There16 are quite a bit of police officers17 directing traffic there, and I've always18 wondered why we need so many police19 officers directing traffic, even though20 they're paid for as a practice. And my21 concern is that we need as many police22 officers in the street.23 Is that just the practice that24 we've followed over the years? Is there25 277 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 a federal requirement that we have so2 many police officers there?3
Councilwoman,4 there's no federal requirement that there5 be a police officer at every single6 terminal, but what we have found is that7 the lack or the presence of a police8 officer would contribute to folks parking9 right up against the curbside, so it's10 not only a congestion issue, but in this11 day and age, when there's such a12 significant threat out there for13 explosives to be packed into a vehicle or14 a vehicle-borne explosive, the police15 officers take a very active approach in16 making sure that if they either see a17 suspicious vehicle or somebody that's18 been sitting there for a long time, to19 try to move things, move the traffic20 along there so we don't have mass21 congestion and so we also don't have a22 security risk at the same time.23
Okay.24 How many officers do we have allocated to25 278 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 the Airport right now?2
7/24,11 okay.12 That was just my one question.13 I use the Airport quite frequently, and I14 must say there's been incredible15 improvements and efficiencies there, so I16 like actually flying -- I used to fly17 through Newark all of the time because of18 the flight fees, but I'm back to flying19 through Philly.20
The25 279 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.2
Thank you.3 Likewise, it's a pleasure to visit the4 Airport. There's a lot of good things5 going on there. And it's this team that6 makes it worse, and I personally7 appreciate that.8 The reason is, people coming to9 the City lately, it's not just that seal10 of approval you got from J.D. Powers;11 it's the people that I know that fly that12 account to me and say that the experience13 has really been a good one for them.14
You know,17 just the environment itself, with all of18 the aircraft and the emissions that they19 put out, I know it's good to invest money20 in going green, but isn't there a better21 place to spend our money than the ground22 support equipment -- that probably should23 be running on natural gas since we own a24 utility company -- rather than investing25 280 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 on electric-powered equipment?2 And I know it would probably be3 just a drop in the bucket, what it4 contributes, and I know people are going5 to say that any little bit helps.6 But don't you think that maybe7 we ought to be a little more careful8 where we spend our dollars, especially in9 an environment. And I know jet engine10 aircraft have gotten a lot cleaner11 throughout the years, but it seems to me12 to worry about those little diesel-13 powered carts, when possibly propane or14 some other form of clean energy might15 suffice, especially natural gas.16 And then that leads me to: Are17 our natural gas-powered buses back in18 service?19
They are not20 presently in service at Philadelphia,21 although I would say that USAirways and22 others, car rental agencies and the like,23 continue to evaluate compressed natural24 gas vehicles for their fleets.25 281 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 The response to the first part2 of the question with respect to electric3 versus propane or another one of an4 alternative fuel variety, if you will, is5 that we've been working collaboratively6 with the airlines. It's not just7 Philadelphia International that they're8 doing these types of migrations or9 transitions on their ground support10 fleets to electric- or battery-powered;11 they're doing it at multiple stations.12 And they're trying to set a level of13 standardization across the board at the14 same time.15 So, in addition to that, as was16 in the testimony, we're going after17 federal grant dollars that are available18 for this type of acquisition as well.19 So, in the end, it should not20 end up costing the Airport, or even the21 airlines, any dollars for that except for22 the investment that the airlines will23 make in that type of equipment that will24 save them in the long run in terms of25 282 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 fuel costs and the fossil -- the2 emissions that come from fossil fuels.3
What4 happened with our -- I know we had a fire5 with one of the buses at the Airport.6
And they8 were really beautiful, natural-gas-9 powered, close-proximity, your own10 fueling station. I guess it's been two11 or three years. What happened with that12 fleet of buses?13
Oh, it's -- it's --14 time has been flying by, Councilman.15 It's been probably closer to seven or16 eight years since we've had the17 compressed natural gas buses, but it is a18 fuel alternative that we continue to look19 at and evaluate, to see whether or not it20 would be a viable solution for the21 Airport going forth in the future for not22 just vehicles that we have in our airport23 fleet. A work van, for example, we've24 had C and G work vans, but also larger25 283 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 vehicles.2 Hopefully, at some point in3 time, we'll have the majority of the4 vehicles that are circulating around the5 Airport, whether they be rental car6 facilities or shuttle buses and the like,7 converted to some other type of8 alternative fuel, either using a9 bio-diesel or a compressed natural gas or10 an ultra low sulfur diesel that would11 actually reduce the emissions.12
Well, even13 though it's wrong longer than I can14 remember, were they the property of the15 Airport, those buses?16
No. That was a bid.17 And as part of the requirement for the18 bid, the vendor had to procure those C19 and G buses that we had specked out. And20 you're right, they were nice buses at21 that point, with the clouds on them.22 But we did have -- there were23 fires on the vehicles, but none were ever24 shown to be attributed directly to the C25 284 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 and G tanks themselves.2
Yeah, and an10 overheated power-steering pump, which11 would have happened if it were a12 gasoline-powered vehicle.13
But not as15 often if it was a diesel.16 But, again, it's good to see17 you have a lot of opportunities the make18 this stuff work. So good luck.19
Thank23 you.24 The Chair recognizes Councilman25 285 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 Green.2
I apologize7 for missing your testimony at the8 beginning, so if I've -- if I ask a9 question that was covered there, just10 point me to it, and I'll move on.11 Can you tell me how much you12 make from concessions, concessionaires in13 the Airport?14
Good afternoon.15 My name is Ed Anastasi, Deputy Director16 of Aviation for Finance and17 Administration.18 The Airport generates a total19 annually of about $120 million in20 non-airline revenues. And included in21 that count are the retail and food and22 beverage operations at the Airport, which23 probably totals in the area, I would say,24 net to the Airport of around between 1525 286 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 and $20 million.2
When you say3 "net to the Airport," what do you mean by4 that?5
Well, net to the6 Airport because the arrangement we have7 with the company that manages the8 concession program is a profit-sharing9 type of arrangement.10
The way the deal13 works is that the profit, at the end of14 the formula, approximately 85 percent of15 the profit goes to the Airport, and the16 other 15 to 20 percent, depending upon17 the total amount of net income, goes to18 the concession operator.19
So would you20 please provide the exact detail for the21 last few years of how much the Airport22 made, how much the concessionnaire made,23 and explain why you don't think it makes24 more sense for us to just hire a25 287 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 professional to do this and not give 3,2 or $4 million away to a partner.3
Okay. Also,6 could you please provide details of every7 single concession contract you have at8 the Airport, the RFP process used, and9 the submissions of all of the different10 people that they made for concessions for11 the last four years.12
Thank you.15 Those are all my questions,16 Madam Chair.17
Thank18 you.19 Are there any other further20 questions from members of the committee?21 (No further questions.)22 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:23 Seeing none, thank you very much.24
Thank you, Madam25 288 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 President. Have a good day.2
Sorry. I7 forgot to ask, could you also give a8 breakdown of Minority Business9 Enterprises in terms of concessionnaires10 if that question has -- with the chart11 and detail you provide about the rest of12 the information. Not just total number,13 but level of income at their stores,14 'cause I think you keep actual sales data15 for every single business. In other16 words, if it's 40 percent but only 717 percent of the revenue, I'd like to know18 that or vice-versa.19
Thank24 you.25 289 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1
While you're5 doing that part, it might be good to look6 at not only the actual concessions and7 restaurants but the kiosks that are made8 available as well. Put that in your9 total aggregate so that we have a better10 sense of what the economic opportunity11 is.12
Thank18 you.19 Any further questions or20 comments?21 (No further questions.)22
Thank you, Madam25 290 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 President.2
We3 will now hear From the City4 Commissioners.5 (Witnesses come forward.)6
Good7 afternoon.8 PANEL MEMBERS: Good afternoon.9 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:10 Welcome. Thank you for your patience.11 Please identify yourself for12 the record and proceeds.13
Yes my name is Bob14 Lee. I'm the Voter Administration15 Administrator, AND I'm here for the three16 City Commissioners.17
Thank24 you.25 291 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1
Madam President and2 members of City Council, good afternoon.3 I'm Bob Lee, Voter Registration4 Administrator, and I'd like to thank you5 for this opportunity to provide testimony6 regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 20107 operating budget.8 The budget that we've been9 provided by the City's Finance Department10 totals $8,794,177.11 The Commission prepared its own12 requirements budget; however, it got over13 to the Finance Department too late to be14 included. But there's a stark difference15 in the numbers.16 We believe that we're about17 $1,118,000 short of having what we need18 to conduct elections in FY 2010.19 I'll give you an example. The20 Class 200 that's been allocated in the21 City budget is $2,741,350.22 Just to pay the poll workers23 alone for two elections is --24 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:25 292 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 Excuse me. We did not get a copy of your2 testimony.3
I14 don't have it.15 Thank you.16 Sorry to interrupt you, but --17
15 million. That would leave about24 $590,000 in other Class 200 expenditures,25 293 5/4/09 COMM. 2 I can work through the basic3 numbers. 7 million. 25 294 5/4/09 COMM. 8 The City's allocating $491,472. 23 There's other numerous mandated24 posters and forms used at the polling25 295 5/4/09 COMM. 25 296 5/4/09 COMM. 7 The Class 100. We are finally8 at a permanent employee position level,9 where we believe we have sufficient10 personnel to carry out the mandates. We11 worked out our numbers based on the12 annual salary of those employees and the13 temporary employees. We've been hit with14 a substantial increase in the pay scale15 for the temporary employees. Our costs16 have probably doubled based upon an17 ordinance in Council that they be paid18 150 percent of the Federal Minimum Wage19 Act that probably ran an extra 4 or20 $500,000 a year. 24 And the overtime. When you25 297 5/4/09 COMM. 8 And it's the kind of thing9 where we wouldn't have enough man hours10 to do what is needed to be done in the11 peak season right before and after an12 election. Election cycles vary, and the13 workload varies. 21
Have22 you spoken to the Administration about23 this?24
No, not yet. We sent25 298 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 over a requirements budget a while ago,2 but we were told it was too late to be3 included in the master budget.4 But the expenditures are right5 out of the FY '08 actual expenditures,6 with a small increase. And there's some7 questionable differences on the Class8 100.9
Is10 the Budget Director in the room?11 (Budget Director is not present12 at this time.)13
Yes.14 I think -- would you have him come up,15 please. Thank you.16 The Chair recognizes Councilman17 Jones.18
Thank you,19 Madam President.20 It's good to see you,21 Mr. Voigt.22 I have one question: Where are23 we by way of machine breakdowns as to24 prior years if you track it over the25 299 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 years? Are we experiencing during2 election time less machine failures? And3 based on the study you did, were you4 right?5
Oh, in the '066 primary, we did have over 200 machines7 where we had an issue with the printers8 and the paper tapes coming out. And we9 did do a study of that, and we went back10 and we did regression testing on a lot of11 machines.12 And we were right: It was a13 simple incorrect setting or something14 that's called a "counterweight," which is15 supposed to be in the lower position to16 hold that paper tape taut to that paper17 roll so it doesn't come loose and unspool18 and come out the front window.19 Most of our machine issues20 naturally are operator issues -- getting21 ready in the morning, getting set up,22 getting the machine rolling. Once they23 do that, we have very few issues.24 We do have issues. We probably25 300 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 replace about 27, 28 to 30 printers an2 election, maybe 15 to 20 batteries.3 We don't do Election Day4 repairs to machines only because of the5 implications. And if we have an issue6 with a machine that cannot be done7 through a simple reset or a simple8 rerouting of the paper, we will replace9 the machine, and we replace anywhere from10 15 to 20 machines per election. We roll11 them out on Election Day.12
How does13 that compare to the old Jamestown or14 shoot machines?15
These machines are a16 lot more reliable and are a lot more17 easier to work with, and the poll workers18 can get out of there a lot quicker.19 And, for the most part -- and20 I'll say all the time, the count is21 accurate. You never have that issue22 where you have 8500 poll workers counting23 up 3.5 million numbers by hand after 1324 hours in a polling place and then25 301 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 hand-writing them down and hand-adding2 them. The count is much more accurate.3
What was the4 Obama effect on voter administration in5 the City of Philadelphia?6
That was probably the7 highest registration that we've seen in8 recent history. It even surpassed the9 1983 primary of Wilson Goode and Frank10 Rizzo.11 For the five months before12 that, we got about 293,000. For the13 November; 08 election we got 299,00014 paper applications plus an additional15 80,000 electronic applications.16
So that's17 why the angry texts I got from Councilman18 Rizzo and Councilman Goode about that19 record being broken. I get it.20 (Laughter.)21
It's the highest I've24 heard of. Yes.25 302 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1
Thank you,2 Madam President.3 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:4 Councilman Green.5
Thank you,6 Madam Chair.7 I'm just curious and,8 obviously, I'm not sure what the reason9 is -- there could have been a conflict,10 but you're in here asking for funding of11 an additional 1,100,000-plus dollars that12 has not been allocated to you from the13 Administration's proposal. You have not14 spoken to the Administration about this15 difference.16 And I'm an elected official,17 I'm here, I'm asking questions, trying to18 guess answers, but the people who are19 responsible for making decisions at the20 City Commissioner's Office are not here.21 Frankly, I think we need to22 have the commissioners back when the23 commissioners are free to testify, Madam24 Chair.25 303 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1
When the7 elected officials are free to come defend8 their budget and testify here, we ought9 to have these hearings. But, I mean, it10 is certainly appropriate for staff to be11 this with people -- my staff works very12 hard for me -- but I'd like to hear from13 the people we elect as to why they need a14 million-1.15 Thank you, Madam Chair. I have16 no further at this time, but I believe we17 should call back the commissioners so18 that when -- at a time when they're19 available to testify before us.20
Thank24 you.25 304 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 I wanted to ask a little bit2 probably, as you know, my issue around3 language access has been one that I've4 worked on for many, many years. Where5 are we as it relates to our compliance6 with our consent decree with the7 Department of Justice around8 language-access issues.9
For the November '0810 election, we had slots in the agreement11 at about 10 percent that were vacant12 either due to failure of those who were13 recruited and appointed to show up or14 inability, in some cases, to actually15 even recruit an individual to serve.16 We have more interpreters on17 the street than ever in not only in18 English-Spanish but we had 30 Asian19 interpreters out there and probably about20 ten Russian interpreters also.21 Some of the programs that were22 implemented, all of the translations were23 resubmitted to be retranslated by Global24 through the Managing Director's Office.25 305 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 We instituted first a pilot program and2 then a citywide program, where we put a3 cellphone or we supply a cellphone to4 every voting district in the City. And5 there's a telephonic language6 interpretation service available so that7 if any voter comes in who cannot speak8 English well enough to vote, they can9 point to any number of 80 languages10 printed on a piece of paper, and the11 judge can get someone on the telephone to12 translate.13 We've totally and repeatedly14 stressed a federal requirement that any15 voter be given their own personal choice16 as to who accompanies them into the17 voting booth to provide assistance to18 them, whether it be language assistance19 or assistance with operating the machine.20 We've also stressed the fact to21 or poll officials that if we appoint an22 interpreter, they must allow that23 interpreter to serve, and that24 interpreter must be there for the25 306 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 duration of the day to provide services.2 We've used a number of3 different methods to recruit4 interpreters; the foremost is through the5 political-party structure. We do place6 advertisements in the Latino newspapers7 seeking volunteers, we've sent some8 e-mails out to some organizations seeking9 volunteers.10 But the predominant number of11 interpreters are supplied by either the12 polling place officials themselves or the13 committeemen or the ward leader or14 somebody else.15 I believe the advertisements16 this year that we placed in the Latino17 papers, we gained an additional 10 to 1518 interpreters who volunteered.19 We had an organization -- we20 are meeting with some groups, an advisory21 committee. We've got about 10 to 15 from22 people on the advisory committee; in23 fact, some of the members do it.24
Are we25 307 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 in compliance, though?2
We really are in3 compliance. We have some divisions that4 we'd like re --5
How are6 the feds monitoring our compliance?7 'cause I'd like to know, are we in8 compliance?9 I appreciate all of the efforts10 'cause I know that those are important,11 but what I'd like to know is, in the12 stipulated agreement with them,13 issue-per-issue, are we in compliance?14
The only issue in the15 agreement is the 10 percent divisions,16 where there's a vacancy at times. And17 they -- they check our compliance by18 coming to Philadelphia on Election Day19 and going in the polling places and20 looking for an interpreter.21 Often, we have disagreements as22 to about what who we paid and who we paid23 and whether someone's there.24
Legally,25 308 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 we're required to do at 10 percent.2 Where are we? how close to that number3 are we?4
We're7 required to provide an interpreter in any8 division where more than 10 percent of9 the population speaks another language.10
No, you're11 misunderstanding the 10 percent number.12 What I was referring to was is13 that of the number of divisions where14 we're required to have an interpreter,15 10 percent were vacant.16
Okay.23 And that's based on the number of 524 percent --25 309 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1
No, it's based --2 actually, it's not based on the number of3 people who do not speak English well.4 The Justice Department does not have that5 information by election district.6
It's based upon the8 number of voters in the district, or in a9 consolidated district, as to what they10 call that have a Latino or a Hispanic11 surname.12
Okay.13 You state in your report that one of the14 issues where you've had higher expenses15 have been in the mandated HAVA. What of16 HAVA reimbursements have we received, and17 is there any other money from HAVA we18 haven't sought so that we can be in HAVA19 compliance?20
Oh, we are in HAVA21 compliance; it's just that HAVA requires22 a lot more expenditure. One thing HAVA23 required is that our voting machines --24 visually impaired voters be able to vote25 310 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 independently, without assistance, on the2 voting machines.3 (Timer bell rings.)4
We spent5 $4.41 million in HAVA funds, retrofitting6 our machines with an audio key pad7 headset, where a visually-impaired voter8 can go in and vote, without any9 assistance whatsoever.10 Also that upgrade upgraded it11 to provide certain audit trails and other12 features required by the Help America13 Vote Act.14 The Help America Vote Act also15 required us to use a statewide uniform16 voter registration system, which we've17 been on since January 1 of '06. That's18 probably been the biggest expense as far19 as labor goes.20 The additional requirements of21 the federal law on the way the system22 works, it's probably the -- the23 productivity on it is probably 50 percent24 of what it was on our old county system.25 311 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1
So the2 short system, the state system, that they3 tout as being the best system is not the4 best system for us?5
It's the requirements6 of the law and the system itself. And7 it's -- there's an issue right now as8 where the short system was -- the9 contract for short was done in July of10 '07.11
The State procured13 the software, and now they're trying to14 upgrade it, and now they have new15 software up there. And we're going16 through the pains of a new system all17 over again.18
And they19 don't reimburse us for that, the State?20
We used HAVA funding21 to fund for six positions that worked22 entirely on the short system.23
And that's both for25 312 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 salary, overtime, and benefits. We use2 HAVA funding to reimburse our Class 1003 funds for any labor we did in upgrading4 the voter machines.5 We're converted to short back6 in '06. So wherever possible, we have7 requested and been approved to use HAVA8 funding, federal HAVA funding, to provide9 additional labor where needed, provided10 that labor was soley dedicated and11 certified to be working only on Help12 America Vote Act requirements.13
So we14 get reimbursed for all of the activities15 related to us being HAVA-compliant in our16 own acts compliance.17
No, we don't get18 reimbursed for all of the activities of19 HAVA.20
-- that each county25 313 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 was set up. And basically, the voting2 system -- let me give you an example.3 The voting system -- if you look in the4 budget for the Administration, there's5 like 10.66 million in payments.6
Those were HAVA8 reimbursements that were paid directly9 back to the county as a partial10 reimbursement for its initial funds in11 procuring the voting system.12
There's about another14 2.8 million that will be available for15 that same kind of reimbursement in FY16 '10, and some of it may even go into '11,17 depending on when the funds are18 available.19
So is20 there any part of your current request21 now that might be from what you're22 claiming to be the additional million23 dollars that you need, that could be24 covered through HAVA or through the25 314 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 State?2
No. These are all3 General Fund requests. The HAVA4 funding -- if you look on the City5 (discernible), they have separate grants6 down there.7
They11 have money for access. They have12 millions of dollars at the state.13 What I'm asking you is: Are we14 accessing all of that money as it relates15 to us being in compliance both with the16 Department of Justice --17
We are accessing all18 of the money that's been allocated to19 Philadelphia based upon the timing of the20 need and the application for it, because21 you have to submit quarterly work and22 capital requests.23
They just awarded a25 315 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 $2.267 million PA Interest Award. All of2 the HAVA money that was sitting in3 Harrisburg earned interest. They whacked4 it up between the counties. Our share5 was 2.267 million, and $400,000 of that6 is going to the U.S. District Court to7 pay a third-party vendor to go out and8 work in conjunction with the U.S. Justice9 Department and reinspect every polling10 place in the City of Philadelphia and11 make recommendations for modifications.12 A lot of that money is set13 aside. There's approximately 400,000 set14 aside for reimbursing FY '10 Class 10015 expenses that are not included in this.16 They have been deducted before this17 number was put together. There is money18 in there for --19
But --20 so there's more -- so this budget does21 not reflect actually all of your22 expenditures, because there's more money23 that you're going to get reimbursed?24
No. The HAVA money25 316 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 is budgeted for certain items.2
But the way it's been4 working with the Commonwealth is, we wind5 up spending money out of our operating6 budget.7
And hopefully --10 yeah, money in our operating budget11 that's already allocated to other12 expenses. In other words, we ran a lot13 of newspaper ads, a voter ed program,14 before the November of '08 election.15
It cost $271,000. We17 didn't have HAVA money in the account to18 pay for that at this time. We paid for19 it out of our Class 200 budget, and that20 money was reimbursed.21
That22 leads to one of my questions: Why are we23 doing full-page ads in Spanish in the24 Inquirer and the Daily News, when25 317 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 clearly, if you are reading the Inquirer2 and the Daily News, you read Spanish, as3 opposed to spending that money in the4 Spanish-language media?5
Well, that goes back6 to the U.S. Justice Department in that7 these ads should be bilingual, right?8
Now, the law requires10 that we run our advertisements in two11 major daily newspapers.12
So if the state law14 requires we run it in two daily major15 newspapers, and the federal government16 says we need to do things in a bilingual17 manner, that's why we had 'em in English18 and Spanish in the Inquirer and Daily19 News, that's why we're allowed to target20 the five Latino community newspapers that21 we ran 'em in. They were in Spanish22 only.23
And then the other25 318 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 community newspapers, most of those were2 in English only, I believe.3
So if we4 said to the Department of Justice that it5 makes no sense for us to spend -- what do6 we pay for an ad in the Daily News or the7 Inquirer?8
Have you tried to9 tell this to the Department of Justice,10 that it doesn't make any sense?11
Well, if12 we weren't in compliance.13 14 (Indiscernible; parties talking15 over each other.)16
I'll give you an17 example. There's a polling place in 621818 to 19. We have a bilingual interpreter19 there since at least '05.20
We pay her to cover22 both divisions because the Justice23 Department carries it as a consolidated24 division. So she gets $75 times 2, $150.25 319 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 And she's told us repeatedly that the2 only individual she interpreted for was3 her father, and she used to do it for4 free, but now the Justice Department says5 we need to have an interpreter there;6 she's the only one that's available, and7 we hire her.8
You just9 opened up another question, which was:10 You have interpreters serving three11 divisions, four divisions; they're12 allowed to get the check for each one?13 Not that they're not underpaid. They're14 underpaid at 75. They're not underpaid,15 because in some divisions, where we have16 four divisions, like is the case in17 Linley and the 42nd, where there's18 usually one interpreter, that person19 collects the checks for the four20 divisions?21
Just24 two.25 320 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1
Yeah. Most of the5 divisions that the -- the Justice6 Department calls them "consolidated7 divisions," where it's two divisions in8 one facility. Most divisions where the9 Justice Department has allowed us to use10 one interpreter for two divisions, that's11 where we do that.12
How many13 --14 COUNCIL PRESIDENT VERNA:15 Councilwoman, I'm sorry. You're going to16 have to wait for the next go-around.17 Thank you.18 Councilwoman Blackwell.19
Thank20 you, Madam President.21 Good evening, Mr. Voigt. Good22 evening Mr. Lee.23
Madam25 321 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 President, as you and I know, nobody in2 the city knows more about these machines3 and the process than Bobby Lee.4
Yes.7 Let me ask you a question. When we call8 in -- and in most recent years, if you9 call in on Election Day, they want the10 person at the polling place. They don't11 want us at ward headquarters anymore.12
Yes. They'd much17 rather have the poll official -- the18 judge or the machine inspector, because19 they need the machine number. And also,20 on the back of the machine, there is an21 LED light that will come up with an error22 code.23 And if the poll official tells24 our operator the error code, it may be an25 322 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 issue that they can walk over on the2 telephone and resolve it right away,3 without having to dispatch out a4 technician.5 So they would prefer to have6 the call made right from the polling7 place by the judge or by the machine8 inspector, with the machine number, the9 error code number, and the description of10 the problem.11 In addition to that, although I12 know in some cases, where it's been a13 serious issue and maybe the service is14 slow, we would want to hear, but we15 wouldn't want you to call the 780016 number. You would call one of the17 commissioners' offices, and then we would18 call up there and double-check and see19 what the story is on it.20
You21 don't want us to do the 7800 number22 anymore?23
It's a preference of24 the operators. I don't have an issue25 323 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 with it, but they prefer that the poll2 worker call themselves.3 And the other issue is, they've4 got to watch because if they get too many5 duplicate calls to the same line, they6 may dispatch more than one technician out7 there, which is why they want the poll8 officials to call.9 Sometimes we would get people10 calling us. Maybe they heard it an hour11 later, and our technician had already12 been there and serviced the machine. And13 we don't want to send a technician out on14 double work on something that's already15 been repaired also. And that's happened,16 where we have --17
I know22 'cause we get calls, and you may have a23 voter calling or you could have a24 committeeman calling, you could have25 324 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 either committee person calling.2 So we can get -- you know, if a3 machine is out an hour, believe me, we're4 going to get calls back from that.5
Yeah, but at anytime,9 if anyone in the ward, either the ward10 leader or the committeeman, feels that11 the time for service has passed, then12 call us, and we'll check on it, and we'll13 see what the status is of that response.14
And preferably to the16 Commissioner's Offices or the to hotline17 number down at Delaware Avenue and Spring18 Garden Street.19
Okay.20 Thank you.21 Thank you, Madam President.22
Thank23 you.24 Steve, can you come up to the25 325 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 table please.2
Thank you.7 Hi, Mr. Lee. One thing I'd8 like to ask you are the changes of9 polling places. It troubles me a little10 bit when people think that it's11 manipulated, that they change them12 intentionally.13 Could you explain the physical14 process of how far out and how you notify15 people that their polling location has16 been changed?17
Okay. The three18 Commissioners and the staff all know that19 a great majority of people in our denser20 neighborhoods all walk to vote. We know21 we have 180 to 190,000 senior citizens22 that are registered here who walk, and23 can't walk far.24 Whenever a request for change25 326 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 comes in, we send somebody out to inspect2 the new location, make sure it's3 suitable, make sure it's accessible in4 comparison to the current place.5 And then a hearing is set up, a6 public hearing. Notices of that hearing7 are put on five posters -- one on the old8 polling place, one on the new polling9 place, and three elsewhere in the10 division.11 The hearing's held in Room 130,12 11 o'clock, every Wednesday, if it's13 scheduled, where anybody can down, make a14 comment for or against a move, it's all15 on the record, and the commissioners will16 vote on it.17 The commissioners have a18 policy. In fact, we built it in with our19 agreement with the Justice Department and20 with the private plaintiffs21 (indiscernible) that as they're going22 around inspecting these polling places,23 if it can't be temporarily modified, they24 can recommend a relocation.25 327 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 However, the relocation can2 only be in the division or adjacent3 division; it can't be outside of that4 area. And if it's in an adjacent5 division, it can't be more than five6 blocks' walk from the furthest edge of7 the subject division.8 And we built that in that9 agreement because we didn't want to10 subject our seniors to walk any longer11 than that.12
Here's what13 happens. Many people go to the polling14 place, they see the polling location15 changed, they -- they're on a timeline.16 Forget the senior citizens that are17 unemployed; they just forget it, and18 possibly, they'll say, Well, after work,19 I'll come back, and they wind up not20 getting there.21 Can we do more to let the22 voters know officially that their voting23 location has been changed? can it be24 advertised in the paper? Could they get25 328 5/4/09 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - FISCAL '10 BUDGET1 a letter? Something that they don't2 learn about it on election morning.3