Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, February 9, 2017 10:50 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE L. BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN AL TAUBENBERGER MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting February 9, 2017
Good morning, everyone. We're going to get started. If the visitors will retire behind the rail, members take their seat, we'll get moving. Thank you very much. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Pastor Douglas Carpenter of Philadelphia Prayer, Praise and Worship Center. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Green. I would ask all guests, visitors, and members to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
First of all, thank you for this privilege and this opportunity. My Bible tells me, First Timothy, Chapter 2, that we ought to have prayer and intercession and giving of thanks for all people, for kings and for all those that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 So, God, we come today that you might bless this Council, bless this President, the Councilmembers, and the staffs; that they might be able to govern as you would have them; that the City would be more blessed because you have made a way for them to be who they are; and that they represent a diverse population, but their assignment is one to bring unity to the community. So, God, we pray that you might use them and guide them in everything that needs to be done today; that at the end of the day they could all sleep at night; at the end of the day everybody will in fact be blessed; at the end of the day everybody will still be included; that this would still become a great city, a safe city, and a blessed city. So we thank you right now for what you've called them to do. It's more than a job. It's an assignment. It's a calling. It's a ministry. Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 pray your blessings upon this session, everyone here, that we all might come together to decide how to move this city in the direction that you would have it go. So we thank you for the President and the Councilmembers and their staffs, and thank you for everyone in this Council meeting on today that your will would be done. In Christ's name, amen. (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Pastor, for those inspiring words. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you very much. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 2nd, 2017, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee. Stated Meeting February 9, 2017
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 2nd, 2017 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 2nd, 2017 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 majority, there are no requests of leave of absence today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh on behalf of the minority.
Good morning. On behalf of the minority, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to thank everyone who has come down, particularly today given the inclement weather, for your participation today. We appreciate you coming down to witness your government in action. We hope you enjoy yourself so much that you come back again. Again, thank you so much. Unfortunately, we do not have any presentations today, so we will move -- I can see the sadness on Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 up for it next week, though. We will move directly into communications, and the Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on February 8, 2017, I signed the following bills which were passed by Council at its session on January 26, 2017: Bill No. 161001 and Bill No. 161016. And I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body the following proposed resolutions: A resolution appointing Mary Hummel to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District; A resolution appointing Patrick Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 of Directors for the Old City Special Services District; and A resolution appointing Danielle DelRe to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District; and A resolution appointing Timothy Snowden to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District; and A resolution appointing Pat Lavelle to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District; and An ordinance authorizing acceptance of the dedication to the City of the bed of Westmoreland Street from a point approximately one hundred ninety-seven feet west of Third Street to a point approximately sixty-six feet further westwardly therefrom; and An ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into agreements to purchase electricity, natural gas and motor fuel for use by the Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 City in City facilities and vehicles, including agreements that obligate payment for delivery of such energy supplies in future fiscal years; and An ordinance authorizing the Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a sublease with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, tenant under a master lease with the landlord, for space in the building located at 1500 Spring Garden Street to house the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you very much. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Councilwoman, and good morning. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one privileged resolution signed by everyone.
A privileged resolution Recognizing and Honoring Winnie Harris for her years of activism in Philadelphia, and offering our deepest and sincerest condolences to family and friends and all those who are grieving her untimely death.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer two bills and one resolution.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Dauphin Street, 31st Street, Susquehanna Avenue, Ridge Avenue, and 32nd Street.
And an ordinance authorizing the Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a sublease with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, tenant under a master lease with the Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 landlord, for space in the building located at 1500 Spring Garden Street to house the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Thirty-Seventh Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today. Stated Meeting February 9, 2017
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one bill, two resolutions co-sponsored by Taubenberger, Greenlee, Johnson, and those are the only signatures I can recognize. There's some others.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, all or part of a parcel of land located in the area bounded by Ridge Avenue, Leverington Avenue, Mitchell Street, and Krams Avenue, for further conveyance.
And a privileged Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 resolution honoring and congratulating Matt Ryan, a 2003 graduate of Penn Charter, on being named the NFL's 2016 Most Valuable Player and leading his team to the Super Bowl.
I'm sorry. Something in my throat. I'm sorry. Councilman, I'm sorry. That's on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
He went to school at Penn charter in Philadelphia. Yes, we need to get him some lozenges for the choke, but for two quarters he was the man. So for that, he should be recognized. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. That's why they play the game. Thank you, sir. Mr. Decker, I'm sorry.
And a non-privileged resolution calling on state legislators to reevaluate and Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 increase the fines and penalties for passing a stopped trolley, in light of continued incidents of pedestrian related deaths in the City of Philadelphia.
That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property and the Director of Commerce, on behalf of the City, to acquire an approximately 136 acre property known as the Airport Business Center located in Tinicum Township, Delaware County, together with all improvements thereon.
Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 Referred to committee.
And an ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into agreements to purchase electricity, natural gas and motor fuel for use by the City in City facilities and vehicles, including agreements that obligate payment for delivery of such energy supplies in future fiscal years.
Referred to committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
An ordinance authorizing acceptance of the dedication to the City of the bed of Westmoreland Street from a point approximately one hundred ninety-seven feet west of Third Street to a point approximately sixty-six feet further westwardly therefrom. Stated Meeting February 9, 2017
And that will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on the Disabled & Persons with Special Needs to hold hearings regarding Pennsylvania's HealthChoices initiative.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Good morning, Council President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
A privileged resolution recognizing, honoring, and observing, February 6th through the 10th, Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2017, as "National School Counselors Week" in the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Thank you, Council President, and good morning, colleagues. I have no bills or resolutions this morning.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have two bills and five Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 non-privileged resolutions.
An ordinance amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Farmers' Markets," by adding a permissible location.
And an ordinance amending Section 9-204 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Vendors in Center City," by eliminating previously designated vendor locations in Center City.
And a non-privileged resolution reappointing Pat Lavelle to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District; and A non-privileged resolution Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 reappointing Timothy Snowden to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District; and A non-privileged resolution appointing Danielle DelRe to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District; and A non-privileged resolution appointing Patrick Shillenn to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District; and A non-privileged resolution appointing Mary Hummel to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District.
And those resolutions will be referred to committee, all five of them just read by the Chief Clerk. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I offer one non-privileged resolution and I wish to Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 be recognized after the title of the resolution re-calling Bill No. 160687-A as read for a motion on the resolution.
A non-privileged resolution requesting the Mayor to return to Council Bill No. 160687-A, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Health,' to require disclosures of lead hazards, including lead service lines, and making technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions," for the purpose of reconsideration by the Council of the vote by which said bill passed Council.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of the resolution on today's Final Passage Calendar. (Duly seconded.) Stated Meeting February 9, 2017
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the rules of Council are suspended and that will be considered on today's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much. I offer three privileged resolutions co-sponsored by Councilmembers Squilla, Curtis Jones, Jr., Domb, and Taubenberger. Thank you.
A privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Finance to Hold Hearings Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 Regarding the City's Cigarette Tax and Tax Rate Which Will Ensure Maximum Revenue for the School District of Philadelphia.
That will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy and the Committee on Public Safety to Hold Public Hearings to Explore Global Best Practices Regarding Technology that Improves Public Safety and Services.
And a privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Streets and Services and Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to Hold Hearings Regarding Possible Implementation of Technologies to Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2ND READING Streamline on-Street Parking Solutions in Philadelphia.
And that will also be on today's Final Passage Calendar. That concludes the introduction of bills and resolutions. We have no reports from committee today, and we will move to the consideration of the Calendar. There being no bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you, Council President. The following bills and resolutions are being called up for Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Bill No. 170041, 170044, 170096, 170097, 170098, 170100, 170101, and 161058. All other bills and resolutions are being held. Stated Meeting February 9, 2017
Thank you, Councilman. Before considering these bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, we will have our public comment session. It will go as follows: If you are interested in testifying on a bill or resolution that is on the Final Passage Calendar today, if you have not already done so, I'd ask that you sign up at the table to my left. When your name is called, you will go to the podium in the middle of the Council Chambers. There's a device. On that device there's a light. When that light turns green, it will be your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. When the light turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to our guidelines and conclude your remarks. Mr. Decker, please call the first witness. Stated Meeting February 9, 2017
Joe Danihel, commenting on 170100, 170096, 170044, 170097, 170051, and 171114. (Witness approached podium.)
This is an official decree of the people and it must be acted upon immediately. This Council's only consistencies are its violations of the rule of law and passing of needless resolutions, hypocritically calling out other public servants as un-American, unfit for office, buying votes for a bag of weed and a 40, and undermining faith in America's democratic institutions, constitutional values, individual rights. As a republic, our public servants are oath-bound to obey laws and constitutions. The Fifth Amendment: Nor be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process, nor shall private Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 property be taken without just compensation. This Council and other oath-bound public servants, in my opinion, have violated constitutions and laws - 42 USC 1982, 1983, 85, 86, 87, 18 USC 241, 242, 2381, 2384, PA Constitution, Article I, Section 1 through 11, 26 PA 703, 708, 709, 712, 713, 716, and many other laws listed in SCOTUS 15-8965. I again call for the federal and Commonwealth governments to perform their constitutional obligations to investigate and prosecute all involved in the theft, illegal deed transfer, and deprivation of 42 USC 1982 property rights for 23 years of my home, 1038 West Wyoming. Immediate remedy is required by the Constitution. A just government must comply with the rule of law. This color of law government must have its charter to govern revoked until a constitutionally compliant government is installed. Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Civil servants cannot refuse their sworn duty any more than a fireman can refuse to fight a fire. You can't speak truth to power when you are the power with unclean hands that commit fraud and theft. I remind Council, it takes a lot of cooperation to create and allow monumental corruption.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public comment session. We will now continue with our Calendar. And, Mr. Decker, could you please read the title of 170041.
A resolution urging state legislators to comply with the requirements of the federal REAL ID Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Act, allowing Pennsylvania residents to continue to use state issued driver's licenses for domestic air travel and access to federal facilities.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 170041 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 170044.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING deeds conveying title to certain properties located in the Second Councilmanic District.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 170044 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 170096.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Forty-Third Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 170096 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 170097.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Seventh Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 170097 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 170098. Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING
A resolution recognizing, honoring and celebrating the life and legacy of Luisa Charriez de Morales for her dedication to the Latino community and renaming the 3700 block of North 7th Street between West Erie Avenue and West Butler Street as "Luisa Charriez de Morales Paseo."
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that Resolution 170098 is adopted. Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, 170100.
A resolution condemning President Trump's Executive Order banning people from Muslim-majority nations from entering the United States as unconstitutional, unlawful, and un-American.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
My mistake. I'll let you speak. You want to speak or you just want to be reported -
Councilman Oh? Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING
I would like to say a few words. Thank you. I do not support the Muslim ban. I want to be clear. I don't think it's a good idea. However, I don't know that it's unconstitutional. There was a judge in Massachusetts, a federal judge, who found that it was constitutional, one in Washington who found that it was not constitutional. That issue is going to be resolved hopefully in a higher court. For that reason, I am not going to vote for this resolution. Thank you.
You're voting no. Let the record reflect that. Let the record reflect that Councilman O'Neill is voting no. And the Chair now recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
I'd like to be very clear on this. I also will be voting no on this. To be very Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING blunt, I will also say the fact that they're -- one, as Councilman Oh said, it's in the court system. Two, we need to take a look at the countries that are listed. Only one, only one has a functioning government. So I think until the courts decree on this, I am voting no. Thank you very much.
And the record shall reflect that Councilman Taubenberger is voting no. Councilman Jones, can I do this? Since we're in the middle of the vote, we have taken a vote on ayes and nay, can I conclude the vote and then you can be recognized to speak?
Okay. 170100, the ayes have it and it is adopted. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones. Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING
Mr. President, there's a question of constitutionality, and that will reside in the courts, but there's a question of right and wrong. And often history will reflect people justifying hiding behind a law book, hiding behind a question of who should decide, but right is right and wrong is wrong. And when we as a country -- I am a proud citizen, but let the record reflect we didn't always get it right. We didn't get it right when we herded Native Americans onto reservations and doing that in an unjust manner. We were wrong again when we did internment camps for people who might have maybe been, because of the way they looked or the way they spoke, enemies of this country, many of whom's relatives died defending this country. So as we move into the current day and this Administration, let us not hide behind constitutionality or the courts. They will decide that, but in Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING these Chambers, right is right and wrong is wrong, and let the record reflect that. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman Jones. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much. I have great respect for my colleague Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr., and I certainly understand where he comes and -- from where he comes, and I support that. However, somebody is right and somebody is wrong. That is kind of oftentimes subjective and different. I happen not to disagree with Councilman Curtis Jones. However, I do think that we have a process in this country of ours that at this time it is very important to adhere to. We have a separation of powers, federal government, state government, and local government. We have a separation of branches between the Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING executive, the legislative, and the judiciary. And I think that the details of this are such that while people may feel very strongly about certain issues and while courts do get it wrong, so do legislators and others. So I don't want to disagree with my colleague on the morality or the issues that he's saying. However, I will say that I do think that it is not a matter of hiding behind. It is a matter of clarity, that there is an issue of constitutionality that will be determined in the courts. I have my opinion, but likewise, for example, with our Mayor, there are things about what the Mayor does that I don't support, but I support the fact that he is the Mayor. He was duly elected and he should have an ability to make certain types of orders. But that will be determined in the courts, and I'd rather these things be determined in the courts than a new trend about threatening folks who you don't Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING agree with with cutting off their funds. One day it is one issue; the next day it's another issue. This train can continue as we disagree with each other over right and wrong and have the moral high ground to de-fund folks we don't like. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I respect the opinions of my colleagues that raise the issue of constitutionality in reference to this issue and the Executive Order issued by the current occupant of Pennsylvania Avenue. However, my concern when you also look at the issue of constitutionality is some of the challenges in reference to freedom of religion in the Executive Order that is to me challenging, the establishing Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING clause of religion in the Constitution. When you have a ban in certain countries, though the majority Muslim countries, but also in that Executive Order you have certain preferences to other religions in the Executive Order, that's what causes the constitutionality perspective from my concern. That's why I support this resolution. I can respect the issue that this should be debated in the court system, which it will be, but my concern is in reference to the establishment issue of religion in the Executive Order which puts a preference on some religions over others.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
I wanted to put a silver lining on this. On Friday, I was joined by the Mayor, Senator Sharif Street, and State Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Representative Jason Dawkins at the Muslim Society, one of the largest mosques in my district. And, you know, the message -- it was an inter-faith ceremony, and the message was one of unity, one of peace. And I think that one of the things that has happened with all of this is that people understand that we really have to come together at this particular time. But the most profound piece of that ceremony for me was the children in the room, the children in the room who the Mayor addressed, who when questioned by the press said, I feel safer today, because the Mayor said and the police officers that have joined us at the ceremony has said that I am going to be safer. And so in our messaging, it's very important to recognize that people are fearful, people are scared, and as legislators and as leaders, we have to reassure folks that we're going to be Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING okay. And we're going to be okay, and this has helped us enlighten folks about the value of what this nation was founded on. And so the silver lining is people are coming together. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you again, Mr. President. And I'm going to give my colleague a hug as soon as we leave these Chambers, but on this floor, you gonna get it. So let me just say, I'm not clear, I didn't get the memo. Did Donald Trump read the Constitution since he was elected? I don't know. That was a question once before. But whether you are the President, which I respect his presidency, I'm here to tell you that; however, right is right and wrong is wrong. Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING FDR, a democrat, did internment camps, and he was wrong. Ulysses S. Grant, March of Sorrows or how they moved Native Americans, he was wrong. He was a republican, by the way. And Donald Trump is equally wrong even though he holds the office. The five countries he's banning and he cites 9/11 as the reason, well, if that's true, why aren't we banning folk from Saudi Arabia? Oh, because they have business interests with Donald Trump. And so the countries that he has -- so there's at least a question in my mind. If it is not constitutionally right, it is damn sure self-serving. And so if you bring this up in this Chamber, we're going to deal with it in this Chamber, because truth is truth, as you said, right is right and wrong is wrong. And I just want you to know that if he continues on this path, I'm not as optimistic, I am not as optimistic as my colleague Sanchez. Yes, it's bringing Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING good people together, but it's causing divisions even in this Council, and we have to be careful about just because the bully became the President of the student body doesn't make the bully and bullying right. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Last night we had our monthly meeting -- we do every second Wednesday -- of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs and we talked about this whole issue for an hour and a half. And, you know, when 10 o'clock was approaching, we said we have to agree to have another meeting and give out info, but that we could not stay there all night and debate it. It's a real important issue. And I'm proud that my colleague Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING introduced this and I'm proud to support this resolution. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Thank you very much. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 170101.
A resolution recognizing and acknowledging the victims of the mass shooting at the Quebec Islamic Cultural Center, condemning religious intolerance and Islamophobia, and affirming support for Philadelphia's Muslim community.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 170101 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 161058.
An ordinance adopting an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Philadelphia Energy Authority increasing the number of members on the Authority's Board from five to seven, as proposed by the Board in a Resolution adopted November 30, 2016.
This bill has been heard on two separate occasions. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Councilwoman Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Bass.
Aye. Stated Meeting February 9, 2017 2/9/17 - STATED - 2ND READING