COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, September 28, 2006 10:10 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN JUAN RAMOS COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO PATRICIA RAFFERTY, CHIEF CLERK V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Services Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670
Good morning, everyone. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will please come to order. Members will take their seats and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes Reverend Arlington Medley, Pastor of the Philippian Baptist Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Goode. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Everyone stands.)
This is a prayer for listening. This is a prayer for hearing. Philadelphia is a strange city. The story is said that there was a man who was acting very strangely. He was a 95-year-old man who was caught walking around Philadelphia acting strangely. He was strange in his actions because at 95 seen walking around with a woman who was only 25 years old, hugging, squeezing, laughing, grabbing her. Hugging, squeezing, laughing and grabbing her. A 95-year-old man with a 25-year-old woman. That man ran one day into his doctor. His doctor looked at him and said, Arthur, what are you doing? He said, Doctor, I'm doing what you told me to do. You told me to get a hot mama and be happy. He said, No, no, no. What did you say? He said, You told me, I remember, to get a hot mama and be cheerful. He said, No, Arthur. I said you have a heart murmur and to be careful. There's a hearing problem, and even on this morning, we pray that we can not only hear from our constituents, hear from the people but, more importantly, to hear from God. Let's ask God's spirit into this place as we pray. Won't you bow. God, this morning we come asking that you have your way, that you, God, come into this place and that you guide us and speak to each person here, not just at the matters at hand, God, but with the matters of all of our lives. We trust you today, God, and give ourselves to you more fully and ask, God, that you give us clarity not just of thought but in hearing from you, moved by your spirit on everyone here right now. Have your way today. For it's in the name of your son we pray, let everyone say amen.
Amen. The Chair thanks Reverend Medley for his very inspiring invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, 21, 2006, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 21, 2006 stand approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 21, 2006 stand approved. All in favor will please indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 21, 2006 is approved. The next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and, again, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Madam President, there's no requests for leave of absence from the republicans.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in Chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our City. We certainly invite you to come again. time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo, who will present a resolution honoring and recognizing the ever popular Vince Papale for his contributions to the City of Philadelphia. I would ask Mr. Papale and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. I see that Councilman Rizzo is being accompanied by Councilman DiCicco and Councilwoman Brown. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you, Madam President. And before I start to read the resolution, I just want to let everyone know that this year Vince Papale will be the Grand Marshal of our Columbus Day Parade. So we're so happy that he has accepted that. (Applause.)
So I have a feeling that we're going to have a bigger parade, a lot more people coming out this year than normal. A lot of pizza, right? I appreciate Councilman DiCicco and Blondell Reynolds Brown, but I'd like to first introduce Janet Papale, Vince's wife, and Gabriella and Vincent, the son and daughter of Vince and Janet Papale. And here we go. Recognizing, honoring and celebrating Vince Papale for his outstanding achievements, his dedication to many charitable causes and his lifetime of accomplishments and for his tremendously inspirational contributions to the Philadelphia community. Whereas, in 1976, Vince Papale, in an open tryout, made the Philadelphia Eagles Football Team at the age of 30; and Whereas, he became -- I don't know if you're going to like this or not -- the oldest rookie in the NFL, but that's the fact, a record that still stands today. think, Blondell, you're there.
Whereas, Vince was voted Special Teams Captain by his teammates and "Man of the Year" for his many charitable activities; and Whereas, Vince works successfully as the Marketing Executive and Special Projects Director for Sallie Mae, the nation's number one student financial aid company; and Whereas, Vince and his wife, Janet, a former member of the USA World Gymnastics Team, together with their children, Gabriella and Vincent, enjoy the honor as the only married couple ever to be inducted individually into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. (Applause.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And whereas, he is a strong supporter in the community and in many chartiable causes; specifically, Vince has served as the Chairman or Co-Chairman for Philadelphia Veterans, Spina Bifida Association, Deborah Hospital, Multiple Sclerosis Society and the American Heart Association. He has also worked with the Eagles Fly for Leukemia, the Police Athletic League, Special Olympics, Boy Scouts Sunshine Foundation, Maxwell Football Club and Variety Club; and Whereas, Vince has received the Chapel of the Four Chaplain's Humanitarian Award, the United Way's Gold Award and the Jaycee's Distinguished Service Award; and Whereas, the movie "Invincible" and the book under the same title was inspired by the true story of Vince Papale. Now therefore
Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that it recognizes, honors and celebrates Vince Papale for his outstanding achievements, his dedication to charitable causes and his lifetime of accomplishments and his tremendously Philadelphia community. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Vince Papale further evidencing the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body. And, Vince, this was signed by President Anna Verna and all members of City Council, and we're so happy and thrilled to have you here today. (Applause.)
Okay. Thank you, President Verna and Councilmen Rizzo and DiCicco and Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. This is just so exciting. Reverend, I swear you were talking about my grandfather. That was him in real life. I am just so honored and humbled and excited to be here in representing the City of Philadelphia, you to my wife. It's all because of her. She's just been the wind beneath my wings, and my children, Gabriella and Vincent, born right here in Philadelphia, 20th and Brandywine. (Applause.)
Yeah. We're very excited about that. I'm a very blessed guy. You know there's this movie that's out and they say the movie "Invincible" is about me, but not really. The movie "Invincible" is about the City of Philadelphia, everyone here in this room. It's about resiliency, courage, dedication. It's about hope. It's about the dream. It's about anybody who was told that they couldn't do something but yet they did it, anybody that's told that you can't but yet you went ahead and tried. It's about anybody who didn't have the right resume, didn't come from the right background, was too old, too short, too young, too this, too that, and "Invincible" is about. So I'm carrying the banner saying it's inspired by the true life of Vince Papale, but "Invincible" and all the things that are going on here are inspired by the true lives of the people here in this room, and I congratulate you, because everyone in this room is truly invincible and I'm just the guy who is out here carrying, as I said, that banner. Again, it's a tremendous, tremendous honor. If you could only imagine what's going on in my head right now, all the wonderful things that are going on, a legacy that can be passed on now to my family and children, and I just can't thank the City of Philadelphia enough, enough for all the support. If you haven't seen the movie "Invincible," get there and see it, not because it's about me, not because I need the bonus money with the box office receipts, but you're just going to love is just exquisite, it looks beautiful, and it's the story about the neighborhoods of Philadelphia which make us so unique, makes us invincible. So, again, on behalf of the Papale team, my beautiful family and my mom and dad, thank you so much. I'm tremendously honored, just humbled to the max, and I'll see you all at the Thanksgiving -- no. It's the Columbus Day Parade. We'll be here. Every day is Thanksgiving for me as a cancer survivor, so I'll see you at the Columbus Day Parade. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to special guests from the clergy who are here or who will be here. Bishop C. Milton Grannum, New Covenant Church of Philadelphia; Bishop Ernie C. Morris, Mount Airy Church of God and Christ; Reverend Alan Waller, Enon Baptist Church; Reverend Dr. Keith Reed, my pastor, Sharon Baptist Church; Reverend William B. Moore, 10th Memorial Baptist Church; Presiding Elder Joseph D. Patterson, Philadelphia Conference of AME Church; Reverend Larry Marcus, Greater Faith Baptist Church; Reverend Ken Staley, Christian Stronghold Baptist Church; Reverend James Moore, President of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and vicinity and pastor of Second Mount Zion, as well as last but not least, our own Reverend Marguerite Handy, Faith Based. Thank you very much, Madam President.
Thank you. If they would stand, we would certainly like to welcome them.
Please stand if you are present. I assume they're not with us at the moment, but we welcome them anyway in their absence. (Applause.)
The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell, who will present a resolution honoring Gregory T. Burrell. Will Mr. Burrell and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman at the podium. I see that Councilwoman Blackwell is being accompanied by Councilwoman Brown and Councilman Goode.
Thank you very much, Madam President. As many of you know, Greg Burrell is not only the owner of Terry's Funeral Home, but he's a friend, and Terry's Funeral Home is where everyone is Blackwell families as far back as I can remember. He's a part of our family, and this is the funeral director we all use, and he has been a wonderful leader and partner in our community across the board. Resolution congratulating Gregory T. Burrell for his recent election as Corporate Secretary of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association. And as will be said, I say this to my colleagues, he will become the President of this national organization in 2009. Whereas, Gregory T. Burrell is the President and CEO of one of the City's most prominent African-American-owned businesses, Terry Funeral Home located in West Philadelphia; and Whereas, Terry Funeral Home has served the Philadelphia area for more than 67 years providing funeral services to notable Philadelphians, including Paul Robeson, C. Delores Tucker and Lucien E. Blackwell. And I add he also has Lou's mural on his wall. And whereas, Mr. Burrell possesses a wealth of experience gathered by working in funeral homes in North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia; and Whereas, he earned his Associate's degrees in mortuary science from the Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta, Georgia, and his Bachelor's degree in business management from the Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia; and
Whereas, Mr. Burrell was elected as Corporate Secretary of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, NFD&MA, at its 69th annual Convention during the week of August 6, 2006; and Whereas, the NFD&MA is the nation's oldest and largest African-American professional association directors, morticians and embalmers, with an 82-year history, and represents more than 6,000 funeral directors and morticians around the world; and Whereas, the NFD&MA will hold its 70th annual convention in the City of Philadelphia during the summer of 2007; and Whereas, Mr. Burrell is expected to become President of the NFD&MA in 2009; and
Whereas, our City can be proud of what Gregory T. Burrell has accomplished, making him an excellent ambassador to the City and role model for our young people. Now therefore resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we congratulate you, Gregory T. Burrell, on his election as the Corporate Secretary for the National Funeral Directors and Mortuary Association. Further resolved, that an resolution be presented to Mr. Burrell as a sincere expression of Council's appreciation and acknowledgment of his accomplishments. This was introduced by our colleague, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, and sponsored by all the members of the Philadelphia City Council. Congratulations. (Applause.)
Thank you very much, Madam President. To the other members of the City Council, I am humbled at this recognition. To my wife, who has endured the long hours and the campaigning all around the country, I'd like to tell her how much I love her publicly for the support that she has given us. When I first decided to run -I have a nine-year-old daughter who is the money person in our family, and I was about to run for this office and I told her that I would be away from home sometimes and may not be there to get them to school. So she said, Okay, but I have one little question. She said, You're not going to lose your job if you do this? So I said, No, baby, I don't think dad will lose his job. She said, Well, okay, it's fine to do it. One of the most life-long lessons that I have learned throughout my life is that hard work and persistence does pay off. When I sat out to run for this office and my opponent entered the race, I literally had phone calls from around the country telling me, Greg, there is no way that you can beat her. She has been around this Association forever. Her grandfather was one of the founders of the Association. And it shook me a little bit, but being the Morehouse man that I am and being I you set out to do as a Morehouse man, you can do it, and so my responses were to the people who called me, Bring it on. And here I am before you today in the legislative branch of our City government accepting this resolution. One of the things that I promised our Association at my remarks after I had been installed was that as long as I was a member of the Executive Committee of that Association, that I would always represent the Association with dignity and with honor, and I stand before you today, the City of Philadelphia, and to say to you that as long as I represent the City of Philadelphia and the State of Pennsylvania, that I will do it with dignity and honor. Thank you so very much. (Applause.)
The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Tasco, who will present a resolution recognizing the 16th anniversary of Memory Walks in October. Will Ms. Wendy Campbell and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium.
Good morning. It's a pleasure to present this resolution on behalf of our President, Councilwoman Verna, recognizing the 16th anniversary of Memory Walks in October and observing National Alzheimer's Awareness Month in November 2006 in the City of Philadelphia. Whereas, the purpose of National Alzheimer's Disease Month is to raise awareness of this disease and to enphasize the importance of finding treatments, prevention and ultimately a cure; and Whereas, it is a sad irony that was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan. The disease is mysterious, elusive and frustrating. It is degenerative and advances gradually, causing forgetfulness, confusion, impaired judgment and ultimately total dependence; and Whereas, although the federal government estimates spending $515 million for Alzheimer's Disease research this year alone, there is still no vaccine, no cure and no treatment for this terrible disease, which costs so much in money and in the physical and emotional distress endured by sufferers, their families and their friends; and Whereas, the Alzheimer's Association is the major source of information and support for the 4 million Americans with this disease and their families. It is a national network whose members represent the interests of those affected by Alzheimer's Disease on every with health and long-term care providers. The Association is a strong and effective advocacy group, whose members we thank for their continuing efforts. Now therefore resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby recognize November 2006 as National Alzheimer's Disease Month. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Wendy L. Campbell, President of the Alzheimer's Association, as evidence of our respect for her, the Association's work and our sincere hope that the dream of prevention and cure will become a reality. Certification that this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution, adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 14th day of September 2006. Signed by President Anna C. Verna, introduced by Marian B. Tasco for Anna C. Verna and sponsored by all Thank you so much. (Applause.)
Thank you very much, Madam Chair and members of Council and City Councilwoman, very much. What a tough act to follow. I'm very proud to be able to accept this. This is 16 years of doing a Memory Walk, and this year we believe we're going to raise a million dollars at this one. So I invite people to come out and join us, because it's evermore important that you do so. Research has been making some advances and we have been finding ways to diagnose Alzheimer's earlier. Unfortunately, that means that more families are bearing the burden and knowing what it means. In fact, in the Delaware Valley this year, the area that serves, there are now 294,000 people suffering with Alzheimer's Disease or related dementia. That's 26,000 more than last year when I was here standing before you. The sad part about that 26,000 is all of them are below the age of 65. Some of them are in their 30's, some are in their 40's, some are in their 50's and some are in their early 60's. So it's evermore important that our community ban together and start bringing this disease to the forefront, and the way to do that is with our Memory Walk. Be out there, join us, be counted, because those with the disease, they can't be there to walk for themselves, and often their most significant caregiver can't be with them. So we need other people such as the Councilmembers and your families to come and stand up for those families that can't be there for themselves, because as we're finding out, Alzheimer's Disease is not a disease of any particular group, it's a disease So I invite you to please join us. I thank you for this proclamation, because our goal is together we will have a world without Alzheimer's Disease. Thank you. (Applause.)
At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I am pleased today to welcome the guests in the Council Chamber from City Year. All of us have seen the red jackets and bright white T-shirts outside City Hall and throughout our City over the past many years. The group here today is over 200 strong, both here in our Chambers and across the hall in the Caucus Room, and these are the new 2006-2007 American corps. It is is also the 10th anniversary for the corps here in Philadelphia. Since 1997, City Year has put more than 1,000 young people into service, tutoring, mentoring children, building playgrounds, teaching conflict resolution and forging relationships throughout our City to make it better. When these corps graduate in June, City Year corps members will have performed 2 million hours of service in our City. These are young idealists, but they're also the next generation of our City's leaders. This year corps members will serve in schools again across our City, from Bartram High School in Southwest to Overbrook in West Philadelphia, Strawberry Mansion, Germantown, Olney, Frankford and Kensington High School, among others. There will also be teams of corps members in our many elementary and and weekend programs. I'd like to ask all of the 2006-2007 City Year corps members to stand. (Applause.)
City Year of Greater Philadelphia, how are you feeling this morning? CITY YEAR: Fired up!
I'm convinced. To each and every one of you, on behalf of the Philadelphia City Council, my colleagues, join me in welcoming you to the City Council. We thank you for your service. We thank you for making a difference for our City's children and young people. Congratulations. Thank you, Madam President. (Applause.)
The is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-At-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that today, September 28, 2006, I signed all of the bills that were passed by Council at its session on September 14, 2006.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read any other communications in her possession.
Thank you. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a motion.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit the immediate consideration of resolutions at their time of introduction. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit immediate consideration of resolutions at the time of introduction. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair at this time recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I introduce three resolutions on your behalf.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will read the title of the first resolution, please.
A resolution authorizing the Council President to appoint Carole Smith to serve on the Board of Directors of Wireless Philadelphia.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing the Council President to appoint Herbert Riley to serve on the Board of Directors of Wireless Philadelphia.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing the Council President to appoint Richard Trzaska to serve on the Board of Directors of Wireless Philadelphia.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the bill.
An ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 278 by placing on the City Plan Delaware Avenue from Hellerman Street to Magee Avenue.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco. (Singing by audience in the background.)
Madam President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I have one resolution.
I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution proclaiming the week of October 9, 2006 as National Fire Prevention Week.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will please say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Fairmount Park Commission and other applicable City agencies to apply for the designation of a Preserve America Community on behalf of the City of Philadelphia.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will please say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ramos.
Madam President, I offer one resolution today and I would like to speak briefly on the resolution.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to conduct hearings on worker safety and health at construction sites in the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, on September 20th of this year, Jeffrey Martin was killed in Philadelphia. However, he was not killed in the violent epidemic that has scourged our City. Jeffrey, 23, was killed on a construction site. He fell six stories through a steel cable barrier and down several floors to a garage area. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, agency --
Councilman, I don't mean to interrupt you. I appreciate our visitors being here. We are trying to conduct business. We are trying to conduct business, and maybe after Council sessions we would be happy to join you in singing the hymn. However, at this point in time, I am asking that you please allow us to continue with our session. I think that we deserve a little more respect than that. Councilman Ramos, again, I would like to recognize you. And I think with the attitude that's being displayed here today is not convincing me that perhaps what we did last week was not the wrong way to go. So, again, Councilman Ramos.
Madam President, if it is your preference, I'll wait until a little later on to make these comments.
Fine, and I would ask you to move for the adoption.
Madam President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted and it will be referred to the Committee on Labor and Civil Service. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill.
Thank you. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Canal Street, Laurel Street, Delaware Avenue and Lewellen Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by adding a new Chapter establishing inclusionary affordable housing, by requiring that certain developments, consisting of a certain number of dwelling units, provide a certain percentage of those units for affordable housing or provide other options.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo. Is he in the room? Do you have any bills or resolutions today?
Thank you. The next order of business is reports from committees, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a report from the Committee on Rules.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, the Committee on Rules reports one bill with a
Thank you. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Rules, to which was referred Bill No. 060580, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by West Coulter Street, Stokely Street, Midvale Avenue and McMichael Street," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 060580. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bill just read by the Chief Clerk. All in favor will please say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the bill just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a report from the Committee on Public Health and Human Services.
Madam President, the Committee on Public Health and Human Services reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Public Health and Human Services, to which was referred Bill No. 060583, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 10-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Public Places - Prohibited Conduct,' by prohibiting smoking in public places and in the workplace, and providing for penalties, all under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank 9/28/06 - STATED - 1ST READING you. Bill No. 060583 will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for our next session of Council. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. At this time, I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the bills on the First Reading Calendar.
Bill No. 060580, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by West Coulter Street, Stokely Street, Midvale Avenue and McMichael Street.
The Chair agrees. That completes our First Reading Calendar for today. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Are be called up on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today?
No, Madam President. There are no bills on Second Reading and Final Passage.
Thank you very much. Since that concludes our Calendar, I would ask if there are speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Are there speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. Today we passed out copies of the Daily News cartoon having the NRA as the title --
Councilwoman Blackwell, can you speak microphone, please?
Sure. And if you will notice the cartoons we had, you will notice the bullet-proof baby layette all the way down to the stroller, a baby bonnet. You note that we sent you this cartoon. We're very, very upset that crime has reached such proportions in our City. I wanted to note it to say how bad I think it is. And we did go to Harrisburg the other day and that this Council is looking forward to having hearings probably on the 17th and 18th on our own Call to Action. I also want to mention, there's another article that was in the Philadelphia Daily News on the 26th saying, and I quote, "USA Today reports that a growing number of troops are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with severe brain damage, prompting the Army to study whether living wills or other directives from soldiers ought to be available to battlefield doctors." very, very upset. Is it because people come back mentally challenged that we want to leave them over there with living wills? That bears a lot of reading, and as one who has had much experience with living wills with four or five relatives, I think that bears watching. It will be a disgrace to decide because people have mental and emotional problems we leave them over there to die. I also want to mention that yesterday we visited the Pension Board. This Council as recently as April '06 passed resolutions dealing with the divestiture of pension funds because of the Sudan, and I will note that it did pass, the divestiture passed, five to three, but unfortunately, the three people who were against it work for our City leadership. So we're grateful, but disappointed that it wasn't 100 percent passed and that City leadership didn't support it. And, finally, today, Madam President, I promised Council that I would continue to report on housing reorganization. We're still in the throes of that. It's a very, very difficult battle. All of us know that we formed in 1976 the Vacant Property Review Board, but we have people who come here every week, people who are now being docked if they come to City Council to deal with housing organization, people who are being cut by $8,000, $10,000, $16,000 and $42,000 when we said that we would not have union busting and that we would do what we can to relocate people. Having said that, we have been at regular meetings with Kevin Hanna. We thank Shawn Fordham for his input, and we will continue to report to you and hope that we can somehow work this out so that people who live and work and sacrifice for our City are not punished for many, many years of service and certainly have a future to look forward to. The lady us 36 years and who will be 55 years old in May was given an $8,000 bump down. So we're concerned about that and hopeful that as the union meets and that as we meet with the Administration, that we can keep hope alive and do something to help these people. And, Madam President, finally, I will only say that I welcome our visitors, people who sing of love, and I think people have a right to have their voices heard in City Council, which is the people's opportunity, the people's place to be heard. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. Councilman Kenney, did you want to be recognized?
Thank you, Madam President. I, too, join in with Councilwoman Blackwell on the march on Tuesday in Harrisburg lauding and thanking those organizations that went to Harrisburg to lobby the state legislature. There was a special session to talk about violence and to talk about Philadelphia controlling its own legislation around guns legislation. While we know that it fell on deaf ears, we appreciate our legislators in Harrisburg who are continuing the fight, along with the Councilmembers here in City Council, especially Donna Miller and Darrell Clarke, who are leading the fight to deal with the gun issue. I understand that our legislators will not give up the fight. While they did not necessarily win, but they won in a way by having the special session and having the discussion and the debate. I want to thank Bilal Qayyum of the state to talk to those individuals throughout the state to let them know what the plight is going on in Philadelphia and also, to some measure, in the suburban areas about the violence. It was a worthwhile effort. To that end, we're still continuing our fight here in Philadelphia to address the issue of violence and on Monday night, October the 2nd, we will have the City Council public hearing. The Public Safety and Public Health and Human Service Committees will convene our hearing on the Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia at West Philadelphia High School at 7 o'clock, and we invite all the public to come to offer their suggestions or recommendations to how we can stem the tide of violence in the City of Philadelphia, and thank you for your leadership in this and also my colleagues on City Council. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ramos.
Madam President, I'll reserve my comments on worker safety for another occasion because I don't want the Lord to scold me tonight for speaking over a beautiful, angelic and holy hymn.
You all sound beautiful. Maybe we could join you after Council sessions, but we are trying to conduct business, and I really wish you would recognize that and respect the body. All right. Councilwoman Brown, I doubt that you're going to be heard, so if you think that you can talk above the crowd, fine. If not, I would ask that you save your remarks for another time.
I will add my voice with regards to Council's commitment to the issue of violence at time, Madam President. All of us in this legislative body have an interest in the issue of violence against our children. Thank you, Madam President.
I will do the same. I'll save my comments regarding the march on Tuesday that we did in Harrisburg. I'll save it for another time. Thank you.
Thank you. Are there any other speeches on the part of the majority? (No response.)
Councilwoman Tasco, would you suggest that we join the group in praising the Lord? I'm ready. I'm ready. (Council President Verna (Applause.)
Councilwoman Tasco, I would ask you to make a motion to adjourn.
Madam President, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October the 5th at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until October 5th. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
Council will stand adjourned until Thursday, October 5th. Thank you very much. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on September 28, 2006, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)