I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading today, this day, of Bill No. 070275. (Duly seconded.) 10/18/07 - STATED - 1ST READING
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bill just reported from committee. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bill just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. The Chief Clerk will please read the bills on the First Reading Calendar.
Bill No. 070338, an ordinance continuing a neighborhood improvement district beyond the date of termination of such district in an area bounded generally by Tulip Street, Allegheny Avenue, Amber Street and 10/18/07 - STATED - 1ST READING Venango Street, known as the Port Richmond Industrial Development Enterprise Neighborhood Improvement District.
And Bill No. 070437, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Grant Avenue, Frankford Avenue, Pearson Street and I-95.
And Bill No. 070674, an ordinance amending Section 14-1600 of The Philadelphia Code, by adding a new section entitled "30th Street Special Controls District."
And Bill No. 070675, an ordinance authorizing 10/18/07 - STATED - 1ST READING Brandywine Cira South, owner and developer for Cira Centre South, to construct, own and maintain various encroachments to be installed in conjunction with a mixed-use development.
And Bill No. 070676, an ordinance establishing a no parking regulation on 30th Street between Market Street and Walnut Street.
And Bill No. 070677, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 30th Street, Chestnut Street, Schuylkill Avenue and Walnut Street.
And Bill No. 070678, an ordinance regulating the 10/18/07 - STATED - 1ST READING direction of movement of traffic on 30th Street between Market Street to Walnut Street.
And Bill No. 070542, an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2008 within the General Fund from certain or all City offices to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
And Bill No. 070681, an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2008 within the General Fund from the Council to the Mayor - Office of Housing and Community Development and to the Department of Recreation.
And Bill No. 10/18/07 - STATED - 1ST READING 070793, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into the amendment of four cable television franchises operated by subsidiaries of Comcast Corporation for public access television programming in the City of Philadelphia, all under certain terms and conditions.
And Bill No. 070794, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to enter into a lease agreement between the City and the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for further sublease to the Philadelphia Public Access Corporation, all under certain terms and conditions.
And Bill No. 070153, an ordinance amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Health 10/18/07 - STATED - 1ST READING Code," by adding a new section requiring that chain restaurants obtain and display certain nutrition information for food, meal and beverage items, all under certain terms and conditions.
And Bill No. 070511, an ordinance amending Section 6-307 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Foods Containing Artificial Trans Fats," by exempting certain bakeries from the provisions prohibiting the use of artificial trans fats, under certain terms and conditions.
And Bill No. 070275, an ordinance amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Health Code," by adopting certain provisions of the National Fire Protection Association Standard related to hearing protection measures for firefighters and paramedics, 10/18/07 - STATED - 1ST READING with amendments thereto, all under certain terms and conditions.
The Chair agrees. That concludes our Calendar, our First Reading bills. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of calling up the bills -- I'm sorry. Councilman Kelly, I'm sorry. I didn't see your light on.
Madam President, I'd like to make a motion to suspend the rules to permit an amendment to Bill No. 070275, which was just read, the first reading.
Is there any objection from members of the Committee? (No response.)
Yes, Madam President. They were circulated this 10/18/07 - STATED - 1ST READING morning.
If you don't mind -- I don't think several of the Councilmembers have seen it. If you don't mind, would you explain what the amendments are?
Yes. It's just actually taking out the date where the ordinance shall take effect. We're removing "on July 1, 2007." It's just going to read "this ordinance shall take effect immediately." We're just taking out the date.
A motion has been made to suspend -(Duly seconded.)
Those opposed? 10/18/07 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Again, the Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
I move to adopt the amendment to Bill No. 070275. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that not only the amendment but the request for the amendment be approved. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of calling up the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar to be considered today.
Thank you, Madam President. There are no bills to be considered today on our Second Reading and Final Passage. All bills are being held.
Thank you. The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. I'm sure that everyone has heard about the incidents what's happened in Bedford County, Virginia yesterday. Twenty-one schools were shut down after a student died from MRSA. In light of this tragedy, I want to revisit the steps I took regarding MRSA a short time ago. My hope is that we continue to raise greater public awareness about MRSA here in Philadelphia. On August 29th, I held a press to discuss an insidious and potentially dangerous staph infection known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. At the time, I urged the School District of Philadelphia to report MRSA on a case-by-case basis instead of in clusters as the current protocol. Furthermore, I called for the School District officials to incorporate information regarding MRSA into City health class instruction. My interest in generating greater public awareness of MRSA in fact should stem from my friendship with Scott Cummings. When Scott told me how this terrible infection jeopardized the health of his wife and three children, I was stunned. Additionally, I recently found out that someone in my immediate family came down with MRSA infection and is currently suffering from and being treated for this infection. MRSA is a deadly serious public and across the country. The infection is becoming increasingly prevalent among school-age athletes, especially those involved in team sports. In fact, I understand that the dramatic upswing in MRSA infections has prompted pharmaceutical companies to find new ways to battle the deadly bacteria. One is an over-the-counter product called StaphAseptic. I do not believe the vast majority of the citizens of Philadelphia realize what this infection is, how easily it can be passed from one person to another and how potentially lethal it is, especially in children or adults with compromised immune systems. When City Council resumed in September, I sponsored a resolution declaring the month of September MRSA Awareness Month in Philadelphia. The more people that know about this dangerous infection, the better we can minimize future outbreaks. I thank all joined me in sponsoring the resolution. Several days after I outlined my resolution, the Daily News Editorial Board had the audacity to criticize my resolution in their editorial dated Friday, August 31, 2007, titled "An Ordinance." They called my resolution silly, questionable or a downright bone-headed law. I am not asking for an apology. I don't want an apology. However, I think they ought to print an editorial talking about the dangers of MRSA and help, through their publication, to raise awareness of this disease. I am not trying to cause mass hysteria here in Philadelphia. However, it is my intention to present the truth, not an abbreviated version of it. I want to work both with the Health Department and School District to increase awareness and to compile accurate data on incidents in Philadelphia. infection. I want Philadelphians to be aware of it and I want to prevent any unnecessary suffering as a result of it. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you, Councilman. Are there any speeches on the part of the majority? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion to adjourn.
Madam President, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October the 25th at 10:00 a.m., 2007. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 25th at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Thank you all very much. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on October 18, 2007, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)