All those in favor let it be known by saying aye. (Aye.)
The 130770 will be reconsidered at the end of today's Calendar. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney at this time for a motion on Bill No. 130847.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit an amendment to be offered to Bill No. 130847 at this time. (Duly seconded.)
All those in favor on the motion will signify (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and again the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 130847. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of that amendment. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor of that motion signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The it, and Bill No. 130847 has been amended. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Kenney for a motion on Bill No. 130847, as amended.
Thank you again, Mr. President. I move the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the removal of Bill No. 130847 from the Calendar and its re-referral to the Committee of the Whole. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the removal of Bill No. 130847 from the Calendar and its referral to the Committee of the Whole. All those in favor please signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Bill No. 130847, as amended, will be re-referred to the Committee of the Whole. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh for a motion on Bill No. 130701.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit an amendment to be offered to Bill No. 130701 at this time. (Duly seconded.)
All those in favor of the motion will please signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and again the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh. 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 130701. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 130701 has been amended. Bill No. 130701 will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar at the next session of Council. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage 2ND READING Calendars.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today: Nos. 130883, 130890, 130709, 130710, 130711, 130712, 130713, 130419, 130251, 130156, 130685, 130688, 130691, 130698, and 130723. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you so much, Councilman. Before considering the bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, we will have public comment. The guidelines on public comment are as follows: If you have signed up or if you want to speak today, if you're interested in speaking and have not signed up, there is a table to my left, and please sign up. If you are signed up, your name will be called. You will go to the podium in the middle of the Council. There's a device on that podium. When the light on that device turns green, it is your time to speak. When it turns yellow, you have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. When it turns red, we ask that you please conclude your remarks to ensure that we have full participation of the Council. You will be given three minutes for each person who wishes to testify for public comment today. So, again, I want to thank you in advance for your cooperation. Mr. Decker, please read the first person.
Thank you, President of the City Council. Thank you, Councilmembers. I'm here to address Resolution 120118, examining the feasibility of transferring ownership of operations of Philadelphia Gas Works to a private entity. The purpose -- the proposed sale of PGW in the economy platform whose potential has not been realized will not serve the interest of the City. Private-sector finance is driving this proposal. I think the cause or the case can easily be made as the private-sector finance and the funding of government was never intentioned to serve government or protect the population. Loan contracts with rigged interest rates, credit default swaps, and other machinations were simply the precursor event that triggers the irrational demand to sell off City assets, property, schools, and utilities, the general confiscation of the tax base. I ask the City Council to look at the crisis in Detroit. The private-sector financial power is dependent on the Federal Reserve's unlimited bailout system. Yet they demand a bankruptcy proceeding that is out to liquidate accounts. Pensions, wages, workers themselves are all put on the chopping block. The credit default swap is not. It is the design and purpose of private-sector finance. The Fed should not be silent in this crisis. If Philadelphia public banking solution has the potential to save 20 to 40 percent of the tax base and increase employment and production, the City Council should put this solution to resolution. The high rate of taxation in the City is not sustainable in an economy that is actually in contraction. A Wall Street sales tax should be enacted by now. City Council should work with the Philadelphia Stock Exchange to enact a transaction tax. In addition, Philadelphia should push for a City window at the local Federal Reserve facility. We have a situation, the ongoing financial warfare offensive conducted against every state and city in need of finance and funding of its operations and services. Only the reinstatement of Glass-Steagall standard in U.S. banking can bring this warfare to a halt. The Fed itself for its silence and collaboration in the orchestration of debt traps, unrelenting unemployment, unlimited bailout system must be reorganized into a national bank credit system that can fund the states, fund the redevelopment of North America, and support full employment policy as a national security priority. The sale of PGW, its implications, was not realized or considered. The City's problems correlate with the national security crisis and accelerating collapse of the national economy caused by the international monetary finance debt base system. Political leadership must work for its termination and the re-creation of the American national system of political economy. Thank you. (Applause.)
Cye Harold Sheppard, commenting on 130123. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, Council President Clarke and also Councilman Jones, City Council, citizens. First I'd like to thank LEVAS Communication, the Lomax family, and WURD Radio for broadcasting live on 900 AM and also streaming 900amwurdradio.com. I'm going to be commenting also on 120118 just like Mr. King. I went to a hearing and a meeting that was facilitated by Sharmain Matlock-Turner with the Marcellus Shale representatives. I need to tell you that there was some sharp people there, like myself, who they didn't have an impact study for 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 or 500 years down the road on depleting our resources and digging in the ground and putting all kinds of unknown chemicals in the process known as fracking. Again, I say, get the frack out of here. The Fukushima fallout, y'all have heard about that. They're melting down, they're polluting the water, and Queen Lane Reservoir in Germantown, Philadelphia Water Department last year found traces of radioactivity from Fukushima. We're so close, a couple of hundred miles away, downstream from the Marcellus Shale. Then do you want your water to be set on fire? Do you want your children, grandchildren bathing, swimming in these pools? You want to eat fish from there? I mean, it's obscene. Rates will go up. Deregulation will come. And I need to know what's the process for City Council to have people like me and Mr. King come in hearings where we don't have to comprise everything into three minutes and let our feelings known. What's the process? We're knowledgeable and willing to serve. Lastly, I'd like to talk about Bill No. 130723. It's an ordinance by referring to mental retardation with intellectual disabilities. I talk to a lot of homeless people and a couple of weeks ago talked to a gentleman paying his fines for vagrancy and loitering. What happened, the same police officers were writing him up all these tickets in the thousands of dollars. It's like the Fugitive Slave Act. He has to pay these fines so he won't go to jail, you know. So we built a skating rink. We got the Christmas Village. Now they can't be on the Parkway because of tourists. We need to build shelters, train. These people will be willing to pay taxes. Some of them just need medication, like this disability bill talks about. So let's start thinking about the sleep number that you sleep on, Councilpeople, and the sleep number of a park bench, grass or cardboard box. Lastly -- my time is up -- I want to address City Council. I'm a City employee with no contract for six years. I want to call out Pete Matthews, Cathy Scott, and Fred Wright. You need to negotiate fairly. Stop making back-door deals. I need a contract. I want my pension safe. Thank you. I remain, Cye Harold Sheppard, Nubian Warrior King.
Mary Tracy. Mary Tracy, commenting on 130656. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, City Council members. I'm here to comment on 130656. I wanted to just thank Councilman Henon, who has really been working really hard on this bill for over six months, and just now the larger community is working with his staff on some of the issues. So I think we'll get there, but we're not there yet. But one of the things that really shocked all of us is that another billboard bill has come sailing down which totally dismantles what we're promised in 656. And I think one of the reasons that we're looking at expanding the amount of outdoor advertising is because we think there's a lot of money. So I just wanted to pass this out to City Council. There's some facts and figures -- we'll just talk numbers here -- that you can please take a look at. But just so that you know, we compared the amusement tax, parking tax, hotel tax, liquor tax with the billboard tax. It pales. It's a fraction of those taxes, bringing in less than $2.5 million a year. And we're also thinking, well, if 2,000 billboards only bring in $35 million for 2,000, how are we going to expect to get much more money by putting up more billboards? So as we look to this industry as the financial wizard that solve our problems, I would really ask Councilmembers to look at the numbers. And one of the most startling numbers is the few billboards who have been cited by License and Inspections as being illegal, if they had actually been -- the fines and penalties have been collected, we'd be up to about 36,571,000. Now, of course, it's just because they haven't been collected over the number of years, but at $150 a day, an illegal billboard that they refuse to remove, some point, if the Law Department was doing their job, we could bring in some real money. They're doing that in New York City, and they're finding the fines are being paid and the unsightly illegal billboards are being removed. So I would strongly urge a full examination of the full financial picture, and look at what the benefit will be in long term in bringing down property values by $31,000 for every billboard that's near residential properties and others. So that's all I really wanted to say, and we'll be back to talk about the other bills, but I'm really looking forward to talking to other sponsors of billboard bills so that we can make sure we get the best deal for our city. Thank you.
Penelope Giles, commenting on 130156. (Witness approached podium.)
Yes. Good morning, and thank you for this opportunity to speak on behalf of the Legislative Response Team. We are a newly formed group at the 11th hour, of course, with some concerns in reference to this bill that we now understand some of these concerns have been addressed through compromises, but there are still some issues that we want to get on the record that we need further discussion. So, first, if I may, I would like to read my statement and amend certain portions of it. My name is Penelope Giles. I am the Founder and Executive Director of the Francisville Neighborhood Development Corporation. As Council is well aware, Francisville is one of the neighborhoods in the North Philadelphia section of the City that still has a large collection of City-owned land and will, therefore, be significantly affected by this bill. It has been brought to our attention that there are several sections of the bill that did raise cause for serious concern. The sections addressed key issues that would have ultimately changed the way our elected Councilperson interfaces with the community with regards to who and for what purpose publicly held land in our community is disposed. It is our position that Councilmembers are elected by the people to work in government on behalf of the people. It is, therefore, the responsibility of our Councilperson to engage the community with regard to the disposition and ultimate use of public property within our boundaries. We strongly object to any language in this bill that would ultimately remove Councilmembers from this process. And, again, we do understand that compromises have been made and we are -- we would like to further discuss those, what those compromises are and the impact, but we are not opposing the passage of this bill at this time. We are supporting it. The use of public land plays a key role in the process of achieving and sustaining economic diversity. Since there is not enough time to have full discussion in this forum regarding sustainable economic diversity, we are asking that there be some time to discuss these matters and how we use our land and vacant land and public land to bring about a balance and sustainable economic diversity in our communities. I would also mention that having attended several PACDC meetings facilitated earlier this year, I felt and expressed in the meetings that there was not adequate representation from the communities which would be most affected by this legislation. We are not here to point fingers or cry conspiracy. We are simply asking that this be acknowledged and rectified. In conclusion, I reiterate that we are working to achieve sustainable economic diversity in our respective communities. The operative word in that sentence is "sustainable." Also I'd like to -- for other members of my committee that will not be allowed to speak, we were just looking at an article that -is my time up?
Yes, your time is up. Thank you. If you want us to have that distributed, we'll make sure it gets distributed. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Giles.
Rick Sauer, commenting on 130156. (Witness approached podium.)
As mentioned, my name is Rick Sauer. I'm with the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, and we're one of 15 citywide organizations that make up the Philly Land Bank Alliance that also includes the following additional organizations representing hundreds of local organizations and thousands of Philadelphia voters: the Building Industry Association, the Campaign to Take Back Vacant Land, the Citywide NAC Alliance, the Community Design Collaborative, the Design Advocacy Group, Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors, LISC Philadelphia, Next Great City, Penn Future, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, Regional Housing Legal Services, the Sustainable Business Network, and The Food Trust. We'd like to thank you, Council President Clarke and Councilwoman Sanchez, for reaching agreement on a set of amendments to the land bank ordinance before Council today, and the Alliance supports these amendments and urges Council to approve them today and to approve the full bill when it meets next week. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Jihad Ali, commenting on 130156. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, Council President Clarke, Majority Leader Councilman Jones, Majority Whip Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, Minority Leader Councilman O'Neill, Minority Whip Councilman Oh, and all the other Honorable Councilpeople here this morning and my fellow citizens. I'm here today to give testimony on Bill 130156-A, the establishment of the land bank. I think all the leadership of this Council and its members have done a fine job in looking out for the people's business. As Councilwoman Blackwell often says, this is the people's house, and the thing that separates you from us is this bar. You're our elected officials. You are the elected officials duly elected by thousands of Philadelphia citizens whom selected you to make decisions on behalf of the people. You stood on the stage in January of 2012. You took an oath to discharge your duties with fidelity. The key word was you were going to discharge your duties, not give them away. I'd like to thank you, Council President Clarke, and all the people who stood up to make sure that you were not giving away your elected power. With the oversight that you put in this bill, you will be saving a lot of people -- giving a lot of people opportunity. You will also, by the oversight you put in this bill, you will not be giving your power to a few unselected, unaccountable groups of people to do what they want to do. It's been often said that in this society, it is through the ownership of land and business that makes people independent. And one thing when Mr. Sauer talked, he mentioned his coalition. You know, when you look from the coalition that represents the City's diversity, look around this room. You see blacks, you see whites, you see Latinos, you see Asians, you see everybody. But in that coalition, I don't see black males. I see two black women, but I don't see black males. It's hard for me to trust somebody who comes to me, but they don't see me. They don't see me as a black male to be worthy enough to be included in that position. Not me personally, but a black male or black males. Not just one black male, but males. So they ask me to trust them, trust them to give them 40,000 pieces of property to let them do what they want to do. That's too much trust. I can't look at nobody's heart, but it's through the memorialization of legislation that we can put checks and balances. You're our elected officials. We gave you the right to put those checks and balances in there. I thank you for everything you do. Councilman Jones, you're my Councilperson. You've never let me down, and you know I've always been about transparency. So I think the issues that you put in this bill about transparency, they're important, because that bill, like the Vacant Property Review, the things that you put in there giving us the ability to see what's going on with the agenda, I thank you. That's all we need is oversight; oversight and leadership. Thank you for your leadership, Councilman.
John Meyerson, commenting on 130156. (Witness approached podium.)
-- fellow citizens. I rise today to speak in favor of 130156, as amended. I am speaking in favor of it on behalf of Wendell Young, Don McGrogan, and the 7,300 members of the United Food and Commercial Workers and our allies in the Take Back Vacant Land Coalition. We are happy to see -and I will tell you this. I am no stranger to this room, but my business has required me to spend an awful lot of time up in Harrisburg, and I only wish that that body in Harrisburg would be as diligent as this body in coming together, dealing with issues, important issues, and coming to compromises that are going to move this bill and this city forward. So I would like to congratulate you on your foresight, your courage, and your tenacity to get this done. We think this bill is important, because we -- at 7,300 members in this city, they work in a number of different places, the Acmes, the Shop Rites, the Super Freshes, Rite Aids, Pennsylvania Wine and Spirit Shops, and they want to continue to be a part of this city, and the passage of this bill will allow for responsible development of affordable housing and also businesses. Particularly with the master plan, the strategic plan requirement will allow us to look at the City, determine what businesses belong where, what housing belongs where, and this will be a great advantage to everybody in this city. So, again, in closing, I would like to thank Council President Clarke, Chairman Henon, the sponsor, Councilwoman Sanchez, and all the members of Council for coming together to get this done, and we look forward to its final passage. Thank you. (Applause.)
Lewis Nash, commenting on 130156. (Witness approached podium.)
-- President Darrell Clarke and Councilmembers and to the public in which we serve. My name is Reverend Lewis Nash. I am a representative of MAP Holistic Community Development, also of the 47th Ward in the lower North Philadelphia area. My concern to this bill -- I'm so glad to read about 3:30 this morning that they came to a consensus and agreement, that both sides has reached an agreement. And as I was reading how they came to an agreement, I thank God that that happened. And so we came here today in somewhat of an opposition, because we didn't have an opportunity to learn exactly what each line particularly meant for me as a citizen and also as a community activist. So we thank God that when we read this, we understood that it came to a consensus. So we're proud that Councilwoman Sanchez and President Clarke and all the Councilpeople have came to an agreement, but the only thing that we're concerned is the little person, the older lady, the older men that was cleaning the lot next to them. We just want to make sure that there's some transparency. And if a developer happens to want to purchase the land in that area, that they would not take away the opportunity for a single individual who has desired to have that vacant lot next to their house or their garden because of a special interest, that they will be allowed to just suck it right up. So we would hope that they would have the financial wherewithal by the land not becoming an astronomical price as it is purchased by our land bank. I am a member of PACDC and I am not against this bill. I've been a supporter of this bill since the land bank was introduced, but I would like to make sure that the single individual that been maintaining those lands around them or the farm people that was farming those lands and taking over lots, that they're not priced out. So we need to be -- we, elected officials or community activists, have to be mindful that the poor will always be with us, and we must be mindful of that. Those who eat up the land and purchase it, you must reinvest in the people, that we will have sustainability, economic sustainability, for those that are less fortunate as well as those that are fortunate, and we thank you for this opportunity.
Take Back Vacant Land - Michael Head, Nora Lichtash, Jonny Pashid. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Michael Head and I'm here today to speak on Bill 130156-A, the land bank bill. I am here today as a volunteer for the Women's Community Revitalization Project, a member of the Campaign to Take Back Vacant Land. We are a coalition of more than 45 faith, labor, and community groups throughout the City of Philadelphia who have been committed to establish a land bank we can trust since 2010. It's been three long years of going door to door, gathering signatures of support for this bill that will finally address the blight in our city, and attending numerous community meetings that has gotten me to this podium today. For me, this experience has been the most genuine example of democracy in my life. We, the people, have been clear that what is most important is that the land bank will be fair, and so we are proud that the members requiring strategic planning goals have been introduced by Councilwoman Sanchez to ensure that there will be room for more affordable housing, job creation, and community facilities and green spaces in our neighborhoods. I urge Council to approve these amendments today so that we can make history by passing the land bank bill in 2013. I purchased my first house, first and only house in Philadelphia, through the dollar program about 35 years ago, but I lost when I had a kidney and heart transplant. I couldn't pay my bills. I couldn't pay my bills. For the past seven years, I have been what I like to define as an urban nomad. I've been constantly searching and moving to find affordable housing around the City as the market continues to die, the price of rent sky high. I have worked hard all my life, paid all of my taxes. I have -- I shouldn't feel like I'm doing something wrong where I don't even belong in my own city. I'm tired. I'm tired of having to pick up states. I'm tired of feeling displaced. With Councilwoman Sanchez's amendments establishing required strategic planning goals, a fair land bank, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. A fair land bank will help ensure that there will be a permanent and affordable place for me and the thousands of urban nomads around the City we call home. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hold on one second, please. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I apologize. I have to leave the Chamber. If I'm gone when there are any resolutions, amendments or bills, I would like to be recorded as voting aye on all, and I'd also like to be recorded aye on the veto override.
Good afternoon. My name is Nora Lichtash and I'm here today to speak about the land bank bill, and I want to support what Michael Head just said. I'm the Director at WCRP. Michael Head is on my Board and one of my bosses. It's a grassroots group that builds leadership and builds buildings. We have a broad constituency. We focus on women and our community. Over the time we've existed, we've built 250 affordable townhomes and built community leadership by advocating for strong public policy, and we feel that the land bank bill is really strong public policy, and we really appreciate the work that's been done on it. We're a proud member of Campaign to Take Back Vacant Land and we're also part of the Land Bank Alliance. I want to speak in support of the land bank bill as a whole, but especially the amended language that's been offered that requires goal-setting for uses like affordable housing, jobs, and food. The neighborhood where WCRP does our work has been increasing in value, and in areas like ours, the reuse of vacant land that comes through the land bank must include development that's affordable to existing residents, not just new residents. There are a lot of us here in yellow T-shirts from the Campaign to Take Back Vacant Land and it's people giving their time away from work, away from their families, because we're sick and tired of the blight. And I know that that's a feeling that all of us have. It just plagues too many neighborhoods. We want revitalization of those vacant lots and abandoned buildings to improve our lives for our benefit, not at our expense. The strengthened goal-setting and strategic plan language means long-term residents will benefit. I urge you to vote yes on these amendments so we can pass this bill next week and make history.
Jonny Rashid actually. I'm Jonny Rashid. I'm here to speak about Bill 130156, the land bank bill. I'm a pastor for Circle of Hope and I've lived in North Philadelphia for about ten years. I currently live in North Central Philadelphia, and along with 40 other organizations, I'm part of the Campaign to Take Back Vacant Land. I came to this city to study education at Temple and I haven't left since then. I've been a public school teacher, and I've observed Philadelphia at its most -- among its most vulnerable. The social workers and teachers and counselors who make up much of Circle of Hope have exposed me further to the vulnerability of so many in Philadelphia. I want to stress the importance of this strategic planning language that's already included in the bill and the amended language that will be offered today to require goal-setting for how land can be used to create affordable housing, economic development, open space, and food production. This will ensure that the land bank can live up to its mission to help assist in the creation of socially and economically diverse neighborhoods. Circle of Hope is a diverse church, as diverse as the kingdom of God, and our people are so committed they end up moving into neighborhoods. We care so much about the poor around us that we're actively and fervently committed to affordable housing. When we learned about the Campaign to Take Back Vacant Land, we had to be a part of it. We have 650 active members who care about the issue. We want to do our part, and we've been doing work in vacant land for about seven years. Simply put, Jesus taught us to care for the least of these and to love our neighbors. Vacant land, empty buildings, dangerous lots, hunger, the lack of affordable housing, and the lack of good development plagues my neighbors. Slumlords and opportunistic developers prey on real estate in North Philly, and my neighbors have substandard housing that isn't up to code, and all around my neighborhood is cheaply built real estate that's abandoned and falling apart. In my mind, our land bank bill is a great and significant way to simply help the people in Philadelphia who are in need and it's an antidote to the aforementioned problems. It offers my neighbors opportunities for affordable housing, good businesses that provides amenities that my neighborhood needs, and safe places for children to play. It's crucial for the land bank bill to provide an easy and streamlined way to purchase and develop land. Along with that priority, it's important for the process to be transparent and, above all, equitable. The land simply can't go to the highest bidder. We need to use our wisdom and discernment to get the land in the hands of the people who will benefit our city most. That's why I'm excited that the bill has the language representing and reflecting our priorities. In Circle of Hope, we think we're each responsible for the other, and I want our city's legislation to reflect that burden, and I believe we need to pass this bill right now. It can't wait any longer. I'm excited to take action on the land bank bill today so that we can pass this bill next week and make history in 2013. (Applause.)
Speaking for the Brewerytown-Sharswood Civic Association, Talmadge Belo, Jr., Sheila Belo, Darnetta Arce, commenting on 130156. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good afternoon, President Clarke, Councilmembers. My name is Talmadge Belo, Jr. I'm the Vice President of the Brewerytown-Sharswood Community Civic Association, a non-profit established and founded by us 13 years ago in the Brewerytown-Sharswood area, which is north of the Girard College. The reason I'm here today is to comment on Bill 130156. Along with a newly formed coalition, we had some reservations after discussion about this bill on just where it was going. My personal issues here is what I would comment on today, because I do believe that the land bank bill does in fact have merit. However, remembering that an organization such as mine, which is dedicated to bringing clear information to the residents of North Philadelphia, has problems when all of the sudden we get this information at short notice. So my specific problems with the bill -- and I understand that that might have been remedied -- would be the absence of inclusion by the Brewerytown-Sharswood Community Civic Association, who represents the area that I have talked about, specifically the 29th Ward and all adjoining wards. The other issue that I had a problem with was the clarity on the structure of the eventual Board. It didn't seem to have included in that structure representatives from my area, and that, I want to make very clear, is a problem that needs to be adjusted. In essence, the remedy that we're seeking is just further inclusion in this bill, further inclusion I guess is the word I leave you with, but essentially that's the area that I would leave you with today. I thank you for your attention.
Thank you, sir, for your testimony. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. My name is Darnetta Arce and I'm a member of the Brewerytown-Sharswood Community Civic Association, and as Mr. Talmadge has stated, we're not opposing the bill. We just want to have some things amended as far as how the Board is set up, how qualifications to be a member of the Board, how much the community input is taken into consideration. So we're not opposing it. We want the blight to be removed from our area as well. We want better housing. We want the vacant lots to be more beautified. So we just wanted more understanding about the bill and the opportunity to table it so we can have some things delineated about what the conditions are in this bill. That's my problem. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for coming down. (Applause.)
Tiffany Green, commenting on 130156. (Witness approached podium.)
I want to comment on this bill, because we have concerns and we're asking that the bill be tabled. Because what this vacant land bill is doing is actually setting up an online store for many developers to come and purchase City-owned properties. I understand that many of our colleagues believe in terms of community benefit of this bill, but let's look at the bigger picture here, that many developers have stated to us that they want to have opportunities to buy cheap land so they can flip for high end. We must also remember that this bill -- when the vacant land becomes available, that you still have what we call the by-right zoning, which allows many developers to build houses in your community that will be ranking from five to six hundred thousand dollars. So when this bill goes through, many of your communities may turn into Point Breeze. So be careful with this. We're saying that we were not notified -- many RCOs were not notified, and although many minority groups became RCOs in June, many did not get notification about this. We're looking at this particular Philly Land Bank Alliance where you have Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors, you have Preservation Alliance, you have Philadelphia Association of Preservation Alliance, and I'm saying these groups, although they may have good intentions, many of them are interested in getting cheap land to possibly sell. I have a problem with the Board, the appointment of the Board, because we feel that this Board should be elected. It should not be appointed where you be in debt or gracious to someone. It should be appointed. Why? Let me give you reasons why. Because when you go down to the Planning Commission, you have majority -- the Planning Commission is majority all white, I hate to say, and one token African American. When you look at the Zoning Commission, it was very few African Americans or minority people on those Boards. When you look at the CDR, we went down to the CDR last week. Majority -- only one African American sitting on that Board. We have a problem with that, and this particular Board needs to have diversity. (Applause.)
It cannot be one particular ethnic group that is sitting up there. And then what you have in here, the kicker is this, qualifications. Members shall include individuals with expertise in relevant areas, including, but not limited to, planning, real estate development, open space, and architect. So when you go down there, you're saying that none of us have any experience in terms of architect and real estate. Why are these commissions and these Boards -- once again, the Planning Commission, the Zoning -- ZBA, the CDR -all have one token African American, and then the rest of us come down there and we feel like we're actually strangers. We're not represented on these Boards. This needs to be changed to an elected Board that people can run for two years and then that's it, you move on. You're not appointed, so that, therefore, it's not who you know. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, and thank you all for your public comment today. (Audience members speaking.)
Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. You were on the list? Go ahead. You said, Please, Darrell. You got me with that one. (Witness approached podium.) MS. McCORMICK: Thank you. Thank you, Councilman, for letting me speak today, and City Council. The reason why I want to speak today is on Bill 130156-A.
Say your name. MS. McCORMICK: My name is Theresa McCormick and I'm from Concerned Citizens and I live in Point Breeze. My concern about this bill is that it doesn't represent the community and residents enough, and the reason why, I'm going to give you my experience. City Councilman Clarke, I have took my son and I went through the process to try to purchase land in the Point Breeze area. When we went down to the Sheriff's Sale, five developers, including one, who I'm going to name named Ori, tried to beat -- not physically beat up on us, but tried to keep us from purchasing land within the area. The reason why we wanted to purchase the land, because, as you know, my son who graduated from college in May wants to stay here in Philadelphia and wants to build a home here, but the developers will keep you from buying, developers and realtors. So what we did was, we had to try to outbid them, which we did, which we did. (Applause.) MS. McCORMICK: But everyone doesn't have that opportunity. That land we have took care of for 30 years. We wanted that land so that he can stay in the community and invest in Philadelphia, but this bill does not go far enough to support the local resident who might want to invest in Philadelphia. We ask you to please reconsider and strengthen that part of it and not give more opportunity to the developer or the realtor, because that's what's going to happen when you put this information out on the Internet, because they will bid for it first. So please do some tweaking and fix this bill. Thank you.
Thank you so much. That concludes our public comment for today. (Audience member speaking.)
With all due respect -(Audience member speaking.)
Oh, it's a different issue? (Audience member speaking.)
Hold on, ma'am. Ma'am, hold on one second. Hold on one second. Are you to speak 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING about another issue? Because we -(Audience member speaking.)
No. We came to a consensus of the people here and we put together the list, because there were like a gazillion people on the list. We get your point. (Audience member speaking.)
Ma'am, ma'am, ma'am. (Audience member speaking.)
Ma'am, we're probably going to do what you want us to do today. (Audience member speaking.)
Ma'am, we have to proceed. Thank you. (Audience member speaking.)
Okay. Thank you for your testimony, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you. We will now go over our Calendar for today. Mr. Decker, would you please read the title of 130883. 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
A 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 Forty-Seventh Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Folks, could I ask you to please keep your voices down so we can conduct business. We have a long Calendar to go through. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for a motion on 130883.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of Resolution 130883. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 130883 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 130890.
A resolution respectfully requesting the Prime Minister of Israel, The Honorable Benjamin Netanyahu, to maintain and support the Foreign Ministry of Israel's diplomatic mission in the United States by retaining the Consulate General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region in Philadelphia.
Hold on one second. Folks, can you please hold the 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING conversation down, because it's difficult to conduct business, please. Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
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. Resolution 130890 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 130709.
A resolution calling on the School District of Philadelphia, the Community College of Philadelphia and all regional school 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING districts to provide Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training and certification to students enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs and to further offer such training to Philadelphia residents.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it and 130709 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 130710.
A resolution urging the Commonwealth Review and Advisory Committee, the State Legislature 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING and the Governor to support, review and alter the codes adoption process to ensure the well-being, health and safety of all Pennsylvania residents.
Thank you again, 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. 130710 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 130711.
A resolution authorizing the formation of a Hazardous Material Policy Group, to consider and make recommendations on the abatement of 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING additional hazardous substances at demolition sites prior to demolition.
Thanks again, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 130712.
A resolution calling on the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections to strengthen oversight and enforcement of the construction and demolition industry 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING through effective use of technology.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 130712 is adopted. And, Mr. Decker, 130713.
A resolution calling on Mayor Michael A. Nutter to immediately issue an Executive Order to require enforcement functions at the Department of Licenses and Inspections to report to the Department of Public Safety, as recommended by the Special 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Investigating Committee on Demolition Practices in Philadelphia.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Mr. President, I move for the resolution's adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 130713 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 130419.
An ordinance authorizing an amendment of the 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation Agreement to increase the annual payment by the Philadelphia Gas Works to the City.
Thank you, Mr. President. With great pleasure, I move that this Bill No. 130419 be placed on the Suspension Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 130419 be placed on the Suspension Calendar. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read the 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING title of 130251.
An ordinance amending Chapter 13-100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Water Rates," and amending Chapter 13-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sewer Rates," by providing for an independent rate-making body and processes and procedures for fixing and regulating rates and charges.
The Chair again recognizes Councilmember Jones.
Give me a second, Mr. President. I make a motion to amend the bill. The amendment has been circulated to all members. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it, and the motion on the amendment to Bill No. 130251 is approved. 130251 will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 130156.
An ordinance repealing Chapter 16-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Councilmanic District Development Program," and replacing it with a new Chapter 16-500, entitled "Philadelphia Land Bank," that authorizes the creation of a land bank and provides for its appointment, powers, and duties.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING adoption of the amendment. The amendment has been circulated. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor on the amendment? (Aye.)
Thank you. 130156 has been amended and will be placed on the Second and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 130685.
An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Construction and Occupancy Code," amending Subcode A, entitled "The Philadelphia Administrative Code," by adding a new Chapter on site safety; amending Title 6 "Health Code," by increasing penalties and requiring notices for asbestos projects; and amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," by adding conditions for site safety monitor licensing.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill No. 130685 be removed from the Calendar and re-referred to the Committee of the Whole. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Bill No. 130685 be removed from the Calendar and re-referred to the Committee of the Whole. All those in favor of the motion signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and Bill No. 130685 will be re-referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 130688.
An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," by adding new rules and obligations pertaining to construction licenses and renewals of those licenses.
Thank you. 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 130688. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council and I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
There's been a proposed amendment to 130688. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the amendment is approved, and 130688, as amended, will be placed on -- sorry, Councilman. It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 130688 be adopted. We took the vote on the adoption. The Chair again recognizes 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilman Henon for the re-referral motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the removal of Bill 130688 from the Calendar and its re-referral to the Committee of the Whole. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the removal of the Bill No. 130688 from the Calendar and its re-referral to the Committee of the Whole. All in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 130688, as amended, will be re-referred to the 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Committee of the Whole. Mr. Decker, please read 130691.
An ordinance amending Title 4 "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," by amending Subcode "A," (The Philadelphia Administrative Code), and Subcode "B" (The Philadelphia Building Code), and Title 20, entitled "Officers and Employees" of The Philadelphia Code, by adding certain provisions related to construction and demolition, special inspections, contractors, stop work orders, fees, fines, ethical violations and penalties.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer an amendment to Bill 130691. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council and I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.) 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 130691 be adopted. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bill has been amended. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the removal of Bill 130691 from the Calendar and its re-referral to the Committee of the Whole. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING suspended to permit the removal of the Bill 130691 from the Calendar and its re-referral to the Committee of the Whole. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Bill No. 130691, as amended, will be re-referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 130698.
An ordinance amending Title 4 "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," of The Philadelphia Code by amending Subcode "A," (The Philadelphia Administrative Code) by adding new definitions, enforcement powers, a separate permit for demolitions, and 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING requirements for Licenses and Inspections code officials.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Mr. President, I would like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 130698. A copy of the amendments have been circulated to all members of Council, and I move for the adoption of the amendments. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that the amendment of 130698 be approved. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The Chair again recognizes 12/5/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilman Jones for a motion on Bill No. 130698, as amended.