Could you please provide a copy of that report to the Chair? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Sure. It's not actually a report. It's a PowerPoint presentation, but, yeah, I can do that. Absolutely.
Okay. Thank you. The Department of Budget 93 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. includes $49,350, , for payment to Filsbury, Witten and Diamond for lobbyists for transportation issues. The same amount is in FY08. Can you explain that to us? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: There's a contract through the Mayor's Office and departments that utilize services. I have the SEPTA subsidy in my budget. They allocate certain portions of the overall consulting dollars for those services for lobbying to each department, and that happens to be my share, the 49.
Now, since it's in your budget and the Mayor's budget, I'm assuming this is in addition to the $400,000 that the Mayor's Office requested for lobbying in the Mayor's Office budget? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: I can't answer that. I would say it's safe to assume that it's above and beyond, but I don't know. I'd have to ask the 94 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. Finance Department to answer that. I really don't know.
Do you know what services this lobbying firm performs? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Whatever transportation issues that may come up for the City overall.
In Harrisburg? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Harrisburg and I would assume down --
Washington. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: -- in Washington. Both, yes. So I don't know the relationship to the Mayor's budget in my request. I can take that and have that answered by Finance.
Thanks. There was a December 2007 article in the Inquirer and it proposed that the City could help attract tourists to Center City by installing sort of more 95 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. dramatic lighting than we do during the holidays. The article noted that there are 158 giant snowflakes and stars placed on like JFK where there's nobody walking. Has the Department considered or worked with the Tourism Marketing Bureau focusing its holiday lighting displays in Center City where people walk, we can make it an attractive, fun place to come? (Bell rung.) COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Absolutely. I've been working with Center City District for years on this, and I think that a lot of times folks think that the lighting even on Market East is done by the City of Philadelphia. It's done by Center City District. Center City District worked with Public Property to get City Hall with the light projected onto the facade. We do work with them, and, again, it's always a matter -- I think I'm familiar with that article. I was 96 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. interviewed. It's always a matter of discretionary dollars in my budget to do better every year, and I just -- it's not there. So we do the snowflakes on the poles down and around City Hall, some on North Broad Street. We do the flags along the Parkway. There are things that I do in my department. But I do work very closely with the tour office down at the Constitution Center as well as Paul Levy with Center City District.
I heard it. I did hear it. And Councilman Jones would like to be recognized. So at this time, Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. Just on the last comments from my colleague, Councilman Green, I believe that the Public Property Department has 97 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. two compelling interests at least. One is to look at what best practices are done by the private sector, but never ever relinquish its responsibilities primarily to what's in the best interest of the public and also the employees of the City of Philadelphia. And that is a delicate balancing act, because when you start to get too private sector, they do things for cost savings as opposed to safety sometimes. So I like the balance that currently exists within your department and would encourage you to continue that. Yes, let's look at energy efficiencies, but let's not cut costs to the point where we are more profit driven than we should be. So I like the balance that you maintain. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Okay.
A couple of things. Has the private real estate market driven increase in inventory of 98 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. property, decrease in inventory of publicly owned/acquired properties? And how has that private market affected it over the last couple of years, the values of properties, the demand? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: I can say that we were a little concerned that the market is getting soft and that we won't have people offering. People are offering above the appraised values. So if you're asking -- we are seeing that happening with our assets, but I'm not sure I understand the second question.
Well, I guess when we dispose of properties, are we -- how has property values' increase over the last couple years affected the demand on City-acquired parcels? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: I don't actually know that I'm the right --
Do you work with the Vacant Property Review Committee? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Do 99 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. I work with them? Actually, no. I have a person that sits on the Board that attends the meetings and represents me, and I sign off on all the final dispositions of all the properties that are recommended out of that committee.
You also have a requirement to make sure we get an appropriate reimbursement for properties. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Absolutely.
So I'm saying, is there a market fluctuation by way of value? Are we getting -- COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Well, I think we can see that they're not as high valued anymore because of what's happening across the economy. So, in other words, something that would have been appraised at like, say, 500,000 could come in at 400. That's happening.
So I think -- COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: 100 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. But, I mean, in terms of acquiring at sheriff's sale, if you're asking me that, that's not a role that I -- I'm not involved in that part of it.
But as you hold properties and dispose of properties, I'm wondering if there is a fluctuation, but if it's not an appropriate question for your department, that's fine. I'll move to my next one, because I know the timer is on. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Okay.
My next question would be, you are responsible for the Concourse on South Broad? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: At this point in time, it's contracted through the Center City District and we contribute to the lighting to SEPTA. So the City has a financial obligation, which we are meeting, but it's cared for, if you will, by others.
We do own 101 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. it? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Yes.
Has there been any plan -- there were a number of plans in prior Administrations, everything from a vendor's concourse to actually renovating it for retail space. Has there been any recent studies on what its ongoing disposition would be, and Part B of that is, aren't the SEPTA stations owned by us? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Okay. Let me -- the first part of your question is, I just met, I think it was on Monday, with Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler, members of her staff, and Deputy Commissioner Herzins about concourses, what they mean to the whole City, the riders, the public, how we have to do a better job and work together, and she's actually going to start a little small working group. So we're working on how we want to develop and improve the 102 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. overall condition of the concourses. I have a request from Mural Arts. They're coming up on their, I think it's, their 20th anniversary and they're interested in displaying their works down there. I have that on my list of things to do. So I'm interested in working with them. And as far as the SEPTA stations, that's all part of our overall relationship with SEPTA in our lease/leaseback with SEPTA. So, yes, we do own -- (Bell rung.)
And those leases -- and I'm closing -- those leases are coming of age and are expiring and we need to renegotiate with SEPTA. That's my understanding. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Yes. The Law Department is working on that, yes.
I think this Council might want to be apprised of 103 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. future development of those negotiations, A, and the possible development of the Concourse south of Broad. I've been to Atlanta, their underground and other places like that. I think it's time that we start to look at that as an asset as opposed to a liability, and anything that we can do to encourage development on that, I would be interested in as Chairman of Transportation for Council. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: And, for the record, you should know that Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler is in charge of transportation and utilities, so the response would come from her. I'm basically the owner of the asset, if you will, and I work with her, obviously, but she would be the point person on all negotiations.
104 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Your PowerPoint presentation notes that the -- excuse me. Thank you, Madam Chair. Your PowerPoint presentation notes that the Department's strategic plan includes increase of recycling participation in City-managed buildings. Is there some sort of ordinance or law or Executive Order that currently requires recycling in City buildings? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Yes.
So I guess I don't understand that phrase "increase in participation" since it's required. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Basically, the buildings, the privately managed or contracted buildings, do a much better job of recycling. City Hall needs to get a little better at how we're handling our recycling in this building, 105 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. as well as our trash. It's an ongoing problem and concern I have. And then to be perfectly frank, I'm responsible for all police, fire facilities throughout the City, and we do not necessarily recycle in those buildings. So it's in that context that it's my responsibility as the maintenance and the facilities manager. My staff, we have to work with Streets, which we are, to do a better job of recycling in all of our facilities. That's what we're trying to say. We actually started a new program yesterday in the triplex.
Okay. We're required by law to recycle. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Yes. And we do the best we can, but we need to do a better job, is what I'm saying.
Of the 160, I guess -- my notes say 160 plus. I think you said 140. Whatever the number is. Of those facilities, how many 106 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. currently have recycling programs? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: I would say that the answer is, all of them have a recycling program. I would say that all of them don't necessarily do the best they can recycling. So, in other words, police know in those districts that there are cans earmarked for recycling for their soda can and their papers. They don't necessarily use them. So I have to reeducate -- not me. Streets Department will reeducate, and Public Property will do a better job of making sure that we work with the Police Department to make them comply with the law.
Who can we hold accountable if recycling is not happening in places where it's supposed to happen? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: I guess --
In other words, if it's not happening in a police 107 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. district, if it's not happening -- COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: I didn't say it wasn't happening. I just say we're not doing the best job we can.
Okay. But where do we look to try to make sure that the laws regarding recycling in this City are being enforced? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: I would say -- I guess I would say it's a combination of the Streets Commissioner and the Public Property Commissioner, because we each have a role.
Could you describe how recycling works in this building? Because someone that worked here told me that they believe that we go through this effort to have two trash cans, one for paper, one for other materials. At the end of the day, it all gets dumped into one bag. 108 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Not true.
Well, I've seen it happen. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Pardon me?
I've seen it happen. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Well, that's unfortunate, but it is -- I can tell you it's not true, because the Streets Department picks up the trash for City Hall. Their citywide group does it. And we have certain nights where we recycle and certain nights where we do others. Now, keep in mind, there are three distinct custodial operations in City Hall. You have City Council staff, you have First Judicial District contract services, and you have Public Property contract services. We are the largest organization providing these services because we have all the corridors' trash 109 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. removal. We have the more complicated, larger footprint. So if you were to ask me -- if I found out that my contract employees were putting the trash in the regular stream, I would be upset. So, I mean, I will look into it.
You should be upset. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: All right.
This is only a point of information, so I'll go on my next go-around. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: No. I'll look into it.
But I'll just add to this. Are there any municipal buildings that do have two separate trash cans? A lot of people in public buildings have a soda can in their hand or something that should be recycled and it all gets thrown into the one container. 110 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: No. 4
What happens to that -- outside the elevators on the northwest corner, there's one trash can. Everything goes in there, from cans to bottles to half-eaten sandwiches. We don't actually recycle other than in our office spaces, correct? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: The triplex just started the single-stream yesterday. So everything that can be recycled, they're doing it. That's our test case, is triplex.
Separate container? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: No; one stream.
Then garbage goes in there, too? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: No, no, no. You don't put garbage in, no. I have actually statistics about the amount of recycling we do in those three 111 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. buildings.
You don't think garbage goes into the trash cans outside the elevators here in this building? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: City Hall, Councilman, I admit, City Hall is a challenge. I have been meeting with and discussed with --
If you don't think garbage goes in there, just stand there for five minutes and see all the empty lunch bags, half-eaten soda -- or the big soda with ice. All trash goes in there. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: All right. Well, obviously we have to do a better job of putting out the container, signing the area so people don't use it for the wrong purpose. And City Hall, we need to reeducate everybody here.
The reason is, I saw even, with our good security, I 112 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. saw a homeless person going through the trash getting some food out of the trash can. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Okay.
Obviously not all cans and bottles are going into those trash cans. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Okay.
Thanks, Commissioner. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: You're welcome.
Do we have containers in City Hall that specifically specify recyclables? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: (Commissioner indicating.)
113 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. Where? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Right behind you.
And everything goes in there. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: No. It's not meant -- again, a reeducation. It's not meant -- it's meant only to be for recycled materials, which up until yesterday in the triplex was newspapers and cans and bottles.
But I think Councilmembers are somewhat, as I am, confused with what we have in the corridors.
They're trash containers; are they not? They're not for recyclables. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: I will make it my business to look. If it's that color, it's meant to be only 114 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. used for recycling.
It's one trash can. It's a big gray metal thing and you could have -- COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Where is it? Out here?
Every corner as you go out of the building. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: That's a trash can.
That's what I'm talking about. There's no recycling containers in public areas. I think somebody just took that bucket from there and put it there, because there's no 19 recycling effort in this room. See this trash can? Half-eaten hoagie goes in it, along with -- not your testimony, but other testimony. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Councilman, the half-eaten hoagie is a conscious decision that someone makes to 115 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. throw in there. That container is a recycling container. It's meant to be used in that way.
But I think, Commissioner, what's being said here -- COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: We clearly do not have enough in the building. We need to reeducate the tenants.
In the public areas. So I think that's where the confusion is. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: All right. We'll take care of it. I'll work with the Streets Commissioner, Councilman, Madam President, and we'll get it straight.
Very well. 116 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. Councilman Green, I know that Councilman Rizzo had a point of information. We have saved your time.
Thank you, Madam President. I think I'm the last man standing, at any rate. I actually have just one more question, and, that is, in the space that we rent out, do we require as part of our leases that our tenants recycle in those spaces? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Yes.
That is all I have, Madam President. Thank you very much.
Wonderful. Thank you. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: 117 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. That language is in the leases.
Commissioner, again, we thank you and your staff. You've been great. Thank you. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Thank you.
Fleet Management is next. (Witnesses approached witness table.)
Good afternoon. Mr. Muller, we do have a copy of your testimony, if you would like to abbreviate it. I know you've been sitting very patiently for quite some time. We will make certain that a copy is given to the stenographer, and she will transcribe it in full.
Thank you. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
James Muller, 118 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. Fleet Manager for the City of Philadelphia. President Verna and distinguished members of City Council, I am James Muller, Fleet Manager for the City of Philadelphia. Thank you for the opportunity to present testimony in support of the FY 2009 Operating Budget request for the Office of Fleet Management. OFM's FY 2009 General Fund budget request is 63,183,424, including 13,100,000 for the purchase of new equipment, of vehicles. The FY 2009 General Fund budget is approximately $5,400,000 less than FY 2008 estimated obligations. Budgetary variances in FY 2009 are the result of a variety of factors. While Classes 100 and 200 requests of 18,687,192 and 4,208,252, respectively, remained the same as FY08, the Class 300 request of 26,927,980 decreased by 500,000 due to a decrease in fuel usage 119 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. resulting from an upcoming fleet reduction initiative. Class 400 request is 13,300,000, decreased by 4,900,000 for new vehicles because the FY 2008 budget included $4 million moved from out years of the Five-Year Plan. The Office of Fleet Management is coupled to public safety and customer service and promoting a healthy and sustainable environment, three of the Mayor's six key initiatives. OFM is responsible for the acquisition, repair and maintenance and disposal of all City-owned vehicles. OFM's goal is to increase availability and ensure the safety of the fleet. OFM provides the departments with quality service, in the most economical way, while facilitating departments' needs. OFM invests in new technology such as hybrid vehicles, which allow for a cleaner environment for all. Customer service and high-performing government: Research of all new technologies in order to choose 120 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. the most efficient vehicles; provide a vehicle that is safe, clean and reliable; respond to road services within one hour it is reported; maintain all City fuel sites. Our environmental initiatives: OFM will continue to reduce the fleet size while increasing the number of hybrid vehicles. Over the last two years, 50 hybrid vehicles have been placed into service, with another 100 being acquired in 2008. Also, at least 75 sedans will be replaced with more fuel-efficient vehicles. In FY 2009, grant monies will allow us for a pilot program to purchase compressed natural gas-fueled vehicles. Measuring success: Fleet Management measures its success daily with a daily account of downtime of vehicles and the amount of vehicles each department is made available. Organizational success factors, we believe there's three: Qualified 121 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. technicians, new vehicle funding and preventive maintenance. A large portion of OFM's resources are dedicated to buying, repairing and maintaining these vehicles in order to deliver safe, efficient and reliable vehicles at the lowest possible cost. There are three success factors: Quality technicians, sufficient funding for new vehicles and preventive maintenance. Issues and concerns of Fleet Management: The cost of unleaded and diesel fuel continues to rise, and there is little indication it will slow. And hedging the cost per gallon to create opportunities is influenced by so many situations that's difficult to employ. The Office of Fleet Management realizes that the vehicles account for 95 percent of all City services. OFM continues to commit to improve availability, safety and reliability of the City's fleet at the most economical 122 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. cost in delivering City services. Thank you, Madam Chair. At this time, I will take any questions.
Thank you so much. Can you tell us how you're going to be able to reduce your overtime expenditures in FY09 by $515,000? Though I do see that the overtime is $3,127,502, I ask myself, is the overtime being incurred because you do not have ample personnel?
How many employees would you be able to hire for -- I'm not saying you're not going to have any overtime at all, but say for two and a half million dollars. How many employees would you be able to hire?
To my left side is Robert Fox, my Administrative Services Director, and Bob is whispering 20 to 24 people that we could hire with that kind 25 of money. 123 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc.
And that would include their benefits, et cetera?
Oh, it wouldn't. I think that's an awful lot of money in overtime.
That would be great. And, Bob, if you could just tell us what your current vacancy rate is, I would appreciate it, and tell us what is the average time that it takes you to fill a vacancy.
Robert Fox, Fleet Management. To answer the question regarding the overtime and the hiring, which is an excellent question, one of our big obstacles has been the competition for the existing technicians 124 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. that are in the field. Right now private industry exceeds us in salary and recently the School District and SEPTA have increased the salaries of their employees over and above ours. We have lost six employees since the start of the year to SEPTA, and that hurts us even when we do have the funding to fill the positions and it forces us to use more overtime. Our vacancy --
I'm sorry. Have you addressed this issue with Personnel?
Yes, we have, and we've increased our pay scale for technicians by two grades, an additional $3,500 per year for the employees, but that still has not made us competitive. The City used to be more competitive because of our benefit package exceeded, but the School District and SEPTA, after all, they fix buses. You know, they don't have near the complicated equipment 125 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. that we have and they don't work the kind of shift work that we work. Our vacancy rate against the increment run was -- right now against the increment run is and against our 7 '09 budget it's 22. 8
So in 9 your '09 budget you will have 22 10 vacancies? 11
And I 13 think I asked you how long it takes to 14 fill a vacant position.
I would say when you take into consideration the list and interviewing and the background checks, conservatively I'd say three, four months.
Okay. However, I think you have a problem and you have not resolved the problem, and I would suggest you go back to Personnel. Have you been back to them?
Yes. They've been 126 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. very helpful to us and I know they've done more recruiting on our behalf. We've started a program to give our employees a stipend if they're able to recruit employees for us that remain.
It has to be resolved and I would suggest you go back to Personnel and try to resolve it. Also, on -4 of your detail, you are showing budget efficiencies, vehicle reduction of $500,000. What are the efficiencies that you have achieved that allows you to save these funds?
We were able to do a fleet reduction in FY04 that reduced 329 vehicles and produced savings of over a million dollars, and we did that strictly by looking at usage, fuel usage. If the 127 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. fuel usage was insufficient, if people were filling up less than a month -- less than one time a month, we considered those vehicles underutilized and we recommended to the Managing Director's Office that those vehicles be retired. And we're going to follow that same program this year and try to eliminate the same amount of vehicles.
Can you tell me why these efficiencies aren't attainable in the Water and Aviation Fund?
That's a good question, and we definitely could pursue those other funds. We've never had a situation in those funds that mirror the General Fund, but it's a good suggestion and I'm sure we'll do it.
Thank you. Also, on -4 it reflects 128 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. a saving of $4.5 million vehicle purchasing funding. Why are you reducing the account?
Last year in the FY08, the Budget Bureau moved $4 million from the out years, FY10, '11, '12. They moved it into FY08 to allow us to purchase an additional $5 million worth of equipment for the Fire Department. So while it looks like the budget has been reduced this year, it really has not. It's just that they moved money into FY --
Amen. 129 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. What vehicles will you be purchasing in FY09 by department?
We'll be meeting with the departments throughout the spring and we'll get their list from them what they consider the most important. We'll give our suggestions to the Managing Director's Office and we'll have it settled by the end of this fiscal year.
Very well. In your testimony you state that, quote, "The cost of unleaded and diesel fuel continues to rise, and there is little indication it will slow," end of quote. Based on that statement, how do you plan to reduce your gasoline budget by $500,000 in FY09?
We plan to do a fleet reduction to help that cost. Also we're looking at alternative fuels, hybrid vehicles. Also, on our diesel side, to switch over to purchase some 130 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. compressed natural gas vehicles, which was an old -- that old saying, everything old is new again. Compressed natural gas is a lot cheaper than diesel fuel, so we're looking into that.
Thank you, Madam Chair. It's interesting, Madam President, you brought that question up. I've encouraged a couple folks that I know to look at Fleet Management as an opportunity, and they called me back and said, Thanks, but no thanks, because the environment outside in the private sector, mechanics that work on cars and dealerships today, it's clean work today. It's not dirty. It's not lots of hydraulics. You see a technician with a laptop now rather than a wrench. And they work on commission. I didn't realize that. Many of these techs that work in the private sector make big, big 131 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. money because they get a piece of the action. They get a commission on whatever the job is. So it's very tough to recruit mechanics, especially some winter morning you're out trying to get a compactor started that's got garbage that was stuck on it overnight. So it's not the greatest environment to work in. But I do want to add something that I discovered when we were talking about the paramedic issue with Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, that you're getting close in this fiscal year to spend $19 million on fuel, and the Commissioner didn't mention the fact that when we respond with ladders and engine companies, that we're sending probably the biggest gas guzzler or diesel guzzler that's in our fleet to make a run.
And one of the things that I learned -- because 132 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. you're kind of the envy of other big fleets throughout the country. A friend of mine that works in another city is looking to do something that you've already done, and he mentioned the word diesel oxidation catalyst that you've placed on, I understand, 75 of our apparatus that has really made a significant impact. So obviously knowing that this equipment was going to be used for something that it really was not intended to be used for, daily runs to do hospital responses, that the fuel costs were very, very high. And so I'd like you to comment on this program, because I understand you're into some relationship with Public Health, and also talking about this grant that you got for biodiesel fuel. What exactly is biodiesel fuel, and talk about these diesel oxidation catalysts.
We had the Health Department Air Management Division and a 133 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. woman named Allison Riley who has got us a $250,000 grant to purchase biodiesel and also to build a biodiesel facility down at 63rd Street. Also with the funding we received, we're going to replace -- we're going to add a diesel oxidation catalyst on 75 ladders and pumpers combined, and what it does, it lowers the emissions, the hydrocarbons by 70 percent, the carbon monoxide by 70 percent and particulate matter by 13 percent. But on top of that, we also 14 have money to do 170 compactors, which 15 will reduce the emissions, and this was 16 all done through Air Management. 17 Like I said, the other thing 18 we're doing, Councilman, is working with 19 hopefully PGW to obtain funding for a 20 CNG, compressed natural gas, facility so 21 we could do a pilot program with our 22 compactors. So we're looking to try to 23 save some money, because the fuel cost is 24 getting outrageous. 25
Well, that's 134 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. good, because other than just fixing the trucks and keeping them running and -- matter of fact, again, thanks. I understand that you've got some of your people to really hustle and get the five additional medic units on the street.
We have medic 12 units on order, first one to come in in 13 May. 14
But you rehabbed or you got operational five almost immediately.
That's great. Thank you, and thanks for looking down the road on some of these other biodiesel fuels and this diesel oxidation catalyst, because anything you can do to keep the air cleaner and get this equipment that really is being used in a way that it wasn't intended to, to 135 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. squeeze a little more fuel economy out of it and keep it cleaner is really appreciated. Thanks for that foresight.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I think it's still morning. Good morning. It's afternoon? Good afternoon. I think the Council President touched on the issue of your ability to hire people. I'm just wondering if you're working with any -- if you've considered working with any high schools or other people to try to interest people in this profession, start their training in high school, letting them do 136 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. internships so they can then take the test when they leave high school and come in sort of interested in doing what you need done in your department.
Yes. We presently have a program for high school interns and we hire them through the summer. They go and they work hours a week 10 while they're going to school. And after 11 four years, they become an apprentice, 12 take a test. Matter of fact, our body 13 shop at 11th and Reed, I believe there's 14 like four or five guys there now raising 15 families, buying homes. All started 16 through that program. So, yes, we do 17 have that program. 18
And why 19 can't you use that program for these 20 positions that you're unable to fill?
We are, but I think it's like two or three people that we're hiring.
So two or three interns you get? 137 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc.
So if we increased the number of interns that you are able to have, would you have the capacity to manage them so that you could have a more predictable --
Would you please provide a recommendation to that to the Chair so that we can perhaps, not in the immediate term but in the short term, try to address some of your hiring needs?
Yes. And I can tell you what our program is right now, give you a copy of what we do right now with Personnel.
Excluding emergency vehicles, so Police and Fire, 138 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. how many vehicles are in the fleet that you'd say are passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs?
Yes. Police and Fire 24/7. Streets Department has eight hours, plus they have another sanitation shop that opens at night, and they have -- so they're working 16 hours.
So when you say 90 percent, what happens to the other 600 cars?
We are PM'ing some vehicles during -- so various departments, Health, Recreation. I mean, 139 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. you know...
I'm not sure I follow that, but let's focus on the 1,500 vehicles. Of those 1,500 vehicles, how many are used by people who require them because they have to respond to things from home in the evening?
Take-home vehicles are a department and it goes through the Managing Director's Office. You have to submit that list to the Managing Director every month of who in your department are allowed to take vehicles home and why they're allowed to take vehicles home. Fleet, we don't have anything to do with that take-home policy.
Not off the top of my head. I would be guessing if I gave you a number. I don't know.
If you could provide that to the Chair. Do you know how many are not 140 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. take-home?
Okay. So I'm going to come back to the vehicles that people don't take home. PhillyCarShare, how many vehicles when we started the PhillyCarShare program did we get out of our fleet?
And they're primarily used for people who don't need to take a car home?
Reality, they were used for people just to drive back and forth to work. That's what we found.
No. The people whose cars we took away from -- when we 141 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. did the fleet reduction.
Okay. Now what about people -- so you have not implemented PhillyCarShare for people who come to work and then use that car in the course of their daily duties?
Let me let Bob speak on that, because Bob was the one that did the PhillyCarShare.
Councilman, Bob Fox, Fleet Management. PhillyCarShare was instituted for the City for the expressed purpose of providing transportation for employees that needed it about an hour, two hours, two and a half hours a day. Once you get over that amount of time a day, it's more economical to buy. But we had a number of employees in the City that needed a car. (Bell rung.)
There was no question they needed a car. They just didn't need a whole car. They needed half a car. 142 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. And so we had to give them a whole car. By putting PhillyCarShare in, we were able to eliminate those vehicles.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
First of all, I just want to thank you and your efficient staff for any time that I've ever had a problem with cars, that you've taken care of very effectively, 143 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. efficiently and professionally. Your staff does, I think, an excellent, excellent job down there, especially I think Joe Rosado that I have personal contacts with him, and I think he's a credit to your department. He really is.
Thank you. I am a little partial. I think I have a fantastic staff. That's why Fleet is so successful.
And I agree with you. I just want to touch upon something, and I think maybe the President has mentioned this, as well as Councilman Rizzo. It's about how many SUVs we presently have in the fleet, and I would like to know if there's any -- is there any plan to replace these vehicles with more fuel-efficient cars?
Yes. We are hoping that's going to be part of our reduction, yes. We're looking to get more efficient vehicles. 144 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc.
And your definition of an SUV, just so we can get it on the record.
Do you have any idea how many of these 884 would be replaced or would you --
Okay. Is there any reason why a person would need an SUV?
Well, the Police Department for Traffic Division, they like the SUV because of the four-by-four 145 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. and the availability of a front push bumper so they can actually push cars that are broken down out of the intersections. That's one. Fire Department because of the size of the vehicle, so they can put all this extra equipment that they carry in the back.
You don't have them broken down by any way, do you, from the Police Department --
I can get it for you. I don't have it here, but we can get it for you.
Okay. That's all I have for you at this time. Thank you, Madam President.
146 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc. You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to challenge something you said, which is that it costs less to buy, maintain and fill a car with gas if a car is going to be used more than, I think you said, an hour and a half a day.
If a vehicle -- if you consider PhillyCarShare to be like Yellow Cab and you know the employee is going to use it every day for about three hours, at the end of the year, the end of three years, you're better off having purchased the car if they're using it that much. It was never intended for that kind of purpose.
So you're saying that PhillyCarShare with a fleet-type rate where we could get something at like 4.90 an hour and for some of their cars 3.90 an hour, so -- 147 4/2/08 - WHOLE - BILL 080022, etc.