It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. Councilman Rizzo, with Councilwoman Tasco's resolution, you want to abstain or do you want to vote no?
The record will then reflect that the ayes were 14 and 1 abstention.
Thank you, Madam President. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Council Committee on Fiscal Stability and Intergovernmental Cooperation hold hearings in order to fully examine and analyze the current and future financial condition of the School District of Philadelphia and to receive testimony from Mayor John F. Street and the Board of Education on proposed plans to stabilize the funding base of the School District to prevent fiscal insolvency, avoid a possible State takeover, and ensure a quality education for Philadelphia's Public School children.
Madam President, I move the adoption of the resolution, and I wish to be heard on the resolution as well. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, this is an issue that we've had some discussion on in the past. I've raised this matter in this body sometime ago here on the floor concerning the future financial situation of the School District. The Mayor has made numerous pronouncements and encouraged the citizens of this City to get involved with this particular issue through the education town meetings that he's been hosting throughout the City. Again, I personally know the Mayor's concern for public education and I'm sure that he is working on various plans and proposals to make sure that the schools are able to open in September and continue on through the school year 2000. Notwithstanding that, there is also a concern that the plan for the future of the School District is not particularly clear at that moment. We also know that the teachers' contract expires at the end of August of this year. It is very difficulty, naturally, to negotiate a contract when the Board of Education has recently passed a lump sum statement indicating that in the next fiscal INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS year the School District anticipates a $205 million deficit. So I am very concerned about that state of affairs. We know when the City was facing a similar fiscal crisis some 10-odd years ago upwards of $200 million, action was taken and there was no discussion, certainly out in public, that the City would possibly be allowed to run out of money. It was at that time, quite coincidentally, Madam President, Councilperson Street and Councilman O'Neill, our colleague, who introduced a resolution back in late 1990 which created the select Committee on Fiscal Stability and Intergovernmental Cooperation. They held 23 hearings in a 10-month period of time between the end of 1990 and the end of 1991. The result of all of that work was a fiscal recovery plan that led to an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement and creation of PICA which was passed by City Council on January 3, 1992. So there are a number of things I think, Madam President, that can be done, that should be done, and the public needs to be made quite aware and early what those steps are and that we are INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS committed to public education in this City. But also we're making sure that the schools stay open and that we have our own financial recovery plan. I do not know what Harrisburg will do, and I don't have the opportunity, certainly, to have the level of discussion that the Mayor has with the legislators and with the Governor's Office. What I do know is that we are here in the City. It's very easy for our constituents to reach us, to touch us, and also express their concern about what's going on. And as time moves on and as there is less information out in the public, I believe that we owe the citizens of this City the obligation to get information to them as quickly as possible and make sure that City Council is well aware of what the fiscal implications are on the School District and potentially on the City of Philadelphia. So I would ask my colleagues, almost all of whom who have signed the resolution, to support it here this morning to make sure that we begin a process publicly of establishing a recovery plan for the School District of the City in the event that significant dollars do not come from Harrisburg. And we know from reading, at least, news accounts INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS that the State is talking about how they will proceed if they need to step in and take over the School District. I don't think anyone, including Mayor Street, wants to see that happen. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. This resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions this morning.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill and two resolutions.
The chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
A ordinance amending Chapter 16-400 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, Vacant and Surplus Properties, by amending Section 16-404 entitled, the Vacant Property Review Committee, by adding subsections on the Philadelphia INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Commercial Development Corporation.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution declaring April 26, 2000, as National Community Economic Development Day in the City of Philadelphia.
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 signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Clerk will please read the title of the second resolution. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
A resolution endorsing the Global Sullivan Principles of Cooperate Social Responsibilities and encouraging companies, domestic and international, to adopt these principles.
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 signify by saying aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco.
The Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS creating the Schmitz Plaza Tax Increment Financing District and approving the project plan of the redevelopment project plan.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
An ordinance creating the South Ninth Retail Tax Increment Financing District.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development a deed conveying fee simple title to a certain tract of City-owned land.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
An ordinance granting permission to Columbia Transmission Communications Corporation, a Delaware corporation, its successors and assigns to construct, maintain and operate, replace and remove telecommunications systems.
This bill will INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS be referred to the appropriate committee.
An ordinance amending Section 19-1303(2) of the Philadelphia Code entitled Authorization to Offer Exception from Real Estate Taxes or Improvements to Deteriorated Industrial Commercial or Other Business Properties.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
An ordinance amending Section 19-1303(4) of the Philadelphia Code entitled Authorization to Offer Exception from Real Estate Tax on the New Construction of Residential Properties by changing the exemption schedule.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
An ordinance amending section 19-1303(2) of the Philadelphia Code entitled Authorization to Offer Exemption from Real Estate Tax on Improvements to Residential Properties.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
An ordinance amending Section 9-402 of the Philadelphia Code INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS entitled Animal Drawn Carriages and Section 10-108 entitled Rental and Carriage Horses by making various changes to the provisions governing the animal drawn carriage business.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I have two bills and one resolution.
The Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Section 12-2409 of the Philadelphia Code entitled Towing Zone Locations and Hours by adding as a towing zone location the north and south sides of Greene Street between 11th and 12th Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
An ordinance creating the Networks Tax Increment Financing District and approving the project plan of the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, PAID, for the redevelopment of the Networks tax increment Financing District. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. 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 of the City of Philadelphia without consideration deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain properties situate in the 28th, 29th, 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. Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Longstreth.
The Chair thanks the Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
The Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution supporting and congratulating the Philadelphia Family Court and the Philadelphia Court Appointed Special Advocate Program for their recognition of month of April as Official Philadelphia Child Abuse Prevention Month.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Clerk will please read the title of the second resolution.
A resolution honoring and commending the career and achievements of Philadelphia's legendary Mr. Television, Ed McMahon.
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 signify by saying aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Chief Clerk will please read the last resolution. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
A resolution recognizing May 1, 2000, as Law Day 2000 and the week of May 1, 2000 to May 6, 2000 as Law Week in the City of Philadelphia.
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. Those opposed, nay. The ayes have it. The motion is carried.
The next order of business is reports from committees. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney for a report from the Rules Committee.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Rules reports out four bills with favorable recommendation. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
To the President and Members of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Rules to which was referred bill 000014 entitled an ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code relating to zoning and planning by amending 14-1600, miscellaneous, by adding a new Section 14-1619 entitled Frankford Avenue Special District Controls. Bill No. 000027 entitled an ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code relating to zoning and planning by amending Chapter 14-1600 entitled Miscellaneous by adding a new section 14-1607.1 entitled Special Controls for Walnut Street, under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 000062, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located with an area bounded by Carpenter Street, Greene Street West View Avenue, and Sherman Road. Bill No. 000110 entitled an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of areas of land located within REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES an area bounded by Frankford Avenue, the Poquessing Creek, Woodhaven Road, Knights Road, Academy Road, Byberry Road, Walter Meyer Drive, Red Lion Road, and Knights Road.
Madam President, I move the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading of bill No. 000027 and 000110 today.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit First Reading of Bill Nos. 000027 and 000110 on today's calendar. All in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes have it and these bills will be placed on the First Reading Calendar for today's session. Bill Nos. 000014 and 000062 will be REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES placed on the First Reading Calendar for our next session. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco for a report from the Streets and Services Committee.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Streets and Services reports two 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. 000139, an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 376 by striking from the City Plan and vacating a portion of McNulty Road and a portion of Meeting House Road by placing on the City Plan a dead-end turn-around at the terminus of McNulty Road.
Madam President, there were two. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
No. Bill No. 000145, an ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance Bill No. 980709 approved December 30, 1998, entitled an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 46S in the area of Gary Street and 20th Street by placing on the City Plan Gary Street from 20th Street to da Vinci Drive and Justina Circle from da Vinci Drive westward.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 000139 and 000145. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly second that the Rules of Council be suspended as to permit First Reading of Bill Nos. FIRST READING CALENDAR 000139 and 000145 on today's Calendar. All in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. Those opposed, nay. The ayes have it. And the motion is carried. These bills will be placed on the First Reading Calendar for today. Are there reports from any other committees? (No response.)
Seeing none, the next order of business is the consideration of the calendar. The Clerk will please read the bills on the First Reading Calendar.
Bill No. 000027, an ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code relating to zoning and planning by amending Chapter 14-1600 entitled Miscellaneous by adding a new Section 14-1607.1 entitled Special Controls for Walnut Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Bill No. 000110, an FIRST READING CALENDAR ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Frankford Avenue, Poquessing Creek, Woodhaven Road, Knights Road, Academy Road, Byberry Road, Walter Meyer Drive, Red Lion Road, and Knights Road.
Bill No. 000139, an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 376 by striking from the City Plan and vacating a portion of McNulty Road and a portion of Meeting House Road.
Bill No. 000145, an ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance Bill No. 980709 approved December 30, 1998, entitled an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 46S in the area of Gary Street and 20th Street by placing on the City Plan Gary Street from 20th Street to da Vinci Drive.
The Chair SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR agrees. The bills read by the Clerk will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for our next meeting. This concludes the consideration of bills on the First Reading Calendar.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of calling up bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Madam President. Today Bill No. 000105 is called up for Second Reading and Final Passage.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Clerk read the title of Bill No. 000105.
Bill No. 000105, an ordinance approving the redevelopment proposal of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of a portion of Parkside National Register Historical District Redevelopment Area, Parkside National Register SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR Historical District Urban Renewal Area bounded by Parkside Avenue and Girard Avenue.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally? The Clerk call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 15, the nays are 0. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. This concludes the Calendar.
Are there any SPEECHES speeches on the part of the majority? (No response.)
Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
There being none the Chair recognizes -- Councilwoman Blackwell, did you want to be recognized?
Yes, Madam President. We learned this morning that over the weekend you as our president will be celebrating a birthday.
Nobody is supposed to know that. I want to forget them.
So we did want to say happy birthday. And would everyone join me. (Singing.)
Councilwoman Tasco, can I recognize you for a motion to adjourn, please.
Madam President, I move that Council be adjourned until Thursday, April ADJOURNMENT 27, 2000. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday April 27, 2000. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? Thank you very much. Thank you all very much. (Council adjourned at 11:25 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 April 13, 2000, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: STATED MEETING ___________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR and Notary Public