COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON RULES - - - Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wednesday, February 1, 2006 11:40 a.m. - - - PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN BILL 051232 - An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Parkside Avenue, 50th Street, a railroad right-of-way... BILL 051233 - An ordinance approving the second amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the West Parkside Urban Renewal Area... BILL 051143 - An ordinance amending Section 19 10-112 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Keeping Farm Animals," by deleting... - - - 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 2
Again, I welcome everyone to this public hearing on the Committee of the Rules. I would like the record to reflect that we have a quorum. To my immediate left is Councilwoman Blackwell. To her left is Councilwoman Brown. To my immediate right is Councilman Kelly, and Councilman Clarke is also in attendance. I would ask Mr. Murray to please read the title of Bill No. 051232.
Bill No. 051232, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Parkside Avenue, 50th Street, a railroad right-of-way, 52nd Street, Columbia Avenue and 51st Street.
May I ask City Planning to please come up to testify. Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record. 3 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC.
Good morning, Madam President and members of the Rules Committee. My name is Martin Gregorski. I'm a Zoning Planner in the Development Planning Division of the City Planning Commission. I am here today to testify on Bill No. 051232. Bill No. 051232 was introduced by Councilmember Nutter on December 22nd, the year 2005. This bill rezones an area bounded by Parkside Avenue, 50th Street, a railroad right-of-way, 52nd Street, Columbia Avenue and 51st Street. The purpose of this bill is to rezone approximately 30 acres of land from a zoning designation of partly L-3 Limited Industrial, partly L-5 Limited Industrial, partly G-2 General Industrial, partly C-1 Commercial, partly R-9A Residential, partly R-9 Residential and partly ASC Area Shopping Center to a designation of partly L-3 Limited Industrial, partly L-5 Limited Industrial, partly G-2 General Industrial 4 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. and partly Area Shopping Center, ASC, in order to allow the development of a new shopping center. The Planning Commission at its meeting of March 10, 2005 considered and approved this item as an amendment to the Parkside-Lancaster Redevelopment Area plan, changing the proposed land use to Commercial and a redevelopment proposal for the acquisition of 55 properties. Accordingly, this bill is consistent with the previous policy of the Planning Commission and we recommend that it be approved. I'll be happy to answer any questions of the Committee.
Thank you very much. According to your testimony, the City Planning approved the redevelopment proposal that would authorize the acquisition of 55 properties.
The bill that we will consider very shortly approves the acquisition of only ten properties. Will the Planning Commission have to approve a new development proposal?
That, I do not know. I'd have to check on that. I'm really not sure.
And members of the Committee. I'm Richard Redding, Acting Director, Community Planning Division at the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Could you repeat the question one more time, please?
6 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. Certainly. I said according to testimony that we heard, the Planning Commission approved a redevelopment proposal that would authorize the acquisition of 55 properties. The bill that we will consider very shortly approves the acquisition of only ten properties. Will the Planning Commission have to approve a new development proposal?
Madam President, the answer is no. The authorization for 55 properties gives us the ability, if needed, to acquire buildings in a given area. Many of those properties were able to be purchased through private means, and the ten is the only portion of the 55 that will be necessary. Additional acquisitions will not be needed to be authorized. And this is for the expansion of the shopping center site in the West Parkside community.
Fine. Thank you very much. Any questions from members of 7 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. the Committee? (No response.)
Do we have anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Seeing no one, I would ask Ms. Murray to please read the title of Bill No. 051233.
Bill No. 051233, an ordinance approving the second amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the West Parkside Urban Renewal Area, being the area generally bounded by Parkside Avenue on the north, Belmont Avenue and Girard Avenue on the east, Lancaster Avenue on the south, 52nd Street and the Pennsylvania Central Railroad Line on the west, including the second amendment to the urban renewal plan and the first amendment to the relocation plan, which provides, inter 8 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. alia, for the additional land acquisition of approximately ten properties for commercial and related uses; the provision of certain relocation services, as required by law; and declaring that condemnation is not imminent with respect to the Project.
Thank you. Mr. Wetzel, are you going to testify? Good afternoon.
Or afternoon. It's getting very close. My name is Herbert Wetzel. I'm Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia. Madam Chairperson and members of the Committee, I'm here to speak in support of Bill No. 051233, which is the 9 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. second amendment of the redevelopment proposal and the third amendment of the urban renewal plan for the 44th and Aspen Urban Renewal Areas. The bill authorizes the Redevelopment Authority to acquire ten vacant structures and lots in the Parkside-Lancaster Redevelopment Area, West Parkside Urban Renewal Area for commercial development. These properties will be assembled with others that have been purchased privately by the Goldenberg Management, Inc. for the new construction of a retail center that will include approximately 306,000 square feet of retail space. The shopping center will be anchored by a Lowe's Home Improvement Center. Goldenberg Management, Inc. has entered into a Non-Assistance Agreement with the Redevelopment Authority that will require the Goldenberg Management, Inc. to reimburse all direct and indirect 10 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. costs incurred by the Authority throughout this project. The estimated acquisition costs are $782,000. The properties to be acquired under this plan are within the project footprint and will be used for commercial and related development. Madam Chairperson and members of the Committee, I respectfully request favorable consideration of Bill No. 12 051233 and also would ask for the suspension of Council rules to allow first reading on February 2, 2006.
Mr. Wetzel, what did you say the estimated cost of this acquisition was?
It's $782,000. That includes the 35 percent contingency for payment in court and other additional contingencies, advertising and other related costs.
Can you tell us what the source of funds for the acquisition is? 11 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC.
Yes. The source of funds is the Goldenberg Management, Inc. They are providing all the funds necessary for the acquisition.
Can you tell us how the acquisition funds will be recycled?
These would not -- unless there are tax delinquent properties, and if there are tax delinquent properties here that are being acquired, then the City will go in and claim either at settlement with the owner or if we pay into court, the City will claim any liens and judgments that it has on these properties, and then those funds are available to the City of Philadelphia.
I guess we're assuming that none of the properties are occupied.
To our knowledge, there are seven vacant structures and three vacant lots. 12 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC.
Thank you. Any questions from members of the Committee? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you. When you say acquisition is not imminent, does that mean there are no 12 occupied --
No. What it means is that you're approving a redevelopment proposal. The decision to acquire ultimately rests with the Board of the Redevelopment Authority. So you're approving a proposal, not the condemnation. So you're approving the proposal, which gives the Redevelopment Authority the power to proceed, but that Board must make the final decision on whether to acquire or not.
What's the difference between what we're doing 13 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. and imminent? I just saw some place it's not imminent.
Yes. It's a legal term that essentially clarifies that the action of Council is the approval of the proposal, but is not an act of condemnation. This Council is authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to proceed if it so chooses to institute this proposal, but it is not an act of condemnation on the part of the City of Philadelphia or this Council.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Wetzel, I just want to know, what is the estimated value of these properties?
Sir, I can get 14 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. that for you. Today I don't have the detailed budget with me.
It's based on an estimate, but the first thing that we would do if this proposal is adopted and signed by the Mayor is first notify the owners of the property. We've already done so for this hearing purposes, but notify them that we've engaged an appraiser, a state certified licensed appraiser, who will come out to the property, that they have a right to be there, to be in contact with that appraiser, be there when the appraiser does their work and provide comments to the appraiser. Based on that appraisal, we would then make an offer. So what we have is an estimate at this point in time.
And the estimate takes in a lot more than just the value of the property. 15 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC.
All the advertising costs and potential legal expenses that could be incurred and everything associated with this.
Any other questions from members of the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, Mr. Wetzel, I thank you. Do we have anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Seeing no one, I would ask Ms. Murray to please read the title of Bill No. 051143. 16 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC.
Bill No. 051143, an ordinance amending Section 10-112 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Keeping Farm Animals," by deleting the provision permitting the keeping of farm animals on parcels of 3 acres or more.
Thank you. Do we have anyone from the Administration to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Seeing no one, I would ask if we have any witnesses.
Hello. We appreciate your coming in to testify. Please identify yourself for the record.
Good morning. My name is Bernadette Cartin. I'm a life-long resident of the City of Philadelphia. I'm here to testify on behalf of Philadelphia residents who 17 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. oppose the banning of farm-type animals. The current bill seeks to remove an exemption for residents who have three or more acres.
Excuse me. Three or more acres. I'm sorry. This would make it impossible for any resident to keep these animals regardless of how much room they have. I and the people I represent would like the Council to remove any restriction on owning farm-type pets by residents who live in a house. Philadelphia was founded on principles of tolerance and individual freedom. The farm animal ban enacted over 300 years later is a slap in the face to all that William Penn stood for. There are quality of life issues to be considered in depriving City dwellers of the opportunity to keep chickens or ducks for eggs or a goat for milk. People all 18 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. over the City have gardens that provide fresh produce. Until recently, they also had the option of keeping chickens for fresh, healthful eggs. Why should all people be deprived of this opportunity just because a few have the idea that it shouldn't be done? A blanket ban on all farm animals punishes people who choose to enjoy these extraordinary pets and detracts from their quality of life. It detracts from the quality of life of neighbors who enjoy being able to see these animals without going to a zoo or traveling many miles to a farm. This law needs to be revoked, because neighbors can unfortunately be spiteful or vindictive. A neighbor might become angry at a neighbor for some perceived or actual offense which is totally unrelated to whether or not that person keeps farm animals, yet the angry neighbor can use the present law to attack that person in one of the most 19 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. hurtful ways imaginable to an animal lover, which is to attack beloved pets. We have all seen the devastation of Katrina and other disasters and heard story after story of the people who stayed in their homes at great personal risk because they would not and could not leave their pets behind. Such love and devotion is also found among Philadelphia's pet owners whether the pet be a cat, dog, parrot, duck, chicken or goat. A person who chooses to keep some chickens in the yard for companionship, to provide eggs or to eat garden pests should not be singled out and made to get rid of these pets if they do not or never have caused a problem for anyone. If such animals do cause problems for other people in the neighborhood, their owners can be dealt with on an individual basis by existing agencies. If an owner of farm animals has 20 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. been found repeatedly non-compliant with requests to reduce noise or improve sanitation, that individual should be subject to removal of some or all of his or her animals, just as a cat hoarder or dog collector has animals removed for health or sanitation concerns. A blanket ban on all farm animals persecutes people who choose to enjoy these extraordinary pets. In the spirit of William Penn, Philadelphia should continue its tradition of tolerance toward all good citizens allowing all rights and freedoms that do not impede the rights and freedoms of others. This law needs to be revoked or at least altered to provide for the rights and quality of life of people who like to keep their special pets. Philadelphia is based on the rule of the majority and respect for the rights of the minority. The majority of Philadelphia citizens may choose not to 21 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. keep farm-type pets for various reasons, but no law should prevent the minority who choose to do so from exercising that right. Thank you. And if I could enter into the record, I have a petition that was signed by 207 people in the week that I had to ask for these signatures. They represent citizens from all over the City, and I would like that into the record, if I might. Thank you.
For the record, can you tell us how many acres of ground you have?
And can you further inform us as to what type of animals you have?
Well, according to the Code, I was very curious 22 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. to know what a farm animal --
I was just rather curious to know what a farm animal as --
I was curious to know how you defined a farm animal, and according to the Code, it's any chicken, goose, duck, turkey, goat, sheep, pig, cow or other farm animal. The horse, as you indicated you have, would not be excluded.
Now, how close are you to your nearest neighbor?
That's hard -- I don't know. It's hard for me to determine, but I would like to make it 23 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. known that of the signatures on that petition, most of them are from the closest neighbors to me, and those people enjoy coming and looking at my animals, and they are very upset at the possibility --
Okay. Any questions from members of the Committee? (No response.)
I thank you for coming in to testify. Thank you very much. Do we have anyone else to testify?
I think it is afternoon now, so I can say, good afternoon.
24 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. Please identify yourself for the record.
It is just after noon, and good afternoon, Madam President and Honorable Councilmembers. My name is Harry Citrino, C-I-T-R-I-N-O. I'm an attorney in Philadelphia, and I am here for two purposes. One, I am the Health Education and Welfare Chairperson for the Greater Bustleton Civic League and also as an attorney. I represent a farmer who lives in Northeast Philadelphia, quite close to the Fox Chase Farm, which is owned by the City. This ordinance that went into effect a while ago, although we were opposed to that ordinance going into effect, because as the prior woman that testified indicated, there are a number of people in the City who for purposes of one reason or another like to have fresh eggs or fresh milk or the wool from the sheep or whatever they choose to do, and there was an exclusion put into the bill 25 that said anyone with three acres or 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. more. And I do represent a farmer that has approximately four acres, and on the four acres, he grows his own vegetables and fruits. He has sheep for wool. He has goat for milk. He has chickens for eggs. He has the rooster to fertilize to get more chickens. He has some geese, and he has plenty of room. He's 100 yards or more away from his nearest neighbor because he has the acres. He even has a stream running through his property. And I came to represent that farmer and to find out the purpose for amending this bill. I could understand some sort of an amendment if you were going the other direction, if you wanted to amend it if somebody had an acre or an acre and a half, they'd be allowed also, but I don't understand the exclusion for someone that has almost four acres of land. I see that Councilman O'Neill is not present, and I don't know if any of the Honorable Councilpeople might -- 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC.
A member of his staff is here, who will certainly be more than happy to testify on the Councilman's behalf.
Then if I could tell Mr. Finestone that I don't think that this amendment should be put into effect if the bill is going to remain as it is. I also see a constitutional issue. The City is now embroiled in a number of small pieces of litigation based on the last bill, because some people who owned farm animals have now started litigation. These cases are in progress at the present time concerning the ordinance that's in progress. I did want to bring to the Council's attention that of the top ten cities in this country population-wise, Philadelphia is the only one that has attempted to pass a ban on farm animals. Even New York City with in excess of 8 million people does not have a ban on 27 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. farm animals. And with the value of land in Manhattan as expensive as it is, there's no ban on farm animals. Since constitutionally a person has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, I qualify the fact that life is the air you breathe, the food you eat, the water and milk that you drink, and I think it would behoove Council to look closely at this even for the constitutional issue of taking away someone's life. If their life is they're a farmer, you're actually forcing them to lose part of their life if they're going to lose those farm animals. They no 17 longer have access to farm fresh eggs. They no longer have access to the milk from the goat or the cow. And I think it would be unfair to minimize and constrain the residents of the City of Philadelphia in this way. The last person that testified did say that this is a City founded on tolerance, and we allow a lot of 28 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. different people to do a lot of different things as long as it doesn't hurt anybody else, and I find that if someone owns more than three acres of land, I don't think it's going to hurt anybody else that they continue to have these animals. I do thank you for the opportunity of testifying. I'll be interested to hear what Mr. Finestone has to say. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Mr. Citrino. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Mr. Citrino, I just have a question. The farmer that you're representing or you have represented, could you tell me if he's in business or is this just a hobby for him?
He's a registered farmer. He happens to be my son. That's why I'm here. That's his life. He wants to be a farmer.
He's registered with the City. He has a business license, business privilege license. He sells fruits and vegetables out front of his property.
He currently has 3.25 acres on one parcel, but we now own two adjoining parcels, which are now another one and a half acres. So he's closing in on five acres.
Thank you, Madam President. So please help me understand. I'm confused by your testimony. Do you support this bill or do you not?
I do not support 30 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. this bill. I do not support the amendment. I'm here in opposition to Councilman O'Neill's proposal to eliminate that portion of the bill that says people with over three acres can have the farm. He wants to take that out of the bill and now say nobody in the City can have the farm. And I suggest to the Honorable Councilwoman that Fox Chase Farm is about 1.2 miles away from my son's farm, and Fox Chase Farm has all these animals, the same types of animals. It's an educational facility. The City owns it.
So to stop someone that's a mile away and say you can't have it, he'll turn himself into an educational facility and invite the public in to see, he'll show them how to grow fruits and vegetables and how to raise animals.
Do you know to what extent the community at 31 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. large in that area is, A, aware of this bill and where they might sit with this bill?
I don't think that anyone knows about this bill. The only reason I found out about it was because it was on the Internet. I don't think the community as a whole knows anything about this bill. I don't think they have -- that farm has been there since 1760. That's how old that farm is.
So one should gather from your answer that there's been no community public debate or exchange.
You're welcome. Any other questions from members of the Committee? 32 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. (No response.)
Good afternoon, Council President. Aaron Finestone, City Council technical staff. I'm here for Councilman O'Neill. Just for clarification, Councilwoman Brown, the Fox Chase Farm is exempt under the ordinance for an educational institution. Councilman O'Neill originally agreed to the three-acre exemption on the belief that there was an actual farm of more than three acres, and the information that he now has is that the farm in question is not an actual farm. If in fact it is an actual farm, he would 33 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. be willing to meet with the owner and work out some controls to protect the community. And the controls would amount to certain setback requirements, because there have been problems -- the problems with farm animals are sanitation and smell, and there is a concern that unless there are certain controls, certain distances, that it would be a nuisance to the neighbors. However, since he has not been able to find an actual farm, he believes the bill should be approved.
Can you tell me or tell the Committee how many farms or such farms are perhaps in the Councilman's district? I just don't know how many we would have within the City limits. Are we talking about one farm?
No. There's a 34 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. distinction between people keeping chickens in their backyard and operating a working farm as your business where this is your primary -- there's not enough open land in Philadelphia.
I just wanted to know, have you received any complaints? Has the Council office received many complaints about any of the smell or the --
As to Mr. Citrino's client's farm, I'm not aware of any, but I can't say one way or the other.
I'm not aware. It doesn't mean there are; it doesn't mean there's not. I'm just not aware of it.
And would you know the closest neighbor to that 35 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. particular farm?
You don't. And you haven't heard one way or the other whether the neighbors --
I don't know if anything has come into the office, but speaking for myself, I have no knowledge either way.
Thank you very much. Are there any other questions from members of the Committee on this bill? (No response.)
You have, and we usually don't do this, but I think there are some members that are a little perplexed. So maybe you could --
I appreciate it. There is an actual farm. It's located on Welsh Road in Northeast Philadelphia. Like I said, it's about three and a half acres.
This is my son's 37 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. farm. This is the farm. I don't know of any other farms either.
Does it fall within the educational-type farm that Mr. Aaron Finestone spoke about earlier?
Fox Chase Farm is the educational farm. It's about a mile over. Fox Chase Farm is City owned. This is the only privately owned farm that I know of in the City. And when my son talked about it about seven or eight years ago when he wanted to purchase the land, he said, I think it would be great. The farm --
Approximately 3.5, and I said we've just acquired another acre and a half. It's closing in on five acres, and there's a stream that runs through the farm. It's in Bustleton and it is an operational farm. So I thought I'd just clarify that for the 38 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. Councilmembers.
I just received a call from our office. We have received complaints about Mr. Citrino's client's farm and they're from people on Redd Rambler Road who have made complaints.
If we could bring maps out to show the Councilpeople. The people on Redd Rambler Road don't even own the land that they're talking about. Some of their backyards are actually part 39 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. of my son's farm. That's why they're complaining. The way the stream runs, the land runs across the stream. My son owns their backyards. They want to complain because they don't like that fact. So if there's complaints, the complaints are going to be nebulous complaints about we don't like having the farm there, because they don't really own most of the land that they think they own.
Mr. Citrino, I'm just curious about the neighbors that you just alluded to. Is this a development? Is this a new development or have those homes been there for years?
No, sir. This farmhouse that my son lives in, I'm going to date it back to 1760.
Those houses are probably 1950's homes. They're probably about 50 years old.
So they were built after your farm? In other words, your farm was there beforehand and these homes were built after that?
And the one neighbor that I think Mr. Finestone is alluding to has complained from the day she moved in. She moved from Fishtown or Port Richmond or wherever it was. And she didn't care. There shouldn't be any animals in the City of Philadelphia. That was her position, and it's been that way. She's called the Department of Health.
So this could be just one neighbor complaining about they don't like animals evidently? 41 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC.
That is correct. So the Board of Health has been out a number of times five, six years ago. License & Inspections has been out. And everybody that comes says how clean it is, how there is a barn, there is a fenced-in farm yard. The animals can't get away from the farm yard.
May I respond? The office just called down again. The complaints include roosters crowing and keeping people from sleeping, particularly police and fire people. The 42 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. complaints about smell and complaints about environmental runoff into the stream, pollution of the stream. The chicken coop is near a neighbor's backyard. Noise. And neighbors say it's not a working farm. It's somebody who likes to keep chickens and animals in their backyard.
Thank you. Any questions or comments from members of the Committee?
I think you had an opportunity to testify. I would like to clarify this. If you want to come up to the witness table, but I'm going to ask you to please be brief. Please come up and add to what has already been stated.
Identify yourself for the record, please. 43 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC.
Bernadette Cartin. I just wanted to respond to the comment about the complaints about roosters crowing. I also live in Councilman O'Neill's district, and most of the signatures in my petition are from the people who live right behind me, who are also in his district, and those people enjoy hearing the roosters crow. It makes them feel like they're in the country. That's what they've told me. And one man moved up from Kensington and said that if the animals ever go, he's moving out because it wouldn't be any fun to live up where he lives anymore because of that.
Thank you. And a copy of the petition that you have submitted this morning, a copy will be given to Councilman O'Neill's office. Anyone else to testify? Any questions of these witnesses? (No response.)
44 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. Seeing none, this will conclude our public hearing. We will now go into the public meeting. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke regarding Bill No. 051232.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Bill 051232 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for a suspension of the rules to allow reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Bill No. 16 051232 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation, also a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. All in favor will please indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? 45 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. (No response.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Again, the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke regarding Bill No. 7 051233.
Madam President, I move that Bill 051233 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for a suspension of the rules as to allow reading at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Bill No. 17 051233 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation, also a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. All in favor will please indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those 46 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Again, the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke regarding Bill No. 8 051143.
Madam President, it's my understanding that the Committee is requesting that this bill be held at this time until there could be more clarification on some of the issues.
The ayes have it and Bill No. 051143 will be held until such time as more information can be provided. Thank you all very much for your patience. 47 2/1/06 - RULES - BILL 051232, ETC. (Committee on Rules adjourned at 12:20 p.m.) - - - 48 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 February 1, 2006, 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.)