STATED MEETING 1 3/24/2022 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Via Microsoft Teams Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, March 24, 2022 10:23 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK STATED MEETING 2 3/24/2022
Thank you, and good morning to everyone. Thank you for being here today. Before we begin the Council session, I will make the following announcement: Due to the continuing threat to public health from COVID-19, City Council is currently meeting remotely. We are using Microsoft Teams to make this remote meeting possible. Instructions for how the public may view the meeting and offer public comment are included in the Stated Meeting notice that was published in the Daily News, the Inquirer, the Legal Intelligencer prior to the meeting, and can also be found on PHLCouncil.com. I now note the hour has come. The Clerk will please call the roll to take attendance, and members that are in attendance, just say a word or two to make sure that your image is displayed on the screen. Mr. Decker, please call the STATED MEETING 3 3/24/2022
Good morning, Mr. President, colleagues, and the City of Philadelphia. Good morning.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and the City of Philadelphia. I'm present.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and Philadelphia. Present.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and Philadelphia. Present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. And good morning to the City of Sisterly Love.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the City of Brotherly Love, Sisterly Love, and Sisterly Effectiveness.
Good morning, Council President. Good STATED MEETING 5 3/24/2022 morning, colleagues. I am present.
Good morning, Mr. President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning, Philadelphia. I am present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the listening public.
And STATED MEETING 7 3/24/2022 Thank you very much. Council will now come to order. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Rabbi Pinchas Lando of Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia. I hope I pronounced that correctly. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Jones. I would ask all members and guests to please bow your heads for the invocation. Thank you, Rabbi.
Good morning, Mr. President. Good morning, members of City Council, Councilman Jones and City Council for this honor. We live in frightening times. Instead of another world war, God forbid, nuclear weapons looms over us. All around the world countries are in turmoil and strife. Innocent people are caught in the crossfires. Brutal regimes struggle to stay in power. Government is STATED MEETING 8 3/24/2022 overthrown, and people live in constant fear. Even in our country, the struggles are real. Political bickering has turned to hatred. Our sacred places have been attacked. Our schools are no longer safe havens. What causes someone to drive a car into a crowd of people at a party, open fire in a place of worship? What drives a young teenager to pull a gun on his teacher and fellow students? What have we come to that our police and first responders are in danger of being killed every day? Our sage has taught us pray for the peace of the government. For if not for the fear of government, a man would swallow his friend alive. I feel we have reached that point. There's no fear of authority, everything goes, and there is no right and wrong. It appears to me that people have given up. They've lost their faith. STATED MEETING 9 3/24/2022 and they resign themself to misery. How can we fix this? What can we do to straighten the ship? It starts with each and every one of us. We must focus on the positive. There's a reason everyone wants to come to this country. There's a reason China, Russia and everyone is jealous of us. We must stop focusing on what is wrong and focus on what is right. We must stop looking at what we can't do and focus on what we can. I'm sure every one of us will spread optimism to our family, our neighbors, our community. We can turn the tide. Let's focus on opportunity on a better future. I am jealous of the members of this Council. You've been selected by your peers, your friends and neighbors to the most honorable title there is. You've been elected to be a servant of the people, to help guide our noble city and help its inhabitants thrive. You STATED MEETING 10 3/24/2022 reach across the aisle, reach out to family, friends, and neighbors and uplift them. You have the opportunity to stem the tide, to give courage and (unintelligible) to our youth, to educate them and lead them to a life of hope, not despair. When I was a child, my parents had a record that I would listen to. It's about a small train that needs to pull a large heavy string of freight cars up a steep mountain. I can still hear the refrain: I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. Let's keep this refrain in our minds and spread it everywhere. I think I can, because I know we can. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Rabbi. We really appreciate you.
Thank you, Mr. President. Also, this is Mark Squilla present for this. Somehow I got STATED MEETING 11 3/24/2022 again right before introduction.
Thank you. Let the record reflect Councilman Squilla is present. Thank you, Rabbi. Appreciate you. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 17, 2022, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 17th, 2022 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 17, 2022 stand approved. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) STATED MEETING 12 3/24/2022
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. And our next order of business is request for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members of Council, a leave of absence is requested for Councilmember Johnson.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Leave shall be granted to Councilman Johnson. And, again, Councilwoman Parker will make a motion on the Sunshine Act, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council and that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's session. STATED MEETING 13 3/24/2022
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council and, as required by law, subsequently published on an amended agenda after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, resolutions taking substantive action to be voted on in this session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar, and a motion placing a bill or resolution on or returning a bill or resolution from the Suspension Calendar that is not listed on today's Calendar. The purpose of this motion is to provide the public with notice concerning possible actions by Council that arose too late to be included on the Calendar that was published prior to STATED MEETING 14 3/24/2022 (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilwoman Parker may be added to the agenda for today, should those matters arise during the course of this session of Council. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. And our next order of business is communications, and I would ask the Clerk, please read the messages from the Mayor and any other communications that he may have in his possession.
From the Mayor to the President and members of the Council STATED MEETING 15 3/24/2022 Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on March 23, 2022, I signed the remaining bills which were passed by Council at its session on March 10, 2022, except Bill No. 210778-AA, which I am returning without my signature; and that on March 23, 2022, I signed the following bill which was passed by Council at its session on March 17, 2022: Bill No. 220111. And I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon situate in the Second Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties; and STATED MEETING 16 3/24/2022 Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 5026 North 7th Street located in the 8th Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon situate in the Fifth Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land bank fee simple title to such properties; and A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1446 North Dover Street, 1446 North Newkirk Street, 1629 North Marston Street and 1631 North STATED MEETING 17 3/24/2022 Fifth Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1604 through 1608 Page Street, 1610 Page Street, 1612 Page Street, and 1614 Page Street; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the redevelopment contract with Habitat for Humanity, Incorporated and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the redevelopment contract, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. STATED MEETING 18 3/24/2022 And our next order of business is introduction of bills and resolutions. And by way of a reminder, we are asking that all resolutions, including privileged resolutions, be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council, unless they are being referred to committee. In our current remote environment, this procedure will provide an appropriate opportunity for public comment. I would like to thank you very much for your anticipated cooperation. Mr. Decker, please read the titles of the legislation that's being offered today by our members.
Councilwoman Parker offers one bill on behalf of Council President Clarke, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 20-101 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Residence Requirements,' by clarifying that temporary residence outside the City, including for military service or STATED MEETING 19 3/24/2022 educational purposes, does not prevent a person, including a police recruit, from meeting the Residence Requirement."
Referred to committee. Hold on, Mr. Decker. Councilman Jones, did you want to be recognized now?
Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson offers a resolution, entitled a "Resolution calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to adopt the Whole-Home Repairs Act (Senate Bill 1135) and thanking Senator Nikil Saval for his commitment to creating safe, efficient, resilient housing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."
Yes. Thank you so much, Mr. President. STATED MEETING 20 3/24/2022 I just wanted to clarify for the record that today I am co-introducing this resolution with my colleague, our Majority Leader, Councilmember Cherelle L. Parker, calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to adopt Senator Saval's Whole-Home Repairs Act. Thank you very much to our Majority Leader for co-introducing this resolution with me and for your laser-beam focus on homeownership for our middle-class families here in the City of Philadelphia, and thank you to Senator Saval for your leadership on this very important issue. If COVID has taught us anything, it is that our homes are so much more than physical structures. They are where we gather with our loved ones, now where we work, and they are also central to building generational wealth for our families. But as we all know, Philadelphia has a very old building STATED MEETING 21 3/24/2022 stock and very high rates of poverty. Our residents are the most energy-burdened, and many of their homes have significant issues, including exposed wiring, and I'm going to take it back to knob and tube wiring, mold, poor insulation and more. Your home, the very thing that is supposed to provide stability, wealth, health, and safety, is literally crumbling around you, and this asset becomes a liability. The Whole-Home Repair Act will help Pennsylvania address this crisis. It provides funding to rebuild homes and make them healthier and more energy efficient, coordinate services to ensure we are taking advantage of every possible available resource, and create job-training opportunities and programs to put people on the path to family-sustaining and supporting careers. This is exactly the type of program we need to address climate STATED MEETING 22 3/24/2022 change, build resiliency, maintain and build generational wealth, and create new economic opportunity. I am so grateful to our partners in Philadelphia, like the Energy Coordinating Agency and the Philadelphia Energy Authority, and we thank you for your foresight in creating the Energy Authority, Mr. President, all who have been leaders in this work, and I look forward to our continued work together. So thank you again to Senator Saval for your work. We look forward to supporting you as you continue on your tour across the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And I hope you all join us, Councilmember Parker and I, in supporting this resolution and this crucial legislation in our Commonwealth. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. That will be on next week's Calendar. STATED MEETING 23 3/24/2022
Councilwoman Gym offers a resolution declaring March 31, 2022 as International Transgender Day of Visibility in the City of Philadelphia.
Councilman Jones offers nine resolutions, entitled a "Resolution appointing Afroza Hossain to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission"; and A resolution appointing Benjamin Lerner to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission; and A resolution appointing Haakim Peay to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission; and A resolution appointing Hassan Bennett to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission; and A resolution appointing Jahlee Hatchett to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission; and A resolution appointing John STATED MEETING 24 3/24/2022 Solomon to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission; and A resolution appointing Maryelis Santiago to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission; and A resolution appointing Melanie DeBouse to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission; and A resolution appointing Rosaura Torres-Thomas to the Citizens Police Oversight Commission.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones.
Thank you so much, Mr. President. Colleagues, we are in the third leg of this relay to establish this Commission, which will oversee citizens and police interactions. We first started when we put it on the agenda in the ballot and it was a STATED MEETING 25 3/24/2022 Charter change, and over a half a million people approved it. The second leg of the relay was to find an eclectic balance of people with different life experiences and a balance within their geography around the City that contributes to that life experience. What I'm encouraged by this Oversight Commission is that they're willing to take formal training on how police methodology and operations should go. So on top of their advocacy, they want to take training. And I always say oversight without insight is shortsighted. So they're looking to expand their experiences by taking this course. The third leg of this relay is you, my members in Council, to vet. These individuals' resumes have been sent to all of you. We will have hearings, which will be scheduled by President Clarke, to allow you to talk to, STATED MEETING 26 3/24/2022 question, gain insight of this group of individuals. The final leg of the relay will be during your responsibility again to appropriate a budget for the operation of this Commission. So I look forward to completing the relay. We're handing off the baton to you, and we look forward to the conversation, interaction, and hearings. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman, and thank you for your hard work. Again, that will be referred to committee.
Councilman Thomas offers a resolution honoring and congratulating Women's History Month's Champion of the Week, Masterman Girls Swim Team on the league championship, and the 10 Philadelphia Public League Girls Swimmers on qualifying for the PIAA State Championships. STATED MEETING 27 3/24/2022
Councilman Oh offers two resolutions, entitled a "Resolution recognizing and honoring the life and service of Pennsylvania State Troopers Martin F. Mack III and Branden T. Sisca."
And a resolution urging the White House to establish a process to swiftly admit displaced Ukrainians into the United States and to grant refugee status to Ukrainian citizens.
There are no other bills or resolutions being offered today by the members, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes the introduction STATED MEETING 28 3/24/2022 bills and resolutions, and our next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I'm sorry. There being no reports from committee, the consideration of the Calendar, there are no bills on our First Reading Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion concerning the resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar. They are Resolution Nos. 220251, 220255, 220256, 210831, 211005, 211006, 220025, and 220026. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the resolutions just STATED MEETING 29 3/24/2022 2ND READING read by Councilwoman Parker. All in favor please indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and we will consider the Resolution Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Parker for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. In addition to the resolutions being considered on the Consent Agenda, the following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today. They are Nos. 210848, 220250, 220143, and 210743. All other STATED MEETING 30 3/24/2022 bills and resolutions are being held, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Councilwoman. Before we have our public comment session, we will take a brief break to allow our technology professionals an opportunity to connect our speakers for today's public comment session. We'll be right back. Brief recess. (Short recess.)
Thank you very much. We are back, and we will start our public comment session. So now that everyone is connected to the meeting and before considering the resolutions and bills we have before us today, we will consider our public comment. It will go as follows: STATED MEETING 31 3/24/2022 Public comment must concern matters of the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at a session of Council. A speaker on any of those matters must sign up in order to testify. You must call 215-686-3406 by 3:00 p.m. the day before the session to sign up for public comment. When you call, we will take your name, phone number, the number of the legislative item you are commenting on, and whether you are in support of or against the legislation, and add your name to the list. We will then telephone each person on the list during the Council session and invite them to our remote meeting. Today we will have three minutes to speak. However, this time limit may vary from time to time based on the volume of speakers. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the established time limit, and once invited STATED MEETING 32 3/24/2022 to the meeting and asked to begin your testimony, a timer will be started. We will monitor your remaining time throughout your testimony, and when there are 30 seconds remaining to your time, you will be reminded of this. Once your allotted time has passed, you will be asked to conclude your remarks, and shortly thereafter you will be muted and disconnected from the remote meeting. We also reserve the right to limit the number of speakers where repetitious comments are being made on the same subject matter, which could affect callbacks for public comment at a meeting. Please be aware that this public meeting is recorded. Because the meeting is public, participants and viewers have no reasonable expectation of privacy. So by continuing to be in the meeting, you are consenting to being recorded. I will now ask the Chief Clerk STATED MEETING 33 3/24/2022 to please read the first name on the list of our speakers today.
Yes, Mr. President. The first speaker we have today is Queen Judith Robinson, commenting on 210848 and 210865.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed. QUEEN ROBINSON: Yes. Good morning. Judith -- Queen Judith here, Queen of Civic Engagement and Citizenship, encouraging others to come and testify. This is your body here. This is your City Council. So I want to testify on 210848 and 210685, and I want to give a Women History Month welcome to Mary McNabb. The reason why -- of 1600 block of Page Street. The reason why this property -this transaction is not moving forward is because Mary McNabb has nominated the parking lot as a historic site. She took STATED MEETING 34 3/24/2022 it upon herself. I want you all to recognize that. Okay? In the 32nd Ward. I'm so proud of her. Without any input, she decided based on what she heard from her elected officials that this would be a parking site in perpetuity for those homeowners there. So she took it upon herself. So I just want to give Mary McNabb a big shout-out in Women History Month. You know, we Black women have to really uplift ourselves. It's apparent to me after, what, 233 years -I'm talking about the Supreme Court, just digress a little bit, to see how out of touch people can be as relates to the Black woman. So I just want to uplift her. And I also want to uplift in this Women History Month talking about housing and advocacy over 50-plus years, Ms. Nellie Reynolds. Ms. Nellie Reynolds. Say her name. She advocated STATED MEETING 35 3/24/2022 like in a such diplomatic way. No, we don't have to lay down, but we do stand up, and she stood up for so many years. I want to make sure we never forget. Never. We can't like revise facts. Okay? Sometimes I see how we can do that. But as it relates to 210685, this special certificate of inspection, I'm thinking we need to do this with PHA houses. You know, there's no way we're going to be able to obfuscate what has happened, such a terrible tragedy we endured with no firewalls. We got to get that report and see if we can't do this. Who do I talk to about that? I can't wait until you all get back in person, because I see how things are moving in this COVID environment where you could do this, that, and the third with no mask on, but when it comes to the people's business, we can't get action like we really would like to, just to talk to you, make sure you're STATED MEETING 36 3/24/2022 including all of us, because I see that Black women have to elevate themselves, amplify themselves. And with that, you know I keep it within the limits. Have a good day, you all. Come on out, citizens. Speak your peace. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Real briefly, I just want to comment briefly, a little clarity purposes on 210848, the proposed affordable housing initiative for Habitat. It's been a matter of conversation for a number of -- period of time in terms of the conveyance of properties. As the last speaker indicated, there was an application submitted for nomination of the parking lot where a couple of houses apparently were proposed to be built on. Because there had been STATED MEETING 37 3/24/2022 an arrangement based on compromise as it relates to the properties' proposed development, the new resolution was introduced. This nomination, we had asked the Historical Commission to, as quickly as possible, to give us an indication as to whether or not they were going to hear the matter and vote on the matter. So given the history of this particular site, I want to make sure all things are clear before we proceed, but it is our intent to proceed based on the determination on the Historical Commission with respect to the parking lot. And I don't know what elected officials talked to the lady about suggesting that somehow it would be some level of permanency in the future as it relates to the lot, but it wasn't Darrell Clarke. So I just want to get clarity on that. Thank you very much. STATED MEETING 38 3/24/2022 Mr. Decker, call the next speaker.
Yes, Mr. President. The next speaker is Corinne O'Connell, commenting on 210848.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed.
Good morning. This is Corrine O'Connell. I'm the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia. Thank you, Council President. Good to be with you all this morning. I am calling in second week here with regard to the properties, the new homes to be built on Page Street. So last week I had shared more nuanced reasons of why Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia should continue to move forward, be permitted to build on Page Street. Today I want to focus and center that on our shared humanity and the six families that will live in these homes. STATED MEETING 39 3/24/2022 We are ready to build on Page Street. We have the funding. We are ready. These homes will provide a safe, warm, dry place to live, six Philadelphia families. It's nearly 30 people and more than 15 children, 15 kiddos with bedrooms of their own, right, homework at the kitchen table, creating stability so they can go to school the next day to learn. At a time where home has been a classroom, home has been the workplace, home has been so intricately linked to our health, it is clear home is foundational, and it's also clear we need to build and repair as many affordable homes in our city if we're serious about addressing the affordable housing crisis. The Habitat team, we are ready, willing, able, ready to roll on these six beautiful new energy-efficient homes that will be sold to first-time Philadelphia homeowners. And we continue to be committed to our vision of a city where everyone has a decent place to live, and STATED MEETING 40 3/24/2022 my hope, it is our intention that we will move forward to bring these six homes to Page Street to life -- on Page Street, excuse me, to life. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good morning, everyone. Great morning, everyone. My name is Tyreeka Richards and I am a future homeowner in the Habitat for Humanity homeownership program. I first want to start off by thanking you, Mr. President Clarke and all other City Councilmembers present today for your time. I am calling to voice my support pertaining to the building of the STATED MEETING 41 3/24/2022 six homes on Page Street. I am in fact one of those families that would own one of the homes on Page Street. I am a single mother of two. I've been in the program since November of 2019, which consisted of completing 350 sweat equity hours, many workshops, and savings of escrow. Habitat for Humanity has and still does provide me with the opportunity to prepare me to become not just a homeowner, but a successful homeowner at an affordable price for myself and family, and we are forever grateful for that opportunity. Homeownership means a life for myself and children. It's not just a roof over our head, but a place to call home and provide lots of love to my children and generations to come. I work in the field of child welfare for the City of Philadelphia, providing social services to help ensure children and families are safe. This job, as we all know, is not an easy STATED MEETING 42 3/24/2022 thing, but I'm doing it because of my passion for others --
Excuse me. Can someone mute themselves, please. Sorry. Go ahead, Ms. Richards.
This job, as we all know, is not an easy task, but I do it because it's my passion to help others. Now I'm asking for the assistance that I provide in turn and, that is, a warm and safe place to call home for my family. Again, I want to thank each and every one of you for your time.
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. We will make sure you get in that house as soon as possible.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. We will now consider today's STATED MEETING 43 3/24/2022 Agenda. I will ask the Clerk to please read the titles of all the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of a resolution on the Resolution Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the resolution will be immediately removed from the Resolution Consent Agenda and placed on today's regular Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, will you please now read the titles of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Resolution No. 220251, entitled a "Resolution expressing solidarity with the local leaders of Ukraine"; and Resolution No. 220255, entitled a "Resolution honoring and congratulating Women's History Month's Champion of the Week, Imhotep Charter School's Girls Basketball team, on its successful 2022 STATED MEETING 44 3/24/2022 winning the Philadelphia Public League title two years in a row"; and Resolution No. 220256, entitled a "Resolution approving the First Amendment to License Agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Market Street East Urban Renewal Area, for a certain pedestrian bridge located between Tenth and Eleventh Streets above Filbert Street, including air rights; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the First Amendment to License Agreement with Keystone Philadelphia Properties and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the First Amendment to License Agreement"; and Resolution No. 210831, entitled a "Resolution approving the appointment of McCullough Williams III to the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board"; and STATED MEETING 45 3/24/2022 211005, entitled a "Resolution reappointing Jay S. Feldstein to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion"; and Resolution No. 211006, entitled a "Resolution reappointing Bernie A. Prazenica to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion"; and Resolution No. 220025, entitled a "Resolution appointing Erik Derr to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District"; and Resolution No. 220026, entitled a "Resolution appointing Brennan Tomasetti to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District."
Thank you very much. STATED MEETING 46 3/24/2022 Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion to adopt each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda has been approved. STATED MEETING 47 3/24/2022 3/24/22 - STATED - 2ND READING We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the regular and Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 210848.
Resolution No. 210848, entitled a "Resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1604 through 1608, 1610, 1612, 1614 and 1616 Page Street."
Mr. Decker, I think we asked that to be held. That should have been held.
Oh, I'm sorry. My fault. I don't know why I ever question you, Mr. Decker. You are always on point.
I try, STATED MEETING 48 3/24/2022 3/24/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. President.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, sir, I move that Resolution No. 210848 be withdrawn and because Decker told us to, Mr. President. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that Resolution No. 210848 be withdrawn. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution No. 210848 has been withdrawn. Thank you, Mr. Decker. STATED MEETING 49 3/24/2022 3/24/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220250.
A resolution calling on the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, Philadelphia Sheriff's Office, Office of the City Controller and the Managing Directors Office to conduct a joint evaluation of the City's current witness relocation and protection programs.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) STATED MEETING 50 3/24/2022 3/24/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 220143.
An ordinance amending Section 9-215 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Streeteries," to add additional permitted locations.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. STATED MEETING 51 3/24/2022 3/24/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez. STATED MEETING 52 3/24/2022 3/24/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 210743.
An ordinance renaming and designating the property commonly referred to as the 11th and Venango Playground, located at 3600 North 11th Street, as the "Williams Moore Reed Memorial Park" in the City of Philadelphia.
STATED MEETING 53 3/24/2022 3/24/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Councilman Jones. STATED MEETING 54 3/24/2022 3/24/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill STATED MEETING 55 3/24/2022 3/24/22 - STATED - 2ND READING passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
I do, Mr. President. Resolution No. 220257, entitled a "Resolution urging the White House and United States Congress to work with NATO partners in establishing a limited no-fly-zone over humanitarian corridors in Ukraine." This resolution was introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution.
Hold on. The Chair recognizes -- I think Councilwoman Gym wanted to make a comment. Councilman Green, you had a point of information. I'm old school. STATED MEETING 56 3/24/2022 3/24/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Ladies first.
Thank you so much, Council President. First of all, glory to Ukraine, and thank you to, you know, the incredible work that's been done here and abroad to end the violence that we're seeing and the potential for a world on the precipice of war -- or global war, should I say. But one of my concerns about this resolution is that I do think that this is one of the areas where, whether by intent or not, the effect is very clearly that the issuance of a no-fly zone is effectively a declaration of war, and I do not believe that this City Council body should be the one to do that. I actually do think that that belongs with our members of Congress, with the Senate, with diplomats and others. And so I will be voting no on this resolution. Thank you, Council President. STATED MEETING 57 3/24/2022 3/24/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Yes. Thank you, Council President. I just had a point of information for Councilmember Oh, and I want to thank him for his advocacy regarding this issue regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I also am very concerned about the impact this has had -- this invasion has had on Europe, in particular NATO allies and the refugees that left Ukraine to go into neighboring countries like Poland. So my point of information is in reference to the phrase in the resolution of "limited no-fly-zone." I wanted to get some perspective from Councilmember Oh what his meaning is based on that language.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh. STATED MEETING 58 3/24/2022 3/24/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you very much. Thank you for the question. So a no-fly zone is different from a humanitarian corridor no-fly zone. A no-fly zone is a forceful declaration that anything in this space that is a threat shall be shot down. A humanitarian no-fly zone is limited to the corridors where, for example, people are known to use in order to escape war, medical supplies, and things like that. Still it is a no-fly zone, but typically such a no-fly zone is worked out between, for example, the U.S. and its allies, NATO, with some consideration from the nation that is at war. That means the invasion is by Russia. There's Ukraine. This resolution, as with the other resolutions that I do, I submit to the Ukrainian government to get their input and edits and other things. I do understand that the U.S., which is our STATED MEETING 59 3/24/2022 3/24/22 - STATED - 2ND READING President and our Congress, is not in favor at this time of a no-fly zone for the reasons stated. However, the request that actually President Zelensky made is for a limited no-fly zone to protect citizens and others who are fleeing war, and Russia has stated that they are not committing criminal acts, war crimes, they're not targeting civilians and, therefore, from that statement, they should not object to a limited no-fly zone to protect those escaping from war. However, that is something that I believe we as citizens can make a request. Obviously the President of the United States and the federal government will negotiate that, work on it. But I think it's important to hear from the citizens what they think, how they feel about things. We leave that obviously to our federal government. We have no authority over that clearly, but I think a resolution stating that we support the STATED MEETING 60 3/24/2022 3/24/22 - STATED - 2ND READING efforts to have a humanitarian no-fly zone where people can safely leave without fear of being bombed or attacked I think is important. There's 10 million displaced so far, and increasingly civilian targets are being hit and there are increasing civilian deaths related to that. As the war is not going well for the invader at this point in time, there's great concern of increasing attacks on civilians. And in addition to nuclear weapons, there are biological and chemical weapons that can be devastating in their impact. So there are a number of arsenals available, and I think it is important for combatants to come to some terms of a level of civility, even in war. And I would say all the combatants, the soldiers who are sent there by their nations, who are defending their countries, they do also want a level of civility in removing their dead and STATED MEETING 61 3/24/2022 3/24/22 - STATED - 2ND READING wounded. And I would say also, listen, many of the Russian soldiers there don't want to be there. They're just there. So I think it's an expression on our part that even in times of the most brutal war, there should be levels of humanity and civility for the weak who need the world to give its opinion as to how things should be conducted. I hope that's satisfactory.