COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Thursday, 06/14/01 10:33 a.m. Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE L. BLACKWELL COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN FRANK J. DICICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN W. THACHER LONGSTRETH COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO PATRICIA RAFFERTY, Deputy Chief Clerk VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 GREETING/INVOCATION P R O C E E D I N G S
Thank you, thank you very much. We're going to do this Council session and we're going to do it without any disturbance, so please be very cooperative. Please. I know you're all here and I know that many of you would rather be working, so in order for you to know what we're doing today, I will make an announcement very early on that Bill No.'s 658 and 137 are not going to be considered today; they're going to be held until fall. So if any of you feel that you'd like to leave and go to work, feel free to do so, but I am going to tell you that we are going to do this Council session without any disruption. Anybody that causes disruption will be escorted out of the chamber. I think I've made myself clear, and I'm not going to say it again. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. The Council will come to order, members will take their seats, visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation this morning, the GREETING/INVOCATION welcomes Reverend Dr. W. Goode, Sr., Assistant Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Pascal. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Goode. Councilmembers and guests will please rise.
Almighty and all-wise and all-loving God, we come this morning to ask Your blessings upon this noble body of men and women with authority to make laws and authorize budgets. Endow them with a high sense of responsibility. Make them immune to temptation of selfish interests. Fill them with knowledge and wisdom so that the interests of the people come before the interests of politics and patronage. Empower them to be an advocate and a special advocate for our children. We pray today especially for our children, that no child will suffer from hunger, that no child will spend their life in homeless shelters or suffer from the abuse of a parent, a loved one, of a coming danger because of an insincere but unprepared teacher. Protect our children from the expediency of budget cuts and political Russian roulette. Protect our children GREETING/INVOCATION from uncaring prosecutors and judges and members of City Councils who advocate for locking our children up as adults. Protect us, protect our children, and protect those who seek social services but deny appropriate service to them. And we pray for those misguided and misdirected political politicians in Harrisburg who seek political patronage under the guise of helping our children. And now, Lord, as we bring this prayer to a close, we thank You for this body of noble men and women charged with legislation of this city. Empower them, O, God, to make mountains level, to make valleys high and rough places smooth and crooked place straight. Inspire them, O, Lord, to be merciful, to love justice, and to walk humbly with their God. We pray in Your name and for Your sake. Amen.
Amen. The Chair thanks the Reverend Goode for his inspiring invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.) GREETING/INVOCATION (Proceedings resume.)
Mr. Balka, I did make an announcement before we started our session. Apparently, I was not clearly understood. Do you want to make a statement so that your membership would know exactly what is happening here today?
Thank you. Thank you very much. Vendors, you've won. Go home. (Commotion as vendors exit chamber.)
Mr. Balka, Mr. Balka, Mr. Balka, I'm not going to tolerate this. You can't hear me. Mr. Balka, come to the floor. (Mr. Balka comes forward.)
Mr. Balka, I'm sorry, we can't tolerate this. Please tell your people that -
I don't care. This has got to stop. (Vendors leave chambers.) JOURNAL APPROVAL/LEAVES OF ABSENCE
I think we can now proceed with the regular order of business. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 7, 2001. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of the meeting of Thursday, June 7, 2001, stand approved.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 7, 2001, stand approved. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 7, 2001, has been approved. JOURNAL APPROVAL/LEAVES OF ABSENCE
The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. There are no requests for leaves of absence on the part of the majority.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Madam President. There are no requests for leaves of absence today on behalf of the Republicans.
The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize guests and visitors joining us in chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our session today we appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our city. We certainly invite you to come again. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney, who will present a resolution VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS honoring principal dancer Jeffrey Gribler of the Pennsylvania Ballet Company. Will Mr. Gribler and those accompanying him please join him at the podium. (Honoree et al. come forward.)
Thank you, Madam President. This is a resolution honoring principal dancer and ballet master Jeffrey Gribler on the occasion of his retirement from the Pennsylvania Ballet. Whereas, Jeffrey Gribler, a principal dancer of the Pennsylvania Ballet is an unusually gifted ballet dancer, who began dancing at the age of 7 in his hometown of Dayton, Ohio, and at the age of 17, was offered an apprenticeship with Pennsylvania Ballet, one of the premier ballet companies in the nation, joining its Corps de Ballet in 1976 and promoted to its principal dancer 1982; and Whereas. . .
Whereas, Jeffrey Gribler has demonstrated remarkable versatility over the years with an extensive repertoire of both VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS classical and modern works, including dancing leading roles in numerous ballets by George Ballanchine, such as A Mid Summer Night's Dream, Prodigal Son, (indiscernible) and the Fourth Temperments, leading roles in other classical repertoires such as Sigfried in Swan Lake, Albrecht in Giselle, Franz in (indiscernible), and a stepsister in Cinderella, and Mercutio in Romeo and Juliette, and modern works such as Paul Taylor's Company B, Cunningham's Arcade, Kevin O'Day's (indiscernible), and Laura Lubichev's Concerto 622; and. . .
Whereas, Jeffrey Gribler has choreographed several works for Shut Up and Dance, the annual benefit of MANNA, and has had several pieces included in the company's annual program of new works and has staged works by Lynn Taylor Corbett and Peter Martins around the United States and Europe; and. . .
Whereas, after entertaining so many audiences throughout the region and the world, Jeffrey Gribler has recently announced his retirement as principal dancer at age 43, marking an extraordinarily long and VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS distinguished career of 26 years with the Pennsylvania Ballet; and Whereas, Jeffrey Gribler has also been ballet master for the Pennsylvania Ballet since 1986, a position he will continue to hold, responsible for rehearsing the students who appear in the company's annual production of The Nutcracker, and he will henceforth be responsible for teaching the Ballet's contemporary repertoire. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that we honor principal dancer and ballet master Jeffrey Gribler on the occasion of retirement from the Pennsylvania Ballet. And let me just add one other note that's not in the resolution. Those of us who have enjoyed over the last few months watching the Philadelphia 76ers' Allen Iverson, Dikembe Mutondo, and others who are graceful athletes, those who enjoy watching Donovan McNab and wide receivers in the NFL do tremendous things, those who love watching Doug Landel (ph.) run into center field and snag a ball in deep center field, if you enjoy those kinds of things and events, then you would love the VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS ballet. These individuals standing here, Mr. Gribler and Mr. Kaiser, are world-class athletes. And not only are they world-class physical atletes, but they have to do something else too: They need to be able to dance a piece with precision and with grace, at the same time maintaining their athleticism. Mr. Gribler has given us as much fame throughout the world in the arts and cultural community as Allen Iverson has done in the last few months. And for that, I want to thank him for putting us on the map of ballet and arts and culture in this world and want to wish him well on his retirement from the ballet. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the Council for a very exciting morning -- exciting in more ways than that I thought it would be.
You thought they were all here for you. VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS
I did, I thought they were all here for me, but they said to me, no, man, don't retire. I'm going to keep this really brief because I haven't retired yet and I have to go to class. So I can't imagine that I danced for 26 years. I mean, I'm just a kid from Ohio who wanted to dance and somehow I was lucky enough to end up doing what I wanted to do, which was to dance in a company what that I love, which is Pennsylvania Ballet, and in a city that I just think is incredible that I've learned to call home, and that's Philadelphia. It's been more amazing to me than I could have imagined. This 26 years, it's gone like that. If I could do 26 more, I'd do 'em. Not possible. So, like I said, I'm going to keep this really brief. Thank you very much for this honor and from someone who has spent, oh, probably the first ten years of his career feeling like the underdog, I just want to say, Go Sixers! (Applause.)
Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.) VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS (Proceedings resume.)
The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Tasco, who will make a presentation honoring the Father's Day Rally Committee. Will Mr. Bilal Quayyum and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman at the podium. (Honoree et al. come forward.)
Thank you, Madam President. It gives me great pleasure this morning to present a, friend, longtime friend, this resolution recognizing the wonderful world of Father's Day rally and the leadership of Bilal Quayyum as head of this outstanding and dynamic group. And this is a resolution honoring Father's Day Rally Committee on its efforts and initiatives that have positively impacted on the quality of life of African-American communities and African-American males in particular within both Philadelphia and the entire Delaware Valley region at large. VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS Whereas, nationally and locally, African-American males lead in every category of negative statistics and are more likely than any other singular group to be unemployed, involved in the criminal justice system, or to commit suicide. Startling data documents that the homicide rate is six times higher, AIDS contractions three times more likely, and death from heart attacks 50 percent higher among African-American males in comparison to their white male counterparts; and Whereas, a group of concerned African-American men established the Father's Day Rally Day Committee, Inc. in 1989. Seeing and understanding the myriad of social ills that plague minority communities, FDRC sought to formulate clear initiatives geared at reducing violence and educating communities that many of them at one time or another called home; and Whereas, the Father's Day Rally Committee believes and positively exemplifies through their word and by deed that men working together at the grassroots level can launch a meaningful attack on the negatived attitudes which contribute to the destruction of families and VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS neighborhoods; and Whereas, the Father's Day Rally Committee initiated a citywide peace campaign designed to heighten awarenessness of and open dialogue on decreasing the number of senseless killings and other acts of violence against and attributed to African-American males in response to a dramatic increase in the City's already historically high homicides rate. FDRC has sponsored dozens of peace marches and rallies, reaching upwards of 25,000 people in connection with this and other similar campaigns; and Whereas, the Father's Day Rally Committee has spearheaded many noteworthy and innovative programs that are reaching African-American males, particularly between the ages of 15 to 25 with positive and lasting results. Those programs include the David P. Richardson, Jr. Rites of Passage Program, an outgrowth of the African-American awakening of the 1960s and '70s, designed to teach young men of responsibilities of manhood as they relate to the family, community, and the nation at large; Operation Footprint, a mentoring program where older African-American males VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS speak and make themselves available to their younger counterparts, attending area high schools; Fatherhood Always, a noncustodial parent project; and an annual Father's Day picnic, the 12th being held on Sunday, June 17, 2001, celebrating and honoring African-American fathers and fatherhood, has become a well-attended and highly-regarded event in the Philadelphia area. Now, therefore, resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that we hereby honor and commend the Father's Day Rally Committee's efforts and initiatives that have impacted on the quality of life of African-American communities and African-American males in particular within both Philadelphia and the entire Delaware Valley region at large. We further salute them on their 12th anniversary and admire their fortitude and resolve to attack those issues that have robbed our neighborhoods of an essential component, young African-American males, for far too long.
Further resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Bilal Quayyum, President of the Father's Day Rally Committee, as an VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS expression of the sincere sentiment and high regard of this legislative body. Certification that this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 31st day of May, 2001, signed by Council President Verna, introduced by Tasco, and supported by all members of City Council. We congratulate you, Bilal, on the fine work that you do and trust that you will keep up the good work. )
Madam President, Councilmembers, and visitors and guests today, I just want to be very brief. Let me, first of all, thank my councilwoman for presenting the resolution. I'd like to thank Councilman Kenney for a donation to our fatherhood awards reception that will take place tomorrow night, where we honor 18 fathers. We also will -- unfortunately, we do national fatherhood awards and we're honoring this year reverend Leon VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS Sullivan, who, unfortunately, passed away, but we hope to be giving his award to his family. Let me just briefly say that statistics show that without a father in the household, a child's most likely to drop out of school. Without a father in the household, a child will most likely have some kind of encounter with the criminal justice system. Without a father in the household, a child will most likely grow up in poverty. So having fathers around, taking care of their children, is probably ome of the most important things -- or the most important thing that men can do in today's society. I totally believe that unless fathers step up to the bat, take on responsibility to take care of their children, not only financially, spiritually, and morally, then we as a society will have failed. Most of the proceedings that take place in this Council is affected by men not being in the household, when you talk about budgets in the Health Department, Recreation, whatever. So fathers have to step up and become men and take care of their kids. That's what the Father's Day Rally Committee is about, that's what we believe, that's VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS what we promote. We have in the past honored our good councilman, Councilman Clarke, as one of the awardees. We're now working on finding him a wife. (Laughter.)
But a lot of folks don't know there are a lot of Councilman Clark's out there, men taking care of their kids, taking on that responsibility, and there are thousands of them in this City of Philadelphia and millions across the country. We just think we're just playing a small part in being an advocacy for men and fathers. Once again, thank you very much for your support and the continued support and work that we will continue to do in the City of Philadelphia. Thank you. (Applause.)
Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.) (Proceedings resume.)
At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz for the VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS introduction, passage, and presentation of a special resolution.
You're presenting the resolution. The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution welcoming the distinguished Puerto Rican Reverend Wilfredo Estrada Adorno as he visits Philadelphia and other cities in the Northeast as part of his ongoing work to end the US Navy bombings in Viesques, Puerto Rico.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. Those opposed?
The record VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS will indicate that Councilman Longstreth voted in the negative, all other members in the affirmative. The motion passes. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Ortiz, who will make the presentation.
I want to thank President Verna for allowing this. It's not often that you get one of your heroes really, one of the individuals that you admire for their work in terms of national liberation and human rights to -- for you to give him an award and an honor while he is still alive and ongoing. Puerto Rico, as you know, has been going through the struggles against the Navy for over sixty years. This morning, the Navy announced that it will end its bombardment in the year 2003 and will look for somewhere else. (Applause.)
And President Bush has committed to that, but that commitment would not have been possible without the work of Reverend Wilfredo Estrada Adorno and the other clergy in Puerto Rico who have organized and unified the nation of Puerto Rico as it has never been organized VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS and unified around any issue of human rights in Puerto Rico. And this is a resolution from me and the Puerto Rican community in Philadelphia and the Latino community in Philadelphia and the City Council of the citizens of Philadelphia, thanking him for his work, welcoming the distinguished Puerto Rican Reverend Wilfredo Estrada Adorno as he visits Philadelphia and other cities in the northeast as part of his ongoing work to end the US Navy bombings in Vieques, Puerto Rico. Whereas, the Reverend Wilfredo Estrada Adorno is visiting the City of Philadelphia to meet with local leaders and convey the urgent nature of the plight of the Puerto Rican people in Viesques who have been victims of US Navy bombing exercises for the last five decades; and Whereas, Reverend Estrada Adorno is one of Puerto Rico's most prominent spiritual leaders, well known for his relentless efforts on behalf of the poor and those who are victims of human rights violations and social injustices; and Whereas, in his capacity as spokesperson for the Pro Viesques Ecumenical Coalition, Reverend VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS Estrada Adornoa has met with Congressional representatives and top White House officials in order to bring attention to the human and environmental injustices that are being perpetrated against the people of Puerto Rico by the United States Navy; and Whereas, Reverend Estrada Adorno is a highly respected religious eofficial and educator who has served in varying capacities in many prominent religious institutions and associations, he currently serves as general secretary of the Bible Society of Puerto Rico and was vice president of the Latin American Ministries of Evangelism, Reverend Adorno completed his doctorate degree in ministry from Emory University in Atlanta and has taught in prestigious religious and secular educational institutions; and Whereas, in 1999, the City Council of Philadelphia unanimously passed a resolution urging the President of the United States and the Philadelphia Congressional Delegation to bring about a complete cease of United States military bombing on the Island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. Therefore, be it resolved that the City VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS Council of Philadelphia extends its warm welcome to the distinguished Reverend Wilfredo Estrada Adorno as he visits Philadelphia and other cities in the northeast as part of his ongoing work to end the US Navy bombings in Viesques, Puerto Rico. Further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Reverend Wilfredo Estrada Adorno as an expression of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body, Ann Verna, President, introduced by City Councilman Angel Ortiz, and supported by almost all members of City Council. (Applause.)
Thank you, Mrs. Chairperson. Thank you, men and women. What a privilege to be with you today here. So on behalf of the Puerto Rican people and the people of Viesques, I thank you for this distinct honor. It hasn't been easy, but somehow the Lord always calls us to the things that we must do, and I have felt the spirit of the Lord guiding me in the process of uniting the people of Puerto Rico VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS together in this work to stop bombing in Viesques. Let's just be sure of a few facts about Viesques. Viesques is a tiny island in the archipelago of Puerto Rico, and 72 percent of its population of 9,400 live below the poverty level. The rate of unemployment in Viesques is over 60 percent. Viesques has 27 percent higher cancer rate than the rest of Puerto Rico. The US Navy expropriated and controls 26,000 of Viesques' 33,000 acres since the 1940s. The Navy uses three-fourths of Viesques soil war maneuvers and bomb storage. The sea, air, and land are highly contaminated by Navy pollutants and military debris, napalm, and depleted uranium have been used by the Navy in Viesques. Due to Navy bombing, the east tip of Viesques has more craters per kilometers than the moon. Endangered species have been massacred by the Navy in Viesques. Human and civil rights have been disregarded shamelessly by the Navy in Viesques. Civil disobedience has been the last resource in our quest for peace, dignity, and justice. Hundreds of civilians have been imprisoned and are awaiting trial. We say enough is enough. COMMUNICATIONS (Applause.)
Thank you very much, and I really appreciate the time in addressing you you for these brief moments. (Applause.)
Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the clerk. The clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that I have today, June 14, 2001, signed THE remaining bills that were passed by Council at its session of May 31, 2001. And I am transmitting herewith for the introduction of your honorable body a resolution calling for a genuine partnership among the City of Philadelphia, the School District, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to devise a long-term COMMUNICATIONS plan that will restore the finances of the School School District in order to improve the education of its students and and condemning the shameful use of the crisis in public education as a cover for an outrageous on Philadelphia home rule.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The clerk will please read any other communications in her possession.
The next order of business is introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a motion.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit consideration of resolutions at their time of introduction. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS Council be suspended so as to permit immediate consideration of resolutions at the time of introduction. All in favor of the motion will say aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution and three bills.
The clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Finance, Taxes and Collections," by cleating a Rainy Day Fund to cushion the impact of unanticipated declines in City revenues, providing for the circumstances under which City monies must be deposited into the Rainy Day Fund and the circumstances under which expenditures may be made from the Rainy Day Fund, and providing for the custody and management of the Rainy Day Fund, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Section 21-01 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Resident Requirements," by providing that an employee in the civil service need not be a bona fide resident of the City when appointed but must establish and maintain bona fide residence in the City within six months after appointment.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Section 9-601 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Garages, Parking Lots, Sales Lots, and Sales Showrooms," to provide for the posting of signs listing the accepted methods of payment of parking fees at public parking garages and public parking entrances, under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing City Council's Legislative Oversight Committee and Committee on Public Health and Human Services to INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS hold joint public hearings on possible solutions to the alarming increase in medical malpractice insurance rates in the region and the detrimental effect these increases may have on the City's health care industry and public health services.
I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. This morning, I introduce one bill and resolution on your behalf and one bill and resolution on my own.
The clerk will please read the title of the bills.
An ordinance authorizing INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS Anthony Lucidonio, owner of the property 4044 Oregon Avenue, to construct, own, and maintain tables and chairs, a service stand, and aluminum awning with with removable enclosure panels and aluminum support poles.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing Richard Lee to construct, own, and maintain a private pole, electrical appurtenances, and aerial wire over, on, and under the south footway of the 3800 block of Powelton Avenue.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
It has been moved and secondeded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution has been adopted. The clerk will please read the title of the second resolution.
A resolution expressing Council's intention to extend the time period for exemptions, abatements, or credits in certain sub zones of the Keystone Opportunity Zone.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution has INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS been adopted what have. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
The clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance adding a new Chapter 9-2500 to the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Fire Supression System Workers," providing for the examination and certification of fire suppression system workers and the permitting of fire suppression system apprentices, prohibiting the performance of fire suppression system work without the necessary certification or permit, and providing INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS for penalties, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Title 12 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," by amending the provision relating to parking by physically handicapped persons and the disabled and severely disabled veterans.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds located in the 10th Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer three resolutions, one on the behalf of myself and all members of City Council.
The clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution calling for a genuine partnership among the City of Philadelphia, the School District, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to devise long-term plan that will restore the finances of the School District in order to improve the education of its students and INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS condemning the shameful use of the crisis in public education as a cover for the outrageous attack on the Philadelphia home rule.
Councilman Cohen, did you want to be recognized? Did you want to be recognized on this resolution?
I want to be recognized in support of the resolution. I am very concerned yet about the responsibility of the City on a continuing basis for the $45 million which we are prepared to offer for the School District. I'm glad the Mayor included in his letter that he would not take action to carry it out without assurance that the State legislation would be changed so as to free us from the specter of the State deciding to take over the school system and then using a provision which already exists to show that the 45 million remains a continuing obligation. One could take the State on its good faith until what happened yesterday in the Parking INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS Authority, the grab for power. I just can't understand how the State could have permitted legislation to get through the House of Representatives and the State Senate, and I can't understand the Governor's willingness to sign the legislation. It's the most drastic violation of the Home Rule Charter. So for all of these reasons, I'm just very concerned about the action of the State and about the use of this $45 million and whether or not it is going to be a problem in the future for us. The State, as far as I can see it, has not offered anything to the schools. We've been waiting for delivery on the promise of the Governor to take necessary action to see that the schools are properly funded by the State, and instead of State action, all we get is this effort to grab hold of the Parking Authority and use it as a patronage tool for the House Speaker and for members of the -- for partisan political purposes as far as anybody could see. So I'm very concerned about the matter, Madam President, and thank you for the opportunity to be heard on the question. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. Due to the unprecedented nature of yesterday's action by the House and due to the seriousness of this resolution showing unanimity of the City government against this attempt, I would request respectfully a roll-call vote.
Thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
I was going to join Councilman Kenney on that. Madam Chair, obviously the State legislature and the Governor are not interested really in resolving the issue of school funding. We have gone and what we're doing today in transferring $45 million is another Band-Aid procedure, it's another patchwork, it's another patch that we put on a system that is hurting because it doesn't have the resources that are necessary. It's like when you're a kid and you have a bicycle and your bicycle continuously disinflates and you put a patch on it. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS There comes a time when it doesn't work anymore. And that's what we're doing here in this Council here in the City. We have gone from 15 million added, we have gone to 45 million plus the 15 million added. That still is a Band-Aid, it is patchwork. The other day, I received a letter from Senator Fumo, and I'm sure that every one of us got it, and I happen to agree with his premise. If they are not serious and we cannot keep on telling our kids in this city that we are really doing something for public education, but if the State, the Governor, and the legislature are not serious about really correcting the funding problem that we have, really reforming the formula so that we have a funding source that is reliable and equitable across the board, across the State, then let them run it. Let Governor Ridge and the State legislature run it. Because what we're doing by putting more patches on the wall, by putting fingers on the dike is not solving our problem. And if they want to take the Parking Authority and they want to take the school system and they want to run the City, let 'em do it, let 'em do it. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS But we cannot keep on keep on fooling ourselves that we're sustaining a public school system that works, that has the resources. We cannot keep on -- even if we add another $45 million to the $45 million that we have today, it still is not going to do the job because we need new schools, we need new wiring, we need smaller classes, we need equitable pay for teachers. These are the issues that the legislature's not looking at and Governor Ridge refuses to come forward on. Taking the Parking Authority is not going to resolve the problem of the School Board and the public school system of Philadelphia. That is not going to add the monies that are necessary. So if they're serious about this, if they want to do it, come in and take it, run the Philadelphia public school system, give it the resources, and find out whether those are the resources that are needed. But I'm tired of us trying to fool the people of Philadelphia that we're actually funding a system in an equitable manner. Thank you, Madam Chair. (Applause.)
I believe INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS Councilman Mariano's light's. On does he want to be recognized? Is he in the room? (Councilman Mariano not present at this time.)
Okay. Councilwoman Miller, did you want to be recognized? Councilman Cohen, do you want to be recognized?
Yes. I just wanted to add to some of the comments. It used to be standard talk that if Philadelphia elected a representative of either party, that that representative understood that the first duty was to the City, not to the political party, that Philadelphia could have confidence that their elected representatives truly represented the City. I must say that I am stunned by the actions taken by the speaker -- by the Majority Leader in the House of Representatives who comes from Philadelphia, yet seems to take every position opposite to the interests of Philadelphia, and seems interested in curtailing the rights of Philadelphians to run their own organizations the INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS way they judge to be in the best fashion. And I think that maybe cuts through both parties because of the number of representatives that seem to vote for the State against the City's interest. I think it's time that we did something about that situation. It's important to recognize that when you're elected by the people of the community, your responsibility is to the body that elects you, not to some other body. And I hope that the people elected by Philadelphia to represent Philadelphia in the House and in the Senate come to their senses and begin to take interests which are in the line of the interests of Philadelphians rather than in the interest of those who, either for patronage reasons or for reasons that no one understands, are seeking to punish Philadelphia instead of giving us direction and assistance to help solve Philadelphia's problems. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS I too was going to call for a roll-call vote. It's my understanding that there are a couple of Councilmembers did not sign the resolution. As you and I are well aware, sometimes signatures are very difficult to decipher the way people sign the resolutions. Also, I'd just like to comment that Philadelphia's children deserve a fully funded education system. They deserve the opportunity to receive the best. You know, for too many years, the debate goes on on whether it's the State's responsibility or the City's responsibility to fund our educational system. And who gets hurt? The children get hurt, more and more, the children get hurt. So I too, as chair of the Education Committee, would just like to call on the State to sit down and begin to have serious discussions with its City partners to talk about ways that we can actually work out funding the schools and doing something real with the deficit. Thank you.
Thank you. A motion has been made by Councilwoman INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS Miller for a roll-call vote. Councilwoman Tasco, do you want to be recognized?
Yes. Just a point of information. I agree with everything that's been said, but I'd like to remind our legislators that we have some bond issues coming up for the City, and Wall Street gets nervous when there's chaos, and we have to look at how much that will cost us in terms of debt service and the rates that they will charge us for the bond deals that we have -- the Hospital Authority, we have PGW, we have the Parking Authority. So, you know, I'm just -- would hope that our legislators from Philadelphia would know that taxpayers here in Philadelphia will be hurt when they take actions without thinking of the ramification not only relative to the education issue but also in just how we do business here in Philadelphia. So I will vote for this resolution.
Thank you. Again, a motion has been made by Councilwoman Miller for a roll-call vote. Is there INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS a second? (Duly seconded.)
All those in favor? All those opposed? The ayes have it. And I would ask the clerk to please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 15, the nays are 2, and the motion carries. The clerk will please read the second resolution introduced by Councilwoman Miller.
A resolution declaring September 23, 2001 as "John W. Coltrane Day" in the INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS City of Philadelphia.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I ask to be excused to take care of Council business, and I'd like to be recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions.
Leave will be granted. The clerk will please read the title of the third resolution introduced by Councilwoman Miller.
A resolution authorizing the INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia deeds located in the 13th, 43rd and 61st Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
The clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance establishing a no-through-bus regulation on Dauphin Street from INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS 52nd Street to Dakota Street and Dakota Street from Dauphin Street to 51st Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing the President of the Fairmount Park Commission and the Executive Director of the Fairmount Park, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a ground lease with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, a body corporate and political organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under which the City would lease approximately seven acres of Gustine Recreation Center to PAID and pursuant to which PAID would enter into a ground sublease.
This bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee also. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I have one resolution cosponsored by Councilman Nutter, Councilman Clarke, Councilman Rizzo, and myself, and two bills cosponsored by Councilman Kenney and Councilman Clarke. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
The clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Section 19-1301 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Real Estate Taxes," by rescinding the current single rate tax on land and improvements and by imposing a tax on land or a split rate tax on land and improvements, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Section 19-1800 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "School Tax Authorization," by rescinding the authorization for the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia to impose the current single rate tax on land and improvements and by authorizing the Board of Education to impose a tax on the land or a split rate tax on land and improvements, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. And the clerk will please read the title INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing City Council Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs to hold hearings regarding the status of public parks in Philadelphia and to investigate methods to improve the parks and the park system.
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I have one resolution cosponsored by every member of Council, and I'm requesting that it be read in its entirety. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
The clerk please read resolution in its entirety.
A resolution urging the City of Philadelphia representatives on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Board to oppose SEPTA's proposed fare increases. Whereas, Council's Committe on Transportation and Public Utilities recently approved a comprehensive comparative review of SEPTA operations among the ten largest cities in the United States and found that SEPTA is not costeffective when compared to peer agencies according to data that the agencies submitted to the Federal Transit Administration; and Whereas, in budget testimony before City Council in February of 2001, SEPTA representatives were not forthcoming about proposed SEPTA increases; and Whereas, in subsequent testimony before City Council's Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities in April of 2001, SEPTA representatives again would not disclose proposed fare increases; and Whereas, SEPTA has since proposed an INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS increase in its base fare rate from $1.60 to $1.90 and a corresponding increase in the cost of a transfer from 40 cents to 60 cents; and Whereas, this proposed fare increase would bring SEPTA's base fare rate to the second highest in the United States; and Whereas, additionally, the proposed cost of tokens would increase from $1.15 to $1.30, and the cash cost of the Paratransit Shared Ride Program would also increase from $2.85 per trip to $3.50 per trip; and Whereas, these particular burdens imposed by these fare increases would be borne by Philadelphia's most vulnerable citizens, the young and the old; and Whereas, SEPTA should at a minimum freeze costs for the School District of Philadelphia, its largest client, and for senior citizen programs for it's most long-standing clients. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that Council urges the City of Philadelphia representatives on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS Authority Board to oppose SEPTA's proposed fare increases.
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Madam Chair, I have no bills or resolutions. (Applause.)
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
Was that the INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS applause for you, Councilman? (Laughter.)
I doubt that very much, I doubt that very much. I offer seven bills, two of which are cosponsored by Councilman Kenney.
Thank you. The clerk will please read the title of the bills.
An ordinance amending Section 21-01 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Residence Requirements," by providing that active law enforcement officers from elsewhere in the United States entering into civil service positions in the Philadelphia Police Department need not be bona fide residents of the City when appointed but must establish and maintain bona fide residence in the City within six months after appointment.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Section 12-1303 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Authorization to Offer Exemptions From Real Estate Taxes on New Construction of Residential Properties," by expanding the time to make an INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS application for the exemption, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing Irving Bruskin, owner of the property 2451 South Fifth Street, to construct and maintain a fence for a Dumpster enclosure on the east footway of South Fifth Street, under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.