Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. I would ask the Chief Clerk to 3/22/07 - STATED - 2ND READING please read the title of Bill No. 070077.
An ordinance authorizing the President of Fairmount Park Commission and the Executive Director of Fairmount Park to enter into a lease agreement between the City of Philadelphia as landlord and the Center City District as tenant, commonly referred to as Three Parkway Plaza, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, this bill passes. That concludes our Calendar for today. Are there speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Are part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
I thank you, Madam President. On this occasion of the Annual Celebration of Women's History Month, I would like to once again extend an invitation to all to our Ninth Annual Women Making a Difference that will once again be held down at the Penn's Hyatt Hotel. Our 2007 awardees are Geneva Black, the Executive Director of the Haddington Multi-Services for Older Adults; Della Clark, the Executive Director of the Enterprise Center; Karen Davis, the President and CEO of the Arts and Business Council; Varsovia Fernandez, the Executive Director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and Patricia Giorgio-Fox, the First Deputy Police Commissioner and first female Deputy Police Commissioner of the City of Philadelphia. then, finally, this year we will have our inaugural "Profile of Courage" award going to State Senator Christine "Tina" Tartaglione for her valiant effort in the success of the rise of the Commonwealth minimum wage. So we extend an invitation to all who desire to be with us. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. On September 28, 2006, Mayor John F. Street created the Philadelphia Education Advisory Task Force to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the City's education system. Mayor Street said then, "Children of Philadelphia is the most important and challenging responsibility. " Those are the words of John Street. I attended that press conference and as the only member of Council present, I was publicly asked by the Mayor for a commitment to support more local resources for public schools. I committed then and I remain committed now. On December 11, 2006, Mayor John F. Street testified in City Council before the joint Committees on Finance and Education on resolutions dealing with School District finances, truancy and the dropout rate. Mayor Street said then, "Let me tell you something, we aren't fooling anybody up here on the finances of this city. You got people up here who know as much about this as anybody anywhere, and that's basically what I meant. And there are things that we can do that will cost us money and there are things that we can do that can increase our revenues. " Those are the words of John Street. Needless to say, I agreed with him then and I agree with him now. On December 30, 2006, Mayor John F. Street delivered his New Year's radio address. Mayor Street said then, "The future belongs to the children. We will continue to invest in our children's education, safety and well-being. " Those are the words of John Street. I anxiously awaited the Task Force report then and I anxiously await that report now. On February 22, 2007, Mayor his FY2008 budget address to City Council. " So what accounts for the Mayor's change in support for more local money? My introduction of Bill No. 070015 on January 23, 2007. It's quite simple. He asked for my support, not my leadership. But leadership was what I'm offering. And I have the support of education advocates today that will hold a press conference across the hall at 12:00 noon in the City Council Caucus Room and have the support of all the major candidates for Mayor. I personally talked with Chaka Fattah, Dwight Evans, Mike Nutter, Tom Knox and a representative of Bob Brady yesterday. The time to address this crisis issue in the City, crime and violence, job creation, economic development, as well as the overall quality of life, is intertwined with the issue of public education and the need for more local and state investment. The Mayor says that this bill won't solve the problem. That's true. It is meant to be part of a more comprehensive effort. So I say to the Mayor, this is a very serious public policy matter that requires more than a lame-duck response. I remind the Mayor and my colleagues of the Mayor's own words last year. Again, "Children of Philadelphia is the most important and challenging responsibility. Investing in our children and improving their educational opportunities is among the most important actions we can take as a city. I guess my bottom line is, the School District very shortly is going to need more money, both from the City of Philadelphia, if we're going to do something to accelerate the kind of progress we think is necessary in our schools. " I couldn't have said it better than he did, but for me, money talks louder than words. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I would just like to acknowledge and recognize the employees of the Community College of Philadelphia that are here today. (Applause.)
Community Council district and has been proven to be a very, very productive and much-needed service for not only youth but also for adults and older adults. I encourage all parties to get together, because I understand that they're extremely close in terms of the number with respect to benefits and wages. And please get back to work, because this is a much-needed service and we need this school to be open. (Applause.)
I would just like to say, Madam President, on behalf, we're encouraging, we're basically demanding that people sit down and come up with a reasonable approach and get a contract resolution for this much-needed service. Thank you, Madam President.
Yes, Madam President. I understand that Mrs. Neil from the School of the Future is here with another class of government, and I want to acknowledge them. (Applause.)
Thank you, Madam President. I want to agree and associate myself with the comments made by Councilman Clarke. I do have a branch in my area. I have talked with many people, and certainly look forward to a resolution of this issue, as I'm sure all of us in City Council do. So I'm sure I speak for us all when we say we hope that this strike will end quickly. Thank you.
Are there any other speeches on the part of the majority? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion to adjourn.
Madam President, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March 29th, 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
Before we adjourn, I just want to remind the members of the Rules Committee that we do have a 1 o'clock public hearing. It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March 29th at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 11:00 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 March 22, 2007, 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.)