Aye. The ayes are 16, the nays are zero. A majority of all members of Council having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. This brings us to an end of our consideration of the calendar. Are there any speeches on the part of the members of the majority? Are there any speeches on the mart of members of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Mr. President. I am sorry. I hit the light late, it was a little difficult hearing you. I would just like to take this opportunity to speak as to the reason why I held SPEECHES Bill No. 970829. About two, three weeks ago there were hearings in the Finance Committee concerning this bill. And at the time there was some serious consideration as to whether or not we would have enough votes to move the bill out of committee, based primarily on some information that I had received and some of my colleagues, that the minority community in Philadelphia for a long time has felt that they have been cut out of the process, basically, by this Administration when it comes to development of hotels. I am not suggesting that that in fact was the case, but we were at least willing to discuss the issue. At my recommendation, the Finance Committee agreed to move the bill out of committee with a favorable recommendation. But at such time I had agreed to at least begin to bring the parties together who felt as though they were being somewhat discriminated against when it comes to the hotel development in Philadelphia. It was reported in today's paper much SPEECHES of the information that I was about to prepare to speak to you about this morning. I guess you can read it if you pick up the paper. But there were a number of issues that we dealt with at a meeting two weeks ago. My colleague Councilman Nutter and Councilwoman Tasco attended that meeting, along with Dr. Chapelle and a group of people from her team that are looking to develop a hotel or hotels in Philadelphia. I am pleased to report that as a result of that meeting, the dialogue is continuing. There were meetings that are scheduled next week with the Redevelopment Authority and a major land owner and developer in the City of Philadelphia, with Dr. Chapelle and her team. And that that there is another hotel developer who will be in the next week or two meeting with Dr. Chapelle to discuss a possible co-development of a hotel. I held up on the bill just one more week to allow those meetings to take place next week, at which time I will get some feedback as to what the results of those meetings will be. Next week I intend to move on that bill. SPEECHES But I wanted to let everyone know that I appreciate the Finance Committee, under the chairmanship of Councilwoman Verna, for allowing that bill to move through. We have lived up to our end of the bargain, and I believe that PIDC, Redevelopment Authority, Commerce Department, are sincere in their efforts and will do everything they possibly can to make this become a reality. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Mr. President, at an earlier time, in accordance with your agreement at the beginning of the budget sessions that any agency would be called back for further discussion if a Council member wished, I made a request for the officers of the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation to appear before Council. I would hope that that matter is in the process of being determined.
Councilman, I can MOTION TO ADJOURN investigate it. I cannot tell you the answer to that question without consulting those people who are responsible for arranging those call-backs. But we can certainly be sure to have them at an appropriate time. And you and I can discuss precisely when you want them.
Thank you. Are there any other speeches? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Verna.
Mr. President, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March the 26th, 1998, at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
All in favor let it be known by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. This Council stands adjourned until Thursday, March 26, 1998, at 10 o'clock a.m. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 11:40 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 Thursday, March 19, 1998, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of same. RE: STATED MEETING _____________________________________ DEBRA A. WHITEHEAD, RPR