COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Thursday, February 4, 1999 10:00 a.m. Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN AUGUSTA A. CLARK COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILMAN FRANK DICICCO COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILMAN W. THACHER LONGSTRETH COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO MARIE HAUSER, Chief Clerk VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 2/4/99 STATED - Greeting/Invocation P R O C E E D I N G S
Good morning. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. The Council will come to order, members will take their seats, visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes Reverend Paul Kennedy. He is the president of Cardinal Dougherty High School. He is here today as a guest of Councilman O'Neill. Members and guests will please rise. (All rise.)
Let us pray. Lord, God almighty, everything that we are comes from you. You know our beginnings and our endings, our strengths and our weaknesses, our needs and our wants, our present, our future, and our past. By your providence, you lead us and help today and every day. We ask your blessing upon these men and women, our law makers and our guides. Guide them as they discern what is best for our city and our time. Inspire them in their decision-making and their deliberations. Protect them and guide them 2/4/99 STATED - Greeting/Invocation in what they say and do in this chamber on behalf of our city and its citizens. And bless them today and always with your love and your protection. Bless their families and those who have entrusted them with this duty and responsibility. Protect them always and allow them to know and feel your love and your providence in all their actions on behalf of the citizens of our great city make. We make this prayer in faith and in trust and in the confidence of your loving care. Amen. ALL: Amen.
The Chair thanks Reverend Kennedy for his inspiring invocation. (Council stands at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the journal the of the meeting of January 26, 1999. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark.
Madame President I move that the journal of January 26, 1999. The 2/4 STATED - 1/26 Journal Approval, Leaves of Abs. Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark.
Madame President, I move that the journal of January 26, 1999 be approved.
It's been properly moved seconded that the journal of the meeting of Tuesday January 26, 1999 stand approved. All in favor will vote aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, the motion carriers, and the journal of Tuesday January 26, 1999 is approved.
The next order of business is leaves of absence. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark.
Madame President, I'm aware of no requests for leaves of absence on the part of the Majority.
The Chair 2/4/99 STATED - Visitor Greeting thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madame President, on behalf of the Republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize guests and visitors joining us in chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session this morning. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to our legislative affairs of our city. We invite you to come again. We will be presenting a resolution for Catholic Schools Week to Monsignor Cribben. However, the children haven't arrived yet, so supposing we continue on with our normal business at this time. 2/4/99 STATED - Communications
The next order of business would be communications. The Chair recognizes the sergeant-at-arms for the purpose of delivering the messages from the Mayor to the chief clerk. The chief clerk will read the messages from the Mayor.
Thank you. February 3, 1999. To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia: I am pleased to advice you that I have today signed Bill Nos. 980705 and 980549. February 3 rd. I am pleased to advise you that I have today signed the following bills which were passed by Council on its session of January 26, 1999: Bill No. 980799-A. And a resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area identified by house number and street address as 1011 West Oxford Street. And an ordinance declaring it is desirable for the health, safety, welfare of the 2/4/99 STATED - Communications people in the area served by Jefferson Health System, Inc. ("The System"), Frankford Health Care System, Inc., ("FHCS"), the Frankford Hospital of Philadelphia ("Frankford Hospital"), and the Delaware Valley Medical Center ("DVMC") for the Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia to participate with The System, FHCS, Frankford Hospital, and DVMC in financing to provide for acquisition by The System of the sole corporate membership interest in FHCS. And an ordinance authorizing the Director of Commerce and the Commissioner of Public Property to purchase for use by the Philadelphia International Airport a certain parcel of property owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through its Department of General Services, located at 8350 Enterprise Avenue Philadelphia, PA, under certain terms and conditions.
The messages 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions will be printed in the journal.
The next order of business is introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark for the purpose of making a motion to suspend rules.
Madame President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit immediate consideration of resolutions.
All in favor of the motion to suspend the rules to permit immediate consideration of resolutions at the time of introduction will vote aye. Those opposed will say nay. The ayes have it, the motion is carried. Councilwoman Clark, do you have any bills or resolutions to be introduced today.
Madame President, 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions today, by request, I have two bills benefitting the 5th District.
Thank you. The chief clerk will please read the title of the bills.
Thank you. An ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance, Bill No. 970348, approved July 1, 1997, an ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of lines and grades on a portion City Plan No. 58 of an area bounded by Poplar Street, 12th Street, Parrish Street, and Watts Street by revising the lines and grades of Ogden Street from Watts Street to 13th Street and by striking from the City Plan and vacating Myrtle Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, deeds for properties situate in the 16th, 20th, 29th, and 32nd Wards of the City of Philadelphia. 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madame President. I have one resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain properties situate in the 6th, 24th, 46th and 51st Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Madame President, I move the adoption of the bill. (Duly seconded.)
All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions The ayes have it, the motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Madame President, I offer one resolution which I request be held for a week for consideration so that all members of the Council can read the report that was recommended by the joint committees on Health and Law & Government this morning.
I thank you. The chief clerk will please read the resolution.
A resolution approving the joint report of the Committees on Law & Government and Health & Human Services on Resolution No. 960617 entitled "Imminent Dangers of Welfare Reform in Philadelphia" and the recommendations contained therein, and sending a copy of said report to Governor Ridge and every member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
This resolution will be held for one week. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski -- Councilman Cohen, have all the members received a copy of your report? 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions
All members of both committees received it prior to this morning's hearing. We will see that all members of the Council receive the report.
Please do, thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Madame President, I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madame President. I offer three resolutions and one bill.
An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to Article 2, Chapter 2, Section 2-201 of the Philadelphia home rule charter entitled "Manner of Introduction, Consideration, and Passage of Ordinances" by requiring a two-thirds 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions majority vote of the members of City Council for the passage of certain bills relating to taxes for the City of Philadelphia for School District purposes, as approved by resolution of the City Council, fixing the date of a special election for such purposes proscribing the form of the ballot question to be voted on and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and make arrangements therefor.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The chief clerk will please read the resolutions.
A resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Licenses and Inspections to hold public hearings on the feasibility of streamlining the application and approval procedure for the issuance of signed permits.
This resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee.
An a resolution proposing amendments to Article 2, Chapter 2, 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions Section 2-201 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter entitled "Manner of Introduction, Consideration and Passage of Ordinances" by requiring a two-thirds majority vote of the Members of City Council for the passage of certain bills relating to taxes for the City and the Philadelphia School District purposes, and providing for the submission of amendments to the electors of the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing the Commission of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds for properties situate in the 30th, 36th, and 40th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Councilman, I think we can cast a vote on that now; it doesn't have to be referred to a committee.
Do I hear a 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions second? (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, the motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madame President. I offer one resolution.
The Chair thanks you. The chief clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain properties situate in the 11th, 12th, 13th, 22th, 43rd, and 59th Wards of the City of Philadelphia. 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions
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 signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, the motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Madame President, I offer one bill and one resolution.
The chief clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors -- I'm sorry. An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to the Educational Supplement of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions relating to the method of selection and term of office of members of the Board of Education, including provisions relating to the educational nominating panel, as approved by resolution of the City Council, fixing the date of a special election for such purpose, proscribing the form of 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. The chief clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution proposing an amendment to the Educational Supplement to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the method of selection and term of office of members of the Board of Education, including provisions relating to the educational nomination panel and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madame President, I have no bills or resolutions this morning.
The Chair thanks the lady. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
Thank you, Madame President. I offer three resolutions and two bills.
The clerk will please read the titles of the two bills.
An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Snyder Avenue, both sides, 12th Street to 13th Street. An ordinance establishing a parking regulation of Fitzwater Street, north side, Sixth Street to Seventh Street, and on Fitzwater Street, south side, Sixth Street to Sheridan Street.
The bills 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions will be referred to the appropriate committees. The chief clerk will please read the resolutions.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds for properties situate in the 2nd and the 31st Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Madame President. I move for the adoption of the resolution.
All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, the motion is carried. The chief clerk will read the second resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions of the City of Philadelphia deeds for properties situate in the 25th Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Madame President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The chief clerk will please read the resolution.
A resolution recognizing March 1999 as "American Red Cross Month."
Thank you, Madame 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
The clerk will please read the title of the bill.
Thank you. An ordinance declaring that it is desirable for the health, safety, and welfare for the people in the area served by Jefferson Health System, Inc. ("The System"), Frankford Health Care System, Inc. ("FHCS"), the Frankford Hospital of Philadelphia ("Frankford Hospital"), and Delaware Valley 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions Medical Center ("DVMC") for the Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia to participate with The System in financing to provide for acquisition by The System of the sole corporate membership interest in FHCS.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
Thank you. The chief clerk will please read the title of the resolutions. Councilwoman Clark, do you want to be recognized? Your light's on.
Madame President, I need to have one of the resolutions which I introduced today voted upon. It's the resolution that deals with redevelopment.
All right. We will recognize you when we're finished with these resolutions. Thank you. The chief clerk will please read the 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions resolutions introduced by Councilman Mariano.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds for properties situate in the 7th, 18th, 19th, 37th, and 43rd Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
I move for the adoption, Madame President. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The chief clerk will please read the second resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds for properties situate in the 19th, 23rd, and 37th wards of the City of Philadelphia.
It's been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman Longstreth.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo. 2/4/99 STATED - Intro. of Bills, Resolutions
Thank you. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Clark.
Madame President, the resolution that I introduced today on behalf of the 5th District needs to be voted on. It is one that deals with a Redevelopment Authority parcel.
The chief clerk will please read the title of that resolution.
Thank you. A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds for properties situate in the 16th, 20th, 29th and 32nd Wards of the City of Philadelphia and the 43rd Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Madame President, 2/4/99 STATED - Presentation I move the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. Thank you.
This morning, we have one presentation designating the week of February 1, 1999 through February 5, 1999 as "Catholic Schools Week." Receiving the presentation are Monsignor Phillip J. Cribben, Father Edward Rauch, and Father Robert G. Mulligan. I invite Councilwoman Krajewski, Councilwoman Clark, Councilman Kenney, and Councilman O'Neill to make this presentation. Will the students please come forward.
I'm just very 2/4/99 STATED - Presentation happy that the bus arrived, fellas. This is a pleasure indeed. This is a resolution designating the week of February 1, 1999 through February 5, 1999 as "Catholic Schools Week" in the City of Philadelphia. Whereas the members of City Council of Philadelphia stand and salute the 100,000 students and teachers throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia who celebrate Catholic Schools Week with a variety of religious, social, and recreational activity under the theme Beyond These Walls, a Tradition of Excellence.
Whereas the first Catholic school in Philadelphia was established in 1782 at St. Marry's parish, laying the foundation for what would become a model school system that was replicated throughout the country. And by 1850, there was a Catholic school in nearly every city parish. And whereas the early schools struggled and survived the anti-Catholic sentiments and even the riots of the 1840s, they expanded and improved under the strong leadership of St. John Neuman and 2/4/99 STATED - Presentation his successors, all advocates of a Catholic school system that has instilled high moral values and established rigorous standards of educational excellence. And. . .
And whereas Catholic schools in Philadelphia have proved themselves to be blueprints for success. Current figures indicate that nearly 85 percent of Catholic school graduates attend college, and another 6 percent attend technical and trade schools. These graduates continue to contribute to the social enrichment, moral stability, and economic security of Philadelphia and the entire region. Graduates of Catholic schools have held every elected office possible in the City of Philadelphia. And. . .
Whereas this year, we especially recognize Father Judge High School for Boys, under the patronage of St. Francis DeSales, who was known for his personal qualities of humanity and gentleness. The priests and brothers who work at Father Judge are known as the oblates of St. Francis DeSales and are dedicated to the continuation to the spirit and teaching of 2/4/99 STATED - Presentation this great saint. As it has throughout history, Father Judge continues to prepare its students for full lives and their families, their careers, their communities, and their churches. Graduates of Father Judge High School continue to enhance the school's reputation as they achieve success in all careers and walks of life. Whereas this outstanding school stresses the dignity and work of the individual, the love of God, educational excellence, physical development, and spiritual and moral valuation. Now therefore. . .
Revolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that we proudly designate the week of February 1, 1999 through February the 5, 1999 as "Catholic Schools Week" in the City of Philadelphia and fitting tribute to the Catholic schools whose high standards of excellence and educated individuals from all economic, social, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. These schools have enhanced and enriched the lives of their students and families for 217 years. Further resolved that an engrossed copy 2/4/99 STATED - Presentation of this resolution be presented to Monsignor Phillip J. Cribben, Secretary of Catholic education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and Reverend Edward R. Rauch, Oblates of St. Francis, President, and Reverend Robert G. Mulligan, Oblates of St. Francis, Principal of Father Judge High School, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. (Applause.)
Monsignor Cribben, would you like to give a few remarks.
I'm deeply honored and delighted to accept this resolution from Council. I accept it on behalf of the staff and the students at Father Judge High School as well as on behalf of the more than 50,000 students who live in the City of Philadelphia who attend our parish. I am pleased to report to you that in recent weeks, some members of our staff joined me in a series of meetings with Superintendent Hornbeck as well as members of the Board of Education to explore ways in which we can work together as two school systems to promote the education of young people of our city. 2/4/99 STATED - Presentation So I thank you for this resolution. (Applause.)
I would also like to introduce "Father Joe," as we call him Campalone.
Thank you, members of Council. I truly appreciate this award for Father Judge. Our students here today participated in many events for the City this year. I also want to thank you for the support which you have given our school this year in our many attempts to help out with the city as far as violence and rallies to help us a make commitment to let our youth know that other people care. So I truly appreciate this award and thank you on behalf of Father Judge High School, the students with me, and our principal. And I want to thank Councilwoman Krajewski for all the support given us. Even though it's an all-boys school, she's always there, and we appreciate all of her help in. All of us thank you, and God bless you. (Applause.).
Council will 2/4/99 STATED - Committee Reports stand at ease.
The next order of business is reports from committees. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter for the purpose of reporting any bills out of the Committee of the Whole.
Madame President, the Committee of the Whole reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee of the Whole Council, to which was referred Bill No. 990001, an ordinance amending the Retirement System Ordinance approved December 3, 1956, as amended, and amending the Municipal Retirement Benefit Plan 1987 Ordinance, which became effective January 8, 1987 as amended, by adding new sections to the, in the case of both ordinances, provide for increases to the benefits of certain uniformed and non-uniformed retirees, beneficiaries, and 2/4/99 STATED - Committee Reports survivors supervisor by providing for certain increases under certain terms and conditions, and making certain related technical amendments, respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Bill No. 990001 will be placed on our first-reading calendar for our next session of Council. Are there any other further reports? (No response.)
I'm sorry, I didn't see you Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Madame President, with the permission of the president, I would like to give an oral report on behalf of the joint committees of Law & Government and Health & Human Services. Because the committee met just before this session and other technical difficulties, the 2/4/99 STATED - Committee Reports clerk's office has not been able to prepare the formal report, but it is the report -- the joint committee adopted a report entitled "The Imminent Dangers of Welfare Reform." The joint committees adopted that report, and I have embodied in a resolution I introduced earlier today the procedure whereby the City Council will be requested at next week's meeting to approve the recommendation of the committee. I want to do correct an earlier statement. The entire report has already been circulated to all members of the Council. I thought before it had only gone to members of the committee. Everyone has it, and we urge everyone to read it, and that makes the briefing on Monday that the president announced even more important because we would like to see the City Administration and the City Council working jointly very closely together because of the severity of the crisis that faces the City beginning in the early part of next month. Thank you, Madame President.
Thank you Councilman. 2/4/99 STATED - Calendar Consideration The next order of business is the consideration of the calendar. The chief clerk will please read the bills on the first-reading calendar.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of calling up the bills on the second-reading and final-passage calendar.
Thank you, Madame President. All bills are being held, with the exception of Bill No. 980716, which will be recommitted, and Bill No. 990002.
The first bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 980716. The clerk will please read the title of the bill.
Bill 980716, an ordinance amending Title 16 of The Philadelphia 2/4/99 STATED - Calendar Consideration Code entitled "Public Property" by prohibiting billboards, commercial signs, or other advertising signs on City property unless Council shall have, by ordinance, authorized such signs, all under certain terms and conditions.
Madame President, this bill was the subject of a great deal of discussion among Councilmembers as well as with the City Administration. As a result of those discussion last year, the Mayor issued an executive order which essentially mirrors the provisions of Bill No. 980716. As a result of that, I would move at this point to recommit this bill to committee. It has served its purpose, it is no longer needed. And I ask this that consideration, Madame President.
It has been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 980716 2/4/99 STATED - Calendar Consideration be recommitted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The chief clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 990002.
Bill No. 990002, an ordinance declaring it desirable for the health, safety, and welfare of the people in the area served by Chestnut Hill College, a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which operates facilities located at 9601 Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia to undertake a project for Chestnut Hill College, and approving the buildings and facilities included in such project.
This bill, having been read on two different days, the question is now, Shall the bill pass finally? The clerk will please call the roll. 2/4/99 STATED - Calendar Consideration
Councilwoman 2/4/99 STATED - Calendar Consideration Miller?
Is Councilman Ortiz voting? Okay, please continue.
Aye. 2/4/99 STATED - Calendar Consideration The ayes are 14, the nays are 0, the bill has passed Council. (Councilman Ortiz returns to chamber.)
I would like to be recorded as voting aye on that bill.
The record will so indicate, thank you. That concludes our calendar consideration.
Are there any speeches on the part of the Minority? (No speeches on the part of the Minority.)
Are there any speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
I would like to speak for a brief period on free lunches. The free lunch we've been lectured to for many, many years by the conservative economic organizations, by every Chamber of Commerce in the 2/4/99 STATED - Speeches country, by most governments which follow Chamber principles in carrying out their governmental duties, that there is in fact no such thing as a free lunch. It was preceded by many years by the lectures on welfare, how dangerous welfare was when given to ordinary people under very strict regulations. But slowly what happened was welfare was transferred from poor people to rich people, and it became known, even by Time Magazine, which had a front page on corporate welfare, the funneling of hundreds of millions of dollars a year to corporations while the relatively small sums were being taken away from poor people who needed welfare, under the guise that welfare for ordinary people was a great danger. Now we're witnessing the transformation of the free lunch theory because yesterday, in the legislature, both political parties and the Governor joined together in this concept that we're somehow going to give away hundreds of millions of dollars for the building of stadiums, and that it's not going to cost of taxpayers a penny. Now that's pretty miraculous, you know, to 2/4/99 STATED - Speeches take governmental dollars. I don't know where come from, but apparently, these are governmental dollars that don't come from taxpayers that going to be spent for stadiums. I don't want what I'm saying today to be interpreted in any way as being a position by me on whether or not, when the subject inevitably comes to City Council, how I will vote. I would just rather discuss the issue today philosophically. What does "a free lunch" mean in connection with stadiums? Well, I always understood that taxes were for the purpose of giving the government the ability to have finances to spend for governmental services, and the governmental services went to everybody, to all -to the corporate sector, to residents in neighborhood. Now, what this free lunch amounts to is something I guess we had pioneered on with the TIFs and the abatements. You take money, you take money that's going to accrue from future taxes, and instead of applying it to the governmental services available to everybody, you reserve those 2/4/99 STATED - Speeches taxes for the specific group that you're going to give this money away to. Now, that would be wonderful. I can just picture every homeowner saying, "I would want to build an extension to my house. It's going to cost me $10,000 to do it. I would like the government to put up that $10,000. " That's what's happening with the stadium. The money is being taken away from general usage by all people and is being dedicated to the private benefit of private corporations so that, instead, as we look around the city 10, 20 or 30 years from now and see these beautiful gleaming stadiums all over the place and we say, "God, the City is really prosperous," it's a false prosperity because the additional taxes are not being made available for the provision of 2/4/99 STATED - Speeches services to all people; the additional taxes are being used -- selfishly, I say on -- behalf of the private venturer. Now, I could easily understand if this private venture were a venture that could only be achieved as a result of governmental assistance. That's the way originally abatements were spelled out. We couldn't have this business, it wouldn't be practical for this venture unless there were governmental assistance. But we've gone a long way now, and it's been kind of little bumpy road but now it seems pretty smooth. Now we give these great corporate grants hundreds of millions of dollars in the stadium to owners of franchises worth hundreds of millions -- maybe billions of dollars because the prices keep escalating almost on a daily basis -- and to players.
Now, I'm a strong advocate, as everybody knows, of labor unions, but it's hard for me to think of labor unions where workers are receiving on average about a million to $2 million a year. It boggles my mind to think of these as working people who really need the protection of unions or they might otherwise be working be working at substandard 2/4/99 STATED - Speeches salaries and under bad working conditions. But I only wanted to raise these thoughts, Madame President, because I can just see the propaganda machines whirling out. This is a free lunch. Somehow, we've discovered the new miracle of the new millennium that's coming upon us how to produce things without any costs to taxpayers. And, as usual, it's a story full not of facts but just of vivid imagination and all kinds of illusionments, which, in time, will turn into disillusionments. Thank you, Madame President.
Thank you, Councilman. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of a motion to adjourn.
Madame Chair, I move that we adjourn until Thursday, February 11th. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, February 11, 1999. All in favor will signify by saying 2/4/99 STATED - Adjournment aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. Council stands adjourned until Thursday, February 11, 1999, at 10 a.m. Thank you. (Adjourned at 10:53 a.m.) 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, February 4, 1999, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of same. RE: STATED MEETING __________________________________, JOSEPHINE CARDILLO, Registered Professional Reporter