COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:05 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM GREENLEE COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO PATRICIA RAFFERTY, CHIEF CLERK V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Services Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670
Good morning, everyone. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will please come to order. Members will take their seats and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes Reverend Roger Zepernick. He is here from the Church of Christ and San Ambrosia. Today he is here as the guest of Councilwoman Sanchez. I would ask all members and guests to please rise.
There is a saying, it's a Native American saying, that says that we should think of our world not as something that we have inherited from our ancestors so much as as something that we are borrowing from our children. Let us pray. Lord God, we give you thanks for your presence with us today, for your constant loving and forgiving presence in our lives. We pray that this day your presence may guide us all to work together, especially the leadership of this city that's represented here today, to work together with patience and humility on the issues affecting our city. We pray that your presence will remind us of your overpowering love for justice, and we pray that you will help us work to make things a little better in Philadelphia and perhaps even that Philadelphia may be a beacon of peace, independence and justice in our world. This prayer is given in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen. (Amen.)
The the Reverend for his very inspiring invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, January 24, 2008, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, January 24, 2008 stand approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, January 24, 2008 stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, January 24, 2008 is approved. The next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco. Councilwoman Tasco, are there any requests for leave of absence?
Madam President, on behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leave of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Madam President, I don't believe there's any requests for leave of absences from the republicans. I'll let you know if that changes.
Thank you. with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in 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 of our city. We certainly invite you to come again. The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-At-Arms deliver the messages to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am transmitting herewith for the introduction and consideration of your honorable body three resolutions reappointing current members to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Merion; namely, H. James Tollett, term to expire January 5, 2011; George R. Goldstone, CPM, term to expire January 5, 2011; and Reverend Timothy Lannon, term to expire January 5, 2013; and Two resolutions appointing new members to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion; namely, Bernie Prazenica, term to expire January 5, 2012, and Matthew Schure, term to expire January 5, 2012; and A resolution confirming the appointment of Lori Shorr as the Public School Family and Child Advocate; and An ordinance authorizing the President of the Fairmount Park Commission, the Executive Director of Fairmount Park and the Procurement Commissioner, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a Concession Agreement with Billy Casper Golf, LLC, all under certain terms and conditions; and No. 070368, entitled "An ordinance approving Fiscal Year 2008 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works," by approving a revised Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2008; and An ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 305 and 306 by placing on the City Plan Delaware Avenue from Lewis Street to Buckius Street.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read any other communications in her possession.
Thank you. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer three resolutions, one on behalf of Councilman DiCicco and myself.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolutions.
A resolution recognizing the Electric Factory Concerts, one of the world's most successful and influential concert promoters, on the occasion of their 40th anniversary.
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 signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to hold public hearings to investigate sidewalk closures during construction projects and examine ways to improve pedestrian access to these sidewalks by requiring covered and protected walkways around construction sites.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will please say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing the Committee of the Environment to hold public hearings to examine Philadelphia International Airport's recycling policies and goals, and to explore alternate approaches to increasing the Airport's recycling rate on both public and internal waste.
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. Is that to be referred to a committee for public hearings?
It will be referred to the appropriate committee. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I introduce one resolution.
Thank you. The Chief 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 3rd and 6th Wards of 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 indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you, Madam President. I did have one resolution that I intended to introduce today, as you know, on the EMS, because this is a very, very important issue, but we will be meeting with the Mayor, yourself and Councilman Kenney, today.
Thank you very much. Councilwoman Krajewski, did you have a bill?
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution honoring the Sounds of Liberty Barbershop Chorus on their 60th anniversary.
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.)
And an ordinance amending Chapter 10-1200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Posting of Signs," by authorizing code officials to issue a single code violation notice for multiple sign violations by the same person.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I offer two resolutions on your behalf and one bill on my -
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance 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.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 36th, 40th and 48th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
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 indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution confirming the appointment of Lori Shorr as the Public School Family and Child Advocate.
That will be referred to the committee, and I believe the hearing is scheduled for Monday at 10 o'clock. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President, and good morning. Today I have two resolutions.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution recognizing, honoring and celebrating Central High School's Girls Basketball Team and Coach Frank Greco for their amazing 100 consecutive victories.
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 please say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 11th, 12th, 13th and 59th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Again, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
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 please say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you. I have eight resolutions and one bill today, Madam President.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance continuing a neighborhood improvement district beyond the date of termination of such district in an area that generally includes both sides of Ridge Avenue from Main Street to 7220 Ridge Avenue and certain blocks of streets that intersect the portion of Ridge Avenue, which is known as the Roxborough District.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing the Council Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless to hold hearings on the problems of foreclosure in Philadelphia and the extent to which subprime mortgages contribute to the problem, and further investigate the possibility of imposing a moratorium on sheriff's sales on those foreclosures.
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 say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Commerce and Economic Development and Public Health and Human Services to hold joint public hearings on how the consolidation of anti-poverty applications will stimulate the City's economy while at the same time helping those who most need these services.
I move for the adoption of this resolution, Madam President. (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 will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution initiating action to continue a neighborhood improvement district beyond the date of termination of such district, in an area that generally includes both sides of Ridge Avenue from Main Street to 7220 Ridge Avenue and certain blocks of streets that intersect the portion of Ridge Avenue, which is known as the Roxborough District.
I move for the adoption of this resolution, Madam President. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution appointing Bernie Prazenica to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion.
The resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee
And a resolution appointing Matthew Schure to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion.
The resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution reappointing George Goldstone to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion.
The resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution reappointing H. James Tollett to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion.
The resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution reappointing Reverend Timothy Lannon to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion.
This resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to investigate, and to hold hearings on, the issue of diversity within Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades, and further authorizing the Committee to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents and other evidence.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (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 will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill on behalf of the Administration.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance authorizing the President of the Fairmount Park Commission, the Executive Director of Fairmount Park and the Procurement Commissioner, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a Concession Agreement with Billy Casper Golf, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I offer five bills, two privileged resolutions and one resolution regarding a Charter change that was co-sponsored by Councilman Green.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to create an independent Police Advisory Commission and provide for its funding, and to empower Council to provide by ordinance for the appointment, powers and duties of such a Commission, as approved by Resolution of the City Council.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by adding a new Section 14-908, entitled "Queen Village Neighborhood Conservation District."
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance granting permission to Shailesh Tilvawala, owner and operator of the newsstand located on the northeast corner of 8th and Market Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Delaware Avenue, Marlborough Street Right-of-way, Delaware River and the former Shackamaxon Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan Nos. 12-S, 19-S, 71, 238 and 308 by revising the curblines and grades of Christopher Columbus Boulevard.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to create an independent Police Advisory Commission and provide for its funding, and to empower Council to provide by ordinance for the appointment, powers and duties of such Commission.
The resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution honoring and recognizing Old Saint Joseph's Church on the event of its 275th anniversary.
The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: 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 say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 31st Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Again, the Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: 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 say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, I am waiting for a bill. It hopefully will be here before the end of the session. I just got a call. The blue backer is being printed out, so hopefully we'll hold on. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam President. I have two bills and one resolution.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," by adding a new Section 9-630, entitled "Sale of Used Cars," providing for protection against sale of cars in need of substantial repairs, commonly known as the "lemon law," all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code by amending Section 9-203 relating to Street Vendors and Section 9-205 relating to Sidewalk Sales, by prohibiting street and sidewalk vending on certain portions of 17th Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 32nd, 43rd and 47th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
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 Kelly.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you. We have neither reports from committees nor bills on the Second Reading Calendars today. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority?
Since this is such a short meeting, I would normally not ask for a two-minute recess to introduce a bill, but this is a rather important issue, the Fox Chase Cancer Center. It was brought to a resolution yesterday by the Mayor, and both boards have to vote, but I believe everything was worked out and the bill is being printed. I understand Mr. Auerbach is on his way down with it, so if we could --
a couple members from the majority that would like to be recognized.
So I think this will work out fine. Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. Yesterday the Governor made some comments about this City Council which appeared in today's Metro, and normally I kind of let these things pass because I know everyone has a bad day and I'm told -- although I have the highest respect for the Governor, especially when he was Mayor, that he has more of those bad days than some of us, and maybe yesterday was one of those days. I don't know. But I need to go on the record to officially respond to those comments and more importantly for me is to take this opportunity once again to thank my they've given me in this very important issue about casino development in the City of Philadelphia. And no disrespect to the new faces in Council, the folks that were here before you, and I would hope that you will continue to give me the same support. I recognize and I've always recognized the importance of casinos in terms of creating jobs and the tax revenues that we anticipate, and I have always been in favor of casinos. I remember back in 1995 when I first ran for public office, I was not an incumbent and along the same river wards that I represent today a casino, which was then being referred to as river boat gaming, was not a very popular thing. And in face of the possible voter backlash in 1995, as I campaigned throughout the river wards and people would ask me the question, do you support river boat gaming, my answer was always yes. And kind of strange, those folks in those days, because they didn't know me, that why would a person who is running for office, understanding and knowing that people in those communities along the river were opposed to gaming, be supportive of gaming when he's asking us for our vote. And I say that just to make a point, that I am not doing this for any political reasons. I've been elected. I've been nominated in the primary and re-elected, as everyone else has been in this room, to another four terms. It's been highly publicized that I'm in the DROP program, which means I won't be back in 2012, unless there's a draft movement. Who knows. But seriously, so politically I have nothing to lose. There is nothing for me to lose but my reputation and the disruption of thousands and thousands of people who have placed their trust in me for these 12 years and re-elected me for do a job. Because that's what we're all hired to do, a job. And I think we've done a good job to date. I reached out for the Governor on two, three occasions over the past year to have a conversation about the potential and possibility of re-siting these casinos. The silence was deafening. I have reached out to the Governor to talk about the traffic patterns and traffic studies that we've been asking for. We've had public hearings, as you all know, and I'm sure some of you would like to forget the hours that we spent in this room with packed chambers of people who are seriously concerned about the impact of these casinos on their communities. EPA studies. All of those things that are important to all of us in particular -and, again, no disrespect to the at-large -- who represent specific Council districts, any time there's a development, whether it's a small development or a large development, we engage in a conversation. We have discussions with the developers and the community groups, who we're not being extorted by, and least of all me again, because this is my last four years. They can't impeach me, I don't think, if I didn't represent them according to the way they would like for me to represent them. But we do it because it's the right thing to do.
But when the Governor says that we are gutless, I think that is an insult, not to me but to the rest of the folks in this body who have placed their trust in me when I asked you for your support in not moving certain pieces of legislation or refusing to do certain pieces of legislation because it was in the best interest of the people I represent. But ultimately at the end of the day, we all represent the same and people who live in the City of Philadelphia. So to call us gutless I think is an insult. I think if we had done what the Governor is suggesting to do, just approve these casinos, without having looked at the impact not only to the residential community but to the businesses that are down on Columbus Boulevard and Delaware Avenue and to the port industry and the impact on those jobs that may be a negative impact -- we don't know because we can't have that conversation or haven't had it to the depth that we should have -- then we would have been irresponsible. And I'd rather be called gutless than irresponsible, because that's what we were elected to do, is to be responsible to the people we have represented. Councilwoman Blackwell got accused of a lot of crazy things because she was holding up legislation, but it was important. And I may have disagreed privately, but I don't know what goes on in her district, because that's not where I spend my time. I spend my time in the neighborhoods that I represent. So I rely on her comments and her expertise to tell me and the rest of us what was important to the folks that she represents, which, again, ultimately we all represent, because this is the City Council of the City of Philadelphia. The Governor is the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We just happen to be a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. But our first responsibility is to the people of this city. And to call us gutless I think is a disgrace, and if he was having one of those tantrum days, get over it, Governor, because I ain't giving up. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. )
Well, my comments are very mild. But I agree with him. I just want to note that we are broadcasting again to the citizens of Philadelphia through WURD. They began last week and will be carrying the Council sessions, which so many of our citizens missed during the time we had no coverage. And the show is co-sponsored by William "Billy" Anderson, Thera Martin-Connelly and, on occasion, Christopher Booth. But they're here today and will be every Thursday. And their format will be different. They will have Councilmembers on to talk about what's happening in Council and then after to talk about what happened after Council. So it will be more of an analysis for the public to know and understand what we did in a session. So we're pleased to have them,
Thank you. Good morning. I just wanted to give an update on the Building Trades complying with Council's bill that asked and requests information on a commitment to the diversity plan and the membership data and the five-year goals that includes --
Councilwoman, I don't know if anybody else can hear you.
I'm sorry. I've had a cold, Council President, for the last three weeks and sometimes it's a little difficult.
I'll try not to cough. I want to give an update on the we are as it relates to the Convention Center expansion and the Building Trades complying with Council's bill that requests information on their commitment to a diversity plan, their membership data and the five-year goals that lays out what they plan to do regarding inclusion and increasing their numbers, if they need to. Yesterday was the date set to receive the packets from 17 unions involved in the Convention Center expansion project. We did receive 11 packets, and most were incomplete. The unions actually will be working over this weekend to complete the package as we expect them to be completed. I don't want to state a reason why some were complete and some weren't, but we did get 11. I just want to let people know the ball is in their court. City Council members and the legislative staff of many, many members have worked very hard since December and we've made ourselves readily available, and you know that. We've had meetings in your office. So there's been many meetings and there's been many long six, seven hour working sessions. And I just want to reiterate that Council has cooperated. We've done everything we can to reach out. The ball is in their court, and we do expect to receive packages that are more complete than those that we received yesterday on Monday. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I introduced two seemingly unrelated resolutions, but both of them are to deal with a serious problem facing Philadelphians. One is that we are seeing, which is on an increase, and the second is access to anti-poverty programs and dollars that can serve as a stimulus to our most needy population in Philadelphia. I'm grateful to this Council for the work that has already been done on these issues, particularly predatory lending by Councilwoman Tasco, and I'm encouraged and look forward to working with her on this issue going forward. But I heard the President of the United States in his last -- I'm going to say it again -- his last State of the Union Address talk about the country sliding into a slight recession. Well, here in Philadelphia we've been hit especially hard by that recession. And when the nation catches a cold, it seems like Philadelphia catches pneumonia. We are looking at the erosion of a middle class that can be impacted by the subprime market that is going awry. some statistics recently, October 2007, 16 percent of the subprime loans were 90 days delinquent or more. That's up three times from 2005. But last week, January 25, 2008, that rate climbed to 21 percent. Subprime loans disproportionately, three times as much, affect low-income neighborhoods. They are more likely to be in minority communities impacting the poor. Closely linked to the predatory lending is the current foreclosure rate. This is particularly alarming when we look at almost two million loans are to be rescheduled in the next 18 months. 8 to 6 percent. Finally, Madam President, the subprime lending and foreclosure crisis particularly hits hard our seniors where they're at the point in life where they may have to choose between heating, eating and paying their mortgage. I met a young -- a lady who was not so young at 56th and Haverford. We were doing petitions. It was cold. She was sitting on a bench outside. After getting her signature, I asked her why was she sunning in the winter, and she explained to me, Madam President, that it was warmer outside than in her house, because she could not afford to fix her heater. We need to stop some of the things that are going on that are impacting our low and moderate-income communities. We need to protect the eroding middle class. We need to the application processes that we go through in anti-poverty programs. There are families who are leaving money on the table because they cannot navigate the bureaucracy. Healthcare, daycare, LIHEAP, even Hooked on Phonics for Title I young people are being left on the table because of the application process. Entities have estimated, experts, have estimated that we can have as much as $12,000 per family if we coordinate these activities. So I say this to you and my colleagues here today that so many low and moderate-income people live from paycheck to paycheck. I even think that's the American way. But many of our poor are one paycheck away from homelessness, and that is not okay with me. So I support those resolutions. I hope that we can work together on finding some solutions to this. I have future of Philadelphia, but I'm always going to remind us, always, about the 24 percent of people in this town that live under the poverty guidelines. Thank you very much.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I wish to inform my colleagues that this afternoon at 3 o'clock my office will be convening more than a dozen environmental and "green" organizations, along with representatives from the Administration, where we will take hopefully a big picture look-see assessment collectively on how we can raise the awareness in the celebration of Earth Day. Today that meeting is at 3 o'clock in City Council Caucus Chambers, and all are invited who are interested in collectively as a city and raising the awareness of Earth Day. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam President. I'll be very brief, because I understand -
You're good, Councilman? All right. Madam President, I haven't been speaking about this issue in a very public way in this Chambers about the casino issue, but I feel the need to reference it to some degree today. I, like Councilman DiCicco, think that the Governor's statements, if in fact he made them in that way, were inappropriate. I concur with him that gutless Council. We have very difficult issues before us on a daily basis and I think that we've stood up and we've taken appropriate stands in a meaningful way. But I'm a little concerned as we continue to move forward that one of the facilities that's being proposed, the SugarHouse, is not being accurately characterized in a public way about the level of support and the true sense of the level of opposition in the Fishtown community, particularly the part of the community that I represent. As you know, the facility is located in Councilman DiCicco's district, and directly across the street is the district that I represent where essentially most of the residents of Fishtown live, and then there's a small part of Northern Liberties that is in close proximity. And over the past year, I have to give credit where credit is due, that the representatives from SugarHouse got when there was almost 100 percent opposition to the site and they have diligently worked over a period of time and kind of, frankly speaking, turned it around. I have received more than 500 individually signed postcards from residents of Fishtown stating their support for this facility. If you happen to be riding through Fishtown, you will see on the facades of a whole lot of houses little red ribbons, indicating their support for this facility. I must acknowledge that in a couple of community meetings that I had as what is referred to as ground zero, the area directly adjacent to the site, there is significant concerns and opposition, and it is understandable, because those people will be impacted by this facility more than anyone else. With those meetings, we had attempted during the last Administration -- we actually had several meetings to talk about remediating any problems associated with the facilities, and we were making progress. That Administration ended. The new Administration is in place. I've reached out to the point person, Ms. Gillen, for casinos to try and continue those discussions. And the reason I speak today, that at some point I think the significant -- and I mean significant -number of individuals in the Fishtown community that support the SugarHouse casino, if it is done in an appropriate way, should have a voice. As we move ahead, as their representative, I think I am duty-bound to continue to speak on behalf of the individuals to in fact support this development and speak on behalf of those individuals who are opposed to it for a number of different issues. But as this thing moves forward, I just want to say today I'm going to of discussion for those individuals, all of the individuals who are around the area, so it's not characterized in a way that people are under the impression that everyone in the Fishtown community or in the adjacent community is opposed to the SugarHouse site, because that's just not the facts. So, Madam President, as we move ahead, I want to continue to work with my good friend and colleague, Councilman DiCicco, in the event that this ultimately ends up at that site, but these people do need to have a voice at some point. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Yes, Madam President. And to think I needed a two-minute recess.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance authorizing the President of the Fairmount Park Commission, the Executive Director of Fairmount Park and the Public Property Commissioner, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to lease City-owned land south of Shelmire Avenue adjacent to the campus of the Fox Chase Cancer Center to PAID, under which PAID will enter into a sublease with the Fairmount Park Conservancy, a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, under which the Conservancy would enter into a sublease and other agreements with Fox Chase, pursuant to which Fox Chase will construct, maintain and operate cancer research and treatment facilities
Thank you. The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion to recess. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Old habits just never die. Councilman Clarke.
This is my big thing. You can't take this away from me. Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I move that Council be recessed until Monday, February the 4th, 2008 until 10:30 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
The ayes have it. Council will stand in recess until Monday at 10:30. Thank you very much. (Council recessed at 10:45 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 January 31, 2008, 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.)