COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC MEETING BEFORE THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON RULES - - - Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thurs., 6/4/98, 1:25 p.m. - - - BILL 980454 - Declaring it desirable for people served by Philadelphia School, Northeastern Hospital, and St. Joseph Villa Nursing Home, for the Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia to undertake certain projects. . . BILL 980455 - Declaring it desirable for people served by Jefferson Health System and Albert Einstein Healthcare Network for Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Phila. to participate in effort to provide for payment of certain outstanding obligations. . . BILL 980389 - Declaring it desirable for people served by Greater Philadelphia Health Services II Corporation to undertake project. . . BILL 980409 - Declaring it desirable for people served by Community College of Phila., for Hospitals and Higher Ed. Facilities Authority of Phila. to participate in a project. . . BILL 980133 - Amending Philadelphia Zoning Maps of certain areas of land located in 27th Ward. . . BILL 980342 - Amending Philadelphia Zoning Maps of certain areas of land located in 53rd Ward. . . BILL 970714 - Amending Section of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Contractor Parking". . . PRESENT: COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY, Chair COUNCILWOMAN AUGUSTA A. CLARK COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILWOMAN ANNA CIBOTTA VERNA - - - VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 561-2220 2 COMMITTEE ON RULES I N D E X Page Bill No. 980454 Donald Cramp, Chief Executive Officer. . . . . Hospitals Higher Education Facilities 5 Authority of Philadelphia 6 Kevin Scott, Transaction Counsel . . . . . . . Hospital Authority's Renovation Pool 7 Austin J. McGreal, General Counsel . . . . . . 8 Hospitals Authority 9 Bill No. 980455 Donald Cramp, Chief Executive Officer. . . . . 10 Hospitals Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia Mike Curran, Chief Financial Officer . . . . . 11 Jefferson Health System, Mark Lieberman, General Counsel. . . . . . . . 12 Albert Einstein, Bill No. 980389 Donald Cramp, Chief Executive Officer. . . . . 13 Hospitals Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia Albert P. Black, Jr., Assoc. Vice President. . 14 Temple University Health System Bill No. 980409 Donald Cramp, Chief Executive Officer. . . . . 16 Hospitals Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia Dr. Thomas Hock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Kevin Scott, Transaction Counsel . . . . . . . 19 Hospital Authority's Renovation Pool 3 COMMITTEE ON RULES (Index, cont'd.) Bill No. 980133 Paul Deegan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Philadelphia Industrial Authority 6 Bill No. 980342 7 Richard Lombardo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Philadelphia Planning Commissioner 8 Lorraine Brill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 9 President, Upper Northwood Community Council 10 Bill No. 970714 11 Richard Dixon, Director of Parking Management 31 Philadelphia Parking Authority 12 Leroy Kean, 1998 President . . . . . . . . . . 43 13 Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors 14 Harriet Gaige, Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 4 COMMITTEE ON RULES P R O C E E D I N G S
Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention for one minute. Bill No. 970173, which was recessed to today, at this time, 1 o'clock, from May 14, 1998. Is going to be recessed until Monday, June the 8th, at a.m., in this room. 9 So anyone here -- and that's the agents 10 bill, the expediters bill, whatever you want to refer to it as. It's going to be recessed until Monday June 8th, 10 a.m., in this room, okay? So you won't have to sit around and wait all. . . We will proceed with the rest of what's on this calendar now as soon as we get done across the hall. And I'll try to move that as quickly as possible. (Committee meeting stands in recess, then reconvenes.)
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. A quorum of the Rules Committee is present so we can begin our hearing. We apologize for the delay and any inconvenience that this has caused. We are discussing important issues facing the City, including the transit 5 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980454 workers' strike. As I had mentioned earlier, Bill No. 4 970713 is being recessed until Monday, June 8th, at 10 a.m., in this room. The first bill on the agenda today is Bill No. 980454, which is an ordinance declaring that it is desirable for the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the area served by the Philadelphia School, Northeastern Hospital, and St. Joseph Villa Nursing Home, for the Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia to undertake certain projects for the Philadelphia School, Northeastern Hospital, and St. Joseph Villa Nursing Home, each of which are nonprofit corporations organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Good afternoon. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed. And you know about our microphone system.
Thank you very much. Under the circumstances, we are very grateful that you've convened. Also, in the interest of time, I believe that we will consolidate some of our 6 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980454 thoughts, if we may, Mr. Chairman.
Further, would you care for us to overview all four bills that we're here for? Or would you want to --
I think, in an effort to keep the record straight, I'm going to have to do each individual bill.
So you can synopsize your testimony relative to each bill 13 separately but, I have to do them separately.
If I may, then, I'll be a little more thorough in the opening remarks which will be to this bill, 980454. And thereafter, there will be a summation of these opening remarks. My name is Donald Cramp. I serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Hospitals Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia. I wish to make a brief introductory statement in support of the proposed bill, 980454. 7 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980454 Greater Philadelphia Health Services Incorporation II, Community College of Philadelphia, Jefferson Health System, Albert Einstein Health Care Network, and the Philadelphia School, Northeastern Hospital, St. Joseph Villa Nursing Home, which constitute our Renovation Pool, have requested the assistance of the Philadelphia Hospital Higher Education Facility Authority to finance certain capital needs. These requests were accepted for consideration by the Authority Board. A Public Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) hearing on each of these, including the Greater Philadelphia Health Services II Corporation, Jefferson Health System, Albert Einstein Health Care Network, and the Philadelphia School, Northeastern Hospital, St. Joseph Villa Nursing Home, will be held in accordance with published newspaper advertisements. Both the Authority and the particular organizations will be represented at those respective TEFRA hearings. To close, I wish to assure you, as usual, that neither the City of Philadelphia nor 8 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980454 the Hospitals Authority has financial, legal responsibility for the repayment of this debt. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much. The other gentleman at the table, would you please identify yourself for the record. And if there's anything you'd like to add, please proceed.
My name's Kevin Scott, and I'm acting in this capacity as special counsel to the --
Mr. Scott, could you please pull that microphone directly towards you.
My name is Kevin Scott. And I'm acting in capacity of the first bill, as transaction counsel to the Hospital Authority's Renovation Pool. And I have no comments to add to Mr. Cramp's.
Thank you very much. Are there any questions for these witnesses relative to Bill No. 980454? 9 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980454 (No questions.)
Seeing none, is there anyone else in the room to testify on 980454? (No response.)
Will you be requesting a suspension of the rules Mr. Cramp?
I know you have a busy schedule, so I request a suspension of the rules.
My name is Austin J. McGreal, and I'm General Counsel to the Hospital Authority. On all four bills concerning the Authority today, I would ask for the suspension of the rules, if Your Honor seemed inclined to recommend them.
Thank you very much. We will now proceed with Bill No. 10 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980455 980455, which is an ordinance declaring that it is desirable for the health, safety, and welfare of the people in the area served by Jefferson Health System ("The System") and Albert Einstein Healthcare Network ("AEHN") for the Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia to participate with the System and AEHN in an effort to provide for the payment of certain outstanding obligations of the member hospitals and other affiliates of AEHN collectively (The "AEHN Affiliates") and to fund capital projects for AEHN and the AEHN Affiliates consisting generally of the acquisition of skilled nursing facilities and the acquisition of other facilities and construction of capital improvements for AEHN and the AEHN Affiliates. Please identify yourself and proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is Donald Cramp, and I serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Hospitals and Higher Education Authority of Philadelphia. The remarks that I made, if they could be continued, in support this bill with the following commentary. The Hospitals Authority 11 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980455 does support Bill 980455. Further, there will be proper TEFRA hearings (Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act hearings) with representatives of the institution and the Authority present. And, finally, there is no legal or financial obligation by the City of Philadelphia nor the Hospitals Authority for the repayment of this debt. We fully support this bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Could you please identify yourself for the record and proceed if there's anything else you'd like to add.
My name's Mike Curran. I am Chief Financial Officer of the Jefferson Health System, and I'll be happy to answer any questions, but I have no comments at this time.
Thank you very much. Are there any questions for these witnesses? (No questions.)
Is there in anyone else in the room to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Thank you very 12 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980455 much. Sir, I'm sorry, is there something you'd like to add?
No. My name is Mark Lieberman. I am General Counsel for Albert Einstein, and I'd also be happy to answer any questions but have no further comments.
Thank you very much. Since there are no questions from this committee and no one else to testify, we will now move to Bill No. 980389. Is that next on your list, Mr. Cramp?
Okay. 980389, an ordinance declaring that it is desirable for the health, safety, and welfare of the people in the area served by Greater Philadelphia Health Services II Corporation, a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which operates a long-term care facility known as "Northwood Nursing Home and Convalescent Center," located at 4621 Castor Avenue, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the 13 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980389 Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia to undertake a project for Greater Philadelphia Health Services II Corporation consisting of the refinancing of certain indebtedness incurred in connection with the acquisition of 148-bed long-term care facility known as "Northwood Nursing Home and Convalescent Center" financing or refinancing certain capital expenditures with respect to the facility funding a debt service reserve fund and paying certain costs of issuance.
Please identify yourself for the reported and proceed.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. My name is Donald Cramp. I serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia Hospitals and Higher Education Authority of Philadelphia. May my opening remarks continue in support of Bill 980389. May I also offer the Chairman and the committee the following reassurances. There will be proper TEFRA hearings (Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act) with a proper representation by the institution and the 14 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980389 Authority present. Further, I would like to reassure that there is no legal or financial responsibility by the City of Philadelphia nor the Hospitals Authority for the recovery and repayment of this debt. Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
Thank you very much. Could you please identify yourself for the record.
My name is Albert P. Black, Jr. I'm Associate Vice President for Temple University Health System.
No, there's nothing I would like to add to the testimony. I'd like to thank the committee for their support.
Thank you for your patience. Are there any questions from members of the committee on this bill? (No questions.) 15 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980409
Is there anyone else in the room to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, we will now move to Bill No. 980409, which is an ordinance declaring that it is desirable for the health, safety, and welfare of the people in the area served by the Community College of Philadelphia for the Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia to participate with the Community College of Philadelphia in a project consisting of one, the acquisition and retrofitting of a certain facility consisting of two classroom buildings and related structures in the property located at 1200 Godfrey Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, currently owned by Pennsylvania College of Optometry; two, the construction of capital improvements and renovations to its main Center City campus; and, three, the possible refunding of the Hospitals and Higher Educations Facilities Authority of Philadelphia's $15,750,000 principal amount of Community College revenue bonds, Series A, of 1994; said project to be carried out with the 16 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980409 financial assistance of the Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia and with the City of Philadelphia to be responsible for paying a certain portion of the College's payment obligations incurred for such purpose; authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Community College of Philadelphia, setting forth such payment obligation; and, further, authorizing the Board of Trustees of the Community College to enter into an amendment to an existing loan agreement with the said Authority setting forth the conditions of the Authority's financial assistance and all loan repayment and other obligations of the Community College of Philadelphia. Please identify yourself for the reporter.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is Donald Cramp. I serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia. Inasmuch as this is the last testimony for the bills before you today, may I begin by expressing our sincere appreciation. 17 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980409 Community College is an example of all the facilities that were before us this morning. All these institutions have opportunities to issue elsewhere. The courtesy shown to us by bringing us into this session on such a business day, for example; and, further, to have these financings in place so that we can continue through the summer months is gratefully appreciated. I would like the continuation of my opening remarks for the first bill to be continued for this bill, if I may.
Further, I would just reassure that there will be proper TEFRA hearings, as necessary. In this case, Community College has adequate TEFRA hearing, and there will not be a TEFRA hearing needed. Finally, there is no legal and financial obligation by the City of Philadelphia nor the Hospitals Authority for the repayment of this debt. The Hospitals Authority fully supports Community College. We're pleased to have them with us. And Bill No. 980409 is fully supported by the Hospitals Authority. 18 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980409 Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you. Is there anything that you would like to add to the record as far as relative to the project or projects involved.
Mr. Thomas -- Dr. Thomas Hock is with us. He might have a comment.
No, but I'd be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
I just want Community College to know that the community of both East and West Oak Lane and Germantown are very anxiously awaiting for the coming of Community College. They warmly welcome Community College into the community. They've been looking forward to it for a long time. And we wish everybody well and we're very pleased that the Hospitals and Higher Education Authority is in a position to be of assistance. We think it's a great thing for the people of Philadelphia to have an expansion of Community College's activity into that area. 19 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980409
Yes. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: I think the attorney representing (unintelligible) has a comment to make concerning -- there's some liability the City has.
My name is Kevin Scott, and we act as counsel to the Community College. In this particular case, unlike the other three financings that were approved before this, the City of Philadelphia, as local sponsor of the Community College, has certain obligations that are set forth in the ordinance as to the debt service on the bonds. I just wanted to clarify that.
Just for the record, could you tell us how much the City's 20 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980409 exposure is and what that liability is.
Certainly. It's based on a formula, and it's up to one half of the debt service on the bonds.
What does that work out to in dollars? Can you give me a ballpark dollar figure?
Well, the principal amount of the bonds will be roughly, on the high side, $10 million, so it would be debt service on $5 million over years. 15
Well, if I really 16 wanted to know what that number is, get the 17 arithmetic myself, right? 18
Could you give some 19 estimation of what -- if it were today's numbers. 20
I think I could come up 21 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980409 with an estimate.
Yeah, let me answer the question. Because the City is buying the College through its capital budget for the College, the City's effective debt service will be about $2.5 million the City's because of the 2.5 -- the City's responsible for half of the $10 million project, but 2-1/2 is being paid for out of the annual capital budget for the City. The debt service on $2.5 million, it is roughly $80,000 a year so you're talking about $220,000 a year, half of which would be the -- well, that's about it approximately, $220,000 a year.
My comment would be it's a very modest investment and a very small risk for a very wonderful purpose. And I think 22 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980409 Philadelphia is going to be stronger as a result of that.
I asked my question so that I would know what I was concurring with. I'm a strong and continued supporter of Community College, and I couldn't find a better investment of public dollars, but I did want to know the level and the extent of our exposure.
Following this meeting, I will be sure to be better informed, but I would like you to know that the Authority does have an indemnification clause. And when we make that statement, we mean it. We have an indemnification clause in all of our contracts. This technical explanation is at an awkward moment, but please be assured what we say before this committee, we are generally always well-informed.
Thank you very 23 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980133 much. Is there anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you very much for coming in today and for your patience. There are three bills left which are technical in nature relative to zoning maps and zoning designations. Bill 980133, which is an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located in the 27th Ward and within an area bounded by Spruce Street, 34th Street, Civic Center Boulevard, University Avenue, and 38th Street from partly Class "R-15" residential, partly class "C-4" commercial, partly class "C-3" commercial, and partly class "IDD" (Institutional Development District) to a designation of partly class "R-15" residential, partly class "C-4" commercial, partly class "C-3" commercial, and partly class "IDD" Institutional Development District. 24 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980133 Please identify yourself for the record and proceed.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. Paul Deegan. I represent Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation. I'm here to testify in support of this bill. This bill makes a small adjustment to a rezoning that was approved by City Council last December by passage of Bill No. 970608. As you can see by the attached map, the map that's attached to the ordinance --
-- the parcel fronting on Civic Center Boulevard at Oxford Circle is squared off to reflect the existing development of the site. Inadvertently, the previous bill left off the little notch in the corner, but the lot owned by Children's Hospital actually is a square rather than an indent. So this is a small adjustment, and it reflects existing conditions. There is no new development planned. The new zoning has been developed through discussions with Children's Hospital, the 25 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980133 City Planning Commission of PIDC, and C-3 Commercial was generally agreed on as the most appropriate zoning classification for the development out there. I ask that the committee act favorably on this bill and that the committee report it out with a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading at the next regularly schedule session of City Council.
Any questions from the Committee? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Clark.
Mr. Chairman, I had a brief discussion with the sponsor of this bill today, and I know that she wishes to see it favorably considered.
Thank you very much. Is there anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, We COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980342 will move to Bill No. 980342, an ordinance 3 amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps, by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land Ward and within an area bound by Oxford Avenue, Street from "L-3" Limited Industrial to "ACS" Area Shopping Center. Please identify yourself for the record. (Brief interruption.)
Yeah, good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. Richard Lombardo, Philadelphia Planning Commissioner, testifying on Bill 980342. I placed in front of each of you a new Map B, which is an amendment to this bill. The bill -- when the bill was drafted, it was inadvertently drafted to cover too much property that people did not wish to have the zoning 27 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980342 changed on.
So I understand, you're requesting an amendment to the pink bill 5 right now.
Basically, what this bill proposes to do is to rezone a number of commercial uses that exist in the L-3 industrial by nature of zoning board variances. At the time the Zoning Board approved the variances, they also approved the new buildings to be used for uses permitted in area shopping center. Councilman Mariano and the owner of the property just basically are changing the zoning to bring it up to conformance with the Zoning Board variances. In the drafting of the bill, the area was exceeded and included two industrial properties that are currently used industrially. One is a self-storage facility; and the other, I believe, make electrical parts, remanufacturing for auto parts. We are amending the bill to leave those 28 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980342 properties zoned industrial, so we're cutting back on the size of the area to become area shopping center, as depicted in new Map B that I handed out to everybody. If you adopt the amendments, we will give that new map to the Chief Clerk's office. For the record, the Planning Commission this afternoon at its meeting recommended adoption of Bill No. 980342.
Thank you very much. Ms. Brill, could you identify yourself for the record.
Yes. I'm Lorraine Brill (ph.). I live at 814 Disston Street. I am President of Upper Northwood Community Council. We did the original rezoning remapping with City Planning Commission, and the original zoning bill was approved by City Council back on March 14, 1974. This bill, 980342, is the first recommended change since that time. However, when we reviewed Map B, the proposed zoning change in the original bill, we realized the map was not correct. It would impact 29 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980342 existing viable industrial properties that act as a buffer between the residential areas running on Algon Avenue and the proposed area shopping center, which fronts on the westerly portion of Levick Street and Oxford Avenue. We've met with the developer for the area shopping center property, also with Councilman Mariano and Tom Chapman of the City Planning Commission. We're all in agreement that Map B is to be corrected by means of amending this bill. And we're asking that this new Map B be incorporated into the bill.
Your testimony is construed to be in support of the bill as amended?
Including the new white page? 30 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 980342
Thank you very much for that clarification. Are there any questions for these witnesses? (No further questions.)
Thank you very much. Is there anyone else in the room to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Thank you very much. I'm going to ask your indulgence for ten minutes, the people who are here for 970714. I sincerely apologize. We're in the midst of this SEPTA issue, and we are being requested to go across the hall. I will be back as soon as possible. (Rules Committee public hearing stands in recess.) - - - 31 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 (Proceedings resume.)
This is a reconvened hearing of the Rules Committee to hear testimony on Bill No. 970714, which is an ordinance amending Section 12-2900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Contractor Parking," by amending the provisions related to contractor parking permits, including providing for a new parking permit for licensed real estate agents, under certain terms and conditions. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed.
My name is Richard Dixon. I'm the Director of Parking Management at the Philadelphia Parking Authority. The Philadelphia Parking Authority is opposed to the proposed amendment to the contractor parking ordinance which would allow Realtors in Philadelphia special on-street parking privileges. There are a number of valid reasons for this opposition, which I would like to address. First and foremost, in the last year, the Parking Authority has been asked to provide 32 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 special parking privileges for a variety of occupational entities ranging from social workers, priests, teachers, parking recreation volunteers, courier services, Red Cross volunteers, UPS drivers, City employees, doctors, and funeral directors. There is no way to accommodate all of these varied requests, although they could all make the same claim to the need for special parking privileges as do the Realtors. Due to the increasing scarcity of on-street parking spaces to accommodate the public's need for short-term parking, this amendment would further reduce the opportunity to provide adequate public parking for shoppers, visitors, and others who need to do business in the City of Philadelphia. This is an issue of fairness. Why do Realtors deserve special consideration beyond that afforded to others whose jobs also require them to visit multiple sites in the course of the workday? The problem with doing it for one constituency is that it will be more difficult to 33 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 say no in the future when the next request comes in. There is simply no way to provide special parking privileges to everyone and continue to do try to manage an already-limited on-street parking supply. The Parking Permit Program developed for contractors is based on the legitimate needs of those who need access to their vehicles for tools and equipment. It is simply not reasonable for a plumber or a carpenter to park several blocks away and move tools and equipment to a site. Further, the work of contractors generally takes all day, and it is, therefore, necessary to exempt them from the time limit restrictions. Realtors have no such constraints. They do not require heavy equipment, and their visits rarely last longer than the limits allowed. The proposed amendment would allow them to park for up to two hours at meters without paying the fee. Ninety percent of meters already allow for two-hour parking. The only change this ordinance 23 would provide for is Realtors would get to park free of charge. In addition, allowing Realtors to park 34 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 in loading zones would severely reduce the availability for those businesses with legitimate loading and unloading needs and will dramatically increase the incidents of double-parking on City streets. Finally, we've all heard the news reports concerning the abuse of other special parking privileges. Abuse of parking privileges for people with disabilities has been the subject of numerous local and national reports. While the original intent of the current City ordinance is laudable, over percent of all parking meters in 14 the core of Center City are now occupied all day 15 by vehicles with plates or placards for the 16 disabled. 17 There are more than 5300 licensed real 18 estate agents in the Philadelphia area. If each 19 of them is issued a placard, how will the use of 20 such placards be monitored for business use only? There is no way to prevent the potential abuse of those placards during nonbusiness hours. In conclusion, real estate agents are perfectly able to conduct their business within the existing parking regulations. There is no 35 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 unusual components of their work which requires the waiving of meter fees or allowing parking in loading zones. The result of passage of this amendment is reduced parking opportunities for others with equally legitimate needs. Therefore, the Parking Authority opposes this ordinance change.
Thank you very much for your testimony. From my perspective, the issue is, however, is that this, from my perspective, this has already been opened up by allowing for special privileges for contractors, many of whom aren't even City residents. So part of my concern is, while I recognize that the Parking Authority receives requests for these types of operations, some of them, I think, making a subjective decision on my part, wouldn't need them in the first place. I mean, when was the last time a doctor made a house call? Or why should a teacher -- I mean those, kinds of issues. 36 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 And the other issue, as far as courier services and UPS drives or City employees, we're not talking about necessarily people who are attempting to sell and rent properties in the City which brings in a tax base to the City, which brings in new residents, turns over property, turns over realty transfer taxes and other types of taxes to the City. That's the first problem. The second issue. As a result of your testimony, it is because of abuse of parking privileges for people with disabilities, I don't think that's necessarily relevant to what we're discussing. If the Parking Authority has a need to do a better job with keeping fraudulent people who claim they're disabled from doing this, then they should undertake the investigatory efforts necessary to rid us of those frauds. That should not reflect on the request, or what I believe is a legitimate request, for real estate agents to have this kind of permit parking. I mean, don't think one has anything to do with the other. If we need to clean up abuse of parking privileges by people who claim they're disabled, 37 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 let's do that. But that has -- I don't think that has any relevance to any other individual legitimate requests for similar parking privileges. And -- all right, I understand the Parking Authority's position. I find it hard to understand why it would be okay for us to give parking privileges to a contractor who lives in Montgomery County or in New Jersey the right to park on the street all day and not someone who may happen to be a City resident who is doing this kind of work, which I think is critical for downtown Center City. I mean, I don't understand why one group of out-of-town people can get one, but not someone who lives in the City, doing important work.
We do not dispute the fact that Realtors, as a business, contribute greatly to the City's economy. We draw the distinction into what are the parking needs of the two groups that are requesting these privileges. Contractors almost always have equipment that they need to get back and forth. 38 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 They almost always need to be there longer than the current time limits permit, so we've made that exception because there's no way for them to do their job effectively without exempting them from the regulations. Realtors, on the other hand, we believe, can comply with the posted regulation; and which this bill says that they actually must do by setting a two-hour limit. That's what over 90 percent of the meters in the City offer now. The only thing this gives them is that it's free to them when it's not free to anybody else.
Well, there's no 15 desire or discussion to make this a free -- I don't understand, free to whom?
Well, they would not have to pay meter fees, they would be exempt from meter fees.
Okay. (President Street appears.) 39 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714
I apologize for interrupting this committee meeting, and I appreciate Chairman Kenny's indulgence. The City Council session that has been recessed, we recessed for about 30 minutes. That session will stay in recess until 4 o'clock this afternoon. Councilmembers, at 4 o'clock, in the Council caucus room, will be meeting with the City's representatives on the SEPTA Board. Mr. Brookens will be back, Mr. Cohen has been invited to be back, although I think he may decline our invitation. But we will further consider what we will -- the Council might be able to do to effect some kind of resolution of the SEPTA work stoppage. Mr. Kenny, thank you very much.
If I can continue. The other issue you raised about contractors who don't live in the City versus 40 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 Realtors who do, for any contractor that applies for a placard, they must have a business privilege license in the City; the vehicle must be registered to the business, not to an individual; they must be current in all taxes and fees owed to the City. The proposed ordinance has no such requirement. Any licensed Realtor, from whatever jurisdiction, is also eligible for these placards. And in addition to that, there is no 12 provision for a business privilege license. The vehicle can be registered to the -- would be registered to the individual. And, therefore, there's no way to check to see if the person for whom working they're even has business privilege license. So it opens up an area -- that's why we introduced the issue of the possibility of abuse and just used the handicapped issue as an example. There is virtually no way to check to see that these placards are really being used for the legitimate business needs of the people to whom they are issued.
Right, but you do 41 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 make special restrictions on neighborhood permit parking for residents only?
They must prove registration of the vehicle or a lease to get a residential permit parking permit.
No, I understand. But what I'm saying is that we seem to have a couple different standards. One is we can restrict it to the residents of the City, the special parking privilege only. And then we give parking privileges to out-of-town businesses that basically come in and, from my point of view, take business away from City residents, but we make a special provision and make it easier for them to come over and do business or come from the counties and do business. I don't understand why we don't restrict, for example, the contractor parking to Philadelphia residents only.
We -- we made the decision based on the parking needs of the people of the 42 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 business that was applying. A contractor, in order to do their job, needs to be exempted from the requirements of the time limits specifically because they need access to their vehicles for equipment.
The Chamber of Commerce came in to testify on behalf of that bill, and it was they who basically drew the guidelines as to, This needs to be a business-specific type of program and not a resident-specific type of program. The residential permit parking program is tailored exclusively for residents, and it's designed specifically to prohibit the other people.
Mr. Kean and Mike McGee, please. (Leroy Kean comes forward.)
Please identify yourselves for the record and proceed. 43 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714
Leroy Kean. I'm the 1998 President of the Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors.
Good afternoon. My name is Leroy Kean, and I am the 1998 President of the Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors. With me today is Michael McGee, who is the Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for the Realtors of Southeast Regional Public Affairs Department. We are here today to express our support for Bill 970714 and to urge members of the Rules Committee to report the bill with a favorable recommendation. Our support for this proposal is based on a simple premise -- that Realtors are the City's ambassadors. As such, we promote Philadelphia to perspective homeowners, renters, and businesses on a daily basis. As you know, Realtors rely heavily on their vehicles to conduct business, whether going on a listing presentation, showing a property to prospective purchasers, or submitting an agreement 44 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 of sale, a Realtor's car is an integral business tool. Some time ago, City Council provided contractors with special parking privileges. Presumably, Council recognized that contractors needed relief from parking worries while performing their jobs and trying to make a living. In today's strong real estate market, Realtors often show their clients multiple properties, usually for about 30 minutes at each stop. At a time when we should be focussed on meeting our customer's needs, we shouldn't need to worry about our supply of quarters, the time remaining on the meter, or driving around searching for a parking space. Therefore, we believe that Realtors also deserve an opportunity to obtain temporary parking permits. It should be noted that, as sales people, we are typically compensated only when a property is sold or leased. When we are successful, the City is also a significant beneficiary of our efforts. Each year, as a direct result of our activities, Philadelphia reaps billions of dollars 45 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 in revenue from transfer taxes, income taxes, and other fees resulting from the addition and retention of residents and businesses. Further, the real estate industry generates jobs for carpenters, inspectors, appraisers, attorneys, and other groups, all of whom pay taxes to the City. Finally, our members pay the City's business privilege tax, personal, income, and other business-related taxes because they live and work in Philadelphia. The Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors is committed to expanding the City's economic and social infrastructure through the increased home ownership rates and business retention and recruitment. However, we need the City's assistance to help us improve our quality of service through the easier parking access. We believe that temporary parking permits will not only enhance our customer relationships, it will illustrate that the City is serious in its desire to attract residential and commercial real estate investors. Before closing, we would like to offer a suggested amendment to Bill 970714. As drafted, 46 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 the legislation provides a temporary parking permit only for real estate selling services. We believe that the language should be broader to include other real estate services such as buying, leasing, listing, and appraising. On behalf of the over 1400 members of the Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors, I urge you to report Bill 970714 from committee with a favorable recommendation. Thank you for this opportunity to appear before you today. I would be happy to answer any questions.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Ms. Gaige, could you give your testimony. What I want to make sure is that the people in the room know that we are on one other bill on this committee. We have recessed that bill's consideration till Monday morning, 10 a.m., June 8th. I intend to do same thing with this bill today to keep it alive and report the others out, so I want to get all the testimony on the record now because of the length, how long it's taken today to get this done. 47 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 And then I have a few other things to work on between now and Monday which, hopefully, will get us where we all want to be. So if you could identify yourself for the record and proceed.
Yes. My name is Harriet Gaige. I live at 2313 Green Street, in Philadelphia. It is a pleasure and a privilege to appear before this esteemed body to speak about the necessity for and the value of Center City parking for Realtors and how it affects the further development of an increased revenue for Philadelphia. I am Harriet Gaige, 74 years old, celebrating 35 years in real estate sales and brokerage in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has experienced a dramatic change over the past 40 years. In 1958 and '59, my husband and I watched the hearings on television regarding Society Hill from our Manhattan apartment. Mr. Gaige was a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, writing profiles on 48 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 corporate executives, when I met and married him in 1958. He was offered a job as financial copy editor by Joe Livingston of The Evening Bulletin, accepted it, and commuted to Philadelphia for three and a half years. We moved to Center City, Philadelphia, in 1961, and I became a licensed real estate salesperson in 1963. Times have changed. In the 1960s, people used to joke about Philadelphia. The first prize was one week in Philadelphia; the second price was two weeks. Well, they don't joke anymore. Today Philadelphia is considered one of the most desirable cities in which to live. And we in the real estate profession are proud to have helped make this transformation possible. This metamorphosis could not have happened without the hard work and intelligence of the Members of City Council, with the leadership of President John Street and Mayor Ed Rendell. Times have changed. Philadelphia was known for its printing industry, graphic arts, garment industry, the manufacturing of trains and, of course, Philadelphia lawyers. Many of these 49 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 firms have moved out of state or gone out of business. People used to entertain at home, and there were few good restaurants. Now we are our orchestra, ballet, the arts, museums, universities, hospitals, medical care, financial institutions, historic restorations, Penn's Landing, Convention Center, fine hotels, and dining in many world-famous restaurants. And, of course, our Philadelphia lawyers. We are known for a City Council that makes good things happen. Times have changed. In the 1960s, agents showed two or three houses. There was a one-sheet agreement of sale on two sides. There were no home inspections, radon, lead, or (unintelligible) clauses. There may have been a termite addendum and a roofing addendum stating that the roof was in good order and free from leaks, but there was no disclosure form. There was a mortgage contingency. More times than not, the sellers, buyers, and real estate agents negotiated at the seller's kitchen table and were served coffee and 50 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 cake, sometimes staying for a spaghetti-and- meatball dinner, with a glass of red wine. I don't recall open housing on Sundays, and there was little cooperation between brokers. There were no buyer-brokers. Now the buyers are well informed, they attend open houses, and compare values. Rarely does a buyer purchase a home without having first inspected to even 10 houses. Brokers cooperate in sales, and there are 11 buyer-brokers. 12 Every property has a disclosure form. 13 The agreements of sale consist of up to 15 pages, 14 with clauses for a mortgage, home inspection, wood 15 infestation, lead, and possibly more. Seldom do 16 the sellers and buyers speak with each other; all 17 communications are through the seller's agents and 18 co-agents, if there is one, or lawyers. Times 19 have changed. 20 In the 1960s, there were few 21 condominiums. There was Hopkinson House, Society 22 Hill Towers, and the Dorchester. Philadelphia was 23 a city of homes -- not condominiums or 24 cooperatives. Now condominiums are popular. 25 Philadelphia changed from rental units to a 51 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 condominium.
Wanamaker House, Center City I, Independence Place, Abbott's Square, River's Edge Academy House, 2201 Cherry, and the Rittenhouse are a few. Each unit brings in tax dollars even though land they are built on small in size in comparison to the number of units it accommodates. There are numerous low-rise condominiums. And when we show condominiums, not only do we show our own and our office listings, we show other agents' listing in the same building. This is time-consuming, and the quarters and the meter run out. We have a choice of excusing ourselves and running to the elevators to get to the parking meter in time, or getting a parking ticket. Is it wise to interrupt a selling presentation to run to a meter to drop in a few more quarters or park your car in a garage a block or two away. In many cases, if you can cannot secure a parking spot for the buyer, forget the sale, you're out of luck. The buyer with a budget up to $500,000 with a fine car will not buy a 52 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 property in Philadelphia without a parking space. This problem becomes more evident when we have to run to deposit quarters into a meter or drive the car to find a meter person writing a ticket or find a parking ticket already on the windshield. As we stated in our petition, we are good will ambassadors for the City of Philadelphia. Our hard work generates millions of dollars in transfer tax for the City of Philadelphia. We are, in effect, tax collectors for real estate taxes, water and gas bills. We make it possible for electricians, plumbers, and contractors to secure work. Real estate sales people are considered individual contractors. And as such, we pay the Philadelphia business privilege tax on our gross income as well as our net income. Every dollar we earn is reported. Times have changed. We need your help. Buyers are more demanding, everybody requires more time and attention. Granting Realtors the privilege of permit parking will permit us to park without worrying about the meter 53 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 running out. It will afford us the opportunity to show property in Queen Village, Society Hill, Fitler Square, Logan Circle, Franklintown, Spring Garden, Fairmount without the stress of being five minutes late past the hour. This will enable us to serve more buyers, sell more property, and increase Philadelphia's tax revenue. Many of us, like you work, day and night, seven days a week. I know I do. Times have changed, and it is time for the Parking Authority to realize that although they might get more quarters from us, the City of Philadelphia could hundreds of thousands of dollars in transfer taxes, city wage taxes, and business in general by making working issues more difficult for us to do our job. Our job is essential to the continued economic growth stability and vitality of the City of Philadelphia, as plumbers, electricians, and contractors working toward the same goal. Thank you, Councilman Kenney, for sponsoring this bill, and Councilman DiCicco, for cosponsoring this bill. And thank, you members of 54 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 City Council. I would just like to add one thing on. In listening to the gentleman from the Philadelphia Parking Authority and in reviewing their paper, it says that there are 5300 licensed real estate agents. We're not looking for 5300 licenses; we're just looking for Center City licenses to make life easy. And I would amend that to maybe 300 to 400 tops that we would be required to have. Secondly --
I'm sorry. The question I have on that particular issue --
-- is how would we -- do you have any suggestions on how we would limit it? How would we stop a person from Northeast Philadelphia, for example, saying, Well, listings in Center City, I need one. Do you understand? I mean, I can kind of understand their point of view as it relates to the -- if you're going to the whole universe of real estate agents potentially, that would be unworkable. So how 55 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 would you suggest limiting it to Center City only? From, say, Spring Garden to South --
Right. Seldom do you have an agent from out of the area selling real estate in Center City, and he's not down here every day, day after day, running in and out to sell a property or to stay three hours for an inspection of a property. I -- generally, they don't sell the properties here. They cooperate with us and we do all the legwork on it.
One thing of things we're going to have to work on is the ability, if we're going to be successful in this effort, is to figure out a way to define -- to definitively limit fairly access for Center City issues only. If not, then it becomes a subjective, and it's very difficult for any agency to determine who's doing what, where. So that's something we have to work on.
Yes. The other thing is, I 56 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 doubt very much -- we are willing to pay 100 or $$125 for a permit.
And I doubt very much if someone who is out in the Northeast wants to come in and sell one property and is going to spend $125 a year for a permit. He'd rather get a $15 ticket.
The other thing is, we don't park in no-loading zones. We'd be stupid to do that. We don't park on sidewalks because we would abuse a privilege, and the owners of the property would be very angry with us. We have to be very careful of how we behave.
Again, behavior is a very important element, but we have to figure out a way to codify the behavior restrictions.
I would also say that if you see our car parked in front Strawbridge, we don't belong there; we belong in the residential areas. And we could restrict it to residential 57 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 areas. There's no problem with that. We're not trying to get away with anything; we're just trying to do our job and have a little bit of free time for ourselves. You know, personally, I'm up until 3, 4 o'clock in the morning working.
I have a question. First, thank you for recognizing that City Councilmembers do work many hours -- 17, 18, what have you. You were mentioning restricting the use of the placard, or whatever we decide is the better way to do this, to Center City. What is your definition of Center City?
Center City, on , and I have -- every one should have one up there. There's one in front of Councilman Kenney's desk. On my presentation, Center City would consist of Queen Village, Society Hill, Rittenhouse Square, Fitler Square, Logan Circle, 58 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 Franklintown, Spring Garden, and Fairmount.
What the Chair's commitment today is to work between now and the recessed hearing on tightening this bill, perhaps not to the point of support from the Parking Authority, but tightening it to the point of workability if they are forced to enforce it.
I have a question for Mr. Dixon. (Mr. Dixon comes forward.)
Mr. Dixon, presently, the Parking Authority, I believe, will issue parking permits, or temporary parking permits, for contractors who are working within certain commercial zones, or is it restricted just to Center City? Plumbers, electricians.
No, it's a contractor parking permit. And the requirements of that permit are, they have to have a trade license issued by the City for whatever trade they're engaged in, a business privilege license, the 59 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 vehicle must be registered in the name of the business, the business must be current in all of its taxes and fees owed to the City.
I don't know if you testified to this earlier, I'm sorry, I apologize. I was on the phone.
Do you know how many we have issued out there right now?
If I could just add one thing. It appears that your concerns are basically that it's very inconvenient to have to worry about carrying quarters around and all those kinds of things. 60 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 The time limit that is included in the bill which is two hours, which is generally what the parking regulations are. Within the next six months, we're going to have electronic meters on the street where you can buy a debit card and you can put as much money on it as you want, max out the time on the meter, which will give you exactly the amount of time that this ordinance allows you, without creating yet another special privilege that we'll have to defend when the next group of people comes along. It will add a greater degree of convenience to what you have to do and maybe accomplish the same thing without enacting another ordinance. I expect that they'll be on the street by January.
And how would that impact on the 2,000 licenses that are out there today?
The contractors are different because we have made a decision to exempt them from the time limit because they need 61 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 to be there all day in order to complete the job.
Yeah. They'll be -- everybody will be restricted to the amount of time that's allowed on the meter.
So if it's a two-hour, it would be two hours; a three-hour meter, three hours; and so on. But it would greatly increase the convenience for people like Realtors who don't want to worry about having $50 worth of quarters in their pocket because they're going to 10 or 12 spots in a day. I just throw that on the table for your consideration.
May I just add something, please? 62 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 If you want a parameter, it would go from Fairmount Avenue to Washington Avenue, from river to river. That's all we're looking for.
Understand, all of these issue that we're going to try to discuss -- area of specifications and other requirements that hopefully will tighten the bill, again, perhaps not to the Parking Authority's liking, but we're going to try to do it within the next few days. Councilmember Cohen.
Well, I was asking, what specifically would the bill do? I'm trying to understand how permit parking applies here.
It would exempt people -- any licensed real estate agent would be eligible for a placard, which would exempt them from parking meter fees for up to two hours, and permit them to park in loading zones for some unspecified time.
Again, so that Councilman is not misled, there probably most 63 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 likely will be changes in the fee, in the issue relative to loading zones, and some other changes. Again, this bill is being recessed till June the 8th, at a.m. 6 So there will be no action on it today, 7 but there are a number of things that need to be 8 corrected, again, even if the Parking Authority 9 can't find it in its heart -- if they have one. 10
Sorry, I'm only kidding. If they can't find in their heart to support the bill, then at least it will be tighter from some different aspects that we --
Well, we'd love to make the Parking Authority happy, but I think we're even a little more interested in making the Realtors happier. And so, we're going to be working on this bill to try to bring it about and make both sides happy if at all possible.
Thank you very much 64 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 for your testimony. Is there anyone else here to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Okay, just one other issue before we end the public hearing.
(Off-mike.) As a matter of public record, Mr. Chairman. . .
That disclosure is appreciated. Just one other issue before we end the public hearing. There is a request from the Planning Commission for a revision to the University of Pennsylvania Institutional Development District Master Plan, southwest corner of 40th, number 4-0, and Locust Street. This is a letter from Barbara Kaplan, Executive Director. (Reading) Dear Council President Street: Pursuant to Section 14-1107(c) of the Philadelphia Code, the Planning Commission, on April 17, 1997, approved the revision to the Master Plan for the above-captioned property. The amendment involves the construction 65 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL 970714 of a 49,750 square foot, 3-story building for use as a new dental office, with office space, a retail space, and several conference rooms. The proposed development is expected to facilitate dental services for the University Dental School, and has an approximate construction cost of $14 million. This proposal will allow the University to provide dental services to the public under the supervision of the University Dental School. Building and the dental research facility. This building will also connect the existing dental school building and the dental research facility. Therefore, the City Planning Commission, at its meeting on May 1998, 17 approved this revision and recommended that City 18 Council also endorse this change. 19 I would appreciate receiving 20 notification of the Council's action on this 21 planned change. Sincerely yours, Barbara Kaplan, Executive Director. That needed to be read into the record.
We have to reply 66 COMMITTEE ON RULES - PUBLIC MEETING within 60 days. I assume we'll check with the District Councilperson?
We will check with the District Councilperson, but I understand she's already given that approval, but we will confirm that.
And that will end the hearing of the Rules Committee. - - -
We will now convene a public meeting. And for the public meeting purposes, I wanted to reiterate what was reiterated in the hearing, that Bill No. 970714 is being recessed to June 8, 1998, at 10 a.m., in this room. And that Bill No. 970713 is being recessed to June 8, 1998, at 10 a.m., in this room. So that's 970714, 970713. Also, Bill No. 970824 will be held. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Verna for a motion on Bill No. 980454.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that Bill No. 980454 be reported 67 COMMITTEE ON RULES - PUBLIC MEETING out of committee with a favorable recommendation. Also a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 980454 Is reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation, and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next Council session. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Verna for a motion on Bill No. 980455.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 980455 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. And I further move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? 68 COMMITTEE ON RULES - PUBLIC MEETING There are none opposed. Bill No. 980455 is reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation, and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next Council session. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Verna for a motion on Bill No. 980389.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 980389 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. And also a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 980389 is reported out of this committee favorably, and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next Council session. The next bill is -- The Chair recognizes Councilmember Verna for a motion on 69 COMMITTEE ON RULES - PUBLIC MEETING Bill No. 980409.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 980409 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. Also a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 980409 is reported out of this committee favorably, and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next Council session. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Vern for a motion to approve the amendment to 980133.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 980133 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. Also a request that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.) 70 COMMITTEE ON RULES - PUBLIC MEETING
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 980133 is reported out of this committee favorably, and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next Council session. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Verna for a motion to approve the amendment to 980342.
Mr. Chairman, I move that the amendment, as presented, be adopted. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 980342 will be amended accordingly. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Vern for a motion on the amended bill.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 980342 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation, as amended. Also a request that the rules of Council 71 COMMITTEE ON RULES - PUBLIC MEETING be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 980342, as amended, is reported out of this committee favorably, and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next Council session. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Verna for a motion to approve the proposed revision to the University of Pennsylvania's Institutional Development District Master Plan.
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. The revision to the University of Pennsylvania's Institutional Development District Master Plan, as requested, is approved by the committee and will be reported at 72 COMMITTEE ON RULES - PUBLIC MEETING our next session of Council. That will conclude the business of the Rules Committee. Thank you for your attendance. (Adjourned at 3:28 p.m.) - - - 73 C E R T I F I C A T E I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of Thursday, June 4, 1998, were reported and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of same. RE: COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON RULES BILL NO.'S 980454, 980455, 980389, 980409, 980133, 980342, 980714 __________________________________, JOSEPHINE CARDILLO, Registered Professional Reporter