Authorizing the Committee on Appropriations to hold hearings on the contract between the City and Philadelphia Safe and Sound.

WHEREAS, The stated mission of Philadelphia Safe and Sound is to "be a resource development and technical assistance agent working constantly to support and strengthen the City of Philadelphia's service delivery to children and youth;" and

WHEREAS, During the original planning and implementation phase, Philadelphia Safe and Sound was housed in city government and reported to the Children and Families Cabinet; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia Safe and Sound was subsequently converted to a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia now contracts with Philadelphia Safe and Sound to administer various grants and funding streams including a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant which remains payable to the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Among the contractual services Philadelphia Safe and Sound is providing is an assessment and coordination of public recreational services; and

WHEREAS, It is important that all contracts with the City be open to review and evaluation by the public; and

WHEREAS, In light of the proposed FY 05 budget which may require the closing of 41 recreational facilities, it is imperative that a comprehensive analysis of the budget be undertaken in order to eliminate wasteful spending and governmental inefficiencies and to thoroughly evaluate all available funding sources in an effort to keep these facilities open and insure recreational opportunities for as many Philadelphians as possible; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Committee on Appropriations is authorized to hold hearings on the contract between the City and Philadelphia Safe and Sound.

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