COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Thursday, March 4, 1999 10:05 a.m. Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE L. BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN AUGUSTA A. CLARK COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILMAN W. THACHER LONGSTRETH COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center Plaza, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 INVOCATION
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, visitors will retire to the seats outside the rail. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes Reverend Kevin Porter. He is the Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Germantown and is the guest of Councilwoman Miller. Members and guests will please rise.
Let us pray. Most gracious and loving God, we give thanks for this day, for each moment within it is a gift from You. Every breath we take gives witness to Your love for each of us. Keep us ever mindful that we are all Your children; that those we would refer to as black or white, yellow or brown, those we would distinguish as rich or poor, those we would call gay or straight, those we would label Democrat or Republican, You would have us call neighbor, especially in the hallowed halls of this city which has been so richly blessed, in this city which has given birth to a nation so richly blessed. INVOCATION Remind us that our continued blessing lies in the degree to which we learn to love You and to love all our neighbors as ourselves. Teach us to honor the divine spark which is within all of us, even as we ask Your protection from all which would keep us from seeing it. Bless these, the leaders which have been called for the facing of this day. Bless those they love and lift the burdens of their hearts, even as we place the burdens of the city upon their shoulders. Grant them Your wisdom, Your vision, and Your compassion, even as we commend our city to Your merciful care. In Your name we pray. Amen.
The Chair thanks Reverend Porter for his inspiring invocation. (Councilmembers greet Reverend Porter.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of February 25, 1999. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman APPROVAL OF JOURNAL Clark.
Madam Chair, I move for the adoption of the Journal of February 25, 1999. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly second the that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 25, 1999, stands approved. All in favor will vote aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion carries. The Journal of Thursday, February 25, 1999, is approved. The next order of business is Leaves of Absence. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark.
Madam Chair, I am aware of no requests for Leave of Absence at this time on the part of the Democrats.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The next order of business -- I'm LEAVES OF ABSENCE sorry; the Chair recognizes Councilman Longstreth.
I am speaking for the minority. I don't know where my beloved minority leader is. But, to my knowledge, there are no requests for Leaves of Absence.
Wait a minute. I am getting a correction. Councilman O'Neill will be out of town on business related to some degree to the city.
So a Leave of Absence will be granted for Councilman O'Neill. And is Councilman O'Neill's clerk in the office? If he is, would he please approach the podium. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in the chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session this morning. WELCOME GUESTS/PRESENTATIONS We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attempt the legislative affairs of our city. We invite you to come again. This morning, our first presentation designates the month of March as American Red Cross Month. Receiving this presentation is Ms. Kathleen Glackin, CEO for Blood Services in the PennJersey Region. I invite Councilman DiCicco to make this presentation. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. Recognizing March 1999 as American Red Cross Month. Whereas, the American Red Cross is a humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life, enhancing self-reliance and concern for others, and to helping people avoid, prepare for, and cope with emergencies through disaster relief programs, health, safety, education, social services, and through its blood program; And, whereas, for more than 50 years, PRESENTATIONS the nation has relied on the American Red Cross to provide life-saving blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals nationwide; And, whereas, approximately 40,000 units of red cells are needed each day nationwide, and more than 23 million components of blood are transfused each year; And, whereas, blood supplies in Philadelphia, in the Philadelphia area, have dropped in recent months, while the demand for blood products has risen, including a pressing need at Children's Hospital for Type AB blood, which is the universal plasma donor; And, whereas, one unit of blood will help five patients in need, including accident and burn victims, cancer patients, and children and adults suffering from sickle cell anemia; And, whereas, there is an increased need for screening for rare blood types in the African-American and other minority communities, as well as the need for increased public awareness in the African-American and other minority communities of this dire need for rare blood products; Now, therefore, resolved by the PRESENTATIONS Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby recognize March as Red Cross Month and designate March 31, 1999, as City Council Blood Drive Day, and that all City Council members and staff and other City Hall personnel be invited and encouraged to participate in this worthy endeavor. Resolved further that an engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the American Red Cross as evidence of the respect and admiration of this legislative body for the important work they do in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. This is a true and correct copy of the original Resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 4th day of February, 1999, signed by the President of City Council, Anna C. Verna; introduced by me; and co-sponsored by all members of City Council. (Applause.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I just would like to make one other note. Three years ago, when I came to Council and we began this program, to date, City Council members and other City Hall personnel have contributed 120 units of blood so far. PRESENTATIONS So I want to thank you on behalf of the Red Cross. Thank you. (Applause.)
It is my pleasure, on behalf of the Red Cross, to thank City Council, Councilman DiCicco, and all city employees that have helped save lives by their support of the Red Cross mission. Red Cross, we have a motto that says, Help Can't Wait. And help can't wait, but help can't be there without the support of volunteers in the community; those folks that give blood, those folks that come out and respond to disasters, and folks such as the Council that provide leadership to this activity in the community. We are deeply grateful. On behalf of the hospital patients whose lives have been saved by the voluntary blood donations, I would like to thank you. Thank you. (Applause.)
Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.) PRESENTATIONS
Will Councilwoman Blackwell please approach the Chair. Our second presentation today also designates March as Save Your Vision Month. Receiving this presentation is Dr. Eugene Wayne, President of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. I invite Councilwoman Tasco to make this presentation.
Good morning. It gives me pleasure to present this Resolution declaring March as Save your Vision Month. Whereas, Save Your Vision Month is a national event sponsored every March by the American Optometric Association; And, whereas, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry is celebrating Save Your Vision Month with a Vision Health Public Awareness Campaign with the theme: Your Family's Vision, The Key To Productive Lives; And, whereas, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry is co-sponsoring Save Your Vision Month with the Police Athletic League, the Free Library of Philadelphia, local schools, and PRESENTATIONS community organizations; And, whereas, the official 1999 Save Your Vision campaign kicks off in City Council, will launch a series of free vision screenings at PAL centers, regional library branches, senior citizen centers, and residential complexes, and the Eye Institute; And, whereas, the College of Optometry hopes that the public awareness campaign will encourage families to develop a greater understanding of the important role vision plays in the entire family, quote, Your Family's Vision, The Key To The Productive Lives, end quote; And, whereas, children develop and learn normally when they can use their vision successfully to understand their world; And, whereas, teenagers are more out on their own and need good vision to help them cope with the challenges and opportunities they will find; And, whereas, adults can be more productive in the work world and at home when their vision is a beneficial tool; And, whereas, older adults need good PRESENTATIONS vision to remain independent as long as possible; And, whereas, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry is also participating in Vision USA, a national effort to provide free eye examinations for working persons with no health insurance who have not had any eye examination in the last 12 months; Now, therefore, resolved that the Council of the City of Philadelphia declares and celebrates March as Save Your Vision Month. Resolved further that an engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to representatives of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, the Police Athletic League, the Free Library of Philadelphia, local schools and community organizations as a sincere expression of the Council's gratitude, appreciation, and commendation for sponsoring and organizing free vision screenings throughout Philadelphia during Save Your Vision Month. Certification that this is a true and correct copy of the original Resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 17th day of December, 1998. PRESENTATIONS Signed Anna Verna, President of City Council; introduced by Marian B. Tasco; and sponsored by all members of City Council. Congratulations, and thank you for each year providing eye screening to citizens of Philadelphia. We appreciate it very much. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Dr. Eugene Wayne for some comments.
Thank you. Save Your Vision Month has been a proud tradition of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry for over a decade. Our team of eye care specialists have provided free vision screenings and vision care education to thousands of Philadelphia residents. 1999 is a very special year for Save Your Vision Month. It marks the 20th Anniversary of the Eye Institute. We appreciate your joining us in celebrating our continuing commitment to serving the community through exceptional vision care to our patients and thorough optometric education to our students. PRESENTATIONS We are, indeed, honored by this City Council Resolution for Save Your Vision Month. We cannot, however, provide these services alone. Save Your Vision Month is a community effort. We have enjoyed the kind assistance of the Free Library of Philadelphia, represented today by Ms. Lynne Reagan; the Police Athletic League; and many other local organizations. This year we are pleased to add the Neighborhood Action Bureau to those organizations. I also want to express our sincere thanks to NBC 10 television and WDAS radio for cosponsoring this year's efforts. I would like now to introduce our very special honorary Chairperson for Save Your Vision Month 1999, Ms. Sherry Banks, NBC 10 Medical Editor. (Applause.)
Thank you very much. It is a pleasure to be here today and to support this effort. I was thinking about it last night. And I remember an eye doctor saying to me, he told PRESENTATIONS me a funny story. He said, "I was about to operate on this man this morning. And he said, 'Look, Doc, be really careful with me because my vision is very important to me,' as if it weren't to everyone else." It is one of our most precious commodities. And, unfortunately, a lot of the eye diseases out there are silent diseases, and you have to take a trip to the eye doctor to know you have them. Also, you can find other hidden diseases through your eye doctor. My dad went to the eye doctor a few years ago. And when the exam was finished, the doctor said to him, "I think you better go get checked for diabetes. I think you've got a problem." And, in fact, he did have diabetes. But he caught it early enough that he was able to treat it without insulin, and he is fine today. But it was because of the eye doctor. So I think we have to remember how precious our vision is to us and get it checked and don't think that as long as it is not bothering us, ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES there is nothing wrong. So I am going to set a good example and get the first eye exam today. And I hope all of you will follow suit during the next month. Thank you. (Applause.)
This marks the 20th Annual African-American History Month Oratorical Competition. And today, as we have in the past, we welcome the winners. As Councilwoman Clark introduces the group, we will hear the winning essays from the elementary, middle, and upper levels. Councilwoman Clark.
This year, as in, I don't know, it must be 15 or 16 previous years, I have had the pleasure of cooperating with the School District in the African-American Oratorical Contest. This is, as you have said, the 20th year that this outstanding program has operated and ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES young people have selected topics, done the research, written an essay, rehearsed it, and given it at the class level, at the school level. And, finally, today we will be listening to those youngsters who have survived the citywide process and come here today representing the three levels of participants. In the elementary school level, the citywide winners from Grades 4, 5, and 6 are here. Today we are only going to hear the First Place winner; is that correct? But, for the record, Madam President, if I may, I would like to name all of the finalists in each of the three categories. The Fourth Place winner of a $100 bond is Sharae Scott, who is a 5th grader from the Stanton School, in the Gratz Cluster. Please stand. (Applause.)
The Third Place winner of a $200 bond is Jenne Ayers, a 5th grader at Masterman, in the Franklin Cluster. (Applause.)
The Second Place ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES winner of a $500 bond is Frances Quarterman, a 6th grader at Lamberton, in the Overbrook Cluster. (Applause.)
And the First Place winner of a $1,000 bond and a computer is John Wright, a 5th grader at Sulzberger, in the University City Cluster. (Applause.)
Now, are we going to hear them as presented, or shall I do the whole list now?
John Wright, a 5th grader from Sulzberger, University City Cluster. John.
The beat goes on. It beats to the masses that listen with its ears to the wind. Listen to the beat, for it WILL truly bring out the message from our ancestors. Just ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES listen, and you shall hear the message. Lines from a poem by Emily Nelson, The Drums. Good morning to all families, members, friends, and my fellow orators. I am the young Ashanti prince, John Wright, a 6th grader at the Sulzberger Middle School. The title of my oration is "Listen To The Drums, Listen To The Drums." Our ancestors' main effort for communication was always the talking drum. It was used to share good news, bad news, and just to say hello. Whatever the beats were, it meant alot to our people. It was their invention, their power of communication. It was their friend, their way of keeping the spirits alive. Today we still listen to that beat. All we have to do is just close our eyes and listen deeply to the drums. It is beating in our hearts, our families, our community, our churches, and our schools. The message is there. All we have to ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES do is just listen to the drums. It will speak to our hatred. We should all just get along. It will speak to our love. We should love those who hate us. It will speak to our togetherness. We should all share wealth, love, memories, and prosperity. But, if you just listen to the drums, you would know that each beat brings friends and families together. Each beat says peace, liberty, and freedom to all others. Just listen to the drums, listen to the drums, listen to the drums. It will speak to our African pride. It will speak to the intellect from the great University of Timbuktu. It will speak to our great scientists and inventors like that of George Washington Carver, Madame C.J. Walker, and Dr. Mae Jemison. It will speak out to the great words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass. It will speak out to the great athletes like that of Jackie Robinson, Jessie Owens, ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES Flo Jo, Carl Lewis, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Cobey Bryant, and Tiger Woods. Today, in our society, we need to take the time to listen to the beat of the drum so that we can hear the message that once was said. We need to take heed to the message of our ancestors. If we do this, the world will be a much better place, a much, much better place. And I don't care if you're a black or a white; listen to the drums. I don't care if you're rich or poor; listen to the drums. I don't care if you're happy or sad; listen to the drums. Listen to the drums. I am John Wright, Ashanti. (Applause.)
Isn't that the beginning of what is going to be an exciting day? At the middle level, the winners are from Grades 7, 8, and 9. We apparently have, what, a tie? Tied for Fourth Place, the prize is a $100 bond, Tiffany Ford, a 9th grader from CAPA, in the Furness Cluster. (Applause.) ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES
And Zeniada Santos, who is an 8th grader at Hopkinson, in the Frankford Cluster. (Applause.)
Okay. Third Place, $200 bond, is Alia Hatch. She is a 9th grader at Carver. (Applause.)
In the William Penn Cluster. Second Place winner of a $500 bond is Dominica Bridges, a 7th grader for Lamberton, in the Overbrook Cluster. (Applause.)
And winner of the First Place, $1,000 bond and computer, in the middle level is Shanique Jones, an 8th grader at Wagner Middle School, in the King Cluster. (Applause.)
The title of my oration is, "The Power of Blackness." Freedom wasn't won easily; it took years of struggle. African-American casualties were high. Now that freedom is ours, we have to ask ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES ourselves, is it really? What others expect from us has the power to shackle us, if we allow it to. At Kwanzaa, we celebrate kujichagulia, the principle of self-determination whereby we define ourselves. Every individual has this duty. If we don't take it seriously, we are in danger of relinquishing our power to others, to all the parents, mates, friends, and enemies who want to put us in our place and tell us who we are and what we can or can't do. It takes effort and vigilance to be free. These words of wisdom were written by Eric V. Copaige on the subject of freedom. Hello. I am Shanique Jones of the Wagner Middle School. I am young and proud to be an African-American. I respect the struggle of my ancestors and consider myself blessed with power. This power I have is not mentioned in history books, nor made known in our societies. But it is the magic of all blacks, the power of blackness. This power was the strength of ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES Harriet Tubman and the courage of Rosa Parks. It was the seeing of the slaves, the hope of those affected by racism, and the faith of Dr. Martin Luther King. It was the caring of Mary McLeod Bethune and the inspiration of Langston Hughes; the beat of Louis Armstrong, and the exuberance of Malcolm X. The power of blackness is passed down through generations. It is basically what encourages us to make a difference, in spite of what problems we may come across. This power gives us endurance so that we can fight drug abuse, neglect, and discrimination. With this power and our faith in God, we will better our communities, increase the knowledge of our culture, and help those suffering from poverty. We will make it known that we are powerful beings. We will free ourselves from the bondage of hate and fight the battle of crime. We will make liars out of those people who said we were ignorant and untalented. We ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES will change our history for the good. We will rise like Mia Angelo and hold fast to our dreams, like Langston Hughes says. We will rise above violence and help prevent rape, robbery, or anything else that tears our communities apart. We are the future. We are the next doctors, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs, stock brokers, and every other occupation. Oh, we will be the next presidents. With the power of blackness, we will be one; one in our thinking, one in our struggle, and one in our fight to make a difference. Our love for each other will expand. And we, we African-Americans, will lead our country into peace, faith, and tolerance. We will increase our self-esteem, our love towards each other, and our love towards our communities. We will be free, once and for all, and will be the example of unity and success. In the words of high Priestess Ayalla Visat (ph.), no man is free until all men are free, but freedom first starts with us. ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES Thank you. (Applause.)
Madam President, in the upper level, Grades 10, 11, and 12, the Fourth Place winner of a $100 bond is Stephanie Tisdale, a 10th grader at Central High School, in the King Cluster. (Applause.)
Third Place winner of a $200 bond is Warren Thomas, an 11th grader from Masterman. (Applause.)
Masterman is in the Franklin Cluster. The Second Place winner of a $500 bond is Jamilla Hicks, a 12th grader from CAPA, in the Furness Cluster. (Applause.)
Madam President, a drum roll for the First Place winner of a $1,000 bond and a WDAS-sponsored trip to Africa, a 10th grader from the Carver High School in the William Penn Cluster, Carmen Rosa. (Applause.) ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES
Before I begin today, in the presence of this Council, esteemed city leaders, school officials, community representatives, family and friends, the media, and all others gathered here today, I would like to thank God for my oratory coach, Mrs. Marcella Jones, for her dedication and support not only to me personally -(Applause.)
-- but to this program and the principle of personal excellence and achievement. She has truly been a blessing to me and my family. (Applause.)
My pledge to the person that history will judge as the moral conscious of the 20th Century. And they said one to another, behold the dreamer cometh. Come now therefor and let us slay him, and we shall see what becomes of his dream. He followed the philosophies of Jesus the Christ and Gandhi the Mahatma. , neither were the ruler of nations, but ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES all three gave their people faith, hope, and love. All three gave nations principles, and all three gave history a vision of the heart and soul of humanity. I pledge by word and deed to keep the dream alive for posterity. He preached brotherhood and nonviolence. But amid the tempestuous seeds and treacherous storms of injustice, hate, and violence which threatened the very existence of humankind, his faith was a solid immovable rock. " Dr. King challenged without a gun because moral courage was his most potent weapon. So I, too, will have moral courage to keep the dream alive. He had an exalted capacity to love. I, too, must have the same capacity to love. He drew no distinction between the high or the low and none between the rich or the ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES poor. To keep the dream alive, I must do the same. When all of the experiences and virtues of humanity have been left behind, faith, hope, and love will remain. Dr. King exemplified all three with rare intensity. To keep the dream alive, I, Carmen Rosa, must do the same. No backlash, no massive apathy could induce him to despair or stray from his commitment to the fulfillment of inspired hope. To keep the dream alive, I must have hope. His words and memory I will keep emblazoned in my heart, soul, and mind for eternity. I will face reality with the same hopeful spirits of the words of the him he loved, "Free at last. Free at last. " You see, the person that's leaves this world a better place never really leaves. Dr. King's dream is still very much alive. He wrote that we must use time creatively in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right. I will keep the dream alive by ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES doing the right thing. The lights of his courage awakened and stirred me. The energy of his passion challenged and moved me. The power of his vision continues to guide and inspire me. Dr. King stated that the ultimate measure of a person is not where a person stands at times of comfort and convenience, but where a person stands at times of challenge and controversy. This is the yardstick by which I want to be measured. And when I have children, I pledge to keep the dream alive by working for the implementation of this quote, that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. And when I get into my chosen profession, I pledge to unquestionably and indubitably keep the dream alive. For a person should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better. If I can help somebody as I pass along, if I can cheer somebody with the words or song, if I can show somebody traveling wrong, then ORATORICAL COMPETITION WINNERS' SPEECHES my living won't be in vain. This he expressed in his Drum Major For Justice Speech. What better challenge can I give myself? As stated in his last public speech, like anybody, I'd like to live a long life. Longevity has its place; I just want to do God's will. I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but we as a people will get to the promised land. Dr. , sunrise January 15, 1929, sunset April 4, 1968. The king is dead. Long live the king. Behold, the dreamer came, and they slayed him. Now we shall see what becomes of his dream. )
Madam President, I appreciate the amount of time you have granted us. Again, this year the young people have made us feel good. Could I ask one more thing? Can we COMMUNICATIONS have a group picture?
The next order of business is Communications. The Chair recognizes the Sergeant At Arms for the purpose of delivering the Messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will 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 I have today signed the following bill, which was passed by Council at its session on February 18, 1999, Bill No. 990001A; And I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution approving the Redevelopment Contract with the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of the portion of the Sarah Allen Urban Renewal Area; And an Ordinance authorizing the creation of a loan or loans to provide funds for and COMMUNICATIONS towards various capital municipal purposes, authorizing the Mayor, City Controller, and City Solicitor, or a majority of them, to sell bonds at a public or private negotiated sale; And an Ordinance amending an ordinance approved February the 8th, 1999, Bill No. 980845, created the Pavillion Market East Tax Increment Financing District; And an Ordinance amending an Ordinance approved July 1, 1997, Bill No. 970120, which creating the Philadelphia Naval Business Center Tax Increment Financing District; And an Ordinance amending an Ordinance approved June 23, 1998, which approved the Redevelopment Proposal, the Urban Renewal Plan, and the Relocation Plan of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the Point Breeze East Urban Renewal Area; And an Ordinance to amend an Ordinance approved December 15, 1969, as amended, which approved the Redevelopment Proposal, the Urban Renewal Plan, and the Relocation Plan of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the Model Cities Urban COMMUNICATIONS Renewal Area; And an Ordinance amending an Ordinance approved December 22, 1987, which approved the Redevelopment Proposal, the Urban Renewal Plan, and the Relocation Plan of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the Cecil B. Moore Avenue Urban Renewal Plan; And an Ordinance amending Chapter 19-2400 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Hotel Room Rental Tax," by providing for an additional exercise tax on hotel room rentals and designating the expenditures for which such tax will be used, under certain terms and conditions.
The messages will be printed in the Journal. The Chief Clerk will read any other messages in her possession.
Thank you. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS & RESOLUTIONS Hearing none, our next order of business will be Introduction of Bills and Resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark for the purpose of making a motion to suspend rules.
Madam Chair, I move that we suspend the Rules of Council so as to permit immediate consideration of the resolutions at the time of their introduction. (Duly seconded.)
All in favor of the motion to suspend the rules to permit immediate consideration of resolutions at the time of introduction will vote aye. Those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark for the purpose of introducing bills and resolutions.
Madam President, INTRODUCTION OF BILLS & RESOLUTIONS today I have two bills and one resolution to benefit the 5th Councilmanic District.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The clerk will please read the first bill.
An Ordinance amending an Ordinance approved December 22, 1987, which approved the Redevelopment Proposal, the Urban Renewal Plan, and the Relocation Plan of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the Cecil B. Moore Avenue Urban Renewal Area.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chief Clerk will read the second bill.
And Ordinance amending an Ordinance approved December 15, 1969, as amended, which approved the Redevelopment Proposal, the Urban Renewal Plan, and the Relocation Plan of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS & RESOLUTIONS
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia a deed concerning the 12th, 28th, 29th, 32nd, 37th, 43rd, and 47th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS & RESOLUTIONS This morning I have one resolution, one bill on my behalf, and one bill on your behalf.
An Ordinance authorizing the creation of a loan or loans to provide funds for and toward various capital municipal purposes, authorizing the Mayor, City Controller, and City Solicitor, or a majority of them, to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale.
And ordinance amending Chapter 12-2400 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, "Hotel Room Rental Tax," by providing for an additional exercise tax on hotel room rentals and designating the expenditures for which such tax will be used, under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chief Clerk will please read the resolution.
A resolution approving INTRODUCTION OF BILLS & RESOLUTIONS the Redevelopment Contract of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the Redevelopment and Urban Renewal Area of a portion of the Sarah Allen Urban Renewal Area.
Madam President, I move the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded. All in favor of the motion will signify by voting aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution in celebration of 75 years of the B'Nai B'Rith Youth INTRODUCTION OF BILLS & RESOLUTIONS Organization.
Madam President, I move 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. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
The Chief Clerk INTRODUCTION OF BILLS & RESOLUTIONS will please read the first resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Council Committee on Legislative Oversight to conduct public hearings to examine the delays in the full implementation of the city program to boot and tow unregistered and uninsured automobiles, and the feasibility of extending this program to the cars of drunk drivers.
The resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. Please read the second resolution.
A resolution authorizing the City Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds concerning title in the 7th, 18th, 19th, and 37th Wards in the City of Philadelphia.
Madam Chairwoman, I ask these be referred to the appropriate committee.
The second resolution? INTRODUCTION OF BILLS & RESOLUTIONS
The second one? I'm sorry. I ask for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. All in favor will signify by voting aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer two bills on your behalf and two resolutions which have been signed by all members of Council.
An Ordinance amending an Ordinance approved July 1, 1997, Bill No. 970120, which created the Philadelphia Naval Business Center Tax Increment Financing District. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS & RESOLUTIONS
And an Ordinance amending an Ordinance approved June 23, 1998, which approved the Redevelopment Proposal, the Urban Renewal Plan, and the Relocation Plan of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the Point Breeze East Urban Renewal Area.
And a resolution welcoming the Moslem American Society to Philadelphia, the site of its 1999 National Convention.
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS & RESOLUTIONS Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chief Clerk will please read the second resolution.
And a resolution declaring Friday, April 23, 1999, as Daniel Falkner Remembrance Day.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the motion be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS & RESOLUTIONS I offer two resolutions.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution recognizing the School District of Philadelphia for its efforts to inform the Philadelphia community at large and foster mutual respect and understanding through an education conference focusing on diversity and equality issues.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chief Clerk will please read the second resolution.
A Resolution calling INTRODUCTION OF BILLS & RESOLUTIONS for the Education Committee to hold public hearings on Welfare reform legislation, on how it will impact on school-aged children enrolled within the City of Philadelphia's public schools in Grades K to 12.
The resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A Resolution designating the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation as the industrial development organization for the County of Philadelphia, with full power and authority to represent said county in all matters that relate to and for all purposes of the Industrial Development Assistance Law.
That resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco. The Chair recognizes Councilman INTRODUCTION OF BILLS & RESOLUTIONS Ortiz.
Madam Chair, Councilwoman Tasco has no resolutions today, and neither have I.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill and one resolution.
An Ordinance amending an Ordinance approved February 8, 1999, Bill No. 980845, which created the Pavilion Market East Tax Increment Financing District.
And a Resolution calling for the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to conduct hearings on the high cost of purchasing SEPTA tokens for Philadelphia's middle and high school students, and to work with the School District and SEPTA to develop strategies INTRODUCTION OF BILLS & RESOLUTIONS to eliminate or reduce the cost to Philadelphia families.
The resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
An Ordinance amending Section 19-201 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, "City Depositories," by authorizing the City Treasurer to deposit funds in Summit Bank, under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Longstreth.
The Chair thanks the Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES Rizzo.
Thank you. The next order of business is Reports from Committees. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney for a report from the Rules Committee.
Thank you, Madam President. The Council Committee on Rules reports out two bills with favorable recommendations.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia: The Committee on Rules, to which was referred Bill No. 980895, entitled, An Ordinance amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps, by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land in the 5th Ward and located within an area bounded by Spring Garden Street, 8th Street, Vine Street, and 11th Street. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
Madam President, I move the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading of Bill No. 980895 and 980901 today.
No, not yet. And Bill No. 980901, entitled, An Ordinance amending Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located in the 57th Ward, within an area bounded by Grant Avenue, Academy Road, Holm Avenue, Willits Avenue, railroad right-of-way, and Blue Grass Road, respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same, and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
I move the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading of Bill Nos. 980895 and 980901 today. (Duly seconded.) REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading of Bill Nos. 980895 and 980901 on today's calendar. Bills 980895 and 980901 will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. Are there any other reports from committees? Hearing none, it is my understanding that Councilman Cohen wants to be recognized.
Yes, Madam President. Thank you. I just want to ask the representatives of B'Nai B'Rith Youth Organization, who are here, to please stand. There are three representatives here. That's in connection with the Resolution we adopted earlier. (Representatives stand.) (Applause.)
You are welcome. The next order of business is FIRST READING CALENDAR Consideration of the Calendar. The Chief Clerk will read the bills on the First Reading Calendar.
Bill No. 980895, an Ordinance amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land in the 5th Ward.
And Bill No. 980901, an Ordinance amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designation of certain areas of land located in the 57th Ward.
The Chair agrees. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark for the purpose of calling out bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Madam President, all bills are being held on Second and Final Passage Calendar, with the exception of 990059.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 990059.
An Ordinance declaring SECOND & FINAL READING CALENDAR that it is desirable for the health, safety, and Welfare of the people in the area served by Jefferson Health Systems, Inc., (The System), Frankford Health Care Systems, Inc., (FHCS), the Frankford Hospital of Philadelphia, (Frankford Hospital), and Delaware Valley Medical Center, (DVMC), for the Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia to participate with The Systems, FHCS, Frankford Hospital, and DVMC in a financing to provide for the acquisition by The System of the sole corporate membership interest in FHCS for the acquisition of Frankford Hospital, or its assignee, of substantially all the assets of DVMC, and for constructing and equipping improvements to the facilities of DVMC.
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 15, the nays are zero. The bill passes. Are there any speeches on the part of minority? Are there any speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I just want to make note that yesterday Operation Sunrise moved into Phase III, and tonight at the Lighthouse Community Center, at 151 West Somerset Street, will be a meeting for the community that they can attend to find out about what's going to happen up there. And the first two phases of this operation have been very successful. And I would like to publicly thank Deputy Commissioner Sylvester Johnson and Managing Director Joe Certaine for all their help on these first two phases. And this is the most important phase SPEECHES here, we think, and it is probably going to be a big success. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you, Councilman. At this time the Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Thank you, Ma'am President. I just wanted to note that yesterday, March 3, according to the old news columns, passed peacefully, despite the deep concerns of many people as to what would happen as a result of the effectiveness of Welfare Reform legislation as of yesterday. I expect the sense of relief was expressed after the full-page advertisement by Mayor Rendell on behalf of the citizens of Philadelphia warning of an impending catastrophe. I don't think anybody ought to be lulled into believing that the catastrophic problems have abated. They haven't. It is a bomb ready to explode, as Mayor Rendell has pointed out. But the kinds of protests that took SPEECHES place yesterday, the kind of awareness that's beginning to develop in the community as a result of various church organizations, community organizations, this City Council holding hearings on the subject has been effective in making the state hesitate in just abruptly terminating the many thousands of families that have not been able to meet the requirements of going to work. I think all of us have to intensify our efforts to bring some sanity to this legislation, to provide for real due process, for providing the necessary daycare, transportation, and meaningful jobs so that people can truly move from Welfare to work. Thank you, Ma'am President.
Madam President, I just wanted to say happy birthday to Barbie's 40th Birthday.
Are there any other speeches on the part of the majority? Hearing none, the Chair recognizes MOTION TO ADJOURN Councilwoman Clark for adjournment.
Madam Chair, I move that Council be adjourned until March the 11th, 1999. (Duly seconded.)
All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. Council stands adjourned until Thursday, March the 11th, 1999, at 10:00 a.m. Thank you. (Witness excused.) (Deposition concluded at 11:10 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 Thursday, March 4, 1999, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of same. RE: STATED MEETING _____________________________________ DEBRA A. WHITEHEAD, RPR