Thank you thank you very much. Is there anyone? Else anyone else to testify on any of these bills? (Paul Stienke comes forward.)
Good afternoon. My name is Paul Stienke, I'm the Executive Director of the University City District. I was still here so I thought I might as well read my testimony into the record.
The University District is a special services district providing services in the University City section of West 260 11/18/98 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - PUBLIC MEETING Philadelphia. We're funded by voluntary contributions and have a 17-member board of director that represents a cross-section of the community. We thank Councilwoman Blackwell and this Council for the opportunity to testify. Councilwoman Blackwell, in particular, who's shown admirable courage in seeking community input on this matter, and we thank her for that. The sidewalk control ordinance that's now constituted excludes the 3rd Council District, including University City. The University City district believes that if University City remains secluded in this ordinance, then University City will sooner or later become known as a lawless safe haven for abusively aggressive panhandlers and the shelter-resistant homeless. Such individuals will be forced to leave Center City when the impact of this law begins to be felt, and logical to expect that many will likely migrate to University City, located just across the river, in their search for a place where the sidewalk ordinance does not apply. In addition to doing nothing to address 261 11/18/98 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - PUBLIC MEETING the unfortunate plight of these individuals, such eventuality would threaten to degrade the quality of life of this community, which as been steadily improving in recent years. The UCD agrees that real solutions and not simply legislation must be found to solve the problems of poverty, homelessness and substance abuse, and we pledge our support and cooperation with efforts to develop these solutions. Our position is consistent with the position adopted by the University City Community Council, five members of which sit on the UCD board of directors. We do not want to see University City and West Philadelphia become a magnet for the rest of the City's problems, therefore, we urge passage of Bill No. 980641. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much. Is this anyone else to testify? (No response.)
Seeing no one, this brings us to the end of our public hearing. We will now go into public meeting - - - 262 11/18/98 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - PUBLIC MEETING
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Verna for a motion on Bill No. 4 980685.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 908685 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation. (Duly seconded.)
All those in favor, let it be known by saying aye. Those opposed, say nay. The ayes have it. It is so ordered. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Verna for a motion on Bill No. 980621.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 980621 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation. (Duly seconded.)
All those in favor, let it be known by saying aye. Those opposed, say nay. The ayes have it. It is so ordered. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell to move the adoption of the amendment that she offered on Bill No. 980641. 263 11/18/98 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - PUBLIC MEETING
All those in favor, let it be known by saying aye. Those opposed, say nay. The ayes have it. Then Bill No. 980641 is amended. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Verna for a motion on the amended bill.
I move that Bill 13 No. 980641 be reported out of the committee with a favorable recommendation, as amended. (Duly seconded.)
All those in favor, let it be known by saying aye. Those opposed, say nay. The ayes have it. It is so ordered. The Chair is in error. We have one other bill in front of us, so we will reconvene our public hearing. - - - 264 11/18/98 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - BILL NO. 980715
This is a public hearing on Bill 980715. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter on the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I have one piece of business that needs to be taken care of, if I could have the sergeant-at-arms at distribute a memo that was given to me last night from the Law Department. There is one technical amendment that needs to be made to this bill.
Be glad to, Mr. President. The amendment is in number one. At the end of that sentence should be added: "This provision shall not apply to any building or facility or part thereof under the jurisdiction of the Fairmount Park Commission." There is fairly long-standing opinion, Mr. President, that the Fairmount Commission has complete jurisdiction of their roads and buildings 265 11/18/98 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - BILL NO. 980715 within the park system. There was no intent to infringe on that right by the Park Commission, and the Law Department has been very helpful in pointing out the need for clarity and the ability to cure this particular problem in Bill No. 7 980715. So in the public meeting, I'd like to move the adoption of that particular amendment, Mr. President.
Are there any questions for Councilman Nutter on this bill? (No questions.)
The bill is simple. Not me, right, Mr. President? (Laughter.)
A very simple bill. Is there any question, any comments? Is there any member of the general 266 11/18/98 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - BILL NO. 980715 public or anyone in the room who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Then we will call an end to the public hearing. - - - 267 11/18/98 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - PUBLIC MEETING
We will now go into a public meeting on Bill No. 980715. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter for a motion on the proposed amendment.
Mr. President, I move the adoption of the amendment as read into the record in the public hearing. (Duly seconded.)
All those in favor, let it be known by saying aye. Those opposed, say nay. The ayes have it. The bill is amended. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Verna on the amended bill.
I move that Bill 17 No. 980715 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation as amended. (Duly seconded.)
All those in favor, let it be known by saying aye. Those opposed, say nay. The ayes have it. It is so ordered. This appears to bring us to the end of our public hearing and our public meeting on all 268 11/18/98 COMM. OF THE WHOLE - PUBLIC MEETING of the bills that are in front of us. Am I correct in that?
Thank you. (Adjourned at 2:15 p.m.) - - - 269 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 Wednesday, November 18, 1998. Were reported and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of same. RE: COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE BILL NO.'S - 980549, 980705, 980719, 980746 980794, 980621, 980641, 980685 980715 __________________________________, JOSEPHINE CARDILLO, Registered Professional Reporter