COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 401, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, February 22, 2001 10:00 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK J. DI CICCO COUNCILMAN WILSON W. GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN W. THACHER LONGSTRETH COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO PATRICIA RAFFERTY, CHIEF CLERK VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 (215) 561-2220.
Good morning, everyone. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. The Council will come to order. Members will take their seats and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes Reverend Herbert H. Lusk, II. Reverend Lusk is the Pastor of Greater Exodus Baptist Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Goode. Members and guests will please rise.
Good morning. Let us pray. Our God and Father, we thank you for this moment, these moments that we will share together this morning. We pray now in the name of Jesus that you might grant your presence. We recognize that we need you. We recognize the creator/creature distinction. You made man. You made man and woman from the dust the ground and you breathed the breath of life into nostrils. You made us living souls. We acknowledge you. And it is your servant's prayer that you bless the President of this Council, that you bless, oh, God, each and every Member of Council, and that in every difficulty they face they will see opportunity. In the name of our Lord we APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL pray. Amen.
Amen. The Chair thanks the Reverend Lusk for his inspiring 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, February 15, 2001. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of Thursday, February 15, 2001, stand approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting Thursday, February 15, 2001 stand approved. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The Journal of Thursday February 15, 2001, has LEAVES OF ABSENCE been approved. The next order of business is requests for leave of absence. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. There are no leaves of absence requested on the part of the majority.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Madam President, there's no requests for leaves of absence from the Republicans.
Thank you. The Chair dispense the regular order of business to recognize guests and visitors joining us in Chambers this morning. On behalf of all City Council, I welcome you to our session today. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs to our City. We certainly invite you to come again. At this time the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller who will introduce students from WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS her district.
It's my pleasure to welcome a group of seniors from Central High School. They're studying government and are accompanied by their teacher Ms. Eileen Specter. We're glad to have this group here with us and ask them to stand and be recognized at this time. Thank you very much.
Welcome. At this time the Chair recognizes Councilman Goode who will make a presentation honoring J William Mills, III and the PNC Financial Services Group. I would ask that Mr. Mills and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium.
Good morning. I've asked Councilman DiCicco and Councilman Longstreth, if he is here, to join me. Over a year ago, my office released the WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS first of five policy papers, the Greater Philadelphia Access Report. That report showed small business lending in the Philadelphia region was concentrated in wealthier and whiter communities. Since this time, I've worked with the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition and one of its co-chairs Ray Desiderio of PNC Bank on creating proactive lending solutions to meet the borrowing needs of low-income and minority communities. Along the way, I also met Bill Mills, a fellow board member of the African-American museum who is the new president of PNC. Bill has been quick to embrace legislative and policies initiatives that lead to cooperative public/private partnerships for neighborhood economic development. So we look forward to his leadership. So we're here today to present a resolution honoring J. William Mills, III, and PNC Financial Services Group for their commitment to the City of Philadelphia.
Resolution honoring J. William Mills, III, and the PNC Financial Services Group for their commitment to the City of Philadelphia. WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS Whereas, on January 1, 2001, J. William Mill, III, succeeded Richard L. Smoot as president and chief executive officer of the PNC Financial Services Group for the Philadelphia and southern New Jersey market; and Whereas, Bill Mills has worked closely with Dick Smoot over the past several years to further PNC's tradition and reputation as a leading financial institution in the Greater Philadelphia region, establishing PNC as a leading corporate citizen; and
Whereas, for the 1990s Mr. Mills worked on several key PNC initiatives, including the construction of PNC's regional operation center which brought 600 new jobs to the City and PNC's 10-year sponsorship of the Philadelphia Flower Show; and Whereas, Mr. Mills himself serves on the Executive Committee of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce as well as the Boards of Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and the African-American Museum in Philadelphia, to name a few; and Whereas, under Mr. Mills' leadership, WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS PNC became the first City depository financial institution committed to participation on the Philadelphia Reinvestment Commission and in the Philadelphia Community Development Financial Institution; and. Whereas, PNC has already entered into an unprecedented relationship with People for People Community Development Credit Union, the first ever partnership between a commercial bank and the Community Development Credit Union. Now, therefore, be it resolved by Council of the City of Philadelphia that we commend J. William Mills, III, for his years of service and commitment to the City of Philadelphia and congratulate him on his appointment as president and chief executive officer of PNC. And be it further resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to J. William Mills, III, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. This is a true and correct copy of the original resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 23rd day of January 2001. Signed by Anna C. Verna, President of City WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS Council. Introduced by W. Wilson Goode, Jr., W. Thacher Longstreth, and Frank DiCicco, and sponsored by all Members of Council. (Applause.)
Thank you, President Verna, Members of Council, Reverend Lusk. This is indeed an honor for me. And when you honor me, you honor PNC and the 6700 of our employees that are here in the Philadelphia region. Every time I go down to Eastwick and have an opportunity to see our operation center across from the airport, it really makes me proud because I think it's really a tangible recognition of what it takes when two organizations, private and government, get together and really do something. And I know that was the first TIFT sponsorship and we are very, very proud of that, and I think it's one that the Council can also be proud of. I really want to pledge to you that under my leadership PNC will not waiver from being the type of corporate citizen that we've always been. We're coming up on the flower show, which I'm WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS proud to chair this year. Our partnership grants that we continue to make throughout the City of Philadelphia and our relationship with Reverend Lusk and the People for People organization are only a few of the things that we plan to continue. We're very excited about that opportunity. Our involvement with GPUAF continues to flourish. We continue to try to drive to bring capital to businesses throughout the community. And we also continue to work with Councilman Goode and others to support the cooperative effort between government and private industry to enhance economic development and community reinvestment. My hope is, and I have already begun, to meet with each one of you Councilpeople independently and privately in order to figure out what the agenda has to be of your agenda and our agenda at PNC, because the reality is PNC's future is the City of Philadelphia's future. If the City of Philadelphia doesn't do well, we won't do well in the long run. So it's in both of our interests to do that. I thank you for this unique honor, and I'm very grateful to be here today. Thank you. (Applause.) COMMUNICATIONS
I just would like to add to what Mr. Mills said. We all know that PNC was the first TIFT that we ever did and I we had to do it three times before we got it right. But I will truly tell you that it has been a success story in Eastwick and we are so grateful to you and are very proud of the work that you do. Thank you so very much. Council will now be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Clerk. The Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and Members of the Council the City of Philadelphia. I am pleased to advise you that February 21, 2001, I signed all of the bills that were passed by Council at its session on February 8, 2001.
The messages will be printed in the Journal. The Clerk will read INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS any other communications in her possession.
Thank you. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit consideration of resolutions at their time of introduction.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended to permit immediate consideration of resolutions at the time of introduction. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed, nay. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS (No response.)
The ayes have it. And the motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I have one privileged resolution and one bill that I introduce on your behalf.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Section 9-205 Philadelphia Code entitled "Sidewalk Sales," by revising and expanding an existing area in which sidewalk sales are prohibited so as to prohibit sidewalk sales within the area bounded by Oregon Avenue, I-95 Front Street as extended to I-95 of 20th Street as extended to I-95, including both sides of any street bounding this area, all under INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution honoring Edward J. Hushen for his professional accomplishment and civic commitment to the Philadelphia community.
Madam President, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
The Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution designating Sunday, March 24, 2001 as Nights of Columbus Day in the City of Philadelphia.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS The clerk will please read the title of the second resolution.
A resolution honoring Jim McCourt for receiving the Maxwell Football Club Top Football Student Athlete Award.
Move for the adoption, Madam President. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Clerk will please read the third resolution.
A resolution honoring the North Catholic High School Wrestling Team on winning the Catholic League Championship. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
Move for the adoption, Madam President. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Clerk will please read the last resolution.
A resolution honoring the Frankford High School Pioneers Wrestling Team for winning their fifth consecutive Public League Championship.
Do I hear a INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS second? (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Madam President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Madam President. I have one privileged resolution which I wish to speak very briefly on. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution recognizing February 25, 2001 as Reparation Awareness Day and urging the US Congress to pass House Rule 40 and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to pass House Bill 315, both entitled "The Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act."
Madam President, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Just very briefly, Madam President. Just to recognize the great efforts that many national organizations have taken in this regard and also there are representatives of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America who are here with us this morning. And I just want to recognize them for their efforts. I believe they're in the back of the Chamber. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
Welcome. All those in favor of the adoption of the resolution will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Thank you, Madam President. I have two privileged resolutions and one for committee.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution authorizing the INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS City Council Committee on Health and Human Service to hold hearings to assist the impact of HIV AIDS on the citizens of Philadelphia and to evaluate the direction, the cost, the effectiveness, and the priorities of the City-funded and the City administrative HIV AIDS prevention and treatment programs.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Clerk will please read the title of the second resolution.
A resolution recognizing the contributions of William J. Avery in his retirement.
Madam Chair, I move the approval of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS (No response.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Clerk will please read the next resolution.
A resolution urging the Mayor and the City of Philadelphia to support the formation of the a Philadelphia Cardenas sister city relationship while extending its greetings to the people of Cardenas, encouraging people-to-people communications, friendship, and goodwill.
I move the approval of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
Thank you, Madam President. I have offer one resolution.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds located in the 31st and 39th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, 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 signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam President. I have one bill and one resolution.
The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance authorizing Neil Stein, meal ticket owner of Avenue B Restaurant, tenant of the property located 260 South Broad Street to construct and maintain various encroachments in, on, over and under the west footway of Broad Street and the north footway of Spruce Street, adjacent to the property 260 South Broad Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred do the appropriate committee. The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds located in the 20th, 32nd, and 37th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Longstreth.
Madam President, I have no bills or resolutions this morning.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
Thank you. The next order of business will be reports from committees. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano for a report from the Committee on Licenses and Inspections.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee Licenses and Inspections reports two bills and two resolutions with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia. The Committee on Licenses and Inspections to which was referred Bill No. 000065 entitled an ordinance amending Section 9-208 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Sidewalk Cafes," by permitting sidewalk cafes to be maintained on East Passyunk Avenue, both sides, between Broad Street and Federal Street, under certain terms and conditions. And Bill No. 000184 entitled an REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES ordinance amending Section 9-103 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Enforcement and Appeals," by providing that the appeals to the Board of License and Inspection Review shall not stay proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed from, under certain terms and conditions. And Resolution No. 000555 entitled a resolution authorizing the Committee on Licenses and Inspections to hold hearings on vacant, abandoned and blighted properties in Philadelphia and to take testimony on improving the process of vacant and abandoned property disposition, property code enforcement, and demolition of dangerous properties in Philadelphia. And Resolution No. 000612 entitled a resolution authorizing the City Council's Committee on Licenses and Inspections to hold public hearings to investigate the current methods utilized by the Department of Licenses and Inspections to enforce Section PM-102.6.3 of the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code, respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached resolution and bills to Council with a favorable recommendation. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 000065 and 000184. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspend in order to permit placement of Bill Nos. 000065 and 000184 on today's First Reading Calendar. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And the Bill Nos. 000065 and 000184 will be placed on today's First Reading Calendar. Resolution Nos. 000555 and 000612 will be placed at the end of today's Calendar. Are there any other reports from committees? Being none, the next order of business FIRST READING CALENDAR is the consideration of the calendar. The Clerk will please read the bills on the First Reading Calendar.
Bill No. 000065, an ordinance amending Section 9-208 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Sidewalk Cafes," by permitting sidewalk cafes to be maintained on East Passyunk Avenue, both sides, between Broad Street and Federal Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Bill No. 000184, an ordinance amending Section 9-103 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Enforcement and Appeals," by providing that the appeals to the Board of License and Inspection Review shall not stay proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed from, under certain terms and conditions.
The Chair agrees. The bills read by the Clerk will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for our next Session. That concludes the first reading calendar. SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of calling bills to be considered on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Madam President. Today Bill No. 010092 is being called up for Second Reading and Final Passage. All other bills are being held.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 010092.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-3200 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Keystone Opportunity Zone," to provide for the contingent exemption, abatement or credit of certain taxes within specific geographic areas, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally? The Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16, the nays are 0. A majority of all Members of Council having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 000555.
A resolution authorizing the Committee on Licenses and Inspections to hold hearings on vacant, abandoned and blighted properties in Philadelphia and to take testimony on improving the process of vacant and abandoned property disposition, property code enforcement, and demolition of dangerous properties in Philadelphia.
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE 000555 and its attached report be adopted. Those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed. The ayes have it and Resolution 000555 with its attached report has been adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 000612.
A resolution authorizing the City Council's Committee on Licenses and Inspections to hold public hearings to investigate the current methods utilized by the Department of Licenses and Inspections to enforce Section PM-102.6.3 of the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code.
Move for the adoption, Madam President. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution 000612 and its attached report be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have ADJOURNMENT it. And Resolution No. 000612 has been adopted. This concludes the calendar for today. Are there speeches on the part of the minority? Are there speeches on the part of the majority. Seeing none, this concludes our session today.
I'm sorry. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. We ask that the record be amended to show that Councilman Cohen is out today.
The record will so reflect Councilman Cohen's absence. Thank you. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March 1st at 10:00 a.m. ADJOURNMENT
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March 1, 2000 at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And we will stand in adjournment until March 1st. Thank you all very much. (Council adjourned at 10:35 a.m.) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of February 22, 2001, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: STATED MEETING ___________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR and Notary Public