COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, September 25, 2008 10:05 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN WILLIAM GREENLEE COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO PATRICIA RAFFERTY, CHIEF CLERK V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Services Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670
Good morning, everyone. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will come to order. Members will take their seats and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. Before invocation -- why is the noise level so high? I would ask everyone to please stand for a moment of silence for Officer Patrick McDonald, and please remain standing for the invocation. (Members and guests all stand.)
May he rest in peace. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Imam Fraid Rasool. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Jones.
In this Ramadan for the Muslims and the benefit for the whole humanity, we are humbled to be in your presence, and we are thankful that almighty God has blessed us all for another day above dirt and we see light and we have a chance to make things all right. I will, on behalf of the Mahishasur and his representation of the 80,000 households of Muslims here in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley, recite for you the prayer in arabic and then give the translation in English, and we pray that almighty God will guide all of us to that which is right and better and beneficial for the whole humanity. (Prayer in arabic.)
We seek refuge with almighty God from the ejected enemy, Shytaan, the accursed. In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful, all praise due to almighty God, the Lord of all the worlds, most gracious, most merciful, the master of the day of judgment. Thee alone do worship and thine aid we seek. Show us the straight way, the way of those on whom thou bestow thy grace, those whose portions is not wrath and who will not astray. Oh, God, we pray that you would bless the Mayor of this city, the President of the Council and all the Councilmembers, and we pray that you would bless all the citizenry of this city. We pray that you will guide them, that you would fortify their hearts with courage and purify their intentions with justice, and we pray that you will engulf them with guidance. And we pray that you will bring a healing upon this City of Philadelphia and that you will make them that they exact their intellect and reasoning in a way that is rational and just and not wrong. We pray that you will remove injustice and replace it with justice, and replace it with literacy. We pray that you will remove homelessness and replace it with shelter, and we pray that you remove poverty and place it with abundance. And we pray that you would join the efforts in the decisions of the people who are gathered in this Chamber that will be on behalf of all those that they serve and represent, that not only will be for the benefit of those whom they serve today, but it will be a justice carried forward for generations to come when we're all in the grave that are here today. And we pray that you will grant those that they will be saved from the ills of the ill behaviors of the past and that they will be granted the betterment of even more good than before, and that you join us all together in the way that we can one day say that we truly have true love in the brotherly and motherly and otherly love that could be spread the whole world to witness for us being the forefront here in the City of Philadelphia to benefit all of humanity. Amen.
The Chair thanks Imam Fraid Rasool for his invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 18, 2008, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 18th stand approved.
It has been moved and properly seconded that meeting of Thursday, September 18, 2008 stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the majority, a leave of absence is requested for Councilmember Green.
Thank you. Leave will be granted. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in Chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our city. We certainly invite you to come again. The Chair at this time recognizes Councilman Rizzo, who will present a resolution recognizing and celebrating September of 2008 as Deaf History and Awareness Month. Will Dr. Larry S. Taub and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. The guests that are here for the presentation can certainly -- they're certainly invited up to the podium. Rizzo is being joined by Councilwoman Miller and Councilwoman Brown.
Good morning, everyone. Recognizing, honoring and celebrating September of 2008 as Deaf History and Awareness Month. Whereas, in 2008, two Philadelphia institutions, the Pennsylvania School for the Death, which is the third largest school of its kind, and the Pennsylvania School of the Deaf Alumni Association, are collectively celebrating 200 years of deaf history;
And whereas, under what Justice Thurgood Marshall proclaimed the constitutional mantra, "Equality Under Law," these two institutions along with a third, Creative Access, have worked together to pioneer for the civil and human rights of deaf citizens; and Whereas, such pronounced inclusion and participation has resulted from the contributions, engagements and overall quality-of-life enhancements that make up the great City of Philadelphia; and
And whereas, by proactively acknowledging the importance of individuals and families, the City's deaf population has meshed into mainstream arts, civic and political life, thus increasing even more the diversity and greatness of our city; and Whereas, deaf citizens of our city have our own American sign language, culture, identity and collective experience which is hereby recognized by City Council; and
Whereas, with Pennsylvania School of the Deaf, Creative Access and Pennsylvania School of the Deaf Alumni Association continuing to provide vital education, information and advocacy to, for and with deaf citizens, two centuries of struggles have of deaf citizens being recognized as bona fide cultural resources of the American population. Now, therefore, resolved, by this Council and the City of Philadelphia, the City Council hereby recognizes, honors and celebrates September 2008 as Deaf History and Awareness Month. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Creative Access as further evidence of the sincere admiration and appreciation of this legislative body. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Dr. Taub for remarks. DR. TAUB (through translator): First of all, I just want to say that today is a wonderful occasion. It gives us a good place to begin our work to increase the awareness of deaf people and deaf history. a minute to thank Councilman Rizzo for making today possible. Thank you, Councilman Rizzo. (Applause.) DR. TAUB (through translator): Actually, it is a pleasure to be here in City Hall during this Council meeting to accept this proclamation on behalf of the entire deaf community, which you see here out in the visitors. One side are the future of the deaf community from our school. (Applause.) DR. TAUB (through translator): I would like to thank the leaders of this great city for taking a minute to recognize us and our work to increase the awareness of deaf rights throughout the city and state of Pennsylvania during this time of year. Really, there are so many things that America has benefited from even though they do not know it or they that the benefits of the ideas and gifts from people who are deaf. There are many wonderful artists, actors, athletes, educators and professionals who are deaf and hard of hearing. I am happy to have the opportunity to educate the people of Philadelphia here through the special activities that are happening during this week, and I am sure that you who have come today, when you leave, you will have more of an understanding of the deaf community and our unique culture. So please join us wherever we have deaf awareness activities. I invite you to do that, where the programs are scheduled. You can learn more about who we are and what we do. Now, I need to let you know something, that Deaf Awareness Day is not a one-time event. It is a continuing thing. So, again, from the deaf community, I want to thank all of you for for recognizing us today. (Applause.)
Thank you, everyone. I appreciate it. We'll take a picture now. Okay? UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Good morning. Thank you. I would like to welcome the students from PSD and good morning, City Council, and I'd like to again also thank Councilman Rizzo for this. I would like to thank about the special contributions. I also -- this is a very special day, because you have sent a valuable message all over the United States, not just to Philadelphia, but all over the United States, especially to parents who are not deaf, who have deaf children and think that their lives may be over or there may be problems. They can see from us that it's okay. It's okay. Deaf children can develop and grow, and this gives hearing people, they can do that, that they can have -- that the parents and the children can be a part of a bigger community, because our community does include parents of deaf children. It's a lot of work to raise a deaf child, but with our help and cooperation, we can help parents to feel good about this and accept the challenges of raising deaf children to become the leaders, the future leaders, of our community. The children who are in our Chambers today are the future governors or leaders in our community. In order for them to be -- it's wonderful to have them exposed to this on a day like today. So I'd like to thank you for this opportunity. ) UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Hi, everyone. Good morning. The children can stand up immediately, because the children are who children, hearing children, stand up, everybody, and show the deaf applause. The deaf applause, everybody. ) UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Beautiful. So does it matter, deaf children or hearing children, black children or white children, Muslim children, Christian children, Jewish children? We know the answer. These are rhetorical questions. But being the hearing mother of deaf children and now two out of four grandchildren who are also deaf, for 40 years I am still learning and understanding that the deaf minority is a true culture. We're not talking about kids, adults, families with hearing loss. We're not talking about hearing loss at all. We have Deaf America, with upper case D. We have Hearing America, with upper case H, under those two umbrellas in every city in the nation, but I want to be proudest of all of my city, where I children, where I have been an invisible mixed family. I want to leave you thinking about things that are never considered because it's an out-of-sight, out-of-mind minority. When you have in my city theatres, women's organizations, Mural Arts events, public radio events, thousands of marvelously informative and forward-looking, cutting-edge people who produce those events, right up to last night's presentation by Mrs. Obama and Biden in West Philadelphia and everything in between, the beautiful thing is that Philadelphia, especially with our new Mayor and our new commissioners, who have created such a whirlwind of excitement for positive thinking in the future, for our futures in spite of what's going on nationally -- we're not going to talk about that right now. We're going to talk about the hope. People think of change and think of choice. " We've been using these words forever, but as a hearing mother of deaf kids, I now have this sad little tic in my mind where I always have to say, Except if you're a deaf woman, except for my kids, except for my grandchildren, except for this school of kids, except for deaf voters. Do you know what I think? I think our presidential candidates are missing an entire American voting block, because for every deaf person in a family, 95 percent of them are surrounded by hearing families. And you know if you're left out, if it's your mom, if it's your kid, if it's your cousin, and the problem is what? The only thing ever wrong with black America was white America.
The only thing ever wrong with women America were men America. The only thing ever wrong with deaf America has been hearing America. And from this day on, in our city, that's going to change for the first time seeing a language and a culture that you never see in City Council. Why? Why? For the same reason that I didn't let my own children near deaf people, near American sign language for the first ten years of their life. Because hearing parents are the only group of our species who have deaf children, and those children cannot and do not get their culture and their language directly from their mommies and daddies. And so they're scared and they're ignorant and they're guilty. And so when the professionals tell them, You know your children really don't have to be deaf, like it's a dirty word, I want you to hear me today. I don't want this to fall on proverbial deaf ears, not today, not in our city. Okay? Deaf is a cultural minority because it's a linguistic minority. That language was not permitted to be used up until 1965. People in the western world group ever to have their language crushed. The first were the French in the French-Indian war. But guess what? That's where Cajan came from, that's where Creole came from. Because communication is everything. If we can't communicate, we will never have a connection. We usually mean that about hearing, but it's not about hearing. So you see these cute little cards we gave everybody who walked in here today? It's not just because they're cute little cards. They're the beginning of everybody in here learning the alphabet. They're the beginning of deaf culture in American sign language, like workshops everywhere in our city at every single level. And I wonder if once you know your ABC's, we maybe have a little hearing issue, but you have a little visual issue. You need to learn this fabulous language even a little bit. So you say good morning. Come on, everybody. Good morning. Let me see And it doesn't mean that. It means good morning. And it's fun. Everybody loves sign language. It's fun. So it's time to embrace our culture, our families. When WHYY -- I love NPR. Who doesn't? We're so addicted to it, right? So when NPR has a community event and says, Come on, everybody, come on and show up on a Thursday night and listen to Dr. Dan, listen to the wonderful interaction about the universal language of grief, I don't want to have to say, Except for my kids, except for my friend who lost a baby, except for my cousin. I want us all to be invited. And, of course, it means money, and the reason it means money is because you don't have to build a ramp every single time you have an event in Philadelphia or America. Those ramps were insured by the ADA 18 years ago, and yet when it comes to communication barriers, they have not been dismantled. to dismantle them. I want to ask you all to help make this not the last day, not the only day, but really the first day of a different kind of change in Philadelphia. We want a choice. We want a choice to go to the theatre and have interpreters there, not just captions. Do you want to go see "Beloved" or "The Producers" or any other Broadway show and read the whole thing? No. You want it in a language that you can enjoy. So we need a choice, captions or interpreters, right? How about American movies? How about American movies? Nothing make me madder in the early days years ago. Nothing make me madder, not educational issues, not social services, not all the things we had to crawl through in life as hearing parents. What made me mad was not being able to go to a darn American movie. Can you even imagine? They say, Well, what do you mean? You can walk into the movies. Yeah, but so. In a
Go watch a movie or television with your ears completely shut off. We need those captions, and not only that, it's a human right. These are human and civil rights. Welcome deaf Philadelphia as you welcome yourselves and your own families. Open our doors in a new way. Use words like "diversity" the way we know it, but add deaf, upper case D. Okay? That's the deal. So you take these little cards. Forget about the address. It's wrong, but the e-mail is right. And you at least learn this. Plus your kids, your grandchildren, any time you're in a plane or a train, the kids are acting up, just give them an ABC card. You won't hear a peep. They love practicing, starting with their own names. Okay? This can be a bilingual, bicultural city in a new way, because we're talking American citizens. So we don't even have to go outside of that, let alone non-Americans. time, time, time. I've been waiting 40 years for this, so they have to wait a minute. I'm going to show you one last thing. You cannot see deaf. Forty years I have a mixed family. No one ever called us that, because you can't see us as mixed. You cannot see deaf. We can understand any other kind of mixture, any color, race, et cetera, but not deaf. Who is deaf? Who knows who is deaf in this room when you look around? You don't know who is hearing, who is deaf. You only know who can use sign language. They could be hearing and deaf. Now look at these kids. Sorry. You have to look at these kids. Four grandchildren. Which one is deaf? Remember in the old days they used to say which one has the Toni? You have to be really old to remember that. Which had the real permanent hair and which had the perm called Toni? Well, which one is deaf? You can't see it. You can't know. Okay. Anything else you want to know, anything you never wanted to know about the deaf world, impact of deafness on the family, we want to be part of all the discussions. Our community wants to see deaf commissioners. We want to see deaf people invited to be part of our city government and our city life. It's time. It's time. Budget for interpreters, because, again, you couldn't do anything in Philadelphia or the nation without a ramp, but you do everything without interpreters. )
Thank you very much. Thank you. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.) UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: I have one ticket left for the Phillies game, which is Deaf Awareness Night at the Phillies, on Saturday at 4:00 p.m., one
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez, who will present a resolution honoring the Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations on the occasion of their 46th annual Puerto Rican Festival and Parade. Will Mr. Roberto Santiago and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Don't worry, Councilwoman Brown. We're like sisters. Thank you and good morning. I opportunity to thank my colleagues who joined me on Monday at the flag raising of the Puerto Rican flag outside City Hall: Councilmen Jones, Green, Greenlee, Blackwell and Clarke, who later joined us for lunch. This is an important month, as all of you know nationally, Hispanic month, and this week in particular being the week of Puerto Rican Week Festival. So with that, honoring the Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations on the occasion of their 46th annual Puerto Rican Festival and Parade. Whereas, the Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations, known as Concilio, was founded by Puerto Rican and Latino leaders in Philadelphia in 1962; Whereas, Concilio is the oldest Puerto Rican/Latino organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia; Whereas, since its inception, Concilio has been guided by a mission to social, educational, health and cultural services are available to everyone; and Whereas, Concilio created and organizes Philadelphia's Puerto Rican Festival and Puerto Rican Day Parade as a celebration of Philadelphia's rich Puerto Rican history and culture; and Whereas, this colorful and dynamic festival promotes unity, economic development and education, while preserving and promoting the culture and heritage of the Puerto Rican people; and Whereas, this festival will be held on September 27th, with the parade occurring on the 28th; and Whereas, the Puerto Rican Day Parade will be covered locally by 6 ABC, WPVI-TV and attended by over 10,000 spectators. Now be it resolved, that the Philadelphia City Council hereby congratulates and honors Concilio, its board, staff and volunteers on the 46th annual Puerto Rican Festival and Parade. We applaud your work on behalf of the community and thank you for creating this important cultural event for the people of Philadelphia. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy will be given to Concilio. And before I allow Roberto to come forward, I invite all of you to join us on Sunday. Thank you, Roberto. (Applause.)
Thank you very much, Madam President, and thank you very much, Honorable Councilwoman Maria Quinones. Thank you to the rest of the Council and thank you, Philadelphia, for taking us in and allowing us to share with you guys the many good things that we bring to the society. Like the said, I ask you to join us this Sunday to observe as we have our 46th annual parade. Just as we dawn the colors of the Irish or the Italian during their celebration, we ask you to do the same. Come and join us. I guarantee you'll have a good time. Thank you and thank you, Philadelphia. (Applause.)
The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Miller, who will present a resolution proclaiming September 25, 2008 as Philabundance Day. Will Mr. William Clarke and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman at the podium. Councilwoman Miller is being joined by Councilwoman Sanchez and Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. It's an honor to honor today with this citation the Philabundance organization. This is an organization that I'm very familiar with over the years. They've always been very helpful whenever we're having a food drive or a special feeding such as Thanksgiving dinners, et cetera. So resolution proclaiming September 25, 2008 as Philabundance Day in the City of Philadelphia. Whereas, the mission of Philabundance is to work to end hunger and malnutrition in the Delaware Valley by acquiring food and distributing it through organizations serving people in need; and Whereas, Philabundance was founded as a non-profit food distribution system in 1984 to reduce food waste and fight hunger in the Delaware Valley; and Whereas, in 2005, Philabundance integrated with the Philadelphia Food Bank to become the region's largest organization; and
Whereas, approximately 27 percent of the food produced in the U.S. goes to waste each year while millions of people go hungry; and Whereas, Philabundance serves low-income residents at risk of hunger and malnutrition, of which 23 percent are children and 16 percent are senior citizens; and Whereas, Philabundance provides food through a network of agencies in the Delaware Valley, such as food cupboards, shelters and residential programs, social service agencies, emergency kitchens and neighborhood distribution programs who reach people in need; and Whereas, Philabundance emphasizes quality food that promote good health in all populations that they serve.
Whereas, the wholesalers, retailers, food brokers, food distributors and the food industry for needed donated product; and Whereas, Philabundance secures food through food drives and donations, but the quality and variety of the donated food will never adequately meet the needs of the community, so that they have to call upon others to help; and Whereas, Philabundance is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations, businesses, foundations and religious civic groups; Whereas, in 2007, Philabundance acquired 23 million pounds of food and distributed 17 million pounds of food in our service area and exported 6 million pounds of surplus food to assist other food banks. Now, therefore, be it
Be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that September 25, 2008 and Day and that we honor Philabundance for their efforts to ensure that hunger and malnutrition is ended by acquiring and distributing food. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to William J. Clarke, the Executive Director of Philabundance, as further evidence of the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body. This is a true and correct copy of the original resolution, adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 18th day of September 2008. Signed by Anna C. Verna, President of City Council, introduced by Donna Reed Miller, Maria D. Quinones-Sanchez and Curtis Jones, Jr. and co-sponsored by all of the members of City Council. (Applause.)
Thank you, Madam President. These are tough economic times. We know that it's tough at the state government level, it's tough at the city government level, and it's tough in every home and household in the City. As our citizens face more and more difficulty putting food on their table, hunger and poverty is present in every district in the City. It is our work to reach out and alleviate some of that suffering. It's a community-wide problem, but it requires a community-wide response. Philabundance partners with organizations, corporations and over 600 non-profit neighborhood-based food distribution agencies, churches, synagogues, mosques all throughout the City in every one of your districts. We appreciate and thank the Council for recognizing our work, and we especially thank you for the support our work in helping the citizens that live among us. The exposure to hunger at the family level is a horrible experience. When parents cannot put food on the table for their children, in a way they're living in a state of terror. They don't know what will happen next and they become quite desperate. The ability to get some food to relieve that suffering at a church or area not only gives them sustenance for their family, but in a way it tells them that they're not alone, that they're part of a broader community, that they live in a community that cares about them and that gives them hope. Again, thank you for your support. We appreciate it. (Applause.)
Thank you, Mr. Clarke. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-At-Arms deliver the messages to the Chief Clerk. The Chief 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 on September 24, 2008, I signed all of the bills that were passed by Council at its session on September 18, 2008.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read any other communications in her possession.
Thank you. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. Please, anyone having private conversation, please do so in the corridor. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing City Council's Legislative Oversight Committee to hold public hearings on implementing department-specific computerized ethics training programs designed to equip all City officials, employees and appointees with the ethics knowledge needed to make better decisions and take appropriate actions.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney for a motion.
I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted and will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I introduce one resolution.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title.
A resolution recognizing the week of October 13, 2008 as Certified Nursing Assistants Week in the City of Philadelphia.
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 indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I offer three resolutions and one resolution on your behalf.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolutions.
A resolution authorizing the Council Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings regarding the health, financial and quality of life issues of veterans.
Thank you, Madam President. I wanted to say, that resolution came at the request of our Veterans Commission headed by Edgar Howard. He is working with the veterans on many of the issues that they face in the City of Philadelphia, particularly the veterans who are returning from Iraq, and certainly we want to talk about -and we're doing this with the state, because LeAnna Washington is also concerned about the services that are provided or not provided to the veterans and she wants to know what the state can do. And certainly from the City's perspective, how do we handle the veterans issues, because we do provide services through the health centers, and talking to Councilwoman Blackwell, it also deals with the issue of homelessness. So I call 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 resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing the Council Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings regarding reverse mortgages.
Thank you, Madam President. We're real nervous about this whole issue of reverse mortgages. I think we're heading down the path to another calamity, and in a few years you're going to find that many senior citizens are homeless because of predatory action around the reverse mortgage issue. So we want to get ahead on this issue and see what we can do to protect our citizens. So I call for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution honoring the Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones Diversity Tour and declaring October 8, 2008 as Cullen Jones Day in the City of Philadelphia.
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.)
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 36th Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
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 resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I offer one resolution.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 11th and 59th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
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 resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill and a corresponding resolution with it.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance terminating the Frankford Special Services District, a neighborhood improvement district, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution initiating action requesting the termination of the Frankford Special Services District, a neighborhood improvement district, and authorizing and directing the Committee on Rules and the Clerk of Council to take all actions required by the Community and Economic Improvement Act prior to enactment of an ordinance that would formally terminate the District.
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 resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I offer two resolutions, one co-sponsored by Councilwoman Blackwell, and I'd like to speak on one of the resolutions.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution honoring, recognizing and congratulating the Philadelphia neighborhoods of Manayunk and Overbrook Farms for being selected by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission as "Classic Towns of Greater Philadelphia."
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.)
And a resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Public Health and Human Services and Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless to hold joint hearings on how the Aging in Place model could strengthen Philadelphia neighborhoods by providing supports and services to seniors in their own homes.
Thank you, Madam President. It is truly fortuitous that Councilwoman Tasco introduced her resolution earlier. I think this is a companion resolution, which calls for this Council to look into the fact that out of the 2.4 million senior citizens that reside in Pennsylvania, a quarter of them are over the age of 85. They're moving more towards wanting independent living because they are more healthy, they are more mobile, they're more active. And we need to batch services that complement them not leaving their homes and moving into senior assisted facilities, but allowing them to live out in dignity in their own homes that they know and love, and I urge the adoption of this 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 resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
It's all good. Thank you, Madam President. I offer three resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution recognizing September 27, 2008 as Green Jobs Now: A national day of action to build a new economy in Philadelphia.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution recognizing October as Philly Plays Scrabble Month.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution honoring Operation Warm on the occasion of celebrating their 10th anniversary and distribution of 500,000 new winter coats.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (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 resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," by prohibiting the operation of motorcycle or motor-driven cycle with certain types of aftermarket mufflers, and by prohibiting businesses and other persons from installing such prohibited types of aftermarket mufflers, and providing for fines and penalties.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," to provide for a homestead exemption with respect to City real property tax, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Section 14-305 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "C-4 Commercial and C-5," in the area bounded by 15th Street, Arch Street, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Cherry Street and 16th Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 120 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Cleveland Street from Girard Avenue to Stiles Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution, which is co-sponsored by Councilmen Greenlee, DiCicco and Green.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title.
A resolution thanking the members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly who supported House Bill 2525 which will dramatically improve conditions for dogs kept in Pennsylvania commercial kennels and urging the Pennsylvania State Senate to promptly pass this bill in its current form.
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 resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
The Chair thanks the Councilman. Kenney for a report from the Committee on Rules. Is Councilman Kenney in the room? Councilman Kenney, we'd like a report from the Committee on Rules, please.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Rules reports one bill out with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Rules, to which was referred Bill No. 080376, entitled "An ordinance establishing a neighborhood improvement district in an area that generally includes Cheltenham Avenue with boundaries on Wadsworth Avenue on the west, Broad Street on the east, Ogontz Avenue with boundaries of north and 67th Avenue on the south and Wadsworth Avenue with boundaries on Cheltenham Avenue on the northeast and Michener Avenue on the southwest, to be known as the Greater Cheltenham Avenue Business Improvement District," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
I move the rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 080376. (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 the bill just reported from committee. 9/25/08 - STATED - 1ST READING All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bill just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the bill on the First Reading Calendar.
Bill No. 080376, an ordinance establishing a neighborhood improvement district in an area that generally includes Cheltenham Avenue, to be known as the Greater Cheltenham Avenue Business Improvement District, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. The Chair agrees. And the Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up bills on the Second Calendar.
Madam President, there are no bills today on final passage.
Thank you very much. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, currently our city faces vast challenges with respect to the homicide rate, violent crimes, police officers being murdered, government efficiency, taxes, budget, deficits, et cetera. The people of Philadelphia through their vote have entrusted us to work on addressing these challenges, and I am proud to say that each day my staff and I pursue sustainable solutions. In regard to these challenges, commend our new Police Commissioner, Charles Ramsey, for hitting the ground running with respect to his plan to combat crime and make Philadelphia a safer city. Additionally, I believe that our Mayor, Michael Nutter, has accomplished commendable feats in his first nine months of office and we're on the right path to making Philadelphia achieve its full potential. I have and will continue to work tirelessly, along with my colleagues, in addressing the many challenges that face our great city each day. That being said, it's no secret that over the years I have been a vocal advocate for the protection and humane treatment of animals in our city. Today I want to speak to my colleagues in this legislative body and the citizens of Philadelphia on this topic. " I want to reiterate many of the fine points Mr. Bykofsky so eloquently expressed. I will start with the facts. On December 5, 2008, the City of Philadelphia granted the Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Agency, better known as PACCA, a one-year renewal on the City's animal care and control contract. On September 17, 2008, the City reneged on this agreement with PACCA and posted an RFP seeking a contractor to handle animal control starting in January 2009. The RFP only speaks to animal control and does not mention "care of or adoption of animals" in its description. The RFP specifically talks about the need for a contractor to capture, hold, euthanize and dispose of animals. In short, this is a catch and kill policy. As many of you might remember, in 2004, I called for hearings in City Council to investigate a series of articles in the Philadelphia Daily News Animal Care and Control Agency, PACCA, as a house of horrors. At the time, nearly nine out of ten animals that entered the shelter were killed, making Philadelphia one of the most inhumane cities in the nation, with one of the highest kill rates. As a result of those hearings, Philadelphia changed course and PACCA hired a new Chief Executive to overhaul the agency. In 2007, PACCA reached a tremendous milestone of saving approximately 60 percent of the number of animals that entered its facilities. While nowhere near the goals set by the agency to save all healthy and treatable animals, this progress, more than a 500 percent increase in life-saving against a backdrop of limited funding and scarce resources, is truly laudable. Established as an agency solely to collect unwanted pets and strays, this organization has rejected the notion many animals and not enough homes. Instead, PACCA has championed its commitment to the nearly 30,000 animals entering its doors annually, the majority of whom have never seen a veterinarian, by giving a chance to all animals regardless of age, breed or beauty. PACCA fights this daily uphill battle with inadequate funding and a less than sufficient physical plant for one simple reason: Because the animals entering its doors deserve a chance. That being said, with the crucial language missing from the RFP, which is "care of and adoption of animals" in the RFP's description, PACCA is unlikely to bid on this contract, nor will any agency who truly cares about animals. How could they? In my opinion, Madam President, this is a travesty. Our city is moving backwards instead of forward with respect to animal rights.
At this time, I am with Mayor Nutter and his Administration to take an active role in fixing this unacceptable situation. First, I am requesting that the Administration reconsider and honor PACCA's original one-year renewal on their contract which the City of Philadelphia reneged on. And, secondly, I ask when an RFP is posted to handle animal control, it's mentioned "care of and adoption of animals" in its description. If we are to make Philadelphia achieve its full potential and be the best in the nation, we cannot move backwards on this issue and have innocent, healthy animals needlessly euthanized instead of adopted. Even the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Governor Rendell see the need to protect animals, as we can see with House Bill 2525, which I introduced a resolution to support today, and I thank all of the legislators for signing it and showing their support. my colleagues and Philadelphians to make their voices heard and support me on this issue. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. On the first Monday in January, I took an oath in office for the third time. I swore to support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter and to discharge the duties of my office with fidelity. I have never betrayed that oath. I never have and I never will. I swore to support, obey and defend the United States Constitution, beginning with the First Amendment regarding freedom of speech and of the oath, and I will always defend the freedom of speech and of the press. In my mind, the purpose of the First Amendment is freedom of religion and the ability to exercise your beliefs. The purpose is not to impose your beliefs on others, but to feel free to express your beliefs as your own. The press has a right to tell any story that it wants, and I defend that right. The story can be inaccurate, but I will defend the right for it to be told. The story can be misleading on purpose, and I will defend the right for it to be told. The story can even be simple petty politics, and I will defend the right for it to be told. I will defend that right regardless of who is telling the story and why. Does it make a difference who is telling the story and why? Yes. But who is telling the story and why doesn't take away the right for the story to be told. Even if there are more sides to story, I support the freedom of the press. I could look over all the press gathered here each week and freely state that there is not enough diversity there. We can look at it for ourselves. But I still defend their freedom of expression. The press has covered my legislative efforts to promote diversity, and I believe the quality of the work is based on their skill and professionalism or lack thereof, not necessarily who they are. Does it make a difference who is telling the story? Yes. But who is telling the story and why still doesn't take away from their right for the story to be told. If the press wants to do a story on time sheet accuracy in my office, so be it. And if the next day the same press chooses not to cover my legislative work related to workforce diversity and community-based economic development, so be it. a variety of ways. Events can occur like last week and it gets covered by the press. A press release can be developed and it gets covered by the press. Or a news tip can be made and the press can decide whether to cover it. The tipster obviously has an agenda and the press has a story. But if the tip is related to time sheet accuracy, shouldn't that be the story? It's not for me to judge. That's not what I do. What I do, I'm a third-term legislator focused on expanding economic opportunity for the disadvantaged. I have a staff that aids me in that mission, two of whom were with me on my first days in the year 2000. In my latest policy publication titled "Good Work," I talk about my first staff meeting in 2000 when I laid out my legislative mission. The time sheet tipster doesn't care about my mission. For the last week, it appears the press mission either. But I care about my mission. I believe in the freedom of the press, even with its lack of diversity. Many black elected officials will never admit it, but the lack of diversity in the press is a major issue for us. In fact, many don't feel that freedom of speech applies equally to them. I will never back away from the press, in part because I need the press to promote my agenda, but, more importantly, I take my freedom of speech very seriously. I have a right to be a serious legislator with a lofty agenda and a sound legislative track record and to boldly speak my mind, and if you ask me about time sheet accuracy in my office, I will tell you the problem is resolved.
If you ask me whether someone has the right to publicly accuse another person of something without knowing that it's definitely true, even when it's done to me, I will defend it as a an oath in office. I will not betray it. But I also will not allow anyone else to judge me or impose their values on me or tell me what to do in my office. I will continue to do what I've done for the almost nine years, only better. Thank you.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. Just briefly, I just wanted to join Councilman Kelly in his concern about the animal control contract that he spoke about. It's something I've looked into, and I've expressed the same concerns to the Administration. PACCA has a contract through June 30th of next year. It's not been explained to me why that contract doesn't be honored. PACCA certainly hasn't been perfect. They are the first to admit that, but they certainly, in my opinion, have made terrific improvements in the care of animals, and as Councilman Kelly said, "care" should be one of the -maybe the most concerning efforts here. In reading the RFP, I also share Councilman Kelly's concern that the euthanizing of animals will significantly increase. I don't believe that's what the public wants. I've certainly heard from many people, and as an unabashed animal lover, particularly as a dog lover, I thank Councilman Kelly for his leadership, and I hope people pay attention to what I think is a very important subject. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. I just want to remind my Council colleagues and their various offices that my office, Room 312, is a drop-off. We have a drop-off box there for the Philabundance canned food drive. And it actually is supposed to end on Tuesday, but we do have an extension until next Friday. So I want to thank those who have dropped off canned goods and contributed, and I just want to remind those folks that haven't, please bring us some canned goods. In particular, they're looking for things like canned beef stew, canned chili, canned pasta, beef ravioli, fruit cocktail, vegetable juices and tuna fish. But we do have posters and signs up in each elevator and on the bulletin board near the elevator. We're sure that City Council can fill a box or two of canned items so that we can donate that over to the
Thank you. Are there any other speeches on the part of the majority? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 16th, 10:00 a.m., 2008. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 16th at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Thank you. 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 September 25, 2008, 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.)