COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, April 16, 2009 10:00 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM GREENLEE COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO PATRICIA RAFFERTY, CHIEF CLERK V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Services Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670
Good morning, everyone. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will please come to order. Members will take their seats, and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes Reverend Lorraine Jenkins Gilmore, Pastor of the Church of God of Prophecy. She is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Brown. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
Let us all pray. Oh, Lord, our heavenly father, who has brought us safely to this day, we pray for those who lead us in our City Council and in our City government. May you give them wisdom, discernment and courage to make decisions which are your word, you said acknowledge you in all our ways and you would direct our paths. You also promised to be a light and a lamp to those who trust and believe in you. Now, Lord, I humbly come to you on behalf of the citizens of our great city, the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, to ask you to be their counselor and guide as they make tough decisions that will affect all of us. And, dear God, in your word, you said for us not to be anxious for anything, but in all things, through prayer, supplication and with thanksgiving, make our request known unto you, and the God of peace that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and mind. We ask this in the name of our Lord and Jesus Christ, our savior. Amen. (Amen.)
The Chair thanks Pastor Gilmore for her invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 2nd, 2009, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 stand approved.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leave of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Madam President, there are no requests for leave of absences today.
Thank you. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to visitors joining us in Chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our city. We certainly invite you to come again. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco, who I understand will be joined by Councilwoman Brown, who will present a resolution recognizing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on the occasion of Delta Day in City Council. Will Mrs. Tracy Carter and those accompanying her please join the Councilwomen at the podium, please. Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. Councilwoman Brown and I really are very pleased to always have our sorors join us in City Council. These women are politically-minded, civic-minded, and they are here today and we want to recognize them and acknowledge the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on the occasion of the Annual Delta Day in Philadelphia City Council. Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded at Howard University on January 13th, 1913 by 22 collegiate women with the primary focus of community service and academic excellence, de-emphasizing the social side of sorority life. Within weeks after its inception, these founders participated in their first collected act of public service, marching in the Women's Suffrage March in Washington, DC; and Whereas, the 22 founders envisioned a community service sorority that would use their membership's collected efforts to promote academic excellence, provide scholarships, provide assistance to persons in need, educate and stimulate participation in the policy, and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in their communities; and
Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated has been incorporated since 1930 and now boasts a membership of more than 200,000 predominantly African American college-educated women in over 900 chapters in the United States, England, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Republic of Korea; and Whereas, the major programs of the Sorority are based upon the organization's Five Point Programmatic Thrusts of economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement; and Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is highly to sisterhood, scholarship, community service and the creation and implementation of programs that support the mission of Delta; and Whereas, as a national and international body, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated has participated in 20 Delta Days in the nation's capital, and in March 2003 became a Non-Governmental Organization at the United Nations, granting the organization special consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations; and
Whereas, chapters from across Pennsylvania participate annually in Delta Days in Harrisburg, and we are honored and pleased to be joined by the members of the local chapters, Philadelphia, Quaker City and Valley Forge Alumnae Chapters, who want to continue their civic involvement and to further pledge their Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we acknowledge and honor Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated on the occasion of its first Delta Day, first as a group but second for the second Delta Day in Philadelphia City Council. Further resolved, that engrossed copies of this resolution be presented to each of the local chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated represented here today as an expression of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. This is a certification it's a true and correct copy of the original resolution, adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 2nd day of April 2009. Signed by President Verna and supported by all members of City Council. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Thank you. On behalf of the local chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, we are proud and pleased to accept this honor, this resolution, as we continue to do our community service work throughout the Philadelphia area. And I would just like to recognize that one member in our chapter did bring her students with her. So I'd like to recognize them, students from Roxborough High School. (Applause.)
These ladies represent a few of the thousands of Deltas in Philadelphia, and we just remind you that Blondell Reynolds Brown and Marian Tasco are part of that thousand, so don't mess with us.
The Chair now recognizes Councilman Green, who will present a resolution honoring Gift of Life on the occasion of its 35th Anniversary. Will Mr. Howard Nathan and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. I see that Councilman Green is being joined by Councilman Jones. Councilman Green.
This resolution is honoring and commending the Gift of Life on the occasion of its 35th Anniversary. I've asked Councilman Jones to co-sponsor this resolution with me and to be up here today because although it's not in the script here, Councilman Jones actually was a donor for his brother and with his gift of life. So I just want to commend you first for that. Whereas, the Gift of Life celebrates its 35th Anniversary in 2009, having achieved a rich history of saving lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation; and Whereas, during Gift of Life's tenure, 28,000 lives have been saved and more than 250,000 lives have been enhanced through the organ and tissue donations coordinated by Gift of Life, which were made possible by the overwhelmingly generous spirit of organ donors and their loved ones in Philadelphia; and
Whereas, organ transplantation has become a common, but critical treatment that has the power to save lives, dependent upon the altruism and generosity of members of the community who understand that they do something extraordinary and become an organ and tissue donor; and Whereas, Gift of Life has been lauded both nationally and internationally as a training center for fellow organ donation programs around the world, collaborating with its peers to ensure the best practices engendered and proven here in cooperation with the Gift of Life Institute become the standard of organ procurement organizations everywhere; and Whereas, National Donate Life Month, recognized each April, calls attention to the vast number of people waiting for life-saving transplants, more than 6,000 people in the greater Philadelphia region, alongside the more than 101,000 waiting in the U.S. Each day, 18 people die waiting for their second chance at life, reinforcing the urgency of recruiting additional donors; and
Whereas, Gift of Life urges all residents of Philadelphia to consider the value of organ donation and urges members of the community to add the donor designation when they renew their driver's license or by registering online; and Whereas, Gift of Life's newest initiative, the Gift of Life Family House, will complete the circle of care that the organization provides to those being touched by donation and transplantation. The facility will provide temporary housing to families traveling great distances to receive care at any of Philadelphia's renowned transplant centers. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the City Council of Philadelphia honors and commends Gift of Life on the occasion of its 35th Anniversary. Be it further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Gift of Life as further admiration and appreciation of this legislative body. And we will get the engrossed copy for you shortly, I'm sure. (Applause.)
Thanks, Ms. Chairman. Thanks, Councilman Green, and particular to Councilman Jones too for being a Gift of Life donor. This is Donate Life Month and we want people to go and talk to their family about becoming an organ and tissue donor. We're very blessed in this community to have a very giving community. As Councilman Green outlined, more than 28,000 gifts of life have occurred in the last 35 years, but we still have 6,000 people waiting, and I think the key is getting more people to talk about it and put it on their driver's license. That's what the Gift about, and we're very blessed to be here, and thanks, everybody, for their recognition to the entire Council. I want to introduce, if I can, Kelly Green, whose mom received a gift of life.
Good morning, Council. It's interesting to be on this side over here. I'm usually out there watching you. Many of you know me and you've known me for many years, and what you may not know is that in January of 2007, my mom received a kidney from my aunt, but the one thing that she didn't have was an opportunity to receive a compatible kidney. I don't know if you know this, but my mother was deteriorating fast while on dialysis, and it was a very difficult process. We researched where we could go, and we found Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. We went there so that she could get an incompatible kidney transplant. that we had to uproot our family and move to Baltimore briefly so that my mom could be close by to that hospital, and what we found there was that there was no support. And the one thing that Gift of Life has offered is something that they're putting together called Family House, and what that is is an opportunity for families like mine who were uprooted from our area to go to another place and have the support necessary to get through this very difficult and trying process. Understand that every night I would go back to an empty hotel room after spending a full day with my mother in the hospital for upwards of four months, while she went through multiple complications with her surgery, which apparently were very common, but I didn't know that because I was completely alone. What family House is trying to do is set up an environment where people can go and stay and be around other through the identical situation, but be around people who understand and can offer that support. Mind you, uprooting my family and moving there also bankrupted us. It was a very difficult process. And what we all know and take great pride in is that here in Philadelphia we have some of the most amazing doctors and incredible hospitals, and people travel great distance to come here and stay in Philadelphia to receive the services that we should take great pride that we offer. We need something like Family House here, so that when I went home every night and I cried and I thought about whether or not my mother was going to live or die and how was I going to deal with this, people like that and families that have to go through that journey will have a place to stay in Philadelphia where they don't have to suffer. They don't have to be alone. to take the time and explore Gift of Life and Family House, and thank you for taking this time today. (Applause.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-At-Arms deliver the messages to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on April 3rd and April 15th, I signed all of the bills that were passed by Council at its session on April 2nd, 2009, except 090121; and I am transmitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body Commerce Director to file an application with the Commonwealth's Department of Community and Economic Development under the Main Street Program in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1 million to assist in the revitalization of the Lancaster Avenue Commercial Corridor; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to acquire fee simple title in parcels of land along the Delaware River and K&T Trail; and Pursuant to Section 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission on the following bills: Bill No. 090127, 090071 and 090120.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read any other communications in her possession.
Thank you. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Madam President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I introduce one bill and one resolution.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance authorizing the Commerce Director to file an application with the Commonwealth's Department of Community and Economic Development under the Main Street Program in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1 million to assist in the revitalization of the Lancaster Avenue Commercial Corridor.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution congratulating Robert L. Archie, Johnny Irizarry and Joseph Dworetzky on their appointment to the Philadelphia School Reform Commission and recognizing Commission members Heidi Ramirez and Denise McGregor Armbrister for their continued service.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a motion.
Thank you, Madam President. This is certainly co-sponsored by all members of the Education Committee and all members of Council, and I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution, which is co-sponsored by Councilman Kenney.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution honoring the life and mourning the loss of Harry Kalas (1936 to 2009).
Thank you, Madam President. To honor a gentleman whose voice will always be with us, I move the adoption of the resolution by a standing vote.
Those standing will be voting in the affirmative. (All members of Council standing.)
The resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to acquire fee simple title, or a lesser interest in real estate, in parcels of land along Delaware River and the K&T Trail, under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I offer one resolution on your behalf and one bill on your behalf and one bill on my behalf.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 46-S within an area bounded by 26th Street, the Schuylkill Expressway and Penrose Avenue.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance establishing a no parking regulation on the 5200 block of Marshall Street, from Fisher Avenue to Duncannon Avenue.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution requesting the Finance Director to attest to Council and the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority that there has been a greater than two percent reduction in total City tax collections, which attestation is required by the Pennsylvania Taxpayer Relief Act before the City may enact an increase to the rates of the wage and net profits tax above the rates specified in that Act, and if the Finance Director provides such attestation, calling on PICA to provide the certification the Act also requires before wage and net profits tax rates may be increased.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The record will indicate that the majority of Councilmembers having voted in the affirmative, the resolution is adopted.
I'd like to be recorded as voting no on the resolution.
The record will indicate that Councilman Kenney voted no. All other members -COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Madam President, I'd like my vote to be recorded no also.
Okay. Do we need a roll call? I'll ask the question again. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The record will indicate that Councilmembers Kenney and DiCicco voted no. All other members voted in the affirmative, and the resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk -- is there another resolution?
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I offer no bills or resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill co-sponsored by the three G's, Green, Greenlee and Goode, and Councilman Jones.
An ordinance amending Section 17-107 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Contractors: Labor-Management Relationships," by amending the definitions of "City Work" and "Service Contracts" to include certain subcontracts for non-professional services, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
A resolution honoring and commending Gift of Life on the occasion of its 35th Anniversary.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. This morning I offer four resolutions, one on behalf of the Administration, one co-sponsored by Councilwoman Blackwell and one by Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution honoring and acknowledging the Student Welfare Council for their ongoing efforts to overcome the high school dropout rate and to help minority students remain in college by providing supplementary aid and guidance to minority students interested in higher education.
For the record, that was also co-sponsored by Councilwoman Brown. I call for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Licenses and Inspection to hold hearings on the impact of L&I inspections on tenant evictions.
Madam President, I call for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the resolution is adopted, and will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless to hold hearings on the impact of mortgage foreclosures on renters in foreclosed properties.
Thank you, Madam President. I call for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the resolution is adopted, and will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 52nd Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Madam President. I call for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill co-sponsored by Councilman Jones and two resolutions.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Business Privilege Taxes," by providing tax relief for taxpayers whose businesses have been affected by public works projects, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold public hearings to examine the record of Public Health Management Corporation regarding the participation levels of minorities and women in subcontracts for the provision of services to the City.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the resolution is adopted, and will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution honoring and congratulating the Philadelphia Police Department's Employee Assistance Unit on its 40th Anniversary.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I offer three bills and two resolutions, one resolution on your behalf.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Chapter 14-400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Commercial Entertainment District," by amending Section 14-403 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Procedures for the Establishment of a Commercial Entertainment District," by amending the procedure by which a Plan of Development is approved or amended; and amending Section 14-409, entitled "Off-Street Loading," by adding provisions relating to proposed projects in the Center City area.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 11th Street, Filbert Street, 8th Street and Market Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Front Street, Lombard Street, 2nd Street and Pine Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution approving the final plan for the continuation of the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District beyond its termination date, and authorizing and directing the Committee on Rules to take all further actions required by the Community and Economic Improvement Act prior to enactment of an ordinance.
The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution recognizing the Honorable Louis J. Presenza, President Judge Emeritus, on the occasion of his retirement following 27 years of great intellect, compassion and devotion to our justice system.
The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam President. I have three bills and one resolution.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," by reducing the amount of real estate taxes to be exempted for certain improvements to, or construction of, certain residential, commercial, industrial or other business properties, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," by reducing the amount of real estate taxes to be exempted for certain improvements to, or construction of, certain residential, commercial, industrial or other business properties.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Subcode "P" (The Philadelphia Plumbing Code) of The Philadelphia Code ("The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code") by providing for the underground use of ABS plastic pipe and PVC plastic pipe, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development deeds located in the 32nd Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you. The next order of business is reports from committees, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney for a report from the Committee on Rules.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Rules reports one bill out with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Rules, to which was referred Bill No. 080901, entitled "An ordinance continuing the Chestnut Hill Business Improvement District beyond the date of termination of the District in the area that generally includes both sides of Germantown Avenue from 7640 to 8705, both sides of Bethlehem Pike from 10 to 105, and certain blocks of streets that intersect that portion of Germantown Avenue, and for which Chestnut Hill Business Improvement District," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Madam President, I move the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 080901. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bill just reported from committee. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bill just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Green for a report from the Committee on Labor and Civil Service.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Labor and Civil Service reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Labor and Civil Service, to which was referred Bill No. 080930, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Public Employees Retirement Code,' by amending Section 22-202, entitled 'Membership After Transfer of Employment,' by allowing any police or fire employee, appointed to the position of Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner of the Police or Fire Departments, to retain membership in the retirement plan covering such member's prior employment, all under certain terms conditions," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 080930. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bill just reported from committee. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The have it, and the bill just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. We do have special business. At this time, Council will now proceed under a special order of business, a resolution re-calling Bill No. 090121. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution, and because this resolution was not circulated yesterday, I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of the resolution at this time. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of Councilwoman Tasco's resolution. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution requesting the Mayor to return to Council Bill No. 090121, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on the 5200 block of Marshall Street, from Fisher Avenue to Duncannon Avenue, on the eastern side," for the purpose of reconsideration by the Council of the vote by which said bill passed Council.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
All in favor please signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution has been passed. The Chief Clerk will please read the letter from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am returning herewith, as requested by your resolution adopted April 16, 2009, Bill No. 090121, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on the 5200 block of Marshall Street, from Fisher Avenue to Duncannon Avenue, on the eastern side," for the purpose of reconsideration by the Council of the vote by which said bill passed Council.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion that Council reconsider the vote which Bill No. 090121 was passed.
All in favor please signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the motion carries and the vote by which Bill No. 090121 was passed has been reconsidered. Bill No. 090121 will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. The next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. Councilwoman Miller, I'm sorry. I didn't see your light on. You want to be recognized? 4/16/09 - STATED - 2ND READING
Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. It's my pleasure to welcome and recognize the 6th, 7th and 8th grade members of the Student Council of Wagner Middle School. I believe they're seated to the rear, and they're escorted by their teacher, Efrain Marimon.
If they would stand, we'd like to recognize you. Welcome. (Applause.)
The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading and they will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. There are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar. Therefore, the Chair recognizes 4/16/09 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Madam President. Bill No. 080645-A and 090211 are being called up for Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today. All other bills are being held.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 080645-A.
An ordinance amending Chapter 12-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Miscellaneous Regulations and Penalties," by adding a new section prohibiting the use of a hand-held mobile telephone by a person operating a motor vehicle or other vehicle on a City street, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different 4/16/09 - STATED - 2ND READING days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Councilman Greenlee, you want to be recognized?
Yes. Very quickly, Madam President, on this bill. I don't believe I have to persuade members at this point that this is a bill worth supporting. As the main sponsors of the bill, Councilman Green and I, I think have heard more positives about this bill than anything we've been involved with. I do just want to put on record, though, that by doing what we're doing today, banning the hand-held cell phones and texting while driving, that we're taking a positive definitive step to greatly improve public safety in our city, which is certainly one of our most important duties. This is a realistic, enforceable bill that will save lives, and I respectfully ask all members to support it. 4/16/09 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you, Madam President.
Oh, I'm sorry. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the bill. You did?
This bill having been read on two different days, the question again is shall this bill pass finally. All in favor will indicate -you want a roll call? (It's a bill.)
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. 4/16/09 - STATED - 2ND READING We will now consider Bill No. 090211.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009 within the General Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
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.
Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Aye. 4/16/09 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. This concludes our Calendar for today. Are there speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Are there speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Yes, Madam President. I'd just like to invite the Councilmembers into the Caucus Room to meet with the Deltas, and they would like to have a question and answer session with them for a few moments. So I encourage them to come in so our sorors can have the opportunity to meet and chat with our Councilmembers.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Madam President. We are in the middle of one of the most difficult budget processes this city has ever seen, and at this point in time --
At this point in time, we must continue to do what is best for the citizens of Philadelphia. This means examining all options for generating additional revenue and cutting the cost of City government by decreasing our spending. The resolution that we passed today is not a call for a wage tax increase. I don't believe anyone on City Council is proposing at this point any particular tax. What we are looking at is the $631 million of new revenue that we need to operate the government for the next five years, and we respectfully say all options should be on the table, which includes the wage tax, which includes an idea that Councilman O'Neill and I have talked about, which potentially takes the sales tax and extends it for five years, which would allow us to avoid any property tax increase, or for each $25 government spending, we are saving citizens 2.31 mills of the proposed property tax increase. We will keep working for the citizens of Philadelphia. This is Philadelphia City Council, and we represent Philadelphians. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. Any other speeches on the part of the majority? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, April 23rd, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Thursday, April 23rd. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Thank you very much. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.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 April 16, 2009, 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.)