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Minutes

Stated Meeting, December 17, 1998

Philadelphia City CouncilDec 17, 1998

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COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Thursday, December 17, 1998 11:30 a.m. Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHN F. STREET COUNCILWOMAN AUGUSTA A. CLARK COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILWOMAN ANNA CIBOTTA VERNA COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILMAN FRANK DICICCO COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILMAN W. THACHER LONGSTRETH COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO MARIE B. HAUSER, Chief Clerk VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 12/17/98 STATED MEETING - Greeting/Invocation P R O C E E D I N G S

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President Street

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. The Chair notes that the hour has come and that a quorum is present. Council will come to order, Members will take their seats, visitors will retire to their seats outside the rail. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes Imam Abuhatab. He is here today as a guest of Councilman DiCicco. Members and guests will please rise. (All rise.) (Imam Abuhatab addresses body in a Muslim prayer.) TRANSLATOR: In the name of Allah, most merciful, most compassionate (unintelligible) in the Koran, verily I have made you from one soul, and I have propagated you into tribes and clans, and made you from male and female to mate; and verily, those who adhere to the teachings will rescue themselves, and all others are destined to loss. Brothers and sisters, it's my pride to stand before you today and congratulate you on the 12/17/98 STATED MEETING - Greeting/Invocation festivities that we all have in these holy holidays, and among those holidays is the month of Ramadan in which we witness the brotherhood and the fear of Allah and working together to elevate the standards of living of all the citizens of this city. And I take pride in standing before you. You are the representatives of the people. I ask Allah's power to give you guidance in every matter that you take through the floor. And I ask Allah's power to help you to fight the diseases that we have in this city. It is verily a very heavy task, and everybody is watching you. I Allah's power for forgiveness and to take you through these difficult missions.

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Councilman Kenney

Whereas, Ramadan is observed through fasting, prayer, and meditation as the more than one billion Muslims throughout the world reflect on the foundations of the physical and moral strength they need in this troubled world; and Whereas, Ramadan encourages the Muslim community to develop compassion and charity towards all persons and to seek unity and justice 12/17/98 STATED - Visitor Recognition, Presentations in all things; Now therefore resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that we hereby recognize December 1998 as Ramadan Month and salutes the Muslim community in Philadelphia for its contributions to the citizens of the city. We join with you in prayer that the messages of peace and brotherhood, which are at the heart of Ramadan, will also find their way into our own hearts, and that each sunset will find the world a more serene and holy place.

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Councilman Dicicco

Resolved further that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Sheikh Mohammed Alla as evidence of the respect of this legislative body for the Muslim community in this holiest of celebrations. This is a true and correct copy of the original resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 17th day of December, 1998, signed by the Honorable John F. Street and all members of City Council. (Applause.)

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Councilwoman Clark

Thank you. Mr. 12/17/98 STATED - Visitor Recognition, Presentations President. Today, I am particularly pleased to read this resolution calling on the Mayor, the Commissioner of Health AIDS Activity Coordinating Office, Philadelphia EMA-HIV Commission, and the Philadelphia AIDS Consortium to focus existing and future research and needs assessment efforts to identifying the causes of these grave disparities, develop a plan that addresses these disparities, and assure sufficient resources and support are allocated in addressing this epidemic in a manner that empowers these most heavily impacted communities to build infrastructures that employ effective models of prevention and treatment. Whereas, HIV AIDS continues to be a leading cause of death among African-Americans and Latinos in Philadelphia, even as new treatments have significantly reduced AIDS-related deaths nationwide; and Whereas, the epicenter of HIV AIDS in our city is North Philadelphia, representing 16 percent of the City's population, 36 percent of recently reported cases, the lowest median household income, the highest rate of households 12/17/98 STATED - Visitor Recognition, Presentations without medical insurance and a population whose majority is African-American and Latino; and Whereas, African-Americans and Latinos comprise 48 percent of the city's population but 80 percent of recently reported AIDS cases; and Whereas, AIDS cases rate in Philadelphia women are highest in African-American and Latinos women, 135 cases per 100,000 population and 133 cases per 100,000 respectively compared to only 35 cases per 100,000 in the white population of women; and Whereas, African-Americans and Latinos in Philadelphia have historically been disproportionately represented in all of the leading causes of death, except suicide; Now therefore revolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that this legislative body, in keeping with city government's commitment to protect the health of its constituents, recognizes the state of emergency indicated by these compelling statistics; and therefore calls on the Mayor, the Commissioner of Health, the AIDS Activities Coordinating Office, the Philadelphia EMA-HIV Commission, and the Philadelphia AIDS 12/17/98 STATED - Visitor Recognition, Presentations Consortium to focus existing and future research and needs assessment efforts to identify the causes of these grave disparities, develop a plan that specifically addresses these disparities following the lead of President Clinton's Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Initiatives, and the recent Congressional Black Caucus HIV Initiative, assure sufficient resources and support allocated in addressing this epidemic in a manner that empowers those most heavily impacted. Certified that this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution adopted by the City Council of Philadelphia on the 10th day of December, 1998, introduced by Ann Verna for John Street, and cosponsored by every member of Council. (Applause.)

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Mr. Smith

Thank you Council President Street. The Philadelphia EMA-HIV Commission applauds the efforts of the City Council of Philadelphia for its continual leadership, 12/17/98 STATED - Visitor Recognition, Presentations support, and enhancements to initiatives to address the disparity in the African-American and Latinos communities faced with the HIV AIDS epidemic. The leadership provided by Council President John F. Street has afforded Philadelphia's disfranchised communities an opportunity to be heard and to become primary partners in the City of Philadelphia's response to this epidemic. This community voice is an essential component to the diverse development by the City of Philadelphia's HIV Commission membership which reflects a representation of the diversity of those impacted by this disease. It is the commitment of our body to continue forcing our efforts and resources of these communities hardest hit by this epidemic. We challenge our elected community, our religious and business and civic leaders to join us in the raising of an awareness of HIV in the African-American and Latino communities. We challenge each member of City Council to partner with the Philadelphia EMA-HIV Commission in holding public forums in their 12/17/98 STATED - Visitor Recognition, Presentations representative districts strategies to address the HIV-related hardship disparity faced by the friend American and Latino communities. We challenge our City Council to earmark added resources in the next City budget to immediate comprehensive needs assessment which will identify outcomes to close the gaps created by the disparity. We challenge our religious and business and civic leaders to identify mechanisms and resources to augment these essential HIV-related services in factions in the African and American Latino community-based organizations which are currently undermet by the Ryan White Act. And at this time, I would like to recognize: Bernard Warren, the Executive Director of the Philadelphia EMA Commission; Dale Grundy, Co-Chair of the HIV commission; Michael Hinson, Co-Chair of the Philadelphia EMA commission; Rick Britt, Care Services Committee Co-Chair; Guadaloupe Santos, Latino Caucus Chair; Marvin Crawford, Co-Chair of the African-American Caucus; Larry Hockendonner, Executive Director, AIDS Consortium; Jill Kronauer (ph.), the Executive 12/17/98 STATED - Visitor Recognition, Presentations Co-director of the AIDS Activity Coordinating Office; and Pat Bass, Co-director of the HIV Coordinating Office, who has a special announcement for us.

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Chief Clerk Hauser

December 11, 1998, to the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia: I am pleased to advise you that I have today signed three bills which were passed by Council on December 10th. December 14th: I am pleased to advise you that I have today signed 980680 which was passed by Council at its session on November 19th. December 15th: I am pleased to advise you that I have today signed 29 bills which were 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions passed by Council on November 19, 1998.

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Chief Clerk Hauser

A resolution honoring the life of the late Judge A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. Whereas, the untimely death of Judge A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. on December 14, 1998 has taken from us a great citizen of Philadelphia and the world; and Whereas, Judge Higginbotham graduated from Yale Law School in 1952 and was admitted to 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions the Pennsylvania Bar in 1953 and became a partner in the firm of Norris, Schmidt, Green, Harris and Higginbotham, the first African-American law firm in Philadelphia; and Whereas, Judge Higginbotham was appointed to the Federal Trade Commission by President Kennedy in 1962, becoming the first African-American to head a federal regulatory agency; and Whereas, Judge Higginbotham was appointed to the federal bench in 1964 at the age of 35 by President Johnson and served as judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Philadelphia from 1964 to 1970; and Whereas, Judge Higginbotham was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in 1977, where he served as judge, chief judge, and senior judge until 1993. On his nomination to the Court of Appeals, he received by unanimous vote the American Bar Association's highest rated exceptionally qualified; and Whereas, after retiring from the bench, Judge Higginbotham served as the public service 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions professor of jurisprudence at the Kennedy School of Government and Harvard University and served as counsel to the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkin, Wharton and Garrison; and Whereas, Judge Higginbotham was a leading scholar on race and the American legal process and served on the faculties of Yale, Harvard, New York University and the University of Pennsylvania law schools, he authored the series "Race and the American Legal Process," which included, "In the Matter of Color," published in 1978, and "Shades of Freedom," published in 1996. "In the Matter of Color" has been described as the definitive account of racism, slavery and the law in colonial America; and received the Silver Gavel Award, the highest given by the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association's Literary Award, and many other national and international awards. "Shades of Freedom" analyzed the interaction between the American judicial system and racial oppression from colonial times to the present and examined how perceptions of racial inferiority have impacted the law; and 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions Whereas, Judge Higginbotham devoted his life to fighting racism and the consequences of racism in the United States, Africa and throughout the world; and Whereas, among Judge Higginbotham's greatest legacies is the legend of his former students and judicial clerks who, guided by his mentoring and friendship, have achieved distinguished careers in public service and the law -- including former United States Attorney Edward G. ; Eleanor Holmes Norton, who was his first law clerk and is currently the District of Columbia's representative in the House of Representatives; and City Solicitor Stephanie L. Franklin-Suber; and Whereas, Judge Higginbotham was awarded the United States highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 1995. Throughout his life, he received more than 50 awards, including the NAACP's Spring Arm Medal in 1996 and the Martin Luther King Award for Outstanding Service in the Area of Human Rights; and Whereas, Judge Higginbotham received 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions more than 60 honorary degrees from institutions of higher learning, including Princeton and Yale Universities. S. Chamber of Commerce, joining Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Leonard Bernstein, Orson wells; and Whereas, Judge Higginbotham was part of an African-American think tank with Cornell West and Henry Louis Gates at Harvard University.

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Chief Clerk Hauser

He served on the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors of the National Geographic Society, the University of Pennsylvania, the New York Times, South Africa Free Election, and the American Society for Legal History; and Whereas, Mayor Rendell has ordered all City flags at half staff in honor of Judge Higginbotham, one of the greatest Philadelphians ever to sit on the Philadelphia bench; and Whereas, it is fitting and appropriate that the Council of the City of Philadelphia memorialize the life of this great American jurist, scholar, and activist; Now therefore resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that the Council 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions respectfully honors the life of the late Judge A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. and mourns his passing. Resolved further that an engrossed copy of this resolution shall be presented by the City Solicitor, on behalf of the Council, to Judge Higginbotham's widow, Evelyn Higginbotham, and to his children, Steven, Kenneth, Karen, and Mia.

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Councilman Cohen

Mr. President, sometimes there are historic moments that we don't recognize. In the long lifetime -- and there may be somebody older than I in this room, but I doubt it -- we've never had an occasion where there has been an effort to override the will of the American people in the United States. Though there have been numerous warnings over the years, there has been an extreme group who have sought to overturn the will of the American people at various stages. And today, they are attacking the very tenets of democracy by saying that they're not going to listen to the American people and they're going to try to throw out of office a president of the United States who has been strongly elected twice by the people of the United States. I think it's urgent that this body make clear its sentiment. And for that reason, together with Councilman Ortiz, I have introduced this resolution which, in essence, describes the danger to the whole American democratic process by 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions the so-called impeachment procedures ongoing, and which asks the Congress to heed the calls and the views and the opinions of the American people, which have been overwhelming expressed in poll after poll and poll after poll in every area of the country. This right wing group of extremists has the power to capture a portion of one of the major political parties which seems divided in half because, at the state levels, Republican governors have spoken out with near unanimity against the process of impeachment, including Governor Ridge of Pennsylvania. The governor of Kansas yesterday and Republican governors everywhere are calling upon the Congress not to continue to proceed with impeachment but, instead, to devote their efforts to the needs of the American people to come to grips with Social Security, with welfare, with a whole host of areas. But this band that seems to have captured one of the major parties in Washington in the Congress seem just hell-bent on destroying the American democratic process. Therefore, I've introduced this resolution calling upon the Congress of the United 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions States to heed the will of the people and to vote strongly and overwhelming against impeachment. Thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)

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Councilman Ortiz

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, twice in my lifetime the process of impeachment has taken place in the halls of Congress -- the first time, rightfully so, because I think it was the constitution, it was the undermining of the state that was taking place during that period of time. In this case, we don't have the same situation. We don't have the same set of facts that rise to high crimes and misdemeanors. Because the only attacks and the only undermining that President Clinton has done is to his status in the history books -- not an attack on the constitution, not using government to subvert the constitution of the United States. Representative Conyers said that a coup d'etat is taking place in Washington. And a coup 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions d'etat does not have to take place with rifles and bayonets and tanks out on the streets. It takes place when the will of the majority of the American people is overturned. And when the majority of the American people are saying something and the house of the people, which the Congress is supposed to be, does not heed that calling, this Council should say to that house from the Philadelphia House and from the City Council where democracy and the constitution was born, Do not proceed with this, do not proceed with this folly. Yesterday it was highlighted. Here we had President Clinton acting as the president, protecting the international interests of the United States. Meanwhile, a small band of people were still thinking of going ahead with the impeachment hearings. Let us stop the attack not on President Clinton but on the constitution of the United States. Let's end the folly, and let's send a message that a vote against impeachment is the way that the Congress should responsibly vote next week. 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions Thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)

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Councilwoman Blackwell

Thank you, Mr. President. Certainly I join my colleagues in supporting this president. We have spoken on this matter several times in Council. And I join various preachers throughout the city and the Commonwealth as well as the Black Legislative Caucus and other elected officials throughout this Commonwealth who met just last Sunday when Jessie Jackson came here to also urge the support and certainly buses for many to go to Washington to certainly voice their concerns and their support of this president. So I certainly urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I'm very, very happy to do the same. Thank you.

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Chief Clerk Hauser

An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 187 by striking from the 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions City Plan and vacating the legally open portions of Belgrade Street from Butler Street to Wheatsheaf Lane. And an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, without consideration, a deed conveying fee simple title to a certain tract of City-owned land, with the buildings and improvements thereon situate, in an area generally bounded by Casper, Carbon, Ontario, and Tioga Streets.

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Chief Clerk Hauser

A resolution authorizing the Council Committee on Law and Government to conduct a full and comprehensive investigation into the reasons for the City's noncompliance with Ordinance 1993 approved December 28, 1983 calling for the establishment of public access cable television managed by a 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions broadly governed nonprofit corporation and to determine and report to the Council on all steps needed to bring about implementation of the ordinance and its goal at the present time.

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Councilman Ortiz

Mr. President, in 1981, a friend of mine, Councilman John Anderson, came to me and with other groups and said that he 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions was beginning to start a movement for public access television in the City of Philadelphia when and if cable television came into function. And he started that movement and he introduced a bill for public access TV. That bill was passed, but it had never been implemented. Other cities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have public access which is available to the citizens, it's available to the public, it's available to politicians for them to be able to reach any time the rest of the citizens of the City of Philadelphia. Reading, Lancaster, all of them have a public access corporation. Since 1983, we passed the bill, we passed the resolution to name the board of directors and incorporate it, and that has not happened. All that we're saying is that it's about time that we do join the other cities not only of Pennsylvania but of Maryland and Delaware and New York City with our own public access corporation and the availability of cable TV to the citizen of Philadelphia. Thank you many. 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions

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Councilman Cohen

Mr. President, I was one of the Councilmembers that were present and vigorously supported the bill, as did practically everyone in the class of 1980 that entered the City Council at that time, about half of the current members in City Council. This is a bill which costs the City nothing. Since cable TV came into the City of Philadelphia, the City has been collecting a fee from every cable television company, a fee of -which is supposed to go directly to the cost of this public access. What's happened to that 15 years of money, I have no knowledge; it's never been reported. But what does exist is a total absence of public access. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this resolution. It's an area where Philadelphia has been far, far behind. We ought not to be, we ought to have a forum wherein citizens and elected officials can discuss issues 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions in a way that you cannot do in media or in commercial television. Thank you, Mr. President.

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Chief Clerk Hauser

An ordinance granting permission to 1356 Corporation, trading as Nifty Fifty, located at 1356 East Passyunk, Philadelphia, to operate and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe on the east footway of South 10th Street. And an ordinance granting permission to 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions Pennsylvania Hospital, 800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, to construct, use, and maintain conduit with fiber optic cables and fire-alarm cables under and across Perth Street, between Manning Street and Locust Street. And an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1400 of The Philadelphia Code entitled "Realty Transfer Tax" by reducing the rate of tax, under certain terms and conditions.

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Chief Clerk Hauser

An ordinance amending the Retirement System Ordinance approved December 3, 1956, as amended, by adding a new subsection 221.6; and amending the Municipal Retirement Benefit Plan 1987 Ordinance, which became effective January 8, 1987, as amended, by adding a new section 119(c.)(.2), in the case of 12/17/98 STATED - Introduction of Bills, Resolutions both ordinances, to allow City employees who are laid off in 1978 and 1980 and later reinstated to purchase service time credit for the layoff period in the same manner as these ordinances already permit fire and police employees to purchase such credit.

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Chief Clerk Hauser

To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Council Committee of the Whole, to which was referred -Bill No. 980845, an ordinance creating the Pavilion Market East Tax Increment Financing District and approving the project plan of the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development ("PAID") for the redevelopment of the Pavilion Market East Tax Increment Financing District, being the area generally bounded by Ninth Street on the west, Market Street on the north, Chestnut Street on the south, and Eighth Street on the east, and making certain findings and declarations, all in accordance with the Tax Increment Financing Act, being the act of July 11, 1990, P.L. 465, No. 113, as amended; and 12/17/98 STATED - Reports from Committees authorizing the Director of Finance and other officers of the City to execute documents and do all things necessary to carry out the intent of this ordinance -Respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.

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Chief Clerk Hauser

Bill No. 980799, 12/17/98 STATED - Consideration of First-Reading Calendar an ordinance creating the West Philadelphia Retail Tax Increment Financing District and approving the Project Plan of the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development ("PAID") for the redevelopment of the West Philadelphia Retail Tax Increment Financing District, being the area generally bounded by 52nd Street on the west, Jefferson Street on the north, the West Parkside Industrial Park on the east, and the Amtrak right-of-way on the south; and making certain findings and declarations, all in accordance with the Tax Increment Financing Act, being the Act of July 11, 1990, P.L. 465, No. 113, as amended; and authorizing the Director of Finance and other officers of the City to execute documents and do all things necessary to carry out the intent of this ordinance.

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Chief Clerk Hauser

Bill No. 980845 Bill No. 980845, an ordinance creating the Pavilion Market East Tax Increment Financing District and approving the project plan of the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development ("PAID") for the redevelopment of the Pavilion 12/17/98 STATED - Second Reading - Bill No. 980788-A Market East Tax Increment Financing District, being the area generally bounded by Ninth Street on the west, Market Street on the north, Chestnut Street on the south, and Eighth Street on the east, and making certain findings and declarations, all in accordance with the Tax Increment Financing Act. . .

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Chief Clerk Hauser

Bill No. 980708, an ordinance amending the Retirement System Ordinance approved December 3, 1956, as amended, and amending the Municipal Retirement Benefit Plan 1987 Ordinance, which became effective January 8, 1987, as amended, by adding new sections to, in the case of both ordinances, to provide for increases to the benefits of certain uniformed and non-uniformed retirees by providing for cost-of-living increases and by allowing certain 12/17/98 STATED - Second Reading - Bill No. 980708 uniformed and non-uniformed employees to purchase service credit based on a higher compensation, under certain terms and conditions; and making certain related technical amendments.

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President Street

He was the mayor of this city during some very trying times, and we certainly appreciate the contributions that he made, and I personally appreciate his willingness 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business to come be with me here on this special day. I see Councilman Ed Schwartz here and Councilwoman Ann Land and Councilman Tayoun and Councilmember George Burrell and, I think, Councilman Joe Vignola is here. I certainly appreciate your coming. We've had some very good times in this Council. Fellow Councilmembers, visitors, guests, and friends, please allow me a few minutes to share some thoughts with you as I take my leave from this Council. Approximately 20 years ago, in December of 1978, I stood in a small cafe at 29th and Ridge Avenue and announced my candidacy for the office of 5th District Councilman. I had a war chest of approximately $3,000, no ward leader support, two small children, an old flat-bed truck, a freshly minted law degree from Temple University, and a determination to make a difference in the lives of poor people in this city. I was on a mission. Twelve months later, after a grueling election, I dropped my son Shariff off at Gompers Elementary School and arrived victorious on the fifth floor of City Hall. Parenthetically, one of 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business the first persons I saw that day was Councilwoman Krajewski; she might remember. We were both trying to find the rest rooms. (Laughter.)

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President Street

My daughter Rasheeda, also a high school graduate, has now graduated with the highest honors as an architecture student from Georgia Tech University. My son Lateef also graduated from Central, and he's now a freshman at the University of Maryland. My son Akeem is in sixth grade at Masterman Elementary School. He couldn't stand the glare of all this publicity; he went to 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business school. Shariff and Rasheeda and Lateef are here, and I would like to ask them to stand at this time. (Shariff, Rasheeda, and Lateef Street stand.) (Applause.)

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President Street

Thank you very much. In case anybody wondered, there were some other things that I had to do in the last several years. I can certainly attest to the fact that time flies when you're having fun, and it's hard to believe that it's been 19 years since I first walked in this building. My first week at City Hall was not without incident. On three of my first four days here, my personal vehicle was towed from its authorized parking space. The police officer explained that he just didn't think that a car that looked so bad could possibly belong to a Councilmember. (Laughter.)

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President Street

Of course, I kept 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business reporting this, and the officer was disciplined and, of course, I was criticized in the press. I don't know how anybody could have possibly believed that I would have the clout to get an officer disciplined, particularly at that time. Nevertheless, I was excited to be in City Hall. I had an office here, an official parking spot, three rotary phones, an old City car -- and they gave us used City cars in those days -- and a hundred stamps a month. It didn't get any better than this. Some of you may recall that Council was on a pretty fast track in those days. In the first 60 days, for example, the council president and majority leader were indicted. Within the first 180 days, we had not one but two elections for council president. You might say that local government was in full transition. To make matters worse, the first year also brought a teachers' strike, a demonstration by uniformed police officers against proposed layoffs, a major racial incident in South Philadelphia that lead to the need to use police to enforce a court order regarding the Whitman 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business Park Housing Development. And, lastly, I experienced what was for me the greatest personal tragedy of my life. In December of 1980, my mother died on my father's birthday. Many of you were present at her funeral, and I will always remember your kind words and condolences on that special occasion. I promised that I wasn't going to do this. Between 1980 and 1990, we experienced many ups and downs in Philadelphia. Tall buildings went up, the real estate market went down. Proposals to raise taxes were voted down, and the City budget deficits went up. As budget deficits went up, bond ratings went down, the City population went down, and the cost of doing business went up. By 1990, apprehension about the future of our great city was at an all-time high, and confidence was at an all-time low -notwithstanding the fact that this Council had approved and supported hundreds of millions of dollars worth of investment on Market West, and we approved the development of the Convention Center, Marriott Hotel and other significant development. I should say that former 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business Mayor W. Wilson Goode deserves a fair amount of credit and should be recognized for his vital role in those timely developments in the history of this city. (Applause.)

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President Street

In 1991, I was given the great honor of being elected by my colleagues to the Office of President of City Council; thus begun a much different phase of my life in public service. With that new responsibility came the opportunity to set a new course and to establish a different tone for this legislative body. The Council presidency also provided an opportunity to work as a partner with a man who has become my closest political confidante and partner over the past seven years -- "America's mayor," Edward G. Rendell. (Applause.)

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President Street

Particularly in the primary of 1999 (sic), when he used his best 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business efforts to oust me from office. But once we recognized the awesome responsibility -- I didn't do much to get him out; my efforts were practically worthless. But once we recognized the awesome responsibility that was being entrusted to the executive and legislative arms of this government and the great opportunity to make substantial improvement for this city, we put our differences aside, rolled up our sleeves, and got the City's work done in an unprecedented fashion. No matter what else I or he ever accomplished in public life, I will always cherish the special period of time, the special relationship we enjoyed, and the progress the City has made over this time. Ed, I thank you very much. (Applause.)

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President Street

We opened the Convention Center and the Marriott, the largest hotel in the state. We reduced our job loss rate. Hotel occupancy rates were moved to an all-time high, and 14 new hotels are now either being planned or built with dramatically increased 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business investor confidence in the City, as evident in our recent success in bringing in new Center City retailers and attractions such as Banana Republic, Disney, Tiffany's, and scores of other new and exciting restaurants, art galleries, and shops. There could be no doubt that by virtually every standard, Philadelphia has moved from the, quote, fiscal intensive care to being recognized as one of the country's hot spot cities. Council deserves and should take a fair share of the credit for all of that process. You should all be proud. (Applause.)

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President Street

Next to my family and my faith, service on this Council and to the people of Philadelphia has been my life. I have worked and enjoyed my work with the great citizens of the 5th District and have developed a special appreciation for each and every Councilmember with whom I've served. The importance of my entire 5th District staff cannot be overstated -- especially, I might add, Darryl Clark. (Applause.) 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business

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President Street

The technical and support staff here at City Council have been a prerequisite to our staff, and I thank each and every one of you. During my tenure as Council President, I have worked hard to maintain the respect and trust of each Councilmember. The disagreements among us have been grounded in our legitimate differences, not simply on a clash of personalities, party affiliation, or petty personal agendas. We have worked hard to be the competent legislative partner to the Mayor's Office that framers of this charter envisioned. Together, we have developed a better city. This Council also has continued a long tradition of openness, serving as a place where ordinary citizens from culturally diverse neighborhoods can access their government. This has been a Council that has always thrived on community input, no matter the volume, intensity, 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business or popularity or unpopularity of the cause. Over my years here, I have come to believe that Council membership is the most difficult public office one can hold. (Applause.)

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President Street

It's true. No State or federal office holder is accountable in the same way as Councilmembers. Councilmembers face an inevitable stream of difficult choices. Some of our constituents think we can fix everything. Sometimes our very best efforts are totally overlooked, casually minimized, or completely, or simply distorted. This Council has come to understand and accept this and has performed admirably under the most trying circumstances. And in the final analysis, I believe that this Council will be remembered as one that was responsive, diligent, and productive, one that earned the respect of a very tough audience. In my own case, let me emphatically say that no one is perfect and I'm not perfect. Along the way, I have made mistakes. In my zeal to represent a personal or constituent view, I have 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business undoubtedly offended a colleague, a member of the general public, or even a member of our distinguished press corps. (Laughter.)

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President Street

Thank you very much. If I have offended anyone, I offer my sincere apology. No experience or relationship has been more profound than my relationship with my friend and the former Councilman Francis Rafferty. And approximately 18 years ago, Councilman Rafferty and I made a place for ourselves in Philadelphia political folklore forever. The incident so shocked the collective conscience of our city that people are still taking about Rafferty's fight with one of the Street brothers. Sometimes I let Milton take credit for that. (Laughter.)

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President Street

At the time, the School District was in the midst of a devastating teachers' strike. Mayor Green was refusing to implement a 10 percent pay raise for teachers, as provided under their contract. The teachers weren't cooperating, Councilman Cohen, they wanted 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business the money. The city was up in arms, community groups and parent groups were calling, demonstrating, protesting. People couldn't go to work. I simply wanted to introduce a bill. And my zeal to introduce the bill and my passion for public education got the better of me, and my tactics exceeded Councilman Rafferty's capacity to be patient. You know the rest. (Laughter.)

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President Street

As shocking as this incident was to the city, I learned a most valuable lesson early in my fledgling political career. No matter how sincerely we hold our beliefs, we must have the patience, courtesy, and respect for our fellow members. That incident was the beginning of the maturation process which prepared me for leadership in this city. I think it was then that I first began to appreciate the need for self-imposed limits on the privileges of membership. It was not enough to be smart. I understood in the clearest way that intelligence 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business and dedication must be accompanied by a sincere appreciation and compassion for every other person's point of view. Respect is a necessary prerequisite for credibility, without which leadership is impossible. I have tried very best to respect all people and all views, and especially every member of this Council. Now, the most difficult challenge to the city's future political leadership is meeting people's reasonable expectation that all views will be heard, respected, and fully considered, even if it is a minority view or a controversial view. People must be convinced that all neighborhoods and all people are important. 6 million shoes. We must do more to correct the false impression that Center City is the only important place and that the wealthy are the only important people. And just as Frannie and I learned to get along and work together in this Council, people within and between our great neighborhoods of this city must learn to work together and cooperate for the common good if this city is to 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business reach its potential. As I take leave from this Council, I am, however, reminded of the work which is yet to be done. Too many people in neighborhoods around the city are overrun with blight, vacancy, and disorders. Too many of these same people are without a job or entrepreneurial opportunity upon which to base any hope for the future. Too many people who seek quality education for their children choose to leave our great city, despite the signs of recent progress in our public schools. And to many people feel vulnerable to an all out-of-control criminal element, notwithstanding the good work of our new police commissioner. I assure you, I am not leaving this Council because I am tired. I am not leaving because I believe there is a higher calling than service in this legislative body. I leave in search of an opportunity to build upon what we have already achieved. The future of Philadelphia will be substantially influenced by the executive leaders of the next millennium. This new leadership must 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business understand firsthand how to work effectively with this Council and build upon our successes. This is not the time to risk our future success and moment on well-intended individuals who possess limited qualifications. Today our local government is a complex combination of State, local, and federal rules, regulations, and policy considerations, whose interaction, if not properly understood and managed, will inevitably lead to political, economic stagnation, and a derailment of all we have worked to achieve. Future leadership in this Council must continue the fight for new job opportunities for Philadelphians, continue to expand Philadelphia as a destination city, work to strengthen our bond with our regional neighbors, as well as to protect our fiscal integrity, including balanced budgets, lower taxes, and enhanced city services. Good schools and safe streets are key ingredients for strong neighborhoods, and the strength of our neighborhoods will ultimately determine the strength of our city. If you are getting the impression that 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business you might hear more from me in the not too distant future about how we might address these ongoing challenges, then you might probably be right.

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President Street

I almost made it. Is Lou Blackwell here? You know, I don't know what I would have done in the early 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business years without Congressman Blackwell. I didn't see him over there. He was a brother to me, a big brother. He told me that I should say "poor people" and not "black people" because it my not be understood. He gave me every piece of guidance and direction that a person would ever want from a friend, and I just so much appreciate all that he has done for me. And, you know, I love him like a brother, and I thank you, Lou, for all of your support. Thank you. (Applause.)

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President Street

I'm just fouling this all up. Marie. I'm looking at Marie. You know, not everybody wanted Marie Hauser to be the chief clerk of this Council. There are people who wanted a political appointment; she remembers that. She had worked in this Council for years, and she didn't have a political spot; she just was a person who worked hard around here, day in day and day out, year in and year out. And there were people who tried to negotiate the chief clerk's job. 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business I remember talking to Councilwoman Verna, and I said, This is a person who deserves that job. She has earned the right to be the chief clerk of this Council. She earned it. (Applause.)

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President Street

And I couldn't -- I couldn't be more proud of the work that she has done in these years. People don't understand, the legislative activity in this Council went through the absolute ceiling. No chief clerk has had to deal with what she had to deal with -- two, three, four public hearings in a day, transcripts overnight. All the rules of advertising changed. You couldn't just call up and, you know, and get a title advertised. I mean, we went through a whole tradition down at the chief clerk's office, and she led the way. She had help from some really good people but, lord knows, I appreciate everything she's done. She's just been very good for this Council. And I got to get my hug, Marie. I'm sorry, I apologize. 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business (Applause.)

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Mayor Rendell

Good morning -- or I guess, afternoon, everyone. Seven years ago, most of the members of this Council and myself took our oath of office at the Academy of Music on January 6, 1992. It was a time that, without exaggeration, we can say that the City of Philadelphia was at its darkest hour, faced its most severe crisis, and needed the good will of all of its citizens and all of its leaders. ) and Joan Spector and the late Herb DeBeary, who 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business served in that first four years. And this Council responded with courage, with grace under fire, with resoluteness, with intestinal fortitude, with creativity, with good spirit and with optimism and hope in the future. And that response will be marked forever as the single most important thing in the ability of this city to climb out of the trouble it was in and to be where we are today. No one can forget for a moment that without that action by a talented group of 17 men and women, nothing else would have been possible, nothing else would have been possible. The city needed this Council to respond at its moment of crisis. It needed it to put aside its partisanship, to put aside controversy, to put aside disagreements, to put aside idealogies, and to act as one. And you did. And you did. And you changed the face of this city, hopefully, forever. This city also needed us to put aside some of the past differences that have existed between administrations for years, for decades, and City Council as an institution. And, 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business together, we did that as well. We created a whole new way of doing business where, before ideas were launched into legislation, we discussed them thoroughly, we debated them among ourselves. We put suggestions, modifications, changes amendments on the table, and we tried in every piece of legislation that went forward to act as one, to avoid public disagreements, to show a unified front. That was so important at that time, to show first and foremost the people of Philadelphia that in a time of crisis, we were unified, to show the business interests in Philadelphia and outside Philadelphia that we were unified, that there was a new way of doing business, that there was change happening. I remember the first time, my second we're as mayor, that we went up to Wall Street, Council President Street and myself. The investment bankers and the rating agencies were absolutely blown away by this new spirit of cooperation. And we've held to that, not only through the turbulent first term, but through the second term and the first three years of that 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business term, when we've seen incredible progress made by the City. We've held to that. Even when we disagreed the Administration and Council, we have tried to the best of our abilities to work those disagreements out so that the best result occurs for the people of Philadelphia. So I want to start by saluting the members of Council, to those members who were with us in the first term and, of course, Councilman DiCicco, Councilman Mariano, Councilman Rizzo, and Councilwoman Miller who have been with us during the last three years, which I think can be marked as three of the most successful years in this city's history, notwithstanding the problems that still remain. This Council has done its job done job courageously, has done it's job effectively, and has done the job well. And all of us know that although each and every member of Council has contributed to that effort and has lent their own special power and force to that effort, that we couldn't have done it without a great leader. And people say and historians say that great leaders are made by the circumstance in 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business which they are put in. And that may be so, it doesn't matter. Because at a time when this city needed a great leader the most, we had one in your Council President, John Street. )

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Mayor Rendell

A leader who governed by his extraordinary intelligence, a leader who governed by his extraordinary store of knowledge of municipal government, a leader who governed by the guiding principle of respecting each and every member of this Council and each and every member of the Administration, a leader who governed by the wonderful trait of loyalty, a leader who governed by the wonderful trait of friendship, a leader who brought us to the brink and held us there, a leader who always had the courage when necessary to take the weight squarely on his shoulders. And for that, John, there is no way the citizens of Philadelphia can repay you. I said yesterday and last week that were you not to serve another day in the service of the citizens of Philadelphia, the debt and gratitude that all 1.6 million people of this city 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business owe you is incalculable, it's impossible to quantify for your 19 years of service; but particularly for what you did at this city's darkest hour and the leadership you provided. It has been nothing short of extraordinary. And John is absolutely right about 1991. Although I think he Freudianly said "1999." And, John, I promise I won't try to get you out of office in 1999. (Laughter.)

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Mayor Rendell

But in 1991, we did oppose each other. John worked to support Lou Blackwell for mayor, someone who in my judgment would have made a tremendous mayor. And I supported John's opponent for Council because I had the mistaken belief that John would be counterproductive on the City Council. And I never had any idea that he could provide such a unifying force. But since '91 -- and, at that time, I didn't know John very well at all. But since '91, I've gotten to know John extraordinarily well. The knowledge that you get from just constantly being around someone, but the knowledge you get 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business from being in the proverbial foxhole. And you all know each other very well in this Council 'cause we have we have been in the foxholes together certainly for the last seven years, and many of you before that, and we've been in those foxholes. And when you're in the foxhole and when this gallery is packed with chanting people who want who want something very badly, it creates a foxhole probably unlike any other, and probably like the ordinary folks have never experienced. And we've been in those foxholes together, and I've gotten to know John very well. When John talked about making mistakes, John talked about making mistakes that all of us, every elected official in this room, we have made our share of mistakes, myself included. And John has said some things that have offended individuals and sometimes a larger body than individuals. But when John has made mistakes where he has said things that have offended people, he has done them out of a great sense of passion and caring. What I like most about the John Street I got to know is that he gave a damn, that he cared 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business very deeply about everybody in this city. He cares about business interests in downtown, but he cares very much about people in his district, but beyond his district; he cares about people in Northeast Philadelphia, he cares about South Philadelphia, he cares about Nicetown, Tioga, he cares about Kensington. He evens cares, on occasion, about East Falls. (Laughter.)

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Mayor Rendell

And when you care a lot and when you're passionate about what you do, there are times when you lose control, there are times when you lose your temper. And I've always said -- and Justice James McDermott said to me once, he said, "Edward, beware of the person who never loses their temper because that means that that person doesn't care, doesn't care about anything." And if John has been guilty, as certainly I have and most of you have, of losing his temper or saying something intemperate, it's been because of his passion for helping people in this city, because of his extraordinary love for the people of this city. 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business John Street is not only a great leader, he's a good man. Many of you -- I guess all of us have gotten to know Naomi and John's children, and there couldn't be a better family man, there couldn't be someone who cares more about his family and attends to his family. (Applause.)

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Mayor Rendell

And John talked about respect. And when you take the measure of a man, this is a man who respects everyone. He respects his colleagues, he respects us in the Administration, he respects the business leadership of this town, and he also respects people who are homeless and lying on the street. And he does care about them and he considers their fate and he weighs it. He respects every citizen of this city. And, lastly, John is as courageous a politician as I have met or seen on the national scene. I don't know if many of you recall this, but about three or four years ago now, there was a cover of Time Magazine with a picture of George Washington, and the picture of George Washington had a tear rolling down his right cheek. And the caption of headline was, "While America's Leaders Are Paralyzed by Fear, the Country Flounders." Too many people in this process are paralyzed by fear. Too many people in this process that we call "politics" worry about what the consequences to them are going to be. Too 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business many people cast votes, or if they're in the executive, undertake courses of action that they know aren't right but that they believe are politically feasible. Again, for the seven years that I've worked with John, I have never seen him once do something he didn't believe was the right thing for the City of Philadelphia. I may have disagreed with him, you may have disagreed with him, but he did it because he believed it was the right thing -- not because it politically was the expedient thing to do. So, John Street, all of us and everyone who's gotten to know you will tell you what you need not us to tell you -- and that is, you're a good man. (Applause.)

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Mayor Rendell

A great leader, a good man, someone who I am proud to have been a partner with for these seven years, someone who I am proud to call a friend. And now for the rest of us, John, you're entering into a brave new world. And who knows what the future holds for you. And for the 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business rest of you and me, we are entering into a brave new world because we won't have your leadership. No one, of course, is indispensable -not you, not me, nor any of us. And I think that we will make it work for the next year because we will remember the lessons that your leadership has taught us. We will remember what our mission is. We have come so far in seven years that I don't think any man or woman in this body or in our administration is going to think about turning back for a second. We will stay the course, we will make you proud of us in this next year. And after that, I'll be on a beach somewhere. John, congratulations. (Applause.)

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Chief Clerk Hauser

A resolution honoring City Council President John F. Street. Whereas, since 1980, the Honorable John F. Street served as the Council representative for the City's 5th Council District, which comprises 11 wards in north central and Center City Philadelphia; and Whereas President Street has served as chairman of a number of Council standing committees, including the Committee of the Whole, Rules, Ethics, the Select Committee on Fiscal Stability and Intergovernmental Cooperation, Appropriations, and Licenses & Inspections; and Whereas, Council President Street, during his Council career, has played an instrumental role in steering key pieces of legislation through City Council, including approvals for the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel, the First Union Center and the Kvaerner Shipyard; and Whereas, in January 1992, the Council unanimously elected John F. Street to serve as the president of Council. As president, John F. Street has played a vital role in the restoration 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business of Philadelphia's fiscal stability by helping to broaden public confidence in City Council and in enhancing the relationship between members of City Council and the City administration; and Whereas, on December 10, 1998, President Street announced his intention to resign from City Council on December 31, 1998; Now therefore resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that we hereby acknowledge and commend Council President John F. Street for his outstanding and dedicated service to the citizens of the 5th Council District and the City of Philadelphia. Further resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Council President Street as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body, signed, Councilwoman Anna C. Verna, Councilwoman Augusta A. Clark, Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell, Councilman David Cohen, Councilman Frank DiCicco, Councilman James F. Kenny, Councilwoman Joan Krajewski, Councilman W. Thatcher Longstreth, Councilman Richard T. Mariano, Councilwoman Donna Reed-Miller, Councilman Michael A. Nutter, 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business Councilman Brian J. O'Neill, Councilman Angel Ortiz, Councilman Frank Rizzo, and Councilman Mariano B. Tasco.

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Councilman Nutter

Thank you, Madame Chair. As I said in introducing and certainly with a great amount of pride and, the Council President knows, with some sense of mixed feelings that he leaves at the end of this year, this is naturally his last session. I just wish to express my thanks to him. He made some comments earlier that 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business reminded me earlier of our meeting. In coming here, I came in January of 1992, but the Council President and I met about this time in 1991, about seven years ago. We did not have the greatest of relationships either; we had a very bad relationship. Because of a couple elections and comments, I've been known to say a few things from time to time and he's been known to say a few things from time to time, and he's been known to say a few things from time to time, and we had to get some things straightened out. But we had a discussion. And we agreed that in private, we would be brutally honest with each other; and publicly, we would expect each other and figure out a way to work in this Council. This Council President has been incredibly supportive of every effort that I've ever put forward, with the exception of one. And in all of those efforts, whether we agreed or disagreed, we found a way to work together and work things out. He's had a tremendous impact on my legislative career in this Council, standing with me and supporting me, and even providing 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business advice every step along the way -- at times, to the great benefit of the mayor. Mayor Ed Rendell has no idea how many times the Council President saved him from me, for which he should be eternally grateful. (Laughter.)

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Councilwoman Clark

And that hostility might have gone on forever, except that Street called a truce, and we had a meeting in my office. It was a long meeting, it was a frank meeting where there were no other people in the room and we were free to say exactly what was on the mind, and there came a time where it was on the lung, on the tongue. Everything got said. And when it was over, the air was cleared, and Street and I shook hands and stood and hugged each other and promised each other out loud that we would speak truth to each other. Whether it was easy to hear or hard to hear, we would not fancy it up and sugarcoat it to make it appear otherwise. I have enjoyed a friendship with him because I respect truth. I respect people who say what they mean and mean what they say; or, put another way, as I say to Street all the time, I will with hang with or hang for whatever I say. And so will he, and that has been his great contribution to the leadership of this Council, 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business which has had the effect of turning us into the greatest legislative body in the free world, which is a great paraphrasing of our characterization by a former mayor. John, I wish you well. I hope the road rises to meet you and that God will bless your efforts. That you, Madame Chair.

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Councilman Dicicco

Thank you, Madame Chair. In 1996, on January the 1st, when I'm sworn into office, a couple days leading up to that swearing-in, I was quite intimidated by the fact that I had finally gotten to where I had wanted to be, and that was to the position of elected official. And I really wasn't certain at that point how I would be able to handle that job. I've gone through life always believing that sometimes you have to add a little levity to things and be a little bit loose about the 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business different things that you go through in life. And because it was January 1st, and I think it was the first time in about 28 years that the swearing-in ceremony took place on that date. I, being a mummer, wasn't certain of where I should have been that day but, obviously, I had to go in to get sworn in. So I decided to wear gold slippers to my swearing-in ceremony, and I was wondering how people would look upon me, this gentleman being sworn into a very high office in the City of Philadelphia, with a suit and tie and gold slippers with gold star dust on them. And I really wasn't certain how the Council President would appreciate that until later on in the proceedings when he came out on stage with a red suit. I knew I was in the right place. (Laughter.)

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Councilman Dicicco

I knew that I would fit. And because of that and I guess because of that day, the beginning of that day, the transition for me from private citizen to an elected official was made a lot easier. 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business I really didn't know John Street all that well. I had read a lot of things about him, and I remember the Rafferty incident quite well also. And the only time I think I may have had some disagreement with the Council President was when someone asked to sit in my seat. And you all remember that day, but we got past all of that. And in a nutshell, Mr. President, I just want to say thank you for the respect that you gave me over the last three years, a job that was all new to me. And sometimes I was a little bit concerned as to whether or not I was doing the right thing, but any time I came to you and spoke to you about my apprehension, you always treated me with the utmost respect, and I almost thought was here for thirty years as opposed to the three years that I've been in Council. I want to thank you for that respect. You made that transition great. And I wish you Godspeed to you and your family, and all of the best in the future. (Applause.)

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Councilman Kenney

Thank you, Madame Chair. I'd like to take this opportunity also to echo the sentiments of Mayor Rendell and the other members of this Council who have praised the Council President's leadership over these last seven years. We have had some disagreements over the years, and I attribute them to what, paraphrasing what Mayor Rendell, was the issue of passion. I express myself in a passionate way; I know the Council President does the same thing. And from time to time, we have disagreed, but I believe that both of us are sincerely interested in the 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business betterment of this city and in the welfare of all the people who live here. I don't want to talk about any particular issues, but I would like to thank him for being a good image to me personally in one particular regard. When I was sworn in as a Councilmember in 1992, my son Brendan was two years old, and my daughter Nora had not even been born yet. Today, as I sit here, my son Brendan is 9, and my daughter is 5. And perhaps the most important thing I think I've learned from the -- in trying to emulate the Council President is how to be a good political father. We are out all the time, we are out every night of the week just about. During the election cycles, it seems that we're out seven nights a week, seven days a week. And one of the things that he always told me in our private conversations was to always find the time for your children and for your wife, to always make sure that, no matter what it was that you were doing that evening, to get to the hockey game, to get the basketball game, to get to the parent-teacher's conferences, to get home 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business sometimes and just simply help your wife clean the house and do some of the things that you neglect and that you leave on their shoulders. So, despite our budget process, despite our city's stability, despite all of the things that the Council President's leadership along with Mayor and this Council have done, I want to personally thank him for being a personal example to me on how to be a good dad. Thank you. (Applause.)

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Councilwoman Tasco

Thank you, Madame Chair. I'd like to say to John, best wishes and good luck. I was in the first term part of that "Gang of Five" that fought the other "Gang of Four," and it was a tumultuous four years for me in my first term, and I thought John Street was the worst president I had ever met and the worst councilman I ever met, and I went out and recruited his opponent to run against him. (Laughter.) 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business

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Councilwoman Tasco

But we weren't successful but we agreed that we were going to work together because we had to put our personal feelings aside and work with the mayor to move this city forward. We have not always agreed on every issue. I've been a part of the decision-making process of this Council. He has been good to my district, good to individuals we have brought to him for services and for resources. And we want to thank you for that, and we wish you well as you go forward. (Applause.)

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Councilwoman Miller

Thank you, Madame Chair. I, too, would like to express my thanks and personally acknowledge President Street for his help, advice, guidance, and support he has provided to me as a first-term councilwoman. I'm honored and blessed to be a member of this body under his leadership, and I'll always admire and respect him. 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business In many ways, President Street reminds me the late David P. Richardson, Jr. -- You know, stand tall, fight for the right things at the right time for the right reasons. And I've learned a lot, can learn a lot more but I do want to say good luck and best wishes. Thank you.

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Councilwoman Krajewski

We had more fun. You never lost your sense of humor. You have led this Council in the right direction. You made very, very hard decisions, and you stuck with them, and I applaud you for your courage. 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business I've also found you to be a God-fearing man, which I respect, believe me. And I want to wish you all the luck in the world and Godspeed. It was great working with you, and I'm going to miss you, John. (Applause.)

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Councilman Ortiz

John, we have gone from representing your brother in the '70s, Milton, to City Council and sharing these 14 years in this Council. I think we share the outlook and the philosophy to better the lot of those individuals that, really, society doesn't give a hell of a lot about. We've had different approaches along the line, along the way, but they have never been personal. It's always been about the approach, the people, the goal. I have gone one way, you have gone other ways but, obviously, always thinking of the goal that this city has to become a city for every citizen of Philadelphia. I think you share that goal. We have had incredible experiences in 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business the last 14 years. They've been the greatest years of my life. I think you share those years. I wish you everything, the best, good luck. It's going to be tough running citywide and going from one place to the other within half an hour. You will see yourself becoming exasperated and frustrated when you get to a place at 88 people in front of you to speak, but it's an adventure and it's a new adventure and a new road. I wish you the best of luck, and I hope we both accomplish the goals that we set out to do. Thank you. (Applause.)

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Councilman Mariano

Thank you, Madame Chairwoman. I don't want to be the only one not to say anything about John Street. From an electrician from Juniata Park, it was quite an amazing experience to be elected to City Council, and I will tell you about the first time I met John Street; it was much around the same time Councilman DiCicco did. We went into the office, and I sat with John Street. And 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business I had worked in Council but I never got to really see John Street. Usually, I just seen Winbush and never got to see John Street -- it was the back of Winbush, actually. (Laughter.)

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Councilman Mariano

And I finally got to sit down and talk with John Street. So I -John was very helpful and told me what would be a good way to behave, and I paid attention most of the time and I learned from John Street. Well, that night, I went home and my brother called me, and I thought my brother would be all excited about me being elected to City Council. And my brother Frank says to me, "What is John Street really like?" And I said, "Frank, the guy shows no emotion, the guy shows no motion. I got to wonder." As I got to know John Street and I realized, after being here a year, two years, three years that if he showed emotion on everything, he wouldn't have any energy left. He has people coming to him all the time, asking him for things. So he really showed no emotion that day. I seen him show more emotion today than I 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business knew he was capable of. But he's always been there. And, John, I want to thank you for making this electrician from Juniata's first term in Council pretty good. (Applause.)

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Councilwoman Blackwell

Thank you, Madame Chair. Certainly, it gives me a great pleasure to say good-bye to our President. Sitting here in Lou's seat was a special gift for me. The President gave me former Councilman Lucien Blackwell's seat, and I just knew I had arrived and kind of thought I was on the in-crowd. I was absolutely surprised one day when I kind of got voted down by everybody and came into the real, real world of politics, where it's taken me a while to grow and kind of take my place. Certainly, I believe that the President has been a great leader for our time; I believe that history will record that. He took this Council to a new height with our relationship with 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business the mayor. And, certainly, we thank him for his leadership, and we wish him Godspeed and best wishes. Thank you. (Applause.)

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President Street

And I guess the day might come when -- well, I guess the day did come when somebody was trying to get you out and then I had a chance to be there for you, but that's a part of, you know, what this system is all about. And, you know, the one thing that we needed in this city is leaders, and a part of our 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business responsibility as folks who are in leadership position is to work with people, work with young people who, you know, have leadership potential, who want to do a good job. It's not our job to slow 'em down or to hold 'em back. It would have been no more appropriate for me to slow him down or hold him back than it would have been for Lou Blackwell to slow me down and hold me back. I couldn't do that. You know, and sometimes he did have moments of frustration, and we would talk about it. And sometimes he would write the letter to the mayor anyway, you know. But, you know, I have enjoyed working with him. He, as I said, has a bright future in this city. I wish him well, and he is among the people whose memory I will cherish in having had this experience. So I look forward to a continued working relationship. I might not be in this body but I'm sure I'll have something to say about something and probably will give you a call. Councilwoman Clark. Councilwoman Clark, as long as we've been on this Council, we've been through a lot. We've helped each other 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business bury our family members. It's what you do. You bury family members, you go to weddings. You know, you share in virtually all of these experiences. And the truth of matter is when you're the President of City Council, you have an obligation that goes above and beyond the obligation that you have just as a fellow member. People call you, they have to talk about things, they just have to talk, they want to talk, they want to know what's going on. And, you know, you can't imagine the number of hours that you spend working with people, working with members, you know talking to them about -- sometimes it's a personal thing, you know. And Gussie and I have had so discussions over such long period of time that it's difficult to quantify the kind of love and respect that you generate for people when you see them on a regular basis and when you see them in these trying situations. Councilwoman Clark, you will always be a friend of mine. I have cherished our relationship. The thing I like about -- one of 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business the things I like about you -- it's certainly not the only thing, but one of the things I like about you is your capacity to be honest, notwithstanding any potential difficulty, because I don't think you can have a true, honest relationship with people if you're not truthful. And you have always been truthful with me, and I appreciate that, and I have tried to respond in kind, and I think the mutual relationship that we have developed has been beneficial to me, and I'll be forever appreciative of that. Councilman DiCicco. I actually do remember those shoes, Councilman DiCicco. You didn't know about the suit, but we did talk about the suit. I made the mayor make me a promise that if we both came back in our respective positions that we would wear these red suits. He said it in a moment of laughter in one of our meetings, and then I reminded him and he was shocked. I have to tell you -- I said this publicly and I'll say it again, there are very few members of City Council that I have seen who have come on the scene and who have had the kind of responsibility that you have had in your district 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business with all of the development that has been planned and has taken place. I've seen this man in meetings in his district in Center City and he represents the east side of the district of Center City, and I have the west side, and I've seen him have to confront very difficult issues.

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President Street

I mean, people have a tremendous amount of concern, and I've seen him conduct himself in a way that I would have believed would have been typical of somebody with a lot more experience. He has matured very, very quickly as a member of this Council. I also think he has a bright future and, I look forward to a continuing relationship with Councilman DiCicco as well. Councilman Rizzo, I appreciate your kind remarks. As you know, your father and I were friends. And I was -- I was interested when you came on this Council, you know, to see how it is we would be able to work together. And I had the, as you know, the occasion to have many a conversation with your father. I hasten to point out that your father was -- endorsed me for Council President just 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business prior to his death. And, you know, I felt you know I felt, in all candor, I think probably two of the most misunderstood people, politicians in this city in the last 25 years have been Frank Rizzo and Milton Street -- not John Street, Milton street. And, you know, having come to know you over these last years and to talk with you and to work with you and to -- kind of relating that all to your family and the relationship that we developed has been a nice thing. It's been very pleasant. You have always been respectful; I appreciate that. You send me more constituent service requests from people in my district than any other person on this Council. )

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President Street

And that's because you work very, very hard for the citizens of this city. I appreciate that. I know the people in the city and around the city appreciate it. You know, I appreciate your kind remarks and look forward to continuing to work with you as well Councilman Kenney. Thank you very much for those kind words. 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business There are people in this room right now who think you're my enemy and they think I'm your enemy. I don't know why they would think that. We aren't in this business to necessarily agree with people, we don't have to agree with each other to have a certain sense of mutual respect and understanding. I think you have made a great contribution to this Council. I have not seen a person with more passion and determination to make a difference in neighborhoods and people. And, you, know when you've been around as long as I've been around, sometimes the people you think are going to be your biggest detractors end up being your best friends, you know. And it's not my judgment to pass judgment on how other people conduct their political affairs and what positions they take. And I think sometimes people want to make more out of our differences than really is justified. But I can remember time when Senator Fumo and I -- you're "a Fumocrat." (Laughter.)

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President Street

I can remember times 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business when Senator Fumo and I were on the phone discussing things right here in this chamber, things that were important to this city, and people think somehow that he's trying to line you up to be against me. It's amazing the assumptions that people make. I have been astounded by it. I mean, people come to me and say, Well, you know Jim Kenny's going to be against you. You know, and that's totally unfair. It really is unfair. See, I think during the course of our consideration of all of what we do in this Council, people have an obligation to vote their conscience, people have an obligation to do what's in the best interest of this city. They do not have an obligation to be for or against anything because of any one person. And I think that you have been fair to me. I think that you have been a productive member of this Council. I think you have a bright political future in this city. I do not believe that you are a mortal enemy of mine. I think that there are probably -- we probably agree on more things than anybody would ever give us credit for. 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business And I thank you for your contributions and I thank you for your support and I wish you Godspeed. Councilwoman Tasco. See, I told you that Gas Commission was a lot of work. I told you and you didn't believe me, right? ). It's okay, it really is okay. And I guess it's okay because I, like you, believe that we are entitled to our political opinions. I mean, that's -- that's what this is all about. This is a tough business, and people have a right to exercise their own judgment in any way they want. And I will tell you, you know, I think in situations like that, where people exercise their right, you know what we have to do? I have to go over there and get Darryl and our people and we have to run and win. We can't whine. I don't have any right to hold, you know, inevitable, you know, lifetime grudges about all of that. I mean, we have to run, you have to hold on to your job. And you and some other people 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business challenged me, and that's all right. And you know that throughout -- even during the time when we were running in the election, we didn't have a whole lot of cross words about any of that. You know, I believe that every tough election I have ever had prepares me for the next one. And I'm a better politician, I'm a better elected official, I'm a better public servant because of the challenges that I have had. You know, I have enjoyed working with you very the last years, particularly when I ran and became the council president with your support, for which I am always very, very grateful, and I say that on a regular basis. And I just want you to know that I only wish you the best. You know, all of that, and my judgment is just a part of the give-and-take and the rough-and-tumble of politics. And, you know, I think I'm only the better for it. And I thank you for all of what you have done, all of your contributions on this Council, and I certainly look forward to continuing to work with you. Councilwoman Miller. They all 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business underestimate you, Councilwoman. They all think that because you're quiet, because you don't make a lot of noise and because you're not real boisterous that you can be pushed around politically. They will learn, they will see. You know, you got here, you got here because you're a hard-working, dedicated community activist, and you will stay here because you have done a good job in this Council and because you will go back out to your district and tell people what you have done, and you will win. Councilwoman Krajewski. K. I get real emotional when I think about not being here with you, and I guess it's because in these 19 years, it's just very, very hard to quantify the very, very positive relationship that we've had. You know, they don't know what we do, people don't know what we do.

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President Street

But you know how much I love you and you know how much I appreciate your work in your district. You see, I believe that this Council needs a variety of different views. I think if everybody on this Council thought the way I thought or if everybody thought the way Ortiz thinks or the way Rizzo or Schwartz or anybody thinks, I think if everybody thought the same, we wouldn't be a very good council because we wouldn't provide the quality and the representation that the citizens of this city are entitled to. And you have come here and you represent a constituency, and those people are depending on you. And sometimes the people that you represent push you in a direction that's different from the direction that the people that 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business I represent are pushing me in. I have seen that. That has had nothing whatsoever to do with our ability to work together, and I appreciate that. I appreciate everything that you've done here and I look forward to, as always, to a continuing relationship with you as I leave and consider future service. Councilman Ortiz. Councilman Ortiz has set himself up somewhat as the conscience of City Council, and sometimes we know exactly what he's doing. Sometimes he makes those speeches because he thinks we need to hear it 'cause he thinks, notwithstanding the fact that we might be doing what we're going to do, he wants to make sure that he and the people that he represents are heard. You know, in legislative bodies, you have a saying that the minority -- the majority will have its way but the minority must have its say. And over the years, I've appreciated your contributions. We haven't always agreed. Most of the time our differences are a matter of degree and not a matter of who's right or who's wrong. But I thank you for your support over the years. You have always been helpful, you have 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business always been there whenever I have asked you to do anything. I don't ask a whole lot of Councilmembers except that you come regularly, work hard, and vote your conscious. But there have been times. And I appreciate your support. Councilman Mariano. You got a gun on you today? I understand I got to find out whether you strapped or what. (Laughter.)

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President Street

I remember when Rick decided that he was going to run. As a matter of fact, I remember when you were on the Council payroll and then you were off the Council payroll and then you had to get back on the Council payroll in anticipating, you know -- you remember all that, right? Jim Kenny is laughing. But, you know, Councilman McIlhatton (ph.) is my friend, and I did not try to help you; I tried to help him. But then you became a member, and membership has its privileges. And also, leadership has its responsibilities, and I had a responsibility to work with you as a member of this Council. And I tried to do that. And, you know, when you're young and 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business you're off the street, you don't always have an opportunity to hang around. You see, while Councilman Kenny had the privilege and the opportunity to work in a legislative office for a number of years, and Councilman Nutter actually worked as a member of staff in City Council, and Councilwoman Miller worked for a legislator, Councilman Mariano was wiring buildings. I mean, he had a short tenure as a person and a staff member, but he didn't have the experience coming here as a Councilmember that some other people had. But yet and still, he's made a credible contribution to this Council. The diversity of views in this Council is very important, and I certainly appreciate his contribution and wish him well. Now Councilwoman Blackwell. Councilwoman Blackwell was probably the most seasoned new member of City Council that I have ever seen. And, you know, Jannie has her areas, and we love her and we appreciate everything that she does and, she's not going to ever let you forget. And you know what she's going to do? 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business She's going to test the privileges of membership too 'cause she's going to make sure that she is heard and she's going to make sure that she exercises every single prerogative that she's entitled to. And there's nothing wrong with that. And, you know, she has kept us here in the middle of the night a little bit, and there's nothing wrong with that.

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Councilwoman Verna

Mr. President, I'm really well prepared today to say a few nice things about you. I know that it is a bittersweet day for you. And I want to say that in 1979, a brash young man was elected to City Council. And in the time that has passed, I have learned to know him. What I have since seen is someone who has emerged as a leader. 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business Leadership is wisdom and courage and a carelessness of self which means, of course, that leaders from time to time must put their own careers at risk in order to do what is right. Easy to say, tough to do; echoed by many and practiced by few. As we praise John Street today, let us never forget the single quality that makes him unique. He understands what it is to be a great leader. A leader knows that more important than the bill that is proposed is the bill that is passed. A leader knows that his adversaries are not always his enemies. A leader knows how to make the process of democracy work and loves the workings of democracy. A leader knows not only to count votes but also how to make the votes count. A leader knows that his words are his weapons, but his word is also his bond. Mr. President, Philadelphia is a better place for your leadership and the hard work done by you and members of this Council. I have also seen John Street, the person. I possess neither the eloquence of diction, nor the poetry of imagination, nor the brilliance of metaphor to 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business explain what it is that you have taught this Council. But having said that, I observed from you to be proud and unbending in failure but humble in success. To learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep. To reach into the future, yet never neglect the past. That nothing lasts forever. Victory is often the prelude to defeat and failure is often the precursor of triumph. Together, we have learned much from you as Councilpeople and simply as people. Thousands of years ago, a great poet wrote, "one must wait until the evening to see how splendid the day has been." We, your colleagues in this Council can look at you and say the day indeed has been splendid. Mr. President, it has always been my contention that going through life, if we can make five true friends, then God has been extremely good to us. Recently, I had lost a very, very dear friend of mine. And when he was dying, he said, "You know, Ann, you always said that and I never knew exactly what you meant." He was someone of prominence but people forgot him in 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business time of need. I want you to know, Mr. President, that I will always value your friendship and I will always consider you a true friend. I want to thank you, not only on my behalf but on behalf of the citizens of this city and the members of this Council, for all of the hard work and how much we have benefitted from your leadership. May God bless you always, you and your family. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

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President Street

With the permission of the body, a brief response from the Chair. Councilwoman Verna has been the Majority Leader of this Council during the entire time of my council presidency. And she's not a very aggressive person publicly, but there are very few decisions that have been made in this Council that she wasn't a part of. You know, people have -- people give have given the mayor and have given the Council President a lot of credit, and most of the time, I think it's true and accepted graciously, but 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business people don't give the leadership of this Council and the Councilmembers enough credit. I am telling you, Councilwoman Verna has been as much a part of the decision-making process around here as I could imagine because no one person can run this Council, no one person can run this Council. Councilwoman Verna has been there, Councilwoman Clark has been there, Councilman O'Neill has been there; I said that in my resignation letter. But I will tell you, Councilwoman Verna is a person of great wisdom. She is a person of grace and dignity. And she is a person that I could always call day or night and say, Ann, what about this? And what do you think we should be doing? How should we be handling all of the responsibility of making sure this Council contributed to the well-being of this city? An throughout it all, she knows that I appreciate everything that she's done. I appreciate it because she's done it both in her leadership capacity and a friend. . And she's been a friend, and you know, I have to be very careful because I'll start to you-know-what, and I 12/17/98 STATED - Special Order of Business don't want to do that anymore here today. But I love you, Ann. I appreciate everything you do. You know, you're like family to me because of much what we have gone through, and I appreciate very much everything. And I certainly thank you for those very kind remarks.

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Councilwoman Clark

Just imagine being 12/17/98 STATED - Adjournment married to John Street with all of his energy. The man is a total insomniac. You know, when everybody else is safely asleep, John Street is up calling you on the phone. And so, Naomi, for all that you have been doing, for the calm demeanor that you have, what would John Street be without you? Goodness gracious, he's like overdosed on caffeine with you. But we love you for the calming influence that you are and for what you've done for him for us. Please take these yellow roses and know that we carry you in our hearts and prayer. Thank you. (Applause.)

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President Street

All those in favor, let it be known by saying aye. Those opposed, say nay. The ayes have it. This Council stands approved. (Adjourned at 2:30 p.m.) C E R T I F I C A T E I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of Thursday, December 17, 1998, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of same. RE: STATED MEETING __________________________________, JOSEPHINE CARDILLO, Registered Professional Reporter

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