Thank you. Before I call on Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, let me note that at every hearing, we have talked about the fact that there's one appraiser for RDA, and every property that's conveyed has to be appraised twice. We have one appraiser for the City. So that alone is unbelievable. And we've been very, very concerned again about this whole issue of employment and who works where and where we go from here.
Yes, 84 3/16/06 - HOUSING - RES. 050871 ma'am, and then Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
I guess I should have seen the PowerPoint. I might have been a little more knowledgeable.
In your review of the PowerPoint and from what you have, there was one piece of this that's been rumored -- again, I have to read this -- that there would be an effort to take away the power of the Council to involve in land deals or whatever. You have to come to Council and get our approval. Is that something that you're aware of?
It's certainly mentioned in there and the manner in which they deal with Council. The specifics of how they're going to -- the appearance gives they want to get your approval up front so they don't have to come back. For instance, if they have a 85 3/16/06 - HOUSING - RES. 050871 group of lots per se, they want to get approval, say, today on how to deal with these lots as opposed to bringing them to you -- my understanding is they bring them to you in intervals. That's not efficient. There's too much back and forth. They want to deal with you at one point and that's it. That's the impression that it gives, but you'll come to your own understanding of it once you get a copy of or get the opportunity to see it. They're limiting -- I think the word in there, and I can't remember exactly what it is, there's too much communication going back, too much -- I forgot what Mr. Hanna's word was in terms of talking with either homeowners or developers. So they want to streamline their communication, and that includes that of Council as well. So there is certainly some mention specifically with Land Bank and how they intend to deal with Council. 86 3/16/06 - HOUSING - RES. 050871 And whether that's satisfying to Council or not, I don't know exactly what that process is. He did explain it. That wasn't of interest to me. Our jobs are more of interest. And that's not degrading or disrespecting anyone, because everyone has their own interests, but our position is our jobs as it pertains to the Land Bank. There certainly is mention of how they intend to interact with City Council, and I can tell you that it's certainly different from how they deal with you now.
Thank you very much. And the Chair also notes that the whole issue of inefficiencies and overlap that we heard about initially that were rumored before we introduced the resolution and started these hearings, we've always said we're open to have any discussions about what works. Nobody is saying that we can't improve. 87 3/16/06 - HOUSING - RES. 050871 We can always improve, but we can't do it on the backs of people who work, and we should not morally transfer people to other departments with no regard -- how do you take somebody who is nine and a half years almost vested or somebody who has 36 years in and is getting ready to apply for DROP next year and just do away with all that? That's wrong and that's morally unfair. (Applause.) Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
And to Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell's comment, not being privy to the PowerPoint, not having seen it yet either, is there any discussion in the body of the PowerPoint as to how circumstances like that will be handled during this proposal?
In your best estimation, what did you believe to be the next step following the PowerPoint and/or the meeting?
I can certainly tell you at this point as of this morning we received an e-mail from Kevin Hanna's office that they have three dates of availability to sit with the union to discuss issues: March 21st, March 22nd, March 23rd at 2 o'clock. And this union has committed to all three dates to find out what the matter of discussion is. What I am assuming is going to happen in that meeting is that they're going to talk about how to get to where they're going. That's the assumption. There was nothing in there -- I'm certainly going to speak to Mr. Hanna again. I did speak with him briefly this morning to inform him that I did confirm all three dates, although he stated to me he was only looking for one, but I want all three, plus some more. However, I 89 3/16/06 - HOUSING - RES. 050871 will certainly ask him what the intention of the meeting is, because I certainly want to be prepared to have detailed discussion about the 205 members and where they do want to take them.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I've been through a lot of reorganizations in my life. The ones that work well were the ones that had a spirit of cooperation. The red flag for me when I got very interested in this is, one of my staff came from one of the very initial briefings, and we've been involved in every one, when really there was no 23 information. There was an environment of secrecy. They brought us to a briefing and didn't tell us anything. 90 3/16/06 - HOUSING - RES. 050871 So I think that most people in this room would be cooperative if they were being treated appropriately and communicated with information. And I know that if somebody was going to pull the plug on my job, I'd be here sitting in one of these chairs right alongside them. So my point of my statement is the fact that I think that the Administration shot themselves in the foot because they haven't handled themselves very well in -- (Applause.)
I think if you treat people with decency, you get respect. (Applause.)
And I don't think that's occurred. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you very much. (Applause.) 91 3/16/06 - HOUSING - RES. 050871
Thank you, Councilman. Are there any other questions from members of the Committee? (No response.)
Is there anyone else who would like to testify who is here today? We promised we'd give you an opportunity if you would like to. Your leaders are doing a great job. Anyone here who wants to testify? (No response.)
Seeing none, what we will do again is -- and we try to keep our hearings as brief as possible -- we will continue this hearing until Tuesday, April 18th at 10:00 a.m. right here, Room 400, City Hall. Thank you all. God bless you. Let's hope for the best.
Thank you. (Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless adjourned at 3:00 p.m.) - - - 93 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 16, 2006, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)