And Bill No. 060226, an ordinance amending Title 17 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Contracts and Procurement," by adding a 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING Chapter providing for the development of and setting forth provisions relating to Economic Opportunity Plans.
The Chair agrees, and that completes our First Reading Calendar for today. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of calling up the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar to be considered today.
Thank you, Madam President. Today our Calendar starts on . Bill No. 060902-A is to be further amended. We will consider the next bill, Bill No. 070016-A. Following those pages we will go to where Bill No. 060901-A will be amended. And, finally, on , the last page of today's Calendar, we will consider Bill Nos. 070051, 113 and 112. All other bills are being held.
Thank you very much. 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING If there are no objections, since we have so many visitors with us today, I would like to consider both Resolution No. 070113 and Bill No. 070112 first. So at this time, I would -- and I would remind my colleagues that the resolution requires a two-thirds vote of all members of Council. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the title of Resolution No. 070113.
A resolution submitting to the electors of the City, on an election date to be designated by ordinance, an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the location of licensed gaming facilities within the City, as proposed by a petition filed with the Council.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell. 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to be recognized on this bill and ask if the bill sponsor, Councilman DiCicco, would permit interrogation. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Yes.
Thank you, Madam President. I wanted to raise this issue because for the last week, I think, the majority of Councilmembers have been talking to one another and to everyone else who is here both within the gates and without about what we should do. It seems to me that all of us agree on issues going to the ballot. I thank my colleagues for the override with regard to full tax valuation, and, as you know, this Council has agreed on a "bring the troops home" legislation to go on the ballot with regard to the Iraq War, and we are considering the whole issue of 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING asking the PUC to deny a rate increase for PGW. So we're there on asking the public to consider any issues that we deal with. They're the people who elect us and they're the people who have a right to make those decisions. It seems to me that -(Applause.)
It seems to me, Madam President, the complication occurred because most people seem to support the -- I support casino gambling because I don't support an increase in taxes. So we've got to have money coming to the City in some way. (Applause and boos.)
Having said that, the issue seems to be that we haven't been able to split the baby. A lot of people support the issue of the SugarHouse above Spring Garden Street but understand that the issue of the other location, Foxwoods, has been the problem. As the -3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING (Applause and boos.)
As the widow of a longshoreman and a former union President from the International Longshoreman's Association, obviously I understand the issue and have been approached by most people here. My question to the bill sponsor is, it seems to me that the issue has been splitting the locations and the issue of 1,500 feet in the question. So my question to him specifically is, is there any way we could work out these issues or do we have to proceed today? Is there something we can do to all move forward so there are not so many conflicts and that everyone could be on the same page? COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you.
Councilman, just a moment, please. We will have silence. Please proceed. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING Madam President, and thank you, Councilwoman Blackwell, for your comments. I think I've earned a reputation in this Council for the past 11 years as someone who is reasonable, someone who tries to find that middle ground. To accommodate your request at this time would not -- I cannot accommodate that, and the reason for that is, this is very time sensitive. This is a time-sensitive issue. If we don't get this referendum on the ballot in the primary election, the time with the appeals that have been filed by numerous civic associations and others, including this City Council, as to the process that got us here in the first place probably would have been exhausted. That means that at some point between now and late summer the Gaming Control Commission Board, which gave us this problem in the first place, will have already issued the licenses to the two sites that have been 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING awarded the casinos, meaning Foxwoods and the SugarHouse, and if we allow that to happen, we in City Council, the elected officials in this room who are the voice of the citizens of Philadelphia, will have then further denied the residents of this city an opportunity to be heard. ) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Our state -- as you know, numerous meetings were held in this Chambers regarding this issue. I've been on the road for 16 months with my legislative assistant meeting with various civic associations. Yes, they are in my district. This is beyond a district issue. This is a matter that will affect the City of Philadelphia for decades to come. ) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And I understand the issues on both sides. I've been pro development. I was the author of the ten-year tax abatement that 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING created millions of hours of construction jobs in this City, and I continue to fight for that in spite of my political detractors who have tried to derail that. I supported the Comcast building. I supported stadiums, as all of us did. I support Convention Center expansion. But I think it's time that someone stands up for the folks in this city and says to our state lawmakers, who basically silenced us, all of us, including me and the other 16 members of this body, by enacting a bill at 2 o'clock in the morning on July 4th, '04 without giving any of us in the City of Philadelphia, not a single person in the City of Philadelphia but for the state lawmakers, an opportunity to speak on this issue. ) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: We were denied the opportunity to be part of a process, whether you're for casinos or against casinos. Everyone in this room 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING who is a Philadelphia resident, who is a voter in this city and those who are listening to us today and many other folks who have been engaged in this discussion will at least have the opportunity to be heard on May 15th. It may be voted up; it may be voted down. We are the last line of defense. We shouldn't take the position to silence the people who put us in office as our state lawmakers did in 2004. ) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: So a long answer to your very short question, I apologize, but I think it needs to be understood. There are four civic associations that have raised $80,000 to hire counsel to appeal the Gaming Board's decision to grant these two sites. There are other lawsuits that are pending as well. Queen Village Civic Association put $20,000 in that pot. Society Hill Civic Association put $20,000 into that 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING pot. Whitman Council put $20,000. And Pennsport, whose President is one of the biggest union leaders in the City of Philadelphia, saw fit to put $20,000 on the table to fight these casinos as well. ) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: For me it's an issue of siting, not so much of an issue of whether casinos are good or evil.
) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: So I would respectfully decline to take the offer to table this until after the May primary. It needs to go forward now. Thank you. )
We'll wait. Councilwoman Blackwell, your light was on. Did you still want to be recognized?
Thank you, Madam President. We thank my colleague. I never 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING requested that we table it until after the primary. I only asked if we would consider holding it today. I've heard my colleague's response. I thank him very much. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. Again, I will repeat, since Resolution No. 070113 is a Charter change to the Home Rule Charter, it requires a two-thirds vote majority. At this time, I would ask the Chief Clerk to please call the roll.
Councilman 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Aye.
Councilwoman 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING Reynolds Brown. (Applause.)
We're not finished with the vote. (Audience yelling.)
We're not finished and I -- may I have your attention, please. We're not finished with the vote and there's a bill accompanying this. So I would ask you all, please give us the respect we're giving you. Please continue with the note.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. (Applause.)
I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the title of Bill No. 070112.
An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of a proposed amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the location of licensed gaming facilities within the City, as proposed by a petition presented to the Council and approved for submission to the electors by resolution and to make arrangements for the special election.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING call the roll.
Aye. 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. (Applause.)
Please, we still have business to conduct. I thought I was giving you the courtesy of listening to the two bills before we heard any of our other bills. If you want to leave now, do so quietly so that we can continue on with our business. (Pause.)
I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the title of Bill No. 060902-A.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Chapter 14-200, entitled 'Residential Districts,' by adopting a new Section 14-217, entitled 'Industrial Transformation District.'
Thank you, 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING Madam President. Madam President, this is one of two amendments we will have for these two companion bills. (Pause.)
I think our guests have left, so, Councilman, would you repeat what you said, because they were kind of noisy leaving.
Madam President, this is one of two amendments that we will have for these companion bills. This Bill 902-A we are deleting Section 2 in its entirety. Portions of this section will be moved to the companion bill with the later amendment. I think these amendments have been circulated, so I would like to ask for an adoption of the amendment to Bill No. 060902-A. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the amendment be adopted. 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilman Clarke, I assume that the amendments have been circulated.
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 070016-A.
An ordinance amending Title 11 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Streets," by prohibiting the construction or establishment of curb cuts for vehicular access to certain shopping areas, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING 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, the bill passes. The next bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 060901.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Girard Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue and 32nd Street.
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. Oh, I'm sorry. Councilman Clarke, you want to offer an amendment?
Yes, Madam President. Madam President, the language in this amendment is similar to the 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING language that was in the bill that we just deleted, that section. It essentially lays out the community benefits agreement as a result of the creation of this master plan. There is an additional attachment that will be circulated that actually talks about the Memorandum of Understanding that was crafted at an earlier date by the community, and I will make sure that all of the Councilmembers get that before the day is out or actually before we leave here today, but the amendment itself has in fact been circulated. So I ask for an adoption of the amendment to Bill No. 060901. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the amendment be adopted. All in favor will please say aye. (Aye.)
Those 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING opposed? (No response.)
Did I hear a no? All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. I believe our next and final bill is Bill No. 070051.
An ordinance amending Section 14-1611 of The Philadelphia Code by amending certain provisions of the Special Height Control District for Benjamin Franklin Parkway, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. 3/15/07 - STATED - 2ND READING 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, the bill passes. That completes our Calendar for today. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Are there speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam -
I'm sorry. Excuse me, Councilman DiCicco. DiCICCO: I'll yield.
Thank you. You'll yield. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Councilman, you're having a good day. I'm going to leave it at that. Madam President, I'd like to make two points. And, one, the first one, I'm urging both sides of the current labor dispute at Community College to settle their differences and resume the great service they provide our citizens, especially our young students. It is too important an institution to see disrupted and not working. So I urge both sides to get together and settle that dispute. And on a lighter note, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day this coming weekend. Thank you.
Thank you. Same to you. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. First, let me thank my colleague, Councilman Kelly, for the Irish potatoes. Thank you. I just want to be very brief. It's been a long several months of meetings, discussions, and I know a lot of you in this room were having some difficulty with the casino bills that we passed today. I know the pressure that you were under. I understand that. I've been under it a few times myself. But I just wanted to take this opportunity to publicly thank all of you for supporting it. You have my word, assuming I don't get knocked off the ballot tomorrow, that going forward during this campaign between now and May 15th, I will remind everybody I meet, every civic to, of the support that was given to me by this City Council, and I really do appreciate your courage in voting in favor of these bills. So thank you again. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I, too, would like to thank Councilman Kelly for our Irish potatoes and I would also always thank -this is a wonderful Council, and thanks for all the support that you continue to show, and a special thank you for West Philadelphia High School this week. Many of you came and many of you sent representatives. And we certainly wanted to say that we will keep Council informed about all that we and the Education Committee are doing to move that situation forward. Thank you for the
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. I have two comments on two different issues, and I will be brief on both. But I'd like to talk about the editorial today in the Daily News entitled "No Joy in Mortgage Bill." The editorial focuses on the meltdown of the subprime mortgage industry and predatory lending. In 2000, this Council held hearings and passed legislation in an effort to call attention and action to address predatory lending and high interest rates of subprime lending. We lost on the legislation. However, we did call attention to these ills, as I campaigned around this country through the National League of Cities. Philadelphia rose to the occasion to increasing the number of counseling agencies in the City, developing the PHIL Loan and Mini PHIL Loan to assist residents with less than perfect credit. The GPUAC coordinated with the banks to develop alternative products to protect our citizens, and financial education workshops are conducted throughout the City by various elected officials and community organizations. In spite of all of the efforts made to protect our citizens, many still fall prey to predatory lending practices. Next week I will ask my colleagues to support a resolution calling on our Governor and state Legislature to take action on the package of bills before them that would, as the Daily News states, tighten standards and regulate lenders and require more disclosures on loan terms. The National League of Cities is pushing for a closer scrutiny on the hope, Madam President, at some point in time that our citizens will not be subjected to predatory lending or high-cost loans, but the market a few years ago was on the rise and people were loaned money that did not qualify. So we have to still remain vigilant, and we hope the state Legislature will take some action. So I thank you about that.
Madam President, one more comment about another issue.
The current debate here in Philadelphia is about how many police we should hire. 100. The Governor gave the City money for 100. The mayoral candidates range from 500 to a thousand. Our Mayor says that we do not need more police, yet this week the Mayor launched an all-out assault on crime in the 12th District. My comments are not meant to be critical of this action. The people in that community need and deserve this protection. What is puzzling is that if we need more police in a concentrated area to deal with crime and violence, why not more police citywide to provide coverage to all neighborhoods. Thank you very much.
Thank you. Are there any other comments or 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 22nd, 2007, 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)