Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, this bill passes. The final bill to be considered is Bill No. 080790.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an 12/4/08 - STATED - 2ND READING area bounded by Ditman Street, Cottman Avenue, Keystone Street and Hellerman 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, this bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution 080911.
A resolution appointing Gary Brandeis to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. 12/4/08 - STATED - 2ND READING (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 Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 080912.
A resolution reappointing Michael Woodward to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion.
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. That completes our Calendar for today. Are there speeches on the part of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I had every intention today of making a very lengthy speech in regard to the contract for just taken from PACCA and awarded to the SPCA. However, I had second thoughts about it since I don't think it would be effective, I don't think it would cause any change, and, frankly, I think the Administration would probably ignore it, because I feel that I think they could care less about whatever I said about this contract. But at least they'd be consistent, because they have ignored me over the last few months about this matter. And I just think that right now I would rather not waste your time or my colleagues' time in going over this. Perhaps another day, another time I will, but, in my opinion, they just didn't do the right thing. But I do want to take this opportunity to thank the dedicated Board members, the terrific Director and her hard-working, loyal staff and also the numerous volunteers that put in a lot of time and energy to making PACCA a much better place. It's a shame that we can't taking care of our animals in this city. I don't think that right now that they did the right thing. I think that PACCA was never recognized or praised for the great improvements they've made for animal care. At this time, I think it was totally unfair of the actions they took on Monday. So with that, I will save my real comments for another day. That's all I have to say about that matter today, and I'll be looking forward to working with the new organization for, I hope, better animal care in the City. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. As many of you may know, the prestigious Brookings Institute just recent immigration to Philadelphia and the region. The study found that our population and labor force has directly benefitted from immigration since the year 2000. According to the study, Philadelphia's immigrant population has grown by over 100,000 in the last six years. These new Philadelphians account for 75 percent of the region's labor growth, evidence that immigration is a key factor to boosting our economy and reversing our city's trend of population decline. Although many of us already understand the benefits of attracting and welcoming immigrants to Philadelphia, I hope that this report helps others realize the importance of being a more open city. The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians in particular has done a remarkable job attracting and assisting newcomers in finding jobs and opening businesses, among the many other services they provide. immigrants are opening new businesses, creating new jobs, renovating buildings and revitalizing areas in our city should be recognized and applauded. In many cases, these businesses are now the anchors that have turned declining business corridors into more vibrant areas. As a descendant of Irish immigrants myself and one who has seen firsthand the tremendous contribution of immigrants throughout the world, I'm encouraged by the findings of this study. I look forward to our city taking further steps to attract immigrants to help us remake and grow our Philadelphia city and the region. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. President, the Northwest Philadelphia Wildcats have just won the Eastern Regional Championship and are headed to Disney to play for the national championship, the Pop Warner Little Scholarship National Football Championship. They're the Wildcats and they work out of the Simons Recreation Center in West Oak Lane. And this will be the Little League Super Bowl. The parents on the team have had fundraisers. Their goal was to raise $25,000. To date, they still need $13,000, and they leave on Monday. So I'm calling on those who are listening, those in this room, if they can contribute to the Wildcats to help them get to Disneyland, I would certainly appreciate it. And we are using the Ogontz Revitalization Corporation to channel the funds through. They are deserving. They work very hard. We appreciate the parents and all of the coaches who work with this little league. that they're going down, and we hope that they will win. So we wish them well. But we need financial support, and we're calling on my colleagues and those who are listening to help us raise the $13,000.
Council President? Thank you. Council President, I just want to add to what Councilwoman Tasco said. One of the parents of one of the players is a staff person in my office, Angelic Wise. She is selling raffle tickets, and anybody that wants to buy one can just go downstairs and buy some tickets off of Angelic. She'll be she's been around. She's been through City Hall, and she'll go back around, because they really need this money and they need it now. Thank you.
One more, Madam President. A few weeks ago, this City Council passed a resolution calling on President-Elect Barack Obama and Vice-President-Elect Joe Biden to come to the Philadelphia region to begin their dialogue about healthcare. Today at 12:00 noon in the Caucus Room, there will be a press conference, Healthcare for America Now, which is organizing a team that is organizing nationally and have signed on many elected officials across this country to be supportive of the effort to begin the dialogue now about universal healthcare. So we invite all Councilmembers Caucus Room for the press conference, which will be at noontime today. Thank you very much.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I rise to support statements made by my colleagues, certainly Councilman Kenney with regard to the Brookings Institute report. As you know, we work very hard with the Welcoming Center. We work very closely with the immigrant community, and, in fact, we have a meeting on Wednesday with the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, as we do every second Wednesday, at 6 o'clock in the Caucus Room. But it's very, very important that we understand the role they play in our city. And, finally, I agree with and how life for the -- things have changed in our city with regard to animal care when they were in a leadership position. Prior to that, the SPCA really argued with Council, did not support us. We had problems during our budget deliberations. I missed that altogether. I'm very sorry to hear that this group is leaving and that the SPCA is returning. So I hope that the SPCA will realize during budget deliberations that we have a role to play in their budget and we have a role to play in what they do, what their facility is like and how they treat the animals in our city. Thank you.
Thank you. Are there any other Councilmembers that would like to be recognized? (No response.)
one, the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, December the 11th, 2008, 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, December 11th. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 11:40 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 December 4, 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.)