COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY AND PUBLIC WORKS - - - Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Tuesday, February 20, 2007 1:20 p.m. - - - PRESENT: COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE, CHAIR COUNCILMAN WILLIAM GREENLEE COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN JUAN RAMOS BILLS 060111, 060895, 060934, 060956, 070004 and 060545 - - - V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Services Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670 2
Good afternoon. This is the Committee on Public Property and Public Works. This is a public hearing. Will the Clerk please read the title of the first bill.
Bill No. 060956, an ordinance naming and designating the Ogontz Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, located at 6017 Ogontz Avenue, as the "David Cohen Ogontz Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia."
Anyone to testify on this bill? Let the record reflect we have a quorum: Councilman Kenney, Councilman Greenlee, Councilman Ramos and Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller. Councilman Bill Greenlee would like to make an opening statement.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Very quickly, I just want to note for the record back in 1979, way 3 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. back when I had a lot more hair and it was all blond, I volunteered for a gentleman named David Cohen for Councilman-at-Large, and probably about the first day I was in there, I heard about these efforts that were already a couple years in the making for a library up in the Ogontz area. It took a while, but he, his wife, Florence, and the members of Ogontz Area Neighbors Association were just diligent, kept at it, and finally it was established. And I can't think of any other building or any other site to honor Councilman Cohen than this particular library. And I'd be remiss if I didn't particularly thank Councilwoman Miller for allowing me to introduce this bill and for co-sponsoring it. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. Please proceed. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: 4 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. Yes. Good afternoon, Chairman Clarke, members of the Committee on Public Property and Public Works. My name is Joan Schlotterbeck and I am the Commissioner of the City's Public Property Department. I'm here today to testify in support of Bill No. 060956, an ordinance naming and designating the Ogontz Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, located at 6017 Ogontz Avenue, as the "David Cohen Ogontz Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia." This bill will enable the Ogontz Branch of the Free Library to be renamed as the David Cohen Ogontz Branch. Public Property supports this measure and, accordingly, I respectfully ask that Council approve Bill No. 060956. I also ask that the rules be suspended so that the ordinance shall be passed upon the second reading at Council. Thank you.
Thank you, 5 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. Commissioner.
I'm Elliot Shelkrot, the President of the Free Library of Philadelphia, and I too am speaking to support this bill. As was said by Councilman Greenlee, Councilman Cohen was one of the earliest champions of the building of a library on Ogontz Avenue, working for decades to make it a reality, and the adding of his name on this building is certainly fitting and appropriate. Our records show that it was back in 1961 that a community organization first formed to talk about a library on Ogontz Avenue, and it was a long time in coming. In 1987 -- 1997, excuse me, was the official opening day, and in the intervening decades, Councilman Cohen was relentless in working together with community organizations. There was a change of location, there was escalating costs, there was the City's fiscal crisis. 6 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. In 1989, Councilman Cohen and I visited a library in East St. Louis. It was a library of the style and the kind of library that we now have on Ogontz Avenue. It was a new concept in libraries. It's been used now in cities all over the country, a way to be economical in the building of libraries, save time and energy and also to use the staff very efficiently. And now we have over 500 people a day using that library, 34,000 items borrowed in a year, and to name this library in his honor I believe is a wonderful thing for this Council to do.
Thank you, Mr. Shelkrot. JUDGE COHEN: Mr. Chairman and the great members of City Council who are on this Committee, I'm Denis Cohen. I am, I guess, the second son, second child of Councilman Cohen, and I want to thank everyone here for the resolution, and I want to especially thank on behalf of the 7 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. family Councilman Greenlee for introducing this resolution. We very much appreciate it. As has been stated, this library meant an awful lot to both my dad and my mom, and I remember we talked about having a library for years and years and years. This was a major topic in our family about having a library. I know my dad and mom spent enormous amounts of time and they were instrumental in that community organization, Ogontz Area Neighbors Association. When I was running for judge in 2001, almost probably nothing more made my dad proud than when he took me to the library to introduce me to all the people and had me shake hands on one Saturday morning or afternoon. So, again, on behalf of the family, we thank Councilman Greenlee and this whole committee for this resolution. Thank you again. 8 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC.
Thank you. Are there any questions of members of the Committee of these witnesses? (No response.)
There being none, thank you very much. JUDGE COHEN: Thank you very much.
At the request of the sponsor, Bill No. 060895 will be withdrawn. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 070004, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to purchase from the School District of Philadelphia, for nominal consideration, certain tracts of land with buildings and improvements thereon, known as 4000 through 10 Germantown Avenue located on the west side of Germantown Avenue, and to execute and 9 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. deliver to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, for nominal consideration, a deed conveying fee simple title to these properties for further conveyance to the Triumph Baptist Church for nominal consideration. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Good afternoon, Chairman Clarke and members of the Public Property and Public Works Committee. My name is Joan Schlotterbeck. I'm the Commissioner of Public Property. I'm here today to testify in support of Bill No. 070004, an ordinance authorizing me as the Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to purchase from the School District, for nominal consideration, certain tracts of land with buildings and improvements thereon, known as 4000 to 4010 Germantown Avenue located on the west side of Germantown Avenue, and to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, PAID, for nominal consideration, a deed conveying fee 10 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. simple title to the properties for further conveyance to the Triumph Baptist Church for nominal consideration. This bill will enable the City to acquire this property from the School District and transfer it to the church via PAID, and this property will be used for church-related purposes. The Department supports this measure and, accordingly, I respectfully ask that Council approve Bill No. 070004. I also ask that the rules be suspended so that the ordinance may be passed upon the second reading at Council. Thank you.
Thank you. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: I'm joined here by the Pastor of the Triumph Baptist Church. I'm sorry. Your name again?
We all know Pastor Hall. 11 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Oh, you do?
Absolutely. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: I'm sorry. I didn't. Nice to meet you.
I just have a technical question, not about the project but about the transfer of the land. Why does it have to go from the School District to us, then to Triumph? It can't go directly from the School District to Triumph, or is there some kind of tax benefit or something that relates? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: We can do it both ways. In this particular instance, we decided to do it this way. In other words, it can go directly, or in a lot of times it's expeditious for us to take it and then transfer it over.
Now, since the school takeover, since the SRC 12 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. inception, do we own the buildings or does the SRC own the buildings, the School District buildings? I know they're responsible for the running of the District, but I knew in the past when we had a school Board, they were kind of the Board's buildings but the City's building. So I'm wondering what their status is. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: To be perfectly frank, I don't know the answer. I can find out.
Again, I'm totally supportive of the transfer. I'm just curious as to why the School District to PAID, then PAID to Triumph.
Councilman, I've actually had occasion to deal with some school transfers recently since the SRC has taken over, and my understanding is that the property is still designated as it was prior to the SRC as School District property.
I see. 13 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC.
But any conveyance requires the authorization of the SRC.
Good afternoon, Councilman. My name is Fran Kelly. I'm here on behalf of the School District to show support for this project.
Thank you, Mr. Kelly. We know you also. Let the record reflect that Councilwoman Joan Krajewski has joined the Committee. Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to say that I am in 14 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. total support of this bill and that this will actually -- this building is actually vacant, empty and it's not being used. So for Triumph Church and whatnot to put it back into use is something very positive for that neighborhood. So I just want to state that for the record. Thank you.
Well, let me express my appreciation to Councilwoman Miller for kind of spearheading and running this for us and Mrs. Schlotterbeck for the support that she's giving, and all of you, thank you so much, of the Committee from City Council, for your support. The Triumph Church is one of the vibrant organizations in that area, which Ms. Miller is our Council Lady, and the property that we're asking you for connects to the parking lot and the 15 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. property we own already. We are there now. We were at 16th and Wingohocking. We outgrew that, and now we're at Germantown and Hunting Park, and this property will be an asset to the church and the community. Thank you so much for it.
Any questions of these witnesses by members of the Committee? (No response.)
There being none, thank you very much for your testimony.
Bill No. 060934, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to 16 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, for nominal consideration, a deed conveying fee simple title to a certain tract of City-owned land with buildings and improvements thereon, situate at 1716 through 32 Frankford Avenue, for further conveyance at fair market value.
Please proceed. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Good afternoon, Chairman Clarke and members of the Public Works and Public Property Committee. My name is Joan Schlotterbeck. I'm the Commissioner of Public Property. I'm here today to testify in support of Bill No. 060934, an ordinance authorizing me as the Commissioner to execute and deliver to PAID, for nominal consideration, a deed conveying simple title to a certain tract of City-owned land with buildings and improvements thereon, situated 1716 to 1732 Frankford Avenue in the City of 17 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. Philadelphia, for further conveyance at fair market value. This bill will enable the City to convey this property to PAID for further conveyance to the developer, with the net proceeds being deposited into the General Fund. This property was acquired by the City in 1963 and it's currently used as a parking lot. The Department supports this measure and, accordingly, I respectfully ask that Council approve Bill No. 060934. I also ask that the rules be suspended so that the ordinance may be passed upon the second reading at Council.
Thank you. I just want to clarify. Do you know if this property is in Councilman Savage's district? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Yes.
It is on 18 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. the other side? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: It is.
All right. Thank you. Any questions of this witness on this bill? (No response.)
There being none, will the Clerk please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 060545, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to grant to the owner of 3201 South 74th Street an easement across a portion of a certain parcel of land adjacent to 70th Street. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Good afternoon, Chairman Clarke and members of the Public Property and Public 19 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. Works Committee. My name is Joan Schlotterbeck. I'm Commissioner of Public Property. I'm here today testifying in support of Bill No. 060545, an ordinance authorizing me as the Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to grant the owner of 3201 South 74th Street an easement across a portion of a certain tract adjacent to 70th Street. This bill will enable the City to convey this easement to the U.S. Postal Office for construction of an exit from their 74th Street facility. The Postal Service will incur any costs resulting from the driveway exit. The Streets Department has estimated the cost to be $60,000. This egress will alleviate traffic congestion from Postal vehicles entering the roadway. The Public Property Department supports this measure and, accordingly, I respectfully ask that Council approve Bill No. 060545. 20 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. I also ask the rules be suspended so that the ordinance may be passed upon the second reading at Council.
Thank you. Any questions of this witness by members of the Committee? (No response.)
There being none, thank you. Let the record reflect that Bill No. 060111, which was scheduled for today, will be postponed. It will be held at 3:00 p.m. March 19th. This concludes the public hearing. We'll now go into the public meeting. Councilman Ramos, can you please give me a motion on Bill 060934.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that Bill No. 21 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. 060934 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation. I further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of this bill at our next Council meeting. (Duly seconded.)
The ayes have it. Bill 060934 is reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation, with a rules suspension. Councilman Greenlee, can I please hear a motion on Bill No. 060956.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that Bill 22 060956 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and that the rules of Council be suspended to allow for first reading at the next 22 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
It being moved and seconded, all those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Bill 060956 is reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation, with a request for rules suspension to allow reading at the next session. Councilman Kenney, can I please ask for a motion on Bill 070004.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that Bill No. 19 070004 be reported out of this Committee favorably and a request made for rules suspension to allow first reading at our next Council session. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. Those in favor? 23 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Bill 070004 is reported out of the Committee with a favorable recommendation and a rules suspension to allow reading at the next session of Council. Councilwoman Krajewski, I ask for a motion on Bill 060545.
Thank you. I move that Bill 060545 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation, with a suspension of rules so as to permit first reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Those opposed? 24 2/20/07 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060956, ETC. (No response.)
The ayes have it. Bill 060545 is reported out of the Committee with a favorable recommendation, with a rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. This concludes the public meeting on the Committee of Public Property and Public Works. Thank you very much. (Committee on Public Property and Public Works adjourned at 1:40 p.m.) - - - 25 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on February 20, 2007, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)