COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Thursday, 6/6/02, 10:43 a.m. Room 696, City Hall Philadelphia, PA 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 W. THACHER LONGSTRETH 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 6/6/02 STATED - GREETING/INVOCATION
Good morning, everyone. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. The Council will please come to order, members will take their seats. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes the Reverend Gary Dunlap, Pastor of the Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Clarke. All members and guests will please rise. (All rise.)
Let us pray. Father, once again, we come before You, we come before You to thank You for another day, another day that we have never seen. We pray that You -- we thank You for allowing us to be here. We pray, Lord, that you shower this place with wisdom, that you make the decisions made in this place today decisions that's best for all of those, every man and women, every boy, every girl that live in the City of Philadelphia. We thank You. Amen. 6/6/02 STATED - APPROVAL OF 5/30/02 JOURNAL ALL: Amen.
Amen. The Chair thanks Reverend Dunlap for his inspiring invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.)
The next other of business is approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, May 30, 2002, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, May 30, 2002, stand approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, May 30, 2002, stand approved. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed, nay? The ayes have it, the motion carries; therefore, the Journal of the meeting of Thursday May 30, 2002, stands approved. 5/30/02 STATED - REQUESTS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE
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 on the part of the Majority.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. 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. 5/30/02 STATED - REQUESTS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE
The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize guests and visitors joining us in chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our session. We appreciate you taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our city. We certainly invite you to come again. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill, who will present a resolution honoring Mr. Bill Fox. (Councilman O'Neill comes forward.)
Will Mr. Fox and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. (Honoree et al. come forward.)
Madam President, can Councilman Krajewski and Councilman Mariano come up and help me with this? (Councilmembers Krajewski and Mariano come forward.)
And also, Bill Fox has worked for the City a long time in the 5/30/02 STATED - REQUESTS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE Recreation Department, but for the last several years, he's been our Deputy Commerce Director, and I'd ask our commerce director, Jim Cuorato, to come up here with us. Also, Bill Fox is a neighbor and friend for a very long time of our state representative in the far northeast, in Somerton, George Kenny, who came down, I believe, from Harrisburg today to join us. George, if you could come up here and join us today, we'd be honored. (State Representative Kenny comes forward.)
This is a resolution honoring Bill Fox, Jr. The Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to join the Father Judge High School family in tribute to Coach Bill Fox Jr. for joining the Select 500 Club. Whereas, Coach Fox has been at Father Judge High School since 1974. He hit the ground running and has coached three Catholic league championship teams: 1974-75, 1976-77, and 1997-98. Having just finished his 26th year at Father Judge, he is only the third coach in the entire history of 5/30/02 STATED - REQUESTS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE the Catholic League of Philadelphia to enter the 500 Club; and...
And whereas, from the time he attended St. Christopher's Grade School, where his coach was the venerable Bill Fox, Sr., Bill had a love of basketball and was co-captain of his team at LaSalle College. He was so young when he started at Father Judge that the secretary thought he was a student. But he hit the ground running and never looked back; and...
Whereas, Bill Fox, Jr. loved his job and his school to which he has bore great distinction. He does, however, love his family above all, and his values and ethic are just as admirable as his great winning word. Now, therefore...
Resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that we hereby honor and commend Coach Bill Fox, Jr. and congratulate him on becoming a member of the 500 Club and extend to him our respect and admiration. Further resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Coach Bill Fox, Jr. as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this 5/30/02 STATED - REQUESTS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE legislative body. I mentioned Bill Fox Jr. several times because Bill Fox, Sr. is very much alive and kicking and is the President of the St. Christopher's Seniors Association, which is one of the largest in the City. Along with other family members, Mr. Fox is here. Certification that this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 9th day of May, 2002. It's signed by the President of City Council, Anna Verna, and was introduced by the three Councilmembers up here and cosponsored by all Councilmembers. (Applause.)
Thank you, Council President Verna and her fellow Councilmembers. In working for the Commerce Department this year and a half is where I got my gray hair. (Laughter.)
I'm overwhelmed to be honored by doing something that I thoroughly enjoy. I'm 5/30/02 STATED - REQUESTS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE very fortunate to be involved with a high school like Father Judge with a fine academic and athletic reputation. We have many prestigious alumni, led by our director of commerce, Jim Cuorato. To achieve 500 wins, you have to have many talented players who actually come to practice. (Laughter.)
And I'm very fortunate to have my parents with me today; my number-one fan, my wife; my two favorite players, my two sons; family members, friends from Father Judge and the Commerce Department. I'm overwhelmed. Thank you. (Applause.)
Congratulations. Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.)
The Chair at this time recognizes Councilwoman Tasco, who will make a presentation horning Ms. Erline Ac. Will those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. 5/30/02 STATED - REQUESTS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE (Honoree et al. come forward.)
Thank you, Madam President. This is an honor this morning to present this resolution, but before I begin, I have to say that Miss Ackworth was brought to us by one of my committee persons, Fred Horton, who is in the 50th Ward, 13th Division, an outstanding educator, a wonderful dancer, and an actor who appeared in Oprah Winfrey's "Beloved," and we are proud of him because he cares so much about education, and he keeps us thinking in the 50th Ward along those lines of providing quality education to children. But this morning, we are here to provide this resolution to a celebrity. You read about this woman recently in the newspaper, and this is a resolution honoring Mrs. Erline Ackworth. Whereas, Erline Ackworth was born in North Carolina and began working at a very early age, she also took care of her mother when she was ill, and as one of 12 children, absorbed the lifelong lessons of hard work, sharing, independence, and love of family; and 5/30/02 STATED - REQUESTS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE Whereas, Mrs. Ackworth became a truly acclaimed cook when she lived in the South, and that reputation has followed her here she. Can whip up a meal for 100 people and do it with a smile, and she cooks the way she does everything else: With love and praise; and Whereas, Mrs. Ackworth is the mother of six, and she and her husband, Oscar L. Ackworth, have also raised six sets of foster children, today, they are the proud grandparents of 33 and the great-grandparents of 18, along with four godsons; and Whereas, Erline, who is 78 years old, works part-time as a nurse's aide. She continues to cook. She is an active and enthusiastic member of the Church of Faith. She cares for her growing family and now, as if all that weren't enough, she has earned her high school diploma from the Philadelphia Regional High School. (Applause.)
And whereas Mrs. Ackworth has lived her faith every day, takes no glory in her accomplishment, but is grateful for the opportunity. It is our understanding that she 5/30/02 STATED - REQUESTS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE will also, and she did, attend her senior prom, a privilege she has earned through her years of hard work, forthrightness, determination, and discipline. Now, therefore, resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that we hereby honor and commend Mrs. Erline Ackworth on the occasion of her graduation from high school. She is an example of what we can -- of what can be accomplished regardless of age. Further resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Ackworth as evidence of the sincere appreciation and deep respect of this legislative body. Certification that this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 16th day of May, 2002. It is signed by President Verna, introduced by Tasco and Richard Mariano, my colleague, and sponsored by all of the members of City Council. We thank you so much, Mrs. Ackworth. (Applause.)
The Chair at 5/30/02 STATED - REQUESTS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE this time recognizes Ms. Ackworth for remarks. God bless you, you're wonderful.
First of all, I would like to say good morning to each and everyone. I had one feeling when I walked in the door, but now I have about three or four feelings, and they all are great and the influence of everything and everybody that has accomplished [sic] me here this morning. First of all, I want to say thank you to the Councilmen, Councilwomen, and everybody of the Council -- and that way I don't miss anybody. (Laughter.)
And most of all, I have my husband here with me of over 40 years; and I have my bishop here with me, Bishop Claude R. Barnes; I have my principal here with me, Mr. Alan Liebowitz, and my -- I call him "my vice principal," Mr. Fred Horton. And my teachers -- where is my math teacher? Mrs. Math -- I call her "Mrs. Math" -have made me cry many a days in the classroom for algebra. And I tell you, it is not easy. And Mrs. Math would not let up on me; she was on me 5/30/02 STATED - REQUESTS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE just like white old rice. (Laughter.)
And I tell you, I appreciate her and I appreciate Mr. Liebowitz. I have neighbors of mine back in the back, which I call "my daughter." Mrs. Moses, would you stand please. (Applause.)
Then I have my godson from my church. Would you stand, please, Christian Hunter. (Applause.)
And then I wrote some things down, but I don't think I'm even going by this paper. And I have my student body. These are my body guards. (Laughter.)
They told my pastor this morning -- he said something, and they said, "Don't worry, we have her back." (Laughter.)
And I appreciate these students because they have motivated me as well as 5/30/02 STATED - REQUESTS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE I have motivated them, and I have to say to my young students, the males and the females, when they come in this school and they're not like the school represent and take on -- all I have to do is look at them. You see 'em pulling up they pants? You see 'em taking off their hats. "All right, Grandmom, we all right. We all right, Grandmom." And these are the things -- I am there to try to help the children. Someone asked me last week, did some of the children habits come off on me? I said yes and no, I said, but I try to do it so that my habits would come off on them, and I think this have worked. I could preach, but I'm not, I'm going to say it all. And I just say I thank you, each and everyone. And, Mr. Liebowitz, I just don't know what to say, because when I asked you about coming back to school, I really wasn't sincere. (Laughter.)
It was just something I had asked him to do, making conversation, but my granddaughter graduated from this school last year, and she says, Your lawyer helped me out with this. 5/30/02 STATED - REQUESTS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE I had a problem getting her into school, but through it all, we made it. And let me tell you something, I made it. (Applause.)
And I tell you something else: I might give out, but I'm not going to give up. (Applause.)
Because I'm not going to sit in a rocking chair and grow old. Iron wears out, but I'm on Rust-Away. (Laughter.)
And, again, I thank the Councilmen, and I just don't know what I'm going to do with this -- I just don't know what to say, but just thank you, thank you, thank you, and thank you. (Applause.)
I forgot to tell you something. I'm really looking for employment. (Laughter.)
And I will not be late. 5/30/02 STATED - REQUESTS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE (Laughter.)
Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.) (Council proceedings resume.) 6/6/02 STATED - COMMUNICATIONS
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the clerk.
Thank you. 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
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 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 say aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I introduce one resolution on your behalf.
Thank you. The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the City of Philadelphia deeds located in the 30th and 36th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you. The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution honoring the News Gleaner on the occasion of its 120th anniversary.
Move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
Thank you. The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution encouraging the Eagles and the Phillies to continue honoring the memory and contributions of veterans at the newly-constructed baseball and football facilities.
Madam President, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution calling upon City Council's Committee on Education to hold hearings making inquiries and investigations relating to the School Reform Commission's proposed plan to reorganize and fund the School District of the City of Philadelphia.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS 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 is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill and one resolution.
Thank you. The clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending the Philadelphia Code by adding requirements applicable to landlords who rent to students in educational housing districts and through colleges and universities attended by such students and by making technical changes.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
And a resolution 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds located in the 44th Ward City 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 those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions this morning.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode. 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
The clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution recognizing the achievements of Philly Pride Presents for the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgendered Pride Parade and festival as they continue their mission of proactive education to create an atmosphere of sensitivity and awareness that will lead to a greater acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered community of Philadelphia.
Madam Chair, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and motion carries. The clerk will please read the title of the second resolution.
And a resolution urging the United States Senate to reject the nomination of Judge D. Brooke Smith to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
I move 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 saying aye. Those opposed? The record will reflect that Councilman O'Neill voted no, Councilman Rizzo also is voting 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS no, and Councilman Longstreth is voting no.
I'm sure the record will reflect your remarks. (Councilman Cohen's remarks inaudible to stenographer.)
The majority of the Councilmembers having voted in the affirmative, this resolution passes. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill and one resolution.
The clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance authorizing the striking from City Plan No. 238 and abandoning of a certain right of way for drainage purposes within the City lines of former Clymer Street.
The bill will 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS be referred to the appropriate committee.
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 New Kensington Fishtown 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 those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Madam President. I have four resolutions and four bills.
Thank you. The clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 58 by placing on the City Plan Mt. Vernon from 10th Street to a point approximately 90 feet southwesterly.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing G2S2 Associations, owner of the property 1605-1627 Sansom Street, to construct and maintain a building encroachment over and above the 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS north footway of the 1600 block of Sansom Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing the Pennsylvania of Academy of Fine Arts, owner of the properties 118 North Broad Street and 128 North Broad Street, to construct, own, and maintain various encroachments under, on, and over the north footway of Cherry Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Title 4 of the Philadelphia Administrative Code, Chapter 3, to amend Section a. 303.2 to require notice of demolition of residents of neighborhood properties, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion carries. The clerk will please read the next resolution.
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 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS Renewal Area.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion carries. The clerk will please read the third resolution.
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.
Thank you, Madam 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS 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 aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion carries. The clerk will please read the final resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City deeds located in the 14th Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been 6/6/02 STATED - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Longstreth.
Councilman Longstreth has no bills or resolutions today. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Councilwoman Blackwell, I know that we recessed the Finance Committee hearing and meeting. How much of a recess do you think we would need to come to a conclusion of the hearing?
Madam President, certainly, if I had my way, we would have reported the bills out earlier. Having said that, I believe that we are at the tail-end of the hearing and that all is done, with the exception of submitting amendments to the resolution. So I'm hoping that we could do that -if my colleagues agree, those members of the Finance Committee, I would like us to be able to do that within 20 minutes. Is that enough time, members of the Finance Committee? If they agree, Madam President, we can get that in and out so that we can finish that and then come back and complete this session of Council. Could we do that now?
Well, we can recess this hearing and go into the Finance Committee hearing, and then come back. All right, Council will now stand in 6/6/02 STATED - COMMITTEE REPORTS recess while -
I'm sorry, I only heard the tail-end of the conversation, but I think I have the substance of the issue. Madam President, I have no idea how long it will take. There were outstanding questions on NTI. I think Councilwoman Blackwell, Chair of the Finance Committee, knows that we were in the middle of questioning when it became obvious that we needed to get our Council session started. So short of any commitment about time -- because you never know how long the questioning is going to take -- I know that we're going to get back into the Finance Committee, and we'll get back into it whenever the Chair decides, but I would like to have the full flexibility with regard to the ability to ask questions.
Are the members of the Administration here so that we could proceed with... Councilman Cohen?
Okay, I think there 6/6/02 STATED - COMMITTEE REPORTS are a number of people here who are interested in matters of the agenda. There's one matter I'm very much interested in, and I think the people of Philadelphia have a right to hear Council in action on that matter, and I would not like to see them leave here without knowing what Council has done and how Council approaches the question. Therefore, I believe that it's in everybody's interest, particularly the public's interest involved in matters like wage-tax cuts among others, and that's the issue that I'm going to be raising and dealing with today. I think it's important that the public be here. My suggestion is that we go through the regular agenda of the Council meeting, call all of the bills for action so that the people that are here can find out how Council acts on various things and will get that information. (Applause.)
And then just before we finish, we can recess for the Finance Committee and come back later. That way, the public won't be inconvenienced.
What is the 6/6/02 STATED - COMMITTEE REPORTS desire of the members of the Council? Shall we go forward and -
I realize that we have a number of people that have been waiting here since quite early this morning. I have no objection personally to doing what you suggest.
Excuse me, Madam President. Is it legal to run the calendar before we report the committee reports?
Is it legal to run the calendar before we have committee reports; and if so, I would suggest we run the calendar.
I just don't want to 6/6/02 STATED - COMMITTEE REPORTS lose the audience. A lot of people are here on the wage-tax bill and they would like to hear what Council will (inaudible.) (Applause.)
I think people who are here have a right to know what Council -(Unintelligible; parties talking over each other.)
Councilman Cohen, please. (Council President Verna strikes gavel.)
Councilman Cohen -- I'm sorry -- Councilman O'Neill, it is my understanding that we will call a five-minute recess, and within that period of time, the 6/6/02 STATED - COMMITTEE REPORTS appropriate action will be taken and we can then come right back into our Council session.
Even when we come back, I would still second Councilman Goode's motion that for the people here, with so many bills being reported out, that we make the committee reports after the calendar's run, when we get to that point. Thank you.
We can't do that. Council will stand in recess for five minutes.
And I would suggest that everybody stay in their seats, please. 6/6/02 STATED - COMMITTEE REPORTS We would like to get through this as quickly as possible. Therefore, the Chair is asking Councilwoman Blackwell to please call her committee back into session. Please ask the Administration to approach the witness table if it is still there. Otherwise, please sit -- yeah, thank you.
Council has a history of five-minute recesses that last an hour or two. Don't let it happen today. (Stated meeting recessed while Finance Committee proceedings resume.) (Stated meeting proceedings resume.) 6/6/02 STATED - RECOGNITION OF M. TASCO ACHIEVEMENT
We will now, as I said, resume our session. And before doing so, we have recognized this morning several people, but I am absolutely delighted to recognize one of our own. I am pleased to announce that over a pool of over 500 applicants, our colleague Councilwoman Marion Tasco is one of 8 women who were selected as recipients of the 2002 Good Housekeeping Magazine Awards for women in government. (Applause.)
Nominated by ACORN, Councilwoman Tasco was selected for her efforts to lead the fight against predatory lending in Philadelphia and for her roll in making the issue of predatory lending a major national public-policy matter. This award is being given by Good Housekeeping Magazine in conjunction with the Center for American Women in Politics. The winners were selected by a panel lead by former United States Representative Geraldine Ferraro and Tilly Fowler. 6/6/02 STATED - RECOGNITION OF M. TASCO ACHIEVEMENT Councilwoman, we're extremely, extremely proud of you. Congratulations. (Applause.) 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND-READING CALENDAR BILLS
All right. We will now, as I said, resume our session. And I would just like to say we have an awful lot of reports from committees. There are approximately 45 bills on the first-reading calendar, and I would be very happy to entertain a motion that we suspend the rules so that we could go directly to the second-reading calendar, and if someone would make that motion, because we do have all of these people here. Hopefully we could entertain it.
Councilman Nutter, you look a little complex [sic]. I'm saying what we could do is suspended the rules. We've had people sitting here waiting for a number of hours now. We could go directly to our second-reading calendar. Councilman Goode?
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. I move to suspend the rules of Council to consider bills on second reading and final passage before committee reports and bills on first 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND-READING CALENDAR BILLS reading. (Duly seconded.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell to call up bills on the second-reading and final-passage calendar to be called for consideration this morning.
Thank you, Madam President. This morning Bill No.'s 010492, 010659, 020231, 020309, 020183, 020225, 020226, 020276, 020343, 020344, and 020256 are being called up for second reading and final passage.
Councilman DiCicco, did you not indicate that Bill No. 020227 is also -
Yes, Madam President. We're correcting that. Thank you.
Bill No. 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020227 020227 is also being called up for second reading and final passage. All other bills are being held.