Throughout5 the -- well, at least for the past year,6 I had a number of conversations with7 disadvantaged businesses around the8 construction opportunities or projects9 happening at CCP. And so at last year's10 testimony, you stated CCP has benchmarks11 for construction projects which are12 similar to City benchmarks. Please, if13 you could, detail the current large and14 small construction projects you now have15 going on at CCP.16
I can answer for17 the Northeast project, because that is18 complete. We're not far enough along in19 the main campus, I think, to give you20 numbers that would be true or relevant21 yet, because there are plenty of22 subcontractors and others that have not23 been hired yet. They have not worked.24 But for the Northeast, the25 274 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 benchmark for minority-owned business or2 contractors was 25 percent. We achieved3 17 percent. For women-owned contractors,4 it was ten percent. We achieved seven5 percent. For disabled-owned, the6 benchmark was two percent. We achieved7 15 percent. So the total was 39 percent.8
Do you9 give any weight to Philadelphia-based10 businesses?11
We attempt to do12 that. It is a bidding process at the13 end.14
So in your18 bidding process, do you give weight to19 the Philadelphia-based businesses?20
I don't know -- if21 you mean by that extra points or22 something, I don't think the answer is23 yes, no.24
Currently25 275 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 your budget from the City is 4 million;2 is that correct?3
It's not looked at18 separately; that is to say, it goes into19 the general operating pot for the20 College, as would the state funds, as21 would tuition and fees. So the general22 answer to your question is, 85 percent of23 all of our expenditures are personnel,24 salaries, benefits, et cetera. That only25 276 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 leaves 15 percent for everything else.2
Yes. It6 gets me closer to the question.7 Do you have in your8 infrastructure on the management side9 professionals whose principal duty is10 that of meeting and/or exceeding the11 goals you've set around disadvantaged12 businesses?13
That is part of14 our normal process within the purchasing15 area. So I would say the answer is,16 everyone in that area is expected to17 pursue those goals.18
Okay. And19 so what would be CCP's policy on business20 diversity? Is there a written policy as21 such?22
I don't know if23 there's a policy, but there is a set of24 practices that we absolutely follow.25 277 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 Well before we go after or put RFPs out,2 our normal process is always to be3 identifying potential vendors, minority,4 women-owned, et cetera, and we do it in5 specific ways. We work with the various6 chambers of commerce in the City, et7 cetera.8
It means that the11 individuals in purchasing -- I go back to12 the first part of your question --13 literally meet ahead of time and are14 soliciting the names of potential vendors15 in the areas where we would spend money.16 We do the same thing through appropriate17 organizations. I don't know if I know18 all the names of them, Pennsylvania19 Minority Business Enterprise Center, et20 cetera, et cetera.21
We do that. About23 every other year, we host a minority --24
Tell me4 about that as well, because that was one5 of my questions as well.6
Well, we're the7 lead for that, but in recent years we've8 been joined by the City, by a couple of9 other universities.10 So we send out to all of the11 above that I just mentioned an12 announcement about the fair, and what13 we're inviting is vendors who would like14 to understand our processes and know the15 kinds of business that we solicit. They16 get to come. We basically set up tables17 to talk about the kind of commodities18 that we purchase, the kind of service19 contracts that we would be bidding,20 because, again, we want, in effect, to21 identify in advance potential vendors.22 And then when we get to the actual23 bidding process, it's not that we still24 wouldn't go to a chamber of commerce or25 279 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 other places, but we already have in hand2 some potential vendors, and we3 automatically send them the RFP, et4 cetera, et cetera, et cetera. That's a5 regular part of what we do.6
For future10 minority business fairs, invite the11 Council offices, because we too hear from12 small businesspeople all the time looking13 for ways they can penetrate and gain14 access --15
-- to17 larger institutions in the City who have18 opportunity to offer.19
Thank you,25 280 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 Madam President.2 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:3 You're welcome.4
Madam5 President, could we ask Dr. Curtis to6 please share with us the professionals7 and members of the Board that are here8 with him today.9
The members of the10 Board -- well, you've heard from our11 Chair, Varsovia Fernandez. Councilman12 Kenney has been identified as a member of13 our Board. I think those are our two14 Board members. There are many15 individuals associated with the College.16 You want me to go through everyone?17
Okay. Lynette19 Brown-Sow, our Vice-President for20 Marketing and Government Relations; Tom21 Hawk, our Vice-President for Finance and22 Planning. That's why I kept asking him23 the questions, are they local, because I24 didn't know. Josie DiGregorio, the25 281 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 Executive Assistant to the President;2 Todd Murphy over at the end in the back,3 who is the Controller for the College;4 Jody Bauer, who is our Chief Information5 Officer, she's our IT head, I guess6 technically Vice-President for7 Information Technology as well; Judy Gay,8 the Vice-President for Academic Affairs;9 and Marsha Ray, the Vice-President for10 Institutional Advancement.11
Very well.12 Thank you very, very much. I mean, we13 have these large institutions and it's14 great to have a glimpse, if you will, of15 the parts that help make it up. So thank16 you very much.17
Thank you.20 Thank you, Madam President.21 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:22 You're welcome.23 The Chair recognizes Councilman24 Kenney.25 282 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371
Madam2 President, Councilmember Blackwell wanted3 to make one comment before I started.4 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:5 Certainly.6 Councilwoman.7
Thank8 you, Madam President.9 Unfortunately, I'd like to be10 excused after this to attend a PIDC11 meeting, but I wanted to certainly say12 thank you for the programs you have that13 honor the community. I look forward to14 seeing you. I know I'll see Lynette15 Brown at CCP at 4725 Chestnut every year16 in honoring the community. And I did not17 know about your special programs that18 help vets and for prison inmates, and I19 will be in touch with you. I'd like to20 work more closely with you on those21 programs and would appreciate any22 information you can send me.23
Thank25 283 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 you.2 Thank you, Madam President.3 Thank you, Councilman Kenney.4 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:5 Councilman Kenney.6
Thank you,7 Madam President. I have more of a8 comment than a question. I saw your9 reaction when you asked Dr. Curtis how10 many students were enrolled at Community11 College and he said 40,000, and you kind12 of reeled back in shock. Let me compare13 it also to another school in the14 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that has15 40,000 students, and that's Pennsylvania16 State University at University Park, our17 Penn State. So if you think of it in18 terms of size, it is at least as large as19 Penn State University at University Park.20 If you take into account the cuts that21 are coming from the Commonwealth through22 Governor Corbett's budget and the hole23 that is in the School District's budget24 and the struggle that the School District25 284 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 has in getting kids to proficiency level,2 I think we ought to seriously consider3 when it comes to crunch time, when we4 actually sit down with the Mayor and5 figure out those final days of the6 budget, perhaps finding a way to get them7 a little more money.8 If our kids are not, all of our9 kids, are not coming out of our high10 schools, our comprehensive high schools11 proficient, I don't want to see them lose12 any opportunity that they have to get13 proficient and then to get to work or to14 go on to higher learning. And the only15 place they're going to be able to do that16 once they graduate from high school is at17 Community College, because they take18 everyone. No one gets denied entrance.19 They take everyone, and they're taking20 them from our public schools that, again21 for understandable reasons, many of them22 cultural, financial and otherwise,23 struggling to get these kids where they24 need to be to be marketable as employees.25 285 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 So you know those last few days2 that we sit and haggle a little bit with3 the Mayor, and I think the Mayor again4 has shown that he's totally committed to5 education and getting people to graduate6 from college, this is our last or our7 kids' last chance to go in a college8 direction or in a technical training9 direction. And they're going to get hit10 this year. There's no doubt. It's very11 clear between being held harmless here12 and the cuts that are coming from the13 Commonwealth, I think we need to try to14 maybe find a little more, within reason,15 to keep them going while we weather this16 fiscal calamity. So that's just my17 comment.18
Thank22 you.23 Are there any other questions24 from members of the Committee?25 286 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 (No response.)2 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:3 Again, Doctor, thank you so much for all4 the good work that you do and certainly5 for the patience that you've shown here6 today.7
Not a problem. We8 thank all of you. It's a pleasure again9 to be able to speak with you today.10
Thank11 you.12 We will now hear from SEPTA.13 (Witnesses approached witness14 table.)15
Good16 afternoon. Please identify yourself for17 the record and proceed with your18 testimony.19
Good afternoon. My20 name is Joseph Casey, General Manager for21 SEPTA. With me at the table is Richard22 Burnfield, Chief Financial Officer and23 Treasurer for SEPTA.24 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:25 287 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 Please proceed.2
Good afternoon,3 Council President Verna and members of4 City Council. 5 million16 trips as compared to last year. percent19 participation rate achieved for the SEPTA20 work. Looking to the future, we are6 advancing the long-awaited replacement of7 our fare collection system with the award8 of new payment technology contracts later9 in this year, and the hybrid buses and10 Silverliner 5 regional railcars are11 joining our service fleet. 9 on the scale of 10. This is23 the highest score we've ever received24 since the survey process began, and25 290 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 improvements was noted in every mode and2 every category, from cleanliness,3 security, to the conditions of stations4 and vehicles. 8 SEPTA is an integral part of9 the community, and we are dedicated to10 improving the quality of life in the City11 by delivering transit services and giving12 back to the community. This past13 Saturday, over 650 employees volunteered14 to participate in the Philly Spring15 Cleanup. 25 291 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 In closing, as government and2 as agencies struggles with shrinking3 revenues and shrinking budgets, SEPTA4 understands that transportation is a big5 component to economic recovery. 14
Thank15 you.16 The Chair recognizes Councilman17 Greenlee.18
First of23 all, Mr. Casey, I just want to thank you.24 I know lots of Councilpeople can say25 292 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 this, but for the cooperation of your2 office in helping with the many issues3 that come up to our offices. I have to4 make special mention of Ms. Jones back5 there, who we interact with for many6 years. And just, for example, this past7 year, there was some, right in my home8 area, some movement, I think misguided,9 to try to relocate some buses, and I10 think SEPTA responded very quickly with11 the facts and kind of stopped that, and I12 think it helped the public in that13 neighborhood a lot better. So thank you.14
I see16 about the hybrid buses that you'll have.17 Once these other hybrid buses are added,18 it will be one-third of the fleet?19
Is there22 particular areas that you're putting23 those or is there kind of all over the24 place?25 293 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371
Actually, they're2 across the region. We spread them out.3 I will say the other buses that haven't4 been replaced yet, they are fuel5 efficient. They do remit less emissions.6 So they are good buses, not quite up to7 the hybrid, but...8
Right.9 Now, are some of those hybrid buses, are10 they the articulated buses?11
I would17 guess so.18 Just one other thing I have to19 raise, and I know I raised it with you20 last year. Probably something we're not21 going to agree on on one thing. The22 whole gender-based Trans Pass issue.23 There are certain members of the24 community who feel that that really puts25 294 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 them -- they're already in what they feel2 is oftentimes a mistreated situation and3 it gets them farther into that. Have you4 looked at that any more? Is it something5 you've thought about? I assume there's6 an economic issue here. I know you7 raised it last time, but I just wonder8 just generally on that issue.9
There is an10 economic issue, but recently the Board11 approved financing to proceed with new12 pimping technologies. Once that is in13 works, our plan is to get rid of the M14 and F stickers.15 But we did meet with the16 community, transgender community, to17 discuss their issues. We don't like our18 employees to treat anyone poorly, and we19 train our employees to deal with certain20 situations very carefully. We told them21 if there's any specific issues, let us22 know and we would deal with them. And23 those issues are few and far between.24 Other than simple requests to get rid of25 295 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 the M and F's, we've had very few2 instances, and when we do get them, we go3 right to the source and deal with our4 employee directly.5
Is there6 an estimate of what you think would be7 the dollar loss if you did away with that8 right now?9
Four to 517 million.18 How do you come up -- I mean,19 are you kind of assuming that everybody20 is going to trade the Trans Passes?21
No. It's a certain22 percentage, and I can get you the23 statistics on that.24
I mean,25 296 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 if you could, yeah. Because that sounds2 like a high figure. And I'm assuming now3 females may change with females and males4 change with males, right?5
I mean, we have9 certain passes that we know are shared,10 and when you get passes that are utilized11 150 to 180 times on a weekly basis, you12 know they're being shared, and that's the13 basis we look at. We look at certain14 passes that we know the current passes15 are being shared more than, say, 50 or 6016 times and we extrapolate that. It17 probably would double if that's the case.18
And not19 to belabor this point, but how much, say,20 of the males right now? Is there a21 percentage that you think gets shared?22
If you25 297 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 have it --2
If you5 could forward that through the6 President's office.7
Thank9 you, Mr. Casey.10 Thank you, Madam President.11 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:12 You're welcome.13 The Chair recognizes Councilman14 Goode.15
Thank you,16 Madam President.17 Just to continue on that issue18 very briefly, so you acknowledge that19 it's a problem because your system is20 obsolete?21
Our system -- we're22 probably the last major transit that23 still uses tokens and paper transfers.24 So, yes, we would say so.25 298 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371
Thank you.7 The only other two questions I8 have very quickly is, one, in terms of9 contract participation, do you have any10 disadvantaged businesses that serve as11 prime contractors?12
All our16 construction areas. I can give you the17 complete list. Our goals for the year is18 13 and a half percent DBE participation19 on all the --20
The question21 really was whether they are prime22 contractors or subcontractors.23
Excuse me. I have24 to ask.25 299 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 Let me introduce Lillie Claitt.2 She runs our DBE office.3 (Witness approached witness4 table.)5
Good afternoon.6 I'm Lillie Claitt. I'm the Director of7 the DBE program at SEPTA. And could you8 just please repeat that question again?9
The question10 is, do you have any disadvantaged11 businesses that serve as prime12 contractors rather than subcontractors?13
On our17 construction. Well, our construction and18 our professional service contracts. On19 construction on our stimulus, for20 example, we had two prime contractors,21 and on our -- we have some service22 contracts that we also have, some of our23 cleaning contractors, cleaning contracts24 have DBEs as primes. Some of our25 300 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 professional service, our A&E type2 projects have had DBEs as prime.3
What is the4 largest contract that SEPTA expects to5 award next year?6
The new payment12 technology, to get rid of the tokens and13 transfers.14
And was18 there participation goals set within that19 contract?20
Participation goal21 is seven percent on the new payment22 technology project.23
And how was24 that determined?25 301 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371
That was2 determined based on the anticipated3 elements of the work, from the design4 piece through the management piece of it.5
So clearly6 you believe you've identified all7 subcontract opportunities?8
To the extent9 possible. There may be others, you know,10 but we look to realize over the course of11 that whole project at least seven percent12 or more.13
And did any18 of the proposals identify additional19 subcontracting opportunities?20
Yes, they did. I21 believe the highest we received was like22 15 percent.23
So seven24 percent was probably low, then.25 302 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371
Seven percent2 industry-wise for that type of contract3 was in the ball park.4
Well,5 industry-wise is one thing, and I won't6 belabor this too far, but our approach,7 particularly with City agencies -- and8 you're not a City agency, but our9 approach with City agencies this year is10 to actually look at their largest11 contracts and to find out whether they've12 actually identified all the13 subcontracting opportunities. Otherwise,14 even though you're not a City agency,15 we're still contributing tens of millions16 of dollars to it, and we are not only the17 largest contributory in terms of taxpayer18 money, we're the largest contributor in19 terms of fares. And so we believe that20 there should be opportunities for21 disadvantaged businesses and there should22 be opportunities for local-based23 businesses, and so we will continue to24 ask those questions. And I would ask25 303 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 that you look at that contract and the2 other -- the next largest contracts to3 see whether you've actually identified4 all the subcontracting opportunities that5 are there, or else that's money that is6 not being fairly spent. Thank you.7 Thank you, Madam President.8 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:9 You're welcome.10 The Chair recognizes Councilman11 Kenney.12
Thank you,13 Madam President.14 I just want to revisit for a15 moment this Trans Pass issue, male and16 female. You say that we have statistics17 that say that women more than men will18 share passes? I'm sorry. I thought19 that's what I heard you say.20
I'm not saying21 that. The current -- the way it is, we22 validate the pass with either an M or F23 sticker. The way it is now, two males24 could share a pass.25 304 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371
Without the3 sticker, you have males and females can4 also share passes. So there is a5 measurement, although it's --6
How do you7 share a pass when you're on the system at8 the same time?9
As I said, we have10 passes that are being used upwards to11 150, 180 times on a weekly basis. Those12 passes are being shared. Whether it's --13
Is there14 some unit, some fraud unit, that will go15 after -- or you can't determine who holds16 the pass; is that it?17
No. We don't know18 who is holding the pass. They're just19 being used. Again, it's an obsolete20 system. We just have the number of times21 it's being used. We suspect it's a lot22 of the delivery people in Philadelphia.23
All right.7 I see some of the bikes on the train8 every now and then.9 Have we had instances where10 transgender folks have been denied access11 because of the pass?12
I mean, we're17 getting -- I've been getting a lot of18 e-mails from all over the country19 actually suggesting I get rid of them or20 encouraging me to get rid of the M and21 F's, but as far as actual incidents where22 people complain or something, an incident23 as really happened, that they've been24 either mistreated or whatever, they're25 306 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 few and far between, believe me.2
Directly. We get5 the specific individual. We go to our6 employees. We don't want any of our7 employees to treat any passenger that8 way, and we deal with those instances9 right away.10
I know I've11 been reading about this conversion to12 this new system. When do you expect that13 to be in place?14
Well, the full15 conversion will probably take about two16 and a half to three years.17
Finally, I18 always tease you guys when I see you. I19 call you the eight-minute crew. I use20 public transit every day, sometimes twice21 a day, a lot of the subway and a lot of22 Broad Street -- the Market Street Line,23 and those trains are eight minutes. I24 mean, I used to get frustrated if I got25 307 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 to the bottom of the stair and the train2 was pulling out, you know. And I time3 it. It's eight or less --4
-- during6 the weekdays, and even on the weekends.7 I mean, I very rarely go further than8 ten.9 So I just want -- if any10 judgment of a transit system is making11 the trains run on time, these trains are12 running on time. So thanks for your13 continued efforts in that area.14
Oh, the16 only other thing I would raise, and I17 know you guys are at your wit's end18 sometimes. We always get -- people have19 been to Paris and they've been to20 Washington and London, and it's so clean21 there and we can't believe -- when I look22 at what's in our trains or in our buses23 or in our train stations, it's all folks24 that's just leaving food and trash and25 308 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 diapers and just like craziness. What2 have you been doing to kind of make3 people aware of their behavior and why4 the trains and buses are not as clean as5 we'd all like them to be because people6 are dirtying them?7
They do go out8 clean, but I'll tell you, our problem9 isn't unique to Philadelphia. I think10 it's an American type thing. New York is11 also having problems with the12 cleanliness. But we do have a passenger13 etiquette campaign, if you saw some of14 the posters on the -- and we try to15 encourage people, sort of tongue and16 cheek type thing. But we have to revamp17 it, because we don't think that's as18 effective as it is. And it's not so much19 for us doing it; cleaning it up for your20 other passengers that will be following21 you on that seat.22
Yeah. And23 just finally on the one little poster24 issue. I want to thank you. I was on25 309 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 the Market Street Line a number of months2 ago and I was getting off at 11th Street,3 which is the Convention Center stop, and4 to the left of me on an advertising board5 was, "Philadelphia, No. 2 bed bug problem6 in the country," and I'm saying to7 myself, why -- I mean, I'm getting off at8 the Convention Center where the Marriott9 is and I need to -- and your folks not10 only responded quickly, Mr. Kelly, and11 responded quickly, but came up with a12 solution that allowed the people to13 continue to advertise their bed bug14 extermination outfit without denigrating15 Philadelphia's reputation. So we may16 have them, but I don't think we're No. 2.17 And I don't know who started that whole18 radio system or how you measure it, but19 anyway, but thanks for being innovative,20 keeping your advertiser relatively happy21 and not denigrating the image of the22 City.23
We try to.24 Unfortunately, a couple of those ads do25 310 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 slip by.2
The only3 other one that was just stunning, and you4 got rid of it almost like that, was, I5 got on at the Broad Street Subway Line to6 go to an Eagles game and the entire7 interior of the train was painted Bud8 Light, it was that blue. And I think you9 guys must have looked at it and said, No,10 this is not good, and it was gone like11 that. So I do appreciate your12 responsiveness and the fact that the13 trains run on time. Thanks.14
Thank16 you.17 The Chair recognizes18 Councilwoman Brown.19
Welcome24 back. Know that for the record I join25 311 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 Councilman Goode in always paying2 attention to how our agencies,3 departments are doing with regards to4 equity and opportunity, and thank you for5 having infrastructure in place in the6 professional you have with you to stay on7 top of it in a very systemic, systematic,8 strategic type of way. We appreciate9 that.10 Let me say thank you also11 for -- we get plenty of notices from12 SEPTA about what you're doing, and it13 keeps us informed but also helps us to14 keep staff informed as they deliver15 services to constituents. And in keeping16 with that practice, you have let us17 know -- continue to let us know about the18 outreach sessions you're doing to reach19 out to MBE/WBEs.20
Because we22 still get too many requests for23 opportunities, and when we have that, we24 can pass it on. That works.25 312 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 Congratulations also on making2 huge advances around being3 environmentally friendly. Your fleet is4 growing. What is the long-term goal5 here? I'm looking at the testimony on6 of your testimony around the fleet7 enhancement.8
I keep my CFO at11 bay here.12 Our plan was to finish all our13 vehicles with hybrids as the fleet is14 retired, but overall we have a number of15 goals to become more environmental. Our16 building itself has won a number of17 awards, including the EPA award for the18 building for the energy savings in our19 office building. But overall we've done20 a lot of things, recycling the washing21 fluid at the depots from the bus washing22 machines, recycling antifreeze, oil, et23 cetera. And even now we actually recycle24 railroad ties that in the past they used25 313 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 to just be put in a landfill. They're2 actually sold back to someone that3 actually burns them in a --4
I'm not sure if7 it's a local company. Actually, I think8 it's a Pennsylvania company. But9 actually burns as a high temperature and10 produces energy.11 We also entered into a contract12 with Viridity for our wayside storage to13 capture some electricity that's lost in14 the braking operation on the Frankford15 Line. So you would capture that and16 create a battery so you can either use17 that part of the line or sell it back on18 the grid.19 So those are the things that we20 have proceeded with so far, but I have a21 whole separate group that really embraced22 this idea --23
Of24 sustainability.25 314 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371
-- of clean energy2 and sustainability, and we will continue3 to --4
Make5 advances that way. Well, there are a6 number of us in Council, including7 Councilman Kenney who chairs that8 committee, who pay attention to those9 type of advances being made. And I10 should mention that Councilman Kenney and11 I were in a meeting three weeks ago12 talking about the tires in the City of13 Philadelphia and did a company exist14 locally that could or would recycle15 tires. So that's why I raised the16 question are they local, because we17 simply could not think of anyone.18 Moving to the last portion of19 your testimony and your corporate20 responsibility presence, you speak here21 about several initiatives, and so I put22 this on the table for consideration and23 was actually in the middle of drafting a24 letter to this end. It's not a novel25 315 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 idea and I can't take credit for it, but2 in traveling Chicago on their3 transportation system, they have a4 practice where there are bookcases at5 each one of the stations where riders can6 pick up or deliver at their leisure and,7 of course, thought about whether or not8 we could emulate or duplicate that9 practice here in Philadelphia. What10 would be your initial reaction or comment11 about that type of initiative?12
As a matter of13 fact, when we did that book drive, the14 40,000 books, we did carve out a lot of15 the hardbacks and actually started that16 program at a number of the regional rail17 stations. A lot of the regional rail18 stations we have those bookcases where19 people borrow the books and return them.20 And we expanded it somewhat. I'm not21 sure how many stations, but I can get you22 the details on that, but we have that on23 the regional rail.24
I would25 316 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 welcome that and then to look, if we2 could, add another layer to that and3 consider placing that type of image or4 accessibility to books in our subway5 system here as well for young people that6 travel that line.7
So if you9 could forward that to the Chair, that10 would be welcomed.11
And that13 takes care of my questioning. Thank you14 for the work that you do.15 Could you introduce us to your16 professionals, too.17
Sure. Luther18 Diggs, head of our Operations; Jeff19 Knueppel, Chief Engineer; you, of course,20 know Frances Jones; Fran Delia behind21 Frances. That's it.22
He's my Chief25 317 4/5/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 Financial Officer.2
Thank6 you.7 Any other questions?8 (No response.)9
Thank you,10 Madam President.11 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:12 You're welcome.13 Thank you all very much.14
The16 Committee will stand in recess until17 tomorrow, Wednesday, April the 6th at18 10:00 a.m. Thank you all.19 (Committee of the Whole20 adjourned at 4:15 p.m.)21 - - -22 23 24 25 318 1 CERTIFICATE2 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the3 proceedings, evidence and objections are4 contained fully and accurately in the5 stenographic notes taken by me upon the6 foregoing matter on April 5, 2011, and that7 this is a true and correct transcript of same.8 9 10 11 12 --------------------13 MICHELE L. MURPHY14 RPR-Notary Public15 16 17 18 (The foregoing certification of this19 transcript does not apply to any reproduction20 of the same by any means, unless under the21 direct control and/or supervision of the22 certifying reporter.)23 24 25