COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, November 10, 2005 10:15 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN JUAN RAMOS 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 to convene today's Council session. I would like to announce that an Executive Session of City Council will now be held in the Caucus Room for the purpose of deliberating on applications for take-out beer permits under Act 39. Council will reconvene immediately after the conclusion of that Executive Session, which should not take more than five or ten minutes. So, as I said, we should be back very shortly. Thank you very much. (Short recess.)
Good morning, everyone. I note that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will please come to order. The Council session is now reconvened. I would ask all members to please take their seats and visitors to retire outside the rails. this morning, the Chair welcomes Bishop Freeman Miller of the Philadelphia Mennonites Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Rizzo. At this time, I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Everyone rises.)
It's an honor to be with you. Please join me in prayer. Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth, sustainer of the universe and source of all life, we bow in these historic chambers this morning to acknowledge our daily dependence on your benevolence and grace, for the scriptures say that every good and perfect gift comes from your generous hand. As your stewards on earth, we give thanks at this fall harvest time for out upon our land and upon our great City. May we never take that grace for granted, but manage your resources well so that there may be enough for all, especially the poor and marginalized among us. Today we lift up those who have been devastated by earthquake and flood, tsunami and hurricane, tornado and storm, violence in our streets. May we join hands to give thanks, to give aid and to give encouragement to the least of these among us as Jesus admonished us. Oh, Lord, you have established human government to bring order and justice to society, and we pray this morning for this, our gust assembly of elected officials, Councilwomen and Councilmen who have been charged with the welfare of this City of brotherly love and sisterly affection. We thank you for their expertise and dedication to Philadelphia. Please give them the wisdom of King Solomon, the courage of Esther, the patient endurance of Job and the compassion of Jesus Christ as they face the multitude of issues in front of this City: Ethics reform, relationships with Aruba, loan disparities, tax reform, casino operations, waterfront and neighborhood development, school connections with William Bennett, gun violence, declining population, hate crimes, racial and ethnic reconciliation, looming federal budget cuts, rising energy costs in the face of winter, exorbitant medical costs, violence in the schools, security in the prisons, security in light of global terror and the many, many other needs that our citizens face every day. We thank you for them. We lift them up. And we also thank you for an end to the SEPTA strike. We lift up all our government officials to you, oh, Lord, our Mayor, our Governor, our President, along with City Council and all who daily put their for our safety and well-being: Police, fire fighters, medical and educational professionals. Guide them as they guide us toward righteousness, for your word says that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Help us as citizens to walk uprightly in love. Oh, Lord God, continue to honor the prayer of William Penn, the founder of this Holy Experiment, whose prayer is still mounted on these walls. Let there be peace and sound education in our schools, safety on our streets, harmony in our neighborhoods. May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as in heaven. Grant us peace on earth through the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Amen. The Chair thanks Bishop Miller for his very inspiring invocation. Thank you. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, November 3, 2005, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, November 3, 2005 stand approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, November 3, 2005 stand approved. All in favor will please indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, 3, 2005 is approved. The next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the Majority, a leave of absence is requested for Councilman Mariano.
Leave will be granted. The Chair recognizes -- is Councilman O'Neill there? I can't see if he's seated or not. Is he there? The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Madam President, at this point, there is no request for leave of absence. I understand Councilman O'Neill is en route.
Thank you very much. The Chair will dispense with 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 Councilwoman Blackwell, who will present a resolution honoring Mr. Samuel Evans on his 103rd birthday. (Applause.)
Will Mr. Evans and his family please join the Councilwoman at the podium, and it is my understanding that Councilmembers Miller, Brown and Ramos will also be joining Councilwoman Blackwell in making the presentation.
Thank you very much. It is an absolute honor and today to witness the birthday of a leader in our City who goes back so far in our nation and who, on tomorrow when there is a holiday, will be blessed by becoming 103 years old. Resolution honoring Samuel L. Evans on the occasion of his 103rd birthday. Whereas, Samuel Evans was born in the deep South of humble beginnings the son of a freed slave. He moved to Philadelphia in his late teens. He took a job as a porter at the old Stark Piano Company, and from that position, his exposure to classical music began. He became a world-class impresario, managing the Philadelphia Orchestra and forming the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra Society; and
Whereas, Samuel L. Evans has helped many positions in his lifetime. Under President Franklin Roosevelt, he served as coordinator of the United States Division the war effort. His appointment as czar of the war on poverty by President Lyndon Johnson was a stepping stone. Mr. Evans needed to organize Philadelphia's Get Set and Head Start programs and the Community Legal Services. In 1968, Mr. Evans founded AFNA, the American Foundation for Negro Affairs. This organization has been very successful in assisting disadvantaged students to attend college and pursue professional careers; and
Whereas, although Samuel L. Evans has passed his 103rd birthday, he shows no sign of slowing down or even eliminating any of the dozens of activities and programs which have made him a legend in Philadelphia and throughout this country. He has been an advocate for democracy and equal justice for over 75 years and an advocate for fair labor laws and unions for over 50 years. He continues to strive to make the world a better place all; and
Whereas, Mr. Evans' achievements are many. He organized the Philadelphia Caravan of 42,000 citizens to Dr. King's March on Washington, and the Philadelphia contingent was the largest in the entire country; and Whereas, Mr. Evans is held in the highest esteem by all who know him. We have deep affection for this unique Philadelphia treasure. Now, therefore
Whereas, resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby honor and commend Mr. Samuel Evans on the occasion of his 103rd birthday. Resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Samuel L. Evans as evidence of the sincere respect and deep admiration of body, sponsored by all members of City Council. (Applause.)
Madam Chairman, members of City Council, as I stand here today -- I may be talking a little flat because I had some sickness and teeth removed. As I stand here today, I see in my life only one great thing, and that is the democratic process of government. When I think, born 37 years out of slavery and I worked for 15 cents a day from sun up to sun down, one penny an hour I have worked for in this country and yet on the democracy to capture the highest honor as an impresario producing education in music. So I want to thank you that we have lived in a society that we stood here some 50, 60 years ago and we had only a few elected officials. So let me you, because I think that we stand here today as the exhibit of a democratic process of government and what they have to offer to citizens who take advantage of this great democracy. Democracy provides for each and every citizen and individual the right to work out their own way of life without fail, without hindrance and without destructive attitudes towards others. That's a great adventure. So let me just leave with you to give you some idea that we have got so synthetic here in this age that we can't remember. I'm going to try to quote for you the Declaration of Independence, of which I find in speaking to Ed Roleson (ph) groups some two months ago some 62 individuals who had their Ph.D.'s. Let me close by saying this: First I want to thank Councilman Blackwell, who had brought me here today. When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one political bands that connect them with one another and assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal stations to which the laws of nature and nature's God entitle them to a decent respect to the opinion of mankind require that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are created with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men to deriving their just powers from the consent of a government. I wish for you the blessing of heaven. Thank you. (Applause.)
Again, congratulations, Mr. Evans. At this time, I would like to Ethel Barnett. Would she please let herself be known by raising her hand. Wonderful. We welcome you. (Applause.)
The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Tasco, who will present resolutions honoring Ms. Gerry Sizemore and Ms. Donna Blatch. Will Ms. Sizemore and Ms. Blatch and those accompanying them please join the Councilwoman at the podium. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I am really honored to present these two resolutions to these two women, who happen to live in the 50th Ward in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia, and I do so because they work diligently not only in the Ward, in the community, but with their church and other community organizations throughout this City. It has been very difficult in the last two weeks or three weeks that so many people have left us and we presented citations at their home-going, but I wanted to make sure that we recognize Donna and Gerry for the hard work they've given and the services they've given to our community and especially to me as a friend and Councilwoman and Ward Leader of the 50th Ward. So it's just my honor to do this, because they would never ask for it. They're just so humble and great. This resolution honoring Donna Blatch. Whereas, the Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to honor Ms. Donna Blatch for her more than 30 years of civic and community Mount Airy and Wadsworth communities; and Whereas, Donna Blatch is a product of the Philadelphia Public School system where she graduated from William Penn High School for Girls. Thereafter, she attended Cheyney University, earning a BS in elementary education. Ms. Blatch then completed a Master of Arts in elementary education at Temple University; and Whereas, for over 32 years, Ms. Blatch was an elementary school teacher, and during her tenure with the School District of Philadelphia, she taught at Carver Elementary School from 1964 to '68, East Falls Elementary School 1968 to '70, and Southwest Penny Packer Elementary School 1970 to 1997; and Whereas, in her work as an advocate for her community, Donna Blatch serves as the Secretary of the Inter-Community Development Corporation and Youth Coordinator for the Annual Additionally, she has served former State Representative and Councilman John F. , former State Representative Gordon Linton, and Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco in varied capacities, including Campaign Manager and Campaign Advisor; and Whereas, in addition to being a Civic Leader, Ms. Blatch is a dedicated and committee member of Triumph Baptist Church, the only church in Philadelphia, where she has served the congregation lovingly and willingly in various capacities, included but not limited to, her work as President of the Hospitality and Special Events Ministry, as Triumph's Fundraising and Curriculum Chairperson for the School Board, and as a church volunteer for the Federal Credit Union, and there are many more areas where she serves and we couldn't put them in this resolution. And whereas, Donna Blatch is a of her community and she has led to her stellar ideas of community service through her commitment to the Romans 8:28 scripture, which reads, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose"; and Whereas, Ms. Blatch was born on January the 17th in New Castle, Pennsylvania to Elijah and Josie Butler and has two brothers, Charles and Herman Butler. Donna Blatch was married to the late George Blatch, and through their union, she has two stepsons, three grandsons and one granddaughter. Therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby recognize and congratulate Donna Blatch for her more than 30 years of civic and community service to the City's Mount Airy and Wadsworth communities. Further resolved, that an resolution be presented to Ms. Donna Blatch as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
This is a certification of a true and correct copy of the original resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 3rd day of November 2005 and supported by all members of Council. )
Thank you, Councilmembers. Thank you, Councilwoman Tasco, for making this day, November 10th, a day I will always remember. I am very thankful this morning, because you have touched a moment of my day and my life with this beautiful act and gift of kindness. The Bible says blessed are the givers. Well, Councilwoman Tasco and members of Council, you are looking at I want to thank my brothers, Charles, Herman, and my sister-in-law, Sandra, and friends for being here to help share this wonderful day with me. Thank you. (Applause.)
The 50th Ward could not produce the high numbers and the caliber of candidates we support without these two women; in particular, Gerry Sizemore, who is one of the officers in the Ward and who has been a friend. We all go back to the early '70s. So we're just so glad to do this. Resolution honoring Gerry Sizemore. Whereas, the Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to honor Ms. Gerry Sizemore, First Vice-Chair and committee woman of the 50th Ward. Whereas, Gerry Sizemore is a product of the Philadelphia Public School from Overbrook High School and subsequently attended Delaware State College before graduating from Temple University with a BA in criminal justice. Whereas, Ms. Sizemore was employed at Temple University as an Administrative Assistant in the Department of Mathematics and Executive Assistant to the Provost and an Assistant Director of the Writing Center before retiring. Whereas, as a committee woman for the 50th Ward Democratic Executive Committee since the early '80s, she has served for many years as Treasurer and is currently serving as First Vice-Chair, and through these positions, she organized, authored and produced a 50th Ward Committee Person's Handbook, a monthly newsletter for the Sixth Division of the Ward and the 50th Ward First Division Annual Awards Recognition Dinner. Whereas, as Secretary of the Advisory Council of the Charles and Finley Recreation Center, Gerry Sizemore instituted several annual programs, including the Black History and Women's Month programs, Thanksgiving basket collection and distribution, and Halloween and Christmas parties. Whereas, committed to the ideas of community involvement, political empowerment and progressive social change, Ms. Sizemore is a dynamic director and past member of several Boards of community service organizations, included but not limited to, serving as Chair of the Selection Committee of the Youth Entrepreneur program sponsored by former State Representative Gordon Linton, 35th Police Advisory Board, Pace Setters, Community Organization, the Rush Block Association and the Mount Tabor Baptist Church Youth Ministry, Capital Improvement Fund and Soup Kitchen. Whereas, Gerry Sizemore has been recognized by a standing dedicated and committed community service by LaSalle University, the National Council of Negro Women, State Senator Leanne (ph) in Washington, Congressman Chaka Fattah, the 50th Ward Democratic Executive Committee, Mount Tabor Baptist Church Soup Kitchen, and the Philadelphia City-Wide Recreation Advisory Council. Whereas, Ms. B. Day Elementary School and member of the Home and School Association of the Joseph Hill-Samson Freedman Middle School. Whereas, Gerry Sizemore is a special individual with extraordinary abilities who is unselfish with her time and talents -- and I know that -- and is a professional in every sense of the fair, reasonable, honest and outspoken person who is also a strong mother figure and doting and loving grandmother of Brandon. Above all, Ms. Sizemore is a dedicated and hard worker, a respected friend and confidant and someone you can depend on. Whereas, Gerry Sizemore is the daughter of Ruth and the late Charles Sizemore, the sister of Gwendolyn Sizemore, the mother of Chris E. Ballard and Grandma Gerry to Brandon C. Ballard, Juliani Valeria Ballard and O'Neill Bowen, her foster grandson, and the mother-in-law to Ulisa Valerie Ballard. Therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby recognize and congratulate Gerry Sizemore for her continuing dedication to community involvement, political empowerment and progressive social change in the 50th Democratic Ward and throughout the City of Philadelphia.
Further resolved, that an resolution be presented to Ms. Gerry Sizemore as evidence of the sincere sentiment of this legislative body. True that this is a correct copy of the original resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 20th day of October 2005 and supported by all members of City Council. )
Thank you. In particular, I want to thank Councilwoman Marian Tasco and Council in general for this honor. I am truly humbled. I'd like to also thank my Mount Tabor Baptist Church family, my Soup Kitchen co-workers and my pastor, Melvin McAllister, for being in support of my activities for my community, and my family, my sister and my mom, who are always there for me, and when I have to be in the community, they also support me with baby-sitting my grandson. I thank everybody. (Applause.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on November 10, 2005, I signed all of the bills that were passed by Council at its session on October 27, 2005, and I am transmitting herewith for the introduction and consideration of your amending Chapter 17-1400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Non-competitive bid contracts for the purpose of administration and enforcement of contracting requirements of Chapter 17-1400"; and An ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Employees Retirement Code," by amending Section 22-105 relating to the definition of compensation.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The Chief Clerk will please read any other communications in her possession.
Thank you. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit the 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 please indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. On your behalf, I am pleased to co-sponsor two bills.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bills.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "School Tax Authorization," by providing that for tax year 2007 and thereafter, real estate taxes imposed by the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia on a property shall not increase by more than a specific percentage as a result of an increase of the assessed value of the property as required by the Board of Revision of Taxes.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," by providing that for tax year 2007 and thereafter, real estate taxes levied under the Chapter shall not increase by more than a specific percentage as a result of an increase in the assessed value of the property.
This bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I introduce two resolutions, one obviously signed by all members of Council that was just read to Mr. Evans.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution honoring Samuel L. Evans on the occasion of his 103rd birthday.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 3rd Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
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 please indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco. Councilwoman Tasco, do you have any bills or resolutions?
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill. Councilwoman, do you have a resolution also?
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Section 14-104, entitled "Non-Conforming Structures and Uses," by amending provisions relating to the reconstruction of non-conforming structures, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution congratulating the participants in the Youth Tobacco-Free Leadership Institute.
Thank you, Madam President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution commending the American Cancer Society on the occasion of the 29th Annual Great American Smoke-Out.
Thank you, 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 indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer three bills this morning co-sponsored by the Chair of the Finance Committee, Councilwoman Blackwell, and Council Colleagues Clarke and DiCicco, and I wish to be recognized to speak on the bill.
The Chief Clerk will please read -- do you want to speak on all bills?
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Section 19-2604 of The Philadelphia Code, relating to tax rates, credits and alternative tax computation for the business privilege tax, by reducing certain tax rates, all under certain terms and conditions; and An ordinance amending Section 19-2604 of The Philadelphia Code, relating to tax rates, credits and alternative tax computation for the business privilege tax, by reducing certain tax rates, all under certain terms and conditions; and An ordinance amending Section 19-2604 of The Philadelphia Code, relating to tax rates, credits and alternative tax computation for the business privilege tax, by reducing certain tax rates, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer my remarks in the context of a statement made on of the PICA report, which misstates, and I quote, "The increased fund balance is a sign that the City's fiscal health is moderately better than forecast." So with that in mind, we're reminded that over the last six years Council and the Administration have been stewards of our City's finances. We have invested more than $1 billion in tax reductions to date, with 1.3 of that starting under our former Mayor Rendell. We have supported some, but certainly not all, of the Administration's initiatives to curb spending. Most importantly, we have chosen to invest more in libraries and the improvement of our rec centers than the Administration. Overall, we have been cautious, yet consistent, with our tax reductions. I've learned from the report that we now have a $95-plus million fund balance. So that suggests, at least to me, that we've been moving and handling our fiscal affairs in a responsible manner. Although 95 million is a much healthier fund balance than we anticipated, we also know that it is only one-half the fund balance that the City should have. So today I introduce legislation that will speak to an acceleration of the tax reductions. Thus, as we proceed through the budget process, I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Administration to develop a budget that continues to support what I call thoughtful changes in the tax system while, in a balanced way, protecting the citizens and the City services our City is responsible for. I thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. The bills will be referred to the appropriate committee. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ramos.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution, co-sponsored by Councilman Jack Kelly, and I would like to speak right after the Clerk reads the title of the resolution.
Okay. The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
Okay. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Employees Retirement Code," by amending Section 22-105 relating to the definition of compensation.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution urging the citizens of Philadelphia to join in a national boycott of travel to the Dutch island of Aruba, and urging Governor Edward Rendell to call for a state-wide boycott until such time that the government of Aruba has clearly demonstrated that they have explored all pertinent avenues in identifying and bringing to justice anyone associated with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
Thank you, Madam President. Because of high-profile missing person cases such as the Latoyia Figueroa case of Philadelphia and the Natalee Holloway --
Excuse me, Councilman. Would you move for the adoption first?
And then once there's a second, then you can speak on it.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you, Madam President. Because of the high-profile cases of missing people such as the Latoyia Figueroa case of Philadelphia, a young lady from West Philadelphia, an African-American Puerto Rican girl, who was carrying a five-month-old baby, disappeared on July the 18th, this City, led by a family who cared and loved this young lady and neighbors, all came together with law enforcement to help find this person. It became the first case in the United States, according to media experts, of a person of color that had gotten so much national attention, a missing person. On August the 20th, Latoyia Figueroa was found in the City of Chester, Pennsylvania in an empty lot, an abandoned lot, where she had been dumped after she had been slain. She had a five-month-old baby, who had come out of her womb. Very tragic, but nevertheless, closure in a very, very sad situation, but brought a City together, brought a family together. There was also, at the same time, a young lady by the name of Natalee Holloway, whose family came from the State of Alabama. The Council of Philadelphia unanimously voted for a resolution declaring the week of October 29th through November 4th as Philadelphia Missing Persons Awareness Week, and it called for a Philadelphia Missing Persons Awareness Conference that I hosted. After searching for Latoyia -I personally helped the family and neighbors -- I realized that there were other missing people in the City of Philadelphia and people who had a lot of hurt and very frustrated because they could not find their missing loved ones, and this is where the idea of having a Missing Persons Awareness Conference comes about. On November the 5th, Philadelphia conducted its first Missing Persons Awareness Conference at West Philadelphia High School, and the sentiment of those attending the conference, particularly 18 families who came there and registered and spent the whole day with us, came there because they had no news on the whereabouts of their loved one. At that conference, Beth Holloway, the mother of Natalee Holloway, spoke at the conference. It was not her first time in Philadelphia. She shared her pains and her sorrows with everyone there and her frustration that the Aruban government had not yet made any significant break-throughs and how they had thwarted the investigation. At that conference, those present went on to show solidarity with the Holloway family as she called for tourists not to go to the island of Aruba until the Natalee case was resolved. At the conference, families of missing people had the chance to tell their stories and struggles of missing loved ones and to gain knowledge of programs and agencies that can help find them. In attendance at the Philadelphia Missing Persons Awareness Conference included the family of Tanika Daniels, who has not been found; Latoya Berg, who has not been found; Latoyia Figueroa, who was found murdered; Neici Jefferson, who has not been found. It is these people that I want to speak in behalf of today and calling for this action on the island -- on this action on the government of Aruba. Let it not be mistaken that before I came to City Council, before I was elected by the people of Philadelphia, these were issues that would come to me sometimes even in my younger years, and I found a particular place in my heart to address these issues. So I present this resolution because it came out of a meeting of families of missing people, and they felt the pain that the Holloway family feels, because we have gone through the loss of a loved one or loss and not found or in my case lost but have been found murdered. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. I couldn't agree with my colleague, Councilman Ramos, more. But I just wanted to point out certain aspects of why this resolution is necessary to begin with. For those people who probably think that why bother with this when there are thousands of people that are missing in this country probably every day, but the big difference here is that when a person is missing in this country, we have local, state and federal enforcement agencies working with the families to do everything they can to bring that missing person back, and, fortunately, thank God, most of them are. The majority of the people are found and they're put back safely to their families. Now, in the Holloway case, it's different. This is an American on foreign soil, and evidently Aruba doesn't work very well, as well as the United States does. And I just want to point out when Natalee Holloway was missing, the Aruban government was cooperating with the family. They put on searches. They did a lot of different things. They went around and they were investigating. I think they were doing a very, very good job at the beginning. It seems to me that when they found three suspects, one of the suspects was a son of a very wealthy, prominent, well-connected politician from the Netherlands. Things then changed. Their government went into stonewalling and procrastinating. That's the mode they took. They no longer were cooperating with the Holloway and Twitty families. In fact, they were branded as a nuisance more so. And let me give you some ideas of what happened or what happened recently. When the media went over to Aruba with Beth Holloway, they were detained. They were searched again. They were intimidated. They were persona non grata. In fact, one national news crew, they were threatened with a confiscation of their cameras, and that had to be resolved by the highest authority in Aruba. Beth Holloway-Twitty, when she's over there, she has to have someone else order her food, because if they find out it's for her, God knows what they were going to do in the kitchen before she got that food. And there is a Philadelphia philanthropist by the name of Joe Mammana who has put up a considerable amount of money, of reward money, for information leading to the solving of this missing person. He has been told, in no uncertain terms, that he will be arrested on site on the spot if he ever sets foot on Aruban soil. This is the type of government that's really been putting, I think, a lot of pressure on the Holloway and Twitty families. Now, as you know, Beth Holloway-Twitty was in this Council Chambers not long ago. She is a very courageous, devoted and determined mother who is just trying to find out what happened to her daughter. This is one of the reasons why I think this resolution, and I thank Councilman Ramos for co-sponsoring it with me, that it's going to do something. It might help to move this Aruban government into a more cooperating mode than they are today. I don't think anyone in this room can put themselves into Beth Holloway-Twitty's shoes. This is a parent's worst nightmare, of where their daughter is, where is she, is she being tortured, is she being held against her will, God forbid if she's dead at this point. But I think that what they're looking for, they're looking for if anyone is found guilty, they want to see justice served. They want to see those people brought to justice. And, unfortunately, right now I don't think the Aruban government has that as a high priority. They really don't. So I think I'm asking my colleagues to join Alabama and forcing and putting some pressure economically on Aruba so that we can get them to move in the right direction and help this poor, poor family into finding their daughter. Thank you, Madam President.
I will be voting for this resolution, and I urge everyone else to do so.
Thank you, Councilman. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you, Madam President. I respectfully object to this resolution urging a boycott of Aruba. Some of the statements that were made here today are absolutely without fact. The people of Aruba are good people. The police officers, the commanders of the Aruba Police Department are trained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Many of them have gone to the Federal Law Enforcement Academy. The people of Aruba have taken time off from their work to search every inch of the island of Aruba. Landfills have been searched, ponds drained, searches by the local government and also volunteers that have come. But it's closer to home that I want to discuss. A boycott of Aruba can also be very hurtful to Philadelphia. As you know, U.S. Airways has recently emerged from bankruptcy. They have a seven-day-a-week flight from Philadelphia to Aruba. And I got some statistics that between 9,000 and 10,000 passengers fly from Philadelphia a month to Aruba. U.S. Airways doesn't need to get hit in the pocket again. Again, they're emerging from bankruptcy. We should not be contributing to be hurtful to a local company like U.S. Airways. So, again, I'm not going to be voting for this, and I urge my colleagues, for us to stay out of this, because the country of Aruba, the police department of Aruba, many of the police officers visited Philadelphia in July -this was scheduled well before the Holloway case -- and had interaction with our top commanders of our Police Department, and the comments to me were that these are very, very professional law enforcement officials with integrity and, again, good people on the country of Aruba. And if we want to create a hardship for 100,000 people to populate that island by hurting them in the pocket, they have nothing to do with this case. And, again, people that I've spoken to at the federal level tell me that the police of Aruba, the prosecutors of Aruba have done nothing but cooperate. Can you imagine a foreign country's prosecutor or law enforcement coming here and want the doors opened up to an investigation? It's a different country. It's ruled by Dutch law. So I think that it would be beneficial for us not to hurt a company that's just struggling back from bankruptcy and take away passengers that fly back and forth to Aruba every day. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. In Councilman Kelly's remarks, he said that Mrs. Holloway's food had to be tasted because they might poison her. I was wondering who "they" is.
Councilman, did you want a response from Councilman Kelly, Councilman Goode?
I think "they" would be some of the Aruban people who feel threatened by her presence on that island. It's bringing some notoriety that they do not like. Evidently it will affect their tourism trade, and that's the reason why they're very apprehensive. The Holloway family has been warned by other people on the island that that could be one of the things that they would do.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, this issue is not just controversial, but it's also very complicated, as we've just heard from opposing sides on this. Most of us haven't seen this resolution for very long, and I would just ask in light of that that the sponsors -- and I'm going to vote for it today. I'm not real comfortable with that, but if it comes up, I'll vote for it, but I'd ask that they hold it for a week or two so that people can have a chance to look a little further into it, both Councilman Ramos and Councilman Kelly.
Would Councilman Ramos and Councilman Kelly, would you agree to holding it for a week or two?
I would agree, Madam President, but I do have one thing to say, one reply, in all due respect, to my colleague, Councilman Rizzo, that U.S. Airways serves more than Aruba. It serves many, many islands, such as Puerto Rico and Bermuda, St. Thomas. I think most of those islands, if not the majority of them, are served by U.S. Airways, and I don't think there would be any effect from U.S. Airlines' personnel at all. I don't think it would be a negative effect on them. I think if people don't go to Aruba, they can go to other islands, and I think they could be serviced by U.S. Air. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I just want for the record that all of us be assured that the statement that I made, the minutes that I spoke were in fact facts. Mr. Rizzo, my colleague, mentioned that he was surprised about the facts that were mentioned here. The facts that I spoke on were of a personal involvement on the issue of missing persons. That is my major and above all concern. It doesn't matter if the person is blond-haired blue-eyed part Puerto Rican and part African-American. It doesn't matter to me what color the person is. When we held this conference, the head of the National Missing Persons Network is an African-American man and he was accompanied by Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali, who are all concerned and working on the issue of missing persons. And people at the conference, the conference that was held at West Philadelphia High School, not in a downtown hotel but in the neighborhood, expressed that they felt the pain. These are people that were not blond-haired and blue-eyed, who believed that they felt the pain that Mrs. Holloway felt because they were going through it. Because of the petition of the requests of my colleague, Brian O'Neill, to hold this bill and my co-sponsor giving it the good light, I will hold this -- I'm sorry; this resolution, but I am very much concerned about this situation of missing people, and I have not heard too many people in this City or in this country saying that the Aruban government went about this the proper way. The first thing they did when they heard that there was a girl from Alabama that was blond-haired and blue-eyed was arrest the first two black men that walked by and arrested them, and they happened to be home with their wives that night. I think it's also very indicative of -- could be very indicative, at least for me it was a bit indicative, of the type of government and administration that they have on that island. So I will not be making any reservations to go to Aruba. Lori, if you're watching, we will not be going to see you. Instead, people should just get on the plane. U.S. Airway can add another flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico or somewhere else to make up for their losses. So at this time, Madam President, I yield and I withdraw the resolution, which I will reconsider bringing up again at a future date.
Thank you very much. Since both sponsors have agreed to holding the resolution I believe for a week or two, I don't see any need for further debate on this issue. Thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly -Kenney.
That's the other Irish guy. Thank you. If you can indulge me for a second, I'd like to come a little bit closer to home for a moment and interrupt a little bit, because I'm afraid the person will leave before I have a chance and this body has a chance to congratulate after a hard-fought campaign in Upper Merion Township, the new Supervisor who was elected, our friend, Ed McBride.
Madam President, he went up and down a million driveways. He knew he couldn't walk across the lawn. He had to go up and down the driveways, so he's very tired.
Congratulations. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
Thank you, Madam President. Earlier today I mentioned I would be introducing six bills. I have since changed that to five, at the request of my colleague, Councilman Clarke. One of the bills I was about to introduce was referred to as a gentrification bill. He had previously introduced a similar bill. We will work together over the next several weeks or months to craft a bill that has much of the concerns that I have in my bill and his bill. So I will be introducing five bills and one resolution.
And may I suggest that when you're working on this, I know that Councilman Kenney and I were also working on such a bill, so if we could be included, I'd appreciate it.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "School Tax Authorization," by providing that real estate taxes levied under that Chapter shall be based on the average of several years of assessed values.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," by providing that real estate taxes levied under that Chapter shall be based on the average of several years of assessed values.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "School Tax Authorization," by specifying a rate for tax years 2007.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," by specifying a rate for tax years 2007 and thereafter that is dependent on total taxable assessed values.
This bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Section 19-1304 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Duties of the Board of Revision of Taxes," by requiring the Board to notify all real estate taxpayers each year of certain real estate tax information, under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to amend Act 46 to allow the City of Philadelphia to alter the tax rate for the Philadelphia School District's portion of the real estate tax and the City's use and occupancy tax, only to the extent that would maintain the District's current revenue derived from these sources.
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 indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
I will be stepping out of the Chambers for a few minutes. I would like to be recorded as voting aye on all resolutions and bills.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Madam President, I have two bills and two resolutions.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance establishing a no parking regulation on Hamilton Street, between 15th Street and 16th Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance regulating the direction of movement of traffic on Hamilton Street, between 15th to 16th Street westbound.
This bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 15th and 32nd Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
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 indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 15th, 20th, 28th, 29th, 32nd, 37th and 43rd 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 Kelly.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution recognizing, honoring and celebrating the 30th anniversary of COMHAR for helping people of all ages and cultures in the community who have developmental disabilities, mental health concerns, physical limitations and other challenges.
I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and 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 next order of business is reports from committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a report Public Property and Public Works.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Public Property and Public Works reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Public Property and Public Works, to which was referred Bill No. 050858, entitled "An ordinance consenting to the transfer of control of Area II cable television franchise from Urban Cable Works of Pennsylvania to Time Warner Cable, and television franchise from Urban Cable Works of Philadelphia to Time Warner Cable, both under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 050858. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 050858. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The 11/10/05 - STATED - 1ST READING ayes have it and the bill just read will be on our First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the bills on the First Reading Calendar.
Bill No. 050797, 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, Bustleton Avenue, Bowler Street and the Roosevelt Boulevard.
And Bill No. 050831, an ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code relating to Zoning and Planning, by amending Chapter 14-1100, entitled "Industrial Development District."
The 11/10/05 - STATED - 1ST READING Chair agrees.
And Bill No. 050858, an ordinance consenting to the transfer of control of Area II cable television franchise from Urban Cable Works of Pennsylvania to Time Warner Cable, and television franchise from Urban Cable Works of Philadelphia to Time Warner Cable, both under certain terms and conditions.
The Chair agrees. That completes our First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of calling bills to be considered on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Madam President. All bills on Pages 1 through 5 are being held. On , the bill at the bottom, Bill No. 050822, is being called up for second reading and 11/10/05 - STATED - 2ND READING final passage, and all bills on are being called up for second reading and final passage.
At this time, I would ask the Clerk to please read the title of Bill No. 050822.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriation for Fiscal Year 2006 within the Grants Revenue Fund from the Director of Finance to the Department of Records.
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. I ayes are 14, the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The next bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 050823.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriation for Fiscal Year 2006 within the Grants Revenue Fund from the Director of Finance to the Fire Department. 11/10/05 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Krajewski, I understand you want to be recognized.
Yes, Madam Chair. I just would like to hold the bills for one more week.
Fine. If there's no objection, those bills will 39 APPLICATIONS also be held.
You're welcome. Therefore, that completes our Calendar for today. We will now take up the consideration of applications for take-out beer permits under Act 39. As previously announced, Council held an Executive Session to conduct deliberations on these applications. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I offer three resolutions on your behalf.
Thank you. We will now consider the resolutions introduced by -- they have to be read. I would ask the Chief Clerk to 39 APPLICATIONS please read the title of the resolutions.
A resolution rejecting the Hearing Examiner's recommendation and disapproving the following application for a permit to sell malt and brewed beverages for consumption off premises: 4659 Virginia's Inc., 4659 to 61 North 5th Street.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a motion on the resolution.
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 indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) 39 APPLICATIONS
The ayes have it, and the record will reflect that Councilman Mariano had recused himself. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the second resolution.
A resolution rejecting the recommendation of the Hearing Examiner and disapproving the following application for a permit to sell malt and brewed beverages for consumption off premises: 5261 Perez Inc., 5261 North 5th Street.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
I'm sorry. Councilwoman Blackwell. 39 APPLICATIONS
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 please say aye. (Aye.)
A resolution rejecting the recommendation of the Hearing Examiner and disapproving the following application for a permit to sell malt and brewed beverages for consumption off premises: J&K Corp. Inc., 3517 Lancaster Avenue.
39 APPLICATIONS Again, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
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 please say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. That completes our business for today. Are there speeches on the part of the Minority? (No response.)
Are there speeches on the part of the Majority? We have quite a few that want to be recognized. First to be recognized will be Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. Two months ago I reported findings on small business lending by the City Controller. As reported earlier, in the period from 1998 to 2003, the percentage of loans in low- and moderate-income communities grew from 39 percent to 52 percent in terms of the number of loans to small businesses, but the Controller's report concluded that while it's heartening to note the number of loans increase, equitable access remains a challenge. City Council commissioned two comprehensive studies of small business and home lending disparities by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. The first study was released earlier this week. The findings were small business loans in all minority census tracts, African-American, Latino and Asian, was only 34 percent, while the minority population comprised over half of the City. The smaller businesses of less than $1 million in annual revenues comprise 58 percent of all small businesses, but received less than a third of small business loans. Yet, most of our City depositories actually gave a majority of the loans to those smaller businesses, but our largest City depository, Wachovia, gave only 16 percent of its loans to those small businesses, dragging all the numbers down for their peer depositories. Wachovia also gave only 18 percent of its home mortgages to African-Americans and only 30 percent of home mortgages to women. In fact, Wachovia, in the midst of a hot real market in Philadelphia, has proven to be to deny the American dream of home ownership to black people, the very same Wachovia that last spring disclosed financial ties to slavery. They clearly have no shame. Thank you.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ramos.
Thank you, Madam President. I want to recognize all veterans on their day tomorrow for their service to our country, their sacrifice, and for all the thousands and thousands that have given up their lives in behalf of the people of America. Particularly I want to recognize those military folks that work in our offices. I know of two, so I'm sorry if I miss the other ones. I recognize you as well. But Pat Dugan, who served in Iraq out of Councilman office, a special congratulations to you. And to Corporal Tony Jenkins from my office, who did two tours of duty in Vietnam. He said he jumped out of a helicopter 51 times. He says it might have been more, but he only remembers 51 times, and he was out there in the jungle fighting for our freedom. He's a wonderful, wonderful man and a good, good staff person. Thank you, Madam President.
At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I rise to speak regarding the issue of former U.S. Secretary of Education, Bill Bennett, and the School District contract that has been discussed and certainly reviewed even in the news our former colleague and former Education Chair, Gussie Clark, just before coming in, and she, among many others, are very upset that the vote failed three-two to deny him the contract with the School District of Philadelphia with regard to a company K-12 Inc., and certainly we want to tell her that we support her and we support those who voted, although it was in the minority, to deny a contract with the School District of Philadelphia for former U.S. Secretary of Education who would make such disparaging remarks. Thank you very much.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I would like to take the opportunity to read an e-mail that I recently, and it's representative of a growing number of e-mails that I've been getting on the subject. I don't necessarily agree with the e-mail, but I want you to hear it because I want people in the body to understand what the mindset of some of our citizens are out there. "Please help all like me facing this. Thank you. I am a retired person on a fixed income. This new real estate proposal that you passed will devastate my income. Why are you doing this? Why don't you think about all of us who can't do this without hardship that will put me out of my home that I believed would be my salvation in my old years? What are you going to do with my situation? It's a killer that will make me homeless, one more on the streets of Philadelphia. How cruel you are and the Council is that passes this awful hardship." Now, it really isn't accurate, because we haven't passed anything. The required us to do this equalization, and the Board of Revision of Taxes, who was appointed by the Board of Judges, is doing the work. I'm sure we will deal with this and we will have to deal with it as time goes on, but I think it's important that the people in this body understand that this issue is being framed by many people incorrectly that this is something that Council is imposing upon them, and I would like to keep that in mind as we move forward, because I think this is going to be a very difficult issue to articulate to our taxpayers and citizens as we go forward in this. Thank you.
Thank you very much. And I think the e-mail that you read was probably received by all of us. I know I received it. And I truly believe, and I agree with you, that people are certainly of the impression that we, as Council, are really not this issue. There's going to be a great deal of discussion on it. And I know I'm not supposed to be speaking on this now, but I agree with you. I think it's of great concern. It's a very complicated issue, and it's one that all of us are going to have to work together on. At this time, I would like to recognize Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I wish to thank my colleagues for their advice and concern, criticism, suggestions and ideas with regard to the recently passed ballot question on Tuesday amending the Home Rule Charter and putting into effect a new series of requirements regarding non-competitively bid contracts. I think this was great work by this body. And I want to try to make it as clear as possible that while any number of us were either co-sponsors on other involvement, this was a collective effort. This is one City Council that takes action, and the body took an action. Mayor Street signed the necessary legislation to then allow the voters to have their say, as required by our Home Rule Charter. So no one of us gets to pass a bill or a resolution by ourselves. They require nine votes or, in some matters, 12 votes. And so all of us share in the collective responsibility and, at the same time, should get the collective recognition. So I want to say to my colleagues thank you very much for all of the work and effort, to the groups and organizations that were involved in galvanizing citizen support, whether it was the Pennsylvania Economy League or Philadelphia Forward, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and many, many others, and then to the citizens, who did pay attention in an times characterized as maybe not necessarily the most exciting in the four-year cycle of elections. People were paying attention and I think care about this particular issue as it affects our City. And preliminary review of Tuesday's results seemed to indicate that the measure passed in every ward in the City by margins of 65 percent up to, in some, 95 percent, with the City-wide breakdown of 86 percent of the people voting yes. So I think that the public in many instances is not only paying attention to what's going on but, when they have the opportunity, speak out on these particular issues, and it's left to us to figure out what to do and then turn it over to the voters. So the process has worked and I think worked well, but the members of this City Council deserve certainly the recognition for allowing that to happen in the first place, and I thank all of my in this effort. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. Are there any other 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, November 17th at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, November 17th at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Thank you. (Stated Meeting concluded at 12:00 p.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 November 10, 2005, 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.)