But to answer your 8 question, absolutely. All of our 9 professionals are reaching out to their 10 universities. I'm an example of that. I 11 am a graduate of Indiana University, and I 12 reach out to that university on a regular 13 basis. 14 Susan Rivera is a graduate of 15 Villanova here in Delaware Valley, and she 16 works very closely with that university in establishing relationships with that school as well. So all of our professionals are reaching out to their various colleges to increase our hiring rate or retention rate, as well as the recruitment of diversity candidates to the organization.
I had a feeling you did that. Thank you. 181 Whole - 3/30/04 - Bill 040157
One of the last group of witnesses about minutes ago 9 referred to the fact that the industry is 10 very difficult to work in. 11 I was wondering if the witness could 12 explain which industry was he referring to, 13 the insurance industry or the construction 14 industry? 15 Is any member, the witness -- I think the last witness was the one who said that, when questioned about meeting goals. I just want to know which industry he was referring to.
I was referencing the insurance industry. And I was talking about recruitment within the insurance industry.
Because recruitment in the construction industry 182 Whole - 3/30/04 - Bill 040157 seems to be enormously difficult. We have been working on it many years with very little success. But I think the suggestions you received from different members of Council is very important in the insurance industry. It seems to me a strong approach. The universities ought to supply you with a great supply of very fine talent in the insurance industry because you don't have the barriers there that you have of an apprenticeship, of a possible union membership, and then of assignments of jobs. The last two areas are covered. The job would be with ACE, right?
If they got it. And you would know what the business is. So all you've got to do is to find the raw talent. And that ought to be -- I'm sure there's a lot of that raw talent in the minority community that's waiting to be tapped. 183 Whole - 3/30/04 - Bill 040157 So I think the whole problem is your outreach, and in convincing people that you're for real, you know, and that they have a real opportunity if they do that. If you do that, I think your company will be very successful. Thank you.
Further questions from my colleagues? (No response.)
Again, my name is Robert Fina. I'm with PIDC. I have three quick points to make, if I may, Madam Chairman.
My first point is that PIDC will engage ACE to review their affirmative action policy in the context of Councilman Clarke's questioning earlier, and ACE has agreed to be engaged. So that will occur. The second point is that earlier in my testimony, I need to clarify something that I had said that we are working with 184 Whole - 3/30/04 - Bill 040157 One Beacon, which is not correct. We have reached out to One Beacon and were prepared to work with them in the future if they need our assistance to stay in the City. Presently they have a lease that goes into 2008. And they expect to stay at this location until then, the location 436 Walnut. And the third and final point I'd like to make is that there is an amendment to the Bill. It is replacing Exhibit A that was attached to the project plan -- I mean, attached to the legislation with another exhibit. And I referred to the three changes in the exhibit earlier in my testimony. So, we're replacing Exhibit A. I'm requesting that you do that with another attached Exhibit A. Thank you.
Thank you. Does everyone have copies of that? Have they been distributed yet? We've been advised that they were distributed earlier. But certainly we will 185 Whole - 3/30/04 - Bill 040157 have the clerk... You have additional copies, Mr. Fina? Thank you.
The President of ACE would like to make a statement to clarify something also.
Hi. I'm Susan Rivera. I'm President of ACE INA. I wanted to make a point because I think it's important given the conversation over the last 15 or 20 minutes. You know, ACE acquired INA in 1999. We have significant retention ratios because we want to make sure that our employees like where they work. It's important for us. So there's been job growth over the last five years, as well as limited turnover. And we think that we see progress in our outreach efforts over the 186 Whole - 3/30/04 - Bill 040157 five years that we have controlled the company. It's not perfect. We're making progress every day. But it is a priority within our organization. It's always been a top priority at ACE. And I wanted to make sure that you understood that, from our standpoint. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you very much. I think we have someone else who would like to testify. MR. McPHERSON: Lenora Berson.
My name is Lenora Berson, and I am the co-chair of the legislative committee of Center City Residents Association. Center City Residents Association has long been concerned about Philadelphia's taxing practices. I hesitate to say policy because our taxes were not conceived as a whole but enacted 187 Whole - 3/30/04 - Bill 040157 over time, piece by piece, to meet particular needs at particular times and set at rates that the traffic would bear. This ad hoc scheme has now come a-cropper, in the loss of businesses, jobs and residents. Eager to start a dialogue on tax reform, CCRA has set up a tax study committee. The committee has made a series of recommendations which we presented to the Tax Reform Commission. My testimony, which will be very brief, is based upon these recommendations. CCRA is opposed to the current practice of granting tax advantages to individual properties without regard to an overall tax plan. All too often these TIFs, as they are called, are granted to properties which are able to be developed without such assistance, even if not by the developer requesting the TIF. In particular, the granting of TIFs in the thriving central business district 188 Whole - 3/30/04 - Bill 040157 makes these special advantages fail the test of economic hardship, that is, that nothing would be developed there if there weren't for a TIF. We believe that bills such as the one that we have considered today, is being considered today, creates holes in the even fabric of the tax structure and undermines its integrity. Their effect is to force the citizens as a whole to make up for tax relief given to the few. TIFs create the perception of special favor because they offer a remedy not open to all. In addition, there is great controversy about the effectiveness of the TIF as an economic development tool. Do TIFs create economic development that would not have taken place without the special legislative benefit? And if they do, are they worth the cost in dollars to the City and the trust by the citizens of their government's fairness? 189 Whole - 3/30/04 - Bill 040157 CCRA believes TIFs are part of the problem, not the solution, and urges Council to take a new look at these special tax breaks, and at the very least hold the granting of them to the higher standard of real economic hardship. Again, thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify.
Are there any questions for Ms. Berson or comments? (No response.)
Do we have anyone else to testify on this Bill? Do we have anyone else to testify on this Bill?
Seeing no 22 one, this will conclude our public hearing. (Public hearing concluded at 2:05 p.m.) 190 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 of The Philadelphia City Council, taken on March 30, 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.)