Title
Approving a new plan, estimated costs and proposed method of assessment of the Old City Special Services District of Philadelphia for and concerning business improvements and administrative services to the Old City area of the City of Philadelphia, all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
WHEREAS, The Old City Special Services District of Philadelphia (“OCD”) was incorporated as a municipal authority for a term of five years under the provisions of the Municipality Authorities Act, Act of May 2, 1945 (P.L. 382, No. 164) as amended, (the “Act”) and as authorized by Bill No. 970093 (approved May 14, 1997); and
WHEREAS, Bill No. 020737 (approved January 23, 2003) authorized an extension to the term of OCD as a municipal authority to December 31, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Bill No. 130775 (approved January 8, 2014) approved the Plan and Budget for OCD through December 31, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Bill No. 180747 (approved December 12, 2018) authorized an extension to the term of OCD as a municipal authority to December 31, 2038; and
WHEREAS, Bill No. 180749 (approved December 11, 2018) approved the Plan and Budget for OCD through December 31, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Bill No. 230628 (approved November 13, 2023) approved the Plan and Budget for OCD through December 31, 2028; and
WHEREAS, OCD wishes to continue providing business improvements and administrative services to the Old City area of the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, In accordance with the Act, OCD has recently completed a plan for certain business improvements and services to the Old City area of the City of Philadelphia for fiscal years 2027 - 2033, together with the estimated costs thereof and the proposed method of assessments and charges therefor, and has submitted a copy to City Council, for review and approval, a document entitled “2027-2033: Plan and Budget for the Old City District” (the “Plan”) attached hereto as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, OCD mailed to each property owner and to each commercial tenant within the District the Plan which includes a map of the District, a description of the Plan, and the proposed method of assessment and charges; and
WHEREAS, After duly advertised public hearings have been held by OCD pursuant to the Act, legally sufficient objections have not been received either from persons representing one-third (1/3) of the properties in the District or from property owners whose property valuation as assessed for taxable purposes amounts to more than one third (1/3) of the total property valuation of the District; and
WHEREAS, City Council desires to take appropriate action with respect to the Plan; now, therefore,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. The Old City Special Services District’s (“OCD”) Seven Year Plan and Budget (the “Plan”) attached hereto as Exhibit A, including maps and other documents supporting data which form a part of the Plan, submitted by OCD having been duly reviewed and considered, is approved.
SECTION 2. OCD is authorized to take such action as may be necessary to carry out the Plan for a period of seven (7) years. City Council authorizes OCD to proceed with minor changes in substantial conformity with said Plan. Any major changes must be approved by Ordinance.
SECTION 3. The City resolves to cause the level of security and maintenance services provided by the City to the area served by OCD to be established in the future at the same levels as would have been provided in the absence of such services to be provided by OCD, unless there shall be a City-wide reduction in services.
SECTION 4. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately.
Exhibit A
2027-2033 PLAN AND BUDGET FOR THE OLD CITY DISTRICT
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