What can you buy for $146 million? City Council examines capital budget

Philadelphia’s $146 million capital budget is getting a closer look from City Council.

Chief Information officer Adel Ebeid testified to council that the Nutter administration is hiring two new people to maintain the city’s surveillance camera system as part of the capital budget.

“They are solely dedicated to the maintenance and upkeep of the cameras,” Ebeid said. “We are also contracting with a vendor to augment our efforts.”

Councilwoman Cindy Bass complained that the city is building new facilities while not spending enough on maintaining existing ones.

“When I see we are spending a minimal amount on sidewalks and paving, when in some of our facilities there is black mold and sewage in the basement and all sorts of things happening,” said Bass. “So I would really like for you to really help me understand what the thinking is.”

An average capital project takes three to four years to complete in Philly. The city says it’s trying to streamline the current up to 250-step approval process to help speed projects along.