COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Thursday, 4/5/01 10:16 a.m. Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE L. BLACKWELL COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN FRANK J. DICICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO PATRICIA RAFFERTY, Deputy Chief Clerk VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 GREETING/INVOCATION P R O C E E D I N G S
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 the Reverend David Melendez, Pastor of Iglesia Internacional. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Ortiz. Members and guests will please rise. (All rise.)
Praise the Lord. Let's make our prayer. Thank You, Lord, this morning for this nice privilege to be here. O, Lord, we want You to bless this meeting today. Give wisdom to all, to people who are working in this house today. O, Lord, guide us to all the jobs they're going to make on this day. Bless everyone, Lord, with Your holy spirit, your holy (inaudible) for all the jobs they going to make on this date. Thank You, Lord, for this nice APPROVAL OF 3/29/01 JOURNAL opportunity. Bless our mayor also, Lord. Thank you. Amen. All: Amen.
The Chair thanks Reverend Melendez for his inspiring invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.) (Proceedings resume.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday March, 29, 2001. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 29, 2001 stand approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 29, 2001 stand approved. All in favor will signify by saying aye. REQUESTS FOR LEAVES OF ABSENCE Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 29, 2001 has been approved.
The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. There are no requests for leaves of absence this morning on the part of the majority.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, on behalf of the Republicans, leave of absence is requested for Councilman Thacher Longstreth.
The Chair VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session today. 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. It is always a privilege to recognize coaches and supporters who serve their community and the City by devoting endless hours of time to our young athletes. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a presentation honoring the West Oak Lane Stars football team. Will the coaches, Jeff Days and Junius Campbell, please accompany the Councilwoman at the podium. (Honorees come forward.)
And anyone accompanying the coaches, please join the Councilwoman. You can come up here. (Others come forward.) Councilwoman Tasco?
Thank you, Madam VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS President. Joining me this morning is Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller whose district this team operates in. This is a resolution which I am pleased to present, which dates honoring and saluting the West Oak Lane Stars as champions of the Liberty Conference League. WHEREAS, the Star Youth Program was founded in 1994 by a group of thoughtful, committed men, who demonstrated interest and concern for boys in the West Oak Lane Community; and WHEREAS, Lany Varns, Junius Campbell, Jeffrey Days, and Larry Andrews were the founding fathers and coaches whose contributions have given their charges vision and self-confidence as well as an outlet for their physical and creative energies; and WHEREAS, a major initiative, an activity of the Star Youth Program, has become the West Oak Lane Stars which seeks to develop wholesome values, sportsmanship, character, team work, and discipline associated with the spirit of football; and VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS WHEREAS, the West Oak Lane Stars number 56 divided equally between 80 pounds, 90 pounds, 110 pounds, ranging in age from 8 to 10 years old; and. . .
WHEREAS, the West Oak Lane Stars number 56, divided equally between 80 and 90 pounds and 110 pounds, ranging in age from 8 to 10 years old; and WHEREAS, the West Oak Lane Stars 80-pound football team led the league in all areas reflecting the ability and perseverance of the team players; and WHEREAS, the many wins are attributed to the five outstanding coaches whose tenacity, dedication, and love inspired the teams, in the persons of Larry Varns, Head Coach; Leo Cheaton, Defense Coordinator; Leonard Kenny, Assistant Coach; Ron Cooly, Assistant Coach; Greg McClean, Assistant Coach; and WHEREAS, the West Oak Lane Stars went undefeated in 11 games and scored an unpredicted 278 points, the highest number of touchdowns -45; and WHEREAS, the offensive line allowed VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS only one sack off the quarterback the entire season; and WHEREAS, Corey James, who was named the most valuable player, set a personal league best record of 33 touchdowns, up from 15 the previous year; and WHEREAS, the Stars defense gave up only 19 points the entire season and held their opponents scoreless in the first seven games, averaging four quarterback sacks per game and one first down per game; and WHEREAS, the 95-pound team, coached by Jeff Davis, and the 110-pound, coached by Junius Campbell, each made the playoffs; now, therefore. . .
. . . RESOLVED THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA commend, salute, honor, and celebrate the West Oak Lane Stars 80-pound team champions of the Liberty Conference League. RESOLVED FURTHER that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Star Youth Program and the West Oak Lane Stars as an expression of the pride and high regard in which VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS this Council holds them. CERTIFICATION that this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 15th day, February, 2001, signed by President Anna Verna, introduced by Marian B. Tasco, cosponsored by all members of City Council. We congratulate this fine group and welcome them to City Council and wish them well in the future years. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Coach Days for remarks. Oh he's not here? Coach Campbell? COACH LEO: Hello. This is Coach Leo (indiscernible), and I want to thank the City Council of Philadelphia and the City of Philadelphia for allowing us this opportunity and recognizing us for doing an outstanding job. We all thank you.
Is Coach VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS Campbell with us? Councilwoman, is Coach Campbell with us?
Okay. Would you like to say a few remarks? COACH CAMPBELL: Yes. Like Coach Leo said, we'd like to thank you all. We'd like to first of all thank these young fellows for coming out with us and thank the parents who supported us, and thank all of you all for supporting us too, because without the parents, we can't make this all happen. Thank you. (Applause.)
Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.) (Proceedings resume.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests this the that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the clerk. COMMUNICATIONS The 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 the 4th, I signed all of the bills that were passed by Council at its session on March 22, 2001. And I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable an ordinance constituting the Fourth Supplemental Ordinance to the General Gas Works Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1998, authorizing the Mayor, the City Controller, and the City Solicitor, or a majority of them, to sell either at public or private sale Gas Works Revenue Bonds, third series, of the City of Philadelphia in one or more subseries to be issued to pay the costs of certain capital projects, as hereinafter more particularly described, and the cost of refunding or redeeming or a portion of certain outstanding Gas Works revenue bonds. And an ordinance approving the Fiscal Year 2001 Capital Budget, providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the COMMUNICATIONS Philadelphia Gas Works, including the supplying of funds to be obtained in connection therewith and rejecting the forecast for Fiscal Years 2002 through 2006.
The messages will be printed in the Journal. The clerk will please read any other communications in her possession.
The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a motion.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit consideration of resolutions at the time of their introduction. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that resolutions be considered immediately after introduction. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution, which I seek to be referred to the appropriate committee.
Thank you. The clerk will please read the title of resolution.
A resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Public Property and Public Works to hold public hearings on the operations, contracts, vending, and parking at the Philadelphia International Airport.
This resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. This morning, I offer two bills INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS co-signed by Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you. The clerk will please read the first bill.
An ordinance approving the Fiscal Year 2001 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works, including the supplying of funds to be obtained in connection therewith and rejecting the forecast for Fiscal Year 2002 through 2006.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance constituting the Fourth Supplemental Ordinance to the General Gas Works Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1998, authorizing the Mayor, the City Controller, and the City Solicitor, or a majority of them, to sell either at public or private sale Gas Works revenue bonds.
This bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you. Councilman DiCicco, is your light on?
Madam President, I was going to introduce a guest, but I'll wait till later in the hearing. Thank you.
Very well, thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
Madam President, I have two bills and one resolution.
The clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Section 9-205 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Sales," by prohibiting sidewalk sales on portions of Front Street, Frankford Avenue, and INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS Palmer Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds located in the 7th, 19th, 23rd, and 37th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution has adopted.
The clerk INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS will please read the title of the second bill.
An ordinance amending Section 9-702 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Carnivals," by revising the provisions governing the issuance of license to hold or conduct a carnival, and in particular deleting the requirement that the carnival be operated on the grounds of the entity benefitting from the carnival, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco. Do you have any bills or resolutions?
The clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Chapter 14-1600, entitled "Miscellaneous," by adding a new 14-1622, entitled, "North Broad Street Special Districts Controls," under certain terms and conditions. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer two resolutions.
Thank you. The clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution congratulating Germantown Settlement and the family of agencies on receiving the Second Annual Children's Crusader Award, and commending their efforts to address child abuse and neglect issues within both Germantown and Philadelphia at large.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the resolution has been adopted. The clerk will please read the title of the second resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds located in the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 17th wards of the City of Philadelphia.
I move for the adoption of resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution has been adopted. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
The clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Committee of Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings which investigate the planning process and the 1997 Hope VI application and the current proposed development plan for the Schuylkill Falls Public Housing Authority site in order to determine if the current proposed development plan conforms to the 1997 application submitted and to be approved.
The resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The clerk will please read the title of the second resolution.
A resolution commending the 7th-grade class at Sharmont School and their teacher, Trudy Johnson, for their positive actions to promote safe drinking water within their school INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS and community.
Madam President, I move the adoption of the resolution.
It has been moved and property seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one privileged resolution.
The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution designating the 200 block of South Camac Street as "Avenue of the Arts."
Thank you. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings into the rising costs of building affordable housing in the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS Rizzo.
The clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution honoring and commending the Honorable Thomas M. Foglietta on his return home to Philadelphia for his service as United States ambassador to Italy, and recognizing his over 40 years of public service.
I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and property seconded that the resolution be INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution has been adopted. The clerk will please read the title the second resolution.
A resolution recognizing Philadelphia's Chris Matthews as a published author and host of the successful talk show "Hardball," and for 30 years of significant achievement in the journalism profession and his contributions to the political arena.
I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution has been adopted. The clerk will please read the last resolution introduced by Councilman Rizzo.
A resolution recognizing May 4, 2001 as "School Crossing Guard Day" in the City of Philadelphia.
The noise level is really rather high. Any private conversations I would suggest be done in the corridor. The resolution has been properly seconded for adoption. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? SECOND-READING CALENDAR The ayes have it and the resolution has been adopted.
There are no reports from committees today; therefore, the next order of business is the consideration of the calendar. There are no bills on today's first-reading calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of calling up bill on the second-reading and final-passage calendar.
Thank you, Madam President. Today, Bill No. 715A -- or 000715A, 010127, and 010179 are being called up for second reading and final passage. All other bills are being held.
Thank you. The clerk will please read the title of the first bill to be considered, which is Bill No. 000715A.
An ordinance enacting a new Chapter 9-2400 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Prohibition Against Predatory Lending," and amending Section 19-201, entitled "City Depositories," to prohibit all business entities SECOND-READING CALENDAR and their affiliates from making, issuing, or arranging any subprime or high-cost loan or assisting others in doing so in any manner which has been determined to be abusive, unscrupulous, and misleading, providing penalties for noncompliance, establishing a Predatory Lending Review Committee to investigate alleged predatory loans and to make enforcement recommendations against business entities who have made, assisted with, issued, or arranged a loan determined to be predatory, and granting remedies to aggrieved parties and community organizations, all under certain terms and conditions. (ACORN members in audience chant.)
I think we have heard your message. I think we have heard your message. I think we have heard your message. We are trying to conduct our hearing. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. We thank all of the people who have come out this morning. They are very excited, and SECOND-READING CALENDAR we ask them to hold their jubilation until the vote is taken. Madam President, I do not need to -there was a friend of mine, a very close friend of mine, who used to say to me that he did not need to eat the whole cow to know it was beef, so I will not belabor the issue surrounding Bill 715. We know that the provisions of this bill will help the citizens of Philadelphia. I want to thank my colleagues in City Council who have been under great pressure from many sources not to support this bill, but I personally want to thank them, ask them for their vote this morning, and say to them that I know that you've been under a lot of pressure, but I also know that we have given you so much information about predatory lending that you certainly understand the magnitude of the problem in the community, and that your hearts want to help the citizens of Philadelphia. And with your vote today, you will do that. I want to thank the coalition, who worked so hard since last May to draft this bill to open up the process for forums to include the SECOND-READING CALENDAR entire lending community. I want to thank ACORN for bringing the issue to me. I want to thank CLS for all of the work that it's doing to help the victims of predatory lending. I want to thank OHCD for its help in bringing the parties together to begin the drafting. The Urban League. Steve Masters. We have a great, great technology staff, and he helped with us in drafting this bill. And certainly my staff. This is a very important day in Philadelphia. When we vote on this bill this morning, we will send a clear message that this Council will not tolerate anyone gouging and raping the citizens of this City of Philadelphia. There is a market for subprime lenders, and all subprime lenders are not predatory lenders. And so, therefore, we welcome people who offer loans to poor people and -- but we will not tolerate gouging. So, my colleagues, again, thank you very much, and I ask you for your support on Bill 715. Thank you.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is, shall the bill pass finally? The clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16, the nays are 0. (Cheers, applause.)
A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, Bill No. 000715A passes. The next bill to be called for consideration is. . . Councilman DiCicco, it's my understanding that you are now requesting that SECOND-READING CALENDAR Bill No. 010127 be held?
That's correct Madam President. I made a mistake earlier. Thank you.
Thank you. The clerk will then please read the title of Bill No. 010179.
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 a public or private-negotiated sale, providing for obtaining the consent of the electors to increasing the indebtedness of the City of Philadelphia, fixing a day for holding the election for obtaining such consent, and providing for the arrangements for holding such elections.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is, shall the bill pass finally? The clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16, the nays are 0. A majority of all members having voted, this bill passes. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President -(Interruption by excessive noise in chambers.)
Councilwoman, I'm sorry. Do you mind? It's much too noisy, and I think you deserve a little more respect than that.
In my nervousness and my eagerness, there were a few people that I forgot to thank, and I couldn't have -- these people have worked very hard to keep this issue SECOND-READING CALENDAR before the public, and I have to give a special thanks to Mary Mason, WHAT Radio. She kept the forum going with her public. I want to thank Paul Davis from the Daily News, who, after doing a very small story, got 150 telephone calls, but has kept the issue before the public. And the Philadelphia Inquirer for its support. All of the media that has been involved in this, I want to thank them so much, because without them, we would not have been able to keep this in the public eye. Thank you very, very much.
Thank you. This concludes our calendar for today
Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? (No speeches on the part of the minority).
Are there any speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman ANNOUNCEMENTS DiCicco.
Thank you, Madam President. I have two announcements. (Interruption by excessive noise in chambers.)
Tomorrow morning, a very special event will take place in City Council chambers. C-Span, in cooperation with Comcast will hold a segment of the C-Span series "American Writers, a Journey Through History" in our chamber. This event will be taped for future broadcast and will feature students from the Bodine High School for International Relations and will discuss details of a student contest partnered by C-Span, Comcast, and the Philadelphia School District. At 10 a.m., I will be presenting a City Council citation to C-Span and Comcast ANNOUNCEMENTS representatives. Immediately following the presentation, the student writing contest will be announced, and then Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson will discuss their contributions to the common good and then invite the Bodine students to engage in discussion. The American Writers Series runs from March through December 2001 and focuses on the selected American writers who have chronicled, reflected upon, or influenced the course of American history. The series will not only focus on the lives and works of authors, ranging from Franklin and Jefferson to Dubois, Hughes, and Faulkner, but will also explore what their works mean to America today. I expect the program to last about an hour, and I would encourage all to join me for the presentation of the citation and promise that it will be a lively discussion. Also, Madam President, earlier this morning, I failed to announce that today I have a neighbor who is a student in the CAPA school. She's a junior in that school and she's shadowing me today. Her name is Jessica Concannon, and I ANNOUNCEMENTS would like to introduce her.
If she would stand, we would be very happy to recognize her. (Miss Concannon stands for recognition.) (Applause.)
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. The West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance will be sponsoring a tea, tour, and talk in celebration of the 103rd birthday of Paul Robeson at the Paul Robeson House, located at 4949 Walnut Street, on Sunday, April 8th, from to p.m. Staff will be on hand to update progress on the Robeson House and share the many achievements of Paul Robeson. All are invited. Thank you.
Thank you. Are thee any other speeches on the part ADJOURNMENT of the majority? (No further speeches.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, April, 19th, at 10 a.m., April 19th, 2001.
It has been moved and properly seconded that City Council stand adjourned until Thursday, April 19, 2001, at 10 a.m. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, and Council will stand adjourned until Thursday, April 19, at 10 a.m. Thank you all very much. (Adjourned at 10:56 a.m.) C E R T I F I C A T E I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of Thursday, April 5 2001, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of same. RE: STATED MEETING __________________________________, JOSEPHINE CARDILLO, Registered Professional Reporter