I understand that. Where's the two-thirds -- If you could tell me what section we're trying to suspend? Where's the two-thirds provision?
That is in -- That is in... Special Meeting - 7/1/04
I understand Special Meeting - 7/1/04 that. So the very simple issue I'm raising is, the rules say two-thirds.
And I understand that we're trying to suspend the rules. But then the part of the motion is is to change this two-thirds requirement to a majority.
And the issue I'm raising is, does that, then, in fact, make it now an amendment to our rules because you're proposing to change a particular provision?
I don't believe we're amending the rules. We're only suspending them for this session.
I mean, if Special Meeting - 7/1/04 you would like to change the language somehow, I'm happy to entertain that, if you think it would make it clearer or it would expedite in some other way, I'm happy to entertain any language that you think would be helpful.
No. Given the length and the bizarreness of the session, I'll go along with it.
Thank you. Maybe Mr. McPherson can explain to us what we're trying to do here.
I think Mr. McPherson can explain this, because I talked to him before Council, and asked his counsel. And he explained to me, and maybe he can enlighten Councilman Nutter.
I think Rick Auerbach -- Rick Auerbach is our attorney. I think Rick Auerbach should. Special Meeting - 7/1/04
The rules of Council require a two-thirds vote to add additional matters to -
Under the rules of Council, when a special session has been scheduled limited to particular subjects, a two-thirds vote is required to add additional subjects to the meeting. The motion, as I understand it, is to simply suspend the rules to do away for this meeting with the two-thirds requirement, in order to add the item which would be consideration of introduction of bills and resolutions. If the motion were to pass, a second motion would be required to move to permit introduction of bills and resolutions at this time which would only require a majority vote, if the rules were suspended. At that point, introduction of bills and resolutions would be permitted.
Mr. McPherson, Special Meeting - 7/1/04 let's make -- I mean, Mr. Auerbach, make it simple for me.
How many yes votes do we need to suspend the rules, 9 or 12.
You only need a majority of Council to suspend any rule of Council. Nine votes is sufficient.
Vote to suspend the rules. Then we vote for what the Council -
And then there would be introduction if that motion were to pass. Thank you.
I think, Councilman, he made it clearer. To Councilman Nutter's issue of two resolutions, the Councilman was correct. Thank you.
Thank you. Several lights are on. Is it on this issue? The Chair recognizes Councilman Special Meeting - 7/1/04 DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. As Councilwoman Blackwell pointed out, there are three matters which may be taken up, if these rules are suspended. I assume that one of them is my resolution. I'd be more than willing to hold this if the sponsor of the other resolution or resolutions was willing to do that as well, so we do not have to deal with the issue of changing the rules and suspension of the rules, and et cetera.
Madam President, I think it's very bad practice to convert -- except in extreme emergency situations, to convert a special meeting into a general overall meeting. I also had things in mind that I would like to have Council take action. But our session really ended two weeks ago and we're still in session only because of Special Meeting - 7/1/04 unfinished business. I think we ought to limit ourselves to that unfinished business, instead of converting a special meeting into a general meeting. Otherwise, the special meeting will lose all significance. So I plan on voting no on this proposal, in the absence of showing an emergency condition which requires action, in which case, of course, Council is like a judge. We're always ready to act if there's emergency. Short of that, I think we ought to maintain special meetings as special meetings and reserve regular resolutions and other actions for regular meetings. Thank you, Madam President.
I don't know what resolutions we're talking about, but if there are other sponsors that are here, perhaps they'll join Councilman DiCicco so that we can finish today's work today. Special Meeting - 7/1/04
I believe the resolutions were circulated yesterday, councilman. Okay. Councilwoman Blackwell.
Madam President, I think the other question is, since the main sponsor of the resolution I hold is willing to hold it, and Councilman DiCicco is as well, there are other Councilmen who have issues on the table. Councilman O'Neill, for example. And I don't know -- I think -- I don't know if my colleague is willing to hold his legislation or not.
Madam President, I'm not affected -- My issue on the Army-Navy bill is not affected by this. I will be using the two-thirds consideration, similar to...
I'm sorry. You can't be heard. Special Meeting - 7/1/04
I will be using the rule with two-thirds to call up the Army-Navy bill. That's not affected by it.
And I think the issue that you're referring to is certainly one of importance because there's a question of timing for the signing of the contract for the Army-Navy game here in Philadelphia; is it not?
Madam President, since the sponsor the, main sponsor of the resolution that I was setting forward is willing to hold it, then I will then -- And since my colleague, Councilman DiCicco was willing to hold his, I will withdraw my motion.
Fine. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, first on behalf of the Special Meeting - 7/1/04 Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, I'd like to thank Councilman Goode for listing this bill and having a hearing, the bill that I'm about to call up, before the Commerce Committee. Because he did that, even though there was no chance, unless we had a special session, to be able to pass it. And it's a critical issue that had kind of fallen through the cracks during the budget deliberations. It involves authorizing the agreement, the long-term agreement, for the Army-Navy game to stay in Philadelphia. So I would move that Bill Number 040598 be called up on the second reading and final passage calendar at this time.
Okay. It has been moved and seconded. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please call the roll.
Bill Number 040598, an ordinance authorizing the Director of Commerce on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to enter into agreements with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Special Meeting - 7/1/04 Development and the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, both for purposes of hosting the Army-Navy intercollegiate football game in certain years, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is, shall the bill pass finally. The clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to be recorded as voting aye for the bill that was just considered while I stepped out of the room.
Thank you. A majority of all Council members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Councilman Mariano, your light is on.
Madam President, I may be out of order, and you can tell me. I had a soldier here from Iraq. And I wanted to introduce him, but I don't know if he left because he might have got a little nervous. (Laughter.)
But I'd like to say his name anyhow at the proper time.
Is he here? Special Meeting - 7/1/04 This is Captain Jerome Checkner (phonetic). (Aforementioned person stood up.) (Applause.)
Thank you. The captain's very special. He just came back from a six-month tour of downtown Baghdad. He was headquartered in Saddam's palace. He's an intelligence officer in Task Force CJTF7. It's a combined task force. He worked directly for General Sanchez and Ambassador Bremer, and he's a Philadelphia Police Detective also.
Madam President, can I make a motion? Maybe Councilman Cohen would like this. Can I make a motion and make him a General? Council, can I get a second?
Thank you, Madam President. Hopefully, based on Councilman Mariano's introduction of the Captain, hopefully he's not in undercover services over in Iraq. And I'm sure he'll have some great stories to tell, if he returns. Madam President, given the discussion earlier about members agreeing not to introduce measures -- And obviously we needed to take the action with regard to Councilman O'Neill and the Army-Navy game, I was also one who had asked for consideration for introduction of a bill or resolution. In accordance with my colleagues, Special Meeting - 7/1/04 and not to test their overwhelming patience with me, I will hold the particular bill that I was going to introduce which is the business privilege tax bill that was vetoed and we were not successful in overriding, in order to re-emphasize the important nature of this particular issue. It is not a matter that would cause for interruption of a special session. And I'll bring it back in September. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. Anyone else want to be recognized at this time? (No response.)
I would just like to make a very brief statement. I truly want to thank all of my colleagues. I know that the last three and a half, four months have been extremely, extremely troubling to many of us. And we did put in 11 hours a day of public hearings many days during our Special Meeting - 7/1/04 process of public hearings. And I want to thank you all for your cooperation. And I know with the issues that we considered today, many of us had very strong feelings one way or the other. And I really want to thank you for respecting each other's opinion. I think that's extremely important. We can always agree to disagree. But I think we should always remember that we are supposed to do it in a dignified way, a dignified way. If there are no speeches on the part of the members at this time, it will conclude our business. And I would recognize Councilwoman Tasco for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Madam President. I gladly adjourn this session until Thursday, September the 9th, at 10:00 a.m. UNIDENTIFIED COUNCIL MEMBER: Second.
It has Special Meeting - 7/1/04 been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, September 9, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will say aye. (Chorus of "ayes.")
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Thank you. (Meeting concluded at 12:10 p.m.) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings and evidence are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the special meeting of The Philadelphia City Council, taken on July 1, 2004, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. _____________________________ DAVID A. DEIK, RPR and Commissioner of Deeds (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.)