You made changes to the plan before it came to Council? You're not talking about after it came to Council; you're talking about before.
Okay. I guess my final question is, if April 2nd is not an acceptable date, is there a date that is acceptable?
I'm sorry. Please understand. It's not that I'm saying that 70 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 April 2nd is an unacceptable date. What I am saying is, it's tough for us to be locked in to any date, given the fact that we oftentimes have to wait on other people to provide us with information before we can take --
Right. But what I'm saying is, April 2nd kind of moves us up by --
And the date you're locked into by H.U.D. is what? MS. McCULLOCH: Well, the date we're locked into by H.U.D. is that we have to submit the Approved Plan 45 days before the end of the federal fiscal year which is August 15th. So, in terms of the absolute deadline, we have to submit a Consolidated Plan to H.U.D. no later than August 15th. So, to back out of that, we have to have something that is approved by City Council before Council goes into its summer 71 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 recess.
And how much time do you think should be allotted for Council to review the plan that's submitted to it?
I'm not asking the question from your standpoint, in terms of how long it will take to prepare your final plan, but how much between now and the time that we generally recess do you think we should take?
That's a tough question, Councilman. I mean, we would love to give you, you know, three months, I mean, or as much time as you think you need.
Just asking. In your estimation, how much time do you think we need?
That's a tough question. I don't want to venture a guess. It's a better question of me to ask of you, how much time do you think you need?
Councilman Nutter 72 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 says we need two and a half months.
Yeah. Councilman Nutter said we need two and a half months. That's his answer. My answer is probably that we need at least a month, month-and-a-half. That's why I'm asking where we reach some sort of compromise if the date is not April 2nd. And, of course, the date can't be early June. We all agree that early June is wrong. What date in between actually works?
Again, that I don't know. But I'd be certainly willing to talk to the Committee, the Chairwoman or yourself about trying to establish something offline, as opposed to hearing this in this hearing.
Thank you. Just a very brief comment. 73 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 Councilman Goode has raised one of the important questions or commented, Mr. Hanna, whether during your time or prior. I would suggest to you -- And Miss McCulloch and I certainly have been through this, and I know that the Councilwoman and many other members have as well. I would submit to you that there has been virtually no change between the Preliminary Plan and the final plan that is submitted to this Council, at least with regard to CDBG, and that virtually all of the changes to either the CDBG plan, the Consolidated Plan or the NTI program as now a part of this process. Almost all of those changes have been made in this room, in our Council Chambers, whether this room or up on the sixth floor when we were there. And we've been through all of the demolition, changed those dollars around, BSRP, adaptive modification. Those were all made here, under the gun usually, at the last minute, day before first reading or morning 74 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 of. But that if you look at a Preliminary Plan and a final plan that gets submitted to this body, and I have, there are virtually no changes made between however many citizens decide to come out and testify about the preliminary, to the time that you submit a final to us. There are very few changes between those two documents. And I acknowledge and respect all of the advertising times, the required hearings. When Councilwoman Reynolds Brown raises the issue about citizen participation, it's in 21-1104, and makes specific reference to the hearings for citizens shall be held at times and locations convenient to very low, low and moderate income persons. I'm not necessarily sure that at 2 o'clock in the afternoon at 1234 Market Street that that is at a time or location that is convenient to the population in question. We would hope in many instances that a lot of those same individuals might 75 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 possibly be at work. How do they participate at 2 o'clock in the afternoon? I don't think the boss is going to let them off to come testify at a public hearing over at OHCD. But we he don't have to get into those issues right now, but that's responsive to what the Councilwoman raised. And so, I think that when this Council has more time to go over such an extensive project or extensive application, now with the added dollars of NTI, and your testimony that whether it's April 2nd or whatever the date may be, the issue is it's the same date that the Mayor's required under the Home Rule Charter to submit a budget, which is 90 days before the end of the fiscal year. I mean, I just don't necessarily know that the case has been made that you can't adhere to that kind of timetable. It provides a fair amount of flexibility. And your own testimony seems to indicate that you can meet the deadline while ensuring the public, through our extensive 76 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 process in Chapter 21, of their right to participate in the process. So, thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you very much. Are there any more questions or comments? (No response.)
Is there anyone else who would like to testify? Miss Robinson. Thank you very much. Identify yourself again for the record, please
Hello. My name is Judith Robinson. And I did attend the hearing yesterday for Community Block Development Grants monies. It's very important to me. So, rain or shine I was there. But because these issues are so important, I would just encourage you all to please try to get as much information as early as possible, because I have attended these hearings over the past few years. 77 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 And what has concerned me is that the administration always comes in such a short period of time, and they always seem so unprepared. So, that's what concerns me as a citizen, and one who participates in these processes. So, I would just encourage you to get as much information as soon as possible, and also community participation is so important. Thank you very much.
Forgive our delay. And we thank Councilman Cohen being here for our hearing. Is there anyone else who would like to make a statement or raise a question? Councilman Rizzo?
Yes. Thank you. 78 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04
Thank you very much. That will end our stated hearing. (Public hearing concluded at 4:22 p.m.) 79 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC MEETING - COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - - - Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wednesday, December 8, 2004, 4:22 p.m. - - - BILL 040470 - An Ordinance amending Chapter 8 19-2500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real Estate Non-Utilization Tax," by clarifying and amending the tax on abandoned property and vacant lots; and by changing certain tax rates; all under certain terms and conditions. BILL 040775 - An Ordinance amending Chapter 21-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Community Development," by specifying the date by which a final community development plan must be submitted to Council for approval, under certain terms and conditions. BILL 040935 - An Ordinance amending Section 15 10-1001 of The Philadelphia Code relating to Fees of Commissioner of Records, to increase the fees for recording documents, under certain terms and conditions. BILL 041001 - An Ordinance amending Section 19-203 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Payroll Deductions," by permitting employees to authorize payroll deductions to purchase long term care and other voluntary insurance benefits through Financial Integrity Resources Management, LLC, under certain terms and conditions. - - - V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Services 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670 80 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 BILL 041042 - An Ordinance authorizing the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development ("PAID") to file an application with the Office of the Budget, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, under the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program ("RACP"), in an aggregate amount not to exceed One Hundred Thirteen Million Seven Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($113,770,000) to assist in the development of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Cancer Care Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Girard Avenue Streetscape, El Centro de Oro, Mount Airy USA, Point Breeze Revitalization Project, Beech Corporation - Broadway 1600 North Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue, Calder Museum, One Pennsylvania Place, Please Touch Museum at Memorial Hall, Philadelphia Theater Company, Greater Philadelphia Film Office Soundstage, National Museum of American Jewish History, Independence Mall, Schuylkill Riverfront, the Professional Development Center at the University of Pennsylvania, the Heritage Tourism Experience Facility, and the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis Center; and authorizing the City to enter into an agreement with PAID in furtherance of grant requirements; all under certain terms and conditions. PRESENT: COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE L. BLACKWELL, Chair COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN FRANK DI CICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN JUAN F. RAMOS COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO 81 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 - - - P R O C E E D I N G S - - -
We will enter into our stated meeting. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode -- we assume that all of these are suspension of the rules -- with regard to Bill Number 040935.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that Bill 040935 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation; the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next Council session.
It has been moved and seconded that Bill Number 040935 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation, and also a recommendation for a rules suspension so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. All in favor? 82 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 (Chorus of "ayes.")
The ayes have it, and so the Bill is passed. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ramos with regard to a motion concerning Bill 9 Number 041001.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that Bill Number 041001 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation; further recommend that the rules of Council be suspended so as to allow first reading at our next session of Council. UNIDENTIFIED COUNCIL MEMBER: Second.
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that Bill 21 Number 041001 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation, and also a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session. 83 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 All in favor? (Chorus of "ayes.")
The ayes have it, and the Bill is reported out. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, with regard to Bill 10 Number 041042.
I move that Bill Number 041042 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation, and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended to allow first reading at our next scheduled Council meeting.
It has been moved and seconded that Bill Number 041042 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation; and furthermore, that a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session. 84 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 All in favor? (Chorus of "ayes.")
The ayes have it, and so the Bill is passed out. With regard to Bill Number 040775, dealing with the time requirement for the Office of Housing and Community Development, we are holding this Bill temporarily. We have made a commitment to the Bill's sponsor that if there is no resolution 12 of the issue, that we will hear it at the next scheduled session of this Finance Committee. We cannot do that today. As all of you know, we're at the end of our session, so we don't have a calendar available this moment. But we are requesting that Mr. Hanna and Miss McCulloch work with Councilman Nutter so that we may have a resolution of the issue. If we're not able to resolve it, we'll hear it at our next Finance Hearing, and then report it up or down at that time. Is that satisfactory to all? 85 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 Thank you very much. This ends the Finance Committee hearing and meeting. We thank you all for being here, and we assure you we will see you at our next real session at the Committee of the Whole. Thank you so much. Thank you, members of the Committee. (Public meeting concluded at 4:25 p.m.) 86 040775-040935-041001-041042, Finance, 12/8/04 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings and evidence are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the public hearing and public meeting of The Philadelphia City Council, taken on December 8, 2004, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. _____________________________ DAVID A. DEIK, RPR and Commissioner of Deeds (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)