason for that, so I got to commend him for that. (Applause.)
One of the things -- and Council President is right. One of the reasons why Council President started out in communities is so that we Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. could hear this. And just because we're not going to ask a lot of questions or do a lot of -- does not mean we aren't listening. We're doing this all around the City for a reason. Because what you want to understand is that your problems in Southwest in Kenyatta's -- Representative Johnson's district is not different from the ones in mine. We have sinking homes. So when you raise the question here, it echoes in my district as well. So as we start to get some of these issues on the record, on the record, when we then negotiate with the Administration, we'll be able to talk about the example on your block and the example of your home not having value. But believe it or not, these are the same questions we're going to pass on. So we appreciate these comments and want you to understand that we're taking them to heart. Please sign in.
Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Thank you, Councilman. Next witness.
Just for the record, the gentleman's name was Tyrone Beverly, not Buckley. The next speaker is Judith Burrell. Judith Burrell, and after that is Roosevelt Brand, Jr. Judy Burrell. (No response.)
The next speaker is Roosevelt Brand, Jr. After Mr. Brand is Tracey Gordon. (Witness approached microphone.)
Good evening. Congratulations to all the members of City Council, all newly elected members of City Council. My name is Roosevelt Brand, Jr. I want to talk about one thing first, and that's the taxes, property taxes and the penalties and fines on the back taxes. I'm a lot owner, and I heard Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. a gentleman talking about the many lots and everything we have around the City. I owe about $2,000 in back taxes. I'm currently on an agreement paying $204 per month to make that property free and clear. The problem is is that when I surf the Internet, the BRT Internet, and I see so many properties with huge fines, penalties, I'll say to myself, why can't City Council come to some kind of a term where there's a moratorium or either a period of forgiveness to allow those that owe back taxes on their land or property to just pay off the taxes itself, which will make it much easier. Because what I see what's going around South Philly -- mainly I'm from South Philly -- is, people are buying up land because we can't pay the penalties and fines. So people are literally stealing other people's property and land because we cannot pay for it. So I'm imploring you, please Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. take that under consideration. Offer a period of forgiveness for taxes. The other thing is, I'm also a DC 33 member. I'm a blue-collar worker. You know, we've been working darn near four years without a contract. When we had our rally down at City Hall, some of us got in there. I was one that didn't get in there. I learned the budget results or the presentation of the budget by Mayor Nutter on KYW, and when KYW mentioned all those -- I'm talking about the new PA building -- PAB building, traffic, some kind of margin system and some other things and he didn't include the workers of the City, it was almost demoralizing. And I'm going to say this much. You got union members, including myself, that are working, you know, diligently without a contract. Because you know what? We really value our job. We're really loyal to what we do, and it's just not right for Mayor Nutter to present a budget to the City that does Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. not include DC 33 or DC 47. (Applause.)
And we should be included. Now, DC 33 is getting ready to go through a new election of officers in early April, and, you know, I'm confident, I'm hoping very much that Pete Matthews is going to be reelected. With that, thank you.
Just one thing. On your first point, sir, we had a tax amnesty -- it looks like we have competition -- tax amnesty program just two years ago. Were you aware of that?
Okay. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. But we did have that as recently as about two years ago.
Yes. Sir, actually members of City Council -- I 11 think everybody up here -- signed a bill 12 that was introduced in Council three 13 weeks ago. That bill will allow people 14 to sign up to pay automatically their back taxes. They will be able to choose between 5 and 15 percent of their monthly salary as the payment. The percentage will be up to the person applying based on how quickly they want to release their property, and if you're below certain income thresholds, the penalties and interest will be waived and you will only be paying back the principal. And so we are trying to address this issue, and if we pass this bill and Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. the Mayor signs it, there will be an automatic payment plan amnesty for low-income individuals in the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, sir. I want to just say this. Why don't you guys just go ahead and show the Mayor who you guys really are. Okay? Come on, just do it. (Applause.)
I'd like to give a response to that, but there's press in the house. We'll talk about that a little later on.
Tracey Gordon is our next speaker, and after Ms. Gordon is Leo Brundage. (Witness approached microphone.)
Good evening, Councilperson. Congratulations, President Darrell Clarke.
Thank you. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC.
Congratulations, Kenyatta. My friend Curtis Jones, always my friend, Wilson Goode, and to everybody. Thank you all for coming out in Southwest. Good evening to all the leaders. This is the leadership here. We come out all the time to meetings, and we are very happy that you come out to talk to us. I have a ten-point neighborhood concern, and I'm going to go through three of them and I'm going to propose the rest of them to the Councilman when we meet together. We have major concerns, business corridors, unregistered rental properties, Conrail or BMX problems through our community, L&I, business and building permit violations, Southwest parks and recreations, airport, business district, immigrant service and the pop-up businesses where we can get revenue from. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. I actually talked to Councilman Curtis Jones on several occasions showing where we can get money from. Unregistered rental properties, if you all can go and call the current City Controller, Alan Butkovitz, he has a report that he did June of 2011. This is where a lot of money, a lot of money is going unkept, but yet still our taxes keep going up. He found in this audit that over 50 percent of rental properties in our district is delinquent in real estate taxes and water revenue, 50 percent. He also found over 50 percent of the rental properties have some sort of property violations, and we found that when they are issued citations, the City never collects the penalty. So when we call 3-1-1 and complain about a negligent rental property that's increasing the value and the quality of life in our area, they get the tickets, they throw them away. The City don't pay them -- we Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. don't get the revenues. Fifty percent of the rental properties in this city are not paying taxes in rentals, but yet every day us, who are paying rental tax, all of us in here, our taxes keep going up. Parks and Recreation, I actually cried, because I walk around Cobbs Creek Park. Y'all realize that's one of our most wealthiest parts of our part of the City, that Cobbs Creek. If you go and walk around that park, you will see how filthy dirty it is. It has tires. It has oil barrels. They are dumping. Remember back in the day when the Indian cried back in the day with the litter? He would have a nervous breakdown if he came over there now. I want to know how your Parks and Recreation has a $48 million budget. They just propose -- which I talked to my good friend Cindy Bass and she said they're probably going to table. They want to get -- Parks and Recreation put a Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. proposal for million for Love Park. Fairmount Park is -- what about -- that's Fairmount Park. That's one of the largest parks in the country, it's historic. I don't even want to go to Mount Moriah. That's an abomination to dead people and ancestors and our revolutionary. But in the parks, it is so infested and dangerous, it's unbelievable. So if $48 million, Councilman Kenyatta, I would like for you to see where is the money for our district, for our health and safety and welfare. Because I walked to West River Drive and they was jogging, and I didn't even see a cigarette butt. So the money is going in certain areas and it's not coming here. (Applause.)
So that's going to 23 be dealt with. Because the City 24 Controller, by the way, I asked him to do 25 a work audit to see where the workers Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. are, because we don't even see workers. We see one woman picking up all them tires, and then you see 1,000 workers in certain other areas. Three, last, the bubbling airport district. That district is getting ready to bring a lot of money in that district, a lot of money. That's the 2nd Councilmanic District, y'all. That's our district. We want some jobs, and we don't just want the job where you hold a flag so nobody won't run you over. We want some of the contracts and we want some of the primary contracts so our people -- thank you, Councilman Goode, for putting the bills through, but somehow they seem to be ignoring your bills. But we want some of the primary contracts and the secondary, and we don't want the phony primary contract that they get and then in three weeks, you don't see any minorities there and then they put the green tarp. That's the new thing Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. they do in the City we need to ask them about. They put the tarp around there so you can't see in. Climb up over there and you're not going to see near one of us or minorities over there working, with our taxpayer dollars. I'll close with this: L&I, L&I -- no, no. I'm going to tell you, if you get the right person, you could work with L&I. They only get $22 million of a budget, and they can't afford to be cut. They are stretched to the limit. In order for me to protect my property value, because, quite frankly, I can't afford to move -- and, also, why should I have to move? I love Philadelphia. I was born here. However, when you have negligent neighbors that come in and they rip these properties and the developers live in Florida, they live in Bahamas or whatever, they never come see their property. They tearing the property up, the kids. It's a mess. It's just like a Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. nightmare. My head is ready to explode. We need to fund L&I. We need to fund L&I, and we need to get a mini service building that have L&I in this community right on Woodland Avenue where we can go right there and knock on L&I door and say, Deal with this nuisance. Because it's decreasing our property. I don't know how we're going to go to full assessment of taxes, because I live --
Well, there are actually three Councilmembers that would like to ask you questions.
Okay. All right. Because I got to get it in. They may not never come to Southwest.
Amen. Amen. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Amen. I had an opportunity to meet with Ms. Gordon about this important issue, and, in fact, the Council President, I, other members of the leadership met with the editorial boards of both the Inquirer and the Daily News today about this subject, and the interesting point of view -- and I have to give Councilwoman Sanchez a lot of credit for this -- was when we met with merchants and we were debating the sugar tax, and they point blank said, Why would you put another tax on the books that you just haven't bothered to collect the old ones? And it is very true, and your report points this out glaringly about the rental properties that put a burden on a lot of the municipal services, whether you're talking about sanitation or L&I and other services. So we're going to take a hard look at correcting the ratio of L&I inspectors that need to go out and do the Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. enforcement that actually brings in revenue to the City of Philadelphia. And we brought that up to the editorial boards today.
And the Revenue Board, they're not collecting the money. When you rent a property, that's a business. You got to get a business privilege tax. You got to pay taxes on it and you got to pay rental property. Some of that money could come back to our community, because we know most of them going to tear up the house, so at least if it goes back to the community, good homeowners, like we, and good renters, like some people are, can maintain our properties.
A couple more. Because we actually have 17 additional witnesses, so...
And also tomorrow, I shall be introducing legislation regarding the illegal and short dumping that has been taking place, Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. as well as -- (Applause.)
-- as well as looking at with L&I, Managing Director's Office, Streets Department, we're going to be looking at also litter enforcement teams. Also -- (Applause.)
Also working in conjunction with my Serious Six Councilmember Mark Squilla, who has some of the concerns in South Philadelphia. So I'm going to introduce -- that legislation will be going in tomorrow regarding starting the process of hearings. But we have been talking to individuals from the Managing Director's Office regarding the tire situation up there on 71st Street.
Well, the Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. initial area that we received a report from Southwest CDC is right there on 71st and Upland. So we have started that process to aggressively start looking at it for the long term, not just for right now. But thank you.
Thank you, Mr. President. Real briefly, you are exactly right that until and unless we penalize and debar contractors for lack of diversity, they won't take it serious. We've set in the process -- the bill 19 should probably be signed into law by now -- to review that stuff on at least a quarterly basis and invite people to snitch. The first two cases of people who got penalized or debarred came from people snitching to the Controller's Office, came from people snitching to the Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Inspector General's Office. And, interesting enough, the first case of someone being penalized was an airport contractor, who was barred from doing work for the City for a while.
Our next speaker is Leo Brundage. Leo Brundage. And after Mr. Brundage is Howard Lee Jordan. (Witness approached microphone.)
My name is Leo Brundage. One of the -- I have a few issues, but I'm going to make it short. Councilman Johnson, you were out in Eastwick, and that seems to be the forgotten community. We don't have no 21 representation out there. And I'm going to piggyback on what Mr. Beverly had said about the flooding, because I'm one of the victims that get flooded bad. And the worse thing about that is that right Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. in back of my house, there is a Superfund list. So that water that flows through the Superfund list come right in our homes. One of the things I would like to do or what I'd like for you to do is probably -- they talked one time about putting a berm up to stop the water from coming into our homes. Perhaps you can look into that. One of the other issues is, the City always wait until the day of we get flooded before they decide to come around. Now, a lot of people in our community don't know how to prepare for the flood. This is one of the things I wanted the City to do. I spoke with this Amy Myers when we got flooded back in August that we wanted the City to prepare us. The other thing, we don't have no emergency evacuation. If we really get hit like we did Floyd, we'll be stranded out there, you know. And I hope Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. there won't be another Katrina. So that's basically -- that's the issues that I have. (Applause.)
Howard Lee Jordan. Howard Lee Jordan. And after Mr. Jordan is John Brazington. John Brazington. (Witness approached microphone.)
My name is Howard Jordan, and I have some paperwork for Mrs. Deborah Hopkins and City Council President Darrell Clarke. Sorry I left the E off your name.
com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. and I know each other very well and we have fought ever since I moved out here in '87. Since '87 -- I'd like to get this in. From the Tinicum Wildlife Preserve to the City, I got letters in there for all the Councilpeople that's in the envelope from the government saying that ten foot from the curb to the telephone poles, the City is responsible for that. In '87 I bought a big riding mower, $2,800, and I got another new one now. I wore the first one out. Because I was brought up in North Carolina, and my mother and father taught their son well. They proud of him, too. I'm beat up now from working with the City on those raggedy trucks and police cars, but I'm just saying. I put all my effort on looseleaf, working, keeping things neat. My mother said, You can polish an old rubber boot and make it look good. So I do that, and it had paid off for me working with the City. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. for the City. I was an old hotrod drag racer, got broke up on my motorcycle, speed bike. But I'm just saying, Philadelphia, to be a great city as Mayor Nutter said, we got to get involved in more things. Anne Verna since 2003 -- I wish she was here now -- she disregarded paperwork. And I'm a heavy-duty automotive technician, went to school for mechanics in North Carolina to come up here, because there are plenty of cars up here. If you're a mechanic, cars is cars, you can work on them. And I work hard in my life. All I'm saying is, I'm in Philly, my wife, I got two grandchildren. Also, my neighbor that live in the townhouse, he was in the service, and I guess they follow up on it. I had Anne Verna's office. I was wearing the secretaries to death. I'm wearing the secretary now under Mr. Clarke, Councilman Clarke. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. certified letters sent to her. No 3 response as of yet. No response as of yet. So I talked with Kenyatta Johnson -- I mean Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, and I hope that we can get it done, because I work hard on my property. , the owner -- I was there when Norma Clark -- Norma and George Clark had the house. They moved to Florida and both of them died. But I'm just saying, the people that live in there now is a son, a girl, two kids and three fighting dogs. Yesterday a lady walking down the street -- because they like walking down the street, it's nice out there, because I keep it that way. My mower got bit, tore up. I vacuum, clean the street, keep it clean. We don't even get the street cleaner that come out. It's a lot of things the City neglecting. The homes out there, not even on the map. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Dave Napta know. I know a whole lot of people. They gone now. Like Tyrone, I know a whole lot of people. They gone now. Dave Napta -- I got the old map at the house. 8602 Lindbergh Boulevard, owner paid for in cash, is my wife's house and mine. It's paid for. We paying the taxes. I can't pay taxes off like everybody in one lump sum, but in three months, it will be paid for. We never been delinquent on nothing hardly. I go without. I eat oranges and apples. I'm going to make sure my bills are paid. I was brought up that way. But in doing that, Howard Jordan don't mind speaking to nobody. I was out there. The neighbors that I'm talking about now said I had a gun, said I had a gun, one time. The first two Caucasian police officers came out there and they saw that I was about something. Having a gun? No, no, no. I done work for the City too long. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. old man. I don't need a gun, because when you a mechanic, I got tools hanging on the wall that take care of a lot of people. They legal. Ain't not nobody in here. All right? So I don't need a gun. I mean heavy duty. I worked on the big equipment, the big loader, pavers, all that. So I'm saying then after that incident, they try again. This is her brother from over there in Sharon Hill.
They got three cars with Delaware tags, not registered in Philly. They got one car with Pennsylvania tag, but it's in Sharon Hill. So Mayor Nutter can't get nothing from them, see. So I'm just saying, the SPCA, the dog -- the people with dogs, I reported the three fighting dogs. When I looked at him, the dog just bark, bark, bark, bark, bark, bark. I said, Ursula, my wife -- excuse me. I had cancer of the neck and throat. Excuse me. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. nobody check the dogs out or go over there, because the people that live in there now is his son. Charles Harold, Sr. owned the house. He was in service out in the field and they said he couldn't get him. I'm going to get out of y'all way.
But I don't want to hold y'all up, because, like I said, Tyrone done enough talking, but I was in the meeting along with him, when Maggie and all them was at. But I'm just saying, y'all please help me out. Just open them envelopes. Please help me out.
Because if you come, I ain't bragging. If you come look at my house, that's a work -- I done it that way. I done it. Look at it. My title is heavy-duty AMT. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC.
But when you look at the house, you say is he a carpenter or everything? But you know what? My father brought me up that way. A snotty nose now. It's not y'all's fault. It's from cancer. They said I'll be like that the rest of my life.
But I'm just saying, Anne Verna, I'm so glad she got that 600-some-thousand and gone. Gone. So please, all I'm asking y'all, read what's in those envelopes and y'all see a lot of stuff is printed from the government, printed it from Anne Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Verna handing it down to Terri Paone. So many names in there. And I've done some writing on the side. Now, my handwriting, I am a mechanic, but y'all can understand. But I'm just saying, please follow up on that for me, because since 2003 to the present, y'all know that's kind of bad.
Thank you, sir. Thank you so much for your testimony. (Applause.)
John Brazington is our next speaker, and after Mr. Brazington is Lamont Bennett. (Witness approached microphone.)
Good evening, Council President Darrell Clarke and the esteemed body of the City of Philadelphia. I'm a proud member of District Council 47 and I'm a proud City worker. I work at the Philadelphia Prison. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. I come to you tonight to ask that you take a serious look at the Philadelphia Prison social services, because at this time, we are grossly, grossly understaffed and we are grossly overworked. This past weekend, there was an attempted suicide and a successful suicide. And the reason why I am coming here to speak to you and very proud to speak to the City Council, some of you, who which I covered as a newspaper reporter at the Tribune, I would like to say that social services needs more bodies. There are inmates at all six Philadelphia prisons that are not being seen, and they're not being seen because there are not enough bodies. I'm also a proud member of District Council 47. My father worked for the City, one of the first African American dentists in the City of Philadelphia for 35 years. I ask that you as a City Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Council look at providing a fair, equitable contract for City workers. We live in Philadelphia. We pay taxes in Philadelphia. We deserve, 33 and 47, deserve a fair contract. We have not had a contract in four years. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Lamont Bennett is our next speaker. Lamont Bennett. (No response.)
Lansana Koroma. Lansana Koroma. After Lansana Koroma will be Cathy Brady.
Are any of the -- there we go. (Witness approached microphone.)
State your name for the record and submit your testimony, please. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC.
Lansana Koroma. I work for the Mayor's Commission for African and Caribbean Affairs. There was a time when the goats and the lion met, that the lion ask the goat, Do I see a goat? The goat says, Yes. Then the goat said, Tell me three things so I can free you. The goat said, Mr. Lion, if I knew you was here, I would not be here. He said, That is true. He said, Mr. Lion, I know you're not hungry. He said, That is true. He said, Mr. Lion, we cannot be in the same venue. He said, That is true. You see when we meet politicians, there's a difference between an opportunist and politician. It's unfortunate people always call politicians liars, because the actual sense of politics means to live what you Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. are doing for the common good of your community. I don't think the lion knows that, but it's actually misinterpreted. I hope and pray that the politicians before us would be good politicians, like my brother there and the audience. My comment is this: The former Mayor and the present Mayor have done a lot by creating the Mayor's Commission for African and Caribbean Affairs. So we have no reason to blame the Councilmembers or the government, but we want the Councilmembers to talk with Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell so that she can make sure that whenever Americans are meeting, they assisted and adjusted that American of African and Caribbean would be seen and will be given the same equal power, economy power, like others. In politics, when you give responsibility to people, it is also your responsibility to make sure that what you have given to people is being Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. implemented, because if it is not, at the end of the day, the community have nothing to do but to blame you. And sometime you have done a lot to work for the community. Finally, I also want to ask the politicians that if we can find a way, we want to make this Southwest Philadelphia, especially Woodland Avenue and Elmwood Avenue, as African American and African community. That's the reason why we have so many stores. And we're also proud for the Southwest CDC, for the first time for the Mayor to come to our aid, at least to meet the shop owners. In politics, when you meet a grassroot, it's a power to you and to the grassroot. I thank you very much. (Applause.)
Cathy Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. Brady. Cathy Brady. (Witness approached microphone.)
Good evening, Councilpeople. And I have a shirt for Councilman Johnson.
The shirt has never been worn. I dug it out of my closet. It's about five years old, to be honest with you, but it's Spring Into Your Park. And piggybacking off of what Tracey Gordon said, I'm here on behalf of the Friends of Elmwood Park. We're a community organization. We try to take care of the park. Directly down the Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. street when you leave here, if you go straight down to Buist, you will see a seven-acre oasis in the middle of this neighborhood. The problem is, living here 55 years, I've seen the life, death and resurrection of that park. It used to be a vibrant park. Once the funding got cut, once the maintenance people were let go, the park turned into a Den of Iniquity. It looked like a crack park, and it was a crack park. It took the neighbors to rejuvenate that park. And what I learned through that process is that the City budget used to allow for 2.8 percent of the City budget to go to Parks and Recreation. Through the past years, 19 that's down to 0.04 percent. 20 So I'm asking City Council to start prioritizing quality-of-life issues in this neighborhood. (Applause.)
When we left to come here, there had to be 15 kids Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. playing soccer. There had to be three or four families with their little ones, riding bikes, sitting on the benches, looking at the Labor Monument. That's what we want to see when we look out our door. And all of these parks in this neighborhood, as someone hit on before, are not the priority. You know, the little bit of money that Parks and Recreation gets really doesn't reach into here like it should have, and we urge you to not only prioritize Parks and Recreations in your budget, but especially in the neighborhoods where these kids don't get to go to Disney World in the summer, they don't get nannies watching them after school. The parks and the playgrounds are all they have, and if they're not clean, if they're not neat, if they're not safe, if they're not, you know, healthy, these kids are going to find other things to do. (Applause.) Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC.
And we want to foster and create a good environment for our kids today. So please, when you think of budget, think of Parks and Recreation and the value that it adds to all of these neighborhoods. Thank you. And one last thing, completely off of Parks. Something needs to be done about the banks and the public school system. So Wells Fargo, no. 14 (Applause.)
Mr. President, there are no other names on the speaker's list.
That concludes the list? That concludes the list of speakers that have been listed. Is there anyone else -- I'm supposed to ask. Is there anyone else that wishes to testify? Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. (No response.)
There being none, Councilman. I would like to recognize Councilman Kenyatta Johnson. (Applause.) (Witness approached microphone.)
I'm doing good. My name is Deena White Williams and I'm from South Philly, and I come up to speak about the School District, what's going on. The ship is sinking. They are up for grabs. People are grabbing, and nobody is saving the children. We are Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. getting ready, NTAs, SSAs, all of the assistants, and they are jumping off the chain. The Mayor found money to hire 100 policemen. They're talking about selling 440. Where's the money coming from? Where is the money coming from? And I think all points were really hit on going other places, other than South Philly, West Philly and all the target areas of rebuilding. The taxes for the senior. Councilman Greenlee, you spoke about the two years that the seniors -- I really got put on the spot right now. Sorry.
Tax amnesty. I have over ten seniors that didn't put in for it. So can we assist them?
You said yes? Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC.
We can assist them with tax amnesty and make sure that they have it, Mr. Goode?
Yes. There's a bill in that Councilman Green is the primary sponsor of but many of us also co-sponsored along with him to bring back a system that will allow for tax amnesty and deals with penalties and fines.
We have to pass the bill, and when we pass the bill 17 and it gets signed, then it will be in effect. So we have to have hearings over the next couple of months.
Okay. And I will take that back to them and my community, 36th Ward. Thank you so much --
Thank you so much. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC.
-- Councilman Johnson and everybody else for listening.
The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. Just before we wrap up, we want to thank everyone for taking time out of their schedule -- one more. (Witness approached microphone.)
How you doing? Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. My name is Bob Crowding and --
I tried to run for committeeman a while back. I'd rather not be on camera, because I'm kind of like Occupy. But we didn't like being pushed out for a $50 million project that really all that money could go somewhere else. But there's a lot of blight in this community. There's a lot of houses that are falling down. There's a lot of programs, people going here, down the street getting food. There's a lot of stuff around, but there's a lot of waste, a lot of abuse. They're putting in gas pipelines. They got the road all tore up on Woodland Avenue. Isn't there some kind of time mandate to get these bad houses ripped down? And just make parks. I mean, and then, you know, you got the park and the kids -- they build them a new park, and Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. they abuse it and destroy it. Where's the police system to lock these litterers up, you know? And the City is disgusting. I mean, it's terrible. I mean, there has to be something done to where -- where does the money come from? Where is the money going, that's what we want to know. Where is all the money going? I mean, somebody is making a lot of money, but it sure ain't coming to our community. So just basically all I got to say.
Thank you very much. Before I turn it back over to Council President, I just want to thank everyone for coming out. I do want to acknowledge two individuals who are also elected in the room. We have ward leader for 40th Ward, Ann Brown and Ed Thorton. I want to thank you for coming out here Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. today as well. (Applause.)
But, more importantly, I want to thank all of you, the community leaders, for stepping up to the plate, coming out here and making your voices heard so we can have this opportunity to take the information back. For the individuals particularly that live in the Paschall community, I heard you loud and clear. (Thank you.)
Tyrese, I will be back. Tyrese works for me out in the Paschall area. He'll be helping me set up the actual one-on-one meeting where we can sit down and talk about the issues and we can do the tours so we can also make Paschall a part of our priority in my Southwest on the Move initiative. So I would like to thank Council President for allowing me to host this event in the Southwest part of my Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. district. And just a small brief announcement. State Representative Ron Waters, who I work very closely with, tomorrow at -- UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Sayre.
Is it at Sayre? Yes. I'm sorry. Sayre High School auditorium. He's having a community forum regarding this recent voter suppression bill that passed today in Harrisburg. And so I want to encourage all of you to mobilize and advocate, because if we don't mobilize people to make sure they get their IDs, make sure people are properly registered to vote -- and it's ironic today, because today I hosted about 30 young men as a part of my Peace Not Guns Task Force in City Council, and they were stopped at the door because like half of the young men didn't have IDs. And that's just a pure reflection of what's going to take place across the board in April. And I Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. know this is a totally different forum, but I do want to acknowledge that State Representative Ron Waters will be having a forum addressing this issue tomorrow at Sayre High School at 6 o'clock. We have some pretzels in the back and some water. Please take as many pretzels as possible and some water as well. And I'm going to turn it back over to Council President Darrell Clarke.
I too would like to thank all of you for participating in the government process tonight. It's been fun. We look forward to continuing to have this dialogue on a consistent basis. I would like to thank my colleagues for being here this evening. I would also like to thank Pastor Burns for allowing us to use this wonderful facility and church tonight. com 3/14/12 - WHOLE - BILL 120164, ETC. So with that, I would like to say that this concludes the neighborhood budget hearing for this evening. , at which time we will reconvene in the City Council Chambers, Room 400, City Hall. Thank you all very much. com 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 March 14, 2012, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. -------------------- MICHELE L. com A abandoned 5:6 43:13 able 16:8 40:5 40:22 41:5 44:16 50:5 69:17 74:15 abomination 79:7 absentee 58:8 Absolutely 5:18 34:11,15 abuse 111:18 112:2 accent 23:6 accessing 56:20 account 11:23 accruing 38:21 accurately 117:5 Achievement 61:17 acknowledge 6:3 51:17 112:22 115:3 acquire 34:6 acres 43:11 activities 48:19 actual 6:14 28:9 30:2,15 31:7 33:14 59:21 67:16,19,24 68:3 100:24 113:18 add 20:4 addition 16:10 additional 12:3 29:19 37:2,5 38:21 59:4 84:21 address 4:12 5:5 5:13 52:2 53:23 57:5,9 58:6 74:24 addressing 68:3 115:5 adds 106:7 adjacent 33:5 adjusted 101:18 adjustments 62:14 Administration 15:20 30:6 59:14,18 60:6 69:17 Administratio... com 29:14 84:4 90:14 93:16 96:7 Brown 112:24 BRT 71:9 Brundage 75:18 87:10,10,11,15 87:16 bubbling 80:6 Buckley 61:5 63:4,4,6 70:6 budget 1:18,19 2:18 4:2,7,13 4:18 5:3,11,23 6:14,24 8:16 9:12 10:9,11 11:16 12:11,16 20:16 25:18,21 28:7,15 31:21 31:22 37:7,15 40:17 43:16 47:22 51:6,14 63:2,21 65:18 65:19 67:15 72:10,11,25 78:21 81:12 104:16,17 105:15 106:6 116:4 budgetary 13:21 budgeted 28:11 budgets 11:11 38:5 41:23 52:9 budget-related 4:21 build 29:24 50:2 50:3,6 55:3,6 55:14,16 111:25 building 49:20 72:14,14 76:21 82:5 buildings 5:6 Buist 104:3 burden 83:19 Burns 6:4 7:23 115:23 Burrell 63:5,6 70:8,8,10 business 16:9 47:8 76:18,20 76:22 84:9,9 businesses 39:6 43:9,15,18 76:24 Butkovitz 77:7 butt 79:18 buy 32:13,14 buying 32:15 64:13 71:20 buzzer 60:20 C call 3:21 44:14 77:6,20 100:23 called 14:15 23:8 52:17 103:16 calls 24:10 camera 111:7 cancer 94:23 96:9 can-do 29:23 capacity 3:20 capital 1:15,18 10:5,9 11:11 11:12 47:13 49:18 58:22 captain 42:24 car 94:15 care 42:14 94:4 103:25 Caribbean 20:6 20:19 23:17 24:10 100:4 101:12,19 Carol 16:17,18 17:6 24:11 Carolina 90:14 91:12 carpenter 96:5 carry 38:16 cars 90:18 91:13 91:14,15 94:13 case 87:3 cases 14:5,9 29:22 86:22 cash 93:8 catch 14:6,14 Cathy 99:18 102:25 103:2,9 Caucasian 93:22 causes 38:18 CDBG 28:15,16 29:2 37:15 38:5 40:13 41:18 44:23 CDC 36:14,14 36:25 37:13,14 38:8,16,24 40:21 86:3 102:14 CDCs 40:15 42:2 56:14 celebrating 6:10 cell 16:7 center 18:13 19:21,22 22:13 27:20 36:22 49:20 50:4 54:2 centers 18:3,7 22:21 34:19 47:10,16 48:14 49:7 52:19 cents 5:21,21 certain 40:20 74:20 79:19 80:5 CERTIFICA...
com 91:24,24 95:10 95:19 96:2,12 96:16 97:10,20 102:22 103:11 106:15,20 107:3,12 109:24 110:7 110:19,23 112:15 115:11 115:12,15 classes 24:3 classified 53:17 Claudia 44:7 46:12 clean 5:6 92:21 92:22 105:21 cleaner 92:23 cleanup 39:3 clear 15:7 35:4 67:25 71:7 113:12 clearer 32:20 clearly 31:3 32:25 climb 57:23 81:4 close 45:18 48:18 81:8 82:15 closely 33:5 114:5 closer 38:2 closest 18:8 closet 103:18 Cobbs 78:10,12 Code 30:8 33:9 33:11 colleague 3:2 colleagues 57:11 60:12 115:22 collect 83:16 collected 58:11 collecting 58:14 84:7 collections 33:5 collects 77:20 come 9:14,15 23:16 25:4 33:14 41:19 46:13 47:3 49:9 50:18 52:18 53:5 63:20 71:12 75:9 76:9,10 81:20,23 82:22 84:12 88:4,14 91:12 92:23 95:22,22 98:2 102:15 104:25 107:20 110:24 112:7 comes 31:8 33:10 coming 13:14 23:5 24:8 42:20 76:6 79:20 88:10 98:10 108:7,8 112:11,21,25 113:7 commend 68:18 comment 4:25 101:9 comments 5:9 7:20 9:8 12:3 12:11 69:22 Commerce 37:11,12 39:13 39:20 commercial 44:21 46:21 Commission 19:2 33:8,9 100:3 101:11 commitment 5:12 45:21 committed 67:16 committee 1:3 9:15,22 11:8 12:4 36:18 50:13 54:6 116:5,12 committeeman 111:6 common 101:2 Commonwealth 20:22 communion 8:13 communities 23:14 58:21 68:25 community 4:9 11:24 17:14,20 18:22 19:11,20 20:7,19,25 21:2,11,23 22:16,22 23:13 24:8 25:25 27:24 28:4 31:11 34:8,18 34:19 36:15 42:21,23 43:6 43:24 46:23 47:10,16 49:8 51:15 52:19 54:2 56:11 57:6,13 58:16 58:18 59:17 61:16,23 62:4 65:8,14 76:20 82:6 84:13,15 87:20 88:16 101:3 102:3,6 102:12 103:24 109:22 111:13 112:12 113:6 113:12 114:11 community-b... 45:5 company 27:20 compete 40:5,22 41:5 competition 73:18 competitive 45:2 complain 77:21 completely 106:10 concentrations 41:18 concern 14:21 30:15 61:21 62:7,13 76:13 concerned 47:9 concerns 4:17 13:22 62:2 68:4 76:17 85:14 concludes 106:21,22 116:3 condition 66:10 conduct 16:8 confident 73:9 Congratulatio... com 2:2,13,24 3:5 3:23 4:20 5:17 6:2,16,18 7:3,6 7:9,12,15,24 8:19,25 9:7,10 10:14,25 11:5 12:6 13:14,23 14:13,23 15:8 15:23 16:5,24 17:3 24:14 25:8,13 26:3,6 26:13,21 27:8 27:12,15,16 28:6 29:4,17 29:21 30:5,20 31:14 33:17,19 33:21 35:18,21 36:4 39:10 41:9 42:7,18 42:19 43:21 44:5 46:5 48:8 52:8 53:4,20 55:19 57:9 58:17 59:16 60:3,16 61:9 61:10 62:21 65:12 66:3,14 67:5 68:9,20 68:23,24 69:25 70:19,20 71:12 73:13 74:7,10 74:12 75:12,24 82:13,16,23 83:5 84:19 86:10 89:6,16 89:19 95:10,19 96:2,12,16 97:10,20,23 98:12,21 99:2 102:22 103:11 104:20 106:15 106:20 107:3 107:12 109:24 110:7,11,18,19 110:23 112:15 112:20 113:24 114:21 115:11 115:12,15 116:8 Councilman 1:9 1:10,10,11,11 1:12,12,13 3:7 3:10,15,18,20 5:5,18,19 6:7 6:19 7:4,10,13 7:16,22 8:2,23 9:2,4 12:9,25 13:2 16:2,11 19:9,10 21:25 22:2,3,4,5 33:22,23 34:13 34:22 38:25 39:11,12,25 40:10 41:4,8 41:10,11,24 42:5 46:2 48:11 53:19 67:11,15 68:7 68:11,21,22 70:2 73:12,15 73:21,25 74:8 74:9 76:15 77:2 79:13 80:16 82:24,25 84:22 85:4,11 85:25 86:12 87:18 89:23 91:24 92:6 99:10,19,23 103:7,8,15 107:4,6,10,16 108:14,17,23 109:2,6,7,15 110:3,5,10,17 110:21 111:3 112:17 113:4 113:14 114:8 115:13 Councilmanic 3:21 80:10 Councilmember 85:13 86:11 110:8 Councilmemb...
com 98:13 nice 92:19 night 110:24 nightmare 82:2 nitty-gritty 67:18 nominal 34:20 non-profit 51:23 59:9,24 non-profits 36:21 38:15,18 Nope 24:11 Norma 92:11,11 normally 13:16 North 20:9 90:14 91:12 Northern 65:17 nose 96:8 noted 67:21 notes 117:6 NTAs 108:2 nuisance 82:8 number 2:13 12:23 47:9 48:17 56:16 60:25 66:12 numbers 25:19 54:14 numbers-wise 49:8 Nutter 72:12,24 91:7 94:16 Nutter's 37:7 O oasis 104:4 objections 117:4 obtaining 35:9 occasionally 38:17 occasions 77:3 Occupy 64:22 111:8 occur 62:11 offer 54:11 72:2 office 20:22 24:22 85:6,21 86:25 87:2 91:22 officers 37:3 73:7 93:22 official 2:16 officially 4:25 8:17,20 9:11 officials 53:4 Oh 1:12 7:4 20:14 21:3 22:5 23:10 OHCD 45:10 OHCDs 46:16 oil 78:15 okay 7:18 8:20 9:8 12:21 13:4 21:4 24:16 36:2,5 42:5 46:11 73:25 75:9 82:20 89:20 109:20 OLANIPEKU... com 117:4 proceeds 58:4 process 2:17 8:16 11:21 12:16 32:10,17 32:19,23 35:5 48:20 49:4 85:18 86:5,18 104:15 115:17 production 28:20 productive 59:13 program 1:16 10:6 11:12 18:15 19:18 21:10 22:8 52:11,24 58:22 73:18 programs 17:19 18:20 29:11 36:24 40:20 49:2,18 52:15 56:21 111:15 project 36:19 43:8 111:9 projects 43:5 promised 22:16 properly 114:17 properties 32:5 32:16,21,24 33:4,6,15 34:7 34:10,17 58:9 59:6,12 62:5 71:10 76:19 77:5,13,17 78:4 81:21 83:19 84:18 property 30:25 31:5,24 34:3 35:10,11 59:3 59:21,22 61:24 66:10 70:23 71:6,15,23 74:20 77:17,22 81:14,24,24 82:9 84:8,11 92:8,9 property-relat... m 1:7 116:13 Q quality 77:23 quality-of-life 104:21 quarterly 86:21 question 33:18 39:11 40:2,11 53:2 69:12 questions 33:24 36:2 69:3,21 82:19 quick 34:24 48:12 quicker 27:7 quickly 32:24 56:17 74:19 Quinones-San...
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