Committee Hearing, March 17, 2003

00001 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - - - Room 696, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Monday, March 17, 2003 10:00 a.m. - - - Bill Number 030002, an ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2004 through 2009, Inclusive. Bill Number 030003, an ordinance to adopt the Fiscal Year 2004 Capital Budget. Bill Number 030005, an ordinance amending ordinance approved May 15, 2002 (Bill Number 020028), relating to Fiscal 2003 Capital Budget, by increasing and adding projects and amounts to certain departments. Bill Number 030006, an ordinance amending an ordinance approved May 15, 2002 Bill Number 020029), relating to the Capital Program for the six fiscal years 2003 through 2008, by increasing and adding projects and amounts in certain departments. Bill Number 030096, an ordinance authorizing the creation of a loan or loans to provide funds for and toward various capital municipal purposes; authorizing the Mayor, City Controller and City Solicitor or a majority of them to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO 00002 PRESENT (CONTINUED): COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN FRANK. J. DiCICCO COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED-MILLER - - - V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Services 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670 00003

Good morning, everyone. This is the continued public hearing of the Committee of the Whole. I have asked Mr. McPherson to please read the bill numbers and the title of the bills. MR. McPHERSON: Bill Number 030002, an ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2004 through 2009, inclusive. Bill Number 030003, an ordinance to adopt the Fiscal Year 2004 Capital Budget. Bill Number 030005, an ordinance 13 amending ordinance approved May 15, 2002 (Bill 14 Number 020028), relating to Fiscal 2003 Capital Budget, by increasing and adding projects and amounts to certain departments. Bill Number 030006, an ordinance 18 amending an ordinance approved May 15, 2002 Bill 19 Number 020029), relating to the Capital Program for the six fiscal years 2003 through 2008, by increasing and adding projects and amounts in certain departments. Bill Number 030096, an ordinance 24 authorizing the creation of a loan or loans to provide funds for and toward various capital 00004 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole municipal purposes; authorizing the Mayor, City Controller and City Solicitor or a majority of them to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale.

Thank you. Mr. Dubow, are you testifying first or is it City Planning? Good morning.

Good morning. We're a team.

Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.

Maxine Griffith, Executive Director, City Planning Commission and Secretary for Strategic Planning. Council President Verna and Members of the City Council, good morning. " My name is Maxine Griffith, and I am Executive Director of the City Planning Commission and Secretary for Strategic Planning. One of the Home Rule Charter mandated responsibilities of the City Planning 00005 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole Commission is to prepare and submit to the Mayor a recommended Capital Budgeting Program. As you know, the Capital Budgeting Program establishes a six-year plan for investing in the City's public buildings, community facilities, and physical infrastructure. While much of the Capital Program focuses on improvements to the City's neighborhoods and the quality of the life of its citizens, the plan supports numerous other municipal government priorities. Among these are the development of the City's economy, improving conditions related to public health and safety, and promoting the City's fiscal stability, by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of governmental operations. This morning I am pleased to present for your consideration the recommended FY 2004 to 2009 Capital Program and the FY 2004 Capital Budget. We are recommending a lean and efficient spending plan that makes effective use of increasingly constrained resources. This is an 00006 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole austere but comprehensive Capital Program that will continue our efforts to make Philadelphia a great place to live, work and visit, even in its time of decreased resources. 8 billion over a six-year period, to provide new facilities where necessary, to renovate the City's existing stock of public and community facilities, and to modernize its physical infrastructure. However, as the Mayor stated in his Budget Address, Philadelphia has a public infrastructure designed for many more people than now reside in our City. Some of our facilities are physically deteriorated and underutilized. Over the next year, working closely with our sister agencies, the School District, community-based organizations, and of course the City Council, we will strive to determine what venues may be combined and which services could be incorporated into other facilities, such as new or revamped school buildings. Our objective will be enhanced 00007 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole facilities, right-sized for our City. The total cost for the 107 projects recommended for FY 2004, the first year of this program, is almost $619 million. Of this total, $81 million, or 7 percent, is funded by new, City-issued general 8 obligation funds. An additional $22 million, or 9 four percent, will come from operating revenue and 10 tax-supported loan funds that were authorized 11 previously. 12 New City self-sustaining loans 13 issued as Philadelphia Airport and Water Department revenue bonds, account for $247 million, or 40 percent of the total budget year funds. Funding from other levels of Government, including Federal, Commonwealth and regional sources, totals $241 million, or 39 percent, in the budget year. Over $165 million of this other government funding is budgeted for transit-related projects. Finally, $11 million, or two percent, of FY 2004 funding will be provided by private sources. 00008 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole The availability of tax-supported GO funding for capital projects is severely constrained in this recommended 2004-2009 Capital Program. This is due to City debt limits established by the Pennsylvania Constitution, as well as by the City's ability to service the debt on borrowed funds. As a result, the competition for limited resources among the many projects proposed by City departments presented difficult funding decisions. While City tax-supported funding in budget year is about the same as that program last year for FY 2004, GO funding in the out years of this program is reduced, as the City approaches its Constitutional debt limit.

Most of my testimony focuses on FY 2004, the budget year of the Capital Program, since budget-year funding will become actual appropriations. Projects and priorities for the subsequent five years of the Capital Program represents planned spending, based on our best estimates of future needs. 00009 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole Uses of funds. The uses of funds in FY 2004 Capital Program are divided into five broad categories. The largest portion of these funds are allocated for neighborhood development, with $257 million or 41 percent of the FY 2004 total, budgeted for renovations to neighborhood facilities and physical infrastructure improvements. Economic development is the next largest allocation, with $190 million, or 31 percent, budgeted for projects that support the growth of the City's economy. This is followed by $87 million, 14 percent, allocated for health and safety projects; $54 million, or nine percent, budgeted for fiscal stability projects; and $30 million, or five percent, targeted to projects that contributed to quality of life or specific infrastructure, improvements for all citizens. Neighborhood development projects directly support community revitalization programs through the renewal of community facilities including libraries, park and recreation facilities, police and fire stations, and site 00010 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole improvements in support of neighborhood commercial revitalization programs. Improvements to transit stations and other SEPTA facilities, street reconstruction and resurfacing, street signage and traffic control improvements, and the replacement of water and sewer mains are also included in this category. A total of $257 million is recommended for neighborhood development projects for FY 2004. The City will continue to assess neighborhood infrastructure to ensure that the Capital Budgeting Program will most effectively support the goals of NTI, the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative. In the Recreation Department, funds are recommended for the renovation of playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, lighting, and needed repairs to recreation facility roofs, heating and safety systems, and other code compliance issues. Swimming pools will continue to be upgraded, to improve health and safety conditions, as well as to minimize water losses due to outdated circulation systems. Through a state grant, matched by $1 00011 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole million of City funds, additional neighborhood playgrounds and recreation centers will be renovated. 1 million in new City tax-supported funds are recommended for these recreation projects in FY 2004. Funding totaling $875,000 is recommended for the Fairmount Park Commission, to continue its program to renovate its athletic and play areas, as well as to improve access to these areas, many of which serve City neighborhoods. Funding is also provided for planting 2,700 new park and street trees and the removal of dead and dangerous trees throughout the City. The Free Library is completing its program of branch library rehabilitation, using a combination of public and private funding. 7 million will replace the Widener Branch in North Philadelphia and complete the renovations begun last year at the Walnut West Branch in University City. An additional $750,000 will enable the Free Library to make needed mechanical, 00012 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole structural and safety improvements at the Central Library and various branches. In addition to but separate from these recommended capital funds, a $30 million Free Library expansion fund will be established. This fund will be used to match much-needed private sector contributions to support the expansion of the country's first, and may I say, finest Free Library. This library expansion is now being developed.

Improvements in neighborhood commercial centers will continue, with $1 million in City tax-supported funds for site improvements, curbs, sidewalks, street trees, signs, lighting and public parking. These improvements, as part of a program of comprehensive neighborhood and commercial district plans, are intended to attract and leverage other investments in retail and residential projects. In the Streets Department, City tax-supported funding approaching $17 million is recommended for neighborhood street reconstruction and resurfacing, bridge reconstruction, traffic 00013 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole control, and street lighting improvements, and the school and pedestrian crossing signs. 5 million in state and federal funds. 5 million in new City funds, matched by over $165 million in contributed federal, state and regional funds are recommended for transit infrastructure investments that support overall neighborhood development. Among these are the completion of the reconstruction of the Frankford Elevated Line and the Frankford Terminal Transportation Center, continuing reconstruction of the Market Street Elevated Line, improving station accessibility through the installation of elevators and escalators, renovation of the South Broad and Suburban Station concourses, the acquisition of paratransit vehicles and regional rail cars, and a variety of other track signal maintenance facility infrastructure and environmental improvements. The Water Department will continue to make strategic investments in the replacement of water and sewer lines serving the City's neighborhoods, with almost $50 million in 00014 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole self-sustaining funds recommended for these projects. The Health Department will continue to upgrade its neighborhood health facilities, with recommended funding of $790,000 for FY 2004. HVAC and other building improvements will be made at health centers in West Philadelphia and Germantown, and at the Air Management Laboratory. Other facilities will receive new equipment and furnishings to provide better service and more effectively compete with private sector providers in attracting and maintaining insured customers. The Fire Department will continue major investments to improve working conditions for its personnel and to ensure the continued operational effectiveness of its stations. 45 million budgeted for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, roof replacements, and other needed interior and exterior renovations. 00015 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole Capital investment in the economic development category aims to retain and attract businesses, provide jobs for residents, spur economic activity in the City's neighborhoods, and support other development initiatives. A total of $190 million is recommended for economic development projects in FY 2004. An ambitious improvement program continues at Philadelphia International Airport, in order to maintain this facility at world class standards. Over $140 million of self-sustaining funds, matched by $40 million of federal funds, are recommended for airport improvements in FY 2004. Extensive building modifications needed to accommodate federally-mandated security equipment are estimated to cost $100 million. Improvements will also be made to increase air field capacity, renovate maintenance and service buildings, and upgrade ground transportation facilities, roadways and signage. In the passenger terminals, all existing monitors will be replaced by large, flat-screen displays. And other mechanical and 00016 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole cosmetic improvements will continue to ensure passenger comfort and convenience. 6 million of self-sustaining funding is recommended for air field and facility improvements at Northeast Philadelphia Airport.

The future development of Penns Landing was recently the subject of public discussion at a series of open forums organized by the Commerce Department, the Penns Landing Corporation and those of us at City Planning. Public outreach continues at sessions jointly sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Inquirer. These forums and hearings serve to inform a request for proposals process for development of this important Delaware Riverfront site. To support future development at Penns Landing, $1 million is recommended for critical infrastructure repairs and other needed improvements. Combined City and state funds, totaling $1 million, is also recommended for improvements to the Schuylkill River Greenway and Trail. 00017 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole Continued funding to support development in both the City's older industrial areas and newer industrial parks is also recommended for FY 2004. In the City's Enterprise Empowerment Zones and Neighborhood Industrial Districts, $400,000 is recommended for site preparation and infrastructure improvements. In the City-managed industrial parks, resources from existing revolving funds are budgeted for continuing environmental testing and remediation, land acquisition and roadway and utility line improvements. In support of Pennsylvania Convention Center expansion... Excuse me. In support of Pennsylvania Convention Center expansion, $2 million of previously authorized funds are recommended in FY 2004 for site assembly and clearance. In the health and safety category, the recommended 2004-2009 Capital Program provides funds for improvements to the City's water treatment and waste water treatment plant renovations -- Excuse me -- renovations to the Health Administration Building, asbestos 00018 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole abatement, and life safety improvements at City facilities, and City matching funds for public transit projects that affect riders' safety and accessibility. A total of $87 million is recommended for health and safety projects in FY 2004. Recommended projects in this category include $500,000 in new tax-supported funds for mechanical interior improvements at the City's Gateway Station, Stenton and Woodstock Shelters in FY 2004. At the Zoo, $300,000 is recommended for alarm systems and fire safety improvements. A. A. improvements on an as-needed basis. In FY 2004, $100,000 is recommended for such modifications. The City's fiscal stability is 00019 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole improved by investing in projects that enable government operations and services to be provided more efficiently. A total of $54 million is recommended for fiscal stability projects in FY 2004. Recommended projects in this category include improvements in the communication and dispatch systems used by the Police and Fire Departments. The Managing Directors Office will continue the development of an integrated data base to coordinate the efforts of the Health Department, the Department of Human Services, and the Office of Emergency Shelter and Services, in providing social services to families and children. Other fiscal stability projects recommended in FY 2004 promote greater effectiveness in delivering government services by consolidating functions and investing in new technology. Advances in digital technology, for example, have had a substantial impact on communications and information management. In the 00020 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole budget year recommendations are made for several such communication and technology improvement projects. The Municipal Energy Office, MEO, has spearheaded efforts to make the City's use of energy more efficient. The Green Lights Program focuses on installing energy efficient lighting fixtures. In FY 2004, $250,000 is recommended for lighting upgrades at facilities throughout the City.

A similar amount is recommended for the Energy Star Program to replace HVAC and other mechanical systems at City facilities and with more efficient units. The Capital Program is committed to these and similar projects because they generate substantial operating budget paybacks, in the form of reduced energy costs. Finally, civic infrastructure projects make an important contribution to the livability of Philadelphia as a whole, as well as to the City's reputation as a designation for tourists and visitors. A total of $30 million is recommended for improvements to cultural 00021 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole facilities that are used and enjoyed by all citizens. The restoration of City Hall is a civic infrastructure project that will be familiar to every Councilperson. This work has been admirably managed by our Capital Program Office, and we are recommending funding of $5 million in FY 2004, to allow for continued roof and exterior treatments, as well as improvements to interior heating and cooling systems. An additional $21 million is programmed for this project before its anticipated completion in FY 2009. 2 million is recommended for renovation work at the recently acquired Pearlman Building. An additional $1 million is recommended to continue improvements to the Art Museum's security system. 7 million of City funding is recommended for improvement to historic structures, utilities, drainage and landscaping, footways, stables, and parking areas. City funds will be matched by state and federal funding for these improvement projects. 3 million is 00022 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole recommended for projects that include improvements to the carnivore -- lion -- house exhibit, roof replacements at several buildings, infrastructure improvements, and general safety and security upgrades. City funds will be matched by almost $10 million raised by private sources for these projects. In conclusion, let me say that although the recommended Capital Budgeting program strategically allocates very limited resources to ensure the City's capacity to deliver needed public services effectively, it also provides for the kind of investment in Philadelphia's future that is key to our City's economic health and growth. We must continue our prudent stewardship of Philadelphia's physical infrastructure and to seek to enhance the resources available to do so. Madam President, before I conclude, I would like to turn it over to Gary Gastrap, my Director of Strategic Planning and Policy, to give you an update on some technical issues related to the ordinance, if I may. 00023 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

Please.

My name is Gary Gastrap. I'm Director of the Strategic Planning and Policy Division at the City Planning Commission. And I would just like to offer a proposed amendment to Bill 030003, the Capital Budget Bill, to correct a technical error, by removing several off-budget items. These are items... funds provided by the federal and state governments that do not flow through the City but were inadvertently included in the original Budget Bill. So, by removing these off-budget items, it does not affect the substantive content of the bill. Just makes a technical correction.

Thank you. I'd also like to take a moment to thank Gary and his fantastic staff, many of whom are arrayed behind me, for the work that they've done in the Capital Budget. And now I'd like to turn it over to our erstwhile Director of Budget, Rob Dubow.

Good morning, President 00024 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole Verna.

Good morning.

And Members of City Council. My name is Rob Dubow, and I am the Budget Director for the City of Philadelphia. I appear before you today to offer testimony on the recommended FY 2004-2009 Capital Program, which plans for a $3.8 billion investment in the City's public infrastructure. While Maxine's testimony focused on the projects that will be funded in the program and in the FY '04 Capital Budget, I'm going to focus on how we determine the level of City-supported funding that we included in each year of the program. As you know, our ability to issue debt is limited by the State Constitution. We're allowed to have debt equal to 13 and a half percent of the ten-year average of the assessed value of real estate in the City. As of February 1, 2003, the City's remaining debt capacity stood at roughly $141 million. Under the Constitution, the only way our 00025 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole debt and current capacity can increase is if we retire existing debt or if the assessed value of property in the City increases. In constructing the FY '04 to FY '09 program, we distributed our remaining capacity to meet the minimum needs of our capital infrastructure, while not using up all of our capacity in one or two years. Factoring in projected increases in assessed value and debt retirements, we determined that we could fund roughly $80 million in '04, $70 million in Fiscal Year '05, $60 million in Fiscal Year '06, and slightly less than $50 million a year for the rest of the program. Clearly, the FY '07 to FY '09 levels are not sufficient to meet even the minimum needs of our infrastructure. As a result, the City will continue reviewing ways of paying for some capital projects out of the Operating Fund, paying on debt if operating funds are available, or issue debt through other authorities. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have related to the Budget and Program. We also have testimony under 00026 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole amendment. Should we give that now, the '03 Capital Amendment?

Yes, if you don't mind.

Okay. I appear before you to offer testimony on Bills 020028 and 020029, which propose to amend Bill 020028, the City's FY 2003 Capital Budget; and Bill 020029, the City's 2003-2008 Capital Program. I'm sorry. Those are Bills 030005 and 030006, which makes the amendments. We propose to amend these measures to add additional appropriations necessary to provide funding from unspent FY 2002 Operating Budget appropriations, as well as add additional state and private appropriations for existing projects. In this proposed amendment, two new budget lines would be created to fund projects that were budgeted in FY 2002 but were delayed in being initiated for various reasons. The first new Budget line item is $7,890,000 for security improvements to municipal buildings, including City Hall, the Municipal 00027 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole Services Building, and the One Parkway Building. The second new line item is $901,000 for renovations at the new Police Special Victims Unit, which is relocating to Episcopal Hospital. Both of these new line items are funded through the FY 2002 Operating Budget year-end transfer ordinance, approved by City Council on December 12, 2002. The amendment also includes additional appropriations for six existing Fiscal Year 2003 projects to provide for spending authorization for unanticipated state grants and private funding. These include state and private funding for the Walnut West Branch Library renovations, two state grants for the Police Forensic Laboratory, a state grant for the Prisons Modular Three Building renovations, and another state grant for the lighting replacement on the George C. Platt Memorial Bridge. And that concludes my testimony, and we'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you.

And we 00028 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole will get a copy of the amendments.

Yes.

Miss Griffith, regarding the Free Library, does your plan take into consideration the potential sale, leaseback transaction addressed in the five-year plan?

I have mentioned that in my testimony because I know it's been something that's been discussed here at Council. It is not part of the Capital Program and budget per se. The Director of Finance and the Budget Directors, my understanding, are now contemplating such a program and developing it. Obviously there's a connection, there's a relationship between the two programs, but it is not part of the Capital Budget.

Also, do you plan to spend the $2 million in FY '04 for the Convention Center's expansion, site assembly, and clearance before expansion is authorized?

Hope springs eternal, Madam Council President. 00029 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole Obviously, we had to be prudent in developing the Budget, and anticipate the possibility in the hope we would be able to move forward. Again, obviously, we would not move forward imprudently, given the lack of resources. But funds have been allocated if the stars align themselves and we are able to move forward with expansion.

And the Budget indicates that there is a master plan. Could we see that master plan, please?

Certainly.

Can you tell us what City Planning's involvement is with the NTI? Let's just get it on the record.

Yes, Madam President. We are involved in NTI in a number of levels. The major one is in compiling and developing a series of community based plans for, at least in year one, the 29 NTI planning areas. We also take part in our ministerial responsibilities, in action such as taking back ninety-fours establishment of urban renewal areas, 00030 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole et cetera. But our primary responsibility is the development of, for this year, the 29 NTI plans for the areas that have been designated jointly between the Administration and City Council.

On the very last paragraph of your testimony on you indicate funding totaling $875,000 is recommended for the Fairmount Park Commission, to continue its program to renovate its athletic and play areas. Funding is also provided for planting 2700 new park trees and street trees, and the removal of dead and dangerous trees throughout the City. How much of the $875,000 will be allocated for the removal of dead trees and the planting of street trees?

Let me see whether we have that breakdown for you. We don't have a breakdown here with us. We can provide that for you and Members of the Council. 00031 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

I would appreciate that. I see that there are a number of Council Members that have questions. I don't want to dominate this. I do have a number of questions myself. I think for the first go-around each Council Person will be given five minutes. At this time the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.

Good morning.

Good morning.

You mentioned in your testimony -- My first question is regarding the rec facilities. You mentioned in your testimony and the Mayor discussed this in his Budget Address, and the Commission of Recreation talked about it during our earlier Budget hearings, this notion of right-sizing rec centers. And there are a number of my colleagues, District Councilpersons who have a concern in finding us -- not finding us at a place where we are right-sizing centers that are scheduled to be closed or investing in centers that are scheduled to be closed. 00032 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole So what kind of benchmarks or flags do you have in the process that sort of protect my colleagues who had those kind of concerns? And I ask this question as Chair of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs.

Yes, ma'am. Let me answer briefly. And then I know that the Commissioner of Recreation is here, and he may want to speak to this as well. Right now, since we do not have a plan in place, and any plan would be done in concert with the Council, we have informal conversations with Council Members around investments and individual centers. Obviously, a center located in an area with a sharp decline in population where there might be two centers very near each other, that would be a red flag, in terms of -- in terms of investing large dollars in renovation. However, absent a plan, which the Council could review, we are loathe to do anything but advise and communicate. I don't know whether the Recreation Commissioner has anything to add, but we -- 00033 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

Any timetable for a plan?

I know the Mayor has directed us prior to conversations on next year's Capital Budget, which usually start in the fall around November, to have a plan which could be reviewed jointly. So that is our internal timetable, unless I get --

Further.

-- further instructions.

Sure. Well, I would only ask that I be kept abreast as a Member of that Committee.

Absolutely.

FDR tennis courts. A constituent from Madam President's District has an interest in knowing what's the status of the FDR tennis courts, the prognosis for sprucing them up. What can I tell this individual at this juncture?

Is there anyone here that can speak to that issue?

Yes, I think we can. 00034 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

Okay.

Good morning, Council President, Members of City Council. My name is Rick Tustin. I'm the Director of the City's Capital Program Office. To respond to your question, we expect construction to start this spring. And it will -- it will continue through until next spring. And as far as -- We can give you also more information as to the level of the upgrades that we will be doing. Be more than happy to sit down with you and actually show you a copy of the plan and go through it step by step.

I would do that under the leadership of President Verna, since this is her Councilmanic District. And as I said, I'm curious to know, a, because it's another rec item; and, b, because it's a constituent who loves the arts.

Sure.

And so, I was being an advocate for him as well. So please keep us both informed. 00035 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

Be happy to.

Okay.

Thank you.

My final item is around Belmont Mansion. And I'm confident the District Councilperson for Belmont Mansion has a number of questions as well. But I clearly remember last year, during Budget hearings, there was a lot of discussion on what will and what will not happen with the third floor at the Belmont Mansion. So I'm curious to know what's up, number one. And then number two, I'm sure if you have been following Budget hearings, there is... a strong interest is an understatement, but a clear interest that we as Members of this Legislative Body expect to see in every single City construction project, folks who look like us on the project. And it's my understanding that currently there are 50 contractors at Belmont Mansion. Not one is a minority. And of course I'd be curious to know, as a woman, are there any women on this construction team as well. 00036 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole So, please speak to me about the process by which that contract was let for the Belmont Mansion.

I'd be happy to. As you well know, over the past year we have been going through finalizing the design stage of that project. We've had several meetings with the City's Historic Commission, as well as the City's Art Commission, and presented what we believe is the best possible solution to restoring that historic structure. That project, by the way, at this point in time has already been bid, and we are waiting to award that project. We have not awarded that project yet. We would like to award it this spring. In regards to your second question concerning minority and women participation on projects, when we get ready to put out a public works contract, we send our information as in regards to the dollar value of the contract and the different trades that are involved in the contract over to Procurement Department and to 00037 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole MBEC. MBEC sits down, reviews that information, and then comes back to us and tells us what level of participation we should include in the project. This isn't something we put in. It's what we're told from the Minority and Business Enterprise Council. So that project then gets publicly advertised through the Procurement Department, and it goes into the newspaper, usually twice over a three-week period of time. And it's open to everyone within the City. And when contractors come in to pick up those drawings and specs and attend the prebid meeting, they also know what they're required to meet, as far as minority and women participation. We have no way of screening contractors prior to the prebid meeting. They also have to submit, around that same time, a prequalification questionnaire. That prequalification questionnaire really is directed towards the type of projects they as a contractor have done in the past, whether they can handle this size of project, as 00038 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole well as this type of project, being a historic restoration, as well as their financial capability to do, you know, to handle the project.

Let me ask you to pause right there.

Yes.

Because you're providing a lot of information. At those prebid meetings, are City Department Heads permitted to attend those meetings to get a look at the big picture of who's in attendance?

Absolutely. Usually somebody from the Minority and Business Enterprise Council attends those meetings. Somebody from a Labor-management Department attends those meetings. Usually somebody from the Operating or the department that we're doing that project for, in this case Fairmount Park attends that meeting, as well as our office attends those meetings. We also have with us the architect who provided the drawings for the meeting -- for the project is there as well.

What 00039 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole flexibility do Department Heads have, with regards to stepping up and speaking up and saying that this audience does not reflect the City?

Usually the person from the Minority and Business Enterprise Council has an opportunity at that prebid meeting to step up and to again emphasize the importance of minority and women participation on these projects. They provide any explanation that's required, in order so the contractors will know how to solicit for minority and women participation, as well as an explanation of the forms that are required to be filled out as part of the bid package.

Okay.

That's all done at the pre-proposal meeting -- or prebid meeting.

Councilwoman, I'm sorry. Your time is up. If you want to conclude this line of questioning... Otherwise, we'll have to wait until round two.

Okay. I'll just conclude this with two follow-up closing questions. You mentioned that -- This particular 00040 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole contract has already been let. Okay. And so the next step is what, the actual start of the --

Well...

Has the award happened?

The award has not happened.

Has not happened.

It has not happened.

So what does that mean, that you have a short list and you're waiting to make a decision on the short list?

We have a list of contractors that have bid the job.

Okay.

That have actually bid the job. And that recommendation of award is a form that comes from Procurement over to our office, asking if we will make that recommendation.

I see.

I should also state that the awards are based on low bid. 00041 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

Sure.

Public Works contracts are always based on lowest qualified bidder, responsive responsible bidder. So, as long as -- and I should also say that before we even get the recommendation of award?

Mm-hmm.

It's also been screened by Minority and Business Enterprise, to make sure the contractors have met the responsibility of minority and women participation within their bid.

I thank you for your testimony. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councilwoman Brown. Mr. Tustin, while you're at the table, you're requesting a $1.2 million increase in your Class 100 Operating Budget. And you have a slight decrease in personnel in your Capital Budget. Are any of these employees in the DROP Program?

The employees that -- The dollar figure that's reflected in the 00042 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole Operating Budget is -- are -- none of those employees are reflected in the DROP Program. This is an employee that has already left. And in addition to the leaving of one employee, which we did not replace, we've also done a reclassification, if you will, of other employees within the department. As you may not or may know or may not know, our office is made up from employees that are funded both from the Operating and the Capital Budget. Depending on the work that they're performing, we have to put them into either one of those two Budget lines, Capital or Operating. So I guess the short answer to your question, although I've taken a long time so far, is that that drop or that increase is not a result or decrease is not a result of the DROP program.

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I didn't think I'd get called on that soon. Thank you, Madam President. Good morning, Miss Griffith. 00043 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole Earlier in your testimony you briefly touched on the subject of the Penns Landing site. I'm familiar with the Inquirer, public forums. The Administration, I believe, had two or three public forums as well. Where are we in that process? It's my understanding that several developers, seven or nine -- I'm not sure of the exact number -- have participated in the RFQ process. What does that mean to us? I mean, other than the fact that -- The typical thing, I think, is that when a developer responds to an RFQ they just basically say that they couldn't qualify because they have the financial resources and the expertise to develop a project similar to the size and scope of the Penns Landing project which is really the heart of my question. I know what the size and scope of the Simon project was. I was involved in that for six years. Do we have any sense as to what it is that we really want to develop there?

Let me respond to your question, to the extent that we have been 00044 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole involved. And then I will also ask representatives from the Commerce Department, who are really the lead agency, to see whether they want to add anything. You are absolutely correct, Councilman. There were, I believe, nine respondents to the RFQ. Seven of those were deemed by the Review Committee to be appropriate to move on to the next phase. That will be an RFP phase. You're also correct that the Administration coordinated three public hearings, as well as, you know, as a couple of meetings with stakeholders. And in addition we've been cooperative and very interested in the series that U. Penn has mounted. Because of that, it's been determined that we would wait until the completion of that public participation phase so that we can glean anything that could be helpful from the public comment and from the extensive charette that the University of Pennsylvania mounted, to see whether any of that information can be included as part of the criteria for the RFP. 00045 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole Our RFQ was perhaps a little more detailed than is usual with RFQs. And we got a little more detail back, in terms of what folks were thinking of. However, it is really the RFP responsive to the RFP where we will know the extent of what is being proposed. I should also note that most of the developers attended most, if not all, of the public participation rounds that we had and that U. Penn has had. And that we would expect not only to include, as I mentioned before, that which is appropriate to include, in terms of criteria in the RFP. But we suspect the developers themselves are to some extent shaping their responses in response to public concern, although the market has to be a primary concern as well. Let me ask if there's someone from Commerce that would like to speak to this. Okay. I covered it? Okay. And we'd be happy to brief you in more detail if you wish. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Well, the 00046 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole University of Penn, I understand, they did some sort of a charette. And my concern is, when we speak about the RFP, generally the RFP will come from developer or developers who have a basic concept in mind. And maybe they take some of the information that they gathered at these public forums and maybe they don't. My experience with the Penns Landing site is, when Rendell was the Mayor, he selected a developer. And the developer basically came with a concept, notwithstanding the need to develop it. And I think most of is us, including myself, if we were guilty of anything, we were guilty of the hype that finally, at last, after 30-some-odd years we were going to develop the Penns Landing site. But it was a very long and time-consuming project, a process that I developed along with the -- between the developer and the communities, that took the better part of five years, trying to hone the project to fit not only the site but also some of the concerns of the community. And although I would like to have 00047 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole seen something built, I think in hindsight maybe it is better that we did not build that, given the post 9/11 issues and the fact that people aren't traveling, and a lot of people don't want to basically go into these huge retail boxes the way they did prior to 9/11. I think, again, I'd love to have it under my watch, as the Councilperson, and do the ribbon-cutting and all that stuff. But we really need to do a more thorough job of including the public process. The City has not done a charette on its own to date.

No. We trust the University of Pennsylvania. And my staff and I know Jim Caratto has personally taken part and was there. Last week I just spoke to him about the conclusions, the three ideas that came out of that charette. It is, you know, from our view and in the Planning Department, that we take not only the results and the input from the public participation process and include those in criteria that the developers have to respond to. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Right. 00048 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

In other words, they can't just do everything. But also, I would like to pat my staff on the back a little bit. We also have folks who went to the best schools in the country, and urban designers and planners. And to the extent that we are part of the team and have some sway over the language that will be included in the final -- final RFP, we, too, want to make sure that there is language that protects this important asset, and that where you have a development that is highest and best use and we get the tax revenue and we get the visitors, and et cetera, but we also preserve what's wonderful about the site. And I think we concur in that regard. The Mayor has also suggested -- and this hasn't been discussed by the Committee. But the Mayor's also suggested that when the responses come in from the developers, that we actually have a public process to review the actual proposals, perhaps something at the Convention Center and on the net, where the public and elected officials could see what we hope to be seven proposals and 00049 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole seven very different proposals. But we also look forward to continuing to work with you, Councilman, as we shape this. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And that could be a good thing. But again, on my experience, there are two levels of public participation. You have the more global public participation. And then you have the obvious more immediate public participation, and that's the people who live closest to the site, the Society Hill Civic, Society Hill Towers, Queen Village, Olde City. The process that I put together back in 1996 or '97 included about 15 community groups. And they had more immediate needs and issues as well. And I can tell you, from that process, that they were... Although they were sensitive to what their concerns and needs were, they understood the importance of a development at that site and what that meant to the entire City. So they were not being selfish, if you will. And I want to make sure that that continues, going forward. And of the four or five developers 00050 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole that I've met with of the nine developers who responded to the RFQ, although they're very exciting and ambitious projects, from my information and in my meeting with communities and going through some of these processes, that they are more on the scale of assignment, in terms of the density, and less what the public and less what the public would like to see. So, although I respect the University of Pennsylvania and the Inquirer's participation, although they have not actually had any dealings directly with developers. One of the developers came to me with an amazing, an amazing development. It almost looks like they're building a whole new City. We're talking about six million square feet. And the Simon project was only 600,000 square feet. And although it's very exciting, if you want to look into the future it probably would be something that we might want to consider. But I think if the public saw that, they would be outraged. and I'm not putting a damper on that, but I just want to make sure that we don't rush 00051 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole this. Thirty years is a long time, I know. And some people say, "Well, don't you think it's about time?" Yes, it is. But I think it's the time that we do it the right way, so... And I think that the community groups have been contacting me over the last several days, and they wanted to get together on Thursday to do some public announcement about what the communities adjacent to the site would like to see the City do in response to their concerns. And I do appreciate your department's participation, because we had a long five, six years with the assignment folks, and they were excellent. And we worked very well together.

Well, let's continue that partnership. I know we had one meeting with the affected neighbors. I think that perhaps under your leadership we could continue that process. We're also very open to hear in a more formal way what the communities contiguous to the site -- I 00052 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole mean, obviously, issues of traffic and noise, et cetera, would impact on those folks in a very different way than it would -- COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Absolutely.

-- in people further from the site. So... And I also agree that there is no interest in rushing to judgment. We have, again, taken the time so far to listen to public comment, to let the U. Penn process play out. So we'd be happy to work with you as we continue. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Thank you, Miss Griffith. And thank you, Madam President.

You're welcome. Councilwoman Tasco. (No response.)

The Chair at this time, then, recognizes Councilman Nutter.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Miss Griffith, I wanted to just ask a couple questions about your testimony, and then 00053 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole I wanted to talk about some projects. On the first page of your testimony, you talk about with regard to a variety of City and other government facilities. The sentence says: Our objective will be enhanced facilities, quote, unquote, right-sized for our City. This is the concept of shrinking the City down to the present population and how the facilities best serve the population that we have. Is that the concept here?

Not quite. We have a couple of problems. We have a lot of facilities that are deteriorating in areas with very, very low population. In some cases we have... I'm thinking of recreation facilities... two almost contiguous facilities, with a population that is much smaller than was originally.

Where are some of these areas?

Well, if you would take a look at a map that was generated to support Neighborhood Transformation, and where you look at areas of depopulation -- and we can get that map to you; I don't want to speak out of turn -- and 00054 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole look at the demographic information that's been generated by the Recreation Department, that indicates areas where we have a lack of population to support the infrastructure. So, if I may, the plan is not to cut back on services, but to try to use the infrastructure jointly. We're working with the School District, for instance, begin to think through ways of augmenting the new and renovated school buildings that are on the drawing boards, to provide recreation facilities, et cetera.

What are the top three areas of the City that have experienced this depopulation?

Well, the two areas that are, again, if you look at a map, are areas -- are neighborhoods in North and West Philadelphia. Again, especially considering how neighborhoods are titled very differently, depending on who's talking about them, I'm hesitant to name communities, but would be happy to get a map to you, generated by our strategic 00055 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole planning folks, that can show, based on Census data, where those are.

Well, since I represent a significant part of West Philadelphia and a smaller part of North Philadelphia -- and you mentioned both of those neighborhoods -- I would be interested to know if any of the areas that you're talking about are within the boundaries of the Fourth District. So where in West Philadelphia are we talking about and where in North Philadelphia are we talking about?

We will get you that information, Councilman.

Okay. What plan has the Planning Commission put together to enhance the population of the City or plan for any growth? Or are we anticipating any growth in the near future?

We are anticipating growth in the near future. We've been part of the team that put together the recent 21st Century announcement that Secretary Hannah put together and announced recently, talking about the seven primary 00056 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole development projects that are moving forward. We've also, in our community planning, in each plan have a component that speaks to community growth, that speaks to where growth can occur. And our Development and Community Planning Divisions have been working very closely so that the community plans are informed by an understanding of markets and development potential. We also obviously are part of the Commerce Department Economic Development Team and take part in those conversations. We look at zoning initiatives and zoning overlays, to ensure that they don't restrict growth, and so on, and so on. So it's not one project. It is a point of view that really informs and infuses all of the work that we do.

These plans that you've made reference to, are they available for our review?

Yes, those that are completed. We are just now completing existing 00057 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole condition studies on the 29 areas. We probably are close to a draft plan on five or six of those 29 areas. And we'd be happy to sit down with you and your staff and go over all the plans or focus on the plans in your District.

Okay. Thank you. I want to go back to the Belmont Mansion discussion. And then I want to talk about a couple other facilities. Mr. Tustin, I believe the Capital Budget indicates $250,000 for Belmont. Is that enough funding to complete the project? And when are we going to get a definitive decision with regard to -- This is 35, line item number two, under Section 40. When are we going to get a definitive decision on this third floor issue? I'd like to stop talking about it, get the project moved, and get the Mansion open.

Councilman, when we put the project out for bid --

Would you pull 00058 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole the microphone a little closer to you.

Sure.

Thanks.

Councilman, when we put the project out for bid, we bid it in such a way that would allow us options. By that I mean we put it out as a base bid, with a series of add alternates to it so that we would know what our costs were and make sure we had enough money to cover at least the base bid of the project. We did that for all four of the primes, the general construction, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical. We believe that -- At least I'm pretty certain we believe that with the funding, if it gets approved in the '04 Budget, we should have enough to complete the project, the building itself. Like any project, depending on where the parameters of the project are, it can always grow. And by that what I mean is, the money we have available and the money that we're getting in '04 we think will accomplish the task of restoring the building per se. 00059 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole We have not extended that out into the parking areas, into the walk areas, adjacent to -- adjacent to the building itself. That is not included in the funding at this point in time. I would like to say --

Don't we know we need to do those things anyway?

Well, we're not quite certain whether we do, because we've just completed a project, I guess last year, called Belmont Groves, which was a substantial amount of parking, that is sort of interconnected to this facility. And through a walkway it can add that additional parking and additional amenities that we may need. So for us to run in and say, well, let's ask for more money to do parking next, we didn't really want to do that. We wanted to really be prudent. We wanted to look at what we have available right now, you know, before we just jump in and ask for additional money.

Well, I can appreciate that. And I know you to be a prudent person. 00060 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole What I'd like to see is a complete plan for the Belmont Mansion area, not only for the building but the surrounding areas, know what the entirety of that project is, and stop at this point, because it's been going on for so long; a bit of a piecemeal approach, when we know that we have more work to do, we know that it will only enhance the investments that we've made, and be able to lay out a plan to the organization, the American Women's Heritage Society, and their leader, Miss Thornton Johnson, and put all of this to rest, to some extent. I mean...

I'd be more than happy to do that.

It's not that big of a building. It's not that big of an area. I understand it has a tremendous amount of historical significance. The projects are very complicated. But I mean, it's year after year after year. And I'd just like someone to tell me what the total package is, lay out all of the components of it, and I'd like to put an end to this conversation about the third floor. It has 00061 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole gone on for years and years. I don't have any problem with having a third floor. And you know, I know that people who are much better trained than I and have much more experience and certainly, you know, depth of fight about, you know, is it the late 1800's? Is it the early 1800's? I mean which is, you know, just wonderful historical and academic exercise. On the other hand, it's a complete waste of my time to continue having this discussion about which period are we trying to replicate. The building's old. Make it safe. Leave the third floor in place. Make sure that that's safe. Figure out what we're doing with the rest of the building. And let's move on. I mean, we do have a bunch of other buildings out there and a whole big City to run. And I don't know why we continue to torture ourselves with this. Just make a decision and get it over with.

We would love to make a decision and get this project over with, Councilman. As you and I discussed just last week in your office, this is a project that has taken a 00062 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole lot of our time and is a high priority for us as well. We think we're very close to a final decision on this so that we can get it into construction and actually move forward with the project. But I am in total agreement with you. We would like to get this project moving on, finish the project, restore it, so that we can move on to the other facilities within the City that need that same level of attention.

Okay. Miss Griffith, , line three. We're anticipating spending $6.9 million for staff out of capital dollars? Is that the way I'm reading that?

I'm trying to find the -- I have a slightly different version, because I have one that has the slides in it so...

Well, this is your book, right?

Okay.

This is your book? 00063 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

I was looking at my testimony. Yes. I'm sorry.

Okay. Sorry.

Could you give us the page one more time?

Sure. , line item -- section three, line one.

Yes. I can answer that question, Councilman. I don't know whether it would be appropriate at this time if you would allow me to read my testimony for Operating and Budget for the Capital Program Office for this fiscal year. I think it may answer some of your questions, and it will only take two or three minutes to do.

Well, I would love to be as accommodating as possible, and you know that I'm just a completely agreeable person. The only problem is, that time gets charged to me. And so, unless I'm going to get some extra time, I don't really want to listen to the testimony, because I'm going to get knocked off of the... I'm going to get knocked out of the box.

Okay. 00064 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

But you can tell me about it.

Councilman, we'll give you another few minutes, but they tell me you're already on extra time. But thank you.

Well, Madam Chair, I was hoping you wouldn't notice. (Laughter)

But I appreciate that.

Let me try to answer your question specifically, then. The Budget request this year is for $6.9 million for 83 positions. As I said previously, two-thirds of the Capital Program Office are funded through the Capital Budget, not the Operating Budget. This $6.9 million is actually a reduction of $159,000 over last year's plan, due to a reduction in staff as well. And I would also like to say that we're -- I'm trying to jump through my testimony so that I can answer your question directly. Even though the Capital tax-supported debt financing over the next six years shows a reduction of 13 00065 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole percent in total, our plan over the next six years shows actually a percent reduction in staffing 4 and funding over the next four years. And we also 5 plan on continuing with that reduction in staffing 6 and funding as well. 7 So, we're trying to match our staff 8 needs against what the Capital Budget will be, 9 going forward so that we can continue to do the 10 jobs hopefully as well as we've been doing them in 11 the past, but still not overburden the Capital 12 Budget with staff costs.

Well, I can appreciate that. I guess when I read through Mr. Dubow's testimony when he talked about the FY '07-'09 levels are not sufficient to meet even the minimum needs of our infrastructure. As a result, the City is reviewing ways to pay for some Capital projects out of the Operating Fund, pay down debt if operating funds are available, or issue debt through other authorities, I'm wondering now more than ever why we're paying salaries out of an increasingly shrinking Capital Budget. The second is, is the term of this 00066 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole debt. And the question that will be on the ballot, is this year or 30 year? 4

It's 30 year. 5

Okay. Is 6 Mr. Kemp here? 7

Yes. 8

Did I see him 9 come in? 10

Mr. Kemp, please 11 identify yourself for the record? 12

My name is Corey Kemp, 13 City Treasurer. 14

Mr. Kemp, can 15 you tell me if this is a 30-year bond issue? 16

Correct. 17

What's the total 18 amount? 19

$250 million. 20

I'm sorry?

$250 million, the debt issuance. Am I answering your question?

Yeah. If that's the real number, I'm very excited to hear that. 00067 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole But I don't think so.

No. We asked you for loan authorizations each year. And the loan authorization for this year is about $83 million.

I'm sorry. I misunderstood the question. The loan authorization is $82 million... Give you the exact number. $82,975,000.

Okay. That sounds more realistic.

The $250 million I was talking about is the total GO issuance we are expecting to issue sometime in the summer.

No; I understand.

Okay.

But if we were having a $250 million Capital Budget offering, we can go home right now.

And that's correct.

Because I'd be getting all the projects I wanted. Tell me this: What's the total cost of the $6.9 million in salaries over 30 years? 00068 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

I would have to do calculations and get back to you on that.

Come on.

You're asking me the total cost of the $6.9 million. Yeah; I would have to run an analysis to get you that exact information.

Give me a ballpark figure. How about if I let you away from the table for a second; you get your handy-dandy calculator back there, and you come back to the table and give me a number?

Okay.

6.9 over 30.

Right. What I was going to say is, you know, I can kind of... future value based on debt issuance of probably about 4.75 percent, which is the current issuance rate, if we issued debt today.

Right. And what's that total cost over 30 years?

Again, I would have to run that. 00069 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

Okay. Why don't you do that? And you can come back.

Okay.

Thank you. Ms. Griffith, let me ask you one last question. Then the Chair is going to boot me off of the thing here.

Yes, sir.

What happened to the Wynnefield Recreation Center Project? And why isn't that in the Budget book?

It's my understanding that it's still in there, that all of the Recreation Department Projects are in one large consolidated line item.

Really? Can you tell me what the line item is?

Yes. Gary Gastrap can tell you in just a second.

Councilman, I think you're on , line item 81, improvements to existing recreation facilities.

Right.

There's a large 00070 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole appropriation there that many of those kind of projects are funded out of.

Now, Mr. Gastrap, you're not possibly confusing that with the approximate million dollars or so allocation to District Council Members? That's not what that item is, is it?

I think it would be a good idea if we brought Recreation to the mike, who could speak to this with some more authority.

Okay. I'm just... I guess what I'm trying to understand is a bit of the process from moving from year to year. In the 2002 to 2007 Capital Program on , under item number 95, Capital Program Administration Design and Engineering, Number 3 is the Wynnefield Recreation Center. A new recreation center will be designed in the budget year. $70,000 allocated. What I'm trying to understand from the City Planning Commission side is, who is responsible for keeping track of these items and where they go from year to year. How did it drop 00071 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole out of the book, is what I'm trying to understand.

It's my understanding it's from the carry forward, but do you want to speak to that?

My name is Eric Ifrig. I'm a Project Director with the Capital Program Office. The Wynnefield Recreation Center project is still in the carry forward amendment of funds for the design funding. As you know, there's a problem with site control, which hasn't been resolved yet.

I understand that. My question is, where is it in the book? That's all I want to know. It was in the 2002 to 2007. It's not in the 2004. From my perspective, if it's not in the book, it doesn't exist. I'd like to know what happened to it.

Right. It would be in the carry forward amendment. And as was mentioned at the top of our testimony, for technical reasons, those technical reasons being the 00072 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole crashing of computers and a very, very old software program, that is not before you today.

I think Mr. Dubow wants to enhance.

The intention is to produce another --

I'm sorry, Mr. Gastrap, I can't hear you.

The intention is to carry forward projects from earlier years and amend the final Capital -- the final adopted Capital Budget and Program. So that all of those previous projects that have not yet been completed will be reflected in the 2004 Budget Year, so spending can continue on those projects. As Maxine mentioned, there was -- we had some technical difficulties, and that information is not yet before you but will be shortly.

How is it going to get before us?

Each year when we give you the book, it doesn't include carry forwards of 00073 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole the appropriations. And then we come back later and amend the ordinance to include those carry forwards. When we do that amendment, it includes things like the project we're discussing. We would have had that today. There were some computer glitches. And as soon as we have that...

(Laughing.) 10

As soon as we have that, 11 we will bring it here, there will be an amendment, 12 and you'll see the project in full. 13

Councilman, at least 14 we didn't say that the cat ate it. 15

Right. I mean, 16 this is like a higher version of --

That will be the next hearing.

-- somebody stole my homework when I was on my to school. I mean, what are we talking about here? So when will we see this document? When are the computers up and running? Who's got the software contract?

We're hoping by the 00074 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole end of this week we'll have that carry forward completed.

Mr. Dubow, let me just mention to you that in regard to this particular project there will be a need also to amend in, I think, some grant revenue funds related to this particular project because of a donation by an outside source, two outside sources, actually: State entities and a non governmental source. And so, we need to create a mechanism to allow us to receive those funds.

Okay. So we'll follow up with your office to get the amounts and the timing on that.

Yes. This new document, and when the computers are back up and running, will show all of the various projects and you're saying will be put forward as an amendment to the Capital Program?

Yes.

Okay.

And our apologies for 00075 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole not having it.

I'm sorry?

And our apologies for not having it before you today.

That's okay. I appreciate that. I'm just trying to keep track of our little recreation facility out there. Madam Chair. ACTING

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Chair. ACTING

My pleasure. All right. Councilwoman Tasco, do you want me to call on someone and come back to you? Thank you. Councilman Ortiz. Do you want me to call on someone and come back to you?

Yes. ACTING

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown.

Thank you, Madam President. 00076 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole ACTING

And next will be you, Councilman Rizzo.

Recreation Centers. We are aware that a number of play areas are being rehabbed and/or new. I'm interested in the buffer that's laid down for play areas. So really my first question really needs to go to the Streets Department. I want to know what we do with tires in this City because new research shows that recycled tires are the best filler for play areas. ACTING

Councilwoman, may I note that in Council we introduced about three terms ago legislation to make it... Because in some cities they even grind it up -- that's not the right word -- and use it for street fill, too. We tried that but our City wasn't ready for that kind of technology. Commissioner Tollson, before you identify yourself and answer the question, let me thank you for all the work you did. Some of you may know that on Friday -- We have the Lucien E. Blackwell Mantua Revitalization Project. And 00077 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole they're working in Mantua under NTI. And on Friday night, in fact, Lu was honored, as he is downstairs right now with Charles Dutton, the actor. And we were trying to clean up the area as part of our NTI project. And in two blocks we removed abandoned cars. In 8 two blocks. So you see, they were making that 9 area a human trash dump site. 10 But we thank the Streets Department 11 and all of those at L & I and Managing Directors 12 Office for all that you do to try to improve the 13 quality of life in neighborhoods, that if we 14 didn't, just would be totally lost. Thank you. 15

On behalf of the all 16 the City agencies involved, I say thank you. 17 ACTING

18 Thank you. 19

Good morning. My name 20 is Tyreena Tollson, Streets Commissioner. 21 With regard to tires, the City 22 collects a couple hundred thousand tires per year. 23 The tires that we collect curb side from citizens 24 are taken, according to our contract, to a waste 25 to energy facility. 00078 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

In Philadelphia?

No. It's in Chester. And it is used as an alternative fuel. We've had contracts in the past where we have taken our materials to a vendor that chipped them and sold them to companies that made rubberized products or sold them as alternative fuels.

That's helpful. I am going to revisit the legislation that Councilwoman Lucien -- Lucien -- Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell has just referenced. ACTING

That's good. Thanks.

The reason being that the Fire Commissioner and myself participated in a press conference last week that talked about preventable injuries that happen to children on playgrounds or playground surfaces. And in Philadelphia I think the number was 13,000 last year. And that, coupled with this new technology that tires, recycled tires, are a 00079 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole better buffer, I think it's time for us as a City to catch up with technology, if we want to be serious about making the lives of children better. So, know that that's coming down the road. And I'll look to cooperation with your department to see how we can figure out this new opportunity for recycled tires, specifically as they relate to rec centers where the commissioner's already about the business of making them safer.

The Department will work with you on that project.

Thank you very much. Thank you, Madam Chair. ACTING

Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Rizzo.

Thank you, Madam Chair. ACTING

You're welcome.

Good morning. I think I have a question similar to Councilman Nutter. And it has to do with something that's... 00080 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

Excuse me, Councilman. We're trying to organize.

Do you need a few minutes?

We're trying to organize ourselves so that we can call other agency heads up, when need be.

In reference to Police facilities, I plan to start visiting many of those facilities, because I'm hearing from some of the police officers, detectives, that work in those facilities of the deplorable conditions. And I know what I witnessed just stopping at some of them to get gas occasionally: Trash cans at the gas island overflowing, not a very desirable situation, a fuel location; and then to see trash that looks like it hasn't been emptied in years. I don't know who's responsible for that. But I'm going to start visiting the Police facilities because I, again, hear from detectives that have to go home at night and put trash bags over their work on their desk because they're concerned about the rain that comes through the 00081 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole roof or air conditioning systems that don't work well. And I see that you have HVAC improvements in here. But what I would like you to provide to the Chair, I'd like to know where the Police Stations are, what you plan to do at every Police Station in the City of Philadelphia. As a matter of fact, one detective said, it isn't even humane to bring a prisoner to some of these locations. And I'm going to ask the Captains of those Districts to bring me to the areas that the public rarely sees, where the prisoners are held, et cetera, the toilet conditions, because if I hear -- I can imagine if the people that work in some of these facilities complain, I wonder how it must be for a person that doesn't have much of a venue to complain about. And sometimes people are held that aren't necessarily guilty of what they're being held about. So, I would like to know. And again, it's not your job to tell me who empties the trash cans in a Police Station, but I would hope to know -- I would like to know about the 00082 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole maintenance, and if someone could come forward, because I understand the new Police Stations are being contracted out for their custodial services, the older ones are being done by the Police Department. It sounds very confusing to me. And again, I plan to inform the Police Commissioner that I'm going to start at the first and I'm going to work my way through the entire City of Philadelphia and visit these locations, to see firsthand what I've been told exists. But I'd really appreciate it to get what you have listed as item four, interior and exterior renovations of all of -- It says, funds will be used for interior and exterior renovations at several Police Department facilities, City wide. I'd like it broken down so I can see exactly what we're doing and where we're doing it.

We'd be happy to get that for you. And let me say that we share your concern. As you noted --

I can't hear you.

I said we'd be happy to get that information for you. But I also want 00083 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole to note that we share your concern. As a matter of fact, Gary brought that up, Gary Gastrap brought that up during our hearings. And what we would like to do is, and perhaps working with your office, is a comprehensive sort of facilities management review. What we've tried to do this year is make sure the roofs don't leak, make sure the HVAC system can go on, et cetera. And we'll prepare that for you. But I think -- I agree with you. That still doesn't address the entire problem. Not only with operations but also with the physical plant. And you have a senior member of our staff, the gentleman sitting to my left, who has expressed a real concern and a desire to be in the forefront in our agency.

Well, again, I want that question asked about the maintenance representative of the Police Department. Let me give you an example. I visited -- I started my unofficial visit. I 00084 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole visited the 22nd-23rd Police District. The parking lot looks like it needs -- What do we call it? The Blight Plan. We need them to go clean the Police Station parking lot up. Empty oil cans just thrown on the parking lot, a pile of rock salt that was apparently dumped there, taking an entire parking space. Just not what a City building should look like. Understand, Police Station, rough environment, neighborhood -- inner City neighborhood. But for that Police Station to look the way it does... And the Captain of the District, you know, they're worried about fighting crime, not cleaning up parking lots. And I think that we shouldn't really have... The captain shouldn't be the one that makes sure that an abandoned car left on the parking lot of a Police Station -- A person came, the car didn't start, and the car sat there for eight months. So, these are the kinds of things that I think need to be managed better. And who's 00085 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole responsible? Mr. Dubow.

Yeah. There are two initiatives in the Five-Year Plan that are in part designed to help address this problem. One is the out sourcing of custodial services. And the other is the centralization of Facilities Management. Both of those would centralize the control over maintenance of Police Facilities, put in Public Property's control, and on the custodial side use private contractors to do it. And we're hoping that improves service at the Police Facilities and puts them in better condition.

Well, I would hope that -- Could somebody just explain, even through it's taking some time here. A perfect example is a trash can that doesn't get emptied at a fuel location. And again, I've noticed... Go back one week. Three weeks later you go back. The same trash is in the trash can. Who's responsible to take care of things like that?

Is there someone from Public Property?

Yeah, Joan. 00086 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

Is it the Police Department? Is it Public Property? I wouldn't know because the Police Station didn't seem to know.

Good morning, Councilman. Joan Slaughterbeck, Facilities Director, Department of Public Property. Currently the way the Police Facilities are maintained, it's a combination of custodial services which are managed and operated through the Police Department, and Public Property's responsible for all other maintenance. As far as the refuse, trash removal is done by the Streets Department. I have recently begun discussions with Commissioner Tollson about establishing a standard and therefore enforcing a collection a little bit better than we're doing right now.

At one Police Station -- and I won't tell you on the record publicly -- the public restroom hadn't worked in months. A lady was there, asked to use the restroom. They had to bring her inside the operations office and let her use the facility 00087 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole that the Police Officers use. Not a good situation. And I hope we -- I would like to get some information from Public Property, if you're the maintenance... Responsibility --

I would be more than happy --

Yeah. You know, what are the general conditions? I think Ms. Griffith's idea of getting a report on where these facilities actually stand because, again, when Police Officers have to work under those conditions, even though -- And I'm talking about the Police Officers and Detectives that work inside. Not a good situation.

I agree. And Councilman, we've made major headways. Any facility that has been new -- 24th, 25th Police, you should visit that one. We've done a great job of maintaining that up to a better standard than we have in the others.

Well...

We have about six other facilities that we do private custodial services. 00088 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

Like anything, like when you have a new house. The first couple years it's a piece of cake.

Right.

Nothing breaks; everything works well. I'm talking about the older Police Stations. And there is no excuse for anything old to be dirty.

Agreed.

Thank you.

Agreed. And I'd be happy to meet with you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. ACTING

Thank you, Councilman. Council Cohen.

Thank you, Madam Chair. On the issue raised by Councilman Rizzo, I think everything he said he could have said even 20 or years ago, and it's only gotten 25 much worse. 00089 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

Not 25 years ago. 20.

Is that when your dad was the Commissioner? (Laughter.)

Got to keep them straight.

But it really is a disgrace for everybody in the City to have Police Facilities operate at the very low level. Of course we can say that of many of the facilities of the City. And I'm getting a little suspicious when I hear talk about out sourcing which is the polite word for privatization. It seems to me that maybe there is a plan on the part of the Administration to let everything go bad, to have sort of a justification for out sourcing, privatization. But that's not going to be any kind of remedy, and I would personally be opposed to it. I think we ought to have a steady staff, assigned to duties. I think it's a question of management. Instead of management defaulting in 00090 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole managing, I think management ought to begin to manage and take responsibility. And I think we're going to accord that management the responsibility and hold current management responsible. There's not only no reason for the dirt and the trash, but there's no reason for letting things go until they get to that stage. And I've noticed, from my days as a private practitioner and working a great deal in criminal defense, and taking me across the City in different Police Stations in the morning, all of them were pretty miserable. And I think that's got to be tended to. And I thank Councilman Rizzo for raising that issue so sharply here today. I think there's got to be a lot of replacement, as I think some of the stations have gotten to the point where it's just wrong to ask people to work there, and it's wrong to expect to house people from the community there. Incidentally, it's not only prisoners that go to Police Stations. These days you have Police Advisory Boards. You have real community participation. 00091 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole It's very discouraging to the community to get involved when they see the place is kind of falling apart and nobody taking care of them. I had one special question I wanted to raise. The newspapers have reported, and some citizens even confirmed the fact, that along Ogontz Avenue, the potholes that the Daily News referred to are in the process of being patched up. It's a little kind of unnerving to serve on City Council and find out that our efforts to get things done availed nothing, but a newspaper column produced results. But that's one area where the Daily News seeks to find redemption from its terrible activity in support of predatory loans. They make huge fun out of that. Look at the ads in the Daily News today urging everybody to borrow money from different companies all with very extraordinarily high interest rates. But the Daily News had one redeeming feature. Apparently they got some action on it. 00092 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole Now, tell me: Is that capital funding or are the patches going to survive or am I going to get hundreds of complaints after the next rainstorm telling me all these patches washed out?

We're calling Commissioner Tollson.

Is it part of the Capital Budget or is it part of the Operating Budget, what's being spent on these patches?

I believe it's operating, but we still need to get an answer to your question. So, Commissioner Tollson is coming to the microphone.

Good morning, Councilman.

As we were discussing the other day, apparently some people were already working on the patches.

Yes.

Did you get briefed by the City Administration on the patches, Commissioner?

Pardon me. I'm sorry. 00093 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole I didn't hear that. I didn't hear your last comment, sir.

I asked whether you got that briefing on what was happening on Ogontz Avenue.

Yes, very much so.

Are the patches temporary or are they going to be permanent?

We're doing temporary patches.

Will they last to the rebuilding of the --

Let me just say this one thing for you, to clarify something. Ogontz Avenue is undergoing -- will be undergoing a major resurfacing and improvement project.

That is the hope. Because we've been told that for years it's going to be undergoing. But it ain't never happened yet. And many people say it ain't never going to happen. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: What do you have to say about this, Commissioner?

It's going to happen. 00094 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole On Wednesday our bids are coming in. And we expect to start our work in May. It's a major construction project, estimated cost of $7 million. We're doing our patches right now for potholes, just so that it is safe until we do our permanent resurfacing work that's going to happen on that street. But it is a major project, and we expect to begin it in May. Our bids will be in from our vendors on this Wednesday.

If you don't have enough money, I suggest the City might think of trying to get some of the money back from the lawyers on the pension fund operation that was reported in today's Inquirer. I think they can afford to do Ogontz Avenue all over the City, with those fees. But we're glad to hear that it's on the docket yet. It hasn't been cancelled.

No. 21

Who will make the decision, will be it PENNDOT or the City, as to whether the project moves forward?

We expect to have contracts that are going to come under the value 00095 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole that we have placed on it. We have sufficient funding in place to take care of that contract. We will work with PENNDOT on the final approval of the vendor that will do the work.

Do we have any power to do something about those bicycle lines on Ogontz Avenue, which make the condition much worse because it reduces a heavy load of traffic to a single lane? Nobody has not yet seen a single bicycler, which happens on most of the residential areas where these white lines exist. They seem to be useful in Center City. I see more bicyclers in Center City. They're usually delivery people. And sometimes there are genuine bicyclists, you know, for pleasure or for transportation locally. But in the community we see no use of these. Is it absolutely necessary to paint these lines? Can't we avoid doing it by showing that there's no need in the community or no use for them? I mean, I'm a great fan of the environment, but to set up these confusing white 00096 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole lines in fine traffic blocks, without a bicycler ever in sight -- I've never seen one on Ogontz Avenue, and I'm on that street every day many times.

Councilman, we expect that once we have Ogontz Avenue complete, with a nice fine surface, no trolley tracks to hit, no 9 bumps to hit, you're going to see lots of bicyclists.

Well, let's hope and pray.

Point of information.

Yes, point of information.

Commissioner, it's just... I don't want to say comical, but I've been through areas of the City where whoever put the bicycle lanes in obviously was doing it while everybody was at work. And now cars are parked when people come home from work where the bicycle lanes are. Like, it doesn't seem like it was very well thought out to put a bicycle lane in where cars 00097 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole then eventually park. So somebody ought to really look at that before they start painting these lines, because there's many locations where -- I'm talking about legal parking, now, not illegal, where the bicycle lanes are and cars are parked in them. So, just... I'm sure you probably are aware of that.

We will certainty look at that.

Thanks.

I think we've troubled the Commissioner enough on that. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Point of information.

Yield, yes. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I'd like to come to the defense of the Streets Department.

Well, they do a great job in many areas. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: No, no. But when it comes to bike lanes, many of the streets in my District, I actually welcome the bike lanes. It narrows the cartway or the road surface, the 00098 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole roadway down enough that it actually acts as a deterrent for people who are speeding. It slows traffic down. I mean, I live on 11th Street. And for some reason the bike lane stops at Washington Avenue and doesn't go any further south to Reed where the Police Station comes in. But from Washington Avenue up to Bainbridge, where 11th Street is a very wide street, it actually helps slow traffic down. And Aramingo Avenue, which is another part of my District as well. Although people still tend to speed, the majority of the people, I think, kind of slow down because it squeezes the lane.

Councilman COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Watch this debate.

Point of information. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: You ready for this one? This is going to be a good one. Stay; nobody leave. Yes.

Point of 00099 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole information.

I'm sure the points of information are not being abused, Councilman.

Unfortunately, bike lines aren't meant to slow traffic down. They're meant for people to ride bicycles. And maybe, Councilman, you ought to ask the Streets Department to put some speed bumps in for you. That might work. Thanks.

Madam Chair, I thank you very much for your time, and to the Streets Department, in many areas you do do a great job and we don't intend to imply differently. But we do think that management has to manage and in every area. And we suggest that. I suggested it the other day. But we thank you for what you do, and we know you're going to continue to improve the work you do.

Thank you, sir. ACTING

Thank you, Councilman Cohen. 00100 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole Councilman Rizzo, were you finished?

Absolutely. ACTING

Thank you very much. Councilman Ortiz.

Thank you, Madam Chair. These Capital Programs are going to invest a lot of money in capital projects. We've had hearings here during the last month or so in which the participation of minority blacks, Latinos in contracting have been labeled everything from abysmal to shameful, by City representatives. What can assure us that this record of abysmal and shameful record that the City has had over the years in bringing minorities into the contracting process is going to change?

Well, first let me say that I share your concern, Councilman. I for eight years was the minority contractor. I had a woman-owned business, and I of course am African American. As you know, the City Planning 00101 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole Commission, even to the extent that we coordinate the Capital Program and Budget, don't have direct purview over the letting of contracts. I would draw your attention to the previous statements of Rick Tustin who is one of the primary developer of contracts. Perhaps Rick could come to the mike again and answer specific questions about future plans.

He is not going to have the answer. There has to be a purpose, a will.

Well, the Mayor has spoken very strongly to this. I know that the Director of Finance is developing a construct, a framework.

I mean, what guarantee do we have that next year, when we have the same hearings, we will not be listening to the same platitudes that, yes, we are very much aware. Of course we're all aware. What I want in front of us, before we approve all of this, is a plan with teeth in it that will guarantee that this will happen. Not good faith that we're going to try and make all 00102 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole the best attempts possible, this and that, blah, blah, blah. And then we go to the employment side of the issue. Because even when minority contractors get hired for these public projects, they cannot hire minority workers. And again, we've had situation and testimony just this past week in which J.P.U.A.C. testified that, yes, we train some folks in the Building Trades Congress, but they don't get employed. They pass the examinations, they pass all the tests, and they don't get employed. They do not get called up to the construction sites. When are we going to say to people, we made a commitment here, this is going to happen? I know that Streets is resurfacing miles of streets. We use probably one or two main contracts. DePaulo, I think, is one of them. But he gets most of those contracts. The records there are abysmal. So, we are going to be approving a huge extension, 00103 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole because you're asking for, and you're going to put on the ballot, right, a referendum question to be asked that the citizens of Philadelphia approve... How much? $300 million, Rob? $300 million? $250

Well, we're asking citizen approval for $83 million. That's the GO part of this year's Budget.

$83 million. What are the guarantees that we're going to have that these figures, both on the employment level, and the contracting level change?

All I can say, Councilman, is each one of us in the Administration have heard the concerns of this Council loud and clear. The Mayor and the Chief of Staff have expressed their concerns in a very pointed manner. The folks you see arrayed before you hear this concern. And I will take back a summary of this hearing as well.

Plan, p-l-a-n.

We hear you.

Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. 00104 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole ACTING

Thank you.

Point of information, Madam Chair. ACTING

Yes. Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown. Thank you, Councilman Ortiz.

I've raised the question earlier about the flexibility of department heads, only because I know since I've been here throughout the Budget Hearings for this year the City Solicitor exceeded the goals. The Rec Commissioner... I have visited rec centers and actually seen women and minorities in place. And I know that more than a good faith effort has been tried by the D.H.S. Commissioner, Albert Martinez, again, because I've gone to see and look for myself. So you have some Department heads who have the will, but they have made it exceedingly clear through the ranks that this will be the expectation. And so, that's why I raised the question, what is the level of flexibility with Department heads, period. 00105 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole And I would suggest that that latitude or whatever, as you craft a plan, as has been requested by my colleague, a part of the -- I would think, not being incredibly familiar with procedures around in that, that Department heads get it, and then execute the expectational or the instruction, that honoring -- giving men and women of color and... period -- men and women of color -- minorities and women -- that covers the gamut -- get a fair break when it comes to contracting opportunities. So that's why I raised the question about Department heads, because we see it happening in some places, and it's completely vacant in other Departments.

Yes. I got that reference, Councilwoman, when you raised it before. And I think what we are trying to craft is a checks and balance process, to make sure that agency heads are supported in doing the right thing, and encouraged when that's more the order of business.

Okay. Thank you again. Thank you, Madam Chair. 00106 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole ACTING

Councilwoman Tasco.

Yes. I just want to add my compliments to the City Planning and certainly to Streets Department. It's refreshing to have Miss Tollson there to work with us. And I agree with Councilman DiCicco. We raised a lot of issues about the bike lanes when they were first put in. But I travel Upsal Street, and it does serve as a calming... Keeps the traffic in line, instead of having this flurry all over the place. I want to thank you for your help and your staff's help, Miss... I can never remember your name.

Masa Alie.

And her staff for the work that ya'll have done on the Logan area. And I'm trusting that we will move forward very quickly on that project so we can see some light at the end of the day.

Before we reach the tunnel.

Before we reach 00107 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole the tunnel. Most of the questions I had were asked by other members of Council. That's why I didn't raise it. But I too will raise the issue of the inclusion of our diverse work force, particularly in the planning and design stage. And you do have an opportunity to be inclusive, because those are professional services contracts. And we do have many qualified architects and designers and whoever you might need, who can participate in that process; and certainly want to encourage you to make sure that that happens.

Thank you, Councilwoman. And let me be as gracious as you were and thank the agency heads and senior members of staff that are here today from the agencies of City Government. I appreciate them at my back here.

Thank you. ACTING

Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman DiCicco.

No further 00108 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole questions. Thank you. ACTING

thank you. Councilwoman Miller.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Good morning to all the City Department heads. I just have a couple questions. I was wondering if the resurfacing or the Water Department's work in the 500 block of Ashmead, 500 block of Penn, Bringhurst, and Queen Lane are in this year's Capital Budget, in the '04 Capital Budget. This is a project that was actually supposed to happen about three years ago, but there were L & I issues on about -- on those five blocks. And all those issues have been resolved at the individual homeowner's issues. The Streets Department cannot resurface until the Water Department does whatever it is that they want to do.

I'm sure the Water Department is making their way up to the mike.

Good morning. My 00109 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole name is Kumar Kishinchand. I am the Water Commissioner. We have to get back to you because I don't know the latest details on that particular project.

It's really time to move on that particular project. It's been some time now, in terms of delay.

That's fine.

Secondly, I'd also like to throw my support regarding minority inclusion, particularly on Capital Projects. I just had one recently in my District where a waiver was granted to the contractor, and it sort of makes me unhappy. So, I'd like to not see so many waivers, see more minority, women firms, participating in these Capital Projects here in the City, at all levels, design, the subs, whatever all of that. Also, I'd like to also just express my thanks to the various Departments and Department heads that's worked with our office. Thank you. ACTING

thank you, Councilwoman. 00110 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole Councilman Clarke.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Good morning. I have one question on a specific issue on a street reconstruction. I'm trying to think of the hundred. It's actually on... I think it would be Newkirk and Dover Street between York and Cumberland, the two blocks that probably have around four occupied houses. Actually, four houses standing. And right now it's in the midst of a major street reconstruction. I'm assuming there was sewer lines put in, new streets, new sidewalks, things that people would kill for on occupied blocks. Somebody here explain to me how the decision was made to do that and what's that all about. I'm assuming it's a water -- Normally when we do major street reconstruction, it's usually a water/sewer line.

I'm sorry. I'm not familiar with that one, but we can find out.

It's the most bizarre thing I've ever seen. I mean, it's very 00111 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole nice sidewalks, very nice new street. There are, like, no houses on the block. I'm wondering why would we do that. Can somebody find that, find out what's going on with that, please?

Sure.

Particularly given the fact that I'm sure there are a lot of blocks in that particular area, in the Strawberry Mansion community that probably need sewer line construction and would love to have new sidewalks and streets. All right.

Okay.

I mean, that's not normal, is it, that would we do something like that?

Not normally. When we put in a water main, it's only where, you know, there's a need for replacement. In this particular area, being in the Strawberry Mansion area, we would already have at least a water main or a sewer. And if it's in need of replacement, we would do that.

I'm thinking -- 00112 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole I'm speaking more of the subsequent work, the new sidewalks and the new street. I mean, I can speak -- I can recall and I've actually asked you to come out when we did some work on Diamond Street.

Right.

And I had to get into a tussling match with the Department and a contractor to get them to replace sidewalks, sidewalks that were beyond the ones that were broken as a result of the construction. But on these particular blocks, there's like total reconstruction of all of the sidewalks where there are no people. But yet on blocks where there are people -- I mean, I had to literally beg people to go out and, you know, block by block make an assessment of which block should be repaired.

Right.

I don't understand that.

Sometimes when the whole street is essentially destroyed or if we are putting in a water main as well as a sewer and 00113 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole they are side by side, and if it's a narrow street, we pretty much destroy it, and your curbs fall away. And once your curbs fall away, then your sidewalk starts to fall. Under those conditions we would replace them. I don't know whether in this particular situation that you speak of --

There's no 10 people on the block, no occupied housing on the block.

There may not have been any occupied houses, but if we have, through our construction, destroyed the curbs and the sidewalks, then it's our responsibility to replace them. If there are no houses in the block, I'm not sure why we even replaced the main. We could easily have cut it off, actually.

All right.

So I'll have to take a look at the details on that.

Thank you. Please do. Avenue of the Arts. Can you give me 00114 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole an update, a time line, where we are with the funding and our scheduling? North. I'm sorry.

Yes.

North.

Somehow I assumed that was the area you were speaking to. As you know, there is work ongoing. I believe a contract was let or should be close to it. I think design was completed in February. And then after the Commissioner speaks to the ongoing work, I can speak for a moment about the planning work that's happening.

The Avenue of the arts, where the design is 99 percent complete, all of our streetscape elements are done, the street lighting is being finalized. We anticipate that our final package will go to PENNDOT for final review on March 25th, next week. After that, we expect to have PENNDOT approval within two months, and they will advertise for bid in July.

Two months?

Two months.

What do they 00115 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole have to approve?

They will go over our final -- We have worked with them through this process. They will give a final signoff on all the design.

Two months.

Two months.

Takes them two months to review, sign off --

It may not take them two months, Councilman, but we've been told so far two months.

And they've been working along with you during that.

Yes.

What exactly do they do? I mean, what takes them two months? Particularly given the fact that they've been involved in the process of formulating the streetscape project.

I'm going to let, actually, Joe Sernick to come forward and add a little detail here for you. ACTING

00116 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole Might I note, especially for Councilman Nutter, who has his light on, that we need to recess until -- Is that okay with you, you will withhold your questions?

I will. ACTING

Thank you.

Good morning, Council. My name is Joseph Sernick. I'm Chief Engineering Surveyor of the Streets Department. With regard to the PENNDOT review, there's two things on this job. Number one, of course, North Broad Street is a State highway; and second of all, most of the money being used for this project is Federal money. So PENNDOT has actually two entrees into reviewing these projects.

What kind of money? I'm sorry. I didn't hear you.

Federal money. There's a large segment of Federal Highway money involved in this project. They look at every aspect of this job. I mean, they looked at the traffic signals, 00117 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole they look at the pavement design. They will read the proposal, which is the book of specifications, word for word and will catch typographical errors. I mean, they are very thorough in their review. Part of the problem is that they typically are not sitting up there waiting for a project to come in for us, so we need to sort of get in line to get reviewed. I know this project has a lot of support both at the City and State level. They're very aware that this is an important project. And it is our hope that they will get on this as soon as it comes in. But typically it does take two months, sometimes longer, to get a response back from them.

Did it take that long on the Avenue of the Arts South?

It probably took longer than that on Avenue of the Arts South.

Because it's more extensive.

I don't think that had as much at that time of a push, in terms of the 00118 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole time crunch. This particular project has been in the works, you know better than I, for a long, long time. And PENNDOT is very sensitized that this is important to us, because we made it clear to them, and I'm sure you have also.

Who in PENNDOT is responsible for the review process?

It's someone working for Vito Genoa. They have a Plans Review Unit. And it's done... We are hopeful that it would be done at District. Sometimes they send these to central office, which is Harrisburg, which is a little problematic from us, because we do things a little differently than PENNDOT does it. It's just a difference. And the people at the District are more familiar with the way we do things. So hopefully we'll keep this review at the District level.

Okay. Do people at PENNDOT work for the Governor?

Well, they work for PENNDOT, which ultimately comes under the Governor, of course. 00119 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole

So the fact that we have a Governor who might have an interest in the Avenue of the Arts North, since that was kind of formulated under his watch, you'd think that we may be able to get that expedited?

I would think he could help, yes.

Do we have someone that's going to make that call? I mean, you know, I only bring that -- I mean, I understand that different administrations have different priorities. We, frankly speaking, were sitting here last year, actually in the room downstairs, talking about this project. And it was kind of like -- At that point in time I think we were talking about sending it to PENNDOT for review. And here we are a year later, we're still, you know, getting ready to send it to PENNDOT for review. And I just don't understand why this project last taken so long, I mean, particularly given the change in the Administration in Harrisburg.

Well, to be fair to 00120 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole the State right now, I mean that -- we... They don't have it yet. So when they get it, that's when we need to make those phone calls. And I know that you've asked to be alerted to the fact as to when that goes there, and that I think you're going to try to help us there also.

Okay. So, supposed to -- Excuse me. Madam Chair, what time do we need to recess? ACTING

Ten minutes ago.

Ten minutes ago. And I understand there's some issues that we need to deal with. Can I pick up this line of questioning? If you want to recess now. ACTING

Absolutely. So that will be fine. So then we will recess. And after the recess we will pick up where we left off. And we thank you all for your service, for your patience. This hearing will be recessed until 2 o'clock today. Thank you all. (A recess was taken from 11:30 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.) 00121 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole ACTING

Councilman Clarke was testifying and wanted to complete his questions that were so scintillating and just earth shattering and keeping all the juices flowing. I know you could not wait and are very angry with me for making you wait to finish this discussion. Thank you, Councilman.

You're welcome. ACTING

Thank you, everybody.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We were in the middle of talking about the status of the Avenue of the Arts project. And I think, Mr. Sernick, you were talking about PENNDOT's involvement, their need to ratify, sign off, or review, analyze, whatever it is they do in PENNDOT, before it comes back to us, the City. Can you just pick up on that testimony, please.

Certainly, Councilman. You'll recall that I said this was both a State highway and the project was utilizing Federal money. So PENNDOT needs to sign off on every 00122 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole aspect of the project. The part that probably takes the longest is the line by line review of the highway work proposal which is basically the contract and specifications, which is a document that's about two-and-a-half inches thick. They literally go through this line by line and read every word here. If you have a typographical error, they'll catch it. This is what takes the longest amount of time.

Okay. Now, they review this and approximately two months it comes back to the City, to the Streets Department?

That's right.

All right.

They'll undoubtedly find something, we'll fix it up, we'll turn it around pretty quickly, send it back to them for backcheck. In truth, they backcheck it pretty quickly.

Wait, wait, wait. You're saying it comes back to us and then it has to go back to PENNDOT.

If they find anything 00123 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole with it in the first review, which is likely --

Okay.

-- they'll mark it up in red, send a fax to us. We can turn that around in a few days, send it back to them for what they call backcheck, to make sure we've made the changes. If that's the case, then they would authorize us to advertise the project. We would then duplicate the bid specs, and advertise it for bids.

You anticipate the... Assuming everything works out correctly and properly, you would anticipate that the bid solicitations will go out approximately when?

Probably the end of June.

End of June. And the turnaround time from that point?

On a project like this, we would have to have at least a month of advertising time, to allow the contractors -- There's a lot of work items here. It's almost a $10 million project. There's a lot of different 00124 03/17/03 - Committee of the Whole tasks. And they would need at least a month to do that. So that we would be getting bids back... I'm reading here. Now it says bid opening, late August.

You said a $10 million project?

Yeah. $9.7 million, I think.

What's the entire scope of the project? Is that just for the streetscape portion?

Well, no. That's for --

Is that everything?

That's for everything.

Is that for the lighting?

The traffic signalization, the streetscape.

And then the streetscape would happen in those designated corridors?