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Minutes

Stated Meeting, September 18, 2008

Philadelphia City CouncilSep 18, 2008

People mentioned

Names our system found in this transcript. Automatically extracted, so it can include anyone named in the record, not only officials or parties.

Organizations mentioned

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, September 18, 2008 10:05 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM GREENLEE COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER 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

Council President Verna

Good morning. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will come to order. Members will take their seats and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney, who will be joined by Councilmembers O'Neill, Tasco and Brown, to make a very special presentation recognizing PECO for their environmental stewardship and leadership and thanking them for their generous contributions towards sustainable initiatives in Philadelphia. Will Mr. Denis O'Brien and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. Councilman O'Neill. Mr. O'Brien.

Councilman Kenney

Thank you, Madam President. This is a resolution environmental stewardship and leadership and thanking them for their generous contributions towards sustainable initiatives in Philadelphia. Whereas, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility based in Philadelphia serving 1.6 million electric and 480,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania; and Whereas, PECO employs approximately 2,500 people in the region and is one of the Greater Philadelphia region's most active corporate citizens, providing leadership, volunteer and financial support to numerous arts and culture, education, environmental, economic development and community programs; Whereas, PECO's focus on sustainability includes numerous programs focused on energy conservation for its operations and customers; and

Councilwoman Tasco

Whereas, initiatives, Denis O'Brien, President and CEO of PECO, stated, and I quote, "We are proud to open PECO's first green building and take major steps to demonstrate our corporate commitment to environmental stewardship. We all are responsible for the environment, as business leaders and as citizens. The work at West Chester shows how the changes we make impact the world around us. And I personally look forward to the many more exciting changes planned during the next 12 months," end of quote; and

Councilman O'Neill

Whereas, the green roof planned for PECO's headquarters at 23rd and Market Streets will cover more than 45,000 square feet and save in heating and cooling costs; Whereas, the roof designed by Philadelphia-based Roofscapes, Inc. will be the largest green roof on an existing urban building in Pennsylvania; and Whereas, in addition to buildings, PECO is donating $50,000 to the Free Library of Philadelphia for their own green roof project; and Whereas, additionally, PECO has donated 1,300 energy-efficient light bulbs to the City of Philadelphia to efficiently illuminate -- pretty soon -City Council Chambers, Caucus Room, Chief Clerk's Office and general offices next to the Chambers, in addition to the Mayor's Reception Room and Conversation Hall; Whereas, these bulbs, totalling $25,000, will save taxpayers around $11,000 annually in electricity costs. Furthermore, the bulbs will last longer, saving on maintenance. Now, therefore, be it resolved

Councilman Kenney

That City Council hereby recognize PECO for their environmental stewardship and leadership and thanking them for their generous contributions toward sustainable we want to thank PECO very much for all their efforts in this regard and everything that they do for our community. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Mr. O'Brien for remarks.

Mr. O'Brien

Thank you, President Verna. Thank you for the resolution. It's greatly appreciated. I have to say, as President of PECO, I'm always focused on keeping the lights on, and as a utility executive, when you come into a room and it's dark, you get these panic attacks. Your whole career flashes in front of your eyes. So when I came in this morning and it was dark in here, my career flashed in front of my eyes, and then I realized that was the plan for the day. I'm delighted to be here on behalf of PECO. I commend Mayor Nutter, City Council and the City of Philadelphia helping to improve the environment. Just a few years ago, we worked with the City to provide wind power to power City Hall. As a matter of fact, Lisa Crutchfield has gotten me before she left here a windmill tie that I was able to wear today for this event. It's great to be here once again to work with the City on another initiative to improve the environment. Just two weeks ago, the Mayor was gracious enough to help us announce the green roof at our PECO building and our donation to the Free Library of Philadelphia for a green roof on their building also. At the same time as that announcement, we announced our environmental initiative, which we call P-Eco. Creative there. We were able to take our name and turn it into P-Eco. So the PECO environmental initiative, P-Eco, which includes the opening of our first green building in West Chester, Pennsylvania, which we did that just recently; efforts to LEED certify all of our other main buildings. And for those of you that may need a reminder like I do, LEED certification stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. We will soon be announcing our intentions to replace the Crown Lights on our building that are really an icon in this city with energy-efficient light bulbs also, and that plan is underway. In addition to that, we filed a plan with the PUC, or the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, last week to have an energy-efficiency program, of which one of the first parts of that will be discounted compact fluorescent light bulbs. 3 million light bulbs over a five-year period, and at the height of the program, we will be providing for discounts for light bulbs for about one million light bulbs a year. announcement last week, Mayor Nutter provided some incredibly valuable words. He said that the most successful environmental initiatives are going to be the ones where we all work together. And the Mayor could not be more right. This is something that we understand at PECO and we want to take a leading role. I want to extend a special thanks to Councilman Jim Kenney. How we got here today is, I arranged a meeting for my boss, John Rowe, Chairman of Exelon, to meet the new Mayor, Michael Nutter, and when we were in that meeting, he had mentioned the resolution that Jim had introduced and that Council had passed to install energy-efficient lighting in City Hall, and we saw that just as an opportunity to figure out, well, how can we jump-start that great idea, and that's how we got here today. So, Councilman, we thank you for your commitment and for the great trying to figure out how we could help and how we could get it jump-started. Installing energy-efficiency fixtures and compact fluorescent light bulbs is something that everybody can do. You can do it in your home. You can do it in your business. It's affordable and the savings are substantial. This City Hall installation should save about $11,000 per year. It will basically pay for itself within two years. It will reduce greenhouse gas production by 110,000 pounds per year.

Mr. O'Brien

And because the length -- or the life of one of these light bulbs is closer to seven to eight years, it will reduce the amount of light bulbs that are in the waste stream, because they last so much longer than a regular bulb. So if all of the citizens of Philadelphia and the surrounding regions were just to change out a few light bulbs, the savings would be considerable be wonderful. There are a few people that I would just like to take a moment today who deserve some special recognition for their hard work in making this project a success. First, Clay Armbrister, Chief of Staff to the Mayor. He was in that first meeting, and as always, a couple people get the bright ideas and some other folks have to figure out how to make it work. So thanks for taking the idea and helping us make it work. Public Property Commissioner, Joan Schlotterbeck; Jim Lewis, Director of Public Property -- I saw Jim here somewhere -- and Paul Miles, our Manager of Marketing and Technology Services. From helping to make the connection to City Council to PECO, to overseeing the technical aspects of the project, these people were very instrumental in making all this come together for today. So I hope you enjoy these new lights, the savings they bring and the will provide for our environment. Well, now it's time to turn on the switch, if Jim and some others would help me here. Three, two, one. )

Council President Verna

Before our invocation, I would like everyone to stand for a moment of silence for Officer Isabel Nazario. (All members and guests standing.)

Council President Verna

Thank you. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Reverend Ellis I. Washington. He is Pastor of St. Matthew African Methodist Episcopal Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Kenney. Again, I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (All members and guests rise.)

Reverend Washington

To the City Council President, the Honorable Anna C. Verna, and all members of Council, especially to Councilman Kenney at whose invitation I've come and to my own councilman, Curtis Jones, Jr., and to all assembled, good morning. Again, I'm honored and privileged to present the opening prayer during this first session since the summer break. Let us pray. Almighty God, we are thankful and blessed to have a voice to glorify your magnificent name this morning. We realize that our continued existence is not due to our rightness or righteousness, but to your goodness. To have life, health and strength as well as we do is a wonderful gift from you, our creator and our sustainer, and this morning we want to say thank you. As we turn our attention to the important business at hand, we ask your guidance in our thoughts, our speech and deliberate over the budget, let us remember that all our resources ultimately flow from you and that you give us the responsibility of being good stewards in the management of those resources. I pray that we do not sell short those who depend upon our actions for their survival. Give us, oh, Lord, right thinking regarding the proposed casinos in our city. Let us not be motivated by any greed, but by doing what is best for the citizens of Philadelphia in the long term. As we consider the cell phone legislation, direct us to put the safety of our motorists and pedestrians first and act in a way that is both sensible and responsible. Grant, Lord, your wisdom that we may bring about effective practice to the ponderings of our hearts. May we emulate the wisdom of King Solomon and Jesus the Christ in the way we proceed. your covering over our Mayor, Mayor Nutter, our Council, our judges, all City officials and employees, especially our police officers and firefighters and all of the City residents. This we ask, oh, God, in your magnificent and magnificent name. Amen. (Amen.)

Council President Verna

The Chair thanks Reverend Washington for his invocation. Council will now be at ease. (Council at ease.)

Council President Verna

The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 19, 2008, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.

Councilwoman Tasco

Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 19th stand approved. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 19, 2008 stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.

Councilwoman Tasco

Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.

Council President Verna

The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.

Councilman O'Neill

Madam President, on behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.

Council President Verna

Thank you. 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 being with us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our city. We certainly invite you to come again. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Kenney, who will present a resolution honoring the Philadelphia International Airport. Will Mr. Charles Isdell and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium.

Councilman Kenney

Thank you, start reading the formal resolution, it's important to note that from time to time in this Chamber the Airport and the Airport staff get a bit of a knock-around on certain issues, but we want to be fair and when they continue to do the good job that they're doing down there and getting national recognition for it, it's only fair and appropriate that we honor them in that regard. So with that, this is a resolution recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia International Airport for ranking the highest in overall customer satisfaction among large airports in the J.D. Power and Associates' 2008 Customer Satisfaction Report. Whereas, the J.D. Power and Associates' 2008 North America Airport Satisfaction Study measures overall airport satisfaction in three segments: large, 30 million or more passengers per year; medium, 10 million to 30 million passengers a year; and small, fewer than 10 million passengers per year; Whereas, six factors, assessed through 27 specific attributes, are examined to determine overall customer satisfaction: airport accessibility; baggage claim; check-in/baggage check process; terminal facilities; security check; and food and retail services; and Whereas, the Philadelphia International Airport ranked the highest in the large airport category, improving five rank positions since last year, and performing particularly well in the terminal facilities and baggage claim factors; Whereas, the customer satisfaction survey was conducted among 21,165 passengers who took roundtrip flights between April 2007 and March 2008 at 18 large airports throughout the country; and Whereas, the City-owned $14 billion in spending for the regional economy and has nearly 34,000 employees. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that Council does hereby recognize and honor the Philadelphia International Airport for ranking the highest in overall customer satisfaction among large airports in J.D. Power and Associates' 2008 Airport Customer Satisfaction Report. Congratulations, and please keep up the good work. (Applause.)

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Mr. Isdell for remarks.

Mr. Isdell

Thank you very much, Madam President. Thank you, Councilman Kenney, members of City Council. We do have a small contingent of the 800 Airport City employees with us acknowledge them in the balcony, and in particular -(Applause.)

Mr. Isdell

Because this award really belongs to all of the Airport employees, and in particular, representing our employees, we have one of our exemplary custodial workers who has been recognized many times for outstanding work in maintaining the ladies rooms in Terminal D. This is Ms. Sheryl Jones holding the J.D. Power award. (Applause.)

Mr. Isdell

And, lastly, I want to thank Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler, who is with us today, Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Utilities; Mayor Nutter; and the entire City of Philadelphia team. Thank you very much for this great honor. (Applause.)

Council President Verna

Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)

Council President Verna

The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez, who will present a resolution recognizing radio personality Marvin Barrish. Will Mr. Barrish and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman at the podium. I see that Councilwoman Sanchez is being joined by Councilman Green.

Councilwoman Sanchez

Good morning, folks. One of the things that I love --

Council President Verna

Councilwoman, I suggest you wait just a moment. Our visitors are leaving and it is a little noisy. (Brief pause.)

Council President Verna

All right, Councilwoman. Please proceed.

Councilwoman Sanchez

Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. One of the things I love best Council is that throughout the year we get to recognize the folks at the ground level, at the community level doing good work, and that is the case of Mr. Barrish. So I want to thank him for all his work and his efforts. This resolution reads, recognizing radio personality Marvin Barrish for his dedication to charity and perseverance in the face of physical adversity. Whereas, Marvin Barrish informs the people of the Northeast with his radio program on 1360 WNJC; and Whereas, Mr. Barrish is a lifelong entertainer and has devoted his life to charitable work; and Whereas, Mr. Barrish was paralyzed by a gunshot in 1980, and much of his charitable work has focused on fundraising and support for people with disabilities; and

Councilman Green

Whereas, in 1988, Mr. Barrish made headlines for his role in talking down a recently paralyzed police officer who was attempting suicide; and Whereas, Mr. Barrish has tirelessly worked to raise funds for the families of slain Philadelphia Police Officers Chuck Cassidy, Gary Skerski and Steven Liczbinski. Now, therefore, be it

Councilwoman Sanchez

Resolved, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby recognizes and honors Mr. Barrish for his tireless charitable work. His bravery and perseverance serves as a model for all of us. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to him. Thank you. (Applause.)

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Mr. Barrish for remarks.

Mr. Barrish

Okay. Now, David start a speech, I will be there for two hours. I just did two fundraisers for Chuck Cassidy, two fundraisers for Sergeant Liczbinski, a fundraiser for Gerry Pellegrini. I talked a police officer in a wheelchair out of committing suicide, and I just did the Hero Thrill Show on my -- James Trainor was on my radio show talking about the Hero Thrill Show that will take place on September 20th. I have now set -- this is my 73rd political award. I'd like to thank all the Councilmembers who have honored me in the past. I'd like to thank Councilwoman Joan Krajewski, who was with me when I took a 53 and a half pound manual wheelchair, wheeled it 16 miles and raised $50,000 for the March of Dimes Fund. (Applause.)

Mr. Barrish

Twenty-five thousand dollars was allocated to the Georgie Woods, the man with the goods, brought me on his radio talk show. Only three white people were ever on Georgie Woods' talk show: Marvin Barrish, former Councilman David Cohen and Arlen Specter. Donna Reed Miller, I'd like to thank you for your award. I went up to Haines and Ardleigh and entertained at the David P. Richardson picnic. I talked about it on my radio show, and we had 4,000 people there. Jonathan Seidel was cooking the food. Back to Marian Tasco, me and Marian Tasco worked the phones at the Variety Club Telethon together. Now let's go back to James Kenney. Me and James Kenney, I was the entertainer down Penns Landing where I met Councilman James Kenney, took pictures with him and former Judge Dominic Cermele. I have helped 52 different organizations in the City of thank the honorable, distinguished, Latino beauty representing the 7th Councilmanic District, the district that I reside in, Maria Quinones-Sanchez, who has been on my radio show four times. (Applause.)

Councilwoman Sanchez

Thank you.

Council President Verna

Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)

Council President Verna

The next order of business is communications. Councilwoman Brown, I believe your light is on. Do you want to be recognized?

Councilwoman Brown

Thank you, Madam President. Yes. I did want to have an opportunity to introduce to my Council colleagues a rising star in the public policy community, Mr. Jeffrey Knowles, who is a policy fellow with the Planning. So if we could please welcome someone who is absorbing public policy on a daily basis, Jeffrey Knowles. (Applause.)

Councilwoman Brown

Thank you, Madam President.

Council President Verna

You're welcome. Councilwoman Blackwell.

Councilwoman Blackwell

Thank you, Madam President. This morning in caucus we recognized Jeff Cooper, who is Vice-President of Government and Community Relations for Penn, and we want to acknowledge that we did that. But today I rise with regard to two bills, Bill No. 808 -- excuse me; 080550 and 080542, which are a bill and a resolution to put on the ballot what I call a job tax, and as all of you know, it's on Second Reading and Final Passage today. We have opted to hold this legislation after talking and communicating and Mayor, the Civil Service Commission Director and Vice-Chair and also Director of Human Resources, Mr. Albert D'Attilio, who is here with us this morning. What has happened is that the Administration has agreed to, on April 1st, to totally do away with this job tax, this $35 jobs fee that we've been fighting since it was introduced in '04, and so we're happy that we were able to work that out. Meanwhile, between now and then, the whole group of -- the whole class of individuals who apply will be broadened, not just from those who are on Social Security or those who receive their other checks, quote/unquote, welfare checks, but it will be those who would qualify for low-income energy assistance, Crisis, LIHEAP, customer responsibility programs, et cetera. So the whole group of people will increase between now and then. And the Board will meet to make those changes to the civil regulations, and then April 1st, the entire job tax will be wiped out. So we want to thank all of those with whom we were able to negotiate to work out something so that the citizens of our city who work for the City won't feel that they're being unduly preyed upon because they want to apply for jobs for our city. Thank you very much for all who were involved in these negotiations. (Applause.)

Council President Verna

Thank you. The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-At-Arms deliver the messages to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor.

Chief Clerk

To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on June 27th, July 2nd, July 15th 4th, 2008, I signed all of the bills that were passed by Council at its session on June 19th, 2008, and I am transmitting herewith for the introduction and consideration of your honorable body an ordinance further amending Bill No. 070368, entitled "An ordinance approving the Fiscal Year 2008 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works"; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 34-S in the area south of Oregon Avenue and west of Christopher Columbus Boulevard; and An ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 42 by striking from the City Plan and vacating 30th Street from Walnut Street; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion 308 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Moravian Street from 19th Street to 20th Street; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 120 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Cleveland Street from Girard Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 128 by striking from the City Plan and vacating 18th Street from Cambria Street to Indiana Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 158 by striking from the City Plan and abandoning a certain right-of-way for drainage purposes which extends southeastwardly from the easterly side of B Street; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 58 by placing on the City Plan an extension of Mount Vernon Street; and An ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance, Bill No. 060317, approved September 28, 2006, entitled "An ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 275," by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein; and An ordinance authorizing the grant to the City of two rights-of-way for municipal and public utility purposes within an area bounded by Market Street, former 32nd Street, Chestnut Street and 33rd Street; and An ordinance authorizing the grant to the City of a right-of-way for gas main purposes within the lines of former Stevenson Street southeast of Frankford Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 204 by striking from the City Plan the northeasterly 20 feet wide from Johnson Street; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 63 by striking from the City Plan and abandoning a right-of-way reserved for gas main purposes; and An ordinance authorizing the paving of Ontario Street from the northwesterly side of the right-of-way of the Philadelphia Beltline Railroad to Delaware Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 197 by placing on the City Plan an extension of Ontario Street from its existing terminus; and An ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance, Bill No. 040569, approved July 1, 2004, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 205," by extending the period for compliance with the terms and therein; and An ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance, Bill No. 060730, approved November 16, 2006, entitled "An ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No.

Chief Clerk

278," by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions therein; and An ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 34-S and 41-S by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portions of Packer Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, PAID, to convey a simple fee title to certain property located in the vicinity of 61st Street and Eastwick Avenue; and An ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Business Privilege Taxes," by 19-2602 thereof, entitled "Licenses," to add a new subsection requiring licensees operating a food service establishment to cooperate in the reporting and investigation of violent crimes in or near the establishment, under certain terms and conditions.

Council President Verna

Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The Chief Clerk will please read any other communications in her possession.

Chief Clerk

That's all I have, Madam President.

Council President Verna

Thank you. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.

Councilman Kenney

Thank you, Madam President. I offer three bills and five resolutions.

Council President Verna

Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.

Chief Clerk

An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," by adding a new Chapter regulating the erection, use and inspection of tower cranes, all under certain terms and conditions.

Council President Verna

The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance amending Section 11-611 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk and Roadway Lane Closures," by amending the provisions regulating the application for and issuance of permits for a temporary closure of a sidewalk or roadway lane.

Council President Verna

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," by amending Subcode B, by amending the provisions of Chapter 33, including provisions relating to the protection of pedestrians, all under certain terms and conditions.

Council President Verna

The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution recognizing and commending the volunteers who reset headstones and cleaned up after the damage done to over 200 headstones at Eden Cemetery.

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney for a motion on the resolution.

Councilman Kenney

I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution recognizing PECO for their environmental stewardship and leadership and thanking them for their generous contributions towards sustainable initiatives in Philadelphia.

Council President Verna

Again, the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.

Councilman Kenney

I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution honoring the history of the Spectrum.

Council President Verna

Councilman Kenney.

Councilman Kenney

I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will please say aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution congratulating the Philadelphia Soul on the occasion of their ArenaBowl championship.

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.

Councilman Kenney

I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution honoring the career of Frank Cappuccino on the occasion of his retirement.

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.

Councilman Kenney

I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Is Councilwoman Blackwell in the room? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.

Councilman Greenlee

Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.

Councilwoman Krajewski

Thank you, Madam President. I have five bills and one resolution co-sponsored by Councilwoman Miller and myself.

Council President Verna

Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.

Chief Clerk

An ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance, Bill No. 060730, approved November 16, 2006, entitled "An ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 278."

Council President Verna

The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 197.

Council President Verna

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance authorizing the grant to the City of a right-of-way for gas main purposes within the lines of former Stevenson Street.

Council President Verna

The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Thompson Street, Juniata Street, Salmon Street, Berkshire Street.

Council President Verna

The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance authorizing the paving of Ontario Street from the northwesterly side of the right-of-way of the Philadelphia Beltline Railroad.

Council President Verna

The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution recognizing September 2008 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in honor of childhood cancer patients, caregivers, survivors and those children who have succumbed to the disease.

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.

Councilwoman Krajewski

I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.

Councilwoman Blackwell

Thank you, Madam President. Today I introduce four bills and one resolution.

Council President Verna

Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.

Chief Clerk

An ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 42.

Council President Verna

The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance amending Title 13 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled, "Water and Sewer," by establishing special water and sewer rates for public housing owned or operated by the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

Council President Verna

This bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance amending Section 19-203 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Payroll Deductions," to add the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation to the list of designated payees.

Council President Verna

The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance authorizing the grant to the City of two rights-of-way for municipal and public utility purposes within an area bounded by Market Street, 32nd Street, Chestnut Street and 33rd Street.

Council President Verna

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution recognizing and honoring the life and music of renowned jazz recording artist Ahmad Jamal.

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a motion on the resolution.

Councilwoman Blackwell

Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.

Councilwoman Tasco

Thank you, Madam President. I offer on your behalf three bills and two resolutions. On my behalf I offer three bills and five resolutions.

Council President Verna

Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.

Chief Clerk

An ordinance authorizing the Mount Airy Revitalization Corporation to construct, own and maintain a sign on the traffic island of Wadsworth Avenue.

Council President Verna

The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance authorizing the installation of a left turn green arrow traffic signal at the intersection of Crescentville Road and Adams Avenue.

Council President Verna

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance further amending Bill No. 070368, entitled "An ordinance approving the Fiscal Year 2008 Capital Budget."

Council President Verna

The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 34-S in the area bounded by Oregon Avenue west of Christopher Columbus Boulevard.

Council President Verna

The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 34-S and 41-S.

Council President Verna

The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance authorizing the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, notwithstanding any contrary requirements of the Philadelphia Industrial and Commercial Development agreement.

Council President Verna

This bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.

Councilwoman Tasco

I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution honoring the career of Burt Siegel.

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.

Councilwoman Tasco

I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution calling upon the United States Congress to amend existing food-to-fuel mandates and immediately embark on a series of policy remedies at the production of advanced biofuels.

Council President Verna

Again, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.

Councilwoman Tasco

I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution honoring the 50th anniversary of Reverend Thomas Ritter's pastoral leadership of the Second Macedonia Baptist Church.

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.

Councilwoman Tasco

I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution honoring and congratulating St. Gabriel School on its centennial year, 1908 to 2008.

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.

Councilwoman Tasco

I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution honoring and recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corporation.

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.

Councilwoman Tasco

I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution honoring and congratulating St. Monica School on its centennial year, 1908 to 2008.

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.

Councilwoman Tasco

I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.

Councilwoman Miller

Thank you, Madam President. Today I have three bills and five resolutions.

Council President Verna

Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.

Chief Clerk

An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 204 by striking from the City Plan the northeasterly 20 feet wide portion of Clearview Street.

Council President Verna

The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 128 by striking from the City Plan and vacating 18th Street from Cambria Avenue to Indiana Avenue.

Council President Verna

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And an ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Business Privilege Taxes," by amending Section 19-2602 thereof, entitled "Licenses," to add a new subsection requiring licensees operating a food service establishment to cooperate in the reporting and investigation of violent crimes in or near the establishment.

Council President Verna

The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution proclaiming September 2008 as Hunger Action Month.

Council President Verna

The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.

Councilwoman Miller

I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Council President Verna

Those opposed? (No response.)

Council President Verna

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.

Chief Clerk

And a resolution proclaiming September 2008 as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

Council President Verna

The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Miller.

Councilwoman Miller

I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

Council President Verna

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)