COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 401, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, November 2, 2000 10:00 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. DI CICCO COUNCILMAN WILSON W. 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, CHIEF CLERK VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 P R O C E E D I N G S
Good morning, everyone. I note that the hour has come and a that a quorum of this Council is present. The 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 Dr. Alyne E. Waller, Pastor of the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Miller. All members and guests will please rise. REV. WALLER: Let us bow our heads. Eternal God, our Father, we thank you for the opportunity to gather in these hallowed halls of justice and deliberation. Lord, we thank you for a civil government that we can with integrity embrace believing, God, that you work through this government and can bring about justice and righteousness. Right now, God, I pray for those who sit in seats of distinction, for I recognize that these seats have not allowed them to escape the normal vigors and vicissitudes of life. So even now I pray for them and their families. I pray for their INVOCATION children. I pray for their personal concerns that you will manifest yourself in their lives in a way that would ease their minds that as they do business for this City, they would not be bogged down with the parochial and personal concerns of their lives but can see their way clear to making judgments and decisions that will be best for all concerned. Then, Lord, as always, I pray for those who may be in this room right now that think I'm talking to myself. They have not met you nor do they know nor do they believe that you exist. God, I know that you're able to manifest yourself in a way that someone would come to know you in the pardon of there sins. Then now, God, I pray that the business transacted here today would not be for personal or political gain, but would be for the benefit of all. Lord, bless the children, bless the teachers, bless every labor worker and every manager. Lord, allow justice to roll down that we would be proud, that we would be able to uplift what happened in this place this day. Now, God, until I talk to you later, I pray this prayer in the only name that I know that APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL will seal it with power, protection, and promise, the name of Jesus, and for his sake I do pray. Let us all say, Amen.
The Chair thanks Dr. Waller 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, October 19, 2000. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of Thursday, October 19, 2000, stand approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday October 19, 2000, stand approved. All in favor will signal by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed, nay. LEAVES OF ABSENCE (No response.)
The motion carries and the Journal of Thursday October 19, 2000 stands approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence. 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 Longstreth.
There are no requests for leaves of absence on the part of the minority.
Thank you. The Chair 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. We appreciate your WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our City. We certainly invite you to come again. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo who will make a presentation honoring Dan Baker. Will Mr. Baker and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium?
Good morning, everyone. A name that we all know in City Council is a gentleman by the name of Dan Baker who just recently retired 30 years in PGW. Whenever we had a constituent call us, the first name that popped into our minds was Dan Baker at PGW, and for all the hard work the City Council of Philadelphia, Dan, unanimously have signed on to this resolution which I'd like to read today to recognize you for your hard work. Honoring and commending Dan Baker upon his retirement after 30 years of dedication at the Philadelphia Gas Works. Whereas, Dan Baker, a native of Philadelphia, began his service at a Philadelphia Gas Works directly out of high school when he worked in customer accounting department as junior accounts WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS clerk; and Whereas, Dan Baker's illustrious career at PGW saw him serve various departments and hold numerous postings, including telephone operator, district office worker, meter shop, compliance officer, customer reviews, supervisor in customer accounting, administrative supervisor with billing service, management with customer review. You had a lot of jobs at PGW. Whereas, Dan Baker's dedicated service has spanned the reign of 14 presidents and his leadership, knowledge, and talent has assisted both PGW and its customers throughout the evolution of the company. And personally, my office has used your services and everyone out here. Whereas, Dan Baker has always been accessible to customers and other City workers, particularly in City Council, and always provided his assistance wherever possible; and Whereas, throughout his many years of service at PGW, Dan Baker has forged numerous friendships and has been a responsible worker, effective leader, an infinite source of information WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS and advice, and most of all, a friend whose talent will be greatly missed. Now, therefore, resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that it hereby honors and commends Dan Baker upon his retirement after 30 years of dedicated service at the Philadelphia Gas Works. Resolved further that an engrossed copy of this resolution is presented to Dan Baker as evidence of the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body for the many years of dedicated service that he has provided to the customers of PGW. Thank you, Dan, and we certainly appreciate all your hard work. (Applause.)
Mr. Baker, congratulations and best wishes. If you'd like, you can say a few remarks at this time.
Thank you. I'd like to thank Councilman Rizzo and all the Council for this resolution. In a service industry, helping others is a key to providing quality service. This award helps me believe that I met the challenge. WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS I would also like to thank all the Council staff for their respect, courtesy, and corporation they've shown my staff and me whose constituents have asked us to intercede with. I also wish all of you the best success in serving the City of Philadelphia. Thank you. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell who will make a presentation honoring the Fraternal Order of Police. Will Mr. Rich Costello and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman at the podium?
Thank you, Madam President. This is a special pleasure for me this morning. I'm sure my colleagues know of my love and concern for those people who are homeless and have no place to stay and how it extends into dealing with shelter and other areas for people in need. We contacted -- in fact, the FOP has WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS been really, really wonderful in so many years. A few months we talked with them and my friend Bob Eddis told me that they would be willing to try to help children in shelter have the opportunity to attend a carnival. They totally sponsored it. They fed them. When I said they had to be back a certain time or they wouldn't be able to get dinner, they said, "Don't worry about it, we'll feed them." And you had mothers and children in shelter who were able to enjoy the benefit of a circus, an experience that they wouldn't otherwise have been able to do. And all of people behind me, not only sponsored it, but were certainly there and certainly did their part to help these people. And, you know, it's something that you don't get paid for that. You don't get paid as a police officer, you don't get paid and nobody tells you you have to work at a carnival or you have to work at a circus and you have to help homeless people. And I really commend them for their activities. I wanted to mention their names and then I'll read the resolution. I don't usually say things when I read resolutions, but I had to take advantage of this opportunity because we want to thank, obviously, President WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS Richard Costello, Carmen Iacuzio, Joseph F. Iacuzio, Deborah Scott, Veronica M. Valentino, Roosevelt L. Poplar, my friend whom I love, Bob Eddis, James Wheeler, Robert Borden, and again, President Costello. Resolution honoring the Fraternal Order of Police. Whereas, the Fraternal Order of Police sponsors the Bentley Brothers Circus each year to provide quality entertainment for underprivileged children in Philadelphia; and Whereas, the circus consists of 20 separate shows performed at the Northeast Armory and at Broad and Pattison; and Whereas, this year in an effort to increase the working relationship between the police and the community, the lodge provided each police district and unit throughout the City with access to tickets for the show; and Whereas, each night a bike was raffled off and the proceeds were given to St. Christopher's Hospital in a special initiative called "Kids Helping Kids"; and Whereas, over $5,000 children who WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS otherwise would not have had a chance to see a circus were entertained to a night of laughter and enjoyment, including children from local homeless shelters. Now, therefore, resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that we hereby honor, commend, and express profound gratitude to Rich Costello and all of the members of Lodge No. 5 of the Fraternal Order of Police for their sponsorship of the Bentley Brothers Circus. Resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution shall be presented to the FOP evidencing their sincere sentiments and high esteem of this legislative body. Certification, this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 12th day of October 2000. And it's certainly signed by our president and sponsored by each and every member of Council. Thank you. We love you. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Mr. Costello for remarks. WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. One of the aspects of my job that I find fascinating is occasions like this where I get to take the credit for work that was actually done by other people. I think it's important that you meet the actual coordinator of this event, the person who actually put it together and did the work that we are all being applauded for. I would like to introduce you to her for her to say a few words because it's more properly her day than mine, and that's Sergeant Veronica Seifer (ph). Ronnie.
Thank you. Thank you, President Verna, and thank you, Councilwoman Blackwell, as well as all the Councilmembers. It's a project close to our heart, the homeless children. And we are cops 24 hours a day, but we're also people and we know the plight of the homeless. So we'd like to try to do this every year and we'd like to do it with your help. Next year maybe it can be even more successful. And thank you very much. (Applause.)
Council will be at ease. COMMUNICATIONS (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Clerk. The Clerk will read messages from the Mayor.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that signed the following bills that were passed by Council at its Session on October 2, 2000: Bill No. 000064 and Bill No. 000404. And I am transmitting for the consideration of your Honorable body, a draft of a resolution entitled, a resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the West Philadelphia Redevelopment 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 COMMUNICATIONS 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 City's Urban Renewal Area. And a resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Parkside National Register Historical District Urban Renewal Area. And an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriation for Fiscal Year 2000 within the General Fund to certain and all City offices, departments, boards, and commissions. And an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2001 from the Grants Revenue Fund to certain and all City offices, departments, boards, and commissions.
The messages will be printed in the Journal. The Clerk will please read any other INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS communications in her possession.
Thank you. The next order is 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 properly moved and 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 indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS it. The motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Title 12 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, Traffic Code, to provide for the towing of vehicles illegally parked on sidewalks, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. This morning I introduce one bill on your behalf, one resolution sponsored by your office, and three others.
The Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Parkside National Register Historic District Urban Renewal Area.
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.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of the second 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 INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS of a portion of the West Philadelphia Redevelopment Area.
Madam President, I move 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.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of the third resolution introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell.
A resolution designating December 21st as a Homeless Person's Memorial Day.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
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.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Clerk will please read the last resolution.
A resolution calling for a public hearing before the joint Committees of Public Safety and Public Health and Human Services to investigate the untimely death of Mr. Robert Brown, a paranoid schizophrenia patient of the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Behavioral Health System.
This resolution will be referred to the appropriate INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS committee. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Chapter 10-800 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, "Safety," by prohibiting the inhalation of nitrous oxide for the non-medical purposes and by prohibiting the purchase, possession, sale, offering for sale, or other distribution of nitrous oxide for prohibitive purposes, all under certain bills and conditions.
This resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Madam President, on behalf of 15 members of City Council, including 11 chief co-sponsors, I offer this resolution which I would like to speak, Madam President.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution calling on Temple University to recognize the Temple University Graduate Students Association, American Federation INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS of Teachers as a collective bargaining representative for its teaching assistants, graduate assistants and research assistants and to bargain in good faith with that union.
I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Madam President, quietly in our universities there have been a group of employees that have never, until very, very recently, been recognized as eligible for collective bargaining rights. They are probably the most exploited of all people who work for a living because they get very little pay but they teach for undergraduates frequently the majority of the classes. They do all kinds of work: They grade papers, they teach, they do laboratory work, and they get paid very minimal salaries. Actually, in INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS addition to the graduate studies, they probably spend 7 days a week, 12 to 15 hours a day between their studies and their work. But universities, despite the high rates of tuition that they charged, have always taken the position that these workers are just graduate students and that somehow the work that they do should not be counted as work. Very recently in Penn State of Pennsylvania, the State Labor Relation Board for the first time recognized that these graduate students who spend so much time teaching and doing other work for the university are entitled to join together in unions and bargain collectively. In this morning's Inquirer, there's a short scrib stated that the National Labor Relation Board for the first time recognized that students at New York University, graduate students at New York University who perform teaching cores also have the right to bargain collectively. Several students that are in the back here, a small selection of the 1100 who work and who for three years overwhelming majorities of them have sought collective bargaining rights, but Temple University has said no to them, fought them in the INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Labor Board of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Now that they have a legal right to be recognized, they've shown that they have an overwhelming majority of members, Temple University has still refused to recognize them. And this resolution seeks for them the same kind of rights that American workers enjoy naturally. So I'm very pleased to speak on behalf of this resolution which urges Temple University to deal with this union as it does with all other unions, that is, to bargain in good faith, to recognize them, and to arrive at a fair collective bargaining agreement. Thank you, Madam President. (Applause.)
Thank you. 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 is carried. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS (Applause.)
Madam President, I have two bills and one resolution.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution honoring the 25th anniversary of the Mayfair Holmesburg Thanksgiving Parade and recognizing the hard work and dedication of the residence, businesses, and the Greater Kensington String Band who have assisted in making this event a tremendous success.
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.)
Those opposed, INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS nay. (No response.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriation for Fiscal Year 2000 within the General Fund from certain and all City offices, departments, boards, and commission, to certain or all City offices, departments, boards, and commissions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriation for Fiscal Year 2001 from the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance provision for other grants to the General Fund certain or all City offices, departments, boards, and commission.
This bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
Madam President, INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS two bills and one resolution.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia without consideration deeds located in the 7th, 18th, 19th and 37th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed, nay. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS (No response.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Sub-code A of the Title 4 of the Philadelphia Administrative Code by providing that no certificate of occupancy shall be issued under the provisions of the Fire Code relating to stand pipes or a variance has been granted, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Section 10-723.2 of the Philadelphia Code relating to prohibited conduct in connection with the distribute of commercial and non-commercial handbills by prohibiting the placement of such handbills on private property only if the owner has both notified the Department of License and Inspections the owner does not wish to handbills and has so posted the property, all under certain terms and conditions. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution joining the School District of Philadelphia in celebrating National Family Literacy Day commending them and other efforts geared toward bringing parents and children together within the learning environment.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code relating to zoning and planning by amending Chapter 14-1600 entitled "Miscellaneous," by amending 14-1616 entitled "East Falls Special District Controls," by expanding the area subject to the controls, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
I have no bills or resolutions this morning.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I have one resolution co-sponsored by every member of Council.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution calling for hearings into Micro Enterprize Development and Neighborhood Self-employment as an economic development strategy in the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Thank you, Madam President. I have one bill and one resolution.
Thank you. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing City Council's Committees on Public Health and Human Services and Public Safety to hold a joint committee hearing to investigate the quality level of medical and mental health care services that is provided or made accessible to prison inmates under the care of the Philadelphia Prison System.
This resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance authorizing and directing transfers in appropriation for Fiscal Year 2001 within the General Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards, and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
Thank you, Madam INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS President. I offer one bill and one resolution.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
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 indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance authorizing INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS McCormick and Schmick Seafood Restaurant, a tenant of the property One South Broad Street, to construct and maintain and electrified marquis with an icon sign over the south footway of South Penn Square.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
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 renewal of a portion of the Cecil B. Moore Urban Renewal Area.
Move for the INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS adoption. (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. The resolution has been adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of the second resolution.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model City's Urban Renewal Area.
Move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.) INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Longstreth.
Madam President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance providing for civil liability for violations of certain provisions under the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code relating to obedience to steady red light signals and REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES stopping at an intersection or crossing and establishing an administrative system for adjudicating liability in connection with such violations, all under certain terms and conditions.
Oh, I'm sorry. I'd like to move for the adoption of this resolution.
I'm sorry, it's bill and there's no discussion on a bill. I'm sorry. It will have to be referred to the appropriate committee. Thank you. The next order of business will be reports from committees. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney from the Rules committee.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Rules reports out seven bills with favorable recommendations.
The Clerk will REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES please read the report.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Rules to which was referred Bill No. 000397 entitled, an ordinance adopting an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of 6he Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia. And Bill No. 000536 entitled, an ordinance amending Title 22 of the Philadelphia Code entitled City of Philadelphia Public Employees Retirement Code to provide that police officers injured as a result of performing heroic action in the line of duty are exempt from the earned income offset applied to members receiving service-connected disability benefits. And Bill No. 000541, an ordinance adopting an amendment to an Articles of Incorporation of the Frankford Special Services District of Philadelphia to extend the term of that authority. And Bill No. 000544, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land. And Bill No. 000601, an ordinance REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES amending an ordinance approved December 15, 1969, as amended, which approved the Redevelopment proposal of the urban renewal plan and the relocation plan of the redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the Grace Ferry Urban Renewal Area. And Bill No. 000607, an ordinance amending an ordinance approved June 13, 1997, as amended, which approved the redevelopment proposal of the urban renewal plan and the relocation plan of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the New Kensington Fishtown Urban Renewal Area. And Bill No. 000608 entitled an ordinance amending an ordinance approved September 2, 1964, as amended, which approved the amended redevelopment proposal, the amended urban renewal plan, and the amended relocation plan of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the Whitman Urban Renewal Plan, respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable representation.
The Chair REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you. I move the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first readings of Bill Nos. 000536, 000544, 000601, 000607, and 000608 today. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading of Bill Nos. 000536, 000544, 000601, 000607, and 000608 at today's Session of Council. Those in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Bill Nos. 000536, 000544, 000601, 000607, and 000608 will be placed on today's First Reading Calendar. Bill Nos. 000397 and 000541 will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for our next Session of Council. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter for a report from the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.
Madam President, the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development reports two bills with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and Members of the City Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to which was referred Bill No. 000355 entitled an ordinance amending Chapter 21-1400 of the Philadelphia Code entitled Tax Increment Financing Districts by providing for certain additional requirements for the Tax Increment Financing District project plans, respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same. And Bill No. 000546 entitled an ordinance amending Chapter 21-800 of the Philadelphia Code entitled Advancement of Economic Opportunities by adding Section 21-802 of the Philadelphia Community Reinvestment Commission, respectfully reports it has considered the same and REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Madam President, I move that Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading today of Bills No. 000355 and 000546. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly second that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit placement of Bill Nos. 000355 and 000546 on today's First Reading Calendar. All of those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and bills 000355 and 000546 will be placed on today's First Reading Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilman REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES Ortiz for a report from the Committee on Public Safety.
Madam Chair, the Committee on Public Safety reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Public Safety to which was referred Bill No. 000537 entitled an ordinance amending Chapters 10-100 and 10-600 of the Philadelphia Code relating to animals individual conduct and use of public and private property by adding to Sections 10-101, 105, 603 and 606, the prohibition of dog fighting, respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Madam Chair, I move that the Rules Council be suspended so as to permit first reading in this Session of City Council.
Do I hear a REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES second? (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading of Bill No. 000537 at today's Session of Council. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Bill No. 000537 will be placed on today's First Reading Calendar. At this time the Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
Thank you, Madam President. There's a group that just came in from my Council District, Carnell Elementary School. Everybody stand up.
Please stand so that we can recognize you. FIRST READING CALENDAR (Applause.)
And as a special treat you can have the rest of the day off from school. (Laughter.)
Thank you for coming in and we certainly welcome you to our Council session. The next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. The Clerk will please read the bills on the First Reading Calendar.
Bill No. 000536, an ordinance amending Title 22 of the Philadelphia Code entitled City of Philadelphia Public Employees Retirement Code to provide that police officers injured as a result of performing heroic action in the line of duty are exempt from the earned income offset applied to members receiving service-connected disability benefits.
And Bill No. 000544, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of FIRST READING CALENDAR land located within an area bounded by Lancaster Avenue, 56th Street, Haddington Avenue, and 57th Street.
And Bill No. 000601, an ordinance amending an ordinance approved December 15, 1969, as amended, which approved the redevelopment proposal of the urban renewal plan and the relocation plan of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the Grace Ferry Urban Renewal Area.
And Bill No. 000607, an ordinance amending an ordinance approved June 13, 1997, as amended, which approved the redevelopment proposal of the urban renewal plan and the relocation plan of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the New Kensington Fishtown Urban Renewal Area.
And Bill No. 000608, an FIRST READING CALENDAR ordinance amending an ordinance approved September 2, 1964, as amended, which approved the amended redevelopment proposal, the amended urban renewal plan, and the amended relocation plan of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the Whitman Urban Renewal Plan.