COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 401, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, February 15, 2001 10:40 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN FRANK J. DI CICCO COUNCILMAN WILSON W. GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN W. THACHER LONGSTRETH COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO PATRICIA RAFFERTY, CHIEF CLERK VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 INNVOCATION
Good morning, everyone. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Members will take their seats and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes Father Thomas Betz. Father is the Director of the Office of Pastoral Care for Immigrants and Refugees of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He is here today as the guest of Councilman DiCicco. Members and guests will please rise.
Let us pray. God, our Father, we worship you and we acknowledge that all good human achievement is inspired and directed by you. Thank you, God, for the gift of life and time. Heavenly Father, bless the people of Philadelphia. Especially bless the most needy among us, the children, the elderly, the poor. Help the Members of Council to use the meetings of City Council to make the City better for all the people. Help us, Lord, to put aside our personal needs and ambition to serve others in your name. Give us hearts which are merciful so that we can always care INNVOCATION about the needs of the people rather than our own plans and needs. Father, we especially pray for our children and young people. Help them to learn and to grow and to be filled in a confident faith in the future. Bless our immigrants and refugees who live among us. Help them to find here in Philadelphia a safe and happy. Bless those who commit crimes, those who are addicted, those who endanger others. Help them to find the courage and help they need to change their lives. Father, today look kindly upon this gathering of City Council. Give these Members of Council the courage and wisdom to make laws and policies which improve the lives of the people of this City. Heavenly Father, we entrust ourselves to you. Amen.
Amen. The Chair thanks Father Betz for his inspiring invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.) APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 8, 2001. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of Thursday, February 8, 2001, stand approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 8, 2001 stand approved. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And the Journal of February 8, 2001, has been approved. The next order of business is requests for leave of absence. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell. LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Thank you, Madam President. A leave of absence is requested this morning on the part of the majority for Councilwoman Miller.
Leave will be granted. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, on behalf of the Republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair will dispense with the regular of order to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in Chambers this morning. On behalf of all Members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council Session today. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our City. We certainly invite you to visit us again. Today we are pleased to welcome two groups to City Council. They are guests of Councilwoman Brown who will introduce them at this WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS time.
Thank you, Madam President. We're pleased to have with us Las Amigas, Incorporated. They are a national community service organization founded in 1957. The Philadelphia Chapter is 30 years old, and they are visiting with us here today. Barbara Glenn on my staff is a member and corresponding secretary of this organization for the past 20 years. So a hearty welcome to Las Amigas, Incorporated. (Applause.)
And secondly, we have young people with us. Teen Rapp is a joint partnership between the Mayor's Office of Community Services. On behalf of my colleague Councilman Rick Mariano, the Frankford Family Development Center located in his councilmatic district, these young people are here and their primary mission is to reduce youth violence through innovative technics. So if they would join us and if we could all give a hearty welcome to these young people, Teen Rapp.
If they would stand, please. WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS (Applause.)
You're welcome. Although in public life, we hear of many cases of injury or loss of life in the line of duty, the shock and sorry are always fresh. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano and Councilman Rizzo who will present a resolution naming part of North Fifth Street, Officer Jose Ortiz Avenue. Will Mrs. Ortiz and those accompanying her please join the Councilmen at the podium. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
Thank you, Madam President. Usually we have a resolution, but we actual signs here today. The resolution will follow. So I'm going to read off this piece of paper. A resolution also naming a part of North Fifth Street from Lehigh Avenue to Indiana Avenue Officer Jose Ortiz Avenue. Whereas, Officer Jose Ortiz was a heroic Philadelphia Police Officer who died in the line of WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS duty.
Whereas, Officer Ortiz grew up in Kensington and returned to Kensington to protect and serve the citizens of the 25th Police District; and Whereas, Officer Ortiz served his neighbors by reaching his life-long dream of becoming a Philadelphia Police Officer. Whereas, Officer Ortiz also continued to serve his neighborhood after work; and Whereas, Officer Ortiz continued to assist in saving the lives of others after his death through organ donation; and, therefore, be it
Resolved by the City Council of Philadelphia that this portion of North Fifth Street from Lehigh Avenue to Indiana Avenue shall also be known as Officer Jose Ortiz Avenue. Signed by all the Members of City Council. Thank you. (Applause.)
We are going to give these signs here to the officer's widow and the rest of her family. WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS (Applause.)
I don't know a whole lot we could do. A man loses his life; it's a very sad thing. His widow and family are left. The least we can do is honor him by naming this part of the avenue after him.
Thank you. I just want to thank everybody. I'm really proud of this and it will be great for my daughter to be able to see this and have this in her memory. And the whole family is very thankful. We have family that live on Fifth Street, so it's really, really nice. And I appreciate it and thanks for your time. (Applause.)
Thank you, Mrs. Ortiz. We also have the officer's father and mother sister, if one of them want to say word. Thank you very much. We have signs for you, too. Thanks. (Applause.)
Council will be at ease. WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS (Council at ease.)
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown who will make a presentation honoring Iyanla Vanzant. Will Ms. Vanzant and those accompanying her please come forward.
Good morning. First, let me say thank you, thank you, thank you to Vaness LLoyd Skombodi (ph), an agent I've known for several years most notably through her African-American book fair that she does annually. I want to personally thank Vaness for reaching out to our office and inviting us to be part of what will be an extraordinary ceremony. Secondly, I want to formally welcome our honored guest to the City Council of Philadelphia where we believe we are a City of both brotherly love and sisterly affection. And thirdly and finally on a personal note, I speak for sure for all of my staff, for many of the men and women in this room and for millions of readers across our country who are so very, very thankful for the 11 treasures you have written for us. I have several of them and I keep two on my WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS desk as a daily reference. We're appreciative of the deeply inspirational messages that you give us. I can say for sure that they ignite and inspire our dreams. So thank you.
Thank you very much. And I, too, echo those sentiments and welcome her back to Philadelphia. This resolution honoring and commending Iyanla Vanzant. Whereas, Iyanla Vanzant began life as an abused and neglected child who overcame overwhelming obstacles to become an inspiration for women worldwide; and Whereas, after graduating from Medgar Evers College and Queens College Law School, Ms. Vanzant began her career serving the citizens of Philadelphia as a public defender; and
Whereas, in an effort to grow herself and spiritually and to help others make positive steps in their lives, Iyanla Vanzant began to assist women on public assistance; and Whereas, through her lectures to women WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS on how to change their lives, Ms. Vanzant gathered and developed spiritual principles, self-affirmations, and personal rituals which she put to paper in her first best selling book "Tapping the Power Within: A Path to Empowerment for Black Women."
Whereas, "Tapping the Power Within" began a string of successful books that appeared on the New York Times Best Seller List, many of which have won the Blackboard Book of the Year Award and in 1999 she was recognized by the NAACP as the honoree of its Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, Nonfiction; and Whereas, in addition to her numerous and beautiful writings, Iyanla Vanzant found the time to establish the well-respected Inner Visions Worldwide, Inc., a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic organization devoted to enhancing the ability of individuals to improve themselves in mind, body, and spirit; and
Whereas, numerous respected publications such as Ebony, Essence and Vibe have recognized Ms. Vanzant as WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS being influential, intriguing, and a true leader of the new millennium; and Whereas, Iyanla has a new masterpiece entitled, "Until Today! Daily Devotions for Spiritual Growth and Peace of Mind," which is certain to not only maintain but increase her stature as one of the most important authors in America today; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that it hereby honors and commends Iyanla Vanzant for her excellent work and dedication to improving the lives of people through her writings and through Inner Visions Worldwide. Resolved further, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Iyanla Vanzant as evidence of the sincere admiration of this legislative body. Signed by the President of City Council, Anna C. Verna, introduced by Blondell Reynolds-Brown, and sponsored by every single member of City Council. Thank you. (Applause.)
The Chair WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS recognizes Ms. Vanzant for remarks.
I'm so excited. Thank you. I like the reading in the little parts like that. That's great. So I just have always -- Philadelphia is my adopted home. I really thank you, but y'all gotta remember, I'm from Brooklyn. I just lived here if for a long time. So as I go forward, though, I always claim Philadelphia as home for me. I love Philadelphia. It's those lights on the river that kept me here for 10 years and that always brings me back. So please, I thank you. I thank this Council for the work that it does overseeing the City. I really want to honor the young people and just applaud you and encourage you and to pay very close attention to this room, to watch how it works. Pick your seat. Pick it now. So that when it's time for you to sit in it, it'll be ready for you. Thank you so very much. And thank you, Councilwoman.
We're not quite finished WELCOME AND PRESENTATIONS yet. Iyanla Vanzant, in commemoration of the work that you've done to uplift not only the body but mind and the spirit, and not only for African-Americans but now you've just crossed the barrier and you are cross-cultural in every neighborhood across this nation and the world. As a matter of fact, you're the only one that I've left recorder on so that I can get you on Oprah. But even though Brooklyn is your home, we have adopted you here in Philadelphia, and I'd like to present you this symbol which is Philadelphia's pride -- one day I hope to get one of these -- our Liberty Bell because it's altogether appropriate, I feel, in Philadelphia for this to be presented and it really rings. I'll let you do that the first time. (Applause.)
Philadelphia, of course is the cradle of liberty and freedom, and you've inspired so many countless thousands and millions not only freedom from oppression, but as I'm representing the Office of Health and Fitness, freedom from devastating life-style choices. And by the way, today we kick off for COMMUNICATIONS all the employees in Philadelphia we have our 76 tons of fun where we want to lose 76 tons in 76 days. So not only freedom from all the other things that you've represented, but free to be who the creator designed us to be. So thank you for coming to Philadelphia, and we want to see you more often.
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Clerk.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that February 8, 2001, I signed Bill No. 000180 that was passed by Council at its Session on January 23, 2001.
The messages INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS will be printed in the Journal. The Clerk will read any other communications in her possession.
Thank you. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit consideration at their time of introduction. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit immediate consideration of resolutions at the time of introduction. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS it, and the motion has been carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions this morning.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair recognize Councilman Mariano. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
The Clerk will INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS please read the title of the resolution.
An resolution honoring and saluting the West Oak Lane Stars as champions of the Liberty Conference League.
Madam President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
I'm sorry, Council President. I was off my post. It will never happen again.
I have one bill, Ma'am. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance approving a new plan, estimated costs, and proposed method of changes of the Frankford Special Services District 4 concerning improvements and administrate service Frankford Avenue Business District of the City of Philadelphia.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Madam President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Education to hold hearings on methods and practices of teacher retention and attraction that are used by the City of Philadelphia School District and the school districts across the INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS country.
The resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Thank you, Madam President. I have one privileged resolution.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution recognizing the achievements of the Village of Arts and Humanities as they continue their mission of building community through art in North Philadelphia.
I move the approval of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The the resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam President. I have two bills and one resolution.
The Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance enacting a new Chapter 21-1300 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Office of Consumer Affairs," establishing an Office of Consumer Affairs setting forth a composition of its board, providing the office with the board power to investigate and study consumer issues and INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS establishing its advisory functions, all under certain terms and conditions .
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance City authorizing City officials to follow Articles of Incorporation to establish a non-profit consideration, the Philadelphia Office of Consumer Affairs for the purpose of consumer advocacy and legal representation in the City of Philadelphia and for other related purposes, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee. The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings and investigate the possibility of using the City of Philadelphia Civil Service work force to repair and perform preventative maintenance on projects in place of capital budget spending.
This resolution referred to the appropriate committee. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES The Chair recognizes Councilman Longstreth.
Madam President, I have no bills or resolution today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Madam President, no bills or resolutions today. Thank you.
Thank you. The next order of business reports of committees. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a report from the Committee of the Whole.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee of the Whole reports out one bill with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee of the Whole to which was referred Bill No. 010092, entitled an ordinance amending Chapter REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES 19-3200 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Keystone Opportunity Zone," to provide for the contingent exemption, abatement or credit of certain taxes within specific geographic areas, under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 010092. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended in order to permit placement of Bill No. 010092 on today's First Reading Calendar. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have FIRST READING CALENDAR it and Bill No. 010092 will be placed on today's First Reading Calendar.
The next order of business is consideration of the calendar. The Clerk will please read the bills on the First Reading Calendar.
Bill No. 010092, an ordinance amending Chapter 19-3200 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Keystone Opportunity Zone," to provide for the contingent exemption, abatement or credit of certain taxes within specific geographic areas, under certain terms and conditions.
The Chair agrees. I believe that concludes our First Reading Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of calling any bills to be considered on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Madam President. Today all bills on Second Reading and Final Passage are being held. SPEECHES AND ADJOURNMENT
Thank you. That concludes the calendar. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? Are there any speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Madam Chair, on Tuesday on ABC national news Peter Jennings has been doing a report on the way cities are spending taxpayers' money not for the benefit of the taxpayers. And on Tuesday they actually chose the way the stadium mania has taken over certain cities and how city councils and mayors across the country have been approving stadium monies while ignoring the basic fact of the infrastructure. They took as an example Detroit and Detroit just built one new baseball stadium. They're building a football stadium notwithstanding the fact that just a few years ago the Detroit Lions got the City of Pontiac which is a suburb outside of Detroit to build them a dome stadium. Now they want to go into Detroit. And in essence, they made the point that taxpayers dollars were really not impacting on the SPEECHES AND ADJOURNMENT basic needs of the populus and the citizens but were really benefiting only one class of people, and that was the owners. And he ended that little segment saying, "The user of your money." And that's all I have to say.
Thank you. Are there any other speeches on the part of the majority? Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? There being none. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion.
Madam President, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, February 22, 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Council is adjourned until Thursday, February 22, 2001, at 10:00 a.m. Thank you. SPEECHES AND ADJOURNMENT (Council adjourned at 11:15 a.m.) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of February 15, 2001, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: STATED MEETING ___________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR and Notary Public