COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA2 COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY AND3 PUBLIC WORKS4 5 6 Room 400, City Hall7 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wednesday, December 7, 20118 2:15 p.m. 9 10 PRESENT: COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE, CHAIR11 COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY12 COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER 13 BILLS 110831, 110837, 110839, 110848 and14 110875 15 16 - - -17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 2 1
Good2 afternoon. This is the Committee on3 Public Property and Public Works.4 Mr. Carter, please read the5 title of the first bill.6
Bill No. 110831, an7 ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of8 Public Property to accept title to all9 that lot or certain piece of ground with10 the buildings and improvements thereon,11 if any, erected located at 4810 North 7th12 Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under13 certain terms and conditions.14
Thank you.15 Let the record reflect we have16 established a quorum: Councilman17 Greenlee, Councilman Kenney and18 Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller.19 (Witness approached witness20 table.)21
Good22 morning.23 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS:24 Good afternoon.25 3 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1
Good2 afternoon.3 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS:4 Good afternoon, Chairman Clarke and5 members of the Committee on Public6 Property and Public Works. My name is7 John Herzins. I am Deputy Commissioner8 of the Department of Public Property here9 today to testify in support of Bill No.10 110831, an ordinance authorizing the11 Commissioner to accept title to all that12 lot or certain piece of ground with the13 buildings and improvements, if any,14 thereon erected located at 4810 North 7th15 Street, under certain terms and16 conditions.17 The Neighborhood Transformation18 Initiative demolished the adjacent19 property and caused great damage to this20 property in the process. The acquisition21 of this property is in compliance with22 the terms of a settlement.23 The Department supports this24 measure and, accordingly, I respectfully25 4 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1 ask that City Council approve Bill No.2 110831.3 I am also requesting a4 suspension of the rules so as to allow5 for the first reading at the next6 session.7 I'll be happy to answer any8 questions you may have.9
Thank13 you, Mr. Chairman.14 Just quickly, Mr. Herzins. Is15 this an unusual situation or does -- I16 hope this doesn't happen a lot, where17 they damage a property next door to them18 that badly.19 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: I20 think this was just an oversight on21 acquiring title to the property after the22 settlement was reached on the damage23 caused to the property.24
No. I25 5 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1 guess I'm asking about the damage. I2 mean, does it happen much that we have to3 purchase another property because the4 property next door to it was --5 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: I6 haven't worked on any before, but I can't7 answer that question.8
All9 right. I haven't seen one before, so I10 take it this is kind of an anomaly. Do11 you know anything about the property that12 we're buying? Had it been vacant? Was13 there people in it?14 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: I15 do not. I know that the settlement price16 was 37,000.17
Real quick.20 The acquisition of the property, are we21 using NTI funds for the acquisition?22 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS:23 I'm not clear what the funding source is24 being used. It already had been paid25 6 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1 out. This is just acquiring the title.2 So it probably was with NTI funds.3
So it may4 have been Risk Management that resolved5 the monetary issue and this just relates6 to the title transfer.7 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS:8 This is just a title transfer.9
Okay.10 Thank you.11 Any other questions?12 (No response.)13
Thank you.14 Anyone else to testify on this15 bill?16 (No response.)17
There being18 none, thank you very much.19 Bill No. 110837 is being20 withdrawn.21 Mr. Carter, please read the22 title of the next bill.23
Bill No. 110839, an24 ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of25 7 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1 Public Property to acquire certain land2 located generally along the east bank of3 the Schuylkill River between Sears Street4 (as extended westward to the Schuylkill5 river) and South 34th Street, including6 land in the vicinity of the eastern end7 of Grays Ferry Bridge; and further to8 acquire certain interests in real estate9 along Grays Ferry Avenue between the10 eastern end of Grays Ferry Bridge and11 South 34th Street, all under certain12 terms and conditions.13
Thank you.14 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS:15 Good afternoon, Chairman Clarke and16 members of the Committee on Public17 Property and Public Works. My name is18 John Herzins. I am the Deputy19 Commissioner of the Department of Public20 Property here to testify in support of21 Bill No. 110839, an ordinance authorizing22 the Commissioner to acquire certain land23 located along the east bank of the24 Schuylkill River between Sears Street and25 8 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1 South 34th Street, including land in the2 vicinity of the eastern end of the Grays3 Ferry Bridge and also further to acquire4 certain interests in real estate along5 Grays Ferry Avenue between the eastern6 end of the Grays Ferry Bridge and South7 34th Street, all under certain terms and8 conditions.9 The acquisition of this10 property will support the goal of the11 Department of Parks and Recreation to12 create and enhance recreation space and13 reconnect the City with its waterfronts.14 The City is acquiring the property for15 nominal consideration.16 The Department of Public17 Property supports this measure and,18 accordingly, I respectfully ask that City19 Council approve Bill No. 110839.20 I am requesting a suspension of21 the rules so as to allow for first22 reading at the next session of Council.23 I will be happy to answer any24 questions you may have. And we also have25 9 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1 here today Mark Focht and Joe Syrnick to2 answer any questions on the project.3
Thank you.4 Any questions of this5 particular witness?6 Councilman Kenney.7
Thank you,8 Mr. Chair.9 How large is the parcel and who10 owns it now?11 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS:12 Joe, do you want to.13 (Witness approached witness14 table.)15
Good afternoon,16 Mr. Chairman and members of the17 Committee. My name is Joe Syrnick and18 I'm with the Schuylkill River Development19 Corporation.20 Councilman, it's about 11 acres21 total. Most of it is now in the22 ownership of PAID, although there is a23 small part that is in the ownership of24 the Redevelopment Authority.25 10 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1
Most of the10 thing -- of the 11 acres, about eight11 acres were donated to the City --12 actually, to PAID, with the intention of13 it ultimately coming to the City by the14 DuPont Chemical Corporation before they15 left town. Some of it was actually16 carved out of a parcel that had been17 acquired to move over to a Fed Ex18 distribution center, but the City had the19 wisdom to not transfer the riverfront20 because that was deemed to be valuable21 for the trail, and then there was again a22 small part, about an acre, that was23 actually condemned by the Redevelopment24 Authority on behalf of the City.25 11 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1
Thank you.4 Unrelated, where are we at with5 the pedestrian bridge? What's the status6 of that?7
Well, it's well8 under construction. If you were out9 there, you may have seen the ramp on the10 river side. It was poured and is curing11 now. The ramp on the land side, the12 columns are up. They tell me they're13 going to pour it before it gets cold.14 That will probably cure over the15 wintertime, and then come the beginning16 of spring, somewhere around March, they17 would drop the truss in. So it's on18 target, but the grand ribbon cutting19 probably will be sometime early next20 fall.21
Great.22 Thank you.23 Any other questions?24 (No response.)25 12 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1
Anyone else2 to testify on this bill?3 (No response.)4
Bill No. 110848, an7 ordinance amending Chapter 16-200 of The8 Philadelphia Code ("Sales, Leases, and9 Other Grants of City-Owned Buildings and10 Facilities") to require that notice of11 the pending transfer of City-owned lands12 and lands owned by certain quasi-public13 agencies be posted on such lands prior to14 their transfer, all under certain terms15 and conditions.16
Good afternoon,17 Chairman Clarke and members of the18 Committee of Public Property and Public19 Works. My name is John Mondlak. I'm the20 Director of Real Estate Development in21 the Commerce Department. I'm here today22 to present testimony in support of Bill23 No. 110848, which was introduced by24 Councilman Clarke.25 13 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1 Bill 110848 requires a physical2 posting of a notice on real estate owned3 by the City or certain quasi-public4 agencies prior to being offered for sale,5 prior to Council hearing and prior to6 their sale.7 The Administration supports8 Bill 110848 because it will increase9 transparency in the sale of City-owned10 real estate by providing notice to the11 community at appropriate times during the12 real estate transaction.13 Pursuant to discussions with14 Councilman Clarke and his staff, we are15 proposing technical amendments to this16 bill, which have been circulated to17 Councilman Clarke's office.18 I respectfully request that the19 Committee report this bill, as amended,20 out of Committee with a favorable21 recommendation and also ask that the22 rules of Council be suspended to permit23 first reading at the next meeting of City24 Council.25 14 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1 Thank you for your time and I'm2 happy to answer any questions.3
Thank you.4 Any questions of this witness?5 (No response.)6
Anyone else7 to testify on this bill?8 (No response.)9
Bill No. 110875, an13 ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of14 Public Property, on behalf of the City,15 to acquire fee simple title, or a lesser16 interest in real estate, in parcels of17 land along the Delaware River and the18 Kensington & Tacony Trail, for the19 purpose of incorporating the acquired20 land into the Kensington & Tacony Trail21 for public recreation use, under certain22 terms and conditions.23 (Witness approached witness24 table.)25 15 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1
Good afternoon,2 Chairman Clarke and members of City3 Council. My name is Jim Donaghy and I'm4 here today as the Vice-Chair of the5 Delaware River City Corporation. I'm6 here to provide testimony in support of7 Bill No. 110875.8 This bill authorizes the9 Commissioner of Public Property, on10 behalf of the City, to acquire real11 estate along the Delaware River for the12 purpose of incorporating it into the13 Tacony & Kensington Trail for public use14 and recreation.15 Allow me to begin by giving you16 some background on the non-profit. The17 Delaware River City Corp is a 501(c)(3)18 founded with the help and approval of19 Councilwoman Krajewski to facilitate20 implementation of the North Delaware21 Riverfront Greenway and Trail. This22 plan, when implemented, will enhance the23 City's quality of life, support24 investment, economic growth and new25 16 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1 community development, provide2 recreational opportunities, public open3 space, create a sustainable riverfront4 environment and once again provide public5 access to the Delaware River.6 Delaware River City Corporation7 has been very active in the past year.8 We are finalizing design plans for the9 Kensington & Tacony Trail. This bill10 will provide the authority to create an11 unobstructed 1.6 mile trail running from12 the Old Frankford Creek in the south to13 Princeton Avenue in the north along the14 Delaware River. Construction is15 scheduled to begin in 2012. The trail16 will run through a new 4.5 acre17 riverfront Lardner's Pointe Park18 currently under construction. The19 Kensington and Tacony section of this20 trail is part of the 11-mile Delaware21 River Trail and ultimately a key22 connection in the East Coast Greenway.23 This bill will provide a new24 authorization to acquire land by25 17 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1 purchase, condemnation or otherwise to2 help complete the completion of the3 Kensington & Tacony Trail. The4 authorization under a previous bill5 covering much of the same land has6 expired, so a new authorization is7 needed. And the description of the land8 subject to the bill has changed slightly9 based on new surveys for additional land10 the City needs to acquire. Passage of11 this bill will permit the Delaware River12 City Corporation to continue its13 important work of revitalizing the14 Delaware Riverfront.15 I urge you to support this16 bill. I'm also asking for a suspension17 of the rules to allow this bill to be18 heard at the next session of City19 Council.20 I would be happy to answer any21 questions. Thank you for your time.22
Thank you23 very much.24 Any questions of this witness?25 18 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1 (No response.)2
Anyone else3 to testify on this bill?4 (No response.)5
There being6 none, this concludes the public hearing7 of the Committee of Public Property and8 Public Works. We will now go into the9 public meeting.10 Councilman Kenney.11
Thank you,12 Mr. Chairman. I move that Bill No.13 110831 be reported out of this Committee14 favorably and a request made for rules15 suspension to allow for first reading at16 our next Council session.17 (Duly seconded.)18
It's been19 moved and seconded.20 Those in favor?21 (Aye.)22
Those23 opposed?24 (No response.)25 19 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1
The ayes2 have it. Bill No. 110831 is reported out3 of Committee with a favorable4 recommendation, with rules suspension as5 to allow reading at the next session of6 Council.7 Councilman Kenney.8
Thank you,9 Mr. Chairman. I move that Bill No.10 110839 be reported out of this Committee11 favorably and a request made for rules12 suspension to allow for first reading at13 our next Council session.14 (Duly seconded.)15
It's been16 moved and seconded.17 Those in favor?18 (Aye.)19
The ayes23 have it. Bill No. 110839 is reported out24 of the Committee with a favorable25 20 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1 recommendation, with a rules suspension2 to allow reading at the next session of3 Council.4 Councilman Kenney, a motion on5 the amendment to Bill No. 110848.6
Thank you,7 Mr. Chairman. I move that the amendment8 to Bill No. 110848 be approved.9 (Duly seconded.)10
It's been11 moved and seconded.12 Those in favor?13 (Aye.)14
Thank you,21 Mr. Chairman. I move that Bill No.22 110848, as amended, be reported out of23 this Committee favorably and a request24 made for rules suspension to allow for25 21 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1 first reading at our next Council2 session.3 (Duly seconded.)4
It's been5 moved and seconded.6 Those in favor?7 (Aye.)8
The ayes12 have it. Bill No. 110848 is reported out13 of Committee with a favorable14 recommendation, with rules suspension to15 allow reading at the next session of16 Council.17 Councilman Kenney.18
Thank you,19 Mr. Chairman. I move that Bill No.20 110875 be reported out of this Committee21 favorably and a request for rules22 suspension to allow for first reading at23 our next Council session.24 (Duly seconded.)25 22 12/7/11 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 110831, ETC.1
It's been2 moved and seconded.3 Those in favor?4 (Aye.)5
The ayes9 have it. Bill No. 110875 is reported out10 of the Committee with a favorable11 recommendation, with rules suspension as12 to allow reading at the next session of13 Council.14 Thank you very much. This15 concludes the meeting on Public Property16 and Public Works.17 (Committee on Public Property18 and Public Works concluded at 2:30 p.m.)19 - - -20 21 22 23 24 25 23 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 December 7, 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