Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, May 4, 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 May 4, 2017
Good morning, everyone. We're going to get started. I'd ask the visitors and guests to retire behind the rail, and as the members take their seat, we will come to order. Thank you. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Pastor Danette M. Ray of Kingdom Life Christian Center. She is here today as the guest of Councilman Bobby Henon. I would ask all guests, visitors, and members to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
If it is custom for Council, I ask that you bow your heads. If not, we understand. Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you on behalf of all who are gathered here today. I thank you for your many Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 many and abundant blessings. Thank you for life and for the measure of health that we need to fulfill our callings, for sustenance, and friendship. Thank you for the ability to be involved in useful work and for the honor of bearing our appropriate responsibilities. I thank you as well for the freedom to embrace you or the freedom to reject you. Thank you for loving us so from your boundless and gracious nature. In the Scriptures, you have said that citizens ought to obey the governing authorities since you have established those authorities to promote peace, order, and justice. Therefore, I pray for our Mayor, for the various levels of City officials, and in particular this assembled Council today. I am asking that you would graciously grant them the wisdom to govern amid the conflicting interests and issues of our Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 times, that you will grant them a sense of welfare -- a sense of the welfare and true needs of our people, for your Scripture also says that if the people prosper, the City prospers. I pray that you will grant them a keen thirst for justice and rightness. I pray that you will grant them the confidence in what is good and fitting. I pray that you will grant them the ability to work together in harmony even when there is honest disagreement. I ask that you grant them personal peace in their own lives and joy in their task. I pray for the agenda set here today. Please give them an assurance of what would please you and what would benefit those who live and work in and around our beloved City of Philadelphia. I pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen. (Amen.)
Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 so much, Pastor, for those inspiring words. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 27, 2017, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 27th, 2017 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 27, 2017 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) Stated Meeting May 4, 2017
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests of leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Oh on behalf of the minority.
Thank you very much. On behalf of the minority, there are no requests for leaves of absence.
Thank you, Councilman. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to welcome and thank everyone who has taken time out of their busy day to come down to witness Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 We hope your stay here today is a knowledgeable one but, more importantly, a pleasurable one, so much so that you come back again. So we really appreciate you coming down and seeing us today. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones, who will present a resolution recognizing Gina Snyder. Would Ms. Snyder and those accompanying her please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman Jones, we have Councilman Domb, Councilman Taubenberger, and Councilman Green.
Mr. President, Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods. It's often been said. I'd like to say in my district, it is a city of small towns with various main streets that reflect the neighborhoods in Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 was told by this young lady when I first got elected that -- I asked her how to become part of the community, and she explained to me, well, to be a Fallser, it takes 20 years of involvement. So I want to inform you today that I'm halfway there, and then maybe in another ten years, I will truly be a Fallser. I want to talk about this young lady for a second and say words like dogged, persistence, and advocacy for East Falls, its community, and businesses, whether it's parking spots or farmers' markets or new offices and signs, whether it's issues of angled parking or dancing on the Falls Bridge, Ms. Gina Snyder has been a dogged advocate for both businesses and the community. Businesses like In Riva, the Trolley Car Cafe, Le Bus, 4th Street Cookie Company all have come and discovered East Falls because of her Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 such as the Bike Race, neighborhood border disputes, she has been an ambassador on behalf of the community and businesses, and I'm thankful to have a partner or had a partner and continue to have a partner who has been fighting for that. Whether it's capital projects, getting money out of us for that, she has been there in the forefront. And in spite all of those activities, she manages to raise children, and she, on this occasion of this resolution, is moving to France for a year to contemplate what she can bring back to East Falls, similar rivers that border France, so she's going to look and see what they do to bring back good things for us. So without further adieu, recognizing and honoring Gina Snyder on 14 years as Executive Director of East Falls Development Corporation. Whereas, Gina Snyder, Executive Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 Corporation, has served in that position for all 14 years; Whereas, East Falls Development Corporation provides community information for East Falls businesses, residents, visitors, including up-to-date information on activities on East Falls business opportunities, real estate, recreational activities, bars and restaurants; and
Whereas, EFDC started as a wholly volunteer organization with almost no budget. Determined to uplift the organization, Gina developed multiple funding streams that have put the corporation on sound financial footing, with a budget that has grown to over $200,000 per year. Gina, I don't know why you're going to France. We need you here. Whereas, Executive Director for the EFDC, Gina has worked tirelessly to encourage new investment in the business Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 local property owners' efforts to improve their facade; and
Whereas, Gina has championed several key projects that are of great significance to members of the East Falls community. She worked with the City's Mural Arts program to create new murals under the twin bridges and secured funds to light the Falls Bridge and to renovate the historic Bathey House, now the Trolley Car Cafe. Gina also helped to establish the "Gateway to East Falls," a pedestrian island with signature signage to calm traffic and welcome people to the neighborhood, as well as the "Dance on the Falls Bridge," a major event that has grown into a regional attraction; and Whereas, Gina was also instrumental in adding a parking lot and on-street parking along Ridge Avenue and installed streetscape improvements with new pedestrian-scale street lights. She Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 to City and started the East Falls Farmers' Market; and
Whereas, in addition to her day-to-day work in the community, Gina also has been involved in citywide economic development efforts, including ten years on the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, where she helped originate the Commercial Corridor Working Group. She also started and led the Northwest Commercial Corridors Coalition, a working group of organizations in Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy, Germantown, West Oak Lane, Roxborough, Manayunk and East Falls; and Whereas, in March of 2017, Gina announced that she was leaving her position as Executive Director of EFDC. Gina's leadership has been invaluable in building EFDC's capacity to secure funding and implement projects. She has raised EFDC's profile with local and state agencies and leaves the Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 projects underway; and
Wine, cheese, and truffles ain't a bad way to spend a year. Whereas, Gina will spend the next year traveling with her husband and two children to the south of France for a year; now, therefore, be it Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that it hereby recognizes and honors Gina Snyder on 14 years as Executive Director of the East Falls Development Corporation. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Gina Snyder as evidence of our sincere admiration of this entire legislative body. (Applause.)
And the Chair recognizes Ms. Snyder for remarks.
Thank you, Council Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 point, I'm actually very moved. I didn't think I would be. Just I really want to thank Councilman Jones, the other support of the City Councilmen. We started with Councilman Michael Nutter, who then became the Mayor. And I particularly wanted to thank former Councilman Wilson Goode, Jr., who started the Business Privilege Tax Credit program, and I really want to honor him. That program and the support from Councilman Jones and the other Councilpeople has allowed the East Falls Development Corporation to leverage millions of dollars in resources and to become another regional asset to Philadelphia. So I thank you very much for this honor, and I guess I wish you au revoir and a bientot, and I will be back in a year and we'll see what kind of adventures are in store at that point. Thank you. Stated Meeting May 4, 2017
Thank you. The next order of business is communications, and the Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, would you 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 May 1, 2017, I signed the following bills which were passed by Council at its session on April 20, 2017: Bill Nos. 161060, 161112, 170005, 170006, 170007, 170008, 170019, 170021, 170107, 170193-A, and 170291. And I am transmitting for the Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 body a resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Auburn Redevelopment Area, identified by house number and street address as 2246 East Cambria Street; and An ordinance approving the Fiscal Year 2018 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works (including the supplying of funds in connection therewith); and An ordinance constituting the Fourteenth Supplemental Ordinance to the General Gas Works Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1998; authorizing the City of Philadelphia to sell, either at public or private sale, one or more series of Gas Works Revenue Bonds; and An ordinance approving a Lease Agreement between Philadelphia Gas Works by Philadelphia Facilities Management Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 Corporation, solely in its capacity as operator and manager of the City-owned Philadelphia Gas Works, and Germantown Realty Investment Group for certain premises located at 212 through 214 West Chelten Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing, generally, the continued issuance and sale by the City of Philadelphia of Gas Works Revenue Notes of the City, prescribing the form of notes and providing for their execution and payment, pledging certain revenues of Gas Works as security, adopting a rate covenant and directing the imposition and collection of rates and charges sufficient to comply therewith; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, all or part of a parcel of land located in the area bounded by East Ontario Street, Weikel Street, Tulip Street, and East Tioga Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 Street, for further conveyance; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority all or part of a parcel of land commonly known as 600 through 616 West Girard Avenue, for further conveyance, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you, sir. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you. Good morning. I offer one resolution this morning.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Stated Meeting May 4, 2017
Thank you. And I should mention that this resolution was co-sponsored by Councilmembers Blackwell, Gym, Parker, O'Neill, and Greenlee, and I would like to speak very briefly, Mr. President, at the appropriate time on this resolution.
So three things. One, first I need to say thank you to the sponsors that led to today's resolution, which better captures the intent of the previous resolution and, more importantly, has captured the attention of those among us who care about the issue. I'm appreciative of those co-sponsors and other members who have expressed an interest about this issue wherein their own professional Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 experience has informed their expression. The goal is not to be adversarial. It's unproductive. While we seek to peel back the onion and seek answers to the questions, our hope in the long run is that we can offer recommendations to the School District and any other appropriate City agencies that can help us get our arm around this problem. Thank you, Mr. President.
A resolution authorizing the joint City Council Committees on Education and Children and Youth to Hold Hearings Reviewing the Impact of Permanently Prohibiting the Suspension of Elementary-Aged Students from the First through Fifth Grades in the School District of Philadelphia.
Councilman, the -- this resolution, it will be on today's Calendar. Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 The Chair recognizes -- you okay?
You want to do it at the time when we call it up?
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today. Oh, I'm sorry. I do. I have Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 one resolution that I'm so happy to introduce. It's co-signed by everyone and it's on your behalf.
A privileged resolution Honoring, Congratulating and Recognizing Julia R. Masterman School Students for Being Crowned World Finalists in the Odyssey of the Mind International Competition.
Thank you. That will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer one bill.
An ordinance to Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Diamond Street, Tenth Street, Berks Street, Eleventh Street, Norris Street, and Marvine Street.
And that bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. Today I offer one privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution declaring May 2017 "Brain Tumor Awareness Month" and further recognizing Philadelphia resident Jennifer Pownall for her efforts to raise awareness about brain tumors.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. One resolution co-sponsored by Councilwoman Bass and Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
A privileged resolution authorizing the joint City Council Committees on Public Safety, Public Health & Human Services, and the Environment to hold public hearings reviewing and investigating major planned construction by PECO to build a massive electric substation at 2000 North 59th Street in West Philadelphia.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 Council President. I have no bills or resolutions.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Council President. I have two bills, one co-sponsored by you and Councilwoman Bass.
An ordinance amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Health Code," by authorizing the Board of Health of the City of Philadelphia to regulate the operation and maintenance of food establishments, under certain terms and conditions.
And Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 that bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Cambria Street, Kensington Avenue, Allegheny Avenue, Jasper Street Clearfield Street, Helen Street, Elkhart Street, Emerald Street, Stella Street, and Frankford Avenue.
Referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Good morning, Council President. I have four bills and one non-privileged resolution. I'd like to speak on one of the bills and resolution at the appropriate time.
An ordinance establishing a business improvement Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 district encompassing certain taxable (for real estate tax purposes) hotels within the boundaries of the City and County of Philadelphia, to be known as the Philadelphia Hospitality Improvement Levy District; designating the Philadelphia Hospitality Improvement Levy District Corporation to serve as the Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association for the District.
Thank you, Council President. Clearly our city is on a roll. Just last week, as we all know, we had the great NFL Draft here in our city. Recently we also had the DNC as well as the papal visit, and then some years ago we started all this tourism development with the RNC back in 2000. However, it wasn't that long ago when the hospitality and tourism industry was not great here in the City of Philadelphia. Today's legislation Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 creates an improvement district which allows us to continue the progress that we have made in reference to hospitality and tourism in our city. We have approximately 8,000 employees at hotels throughout the City of Philadelphia, about 71,000 people that work in the hospitality industry. And this industry provides a living wage for people in our city and also provides an entry point for people to move up into other positions in the tourism industry. We need to continue and maintain the great progress that we're making in hospitality. This is one of our major sectors that bring dollars to our General Fund. It helps to provide entrepreneurship opportunities and economic development not only in the City of Philadelphia but throughout the region. And so as we continue to try to promote these great events in our city, you have other jurisdictions that are Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 also trying to do the same. Recently, we all are aware when the NBA All-Star Game decided to leave Charlotte because of legislation that was passed in their General Assembly, they were looking at coming to the City of Philadelphia with the All-Star Game, but because of some of the financial constraints that we have as a city, we were not able to successfully recruit the NBA All-Star Game to the City of Philadelphia. Through this legislation, we'll have the resources to do that and other great events that will help to continue the progress we're making in our hospitality and tourism industry. I look forward to an engaged conversation regarding this legislation and look forward to support from my colleagues for its future passage. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. Stated Meeting May 4, 2017
And an ordinance constituting the Fourteenth Supplemental Ordinance to the General Gas Works Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1998; authorizing the City of Philadelphia to sell, either at public or private sale, one or more series of Gas Works Revenue Bonds.
And an ordinance approving the Fiscal Year 2018 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works (including the supplying of funds in connection therewith).
And an ordinance authorizing, generally, the continued issuance and sale by the City of Philadelphia of Gas Works Revenue Notes of the City.
Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 Referred to committee.
And a non-privileged resolution initiating action to establish a business improvement district encompassing certain taxable (for real estate tax purposes) hotels within the boundaries of the City of Philadelphia and County of Philadelphia, to be known as the Philadelphia Hospitality Improvement Levy District, designating the Philadelphia Hospitality Improvement Levy District Corporation to serve as the Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association for the District.
That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one bill and two privileged resolutions. The first resolution recognizes Mellanie Lassiter Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 on her departure from PECO after ten years of service, although she will be staying in the Exelon family, and it's being co-sponsored by the women of Council, along with Councilmen Squilla and Henon. And the second resolution, Mr. President, I wish to be recognized after the title is read.
An ordinance legalizing an existing deck and fence encroachment at 5200 C Street.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Mellanie Lassiter on her departure from PECO after more than a decade of dedicated service to the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on the Final Passage Calendar today. Stated Meeting May 4, 2017
And a privileged resolution designating May 10, 2017, as World Lupus Day, on which lupus organizations around the world call for an increase in public- and private-sector funding for medical research on lupus; education programs for health professionals, patients, and the public; and worldwide recognition of lupus as a significant public health issue.
And that will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. My colleagues may notice the purple flyer on their desk, which states that May is Lupus Awareness Month. This resolution does recognize May 10th as World Lupus Day. It's the day on which lupus organizations around the world call for an increase in publicand private-sector funding for medical Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 research on lupus, education programs for health professionals, patients, and the public. This resolution is being co-sponsored by Councilmembers Reynolds Brown, Henon, Gym, Bass, Blackwell, and Sanchez, and I also just want to encourage my colleagues if we can all remember to wear purple next Wednesday for World Lupus Day and stop by the World Lupus Day rally at Dilworth Park from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. next Wednesday as well. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Good morning, Council President. I just want to note I'm a week early on the purple on my tie. But I have one privileged resolution today co-sponsored by Councilman Johnson, Councilwoman Parker, and Councilman Henon and the majority of Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 Councilmembers.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Finance to hold hearings to examine the City's Annual Reports requirement as it relates to every City office, department, board and commission that issues any permit, licenses or other document for which a fee is charged in order to ascertain and discuss with the Administration the current availability of these reports and going forward, a schedule which sets out when these reports can be made available to Council for this fiscal year and every fiscal year thereafter.
And that will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Good Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 morning, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Good morning, Council President. I have two privileged resolutions - Friends Hospital being honored for 200 years of service to patients, co-sponsored by myself, Councilmember Sanchez, Domb, Jones, and Gym, and the other being the Philadelphia Shipyard 20th Anniversary, and that is co-sponsored by myself and Councilmember Johnson, Henon, Domb, Councilmember Jones, and Parker.
A privileged resolution recognizing June 10th, 2017 as the 20 year Anniversary of Philly Shipyard in South Philadelphia and honoring its excellence in the art of Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 ship building, which continues the legacy of shipbuilding within our region and nation.
And a privileged resolution recognizing May 19, 2017 as the 200th Anniversary of the admittance of the First Patient at Friends Hospital in the City of Philadelphia and honoring Friends Hospital as being a steadfast leader in the moral treatment movement and providing recovery oriented care to hundreds of thousands of people in need.
Also on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Knights Road, Red Lion Read, East Keswick Road, Morrell Avenue, and Byberry Creek.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one bill and one non-privileged resolution.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, all or part of a parcel of land located in the area bounded by East Ontario Street, Weikel Street, Tulip Street, and East Tioga Street.
Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 Referred to committee.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Auburn Redevelopment Area, identified by house number and street address as 2246 East Cambria Street.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one non-privileged resolution and one bill.
An ordinance approving a lease agreement between Philadelphia Gas Works by Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation, solely in its capacity as operator and manager Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 of the City-owned Philadelphia Gas Works, and Germantown Realty Investment Group for certain premises located at 212 through 214 West Chelten Avenue.
And that bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution declaring May 4, 2017 as Children's Mental Health Awareness Day in the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I offer two privileged resolutions co-sponsored by members Blackwell, Henon, Quinones-Sanchez, Bass, Domb, Squilla, and Green. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. Stated Meeting May 4, 2017
A privileged resolution Recognizing and Honoring Philadelphia's Stephen Starr, Michael Solomonov, and Greg Vernick as Winners of the 2017 James Beard Awards.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution Honoring And Thanking The University Of The Sciences Philadelphia College Of Pharmacy's GenerationRx Student Chapter For Its Vision, Leadership, And Commitment In Developing And Successfully Implementing A Program To Educate Philadelphia Area Pharmacists About Increased Access To Naloxone.
Also on this week's Calendar. That concludes the introduction of bills and resolutions. We will now move to reports from committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for a report from the Committee on Rules. Stated Meeting May 4, 2017
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Rules reports 11 bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Rules, to which was referred Bill No. 160680, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Jackson Street, Broad Street, the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76), Vare Street, Passyunk Avenue, and 24th Street"; and Bill No. 170194, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 bounded by 29th Street, Sedgley Avenue, Ridge Avenue, and Glenwood Avenue"; and Bill No. 170201, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by amending Section 14-905, entitled 'Non Accessory Signs,' by authorizing the Director of Finance to create a separate fund for revenue collected by the City with respect to advertising on municipal property"; and Bill No. 170265, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Devereaux Avenue (extended), Keystone Street, Princeton Avenue, Keystone Street, Cottman Avenue (extended), Milnor Street, Bleigh Avenue (extended), and the Delaware River"; and Bill No. 170282, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 14-900 of The Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 Code, entitled 'Signs,' by providing for new sign controls, entitled '1900 Market Street Digital Display Sign Regulations'"; and Bill No. 170285, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 14-300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Administration and Procedures,' and making related changes"; and Bill No. 170306, entitled "An ordinance to reinstate Bill No. 140439 amending Section 14-502 of the Zoning Code, entitled 'CTR, Center City Overlay' and Section 14-602 of the Zoning Code, entitled 'Use Tables,' and to amend Section 14-803 'Motor Vehicle Parking Standards'"; and Bill No. 170310, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Aramingo Avenue, Cambria Street, Frankford Avenue, the Railroad Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 Right-of-Way, Kensington Avenue and Lehigh Avenue"; and Bill No. 170331, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Lehigh Avenue, 20th Street, Sedgley Avenue, and 22nd Street"; and Bill No. 170333, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Roosevelt Boulevard, Adams Avenue, Arrott Street, Oxford Avenue and Oxford Circle"; and Bill No. 170335, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' and Title 18 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Commerce,' to provide for the preparation and distribution of Project Information Forms Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 development projects; to revise the requirements for neighborhood notice and meetings; and to make related changes," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair one more time recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bills that were just read into the record, with the exception of Bill No. 170306.
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 160680, 170194, 170201, 170265, 170282, 170285, 170310, 170331, 170333, and 170335. All those in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. Bill No. 170306 will be placed on the First Reading Calendar at the next session of Council. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a report from the Committee of Finance.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Finance reports six bills out with a favorable recommendation. Stated Meeting May 4, 2017
The Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 170015, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 19-1703 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Refunds,' regarding credits and due dates"; and Bill No. 170016, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Finance, Taxes and Collections,' to include transfers between stepparents and stepchildren as a transaction excluded from the realty transfer tax"; and Bill No. 170205, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 10-1000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Fees,' to exempt the Land Bank from paying City recording fees in connection with property it acquires; amending Chapter 16-700, entitled 'Philadelphia Land Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 Bank,' to provide for the leasing out of Land Bank property; and amending Chapter 19-1400, entitled 'Realty Transfer Tax,' to exempt the Land Bank, and certain transactions involving the Land Bank, from payment of realty transfer tax"; and Bill No. 170308, entitled "An ordinance constituting the Sixteenth Supplemental Ordinance to the Amended and Restated General Airport Revenue Bond Ordinance, providing for certain amendments to the Amended and Restated General Airport Revenue Bond Ordinance"; and Bill No. 170329, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the City Treasurer, on behalf of the City, to enter into an amendment agreement with Wells Fargo Bank for provision of payroll banking services to the City"; and Bill No. 170330, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the City Treasurer, on behalf of the City, to enter into a professional services agreement with Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 for provision of payroll banking services to the City, under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill Nos. 170015, 170016, 170205, 170308, 170329, and 170330. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 170015, 170016, 170205, 170308, 170329, Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 170330. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. These bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez for a report from the Committee on Appropriations.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Appropriations reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Appropriations, to which was referred Bill No. 170332, entitled "An ordinance Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 for Fiscal Year 2017 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Water Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Community Development Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the rules of Council to be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 170332. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. 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. 170332. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and this bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Squilla for a report from the Committee on Streets and Services.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Streets and Services reports 16 bills with a favorable recommendation. Stated Meeting May 4, 2017
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Streets and Services, to which was referred Bill No. 161108, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 11-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Construction, Encroachments and Projections Over, On and Under Streets,' to provide additional requirements in connection with sidewalk closures"; and Bill No. 170002, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 269 by relocating the easterly houseline of University Avenue, from a point approximately five-hundred forty-five feet north of Curie Boulevard to a point approximately two-hundred thirty-six feet further northwardly therefrom"; and Bill No. 170086, entitled "An Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 269 by relocating portions of the houselines and curblines of Convention Avenue, from Thirty-Fourth Street to Health Sciences Drive, and placing on the City Plan two rights-of-way for drainage purposes within the vicinity of the intersection of Convention Avenue and Health Sciences Drive"; and Bill No. 170203, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the installation of all-way stop signs at the intersection of 57th Street and Wyalusing Avenue"; and Bill No. 170241, entitled "An ordinance granting permission to Houston Small and Debra Wilson, owners and operators of Tasty Eats Food Truck located in the right-of-way on the east side of 13th Street between Norris Street and Diamond Street, to install, use and maintain certain electrical wires, conduits and appurtenances in, under and Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 the east side of 13th Street between Norris Street and Diamond Street, for the purpose of supplying electricity to said lunch truck"; and Bill No. 170242, entitled "An ordinance granting permission to Stephen Ngo, owner and operator of the Royal Tea Food Truck located in the right-of-way on the north side of Norris Street between 13th Street and Broad Street, to install, use and maintain certain electrical wires, conduits and appurtenances in, under and over the right-of-way on the north side of Norris Street between 13th Street and Broad Street, for the purpose of supplying electricity to said lunch truck"; and Bill No. 170264, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Owen Kamihira of Bar Fred to install, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 1040 North 2nd Street"; and Bill No. 170281, entitled "An Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 of movement of traffic on American Street between Girard Avenue and Thompson Street"; and Bill No. 170283, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Piedmont 1901 Market to construct, own and maintain various right-of-way encroachments at 1901 Market Street"; and Bill No. 170284, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Brandywine Operating Partnership to construct, own and maintain various right-of-way encroachments at 1900 Market Street"; and Bill No. 170286, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on the 2600 and 2700 blocks of Winchester Avenue, both sides"; and Bill No. 170289, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Bicycle Lanes,' by authorizing the Department of Streets to designate bicycle lanes, in both directions, on American Street from Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 Avenue and for the removal of a travel lane on American Street, in the same limits"; and Bill No. 170292, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Ogontz Avenue from Somerville to Belfield Avenue"; and Bill No.
170305, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 9-200 of The Philadelphia Code (entitled 'Commercial Activities on Streets') by amending Section 9-213, entitled 'Farmers' Markets,' to revise certain provisions relating to the permissible location of the farmers' market on South 43rd Street near Clarke Park"; and Bill No. 170311, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 11-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Construction, Encroachments And Projections Over, On And Under Streets,' by adding definitions for 'Electric Vehicle' and 'Electric Vehicle Charger' and authorizing a new category of Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 permits may be obtained entitled, 'Electric Vehicle Chargers'"; and Bill No. 170336, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 12-1131 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Electric Vehicle Parking,' to provide for a time limit on the moratorium on new electric vehicle parking spaces," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair one more time recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the first reading this day of the bills that were just read into the record, with the exception of Bill No. 170289. (Duly seconded.)
Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bills that were just read into the record by the Chief Clerk, with the exception of Bill No. 170289. All those in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. Bill No. 170289 will be placed on our First Reading Calendar at the next session of Council. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with a suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 2ND READING reading. These bills will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at the next session of Council. As there are no additional 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, Mr. President. The following bills and resolutions are being called up for Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Bill Nos. 170412, 170413, 170418, 170120, 170121, 170122, 170123, 170124, 170140, 160010, 170243, 170334, 170108, 170139, 170142, 170168, and 170309. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you, Councilman. Before considering these bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today, we will have our public Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 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 middle of the Council Chambers. There's a podium. There's a device on that podium. When the 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 the guidelines and conclude your remarks. You will be given three minutes to testify. Mr. Decker, read the first name.
Joe Danihel, commenting on 160010, 170142, 170374, 170168, and 170139. (Witness approached podium.) Stated Meeting May 4, 2017
Good morning. This is an official decree of the people of writ of mandamus quo warranto and, as such, must be acted upon and have remedy immediately provided. By continuing to use the DA, Redevelopment Authority, and the Sheriff's Department, the Council and the Mayor appear to be violating oath of office, laws, and Constitution. 18 USC 242, deprivation of rights under color of law. Whoever under the color of any law, statute, ordinance, regulation or custom woefully subjects any inhabitant of any state, territory or district to the deprivation of any rights, privileges or immunity secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States or to different punishments, pains or penalties on account of such or by reason of his color or race shall be fined not more than a thousand dollars or prison, not more than one year or both per occurrence. Why are most paid for their Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 homes, but I have been repeatedly woefully, egregiously denied just compensation, trial by jury, and due process for my home, 1038 West Wyoming Avenue, 23 years waiting for payments guaranteed by the Constitution and laws, while others were paid in as little as three years? Discrimination? The Constitutions require immediate remedy of this breach of law. Your oath of office requires you to act or face prison. 42 USC 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 18 USC 241, 242, 2381, 2384, PA Constitution, Article 1, Sections 1 through 11, 26 PA CSA 703, 705, 708, 709, 712, 713, 716, and other laws listed in SCOTUS 15-8965, 14-1330, 14-4056 appear violated. I call for the federal and Commonwealth governments to perform their constitutional obligations to investigate and prosecute all involved in the theft and illegal deed transfer of my home, Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 1038 West Wyoming. The denial of God-given 42 USC 1982 property rights for 23 years is egregious, extraordinary, oath-violating, and requires immediate remedy. A just government must obey the rule of law. This color of law government must have its Charter to govern revoked until a constitutionally compliant government is installed. Public servants cannot refuse their sworn duty to act any more than a fireman can refuse to fight a fire. The sovereign people require the Constitution and laws be enforced. Jail is required for all who violate oath or law. It takes a lot of cooperation to create and allow monumental corruption.
George Walley, commenting on 170408. (Witness approached podium.) Stated Meeting May 4, 2017
Hi. How is everybody doing today? I wanted to propose just a small revision to the Resolution 170408. I am in favor of prohibiting the suspension of elementary-aged students from first through fifth grades. However, I propose that there should be an exception for violent cases, such as when a child may be in danger or vice versa. And also rather than suspending children, I feel as though it would be more beneficial to provide training and resources to involve interventions that promote different values such as respect, tolerance, that promote community togetherness and also acceptance of others; for example, maybe love and kindness, meditation for different children in order to maybe decrease bullying or decrease violent behaviors in children or decrease aggression, issues Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 5/4/17 - STATED - 2ND READING such as that.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today. Mr. Decker, 170412.
A resolution urging the Pennsylvania State Legislature to adopt Senate Bill 1134, which seeks to enhance conviction integrity in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by ensuring access to post-conviction DNA testing.
Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 5/4/17 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 170412 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 170413.
A resolution urging the Pennsylvania Legislature to reject Senate Bill 383, which would permit school personnel to carry concealed firearms in schools.
Thank you, Council President. I'd like to speak on this resolution before I call for the vote, please. Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 5/4/17 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Council President. Yesterday, Council President, in Cheltenham High School, there were four young ladies fighting in the school hallway. During that fight, four young men also joined in the fight, and eight teachers tried to break up the fight, where two of the teachers suffered concussions and one was actually knocked out. And as I watched the news last evening, we kept seeing the clips of these young people fighting and this teacher being knocked out. And so today I am calling on our House -- the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, specifically the Senate, to reject Bill 383. During a report, the Pennsylvania Senate and House both studied the issue of allowing school personnel to carry firearms and found it not advisable. The Pennsylvania House Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 5/4/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Select Committee on School Safety explicitly stated in 2014 that it did not recommend arming general school personnel. In the same report, testimony from state agencies, law enforcement groups, education groups, and district attorneys led the Select Committee to recommend that only, only school police officers or security officers be armed on school property. An advisory committee on violence prevention, formed at the direction of the State Senate, echoed the same conclusions of the House Select Committee when it wrote in its 2014 report, Police officers undergo extensive training in the use of their weapons, and teachers do not. Therefore, it is unreasonable to expect a teacher to have the same firearms competency as a law enforcement officer and not sound policy to assign such responsibility to a teacher. And so if you watched the video Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 5/4/17 - STATED - 2ND READING yesterday and I remember in my district at John Bartram High School another teacher was knocked out, it just shows how this particular bill, if passed, would put all children and teachers and school personnel in harm's way. Although a person may have the right to carry an arm and they may be certified, they may not be able to defend themselves in an environment that may be hostile when a fight starts, and who is to say if a young person that has a mental health issue or a young person just totally knocked the teacher out and takes their gun. And so I just want to ask for an affirmative vote from all of my colleagues in rejecting Senate Bill 383. We understand that people have a right to carry firearms and I recognize, but we want to use common sense. In this particular case, this isn't common sense. I think it will put more people in harm than it would as it relates to keeping Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 5/4/17 - STATED - 2ND READING our young people safe. Thank you, Council President, and I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you, Councilman. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 170413 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 170418.
A resolution initiating action to continue the Mt. Stated Meeting May 4, 2017 5/4/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Airy Business Improvement District beyond its termination date in an area that generally includes both sides of Germantown Avenue from 6300 to 7631 and certain blocks of streets that intersect that portion of Germantown Avenue, for which Mt. Airy Improvement District, Inc., a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, serves as the Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)