COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, December 15, 2011 10:20 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO, JR. COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER,
As soon as we have some quietness, we can get started. Thank you. 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. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes a very dear friend of mine, Reverend John Zagarella of St. Gabriel's Parish. At this time, I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
Good morning, Council President and Councilmembers. This is an historic day here at City Council. We have so much to be grateful for and thankful for, especially during the holy season of Advent when we thank God for all the many us every day. As we come together this morning, our hearts are especially filled with gratitude for well more than 100 years of service from Jack Kelly, Frank Rizzo, Frank DiCicco, Anna Verna, Joan Krajewski and Donna Reed Miller. We give thanks and praise to God for their faithful service over these many, many years. We pray for all those who are preparing to join City Council and take new posts in the coming year. As we acknowledge our hearts full of gratitude, we take a few moments now to put ourselves in the Lord's presence. God, our Heavenly Father, in this season of Advent, when we await your coming in a whole new way on Christmas day, we give you thanks and praise. We ask your blessing on Anna Verna, Jack Kelly, Frank Rizzo, Frank DiCicco, Joan Krajewski and Donna Reed Miller as they retire from their years of faithful ask your blessing on this City Council on all of its proceedings, that we all may be guided by your holy spirit, and we ask your blessing, Lord. Father, son and holy spirit. Amen. (Amen.)
The Chair thanks Father for that beautiful 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, December 8th, 2011. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, December the 8th, 2011 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, December 8th, 2011 stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
All those in favor will indicate by saying aye. I feel like I'm up here by myself. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leave of absence today.
Madam President, on behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. 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. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, who will present a resolution honoring and congratulating The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on its Tenth and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. I see that Councilwoman Brown is being joined by Councilman Kenney and Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. Today we salute one of our crown cultural jewels on South Broad Street in your councilmanic district, and it's my hope that many of us have been to this crown jewel either to see opera or Broadway or pop or jazz or dance. It's a wonderful, wonderful pleasure to honor and congratulate The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on its Tenth Anniversary. Whereas, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts opened its doors on December 16th, 2001 as the beacon of the Avenue of the Arts and home for live performing arts to crowds in the thousands; and Whereas, The Kimmel Center for home to eight resident companies, including The Philadelphia Orchestra; Peter Nero and The Philly Pops; the Opera Company of Philadelphia; Pennsylvania Ballet; and, of course, Philadanco; the Chamber Music Company of Philadelphia; the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society; and the American Theatre Arts for Youth; and Whereas, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts has launched two successful Broadway series: Kimmel Center Presents and Broadway, which broaden and diversify program offerings to attract, captivate and serve a wide range of audiences; and
Whereas, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts provides free education programing to thousands of school children each year through Dance in the Schools, Bop and Swing, Kimmel Center's Creative Music Program, Teen Summer Arts Camps, Multicultural and Performance Arts classes; and Whereas, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts' education programs have served over 80,000 children since 2001; and Whereas, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts provided 206 free performances in Fiscal Year 2011 totalling 412 hours of free programming for citizens in the region to enjoy;
And whereas, nearly 1.4 million people attended performances and events at the Kimmel Center campus in Fiscal Year 2011; and Whereas, Anne Ewers, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, envisioned, secured funding for and carried out the wondrously successful Philadelphia Festival of the Arts (PIFA), a collaborative 25-day festival of cultural and performance activities which featured 1,500 artists and culminated in South Broad Street which attracted 195,000 people; and Whereas, PIFA had a total economic impact of $55.74 million on the Philadelphia region and produced 2.10 million in tax revenue for the City of Philadelphia; now therefore
Now therefore be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby honor, celebrate and lift up The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on its Tenth Anniversary as home for our city's live performing arts in Greater Philadelphia. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Anne Ewers, the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and to her strong team, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. This resolution was introduced myself, Blondell Reynolds Brown, and of course sponsored -- co-sponsored by all members of the Philadelphia City Council. Let's celebrate the Kimmel. (Applause.)
Thank you and good morning. I am absolutely honored to be here this morning. We are so grateful to Congresswoman -
Sorry; City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown for your tireless, passionate love of the arts, and your support is extraordinary. And I do believe that it was your efforts, along with of course others, who helped us in the most recent issue of Travel & Leisure to list Philadelphia as the number one city for the arts. So thank you. (Applause.)
And a thank you to City Council President Anna Verna. Thank you. Your support for the Kimmel Center, your passion, your guidance, your leadership has helped us to develop and grow. We greatly appreciate you. Thank you. The Kimmel Center is the home to eight resident companies, and we offer a panoply of opportunities so that there truly is something for everyone in the City of Philadelphia. We're thrilled with the results of PIFA, and I am delighted to tell you that PIFA will return in 2013. We also -- and I'm thrilled to be surrounded by our extraordinary team. A lot of hard work, a lot of effort, a lot of love goes into what we do, and all of us look forward to seeing you on January 28th for the performance of Jerry Blavat. We are providing a pair of tickets to each of you so that you can join us. Again, we are humbled and honored to be here today, and we love what we do. Thank you. (Applause.)
The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell, who will present a resolution recognizing and honoring the Original Richard Allen Committee. Would Frank Williams and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman at the podium. I understand Bruce Crawley is here. I see that Councilwoman is being joined by Councilman Clarke.
Many of you know many of the individuals who stand behind me. These are people with whom I was born and grew up in the old days when it was called -- when they were "projects" in Richard Allen Homes. So it gives me great pleasure to be here to present this citation -- this resolution. We've asked Councilman Clarke, in whose district it technically is -- it's where my heart is -- to join me in making this presentation. And certainly we will ask when remarks are made that each and every member be introduced. Is that okay, gentlemen? Resolution recognizing and honoring the Original Richard Allen Committee for its dedication to improving the quality of life for at-risk Philadelphians, including feeding the hungry, clothing families through clothing drives and mentoring our youth. Whereas, the Richard Allen -the Reverend Richard Allen, for whom The Richard Allen Homes in Philadelphia is named, and who also founded the Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, embodied a core principle and philosophy of self-help; Whereas, the Original Richard Allen Committee was established in the summer of 1990 by Richard Allen Homes residents for reasons of nostalgia, socialization and friendship; and Whereas, the Original Richard Allen Committee was also created as a response to prevailing negative, social and economic trends impacting minority and other at-risk Philadelphians; and Whereas, the Original Richard Allen Committee is a broad-based non-profit educational and fundraising organization dedicated to the promotion of positive works and projects that will ultimately benefit not only neighbors but our communities and society as a whole; and Whereas, the Original Richard Allen Committee was established to help alleviate hunger and other economic strains of the community, including the establishment of a scholarship fund and selection process to identify qualified students in need; and Whereas, the Original Richard Allen Committee has focused its energies on the teachings of the, quote/unquote, "Keepers of the Dream." These teachings prioritize support for at-risk youth, residents experiencing economic hardship, residents requiring critical and preventive healthcare and the continued bonding achieved through an annual picnic which provides a forum for honoring former and current residents; and
Whereas, the Original Richard Allen Committee has been successful in providing cultural experiences for youth, scholarships for students who have excelled in spite of adversities, and symposiums on topics including non-violent dispute resolution, just to name a few. Its culturally based events have included field trips to Mother Bethel A.M.E. and the Afro-American Museum of Philadelphia. to students from William Penn and Benjamin Franklin High Schools to assist students with the cost of higher education; and Whereas, many members of the ORAC attended Spring Garden Elementary and ORAC has adopted Spring Garden School, where members have participated in the school's Career Day, mentoring programs, providing field trips; and Whereas, several ORAC members and former residents have reached celebrity status, including this lady here, including boxers George "Champ" Benton and the late James "Black Gold" Schuler; Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell; Senator Shirley Kitchen; public relations professional and former banker, A. Bruce Crawley; the late Eugene "Bird" Daugherty of the Intruders; Executive Director of Philadelphia Anti-Drug Violence Network, James Mill; Attorney Ronald White; and educator, entertainer and philanthropist, Dr. William Cosby, Jr.; and Whereas, ORAC forges ahead tirelessly in its efforts to uplift humanity through its many initiatives in Richard Allen and the surrounding communities; therefore be it
Resolved, that the Philadelphia City Council recognizes and honors the Original Richard Allen Committee for its dedication to improving the quality of life for at-risk Philadelphians, including feeding the hungry, clothing the family through clothing drives and mentoring youth. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented as a sincere expression of this Council's appreciation and love for all that they do. You will note as they are introduced that they are all leaders in our city and beyond. These are my friends. These are people with whom I can count on any time. And this by Darrell Clarke and myself, but agreed to by the President and all members of City Council. Thank you guys for everything. (Applause.)
First of all, the Original Richard Allen Committee would like to thank Councilwoman Blackwell by acknowledging our unselfish effort to give back to our community for the last 20-plus years. During that time, it has been said the things that we have done. It wasn't always an easy road. We didn't always agree on things. We didn't always have the same political views, religious views, but one view we had was that we wanted to give back to the community. hear things in the news like people from the projects, kids from the projects don't have any work ethics, do not want to work hard. We've been working hard -- excuse me; not working hard. We've been working steady for the last 20-plus years to give back to the neighborhood, and we going to continue to do for the next, if God is willing, the next 20 years. Thank you. (Applause.)
I'd like to add my appreciation to Councilwoman Blackwell and to Councilman Clarke. With this recognition and on behalf of the entire Council, you have recognized Richard Allen as one of the premiere neighborhoods, as one of the most important neighborhoods in the City of Philadelphia. And Philadelphia is a city of great neighborhoods and has always been a city of great neighborhoods, but oftentimes when we talked about housing projects, people didn't extend the recognition at that level. And so this is very important to not just this group of people who are here today, but to all of the people who are a part of the extended family of Richard Allen, going all the way back to 1941, who have been disrespected in many ways because simply they were low income and they lived in public housing. Public housing has done a great thing in this city. It has provided homes for a lot of people over the years, and we are part of the product of that. We are focused on our community. We love our community. And I would want to say that we're so narrowly focused that when I first heard that there was a person named Richard Allen who was a great bishop in the A.M.E. Church, I wondered why his parents named him after the projects. We had no concept, we had no idea why somebody would name their kid after Richard Allen our focus. We've been together. We stayed together, and part of the reason is the construction of the project cause us to be in-facing. When you came out your house in the morning with 1,300 housing units, there were four rows of homes, and when you walked out in your house in the morning, you were facing about 400 kids. So there were 400 kids in your initial block, and every adjacent block was a part of your community. So we were very tight. We were tight in a way that people don't normally get to experience in other neighborhoods, and that has continued. We do this because we wanted to support the community. We do this because we didn't want to forget the people who have passed, and we come together every year, and we appreciate the City Council recognizing us. I can't add anything more to what President Frank Williams has said.
Good morning. My name is Billy Brown. I'm in charge of all the public relations for our organization. Again, I just wanted to mention just the other thing that we're like -we're more than brothers here. We love each other. We fuss and stuff like that, but that's all right. You know, we get the job done, and that's what I wanted -so I want to introduce the guys that get the job done now. To my right -- Bruce just talked about the person that was named after Richard Allen. I want to introduce Richard Allen right here. (Applause.)
Also to my right I want to introduce Muhammad Adeel, our Treasurer. (Applause.)
Our Vice-President, Albert Ricketts. We also -- his nickname is Frenchie. Some of y'all might know (Applause.)
Our Secretary to his left, we call him "Blood," Thomas Vessels. You can see the connection. (Applause.)
Bruce Crawley, everybody, the famous Bruce Crawley. (Applause.)
Thank y'all very much. Thank you, Jannie and Darrell. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
I would ask my colleagues to remain in front of the bottom podium so that we can take a group photo, the Class of 2011. (Pause.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-At-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor 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, pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission regarding the following bills: Bill Nos. 110762, 110763, 110831, 110835-A, 110839, 110842, 110844, 110845, 110847 and 110875; and I am pleased to advise you that on December 14, 2011, I signed the passed by Council at its session on December 8, 2011: Bill Nos. 110787, 110788, 110789 and 110832; and I am pleased to advise you that on December 12 and December 14, 2011, I signed the remaining bills that were passed by Council at its session on December 1, 2011, except Bill No. 110662, which I am returning without my signature, and Bill No. 110563, which I am returning as disapproved.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The Chief Clerk will please read any other communications in his possession.
Thank you. Since this is our last Council session, I would just like the Councilmembers who have bills or resolutions to indicate that by just raising their hands so that we could recognize you. Okay. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I offer six resolutions, which I request a suspension of the rules.
A resolution honoring and thanking Councilman Frank DiCicco.
I move for the adoption of the -- I move that the rules of Council be suspended so that we can read this at the end of the day. (Duly seconded.)
And a resolution honoring and thanking Councilman Jack Kelly.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so we can have a reading -- a vote on this resolution at the end of the day's session. (Duly seconded.)
All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution honoring and thanking Councilwoman Joan L. Krajewski.
I move that the rules of Council be suspended so we can hear this resolution at the end of the day's Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution honoring and thanking Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller.
Madam President, I move for the suspension of the rules so that this resolution can be heard at the end of the day's Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
And a resolution honoring and thanking Councilman Frank Rizzo.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so that we can hear this resolution at the end of the day's Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
And a resolution honoring and thanking Council President Anna C. Verna.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so that we can hear this resolution at the end of the day's Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Councilman Clarke, I believe you wanted to introduce something.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bills.
An ordinance amending Chapter 16-400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled ("Vacant and Surplus Properties"), to establish Development Districts wherein City-owned real estate may be transferred to the Redevelopment Authority of Philadelphia for further transfer, at a discount, for economic development purposes.
Thank you. I assume these bills will be sent to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," and Title 16 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Property," to provide for a comprehensive plan for the placement of advertising on municipal property, and to further authorize contracts and concessions for the placement and management of advertisements on municipal property, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. Is there anyone else who would like to introduce bills or resolutions? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title.
A resolution amending Resolution No. 110453, approving the Annual Program Statement and Budget for the expenditure of the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative Bond Proceeds for Fiscal Year 2012.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to allow us to consider this resolution as part of today's Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of the resolution at today's Council session. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. There are no reports from committees. Therefore, the next order of business will be the consideration of the Calendar. There are no bills on the First Reading Calendar today. Therefore, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up the bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar reading.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar: Resolution Nos. 110899, 110900, 110901, 110902, 110903, 110904, 110905, 110906, 110907, 110908, 110909, 110910, 110911, 110852, 110853, 110854 and 110855. 2ND READING
It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the resolutions just read by Councilwoman Tasco. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and we will consider the Resolution Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, 2ND READING Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar: Bill Nos. 110672, 110844, 110793, 110842, 110877, 110831, 110848 and 110875.
The Councilwoman has made a motion. Do I hear a second? (Duly seconded.)
Madam President, I move that we will remove 110672. That is being held.
Thank you. The Councilwoman made a motion. Do I hear a second? (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit 2ND READING the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the bills just read by Councilwoman Tasco. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and we will consider the Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up the bills and resolutions on the regular Calendar for all bills and resolutions.
Thank you, Madam President. In addition to the bills being considered on the Consent Agendas, the following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 110836-A, 110763-A, 110835-A, 110876-A, 100011-A, 110307, 110764, 110761, 110762, 110827, 110845, 110798, 110826, 110847, 110716, 110839, 110841, 110784 and 110829. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you. Before considering the bills and resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already done so, will you please give the Sergeant-At-Arms to my left your name so that you could be recognized. You will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. You will have three minutes, three minutes to speak. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.
I would ask our first speaker to please approach the microphone, Robert Archie. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Madam President. We're here -- my name is Robert Archie. I'm a partner in the law firm of Duane Morris, LLP and I'm here as counsel to New Life Affordable Housing, LP. I am here with Harold Thomas, the President and General Partner of New Life Affordable Housing, LP, and in my testimony will refer to as New Life. The testimony being offered is in support of Bill No. 110761, as amended, and this bill will amend the Philadelphia Zoning Map by changing the zoning designation of certain areas of land known and numbered as 1925 to 31 West Venango Street thru to Pacific Street located within an area bounded by Broad Street, Lehigh Avenue and 24th Street. This bill has been amended to narrow that scope. And the purpose of my testimony, which I will also hand up, is basically to indicate that this is seven properties which are currently low-income housing, which is designated by Zoning Map as C-2. The purpose of this ordinance is to amend and to change that zoning to R-9, which permits residential housing in that area. C-2 does not permit residential housing unless it has a commercial function. Our purpose is to say to rezone that back to an R-9A and to make it permissible for the seven families which are currently there to reside in low-income housing. That's the purpose of my testimony. Thank you very much.
Good morning, City Council and guests. I'm here to just say that the community development agreement has not yet been signed for the property at 8200 Germantown Avenue. I'm a near neighbor. I abut the property. Issues of noise, truck delivery, trash have not yet been addressed, I understand. And also the draft has not been seen by the near neighbors, of which I am one. Weavers Way did not gather the signatures for the petition that you've been presented. The near neighbors did. I've also been told, as per the developer's plans, that the height of the building on Germantown Avenue is over 60 feet. Now, I want to say that we are not against mixed development. Our argument is with the size, scale and density, not the idea of the project, and it never has been a problem as far as mixed development goes. Thank you.
Please approach the microphone. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Madam President and members of this distinguished body. I'm here on behalf of Bill 110761 only as a messenger. I was contacted by Ms. Verna Tyner from Tioga United. She is unfortunately in Washington, DC attending a conference. She asked that I submit this document for the record. She also informed me that she contacted Councilwoman Miller and told her I would be here as a messenger and to tell this body that Tioga United, the community group concerned with this Bill 110761, as the distinguished counsel, Mr. Archie, testified to, they are in negotiation with Mr. Archie by way of their attorney. The reason being that they have a community benefit agreement that is to be attached to the bill. They're working that out. Councilwoman Miller through her leadership made that happen. So they just wanted that noted for the record. I would like to move on to some of the other bills I'm here for, which are Bill No. 110826, which is referred to as the trades bill, sponsored by Councilman Kenney. I testified at the hearing in the Rules Committee. I'm supporting this bill because as an African American male in this city, the trades, we have friends that are in the unions. Myself, I'm a union member. I'm with the Carpenters Union, but we have organizations that actually embrace African Americans. That being Local 332. We all are familiar with Sam Staten, the Staten family, both Senior and Junior. They're very well friends of ours, good friends of ours. And we also have friends in Local 98 with John Dougherty. And I would like to point out for the record, with the exception being Local 332, that the Electrical Union is the only union that has hired an African American male to represent them in these issues before this Council, and that was done through the use of Tommie St. Hill. And I think that's significant, because most African Americans in this city, they look at this whole union issue. We have been down here for years fighting about inclusion. And the simple fact is that we can't allow bills just to come forth to this Council for the union and we don't do anything for African American males. I'm here particularly to speak about them, because that's who I'm concerned about. And historically we look at the record, we're not reflected in those unions. Imagine having an army -because it's really a small army out here. Imagine having an army with no black generals, no black officers, nobody but the minor list of people. So we're here to change that. And I am sure, as Councilman Kenney pointed out during the hearing, that it's not the time -- it wasn't the time for that during that bill, and it reminded me of Dr. Martin Luther King when he sat in jail in Birmingham and the priest sent him a letter and said, Well, now is not the time. But I am assured that with the leadership that we have in Councilman Goode that we can change this, because as Malcolm X pointed out, this whole stuff about exclusion of African Americans is due to the fact that there's a masterful plan in place and it's going to take a masterful person to put that out. I'm sure with Councilman Goode, Councilman Jones, Councilman Clarke, African American men will get their day in these unions, as we rightfully deserve. In closing, I want to say I'm here on Bill 110847. Once again, it was the Rules Committee that stood up for the people, Councilman Kenney and Councilman Goode. They had the courage to stop that bill from passing out of Council because it didn't adhere to the rules that this Council established in terms of inclusion. So I congratulate Councilman Kenney. I congratulate Councilman Goode for having the courage to make a decision. And in closing, Council President, I would like to say to you good-bye. I would like to say to all the members that's retiring good-bye. You deserve your retirement.
But you, Council President, you know you have a place in my heart, because in all the years that you've stood there that I've been coming down here for six years, you've always had class, dignity and respect. You've always remembered where you came from. You remembered the people that you serve, and you gave a little person like me an opportunity to speak. I thank you. And enjoy your time.
Jane Piotrowski, commenting on Bill Nos. 110762, 110763-A and 110764. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Madam Chair. My name is Jane Piotrowski. I am the President of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, and I also live next door to the proposal, the project. On Monday, we met with the Community Association Board and they supported the Land Use Planning Committee and the DRC in this project unanimously at 22 to nothing. In regards to the CDA, in the coming week, the CHCA and Bowman Properties will execute a community development agreement addressing CHCA's concerns. In the meantime, Bowman and CHCA have finalized a term sheet for the community development agreement. With these assurances given to us by Bowman, CHCA is excited about this important proposal, and that will hopefully begin the revitalization of Chestnut Hill's business district. Thank you.
Apostolos Vardakis, commenting on 110762, 110763-A and 110764. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Madam President, Councilmembers and guests. My name is Tolos Vardakis. I am a past President of the Chestnut Hill Community Association and I'm here to speak for myself, not for the Association, by the way. I have served my community as a volunteer on the Board and various committees since 1999. The size of the proposed development of 8200 Germantown Avenue is something new to Chestnut Hill, and it was bound to generate strong opinions. And why not? Since we have a reputation to hold strong opinions even on smaller projects. We have guidelines for what is generally acceptable in Chestnut Hill, but there is verbiage for flexibility in those guidelines for projects such as this. One subcommittee, two other committees of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, the Board of the Chestnut Hill Business Association all approved this project and, finally, the Directors of Chestnut Hill Community Association unanimously 22 to 0 approved this project after six months of negotiations. As you know, the Chestnut Hill Community Association decides at public meetings on the merits of the project and sends its recommendations to the City Planning Commission. The Chestnut Hill Community Association is bound to please some and displease others, which is inherent with decision-making. The arguments of the opponents I heard so far are the size is massive, it is too tall and it is different. I do not have to remind the honorable members of the City Council the arguments when the Liberty One was proposed. We all lobbied for quite some time now and appreciate the revitalization it brought to our business district as well as to our city in general. Remember how the glass pyramid, the new entrance to the Louvre in Paris caused apoplexy to the Parisians. It does not conform to anything we have and it is very different. Yes, it was, and still is. While the design was unique and artistic, today I'm happy to say that they love their pyramid. Once the arguments of the opponents of the 8200 Germantown Avenue project failed to deliver the desirable results, they began to question the processes of the Chestnut Hill Community Association. Here is a new one I heard on Tuesday at the City Planning Commission. One of the opponents said that the Chestnut Hill Community Association does not really represent Chestnut Hill because there was a low voter turnout at the last Board election, as if to say that when we have a low voter turnout during the elections, in our city, you, the Councilmembers, do not really represent the citizens of Philadelphia. This project is good for Chestnut Hill and for the City in terms of business stimulation. As far as the ultimate character of this project, the developer has a stellar reputation, as already attested by both opponents and proponents of this project, and we trust that the outcome will be such that we will love it, too. I would like to make one final comment that in my opinion and part of the overwhelming majority of the residents of Chestnut Hill who favor this project, I strongly support this project and I respectfully urge you to approve it. I thank the honorable members of the City Council for allowing me to speak.
Colin Johnson, commenting on 110826. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Councilmen, staff, audience. My name is Colin Johnson Jamal, electrical contractors. I'm a licensed electrician and a licensed plumber. I'm in the construction industry. I'm African American and I've been in the construction industry for the last 20 years. I'm not anti Bill 110826, but I'm pro bills or pro ordinance that will promote, proliferate and include African American males in the construction industry, particularly construction being an industry for men, particularly young men in the City, which has a big budget in construction. But the present PLAs the City have with the trade unions is kind of unfriendly to the African American male in terms of inclusion, because you got the specialty trades, which are made up of predominantly white males. And I'm not anti union, but I am pro African American inclusion into the unions, particularly the specialty trades, electricians, plumbers, steamfitters, HVACs. When you have a group of - when a private institution that are made up of particularly one group of people, particularly white males, they are going to make decisions that's reflective of their white male colleagues, but what happens is when you have this one group make a decision that's going to benefit the one group, us being African Americans are pretty much left out because we're not in that executive staff of the trade unions, particularly specialty trades, plumbers, electricians, steamfitters. So this is why you have predominantly white male membership in these unions. But when they're the main benefactors of public works jobs, that's where we have our problem at, because we want to be some of the benefactors of the public works jobs, too. But what happens is with the unions having a predominantly white male membership in their executive staff, they make decisions that are advantageous to them, but when it comes to us, we're not in the specialty trades on a substantial basis because we're not being represented. So what we'd like to see is, we'd like to see that membership change, particularly on the public works sector of the contracts, because they're the main benefactors of the public work contracts. So we'd like to see more of us involved in the public works projects, and we want to see that change in participation levels. So I'm not here as an anti 110826 bill. I just would like to see more bills pertaining to the inclusion of African Americans on the construction site in Philadelphia.
Is there anyone else here who has signed up to provide public comment on today's agenda? (No response.)
Seeing no one, that concludes today's public comment period. We will now consider today's Resolution Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the resolution on the Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the resolution will be immediately removed from the Resolution Consent Agenda and placed on today's regular Final Passage Calendar. The Clerk will now read the title of the resolutions on the Consent Agenda.
Resolution No. 110899, entitled "A resolution also naming the eight-hundred block of Street, 'Dr. Jimmie Ellis Way'"; and Resolution No. 110900, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the West Oak Lane Redevelopment Area, identified by house number and street address as 1802 Seventy-Third Avenue and 7271 Pittville Avenue"; and Resolution No. 110901, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 706 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 1236 through 40 North Randolph Street"; and Resolution No. 110902, entitled "A resolution authorizing the 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 City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Seventh, Nineteenth and Thirty-Seventh Wards of the City of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 110903, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 702 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 2234 through 36 Palethorp Street"; and Resolution No. 110904, entitled "A resolution approving the Second Amended and Restated Parking Garage Development Agreement and Lease of the Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Market Street East Urban Renewal Area, located generally on the east and west sides of Eleventh Street from Arch Street to Filbert Street, but excluding certain air rights"; and Resolution No. 110905, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 112 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 2007 Sepviva Street"; and Resolution No. 110906, entitled "A resolution amending Resolution No. 110453, approving the Annual Program Statement and Budget for the expenditure of the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative Bond Proceeds for Fiscal Year 2012"; and 110907, entitled "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 City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Thirty-Ninth Ward of the City of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 110908, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 98 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 1218 East Oxford Street"; and Resolution No. 110909, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of
CONSENT AGENDA the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the West Fairhill/East Tioga/Hunting Park Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 56 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 3738 North Tenth Street"; and Resolution No. 110910, entitled "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 City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Sixteenth, Thirty-Second and Forty-Ninth Wards of the City of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 110911, entitled "A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Sixteenth Ward of the City of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 110852, entitled "A resolution appointing John Smithson to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion"; and Resolution No. 110853, entitled "A resolution reappointing Bernie Prazenica to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion"; and Resolution No. 110854, entitled "A resolution reappointing Matthew Schure to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion"; and Resolution No. 110855, entitled "A resolution appointing Jeffrey B. the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion to adopt each of the resolutions.
Thank you, Madam President. I move the adoption of each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The it, and each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda has been adopted. We will now consider today's Bill Consent Agenda. I will ask the Clerk to please read the title of the bills on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the bill on the Consent Agenda. Upon such time as an objection is made and without debate, the bill will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on the regular Final Passage Calendar. At this time, I would ask the Clerk to please read the title of the bills on the Consent Agenda.
Bill No. 110844, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, Subcode 'A,' The Philadelphia Administrative Code, to make certain technical amendments, to further provide for penalties, and to current schedule of fees relating to zoning matters from the Zoning Code to the Administrative Code and to revise such schedule"; and Bill No. 110793, entitled "An ordinance approving the tenth amendment to the redevelopment proposal for the Haddington Urban Renewal Area, Unit No. 2 and Unit No. 3, being the area beginning at the northwest corner of Parrish and Fifty-Second Street, including the sixth amendment to the urban renewal plan and the third amendment to the relocation plan, which provides, inter alia, for the additional land acquisition of one property for commercial and residential uses"; and Bill No. 110842, entitled "An ordinance repealing an ordinance (Bill No. 110083), entitled 'An ordinance amending Section 14-1607 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Special District Controls for the Center City Commercial Area,' and Section 14-1605 of Code, entitled 'Regulated Uses,' and Section 14-305 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'C-4 and C-5 Commercial Districts,' by adding to all Sections special provisions relating to the area bounded by Chestnut Hill, 12th Street, 13th Street, and Sansom Street"; and Bill No. 110877, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012 within the General Fund relating to the Council"; and Bill No. 110831, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to accept title to all that lot or certain piece of ground with the buildings and improvements, if any, thereon erected located at 4810 North 7th Street"; and Bill No. 110848, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 16-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled ('Sales, Leases, and Other Grants of City-Owned Facilities') to require that notice of the pending transfer of City-owned lands and lands owned by certain quasi-public agencies be posted on such lands prior to their transfer"; and Bill No. 110875, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to acquire fee simple title, or a lesser interest in real estate, in parcels of land along the Delaware River and the Kensington & Tacony Trail, for the purpose of incorporating the acquired land into the Kensington & Tacony Trail for public recreation use, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. These bills having been read on two different days, the question for each bill now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll, and upon being called, shall vote aye on each of the bills, nay on each of the bills or indicate those bills for which the member is voting aye and those bills for which the member is voting nay. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye on all bills. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative for each 2ND READING of the bills, the bills on the Consent Agenda are passed. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the regular Council Reading and Final Passage Calendar. The Clerk will please read -- I believe we don't have any resolutions, do we? No. I would ask the Chief Clerk then to please read the title of Bill No. 110836-A.
An ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Employees Retirement Code," to expand the scope of 'Plan '10' and 'DC Plan' to cover additional employees pursuant to an arbitration decision.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill 2ND READING passes. We will now consider Bill No. 110763-A.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Section 14-1613, entitled "Germantown Avenue Special District Controls," by providing certain exceptions and controls for eligible mixed use projects.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 110835-A.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by 2ND READING further providing with respect to conditional zoning approvals.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. We will now consider Bill No. 110876-A.
An ordinance authorizing the Director of Commerce and the Director of Finance to enter into a multi-year agreement or agreements with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, and other parties as necessary concerning the parking garage project constructed as part of the overall Market Street East Gallery II Redevelopment Project.
This 2ND READING bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. We will now consider Bill No. 100011-A.
An ordinance amending Chapter 6-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Lead Paint Disclosure," to require a certification that a property is lead free or lead safe before it may be rented to a tenant; amending Chapter PM-102.0, entitled "Licensing," to require landlord certification of compliance with certain provisions of Chapter 6-800 as a condition of receipt of a housing inspection license.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill 2ND READING pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are one. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. (Applause.)
An ordinance establishing a neighborhood improvement district in an area that generally includes, with the exception of those properties having frontage on North Broad Street, the area bounded by the northeast corner of Broad and Vine Streets, the southeast corner of Broad and Spring Garden Streets, the southwest corner of 8th and Spring Garden Streets, the northwest corner of 8th and Vine Streets and the northeast corner of Broad and Vine Streets and certain blocks of intersecting streets, within such area, to be known as the Callowhill Reading Viaduct Neighborhood Improvement 2ND READING District.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 110764.
An ordinance establishing a one-way regulation on Hartwell Lane, from Germantown Avenue to Shawnee Street, eastbound.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please 2ND READING read the title of Bill No. 110761.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land known and numbered as 1925 through 33 West Venango Street thru to Pacific Street.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Excuse me, Councilman. Councilwoman Miller, did you want to go first?
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I just want to state for the record and in Mr. Ali's comments during public comments that there is a community benefits agreement that I would say is probably about 90, 95 percent completed. I actually thought it would be completed by today, but I think they were -- they did not know that today was -- the community didn't know that today was our last session of Council. There was some confusion. But I just want to state for the record that both parties have met. In fact, they met in my office a couple weeks ago, and they're continuing to meet. I believe that what has not been completed isn't total agreement on a few items such as language, but this is an important part. The completion of the community benefits agreement is an 2ND READING important part of this whole process. So I just wanted to make that statement for the record. Thank you. And its completion is key.
Thank you, Madam President. I just learned during public testimony that my firm represents an interested party in this bill, and to avoid the appearance of impropriety, even though I don't believe it's technically required, I will abstain on this vote.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 15 and Councilman Green is abstaining. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. We will now consider Bill No. 110762.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by 2ND READING changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Germantown Avenue, Hartwell Lane, Shawnee Street, and Southampton Avenue.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 110827.
An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," by further providing with respect to valet parking permit fees; and by authorizing the establishment of hotel loading zones.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill 2ND READING pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I had to step out of the room briefly. I just wanted to be recorded as voting aye on the three bills that I missed.
An ordinance repealing Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," and replacing it with a new Title 14 of The 2ND READING Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning"; and making conforming changes to the Zoning Maps of the City.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. (Applause.)
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 110798.
An ordinance approving the fortieth amendment to the redevelopment proposal for the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, being the area beginning at the northwest corner of Front Street and Spring Garden Street, including the thirty-second amendment to the urban renewal plan and the twenty-eighth amendment to the relocation 2ND READING plan, which provides, inter alia, for the additional land acquisition of approximately 49 properties for residential, institutional and related uses.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 110826.
An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," by amending Section 9-1004, entitled "Contractors," by requiring that certain information be reported to the Department of Licenses and Inspections for certain construction projects and providing for the posting of 2ND READING certain information at the construction site.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 110847.
An ordinance to amend the Institutional Development District Master Plan of the Aria Health System - Torresdale Campus (formerly Frankford Hospital), located at 10800 Knights Road, by allowing for the construction -
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please 2ND READING call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are 2ND READING zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. We will now consider Bill No. 110716.
An ordinance amending Chapter 20-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Standards of Conduct and Ethics," to include Life Partners among the family members listed therein for purposes of application of various ethical rules.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. We will now consider Bill No. 110839.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public 2ND READING Property to acquire certain land located generally along the east bank of the Schuylkill River between Sears Street and South 34th Street.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. We will now consider Bill No. 110841.
An ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Employees Retirement Code," by further providing conditions under which an employee or any designated beneficiary may be disqualified from receiving any retirement or other benefit or payment.
This bill having been read on two different 2ND READING days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 110784.
An ordinance repealing Chapter 21-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Community Development," and replacing it with a new Chapter 21-1100 that restates and revises the policy of the City of Philadelphia regarding its Community Development Block Grant Program; expands the scope of the Chapter to incorporate related housing and community development programs; requires the preparation of an annual Consolidated Plan for the City that covers, not only Community Development Block Grant funds that the City receives under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, but 2ND READING also all other funds from other sources that the City receives for housing and community development activities and programs.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. We will now consider Bill No. 110829.
An ordinance amending Subcode "A" (The Philadelphia Administrative Code) of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code by providing for the manner of payment of building permit fees when a solar electric or photovoltaic system is installed.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill 2ND READING pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution introduced today by Councilwoman Sanchez.
A resolution amending Resolution No. 110453, approving the Annual Program Statement and Budget for the expenditure of the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative Bond Proceeds for Fiscal Year 2012.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. I believe Councilwoman Tasco introduced several resolutions.
A resolution honoring and thanking Councilman Frank DiCicco.
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 say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution honoring and thanking Councilman Jack Kelly.
Madam President, 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 say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. 2ND READING
And a resolution honoring and thanking Councilwoman Joan Krajewski.
Madam President, 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 say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution honoring and thanking Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller.
The 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
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 say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution honoring and thanking Councilman Frank Rizzo.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It 2ND READING has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution honoring and thanking Council President Anna C. Verna.
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 say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. (Applause.)
I believe that completes our Calendar for today. I see that -- they say you never really leave City Council, and to prove it, Rick Auerbach is here, and I'd like him to stand up and be recognized. It's so great to see you, Rick. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you for all the service that you gave us. And I see Pat Rafferty is here. Pat, thank you too for all that you've done. (Applause.)
I was going to say a few words, but I is here, so, therefore, I guess he takes precedence over whatever I may say.
No. That's all right. I'll give you the respect that it calls for. Mr. Mayor. (Applause.)
Thank you, Madam President. Good morning, members of City Council. Let me first say for all the matters that you took up today, I do want to be one of the first to commend you for the unanimous vote to dramatically change this great city by the work that you did with the revisions, the reworking, the total revamping of the Philadelphia Zoning Code. Congratulations. Thank you. (Applause.)
Madam President, I came into this room about 30 years ago for the first time. I fell in love with this room and fell in love with this place and this institution that many, many years ago. And as I said five and a half years ago when I stood here leaving this body, I still love this place. This is an incredible place here in our city, a revered institution, a revered building, a revered body that is deserving of great credit and great recognition. It is a place where I've had some of the happiest moments of my life and a place where I've had a couple of very, very sad moments, and today, part of today at least, will be a part of some of those memories. The six members who are leaving this great, great body, we will miss you. I've enjoyed working with all of you. Some of you I've spent my entire with and got to know in the earliest days upon coming to this body. Councilwoman Miller -- where is she? The photo guy is in the way. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Councilwoman Miller for all the time that she was here, that I was here, and we've had some wonderful conversations and done some great, great things together. And, Councilwoman, I want to commend you for a great career here in City Council. God bless you.
Councilman Rizzo, you and I have -- we've shared that little space between us for all of your time here and again my time here, a lot of comments across that little space and across the desk, some never to be repeated and some others we will just But certainly you have brought great honor to this body and maintaining a family name of public service here in the City that will last for a long, long period of time. Congratulations to you, sir.
Councilman Kelly, it has definitely been a blast with you. Councilman Kelly, long-winded, always talking, always making speeches, always something to say, just not out in the public. And, sir, you have brought an elevated, a passion for the concern and care in particular for animals here in the City and driving an agenda to ultimately make Philadelphia a no-kill city in the United States of America. I want to commend you for a great two times in service here in City Council. You decided to take two tours of duty, and we've enjoyed both. you, sir.
Well, Joanie. There's just no one like Joan Krajewski. She is the most straightforward, non -- she has no time for pop and circumstance, ceremony or anything else. You call Joan up, you want to start making your case and making the pitch, when I was in Council and the same thing as Mayor, "All right. What do you want? What are you calling me for? What is this about?" Yes or no, up or down, left or right. And the great, great thing about Joan, of course, is after you go through all that, you have a great conversation, she's rock solid, if she says she's going to do something, she's doing it; if she tells you she's not for you, she's not for you and you should just leave her alone. Otherwise you'll get another conversation which will not be as first one. No one has ever demonstrated more passion and commitment as a district Councilperson for their district and the people in it. And I've enjoyed working with you both in Council and certainly in this capacity. And everywhere you go in the Sixth Councilmanic District she is loved and adored and recognized for having truly provided great public service and constituent service to the folks in the Sixth and has done a whole lot for a whole lot of other people in many, many places and certainly supported me under some difficult circumstances, both as a member of Council and as Mayor. Joan, thank you for giving and giving and giving so much. Thank you.
And Frank DiCicco. Frank never saw a battle that he wasn't willing to take on, whether it good, bad or indifferent, popular or was going to cause him grief and aggravation. He had a controversial project one time. I didn't understand all the controversy, but down at 4th and around Washington. What was that? Something Square. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Jefferson Square.
Jefferson Square. He had a big blowout hearing in here one time. There was so much controversy going on with it, I actually made a site visit down to see what was going on. Ultimately supported the project. Frank is the guy that's been out there seeing whether or not the horses had blankets and routes for carriages and all kinds of other stuff, but probably has had, given the nature of his district, some of the most dramatic development here in the City of of this city will be transformed. And we'll do some and then someone else will do hopefully the rest, but that process started with Frank DiCicco. His fingerprint, palm print, entire handprint is all over the future of what will be one of the greatest waterfronts anywhere in the United States of America, and we all owe a debt of gratitude to Frank DiCicco for taking that battle on. Thank you. (Applause.)
Oh, I know you're there. Council President Verna. Council President was one of the first people I met when I came into this building, and I made the mistake of thinking I knew something. One day I was actually a candidate for City Council in 1987 and I had the temerity to run at that time, a great lady and a good public servant. She's since passed away, Ann Land. The controversy of the day was trash to steam, and while the location was not in the Fourth Council District, there was an incinerator that would close as a result of this new proposed one to be built, and Councilman Cohen was leading the charge -- I'm sure that Councilman Greenlee remembers that -against that particular idea, but I was trying to represent the interest of the constituents in the Fourth district. So I came to testify at a public hearing, the first time, and Council President, of course, was opposed to the proposal because of its impact on the Second District. And I had signed up, but it became known to me, Councilman Jones, that the then-Councilwoman for the Second District had a feeling of what I was going to say and thought that I might -- now, this is stunning to me that that I might use that as a political opportunity given the fact that there was an election coming up. I don't understand why you would have thought that. Well, I learned a great lesson that day, because when you're at the table, when you're on the committee, you get to have a little bit of say about what happens. And that hearing started about 9 o'clock that morning and the Council President made sure that I gave my testimony at about 5:30 that afternoon, and I think there may have been three people left. This is a good lesson. You're really good. The longest serving public servant in the entire City of Philadelphia. (Standing ovation.)
Our Council President was also great, great friends with the person who ultimately brought me off my political career, the late Councilman John Anderson. They were friends, and he always spoke lovingly of her. The great thing about our Council President is she wears her passion and commitment for the City on her sleeve. She cares so much. She's given a tremendous amount, she, of course, and her father who preceded her. She's worked through any number of Administrations. She's a rock-solid person who has her way, has her way of getting things done. And no one else should ever have to be like anybody else, and there will never be another person who gives and gives and gives and asks for nothing in return than our great Council President Anna Verna. I've loved serving my entire political career with you here in this City Council in two different jobs, and I just deeply appreciate all that you have given to me, all of the advice, the support, allowed me to be in places and and participate in discussions that, under any other circumstance, there would be no reason for me to have been in those situations, and you created those opportunities each and every time and never raised a question. So we have a couple things. Why don't I do the big one first. Madam President, I don't know if you're allowed to -
I think since this is the Philadelphia bowl, I think the Board of Ethics will be fine. (Applause.)
You see we're tremendously well prepared and coordinated here, Madam President. Why don't we just -- can I ask members - Councilwoman Miller, Rizzo, Kelly, Krajewski and DiCicco - to come on up. What's the difference? COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: These are blow-ups of the DROP checks. (Laughter.)
Only in the mind and the mouth of Frank DiCicco. Councilman DiCicco, come on up. These are framed pictures and a tribute from the City of Philadelphia, signed by me. Congratulations. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Lastly, let me just say on behalf of the entire Administration, all of our folks have enjoyed working with all of you and certainly all the members of City Council. This has been quite possibly one of the toughest four-year stretches in decades here in this city, and I'll say to you what I said just the other day to our various rating agencies. Without your support -- Council President, I know you're over on the side there. But without all of your support, this city would not have been able to do the things that we did that needed to be done. Yes, they were tough. Yes, they were controversial. Yes, people were upset, but we did stabilize the finances of the City of Philadelphia, and that is to all of you. And on behalf of a million and a half people and growing, thank you very, very much. God bless you. God keep you. Have a great holiday. Bye-bye. (Applause.)
Thank you, Madam President. I request permission to approach the podium. (Councilwoman Tasco approached podium.)
We certainly thank the Mayor for coming in this morning to recognize our colleagues who are leaving this body. We've all worked with you, and thank you for your comments and the presentations. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
We're very sad to see our colleagues leave. We know that they're going to enjoy their retirement, and most of them will not retire, we will probably see them around doing something else that they enjoy doing. But I've enjoyed working with them through the years, and in spite of all the knocks and bruises, they withstood the storm, the weather and have come through representing this city, their districts and also all of the members of the City of Philadelphia, and I want to thank them. I've enjoyed working with you. So now I'd like to call Councilman Kenney and Blackwell to the podium. We'd also like Councilman Kelly to join with us. (Councilmembers approached podium.)
This is a resolution honoring you for the service you provided to the City Council and to this city. Whereas, Jack Kelly is a native and lifelong resident of Northeast years of business, municipal and community leadership experience; and
I'm very happy to be up here doing this for Jack Kelly today because on at least three occasions I've been publicly thanked and wished well in my retirement, and I wanted to make sure we got the right guy leaving.
Yes. We look alike, you're right. Whereas, while raising four children with his wife, Kathleen, he began his career in business, climbing the ranks of Gould (formerly ITE Imperial Corporation) and, after twenty-four years of service, Jack parlayed his experience and expertise as a businessman to the public sector as an administrator for the Philadelphia Court System; and Whereas, in 1987, realizing the leadership in a time of crisis, Jack Kelly successfully ran to represent the Seventh Council District and, in January 1988, was sworn into office; Whereas, as a District Councilmember, Jack fought oppressive tax increases and was a champion for neighborhood rights, vehemently opposing federal programs that were infringing on the rights of the community in ensuring fair real estate markets. Through his hard efforts, Jack was successful in stabilizing the markets and market value of homes in the Seventh Council District;
Whereas, as a two-term Councilman At-Large, Jack fought against the closure of libraries in the City; crafted legislation that ensures our firefighters have protective ear equipment; implemented Project Lifesaver which assist our police officers in saving the lives of those who suffer from autism, Alzheimer's disease, and various forms of dementia; lobbied to expand our economic base through business tax reductions; passionately fought for better animal care and control standards; introduced legislation which enables the Philadelphia Police Department to easily track stolen goods and inhibits criminals' ability to sell stolen property; secured funding to support the wonderful arts and cultural institutions throughout our City; held hearings to ensure that Philadelphia's Colleges and Universities are safe and prepared for emergency situations; brought awareness to the deadly staff infection MRSA; and resolved countless quality of life and constituent issues which affect our streets and neighborhoods. He also achieved a leadership position by being elected Minority Whip of City Council.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that it hereby recognizes and thanks Councilman Kelly on his retirement after over thirty years of dedicated and excellent service to the people of Philadelphia. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Councilman Jack Kelly further evidencing the admiration and gratitude of this legislative body. This is signed by -- it's a certified copy of -- this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution, adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 15th day of December 2011, signed by President Verna and all members of City Council. God bless you and good luck. (Applause. )
Certainly. Well, as the Mayor said, I'm long-winded, so I'm going to be very brief. But I just want to thank, of course, the President of City Council, all of my colleagues who I've worked with over the years. I think they're a great bunch of people. They have done a tremendous job, in my opinion. And I want to welcome the new Councilpeople coming in here. I think that we're going to improve the City. I have great confidence in the present Council and the future Council of this city, and I want to be here to help you in any way that I can. And God bless you all for all the support you've shown me through the years. Thank you. (Applause.)
I would like Councilmembers Greenlee and Sanchez to please join me at the podium to present a resolution honoring Councilman Frank Rizzo. Councilman Rizzo, would you join us as well. (Councilmembers approached
This is a resolution recognizing and thanking Frank Rizzo on his retirement after sixteen years of dedicated and excellent service as a Councilman At-Large to the people of Philadelphia. Whereas, Frank Rizzo was elected Philadelphia Councilman At-Large in 1995 and was reelected in 1999, 2003 and 2007, and has served as Minority Whip; and
Whereas, constituent service has been a hallmark of Frank Rizzo's tenure in City Council, handling over 41,000 issues; and Whereas, further, Councilman Rizzo has served on the following City Council committees: Appropriates, Disabled and the Handicapped, Education, Environment, Ethics, Public Property and Public Works, Public Safety, Rules, Technology and Information Services, and the Committee of the Whole; and Whereas, Councilman Rizzo authored the Property Tax Deferral Ordinance to provide relief to homeowners; helped address problems with Police and Fire Emergency Radio; introduced Red Light Camera legislation to make intersections safer; initiated a Rotational Towing System to improve safety by regulating tow truck operators; successfully advocated that the Commonwealth patrol State highways in the City of Philadelphia; advocated Early Childhood Education initiatives; authored the Zoning Variance Criteria Ordinance requiring that applicants for variances be current on their taxes; and introduced reform Ethics legislation that would have involved regulating Lobbyists, Gifts, Nepotism, Outside Employment, and refined the Campaign Finance Laws; and
Whereas, Rizzo has been very active in the community, having served on the Boards of the African-American Museum in Philadelphia; the Community and Police Interracial Task Force; the Philadelphia Cultural Fund; the Self-Help Movement, Incorporated; the DePaul Catholic School Advisory Board; Art in City Hall; and the Fairmount Historic Preservation Trust, among others. And I could attest to the many events he came to in the Latino community. Rizzo is the past Vice President of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund Board; and Whereas, Councilman Rizzo contributed greatly to Philadelphia's governance through his vision, leadership, and commitment. We look forward to his future contributions to the people of the City of Philadelphia.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that it hereby recognizes and thanks Frank Rizzo on his retirement after sixteen years of dedicated and excellent service as a Councilman At-Large to the people of resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Frank Rizzo further evidencing the admiration and gratitude of this legislative body. Certification that this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution, adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 15th day of December 2011, signed by President Verna, introduced by Tasco and sponsored by all members of City Council. Congratulations and good luck. (Applause.)
Thank you very much. I'd first like to thank my staff, because this resolution couldn't have been written without all of their hard work, seriously. It's not just one person. It's a real good team to make things happen. And it's been an honor and a privilege to serve with all of you. class group of people. Thank you. (Applause.)
Would Councilmembers Green and Clarke please join me on the podium to present a resolution honoring Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller. Would Councilwoman Miller also join us. (Councilmembers approached podium.)
This is a resolution recognizing and thanking Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller on her retirement after sixteen years of dedicated and excellent service to the citizens of Philadelphia, and particularly the people of the Eighth Council District. Whereas, Donna Reed Miller served with distinction and dedication as a member of Philadelphia City Council, representing the Eighth Council District 1996 to 2011. Throughout this time, she has given unsparingly of her time, energy, and leadership as Chair of City Council's Public Safety Committee, Chair of the Disabled and Handicapped Committee, and Vice Chair of the Public Property and Public Works, and Public Health and Human Services Committee. She has also provided valuable insight as a member of Council's Committee of the Whole, Appropriations, Housing and Homeless, Transportation and Public Utilities, Streets and Services, Ethics, Environment, and Rules. She is also former Chair of the Philadelphia Black Elected Officials; and
Whereas, Councilwoman Miller has introduced and co-sponsored landmark bills and legislation such as the Video Surveillance Camera Referendum, which has made an impact on the City's war on crime; Ban the Box legislation, making it easier for ex-offenders to be considered employment; and the implementation of count-down pedestrian timers. She has also been a staunch defender of workforce diversity and has introduced amendments requiring more inclusive long-term goals, strategies and strict enforcement of minority participation in the Pennsylvania Convention Center Expansion; and Whereas, Councilwoman Miller fought for the City of Philadelphia to control its own gun laws. In 2008, she was part of a joint lawsuit which maintained that the PA General Assembly created a "state of danger" by refusing to act on several ordinances passed in Philadelphia to address the proliferation of illegal firearms that have significantly contributed to the epidemic of gun violence in our city. The suit asked the Court to revisit the 1996 ruling in Ortiz v. Commonwealth of PA which denied two home-rule municipalities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the right to regulate gun ownership; and
Whereas, Councilwoman Miller successfully brought to the Eighth District hundreds of millions of dollars in demolition and revitalization projects; has been responsible for countless numbers of commercial and residential development projects. In addition, her efforts have led to a large number of affordable housing units and economic development. These projects have had a positive impact on blighted and have stabilized neighborhoods in the Eighth District. She has been consecutively recognized and honored by the Philadelphia Tribune, the nation's oldest African American-owned newspaper, as one of Philadelphia's most influential African Americans. Between 1996 and 2011, she provided over 10,000 Thanksgiving turkeys and food baskets to families in her district and has coordinated programs providing summer high school students in City Council and the Philadelphia courts; and Whereas, Councilwoman Miller's streetscape project that stretches from Germantown Avenue to Chestnut Hill is considered the longest streetscape project in the United States. Throughout her career in City Council, Councilwoman Miller's principles and compassion have served her well. She has steadfastly championed causes for senior citizens, youth and the economically disenfranchised and helped support disaster relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina and the Haiti Earthquake.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that it hereby recognizes and thanks Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller on her retirement after sixteen years of dedicated and excellent service to the people of Philadelphia, and particularly the citizens of the District, who she will sorely miss. We wish her good health and success as she continues to serve her community. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller further evidencing the admiration and gratitude of this legislative body. Certification, this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution, adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 15th of December 2011, signed President Verna, introduced by Tasco and supported by all members of City Council. Good luck and congratulations. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you, everyone. Thank you to all my colleagues and everybody that I see every Thursday here in City Council. And certainly there are going to be days that I'm going to say, Boy, I really miss them, but there are going to be a lot of days I'm going to say, I'm so glad I'm not there, and that's probably true for everybody. I've worked in the helping profession all my life and I always saw City Council as a way to help, and we've had lots of good successes, and nothing is a hundred percent. I've enjoyed it. I look forward to just reinventing me and doing something a little different, and I'll see you guys around. I think Jack Kelly said to me this morning that he's going to miss people. I said, Well, Jack, all you have to do is come back and visit. So that's what I intend to do. Thank you. (Applause.)
Could we please have Councilmembers Reynolds Brown and Brian O'Neill join me at the podium to make a presentation to honor Councilman Frank DiCicco. (Councilmembers approached podium.)
This resolution recognizes and thanks Councilman Frank DiCicco on his retirement after sixteen years of exemplary service to the people of Philadelphia, and particularly the citizens of the First District. Whereas, Frank DiCicco is a proud lifelong resident of South Philadelphia. He began his career in public service as a Committeeperson, representing his neighbors, in 1967. In 1972, he began a long stint as an employee of Philadelphia Traffic Court, where he served as Director of the Scofflaw and Enforcement Units, and as Director of Violations and Cashiers; and
Whereas, after leaving Traffic Court in 1986, Frank DiCicco became a Budget Analyst for the Pennsylvania State Senate, where he gained much of the fiscal experience that helpful to him in the future. In 1990, he brought his fiscal skills to bear as Deputy Director of Special Investigations for the Philadelphia City Controller. In this post, he investigated waste and abuse and supervised the auditing and surveillance functions of the department. In 1993, he returned to Traffic Court as Administrator, where he served with distinction until his decision to run for the First District Council seat. Under his administration of Traffic Court, collections of overdue fines from scofflaws improved dramatically and the Court was run much more efficiently, reducing costs and increasing revenues. DiCicco also proposed legislation to the Commonwealth aiding in the impoundment of unregistered and uninsured vehicles from City streets; Whereas, Councilman Frank DiCicco was first elected to Council in the election of 1995. Since then, he has wide range of legislation, including waterfront development regulations, the creation and continual monitoring of the Zoning Code Commission, various tax reform measures and neighborhood preservation initiatives. He is also the author of the 10-year tax abatement program which has been credited for the redevelopment of many of Philadelphia's neighborhoods. He encouraged responsible commercial and residential development, working cooperatively with developers and communities to realize projects such as the Jefferson Square Housing Development, Schmidts Brewery in Northern Liberties and the revitalization of the 13th Street Corridor. He also spent many, many hours in the long public debate over casinos in Philadelphia. Known as a consensus-builder, Councilman DiCicco was instrumental in helping move City Council forward with intelligent leadership into the 21st Century; and
Whereas, Councilman DiCicco's credo has always been that a strong community begins with community involvement. Towards that end, he actively participated on many boards, including the Historic Philadelphia, Incorporated, the Reading Terminal Market, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Board, Fund for Philadelphia, Jefferson Square Community Development Corporation, Delaware River Port Authority and the Cultural Fund. He has also been a proud Mummer for many years and is currently a member of the Board of the Mummers Museum; Whereas, Councilman DiCicco has been a difference in the First Councilmanic District; now, therefore Be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby recognize and say thank you to Councilman Frank DiCicco for his long and selfless service to the people of this city, and particularly the citizens of Councilmanic District. This is a better city because of his dedication, and we wish him continued good health, great humor and much success in his future endeavors.
Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to City Councilman Frank DiCicco further evidencing the admiration and gratitude of this legislative body. Certification that this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution, adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 15th of December 2011. This was introduced by Tasco and supported by all members of City Council. Frank, we're going to miss you. God bless you. (Applause.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. You know, I have a little bit of levity in me most times when I do things, and to the DROP check obviously certainly bears that out. But I do want to take this opportunity to first thank my family and the folks in the First Councilman District, who took more or less a leap of faith 16 years ago in electing me to represent them. Had it not been for their confidence in me, I would not be standing here today. So I want to publicly thank all those folks in the First Councilmanic District for the opportunity to serve this great city. My colleagues, you know, we're all in the same business here. We legislate, we enact laws, and we do things to hopefully make this city better, a better place. But I want to thank you, more importantly, for being my friend. That is most important. At the end of the day, you know, people call me Councilman, I'd say, Just call me Frank, because we get these titles. Ultimately we leave and the title goes away. We're always who we were when we came in. still the same Frank DiCicco today that I was 16 years ago. So thank you all for being my friend. Council President, particularly to you, I've known you a number of years, I've known your family, and we're kind of -- the Council President lived literally across the street from the division I represent in the 2nd Ward and we have a long history. And thank you for your kindness over the years.
You're welcome. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And your patience with me. Having said that, members of the press, thank you. All of you have been fair. As to the editorial boards, we'll leave that aside for now, but the press has always been fair, and I want to thank you for the opportunity working with you as well. I wish all of you the happiest and healthiest holiday seasons. And, Brian, it was appropriate that they brought you up. I was a republican for 20 years. So I guess their balance is there as well. Thank you all. I appreciate this very much. (Applause.)
I would like now to have Councilmembers Goode and Jones join me at the podium to make a presentation honoring Councilwoman Joan Krajewski. (Applause.) (Councilmembers approached podium.)
Recognizing and thanking Councilwoman Joan L. Krajewski on her retirement after thirty-two years of dedicated service to the people of Philadelphia, and particularly the citizens of the Sixth Council District. Whereas, Joan L. Krajewski was born and raised in Port Richmond to Sam Kline and had eight brothers and sisters. She attended Nativity BVM Elementary School and Little Flower High School for Girls; and
Whereas, the mother of three boys and grandmother to five, Joan Krajewski's career as a public servant began in 1972, when she accepted a position as an investigator with the City of Philadelphia Revenue Department. While serving in this capacity, she was also elected by her co-workers to serve as President of Local 1660, School District Employees, District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Always active in her community, Joan Krajewski had already established a strong reputation as a fighter and advocate for the Northeast Philadelphia neighborhoods of Port Richmond, Bridesburg, Wissinoming, Frankford, Tacony, Mayfair, Holmesburg and Torresdale, when she was first elected to in 1979; and Whereas, the definition of "diner politics" comes from the practices of Joan Krajewski, whose satellite offices are booths in the Aramingo Diner, Mayfair Diner and The Dining Car where constituents know they can bellow, "Hey, Joanie," and get her undivided attention to find solutions to their problems and concerns related to City government. With accomplishments too numerous to mention, one of Joan's biggest and most successful initiatives was the creation of the Community Life Improvement Program, (C.L.I.P.), which combatted quality of life issues affecting her Northeast neighborhoods. Thanks in part to her wide-ranging legislation and oversight, plans are firmly in place to enhance the North Delaware Riverfront and return this great natural resource to the people for commercial, residential and recreational use; and
Whereas, always championed the rights of her constituents, whether it was the sinking homes of Wissinoming, devastated water main breaks or fighting for the federally mandated prison caps or going after absentee landlords and nuisance rental properties in the Northeast. Joan Krajewski has been a strong advocate, mostly for children and adults with special needs and disabilities; Whereas, dubbed the "Queen of Constituent Service" not only by the media but by those who elected her for eight terms, Krajewski's office has taken care of over 500,000 constituent service calls in her 32 years in office. She has been awarded Philadelphia Magazine's "Best of Philadelphia" as Best Councilperson in three separate years and was ultimately inducted into their Hall of Fame. She was also inaugurated -- the inaugural inductee in the Northeast Hall of Fame and was honored by Glen Foerd On Person of the Year Award.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that it hereby recognizes and thanks Councilwoman Joan L. Krajewski on her retirement after thirty-two years of dedicated and excellent service to the people of Philadelphia, and especially the people of the Sixth Council District. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Councilwoman Joan L. Krajewski further evidencing the admiration and gratitude of this legislative body. Certification that this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution, adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 15th of December 2011, and supported by all members of City Council. Congratulations and thank you, Joan, for your many, many years of to this city. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you very much. You know, as I travel around, people will ask me, What do you think you're going to miss much, the most? And I think one of them -- I'm going to miss quite a bit, believe me, but one of those is this Council. I love every one of you. You've always been fair. We always got along, and I'm going to miss all of you, believe me. And to you, Madam President, you have always been fair as well as all of them, believe me. And the press, I think Frank DiCicco stole my lines, because I was going to say the same thing, Frank. They have been fair. We may never agree, but you're doing your job and you're doing it well, and I want to thank all of you as well. Thank you all very much. I (Applause.)
Now our final presentation is to our distinguished leader of this body. This woman has served the City very well, with dignity and so much class. It has been a pleasure working with her as President of City Council. When I came in, she was Majority Leader. And she is a very cooperative, sensitive person who cares about everybody's thoughts on whatever piece of legislation we are seeking. And it's going to be lonely. I will miss popping into your office unannounced whenever I wanted. Her door was always open to every Councilmember to discuss whatever issue they wanted with her. She is a true, true leader of her district. She will be sorely missed. She provided many, many services to that district, and I want to say, Madam President, thank you for your leadership. Thank you for working with me, and I'm other Councilmembers will say something, too. So we're going to present this citation to you. Honoring and thanking City Council President Anna C. Verna on her unparalleled sixty years of exemplary service to the citizens of Philadelphia, including thirty-six years representing the people of the beloved Second District. Whereas, her colleagues and friends on the Council of the City of Philadelphia are very pleased and proud to demonstrate their deep and abiding respect and admiration for City Council President Anna Cibotti Verna on the occasion of her retirement. For the last sixty years, she has given selflessly of herself with her exemplary service to the citizens of Philadelphia. She is also the first woman in Philadelphia's over 300-year history to serve as President of the City Council, the second highest in the City.
Whereas, Anna C. Verna was born and raised in the Point Breeze section of South Philadelphia. She and her brother Angelo "Sonny" were born to William and Pauline Cibotti. From her earliest age, public service and a deep affection for the people of her community was deeply ingrained in her, as was an innate sense of fairness and respect for the dignity of all people; and Whereas, Anna C. Verna began her career with the City of Philadelphia on February the 1st, 1951 and first made the news in 1954, when a columnist for The Evening Bulletin noticed a "pretty working girl," quotes, with a passion for TV crime dramas and an aversion to pasta.
At that time, she was serving as secretary to District Attorney, and later mayor, Richardson Dilworth. When her father, William A. Cibotti, was elected to people of the Second Councilmanic District, Anna became his assistant and right arm, soon becoming a popular source to district residents needing services and information from the City.
In 1975, when Councilman Cibotti passed away suddenly, Anna was approached by numerous citizens and community groups imploring her to seek the office. She decided to run and, after successfully running in the Primary and General elections of 1975, won the office; and
Whereas, after stellar service as Chair of Council's Finance Committee and as its Majority Leader, Anna Verna shattered the glass ceiling in 1999 by achieving the Council Presidency and becoming the first woman to do so in the City's 300-year history.
President Verna has been a strong proponent of tax a firm believer that Philadelphia's status as the least business-friendly city in the United States must be reversed in order to propel the City's economy through the 21st century.
She has also championed the need to protect and improve the quality of life of all Philadelphians. President Verna has been at the forefront of efforts to provide jobs and quality housing, especially affordable, handicapped and senior housing for people in need. Throughout her time in Council, the hallmark of her leadership style has been respect for each elected official, public servant and citizens; and
Whereas, Anna was married to Severino "Sevy" Verna for 56 years. Throughout their marriage, he functioned as both her soulmate and most trusted advisor and advocate. He, too, was very active in the community, philanthropic endeavors. Along with Anna, he was the founder and marshal of Philadelphia's Columbus Day Parade from its beginning until his death in June 2010.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby recognize and offer a huge thank you to President Anna C. Verna for her unparalleled sixty years of service to the citizens of our city, including thirty-six years representing the people of her beloved Second District and thirteen years as the President of the Council of the City of Philadelphia.
Through her selfless efforts, her respect for all, and her unique ability to get people to work together for the common good, she has earned our enduring respect and affection; and
Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this presented to City Council President Anna Cibotti Verna further evidencing the admiration and gratitude of this legislative body. Thank you for everything.
After hearing that resolution, one would think I'm an old lady. I'm really not. But to my extended family, all of you, and to all of the people that have worked in Council, I really want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don't know exactly how to say thank you, but please know that as each of you, I have spent more time in City Hall than I spent at home, and sometimes as I look back, I wonder if that's a very good thing to do. You know, I'm being very honest at the last moment here, because I think we all suffer the effects of that eventually. Again, I want to thank you. I have a few comments I still want to make before the Mayor came in, but thank you all very much. I know I'm going to miss this place, and I'll be like Pat Rafferty and Rick coming back and witnessing Council sessions, et cetera. Again, thank you all very much, love you, and I will say a few words momentarily. Thank you. (Applause.)
I would just like to say a few words, if I may. I have spent so much time in this room over the course of my life that it is full of memories for me that I find it so very difficult to believe that this is my last Council session as a member and as President. It's hard for me to conceive of not being here on a regular basis dealing with the constant flood of activity this job entails. In this room, often we found strongly disagreed on issues, but I think that Washington can take a lesson from us, because although we were on opposing sides of an issue, we always employed the art of compromise and mutual respect to get things done, and we knew in our hearts that our thoughts were always centered on what we truly believed was the best for the citizens of Philadelphia, the people that we were sworn to represent. As I look out on you today, I realize that so many of you have touched my life throughout the years here in Council: my Council colleagues, both past and present, and their staffs, my dedicated staff, the Chief Clerks over the years, the Mayors with whom I have worked and the representatives of their Administrations, the photographers and, oh my, the ever, ever patient stenographer. I think she deserves an applause. Michele. (Applause.)
Those working the sound and video, and although they may not believe it, even the press. You have each contributed to my career in public service in your own special way, and for that I will be eternally grateful. As I close the final session of this Council, I am extremely proud of all we have been able to accomplish working together. I know that my colleagues will be facing some very difficult times. I wish you Godspeed as you continue the important work that still needs to be done for our citizens. And to my colleagues who will be retiring, I wish you continued good health and happiness. Enjoy every minute of it, because you deserve it, you worked for it. So please enjoy yourselves. I want to wish you all well, and I will miss each and every one of you. Thank you again, and God bless. (Standing ovation.)
Thank you. I guess we could all sing a Christmas carol at this point in time, but I would just like to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas, a healthy Happy New Year. God bless you all. Thank you. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a motion to adjourn.
I guess we've had enough speeches for today. Councilman Jones. Madam President, I'd like to call for an adjournment of this Council session sine die, in addition to which we would like to invite all members to come out into the hallway for a presentation just beyond the Caucus Room, most particularly you, Madam President.
It has been moved and seconded. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Thank you. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on December 15, 2011, 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.)