Aye. The ayes are 15. The nays are 0. The next bill being called for consideration is Bill No. 990463. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill. I'm sorry, I didn't realize there were SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR lights on. Councilwoman Blackwell, did you want to be recognized?
Madam President, I neglected to say at the beginning of the session that I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce my best friend who is here again. She is the one that does my newsletters and she's here from Nigeria to visit her sick mother. And certainly if anybody, I just got more in, I just got more printed, so they're available for those people who wanted one or a few who didn't have an opportunity to get one. I hope that the Council will join me in welcoming and thanking Delores Muhammad.
We'd be more than happy to recognize her. And welcome. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano. Your light is on, sir.
The Clerk will SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR please read the title of Bill No. 990463.
An ordinance amending Section 19-203(4) of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Payroll Deductions," by permitting City employees to authorize payroll deductions for the German American Police Association.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally? The Clerk will call the role.
Councilwoman SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR Krajewski.
Councilwoman Tasco is absent. Council President Verna.
Aye. The ayes are 15. The nays are 0. SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR The Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 990254. Councilman Mariano, your light is on again. Do you want to be recognized?
Yes, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm still in the running for Rookie Councilperson of the Year, and I do not want to miss a vote, but I was not called on 990250.
Ms. Hauser, do you have Councilman Clarke on record as having voted on that bill.
Thank you. And we also have him as having voted on Bill No. 990463?
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. The Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 990254. SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR
An ordinance amending an ordinance approved December 14, 1971, as amended, which approved the redevelopment proposal, the urban renewal plan and the relocation plan of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of South Central Urban Renewal area, by approving the tenth amendment of the redevelopment proposal of the tenth amendment of the urban renewal plan.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally? The Clerk will call the role.
Councilwoman Tasco is absent. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS President Verna.
Aye. The ayes are 15. The nays are 0. A majority of all Members of Council having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes.
We will now dispense with the regular order of business for the purpose of introduction of a bill. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney for the introduction of an ordinance.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill on your behalf.
The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending an ordinance approved December 14, 1971, as amended, which approved the redevelopment proposal, the urban renewal plan and the relocation plan of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of South Central Urban Renewal area, by approving the 11th amendment of the redevelopment proposal, the 11th amendment to the urban renewal plan and an amendment to the SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS relocation plan.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
Thank you, Madam President. I just wanted to speak for a moment on the bill that was just introduced. I understand there is a letter that has been circulated to a number of Council representatives this morning pertaining to three properties on the 1300 block of Katherine Street. I do not have the letter in my possession, but I got glimpses of it during this morning. I just wanted to set the record straight that at the hearing last week when the three properties 1331, 1333, and 1335 Katherine Street were removed from the list when the question as to whether or not the title of bill could be changed to reflect that, we were advised by Noel Eisenstat of the Redevelopment Authority and others that it wasn't necessary to change the title of the bill or in fact we could not even do that legally. That the record, the testimony was sufficient evidence and record that would allow those properties to be taken. So nothing could change what was done last SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS week basically. The bottom line is those three properties were removed from the list for taking and the record will reflect that. And I just wanted to reinforce that to the people in the audience today that it will in fact occur. Thank you, Madam President.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. This concludes our Calendar.
Madam Chair, I would just like to follow up on the comments made by my colleague and say I was one of the persons who received the letter and whenever a homestead is at stake people are very nervous. The people who had asked me about this wanted a public discussion on the record with the stenographic record. I'm certain they are now satisfied that this has been done. I thank my colleague Mr. Frank DiCicco for it. What you asked for is to have it done publicly, and that's what has been done. But we'll talk about it later. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
Councilwoman Clark, I believe that was done publicly at the public hearing, and I'm sure that the notes of testimony will reflect that.
Thank you. Are there any speeches on behalf of the Majority?
This is not in the speeches part. We have with us today Mr. George Savinov from our sister city in Russia, Nichnenovgorod (ph). Mr. Savinov is a guest of the City's Department of Commerce and is studying economic development programs, strategy and general government operations. We welcome him here today and thank him for his interest in our City.
If the gentleman is here, if he would please stand, we would be very happy to recognize and welcome you. Welcome. SPEECHES (Applause.)
Thank you. Are there any speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
Thank you, Madam President. This morning I offered a resolution requesting that the School District begin to issue emergency checks for those employees who have not been compensated for a number of weeks. It was reported very eloquently today in today's Daily News by Mr. Russel Beyers about the problems over at the School District. You know, there are a lot of things that have been going on in this Council, and I think it's very obvious that I've always had my concern for the upper level management over at the District. I really wonder if Dr. Hornbeck and his top management team had not received a check would this have allowed to go along for such a long time. I can recall back in the late eighties, early nineties, when AMS was the management system for the traffic court. They almost brought traffic court to a complete stop. How could anyone in their right mind, after having a city agency experience SPEECHES problems with AMS, elect to decide to use them for an agency that has about 22 point -- $1.5 billion budget. Personally, I could never go without a paycheck. If I didn't get a paycheck this Friday, I would be in trouble. Dr. Hornbeck has a lot of answers to this Council and the citizens of Philadelphia. I understand there are hearings today. I'm sure there are going to be a lot of questions as to that. But this is a disgrace. This is a total disgrace that should not have happened. And for Dr. Hornbeck to do his usual dance to say it wasn't him, it wasn't his staff, it was someone else, is a total disgrace to the citizens of Philadelphia and to the people who work for the School District. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. Certainly, I agree that this absolutely should not have happened. There are many issues and SPEECHES problems and feelings that we have had over the years to ask the School District to be responsible, and perhaps this will point up the need for more vigilance. Anytime the employees and teachers aren't paid, then we're in real trouble about individual computer programs and folks at the bottom rung of the ladder who don't get paid. It absolutely should not have happened. And certainly, I support my colleague, as all of you did, in asking that this be rectified yesterday. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. I just want to concur with my colleagues. I would ask the School District help employees resolve the issues around late fees and any penalties or fees that they have incurred due to late bill payments. Thank you.
Thank you. Are there any other speeches on behalf of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark. SPEECHES
Madam President, today there is a memorial service being planned for Wilton Norman Chamberlain out at a church in West Philadelphia, and on your behalf and mine, I have sent a citation. I thought it appropriate for this body to recognize his passing. And with your permission, I'd like to read the citation that we sent and ask that it be adopted by standing vote.
The City Council, City of Philadelphia citation mourning the death and honoring the memory of Wilton Norman Chamberlain. The Council of the City of Philadelphia joins citizens from around the world in mourning the sudden death of Mr. Wilt Chamberlain. Whereas, Wilt Chamberlain broke more records, scored more points, won more awards, and showed more skill than anyone in the history of basketball; yet it is not for that alone that we remember him. Whereas, Mr. Chamberlain played for Overbrook High School, the Harlem Globe Trotters, the Philadelphia 76ers, the San Francisco Warriors, and the Los Angeles Lakers; and yet, it is not for SPEECHES that alone that we honor him. Whereas, Wilt stood 7 foot 1 and a half inches tall, was known as the big dipper, and possessed an amazing combination of height, strength, grace, and intelligence; yet it is not for that alone that we remember him. We remember Mr. Wilt Chamberlain because he was a truly fine gentleman, filled with good humor, constant curtesy, and simple humanity. He was inquisitive, smart with money, loving of family and friends, and constantly seeking more knowledge. He loved to work. He loved to talk. He loved people and was all in all a renaissance man who also played basketball. In his plans were movies, books, investments, and more and more charitable work. He was the most powerful man in sports, but the nature of his inner power was a constant quest for wisdom and for excellence. Therefore, with this citation, the Council of the City of Philadelphia does hereby join in mourning the death of the great Wilt Chamberlain. We in Philadelphia have lost a friend, for this was a giant on and off the court. We extend our most profound condolence to his family to whom we offer ADJOURNMENT the hope that they will find comfort in the peace that he has now surely found and in the goodness that he has left behind as a legacy for life. Respectfully submitted, Augusta Clark, Anna C. Verna, President, and concurred in, I'm certain, by every Member of Council.
All those in favor in voting for the citation will do so by standing vote. (Standing vote.)
The motion is adopted. Are there any speeches on behalf of the minority? There being none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark.
Madam President, I move that this Council be adjourned until November 4, 1999. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, November 4, 1999. All in favor will signify by saying aye. ADJOURNMENT All those opposed will say nay. The ayes have it. The motion carries. Council stands adjourned until Thursday, November 4, 1999. Thank you. (Council adjourned at 11:10 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 October 21, 1999, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: STATED MEETING ___________________________ Michele L. Murphy, RPR ___________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR