COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, November 29, 2012 10:50 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY COUNCILMAN DENNIS O'BRIEN COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA MICHAEL A. DECKER,
Good morning, everyone. To those visitors and guests today, I would like to apologize for our tardiness, but we had some last-minute business that we had to attend to. It will not happen again. I would ask the Council come to order. I'd ask the members to please take their seats, and ask all guests and visitors please retire behind the rail. Thank you. Before we start and have our invocation today, I would like to ask all individuals here to stand for a moment of silence. We have learned today that we have lost a former member of Council, longstanding community activist, very good person. Former Councilman Ed Schwartz we have learned has just passed away. So we'd ask for you to please give a moment of silence. (Moment of silence.)
Thank you. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Brother Richard Kestler of West Catholic High School. He is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Blackwell. I would ask all guests and visitors to please rise. (Members and guests rise.) BROTHER KESTLER: Before I begin this prayer, let me bring to you the greetings of the young students of West Catholic High School. Let us begin this session as in all things that we do, by remembering that it is under the guidance of a creator who both cares and gives us life. Today we invoke that creator's blessing upon our actions and our deliberations as a City Council. Having recently celebrated our national feast of Thanksgiving, we are mindful of all the blessings and the protection that we have received during the past year. In a special way, we are thankful for the blessings given to our peoples. We thank you for sparing us from the wrath of a recent hurricane, and we thank you for the opportunity to help others, our brothers and sisters in shore communities, during their time of need. We ask for your care for all our citizens during this holiday season and invoke your continued blessings upon our City leaders and Councilmembers. Allow them to make decisions that will continue to guide this great city in ways that establish our credibility and the attractiveness of the City as a place in which to raise families and to enrich the cultures of our peoples. In a special way, we invoke your blessings upon young people of the City, that they might be safe and benefit from a variety of educational opportunities. Bless our senior citizens with homage that they have contributed much to the life of the City and to its vitality, and may they find people and watch over them. Bless today's workers who struggle to provide the best for their families, and may many folks who work in the healthcare industries feel your guiding hand as they care for others. Finally, bless our neighborhoods and the Hamlets of the City and allow our peoples to live in safety and in peace, and may they become the people who transform the City of Philadelphia for the better. We ask for many things, in your name. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Father. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you again, Father. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the Thursday, November 15, 2012. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, November 15th, 2012 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, November 15th, 2012 stand approved. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, a leave of absence request is requested by Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Councilman. Leave shall be granted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, a leave of absence is requested by Councilman Brian O'Neill.
Thank you. Leave shall be granted. At this point, I will dispense with the regular order of business and like to offer our sincere thanks for all of you coming down to witness your government in action today. We hope that you enjoy it so much that you come back again. And, again, I promise you, we will not be this late the next time. So thank you all so much. At this time, I'd like to recognize Councilwoman Blackwell, who recognizing the important contribution of Internet Essentials in improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities in Philadelphia. Would Kathleen Sullivan and Sharon Powell and those accompanying them please join the Councilwoman at the podium.
Mr. President, we note that Councilwoman Tasco was co-sponsor of this resolution and has worked closely on this, and obviously she couldn't be here today, so we do acknowledge her in her absence. Resolution recognizing the important contribution of Internet Essentials in improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities in Philadelphia. Whereas, approximately 30 percent of Americans and 40 percent of Philadelphians do not have broadband access at home or access to a computer Internet use. As a result, they face profound disadvantages in getting a quality education, strengthening their job skills, obtaining news or accessing the kind of health, educational and financial information that is essential to improving the quality of their lives; and Whereas, as the nation's leading residential broadband service provider, Philadelphia-based Comcast is dedicated to bridging the gap of the digital divide by narrowing the broadband opportunity gap. Comcast has invested in broadband adoption and digital literacy programs in Philadelphia and in communities they serve across America, including Comcast Digital Connectors in partnership with One Economy, Club Tech at Boys and Girls Clubs and the League of Latin American Citizens Tech Centers; and Whereas, in the summer of 2011, Comcast launched Internet Essentials, the largest and most comprehensive broadband the nation, to expand adoption of broadband by low-income Americans; and Whereas, Internet Essentials provides low-cost broadband service for 9.95 a month, the option to purchase a full-service, Internet-ready computer for under 150, and multiple options for digital literacy training in print, online and in-person; and Whereas, Comcast has partnered with the School District of Philadelphia, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools, charter schools, private schools and community-based organizations such as Philadelphia OIC, LIFT Philadelphia, Urban Affairs Coalition, Freedom Rings Partnership, Aspira and many others to conduct outreach and to provide training; and Whereas, City Council wishes to ensure that all Philadelphians can benefit from the equalizing potential of the Internet and do not fall behind have Internet service at home; and Whereas, City Council wishes to ensure that all Philadelphians are aware of the availability of the Internet Essentials program and all of its benefits; now, therefore Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby recognize the important contribution of Internet Essentials in improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities in Philadelphia. Certification, this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution, adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 15th of November 2012. Certainly it was introduced by Councilwoman Tasco and myself and sponsored by all members of City Council. Thank you. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Powell for remarks.
Thank you. It's our pleasure to accept this resolution on behalf of Comcast, and I'd like to thank all of City Council and their staffs for helping us in the last couple years spread the word about this great program. As Councilwoman Blackwell mentioned, we worked with the Archdiocese, the School District of Philadelphia, LIFT, OIC. There's too many to name. I'm sure I'll forget some. Sister Mary Scullion is very involved. When David Cohen, our Executive Vice President, launched this program back in the summer of 2011, and he did it nationally, not just here in the City of Philadelphia, we started to spread the word across the country, met with all of our community-based organizations. We got a little bit of a slow start in Philadelphia. I guess about six months ago, maybe a little bit longer than that, we had 420 families signed up, and then the statistics started coming in across the country, and Chicago was just like stomping us. So the one thing that comes to mind is, when we told Claudia Averette from the School District, she says, Oh, well, that's not going to happen. So we're proud to say that by the end of the year, by the end of 2012, we'll have 2,000 families signed up in the City of Philadelphia. So I thank all of you, and I would also like to thank Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilwoman Tasco for shepherding this for us in City Council. It's now my pleasure to introduce my colleague, who has done a really bang-up job with this, Sharon Powell-Lee, Director of Government Affairs. (Applause.)
Thank you, Kathleen, and thank you, members of folks who have been supporting us. We are very excited, and we're ready to sign up some more families. But I would be remiss to not recognize that it takes a team to make this happen, and I really want to acknowledge the team along with Kathleen Sullivan and the great work that she's done. Of course, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, Councilwoman Tasco, we thank you very much for your support on this. I also want to point out -- and she doesn't know I'm going to do this, but Councilwoman Cindy Bass actually was one of the first members to invite me to one of her job fairs and community outreach, and I had to tell them right off the bat, I'm not your cable lady today, because they wanted to give me all of their issues. I said, No, we're talking about Internet Essentials. And she's been a really strong supporter. I also want to thank Councilman Curtis Jones for the Block Captain's Boot that three times. He was wonderful to have us on board with that. And Councilman Kenyatta Johnson has just been a real fighter for us. And all of you, we're going to meet you later on in the Caucus Room. But I also have with us today the President and CEO of the Urban Affairs Coalition. She has been a real strong supporter of us, her and her team. Sharmain Matlock-Turner is here with us today. We also have Reverend Bonnie Camarda, who is working with the Hispanic community and Salvation Army here with us today. We have Shirley Randleman of the west side Philadelphia folks. She's here with us from our Community Advisory Board. And I'd be very remiss not to introduce and most of you know Dr. Reverend Kevin R. Johnson from the Bright Hope Baptist Church. He is spearheading our religious initiative on Internet Essentials. So I thank all of you. And we're used to being on the other side, so being on this side. Thank you very much, and we'll see you this afternoon. (Applause.)
Thank you all so much. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. There is an additional request for leave of absence on the part of the majority. It's Councilman Bill Green.
Thank you. Leave shall be granted. Thank you, Councilman. At this time, the next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, pursuant to Sections 4-604 of 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission regarding the following bills: Bill Nos. 120661, 120817, 120826, 120856, 120875, 120876, 120878, 120879, 120889, 120897, and 120920, and I am also transmitting herewith the Commission's request for an additional 45 days to consider Bill Nos. 120916 and 120197; and I am pleased to advise you that on November 27, 2012, I signed Bill No. 120781 and that on November 28, 2012, I signed Bill No. 120729, which were passed by Council at its session on November 15, 2012; and I am transmitting herewith for the introduction and consideration of your honorable body nine resolutions appointing new members to the Board of Housing Authority; namely, Bonnie Camarda; Lynette Brown-Sow; Joan Markman, Esquire; Kenneth A. Murphy, Esquire; Herbert Wetzel; Leslie Callahan; Nelson Diaz, Esquire, Shellie Jackson; and Vernell Tate; and I am transmitting herewith for the introduction and consideration of your honorable body a resolution appointing C. Kevin Gillespie to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion; and Also a resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Cecil B. Moore Avenue Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 1504 North Carlisle Street; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2200 East Cumberland Street; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 1228 through 30 East Oxford Street; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 195 by striking from the City Plan Webb Street from Albert Street to Huntingdon Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any other communications?
Thank you so much. At this time, the next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair at this time recognizes Councilman Kenney.
An ordinance amending various titles of The Philadelphia Code to increase the equality of treatment of all persons in the City of Philadelphia regardless of gender identity by expanding and modifying the definition of "Life Partnership" and "Life Partner"; further providing for protections, rights, benefits, and responsibilities of Life Partners.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Health Code," by amending Section 6-301, entitled "Food Establishments," by revising certain provisions relating to food safety and making technical changes.
That bill will be referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce one privileged resolution and one non-privileged resolution. The privileged resolution is co-sponsored by Councilman Dennis O'Brien.
A privileged resolution calling on the City Council Committee on Education and the City Council Committee on the Disabled and Special Needs to form a task-force which will support Philadelphia's Office of the Safe Schools Advocate.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged 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 Sixth and Forty-Fourth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
May I note that also in addition to Councilman Dennis O'Brien, Majority Leader Curtis Jones and Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown also co-sponsored the resolution on disabilities in children.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer three resolutions.
A non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Cecil B. Moore Avenue Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 1504 North Carlisle Street.
That resolution will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 1228 through 30 East Oxford Street.
That resolution will also be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged 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 Thirty-Second Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
That will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills, no resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one non-privileged resolution and two bills.
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.
And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Erie Avenue, B Street, Venango Street, and Front Street.
And a non-privileged 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.
That resolution will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one privileged and one non-privileged resolution today.
A privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Public Safety to investigate and hold public hearings reviewing the adequacy and frequency of training provided to Fire Fighters and other first responder personnel of the Philadelphia Fire Department, and what impact rolling brown-outs are having on training and preparedness.
That resolution will be placed on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution recognizing November 2012 as Epilepsy Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia.
That will also be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-2400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Hotel Room Rental Tax," by increasing the rate at which the Hospitality Promotion Tax is imposed and providing for terms for the deposit and distribution of the revenues from such additional tax.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I offer ten non-privileged resolutions on your behalf, one on my behalf, and one privileged resolution and two bills.
An ordinance authorizing the Haverford Avenue Business Association to construct, own and maintain various right-of-way encroachments on the 7500 block of Haverford Avenue.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Chapter 21-1700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Publication of Notices by City," by revising provisions concerning how and when certain required notices shall be published and advertised.
That bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution honoring and celebrating the United Age Group Track Coaches Association and Director Ron Jackson for their 35 years of commitment in developing today's athletes into tomorrow's leaders by tirelessly working to provide quality, organized Track and Field programs for Philadelphia's youth.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the appointment of Lynette Brown-Sow as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A resolution approving the appointment of Bonnie Camarda as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A resolution approving the appointment of Joan Markman, Esquire as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A resolution approving the appointment of Kenneth A. Murphy, Esquire as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A resolution approving the appointment of Leslie Callahan as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A resolution approving the appointment of Shellie Jackson as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A resolution approving the appointment of Nelson Diaz, Esquire as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A resolution approving the appointment of Vernell Tate as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A resolution approving the appointment of Herbert Wetzel as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A resolution appointing C. Kevin Gillespie to the Board of Directors for the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion; and A resolution confirming the appointment of Brian J. McCormick as a member of the Board of Ethics, to serve in the term ending November 16, 2016.
Those resolutions just read will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two bills and one non-privileged resolution.
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 195 by striking from the City Plan Webb Street from Albert Street to Huntingdon Street.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Use of an Automated Red Light Enforcement System to Prevent Red Light Violations," by conforming Sections 12-3006 ("Penalty"), 12-3007 ("Notification of Violation"), and 12-3012 ("Limitations") with the applicable enabling legislation.
That bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2200 East Cumberland Street.
That resolution will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions this morning.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution recognizing Vets Journey Home USA, Inc. as an organization that provides a unique program for veterans to help them deal with the emotional wounds of military service.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution honoring John J. Gaittens' 33 year career with the Philadelphia Police Department.
Thank you. That resolution will also be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. That concludes our introductions. The next order of business is reports from committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for a report from the Committee on Rules.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Rules reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, will you please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Rules, to which was referred Bill No. 120430, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by providing for revised sign controls and making technical changes," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 120430.
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 120430. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Squilla for a report from the Committee on Streets and Services.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Streets 12 bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, please read the report.
The Committee on Streets and Services, to which was referred Bill No. 120532, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Traffic Code,' by providing for the manner in which bicyclists may operate bicycles in the streets, and by prohibiting motor vehicles from obstructing or creating certain hazards in bicycle lanes, and further, amending Title 11 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Streets,' to provide for the establishment and implementation of a Complete Streets Policy"; and Bill No. 120777, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on 74th Avenue, between Ogontz Lane"; and Bill No. 120778, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 6 of Bill No. 120519, entitled 'An ordinance authorizing 2303 Bainbridge Street to construct, own and maintain various encroachments within the City right-of-way,' by extending the period for compliance therewith"; and Bill No. 120817, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 5 of an ordinance (Bill No. 110436), entitled 'An ordinance authorizing Kimmel Center, 200 South Broad Street, owner of the Kimmel Center located at 300 South Broad Street, to construct, own and maintain various encroachments in the right-of-way on the south sidewalk of Spruce Street between Broad and Fifteenth Streets,' by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions therein"; and Bill No. 120856, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City 340 by striking from the City Plan Woodbine Avenue from Belmont Avenue to Hayes Avenue and Forty-Ninth Street"; and Bill No. 120870, entitled "An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on 46th Street, both sides, Kingsessing Avenue to Woodland Avenue"; and Bill No. 120871, entitled "An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Kingsessing Avenue, both sides, 45th Street to 46th Street"; and Bill No. 120872, entitled "An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Haverford Avenue, both sides, 33rd Street to 34th Street"; and Bill No. 120873, entitled "An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Natrona Street, east side, Brandywine Street to Haverford Avenue"; and Bill No. 120874, entitled "An ordinance establishing a parking 39th Street, both sides, Baring Street to Powelton Avenue"; and Bill No. 120876, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 307 by striking from the City Plan the westerly ten feet wide portion of Twenty-First Street from Race Street to Spring Street"; and Bill No. 120877, entitled "An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Ainslie Street, north side, Conrad Street to Cresson Street," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so to permit the of the 12 bills that were just read into the record. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading today of the 12 bills just reported from committee. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The 12 bills just reported from committee will be placed on the First Reading Calendar today. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that all of the bills just reported from committee with suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final 2ND READING Passage Calendar for the next session of Council. As there are no other bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up for Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today: Nos. 120864, 120865, 120884, 120925, 120926, 120419, 120301, 120661, 1205 -correction; 120656, 120618, 120654, 120720, 120724, 120727, 120728, 120755, 120774, 120824, 120818, 120819, 120820, 120784, and 120855. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you, Councilman. Before we consider these bills and resolutions, we will have public comment. Public comment goes as follows: You will be given three minutes to speak. Your speech must relate to bills and resolutions that are on the Second and Final Passage Calendar. If you're interested in testifying, we ask that you sign up to the table to my left. I must note, because we have a relatively long list, that the guidelines and the rules established by this Council do allow me, if it's the same subject matter, to cut off the comment on a particular bill, but I want to try and be as accommodating as possible to give everybody an opportunity. So we ask that you please adhere to the guidelines and limit your testimony to as short a time as possible. In the middle of the Council Chambers, you will see a podium. That podium has a device on it. When the light turns green, that means it's your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, that means you have 30 seconds before your time is up. We ask you to please adhere to the guidelines, because we want to give everybody an opportunity to speak. So thank you very much. Mr. Decker, would you please read the name of the first individual who is interested in testifying.
Javier Garcia, commenting on 120755. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Javier Garcia and I work with Community Ventures. Community Ventures is a non-profit developer of affordable housing. Our mission is to partner -- is to work in partnership with community organizations in Philadelphia to develop housing and commercial space consistent with a plan to support neighborhood revitalization. Over the past 25 years, we have developed over 300 units of affordable rental and homeownership units throughout Philadelphia. Just yesterday afternoon, we closed on the fifth of 19 NSP-funded affordable housing units that we are building in the Point Breeze neighborhood. Community Ventures supports Councilman Johnson's Bill No. 120755, authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to acquire vacant properties in Point Breeze. Contrary to statements made in some places, this is not an extreme proposal, and we understand that it does not involve taking any properties for which credible development plans have been submitted. The acquisition proposal includes strategically selected sites, many in close proximity to other City-owned land. We believe that the development now taking place in Point Breeze will continue. With houses now selling routinely for over $270,000 and with some sales as high as the mid $300,000 range, developers have the values they need to renovate and build new housing. As blighted conditions are reduced, values will increase further. In many respects, these changes are positive. Economically integrated neighborhoods are likely to be safer and to have better schools, stronger commercial districts, and more jobs. They are better places to live for everyone. But those changes have a negative side as well, and, that is, the wholesale loss of affordable rental housing and the displacement of low-income families. Nearly one-half of Point Breeze's housing units are rentals, and the occupants of those houses and apartments are particularly vulnerable to increasing housing costs. Point Breeze has changed greatly over the past ten years since I moved into the City, and this proposal will not hinder Point Breeze's ongoing revival. The acquisition of approximately two dozen lots in Point Breeze could help to preserve a small number of affordable housing units in a neighborhood where affordability is rapidly disappearing. This proposed legislation could facilitate the redevelopment of these blighted locations. At the same time, it could aid in protecting a vulnerable population in an otherwise gentrifying neighborhood. Thank you for your time.
Peter Moore, commenting on 120755. (Witness approached podium.)
Hold on one second, sir. Folks, I'd ask you to please turn your cell phones on vibrate or off so we don't continue to disrupt the Council session. Thank you. Please proceed, sir.
I stand here in support of the bill. Thirty-five years I've been connected to the Point Breeze community. Years ago, we were -- I'm currently a member of the Board of Directors of Diversified Community Services, but 35 years ago, we began the battle to get Dixon House Community Center, which is also part of Diversified rebuilt, and then in the last five, six years, we reinvested on Point Breeze Avenue and built the new Mamie Nichols Center, which is the headquarters for DCS. For a great many years, we've been trying and working with families in Point Breeze. You're getting people to qualify for mortgages and buy properties as first-time home buyers, and in addition, we've spent many, many years helping families that have owned properties retain their properties inside Point Breeze. The Director of Dixon House and I met with Kenyatta before, Councilman Johnson, before he took office, and we were expressing to him the concern that we had never thought that we'd see such rapid change in a community in our lifetime. Mamie Nichols, longtime leader in Point Breeze, said, Wait, one day you'll see it. But for three decades, we had seen nothing. And I think there are huge opportunities when communities see reinvestment. There are tremendous opportunities for everybody, but I believe from the bottom of my heart that as the tide rises, we have to find ways and opportunities for it to lift boats throughout a community. This is really a very modest proposal. A community as it comes together -- and I think the folks in this room and the many other people within Point Breeze, we all need to be coming together to look for a broader vision that includes places for all constituencies within a community, and particularly at a time like this when communities that are getting the kind of investment that's occurring, we're not seeing investment in housing for police officers or teachers unfortunately or for many in the service industries. My own stepdaughter lives in Point Breeze, and she works as a firefighter out of 24th and Wolf, and my grandchildren that I drive to school every day and throughout that community, you're worried whether or not they're going to be able to remain or that other people, whether they work for the City or the School District or Lowe's or all the service industries, are going to be able to have a place to live. So I'd just like to close to say that I think this is a very modest down payment, and Diversified really is looking forward to working with people throughout this community in fleshing out a broad vision that includes investments that are going to benefit everybody within this community. Thank you.
Jeff Allegretti, commenting on 120755. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Jeffrey Allegretti. I'm President of Innova Services Corporation, an affordable housing development company that's been located in Point Breeze for the past 16 years, and I'm here in support of Councilman Johnson's efforts to target vacant, blighted, blight-producing parcels in Point Breeze for acquisition and redevelopment as affordable housing. Our stated mission is to create and preserve affordable housing while contributing to the sustainable redevelopment of transitional neighborhoods. In the past four years, we've developed 26 homes for sale to income-qualified buyers through the City's HRP and NSP programs. And I'll try and synthesize, given the time constraints, two primary impediments that we face in doing that. The first is the difficulty in taking blighted parcels and acquiring them so that they can become affordable housing. Some parcels have liens in excess of their market value, making private sale impossible, while others have owners who are either unreasonable or unwilling to sell their blight-producing properties while waiting for bigger future payoffs while they destabilize the neighborhood in the interim. The second big issue for us, especially in Point Breeze, is the rapidly appreciating home values, especially in the area closest to Washington Avenue, where this bill focuses its efforts. It's made it harder and harder for us to be able to maintain affordability as we do our development, as the prices for even the blighted parcels have been rapidly rising along with the rest of the market. I know there always will be some controversy around the public taking of private property for even the noblest goals and I do wish there were smarter and easier ways to acquire blighted and destabilizing parcels for development as new affordable housing, but until there is, Bill No. 120755 and future bills like it represent smart and effective public policy. It removes blight, it cleans murky titles, and it encourages affordable housing development, especially where market mechanisms cannot and especially in gentrifying neighborhoods like Point Breeze. We urge City Council to pass this important bill. Thank you.
Otis Bullock, commenting on 120755. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Otis Bullock and I am testifying as Executive Director of Diversified Community Services in support of this bill. And first before I begin, I would like to commend Councilman Johnson for introducing this bill. A lot of things have happened with this bill. It started at 90-some-odd properties. It came down to, I think, 43 properties, and now I think it's 28. And I think that shows the Councilman's commitment to working with the community, working with developers, for a commitment to development in Point Breeze. So I appreciate that. Diversified Community Services' mission is to enable children, youth, and families to realize their fullest potential in safe neighborhoods. We are the largest community-based organization in Point Breeze. We've been serving the Point Breeze neighborhood for more than a hundred years. Our Dixon House, which Peter Moore spoke of, has been in Point Breeze for 85 years. Typically, Diversified Community Services is recognized as one of the go-to organizations in South Philadelphia, because people know that we bring the leadership and the resources, and we're typically known as an organization that gets things done. Our aim is to bring people together in the spirit of friendship and pursue common goals and interests, which is within our tradition coming out of the Settlement House tradition from the 1900s. Our Dixon House has always been a place where every facet of a community could come together, and we're hoping in the spirit of cooperation, in the spirit of unity, that Diversified can serve as an outlet to bring both new and old residents together for a common goal. Here on Bill No. 120755, we think it's important to have this bill because it's important to maintain the affordability of Point Breeze. Everybody knows that over the past several years, Point Breeze has been a highly gentrifying neighborhood and Point Breeze has some challenges. In a neighborhood like this, it's important to bring in new residents, but it's also important to maintain affordability for residents who have been living in Point Breeze for a very long time, which is why we support this bill. There's other reasons that we support this bill on purely policy issues. Anybody who is familiar with the Office of Housing and Community Development's Consolidated Plan for Year 38, this bill is definitely in support of that. It's consistent with the neighborhood plan. In the Consolidated Plan, the Plan calls for preservation of about 10,000 affordable housing units across Philadelphia. I see my time is running out, but I want to say that it also supports private-public investments in the neighborhood, and this is a -- I think I got to go, but I'm going to wrap up. I'm wrapping up. This is a bill that has been consistent with private-public partnerships, and I just want to say to everybody who is in opposition of the bill in this room, I want you to read the bill and I want you to look at -(Applause.)
By the way, he's a good friend of mine, so the fact that we limited his testimony to three minutes, it shows you, I am not biased.
Sylvia Wilkins, commenting on 120755. (Witness approached podium.)
Hi. Good morning. I wasn't expecting to be called that quickly.
I'm Sylvia Wilkins. I live in the 1700 block of Federal Street. My parents bought my house in 1949, and I've lived there all my life. I'm here today because for the past ten years, I've been saying, How long do I have to live in Point Breeze before I get a chance to say what happens to my neighborhood? And I think that it's important that I'm here today to say that we need the support of this bill. When my siblings and I were children, we used to say, Oh, I can't wait to get out of here and go move somewhere else. And my parents used to say to us, Why? Everything happens in South Philly. Art, music, sports, it's right here. So I'm the only one who listened to them, by the way. This morning I decided that I was going to look up the definition of "neighborhood" and "community." And I'm not going to read the whole list, but some things jumped out at me that I think are important, and one part for "neighborhood" says, The people living near one another, a section lived in by neighbors and usually having distinguishing characteristics. Community, a unified body of individuals as the people with common interests living in a particular area, an interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common location. Nowhere in that description does it say anything about a realtor or a developer. (Applause.)
My question here is, all these people who are protesting this, I want to know where they've been since 1999 when we've been trying to get help from not tearing down and rebuilding. No one was in sight. My block consisted of every kind of ethnicity that you could think of, and I personally don't want what happened in the SOSNA neighborhood to happen in my neighborhood. I was encouraged by this list, number one, because most of the houses are right behind me off of Federal Street and where $200,000 and $300,000 homes are now built, and we need the diversity. And I ask for your support, because people need to learn how to live with one another and not have it based on how much their house is worth or what education level they have or who their parents were. Thank you.
Good morning. Ms. WYAIT: Good morning, everybody. I'm here to represent the bill. As the young lady said earlier, and she said more than I could ever say, I think a senior citizen as I am, that we need people around us who are diversified. The developers come from different states. They come in to make purchases, and they're only here for the money. We live here. We live with each other, happy or sad. We're always at each other'S back, doing the good things as well as the bad, and you do that in every neighborhood. So I personally am for the bill, because it helps those of us who cannot afford the developers. Thank you.
Marvin Robinson, commenting on 120755. (Witness approached podium.)
The reason why I'm not supporting this bill, because I remember underneath the Haddington's Leadership Organization -- Geneva Black was one of the Board members -- and they have brought this in demand to our neighborhood, and I remember this organization that came 16 years ago, I'm talking about, 16 years ago. So a lot of y'all probably wasn't here, but they came in our neighborhood and they tore down these properties, and they really didn't fix no properties up in our neighborhood, took away from the people in our neighborhood. I was a member of the Haddington's Leadership at that time when the Haddington's Leadership -- I'm sure all y'all probably know when Haddington's Leadership was operating up in for and command. And if it didn't work 16 years ago in our neighborhood, I'm sure it's probably not going to work in any other neighborhood. Now, I'm telling you my experience underneath Geneva Black, and she was upset during the time after the years went by that this didn't work for our neighborhood. So it's not that I don't want to see a developer come. It's just the fact that how they came in our neighborhood and tore down all these properties and never fixed none of them up but a few of them here, there, and there. And I live in the West Philadelphia area. I'm a committee person in the 4th Ward, 15th Division. I'm not here to break unity, but I'm here to testify just on that behalf, that what I saw -- and I'm underneath great leadership, and I'm telling you now, Jannie Blackwell was the Council and all during that time, you know, and I saw that -- and I look at my neighborhood and I saw what they did, and I think to this day, we was promised this, we was promised that, and they did not show up and do that. So God be the glory. If y'all want them in your neighborhood, I have nothing to do with that, but I'm just testifying on that behalf, because I was a Board member of the Haddington's Leadership when they brought that to our community and it didn't work. So the only thing I can say, I wish y'all do the best thing, analyze it for the best for all the people in the City, and make the best choice. Like I said, if it didn't work in our neighborhood underneath great leadership now -- I'm not talking about any leadership -- great leadership, it's not going to work today as I see. Thank you, and God bless.
Good morning. My name is Michael Noda. I'm a resident of Point Breeze. I live right around the corner from Ms. Brookins. I live on the 1600 block of Annin Street, and I'm a renter. And I want to thank the Councilmember, Councilman Johnson, for his great concern for people like me who rent in Point Breeze, but I have to disagree with his methods and I stand against 120755. These properties are going to be coming off the market and they are going to stay off the market for five years, ten years, maybe 30 years, because that's how long properties owned by the City in the neighborhood of Point Breeze have been off the market. Now, while they sit in the City's hands -- and hopefully they won't be there very long -- the supply of housing is going to be restricted and what housing remains is going to be more expensive for people like me, people like my neighbors. So, again, thank you, Councilman, for your concern, but this is not the way to show it.
Excuse me, Mr. Decker. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have to leave the Chamber for a bit. I would like to be recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions in my absence.
Christopher Sawyer, commenting on 120755. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I'm one of the most vocal critics against 120755. That haphazardly eminent domain's property in Point Breeze that includes some privately owned property, much of this was supposed to go to the Sheriff's sale process. We don't care. We just want more land, is what this is all about. Curiously enough, this bill started out with over 90 properties. Then we had to go whittle it down some more and some more and some more. Never in recent history has the City actually gone after properties with active plans for development or with active owners and they're being told, Oh, yeah, expect some token payments from us after this passes. The public asked, Do you have plans to build something here, concrete plans? And the response from PRA was, Well, we'll figure it out when we do the RFPs. That's not an appropriate answer when you're going to swipe private property with very little due process. Now, the City occasionally sells lots it owns for market rate development to turn it back over to the tax rolls, but out of the huge armada of parcels the City sits on in this neighborhood, at least 311 properties at last count, I see very little new affordable housing going up right now on those lots. Now, why is that? I'm met with dead silence whenever I ask that question. I also met with silence on why the City won't gut and refurb vacant houses that it also owns in Point Breeze for affordable housing. Now, you ask Mr. Covington from PRA why nothing has happened on the City-owned lots. Oh, that's right, nobody in this Chamber asked him. Now, I was here watching the hearings for this bill when it was voted out of Committee. Nobody who gets a paycheck from the City of Philadelphia dare to answer this question, why the largest landholder in Point Breeze does diddly-squat with all the property it owns and it doesn't want to sell. Further, the City itself is the largest nuisance property owner in Point Breeze. I mean, too bad the PRA doesn't take eminent domain as seriously as it took the encroachment of a certain vacant lot in Point Breeze because the adjacent property owner was so sick of the performance of PRA maintenance crews who were supposed to take care of PRA property. I seem to recall the news of that lot made it to publications as far as Peshawar, Pakistan. Has anybody in this Chamber ever had to walk on a PRA-maintained sidewalk after it snows? I hope your kids have their kneepads and their crash helmets on. The Philadelphians in this room here today, you're being fed a lie. You're being given an expectation that bountiful affordable housing is just around the corner and it's coming to your neighborhood, courtesy of City grants to favored developers. There's no rosy NSP II funding scenario that even remotely suggests anything substantial is coming. If affordable housing funding was bountiful, PHA would be busy expanding right now. So enjoy your councilmanic privilege today and vote for a bill that's useless, a waste of time, and precious federal dollars and it is a joke. Too bad the people who are waiting for affordable housing in Point Breeze don't know, the joke is on them. (Applause and boos.)
Ori Feibush, commenting on 120755. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Ori Feibush, and I am tired of business as usual here in Philadelphia. Bill 120755 is not a housing bill. It's a vacant property bill.
Hold on, sir. Folks, could you please keep your voices down and respect the speaker. Thank you. Please proceed.
The City has not figured out a way to maintain or build on the thousands of lots it already owns, and yet you want to take more. Vacant lots create blight. They create crime. They harm neighbors and they harm neighborhoods. Facts are facts. You keep telling everyone that they should just trust you. Let us take these lots now and we'll put out a plan later, you'll all love it. How about you put the plan out now before the vote, before you take these lots? If a private citizen wants to build something, they have public meetings and they receive feedback. Why are you all above the law? None of you has any idea what's going to be built here and where the money is coming to build it. Will these homes be two-story or three? Will they be one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom or four? What will be the price? You keep saying the word "affordable." Affordable, affordable, affordable, affordable. But the only ones in this room that can actually afford these affordable homes are you and me. Talk is cheap. Put the sale price in writing as an addendum to the bill. There are currently eight affordable homes listed for sale in Point Breeze. Four were listed for $182,000, one for 225,000, and four for $255,000. That's not affordable. Put it in writing. What should we believe, your words or your actions? You say you're going to be affordable. Put the price in writing. I am sick and tired of backroom deals and of you telling your constituents one thing and doing another. The people in this audience are far smarter than you think. You are not going to trick them into supporting something that hurts the community by simply saying the word "affordable." You're speaking out of both sides of your mouth and hurting the very people you need to help the most. If you really cared about helping those in need, you would take the money you are wasting buying dozens of properties that the City doesn't want or need and use it to give rental subsidies to those that need them. Renters are the ones most at risk here, not someone that can afford a $250,000 home. Or if you want to promote homeownership, you take the money and you build on the lots you already own. In the time you've spent fighting over some vacant lots, your colleagues up here have already broken ground on hundreds of new homes. Why can't you? So congratulations. You're taking money that could be used for true affordable housing and using it to buy more vacant land, just what our broke city needs. I guess next Thanksgiving your office can hand out tents instead of turkeys. Please support Point Breeze and the City of Philadelphia. Vote no to Bill 120755. Thank you. (Applause and boos.)
Point of order. Point of order. (Audience members yelling out.)
Mr. President, could we have the last commenter come back to the mic.
Sir, I didn't get a chance to ask you this question at the hearing. Do you view it to be a waste of money for people not to pay taxes for ten years on their ten-year tax abatement program?
Do you view it as a waste of money for people not to have to pay taxes for the ten-year tax abatement program?
People that have ten-year tax abatement programs do pay taxes.
I'm not understanding your question. Is it a waste of money to build a home to create jobs?
I think you definitely understand my question, and public subsidy is public subsidy, whether it's done through affordable housing, whether it's done through ten-year tax abatements.
So don't just talk about one waste of money without talking about the other.
But thank you for your comment. (Audience member yelling out.)
May I just simply respond to your question here and give you the answer you're asking. The affordable homes that are built in Point Breeze have tax abatements, sir. Every one of them has a tax abatement.
And I do not believe it a waste of money to stimulate development in Philadelphia by offering a tax abatement. I do not believe it to be a waste of money, no, sir.
As long as certain people are given the public subsidy.
I think everyone should have an opportunity to that. I think we should take the precious money we have and build on the lots we already have. I want to build more affordable housing, not less affordable housing. This bill builds less affordable housing, sir.
We actually can put more money into affordable housing when we begin to modify the ten-year tax abatement. Thank you for your comment.
Is there money to build 311 homes, because that's how many vacant lots are out here.
There will be once we begin to deal with the ten-year tax abatement, but thank you for your comment.
Chester Skaziak, commenting on 120720. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Honorable Council President Clarke and distinguished members of Council.
I support development in Councilwoman Blackwell, but not the acquisition in this form. As I said, my name is Chester Skaziak. I'm a Philadelphia resident and taxpayer. At the November 13th hearings, I raised the following questions in the Bill No. 120720. There are 17 properties to be acquired. Two of the properties mentioned were previously owned by the City. They are 3608 Mount Vernon and 3612 Mount Vernon. Why have we not included 3610 Mount Vernon? These were three of a 14-property transaction which took place on February 21st, 2002, giving the ownership to the Montessori II for $1. They never rehabilitated or built on these properties. They have not fulfilled their obligation under The Philadelphia Code, Chapter 16-400, Vacant and Surplus Properties, or Philadelphia Code 16-404, The Vacant Property Review Committee. It states: (6) The Vacant Property Review Committee shall, in cooperation with the City Planning Commission, determine the conditions of the title to be incorporated into the deed for each property to be disposed of pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Failure of compliance with the said conditions will cause title to the property to revert automatically without conveyance thereof being required, upon notice that such failure exists and no attempt is made to remedy such failure. Such conditions shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: (A) The property shall be developed and used in accordance with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of the City of Philadelphia; (B) The property shall be rehabilitated and/or improved, and said rehabilitation or improvements to be completed within one year of acquisition of title, unless practical cause is shown why the time for the completion should be extended, provided that no extension of time shall be for more than 60 months, except with further approval of the Vacant Property Review Committee. (2) All properties sold or transferred by the development pursuant to this chapter shall be for development and used in accordance with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of the City of Philadelphia. I'm providing a copy of policies for the sale and reuse of the City-owned property. See their , appropriate and timely development of properties that I have given to each one of you. Also attached, there's a color-coded map of the area in question and the various ownerships. The yellow block of properties represents those given for $1 to the Montessori Genesis II. Why are we purchasing these two properties we once owned? What will the cost be to obtain possession of them today? What will the 12 other properties now in the hands of Montessori Genesis II cost we, the taxpayers, in the future? This will be a hidden cost to us, the taxpayers, at a time of the new tax of the AVI is upon us. There were hearings held on June the 1st, 2006. Mr. Wetzel accepted a request by a member of Council not to implement eminent domain on 3619 and 21 Haverford Avenue. While this property is not in the bill, it is situated right in the middle of what is considered center of the land. This property was purchased for $173,000 in 2005. It's being sold for 2.2 million bucks. They are only paying $800 in taxes. They don't have any permits issued to them. They are renting. We are losing tax dollars.
Next time I come in, sir, I will speak faster, because there's more issues like this within that area.
I understand. Thank you for your statement, sir.
Jihad Ali, commenting on 120755. (Witness approached podium.)
And other distinguished members of City Council. I'm here in support of Bill 120755. I'm here in support of Councilman Kenyatta. I'm here in support of the need for black people to obtain decent housing. My issue is with the developer. As some of you know me, I'm here to represent the National Association of Minority Contractors. Our groups consist of both union and non-union firms, but this developer, Diversified, regardless of what he said about, the first speaker from Diversified, who said about lifting all boats, it doesn't lift black boats. So the issue is in construction that I'm concerned about. The need for housing, people need housing. The need for decent affordable housing, people need that. I support that. And black people that live in those neighborhoods, they deserve to stay in those neighborhoods. So I support that. My issue is with the developer who comes down here and makes commitments and doesn't live up to them. He doesn't give opportunities to disadvantaged firms. That's what I just need Council -- and I'm confident in the leadership of this body, that if we pay attention to the detail about inclusion, the bills that Councilman Goode, Councilman Jones, Blondell, Councilwoman Blackwell and all of you have fought for, then we'll achieve what we're trying to achieve, which is lift all boats. Thank you very much.
Charlie Tasco, commenting on 120755. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Charlie Tasco, and it is a pleasure to present to you this afternoon, and I stand in for my grandmother, Mrs. Claudia Smith Sherrod. I live on the 1600 block of Wharton Street. Over the past couple years in our community of Point Breeze, I have seen significant changes, changes that I like and changes I do not like. We are building up the community. However, not as it should be, with the houses Councilman Kenyatta Johnson is proposing. Affordable housing has always been a need and will continue to be if we do not address it that way now -- that need now. A balance to the overwhelming greed that comes with market rate housing is needed now, not later. Committee members, I urge you to address the same need the President of the United States, Barack Obama, has addressed on a smaller scale, houses in our community of Point Breeze. The President dealt with the middle class and the underprivileged with his provision in healthcare and not taxing people who earn fewer than $200,000 in yearly incomes. To allow the developers and realtors to come into our community without the thought to the long-term residents is simply wrong. We have history that they are trying to take away. We have houses that they are trying to overprice, and we have a strong name, Point Breeze, that they are trying to change. When is it going to stop? We urge the City Council, please do not let the balance that is so badly needed in our community continue to develop. Let our Councilman Kenyatta Johnson do his job in supporting the needs of the community. Thank you.
Tiffany Green, commenting on 120755. (Witness approached podium.)
Our organization, Concerned Citizens of Point Breeze, have been at the forefront of this regarding housing in Point Breeze. We do support this bill. We do feel that there's further talks with Councilman Johnson that needs to take place, but we support this bill, because we deserve affordable housing. Let's go back to a report from Council President Anna Verna, which is Packer Park, South Philadelphia West. Packer Park, due to our friend here Capozzi, who is the broker and the real estate, they had over 600 market rate houses built in Packer Park and even more. Then they took -- then Passyunk Homes was emptied out and Passyunk Homes was turned into Siena Place, which is now 400 market rate homes. Then you had on the other side of South Philadelphia in the City over 6,000 units had been built over there for market rate housing. You have Greater Grays Ferry that only received 745 units from PHA housing, and then you have little Point Breeze that have only gotten 300 houses, affordable houses, since 1995. We are demanding or requesting that all of the 300 properties be designated for affordable housing. Mr. Feibush has come down here and continued to target our community. In the Philadelphia Inquirer, he stated he has the money to buy all City-owned properties, and in the meeting with the Point Breeze Business Association, he told us that he only do market rate housing. So he's not really interested in affordable housing. This is a ploy because he can't get his hand on cheap properties to flip into $300,000 to $500,000 homes. And we're not going to allow him to come down here and accuse some of these people, some of them what I heard got paid, I don't know, and he's not going to use this as a situation to take away from Point Breeze. We deserve to be stabilized in a situation where our city is moving forward, and we want to stabilize our working-class community. We feel at this point that City Council needs to now support this bill, with further talks, and stabilize Point Breeze and other communities, other communities as far as -- Fairmount has already been market rate, Northern Liberties has been market rate, Brewerytown has been market rate, and it's moving up all into Temple. Let us not be naive about the fact that these developers -- there's nothing on the books that give the developers an incentive to build affordable housing. Where's the incentive? Where is the incentive? There's nothing. The only thing affordable being built is by PHA and the City, and that money is about to be dried up. There needs to be an incentive for them to build affordable housing. We cannot depend on the government to keep building affordable housing. And we're going to continue to fight, because this is nothing but a scam to try to get cheap properties. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Thank you for your testimony. Mr. Decker, any other names on the list?
11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you very much. Thank you all for your testimony today. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, would you please read the title of Resolution No. 120864.
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-Fifth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for the adoption of the resolution. 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 120864 is passed. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120865.
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-Fifth and Thirty-First Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
The 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair again recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 120865 is adopted. Again, Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120884.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING identified by house number and street address as 2128 East Dauphin Street.
Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 120884 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120925.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING 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-Ninth and Thirty-Seventh Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 120925 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 120926. 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
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 Seventh, Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Thirty-Third Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
That was Greenlee. I'm sorry. I was distracted. I'm sorry; Sanchez. I was very distracted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 120926 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120419.
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 314, within the area bounded by Lindbergh Boulevard, Dicks Place, Eighty-Sixth Street, Shecktor Place, and a certain pedestrian walkway which extends from the southwesterly terminus of Shecktor Place southeastwardly and southwestwardly to Lindbergh Boulevard.
Council President, I move to withdraw this bill. (Duly seconded.) 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
It's been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 120419 be withdrawn. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 120419 is withdrawn. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120301.
An ordinance continuing the Mt. Airy Business Improvement District beyond its termination date, in an area that generally includes both sides of Germantown Avenue from 6300 to 7631 and certain blocks of streets that intersect that portion of Germantown Avenue and for which Mt. Airy Improvement District, Inc., a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, is the Neighborhood Improvement District Management 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Association for the District.
Thank you. 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 15; the nays are zero. This bill having received the 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING majority of all members present, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120661.
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 271 by relocating the southeasterly curbline of Delaware Avenue from Spring Garden Street to Ellen Street.
This bill having been read on two separate occasions, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays zero. The majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120656.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by revising lot area and parking requirements in certain districts, and making technical changes.
Hold on one second. Correction for the record. The bills passed earlier, the count is 14-0. Last-minute leave of absence was Councilman Green. So it's 14-0. 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Okay. Mr. Decker, we are on 120925; am I correct?
A lot of distractions up here today. Sorry about that. Bill No. 656. Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer an amendment to Bill No. 120656. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council, and I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor of the amendment? (Aye.)
The bill is amended. Thank you. 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, please read the title of No. 120658.
Bill No. 120618, an ordinance approving a new plan, estimated costs and proposed method of assessment of the Manayunk Special Services District for and concerning business improvements and administrative services to the Manayunk business district of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. Whoa. Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to offer an amendment to Bill 120618. The amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I'd like to move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor of the 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING amendment? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 618 is amended. Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120654.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by revising certain provisions and definitions, and making technical changes, all relating to stream buffers, waterfront setbacks, and certain overlay districts.
This bill having been read on two separate days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll. 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. All members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120720.
An ordinance approving the fifteenth amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the Mantua Urban Renewal Area, including the twelfth amendment to the urban renewal plan and the relocation plan, which provides for the additional land acquisition of 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING approximately seventeen properties for commercial and related uses.
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 14; the nays are zero. All members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING title of 120724.
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, Clearfield Street, Sixth Street, and Allegheny Avenue.
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 14; the nays are zero. All members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 120728 -- 27.
Bill No. 120727, an ordinance approving the eighteenth amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the South Central Urban Renewal Area, including the eighteenth amendment to the urban renewal plan and the twelfth amendment to the relocation plan, which provide for the additional land acquisition of five properties for recreational and related reuses.
This bill having been read on two separate occasions, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez. 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. All members having been present and voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 120728.
An ordinance approving the sixth amendment to the redevelopment proposal for the Independence Mall Urban Renewal Area, Unit No. 4, including the sixth amendment to the urban renewal plan and the relocation plan, which provides for the additional land acquisition of certain parcels located within an area adjacent 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING to the bed of ground formerly known as Ridge Avenue and generally situated between the northwest intersection of North Eighth Street and Race Street and the southeast intersection of North Ninth Street and Vine Street for mixed-use reuses.
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 14; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 120755.
An ordinance approving the seventh amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the Point Breeze East Urban Renewal Area, including the seventh amendment to the urban renewal plan and the second amendment to the relocation plan, which provides for the additional land acquisition of forty-three properties for residential, recreational and related reuses.
Before we call for the vote, the Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I would like to make a brief statement on the bill.
On Bill 120755. Council President and colleagues, there are those who believe that if you tell a lie long enough, that people will start to accept it as the truth. And in this case of the affordable housing initiative, this is what happened to some degree. This bill has been called the Kenyatta Johnson bill, the land grab bill, and I even named it the affordable housing bill. Some 900 people, more than 600 of them with no ties to the Point Breeze community, have signed an online petition stating that monies for teachers, libraries, and recreation centers will be used to build affordable housing, when nothing could be further from the truth. People have been told that the properties that are being actively developed are being snatched by the City to build affordable housing, which is 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING another lie and the one that I suspect have brought many people out here in opposition of this bill today. The reality is that the affordable housing initiative legislation is the Administration's bill, which I introduced and fully support. The initiative, which took shape before I entered office, includes the areas of Mantua, Nicetown, and Point Breeze, which are designated as blighted areas and received support from the Obama Administration stimulus money. The properties that the City is seeking to build affordable housing was selected by the Redevelopment Authority before I took office this year, and yet my office has worked diligently with developers on a one-to-one basis with the Redevelopment Authority to ensure that the properties that were in even the earliest stages of development were pulled from the list, which originally included 93 properties, 11 already owned 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING by City agencies and 80 privately owned. And now it includes only 17 privately owned properties. Most of those 17 are blighted and have liens and are tax delinquent in excess of $165,000. And I might note, and I might note, we have reached out to all the owners, and no one responded. No one responded as it relates to those specific 17 private properties. Claims have been made by a single developer that he either owns or represents the owners of the 14 remaining 17 properties sought by the City, a claim that allows him to continue driving an Internet campaign based on lies that has been waged against this bill. While he has requested and we have removed the list of five properties of his own earlier this year, he now refuses to provide the addresses or any other information about the 14 properties sought by the City, saying that he does not trust this government body. 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Although I won't get involved in the petty politics and motivations behind the opposition of this bill, I do support quality development in the Point Breeze community, in which I reside in. I also support the affordable housing initiative, because it will allow us to create neighborhoods where people of mixed income levels that include the people who have always lived in the neighborhood as well as welcoming new residents. Essentially we create viable neighborhoods instead of situations in which the poorest and most vulnerable citizens are priced out of their neighborhoods and forced to move to isolated communities that do not thrive. This is about inclusion and not exclusion. This is about inclusion and not exclusion. The wants of developers who do not live in the Point Breeze community, are not invested into the community, have no interest in working with those who already are living in the 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING community, have no interest in working with those who are already living in the community, and whose sole purpose is to make money on a community, cannot, should not, and will not, while I'm the Councilman, trump the needs of those who live in the Point Breeze community. Colleagues and my members, I ask for an affirmative vote on this piece of legislation. (Applause.)
Thank you so much, Councilman. With that, Bill No. 120755 having been read on two separate days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. (Applause.)
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, by revising and clarifying certain provision and making technical changes.
This bill having been read on two separate days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING roll.
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 120824.
An ordinance authorizing and approving the City to amend the payments due under an Alternative Funding Mechanism for a portion of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the City of Philadelphia 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Retirement System pursuant to the Municipal Pension Plan Funding Standard and Recovery Act, through the execution and delivery of a supplement to a Service Agreement between the City of Philadelphia and the Authority, such amendment of payments to be effected through the issuance of the Authority's bonds to provide funds to purchase outstanding bonds of the Authority previously issued to finance such Alternative Funding Mechanism.
This bill having been read on two separate days and voted on by a majority of all members present in the affirmative -- the question is shall the bill pass finally. I'm sorry. Mr. Decker. I'm sorry. Call the roll.
Councilwoman 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Reynolds Brown.
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 120818.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2013 from the General Fund to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
This bill having been read on two separate days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll. 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. All members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120819.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2013 from the Grants Revenue Fund to the General Fund, Law Department.
This bill having been read on two separate 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Councilman Kenney is voting aye. 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilman O'Brien.
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120820.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING for Fiscal Year 2013 from the Grants Revenue Fund to the General Fund, the Office of Property Assessment.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING passes. Mr. Decker, 120784.
An ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner and the Free Library of Philadelphia, to enter into a sublease agreement for the leasing of personal computers and associated equipment, to include related maintenance and other services, from the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, for the use of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 120855.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Business Income and Receipts Taxes," by revising the total amount of all tax credits available in any year for new job creation.
This bill having been read on two separate days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Councilwoman 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Quinones-Sanchez.
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any other resolutions?
A privileged resolution calling on the City Council Committee on Education and the City Council Committee on the Disabled and Special Needs to form a task-force which will support Philadelphia's Office of the Safe Schools Advocate, introduced by 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Public Safety to investigate and hold public hearings, review the adequacy and frequency of training provided to Fire Fighters and other first responder personnel of the Philadelphia Fire Department, and what impact rolling 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING brown-outs are having on training and preparedness, introduced by Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a privileged resolution recognizing November 2012 as Epilepsy Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman O'Brien.
The 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair again recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a privileged resolution honoring and celebrating the United Age Group Track Coaches Association and Director Ron Jackson for their 35 years of commitment in developing today's athletes into tomorrow's leaders by tirelessly working to provide quality, organized Track and Field programs for Philadelphia's youth, 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING introduced by Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a privileged resolution recognizing Vets Journey Home USA, Inc. as an organization that provides a unique program for veterans to help them deal with the emotional wounds of military service, introduced by Councilman Oh.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh. 11/29/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a privileged resolution honoring John J. Gaittens' 33 year career with the Philadelphia Police Department, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you so much. The next order of business is the Suspension Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh for a motion on Bill No. 120534.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill No. 120534 be removed from the Suspension Calendar and placed on the Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Been seconded. Mr. Decker, please call the title of the bill.
Bill No. 120534, an ordinance amending Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity," to prohibit certain activities that damage, deface, or risk damage to, public artwork or memorials, and to provide for penalties for violations of such prohibitions.
It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 120534 be removed from the Suspension Calendar and placed on the Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bill will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council. That completes our Calendar for today. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
There being none, are there any speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. Just a reminder to the members of the Appropriations Committee -- you know who you are -there's a hearing at 1:30, a little less than an hour from now. Please be prompt.
Thank you, Councilman. No other speeches, at this time the Chair recognizes -- I'm sorry. Jones, are you back up? The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. It is my sad duty to say good-bye to the eighteenth member of City Council, and that's Mr. Bill Anderson of WURD, who has announced that he will be moving on in his career and will not be a member of this Chamber in an official capacity. I just wanted to say that he was recognized by Congressman Fattah as a man making a difference. He's recognized by the Philadelphia Tribune as a person to watch under 40. I don't know if he's still under 40, but we're still watching. And he was noted as one of Philadelphia's most influential African Americans, as well as being recognized as Philadelphia Weekly's the best radio talker. I always was uncomfortable with the catch phrase of "I woke up with Bill." I mean, you know, it made me a little uncomfortable, but I got used to used to it over the years. He's a second-generation communicator, and he will be missed in these Chambers. (Applause.)
I want to further go on, because he would want me to, speaking on substantive matters, beyond his own leaving, that I want to announce that there's a joint effort with GunCrisis, St. Joe's University in building a Philadelphia public safety agenda. We're having a two-day summit, which will take place December 19th and the 20th at St. Joseph's University's campus, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The title is "A Pathway to Prevent Criminal Activities, and Beyond Incarceration, A Life Beyond Being a Ward of the State." This two-day seminar is being participated by the University, but also Commissioner Ramsey; Louise Carpino from AFSCME; the Commissioner of Prisons; State Senator Greenleaf; U.S. Attorney Reed; Reverend Griffin from the Philadelphia Black Clergy; Commissioner Ambrose, DHS Commissioner; John Wetzel, Pennsylvania Prisons Commissioner; many members of the community; and District Attorney Seth Williams. The idea there is to look at issues related to early red flags for criminal activity developing within individuals, communities, and our city; the career criminal path, evaluating how does this happen second, third generational activities; the cost, the true cost, of crime in our community; and committing crimes under the influence of one drug, alcohol or narcotic; and then, finally, stopping the cycle of generational incarceration. We hope to explore many of these issues, but not just to sit around and have group, but to come up with a productive blueprint on preventing these issues that will be taken on and hopefully adopted by this Council in many of our budget proceedings, Mr. President, we can not just talk about it, but be about it and follow our money accordingly. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. Councilman, I got to say when you referenced the member of Council leaving us and I looked around and I realized that there were three Councilmembers absent today, you made me pretty nervous. So I was glad you quickly said the eighteenth member.
Thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilperson Johnson, I think was next.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to take this opportunity and thank all my colleagues for their affirmative vote on Bill 120755. to commend Chair of Public Safety, Councilman Curtis Jones, for his efforts and really looking at how do we come together with a comprehensive strategy to address the issue of violence in the City of Philadelphia, and we look forward in working with you in conjunction and making sure that we execute a plan to rid our streets of violence. And my interest has always been specifically the issue of gun violence. So I just want to thank you as well.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I certainly commend my colleagues on a very important session, and I would like to say to Bill Anderson how much we appreciate his years of service. We love his father, Cody Anderson, and appreciate all that they us informed and to make talk radio what it is. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. As we talk about affordable housing, and I want to congratulate my colleague, Councilman Johnson, I got into public service because I believe that policymaking and decision-making is not about an either/or, but an "and," and I think what Councilman Johnson is attempting to do in Point Breeze is the "and," to make sure that the investment that government put in the Point Breeze area that has created that private market, that in addition to that, that it protect the long-term residents of Point Breeze. And I know that you presented this earlier in caucus, and you did not take the credit reconstruction of the Philadelphia Housing Authority Board is extremely important as we talk about affordable housing. PHA is probably one of the most important institutions for the City of Philadelphia, given the decrease in Community Development Block Grant funding for the City of Philadelphia. For me, the composition of that Board is historic in its nature in that there are two Latinos who are going to be appointed there. So I want to congratulate the Mayor and your leadership for working together as the City takes over PHA again and as we are able to leverage vital resources in the City to create affordable, accessible housing throughout the City. So I want to congratulate you and thank the Mayor for that Board composition. It is full of people with varying skill sets that I believe are going to help us move that agency
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to join everyone else in congratulating Bill Anderson as he moves on up, and he'll surely be missed here. And Bill has been friends with my husband for many, many years. And so I'm surprised at the news. I don't know if Scott knows, but we wish you all the best, absolutely all the best. And I also wanted to make a very brief comment on the news we received earlier regarding Councilman Schwartz and his passing. The Councilman was someone who lived in my district, was a neighbor of mine, lived very close to me, was very, very helpful to me in my race, and will just surely be missed as a Philadelphia. And so I just think that Philadelphia has really lost a champion, particularly for the progressive and liberal community and the Northwest. So he'll be missed.
Thank you. I concur, Councilwoman. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to make the congratulations to Bill Anderson bipartisan. Certainly all of the Councilmen, Councilman O'Brien and Councilman O'Neill and I, have been on Bill's show, and I certainly enjoy his very friendly and easy and intelligent way about him as he goes through all types of various issues. He will be missed by many of us here in City Council as well as on the radio, but I suspect his talents are in high demand. So I hope he will remember us as he goes on to stardom.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. There are no other speeches. And, Bill, I would just like to say, having known you for a long, long time, when you were at the other station and seeing you grow up and under your father's tutelage and way back to Georgie Woods, who gave you your first opportunity, I just want to congratulate you. I'm sure you will bring some balance to where you're going, and I want to thank you for all of the support you've given all of the members of City Council and the City of Philadelphia. We'll miss you, but I know you'll pop in every now and then as a guest host and be there for us. I just want to thank you, and congratulations and good luck. With that note, I would like to recognize Councilwoman Brown for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, December 6th, 2012, 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that the Council stand adjourned until Thursday, December 6th. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. We are out of here. 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 on November 29, 2012, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. ) A 156:9 Advisory 15:18 ago 13:2 50:12,15 analyze 67:19 abatement 79:7 actuarial 131:24 Advocate 22:5 65:18,19 66:7 Anderson 154:7 79:13,15 81:5 addendum 76:3 145:25 agreement 132:6 158:23,25 81:11 82:3,10 addition 23:6 Affairs 10:18 141:7 161:10 162:13 abatements 80:8 51:4 159:21 13:22 15:9 aid 49:17 and/or 84:20 81:4 additional 16:14 affirmative aim 58:5 165:23 able 52:20,24 17:14 29:16 107:10 112:16 Ainslie 42:13 Anna 91:22 55:10 160:17 112:25 117:15 114:24 117:6 Airy 102:15,22 Annin 68:12 absence 6:22 7:2 119:24 122:15 119:14 122:5 Albert 19:19 34:5 announce 155:11 7:11 8:16 16:15 address 18:22 127:10 129:11 alcohol 156:16 announced 154:8 69:24 107:24 19:6,14 24:5,17 131:17 132:17 Ali 87:4,7,11 answer 71:6 72:7 absent 157:11 35:5 89:22 90:3 134:12 136:16 Allegheny 26:13 80:25 absolutely 82:14 98:3 158:6 138:20 140:25 115:8 anybody 59:9 161:16 addressed 90:5 143:9 145:15 Allegretti 53:12 72:23 accept 12:6 123:7 addresses 125:22 157:24 53:15,18,19 apartments 49:2 accepted 86:7 adequacy 28:4 afford 64:23 allow 4:12 5:10 apologize 2:4 access 8:25,25 146:22 75:25 77:8 45:11 90:11 Applause 11:25 accessible 160:19 adhere 45:17 46:2 affordability 93:7 126:8 13:23 16:5 60:7 accessing 9:6 adjacent 72:16 49:12 55:11 allows 125:16 62:17 63:18 accommodating 119:25 58:20 59:3 Alternative 65:3 68:5 69:14 45:14 adjourn 163:24 affordable 46:24 131:23 132:13 73:23 78:4 89:2 accompanying adjourned 164:3 47:8,12 48:21 Ambrose 156:4 91:5 94:18 8:8 164:8,15 49:11 53:21 Amen 5:16,17 127:12 129:13 accrued 131:24 ADJOURNME...