Thank you, Madam President. For Councilman Kenney, who I believe the record show is the largest fund-raiser among City Councilmembers in campaigns, for him to have seen the day of light as he does in this bill, I think, is great. I think Councilman Kenney is right on the ball in this bill just as I though he was dead wrong this morning when he supported Councilman DiCicco on the Port Richmond bill. Excuse me for making that dig, but expect it to be repeated until it comes to everybody's mind. And if Councilman Kenney can be converted to being a opponent of the kind of loose fund-raising that take place this days, I think there's hope for everybody. I will be supporting Councilman Kenney's bill fully. I think it's a real step in the right direction.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam Councilman Cohen's remarks. I respect him tremendously. But let me tell you, being a prolific fund-raiser is not fun; it is a chore, it is a job, it is embarrassing and degrading. And to continue to have to ask people for money all the time because of the -- I mean, I spent close to if not over $400,000 in this last election as an endorsed third-term incumbent, endorsed democratic candidate in a primary. So I recognize how difficult it is to raise money all the time. And what I would like to do is, along with supporting Councilman Goode's legislation, is to change this environment so that we don't have to beat up our friends and supporters for more dollars every time we run for office. But thank you for your kind comments, Councilman.
Thank you. Anyone else want to be recognized? The Chair again recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Yes, Madam Chair, and I'll be brief. I'm just concerned about this alleged environment, and to be honest with you, having worked in the City, worked in the council district for 20 years, I can count on -- and this time I'll limit it to my hands -my hands the number of times individuals in my district has raised this as an issue. Whereas, every other day, if not every day, I see it in the newspaper, but I never hear people in districts, people who walk the streets raise this an issue. So my question is, be it perception or whatever, how much of an issue is this with the population of the City of Philadelphia? In the recent mayoral election, the targeted candidate by at least one of the newspapers there was a continual reference, even by the newspaper that supported the Mayor, reference to this pay to play scheme. But yet the Mayor won by 85,000 votes. Now, I know some people would like to contribute that to the folks at Sixth and Arch, but I have to think that realistically a lot of people cast the candidate because they thought the candidate was doing a good job. And if you look at the rankings with respect to the polls, that was so far down on the polls as issues as it related to concerns of residents, I'm wondering is this issue really an issue for the press or is it an issue for the average citizen? And I, frankly speaking, don't think it is, given what I hear out on the street. So I don't think it is as big an issue in the general population as we're making it out to be here today or as it is in the newspaper. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to directly answer Councilman Clarke's question. There was a poll done for the general election of issues that matter and resonate with Philadelphia voters, and the No. 1 issue was improving the public education system in our City, with lowering taxes as the second. Of the 10 issues cited, campaign finance reform ranked No. 8.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney again.
Thank you, Madam President. I just would like to comment that I understand Councilman Clarke's position. I do believe that it is -- I respect his position. I do believe it is more a pressing issue than would seen in the polls, because polls are usually conducted by people who have a specific agenda and are paying to see how that goes. Councilwoman Brown's comments are interesting to me because I believe -- and this is my personal belief -- that the way in which we conduct business in the City actually cost the taxpayers more money. That is my believe. Now, there's no way to actually quantify it, but I believe that when you have a bond deal than we had before, it's going to cost more money. And my position on that is that when we're trying to find the resources to improve our schools and to improve tax structure and our other things, I think a lot of that money goes in that direction as opposed to direct services to people. So a lot of it is hidden within the cost of doing business in the City, and I think that that's important issue. I would just like to say prior to the vote that I want to thank my colleagues for the very respect and thoughtful way in which this debate was conducted. I think we've come a long way over the years to be able to disagree and ask questions and to have a dialog about issues. So I want to thank, however the bill goes, I want to thank my colleagues who spoke for their thoughtful comments and for their civility in this whole debate. So I thank you very much.
Thank you, Madam President. I appreciate Councilman Clarke and Councilwoman Brown being so anxious to indicate that the Mayor suddenly developed this huge popularity in the last few days of the campaign based upon his record. I think more likely he got that tremendous vote of support based upon the people's understanding that President Bush and the Republican Party were up to their dirty tricks again against a minority population as he's been for many, many years. But in any event, I certainly don't think that the bug incident suddenly won support for the Mayor's program. It certainly won support against any dirty tricks by President Bush and it did that rightly and it helped to unify the people behind the Mayor. But anybody who thinks that the Goldenberg Group made a contribution of $165,000 to the Mayor late October didn't expect a return, obviously is pledge smoking or something or other. Obviously, Goldenberg thought it was going to pay off. It looked good, didn't it, when he came here with his whole bevy of attorneys and supporters? But he's found life difficult so he's had to advertise, as most of you saw in the Inquirer saying that his motivation was pure and simple. We'll let the American people judge and the people of Philadelphia. But we wouldn't be in the position of having people question things like the TIF that Goldenberg was trying to get five million, maybe six and a quarter million dollar return on a $165,000 investment. As long as businessmen are free to invest, they're going to invest in political campaigns because it gives the biggest possible return. I know of no business that would make the return of five to six and a quarter million dollars on an investment of 165,000; or if you want to count all of his contributions, on an investment of a half million. It's an enormous return. And if a businessman wasn't good at getting returns, he wouldn't stay in business long. So it's not a question just of morality, though some of that is involved, it's a question of ethics, a question of confidence of people in their government. Government ought to act in such a way that everybody knows the decision is being made on merit, not on political contributions. And I'm supporting Councilman Kenney's bill because I think it's a good, long-needed step overdue for many, many years to clean up the atmosphere in Philadelphia. So I urge all my colleagues, please rethink your positions. I think this bill ought to be supported. Whether it's legal or not, that will depend on the courts, but we can do our share here today. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. At this time I would ask the Clerk to please call the roll. THE
Aye. The vote is 7-7. The motion fails. I would ask the Clerk to please read the title of Bill No. 030642. THE
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to purchase from the United States Postal Service fee simple title to a parcel of land known as 3061 Island Avenue.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Clerk will please call the roll. THE
Aye. The ayes are 14, the nays are 0. A majority of all Members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The next bill being called for consideration is Bill No. 030662. THE
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia without consideration a deed to the Mount Tabor Community Education and Economic Development Corporation a Redevelopment Authority redevelopment agreement.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I would like to offer an amendment for Bill No. 030662. I have distributed the amendment earlier. The amendment essentially places the address of the parcel of land. In the public hearing earlier, there was not specific address. That address is 907-959, 973-1003 North Seventh Street. This is a project that will, hopefully, be done by Mount Tabor Church. They're hoping to build a senior citizen development, and the Redevelopment Authority will convey that. So it is a technical amendment.
Thank you. Any questions on the amendment? (No response.) Councilman, did you make a motion?
Madam President, I'd like ask for a motion on the amendment for Bill No. 030662. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the motion, as presented, be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Bill No. 030662 has been amended. The Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 030684. THE
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to purchase fee simple title to a certain parcel of land known as 2212 West Indiana Avenue.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Clerk will please call the roll. THE
Aye. The ayes are 14, the nays are 0. A majority of all Members having voted in the affirmative, this bill passes. The next bill being called for consideration is Bill No. 030689. THE
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to exchange fee simple title to certain Fairmount Park land with the improvements thereon located northeast of Manayunk Canal.
This bill on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Clerk will please call the roll. THE
Aye. The ayes are 13, the nays are 0. A majority of all Members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. (The vote is 14 to 0. Councilman Kenney recorded as voting aye.) Bill No. 030711 is to be called please.
An ordinance amending Section 15-201 of the Philadelphia Code relating to areas under the care and jurisdiction of the Fairmount Park Commission.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Clerk will please call the roll. THE
Aye. The ayes are 13, the nays are 0. A majority of all Members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. (The vote is 14-0. Councilman. Kenney recorded as voting aye.) The next bill being called for consideration is Bill No. 030713. THE
An ordinance amending Chapter 17-100 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Procurement Contracts," by adding a provision requiring that every contract which permits any person to place an advertising on City-owned or controlled property shall include a provision prohibiting the placement on such property of advertisements for alcohol, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Councilman Cohen, you wish to be recognized, sir?
I'm supporting this bill, but I think it doesn't go nearly far enough. I think it ought to ban all advertising on any City-owned property to make that the City is not for sale. Generally today, it's thought to be for sale. And what the discussions that occurred just recently on campaign financing indicate a lot of concern on the part of many, many people, probably an overwhelming majority of Philadelphians who think the City is for sale and there's a lot of evidence to indicate that. But this bill is the beginning by banning the worst of the advertising that affects the communities in Philadelphia, the liquor and tobacco, and therefore I will be supporting it.
Thank you. The Clerk will please call the roll. THE
Is Councilwoman Miller in the room? Please proceed.