Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Via Microsoft Teams Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, October 15, 2020 10:08 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN 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 COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting October 15, 2020
Thank you. Good morning. We're going to start now. I understand that the state law currently requires that the following announcement be made at the beginning of every remote Council session: Due to the current public health emergency, City Council is currently meeting remotely. We are using Microsoft Teams to make this remote meeting possible. Instructions for how the public may view the meeting and offer public comment are included in the Stated Meeting notice that was published in the Daily News, Inquirer, and Legal Intelligencer prior to the meeting, and can also be found on PHLCouncil.com. I now note that the hour has come. The Clerk will please call the roll to take attendance, and members that are in attendance will please indicate by saying present and a couple of other words to make sure that your image is Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 Decker, please call the roll.
Good morning. I am present, and thank you very much, Mr. President, for all that you do.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues and the Stated Meeting October 15, 2020
Good morning, everybody. Good morning, Council President. Happy to be here today.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, members of City Council. Looking forward to another engagement of our legislative body today. Stated Meeting October 15, 2020
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues.
Good morning, Council President, and good morning, colleagues.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Still screaming justice for Breonna Taylor.
Good Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 morning, Mr. President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning, viewing public.
Good morning, Mr. President, colleagues. Good morning, Philadelphia.
Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez. Stated Meeting October 15, 2020
Good morning. Good morning, colleagues, Council President Clarke. Looking forward to today's session.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Happy Thursday, everybody.
Good Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 morning, everyone. We have established a quorum, and we will now normally move to our invocation. Despite that great need, we will, however, observe a very brief moment of silent prayer for our city, its leaders, and the citizens during the current public health crisis. Let us please observe a moment of silence. (Moment of silence.)
Thank you all very much. Appreciate that. And our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 8, 2020, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting on Thursday, October 8, 2020 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 8, 2020 stand approved. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and our Journal is approved. And our next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members of Council, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. And our next order of business is communications. Mr. Decker, will you Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 from the Mayor and any other communications that you may have in your possession.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on October 14, 2020, I signed all of the bills which were passed by Council at its session on October 1, 2020, except Bill No. 200094, which I am returning herewith as disapproved. And I respectfully request and submit for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution appointing Angela Val to the Board of Directors of the Center City District, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our messages from the Mayor and any other communications, and our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 By way of a simple reminder, we are asking that all resolutions, including privileged resolutions, be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council, unless they are being referred to committee. In our current remote environment, this procedure will provide an appropriate opportunity for public comment. And I want to thank you all in advance so much for your cooperation. Mr. Decker, will you please read the titles of the legislation that is being offered today by the members.
Councilwoman Parker offers, on behalf of Council President Clarke, one ordinance, entitled "An ordinance providing for a payment to the City upon the construction of certain real estate, and directing Council to appropriate revenues from such payments to the Department of Planning and Development - Division of Housing and Community Development, in order to Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 support equitable neighborhood development by constructing affordable housing, including units for sale or rent; providing assistance to Philadelphians who desire to become homeowners; providing opportunities for workforce development and apprenticeship; and requiring M/W/DBE participation goals, including monitoring and enforcement."
Councilwoman Gym offers one bill, entitled "An ordinance adding a new Chapter 9-5300 to The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Travel and Hospitality Worker Recall and Retention," to require that certain laid-off employees in certain hospitality and travel-related industries are offered job positions as they become available."
Hold on a second, Mr. Decker. Councilwoman Gym, did you want to be recognized?
Yes. Thank you very much, Council President. I appreciate it. First of all, I want to just acknowledge how important this work is. Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Thomas, and a broad majority of City Council have come together to introduce an economic justice package for Philadelphia's hospitality, tourism, and airport workers. This is a city where one in two Philadelphians have lost a job or seen a decline in income, and we know that economic recovery and the health of our City relies on black, brown, and immigrant workers in our communities and neighborhoods returning to work as soon as businesses open. Black workers matter. This is a Council that knows Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 how much that means. We've put teeth to it. We've established a formal Department of Labor. We've expanded paid sick leave. We've constantly supported the right for collective bargaining. We've passed national models to expand and protect labor rights. This is a Council that not only recognizes that black workers matter, it proves it every day. So today we will be standing alongside Philadelphia workers, who are the economic engines of our city. There are no hotels, there are no stadiums, and there's not a Philadelphia International Airport without the hard work of these folks. When Coronavirus hit, they were also among the millions of Pennsylvanians who were the first to find themselves without work, applying for unemployment, and relying on our nation's forsooth and safety net often for the very first time. I want to say that this bill is Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 going to go through a robust public process, as it always does. There will be everybody at the table. We'll be forming out conversations with industry as well as Councilmembers and our labor leaders and advocates as well. So we expect to do that. Look forward to seeing this process through, though. So thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. That bill, again, will be referred to the appropriate committee.
Councilman Henon offers one bill and one resolution, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 19-1303.4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Authorization to Offer Exemption from Real Estate Taxes on New Construction of Residential Properties,' by modifying the start date of certain changes to tax abatements with respect to new construction of residential Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 properties."
And a resolution honoring and recognizing the life and legacy of Alexander R. Horanzy for his heroic service and impact on Philadelphia and the United States of America.
Councilman Jones offers one resolution, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the City Council Special Committee on Criminal Justice Reform to hold public hearings that will serve as a listening session for the public to weigh in on what is a new Citizens Police Oversight Commission would look like if approved on the November 3, 2020 General Election."
Councilman Johnson offers one bill, entitled "An Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 ordinance amending Chapter 9-2300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Protection of Displaced Contract Workers,' by clarifying definitions and scope of applicability."
Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez offers one bill, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 16-103 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Aesthetic Ornamentation of City Structures,' by clarifying requirements for Rebuild projects."
Councilwoman Gauthier offers two bills, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Use Of An Automated Red Light Enforcement System To Prevent Red Light Violations,' by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 of 31st and Spring Garden Street."
And an ordinance authorizing Maitreyi Roy, doing business as John Bartram Association, to own and maintain an existing metal bench on the southeast corner at the intersection of South 54th Street & Lindbergh Boulevard.
Councilman Thomas offers one bill and one resolution, entitled "An ordinance adding a new Chapter 9-5400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Retention of Hotel Workers,' to require that hotel employees receive notice of changes in hotel ownership or control, and providing related employment protections."
And a resolution honoring and congratulating the Central Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 team, on their successful 2019 season and overall 10 to 1 record in the Philadelphia Public League.
Councilman Squilla offers one resolution, entitled a "Resolution appointing Angela Val to the Board of Directors of the Center City District."
There are no other bills or resolutions being offered by the members, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions, and our next order of business is reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass for a report from the Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 and Human Services.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Public Health and Human Services reports out one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Public Health and Human Services, to which was referred Bill No. 200392, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 10-403 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Prohibited Conduct,' by prohibiting the use of consumer fireworks and providing certain penalties," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 again recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 200392. (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 Bill No. 200392. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and this bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 2ND READING That concludes our reports from committee, and our next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bill just reported from committee with suspension of the rules has been deemed to have had a first reading and this bill will be placed 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 Councilwoman Parker for the purpose or calling up resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today. They are Nos. 200531, 200547, 200548, 200549, 200349, 200374, and 200424. All other bills and resolutions are being held. Stated Meeting October 15, 2020
Thank you very much, Councilwoman. Before we proceed with the consideration of those bills, we will -before we proceed with the consideration of the bills, we will have our public comment session. We're going to take a ten-minute recess to give our technology professionals some time to connect the speakers that we have for today's meeting.
Council President, during this time I'd just like to be recorded as being present. I was attending to other Council business.
Councilman, we knew you were here doing something good somewhere, so we actually already penciled you in as being here.
Thank you, Councilman. Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 (Pause.)
Thank you. Now that everyone is connected to the meeting and before considering the resolutions and bills we have before us today, we will consider public comment, and it will go as follows: The public comment must concern matters of the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at a session of Council. A speaker on any of these matters must sign up in order to testify. You must call 215-686-3406 by 5:00 p.m. the day before the session to sign up for public comment. When you call, we will take your name, phone number, the number of the legislative item you are commenting on, and whether you are in support or against the legislation and add your name to the list. We will then telephone each person on the list during the Council session and invite them to our remote Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 meeting. Today we will have a timeframe of three minutes for your testimony. Please, for the record, in the event that we have a significant amount of individuals testifying on legislation, we reserve the right to limit testimony to same subject matter, but I think we're going to be okay today in terms of the number of people testifying, so we'll get the full three minutes. I must tell you, once your allotted time has passed, you will be asked to conclude your remarks, and shortly thereafter, you will be muted and disconnected from the remote meeting. So please be aware that the public meeting is being recorded. Because the public meeting is public, participants and viewers have no reasonable expectation of privacy. So by continuing to be in the meeting, you are consenting to being recorded. I will now ask the Chief Clerk Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 to please read the name of our first speaker.
Yes. Good morning. This is Jeannine Lisitski. I'm the Executive Director and President for Women Against Abuse, and I'm honored to be with you here today even if it's just over the phone. On behalf of Women Against Abuse and our sister agencies and the survivors of domestic violence we serve, I want to thank Councilman Green as well as Councilmembers Gilmore Richardson, Squilla, Jones, O'Neill, Domb, Parker, Thomas, and Bass and all of City Council for recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Philadelphia. When Philadelphians got the call to stay at home this March, most of us were fortunate enough to receive that Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 message in the way that it was intended, as a necessary measure for health and safety, but for victims of domestic violence, a stay-at-home order meant something different. It meant being trapped in a home with their abusive partner, isolated from friends and relatives and other support networks. It meant fear and it meant danger. While services for people experiencing domestic violence have remained open throughout the pandemic, fewer victims are reaching out for help. Agencies like ours are doing everything we can to reach victims who are trapped in their home, but we fear that many in our community are experiencing increased violence, with little hope for reprieve. We know that we will likely not see the true impact of the pandemic on survivors until the pandemic comes to an end, and at that point, for some, it will be too late. This is a pretty grim picture, Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 which I don't say to scare you, but only to fix us on reality and then lead us to action. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time for reflection. What are you doing to support people experiencing violence in our community during the pandemic? In 2020, the same old strategies will fall short, but in this City of Brotherly Love, there are a number of new opportunities to reach members who may be suffering, thanks to you in part. A few distribution sites may be the only time a survivor is able to leave their home this week. Does your team have resources there? A virtual learning access center might be the only chance a Philly student witnessing violence in their home has to talk to an adult. Are you ready for that conversation? I just want to remind you that survivors need you, City Council, as Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 always. They need you to remember them when you're designing policies, advocating in your community, and writing budgets. They are your constituents and they're your neighbors, and they may be some of you. You won't always see them, because for many of them, it's not safe to be seen, but they're counting on you. Again, I want to thank you for proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Philadelphia, and I urge you to make it count this year more than ever. Be well and be safe, and thank you very much.
Thank you very much for your testimony and thank you for your continued awesome work. We really appreciate what you do.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 10/15/20 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you. Thank you very much. And that concludes today's public comment. We will now move to our Calendar, and we will consider all bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, I want to ask you to please read the title of Resolution No. 200531.
A resolution encouraging the First Judicial District to institute administrative rules that allow the court to seal evictions and corresponding civil matters between a landlord and a tenant in the interest of justice and without consent from the opposing party as well as invest in alternative processes of resolving landlord-tenant disputes. Further calling on the Pennsylvania State Legislature to amend the Landlord-Tenant Law of 1951 to allow for the sealing of evictions. Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 10/15/20 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas for a motion.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution, and I look forward to making remarks in our speeches of majority. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 200547. Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 10/15/20 - STATED - 2ND READING
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situated in the Second Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson for a motion.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 10/15/20 - STATED - 2ND READING aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 200548.
A resolution declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Green for a motion.
Thank you, Council President. I want to thank all my colleagues for their continuing support for October in reference to this great cause. I want to thank Jeannine Lisitski from Women Against Abuse for her words during public comment. Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 10/15/20 - STATED - 2ND READING More than ever, and if you listened to her words and we think about the impact of this global pandemic and how it's kept people trapped in their homes physically but those who are suffering from domestic violence, it's causing even greater impact to them. And so I'm glad that we're able to have this resolution in Council today, although virtually. And one thing I wanted all of us to support is by going to the website for womenagainstabuse.org and sign up for the iPledge, something that we historically do outside as a group. And so I'm just going to read the pledge for everyone before I move for the adoption of the resolution. I pledge to take action as an advocate for healthy relationships. I will believe survivors of relationship abuse, and amplify the voice of those who have been silenced. I will actively work against oppression and commit to being Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 10/15/20 - STATED - 2ND READING part of the change needed to create a community that's safe and just for every person. And with that, Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 200549.
A resolution honoring and congratulating the Northeast High School Football team, on their Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 10/15/20 - STATED - 2ND READING successful 2019-2020 season and overall 12 to 2 record in the Philadelphia Public Football League.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that this resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 200349. Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 10/15/20 - STATED - 2ND READING
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," to amend certain provisions of Chapter 14-500, entitled "Overlay Zoning Districts," by creating the "/AME, American Street Overlay District."
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 10/15/20 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez. Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 10/15/20 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 200374.
An ordinance renaming and designating Chalfont Playground in Northeast Philadelphia as the "Corporal Jimmy O'Connor Memorial Playground."
Thank you. This bill having been read on Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 10/15/20 - STATED - 2ND READING two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Stated Meeting October 15, 2020 10/15/20 - STATED - 2ND READING Johnson.