COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC HEARING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS - - - Room 401, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, November 16, 2000 9:00 a.m. - - - BILL NO. 000675 - An Ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2001 from the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance - Provision for other grants to the General Fund... BILL NO. 000676 - An Ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2000 within the General Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions. BILL NO. 000680 - An Ordinance authorizing and directing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2001 within the General Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions. - - - PRESENT: COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI, Chair COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE COUNCILMAN W. THACHER LONGSTRETH COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN ANGEL ORTIZ - - - VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 (215) 561-2220 I N D E X BILL NOS. 000675, 000676 PAGE ROBERT DUBOW, Budget Director ............... BILL NO. 000680 ROBERT DUBOW, Budget Director ............... 13 PATRICIA SCHOOLFIELD ........................ 17 AUGUSTUS JORDAN, PCCY ....................... 20 BARBARA JOHNSON ............................. 21 SAMUEL HODGE ................................ 22 SAM JACKSON ................................. 24 DIANNE BRIDGES .............................. 26 CECILIA JAMES ............................... 27 CARMEN VASQUEZ .............................. 30 KATHERINE BARNES-SINGLETON .................. 31 NICOLE SMILEY ............................... 32 3 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILLS 000675, 000676
Good morning. The Committee on Appropriations is now in session. Will the Clerk please read the bill.
Bill No. 000675, an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2001 from the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance - Provision for other grants to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions. And Bill No. 000676, an ordinance 12 authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2000 within the General Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
I would just like to note that we do have a quorum. We have Councilman Ortiz, Councilwoman Miller, Councilman Longstreth, and Councilman Mariano and myself. Is there anyone from the Administration? (Witness comes forward.)
Good morning Councilwoman Krajewski. I'm Rob Dubow, I'm the City's Budget Director and I'm here to offer testimony on Bills 4 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILLS 000675, 000676 No. 000676 and 000675. I'll start with 000675?
Bill No. 000675 request transfers totaling $10,153,459 from the provisions of other grants in the Grants Revenue Fund to four departments in the General Fund. The first request is for an increase of $7 million in the Department of Licenses and Inspections to offset the cost of demolishing imminently dangerous buildings. The wet summer increased the number of buildings that were in need of immediate attention. An increase in the Mayor's Office appropriation in the amount of 2.4 million is also requested to cover Class 100 and other associated expenditures. In an effort to increase the effectiveness and collaboration across City entities, a number of new positions were created within the Mayor's Office, including the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Boards and Authorities, the Secretary of External Affairs, and the Director of Neighborhood Transformation. These new functions ensure that critical, cross-cutting initiatives are given the centralized focus and 5 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILLS 000675, 000676 leadership needed. An increase in the Fairmount Park Commissions's appropriation is requested in the amount of $434,322 to offset costs resulting from extensive Hurricane Floyd damage. These costs are eligible for reimbursement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency if the work is completed by March 21, 2001. The final request in this bill is for an additional $319,137 for the City Planning Commission, to expand its planning capability to meet the extensive needs of the Neighborhood Planning Initiative. I'll go on to 000676 now.
Bill 000676 is required for the FY 2000 year-end closing of the financial records to the City. As you know, year-end transfer ordinances are introduced in City Council every year. When the year ends, the Accounting Bureau in the Office of the Director of Finance closes the books on that year's financial transactions and begins to complete the annual financial report of the City. In the course of preparing that report, 6 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILLS 000675, 000676 the Accounting Bureau and the Budget Office identify reconciliations which need to take place between the total to be shown in the financial report and the appropriations for each department. Once the report is completed, it's audited by the Controller, who serves as the City's independent auditor. The Controller to give a favorable opinion regarding the annual financial report. Legal appropriations for each department in each fund must be consistent with the annual report. Enactment of the FY 2000 year-end transfer ordinance 13 will make possible the reconciliation that is required in order to permit the Controller to issue a favorable opinion. I'll summarize the reasons for the major transfers in the bill. There are a total of 13 transfers that involve a change in total appropriations. 9 million. 3 million in the Police Department, with the bulk of that being transferred to Class 100 largely to cover higher than expected overtime costs related to aggressive law enforcement efforts, including 7 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILLS 000675, 000676 increase arrests, investigations, and subsequent court appearances. Another $299,770 would be transferred he the department's Class 200 appropriation to fund unexpected expenditures including consulting costs for the police officer recruit test, horseshoing services, cellular phone charges, and the cost of a third helicopter pilot. These increase costs re offset by small surpluses totaling a little over $280,000 in the Class 3- and 400. 6 million for the Department of Licenses and Inspections Demolitions appropriation for additional demolitions that occurred in FY 2000. Last year the department performed 1,284 demolitions, including 17 demolitions of large commercial structures. The 18 average cost of the large structures was over $95,000. The demolition of these imminently dangerous large structures was critical, not only to avoid collapse, but also because the abandoned structures attract drug activity and are vulnerable to potential arson. An increase of $725,317 is requested in the Director of Finance Indemnities appropriation to 8 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILLS 000675, 000676 cover the cost of the Army Corps of Engineers to do a structural analysis of properties on Osage Avenue. An increase of $312,310 is requested in Fairmount Park with $161,624 internally transferred from Class 100, 300, and 400 largely to cover additional clean-up costs for Hurricane Floyd. We're also requesting $111,487 in the appropriation for the Sheriff's Office to cover costs related to security coverage for the First Judicial District as well for the computer equipment and upgrades to ensure compliance with the City Y2K guidelines. We're requesting an increase of over 32,000 in the Class 100 appropriation for the Mayor's Office, with $15,887 internally transferred from other classes. The increase would cover the Class 100 shortfall that occurred during the transition to the new Administration. An increase of $29,545 is requested in the Personnel Department's 300 and 400 appropriation, with $18,160 transferred from Classes 100 and 2000. These funds are need to cover the purchase of hardware and software for the city-wide Workforce Request System. 9 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILLS 000675, 000676 An increase of $438,182 is requested in the Class 200 appropriation for the city Commissioners with $430,914 transferred from 100, 300, and 400 to Class 200.
The transfer would cover voting machine maintenance expenses resulting from a late change of the balloon configuration for the 1999 General Election and date change 2000 Primary Election. A final increase in appropriation is requested for the Class 200 appropriation for the Procurement Department in the amount $194,957. The department would transfer $192,624 from Classes 100, 300, and 400 to Class 200 to cover additional advertising expenses. Those increases in appropriation are made possible through reductions in four different appropriation. 3 million from the Department of Revenue Sinking Fund Commission appropriation. This reduction is possible because new debt was not issued as anticipated and interest costs were lower than anticipated. 7 million is requested in the appropriation for the 10 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILLS 000675, 000676 Director of Finance Fringe Benefits line because of the lower than projected costs for employee health and medical benefits. The two other reductions in appropriations in the proposed bill are $511,000 reduction in the Director of Finance appropriation because of delay of enhancements in the FAMIS and ADPICS systems and a $417,906 decrease in the Licenses and Inspections appropriation in Classes 100, 300 and 400 primarily due to difficulty in finding qualified candidates to fill positions. The other transfers in the bill are 14 between classes within departments and result in no 15 net change in FY 2000 departmental appropriations. 4 17 million shift between classes in the First Judicial 18 District. The ordinance would transfer the First Judicial District's surplus to Class 200 to provide additional monies to the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts for renovations of First Judicial District space as well as technology and telecommunication upgrades. And that transfer is consistent with our zero growth budget agreement with the courts. 11 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILLS 000675, 000676 Those are all my comments. I hope they've been helpful and I respectfully request your favorable consideration of these bills. I also request a suspension of the rules to permit consideration of these ordinances on the First Reading Calendar at City Council's next meeting. I'll be happy to answer any questions that you have, and we have representatives from the various departments covered by the bills.
Thank you, Mr. Dubow. I've seen your testimony. There's a request for an increase in the Mayor's Office in the FY 2001. Some of the increase will be used fund Class 100 expenditures.
You state that a portion of the money will used for other associated expenditures. Could you elaborate on some of the other expenditures?
Certainly. Part of what's happening with centralization in the Mayor's Office and the increase activity there is that there's an increase in consulting activity that comes through there also. So for example, some of the 12 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILLS 000675, 000676 neighborhood transformation work that's being done by consultants is charge to the Mayor's Office budget. Some of the strategic planning consultant work would also come through the Mayor's Office budget. In Classes 300 and 400, it's stuff like computers and equipment for additional employees.
Would this particular shortfall be addressed in the future fiscal years?
Yes, we plan to have the increase budget request in FY '02 and then in all the years of our plan.
Are there any questions from members of the committee? (No questions.)
Thank you. Are there any members from the Administration to testify?
We've submitted written testimony from a number of agencies and we request that move that into record.
Thank you. Any other questions on Bills 000675 or 000676? Now we'll here testimony on -- Clerk, please read hill.
Bill No. 000680, an ordinance authorizing and directing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2001 within the General Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
Is there anyone to testify on Bill 000680? Please come forward. Anyone from Administration? (Witness comes forward.)
I'm Rob Dubow, City's Budget Director. I submitted written testimony which I'll summarize really quickly. The Administration has just two concerns with the bill. The first is that we've traditionally had problems filling these positions. For example, over the last 10 years, we've averaged around 968 filled positions even though we've been 14 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 budgeted for a thousand. One of our concerns is that we won't be able to fill the positions. And then the second is that some of the places from which we want to take money this ordinance, the money has been expended so if we do want to do this, we need to figure out other places or other ways to do the transfer. What we propose is that we work with personnel and police to figure out how we can better fill these positions and the consideration of increasing the number of crossing guards into our 2002 budget. So if we do it, we actually are able to fill the positions.
He's going to let me go. Well, you know, you seem like a nice guy, but you come here and you insult our intelligence. Hal and I and all other the Council, we go to these meetings and people hand us their names and their applications. They want to be crossing guards. Don't come up here and tell us that you can't get crossing guards. We can walk out this front door and get 10 people that want to be 15 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 crossing guards. We got the corners, we have the money, it's funded for crossing guards; let's put the crossing guards on the street. (Applause.)
We've been playing this game for two administrations. I'm tired of playing this game. I understand you're just a torch bearer for the Administration. Go back downstairs and tell them we want the crossing guards. We're dealing with kids' lives here. I for one am totally frustrated with this, as I'm sure everyone is. The money is there. The people want the jobs. Let's give them the jobs, okay, please. It's insulting.
Just one moment, please. We don't shoot the messenger. Gentleman, please. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Let me give you a very short time line because we go back before this. September 28, 1996, '96, we sent a letter -- I sent a letter to Richard Neil after a kid got killed because of the lack of crossing guards. He was going with his grandfather and was going to cross to meet his grandfather. Got killed. Lack of crossing 16 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 guard. We had hearings at that time. That administration promised to fill the corner. They didn't do it. I don't know why because, as Rick says, people are there. In '99 AOP got over a thousand, 1500, calling for more crossing guards from across the City. We had a meeting in which the Administration promised crossing guards. We had hearings here over the last four years about crossing guards. We have right now supposedly new revenue of over $200 million coming in. If you say that, some of the money, we'll pull it from the grants fund. We'll put the $350,000 from the grants fund and do it that way.
And that's what I said. We need to find someplace else. I didn't say we couldn't afford it.
So don't say that we can not find people to be on the corners. Do not say that to us, because they're there.
I happen to agree with you, Councilman. Before these bills are passed, we'll make sure that that money is put in there. 17 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 Councilwoman Miller.
I just want to add my ditto to my Council colleagues. Crossing guards are an important part of every day life for children and parents out in our neighborhoods. And I, too, want to call for the additional funds, call on the department to find those funds so that we can have some school crossing guards. Thank you. (Applause.)
Are there any other questions from the members of the committee?
We'll make an amendment to the bill taking 350,000 from the Grant Fund over to the Police Department, okay?
Thank you. I believe we have Patricia Schoolfield. (Witness comes forward.)
My name is Patricia Schoolfield. I'm the vice president Local 1956. I'm sitting in for Betty McDonald. She is 18 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 out of town, so I want to apologize for her.
I heard testimony this morning about how crucial that we need crossing guards. It is crucial that we need crossing guards because we are the eyes and ears for the children out there. The children really look for us to be on that corner. It's a lot of corners on there that's not covered. It's children that come out there in the morning like quarter after 7 and they are unattended, so the motorists do not pay the children any mind when they come across the street. The children really look forward for us to be out there in the morning. We are like parents to them. We are their protectors out there, and it is very crucial that we need more crossing guards because it's a lot of corners out there that's not even covered. So I'm asking that we can get the funding to get more crossing guards out there.
Thank you. I have a question, but do you think we would have problems 19 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 finding people to be crossing guards in our neighborhoods?
No, I don't because there are parents that come up to me on my corner in the morning where there is a guard needed, there's no guard there and ask me how could they put in an application or how could they become a crossing guard. So it's like every day it's parents out there asking to be crossing guards.
Will you promise that you will work with the police department to make sure that we fill all 1,037 positions that we are allocated for?
Thank you very much for coming in. Are there any other questions from members of the committee? Are there any other witnesses? I believe Barbara Johnson. Is there anyone else to testify for or against the bill? (Witnesses comes forward.) 20 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680
Good morning. My name is Augustus Jordan and I'm here on behalf of Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth. I came today to urge the Council to pass a bill that will increase the number of school crossing guards within Philadelphia. The message is simple: We need more crossing guards to ensure our children's safety. According to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 1999 statistics on pedestrian accidents within Philadelphia County, there were four children killed and 1,017 children that were injured last year alone. When we look at times when children are traveling to and from school as well as during lunch periods, the numbers are as follows: 33 injuries occurred to preschool-age children. One death and 157 injuries occurred to children between the ages of 5 and 9. And 100 injuries occurred to children between the ages of 10 and 14. To recap, in 1999 alone within Philadelphia County during times when children normally walk to or from school or cross streets during their lunch periods, one child was killed and 21 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 290 children were injured. This indicates a clear and present need for more crossing guards to prevent these accidents from occurring in the future. I urge the Council to do the right thing to supporting an increase in funding for additional crossing guards. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning. I'm Barbara Johnson. I'm the Family Resource Network Coordinator for the West Philadelphia Cluster. I've heard overview this morning for the need for crossing guards, however, I would like to talk to you about it on a micro in our cluster. We asked for an assessment around our eight elementary schools last June, June of '99. Because there's only one person in the crossing guard office, Sergeant Thompson, we lad to have wait until September to get the assessment started. It is still not complete. So in addition to wanting and needing the crossing guards, it takes forever for a decision to be made because there's a lack of 22 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 personnel to begin the process. As a result of his assessment, just a part of it, it was determined that we did need additional crossing guards in the area that we requested the assessment in. In addition to that, there are areas that have been waiting for crossing guards for at least two years. Now, we've had several accidents in our cluster where children have been maimed and injured. So there's a terrific and just tremendous need for addition crossing guards. I'm sure it's in need all of the City, but in the West Philadelphia area there's a great need. Thank you.
Good morning everyone in Council. My name is Samuel Hodge. I am a part of the Grass Cluster and I'm also a volunteer crossing guard at Bethune Elementary School. I've identified what Council has said in regard to identifying a need and I believe you see it. The only thing that 23 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 maybe Council is not an aware of, even though there's funding allocated, it creates a tremendous problem when a crossing guard is also out sick. When that crossing guard is out sick or disabled, especially disabled, if they're disabled for a year then that corner is vacant also for a year. The other thing that I also can bring to the attention based on my interest is when I first went to Bethune, I saw an excessive amount of traffic around the school and also for approximately two years there was no crossing guard there. Listening to what was said about the funding that was allocated, crossing guards should have been available not only at Bethune, but also schools around the City of Philadelphia. I also, based on my activities, found out that the police precincts are supposed to back up the crossing guards when they're out. That rarely happens. I also went as far as contacting crossing guard headquarters. Crossing guard headquarters also based on what I found now states that their hands become tied based on issues dealing with unions. I don't down unions. I don't anything. And I wish I had as much support for the 24 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 children as I see here today. I'm requesting just based on what I do know and knowing of injuries to children that not only the funds be allocated, but also that additional funding be made so that there can be people that can replace other people that are out ill and areas where children are, quote/unquote, jeopardized. Everyone in front of Council here, I'm pretty sure we all have children or grandchildren, and I've seen children hurt and I believe none of us what to see it happen. I'm also a strong believer in God, and I believe this Council is trying their best to do what they can do. I support this and I'm requesting that not only the crossing guards be allocated, but also that the investigate what to do about crossing guards who are out sick and disabled and those Corners are vacant for an extended period of time. Thank you very much.
Good morning. My name is Sam Jackson. I have a 7th-grader who a tends 25 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 Pickett Middle School in the Germantown area. I've been involved in Safe Corridors Program in Germantown for the last four years. One of the things we realize is that our children are not being protected. Now, everyone here, including those who came not because of the crossing guard issue probably have children here in Philadelphia. We need to come together and protect our children. I want to commend Councilman Ortiz and Councilwoman Miller for taking the steps to bring this bill out and have these crossing posts fund. One thing we must do --
Thirteen Councilpeople have signed this bill, not just two of us.
Well, I appreciate all the Council, but I'm saying it was you and Councilwoman Miller who brought this in the beginning. I appreciate that. Now, what we're doing here today is listening to a lot rhetoric and we're not doing anything to protect the children because today, unfortunately, we may lose children because of a post that has not been filled. I hope you will 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 continue and not let anything stand in the way of getting these posts and probably more filled because we need far more than what we can we're asking for. And I thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you very much. Is there anyone else here to testify? (Witnesses come forward.)
First of all, I wasn't prepared to give testimony. I came for support, but I was asked to give testimony. I represent the Hartranft School. That's at Eighth and Cumberland. Our crossing guard is also out sick and she's been out for over a month and we haven't been able been able to get a police officer to cover the corner either. We are at Eighth and Cumberland. The next crossing guard is not until Fourth and York. We have Germantown and Cumberland, it's a busy two-way intersection. Last year I think a car ran into the day care center. We have children going to middle school, children coming from different areas over there to get to our school. I don't understand that 27 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 we can't get a crossing guard, but when ride up Aramingo, there's a crossing guard on every corner. I'm just asking that you take another look at that and see the situation that we have with that and you know, why can't we have the crossing guards.
Thank you very much. Could you please state your name for the record.
My name is Dianne Bridges and I'm a parent advocate for Hartranft School.
Good morning. CECILIA JAMES: My name is Cecilia is Cecilia James and I'm with the Alliance Organizing Project. I also work homeless school with John Welch, and for the last two years, two and a half years, we have been trying to get a crossing guard at Fifth and York. We had a crossing -- excuse me. Are they listening? Do they know what I'm saying?
Excuse me one moment. They're listening. 28 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680
I need your undivided attention. Thank you. For the last two years, two and half years we've been trying to get a crossing guard at Fifth and York. We previously had one there. She retired, and they did not replace one. We had an action at the John Welch Elementary School, the Alliance Organizing Project, with over 200 parents. We had Councilman Mariano came out, Ortiz came out, and we had Thomas, we had the police officers and everyone to come out to the meeting and promising us and letting us know that we can get a crossing guard. On March 2, '99 when Street had his town meetings, he also committed and promised to get a crossing guard. Since then we have talked to Councilman Mariano. Councilman Ortiz came to our school meeting on Thursday to talk to the parents and to talk to us concerning the matter for a crossing guard. We need crossing guards throughout the City. This particular -- as far as Ms. Bridges, like she was saying from Hartranft, from Eighth Street to Fourth and York there's no crossing guard. We've had accidents. We have concerned parents. A 29 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 lot of them working today, but we have concerned parents that have the interest for a crossing guard. We have concerned parents that have a desire to work as crossing guards. (Applause.)
We have people that we know put in applications and are on the waiting list for a job to be a crossing guard. So there's no such thing that you don't have people that's applying for these positions because we do. And we need crossing guards throughout the City for our children. We don't want to wait until someone gets killed and they'll put someone on the corner. And as I said, and I thank you very much, Councilman Ortiz, for coming out to our meeting, talking to our parents and for Mariano for being there for us. But we need a crossing guard and Alliance Organizing Project have been working for the last two years, the parents have been working together. We do get a police officer every now and then, but you do have to call every morning and ask for one to be there. Thank you.
Thank you very much. 30 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 (Applause.)
Let me say that in the testimony that the Administration gave, they said that they find it difficult to fill the crossing guard positions. And I know that that cannot be so because everywhere I go across the City, there are people that want to be crossing guards and are available. Now, the other part is that now after today and after we vote this out in two weeks out of Council, get money to hire all of these extra crossing guards will be there. So we hope that you begin talking now to the police department and to the police captain to say, "No 17 more excuses, the money has been appropriated, we need the crossing guards." Thank you.
Thank you. I just want to note -- I beg your pardon. Go ahead. State your name for the record.
My name is Carmen Vasquez. I have five grandchildren at John Welsh. The other day my grandson came and told me when he came from school that he almost got hit by a car. And that 31 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 worries parents, parents that go to work. So I believe they should have a cop no matter what until we do have crossing guards.
I would just like to note that Councilman Nutter is also present. (Witnesses come forward.)
Good morning. My name is Katherine Barnes-Singleton. I just wanted to make a addendum to what was said by Mrs. James and Mrs. Bridges and also by Councilman Ortiz. It's not an issue in our community that our people don't want to work with our children as crossing guards. But recently, my personal experience has been that several people have been hired as crossing guards and sent to other neighborhoods to serve in that capacity. So we asked that, especially since there's a crucial need in North Central Philadelphia is where I'm speaking of, that those people that are on hired to be given priority that if they desire to work in their community, they be allowed to. Thank 32 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - BILL NO. 000680 you.
Good morning. My name is Nicole Smiley from Bethune Elementary School. I'm here to fight for a crossing guard at Old York Road and Erie Avenue. We're called safe corridors, we're not crossing guards. But in order for us to get out there and do our job, we do need some more a crossing guards. We can't protect these children from getting across the streets and stuff, you know, getting back and forth to home because we don't have enough crossing guards in our area. And it's mandatory that we get them. And if ya'll can, you know, like help us get these crossing guards from like Old York Road and Erie Avenue to Broad and Erie, we would appreciate it. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. That ends our public hearing on Appropriations. 33 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC MEETING COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS - - - Thursday, November 16, 2000 - - - Public Meeting conducted by the Committee on Public Property and Public Works, held in Room 401, City Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the above date, to consider action on the following: BILL NOS. 000675, 000676, 0006808 - - - PRESENT: COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI, Chair COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE COUNCILMAN W. THACHER LONGSTRETH COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN ANGEL ORTIZ - - - 34 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - PUBLIC MEETING
Now we will go into our public meeting. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Madam Chair, I move that Bill 000675 be moved out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
Therefore, Bill 21 000675 will be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation with a suspension of rules so as to permit first reading at the next Session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter 35 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - PUBLIC MEETING for the purposes of Bill 000676.
Madam Chair, I move that Bill NO. 000676 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session. (Duly seconded.)
Therefore, Bill No. 676 will be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation with a suspension of rules so as to permit first reading at the next Session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz for purpose of an amendment to Bill 000680.
Madam Chair, we have an amended Bill 000680 and from the front section we eliminate everything up until and we begin with 2.48, the Department of Revenue Sinking Fund 36 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - PUBLIC MEETING Commission, from there we will Debt Service $350,000. And after that, we eliminate everything after that section up until we get to the section 5 that says Police Department 2.12 Personal Services 350,000, and that remains the same.
Therefore, the amendment passes. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Madam Chair, I move that Bill 000680, as amended, be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be 37 11/16/00 - APPROPRIATIONS - PUBLIC MEETING suspended so as to permit first reading in the next Session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
Therefore, Bill 0000680 will be reported out of this committee, as amended, with a favorable recommendation with a suspension of rules so as to permit first reading at the next Session of Council. (Applause.)
Thank you all very much for coming in. This ends the meeting on Appropriations. (Adjourned at 9:35 a.m.) - - - 38 C E R T I F I C A T I O N I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of November 16, 2000, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS ___________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR and Notary Public