When I was four, as I may have mentioned, I was sexually abused in broad daylight in an alley in Philadelphia by a mixture of teens and adults -- no. At that time, it was 21. So they were probably 19, 20, 18, 16. It was a 16-year-old that said, Put her down, leave her go. He had more sense. How dare you all debate whether you should have the right or a parent accompanying children should have a right? The Constitution of the United States is clear. You cannot prosecute a 13-year-old for an accident and call it murder, in any degree. He's a juvenile. When Mayor Nutter was reacting to the flash whatever, take the adult, 18 and over, and incarcerate them for harassment of their community, but remember, those 17 and under should only be tried, if at all, in the juvenile situation. Now back to the stability of Kathy Chang.
I was diagnosed at age of 20 with acute -- get this, it's so adorable -- acute undifferentiated schizophrenia. No psychosis noted. Now, that's interesting, isn't it, if schizophrenia is a form of psychosis, but none was noted, and it was very acute.
Ms. Bowling, you are well beyond your time. We appreciate your coming in, and I'm sure we're going to see you next week. Thank you. (Ms. Bowling speaking without microphone.)
Yes. Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to be excused to take care of Council business and would like to be recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions.
Thank you. Leave will be granted. Our next witness.
Apparently not. Is there anyone else here who has signed up to provide public comment on today's agenda? (No response.) 10/20/11 - STATED - 2ND READING
Seeing none, that concludes today's public comment period. We will now consider bills and resolutions on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the title of Resolution 110689.
A resolution initiating action to establish a neighborhood improvement district in an area that generally includes the areas roughly bounded by York Street, Carlisle Street, Girard Avenue and 19th Street; York Street, the SEPTA Regional Rail tracks, Susquehanna Avenue and Watts Street; and The Diamond Green, Kardon Atlantic, University Village and Wanamaker School developments, to be known as the North Broad Neighborhood Improvement District.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Green. Did 10/20/11 - STATED - 2ND READING you want to be recognized?
Thank you, Madam President. I would also, for Council business in a pre-arranged meeting, like to be excused and recorded as voting yes on all bills and resolutions.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I would like to offer an amendment to Resolution 110689. This is the plan for the neighborhood improvement district. I'd like to offer this amendment at this time. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the amendment be accepted. 10/20/11 - STATED - 2ND READING All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the title of Resolution 110722. I'm sorry. Councilman Clarke, did you want to be recognized again?
Yes, Madam President. My understanding, Madam President, on this particular resolution, we can amend and move the resolution -
-- at the same session. So I would like a motion for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
All in favor will say aye. (Aye.) 10/20/11 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 110722.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Twenty-Fourth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) 10/20/11 - STATED - 2ND READING
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution 110723.
A resolution proclaiming October 2011 as "Crime Prevention Month."
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion on Resolution 110723.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. 10/20/11 - STATED - 2ND READING All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution 110724.
A resolution recognizing and supporting SEIU 32 BJ and their "Good Jobs, Strong Communities" Campaign.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by 10/20/11 - STATED - 2ND READING saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution 110726.
A resolution recognizing October as National Arts and Humanities Month.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.) 10/20/11 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution 110727.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Twenty-Eighth, Twenty-Ninth, Thirty-Seventh, Forty-Third and Forty-Seventh Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
I move for 10/20/11 - STATED - 2ND READING the adoption, Madam President. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Bill No. 100200-AAAA.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Section 14-231, entitled "Residential District Rules and Exceptions," by providing for restrictions on the placement, installation and maintenance of certain 10/20/11 - STATED - 2ND READING satellite dishes and antenna.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Councilwoman Miller is voting aye. Councilman O'Neill is voting aye. Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Does the Chief Clerk have any other bills or resolutions to be considered at this time?
Resolution No. 110741, entitled "A resolution setting forth recommendations to the Zoning Code Commission for amendments to the Zoning Code Commission's Preliminary Report dated May 2011," introduced by Councilwoman Tasco.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. 10/20/11 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
Resolution No. 110745, entitled "A resolution opposing the 'National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act,' as introduced in the United States Congress," introduced by Councilman Clarke.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a motion.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Does the Chief Clerk have any other bill or resolution?
There are no other resolutions for consideration, Madam President.
Thank you. Then that will conclude our Calendar. Before we conclude our business for today, I would ask that you please join me in recognizing Rick Auerbach. As many of you know -- Rick, stand please so we could recognize you. (Standing ovation.)
As many of you know, Rick is retiring after 27 years of extraordinary service to the City and today is his final session in Rick, on behalf of all of the members of Council, past and present, we cannot say thank you enough for all of your diligence, your superior work and, above all, your wise counsel. I'm sure that each of us at some point in time have worked with Rick, and I'm sure that you have all experienced what I have experienced with him. I would often say to him on a given issue, Rick, what do you personally think about this? And he'd just give me one of these (indicating), and I truly, truly admired him, because he would never tell you what he personally thought, but he always told you what you should know about the legal points on that issue. Rick, I know I personally will miss you enormously, as I know that all of the members of Council will do so. I don't know what your future plans are, but whatever they are, may you always have good health and much success in your you. (Applause.)
Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Are there speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Madam President, I will be brief, because I know we all have demanding schedules, but I would be remiss not to acknowledge the passing of a former member of this legislative body, Republican Councilwoman-at-large Virginia Wright Knauer. She was the first Republican-at-large Councilmember. I was struck by her story, because she too is a fellow Girls High girl. Elected in 1960, she served two terms. And I was also struck by the on being referred to as "Councilman." It is important to note, Madam President, that the first member to be called "Councilwoman" is here today, and we know that would be you, where you insisted that the City Charter be changed to include the title "Councilwoman." Ms. Knauer went on to serve as Consumer Affairs Chief under Presidents both Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, and judging by her resume, it would appear to me that we would have certainly ended up on opposite sides of many public policy debates. But here is one thing I was struck by: Fifty years ago, Mrs. Knauer angered the Washington establishment within months of her appointment as Director of Consumer Affairs when she exposed what was actually in a hot dog and called for a lower fat percentage in all American products. So I would think and hope she would have voted for the 50 years later. After debate on Tuesday, Madam President, I acknowledged that it's still a man's world. I was on the stage with many prospective and current members of Council, and it's still clear that to the extent that we have women in public office, issues that impact women, children, family and our health don't get acted upon. But we need to thank Councilwoman Knauer, who indeed was a trailblazer and a pioneer. The needle still has a lot farther to move when it comes to gender equity in politics. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. Okay. It's been a long day, so I will be brief. I want to thank this body for listening to the citizens today from Occupy Philly. They are very diverse voices -(Applause.)
They are very diverse voices on many issues. Many of those issues this body has been champions of in the past. Whether we talk about Wilson Goode and the living wage fight or whether we talk about Jannie Blackwell and housing for poor people, whether we talk about employment and economic development opportunities, many of these issues, many of these issues we have brought forth. So we are in agreement on many more things than we are apart. week, Congress defeated the Jobs Act. We hope it's down, but not out, and that when a poll was done by NBC/Wall Street and Wall Street Journal, it was interesting to note that 64 percent of the people wanted that jobs bill, that Jobs Act, passed and only 34 percent were against it. These are the voices that are inside this Chamber, these are the voices that are outside City Hall, and these are the voices that should be heard in Washington, DC. A lot of us -(Applause.)
I think it's safe to say without fear of successful contradiction, none of us are in this Chamber in that 1 percent and all of us in that 99 percent that need these kinds of goods and services and issues pushed forward. So we hear you, and thank you for exercising your constitutional right and letting us know what you think. you, Madam President.
Thank you. (Ms. Bowling speaking without microphone.)
Thank you, Madam President. (Ms. Bowling still speaking without microphone.)
Thank you, Madam President. Certainly we stated our position and how we feel in our newsletter that we passed out this morning, and also we passed out a newsletter -- I mean a flyer with regard to a meeting tonight combatting violence that we are co-chairing with Mothers in Charge. But we're very upset to read in the paper today about a first grader Liberian. You know we have the Mayor's Caribbean Immigrant Affairs that we co-founded and we have Echoes of Africa that we've had for about a dozen years. And we're upset that we still have not reached a point where first graders from West Africa, specifically Liberia, are not beat up and are not afraid to go to school. So it means as much as we've done, we have a long way to go. And albeit that all of us do what we can to combat violence, we certainly still aren't doing enough. But let me end on a positive note. In addition to the flyer regarding combatting violence tonight that we have with Mothers in Charge, we will have a free community night at the Penn Museum, Imagine Africa. So this will allow something positive to be said as we conclude our remarks as we realize and always acknowledge whether it be Occupy Philadelphia, whether it be the rights of Africans and Caribbeans and all people, we're all one people under God, that we all have a right to the tree of life and that we have to continue to try to work together to help make this city and this world what we want it to be. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam President. I don't often give speeches on the floor, and this is a very light note. Recently the deal was concluded for the Philadelphia 76ers that changed ownership, and while we appreciated Mr. Snider's involvement in the team for all these years and the championships that they brought us -- championship that us, it's been a tough sports -- it was fun. It's been a tough sports time in Philadelphia. Their announcement -- and co-ownership is the great Will Smith and Jada Smith from Philadelphia, and they're part of this whole package. But they announced that 9,000 of their seats, if they have the season this year, will be cut immediately in half. So you can sit in the Wells Fargo Center, watch professional basketball of Philadelphia, again if we have the season, for under $30. It will bring families back again. It will bring some energy and enthusiasm back to our Sixers. It will hopefully bring, with Will and Jada Smith, bring some star power to the first row at center court and put the Sixers back on the map again. The reason I say this is because not only is it good for the City's image, but all of those folks that work in that sports center, all of those folks that have lost the month of October the Phillies collapse, all of those folks that would lose as a result of our teams not going as far as they go, they're all people who are making money paying tuitions, buying that refrigerator, paying their car payments, and I feel sorry for them. And hopefully all of our teams can come back next year and really put some economic engine power back into South Philadelphia sports complex so that those folks can continue to make decent livings and we can all have fun and pay for parades. So thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones. Your light is on.
Do we have anyone else that would like to be recognized? (No response.)
Seeing no one, the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October the 27th, 2011, 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 27th at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Thank you very much. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on October 20, 2011, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)