Title
Recognizing and Thanking Councilman Frank DiCicco on His Retirement after Sixteen Years of Exemplary Service to the People of Philadelphia and, Particularly, the Citizens of the First Council District.
Body
WHEREAS, Frank DiCicco is a proud lifelong resident of South Philadelphia. He began his career in public service as a Committeeperson, representing his neighbors, in 1967. In 1972, he began a long stint as an employee of Philadelphia Traffic Court, where he served as Director of the Scofflaw and Enforcement Units, and as Director of Violations and Cashiers; and
WHEREAS, After leaving Traffic Court in 1986, Frank DiCicco became a Budget Analyst for the Pennsylvania State Senate, where he gained much of the fiscal experience that would prove helpful to him in the future. In 1990, he brought his fiscal skills to bear as Deputy Director of Special Investigations for the Philadelphia City Controller. In this post, he investigated waste and abuse and supervised the auditing and surveillance functions of the department. In 1993, he returned to Traffic Court as Administrator, where he served with distinction until his decision to run for the First District City Council seat. Under his administration of Traffic Court, collections of overdue fines from scofflaws improved dramatically and the Court was run much more efficiently, reducing costs and increasing revenues. DiCicco also proposed legislation to the Commonwealth aiding in the impoundment of unregistered and uninsured vehicles from City streets; and
WHEREAS, Councilman Frank DiCicco was first elected to Council in the election of 1995. Since then, he has sponsored a wide range of legislation, including waterfront development regulations, the creation and continual monitoring of the Zoning Code Commission, various tax reform measures and neighborhood preservation initiatives. He is also the author of the 10-year tax abatement program which has been credited for the redevelopment of many of Philadelphia's neighborhoods. He encouraged responsible commercial and residential development, working cooperatively with developers and communities to realize projects such as the Jefferson Square Housing Development, Schmidts Brewery in Northern Liberties and the revitalization of the 13th Street Corridor. He also spent many, many hours in the long public debate over casinos in Philadelphia. Known as a consensus-builder, Councilman DiCicco was instrumental in helping move Philadelphia City Council forward with intelligent leadership into the 21st Century; and
WHEREAS, Councilman DiCicco's credo has always been that a strong community begins with community involvement. Towards that end, he actively participated on many boards including Historic Philadelphia, Inc., the Reading Terminal Market, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Board, Fund for Philadelphia, Jefferson Square Community Development Corp., Delaware River Port Authority, and the Cultural Fund. He has also been a proud Mummer for many years and is currently a member of the board of the Mummers' Museum; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and thanks councilman Frank DiCicco for his long and selfless service to the people of this City and, particularly, the citizens of the First Council District. This is a better City because of his dedication and we wish him good health and much success in his future endeavors.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to City Councilman Frank DiCicco, further evidencing the admiration and gratitude of this legislative body.
End