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Committee Hearing, March 13, 2012

Minutes from Philadelphia City Council Committee Hearings, Mar 13, 2012

People mentioned

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Organizations mentioned

Mr. Weiss

Right. 16

Councilman Goode

But you said 17 you've done over 250 units of housing, 18 and you said you'd be more than willing 19 to elaborate on your track record. I'm 20 just asking you to follow through on 21 that. 22

Mr. Weiss

I would. I don't 23 have documents for all of my projects in 24 this forum. 25

Councilman Goode

Please feel Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 free in the future when you provide testimony to provide that type of information. We'd be more than willing to read it and then respond to it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Councilman Greenlee

Thank you. And if you'd like, you can get those documents to me and I can share it with the Committee, if you have those figures.

Mr. Weiss

Thank you.

Councilman Greenlee

Thank you. Any other -- (Audience member shouting.)

Councilman Greenlee

Please, no shouting out, please. We've been doing good so far. Any other questions or comments? (No response.)

Councilman Greenlee

Seeing none, thank you three very much. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 Again, Debbie Rowe, Philip Browndeis and Tarik Nasir. (Witnesses approached witness table.)

Councilman Greenlee

As I did before, I would appreciate when you identify yourself, if you could say if you're a resident in the area or own property in the area, whatever, or represent an organization. Ms. Rowe, please.

Ms. Rowe

Hello, everyone. Thank you for allowing me to speak today. Correct me if I'm wrong --

Councilman Greenlee

Just identify yourself for the record first.

Ms. Rowe

My name is Debbie Rowe. I'm a resident of North Philadelphia, born and raised here.

Councilman Greenlee

In the area that we're talking about?

Ms. Rowe

Yes, in the affected area.

Councilman Greenlee

Okay. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020

Ms. Rowe

I have a rental property that is right next door to me. It used to be a crack house, and I acquired it from the City, fixed it up, and it's a beautiful home now. Correct me if I'm wrong, the Community and Economic Improvement Act, 53 P.S. 18101 is a Pennsylvania state law that is being used to execute the beautification of the City of Philadelphia. Therefore, by Temple University being funded by the state, this exempts them from paying taxes, as well as the City of Philadelphia. I basically agree with those who oppose the bill for the reasons mentioned. And in addition, I really oppose the bill as well for the fact that I -- I'm into beautifying the City of Philadelphia. I work hard. I sweep. I go along with the, you know, beautification of the City of Philadelphia to the point where I was -- have a City contract right here that I've Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 been holding on for ten years. This contract said that if I had fenced in and cleaned up a lot, that in turn it would be given to me for my hard work and money. I invested thousands of dollars in this particular two lot. I have two different contracts saying that if I was to fix it up, that I would be given my deeds. My deeds have been on hold. They have been processed. The inspectors came out. They inspected the property. I did everything that I was supposed to do. And I'm in agreeance with President Barack Obama, if you work hard, if you do the right thing, if you do what you're supposed to do, then you should be rewarded for that. I have a problem because I see in the listing that the City has at least maybe close to 40 properties, and I believe my properties are included in that, because my deeds have not been released to me. And it is in the prime real estate area on Diamond Street, 1719 Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 and 1721 West Diamond Street. So I have a problem, because I think that according to this Bill 120020, that with the monies that's going to be raised from the residents that live or the property owners that live and the business owners that live in the particular area are going to have to pay taxes on. They're asking me to pay taxes on a land that they won't give to me, and I think that that is so wrong, because I beautified that lot. That lot looked like a jungle. I had to remove trees. I had to remove weeds that were big as trees. I had to remove bricks. I swept. I worked hard. And I think it's so unfair for the North Central Improvement Corporation to acquire funds from myself and others and use that money to develop property on and disregard my hard work, disregard my efforts to beautify a community that I belong to, that I love. So I oppose this act, and I would like to ask City Council to please Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 release my deeds for my hard effort and my hard work and for the money that I invested, the time. It's ridiculous, because I've seen people -- I've been in meetings and waiting for my deed. I've seen other people walk out with their deeds, and when it came to me, it was held back. I've had one excuse after another. I'm in this room now and a guy walks up to me and said he just got his deed. However, I've been waiting for mine's for ten years. And I feel like I am being discriminated against because of special interest groups. This goes deeper than just trying to beautify a certain specific area. This is like robbery. How could the City of Philadelphia ask me to abide by a law when they're breaking the law?

Councilman Greenlee

Ma'am, as far as the individual situation, I'm not familiar with that, but I understand your feelings against the bill. Thank you.

Ms. Rowe

One more thing. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 I'll tell you what the situation is. The situation is that I acquired this contract from the City of Philadelphia to beautify a lot. I got it under the beautification contract of the City of Philadelphia. That's how I got it.

Councilman Greenlee

No, I understand that, ma'am, but that really is separate from -- but I understand your opposition to the bill.

Ms. Rowe

But it's not separate from them taking that land.

Councilman Greenlee

All right.

Ms. Rowe

And then selling it and then having a developer build on it. So that's what I oppose.

Councilman Greenlee

Okay. Thank you. Mr. Browndeis. And just, again, I'd like everybody to identify whether they live or own in the area. Thank you.

Mr. Browndeis

Thank you. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 Good afternoon, Council President Clarke and members of the Committee. My name is Philip Browndeis. I do not live in the district, but I am here to support the people of North Central Philadelphia. Our City government has ignored this area for decades and has failed to provide basic services such as safety, lighting, neighborhood security and street cleaning on an acceptable, consistent basis. Now that Temple University is rapidly growing, real estate investors have swooped down on the area, and still our City Council says it cannot afford to provide basic services to the taxpayers. So now the developers want to create a neighborhood improvement district to provide those services. Perhaps if City Council stop giving away taxpayer money to developers, then it could provide the services that taxpayers have every right to expect. (Applause.)

Mr. Browndeis

TAPA are the Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 individuals behind this proposed bill. They do not live in the neighborhood, vote in the neighborhood or have the support of the majority of property owners in the neighborhood, but they do have the support of Council President Darrell Clarke. All NIDs and BIDs share a common trait. They are inherently contrary to the most basic principle of democracy - one person, one vote. TAPA learned an important lesson from the defeat of the Callowhill Reading Viaduct NID. If owner-occupied properties are not taxed, then owners cannot vote against the creation of a NID. Council President Darrell Clarke summed it up best during the March 6th community meeting when he told a long-time resident, quote, You won't have a vote, but you'll have a say, end quote. North Philadelphia is not alone in resisting a takeover of their neighborhood. Wealthy neighborhoods like Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 SoHo in New York are fighting back against a proposed NID, because it is always wrong to grant the power to tax to any group not elected by a majority. TAPA strikes an arrogant tone of privilege when in this dire time of state budget cuts for higher education it seeks a six-figure, multi-year, quote, voluntary, end quote, donation from Temple, a publicly funded university. Ms. Vanstory and the others who testified today will be vilified for their opposition to the creation of a NID. It will be said that they are motivated by fear, anger and a desire to stop progress. TAPA will say that the opponents to this ordinance are misinformed, even though they have read the ordinance, and that they exaggerate the powers granted to the North Central Management Corporation, when the powers of the NID are clearly stated in the text. City Council just gave away Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 Dilworth Plaza to the Center City District, a private corporation, a little different than a NID, at no cost, for 30 years. Let's not keep making the same mistakes. Don't hand over North Central Philadelphia to real estate investors masquerading as a not-for-profit corporation. Thank you for your time. (Applause. )

Councilman Greenlee

Before Mr. Nasir, the next three people I have on my list are Edward Johnson, Reverend Lewis Nash and Beatrice Smith.

Ms. Rowe

Excuse me. That is exactly what I'm saying. You know, you're turning over property --

Councilman Greenlee

Ma'am.

Ms. Rowe

-- to these developers, especially the one that I have invested all this money in.

Councilman Greenlee

All right, ma'am. Mr. Nasir. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020

Mr. Nasir

My name is Tarik Nasir. I'm a resident and long-time investor in this proposed neighborhood improvement district. Good morning, President Clarke, Councilmembers and my fellow community members and leaders. I'd like to address Council and the Steering Committee on behalf of my fellow community members, leaders and investors who feel as I do. My outrage at the disrespect and slights of hand that is this neighborhood improvement district plan has brought me here today. I have questions to ask that I hope will be presented and answers demanded by this Committee. Firstly, I know as a member of TAPA and, as previously stated, that this plan has been in the making for the last two years at least. The 86 pages of this proposal include multiple exhibits, but none of them outline or define the involvement or consultation with any existing community-based organizations or Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 leaders. Why is that? Is it the opinion of the NID Steering Committee and Econsult that they have greater insight and understanding into the needs of the people than those who have been servicing the community for generations, like Vivian Vanstory's CDC and Beech Interplex? What is your justification for excluding these pillars of the community from your planning processes? It is the Pennsylvania Community and Economic Improvement Act of December 1998, not Philadelphia government, that potentially delivers powers of eminent domain to the North Central Management Corporation. Simply removing the powers from a list does not eliminate them. People here have expressed real fear that their homes can be taken away from them. Why are you seeking such power if your goals are to simply control your outrageous students' behavior and to Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 keep your own sidewalks clean? Furthermore, it's understandable that our people would object to such an overreach of authority by the North Central Management Corporation's potential Board members, which is currently the Steering Committee incidentally. So what verifiable investments have been made individually and as a group other than a few small charity donations to demonstrate your past commitments to improving this community that have not made you money? Now, we have seen the vigorous community opposition to this proposed neighborhood improvement district, but not much input from those who have been asked to foot the bill; namely, the landlords. I must ask, do you honestly believe that if we were allowed a real vote rather than this sham that hundreds of honest stakeholders would vote you their new tax collector? And, finally, what are your Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 plans for our seniors? I sincerely pray that Council will require answers to these questions in the interest of the North Central Philadelphia community. Thank you for your time and consideration. (Applause.)

Councilman Greenlee

Thank you three very much. Our next group is Edward Johnson, Reverend Lewis Nash and Beatrice Smith. Are they still here? Yes, I see the people coming up. (Witnesses approached witness table.)

Councilman Greenlee

Also, early on I called a Delores Johnson. Is she here? UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Yes, she's here.

Councilman Greenlee

Okay. She'll be in the next group. Not this group; the next one. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 Mr. Johnson, I have your name first. If you could identify yourself and proceed, please.

Mr. Johnson

Okay. My name is Edward T. Johnson. I live on the 1700 of North 18th Street. I'm one of the first homeowners of the Cecil B. Moore town homeownership. I don't really -- I understand the need of a clean district, but it's the execution. You have numerous of communities -- committees here that have not been consulted properly, and homeowners, too. Temple has a great vested interest in our community, but the problem is, as paying taxpayers, none of our money has come down to our areas to improve the areas. And second and thirdly, I'm right across adjacent to -- I mean, right across from the old New Faithful Church which is now being developed into 16 duplexes. Then on the other side of me there's a house that was rehabbed. It's Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 Temple students. Trash has not been picked up for the whole year. The whole yard is full of trash. Right now I'm having that addressed right now. On the other side of me -- no 7 one has talked about this. With any development, the Philadelphia Housing Authority has never been called here, since they own the majority of the houses in the neighborhood, is owned by PHA and the Redevelopment Authority. They have not been down here discussing the issue, too, because they own the majority of the property. It is sad that -- a lot of us are aging, are getting older. I'm going to be retiring within three years from my job. I've been on my job almost 34 years. Seniors have faced a lot of difficulty in such difficult times. They don't have the money when the taxes go up. That's the big concern there. There's not enough younger people there to keep tax money flowing, so you need to Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 concentrate on building affordable housing and extend it to Cecil B. Moore town shift from low- to moderate-income people to keep an income pace there. The Temple students are there temporary just to get an education. So their needs are not there. They're just there to get an education. They don't live there or pay any taxes. So, you know, they don't have the same vested interest as homeowners here. And if I believe you come better to talk with the owners here, people will be more receiving of this when you have more inclusion, because as black people, we have been redlined and left out of a lot of things. That's what you hearing the anger here. We've been redlined and left out of everything. We had the Drexel area, Penn area, which used to be called the Bottom Black. It's eliminated, gone. South Street, that area there is eliminated, gone with changes like this. And people had little Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 or no say so. Include the people here, restructure it, you may get some support, but you got to restructure it with the people in mind. And, also, the developers are getting a very big handout. Give some of the loans or make loans available for people who own businesses here so they can keep their business going during this difficult time, because the area is very poor, face it. So the people that own businesses here are very strained. Have a system where they can get loans to keep their businesses going. Keep them in mind. The same things that you gave -- the grants or loans or whatever on Bainbridge that you give to the developers, give to the homeowners or business owners here. Make us feel included. We pay taxes. These people don't live in and don't pay taxes. They don't live here. So include everybody. Include everybody, then you may have some Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 support.

Councilman Greenlee

Thank you. Reverend Nash.

Reverend Nash

I'll wait.

Councilman Greenlee

Okay. Ms. Smith. Please identify yourself and proceed.

Ms. Smith

My name is Beatrice Smith. I live at 1533 North 20th Street. I'm in the Cecil B. Common Homes. I've been living in Philadelphia since I was seven months old. I was born in Florida. My family moved here and we lived in a home in Philadelphia since I was 8 years old. As I got married, my siblings, my cousins, aunts, uncles, everyone owns a home here in Philadelphia. When they made this bill, the main people are not included in this bill, which are the homeowners. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 I'm not going to go through it. What needs to be done with this bill is to have it completely deleted, the whole thing, restructured, with the homeowners having the say. And hopefully everyone that's in this bill that are backing each other will back the homeowners. We can tell you more than anyone, because we live here. They've lived here as long as I have, some longer, because they're older. I am now 68 years old. So I've been here living in Philadelphia and been a homeowner for more than half that time. We can tell you what we need. We can tell you what will keep this neighborhood, our whole community, safe, clean, but no one asked the homeowner. I hear the developers saying they're neighbors. They're not my neighbors. They don't want to be my neighbors. They don't want to live here. They want to get -- they want to profit from my community. They want to profit from us. But they do not want to be my neighbor. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 So they don't have as much in this as I do. Stop dividing us, because when you divide, you divide and conquer. You're tearing the homeowners apart. If we're North Central Philadelphia, we're all North Central Philadelphia. We're not Brewerytown. We're not Yorktown. We are all North Central Philadelphia. We are all homeowners. No one asked us. Everybody else can move out when you get ready. You don't like something, you move. We are homeowners. We are here for life. We cannot move just because we don't like a bill. They want us to pay for cleanup that you mess up. You want me to pay you to clean your mess up. No. I am already being fined. I can't put my trash out to a certain time. If my trash is not cycled the way it should be, I am fined. Temple students don't -- renters throw their trash anywhere any time they get ready. I have to get out and clean mine. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 I'm not get any younger. I have a big empty lot in front of me. Let the wind blow and all of the trash comes in my yard, because I'm on the corner. So, therefore, I have to constantly clean, because they come past there and they say -- they can -- ten to one, now that I'm speaking on it, I am going to be covered with all kinds of tickets and fines. But anyone can tell you, this is what happens. But we are cleaning. We're already being fined. These bills are already on us. Let us be the ones that set up the rules and regulations, because from what everyone has said here, including the contractors, the first ten pages, so to speak, promises me heaven. The next ten pages promises me definitely hell. This is what it does. I'm not getting any younger. I'm getting older. But by the time my tax abatement is up, I can't afford the taxes, but you want to increase my taxes. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 And you say you are in -- you want to develop us? But you're not helping the people that are making the neighborhood to stay in the neighborhood. By the time -- if my children are not able to maintain their property right here because they're going to have the same taxes I'm going to have, they're going to lose my property. Either they're going to lose it to taxes or if they're smart, they will sell it, but they cannot keep it. And instead of you helping us to keep our property by helping us pay taxes or keeping our taxes down so that we can stay here -- because we're homeowners. We're not renters. We're not going to tear up the neighborhood.

Ms. Smith

We're not going to bring all kinds of drugs and crime in here, because this is where we live. We can't call the police and say we see a crime going on and the police come to my door. He says, Oh, these are the people that you just called about? com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 head. And then when I'm gone, that's another one bites the dust. Who else is going to stand up? No one. Because you are throwing us to the dogs.

Councilman Goode

Point of information.

Councilman Greenlee

Councilman Goode.

Councilman Goode

Good afternoon. Just for clarity of the record -- and I'm not taking a position on any of this. I'm asking you to actually decide. Are you saying for the record that there should be no neighborhood improvement district or are you saying there should be more people included in the neighborhood improvement district?

Ms. Smith

I feel as though the homeowners should be the head of the committee, because that's where we live.

Councilman Goode

I'm asking which one you're saying. So if you're saying that the homeowners should be Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 included in the neighborhood improvement district --

Ms. Smith

Most definitely.

Councilman Goode

-- you're saying that the homeowners should be taxed.

Ms. Smith

I am saying that the homeowners should be included in it and I'm not saying we should not be taxed. We're already being taxed.

Councilman Goode

I'm just asking you. This is an extra assessment. You're saying --

Ms. Smith

Oh, no. We should not -- no more taxes.

Councilman Goode

But that's the choice. The choice you're making is that there should be no neighborhood improvement district or --

Ms. Smith

We want --

Councilman Greenlee

Ma'am, let the Councilman finish his question.

Councilman Goode

Or if there is a neighborhood improvement district Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 that includes residents, then under the state law, the residents have to be taxed. So it's one or the other. Either you want no district or you want a district that improves residents where residents are taxed for extra services. That's the way it works. So I'm just asking for clarity of the record what is your testimony.

Ms. Smith

I'm going to ask you. I have to ask you. What are we paying taxes for? We are paying taxes -- from what this bill says, we're already paying taxes. Well, what you asking us to pay more taxes for?

Councilman Goode

That's what the bill is for. The bill is to ask people whether they want to be assessed more taxes. That's what the bill is.

Councilman Greenlee

Unless you're a single-family homeowner.

Ms. Smith

You want us to pay more taxes for what we're already paying taxes for? Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020

Councilman Goode

For the people who are covered under the bill 4 right now, it's asking them if they want to pay more taxes for more services.

Ms. Smith

Who is covered under this bill?

Councilman Goode

It's within the bill. There's a list of properties. It's property owners. It's not residents.

Ms. Smith

But what about the renters?

Councilman Goode

In terms of the residences and other residences, they're not covered in the bill. They are covered in the bill --

Ms. Smith

Well, no, we should not be taxed more.

Councilman Greenlee

Ma'am, please let him finish before you start talking. Please.

Councilman Goode

You can answer the question and I can accept your answer however you want to give it to me, Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 but at the end of the day, I'm asking for some clarity. And so if you don't want to pay more in taxes for more services, then you don't want to be included in the bill.

Ms. Smith

What more services am I going to get that I'm already getting, that I'm already paying for?

Councilman Goode

The services that are outlined in the bill right now are for cleaning and security and some other things. If there was a new neighborhood improvement district that had new people who governed it, they could determine what those services are going to be, but you would have a bigger pool of people, a bigger pool of money and a different governance structure that decides what's going to happen. So you would determine what services will be provided, but at the same time, you'll be paying more taxes for more services. And so the only question I ask -- and I'm going to leave it alone if Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 you don't answer the question directly -- is, do you want no neighborhood improvement district or do you want residences to be included in it where they pay extra taxes for extra services? Which is your testimony? One or two.

Ms. Smith

You can't do that to me.

Councilman Goode

I just did it.

Ms. Smith

You cannot do that to me.

Councilman Greenlee

Ma'am, let me ask you --

Councilman Kenney

I just have a point of information.

Councilman Greenlee

Councilman Kenney.

Councilman Kenney

In your testimony, you said the word "abatement," when your abatement is up. I didn't understand what that was.

Ms. Smith

The tax abatement that we have. We had a ten-year tax Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 abatement. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the bills that you want us to pay for.

Councilman Kenney

So I understand your position, you currently have a ten-year tax abatement?

Ms. Smith

Yes, we do.

Councilman Kenney

When is that up?

Ms. Smith

Some have ten, some have five.

Councilman Kenney

When is yours up?

Ms. Smith

I bought my home in '06.

Councilman Kenney

So it's '16?

Ms. Smith

Thank you.

Councilman Kenney

But you're not paying real estate taxes now?

Ms. Smith

I'm paying for the land, yes.

Councilman Kenney

All right. I just wanted to make sure I understood Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 you.

Councilman Greenlee

And one other question and then I want to move on to Reverend Nash. He's been patient. You're a property owner obviously.

Councilman Greenlee

Do you own any other property?

Ms. Smith

No, I do not.

Councilman Greenlee

You will not be taxed under this bill, ma'am. You will not be taxed under this bill. Councilman Clarke explained -- Council President explained that right in the beginning. Homeowners, single-family homeowners, are excluded from the assessment in this bill. Okay?

Ms. Smith

No. That's not going to work.

Councilman Goode

It's true.

Councilman Greenlee

That's what the bill says.

Ms. Smith

Because we are not Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 included in this.

Councilman Greenlee

All right.

Ms. Smith

What I'm saying is, we are not on the committee and we are homeowners, and eventually it is -- and you know it like I know it. Eventually you're going to draw us into this, if it's five years from now. They're going to include us, one way or the other. (Applause.)

Ms. Smith

If not me, then it's going to be my child that has --

Councilman Greenlee

Councilman Goode.

Councilman Goode

Point of order. You're entitled to your testimony. I heard everything you said. I understand the anger. I understand partially what you're saying is what other people said when they've testified on improvement districts, which is that they believe they should be getting more Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 for the tax they already pay. But what this legislation deals with, as authorized under state law, is to provide an extra tax assessment for extra services. That's what the legislation does. So it's not a matter of whether anyone agrees with that or not. That is the state law. And so under the state law, people can agree to be assessed more for more services if they choose to. It's your choice. That's all I'm saying.

Ms. Smith

And if we don't?

Councilman Goode

And if you don't choose to pay more taxes, then you won't be charged more taxes, and right now you're not included in the bill. Therefore, you won't be charged more taxes.

Ms. Smith

Right now. (Someone yelling from audience.)

Councilman Greenlee

All right. Hold it.

Ms. Smith

No. It's just that Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 the whole bill needs to be deleted and redone with homeowners included on the board to have some say so on what goes on in your neighborhood. If I don't want to be added on to get more taxes, then what are you going to do? I don't get police when I call each time?

Councilman Greenlee

Ma'am, that's not -- okay. Reverend Nash, please. I'm sorry. You've been patient. Thank you, sir.

Reverend Nash

Thank you very much. I guess it's afternoon by now.

Councilman Greenlee

Well into the afternoon.

Reverend Nash

I thank Council President for bringing this bill and also allowing this community to come to have a voice. Thank the Councilmembers for sitting and listening to us very patiently. My name is Reverend Lewis C. Nash, Sr. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 1510 West Stiles Street. I am the Founder and CEO of Map Holistic Community Development, which is located at 1533 West Stiles Street. I've been in the North Philadelphia area since 1967 when I was born by Alice Maidie McNair Nash on 17th and Norris. I went to George Washington Carver School and watched the transition. I went to Benjamin Franklin, Strawberry Mansion, Roxborough, graduated from Franklin. The reason why I say this also, I am a member of Caulk (ph) Coalition, who helped develop the North Philadelphia Train Station. I am a member of Local 332, a labor member, who has been with 332 since 1989. I also am a member of the Philadelphia Council of Clergy. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 developed, those who are making millions, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars, at the end of their fiscal year, after they file their taxes, I think that they should also be included in the NID and also putting up funding to clean the neighborhoods that they say that they are cleaning. As I listened to the conversation about the developers, why aren't they coming to clean up our streets? Well, let me explain something to you. Since 2000, I have been an owner and occupier of Faith and Deliverance Outreach Ministry at 1510 West Stiles Street. I've watched drug deals. I've called police and got assistance. I've watched buildings fall. I've called City Council and I've gotten assistance. I've even torn down a building myself because of the blight and the drug use and terrible things that were going on next door to my church. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 the trash. They did. Temple students live on 15th and Stiles, along with me, about from St. Joe's Prep all the way to Broad Street and the Regency Apartment on Carlisle Street. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen in North Philadelphia. I'll get to that in the lower North Philadelphia portion. But I've watched the Temple students come and go. They've been polite to me and to my neighbors and constituents who I help in that neighborhood. I've never seen a party. I'm not saying it doesn't happen in other neighborhoods, but the Temple student does not come out and pee on the ground and trash the neighborhood as well. They put their trash out and they recycle. So for us to sit here and assume that all of Temple University students, whether on campus or off campus, is a real terrible blight to our neighborhood, that is not true. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 I really want to see the NID, simply because it will help the non-profit organizations that were supposed to keep the community clean that received funding and don't have adequate facilities for the neighbors to go to. We are charged to use their facilities, and they are receiving money from the federal government and City grants and other things. There was a big lot on Cecil B. Moore that was supposed to be for the Billie Holiday Museum, I believe it was. The money was stolen, misplaced. Then that land was also sold to a non-profit organization, who built a hundred-unit Temple University student housing. And also 15th and Cecil B. Moore all the way to Jefferson Street, another non-profit -- a non-profit organization built two blocks, one side of student housing. That's a non-profit organization. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 out how much money did go back to the senior citizens, how much money did go back to the lower-income families, neither one of them houses was built for low-income families. They put Temple students in. So they receive a residual income as well. So what I'm simply saying is, don't -- do not disband the NID, but let us come to a resolution and let us have some amendments done that will help us come together and to improve our neighborhood.

Reverend Nash

Because I like where I am and also the senior citizens in our neighborhood that comes to my non-profit organization, they receive help on their rebates. We help them fill out their rebates. We help them with their water bill, the electric bill. And we're not telling the NID, you got to pay us and you got to let us control the money. What we're saying -- we invested in the neighborhood. We're in the neighborhood. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 want to see a neighborhood improvement district. Because why? Before there was an NID -- I want to make this statement and I'm going to end, because I'm getting nervous. When I'm praying and preaching, I can do a little better. But before the NID came, there was trash. Before the NID came, there was bottles. Before the NID came, there was crack. Before the NID came, there was house invasions. Before the NID came, there was drug deals and drug busts and it was murder. Before the NID came, there was unsecured property and blighted areas and land. Before the NID came, there were non-profit organizations receiving millions of dollars, but yet and still, nobody cleaned the whole Columbia Avenue. So whoever is saying they cleaned the whole Columbia Avenue, it's still trashed up, and the NID will improve that. Whoever said that they cleaning the 1500 block of Stiles Street, guess what? com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 the little geographic location she does, it's still trashed up. So I think we do need a NID to bring some security, some stability, some economic growth and some new jobs. Thank you very much.

Councilman Greenlee

Thank you, Reverend. (Applause.)

Councilman Greenlee

Councilman Kenney.

Councilman Kenney

I just have a request. And, again, this is not about the NID. I have confidence in your District Councilperson, who is our President, is going to work this out and get something done. That's been his style since he's been here, is to try to work at everybody in the neighborhood. But there's been a lot of stuff said about Temple University today that I have some concern about, and while I recognize as a former college student at LaSalle, I may have at times been a Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 little louder than I should have been, and apologize for that to the people up at Olney, but the request I have is that -- and I missed Ms. Coleman's testimony early. I don't really know the numbers, and that's why when we have this next hearing, I would like her or somebody to bring these numbers back. I just want to know what the total employment of Temple University and the hospital, how many people actually work for Temple, and if I could find out how many of them are City residents and if I could get some demographics as to ethnicity and race and gender, I would really be interested in knowing the impact, the positive and economic impact, of Temple University and its hospital on that entire North Philadelphia neighborhood. I don't know the numbers, so I'm not assuming what they are. And I know, Ms. Coleman, you told me you could probably get them pretty clear, because I Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 really do think -- when institutions deserve to get battered around, they deserve to get bettered around, but when we look at the overall picture of what Temple is providing there, what I think it's providing there, I think we should know the numbers in context when we're having this discussion, and I would just make that request to Temple. Thank you.

Reverend Nash

May --

Councilman Greenlee

Very quickly, please.

Reverend Nash

As far as Temple University is concerned, like I said, I've been in North Philadelphia since 1967. I've watched that little street. I forget the name of that little street that Temple closed up right across from 16th and Berks where next to the playground. I've watched them close that up. I've watched Temple evolve. But my statement here is that the reason why I'm making this statement, Temple University Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 employs a lot of people in North Philadelphia. So if Temple was to pack up, I believe North Philadelphia would have a bad economical turnaround. So we're not simply saying that we don't like Temple, but Temple is a great employer. Members of my church work for Temple. Temple donates to most of the -- every one of these organizations that have stood up here and opposed it. And I think it's very, very disrespectful to the Councilman and the taxpayers to sit -- to come up here and use this platform to address your personal issues to gain lots, more money or control. I think that we just need to amend the bylaws and things right here that will include the residents and make sure that they receive something out of the NID, and which has already been included in here. So let's just do that and stop using this platform to build your own organization and your personal Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 intents.

Councilman Greenlee

Thank you, Reverend. And just for the record, after we're through the testimony -- and I think we just have a few more people -- we're going to temporarily go into a public meeting and there will be some amendments, and the Council President will discuss that a little bit. Thank you very much. Now, the final group I have -- and these are the four names I have left -- Delores Johnson. Is she here? I heard yes somewhere. Shaka Trotter.

Councilman Greenlee

James Johnson. (No response.)

Councilman Greenlee

No? Okay. And Ruth Burchett. Okay. I think I heard three say yes. Please come up. Is there anyone else here that wants to testify? Okay. Please come up, because Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 we are way behind, and I would ask you to be as brief and as to the point as possible, because we've had people waiting for the next hearing for quite a while. Thank you.

Councilman Johnson

Just an hour.

Councilman Greenlee

It's all relative, right, Councilman?

Councilman Johnson

I heard you. (Witnesses approached witness table.)

Councilman Greenlee

Whoever would like to go first, please identify yourself and proceed.

Ms. Johnson

Good afternoon. My name is Delores Johnson and I reside at 1540 North 15th Street, and my family and I have been living there since the '40s. I have a multi-family dwelling. I live in the property and I also rent to people in the neighborhood. I don't only rent to students. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 But my problem is, as far as the bill is concerned, I oppose it, because in the bill, it mentions that this corporation can buy, sell real estate. And what does that have to do with keeping the neighborhood clean and security? And I'm afraid that section 9 about buying and selling real estate, they have an opportunity to take your property by eminent domain, which has happened to me four times. I was not able to get money from the bank to rehab these properties after they took it. They told me in order for me to rehab the properties, I would have to go to a bank to acquire the funds to rehab it, which I did. I have A-1 credit, and every bank in Philadelphia, every last one of them, turned me down. I didn't know this until I went to the vice president of the bank at Broad and Chestnut Street, told me -- I think it was PNB Bank or PNC Bank at the time. She said, Ms. Johnson, I don't Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 want to have anything to do with this mess. They are redlining you. So I was not able to get -- I went and hired a lawyer, but the lawyers didn't help. The lawyers were in the City's pocket, which I didn't know until after I had spent all my money. So this is what I'm afraid of, that they will eventually have the power to take our property from us.

Councilman Greenlee

Okay.

Ms. Johnson

Question?

Councilman Greenlee

We'll hear from everybody first. Council President will address that. Who would like to go next?

Mr. Moore

My name is Donny Moore and I'm the block captain of the 1700 block of North 19th Street, which is in the area that they're building. And, no, I do not want to be taxed, to answer the question. No, I don't want to be taxed. But my concern here is -- being Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 here is that we complained about the student housing and the developments and stuff like that. On my block they are right now developing a unit. But what I did was, I called the Zoning Board, and they stopped the development because they didn't meet with us, the community. And they met with us. Not only did they met with us, they agreed to do certain things that we asked them for that. We made them agree to do certain things. I have a copy of this for them. That's what we did. We met with them and got the legal department and they did certain things that we requested. Like they don't block the streets on our block. They cover -- they already started construction. They don't block our streets. They will not block our streets. They will not work on Sundays. They will -- they won't start before 7:00 and they will end by 6:00. But it's up to us. It's up to us to challenge this when the Zoning Board goes up. And once it goes up and Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 you didn't challenge it, why are you complaining when you don't challenge something? I challenged it. It worked, and it worked for the community. If they're going to do something and you can't stop them from doing something, get something. Get something. Now, this neighborhood development, I don't know if it's going to work or not, but I'm saying to you right now, it's not only Temple students. You keep talking about Temple students, Temple students. It's the people in the community. I got robbed two times. I got robbed once and my car was tore up. It wasn't a Temple student that did that. It wasn't a Temple student. Stop that about Temple. It wasn't Temple that did this. We got kids in our neighborhoods that's tearing up our neighborhoods. Now, if they're going to put cameras -- and I had to put my own surveillance camera in, and they robbed me and I still had a surveillance camera. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 They got caught on surveillance. If they're going to put a camera up there and not just on Cecil B. Moore, not just on Dauphin Street, Susquehanna, they're going to put a camera up there on Carlisle Street, if they're going to put it up on Gratz Street and Bouvier Street where they walk up and down selling them drugs, well, I'm for it if they're going to put them there. It's where they put this stuff at. If it's going to help us out now, we need help now. You talking about -- we need help right now, is where we need help, the things that's happening now. So many robberies happen in our neighborhood where we live at. And I live 1715 North 19th Street. Thank you.

Councilman Greenlee

Thank you. And just a question. So you live there. Do you own any other property in the district? Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020

Mr. Moore

No, I do not.

Councilman Greenlee

So you know you will not be assessed any taxes.

Mr. Moore

No, I will not.

Councilman Greenlee

Right, you will not. Okay. Sir.

Mr. Trotter

Thank you. Good afternoon, City Council and all members of this Committee. My name is Shaka Trotter and I'm with the Contractors' Roundtable Council. And I just want to say thank you for having me here. I really appreciate it. I'm here as a son of North Philadelphia. I don't own any property, but I was educated in North Philadelphia and with the most precious blood, Saint Lukowitz, Saint Columbus, even though he wasn't a saint, on Lehigh Avenue. And I've watched institutions like Temple University gobble up our neighborhood like pack men and pack women, take, take and not give back. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 insurmountable amount of money and political power, and they pretty much move through our community at-will unless you challenge them. I want to say thank you so very much for being here and standing up and having the audacity and courage to say no 9 more. You have -- this is a tactical war. Not only are you to meet with Temple and City Council, but you got to go to the banks that's giving Temple this money to build the things in your neighborhood that you no longer want. I want to say thank you -- first, congratulations, Councilman Clarke, and I want to thank you -- no. 18 This is sincere congratulations, Councilman Clarke, because you have helped us. I'm here to support you. It's not shame on you, Councilman, but it's shame on Temple University for taking advantage of our community. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 community and can't name one black contractor, you know. I challenge you too to bring your books in. Who are you hiring? You're not going to get credit for hiring some crack heads in the neighborhood. You're not going to get no 8 applause from us. You have to do some real meaningful work here. Them, just like Temple, they don't have the main concern for the homeowners. They're there for ongoing ruthless pursuant of profit, and whoever gets in that way, they will crush. But thank you so much for being here. Now, here's the switch and bait. You talk to Temple. You challenge them. They say, Well, we are in agreement with this equal opportunity, and they have meetings, right? Now, they agree to the economic opportunity plans. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 from Temple. So what happens now is, you're fighting a ghost. You can't get the statistics, Councilman Kenney, that you asked earlier. You said what are the ethical backgrounds, who is hired, how many black people, how many black contractors on this job, you know, what's their percentage of monies that they were awarded for contracts. When you don't have that information, you're fighting a ghost. All you can do is sit back and look at the devastation in our community. You can't tell me that this abandoned buildings and this atrocity that's committed on our community, that it isn't planned. To me it seems like Temple pick and choose the areas they want to invest in. Like somebody picked they favorite son, which one they have to decide who is going to go to college. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 everything else falls to the side. Is that fair to say? And our community suffers from it, the community that I grew up in before I went to West Philadelphia. Even I raise hell in West Philly, but I was born and raised in North Philly and I don't like what I see. So, again, a homeowner came to us and said, Let's not fight. I don't think the fight is with Councilman Darrell Clarke or the Council, City Council. I think the fight and the real corporate culprit is Temple. When we fight with each other, the enemy always manages to slip away and do some more dirt tomorrow. So I say for ourselves and history, let's change the world from what it is to what it should be. Thank you so very much. )

Councilman Greenlee

Thank you. Ms. Burchett, please. Identify Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 yourself and please proceed.

Ms. Burchett

Hi. My name is Ruth Burchett. I'm a resident of North Philadelphia. Having served -- I do not own property inside of this NID, proposed NID district. However, having served as block captain, committee person, judge of election and head of a non-profit of the area and also the child of a couple that purchased property in North Philadelphia back in 1950, I was raised to be concerned for community, and I remain so. This district ends at the block of -- the west side of it rather ends at the block of the home that my parents purchased, and we're fifth generation. I'm real clear that the concerns that this NID is proposing to have over our area will impact areas beyond the boundaries that are designated. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 bill. It has no consideration for the long-term residents of North Philadelphia. I am appalled that for decades rather than our -- and I'm speaking as someone who was sitting on my steps the night of the riots, and this encompasses -- part of this area encompasses that area. I'm appalled that we would be -- to have our community with the funds for revitalizing our community having intentionally been withheld from our area for decades to the point of mass deterioration, to the point of whole blocks being leveled, and then conveyed for speculation to developers or whomever. That's how we got to today. This didn't just start when Temple housing started going up. This was a deliberate plan. And how dare the City of Philadelphia, with our lawmaker body being the City Council, enact laws that would further endanger our well-being. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 Temple property owners who are multiple in the ordinance, there are many of the people who are corporations, not people, they're corporations, who own multiple properties that give you an indication of their wealth. Unlike the homeowners or long-term residents of the community like my family, there's one property. It is very often heir property. It is very often in the name of someone who is deceased. Yet family members continue to live there. " Well, many of those exist. And so your ordinance doesn't take in considerations those kind of situations where you have a property that is owned by someone who is deceased, yet the ordinance speaks to owner-occupied rental units will not be taxed. Well, if the person is dead already and you're the granddaughter living in that house, are you going to be taxed? com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 be taxed? These are realities that exist within our communities. I was disappointed to hear at the meeting at Temple University on March 6th that one of the reasons -- and this came from Councilman Clarke as well as a representative of the product -- what is it? The organization of developers who have developed many of those homes. And I keep forgetting the name of it. But anyway, they both noted on record that one of the things that led to the creation of this ordinance is the fact that there was trash, that Temple students were putting out trash. In fact, Councilman Clarke noted that when he ran for election, he was walking -- you were walking the streets and you noted that you did notice the trash being put out. m. m. That's an ordinance that exists already. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 should not be troubled with passing ordinances for something that exists already. It exists already. When I give out food to the elderly every Tuesday, I have elders complain over and over again that sanitation workers, officers, with plastic gloves open and dig through their trash to notice even a -- anything that's recyclable and they end up with a ticket for $25. If they don't pay it within a certain term, it's doubled to $50. That's a concern. How come the ordinances and the laws that we have aren't being enforced fairly? They aren't being enforced. Why are the Temple students and those property owners, those commercial property owners, not taxed as well, not given citations as well? That is the solution.

Ms. Burchett

com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 bill, well, we have Philadelphia Police, Housing Police, Temple Police, Town Watch, you have your own individual vigilance on the community who have your eyes and ears like me, and, you know, we don't need to hire another company to come over us. Temple Police need to police their own versus policing residents. They're on task literally, literally to keep us away from their students, to guard their students against us, and their vigilance needs to be targeted toward their own students. It is incredible as a community development corporation, having gotten awards literally from L&I for cleaning in one summer 92 vacant lots, to have Temple University students come out and trash our neighborhood the way that they have. And we fought to stop the graffiti in our community. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 students tagging geology. Nobody in the neighborhood tags geology and other kinds -- we got an increase of graffiti, we've got partying, we got pissing up against walls and that. I'm very grateful to Councilman Goode and Councilman Kenney for speaking to the issue of the contractors who have people, many of them not even speaking English, not that you have to, but Philadelphia is always touted as a union town, a union town. When we bid for houses up at 21st and Norris, there was a big deal about this being a union job, and we got no jobs, not one job. Even those HUD Section 3 regulations required neighborhood hires. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 and dumping it onto vacant lots. One of the vacant lots is in the 1900 block of Norris Street where my family resides, and we have right now as I speak to you six piles of construction debris. So I'm telling you that the issues that this bill is addressing, it does have impact beyond the boundary. I guarantee you it does, because it's there. Now, we have --

Councilman Greenlee

Ma'am, could I just ask you to please wrap up, because we really need to --

Ms. Burchett

I'm going to wrap up.

Councilman Greenlee

Thank you. Please.

Ms. Burchett

I always get this here at Council. I have input. I'm glad you don't have your little three-minute clock up there.

Councilman Greenlee

I didn't want to do that to you. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020

Ms. Burchett

So here's the deal. For a contractor to short dump debris on a block that I'm block captain of and we call 3-1-1 and report it and then have that contractor bold face enough to say to me, Oh, we're just trying to beautify the neighborhood, we trying to fix up the neighborhood and you all are fighting against us, and anyway, I got my record expunged. Why is it they're having more clout in the community than we are? I'm not going to pat anybody on the back about redeveloping this 5th Councilmanic District when it's their fault it got tore up from the junk street. I don't like it. It is unfair. You're unfair to our community, and this is predatory. It is predatory, and it is a threat to our community. This ordinance itself and use of the NID is excessive. It is an excessive remedy for the problems that were stated as the rationale for coming up with this. Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 (Applause.)

Councilman Greenlee

Thank you. Is there anyone else here to testify? (No response.)

Councilman Greenlee

I see none. Here's what we're going to do. We're going to temporarily, listen to me, temporarily recess the hearing to go into a public meeting, but as was stated before, there will be at least one more public hearing on this bill. We have to wait at least 45 days, if I'm right. So the Committee on Rules temporarily recesses the public hearing and goes into a public meeting on Bill 20 No. 120020. The purpose, I'm going recognize to Council President Clarke to introduce some amendments. Council President.

Council President Clarke

Thank you, Mr. Chair. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 First, I would like to thank everyone who came down here to testify. This is the American way, democracy at work. As I said earlier, everybody will have a say and will have a level of input into this particular process. In addition to the additional public hearing that's required in City Council, there will be a series of public meetings in the neighborhood to continue the discussion. Real quick, Councilman, I would like to run through a series of amendments that are based on concerns that were raised at earlier meetings and again here today. I'd like to refer to the sheet that was passed out earlier on Bill No. 120020. The first recommendation on the amendment we are deleting, because, frankly speaking, I don't like the language in that that talks about liens and fees. We'll have to deal with that at a later date. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 The second one, amendments to the Preliminary Plan. Example A, Item 2, P. 1, Service Area, where it says, The service area of the proposed district includes taxable properties. There will be an amendment to do the following: We'll clarify that only commercial properties, which include properties rented to tenants for not for profit, will be assessed -- I'm sorry; excludes. I'm sorry. Single-family owner-occupied homes will not be assessed for the NID since they do not fit the definition of commercial properties. That's clear? No single-family homes, no 17 owner-occupied homes will be included in this provision. We're going to clarify that language to ensure that there's no 20 doubt that people who have expressed that concern. Additionally, in reference to the property list, in the earlier version it did not delete all of the properties that will not be subject to it. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 further clarify, in the amendment we will actually cross out properties that are not within the category. So those properties that are exempt will be crossed out in the amendment so there could be no mistake that those properties are deleted. S. and it goes on and on, 810 -- I'm sure we don't have to get into specifics. That will be in the language. Additionally, as it relates to the assessment fee, there was an issue about the assessment fee not to exceed 10 percent. There will not be any different ranges as it relates to assessment. This will clarify that whatever the assessment fee is for those properties that are eligible that I said earlier are only commercial properties. There will be one set fee, not different fees as it relates to the assessment fee on those properties. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 Language added to clarify the order to renew the NID. We want to clarify in order to renew the NID after five years, the same process must happen. So if there's any concern about some automatic renewal of the NID, if it happens, because I keep saying that, this is the start of a process, that it will be automatically be renewed by an over-the-counter permit. That cannot happen. We're going to clarify that language that you must have the same process - community participation, a series of hearings, the same timeframe. Bylaws. Bylaws was -- some of the language was of concern. There was an issue about the listing of class of properties. In particular, it hit a hot-button note in the community meeting about identifying certain properties in a class reference, and that was probably not a good choice of language as it relates to some of the neighborhoods in the City of Philadelphia. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 There shall be no reference to class of properties. So that will be deleted in the bill. It will simply be a designation of properties, period. So it won't be like Temple University is a particular class, landlord-owned properties is a particular class, residential properties are a particular class. There will be no reference to class. Additionally, powers of the bylaws, the references to Municipalities Act.

Council President Clarke

" This was an extremely hot-button issue as it related to the conversation the other night. To clarify that -- and I know that this was the case, but to clarify that, that language is deleted. We are also going to delete "powers," because that in some instances is an inflammatory word. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 provision will be stricken and that will be solely based on the internal governance. And there will be no ability of the NID to acquire and develop properties. I want to make that clear. There's no ability for the NID to develop and acquire properties. We're going to clarify that as related to the internal governance and also the ability for the NID to continue additional development. " Again, further clarifying language in the bylaws, that provision is deleted. So to clarify, the NID will not purchase real property in the community, because that is a significant issue that has come up again today. There was also issues about in the original version the powers allows for the acquired -- for the -- basically by the NID -- let me get this clear. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 Okay. This is only for purposes of within the power of the NID. It changed language so that it only allows the lease of an office space and acquiring or lease of supplies and equipment, period. So that's the language within the internal bylaws that say that that particular NID's only sole purchasing power, if you want to use that term, is for purposes of purchasing materials and purchasing leasing space for the purpose of the office. " That is a serious concern that was raised about a separate entity other than the government purchasing liens for properties that are in arrears of their particular real estate tax. That provision will be amended where the community -- the language to allow Management Corporation to request that City impose liens. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 position to impose a lien as it relates to a property that are in arrears of their assessments or their taxes. So the NID will not be authorized to do that. So these are based on the conversations that we've had to date will be in this document, the amendment that will be submitted formally to the Committee. I anticipate as we continue this dialogue, there will be additional conversations related to potential other amendments. There is an issue -- and I'll bring it up now, because there's a concern about who will ultimately be on the Board of Directors. I personally don't want to suggest by myself who should be the person or the makeup of that particular Board, but that will be a significant part of the continued conversation, because we understand there's significant concerns about the makeup of the Board. All right? So with that, Mr. com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 guess I am a member of the Committee.

Councilman Greenlee

You are a member of all committees.

Council President Clarke

I would like to formally offer this amendment to the legislation. (Duly seconded.)

Councilman Greenlee

It's been moved and seconded that the amendments that the Council President just discussed be approved to this bill. All in favor? (Aye.)

Councilman Greenlee

Opposed? (No response.)

Councilman Greenlee

Hearing none, those amendments pass. And now we will recess the public meeting and go back into the public hearing. As I said before, there will be other hearings, at least one other hearing on this at least 45 days from now. Information will be distributed. And with that, the hearing on Discover Works Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 3/13/12 - RULES - BILL 120020 Bill No. 120020 of the Rules Committee will stand in recess until the call of the Chair. Thank you.

Council President Clarke

Thank you. com 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 13, 2012, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. -------------------- MICHELE L. com A abandoned 204:16 abatement 116:5 171:24 178:21,22,24 179:2,7 abide 154:19 ability 7:20 68:6 68:7 221:4,7 221:10 able 6:22 19:20 30:24 31:2 49:20 61:6,10 66:7,9 70:23 76:7 104:21 140:7 172:6 196:13 197:4 220:15 absence 101:12 absolute 144:7 absolutely 67:20 99:18 113:16 144:13 academic 104:23 accept 176:24 acceptable 156:11 access 106:2 accounts 6:21 accurately 226:5 acknowledging 18:16 Acme 90:21 acquire 153:19 196:17 221:5,8 acquired 63:17 151:5 155:3 221:24 acquiring 222:6 act 3:22 61:25 62:5 151:8 153:24 161:14 218:10 220:14 221:12 action 37:8 actions 135:7 active 18:2 128:5 activists 27:23 activities 18:17 47:14 103:23 activity 5:8 46:23 actual 71:13 72:23 add 106:3,15 109:12 added 183:6 219:2 addition 27:3 31:21,23 32:4 96:23 137:8 151:18 216:8 additional 12:18 24:12 31:14 32:6 64:17 72:13 98:7 134:12 216:8 221:11 223:11 Additionally 217:22 218:14 220:12 address 11:19 12:17 18:21 19:8 22:24 24:16 25:5 35:6 39:16 95:21 96:8 114:14 119:11 130:10,21 160:8 193:15 197:16 addressed 109:8 134:9 165:5 addressing 213:8 adequate 131:22 132:9 187:6 adequately 11:18 12:16,19 adjacent 164:21 administering 139:12 Administration 48:8 100:17,20 106:16 Administrator 100:14 109:23 admirable 31:4 admiration 109:25 advancement 107:4 advantage 202:23 advertisement 107:9 advice 46:8 affect 64:14 afford 156:16 171:24 affordable 13:17 122:3,11 123:4,20 166:2 afraid 196:8 197:9 Africa 97:16 African 36:4 120:25 121:16 afternoon 132:22 156:2 173:11 183:15 183:17 195:18 201:10 afterthought 89:13 age 61:12 agencies 67:13 70:6 agendas 128:21 agent 145:3 Ages 72:9 aging 165:17 ago 24:24 53:13 63:18 87:11 agree 76:13,14 78:2 132:6 145:24,25 151:16 182:10 198:12 203:22 agreeance 152:14 agreed 25:11 26:2 78:2 96:21 198:10 agreement 3:14 27:5 105:15 106:8 203:20 agreements 36:21 agrees 182:8 ahead 10:18 39:2 50:13 84:20 ain't 54:21 61:21 air 37:6 Airy 121:7 Alice 184:7 Allegheny 53:15 Allen 118:10 alleviate 23:5 alleys 98:5 allow 17:4 26:9 222:22 allowed 7:2 35:15 37:15 123:4 162:21 allowing 67:15 150:14 183:20 allows 221:23 222:5,15 altogether 142:13 alumni 73:16 amend 193:19 amended 222:21 amendment 216:21 217:7 218:2,6 223:8 224:7 amendments 14:2 28:5 39:7 188:12 194:9 215:22 216:15 217:2 223:13 224:10,18 American 36:4 64:11 120:25 216:4 American-ow... com 2:18 29:12 44:4 112:17 120:23 124:23 124:25 126:9 186:6 200:7 carry 109:24 Carver 184:9 case 46:18 47:2 57:8 220:22 cases 121:18,20 cash 90:21 116:7 142:16 143:18 144:18,19,23 casting 48:3 categories 145:6 category 46:7 218:4 caught 12:13 58:18 200:2 Caulk 184:14 caused 124:8 CDC 161:8 Cecil 73:17 105:11 120:21 122:2 132:25 164:8 166:3 168:12 187:12 187:19 200:4 cement 12:8,9 124:16,17,19 124:25 125:21 126:7 144:5 census 120:21 center 21:15 105:17 106:20 113:14 137:2 138:14 159:2 centering 6:19 Central 1:21 2:25 3:3,14,16 17:5 18:9,15 20:3 24:4 28:12 31:17 32:10 35:3,11 45:22,25 46:2 46:10,12 47:3 84:17 86:10 90:18 94:13 95:12 98:11 104:6,13,18,19 133:21 134:10 135:13 136:7 136:21 138:23 144:21 147:25 153:18 156:6 158:21 159:6 161:18 162:6 163:5 170:7,8 170:10 century 43:6 CEO 184:3,22 certain 3:23 49:21 58:12 61:12 79:5 103:3 110:3 130:6 154:17 170:21 198:10 198:12,15 210:13 219:21 certainly 23:17 89:16 95:7 99:21 137:20 142:8 certainty 78:24 79:16 CERTIFICA...

Council President Clarke

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Council President Clarke

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