COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, April 15, 2004 10:20 p.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN FRANK J. DICICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN JUAN RAMOS 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 Pastor Millicent Hunter of the Baptist Worship Center. She is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Krajewski. All members and guests will please rise.
Thank you, President Verna. And thank you, City Councilperson Joan Krajewski, the 6th District, the very best Councilperson in the City of Philadelphia. Amen? (Applause.)
Thank you for opportunity to offer this opening blessing for this Legislative Body. Let us bow our heads. Lord, we thank you, first of all, for this beautiful day and the approach of a new season. We pray that you will bless the this Body, this Body who's decisions impact the lives of individuals, of families, of communities, of our City and, thereby, our nation. Guide their thoughts and their ideas that they will be on one accord for the betterment of people. We pray that your blessings will hover over these City. All persons who stand in leadership, may they be guided and directed by your hand. In the you name of Christ we ask these things. Everyone together say amen. (Amen.)
The Chair Reverend Hunter for her 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, April 1, 2004. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 1, 2004, stand approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 1, 2004, stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it the motion carries and the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 1, 2004 is approved. The next of order is the request for leave of absence. And again, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, There are no requests for leaves of absence on the part of the Majority.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, on behalf of the Republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair will dispense 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 you taking time to join us as we attend the legislative affairs of our City. We certainly invite you to come again. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown who will present a resolution recognizing the Salvation Army and their culinary job training program. and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium.
Honoring the Salvation Army for their culinary job training program known as Soup's On. Whereas, in December of 2000, the Salvation Army launched the Soup's On Program; and Whereas, Soup's On has been designed as a self-supporting program that prepares women and men for careers in food service so they in turn can become self-sufficient; and Whereas, under the direction of our program leader, Arlene Wiggy-Olsen, six students at a time take a 12-week course for four days a week on the art of making delicious soups, sandwiches, and desserts; and Whereas, every week, the students produce approximately 200 gallons of gourmet soup that is sold at a variety of restaurants and stores throughout our Delaware Valley; and Whereas, as a result of the extensive hands-on training through the Soup's Program, the students, many who are transitioning from welfare to work, are able to obtain quality positions in the food service industry; and Whereas, since the program has started, 25 students have graduated from the program, all of whom were placed in well-paying jobs and all of whom are still employed; and Whereas, Soup's On is a model job training program that has provided real results for Philadelphians. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Philadelphia that we hereby honor the Salvation Army for their culinary job training program, "Soup's on." Further resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Arlene Wiggy-Olsen for her hard work, dedication, and efforts to improve the lives of her students as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this Legislative Body. Introduced by myself, Blondell Reynolds Brown, and signed by all Members of Congratulations. (Applause.)
She's asked me just to say a few words. We just want to express our appreciation to City Council this morning for your acknowledgment of our project. We just would like to mention to you that this is an initiative that the Salvation Army undertook to transition individuals into employment in the culinary arts field here in the City of Philadelphia. We decided to approach the transition from welfare into full employment by designing it to be a private initiative that is funded through the sale of wholesale soups and is funded through the provision of catering services. We're into our fourth year. It's been somewhat challenging, as you can imagine with any initiative of this type. But the good news is that we have 96 percent retention of individuals in the employment field here in and around the City of Philadelphia. And we would ask you if you have any outlets for the purchasing of soup to contact us. Or if you are in need of catering services, we would accept that as well. We are glad to be in partnership with the City of Philadelphia. And a lot of our initiatives in the areas of provision of shelter services to daycare services to youth care and after school care activities. And it was 125 years ago this year that the Salvation Army started its work in the country at Fourth and Oxford Streets. And today the Salvation Army is represented in 9,000 communities across the country. So we have a deep affection for the City of Philadelphia and its relationship to the founding of the Salvation Army in this country. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you very much. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
At this time the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke who will present a resolution recognizing Medical Laboratory Professionals Week. Will Ms. Linda Mossup (ph) and those accompanying her please join the Councilman at the podium. Councilman.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, this morning I'd like to proclaim April 18 through the 24th, 2004, as Medical Laboratory Professionals Week in Philadelphia. Whereas professionals who practice in the medical laboratory, including pathologists, medical technologist, cytotechnologists, histotechologists, medical laboratory technicians, histologic technicians, and phlebotomists, are invaluable members of the patient's healthcare team; and Whereas, these well-educated and highly-trained health professions who perform tests to detect, diagnose, monitor treatment, and help prevent diseases, save countless lives each day; and Whereas, their dedication to quality medical testing and exceptional patient care is demonstrated daily in thousands laboratories and well-being; and Whereas, laboratory medicine is an honorable profession, vital to sustaining a high standard of healthcare; now therefore Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that April 18 through 24, 2004, be proclaimed as Medical Laboratory Week in the City of Philadelphia. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the employees of Hahnemann University Hospital. Sponsored by all Members of Council. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
On behalf of the University Hospital, I would like to thank Mayor John street, Councilman Darrell Clarke and City Council for declaring April 18 to 24 as Medical Laboratory Week in the great City of Philadelphia. It is a tremendous honor to receive this recognition for the laboratory work performed by the Hahnemann employees who are dedicated to performing quality medical care for our community. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor. THE
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on April 7, 2004, I signed Bill No. 040138, passed by Council at its Session on April 1, 2004. And I am transmitting herewith for the introduction and consideration of your Honorable Body a proposed ordinance entitled, an ordinance approving certain contracts, transactions arising thereunder for the purchase, storage, distribution, transportation, and/or transmission of natural or other gas entered into by the Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The Chief Clerk will please read any other communications in her possession. THE
The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a motion.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit consideration of resolutions at their time of introduction. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit immediate consideration of resolutions at the time of introduction. All in favor of the motion will please indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I have one resolution on your behalf, and a bill and a resolution on my own.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill. THE
An ordinance amending Section 9-205 of The Philadelphia Code entitled "Sidewalk Sales" by prohibiting vending on portions of Chestnut Street and Market Streets between 55th and 58th Streets, portions of 56th and 57th Streets.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
And a resolution urging the 108 United States Congress to support the passage of House of Representative Bill No. 1930 entitled "The Liberian Immigration Protection Act of 2003" and Senate Bill No. 656 entitled "The Liberian Immigration Fairness Act."
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 signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of the second resolution. THE
A resolution authorizing Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in 40th Ward 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 signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Madam President, I offer one bill and one resolution.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill. THE
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriation for Fiscal Year 2004 within the Grants Revenue Fund from the Director of Finance provisions for grants to the Director of Finance.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution. THE
And a resolution declaring April 2004 as Tourism Awareness Month.
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 Mariano.
Thank you, Madam President. I have one bill and three resolutions, one of which is privileged.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill, please THE
An ordinance amending Section 10-608 of The Philadelphia Code which provides for the impoundment of vehicles used in the solicitation of prostitution and related offenses by also providing for the impoundment of a trailer or other load being towed by a vehicle used in the commission of such offense.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
And a resolution honoring the individuals who facilitated the return of Delmar Vera to her biological mother Louise Chavez.
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
And a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings on the possible expansion of 10-608 of the Philadelphia Code to include the posting of photographs and names of individuals accused or found guilty of soliciting prostitutes.
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 Committee of Public Safety. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
I believe we have one more resolution that Councilman Mariano introduced. The Chief Clerk will please read the resolution. THE
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 7th, 19th, 23rd and 37th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
I move for the adoption, Madam President. (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 Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill. THE
An ordinance approving certain contracts and transactions arising thereunder for the purchase, storage, distribution, transportation and or transmission of natural and other gases entered into the Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
The Clerk will please read the title of the bill. THE
An ordinance granting petition to Well Grounded, a Comfortable Coffee, Inc., located at 3720-3724 Midvale Avenue to operate and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe on the east sidewalk of Midvale Avenue.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution this morning.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution. THE
A resolution urging the environmental protection agency to reduce mercury emissions by 90 percent by 2008.
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 Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ramos.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution. THE
A resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass legislation authorizing the Philadelphia Traffic Court to order community service in lieu of full fines and costs to a defendant who upon plea and proof demonstrates that he or she is without the financial means to pay the full fine and cost imposed for a summary violation.
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
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold public hearings regarding the Administration's proposal to move from a defined pension plan to a defined contribution plan and further authorizing the Committee to see what affects this has on the state of pensions as it pertains to present and future retiring Philadelphia City employees.
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 signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution will be referred to the Committee on Labor and Civil Service. THE
And a resolution commending Health Commissioner John Domzalski for his tenacious work that led to Pennsylvania Health Secretary Calvin B. Johnson's temporarily allowing Philadelphia to use a Coded system that maintains an HIV patient anonymity and urging the Pennsylvania Health Department to incorporate a permanent code base names reporting system for the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
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 signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. THE
And a resolution honoring Eddie, son of Latin music, Palmeri.
Madam, President I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. THE
And a resolution honoring the Campaign for Working Families.
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
And a resolution commending the United States Sentencing Commission who on April 8, 2004, voted to strengthen existing sentencing guidelines for corporations by implementing more rigorous standards thus requiring that executives and BOARD OF DIRECTORS of corporations and other similar organizations play an aggressive role in the development and operation of their company's compliance and ethics program.
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 signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution has been adopted. THE
And a resolution admonishing the United States Department of Treasury acting by and through the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, acting by and through its secretary, to provide annual plain English and Spanish notice to eligible Philadelphia taxpayers of the availability of earned income tax credits, advanced earned income tax credits and similar benefits prior to the April 15th deadline for filing of tax returns.
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 DiCicco.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer three bills and two resolutions.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the first bill. THE
An ordinance amending 14-1600 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Miscellaneous" by adding a new section prohibiting the demolition of buildings or other structures located within an area bounded on the north by the south side of Locust Street, on the west by the east side of Fifth Street, and on the south by the north side of Washington Avenue.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
An ordinance amending an ordinance approved January 3, 1992, Bill No. 1205AAA which pursuant to 9-204 of the Philadelphia Code designates the locations in Center City at which vending is permitted by deleting all permitted vending locations on both sides of Eighth Street between Market Street and Chestnut Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
And an ordinance amending Section 9-402 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Animal Drawn Carriages" by authorizing the Department of Streets to make temporary alterations to the approved routes for animal drawn carriages, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution. THE
A resolution amending Resolution No. 040001 concerning the Rules of Government for the City Council of Philadelphia by amending Section 3 entitled "Standing Committees" by adding a Committee on the Waterfront Department.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
The resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 25th Ward 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 say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam President. I have two bills, four resolutions.
The Clerk will please read the title of the first bill. THE
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to acquire from the Redevelopment Authority for nominal consideration properties located at 901-47 North Marshall Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. THE
And an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to enter into a lease agreement to lease to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for further sublease to Leadership Learning Partners Charter School, a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution. THE
A resolution calling on and urging the 108th United States Congress, the Senatorial and Congressional representatives of the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to move forthwith to enact for the President of the United States to sign legislation that would reauthorization, strengthen and make permit the current ten-year federal ban on military-style assault weapons that is set to expire in September 2004.
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
And a resolution honoring nominations to the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team.
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
And a resolution recognizing April as Community College Month in 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.
Thank you. I'm sorry. I believe Councilman Clarke had another resolution which we did not consider. I would ask the Chief Clerk to read the title, please. THE
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority deeds located in the 5th, 20th, 28th, 19th, 32nd and 47th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.