Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 140637.
An ordinance amending Chapter 10-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Safety," by revising the penalties for selling any 10/30/14 - STATED - 2ND READING gun or implement, that is not a firearm, which forcefully impels a pellet of any kind.
Thank you. This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are one. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 140718.
An ordinance amending Chapter 10-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Safety," by prohibiting the sale, possession or use of toy or imitation firearms which substantially duplicate or can be reasonably perceived to be actual firearms.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to offer an 10/30/14 - STATED - 2ND READING amendment to Bill No. 140718. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
That amendment has been moved and properly seconded. All in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The amendment is approved to 140718, and 140718 will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage at our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, 140720.
An ordinance amending Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code to add a new Chapter 10-2100, entitled "Hate Crimes," to provide for additional penalties for criminal conduct 10/30/14 - STATED - 2ND READING motivated by hatred toward certain characteristics of other persons.
That bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions.
A resolution authorizing the Council of the City of Philadelphia to hold hearings to investigate the cost and savings of changes made to healthcare benefits for exempt employees of the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Greenlee on behalf of Council President Clarke.
Before we call for a vote, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown. 10/30/14 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. I respectfully request to be excused from Council at this time and want to be recorded as voting aye on any remaining resolutions.
Leave shall be granted, Councilwoman. Thank you very much.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion on the resolution.
I'm sorry. There was a little confusion going on earlier. I'm sorry. Councilman Greenlee, is that yours?
I move the adoption of the resolution. 10/30/14 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution authorizing City Council's Committee of the Whole to hold hearings to fully explore opportunities to further establish the Philadelphia region as an energy hub, introduced by Councilwoman Tasco on behalf of Council President Clarke.
Thank you. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
I move for 10/30/14 - STATED - 2ND READING the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution proclaiming November 14, 2014 through November 22, 2014 as "State of Young Philly Week" in Philadelphia, introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for a motion.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's 10/30/14 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution Commemorating the Dedication of an Official State Historical Marker that Recognizes and Honors Edison High School and its Former Students who died in the Vietnam War, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.) 10/30/14 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution Celebrating, Honoring, and Thanking American Veterans of the Vietnam War, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is 10/30/14 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted.
And a resolution Welcoming The National Wrestling Coaches Association On The Occasion Of The Return To Philadelphia Of Its All-Star Classic Wrestling Competition For The Third Time In Its History And For The First Time In 23 Years On November 1, 2014, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. 10/30/14 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution Welcoming And Recognizing 2014 World Bronze Medalist Helen Maroulis Of The United States And Jillian Gallays Of Canada On The Occasion Of Their Participation In The First-Ever National Wrestling Coaches Association Women's Wrestling Match In Philadelphia On November 1, 2014, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. That concludes our Calendar, and we will now ask for any speeches on the part of the minority. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I'd like to thank you and all the Councilmembers. This Council body has been very proactive in supporting veterans here in Philadelphia. It's no accident that the City of Philadelphia is one of the most vet-friendly cities, from the establishment of a new office in the courtyard that's accessible to all, to the events in the courtyard, including job fairs, the hearings that we've had, the support for the USO, the veterans healthcare hearings and many other things, but one of the hallmarks of what this body has done is the first ever for a municipality to have a tax credit for employers who hire returning veterans. And we passed that and the Mayor signed it. And in Philadelphia for any employer who hires a returning veteran, they get $2,000 off their business taxes the first year and $2,000 off their second year. This November the 5th, under Chairman Wilson Goode, the Commerce and Economic Development Committee will have a hearing on an amendment to that bill, and that amendment is to increase the tax credit from a total of $4,000 to a total of $15,000. It would be $5,000 the first year, 5,000 the second year, and 5,000 the third year, and that would be for any employer who hires a returning veteran in the City of Philadelphia. All members have supported and co-sponsored that bill. It is likely to pass. We will have that hearing, but I think with that, we will be able to take closing out the Year of the Veteran with positive affirmative steps that not only show the spirit of support but actual deeds that distinguish our city and bring us a great workforce while thanking those who serve. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much, Councilman Oh. Actually, Councilman, as I got out of my car this morning, a lady came over to me and said she just left the veterans office and her husband, who was a veteran, was able to start the process and taking advantage of that particular credit. So it's a good thing. Thank you. Thank you for your continued good work. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, earlier this week, City Council came to a fork in the proposed sale of PGW to UIL. We promised our constituents we would do our due diligence on this matter, and we did. Our independent consultants, Concentric Energy Advisors, made a careful review of the business terms of the proposed agreement of sale and worked hard to answer the questions asked by Councilmembers along the way. It was not their job to tell us whether to approve the proposed sale. That decision was ours. As many of my colleagues and I have noted throughout the Administration's sale process, a thorough investigation of all of the options available to the City was a critically important piece needed for us to make any decisions about a possible sale of PGW, but it was missing. Therefore, we asked Concentric to also look at opportunities for the City to make a higher and better use of PGW beyond an outright sale. In words, to see how PGW might improve its financial condition and at the same time contribute to the economic development in the City. Concentric identified six opportunities that together could generate more than $30 million per year to benefit PGW customers either through cost savings or new revenues. As this Council is very good at doing, we've put two and two together. We were not distracted by the misinformation and scare tactics thrown our way. We understand what a valuable asset PGW is and found that divesting ourselves of it permanently to throw off a little bit of short-term cash would not be a wise decision in the long run. As proponents of real estate tax abatements, business tax reforms, and other measures that have spurred revitalization in our commercial corridors, both in Center City and in the neighborhoods, Council recognizes PGW's the City's economic development goals. There are those who have criticized the way in which we conducted our analysis of the Administration's proposal and the conclusions we drew. I'd like to remind those critics of a few facts. First, the Administration wanted us to approve the sale agreement on a "take it or leave it" basis. The sale agreement states that no substantial amendments to the Administration's ordinance could be made by Council. This provision is just one example of how the Administration prevented Council from having meaningful input into its process. Second, Council's job was to evaluate the sale agreement entered into by the Administration and UIL. The only legally binding promises to the City and the citizens of Philadelphia were in this document, not in the ads running on TV and radio or placed in newspapers and bus by the Administration or UIL were outside of that agreement and, therefore, couldn't be relied upon in our analysis. Third, PGW's safety record is actually better than other gas companies in Pennsylvania who have much less of the older cast iron main to manage than PGW does. We should never minimize the tragic incidents which have taken place over the years around the state, but data, data compiled by the federal government shows that over the past ten years, PGW has had half the number of incidents experienced by other utilities, including PECO and Columbia Gas. Clearly, PGW has been doing a good job in managing the risks associated with an older urban system. Finally, PGW has come a long way in the past decade. Standard and Poor just recently recognized the significant financial and operational progress PGW has made by upgrading its A minus. I commend PGW's management and the entire workforce for this great accomplishment. It is all the more notable since the Administration's sale process has prevented PGW from pursuing various business initiatives to cut costs and grow revenues.
Now it is time for PGW to achieve its potential to go to the next level. I call on PGW, the Administration, the business community, organized labor, and other stakeholders to join the City Council now to move forward in implementing the steps that we can make so that we can make PGW even more valuable as an asset for our citizens. I also invite all members of the public -- and that's who we want to hear from also, the public -- to carefully look at all of their information which has been posted on City Council and the City's websites, reports, and to participate in the public discussions that will take place during Council's upcoming hearings. And, Mr. President, I have to thank our staff. They did an outstanding job from the very beginning in trying to analyze the bill that was sent to us, going back time and time again to the Administration to get information that was redacted from the bill that was sent us, and all the many hours they spent working on this. And I just want to thank them for getting us through it. I want to thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership. It's been tough for you, but you've done a good job, and I appreciate it. And I want to say to my colleagues, hang in there, because we're going to come up with a better plan. Thank you very much. )
you, Councilwoman. Thank you very much. Before we conclude, I'd like to do a couple of things. I would like to thank and wish our good friend and colleague Councilman Johnson a happy birthday. Let's hear it for him. (Applause.)
And I would like to take care of one other piece of business. We've had the pleasure for a number of years of having a lot of great people on our staff, and invariably they take advantage of retirement, and today we'd like to announce that one of our long-term Sergeant-of-Arms, he's always over there chillin', nice smile, cordial, our good friend David Rosario is retiring. We'd like to wish him well. (Applause.)
I'd like to recognize Councilman Greenlee and Councilwoman Tasco and Councilman
Thank you, Mr. President. It's indeed an honor to present this citation honoring and recognizing David Rosario. The Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to honor and recognize David Rosario on the occasion of his retirement following 17 years of loyal and dedicated service. Whereas, David Rosario began his career with the City of Philadelphia on March 27th, 1977 at the Department of Licenses and Inspection as a Field Inspector Trainee. After a break from service with the City, Mr. Rosario returned on March 6th, 2000 as an Assistant Sergeant-At-Arms with City Council. On January 29th, 2007, former Council President Anna Verna promoted him to City Council Sergeant-At-Arms, the position he held until retiring or will retire on November 14th, 2014; and
Whereas, respected by his superiors and colleagues, and his presence in City Council will be sorely missed. His spirit and enthusiasm have been a permanent and positive influence, and he is held in high esteem by all. Mr. Rosario has made a positive impact on many people who have been enriched by his knowledge and enhanced by his wisdom; and
Whereas, we in City Council join in wishing David Rosario well in his future endeavors and hope his retirement is filled with good health, happiness, and the joys of family and friends. Therefore, by virtue of this citation, the Council of the City of Philadelphia does hereby honor and recognize David Rosario for 17 years of outstanding service and for his contributions to our city. We thank him for all he has done and extend to him the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body. Congratulations, David. (Applause.)
Bear with me just a few minutes. I prepared a little speech in the event something like this happened. First of all, I want to say good morning, Council President and Councilpeople. Last week I really went to church in about the first time for the last three years. I haven't went. So I heard the pastor was saying things about defining moments. So this is a defining moment in my life right now, retirement, and several questions come to mind. First of all, what will I do without seeing my staff every morning, like David Oates. One time I called him, I said, How many players on the field? He says to me 11 -- 12, I meant, when I know there was 11. I mean, I know a little bit about sports because I had a tryout when I was about 17 with I threw that at him. And Bernie, which tells me every morning, I'll be back, I want to take me a cigarette break. Call me. I said, Okay, I'll call you when I need you. Okay. Then we have William Robinson. No need to talk to him because he's always eating. Truly I will miss part of this brotherly love city, a body that I've seen struggle over difficult moments, a group of men and women that not necessarily agree with each other, but at the end of the day they do the best what's for the City. And I will miss brotherly love also, will miss entertainment protesters and the outbursts and the disruptions. Like the time I told a gentleman up in the balcony, please stop the disruptions, and he says, Okay. Next thing I know, he's throwing a punch at the Sergeant. So I scene, you know. A little old lady once that I picked that was legally blind, I picked her up in the hall. I said, Come on, I'll take you to your Councilperson, because I asked her. So she had -- I don't know who the aide was that was speaking to her. She's not here anymore, but she spoke to her for about five minutes and then finally she asked the question, How much do you make a month? She says, A million dollars. I said, Okay. She asked us to us ask her again, maybe she didn't understand. She asked her again. She said, A million dollars. So I said, Okay. The lady told her to sit down. When she told her to sit down, I know she was being well taken care of, so I just left also, you know. What will I do in the extra time when I leave here? Sleep, sleep, and then some more sleep. And I would definitely like to Verna, the former Council President, for appointing me Sergeant-of-Arms and promoting me, and my gratitude and I'm grateful, I feel grateful to Darrell Clarke for giving me the opportunity to continue the leadership. So that's about it, all I have to say. So God bless to our brotherly love city and continue to give each other the wisdom and the courage to make Philadelphia a better place. Thank you. (Applause.)
Can we get one last Council stand at ease for our good friend, Sergeant Rosario. (Council at ease.)
Thank you very much. And with that, the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, November 13th, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, November 13, 2014, 10:00 a.m. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Thank you all very much. ) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. ) A 112:8,19 African 2:15 analyst 16:4 27:11,22 32:15 abandoned 71:24 ADJOURNME...