COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY and PUBLIC WORKS - - - Room 400, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA Monday, 6/5/06, 1:30 p.m. - - - Bill 060264 - Being held at request of sponsor. Bill 060314 - Authorizing Commissioner of Public Property to sublease bldg. at 5201 Old York Road... Bill 060336 -Authorizing Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to PAID deed to City-owned land at 1213-19 South 15th Street... Bill 060338 - Authorizing Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to PAID parcels of land at Third St. and Fairmont Avenue... Bill 060390 - Approving Lease Amendment between PGW and City for premises at 1137 Chestnut Street... Bill 060434 - Authorizing Commissioner of Public Property and Director of Commerce to purchase from La France parcel at 8425 Executive Avenue... Bill 060440 - Consenting to assignment from Area II Cable TV franchise from Time Warner to Comcast... Bill 060470 - Authorizing Commissioner of Public Property to deliver to PAID deed for 1327 Race St. for use in expansion of PA Convention Center... COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Darrell C. Clarke, Chair Donna Reed Miller Frank DiCicco Michael A. Nutter W. Wilson Goode, Jr. Juan F. Ramos Jack Kelly Frank Rizzo James F. Kenney Marian B. Tasco Joan L. Krajewski V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Specialists 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670 I N D E X WITNESS Bill No. 060470 - Joan Schlotterbeck, Commissioner-Public Prop. - Stephanie Nadoff, Director of Commerce...... Bill No. 060470 - Joan Schlotterbeck.......................... Bill No. 060336 - Joan Schlotterbeck.......................... 28 Bill No. 060390 - Randy Gyory, VP, Customer Affairs, PGW...... 34 Bill No. 060434 - Joan Schlotterbeck.......................... 43 - Joseph Messina, City Solicitor.............. 45 - James Tyrell, Director of Aviation.......... 45 Bill No. 060338 - Joan Schlotterbeck.......................... 47 - Henry Schwartz, City Law Department......... 52 Bill No. 060440 - Joseph James, Deputy Commissioner........... 54 Department of Public Property - Reginal Martin, General Mgr., Time Warner... 110 - John Fogerty, Esq., Attorney, Time Warner... 112 - Kathleen Sullivan, Regional Vice President.. 122 Government Affairs, Comcast Cable - Christian Meyer, Regional Vice President.... 128 Sales and Marketing, Comcast Cable - Sharon Power-Lee, Director.................. 134 Government and Community Affairs, Comcast Cable - Robin Proctor, VP-H.R., Comcast Cable....... 150 - Brian Lambert, Regional Vice President...... 173 Customer Service, Comcast Cable - Josh Brightbart, Grassroots Cable Coalition 190 - Edith Dixon, Southwest CDC.................. 198 - Alfred Brown, Point Breeze Performing Arts 201 - J. Stein, Gen. Counsel, Community Legal Svc. 204 - Gretjen Clausing, Community Access Coalition 206 - Joy Butz, Kensington Welfare Rights Union... 216 - Phyllis Gilbert, Peace Action............... 219 - Irvin Benjamin, Harmonious Volunteer Center 223 3 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470
Good afternoon. Good afternoon. We will be starting the Committee on Public Property and Public Works. I please ask individuals who should not be on this side of the rail to please go on the other side of the rail so that we can proceed. Thank you. We have a quorum: Councilwoman Tasco, Councilwoman Krajewski, Councilman Rizzo, and Councilman Kenney. Would the clerk please read the title of the first bill.
Bill No. 060470, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Authority Industrial for Development a deed for nominal consideration conveying fee simple title to a certain tract of City-owned land with the buildings and improvements thereon, situated at 1327 Race Street in the City of Philadelphia for further 4 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 conveyance at nominal consideration to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or its designee for use in the expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Good afternoon, Chairman Clarke and members of the committee on Public Property and Public Works. My name is Joan Schlotterbeck. I am the Commissioner of Public Property, and I am here today to testify in support of Bill No. 060470, an ordinance authorizing me, as commissioner, to execute and deliver to PAID a deed for nominal consideration conveying fee simple title to a certain 5 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 tract of City-owned land, with buildings and improvements thereon, situated at 1328 Race Street in Philadelphia, for further conveyance at nominal consideration to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or its designee, for use in the expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. This bill will enable the City to convey this property to PAID for expansion at nominal consideration. The Department supports this measure; and, accordingly, I respectfully ask that Council approve this bill. I also ask that the rules be suspended so that the ordinance may be passed upon the second reading at Council. Thank you.
Thank you very 6 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 much. Good afternoon, Chairman Clarke and members of the committee. My name is Stephanie Nadoff, and I am the City Representative and Director of Commerce for the City of Philadelphia. And I too am here today to support Bill No. 060470, the ordinance 10 authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to PAID a deed for nominal consideration conveying fee simple title to a certain tract of City-owned land, with buildings and improvements thereon, located at 1328 Race Street, in the City of Philadelphia, for further conveyance at nominal consideration to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or its designees, for use in the expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The State announced in 2004 that it would expand the existing center to Broad Street, extending it to the west. The size of the project is 7 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 estimated to be $700 million and will add approximately one million square feet to the existing building. To date, the State has authorized over $400 million for this expansion, and there is currently an additional $300 million line item in the State's capital budget for review at the end of June. A final financing plan for the center is being produced and will be completed shortly. The City has been clear with the State that it is necessary for the City to be relieved of its obligations for funding the Convention Center with respect to paying debt service and deficits arising from the operating budget, as it has in the past. It is imperative that they show this in their financing plan. The State has entered into an agreement with the Redevelopment Authority for the authority to act as the agent for acquisition, condemnation, and 8 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 demolition of the properties in the build path. Letters to building owners in the build path have already been sent out, informing them that the State will begin property acquisition sometime in June. There are about properties 8 that need to be acquired plus the 9 City-owned property at 1328 Race. 10 Relocation of tenants and residents has 11 already begun, including the Office of 12 Emergency Services and the Intake Center. 13 The current schedule calls for the 14 buildings to be acquired and condemned by 15 the end of 2006. 16 The Commerce Department has 17 been working with the State and the 18 Center and understands that this 19 ordinance is crucially to the success of 20 the expansion project. 21 When completed, the Center will 22 have the largest contiguous exhibit space 23 in the northeast region and will be able 24 to host large trade shows or two major 25 conventions simultaneously. The expanded 9 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 center will be the second largest convention facility in the northeast, which will allow the Philadelphia region to regain its place as a first-tier destination in the convention market. With passage of this ordinance, a clear indication will be sent to the State that Philadelphia is in full support of this great project and that we are not impeding their ability to pursue the expansion process. Thank you.
Thank you, Miss Nadoff. Miss Nadoff, you indicated in your testimony that the issue with respect to the City's relief of its contribution will be eliminated.
Is that matter close to being resolved, or are you still negotiating?
We are in discussions, but we have every reason to 10 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 think it will get resolved.
All right. Is it prudent for us to proceed on the act of property conveyance before we get that done?
All right. Who is actually -- who will be the first the -- largest facility in the northeast?
So our city will be larger than the Javett Center? Washington?
Number 2 is 11 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 not that bad.
All right. Thank you. Any questions of these witnesses by members of the committee? Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to put on the record a note of thanks on behalf of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, and my fellow board member Councilman DiCicco, I'm sure, can express his own sentiments. But I really want to thank Miss Nadoff and Miss Schlotterbeck, the Mayor and his Chief of Staff, Joyce Wilkerson, for all of the hard work and the City departments who are involved in this process. These are very important and yet rather complicated pieces of 12 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 legislation that are critically important to the future for expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, and we thank you deeply for the hard work and effort to bring this to us today to allow us to get this done prior to the legislative recess. Thank you very much.
The City of Philadelphia owns this property at 1328 Race Street?
Mm-hmm. 13 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 It's 13th Street to what, Broad Street?
Wow. And what is the purpose of just a dollar? Just for the record.
I think that's a legal matter. The representative from the Law Department could answer that, but I think you have to have some consideration for the transaction to be legal.
So is that the City's contribution to the expansion of the Convention Center?
It will be a part of The City contribution, yes. 14 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470
Okay. Has that contribution been identified yet in terms of a total amount?
No. That's part of the financing plan that we're working with the Convention Center Authority and the State on defining at this point. So you will be --
So when you calculate the cost and the contribution to the City, you will calculate the full value of the fire station? Would be it be at its full value, or will it be at the dollar value?
No it, would be the value, the fair market value of the property.
The think the RDA 15 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 is doing an appraisal of all of the properties in the build path.
So will -- I see where the Councilwoman's going on this. The question is: If this is going to be designated as the City's contribution to the project and we need to know what that number is as it relates to the appraisal so we can make note of that dollar amount as opposed to a nominal amount.
I don't know. We well, have several weeks, so I think we can get that information.
You have until September. 16 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470
Well, that again leads me to ask the question of the sponsor. Councilman DiCicco, are you the sponsor of the bill? Will there not be a request for a rules suspension?
Yes. We need that in order to move forward during the summer months. It's --
I just think that if we're going to use that property, which is City property, that the appraised value should be calculated towards the contribution that the City makes to the expansion of the Convention Center, and it should be certainly more than one dollar 'cause the land is valued at --
If you will permit me, at sometime I will get you more defined information about the way property is the valued for the City contribution, and if it's based on the 17 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 appraisal, I will get you that information as well.
So what I'm hearing, I don't think that should hold up the suspension of the rules. In good faith, we'll get a value.
Well, you know -- and I know you're clearly cooperating in good faith. I'm just a little concerned that we send the inappropriate signal when, you know, time after time, we're asking individuals for appraisals when we convey properties to other individuals and private entities, and we are very insistent on that. And for us to pass a bill that would convey a property without us knowing what the appraised value is 18 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 somewhat inconsistent, particularly given the fact that you told the Councilwoman that that will be a part of the City's contribution to the overall project.
I think, if I can, Mr. Chairman, it's important to understand that this contribution --
Hold on, hold on. (Interruption by feedback from mic.)
I think it's important to understand that this contribution for whatever the value is is important to the City because the expansion of the Convention Center is certainly going to more than pay itself off, if you will, I mean times over. 20
That may be a low number 'cause it's important to the economic development of our tourism industry and other things that are related to the Convention Center. 19 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 So I think if it was a different -- if, under different circumstances, it was going to a private development, I think the argument could be made that we should not move forward with this until we had a definitive number, but it's hard to really put a number on this based on what the return will be for the investment on behalf of the City.
Well, that may be true, but when you calculate the cost, the contribution to the City, we ought to be given credit for the value so that the continued -- whatever else we have to contribute, okay, this is deducted from that contribution.
Well, that's fine, but it doesn't change anything. 20 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 It's still going to be conveyed for a dollar, and whatever that value is, it is, and it shouldn't slow the process down because I don't hear anyone suggesting that they may the fair market value. The transaction is going to occur for the dollar and whatever the value of the property is, it is, whenever the appraisal is completed.
I think the question that Councilwoman Tasco is posing is that on the City side of the ledger that that be given credit for whatever that future contribution is.
I just don't want them to get amnesia when they come back the next time so that we get credit. 21 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470
There may be some other dollars we have to put in, and we just don't want you to forget to calculate the fair market value for this piece of property --
We'll be striking Cherry Street so -- and that's all a part of that --
Okay, that's fine. You know, I hope you don't view the questioning to be a sense that we're 22 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 not interested in moving this project along, but I just want to be as consistent.
'Cause we do ask about the appraised value of properties.
Let me just say this. At least in terms of dealing with property disposition, you've been fair, forthright, and up front, and I appreciate that.
Thank you. Any other questions of these witnesses by members of the committee or any other Councilmembers present? (No response.)
There being 23 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060470 none, thank you very much. Thank you.
Is there anyone else here to testify on this bill? (No response.)
There being none, will the clerk please read the title of the next bill. * * * 24 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060314
Bill No. 060314, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into an agreement to sublease from the Philadelphia Municipal Authority the first and second floors of a building located at 5201 Old York Road, under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. Before we proceed, let the record reflect that Bill 060264 is being held at the request of the sponsor. So if there's anyone interested in that bill, we will not be taking testimony today on that bill. Thank you, Commissioner. Please proceed.
Good afternoon, Chairman Clarke and other members of the Committee on Public Property and Public Works. My name is Joan Schlotterbeck, and I am Commissioner for Public Property. 25 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060314 I am here today representing Public Property to testify in support of Bill No. 060314, an ordinance authorizing me, as commissioner, on behalf of the City, to enter into an agreement to sublease for the Philadelphia Municipal Authority the first and second floors of a building located at 5201 Old York Road, under certain terms and conditions. This bill will permit the City to provide social services and temporary housing for women and children as well as provide office space for ODESSA, Office of Emergency Shelter Services. The Department of Public Property supports this measure and, accordingly, I respectfully ask that Council approve Bill No. 060314. I also ask that the rules be suspended so that the ordinance may be passed upon the second reading of Council. Thank you. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060314
The agency that's being housed in this facility is an agency of the Department of OESS.
This facility is in the Ninth Councilmatic district, and we have had community meetings with the neighbors, and they do support this project, and I support it. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Any other questions by members of the committee of this witness? (No further questions.)
There being none, thank you so much. Anyone else to testify on this 27 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060314 bill? (No response.)
There being none, will the clerk please read the title of the next bill. * * * 28 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060336
Bill No. 060336, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for nominal consideration a deed conveying fee simple title to a certain tract of City-owned land with the buildings and improvements thereon situated at 1213 through South 15th 11 Street in the City of Philadelphia for 12 further conveyance at less than fair 13 market value. 14
Good 17 afternoon, Chairman Clarke and members of 18 the Committee on Public Property and 19 Public Works. My name is Joan Schlotterbeck, I'm Commissioner of the Department of Public Property. And I'm here today to testify in support of Bill No. 0060336, an ordinance authorizing me, as commissioner, to execute and deliver to 29 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060336 the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for nominal consideration a deed conveying fee simple title to a certain tract of City-owned land with the buildings and improvements thereon situated at 1213 to South 15th Street, 8 for further conveyance at less than fair 9 market value. 10 The bill will enable the City 11 to convey this property to the Authority, 12 to PAID, for further conveyance to a 13 nonprofit organization that will purchase 14 the properties at less than fair market 15 value. 16 Public Property purchased the 17 site in 1968 for use as a parking lot. 18 The Department of Public 19 Property supports this measure. And, accordingly, I respectfully ask that Council approve Bill No. 060336. I also ask that rules be suspended so that the ordinance may be passed upon the second reading of Council. 30 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060336 Thank you. And I'm here to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner, to be consistent -- and I don't want to ask you about the fair market value of this property. Is there any way in the future -- and I know appraisals cost a lot of money, and we don't want to appraise every piece of property if it's going to be -- if it's a relatively small parcel. But is there a way that if it's a large parcel that it could possibly be of considerable worth that we can get a sense of an appraised value or an estimated appraised value when we convey properties for nominal consideration?
So,k in other words, rather than pay for a formal appraisal --
-- have 31 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060336 some kind of a...
Yeah. I mean, I think internally we can kind of guesstimate. It's like they have a sense of, you know, some of the properties that we're conveying for nominal, what the cost is.
I guess we could, but I would probably have to go to Commerce and get support from folks over there.
Couldn't the Board of Revision help us? Wouldn't they have a pretty good feel for that?
The problem is, like Councilman Kenney said, it will 32 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060336 probably be old, and they basically give you the value for that property as last appraised, but in some cases, there are properties that are comparable, in the same neighborhood that have more recent appraisals because they're recent sales, so they have the --
But I think at least internally, we should have some sense without it costing us any money.
Right. In other words, the place to start a discussion, as opposed to --
Yeah. If there's like a large parcel in a relatively -- in Center City or in some of the other areas where property values are rather high, I would be interested if we had a sense of what the fair market value would be.
Okay, thank 33 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060336 you. Any other questions of this witness on this bill? (No response.)
There being none, will the clerk please read the title of the next bill. * * * 34 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060390
Bill No. 060390, an ordinance approving the lease amendment between the Philadelphia Gas Works by the Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation soley in its capacity as operating manager of the City-owned Philadelphia Gas Works and the City of Philadelphia, trustee under Will of Stephen Girard, deceased, acting by the Board of Directors of City Trusts for certain premises located at 1137 Chestnut Street. (Witnesses come forward.)
Good afternoon, Councilman Clarke and members of the Committee on Public Property and Public Works. My name is Randy Gyory. I am the Vice President of Customer Affairs for the Philadelphia Gas Works. I am here today in support of Bill No. 060390, which authorizes a renewal of an existing 35 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060390 lease agreement between PGW and the Girard Estate for the Center City Customer Service Center located at 1137 Chestnut Street. This renewal agreement pertains to a lease of approximately 4500 square feet of retail and commercial space. This agreement will extend the lease for an additional four-year term, beginning as of the beginning of August 1, 2006, at a rental of $11,391 per month, with all other terms and conditions of the lease to remain the same. In addition to the rent, PGW will continue to pay all utilities and maintenance associated with the leasehold. PGW may terminate the lease without penalty after the second year of the term upon 180 days' notice. We believe these to be reasonable rental terms for the property in this area and have obtained an estimate of value from an independent appraiser substantiating this belief. 36 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060390 PGW believes that the lease renewal is favorable to both PGW and its customers for a number of reasons. PGW provides over 36,000 customers with service at this location. And an additional 106,500 customers make payments annually at this site. Further, this location is convenient to public transportation. Moving to a new location would involve making changes to our bills, notices, messages, and our interactive voice response system and launching an advertising campaign updating the current publications at an inconvenience to our customers and foot traffic and worker transition. This renewal has been favorably recommended by the Gas Commission, and we would ask the Council to suspend the rules to permit passage at session. If you have any questions, I'm available to answer them.
Thank you. 37 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060390 Quick question somewhat unrelated but related. Do you have -- do you do an analysis of your customer base in terms of where they come from geographically throughout the City? The reason I ask that question is my age-old issue about closing the Ninth and Montgomery facility, and I'm trying to find out where the people from that particular community that use the Ninth and Montgomery facility go to use your services. Are they now going to inserts Center City, or are they now trekking all the way up to Erie Avenue?
And we're going to have it every time you come in here.
And I realize we're going to have it every time. And actually, we know that many 38 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060390 of our customers went up to 13th and Erie, some went to Center City. We do open the office during LIHEAP season, from November through the end of March so that the customers can come into that local center and apply for LIHEAP. We are in the midst of an analysis of all our customer service centers, making the determination of how we can better provide service for customers. For example, we now let customers provide us with mail-in applications for the customer responsibility program. They don't have to come all the way down to our offices. We realize it is difficult for some customers to get to the office. But we are in the middle of an analysis of looking at all our operations. We haven't reached any conclusions yet, but we are looking at it in detail. 39 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060390
Okay. Since the last time we had this discussion, we, the City, and the local nonprofits have actually received funding to build approximately 250 houses in that area, and I would ask that you look at that area again in the near future, given the increased population, and we anticipate hopefully in a position to get some additional population in that community. So I'd ask that you continue to look at that to see if it makes sense to open that facility on a long-term basis.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Is it feasible, or has there been any consideration given to the possibility of doing something in a mobile? Way especially when it comes to LIHEAP applications and things of that 40 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060390 nature that the Gas Works could certainly benefit from by expanding its subsidized customer base. Is it feasible to do it? I know the equipment now is so high-tech that you can basically do anything from a mobile operation, but I'm wondering if you were to advertise appropriately with the civics and with the senior centers and stuff like that and you had a dependable day that -- once a month that the equipment would show up, could you do something in a Winnebago or in a mobile operation?
You may be aware of this, but we do move a mobile operation up to our northeast office, where our office location used to be in the Northeast. And, again, we do advertise at that site, and we haven't seen the kind of turnout that we would like to see to make it feasible. The technology is there. 41 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060390
It is feasible, it's getting enough people to show up to make sure it's not only convenient for the customers but it's efficient for the company.
Okay. And are you losing money on this operation? Or is it just not the type of response you were expecting?
Well, we haven't seen the type of response we were expecting. And, again, we'll continue with our outreach. If there is opportunity, we'll take advantage of it. We haven't turn our back to it 'cause we realize that there are some customers who our sites aren't convenient to, so we'll continue to look at it.
How big is 42 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060390 it?
Thank you, Councilman. Any other questions of these witnesses by members of the committee? (No response.)
There being none, thank you very much. Is there anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
There being none, the clerk will please read the title of the next bill. * * * 43 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060434
Bill No. 060434, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property and the Director of Commerce, acting on behalf of the City, to purchase from La France Corporation any and all interests in the parcel of property known as 8425 Executive Avenue and the improvements and certain assets contained thereon, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman Clarke and members of the Committee on Public Property and Public Works. My name is Joan Schlotterbeck, and I'm here as Commissioner of Public Property. I'm here today to support and to testify in support of Bill No. 060434, an ordinance authorizing me, as Public Property Commissioner, and the Director of Commerce acting on behalf of the City 44 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060434 to purchase from La France Corp. any and all interests in the parcel of property known as 8425 Executive Avenue and the improvements and certain assets contained thereon upon certain terms and conditions. This bill will authorize the City to acquire seven acres of land and 100,000 square feet of building space located behind an existing airport warehouse. This site will continue the contiguous expansion of the airport perimeter. The Department of Public Property supports this measure; and, accordingly, I respectfully ask that Council approve Bill No. 060434. I also ask that the rules be suspended so that the ordinance may be passed upon the second reading of Council. Thank you. We're here to answer any questions you may have. I have -- why don't you folks 45 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060434 introduce yourself.
It will be coming from the Aviation Fund, specifically from the use of pasture facility charges.
Refresh my memory. This is not the facility that we once made an effort to purchase, we defaulted and lost a significant amount of money, a million or so dollars. Is 46 6/5/06 - Public Property/Public Works - Bill 060434 this the same facility?
Any other questions of these witnesses? (No further questions.)
Thank you very much. Anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Councilman, could you accept Mr. Tyrell's written testimony as his testimony?
Certainly. Thank you. The clerk will please read the title of the next bill. * * * 47 06/05/06 Public Property/Works Bill No. 060338
Bill No. 060338, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for nominal consideration a deed or deeds conveying fee simple title to five parcels of City-owned land with the buildings and improvements thereon situated at the corner of Third Street and Fairmount Avenue, and known as 700, 702, and 704 North Third Street and 309 and 311 Fairmount Avenue, for the purpose of conveyance, for nominal consideration, to the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association or its designee, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Councilman Clarke and members of the Committee on Public Property and Public Works. My name is Joan Schlotterbeck, and I'm Commissioner for 48 06/05/06 Public Property/Works Bill No. 060338 Public Property, and I'm here today representing the Department of Public Property to testify on Bill No. 060338. This is an ordinance 6 authorizing me, as commissioner on behalf of the City, to execute and deliver to PAID for nominal consideration a deed or deeds conveying fee simple title to five parcels of City-owned land with buildings the buildings and improvements thereon, situated at the northwest corner of Third Street and Fairmount Avenue, also known as 700, 702, and 704 North Third Street and 309 and 311 Fairmount Avenue for the purpose of conveyance, for nominal consideration, to the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association or its designee, all under certain terms and conditions. This bill will permit the City to convey the properties to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association or its designee for nominal consideration, whereby the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association will make the 49 06/05/06 Public Property/Works Bill No. 060338 premises structurally sound and use the property for nonprofit community-related use. There are some specific issues we'd like to draw out in this ordinance. If the Third and Fairmount properties are not used for neighborhood offices and a community center, in conformity with an approved plan, or if any part of the Third and Fairmount properties are not transferred and conveyed to other properties other than nonprofits. In other words, we're trying to make sure that the properties are used for the purposes of nonprofit in any event, not that it goes back to the City.
Have you circulated that amendment to members of the committee?