COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY AND PUBLIC WORKS - - - Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, May 11, 2006 1:20 p.m. - - - PRESENT: COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE, CHAIR COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO BILLS 060203, 060206, 060207, 060204 and 060143 - - - 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 a public hearing on the Committee of Public Property and Public Works. To my left, we have Councilman Rizzo, Councilman Kelly and Councilwoman Krajewski. Will the Clerk please read the title of the first bill.
Bill No. 060203, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire fee simple title to some or all of certain real estate parcels in Tinicum Township, Delaware County and to acquire a lesser interest, in the form of avigation easements, in some or all such parcels; under certain terms and conditions.
Yes. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. My name is Charlie Isdell. I'm the Director of Aviation, and I have testimony that's 3 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. been previously submitted. If you'd like, I can read it.
Yes. This bill 7 will authorize the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire avigation easements in certain properties located adjacent to Philadelphia International Airport in Tinicum Township, Delaware County and in some cases permit acquisition of those properties. Let me begin by giving some background. In 1998, the City of Philadelphia voluntarily initiated what is known as a Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study. Part 150 is a section of the Federal Aviation Regulations that sets forth rules and guidelines for noise studies. The purpose of the study is to develop a balanced and cost-effective plan for reducing current and anticipated noise 4 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. impacts in neighboring communities. In May of 2003, the Division of Aviation completed the study. In response to the results, we developed a plan to mitigate noise and improve the sound insulation of certain houses in the villages of Lester and Essington, which are in Tinicum Township. The FAA has approved this plan. In addition, the FAA agreed to fund 80 percent of the residential sound insulation program. The City's Aviation Fund will fund the remaining percent. There will be no 15 impact on the General Fund. 16 The program will be free to the 17 eligible homeowners. All of the houses 18 that are eligible for the sound 19 insulation program either fall within the 20 65 decibel or higher noise contour, or are immediately adjacent to it. We've provided a map which shows the affected area. There are approximately 600 homes within that area. There have been multiple community meetings and 5 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. individual meetings with homeowners to review the residential sound insulation program. To initiate the program, we've selected 28 houses to participate in a voluntary pilot project. The pilot project houses were selected to represent all types of housing that exist within the affected area. An individual treatment for each house has been developed to mitigate noise. Generally, the sound insulation will include windows, doors and heating and cooling systems. After completion of the installations, the houses will be retested to determine the effectiveness of the sound insulation program, and the City will use its experience in the pilot project to determine how best to treat the remaining homes in the area. As a condition of participating in this program, the homeowners are required to grant the City an avigation 6 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. easement and to sign a homeowner agreement. An avigation easement is an acknowledgment by the homeowner of the current noise level and a covenant that the homeowner and the successor homeowners will not sue the City for aircraft-related noise. The homeowner agreement will detail the work to be completed, access and the duties and responsibilities of the homeowner and the contractor. All of the homeowners in the pilot project have signed avigation easements and homeowner agreements. The City's Law Department has determined that an avigation easement is an interest in real property and, therefore, requires approval by City Council. Depending upon the cost of insulating certain homes, their condition, value and proximity to the Airport, it may be in the City's best financial interest to acquire a particular property in lieu of acquiring the easement, and the bill also provides 7 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. for this possibility. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak to you today in support of the bill, and I'll be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Thank you. Mr. Isdell, this sound buffering/insulation program, has this been used in any other properties around the perimeter of the Airport?
Not in Philadelphia, Councilman. It's been used at major airports around the country, most notably Chicago, Atlanta, Boston in recent years. And in order to get the federal funding support, you must submit to the Part 150 study, which we did starting in 2000. It took us until 2003 to get the study approved. This will be Philadelphia's first entry into this type of project, and that's why we wanted to do the pilot program and make sure that we know what we're doing before we do all the other houses. 8 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC.
The need for the easements essentially enhance the operation of the Airport, I'm assuming?
The enhancement, will it increase our ability to get more revenue at the Airport; therefore, the costs associated with the insulation will be outweighed by the costs of enhancement of the Airport, the revenue generated as a result of the enhancement of the Airport?
I think that certainly in the long run, that is true. In other words, by enabling the Airport to continue to grow and add both flights and passengers as we have been, that does produce additional revenue for us on an annual basis. But there isn't a direct connection between the easements -- there isn't a payment involved from the homeowners in return for the easement. In effect, the way the Law Department has explained it to me is that 9 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. in return for the City expending the money to soundproof the house, the homeowner, in effect, is giving the City a benefit by signing the easement by saying, in perpetuity, whoever owns this home will never sue the City for aircraft noise or pollution or any other things that could be created by the Airport, and that's considered to be in the best interest of the City of Philadelphia.
I read that all of this property is in Delaware County.
Going back to an issue from a few weeks ago, the gardeners, the farmers.
Is that action being taken by Public Property for 10 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. an Airport issue?
No, it is not. If I can clarify, there are actually two different -- the Airport does own property that has Victory Gardens on it at Bartram and Island Avenue, but that's a different set of gardens than the ones that you're referring to, I think.
Yes. I believe you might be trying to help to accommodate some of those folks that are being displaced to that location. But the location of the controversy where those gardeners are, is their eviction or their relocation as a result of something that you're doing at the Airport?
Okay. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Do you have any questions for me, Councilman?
No, unless you have any update. 11 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: No. 4
I just wanted to make sure that that wasn't part of this, and I realize that because it is specific to Delaware County.
Thank you. Any other questions of this witness by members of the Committee? (No response.)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is Norbert Poloncarz. I'm the Township Manager for Tinicum Township. Accompanying me is the President of the Board of Commissioners, Mr. Bill Wasch. 12 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC.
As you know, 60 percent of the Airport is in Tinicum Township, and I'm going to reiterate what Charlie said. He said in 1998, we entered into an agreement with the Philadelphia Airport to pursue this insulation program. Presently 28 homes are identified for insulation. The sound insulation program has been on a drawing board since 1998. Two point four million dollars have been appropriated and not one single home has been insulated in Tinicum Township. We've been talking to the residents of Tinicum Township about this for years, and we're starting to lose our credibility.
We're here to voice our -- one concern that we have about this bill is, the Commissioners met 13 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. last night and they requested that this be presented before the Board, that we be assured that this bill is not intended for the purpose of acquisition of property by the City of Philadelphia within Tinicum Township to be acquired as property for Airport extension. That's our only concern.
Excuse me, sir. Earlier there was some reference by Mr. Isdell about possibly acquiring property in his testimony. I just want to make sure it's not a part of what your concerns are. Mr. Isdell had indicated earlier that if the properties could not be soundproofed adequately, that there may be the need to acquire. Correct me if I'm wrong.
I think there are two possible scenarios where the Airport might and the bill was written in such a way to enable us to acquire individual properties. First of all, I want to emphasize we do not have any desire to 14 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. acquire any of these homes for the Airport. In certain cases --
I just want to reference that. So the issue that was raised about acquiring properties for Airport use; i.e., runways, was the concern that was raised. You're saying, Mr. Isdell, that that's not the issue?
We understand that portion. When a property cannot be insulated and it's going to cost more to insulate it, we understand that, but we will want -- well, the agreement with the FAA and the Airport says that it would have to be resold as a residential use, it would not be knocked down, would not be boarded down. That's my statement there. The President will give you the Board of Commissioners' position on it. There's 15 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. another issue here, Mr. Chairman. This sound insulation program, all the people that are eligible have been notified that -- I'll just read you one paragraph. "All pre-work items must be completed by November 1, 2005. Otherwise, the Division of Aviation may have to alter the treatment recommendations of your house." What they're telling homeowners here to do is take out your air conditioner and take down your blinds so they can replace the windows. Well, these people did all this by November 1, 2005. They sold their air conditioners, and we still don't have the program. So we would like to see this program accelerated so we don't have to put up with these comments every week.
I'd like to turn the microphone over to Mr. Wasch, President of the Board of Commissioners, 16 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. and he'll give you Tinicum Township's position on the ordinance.
Hi. My name is William R. Wasch. I'm President of Tinicum Township Commissioners, and I'd like to begin by saying we had an agreement with the Airport and I think it was condoned by the Council here in Philadelphia, and part of the agreement was the sound insulation program, which was agreed to in this particular agreement, and we felt as though this program would be honored and would be completed, would be beneficial because of the excessive noise and the intrusion on the lives of the people in Tinicum Township through the over flights of all the airplanes that go over there. Now, it's my understanding of this bill that is before you today, we still would like to have this program continue, because the Airport is growing, it's getting bigger, they're having more 17 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. and more flights, even going through different programs for more runways over there, for different flight patterns, and our interest is, of course, to help protect the lives and the welfare of all the people that live in Tinicum Township. Doing this program with the sound abation program that has been instituted and I guess started, they haven't really done any insulation of homes yet, but at least they have a pilot program. They have homes. They've 14 notified the people. And I think as the 15 Manager has mentioned before, they've 16 done things that need to be addressed, 17 that need to be corrected up to some 18 point where you have a person take, let's 19 say, the air conditioner out in November 20 and here it is May. You'd like to have 21 it back in again. You don't want to be 22 taking them in and out. So there can be 23 improvements made to the program to make 24 it more workable. 25 Now, when we get to the point 18 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. of -- my understanding is that if the cost of the sound abatement to a house is an excessive amount, then they would like to make an offer and buy the house. It would have to be bought for whatever the going price would be for the home. And then we're concerned what would happen to that home and that piece of ground afterwards. It probably wouldn't even make sense because you're not going to get every home in a big direction to have a big plot open for the expansion of the Airport. So I think most people are concerned about expansion and taking their homes and making it an Airport facility, which we're not against the Airport, but people in Tinicum, and I would imagine all the rest of us, like to live in our homes and they don't want to move if they don't have to. Now, as long as the agreement means that the individual in the home could make that decision, if you come up with an amount that it would cost to 19 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. remedy the sound in that home and you feel that the home isn't worth it and you want to buy that home and resell it as a home, as a residential area, we wouldn't be against that. And I'd like to say again we appreciate the agreement. It took a long time getting there. This just started, and our people are waiting to have soundproofing done to their homes. So I thank you very much for the opportunity to speak.
Thank you. Councilwoman Tasco and then Councilman Kelly.
My question is, what is the hold-up on the installation of the soundproofing of these homes?
Oh, what is the 20 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. hold-up? We have nothing to do with this program. It's strictly Philadelphia Airport and the FAA. We just notify the people that they've been selected. They do all the selections, and we call meetings for these people. They bring their experts over and they get them to sign avigation easements. What's holding it up, I think that has to be answered by the Airport. We don't have no plans.
Mr. Isdell, why don't you stay at the table in the event there are questions relating to this.
Councilwoman Tasco, the hold-up really is related to the fact that when we started the process for identifying the pilot homes and getting the program off the ground, we did not realize the fact that the easements, which were one piece of paper in this massive program, actually required an ordinance to be enacted. So 21 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. we reached a point around the time November, December time frame that Mr. Poloncarz is describing where if we were going to proceed and actually do work in any of these houses, we were advised by the City Solicitor that the easement ordinance needed to be approved before we could proceed. The program is ready to go. We had City of Philadelphia Procurement Department public works bids for the work on these 28 homes have already been -- the bids have been awarded. The contractor is ready to go, but it was in the best judgment of the Law Department we shouldn't actually start the work until we got the approval to basically have the easements entered into the Records Department of the City of Philadelphia, which requires a Council ordinance. And we feel bad that we had delayed the program to that extent, but this is the right way to do it and that's what we're trying to rectify. 22 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC.
Another point, Mr. Chairman, all 28 of these people have signed the avigation easement. They're ready to go.
Gentlemen, I don't know which one could answer this. How is this being funded, this program, the insulation program?
The Federal Aviation Administration will provide 80 percent of the funding and the Airport will provide the remaining percent. 20 We will use aviation funds. We will not use any of the City's General Fund money for that remaining 20 percent.
And it is funded and you currently have funds for this program to start? 23 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC.
Yes. When the program was described initially, it was perceived as, I believe, a five-year program in order to get all the homes done in annual phases, and the FAA has committed already, I think we've gotten three years of their funding commitment, and they have committed to us that the federal funds will be available for the remainder of the project so that they would hold up their end. They're 80 percent.
Mr. Isdell, I would just like to know, is there a start-up time? Is there any time that you could give these gentlemen that this program is going to start?
I think as soon as the ordinance is approved with your approval, Councilman --
The contractors are ready to go, yes. 24 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC.
Because I think they've been very, very patient so far over the years. So I think that now is the time we should act and get this program started --
The one thing I would say is that as we approached the winter when we were getting ready --
How long will this program take, incidentally, to do all of the homes?
To do all 600 homes, we estimated five years. Once we do the pilot project, we will have some working knowledge of all the different architectural types in Tinicum Township. It should make the remaining phases -- we can do larger numbers of homes each year after this. But the one thing I wanted to mention about the timing also, as we were 25 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. getting toward the winter last December, it would be our preference to do the work starting around now, because there is a period in each home where the home is kind of open to the elements and it would be better not to do that in the winter. So even though it was an unexpected delay, it may be better to be starting right now in the spring for this type of work for the homeowners.
Well, certainly before the summer, because many of these air conditioners are down, I believe.
Thank you. I'm going to take advantage of the representatives of Tinicum Township being 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. here today. The Airport has numerous leases with you, correct?
Well, the reason I'm asking this question, I recollect that when the FAA required the Airport to expand the runway for the run-off to make it a longer, safer --
So our belief is the same as Mr. Isdell's and yours, that 27 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. we're concerned about the safety of the people in the airplanes, and we did everything we could accommodate to the Airport to make sure that that runway safety zone was completed.
My question is, would you consider selling us that land?
I don't think we can at the moment. I think we have an agreement for five years with the lease.
Would eventually you entertain the sale of that property?
I can't make that decision. I'm only one member of the Board of Commissioners. It would have to come before them and --
My question is because it's something that's never -- I doubt very much we're ever going to give it back, or I don't know at the end of the five years what the legal responsibilities are, but I've always 28 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. wondered why lease versus purchase, purchase versus lease. So if we're around here in five years, we'll maybe renegotiate.
Well, I guess you could renegotiate when the lease is up. I think it's five years.
No. It's for the duration -- as long as the runway is there, that lease is binding. The safety zone will never go away as long as that runway is there. That's the way the agreement is written.
Could you ever? Well, we own the property now. It would have to be before the Board of Commissioners.
Okay. Thank you. 29 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC.
We discussed that, but to expedite the program and sometimes there's opposition by people that live near the Airport and all, we decided, hey, you need a safety zone, we don't want the responsibility, FAA said you could lease them the property as long as the runway is there. That's the way the lease is written.
Thank you, Councilman. Any other questions? (No response.)
Will the Clerk please read the title of the next bill.
Hold on, please. We have one more witness. 30 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. Commissioner. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Good afternoon, Councilman Clarke and members of the Committee. My name is Joan Schlotterbeck, Public Property Commissioner, and I would like to be on record in support of this measure and, accordingly, respectfully ask that Council approve Bill No. 060203. I also ask that the rules be suspended so that the ordinance may be passed upon the second reading at Council.
Thank you, Commissioner. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Thank you.
There being none, thank you so much. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 060206, an 31 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to 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 140 through 54 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard in the City of Philadelphia, for further conveyance at fair market value. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Good afternoon. My name is Joan Schlotterbeck, Public Property Commissioner. With me today is Deputy Commissioner John Herzins. I am here to testify in support of Bill No. 060206, an ordinance 20 authorizing me as Commissioner to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, for nominal consideration, a deed conveying fee simple title to a certain tract of City-owned land with the buildings and 32 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. improvements thereon, situated at 140 to 154 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard in the City of Philadelphia, for further conveyance at fair market value. This bill will enable the City to convey this property to PAID for sale to a developer at fair market value, with net proceeds being deposited into the General Fund. The property is a Water Department site purchased in 1901 and used as a plumbing station. The site is not used at the present time. The Department supports this measure and, accordingly, respectfully asks that Council pass Bill No. 060206. 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. Any questions of this witness by members of the Committee? (No response.)
Anyone else 33 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. to testify? (No response.)
There being none, thank you all very much. Will the Clerk please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 060207, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to extend the term of a lease agreement between the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority as landlord and the City of Philadelphia as tenant for the office space located at 1234 Market Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Please proceed. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Good afternoon. My name is Joan Schlotterbeck, Public Property Commissioner. With me today is Deputy Commissioner John Herzins. I am here to testify as 34 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. Commissioner of Public Property in support of Bill No. 060207. It's to extend the term of a lease agreement between Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, SEPTA, as landlord and the City of Philadelphia as tenant for office space at 1234 Market Street, under certain terms and conditions. This bill will permit the City to extend the lease for the Mayor's Office of Information Systems, MOIS. The Department supports this measure, and I respectfully ask that the rules of committee be suspended so that the ordinance can be passed at the second reading of Council.
What's the term of the extension? DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: Mr. Chairman, the term goes from January 12, 2006 to June 30, 2014.
It's the same rate? 35 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: It's a higher rate than the initial ten-year deal.
Much higher? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: No. It's $15 -- DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: And 50 cents a square foot, with an increase of 50 cents each July 1st.
Commissioner, are we maxed out on all City-owned space? Is MSB fully occupied? Is City Hall fully occupied, other City-owned office space? What is the situation with City-owned available space? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Well, I would say that if you would ask other Commissioners, they would say that the buildings are full. We're in the process of evaluating where we are in 36 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. terms of space, because as the City across the board, we've reduced our staffing. So we have reason to believe that there is some available spaces in some of our existing assets, yes, but we do not know to what extent and how much at this time.
So the lease for MOIS, how many square feet do they occupy? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: John, do you have that? DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: Yes. That's 33,000 square feet on the 15th floor of 1234 Market and an additional 8,000 on the 18th floor and another 700 square feet for the generator space. So roughly 41,000, 42,000.
When do you anticipate knowing what space would be available to start releasing leases and use City-occupied space? When do you think you'll have a feel for that? 37 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Well, we're currently in the process of that. We're trying to get together a strategic plan, recommendations for backfilling, terminating. Most of the leases we have right now have a little bit more time on their term.
That lease that you just discussed, what's the term for that? How many years? DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HERZINS: Until 2014.
So isn't that a long time to extend a lease if you don't know how much space you have available? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Yes. And that's a fair question, but we're talking about MOIS, and at the time, it is what it is based on what the use is. The tenant is unique for us and we couldn't arbitrarily just come up with a plan to move that operation in a short period of time without incurring an 38 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. amazing amount of monies, and we just didn't have it to get done in that time frame.
Thank you for that. I think that's a fair response. Plus, I want to acknowledge, I heard that your Public Property staff did an outstanding job recently in moving a major department within just a few days. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: I appreciate it. Thank you.
What department was that? COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: OESS.
Apparently it went very smoothly and it only took a few days to get it accomplished. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Accomplished it in two days, because there was a gun at my head.
Congratulations. They said it was impossible. 39 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. Thanks.
Thank you, Councilman. Any other questions of these witnesses by members of the Committee? (No response.)
There being none, anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
There being none, will the Clerk please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 060204, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, for nominal consideration, a deed conveying fee simple title to a certain tract of City-owned land with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate at 8011 Frankford Avenue in the City of Philadelphia, for further conveyance at fair market value. 40 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC.
Please proceed. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Yes. Good afternoon. Joan Schlotterbeck, Public Property Commissioner. With me today is Deputy Commissioner John Herzins. I am here to testify in support of Bill No. 060204. This ordinance will authorize me to execute and deliver to PAID a deed conveying fee simple title to a certain tract of City-owned land with the buildings and improvements thereon, situated at 8011 Frankford Avenue in the City of Philadelphia, for further conveyance at fair market value. This bill will enable the City to convey this property to PAID for sale to a developer at fair market value, with net proceeds being deposited to the General Fund. The property was purchased in 1959 and used as a parking lot. This site is not being used at this time. The Department supports this 41 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. measure and, accordingly, I respectfully request that Council approve this bill. I also ask that the rules be suspended so that the ordinance may be passed upon the second reading at Council. There is one other thing I'd like to put on the record regarding this bill. I will not be in a position to clear this or to even recommend that it be passed without being held, because we have some issues with parking that we have to settle. And I've spoken to the Councilwoman about that, and we're asking that it be recommended out of this Committee, placed on hold until I can meet those needs and demands of the community organization.
Commissioner, I appreciate that, and we will meet the community, as well as the developer to see if we can come up with an agreement for the property adjoining 42 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. it. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Okay.
Thank you very much, Commissioner. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: You're welcome.
Absolutely. Thank you. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Thank you.
Any questions of these witnesses by members of the Committee? (No response.)
There being none, will the Clerk please read the title of the next and last bill.
Bill No. 060143, an 43 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to enter into a further amendment to a lease between the City and the Far Northeast Senior Citizens, Incorporated for the use of certain property located on the northeast corner of Byberry-Southampton Road and Townsend Road, to provide for an extension of the City's responsibility for the payment of charges and fees for public utilities, sewer rents, water rents, water charges and heating charges, under certain terms and conditions. COMMISSIONER SCHLOTTERBECK: Good afternoon. Joan Schlotterbeck, Public Property Commissioner. With me today is John Herzins, Deputy Commissioner. I'm here in my position as Public Property Commissioner to enter into a further amendment to a lease between the City and the Far Northeast Senior Citizens, Incorporated for the use 44 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. of a certain property located on the northeast corner of Byberry-Southampton Road and Townsend Road, to provide for an extension of the City property for the payment of charges and fees for public utilities, sewer rents, water rents, water charges and heating charges, under certain terms and conditions. This bill will allow the Senior Center to continue to use their funds for activities rather than utilities. The Department supports this measure and, accordingly, I respectfully ask that the Committee consider favorably this Bill 16 No. 060143. 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. Any questions of these witnesses about this bill? (No response.)
Anyone else 45 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. to testify on this bill? (No response.)
There being none, this concludes the public hearing. We will now move into the public meeting. Councilwoman Tasco, can you please give me a motion on Bill 060203.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 060203 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for a suspension of the rules so that this bill can be heard at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
The ayes have it. Bill 060203 will be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation, with a rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. 46 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. Councilman Kelly, please give me a motion on Bill 060206.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 060206 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and further move for a suspension of the rules in order that this bill may have first reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
The ayes have it. Bill 060206 will be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation, with a rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. Councilman Rizzo, please give me a motion on Bill 060207. 47 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC.
I move that Bill 060207 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation with a suspension of the rules for the next reading at Council. (Duly seconded.)
The ayes have it. Bill 060207 will be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation, with a rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. Councilwoman Krajewski, please give me a motion on Bill 060204.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 060204 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation, with a 48 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. suspension of rules as to permit first reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
The ayes have it. Bill 060204 will be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation, with a rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session. Councilwoman Krajewski, please give me a motion on Bill 060143.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 060143 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 49 5/11/06 - PUBLIC PROPERTY - BILL 060203, ETC. approved? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Bill 060143 will be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation, with a rules suspension as to allow reading at the next session of Council. This concludes the public meeting. Thank you very much. (Committee on Public Property and Public Works adjourned at 2:00 p.m.) - - - 50 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 May 11, 2006, 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.)