Committee Hearing, June 15, 1999

I live at 825 Earp Street.

Earp is part of this proposal?

It is two blocks removed. I'm a Philadelphia taxpayer giving testimony about funding.

I was just trying to understand the distinction.

Okay. The plan doesn't specifically list properties to be condemned. I think it should list specific properties. A fair 133 BILL NO. 990331 market value of property immediately before and after taking is customary measure of determining just compensation. The bill states for the redevelopment of the area by private enterprise under the circumstances. It also states for which public money may be spent. The plan states the Jefferson Square CDC was formed and received $3 million in state funds to revitalize the redevelopment area. Because taxpayer money is being used, I request Council to add an amendment that public bidding procedures be used for any and all construction related to this redevelopment. John Dougherty has a business of the electrical trade unit. He's a board member of this CDC. I am asking Council to amend this bill with the statement that fully disclose bylaws, officers, board members of the Jefferson Square Community Corporation, New Tower Association, and the Kessler Court. That's the end of my testimony.

Thank you very much, sir. Are there any questions from Members of the Committee. Thank you. Our next witness is Mr. Fred Druding, 134 BILL NO. 990331 and after Mr. Druding is Reverend Carl Fritchette.

My name is Fred Druding. I'm here today as executive of Wico (ph) Development Corporation which is a member of CDC operating in South Philadelphia. We've done some rehabs in the Jefferson Square area on the 400 block of Manton Street. We've also done some rehabs just south of the designated area along Fifth Street. I'd like first of all to commend Councilman Di Cicco for the plan that he's developed. He has worked with the community. There are people here today who have not testified that are in favor of this plan, but may have felt a little intimidated by people that are opposed to it. I couldn't agree more with the people here today in terms of additional community input. The Councilman knows this, it's something he's working toward and made a commitment to continue involvement of the community. A good plan always, for it to be successful, has to have community input and it will be successful because the Councilman has made a commitment to do that. I have a particular interest in the community because I was born at 1326 South Fifth 135 BILL NO. 990331 Street which is right in the heart of Jefferson Square. My grandparents lived on Wharton. My parents first lived on Reed Street and I had an uncle that had a Jewelry store at Fifth and Titan, so I'm very familiar with the area, its good days to its bad days and the future it holds. It's a wonderful area with many wonderful people. I think everyone, including those who might be opposed to this particular plan and intend to come back here in September, want to see something successful. But I think part of the problem and part of the misconception that people have come here today have been stories that have been spread throughout the community, flyers that have been distributed stating a lot of misinformation. Those flyers were unsigned but yet they said they spoke with factual information. It was not factual information. It was misinformation that got people upset that shouldn't be upset. Everyone wants to work toward better communities. We're here to do our part for that and I know Councilman DiCicco and everyone sitting down that they'll be able to do that. I would close with one recommendation that might be a little bit of help and something for 136 BILL NO. 990331 the Councilman to consider. Since there is some doubt who really represents the community in question, perhaps individual streets can select their own representative and those people collectively that are within the designated area could then serve as the advisory group to work with the Councilman to come up with a final plan. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Druding.

The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.

I want to thank you for last comment. I failed to mention that earlier when I spoke about forming a group to address the concerns going forward. I offered a similar proposal to the folks who live in the MLK area. And again, I thank you for bringing that to my attention. I failed to mention that earlier. And we can do that as Fred Druding just described. If the residents on a particular block were to choose one person, to be a member of the task force, at least I will know that every neighborhood or block in the area has representation. You decide on 137 BILL NO. 990331 that and when Jeanine Caruso calls me to schedule a meeting I think that could be a good working committee going forward. Thanks again, Mr. Druding.

Madam Chair.

The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.

Not to get into a discussion with Mr. Druding, but only to express views, Madam Chair, on one of the comments that he made which had to do with whether or not some people in the audience had a comfort or discomfort level about the prospect of testifying. I would say, at least for myself, and I know generally how the Chair feels about these matters, there's certainly no 16 reason for anyone who has an interest in testifying at a City Council hearing to be afraid to testify at public hearing which are always open to the public. We are here for anyone who has anything to say. And I would certainly feel remiss to not say that if someone wants to testify, they certainly can and should feel free to do so. If you chose not to for whatever personal reason, that is certainly fine. The notion that anyone would feel intimidated, I would have to reject that concept. Just because 138 BILL NO. 990331 people have differences of opinion doesn't mean in a public forum anyone should feel any discomfort about coming to the witness table and saying whatever it is they have to say. We, as Members of City Council, reserve the right to hear all kinds of testimony and we'll make our decisions based on the facts as they weigh out. This is a very serious matter. We are taking it very seriously and we are generally prepared to listen to what somebody has to say. I think this has been a good discussion, open and frank and honest because there are serious matters being discussed and talked about, the prospect of redevelopment in general which could be good but relocation and displacement which has an effect on people's lives who have lived in a place for many, many years. So I would just state that for the record to make sure it is very clear that we are a open and free body we welcome all testimony. No one should ever feel intimidated to come to the witness stand and testify here in City Council.

Thank you. Our next witness is Reverend Karl Fritchette. Do we have anyone else in the audience that would like to testify? 139 BILL NO. 990331

I have copies of letters by neighbors who were not able to attend here today. I'd like them to be entered into the record. One by Ms. Taylor and one by Ms. Testa.

We will make that a part of the record and a copy will be given to the stenographer.

I'm Suzanne Haney. I spoke earlier. I just wanted to mention that I have some written materials and maps that were not yet prepared from the printers that I will be submitting in support of my testimony. Thank you.

Thank you so much. We're really very behind schedule. If you'll be brief, I'll be more than happy to recognize you, but you must be brief.

I'm Joe Ross again. I'd just like to know how do you get on this elected committee?

What elected committee?

They have an elected committee that works in that area, Jefferson Square 140 BILL NO. 990331 area. Do you have that Mr. DiCicco? How does someone get on the elected committee?

I'm not sure of what committee you're speaking. The St. John's Leadership Team?

I think you're speaking of committee people?

CDC, how do you on there?

Yes.

Well, I actually chose the people to be on there based on my interaction with people in that community initially. And we have since then taken a couple of more names that have been recommended to me by other neighbors, other people from the neighborhood.

Are you referring to elected committee people?

Yes.

I just explained how that happened. I started somewhere. I started with a group of people from the neighborhood. Mr. Kirk Brown who's here is one of the --

Would you pencil me in, Mr. 141 BILL NO. 990331 DiCicco?

I won't pencil you in. If you would like to serve on the board, I suggest that you send us some information to the CDC by way of Jeremy Newberg.

Come on, give me a break.

That's the way it is, sir. I'm sorry.

Just say you don't want me on there, Mr. DiCicco.

No, I didn't say that.

Is there anyone else to testify? AUDIENCE MEMBER: What kind of information is necessary to get on the board?

Your name, your address, your desire to be on there. And then that will be presented on the board and they'll vote on whether or not they want to accept you or not. But we're going to have a task force set up. I think you just heard me say that. AUDIENCE MEMBER: We're talking about the Board, not the task force. 142 BILL NO. 990331

Thank you all very much. I thank you all for your patience. This will conclude the public hearing of the Rules Committee. We will now go into our public meeting. - - - 143 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC MEETING COMMITTEE ON RULES - - - Tuesday, June 15, 1999 - - - Public Meeting conducted by the Committee on Rules, held in Room 401, City Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the above date, to consider action on the following: BILLS 980846, 990048, 990327, 990328, 990331 - - - PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA VERNA COUNCILMAN FRANK DI CICCO COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN - - - 144 PUBLIC MEETING

The record will reflect that Bill 990358 is recessed until tomorrow June 16, 1999 at 1 o'clock. The record also will reflect Bill No. 6 990696 has been continued until the call of the Chair. Bill No. 980048 is being held at the request of the sponsor. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco regarding Bill No. 980846.

Thank you, Madam President.

Excuse me. We're trying to conduct business so if you want to have conversation, please do so in the corridor. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. I offer an amendment to Bill No. 980846. And the amendment should read in Section 1 under 3 under the title "adult bookstores located in the following areas shall not be open for business between the hours of -- where it reads 12 o'clock midnight, it should be 3 o'clock a.m. and 8 o'clock a.m. 145 PUBLIC MEETING (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and seconded that the amendment be adopted. All in favor will significant by saying eye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.

Thank you, Madam President. I move that Bill No. 980846, as amended, be approved.

Do I hear a second?

And make a motion for suspension of rules. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 980846 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation as amended, and that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit First Reading at our next Session of Council. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? 146 PUBLIC MEETING The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The record will reflect that Bill No. 5 990311 has been recessed until tomorrow June 16, 1999 at 1:00 p.m. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter regarding bill number 990327.

Madam Chair, I move that Bill 990326 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit First Reading at our next Session of Council.

Do I hear a second? (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and second that Bill No. 980327 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit First Reading at our next Session of Council. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is 147 PUBLIC MEETING carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen regarding Bill No. 990328.

Madam Chair, I move that Bill No. 990328 be reported out with a favorable recommendation and with the request that suspension of the Rules to permit First Reading at the next Session of Council. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and seconded that Bill 990328 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation, also a recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permanent First Reading at our next Session of Council. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter regarding number 990329.

Madam Chair, I move that Bill No. 990329 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and 148 PUBLIC MEETING further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit First Reading at our next Session. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and seconded that Bill No. 990329 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation, also a recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit First Reading at our next Session of Council. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco regarding Bill No. 990331.

Madam President, I ask that bill be held until Council reconvenes in September.

Thank you. The record will show that Bill No. 990331 is being held at the request of the sponsor. Thank you very much. (Council adjourned 1:00 p.m.) 149 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 June 15, 1999, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: COMMITTEE ON RULES ___________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR and Notary Public