I would just say emphatically that I understand that you can't get the $3 million back, or it's very difficult. And we all know that we can't get some taxes back. In this economy and what's happening in Center City, 63 12/1/99 L&I - BILL 990565 and I'm two blocks away from it and so are a lot of other people, and I'm not saying that other areas of the city aren't important. But if you get the $3 million back enough, I would say to you that it's worth the $3 million to keep people safe. And I feel very strongly about that.
Thank you very much. Just two comments. Number one, I think the issue of the recoupment of the money was made clear in the line of questioning that Councilman Nutter engaged in with Mr. Solvibile and Mr. Feldgus and Mr. Haigler initially, and that is, how many times do we clean the same lot? How many times does the Streets Department clean it in addition to L&I cleaning it? And what is the cumulative amount of money spent in a particular 16-by-50-foot lot? And how much would be saved if, in fact, the money spent at the end of demolition to secure an actually cleaned lot? And I think that's part of what the issue of what the expenditures are. Secondly, let me say for the record, in defense of Mr. Feldgus and Commissioner Solvibile 64 12/1/99 L&I - BILL 990565 and Mr. Haigler, they're here representing the view of the Administration. They're doing their job. They would like to have more than $10 million a year to demolish all of the properties that need to be demolished and to treat all of the areas need to be treated to make our neighborhoods a better place. This administration, to its credit in some areas, and maybe not to its credit in some others, is extremely concerned about the issue of increasing expenditures outside of our current budget that we have and outside of the five-year plan. It's been a consistent theme for the past eight years and they've been successful in that regard some of the issues. In fairness to them, they're really doing their job as good soldiers, as orders have been given to them to maintain this five-year budget, which we really don't disagree with either. I think the issue is one that comes down to, are we spending more money than we have to in order to keep and maintain lots after demolition than we would have if we had put a fence up. So I think those are the issues that 65 12/1/99 L&I - BILL 990565 we're wrestling with. I don't think any of them disagree with the need to secure and maintain decent neighborhoods, but we'll make a decision as a result of our deliberations on what to do. Proceed your testimony.
One more thing. The hidden costs that no one talks about, Councilman Kenney -- and you have been as eloquent on this as anybody -- is the cost of people leaving the City.
And no one ever puts that calculation into the cost of any of this stuff. And I really think -- I mean, as I struggle with this block on Fitzwater Street and start seeing people leave the block and leave the City because they say, You know what? It ain't worth it. I'm not getting my money's worth. So I would caution you not to be too focused on the number -- the cost of cleaning up the lot versus the cost of fencing, because it's that hidden cost of people leaving and taxpayers leaving that never gets calculated.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Is there anyone else here to testify on this bill? (No response.)
For the record, Bills No. 990251 will be held. Bill No. 990223 will be withdrawn at the request of the sponsor. Bill No. 990494 will be held at the request of the sponsor. If there's no one else to testify on this bill, we will now move to Bill 990422, which is an ordinance amending Section 9-206 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Vendors in Neighborhood Districts, by designating the south side of the 1400 block of Morris Street and 1421 West Passyunk Avenue as a new neighborhood business district within which sidewalk sales are subject to the provisions of Section 9-206, and by specifying the number and the location of permitted vendor sites within that district, all under certain terms and conditions. Mr. Haigler, please identify yourself 67 12/1/99 L&I - BILL 990533 for the record and proceed.
Otis Haigler, Jr., Legislative Regulatory Affairs Manager for the Department of Licenses and Inspections. Councilman Kenney and members of the committee, we have no objections to the enactment of this ordinance.
Thank you. Are there any questions for Mr. Haigler? (No questions.)
None. We will now move to Bill No. 990533, which an ordinance amending Section 9-205 of the Philadelphia Code relating to sidewalk sales by adding a new provision prohibiting sidewalk sales on Fifth Street, from Godfrey Avenue to Olney Avenue, both sides. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed.
Yes. Otis Haigler, Jr., Department of Licenses and Inspections, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Manager. Mr. Chairperson and members of the 68 12/1/99 L&I - PUBLIC MEETING committee, on this particular bill, we have no 3 objections to the enactment and the enforcement of this bill.
Thank you very much. Are there any questions on the part of committee? (No questions.)
That will conclude the public hearing of the Licenses and Inspections Committee. - - -
We will now convene a public meeting. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter for the purpose of offering amendments to Bill No. 990565.
Mr. Chairman, I have a couple amendments. Two are technical in nature, and one is to try, in other best efforts, to retain some level of friendship with Mr. Feldgus and Mr. Haigler, that we put some limits 69 12/1/99 L&I - PUBLIC MEETING on the requirements of the department. Mr. Chairman, in Section PM-307.6, on of the bill, where the new language starts with the sentence: "When the Department proceeds to demolish any. . ." insert "residential or neighborhood commercial corridor." And then the sentence would continue with ". . . dwelling, whether by contract. . ." The second amendment would be in the later sentence, which starts with: "In addition, the Department shall work cooperatively with other City and City-related agencies on any plans for the acquisition, disposition and reuse of. . ." delete the word "these" and insert the word "any." And in the next sentence: "Pursuant to a written request from a City department, agency or official, the Commissioner shall have the discretion to determine whether a fence is unnecessary. . ." insert "for any vacant lot" and continue the sentence with " . . .based on the planned reuse of the vacant lot or other unique circumstances." The same amendments would be made in Section PM-308.4. Again, it's to read: "When the 70 12/1/99 L&I - PUBLIC MEETING Department proceeds to demolish any. . ." insert "residential or neighborhood commercial corridor." And continue the sentence with ". . . dwelling, whether by contract. . ." Later, in the same paragraph: "Acquisition, disposition and reuse of. . ." delete the word "these" and insert the word "any." And at the end: "The Commissioner shall have the discretion to determine whether a fence is unnecessary. . ." insert "for any vacant lot" and continue the sentence with ". . . based on a planned reuse of a vacant lot or other unique circumstances." Those are all of the amendments, Mr. Chairman, and I would move the adoption of these amendments at this time.
All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. The amendments, as offered by Councilman Nutter to Bill No. 990565 are accepted. The Chair recognizes Councilmember 71 12/1/99 L&I - PUBLIC MEETING Nutter for a motion on the amended bill.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 990565, as amended, be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so a to permit consideration in our next Council session. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and second. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 990565, as amended, will be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and with a further request for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next Council session. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nutter for a motion on Bill No. 990422, with a rules suspension request, please.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 990422 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and with a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our 72 12/1/99 L&I - PUBLIC MEETING next Council session. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 990422 will be reported out of this committee favorably and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next Council session. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter for a motion on Bill No. 990533.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 990533 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 consideration at our next Council session. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 990533 is reported out of this committee favorably and a request will be made for a rules suspension so as to permit first reading 73 12/1/99 L&I - PUBLIC MEETING at our next Council session. Again, Bill No. 990251 will be held, Bill No. 990494 will be held, and Bill No. 990223 will be withdrawn at the request of the sponsor. Thank you very much for your attendance. (Adjourned at 3:44 p.m.) - - - 74 C E R T I F I C A T E I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of Wednesday, December 1, 1999, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of same. RE: COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON LICENSES AND INSPECTIONS BILL NO.'S 990422, 990533, 990565 __________________________________, JOSEPHINE CARDILLO, Registered Professional Reporter