Aye. The ayes are 15, the nays are 0. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. (Applause.) 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020119
The next bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 020119.
An ordinance amending Section PM-309 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Emergency Nuisance Abatement Program," by adding the 25th, 31st, and 45th Wards, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now, is, shall the bill pass finally? The clerk will please call the roll.
Councilman Mariano? 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020119
Aye. The ayes are 15, the nays are 0. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020142
The next bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 020142.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code relating to zoning and planning by amending Chapters 14-1600, entitled "Miscellaneous," and adding a new Section 14-1624, entitled "North Delaware Avenue Area Special District Controls," all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is, shall the bill pass finally? The clerk will please call the roll.
Councilwoman Krajewski? 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020142
Aye. The ayes are 15, the nays are 0. A majority of all members of Council having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020150
The next bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 020150.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Chapter 141600, entitled "Miscellaneous," and adding a new Section 14-1625, entitled "Fairmount Avenue Special District Controls," under certain terms and conditions
This bill having been read two different days the question now is, shall the bill pass finally? The clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020150
Aye. The ayes are 15, the nays are 0. A majority of all members of Council having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020152
The next bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 020152.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Fairmount Avenue, 22nd Street, Aspen Street, and 23rd Street.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is, shall the bill pass finally? The clerk will please call the roll.
Councilman Mariano? 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020152
Aye. The ayes are 15, the nays are 0. A majority of all members of Council having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020031
The next bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 020031.
An ordinance amending Section 19-1301 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real-Estate Taxes," to decrease the rate of the tax on real estate within the City of Philadelphia, under certain terms and conditions.
Madam Chair, thank you. (Inaudible, off-mic.) ... however, yesterday, the School Reform Commission adopted several accountability amendments expressing the sense of the Commission that all schools supported by public funds be funded equitably in comparison with other schools whose student is similar, that the community partnership schools would be considered as neighborhood schools and be required to accept children from their feeder pattern, that the partnership schools would be required to make every effort to place a qualified teacher in every classroom, reduce class sizes, submit accurate data concerning admission, transfers, suspension, meet 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020031 with parents and community members to go over plans before they're in place, and produce data concerning student and staff population, achievement and transfers, etc. All school data that does not the privacy act consideration shall be considered public data. This Council has already passed parent-vote requirements before schools were privatized. I think this Council believes at the very least that a vote of the parents and community of the school after a period of two years of privatization should be required for contract renewal. I believe that this bond issue is not really a bridge, and although it is going to pass, it would only afford us a year and a half respite before coming back for more definite funding. It is not a bridge towards fixing the public school system. I think our kids yesterday, the students of this city, demonstrated a courage, a conscience, to commitment that a lot of the parents, the adults of the City have not shown. I think the kids, the students really were showing us yesterday the way 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020031 to go. And although we do not have the ability at this point to mount enough votes to hold this bond as a leverage, I do wish that we all understand that what we're doing here today is not putting a solution; it is a Band-Aid that will take us for two years, and we will back here, back here. Unless the will of the leadership, the political leadership, to change the funding formula is in place, we will be back here putting the City in debt, putting the school system in debt, taking and mortgaging the kids' future. What happened yesterday was not reform, and I don't think anyone would believe that. I am glad that the two City representatives voted no against the plan that was put forward. I plan to vote no on this issue because I do not believe this is an issue and that this bill is the road towards the final solution of our school deficit problems. The answer really lies in Harrisburg, and I don't see where Harrisburg has the commitment to public schools, not only in Philadelphia but across the State, that are facing this difficult problem of funding. 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020031 The issue is funding. Definitely we need to change the status quo and need reform, but the reforms that are being put forward really are not the answers to what we're seeking. We will be revisiting this, and I hope that this Council becomes the monitor of the SRC, because there is no -- they don't have to be accountable to anyone. There is no body that can hold 'em in check. I do hope that this body, this Council, will be the individuals that will begin to monitor the school system and hold them to some sense of accountability to the citizens of Philadelphia. Again, I congratulate our students because they are -- and they have brought up an incredibly courageous and committed fight. They are teaching us, the young are teaching us what civil disobedience is all about, what peaceful disobedience is all about, and how a change can be brought. It was too bad that their parents and the rest of the community could not be there with them. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller. 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020031
Thank you, Madam President. You know, there has been discussion this week going around as to whether we would support the bond issue and vote it out today. And, you know, basically, we know that it's important to vote for this bill so we can be on, get on with the business of education here in Philadelphia. Right now, it's just a whole bunch of confusion, and many of us are truly confused about what's going on. Things just aren't clear. But as Chair of the Education Committee, I am pleased that my colleagues have joined together to express our unwavering support for Philadelphia. Additionally, I also want to express in the strongest language possible our commitment to the need for public accountability as an issue that must be articulated in all contracts with the education management organizations. We must include the safeguards to ensure that public funds are overseen properly. The resolutions introduced by SRC members Sandra Glenn and Mike Masch covers the spirit of what we want. The EMO contracts cannot go without 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020031 accountability. Their resolutions are historic. This Council will be forwarding a letter to the School Reform Chairman, James Nevels, and all Councilmembers have agreed to sign, and we just need to let the SRC know -- we've been trying to reach out to Mr. Nevels all week; it's my understanding today he's out of town. But we want the SRC to know that we will be monitoring and watching these issues of accountability very carefully. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Does anybody else wants to be recognized? (No response.)
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is, shall the bill pass finally?
Aye. 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020031 The ayes are 14, the nays are 1. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, this bill passes. 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020033
The last bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 020033.
An ordinance amending Section 19-1801 of the Philadelphia Code to further authorize the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia to impose a tax on real estate within the City of Philadelphia and to change the tax rate, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is, shall the bill pass finally? The clerk will please call the roll.
Councilwoman Krajewski? 4/18/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020033