¡›î› COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC HEARING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - - - Room 401, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wednesday, February 13, 2002 10:00 a.m. - - - BILL NO. 020028 - An Ordinance to adopt a Fiscal 2003 Capital Budget. BILL NO. 020029 - An Ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2003-2008 inclusive. - - - PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN FRANK J. DI CICCO COUNCILMAN WILSON W. GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN W. THACHER LONGSTRETH COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO - - - VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 (215) 561-2220 ¡›î› I N D E X BILLS 020028, 020029 PAGE Maxine Griffith, Planning Commission ......... Robert Dubow, Budget Director ................ 19 Richard Tustin, Capital Program Office ....... 21 Gary Jastrzab, Planning Commission ........... 41 Paul Deegan, PIDC ............................ 42 Carlton Williams, Dept. of Recreation ........ 49 Jane Curato, Director of Commerce ............ 59 Estelle Richmond, Managing Director .......... 75 Karl Bortnick, Information Technology ........ 79 Stephanie Craighead, Fairmount Park Commission 98 William Johnson, Streets Dept. ............... 105 Joseph Syrnick ............................... 108 Cheryl Kritz, Law Department ................. 124 Thomas Kline, Capital Program Office ......... 134 Joe Doyle, Streets Dept. ..................... 148 Beth Ounsworth, Friends of Phila. Parks ...... 171 Maya Burnett, Family of the Dell East ........ 174 Rena Brown, Family of the Dell East .......... 175 Warren Haskins, Family of the Dell East ...... 178 Carlton Williams, Dept. of Recreation ........ 180 3 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
I regret the delay. This is the public hearing of the Committee of the Whole regarding Bill Nos. 020028 and 020029. I ask Mr. McPherson to please read the title of the bills.
Bill No. 020028, an ordinance to adopt the Fiscal 2003 Capital Budget. Ordinance 020029, an ordinance to adopt the Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2003-2008 inclusive.
Mr. Dubow, are you going to be the first to testify? Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Council President. My name is Maxine Griffith, and I'm Executive Director of the City Planning Commission and Secretary for Strategic Planning. Before I move forward with my formal remarks, I'd like to take a moment to thank the gentleman on my right, Gary Jastrzab who is our Director of Policy and Strategic Planning. As you may know, Ernie Leonardo, who for many years shepherded the Capital Program, took his dream job 4 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 in New York. He's now traveling all over the world. We saw him during the holidays. He's doing fine. But he did leave us in a little bit of pickle. And Gary Jastrzab and his staff stepped into the breach wonderfully to guide the Capital Program through this process. And I'd like to publicly thank him and also acknowledge someone else he'd like me to thank, I'm sure, and that's Liz Kozart who to assisted him. So to Gary, Liz, and the entire Capital Program staff, I'm very appreciative. As you know, one of the Home Rule Charters mandated responsibilities of the City Planning Commission is to prepare and submit to the Mayor a recommended Capital Budget and Program. As you know, the Capital Budget and Program establishes a plan for investment in the City's physical infrastructure, public facilities, and municipal buildings. And we have some slides, if we can begin those now. This morning I'm pleased to present for your consideration the recommended FY2003-2008 Capital Program and the FY2003 Capital Budget. We believe we have crafted a lean and efficient Capital Program that makes effective use of limited 5 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 resources. 2 billion over a six-year period renew City's extensive infrastructure and public facilities. The total cost for the 96 recommended projects for FY2003, the first year of the program, is 507 million of which 90 million or percent is 11 funded by new city tax-supported loan funds. New 12 City self-sustaining loans, which are issued 13 primarily by the Airport and the Water Department 14 account for 220 million or 43 percent of the total 15 budget year funds. Federal and State funding 16 combined total 156 million or 31 percent of which 97 17 million is for SEPTA-related projects. 18 New City-tax supported loan funding is very competitive across departments because borrowing capacity is limited by the Constitution by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as well as by the City's ability to pay of resulting debt. And of course, Mr. Dubow will speak to that in more detail in his testimony. For these reasons, most of the difficult 6 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 decisions represented in this recommended program focus on projects that require new City tax-supported funding. While budget year funding is about tee programmed last year for FY2003, subsequent years will be reduced as the City approaches its debt limit. And again, Rob will speak to that in more detail. Most of my testimony focuses on FY2003, the budget year of the Capital Program since budget year funding will become actual appropriations. Projects and priorities for the subsequent five years of the Capital Program are projections based on our best estimates of future needs. The largest portion of the budget year funds almost 211 million or 42 percent is recommended for neighborhood development and includes renovations and improvements to basic neighborhood facilities and infrastructure. Economic development is the next largest allocation with 136 million or 27 percent recommended in support of the City's economy. Neighborhood development projects directly support the Neighborhood Transformation 7 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Initiative, NTI, through the renewal of community facilities including libraries, neighborhood parks, and recreation centers, police and fire stations, and site improvements in support of neighborhood housing and commercial revitalization programs.
Other improvement projects, such as those for transit stations and other SEPTA facilities, street resurfacing, street lighting and signage and replacement of water and sewer mains are also funded through the Capital Budget. The City will continue to assess neighborhood infrastructure to ensure that the Capital Budget and Program will most effectively support the goals. In the Recreation Department funds are recommended for the improvement and renovation of playgrounds, courts, lighting, and buildings including roofing, heating, safety systems and code compliance. Existing swimming pools will continue to be upgraded to improve health and safety and to minimize water losses due to outdated circulation systems. Eighteen neighborhood playgrounds and recreation centers will be renovated using million of City funds matched by million grant from the 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Commonwealth. A total of over 13 million in new funds are recommended for recreation projects in FY2003. The Fairmount Park Commission will continue to renovate and restore its grounds and athletic facilities, many of which serve the City's neighborhoods. Funding is provided for improvements at Fisher Park, the Cobbs Creek Recreation Area, and other sites throughout the City. The Free Library is completing the major rehabilitation of its branch libraries using a combination of public and private funding. 4 million will support a major renovation of the Walnut Street West Branch Library in West Philadelphia and the replacement of the Widener Branch in North Philadelphia. Additionally, City Capital funding of 395,000 will enable the Free Library to make other necessary building systems and structural improvements at its branch libraries. 8 million for site improvements is recommended for the Office of Housing and Community Development. These site 9 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 improvements include new curbs, sidewalks, and other physical infrastructure at housing redevelopment sites. These include the Cecil B. Moore Homeownership zone, Richard Allen Homes, Schuylkill Falls and Ludlow Village. To have continue improvements in neighborhood commercial centers, 1 million in new City funds is recommended for site improvements, curbs, sidewalks, street trees, signs, lighting and public parking. Such improvements, provided they are part of a comprehensive strategy for the area, are intended to attract and leverage other public and private investment in both commercial and residential projects. 3 million is recommended for the Streets Department in FY2003 for neighborhood street reconstruction and resurfacing as well as for traffic control and street lighting improvements, school and pedestrian crossings, signs, signals, and bridge reconstruction. These City funds will be matched by almost 11 million of State and Federal funds. 7 million in federal and state funds is recommended transit 10 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 infrastructure investments that support neighborhood development. Among these are the reconstruction of the Market Street Elevated Line, the construction of the Girard Avenue light rail line, station renovations, and various other track, signal, and infrastructure improvements. The Water Department will also continue to invest heavily in replacement of water distribution mains and sewer lines serving City neighborhoods with more than 50 million in self-sustaining funds recommended for these projects in FY2003. The Health Department will continue upgrading its health centers with new tax-supported funding of 620,000 in FY2003. Windows will be replaced at Health Center 4 while other centers will receive new equipment and furnishing to provide better service and more effectively compete with private sector providers in attracting and maintaining insured customers.
The Fire Department has undertaken a major capital investment program to improve the working conditions for its fire fighting personnel, and to insure continued operational effectiveness of 11 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 all of its stations. Recommended funding in FY2003 emphasizes the rehabilitation of existing fire stations with 9O0,000 for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, roof replacements, and interior and exterior renovations. The goals of the City's economic development program are to a retain and attract business, provide jobs for Philadelphians, revitalize City's neighborhoods as centers of economic activity, and maximize the potential for other economic development activities. 5 million in new City funding and to industrial and waterfront development. As mentioned earlier, 1 million is also recommended for neighborhood commercial center improvements. The City supports industrial development in both older inner City industrial areas and in the newer City-managed industrial parks, primarily in the far northeast and southwest sections of the City. In the City-managed industrial parks, tax-supported funds matched by revolving funds from the City's Industrial and Commercial Development Fund are scheduled for building or renewing roadways 12 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 and utility lines in order to maintain and increase the number of available industrial sites. A total of 2 million in City tax-supported funding is recommended for improvements for the Philadelphia Naval Business Center, the City's industrial parks, and for the City's Enterprise and Empowerment Zones. Penns Landing is enhancing its position as a visitor destination. The Hyatt Regency Hotel located adjacent to the Independent Seaport Museum is complete. Work on the family entertainment center is expected to begin this year. A total of 510,000 is recommended in FY2003 for pier reinforcement, sea wall reconstruction, and general site improvements. Philadelphia International Airport is an important economic development engine for the City. The airport is in the midst of an ambitious expansion program bringing this facility up to world class standards. In 2000, the latest year for which statistics are available, Philadelphia International Airport was the 19th busiest airport in the country, up from 24th in 1996. Nearly 21,000 people are now employed there. A fourth runway was recently completed for use by smaller commuter airlines, and 13 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 last June Terminal F opened to provide better service for commuter aircraft passengers. Construction continues on Terminal 1, the new international terminal which is scheduled to open shortly. In addition, improvements to existing facilities such as rest room renovations and installing of moving sidewalks will be undertaken to ensure passenger comfort and convenience. A total of 88 million in new City self-sustaining funds matched by almost million in federal dollars is 12 budgeted for physical improvements at the City's two 13 airports. 14 Health and safety projects make 15 improvements to City facilities that promote public 16 health, safety, and welfare. One example is the 17 City's water and waste water treatment plants where 18 50 million of self-sustaining funding is recommended 19 for necessary improvements. 20 million in 20 self-sustaining funds matched by 10 million in Federal funds is also recommended for security improvements at Philadelphia International Airport. Other health and safety projects include improvements to life safety systems at public buildings, asbestos abatement at municipal 14 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 facilities, and City matching funds for SEPTA public transit projects that involve rider safety and accessibility. Funding for facilities serving our most needy citizens is also included in the recommended budget.
A total of 900,000 is recommended for mechanical and interior improvements at the Stenton Family Shelter, the Riverview Home, and the Gateway Shelter for Adult Men. 2 million is recommended for security improvements at the Philadelphia Industrial Correction Center and the Detention Center. At the zoo, 250,000 is recommended in budget year to install security alarm and voice evacuation systems at a number of zoo buildings and retail sites and for asbestos and lead abatement in the Penrose Laboratory. The City has used Capital Program funding to make substantial progress towards bringing municipal facilities into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA. Increasingly, accessibility improvements are accomplished as City agencies undertake specific 15 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 renovation projects. The Capital Program Office continues to initiate ADA improvements on an as-needed basis. No new funding is recommended in FY2003 for this purpose because the program has sufficient funds available to cover anticipated projects during the coming year. Regular allocations for ADA improvements will resume in 2004. The Capital Program enhances the City's fiscal stability by investing in projects that enable government services to be provided more efficiently. The Police and Fire Departments will continue to improve their dispatch and communication systems technology. From the Managing Director's Office, the City will develop and integrated database to better coordinate departments that provide services to children and families. This integrated case management system will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Departments of Health and Human Services and the Office of Emergency Shelter and Services. Also recommended for funding are a variety of projects to renovate and modernize buildings used for essential City operations and 16 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 functions. Among these are the family court building on Logan Circle for which 2 million is recommended in the budget year for phased renovations. Also recommended for improvements are various Streets Department's supported facilities such as the Traffic Signal and Sign Shop, the Street Lighting Shop, and the Sanitation Division's Torresdale Yard. Funds for the renovation of the Department of Licenses and Inspection Field Office No. 6 are also included in our recommended budget. We have also recommended budget year funding for mechanical renovations at the Medical Examiner's Office and much needed HVAC renovations at the Health Administration Building. The Municipal Energy Office, MEO, has been spearheading efforts to make the City's use of energy more efficient. The Green Lights Program focuses on installing energy-efficient lighting fixtures. In FY2003, 250,000 is recommended for lighting upgrades at facilities throughout the City. A similar amount is recommended for the Energy Star Program to replace HVAC and other mechanical systems 17 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 at various facilities with more efficient units. The Capital Program is committed to these and similar projects because they generate substantial operating budget paybacks in the form of reduced energy costs. Quality of life projects contribute to the livability of the City as a whole. Funding is recommended for a number of improvements to cultural facilities used and enjoyed by all citizens. Included among these is the restoration of City Hall. Recommended funding of 5 million for City Hall in the budget year will allow continued roof and exterior treatments as well improvements to interior heating and cooling system. The Capital Program includes an additional planned investment of million in City Hall through FY2008. 4 19 million is recommended for renovation work at the 20 recently acquired Perelman Building. An additional 21 million is recommended to upgrade the Art Museum's 22 security system and for asbestos abatement.
5 million of City 24 funding is recommended for improvements to historic 25 structures, utilities, drainage, landscaping, 18 1 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 footways, stables, parking areas, and for pavement improvements at Rittenhouse Square. City funds will be matched by 750,000 of Federal funding for these quality of life improvements projects in Fairmount Park. 2 million is recommended for projects that include improvements to the Bear Country exhibit. Roof replacements at several building, infrastructure improvements, and general safety and security upgrades. 3 million raised from private sources for these projects. In conclusion, let me say that although the recommended Capital Budget and Program strategically allocates very limited resources to ensure the City's capacity to deliver needed public services effectively, it also provides for the kind of investment in Philadelphia's future that is key to our City's economic health and growth. We must continue our prudent stewardship of Philadelphia's physical infrastructure and seek to enhance the resources available to do so. Thank you very much.
Thank you. 19 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Mr. Dubow.
Good morning President Verna and Members of City Council. My name is Rob Dubow and I serve as the Budget Director for the City of Philadelphia. While Maxine's testimony focused on the projects that will be funded in the program and the FY03 Capital Budget, I'm going to focus on how we determine the level of City-supported funding that we included in each year of the program. As you know, our ability to issue debt is limited by the State Constitution. Under the Constitution, we're allowed to have debt equal to 13 1/2 percent of the ten-year average of the assessed value of real estate in the City. As of February 1, 2002, the City's remaining debt capacity stood at a $140.8 million. Under the Constitution, the only way that capacity can increase is if we retire existing debt or if the assessed value of property in the City increases. In constructing the FY03-FY08 program, we distributed our remaining capacity to meet the minimum needs of our capital infrastructure while not using up all of our capacity in one or two 20 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 years. Factoring projected increases in assessed value and debt retirements, we determined we could fund roughly $90 million in Fiscal Year '03; 80 million in Fiscal '04; 70 million in Fiscal '05; 60 million in FY06 and 50 million in each of '07 and '08. Clearly, the levels are sufficient to meet even the minimum needs of our infrastructure. As a result, the City is reviewing ways to pay for some capital projects out of the Operating Fund, pay down debt if operating funds are available, or issue debt through other authorities. The FY03-08 Capital Program spending plan also assumes use of the unissued $40 million general obligation authorization for Veterans Stadium repairs from the FY01 Capital Budget. The $40 million authorization in FY01 was to be used for Veterans Stadium and became unnecessary when the stadium repairs were financed through the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development. City Council was also presented with an ordinance 23 that eliminated the prior general obligation authorization of 40 million for Veterans Stadium repairs. If that ordinance is not approved, the 21 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 City will have to reduce the '03-'08 Capital Program spending plan in front of you today by that $40 million. I'd be happy to answer any questions that Council may have related to the recommended Capital Budget and Program as presented.
Yes. Rick Tustin is here to testify on the Capital Program's Office operating budget.
Good morning, Council President Verna and Members of City Council. My name Richard Tustin. I am the Director of the City's Capital Program Office. The Capital Program Office has two basic missions. First, to oversee and manage the City's budget for the Capital Budget for all City departments and agencies. And second, to provide project management services for the design and construct of new and renovated City facilities for many of the City's operating departments. I am here today to present our requested 22 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Operating and Capital Budget requests for Fiscal Year '03. This request includes an appropriation of $2,412,269 in Operating Budget with an additional request of 7,070,000 in the Capital Budget. Our Operating Budget request includes 1,082,298 in Class 100 to support positions. 8 This is an increase of $15,760 over Fiscal Year '02, 9 estimated obligations due to contractural raises. 10 465,000 in Class 200 funds for architectural 11 engineering and other professional service 12 contracts, space planning services to support City 13 lease and real estate consolidated efforts, staff 14 training and computer software. 750,000 in Class 15 800 for payments to support the CPO's Capital Fund 16 for City-wide construction requirements contracts 17 for the repair and maintenance of City buildings' 18 systems and infrastructures. And 114,200 for 19 material supplies and equipment upgrades. 20 Our Capital Budget request includes 21 6,770,000 in funds to support 84 positions, an 22 increase of 1,280,000 FYO2 adopted budget due to the transfer of the planning and engineering staff from the Recreation Department to the Capital Program Office. It should be noted, however, that this 23 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 consolidation results in a $310,000 net reduction for these services from FY02 adopted budgets for both agencies. 300,000 for general environmental remediation projects. Fiscal Year '02 has seen some growth for the Capital Program Office with the addition of the will Free Library, Municipal Energy Office and recreation capital projects to our existing portfolio, bringing the total number of agencies we now serve to 16. These changes should yield additional savings to the City through the elimination of contracted project management services and reduce the time and cost necessary for project completion. The Capital Program Office also plans to increase the quality of our construction oversight services in '03, working together with the Department of License and Inspection, construction inspectors in both agencies will receive the same training in building code and compliance issues in order to expand the capacity of the CPO inspectors to provide oversight on City construction projects. By the end of Fiscal '03, the Capital Program Office will have completed several major 24 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 construction projects that each have a cost of over a million dollars. These projects include improvements to Locust Street concourse, major renovations to Veterans Stadium, renovations the Walnut Street Branch Library, restoration of Belmont Mansion, new Police Forensic Laboratory, a new office for the Police Special Victims Unit. A new 768-bed women's detention facility, a new 24th/25th Police District facility, renovations to Stenton Shelter, renovations to fire houses of Engine and 12 72, and renovations to Memorial Hall's roof and dome. The Capital Program Office is also proud of our MBEC participation on professional services contracts. 5 million awarded to date. In closing, I would like to reiterate that the Capital Program Office is committed to improving the process by which capital projects are conceived, budgeted, implemented, and completed. City Council's approval and support of this requested budget will allow the Capital Program Office to maximize the value of taxpayer's capital 25 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 investment in public facilities.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to present this testimony. And I would be happy to answer any questions at this time.
Thank you. The City's Capital Budgets are shrinking due to our debt incurring capacity. How are we as a City going to meet our capital infrastructure needs in the future? I notice that in the out years, particularly in '08, we will have less than half of what we have in '03 for capital projects. Can you tell me how we're going to meet our needs in the future?
We're looking at a couple of options for how to expand our capacity beyond what's shown in the program. One is to start looking at doing some things to pay as you go. One example of that is the security work in City Hall. We have an operating transfer ordinance in front of you and that includes operating funding for that work. Another is to try to see whether we can use authorities to issue debt to help us fund similar program. And we have an example of that in year 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 two, we have a portion of the study center being funded through an authority. But even with issuing through authorities, we are constrained just our overall debt burden. We want to make sure that that doesn't get too high. We understand that it's a problem that we have to come to grips with over the next few years, and we'll continue to examine our options.
Can you tell us what percentage of the general fund budget goes to servicing the City's debt, including the debt we have issued through authorities.
I'll get you an update. The last number I saw, excluding our unfunded pension obligation, was a little under 11 percent. And then when we added in unfunded obligation, it was about 15 percent. But I will get you a written response on that.
Well, tell us what the Administration's position is with regards to how much the General Fund Budget should be used for incurred debt payments.
We, during the course of the last year, spent some time talking to our financial 27 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 advisors and they talked to rating agencies. And the advice we got was that your debt services and percent of revenues should not be above percent. 5 And so we're using that as kind of our guiding 6 principle. 7
What is the 8 dollar amount of the Capital Budget and Program that 9 is going to cover salaries for City employees? 10 And I know it's a policy decision, but 11 why doesn't the Administration put these expenses 12 into the Operating Budget and save some debt 13 capacity? 14 I think from what I read, the Capital 15 Program Office is $7 million per year.
The '03 Capital Budget includes about 6.8 million for salaries for Capital Program Office employees who work on the Capital Program. And THAT'S always been treated as a legitimate use of capital dollars because their work is directly related to projects.
Rob, if those expenses were in the Operating Budget, wouldn't we save some debt capacity?
We would save debt capacity, 28 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 but we would also be using General Fund dollars that otherwise would be going for other things. So we'd have to take it from somewhere else in the Operating Fund.
Can you tell us what the Administration's position is with regard to computerization and funding those requirements through the Capital Program, what the total cost of computer and computer-related items that are included in the program?
We would have get that for you get, Council President, and we'll get that for you in writing.
I will add, too, that we look at using several different sources for funding, information technology in addition to the Capital Program. We anticipate using the Productivity Bank to fund projects.
What is the balance in the Productivity accounts.
Well, why not fund this computerization through the bank? 29 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
We do plan to use Productivity Bank dollars to fund computerization projects.
You have no 6 idea as to what the cost of that will be?
No. I don't have a total amount of projects that are going to be funded through the bank.
I have several other questions, but I see that other Councilmembers want to be recognized. So at this point in time I would like recognize Councilman Nutter.
Let me stay in the same area. I had some other questions, but I am intrigued. We've had somewhat similar discussions about the use of certain dollars, and I think we all 30 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 understand that these are allowable uses, at least under the law, but we also understand that just because something is legal doesn't necessarily mean that it's right. Of the $89,946,000 of this Capital Budget, how much of that is for salaries?
That's right. The Water Department pays for some, but that doesn't go against the $89 million.
So 83,1 is actual dollars spent for projects; is that your testimony?
Any other cost that would be related to a project, whether they be for design services or construction management services, they're all factored into the cost of the project.
Those are usually 31 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 for outside consultants, though, right?
My question was directly related to City employees, our workforce. $6.8 million.
And tell me again what the rationale is for why we do that? This is similar to a CDBG discussion on how we off-load City employee costs through that program.
Those employees work exclusively on capital projects. So it seems appropriate to allocate their cost to those projects.
Okay. And the response earlier was if you weren't paying for them through capital funds, they'd just be in the Operating Budget; is that correct.
Or if I may add, Councilman, they might accrue a consultant cost. The Capital Program Office takes on a great deal of work that -- and I understand it in years before 32 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 their formation was given to consultants to do, architects, engineers, project managers, et cetera.
Could we get a breakdown as to how many employees there are and how many consultants are also in the budget?
There are 84 employees that are paid from that $6.8 million. The number of consultants, we could get back to you with that information. We'll look at each and every project that we're managing and which of those projects have consultants and which ones do not. So I can get back to you with the number of the consultants as well.
Sure. Now, before there was a Capital Program 33 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Office, how were these employees paid? And what side of the ledger were they on?
I think they were paid out of Capital but out their specific departments. For example, during the last year Recreation was assumed into Capital. And if you look at last year's Capital Budget, you'd see a separate line item for employees in Recreation. Now that's gone.
So when it got collapsed into Capital Program, you kept the accounting practice and it just ended up they're now together; is that correct?
And if we didn't do it this way, is it fair to say if all of these employees were being accounted for paid out of operating funds, you'd have $6.8 million more to spend on projects; is that correct.
Yes, 6.8 million more for projects and 6.8 million less in the General Fund for other things.
And to the earlier question, Mr. Dubow, please tell me your response again to the rapidly declining capital dollars 34 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 available as they're laid out from '03 to '08. Is the number 89 or 90 this year, 80, 67, 58, 51, 48; is that what you're anticipating over the next six years?
Well, it will float around about a million or two a year. What I said in the testimony was 90, 80, 70, 60, and then 50 in the last two years.
Last year was 90. And I think the few years before that were all probably around 120. But I'd have to get back to you with the specifics.
And so in the out years, how do you propose to take care of all of our facilities? Are we going to go back into a late-'80s mode of significant deferred maintenance, which you know is a bit of an oxymoron in the government. I mean, it's just deferred and then you 35 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 end up paying twice as much later on. I mean, how are we going to do this?
There are two areas in specific that we're looking at. One is to try to use some outside authorities to issue that so that it wouldn't count against the State calculation of our debt-incurring capacity. And the other was to look for appropriate projects that would be paid as you go, and one of those we gave, for example, was the City Hall repairs.
Well, I understand that. But that then has impact on the Operating Budget which in, you know, starting next week you're going to tell us we don't have money over there either.
That's right. I mean, obviously, our resources are constrained on both sides.
Is there fully developed -- I don't sports analogies, but is there a fully development game plan going forward for how you're going to deal with this or do you have any proposal or ideas.
We don't have a fully 36 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 developed plan. One of the reasons that we gradually take the number down, is to give ourselves to develop that plan.
Okay. Let me go back to what I wanted to start with. Director Griffith, can you just give us a short overview on how is the Capital Budget and Program put together? What is the process?
We hold a series of hearings with agency heads and their staff. The Budget Office is in attendance, as is the Capital Program Office. Sometimes you also have representatives from the Mayor's office there. We fully discuss each request. We focus in, especially in these times of scarce resources, on issues of timing; are funds really needed in this fiscal year for the proposed project. We also look at phasing. We look at the agency's track record in terms of expending funds. And we try to prioritize in the ways described in my testimony in the slide presentation. Where does each project fit within the framework of the City's objectives, and then prioritizing it within that framework. We also look very closely at leveraging dollars. Would City 37 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 expenditures leverage significant State or Federal monies? I would also add on to Mr. Dubow's testimony that we're looking very aggressively at resource development, at foundations, corporate giving programs et cetera. So we try with the advice all the entities that I stated earlier to put together the best recommended budget, given scarce resources. We then enter into dialog sometimes after those hearings with agency heads. And we present this recommended budget to our Planning Commission who reviews it, asks some of the same tough questions that are being asked here. And then that becomes the recommended budget.
At what point in all that do you meet with Councilmembers to talk about their concerns?
As you know, Councilman, we had a similar conversation last year. There is no formal phase in this process, although, from time to time where there are questions or queries or where we feel we need more information, information that the agencies can't provide, we will get back to individual Councilmembers. Most of the discussion, as I understand it, between the Council and the 38 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Administration happens between Councilmembers and agency heads or deputies. They then present an integrated and comprehensive program to us and to the team that you see right here for review.
There's no formal process at this time. It's my understanding that at least in recent history that has not been a part of the formal process. Again, the conversation gets -- I don't know what kind of analogy this, it's probably not a sports analogy -- but sort of front-ended with the agencies.
But you could create a process, right? Is there something that prevents you doing that? Are you restricted in some way, shape, or form? Are you not allowed to have a formal process?
Certainly a process could be created. Again, although we chair this team, so to speak, the team has many players. That's a 39 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 sports analogy.
And certainly that conversation could be held amongst team members.
Well, I would really like to strongly encourage some level of a more formalized process. And I do meet with some of the departments on either as-needed basis project by project as the year goes on, but there is nothing formal leading up to the compiling of this particular budget. And with every respect to the agency heads and departments, every now and then, you really do want to make your case directly to the people who will be making a decision. They have a number of people and issues to try and represent. And I'm sure you could appreciate a Councilmember might have a slightly different perspective or unique insight or a particular passion about a particular project which they'd like to talk directly to the folds who will make the ultimate decision. Agencies don't make the ultimate decision. The Planning Commission and obviously the Administration puts the budget book together, but unless you feel you are legally or morally 40 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 constrained in terms of having some kind of process, I think you could probably establish one of your own which might make some of this a little easier.
I will certainly take that under advisement, Councilman. Thank you.
I appreciate that. Did you get that answer from Rob Dubow?
Actually, that's true. Let me talk about a couple specific items. . By the way, who picked the colors?
Liz of our staff picked the colors. And before you say anything about Liz, she a new grandmother. She now has three granddaughters.
I don't any issue with -- I mean, pink, fuchsia, I'm a flexible guy. I just wondered. Sometimes they're green. I figured it was like what ever paper was left over.
A lot of time and attention, Councilman, went into this choice of 41 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 color.
And I'd be happy to get you in the loop on that next year, Councilman.
Yeah, that's really how I want to spend time. (Laughter.)
The $5 million for the PIDC Land Bank improvements and administration, what is the Z Fund category? Could you explain that?
Z Funds are revolving loan funds. My name is Gary Jastrzab with the City Planning Commission. Z Funds are revolving loan funds where income coming back into PIDC through land sales goes back into the fund which is then used for other improvements.
So what do you attribute the difference between the '02 funding level and the proposed '03 funding level?
That, I believe, has to do with the balance of those funds. As those 42 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 improvements are paid for, the loan balance is paid down. And depending upon activity, that money may not return to the revolving fund as quickly. It is an estimate, a projection.
I understand. Part of my question is in '02, the funding level for land acquisition was one and a half million dollars. In '03, from the book, it appears to be $5 million. To what do you attribute the three and a half million dollar increase.
We would like to just confirm our response, but we believe it's because we collapsed a number of separate projects into a larger pool of funds that could be utilized on an ongoing basis. But luckily, saved by the bell, we have someone from PIDC who can respond.
Good morning. My name is Paul Deegan. I represent PIDC. Councilman, we increased the capital funds because we need to buy more land. We're at a very low ebb in the land bank, so we put all the money we could in there for this year.
Do you have current anticipation of land that you will be purchasing in 43 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 the next fiscal year?
Well, we're looking at a number of sites. We're looking at the Byberry Hospital site. We're looking at various sites and maybe add on to West Parkside, for instance.
Now, Paul, are you just saying that because I'm asking the questions and you want me to move on?
No, Councilman. We are looking at expanding West Parkside and giving it more frontage on Parkside Avenue, which is one of the problems with marketing the industrial park.
Okay. Paul, I don't know if this in your -- it may not be in your bailiwick, but on of the Item 41, neighborhood commercial centers, site improvements, we're showing $1 million citywide?
I'm just intrigued as to what we would do with a million dollars citywide for -- there must be at least 25 to 30 44 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 designated commercial corridors throughout the City. I mean, a million dollars I know is still a lot of money in most people's pocketbooks, but I don't know what a million dollars does citywide in our commercial corridors.
Do we have someone from Commerce who can to speak to that in specifics? Again, in general, Councilman, as we try to get someone who can speak to the specific program, as with the land bank, we have tried to collapse in some cases small requests, which for a neighborhood commercial strip could be a big deal into a pool of funds that can be used as needed. As you know, often timing is key in these cases. Funds that you think can be expended in this fiscal year cannot be, they're captured by one project where another project could use it. So it's a pool. And if we don't have anyone here now, we will get you details on expected expenditures.
Well, let me ask a follow-up. On the same line in the same area, there's also anticipation of $1 million in State funding. What is that and where did it come from and what is it for? 45 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
Councilman, Gary Jastrzab again. I believe that that's a state DCED Grant that is being applied for by the Commerce Department.
And you have every reason to anticipate that we're going to receive it?
They're used generally for commercial strip site improvements; streets, sidewalks, lighting, signage, things of that nature.
And how do people apply for those funds? How do you access those dollars?
That request from the Commerce Department is based upon the Commerce Department's assessment of what commercial strips can be treated in a particular year. There's oftentimes all of the budgeted funds for a year cannot be spent because of various kinds of delays. So it's based upon the Commerce Department's assessment of strips to be treated in a particular year. 46 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
Do you know if we presently have funds that are unexpended for the current fiscal year?
I do not know the amount. We can certainly find that out for you.
And, Councilman, we're also trying to locate a representative from the Commerce Department who can respond to some of these questions.
That would be helpful. And I do plan to be here all day. Mr. Dubow, what's our bond rating?
What is our bond rating presently by the three rating agencies?
I think it's the equivalent of the highest B rating for two of them, and I think it's an A minus for the third. I can get you those particulars.
Councilman, we do have a number of other members that want to be recognized so will have a round-robin. Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll just put this question out to the panel. I'm not sure who I would direct it to. Councilman Darrell Clarke had to leave. He had a specific question, so I'll try my best to frame this question. It's in reference to the NTI bonds. If there is an area in the City that isn't blighted, it's not going to be demolished in any and we would just like to do a project, let's say, in Center City in one of the out areas of Center City for pedestrian lighting or a project like. Where in the NTI money can we do projects like that aren't demolition or are not considered blight?
I'm wondering, Councilman, whether you would allow us to defer that question to Friday when the full array of NTI folks will be here to answer questions related to the neighborhood transformation initiative.
Well, I think it's more a matter of -- I think it's specifically about 48 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 the monies, the budgeted money for the NTI project. I think we have the power or the ability to answer that question today.
Well, it may be that Director Dubow can respond. There are a number of legal constraints related to the use of bond funds which I don't feel comfortable responding to.
Your question specifically on the uses of NTI bonds I would also feel more comfortable if we put that off until Friday because I don't want to get it wrong. I'd rather have the people who know more about answer the question when they're here.
I had one question. I believe I brought it up in our private conversation. I'll put it on the record now. In reference to Camp William Penn. I visited that facility last year. And obviously, it's a camp, it's an out door environment. But I've noticed that there's significant needs there and I see know capital budget for Camp William Penn at all. It 49 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 seems to me to operate that for under $4O0,000 a year with salaries, et cetera, out of the Operating Budget seems to me a very difficult chore for the people that are working there. And there are kids that spend the summer on a weekly basis there, and I plan to go back. And it's to the point now where the people that work there -- maybe it's not a bad idea, but to get a piece of lumber that they need to fix something, they had to chop a tree down. That in itself isn't so bad, but it seems to me that that facility really needs some major attention. And I've suggested that we look for grant money for that facility, whether it's state money, federal money, to make that a better environment. Again, as a kid I went camping and I don't expect it to be like the Four Seasons, but I do expect it to be cleaner than I saw it and in better maintenance than I saw it.
Good morning, Council President Verna and Honorable ladies and gentlemen of City Council. Councilman Rizzo, I respect and thank you for posing that question. The Department of Recreation -- by the way, my name is Carlton Williams. I'm the Deputy Commissioner for the 50 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Department of Recreation. We consider Camp William Penn a valuable community treasure and also important to the experience of young people to have that outdoor experience, as you mentioned earlier. There hasn't been an appropriation for Camp William Penn in quite sometime; in fact, over years. 8 However, the Department of Recreation has taken 9 steps to improve their existing infrastructure. 10 Last year we sent over 50 employees up to Camp William Penn to do minor repairs and also improve the appearance. We're also looking at re-allocated over $40,000 this year to improve the amenities. So it is on our schedule and agenda, and we do value the camp.
Then are you telling me that there's no need for a Capital Budget for Camp William Penn, that you're going to handle this all with operating cost, because what I saw is beyond an Operating Budget's ability to deal with.
No, sir, I'm not telling you we don't need capital dollars for that. However, we want to address the immediate problems first and also do an evaluation of what's needed and to look at appropriations for the upcoming years. 51 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you. Good morning. Could you tell me how much debt we retire each year?
Let me see whether I have it in my pile here. Otherwise, I'll have to get back to you. Let me get back to you on that. I have numbers here, I'm just not sure that they're -- I'll give you a written response.
Okay. We can come back to that. In the Capital Budget, how does the neighborhood development interface with the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative.
As I stated in my 52 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 testimony, NTI is a very important component of what we call Neighborhood Development Program. And again, those broad umbrella terms are just a way of organizing, of helping us to organize our review and prioritization of projects. But it's a very important component and the major component, at least as we see as it going forward, of neighborhood development.
Will any of the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative dollars be commingled or part of the Capital Budget?
Absolutely, Councilwoman. One of the sort of new ways of looking at things brought on by NTI is we try to look at them comprehensively. So we try to look at a neighborhood as part of a planned strategy, not as simply dollops of money. So once a plan has been developed, we then will decide, that is the inner-agency team in consultation with the Council and other elected officials, what streams of money are appropriate for any given component of the project. And, obviously, leveraging private dollars is also an important part of that strategy.
The projects that 53 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 are in this book that you have appropriated money for, these projects will go forth under the Capital Program?
Tell me how would recreation facility and its improvement figure in with the overall NTI program and your thinking in that.
As proposed, and as you know it will be before you again on Friday, each area of the City covered under NTI, a plan will be developed with this inner-agency task force. We're going to have our first meeting, actually, I believe next week to review plans that have already been submitted by community-based organizations, CDCs, block associations, in some cases through Councilmembers, et cetera. Recreation is at the table during those discussions and will add its voice and its project planning know-how to developing this coordinated plan. The other important piece that NTI response to is in the past, the planning would be done by one group of people who would then hand the plan over to the implementation folks hopefully to 54 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 implement. In some cases, the plans might not be geared appropriately to the funding sources available, and you have this gap. With NTI, the planning staffs -- and we're not the only folks in government who do planning -- will be at the table with those operating agencies who also have to implement the plan. So when the plan sort of comes out of the bottom of the chute, everyone who has a piece in it will have had an opportunity to comment funding or anticipated funding will have been earmarked or at least designated. And the hope is that those plans can then move forward and not be stymied by what sometimes is referred to as planners blight, where you have a good plan but no funds to implement.
Will all of that that you just said have an impact on my effort to improve a recreation facility in my district?
Well, absolutely. On the other hand, it does not mean that improvements to individual facilities are targeted improvements or health and safety improvements aren't going forward or would not go forward even absent an NTI program. We're talking about the ability to augment and 55 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 amplify and create sort of a community benefit spin-off from projects that move forward within the NTI framework. But we're still charged with prudent stewardship of the infrastructure. So if a roof leaks, we have to fix it.
What about those projects that have been in the planning stage already for capital improvements, particularly for recreation facilities? Will they be impacted and will they go forward as planned?
I would ask Recreation to step up and speak to that specifically, especially if you have questions about specific facilities. But as I understand it, there is no repair of a recreation facility that is being held up because NTI has not moved forward yet.
Okay. How many places is there in Neighborhood Transformation monies in the Capital Program? And is most of the money in the Operating Budget? How can we track it?
I want to make sure I understand your question. There is no -- although we use the phrase "Neighborhood Transformation" fairly broadly, there is no specific NTI monies in 56 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 this budget because there have been no NTI monies appropriated. A lot of these monies fall within the general objective that we have with NTI of neighborhood improvements and may be referred to as NTI programs. But there's no separate stream of money that is labeled NTI that you could track through the process.
On the Operating side, there are a few places where you can see NTI money. In Managing Director's Office. There's money for lot cleaning and for tree trimming. Those both are part of the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative and there's debt service on the proposed bond issues. So those are places where you can track NTI spending.
In the Recreation Department, the capital monies refer to repairs and renovations and roofing. And I mentioned roofing because sometimes when we appropriated the district council people get their money for improvements to existing facilities, you all will ask us to repair a roof. Isn't there a pot of money separate from our allocation for a roof repair?
Yes. In addition to the 57 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 general line item for improvements to existing facilities, there is a Line 87 refers to improvements for recreation centers for fencing, security, roofs, lighting, et cetera.
So you all shouldn't be asking us for roof money, right?
Well, we go back to the same old problem, Councilwoman. There is really not enough in the money in the budget to do everything that we need. So we do ask everyone to pitch in. Again, if it's a specific facility that you have an query about, we can bring Recreation up to respond to that or we can ask them to touch base with you after the hearing to discuss it, or your staff.
There is a notation of $6.8 million for curbs and sidewalks in the NTI budget. Are there other instances where capital funds will be placed in NTI categories?
There's $6.8 million recommended in the budget year for site improvements at four housing sites, Hope 6 Redevelopment projects in the City as well as additional money for commercial strip site improvements and neighborhood industrial district improvements. So those monies 58 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 could certainly be considered part of an augmentation of NTI bond funds.
Councilwoman, if I may, let me also try to clarify. As I said before, there are broad categories of neighborhood development programs and projects that we label NTI because they meet NTI objectives and concerns. That's actually separate from a stream of funds that one could track through various projects and programs that come from a single source marked NTI.
I'm going to come back to that. Is there still defense conversion still progressing? And what does that entail? And what has been the benefit for the City? And what financial improvement has it brought to the City?
I believe that we now have representatives of Commerce here. And if I could ask -- If you could repeat the question, we'd appreciate it, Councilwoman.
What's happening with defense conversion and what impact has it had on the City? What benefit has it had on the City? 59 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
I'm sorry. You're going to have to identify yourself for the record, please.
My name is James Curato. I'm City Representative and Director of Commerce for the City of Philadelphia. We have over 50 businesses that are actively employing people at the Philadelphia Naval Business Center. We're now turning our attention to the eastern portion of the base that to this point has not been developed. We did, using primarily federal funds, build a new boulevard that begins at the entrance to the navy yard and takes you into the eastern portion of the site. We think that being able to provide direct access now to that area will open it up to development, and we're working on our request for proposals for portions of the eastern half of the naval base site. So we've been, I think, successful and are continuing to market the office portions of the site on the western side of Broad Street, and now we will be turning our attention to the eastern portion. 60 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
Thank you very much. I think I have one other question, not for you Mr. Curato, but about CBH, the Health Department and the integrated management system. I've had a question raised to us about the kind of information that is required from clients in both departments. I'm interested in this integrated management case system and how much information are we asking individuals to provide?
We have several representatives of agencies that can respond to that query. Let's see who'd like to step up to the plate.
I'm not stepping up to respond, but Estelle Richmond is going to respond to that and she's out in the hall, so we're going to go get her.
Why don't we go back to this NTI because I'm reading on the budget book and it says, "As part Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, over $6.8 million for site improvements is recommended for the Office of Housing and Community Development." And I heard you mention this in this testimony. I was watching 61 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 upstairs although I wasn't here, I heard this. "These site improvements include new curbs, sidewalks, and other physical infrastructure." Are you saying that you're going to appropriate $6.8 million out of the NTI program for this?
No, ma'am. This is still the Capital Program. And again, I know it's semantically confusing because we're using the phrase "Neighborhood Transformation Initiative" to cover a very broad category of projects that are funded in various ways but that meet the objectives of NTI. But we're not, obviously, use the projecting NTI bond funds for those projects. So they are -- using Gary's phrase, they augment or support the NTI program. And the NTI program is much more than just the use of bond funds. It is how you integrate the bond funds with Capital, with Operating to really develop a comprehensive integrated program.
Okay. I just want to talk about the technology and the Health Department and Human Services Department, and that's the only question I have. 62 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
I believe someone went to get the Managing Director she was here earlier. Perhaps if you had another question.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to ask Mr. Tustin of the Capital Program Office for some information. First I'd like to congratulate you on your MBE participation on professional service contracts. But I'd like to get information concerning MBE participation on some of the construction projects. I'd actually like to know -- I'd like a list of the contractors over the last five years, which maybe a bit much and maybe I'll think about the condensing the request, but I'd like the firms ID'd as a minority firm, the type of contract, and the project. But off the top of your head, do you have any idea of what is the percentage and the dollar amount of those MBE contracts for 63 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 construction companies?
Councilwoman,I do not have that information. That is usually collected through the Procurement Department since it's a Public Works contract. They keep all the data on that information. But I can get to them and ask them for the information you need.
Thank you. That's the only question I have right how, Council President Verna. Thank you.
Thank you. The Youth Study Center replacement on , how much funding has been allocated to this project from prior budgets? And can you tell us what was the source of those funds?
$30 million was allocated in prior years, and the source of that funding was a State reimbursement fund. I forget the act. Act 71.
What is the total estimated cost for this project?
The FY04 64 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 funding source is other government's agencies; how will this be funded? Is it possible that we might be able to recover the funds budgeted in prior years for this project?
It's anticipated that we would fund the project by issuing debt through an outside authority and that the debt service payments would then be eligible for reimbursement from the State under our usual funding stream. And so it is possible if that works out to be the case that we could recover the earlier year allocations.
No, Council President. A site has not yet been determined. We have been working closely with the Department of Human Services and an outside consultant to try to identify potential sites. I can't tell you right now primarily we've identified as many as 50 potential sites. We've looked citywide, not just within a certain area. Out of those 50 sites, of 23 them are City-owned sites, either through RDA or some other City agency. So we're looking at those first, naturally. We don't want buy a site if we 65 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 already have something that meets our need. The other sites would be privately owned sites that would have to be purchased. We've just started to get that raw data in and we are collecting that and putting it into a spreadsheet so that we can analyze it. We expect within the next two weeks to be having meetings with Administration to review our initial responses and the information that we have. So we do expect within the next couple weeks to be able to develop a short list of potential sites which then would be shared, I'm sure, with City Council.
Thank you. Office of Housing and Community Development, Pages 59 and 60. Why were these projects eliminated from the Capital Budget after FY03? And can you tell me what impact this will have on the NTI program?
The amount shown in FY03 will basically complete the funding requirements for site improvements at those housing redevelopment sites. That's why there's no additional funding shown in the out years.
So that we all 66 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 understand, new curbs, sidewalks, planting of trees, most of that will be done -- because heretofore we've been told that the Controller absolutely would never allow us to construct new sidewalks and curbs in a residential area. They did that many years ago. However, it has not been done in more recent years. So we're going to do that only where there will be rehabilitation under the NTI program?
Not necessarily under NTI, but certainly under the NTI umbrella.
Elaborate on that so that we're all very clear on just what that does.
Well, these projects are very large scale rehabilitation and redevelopment projects. In two of these cases they are public housing, conventional public housing sites that had been demolished and new housing is being built that fits the City's fabric, physical fabric much better than those conventional housing sites did. I believe that the City Controller permits these kind of site improvements to occur if they're part of a comprehensive plan.
So if under 67 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 NTI we have a street, for instance, that the properties have been demolished, a developer comes in, actually constructs some housing, will we be able to get new curbs, sidewalks, and trees in that block.
Most often these projects -- the history of these projects in the past has been that these redevelopment projects have leveraged Federal funds and they're not always done by private developers.
If I could put that question in the same category as an earlier question with regard to NTI. In each one of these cases, there was a thorough review as well as a legal review and a review of the controllers guidelines to ensure that we were on safe ground. And I would want to be overly cautious in responding to your question and defer to Friday testimony and we will pass this question on to those testifying on Friday, maybe me, but those testifying on Friday and have a more complete answer for you.
The Chair 68 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Director Griffith, we may just have a slight difference of opinion about all of this. This is a Capital Budget hearing. These are the Capital dollars the voters will approve on a ballot. With every respect to the Mayor, Chief of Staff, Pat Smith, yourself, and everyone else involved in NTI -- which I wrote down a new term today, we now have the NTI umbrella. Now is the NTI umbrella under the NTI framework or vice versa.
Side by side, okay. This will be an interesting organizational chart. This discussion about curbs, sidewalks, streetscape in general was going on long before NTI entered the lexicon. And there have been solicitor opinions about this. There's Capital Program guidelines and documents that have been viewed by some as sacrosanct provisions of the way the government operates. Now we're hearing today that, one, to some extent, not only are we prevented from 69 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 having a full discussion about these items even though they are Capital Budget items until, shear coincidence, there's a hearing on Friday on an amendatory NTI bill. But now everything is being talked about in a context as if it were legally binding that NTI will drive whether you can do these things are not. I mean, they're either eligible or they're not. And this has, as least for my time, been 10-year discussion about it. And I don't understand how NTI affects it one way other. You can either do curbs and sidewalks with Capital dollars or you can't. And whether you have Federal funds in or Aunt Sally's funds in, they have said you can't do. So I don't understand how NTI changes that. It's wonderful if we're going to be able to get it done, but it obscures all of the previous discussions about this particular issue and ends up being for some of us an enormous smoke screen about what's been going on the past 10 years.
Well, first, you have my apologies if it seemed I was deferring an important conversation that needs to happen here until Friday. We were responding to what we thought were projections about what might happen in the future. 70 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 It's our understanding that the Controller's Office has decreed that if curb and sidewalk restorations are part of a comprehensive large scale plan --
Well, stop right there. What does that mean? What's the definition of that?
Well, that's why I said we vetted these on a case-by-case basis. And perhaps I should of rather than deferring to Friday try to get someone who is more knowledgeable about the legal framework that these decisions were made under today.
Well, I happen to think that a streetscape project is a comprehensive plan for the revitalization of a particular neighborhood. But that answer has always not been good enough. Now we're hearing that you got some Capital funds, you may have some NTI funds, and now life is beautiful and let's, you know, kind of let's get it on.
I made a mistake in my life, Councilman, I did not become an attorney. My degree is in architecture and planning.
With every respect 71 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 to the attorneys, you did not make a mistake.
And I would defer to them on this question. And what we will try to do, because you are absolutely right about being responsive to your questions today, is get a more definitive answer for you before we leave day.
I appreciate that. The other part of the answer, and I understand that -- I mean, this is kind of like in school where we now want to do writing through the curriculum. So every discussion, every mention of anything that's going to go on further in the government, whether it's filling a pothole, replacing a street light or anything else, is all going to be done in the context of either the NTI framework or the NTI umbrella; I understand that. But some of these projects that are in here, specifically these capital items, directly related to public housing developments and Hope 6, again I would say to you these items were discussed before there were words called NTI. So the notion that an intermingling of conversation and dollars about -- I think your comment earlier was "these address NTI goals." These projects have nothing to do with NTI. 72 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 They're about developments where the City was supposed to match funding because we got Hope 4 grants. So some of this we're doing to ourselves 5 because the one had nothing to do with the other. 6
I would posit that we are both right, Councilman. You're absolutely right, these are ongoing projects. We would have made decisions about funding these with or without the NTI umbrella or framework. And I think we've been responsive to your questions with regard to these projects. We're on a little more shakier ground when we try to project how other projects may flow from this or how the Controller might interpret those. But I would also say that as I understand NTI, it is more than simply the programs or projects that flow from specific funds. It's really looking at planning in a comprehensive way, looking the community development in a comprehensive way. And his that's the way we refer to it. In that context, indeed these projects meet neighborhood transformation goals transforming neighborhoods. I know this is going to be semantically a little confusing as we move forward. I think it is a real distinction. 73 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
I appreciate that. Madam Chair, you've been very kind. I do have in this area one last point to raise. The other thing about the capital dollars going into some of the Hope 6 developments, one of which is mine -- and we've had some discussion about this before and I think because of a variety of delays, these funds did not get used before. You don't need to be bored with that particular story. But it does raise another issue, again. With regard to curb and sidewalk and streetscape expenditures, it is insult added to injury that we propose to use capital dollars to fund developments that are for the most part funded by the federal government and we cannot use or have not used or been told we could not use by numerous solicitor opinions and Capital Program guidelines that people who live in non-PHA residential neighborhoods cannot have access to these same dollars. Now, that is hypocritical. And that is not fair to everyone else in the City of Philadelphia that somehow developments funded by the Feds who print the money and can fund anything that they want, somehow they're eligible for Capital 74 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 dollars, voted upon the citizens of this City regardless of where they live, but somehow they are eligible somewhere else. So we're either going to have one policy for everybody or we're going have no 6 policy for anybody. But it is not fair how this bifurcation is being made and making the determination as to what's eligible where and whether it's a comprehensive plan or you're just sitting in your house on your block in a stable neighborhood and you don't get anything out of what it is that we're trying to do down here. That is not appropriate.
I understand your point, Councilman. And we will try to get someone to be responsive to those specifics during this testimony period; if not, we will get someone to respond in writing to you.
Are you finished with your questioning, Councilman?
Councilwoman 75 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Tasco, I see that the Managing Director is now here. Do you still want to ask your question?
Could you explain to you the integrated case management system, the cost, and what will it do?
I am Estelle Richmond, Managing Director for the City. I apologize. I have a couple ther crises going on down stairs at this point. The integrated case management system is a product of the social services sector beginning to work together. We've been trying to conceptualize probably over the last year and a half how to be able to get one case management system that communicates to each other through a variety of departments. The primary departments are the Department of Human Services, Department of the Public Office, the Office Behavioral Health, the Office of Emergency Services and Shelter, plus a variety of other departments that may have families or children within those frameworks. It is an 76 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 attempt to be able to get a computer system to be able to talk to each other, to be able to communicate so that when you pull up a family's name, you can find out what other services or where else within the City they're touched and thereby coordinate the services they received in a way that we haven't been able to do in the past. We've also been able to look at and visit some other systems in this area, primarily one in New Jersey that looks of interest to us. At this point, we have been able to hire a project manager who can tell us a little bit more exactly what kinds of challenges we're going to have and pulling together such diverse departments that all separate confidentiality laws, that all have different mandates from the State to be able to use in the data in the ways that can be most productive for families in Philadelphia. The Capital Budget at this point represents probably our best educated guess at how an integrated system is going to work over the next five years in terms of both the hardware costs and the software costs and development.
So what's the track to have completion of this whole project? 77 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
We would like to have this project -- we would like to get it started in the next fiscal year and, hopefully, have it completed within the next four to five years. But that will depend on what some of challenges are as governed by confidentiality, by the state contracts and how we get to work and what we can do within the State contracting procedures. For most of these departments, I'm sure your recognize, that the bulk of their funding doesn't come directly from the City. So we have to also work with those other funders to make sure they understand both the scope and the purpose of the contract.
Thank you. I have some other questions relative to programmatic information, but it's not relative to the Capital. I'll ask it later.
Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Managing Director Richmond, maybe you can answer this particular question. It's actually a computerization question as well. Councilwoman 78 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Tasco was just talking about -- are you talking about this integrated case management, this is Line 67 on ?
We've had some discussions in the past about the Department of License and Inspection, specifically in terms of computerization. I don't see them listed in the table of contents. Are they not in the Capital Budget?
They're not, but to get to where I think you're question is going, our anticipation is that that system will be part of a larger system that the Mayor's Office Information Services is actually putting and that we'll be funded through the Productivity Bank.
What system are we talking about? Are we talking about an integrated data system for L & I?
It's more than that. It's really a citywide system. I'm going to ask someone from MOIS to give you the details on that.
Council President Verna, 79 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Councilman Nutter, Councilman, I'm Dr. Bortnick, Karl Bortnick, the Director of Information Technology. And the Customer Information Work Management System, which is the name of the application, is this broader application to be funded through the Productivity Bank.
Is this just for L & I or is this for other agencies or departments?
We've been talking about the computeriztion of L & I, I think, for at least five years.
This application addresses the citizen request management needs and the work order needs of Departments of L & I, Water, Streets, for example, and others.
If I may, Councilman. Part of the problem has been that each department has had different database, different terminology, often different designation for a given property. So we're looking to not only solve the issues around a given agency, but to integrate the information so that a citizen can actually get reliable comprehensive information on their property and the 80 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 same or complementary information from a number of sources.
I understand that part. I'm talking about the department's ability to keep track of what it does. I'm not talking about citizens trying to tap into the network and get their information, which is certainly interesting in and of itself. I'm talking about a department that apparently still functions with some level of cards and paper and other documents. What is their ability, given the critical nature of their operation presently as well into NTI world where they will be quite critical, whether it's in the framework, the umbrella or any other coverage, what is going on in that department with their computerization and the ability of that operation to upgrade its services to citizens? That's what I want to do.
The system would actually give them that capability. And there's a request for proposal that's actually out on the Internet for the development of a system, and we'll get you a copy of that so you can see exactly how it addresses that. 81 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
I understand that. What I want to know is what's been going on -- I was left with the impression three budgets ago that that particular department put together a plan for its computerization. What I want to know is what happened to it, why wasn't it funded, and how did it end up getting collapsed into this larger now seemingly more complex operation?
Well, in the past, there was never a plan that the department submitted that Central Administration agreed with the appropriate plan. We've now gone through a process where --
That's the Mayor Office, Managing Director's Office, Finance Department.
We've now gone through a process where the new CIO working with the departments has developed a comprehensive system that will meet L & I's needs and the needs of other departments.
What are the other departments that are part this? 82 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
Departments to be addressed include, Water, Streets, L & I, eventually Recreation Department, Work Order System and others that may want to use a common work management system, for example, Public Property.
When you say others that may want to, it's at their discretion? Do they just decide what they want to do?
While I have you, Mr. Bortnick, can you tell me, can you tell me is the network up today?
You get a message and says, "It ain't working today." A little better 83 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 language than that, but it's the same result. The network seems to be down at least a couple times a week. What is the issue? What is the problem?
What I would like to provide to you, and I can, are the reports that we go over on a weekly basis in the performance meetings so that you can see on a global basis, including for Council, what services are available and how often they are. If that would be fine, I would certainly like to share that with you.
I appreciate that. I just want to have an understanding of why does the network seem to be down on a fairly regular basis a couple times a week. That's my question.
As I said, I would welcome the opportunity to sit down with you and go over what particular areas. The network contains a variety of service, mainframe services, mail services, services to the Internet. Certainly, I'd be most interested in seeing what particular item has been a problem. There was, to my memory, a switch problem in this building.
Mr. Bortnick, I 84 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 assume I'm not the only person -- I mean, I don't believe in many conspiracies. I mean, I think there was another person on the grassy knoll, but that's about the extent of it. I don't think I'm the only person that's having a problem on the network or that somebody's doing something to my computer specifically. Usually, I hear it from the rest of the folks, at least in my office, the network is down. Now, I don't know what that means other than the fact that I can't access CC mail, I can't get on the Internet, and I don't know why. It's a very simple question. I don't need a global perspective. I want you to tell me why does the network go down. Is there a software problem? Is there a hardware problem? Did we not pay a bill? What is the story?
The particular problem that occurred and that may have reoccurred is with a switch in this building, which is an older switch that will be in the process of being replaced together with our partnership with Public Property. So on the occasion where there was problems on the Councilperson's floor, as I most recently remember in the last week, for example, it's from this particular switching item which is beyond its life 85 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 at this point. My offer still stands on information about networking and City services.
I appreciate that. I look forward that. I don't know whether this is a Capital-related item; if it's not, you'll tell me that it's not and I'll deal with it next week. With regard to some of our printers that are connected to the network, sometimes you cannot print the first time you go to print. You literally have to turn the printer off and turn it back on. Now, is that a software issue or is that a hardware problem?
That can be a hardware problem with that printer. And if the printer restarts after you turn it off and on and is re-recognized by the network, then that's a good solution.
For that particular device at that time. How often does this occur?
Exactly. The start of the day turn it on, the first time you go to print, you instantly get an error message. You have to turn the box off, turn it back on, and then it will print for the rest of the day. I don't think it's supposed to work like that, right?
I would certainly look to the Kimmel Group who is supporting you for some additional information and we'll get back to you on what that device's problems is.
I appreciate that. I understand it's a system-wide problem, some kind of interface issue. Councilman Rizzo, Madam President, wants to ask a question.
Thank you. I'll ask the question a little differently. And I, again, appreciate all the services that my office has received from MOIS. Maybe this is the way to ask the question. If this 87 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 were a corporation and you were trying to rate the technology that we have with other organizations like PECO down the street or Blue Cross-Blue Shield or US Air, how would you rate your technology in this government compared to the private sector?
Technology stratifies according to a lot of different components.
The ones that Councilman Nutter is concerned about, for example, a desktop unit, a printer, many of those units are aging and are in need of refresh on a citywide basis. And for this purpose, together with the Administration, Budget Department and others, we've under taken a total cost of ownership study which we'll be completing in March. To get an idea of how to approach the more systematic refresh throughout our departments of these types of components, the peripheral components that are closes to the end-user who sees them every day, for example, printers and PC's, and I know you're very sensitive to that in terms of technology as are the departments. So that's one of the initiatives that 88 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 we have undertaken this year, which I think is very important.
Well, I asked the question, how would you base our condition here. And based on your answer, it leaves a lot to be desired.
Well, let me say about the peripherals so it's very clear, we are not untypical of governments in relation to those types of components nor untypical to the private sector. And we're evolving towards this total cost of ownership model of refresh as are many companies and also some major governments.
From what I'm understanding, either we're fortunate or unfortunate. Council, I'm sure the Mayor's Office, you know, we get all the bell and whistles. We get -- I learned a new word. We refresh our computers every few years, but what I think Councilman Nutter is saying, which I hear because I know a lot of the 89 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 folks that work at L & I. They still use index cards to keep track of the work that they do there. The Police Department, from what I understand, they can't even get furniture in some of the police districts, let alone technology. So we probably don't see it as clearly as the people that work for this government down the line a bit. What's condition of the average technology in the Recreation Department where, you know, they get what you give them?
Councilman, I think there are some very significant numbers. If you've looked over the last period of 10 years that this Council has funded technology, technology has grown from perhaps -- and I can get the exact number for '92 -- like 6300 people to workstations available to over 13,500 people. So we've doubled, more than doubled in this last 10-year period. If you consider workstations that are used, for example, in public safety areas where more than one person uses a workstation on a 24-hour day shift. You're talking about over 15,000 City employees using technology. There has been a tremendous and rapid growth of technology at the level of the workstation. At the 90 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 same time, the networking in the City has grown from an older networking strategy which was mainly mainframe oriented to a peer-to-peer type of networking that's available throughout the buildings of the government. That does not mean that there are applications for everyone. And I think you saw in the Managing Director's presentation the opening of horizon for integrated case management in the conversation with Councilman Nutter, the perspective on citizen request management and work order systems for municipal services, organizations. And similar opportunities are taking place within public safety which are to the credit of the City and to this Council for their support.
Mr. Bortnick, when will this system be up and running with regard to the departments and agencies? What's the name of this?
The Citizen Information Work Management System. The Citizen Information Work Management System has a time line that begins 91 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 with the review of proposals in March time frame and extends out for a number of years, starting with the Licenses and Inspection Department, as you've so noted their need, for at least the next two or more years.
What do you mean by extended out? What does that mean?
What I'd like to do for you, because we do have a time line, I will give you the schedule.
Okay. What I really want to know is when will it be fully operational and implemented? When will the equipment and devices show up in their offices? That's what I'm primarily concerned about.
Right. And what I would like to do for you is to give you the detailed time line which we've developed, and it shows which agencies at what time.
Okay, great. Thank you. Appreciate it. Mr. Dubow let me go back to one response that you made to an earlier question. I think the question had to do the City's overall debt level. 92 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 And there was some discussion about average percentage debt level of a variety of cities across the country or some industry standard or something like that. Did I understand you to say that were excluding from that the pension obligation bond debt?
I gave two different percents. One was with the unfunded pension, and that was I think a little under percent; and one 11 with the unfunded liability, and that was around 15. But I said I don't --
Yes. But I don't have the numbers in front of me, so I said I wanted to also go back to the office and make sure those are right and send a follow-up.
Why would you do a calculation without? What would be the purpose of that?
Well, when we talked to our the financial advisors and asked them how rating agencies looked at it, they said they typically do the calculation without the unfunded liability. 93 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
Well, there are a number of liabilities that we don't include in our long-term debt calculation.
Well, like we have some indemnities payments that we have to make over a number of years. We don't include all of those.
Yes, but we don't include them in our debt calculation is what I'm saying. We include them in our cost, but they're not in our debt calculation.
I'd have to get you the exact number. The pension bond you mean? Oh, I thought you had a different question. I thought you were asking about the unfunded liability. The pension bonds we count in the calculation.
You don't count the 94 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 unfunded liability.
Unfunded liability on the pension fund or in the reverse the funded part, are we still at 76 percent?
And we'll talk more about that, I'm sure, during Operating Budget because of some of issues that have been raised around that. Let me go to Fairmount Park. Mr. Tustin, on , Line Item 43, No. 1, this is the Belmont Mansion.
Mr. Tustin, it was, I believe at these think budget hearings last year that you made a commitment to have a regular update process on this particular project, given some of complexities involved. One, you have certainly more than kept your word about that, and I do appreciate it and all of your efforts to keep this project moving along. The $965,000, is that all that is needed 95 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 to complete the Belmont Mansion project or are you anticipating, kind of, putting those dollars forward and seeing what happens later?
We anticipate with this additional funding that we should be able to complete the full building restoration, including the exterior and the interior building improvements to the building. Part of that will extend out on the site around the building immediately adjacent to the building, but that number doesn't include improvements that maybe anticipated in future years.
Well, let's say for instance, if a decision is made that we want to reconstruct the parking lot or try to do a different type of parking lot or add additional work to the area not adjacent to the building but on the site in general.
Not to my knowledge. One of the things that's under discussion right now is the areas adjacent to the building, the porch area and front -- 96 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
Yes, the porch area, the steps, the sidewalk area, and how that will be treated.
Do you know -- this is off to the side and then we'll come right back to Belmont Mansion. Relatively near Belmont Mansion but not on the property there is a large cyclone fence that seems to surround the area where the old playhouse in the park was. Do you know why that fence is there and what's going?
Okay. So your testimony is that $960,000 you believe that you'll be able to complete the exterior and interior work as we know it today?
Yes. If you remember last year, there was a question as to why we didn't ask for an additional 500,000 last year. And my answer at the time was because we weren't quite sure that that would be enough to do the whole project. We are much closer 97 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 to believing that this number will, in fact, do the whole project.
All right. So rather than asking for the $500,000 last year, we're now asking for the 960,000 this year because we think that this is closer to the real number.
That project will go out for bid on July 1st, on or around July 1st. And we expect to have it completed by the end of Fiscal '03 which would be the end of June. So we're looking at about a 12-month construction schedule. It's, as you know, a very complicated building. We're removing a third floor and we're doing major work to the building to restore the original plaster work of the ceilings. It's probably one of the oldest buildings within the City.
Let's move to the next item, still on the same page, but Item No. 2. 98 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 These roof and exterior improvements for a variety of these buildings. I don't have my list handy, but how many of these buildings are captured within the historic mansion trust?
I don't have that information, Councilman, as far as the trust is concerned.
We do have representatives from Fairmont Park. Is there a representative Fairmont Park here? I know Mr. Mifflin and Ms. Craighead was here earlier.
Stephanie Craighead, Fairmont Park Commission. There are about 40 properties that are on the trust list. I think about half of these are on the trust list.
Thank you, Ms. Craighead. Now, you know that I'm a big supporter of the trust and we did the necessary legislation here many years ago to get the trust up and running. My concern here today is -- and I do know many of these buildings. I don't have any issue with roof and exterior improvements to any of these buildings. I am, though, trying to understand in the context of 99 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 the purpose of creating the trust in the first place and what its mission is, at least as I recall it, was to put these properties in a special category because the City basically was not able to maintain them or take care of them and that other funds would be raised to provide for services and maintenance at these particular facilities and also to relieve some of the budgetary pressure on the City. Now we see them showing up in the Capital Budget. Why is that?
The purpose of the trust was to help us identify long-term users for the properties. And the trust issued a number of RFP's to try to get people interested. And they have been able to find users for some of the properties, but have not been able to find users for all the them. So until they officially, what we call, draw down, officially take the properties over for a user, they're still within the park's jurisdiction to make improvements and continue to maintain.
How many of the properties on the list are occupied and have tenants with leases?
Of the properties on the list on the Capital Budget, right? 100 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
All of these properties have some use, but not all of them have long-term users. In some cases there are park staff in these buildings. Other cases, like for example Mount Pleasant, that's a building that we are working with the Philadelphia Museum of Art on. It's one of the tour houses. They actually don't have a long-term arrangement with the trust. They continue to be a property that the Park Commission and PMA work with. The other Livery Road House has park staff and I think some School District staff in it.
Why don't we do this. For all of these types of properties, excluding either passive park facilities or recreation-type facilities, would you provide us with a list of all the properties, their present use, list any tenants that have leases, and the current status of the particular property. The reason I'm asking that question is, as you well know and other park staff, I've had a concern over the past couple years and it has been growing about the maintenance and upkeep of our park-owned or park-related facilities. I'm also 101 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 concerned as to any performance standards that we have relative to how often these facilities are checked what's their level of compliance with a variety of codes, L & I inspections, fire inspections, and the like. If we have users in the facility, are they required to perform any either operating-type maintenance or other improvements? Do they give us a year-by-year assessment of how the property is holding up? And do we inspect all of our properties on a yearly basis?
If we have users in a property, they are required to do routine maintenance. We attempt to do annual inspections. I can get you more information about our success at that.
Okay. And I know we'll have further discussion about this at Operating time. Let me move to the reviewing stand.
Councilman Nutter, I do have a follow-up question with regards to Belmont Mansion, if I may.
Thank you, Madam President. You mentioned that the 960,000 is to include all of the remaining renovations for Belmont Mansion. Does that include the third floor?
It does. Actually, what it does include is the removal of the third floor. There have been extensive reports on whether the third floor should stay historically, was it appropriately to the house and how it's being restored at this time or whether it should be removed. It was presented to the City Historic Planning Commission with the recommendation that the third floor in order to put it into a certain historical context that third floor be removed. And they concurred and they approved that. We are moving ahead under that assumption, that the third floor will be removed and the building will be restored to a certain point in time that reflects a two-story building and the surrounding area around the building at that time.
Procedurally, once 103 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 the Historic Commission makes that judgment, what happens with the Board at Belmont? How is that -- I mean, it's relayed to Board and they essentially have to accept the bottom line, correct?
Are you talking about the Women's Heritage Group that occupied the facility?
They were presented for all of those hearings as well. And they also presented their point of view. All of that was considered by the Historic Commission in their decision.
Very well. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Nutter.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Good afternoon. I wanted to ask a question about a project that was funded both by the State and by the City a few years ago. It was the 104 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Avenue of the Arts North. It was done in conjunction with the Avenue of the Arts South streetscape and there was some Capital money put in from the State that allowed us an opportunity to do some specialized treatment on the north, some curb and sidewalk, some specialized lighting. At the time when we entered into the discussion with task force, it was told to us that we weren't in a position to get the type of lights on the south because of the cost and because of the length of the corridor on the north side. And we understood that budget wouldn't allow us to do that. But we were told at that time that there would be specialized lighting, the brown rounds, as they call them. And we were receptive to the degree that that's pretty much all we were able to do it. Weren't happy about it, but we understand the budget constraints. But as we move ahead, it's my understanding that ground rounds are the traditional street lighting, the traditional replacement for all street lighting. So in actuality, there's no 23 specialized treatment of the Avenue of the Arts north. We're just simply getting the type of lights that the rest of the City is getting. And when I 105 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 looked at it, essential it gives me the impression that we used a State allocation of funding to supplement our normal street lighting process, and that concerns me. Can you kind of tell me where we are with that and why we made the determination to do that?
Good morning, Madam President, Members of the Council. My name is William Johnson. I'm Streets Commissioner, City of Philadelphia. In response to the question Avenue of the Arts project, the brown round street lighting is the replacement lighting that the Streets Department -- is the type of pole that the Streets Department is replacing throughout the City where there is the old aluminium pole or a new light pole does go up. So that would be consistent with the type of lighting that we're putting in other parts of the City.
But the allocation of the money from the State, we were led to believe, 106 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 was to allow us to have specialized lighting similar to or as close as possible to lighting on the Avenue of the Arts South. If we're simply replacing the lights on the Avenue of the Arts North with the normal brown round lights, it seems like we're using State allocation that were intended to give us specialized lighting to supplement our traditional street lighting replacement program. I don't believe that was the intent of representative Evans who was in the forefront at that time of getting an allocation to simply supplement our traditional replacement program. During the course of those discussions, we, meaning the community group and the task force that was put in place to review and to monitor that project were led to believe that this was some special treatment similar to the special treatment on the Avenue of Arts South. And now it doesn't appear to be the case. I guess the question I'm asking you, can we revisit or have an opportunity to rethink -- because I understand a contract is sometime maybe in the future is going to be let -- rethink the type of treatment that was received on the Avenue of the 107 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Arts North. I had spoken to you the other day about some lights. Actually, to you and Mr. Syrnick and Mr. Doyle about some lights that I've noticed on Kelly Drive that had these double mask that provided some pedestrian lighting and some lighting for the street way. Can we entertain that? I just don't think it's right for us to get money from the State with the understanding that the Avenue of the Arts North was going to receive similar treatment as the Avenue of the Arts South and then we simply use that money to supplement our traditional street lighting. I don't think that's right.
I know that the project at this point, we have resubmitted the grant application for funding for that project at the request of the State. I don't know if that's come back to us yet, but I believe at this point it would be a matter of us looking at lighting similar to the type of lighting that went in on the south end of the Avenue of the Arts and any cost differential the lighting that had been previously planned to go into that project and the upgraded lighting that you're referring to, and then finding some funding source 108 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 to either leverage additional State dollars to pay for those upgraded lights or finding some other funding source to just cover that differential. And if Joe Syrnick, if you have anything else you'd like to add?
My name is Joseph Syrnick. Councilman, when we looked at the Avenue of the Arts North, that project which included City, State, and Federal money, as you know, was a total streetscape improvement. Lighting was only one portion of that. There was some desire at the beginning to have lights similar to what were constructed Avenue of the Arts South. The problem with the northern section was that in terms of length, it was much, much longer than the section that was done in the south. And in order to -- we would never have been able to afford the South Broad Street light up north. In addition, there was some desire on the part of the community to do a lot of banner work up on the north section in association with many of the festivities that went on up there. The arrangement that we worked out was to design and install the brown round fixture which is the fixture that we are now using and going to be using to replace our 109 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 aluminium lights. However, we would never have been able to replace those lights on North Broad Street now without including it as part of that project. We also, as part of the project, when we got some additional State highway money, we were able to greatly increase the length of that project to include from City Hall up to Somerset street which was approximately two and a half times the original length of the project. And one of the reasons we were able to do that is that we were using some Federal highway money and also a light fixture which was, in our view, very attractive, the newer fixture that we're using, but still manageable from a cost standpoint. If we were to go and now substitute a fixture that was much more expensive and in most cases much less efficient, we would certainly be affecting the length of that project.
I agree that -- and we came to the conclusion, I think, we all concurred that having the type of treatment on the south was just cost prohibitive, which is why we accepted the recommendation that we receive the brown rounds. My question is, at the time of us agreeing to accept the brown rounds, we were led to believe that the 110 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 brown rounds were an upgrade above and beyond the normal treatment of street lighting. Now I'm finding out that's not the case. It's simply the traditional replacement for all street lighting across the City. My question is, if we were led to believe -- and I do believe if you break down the budget, the street lighting is the major portion of the North Broad streetscape, it's not a minor portion of it. It's substantially major. If the Avenue of the Arts North is supposed to be special and receive special treatment, why wouldn't we have lights that would designate that as something special as opposed to just simply brown rounds similar to what we have across the City of Philadelphia?
Councilman, I understand your question. And what we will do is we'll go back and look at what the cost difference would be, an upgraded light fixture as opposed to what has been planned for the project to date and get back to you with some information. If we can find a way to upgrade the lighting, we will. It may be that we can't do it for the entire length of that project as 111 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 defined because, as Joe mentioned, we combined the project with a signalization project and greatly extended the length, but we can certainly look at what can be done to extend or to upgrade the light fixtures, if anything, for a length of the North Broad Street section.
And using various options. I mean, I'm not locked into what we have on the south, understanding the cost associated with that. But I'd like to see -- I mean, this was clearly designated along with the south. There was clearly an understanding, at least from the State legislatures who fought to get this allocation, that this would be some specialized treatment. And that's now not the case. Can you give me a time line on that, approximate?
Okay, thank you. Madam Chair, I have one more question of another matter, but I'd like to yield to Councilwoman Tasco who would like to ask a question of the Streets Commissioner.
I just want to ask you, what is the status of the Ogontz Avenue which 112 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 spans two council districts, the 8th and 9th? People have been promised, I guess, almost five years about resurfacing that road, I do believe the money is available.
Councilwoman, most of had predicted that that would have been the first question asked to us. Actually, it was the second question, so I guess that's good. This is a project that's been, as you suggest, that's been in the works for a long, long time. I wish I could stand here today and tell you that it was going to be bid tomorrow. We got the design plans from our consultant about three weeks ago. They think they were done. We looked at them. They're not done. They're in a state that needs a lot more work. We had a long two-day session with them last week. We've asked them to have the plans in to us done correctly, done to our satisfaction by March 1. They said they would do that. The office is split as to whether or not we will have it by then. But we will certainly have it shortly after that. We will do everything possible to get this thing out for bids as quickly as we can. This is a project long overdue, and I believe we've had this 113 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 very similar discussion last year. The road needs work. I don't know what else to tell you.
I think we've used a design consultant that perhaps in hindsight was not up to the task.
We did not change them. We basically believe that we've paid for this work and we're going to get them to do it to our satisfaction. There was some discussion about just pulling it off them and fixing it up in-house, but the consensus was that that would be letting them off the hook and that's not what we should be doing. It was just last week, it was a two-day meeting with them. It was a very tense session between them and us. And when we get it back in on March 1st or shortly thereafter, we'll move it as quickly as we can. It needs to be done.
Thank you. Can you tell me what the status is of 114 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 the replacement of South Street Bridge?
The South Street bridge project is still under design. I believe that we anticipate doing the construction in the Year '05 or '06 in our budget. So it's still under design. We have not entered the final phase of design and we're still in process of design and meetings with the community to address any community concerns.
With the monies that are in the budget, can you tell us how many school crossing lights, blinking lights, we would be able to obtain citywide? I think each district Councilperson would like to know how we can make a request.
I believe that the budgets cover to 30 school crossing lights. 18
It depends on the cost of 21 construction, but it's in the range of 25 to 30. 22
Thank you. 23 Councilman Clarke, thank you for 24 yielding. 25
No problem. 115 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Anytime. I just have a question to follow-up on an issue that before us last year. Last year in our hearings there was some discussion about the Center City Y. It was a project that initially involved some potential use for transitional housing for the entire facility. We ended up only coming up with financing and a development initiative that included, I guess, 50 percent of the building. We subsequently came up with an alternative use that we thought made some sense along with the community organization in the area. And there was an attempt and a commitment to work with the Frair (ph) Charter School to place them in that building and there was a number of discussions in the community among the board, and I believe I had gotten a commitment from the City to allocate funding in this fiscal year that we' currently are in. There was some questions in terms of the usage and the type of revenue that can be utilized. Apparently, the original allocation was money from OHCD because it was intended to be a transitional housing. But with the change in use, we looked for another revenue stream and I thought that we had that commitment. And the 116 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 money has disappeared, and I'm trying to find out where the money is.
I believe there is money in the '02 Operating Budget. I will let Mr. Dubow speak to that. In terms of the Capital monies -- let me use another sports analogy -- we kind of dropped the ball I think on our side in terms of the conversation. We had two issues, one was a fairly minor tactical issue in that the property is not now in City hands and that would have to be dealt with. The other was a policy issue with regard to Capital funds which had to do with access to the facility, would there be enough public access to recommend scares public dollars. We believed that both of those issues could be cured in conversation and had thought that conversations were taking place between your office and our team. Apparently, that did not happen. We apologize for that. If those two issues can be resolved, we have no problem revisiting that. And I would ask Rob to speak to the Operating funds.
We did commit Operating money to that project. We haven't heard back in terms of a request for the money, but it's there 117 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 when it's needed.
Well, the understanding that we were going to phase in the implementation strategy as related to funding, because last year I think the request was like 500,000.
We couldn't do it. I was told that we'd do two-fifty this fiscal year and subsequent years it would additional funding. And you're now telling me it's in the Operating Budget. I'm having difficulty getting a sense of where the commitment lies. This is a lease arrangement with the charter school, is my understanding, for a specific time as it relates to access.
The commitment I knew about, and there may have been discussions that I didn't know about was for the remediation study. That's what I knew about. If there were commitments to anything beyond that, I didn't know them. It doesn't mean it didn't happen, but I didn't know about them.
I did. I certainly knew 118 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 there were discussions. When it came up this year, I think the anticipation was that some fairly straightforward conversations between your office and the team in the same vein, and as I responded to Councilman Nutter's query earlier, that from time to time we do get back to Council to find out whether a project request can be modified in some way to better meet the objectives of the program. That conversation did not happen. That is our fault. To the extent that that can happen and these issues can be dealt with, the City Planning Commission does not have a problem revisiting the request.
Who's working on the issue with respect to the public access to the facility? In addition to which, who is working on the issue as it relates to the ownership of the facility? Because right now I understand it's owned by the Redevelopment Authority.
You're saying that as a result of that, we're not able to spend City Capital dollars on the facility?
Right. On that issue I would have to get back to you. I'm not sure, 119 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 frankly, whose working on that. As to the access issue, it probably should have been my staff working on it. So it's my fault. And we can have a conversation immediately following these hearings if you'd like.
I'm just concerned because I attended an announcement, an opening announcement around three weeks ago. You had a lot of very excited individuals there who were under the impression that this is moving forward. So the sooner get me a response, the better.
Well with your query, Councilman, it now is moving forward.
And thank you for being open and honest and taking the weight on this one. It's refreshing. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Madam President. Mr. Dubow, could you just elaborate for the record -- a couple weeks back there was a large story in one of the local newspapers about the 120 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 stadium bonds and how it had grown from the original price. There was a piece of that, a very large piece, I think about million that was 5 attributable to the -- I think it was $22 million. 6 Could you explain why it was the Vet Stadium 7 repairs, why it went into the bond issue? And I'm 8 only assuming that it would have gone in the Capital 9 Budget otherwise. I just saw that as being a major 10 portion. You can explain the whole differential, 11 but the major part, I believe, was the Vet Stadium 12 repairs. I think it went from 3-something to 13 340-something. 14
From 304 to 340-something. 15 I can talk about that issue. I can't talk about the 16 larger issue of how it went from 304 to 340. I 17 would have to have someone else come to talk about 18 that. 19
Who would that be? 20 Just in case they happen to be around. 21
It would probably be someone 22 from PIDC, I would think. Back, I guess, about two Capital Budgets ago, we put $40 million into the Capital Budget for repairs to Veterans Stadium. We said at the time 121 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 that we anticipated that if there was a stadium deal completed that we would fund repairs through bond issue, and it was another way to actually conserve some of our debt incurring capacity. So when we went forward with the bond deal, that's the way we did it. So what's that done is actually allowed us to come back to you and ask you to reallocate the 40 million that had been put in the Capital Budget under the City's debt capacity for the Vet. And that's another one of the requests. So the impact of that is that we'll have more debt incurring capacity.
Thank you, Madam President. I was going to wait, but since -- oh, the Streets Commissioner left. I can wait until they come back. I can wait until they come on the individual thing. It's okay, Madam President.
Councilwoman, there's schedule for them to come back today unless you query them. So they're here awaiting your pleasure.
I would only 122 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 ask if they would provide me with an update. Jerry Clark always does with our bridges on 40th, 41st and 42nd Street. And I'm not sure if the project was pushed back from 2004 to 2006. Would you let me know that? I don't have to know this moment, but just an update on our bridges. They've been in the budget for some years. They're out there working, so we're grateful for that because we've been pushing for this for a very, very long time.
The Commissioner is indicating that there is a response for you now.
Councilwoman, hello. I'm Joe Syrnick again. Those three bridges that you talk about, 40th Street, 41st Street, 42nd Street, are all three bridges in a row over the same rail line, as you know. We are not able to work on all three of them at the same time because they would then all be shut down at the same time. Our schedule is to do 42nd Street. That's just about ready to be bid and that work should be starting sometime this year. 41st Street is in the Capital Program request for engineering money. We have selected a consultant, who just finished up the Strawberry Mansion Bridge for us and did a 123 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 spectacular job. If that money is approved, they would start work on the design. And in the 40th Street Bridge is programmed for construction money in Fiscal '04, that would be next year. So if all those three bridges come in they would go in one, two, three in row. Probably 42nd Street construction this year, 40th Street construction next, and then in the meantime 41st Street which would be worked on and designed would come third.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr.Syrnick. Do you know about the crossing signal for Mitchell School, 55th and Kingsessing? They've been really pressuring us because they claim they had eight accidents.
Thank you, very much. Thank you, Madam President.
You're 124 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 welcome. Councilman Nutter, it's my understanding that someone from the Law Department is here regarding your inquiry.
Good afternoon. I'm Cheryl Kritz. I'm the Chief Deputy of Commercial Law in the Law Department. And I understand there was discussion earlier about the eligible of using Capital funds.
The Councilman will ask his question, if you don't mind.
Good afternoon, Ms. Kritz. I'm sorry that you drew the short straw on this particular item. That will teach you to be hanging out near the Solicitor's Office. There was discussion earlier and this particular item has been in the Capital Budget in the past. It has to do with using Capital dollars as a part of any matching requirements specifically related to Hope 6 developments which are Public Housing Authority developments funded by the Federal 125 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Government. There has been an ongoing debate and discussion, at least for all of my time here, and there's a significant document that was produced actually back when Stephanie Franklin-Suber, I believe, was Corporate Chair and I believe Joe Duretski (ph) was the City Solicitor often referred to as "The Tome" and the definitive document on curb, sidewalks, and street trees. Generally, the policy has been -- and we've also been told that it is I think there's something called Capital Program guidelines which are approved by, I believe, the Mayor, the Controller, and I'm not sure who the third party is, maybe the Managing Director or City solicitor. Which basically says -- I mean, the bottom line has been since about 1991 and after the City's fiscal crisis through the early '90s that curb and sidewalk restoration or replacement were not Capital eligible. And then somewhere else in the document there was a bit of a caveat that talked about unless the Controller deemed that the project was a part of a larger community revitalization plan or effort or something like that. Naturally and unfortunately, none of those terms are defined. This discussion came up today because Capital 126 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 dollars are designated to go to either two or three, or three or four PHA Hope development specifically 4 for curb and sidewalk restoration. It's both listed 5 in the Capital Budget and also in the commentary in 6 the front of the book. The question arises, why are those dollars eligible for those types of developments, curb and sidewalk, and still seemingly are not eligible for non-PHA developments in whatever anyone would consider residential neighborhoods throughout the City? Which creates a bit of, from my perspective, an unfairness to the rest of the citizens of the City, especially since all of them will have the opportunity to vote on the authorization of this Capital Budget. And we're trying to understand why one type can get it and others can't.
Outside of a larger publicly funded development, you're saying, why it is that isolated blocks or areas are not eligible.
Right. And I make the premise that if you're doing a neighborhood revitalization program, streetscape could be in the words of "The Tome" or the Controller, could be a 127 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 comprehensive revitalization plan. That is the program in some neighborhoods, as opposed to complete new house reconstruction and a wide variety of other activities. Again, in an undefined term of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization, I don't really know what that means, but I think I have some examples.
Councilman, I have with me the 1992 Finance Department guidelines for Capital eligibility. I'm not seeing a provision of that nature in here.
That would support expenditure of capital funds as part of a larger project. Do you know what the source of that is?
The permission to use Capital funds for curbs and sidewalks as part of or incident to a larger development project. You're asking us to distinguish why that's an eligible use and isolated blocks is not.
Well, first, I'm telling you that it's in this Capital Budget book 128 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 right now, so somebody think that it's eligible.
I'm not trying deny the funds. What I'm saying is if it's good for one it should be good for the other. A distinction has been made that in a regular residential block, people cannot have this work done and paid for by the City. Whereas, in these public housing developments sites -- again, I don't have anything against people getting what they're trying to get. So I'm not trying to take something from one and give to other. I'm saying if it's good for the one, then it should be good for the other. It's always been denied because they didn't have a comprehensive revitalization plan. Streetscape work is the plan.
I appreciate that. And, again, I would certainly encourage you to take a look at the document that was produced a couple years ago.
I'm very familiar with that one. 129 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
Councilman Nutter, do you have any other questions?
I have plenty of question, Council President. I'm still in Fairmount Park and I have some questions about specifically about a park and recreation facility Poppa Playground. It's been an on going discussion about that the quality and integrity of the facility at Poppa Playground which is a recreation-type facility, it's a part of the Fairmount Park System. There was actually a meeting relatively recently between the parks, citizens, representatives from my office, a significant number of probably Operating Budget maintenance issues as well as a significant amount of Capital Budget maintenance needs at this particular facility. And it's only distinguished in that the needs are so great. But it, again, raises the larger issue of what is our schedule of getting around to all of our 130 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 facilities? How do we know in advance what our facilities needs are? On what kind of regularity are they assessed? What system or program is in place that we have an up-to-date understanding of the following of the facilities within the jurisdiction of these various agencies and specifically Fairmount Park.
Good afternoon. Stephanie Craighead again from Fairmount Park Commission. We've been in the process of collecting information on our facilities and trying to prioritize the needs. We have 460 buildings in Fairmount Park, and it's a pretty substantial understanding to develop the comprehensive assessment that's needed there. But we use our facilities management staff and district managers to bring to us issues that arise at the sites of recreation leaders and have been attempting to address the most critical needs on a case-by-case basis.
Is there a process or procedure by which each facility of the park system is evaluated based on condition and any needs for current maintenance or longer-term Capital 131 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 needs?
There's an informal process through the use of facilities management staff.
As the staff visiting the site, they bring back reports to the Capital staff and other maintenance staff about conditions at the buildings, and we try to prioritize the needs through the Operating Budget and the Capital Budget.
Is there any specific requirement or policy or procedure wherein every building in your jurisdiction is checked and evaluated top to bottom on an annual basis?
Is that a people-power problem? Do you not have enough people to do that? And how do we know which buildings are being evaluated when or how do we know what the condition of the entire system is at any point in time.
We recently did visit all of the buildings in a process to develop a 132 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 computerized system of evaluating our buildings. So we have been at the buildings, at most of them in the last two years. In terms of annual inspections, I think that that is a pretty substantial undertaking, but we have been trying to work with the Capital Program Office and our staff to attempt to address the needs of all the buildings.
What would it take to have that kind of system in place? I mean, this is not any attack or criticism, but I don't understand how the Fairmount Park system can have 400-some-odd buildings or facilities and that at a minimum every one of them is not checked on an annual basis for condition, safety, maintenance issues, needs, and overall function and presentation, if you will, presentation to the citizenry who may need to use or access any of those facilities. I don't understand how we can have a system where every building is not checked at least once a year. And what would it take to have such a system?
Well, I'd have to discuss that with other staff in order o answer that 133 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 question. I'd like to get back to you on that.
All right. of the program book, the Kelly Drive reviewing stands. It's my understand that the Capital funds were already allocated for design work for the reviewing stands, but the project work is not listed in the program book until the next fiscal year, '04; why is that?
It was our expectation that developing the design documents for this project would take some time and so we postponed the request for construction, figuring that we wouldn't be ready until that time.
When do you anticipate being ready? You don't think that anywhere in the course of Fiscal Year '03 this project is going to be ready to go?
Because it's a rather complicated project with a number of issues and we've been in discussion with the users trying to develop the appropriate design document for that 134 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 project. And there are a number of issues that have to be resolved.
When is the anticipated completion of this? Or before we get to completion, when is the anticipated start of the project?
Thomas Kline, the projects director for the Capital Program Office for Fairmount Park. The schedule is to go out for bids approximately June of next year. That would be '03. In anticipation, the funding would be made available in the '04 budget as is currently scheduled.
As Stephanie Craig had mentioned to you, we just started the design process. And it will take approximately one year for design.
Now, you know I have one ounce of architectural background. I'm still drawing stick people. I use that as a qualifier. But why does it take so long to design a project?
Well, there's a lot of 135 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 jurisdictions.
These are reviewing stands. One of the entities we're dealing with is the user, the Schuylkill Navy.
These are for the regattas observing, both for the spectators and the judges.
The judges' stand was that rather tall skinny building, and it was built over years ago. So it is really, as we've done an 15 assessment, is really beyond its life span. The 16 substructure is fine. So what we really have to do 17 is replace the superstructure. That's just one 18 element that when we started it, we were hoping we 19 could just replace the windows, replace the siding, 20 replace the seats, replace the stairs. But when 21 we're dealing with the user, they're telling us the 22 standards that it was designed for 25 years ago are 23 now different. 24
So we're going to redesign 136 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 an entire new superstructure for that, and it can't be done in a couple months. Also, our funding is limited for the '03 Budget. So this is a lot of money, a half million dollars. So trying to be realistic and realizing to ask for the money in this year and then maybe not be able to get it out for bids until the end of next year or the end of next fiscal year, we'd be asked why did we ask for the money if we could get out the bids.
I understand that part. But my original question was, why does design take so long?
It normally -- I would say normally design would be a six to eight month process. This is a little longer because of the uniqueness. It's also in the floodway. We have to go through DEB. As I said, we're dealing with a user that's rather unique.
Reviewing stands next to a river I guess would be in the floodway. The two kind of go together. Does someone work on this every day? Or you do a little bit today and do some other things 137 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 and you come back to it next week?
Well, like every project, we're dealing with L & I. That's on every project. We're dealing with, of course, the Park Commission, and we're dealing with the Art Commission and the Historic Commission. Those are four givens to begin with. Those are four other agencies. And they all work well with us, but they all have their own interests and their own concerns. They're not always as budget oriented as we are.
I do have to admit that I have no idea what you're talking about. What do you mean they're not as budget oriented as you are?
Let me try to summarize that, Councilman Nutter. Because it is the type of facility it is and the kinds of clients or the people we're working with to develop a scope of work and the fact that, as Mr. Kline said, we have to work with the Federal Department, they all require a review process. And when we do a project like Manyunk Canal or any one of those projects, that process where we have to go and submit drawings for review to the Federal Government some other agency 138 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 can take a month or two months to get responses back. So that that hinders or delays the design of the project.
That kind of information is helpful. Again, having virtually no 7 background in this, if someone tells me that design takes a year, the naive person I am, I'm left to think that somebody's sitting around trying to draw something and figure out the mechanics for a year. Are you telling me that you pretty much come up with the design and then all the rest is approval process and moving paper around?
I think the approval process is a large part of the time it takes to get a project ready to go out for bid.
Because you didn't have any funding problems, right? I mean, the money was available for this in July, right?
Right. The money was available in '02, I believe, for the design. So you're correct, we do. But it's a matter --
No, it is not completed yet. It is not completed yet. 139 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
So we haven't even gotten to sending plans different places and trying to get approvals. We don't have a document ready yet?
See, actually, the way it works, Councilman, is the approval process takes place during several phases of the design process. So we may go through a schematic or design process, then we have to send it for their review and approval. Then they send that information back to us with their comments or concerns which we have to then revise drawings, incorporate their concerns within the documents and move forward again with the next phase of the work. It's not like designing a library or designing a building that we have total control over and also don't have those extra review processes involved with it. I'd be more than happy to get back to you on this particular project with our best guess this time as to a time line on the whole project.
Okay. And I do appreciate that. I mean, you understand and I respect all the professionals and what they have to do and what 140 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 you have to go through. On the other hand, you understand that it is not just about reviewing stands, almost of these projects. You allocate the dollars, something kind of goes in between. You don't hear anything about it for a while. Then things start to heat up. Then ultimately construction happens. And it seems like it takes a very long time to get a project done.
I agree with you, Councilman. In the past, it has. The Capital Program Office is trying to shorten that process and trying to get our hand around some of the projects that have taken longer and find ways of shortening the process, as well as keep Councilpeople informed as to what's going on, on a regular basis on these projects.
That would be helpful. What's the current condition of the stands?
The current condition of the stand is it is usable. Some repairs have been made with the maintenance staff of Fairmount Park, so it is still usable at this time. 141 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
Let's talk about parking lots on . Design dollars were allocated again in '02, funding in '04. Now, you're not going to tell me that it takes the same amount of time to design a parking lot as it takes to design reviewing stands, are you?
Councilman, this is somewhat similar in that the project really, as far as the construction funding for this project, which currently, if you see, it's been budgeted or scheduled in '04 and '05, this is actually two parking lots.
One is an existing lot. It's at Black Road and West River Drive. It's an existing parking area, cinders, that's been cinders as long as I've been in the park. That's one lot to be reconstructed with proper drainage curving, et cetera.
Cement, asphalt? 142 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
Asphalt. The other area would be a new area on the other side of the street, on the west side of West River Drive. And that would be for the -- I believe, the Park Commission needs that for when they close the West River Drive to permit parking on that side of the street. That's the second area.
You're saying you're going to create a new parking lot on the non-river side.
Right now it's a lawn area, and it's quite large. It's on the north side of Black Road and on the west side of West River Drive.
When the West River Drive is closed, there's an intense demand for parking. The lots that are on the Kelly Drive side accommodate a fair amount of traffic but not all of it. And what happens is people will go up as far north the Falls Ridge area and then park the lawn and keep parking. We're trying to provide closer access to the Drive and --
But you can access the Drive by vehicle after 12:00 to 5:00, right?
To get to the lots, but it creates a fair amount of conflict and we're 144 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 trying to alleviate some of that conflict by allowing parking right at the West River Drive on that side.
Well, the vehicles coming in to get to the lot with the users in the roadway enjoying the fact that it's closed.
But you're still going to have to go down on West River Drive to get to this lot, right?
No. You'll access from Black Road. The entrance will be on Black Road.
I thought the Black Road entrance, though, was closed.
I really like that 145 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 side as grass, personally.
Well, it's not all grass. There's a bunch of volunteer vegetation that's at the rear of that that will be cleared to provide for this use. There's a great demand for parking.
That's a fairly large area. I would really like to see a drawing on that. That's a very nice open space. You know, volunteer vegetation, I don't anything about plants. It's a very nice open space area there. And basically you're talking about blacktopping it?
Thank you. Madam Chair, I'm sure you want me to relinquish the rest of my time which expired about a half hour ago.
Thank you. 146 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. Question: The State has provided funding for 60th Street commercial corridor to the tune of $500,000, as you might know. We have received $100,000 and we're about ready to lose the money if we can't get the match. Would you check on that for me? Because we don't want to lose the State funding that we received to date.
Right. Thank you. They're threatening to take it back, that's why I raise it. Thank you.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a question about Fairmount Park street lighting and don't know whether I want Fairmount Park or the Streets Department, so I'll 147 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 ask the question and they can decide. A project I've been watching very carefully for years is the upgrading of the street lighting on Kelly Drive. My question is that that has not job yet been complete, but I have experienced a situation there where the old lights were out and the illumination was provided strictly by the lights that have been recently installed there. The idea was to move all the street lights to one side of the roadway to eliminate cable knock-downs and other problems associated with the lighting of Kelly drive. And I've noticed personally that the illumination level with the new lighting does not appear to be of a level of the old lighting that was on both sides of the street. So I'm hoping that when this job was laid out that there was some consideration of the fact that you're going to put all the lights on one side of the straight will the pattern of installation give the roadway the required lighting. And I'd like to thank the Street Lighting Department because this was a job that, again, I've watching for three, four, five years now. Because of the failure of the street light 148 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 cables, they had to put temporary wires up, tied them to trees. It really looked like a mess. So I'd like you to comment on the status of that job, when the old lights will be removed. And they are eventually removed, will the lighting level appropriate? To me, just looking at, at this point it does not look like it is as well lighted as it once was.
Good morning. My name is Joe Doyle. I'm the chief street lighting engineer for the City. Councilman, I appreciate your question about that project. You're right, we've been working for quite a few years to have that job completed. It's virtually completed as far as the initial construction is concerned. But there's some takedown work and there's some final tie-ins with PECO for electrical service for the lighting. To kind of recap quickly, the lighting was all placed on one side of the roadway in an effort to provide a more uniform light distribution through there. However, the light levels will be higher than the original light equipment for two reasons. One, we more street lights than there were there before. 149 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 And secondly, each of the units is brighter then the original ones. So there should be, actually, a multiplier here of the light intensity on the street. One possibility that could be entering into this is the fact that we went to a one-side lighting system, we put the lighting on the river side of the Drive to provide better light and back light for the pathway and for that side of the roadway. So there is some light that would fall back onto the pathway, especially where it's adjacent to the roadway. Another factor that may be influencing it is the fixtures themselves, if you've noticed are more designed what we call cut-off type fixture. There's less glare from the light fixture itself. There's a flatter profile to the fixture. And that means then that the light tends to fall more on the roadway and less into the drivers' eyes. That's a good thing because it reduces the glare to the driver, but it also may give the perception that there's less light out there when, in fact, there's actually more at the roadway level. But to specifically address your 150 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 question, we'll take a look at that just to be sure that everything is working properly. But there is a little bit of an overlap here while the contractor removes the old equipment, sometimes both light systems are up. We obviously don't turn out the old system until the new system is on. And what that may do is for a very short time have extremely bright section where all the lights are burning, both the new ones and the old ones. Then we remove the old fixtures and then someone feels that suddenly the light level is reduced. For the long-term before and after it should be an improvement overall. But I'll look at that myself, make sure that we're working properly up there.
And, again, thank you. The project once completed and the old lights removed will be a real asset to the park. And that was obviously -- you know, I do know a little bit about that -- a big job to accomplish. Once it started to move, it went forward without any difficulty. But the interesting thing, all the problems we had with the old lights being on, off, on, off, since you the new ones up, the old ones haven't gone out for three months. 151 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
By the way, we appreciate your support in this project, Councilman. It's been very helpful as we've been moving this forward.
You're welcome. Are there any other questions from Members of the Committee? The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Madam President. Mr. Doyle, did you really think that I wasn't going to ask you a question day? It wouldn't have been worth your while to come over here if I didn't ask you something.
That's pretty good. Commissioner Johnson, let me commend you for having a conversation with Mr. Doyle. I appreciate it. We had a discussion last year and some information has been provided on the issue of street 152 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 lighting. We've had, I think, conversations the last two budget hearings about the level of lighting. What's that called, footcandle power?
The term for measuring the intensity of light on a roadway is referred to footcandles.
And you had gone out and done, I think, some survey work of half a dozen neighborhoods. And I think our discussion last year was contrasting the light levels in a regular residential neighborhood with some of our brighter areas downtown, I think specifically, South Broad Street and maybe Walnut Street. And I think we had some discussion about the difference in the light levels. Then I recall getting a piece, I believe from Commissioner Johnson, laying out that while there was an obvious distinction -- and naturally, no one wants to light up a regular residential street like Walnut Street or South Broad Street, there might be a need to do some lighting upgrades in many of our neighborhoods. Can you give me a status update on any kind of citywide neighborhood lighting upgrade problem?
Well, Councilman, as you 153 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 said, we performed an analysis of light levels at, I guess, six to eight neighborhoods to compare the relative intensity of the lighting in those neighborhoods versus the higher intensity downtown. And as I recall, the numbers were in range that we had discussed at Council testimony last year. As far as any type of a citywide program to address the issues, we really don't have any program in the Capital Budget for new or additional lighting to add lighting into areas where the lighting, per se, is not -- where perhaps one neighborhood intensity on average was different than another neighborhood's intensity on average. However, we do look at individual locations. If specific locations are requested for City Council, we take a look at that specific block, that exact location. And if we feel that an additional light is appropriate, we've been doing that. But as far as a broad overview --
We do that out of Operating 154 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Budget, Councilman.
I was going to add that we also look at opportunities when we get these requests to look for locations where we may already have a power source and an existing pole. And on occasion we do add an additional light, kind of almost as a stopgap measure where there is a specific complaint or concern about lighting. We do not have a specific budget set aside for a citywide program at this time.
Okay. Tell me about this, because I think we also had some discussion and then there was correspondence with regard to an effort, for instance, to research some of the best practices across the country, how different cities are dealing with lighting issues. We were looking at developing a citywide standard, I guess, for a least a minimum level of lighting out in many of our neighborhoods. And also, we've had discussion about a UC Bright type program expanded throughout the City. You're familiar with the UC Bright program. 155 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 It's a University City program where, I believe, many of the neighbors in University City in conjunction with University of Pennsylvania and other entities worked with neighbors who actually ended up putting out usually a light pole standard or something maybe in their front yard or near their steps which provides additional lighting out on the walkway in conjunction with whatever light happens to kind of shine from the street light back out. And it kind of lights up the neighborhood, and talked about the ability of neighbors to do joint purchasing or discount lights and doing something in conjunction with PECO. Any movement or progress on that? We had a little meeting about that last summer, I think.
Councilman, as you mentioned, the program that began out in the University City area was really initially the instigation of Penn in cooperation with PECO to address a specific problem that had arisen with some criminal activity in the area. There had been a murder. And as a result of that, the property owners kind of in conjunction and coordinated with both PECO and with University of Pennsylvania were 156 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 able to supplement their own lighting to address a specific location immediately in front of their houses. That was private initiative. There really was no City money involved in it. I was only involved as sort of a friend of the court, if you will, to give a little bit of technical information on it. However, that's really limited to that area. That was not intended as a citywide effort. It was strictly at the initiative of Penn.
I understand. I guess what I'm suggesting here and where I've been trying to take this conversation is this might be something that the City, working with various neighborhood groups and organization, possibly through the NTI network, framework, umbrella, you might just want to have such a program throughout the City. I mean, University City is not the only place that has either a darkness problem or a crime problem.
Councilman, I'm always available to address any community group or talk with any organization that would like to begin that. I frequently do that. While it does not always result in such a high profile project as you would 157 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 see in University City, but individual property owners and through organizations have tried to instill that interest in their members. Often times it does not come actually come out to be an implementation because the members realize that there is a cost associated with it and that's not always what they were looking to do.
Well, there maybe areas, at least in the district that I represent, that might have an interest in something like this. I'd certainly like to encourage people to pursue those kinds of activities. I think the benefits far outweigh, quite honestly, any financial costs that may be involved. And ultimately, the citizens and the City, I think, are the beneficiaries.
Councilman, I might add one more thing. I'm sure you're aware that as far as the NTI funding and the availability of that funding, it kind of extends beyond the scope of what the Streets Department would be able to do, but we can certainly pursue any opportunities that may be there with the appropriate individuals.
I should add that in the context, at least the planning component of the NTI 158 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 umbrella and framework, we would be looking to increase safety in communities. And there's a component of our planning that includes that and we will take this up within that framework.
Now that you actually mention that, based on some of the activities in some of the neighborhoods, I mean, we'll have this unusual combination. There won't be many people there, but it's also going to become little darker in some of our communities at least initially because there won't be any buildings there and with relocations and the like. Now, there won't be any people there so maybe you don't need the lighting at a certain level, but you're going to have massive areas of the City that are actually going to become darker as a result of the initial NTI activities.
And how we treat those areas is key, one of the reasons that the Police Department is part of our deliberations.
I think we better get the officers extra flashlights or something. Councilman Rizzo, I think, has a point.
The Chair 159 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Mr. Doyle, I'm sure you're aware of the -- and Councilman Nutter mentioned a minute ago about the public utility PECO Energy having a contractual outdoor lighting program, which I would encourage you, especially when we're talking potentially temporary situations during the Transformation Initiative where the utility installs the lights, whether it be a flood or an actual mast arm type fixture, provides the energy, provides the maintenance for short-term applications. That might be something that you want to discuss with the utility company.
Yes, Councilman. We often suggest that when a community group or a private individual are asking for additional lighting, especially when it falls more onto a private property area. I mean, obviously, the Streets Department has its responsibilities and an adjoining property, though, that is private and in private hands, the opportunity exists for a private outdoor light, as PECO refers to the POL system, to supplement the street lighting from a private use. And that has been used and we've had a log of 160 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 cooperation with PECO Energy on expanding that system to the private sector. So we do try to make that option always available.
Well, I'm not talking about entirely the private sector, I'm talking about areas -- since you have no Capital Budget for additional lights -- that installing a light that possibly won't be needed a year from now, two years from now, that a temporary contractual arrangement with the utility might be a good alternative. Since you brought that up, I'd appreciate you, for the record, what exactly is the responsibility the City of Philadelphia, is it to light the street, the sidewalk and the street? What is exactly is the charge? When you design a street light system, are you lighting the sidewalk and the roadway or are you just responsible for the roadway?
Councilman, traditionally, the Streets Department has taken a, I guess, somewhat conservative view that the roadway is the lighting responsibility of the Streets Department, not the sidewalk. However, in today's world, we try to be so rigid on that and what we have attempted to do is to improve the lighting of both. And how 161 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 we're doing that is by actually mounting the street lights closer to the curb line in a way that some light will backfeed down onto the sidewalk area and also to spread the beam further across the way. This is complicated because there are many other competing light sources that are out there. And very often, we're not able to do that if the street width is such an extent that there's no utility poles on both sides of the street; we have to work from one side. So we try take, no pun intended, an enlightened approach to this to improve the lighting adjacent to the roadway. But we cannot really be totally responsible for that. As you're aware the sidewalk is in an area that while technically within the City's right-of-way is the property owner's responsibility for maintenance and for safety. So we have to try to do a balance between improving the lighting on the overall roadway and adjacent areas, but we cannot take total responsibility for lighting all of the sidewalks throughout the City. We don't have the resources to do it and, in fact, the physical conditions are sometimes impossible to do that.
It's a great 162 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 approach. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Nutter.
Commissioner, let's talk about , Line 91, Item 2, historic streets, $200,000 listed. What are these funds used for?
There are certain streets in the City of Philadelphia that has a historic designation and when one of those streets is in need of repair, we're required to basically restore that street in the same form that we found it. This often will involve many of the cobblestone streets that you see around the City. And that type of repair is more of a specialized type of repair.
There are a number of streets that have designated by the Historical Society as historic streets.
And do you know if in the current realm of funding Skiddoo Street is going to get restored?
I'm not familiar with what needs to be done on that particular street. So the 163 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 answer is no, I do not, but I can find out.
That's a nice little street. It's a cute little street. It has been designated historic and we'd like to get it repaired. It's in bad shape. You can check on that?
Okay. Director Griffith, we've had some direct contact about this. On the same page, on in the book, Line Item 92, No. 2, Lancaster Avenue. Can you tell me -- you've got $500,000 in City funds, $2 million -- I'm "FB" is federal. And 200,000 in SB, is that State.
Well, the question is, why are the dollars two fiscal years from now? We've gone through an extensive community process. There's actually a little report or book that's been developed about Lancaster 164 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Avenue. I mean, at a minimum, based on the conversation earlier today, it seems that there should be some design work being done presently so that we can at least keep somebody busy.
Right. I'm going to defer to Streets, only because memory doesn't serve about whether there was money allocated for design that hadn't been expended. And if not, we can get back to you. You're absolutely correct, we have a long is history and a fairly positive history with this project. It's a project we've been trying to move along even though in some instances we're not able to do as much as we would like to. Let us get back to you were the rationale for why the money's been allocated in the out years. Usually, that's because there is still money available unexpended or a contract is on going. But I want to be able to be specific.
If for some reason there's not, let me at least mention it now. We can come back to it when we get back to. If there are not dollars laying around somewhere, then at a minimum, I would like to get this project moving. It is a major gate way into West Philadelphia, going 165 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 through a number of different neighborhoods, from Overbrook down into the Parkside section which hopefully will then lead into a major shopping center area. And if there are not design dollars presently available or extra from another project, then I absolutely would at least like to get in this '03 budget design dollars to get Lancaster Avenue project moving.
Councilman, this is a situation -- I won't say great minds think alike, but certainly two minds think alike. We will get back to you as to the facts. And although, again, I can't unilaterally promise dollars, we would certainly give consideration to your request and let's continue the conversation about it.
Well, between the two of us, there is at least great mind in this conversation. She happens to be on the other side of the table.
I'll put it on tape. 166 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 (Laughter.)
Thank you. Commissioner, last question. Prior to your commissioner ship, there were a number of sets of steps in the Manyunk section of the City. Because of the topography in Manyunk you that there are a lot of steps in a lot of different places in Manyunk. But two of them were the subject of -- one involved a very unfortunate incident and the others were nearby. Those are Manor and E Street going to Dexter and a street Little Cresson going to Main, plus there's the Dawson Street footbridge that goes across the SEPTA tracks, they are all in need of repair. And it is at least my fading recollection that dollars have been appropriated for these projects sometime ago. They ended up somewhere else somehow. We don't need to try to recreate that history or who did what to whom. These projects are still very, very important. I have no idea -- I just don't recall what the dollar amounts were. If you could check with your folks back at the shop and then get information back as to what it would take to get those projects on track, I would greatly appreciate it. 167 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029
Thank you. Madam Chair, since the lights have been turned off, I will now start to ask my questions for today. (Laughter.)
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Commissioner Johnson, the conversation about the streets that are designated historic motivated me to answer ask this question. Many years ago in the '70s Germantown Avenue, a north-south arterial street, was reconstructed and very beautiful job of putting cobblestones back in there like it once was. But I've noticed that whenever there's repair excavation -- I'll be very specific so maybe you can follow up on this one. A contractor, a plumber, dug up Germantown Avenue to make a repair at Germantown Avenue and Rex, removed all the cobblestone. Today when you ride by there, 168 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 the cobblestones are gone and there's just concrete that has replaced those cobblestones. I would hope that there's a process for us to recover or require Germantown Avenue and other historic streets when there are excavations -- even our own Water Department -- when they dig up the street that they're supposed to restore it. Now you drive down Germantown Avenue now, all you see is a checker board of repair where the cobblestones were removed to repair whatever and not ever replaced. That's a shame to allow Germantown Avenue other streets similar to that not to be restored back to their original condition prior to the repair. Could you comment on that?
Yes, Councilman. I have noticed the same think on Germantown Avenue and on many other streets in the City where a plumber's ditch may be excavated. And oftentimes these things occur without proper permitting so we aren't even aware that that excavation has taken place until it's been improperly restored. And in many cases on an emergency basis, we may have to go out and restore a plumber's ditch that was excavated just to make it safe on a temporary basis. 169 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 I don't know in this particular case if we restored it to make safe or if a plumber restored it and whether or not that excavation work was permitted. But wherever that may have occurred and if it was a permitted excavation on a historic street, we would have required that that street be restored.
Commissioner, not to belabor this, but almost a year I reported to the Streets Department that a plumber left a ditch in just a terrible manner that people tires were being blown out. A plumber came in, was doing some sewer line clearage, roto-rootered right through the pipes. So the plumber had to come out, dig up Germantown Avenue and repair the pipe, backfilled, again, left. I had to get the Streets Department to come out to make at least the location safe. It was filled with concrete six, eight months ago. The cobblestones, maybe they're in somebody's backyard at this point creating a patio, I don't know. But they're gone, it's concrete, and there should be definitely -- because I provided the name of the contractor that left it like that. The plumber even said, yes, they should be responsible because they 170 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 paid a lot of money to get the repair done in an emergency situation. But you go down Germantown, there's maybe 10-square-foot area that's all concrete. And like you've noticed, all the way down Germantown Avenue cobblestones missing. It's a shame if it's going to continue. Maybe there ought to be some project to restore that street, to do some repairs in the areas that have been neglected.
Councilman, what we'll do is talk to our highways engineers and to Syrnick and is group to see if there's an opportunity to develop a project in the future to try to restore those areas on Germantown Avenue where there may have been patches or whatever to create that look, because it's a terrible look for the City.
And I think in my records I have the name of the contractor that apparently has never been held responsible for that.
Thank you. Are there any other questions from 171 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 members of the committee? Seeing none, the committee will stand in recess until 2 o'clock today, at which time we will have public testimony. Thank you very much. (Recess.)
Good afternoon. This is the continued public hearing of the Committee of the Whole regarding Bill No. 020028 and Bill No. 020029. Our first witness.
Good afternoon. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Thank you, President Verna. I'm Ounsworth and I'm President of the Board of Friends of Philadelphia Parks. And to you, Council President Verna, and all the Councilmembers present.
We recessed at 1:30. Many of the Councilmembers are in their offices and can hear the testimony.
I'm Beth Ounsworth, as I 172 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 said before, President of the Board of Directors of Friends of Philadelphia Parks. I'm here today to talk about the Capital Budgets of the Fairmount Park Commission and the Department of Recreation. You are all aware of the assets we have in our parks. And we are lucky that our forefathers thought of the future. Today, we are reaping the rewards of that foresight. Unfortunately, the present capital needs of our parks are not being met. Witness the deterioration of such structures as Memorial Hall and the Dell East as an example. It seems prudent for our leaders to take a good look at not only the present needs of our great assets, but also the stewardship for the future. That is why the Friends of Philadelphia Parks is asking the City to create and implement with the input of stakeholders a comprehensive citywide plan for the future of all our parks. The plan should look at all park assets, how to protect and sustain them, how to establish accountability with maintenance rating systems, and how to establish visionary leadership. The progress of the soon-to-be implemented anti-blight initiative is exciting. 173 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 However, this program means that there will be many more acres of vacant land. We believe parks must be included in any comprehensive community development program. Studies and financial analyses show that investment in urban parks pay dividends in increased neighborhood vitality and enhanced quality of life. Friends of Philadelphia Parks believes that Capital Budget allocations for parks must be increased. We also believe that a goal the strategic planning process must be to identify existing park revenue enhancement approaches from other cities that can be adapted here to create new and innovative revenue opportunities unique to Philadelphia. Revenue generated from park assets should go back into our parks. Let me close with a quote from Alexander Gavin's book, Parks, Recreation, and Open Space: A Twenty-First Century Agenda. "Too often, parks, squares, streets, in fact, the entire public realm is dealt with like the contents of an attic - items stored away until needed. When they are taken out again, they appear to be out of date. Substantial sums have to be spent on their repair and readjustment. No managers 174 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 of privately-owned real estate could afford to squander such valuable assets. They continuously seek ways to enhance and expand their holdings." Thank you for your attention and consideration.
Thank you. Thank you for your patience. We appreciate your coming in to testify. And we totally agree with you. Our next witness.
Good afternoon, Madam Chair, Distinguished Councilpersons, Commissioners and guests of these proceedings. My name is Maya Burnett and I am the President of the Family of the Dell East. We have a Council board of 18 hard-working members representing a citywide membership of 360 season ticket subscribers. Our mission as representatives of the patrons and the community is to assist and support the efforts of preserving, protecting, and perpetuating the cultural programming of Dell East. Please allow me 175 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 to briefly introduce you to a few officers present with us today in Chambers. Mr. Warren Haskins, Rena Brown, our recording secretary; and Mr. Edward Burnett, our Sergeant-at-Arms. Our presence here today is to help continue the focussing of light on the need to support our wonderful institution that is the Robin Hood Dell East. We are presently in need of a permanently increased appropriation of capital funding. The president budget is insufficient to keep pace with annual rising costs of providing quality entertainment and a Class A musical venue.
We applaud the recent efforts of the Mayor's Administration in helping set a long-term strategy for Dell East. We recently met with Mayor Street last month. The family of Dell East is delighted to be a working body in the triune partnership between the Administration and the Department of Recreation in charting the survival of Dell East.
Excuse me. I'm sorry to interrupt you. Did you identify yourself?
I'm Rena brown, I'm the 176 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 recording secretary of the Family of the Dell East.
Thank you. I just wanted the record to reflect who was speaking.
I'm sorry. We stand with and support the Commissioner of Recreation Victor Richard; Carlton Williams, Deputy Commissioner; and the current acting manager of the Dell East, Bruce Rush in their diverse planning for Dell East. Dell East is a summer treasurer and oasis for thousands of inner-city residents and regional patrons. Many of those who grew up being entertained on hot summer nights in the cool of East Fairmount Park at the Dell East concerts and programs now bring and send their children to various events. The past 29 years, which was the last quarter of the 20th Century, the City of Philadelphia and the Department of Recreation has frugally and phenomenally programmed and funded the operations of the Dell East. The biggest names in the history of music, particularly rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel and urban has performed for this City's most appreciative audience. The Dell East is most 177 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 known throughout the country as one of the most outstanding summer amphitheaters featuring the best family entertainment and talent at a most affordable price. The Dell East's Essence of Entertainment serves the cultural needs of a diverse population consisting the Irish, the Ukrainian, the Latin, the African-American and Caribbean communities. There's a vibrant tradition at Dell East. Its setting is most unique. The best acoustics in the region are evident as you listen to music at Dell East in Fairmount Park. You feel the warm vibes and family presence. You know you are safe and comfortable. Most of importantly, you feel as though you are most appreciated and valued at Dell East as a patron. It is this tradition that must continue to be protected and nurtured. Changes in our economy and the priorities of our time schedules has done a double whammy on the Dell East. On one hand, automation and efficiencies has increased our leisure time opportunities. Yet on the other, the high cost of doing business has restricted our purchasing power and reduced our ability to present higher quality events. For that reason and others, we are here asking you, City 178 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Council and the current City Administration to continue to program outstanding events at the beautiful loved Dell East. We would like to continue this my millennium with restored vigor and vitality, knowing that we will continue to leave a legacy for the next generation, a legacy that we cared, we preserved and we protected the music and the tradition that is known as the Essence of Entertainment at the Robin Hood Dell East.
Warren Haskins, board member. The family of the Dell East is committed to focussing the light on the communal and City government's need to support this worthwhile cultural tradition in this wonderful city of neighborhoods that is known as Philadelphia. This definitely is not the last time that we will present to you here in Council. The Family of the Dell East is multiplying and we are ascending towards a much better program and venue. We are currently training and educating young talent in the disciplines of the business of music with an eye on preparing the next generation to assume leadership roles in preserving there music, culture, and institution. 179 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 A quality culture is evident by the diversity and acceptance of all preserved sub-cultures. Governments throughout the world support and nurture their art, as we know that each of you here in Council will do in helping perpetuate the tradition of Dell East by your endorsement of vote of confidence. Thank you for allowing the family to speak in your chambers. And may blessing and good fortunes be upon you all.
Thank you so very much. The Capital Budget reflects that in FY '03, $500,000 is appropriated and in FY '04, $250,000. Are you aware of what they're going to be doing with that money?
Yes. That's been in the budget -- it's been allocated, I believe, for the last three, four years. And there are repairs that extensive that go way beyond Year '04 and '05. We have one major repair item that we know is going to cost at least $2 million.
Is there someone from the Recreation Department or can someone tell us if there's money presently in the 180 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 budget to address some of the issues regarding Dell East?
My name is Carlton Williams, I'm the Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Recreation. I am primarily the responsible person overseeing the Dell at this time. One of the things that we have identified in last year's capital needs for the Dell was the replacement of immediate needs of speaker towers that we currently have at the Dell East. I want to say that the new speaker towers will be completed by April 1st of this year in time for the 30th anniversary season that it's been under the Department of Recreation. In addition, there was the renovation of the stage area that we have that was in dire need also. As Mr. Haskins, said, he's correct, there are substantial amounts of capital work needed that's at the Dell. Due to the age of the facility and the drainage problems that it currently has, 181 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 there's a need for an undermining project that cost approximately $2 million. This feasibility study was done last year by Buhler Kratzer and Powell (ph). And forgive me if I didn't consultant's name right. But he substantiated the claims of infrastructure of the Dell Ease was its drainage problems and so forth. In addition, there's a speaker system, a sound and stage system that's in dire need of replacement also. So these items are on the table and we are trying to address them.
So you don't have money for what has to be done.
Right. That's correct. We don't have the appropriation for the major problem, which is the undermining and the seating problem at the Dell.
Thank you. 182 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you so much for coming in to testify. You know I'm a long-time patron of the Dell. I think it's a wonderful venue, I agree. We do have some of the best talent come through there. And I, too, was looking at the $500,000 and it doesn't seem to be enough. And I think you ought to add to your list of improvements would be the ladies room. There has to be something done. In the summertime we have heat on in the ladies room. I don't know, there may be a structural problem there. I don't know if you know about it, but in the middle of July there's no air conditioning, but the heat is on. So you need to check that out.
Yes, ma'am. We did get several complaints about that last season and prior seasons also. The air conditioner didn't have an outlet, and we're going to look at that this year, for cool air to be placed in ladies bathroom. In fact, there was an air conditioner placed in the ladies bathroom, but for the interior of the facility which actually makes it hotter. So we need to address that. We will address it this season. 183 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 We apologize for the inconvenience.
I just want it to work because I think it's a great place and I also -- during the course of the Operating Budget will talk further about this with the Recreation Commissioner, about how to make it a profitable center because it's a good venue. They present great programs. I just want them to get some additional talent that we used to have. But thank you for your work for volunteering to work with the Dell East. We commend you for doing that. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Good afternoon. Councilwoman Tasco actually touched on the issue that I was going to bring up. This is an issue that I think we need to approach in several different fronts and we need to make the tough political decision -- and when I say "we" it will center around the Councilmembers and the Administration from the operational side. And I 184 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 understand we're here today to talk about capital improvements. But those of you that have been involved in this process know that on the operational side, there needs to be some things that are done different. If we incur some sort of debt, we need to be in a position to pay the debt service. And I think a substantial portion of that can be dealt with if we change the nature of the way we do business out at the Dell and having a more competitive situation. And I say that it will tough political decisions in that we at some point may not be in a position as Councilmembers to give free tickets out to individuals or as many free tickets out to individuals for shows that, frankly speaking, had they been at the Tropicana could demand upwards of 60, $75. We're in a position where people are asking us to give away free $10 tickets. More often than not, they tend to be individuals who, if there was a survey done, could probably afford that $10, given the number of City employees that have come in my office asking for those free tickets. So at some point -- and I would ask for my friends and my colleagues who are supporters of the Dell for us to join together and make those tough political 185 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 decisions to be in an position to operate this thing the way it needs to be operated as business, understanding that some degree we have to assist those individuals that don't have opportunities or the wherewithal to buy the tickets. But we've got to change the way we're doing it out there. And I just want to say to you I'm committed to make that tough political decision.
Are there any other questions from members of the committee? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you. Certainly, we have known Rena Brown and certainly Mr. Haskins longer than I will admit. And we want to thank them, deputy commissioner, and all who are here for their work in trying to upgrade the Dell. We also want to commend Councilman Clarke who has continue to battle for it. It is a wonderful facility. It really needs more attention. And we thank them for their commitment.
Thank you. 186 2/13/02 - WHOLE - BILLS 020028, 020029 Any other questions from members of the committee? Thank you so very much for coming in to testify.
Is there anyone else that would like to testify? Seeing none, this committee will stand in recess until Wednesday, February at 9:30. 10 Thank you all very much. 11 (Council adjourned at 2:35 p.m.) 12 - - - 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 187 ¡›î› C E R T I F I C A T I O N I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of February 13, 2002, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ___________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR and Notary Public