Aye on all bills, except I recuse myself on -- I abstain on Bills 130766 and 130767 for the reasons stated in a memo given to the Chief Clerk at the Finance Committee these bills were heard. Thank you, Mr. President.
Aye on all bills. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, each of these bills pass. I would like to for the record note that Councilman Green abstained on 130766 and 130767. Thank you all very much. That concludes our Consent Agenda. We will now move towards our regular agenda, and I would ask Mr. Decker to please read Bill No. 130770.
An ordinance amended Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by revising use regulations relating to medical, dental and health practitioners in certain areas of the City.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill 11/21/13 - STATED - 2ND READING passes. Mr. Decker, would you please read the title of 130584.
An ordinance amending Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity," by adding a new Chapter 10-2000, prohibiting the use of a three-dimensional printer in order to manufacture a firearm. (Pause.)
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Mr. Decker, where did we leave off? Did you read the title of the bill?
Thank you. This bill has been read on two 11/21/13 - STATED - 2ND READING separate days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I make a motion to withdraw Bill No. 130697. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that -what's that bill number again? I'm getting a lot of distractions.
The 11/21/13 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it, and the bill is withdrawn. Thank you very much. Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to be recorded as voting aye on all bills on the Consent Agenda in my absence for the vote.
And that vote is 17; zero on those bills, with the exceptions of the two that Councilman Green had to abstain, so it was 16; zero on those particular votes. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings to examine the working relationship between the City of Philadelphia, its agencies including 11/21/13 - STATED - 2ND READING the Police Department, and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and to determine the impact on Philadelphia's immigrant community, introduced by Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution and would just like to speak briefly. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Before you take the vote, the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. We have considered this issue in the past, but I think it's important that every now and then we revisit it, because the abuses and the problems are still going on. It is not something that I think the City of Philadelphia should be engaged in in 11/21/13 - STATED - 2ND READING doing immigration work and deporting people en masse. Cities like Chicago and others have ended their relationship with ICE. I don't want to see situations where a young immigrant person who happens to have maybe drank a little too much alcohol or was in some kind of argument winds up at a police station and an ICE agent is waiting for him or her when they arrive with our police. So there's a lot of intermingling going on with our police officers and ICE agents, which I think is just deplorable. Deportations, mass detainees, there's been over 800,000 people deported in the last year alone, and I think we need to really examine whether we should be involved in this kind of activity, and I appreciate the members' support on this resolution.
Yes. 11/21/13 - STATED - 2ND READING I certainly would like to thank my colleague Councilman Kenney for his work on this ICE issue. It's very important to our immigrant community, and certainly we support him and urge all our colleagues to do the same.
Thank you very much, Councilwoman. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. (Applause.)
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold public hearings to examine the negotiations between Corizon Health and District 1199C to ensure 11/21/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Corizon is in compliance with all the provisions of their latest contract with the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is also adopted.
And a resolution honoring and recognizing the Honorable William Thaddeus Coleman, Jr. for his trailblazing efforts in the areas of 11/21/13 - STATED - 2ND READING civil rights, equality, and the law, introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell.
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, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution authorizing the Joint Committees on Education and Public Safety to hold hearings to discuss the use of state funding to construct two new state prisons - SCI Phoenix I and II - while 11/21/13 - STATED - 2ND READING funding has been drastically cut for basic education, introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
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 that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution calling for joint hearings by the Committee on Public Safety and Committee on Public Health and Human Services to explore alternative health care methods, 11/21/13 - STATED - 2ND READING such as, telemedicine, mobile healthcare clinics, online therapy, and non-traditional nursing homes for low-income families, disabled, and elderly Philadelphia residents, introduced by Councilman Jones.
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 that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring and congratulating the Women's Law Project on its 40th Anniversary, 11/21/13 - STATED - 2ND READING introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
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, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing and honoring the achievements of the 2013 Martin Luther King High School football team, introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Bass. 11/21/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
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, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing and honoring the Alumnae Association of the Philadelphia High School for Girls on its 125th Anniversary, introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I, along with Brown, a graduate, 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, and that resolution is adopted.
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to announce that my office will host the 2nd Annual Youth Non-Profit Symposium, which is really focused on non-profit organizations getting funding particularly from non-traditional sources such as corporate funders, and this year it will be held on Wednesday, December the 11th at 12:00 p.m. at Peirce College and it includes Commissioner Annie Ambrose and representatives from Coca-Cola, the Phillies, Wells Fargo, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, State Farm, Comcast Corporation, and the Non-Profit Center at LaSalle. And these days it's so difficult for many non-profits to fund their programs with so much funding being cut because of the economy, we encourage everyone to come out. They will meet the funders. They'll have a chance to network with them, and hope they will be able to get some money to support their causes.
Thank you very much, Councilman. And on behalf of the majority, the Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Mr. President. This past summer I was on my way to Canada with my family and I was talking to my nephew in the car and he talked about how there were instructions for creating a gun with a 3D printer that he learned about online. And so in the midst of our conversation, at first I really didn't take him seriously, and so when I went home after our vacation, I went online on YouTube and saw several different disturbing video clips that showed how individuals can create a gun using a 3D printer, and the first thing came to my mind is, one, acts of terrorism and, two, just growing up in South Philadelphia knowing about the gang culture in the '70s, using this type of technology to create guns such as a zip know what zip guns are depending on what generation you're from. So I want to thank my colleagues and specifically also -- thank all of my colleagues for voting today to pass my 3D printer bill and also specifically Councilman Curtis Jones' staff for helping me put together an outstanding hearing on this issue. The bill will put Philadelphia on the forefront in addressing the threat posed by firearms manufactured by 3D printers. This bill will prohibit the manufacture of firearms using 3D dimensional printers. Recently, individuals have released via the Internet instructions regarding how to manufacture a working firearm using a three-dimensional printer. Currently, federal and state laws do not prohibit making a gun for personal use, so a person could make one of these guns without violating any laws. This legislation will prohibit individuals, manufacturers, from manufacturing firearms using three-dimensional parts. I don't know of any cases in Philadelphia where an individual has manufactured a gun using a 3D printer, but there have been several cases throughout the country. I want to be proactive on this issue and make sure that Philadelphia is on the forefront of preventing all forms of gun violence. I don't believe there is a state preemption to this issue. The state preemption provision only regulates ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of guns and ammunition. This bill really goes to the manufacture of firearms, which is not ownership, possession, transfer or transportation. As technology progresses, 3D printers will become more advanced, less expensive, and more commonplace. As more people own these printers and instructions for the manufacture of guns available, we are looking at a recipe for disaster. In fact, just this month it was reported that a firearm was able to make a metal gun with a 3D printer. And during our hearing, there was an interview which an individual expressed that with the 3D gun that was actually manufactured, an individual was able to get off 22 shots using this type of technology. So my goal was not to restrict the use of 3D printers. I believe that a vast majority of people will use these 3D printers for worthy causes, whether it's for technology, science or art, but we must act now to address this particular use of a 3D printer, which is to prevent the use of creating a firearm that can be used in an act of crime. I want to again thank all my colleagues for voting yes on this bill. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Mr. President. Last budget session Councilman Green said that budgeting was choosing between competing ideas for good with limited resources. Today I'd like to thank you for your leadership in showing me that sometimes when there's conflict, there's an opportunity for great compromise. I want to particularly point out in this process one of the most stalwart advocates for consumers that use natural gas, my colleague, the Chairwoman of the Gas Commission, Councilwoman Tasco. And I want to also acknowledge the Ambassador of the Year, Councilwoman Sanchez, who helped make your prediction true. I want to cite a couple of facts. According to the Energy Conservation Association, 60,000 Philadelphians will be shut off from one this year, 60,000 Philadelphians. On average, Philadelphians pay $3,200 annually in utility bills. For people of low and moderate-income, particularly low income, that represents one-third of their entire budget. With food stamps being cut, when increasing AVI for many, with healthcare going up, with gas going up, with car fare going up, with the cost of living going up, tuitions for schools going up, having bailed out many industries, we feel as though it is time to help the middle class, poorer classes, needier folk in the City of Philadelphia. Any relief, any relief that we can offer them is a hand up. CDBG allocations this year is expected to be $50 million, $50 million. That's down from 1995 when we got $79 million. Don't talk about inflation. But that massive a cut for low and moderate-income people. at worthwhile projects, right outside our door we're putting 60 million into a plaza. Across the street we've considered $33 million, Councilman Goode, in a TIF for a hotel. Our entire budget for low and moderate-income people is $50 million. So out of this conflict over the Gas Works has come great compromise and a commitment from Councilwoman Tasco and Councilwoman Sanchez to finally review the budget coming up in this spring to find every possible avenue to assist people, citizens of Philadelphia, that have yet to be bailed out. We're going to do that in an earnest way, starting early during the summer, and I am truly pleased to call them my colleagues today because of that commitment to the neediest of us. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to take a moment to officially inform this body and recognize the passing of the wide-ranging and much-needed transportation funding bill that was officially passed out of the House for concurrence today from the state, this Commonwealth, $23 billion of transportation funding over ten years to our roads and bridges and mass transit, approximately 5 billion for public transportation, which is the artery vein so people can move around our city and region safely, 69 percent of which that $5 billion over ten years is directly to SEPTA. So it has been much needed, and creating 60,000 jobs, Council President, and saving approximately 20,000 jobs, as per the Commonwealth, PennDOT. I have had the fortunate invite to have been a part of some of these of labor, spearheaded by John Dougherty, Pat Gillespie, and Ryan Boyer making progressive, bold moves for the labor movement to set aside some philosophical differences and sanctities of the way we do business in the Commonwealth to moving forward a discussion, which was not being taken place in the Commonwealth, which was used as political statesmanship and maneuvering for politics, has come to fruition for the State of Pennsylvania. So I get the chance in my other hat to be part of some of these conversations, and I want to acknowledge their outstanding leadership, because that's what we needed to have this transportation bill passed in the Commonwealth. We needed leaders, and it started right here in the City of Philadelphia with the Philadelphia building trades and to bring a discussion further to the Speaker of the House. Speaker of the House was eventually and has shown his outstanding leadership as well in his delegation, which is kind of sensitive. And most important around here is our Philadelphia delegation, and I'm proud of each and every member of our Philadelphia delegation. None of these votes that have been taken over the last two dates have been easy. They are tough, tough votes that shows true, true leadership from the Speaker of the House, from the labor community, which represents the entire State of Pennsylvania, and our Philadelphia delegation. Everybody voted for -- made a tough vote in the Philadelphia delegation for the common good of the public interest and safety of not just Philadelphia but the Commonwealth, except one member of our Philadelphia delegation that did not vote for it. But everybody did an outstanding job. Council President, our relationship, your relationship with our Commonwealth has been not only new but from what I've heard and from our conversation has been inviting and has really made a difference in this transportation. So I want to thank you and encourage as we move forward with that kind of funding to Philadelphia and its region. Maybe now we can expand our subways to the Navy Yard and fix some of its mass transit.
Well, the Northeast, you know, it's halfway there now anyway, you know, but extending the subway to the Navy Yard. That is going to have direct impact and fiscal impact on jobs and creating jobs and expanding our tax base. It also sends a message to businesses. We can move people around. As you come to the City of Philadelphia, you can move people around safely and not have to worry about our roads and bridges Majority Leader points it out often, almost every other session. He talks about Pennsylvania being number one in deficiencies on our roads and our bridges here in the State of Pennsylvania. So being able to take care of our home here in Philadelphia, in our region, I encourage and hope we continue to have our relationship with our Philly delegation and the state. This is truly a bipartisan -and I'm telling you, I threw out republican names and Speaker of the House again I commend, our labor community I commend. It wouldn't have happened if we didn't take these bold steps, and I encourage you as Council President to continue the relationships with our state delegation and our Speaker of the House and, listen, I got to throw our Governor a bone. The Governor got involved here, and it was -- people made decisions, putting politics aside, going into an have $23 billion over ten years to help keep the Commonwealth safe and revitalize some of our economy here in the City of Philadelphia and our region. So thank you, Mr. President.
Yeah, Councilman. I want to say good job on that, and the continued relationship that has been established by all of us with the Philly delegation is really paying dividends, and I want to thank you for your continued efforts as it relates to that delegation. And Councilman Jones, Tasco, and Quinones-Sanchez, I want to thank you all for working together to come up with what will be a much better product coming down the line, which we can export some of that down to Washington to show people how we can actually work together and get some really good things done. We're not finished, by the way. I know I usually wait until the end, but Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. I echo the admiration shown to Jones, Tasco, and Quinones-Sanchez and the collegial manner which they approached this very, very important issue. I rise to remind members that the winter season is generally a very difficult time to collect blood, and though it's late, I'm hopeful that we can steal 30 minutes out of our day before 4 o'clock to give blood, as every two seconds in the United States someone needs blood; most importantly, children. So with that, I remind my colleagues and all members of guests, anyone who has 30 minutes out of the rest of their life until 4 o'clock to give blood and report to Room 246 any time between now and 4 o'clock this afternoon. Thank you, Mr. President.
Yes. I'd just like to say thank you, Councilman Jones, for those comments and just reinforce the fact that there's always a way to compromise, and you can agree to disagree and then you can find a way to compromise. And I think it's going to work out fine. But I didn't put my light on for that. I want you to recognize Councilwoman Sanchez's birthday is today.
All right. Happy birthday, Councilwoman. (Applause.)
Yes. Very quickly. I got so excited in the platitudes that I forgot to make the announcement. I want to especially thank the Administration and Mayor Michael Nutter. The compromise resulted in that PHDC and the Basic Systems Repair Program this fiscal year will receive an additional $1 million for basic system repair. In addition, 250,000 will go to Energy Sense program, which will do things like winterize and allow many needy people to get new heaters. So this is a step in the right direction. Our commitment over the summer is to figure out how this can be sustainable, and it is just -- it's encouraging, and you're right, Washington needs to take a page out of our book on how to conflict resolve and produce good work. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. And, again, good job. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown. Am I recognizing you for a motion to adjourn or did you have --
I'm sorry. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you. It is not as fun anymore because there's some younger members in Council here. I used to be the youngest one. So I don't want to remember those days. I would be remiss to recognize also Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown in helping me work with the Administration on the agreement that led to more people receiving the resources that we all know we desperately need. So I want to thank both Councilman Jones and Councilwoman Tasco for letting me get in the middle of a good discussion. Councilwoman Tasco said something that was very important, which is how do we agree to disagree and then compromise, and I appreciate those words. And I would be remiss to not mention that President Clarke and I will continue to work on what is going to be historic legislation on this land bank, Councilman Henon for his leadership in the committee, and the Council President's continuing commitment to get this done by the end of the year. And I will use those wise words of we have to agree to disagree and then find a compromise, and look forward to working with all of you to get there. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. And that concludes the speeches on behalf of the minority and majority, and with that, I recognize Councilwoman Brown for a motion to adjourn.
Councilwoman, hold on one second. Before that, we do have a Committee of the Whole scheduled for 12 o'clock. We obviously have missed that deadline. So I would ask that at least nine members not necessarily stay around -- Councilman Jones, do we have -- I mean, can we just kind of like hang around and knock this right out?
We can adjourn and then we can just go right into the Committee of the Whole?
All right. Thank you. Councilwoman Brown, could you just give us a motion to adjourn.