Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution this morning.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution opposing any measure or proposal that cuts and privatizes Social Security or Medicare benefits.
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
The Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution calling upon the National Park Service to ensure equitable economic participation in opportunities arising from the Liberty Bell Pavilion Project, an appropriate memorizing of the eight human beings of African descent held in bondage at that site.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The the resolution has been adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of the second resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings into the current state of community reinvestment by City depository banks within low-income and minority neighborhoods in the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee.
I believe the AND RES. Councilman is saying because of the subpoena power we would need a vote and he would like us to vote on it. Very well. All of those in favor of the adoption of the resolution will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion is carried and this resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer two bills and four resolutions. One resolution I offer on your behalf. And there's another resolution I'm offering on behalf of myself, Councilman Kenney, and Councilman Nutter. That's the resolution urging the Mayor to suspend the recent reassessments in taxes and it's been cosponsored by the majority members of City Council. AND RES.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Section 19-1301 of the Philadelphia Code entitled real estate taxes by providing that real estate taxes imposed under the section shall be based under the assessed value of real estate and returned by the Board of Revision of Taxes in 2001, thereby freezing such real estate taxes at the level imposed for tax year 2002, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Clerk will please read the title of the second bill.
And an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1800 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "School Tax Authorization" by providing that real taxes imposed by the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia for tax year 2003 and thereafter shall be based upon the assessed value of real estate as certified by the Board of Revision of Taxes in 2001, thereby freezing such AND RES. taxes at the level imposed for tax year 2002.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution urging the Mayor to suspend implementation of the recent property tax reassessments until comprehensive reform of Philadelphia's property taxation system can be fully realized.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. AND RES. The Clerk will please read the second resolution.
A resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold public hearings on the City's Live Stop Program and to investigate its impact on high automobile insurance premiums in the City.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Clerk will please read the third resolution. AND RES.
A resolution supporting the Order of Sons of Italy in America in their efforts to secure the issuance of a commemorative stamp by the United States Post Office in honor of United States Marine Corps Sergeant John Basilone.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of the fourth resolution.
A resolution approving a final plan for the proposed Port Richmond Industrial AND RES. Development Enterprize Neighborhood Improvement District and authorizing and directing the Committee on Rules to take further actions required by the Community and Economic Improvement Act prior to enactment of an ordinance that would formally establish the district.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill. AND RES.
The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance repealing an ordinance, Bill No. 010339, authorizing the vacating of Byberry and Bensalem Road from Southampton Byberry Road to the Philadelphia and Bucks County Line and the vacating of Burling Avenue from the Roosevelt Boulevard to a dead-end.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Section 19-2900 of Title 19 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Senior Citizens Low Income Special Tax Provisions," by expanding the coverage of this chapter to include senior citizens who are eligible to participate in the Commonwealth's assistance AND RES. contract for the elderly needs enhancement tier. And an ordinance granting permission to Atul Amin, owner of the newsstand at the northeast corner of 15th Street and Arch Street to construct, use, and maintain an electrical conduit with an electrical service line and telecommunication conduit with a telephone service line in and under the north footway of Arch Street. And an ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Zoning and Planning," by increasing the permissible height for fences located on the front line of certain properties in residential districts. And an ordinance amending section 9-205 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Sidewalk Sales," by prohibiting sidewalk sales on portions of 18th Street and Callowhill. And an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on 15th Street, both sides, Norris Street to Diamond Street. And an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Corinthian Street, both sides, Fairmont Avenue to Brown Street. And an ordinance establishing a parking AND RES. regulation on Parot Street, south side, 23rd Street to 24th Street. And an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Aspen Street, both sides, 23rd Street to 24th Street. And an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Croskey Street, west side, Brown Street to Aspen Street. And an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Park Avenue, west side, Rising Sun Avenue to Ontario Street. And an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Fairmont Avenue, north side, Corinthian Avenue to 22nd Street. And an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Fairmont Avenue, south side, 21st Street to 22nd Street. And an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Taylor Street, east side, Aspen Street to Brown Street.
Thank you. The 13 bills just read by the Chief Clerk will be assigned to the appropriate committees. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Longstreth. AND RES. Councilwoman Krajewski, do you have the resolution that Councilman Longstreth would like to introduce?
Madam President, I offer one resolution sponsored by myself and Councilman Longstreth and all members of Council.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution recognizing the week of September 22, 2002, as Philadelphia USO Week.
Move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you. The next order of business is reports from committees. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Public Property and Public Works refers one bill out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and members of Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Public Property to which was referred Bill No. 020378 entitled, An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to acquire by condemnation or by purchase in lieu of condemnation the real estate with any improvements situated and located at 8400 and any other real property interest in such parcel, under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Madam President, I move the rules be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 020378. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 020378. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 020378 will be placed on today's First Reading Calendar. Our next order of business is consideration of the calendar. The Clerk will Bill No. 020378.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to acquire by condemnation fee simple title to a parcel of real estate with any improvements thereon located at 8400 Executive Avenue and any other real property interest in such parcel, under certain terms and conditions.
The Chair agrees. The bill read by the Chief Clerk will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage for our next Session of Council. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of calling up bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for consideration today.
Thank you, Madam President. Today Bill No. 000314-AAA, 020183 and 020166 will be amended. All other bills are being held.
Certainly, Madam President. 000314-AAA, 020183, and 020166 are being amended. All other bills are being held.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the Bill No. 000314-AAA.
An ordinance amending Chapter 10-600 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Public Places Prohibited Conduct," by prohibiting smoking in certain public places and in the workplace with certain exceptions and by repealing current provisions set forth in section 10-602 regulating smoking, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I move the adoption of the amendments that were circulated to all members of Council to this bill.
Could the sponsor please explain what the changes are? And does it specifically remove the tax credits from the legislation?
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Councilman Rizzo, for the question. One, you are absolutely correct, these proposed amendments do two things: First, there are some time frames that were placed in the bill sometime ago. Those time frames are now no longer relevant. Those dates have long passed and, quite honestly, I just don't want to have a bill sitting on the Calendar that has irrelevant dates in it. And the second point that you mentioned, the tax credits that are in the bill were amended in amendments that were made last year. Those tax credits -- there were a number of concerns about them, and I'm seeking action today to remove those particular tax credits or proposed tax credits from the bill. All of the amendments are technical in nature and essentially involve deletion of material, in essence returning the bill to its status when it was just 000314-AA.
You're welcome. Councilman, I believe you made a motion for the adoption.
Thank you, Madam President. I move the adoption of the amendments as circulated to all members of Council. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendments be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And Bill No. 000314-AAA has been amended. This bill will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Madam President, I would be recorded as opposing that amendment.
The record will reflect that Councilman Mariano voted no on the amendment. The majority having voted in the affirmative, this bill will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for our next Session of Council. The next bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 020183. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance approving a new plan estimated cost and proposed method of charges of the Manyunk Special Services District for and concerning business improvements and administrative services to the Manyunk Business District of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Madam President. I move the adoption of the amendments to Bill 020183, as circulated to all members of Council. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And Bill No. 020183 will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for our next Session of Council. The next bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 020166.
An ordinance establishing a Neighborhood Improvement District in the area bounded generally by the eastern side of Tulip Street, the northern side of Allegheny Avenue, the western side of Amber Street, and the northern side of Verango Street to be known as the Port Richmond Industrial Development Enterprise Neighborhood Improvement District, all in accordance with the provisions of the Community and Economic Improvement Act and under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
Thank you, Madam President. I wish to offer an amendment to Bill No. 020166. Copies of the amendment have been distributed to all members of City Council, and I would move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And Bill No. 020166 has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Bill No. 020166, as amended, be referred to the Committee on Rules. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 020166 be referred to the Committee on Rules. Those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 020166 has been referred to the Rules Committee. This concludes our Calendar for today. Are there speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Are there speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Thank you, Madam Chair. During the last few months of last term, I spent my time here speaking about the public school system. And it seems that during the interim, the School Reform Commission finally got something right. And we hope that we now can begin the effort of really restructuring the Philadelphia School System to provide the kids of Philadelphia the education that they deserve. By the hiring of Mr. Vallas, I think a Reform Commission has given the citizens of Philadelphia, the parents and the children, a sense of confidence that there's somebody at the helm that has an idea and a vision of what a public school system should be and look like and also someone at the helm that understands that in order to have good public education, you need to have new schools, better books, and all the resources that are necessary. In essence, he said, "We need more money," and he's sending a message both to the Legislature and to the City that things are not going to be done as usual. He also put a leash on the private companies. So I hope and I fully support and I plan to be looking at how much support Mr. Vallas gets from the people up in Harrisburg in the Governor's Office during the last few months of their administration. I welcome Mr. Vallas to Philadelphia, wish him Godspeed. And I really like the talk that he's talking. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I wanted to take this opportunity on the record to congratulate Matt Quigley, who many people chief legislative aid, on his appointment within the Federal Reserve System. Matt has returned home to Boston, is about to get married, and I thank him for his legislative and policy work. I also wanted to welcome Solomon Jones as my new senior legislative aid and public affairs director. Many people know Solomon as a senior writer to Philadelphia Weekly. He's also author of the novel Pipe Dreams, which ironically is about the murder of a Philadelphia Councilman. Thank you very much.
Thank you. Are there any other speeches on the part of majority? (No response.)
There being none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, September 19, 2002, at 10:00 a.m.
The ayes have it. Council will stand adjourned until Thursday, September 19, 2002. Thank you. (Council adjourned at 11:10 a.m.) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of September 12, 2002, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: STATED MEETING ___________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR and Notary Public