Mayor Jim Kenney responded to questions provided by Local readers.

You sent in questions to Mayor Jim Kenny over the last month. This week, we published the mayor’s answers. We sent in every question we received, totaling about 14 questions. The mayor’s office chose seven to which they provided these answers. – Pete Mazzaccaro

Q: “We would like to know what concrete and ongoing steps you are going to take to clean up litter all over our city. Where will you start? When? We have called PennDot about the litter that has lined our ramps and roads, and we see no results from our efforts. We have tried to contact the Streets Department. about the litter that the garbage trucks leave behind on the streets after they collect the trash, and why they don't carry brooms and dustpans to clean up what they drop, to no avail. People who visit are shocked by the amount of litter and graffiti in our city. It has been an ongoing problem. Now we need an ongoing, day-to-day effort to clean it up. We look forward to hearing from you on this issue. Thank you for your consideration of this matter.” – Judy Rubin.

A: To address issues of graffiti, vacant lots and litter across Philadelphia, I proposed in my first budget to expand the Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP) citywide. This investment will specifically increase vacant lot and exterior property abatements by 5,000 over the next year.

Currently, the Streets Department mechanically cleans Center City nightly and all major business corridors weekly, and organizes up to 600 clean ups of city streets each weekend. We have also placed over 1,000 Big Bellies and an additional 600 wire baskets throughout the city to help combat litter.

But keeping Philadelphia litter–free is very much a team effort, and if you are interested in organizing neighborhood clean ups in your area, please go to phillycleanup.com.

Q: “A Sanctuary City bars its police department and local officials from helping the Federal Government enforce Federal Immigration Laws, and thereby acting as an arm of the Department of Homeland Security in dealing with illegal immigrants. Why did you reverse Mayor Nutter’s action and make Philadelphia a Sanctuary City?” – George C. Filippi

Q: “Please explain why, as one of your first official acts as Mayor, you announced that you would bar all cooperation between local law enforcement officials and federal immigration agents. Also, please explain why you just this week refused to join the DHS Priority Enforcement Program, refusing the request of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson.” – Sharon M. Reiss

A: Study after study shows that Philadelphia is safer as a sanctuary city. If immigrants are too afraid to cooperate with the police, then it’s very difficult for our officers to solve crime in neighborhoods across our city. Especially given that violent crimes are less likely to be committed by an undocumented immigrant than their native peers.

I was pleased to meet with Secretary Johnson last week, and I appreciate that he came to speak with our immigrant community. My hope is that through continued dialogue, Homeland Security can show Philadelphia’s immigrants that they have nothing to fear from Priority Enforcement and that, even more importantly, the federal government will fix the broken immigration system that necessities sanctuary cities in the first place.

Q: “The DROP program will symbolize all by itself city government in Philadelphia until it is eliminated. No matter what else you may accomplish, the ending observation will be ‘Yes, but what about DROP?’ It is not enough to take a nip or a tuck – we either rip off the taxpayers or we don't. My question is do you have the courage to see that your public is not forever embarrassed by this thievery?” – Tom O’Rourke

A: I worked to end DROP as a Councilman several years ago and, unfortunately, that measure was defeated. In my first budget as mayor, I have proposed putting $26 million dollars towards the pension fund from the sugary drink tax, and I am hopeful that Council will support that. We are also working to reduce pension management fees and to negotiate with our unions to ensure that the pension fund’s fiscal health is ensured.

Q: “The City of Philadelphia owns the Philadelphia Gas Works, yet we mail our payments to Newark, New Jersey. Why can't these payments be processed by Philadelphia workers (and taxpayers)?” – David T. Moore

A: In order to keep these critical utility bills low, PGW started working with this New Jersey firm in 2009. It was an open-bid and they were the lowest, responsible bidder. However, the contract will be re-bid shortly, and I encourage Philadelphia-based companies to submit a bid.

Q: “What can be done to urge the city to urge homeowners to fix broken and/or damaged sidewalks so that our otherwise beautiful community is safe for walking?” – Christine Thomson

A: It is the property owner's responsibility to maintain the curb and sidewalk. If you’re aware of a sidewalk that’s in bad shape, feel free to contact 311 and the Streets Department can look into it. Of course, homeowners should remember: it’s in your best interest to maintain a safe walkway to prevent any tripping hazards.

Q: “Can you expedite a solution to an unresolved request I initiated on April 5, 2016, to Philly 311 online? A stop sign has been erected dead center into the curb cut of the sidewalk at the intersection of Shawnee and Meade Streets in the 8400 block. The pole upon which the sign is attached obstructs pedestrian traffic and is all but invisible to people walking north and south. The situation of the stop sign poses a danger to all and is unique.” – Peg Smith

A: According to the Streets Department, the sign was placed in this location by a contractor working on a utility repair. The Streets Department was notified and a work order was issued to address this situation. At this time it should be corrected.

Q: “The Backyard Chickens movement has been growing rapidly across the country in recent years, but Philadelphia stands alone with Detroit as the only large city that bans chicken ownership by residents. The benefits of chickens are numerous: Hens raised by families produce more nutritious, fresher eggs than the store-bought variety (with less cholesterol), chickens eat, and thus help control insects, and their droppings can be used in fertilizing and in developing compost. They are an important component of the movement toward sustainable agriculture. Given these benefits, would you support and sign legislation permitting residents to own small flocks of hens?” – Stephen Zartarian

A: I’m open to hearing more about the benefits of backyard chickens to our public health and environment. However, our local animal control, ACCT, regularly receives complaints, citing noise and cleanliness concerns. While a large contingent of the city is supportive of this movement, an equally large portion of the city would contend that backyard barn animals are a nuisance. I would suggest you contact your local City Councilperson to potentially pursue any changes to the current law. Our government allows for open hearings and debates on issues that matter to our citizens throughout the city, and should a bill to change the ordinance be introduced, I will review and consider adjustments to the current law.