Bill No. 051028-A, an ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by adopting a new Chapter 14-400, entitled "Commercial Entertainment District," under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I have circulated an amendment that is supported by Councilwoman Miller and I, and I've had conversation with Councilman DiCicco about this. This amendment, for all of the two pages, what it boils down to is, there is a provision in this bill that allows for or requires a 45-day time clock on this Council after submission of a plan of development for any of the gaming facilities. Just my primary concern is with the plan coming over, we 2/16/06 - STATED - 2ND READING have 45 days to take action, and at least for myself, I would be very concerned about imposing that kind of time deadline with regard to any potential application coming into the Fourth District. And so this amendment removes that requirement solely for the Fourth Councilmanic District. As I indicated, the site is in the Fourth District. Councilwoman Miller's district is literally across the street and has many constituents who live around the site in the Eighth Councilmanic District. So we will certainly deliberate appropriately and in a timely fashion, but I do not wish to be subject to the 45-day time limitation. So my request is to have this amendment approved, and then subsequently I assume Councilman DiCicco will call the bill up at the next session.
All right. Would you move for the -2/16/06 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilman Clarke, did you want to be recognized, sir?
Yes, Madam President. Madam President, I just want to ask the Councilman to clarify one issue. Is the only portion of the bill being amended to reflect only the 45-day time limit, but all other parameters of the bill would take effect if in fact the Trump site were to come into play?
Yes. It's just the 45-day with regard to Council's requirement to take some action, whether it's approval, disapproval or tabling. All of the other provisions of the bill stay in place. There are other time frames for departmental actions. Those are not affected by this.
Thank you. Councilman Nutter, would you make a motion for the adoption, please.
Yes, Madam President. I move the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the amendment be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the amendment has been adopted. That concludes our Calendar for today. Are there any speeches on the part of the Minority? (No response.)
Are there any speeches of the part of the Majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. On the front page of the Sunday Tribune February 12th, we find an article titled "People's Emergency Center: Help or Hustle." The article focuses on whether the neighborhood surrounding People's Emergency Center is benefiting nearly as much as PEC, its community development corporation or the organization's hierarchy. I took particular interest in the Tribune article because it appeared two days after a letter to the editor from People's Emergency Center was printed in the Philadelphia Inquirer. The letter from the People's Emergency Center took exception to the claim that performed well in its minority banking practices. The letter noted $3 million that People's Emergency Center received from Wachovia, but offered no statistics on lending to neighborhood residents, but, of course, I have the numbers. In a study commissioned by this Council, the National Community Reinvestment Coalition examined nine neighborhoods, including the People's Emergency Center service area. NCRC found that of the 14,519 home purchase loans made in Philadelphia, only 16 were made in the PEC service area and only one home mortgage from Wachovia. Of the 32,638 home refinance loans made in Philadelphia, only 86 were made in the PEC service area and only one home refinance loan from Wachovia. Of the 5,511 home improvement loans made in Philadelphia, only 11 were made in the PEC service area and zero came from Wachovia. In fact, of the 52,668 total home loans made in Philadelphia, Wachovia only made two home loans to the PEC service area, one home mortgage, one home refinance and zero home improvement loans. PEC should focus a bit more on neighborhood lending rather than just its own organizational interest. In the end, PEC's letter to the editor didn't help. It was just hustle. Thank you.
Thank you. Are there any other speeches on the part of the Majority? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion.
Madam President, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, February 23, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, February 23rd at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Thank you very much. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on February 16, 2006, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)