COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA2 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - - - Room 400, City Hall4 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Monday, March 28, 2011, 10:27 p.m.5 - - - Bill 110135 - Adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2012-2017 inclusive.7 Bill 110136 - Adopt a FY '12 Capital Budget.8 Bill 110137 - Adopting the Operating Budget9 for Fiscal Year 2012. 10 Bill 110138 - Amending Chapter 19-1500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Wage and Net11 Profits Tax," by revising certain tax rates and making technical changes, all under12 certain terms and conditions. 13 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:14 Anna C. Verna, Chair Marian B. Tasco, Co-Chair15 Jannie C. Blackwell Darrell L. Clarke16 W. Wilson Goode, Jr. Bill Green17 William K. Greenlee Curtis Jones, Jr.18 James F. Kenney Frank Rizzo19 - - -20 21 22 23 24 25 2 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
Good2 morning, everyone. This is a public3 hearing of the Committee of the Whole.4 I would ask Mr. McPherson to5 please read the title of the bills.6 MR. McPHERSON: Bill No.7 110135, a Capital Program, 2012 through8 2017.9 Bill No. 110136, the Capital10 Budget, 2012.11 Bill No. 110137, the Operating12 Budget for Fiscal Year 2012.13 Bill 110138, a wage-tax bill.14 And today, we will be taking15 testimony on Bill No. 110137, the16 Operating Budget.17 And the first department is the18 Mayor's Office.19 (Witness comes forward.)20
Good21 morning. Would you please identify22 yourself for the record and proceed with23 your testimony.24
Good morning,25 3 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 Council President Verna and members of2 City Council. I am Clarence Armbrister,3 Chief of Staff in The Office of The4 Mayor. 20 Of the 35 people employed full-time by21 the Mayor's office 26 are women and 9 are22 men. 24 The requested FY '12 Budget25 4 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 also includes $650,336 in Class 200;2 $45,903 in Class 300/400, and $200,000 in3 Class 500 (scholarships), for a total4 General Fund Budget of $3,839,665. The5 Mayor's Office Scholarship Program, which6 is funded at $200,000, allows qualified7 Philadelphia students to attend classes8 at area colleges and universities, is9 being level-funded, and we are once again10 recommending that no reduction be made in11 this category. 15 The proposed budget also16 includes over $2 million in Grants17 Revenue funds to support the activities18 of the Mayor's Commission on Aging and19 the Office of Civic Engagement and20 Volunteer Service. This grant funding21 represents an increase of over $500,00022 when compared to the FY 2011 funding23 levels and comes principally from the24 federal government to enable the Mayor's25 5 3/28/11 COMM. 22 The Mayor's Office is committed23 to supporting the Administration's goal24 of 25 percent minority-, woman-, and25 6 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 disabled-owned business (M/W/DSBE)2 participation on City contracting. 6 You will be hearing testimony7 from additional departments in the8 Mayor's Office later today. The Mayor's9 Office of Community Services will give10 testimony as to how their agency helps to11 move vulnerable Philadelphians towards12 self-sufficiency. 21 The Mayor's Office has22 increased its focus on human capital23 development to ensure that low-income and24 poor Philadelphians are served to the25 7 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 best of our capabilities. 9 I want to thank you for your10 support, and I appreciate this11 opportunity to provide testimony12 regarding the Mayor's proposed Fiscal13 2012 Operating Budget. 16
Thank17 you very much.18 Mr. Armbrister, on of19 your budget detail, you reflect a20 transfer of $24,495 from the General Fund21 to the Grants Revenue Fund. Can you give22 us a breakdown of these dollars by23 position and to which grants?24
Council25 8 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 President, excuse me, I'm going to have2 to get back to you on that particular3 transfer, all right? I'll have to talk4 to the Budget Office about that.5
Thank6 you.7 On of your detail, it8 has $665,000 in Fiscal 2010 for9 indemnities. Can you tell us what10 settlements the Law Department made on11 behalf of the Mayor's Office?12
I'm going to13 have to get back to you on that as well,14 Council President.15
Page16 16, you're requesting $486,290 for17 consultant fees. Can you tell us the18 types of services you will be contracting19 for? What is the total amount the20 Administration is requesting in the21 proposed 2012 Operating Budget for22 lobbying services by department?23
Yes, let me24 answer the first question first, Council25 9 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 President.2 The lobbying services that the3 Mayor's Office typically directs are4 related to our agendas at both the State5 and the federal levels. These services6 typically involve monitoring legislation7 as well as advising the Administration on8 strategic objectives in terms of getting9 legislation adopted, maybe sometimes10 trying to get legislation not to be11 adopted in a defensive posture. So12 that's what those services are.13 From time to time -- this is14 what the Mayor's Office contributes to15 that effort. From time to time, we do16 get contributions from other departments.17 So for example, the Airport may18 contribute from time to time with respect19 to lobbying services as well because of20 the work that they need done specifically21 at the federal level in the Department of22 Transportation.23 But we can get you a breakdown24 of costs --25 10 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
Can2 you give us a list of who the consultants3 are?4
And9 whether they're lobbying in Harrisburg or10 with the federal government?11
Thank14 you.15 On of your detail, you16 list under "Dues," the National League of17 Cities, but you do not request any18 funding for this organization. Can you19 tell us why?20
I suspect that25 11 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 the Administration is not looking to join2 the National League of Cities in this3 year, I guess, or hasn't for the last --4 I'm looking here, in the last three5 years.6 Unless it came out of the7 Miscellaneous. I'm not sure why it's8 listed there. I'd have to check.9
Let me find12 out if that 41,000 is paid... I think I13 may actually have backup on that.14 I'll have to check to see what15 the 41,000 is allocable to.16
Thank17 you.18 You mention on of your19 testimony that the Commission on Aging is20 anticipating funding to support expansion21 of Naturally Occurring Retirement22 Communities.23 Can you explain what this24 program is all about, please.25 12 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
Yes. If I2 could have the Assistant Managing3 Director, Lydia Velez, come up and4 explain that to you.5
Good9 morning. Kindly identify yourself for10 the record.11 DEPT. MANAGING DIR. VELEZ:12 Good morning. My name is Lydia13 Hernandez-Velez, and I am the Deputy14 Managing Director for Aging.15 The future of the City is going16 to be greatly impacted by the expansion17 of the population age 55 and over in18 addition to a significant increase in19 those residents who are 75 years old and20 over.21 The need for the opportunity to22 keep people in their homes, in a safe23 environment, will be an important agenda24 for the City and an important and25 13 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 explored -- actually, we have several2 naturally-occurring retirement programs3 in the City to enable folks to get the4 services, the companionship, and the5 engagement that they need in order to6 keep them vital and active in their --7 where they live, in their residential8 community.9 So the effort is to look at how10 these trends are affecting different11 neighborhoods in the City and be able to12 make some agenda, incorporating all of13 the other City departments to support14 folks remaining in their homes.15
I16 still don't quite understand what the17 expansion will be.18 DEPT. MANAGING DIR. VELEZ:19 Well, supporting -- for example, seeking20 funding to support communities that come21 to our office and say, "We'd like to22 explore a possibility," so some23 demonstration projects, the ability to24 fund some programs directly in terms of25 14 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 having community organizations begin to2 focus and look at themselves and say,3 "Well, this is an area where we need4 additional support to enable folks to5 have the network of services."6 And that could be everything7 from services to clean their homes or8 maintain their homes, to services to9 engage people and connect people who are10 willing -- and a perfect example would be11 folks who would like to, for example,12 walk in their own neighborhood but don't13 feel comfortable because of their14 physical condition and would need to15 buddy up with somebody do make sure that16 they engage in that activity safely.17 There may be some needs to fund18 some activities in community19 organizations to promote that kind of a20 program.21
Do we22 have a dollar figure attached to the23 expansion of this program?24 DEPT. MANAGING DIR. VELEZ: Not25 15 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 specifically. We wanted to explore some2 of the funding. We've also been told3 from the Department of Aging that there4 may be the opportunity to expand some of5 that funding for health-related in6 conjunction with the Health Department or7 in conjunction with the Police Department8 to expand services to seniors.9 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:10 That's great. Thank you.11 DEPT. MANAGING DIR. VELEZ:12 Thank you.13
Thank you,17 Madam President.18 Good morning, Mr. Armbrister.19
Your Class21 200 request for Fiscal Year '12 is22 $650,000?23
Okay. The3 questions that I will ask are not4 necessarily related or targeted toward5 your office, because that's not a lot of6 money, but they're the same questions7 I'll be asking of every department.8 The first is: What is the9 largest contract you awarded in Fiscal10 Year '12?11
Well, based on12 prior history, and it's likely to be the13 same, it will probably be the lobbying14 contract.15
Well, again,18 if the past is any indication of the19 future, the last one we issued was20 $420,000 for Wojak & Associates, followed21 closely by $100,000 to Blank Rome.22
Okay. I'm23 just interested in actually the largest.24 Is that a renewable contract?25 17 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
Typically not.5 But, in fact, we are in the process of6 preparing an RFP to rebid that contract7 as we speak.8
Well, this --11 the current formulation of that contract12 was based on a bid that we did --13 completed last year. So it was just14 awarded last February.15 But I understand that prior16 administrations had engaged that firm --17
How far back21 can you go in terms of how many years22 that firm has held --23
I can go24 back -- we can go back and check that.25 18 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
Okay.2 Please submit that to the Chair.3 Can you briefly describe the4 contract requirements.5
The contract6 requirements are basically the same for7 all of our lobbyists in that they provide8 analysis, strategic recommendations9 regarding legislation.10 The Wojak contract relates to11 State lobbying, it's limited to State12 lobbying, so they do that in that regard.13
Okay. And14 that is not a certified disadvantaged15 business.16
Does the18 firm subcontract with any disadvantaged19 businesses?20
Not to my21 knowledge, but as part of our lobbying22 team, we do have a disadvantaged business23 that does get one of the several24 contracts.25 19 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 I know we've been only talking2 about the largest one, but there is a3 minority firm that does have one of our4 lobbying contracts.5
So when you6 issue RFPs, is the RFP broad, and does it7 have a goal for DBE participation in it?8
Well, based on9 our -- and we've had this discussion with10 OEO. Their recommendation, after we've11 gone back and forth, is to use the best12 efforts for -- that's been their13 recommendation to us in consultation with14 them.15 But we feel very confident that16 we're going to be in the position to meet17 our 25 percent goal, as we have, I think,18 each of the last couple years.19
I think the22 goal is imposed on us, as the23 Administration, to make sure that among24 the teams that we get as part of our25 20 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 lobbying contract, we meet the2 requirement, which we have been able to3 do the last several years.4
Okay. How5 that has the goal changed during your6 tenure?7
I think it's14 been based on -- the experience has been15 a best-efforts recommendation each of the16 years that I've been involved.17
Are there21 any subcontracting opportunities that22 exist within the contract?23
There may be.24 But as I said, on this particular25 21 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 contract, what we've been able to do,2 because we hire a stable of firms, we've3 been able to make sure that among the4 firms that we select, there is, you know,5 a minority firm, or firms, who6 participate. And we'll try to do the7 same when we go out with this RFP as8 well.9
Okay. Is10 the firm currently in compliance with the11 City's living-wage-and-benefits standard?12
Is the firm15 currently in compliance with the City's16 living-wage-and-benefits standards?17
Will the20 firm be required to be in compliance in21 Fiscal Year '12?22
We try to make23 sure that the firms are in compliance24 with all requirements that the City25 22 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 imposes.2
Okay. And3 who is directly responsible for4 monitoring wage-and-benefits standards5 for your department?6
Well, I guess,7 as the contract compliance -- ultimately,8 it would be my responsibility as the9 person who's monitoring that contract.10 But that broad authority is11 within the government. Probably Labor12 and Standards is my guess.13
Thank you,18 Madam President.19 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:20 You're welcome.21 The Chair recognizes Councilman22 Jones.23
Good24 morning, Madam President. Thank you.25 23 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 Mr. Armbrister, how are you2 today?3
Resolution6 100848 requires -- you don't have to look7 it up. It requires an analysis or is8 looking into the analysis of whether or9 not a department should contract out a10 good or a service or attempt to do it11 in-house.12 So, for example, snow removal13 was cited as one of the things that14 should undergo those types of analysis,15 so that if in fact it is better to16 contract out, we do that, if it's more17 cost-effective and cheaper to do.18 But if the opposite is true, if19 it is indeed cheaper to do it in-house,20 that we would pursue those options in21 light of our budgets constraints and22 potential deficits at the State and23 federal level.24 And I just want you to be aware25 24 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 of that, that we are going to -- at least2 I am going to ask each and every3 department to start to look to that.4 My question to you is: The5 stimulus committee that was formulated as6 a result of the opportunities from the7 federal government, it was testified we8 had received somewhere in the9 neighborhood, as a city, $2 billion. It10 was a great format that was set up to11 look at opportunities coming from the12 federal government.13 I want to know post-stimulus,14 are we going to continue that format to15 ferret out opportunities? And will a16 broader committee, like we had with for17 the stimulus package, be employed to do18 that?19
I think, as we20 talked about this briefly at the21 Five-Year Plan testimony, that's22 certainly something that we can look at,23 Councilman.24
I just want25 25 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 to reiterate that --2
-- it's not4 going to go away, and I really want to5 talk about it.6 The second thing I have to talk7 about is the Aging -- the Philadelphia8 Corporation for the Aging; I'm excited9 about that.10 As a part of a joint committee,11 we will be doing a conference May 9th.12 It will be -- it's sponsored by WHYY. It13 will be all day, simulcast in three14 locations. Your new liaison for the15 retiring, soon-to-be-retiring, and has-16 retired community will be a part of that.17
But I want19 to also express that we need to -- one of20 the goals in outcomes that we hope to21 come from that conference is to have each22 department look at the fact that we are23 gray, to be a part of their planning24 process going forward.25 26 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
Meaning that3 is it better -- if you're the Recreation4 Department, should we be building more5 swimming pools, or should we be building6 more passive walking tracks?7 But each department, whether8 you talk about the Police Department,9 Transportation, or even the Prisons, the10 average age of inmates is going up.11
But we want13 that to be a part of their strategic14 thinking going forward.15
So this is a17 good opportunity to incorporate that in18 our planning.19
And if I could20 just add, Councilman, on that, the21 Administration is -- it's no accident22 that Miss Lydia Velez was just with us.23 The Mayor commissioned a study that was24 done internally to our office by our25 27 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 Director of Policy about this time last2 year, or maybe it was during the summer,3 and it was really an outgrowth of that4 research that was done where the Mayor5 said that he wanted to have more of a6 focus on aging issues.7 And so, we wanted to kind of8 ramp up. We reconstituted the Commission9 on Aging. So we're going to be very10 aggressive as an administration about11 trying to look at all of the things that12 you just suggested.13
I think14 those two things have a long-term impact15 on the City's budget and outlook.16
So I'm glad18 to see that we're doing that.19 Finally, speaking of budget,20 have you anticipated in your presentation21 the impact of the Governor's budget and22 how that's going to change our23 perspective that we had on the Mayor's24 budget address, and how is the impact --25 28 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
As we've said2 before, we continue to do that. That3 process is ongoing particularly as4 information becomes more available about5 the specifics of what the Governor has6 proposed.7 And I can, again, continue to8 report, as I did last week, that as far9 as the General Fund is concerned, the10 proposed budget that the Governor has put11 forth is not as drastically deleterious12 to the City as we would have thought, but13 we are concerned about the effects of14 that budget on the City and its15 institutions.16 So we continue to work with our17 stakeholders to look at some of the18 changes that were proposed by the19 Governor as it relates to, you know,20 social-service agencies, our hospitals --21
-- our higher-24 education institutions. So we are25 29 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 concerned.2
-- those16 things that are quiet threads of our17 communities. Are we anticipating any of18 those impacts to negatively affect our19 budget outlook?20
Yes. And you21 will hear more about some of those as we22 learn more.23 One of the things in working24 with the Council staff we've done is25 30 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 that -- we rearranged the schedule so2 that the DHS testimony can come as late3 in this process as possible. Hopefully4 by that time, we'll have a much better5 sense of the specifics of what the6 proposals are going forth.7 But just as we sit here in8 budget hearings, the State is also going9 through their appropriations hearings as10 well, and we'll get a much better sense11 during the course of those hearings as to12 what some of the effects of the proposals13 are, and we'll be in a much better14 position as we come to the conclusion of15 our hearings to give you a better idea as16 to what those effects are.17
In the18 notorious and memorialized Freshmen 15,19 one of the things that we recommended was20 recovery and saving as it relates to21 electronic transfer of checks and22 receivables coming from the State and23 federal government.24 Can you report on any progress25 31 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 made on that?2
If I could3 maybe defer to the Finance Director --4 former Treasurer and now Finance5 Director; she may have some update on6 that.7 (Witness comes forward.)8
Good morning.9 Rebecca Rhynhart, Budget Director.10 Good morning, Councilman.11
The Treasurer's14 Office, together with other departments15 in Finance, is working with departments16 across the City to improve direct deposit17 so that we get more and more of the18 revenues from the State and the feds19 through direct deposit.20 When I last looked at it, we21 were up to, I believe, close to 9022 percent, so it's a big portion of what23 we're getting.24 What we're down to is the25 32 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 smaller payments, which are harder to2 capture on direct deposit, just because3 it's much easier to -- when you sort them4 to say, Okay, all of the payments over a5 million dollars, we're going to go after6 those and convert those to direct7 deposit.8 Now we're into the smaller9 numbers, but we're working very hard to10 get there.11
So have you12 chronicled how much that has meant by way13 of savings and/or interest payments that14 we've been able to get based on that15 90 percent increase?16
Mm-hmm. It17 would be hard to do a hard and fast18 calculation, but if you think about19 getting the money going right into our20 without a delay compared to, you know,21 one, two weeks through the mail, and then22 waiting for someone to actually open it23 and deposit it, it's significant.24 I mean, interest rates are so25 33 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 low right now that it's perhaps not as2 much as it would have been in the3 high-interest rate environment, but every4 dollar counts so it's adding money.5
We had6 estimated that it would be about a7 million-dollar saving a year.8
And I would10 be interested if you could provide this11 committee and the Chair that kind of12 documentation. I know we will never get13 to a hundred percent.14
And some16 small checks just don't warrant the17 paperwork, but I am pleased that at least18 that recommendation was followed.19
You're21 right. Efficiencies and effectiveness in22 making sure that checks go cashed and23 some not go uncashed. We had chronicled24 that a check had sat on someone's desk25 34 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 for approximately a year, and I'm glad to2 hear that we're not doing that now.3
Thank you,5 Madam Chair.6 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:7 You're welcome.8 The Chair recognizes Councilman9 Green.10
Thank you,11 Madam Chair.12 Last week, during the Five-Year13 Plan testimony, we discussed the 1.5 to14 3 percent budget reduction scenarios,15 which I believe I'm supposed to get16 today?17
Just one18 second.19 I know you had made that20 request, and I think the answer was that21 they were going to try to get 'em to you22 in some format that made some sense. I23 don't --24
Right. We had25 35 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 expected to get them to you early this2 week. You had -- I mean, we can get them3 to you, I would think, by -- in the next4 few days. I wasn't aware that you wanted5 them by today.6
Okay, thank18 you.19 Did the Mayor's Office prepare20 its own reduction scenarios?21
Probably, yes.22 I don't -- I can't remember specifically23 what they were, but we probably did, yes.24
Okay, great.25 36 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 So I'll just wait for the list.2 In the budget detail, I guess3 this would be in the division summary and4 then in the Chief of Staff's testimony,5 you indicated the budget proposes a6 decrease of four positions, from 39 to7 35.8 Is anybody losing their job, or9 is this just --10
There was a --14 there was some people who left who we15 didn't replace, and there were a couple16 of positions that were in the budget last17 year that we took out.18 So there were a couple of what19 were, in effect, unfilled positions that20 we got rid of, and then there were a21 couple of people who left whom we didn't22 replace, so people are, you know, picking23 up and doing more.24
Okay. So if25 37 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 you could just -- how many people left2 and how many of the positions were3 unfilled? is my question, I guess.4
Well, there5 are only two positions that were unfilled6 that are --7
And then there10 was a net change. There were -- in11 effect what happened was, there were12 seven positions that we cut and three13 that we filled, for a net four.14 So that's effectively how we15 got to the net four reduction.16
Not unfilled.19 There were seven positions that were20 eliminated from the budget, and not all21 of them were unfilled. They might have22 become vacant during the course of the23 year.24 So, for example, we lost Doug25 38 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 Oliver during the course of the year, as2 our press secretary, right? We filled3 that position with Mark McDonald. So we4 didn't add anybody new, and that position5 just went away.6
So when you8 look at the net -- when you look at the9 net effect of those changes, the net10 effect is that we're down four positions11 that we were last year.12
So you had13 35 filled in June, 35 filled in December,14 and it looks like you're going to have 3515 filled next year.16
No, those19 were actual filled positions as of June20 last year, December of last year, and it21 looks like it will be 35 this year.22
So24 basically, it's -- four positions you25 39 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 didn't fill last year is what you're2 cutting.3
No, that's4 really not correct. I can give you the5 detail on that.6
I'm just7 looking at of the Operating8 Budget, and if you look at the --9
Right, but10 those are points in time. And what I'm11 saying is, there were things that12 happened during the course of the year13 that -- just bear with me here. Let me14 get my notes here.15 This is what happened during16 the course of the year: We lost the17 senior advisor of economic development.18 We lost a philanthropic --19
And that20 person was moved to another position in21 the Mayor's Office budget --22
That's right,25 40 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 it did. So I'm going to give you all the2 ones that we lost.3 We lost a communications4 specialist, we lost a deputy press5 secretary. And then there were two6 positions that were not filled: a7 director and a project manager. And then8 we moved a receptionist over from9 part-time to full-time and added an10 external affairs coordinator.11 So the net effect of all of12 those changes was that we're down four.13
No, no, we did16 not. Doug was the press secretary. We17 didn't have a communications director.18 And Doug was the press secretary, and we19 moved Mark over to Doug's position.20
Okay. I21 don't want to beat a dead horse. It just22 looks to me like the testimony is23 basically saying we reduced four24 positions when there were only 3525 41 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 positions budgeted and filled last year.2
Yeah. We don't19 have -- the filled positions as of June20 30, 2010, was 38. The Adopted Budget was21 39.22
And now we're24 down to 35.25 42 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
Hmm. Well,3 it's not what the budget detail shows on4 , so I don't know how they're5 inconsistent. At any rate, I will move6 on.7 Okay. Following up on some of8 the questions relating to contracts, for9 each lobbying contract, when you provide10 the information, could you please note11 how long the City has used the lobbying12 firm and how the City monitors the firm's13 performance?14
The firm and17 how you monitor their performance. In18 other words, how do you judge success or19 failure in terms of outcomes; why are we20 deciding to renew the contract versus,21 you know, open it up to somebody else.22
Well, at least23 in the current formulation of contract,24 we are going back out probably, in the25 43 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 next week or so, with an RFP for our2 lobbying contracts.3 But typically, we judge and4 evaluate the performance of our lobbyists5 based on a number of factors, which would6 include: their responsiveness to our7 requests; their ability to provide8 strategic advice which results in9 positive outcomes for the City, be it in10 the adoption of legislation or the11 failure to adopt legislation that we12 don't.13 So those are all kind of some14 of factors that we use in determining15 whether or not to evaluate or renew a16 contract.17 As I mentioned, we are in the18 process now of going through a new RFP19 process, and that will probably be out in20 the next week or so.21
What effect22 will the appointment of Ms. Gillen as the23 Mayor's Director of Legislative Affairs24 have on the need for, you know, federal25 44 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 lobbyists as compared to last year since2 we know that they --3
As opposed7 to -- I'm sorry, I missed the end of your8 question.9
Since we now10 have a fairly high-paid full-time11 position in that job, how will that12 affect lobbying efforts in terms of13 contracts?14
Well, one of15 the -- and it's interesting, Ms. Gillen16 wrote me a note not too long ago,17 wondering whether or not, you know, we18 could maybe cut back, and that's19 something that we're going to look at in20 terms of this next formulation of21 lobbying evidence.22 She is providing great23 coordination services to the24 Administration on the federal side,25 45 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 something that I must say that was2 probably lacking prior to her taking up3 the rein. So we are evaluating that, and4 that's one of the reasons why we're going5 back out on the street for lobbying.6
Okay.7 That's all I have Madam President. Thank8 you.9 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:10 You're welcome.11 The Chair recognizes Councilman12 Jones.13
Thank you,14 Madam President.15 I'd be interested in trying to16 take a look at some of the impacts on the17 stimulus money drying up by way of --18 it's my understanding that we spent maybe19 50 percent of that.20 Have you kind of looked at how21 we phase out -- and I have you on the22 record saying that we didn't, like other23 entities, have a drunken free-for-all24 with the federal money.25 46 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
Well, I'll5 give you a kind of broad overview, and I6 would ask you to maybe ask specific7 departments about stimulus money about8 how they're doing it.9 But overall, as I mentioned10 before, we were fairly conservative in11 our use of stimulus funds in that we did12 not try to incorporate them into our13 Operating Budget.14 The one exception that I noted15 in my testimony last week was for16 probation officers, and we are going to17 basically cover those costs and bring18 those into the General Fund. So that's19 one area that committed to. We know that20 we need those officers so those will be21 (indiscernible).22 As for other projects -- and I23 think of one in particular -- is in terms24 of the obesity area, in which we are25 47 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 making some commitment of additional2 funds beyond ARA. We think that that's a3 very important initiative to continue,4 and Dr. Schwarz will be in a position5 when he comes up to give you testimony6 about the Health Department.7
I'm8 surprised you committed and kept with9 that after the sugar tax failed, that10 this is still a priority for this11 administration. I don't --12
Because the13 health of our citizens is very, very,14 very important to us and for all of us15 because it costs in the long run;16 everybody recognizes that. And we all17 know that particularly some of the more18 insidious diseases that are a result of19 obesity, you know, be it diabetes, high20 blood pressure, those things.21 So those are the things that,22 if we can make some inroads early on and23 not have the long-term effects of those24 diseases is very important. And25 48 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 Dr. Schwarz has been not only an advocate2 here but a national advocate and is3 recognized for his ability to do that.4 So those are the kinds of5 things -- and I would ask you to maybe6 ask maybe each of those departments.7 But, you know, we've made some very8 strategic and targeted investments with9 those monies and --10
Well, an11 example was PHDC, the Philadelphia12 Housing Development Corporation, received13 considerable resources --14