COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 696, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, October 10, 2002 10:05 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN FRANK J. DI CICCO COUNCILMAN WILSON W. GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO PATRICIA RAFFERTY, CHIEF CLERK VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Good morning, everyone. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Councilmembers will please come to order. Members will take their seats. At this time the Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter who will lead us in a prayer. Members and guests will please rise.
Thank you, Madam President. To my colleagues, no, I have not taken on any additional responsibilities. Can we just have a moment of silence. (Moment of silence.)
Thank you. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of October 3, 2002. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I move that the Journal of the October 3, 2002, be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the Thursday, October 3, 2002 stand approved. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The Journal of Thursday, October 3, 2002 is approved. The next order of business leave of absence. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. There are no requests for leaves of absence on the part of the majority.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, on behalf of the minority, there is a request of leave of absence for Thacher Longstreth.
Leave will be granted. The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and 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 to our City. We certainly invite you to come again. At this time the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco who will present a resolution honoring Dustin Ballard, Phylicia Lane, Tamika Ponds and Vanessa Ponds. Will the honorees and those accompanying them please join the Councilwoman at the podium. I believe the Commissioner is being asked to join the young ladies and the gentleman. The Chair recognizes the Councilwoman.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I am pleased to note that there were four ordinary young people from the 9th Councilmatic District who exemplified extraordinary courage in this matter. I refer -- I'm sorry. I have to start all over again. Good morning. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, cities and states across our country have seen a tremendous increase, not just in the number of cases reported child abductions, but also in the widespread news coverage given to this issue over this past year. While many of these incidents have ended in tragedy, citizens across this City have the honor of witnessing the safe return of Erika Pratt the courageous 7-year-old girl from Southwest Philadelphia who was abducted from her home this summer and successfully escaped to freedom. Well, today, I am pleased to note that there are four ordinary young people from the 9 Councilmatic District who exemplified extraordinary courage in this matter. I refer to Dustin Ballard, Vanessa and Tamika Ponds, and Phylicia Lane of the Logan Section of my district. These young people had the instinct, intellect and willingness to assist Erika in her escape and to notify the police of her whereabouts. So I am Honored to have these 9th District heros and s'heros in our presence. And I must say Phylicia Lane couldn't be with us this morning because she had a test, but her father is with us. After these young people are presented with their City Council resolution, I have asked Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson to share a few the citizens of Philadelphia about some of the preventative measures that we can employ to try and protect our children from this type of harm. I will read one resolution which will be presented to each of the students. This is a resolution honoring Dustin Ballard Phylicia Lane and Vanessa Ponds. Whereas, July 2002, Erika Pratt was literally snatched from the sidewalk near her home in Southwest Philadelphia. She is not yet four feet tall, she is 7 years old, and she had just successfully completed first grade at the Mitchell Elementary School; and Whereas, through courageous and daring, Erika freed herself from the abandoned house in Logan where she was being held. Once she got outside she began screaming for help and four young people came to her aid. They are Dustin Ballard from Cook Middle School, Phylicia Lane from Cook Middle School, Tamika Ponds from Cook Middle School, and Vanessa Ponds from Olney High School; and Whereas, these youngsters, without thought of their own safety, came to Erika's aid immediately, thus exhibiting an enormous level of far beyond their age. They are responsible for the safe return of Erika to her family and they are heros to us; and Whereas, the students mentioned herein have brought pride to their families, joy to Erika's family, distinction to their schools, and honor to our City. Now, therefore, resolved by the Council in the City of Philadelphia that we hereby honor and commend Dustin Ballard, Phylicia Lane, Tamika Ponds and Vanessa Ponds. Further resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Dustin Ballard, Phylicia Lane, Tamika Ponds, and Vanessa Ponds as evidence of the admiration and pride of this legislative body. Certification that this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 26th day of September 2002. It is signed by President Verna, introduced by Marian Tasco and Wilson Goode, Jr., and sponsored by all members of City Council. We congratulate these young people. (Applause.)
Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson, we are delighted to have you with us this morning. Thank you for coming.
First, I want to thank Councilwoman Tasco and the entire City Council for making this resolution. I was away when this case happened. And while I was there, some of the police chiefs -- I was at a police chiefs conference -came up to me congratulated me for finding Erika Pratt. And I said, "You can't congratulate me for that because Erika Pratt found us." But thanks to these young people who didn't know whether there was anybody in that house at that time and because of their courageous act, she came here very safely. You know, one of the unfortunate things happening right now in Maryland where you have this sniper going out there killing people, we have people afraid to go shopping, we have kids afraid to go to school. Well, those same things have been happening in Philadelphia in some of our communities where people are afraid to go shopping, people are the schools, young people are getting killed every single day on our streets by drug dealers. And I think the thing that's happened right now with Safe Streets to make sure that our citizens -- because my obligation is not so much to make a lot of arrests, my obligation is to change the quality of life here in the City of Philadelphia. And we cannot do that without City Council, we cannot do that without the politicians, the federal people, the community. Everyone has to work hand-in-hand with this. The parents have to get involved. We all have to get involved with this. I hear the things that's being said on radio and I hear the things they're saying on TV, and it's unfortunate that the people have to live in fear, that they're afraid to go there because you never know what's going to happen. And my understanding, the shooting last night is also committed by the same sniper. But again, as we combine together, we in Philadelphia can change the quality of life for the Citizens here in the City of Philadelphia. And for the parents to take control of their homes, because if you can't take control of your own homes, we the community. So I appreciate what City Council has done to show the recognition to these young people who have done things from the heart. They didn't have a gun, they didn't have a badge, they didn't have a nightstick. But they reacted, and they reacted very courageously and they acted on instinct and they acted with pride and with dignity. And I thank City Council for showing this resolution to them. And thank you very much for inviting us and asking us over. (Applause.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Clerk. The 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 October 9, 2002, I signed the following bill that was passed by Council AND RES. at its Session on September 26, 2002: Bill No. 020380.
Thank you. The message will be printed in the Journal. The Clerk will please read any other communications in her possession.
Thank you. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolution. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit immediate consideration of resolutions at their time of introduction. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit immediate consideration of resolutions at the time of introduction. All in favor of the motion will indicate by saying aye. AND RES. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. At this time the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer two resolutions which I ask to be referred to the appropriate committee.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution authorizing City Council's Legislative Oversight Committee to hold public hearings on the status and future of the City's municipal pension fund's liabilities and obligations.
Move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you, Madam President. With regard to my colleague's resolutions, I have seen neither. I've checked with some colleagues near me. And I would like to see resolutions before they're introduced, especially the next one that will be introduced that deals with aggressive panhandling. That is an issue that many of us are interested in and have opinions on, but we would like the right to see resolutions before they are introduced.
It is my understanding that the resolutions were distributed in the Caucus Room. And I know that the rules are that we should have them 24 hours prior to. Do you have a copy of them presently Councilwoman?
No, I don't. But I will say, if we want to change the rules to make Caucus Room where we circulate resolutions, I'm happy to abide by that. I just want one rule for all of us.
I know one AND RES. resolution was distributed yesterday. I don't know about the second resolution.
Madam President, I've seen neither. I can speak for me. And I mentioned it to a few people near me who also had not seen the resolutions.
I know that the resolution just read, and somebody could correct me if I'm wrong, that was distributed yesterday because I did have a copy in my office.
Madam President, it wasn't distributed to me. Councilwoman Krajewski concurs it wasn't distributed to her. Maybe it was distributed to you but not everybody else; I don't know. I'm just making a point.
I am being told by other Councilmembers that they did got a copy yesterday.
I believe that's the one that was just read. And you had that in our possession yesterday?
I got the one for public hearings on status and future of the City's municipal pensions funds, liabilities and obligations, but I did not get the one that I think the Councilwoman is speaking about, panhandling. Therefore, I won't be voting for it either. We've got to start giving each other the right things so we can be prepared.
I was always under the impression that they should be distributed 24 hours ahead of time, Madam President.
How many received this resolution yesterday? I know I did. Councilman Mariano, I believe just said you received it yesterday?
This is the one you just read and the Clerk just read.
Was it the panhandling one or the pension one? The pension AND RES. one, I got that yesterday.
Again, Madam President, I'm happy to abide by a ruling if the Council wants it to be Caucus Room, it's okay if that's what we agree to. But if it's not Caucus Room and we want to get them 24 hours in advance, then lets -
Madam President, let me try to solve this very difficult problem here. The one that was circulated, I think, previously on the pension, I'd be happy to have voted on and referred to the appropriate committee. I know the second one on the aggressive panhandling is not that long, but if people need a week to read it, I'll be happy to introduce it next week. I also would like to recognize the fact, Madam President, that on numbers of occasions, on too many occasions, we have accepted information and requests and resolutions from the second floor that were given to us at 9 o'clock, 10 o'clock in the morning and voted on. So, if it's a matter of a week and AND RES. people need a read to read it, that's fine. I'll introduce it next week. But I would like to recognize that no one's ever complained that's complaining now about information we get from the second floor in the morning of a session that we are asked to vote on. So I will withdraw that resolution until next week. Thank you, Madam President.
Madam President, my concern is that I am absolutely interesting in the issue of aggressive panhandling. I like to be on top of these issues. I make no secret about that. It's always been one of the issues related often to homelessness that concern me. And as I said, I'm happy to abide any rule as long -- I'm not speaking for the Administration, I'm speaking for me and my issues as a Councilperson.
And Councilman, you are asking that the resolution just AND RES. read by the Clerk be considered at this time?
Madam President, I move adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution will be referred to the Legislative Oversight Committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. This morning I have one resolution.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution. AND RES.
A resolution authorizing the City Council Committee and Licenses and inspections to conduct hearings on the feasibility and the construction of new multi-family dwellings according to principles of visibility.
Madam President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And the resolution will be referred to the Committee on L & I. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions day.
The Chair AND RES. thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Mariano.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
Madam President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be AND RES. adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And the resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill and resolution which needs to be referred to committee.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Title 2 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "City County Consolidation," by abolishing the Board of Revision of Taxes and reassigning its powers, functions, and duties to three newly created City agencies to be AND RES. known as the Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review, the Property Assessment Oversight Board, and the Office of Property Assessment providing for submission of such amendment for the approval or disapproval of the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia fixing the date of a special election for such purpose.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. And the Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution approving the revision to the Cathedral Village Life Care Facility RC-6 Master Plan.
Madam President, I ask that this resolution be referred to the Rules Committee, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. AND RES. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And the resolution the resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution cosponsored by my colleagues W. Wilson Goode and Councilman Frank DiCicco. And given the relevance of this resolution to our country's past and our future, I would like it read in its entirety.
The Clerk will please read the resolution in its entirety.
A resolution urging the National Constitution Center and the National Park Service to properly commemorate the life and home of James Dexter. Whereas, a bus depot is planned for construction over what was once the home of James Dexter; and Whereas James Dexter has been described by the Philadelphia Inquirer as a central figure in AND RES. the building free black society and post-revolutionary America; and Whereas, James Dexter served as a distinguished member of the Free African Society, an organization that was first of its kind in Philadelphia and perhaps the first in the country whose primary purpose was to act as a mutual aid society for those who were sick, widowed, fatherless, or in need; and Whereas, Mr. James Dexter was a founding member of St. Thomas African Episcopal Church, the first African Episcopal church in Philadelphia and one of the first in the United States; and Whereas, the home of James Dexter was used for meetings by prominent leaders such as Richard Allen and Absolon Jones as they worked to realize their collective vision of uplifting African Americans to new heights; and Whereas, while there may not be a legal requirement to commemorate the life and home of Mr. Dexter, there are a large number of citizens in the City of Philadelphia, the birth place of America, who would be gravely disappointed if he was not properly honored; and AND RES. Whereas, to build a bus depot over the site of a home of Mr. Dexter without doing a proper commemoration would be a tragic mistake in the eyes of those who care and take pride in African American history; and Whereas, to not properly commemorate the site would be an error of extreme significance to all those who care about celebrating the rich cultural history of Philadelphia; and Whereas, to properly honor the life and home of James Dexter, it will be necessary for the National Constitution Center and the National Park Service to consult with those who are active in the pursuit, promotion, and preservation of the African American history and culture. Now, it be resolved by the City Council of Philadelphia that we hereby urge the National Constitution Center and the National Park Service to properly commemorate the life and home of James Dexter.
I thank you, Madam President, and I move for the adoption. AND RES. (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 has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution amending Resolution 1 which was adopted as temporary rules of the Council on January 3, 2000, to reinsert the amendment passed in the last Council Session which AND RES. extended to Council employees the same leave entitlements that other non-represented city employees enjoyed under the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 and other City leave policies.
Madam President, I move 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 DiCicco.
Thank you. The Clerk the please read the title of the first bill. AND RES.
An ordinance amending Section 22-310 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Deferred Retirement Option Plan," by increasing the number of years an employee may remain in the DROP before being required to separate from City service, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Clerk will please read the title of the second bill.
And an ordinance amending Section 22-310 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, "Deferred Retirement Option Plan," by eliminating the provision that limited the DROP to a specific test period required certain finding by the Board of Pensions to continue the DROP after the test period thereby enacting the drop as a permanent part of the Public Employees Retirement Code, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, I have no bills or resolutions. AND RES.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 16th, 20th, 28th, 32nd and 37th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have AND RES. it. And the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution commending actor David Morris and the producers of the CBS television series "Hack" for their commitment to producing and filming the series in Philadelphia and showcasing all that our City has to offer.
I move for the adoption of this 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 has been adopted. The next item of business is reports from committees. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a report from the Committee on Finance.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Finance reports out one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Finance to which was referred Bill No. 020601 entitled an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1800 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "School Tax Authorization," by adding a new Section 19-1801.1 providing for a cap on tax increases, under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading today of Bill No. 020601. (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 Bill No. 020601. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes it. Bill NO. 020601 will be placed on today's First Reading Calendar. At this time the Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco for a report from the Committee or Streets and Services.
Thank you, Madam President. The committee on Streets and Services reports 33 bills with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Streets and Services to which was referred Bill No. 020382 entitled, an ordinance authorizing Lois Hartzell, owner the property 607 North Second Street to construct, own, and maintain a cantilevered balcony projecting over the east footway of Second Street; And Bill No. 020410, entitled an ordinance authorizing Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, owner of the properties 118 North Broad Street and 128 North Broad Street, to construct, own, and maintain various encroachments; And Bill No. 020412, entitled an ordinance authorizing G2S2 Associates, owner of the property 1605-1627 Sansom Street to construct and maintain a building encroachment over and above the north footway of the 1600 block of Sansom Street; And Bill No. 020413, entitled an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 58; And Bill No. 020429, entitled an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and of City Plan No. 258; And Bill No. 020430, entitled an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 312; And Bill No. 020433, entitled an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion City Plan No. 271 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Hancock Street; And Bill No. 020434, entitled an ordinance granting permission to Alfredo Aguilar, owner of the property 426-428 West Girard Avenue, doing business as Las Casuelas Cafe, to operate and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe; And Bill No. 020464, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on 19th Street, both sides; Bill No. 020465, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Rosewood Street, east side; And Bill No. 020466, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Rosewood Street; And Bill No. 020467, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on 16th Street; And Bill No. 020468, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Broad Street; And Bill No. 020479, entitled an ordinance establish a parking regulation on Wyoming Avenue; And Bill No. 020487, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Redfield Street; Bill No. 020488, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Ridge Avenue; And Bill No. 020492, entitled an ordinance repealing an ordinance Bill No. 010339, authorizing the vacating of Byberry and Bensalem Road; And Bill No. 020494, entitled an ordinance granting permission to Atul Amin, owner of the newsstand at the northeast corner of 15th Street and Arch Street; And Bill No. 020497, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on 15th Street; And Bill No. 020498, entitled an regulation on Corinthian Street; And Bill No. 020539, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on 31st Street; And Bill No. 020540, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Larchwood Avenue; Bill No. 020541, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on 48th Street; And Bill No. 020542, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Preston Street; And Bill No. 020543, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Farragut Street, east side; And Bill No. 020552, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Seventh Street, both sides; And Bill No. 020553, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Dickinson Street, both sides; And Bill No. 020554, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Street, both sides; And Bill No. 020555, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Darien Street, west side; And Bill No. 020556, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Watts Street, east side; And Bill No.
020577, entitled an ordinance revising parking regulations on Juniper Street, both sides; And Bill No. 020558, entitled an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on 13th Street, east side; And Bill No. 020578, entitled an ordinance amending Section 9-205 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Sidewalk Sales," by prohibiting sidewalk sales on portions of Vine Street, 18th Street, 19th Street and 20th Street; Respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
Thank you, Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 020382, 020434 and 020492.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 020382, 020434 and 020492. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And Bill Nos. 020382, 020434 and 020492 will be placed on the First Reading Calendar for today's Session of Council. The other 30 bills read by the Clerk will be placed on the First Reading Calendar for our next Session of Council. The next order of business is the consideration of the calendar. The Clerk will please read the bills on First Reading Calendar.
Bill No. 020490, an ordinance amending Section 19-1301 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, "Real Estate Taxes," by providing that real estate taxes imposed under that section shall be based upon the assessed value of real estate as returned by the Board of Revision of Taxes in 2001.
And Bill No. 020491, an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1800 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "School Tax Authorization," by providing that real estate taxes imposed by the Board of Education, the School District of Philadelphia, for tax year 2003 and thereafter shall be based upon the assessed value of real estate as certified by the Board of Revision of Taxes in 2001.
And Bill No. 020493, an ordinance amending Section 19-2900 of the Title 19 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Senior Citizens Low Income Special Tax Provisions," by expanding the chapter to include senior citizens who are eligible to participate in the PACENET Program.
And Bill No. 020537, an ordinance amending Section 19-1301 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Real Estate Taxes," by providing that the taxes levied on a property under that section shall not increase in any one year by more than a specific percentage as the result of an increase in the assessed value of the property as returned by the Board of Revision of Taxes.
And Bill No. 020538, an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1800 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "School Tax Authorization," by providing that the real estate taxes imposed by the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia on a property shall not increase in any one year.
And Bill No. 020577, an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Real Estate Taxes," by adding a new section 19-1306 providing for a cap on tax increases, under certain terms and conditions.
And Bill No. 020601, an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1800 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "School Tax Authorization," by adding a new Section 19-1801.1 providing for a cap on tax increases, under certain terms and conditions.
And Bill No. 020382, an ordinance authorizing Lois Hartzell, owner the property 607 North Second Street to construct, own, and maintain a cantilevered balcony projecting over the east footway of Second Street.
And Bill No. 020434, an ordinance granting permission to Alfredo Aguilar, 10/10/02 - STATED - 2nd READING, FINAL PASSAGE owner of the property 426-428 West Girard Avenue, doing business as Las Casuelas Cafe, to operate and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe on the south footway of Girard Avenue.
And Bill No. 020492, an ordinance repealing an ordinance, Bill No. 010339, authorizing the vacating of Byberry and Bensalem Road from Southampton-Byberry Road to the Philadelphia and Bucks County Line, all under certain terms of conditions.
The Chair agrees. The bills just read by the Clerk will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for our next Session of Council. That concludes the First Reading Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose calling up bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calender to be considered today.
Madam 10/10/02 - STATED - 2nd READING, FINAL PASSAGE President, today Bill Nos. 020283A and 020379 are being call up for second reading and final passage. All other bills are being held.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 020283A.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Chapter 14-200 entitled "Residential Districts," by making certain technical amendments, 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.
Councilman Goode. 10/10/02 - STATED - 2nd READING, FINAL PASSAGE