Okay. We are hoping to issue the RFP within the next, I would say, maybe 48 hours.
We have given the 85 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 respondents approximately a month to respond to this, because we're not looking for respondents that could build a network, we're looking for respondents that have the facilities to be able to provide this for the City. So we feel that four weeks is sufficient to do that. As soon as we get that back, we expect to spend about four or five days going through the qualification of those responses and being able to award the contract to the respondent that we choose at that point. If this all goes as planned, then, of course, we have a rather significant contract that has to be negotiated with quality of service, service level agreements. There's many, many aspects into what will end up being a very complicated contract. Our goal is to be able to install some cameras starting in June, with the eventual roll-out of 250 cameras during the financial year of '08. I 86 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 can't give you a better date than that because we still have questions about locations, and until we get a response back from people that can provide the service, I'd just be giving you dates that won't mean anything.
And you also indicated that we would have employees to be monitoring?
Does it appear anywhere in the budget as to how many employees we will have and how much it will cost?
No, it doesn't, because the number of employees will be dependent on which way we choose to monitor, how much smart camera technology we use, how we set up the monitoring stations. We're dealing with a number right now that it's very iffy as to what 87 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 that would be. But to your answer, no, we have not anticipated that, other than the million and the 1.5 that has been 5 appropriated at this point.
And you said that you have not spent any of the $5 million.
We actually estimated that we might spend as much as 1.5 million in the '07 with our response coming back from our RFP. But we have 5 million that has been allocated to '07, but we only expect to spend up to 1.5.
So in total then for '07 you would have like $3 million, 3.5?
For '07 we expect to spend 1.5 out of the 5 million, and right now we have allocated the 1.5 for '08. So that would give us a total of 3 million at this point if none of that money rolls over and there's no other funding associated with this, that that's all there would be for this camera project for '07 and '08, you're correct.
I don't know how you pay employees if you don't have them budgeted. I'm going to leave this alone. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Oh, I'm sorry. Your light went off because you asked for a point of information. 89 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo. I'm sorry.
No 5 disrespect, Councilman. First I'd like to comment on the imaging that Fleet Management kind of launched. I understand that's been so successful that they've been able to coordinate -- and I know Joe James and Frank Punzo and your organization really pulled all of this together, but they tell me they've consolidated and are able to do the invoicing, the billing. It's really made Fleet Management especially, because they're the ones that really pushed for -- that Jim Muller and Bobby Fox over there -- that they tell me that this has really been a very, very successful program, that imaging program, because they had to fax every document to the Clerk at the central location and now all the various shops spread around the City, they're doing it like a business now and it really, from what I hear, has 90 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 been very, very effective. So congratulations on that home run.
The other issue is -- and I'm not sure whether your shop handles this or communications will handle it. You mentioned about how important it is to stay with this emerging technology, and I agree with that totally, but I've been hearing about GPS in our government now, global positioning, for our Sanitation Department so they know where there's a truck closest to the problem. If there's a street pothole or a cave-in, they can just look almost instantly and see what closest unit is near there. Is your department responsible? Because I asked the Streets Commissioner where the money stood that was in her budget about GPS and she said something to me, the answer was -- and it was in passing -- that there's going to be a citywide program on GPS. Could either you or Commissioner 91 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 James -- what are you, the Deputy Director now? Is that your title?
Joe is good enough. Commissioner I'll call you. I'm used to that. So where are we with GPS and is that something that you are going to do?
As far as I know at this point, this is strictly a project contained within Streets. We have not been involved in this from MOIS.
Not that I'm aware of. The project has been strictly within Streets. We haven't been involved at all.
Isn't that kind of strange that the Streets Department would take over a technology issue of that significance? Don't you think that's something maybe you ought to reel in? 92 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116
It might be one of those opportunities that we go and talk to them about.
I'd be curious, because I don't know -- could the Budget Director tell us how much money is in the budget -- and it's been there for years -- GPS for the Streets Department? Mr. Phillis, I see so many applications, especially in law enforcement and so many areas, where GPS can be helpful if it's utilized properly.
Dianne Reed, Budget Director. Councilman, we'll have to get back to you on that, because we have to look and see which contracts that would pertain to.
I believe it's just money in the budget for this. It's been in there for years. It's been sitting in the Streets Department budget, and I don't know if it moves each year, 93 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 how exactly that works.
Let me just say one thing. The opportunity to do exactly what you're asking does exist. We have an IT Governing Board which requires departments to come there with any significant IT expenditures so that we can look for this synergy between other departments so that we don't have one department running out to do something in a silo that could be an enterprise project in nature for the whole City. I have not had this one come before me in that committee since I've been here. That doesn't mean it didn't come before I was there.
But to the Budget Director, though, that should be an easy question. Can't you look in the Streets Department budget and see if there's a line for GPS?
I don't have all my 94 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 detail with me. I only brought the departments for today.
Could you make a phone call? Because I'm curious. Before you leave here today, I want to really know the answer.
I appreciate it. Because I have some more questions and you could follow up with me. Also, in the area of technology that we are fortunate enough to have that makes at least my life a lot easier, sometimes I think we're left with a device that has so much capability, but we really don't use all the capability or really understand because we're all not versed in technology. Like I use my BlackBerry for e-mail, I use it to make telephone calls, but I really don't know how to set up a program to use for my schedule or how I can have a staffer put the information here. We're kind of left, I think, without the guidance to 95 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 squeeze every little bit out that these devices do. I know we have to ask. If we ask and if -- people from the Kimmel group, by the way, are just so good. They're excellent, have tried to be helpful, but I think it's more than just me, to have me carrying this device around and it's only doing 40 percent of what it can do. And, you know, every time I learn something different, I'll say, Why didn't I know that last week, when one of the younger guys shows me when I'm doing something wrong how to do it right. But I would love it if you could within your department make sure that all the users really are getting the bang for their buck and using all of the technology to make us more efficient.
Sure. I think we can do that based on requests for technology tools such as that. We can put together a training type seminar that people could come to that you can learn 96 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 what the capabilities of things are. I think we all run into this. You go out and you buy a new cell phone that takes pictures and movies and everything else, but all you use it for is to make your telephone calls. So we all have this opportunity, but until somebody actually shows you what's possible, you don't know the answer without somebody showing you that. They can give you an instruction book this thick, but you have to sit down and understand what you want to solve before you look at the book. So we'll take an action item to do something, especially with the BlackBerry, to put together a series of mini seminars that says where people can come in, kind of like a brown bag lunch type thing, where we can show different days how to do different things with the technology.
Scheduling would be really helpful, because I've 97 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 never even used that menu in the BlackBerry until -- like just the other day one of the young guys showed me. I was like reeling through every e-mail, like 200 e-mails, and I wanted to get to the bottom, and he said, Just hit B and it takes you to the bottom. I went, Oh, and I felt really --
It's one of those things that once you have a BlackBerry and you use it for a while, then you go to a seminar, you ask a lot more intelligent questions, you ask things that you've run into that you look for a solution for. You become a much better student at that kind of a thing once you've had it for a while.
Initially I think we had an issue because the two programs weren't compatible. The scheduling part that's on the desktop couldn't communicate with the BlackBerry. But enough for this now, but that would be very helpful if -- 98 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116
That would be terrific. And later the Budget Director could come back, please, if we're still at it here and come back with that GPS figure. And I would appreciate if there is significant money or there is an intent to introduce GPS to the Streets Department, that maybe that Governing Board should take a look at that to see if that's a centralized project.
It may be a very minimal amount of money being used as a pilot to look at what the capabilities are.
It's been there for years. I don't know how much it is, but I don't believe there's any activity at all. 99 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116
You're welcome, sir. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. Real quick, Mr. Phillis, on , you talk about further use of ePayPhilly for electronic bill payments. What are most of the electronic bill 16 payments now? Are they water, taxes, that kind of thing?
Water and taxes is primarily the heaviest users, but I think the potential for the City is just enormous. I mean, we're at a very low percentage of what the capabilities are. We are just in the process now of actually organizing a steering committee to contract with ePayPhilly or -- IBM or 100 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 Tier is the one who supplies the service today. That contract is going to be up shortly, so we're going to be going out to do a new bid. Part of that is how we're going to decide how to make better use of that facility for all the departments within the City. And I think it's a real winner for the City.
I'm sure it will save a lot of time. How about L&I? Is that in this yet, like for licenses, permits?
We actually have statistics, if you would like them. We'll make a copy available to you as to the number of transactions by month by department within the City.
Thank 101 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 you, Madam President.
Thank you. Are there any other questions or comments from members of the Committee? (No response.)
Thank you. MR. McPHERSON: The next department is the Mayor's Office of Community Services.
Good afternoon. Please identify yourself for the record.
Good afternoon, President Verna. I'm Ralph Preston Blakney, the Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Community Services.
I am here to provide a brief description of the work 102 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 of the agency and present its proposed Operating Budget for FY2008. Philadelphia is one of the greatest cities in the state and the world. We at the Mayor's Office of Community Services believe this City and region offer a multitude of jobs, job training and educational opportunities to its citizens, many of whom are not aware of these opportunities and/or not readily able to avail themselves of such opportunities. Illiteracy, criminal history, lack of skills, lack of transportation and other factors keep a massive number of Philadelphians from taking advantage of these opportunities. Thus, the staff and administrative board of the Mayor's Office of Community Services is committed to helping Philadelphians move toward self-sufficiency and out of poverty through the provision of information and referrals, career assessment and counseling, program development and 103 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 facilitation, job training and placement, collaboration and partnerships. The Mayor's Office of Community Services, hereafter referred to as MOCS, requests an FY2008 appropriation of $23,069,700, all from the Grants Revenue Fund. The funding remains at the FY2007 estimated obligations level. In FY2006, the MOCS provided services to 92,404 people. The agency expects to provide services to 87,169 people in FY2007. The decline in the number of people to be served is due to the transfer of two programs to other City entities and the termination of one program. The Safe Schools, Safer Communities program was moved to the Mayor's Office of Reentry and the Latino Rites of Passage program was folded into the Adolescent Violence Reduction Program within DHS. The EARN program was terminated. The MOCS continues to support mayoral initiatives in FY2007 with the 104 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 planning and facilitation of career fairs. The most recent career fair held at Community College on February 8th of this year drew in excess of 2,000 participants, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Activities involving organizational skills and corporate networking such as this afford MOCS an opportunity to demonstrate it is a leader and serious when it comes to helping Philadelphians in poverty and who are unemployed. Other examples of the MOCS involvement in mayoral initiatives include a $200,000 grant to PGW to assist up to 800 low-income people with gas restoration, while the agency's Community Engagement Unit facilitated weatherization workshops and distributed weatherization kits. To date, 222 households received the PGW grants, and 4,300 people participated in the workshops and received the kits. MOCS also has a Memorandum of Understanding 105 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 through which it is providing critical support to three departments: $500,000 at the Office of Adult Services to provide case management services to 1,700 individuals; $500,000 at Recreation to enhance the services provided to approximately 3,500 low-income seniors in six senior citizen centers; and $489,000 with Public Health to assist approximately 500 people with limited income in addressing obesity among youth, lead poisoning in homes, and poor nutrition. Further, $225,000 is supporting the expanding efforts of the Mayor's Office of Reentry, aiding ex-offenders readjust into their communities and breaking the cycle of recidivism. In FY2007, the MOCS has collaborated with local, regional and national partners to welcome national organizations and their respective conferences to our City. These organizations and conferences enhance the 106 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 economy of our City and provide an opportunity for the MOCS professionals to share the agency's experiences, successes and challenges with other anti-poverty professionals and clients from across America.
" On June 20th through the 22nd of this year, the City will reap educational and economic benefits from the Community Action Partnership LAW Conference. This organization and conference seeks to provide effective legal education and assistance that enables community action agencies to enhance their capacity to operate legally sound organizations. MOCS continues to provide a variety of direct services to low-income individuals. The following is a list of other programs that MOCS will administer in FY2008: Supported work program, 107 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 $1,462,700 from the Commonwealth's Department of Community and Economic Development, case management, job readiness activities and employment placement for 1,253 TANF recipients; the Foster Grandparent program, $532,000 from the federal Corporation of National Community Service, a volunteer opportunities program for over 110 senior citizens at 45 host agencies to impact 11,000 children with special needs, such as those who are mentally challenged, abused and neglected, hearing and visually impaired; and, lastly, the Fatherhood Initiative program, $350,000 from the Commonwealth's Act 148 child welfare award to DHS, a program to support upwards of 859 fathers who are behind in child support through workshops and other programs. President Verna, I would be happy to answer any further questions you might have of me. Thank you.
Thank 108 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 you very much. I believe you have relocated one of your offices from Broad and Reed.
It wasn't actually relocated. That program had been terminated, I believe it was, FY05. Prior to the termination of that program, there was a lot of discussion and we learned that the services that were being offered at that site were actually available at other facilities.
So what facilities do you have in South Philadelphia?
I would have to get back to you with that information. I know that the Dixon House is one of the agencies in South Philadelphia that offers several of the services that were available at the Family Development Center in South Philadelphia. 109 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. Mr. Blakney, the Mayor's Office of Reentry obviously deals with a very important issue in the City these days with ex-offenders. Any statistics on the success rate of people that are in that program yet, or could you get that to us, if possible?
Being that the program, I can say, just opened a new facility in Southwest Philadelphia. As you probably know, there are 650,000 ex-offenders released from incarceration throughout the County of Philadelphia and they end up in our communities.
Of that number, 3,500 people are released on an annual basis. 110 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116
You're not sending them all to me in Southwest, are you? I'm trying to do my part.
No. I don't think they're all going to Southwest, but we would like to make all of those who leave aware of the resources that we have in Philadelphia, so they are being made aware of that particular site. In addition to that 3,500, there is an additional 4,800 ex-offenders being released from state facilities. That particular program is being referred to as part of the Positive Reentry Initiative, and that initiative is designed to provide 8,500 ex-offenders with social services that has been determined that they need for reentry into the community. As a result, services to 800 participants should result in employment. That's the plan. One hundred, the plan, is that they will obtain affordable housing and 5,000 will receive mental health/substance abuse 111 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 screenings. An additional 500 will receive full mental health/substance abuse assessments. So that's basically where we are with that new initiative at this time.
You're welcome. Are there any other questions or comments from members of the Committee? (No response.)
Can we make a call to find out if Mr. Hanna is -- 112 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116
In reference to my question to the Budget Director, I don't want her to be distracted by trying to find the information, so what I'd ask is that you provide to the Chair the answer to my questions at a later date in reference to the GPS program that had funding in the Streets Department budget. I'd like to know when that was first in their budget, what they did with the money that was in the budget for the GPS program and some information about if they did have a pilot, was it successful, not successful, where are we heading with 113 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 the issue which is current technology in most big fleets that's called GPS. So if she could get back to us through the Chair, it would be greatly appreciated. And she's shaking her head and indicating yes.
Ms. Reed, do you have all of the questions that the Councilman would like to have answered?
Thank you. I figured so she wouldn't be distracted from the rest of the proceeding.
Mr. Hanna, we've been waiting for you, so 114 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 if you would approach the witness table, identify yourself and proceed with your testimony, we'd appreciate it.
My name is Kevin Hanna. I serve as the Secretary of Housing for the City of Philadelphia. I am here today to present testimony on the Office of Housing and Community Development's proposed Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2008. The proposed Operating Budget under the Community Development Fund, Grants Revenue Fund and General Fund also will be presented in the spring to the Finance Committee in its hearings on a Council bill on the Consolidated Plan authorizing the Community Development Block Grant, CDBG, and other housing programs for Fiscal Year 2008. That is CDBG Year 33. With me today is Deborah McColloch. 115 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 My testimony, Councilwoman, is slightly different from the one that's been submitted to Council. I will explain in a minute why that is, but I brought copies of the revised version for distribution. Ideally, the Consolidated Plan hearing should occur prior to the consideration of the Operating Budget by City Council. However, as in the past 12 years, the hearings have been reversed. 13 Should the results of the Consolidated 14 Plan hearing require adjustments to OHCD's Operating Budget as adopted by Council, there will still be time subsequent to the adoption of the Consolidated Plan to amend the Operating Budget. The complete Fiscal Year 2008 proposed budget would be presented as part of the Consolidated Plan hearing. Recall that in the current fiscal year, the City of Philadelphia incurred a $6 million cut in its CDBG award. Subsequent to the submission of 116 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 our Fiscal Year 2008 budget and the written testimony for this hearing, the City did in fact receive the Year 33 funding allocation from HUD, which showed a nominal decrease of approximately $600,000, or less than one percent. The new allocation of $75,772,000 will be presented to Council as part of our testimony relating to the approval of the HUD Consolidated Plan for Fiscal Year 2008. And, in fact, that is the slight change/modification from the testimony that had been submitted before, the fact that we did not know the number before. In the interim, our estimated totals based on last year's funding are used in the Operating Budget submitted. 8 million in the Housing Trust Fund and million in the General Fund. 4 This Operating Budget represents costs for all housing programs, as well as salaries for all OHCD, RDA and PHDC employees, as well as rents, materials and supplies. The only General Fund allocation OHCD expects to receive in Fiscal Year '08 is $4 million to support citywide greening activities. OHCD will contract with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, PHS, for vacant lot stabilization and maintenance, street tree plantings and maintenance, and technical assistance and education programs to support community stewardship of vacant land. PHS has conducted a highly successful vacant land management and greening program for many years and this General Fund support will allow the program to continue and expand. 1 million as compared to our Fiscal Year 2007 estimated obligations and will support the funding of 110 requested positions. This increase is primarily due to a staff expansion of 50 positions resulting from the ongoing reorganization of the three housing agencies. 9 million. 8 million resulting from an increase allowing for the carryover of our prior years' entitlement. 7 million as compared to our Fiscal Year 2007 estimated obligations level. In Class 300, our Fiscal Year 2008 request is $270,500, the result of a CDBG increase of $104,500 due to OHCD's expansion resulting from the ongoing housing reorganization. In Class 400, our Fiscal Year 2008 request is $80,000, the result of a CDBG increase of $45,000 due to OHCD's expansion resulting from the ongoing housing reorganization. 1 million from 5 the federal HOPWA grant, and six and a 6 half million dollars from the state.
7 Appropriations are also being requested 8 to provide funding for Interim 9 Construction Assistance and Bridge Loan 10 program in the amount of $15 million. 11 Although the latter source may not become 12 available, OHCD is requesting authority 13 so we will be in a position to administer 14 the funds if received in 2008. 15 In summary, the proposed Fiscal Year 2008, CDBG Year 33, Operating Budget will allow OHCD to continue to provide housing programs such as the Basic Systems Repair program, subsidy for rehabilitation and new construction, housing counseling and other core programs. The City's proposed plan for spending the Community Development Block Grant as well as other monies is to be detailed at length in the Finance 121 3/20/07 - WHOLE - BILL 070116 Committee's hearing on the Consolidated Plan later this year. However, I will be happy to answer whatever questions that Council or the Committee may have of me on this particular testimony.
Are there any questions from members of the Committee? Councilwoman Miller, it looks as though -- your light is not on.
Okay. I don't believe there are any questions, Mr. Hanna.
Council President, I apologize for my tardiness, but I was in and out after I saw the MOCS guy come up. He went a little quicker than I thought he would.
The Committee will stand in recess until tomorrow, Wednesday, March the 21st, first day of spring, at 10:00 a.m. Thank you very much. (Committee of the Whole adjourned at 2:35 p.m.) - - - 123 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 March 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.)