WHEREAS, The Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia (the 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 years through December 31, 2025; and
WHEREAS, The GSSD has completed a new Plan and Five Year Budget for the Germantown Special Services District (the Plan), attached hereto as Exhibit A, detailing certain business improvements and administrative services to the Germantown area through September 30, 2018, together with the estimated costs and the proposed method of assessment and charges; and
WHEREAS, The boundaries of the GSSD include: both sides of Germantown Avenue from the north side of Coulter Street to the south side of Harvey and High Streets; both sides of Market Square from the south side of Church Street to the north side of Schoolhouse Lane; both sides of Chelten Avenue from the west side of Baynton Street to the east side of Morris Street; both sides of Pulaski from the south side of Chelten Avenue to the south side of Rittenhouse Street; both sides of Wayne Avenue from the north side of Schoolhouse Lane to the south side of Rittenhouse Street; both sides of Greene Street from the north side of Schoolhouse Lane to the south side of Rittenhouse Street; both sides of Maplewood Mall from the west side of Germantown Avenue to the east side of Greene Street; the northern side of Maplewood Avenue from the west side of Greene Street to the east side of Wayne Avenue; and
WHEREAS, These boundaries include the following areas not previously within the GSSD: Germantown Avenue between Coulter Street and Schoolhouse Lane; Market Square; Greene Street between Schoolhouse Lane and Maplewood Mall; and Wayne Avenue between Schoolhouse Lane and Maplewood Avenue; and
WHEREAS, After duly advertised public hearings held by the GSSD pursuant to the Act, legally sufficient objections to the Plan have not been received either from persons representing the ownership of one-third (1/3) of the properties in the proposed district or property owners within the proposed district whose property valuation as assessed for taxable purposes amounts to more than one-third (1/3) of the total property valuation of the proposed district; and
WHEREAS, As required by the Act, the Plan has now been submitted to City Council for its review and approval; and
WHEREAS, It is desirable for the entire local government unit to continue the improvements to the GSSD business district; and
WHEREAS, It is City Council's intent, in enacting this Ordinance, to take the action required under the Act to approve the Plan; now, therefore
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. The Plan and Five Year Budget for the Germantown Special Services District (the Plan) attached as Exhibit A hereto, including the maps and other documents and supporting data which form a part of the Plan, submitted by the Germantown Special Services District (the 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 5 years through September 30, 2018. City Council authorizes the GSSD to proceed with minor changes in substantial conformity with the 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 the GSSD to be established in the future at the same levels as would have been provided in the absence of the services to be provided by the GSSD, unless there shall be a City-wide reduction in services.
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