Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, September 22, 2016 10:55 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 September 22, 2016
Good morning. We're going to get started now. Thank you. Guests and visitors will retire behind the rail and we'll get going. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Mr. Jordan Peterson, Stake President within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Al Taubenberger. Would all guests and members and visitors please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
Oh, God, the Eternal Father, we bow our heads at the beginning of this important meeting and we ask for a blessing upon those who will participate today. We do so in gratitude, Father, for this wonderful city in which we live and work. And we are grateful for all those who give of their time and talent to make this a Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 place, to improve lives. We are grateful for the history of this city, for our founding fathers and mothers, for their faith in thee, and for the principles upon which this city and nation were founded. We ask at this time a blessing upon this body that they may receive thy inspiration, they may have wisdom in the decisions that they make as they counsel together and as they look to improve and make changes that will benefit the lives of all of the inhabitants of this city. We ask for a blessing upon all civic leaders, upon those who are civil servants, those who protect us, and all those who are working on our behalf. We ask a blessing upon the inhabitants of this city, that they may be blessed with those things that they ask of thee. And we now close this invocation and do so in the sacred name of our master, Jesus Christ. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 (Amen.)
Thank you so much for those inspiring words. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you very much. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 15, 2016, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 15th, 2016 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 15, 2016 stand approved. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, a leave of absence is requested for Councilmember Mark Squilla.
Thank you, Councilman. Leave shall be granted. And the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016
Thank you. 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 thank everyone who has taken time out of their busy day to come down and witness their government in action. We hope that your stay here is a knowledgeable one and an enjoinable one, so much so that you come back again. So thank you so much. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker, who will present a resolution recognizing Rahim Thompson. Would Mr. Thompson and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilwoman Parker, we have Councilman Oh, Councilman Domb, Councilman Johnson, and Councilwoman Gym Stated Meeting September 22, 2016
Good morning, everyone. It's indeed an honor and a privilege that we gather this morning to honor a gentleman that I first learned about on July the 1st after reading an article in a magazine called SLAMonline magazine. Now, I had never read the article, Councilman Johnson, but apparently if you're active in the world of basketball in Philadelphia and in the nation, you know what SLAMonline is. And the article talked about Rahim Thompson's work with something called The Chosen League, and I thought I had knew for some time that the chosen leagues that I knew about -- and I just mentioned this to Council President Clarke -- was the Sonny Hill League was The Chosen League. That's what I knew growing up. And then I knew the 16th Street League that we would go and visit as young people that was sponsored and organized by Brother Kintu. And if you're in this Chamber, Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 who Brother Kintu was. And so I was inspired by it, and with that in mind, we were able to reach him and ask him to be here. And he's here with his beautiful wife, mother, but the most beautiful folks who are in the Chamber today are two little ones with the yellow and the polka dot dresses. Give them a round of applause. They're front and center. (Applause.)
Mr. President, the resolution reads as follows: Resolution recognizing and congratulating Rahim Thompson for founding The Chosen League, the only sponsored high school basketball league in the country, free of charge to the players and fans; and Whereas, Rahim Thompson founded The Chosen League in 2002 as a platform for the top high school basketball players in the region to play against one Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 9th District at Cherashore Park, which is located at 10th Street and Olney Avenue in the Olney section of Philadelphia; and
Whereas, Mr. Thompson was inspired to create The Chosen League by the teachings and faith he gained from Le Peristyle Haitian Sanctuary, where he is a Gro Houngan and lifetime member; and
Whereas, The Chosen League is not only a forum for top high school athletes to showcase their talents, but also a venue for the top players in the region to play one another. Additionally, many of the former players come back to coach and teach the next generation; and
Whereas, many players hope to get noticed by coaches and get a scholarship to play basketball and get an education in college. Since 2002, 1,300 players from the league have earned full or partial Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 college; and
Whereas, several collegiate players have been a part of The Chosen League, including Creighton floor general Maurice Watson, University of Miami point guard Jaquan Newton, and Duke forward Amile Jefferson; and
Whereas, several NBA players have also been a part of The Chosen League, including Miami Heat guard Wayne Ellington, Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, Philadelphia 76ers guard Gerald Henderson, Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris, and Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris;
And whereas, the games at 10th and Olney have become annual rites of passages for Philadelphia area high school ball players, and we hope this tradition continues for many more years to come; now, therefore, be it Resolved, by the Council of the Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 Philadelphia, that it hereby honors and recognizes Rahim Thompson for founding The Chosen League. And further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Rahim Thompson as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. And let me just also just state for the record, I did not acknowledge grand-mom. Thank you so very much for being here, because it all starts with the wisdom. And I just want -- I hope everyone paid attention to aside from the skill set of the best and brightest playing, I think when you heard Councilwoman Blackwell mention that 1,300 players from the league have earned full or partial scholarships to college, that's what makes this so unique, considering the high cost of higher education in our nation. So thank you so very much. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 (Applause.)
And the Chair recognizes Mr. Thompson for remarks.
Good morning, everybody. First of all, I'd like to thank God, Christ, and laws for allowing us all to be here today. I am truly humbled by this, because when I first started Chosen League, it was just a passion and dream to do something for the community, because like she said, The Chosen League, yes, basketball is a platform, but what it does is unifies the community, and that's what this is all about. The Chosen League brings out different coaches, different races, different ages and everything, but it's all because of the love of basketball. But for me, the biggest pride I get is just bringing the community together. We hear so much about the violence that's going on and everything, Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 negativity, but there are positive things going out here. And for the youth, you have to present -- you have to give them the right things to show them that you could do the right thing here, and that's why I take more pride than anything with The Chosen League. So I'm very humbled for getting this award today. I am kind of speechless with this. If you know me, I'm normally not speechless, but, you know, things happen sometimes. And before I leave, I'd just like to let you know, on Thanksgiving day I will be doing a dinner at the playground where we'll be serving everybody and anybody. So just please pass the word and everything. I'm accepting all donations. So far we have about 37 people that have committed to it. So it's just free for everyone. It's just a part of giving back, and that's what life is about. It's about Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 (Applause.)
Thank you very much and, again, congratulations. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon, who will present a resolution recognizing National Voter Registration Day. Would City Commissioners Al Schmidt and Commissioner Deeley and Anthony Clark -- I didn't see you. Sorry, sir -- please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman Henon, we have Councilman Taubenberger and Councilwoman Reynolds Brown and Councilwoman Gym.
Now we can Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 morning, everybody. Before I start to recognize that Tuesday, September 27th, 2016 as National Voter Registration Day, I want to thank all the Commissioners for their hard work and the employees that run our elections with the highest integrity every single day. I have a point of personal privilege before I begin. Somebody who worked for me and I've been friends with for many, many years, Lisa Deeley, has been elected to the Commissioners Office and has been discussing for years about the voter turnout and the lack of turnout with our youth and how we communicate with them on an educational purpose. So in this Chambers we talk about preschool and early education, and I think that the Commissioners collectively, with Lisa Deeley taking the lead, as thinking outside of the box with a lot more innovation. And I'm so proud of each Commissioner for bringing it to Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 partner, holding mock elections, not only in our schools for soon-to-be new voters with a low turnout because it's kind of discouraging when we have lack of participation in the electoral process, but educating them on why it's important. And why it's important, because so it brings us to here why we make bills and policy and legislation in this body. So it's all kind of connected together. So the Commissioners will be joining and partnering with our School District, holding elections and bringing the process to them and in neighborhoods throughout the entire City of Philadelphia. So recognizing Tuesday, September 27, 2016 as National Voter Registration Day. Whereas, National Voter Registration Day has begun in 2012; and Whereas, the need to establish a National Voter Registration Day became Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 arose in regard to various voter registration deadlines; and
Whereas, it was discovered that a significant number of people who were registered to vote in the 2008 Presidential Election were not aware of the deadline to register to be eligible to vote in that historic election; and Whereas, the Philadelphia City Commissioners Office, comprised of Chairman Anthony Clark, Vice Chairman Al Schmidt and Commissioner Lisa Deeley, believe it is their responsibility to get as many residents of the City as possible registered for this upcoming November general election; and
Thank you. And just a personal note, being a son of immigrants who came from a place in 1930s Germany where elections were not allowed at all and no one had any voice for anything, this resolution introduced Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 very, very meaningful to me personally. Whereas, the City Commissioners have worked to create a partnership with the School District of Philadelphia. The goal of this collaboration is to get more young people registered to vote and out to the polls on Election Day; and Whereas, a study of youth voter turnout showed that only twenty percent of eighteen to twenty nine year olds cast ballots in the 2014 election. That was the lowest turnout rate ever recorded in an election for this demographic; and
Whereas, the registration among eligible voters is seventy one percent, but when looking at eligible voters ages eighteen through twenty four, that number falls to just fifty nine percent; and Whereas, reports on voter turnout show that when registered, young people will go to the polls to vote. For example, in 2008, eighty three percent of Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 four year olds voted in that election; now, therefore
Be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby recognize Tuesday, September 27, 2016 as National Voter Registration Day. Resolved further, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the City Commissioners of Philadelphia as an acknowledgment of this action. Thank you very much and congratulations, and make sure that we communicate with our youth, with our neighbors and our communities how important it is to come out and exercise their rights that our country fought for every single day. Thank you. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Commissioner Deeley for Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 DEELEY: Thank you. Thank you, Council President Clarke, and thank you to my former boss and forever friend, Bobby Henon, and this entire body. We would also like to thank Evelyn Sample-Oates, one phone call suggesting we partner with the School District and do something for National Voter Registration Day. Evelyn was at my office, eager to get started on a plan. Thank you, Evelyn. Voter turnout numbers are low nationwide, and when looking at our younger voting population, those statistics get far worse. We need to do all that we can to engage and encourage our young people to participate in this process, the foundation of our democracy. Our partnership on National Voter Registration Day registering eligible students to vote in high schools throughout the City is a great way to begin the process with a simple message Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 people: It's your power. Own your vote. Thank you, and we look forward to Tuesday. (Applause.)
Council will be at ease. Excuse me. Before we have the formal presentation, Commissioner Clark wanted to make an announcement. COMMISSIONER CLARK: Good morning, everyone. To find your polling place or division and to see your ballot, please go to www.Philadelphiavotes.com. The last day to register to vote is Tuesday, October the 11th, 2016. Monday, October 10th is a holiday, Columbus Day, of course. Last day to apply for a citizen's absentee ballot is 5:00 p.m. November the 1st, 2016. Also we have here a voter education book for Philadelphia. If you need one, you can come to either office, Al Schmidt, Vice Chairman; Lisa Deeley; Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 myself, Anthony Clark, Chairman of City Commissioners. Thank you.
Thank you. At this time, for our last presentation, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, who will present a resolution recognizing Eddie Alvarez. Would Mr. Alvarez and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining the Councilwoman, we have Councilman O'Neill, Councilman Henon, Councilman Domb.
Good morning. In keeping in tune with the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 when we raised the flag, albeit inside the building because of the rain, the Puerto Rican flag, on the 3rd floor, at that time Mayor Kenney joined us and he spoke about the relationship between the Irish immigration to the United States and the struggles of the Puerto Rican community and some of the shared values. In Eddie Alvarez, we have the best of two worlds. He is Irish and Puerto Rican descent, and we are extremely proud of his humble beginnings in the 7th Councilmanic District. A couple of weeks ago Councilman Henon joined him at a celebration hosted by Local 22 in recognition of his achievements to date. Councilman Domb, who is also a fan, recently posted an amazing video about Eddie and Eddie's walk through his neighborhood across the street from the Ascension campus on G and Westmoreland, and as Eddie walked the neighborhood, he Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 the good things he learned growing up in a changing neighborhood with all of its challenges. Never talking negatively about it, but really looking at the things that made him stronger, whether it was how he ran through the neighborhood to his elementary school, and what touched me was how he talked about how in his stoop, as he sat down in his step, he talked about -- he thought about all of the possibilities that he had in the world. So, you know, kids have their world at their fingertip. Eddie sat at his step and he knew he was going to be great and that he was going to make his parents proud and he was going to make his neighborhood proud. And I like -- if you haven't had a chance to see the video, you should, because that's exactly the type of mentor and leader we want to have in the community for the young men who still sit on the stoop in those neighborhoods, don't choose to be there, Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 should have access to the world. So I'm extremely proud. I had an opportunity to share with him. And we waited a little bit because his wife and daughter were going to join us, Jamie. So we're very, very happy to have him here. And with that, again, another person from the 7th Councilmanic District. We got it going on. Recognizing and congratulating and honoring the outstanding career of Eddie "The Underground King" Alvarez on being named the new UFC Lightweight Champion. Whereas, Eddie Alvarez was born to Puerto Rican and Irish family in 1984 in Kensington, attended Northeast Catholic High School. In high school -which, by the way, Councilman Henon, North Catholic grad. In high school he was a two-time National Prep All-American Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 6th at the 2000 and 2001 National Prep School Wrestling Championships at the weight of 145;
145 seems such a long time ago, but anyway... Whereas, soon after graduating from high school he began his professional career, with only 8 months of professional MMA training, on December 14th, 2003 at ROC 5: Ring of Combat with his first round knockout victory; and Whereas, Eddie "The Underground King" Alvarez has brought recognition to the City by winning the UFC Lightweight Title on July 7th, 2016 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada -bring it on, McGregor. Bring it on, McGregor -- and
Before I say the whereas clause, Eddie may have grown up in the 7th Councilmanic District, as I grew up in the 6th, one parish over, as we say, and now Eddie lives in the 10th, one parish over from Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 me, but when Councilwoman Sanchez called, I said, You take it. This is about a lot of things, but it's really about Hispanic pride and Puerto Rican pride. So we have -(Applause.)
We get our priorities straight around here even though we have strong feelings. Whereas, Alvarez claimed the title after a monumental victory over Rafael dos Anjos. Thank you, Bobby, for pointing that out. Alvarez threw a flurry of punches with one clean strike to finish Rafael dos Anjos to clinch the title 3 minutes and 49 seconds into Round 1 -you could have waited a little while. I mean, people were just starting to sit down -- while also receiving the Performance of the Night Award; Whereas, Alvarez has a 28 and 4 record spanning 13 years of MMA fighting, Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 Championship wins, UFC Lightweight Championship, two Bellator Lightweight titles, an MFC Welterweight Championship title, and a Reality Fighting Welterweight Championship title; and
As the UFC Lightweight Champion, Eddie Alvarez is a role model for the youth of Kensington and the City of Philadelphia due to his athletic achievements over the past 13 years; therefore be it Resolved, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia, hereby recognizes, congratulates, and honors the outstanding career of Edward "Eddie" Alvarez, capping it off by becoming the new UFC Lightweight Champion; and
And further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution will be presented to Eddie "The Underground King" Alvarez as evidence of our sincere respect and admiration from this legislative body. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 (Applause.)
And the Chair recognizes Mr. Alvarez for remarks.
Thank you. I'm not huge on words. That's why I chose the career I chose. But when I originally started fighting, it was just to compete and do something that I enjoyed doing. I didn't realize that it would manifest into something like this or a world title. I realized as I got older and I had children that when I stepped in the octagon and I fought for the City of Philadelphia, I was bringing the City together. From North Philly to South Philly, Fishtown, Port Richmond, Northeast, everybody tuned in and everybody watched as I was -- I would go out in the octagon and fight for our city, and I think it inspired kids and gave people hope and took a lot of people who didn't have a lot of resources and helped them dream for something better. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 guys, the Councilmen and Councilwomen. It's my honor to hold this belt and fight for the City of Philadelphia. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you very much. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President, colleagues, for indulging me a hot second. I won't take long even though it matters much. I want to have acknowledged today someone I've known since she was 11 years old, had the dubious distinction of working for me maybe 25 years of her life in one capacity or another. She is not like a daughter. She is a daughter, not by birth or biology but by acceptance, which is even better. If you don't Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 me, ask anybody she ever tried to date whether or not I was like a dad. If you ask anybody about her, she's the kind of person that is diligent in her task, wise beyond her years, and able to take on most tasks and complete them. In fact, when it came down to rough times and I had to go in some of them bars, I'd rather have her than Al Spivey by my side, because she was a lot tougher. She has gone on and all grown up and is moving into possibly a new capacity within soon-to-be, God willing, Senator Street's capacity and she will hopefully be the Deputy Chief of Staff. I introduce to some, reacquaint to others, Ms. Rona Alston. (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilman. And congratulations. We'll Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 you, but the Senator's office will be right up the Turnpike. So thank you. Congratulations. And, Senator, thank you. All right, sir. Thank you. The 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.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on September 21, 2016, I signed the remaining bills which were passed by Council at its session on September 8, 2016, except Bill No. 160551, which I have returned without my signature. And I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2056 East Sergeant Street; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the West Parkside Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1701 through 17, 1702, 1706 through 10, 1712 through 16, and 1719 through 29 North Fifty-Second Street, 1718 North Creighton Street, 1722 through 24 North Creighton Street, 5216, 5218 through 20, 5222 through 34, and 5238 Parkside Avenue; and An ordinance amending Chapter 19-3500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Hospital Assessments," to make changes to conform to state law, including by providing an exemption for Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 certain cancer hospitals; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for use by the City of premises located at 456 North 5th Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you very much. One second, please. (Brief pause.)
Thank you, Mr. Decker. The next order of business will be the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Good Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 morning, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions this morning.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I have two bills and two non-privileged resolutions.
An ordinance to amend the Institutional Development District Master Plan of the University of Pennsylvania, by allowing for the construction of the New Patient Pavilion located at 1 Convention Avenue, and making other minor adjustments to the Master Plan.
And an ordinance Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 246 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portion of Saybrook Street from Forty-Fifth Street to Melville Street and striking from the City Plan Forty-Fifth Street from Woodland Avenue to Linmore Street.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and acknowledging the victims of the shooting rampage that happened in West Philadelphia at 52nd and Samson Streets on Friday night.
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 Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Forty-Sixth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I offer one resolution on your behalf.
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 Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 Philadelphia.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions, but if I can go out of order and introduce on behalf of Councilman Squilla while I have the mic one bill and one resolution.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for use by the City of premises located at 456 North 5th Street.
And a Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 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 2056 East Sergeant Street.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. Three resolutions, one privileged.
A privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Jeff Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 Brown and ShopRite Partners In Caring, for their dedication and commitment to ending hunger in the Philadelphia community and across the country.
And a non-privileged resolution denouncing Pennsylvania House Bill No. 2258, which would allow for the National Rifle Association and other similar organizations to challenge local gun regulations and hold municipalities liable for their legal fees.
And that will be 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 West Parkside Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 and street addresses as 1701 through 17, 1702, 1706 through 10, 1712 through 16, and 1719 through 29 North Fifty-Second Street, 1718 North Creighton Street, 1722 through 24 North Creighton Street, 5216 Parkside Avenue, 5218 through 20 Parkside Avenue, 5222 through 5234 Parkside Avenue, and 5238 Parkside Avenue.
And that will also be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration on the Final Passage Calendar today the resolution for the Parkside Urban Renewal Area resolution. (Duly seconded.)
There's been a motion and a second. All those in favor of the motion? (Aye.) Stated Meeting September 22, 2016
The ayes have it, and the rules of Council are suspended to allow first reading on this session of Council for that particular resolution.
Thank you, sir. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I have two non-privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution recognizing October 2016 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the City Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 of Philadelphia and honoring Susan G. Komen Philadelphia for its charitable work in the field of breast cancer research and education.
And a non-privileged resolution also naming the 2200 block of McClellan Street "James C. 'Hott' Hudgins Way."
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one resolution on your behalf.
A non-privileged resolution appointing Paulette Adams, Jennifer Kates, Michael Koonce, Angel Rodriguez, and Courtney Voss to the Board Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 of Directors of the Philadelphia Land Bank.
And that resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I have one privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Education and the Committee on the Disabled and Persons with Special Needs to hold joint hearings regarding the Every Student Succeeds Act.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 you, Mr. President. I have one privileged resolution sponsored by Councilwoman Blackwell, Green, Quinones-Sanchez, and Reynolds Brown and supported by all members of Council.
A privileged resolution recognizing and congratulating Perryman Building and Construction for being awarded The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City and Fortune Magazine's Inner City 100 Honor.
And that will also be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Good morning, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 Councilwoman Gym.
Good morning, Council President. I have one non-privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilmembers Parker and Blackwell.
A non-privileged resolution calling upon the United States federal government to suspend construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline and expressing solidarity with the Indigenous resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Thank you, Council President. Good morning, and good morning, colleagues. I have one bill, which came as a result of the article of Mr. Jacob Adelman from the Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 Philadelphia Inquirer dated August the 21st, and basically the City needs to secure every available tax dollar. It's closing the loopholes in the realty tax, transfer tax. No one wants to raise taxes, but is an important way to collect all taxes and already owed to the City. I'm introducing this on behalf of all Philadelphia, being co-sponsored by yourself, Councilman Squilla, Councilwoman Gym, Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilman O'Neill, Councilwoman Parker, Councilman Henon, and Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. Thank you.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Realty Transfer Tax," by closing certain loopholes, including by amending the definition of "value" as it relates to acquired real estate companies, the definitions of "real estate company" and Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 "acquired real estate company," all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. That bill will be referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer four resolutions and one bill.
An ordinance amending Chapter 16-300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Maintenance and Supervision," by adding a new section requiring that all City buildings and Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 facilities with bathrooms open to the public have baby diaper changing stations; and requiring the installation of diaper changing stations in connection with capital projects.
And a privileged resolution recognizing September 21, 2016, as World Alzheimer's Day and supporting Alzheimer's advocates, families, and caregivers in the City and around the world in their struggle for recognition, treatment, and an eventual cure for Alzheimer's disease.
And a privileged resolution honoring Greta Greenberger on her retirement after 25 years as tour director of City Hall and recognizing her dedication to the promotion and preservation of the history, heritage and beauty of this City. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016
And a privileged resolution declaring October 2016 as "Mural Arts Month" in Philadelphia.
And a non-privileged resolution calling on Congress to reinstate abortion service coverage for women enrolled in public insurance programs by enacting the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act, and further calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to provide abortion coverage in public insurance programs in Pennsylvania and lift the ban on such coverage in private insurance plans sold through the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange.
That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 Oh.
Thank you very much. I offer three privileged resolutions and one non-privileged resolution. I'd like to be heard on the non-privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Council's Committees on Public Safety, Commerce & Economic Development, and Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to Hold Public Hearings Concerning Recent Home Invasions and Armed Robberies that have Victimized Asian Business Owners in the City.
And a privileged resolution commemorating the 2016 Philly Black Expo and Thanking the Philly Black Business Network for Cultivating the Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 City's Black Business Leaders.
And a privileged resolution Recognizing and Honoring Nicholas Panarella, Jr., Esquire.
That will also be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to reject House Bill No. 1885's proposal to withhold all state funding from Philadelphia.
Thank you very much, Council President. My resolution simply has to do with the issue of cutting off funds for Philadelphia. Different people, elected officials, may have different opinions. I don't always agree with the Mayor, and that's one Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 issue. However, punishing all Philadelphians for political disagreements or prospective disagreements is a very serious matter, and as in particular a republican, I'm very concerned about House Bill 1885 making it out of committee. This bill, which disagrees with Mayor Kenney's designation of Philadelphia as a sanctuary city, would cut off all state funding to Philadelphia for an indefinite period of time. That is $2.7 billion annually. It includes $220 million to the General Fund, $4.5 million to the county liquid fuel, $1 million to the Water Fund, $33.9 million to the Special Gasoline Tax Fund which I believe repairs our roads, $1.3 billion to Health Choices Behavioral Health revenues, and $731 million for Grants Revenue, and $250,000 for Aviation. It is a large amount of money and it affects people in Philadelphia and including the district of the bill sponsor. It affects kids Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 with autism, after-school programs, seniors with disabilities, police, fire, emergency, medical, so forth and so on. I would like to point out that it is critical for our City government to let the General Assembly know that whatever the different opinions are that occur in a democracy, cutting off funds is not something that should be done in a trifling way. And when we had a budget impasse, many social service agencies and providers, including those in that district, suffered. And it seems to be a popular thing in Harrisburg to talk about Philadelphia and punishing Philadelphia but, again, as a republican, I want to make it clear to the republicans throughout our state that if you have an issue -- and I have my disagreements -we'll do it in the democratic process, but you don't cut off funding to an entire city. Thank you very much.
Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 Thank you, Councilman. And that resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. We have other members. Okay. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson. No? Okay. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Council President. I feel compelled to add my voice to this concern and join the Mayor. Councilman Oh called it ridiculous, trifling. The Mayor has called it ridiculous. I just really want to clarify, because I think the advocates, we're doing a bad job of really explaining this whole sanctuary city and as it gets politicized. The federal government after 9/11 and the Patriot Act has the ability, the tools to get anybody they want at any time they want. What we've essentially said as a city -- and I'm proud of what some people might call the defiant Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 behavior of Philadelphia, and I absolutely want to support the Mayor, and Councilwoman Blackwell and others, Gym, have stood up with the Mayor and said this is the right thing to do. They cannot use a city to indefinitely hold people for no reason and have us absorb the cost. If they want someone and they know they're a criminal or they suspect, all they do is go to court and get a judicial order, and then they release us from the liability of holding someone unjustly for the sake of them figuring out what it is they want to charge them. This is about the core of protecting our democracy and that people are innocent until they're proven guilty and that people will be given due process. And unfortunately we're now part of the national rhetoric and, again, the Mayor -- and I want to continue to support him to stay strong. What we're doing is protecting who we are and what our democracy stands for, and for the Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 federal government and for the political folks in the political season to utilize Philadelphia as an example, well, guess what? I'm proud of this example. We have the most progressive, most welcoming political policy. They can get anybody they want any time they want. Our position is we should not be the tools by which we violate people's rights and that they should follow due process. And it is a shame. I am just not surprised but continue to be disappointed about how ugly we get in the name of putting forth leadership and wanting to lead. Leading is about justice. Whether you agree with the policy or you don't, for those of you who are lawyers, it is about due process. So I thank Councilman Oh, and I think that any entertaining of any punishment for disagreeing in a democracy goes against the core of why we are elected officials and why we run. Thank you. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 2ND READING
Thank you, Councilwoman. There are -- reports from committees, there are no committee reports for today. We will now have consideration of the Calendar. The next order of business will be the consideration of the Calendar. Being no bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for the purpose of calling up resolutions and bills on Second Reading and Final Passage.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 160791, 160795, 160799, 160708-A, 160330-A, and all other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you, Councilman. That brings us to our public comment, and thank you. Before Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 considering these resolutions and bills, we will consider the public comment as follows: Your comment must be concerning the matters on the Second and Final Reading Passage Calendars for today and possible action in today's public comment and on the Calendar. All speakers must sign up with the Chief Clerk to my left, your right. You will have three minutes. Thirty seconds left the light will turn yellow. And red you will be done speaking. I want to thank you all for joining us here today and engaging in joining us in our public comment and our process. The Clerk, would you please read the first person to testify.
Robert Burdge, commenting on 160659 and 160365. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Robert Burdge. I'm a Philadelphian. Again, I'm again sponsoring Councilman Oh and Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 Councilwoman Gym about this -- having auditing of the public Parking Authority, and that's a start. We need to do it all to the City. And my other bill was getting the property management of the City to start taking care of their properties. It's very important. A lot of -- out of Center City there's a lot of properties that are being not taken care of. One instance, Kensington, South Philly, North Philly. You know, it's all over the City. We need to start taking care of our properties. And these are people that don't even live in the City. They're people buying the properties here and from out of the City and not caring about them. And that's what's hurting us. Again, we need to start paying attention to that, guys, because it's very important. And people come out -come visiting our city and sees this, and they don't want to put money into the Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 City. They don't want to put money into the City when they see their property -different parts of the property, people are not taking care of their property. I know for a fact when I first moved into the City, I had some concerns, and I'm interested in the City, but we need to pay attention to that, paying attention and getting our property managing codes up to date. Also we need to keep up with our codes and everything. Thank you.
Good morning. I'm honored to be here today. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I'm so excited. I'm always excited, though. So Philadelphia Mural Arts Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 Program is the largest public art organization of its kind. Let's have a round of applause. (Applause.)
There's no city anywhere that has anything like it. Oh, can I start talking? Is this okay? Oh, green, okay. So for over 30 years, we have united artists and communities through a collaborative and equitable process, creating 4,000 works of art since 1984. (Applause.)
Transforming public spaces but, more importantly, individual lives. Mural Arts wants to empower people, stimulate dialogue, build bridges of understanding with projects that attract artists from Philadelphia and around the world and programs that focus on young people, education, restorative justice, mental health and wellness, and public art and its preservation. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 We are committed to being part of a movement for positive and equitable change. It's in our DNA and has been the driving concept from the very beginning where we were founded in 1984. And I'm very thankful to our former Mayor, Wilson Goode, and Tim Spencer for giving me a chance and giving me access to communities throughout the City of Philadelphia. I will be forever grateful to them. The work we do now is different in scope, but our beliefs are the same. Our principles are the same. We've grown and stretched over the years in order to be more responsive to people and communities, to expand pathways for exploration and expression. We've begun to work in sculpture, radio, performance, light. We've taken up residence in several Philadelphia neighborhoods, embedding ourselves there so we can provide services, a wide array of services; opening up storefronts, turning Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 them into hubs and community centers; working in partnership with extraordinary community leaders all over the City. Our iconic collection has earned Philadelphia worldwide recognition as the City of Murals. Yet we are not content to rest on our laurels. That would be bad. We can never stand still. We are always changing, striving to experiment and to explore public art in the 21st century and to bring about changes through innovative ways. Oh, no, yellow. So we're here today and I want to thank Councilwoman Cindy Bass, who is awesome, to celebrate October as Mural Arts Month. It's a way to shine a light on the artists, our community partners, all the wonderful people that we work with. In October we'll have panel discussions, block parties, mural dedications, exhibitions to give everyone across Philadelphia a chance to get to know us better and to participate. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 We started Mural Arts almost a decade ago. I took the idea from the City of San Francisco. They have a week. It's not enough for Philly. We need a month. Anyway, I just want to -- we're doing amazing projects all over the City, and bottom line is, I want to thank City Council. Your support has meant so much. It has given us the sort of -- the inspiration to just take art and stretch it as far as it can go, to bring about change throughout the City. That motto that we have is that art ignites change. We believe it with every bone in our body, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And I want to introduce Tiffany Tavarez, who is here from PECO and is a Board member, and I want to acknowledge David Pudlin, our Board Chair, who is here. Tiffany. (Applause.)
Ms. Golden, thank you for your uplifting testimony.
You're telling me, President. My name is Tiffany Tavarez, following Jane Golden. It's not really fair to actually follow her, but I must say that I share the same vision and passion that she does. Not just she but our Board, our staff, our volunteers, and the thousands of family and youth that work in the City that get impacted by Mural Arts Program. So I work for an amazing company here in Philadelphia, PECO, part of the PECO Corporate Relations team, which actually supports Mural Arts. But I'm here today because I have the Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 pleasure and honor of serving on the Board of Directors for Mural Arts Program. See, my time in the City started when I came to Philadelphia to get a fantastic education at Temple University, and I'm the first person at Temple University ever awarded a full scholarship for the arts and I'm the first person in my family to go to college. But prior -(Applause.)
Thank you. But prior to this great accomplishment, my history mirrored those of many children in the City. I've attended nine different grade schools and I've had many in my family die from gun violence, including my own father. In this survival-of-the-fittest world I was born into, now as a Mural Arts Board member, I facilitate a system of giving back, of paying it forward, and art created that change for me. Art was my ticket. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 We strive every day to use art to ignite change, change the way we see our future, our children, our paths and, of course, ourselves. The organization has evolved in the times as well. Our programming and advocacy goes way beyond the wall now. It ignites our vision in the way we look at the world to see a thing that is very hard to see, especially during this time, and, that is, possibility. Last year I had the really fantastic opportunity to serve as co-chair of Open Source, one of our most ambitious projects. With that project alone, we brought over 14 international artists to eliminate the City's great diverse and urban communities. We've actually received a little over, I believe, 200 million media impressions. That's not just showcasing Mural Arts. That's showcasing the City of Philadelphia and all our advocates, our millions of advocates. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 So with here I stand following Jane's amazing energy and I want to thank you, the guests, esteemed City Councilmembers for your ongoing support of this fantastic organization, and all the different children in this city that are just different versions of ourselves, younger versions of ourselves that are trying to essentially be where we are right now. I want to create that path for them. So thank you.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. That concludes our public comment session. We will now proceed with our Calendar. Mr. Decker, would you please Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 9/22/16 - STATED - 2ND READING read the title of 160791.
A resolution declaring the City of Philadelphia to be a "Bee Friendly City" that supports all of our numerous bee species.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 160791 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160795.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 9/22/16 - 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 Nineteenth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 160795 is adopted. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 9/22/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, 160799.
A resolution acknowledging the efforts of the Philadelphia Health Department and Board of Health to reduce the high rate of smoking in low-income neighborhoods and calling attention to the intense marketing efforts in these neighborhoods to encourage smoking.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and 160799 is adopted. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 9/22/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, 160708-A.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-3200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Keystone Opportunity Zone, Economic Development District, and Strategic Development Area," by providing for additional Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zones.
Thank you, Mr. President. Members may recall that just last week I removed certain properties from the 3rd Council District from the Keystone Opportunity legislation because of issues related to minority participation. During the past week, my office worked -- and we couldn't have done it without John Christmas. Thank you. We worked with Drexel University, Wexford, and the Science Center to improve minority participation. We also want to thank you because of what you've done in this area. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 9/22/16 - STATED - 2ND READING As a result, we amended the EOP for University City High project and have distributed a new EOP draft for all members, along with an amendment to Bill No. 160708-A to include the properties that I previously removed. We now have a new Equal Opportunity Plan that does four things. Number one, we have higher minority participation goals. They were 32 percent, now 40 percent. Two, separate participation ranges for skilled and labor workforce hours, minority labor hours now 60 percent, minority skilled hours 30 percent. Three, separate ranges for African Americans, Hispanic, and Asian workforce. And so we already -- for African Americans, Hispanic, and Asian workforce, and we have now 22 percent of all hours for African American, 15 percent for Hispanic, 3 percent for Asian workforce, as we just said, the minority participation, 60 percent for labor Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 9/22/16 - STATED - 2ND READING hours, and skilled hours 30 percent. And, number four, we also dealt with women and we have skilled 5 percent and labor hours worked 5 percent. So we've done our part. We know you've worked on this. I hope Lu is looking down. I'm trying to do my part, Lu. And now we move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded on the amendment to 160708-A. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The amendment to 160708-A is approved.
Thank you. Stated Meeting September 22, 2016 9/22/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of Councilman Squilla, who just joined us here, for the sake of speediness, I offer an amendment on his behalf in addition to the amendment that was just passed to 160708-A. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members and I move for the adoption of this amendment. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. The amendment has been moved and seconded. All in favor? (Aye.)