A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon situate in the Twenty-Eighth, Twenty-Ninth, and Thirty-Second Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 130070 is adopted. Mr. Decker, can you please read the title of Resolution 130074.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING you. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 130074 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120958.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Allegheny Avenue, American Street, Lippincott Street, 2nd Street, a railroad right-of-way, and 5th Street.
This bill having been read on two separate 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, will you please read the title of Bill No. 121033.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Grant Avenue, Lavender Street, Primrose Road, Holyoke Road, and Academy Road.
This bill having been read on two separate days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. Councilman O'Brien, how would you like to be recorded on 120958?
I'd like 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING to be recorded in the affirmative. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you. Please reflect that that vote is 17;0. Thank you. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution recognizing Mr. Nelson Mandela Myers for his acts of kindness and community involvement, introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. In addition to asking for its adoption, I note that Councilman Jones is co-sponsor.
It's been moved and properly seconded. 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution recognizing the State House and State Senate's efforts in investigating the potential misuse of religion to commit crimes particularly in the case of Nai'lla Robinson, who was abducted from her Bryant School class room, introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I also note again that Councilman Jones is co-sponsor. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing City Council's Committee of the Whole to hold public hearings on the procedures that the City currently employs and proposes to employ to collect the delinquent real estate taxes owed the City and School District by owner-occupants, introduced by Councilman Henon.
I move for the adoption, Mr. President. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution honoring Delta Sigma Theta on its 100th Anniversary, introduced by Councilwoman Tasco.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it. That resolution is adopted.
And a resolution authorizing City Council's Committee of the Whole to hold public hearings to examine the City's efforts to collect delinquent real estate taxes owed by owners of residential investment properties and the additional measures and resources required to reduce real estate tax delinquency, introduced by Councilman Johnson.
Mr. President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
Those opposed? 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
And a resolution authorizing City Council's Committee of the Whole to investigate and hold public hearings reviewing the system utilized by the City of Philadelphia to collect delinquent real estate taxes, the effectiveness and shortcomings of the existing system, and the new methods and resources proposed by the Administration to increase the collection of delinquent real estate taxes, introduced by Councilman O'Brien.
The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien for a motion.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
And a resolution supporting House Bill 34, which requires the design, construction, and renovation of certain state-owned or state-leased buildings to comply with specified energy and environmental building standards, and providing for the powers and duties of the Department of General Services, introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing City Council's Committee of the Whole to hold public hearings on the procedures that the City currently employs and proposes to employ to collect delinquent commercial real estate taxes owed the City of Philadelphia and School District, the effectiveness or shortcomings of the existing proposed procedures, and the additional measures and resources required to improve the system for collecting delinquent real estate taxes, introduced by Councilman Squilla.
The 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing City Council's Committee of the Whole to hold public hearings on vacant, tax delinquent properties in the City, the impact of such properties on the City, and the procedures that the City currently employs and proposes to employ to collect delinquent real estate taxes from such properties and the efficacy of those procedures, introduced 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing City Council's Committee of the Whole to hold public hearings on the procedures that the City currently employs and proposes to employ based on accepted best practices to collect the delinquent real estate taxes owed the 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING City and School District of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Oh.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh for a motion.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold hearings to investigate the economic and environmental impact of 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING converting Philadelphia's fleet vehicles to run on compressed natural gas and other alternative fuels, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold hearings to investigate 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING the feasibility, benefits, and costs to establishing a 24-hour arts and innovation section for the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. That resolution is also adopted.
And a resolution encouraging the United States Navy to commission the USS Somerset (LPD-25) in 2/7/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, introduced by Councilman Oh.
I move for the adoption of the resolution, Mr. President. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
I understand. You have to hit that button quite quickly. You're first. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority?
Thank you very much, Mr. President. The issue of the overwhelming tax delinquency in Philadelphia is not new, but as a body of freshmen Councilmembers, we began talking about this last year in terms of addressing this serious issue in a meaningful way. Now going into this budget cycle where we will be asked to come up with more money for our schools and public services, it is not fair that their taxes. A lax process for collecting taxes has only perpetuated the problem, and its ripple effect reaches every neighborhood in our city, diminishing and causing less funding for these critical services. Every citizen organization in the City utilizes the services that taxes pay for, and the fact that a half billion dollars is owed to the City is very disheartening. Through our bipartisan collaboration, we are eager to learn of the process that the Administration is moving forward on in terms of collecting taxes, and we will seek the facts and understanding of this comprehensive plan so that we can collect more monies more efficiently for the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you. Mr. President, I have some exciting news, at least exciting for me after all these years. On Monday, the Memorial Committee for the O.V. Catto statue committee will be meeting to review finally works of artists that have been solicited internationally and across the country, and the flow of contributions and other financial needs are really starting to come together, and we're actually going to be able to see something on paper or in mold that we can -- that the jury that's been assembled of prominent artists and others will make a decision on, hopefully be ready for this appropriate memorial for O.V. Catto some time as the Dilworth Plaza begins to take its shape. So after all these years, it's finally -- and especially during Black History Month, I think it was the status of that. In addition, relative to Black History Month, the Library Company of Philadelphia -- and I don't know if anyone has ever been there or not, but I would urge you to get there. It is a treasure trove of unbelievable documents that are very, very exciting to the history of this country. And they're doing a retrospective on the African American founders of this country back into the revolutionary time. It is very, very interesting to take a look at some of the names and understand some of the contributions and some of the careers that people have. Of course, Richard Allen and Absalom Jones we hear about historically, but people like James Forten, who was one of the most richest men in America, who his company made almost every sail for every ship that left any harbor in the East Coast. And also what was very at the website, there is a gentleman on there who basically started American catering. He was the first caterer to bring food to weddings or to funerals or to other events, and as I scrolled down the website, the gentleman passed in 1837, but his picture is there on the website, and his name is Robert Bogle. It is the exact replica of the Robert Bogle that we know today, and I believe it has to be a past ancestor of Mr. Bogle. But I raise it because we all know him, and if you look at the picture, you can't deny that it's a relative of his, perhaps a great-great-great grandfather or something, but to understand that people like this like Mr. Bogle that actually walk amongst us today that have a reach back as far as the turn of the 1800s and before. So I would urge everyone to check out the website and take a visit to the Library Company of Philadelphia. kind of things they have there that represent our history and all of our contributions to it. So thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman -- well, let me go back. Now we have a request from the -- let me just go in order. Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to commend my colleague Councilman Kenney for recognizing that, but I want to give him one fact that he omitted. That is the same Robert Bogle. He lives forever. It is the absolute same one, so I just want you to know that. That's the same Robert Bogle.
So I just want to thank a gentleman who popped in our Chambers and is across the hall about conference, and I speak of Congressman Brady. He has somehow got an S on his chest that doesn't necessarily stand for Superman, but it does stand for save a whole lot of Philadelphia traditions and events. Once again, he has come in and helped a former coalition of entrepreneurs, elected officials, community advocates for Roxborough, Manayunk, and East Falls, and has managed to pull out of the jaws of defeat a salvation for this year's bike race. We want to recognize him and thank him for that. I also want to recognize my colleagues in this Chamber that stepped up to the plate to be a part of that coalition: Councilman O'Brien, Councilman Squilla, Councilman Kenney, also recognizing Senator Hughes and Senator Williams, who rose to the occasion to help out a Philadelphia tradition. I think this type of leadership, this type of cooperation intergovernmental, which, Mr. President, you have helped foster, is a beginning of a new type of cooperation that I hope to see for a great many public policy issues. So, once again, thank you all for a grateful -- from a grateful 4th District.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. And I just want to, as the Chair of Parks and Recreation, just want to echo that sentiment, that it's a wonderful thing to make sure that that race continues, because it is a Philadelphia tradition and it's so very important. But I just wanted to piggyback off of Councilman Oh's statements regarding tax fairness and the Tax it's no secret that regarding real estate taxes Philadelphia has a massive delinquency problem. As we know, in 2010 PICA found that Philadelphia ranked 24th out of 25 cities in real estate tax collections. The problem varies in terms of the estimate of how much is uncollected and what is available for collection, somewhere between $248 million and $518 million that could go into supporting our police, our firefighters, our schools. These taxes are critically important. The fact is, it is simply unfair that while most people pay their property taxes, there are still some who do not. Accordingly, I want to join today with all of my fellow freshmen Councilmembers, Councilmembers Henon, Johnson, Oh, O'Brien, and Squilla, in introducing the Taxpayer Fairness Initiative. We're launching this initiative to focus the collective efforts of the six newest members of City of real estate tax delinquency. It's a partnership between all of our offices. We're going to combine our time, our resources, and our energy to tackle what we believe is one of the most serious problems facing Philadelphia today. We intend to investigate this problem. We introduced today six resolutions authorizing the Committee of the Whole to hold a series of hearings on the issue of real estate tax delinquency. The hearings will focus on both big-picture issues and specific topics relevant to the City's tax delinquency problem. We're going to engage citizens. We're going to engage our constituents by hosting public meetings, inviting experts to answer questions about tax delinquency, providing information about how to purchase vacant land parcels, and also offering a form for citizens to share their feelings about the best uses for vacant land in their neighborhoods. taxpayers to the resources they need to pay their taxes. Not paying is not an option, because it's just not fair. However, once in a while, we all need a little help. Our offices will work hard to be advocates for any taxpayer who needs help understanding the system and getting on a payment arrangement plan. Assistance is available, and our offices can and will help. We're going to do a series of briefings in partnership with the Fels Institute and the Pew Charitable Trusts and hosting policy briefings on related topics regarding tax delinquency. Also, we plan on launching a website. The website will be www.taxpayerfairness.com, and we want to encourage citizens to visit the website or contact any of our offices with real estate tax delinquency questions. Thank you, Mr. President.
you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you. I say this with all honesty and not to be frivolous or demeaning. I appreciate the introduction of all of those resolutions calling for the hearings on delinquent taxes. I suggest that some of the witnesses, expert witnesses, be the former mayors, Goode, Rendell, Street, and the current Mayor, to discuss their efforts to address this issue. Thank you.
Thank you. That would be a first. We will reach out, Councilwoman.
And maybe those people who want to be mayor to have that discussion.
Councilwoman, I'm sure that will happen. Thank you. The Chair recognizes -- I'm of order because the republican/majority thing at this particular time doesn't really work. Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to echo the sentiments of the Majority Leader, Curtis Jones, in recognizing the Herculean efforts of Congressman Brady and saving the race. I would also like to congratulate and applaud Councilwoman Bass for her articulation of our efforts in the tax delinquency discussion, but I really want to be recognized to echo Councilman Kenney's sentiments on the Library Company of Philadelphia. I am a stockholder of the Library Company of Philadelphia. It was organized by Ben Franklin to raise money to provide books, and then when the British came, we had to move those books to York County and then to Harrisburg. But I had the privilege of going over and visiting that wonderful institution, and I held in my hands the very books that Thomas Jefferson used in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. And I will admit that he wrote in the margins in those books in his own hand, and I have to tell you that it was a moment that I will not soon forget. The work that our forefathers did is something that in these challenging times we should look back at what their intent was and how they suffered and how they sacrificed to bring those documents forward and give us this form of government that is unique and that we're proud of as Americans. But I will echo Councilman Kenney's sentiments and encourage everyone to go over and enjoy the richnesses that exist in the Library Company of Philadelphia. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to also echo the sentiments of my freshmen colleagues regarding the Tax Fairness Initiative that we will be working on as it relates to collecting delinquent taxes in the City of Philadelphia. I think the conversation is fitting as we address the issue of AVI. I recently participated in a town hall meeting in my district to take a look at how do we still provide a level of relief for not those who have lived in their house for ten years or more, but those who fall in between. And I think it's very important as a part of this conversation that we take a look at some type of relief measures, rather it's from the individuals who are in Harrisburg who will give us the opportunity to make some tough decisions to provide people with relief, but also really paying attention to those who will be significantly impacted that does not of getting a break based upon their income. I'm a strong advocate of fairness from the perspective that even though you live in the area where your house has significantly, significantly appreciated in value but you have still been paying your taxes, I still believe you should pay, but at the same time, it should be fair in that process. So I want to make sure that that's on the table when you're looking at rather it may be a cap, rather it may be deferments, rather it be installment payments. But as I read this morning, going from $1,000 to $5,000 in one year I think is pretty tough on anybody. It doesn't mean you shouldn't have to pay, but I want to make sure we look at that as a part of this process. So I look forward to the discussion, because obviously parts of Graduate Hospital in my district will be significantly impacted, some parts of City, and I go from rather it be Point Breeze will probably get some increases, but Eastwick will probably get a break. We want to make sure it's a fair balance across the board. So I look forward to the discussion. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. There being no other speeches, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown for a motion to adjourn.
Yes, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, February 14th -- how about that -- 2013 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, February 14th, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. All those in favor? (Aye.)
Council is adjourned. Thank you. ) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. ) A ADJOURNME...