COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, January 29, 2009 10:10 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM GREENLEE COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILWOMAN MARIA QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN 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 215.561.2220 215.567.2670
Good morning, everyone. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Members will take their seats and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes Pastor Garth Gittens of the Calvary Baptist Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Jones. Will all members and guests please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
Father, we pray for this city. We pray for this Council. We pray for this leadership. We pray for wisdom, vision, unity, insight, guidance. Lord, we pray that you will direct every path, that you would help every decision to glorify your name and bring results in this city. We commit this Council to you today, and we thank you, God, that what we commit, you are able to keep against every evil day. In Christ's name we pray. Amen. (Amen.)
The Chair thanks Pastor Gittens for his 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, January 22, 2009. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, January 22, 2009 stand approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that meeting of Thursday, January 22, 2009 stand approved. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and, again, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leave of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you. Leave will be granted. 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 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 Kenney, who will present a resolution congratulating the Warriors Football Team on winning the "2008 Parade of Champions." Will Mr. Steve Bernhardt and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. And I note that Councilman DiCicco is joining Councilman Kenney. Please approach the podium.
It's not bad, Madam President, two days in a row out of school. Thank you, Madam President. This is a citation honoring and congratulating the Warriors Football Team. The Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to honor and congratulate the Warriors Football Team on winning the "2008 Parade of Champions." Whereas, in a thrilling finale to an unforgettable season, the Warriors Football Team defeated a hard-hitting St. Agnes-Sacred Heart Team in a classic match-up between two talented squads; and Whereas, the game was decided in the final seconds, with the Warriors scoring a touchdown to win the game by a score of 18 to 14; and COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Whereas, this victory is particularly gratifying because it is the first title for the from several South Philadelphia Catholic and public schools; and Whereas, the Warriors were undefeated this season under the leadership of a fine coaching staff led by Head Coach Steve Bernhardt; and Whereas, a dominating defense led by Todd Jones, Daniel McQuilken, Sharif Custis and Nicky Pompeii, along with an explosive offense led by Eric Holt, Eric Neill and quarterback Mike Kier resulted in the Warriors being crowned champions following the game played at Villanova University. Therefore, by virtue of this citation, the Council of the City of Philadelphia does hereby congratulate the Warriors Football Team on a stellar undefeated season and on winning the "2008 Parade of Champions." Congratulations. (Applause.)
I just want to thank everyone for inviting us here today. It's an overwhelming and prestigious honor to be here, and thank you guys for inviting us. And it's been a great season, and all these guys did a great job, along with our coaching staff and -- not much to say, but thank you for having us, and thanks. (Applause.)
Congratulations. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones, who will present a resolution recognizing Bilal Qayyum on the occasion of his retirement. Will Mr. Qayyum and those accompanying him please join the I see that Councilman Jones is being joined, oh, my heavens, by almost all members of Council.
Before neighborhood organizers, names like Chaka Fattah or Barack Obama, before the Million Man March, before the Ten Thousand Man March, there was Philadelphia native Bilal Qayyum. At the side of great organizers and activists such as David P. Richardson, Cecil B. Moore, Lucien Blackwell, there was Bilal Qayyum. Whether in his role as a housing advocate at Haddington or as an economic development expert with the Commerce Department and founding member of the African American Chamber of Commerce, whether he was opening grocery stores or shutting down drug corners, we had Bilal Qayyum, who served as Co-Chair and Chair of the Midweek Committee. On the occasion of his retirement or, shall I say, a new beginning -- it's the people's time -- we celebrate and memorialize his transition. Whereas, recognizing Bilal Qayyum on the occasion of his retirement and honoring and celebrating his long-time commitment and dedication and service to the City of Philadelphia. Whereas, Bilal Qayyum has been a devoted civil servant to the City of Philadelphia for over 30 years. In his time with the City, Mr. Qayyum has been a steadfast contributor to the welfare and betterment of the Philadelphia citizens in general and underserved youth and minority business owners in particular; and
Whereas, in 1979, Bilal Qayyum began his service to the City as Director of Community and Youth Employment in the Office of Housing and Community Development. In this capacity, he worked to organize programs that assisted countless young African entrepreneurial leadership skills; and
Whereas, Bilal Qayyum worked as the Executive Assistant at the Philadelphia Citywide Development Corporation where he served as the coordinator for the City Minority Participation Oversight Committee for the Gallery II project. Under his leadership, 19 minority-owned businesses opened in Gallery II. Thirty-five percent of all construction contracts went to minority-owned contractors, and 75 percent of jobs went to Philadelphia residents; and
Whereas, Bilal Qayyum served as the Economic Administrator for the Department of Commerce and, among his many accomplishments, established a supermarket development program in the North and West Philadelphia neighborhoods of the City; and
Whereas, throughout his years with the City, Bilal Abdul Qayyum's ongoing dedication to social activism has extended beyond the boardroom and into the streets of Philadelphia. He is President and Executive Director of the Father's Day Rally Committee, Inc. and a founding member of the African American Chamber of Commerce. With these organizations and his extensive involvement in community organizations, Bilal Qayyum has given many Philadelphians the opportunity to realize their dreams, improve their lives and empower their communities; and
Whereas, the true spirit of activism is exemplified by the character and steadfastness of Bilal Abdul Qayyum and is evidenced by the proactive engagement of the youth today that he directly influenced. The countless minority enterprises who are successful today will surely miss the direct engagement of Now, therefore
Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby recognize Bilal Abdul Qayyum on the occasion his retirement and honor and celebrate his long-time commitment and dedicated service to the City of Philadelphia.
Further resolved, that this engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Bilal Abdul Qayyum as evidence of our sincere sentiments of this legislative body. And I heard someone crying in the audience as they blew their nose as to his passing. (Applause.)
Madam Chairperson of City Council, all the members of City Council and particularly Councilman Green, Councilwoman Sanchez, my good friend Councilman Rizzo, Councilman Greenlee, my good friend Councilman Kenney, good friend Councilman DiCicco, my councilwoman, Marian Tasco, Councilwoman Donna Miller, Councilman Curtis Jones, Councilman Darrell Clarke, Councilman Wilson Goode, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds, I have been fortunate enough to have all of these Council folks as my friends and strong supporters of everything I have done for the last 30 years in government, and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for supporting all the activities I've been involved in in government and in the community. It's not often that you have this opportunity to work for government and also spend a lot of time working in the community and be recognized, and I really, really appreciate this. The only comment I'd like to say to my good friend Councilman Jones, he said "memorialize," and that kind of shook me up. I'm up; I'm not laying down yet. All right. But people ask me what I'm going to be doing, because I'm still young, I still got my health. And what I'm going to be doing very clearly is, starting Monday morning, I'm retired. Tomorrow is my last day, and Monday morning I will be working full time for the Father's Day Rally Committee raising hell in the City of Philadelphia. I do no longer have any shackles on me, so I will say what I want to say, which I always do anyhow, but now I am a free citizen. I'm not bound by any political ties. I'm only bound by commitments to making change in the City of Philadelphia for our residents and doing the right thing. I will be working on -- we have a group program that we have for men under the situation of the economy. If you noticed the other day in the news, there was a father who killed himself after killing four of his children and have a group session. We have men come together and talking out their problems during these hard times. I will be spending a lot of time working on, as y'all know, the gun issue, trying to get some legitimate gun legislation to get these guns off the streets. And, lastly, I sent a letter to President Obama asking him to create a national job bill where we can hire people from off the streets. It's nice to have the stimulus package where we're talking about infrastructure and other things, but that's not putting the average person to work. We need a national job bill that money will come to the cities, where cities can hire folks from -- people without skills, people with skills, but putting people back to work. I'll be spending a lot of time lobbying to get that bill passed, and that's what I'll be doing. Ending - (Applause.)
Thank you. Twenty-nine years ago, 30 years ago when I came in government, I came in government with one mission, and that was to serve the citizens of the City of Philadelphia with commitment, integrity and do it every single day. Today as I get ready to retire, tomorrow I can say that I kept my commitment, my dignity in serving the citizens of the City of Philadelphia, and I can feel good today to say I kept my mission for the citizens of this city and will continue to keep my mission to serve the citizens of this great city and the City of Philadelphia. Thank you very much. (Applause.) (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-At-Arms deliver the messages to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read any other communications in her possession.
Thank you. The next order of business will be the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution, which is co-sponsored by Councilwoman Tasco and Councilman Jones, and I'd like to speak briefly on it, please.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing City Council in support of the National Health Insurance Act, as proposed by House Bill 676, and the State Family and Business Health Security Act, as proposed by House Bill 1600 and Senate Bill 300.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. I don't think I have to go into detail about the high cost of healthcare and the various problems that that causes for families and individuals, including estimates that as much as 137,000 adults in Philadelphia have no health insurance. It's also abundantly clear -- and we know that very well in here -- that Philadelphia faces serious budget problems this year. The passage of the National Health Insurance Act will help address both of those issues. It will provide coverage, and in the end, it will save money. Many cities, including Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco, Boston, have gone on record endorsing HR 676, the National Healthcare Act, along with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and also many different groups, unions, healthcare professionals, healthcare advocacy groups, some of which are represented in the various multi-colored signs to my right here. So I think it's appropriate that Philadelphia joins this growing coalition for an act that makes a lot of sense, and 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 indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. (Applause.)
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution honoring the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on their Centennial Anniversary and declaring February 12, 2009 "NAACP Day" in the City of Philadelphia.
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.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution at the request of the Administration.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution offering the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 19th Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
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.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
The Chief 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 deeds located in the 4th Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
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.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer three resolutions this morning.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolutions.
A resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs to hold public hearings for applicants seeking nomination to serve on the Commission of Parks and Recreation, and further authorizing the Committee to recommend for City Council's consideration nominations to be forwarded to the Mayor.
I failed to mention that that particular resolution was co-sponsored by my colleague Councilman Darrell Clarke.
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, and the resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Commerce and Economic Development and Special Committee on Gender Parity to hold joint public hearings to explore initiatives that can be developed in the workplace that foster balance in the lives of working parents.
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 resolution will be referred to the appropriate committees.
And a resolution honoring the African American Children's Book Project on the occasion of the Annual African American Children's Book Fair.
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 resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution honoring and recognizing the Walnut Street Theatre on the occasion of its 200th Anniversary.
The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: 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.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you. The Chief 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 deeds located in the 14th, 15th, 29th, 32nd, 37th, 43rd and 47th 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.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution honoring and commending and thanking the Mutter Museum on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary.
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 say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution recognizing and thanking Dr. James P. Gallagher on the occasion of the completion of seven years of dedicated and excellent service on the Philadelphia School Reform Commission to the Philadelphia School District and the people of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, 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 say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The next order of business is reports from committees. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco for a report from the Committee on Streets and Services. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Streets and Services reports five bills out with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Streets and Services, to which was referred Bill No. 080931, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Use of an Automated Red Light Enforcement System to Prevent Red Light Violations'"; and Bill No. 080945, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 12-2400 of The Philadelphia Code by changing the fees for damage to vehicle booting devices"; and Bill No. 080946, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Traffic Code,' to establish towing zone locations and hours in the University City area"; and Bill No. 080948, entitled "An ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of a portion of City Plan No. 231 by changing the grades of Cross Street from Gates Street to Hermitage Street and Gates Street from Silverwood Street to Cross Street"; and Bill No. 080950, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the paving of Cross Street from Gates Street to Hermitage Street and Gates Street from Silverwood Street to Cross Street, under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading on the bills that have just been read into the record, with the exception of Bill No. 080945.
It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. I would note for the record that under the amendment to the Council rules adopted last week, since the bills for which the rules were suspended were already read as part of the report from the committee, they will not be read a second time on the First Reading Calendar, but will instead be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for the next Council session. Bill No. 080945 for which the rules were 1/29/09 - STATED - 1ST READING not suspended will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for our next session of Council. The next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the bills on the First Reading Calendar.
Bill No. 080879, an ordinance authorizing the Department of Public Property to enter into a franchise agreement with Verizon Pennsylvania pursuant to which Verizon shall have the right to operate and maintain a cable television service within the City of Philadelphia through its cable television system in and along the public rights-of-way and streets of the City, under certain terms and conditions.
The Chair agrees. That completes our First Reading Calendar for today. 1/29/09 - STATED - 2ND READING The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar to be considered today.
Thank you, Madam President. Bill Nos. 080724-AA and 080877 are being called up for the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for today. All other bills will be held.
Thank you. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the title of Bill No. 080724-AA.
An ordinance amending Section 14-305 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "'C-4' Commercial and 'C-5' Commercial Districts," by negating any setback over 65 feet in height for lots designated 'C-5' in the area bounded by 15th Street and Arch Street, Cherry Street and 16th Street and by increasing the permitted 1/29/09 - STATED - 2ND READING floor area for such lots building floor plate reduction.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. We will now consider Bill No. 080877.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Girard Avenue, Front Street, Spring Garden Street and 6th Street.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, this bill passes. That completes our Calendar for today. Are there speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Are there speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Administration in the form of Commissioner Slawson, but also this body and my colleagues for their efforts to save the grand old lady of the park, the Robin Hood Dell. We have been hit economically as a municipality and a lot of our plans to renovate the Dell had been besieged by cost overruns and things like that, but some of my colleagues this week stepped up really big to put some of their recreation budget towards a facility that is in the Fourth Councilmanic District but serves all the citizens of Philadelphia, and I just want to thank Councilman Clarke, Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilwoman Miller and Councilwoman Tasco for stepping up to the plate and supporting the Robin Hood Dell. you, Madam President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Madam President. I too ask to be recognized to thank and commend the Administration and Mayor Nutter. In early December, this body passed a resolution calling on the Administration to look at alternatives to closing libraries. That resolution passed 12 to five. We heard yesterday that the Administration has decided to leave the libraries open until June 30th, and I just want to publicly acknowledge that and thank them for the hard work they did to get there and to find a solution to this problem. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. Are there any other speeches on majority? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, February the 5th, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, February 5th at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Thank you. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 10:50 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 January 29, 2009, 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.)