COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 653, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, February 19, 2015 10:40 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN ED NEILSON COUNCILMAN DENNIS O'BRIEN COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK
Good morning. This is going to be a very interesting session. Thank you. The hour has come. We've established a quorum. We're going to get started now. I'd ask all guests and visitors to please retire behind the rail. Thank you. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Father Thomas Higgins of Holy Innocents Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez. I would ask all guests and visitors to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
Thank you, President Clarke. As you move into your new quarters here, friends, we have a saying in church circles. If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans, and I know you didn't plan on meeting in this particular room today, so everybody is new setting. I do want to take this opportunity before my prayer just to thank our Councilwoman, Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, for giving me this opportunity to be with you and to offer this prayer, and a special thanks to all of our Council men and women for all the good work that you do for our city. Much, much appreciated. And a special congratulations for landing the Democratic Convention next summer. Way to go, and to you and to the Mayor for that. It will be a great moment for our city. However, it will be preceded by another great moment when my boss arrives in town. Pope Francis is coming to town, as you know, in September, and we are all very excited for that as well. And I thought as part of my prayer, I just would like to read a passage from our Holy Father, Pope Francis. I just think it fits well for you and for me. So if we put ourselves, as we are, in the Lord's presence. Pope Francis: What does serving mean? It means giving an attentive welcome to a person who arrives. It means bending over those in need and stretching out a hand to them, without calculation, without fear, but with tenderness and understanding, just as Jesus now to wash the apostles' feet. Serving means working beside the neediest of people, establishing with them first and foremost human relations of closeness and bonds of solidarity. Solidarity, this word that frightens the developed world. People try to avoid saying it. Solidarity to them is almost a bad word. But it is our word. Serving means recognizing and accepting requests for justice and hope and seeking roles together, real path that lead to liberation. So brothers and sisters, I pray that you and I, two very important arms of our city, the civic arm, the religious arm, can continue to work serving the needs of those in need - the poor, the homeless, the disabled, the disenfranchised, the addicted. We can do our best individually, but perhaps, more importantly, we can do our best together, in solidarity with one another. So I pray for you this day. May God be with you during your Council meeting. May he continue to encourage you, strengthen you, challenge you to do all that you can in his name, and may God be praised. His holy name is with us. God be with you, God be with us, and God bless each and every one of you. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you, Father. Thank you so much. (Council at ease.)
Thank you. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the Thursday, February 12th, 2015, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Your Honor, up there. Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 12th, 2015 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It's going to be an interesting day. It's been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 12th, 2015 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the democrats, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to welcome and thank everyone who has taken time out of their busy day to come down and witness your government in action. We hope you come again, but we would prefer that we be in a different room the next time to thank the good friends from the court, Public Property for accommodating our ability to have this hearing, and you did a great job for converting this from a courtroom into a Council Chambers. I want to thank you so much for your support. Again, I would like to thank everyone for their participation in today's session. Thank you very much. We have no presentations today, so the next order of business is communications, and the Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, pursuant to Section 4-604 and 2-307 of the Home Rules Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning bills: Bill Nos. 150003 and 150053. And I am pleased to advise you that on February 18, 2015, I signed all of the bills which were passed by Council at its session on February 5, 2015, except Bill No. 150001, which I am returning without my signature; and that on February 12, 2015, I signed Bill No. 141026, which was passed by Council at its session on February 12, 2015. And I am transmitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2015 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance - Provision for Other Grants to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you very much. At this time, we will have introductions of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce two resolutions, one privileged and one non-privileged.
A privileged resolution Calling on the City Council of Philadelphia to Recognize Forman Mills for their $10,000 Give-Back Giveaway as they Exemplify and Demonstrate the Powerful, Positive Impact Businesses can make in our Community.
That will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Belmont No. 2 Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 4050 through 4066 Haverford Avenue.
That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer two resolutions.
A non-privileged 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-Third Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 1925 West Wilt Street.
That will also be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Mr. President, I have one non-privileged resolution sponsored by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown and Councilwoman Cindy Bass.
A non-privileged resolution urging Congress and the United States Department of Transportation to release specifications for tank car design and for Philadelphia Rail Companies to rapidly upgrade and replace crude oil tank cars.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one non-privileged resolution and one bill.
An ordinance legalizing an existing masonry and concrete patio encroaching on the public right-of-way at 214 West Sergeant Street.
And a non-privileged 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 Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Thirty-Seventh Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Neilson.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilman Jones, Bass, and Reynolds Brown.
A privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committees on the Disabled and Special Needs and Public Safety to hold joint public hearings investigating the barriers faced by people with serious mental health issues who are transitioning from incarceration to the Philadelphia community.
That resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one bill on behalf of the Administration.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2015 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance - Provision for Other Grants to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
That bill will be referred to committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Good morning. Good morning, Mr. President. I offer one non-privileged co-sponsored by members Bass, Sanchez, Jones, Johnson, and Neilson and another resolution co-sponsored by members Councilwoman Bass, Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, and Councilmember Curtis Jones and Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson.
A privileged resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on The Environment to hold public hearings regarding the state of Philadelphia's environment.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution urging the School District of Philadelphia and the School Reform Commission to return to the bargaining table with UNITE HERE! Local 634.
That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones.
Good morning, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
An ordinance amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Farmers' Markets," by adding Greener Pastures, located at 1290 Southampton Road, as a permissible location.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla. (No response.)
Not here. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilman Neilson, Jones, and Blondell Reynolds Brown.
A privileged resolution declaring March 2015 as National Social Work Month and recognizing the dedication and commitment of social workers in Philadelphia's Department of Human Services and Community Umbrella Agencies.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Council President. I offer two privileged resolutions co-sponsored by Councilwoman Bass, and with your permission, may I introduce a privileged resolution and two bills on behalf of Councilman Mark Squilla.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Kensington Avenue, Letterly Street, Jasper Street, and Hagert Street.
And a non-privileged 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 Thirty-First Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution Honoring and Recognizing Gerry Lenfest, Greg Montanaro, Congressman Robert Brady, The Greater Philadelphia Traditions Fund and City Council's Office of Veteran's Affairs for their tireless dedication to our Veterans and their unwavering resolve to organize and establish the first citywide Philadelphia Veteran's Day Parade in 2015.
That will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring the Korean-American Veterans of the Vietnam War for their service to the United States.
And that will also be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged 30th as Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag Day as a symbol of contributions of the Vietnamese-American community in the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. And that concludes our introductions of bills and resolutions. At this time, we'll have reports from committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for a report from the Committee of Law and Government.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Law and Government reports three bills and three resolutions with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Law and Government, to which was referred Bill No. 140230, entitled "An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment of The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the creation, appointment, powers and duties of a Commission for Women"; and Bill No. 140747, entitled "An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the preparation of language access plans by all City agencies"; and Bill No. 150005, entitled "An ordinance providing for the submission to the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter establishing and defining the responsibilities of an independent Commission on Universal Pre-Kindergarten"; and Resolution No. 140244, entitled "A resolution proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation, appointment, powers and duties of a Commission for Women"; and Resolution No. 140764, entitled "A resolution proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the adoption of language access plans by all City agencies"; and Resolution No. 150017, entitled "A resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation, appointment, powers and duties of a Commission on Universal Pre-Kindergarten and providing the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills and resolutions to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill Nos. 140230, 140747, and 150005. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. Before I call for a vote on the motion, I'd ask anyone who has a device that rings, makes any sorts of loud sound that is audible to please turn them off or on silent. Thank you very much. At this time, it has been moved the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 140230, 140747, and 150005. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. Resolutions No. 140244, 140764, and 150017 will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez for a report from the Committee on License and Inspection.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Licenses and Inspections reports two bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Licenses and Inspections, to which was referred Bill No. 140944, entitled "An ordinance amending Subcode 'A' of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'The Philadelphia Administrative Code,' by amending Section A-907, entitled 'Zoning Fees,' by revising certain zoning fees for family and group day cares"; and Bill No. 150008, entitled "An ordinance amending Subcode 'A' of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'The Philadelphia Administrative Code,' as it has been amended by Bill No. 140856, by amending Chapter 9, entitled 'Fees,' by revising the fees for licenses issued under Chapter 9-3900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Property Licenses and Owner Accountability,'" respectfully reports it has considered the same and to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 140944 and 150008. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 140944 and 150008. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The 2ND READING ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. That concludes our reports from committee, and the next order of business is our Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading, and these bills will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on our First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for calling up the resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: No. 150099, 150100, 150104, 150110, 141027, 140902, 140903, 140971, 150003, 150053, 150054, 140517, 140635, 140649, and 140886. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you, sir. Before considering these bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today, we will have our public comment session. The public comment will go as follows: If you have not signed up to testify on a bill or resolution today that is on the Final Passage Calendar, I'd ask that you do so and the table is on -- where's the signup? Oh, in the rear. Okay. Thank you. There's a table in the rear you can sign up to testify today. Your name will be called. When your name is called, I ask you to go to the podium in the middle of the Council Chambers/courtroom. You will be given three minutes to speak. There's a device on that podium. When the light turns green, it is your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. And when the light turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to the guidelines and conclude your remarks. Thank you so much for your participation and your compliance with those particular guidelines. Mr. Decker, would you please call the name of the first individual who is testifying today.
Dr. Stephen Gambescia, commenting on Bill Nos. 140517, 140635, 140649, and 140886. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, President Clarke and members of Council. I'm Dr. Stephen Gambescia. I'm representing the American Heart Association. I'm also on faculty at Drexel University as a Professor of Health Services Administration. The American Heart Association has joined with many health advocacy partners, including the American Cancer Society Action Network, American Lung Association, urging Council to defeat and reject the legislation before you today for this body to propose for these four exemptions related to the Philadelphia Clean Indoor Air and Worker Protection Law. The members of City Council, we understand that you understand that secondhand smoke is dangerous to human health. I'd like to point out and recognize and thank Councilwoman Tasco. At the last hearing we understood that Council is going to -- you'll have before you a bill that would really end these exemptions that we have. And in December what the Committee did is, they actually did not pass these resolutions, and we thought that was very helpful. Unfortunately, the Committee reconsidered these four exemptions and they're going to be passed. We think that this legislation, it creates an impossible choice for Philadelphia workers to decide whether they can earn a living wage or smoke in a smoke-filled environment that may kill them. Philadelphia workers shouldn't be forced to expose themselves to the toxic and harmful environment in order to have a job and collect a paycheck. Nothing about the science of deadly secondhand smoke has really changed. Less than a quarter of Philadelphians smoke, and the majority of Philadelphians, they don't want to smoke and they don't want to be exposed to secondhand smoke. What is of note and I think that's new is that -- and I think very compelling for the body to consider -- is that the Greater Philadelphia Life Science Congress of the Philadelphia Visitors and Convention Bureau that testified at the subcommittees on these bills noted that they're also joining us, and what's happening is, these large conventions, especially the health conventions when they come to the City, if you don't have a comprehensive Clean Indoor Air Act, especially for workers, the conventions won't come here. The American Heart Association is in that camp as well, and we think that that's going to be problematic for the economy of the City. So what we're urging, respectfully, is that the Council, on behalf of the health of Philadelphians and the economy, not pass these four exemptions. Thank you.
Irma Lopez Salter, commenting on 150110. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hello. Good morning. I'm here to let you know that PREIT closed down the Gallery or closed down the small businesses. They allowed some of the businesses to stay. They allowed -- they misled us by saying that they was closing the whole Gallery for two years, for two years, and they did not -- and they did not keep their word. We had Mayor Squilla -- I mean Mark Squilla represent our district, which the Gallery is his district. He did a very good job. The reason why we didn't get the time we should have got, because they misled him. They told him mistruths. They gave him the same impression that they gave us. Yesterday was supposed to be our last day, and other vendors are there still. So they chose who to put out, who to mislead that there was going to be no more Gallery. It wasn't going to be -- all this construction was supposed to be happening. I've been there since October 1st, 1992, 23 years, and now I have to go to unpack, to have no income, to -- don't know where to go from here, because the Gallery is still open because they allowed -- all these people here, they're vendors. All these people here, they got stories to tell, but, of course, you don't have the time to hear the whole stories. I'm trying to tell it for them. So I appreciate if you could go back to PREIT, although they said yesterday was the last day, and to say it was the last day because we thought you was closing the whole Gallery. You're not closing the whole Gallery. So you misled the Councilman, your district person, our district person. And so when they come before you for money, for tax incentives, are they going to mislead you to tell you how they're going to do so much to bring in businesses, Philadelphia businesses could stay, or they going to bring all these people from out of town, you know, and mislead you, like they're going to do something for us. So now that they misled us, would you please go back today, call PREIT and tell them what's up? Why did you tell us you was closing down? You're not closing down.
I think the Councilman wants -- Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Irma. I want to say that Irma has been leading the fight for the kiosks and vendors there in the Gallery, and we were able to get two extensions from the December 31st. They extended it to January 31st and then, as Irma so well explained to me how important Valentine's Day was to the merchants and what it meant to them, they extended it again until the 18th, which was yesterday. So they did do that rent free, and they did tell me that the Gallery II will be closing and Gallery II, there are still some contracts they need to buy out and some people who have leases that they need to fulfill, but they are in the process of actually trying to close down everything. What we wanted them to do is offer them some other locations. Some of the locations aren't good for the vendors. They have offered them some locations in the other malls, and some of the vendors have actually found some place on Chestnut Street, South Street, Frankford Avenue and other spots for the vendors to work out during this time where the Gallery will be going under some major changes. I still want to work with them. I've spoken to PREIT, understanding that we need -- we're going to need an EOP in place for the repair of the Gallery. We want to work closely with the vendors and the merchants involved to make sure that we will have not only minority-owned businesses back in the Gallery once it reopens, but also local businesses, people who are from Philadelphia and how important that is. And that will be a part of the legislation for protection of the vendors and the retail stores that will come back. So, I mean, I know this is a tough time right now for them. We did work along with the Gallery. The Gallery said they will not extend the time any longer for anybody without a contract and that we need now to work with where to go, how can we help these vendors go to other locations, and how could we help them to maybe get a good relationship with PREIT to come back once the Gallery is open. So I thank you for all your work and standing up for your constituents and for the vendors there, and hopefully we continue to work together to make this a good story at the end. So thank you.
I appreciate everything you've done, but it would be a really good story if at least we could stay for everybody leaves, because it's not fair that while they're negotiating -- they got this big sign, a new store is going to open next month, 2015, not 2016. So how are the stores going to come and open up? And then there's -- all the stores in Gallery II are open. There's two kiosks that are allowed to stay. They're major names, Radio Shack. I know they filed for bankruptcy, but somebody bought them out, and they're going to keep their name. Auntie Anne's, you know, they a big company, but they have kiosks in there. But why could they stay and we can't stay?
Just for clarification for the record, it's not really a new store. It's a relocation from Gallery I to Gallery II for the bakery, and that's until their contract is expired.
They be having the whole place for them. You know, just until they buy their contract out? So let us stay there until everybody is bought out and everybody is out, you know. We want to feed our family. You know, like I always say to them, I fed your family. You allow me to feed mine. Could I still feed my family until you really close down? Will you please help me or call them now and say, you know, let them stay until you buy Tiffany out and then let Tiffany out, because that's the one that they be having so-called buying them out.
Could you help too, President? Could you work with us too, please?
Yeah. I've had the pleasure of knowing you for a lot of years and we've done some good things together back in the good-old days and the advocacy.
I really appreciate your commitment. We do have this process internally.
Because I don't believe anybody, any of the electeds in here, knows more about that location and this issue than Councilman Squilla. So if there is any assistance that's needed from Councilman Squilla, it's obviously going to be given from members of this Chamber, myself or any staff. So we'll work through the Councilman to see, particularly on any relocation plans, to see if there's some assistance for the City, because I know the City does step in when there needs to be relocation of the traditional stores. So there should be some process that's established to support vendors, because you are in fact businesses, although you're a small business, a more mobile business, but you should be given some assistance from the City of Philadelphia. So I will work with the Councilman from my behalf and any assistance he needs in moving forward on trying to make sure that you're kept whole as much as possible if and until there's actually a development of the Gallery to make sure. Okay?
Hello. I'm the owner of Boost Mobile in the Gallery. We were told construction was supposed to begin in March, and many merchants are staying well through April.
Can I do this, because this is not really on the Calendar. Is there legislation on the Calendar yet, Final Passage, Mr. Decker?
And that is? (Ms. Salter talking without microphone.)
All right. And I understand your plight, but we do have guidelines. Your ability to testify has to be on a bill or a resolution that's on the Final Passage Calendar. You're on the smoking waiver? You're on the smoking waiver. I just wanted to make sure that we're on this -okay. My fault.
Council President, it might be helpful if I talk to them too after the meeting today.
Okay. Sir, are you speaking on the smoking waiver bill?
All right. We'll follow through on that. Thank you.
So, Mr. Boyle, you were using that as a segue? I got you.
There are no 2/19/15 - STATED - 2ND READING other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public comment, and we will now move on to our Calendar for today. Mr. Decker, can you please read the title of 150099.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 1227 North Leithgow Street.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's 2/19/15 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and 150099 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 150100.
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 Eighteenth, Twenty-Eighth and Thirty-Seventh Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair again recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank 2/19/15 - STATED - 2ND READING 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 Resolution 150100 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 150104.
A resolution also naming the 2200 block of Winton Street, between the intersections of Snyder Avenue and Jackson Street, as "Wild Bill Way" in recognition to Bill Guarnere's pure dedication to fellow man, love for the City of Philadelphia, and his heroism and willingness to sacrifice all for his country.
The 2/19/15 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
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. 150104 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 150110.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Whitman Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 509 Wolf Street.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla. 2/19/15 - 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. 150110 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 141027.
An ordinance authorizing the issuance from time to time of one or more series of general obligation bonds to provide funds to refund certain outstanding general obligation bonds of the City of Philadelphia.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass 2/19/15 - STATED - 2ND READING finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present 2/19/15 - STATED - 2ND READING voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 140902.