COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 696, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, June 12, 2003 10:35 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE 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 COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO PATRICIA RAFFERTY, CHIEF CLERK V A R A L L O, INCORPORATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Good morning, everyone. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Members will please take their seats. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes, Monsignor Sharbel who is Pastor of St. Marons Roman Catholic Eastern Right Church. Monsignor Sharbel is here today as the guest of Councilman DiCicco. I would ask members and guests to please rise.
Good morning. Thank you, Madam President and Councilmembers for inviting me. And thank you, my deer friend, Frank DiCicco. I am Monsignor Sharbel, Pastor of the Old Church Lebanese Mennonite Catholic from Middle East in South Philadelphia from 1861. Almighty and loving God, maker and father of us all, we, your servants, gather here in all diversity, diversity of language, gender, culture, religion, talents and vision. Yet we know that you have created us to be one in our differences, one in solidarity, in all hopes and desire of all humankind. One in respecting the dignity of each person. One in striving for a just sources. One in protecting the languages, culture, custom and richness of the communities which are the foundation of our City and nation. Father, we ask your blessing and guidance and in the offices of responsibilities we carry. We ask humility to remember always that we serve our brothers and sister by your grace. We ask wisdom to discern the goodness of all. We ask justice to render to each person in community all they deserve. We ask courage that even in times of hardship we may lead all in keeping out City and beacon of hope, harmony and unity. We ask to ensure to all, even to those who are not yet American citizens, the fullness of American life and opportunities. Bless us, Father, moment by moment and day by day with a deep awareness of your love and care for us. Bless us to direct our hearts and minds to the fulfillment of our responsibilities to the citizens and to the City we serve. We ask all these blessings in your name, Amen.
The Chair thanks the Monsignor for his very inspiring invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 5, 2003. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 5, 2003, stand approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 5, 2003, stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal of the meeting of Thursday June 5, 2003, has been approved. The next order of business is request for leaves of absence. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the Majority, a leave of absence is requested for Councilwoman Krajewski.
Leave will be granted. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, on behalf of the Republicans, there are no requests for leaves of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in Council 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. Today I am pleased and honored to welcome Cleveland City Councilman Kevin Conwell who is visiting our City today. Councilman Conwell, would you please can recognize you. Welcome and thank you. (Applause.)
We are also very pleased to welcome a distinguished group of citizens who are touring the country from Russia, our sister city. The members of the group include the City Council President, several deputies, the Vice Mayor and the Finance Director. Will our visitors, their interpreter and our dear friend Nancy Gillboy please stand so that we can recognize you. (Applause.)
Welcome. We certainly hope you enjoy your visit with us. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown who will introduce a group of visiting students.
Thank you, Madam President. I am absolutely delighted to introduce to our audience and my colleagues today student government officers from the Community College of Philadelphia, if you could you rise. As well as members of the Youth Leadership Foundation, which is business of rewarding and encouraging academic excellence for Philadelphia area high school students. Student officers from CCP, Community College of Philadelphia and Youth Leadership Foundation, please rise. Welcome to Philadelphia City Council. (Applause.)
You're welcome. To my knowledge, I don't know that we have anyone else to be recognized. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I'd like to introduce and congratulate members of Roxborough High School Student Voices Program -- I think most of the Councilmembers are familiar with that program -- and their coordinator, Michael Horowitz. Before they stand, I'd like to point out that whenever we get a little down on public education, I'd like Ashley Bentley, a recent graduate of Roxborough High School, she's on her way to Chestnut Hill College in September. As a mater of fact, my sister Joanna is a graduate of their fine school. Ashley, would you stand, please? (Applause.).
And other accomplishment is from Councilman Nutter's district, David Henderson. David has been appointed to West Point and will be starting in West Point Military Academy, very prestigious, great honor for Philadelphia that David on his way to West Point to become a military officer. David, stand, please. (Applause.)
And Michael Horowitz who does such a great job there as a teacher and also the coordinator of this program. Michael Horowitz. (Applause.)
On May 28, 2003, they won top overall honors, earning the grand prize for the best overall project in the Philadelphia Student Voices Civic Fair. Again, congratulations to all of you and (Applause.)
Thank you, Madam President. For those who did hear us in Caucus, we would again like to introduce the Assistant to President, the Vice President Community and Government Relations and the person absolutely in charge at the University of Pennsylvania, Carol Sheman. (Applause.)
Thank you for being here. And thank you, Dawn, for always being here.
The next order of business is communications. The Chair recognizes the Sergeant-at-Arms for the purpose of delivering the messages from Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor. THE
To the President and Members of the Council of the City Philadelphia, I'm that on June 11, 2003, I signed all of the remaining Bills that were passed by Council at its Session on May 29, 2003. And a Resolution approving the action of the Board of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to sell Parcels F3 in the Eastwick Urban Renewal Area, Stage A. And a Resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area. And a Resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Cecil B. Moore Urban Renewal area. And a Resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area. the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the East Poplar Urban Renewal Area. And an Ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia a deed known as 1901-1915 West Oxford Street. And an Ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code relating to zoning and planning by amending Chapter 14-200 entitled "Residential districts," by repealing Section 14-202 entitled "R-1 Residential District," through Section 14-223 entitled "RC-3 Residential District," all under certain terms and conditions. And an Ordinance authorizing the City Solicitor on behalf of the City to ento into a multi-year lease or lease purchase agreement with a provider of personal computers and associated software, all under certain terms and conditions.
The messages will be printed in the Journal. The Chief Clerk will please read any other communications in her possession. AND RESOLUTIONS THE
Thank you. The next order of business is the introduction of Bills and Resolutions. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit immediate consideration of resolutions at their time of introduction. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit immediate consideration of Resolutions at the time of introduction. All in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. At this time we will consider a special AND RESOLUTIONS order of business; a Resolution recalling Bill No. 030335. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Could you have a Member of Council explain what the Bill is?
Would you please the read the title, please? THE
An Ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property of the City of Philadelphia on behalf of the City and in cooperation with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority to undertake the project to promote the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the City of Philadelphia, authorizing and approving the AND RESOLUTIONS project, the entering into, execution and delivery of a lease between the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia municipal authority, all under certain terms and conditions.
Councilman, I am led to believe that when the Bill was introduced and heard, an attachment apparently did not accompany the Ordinance. Therefore, we're recalling it for that very purpose.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one Resolution.
A Resolution requesting the Mayor to return to Council Bill No. 030335, entitled an Ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property of the City of Philadelphia on behalf of the City and in cooperation with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority for the purpose of reconsideration by the Council of a vote of which said Bill passed Council.
The Chair AND RESOLUTIONS recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the Resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Resolution has been passed. The Clerk will please read the letter from the Mayor. THE
To the President and Members of the Council City of Philadelphia, I am returning herewith, as requested by your Resolution adopted today, June 11, 2003, Bill No. 030335, entitled an Ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property in the City of Philadelphia on behalf of the City and in cooperation with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority to undertake the project to promote the health, safety, and welfare AND RESOLUTIONS of the residents of the City of Philadelphia for the purpose of reconsideration by the Council of the vote by which said Bill passed Council.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a motion that Council reconsider the vote by which Bill No. 030335 was passed.
The ayes have it. A majority of all Members having voted in the affirmative, the motion carries. And the vote by which Bill No. 030335 was passed has been reconsidered. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell again.
Thank you, Madam President. I would like to offer an amendment AND RESOLUTIONS to Bill No. 030335, a cop of the amendment has been circulated to all Members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 030335 be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Bill No. 030335 has been amended. The Bill will be placed on the final passage calendar for our next Session of Council. At this time the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no Bills or Resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell. AND RESOLUTIONS
Thank you, Madam President. I have four Resolutions and one Bill on your behalf; and three Resolutions and one Bill on my own.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the first Bill. THE
An Ordinance amending the Philadelphia Code by enacting a new chapter 17-1200 entitled "Visitability," by requiring newly constructed single and multi-family dwellings to be constructed according to established design principles, all under certain terms and conditions.
The Bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
And an Ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code relating to zoning and planning by amending Chapter 14-200 entitled residential districts by repealing Section 14-202 entitled "R-1 Residential Districts."
This Bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Clerk will please read the Resolutions. AND RESOLUTIONS THE
A Resolution recognizing Friday, June 27, 2003, as National HIV Testing Day.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the Resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a Resolution approving the sale of the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for the fair market value of the former Convention Hall and Commerce Museum properties situate in the vicinity of 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard. AND RESOLUTIONS
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the Resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
A Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of the Public Property to execute and deliver o the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 3rd and 6th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
I move for the adoption of the Resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been AND RESOLUTIONS moved and properly seconded that the Resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Clerk will please read the next Resolution. THE
A Resolution approving the redevelopment contract and Disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the South Central Urban Renewal Area.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution be adopted. AND RESOLUTIONS All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a Resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Point Breeze East Urban Renewal Area.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a Resolution approving the action of the Boards of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to sell F-3 in the Eastwick Urban Renewal Area.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the Resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
And a Resolution AND RESOLUTIONS authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds located in the 30th Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer two Resolutions, each of which is cosponsored by a majority of the Councilmembers.
Thank you, sir. The Clerk will please read the title of AND RESOLUTIONS the first Resolution. THE
A Resolution honoring and commending the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Philadelphia for its critical role in promoting intergroup harmony and social justice within the City of Philadelphia.
Madam President, I move the adoption of the Resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a Resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Law and Government to hold hearings to investigate whether the gun industry should be granted special AND RESOLUTIONS protections against legal action and calling upon our Congressional delegation to vote against S659 and HR1036 which would take away the rights of gun victims by prohibiting qualified civil liability actions from being brought by the federal government.
The ayes have it, and the Resolution will be referred to the Committee on Law and Government.
The requirement is for a vote because the Resolution also calls for action to be taken by the Congressional Delegation of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania against two Bills.
Yes. I move for the adoption of the Resolution. AND RESOLUTIONS
All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the Resolution will be referred to the Committee on Law and Government. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
Madam President, I have two Bills and two Resolutions.
The Clerk will please read the title of the first Bill. THE
An Ordinance naming the park currently designated as Northwood Park, located 999 Arrott and bounded by 4700 Castor Avenue as the Joseph Colligan Park.
The Bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
And an Ordinance naming the playground currently designated as the Rhawnhurst Memorial Playground, located at 8101 Bustleton Avenue as the George C. Pelbano Playground.
This Bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. AND RESOLUTIONS I would ask the Clerk to please read the title of the first Resolution. THE
A Resolution honoring Wayne Miller on being honored as the Ancient Order Hibernians, Division 40, Irish American Labor Leader of the Year.
Madam President, I move for the adoption of this Resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The Clerk will please read the title of the following Resolution. THE
A Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to AND RESOLUTIONS execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 19th and 23rd Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Move for the adoption of the Resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
The Clerk will please read the title of the Resolution. THE
A Resolution approving the redevelopment and disposition supplement of the AND RESOLUTIONS Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Stenton Avenue Urban Renewal Area.
I move for the adoption of the Resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Thank you, Madam President. Today I have no Bills or Resolutions.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter. AND RESOLUTIONS
The Clerk will please read the title of the Resolution. THE
A Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City deeds located in the 4th and 34th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Madam President, I move the adoption of the Resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown. AND RESOLUTIONS
Thank you, Madam President. This jar, two cups of sugar represents the average amount of sugar that children get from soft drinks in our Philadelphia public schools. Thanks be to the voices Harriet Lessey and Dwayne Perry, two strong voices, who care issue. So to that end, I am pleased to introduce a Resolution cosponsored by the Chair of the Education Committee Donna Reed Miller and signed by all Members of City Council.
A Resolution requesting that the School Reform Commission prior to the awarding of any beverage contract, A, hold public hearings on the subject so that the parents and students may give their point of view; and B, give strong consideration to requiring the vendor to provide only healthy drinks such as fruit drinks with at least 25 percent juice and water without sugar additives.
We certainly want to thank Harriet Lessey for calling this to our attention. Thank you very much. AND RESOLUTIONS The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. (Applause.)
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one Bill co-introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell.
The Clerk will please read the title of the Bill. THE
An Ordinance amending Chapter 19-200 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "City Funds Deposits, Investments, Disbursements," AND RESOLUTIONS by amending Section 19-201 entitled "City Depositories," by authorizing the City Treasurer to deposit funds in Fleet Bank under certain terms and conditions.
The Bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the Resolution. THE
A Resolution calling on Cintas Corporation, the largest uniform rental provider and industrial launderer in North America to cease its pattern of unfair labor practices in opposition to efforts by their employees to unionize and further urging Starbucks Coffee Company, a company with stated mission and a record of high standards of corporate conduct who has recently agreed to purchase services from Cintas to use its managerial discretion to cease doing business with Cintas until Cintas abides by these same standards in the treatment of their employees.
The Chair AND RESOLUTIONS recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to speak on the Resolution, Madam Chair.
Cintas is the new type of United States corporation, big, huge, employing a lot of people and paying very low wages with very, very limited health benefits and other benefits that usually accrue to workers. But it it's also part of a pattern that has begun across the United States of hiring workers at low wages and then not allowing them and forbidding them to organize as a union. Cintas is part of this trend. It's a leader in this trend. And right now, it's up before the National Labor Relations Board with multiple, multiple grievances to its practices against workers in their plants. And what we're asking is for the citizens not to drink coffee for a while, at least not to drink coffee in Starbucks in order to support the workers that are trying to unionize in Cintas. Thank you, Madam Chair. I move for the adoption of the Resolution. AND RESOLUTIONS (Applause.)
Councilman Ortiz just made a motion. Do I hear a second? (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the Resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. (Applause.)
Thank you, Madam President. I offer 1 Bill and 11 Resolutions.
The Clerk will please read the title of the Bill. THE
An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Snyder Avenue, Vandalia Street, the former McKean Street and Christopher Columbus AND RESOLUTIONS Boulevard.
The Bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Clerk will please read the title of the first Resolution. THE
A Resolution appointing John Finley to the Board of Directors of the South Street Headhouse District of Philadelphia.