Madam President, the Committee of the Whole reports two bills 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 of the Whole, to which was referred Bill No. 080744, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-2400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Hotel Room Rental Tax,' by excise tax on hotel room rentals and designating the expenditures for which such tax will be used"; and Bill No. 080745, entitled "An ordinance amending Bill No. 070994-A, approved December 21, 2007, entitled 'Authorizing the Director of Finance, Commissioner of Public Property and other officials of the City to execute either directly or through the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development various agreements, instruments of conveyance and other transactional documents by and among the City, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, all under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill Nos. 080744 and 080745. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that all bills -- all in favor will indicate by saying aye to Councilwoman Tasco's motion. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The bills just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney for a report from the Committee on Rules.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Rules favorable recommendations.
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. 080548, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 2 of Bill No. 050510, approved December 17, 2005, entitled 'An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Allegheny Avenue, Collins Street, Westmoreland Street and Tulip Street'"; and Bill No. 080632, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Street, Salmons Street, Berkshire Street, Richmond Street, Juniata Street and the Betsy Ross Bridge Approach"; and Bill No. 080649, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 14-1621 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Passyunk Avenue Special District Controls,' by adding telemarketing as a prohibited use, all under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill Nos. 080548, 632 and 649. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. The bills just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski for a report on the Committee on Appropriations.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Appropriations 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 Appropriations, to which was referred 080743, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009 from the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance Provision for other grants to the General Fund, the Director of Finance Indemnities," 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 this day of Bill 080743. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The bill just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a report from the Committee on Public Property and Public Works.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Public Property and Public Works reports two bills with favorable recommendations.
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 Public Property and Public Works, to which was referred Bill No. 080585, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commerce Director and the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire an approximately 17 vicinity of Island Avenue, Penrose Avenue and Escort Street"; and Bill No. 080636, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to convey fee simple title to a certain property located in the vicinity of 61st Street and Eastwick Avenue," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to allow first reading this day of Bill Nos. 080585 and 080636. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. 10/23/08 - STATED - 1ST READING All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the bills just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. The Chief Clerk will please read the bills on the First Reading Calendar.
Bill No. 080744, an ordinance amending Chapter 19-2400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Hotel Room Rental Tax," by providing for an additional excise tax on hotel room rentals and designating the expenditures for which such tax will be used.
And Bill No. 10/23/08 - STATED - 1ST READING 080745, an ordinance amending Bill No. 070994-A, approved December 21, 2007, entitled "Authorizing the Director of Finance, Commissioner of Public Property and other officials of the City to execute either directly or through the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development various agreements, instruments of conveyance and other transactional documents by and among the City, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Convention Center."
And Bill No. 080548, an ordinance amending Section 2 of Bill No. 050510, approved November 17, 2005, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Allegheny Avenue, Collins Street, Westmoreland Street and Tulip Street."
The 10/23/08 - STATED - 1ST READING Chair agrees.
And Bill No. 080632, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Thompson Street, Juniata Street, Salmons Street, Berkshire Street, Richmond Street and the Betsy Ross Bridge.
And Bill No. 080649, an ordinance amending Section 14-1621 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Passyunk Avenue Special District Controls," by adding telemarketing as a prohibited use.
And Bill No. 080743, an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009 from the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance - Provision for 10/23/08 - STATED - 1ST READING other grants to the General Fund.
And Bill No. 080585, authorizing the Commerce Director and the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire an approximately 17 acre property in the vicinity of Island Avenue, Penrose Avenue and Escort Street.
And Bill No. 080636, an ordinance authorizing the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to convey fee simple title to a certain property located in the vicinity of 61st Street and Eastwick Avenue to the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority.
And Bill No. 080573, an ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, 10/23/08 - STATED - 2ND READING entitled "Business Privilege Taxes," by expanding the program under which a credit against business privilege taxes is given to certain businesses that contribute monies to community development corporations undertaking economic development activities within the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair agrees. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar to be considered today.
Thank you, Madam President. Today Bill Nos. 080468-A, 080490, 080627, 080634, 080784 are being called up for second reading and final passage, and Bill 080167 will be amended.
All other 10/23/08 - STATED - 2ND READING bills are being held.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 080468-A.
An ordinance amending Section 9-1103 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Unlawful Employment Practices," and enacting a new Chapter 9-3200, entitled "Entitlement to Leave Due to Domestic or Sexual Violence."
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call -
Thank you, Madam President. I just want to 10/23/08 - STATED - 2ND READING speak briefly on this bill, if I may. I believe as elected officials one of our duties is to protect the interests of those most voiceless and powerless in our city, and despite the efforts of so many in the advocate community, including those who were honored last week and many of whom have come back today and sit behind me, victims of domestic abuse too often fall under the category of the powerless. This bill before us today gives at least some help to those people. By providing a period of unpaid -- repeat -- unpaid leave for documented -- repeat again -- documented abuse victims, we are ensuring that these individuals can at least attend to their health, safety and legal needs and not risk losing their jobs. We have been careful to take steps that this law would not be overly burdensome to businesses. And it's noteworthy that since this bill has been 10/23/08 - STATED - 2ND READING introduced -- we've had hearings, it's been publicized, whatever -- that I've only heard from a couple of people who have a problem with this bill, just a couple, and I understand from other colleagues the same with them. And when I raised that with one person today, one of those few people, when they were trying to get me to hold up this bill one last time and I said, I haven't really heard opposition, she mentioned to me, Well, the people who are opposed to it are afraid to bring up their opposition. They're afraid of the advocate community and speaking out against them. Obviously they're very fearsome people back here with their black shirts, but... And I thought it was extremely ironic, Madam President, that the word "fear" would be used, because they have nothing -- the business community or anybody that might have a problem with this really doesn't have anything to fear. Other cities, other states have 10/23/08 - STATED - 2ND READING done this. We have found zero evidence of misuse by workers. Zero. But let me tell you what real fear is, in my opinion. Real fear is a woman sitting maybe somewhere in the City of Philadelphia right now cowering in her place of business knowing that she's going to go home tonight and be abused because she can't get out to a court proceeding today, or embarrassed in her place because she can't get to the doctor to take care of medical treatment as a result of being abused. That's real fear, Madam President. That's not manufactured fear. That's not made up fear. That's real, and I think we all know people that have gone through that. And I think this bill is simply the right thing to do, particularly during this month of Domestic Violence Awareness. I thank the members of Council who have already committed to support this legislation. I thank the members of the advocate community, and I have to 10/23/08 - STATED - 2ND READING make special mention of Carol Tracy, Executive Director of the Women's Law Project, who sent a letter that everybody has received, for all their support, and I respectfully urge all my colleagues to approve this very needed bill. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. 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. (Applause.)
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 080167.
An ordinance amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Health Code," by adding a new section requiring that chain restaurants and retail food establishments make available certain nutrition information for food and 10/23/08 - STATED - 2ND READING beverage items offered for sale.
Thank you, Madam President. The amendments, along with an explanation/back-up material, has been circulated. I move for the adoption of the amendments. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the amendments as circulated by Councilwoman Brown be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 080490.
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and 10/23/08 - STATED - 2ND READING grades on City Plan No. 44 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Race Street from 33rd Street to 34th 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.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. We will now consider Bill No. 080627.
An ordinance amending Section 19-203 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Payroll Deductions," to add the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation to the list of designated payees.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please 10/23/08 - STATED - 2ND READING call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are 10/23/08 - STATED - 2ND READING zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, this bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 08064.
An ordinance further amending Bill No. 070368, entitled "An ordinance approving the Fiscal Year 2008 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works."
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 10/23/08 - STATED - 2ND READING DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Aye.