Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The final bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 060506.
An ordinance amending Section 22-310 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Deferred Retirement Option Plan," by providing an extraordinary extension for purposes of enhancing public safety for participants in the DROP program.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, this bill passes. That completes our Calendar for today. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Thank you, Madam President. Today we rise to mention just a couple issues for a moment. One is, we're happy to speak for --
Excuse me, Councilwoman. The noise level is much too high. Can we wait just a moment, please, until some of our visitors leave.
Thank you. We will be happy to represent Council on Monday with regard to Act 39, but today I wanted to speak just for a moment on two issues. One is that we will be introducing legislation next week calling for a call to action, which will statement, I hope Council's. We'll call for public hearings dealing with violence. So it does give us a place to be, and we'll have that ready next week. The other issue is housing reorganization. As many of you know, we had maybe six hearings -- I can't remember how many -- eight hearings on housing reorganization, and we have been working and meeting and speaking with all sides of the issue all summer. And the Administration decided to delay any layoffs for a week. So it's been that kind of everyday back and forth what happens, and we're still working in that regard. We've tried to work in good faith and hope that these issues will be worked out. Some people who were the Administration agreed to for every person who takes a DROP, they will hire back a person, a union person, who is on the list to be laid off. And many people in other places in the City. Not enough yet. The Administration is still looking for places and slots in the City where people can be hired, and it's tight. Because, you know, a week is only a week. But we're grateful to have a week, but say that we hope that all of you will still continue to work with us, be watchful. It's difficult. We know we have housing shortages from the federal government, but we still know we have residents in our City who belong to unions and residents who live and who have worked for the City 20 and 30 and 35 and 36 years who certainly deserve a right not to live in fear and to be able to maintain their jobs. So the struggle continues. We will keep you informed, and we're trying to do everything we can to be a liaison between the Administration, the union and employees. We love them. We care for them as people who live and who have done in our City. And I would tell you, it's been one of the most difficult processes, when people have to bump people who have been working there 30 years and you bump somebody who has been there 25 and that sort of thing. It's really created such bad morale, and in spite of it, these employees have tried to continue to do their jobs where they could and continue to service us and our districts, because it's all about being able to complete and continue to working to improve the quality of housing and improve the quality of life for people in our City. So we thank them for their commitment and we say that we will remain committed, and certainly we'll keep Council informed and ask that you stay with us as we try to support these individuals who were here and who work for all our housing agencies. Thank you, Madam President. (Applause.)
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 move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, September the 21st. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, September 21st, 2006. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The the motion carries. Thank you all very much. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on September 14, 2006, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (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.)