COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, March 10, 2005 10:28 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN FRANK J. DICICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO 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. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will please come to order. Members will take their seats, and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Deacon Ramos who will give us our invocation. All Members and guests will please rise.
Good morning. Let us pray. Jesus healed a blind man, but many didn't want to believe. The blind man got his parents, and they affirmed to the doubters he was born blind. The doubters still didn't believe. The blind man could see, but those who had sight were blinded, the scripture says. All of us are blinded at some moment in our lives, although we can see. Blinded because of obsessions, blinded from reality, although we can see. But there's a power us, God, who is always there to heal our blindness if we only open our hearts to him. Amen.
The Chair thanks the Deacon for his very inspiring invocation. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 3, 2005. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 3, 2005, stand approved.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 3, 2005, stand approved. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 3, 2005, is approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the Majority, a leave of absence is requested for Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you. Leave will be granted. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, on behalf of the Republicans, there are no requests for leaves of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. 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 certainly appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our City. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke who will present a citation honoring the Harlem Globetrotters. Would Mr. Edgerson and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. Councilman Clarke is being joined by Councilman Rizzo and Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, today, it is truly an honor on behalf of the City Council to give this citation and recognition to these gentlemen. All of us growing us in our tender years remember the former greats Meadowlark and all of those wonderful individuals who set of path for these new edition of the Harlem Globetrotters. And you noticed who I pointed at when I said the new edition. So it is truly an honor to be able to do this today. Honoring the Harlem Globetrotters. The Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to welcome the Harlem Globetrotters on the occasion of the Globetrotter weekend in Philadelphia. Whereas, the Harlem Globetrotters are the world's most popular sports organization in basketball's most successful winning team. They have performed for more than 120 million people in 117 countries.
Whereas, the Harlem Globetrotters' achievements represent a story of courage, talent and pride. For over seven decades, the Harlem Globetrotters have used their unique brand of basketball and ambassadorial good work to aid in breaking down barriers to bring people closer together while popularizing sports as entertainment and today has become the standard that in the early days was uniquely African-American; and
Whereas, when Dick Hudson founded the Savoy 5 in 1926, the team set out simply to entertain and play basketball. The comedy element evolved because of their superior afrocentric style of play which today would simply be called "Show Time"; and Whereas, the world famous Harlem Globetrotters bring their family-friendly brand of basketball for three exciting games at the Liacouras Center at Temple University on Saturday, March 12th at 12 noon and at the Wachovia Center on Sunday, March 13th at 1 o'clock p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Therefore, by virtue of this citation, the Council of the City of Philadelphia honors the Harlem Globetrotters for their outstanding talent and ambassadorial efforts. You have enlighten and enriched the lives of millions of people throughout the world and have the sincere this legislative body. Congratulations, gentleman. Sponsored by all Members of Council. (Applause.)
They're all so short, I don't know if Mr. Edgerson is here. If he is, I would like him to say a few remarks, please.
On behalf of the Harlem Globetrotters, we'd like to thank you all for receiving this honor. (Applause.)
Again, congratulations and thank you for coming in. (Applause.)
The Chair now recognizes Councilman Ramos will present a resolution honoring the National Association of Hispanic Publications. Would Mr. Hernan Guaracao and Mr. accompanying them please join the Councilman at the podium. Councilman Mariano will also join Councilman Ramos in the presentation.
Recognizing the week of March 7, 2005, as the National Association of Hispanic Publications Incorporated Week. Whereas, this year Philadelphia is honored to host the National Association of Hispanic Publications, Inc., annual convention that will take place at the Loews Hotel from March 9th to March 12th; and Whereas, Philadelphia's own Hernan Guaracao, publisher of Al Dia Newspaper serves as President of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Hispanic Publications, Inc.; and Whereas, the National Association of Hispanic Publications, Inc., was founded in 1982 as a non-profit, nonpartisan organization representing Hispanic print nationwide; and
Whereas, today, the National Association of Hispanic Publications, Inc., is the largest organization representing Hispanic publications at the national level; and Whereas, NAHP, Inc., works with more than 200 members in affiliated publications that share a combined circulation of more than 10 million and reach more than 50 percent of Hispanic households in 55 US markets every week; and Whereas, NAHP, Inc., provides professional tools to assist Hispanic publications to more effectively reach their readership and work hard at keeping the Hispanic community informed and educated about social issues, updating its readers about members' publications, providing technical assistance, and improving the quality of Hispanic publications at a national level; and
Resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that we hereby recognize the week of March 7, 2005, as the National Association of Hispanic resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Hernan Guaracao and Joseph Carrillo as evidence of the sincere respect and deep admiration this legislative body has for the National Association of Hispanic Publications, Incorporated. Congratulations. (Applause.)
On behalf of all of publishers gathered in Philadelphia this week, I would like to say gracias. Thank you so much for honoring us, honoring this growing industry of Hispanic publications all over the country. People who are behind me are the very people who are making that miracle of communication with the Hispanic community over the country. They come from places as far as San Jose, California; Dallas, Texas; Sarasota, Florida. I would like to name them because to come to Philadelphia probably in the worst of the winter, and they are people very much comfortable in the southwest. I would like to name them, as I said, because they are very deserving publishers who are in each of the City that I want to name the providers of the critical information and news to the Hispanic community. They are Dora Toro from LaPrensa de Orlando; Lupita Colmenero from Hispano News in Dallas, Texas; Dolores Sanchez from Detroit; Tatiana Andrade from San Jose, California; Jose Luis Garcia from Texas; Zeke Montes from Chicago; Luis Eduardo Baron from Sarasota, Florida; Francisco Vega from the Yellow Pages in Washington, D.C. With us is Joe Carrillo, our CEO. Thank you so much again for this recognition, this honor, that is deserving for these publishers who chose Philadelphia to have their annual convention. You probably don't know this piece of history. I'd like to share this real quickly. Philadelphia was the place where 180 Spanish paper in the country was published here in Philadelphia on Third Street. The name of the publisher was Felis Barrera Morales (ph). He's a priest who ended up in the Philadelphia in the 19th Century and, like many of us, decided to find a way of expressing himself, and he chose to publish a paper in 1824. It was printed here on Third Street 180 years ago. We're proud of that, of that piece of history for Philadelphia, and we're glad to be here today. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
Mr. Carrillo, would you like to say a few words?
On behalf of the national staff in Washington, D.C., and the many publishers that we serve, I would like to thank the City of Philadelphia for opening up their heart and their arms to our organization and to bring us through this week here to Philadelphia to really explore, not only our organization, to net work with our friends and network with the City of Philadelphia. I'd again on behalf of the national office and on behalf of the staff and on behalf of our membership. Thank you so much.
Celebrating the arts and young people. Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the American Theater of Arts for Youth, Incorporated. Whereas, American Theater Arts for Youth, Incorporated, is the non-profit production company founded in 1970 to bring the finest and professional curriculum related theater to children of all ages; and. Whereas, in 2003-2004 school year alone ATAFY touched the lives of over 2 million students nationwide, including 80,000 youngsters in Philadelphia and 150,000 youngsters in Pennsylvania; and Whereas, ATAFY has commissioned and produced 46 additional stage musical praised by educators and the press as a delightful ages; and Whereas, study guides are prepared for every production for classroom discussion and policy of modest ticket prices make ATAFY's program available to the broadest possible audiences; and Whereas, ATAFY is augmented by over 180 outstanding directors, designers, performers, and staff who understand the learning experience inherent in live performance; and Whereas, Laurie Wagman is the founder and CEO of the American Theater Arts for Youth, the largest and oldest organization of its kind in the nation that presents professional theater to school students as an extension of classroom curriculum. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that we celebrate you, the 35th Anniversary of the American Theater of Arts for Youth, Inc., and honor Laurie Wagman for her creativity and outstanding contributions to cultural enrichment in education through theater. engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Laurie Wagman as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. Introduced by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown and Richard T. Mariano, and sponsored by all the Members of the Philadelphia City Council. We celebrate you. (Applause.)
I want to express health-felt appreciation to the Council for this splendid resolution. It's especially meaningful because I founded American Theater Arts for Youth in this, my home town, in this City that I love, 35 years ago. Today, we tour throughout the nation to perform in over 400 cities every year to about 2 million kids, teachers, and parents. It's important for you all to know that American TAFY engages the of over 200 people right here in Philadelphia and we have become a tradition. Our audiences today represent three generations who have attended American TAFY shows, grandmoms and grandpops who took their children who are in turn taking their children to see our productions. I'm pleased to tell you that in the seasons ahead American TAFY tradition will continue to reflect quality arts in education that this honorable Council has championed from the very beginning. You recognize theater as an important teaching tool that motivates language and reading development. You understand the impact of theater on the creative and cultural life of the children it touches. And you know that theater provides quality entertainment that we can, together, share and cherish and remember. And so on behalf of the entire American Theater Arts for Youth organization and the audiences we serve throughout the City, the Commonwealth, and the nation, I want to express enormous appreciation for the to our concept and our programming. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Thank you Ms. Wagman. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor. THE
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am transmitting herewith for the introduction and consideration of your honorable body a proposed ordinance authorizing the creation of a loan or loans to provide funds for and toward various capital municipal purposes, authorizing the Mayor, City Controller, and City Solicitor or a majority of them to sell bonds at a public or private negotiated sale, and fixing a day for holding the election for obtaining such consent and providing for the arrangements for holding such election.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The Chief Clerk read any other communications in her possession. THE
Thank you. The next order of business introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a motion.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the immediate consideration of resolutions at their time of introduction. (Duly seconded.)
It has been properly moved and seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit immediate consideration of resolutions at the time of introduction. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill and two resolutions.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk please read the title of the bill. THE
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriation for Fiscal Year 2005 within the Grants Revenue Fund from certain or all city offices, departments, boards and commissions to certain or all city offices, departments, boards, and commissions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
And a resolution honoring the St. Patrick's Day Observance Association of Philadelphia and proclaiming the month of March as Irish Month in the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney for a motion.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of myself, Councilman O'Neill, and Councilman Kelly and all those who wish they were Irish, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Laughter.)
All of those who wish they were will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. THE
And a resolution congratulating of the Boy's Varsity Basketball Teams of Sts. John Neuman Maria Goretti High School for winning the 2005 Catholic League Basketball Championship.
Councilman DiCicco's going to love this because they dismantled the prep last week. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. Today, I introduce one bill and one resolution on your behalf and one bill on behalf of the Administration.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill. THE
An ordinance granting permission to Popi's Enterprises, located 3120 South 20th Street to construct, use, and maintain a building encroachment entrance addition north and south through its embellishments rigid fabric awnings, canopy, and pedestrian lights, underground electric conduit and open air sidewalk cafe.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
And an ordinance authorizing the Managing Director on his designee on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to enter into a lease agreement to lease vehicles from the Philadelphia Municipal Authority with an option to purchase, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
And a resolution also naming 29th Street at the intersection of 29th and Tasker Streets as Marquis Boulevard and also naming Tasker Street at the intersection of 29th and Tasker Street as Dean's Way.
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 say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution on which I would like to speak.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution. THE
A resolution calling upon Congress to oppose any and all efforts to privatize Social Security.
Thank you, Madam President. It's often said that politics stops at the local line. It's an axiom that I never accepted. But this resolution, I believe, establishes the full truth of the statement. This resolution, which calls upon the Congress to reject President Bush's efforts to privatize Social Security, shows that there is indeed a party line. And the party line pervades all of American politics because it's not true that political parties are merely social clubs. They're social clubs when one party is so weak that it cannot do very much by itself so it then describes all activities as being of a social nature. But this resolution describes in two simple words the most significant part of the new deal of my meaning when I say I refer to myself as a Roosevelt Democrat. And I mean Franklin, not Theodore because I wasn't alive, even though most people think I was, when Theodore Roosevelt was the President. But I know the difference tat Franklin Roosevelt made to this country. And if you had to in the shortest possible terms tell us about Franklin Roosevelt, you would say Social Security. Because it is in preparing people for living older, for having not to worry about the fact that their money may run out before their lives end, because as you get older you realize think more of what's going to happen when you retire than when you're working. You worry about being able top live meaningfully, not at the door step children, not standing somewhere with a tin cup in your hand. But you think that during your life you work long enough and hard enough and with the help of governmental assistance in the form of guaranteed Social Security payments, you believe you're entitled to the vestiges of being a real person for all the days of your life, not just when you're working. The Democrats have always treasured that. And if you talk to anybody of my age vintage or even a number of years younger and talk to them about Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the one memory they will have of him is what he's done for them with Social Security. It tells you how people value life and old age. And you know every society is always tested by the way it performs for the most vulnerable. This is a moment of truth. This resolution was offered to every member of the Council who was here, and without exception in both cases, every Democrat here signed the resolution, every Republican here and opposed it. And that tells you about the two political parties. So very proudly I say to my comrades here and colleagues in City Council that though I often criticize the voting of some Democrats as being the votes of Republican-like rather than full Democrat, today I'm very proud that the Democratic Party locally here in City Council has unanimously endorsed the concept of we want Social Security to remain as is. We know it's never failed anybody yet. We know if left alone it will never fail anybody because everybody knows the nonpartisan congressional budget office tells us that for 40 years at least, that means 10 presidential terms, if nothing is done, there's ample money and that 40 years may be extended to 80 years which gives even the slow-moving Congress a chance to deal with any problem that develops. So I congratulate my colleagues and ask them all and perhaps in a sense of nonpartisanship, maybe the Republican in the voting process without the names being exposed on the blue backer, will be able to find it in their hearts to assure all Philadelphians that when show down time comes and people retire there will be a solid social security plan in effect, the same one that guarantees senior citizens that they're going to be real people for the all the days of their life. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome, sir. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Madam President. I don't know where to start, but I didn't sign the resolution. I'm glad that Councilman Cohen now equates that with a no vote, so I'm not going to disappoint him. But the reason for it isn't whether there should be Social Security or whether Franklin Delano Roosevelt should get credit for it. There should be. He should get credit. The question is, Philadelphia City Council can't keep libraries open, fighting for many other things in tough times, including community development block grants which are on the chopping block in Washington at this moment, and getting into an issue that is totally irrelevant to our work here, very relevant to the people we elect in Washington, and to say again that they're destroying Social Security for people that have it, this discussion affects people 50 and under. My personal opinion is, don't go there while we have a federal deficit. Do it as a layering on top of the Social Security. But what it's done, and Presidents often do this, they get a discussion started that wouldn't get started otherwise. Anybody that thinks Social Security is not in trouble down the road if it isn't fixed, tweaked, whatever you want to call it, and no one has been willing to do it for several years. This discussion is really going on. It's a trade-off when negotiations start. And for the City Council of Philadelphia to be getting into something that we have no business doing in our legislation -- we can all send a letter to the President. He may actually read it. He's not going to read this resolution. The factual parts of it, whether it's going to be 4 billion trillion dollars in deficit, there's going to be additional monies spent if you start these accounts. That's why I think we have to be cautious in doing it. But the one thing it has done, it has gotten people serious about making sure Social Security is there for a younger generation. They've already said people 50 and up today, people who aren't going to get it for 12 to 15 or more years, this discussion isn't even relevant to them. That's not what the resolution says. If this were talking about, do I support Social Security? Yes. Do I believe that Franklin Delano Roosevelt was responsible for it? Yes. If the resolution went that far, I'd be voting it. But it gets into a tangle of factual situations in there that people disagree at the highest levels in Washington, and we are now the experts on Social Security. We now everything about the program. We're going to tell the President what to do and what not to do, end discussions which may be helpful to many people who become senior citizens later, but we are now the experts. We can't figure out how to deal with bulk trash; we can't figure out how to get taxes to be competitive in this City; we can't figure out a whole lot of thing, but we are experts on one of the most difficult issues that congressmen, senators have to deal with in the coming year while we're fighting, hopefully, for real federal programs that affect cities that are being threatened to be taken away from us. So I think it's more of a relevancy issue, not whether we have the right facts in this resolution. I don't think we do, but I'm not going to argue with that. I think we're wasting good time to deal with federal issues when we're having enough trouble with City issues. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Thank you, Madam President. I just want to congratulate and commend my esteemed colleague Councilman Cohen because he seems to know more about what's going on in Washington then probably any senator or any congressman. Because in his statement he said that if we do nothing, Social Security will still go on and no one be affected by it. Well, that's not what I'm hearing throughout the country. I think you have Democrats and Republicans and everyone agreeing that reform must be made to that program or else, maybe not today but in 20 or 30 years, I think they could be affected. And I don't know where Councilman Cohen gets his knowledge. He seems to be knowing more about it than probably anyone in the country. So I think that maybe he should be in Washington instead of Philadelphia. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I don't agree with all of the proposals that are coming out of Washington to overhaul Social Security, but I can tell you this, that part of the problem that I have with this resolution is the fact that I'm personally tired of being demeaned by the sponsor of this resolution. I'm a member of the Republican party. I'm proud of it. I just want to remind the sponsor, remember who's in the White House right now. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
Thank you, Madam President. I won't belabor this much longer and I won't attack anybody. I would just like to commend my good colleague Councilman Cohen, because we all know how old he is and we joke around and he's our esteemed person. He doesn't need Social Security. That's from his heart. We talk a lot of BS issues here. This is important from his heart. His Social Security days, he could stop now and collect Social Security. So he's not worried about him, he's worried about myself who's 49 years old. So Councilman, I thank you. I thank you for thinking for everyone under 50 years old that will be affected by this. And thank you for making an issue that we should be able to talk about. Thank you, Councilman Cohen, and I hope you stay here forever; I really do.
To answer Councilman Kelly's question as to where all the facts come from, they come from a truly nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office which releases facts regularly.
Very well. Again, I recognize you, Councilman Cohen, for a motion.
I move that this body vote unanimously, but if they don't, at least that all Democrats support this resolution.
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted.
I really don't think we need it, but if that's what you want, that's fine
Aye. The ayes are 13, the nays are 3. A majority of all Members having voted in the affirmative, the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution. THE
A resolution authorizing Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds located in the 7th, 18th, 19th and 23rd Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Move for the adoption of that resolution, Madam President. (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 Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President I have no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Madam President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill. THE
An ordinance amending Section 17-109 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Local Bidding Preferences," amending the terms and conditions under which a business entity may be certified or continue to be certified as a local business entity entitled to bidding preferences on City contracts.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you. 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. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill. THE
An ordinance amending Title 4 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code" by amending Subcode A, Section A-202 entitled "Duties and Powers of the Code Official."
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
And an ordinance amending Title 9 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Regulation of Business Trades and Professions," by amending Section 9-102 entitled "License and Permits" by providing that no license or permit shall be issued or renewed if the applicant is delinquent in payment of any school or district taxes, charges, fees, rents, or claims.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill. THE
An ordinance authorizing the Water Commissioner on behalf of the City to enter into an agreement with the owners of the properties and their successors at 3101-3131 West Thompson Street for the grant of right-of-way for water main purposes, under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution. THE
A resolution recognizing, honoring, and celebrating the Ivy Leaf School for its invaluable contribution as the oldest African-American independent school occasion of its 40th Anniversary.
Madam President, I forgot to mention that that resolution is cosponsored by Councilwoman Donna Miller and Councilwoman Marian Tasco. I move for the adoption of that 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. We will now have reports from the committees. Cohen for a report from the Committee on Law and Government.
The Vice Chair of the Committee, Councilman Kenney will be good enough to give the report.
Very well. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Law and Government reports one bill and one resolution with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report. THE
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Law and Government to which was referred Bill No. 050107, entitled an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter creating a 5 entitled "Referenda Approved by the Voters," calling or the Pennsylvania General Assembly and the Governor to pass legislation that will permit Philadelphia to enact constitutionally lawful legislation to prevent and reduce gun violence; And resolution No. 050120, entitled a resolution proposing an amendment to the Home Rule Charter creating a new Chapter 5 entitled "Referenda Approved By the Voters," calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly and the Governor to pass legislation that will permit Philadelphia to enact constitutionally lawful legislation to prevent and reduce gun violence; Respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill and resolution to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Madam President, I move that the Rules of Council be suspended first reading this day of Bill No. 050107. (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. 050107. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And bill 050107 will be placed on today's First Reading Calendar. Resolution No. 050120 will be considered at the end of today's Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Madam President, earlier it was indicated that I was going to ask for a vote on the resolution. At the request of veteran member of Council, I will for a vote today. There was some concerns about the tradition of allowing the resolution to lay over a week along with the bill. I don't want to set a potentially bad precedent so I will hold that until next week.
Very well. Resolution No. 050120 will be placed on next week's Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a report from the Committee on Public Health and Human Services.
Madam President, the Committee on Public Health and Human Services reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
The Chief Clerk will please read the report. THE
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to which was referred Bill No. 050063, entitled an ordinance amending Chapter 10-600 of the Philadelphia Code "Public Places Prohibited Conduct," by prohibiting smoking in public places and in the workplace and providing for penalties, all under certain terms and conditions; respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Madam President, I move that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of this Bill 050063. (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. 050063. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) 03/10/05 - STATED - 1ST READING
The ayes have it, and bill 050063 will be placed on today's First Reading Calendar. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill on the First Reading Calendar. THE
Bill 050107, an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter creating a new Chapter 5 entitled "Referenda Approved by the Voters," and Article 8, "Provisions of General Application," creating a new Section 8-500 entitled "Home Rule Power to Prevent and Reduce Gun Violence" and fixing a date of a special election for such purposes.
And Bill No. 050063, an ordinance amending Chapter 10-600 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Public 03/10/05 - STATED - 2ND READING Places Prohibited Conduct," by prohibiting smoking in public places and in the workplace and providing for penalties, all under certain terms and conditions
The Chair agrees. That concludes our First Reading Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of calling up the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar to be called up for consideration.
Thank you, Madam President. Today, Bill No. 040133, 040818, and 040772 are being called up for the purposes of amendments. All other bills are being held.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 040133. THE
An ordinance amending Section 17-104 entitled "Prerequisite to the Execution of City Contracts," by adding 03/10/05 - STATED - 2ND READING a new subsection entitled "Slavery Era Business Corporate Insurance Disclosure" to promote full and accurate disclosure to the public about any slavery policies sold by any companies or profits from slavery by other industries who were doing business with the City of Philadelphia.