Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 090097. (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 in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bill just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Kenney for a report from the Committee on the Environment.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on the Environment reports one bill out with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on the Environment, to which was referred Bill No. 090074, entitled, "An ordinance amending Chapter 9-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Service and Other Businesses,' by adding a new Section 9-614, entitled 'Mandatory Use of Recyclable and Compostable Checkout Bags,' 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. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I move the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit of Bill No. 090074. (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 in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bill just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with a suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. They will, therefore, be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING Calendar for our next session of Council. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar to be considered today. Councilwoman, I understand that there is an amendment to Bill No. 090446.
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit an amendment to Bill No. 090446. (Duly seconded.)
The ayes have it, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
I would 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 090446. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
All in favor of the motion signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 090446 is amended. Bill No. 090446 will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. Now Councilwoman Tasco could certainly read the bills that are being called up for a vote on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING of a Consent Agenda to consider the following bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar: Bills No. 090259, 090262, 090266, 090291, 0902 -I'm sorry; 090320, 090329, 090382, 090386, 090387, 090388, 090391, 090404, 090406, 090407, 090438, 090441, 090444, 090098, 090192, 090210, 090327, 090330, 090012, 090353 and 090389 are all being called up on the Consent Agenda. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the bills just read by Councilwoman Tasco. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and we 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING will consider the Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up the bills on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Madam President. In addition to bills being considered on the Consent Agenda, Bill No. 080527-A, which will be amended, 090015-AA, 090244-A, 090295, 090292, 090169, 090170 to be amended, 090348, 090349, 090354, 090359, 090381, 090392 to be amended, 090288, 090352, 090437, 090289, 090361, 090122, 090123 to be amended, and 090290.
Thank you. We will now consider today's Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the bill on the Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the bill will be 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on our regular Final Passage Calendar. I would ask the Chief Clerk to now read the title of the bills on the Consent Agenda.
Bill No. 090259, an ordinance authorizing William Shoepe to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 4000 Spruce Street; and Bill No. 090262, an ordinance amending Section 9-211 of The Philadelphia Code by including certain areas in the vicinity of Manayunk Avenue; and Bill No. 090266, an ordinance authorizing Dahlia Osman to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 1001 South 10th Street; and Bill No. 090291, an ordinance establishing a no parking regulation on the 5200 block of Marshall Street; and Bill No. 090320, an ordinance 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING authorizing the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of 7th Street and Godfrey Avenue; and Bill No. 090329, an ordinance amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code by adding a permissible location on the sidewalk of the west side of 18th Street between Walnut Street and Locust Street; and Bill No. 090382, an ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of Rising Sun Avenue at Adams Avenue; and Bill No. 090386, an ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of Henry Avenue at Walnut Lane; and Bill No. 090387, an ordinance amending Section 9-208 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Cafes," by permitting sidewalk cafes to be maintained on Ridge Avenue, both 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING sides; and Bill No. 090388, an ordinance amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code by adding as a permissible location Canal View Park; and Bill No. 090391, an ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of Aramingo Avenue at York Street; and Bill No. 090404, an ordinance establishing a one way parking regulation on Belgrade Street, from Ash Street to Pratt Street; and Bill No. 090406, an ordinance amending Section 9-205 by prohibiting sidewalk sales on portions of Broad Street, Venango Street, Tioga Street and Ontario Street; and Bill No. 090407, an ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of Aramingo Avenue at Castor Avenue; and 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING Bill No. 090438, an ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on Vernon Road; and Bill No. 090441, an ordinance authorizing the paving of 4th Street from Westmoreland Street to Ontario Street; and Bill No. 090444, an ordinance authorizing Chapters 10-611 and 12-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled, respectively, "Sidewalk Behavior" and "Bicycle Regulations and Penalties"; and Bill No. 090098, an ordinance renaming and designating the Fotteral Square Playground as the "James Young Memorial Playground"; and Bill No. 090192, an ordinance renaming and designating the park located at the intersection of Germantown Avenue, York Street and North 8th Street as the "Danny Boyle Community Park"; and Bill No. 090210, an ordinance renaming and designating McAlpin Playground located at 36th and Aspen 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING Street as the "Miles Mack Playground"; and Bill No. 090 -(Applause.)
090327, an ordinance authorizing the President of the Fairmount Park Commission of the Northwestern Equestrian Facility in Fairmount Park"; and Bill No. 090330, an ordinance authorizing the President of the Fairmount Park Commission to sublease the property at the Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation"; and Bill No. 090012, an ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Business Privilege Taxes," by providing for the "New Philadelphia Job Creation Tax Credit"; and Bill No. 090353, an ordinance amending Section 19-2604 of The Philadelphia Code, by amending the provisions providing a credit for 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING contributions to community development corporations to allow two businesses to apply jointly for the credit"; and Bill No. 090389, an ordinance authorizing the Commerce Director to file an application under the Main Street Program in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,306,000, all under certain terms and conditions. Councilwoman Blackwell -
Just a moment, please. These bills having been read on two different days, the question for each bill now is shall the bills pass finally. The Clerk shall call the roll, and upon being called, each Councilmember 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 for which he is voting nay. At this time, I would ask the Chief Clerk to please call the roll.
Aye on all bills. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative on each of the bills, the bills on the Consent Agenda are passed. We will now consider the bills on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar, and I would ask the Clerk to please read the title of Bill No. 080527-A.
An ordinance amending Section 14-2007 of The Philadelphia Code to permit the historic designations of public interior portions of buildings, and making technical 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING changes, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of Councilman Green, the main sponsor of this bill, and together with Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, I offer amendments to this bill. The amendments have been circulated. Just for the record, they worked together with all the stakeholders and all the interested parties, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and I move the adoption of the amendments. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the amendment be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.) 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. We will now consider Bill No. 090015-AA.
An ordinance amending Section 9-212 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Newsstands," to permit the placement of commercial advertising on newsstands and revise the fee for a newsstand license.
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 15; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. We will now consider Bill No. 090244-A.
An ordinance amending Section 19-2700 of The 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sales and Use Tax and Hotel Occupancy Tax," by revising the rate of tax, under certain terms and conditions.
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 15; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The next bill to be considered is Bill No. 090295.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 11th Street, Filbert Street, 8th Street and Market Street.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Madam President? 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING
The Chief Clerk will please -- I'm sorry. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Point of order.
Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Madam President, in the caucus, I had indicated I'd like to speak on this.
Okay. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. This legislation rezones 801 Market Street as a Commercial Entertainment District and it is a step towards making a Market Street East casino a reality. For clarity, the developer must still present a Plan of Development, including traffic, parking and architectural plans, to the Planning Commission prior to final approvals. This is a significant step forward for Foxwoods, but it is not their final 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING hurdle. Over the past four years, Brian Abernathy, my legislative assistant, and I have lived and breathed casino gaming. I understand the problems associated with gaming - traffic, addiction and safety problems. And I also understand the economic benefits that can be derived from casinos - tax revenue, jobs and the potential uplift for the surrounding area. Working with and observing this Administration has made me confident that we can address the problems associated with these developments. Struggling through this year's budget and through this recession, some would argue depression is clear how desperately we need the economic benefits. While this legislation removes most City obstacles that remain for Foxwoods development, there are still obstacles. The developers are facing the worst credit market in the history in decades. By passing this bill, Foxwoods' 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING potential creditors should feel confident about the City's support. Foxwoods must still gain site control. The negotiations with their landlord, Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, has progressed well, but all of us are also aware that another owner of the building, Gramercy Capital, has expressed concerns about this development. Neither City Council nor the Mayor can solve those problems. We will not allow what little power we have to be used as leverage for a private party. We're confident that PREIT, Foxwoods and Gramercy will resolve what issues exist. Finally, the City is actively negotiating a reciting agreement. You may recall that the developers signed a tax settlement agreement with the City at their previous location. That agreement must be renegotiated. Some of its provisions are no longer relevant. However, some of the agreement's 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING provisions will provide long-term security to the City and the surrounding neighborhoods. Over the past several weeks, my office has accompanied the Administration in these negotiations, and significant progress has been made. In conclusion, I want to send a clear message to Foxwoods, to the Gaming Board and to the state Legislature. Frank DiCicco, City Council and the City of Philadelphia support entertainment development partners. The City, the State, Pennsylvania Entertainment Development Partners and PREIT all have a significant economic interest in this project. As such, we're committed to working as partners to make this casino a reality. As partners, we may not always agree, but as partners, we will be working towards the same goal. On one final note, I believe that Market Street is the right site for Philadelphia's second casino. If Foxwoods attempts to return to the river, 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING I will continue the fight, as I've done over the last four years. While I may fail -(Audience yelling.)
We will have order, please. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: While I may fail in that battle, I can guarantee a difficult road. If this partnership should fail, if the credit markets are simply too difficult or if the Gaming Board for whatever reason decides to rebid this license, I hope they recognize that Philadelphia has made a choice. Market Street East can work. Give us the opportunity to make it happen. And thank you, Madam President, and thank you to all of my colleagues -(Audience yelling.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: -- who have -(Audience yelling.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: -- who have worked with me as the Councilperson 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING who represents the district of where two casinos have been chosen by the State Gaming Board to be located within. I know it was difficult for all of you from time to time. I understand the pressure that all of us have been under, and I sincerely and truly thank all of you, each and every one of you, for standing by me and -(Audience yelling.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: -- and the constituents that I represent in the 1st Councilmanic District, including some of the folks who are yelling at us today. Thank you again. (Audience yelling.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes -(Audience yelling.)
The Chair recognizes -(Audience yelling.) 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING
If you don't stop, I will have you removed. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney. Your light is on.
Thank you, Madam President. I would like to be recorded as voting aye on the bills that I missed voting on the Consent Agenda when I was out of the room.
The record will so reflect that. Bill No. 090295 has been read, and at this time, I would say that this bill having been read on two different days -(Audience yelling.)
-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, this bill passes. We will now consider Bill No. 090292.
An ordinance 6/11/09 - STATED - 2ND READING amending Section 17-107 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Contractors: Labor-Management Relationships," by amending the definition of "City Work" and "Service Contracts" to include certain subcontracts for non-professional services, all under certain terms and conditions.
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.