Aye. The vote is 14 to 2. The motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen regarding Bill No. 020810.
Madam President, the Committee on Law and Government reports out Bill No. 020810 with a favorable recommendation and requests suspension of the Rules to permit first reading this day of that bill, 020810.
Bill No. 020810, entitled an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia an amendment to Section 6-400C of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to authorized audits by the auditing department of certain agencies performing services or receiving funding from the City, as approved by resolution of Council, fixing the date of a special election for such purpose, prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on, and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election.
Madam President, may have whoever sponsored that bill give us a little bit more information on what that means?
Thank you, Madam President. Over the years, we have relied on quasi-governmental agencies throughout the government that has been an ever expanding group of agencies, agencies like PIDC and PAID and others that have utilized their powers to do a lot of very important work within the City. As a result of that, a lot if City taxpayers' dollars flow through those quasi-governmental agencies. What I am suggesting with this Charter change is that the City Controller's powers be expanded formally to those or she, whoever the Controller is, can audit those taxpayers dollars in those agencies. We limited by amendment -- originally the bill said any entity that receives governmental money, and that was far too broad because we had agencies that do social service work that contract with the City, and we eliminated all them. These agencies that we want to expand the Controller's power to are simply agencies that we deal with on a regular basis, things like PHA, PIDC, RDA, the agencies that we're well aware of. So the Controller had sent a letter supporting it strongly. Of course, the Controller, as always, asked for more money to do with, but we'll deal with that in the budget process. But the Controller does support that, and I think it's in the best interest of the taxpayers to allow that kind of scrutiny when necessary for the Controller. Thank you.
Councilman Cohen made motion. Is there a second. (Duly seconded.)
It has moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 020810. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Madam President, the Committee on Law and Government reports out with a favorable recommendation Bill No. 030016, together with a request for a suspension of Rules to permit first reading this day of that bill.
I'm sure that request is going to be made that the title of the bill be read, so I would ask the Chief Clerk to please do so. THE
Bill No. 030016, entitled an ordinance providing for the submission of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the composition of the Board of Pensions and Retirement, as approved by resolution of the City Council, and fixing the date of a special election for such purpose, prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on, and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice, and to make arrangements for the special election.
May we again ask someone to explain, whomever has information about that bill, to tell us what that is and what it does?
Thank you Madam President. This amendment provides that the Council President will be able to appoint one non-voting member to the Board of Pensions and Retirement, two other than the right to vote, will have all powers, duties, responsibilities, and authority, including but not limited to the attendance at Executive Sessions of the Board of Pensions and Retirement. The primary purpose of this bill is to give Council additional insight and involvement in terms of what's going on with our pension system, which all of us are members. The Board presently has representation from the Administration, the City Controller, and the four union leaders. The heads of the four municipal unions are in full support of this particular matter, and I've had direct conversation with Mr. Matthews, Mr. Cronin, Mr. Eddis, and Mr. O'Drain on this particular matter, and they sent letters of support for this particular matter.
Councilman Cohen made a motion. I don't believe it has been seconded.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 030016. indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
The Committee on Law and Government reports out with a favorable recommendation Bill No. 030097, together with a motion that the Rules be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of that bill.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill. THE
Bill No. 030097, entitled an ordinance amending Title 17 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Contracts and Procurement," by adding a new Section 17-109, entitled "Local Bidding Preferences," providing for the establishment of a bidding preference on City contracts for Philadelphia businesses, under certain terms and conditions.
Councilman Nutter, I believe this is your bill. Can we have an explanation, please?
Sure, Madam President. There are two bills on this particular matter. This is the actual amendment that allows for a bid preference to be created in the Home Rule Charter. There would be 5 percent bid preference for Philadelphia-based companies in any City contract that requires competitive bidding under our Home Rule Charter. This measure was supported by our Commerce Director Jim Cuorato.
Thank you. Councilman Cohen has made a motion. Do I hear a second? (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 030097. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the most carries. Again, the Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Madam President, the Committee on Law and Government reports out with a favorable recommendation Bill No. 030098, together with the request that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of that bill.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of that bill. THE
Bill No. 030098, entitled an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to the Home Rule Charter to establish that a bid preference can be allowed in the awarding of public contracts to Philadelphia firms and that the extent and nature of the bid preference shall be provided by ordinance.
Councilman Nutter, I believe this was your bill. Can we have an explanation, please?
Sure, Madam President. This is the companion ordinance that allows for the ballot question to be placed with regard to the bid preference bill that I made reference to a few minutes ago. This is the bill that allows for the question to be placed on the ballot.
Thank you very much. Councilman Cohen made a motion. Is there a second? (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 030098. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair, again, recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Madam President, the Committee on Law and Government reports out with a favorable recommendation Bill No. 030115, together with a request for suspension of Rules to permit first reading this day of that bill.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of that bill. THE
Bill No. 030115, entitled an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to Section 8-200 and 8-201 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to contracts and concessions for which competitive bidding is required, as approved by resolution of the City Council, fixing the date of a special election for such purpose, prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on, and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for this special election.
Councilman Clarke, I believe this is your bill. May we have an explanation, please?
Thank you, Madam the maximum allowable cap for the Procurement Commissioner to authorize contracts to small businesses. Prior to this bill it is $13,000. This will raise it to $25,000. It is the belief of the Procurement Commissioner that his ability to ensure opportunities for small business will be enhanced by the passage of this bill as opposed to them competing with larger businesses, whereas they always lose those competitive bids.
Thank you, sir. Any other questions or comments from any Members of the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, Councilman Cohen did, in fact, make a motion. Is there a second. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 030115. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Law and Government reports with a favorable recommendation Bill No. 030178, and request suspension of the Rules to permit first reading this day of that bill.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill. THE
Bill No. 030178, entitled an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to Section 5-300 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, by adding a new Subsection F, as approved by resolution of City Council requiring that the Health Department to prepare a plan for universal health care coverage that permits everyone in the City of Philadelphia to obtain decent health care on a regular basis, fixing special election for such purpose, prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on, and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for this special election.
Thank you. I believe this is Councilman Cohen's bill, is it not? Councilman Cohen, would you give an explanation of the bill?
The bill is to require the Department of Health to provide a plan that would ultimately perhaps result in universal health care for all Philadelphians. The bill requires a plan, not a final order to do so, but in order to provide full discussion and the opportunity for Philadelphians to find a way to provide that health care for all citizens.
Thank you. Are there any questions from Members the Committee? (No response.)
Seeing none, Councilman Cohen has made a motion. Is there a second? (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 030178. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair, again, recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Madam President, thank you. The committee on Law and Government reports out Bill No. 030220 with a favorable recommendation, and with a request suspension of rules to permit first reading of that bill this day.
Thank you. Councilman DiCicco, I believe this your bill. I would first like to have the Clerk read the bill. THE
Bill No. 030220, entitled an ordinance providing for the submission of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter and creating the Office of the Insurance Public Advocate, as approved by resolution by the City Council, fixing the date of a special election for such purpose, prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on, and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for this special election.
Thank you, Madam President. This bill will provide and allow for the City of Philadelphia to hire an Insurance Advocate, an Insurance Advocate to deal with the outrageous and high automobile insurance rates in the City of Philadelphia, a problem that we have been dealing with for decades. I think the time has come where we need someone to fight for the citizens for this City to get our insurance rates at least on an equitable platform with the suburban counties. And if anyone attended those hearings, of which there were two on two separate days, there were several hours of hearings. There has been a report that was who was hired by the Rendell Administration to look at the issue of high automobile insurance rates in the City of Philadelphia. That report was completed and subsequently issued, delivered to current Mayor John Street back in the year 2000. No action has been taken as a result of that report since that time. That was the reason for my introduction of this bill. I think high time has come when e need someone to fight for the citizens of this City. Again, if anyone attended those hearings, you would have realized that this Insurance Federation, which claims to be a non-profit organization, is merely another lobbyist group in the guise of a non-profit that is supposedly they are to protect the consumers of the Commonwealth, but in effect they are paid by the insurance industry. It's just very plain and simple. You're going to work for the person who is paying. And in this case, the Federation is paid by the insurance industry to promote and protect the interests of the insurance companies. There is no one who is fighting the battle for us in Harrisburg from Philadelphia in the insurance rate battle that we have been dealing with for decades in
Any comments or questions by Members of the Committee? The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I'd just like to respond to friend and my colleague's recent statements with respect to the Task Force report that was issued by Ms. Schulman and point out basically the incorrect nature of his statement. First of all -- Madam President, with respect to the statements that were made, they're extremely inaccurate. That report was given to the Task Force. It was acted upon on the Task Force. As a matter of fact, with respect to the statement that no action was taken, the current Task Force is currently litigating three cases, three rate increase cases. And as a result of their intervention in those cases, none of those increases have been allowed by the State Insurance Department. We're currently in the midst of litigation before the Hearing Examiner in the state, so to suggest somehow there was no action taken as a result of the report issued by Ms. Schulman and the subsequent Birny Birnbaum who is our consultant on this issue is pretty inaccurate. I'll be nice. So I just don't understand the nature of those statements.
Thank you, Madam President. I don't know if this is the proper time to debate. I think that took place at the hearings. I will agree with my colleague Councilman Clarke that there was some action taken in the form of lawsuits. But lawsuits, as we all know, can take forever. And this is not meant to cast any criticism on the job that my colleague and other members of his Task Force have done. Mr. Marshall who represents the Insurance Federation in his testimony this past week said that he has made some serious recommendations to this Task Force none of which were acted upon. Now, I don't want to get into the debate because I don't think we are in the position to debate the bill at this time. I think that time has passed. But I want to set the report clear that there was certain recommendations that had been made to the Task Force when the Task Force had a hearing, which hearing, by the way, I believe back in September of 2002, and none of the those recommendations that have been made by the Insurance Federation were acted upon, absent the lawsuits.
Madam President, again, my colleague and good friend clearly doesn't understand the issue. The information that was provided to the Task Force by Ms. Schulman and by Mr. Birny Birnbaum was in fact acted on. Mr. Marshall who he speaks of who works for the insurance company, his recommendation to us was that he be a member of the Task Force. We believe to be totally, totally, totally out of line, given the nature of this issue. To suggest somehow -whereas, we have filed three law suits on rate increases that it is just something that was done by the Task Force, frankly speaking, amazes me. When I look at what he is proposing as it relates to the Insurance Advocate, I'm not clear what it is beyond the Insurance Advocate's Office would be able to do. Our Task Force actually has a former member of the Pennsylvania State Insurance Department as a member of the Task Force. It also has a person from Risk on that Task Force who are clearly professionals in this issue. It also has the support of the City's Law Department who had drafted and provided us with our petition to intervene on these cases. So to suggest somehow that the Task Force has been inactive is inaccurate, at best.
Madam President, I'll just conclude with saying that I made the statements. We all know what lawsuits are all about. You either win or you lose. And the time that it takes to get a decision could be forever. The bills on the floor, there have been two days of hearings, lengthy hearings in the Committee, and I thank the Committee for the time that they spent. We had a lot people who came to those hearings, who volunteered their time, herb Denenberg, Lance Haver, and a bunch of other folks. I think the citizens of this City deserve better. I think it's time that we move on.
Point of order, please. We're debating the bills right now. I don't think this is a situation to debate a bill. That moment will come when the bill comes up for a The motion is to suspend the rules right now and I believe that that's what we should do. Or else we're going to spend all afternoon debating a bill that is not even up in front of us as of yet.
Councilman, with all due respect, there are charges levied at the Insurance Commission Task Force, of which I have spent a year and a half of my time on that Task Force traveling to Harrisburg, attempting to get something done on this issue. And to simply have it dismissed as inaction, I'm going to respond to and I'm going respond to every opportunity that I get. To suggest somehow that that intervention has not anything, that intervention has stop the increases of three insurance companies who represent, my understanding, upwards of 3500 drivers in the City of Philadelphia. I think is relatively significant. So to suggest that somehow our inaction and inability to do anything as a result of lawsuits I think is just not fair.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen. Councilman Cohen has a motion.
Before a motion, I request an opportunity to be heard on this?
I have a preliminary point of order that I've asked the President to rule on. I've asked for the floor.
I don't believe we should be debating the bill. We are asking for a suspension of the rules.
Thank you, Madam President. This is a case where I think both sides are right and both sides may be wrong as well, but what is very clear is no matter what's been done, there's so much that has still to be done to safeguard the consumer in Philadelphia, the person that drives the car, the person that owns the car. So I think we're debating an issue that really is not significant. There can be different points of view. I think both points of view have some bit of support of given, but that doesn't take away from the fact that I think everybody's in agreement, what we need is somebody all the time there as a consumer advocate and that's what this amendment to the Home Rule Charter would provide, a constant, existing-all-the-time consumer advocate.
Councilman, you've made your motion. I would like to have a second. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 030220. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. So that it's very clear for the record, the Rules of Council have been suspended to permit first reading this day of Bill Nos. 020076, 020621, 020810, 020013, 030096, 030098, 030115, 030178 and 030220. Resolution Nos. 020084, 020817, 030034, 030106, 030119, 030189, and 030231 will be placed on the Calendar for our next meeting. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Mariano, if he's in the room.
I would like to say a thank you to you for offering the technical staff to give us an explanation of these bills and resolutions and to hold them. Obviously, that is not now necessary as the body did not see fit to facilitate things for our own information and to facilitate things to make them expedient for us to serve our colleagues best. So I thank the President for her willingness to do that, and I'm happy that we now move on.
Thank you, Madam President. With regard to the matters that, at resolutions that I was the sponsor of, as I think is my general behavior, I am more than willing to provide any information to any Member, as I did at the hearing. And I actually testified on three of the four matters that I offered at the hearing and every Committee Member that was there at the hearing had the opportunity to ask any questions. But I did also hand out, I believe, a variety of analyses or short fact sheets on any of the matters that I introduced. And again, I am certainly more than willing to provide any of that information to any Member. I'm sorry, I deeply regret, and I understand Councilwoman Blackwell's concerns. I want to reassure her that, at least on my matters, that I'm more than prepared to provide any detailed information expeditiously. I regret that we didn't have an opportunity at the Committee hearing to talk about these matters at that time or share that information. I understand members can't always be at every hearing. So I just want to make it certainly clear for the record, I understand the Councilwoman's concern about the action that was taken with regard to suspension of the Rules on first reading for any of these bills, but I will that I have on any of these bills with a fact sheet or charts or anything else that we have at our disposal and I want to assure the Councilwoman that that information is available because I brought it to the hearing and I assume that Committee Members would want that information. Thank you, Madam president.
Thank you. Madam President, I was not responding to my colleague for his bills. I was there. I did receive information. I thank him for his response. I was responding to the President's offer to have the technical staff provide information because so many of these bills deal with us amending the Charter. That is what I was responding to. I did receive your explanation to bills. I thank you. So it was not about your bills or anyone's bills in particular, it was due to the nature of the bills under consideration that so many of them deal with a mending the Home Rule Charter and with the President and Chair's offer to have the technical staff give us information before we responded. So I was say obviously that is not now necessary because we have heard them and because sometimes when you're dealing nature that do amend the Charter, everybody when a bill new doesn't have the number of a bill memorized in his or her mind. And it was in our response to the President's offer that we made the remark. And thank you.
Thank you, Madam President. In view of the fact that we have no more bills to vote on this morning, I must be excused from these Council proceedings.
Thank you. The Chair excuses you. Councilwoman Tasco, your light on. You want to be recognized?
And I appreciate all the information that was given to us during this discourse on the first reading. I still would appreciate having the information from Councilman Nutter which fully explains all of the legislation introduced. I think that would be very helpful for all of us prior to our vote since what we heard today was what the bill was about and not a full explanation or what it does, so I appreciate that. Thank you.
Just Councilman Nutter's bills. I will confer with him on the bills.
Thank you. At this time the time, again, recognizes Councilman Mariano.
Thank you, Madam President. The committee on Licenses and Inspections reports out two bills with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia. The Committee Licenses and Inspections to which was Bill No. 020809, entitled an ordinance amending Title 9 of the Philadelphia Code by making certain changes to the license requirements, the license fee and required conduct and the provisions, all under certain terms and conditions; And Bill No. 030141, entitled an ordinance amending Chapter 9-700 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, "Amusement Businesses," by amending 9-703 to prohibit the use of pyrotechnic devices, fireworks, explosives or similar materials within dance halls, all under certain terms and conditions; Respectfully reports it has considered 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 of the Bill No. 020809. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 020809.
Thank you, Madam President. In view of recent information, I need to leave on the record as voting yes or all remaining this morning.
Thank you. The record will so indicate that. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have and the bill just read will be placed on today's First Reading Calendar. Bill No. 030141 will be placed on the First Reading Calendar for our next Session of Council.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter for a report on the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.
Thank you, Madam Chair. The Committee on Commerce and Economic Development reports three resolutions with a favorable recommendation.
The Chief Clerk will please read the report. THE
To the President of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to which was referred Resolution No. 000691, entitled Resolution calling for hearings into micro enterprise development and neighborhood self-improvement as an economic development strategy in the City of Philadelphia; And Resolution No 020522, entitled resolution authorizing Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold into the current state of community reinvestment by City depository banks; And Resolution No. 030038, entitled a resolution calling on the Philadelphia Work Force Development Corporation to conduct a needs assessment of training opportunities within the building and construction trades;. Respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attach resolutions to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Resolution Nos. 000691, 020522 and 030038 will be placed at end of the today's Session. That concludes our reports from committees. of business is the consideration of the Calendar. The Clerk will please read the bills on the First Reading Calendar. THE
Bill No. 030068, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Bridge Street and Frankford Creek.
And Bill No. 030163 entitled an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1500 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, "Wage and Net Profits Tax," decreasing in stages the rates of tax imposed upon certain low income persons and providing for refunds of excess taxes paid, all under certain terms and conditions.
And Bill No. 020076, an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to Section 2-102 of Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, relating to the redistricting of the City boundaries of councilmatic districts after each decennial census.
And Bill No. 020621, entitled an ordinance amending Title 2 of the Philadelphia Code entitled City-County consolidation by abolishing the Board of Revision of Taxes and reassigning its powers, functions, and duties to three newly created City agencies, all under certain terms and conditions.
And Bill No. 020810, entitled an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia an amendment to Section 6-400C of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to authorized audits by the auditing department of certain agencies performing services or receiving funding from the City.
And Bill No. 030016, providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the composition of the Board of Pensions and Retirement.
And Bill No. 030097, entitled an ordinance amending Title 17 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Contracts and Procurement," by adding a new Section 17-109, entitled "Local Bidding Preferences."
And Bill 030098, entitled 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 establish that a bid preference can be allowed in the awarding of public contracts to Philadelphia firms.
And Bill No. 030115, entitled an ordinance providing for the submission electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to Section 8-200 and 8-201 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to contracts and concessions for which competitive bidding is required.
And Bill No. 030178, entitled an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to Section 5-300 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, by adding a new Subsection F, as approved by resolution of City Council requiring that the Health Department to prepare a plan for universal health care coverage.
And Bill No. 030220, entitled an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter and creating the Office of the Insurance Public Advocate.
The Chair 04/25/03 - STATED - 2ND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE agrees. THE
And Bill No. 020809, an ordinance amending Title 9 of the Philadelphia Code relating the regulation of businesses, trades, and professions, by amending Chapter 9-1300, entitled "Home Inspection Businesses," by making certain changes to the license requirements, all under certain terms and conditions.
The Chair agrees. The bills just read by the Chief Clerk will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for our next Session. That concludes our First Reading Calendar. The Chair at this time recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of calling bills up on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Madam President. There are no bills being called up for second reading and final passage today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chief Clerk will please read 04/25/03 - STATED - 2ND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE the title of Resolution No. 030234. THE
A resolution agreeing to participate the Progress Plaza Tax Increments Financing District.
Thank you, Madam President. I call for adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 030234 be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution No. 030234 has been adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 000691. THE
A resolution calling for hearings into the micro enterprise development and neighborhood self-employment as an economic 04/25/03 - STATED - 2ND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE development strategy in the City of Philadelphia.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution No. 000691 be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution No. 000691 has been adopted.
Madam President, I need to leave the Chambers for few minutes. I will be returning, but in my absence I'd like to be recorded as voting yes on all bills and resolutions.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 020522. 04/25/03 - STATED - 2ND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE THE
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to holdings into the current state of community reinvestment by City depository banks within low income and minority neighborhoods in the City of Philadelphia and authorizing the Committee to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and production of documents and other evidence.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for of the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 020522 be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and Resolution No. 020522 has been adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 030038. 04/25/03 - STATED - 2ND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE THE
A resolution calling for on the Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation to conduct a needs assessment of training opportunities within the buildings and construction trades and to hold hearings into the state of training opportunities for minorities and women in the Philadelphia building and construction trades.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 00038 be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution No. 030038 has been adopted.
That concludes our on the part of the Minority? (No response.)
Are there speeches on the part Majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
I just have to note for the record the terrible thing that was done to the image of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by the comments made by Senator Santorum. Those comments were not only abusive of the rights of gay, lesbian, and transgender groups, but really he did a terrible disservice to all the people of Philadelphia, to place us in condition where one of our United States senators represents one of the most repressive views in the country. We hope he will see the error of his ways and apologize so that Philadelphia and Pennsylvania can once more be restored to being a state where people have common sense and good judgment. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. Are there any other speeches on the part of the Majority? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, May 1st at 10:00 a.m.