Thank you, Madam President. Real briefly, Madam President, this amendment is an exhibit to a bill that we had earlier as a parcel of land that's being sold to a developer in the Francisville community. It is essentially the Community Benefits 12/10/09 - STATED - 2ND READING Agreement that was not completed at that time. It is now completed. So I would like to offer this as an amendment to Bill No. 090851. (Duly seconded.)
And it was seconded. All in favor of the motion signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 090851 is amended. Bill No. 090851 and all of the other bills read by the Clerk on the First Reading Calendar will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for our next session. That completes our Calendar for on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Are there speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. First let me apologize to my colleague, Councilman Frank DiCicco, for being late to his Streets Committee meeting this morning, but on my way to work, I saw one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my neighborhood in quite some time. I saw a dozen people in hard hats and construction boots working on the commercial corridor project at 63rd and Lansdowne Avenue. And I want to thank the Administration, the Mayor and the Commerce Department for making sure that the stimulus package neighborhoods. It gives me hope that there's light at the end of the tunnel of this recession, and even though it was a little glimmer, it was -- I had to stop and take it in. So I apologize for being late. Secondly, today we unanimously passed a bill to look into bridges and trestles in the City of Philadelphia. There are over -- 143 of the 203 bridges have been deemed poor or worse. Over half of them are in the City of Philadelphia proper. When we start talking about stimulus package and shovel-ready projects, there are no more worthy projects than those bridges or trestles. At 52nd and Lancaster, the site 100 yards from where the El car caught on fire right during the SEPTA strike, there is a bridge that is 109 years old. I carry in my office a railroad spike from that bridge that vibrates so violently, that those spikes fall from that bridge. attempts to contact Amtrak to try to resolve these matters in an amicable way. So we are going to have hearings to remind Amtrak of their responsibility to the City of Philadelphia for the maintenance of those bridges. My father used to tell me often that, When I can't get your attention, son, I'm always going to offer you first the right hand of fellowship, but in the end, to get your attention, we will offer you the left hand of punishment. And we will reserve this city's rights to have injunctive relief if those bridges are not maintained safely. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Madam President, only I wish to say a welcome. I have enormous admiration for working children off to college and then decide they want to further their education as well. We have with us today Rosalyn Mattingly, who was a resident of Philadelphia 20 years ago, left with her husband for career reasons and now wants to return to Philadelphia as a former judge and now -- former judge in South Carolina, now lawyer. So I would like us to simply say hello to Rosalyn Mattingly, if she would stand up, who is looking forward to returning to our city. (Applause.)
Are there any further speeches on the part of the majority? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Council Thursday, December 17th, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, December 17th at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.) 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 on December 10, 2009, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (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.)