Oh, okay.13 Thank you.14 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:15 Councilman Green.16
I'm still17 not sure I understand that, but I don't18 see the point in discussing it any19 further. I mean, the Deputy Mayor talked20 about trying to look at the data and21 analyzing it, and I don't know what data22 he's talking about or how data is kept on23 calls like that, but I think you can24 expect questions during the course of the25 260 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 year on that data, how it's being2 collected and how you're measuring3 whether or not this is more or less4 expensive, because the description of it5 doesn't sound like it could be saving us6 a whole lot of money, because you now7 have a bunch of people going on every8 call to the hospital if the BLS got there9 first and that's what was needed. So --10 okay.11 Both the Five Year Plan and12 your testimony noted the increasing13 number of calls for emergency services,14 76 percent of which, so three-quarters of15 all calls, end up in transport to the16 hospital. So if BLS units show up, it's17 more than likely that somebody is going18 to need to go to the hospital.19 At any rate, calls have risen20 by 50,000 calls per year over the past21 decade. That kind of increase suggests a22 systematic problem that we need to23 address through a cross-departmental24 approach. And in much of the earlier25 261 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 testimony by the Administration, they2 were trying to look at cross-departmental3 approaches. It's something that the4 former Managing Director was very focused5 on, trying to eliminate silos and work6 across departments.7 So how are we analyzing the8 root causes of this increased EMS calls9 and hospital transports to try to10 determine what could help address them,11 such as access to primary and12 preventative care, and to what extent are13 we looking at models like the Camden14 Coalition of Healthcare Providers, which15 is using a data-driven approach to16 deliver better care to residents and also17 drive down costs?18 I don't know if you know the19 answer to that question today, but it's20 certainly something that I'm going to21 want to cover with Health and others when22 they come in, because it seems like just23 responding to people who are constantly24 carried by our ambulances to the hospital25 262 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 doesn't make a whole lot of sense. We2 should be reaching out to those people,3 getting them priority on appointments4 into our health centers so that they can5 address their medical problems in a way6 that doesn't result in all these calls.7 DEPUTY
You're8 absolutely right, and it's something that9 Deputy Mayor Schwarz and I, along with10 members of the team, have been looking at11 and trying, under Camille Barnett -- she12 was one of those that would sit in on our13 meetings -- trying to figure out which14 are different ways that we could deal15 with going forward. That's something16 that the Deputy Mayor and I are both17 looking at. We're actually looking at18 different ways of responding to carry19 only kind of matters, thinking outside20 the box. A lot of times citizens, we're21 finding just from some of the data that22 our CAD system is producing for us now23 that just says that this is a carry24 that's not emergent but just needs to get25 263 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 to the hospital, what's a different way2 of getting there is something that I'm3 considering, and even working with the4 taxicab association, maybe getting a flat5 rate to say that if a person needs to get6 to the hospital and we can figure out the7 way to get the reimbursements, because8 all of this usually comes down to9 understanding the Medicaid, Medicare10 reimbursement rate in order to get11 someone to the hospital. All of that is12 part and parcel of this discussion.13 So, yes, I'll be glad to sit14 down. I can include you in some of that15 information. That would be great.16
Yeah. I17 just -- I know you say you and Deputy18 Mayor Schwarz are talking. I'd be19 interested in what solutions you've come20 up with to solve these problems, if any.21 DEPUTY
As of22 right now, there aren't any solutions to23 this. This is actually part and parcel24 of a review of even trying to figure25 264 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 out -- it started as a result of what2 does the federalization of healthcare3 come in. So we don't have a solution to4 offer at this time.5
Okay. The6 EMS pilot program you mention in your7 testimony -- no. That's all AQR8 questions. I'm going to skip them.9 The 280 budgeted fire service10 paramedic positions, 73 were unfilled as11 of December. The vacancy allowance for12 the EMS division is 920,000 and the13 requested salary spending is 120,00014 lower than FY11.15 How many currently vacant EMS16 positions could the Department fill this17 year given the requested appropriation18 and the vacancy allowance for those19 positions?20 DEPUTY MAYOR GILLISON:21 Councilman, Everett Gillison, Deputy22 Mayor.23 Obviously we have the 24 that24 are going in next week and we are trying25 265 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 to get -- now that we are trying to staff2 up on a rolling basis, we're hoping to3 get the remaining in this year.4
You can't5 because you have a vacancy allowance of6 920,000.7 DEPUTY
I've8 been -- I haven't been told that I can't9 get -- if I get another 50 paramedics, I10 have not been told that I can't get those11 in. So I will --12
Based on13 your requested budget, that's impossible.14 DEPUTY
If you could17 crunch the numbers and provide it to the18 Chair, I would appreciate it.19 DEPUTY
Or you'd22 have to hire them all on the last day of23 the year, would be another way you'd be24 within your budget and meet your vacancy25 266 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 allowance requirement.2 There's been a lot of back and3 forth in the press and other places about4 the effective brownouts in the Fire5 Department, and it looks -- there have6 been increased firefighter injuries, I7 think, in stations or around stations as8 a result of -- if the first responder was9 a brownout station, more firefighters10 have gotten injured than sort of a11 regular call.12 Do you have -- we talked a lot13 about data. Do you have statistics on14 firefighter and civilian injuries,15 looking just at stations where there was16 a brownout compared to stations where17 there's not a brownout and then comparing18 that to past years where there were no19 brownouts?20 DEPUTY
I can21 tell you that we have and we have been22 following closely firefighter injuries23 and civilian injuries. I can give to the24 Chair the analysis of what effect, if25 267 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 any, there would be with brownouts. But2 I would disagree that there's been any3 increase in firefighter injuries, but I4 will provide the data to the Chair.5
We just8 have a general -- something that the9 Commissioner has been giving me on a10 monthly basis on firefighter injuries. I11 don't have that with me today.12
So it13 doesn't disaggregate, though, injuries on14 jobs where the initial call would have15 come from a browned-out station?16 DEPUTY
It does17 not. I'd have to go back and take a look18 at that.19
Well, it23 seems to me that that's the analysis that24 has to be done to try to do some kind of25 268 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 apples to apples analysis.2 DEPUTY
But you'll5 go back and do that analysis and provide6 it to the Chair?7 DEPUTY
That would9 be helpful.10 Excuse me for one second.11 We just received vacant and12 unfilled position data from Finance and13 others. So we have a lot of questions on14 vacant and unfilled positions. What15 we're going to do is go through and16 compare what questions we had prepared17 with the new data we have, and if we have18 any further questions in that regard, we19 will send a written request.20 Thank you.21 DEPUTY
Thank24 you very much.25 269 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 I guess the more testimony we2 receive, the more questions come to mind.3 Commissioner, with people4 getting to know about the non-emergency5 calls and calling 9-1-1, has there any6 thought been given to having some7 education on this through the public8 service announcements on TV? I thought9 that's what we had this TV station for.10 COMMISSIONER AYERS: Well, we11 will absolutely look into it. We have12 not had a lot of television coverage. We13 have had some radio coverage that's been14 limited. And we'll take that under15 advisement to get it done.16
And17 perhaps people would come to the18 realization that maybe there would be a19 minimum fee attached to a non-emergency20 call. If you have a hang finger and21 you're calling 9-1-1, that there would be22 a minimum fee attached and it would not23 be waived. I mean, we've got to do24 something. I think we come here every25 270 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 year and hear the same issues, and yet2 there's never been a positive step taken3 forward to address it. I'm not saying4 all, but most of the complaints are still5 very much alive.6 DEPUTY
Madam7 President, I understand your frustration.8 The one thing that I would always bring9 as a statement is that the Department has10 done the 9-1-1 for emergency only. The11 Commissioner has a whole lot of those12 brochures that he goes to place to place.13 We're on the radio getting it out and14 getting the information out. But are we15 on Channel 3, 6, 10 and 29? No.16
No.17 We have Channel 64, which is the public18 service station.19 DEPUTY
I've22 never heard anything mentioned on radio23 about this. I'm not saying it's not on24 radio, but I've never heard anything. I25 271 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 don't know if anybody else has. But2 there -- and just to take the brochure to3 the emergency room, it's after the fact.4 DEPUTY MAYOR GILLISON:5 Obviously we have to get out ahead of it.6 We agree. This is not one of those7 things that we are in disagreement of.8 What we're trying to do is make sure that9 people understand the magnitude of the10 issue, understand that there are limited11 resources and that we're trying to use12 them in the most effective way possible.13 Is there something we can do better?14 Absolutely, we will. That's where we are15 and that's what I can promise you as16 Deputy Mayor for Public Safety.17 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:18 That's why the paramedics burn out and19 they look elsewhere for another job.20 Okay. Any other questions?21 Councilman Green.22
Thank you,23 Madam Chair. I actually don't have24 additional questions for this department,25 272 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 but I just want to note somewhere for the2 record that I was looking forward to the3 Prisons Department testimony.4 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:5 They're coming.6
I'm going to7 have to miss that, as I have an event at8 5 o'clock. And so I want to apologize9 for that. I think Prisons has worked10 very well in CJAB, Criminal Justice11 Advisory Board, has worked with all the12 stakeholders, the DA, Police, Courts, et13 cetera, to try and reduce the cost of14 that system. It is still my contention15 that if we continue on the current16 course, the additional two and a half17 million that the Prisons say they can18 reduce from the budget this year, which19 then just increases sort at a regular20 rate of inflation for the next five21 years, is too much in the Five Year Plan,22 and within two or three years, we can23 close a prison in the City of24 Philadelphia if we keep up the progress25 273 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 we've made, which will save another 25,2 30, 40 millions dollars a year in that3 department.4 I think the Commissioner has5 done a good job. I know they don't want6 to budget in something that dramatic, but7 those would be questions I ask, and I8 look forward to seeing what questions are9 asked and what the responses were from10 Prisons. If maybe the Commissioner would11 be kind enough to address that question12 when he is finished his testimony or when13 he's finished hearing from other people,14 I'd appreciate it.15
)20 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:21 Seeing none, thank you very much. )7 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:8 Commissioner, you've been extremely9 patient. 13 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Good14 afternoon, Council President Verna,15 members of City Council. I am Lou16 Giorla, Prison Commissioner. 21 The Fiscal Year 2012 budget22 request is for the second year lower than23 the year before. 12 The average daily population13 fell from a historic high of 9,321 in14 Calendar 2009 to 8,274 in 2010. 21 Recreation and programming areas modified22 for use as housing units at the Detention23 Center have been vacated. 3 This move allowed the Prisons to4 depopulate the Cannery, a female housing5 site on Torresdale Avenue. 18 This year the Prisons and the19 Courts instituted a remote printing20 process. Paper documents such as21 sentencing orders formerly generated at22 court and delivered by courier are now23 electronically sent to the prison,24 directly from the courtroom in some25 277 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 cases. In many cases, this simple2 information exchange took days. 4 A second initiative to automate5 the workflow of parole petitions is in6 the planning phase. When completed, this7 joint effort of the Courts, Defender8 Association, District Attorney's Office,9 Adult Probation and the Prisons will10 reduce the time it takes to review and11 process county parole petitions filed on12 behalf of prison inmates. 16 In another process improvement,17 the Prisons will expand the use of video18 stations located at each facility in the19 State Road complex. Increasing the20 number of hearings held via video will21 reduce the necessity to transport many of22 the hundreds of inmates scheduled for23 court daily. 3 During the 2012 fiscal year,4 the Prison System will implement an5 electronic health record system for6 inmates. 16 Four -- and I have to correct this. Five17 of our six Prison System facilities hope18 to renew their accreditation with the19 National Commission on Correctional20 Healthcare this year on schedule. The21 other facility is also accredited, but22 not yet due for renewal. 5 In 2010, the Prisons again6 awarded over 300 General Education7 Diplomas. 17 Meanwhile, the other end of the18 educational spectrum is not being19 ignored. 23 Working with the Pennsylvania24 Horticultural Society, the Defender25 280 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 Association and the Office of2 Reintegration Services for Ex-Offenders,3 the Prisons transformed our in-house4 horticultural program into a community5 vocational training and employment6 program. 15 As Councilmembers may be aware,16 the Prison System ranks second among City17 agencies in the total amount of18 contracted services. The Prison System19 is committed to supporting the20 Administration's goal of 25 percent21 minority, woman and disabled-owned22 business participation in City23 contracting. During the last full24 reporting cycle, Fiscal Year 2010, the25 281 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 Prisons had a participation rate of 292 percent. 4 Although the Prisons are not5 considered a revenue-producing6 department, certain initiatives help7 defray a portion of our costs. Room and8 board fees from the Work Release Program9 generate $163,397. 18 Thankfully, we have moved in the other19 direction. 24 Thank you for this opportunity25 282 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 to testify. I will be pleased to answer2 any questions you or the Councilmembers3 may have. 7
Thank8 you very much, and thank you for the9 wonderful job you're doing.10 On of your testimony,11 you mention that inmate telephone calling12 raises $1.3 million. Can you tell us13 where this appears in the14 Administration's revenue estimates?15 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: That is a16 portion of the telephone calling contract17 that DOT administers. It's combined with18 public telephone calling at the Airport.19 So it's not listed on the Prison's budget20 as a revenue item, but it's combined21 with -- our portion is 1.3 million.22
I'm23 sorry. It's provided with?24 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: It's25 283 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 provided in the DOT. I believe it's in2 the DOT revenue section. It's a combined3 contract.4
Thank5 you.6 On of your budget7 detail, you are requesting $63.5 million8 for prisoner healthcare. Here we go9 again. Why are these costs not going10 down as you reduce and stabilize your11 census population?12 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Despite13 the fact that our census population has14 declined, our number of admissions has15 stayed relatively stable. We're still16 admitting close to 35,000 inmates a year.17 A large portion of our medical costs are18 front-loaded. Most inmates are released19 within the first three to four weeks. We20 do diagnostic testing, mental health21 evaluations, prescribe medication, and22 everybody who is released gets a 15-day23 supply of medications that they're on24 when they leave.25 284 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 During the last fiscal year,2 our costs rose about a little more than3 half a percent. There was a slight labor4 increase, labor cost increase, included5 in there. And if you want a more6 detailed explanation, we can send it to7 you.8
I was9 going to ask that question. When an10 inmate or a prisoner comes in, is it11 mandated or do they automatically receive12 a physical?13 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Everyone14 who comes in gets a physical screening.15 We perform a series of tests, vital16 signs, weight, ask them about any chronic17 conditions. We run a check when we can18 on those with local pharmacies to19 determine if they're on any current20 medications that they may not be21 identifying. We try and supplement any22 medications they may have. If they23 display any behavioral health issues,24 they're immediately referred to our25 285 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 behavioral health staff. Some cases they2 may be placed in our licensed inpatient3 unit in an emergency basis and evaluated4 there.5 But everybody who comes through6 the door, with the exception of returning7 weekend inmates, gets an evaluation. We8 do history and physicals sometime out if9 the inmate stays in custody, and we do10 annual physicals if they stay past a11 year.12
Well,13 you answered my question.14 Can you give us a breakdown of15 the medical costs between sentenced16 prisoners and detainees?17 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Based on18 our --19
If20 you don't have it, you could always send21 it to us.22 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: No. I23 have it. I know you asked this earlier24 on in the hearings. The average --25 286 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371
It2 seems like we ask the same questions3 every year.4 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Well, the5 average detentioner inmate detainee costs6 us about $8,000 a year, 7,900 or so in7 medical costs, and the average sentenced8 inmate about $11,000 a year. Sentenced9 inmates, of course, stay longer on10 average. And that's based on our average11 daily population. It's not broken down12 by each of those 35,000 admissions.13
What14 percentage of your population are15 detainees?16 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: About 7817 percent.18
And19 on the average, can you tell us how long20 a detainee stays?21 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: We22 haven't -- we measure length of stay23 overall, males and females. That24 includes detentioners and sentenced25 287 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 inmates, and we're trying to construct2 breakdowns of those statuses. But the3 average male inmate stays about 89 days.4 The average female inmate about 57 days.5
Why6 does it take so long?7 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Well, the8 court -- you know, how cases are9 processed is one of the things. When I10 mention about automating parole petitions11 is another one. A lot of the paperwork12 transfer among agencies and departments13 increases the length of stay. Sometimes14 court continuances increase the length of15 stay. A lot of the people we have in16 custody, the numbers of more serious17 offenders is growing, what we call closed18 custody or maximum security inmates.19 They take longer to get to trial. They20 usually have the more complicated cases21 and it takes longer to conclude. Several22 of them are repeat offenders, so they may23 have multiple holds to deal with.24 One of the reasons our25 288 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 population has declined is because the2 courts have initiated a couple of3 programs that consolidated those cases,4 but you may run into someone who is a5 violent offender and may be a multi-state6 offender. So they may have to conclude a7 case in another jurisdiction or have us8 satisfy that before our case is9 adjudicated. So it's the multiple holds10 that really have an effect on the length11 of stay.12
Page13 19 of the detail shows that you expect to14 spend $13.7 million for inmate housing.15 With the reduction in your population,16 why do you still need these housing17 contracts?18 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Many of19 our facilities, particularly20 Curran-Fromhold, are beyond their21 capacity and we still have triple22 celling. Some of our facilities -- I23 should say that we've been beyond24 capacity for quite some time, and it is25 289 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 beyond our designed capacities and beyond2 some of our modified capacities for3 sometime. So that's what necessitated4 these. We still need them because we5 haven't created enough space in the State6 Road complex to accommodate all these7 inmates.8 We only have, I think, about9 400 inmates outside our facilities right10 now. That number was much higher a11 couple of years ago. We've drawn those12 down as carefully as we can over time,13 because we have custody classifications14 for our main facilities. Not all inmates15 are suitable for all facilities. It16 would be easy if we could pull them all17 back and just put them in one facility18 together, but professional standards,19 legal liability, custody classifications20 prohibit that.21 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:22 Getting back to the detainees, when23 they're arraigned, is that by television?24 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: In some25 290 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 cases they're arraigned by CCTV at the2 police sites. Usually they're not3 arraigned with us. The video4 capabilities that we have are for5 extradition hearings, state intermediate6 punishment hearings, Traffic Court7 hearings and in some cases status8 hearings with the judges. We're looking9 to expand those, but the CCTV that's10 being done for arraignments is done by11 the Police Department.12
Thank13 you very much, and, again, I think you're14 doing a great job.15 The Chair recognizes Councilman16 Greenlee.17
Thank18 you, Madam President.19 Good afternoon, Commissioner.20 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Good21 afternoon.22
I concur23 certainly with the Council President's24 comments on the job you're doing up25 291 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 there. Thank you. I just had a couple2 of quick questions on the education3 aspect that you talked about.4 Who actually runs these5 programs? Who does the training for the6 inmates as far as the GED classes and/or7 the literacy, the basic literacy8 programs?9 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: We have a10 number of different employees that11 conduct those programs. Pennypack House12 School, which is an arm of the School13 District, supplies high school education14 to our juvenile inmates and adult basic15 education and GED preparation to some16 adults, and they do summer classes. We17 have an automated computer, somewhat18 independent study program called PLATO,19 Program Logic and Training, that is20 another GED preparatory program.21 The basic literacy is going to22 be done by a group of correctional23 officers that we're going to train as24 monitors, and it's going to be25 292 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 supplemented with inmates who graduated2 to GED. They'll be used as tutors and3 mentors.4
That's5 great.6 Do you have a feel or any idea7 how many of the inmates that go from --8 that don't meet the original9 qualifications for the GED classes when10 they go through these basic literacy11 programs how many move up and actually12 get a GED?13 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: We're not14 sure yet, because we're just in the15 infancy stage with that program. What we16 did was, we conducted -- we had some17 funds available, so we conducted some18 diagnostic testing, did a snapshot of our19 sentenced population. We tried to get20 500 inmates, but many of them declined to21 participate. We ended up with 271. Of22 those, 30 percent tested below, I would23 say, below fourth grade level in reading24 and math, some a lot lower. So that was25 293 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 the impetus for the basic literacy2 program.3
And I4 think you answered the other question I5 was going to have. This is obviously a6 voluntary program, right?7 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: For8 detentioner inmates, it is. Some9 inmates, sentenced inmates, are10 stipulated by the court to enroll in GED11 classes. They get priority, because we12 follow the court orders first, but13 everything else is voluntary.14
And last15 thing. I know when Community College was16 in here, they talked about the program17 that you had up there. How many inmates18 have participated in that?19 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Right now20 15. It's the first program. What we did21 was, we selected a cohort. We house them22 at the same facility on the same units so23 they would be able to more or less24 participate in classes and study25 294 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 together. Thirteen of the 15 completed2 the course. Two were released prior to3 the completion of the course and have4 enrolled in full-time classes at5 Community College.6
That's7 great. Okay. That's good news. Thank8 you. Thank you very much.9 Thank you, Madam President.10 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:11 You're welcome.12 The Chair recognizes Councilman13 Rizzo.14
Thank you.15 Thank you, Madam Chair.16 Again, not just you, but the17 leader is the one that gets the most18 praise, but what a great organization of19 people that you have working with you20 there. Nobody knows better than me how21 hard --22 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: I'd like23 to thank you on behalf of all the men and24 women of the Philadelphia Prisons. Thank25 295 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 you.2
Real3 important.4 You know, refresh my memory.5 The last time we had an incident at the6 jail, there was a complaint that the7 community wasn't notified, and I8 understand that to ring a siren, you had9 to get to the state to give you10 permission, from what I understand, to11 ring the siren.12 Well, again, we in government13 sometimes need to get with it. If you go14 out to Drexel or you go to Penn or any of15 the universities, if there's an incident,16 they send text messages to everybody in17 the community.18 Would you consider -- and I19 understand there are services that20 provide where you could solicit the21 community to enroll in a text message.22 Even though the sirens are great, maybe23 some day we can get away from having to24 actually ring a siren in the community.25 296 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 One of my staff told me they2 understood that you had to get some3 approval from the Commonwealth to be able4 to sound a siren whenever there was an5 incident.6 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: The7 information is somewhat correct,8 Councilman. There is legislation pending9 which would require all county10 correctional facilities to have at least11 a siren and engage in any electronic12 means to notify the surrounding13 community. The incident you referred to14 happened on October 12th, 2010 when an15 inmate escaped from Curran-Fromhold.16 Since that time, we've met with all the17 adjoining communities that abut our18 complex. One of the main requests from19 the Holmesburg Civic Association was the20 institution of a siren alarm or whoop21 siren alarm that we had previously in22 place and was discontinued in 2001.23 We reinstituted that alarm. We24 began testing that on February -- around25 297 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 February 11th, and it's been -- it's in2 use. It was demonstrated on April the3 1st, Friday, April the 1st. It's tested4 every first Friday of the month at noon.5 In addition, we've taken6 advantage of the RSAN system offered by7 the City's Office of Emergency8 Management. We've instituted an internal9 level text message notification for our10 internal staff, high-ranking staff. We11 also -- there is an opt-in sign-up12 registration that can take place by13 e-mail to receive text messages. It's14 Ready Notify Philadelphia. We have about15 100 subscribers at this point. We've16 been out to all the -- we've been back17 out to the community organizations to18 publicize this. We brought the Office of19 Emergency Management.20 We try to meet all their21 requests. We have instituted a message22 hotline, so when somebody hears the23 alarm, they can call in and find out what24 the situation is, even if they aren't25 298 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 registered for the text messaging. So2 hopefully we won't have to use the3 system, but -- and this kind of meets all4 the stipulations of the upcoming5 legislation.6
Well, I'm7 glad to hear that, but, again, like the8 President said earlier, we need to tell9 people about these opportunities and our10 TV station. Believe it or not, there's11 people that actually look at that, and12 the price is right.13 So I think that we should14 encourage as many people -- you're15 telling me that the average public at16 this point cannot get on to the Ready17 Notify?18 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Yes. Any19 member of the public --20
But get a21 prison alert?22 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Yes.23 There's a prison -- there's several24 registries on that website, one for25 299 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 SEPTA, one for the Office of Emergency2 Management, I believe for Philadelphia3 Police and Fire, and also Prisons. The4 Prisons registry is relatively new. It's5 only been in place for about a month.6
And you will7 absolutely report on that if there's an8 incident that the public needs to know?9 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Oh, we10 already have. As a matter of fact, a11 couple weeks ago we had a mistaken report12 that an inmate had been seen in the13 community, and we activated that for the14 public. We sent that out as a public15 registry. It was a mistaken report. We16 confirmed that it was inaccurate, but we17 sent it out initially just to warn the18 community.19
Well, that's20 good to hear, because I was a bit21 troubled by the fact that the community22 wasn't as aware as they should have been23 on that particular incident, and it24 sounds like you've done a lot to make it25 300 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 better for the future.2 I was very impressed when I was3 out at one of the universities and there4 was a pocketbook snatch on Walnut or5 Chestnut, and within seconds, every6 student in that area had a cell phone and7 got a text alert to be looking for a8 particular individual and also be9 careful. So I guess that's the same10 thing. Can that go -- since I carry a11 BlackBerry, I just assume that that's the12 same with a cell phone?13 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Yes, sir.14 It can go via a canned cell phone15 message. It can go via a text message.16 There's also a service that the Streets17 Department uses to notify people when18 trash pick-up is delayed or trash pick-up19 has been cancelled. It sends out --20
The one I21 get the day after.22 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Like23 robocalls. We were using that system,24 too. When we initially started the25 301 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 alarm, we blanketed a one-mile radius2 around our complex. We called everyone3 an hour before the alarm went off to tell4 them what it was. Now, that was in5 addition to publications in the Northeast6 Times and the Daily News.7
Terrific.8 It sounds like you're really ahead of the9 game here. Great.10 Thank you, Madam Chair.11 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:12 You're welcome.13 The Chair recognizes Councilman14 Goode.15
Thank you,16 Madam President.17 Good afternoon, Commissioner.18 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Good19 afternoon.20
Just a few21 questions.22 Beyond healthcare and23 court-mandated matters, what is your24 current assessment process for inmates,25 302 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 whether they are sentenced or detainees?2 What type of things do you assess? What3 do you need to know about them as they4 come in?5 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: We look6 at their medical history, their mental7 health history --8
Beyond9 medical.10 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: -- their11 education, their social connections with12 the community, whether or not they're13 married, whether or not they ever served14 in the military. We try and make sure15 that if they're available, they have16 information that will allow them to try17 and make bail. And if they're sentenced,18 within a few days we refer them to our19 Inmate Services providers, who begin to20 work on educational and work programs.21
I'm really22 going in the direction of education and23 work programming, but even more broadly,24 what sort of assessment criteria do you25 303 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 have related to reentry efforts?2 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Right now3 our Inmate Services case managers, our4 social workers, make referrals to5 programs that they think are appropriate.6 Over the last year or, I guess, probably7 about a year and a half, we've had a CPR8 program for sentenced inmates, Community9 and Personal Responsibility, that the10 Reintegration Services for Ex-Offenders11 administers and teaches in our12 facilities. That's been coupled with a13 few of our existing in-house programs,14 like GED, Roots to Reentry and some other15 work programs, so that more or less it16 offers some life skills, some job17 preparation and really some post-release18 preparation for the inmates.19
What portion20 of your budget is dedicated to reentry?21 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: I think22 $1.6 million directly. We direct fund to23 RISE, but the other efforts that I24 referred to, the educational efforts,25 304 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 they're separate from that and they're2 funded as well.3
Well, let me4 ask a different question, because you5 said you fund RISE.6 COMMISSIONER GIORLA:7 Partially.8
I guess the9 question is, what percentage of your10 budget that's actually spent within the11 Prisons is spent on reentry? And I'll12 ask the question to you and the Deputy13 Mayor, along with some perspective on how14 much of reentry actually needs to not15 just begin but actually take place within16 prison.17 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: I'd have18 to compute those figures and supply them19 to you, Councilman, because it's blended20 in with a lot of our other services, from21 everything from health education, you22 know, and HIV education to GED, to23 vocational training, to referrals to24 RISE. It's woven in and out of our25 305 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 operations.2
Okay. I3 guess I'll ask the question in a4 different way, and still await a written5 answer. Let's not call it reentry but6 call it preparation for reentry. What is7 the minimum requirement in terms of8 preparation for reentry, aside from9 someone who is having served their10 sentence?11 DEPUTY
Thank12 you, Councilman. Everett Gillison,13 Deputy Mayor for Public Safety.14 I can't break that number out15 for you, but it is something that I will16 try and put together. But the way that17 we approach it philosophically is that as18 soon as the person gets to the prison and19 once they've gone through what I call the20 first four or five days, really it's21 three weeks, between five days and three22 weeks -- because if they come in and get23 out, there's really not too much we can24 do to help them, but anything beyond25 306 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 three weeks is when we start ramping up.2 And philosophically we'd like to do the3 assessments, make sure that they are4 assessed properly, at least starting down5 the path of putting together a plan, and6 that's when RISE and other services that7 we have in the prison from JEVS or others8 that touch the inmate. They become part9 of the process of how we're going to tell10 them and to work with them so that we can11 make sure they don't come back, and the12 way to do that is while they're in the13 jail.14 So that's been our approach15 from the beginning. And right now RISE16 touches people. Probably the social17 workers get them first. We now have18 broken down the barrier between the19 school system and finding out where they20 were in the school system. They're now21 giving us data on people in realtime so22 that we don't have to take anyone's word23 for it. We can say, You were last in24 grade nine and you are testing at grade25 307 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 six. But we also are doing TABE testing.2 We're also trying to make sure that we3 can find out how we can help them4 educationally. But on the other side,5 RISE is looking at using some of the6 money we've won from Wachovia to do7 financial literacy, as well as just8 regular reading literacy programs so we9 can get people where they are, identify10 where their deficits are, find out what11 their interests are and try to start to12 move them in a different way. We do that13 behind the walls now.14 We haven't been able to do it15 for a mass number of people. You heard16 we have 35,000 people come in and leave17 every year. We're trying to get it so we18 can handle a cohort, starting with about19 150 to 200, and just working through the20 system. We're changing the culture21 inside the prison to handle that, and as22 we do that, we'll touch more people.23 So the long answer is, we are24 doing the issues of assessment and we are25 308 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 breaking down the various barriers so we2 can share data in the short run, but in3 the long run, we should be able to get4 that data to help put together a tool5 which will help people identify where6 they need to be to be work ready, because7 that's what we really know is the8 ultimate outcome. We got to get these9 guys into some kind of gainful10 employment, realistic employment given11 the skills they have.12
Just a13 couple more related questions. As you14 quantify that, can you look back at the15 extent to which the prison population has16 been driven down and how much of that is17 related to that type of work or related18 to other things that won't have the same19 type of returns. And I guess the20 followup to that as you answer that is,21 to the extent that we begin to invest and22 quantify what we're investing and23 preparing people for reentry, if that24 continues to drive the prison population25 309 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 down, can we look at what those2 investments look like now and throughout3 the Five Year Plan and whether that money4 is actually going to be reinvested in5 trying to drive the prison population6 down through that type of investment.7 DEPUTY
I8 understand. I smile because obviously I9 think the Prisons Commissioner has done a10 wonderful job in trying to drive the11 population down. It allows him to come12 in and request less money, but the13 savings if we -- if the economy was in a14 different place, maybe we could use some15 of those savings to reinvest even at a16 higher rate to drive down the population17 even more, getting to the education,18 getting to those issues.19
I guess the20 first part of the question was, all this21 savings and lowering of the prison census22 didn't come through those efforts. It23 came from some sort of one-time24 mechanisms in some cases, transferring of25 310 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 inmates and those type of things, I2 believe. So I guess the question was, do3 we know how much of lowering the prison4 population has come from those type of5 efforts, and then if so, do we have a6 plan to reinvest and/or are we just going7 to look to reduce the Prison's budget?8 DEPUTY
Well,9 it is my hope, quite frankly, that we10 would be able -- I can tell you that the11 one thing that the District Attorney12 actually worked on quite well was get the13 transfers up to state, people who were14 state prisoners, getting the law changed15 so that they would be up in state. That16 was about a quarter of the numbers. It17 was almost 500 of the 2,300 that was18 taken out. It was process change,19 though, by getting the stakeholders20 together in CJAB, to have the Courts, the21 DA, the Public Defender and the Prisons22 work on solutions to just getting people23 who had multiple holds in a room with24 their attorneys and having them processed25 311 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 faster, so that they would not have to2 wait for a seriatim date in court. You3 would have one judge, then another judge4 would act, then another judge would act,5 and another judge would act, and that6 would take sometimes four, five, six7 months. We now, through the efforts of8 the court -- and I think they're to be9 commended -- the court actually said, Put10 that all before one judge. And then you11 had to have the cooperation of the DA and12 the Public Defender to say, We have to13 get all of those processes together and14 have their DA, their Defender who was15 representing them, into the courtroom to16 represent them for what is basically a17 multiple-hold discussion and a18 resolution. Sometimes that means that19 people went upstate. Sometimes on the20 other hand and I think the majority of it21 has been that they've gotten their cases22 rolled into one matter, given a sentence,23 but that sentence was actually probably24 going to be shorter than they would have25 312 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 actually been there had they gone through2 these multiple jurisdictional issues3 going between one judge and the next.4 So I understand the point, and5 we can try and quantify how much that has6 been. I know that about a quarter of7 them went up to state, but the others8 have been process changes within the9 system that have allowed us to get people10 through the system faster and get them11 out and get them into programming where12 they need to be. So I'll try and do as13 best we can giving you some analysis on14 that point.15
I look16 forward to you quantifying it. In those17 cases where there are actual efficiency,18 I think maybe we should take those19 savings. In the cases when we begin to20 invest more and find it as being a model,21 I think we should reinvest those savings.22 Thank you.23 DEPUTY
Point24 well taken. Thank you.25 313 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371
Thank2 you.3 Commissioner, how many doctors4 and nurses do we have under contract with5 the Prisons?6 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: I'll see7 if I can provide you with that8 information.9 Over 350 medical personnel.10 That includes support staff, records11 clerks, LPNs, RNs, physicians, physicians12 assistants, nurse practitioners and13 administrators.14
Thank15 you.16 And as far as the prison17 guards, we're okay with that? We have18 ample prison guards?19 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Well, we20 have about 92 officer vacancies at this21 point. We have a class of 25 who22 graduate on Wednesday. We are23 processing -- we're trying to put24 together a class of 40 behind that, and25 314 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 we'll request what we need thereafter.2 We've reduced our budgeted3 positions from 2,360 to 2,310, primarily4 due to the fact that we've been able to5 vacate some areas and the associated6 security posts for those areas have been7 removed from the census. We think we'll8 stay stable through the fiscal year, but9 even subtracting those from the budget,10 we still think we have -- well, we still11 have 92 vacancies for correctional12 officers.13 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:14 That's an awful lot.15 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: It's a16 lot, but it's not as high as we've been17 in the past, and we're continuing trying18 to fill. Our attrition rate has19 decreased slightly. We used to lose20 anywhere between 12 and 15 staff, mostly21 correctional officers, a month. That's22 down around eight or nine at this point.23
And24 you're satisfied with that?25 315 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: No. I'd2 like to have those 92 correctional3 officers.4
Well,5 I think if you need them, I think now is6 the time to say it.7 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: We're8 working on it, Madam President.9
Are10 you working with Finance?11 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: We're12 working with both Finance and Human13 Resources and the Deputy Mayor's office14 to fill those vacancies.15
We16 heard it.17 Okay. Are there any other18 questions from members of the Committee?19 (No response.)20
Okay.21 Seeing no one, thank you very much, and I22 thank you for your patience.23 COMMISSIONER GIORLA: Thank you24 very much.25 316 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371
Thank2 you.3 The Committee will stand in4 recess until 5:30.5 (Short recess.)6
Good7 afternoon. This is a continued public8 hearing of the Committee of the Whole.9 Our first witness, please.10 MR. McPHERSON: Cathy Scott.11 (Witness approached witness12 table.)13 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:14 Please identify yourself for the record15 and proceed with your testimony.16
Good afternoon,24 President Verna and members of City25 317 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 Council. My name is Catherine Scott. I2 am President of AFSCME District Council3 47, and we represent for people who work4 for the City of Philadelphia, members in5 Local 2186, 2187 and the First Judicial6 District, Local 810, probation officers7 and other professional employees. Thank8 you for the opportunity to provide9 testimony about the proposed FY 2011 to10 '12 budget. 19 As you may recall, I have20 raised questions in my testimony21 concerning previous budgets about the22 contracting out of work performed by23 members of District Council 47, Locals24 2186 and 2187. 7 Today I would like to focus on8 the Department of Public Health and, more9 specifically, the health centers. 17 Presently, the City has a18 pharmacy in each of the eight health19 centers. 22 But of the eight additional pharmacist23 positions needed, only three are civil24 service employees, who are paid an25 319 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 average of $77,624 per year,2 approximately $105,570 per year with3 benefits, all benefits and other taxes4 included. Five are contract pharmacists5 for which the City pays 110,000 per year,6 plus benefits and administrative fees per7 pharmacist, approximately $137,500 per8 year. The City has two positions9 approved to hire, but no civil service10 test listed. So the operating philosophy11 is to contract out five pharmacist12 positions, costing an additional $32,93013 per pharmacist or $159,650 per year. 25 320 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 Let us look at another staffing2 philosophy. As we all know, in most3 health facilities there is a greater use4 of certified registered nurse5 practitioners and physician assistants to6 aid physicians in providing health7 services. The Medical Evaluation Unit at8 one time had a medical director and9 physician assistants to perform routine10 physicals and other employee medical11 clearance services. Physicians12 assistants make an average of $59,638 per13 year. The two medical services directors14 make $140,507 each. 20 Turning to the physician civil21 service positions, the City presently22 employs 34 and pays an average of $68,33423 for part time and $97,620 for full-time24 physicians per year. The City presently25 321 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 employs eight certified registered nurse2 practitioners, who work in the Family3 Planning area and who are paid an average4 of $73,056, a difference of $24,454 per5 year per person. 12 Since our union has not13 received current contracted-out services14 information for medical services in the15 Health Department, we are unable to16 update our analysis from the previous17 contracts we received. 20 As you can see from Attachment21 A, which just looks at City employees,22 the Health Department's current staffing23 model is costly. Our union has raised24 these issues many times with the25 322 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 Department to try to identify cost2 savings in both contracting out and3 staffing, to no avail. 10 Thank you for the opportunity11 to testify, and I am happy to answer any12 questions. 16 I've also attached copies of the job17 descriptions. 4
Thank5 you, Madam President.6 Ms. Scott, I know you say in7 the end you've raised these issues with8 the Administration, to no avail. Have9 they said anything, like kind of why --10 like particularly I'm thinking with the11 health centers. It seems to make sense12 that they don't -- that they could be13 civil service employees. Has there been14 any answer? They don't think they can15 get the people through anything?16
Well, it would be17 very hard to really characterize their18 answers in a way that you and I would19 think would be logical. I'm trying to be20 kind. Part of it is, we've always done21 it that way or we've done it that way for22 a lot of years and it's very hard to23 change philosophies. But that's really24 what they should be doing. They should25 324 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 be looking at what is the most efficient2 way of providing services. Presently3 they really only use certified registered4 nurse practitioners in Family Planning.5 There are a lot of other areas that6 registered nurse practitioners could be7 used. I'm sure all of us when we go to8 see our physicians and we go to9 hospitals, the first person we see is not10 the physician and so -- but this is not a11 philosophy that really exists and, you12 know, it is a challenge.13
Okay. I14 got you. And that's, like you say,15 that's one of the things we raised in16 that hearing that was based on trying to17 get some of those answers. And they sent18 us some answers. I don't think they19 addressed that, but we'll have to check20 into that.21 Thank you.22
Thank you.23 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:24 Cathy, would you have any objection to25 325 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 our sending a copy of your testimony to2 the Health Commissioner so that when he3 comes in to testify, he will be prepared4 to answer many of the questions that you5 have asked?6
Thank9 you.10 Also, would you know how many11 doctors have received residency waivers?12 I know years ago that was a common13 practice. I don't know if it still is.14
I do think it is a15 common practice still, and there are some16 positions in the Health Department where17 there are residency waivers.18 I would like to point out for19 contracted doctors, I believe if we20 looked at them, almost all of them would21 not be City residents. But civil service22 physicians is a classification where a23 residency waiver is available.24
Thank25 326 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 you.2 The Chair recognizes3 Councilwoman Blackwell.4
Thank5 you, Madam President.6 It's so unbelievable that we7 hear all of this horrendous information,8 and certainly I believe that we should9 demand some answers to this, certainly10 before this budget is passed. We want11 answers. My goodness, we have people in12 this city who need jobs and then we13 have -- and we have it all outlined and14 defined for us, and yet we spend all this15 money for people, God knows where they16 live or what their situation is. It's17 just unbelievable that we can hear this18 kind of testimony today.19 So we really want answers to20 this certainly before we consider passing21 this budget.22
And one of the23 questions that was -- thank you,24 Councilwoman Blackwell. One of the25 327 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 questions that was asked in a previous2 year, I believe Councilman Clarke asked3 it, was whether physicians or other4 medical practitioners who work in the5 health centers are qualified for the6 federal program where their school loans7 would be forgiven. And I did do research8 on that and provided it to him, and the9 answer is yes, that -- and this would be10 an inducement to have people come and11 work in the Philadelphia health centers,12 because we all know that medical school13 is very expensive.14
And15 certainly we agree with that. That's a16 very important issue. There's so many17 ways we could do better, and yet we stay18 here and suffer and be made to feel that19 we have to come up with answers when20 they're right here in front of our faces.21 We just have to have the Administration22 to hear it and work with us, work with23 District Council 47 and try to get some24 of this done. So we're looking forward25 328 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 to continued discussion.2
Thank4 you.5 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:6 Cathy, do you know what the waiting7 period is for District 10's health8 center?9
Well, the waiting10 period -- different health centers have11 different waiting periods.12
District 10 is15 terrible. I believe it's up to four16 months to get an appointment.17
But I20 think for an initial appointment it's21 even longer than that.22
The25 329 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.2
Thank you,3 Madam Chair.4 It's amazing to me. Normally5 it's the other way around, but what I've6 learned is that you -- and you might have7 already said this, and I was distracted,8 but I'm impressed with the fact that 479 has gone to the Administration, not once,10 not twice, numerous times about the cost11 savings that you've identified, and it12 didn't get anywhere. I think you did13 mention that. So I want to thank you,14 because it's just hard for me to believe15 that you could be presenting things like16 a physicians assistant, the most common17 practice in medicine, that they don't18 listen.19 And the other issue is the20 permanent residency waivers that -- I21 don't know how many of those we have, but22 I was told by a young physician that23 tried to apply for that job and he got24 nowhere with it, and I was told, not25 330 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 maybe last year or the year before, that2 those positions -- that they couldn't3 find anybody that wanted, a4 Philadelphian, that wanted to work in the5 Health Department as a part-time doctor.6 So I think Council Lady7 Blackwell is absolutely correct, the8 Administration, we need to hear from9 them. Is anybody even here from the10 Administration?11
That's not a13 good thing either. But all I can say is14 thanks very much for bringing these15 issues to our attention, and you can bet16 we're going to deal with them.17
Well, thank you.18 I'd appreciate it. The last time we met19 with the health -- we were very20 persistent in raising these issues in the21 Health Department and with the Health22 Commissioner, and the last time we were23 really pushing on an answer to these24 questions was the last labor management25 331 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 meeting we had, which was in May of '09,2 with the Commissioner of Health.3
Madam4 President, I know that we haven't had the5 Health Department yet, but I think we6 ought to put them on notice that we might7 have a recall for some of the folks, Clay8 Armbrister, some of the other folks that9 we need to hear from on this issue. So I10 plan to send you a memo on who I think11 appropriate that we need to get back12 here. Okay?13
I think19 I'm going to save my questions for the20 Health Department, because this is21 specifically regarding Health Center No.22 9. I don't know what the wait time there23 is, but I know it's not -- you can't call24 today and get an appointment next week.25 332 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371
Right.2 COUNCILWOMAN MILLER:3 Occasionally when I leave my house very4 early in the morning, if I go in that5 direction, I see a long line of people as6 early as 6 o'clock standing in line to7 get into the health center. The first8 time I saw it, it pretty much shocked me.9 But I guess with more and more people10 being unemployed, the health center is11 their place that they go to.12 So I think it's important that13 you bring issues like this. We don't14 normally know this information. So I15 just too want to thank you. But I just16 want to get more information regarding17 Health Center 9.18 Thank you.19
Thank you.20 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:21 Cathy, you may or may not know the22 answer, but how many doctors do we have23 that are under civil service regulations24 and how many doctors do we have under25 333 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 contract?2
Well, we have 343 who are civil -- that's the Appendix A4 that I have. There's a list of positions5 that we represent, and the numbers on the6 far left is the number of people that are7 holding civil service positions. So8 there are 34 part-time physicians. I9 can't give you the number of contract10 doctors, because unfortunately we haven't11 gotten from the Administration the12 current contracts that we would be able13 to do the analysis of how many contract14 physicians there are. However, I do know15 that some doctors are both civil service16 and contract doctors working at health17 centers. So they are paid some of the18 time as City civil service employees and19 then they continue working at the same20 health center, I guess, being paid as a21 contract employee, because they are22 contract employees.23
I'm24 sorry. How does that work?25 334 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371
Well, they don't2 have -- most of them do not have -- I3 don't think any of them have individual4 contracts with the City. The City5 contracts with hospitals and other6 services that provide physicians to them.7 And so I assume that they are employees8 of the hospital that has the contract to9 provide physicians. But they don't lose10 a beat. They're right there working11 almost full time.12 It's a very difficult structure13 to understand and even more difficult to14 try to figure out why they're doing it15 that way.16
Do we20 know how many full time there are? You21 said you don't know about those that were22 contracted out. How about civil service?23
I don't believe24 there are any full-time civil service25 335 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 physicians. We'll double-check it,2 but -- there are none.3
Thank4 you.5 Any other questions from the6 Committee?7 (No response.)8 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:9 Seeing none --10
-- I13 thank you. But I will send a copy of14 your testimony to the Health15 Commissioner. I know Councilmembers16 would be interested in getting answers to17 your many questions, and I think he's18 going to have to answer them.19
Thank21 you.22 MR. McPHERSON: Our next23 witness is David Tukey.24 (Witness approached witness25 336 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 table.)2
Good3 evening, sir. Please identify yourself4 for the record.5
My name is David6 Tukey. I'm from West Mount Airy Tree7 Tenders. 11 It's very short text to read over. 19 Some of the questions that20 Councilman Green raised last week had to21 do with different kinds of funding that22 was backlogged for safety in firehouses23 and police stations, and trees have to do24 with safety as well. 7 Right before me somebody8 testified about public health, which is9 also a serious matter. 14 There are also psychological15 impacts. It turns out that children that16 have trees outside their classrooms learn17 better. It turns out that trees outside18 office buildings have their office19 workers work more productively. 21 But why should the City spend22 our tax dollars to pay for trees for23 Philadelphia? It turns out based on24 various economic studies that have been25 338 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 conducted that for every dollar a city2 spends on tree, both planting and3 maintenance over the tree's life of 304 years or more, the city receives in5 benefits for $2. 17 The other thing that's18 interesting about the testimony that was19 by the Commissioner last week and also20 last year, last week there wasn't as much21 about tree planting, and it's very22 important that we plant as many trees as23 possible. 25 339 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 The City's goal is an average tree canopy2 of about 30 percent. In Mount Airy we're3 above 30 percent already. Chestnut Hill4 is above 30 percent already. But some5 neighborhoods are around eight percent or6 even five percent. To reach the citywide7 average of 30 percent, we have to plant a8 lot of trees. But as the Commissioner9 noticed last week from the department,10 they aren't planting a lot of trees,11 because the backlog of removals is so12 severe. And they're having volunteers13 plant trees. In this case I believe he14 mentioned staff from the University of15 Pennsylvania planting trees. In my case,16 in West Mount Airy, over the last six17 years we have planted 450 trees on City18 streets, which is small by comparison to19 West Philly that may plant over 2,000 in20 a given year. But a lot is being done by21 volunteers, but we can't do that without22 City money to purchase trees. We used to23 have money from the state through the24 Growing Greener II bond issue. That25 340 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 source of revenue has dried up and2 they've been scurrying around to find3 sources of revenue other places,4 sometimes without avail. So we do need5 City money to plant trees. 14 We also need to have money to15 make sure we have adequate inspection of16 those plantings. In many cases, those17 plantings by contractors are not adequate18 by arborist standards. They're planted19 improperly, where baskets are not20 removed, burlaps not removed, the root21 flare is not visible. All kinds of22 things can be a problem. 3 Lastly, a matter of public4 safety has to do not with hazardous trees5 but with parts of trees that can be a6 hazard. I wish Councilman Green were7 here. I would refer to the commuter8 route I take from Mount Airy up to9 Chestnut Hill all the time, and there's10 some rather sizable limbs overhanging11 these streets along a major commuter12 corridor, very sizable, 15-inch caliber13 diameter branches, 40 feet in length that14 are dying, dead or decayed. 20 Removals is only part of the21 problem. 6 In conclusion, I'd like to7 remind you that investing in city trees8 has benefits that are profound. They9 affect public health, they affect school10 children, they affect productivity of11 workers, they affect all kinds of things,12 and they have a two-to-one ratio of13 benefits to investments. 17 The best time to plant a tree was 2018 years ago. 21
Thank22 you very much.23 Are there any questions from24 members of the Committee?25 343 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 (No response.)2 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:3 Seeing none, we thank you for taking the4 time to come in to testify. Thank you5 very much.6 MR. McPHERSON: Our next7 witness is Donald Kelly.8 (Witness approached witness9 table.)10
Good11 evening, Mr. Kelly. Please identify12 yourself for the record and proceed with13 your testimony.14
Thank you. 18 So good evening all. 21 I'd just like to say a few words of22 testimony regarding your challenging task23 of fashioning a budget during these24 uncertain and difficult times. 19 In the midst of a very20 conservative bank lending environment,21 the Urban Affairs Coalition has been22 working with the City, City-funded23 housing counseling agencies, home24 inspection firms and banks to update and25 345 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 modernize the PHIL-Plus and the Mini-PHIL2 Home Improvement Loan Program so that it3 can thrive. 20 We allowed participating21 lenders to require up to ten percent22 equity for PHIL-Plus loans. Previously23 they had been prohibited from requiring24 equity, but because of the more25 346 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 conservative situations, they now feel2 that they really need to be able to do3 that. 2 As you know, an important3 principle in the strategic use of limited4 public funds is that of leveraging. How5 much in private sector capital can we6 leverage towards public purposes with our7 limited public dollars? I'm sure you ask8 this question all the time. 11 In the case of the12 Anti-Predatory Lending program, the City13 has supported the Urban Affairs Coalition14 to create and administer the program15 since July 2003 at an average of $60,00016 a year to operate it. In addition, there17 has been $168,676 in claims that have18 been paid under the City-funded Reserve19 Fund for defaulted loans. These claims20 were made by and paid to banks. The21 total program cost on these counts since22 2003 is $648,676. 175 million. 4 We hope you agree that by most5 public policy design standards, this has6 been and continues to be a wise and7 strategic investment of public funds. 9
Thank10 you very much.11 The Chair recognizes Councilman12 Goode.13
Thank you,14 Madam President.15 Good evening, Mr. Kelly.16
Thank you18 for your testimony and for the good work19 you do at GPUAC. Just a couple of20 questions.21 What is the status of the22 Business Builder Program?23
The Business24 Builder Program had a four-year life and25 349 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 it finished its term in January of this2 year.3
Could you8 forward some of that information to the9 Chair for Council?10
Last simple12 question is, during its lifespan, did it13 make any referrals to or receive any14 referrals from the Small Business Loan15 Guarantee Program at PIDC?16
Are you19 familiar with the Loan Guarantee Program20 there?21
Yes. Yes, I am,22 but not -- I don't know it well, but I23 know they have a Loan Guarantee Program.24
Thank you.25 350 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371 Thank you, Madam President.2
Thank3 you.4 Are there any other questions5 from members of the Committee?6 (No response.)7 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:8 Seeing none, I thank you for coming in.9
We11 don't have any other names of witnesses.12 Is there anyone here that would like to13 testify?14 (No response.)15
I16 would think -- does the Committee agree17 that we should wait another ten minutes,18 then we'll send Rodney downstairs so if19 there are any unexpected visitors, they20 can be told that the hearing is over.21
Okay,24 Donna?25 351 4/11/11 - WHOLE - BILL 1101371
This6 Committee will stand in recess until7 tomorrow, April the 12th at 10:00 a.m.,8 at which time we will hear from Public9 Property.10 Thank you.11 (Committee of the Whole12 adjourned at 6:20 p.m.)13 - - -14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 352 1 CERTIFICATE2 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the3 proceedings, evidence and objections are4 contained fully and accurately in the5 stenographic notes taken by me upon the6 foregoing matter on April 11, 2011, and that7 this is a true and correct transcript of same.8 9 10 11 12 --------------------13 MICHELE L. MURPHY14 RPR-Notary Public15 16 17 18 (The foregoing certification of this19 transcript does not apply to any reproduction20 of the same by any means, unless under the21 direct control and/or supervision of the22 certifying reporter.)23 24 25