COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Thursday, 9/6/01 10:26 a.m. Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, PA PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE L. BLACKWELL COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN FRANK J. DICICCO COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN W. THACHER LONGSTRETH COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO PATRICIA RAFFERTY, Deputy Chief Clerk VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 9 6/01 STATED - GREETING/INVOCATION
Good morning. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Councilmembers will come to order, members will take their seats, and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails To give our invocation this -- somebody take the Councilman a glass of water, please. Please note that this is a special session today and it has been called for the purpose of introducing bills and resolutions. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes Mother Divine, who is here today as my guess. Members and guests will please stand. MOTHER DIVINE: Let us all bow our heads in submission to God's will, His power, dominion, and authority. Almighty God, omnipotent, omnicient, and omnilucent creator and Divine Father of all that is and is to be eternally, we thank you for the conscious awareness that you are present everywhere and aware that you are present here today, this very moment, present with us and within each one of us. We are consciously aware that You are concerned about the welfare of the citizens of Philadelphia 9 6/01 STATED - GREETING/INVOCATION and that You deal and have a part in all our affairs. By Your grace and according to Your infinite divine plan and purpose, You brought forth Philadelphia, William Penn's green country town. We are the inheritors of his holy experiment, where Your children of all nations, all social backgrounds, all religious persuasions could live together in a peaceful, progressive society, and by law, arbitration, and the enactment of the Golden Rule govern ourselves by Your moral law that governs all of Your creation and keeps us as well as all the planets, the moons, and the stars in harmony. And not by the selfish whims of man. Philadelphia, the birthplace of the kingdom of God on earth, Philadelphia, blessed by You to have wise and understanding men and women, dedicated and free from avarice and self-seeking plans and purposes, with pure and God-minded motives to govern Your people, men and women who are responsible and capable of fulfilling the honor of the task. We humbly and with all sincerity ask You this day, this moment, to overshadow and embrace each member of Philadelphia's governing body. 9/6/01 STATED - GREETING/INVOCATION Enfold each representative of each district that this Council, responsible for the general welfare of the people of Philadelphia and its future generations, be worthy of their calling. We humbly ask You to rule and reign on their minds. Let them move in your spirit as they execute every deed and action of government. Let them be pleasing in your sight, regardless of what man may want. Let righteousness prevail, the righteousness of their authority in fulfillment of the divine destiny of this, Philadelphia, the international country seat of the world, the manifested reality of the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God, where prosperity, peace, happiness, love, abundance is the experience of everyone. We know You have heard our prayer as we let the name, the nature of Jesus Christ be in us. Amen.
The Chair thanks Mother Divine for her inspiring invocation. (Council stands at ease.)
The next order JOURNAL APPROVAL/LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUEST of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 14, 2001. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 14, 2001 stand approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 14, 2001 stand approved All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 14, 2001 has been approved.
The next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. There are no requests for leaves of absence on the -- I'm sorry, Madam President, I forgot; the brain is not functioning well this morning. JOUR AL APPROVAL/LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUEST This morning, we ask for a leave of absence for Councilman Goode.
Thank you. Leave will be granted The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, on behalf of the Republicans, there are no requests for leaves of absence
The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize guests and visitors joining in us chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session today. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affair of our city. We certainly invite you to come again.
As there are no presentations today, we will proceed with the next order of business, communications. The Chair requests that the VISITOR RECOGNITION/COMMUNICATIONS Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the mayor to the clerk. The clerk will please read the messages from the mayor
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia: I am pleased to advise you that I have signed all of the bills that were passed by Council at its session on June 7, 2001 And I am pleased also to advise you that I have signed all of the bills that were passed by Council at its session on June 14, 2001, except Bill No.'s 000708, 000709, 010418, and 010419. And, Madam President, I am returning herewith as disapproved Bill No.'s 000708, 000709, 010418, and 010419. These bills were passed by Council at its session on June 14, 2001.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The clerk will read any other communications in her possession.
Thank you. And I believe all Councilmembers have a VISITOR RECOGNITION/COMMUNICATIONS letter, a copy of the letter from the Mayor on their desks regarding the veto. (Copy of Mayor's letter regarding veto attached hereto.)
Please note that this is a special meeting of Council and it has been called for the purpose of introducing bills and resolutions. Under paragraph 1(2) of the rules of Council, in the case of a special meeting, only the subjects specified in the call of the meeting shall be considered, to the exclusion of all other matters, unless Council shall vote for two thirds of all of the members re thereto. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a motion.
Madam President, I move that the Council agree to consider at this meeting the passage of all resolutions introduced today. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Council agree to consider at this meeting the passage of all resolutions introduced today. This motion requires VISITOR RECOGNITION/COMMUNICATIONS a two thirds vote. The clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16, the nays are 0. Two thirds of all members having voted in the affirmative, the motion carries.
The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit consideration of resolutions at their time of introduction. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit immediate INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS consideration of resolutions at the time of introduction. All in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney
I have no bills or resolutions today, Madam President.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. This morning, I introduce two bills on your behalf.
The clerk will please read the title of the bills.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Section 14-511, entitled "Industrial District Rules and Exceptions," by permitting certain uses in G-2 industrial districts located generally within the area known as "The INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS Philadelphia Auto Mall," bounded by 63rd Street, Passyunk Avenue, Essington Avenue, Bartram Avenue, Island Avenue, and Lindbergh Boulevard, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee
And an ordinance amending Chapter 2500 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Councilmatic Districts" by revising the boundaries of the Councilmatic districts, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee And the Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Thank you The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
Madam President, I INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS have one resolution cosponsored by yourself and Councilman DiCicco.
The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
The clerk will INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Murdoch Street between Pickering Avenue and Cheltenham Avenue.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution cosponsored by Councilman Ortiz.
The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Education to hold public hearings to investigate whether Edison Schools Inc. or other privatization efforts can solve the financial and educational crisis facing the Philadelphia public schools and to propose viable recommendations to the City and State administration that will advance or mandate that we provide quality public education while exploring policies to address the School District's structural deficit and future resource needs.
The Chair INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution has been adopted. (Applause.)
Good morning, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions this morning.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz. Councilman Ortiz? I TRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
The clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending the Philadelphia Code by adding a new Section 14-905, entitled "Wall Wrap Displays," by amending Section 9-602, entitled "Outdoor Advertising" and by making comforting changes all to permit and regulate the installation and maintenance of wall wrap displays, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee And the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill. Councilman O'Neill, do you have any -
Thank you The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS President. I have one bill.
The clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Section 25-01 of the Philadelphia Code relating to boundaries of Councilmatic districts by revising the boundaries of Councilmatic districts, under certain terms and conditions
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee And the Chair recognizes Councilman Longstreth.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the City Council Committee of Parks Recreation and Cultural Affairs to hold hearings on the Nexturf procurement of Veterans Stadium as to whether the INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS procurement of a new playing surface was needed, whether the procurement process by which the decision was made was appropriate, and whether the NexTurf problems have been adequately addressed, as well as reviewing and evaluating the City's sole-source bidding process and policy
Madam President, I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter
Thank you, Madam President. Sorry I wasn't ready earlier. I offer one resolution and two bills. I TRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
The clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of lands located within an area generally bounded by Parkside Avenue, 50th Street, a railroad row, and 51st. Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to the educational supplement to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter which would establish a process which would authorize the privatization of the administration, operation, and the management of the School District, as approved by resolution of the City Council, fixing a date of a special election for such purpose proscribed in the form of a ballot question to be voted on, and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice, and to make arrangements for the special election.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. I TRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
And a resolution proposing an amendment to the educational supplement to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter which would establish a process which would authorize the privatization of the administration, operation, and management of the School District, and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia
This resolution will also be referred to the appropriate committee. This concludes the business of today's session.
Are there speeches on the part of the minority? (No speeches on the part of the minority.)
Are there speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. This morning, we passed out our newest newsletter. Every time we take a break, we try to SPEECHES give you something colorful when you come back. This is our new copy of Jannie's News. And as you see on , we're talking about our counterpart, a gentleman, the Honorable Richard Changola, who is from Tanzania in East Africa. We had a lot of talk because they're involved, intricately involved in education, where their classes may go as high as 120 children per class -- how would we like that issue to deal with? But at any rate, he is a councillor there, he is our counterpart from Tanzania, and he's here with us this morning. And I hope, Madam President, that you may greet Mr. Richard Changola from Tanzania who's here.
Oh, I'm sorry. We're still on speeches. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen. SPEECHES
Thank you, Madam President. To all the people in the audience who came here today in response to a communication I sent out earlier referring to certain bills that were on the second-reading calendar, I want to thank you for being here today and invite you to be back next week. At the time my letter was sent out, there had been no agreement that this was going to be a special meeting and that no matters on the second-reading and passage calendar would be coming up. And, therefore, I sent that message to you and we're not able to reach everybody, and we want to thank you for being here and invite you back next week. Thank you very much, Madam President.
Are there any other speeches on the part of the majority? (No further speeches.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco. ADJOURNMENT
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, September 13th at 10 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the meeting stand adjourned until Thursday, September 13th at 10 a.m. All in favor will say aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and Council will stand adjourned until Thursday, September 13 at 10 a.m. Thank you. (Adjourned 10:50 a.m.) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of Thursday, September 6, 2001, are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. RE: STATED MEETING _______________________________, Josephine Cardillo Registered Professional Reporter and Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)