7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 Yeah. We hear you now. Just proceed with your testimony.
Very good. Thank you, Council President. My name is Michael Froehlich. I'm the Managing Attorney of the Homeownership and Consumer Rights Unit at Community Legal Services, and on behalf of our low-income clients, I am very pleased to testify in support of Bill No. 210671-A. This is Councilmember Gilmore Richardson's bill requiring funeral homes to share information about probating estates and avoiding tangled titles. As we all know very well, thousands of people in Pennsylvania face barriers to achieving homeownership because they have what has been coined as a tangled title. This summer, Pew Charitable Trusts identified at least 10,400 homes with tangled titles, which affects 2 percent of all residential properties that are collectively worth $1.1 billion in family wealth. 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 The report also found that tangled titles are concentrated in neighborhoods with high rates of poverty and higher Black populations. Tangled titles can prevent families from obtaining needed repairs, paying a mortgage, fully resolving property tax debt and, most importantly, building intergenerational wealth and closing the racial wealth gap. For the last two years, with support from Council and DHCD, Community Legal Services has been able to increase our representation of homeowners to address tangled titles, and we look forward to doing more with support from the NPI bond. But the process to untangle tangled titles is laborious, it's painstaking, and it's very time-intensive, and it only gets more difficult the longer a family waits to deal with the problem. Councilmember Gilmore Richardson's bill is a smart solution to 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 get ahead of these issues. Under this bill, funeral homes would provide critical information about how to deal with titles to homes when a loved one passes. Funeral homes are expert in helping families navigate a highly emotional and complex situation. And because funerals are often a time when families convene, it can be the best time to confer as a family about what to do with the family home, obtain signatures, and make a plan going forward. I wanted to close by recognizing the tireless work of Register of Wills Tracey Gordon for elevating this issue with her campaign to plan, prepare, protect. And on behalf of CLS's low-income clients, thank you to the bill sponsor, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, my own West Philly Councilmember, Jamie Gauthier, and all of Council for your support in addressing tangled titles. Thank you. 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35
Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Yes, we can. Just proceed with your testimony. State your name for the record.
Ervina White Beauford. Good morning to the President and members of City Council. I'm Ervina White Beauford, a licensed funeral director in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and owner of Ervina White Beauford Services in Philadelphia and Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Thank you for this brief opportunity to publicly voice my support of Bill 210671-A. When making funeral arrangements, I often spend so much time 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 trying to answer questions about estate issues such as probate, short certificates, bank accounts, assets to include property and deeds. It would be awesome if I could provide families with an informational sheet about many of these issues, especially property, in the name of the deceased to prevent tangled titles. Bill No. 210671-A will be a valuable tool for me, as I have the information sheet at hand to give to these families and to spend less time trying to give brief lessons on estate issues. I would even love to share this information on my website to educate Philadelphians. The funeral home arrangement conference meeting is a piece of this puzzle to help reduce the risk of wealth-building, property deterioration, property theft, and foreclosure in our communities. Thank you to Councilwoman 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 Katherine Gilmore Richardson and the Honorable Tracey L. Gordon for working so hard on trying to bring a solution to prevent tangled title issues. Thank you for the opportunity.
Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Yes, we can. Just state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Thank you, Council President. My name is Kelly Gasley. I'm a Managing Attorney at Philadelphia VIP, and I appreciate the opportunity to testify today in support of Bill No. 210671-A. Thank you to Councilmember 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 Gilmore Richardson for introducing this bill, which would require funeral service providers to provide vital information on tangled title issues to families on the death of their loved ones. As we know, tangled title affects over 10,000 homes in Philadelphia, and homeowners of color in particular. At VIP, we match our volunteer attorneys with over 100 clients experiencing a tangled title issue every year, so we're very familiar with this problem and how long it can take to resolve. There are three ways to tackle tangled title issues - by preventing it through estate planning, by resolving tangled title cases once they arrive, and through educating the public and raising awareness in our community about the importance of addressing tangled title issues promptly, and that's exactly what this bill does. Time is not on our side in 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 tangled title issues. Every month and year that passes after a homeowner dies, it becomes more complicated and less feasible to sort out who will take title to their home. Most of our clients at VIP have been in their tangled title situation for years and only get into us once a crisis is at hand. Bill No. 210671-A is an important step in proactively educating our community on tangled title and urging loved ones to deal with it when it occurs rather than years later when it will be far more challenging to unravel. I know that this particular issue is very close to the Councilmember's heart, and I really appreciate her pushing this forward with this wonderful proactive measure to try to prevent tangled title issues. We remain committed at VIP to working with City Council, the Department of Records, and the Register of Wills to implement this bill. 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 so much.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public comment session. We will now consider today's Resolution Consent Agenda. I'm going to ask the Clerk to please read the titles of all the resolutions on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the resolution on the Resolution Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the resolution will be immediately removed from the Resolution Consent Agenda and placed on today's regular Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, will you please 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 titles of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Yes, Mr. President. Resolution No. 210934, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 2316 through 50 North 11th Street, 1414 North 27th Street, 1426 North 27th Street, 1428 North 27th Street, 1430 and 1432 North 27th Street, 1511, 1513, 1521, 1523, and 1525 North 28th Street, 1009 through 11 Dauphin Street, 2705 Jefferson Street, 2815 Jefferson Street, 1532 North Marston Street, 1559 North Marston Street, 1561 North Marston Street, 1335 North 8th Street, 2929 North 13th Street, 929 North 30th Street, 931 North 30th Street, 1755 North 31st Street, 2700 West George Street, 2713 West George Street, 914 North Taney Street, 916 North Taney 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 Street, 920 North 27th Street, 922 North 27th Street, 1213 North 27th Street, 1217 North 27th Street, 1225 North 29th Street, 1240 North Dover Street, 857 North 20th Street, 854 North Uber Street, 858 North Uber Street, 860 North Uber Street, 862 North Uber Street, 854 Field Street, 856 Field Street, 858 Field Street, 860 Field Street, 667 North 11th Street, 607 North 12th Street, 710 Master Street and 809 Firth Street in the Fifth Councilmanic District"; and Resolution No. 210935, entitled a "Resolution calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to adopt House Bills 2034 and 2043, House Resolution 151, Senate Resolution 201, and Senate Bill 189 and thanking Governor Tom Wolf, Representative Donna Bullock, Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, Representative Chris Rabb, and Senator Vincent Hughes for their commitment to addressing Environmental Justice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania"; and 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 210936, entitled a "Resolution celebrating the expansion of solar energy offerings through Philadelphia Energy Authority's Solarize Philly Program"; and Resolution No. 210937, entitled a "Resolution also naming the 5600 block of West Master Street as 'David Fattah Way,' in honor of David Fattah, to commemorate his legacy as the co-founder of the House of Umoja, as well as his community and youth leadership in the City of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 210938, entitled a "Resolution also naming the 1400 block of North Frazier Street as 'Queen Mother Falaka Fattah Way,' in honor of Falaka Fattah, to commemorate her legacy as the co-founder of the House of Umoja and her leadership in mentoring over 3,000 African American youth in her lifetime"; and Resolution No. 210939, entitled a "Resolution recognizing Annette 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 the occasion of her retirement from journalism after a distinguished and celebrated career"; and Resolution No. S. Congress to pass House Resolution 5768, the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act, which would provide $1 Billion in federal funding over the next 10 years to help local and state police raise their clearance rates for both fatal and non-fatal shootings"; and Resolution No. 210942, entitled a "Resolution congratulating David L. Cohen on his confirmation as the United States Ambassador to Canada and recognizing his many contributions to public life and service in Philadelphia and beyond"; and Resolution No. 210943, entitled a "Resolution honoring 6ABC Action News' Jim Gardner upon his upcoming retirement and recognizing his years of service to 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 of Philadelphia and the region to whom he delivered urgent news and information every day since 1976"; and Resolution No. , and Baltimore as a Middle Atlantic Recruiter"; and Resolution No. 210946, entitled a "Resolution recognizing the 88th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Genocide of 1932-1933"; and Resolution No. "
7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion to adopt each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda has been adopted. 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 now consider today's Bill Consent Agenda. I would ask the Clerk to please read the titles of all the bills on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the bill on the Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the bill will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on our regular Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the tiles of the bills on the Consent Agenda.
Bill No. 210671-A, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions,' by adding a new Chapter requiring certain businesses or professions provide disclosures regarding tangled titles"; and Bill No. 210808, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Oxford Avenue, Shelmire Avenue, Rising Sun Avenue (extended), Solly Avenue (extended), the County Line, Borbeck Avenue, Hasbrook Avenue, and Hartel Avenue"; and Bill No. 210900, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021 from the General Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Grants Revenue Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Water Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Aviation Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to the General Fund to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Water Fund to certain or all City offices, departments, 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 commissions and the Aviation Fund to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions"; and Bill No. 210584, entitled "An ordinance establishing no truck parking regulations in the vicinity of Weccacoe Street and Oregon Avenue"; and Bill No. 210675, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 12-2809 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Civil Penalties and Costs,' to change certain penalties for parking on sidewalks"; and Bill No. 210678, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of Allens Lane and Wissahickon Avenue"; and Bill No. 210679, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-203 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Street Vendors,' by permitting vending on certain sections of 49th Street"; and Bill No. 210746, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Wildey 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 Hancock Street; Wildey Street and Marlborough Street; Salmon Street and Columbia Avenue; Montgomery Avenue and Wildey Street"; and Bill No. 210773, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking restrictions for certain commercial vehicles in the vicinity of Blue Grass Road and Grant Avenue, Decatur Street and Torresdale Avenue, Cottman Avenue and Milnor Street, Barnard Avenue and St. Vincent Street, Battersby Street and St. Vincent Street, St. Vincent Street and Roosevelt Boulevard, Wellington Street and Battersby Street, Brighton Street and Brous Avenue, Princeton Avenue and Brous Avenue, Friendship Street and Hawthorne Street, Tulip Street and Decatur Street, Ashton Road and Grant Avenue, and Holme Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard"; and Bill No. 210774, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into a contract for the construction of a water main and 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 work, required to provide public water service, in the 4000 block of Wells Street and the 6600 block of Charles Street"; and Bill No. 210779, entitled "An ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk plaque in the vicinity of 447 North Broad Street"; and Bill No. 210780, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Clarion Street and Reed Street; Clarion Street and Wharton Street; Manton Street and South 8th Street; Wilder Street and South 12th Street; Franklin Street and Tasker Street; Marshall Street to Wharton Street"; and Bill No.
210781, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Franklin Street and Ritner Street; South 10th Street and Mifflin Street; Mifflin Street and South 9th Street; Dudley Street and South 10th Street; Mckean Street and 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 9th Street"; and Bill No. 210826, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 230 by striking from the City Plan Cresson Street from Osborn Street to Vassar Street and reserving and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way for sewer and drainage purposes within a portion of Cresson Street being stricken"; and Bill No. 210846, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking restrictions for certain commercial vehicles in the vicinity of Tulip Street and Robbins Street, and Longshore Avenue and New State Road"; and Bill No. 210847, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on Wynnefield Avenue, from 52nd Street to 54th Street, both sides; 54th Street, from Wynnefield Avenue to Gainor Road, both sides; Georges Lane, from Wynnefield Avenue to Gainor Road, both sides"; and 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 "
Thank you. These bills having been read on two different days, the question for each bill now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker shall call the roll, and upon being called, each Councilmember shall vote aye on each of the bills, nay on each of the bills, or indicate those bills for which the member is voting aye and those bills for which the member is voting nay. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman Gym is voting aye on all bills. Councilman Henon.
Councilman 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Squilla.
Aye on all bills. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative for each of the bills, the bills on the Consent Agenda are passed. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. And, Mr. Decker, can you please read the title of Resolution No. 210944.
A resolution recognizing and determining that Bill No. 210778-A remains under active consideration by this Council. 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gauthier for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Yeah. I just have a point of information. If Councilmember Gauthier could just explain on the record the pending ordinance doctrine for colleagues.
Sure. So the pending ordinance doctrine, as best I can explain it, says that when zoning legislation comes out of Rules, that the City will basically treat it as law. And so we're extending the time period on which this bill would be treated as a law by the City. 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING
And just one further point of clarification. The bill that you're referring to is which one?
210633, I believe. It's the townhomes legislation.
The overlay. Sorry. 210778. I'm sorry. The overlay around the 40th and Market area.
Okay. Thank you, Councilmember Gauthier and Council President.
Thank you all. Okay. So, Councilwoman, just do the motion again.
Thank 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 210901.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2022 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Water Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions and the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions and the Water Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez for an amendment to Bill No. 210901.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 210901. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. All in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 210901 has been amended. Bill No. 210901, as amended, will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 210690.
An ordinance establishing a one-way regulation on Bryan Street, from West Mount Pleasant Avenue to Allens Lane, northbound.
Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Brooks.
Councilman 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING O'Neill.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 210776.
An ordinance 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING amending Chapter 9-200 of Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Commercial Activities on Streets," to add a new section entitled "Streeteries" to allow for expansion of business uses, including outdoor dining, in portions of the public right-of-way, such as at certain curbside parking locations.
Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman Gauthier. 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Quinones-Sanchez.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 210798.
An ordinance amending Bill No. 200351, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the operation of sidewalk cafes during the COVID-19 emergency until December 31, 2020 in areas of the City where such activity currently must be otherwise authorized by 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING special ordinance, and allowing expanded activity by currently licensed sidewalk cafe operations," as amended by Bill No. 200497, to further extend the date Bill No. 200351 will remain in effect.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilman Squilla. 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 210862.
An ordinance amending Section 17-111, entitled "Energy Efficiency and Environmental Design in Construction of Buildings," to update requirements and make technical changes.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson for an amendment to Bill No. 210862.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING offer an amendment to Bill No. 210862. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council, and I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. All those in favor of the motion signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Bill No. 210862 has been amended, and Bill No. 210862, as amended, will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution authorizing hearings by the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to examine diversity and inclusion in 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING contracting by the City and related public sector agencies, including the School District of Philadelphia, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, introduced by Councilman Johnson.
Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor say aye. (Aye.)
Council President? 7893a6bb-fd33-4fa1-8567-f80345645e35 12/2/21 - STATED - 2ND READING