Here's what went on in City Council Thursday:
--A resolution by Council members Blondell Reynolds Brown, Darrell L. Clarke and Curtis Jones Jr. urged Nutter and the Recreation Department to consider alternatives to closing Robin Hood Dell East for the 2008 summer concert series. Majority Leader Marian Tasco warned that bureaucratic delays in the repairs planned over the summer could lead to closure of the Fairmount Park concert venue for 2009 as well.
--Council members Bill Green, Blondell Reynolds Brown, Curtis Jones Jr. and Maria Quiñones Sanchez called for hearings to change the law governing protection from abuse orders. Philadelphia is the only place in the state where abuse victims are required to serve their alleged abusers, they said. Many victims end up calling 911 to ask police to serve the court orders, they said.
---Brown’s bill requiring certification for Center City tour guides was referred out of committee. Possible amendments to the bill — including whether so-called “Ghost Tours” should be covered — are being discussed, and final passage is not expected next week.
--Greenlee’s bill to prevent the Water Department from shutting off residential water service on weekends or before holidays was given first reading, with a final vote scheduled for next week. Greenlee wants to prevent the scenario in which residents have their water shut off on a Friday and can’t get the city to respond until Monday.
--Billy Casper Golf LLC received final approval to run four city golf courses — Cobbs Creek, Karakung, Franklin D. Roosevelt and John D. Byrne. The city’s two other public courses, Walnut Lane and Juniata, will be run by community nonprofits.
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