I pointed15 out last year that the testimony was16 basically the same.17 And so, what I'm going to focus18 on in a bunch of questions I'm going to19 send you, and they're very similar to the20 questions that I sent last year, is21 outcomes for the programs.22 Like, I do find it hard to23 believe that 130 foster grandparents24 serve 43 children apiece, 'cause that's25 174 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 what the numbers would have to work out2 to be.3 And MOCS is one area where,4 frankly, I'm not sure we're getting value5 for our dollar; we spend a lot of money6 in there.7 And you seem to replicate what8 other departments do, perhaps do more9 efficiently and better; like, for10 example, workforce development and other11 things that are happening in your office.12 And there are other agencies that do that13 full-time, why we're funding you with14 that, and stuff like that.15 So I'll be sending you -- I'm16 not going to go through it now, but I'll17 send you a list of detailed questions18 that I'd like to understand exactly what19 it is you you're going to achieve with20 the dollars you're appropriating for each21 program, how many people you're going to22 sow, and what the outcome of that is23 expected to be in the next year.24 But I will ask you: In, I25 175 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 think, a July 7th press release from the2 Mayor's Office of Communications, there3 was an announcement of a two-year4 $500,000 grant for the Department of5 Agriculture to work with BenePhilly,6 which is something the freshmen learned7 about in our freshmen orientation.8 Could you -- the release noted9 that BenePhilly assists seniors in10 applying for benefits through innovative11 and unprecedented outreach and12 application assistance efforts. It was13 encouraging to learn that this effort14 included proactive outreach to seniors15 who are unenrolled but believed to be16 eligible.17 Has MOCS coordinated with18 BenePhilly to adopt some of its best19 practices?20
To what22 extent does MOCS engage in similar23 proactive efforts where you go looking24 for people you can serve as opposed to25 176 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 sort of having people walk in the door?2
Well, we do that3 with our community organizers in CEU,4 when we send 'em out to community5 organizations and community events out in6 the community, to provide them with their7 servicers --8
So what do9 you mean when you say you're community10 organizers? Do you have people on your11 staff whose job it is to be a community12 organizer?13
Ten. Part18 of the question I'll be asking you is,19 can you please send me a list of how20 often those ten people have been out in21 the field, and what specifically results22 from each of their efforts in order to23 roach out to the community?24
Absolutely. And,25 177 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 actually, they're out in the field as we2 speak, at our northeast site, doing taxes3 and also at our Center City site.4
And that's in7 partnership with the Campaign for Working8 Families.9
And who pays17 for that? Is that grant money from the18 federal government, or is that --19
That's grant20 money. All of our money is grant money21 from either the federal government or the22 State.23
So we don't use25 178 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 our own General Fund dollars.2
That's3 right. Okay. Well, I'll send you the4 rest of my questions in writing, and I5 look forward to your response.6 Thank you.7
But, Councilman,8 I just wanted to note that, you know, I'm9 very aware of your concerns, and I didn't10 forget.11 I came here prepared to talk12 about e-logic with you.13 (Laughter.)14
Well, I'm17 glad that it's up and running, and it18 hasn't been up and running long enough19 for us to be able measure --20
But we should be24 able to, you know, be fully at it in25 179 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 maybe June. And I would love to --2
So it will3 be up and running in June, so we'll have4 a whole fiscal year -- or most of a5 fiscal year of data to look at next6 year's budget --7
And perhaps12 it could result in different testimony13 next year.14
The24 Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.25 180 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
Thank you.2 Forgive me if you've already3 addressed this. It's about the $634,8i84 increase for the purchase of services.5 Did you already discuss that today?6
It's in9 section, let me see. I think it's10 section 6, .11
Is that in the12 Operating Budget, or is that in the13 testimony?14
In the15 Operating Budget.16 (Mr. Bullock looks through17 documents.)18
If you can2 find it, it indicates that there's a3 request for that amount in the budget.4
A couple of22 quick ones.23 In terms of your physical24 locations, do you -- in terms --25 182 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 satellite offices -- do you -- I know, in2 the olden days, when we had a lot of3 money, it used to be the Mayor's Office4 of Community Services.5
We just have two9 satellite offices. We have our main10 office at 990 Spring Garden Street. And11 we have two satellite offices: one at12 Sixth and Lehigh and another at the mini13 City Hall at 22nd and Sommerset.14
You have15 one at 22nd? So do you have a staff16 person there or in the office?17
At any of24 the locations.25 183 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
Right. The mini2 City Hall location is a City building.3 And Sixth and Lehigh is right under the4 Free Library.5
Okay. In9 terms of your locations and the10 organizations that you service, is it11 based on census track data as it relates12 to median income or information that's13 associated with poverty levels?14 I mean, how do you make the15 determinations --16
We have twelve20 poverty areas that we service, which is21 based upon the census track. That should22 probably change this year with the new,23 you know, census, you know, coming out24 anyhow.25 184 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 But it's not based upon, you2 know, Council District or zip code or3 anything like that.4
-- in spite9 of some of the earlier questions.10 (Laughter.)11
As it12 relates to your ability -- and it was a13 earlier question and I got distracted and14 I didn't quite -- your ability to solicit15 or capture a broader cadre of resources,16 how is that done, soley through your17 office?18 Or who basically goes out and19 solicits grants for your office; is it20 done by support from the City or the21 various agencies or support from the22 federal government or the federal23 agencies -- or federally-elected24 officials, I guess I should say.25 185 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
Right. I mean,2 it would be done through our office. In3 the past, it has not been done. I can't4 answer as to why it has not been done,5 but I know there has been a new concerted6 effort to solicit, you know, and7 diversify our funding streams.8
Okay, all9 right. As we move forward, I guess this10 will pretty much tell after the census11 data is compiled and analyzed in terms of12 your ability.13 I guess what I'm getting at is,14 from my perspective, I don't think that a15 lot of people know but the Mayor's Office16 of Community Services. A lot of people17 know about the Mayor's Office.18 But in terms of being able to19 access this information -- and I was20 actually talking to my colleague21 Councilman Rizzo about this, and there22 was some concerns about making a lot of23 this information available without the24 necessary resource.25 186 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 My preference would actually be2 that we have more people than we can3 serve, and then we can always make the4 argument to go out and get additional5 resources to service our population.6 Do we have a strategy, or do7 you think that you're at a point where8 you need to be in terms of making people9 aware of the services that you offer?10
Being ordained as14 the City's antipoverty agency, you're not15 going to, you know, end poverty with $816 million.17
So, I mean, my19 strategy is to become more of a capacity20 builder.21 The one thing about22 Philadelphia that we're fortunate to have23 is a number of, you know, different24 nonprofits and other, you know, entities25 187 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 providing many of the same services. And2 I know Councilman Green has brought that3 up.4
So what we're6 trying to do is become a facilitator, you7 know, a collaborator and a capacity8 builder with these other agencies that9 are, you know, doing what they did pretty10 well. And then we bring it back at to11 the table and bring everybody together12 and try to measure it instead of being a13 competitor.14
All right.25 188 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
We're working2 towards having a full online presence3 including, you know, social media and so4 on and so forth.5
Hopefully, this7 will be the year get that we really get8 that done.9 And this database that I've10 been, you know, really talking about, you11 know, that's a start, because in the12 past, we haven't measured what we've been13 doing, and this database will all us to14 do so.15
All right.16 You know, the reason I -- one of the17 reasons that I mention that is that18 recently, I guess, at the end of last19 year, there was a request for us to20 support a stimulus grant that would allow21 broader access to Internet services for22 individuals.23 And they selected a number of24 organizations, nonprofits and locations25 189 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 throughout the City where individuals can2 go and get online with the computers that3 are going to be placed in those4 locations.5 And I thought that, you know,6 not only what you're taking about but a7 lot of the services that would be offered8 and one -- we were actually trying to do9 a pilot program with Al Franks, but then10 he up and resigned -- up at 22nd and11 Cecil B. Moore, the Cecil B. Moore12 Recreation Center.13
I'm sorry,15 not the recreation center, at the16 library, because I think that our ability17 to get that information out there can be18 maximized by online --19
Well, that would20 be something that we would be willing to21 support --22
-- and, you know,24 submit our own resources into making that25 190 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 happen.2
Yeah,3 'cause we have a number of locations4 where, fortunately -- we're from the same5 neighborhood.6
30th and8 Dauphin, you probably know Kevin Upshore.9 He took a -- it used to be his mother's10 bar, you know, and then he took this11 building.12 And I walked in there last13 week, and they had, like, 30 children in14 there with computers.15
And, you17 know, I got to tell you, they weren't18 necessarily accessing the type of19 information that you provide at that20 time.21
But if we23 had the capability of having direct feed24 into those locations right in the heart25 191 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 of those areas --2
And, you know,6 through these, you know, partnerships,7 you know, we won't just have to have, you8 know, twelve MOCS, you know, offices.9
You know, every11 community organization in the community,12 you know, can be a MOCS office, you know,13 through appropriate partnerships.14
What is18 your current interaction, speaking of19 that, with the NACs, Neighborhood Action20 Centers, or NSAs?21
Do you all24 have an online presence, so can you go to25 192 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 the Strawberry Mansion NAC and say,2 "Lenore, I want to get online on the3 computers that you have in here and pull4 up all the information that" --5
But, yeah, we9 do -- we have a great relationship with10 the NACs all over the City. We work very11 closely with them, you know, especially12 in sharing information, information13 coming from them, but also information14 coming from us.15 And coming this year, what I16 would like to do, particularly with the17 NACs and the smaller community groups is,18 you know, to assist them in, you know,19 funding opportunities and things of that20 sort.21
I mean I --22 I'm kind of focusing on online services.23
Do you have25 193 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 that interaction currently?2
If somebody5 goes to the NAC office at West Poplar and6 says, "I need to find out all of the7 information that is offered by the8 Mayor's Office of Community Services,"9 and then go on their terminal and pull10 all of that up, can we do that?11
We can't do it --12 we can't do it -- well, we have not been13 doing that. I won't say that can't do14 it; we have not been doing it.15 I see my IT guy right here16 shaking his head. So he knows it's a17 good idea.18 Can we do it?19
Yes. The20 information is available. You just can't21 do it --22
Marc Spearman,25 194 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 Director of Programs and Information2 Technology.3 They can access the services4 that are available to us. They can't do5 online applications.6 But we are partnering with the7 State, through a program called "My8 Compass," which will allow people to sign9 up for entitlements themselves. They10 would have to go online, they would click11 in, select the site, and they can fill12 out an application and see what was13 available to them.14
Okay.15 Yeah, that would be very helpful, 'cause16 I know the days when we had twelve MOCSs17 is not going to come back maybe in the18 foreseeable future or maybe never, but if19 we had the ability to --20
(Not24 completely audible; off-mic.) There's25 195 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 two Marc Spearmans.2
Yeah, but I11 thought -- I will always -- okay, thank12 you.13 Thank you, Madam President.14
That's not15 the Marc Spearman that we all know, you16 know.17 So in terms of timeline, now18 that we're getting this out here in a19 somewhat public way, in terms of20 timeline -- and I know that all of these21 hearings are monitored by the22 Administration.23 What's the timeline as it24 relates to you being in a position where25 196 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 you will have the capabilities that we2 just spoke of? From your best-case --3
Presently, the4 website is up that lists the services5 that MOCS provides. That's already up6 and running.7
It probably is a9 little static now. But in terms of10 adding links like My Compass and links of11 that sort, I'm sure it could be done in a12 matter of weeks.13
Now, the thing17 is, it would go to -- once someone goes18 through or creates the relationship and19 folks know to go to the Strawberry20 Mansion NAC or the United Communities21 around the City to get that, that I22 couldn't tell you -- there are23 partnerships that we still have to24 solidify to make that happen.25 197 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
Right.2 Yeah, I mean I think we, as Council3 people, should play a role in that also.4 I mean, we have our own networks, and5 it's important that we get this6 information out.7 Because, you know, coming and8 living in a community that has those9 challenges, I mean I just think that a10 lot of people just don't know that the11 information is available.12 And, you know, we send out what13 we get from you to the block captains and14 committee people, but you never know how15 much of that they share with the general16 population.17 So, at least from my18 perspective, I think that, you know, we19 will be willing to work with you on that20 once we get that capability to get it out21 there in a very aggressive way.22 All right, okay. Thank you.23
Thank you,24 Councilman.25 198 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
Thank you,2 Madam President.3 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:4 You're welcome.5 The Chair recognizes Councilman6 Jones.7
The only8 thing I would add as a comment is, I9 think that there's enough unanswered10 questions to allow the agency to come11 back, possibly before the end of the12 budget process, with that information so13 that we don't wait a whole fiscal year to14 get the information like we tend to do.15 Their mission is way to16 important for that. To alleviate poverty17 in the City of Philadelphia any way that18 we can get that information before the19 end of the budget, we'd like to have them20 maybe come back and be able to present --21
Thank you.24 Thank you, Madam President.25 199 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:2 You're welcome.3 I would just, like, to have the4 record to be very specific. Actually, in5 your Operating Budget, you are, in6 fact -- if I could find it. You are7 taking monies from Class 200 and you're8 adding them to Class 100?9
This is Rebecca14 Rhynhart, Budget Director.15 It probably has to do with what16 the grants are funding, but they probably17 need to get an answer back to you.18
All19 right. And there will be -- there are20 seven vacancies?21
All2 right. I wanted the record to reflect3 that. Thank you.4 Are there any other questions5 from members of the committee?6 (No further questions.)7
Is8 there any indication of when we will hear9 what the federal government is doing as10 far as these various cuts?11
No, not really.12 You know, I was just out in Harrisburg13 last week, and even the State don't know,14 you know, what the feds are going to do15 or how this is all going to end up at16 this point.17
We will keep18 updating you, though, as we find out19 information.20
So21 till then, we'll just have to work in the22 dark.23
Unfortunately,24 we can't...25 201 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
Thank5 you very much.6 MR. McPHERSON: The next7 department is the Mayor's Office of8 Housing and Community Development.9 (Witnesses come forward.)10
12 MS. 15 MS. McCOLLOCH: Good afternoon,16 President Verna and members of City17 Council. 23 The proposed Operating Budget24 under the Community Development Fund -25 202 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 Grants Revenue Fund, Housing Trust Fund,2 and General Fund will also be presented3 in the spring to the Finance Committee at4 its hearing on the Consolidated Plan5 Ordinance. 11 Ideally, the Consolidated Plan12 hearing should occur prior to the13 consideration of the Operating Budget by14 City Council. 17 Should the results of the18 Consolidated Plan hearing require19 adjustments to OHCD's Operating Budget,20 as adopted by City Council, there will21 still be time subsequent to the adoption22 of the Consolidated Plan to amend the23 Operating Budget. The complete Fiscal24 Year 2012 proposed budget will be25 203 3/28/11 COMM. The enclosed budget projects a4 percent reduction in community5 development funding for FY '12. R. 11 This bill is currently being12 negotiated and, if finalized, the13 appropriate reductions will need to be14 reflected in the Year 37 Consolidated15 Plan. 20 HUD's mandated goals are the21 creation of suitable living environments,22 the provision of decent and affordable23 housing, and the creation of economic24 opportunities. In FY '12, OHCD will25 204 3/28/11 COMM. 2 million in total development12 costs. 14 These housing developments15 included 106 homeownership units, 36716 rental units, and 160 special-needs17 units. 8 million in Community24 Development Block Grant funds to the25 205 3/28/11 COMM. 4 The Office of Housing and5 Community Development is committed to6 supporting the Administration's goal of7 25 percent minority-, woman-, disabled-8 owned businesses participating in City9 contracting. 23 It should be noted that the24 General Fund supports only approximately25 206 3/28/11 COMM. 25 207 3/28/11 COMM. 9 The decrease in budget Class10 200 is primarily the result of the11 reduction in funding from the American12 Recovery & Reinvestment Act. 24 OHCD will return to City25 208 3/28/11 COMM. 6
Thank7 you. As usual, you do a great job.8 MS. McCOLLOCH: Thank you.9
You10 mention in your testimony that House Bill11 H.R. 1 is proposing a 66 percent cut in12 CDBG funding for FY '12. Have you13 determined what you would propose to cut14 if the bill passes?15 MS. McCOLLOCH: We haven't16 determined that yet, in part, because17 we're hoping that we don't have a 6618 percent cut in our funding.19 Our hope certainly is that, as20 the federal budget is negotiated --21 there's currently a continuing resolution22 in place now, as you know, through next23 week.24 MR. McPHERSON: It expires25 209 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 April 8th.2 MS. McCOLLOCH: Correct, it3 expires -- the current continuing4 resolution will expire April 8th.5
April6 8th.7 MS. McCOLLOCH: And that the8 House and the Senate are negotiating a9 budget back and forth. At some point,10 they'll pass a budget, and then we'll11 know what our reduction will be, and12 that's when we'll have to bring the13 Consolidated Plan before you with14 whatever those reductions are, and we'll15 have to submit a proposed budget.16
Thank17 you.18 The Chair recognizes Councilman19 Clarke.20
Thank you,21 Madam President.22 I tried to hit my button before23 Councilman Goode, and I beat him this24 time.25 210 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 (Laughter.)2
The first6 question I was going to actually ask you7 is about the continuing resolution. I8 guess at what point -- the federal fiscal9 year is what, July 1?10 MS. McCOLLOCH: No, the federal11 fiscal year is October 1 to September12 30th.13
October 1,14 so the CR could conceivably --15 MS. McCOLLOCH: This is -- the16 continuing resolution is the federal17 budget that started October 1st.18
Right.19 MS. McCOLLOCH: Our comp plan20 budget that we bring to this council is21 our --22 (Indiscernible; parties talking23 over each other.)24
So25 211 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 conceivably, if the continuing2 resolution, or some resolution, as it3 relates to this whole ongoing issue of4 funding this budget piecemeal, if there's5 an agreement reached that we'll have a6 significant reduction in the continuing7 resolution or a budget deal, we could8 conceivably seek dramatic cuts in this9 current fiscal year -- or how does that10 work?11 MS. McCOLLOCH: It won't be in12 the current -- it will be in our fiscal13 year that starts July 1st.14
Yes.15 I'm -- right.16 MS. McCOLLOCH: In our fiscal17 year that starts July 1st.18
Right.19 Wait a minute. Let me understand this.20 So if there is a continuing21 resolution -- 'cause I think the deadline22 is the next of days?23 MS. McCOLLOCH: It's now been24 continued throughout the --25 212 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81
And that2 continuing resolution says there's going3 to be a reduction in the current federal4 fiscal year --5 MS. McCOLLOCH: Right.6
-- that7 won't impact us in our fiscal year --8 MS. McCOLLOCH: Right.9
-- because10 of the time --11 MS. McCOLLOCH: It will not12 impact us until July the 1st.13
And then we17 have a problem, okay.18 MS. McCOLLOCH: Yes.19
So I was20 wondering if we had to give some money21 back.22 MS. McCOLLOCH: No.23
So we're24 okay with that.25 213 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 Okay. I just want to ask you a2 question on the record, and I talked to3 you in the hallway about this, and it's4 not administrative-related, but it is a5 question I need to get a better handle on6 terms of the NTI budget process, and you7 signed the letter, so I got to ask you8 the question.9 MS. McCOLLOCH: That's fine.10
This whole11 issue about appraisals, I continue to12 have some concerns about the appraisals13 because -- in particularly as it relates14 to parts of district that I represent15 when I look at the comps that have been16 set as it relates to acquisitions or17 sales in these varies areas, particularly18 in the North Philadelphia area, that we,19 the City of Philadelphia, are always20 driving the numbers higher and higher.21 And on the private side -- and22 I spoke to you but this one, this lot at23 28th and Oakdale Street, which is just24 below Lehigh, where there's a vacant lot.25 214 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 MS. McCOLLOCH: Mm-hmm.2
It's been3 vacant for thirty years or more. And4 therefore, for whatever reason, we're5 saying that the appraised value of that6 lot is $16,000 and --7 MS. McCOLLOCH: The appraised8 value that the Redevelopment Authority --9 the budget in question is to acquire one10 vacant lot in the 2800 lot of Oakdale11 Street. The appraised value that was12 presented by the Redevelopment Authority13 was $16,000 for one lot.14 It was based on appraisals that15 the Redevelopment Authority secured. I16 don't have any independent information17 about it other than what I was given by18 the RDA. I can go back and check with19 them again, but I'm just saying that I20 don't have any independent information.21
All right,22 'cause it seems like all the appraisals23 that we, the City, get, particularly the24 Redevelopment Authority, are always on25 215 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 the high side.2 And I don't know of anybody3 that would pay $16,000 for a vacant lot4 at 20th and Oakdale. And throughout the5 district, all these appraisals, they just6 come in.7 MS. McCOLLOCH: Right. I can8 --9
My concern10 is that -- I mean, I understand that we11 have to pay money in the event that12 there's an appeal for the compensation,13 but this is not that. And is it required14 that the Redevelopment Authority get the15 appraisals?16 MS. McCOLLOCH: Yes, 'cause the17 Redevelopment Authority is doing -- in18 this case, it's an urban renewal taking;19 the Redevelopment Authority is acquiring20 the property.21
All right.22 It just sounds pretty ridiculous.23 MS. McCOLLOCH: I mean, I can24 go back and ask them -- I can get the25 216 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 detailed information for you. I just2 don't know it, sitting here today.3
All right.4 In addition to which on advertising5 costs, are you operating under the same6 guidelines as we, City Council, or the7 Administration are operating on in terms8 of who we have to advertise or where we9 have to advertise?10 MS. McCOLLOCH: Well, the11 requirements for advertising are part of12 the law surrounding how you can take13 properties. You have to advertise in --14 for so many days and so forth.15 And so, the advertising16 costs -- and you have to advertise in17 newspapers of general circulation. So18 the advertising costs are high.19 And what I -- and what the20 Councilman and I talked about earlier21 today is that those costs are spread out22 for however many properties are in the23 particular ad. Like the ad will be about24 the same cost if it's one property or25 217 3/28/11 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - 110135,6,7,81 twenty priorities. And so, if it's2 twenty properties, the cost of the ad3 gets spread out over those twenty4 properties.5