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Approving a new plan, estimated costs and proposed method of assessment of the Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia for and concerning business improvements and administrative services to the Germantown area of the City of Philadelphia, all under certain terms and conditions.
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WHEREAS, The Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia (“GSSD”) 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. 950039 (approved April 18, 1995); and
WHEREAS, Following its incorporation, the GSSD adopted a five-year plan for business improvements and administrative services to the Germantown area, which plan was approved by City Council in Bill No. 960039 (approved July 8, 1996); and
WHEREAS, Bill No. 000397 (approved December 19, 2000) authorized an extension to the term of the GSSD as a municipal authority for twenty-five (25) years through December 31, 2025; and
WHEREAS, GSSD wishes to continue providing business improvements and administrative services to the Germantown area of the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, In accordance with the Act, GSSD has recently completed a plan for certain business improvements and services to the Germantown area of the City of Philadelphia for fiscal years 2019-2024, 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 of a document entitled “Revised Plan and Five-Year Budget for the Germantown Special Services District” attached hereto as Exhibit “A”; and
WHEREAS, GSSD 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 GSSD 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 Germantown Special Services District’s (“GSSD”) Five-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 GSSD having been duly reviewed and considered, is approved.
SECTION 2. The GSSD is authorized to take such action as may be necessary to carry out the Plan for a period of five (5) years through September 30, 2024. City Council authorizes GSSD 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 GSSD 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 GSSD, unless there shall be a City-wide reduction in services.
SECTION 4. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately.
EXHIBIT A
FINAL 2019-2024 PLAN AND BUDGET FOR THE
GERMANTOWN SPECIAL SERVICES DISTRICT (“GSSD”)
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