COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Thursday, February 10, 2000 10:10 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, 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
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 rail. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes Sister Mary Scullion, who is the Director of Project H.O.M.E. She is here today -(Applause.)
Sister is here today as the guest of Councilman Clarke. Members and guests will please rise. (All rise. ) SISTER MARY SCULLION: Thanks, Councilwoman Verna. It's really wonderful to be here.
Sister, not everybody gets an applause like that. You're very special. SISTER MARY SCULLION: But it's great to be here, especially with Councilman David Cohen and Ortiz and Jannie Blackwell, who have been GREETING/INVOCATION advocates of the homeless for so long. And especially with all the Councilpeople who have been such advocates for neighborhood development, especially in the Fifth Councilmatic District. Councilman Kenney, Councilman Michael Nutter, Councilwoman Marian Tasco, Rick Mariano, and I can't forget Frank DiCicco. Because we all love the city so much. And it's really an honor too to be here with all the people that work with people on the street through Prevention Point and the people that are here to remember all the people that have been executed and killed in our country, to abolish the death penalty. So with all of us, we pray to our holy, just, and loving God. You are a gracious creator, the sustainer of all life, the one who governs our world. Through the prophets and the holy men and women who have gone before us, You have constantly revealed to us your will for justice, righteousness, and peace in our world. Your spirit moves throughout our world to bind all wounds and heal broken lives, to lift those who are lowly, to call the exiled back home, GREETING/INVOCATION and to fill the hungry with good things. This, too, is the work that you give to us. As servants of Your people, may we be compelled by a vision of the beloved community, where dignity is upheld, where life is upheld, where each person is given the chance to flourish and reflect Your divine spirit in the fullness of human life. May we especially reach out to all who are marginalized. May our voices never be silent in the face of suffering or injustice. May the City Council deliberations be guided by wisdom and compassion. May we be channels of your merciful love and grace, use our talents and power against poverty, violence, oppression, death, and anything that would crush the human spirit. Through Your spirit, may Your kingdom come here now in Philadelphia and everywhere in our world. Amen. ALL: Amen.
The Chair thanks Sister Mary Scullion for her inspiring invocation. (Applause.) 2/3/00 JOURNAL APPROVAL
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of February 3, 2000. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Madam President, I move that the Journal of February 3rd be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 3, 2000 stand approved. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes have it and the motion is carried. The Journal of Thursday February 3, 2000 is approved.
The next LEAVES OF ABSENCE order of business is leaves of absence. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. There are no moves for leaves of absence on the part of the Majority.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, on behalf of the Republicans, there are no requests for leaves of absence.
The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize guests and visitors joining in us chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of Council, I welcome you to our City Council session this morning. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS our city. We invite to you come again. Councilman Kenney, do you care to be recognized? Your light is on.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce a group of young men and women from our City School District's Parkway Program. The school is located in Councilmember DiCicco's district, but the students from Parkway come from every section of the City. And there is a class here today of the -- a U.S. law and justice class, which apparently is appropriate for them to be here today. And with them is Dr. Ruth Horowitz, who's the assistant principal, and C.J. Smith, a teacher in this school. So I'd like to ask them to recognize and be recognized. (Students et al. rise.) (Applause.)
We welcome you. VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS Today, we recognize Catholic Schools Week and Archbishop Ryan High School. I invite Councilman O'Neill to make this presentation. Will Monsignor Philip Cribben, Brother Patrick McCormick, Director of Institutional Advancement, Mr. Stephen Pawlowski, President of Archbishop Ryan, Miss Denise McElvey (ph.), Fields Coordinator of the Office of Public Affairs, and those accompanying them please step forward. (Above-named individuals come forward.)
Thank you, Madam Chair. This is a resolution designating the week of January 30, 2000 through February 4, 2000 as "Catholic Schools Week" in the City of Philadelphia. We usually do this in advance, and we did pass it last week but because of the snow and the Mayor's budget message, we weren't able to present it last week. Whereas, the Members of City Council of Philadelphia stand and salute to the more than 100,000 students and teachers throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, we celebrate Catholic VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS Schools Week with a variety of religious, social, and recreational activities under the theme "Beyond These Walls, a Tradition of Excellence"; and Whereas, the first Catholic school in Philadelphia was established in 1782, at St. Mary's parish, laying the foundation for what would become a model school system that was replicated throughout the country, and by 1850, there was a Catholic school in nearly every city parish; and Whereas, the early schools struggled and survived the anti-Catholic sentiments and even the riots of the 1840s. They expanded and improved under the strong leadership of St. John Neumann and his successors, all advocates of a Catholic school system that has instilled high moral values and established rigorous standards of educational excellence; and Whereas Catholic schools in Philadelphia have proved themselves to be blueprints for success. Current figures indicate that nearly 85 percent of Catholic school graduates -- 85 percent of Catholic school VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS graduates -- attend college, and another 6 percent attend technical and trade schools. These graduates continue to contribute to the social enrichment, moral stability, and economic security of Philadelphia and the region. Graduates of Catholic schools have held every elective office possible in the City of Philadelphia; and Whereas, this year, we especially recognize Archbishop Ryan High School, founded in 1966, and today the largest school in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and in fact, in this country. Because of its size, current enrollment is over 2500 students. Archbishop Ryan is in a position to offer the most comprehensive educational and social opportunities. This, combined with an ongoing emphasis on spiritual and religious values, has brought distinction to the school, pride to the students and their families, and confidence in a strong and successful future; and Whereas, this outstanding school stresses the dignity and worth of the individual, the love of God, educational excellence, physical development, and spiritual and moral values; VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS Now, therefore, resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that we proudly designate the week of January 30, 2000 through February 4, 2000 as "Catholic Schools Week" in the City of Philadelphia, in fitting tribute to the Catholic schools whose high standards of excellence have educated individuals from all economic, social, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. These schools have enhanced and enriched the lives of their students and families for 218 years. Further resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Monsignor Philip J. Cribben, Secretary of Catholic Education for the Archdioces of Philadelphia; Stephen Pawlowski, President of Archbishop Ryan High School; and Reverend Charles Newman, O.F.M., Principal of Archbishop High School, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. A certification that this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution adopted by the Council on the 3rd day of February, 2000, signed by the President of City Council, Anna C. Verna, sponsored by myself, Brian J. O'Neill, and VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS cosponsored by all Councilmembers. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Monsignor Cribben for remarks.
Council President Verna and all Members of City Council, I am truly grateful for this resolution, this recognition of the contribution of the Catholic schools of this city to the life and progress of our great city. I speak on behalf of the 37,000 students in our parish elementary schools, which number 92 in the city, and I speak on behalf of 11,000 Catholic high-school students enrolled in the 11 diocesan Catholic high schools. We truly are grateful for this recognition that you have given to us on this occasion, and I'd like to say to you that we're very grateful for representatives of City government and the School District of Philadelphia for making certain that we receive all of the instructional materials and services that we're entitled to under federal and state law. The delivery of these materials and services is outstanding, and we truly are grateful for the VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS recognition and the service that we receive. Thank you. (Applause.)
Council President Verna, Councilman O'Neill, Members of Council, it's an honor to accept this award on behalf of Archbishop Ryan High School. We have a dedicated staff, faculty, administration. Our kids are wonderful kids, and they are truly representative of what Philadelphia is capable of putting out. And I am very happy to receive this. We're only one of 22 Catholic high schools. They all offer quality education, they all have benefitted the City of Philadelphia and have benefitted from the City of Philadelphia, so thank you for this recognition. (Applause.)
Thank you. Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.)
Monsignor, VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS thank you.
In case you haven't noticed the boxes of cookies all around the city, please allow me to remind you that February is Girl Scout Cookie Month. (Applause.)
Every year, the Council welcomes representatives from the Girl Scouts to show our support for their work and for the programs they sponsor. This year, I am pleased to welcome Christine Strzalka, Assistant Leader of Junior Girl Scout Group No. 315. With her is Miss Britt Barry of the Girl Scouts. I know you will join me in welcoming them and I now ask the group to step forward to the podium. (Girl Scout group comes forward.) (Applause.)
Good morning. In Philadelphia County, there are more VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS than 7,000 Girl Scout members -- 6,000 girls and 1,200 adult volunteers. The Annual Girl Scout Cookie Program plays a big part in supporting the Girl Scouts. In addition to funds that go directly to troops, the Girl Scout Cookie Program enables Scouts to deliver quality programming for girls, training for adult volunteers, financial assistance for girls, and low fees for camps and other programs. In southeastern Pennsylvania alone, proceeds from the 1999 -
Miss Strzalka, Miss Strzalka, excuse me. I think you deserve a little more respect than you're getting.
Those having conversations, please do so in the corridor. Thank you.
Thank you. In southeastern Pennsylvania alone, proceeds from the 1999 Girl Scout Cookie Program VISITOR RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS enabled Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania to offer 360 training sessions for adult volunteers, provide more than $72,000 in financial assistance to girls for camp and membership fees, and present nearly 200 Council-sponsored programs. Individual troops received approximately $860,000 to fund field trips, camping and service projects, and to conduct other troop activities. Girls are the primary beneficiaries of the program. And what they learn and experience from participating and through the services made possible by cookie proceeds. While planning for the sale and selling cookies, girls learn how to set goals, gain marketing experience, and develop self-confidence. Madam President, on behalf of the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania, we'd like to present you with these cookies.
Thank you very much, and I will share them with all of my colleagues. Thank you thank you all very much. COMMUNICATIONS (Applause.)
Council will be as ease. Will the Councilmen come forward to take photos, please. (Councilmembers come forward.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will read the messages from the Mayor.
The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a motion.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS suspended so as to permit consideration of resolutions when they're introduced. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit immediate consideration of resolutions at the time of introduction. All in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes have it and the motion is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution, which I ask to be referred to the appropriate committee.
The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Legislative Oversight Committee to hold public hearings on the administration and accountability of the City Empowerment Zones. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
This resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I ask to be excused from the remainder of this session. I have to leave on some City business.
Madam President, I have no bills or resolutions this morning.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. Councilwoman Krajewski? INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
Madam President, I have two bills and one resolution.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Title 10 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity," by requiring the retention of video surveillance tapes in commercial businesses for 30 days after use of those tapes and regulating the quality of tapes.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations from Fiscal Year 2000 within the General Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, and commissions. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold an emergency hearing on the Department of Health's public funding of Prevention Point, in particular the possibility of their funding and distribution of a pamphlet entitled "Tricks of the Trade: Health and Safety Tips for Street Sex Workers."
This resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS President. I offer one resolution and one bill.
The clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending the Philadelphia zoning maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Carpenter Lane, Green Lane, Westfield Avenue, and Sherman Road.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution calling for a moratorium on the imposition of any death penalty in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania until a fair and impartial study of the application of the death personal is conducted.
Thank you, Madam President. I wish to have a vote on this resolution.
I would like INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS to be recorded as voting no.
Okay, the ayes are 12, the nays are 4. The motion is carried. (Applause.)
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one privileged resolution on which to be heard.
The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution requesting that the City Council President, Anna C. Verna, and Mayor John F. Street officially request the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority to affirmatively review capital dollars which were borrowed in 1992 and remain unspent and to evaluate whether these funds can be reallocated to fully support the purchase of new voting machines.
Thank you, Madam INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS President. I'll be brief. Madam President, there has been a great amount of discussion lately about the City's capital budgets and some of the items in the budget -- we'll have hearings about that this afternoon. But one of the large items in the budget, which generally we are certainly pleased about, is the purchase of new electronic voting machines. On the other hand, given the size of our capital budget, the impending debt limit, there have been continuing discussions about the possibility of seeking other funding for such a large but worthy purpose. I wish to remind the Council that it was this Council that passed the ballot initiative that allowed the voters to express their will at an election where 77 percent of the voters supported the initiative to get new voting machines. But prior to that, this Council had public hearings on this issue, sought testimony from the Executive Director of PICA, who told us at that time that the City would be eligible upon INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS request to seek PICA funding for the purchase of the new voting machines. This Council subsequently passed the resolution asking the then-Council President Street and then-Mayor Rendell to formally make that request to PICA. Unfortunately, that request apparently was not made, and subsequently, the $21 million for the voting machines is now in our capital budget. Again, we are pleased to have dollars available, but in light of scarce resources, we wish to renew that request through you, Madam President, and now through the Mayor, who is former Council President Street, now Mayor Street. I believe that this is an important issue. We need to make sure that we're spending our dollars not only wisely, but if we have dollars available from other sources for such important needs, we shouldalso go to those sources. It is my understanding that those dollars are still available and that there may be additional dollars at PICA available that may cover the entire cost of the $21 million. And so with that, I seek the approval and make a motion that this resolution be adopted. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS (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 motion is carried. I just got an update on the tragic accident that occurred this morning at the Arts Center. Of the eight men injured, seven are in good condition, and the eighth is presently undergoing surgery and is expected to have a full recovery. It's my understanding that the Mayor is presently on the scene and is prepared to make remarks very shortly. I think we were all interested in knowing that because it could have been very, very tragic. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Good morning, Madam President. I have no bills and no resolutions. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Chapter 6-400 of the Philadelphia Code relating to miscellaneous standards and regulations of the Health Code by prohibiting tattooing, body piercing, and body art establishments from providing services to minors without parental INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS consent and by requiring such establishments to operate in accordance with with the regulations promulgated by the Board of Health for the purpose of preventing injury and the spread of communicable disease, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Section 19-1303 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Authorization to Offer Exemption from Real-Estate taxes on New Construction of Residential Properties," by eliminating the owner-occupied requirement for exemption, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Section 9-208 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Cafes," by permitting sidewalk cafes to be maintained on East Passyunk Avenue, both sides, between Broad Street and Federal Street, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS will be referred to the appropriate committee. Councilman O'Neill had indicated that he had no bills or resolutions. Therefore, the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
The Chief 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 deeds situate in the 29th, 32nd, and 43rd Wards of the 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? INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Longstreth.
Councilman, do you have any bills or resolutions?
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. We do not have a calendar, therefore this concludes the business portion of the Council meeting.
Are there any speeches on the part of the Minority? (No speeches on the part of the Minority.)
Are there any INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS speeches on the part of the Majority? (No response.)
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion.
Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see the lights on. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I'll be very brief. But in light of our honoring Catholic Schools Week today, two days ago, I received a call from a Catholic school teacher in Port Richmond who works in a parish that is receiving, as many parishes do, Title I Program funds for reading opportunities for Catholic school students and other types of teaching opportunities that come with this Title I Program. Unbelievably, she told me that she had not been paid by the School District since September of 1999. I recognize the serious problems with the computer system at the School District of Philadelphia. I also understand that from talking INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS to people in the Archdiocese -- and I'm collecting a list now -- that she is not the only Catholic teacher under the Title I Program that has not been paid for a number of months and that there may be scores of them that have not been paid. Catholic school teachers, as we all know, make much less per hour or per week than public school teachers either in the City or the suburbs, and I think it's unconscionable that the District not only is not paying some of its own employees but is not being able to get this computer system back on line in a way that we'll be able to pay these teachers who are toiling in our neighborhoods for very little money, the money that's been owing them for months and months. On the heels of this information, I notice that Superintendent Hornbeck again has taken another run at the Board to attempt to get 3 percent raises for high-ranking administrators in the School District and has been, I think, appropriately rebuffed by the Board for, I think, the third time now. I don't know what's going on over at that district. I know that the Mayor is meeting INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS with the Governor tomorrow to discuss school funding. I also recognize that Superintendent Hornbeck again has given a report or at least a statement to the Board that he is increasing programs by an amount of $211 million in new programs, and when asked how he was intending to pay for that, he simply said "The State will pick it up." Well, there's a lot of confusion over in that district, and I think a lot of it in between Dr. Hornbeck's ears, number one. And, number two, I think that we ought to -- and I'm going to follow through with this with other members of Council to attempt to get all these employees, both School District employees and the Title I employees at the Catholic schools, paid the monies that are owing to them. I don't know how people can make mortgage payments, pay for their food, pay their gas and electric bills, and pay their car payments if they are not getting paid for the day's work that they're putting in. So I think that the School District ought to get its act together if they expect to get any consideration from Harrisburg or from this INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS legislative body on issures relating to the $15 million we may be giving them this year, and I just think what's going on over there is a disgrace. So I wanted to bring it to people's attention. If there's anyone out there in that situation that like to call my office or any of the District Councilpersons' office, please get on the phone and let us know the extent of the problem. And I thank you, Madam President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. While I have the floor, can someone check my mike and my light because if I push it off, it goes off, it comes on, it goes off.
I just want to state that I want to thank my fellow Councilpeople INTRODUCTION OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS for voting in support of the bill regarding the moratorium on the death penalty. This is a issue that's been in the news recently, and we just circulated a packet about a week ago to help people try to fully understand what's going on even here in Pennsylvania. Ninety percent of the people sent to death row are from Philadelphia, and they are people of color. So I really thank them for the support. We've got the support of the religious community, the legal community, and there were people here from all different types of entities to support this resolution. And I just once again want to say thank you.
Thank you. Are there any other speeches on the part of the Majority? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion to adjourn.
Madam President, I ADJOURNMENT move that Council be adjourned until Thursday, February the 17th, at 10 a.m.
It's been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, February 17, 2000. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, and Council is adjourned until Thursday, February, 17, 2000. Thank you. (Adjourned at 10:50 a.m.) 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 Thursday, February 10, 2000, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of same. RE: STATED MEETING __________________________________, JOSEPHINE CARDILLO, Registered Professional Reporter