Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, March 22, 2018 10:45 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE L. BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN AL TAUBENBERGER MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting March 22, 2018
Good morning. We're going to get started, if we can minimize the conversation. Thank you. We have established a quorum and we will now have our invocation. And this morning we have a special guest to do our invocation. We will have Councilman Kenyatta Johnson. I'd ask all members, guests, and visitors to please rise. (Councilmembers, guests, and visitors rise.)
As a young man, my grandmother taught me that greater is he that is in need and he that is in the world, and I want to thank all my colleagues who are working in this body on behalf of those who need a voice, on behalf of those who are in need. Can we please bow our heads. Dear Heavenly Father, I just want to thank you for getting us up this morning and watching over us, Lord, and Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 families, Lord. And, Lord, I pray that you just look out for the leadership here in the City, from members of City Council up to the Mayor, Lord. Lord, I pray that you always guide us and encourage us and strengthen us as we go about as advocating for those most in need but, most importantly, Lord, giving us the wisdom to make decisions that's all about the people as opposed to ourselves. Lord, I pray that you always continue to encourage us and motivate us to work in transparency and decency but, most importantly, continue to put the needs of this city above ours. In all things we ask in your name, in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 15, 2018, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 15th, 2018 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 15th, 2018 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that Journal is approved. Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests of leave of absence today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to welcome and I would particularly like to thank everybody who has come down in these challenging weather times to come to see your government in action. So I just Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 we genuinely appreciate you being here. We hope that your stay here today is a pleasurable one, so much so that you come back again. Again, thank you for being here. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, who will present a resolution honoring Monica Malpass. Would Ms. Malpass and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, we have Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilman Greenlee, Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez. And we'd ask, Mr. Diaz, could you come up, please. And Councilman Green.
Good morning to colleagues, guests, and visitors. Welcome to our annual celebration of Women's History Month. On Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Women's History Month, we are thrilled and delighted to bring to you another woman whom I believe walks on the water backwards, with high heels on, blindfolded, all done with style, discipline, and grace. The women of City Council are delighted and pleased to honor and recognize the career of Monica Malpass on the occasion of her 30th year anniversary as a journalist for 6ABC Philadelphia. (Applause.)
Whereas, Monica Malpass, Co-Anchor of 6ABC Action News, joined the station in January of 1988 and has since become one of Philadelphia's most trusted and beloved broadcasters; and
Whereas, Monica Malpass is host of 6ABC's news program "Inside Story," an award-winning political roundtable, along with anchoring several other public Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 on 6ABC; and Whereas, a native of North Carolina, Monica Malpass began her career as a reporter and anchor for WXII-TV in Winston-Salem and later on WCHL-AM in Chapel Hill; and
Whereas, after receiving her B.A. in Journalism from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Malpass earned her M.A. in Political Science from Villanova University in Pennsylvania. Her extensive education in public affairs also includes two honorary Doctoral Degrees and graduation from the Brookings Institution's "Inside Washington" Program; and Whereas, her esteemed reputation as a journalist has earned Malpass exclusive interviews with some of the nation's most prominent politicians and public figures. Over the course of her career, these figures have included: Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 and Gerald Ford; former Vice Presidents Joseph Biden and George H.W. Bush, who I think was President also; and Secretaries Hillary Clinton and Colin Powell; reporters and anchors Oprah Winfrey, Diane Sawyer, Barbara Walters, and Helen Thomas; and actors Al Pacino and Diane Keaton; and
Take a point of privilege and just thank her. I joined her with Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown at the Press Club recently to listen to her story, and she was just as wonderful in talking about all of the great achievements in her life and how her failures have been her motivation. So I want to thank you again for joining us and all the young women who had the honor of being with you that evening. Whereas, Malpass has interviewed every Governor, U.S. Senator, Congressperson, State Senator, State Representative from the Commonwealth of Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Pennsylvania, the States of Delaware, New Jersey for the past 30 years; and Whereas, as an anchor for 6ABC, Malpass has covered notable events in the City of Philadelphia and around the world. She is a great ambassador for us. Locally, she covered the Eagles Super Bowl game in 2005, Pope Francis' visit to the U.S. in 2015. She has emceed the Pennsylvania Conference for Women on numerous occasions. Malpass has represented Philadelphia nationally and internationally, reporting on the inaugurations of President George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton, and the funeral of Princess Diana in London; and
Whereas, Malpass has earned many awards in recognition of her influence and accomplishments as a journalist, beginning with her naming to the Pennsylvania Honor Roll of Women in 1996 and earning 1st Place for Spot News from Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Broadcasters in 1998. She was later named Broadcaster of the Year by Women in Communications, Best Female Broadcaster by the Main Line Today magazine, and has earned 1st Place by the Society of Professional Journalists over several years. In 2006, she was inducted in the Broadcast Pioneer Hall of Fame in Philadelphia; and
Whereas, a dedicated public servant on and off the air, Malpass has served on the Board of Directors at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Children's Seashore House. She is also a member of the Union League of Philadelphia and volunteers with numerous local charities; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by this Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby honor, recognize, celebrate, and lift up the extraordinary career of Monica Malpass on Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 30th year anniversary as a journalist for Philadelphia ABC News. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Monica Malpass as the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. In closing, I think your career is most captured by one of my favorite writers, Maya Angelou. A woman who is convinced that she deserves to accept only the best challenges herself to give the best. Then you have lived phenomenally. Congratulations on an extraordinary career. (Applause.)
Of course, you know we have a wonderful tradition, and we want to bring up Nelson Diaz to present a symbol representing the City of Philadelphia, extraordinary person, true mentor to young people, exceptional Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 (Applause.)
And the Chair recognizes Ms. Malpass for remarks.
Thank you so much. I'm truly humbled just that you're here, and my son Jake is here with me, and it brings me great honor to be all of the things that you mentioned, but most especially a mom to three sons. And the other two are seven, so I didn't think you were quite ready for both of them. Just briefly, I want to say that it has been a true privilege to work in Philadelphia and cover the news here, including many of you, for 30 years. I am so grateful to 6ABC for all the opportunities to do the stories and to make those inroads in journalism, but more than that, I'm grateful to my friends who are here, my family, and to the people who have supported me all Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 times and bad, and I'm glad to say they're mostly good. So thank you very, very much for taking me into your hearts, into your homes and making me a Philadelphian. I appreciate it. (Applause.)
Thank you, and congratulations one more time. Our next order of business is communications, and the Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, please read those messages from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission on the following bill: Bill No. 180170. And I am pleased to advise you that on March 20, 2018, I signed the following bills which were passed by Council at its session on March 8, 2018: Bill No. 170995, 170996, 171002, 171003, 171126, 171127, 171128, 171129, 171130, 180005, 180006, and 180075. And I am submitting herewith for the consideration of our honorable body an ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Bicycle Lanes," by authorizing the Department of Streets to designate bicycle lanes, in both directions, on Lansdowne Drive and South Concourse Drive from Sweet Briar Drive to 41st Street Drive in Fairmount Park and authorizing the removal of parking, pursuant to Section 12-203, on both Lansdowne Drive and South Concourse Drive, in the same Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 limits; and An ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Bicycle Lanes," by authorizing the Department of Streets to designate bicycle lanes, in both directions, on Parkside Avenue from North 53rd Street to Bryn Mawr Avenue and authorizing the removal of travel lanes, in the same limits, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications in your possession?
Thank you very much. Our next order of business will be introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. She's not there. The Chair Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer one resolution.
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 Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Forty-Third Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on next week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I have one bill and one non-privileged resolution, and I'd like to be recognized after the title of the resolution being read.
An ordinance amending Subsection 19-2604(6) of The Philadelphia Code, under which businesses may enter into agreements to make contributions to community development corporations and certain other organizations receive credits against business income and receipts taxes, by increasing the number of businesses for which the credit shall be made available to. Stated Meeting March 22, 2018
And a non-privileged resolution supporting the Settlement Agreement reached between the United States Department of Justice on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency and Philadelphia Energy Solutions.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the resolution to be voted on at today's Council session. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 ayes have it. That resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Good morning, Mr. President. I have two bills and two resolutions, one privileged.
An ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Bicycle Lanes," by authorizing the Department of Streets to designates bicycle lanes, in both directions, on Parkside Avenue from North 53rd Street to Bryn Mawr Avenue and authorizing the removal of travel lanes, in the same limits.
And an ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Bicycle Lanes," by authorizing the Department of Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Streets to designate bicycle lanes, in both directions, on Lansdowne Drive and South Concourse Drive from Sweet Briar Drive to 41st Street Drive in Fairmount Park and authorizing the removal of parking on both Lansdowne Drive and South Concourse Drive, in the same limits.
And a privileged resolution proclaiming and designating the week of March 18, 2018 through March 24, 2018 as "National Public Defense Week," in honor of the 55th Anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Gideon versus Wainwright, and in recognition of the dedication and commitment of public defenders who seek justice for our indigent populations across the country.
And a non-privileged resolution also naming the Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 5300 block of Diamond Street as "Dorian Dumas Way."
And that will be on next week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer no bills or resolutions this morning for the record. I thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Council President, I have two privileged resolutions and one non-privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings examining strategies to increase Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 diversity and inclusion in Philadelphia's technology sector.
And a privileged resolution recognizing the Taney Youth Baseball Association on the Occasion of its 25th Season.
And a non-privileged resolution recommending that the United States Postal Service select Alpha Kappa Alpha founder Ethel Hedgeman Lyle for inclusion in its commemorative postage stamp collection.
And that will be on next week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one bill on behalf of the Administration.
Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Thank you, Councilwoman.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
And that will be referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I have one privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing April 2018 as Autism Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia and honoring of Dr. Wendy Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Ross, founder of Autism Inclusion Resources and Director of the Center for Pediatric Development.
And that will be on this week's Calendar. Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, did you have something for Councilwoman Parker?
Oh, Councilwoman Blackwell has it. Okay. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell on behalf of Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I introduce one privileged resolution on behalf of Councilwoman Parker.
Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Thank you, Councilwoman.
A privileged resolution commemorating the National Association of University Women on its Founders Day.
And that will be on this week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Good morning, Council President. I have one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilmembers Henon, Taubenberger, Squilla, Green, Gym, Reynolds Brown, and Oh.
A privileged resolution acknowledging and recognizing Amplify Philly, a partnership of public and private organizations, that joined together to highlight Philadelphia's startup and tech community and promote Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Philadelphia as a hub for startups at the 2018 South by Southwest Conference & Festival in Austin, Texas.
And that will be on this week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Good morning, Council President. I have two privileged resolutions for today.
A privileged resolution declaring March 31, 2018 as Transgender Day of Visibility in the City of Philadelphia.
And a privileged resolution honoring the life and activism of Rio de Janeiro City Councillor Marielle Franco, and expressing solidarity with public officials and advocates across the globe who bravely Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 speak out for human rights.
And that will also be on this week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Good morning, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions this morning.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two privileged resolutions.
A non-privileged resolution calling on the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner to begin an immediate investigation to determine how much of insurance companies' tax cuts should be passed on to consumers in the form of lower rates.
And a non-privileged resolution calling on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to investigate how much of utility companies' tax cuts should be passed on to consumers in the form of lower rates. Stated Meeting March 22, 2018
Also on next week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I offer one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilmembers Blackwell, Parker, Green, Domb, and Taubenberger.
A privileged resolution Recognizing and Congratulating the University of Pennsylvania Men's Basketball Team for an Outstanding Season in which it Earned the Title of 2018 Ivy League Champions and Competed in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. That concludes our introduction Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Our next order of business is reports from committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for a report from the Committee of Rules.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Rules reports five bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Rules, to which was referred Bill No. 180008, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 14-513 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled '/TOD, Transit-Oriented Development Overlay District,' to revise requirements and to designate several Transit-Oriented Development Transit Stations"; and Bill No. 180097, entitled "An Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Master Plan for the University of Pennsylvania, and to approve the proposed addition to 3620 Locust Walk"; and Bill No. 180101, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Silverwood Street, Gay Street, Baker Street, and Carson Street; and to adopt a Master Plan for the former St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church and adjacent parcels"; and Bill No. 180135, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 14-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Overlay Zoning Districts,' by adding a new Section 14-521, entitled '/STM, St. Mary's Master Plan Overlay'"; and Bill No. 180137, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 bounded by Adams Avenue, Tabor Avenue, Harrison Street, Whitaker Avenue, Roosevelt Boulevard, Bingham Street, East Olney Avenue, North Front Street, Nedro Avenue, Hammond Avenue, and Crescentville Road," 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 Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill Nos. 180008, 180097, 180101, 180135, and 180137. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 180008, 180097, 180101, 180135, and 180137. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. These bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a report from the Committee on Finance.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Finance reports nine bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 170365, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'City Funds - Deposits, Investments, Disbursements,' by amending Section 19-201, entitled 'City Depositories,' by authorizing the City Treasurer to deposit funds in Santander Bank, National Association"; and Bill No. 170901, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-3900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Tax Exemptions for Longtime Owner-Occupants of Residential Properties,' to extend the availability of exemptions and making related changes"; and Bill No. 171110, entitled "An ordinance constituting the Twenty-First Supplemental Ordinance to the Restated General Water and Wastewater Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1989, as amended and supplemented, providing for certain amendments to the General Ordinance"; and Bill No. 171111, entitled "An Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Supplemental Ordinance to the Restated General Water and Wastewater Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1989, as supplemented; authorizing the Bond Committee to issue and sell one or more series or subseries of tax-exempt or taxable water and wastewater revenue bonds and revenue refunding bonds"; and Bill No. 180002, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Traffic Code,' by providing for the reimbursement of filing fees for parking ticket appeals"; and Bill No. 180010, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'City Funds Deposits, Investments, Disbursements,' by amending Section 19-201, entitled 'City Depositories,' by authorizing the City Treasurer to deposit funds in Fulton Bank, National Association"; and Bill No. 180096, entitled "An Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 19-1400, of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Realty Transfer Tax,' by excluding from the tax a transfer of property between the Philadelphia Housing Authority and a Pennsylvania Limited Partnership (PLP) whose General Partner PHA owns and controls; and a transfer of property from PHA or a PHA-controlled PLP to a wholly owned subsidiary of PHA"; and Bill No. 180138, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Real Estate Taxes,' regarding terms of payment agreements"; and Bill No. 180139, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 19-1806 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Authorization of Realty Use and Occupancy Tax,' to revise the timing of the determination of assessed value, under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the nine bills that were just read into the record by the Chief Clerk. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 170365, 170901, 171110, 171111, 180002, 180010, 180096, 180138, and 180139. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 (No response.)
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. That concludes our reports from committee, and the next order of business is the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with a favorable recommendation and suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills and resolutions will be on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions that are on the Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 2ND READING and bills are being called up for Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Bill Nos. 180243, 180245, 180250, 180251, 171109-A, 180012, 180170. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you, Councilman. Before considering these bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today, we will have our public comment session. If you are interested in testifying on a bill or resolution that's on the Final Passage Calendar today, if you haven't already signed up, you may sign up at the table to my left. When your name is called, you will go to the middle of the Chamber. There is a podium. There's a device on that podium. When the light turns green, it will be your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. When the light turns red, we'd ask that you Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 please adhere to our guidelines and conclude your remarks. You will be given three minutes to testify. Mr. Decker, please call the first name on the list.
Tony Spadaro, commenting on 180251. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. I want to thank City Council for letting me testify today. My name is Tony Spadaro and I'm a fourth-year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania. I am also a national board member of Students for a National Health Plan, the largest health professional student single-payer advocacy organization in the country. We represent over 1,000 health professional students, over 50 universities, including the medical schools here in Philadelphia. In my short medical career, I've seen too many patients suffer under Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 the current inequitable private health insurance system we have. As a patient with sickle cell disease, you spend many weeks out of the year in pain hospitalized, keeping her from living her fullest potential, all because she couldn't see an outpatient pain specialist because she couldn't find one that would take her insurance. I've had a patient with diabetes and back pain who couldn't work because of her back pain. She needed surgery for her back pain, but couldn't -- the surgeon couldn't operate on her because her diabetes was poorly controlled. Her diabetes was poorly controlled because she couldn't afford the co-pays on her diabetes medication that I tried to prescribe her. In what world does this system make sense? I take my professional responsibilities very seriously and always try to do the best for my Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 patients. Unfortunately, the current system has my hands tied and causes patients to suffer, all for a higher profit of insurance companies. As the future of the healthcare profession, I am fighting for a more just and more equitable system, which is why I am glad to see Philadelphia City Council make this commitment to Medicare for all. I hope the City Council also shows their commitment by holding town halls in their districts around the City for their constituents to express their support for Medicare for all so that politicians at the federal level can see Philadelphia's support for this. By fixing the inefficient multi-payer system we currently have, we could rein in healthcare costs, which are currently greater than 17 percent of our GDP, more than any other country, yet we lag behind in terms of healthcare outcomes. We could use the money we save from a single-payer system to provide Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 high-quality insurance for everyone and get rid of the barriers like co-pays, deductibles, limited networks that lead to unnecessary suffering for patients. Health professional students in Philadelphia and across the country support this resolution, and we want to let the federal government and the City government know that they need to act to protect our patients' health.
Willie Singletary, commenting on 180251. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Willie Singletary and I'm here with Healthcare for All. Would you all stand up here today who is here to support this bill. (Audience members standing.) Stated Meeting March 22, 2018
I believe that healthcare is a right for all people, especially our children, regardless of their ability to pay. Nobody should go without proper medical care in the most powerful free world. Everyone knows that in America that healthcare is -- it was broken. It was broken before Affordable Care Act and it's still broken even afterwards, even though we made some progress. It forces millions of people to pay for insurance they can't afford to use because deductibles are so high. Millions are still left without coverage, and costs are skyrocketing for everyone. There has always been a simple solution to our healthcare mess: cover everyone with a one-payer system. Private insurance companies have been allowed by generations of corrupt politicians to become monopolies with the power to extort many hundreds of billions of dollars from the American people each Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 year. The health insurance industry spent $150 billion in 2016 in lobby expenses alone to protect their monopoly, money that could have been spent on providing care and saving lives. And as I testify today, I strongly support healthcare for all Philadelphians, Pennsylvanians, and the entire United States of America. Healthcare is not a right -- is a right. It's a right and not a privilege. With one payer system, we could have a good health coverage, increase the number of doctors and care facilities, and stop big pharma from gouging American consumers. I thank you, Mr. President, but we have to come together and get everyone covered in the United States and, more importantly, Philadelphia. (Applause.)
Natalie Midiri, Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 commenting on 180251. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Natalie Midiri and I work for an organization called Healthcare for All Pennsylvania. We are a group dedicated to building a constituency for single-payer healthcare across the State of Pennsylvania in red districts and in blue. Many people in this room are going to make the moral, medical, and economic case for single-payer healthcare, but I want to focus on the political case for single payer, which is too often shoved to the side. For too long, public officials have readily dismissed single payer, the divisive issue that threatens to make solidarity within the democratic party and, therefore, their reasoning is that we must settle for affordable instead of comprehensive healthcare to ward off Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 further attacks on working people. To that I say, as long as we have a healthcare system that is broken, that works for the few and not the many, healthcare will continue to be a divisive political issue in this country. Like we saw with Donald Trump's election, many will flock to whichever candidate voices their family struggles around healthcare the loudest. We must have a solution for this problem and solve the issue of our current healthcare system's politics being unsustainable. As long as municipalities and counties across the State of Pennsylvania must keep pace with rising healthcare costs, at the expense of funding our schools and repairing our crumbling infrastructure, then voters in Pennsylvania will fail to see the value in a well-funded public sector, and the politics of our current healthcare system will be unsustainable. Thirteen million Americans cast Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 their vote in support of Senator Bernie Sanders' Medicare for All platform. Single payer is moral, it is economically just and responsible, it is immensely popular, and it is one of the key political issues that can unite a working-class political base in this state. I urge every member of City Council not just to vote in support of this resolution, but also to join our coalition, help us build the movement for single payer right here in Philadelphia by working with us to hold town halls in all of your districts. Thank you very much for your time. (Applause.)
Marty Harrison, commenting on 180251. (Witness approached podium.)
Hi. My name is Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Marty Harrison. I'm a nurse at Temple University Hospital and a member of my union there, PASNAP. Hi. My name is Marty Harrison. I'm a nurse at Temple University Hospital and a member of my union there, the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals. We and our technical and professional colleagues at the bedside and across the City provide healthcare. We maintain blood pressures. We clear airways. We hold hands. We wipe tears. The insurance companies provide no healthcare. The insurance companies provide only payment for that care. As clinicians like Tony, I take my role as a patient advocate very seriously, and that role compels us to bring the fight for safe and effective patient care out of our hospitals, clinics, and other facilities and into places like City Council to say unequivocally that improved Medicare for Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 all, without regard to income, employment or legal status, is what's best for all patients in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is home to a wealth of world-renowned healthcare institutions that provide cutting-edge therapies and do next-generation research. We have the highly skilled, experienced, educated workforce to do those things, and we should be proud of this excellent tradition. But Philadelphia is also the poorest of the ten big U.S. cities and demonstrates stark healthcare disparities. I know we were all dismayed by the recent statistics about disparate, wildly disparate, life expectancies in Philadelphia by zip code. So though we have the resources to provide excellent care to every Philadelphian, what's missing is the political will to let us do our jobs and provide that care. We call on City Council to pass this resolution and, in Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 fact, do more to take the next concrete steps to make Medicare for all a reality in Philadelphia. Thank you. (Applause.)
Rachel Ambrose, commenting on Councilwoman Gym's resolution introduced today on Transgender Day of Visibility. (Witness approached podium.)
-- to join you on this wonderful spring day in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. I am proud and honored to be here today to represent the LGBTQ Home for Hope and as a voice of the transgender community. My name is Rachel Ambrose and I am a transgender woman. I am a feminist, Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 a lesbian, a musician, a volunteer, a positive voice, and a proud parent of three great children, one of whom is part of our LGBT rainbow. I came to Philadelphia 12 years ago a much different person than the one you see before you today. I was a lost and conflicted soul pretending to be the man that the world saw, caught up in self-destruction, searching for an answer to who am I. In Philadelphia, I found myself and the city in which I could prosper. If this city was not the diverse, welcoming city that it is, I may not have been here today. This resolution of visibility today marks another milestone for the City and its transgender community. We have made much progress and seen great strides towards equality. Yet there is much more hard work ahead. With the current hostile political climate in Washington towards Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 LGBT rights and the rights of many marginalized populations, we find our progress yet again under assault. Trans women of color in particular are bearing the large portion of this hatred. Yet we have persisted, and we must remain persistent. We are not the false stereotypes that many use as weapons of discord against us. We are doctors, lawyers, police officers, nurses, and cashiers at the local grocery store. Today we are television stars, Academy Award winners and, yes, even State Senators. We are your neighbors, siblings, and parents. We are a vital piece of the mosaic of diversity that is this city. I wish to thank the City and all those that make progress like this possible. Thank you for taking action for us and with us. With this resolution, our city stands proud, hand in hand, in the light of hope with its Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 transgender citizens. Thank you, Councilwoman Gym, for introducing this resolution and your fierce allyship to the transgender community. And thank you to the members of City Council for your support. Thank you. (Applause.)
Tierman Campbell, commenting on Councilwoman Gym's Transgender Day resolution introduced today. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning to the members of the Council and also to the fellow Philadelphians. My name is Tierman Campbell and I feel honored to be a speaker at such a significant event as this. I am here as a representative of the LGBTQ Home for Hope, which is a shelter and a recovery program for the Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 LGBTQ community and also as myself, a transgender woman, who's living happily in the City that accepts and supports me. A few years ago at the beginning of my medical transition, I thought the lack of acceptance was going to taunt me relentlessly every day. I would wait for the 23 bus and let two or three pass by, looking in the windows, judging quickly whether the group or the passengers would accept me, then finally board one very squeamishly, averting my eyes from everyone else's. I learned quickly that many people knew about transgender people and really didn't give us a second thought. I call itself education through awareness. People here raise -- the City raised the awareness, and the people seem to have responded by reading more, asking more, noticing more. The Transgender Day of Visibility is for me my most important day. Today's resolution says that Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 Philadelphia wants the world to know about us and treat us with respect and dignity we deserve. Today's resolution means that this historical city recognizes transgender people as people deserving of equality. Today's resolution means that this city knows that trans people exist. And now on our special day, we can focus our attentions on the work we've done and we can celebrate all those who came before us for their contributions. We can celebrate them for practicing the most fundamental type of protest, activism through existence, while uplifting the voices of transgender individuals everywhere, fighting for visibility and living out loud. Awareness is just the beginning and it leads to self-education, understanding, and eventually acceptance. Bigotry and hate cannot live in an environment of acceptance and caring. So thank you for raising the awareness, Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 acting with us, and supporting visibility for our strong, brave transgender community. Philadelphia now, as in the past, sets the standard. Thank you.
Jeremy Flamer, commenting on Councilwoman's Gym Transgender Day resolution introduced today. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, City Council, and good morning to the Philadelphians. My name is Jeremy Flamer. Good morning, City Council and fellow Philadelphian citizens. It is a tremendous honor and privilege to be Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 recognized as a trans woman of color in this magnitude. There resides in my heart a sense of healing, a sense of togetherness, and a sense of unity among people of all nationalities, nations, creed, and religions. It is a tremendous honor to stand side by side with members of City Council to represent trans women of color, whose voices are rarely heard due to unlawful death and hate crimes. I have learned through my life experiences that I have to become the positive change that I want. I would like to cultivate this change by love, compassion, and empathy to create these positive changes in the universe. Thank you, and God bless.
Reno Wright, commenting on Councilwoman Gym's Transgender Day resolution introduced today. Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 (Witness approached podium.)
Thank you all. For me, this is important just to even be here in this podium talking about Trans Visibility Day. It's like a dream come true for me. I'm a 27-year veteran of LGBT advocacy, and I remember and was here the first time we came here to just get our rights. As the gay community back then, we weren't so broken down. But I am here today not to go for prepared notes and anything like that, but just to give you all a sense of how important this day is for the average person that's not involved with a political organization or hasn't joined a facility of any kind but just living. I'm from North Philadelphia. I'm 45 years old, and I've struggled with my gender and sexual identity since I was Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 six years old at Frederick Douglass Elementary School, and I had to fight off the different things that what society told me and what my family told me, and I had no references to think about or go to to find somebody that was like me. So I found myself personally, I found myself in the history pages of Harriet Tubman and those people who weren't labeled as women because of different secondary features they may have, being tall, big hands, you know, really strong or muscular. I happen to possess those characters. But we were treated -- or those women were treated inhuman, indifferent, and I obtained that treatment as I grew up throughout this process. So this Visibility Day for me kind of stems like there is recognition in our city that people like me exist, which is something that I didn't have when I was six or seven or in my teenage years struggling with puberty and gender Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 identity. I had no reference. So this bill today and the recognizing trans visibility means that I can have a reference, I can go somewhere, I can forget those thoughts of suicide and those attempts at suicide and feeling isolated and alone, because I have a reference, I can go somewhere. So we were talking about healthcare. We haven't talked about mental health. We haven't talked about the hate crimes and the beating and the physical abuse. What about the mental abuse, the emotional abuse, the psychological abuse? We haven't even touched those subjects, but having a Trans Visibility Day means that we can address them in the future. So I just wanted to put it out there that the regular person, not affiliated with any organization, is out here hoping for this day as well. Thank you all for your time and attention. Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 (Applause.)
Joe Danihel, commenting on 160720 and 180170. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. This is an official decree of the people in writ of mandamus quo warranto and, as such, requires immediate action and remedy. Every week, Council, Mayor, and others transfer private property to the government, probably illegally. As stated in Constitution and law, you are representatives of the people. Your constituents do not authorize your clear violations of oath, Constitution, and law to steal their homes and create homelessness. After honoring 6ABC anchors today, is fake news media allowing the Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 creation of this homelessness by routinely refusing to cover public comment section of the City Council meetings? Why has no official or media demanded investigation or prosecution of upwards of 100 million, mostly federal taxpayer HUD money, to build a mall on my stolen home, as required by law? Was current DA in several Council meetings and is well aware of oath, Constitution and law violations? Is Commonwealth Attorney General refusing to act on numerous complaints filed by me with his office? Laws are like Bibles. Unless they are followed, nothing changes. The constitutions requires immediate remedy of this breach of law, breach of close, breach of fiduciary duty. Your oath of office requires you to act or face prison. 41 USC 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 18 USC 241, 242, 2381, 2384, PA Constitution, Article I, Sections 1 Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 through 11, 26 PA CSA 703, 705, 708, 709, 712, 713, 716, and other laws listed in SCOTUS 15-8965, 14-1330, 14-4056 appear violated. I call for the federal and Commonwealth governments to perform their constitutional obligations to investigate and prosecute all involved in the theft and illegal deed transfer of my home, 1038 West Wyoming Avenue. The denial of God-given 42 USC 1982 property rights for 24 years is egregious, extraordinary, oath-violating, and requires immediate remedy. A just government must obey the rule of law. This color of law government must have its Charter to govern revoked until a constitutionally compliant government is installed. Public servants cannot refuse their sworn duty to act any more than a fireman can refuse to fight a fire. The sovereign people require oath, Constitution, and laws be enforced, and Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 3/22/18 - STATED - 2ND READING jail is required for all who violate oath, Constitution or law. I remind Council, it takes a lot of cooperation to create and allow monumental corruption.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public comment session. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 180243.
A resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to adopt legislation to create a statewide "Keystone Scholars" Higher Education Savings Program. Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 3/22/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 180243 has been adopted. Mr. Decker, Resolution No. 180245.
A resolution also naming the 3800 block of Cambridge Street "Dr. Carl S. Moore Way" in honor of Dr. Moore's activism and his tireless efforts in fighting for a better future for the African American community. Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 3/22/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 180245 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 180250.
A resolution calling on the United States Congress to support the passage of the Tip Income Protection Act.
Thank Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 3/22/18 - STATED - 2ND READING you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 180250 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 180251.
A resolution urging the United States Senate to pass S. 1804, the Medicare for All Act of 2017, and affirming universal access to health care as a human right.
Thank you very much, Council President. I want to thank all the members of the community who came out on this important issue, and Stated Meeting March 22, 2018 3/22/18 - STATED - 2ND READING with that, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Just that I want to be recorded as voting nay. Thank you.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.