COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON RULES - - - Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, March 12, 1998 9:32 a.m. - - - BILL NO. 980118 - An Ordinance authorizing as a place for burial the Founder's Grove, located on the grounds of the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy's Mill Road. PRESENT: COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY, Chair COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN W. THACHER LONGSTRETH - - - VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 561-2220 2 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL NO. 980118 P R O C E E D I N G S
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. This is a public hearing before the Committee of the Rules, in consideration of Bill No. 980118, an Ordinance 7 authorizing as a place for burial the Founder's Grove, located on the grounds of the Schuykill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy's Mill Road. We will now hear from Councilman Nutter who is offering testimony in support of this bill.
Thank you and good morning, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. I've come to offer two documents from the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, which have been transmitted to my office. The first is a letter from the Schuykill Center for Environmental Education, the second is a Board resolution from the organization. (Reading aloud letter.) Dear Councilman Nutter: The Board of Trustees of The Schuykill 3 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL NO. 980118 Center for Environmental Education has unanimously agreed, via telephone poll, to approve the request by the family of Richard L. James, Executive Director Emeritus, to allow for his burial in The Schuykill Center's Founders' Grove. As the Board of Trustees' next meeting is March 24, 1998, attached is a copy of the Resolution approved by the Executive Committee on February 18, 1998. The Board of Trustees of The Schuylkill Center greatly appreciates your help in this matter. Sincerely, Tracy R. Kay, Executive Director - - -
And the resolution, Mr. Chairman, reads: By an unanimous decision of the Executive Committee, the Schuykill Center for Environmental Education approves the request made by the family of Richard L. James, Executive Director Emeritus, to allow for his burial in The Schuykill Center's Founders' Grove. This is an exception in recognition of Mr. James' longtime 4 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL NO. 980118 service and dedication to this organization. Approved this 18th day of February, 1998. Signed by Mr. John A. Affleck, Chairperson for the Schuykill Center for Environmental Education. - - -
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And that concludes my testimony. The family eagerly awaits rapid approval of this particular rule request. And I would also ask for a suspension of the rules to allow for first reading at our next session.
I just want to just say a word about Dick James. I was in the organization of the Schuylkill Valley Nature Center, its original name. And Dick James was the heart and soul of what I think is one of the most useful organizations that we have in the Philadelphia area. He was a wonderful person to work with. 5 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL NO. 980118 And it is, indeed, I think, an honor to this City to have him stay with us in the legislation that we're asking for today.
Thank you very much for your comments. Are there any other members who wish to be heard at this time? (No response.)
Seeing none, that concludes the testimony on this bill. - - -
Now we're at the public meeting. The Chair recognizes Councilman Longstreth for a motion on the bill.
It has been moved that Bill No. 980118 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation, and there's request for suspension of the rules to allow for first reading at Council's next session. (Duly seconded.)
All in favor, say 6 COMMITTEE ON RULES - BILL NO. 980118 aye. All those opposed, say no. None opposed. Bill No. 9801188 is, therefore, reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a request to allow first reading of next Council session. Thank you very much for your attendance. (Adjourned at 9:45 a.m.) - - - 7 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, March 1998 were 8 reported and accurately by me, and that this is a 9 correct transcript of same. 10 11 12 RE: COUNCIL'S COMMITTEE ON RULES BILL NO. 980118 __________________________________, JOSEPHINE CARDILLO, RPR