Aye. 3/21/02 - FINAL READING/BILL NO. 020088 The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, this bill passes. The next bill being called for consideration is Bill No. 020088.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia zoning maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Oregon Avenue, 19th Street, Johnson Street and 20th Street.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The clerk will plead call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the 3/21/02 - FINAL READING/BILL NO. 020095 affirmative, the bill passes. The last bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 020095.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code relating to zoning and planning by amending Section 14-1615 entitled "Main Street Manayunk Special District Controls" by amending certain prohibited uses and the Sunset provision all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The clerk will please call the roll.
Councilman Kenney voting 3/21/02 - FINAL READING/BILL NO. 020095 aye.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. 3/21/02 - FINAL READING/BILL NO. 020027 Mrs. Rafferty, we now have to call up Bill No. 020027. Do you have a copy of the bill?
An ordinance authorizing the creation of a loan or loans to provide funds for and toward various capital municipal purposes authorizing the Mayor, the City Controller and City Solicitor or a majority of them to sell bonds at a private or public-negotiated sale, providing for obtaining the consent of the electors to increasing the indebtedness of the City of Philadelphia and fixing a date for holding the election for obtaining such consent and providing for the arrangements for holding such election.
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.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. That concludes our calendar for today. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? Are there speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Madam President. I will be extremely brief. Two items. One is given some of the debate and discussion that we have had with regard to schools and public education, a number of members have talked about the need and Councilman Clarke on a number of occasions has mentioned the need for statewide tax reform. I think all of that issue is on the minds of many people, and without giving endorsement to a particular idea or bill, I know that Reverend Shine last night at the public meeting last night made mention of one legislative matter that has been put out there by Representative Nicosi and I just wanted to mention I guess or even suggest, and I know that Councilwoman Miller is not here, our chair of education committee, but there might be in this 3/21/02 - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT context a unique opportunity, slightly unusual methodology, that council might actually have some hearings around the issues that are at least raised in that bill to get greater public attention on that particular issue. I think there have been some public hearings in different places actually including here in Philadelphia, but I think if there was an opportunity to hear testimony as well as ideas around a particular -- not only a concept; this is obviously a bill, that we might be able to push along this issue of true statewide tax reform, and if there is a bill out there, that it or some variation of that bill might get some momentum, but also we could bring here to Philadelphia some additional attention to the need for that particular issue. The second matter, Madam Chair, I actually want to rise to some extent. There was a news report I think two days ago about an unfortunate series of indictments regarding plumbing inspectors. The newspaper account, though, indicated that 12 public employees had been indicted for a variety of alleged criminal activity and 3/21/02 - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT behaviors, but one person in that unit, Madam President, decided not to participate in these alleged activities, for which that public employee was apparently the source of great scorn and disdain by fellow workers. I do not know this individual. I have no idea what their name is. He obviously knows who he is, and I at least wanted to recognize that person as a strong person, the embodiment of good public service that they would not allow themselves to be coerced to participate in such activity and that person holds up the true ideal for all of us as public servants that you have to stick to your mind-set and what your true calling is in public service and not allow the pressures around you to get you to do things that you know are in fact wrong. So whoever that person is, Madam President, I certainly salute them for being a good public servant and not engaging in that kind of behavior.
Thank you and I think your suggestion is an excellent one and one I'm sure that Councilwoman Miller would probably 3/21/02 - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT love to pursue. At this time the Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
Thank you, Madam President. During the first several weeks of this year a lot of attention focused on the negative behavior of some of the activities that occur on South Street in my district. We got through a relatively peaceful Mardi Gras this year compared to last year when we actually became a national disgrace. Unfortunately, that type of behavior that gets publicized carries on and over through the year. The perception a lot of people have about South Street is that the Mardi Gras type of atmosphere and attitude is something that is a daily and weekly occurrence. Nothing could be further from the truth. Although South Street is a very eclectic street, sometimes referred to in a song years ago as the hippest street in town, that doesn't necessarily mean that it is something that is wrong or bad. Earlier this morning, as you know, we offered a citation to the South Street Head House District folks in recognition of the 9th annual 3/21/02 - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT South Street Easter parade that will be taking place on March 31 of this year. That is one of many, many positive events that occur on South Street year in and year out. Unfortunately, we were not able to all participate in that citation presentation this morning, but I would encourage my colleagues and anyone who is listening today to go down to South Street on Easter Sunday if you have the time and see really a positive environment where people from all over the city, from all walks of life, all different cultures come together to enjoy real true family entertainment. I have been fortunate as a representative of that South Street parade to be in a position to be a judge in the promenade. Although last year I was out of town, this year I expect to be there, so I would welcome my colleagues to come down, bring your families, mention my name and you may get a discount, but if not, I'm sure you will have a good time anyway. Again, my hat is off to South Street Head House District and the folks down there for providing the kind of entertainment that we want to encourage in the City of Philadelphia and not to 3/21/02 - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT think that Mardi Gras is the only thing we have to offer. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you, Madam President. I would like to thank all of my colleagues and all concerned. As many of you know, but I say this for those who did not read it in the papers, that the courts decided with the people in returning misdemeanor and preliminary trials back to neighborhood divisional courts, and it is such an important thing. It makes such a big difference to the quality of life that cases be decided in neighborhoods where people live and where people have access, so certainly we commend everybody from the courts to the police department, to the victim witness services and to all who were concerned who realized and all here who were in sync with realizing that we have to side with the people who elect us to understand what their issues are. This was an example where everybody was of one mind. We were all in tune with what the public needs certainly, and everyone agreed that 3/21/02 - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT these cases go back to neighborhoods. It will make a big difference to downtown obviously. We won't see so much of a crowd down at the Criminal Justice Center. It makes a big difference in the police department scheduling people in neighborhoods. It makes a big difference from people who don't have to come in town. In so many areas it makes all the difference in the world, so certainly I thank all of those concerned and involved from the top to the bottom who realized that we have to side with the people in the neighborhoods to certainly have this decision rescinded. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Yesterday the Senate in the United States passed campaign finance reform after a ten-year struggle. With a fortuitous combination of getting a Democratic majority and a Democratic leadership of the Senate together with the leadership of the Republican Senator McCann, they were able to bring about campaign finance reform that I believe is going to have a significant impact on people and taking money and the meaning of pay as you play out 3/21/02 - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT of the national politics. We have to do that here in Philadelphia. Councilman Kenney, myself, Councilman Cohen, others have been struggling with campaign finance reform, and during the next week I will be reintroducing the bill that we had before this chamber during the first few months of this term, and hopefully we will take a page out of the Senate and pass that for the City of Philadelphia as New York, L.A., and other cities have done across the country. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Thank you, Madam President. For me I will be very brief. That doesn't mean I will be brief though. I think a lot of very good things have been said today, but I take most hope from the statement made by our majority leader, Councilwoman Blackwell. When this council acts in a united way as we did behind Councilwoman Blackwell's leadership on the site location of preliminary hearings, we are very effective. I'm hoping to see the day, and I hope it will be soon, when this council acts with that same spirit all across the board. Thank you, 3/21/02 - SPEECHES/ADJOURNMENT Madam President.
Thank you. Are there any other speeches on the part of the majority? Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that council stand adjourned until Thursday, April 4, 10:00 a.m., 2002. (Duly seconded.)
It has been proved and properly seconded that the council stand adjourned until Thursday, April 4, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will say aye. MEMBERS: Aye.
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. Thank you. (Adjourned at 1:00 p.m.) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of Monday, November 5, 2001 are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. RE: STATED MEETING ______________________________ Cynthia A. Whyte, RPR (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)