Good afternoon. State your name for the record and please proceed. COUNCIL SUPPORT: Susan Jacobson is not connected, Council President. STATED MEETING 148 6/23/2022
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public comment session. We will now consider today's Resolution Consent Agenda. I will ask Mr. Decker please read the titles of all the resolutions on the Consent Agenda, and after each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the 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, please read the titles of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Resolution No. STATED MEETING 149 6/23/2022 220603, entitled 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"; and Resolution No. 220604, 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 1535, 1601, 1603, 1605, and 1607 North Thirty-Third Street, 3201 through 3207, 3216 and 3225 through 3231 West Oxford Street"; and Resolution No. 220605, entitled a "Resolution adding the Honorable Congressman Dwight Evans to the street signs on 7100 Ogontz Avenue in honor of STATED MEETING 150 6/23/2022 of service to the people of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 220606, entitled a "Resolution calling on the City of Philadelphia to establish a committee to plan and host athletic events for Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Philadelphia, with the goal of establishing an annual, Philadelphia-based HBCU Classic"; and Resolution No. 220607, entitled a "Resolution adding Thurgood M. Matthews, Esquire to the street signs on the 1000 block of Chelten Avenue in honor of his fierce advocacy on behalf of his clients, leadership in the courtroom, investment in his local community, and service to the people of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 220608, entitled a "Resolution honoring Philadelphia playwright, actor, director, and educator James Ijames, whose play 'Fat Ham' was named the 2022 Pulitzer Prize winner for STATED MEETING 151 6/23/2022 drama, and whose work has brought a brilliant, joyful, and poignant voice for Black and queer America to the stage"; and Resolution No. 220609, entitled a "Resolution honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week, 9-year-old kidpreneur Asil Greer, on being the youngest author in the City of Philadelphia while promoting literacy in underserved Philadelphia communities"; and Resolution No. 220610, entitled a "Resolution also naming the 3900 Block of Ford Road as 'Herb Douglas Way,' in honor of Herb Douglas, the oldest living American Olympic medalist, for his many life achievements, on and off the track"; and Resolution No. 220611, entitled a "Resolution approving the redevelopment contract and the ground lease agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban STATED MEETING 152 6/23/2022 a portion of the South Central Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 614 through 626 South Thirteenth Street (including 1306 through 1310 Kater Street and 1309 through 1313 Bainbridge Street)"; and Resolution No. 220612, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 2603 Wilder Street"; and Resolution No. 220613, entitled a "Resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Eastwick Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2604 Island Avenue"; and Resolution No. 220614, entitled a "Resolution urging the Board of STATED MEETING 153 6/23/2022 Taxes to adopt a policy of accepting all nunc pro tunc property assessment appeals filed for Tax Year 2023 by January 2, 2023, due to the ongoing delay in mailing property reassessment notices"; and Resolution No.
220615, entitled a "Resolution urging the United States Congress to pass legislation to effectuate the bipartisan agreement on gun violence prevention recently negotiated in the United States Senate"; and Resolution No. 220617, entitled a "Resolution also naming the 2900 block of South Sydenham Street 'Theodore Scairato Sr Way' to honor the life and legacy of Theodore Scairato, Sr. for serving the South Philadelphia Community for over 70 years"; and Resolution No. 220618, entitled a "Resolution also naming the 2100 block of South Earp Street 'Frank 'Tick' Coleman Way' to honor the life and legacy STATED MEETING 154 6/23/2022 Frank 'Tick' Coleman for his contributions to South Philadelphia as an educator, athlete, community volunteer, and mentor to many youths in the City of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 220619, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the Third Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: Brandywine Street, Olive Street, Melon Street, North Shedwick Street, Wallace Street, North 33rd Street, and North 35th Street"; and Resolution No. 220620, entitled a "Resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Mantua Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 3618 Wallace Street"; and STATED MEETING 155 6/23/2022 220621, entitled a "Resolution approving the Fourteenth Amendment to the Redevelopment Agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the University City Unit No. 3 Urban Renewal Area, identified as Parcel No. 13A and Parcel No. "
Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion to adopt each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Thank STATED MEETING 156 6/23/2022 you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's 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 adopted. We will now consider today's Bill Consent Agenda. I will ask Mr. Decker to please read the titles of all of the bills on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the bill on STATED MEETING 157 6/23/2022 Agenda. Upon such an objection, without debate, this bill will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on our regular Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the titles of the bills on the Consent Agenda.
Bill No. 210740-A, entitled, "An ordinance amending Chapter 9-1000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Trades,' and Chapter 9-3000, entitled 'Sheet Metal Technician', to create a license requirement for Mechanical System Contractors and to modify licensing requirements applicable to Sheet Metal Systems Technicians"; and Bill No. 220504-A, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 12-2700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Permit Parking Districts,' by amending the boundaries for certain permit parking districts"; and STATED MEETING 158 6/23/2022 220517-A, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the installation, ownership, and maintenance of various encroachments in the vicinity of 1 Convention Avenue"; and Bill No. 210478, entitled "An ordinance establishing a parking regulation in the vicinity of: Frazier Street and Spruce Street; Ludlow Street and South 58th Street; Yewdall Street and Larchwood Avenue; Reinhard Street and South 47th Street; South 48th Street and Reinhard Street; Baring Street and North 32nd Street; Brandywine Street and North 34th Street; Hamilton Street and North 35th Street; Haverford Avenue and North 32nd Street; Haverford Avenue and North 40th Street; Wallace Street and North 33rd Street; Mandela Way and North 46th Street; Mount Vernon Street and North 33rd Street; Preston Street and Baring Street; St. Malachys Way and North 46th Street; Spring Garden Street and North 40th Street; North 31st Street and STATED MEETING 159 6/23/2022 Street; Samson Street and South 49th Street; South 61st Street and Walnut Street; Irving Street and South 51st Street; Ruby Street and Market Street; Pine Street and South 46th Street; Mount Vernon Street and North 32nd Street; North 42nd Street and Baring Street; and State Street and Powelton Avenue"; and Bill No. 220110, entitled "An ordinance amending Section A-303 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Demolition and Relocation of Structures,' to add additional requirements for the issuance of demolition permits for structures currently or previously used as religious facilities"; and Bill No. 220490, entitled "An ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of a pedestrian underpass in the vicinity of 5700 through 30 City Avenue"; and Bill No. 220527, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-212 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Newsstands,' STATED MEETING 160 6/23/2022 provisions related to removal and relocation"; and Bill No. 220287, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 10-1001 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Fees of Commissioner of Records,' to increase certain fees for the recording of deeds and mortgages and related documents"; and Bill No. 220288, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 19-1403 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Imposition of Tax,' by creating a Philadelphia County Demolition Fund to increase and encourage economic development by demolishing blighted properties within the City, imposing a related fee for recorded documents and related items"; and Bill No. 220413, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 19-1303 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Discounts and Additions to Tax,' by tolling additions, interest and penalties on real estate tax when the assessed value of STATED MEETING 161 6/23/2022 under appeal and limiting tax payments due based on certain assessments under appeal"; and Bill No. 200118, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by revising certain provisions of Chapter 14-700, entitled 'Development Standards,' by revising bulk and massing controls within CMX-4 and CMX-5 zoning districts"; and Bill No.
220323, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 14-513 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled '/TOD, Transit-Oriented Development Overlay District,' to designate additional Transit-Oriented Development Transit Stations"; and Bill No. 220357, entitled "An ordinance to approve amendments to the Temple University Master Plan in the area bounded by Montgomery Avenue, 13th Street, Polett Walk and 12th Street, related to the new College of Health STATED MEETING 162 6/23/2022 1801 through 59 North 13th Street"; and Bill No. 220358, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by amending certain provisions of Section 14-503, '/NCA, Neighborhood Commercial Area Overlay District,' related to the Ridge Avenue /NCA district"; and Bill No. 220363, entitled "An ordinance amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by South Street, the Schuylkill River, 34th Street, University Avenue, Civic Center Boulevard, and Health Sciences Drive; and to approve amendments to the University of Pennsylvania Master Plan in the area bounded by South Street, the Schuylkill River, 34th Street, University Avenue, Civic Center Boulevard, and Health Sciences Drive, related to the proposed STATED MEETING 163 6/23/2022 building at 2910 South Street"; and Bill No. 220417, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by revising Section 14-303 Subparagraph 11A, entitled 'Registered Community Organizations,' by establishing a fund to be used by Registered Community Organizations to obtain legal representation for hearings and appeals before the Zoning Board of Adjustments"; and Bill No. 220445, 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 Cottman Avenue, Oxford Avenue, Tyson Avenue, Rising Sun Avenue, Glenview Street, Bingham Street, Kerper Street, Rising Sun Avenue, Unruh Avenue, Martins Mill Road, City Boundary, and Hasbrook Avenue"; and Bill No. 220446, entitled "An STATED MEETING 164 6/23/2022 Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by revising certain provisions of Section 14-520, entitled '/NDO, Ninth District Overlay District'"; and Bill No. 220450, 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 Woodland Avenue, 49th Street, Grays Avenue, and 54th Street"; and Bill No. 220451, 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 Arch Street, 50th Street, Pine Street, and 54th Street"; and Bill No. 220452, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 14-513 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled '/TOD, Transit-Oriented Development Overlay District,' to designate additional STATED MEETING 165 6/23/2022 Transit Stations"; and Bill No. 220456, 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 Market Street (Extended), the Delaware River, Dock Street (Extended), and 2nd Street, in order to facilitate development of public open space extending above Christopher Columbus Boulevard and the Delaware Expressway"; and Bill No.
220457, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Public Property Commissioner to execute all documents necessary and appropriate, including conveyances of easements, title, and other interests in City-owned real estate, new leases and amendments to existing leases, to facilitate and support the coordinated and comprehensive development of the Delaware River waterfront, Interstate 95, and STATED MEETING 166 6/23/2022 Boulevard (formerly a portion of Delaware Avenue), in the area bounded by Market Street, Pemberton Street, Front Street, and the Delaware River bulkhead line"; and Bill No. 220458, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' to amend certain provisions of Chapter 14-500, entitled 'Overlay Zoning Districts,' by amending the provisions of Section 14-527, entitled '/SMH, South Philadelphia Municipal Hub Overlay District'"; and Bill No. 220293, entitled "An ordinance amending Bill No. 190412, entitled 'An ordinance approving City participation in the Commonwealth's Property Assessed Clean Energy Program,' to modify the C-PACE program in conformity with Commonwealth legislation and to make other conforming changes"; and Bill No. 220506, entitled "An STATED MEETING 167 6/23/2022 and approving the execution and delivery of a Service Agreement between The City of Philadelphia and The Philadelphia Energy Authority relating to the financing of the construction, equipping and installation of an energy efficient City street lighting system and related improvements; approving the issuance by such Authority of bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness in one or more series to finance or refinance such project and authorizing and approving the obligation of the City to pay in full when due the Service Fee and other amounts payable under the Service Agreement"; and Bill No. 220508, entitled "An ordinance approving a Substantial Amendment to the Annual Action Plan 2021 through 2022 to add $42,007,561 in HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funding"; and Bill No. 220509, entitled "An STATED MEETING 168 6/23/2022 the Director of Planning and Development, on behalf of the City, to file applications with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for a Community Development Block Grant; to file applications to participate in the HOME Investment Partnership program and the Emergency Solutions Grant program; and to apply for a Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS grant"; and Bill No. 220510, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the City Treasurer, on behalf of the City, to enter into an amendment agreement with Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania for provision of payroll banking services to the City"; and Bill No. 220511, entitled "An ordinance approving the Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works (including the supplying of funds in connection therewith) subject to certain constraints STATED MEETING 169 6/23/2022 conditions"; and Bill No. 220529, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Fire Commissioner and the Revenue Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Human Services to enable the City to maintain and provide access to emergency medical services"; and Bill No. 220496, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to grant PECO Energy Company an easement for the purpose of installing transmission lines across a portion of the parcel or parcels of land in the area bounded by 34th Street, Grays Ferry Avenue and the Schuylkill River Pierhead Line"; and Bill No.
220521, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Chief Information Officer for the City of Philadelphia to enter into a professional services agreement for up to sixty months STATED MEETING 170 6/23/2022 to obtain hosting and managed services for the OnePhilly HR, Benefits, Payroll, Time and Attendance system"; and Bill No. 220522, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, all or a portion of certain parcels of land in and about the area bounded by Wharton, 12th, Reed, and 11th Streets for further conveyance; to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for use by the City of Philadelphia of a premises located at 1357 South 12th Street"; and Bill No. 220524, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property and the Director of Commerce, on behalf of the City, to enter into a lease agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for property within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Interstate 95 right-of-way between Spring STATED MEETING 171 6/23/2022 and Allegheny Avenue, as well as certain portions of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's North Delaware Avenue right-of-way between Spring Garden Street and Allegheny Avenue and certain portions of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Richmond Street right-of-way between Spring Garden and Allegheny Avenue, to be further subleased by the City to the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation"; and Bill No. 220525, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to convey to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, all or a portion of a parcel or parcels of land in and about the area bounded by Front Street, East Allen Street, Canal Street and Laurel Street"; and Bill No. 210870, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 10-400 of The Philadelphia Code ('Noise and Excessive Vibration') to establish a prohibition on STATED MEETING 172 6/23/2022 emanating from a motor vehicle and to add a section authorizing use of an automated system for determining violations of that prohibition"; and Bill No. 220321, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Designation of Bicycle Lanes,' to authorize a bicycle lane on Woodland Avenue from The Woodlands driveway to the VA Medical Center Driveway"; and Bill No. 220459, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 284 by relocating the northwesterly houseline and the curblines of Hillcrest Avenue from its current intersection with Germantown Avenue to a point northeastwardly therefrom, thereby widening the said portion of Hillcrest Avenue and modifying its intersection with said Germantown Avenue"; and Bill No. 220493, entitled "An ordinance amending Subsection (11) STATED MEETING 173 6/23/2022 ('Leases and Subleases') of Section 17-107 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Contractors: Labor Management Relationships' to provide that any City airport operating agreement or regulations of the City concerning rates and charges for the use of Airport gates and other facilities shall be deemed to incorporate the prevailing wage requirements applicable to City leases, Covered Airport Service Contracts and Covered Airport Service Employees"; and Bill No. 220526, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 9-2300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Protection of Displaced Contract Workers' to extend protections for displaced contract workers to airport service employees and parking workers employed through service contracts or subcontracts to perform work within the City of Philadelphia"; and Bill No.
220366, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation, STATED MEETING 174 6/23/2022 of the City, to execute a lease with CP 2023, a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, under which CP 2023 would design, construct, operate, maintain, and repair a museum building on the southerly side of Benjamin Franklin Parkway between the Vine Street Expressway, 21st Street, and 22nd Street, to display works of art by Alexander Calder and the Calder family of artists, all at no cost or expense to the City; and exempting the lease from the requirements of Philadelphia Code Chapter 15-100 regarding parks and outdoor spaces"; and Bill No. 220294, entitled "An ordinance amending Bill No. 100163-AA, entitled 'An ordinance authorizing the City of Philadelphia to organize an authority to be known as The Philadelphia energy Authority, pursuant to the terms of the 'Municipality Authorities Act,' of 2001, as amended,' to reaffirm the responsibilities and powers of the Authority"; and STATED MEETING 175 6/23/2022 220573, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to enter into an agreement with the Philadelphia Energy Authority to purchase electricity and certain attributes and benefits related to the generation of such electricity from a solar energy facility to be built and owned by, Solaer USA PNE, located at Northeast Philadelphia Airport for use at and in connection with City facilities"; and Bill No. 220574, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Use Of An Automated Red Light Enforcement System To Prevent Red Light Violations,' by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of 20th and John F. Kennedy Boulevard"; and Bill No. 220575, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Use Of An STATED MEETING 176 6/23/2022 Light Enforcement System To Prevent Red Light Violations,' by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of Kelly Drive and Eakins Oval"; and Bill No. "
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Impressive. These bills having been read on two different days, the question for each bill now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, can you please call the roll, and upon being called, each Councilmember shall vote aye on each of the bills, nay on each of the bills, or indicate which of those bills that the member is voting aye and those bills for which the member is voting nay. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez. STATED MEETING 179 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye on all bills. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative for each of the bills, the bills on the Consent Agenda are passed. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220197-A.
A resolution STATED MEETING 180 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to create the Department of Aviation, to transfer the functions of certain City agencies with respect to the operations of the City's Airports to the newly-created Department and to provide for additional duties of the Department.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson for a motion.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Because Resolution No. 220197-A is an amendment to Home Rule Charter, it requires two-thirds vote. Therefore, the question is shall this resolution be adopted. Mr. Decker, please call the roll. STATED MEETING 181 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. STATED MEETING 182 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. Two-thirds of all members of Council having voted in the affirmative, STATED MEETING 183 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Resolution No. 220197-A has been adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220544.
A resolution confirming the appointment of Sarah-Ashley Andrews to the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Council President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) STATED MEETING 184 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220545.
A resolution confirming the appointment of Chau Wing Lam to the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez for a motion.
Thank you, Council President. Again, on your behalf, I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
STATED MEETING 185 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 200040-A and -go ahead, Mr. Decker. I'm sorry.
A resolution proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for a preference in civil service examinations for any qualified graduate of a Career Technical Education program in the School District of Philadelphia.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you. Thank you so much, Mr. President. I just wanted to -- somebody needs to go on mute.
Technology professionals, can we STATED MEETING 186 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING please -
Can everyone please put your cameras on mute, please.
Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to be clear for the record that I thank all veterans for their service to our great country, including my late father, James William Gilmore. I also want to be clear that I respect veterans, and I have tried to work with the veterans on this issue. I really greatly regret that this misinformation campaign got out of hand in this way. I have tried for two years, two years, going through 900 positions, countless meetings, to try to make this better. And I want to be clear, the veterans asked me to amend this bill to ensure that if a veteran and a CTE student are up for the same job, that the CTE student cannot use the point STATED MEETING 187 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING preference. Those were the amendments that were introduced and approved last week. I will repeat. The veterans that we met with asked me to amend the bill to ensure if a veteran and a CTE student are up for the same job, that the CTE student cannot use the point preference, and that amendment was approved last week. Also, veterans will still have their ten point preference always. We would never take that away from veterans. Veterans would still have their ten point preference. In fact, 133 veterans have used this preference to gain City employment in the last five years. Lastly, this would be a Charter change and need to go before the voters for approval, meaning a yes vote is just to get this question before the voters to approve or disapprove. And you do that so that no matter what administration is in office, we ensure that the CTE STATED MEETING 188 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING students will always receive the point preference. It's only five points. There are eight other preferences in the City that's currently being used, and they are not ten points and this would not be ten points. And I would never take anything away from veterans ever. I would never do that. And we cannot do that, because the ten points are awarded by state law. So I just wanted to say that for the record, Council President, prior to calling this bill up for a vote. I have done everything that you can do. I have had every meeting one could have. I have tried to reach out to every group that has contacted us. I have -- there's no more than you can do when philosophically someone is against an issue. And, you know, everyone talks about providing opportunity for young people and wanting to give our young people in the City a chance, and this is STATED MEETING 189 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING our opportunity to do that when we are facing a retirement crisis and have a lot of vacancies. And, again, I have tried everything I can do to ensure that correct information has gotten out to our veterans community. And as I stated last week, I do disavow how this process has evolved, because I have not heard back from some folks that I've reached out to trying to help them ascertain clarity around this bill and around this issue. We have taken a lot of hard votes in this body, and I have been here in and around this body for a long time and have seen that, but I've done all that I can do on this issue. And I also see that Councilmember Oh would like to make a comment, but, Councilmember Oh, you can also return my phone call. You can also reply back to the e-mail, which you have not done. And I apologize, Council STATED MEETING 190 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING President, because I know that you don't like this in the public, and I apologize, but Councilmember Oh has never returned my phone call, but he has shared the e-mails with the veterans community where he goes into a diatribe that is not true and related to this bill and does not respond back to me. And that is not behavior that should be allowed in this body, because I'm not the first colleague he's done this to, and if we continue to allow this, I won't be the last. So I ask for your support of this resolution today and of these bills.
I'd like to be heard on that before we take a vote, Council President.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh. STATED MEETING 191 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Okay. Thank you very much. There is misinformation. That happens a lot. It happens on social media. It happens in the -
Point of information, Council President. And, Councilmember Oh, you started it. You started the misinformation.
-- number one. That's not true. What happens is, you came up -
Time out. We're not going to get into this in public. Councilman Oh is recognized. Say what you have to say, Councilman.
What I'm saying is, I've been accused of starting a STATED MEETING 192 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING misinformation campaign two years ago and again today. There's no misinformation campaign. There is information. It is misunderstood. I have been very clear. Two years ago there was an effort to do a ten point preference. It was amended to five point, and then recently the five point was amended so that it would not compete with veterans. I've been very clear about that. What is not understood, despite how many times it's been said to the Councilmember, is it is not okay with veterans, and I'm going to explain why, because it is something that just cannot be conveyed not only to the sponsor of the bill, the author of the bill, but to some other members of this body, and I'm going to try to explain it. I just -
Point of information, Council President. Point of information. Point of information.
STATED MEETING 193 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Councilmember Oh, can you please publicly state to this body how you came to my office and asked me not to introduce this bill and basically you would sick the veterans on me if I did so? Please advise.
I cannot sick anybody on anyone. I am not the puppet master. I'm not the head of anything. Like you, I'm an elected official and certain constituents I know closely, like you. I do not go to certain constituents because I'm not invited, but you are. In my case, I am in constant contact with veterans, so they naturally talk to me. They feel they are the victim of a harsh government. They feel frustrated. They feel a loss of power. STATED MEETING 194 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING They are threatened by what you are doing. You are not the victim here. They are conveying to me their frustration and fear and anger, and I simply convey that. I do disagree with your bill, and I have tried to say that in the most polite way I can. I'm now making a public comment to try to explain to our colleagues the reason why they are opposed to your bill. I understand you have good intentions. I respect you. I respect the work you do. We're just going to have to agree to disagree. But (connection issues) stated ever what your bill is, your purpose, I've not misstated that. I have been very respectful about you. If you are upset that they do not get what you're trying to do, that's where we are. They do not get what you are trying to do, and I'm going to try to explain why for the last time before we STATED MEETING 195 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING vote. That's all. May I proceed, Mr. President?
A lot of this discussion has been centered around what veterans want and don't want. That's not the issue primarily in this matter. It is an important issue, but it's not the only issue. There is a level playing field for everyone. Everyone takes a test. There are four different ways people take a test to get a civil service job. One is a written exam. One is an oral exam. Another is by performing a task that shows that you can do what you're supposed to know. And the final one is basically your training and experience, which is your resume. There are four different ways to get a job here. The effort in light of what is approaching, which is a retirement of many City workers, that is not a problem. STATED MEETING 196 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING On a yearly basis, the City receives 73,000 applications for basically 1,500 jobs, 73,000 applications for 1,500 jobs. And the number of people who pass the City exam is more than the jobs available. A study done by the Pew Foundation in 2018 went through this in a very easy-to-understand manner, a June report, and what they articulated is why there is a problem in Philadelphia. Philadelphia of the top 30 cities when it comes to hiring is number 30, number 30 out of 30 in terms of what is primarily described as a rigid, slow process with lack of flexibility. That is the main problem. So 73,000 people apply for 1,500 jobs. Many people pass the test, however the test is, and the majority of times it's a written or oral test. Twenty-five percent of the times it's going to be based on your resume. After they pass the test, they STATED MEETING 197 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING are eligible for bonus points, and Philadelphia has more bonus points than any other city in America, big city, and the Pew report says that is a bad thing. When, for example, they looked at the 2013 firefighter exam and test, 239 candidates scored above 100, because not only did they do well on the test, they had bonus points. There are less than 60 positions available. So we don't even get into -- because it's a ranking. When you pass the test, you're eligible and then you are ranked by your score. Add bonus points, you have more people eligible, beyond qualified based on the test, for positions that are not -there's not that many positions. So the Pew report is against basically bonus points, but we as a legislative body have a different point of view when we want to include, for example, something related to the job, such as five years being a paramedic working for the City of Philadelphia. We STATED MEETING 198 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING value that, so they get points when they apply to be a firefighter, but nothing else. Or one point for language or things like that. Those are the points. The federal and state law requires -- there's nothing about Philadelphia. It requires a veterans preference. The rest is the City Charter or the civil service. So when we look at trying to fill jobs in the future and making competitive, if we give five points to public school graduates of the CTE program, we are basically disadvantaging every other person. That means everyone who graduated from a neighborhood school, everyone who graduated from a Catholic CTE school, a non-profit, a GED, someone who arrived in Philadelphia from another country, never went to Philadelphia high school, everyone else is disadvantaged by five points. They do all have to pass the test, but then you get your bonus points, and you are hired in that order, STATED MEETING 199 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING and there are more people with bonus points than there are jobs. So the Pew report and the facts of how we would encourage and fill our positions would come out against additional bonus points. On top of that, putting it in a charter, which can only be changed by the voters after five years, is exactly what the Pew report says not to do.
You are creating more rigidity, less flexibility, and you are creating a problem. The problem is this: There are about 900 students who graduate from a dedicated CTE school related to the Philadelphia public school system. There are another like 4,000-something, close to 5,000 in total who go to regular high school that participate in some type of program. Their credentials are considered already under training and experience, training and experience when that is a measurement, and it is also placed in certain of the existing STATED MEETING 200 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING criteria; for example, for firefighter, if you have a CTE type program or things like that. The Charter change is not giving five points related to what they studied at the CTE level. It is just five points for any job on a citywide basis. There's three different types of jobs. One open for everyone, one open only for City workers, and one open only for department workers. So when you disadvantage a large portion of those 73,000 people who took the exam, did well but will not be able to get a shot at having a job because of bonus points, somebody is going to say, what about kids with disabilities, what about kids who got a GED, what about kids in Catholic school, what about kids -- you're going to go through people who got a two-year degree, people who were incarcerated, people who -- you're going to go through it, STATED MEETING 201 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING because it is unfair to reduce their opportunity when they've studied for the test like everybody else by five points by giving roughly, you know, a few hundred people five more points than everybody else for no reason. That is why veterans oppose this bill. It is the fact that they do not see the hiring preference as a perk. It doesn't matter you don't take their ten points away. You give five points to somebody. It is that veterans feel strongly that there should be a level playing field, and their earned ten points is because of their service and sacrifice. It's not a perk, and they do not look at this as a perk. When it starts being given out for reasons they cannot understand, they oppose it. Now, if they can understand, such as someone's father, mother died in the line of duty in a similar situation to veterans, they put on a uniform, they go fight a fire, STATED MEETING 202 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING they put on a uniform, they get shot while they're trying to stop a crime, they are sympathetic to that. They do understand, for example, that we need languages in this city. When you fight a fire, you show up and people can't speak English, when you're a paramedic, nobody knows how to help, they do understand the points. They do understand that we respect someone who didn't serve in the military but volunteered to serve in the Peace Corps or AmeriServe and what points they get for that for year of service for $7,500. They don't oppose it. You know, so I simply want to say this: I don't create this animosity or anger. I would be one incredible person. I might be the most powerful person in Philadelphia if I could do that, and I'm the least important person on this Council. It's just that I'm in touch with the veterans and they conveyed to me and I conveyed to you. STATED MEETING 203 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING You're going to take your vote for whatever reasons you feel, but I'm just letting you know there are large veterans organizations and small veterans organizations, and they are dedicated veterans organizations, and veterans feel strongly, as do active-duty military, that veterans hiring preferences are not like extra things. It's not a perk or a tip or something. It's not to be given out lightly, and that is where they feel the opposition. And I've expressed their feelings. You're going to take your vote based on the way you feel about that. That's understood.
But I'm just letting you know, one, veterans by and large and active-duty military need to have a good reason why the preference, which since the Civil War has been based on veterans, those who survive. If they cannot understand or see why those five points for such a small group of people that simply graduated that will not increase STATED MEETING 204 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING the pool, that will not increase -- which would otherwise just disadvantage everyone else, they don't see that other than a slippery slope of frankly elected officials trying to please particular groups, and that is why they are upset. So --
To me, I do respect their opinion. I will be voting no. I do want to explain that, and I will say that I disagree with the sponsor of the bill, without animosity. I've tried to make that clear. I don't think this helps the children of Philadelphia, the students. I think it's a disadvantage to fair competition. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Councilman. Councilwoman, good? Ready to move forward with the motion? Thank you. All right. Let's STATED MEETING 205 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING start the -- just do the motion again, because you left it off at asking people for support. So just do a formal motion, Councilwoman.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that resolution -(Echo being heard.)
Okay. It's been moved and seconded resolution -- hopefully we won't have to use technology in September. It's been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. Since Resolution No. 200040-A is an amendment to the Home Rule Charter, it requires two-thirds vote. The question is shall the resolution be adopted. I'd ask the Chief Clerk to please call the roll. STATED MEETING 206 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker.
Aye. STATED MEETING 207 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Council President Clarke. STATED MEETING 208 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. I believe the ayes -- I didn't hear the second person you called, but the ayes are 12, I believe, and the nays are five. A majority of two-thirds of all members of the Council having voted in the affirmative, Resolution No. 200040-A has been adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 200006-AA.
An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for a preference in civil service examinations for any qualified graduate of a Career Technical Education program in the School District of Philadelphia, as approved by Resolution of the City Council.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill STATED MEETING 209 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman STATED MEETING 210 6/23/2022 6/23/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Johnson.