►
Description
Meeting of Council's Committee of the Whole to hear testimony on the following bills/resolutions: Bill Nos. 160170, 160171, and 160172 & Resolution No. 160180 regarding the FY2017 Capital Budget.
Testimony from:
Debra McCarty, Commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department
http://phlcouncil.com/FY17-council-budget-center
A
B
Good
morning,
council
president
Clark
and
members
of
City
Council
I
am
Deborah
McCarty
Commissioner
of
the
water
department
with
me
today
are
Melissa
labuda,
our
Deputy
Commissioner
of
Finance
and
Donna
Schwartz,
our
Deputy
Commissioner
of
operations.
Thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
present
testimony
on
the
water
department's
fiscal
year,
2017
operating
budget.
B
Excuse
me
I'd
like
to
highlight
several
initiatives.
The
water
department
has
begun
or
continued
over
the
past
year,
all
three
of
our
water
pollution
control
plants
achieved
at
least
five
years
of
a
hundred
percent
compliance
with
our
federal
Clean
Water
Act
requirements.
We
bid
and
awarded
the
East
Park
reservoir
project,
a
seventy
eight
million
dollar
contract
with
15%
minority
and
10%
women
participation.
We
begin
implementing
what
we
call
quality
of
life
specs
and
our
public
works
contracts
to
help
improve
neighbors
experience
during
water
main
and
Sur
construction
projects.
B
We
move
closer
to
a
virtual,
larger
of
the
water
department
and
water
revenue
call
centers,
which,
when
complete,
will
provide
a
seamless
customer
experience
and
improve
response
efficiencies.
We
implemented
self-serve
metering,
appointments
which
has
improved
customer
service
and
decreased
the
phone
time
required
of
our
meter
shop
staff,
allowing
them
more
time
to
service
water
meters
and
other
assignments.
We
continue
to
meet
our
Clean
Water
Act
omerta
compliance
under
the
green
city,
clean
waters
program
we're
on
target
to
meet
our
five-year,
our
first
five-year
target
of
744
green
acres
by
June
30th.
B
We
worked
with
the
Schuylkill
Navy
to
install
two
new
water
fountains
along
Kelly
Drive.
The
department
is
currently
looking
to
install
more
water
fountains
across
the
city
and
is
in
the
RFI
process.
For
such
a
program.
We
increase
the
goal
for
the
number
of
miles
of
water
main
relays
from
22
to
28
miles
per
year.
This
effort
will
hopefully
reduce
the
number
of
brakes
and
improve
system
reliability.
B
We
continue
to
build
our
workforce
inclusion
by
continuing
our
apprenticeship
and
power.
Core
programs,
our
DBE
vendor
participation
rate
and
fiscal
16
is
projected
to
be
30%
with
state
and
local
businesses
making
up
89%
of
our
capital
projects.
We've
also
continued
engaging
the
vendor
community
by
publishing
the
take
part
newsletter
three
times
per
year
and
hosting
educational
seminars,
with
the
most
recent
held
a
few
weeks
ago
at
Venice
Island,
which
welcomed
over
120
companies
representing
both
primes
and
disadvantaged
firms.
B
Also,
we
amended
our
regulations
to
allow
for
no
interest
loans
to
customers
to
replace
their
lead
service
lines
and
to
provide
a
$50
bill
credit
for
customers
who
participate
in
our
LED
sampling
program.
These
programs
are
projected
to
be
available
to
life
first
of
this
year.
The
water
fund
is
an
enterprise
fund
of
the
city
funded
by
revenues
generated
through
charges
to
our
customers.
The
water
department's
operating
budget
is
a
component
of
the
were
funding
and
is
what
we
are
discussing
today.
B
As
you
know,
we
are
currently
in
the
middle
of
our
first
rate
case
before
the
independent
water,
sewer
and
stormwater
rate
board,
which
now
has
the
authority
to
set
the
rates
we
charge
our
customers.
We
work
hard
to
keep
rates
low
by
continuing
to
implement
operational
efficiencies.
In
fact,
our
rates
compare
very
favorably
on
regional
and
national
scales.
We
also
keep
rates
affordable
by
also
offering
several
assistance
programs
to
those
in
need.
B
Finally,
I'd
like
to
close
by
noting
that
the
work
we
do
to
provide
our
ratepayers
with
high
quality
drinking
water
and
cleaner
streams
and
waterways
would
not
be
possible
without
the
dedicated
employees
who
perform
their
jobs
day
in
and
day,
no
matter
what
the
conditions.
Thank
you
again
for
your
time
and
I
am
happy
to
answer
questions.
B
A
You
good
morning,
good
morning,
couple
questions
one
in
particular
pace.
If
your
testimony
proposal
total
operating
budget
water
for
18
and
for
17,
which
is
32
million
increase
over
16,
however,
the
FY
16
you
originally
appropriated
for
3
million,
but
you
you're
expected
to
spend
approximately
386.
This
is
you
know
relatively
low
by
the
end
of
16.
A
So
there's
a
pattern
of
you
under
spending,
which
is
you
know,
government,
not
long,
it's
a
good
thing,
but
given
that
pattern
now
under
spending
and
proposed
rate
increases
of
6.2
in
FY
17
and
5
5
and
FY
18,
can
you
please
detail
how
they
say
this
factored
into
the
formula
for
the
proposed
rate,
so
you're
spending
less
money
than
you're
budgeted
for?
But
yet
you
want
a
rate
increase.
Can
you
tell
me
well.
B
B
The
the
short
answer,
but
then
I'll
defer
to
my
CFO,
but
basically
the
rates
aren't
set
to
need
a
hundred
percent
of
our
budget,
because
we
do
a
factor
in
that.
Unfortunately,
we
we
can't
spend
a
hundred
percent
of
our
budget.
That's,
as
you
mentioned,
it's
actually
not
almost
probably
even
feasible,
but
we
work
very
hard
because
the
money
we're
asking
for
we
truly
believe
we
need,
but
we
don't
always
what.
B
We,
we
would
maybe
budget
for
say
a
hundred
thousand
dollars
in
parts
and
maybe
we
don't
end
up
needing
all
to
purchase
all
those
parts
throughout
the
fiscal
year
or
maybe
there
are
challenges
in
getting
them
within
that
fiscal
year
or
during
them.
Things
like
that.
So
you
have
to
budget
because
you
anticipate
that
need,
but
you
won't
always.
A
Budgeted
you're
asking
for
an
increase
I
mean
if
you
were
consistent.
If
you
maintain
a
particular
budget
and
over
a
period
of
time
you
understand
so
that
you
would
have
a
fund
balance,
we
don't
call
them
surpluses
around.
You
have
a
fund
balance,
but
now
you're
asked
for
a
six
percent
increase
and
reads:
I.
Don't
I,
don't
quite
understand
it.
Why?
Why
do
we
need
such
a
significant
increase
in
rates
when
we're
not
spending
to
the
level
of
our
budget
at
a
mouth
good.
C
C
We
set
rates
to
cover
approximately
ninety
percent
of
our
budget,
which
means
the
gap
between
budgetary
appropriation
and
rates
is
about
76
to
77
million
dollars,
which
is
for
unforeseen
or
unanticipated
expenses
and
I'll
give
you
an
example:
electricity
demands
we
have
approximately
80
percent
of
our
electricity
demand,
hedge
via
the
Energy
Office,
and
the
20%
is
procured
in
the
spot
market
or
the
day
to
day
market.
We
have
to
anticipate
those
costs
to
have
irregular
patterns
and
not
be
at
the
head
straight,
so
we
have
additional
appropriation
to
cover
that
20%
of
electricity.
C
Actually
held
our
electricity
total
appropriation
budget
flat
to
fiscal
year
16,
what
it
means
is
there's
about
4
million
dollars
of
additional
appropriation
to
cover
additional
emergency
needs
related
to
electricity.
It's
the
same
capacity
we
asked
for
on
chemicals.
There
could
be
conditions
in
the
river
that
changes
the
turbidity
levels
or
the
conditions
in
the
river
that
requires
us
to
treat
the
water
that
we're
drinking
water
that
we
provide
to
our
customers
with
additional
chemicals.
There's
additional
appropriation.
A
B
Do
vary
as
you
go
through
the
years.
You
don't.
We
work
very
hard
to
get
the
best
rates
we
can,
but
if
the
river
conditions
change,
where
we
have
to
add
more
chemicals,
for
instance,
ferric
chloride
or
activated
carbon
activated,
carbon
happens
to
be
very
expensive
one
of
our
more
expensive
chemicals,
and
we
had
to
do
so
a
few
years
ago.
We
we
had
the
funds
to
do
that.
If
we
had
not
been
able
to
add
that
additional
chemical,
we
would
not
necessarily
complied
with
our
regulations.
Okay,.
A
C
In
fact,
our
current
rate
increase
doesn't
cover
the
total
water
fund
budget.
We
have
offered
a
proposed
rate
increase
that
does
in
fact,
utilize
reserve
funds
to
preach
the
differential
between
estimated
spend
rates
and
revenues.
So
we
are
anticipating
utilizing
our
rate
Stabilization
Fund,
to
bridge
that
differential
in
17
today.
C
B
The
rates
are
basically
said
another
way,
the
rate
increase
isn't
as
large
as
it
could
have
been,
because
we're
tapping
into
the
rate
Stabilization
Fund,
which
is
what
that's
there
for
so
I,
also
should
note
that
there
was
no
rate
increase
this
fiscal
year
and
we
are
very
competitive
in
fact
we're
a
lot
lower.
Our
rates
are
much
lower
than
the
surrounding
all.
A
Right
so
last
time
we
were
asking
it
was
based
on
conservation
messages,
because
we
said
we
do
so
well
in
conserving
water,
with
all
the
new
programs
and
getting
people
to
turn
the
tap
off
and
all
the
other
aspects.
That's
why
we
needed
additional
money
because
we
were
losing
money
because
we
were
doing
what
we
were
told
to
do.
So.
That's
not
now
not
the
case,
because
if
you
told
me
that
I
said
ok
at
least
you're
being
consistent,
but
now
there's
like
a
new
new
response,
so
I'm
kind
of
like
well.
B
A
A
Quick,
as
relates
the
cost
of
doing
business-
and
you
know
have
you
all,
particularly
since
we've
gotten
involved
with
the
Energy
Authority,
if
you
all,
looked
at
being
able
to
generate
additional
revenue
or
reducing
cost
internally
ie,
if
your
electricity
costs
or
your
utility
costs
are
increasing,
based
on
some
information
that
sometimes
politician
when
we
get
information,
we're
dangerous
that
there's
actually
an
opportunity
to
generate
internally
energy
for
purposes
of
the
water
department.
Is
there
an
approach
to
that
method?
Well,.
B
Yeah
we
we're
we
do
have
we
augment
our
electricity
consumption
at
our
southeast
wastewater
plant
with
we
have
some
solar
panels
at
our
northeast
plant.
We
have
a
cogeneration
facility
which
takes
the
gas
produced
from
the
waste
water
treatment
process
generates
electricity.
It
basically
can
take
the
entire.
That
facility
is
a
matter
of
fact
and
also
at
our
Southwest
plant.
We
are
using
that
gas
as
fuel
for
the
heat
dryer
that
processes
our
sludge
or
bio
solids.
That's
the
correct
word.
Alright,.
A
So
can
you
lay
out
not
now,
but
can
you
give
me
a
because
we're
going
to
be
very
aggressive
on
this
whole
energy
issue?
You
know
the
city
we
I
put
it
on
myself
until
we
create
the
10,000
jobs,
but
I
jumped
out
there
and
said
we're.
Gonna
create
10,000
jobs
by
virtual
energy
retrofit,
a
significant
part
of
that
cost
savings
and
creating
alternative
sources
of
energy
will,
based
on
some
of
the
issues
with
the
water
department,
know
we're
looking
at
something
up
it.
There
are
museum.
Now
are
you
all
in
it
are.
A
Right,
okay,
so
can
you
just
forward
to
us
the
list
of
proposed
energy
savings
and
efficiencies
related
to
your
operation?
Because
we
really
do
we
really
want
to
get
aggressive
while
I
understand
consumption
is
going
down
and
that's
a
good
thing,
but
there
are
also
ways
of
saving
money
internally.
So
we
don't.
C
B
I
mean
what
I
can
tell
you
is
for
many
years
that
has
been
on
our
radar
I
think
maybe
we're
even
ahead
of
the
curve
in
some
respects,
we
control
when
we
pump
the
water
from
the
rivers.
So
it
doesn't
it's
not.
During
peak
demand
periods,
we
work
very
hard
to
make
sure
we
conserve
energy
throughout
all
of
our
facilities.
Yeah.
D
B
A
B
A
Barry
I
was
a
Barry
Davis
I
think
at
the
time
was
working
with
us
from
a
law
department
and
he
had
a
series
of
initiatives
that
made
a
whole
lot
of
sense,
mm-hmm
and
I
just
like
to
know
what
your
department
is
doing
with
respects
to
that
of
creating
some
innovative
ideas
about
those
particular
processes.
Okay,
okay,
thank
you.
E
How
it
how
it
registers
in
terms
of
emergency
problems
in
our
city,
specifically
all
of
you,
know
about
the
pipes
that
broke
in
the
street
on
North
52nd
Street
between
Westminster
Wyalusing
and
all
of
you
know
that
these
things
happen
from
time
to
time
in
our
city.
So
this
could
affect
all
of
us
here
and,
as
you
also
know,
it
happened
on
June
14th
and
the
last
time
I
talked
to
the
mayor's
representative
about
a
month
ago.
E
They
said
that
there
were
34
people
who
were
not
who
were
not
taken
care
of,
and
I
mean
there
were
issues
like
they
had
to
check
on
water
or
modes
and
properties
or
many
of
them,
and
and
then
they
were
saying
well
we're
near
ready
to
settle
with
someone,
I
mean
June,
14th
and
pretty
soon
will
be
a
June
again.
Yet
you
talk
about
having
a
reserve
funds,
but
that's
very,
very,
very,
very
disconcerting
that
we
have
people
and,
as
you
see,
I
didn't
contact
them.
E
It's
unconscionable
now
I've
told
everybody
that
I
would
not
mention
this
every
single
week
in
Council,
but
you
all
knew
I
had
to
mention
this
today
and
ask
you
where
you
are
in
terms
of
making
sure
that
weren't,
where
are
you,
the
mayor's
office,
gave
me
the
list
even
of
34
people
about
two
weeks
ago.
So
where
are
you
with
the
regard
to
helping
those
people,
I'm
sure
you're,
going
to
tell
me
it's
always
up.
B
E
B
B
B
And
what
I
can
tell
you
also
is
that
the
of
the
claimants,
the
66th
that
I
initially
mentioned?
If
you
recall,
we
did
a
lot
of
partial
payments
to
folks
so
because
they
needed
to
get
you
know
their
car
fixed
or
whatever
that
that
might
be
so
some
of
the
12
and
16
that
I
mentioned
the
twelve
releases
and
the
sixteen
pending
some
of
the
duplicate
people.
So
you
can't
add
those
numbers
up
and
get
the
total
number
of
claimants,
but
you
can
add
those
numbers
up
and
get
the
total.
B
E
E
B
E
Mr.
president,
I
cannot
support
this
part
of
our
budget
process.
I
cannot
support
the
water
department.
I
cannot
complain
about
it
without
us.
Having
this
issue
resolved,
we
always
get
all
these
different
numbers.
You
know
we
had
what
I
won't
go
through
the
individual
cases
anymore,
but
I
will
say
that
for
you
to
even
know
you're
coming
here,
knowing
of
these
people
who've
been
sick.
E
Ruben,
this
place
people
we
were
paying
car
fare
for,
and
food
knowing
how
they
were
treated,
but
to
say
you
have
money
you
have
to
put
aside
just
in
case
there's
a
problem
is
unconscionable.
Mr.
president,
I'll
hope
that
when
we
have
our
call
back,
we
would
like
them
to
call
back,
and
we
expect
them
to
have
my
issues
resolved
and
I.
Ask
my
colleagues
to
beware.
E
This
could
happen
to
any
of
you
look
at
all
the
holes
we
have
in
the
streets
now
better,
not
fix
from
last
year,
and
but
that
we
expect
this
issue
to
be
resolved
so
with
so,
we
will
expect
you
to
come
back
when
we
have
a
budget
call
backs.
We
always
do
as
long
as
any
of
us
has
a
concern
and
we
expect
this
to
be
resolved.
I,
don't
know
how
else
I
can
say
it.
I
screamed
so
much
at
the
meetings.
You
know
you
just
and
nothing
seems
to
work.
E
I
met
with
the
mayor
on
it
at
least
three
times
he
assigned
staff
to
it
and
we
still
don't
have
it
resolved
so
I,
don't
know
what
I'm
supposed
to
do,
except
maybe
go
out
there.
Maybe
we
got
to
do
old-fashioned,
demonstrating
or
something
I
don't
know
what's
required,
but
I
know
I
do
not
expect
June
14th
to
be
here
again,
and
these
issues
still
exist.
It's
unconscionable,
it's
unfair,
it's
immoral.
E
It
doesn't
show
that
we
care
it
all
about
the
people
who
pay
our
salaries
and
the
people
who
live
and
working
it's
so
unfair,
and
this
isn't
an
area
of
rich
area.
This
is
an
area
where
people
are
struggling
and
they
still
they
still
so.
But
what
so?
What
we
get
is
that
you
have
money
put
aside.
You
have
money
to
the
side
in
case
things
happen
well,
I,
don't
know
what
you
want
to
happen,
but
it's
unconscionable
that
you
treat
our
citizens.
We
will
not
accept.
E
A
A
That
tells
me
you
don't
really
need
to
have
an
additional
cushion
as
it
relates
to
your
water
fund,
and
we
will
call
back
have
callbacks,
and
we
would
ask
that
you
please
respond
to
those
very
specific
questions
and
anticipated
to
the
Councilwoman
would
have
those
questions
you
probably
should
have
to
given
the
interaction
between
the
two
partners.
So
we're
going
to
give
you
that
and
as
you
please,
I'll
be
prepared
to
respond
to
those
questions.
Yes,.
B
A
Yeah,
but
no
we're
discussing
your
budget,
we
tend
to
get
different
responses
and
it's
traditional,
you
know,
informational
hearing,
all
right,
Councilwoman,
we'll
make
sure
we
take
with
you
at
that
letter.
Have
our
budget
people
to
sit
down
with
your
staff
and
crafted
the
direct
requests
thanks.
Councilwoman
T
recognize
councilman
green
Thank.
F
You
council
president
first
I
want
to
commend
the
water
department
for
the
high
quality
of
water
they
provide
for
the
citizens
of
a
city
in
Philadelphia,
I
know.
Over
the
past
number
of
weeks
and
months,
there
have
been
a
lot
of
concern:
the
repres
to
water
quality,
especially
in
reference
to
of
the
devastating
situation
of
Flint
Michigan.
F
However,
the
real
challenge
in
the
city
in
Philadelphia
has
been
not
so
much
from
the
water
quality,
but
from
the
actual
means
that
water's
delivered
to
citizens
in
the
city
by
the
lead
pipes
that
may
be
in
their
homes.
I
know,
we've
had
ongoing
conversations
in
this
body
and
in
various
hearings
regarding
replacement,
lead
pipes
and
based
on
page
four
of
your
testimony.
You
were
providing
no
interest
loan
program
and
I
know
there
was
some
outreach
you've
done
to
try
to
get
more
people
to
participate
in
the
program.
F
B
We've
sent
out
to
all
the
our
CEOs
in
the
city,
all
the
registered
community
organizations
emails
offering
to
come
to
their
community
meetings
and
present
on
the
issue.
Some
of
them
have
taken
us
up
on
it
already
and
I.
Believe
we've
been
to
at
least
one
meeting
so
far.
We
are
constantly
tweaking
our
webpage.
We
have
a
whole
page
on
lead
and
improving
it.
Hopefully
we
are
trying-
and
you
know,
working
with-
hopefully
any
leads
that
City
Council
can
provide
us
to
just
reach
out
to
community
any
any
fairs
or
anything
like
that.
B
Can
we
we
are
yes,
oh
right
and
I
was
just
reminded
that
of
our
annual
drinking
water
quality
report.
We
sent
out
the
postcards
for
folks
and
that's
available
online,
and
if
someone
wants
a
hard
copy,
they
can
get
that
as
well,
so
we're
trying
many
different
avenues,
but
yes,
the
water,
sewer
and
stone
water
bill
as
well.
B
B
F
This
somewhat
related,
but
different
manner,
I
know:
we've
had
conversations
regarding
water
laterals,
which
I
know
when
I
worked
for
councilman
tasko.
That
was
an
issue
for
some
of
the
constituents
in
her
district
and
as
well
as
other
council
members
and
the
water
partners
are
looking
various
steps
and
reference
to
what
they're
gonna
do
in
that
regard.
Has
that
decision
been
made
or
they
still
what
steps
are
going
to
do
in
reference
to
coming
up
with
a
program
to
address
water,
laterals.
F
B
B
F
F
B
F
F
B
H
B
H
C
H
B
Well,
we
believe
that
there
are
savings,
but
we're
still
trying
to
I
mean
that'll,
be
part
of
our
analysis,
whether
it
makes
sense
to
go
for
it
with
ami
or
not
so,
I.
Don't
know
that
we
have
a
number
for
you
right
now,
we're
still
evaluating
whether
it
makes
sense
to
move
forward,
but
we
we
want
to
budget,
because
we
know
that
the
AMR
is
coming
to
an
end.
We're
probably
gonna
have
to
do
something.
I
mean.
H
The
system
sounds
great,
no
one
can
do
phenomenal
and
other
utilities
should
have
the
same
ability
to
shut
off
remotely
systems
or
trickle
the
water
when
that
people
aren't
paying
their
bills
or
all
those
benefits
that
you'll
have
available,
but
I
just
want
to
make
sure
there's
a
payback
of
a
certain
amount
of
time
associated
with
it
right,
but
I
think
we
should
go
full
full
steam
ahead
and
look
at
that
system.
Let
me
go
back
to
Councilwoman
Blackwell's
comments
about
this
problem
at
52nd,
Street
I
guess
it
is.
H
B
H
My
concern,
mold,
is
not
something
you
play
around
with
correct,
and
so
when
you,
you
know,
as
soon
as
we
have
a
leak
anywhere,
you
immediately
do
a
mold
test
within
a
day
or
two
or
three
days,
whatever
just
to
make
sure
this
has
been
10
or
11
months.
So
what
what
I'm
asking
is?
We
can't
go
back,
but
how
do
we
set
a
date
now
that
we're
gonna
resolve
these
issues?
Get
these
tests
on
and
make
sure
these
areas
are
safe
for
our
residents?
Well,.
B
H
H
G
You,
mr.
chairman,
well
a
couple
of
things.
First
of
all,
I
appreciate
the
work
that
is
done
by
a
water
department.
I've
always
said
that
a
smart
one
of
the
smart
departments
and
and
has
been
very
helpful
in
the
fourth
I
echo.
My
colleagues,
concern
whenever
there's
a
tragedy
like
this.
It's
the
small
people
that
wound.
B
G
Getting
worst
of
it,
so
whatever
you
can
do
to
deal
with
that,
I
echo
their
concern
on
to
a
different
thing.
How
are
we
doing
with
our
EPA
resolutions
we
had
been
about
five
ten
years
ago?
Are
we
making
headway
with
dealing
with
the
federal
government's
concerns
about
some
of
our
lateral
systems
and
bring
water
runoff?
So.
B
We're
in
just
June
30th
we're
finishing
our
fifth
year
of
the
long-term
control
plan.
The
Clean
Water
Act
mandated
EPA
mandated
requirements
to
reduce
our
runoff
and
we're
on
target
other
other
folks
actually
know
it
as
green
city
clean
waters,
but
we're
on
target
to
hit
our
744
Green
Acres
and
six
hundred
million
gallons
of
reduction
in
flow
to
our
waterways.
That's.
G
B
G
B
We
thought
we've
been
working
with
a
few
schools,
mass
BOM,
Randolph
and
I-
can't
remember
the
third,
but
excuse
me
trying
to
you
know
getting
getting
folks
from
high
school
and
starting
to
work
with
us
and
then
hopefully
becoming
full-time
employees
with
us.
We
also
Power
Core
is
another
awesome
source
of
youth
at
risk
to
get
full-time
jobs
with
the
water
department
and
that's
been
very
successful
as
well.
G
Do
you
have
numbers
as
to
how
many
so
we
asked
the
police
department?
He
has
the
fire
department,
we
ask
each
department,
we
want
to
try
to
get
it
to
scale.
We
believe
that
the
best
anti-violence
measure
you
can
do
is
give
a
kid
a
job
mm-hmm,
and
so,
if
we
can
increase
and
go
to
mass
with
that,
getting
them
into
our
civil
service
ranks
and
in
our
union
ranks
I
think
numbers.
B
Yes,
so
our
apprenticeship
program,
where
we
used
Edison
mass
bombing
round
off
the
year,
our
first
year,
we
had
three
students
and
two
are
now
permanent
order:
Department
employees,
our
second
year
in
2015,
we
had
three
students.
Again,
all
three
are
ready
to
start
into
what
we
call
phase
three
of
the
utility
maintenance
trainee
which
become
it
makes
them
become
permanent
employees.
And
then
this
year
we
have
six
students
and
they're
transitioning
into
Phase
two,
what
we
call
so
and
we'll
as
vocational
school
interns
when
they
graduate
from
high
school
imma.
G
Consider
that
data
testing
that
it
can
work
but
I,
need
ten
that
many
a
year
in
order
to
make
a
dent
into
when
we
have
the
water
breakage
is
that
we
have.
We
have
to
create
that
path
so
to
whatever
degree
we
can
do
that
tenfold.
That
would
be
it's
a
good
start.
Mm-Hmm
shows
it
can
happen,
but
I
really
really
need
us
to
consider
our
own
Philadelphia
stimulus
package
by
hiring
these
young
people
to
have
lifelong
careers.
I
mean
mm-hmm
city
jobs
are
meaningful
and
yes
and
it's
public
service,
so.
B
We
also
are
powerful.
We
that's
87
folks
through
our
district
terribly
well,
I
was
trying
to,
but
so
and
we
that's
a
great
program
as
well.
We
also
work
with
cops,
creek
durham
serve
as
and
working
with
those
young
folks,
and
then
we
also
have
summer
internship
workforce
program
and
the
goal
is
to
increase
our
diversity
in
the
professional
like
engineering
things
like
that,
and
so
this
is
our
third
year
of
doing
that
as
well.
So.
G
That's
you
should
live
with
the
first
one.
I
was
with
you
in
those
guys.
You
get
you
know,
so
you
get
good
marks
for
that.
As
we
increase
that
ability,
we
also
have
a
personnel
needs.
We,
you
know,
people
are
dropping
people
finding
employment
in
the
private
sector
cuz.
Sometimes
it
pays
better.
That
steady
farm
team
is
the
kind
of
thing
right.
Finally,
where
we
had
on
smart
meters,
so.
B
G
B
Will
should
increase
the
well
reduce
the
costs
associated
with
rolling
trucks,
to
go
to
check
on
things
you
won't
be
driving
around
picking
up
the
pings
off.
The
am
I
am
are
excuse
me
will
be
able
to
as
councilman
done.
Knowdon't
Dom
noted
will
be
able
to
potentially
set
off
remotely
with
the
trickle
of
life.
What
the
shuttle
I
hear.
G
B
G
G
B
Yes,
we
have
solar
panels
at
southeast
wastewater
plant
and
we
were
able
to
get
a
grant
for
that
to
offset
some
of
those
costs.
Unfortunately,
the
state
and
there
s
recs
are
credits.
That's
made
solar,
not
necessarily
the
most
cost
effective
way
to
go
anymore,
but
it
is
something
that
we're
always
looking
at.
We
have
a
whole
team
of
folks
that
meet
monthly
on
how
we
can
save
energy.
What
technologies
are
out
there,
what
makes
sense
for
the
utility,
so
our
form.
G
G
I
I
Have
a
long
list
of
questions
here
and
so
I'll
ask
lean
on
you
to
try
to
keep
your
answers
tight,
so
I
can
get
through
as
many
of
them
and
I
do
want
to
underscore
the
concerns
raised
by
Councilman
Blackwell.
Only
because
too
often
constituents
do
not
have
someone
to
vouch
for
them
champion.
For
this.
I
I
So
the
two
principal
departments
that
are
immediately
responsible
for
the
fix
of
these
type
of
constituent
emergencies
are
water
and
risk
management,
correct,
okay
and
no
way
to
in
no
way
to
suggest
or
or
and
no
way
to
suggest
this
as
a
flint.
What
is
similar
in
the
circumstance
is
the
appearance
of
the
lagging
of
getting
it
done
quickly,
and
so
it's
been
15
months
or
more.
What
is
your
immediate
next
step
to
address
immediately
the
concerns
raised
by
counsel
for
matt
blackwell,
because
because
this
could
be
the
the
seedling
of
bigger
bigger
issues.
B
E
B
Their
homes
and
that
all
occurred
some
folks,
it
took
a
little
longer
that
we
would
have
liked,
but-
and
we've
learned
from
this
unfortunately
on,
but
we
have
learned
that
maybe
we
need
to
have
hotels,
available
figure
out
something
with
hotels
for
people.
It's
and
truthfully.
I
can
say
that
we
we
could
have
done
better
on
our
response
that
first
day
and.
I
I
I
Of
course,
I
can't
find
it
now,
and
so
those
of
your
executive
level
terrific,
thank
you,
those
that
you're
executive-level
according
to
this
chart
includes
seven
women
and
seven
people
of
color
correct.
According
to
this
chart,.
B
B
B
Bilingual
employees
and
we
determine
this
I
mean
volunteer.
They
have
to
share
that.
We
can't
demand
that
they
tell
us
whether
they're
bilingual,
but
they
have
self-reported
119
employees
of
self-reported
that
they
are
bilingual
and
the
language
is
that
those
119
speak.
There
are
37
different
languages,
that's.
B
The
other
thing
I
can
share
is
that
we
very
much
use
the
language
line
and
those
services
I've
even
been
able
to
use
it
in
one
occasion
and
carry
my
card
and
my
card
at
all
times.
My
language
link
card,
wherever
it
is
in
here
somewhere
that
helped
it's
my
reference,
so
I
can
use
our
Department
number
and
call
the
language
line.
We
pushed
that
out
to
the
field
units.
This
is
something
we
take
very
seriously
and
think
it's
very
important.
Okay,.
I
I'm
gonna
circle
back
to
the
demographic,
a
staff
does
that
Bell
is
about
to
ring
and
I
want
to
get
a
couple
more
custom
cents.
So
one
program
I
continue
to
be
very
excited
about
and
hope
that
we
can
expand
as
Powercore
yes
and
what's
the
future
relationship
of
power
core
with
the
water
department?
Well,.
B
I
B
C
I
D
Let
me
start
with
the
issue
that
councilman
green
talked
about
that
doesn't
ever
seem
to
go
away,
10
years
for
me
here
as
the
staffer.
This
was
one
of
the
number
one
infrastructure
issues
in
the
ninth
council
somatic
district
left
here
for
10
years
and
went
to
the
Pennsylvania
House
and
held
meetings,
and
it
was
still
the
number
one
infrastructure
issue
in
the
ninth
council
Matic
District,
and
that
was
the
water
main
replacements
with
the
water
laterals.
D
But
every
now
and
again
the
questions
that
we
get
were
one.
When
were
we
going
to
be
notified
about
it?
I'm
talking
about
residents
on
the
block?
Well,
the
water
main
replacement
took
place.
But
then,
right
after
that,
you
know
something
happened
with
the
streets
departments
and
it's
very
rare.
We
don't
get
it
as
often
as
we
used
two
years
ago
because
we
used
strategically
done
better
with
your
planet,
but
we
will
get
it
every
now
and
again.
B
I
can
say
that
one
of
the
things
we're
working
on
is
in
addition
to
the
quality
of
life
specs,
so
making
the
contractors
be
more
respectful
with
things
like
where
they
put
their
dirt
and
things
like
that,
but
also
we're
working
hard
to
communicate
sooner
to
folks
that
are
going
to
be
impacted.
So
about
six
months
out.
There
should
be
receiving
a
letter
and
then
about
two
weeks
out:
they'll
receive
another
letter,
notifying
them
that
we'll
be
out
there
and
the
construction
and
the
activities
and
who
to
contact.
D
D
You
know
second
notification
by
this
date
because,
obviously
for
us
we
will
want
to,
as
the
district
council
members
have,
that
information
in
advance,
and
you
literally
can
check
so
when
those
calls-
and
you
know
they
do
get-
the
volume
increases
tremendously,
as
you
move
sort
of
block
by
block,
so
we
could
have
that
up
and
just
be
able
to
have
it.
You
know
each
of
our
desks
to
be
able
to
communicate
when
the
public
calls
our
office.
That
would
be
very
helpful.
So
thank
you
for
for
for
noting
that
yeah.
B
I
mean
it's
we're
not
going
to
know
that
when
we
send
the
list
because
it's
dependent
upon
when
we
bid
the
job,
but
we
could
add
you
to
the
when
we
sent
it
to
your
constituents,
we
could
I
think
we
could
probably
add
you
to
that
list.
Every
time
your
constituents
gets
a
letter
saying
we're
gonna
be
there
in
six
months.
We
can
make
sure
you
get
that
and
then
the
two
weeks.
If
that's
we
do
it
great.
D
D
D
In
this
case,
I
think
the
this
private
owner
has
received
like
an
$1,100
per
month
like
savings,
as
at
least
that's.
What
was
communicated
to
me
and
I
think
that
is
great,
because
I
want
to
encourage
as
much
participation
as
possible
in
the
program.
The
challenge
is
this
because
it's
on
private
property
but
I'll
go
physically
and
aesthetically
in
the
view
of
home
owners,
their
questions
regarding
a
mosquito
potential
mosquito
beds
and
rodents
and
the
physical
aesthetic
appearance
of
it.
D
D
How
can
we
I'm
asking
you,
will
you
or
can
you
include
in
that
process
for
the
private
owner
a
requirement
that
they
have
to
have
a
meeting
similar
to
what
we
would
do
with
the
RCO,
or
you
know
alert
entity
needing
a
variance
with
zoning
that
you
have
to
have
a
meeting
with
residents
in
the
surrounding
community,
because
in
this
instance,
they
met
with
the
community,
but
only
after
after
they
had
entered
into
the
agreement
and
I'm
going
to
come
back
around.
Mr.
D
Being
being
sworn
in,
I
was
informed
that
the
the
entity
had
a
meeting
and
didn't
organize
the
meeting
in
conjunction
with
the
council
office,
put
together
something
independently
who
they
contacted.
We've
got
to
develop
specs
for
all
of
that,
because
it's
really
becoming
a
problem.
It's
move
from
the
Northwest
section
of
Philadelphia
over
to
lawn
crests
and
lawndale,
now
I'm
starting
to
get
questions
and
concerns
about
that
from
those
who
weren't
able
to
attend
a
meeting
that
was
organized
recently
and
we've
got
to
find
a
way
to
do
better
and
it
can't
be
acted.
F
You,
council
president
I'm
one
of
the
following,
so
my
questions
were:
gonna
am
I
standing
that
am
I.
Just
I'm
gonna
focus
on
some
of
the
customer
service
aspects
of
it.
It
will
be
able
to
prevent
word
leaks
going
forward,
as
well
as
stopping
some
of
the
high
bills
that
customers
may
ever
seen.
Well,.
B
It
should
help
customers
be
able
to
detect
if
there's
a
leak
in
their
property
right
now,
you
find
out
in
your
monthly
bill,
you'll,
be
able
to
we're
trying
to
collect
the
data.
Now
when
customers
call
in
what
our
revenue
is
collecting
emails
and
we're
feeling
collecting
emails
and
phone
numbers,
so
there's
a
contact
when
we
win
and
if
we
do
go
to
AMI
they
can
be
alerted.
That
look
looks
like
you
have
a
leak
in
your
property.
You
may
want
to
check
so
that'll
reduce
you
know.
F
B
B
Well,
our
meters
are
are
not
an
issue
should
not
be
an
issue.
We
do
not
need
to
replace
the
meters
as
part
of
the
ami
we've
done
testing
on
the
meters
and
found
that
they
are
going
to
live
they're
going
to
last
a
lot
longer
than
necessarily
anticipate
it,
which
has
made
this
project
more
affordable
and
reduce
the
cost
of
it
and.
F
B
F
That's
part
of
the
pilot
process
understand
and
also
going
through
ami
Tina's,
going
to
be
a
significant
savings,
and
is
this
going
and
can
you
kind
of
give
some
perspective
on
type
of
savings?
This
is
going
to
be
a
reduction
of
vehicle
costs,
a
reduction
some
of
the
issue
there
aren't
that
the
service
and
then,
if
in
the
doubt,
can
you
give
some
perspective
on
the
savings.
B
One
of
the
things
that
we'll
be
able
to
more
quickly
know
is
theft
of
service,
so
there
should
be
some
savings
there.
If
we
should
be
getting
a
report
right
now
again,
it's
a
monthly
we
find
out
about
that
customer
on
a
monthly
basis.
If
someone
has
taken
the
meter
offline
or
things
like
that,
so
that's
a
savings.
The
savings
of
rolling,
a
truck,
as
you
mentioned,
there
are
savings
in
there
or
not
having
to
roll
trucks
to
be
more
targeted
and
how
we
address
what
the
problems
are
and
and-
and
things
like
that,
so.
F
B
F
And
this
morn
on
the
last
point
you
earlier
we're
talking
about
solar,
where
councilman
Jones
and
talk
about
s
recs
and
the
credits,
and
although
I
know
the
credits
are
no
longer
adds
value,
was
it
were
special
during
governor
Rendell
administration
will
react
growing,
green
or
one
and
two.
However,
technology
has
dramatically
changed
the
cost
of
doing
solar,
so,
although
the
credits
are
not
valued
because
they
were
at
one
point,
the
other
side
of
the
equation
is
that
the
cost
of
doing
so
has
dramatically
come
down.
B
B
It's
very
much
yes,
it's
very
exciting
I
mean
I.
Remember
when
I
was
going
to
school
in
the
70s
solar
was
the
latest
and
the
greatest
and
have
been
very
disappointed
that
it
kind
of
fell
off
the
face
of
the
earth,
and
now
it's
it's
back
with
a
vengeance.
So
it's
we
again.
We
have
an
Energy
Committee
that
looks
at
these
things
and
looks
at
what
makes
the
most
sense
for
our
right
pairs,
and
so
solar
is
definitely
in
our
radar
for
sure.
Thank.
F
E
Thank
You.
Mr.
president,
two
short
issues,
one
is,
and
we
spoke
before
on
letting
the
water
and
I
know
the
water
department
said
they
would
be
happy
to
work
with
citizens
on
some
loan
for
another
problem.
They
didn't
create,
wait
and
I
do
not
agree
and
I
would
hope
that
council
would
also
agree.
We
just
can't
make
people
pay
for
everything
they
probably
hit
the
same
people.
They
won't
fix
their
pipes
now
and
then
tell
them.
They
owe
something
else.
Cuz,
there's
letter
very,
very
unfair.
Also.
E
We
passed
legislation
that
will
allow
for
home
owner
properties
to
have
an
agreement
with
water
department
with
bills.
They
cannot
pay
so
that
they
could
maintain
water
service
and
be
able
to
pay
on
back
bill.
My
staff,
who
just
reminded
me,
they've,
been
asking
about
it
two
years,
so
I
would
hope
that
the
status
of
that
program
is
available
so
that
people
can
keep
their
water
on
and
pay
on
the
back
bill.
Where
are
we
so.
E
B
They're
right
now,
customers
can
get
into
the
payment
agreements
with
water
revenue
bureau,
but
there's
a
program,
affordable
rates
program
that
we
have
requested.
The
rate
board
approve
and
it's
based
on
the
federal
poverty
level,
different,
three
different
tiers
and
it's
in
the
rate
boards
hands.
We
have
requested
and
believe
that
it's
a
very
good
program
and
we
should
know
in
June-
hopefully
if
it's
supported,
thank.
I
We
please
shift
our
thinking
to
your
online
bill.
Pay
and
I've
learned
that
those
who
opt
to
pay
online
are
also
required
to
a
four
dollar
fee,
so
for
persons
average
bill
is
$30
per
month.
This
fee
essentially
equates
to
a
13%
additional
charge,
so
the
question
is:
should
I
want
to
yes
or
no,
give
you
a
perspective
or
why
this
approach
versus
promoting
online
bill
pay,
because
in
some
ways
some
might
argue
that
tax
of
people
who
choose
to
utilize
this
efficient
and,
quite
frankly,
environmentally
friendly
option,
might
seem
incongruous.
B
B
A
there's
a
paperless
way
to
do
it
and
I
can't
I
just
went
brain
dead
on
the
zip
check.
Thank
you,
I'm
in
the
program
I'm
in
zip
check,
and
so
you
could
sign
up
for
zip
check.
Unfortunately,
a
lot
of
a
lot
of
customers
do,
but
it
would
be
automatically
withdrawn
from
your
account.
You
still
get
the
bill
before
that
money
is
withdrawn
from
your
account.
B
B
C
My
cup,
please
sure,
good
morning,
I
apologize
for
not
being
closer
to
the
mic.
The
revenue
bureaus
selected,
the
the
vendor.
We
would
have
to
contact
our
colleagues
at
the
revenue,
water,
Revenue
Bureau,
because
we
don't
collect
nor
bill
for
our
rates
and
charges.
We
need
to
seek
the
answers
from
the
WRB
I
apologize
for
not
being
able
to
answer
a
question,
no
worries.
I
I
B
You
talk
about
a
green
city,
clean
waters
program
and
we
are
very
we're
putting
in
on
June
30th,
pretty
quickly
about
two
months
away,
where
we'll
have
our
first
five
years
in
of
that
program,
and
we
are
meeting
our
goals
of
seven
hundred
and
forty-four
green
acres,
which
results
in
a
reduction
of
six
hundred
million
gallons
of
combined
sewage
getting
into
our
waterways.
So
we're
very
excited
about
that
milestone,
but
that
we're
still
continuing
to
look
at
ways
to
improve
how
we
do
that
work
and
how
others
do
that
work
as
well.
So.
I
B
We's,
the
water
department,
of
course
you
know
that
we're
always
looking
for
others,
ideas,
good
ideas
and
it's
not
to
say
that
we
don't
use
consultants
to
bring
ideas
from
elsewhere,
but
it's
a
federal
mandate
for
us
to
reduce
our
combined
sewer
overflow.
So
it's
the
the
onus
falls
on
the
water
department
at
the
end
of
the
day.
Okay,.
A
Thank
You
Councilwoman.
She
recognizes
Councilwoman
Parker
Thank.
D
B
B
They
have
to
submit
what
they're
going
to
do
for
review
and
one
of
the
things
we
look
at
and
you
noted
of
concern
is
making
sure
that
the
water
infiltrates
quickly
so
is
not
the
harbor
mosquitoes,
which
is
obviously
an
issue
all
the
time
of
concern
all
the
time,
and
but
we
on
private
property
really
don't
have
too
much
authority.
We
do
inspect
to
make
sure
that
if
you're
getting
the
stormwater
credits,
you
are
complying
and
maintaining
that
stormwater
infrastructure.
D
Does
the
water
department
have
the
authority
to
be
able
to
tell
any
private
citizen
interested
in
participating
in
this
program
in
the
specs
for
it
that
if
you
want
to
participate
in
this
program,
it
is
contingent
upon
your
off
the
checklists
or
the
checklist
of
all
of
these
things
that
you
have
to
do
in
order
to
participate,
adding
a
line
that
says
you
must
have
a
community
meeting
with
residents
who
are
within
a
hundred
to
two
hundred
feet
of
this
location?
Does
the
water
department
had
the
authority
to
make
that
a
requirement
if.
D
So
so,
when
we
talk
about
I,
just
wanted
to
State
for
the
record
when
we
talked
about
our
authority
because
the
those
who
are
participating
in
one
of
the
things
I
lauded
that
the
department
participates
in
is
the
financial
incentive
is
extremely
important
and
it's
actually
been
effective
in
encouraging
private
owners
to
participate.
So
I
want
to
just
ask
us
to
make
sure
that
we've
done
there
and
just
made
it
a
requirement
for
just
from
a
notification
perspective.
So
we
can.
D
You
and
please
keep
keep
us
updated
on
that.
The
next
question-
and
you
may
have
talked
about
this
and
I
just-
did
not
hear
the
response.
On
page
8
of
your
testimony,
you
note
that
the
water
department
has
15
apprentices
and
describe
the
apprenticeship
program.
What's
the
lift
capacity,
the
types
of
positions,
how
does
an
individual
apply?
How's
an
individual
selected
well.
B
D
So
one
obviously
I
was
extremely
excited
when
I
saw
the
program
but
council
president
Clark,
given
the
announcement
that
you
just
made
last
Thursday
about
Temple
University's
agreement
with
our
local
laborers
District
Council.
Here
I
want
to
request
that
water
immediately,
if
at
all
possible,
find
out
about
that
arrangement
between
Temple
University,
along
with
the
laborers
that
the
council
president
worked
for
a
very
long
time
to
put
together
to
see
how
we
can
include
young
people
who
are
participating
in
that
program
from
the
laborers
to
potentially
participate
in
this
apprenticeship.
Ram
that
one
no.
B
D
A
They're
going
to
build
it
and
I'm
kind
of
stealing
their
thunder,
but
I
did
run
off
at
the
mouth.
The
other
day,
you're
gonna
be
building
a
new
training
facility
on
North
Broad
Drive
moving
the
training
facility.
That's
currently
next
in
Pennsylvania
moving
into
North
Broad
Street,
it's
gonna
be
a
state-of-the-art,
so
we'll
be
training,
individuals
and
all
aspects
of
certain
levels
of
construction.
A
So
it's
a
sign
that
you
know
clearly
we're
responding
to
the
need
to
create
more
opportunities
for
people
in
the
city
of
one
of
the
things
they
found
that
having
it
an
extant,
it
was
challenging
for
people
who,
frankly
speaking,
had
to
take
care
of
their
families.
It
goes
to
X
this
in
and
come
back.
A
Yeah
they
well
I'm,
like
blowing
all
the
announcements.
I
didn't
want
to
kill
me
for
this,
but
there's
gonna
be
a
big
announcement.
Didn't.
B
D
Good,
thank
you
that
thank
you
and
now.
The
next
question
is
in
regards
to
the
to
the
AMI
and
I
think
you
talked
a
little
bit
about
the
savings,
but
I
wanted
to
know.
If
you
could
talk
about
the
who's
going
to
manage
the
network
just
so
that
we
understand
what
a
vendor
managed
work.
Well,
the
city
potentially
manage
the
network
and
are
there
any
other
utilities
in
the
city
that
have
the
network
like
Pico,
and
so
when
I
think
about
cost
savings.
D
B
Well,
we
still
haven't
figured
out
what
that
is
going
to
look
like
who,
what
makes
the
most
sense,
some
of
it
will
be
based
upon
what
the
responses
to
the
RFP
are
as
to
what
makes
the
most
sense
I
think
we
want
to
get
the
most
cost-effective
program
we
can
and
by
leaving
it
somewhat
open
and
the
RFP
will
help
us
do
that.
It'll
give
us
the
opportunity
to
to
get
the
best
system
at
the
the
lowest
rate,
one
would
hope,
but
right
now,
I
and
I.
D
H
Thank
You
council
president,
this
is
a
question
I've
asked
before
I
feel
like
more.
The
Johnny
Carson
show
Carnac.
Remember
that
so
I'm
gonna
give
you
the
answer.
I'm
gonna
hold
my
hand,
I
dissipate.
Okay,
and
the
answer
is:
how
do
we
save
three
million
dollars?
I
can
give
you
the
question,
but
let's
see
if
you
can
find
it
and.
H
H
My
question
is:
can
we
get
this
done?
What's
the
time
frame?
You
know
we
mail
out
what
five
million
pieces
of
water
and
sewer
bills
a
year,
six
hundred
thousand
real
estate
tax
bills.
We
have
a
much
better
system,
but
we
can
computerized
both
and
we'd,
save
a
lot
of
money,
postage,
etc
and
probably
something
we
should
be
doing
this
year.
My
question
is:
have
we
made
any
progress
in
that
area?
H
B
B
H
I
B
I
B
Like
to
consult
with
the
water
revenue
and
get
back
to
you
on
that,
if
I
may
but
well,
there
are
many
billing
system
changes
on
the
horizon.
For
instance,
if
we
are
successful
with
the
affordability
program
that
we've
asked
the
rate
board,
for
we
have
a
very
tight
time
frame
to
get
that
done,
and
that
is
a
very,
very
high
priority.
So
that's
a
that's
a
programming
initiative
that
will
have
to
occur
over
a
12-month
period,
then
that.
I
I
I
So
I
understand
that
the
water
department
currently
maintains
more
than
300,000
aged
residential
liens
worth
more
than
200
million
dollars,
and
you
expect
to
collect
only
a
small
portion
of
that
debt.
Do
you?
What
is
your
perspective
with
regards
to
the
new
water
of
the
affordability
legislation,
responsible,
councilman
Sanchez,
and
how
that's
going
to
help
the
department
collect
those
debts
in
a
far
more
aggressive
way?.
B
I
I
think
the
we
fully
support
and
are
looking
forward
to
the
affordability
program,
I
wrap
as
it's
known.
It
will
help
customers.
We
believe
we're
will
help.
Customers
pay
their
current
bills,
the
penalties
for
past
payment
and
fees
would
be
waived
effective
when
when
they
would
enter
into
and
I
wrap
agreement,
if
you
will
for
lack
of
a
better
way
of
stating
it
so.
I
And
so
then
we
have
to
assume
that
efforts
are
underway
in
the
department
to
help
citizens
understand
that
they
can
avoid
foreclosure
and
sheriff's
sale
by
learning
about
the
provisions
of
this
legislation.
Is
that
fair
to
say,
because
what
what
we're
hearing
is
an
increased
effort
with
regards
to
foreclosures
and
sheriff's
sales?
What
do
we
do
the
mitigate
and
as
sort
of
calm
the
fears
of
citizens
that
they
are
not
going
to
end
up
in
front
of
it's
your
sale
or
foreclosure?
Well,.
B
I
mean
customers
can
always
enter
into
a
payment
agreement
as
long
as
they
stay
current.
That
should
keep
any
sheriff
sales
from
occurring,
and
that's
today
right
now,
it's
just
not
the
program
that
we've
we've
asked
the
right
board
to
approve,
but
there
was
a
it's
called
rap
or
a
revenue
assistance
program,
and
if
you
can
enter
you
know
you
can
enter
into
that
payment
agreement.
With
the
word
of
revenue
bureau
that
should
keep
you
know
your
property
office
share
or
sale
mm-hmm.
So.
I
What
I've
learned
the
hard
way
said?
If
you
don't
make
new
initiatives,
new
legislative
initiatives,
what
I
call
dummy
proof,
then
you
you
end
up
with
citizens
who
are
still
got
a
rope
around
their
neck,
looking
at
foreclosure
and
land
or
sheriff's,
so
what
marketing
strategies
are
underway
for
citizens
who
are
going
to
end
up
in
a
bad
place?
Mm-Hmm
if
they
don't
know
that
this
piece
of
legislation
is
designed
to
save
them?
Well,.
B
As
soon
as
I
mean
that
is
one
of
the
initiatives
we
need
to
undertake
once
we
know
whether
it's
approved
by
the
water
storm
still
water
board.
So
once
that
rate
board
and
June
kills
their
decision,
and
we
know
what
that
program,
they've
approved,
looks
like
then
we'll
be
out
reaching
to
the
public,
but
it
will
not
be
immediately
available
because
we
have
to
make
the
programming
changes
in
the
billing
system,
but.
E
B
I
If
you
know
it's
coming,
and
you
know
that
there's
going
to
be
some
kind
of
positive
yield
for
citizens,
why
do
you
have
to
wait
for
an
affirmative
action
by
this
board?
You
talked
about
with
regards
to
preparing
for
staffing
up
and
having
marketing
materials,
at
least
in
draft
form
ready
to
roll
with
that,
once
the
tweaks
are
made
based
on
the
decisions
of
this
board,
I
simply
don't
get
why
we
in
government
can't
walk
and
chew
gum.
At
the
same
time,
if.
I
B
We
we,
you
know,
this
is
a
new
rate
process.
We've
never
gone
before
the
board
before
so.
There
are
a
lot
of
uncertainties
just
because
we
support
it
doesn't
mean
they're
going
to
rule
in
our
favor.
As
I
say,
there
are
others
that
you
know,
maybe
don't
agree
or
you
know,
and
I
can't
speak
for
the
board.
I
I
I
B
Well,
it
shows
that
we're
29
percent
for
16.
We
believe
that
we
believe
in
hope
that
we're
going
to
hit
30
percent
this
fiscal
year
and
we
are
continuing
on
many
fronts.
One
is
a
contractor
seminars.
There
was
one
a
couple
of
weeks
ago
at
Venice
Island.
It
was
120
folks
showed
up
that
vendors
excuse
me,
contractors
showed
up,
which
is
really
good.
I
was
there.
It
was
a
really
good
event.
There.
I
B
Theater
in
Venice
Island
on
Main
Street,
councilman,
Jones's
district,
oh
okay,
it
was
a
nice
venue
because
they
didn't
like.
We
have
a
naught,
there's
an
auditorium
there,
and
so
we
were
able
to
fit
a
lot
of
folks
in
there.
It
was
tough.
It
is
right
by
the
river,
so
it's
nice,
but
we
have
quarterly
updates
on
our
take
part
of
publication
and
we
work
on
maintaining
relationships
with
the
building
trades,
okay
and
the
phone
trades
and
the
union's
coordinating
with
businesses
and
education,
programs
and
workshops
can.
I
You
please
make
sure
that
council
members
get
notices
of
anything
you're
doing
about
MBE
W,
be
participation
so
that
we
can
assist
you
in
casting
the
net
even
wider.
Looking
to
do
business
with
it.
Can
you
just
make
that
a
regular
protocol
in
your
department
to
notify
council
members?
There
are
many
of
us
that
pay
attention
to
that
type
of
information
and
would
be
pleased
to
pass
it
on
and
I'd
be
awesome.
Thank
you
Kay.
The
last
question
is
I.