A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Washington Square West Urban Renewal Area.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the first bill. THE
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of the land located in the vicinity of McNulty and Townsend Roads, under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Roosevelt Boulevard, Southampton Road, Carter Street and Poquessing Creek.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
And an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to purchase fee simple title to a certain parcel of land with the buildings and improvements thereon, situated on the northwest side of Algon Avenue at Fox Chase Road, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
And an ordinance repealing an ordinance (Bill 030249), authorizing and directing of lines and grades on a portion to City Plan No. 253 of the area lying generally northwardly from the intersection of Unruh Avenue and Oakley Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the first bill. THE
An ordinance authorizing 111 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA, its successors and assigns, to construct and maintain a marquee, raised planters and rigid awnings on and over the public footways on Chestnut Street, South 15th Street and Sansom Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
And an ordinance requiring the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to enter into a certain agreement with the City regarding Authority transactions involving non-City government agencies as a condition of Council approval of future Authority transactions, under certain
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you. We have neither reports from committees nor bills on the First or Second Reading Calendars today. At this time, I would ask if there are any speeches on of the part of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Yes. Madam President, it's great to be back; I want to I want to thank you for your warm welcome. And I just want to thank you publicly for the very helpful way that you've been to me not only when we worked together in Council but, of course, I worked for you over the last few years, and I want to thank you for your direction and guidance over those years. I'd be remiss if I didn't thank two people, two other former colleagues of mine in this Council who have been very supportive of me. And that is our Minority Leader, Councilman Brian O'Neill, and Councilwoman Joan Krajewski. I thing they have been supportive of me over many, many years. And I think that there's no doubt in my mind that without their help and support, I would not be sitting in this seat today.
I can tell you one thin, she really knows how to push a person and she's pushed me back in this find the words that really express the gratitude that I have both of them. I want to thank them very, very much. And maybe some day I can repay them. Another person I would like to really thank, and we go back a ways, is our Majority Leader, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. Jannie and I go back a long ways when she was chief of staff for her husband, the late and great Lu Blackwell. I had the utmost respect for them then and, of course, I know we had a great relationship then and I think we'll have better one now. A couple Councilpeople that I'm very, very familiar with and have been with here before and I've worked with them before, and that's Majority Whip, Councilwoman Marian Tasco, and Councilman Dave Cohen. They've been here many, many years. And I think that when it comes to Councilman Dave Cohen -well, not Marian, but I know Dave Cohen has been here. I'm try to get out of this one. I can just say that Councilman Cohen, I think many people think he's been here since the Samuel. And speaking of mayors, I had the privilege of working, of course, under Mayor Wilson Goode. And now I have the opportunity to work with his son Wilson Goode, Jr. And I think I had the utmost respect for the Mayor then and I have the same respect for his son. And while, of course, I didn't have of privilege of working under Mayor Frank Rizzo, I also have the opportunity to work with his son, Frank Rizzo, Jr. I think that this is a unique Council where we have the sons of two prominent and former mayors in our midst. And I think that, who knows, someday one or perhaps the both of them might be mayors themselves some day. I also want to take this time to welcome my good friend and neighbor Councilman Juan Ramos to this Council. I think that Juan and I are very close. We even share an office. And I think that we are going to be not only be close in proximity but I think we're going to be close on many of the issues confronting this Council. to be back and working with Councilman Mariano. I'm very familiar with Rick and his district, since I represented the 7th Councilmanic District before. And I know that many times people have come up to me with problems and requests for service that reside in this district. And I will say to you now that anytime I had this, I would give it to Rick. And between him and his staff, those requests or those problems would be handed efficiently and promptly. For that, I'm very, very grateful. Those two women that I've been following in this Council for many years, for the last few years. And I think that Blondell Reynolds Brown and Donna Miller have done an exceptional job. I think they represent their districts and the citizens of Philadelphia in a very, very professional manner. And I think they are great advocates for the children's and women's issues today and I think they deserve the support of Council in many, many of their issues. I just want to say that I'm also working with Councilman DiCicco again. I know Frank and I go back many, many years when we were in the judicial system together. We always had a great rapport then. I think frank was very, very fair. He treated me with respect. And I can tell you right now that we're going to in the next four years treat each other with respect again. I know that I'm anxious to work with, of course, two Councilman that have been outspoken on many, many issues confronting this Council, and that's Councilman Nutter and Councilman Kenney. And I'm anxious to get on with the debate and to listen to their opinions on many, many of the issues confronting this Council. I may not agree with them in all these issues, but, again, looking forward to hearing their side on many of them.
I will take exception to some people who probably think I'm a newcomer to this Council. But I can tell you now that I am not, and I don't like that description because this Council, I've been working with this Council, and I've been working for this Council for the last 15 years. I know how it works, and I want to be part of it. I think that we have to remember that our objective in this Council and our goals in this Council are the same, to make this City a better City. Now, the methods and uses that we try to achieve these goals, I think, can be debated and I'm looking forward to that debate. But, again, I'm glad to be back. And I think it's one of the ways, of course, that we have to resort from time to time is that we have to use the art of diplomacy and compromise to accomplish our goals. And I think I'm willing to do that and willing to work with this Council. That's the only way we're going to move legislation. Speaking of moving, I remember when John Street moved out of this Council to run for Mayor. I don't think he could have left the 5th Councilmanic District in better than Councilman Darrell Clarke. I think he has I'm looking forward to working with him. I know not only has he done a great job for his constituents in that district, but he has helped many of these Councilpeople over the years. And in fact, in my short term right now back in this Council, he has been very, very helpful to me. I know he's going to be -- I think he has the capabilities of being a great leader not only in this Council but of the City. And finally, Madam President, I am sitting here today unfortunately because of the loss of one Philadelphia's political legends, and that is Councilman Tacher Longstreth. There's no doubt that Tacher was not only a great statesman, legislator, politician and sports enthusiast, but he was a great friend. I know when I was in this Council before, we sat side by side. He shared many of his stories with me, but he also gave me some great advice. And he had a wealth of wisdom which he shared with anyone who asked. I know I will miss him. I know many of the people in this Council will miss people in Philadelphia already miss him. But I can tell you, Madam President, that I will do everything that I can to make not only make Thacher proud but also to repay and justify the confidence that the people of Philadelphia have given me in placing me in this Council to keep on the traditions and keep Tacher's memory alive. And I will do everything I can, I will work as hard as I can to keep this City the first class City that it is and to make the lives of all of our citizens a little bit better. And with, of course, God's help, your help, and the help of this Council, we can do just that. Madam President, it's great to be back, and thank you very much.
Yes. Madam President. I'd like to thank Councilman Kelly on behalf of everyone. But I would note that my recollection is that Jack just spoke longer than he did the entire four years he was here and representing the 7th District.
I was waiting until you called for speeches on the part of the Minority. Thank you.
Are there any other speeches on part of the Minority? (No response.)
Seeing none, are there speeches on the part of the Majority? Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I wanted to let the public and certainly my colleagues to know they are reception for Ambassador Dr. Simbi Muboko from Zimbabwe next Wednesday, the 28th from to in the Mayor's Reception Room. This event is sponsored by the African Americans United Fund of Pennsylvania and the City's Commerce Department. Thank you. We hope you'll join us. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam President. On January 12, 2004, consumer advocate Lance Haver, the Director of the Mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs and I sent a letter to the Secretary of Banking, Secretary Schenck, regarding Cash Today. This check cashing or loan center which is located throughout the City has not been abiding by the rules by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And we have circulated a copy of this letter to our colleagues. Again, in keeping with our whole notion of protecting our citizens against predatory lending, we notice again our good friends the Daily News, who supported us 100 and 1,000 percent on the issue of predatory lending, still carries these ads. This company is charging high interest rates above the law, and they have to apply for a legal license to become either consumer discount company or an alternative company. So they're just breaking the law, and it just pains me to see that the Daily News continues to carry their ad which does not help the citizens of this City. And I ask the Daily News to discontinue carrying their ad until they comply with the law. I hope they will never carry it again, but that's America. But thank you very much.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ramos.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Philadelphia for give me this great honor to serve them in this historic and great Council. I want to make a promise, and that promise is I will work very hard for the people of this City and I will work very hard with my Council all in the best interest of Philadelphians. Muchos gracias.
Thank you. Again, we welcome you. Are there any other speeches on part of the Majority? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion to adjourn.
I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, January 29th at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, January 29th, at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Thank you all very much. (Council adjourned at 10:59 a.m.) 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 January 24, 2004, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: STATED MEETING _________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR