COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, December 15, 2011 10:20 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO, JR. COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER,
As soon as we have some quietness, we can get started. Thank you. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will come to order. Members will take their seats, and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes a very dear friend of mine, Reverend John Zagarella of St. Gabriel's Parish. At this time, I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
Good morning, Council President and Councilmembers. This is an historic day here at City Council. We have so much to be grateful for and thankful for, especially during the holy season of Advent when we thank God for all the many us every day. As we come together this morning, our hearts are especially filled with gratitude for well more than 100 years of service from Jack Kelly, Frank Rizzo, Frank DiCicco, Anna Verna, Joan Krajewski and Donna Reed Miller. We give thanks and praise to God for their faithful service over these many, many years. We pray for all those who are preparing to join City Council and take new posts in the coming year. As we acknowledge our hearts full of gratitude, we take a few moments now to put ourselves in the Lord's presence. God, our Heavenly Father, in this season of Advent, when we await your coming in a whole new way on Christmas day, we give you thanks and praise. We ask your blessing on Anna Verna, Jack Kelly, Frank Rizzo, Frank DiCicco, Joan Krajewski and Donna Reed Miller as they retire from their years of faithful ask your blessing on this City Council on all of its proceedings, that we all may be guided by your holy spirit, and we ask your blessing, Lord. Father, son and holy spirit. Amen. (Amen.)
The Chair thanks Father for that beautiful invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, December 8th, 2011. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, December the 8th, 2011 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, December 8th, 2011 stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
All those in favor will indicate by saying aye. I feel like I'm up here by myself. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leave of absence today.
Madam President, on behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in Chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our city. We certainly invite you to come again. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, who will present a resolution honoring and congratulating The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on its Tenth and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. I see that Councilwoman Brown is being joined by Councilman Kenney and Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. Today we salute one of our crown cultural jewels on South Broad Street in your councilmanic district, and it's my hope that many of us have been to this crown jewel either to see opera or Broadway or pop or jazz or dance. It's a wonderful, wonderful pleasure to honor and congratulate The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on its Tenth Anniversary. Whereas, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts opened its doors on December 16th, 2001 as the beacon of the Avenue of the Arts and home for live performing arts to crowds in the thousands; and Whereas, The Kimmel Center for home to eight resident companies, including The Philadelphia Orchestra; Peter Nero and The Philly Pops; the Opera Company of Philadelphia; Pennsylvania Ballet; and, of course, Philadanco; the Chamber Music Company of Philadelphia; the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society; and the American Theatre Arts for Youth; and Whereas, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts has launched two successful Broadway series: Kimmel Center Presents and Broadway, which broaden and diversify program offerings to attract, captivate and serve a wide range of audiences; and
Whereas, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts provides free education programing to thousands of school children each year through Dance in the Schools, Bop and Swing, Kimmel Center's Creative Music Program, Teen Summer Arts Camps, Multicultural and Performance Arts classes; and Whereas, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts' education programs have served over 80,000 children since 2001; and Whereas, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts provided 206 free performances in Fiscal Year 2011 totalling 412 hours of free programming for citizens in the region to enjoy;
And whereas, nearly 1.4 million people attended performances and events at the Kimmel Center campus in Fiscal Year 2011; and Whereas, Anne Ewers, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, envisioned, secured funding for and carried out the wondrously successful Philadelphia Festival of the Arts (PIFA), a collaborative 25-day festival of cultural and performance activities which featured 1,500 artists and culminated in South Broad Street which attracted 195,000 people; and Whereas, PIFA had a total economic impact of $55.74 million on the Philadelphia region and produced 2.10 million in tax revenue for the City of Philadelphia; now therefore
Now therefore be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby honor, celebrate and lift up The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on its Tenth Anniversary as home for our city's live performing arts in Greater Philadelphia. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Anne Ewers, the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and to her strong team, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. This resolution was introduced myself, Blondell Reynolds Brown, and of course sponsored -- co-sponsored by all members of the Philadelphia City Council. Let's celebrate the Kimmel. (Applause.)
Thank you and good morning. I am absolutely honored to be here this morning. We are so grateful to Congresswoman -
Sorry; City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown for your tireless, passionate love of the arts, and your support is extraordinary. And I do believe that it was your efforts, along with of course others, who helped us in the most recent issue of Travel & Leisure to list Philadelphia as the number one city for the arts. So thank you. (Applause.)
And a thank you to City Council President Anna Verna. Thank you. Your support for the Kimmel Center, your passion, your guidance, your leadership has helped us to develop and grow. We greatly appreciate you. Thank you. The Kimmel Center is the home to eight resident companies, and we offer a panoply of opportunities so that there truly is something for everyone in the City of Philadelphia. We're thrilled with the results of PIFA, and I am delighted to tell you that PIFA will return in 2013. We also -- and I'm thrilled to be surrounded by our extraordinary team. A lot of hard work, a lot of effort, a lot of love goes into what we do, and all of us look forward to seeing you on January 28th for the performance of Jerry Blavat. We are providing a pair of tickets to each of you so that you can join us. Again, we are humbled and honored to be here today, and we love what we do. Thank you. (Applause.)
The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell, who will present a resolution recognizing and honoring the Original Richard Allen Committee. Would Frank Williams and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman at the podium. I understand Bruce Crawley is here. I see that Councilwoman is being joined by Councilman Clarke.
Many of you know many of the individuals who stand behind me. These are people with whom I was born and grew up in the old days when it was called -- when they were "projects" in Richard Allen Homes. So it gives me great pleasure to be here to present this citation -- this resolution. We've asked Councilman Clarke, in whose district it technically is -- it's where my heart is -- to join me in making this presentation. And certainly we will ask when remarks are made that each and every member be introduced. Is that okay, gentlemen? Resolution recognizing and honoring the Original Richard Allen Committee for its dedication to improving the quality of life for at-risk Philadelphians, including feeding the hungry, clothing families through clothing drives and mentoring our youth. Whereas, the Richard Allen -the Reverend Richard Allen, for whom The Richard Allen Homes in Philadelphia is named, and who also founded the Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, embodied a core principle and philosophy of self-help; Whereas, the Original Richard Allen Committee was established in the summer of 1990 by Richard Allen Homes residents for reasons of nostalgia, socialization and friendship; and Whereas, the Original Richard Allen Committee was also created as a response to prevailing negative, social and economic trends impacting minority and other at-risk Philadelphians; and Whereas, the Original Richard Allen Committee is a broad-based non-profit educational and fundraising organization dedicated to the promotion of positive works and projects that will ultimately benefit not only neighbors but our communities and society as a whole; and Whereas, the Original Richard Allen Committee was established to help alleviate hunger and other economic strains of the community, including the establishment of a scholarship fund and selection process to identify qualified students in need; and Whereas, the Original Richard Allen Committee has focused its energies on the teachings of the, quote/unquote, "Keepers of the Dream." These teachings prioritize support for at-risk youth, residents experiencing economic hardship, residents requiring critical and preventive healthcare and the continued bonding achieved through an annual picnic which provides a forum for honoring former and current residents; and
Whereas, the Original Richard Allen Committee has been successful in providing cultural experiences for youth, scholarships for students who have excelled in spite of adversities, and symposiums on topics including non-violent dispute resolution, just to name a few. Its culturally based events have included field trips to Mother Bethel A.M.E. and the Afro-American Museum of Philadelphia. to students from William Penn and Benjamin Franklin High Schools to assist students with the cost of higher education; and Whereas, many members of the ORAC attended Spring Garden Elementary and ORAC has adopted Spring Garden School, where members have participated in the school's Career Day, mentoring programs, providing field trips; and Whereas, several ORAC members and former residents have reached celebrity status, including this lady here, including boxers George "Champ" Benton and the late James "Black Gold" Schuler; Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell; Senator Shirley Kitchen; public relations professional and former banker, A. Bruce Crawley; the late Eugene "Bird" Daugherty of the Intruders; Executive Director of Philadelphia Anti-Drug Violence Network, James Mill; Attorney Ronald White; and educator, entertainer and philanthropist, Dr. William Cosby, Jr.; and Whereas, ORAC forges ahead tirelessly in its efforts to uplift humanity through its many initiatives in Richard Allen and the surrounding communities; therefore be it
Resolved, that the Philadelphia City Council recognizes and honors the Original Richard Allen Committee for its dedication to improving the quality of life for at-risk Philadelphians, including feeding the hungry, clothing the family through clothing drives and mentoring youth. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented as a sincere expression of this Council's appreciation and love for all that they do. You will note as they are introduced that they are all leaders in our city and beyond. These are my friends. These are people with whom I can count on any time. And this by Darrell Clarke and myself, but agreed to by the President and all members of City Council. Thank you guys for everything. (Applause.)
First of all, the Original Richard Allen Committee would like to thank Councilwoman Blackwell by acknowledging our unselfish effort to give back to our community for the last 20-plus years. During that time, it has been said the things that we have done. It wasn't always an easy road. We didn't always agree on things. We didn't always have the same political views, religious views, but one view we had was that we wanted to give back to the community. hear things in the news like people from the projects, kids from the projects don't have any work ethics, do not want to work hard. We've been working hard -- excuse me; not working hard. We've been working steady for the last 20-plus years to give back to the neighborhood, and we going to continue to do for the next, if God is willing, the next 20 years. Thank you. (Applause.)
I'd like to add my appreciation to Councilwoman Blackwell and to Councilman Clarke. With this recognition and on behalf of the entire Council, you have recognized Richard Allen as one of the premiere neighborhoods, as one of the most important neighborhoods in the City of Philadelphia. And Philadelphia is a city of great neighborhoods and has always been a city of great neighborhoods, but oftentimes when we talked about housing projects, people didn't extend the recognition at that level. And so this is very important to not just this group of people who are here today, but to all of the people who are a part of the extended family of Richard Allen, going all the way back to 1941, who have been disrespected in many ways because simply they were low income and they lived in public housing. Public housing has done a great thing in this city. It has provided homes for a lot of people over the years, and we are part of the product of that. We are focused on our community. We love our community. And I would want to say that we're so narrowly focused that when I first heard that there was a person named Richard Allen who was a great bishop in the A.M.E. Church, I wondered why his parents named him after the projects. We had no concept, we had no idea why somebody would name their kid after Richard Allen our focus. We've been together. We stayed together, and part of the reason is the construction of the project cause us to be in-facing. When you came out your house in the morning with 1,300 housing units, there were four rows of homes, and when you walked out in your house in the morning, you were facing about 400 kids. So there were 400 kids in your initial block, and every adjacent block was a part of your community. So we were very tight. We were tight in a way that people don't normally get to experience in other neighborhoods, and that has continued. We do this because we wanted to support the community. We do this because we didn't want to forget the people who have passed, and we come together every year, and we appreciate the City Council recognizing us. I can't add anything more to what President Frank Williams has said.
Good morning. My name is Billy Brown. I'm in charge of all the public relations for our organization. Again, I just wanted to mention just the other thing that we're like -we're more than brothers here. We love each other. We fuss and stuff like that, but that's all right. You know, we get the job done, and that's what I wanted -so I want to introduce the guys that get the job done now. To my right -- Bruce just talked about the person that was named after Richard Allen. I want to introduce Richard Allen right here. (Applause.)
Also to my right I want to introduce Muhammad Adeel, our Treasurer. (Applause.)
Our Vice-President, Albert Ricketts. We also -- his nickname is Frenchie. Some of y'all might know (Applause.)
Our Secretary to his left, we call him "Blood," Thomas Vessels. You can see the connection. (Applause.)
Bruce Crawley, everybody, the famous Bruce Crawley. (Applause.)
Thank y'all very much. Thank you, Jannie and Darrell. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
I would ask my colleagues to remain in front of the bottom podium so that we can take a group photo, the Class of 2011. (Pause.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-At-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission regarding the following bills: Bill Nos. 110762, 110763, 110831, 110835-A, 110839, 110842, 110844, 110845, 110847 and 110875; and I am pleased to advise you that on December 14, 2011, I signed the passed by Council at its session on December 8, 2011: Bill Nos. 110787, 110788, 110789 and 110832; and I am pleased to advise you that on December 12 and December 14, 2011, I signed the remaining bills that were passed by Council at its session on December 1, 2011, except Bill No. 110662, which I am returning without my signature, and Bill No. 110563, which I am returning as disapproved.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The Chief Clerk will please read any other communications in his possession.
Thank you. Since this is our last Council session, I would just like the Councilmembers who have bills or resolutions to indicate that by just raising their hands so that we could recognize you. Okay. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I offer six resolutions, which I request a suspension of the rules.
A resolution honoring and thanking Councilman Frank DiCicco.
I move for the adoption of the -- I move that the rules of Council be suspended so that we can read this at the end of the day. (Duly seconded.)
And a resolution honoring and thanking Councilman Jack Kelly.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so we can have a reading -- a vote on this resolution at the end of the day's session. (Duly seconded.)
All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution honoring and thanking Councilwoman Joan L. Krajewski.
I move that the rules of Council be suspended so we can hear this resolution at the end of the day's Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution honoring and thanking Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller.
Madam President, I move for the suspension of the rules so that this resolution can be heard at the end of the day's Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
And a resolution honoring and thanking Councilman Frank Rizzo.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so that we can hear this resolution at the end of the day's Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
And a resolution honoring and thanking Council President Anna C. Verna.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so that we can hear this resolution at the end of the day's Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Councilman Clarke, I believe you wanted to introduce something.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bills.
An ordinance amending Chapter 16-400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled ("Vacant and Surplus Properties"), to establish Development Districts wherein City-owned real estate may be transferred to the Redevelopment Authority of Philadelphia for further transfer, at a discount, for economic development purposes.
Thank you. I assume these bills will be sent to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," and Title 16 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Property," to provide for a comprehensive plan for the placement of advertising on municipal property, and to further authorize contracts and concessions for the placement and management of advertisements on municipal property, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. Is there anyone else who would like to introduce bills or resolutions? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title.
A resolution amending Resolution No. 110453, approving the Annual Program Statement and Budget for the expenditure of the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative Bond Proceeds for Fiscal Year 2012.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to allow us to consider this resolution as part of today's Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of the resolution at today's Council session. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. There are no reports from committees. Therefore, the next order of business will be the consideration of the Calendar. There are no bills on the First Reading Calendar today. Therefore, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up the bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar reading.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar: Resolution Nos. 110899, 110900, 110901, 110902, 110903, 110904, 110905, 110906, 110907, 110908, 110909, 110910, 110911, 110852, 110853, 110854 and 110855. 2ND READING
It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the resolutions just read by Councilwoman Tasco. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and we will consider the Resolution Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, 2ND READING Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar: Bill Nos. 110672, 110844, 110793, 110842, 110877, 110831, 110848 and 110875.
The Councilwoman has made a motion. Do I hear a second? (Duly seconded.)
Madam President, I move that we will remove 110672. That is being held.
Thank you. The Councilwoman made a motion. Do I hear a second? (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit 2ND READING the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the bills just read by Councilwoman Tasco. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and we will consider the Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up the bills and resolutions on the regular Calendar for all bills and resolutions.
Thank you, Madam President. In addition to the bills being considered on the Consent Agendas, the following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 110836-A, 110763-A, 110835-A, 110876-A, 100011-A, 110307, 110764, 110761, 110762, 110827, 110845, 110798, 110826, 110847, 110716, 110839, 110841, 110784 and 110829. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you. Before considering the bills and resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already done so, will you please give the Sergeant-At-Arms to my left your name so that you could be recognized. You will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. You will have three minutes, three minutes to speak. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.
I would ask our first speaker to please approach the microphone, Robert Archie. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Madam President. We're here -- my name is Robert Archie. I'm a partner in the law firm of Duane Morris, LLP and I'm here as counsel to New Life Affordable Housing, LP. I am here with Harold Thomas, the President and General Partner of New Life Affordable Housing, LP, and in my testimony will refer to as New Life. The testimony being offered is in support of Bill No. 110761, as amended, and this bill will amend the Philadelphia Zoning Map by changing the zoning designation of certain areas of land known and numbered as 1925 to 31 West Venango Street thru to Pacific Street located within an area bounded by Broad Street, Lehigh Avenue and 24th Street. This bill has been amended to narrow that scope. And the purpose of my testimony, which I will also hand up, is basically to indicate that this is seven properties which are currently low-income housing, which is designated by Zoning Map as C-2. The purpose of this ordinance is to amend and to change that zoning to R-9, which permits residential housing in that area. C-2 does not permit residential housing unless it has a commercial function. Our purpose is to say to rezone that back to an R-9A and to make it permissible for the seven families which are currently there to reside in low-income housing. That's the purpose of my testimony. Thank you very much.
Good morning, City Council and guests. I'm here to just say that the community development agreement has not yet been signed for the property at 8200 Germantown Avenue. I'm a near neighbor. I abut the property. Issues of noise, truck delivery, trash have not yet been addressed, I understand. And also the draft has not been seen by the near neighbors, of which I am one. Weavers Way did not gather the signatures for the petition that you've been presented. The near neighbors did. I've also been told, as per the developer's plans, that the height of the building on Germantown Avenue is over 60 feet. Now, I want to say that we are not against mixed development. Our argument is with the size, scale and density, not the idea of the project, and it never has been a problem as far as mixed development goes. Thank you.
Please approach the microphone. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Madam President and members of this distinguished body. I'm here on behalf of Bill 110761 only as a messenger. I was contacted by Ms. Verna Tyner from Tioga United. She is unfortunately in Washington, DC attending a conference. She asked that I submit this document for the record. She also informed me that she contacted Councilwoman Miller and told her I would be here as a messenger and to tell this body that Tioga United, the community group concerned with this Bill 110761, as the distinguished counsel, Mr. Archie, testified to, they are in negotiation with Mr. Archie by way of their attorney. The reason being that they have a community benefit agreement that is to be attached to the bill. They're working that out. Councilwoman Miller through her leadership made that happen. So they just wanted that noted for the record. I would like to move on to some of the other bills I'm here for, which are Bill No. 110826, which is referred to as the trades bill, sponsored by Councilman Kenney. I testified at the hearing in the Rules Committee. I'm supporting this bill because as an African American male in this city, the trades, we have friends that are in the unions. Myself, I'm a union member. I'm with the Carpenters Union, but we have organizations that actually embrace African Americans. That being Local 332. We all are familiar with Sam Staten, the Staten family, both Senior and Junior. They're very well friends of ours, good friends of ours. And we also have friends in Local 98 with John Dougherty. And I would like to point out for the record, with the exception being Local 332, that the Electrical Union is the only union that has hired an African American male to represent them in these issues before this Council, and that was done through the use of Tommie St. Hill. And I think that's significant, because most African Americans in this city, they look at this whole union issue. We have been down here for years fighting about inclusion. And the simple fact is that we can't allow bills just to come forth to this Council for the union and we don't do anything for African American males. I'm here particularly to speak about them, because that's who I'm concerned about. And historically we look at the record, we're not reflected in those unions. Imagine having an army -because it's really a small army out here. Imagine having an army with no black generals, no black officers, nobody but the minor list of people. So we're here to change that. And I am sure, as Councilman Kenney pointed out during the hearing, that it's not the time -- it wasn't the time for that during that bill, and it reminded me of Dr. Martin Luther King when he sat in jail in Birmingham and the priest sent him a letter and said, Well, now is not the time. But I am assured that with the leadership that we have in Councilman Goode that we can change this, because as Malcolm X pointed out, this whole stuff about exclusion of African Americans is due to the fact that there's a masterful plan in place and it's going to take a masterful person to put that out. I'm sure with Councilman Goode, Councilman Jones, Councilman Clarke, African American men will get their day in these unions, as we rightfully deserve. In closing, I want to say I'm here on Bill 110847. Once again, it was the Rules Committee that stood up for the people, Councilman Kenney and Councilman Goode. They had the courage to stop that bill from passing out of Council because it didn't adhere to the rules that this Council established in terms of inclusion. So I congratulate Councilman Kenney. I congratulate Councilman Goode for having the courage to make a decision. And in closing, Council President, I would like to say to you good-bye. I would like to say to all the members that's retiring good-bye. You deserve your retirement.
But you, Council President, you know you have a place in my heart, because in all the years that you've stood there that I've been coming down here for six years, you've always had class, dignity and respect. You've always remembered where you came from. You remembered the people that you serve, and you gave a little person like me an opportunity to speak. I thank you. And enjoy your time.
Jane Piotrowski, commenting on Bill Nos. 110762, 110763-A and 110764. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Madam Chair. My name is Jane Piotrowski. I am the President of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, and I also live next door to the proposal, the project. On Monday, we met with the Community Association Board and they supported the Land Use Planning Committee and the DRC in this project unanimously at 22 to nothing. In regards to the CDA, in the coming week, the CHCA and Bowman Properties will execute a community development agreement addressing CHCA's concerns. In the meantime, Bowman and CHCA have finalized a term sheet for the community development agreement. With these assurances given to us by Bowman, CHCA is excited about this important proposal, and that will hopefully begin the revitalization of Chestnut Hill's business district. Thank you.
Apostolos Vardakis, commenting on 110762, 110763-A and 110764. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Madam President, Councilmembers and guests. My name is Tolos Vardakis. I am a past President of the Chestnut Hill Community Association and I'm here to speak for myself, not for the Association, by the way. I have served my community as a volunteer on the Board and various committees since 1999. The size of the proposed development of 8200 Germantown Avenue is something new to Chestnut Hill, and it was bound to generate strong opinions. And why not? Since we have a reputation to hold strong opinions even on smaller projects. We have guidelines for what is generally acceptable in Chestnut Hill, but there is verbiage for flexibility in those guidelines for projects such as this. One subcommittee, two other committees of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, the Board of the Chestnut Hill Business Association all approved this project and, finally, the Directors of Chestnut Hill Community Association unanimously 22 to 0 approved this project after six months of negotiations. As you know, the Chestnut Hill Community Association decides at public meetings on the merits of the project and sends its recommendations to the City Planning Commission. The Chestnut Hill Community Association is bound to please some and displease others, which is inherent with decision-making. The arguments of the opponents I heard so far are the size is massive, it is too tall and it is different. I do not have to remind the honorable members of the City Council the arguments when the Liberty One was proposed. We all lobbied for quite some time now and appreciate the revitalization it brought to our business district as well as to our city in general. Remember how the glass pyramid, the new entrance to the Louvre in Paris caused apoplexy to the Parisians. It does not conform to anything we have and it is very different. Yes, it was, and still is. While the design was unique and artistic, today I'm happy to say that they love their pyramid. Once the arguments of the opponents of the 8200 Germantown Avenue project failed to deliver the desirable results, they began to question the processes of the Chestnut Hill Community Association. Here is a new one I heard on Tuesday at the City Planning Commission. One of the opponents said that the Chestnut Hill Community Association does not really represent Chestnut Hill because there was a low voter turnout at the last Board election, as if to say that when we have a low voter turnout during the elections, in our city, you, the Councilmembers, do not really represent the citizens of Philadelphia. This project is good for Chestnut Hill and for the City in terms of business stimulation. As far as the ultimate character of this project, the developer has a stellar reputation, as already attested by both opponents and proponents of this project, and we trust that the outcome will be such that we will love it, too. I would like to make one final comment that in my opinion and part of the overwhelming majority of the residents of Chestnut Hill who favor this project, I strongly support this project and I respectfully urge you to approve it. I thank the honorable members of the City Council for allowing me to speak.
Colin Johnson, commenting on 110826. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Councilmen, staff, audience. My name is Colin Johnson Jamal, electrical contractors. I'm a licensed electrician and a licensed plumber. I'm in the construction industry. I'm African American and I've been in the construction industry for the last 20 years. I'm not anti Bill 110826, but I'm pro bills or pro ordinance that will promote, proliferate and include African American males in the construction industry, particularly construction being an industry for men, particularly young men in the City, which has a big budget in construction. But the present PLAs the City have with the trade unions is kind of unfriendly to the African American male in terms of inclusion, because you got the specialty trades, which are made up of predominantly white males. And I'm not anti union, but I am pro African American inclusion into the unions, particularly the specialty trades, electricians, plumbers, steamfitters, HVACs. When you have a group of - when a private institution that are made up of particularly one group of people, particularly white males, they are going to make decisions that's reflective of their white male colleagues, but what happens is when you have this one group make a decision that's going to benefit the one group, us being African Americans are pretty much left out because we're not in that executive staff of the trade unions, particularly specialty trades, plumbers, electricians, steamfitters. So this is why you have predominantly white male membership in these unions. But when they're the main benefactors of public works jobs, that's where we have our problem at, because we want to be some of the benefactors of the public works jobs, too. But what happens is with the unions having a predominantly white male membership in their executive staff, they make decisions that are advantageous to them, but when it comes to us, we're not in the specialty trades on a substantial basis because we're not being represented. So what we'd like to see is, we'd like to see that membership change, particularly on the public works sector of the contracts, because they're the main benefactors of the public work contracts. So we'd like to see more of us involved in the public works projects, and we want to see that change in participation levels. So I'm not here as an anti 110826 bill. I just would like to see more bills pertaining to the inclusion of African Americans on the construction site in Philadelphia.
Is there anyone else here who has signed up to provide public comment on today's agenda? (No response.)
Seeing no one, that concludes today's public comment period. We will now consider today's Resolution Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the resolution on the 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. The Clerk will now read the title of the resolutions on the Consent Agenda.
Resolution No. 110899, entitled "A resolution also naming the eight-hundred block of Street, 'Dr. Jimmie Ellis Way'"; and Resolution No. 110900, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the West Oak Lane Redevelopment Area, identified by house number and street address as 1802 Seventy-Third Avenue and 7271 Pittville Avenue"; and Resolution No. 110901, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 706 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 1236 through 40 North Randolph Street"; and Resolution No. 110902, entitled "A resolution authorizing the 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 Seventh, Nineteenth and Thirty-Seventh Wards of the City of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 110903, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 702 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 2234 through 36 Palethorp Street"; and Resolution No. 110904, entitled "A resolution approving the Second Amended and Restated Parking Garage Development Agreement and Lease of the Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Market Street East Urban Renewal Area, located generally on the east and west sides of Eleventh Street from Arch Street to Filbert Street, but excluding certain air rights"; and Resolution No. 110905, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 112 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 2007 Sepviva Street"; and Resolution No. 110906, entitled "A resolution amending Resolution No. 110453, approving the Annual Program Statement and Budget for the expenditure of the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative Bond Proceeds for Fiscal Year 2012"; and 110907, entitled "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 Thirty-Ninth Ward of the City of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 110908, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 98 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 1218 East Oxford Street"; and Resolution No. 110909, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of
CONSENT AGENDA the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the West Fairhill/East Tioga/Hunting Park Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 56 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 3738 North Tenth Street"; and Resolution No. 110910, entitled "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 Sixteenth, Thirty-Second and Forty-Ninth Wards of the City of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 110911, entitled "A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment 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 Sixteenth Ward of the City of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 110852, entitled "A resolution appointing John Smithson to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion"; and Resolution No. 110853, entitled "A resolution reappointing Bernie Prazenica to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion"; and Resolution No. 110854, entitled "A resolution reappointing Matthew Schure to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion"; and Resolution No. 110855, entitled "A resolution appointing Jeffrey B. the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion to adopt each of the resolutions.
Thank you, Madam President. I move the adoption of each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The it, and each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda has been adopted. We will now consider today's Bill Consent Agenda. I will ask the Clerk to please read the title of 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 time as an objection is made and without debate, the bill will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on the regular Final Passage Calendar. At this time, I would ask the Clerk to please read the title of the bills on the Consent Agenda.
Bill No. 110844, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, Subcode 'A,' The Philadelphia Administrative Code, to make certain technical amendments, to further provide for penalties, and to current schedule of fees relating to zoning matters from the Zoning Code to the Administrative Code and to revise such schedule"; and Bill No. 110793, entitled "An ordinance approving the tenth amendment to the redevelopment proposal for the Haddington Urban Renewal Area, Unit No. 2 and Unit No. 3, being the area beginning at the northwest corner of Parrish and Fifty-Second Street, including the sixth amendment to the urban renewal plan and the third amendment to the relocation plan, which provides, inter alia, for the additional land acquisition of one property for commercial and residential uses"; and Bill No. 110842, entitled "An ordinance repealing an ordinance (Bill No. 110083), entitled 'An ordinance amending Section 14-1607 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Special District Controls for the Center City Commercial Area,' and Section 14-1605 of Code, entitled 'Regulated Uses,' and Section 14-305 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'C-4 and C-5 Commercial Districts,' by adding to all Sections special provisions relating to the area bounded by Chestnut Hill, 12th Street, 13th Street, and Sansom Street"; and Bill No. 110877, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012 within the General Fund relating to the Council"; and Bill No. 110831, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to accept title to all that lot or certain piece of ground with the buildings and improvements, if any, thereon erected located at 4810 North 7th Street"; and Bill No. 110848, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 16-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled ('Sales, Leases, and Other Grants of City-Owned Facilities') to require that notice of the pending transfer of City-owned lands and lands owned by certain quasi-public agencies be posted on such lands prior to their transfer"; and Bill No. 110875, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to acquire fee simple title, or a lesser interest in real estate, in parcels of land along the Delaware River and the Kensington & Tacony Trail, for the purpose of incorporating the acquired land into the Kensington & Tacony Trail for public recreation use, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. These bills having been read on two different days, the question for each bill now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll, and upon being called, 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. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye on all bills. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative for each 2ND READING of the bills, the bills on the Consent Agenda are passed. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the regular Council Reading and Final Passage Calendar. The Clerk will please read -- I believe we don't have any resolutions, do we? No. I would ask the Chief Clerk then to please read the title of Bill No. 110836-A.
An ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Employees Retirement Code," to expand the scope of 'Plan '10' and 'DC Plan' to cover additional employees pursuant to an arbitration decision.
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.