COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, April 14, 2011, 10:36 a.m. COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Anna C. Verna, President Jannie L. Blackwell Blondell Reynolds Brown Darrell L. Clarke Frank DiCicco W. Wilson Goode, Jr. Bill Green William K. Greenlee Curtis Jones, Jr. Jack Kelly James F. Kenney Joan L. Krajewski Donna Reed Miller Brian J. O'Neill Frank Rizzo Maria D. Quiñones-Sanchez Marian B. Tasco Also Present: Michael A. Decker, Chief Clerk 4.14.11 STATED METING - GREETING/INVOCATION
Good morning, everyone. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will come to order, members will take their seats, and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes a very dear friend, Father Joseph Kelley of St. Monica's Church. He is here today as my guest. I would ask that all members and guests please rise. Father?
God, Our Father, You guide everything in wisdom and love. Accept the prayers we offer for our city, the City of Brotherly Love, the city that we love. Watch over these members of our City Council. Fill them with the spirit of Your wisdom. May they always act in 4.14.11 STATED METING - GREETING/INVOCATION ordinance with Your will and their decisions be for our peace and the well-being of all: the rich and the poor, the healthy and the infirm, those born and those soon to be born. By honoring the oaths of their office, may they please You at all times and secure a better life for the people entrusted to them, the citizens of this great city. Through their efforts, may our beloved City of Philadelphia always be a beacon of hope for our nation and for our world. Amen. ALL: Amen.
The Chair thanks Father Kelley for his very inspiring invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.) * * * 4.14.11 STATED - JOURNAL APPROVAL (Proceedings resume.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 7, 2011, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco. Councilwoman Tasco?
Madam President, I move that the Journal of Thursday, April, 7, 2011, be approved. (Motion duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 7, 2011, stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. * * * 4.14.11 STATED - LEAVES OF ABSENCE REQUESTS
The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the Majority, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, on behalf of the Republicans, there are no requests for a leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the Councilman. * * * 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS
The Chair will dispense the regular of order and business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of 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 Councilman Green, who will present a resolution honoring the University of Pennsylvania's Engineering and Applied Sciences. Would Dean Joseph Bordogna and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. (U of P reps, Councilmembers, and others come forward.)
I see that Councilman Green is being joined by Councilwoman Blackwell and Councilman 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS Jones. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm pleased to be joined here to celebrate the invention of the computer in the City of Philadelphia with Councilwoman Blackwell in whose district that computer still sits and Councilman Jones, the district where the computer was, in fact, invented. Declaring April 15th as "Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer Day" (ENIAC) and honoring the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Whereas, in 1941, John Mauchly, a physics professor at Ursinus College, came to the University of Pennsylvania to learn about the latest electronic devices and techniques through a course sponsored by the War Department and offered at the Moore School; and 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS Whereas, in 1941, Mauchly was hired by the University of Pennsylvania Moore School as a professor, where he met J. Presper Eckert, Jr., who was also teaching there; and Whereas, discussions between Mauchly and Eckert on Mauchly's ideas about electronic computation led to Mauchly's memo "The Use of Vacuum Tube Devices and Calculating," which became the basis of a memo submitted to the U.S. Army's ballistic research laboratory detailing an innovative approach for producing artillery filing tables with electronic speed and digital accuracy...
And whereas, at the time, ballistic computation for artillery trajectory was performed by desktop calculators taking numerous days to complete a single artillery firing table; and Whereas, Mauchly's memo argued that electronic computers would compute firing calculations within a second and, 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS thus, complete a set firing table within 30 minutes rather than a month-long process, using desktop calculators; and Whereas, Mauchly's memo was turned into a proposal and submitted to the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps during World War II; and Whereas, on June 5, 1943, the U.S. Army financed the design and construction of the electronic numerical integrator and computer (ENIAC) by Penn's Moore School of Electric Engineering, with Mauchly as the project's principal consultant and Eckert as chief engineer; and...
Whereas, ENIAC was constructed by a team of engineers during wartime to serve the ballistic needs of the army; however, the war ended before the completion of ENIAC; and Whereas, upon the completion of ENIAC, it weighed 30 tons, employed over 18,000 vacuum tubes, and could add 5,000 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS numbers or do 350 ten-digit multiplications in a second, while other mechanical relay computers then in operation could do no more than 15 to 50 additions per second; and Whereas, while many military projects terminated at the end of the war, the high-speed computing and general programming capabilities of ENIAC survived and continued to solve scientific and engineering problems for ten years, including the computation of nuclear physical calculations associated with thermal nuclear chain reactions for the nuclear bomb; and Whereas, even though it had to be manually wired to execute a particular program, ENIAC was revolutionary in being the first large-scale, general-purpose electronic digital computer ever built and led to the evolution towards modern computer technology by developing the stored program architecture that is the fundamental architecture for all 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS computers today; and
Whereas, the City of Philadelphia gave birth to modern computing when ENIAC was designed and constructed at Penn's Moore School of Engineering and formally dedicated in Philadelphia on February 15, 1946; Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that it declares February 15th "ENIAC Day" in Philadelphia, a day on which the City celebrated the use of computers and advances and digital technology and seeks to bridge the digital divide throughout Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Further resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Penn School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and to the family of Mr. Mauchly as a sincere expression of City Council's gratitude and appreciation for its innovation and outstanding contribution 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS to the birth of the computer in the United States. Thank you. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Dean Bordogna for remarks. DEAN BORDOGNA: Good morning. I want to say a few things in recognition of this honor for the University of Pennsylvania and talk about what it relates to today. What spectacle can be more edifying or more seasonal than that of liberty and learning each leaning on the other with their mutual and serious comfort. So it's wonderful today to receive this in a council of government, this partnership with academe and making things happen. The big point here on the learning part is that everything in life is started by people, so it's quite appropriate that today, we have Dr. Mauchly's family with us in honor of 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS him, because without people, there is nothing going to happen. And I want to make a comment about this word "innovation" that we hear a lot about these days that's very important. If you look at that carefully, you need new knowledge to starting something new in the marketplace. So people create knowledge; knowledge is inherently human. So at the front end of innovation, you need people to do these things. And then you can take something when it's new and take it to the market as something new and different. Entrepreneurs come along, make companies, create wealth. And then what's needed? Workers. And they're people too. So at the front end and at the back end of the innovation scheme, people are very important, and that's what happened at the University of Pennsylvania. 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS I'd also like to quote, beside James Madison, our own Ben Franklin, which we should always do in the City of Philadelphia. By the way, the statue of Benjamin Franklin in the Franklin Institute weighs 30 tons; the first ENIAC weighed 30 tons. Now, you should feel a little relief about that because in the basement of the Moore School during the 1930s was the largest mechanical machine in the world, and that weighed a hundred tons. So now, we have the world in our hand under our thumbs. This has been a great change, and it all started in Philadelphia at 33rd and Walnut Street. Finally, Benjamin Franklin had many quips, and one was: "Genius without education is like silver in the mine. Unless you take the silver out, it's not of great value in a society." So I leave that with you, being a proud graduate of John Bartram High School, a public high school in the City 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS of Philadelphia, and I leave with you that we have to pay attention to the learning part of liberty and learning. And we will; I'm optimistic about it. But bottom line: Think people first all the time. Thank you. (Applause.)
Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.) * * * (Proceedings resume.)
The Chair now recognizes Councilmembers Tasco and Reynolds-Brown, who will present a resolution recognizing and acknowledging Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on the occasion of its Fourth Annual Philadelphia City Council Delta Day. Would Patricia Epps and those accompanying her please join the Councilwomen at the podium. (Honorees and Councilwomen come 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS forward.)
Thank you, Madam President. This is always one of our favorites times of the year, when we bring our sorors and sisters to City Council, because they care about government and they want to spend time understanding how we operate in Philadelphia and our city government and City Council. So this is part of their commitment to public service, which they have a very, very strong agenda, and this is their legislative day, and we really welcome them today to give them this resolution recognizing and acknowledging Delta Sigma Theta on the occasion of its Fourth Annual Philadelphia City Council Delta Day. Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded at 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS Howard University on January 13, 1913, by 22 African-American collegiate women. nearly six weeks after its inception, the founders of this illustrious organization participated in their first collective act of public service: marching in the women's suffrage march in Washington, D.C.; and Whereas, the 22 founders envisioned an organization that would use their collective strength to promote academic excellence, provide scholarships, provide assistance to persons in need, educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positive public policy, and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in their community; and...
W hereas, Delta Sigma Theta has been incorporated since 1930 and now boasts more than 200,000 members, with over 900 chapters in the United States, England, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands, the 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS Bahamas, and the Republic of Korea; and Whereas, the major programs of the sorority are based upon the organization's five-point thrust of economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement; and Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta is highly recognized for its commitment to sisterhood, community service, and the creation and implementation of programs that support the mission of Delta; and Whereas, as a national and international body, Delta Sigma Theta has participated in numerous Delta days in the nation's capital and, in March of 2003, became a nongovernmental organization at the United Nations, granting the organization's special consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations; and... 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS
Whereas, chapters from across Pennsylvania participate annually in legislative days in Harrisburg, and we are honored and pleased to be joined by the members of the Philadelphia, Quaker City, and Valley Forge alumnae chapters, who seek to become involved in the local public policy-making process and to further pledge their commitment to the City; Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that we recognize and acknowledge Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on the occasion of its Fourth Annual Philadelphia City Council Delta Day. Further resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to members of Delta Sigma Theta as an compression of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. And this was introduced by Councilwoman Tasco and Brown and supported by all members of City Council. 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS We welcome you, Valley Forge and Quaker City, and we thank you for the hard work that you provide to our area. (Applause.)
I would like to say good morning all of you. On behalf of The Honorable Marian B. Tasco, our Ninth District Councilwoman, and to our Councilwoman At-Large Blondell Reynolds-Brown thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to accept this citation from the Philadelphia -- all of the Delta Sigma Theta Sororities but from the Quaker City Alumnae Chapter and the Valley Forge Alumnae Chapter. We do accept this award. This is our fourth year attending the Delta Days at City Council. And every year, we learn something new, we learn something different, and we just look forward to coming to this special 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS occasion every year. In fact, we're going to look forward to coming back again next year. Again, we'd like to thank all of you. We'd like to thank you just for allowing us to accept this citation, and we will carry it with pride and with joy. And Delta women, we are everywhere. So, again, thank you. And I'm going to have to say a thank-you my soror Marian Tasco and my soror Blondell Reynolds-Brown. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
And we invite all Councilmembers to come into the Caucus Room after the Council session to share with the Deltas any information you might want to about your district; some of them may live in your area, and just chat with them. You're welcome to come. Thank you.
4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.) * * * (Proceedings resume.)
The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski, who will present a resolution declaring April 2011 as "Autism Awareness Month." Would Dr. Michelle Rowe and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. I see that Councilwoman Krajewski is being accompanied by Councilwoman Blackwell and Councilman DiCicco. (Dr. Rowe, Councilmembers, and others come forward.)
Thank you, Madam President. This is a resolution declaring April of 2011 as "Autism Awareness Month" 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS and recognizing April the 12, 2011, as "World Autism Day" in the City of Philadelphia. Whereas, autism was first identified by Dr. Leo Kanner in 1943; and...
Whereas, this complex developmental disorder is caused by neurobiological disability. It is now estimated to occur in one out of every 91 births, and research further indicates that autism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Over one half million people in the United States today have autism or some form of pervasive developmental disorder; and Whereas, the prevalence of autism makes this disorder one of the most common developmental disorders, yet most of the public and professionals in medical, educational, and vocational fields are still unaware of how autism 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS affects people and how they can effectively work with individuals with the disability; and
Whereas, with appropriate intervention, many of the associated behaviors can be positively changed, even in some cases that the child or adult may appear to the untrained person to no longer have autism. The majority of children and adults will, however, continue to exhibit some degree of the disorder throughout their lives. Although there's still no medical test for diagnosis of autism, and a cure has yet to be found, a better understanding of the disorder has led to a host of strategies to deal with the disability; and Whereas, the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support at St. Joseph's University was developed by Paul and Margaret Hondros; and COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Whereas, 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS the Kinney Center seeks to address the needs of those who struggle day-to-day with autism either as individuals or caregivers. The mission of the Kinney Center is to provide multipledisciplinary education and research opportunities for students, teachers, professionals, and parents who strive to improve and extend opportunities, outcomes, quality of life, and best practices and treatment for people with autism, autism spectrum disabilities, also known as ASD. Now, therefore...
Be it resolved further that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Kinney Center for their outstanding efforts in bringing attention to the fight against autism. As evidence of the respect and appreciation of this legislative body, sponsored by Councilman Jones and myself and all members of the City Council and 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS signed by the President of City Council. (Applause.)
On behalf of the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support at St. Joseph's University, we are very pleased to accept this. I'd like to take a moment and just ask you to raise your hand if you know someone with autism. Okay. As you can see, most of us know someone with autism. And at the Kinney Center, our mission is to have a direct and immediate impact on everyone we serve. What we do is, we actually step in after the educational system and the biomedical system have sort of done what they need to do. We're available for families to walk in, to call us, to present them with any kind of information or help that we can. We've been open for about a 4.14.11 STATED - PRESENTATIONS year-and-a-half now, and we serve the community in terms of social skills, helping kids to integrate more fully in society, summer camp programs, and a lot of education for the students that we will then go ahead and have those students go out and work in the community in the Philadelphia area. So I thank you very much for this award and this acknowledgment on behalf of the Kinney Center. (Applause.)
Thank you. Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.) * * * 4.14.11 STATED - COMMUNICATIONS (Proceedings resume.)
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: I am pleased to advise you that on April 13, 2011, I signed all of the bills that were passed by Council at its session on March 31, 2011; And I am transmitting herewith for the introduction and consideration of your honorable body an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 278 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Delaware Avenue from Robbins Street to Levick Street, reserving and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way for sewer and drainage purposes, water 4.14.11 STATED - COMMUNICATIONS main purposes, and public utility purposes within the lines of Delaware Avenue being stricken; And also an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 121 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portions of the westerly twelve-feet wide portion of 32nd Street from Glenwood Avenue to a point approximately twelve feet south of the southerly side of Master Street produced, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read any other communications in his possession.
Thank you. * * * 4.14.11 STATED - INTRO. OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of myself and Councilwoman Brown, I offer one resolution; and on behalf of myself and Councilmember DiCicco, I offer one bill.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Section 11-505 of Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Paving and Other Improvements by Property Owners," by providing further specifications for curb sidewalk and paving.
And a resolution recognizing Martha Chamberlain, one of 4.14.11 STATED - INTRO. OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS the Pennsylvania Ballet's principal dancers, on the occasion of her retirement after 21 years with the company.
This resolution will be placed on the final-passage calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. Today, I introduce one resolution that is cosponsored by every member of Council.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title.
A resolution calling on the Governor of Pennsylvania, the State House of Representatives, and the State Senate to continue to fund full-day kindergarten. 4.14.11 STATED - INTRO. OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
This resolution will be placed for final passage at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. I have offer one resolution.
A resolution honoring the life and recognizing the scientific accomplishments of Philadelphia resident Baruch Bloomberg, Nobel Prize winner.
This resolution will be placed on the final-passage calendar for consideration at our next session of City Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill. 4.14.11 STATED - INTRO. OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 278 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Delaware Valley from Robbins to Levick Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. 4.14.11 STATED - INTRO. OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS Today, I offer two resolutions.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution proclaiming the week of April 10, 2011, as "National Crime Victims' Rights Week."
This resolution will be placed on the final-passage calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution proclaiming the month of May 2011 as "Building Safety Month."
This resolution will be placed on the finalpassage calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you. No bills or resolutions, Madam President. 4.14.11 STATED - INTRO. OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Section 21-1702 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Notice of Certain Procurement Contracts Available for Bid," by adding new requirements for providing notices of certain sealed bids to community-based newspapers. 4.14.11 STATED - INTRO. OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution honoring and congratulating the Work to Ride Polo Program and its members on winning the National High School Polo Championship on March 13, 2011.
This resolution will be placed on the finalpassage calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to direct and execute to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia without consideration deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots and pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon situated in the Fourth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the final4.14.11 STATED - INTRO. OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS passage calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution celebrating May as "Older Americans Month" and designating May 9, 2011, as "Aging in a New Age Day."
This resolution will be placed on the finalpassage calendar for consideration at our next session City Council.
And a resolution honoring and congratulating Vanessa Morris, Kayla Williams, LaKeta Williams, Devon Walker, Harum Jones, and Jolessa Lewis for winning the Mastery Charter School's Shoemaker Campus First Annual Black History Month Oratorical Contest on February 25, 2011.
This resolution will be placed on the finalpassage calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode. 4.14.11 STATED - INTRO. OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
Thank you, Madam President. I offer no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
T hank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution cosponsored by members Jones, DiCicco, and Kenney.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution recognizing April 22, 2011 as Earth Day in Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the finalpassage calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman 4.14.11 STATED - INTRO. OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Section 14-1402 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Parking in Residential Districts," and Section 14-1607 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Special Controls for the Center City Commercial Area," by adding to both sections special provisions relating to the area bounded by Walnut Street, 12th Street, 13th Street, and Sansom Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, I have no bills or 4.14.11 STATED - INTRO. OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam President. I have one bill, one resolution.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 121 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portions of the westerly twelve-feet wide portion of 32nd from Glenwood Avenue to a point approximately 12 feet south of the southerly side of Master Street produced.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. 4.14.11 STATED - INTRO. OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
And a resolution recognizing and honoring Darryl Scott for his heroism and calm, responsible actions in rescuing his family from their burning home.
This resolution will be placed on the finalpassage calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
The Chair thanks you. * * * 4.14.11 STATED - COMMITTEE REPORTS
The next order of business is reports from committees. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a report from the Committee of the Whole.
Madam President, the Committee of the Whole reports five resolutions with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and the members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia: The Committee of the Whole, to which was reported: Resolution No. 110196, entitled "A Resolution confirming the appointment of E. Mitchell Swann as a member of the Board of the Philadelphia Energy Authority, to serve in the term ending January 1, 2016"; and 4.14.11 STATED - COMMITTEE REPORTS Resolution No. 110197, entitled "A Resolution confirming the appointment of Christopher Lewis as a member of the Board of the Philadelphia Energy Authority, to serve in the term ending January 1, 2013"; and Resolution No. 110198, entitled "A Resolution confirming the appointment of Barbara Adams as a member of the Board of the Philadelphia Energy Authority, to serve in the term ending January 1, 2015"; and Resolution No. 110199, entitled "A Resolution confirming the appointment of Ken Ogawa as a member of the Board of the Philadelphia Energy Authority to serve in the term ending January 1, 2012"; and Resolution No. 110237, entitled "A Resolution confirming the appointment of Emily Schiller as a member of the Board of the Philadelphia Energy Authority to serve in the term ending January 1, 2014"; 4.14.11 STATED - COMMITTEE REPORTS Respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached resolutions to Council with a favorable recommendation.
These resolutions will be placed on the finalpassage calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Greenlee for a report from the Committee on Law and Government.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Law and Government reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and the members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia: The Committee on Law and Government to which was referred 4.14.11 STATED - COMMITTEE REPORTS Bill No. 110210, entitled "An Ordinance amending Chapter 10-100 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Animals,' to provide for mandatory annual licensing of dogs and the creation of dog-licensing agents to facilitate the issuance of such licenses to provide for minimum standards for the care and control of dogs and cats, including their maintenance in kennels operating in the City, to provide for the sterilization of dogs and cats, to provide for the confiscation and protection of dogs used in dog-fighting, and to provide for the administration and enforcement of laws relating to animals, all under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Madam President. 4.14.11 STATED - COMMITTEE REPORTS I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 110210. (Motion duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bill just reported from committee. All those in favor will indicate by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the bill just read will be placed on our firstreading calendar for today. * * * 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY
The next order of business is the consideration of the calendar. I note that the bill just reported from committee with a suspension of the rules has been deemed to have had a first reading. This bill will be placed on the second-reading and final-passage calendar for the next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the first-reading calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the second-reading and final-passage calendars.
Thank you, Madam President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up for the second-reading and final-passage calendars today: 110262, 110263, 110269, 100552-AA, 100314-A, 100303, 110002-A, 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY 100715, 110072, 110073, and 110083. 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you. Before considering these bills and resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comments must concern matters on the secondreading and final-passage calendars for possible action at today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you not have already signed up, please do so by giving your name so the Sergeant-at-Arms at the table to my left, right to my left. You will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. You will have up to three minutes to speak. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.
Good morning. I do have a second copy for the Chief Clerk. Here it is.
Okay. First of all, my name is Fred Maurer, and I want to testify on this Bill 10002 [sic]. My comments start with this: Bill is a pending disaster for all public parks in Philadelphia. The glowing preface to this bill denies the true intentions in the formation of our parks since William Penn enshrined and dedicated five squares to be held in perpetuity forever. This bill is not about 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY protecting public parks. It is designed as a road map to remove public parks and to convert public uses into private uses, including land or buildings as sales or more privately. The initiation and goals of this bill was to assist the Fox Chase Cancer Center take part of Burholme Park and to take other public parks out of the public welfare dedication and to make them available to any party or as a speculator. The beginning of this ordinance was sponsored by the Alliance of Parks to get rid of the legal control of the Fairmount Park Commission. They tied it into a citywide support to elect Michael A. Nutter as a Green City platform with the Inquirer. In the first month of his term, Michael Nutter rewarded the Alliance with two benefits. One was to change the City Charter in order to abolish the Fairmount Park Commission. It seems the Alliance 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY did not want to accept their authority and wanted to dispose of it. The second benefit was to cut up Burholme Park and give one half to Fox Chase Cancer Center as a commercial lease for 120 years and to make over 20 buildings. Michael Nutter sponsored and signed both bills. I ask, did Mayor Michael Nutter know that the Park Alliance was corrupted by its former president and a board member who is also a vice president in the Fox Chase Cancer Center for development. She was a member of the Alliance. We all know that a lawsuit under Judge Herron voided that transaction, and it was tried under the Price Act of 1953 and the Public Trust Doctrine, called the Philadelphia Museums, 1915, that once a park is dedicated to the public welfare as a park and placed on the City Plan -(Timer bell rings.) 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY -- and has some uses, the City has an estoppel. It cannot remove or harm the dedication. When this bill was designed, Nancy Goldenberg, one of the authors, informed us that this Alliance was made -- that this ordinance was made with the Alliance, with the Mayor, and with the City Solicitor's help, and it was approved by all City Council members in advance. So we know it is a done deal. But, I ask, is it legal? Well, I see many flaws to critique. City Council has dirty hands on Burholme Park when they ruled against good testimony and still disrespects our common welfare in public parks, because City Council does not want to abide with the rules of law and to protect parks for the public use only. To cite a few flaws, the proposal begins with the textual flaws the. The so-called finding represents -misrepresents the facts, because there 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY was no findings study and no testimonies to authenticate any findings. What it stated are the same mere words as in any budget hearing phrase They omit that William Penn ordained public squares and parks to be free use forever, and that's the case of Alberger. Since there were no true findings to justify any ordinance, then you want to substitute your supposed legal mission obligations. Section 1 should really state that the City consolidation of 1854 ordained that new parks shall be placed in all townships. The Act of 1867 created the Fairmount Park with supplements to manage its watershed park and cultural values as an independent agency. Act 33, approved by Governor Robert Patterson in June 1885, stated this: To provide for the better government for cities of the first class in this Commonwealth, to govern 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY Philadelphia as a city of the first class.
Excuse me, sir. Do you mind concluding your testimony? You've gone well beyond the three minutes.
Let me summarize. I don't like being cut off because this is a serious matter. It's been held for over a -- for about a year, waiting for this opportunity. Now to circumvent it -What I want to tell the City Council, this is a bad ordinance. What you should do, if you want to -- you should have made it as a recommendation. You should not take the authority away from the departments, which are supposed to regulate the parks. And this was a bad idea. It was only done to take care of -- to get rid of Burholme Park. It was a poor thing to do then and it's a poor thing now to make all our parks available for 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY any developer to come in and take the property. This is a road map to get rid of parks, not to protect parks.
We thank you for coming in to testify. Thank you very much. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read anyone else on the list to testify.
Miles Gordon, commenting on 110002-A. (Mr. Gordon comes forward.)
Good morning. And a sunny day it is in Philadelphia, finally.
My name's Miles Gordon. I'm a Philadelphia resident and taxpayer. I'm Vice President of the Cruisetown Road Neighbors Association and 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY also the Greater Bustleton Civic League and an elected committeeperson. I oppose this bill. I'm sure it had good intentions when it was created. But, believe it or not, 2:30 this morning, I looked up some definitions of words that appeared more than twenty times in it: Convert, transfer, and convey. And I came up with definitions in my Webster's Dictionary of removal or acquisition of property: "To pass from one to another" and, horrifyingly, "steal," and then the word: "Carry away secretly." I don't think anybody wants to do that with Fairmount Park. I certainly hope not. What if the Inquirer ran a story tomorrow morning that said we're selling Fairmount Park. What if each news station -- Channel 6, 29, 3, 10 and 17 -- had that as their top story tonight instead of the sordid stories we see every day of murder, killing, rape, and 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY robbery. I think the taxpayers, the residents, and every Councilperson would be upset. July 16 marks twenty years since the greatest advocate in the history of the City as a public official left us. I speak of Mayor Frank Rizzo Frank Rizzo; Frank Rizzo, who loved nature. Beneath that hardened exterior was a man that loved the environment, he loved his dog, he loved his parrot, and he loved the geese and everything about Fairmount Park. And you may recall when there was the devastating oil spill on the Schuylkill, he asked the cops and the Fairmount Park workers to go out there and clean up those geese. And that's exactly what was done. And probably all, if not most, of those geese' lives were saved. After his administration, Mayor Green came along, and he also was an environmentalist. He at one point moved 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY up to Chestnut Hill, and he did everything he could to save the parkland. Then came our first AfricanAmerican Mayor, Mayor Goode, and also too did everything he could, under some very difficult circumstances, with cuts from the federal government and the Reagan administration. But we're in a new day and time today. Economic pressures among Councilmembers. Some day soon -- it may not be now, five, ten, years from now -Disney World's going to come along and say, "Oh, we want to build a little small park in Fairmount Park." If this legislation passes, they have a conduit and the access to do it. So I implore you, please vote no on this bill. It's a tough vote. I know there's arm twisting and political pressure applied. I was thinking about this, and the greatest Councilpeople ever that I 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY consider legends, I'll mention their names: Beatrice Chernoff, Thacher Longstreth, Dr. Ethel Allen, Cecil B. Moore, Lucien Blackwell, Dave Cohen, and Al Perlman. They were very different politically, ideologically in the political parties that they were members of, but they had one thing in common: They had guts and they represented the people in this city -(Timer bell rings.)
-- who had no voice, who were hopeless, helpless. Some were poor, some were rich, but they didn't know where to go to. And if they were the one vote against 16 others, they didn't care. They stood up and voted their conscience for every citizen of this city. And that's what I'm asking every Councilmember to do, by being a hero and being a legend like they were and voting no on this bill. 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY Thank you very much.
Fred Fisher, commenting on 100552-AA. (Mr. Fisher comes forward.)
Nice to see you all. I want to thank you, of course, for giving me this privilege to speak under the Sunshine Law, and I really appreciate it. One thing about laws, laws are made, and it puts a burden on the people who enforce them. You have to have L&I or someone go out to check to see that these dishes are properly placed. It puts a burden also on the people doing it, the homeowners who want to have a dish TV or whatever. And I just want to make one thing clear today. I come here with love 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY for everybody in this room, okay? If I say things that people don't like, it's not because of anything personal. My -- I remember way back when, I lived at 23rd and Naudain. And there's a market at 23rd and South, and the back of it is on Naudain Street. And the situation was then, there was no park parking, only a loading zone the entire block. And I went to see Councilman Cibotti, and he changed that, where the market had a restricted area for loading and the neighbors could park. And that was really a big boon to that neighborhood. That was in 1979. When I bought that property, most of the neighboring properties were nailed shut, there was shootings in the neighborhood, et cetera. My mother-inlaw was appalled, but it turned out to be good. I just wanted to say something. You know, some laws are passed, and you 4.14.11 STATED - CALENDER/PUBLIC TESTIMONY realize you make a mistake. For instance, the most obvious one is prohibition. That was passed, and what have we got from that was organized crime. And now we have a law, which I'm not allowed to speak about, but is draining the budget of the City of Philadelphia, and I think that should be changed as soon as possible. You all know what I'm talking about. Thank you very much.
You're welcome. Is there anyone else who has signed up to provide public testimony or comments? (No response.)
That concludes our public comments period. * * * 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR
We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the second-reading and final-passage calendar. I would please ask the Clerk to read the title of Resolution No. 110262.
A resolution honoring and recognizing Imhotep Institute Charter School as 2011 PIAA Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association State Boys Basketball Champions.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Motion duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 110263.
A resolution also naming the 2700 block of North Bonsall Street as "Joan Ray Way."
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Motion duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution No. 110269.
A resolution 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR recognizing and congratulating the Energy Coordinating Agency and the John S. and James L. Knight Green Jobs Training Center on the successful graduation of their one-thousandth trainee.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Motion duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution 100314-A.
A resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR for a mandatory Budget Stabilization Reserve.
Because Resolution No. 100314-A is a proposed amendment to the Home Rule Charter, it requires a two-thirds vote at this time. At this time, the Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Councilman Greenlee? 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR
Councilwoman 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR Sanchez?
Aye. The ayes are 17, the nays are 0. A majority of all members of Council having voted in the affirmative, the resolution has been adopted. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Point of order, Madam President.
Yes. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: We skipped over Bill No. 100552-AA. I actually wanted that bill to be called up for a vote.
All right. We will do that. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you.
Thank you. 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR We will now consider Bill No. 10303.
An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia the proposals set forth in a resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for a mandatory Budget Stabilization Reserve.
This bill also requires a two-thirds vote. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please call the roll.
Councilwoman Reynolds-Brown? 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR
Aye. The ayes are 17, the nays are 0. A two-thirds majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. We will now consider Bill No. 100552-AA.
An ordinance amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Race Street, Fourth 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR Street, Fifth Street, and Florist Street and by amending Section 14-303 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "C-3 Commercial 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.
Councilman 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR Greenlee?
Aye. The ayes are 17, the nays are 0. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. We will now consider Bill No. 110002-A.
An ordinance amending Chapter 15-100 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Parks," by prohibiting the transfer or conversion of outdoor public park and recreation land in the City to other uses or to third parties unless certain procedures and requirements are met.
This 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR bill having been read on two different days, the question now is: Shall the bill pass finally? Before taking a vote, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I ask to please speak on this bill prior to the vote.
I would ask to please speak on this bill prior to the vote.
Okay, thank you, Madam President. Jenny Dewar, a distinguished public-policy wonk stated, and I quote: "It would be argued that during the most challenging moments, people with ideas and a willingness to work together and give of themselves can not only meet but 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR rise above and succeed brilliantly." Today, we are at that moment with this Bill No. 110002. On January 27, 2011, Councilman Brian O'Neill and I introduced this bill. And on March 9th, the hearing on the bill was held in the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. The amended version of the bill was subsequently reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. This bill intends to protect 13 percent of the total land in Philadelphia overseen by the Department of Parks and Recreation by establishing criteria governing its disposition, and ensures that future development in our city do not result in any net loss of public land and recreation land. I would like to say thank you to the Parks and Recreation Commissioners and all of the stakeholders that have been a part of this continuing, ongoing dialogue since the unprecedented merger 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR of our parks system. I also want to acknowledge and say thank you to Councilman Darrell Clarke, Councilman Brian O'Neill, Mayor Nutter, Nancy Goldenberg, and all of stakeholders who have been on multiple sides of this issue. Regardless of which opinions have been advocated for, argued, or debated, the common thread was to protect the diverse park system we all share. Therefore, Madam President, I'm asking for the support of all of my colleagues as we move to act on Bill No. 110002. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Councilwoman Miller? 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR
Aye. The ayes are 17, the nays are 0. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. We will now consider Bill No. 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR 100715.
An ordinance authorizing Mike Scotese, owner of Grey Lodge Pub, to construct, own, and maintain an open-air sidewalk café at 6235 Frankford 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. 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR
Aye. The ayes are 17, the nays are 0. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 110072.
An ordinance amending Section 2606 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Board of Ethics," by further providing for administrative adjudication.
This bill having been read on two different 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR 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 0. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, this bill passes. We will now consider Bill No. 110073.
An ordinance amending Chapter 21000 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Political Contributions and Expenditures," by clarifying that no person shall make excess contributions to candidates through another political committee.
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.
Councilwoman Blackwell? 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR
Aye. The ayes are 17, the nays are 0. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR passes. We will now consider Bill No. 110083.
An ordinance amending Section 14-1607, entitled "Special District Controls to the Center City Commercial Area" and Section 14-1605, 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 bonded by Chestnut Street, 12th Street, 13th Street, and Sansom 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.
Councilwoman Miller? 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR
Aye. The ayes are 17, the nays are 0. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. To the Chief Clerk: Did we 4.14.11 STATED - FINAL-PASSAGE CALENDAR consider Bill No. 110872? I'm sorry, okay. Never mind. We did consider the bill. Okay. Does the Chief Clerk have any other resolutions to be called to our attention at this time?
There are no other resolutions for consideration, Madam President.
Thank you. That concludes our calendar for today. * * * 4.14.11 STATED - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT
Are there speeches on the part of the Minority? (No response.)
Are there speeches on the part of the Majority? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, we would certainly like to recognize a very important day today, and that is the celebration of your birthday.
On behalf of City Council, we do have a special recognition of your birthday, and we hope you will have many, many more wonderful, healthy birthdays.
Thank 4.14.11 STATED - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT you.
Could we all sing happy birthday, please. ("Happy Birthday" sung to Council President Verna.)
Thank you. There are some things you would like to forget. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all so very much. As I said there are some things, we like to forget. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to make announcement about Philadelphia Recycling Industries Congress. Today, in Conversation Hall, is having an event. The Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association and the Pennsylvania Recycling Market Center are sponsoring an event to spotlight some of Philadelphia-area businesses that are creating jobs and building the green economy by processing recyclables and 4.14.11 STATED - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT using recycled materials to make new products for new markets. The environmental benefits associated with recycling are well recognized, but less well known is the fact that recycling in Philadelphia and in Pennsylvania at large has matured into a growing private-sector industry that makes major contributions to our economy. In keeping with Greenworks Philadelphia, the City's sustainability action plan, local private-sector recyclers and recycling-related businesses are working to help Philadelphia to become the greenest city in America. Private-sector recycling accounts for more than 52,000 jobs, with an annual payroll totalling $2.2 billion throughout Pennsylvania. In Philadelphia alone, this industry has invested millions of dollars in new and recently upgraded materials recovery facilities. The Pennsylvania waste Industries Association of Pennsylvania 4.14.11 STATED - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT Recycling Market Center cordially invites everyone to visit the Philadelphia Recycling Industries Congress between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. today in Conversation Hall. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. I have two announcements. I'd just like to remind everyone and invite those who didn't know to the Mayoral signing of the Ban the Box legislation on Monday April 18, 2011, at 10 a.m., in the Mayor's reception room. And the second announcement is actually a little sad. We regret to inform you of the passing of a gentleman from Germantown by the name of Gerald Marshall, who's been pretty active in the neighborhood for many, many years. And 4.14.11 STATED - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT his funeral is tomorrow, April 15th, at 11 a.m., and the viewing starts at 9 to 11 a.m., at second Baptist Church of Germantown, 6469 Germantown Avenue. And that's actually at Germantown Avenue and Upsall Street. So just sorrowfully, I just wanted to announce this. Gerry and David Richardson were very, very close many years ago. So -- and his wife just died like a month ago. So this is really kind of tragic. Thank you.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. I just want to acknowledge that we have our exceptional students from Roxborough High School that have accompanied the Deltas here today to look at government in action. And as other 4.14.11 STATED - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT bodies of young people who have blessed these chambers, doing exceptional things, from robotics to championships in sports, to achievements in academics. They deal with a lot of things as young teenagers. One of the things that they should not have to deal with is violence and a culture of violence that has grown prevalent in our schools. We recently debated whether or not to have armed police officers in our schools once again because of the problem. HBO did a special called "Gun Fight," where they depicted Philadelphia as one of the murder capitals of the world. It is statistically not true but something that has been more and more put out. To that end, I am joining with a host committee called Peace and Love Youth Council, which is having a town meeting April 27th at the School Board, 400 North Broad. And that town meeting, its sole purpose is to discuss with young 4.14.11 STATED - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT people how to end the violence. For adults and administrators, elected officials, members of the press, for us to shut up and listen to them as it relates to how we can solve some of these problems. I want to especially thank Herman and Rochelle Davis, who have joined in this peace and love movement, and also Lady B from 103, the B, that are pushing this forward. I would also encourage all of my colleagues, all of my colleagues, to either attend or send a representative, because it transcends districts. There is no part of the City that is safe. The students that I mentioned from Roxborough High School had to suffer the loss of a classmate this year due to that type of violence. So the enemy of my enemy is my friend. So we're going to join up at that town meeting to try to deal with this situation. 4.14.11 STATED - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT And I thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, April 28th, 10:00 a.m., 2011. (Motion duly seconded.)
It's been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, April 23rd, at 10 a.m. All in favor will say aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, the motion carries, and Council stands adjourned. (Proceedings end at 11:56 a.m.) * * * C E R T I F I C A T E I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings of the Thursday, April 14, 2014, Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia City Council are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me on Thursday, April 14, 2011, and that this is a true and correct statement of same. __________________________________ JOSEPHINE CARDILLO Registered Professional Reporter (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's.)