Committee Hearing, October 28, 2009

Not a 219 10/28/09 - FISCAL STABILITY - RES. 090540 problem.

We look forward to -- particularly not just this issue, but as we move towards the budget process, let us know what you need for the cameras, because they really work. DEPUTY

Oh, they do. I know that we have shared with both your office and other Councilpersons that have not only asked and shared with the Public Safety Committee how much our data is showing that they work. The idea, though, is that we have to make sure that we can deal with the integration, and it's a 30-day window that we want to keep for evidentiary purposes, and right now that's what we're going to have to figure out a way of how to put it forward. But, yes, I thank you very much for your support.

Thank you. One last question I have relating to housing, the stimulus dollars. 220 10/28/09 - FISCAL STABILITY - RES. 090540 (Witness approached witness table.)

Good afternoon, Councilman. I'm Scott Wilds, Deputy Director of Housing. I'd be happy to answer any questions I can.

Good afternoon, Mr. Wilds. You have the right shirt on. Go Phillies.

I seem to be the only one here in spirit today, but I'm happy to --

I'm sorry. Councilwoman, I'm sorry. This is the last question. This is the last question for me. Mr. Wilds, real quick, one of the issues -- and we've had significant hearings on the stimulus-related block grant dollars. There is one issue and it's to some degree NTI related, and you may not actually be able to answer this and I understand why, but I got to put it out there for the record. 221 10/28/09 - FISCAL STABILITY - RES. 090540 PHFA, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, I understand got upwards of $90-plus million.

They got a large amount of what's referred to as TCAP money.

So, i.e., tax credit?

Yes.

In order to maximize our opportunity to take advantage of that, meaning that we have as many responses to their request for proposals as possible, we have to show site control; am I correct?

That is right. As a rule, they require site control at some level to be able to apply, and the next round we think is February.

And do you think there might be a subsequent round?

I think that will be the only one for 2010.

For the 222 10/28/09 - FISCAL STABILITY - RES. 090540 stimulus dollars -- for the stimulus credits, I'm sorry.

For the tax credits, that's correct.

So the bottom line is, if we don't have site control, we must move in God speed, so to speak, to --

In general, PHFA has accepted a resolution of Council to take through a condemnation as evidence of site control.

So if we're in a position to have access to, say, NTI dollars and before Council leaves in the December recess, we can pass an ordinance 18 or a resolution that evidences an authorization for the Redevelopment Authority to acquire properties or authorize a condemnation, that traditionally suffices for PHFA as some evidence of ultimate site control?

I believe that would be correct, though they have 223 10/28/09 - FISCAL STABILITY - RES. 090540 sometimes varied what they will accept as evidence of site control.

Okay. I'm good. Councilwoman.

Any of those CDBG dollars, Recovery dollars, suitable for capital improvements for arts and cultural institutions in the City?

There is an allocation of funding, as you may recall, back in June, Councilwoman, when we brought a budget for those funds to Council, and of the 14 million, 500,000 was set aside for businesses related to the arts and culture world. Mr. Steuer was here -- is here and could speak to where they are with those funds. They could not be grants to arts groups for operating expenses. They would have to be a business-related job-creating activity. But he's here if you would like to hear from him. 224 10/28/09 - FISCAL STABILITY - RES. 090540

Well, I would, but I'm going to have to push the pause button because I need to honor -- Councilwoman Blackwell does have another hearing. That was an opportunity to put it on the record, with the follow-up being that the three of us possibly -- I know Gary and I tried before, but the three of us can sit so that I could have a better handle on how that impacts the arts and culture community favorably.

Sure.

Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Any other questions of these witnesses? (No response.)

Anyone else to testify on this resolution? (No response.)

There being 225 10/28/09 - FISCAL STABILITY - RES. 090540 none, I want to thank you all very much. Mr. Agostini, thank you for your work. We really look forward to having a follow-up, not necessarily in this format, but there are a couple of outstanding issues that we want to address so we can be more productive in our support of your efforts. Thank you. I'm sorry. This committee is recessed until the call of the Chair. (Committee on Fiscal Stability and Intergovernmental Cooperation recessed at 1:55 p.m.) - - - 226 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 October 28, 2009, 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.)