COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, June 16, 2011 2:40 p.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO, JR. COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER,
I note that the hour has come and gone and that a quorum is present. Members will take their seats, and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation today, the Chair recognizes Reverend Kevin R. Johnson, Senior Pastor of Bright Hope Baptist Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Tasco. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
Thank you, Madam Speaker, President of City Council, and to all the City Council persons who are here and to my great member, Marian Tasco. Shall we pray. God, give us leaders. A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands. God, give us leaders whom the lust of office kill, leaders who will represent the rich and the poor, leaders who will work for the people and not for the special interests, leaders who will ensure that no child is left behind. And, God, give us leaders like Horace Mann, that great advocate of public education who once said, Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but rather give us the determination to make the right things happen. God, we need leaders. Be now with our City Council, guide them, lead them and direct them so that the policies created will create a stronger and more prosperous Philadelphia. In your precious name, we pray. Amen. (Amen.)
The Chair thanks the Reverend for his invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 9th, 2011. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 9th, 2011 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 9th, 2011 stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, on behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leave of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, on behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
Thank you. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in Chambers today. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate your join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our city. We certainly invite you to come again. Councilman Clarke, you're to make a presentation. Is your guest here? Is Mr. Alexander here?
Oh, fine. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Clarke, who will present a citation to Mr. Alexander. Will Mr. Alexander please join the Councilman at the podium. I see that Councilman Clarke is being joined by Councilwoman Blackwell. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
I know being a great debater, you want to get a hold of that microphone, but not just yet. Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, today it's an young man who I consider as part of family, knowing his grandfather for pretty much more than 30 years. We were young individuals out struggling in the street, and I know it's a proud moment for his parents and his grandfather to see him here today. I'd just like to say on behalf of the City Council of Philadelphia, honoring and recognizing Jalon Alexander. The Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to join Greenhill School, Bodine High School for International Affairs, staff, students, family and friends of Jalon Alexander in honoring and recognizing him on his academic achievement. Whereas, Jalon Alexander is a graduate of Bodine High School of International Affairs. In only two years of national circuit-level debating, he has achieved distinction as one of the nation's top Lincoln-Douglas debaters. Jalon's accomplishments are not limited In local competition, he won $20,000 from Drexel University -(Applause.)
-- for his local success. He was named "Student of the Year" as early as his sophomore year. In his senior year, he was an elimination-round participant both in the TOC and the National Debate Coaches Association's championship, earning Speaker honors at both;
And whereas, Jalon also achieved a preliminary win-loss record of 71 percent and two at-large invitations to the National Tournament of Champions based on year-long excellence. In addition to his national championships, his notable achievements include quarter finals at the Barkley Forum for High Schools and reaching the elimination round 11 times at the toughest tournaments in the country, including, but not limited to, Greenhill, Bronx, Emory and Newark; and Whereas, Jalon's success, while focusing on social issues relating to marginalized groups, has successfully introduced the national circuit to important literature from scholars of color, gender studies, intersectionality thinkers and others. He hopes to bring this experience to Towson University, merging speaking skills, research ability and knowledge from a wide range of political theory; and
Whereas, Jalon has demonstrated honest effort, determination and commitment, which have resulted in academic achievement and personal accomplishment. His individual contributions remain a source of pride to teachers, family and friends. Therefore, the members of this legislative body do hereby honor, commend and congratulate Jalon Alexander on his academic achievements. We hope that whichever path he chooses will bring happiness, success and fulfillment now and in all future endeavors. We extend to him our sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body. Congratulations, Jalon. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Mr. Alexander for brief remarks.
Hello, everyone. I'd first just like to start off by thanking God for the opportunity to be here and discuss issues I find important. I must also thank Mayor Nutter and the rest of City Council for inviting me to speak and for the work they've done for the City of Philadelphia. I admit that this is a very special time in my own life. I stand here on the eve of my graduation day from high school. My accomplishments are the results of the efforts of many people that have helped me along the way. My family; specifically, my mother and father, provided lifelong support, giving me the wisdom and determination to succeed in spite of adversity. I think my applauses should be granted my mother, especially for those late nights of staying up with me and listening to all of the different radical or ultraconservative arguments I thought about making. Principal Dr. Gardner has also provided mentorship, assistance and a positive role. I wish her many years well in her years of retirement. So has Councilman Clarke, who has helped my community and given me years of wisdom and encouragement, and Councilwoman Blackwell, who has given me love and support both in and out of church. But I knew that I could count on Ms. Blackwell's prayers, phone calls and moral support when I traveled to various different tournaments. Finally, I would like to thank volunteered their time to me. My coaches represent a rare feat in nationally competitive debate. It is an all-black coaching staff, but what is important about them is not just their race, but instead the tremendous personal and intellectual growth they provided for me. Aaron Timmons is a multi-national championship-winning coach from the Greenhill School in Dallas, Texas, who offered his mentorship to me. This coach was also voted as one of the top coaches of the century. D. studies on the East Coach. D. D. at Yale. I also would like to thank my grandfather, who gave me a clear vision of my ability to be able to expand my horizons and debate at different areas of the City. They helped me with different things throughout my high school career in school and in debate. For the record, this marked the first time in the history of the Tournament of Champions that an all-black coaching staff coached a black debater. I'd like to say generally when I'm talking about my coaching staff to other individuals that I kind of had the Miami Heat in terms of coaches on the debate circuit, but they lost the finals, so I'm just going to go ahead and say the Dream Team. So to make this brief, today I've come to talk to you about mines in Pennsylvania. Yes, you heard me correctly, mines in Pennsylvania, not the economy, not the DROP program, mines in Pennsylvania and the canaries within to those who detest science, but maybe, just maybe you could learn something from my brief explanation of the canaries within these mines and the toxic mines in not only our city but our country. The miner's canary is a metaphor. Historically miners carried the canary while working and the bird's respiratory system was sensitive to detox the unsafe toxins within the mine. If the canaries died, the miners working within them needed to get out before it was too late. I suggest that there are many miners' canaries in our daily lives. People who are suffering and lack of basic needs serve as a call for action as warnings that we must all pay attention and do something. Debate has provided me the opportunity to visit places I only dreamed about - Yale, Harvard, Columbia, UCLA and other universities. With the of Bodine High School and my coaches, I developed speaking, research and interpersonal skills that I believe helped me throughout high school and in a few months begin college at Penn State.
However, debate at the national level is an indeed toxic mine. If you were to go to a standard national regional invitational, you only see few people of color or women in the activity. The question is why? But this question does not have a simple answer. It has many answers. One problem is the lack of funds. S. Senator Arlen Specter, a great plan without money is just that, a great plan. As I noticed competing on the local Philadelphia lease through organizations such as Penn for Youth Debate, we have thousands of local Philadelphia students with the intellectual ability and skills to compete nationally, but are shut out by of national travel and budget cuts. Racism does not have an impact. This was a remark made by my opponent from Harvard, and this was selected as the winning argument and reputations which talked about the implication of my arguments which described racism within the juvenile justice system. This argument displays the amount of reality my opponent from Stuyvesant High School was exposed to. Despite these offensive arguments and decisions, I tried to continue to use my voice as an instrument to repress and re-bunk oppression and control. I am a miner's canary. When you're actually are on your way to the Tournament of Champions this year, this was a note that was placed on my backpack at the Yale Invitational, assuming that affirmative action and my skin color was the only basis for my participation at that tournament. Fittingly, I earned the Top very same Yale tournament. Was that affirmative action? Dreads Online that said I was an inarticulate fellow, and coaches receiving death threats, illegal disclosure of my personal education records online were all things I had to deal with inside these mines. I still am a miner's canary. Harvard Professor Lani Guinier and University of Texas Professor Gerald Torres explained that people who are miners' canaries provide hope for us all. They can only warn us about danger, but also give the best perspective to come up with the solutions and necessary first steps. This summer I will join Professor Guinier and other great individuals to teach at that very same college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as well the University of Northern Texas, teaching philosophy and post colonial studies. For me my status as a miner's me the confidence to know that if I have a problem with someone, I can use my words, not weapons, not guns. I do not need to join the game to find protection, but instead I know I have resources within myself to deal with these problems. My experiences with debate reenforced my sense of coacher and being as an African American male, but my success was in part helped with figures that come from all different backgrounds. Debate functioned as an avenue for me to get out of a destructive environment and it exposed me to kids who have race as idealogies and intense discussion and discourse. Debate has helped and explained to bring individuals who have never seen public housing projects or kids of different color to a real-life perspective. Debate has given me a voice to speak upon and harbor my skills with future minds and policymakers of our country. Alexander, one of the lucky few who will be a future college graduate, thanks to the efforts of school, coaches and family. Ultimately, I'll leave you today asking within the City of gun violence, flash mobs, education cuts, who are the miners? Who are the canaries? Who shall we help? With these problems, we live in a city that is a large metropolitan mine where the toxics are the everyday problems which threaten us all. What I believe my experience has shown is that with care, resources, efforts and focus, we can all make Philadelphia an even greater city.
To do so requires that we pay attention to the issues which warn us about the future and find solutions that we can create, which is why I'm happy to be here today to ask you to reflect and identify the different mines within our community. As my grandmother put it the very day in a graduation card she gave me, I'm out of here. So I think it's good that we look forward and try to expand these different horizons to others. I always had a love and passion for jazz and felt it would be extremely relevant to end out with this symbolic quote from one of my favorite musicians, Benny Goodman, who led one of the first integrated big bands. A musician is a juggler who uses harmonies instead of oranges, takes the black keys and the white keys both to make a perfect harmony. Thank you for your time today, and I appreciate it and thankful to have this citation. )
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on June 15, 2011, I signed all of the bills that were passed by Council at its session on June 2, 2011; and I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority for a certain portion of a parcel of ground located at the Northeast Water Pollution Control Plant at 3899 Richmond Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into a lease and related agreements with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, for use by the City of certain cogeneration facilities to be located at the Northeast Water Pollution Control Plant at 3899 Richmond Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read any other communications in his possession.
The next order of business will then be introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of Councilwoman Brown, I offer two resolutions.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution expressing admiration towards Principal Angelo Milicia on his decision to retire from the Girard Academic Music Program in order to save the positions of two music teachers from being laid off.
The resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution calling on City Council's Committee of the Whole to hold public hearings to educate and inform citizens on the redistricting process for City Council Districts in order to create an open and transparent process and opportunity for public engagement and input for City Council's consideration.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I have no bills or resolutions.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Logan Redevelopment Area designated as Parcel No. 2 also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 4955 North Seventh Street.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I offer one resolution.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution recognizing, honoring, and celebrating Porter's Day Care and Education Center for their continued service and dedication in developing secure and confident children in Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones. Is he in the room? (No response.)
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of Councilman Jones, I offer one bill.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance authorizing the plotting upon City Plan No. 285 of a right of way for drainage purposes in the area lying southeast of Roberts Avenue and southwest of Fox Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown. Is she in the room? (No response.)
Oh. Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," and Title 16 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Property," to provide for a comprehensive plan for the placement of advertising on municipal property, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Thirty-Second Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution authorizing the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia to use NTI Bond proceeds in an amount not to exceed three million five hundred thousand dollars, for the acquisition, and site work, of all or a portion of the property and any improvements thereon located in the 29th Ward of the City within the area bounded by Thompson Street, 31st Street, Girard Avenue, and certain railroad tracks.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you. The next order of business is Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a report from the Committee on Finance.
Madam President, the Committee on Finance reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 110480, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Bond Committee to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale, to provide funds toward various capital municipal purposes; providing for appropriations to the Sinking Fund Commission for the payment of such bonds; authorizing agreements to provide credit or payment the bonds in connection with the issuance of the bonds, and certain other actions; providing for obtaining the consent of the electors to increasing the indebtedness of the City; and fixing a day and providing for arrangements for holding the election for obtaining such consent," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill 110480. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bill just reported from committee. indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bill just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez. Can someone report Councilwoman Sanchez's Committee on Licenses and Inspections. Councilman Green.
On behalf of Councilwoman Sanchez, the Committee on License and Inspections, which was referred Bill No. 100613, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 9" -- I'm sorry. I'm reading the wrong script here. On behalf of Councilwoman Sanchez, the Committee on License and with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
The Committee on Licenses and Inspections, to which was referred Bill No. 100613, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 9-2800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Universities, Property Owners, Managers and Students," by amending Section 9-2805, entitled "Zoning Compliance," by providing for additional penalties for certain violations with respect to properties located within educational housing districts, all under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Councilman Green, I believe that the rules of Council suspended.
Madam President, on behalf of Councilwoman Sanchez, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 100613. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bill just reported from committee. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bill just read will First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a report from the Committee on Public Health and Human Services.
The Committee on Public Health and Human Services reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
The Committee on Public Health and Human Services, to which was referred Bill No. 110346, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 10-100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Animals," to establish provisions for the reporting of wild raccoons, and to provide for the manner of their abatement, all under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bill just reported from the committee. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bill just reported from committee. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bill just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with a suspension of rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar to be considered today.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. 2ND READING
It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended -- I was distracted, Councilwoman. Are you asking for Consent -
-Calendar? It has been moved and seconded that we permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the bills just read by Councilwoman Tasco. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. We will now consider the Consent Agenda. 2ND READING
Madam President, I move that the bills that I will read now will be on the Consent Agenda: Bill Nos. 110372, 110384, 110441, 100678, 110185, 110302, 110306, 110312, 110344, 110345, 110347, 110348, 110377, 110381, 110382, 110229, 110297, 110363, 110371, 110373, 110375, 110376, 110444, 110445, 446, 447, 369, 090746, 110132, 110226, 110258, 110298, 110299, 110300, 110301, 110310, 110365, 110378, 110380, 110393, 110435, 110437, 110438, 110439, 110056, 110367, 110379 and 110394.
Thank you. Before considering these bills and resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters that appear on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar and that is for possible consideration today. All speakers must sign up in 2ND READING order to testify. If you have not already done so, you can sign up at the table to my left.
Could I please read the bills that are coming up on the regular Calendar. I did not read those.
In addition to the bills being considered on the Consent Agenda, the following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 110500, 110501, 110502, 110504, 110505, 110506, 110507, 110508, 110509, 110510, 080747-AA, 110443, Bill Nos. 100720, 110259 and 110311, 110366 and 110386. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you. We will now go back to the public comment period. You will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. You will have up to three minutes to speak. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.
Michael McGettigan, commenting on Bill Nos. 100720, 100678 and 110306.
Please proceed. Identify yourself and proceed. MR. McGETTIGAN: I'm sorry?
Please identify yourself and proceed. MR. McGETTIGAN: My name is Michael McGettigan.
Please proceed. MR. McGETTIGAN: Thank you. Yes. My name is Mike McGettigan. I run a bike shop, but we'll worry about its brand name later. Let's talk about that brand called Philadelphia. Billboards damage that brand. The Convention and Visitors Bureau, GPTMC, many other groups are all working to sell greater Philadelphia - eds and meds, history, art, parks, sports, friendly people, awesome food. Then you come down 95 or go out on your stoop and a gigantic TV screen is blaring, Come bust our slots, or showing you a giant mugshot of a child molester. What was our city's message again? Marketers aren't stupid. Their clients have ginormous budgets. They've got just seconds to grab mind space, and it's about raw impact repeated. That crude impact can push out the complex story Philly needs to tell to attract residents, tourism and businesses. Philadelphia City Council is a brand, too. Taking billboard company cash and/or favoring those companies over our citizens and our neighborhoods weakens your brand and your authority. People choose to stay in or leave Philadelphia for many reasons - schools, jobs, crime. But way down in the corner of our brains, our feelings about our City Council are part of how we feel about Philly. When Council pulls a boneheaded budget move or we just missed drafting Andy Toy for next season, don't you feel a little bummed, like when the Phillies aren't hitting? Be the Council we can believe in. Help us keep our home values up by keeping that big TV out of our face and out of our neighborhoods. So the billboard industry, is it an industry? Not much of one. With modern printing processes, you've got very few workers involved, many of them non-union. The new LED screens won't need any local installers. They'll just push a switch, so those few jobs will go bye-bye. Are billboards a medium? Not really. Their medium is our city, our skyline, our neighborhoods. The billboard companies sell that view. They pimp it out. You go outside to see something, but you get an ad for rum, a strip club or that damn SugarHouse. Pardon me. Times and technology are changing. Outdoor media is so last century, ugly, costly, scattershot, lots of lobbying and lawsuits, unlike this targeted mobile device here. Billboards are dinosaurs. Why prolong the agony by getting in bed with them? Final point: One medium at least trades as some value for the ads we encounter. That would be the press, HYY, KYW, Daily News, Inquirer, City Paper, Al Dia, PGN, Jewish Exponent, Philadelphia Tribune, Grid Magazine. If we chop down every last ugly billboard, those ad bucks are not going to leave the fifth largest medium market in the country. We'll see ad spending get shifted to news, big time, and that's a good thing. Yeah, City Council gets roughed up sometimes, but you're big boys and girls, and you read every word. And here in this city where an informed citizenry started the American Revolution, I think such a shift would be good in a strong news media packed with ads for casino, for rum, for Trophy Bikes, ads that we can mute or skip over or clip and save, ads that don't trash our neighborhood, our beautiful skyline or the City we love. Let's make Philadelphia billboard free in the next decade. Thank you.
Good afternoon, Madam President. My name is Andrew Celwyn. My wife and I started a business six years ago in Philadelphia. For the first two years we didn't draw any salary at all out of the business, living off a second job I held. Since then, we've been very fortunate to grow our business and now employ two full-time and six part-time workers. We're lucky to have some great folks who work at our stores. As best we can, we try to provide a living wage and offer our employees whatever benefits we can. This year we started paying for half the health insurance of our full-time employees. It's a bit of a stretch financially, but it's important for us to try to support the employees who work so hard for our business. When I've listened to the debate surrounding this bill, what I have found lacking is a discussion of what workers may lose if the bill is passed. For example, while we have tried to increase the wages of our employees and provide assistance for healthcare coverage, if we're forced to pay for sick days, we may not be able to either increase the salaries or maintain health coverage. We will also be more hesitant to take on new staff if those costs are increased. I would love to be able to pay a couple of weeks vacation for all of our employees and provide for paid sick leave as appropriate, but realistically speaking, it just isn't in our budget. My wife and I each made less than $32,000 last year, often working six and seven-day weeks. We are part of that working class you're trying to protect. If we pay for sick leave, something else will have to give. It isn't some theoretical profit that will be given up. It will be less money for us, my wife and I, to pay our bills. If the members of this Council took a look at their own staffs and had a fixed budget to work with, I think this bill might look a bit different. Which ones of you are willing to take a pay cut in order to provide more sick leave to your staff members? If it comes down to letting someone go, paying someone less or providing sick leave, which one will you choose to cut? I'm not here to badger you or criticize what is essentially hard work making legislation to benefit the citizens of Philadelphia. However, it's important to note that there may be a number of unintended consequences from this bill that may not benefit working people in Philadelphia as much as you think. It may in fact be harmful. Thank you for your time.
My name is Ronald Patterson. I'm an attorney with Klehr Harrison Harvey and Branzburg law firm. The first thing, I want to withdraw my request to comment on Bills 100720 and 110185. As to 110306, this regards a freestanding sign whose use is handcuffed now by law, policy and L&I. It was originally an existing accessory sign that was converted to a non-accessory sign so that it could put copy of a use across the street. The permit was revoked, and it reverted to an accessory sign, but L&I will not let the property owner put up an accessory sign even though it has the right to, that it has an office on site. So this bill, in our view, will correct an injustice and a wrong. Thank you.
Madam President, distinguished members of Council, my name is Nathaniel Beh and I'm an employee of the American Red Cross.
We have come here to testify in support of Resolution No. 110500. Doing the collection assistance of the Penn Jersey region of the American Red Cross Blood Services Division, Local 5103 of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees representing some 400 -I'm sorry; 240 doing collection assistance and registered nurses who are by your side when you donate blood, we take a health history, your vital signs, answer your question, reassure you, draw your blood and take care of you until you are ready to leave the donor site safely. HPAE phlebotomists and registered nurses went on strike on May, 24th despite two months of negotiations, the 13-hour final marathon bargaining session and an offer to use the arbitration that was rejected by the American Red Cross. We want to thank Councilman Kenney for introducing the resolution, and we appreciate your consideration of the resolution supporting our rights and urging both sides back to the bargaining table to reach a fair settlement and keep workers, donors and our blood supply safe. Why the strike? The Red Cross have a clear mandate from national headquarters to take away our rights to bargain over healthcare coverage, to avoid discussion of key local issues such as stipend, schedule, training and safety concerns. In addition to protecting our rights, we focus our efforts on policies that are essential for running a safe and efficient blood drive and for providing a positive donor experience, preserve the role of registered nurses on blood drives, staff blood drives at level that meet their own guidelines, provide enough staff so that donor get prompt attention and drives can run on schedule and schedule drives to meet the needs of both donors and staff. We are not alone. There are 23 expired union contracts nationally, and there are six additional contracts scheduled to expire by the end of summer 2011. Numerous unfair blood charges are pending in a number of states and the number of charges continue to rise, and the Red Cross was found guilty of violating the National Labor Relation Act in a recent case. The judge issue an order for the Red Crosses to remedy all of the violations with back pay and interests and post a notice in order to find the employees of the Red Cross would not break the laws in the future. The Red Cross Blood Services was not --
Excuse me, sir. We did allow three minutes for you to speak. You're beyond the three minutes, so if you could just conclude your remarks, we'd appreciate it.
Thank you, ma'am. We wish to express our thanks and appreciation to this Council for taking up Councilman Kenney's resolution so that we will return to the bargaining table and negotiate a settlement, not only in the interest of the staff but also those who donate blood. Again, we thank you and God bless you.
I'm sorry. You're going to have to speak into the microphone.
My name is Stephanie Kindt, and Deborah Rudman was here earlier, but was told she could not give public testimony when the security guards were not allowing folks to enter City Council this morning. She was confused. She did e-mail me her testimony. I can read it in. I don't know if that's permitted.
My name is Stephanie Kindt. I'm staff attorney for SCRUB, the public voice for public space, and this is the testimony of Deborah Rudman. My name is Deborah Rudman and I live on the 100 block of Fairmount Ave. I'm sorry. She is testifying on Bill No. 100678, the I-95 expansion bill. Just east of the I-95 overpass, the billboards surrounding my home are a constant eyesore. Being so close to the noise and traffic of I-95, my neighbors and I have lovingly worked very hard together to improve the beauty and quality of our life on our block. But Bill 100678 would allow billboard companies to rebuild signs near residences and without having to comply with laws regulating the size, distance and height. And I understand that there are some amendments to that bill, but one amendment was restricting the distance to residences. It did not make it. It was recommended by the Planning Commission. Unregulated ad space in the sky infringes upon the invaluable public airways, our rights as citizens and should be respected. Especially with the casino having been built so close to our homes, I'm extremely concerned about how the City will ensure that our riverfront is protected and that the floodgates are not open for unseemly promotion, undermining the integrity of Philadelphia's potential. The City of Philadelphia must have the courage to stand up to industry by enacting and enforcing strong signage controls to promote traffic safety and preserve aesthetics, further guarding us against being an ugly city. Please consider our future and working towards a more sustainable and livable city. And that concludes Deborah's testimony. Thank you.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please call the next witness.
My name is John Gallery. I'm the Executive Director of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. I came here today to testify on this bill because of my concern about the impact that the proposal for introducing new signs on East Market Street might have on the historic buildings in that area, but I'm very pleased that Councilman DiCicco has anticipated my concerns and introduced an amendment to this bill, which satisfies all of the issues and concerns that I had. So I'd like to thank Councilman DiCicco for doing this, and I'd like to urge you all to support this bill with this amendment. I would like to say just two things very briefly. I did ask many people in Philadelphia who were concerned about preservation whether they thought this amendment was important, and when I left my office this morning, 325 people had e-mailed Councilman DiCicco and Councilman Kenney in support of this amendment. I hope that indicates to the rest of City Council that there is a broad public concern for preserving the character of our historic resources. Secondly, I'd just like to note that many of you are probably very pleased that Philadelphia placed No. 4 in the Travel & Leisure survey for quality pizza. However, you may have overlooked the fact that Philadelphia placed No. 6 in terms of its historic character and assets. Historic character of Philadelphia is an important part of our economy, and preserving that along East Market Street while at the same time providing incentives to other buildings is a very important demonstration that City Council really understands the way preservation contributes to the economy. So I hope you will support this amendment and this bill. Thank you.
Good afternoon. I'm here to talk about the paid sick leave bill. My name is Beth Mallak. I am Vice-President of Human Resources at Third Federal Bank. We have seven branches in the Philadelphia area, and we are a member of the Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Contrary to public opinion, we as a bank do not have endless resources, and we are struggling to keep our business healthy. We currently offer our employees a very generous benefits package, which includes up to four weeks paid vacation, five paid sick days, paid time off for funeral leave and for jury duty service. We are truly a great place to work. The paid sick leave legislation, in our opinion, is going to hurt us and our employees. We estimate the cost of this legislation to be in excess of $300,000 per year at our bank. Today we've been able to avoid layoffs at our bank in this difficult economy, but this added expense will force us to reevaluate the benefits that we provide to our employees and the number of jobs that we can offer in the Philadelphia area. Now, this is not a threat. The elimination of jobs is a reality that we will have to face if this legislation is passed, and we'll have to do it just to keep our business in business. This legislation will hurt us and our employees. So I'd ask the Council to please give careful, thoughtful consideration to all the ramifications of this bill before you cast your vote. I urge you to consider alternative solutions that will attract businesses to Philadelphia, that will retain businesses in Philadelphia and ultimately create more jobs in Philadelphia rather than decreasing them. Thank you for your time.
My name is Stephanie Kindt and I am testifying on Bills 100678 and 110306. I withdraw my request to testify on Bill 100720. Bill 100678, I actually have a handout. I don't know if that's allowed. It's a memo that was summarizing our concerns. Is it possible -- and I also have for Bill 110306 a copy of six violations on the property, as well as a handout. That's for Council. So for 100678, the bill that Deborah Rudman testified on, the I-95 expansion bill, I would like to request that that bill come off the Consent Agenda and have the amendment that was proposed by the Planning Commission reconsidered. It has to do with the spacing of billboards being within 300 feet of a residence. So when the billboards come down, they're allowed as a matter of right to go up within 300 feet of a residence, which is very impactful for homeowners. In addition, it really flies in the face of zoning regulations in our current laws to allow the billboards to go up not in compliance with our current zoning laws. Zoning is so important, and this Council just unanimously endorsed and passed our new Zoning Code regulations, and it's just so critical in terms of equal treatment and fairness. Moving on to Bill 110306, this is a property right off Delaware Avenue right next door to Risque Cabaret. It's currently an illegal use of a non-accessory billboard. There are currently three violations on the property. And, once again, Council passed the Charter provision for the Zoning Code, and this is so clearly spot zoning. It's one property owner asking for special treatment for this one billboard. It so clearly fits the whole model of spot zoning. It flies in the face of everything that has to do with the Zoning Code that we've just passed. I would really truly hope that Council would not grant this favor to this one property owner for this billboard that has been litigated for the past ten years and has been in violation for many years. So, again, I would recommend that the Bill 100678 come off and the amendment recommended by the Planning Commission be re-looked at and inserted, and that you would vote no on Bill 110306. Thank you so much.
Kind of noisy in here. Kind of noisy. This bill is the Deferred Retirement Option Plan. I'm sure it's going to be passed, but I thought I would point out a few things to the public and all of those here. I was reading a magazine. It's called First Things. It's about morality in public life, and I want to quote something from that magazine. James Madison in the Federalist Paper said, No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, because his interest would certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity. With equal, nay with greater reason, a body of men are unfit to be both judges and parties at the same time. Now, the Councilpersons here are receiving DROP and deciding on its future. That is a conflict of interest. With all the attorneys you have on your staff, maybe somebody should have brought that up and said, You guys, this is a conflict of interest. What I would expect you to do is to renounce all of the DROP money that you have now or in the future and get out of the DROP program, because you cannot legislate something which you are a beneficiary. And I'm sure if you would ask 17 citizens of the City of Philadelphia who were not related or not a public employee what they would do with DROP, I'm sure 17 to zero it would end DROP. But you're not interested in the average citizen. You have made some kind of devil's pact with the public employees unions to keep giving them DROP money, pay them twice for the same day's work for four years. This is really -- everybody is here crying because of the need for taxes. Well, this money is being wasted. Folks, everybody should say, Hey, that DROP money could be going to schools, could be going to a lot of other things other than people's pockets. (Applause.)
And I guess, you know, Council will be recessing soon. You won't be seeing me. But I really think you ought to give up the DROP money that you are receiving or else do not vote on this bill. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. Thank you for your time. My name is Michael Kates. I'm the Vice-President of Operations for the Philadelphia Trolley Works and 76 Carriage Company. I'm here commenting on Bill No. 110259, which is modifying tour staging locations in the Independence Hall area. Seventy-Six Carriage Company was founded 35 years ago with a vision of providing the Philadelphia region with superior tours and transportation services. Today, 76 Carriage Company and its other affiliate companies, Philadelphia Trolley Works, The Big Bus Company, Franklin Footsteps Walking Tours and Connective Tours, is Philadelphia's largest provider of sightseeing tours and specialty transportation. We currently employ over 100 people and provide sightseeing tours 363 days a year. I mention the 363 because if you come here in February, we're the only company you'll see out there. Everybody else shuts down in the wintertime. We're the only ones that provide tours in February, at a loss. We do it for the benefit of the City. We believe if you come here in February, you're entitled to a tour just as if you come here in July. We are good members of the Philadelphia hospitality community and take pride in improving the communities in which we operate. Six years ago, we revitalized the home to our headquarters at 1350 Schuylkill Avenue. We transformed a former industrial site, invested over $5 million to clean up the site and provide a place for members of our community to fish and enjoy one of Philadelphia's great treasures, the Schuylkill River Waterfront. In addition, we invested another million dollars across the street from our headquarters, transformed a vacant brown field site into a baseball field for the local community. Ms. Verna, that is in your district. In addition to that, earlier this month, we relocated our horse facilities and our stables from Bodine Street to Hancock Street in Cecil B. Moore. In doing so, we invested over a million dollars to revitalize an area in Kensington. We believe we are members of the community that must give back, and we do so regularly. You may remember in the summer of 2006 City Council legislated tour staging locations for all motorized tour operators, the Philadelphia Trolley Works, Ride the Ducks, Big Bus Company, Super Ducks. We're all assigned locations on the north side of Market Street. We were removed from our staging location in front of the Bourse Building. We occupied that location for about 15 years. During this change, although not beneficial to us, we worked closely with the City Council and abided by the new regulations. Since the change, we have worked hard to improve the visitor experience and consistently provide a world-class tour experience. This legislation is now trying to allow a new double-decker bus company to occupy the same staging location in front of the Bourse Building where we were legislated out of five years ago. In the tour business, our strongest market is referrals and repeat business. If you think about the cities you have visited, you always remember the tour you took and the location you took it from. If you are going to ask me -if you were telling me you were going to San Francisco, I would tell you to go to the Fisherman Wharf area at the Sheraton and take Double-Decker Bus Tour. Folks who have gone to Philadelphia and have left four short years ago, if they ask, Hey, where do I go to get a double-decker bus tour, they're going to say, Go to the Bourse Building, that's where I got my double-decker bus tour. But we're not there anymore. Our competition is being placed there. Additionally, this legislation ignores other reasons why changes were made in 2006. It is not conducive for the tourists to be confronted by multiple companies in the same area.
Prior to the 2006 legislation, tour companies were granted staging locations on concurrent blocks. When the tourists approached, they were confronted with competing tour companies, and the situation got very uncomfortable, creating negative visitor experience. Tour companies need to have sufficient spacing to avoid conflicts and to ensure a positive experience for everybody. We support competition and recognize the importance of growth in our industry. We are also confident that our product, our people and our work ethic will continue to be strong and a valuable presence in the Philadelphia area. This is a big city. I ask Council to consider another location to put this new operator. I appreciate the opportunity to testify and for your time and consideration. I realize you have some big issues to consider. I hope you don't minimize this one. It greatly affects the tourist industry. It's an industry that's real important to this city. So thank you for your time.
Is there anyone else here who has signed up to provide public testimony on today's agenda? Have you signed up? (Witness not speaking at the microphone.)
I'm sorry. I can't hear a word you're saying. (Witness not speaking at microphone.)
That was for the public hearing. (Witness not speaking at microphone.)
All right. Would you come up to the microphone, please.
Good afternoon. My name is Stephanie Nagele. My daughter, Helen Kindle, and I were told that we were on the list to testify this morning regarding the soda tax. I'm a single minority parent and a low income. My daughter and I don't have a lot money, but when I do have money, I give her something to go to the store. And she pointed something out that I think would be benefit for the Council to hear. So, Helen, if you'd like to come up and share your thoughts with the Council. She was very, very eloquent in what she was talking about. MISS KINDLE: Good afternoon. My name is Helen Kindle and I'm in the sixth grade. When my mom gives me a dollar and I go to the corner store to buy something to drink, I can only afford one of these drinks. I would rather buy a water, but they're more than a dollar. If I wanted to buy a flavored water, they're twice the price. The name brand sodas are cheaper than the flavored water that has no sugar. My mom is trying to teach me to be healthy, but it is too expensive. Sugary drinks are more tempting to buy. In my school I can't even buy water. Coke, Pepsi, Snapple and juices are the only drinks offered to purchase. Milk and chocolate milk are the only other options with our lunch provided by our school. I think it would be okay to pay more for sugary drinks, because they are so cheap. I think a good idea would be to make water and healthy drinks more affordable. Taxes from sugared drinks could go to the schools that want to cut kindergarten and early start programs. I have young nieces and nephews that would benefit from that, not sugary drinks. Thank you, Councilmembers, for hearing my voice and my opinion. God bless. (Applause.)
Thank I believe that concludes today's public comment period. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez for the purpose of introducing any bills or resolutions she may have.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I apologize. I was out of the room earlier. I have one resolution and one bill.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Title 16 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Property," by adding a new Chapter, entitled "Philadelphia Land Bank," authorizing the creation of a land bank and providing for its appointment, powers, and duties.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution urging the United States Department of Homeland Security to cease deportation proceedings against Zulma Villatoro, a young woman who would qualify for legal permanent residency under the proposed federal DREAM Act.
Thank you. This resolution will be placed on our next session of Council for consideration. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bills.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority for a certain portion of a of ground located at the Northeast Water Pollution Control Plant, 3899 Richmond Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease and related agreements with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, for use by the City of certain cogeneration facilities to be located at the Northeast Water Pollution Control Plant at 3899 Richmond Street.
This bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of Councilman Clarke, I introduce one resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Thirty-Seventh Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Calendar for next week for consideration. We will now consider today's special agenda. I will ask the Clerk to please read the titles of the bills on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the bill on the Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the bill will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on our regular Final Clerk will now read the titles of the bills on the Consent Agenda.
Bill No. 110372, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development a parcel with an address of 1814 through 28 West Cheltenham Avenue"; and Bill No. 110384, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey on behalf of the City 405, 407, 409, 411, 413 Manton Street, 2042 and 2457 through 59 Martha Street, 2105 East Hagert Street, 2106 East Cumberland Street, 2107 and 2109 East Hagert Street, 2223 Blair Street and 2345 East Cumberland Street for fair market value"; and Bill No. 110441, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Industrial Development a parcel of land located at 1628 Fitzwater Street, for further conveyance"; and Bill No. 100678, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code by adding a new Section 14-1642, entitled 'I-95 Condemnation Corridor,' to permit the relocation of certain structures and devices in connection with the PennDOT project to widen portions of I-95"; and Bill No. 110185, entitled "An ordinance amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Richmond Street, Cumberland Street, Beach Street and Schirra Drive"; and Bill No. 110302, 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 Avenue, Meadowbrook Avenue, Stenton Avenue, Hillcrest Avenue, Germantown Avenue, Bells Mill Road, and Wissahickon Turnpike"; and Bill No. 110306, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, by amending Section 14-1604, entitled 'Outdoor Advertising and Non-Accessory Advertising Controls,' by permitting one non-accessory outdoor advertising sign with certain conditions within the area bounded by Moore Street, Swanson Street, Columbus Boulevard, Morris Street, and Water Street"; and Bill No. 110312, 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 Girard Avenue, 9th Street, Fairmount Avenue, 10th Street, Wallace Street, and Broad Street"; and Bill No. 110344, entitled "An ordinance approving the ninth amendment proposal for the Haddington Urban Renewal Area, Unit No. 2 and Unit No. 3, being the area beginning at the northwest corner of Parrish and Fifty-Second Street, which provides, inter alia, for the additional land acquisition of approximately eight properties for residential and related uses"; and Bill No. 110345, entitled "An ordinance approving the third amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the West Parkside Urban Renewal Area, being the area generally bounded by Parkside Avenue on the north; Belmont Avenue and Girard Avenue on the east; Lancaster Avenue on the south; and Fifty-Second Street and the Easterly Right-of-Way of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad Line on the west, which provides, inter alia, for the additional land acquisition of approximately fifty four properties for residential and related uses"; and Bill No. 110347, entitled "An 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by amending Section 14-1605(2)(l) to add Cash for Gold establishments to the definition of Pawnshop"; and Bill No.
110348, entitled "An ordinance approving the thirty-ninth amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, being the area beginning at the northwest corner of Front Street and Spring Garden Street, which provides, inter alia, for the additional land acquisition of approximately fifty five properties for residential, institutional and related uses"; and Bill No. 110377, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, by amending Chapter 14-1100, entitled 'Institutional Development District,' by amending certain provisions of the Institutional Development District concerning permitted uses, minimum district area, gross floor area and occupied area by placing additional limitations on those provisions for Institutional Development Districts located within a certain area of the City"; and Bill No. 110381, 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 Fifth Street, Master Street, Sixth Street, and Jefferson Street"; and Bill No. 110382, 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 Dupont Street, Lawnton Street, Green Lane, and Ridge Avenue"; and Bill No. 110229, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 1108 of Chapter 21-1100 of The Philadelphia Code relating to financing mixed-use projects commercial corridors"; and Bill No. 110297, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the City Treasurer, on behalf of the City, to enter into an agreement with Wells Fargo Bank for provision of payroll banking services to the City"; and Bill No. 110363, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Director of Finance to establish a Parks and Recreation Programs and Facilities Fund in which revenue generated from competitively awarded agreements regarding areas or facilities in the Fairmount Park system may be deposited for use to pay expenses for programs and facilities in the Fairmount Park system"; and Bill No. 110371, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Finance, Taxes, and Collections,' by authorizing City depositories to hold City funds without posting equivalent collateral, to City funds do not exceed the insurance provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation"; and Bill No. 110373, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Business Privilege Taxes,' by providing for certain exclusions relating to investments made under the federal New Market Tax Credit program"; and Bill No. 110375, entitled "An ordinance constituting the Fifteenth Supplemental Ordinance to the Restated General Water and Wastewater Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1989, as supplemented; authorizing the Bond Committee to issue and sell either at public or private sale Water and Wastewater Revenue Bonds"; and Bill No. 110376, entitled "An ordinance constituting the Fourteenth Supplemental Ordinance to the Restated General Water and Wastewater Revenue Bond 1989, as supplemented; authorizing the Bond Committee to issue and sell either at public or private sale, Water and Wastewater Revenue Bonds"; and Bill No. 110444, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Director of Housing, on behalf of the City, to file applications with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for a Community Development Block Grant"; and Bill No. 110445, entitled "An ordinance constituting the Twentieth Supplemental Ordinance to the General Gas Works Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1975; authorizing the City of Philadelphia to sell, either at public or private sale, Gas Works Revenue Bonds, Twentieth Series"; and Bill No.
110446, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Water and Sewer Rents,' by revising the terms for and sewer charges"; and Bill No. 110447, entitled "An ordinance constituting the Eleventh 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, Gas Works Revenue Bonds, Tenth Series"; and Bill No. 110369, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to purchase approximately twenty-eight acres of land situate on the west side of the Schuylkill River between 56th and 58th Streets"; and Bill No. 090746, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-208 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Sidewalk Cafes,' by providing that sidewalk cafes on Ninth Street, between Christian Street and Federal Street, may occupy spaces in which curb markets may be located"; and 110132, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-206 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Sidewalk Vendors in Neighborhood Business Districts,' by creating the 52nd Street Business District for Sidewalk Vending"; and Bill No. 110226, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, located at 600 South 43rd Street, to construct, own and maintain various encroachments in the form of auxiliary seating within the right-of-way adjacent to the building at 4140 Woodland Avenue"; and Bill No. 110258, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Francisco Hernandez to construct, own and maintain an enclosed set of stairs attached to 657 East Allegheny Avenue that will encroach upon the sidewalk of 'F' Street"; and Bill No. 110298, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on the 300 block of Levick Street, both sides"; and Bill No. 110299, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on the 200 to 600 blocks of Comly Street, both sides"; and Bill No. 110300, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on the 5700 to 6800 blocks of Bingham Street, both sides"; and Bill No. 110301, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on the 700 block of Harrison Street, both sides"; and Bill No. 110310, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Granary Partners, located at 1425 Walnut Street, to construct, own and maintain various encroachments within the City right-of-way on Shamokin Street between 19th Street and 20th Street, the north side of Callowhill Street between 19th and 20th Street, and the west side of 19th Street between Shamokin Street and Callowhill Street"; and 110365, entitled "An ordinance authorizing The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to construct, use and maintain certain encroaching structures in the rights-of-way of Civic Center Boulevard"; and Bill No. 110378, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Farmers' Markets,' by adding a permissible location on the sidewalk of the west side of Broad Street from West Olney Avenue for 85 feet south"; and Bill No. 110380, entitled, "An ordinance authorizing the Hispanic Association of Contractors and Enterprises Community Development Corporation, 167 West Allegheny Avenue, to construct, own and maintain six trash receptacles and twelve artificial palm trees, on the east and west footway of North Fifth Street, from Lehigh Avenue to Indiana Avenue"; and Bill No.
110393, entitled "An to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, 1234 Market Street, to construct, own and maintain a passenger boarding platform, passenger shelter and other miscellaneous encroachments on the public sidewalk located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Frankford Avenue and Delaware Avenue"; and Bill No. 110435, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Farmers' Markets,' by adding a permission location on the sidewalk of the west side of Germantown Avenue between North 10th Street and North Alder Street"; and Bill No. 110437, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Farmers' Markets,' by adding as a permissible location the sidewalk of the west side of South 58th Street between Chester Avenue and Kingsessing Avenue"; and Bill No. 110438, entitled "An installation of all-way stop signs at the intersection of Winchester Avenue and Narvon Street"; and Bill No. 110439, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Farmers' Markets,' by adding a permissible location on the sidewalk of the north side of Diamond Street from 33rd Street for 200 feet west"; and Bill No. 110056, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property and the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation to lease the land and improvements known as the Mann Center for Performing Arts, located on Parkside Avenue in West Fairmount Park, to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for sublease to the Mann Center for the Performing Arts"; and Bill No. 110367, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute a deed to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial accept a deed from PAID, and to execute all other necessary documents, for the purpose of exchanging a parcel of City-owned land called the Kensington & Tacony Trail for a parcel of land in the Frankford Arsenal"; and Bill No. 110379, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Public Property Commissioner to accept as a donation a deed from Nomar Corporation that conveys title to the City to the parcel of land identified as 7530 Anderson Street (also known as 315 Woodbrook Lane) subject to a conservation easement granted by Nomar Corporation to the Chestnut Hill Historical Society by a Conservation Easement agreement"; and Bill No. "
Thank you. These bills having been read on two different days, the question for each bill now is shall the bill pass finally. The Clerk shall 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 those bills for which the members or member is voting aye and for those bills for which the member is voting nay. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilwoman Tasco, is that aye on all bills?
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. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 110500.
A resolution proclaiming this Council's support for the collective bargaining rights of the striking Red Cross workers and calling upon the Red Cross to resume good faith bargaining with the union in order to settle the contract in a manner that 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING protects the health and safety of the workers, the donors and the blood supply and to submit any deadlocked bargaining issues to binding arbitration.
Is Councilman Kenney in the room? (No response.)
Since I co-sponsored that with Councilman Kenney, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution 110501.
A resolution 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Mantua Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 285 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 515 North Fortieth Street.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No responses.) 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 110502.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Mantua Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 289 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 3863 Melon Street.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of that resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the next resolution.
Resolution No. 110504, entitled "A resolution honoring David and Trina Losinno for over 40 years of service to the organization which they founded, Special People in the Northeast."
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution 110505.
A resolution honoring Richard "Dick" Gouldey on his retirement.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution 110506.
A resolution recognizing, honoring, and celebrating The Deliverance Evangelistic Church - for their strong presence and dedicated service to the community - on the occasion of their 50th Anniversary in 2011.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.) 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution 110507.
A resolution proclaiming the month of October 2011 as "Disability Awareness Month."
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I would like to be recorded voting aye on the Consent Agenda and any resolutions that I was away from the Chamber.
The record will so indicate. We will now consider Resolution 110508.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Eleventh Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution 110509. 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, 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-Fifth and Thirty-Ninth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it and resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution 110510.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 691 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 2024 through 2052 North Tenth Street, including 1000 through 1010 Diamond Street.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.) 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Bill No. 080474-AA.
An ordinance enacting a new Chapter 9-3300, entitled "Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces," to provide that certain employees are entitled to paid sick leave, all under certain terms and conditions.
I think we 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING want to hold on for one second. Madam President, can you go on to another bill. I think we will need every possible member in the room before we run this bill, and there is a member who is not present that I think we're counting on.
Well, I can see that the only one not here is Councilman Jones.
Is he on his way into the Chamber? (Councilman Jones entered Council Chambers.)
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
The vote is 9 to 8. (Applause.) 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes are 9; the nays are 8. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the next bill to be considered.
We are still trying to conduct business. If you're leaving the room, do so quietly. Please continue.
Bill No. 110443, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Public Employees Retirement Code,' by amending the options for retirement benefits; in particular, amending Section 22-310, entitled 'Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP),' by making various changes to DROP to reduce its costs, including, but not limited to, changing eligibility requirements and the interest 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING credited to DROP accounts; adding a new option for retirees to take a lump sum benefit at retirement, in exchange for an actuarial reduction of their regular monthly pension; and making conforming amendments.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is now shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
The ayes are 14; the nays are 3. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 100720.
An ordinance amending Title 9 and Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code by adding special provisions regulating advertising signs in designated Commercial Advertising Districts; designating Market Street 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING between 7th Street and 13th Street as a Commercial Advertising District; and making conforming amendments.
This bill having been read on two different days -- Councilman DiCicco, I believe you may have an amendment on this bill. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Yes. Thank you, Madam President. I do have an amendment. I believe every member of Council has a copy. I would ask for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the amendment be approved. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chief Clerk will please 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING read the title of Bill No. 110259.
An ordinance amending Section 9-407 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Tour Passenger Carriers," to provide for tour passenger loading zones of a specified size in certain locations and in certain numbers, to provide for the removal of limitations on the number of loading zones a tour passenger carrier can occupy at one time, to provide for changes to the amount of certain fees by regulation, and to provide for certain reporting requirements.
The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I have an amendment for this bill, which I believe all members of Council have a copy. I circulated it. I'd ask for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
All 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the amendment stands approved. We will now consider Bill No. 110311.
An ordinance authorizing 600 North Broad Street Associates, 530 South Second Street, owners of Gastronomy Restaurant, located at 600 North Broad Street, to construct, own and maintain various encroachments in the right-of-way adjacent to the south footway of Mount Vernon Street between Broad Street and Fifteenth Street.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke. Councilman Clarke, we're considering Bill No. 110311. I believe you have an amendment. 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I make is motion for an approval of an amendment to Bill No. 110386. It has been circulated to all members of Council. (Duly seconded.)
A motion has been made that the amendment be adopted. All in favor will say aye.
Point of information. Madam President, what was the number of the bill again that's being amended?
Councilman Clarke, we were considering Bill No. 110311.
I'm sorry, Madam President. I'm inundated with paper on my desk. Sorry. 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING Madam President, I make a motion for an adoption of an amendment to Bill No. 110311. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the amendment be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The amendment passes. We will now consider Bill No. 110366.
An ordinance amending Chapter 10-700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Refuse and Littering," by adding a new Section, authorizing the Department of Streets to promulgate regulations regarding the proper disposal of refuse, rubbish, garbage and recyclable materials set out 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING for collection and to issue notices of violation for the improper disposal of such items.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer an amendment to Bill No. 110366. It's been distributed to members of Council. It clears up some language issues in the bill, and I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the amendment be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the amendment is 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. That seems to conclude our Calendar -- no. The Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 110386.
An ordinance amending Chapter 10-600 of The Philadelphia Code by amending Section 10-611, entitled "Sidewalk Behavior," by amending the process to be followed prior to taking coercive action for violations of the Section.
The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Pardon me, Madam President. Can the Clerk read the title of the bill number again?
110386. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: 86, okay. I believe there is an amendment being offered, friendly amendment, by my colleague Councilman Clarke. A copy has been circulated to all members of Council, and I'd ask for the adoption of 6/16/11 - STATED - 2ND READING the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the amendment be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. The Clerk will please read any additional resolutions on today's Calendar.
There are no other resolutions for consideration, Madam President.
Thank you. Well, I believe we're going to have to do something we haven't done today. We're going to have to stand in assume we'll be in recess for -- we will now interrupt our Council session and reconvene the public hearing of the Committee of the Whole. The Council will stand in recess until the completion of the public meeting of the Committee of the Whole. So I assume that should be in about an hour. (Recess for completion of public hearing of the Committee of the Whole.)
We will now reconvene our Stated Meeting. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit receipt of an additional committee report and the first reading of bills at this time. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to of another additional committee report and a first reading of bills at this time. All those in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a report from the Committee of the Whole.
The Committee of the Whole reports six bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee of the Whole, to which was referred Bill No. 100135, "An ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2012 through 2017 inclusive"; and Bill No. 110136, entitled "An ordinance to adopt a Fiscal 2012 Capital Budget"; and Bill No. 110137, entitled "An ordinance adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2012"; and Bill No. 110138, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Wage and Net Profits Tax,' by revising certain tax rates"; and Bill No. 110139, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'School Tax Authorization,' by amending Section 19-1806, entitled 'Authorization of Realty Use and Occupancy Tax,' to further authorize the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia to impose a tax on the use or occupancy of real estate within the School District of Philadelphia"; and Bill No. 110477, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 19-1801 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Authorization of Tax,' to further authorize the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia to impose a tax on real estate within the City of Philadelphia," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bills just reported from committee. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bills just reported from committee. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bills just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. I now note that the bills just reported from committee with a suspension of rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. Believe it or not, that completes our Calendar for today. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Clarke -- I'm sure there are no speeches. Thank you. Thank you. Clarke for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, June 23rd, 10:00 a.m., 2011. (Audience members yelling.)
We're still in session. Councilman Clarke, would you please make a motion? You did. Was it seconded? (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, June the 23rd. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. night, everybody. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.) 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 on June 16, 2011, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)