Atiba Kwesi, commenting on 181044. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, Council President. My name is Atiba Kwesi. I'm the President of the West Philly Voting Block. Good afternoon to the City Council. I'm here to speak on 044 and make a clarification about what the person right before me was talking about for people that don't know. 4601 Market Street, the City put $52 million into that building, 52 million. And then they decided they weren't going to build the new Roundhouse, the new police station Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 there. Somebody made that decision after we spent $52 million. Now, I'm no business person, but I got more sense than to get into an agreement where I have no kind of security once I spent $52 million. That don't make no sense to me, you know. For somebody -- and then I was at a community meeting on Tuesday night that Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell brought us together with the developers who were supposed to be buying the property, and we found out that they were buying the property for $10 million. $10 million. So taxpayers just lose $42 million. But y'all putting people out of their homes, senior citizens out of their home for $5,000. (Applause.)
But y'all want to -- and then they try to sit there and ask the woman to describe to us how they going to make up the 42 million by selling this other building and creating Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 these jobs. That's BS. How you going to make up $42 million? It's not possible. And then we find out that that's not even the highest bid. What's the name of his company? West Philly -- West Village put in a bid of $15 million and they put a proposal together, and they were willing to meet with the community. The first time the community ever even heard of what was going on was Tuesday night, and then we were told this great big beautiful package of how we're going to have 200 jobs and 60 permanent jobs, and we said, you know what, we've been hearing all that BS before. That's all we ever get. First of all, when you throw a business -- and I don't know who set this up, but I'm talking to the community leaders. I'm talking to the activists. We need to change that policy where they come together and they put a package together and then they come to us and say, this is what we going to do for Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 y'all. No. That's not how you do business. How you do business is, you invite the community leaders to the table and let's talk about how this thing is supposed to get put together, what are you going to do, how are you going to do it, and what we need in it, and then we bring it to the community. That's how that go. Not y'all put it all together. You know, they had CHOP, University of Penn, YMCA, and someone else, all these people to come together and put a package together to give to us to tell us how it's going to benefit us, and we saw no benefit in it. So we're asking that this bill don't pass today. Councilwoman, we're asking you not to allow this to pass. We need to revisit this, because it's not a benefit to our community, not the way it's written and not the way it's going down right now. Thank you very much. (Applause.) Stated Meeting December 13, 2018
George Gould, commenting on 180939-A and 180940-A. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is George Gould and I am a Senior Attorney at Community Legal Services where I have worked in the area of housing for almost 50 years. I thank City Council for giving me the opportunity to testify today on these important issues. I'd like to discuss Bills 180939-A and 180940, which would make important changes to the City Code. These two bills were introduced as part of a package of bills by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown to deal with the important issue of lead poisoning and debilitated housing in the City. We fully support these bills. The bills will amend the City Code regarding the issuing of residential rental license and commercial rental Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 licenses and will require that if the owner of the property is not a, quote, natural person or a publicly traded company, the application for a license must identify, in addition to the owner, a natural person with more than a 49 percent equity interest in the entity and, if not, the two natural persons who have the largest equity interest in the entity. It also must put down the name and preferred mailing address of such persons, and the information must be updated if changes are made to the information within ten business days. Penalties are provided for providing false or misleading information. These changes are very important so that both the City and tenant advocates can pursue landlords who violate the City lead laws. They are also needed to find donors of residential properties who do not properly maintain their dwellings. I thank Councilwoman Reynolds Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 Brown and her staff for putting together these important bills. Thank you.
Lynn Robinson, commenting on 180888 and 170712. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Lynn Robinson. I'd like to briefly comment on 180888, which I feel would shine a light of transparency on the pharmaceutical companies' practice of lobbying doctors with gifts. From my experience and the experience of friends, it seems that this practice has turned many doctors into drug pushers. And it's not just opioids. Psychiatrists are known to just simply prescribe medicine and not really speak to their patients where there may be 20 minutes a month. Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 So I think it took a great amount of courage to produce this legislation. I'd like to support it. My main comment, though, is on another resolution, 170712, which was introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. I'm not opposed to this. I am supportive of it, but I'd like to offer a word of caution. Yesterday at the Health and Public Services Committee hearing, which was pretty well attended by environmental activists and the public and a high school class that wanted to learn about civics firsthand, we all applauded this resolution, but I think across the board we had a misunderstanding of its essence. We thought the main idea was to create a City Council commission to listen to the public concerns and work with us to take action on environmental justice issues in the City. This would be within the legislative branch in City Council. We heard that yesterday, and still expect it Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 to happen as requested by several groups who testified two weeks ago at the Environmental Committee hearing. This resolution proposed today, 170712, does not establish a commission in the legislative branch. It is asking the Mayor to construct his own commission and appoint all of its members, who would confer with City Council President. But Mayor Kenney and the Office of Sustainability, as many of us have pointed out, is behind the eight ball. We have about a decade to reverse course as an animal species called human to shut down fossil fuel-burning practices, but the Mayor and the Office of Sustainability still see methane as not a fossil fuel. And so we cannot trust the Mayor's branch of government to take care of climate change or environmental justice issues. We need a separate legislative committee. You can't have a win-win with natural gas lobbyists. Those days of Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 business as usual are over. So please do not make Philadelphia as part of the United States follow behind Europe and China in this crucial problem that the whole planet is facing. Thank you. (Applause.)
Joe Danihel, commenting on 181069, 180070, 181079, 180175, 181076, 181077, 181083, 181069, and 181045. (Witness approached podium.)
I see we saved the best for last. This is an official decree of the people in writ of mandamus quo warranto and, as such, requires immediate action and remedy. Every week, Council, Mayor, Governor, and others transfer private property to the government, probably illegally. Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 Pearl Harbor Day reminds people of the tireless efforts and sacrifice of those who secure our country against any and all who would attack the people. Secure houses, persons, and effects are clearly noted rights in the constitutional contract. Why would anyone volunteer overseas knowing their government was stealing the home of their neighbor? Since the people are the rightful masters of both the Congress and the courts not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the very men that pervert it, why has the DA, Attorney General refused to investigate and prosecute the theft of my home, theft of my just compensation? Why has Council, Mayor, Governor, and others unanimously approved using HUD low-income housing money to build a mall on my stolen home? Constitutions require immediate remedy of this breach of law, breach of Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 close, brief of fiduciary duty. Your oath of office requires you to act or face prison. 42 USC 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 18 USC 241, 242, 2381, 2384, PA Constitution, Article I, Sections 1 through 28, 26 PA CSA 703, 705, 708, 709, 711, 712, 713, 716, and 902 and other laws listed in SCOTUS 15-8965, 14-1330, 14-4056 appear violated. I call on the federal and Commonwealth governments to perform their constitutional obligations to investigate and prosecute all involved in the theft and illegal deed transfer of my home, 1038 West Wyoming. The denial of God-given 42 USC 1982 properties rights for 25 years is egregious, extraordinary, oath-violating, and requires immediate remedy. A just government must obey the rule of law. This color of law government must have its Charter to govern revoked until it is made Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 constitutionally compliant. Public servants cannot refuse their sworn duty to act any more than a fireman can refuse to fight a fire. The sovereign people require oath, Constitution, and law be enforced, and jail is required for all who violate oath, Constitution or law. I remind Council, as I have for years, it takes a lot of cooperation to create and allow your monumental corruption. (Applause.)
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. Folks, there's a lot of dialogue going on. We will now consider today's Bill Consent Agenda. I would ask Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 please read the titles of all 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 an objection and without debate, the bill will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on our regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker will now read the titles of the bills on the Consent Agenda.
Bill No. 180939-A, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 9-3900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Property Licenses and Owner Accountability,' to modify application and notice requirements"; and Bill No. 180940-A, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Business Income and Receipts Taxes,' to modify application requirements for commercial Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 licenses"; and Bill No. 180911, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code by amending Section 14-502, entitled '/CTR, Center City Overlay,' by modifying the boundaries of the Market Street East Retail Area, providing additional regulations, and making related changes"; and Bill No. 180948, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Flamingo Street, Lawn Street, Esdall Street, Shaw Street, and Hillside Avenue"; and Bill No. 180954, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code to revise certain provisions of Chapter 14-900, entitled 'Signs,' by amending the Commercial Mixed-Use sign allowance"; and Bill No. 180966, entitled "An Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Parkside Avenue, 42nd Street, Girard Avenue, and Belmont Avenue"; and Bill No. 180970, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by the Delaware Expressway, Tolbut Street (extended), Torresdale Avenue and Pennypack Street (extended)"; and Bill No. 180971, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Roosevelt Boulevard, Henry Avenue, Railroad Right-of-Way, and Scotts Lane"; and Bill No. 180979, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 amending Section 14-906, entitled 'Market Street East Sign Regulations'"; and Bill No. 171009, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 19-1303 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Discounts and Additions to Tax,' by tolling additions, interest and penalties on real estate tax when the assessed value of property is under appeal and limiting tax payments due based on certain assessments under appeal"; and Bill No. 180994, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 3 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Air Management Code,' and Chapter 6-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Asbestos Projects,' to revise fees"; and Bill No. 181043, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the extension of the program authorized by Bill No. 150443 under which advance approval is given to the Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation to enter into certain Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 arising thereunder for the purchase, storage, distribution, transportation and/or transmission of natural and other gas supply"; and Bill No. 180999, entitled "An ordinance amending Bill No. 180162 (approved June 21, 2018), entitled 'An ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2019 through 2024 inclusive'"; and Bill No. 181000, entitled "An ordinance amending Bill No. 180163-A (approved June 21, 2018), entitled 'An ordinance to adopt a Fiscal 2019 Capital Budget'"; and Bill No.
181001, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019 from the General Fund, the Grants Revenue Fund, and the Community Development Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to the General Fund, the Water Fund, the Aviation Fund, Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 Fuels Fund, and the Community Development Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions"; and Bill No. 181002, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019 from the General Fund, the Grants Revenue Fund, and the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to the General Fund and the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions"; and Bill No. 181045, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute a release from a restriction contained in an agreement dated April 10, 1951, related to all or a portion of a parcel or parcels of land in and about the area bounded by Pennypack Park, Ryan Avenue and Rowland Avenue, conveyed by the City to the School District of Philadelphia in 1951"; and Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 180742, entitled "An ordinance establishing no truck parking and tow-away regulations on Commerce Way from McNulty Road to its terminus further northeastwardly therefrom"; and Bill No. 180865, entitled "An ordinance establishing a one-way regulation on Aspen Street, from North Markoe Street to North 46th Street, eastbound"; and Bill No. 180910, entitled "An ordinance establishing no truck parking and tow-away regulations on both sides of Darnell Road from Decatur Road to Dutton Road"; and Bill No. 180941, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: 45th Street and Spruce Street; Cedar Avenue and 47th Street; 34th Street and Brandywine Street; Farragut Street and Walnut Street"; and Bill No. 180942, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 vicinity of: Larchwood Avenue and South 47th Street; Larchwood Avenue and South 59th Street; North 33rd Street and Spring Garden Street; Delancey Street and South 51st Street; Sansom Street and South 51st Street; South 61st Street and Chestnut Street"; and Bill No. 180995, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Brandywine Street and North 33rd Street; Larchwood Street and South 45th Street; South 44th Street and Spruce Street; Cedar Avenue and South 54th Street; Sloan Street and Baring Street; Belmont Avenue to Girard Avenue; Hamilton Street to North 38th Street"; and Bill No. 180700, entitled "An ordinance amending Subcode 'A' (The Philadelphia Administrative Code) of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, by amending Section A-703, entitled 'Special Certificate of Inspection,' to provide Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 requirements for educational occupancies"; and Bill No. 180745, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code by amending Subcode 'B' (The Philadelphia Building Code), and Subcode 'F' (The Philadelphia Fire Code), to add sections requiring fire sprinklers in portions of certain buildings"; and Bill No. 180746, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code by amending Subcode 'PM' (The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code), to amend provisions relating to periodic inspections of piers and other waterfront structures"; and Bill No.
180953, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, Subcode R, entitled 'The Philadelphia Residential Code' by adding amendments to the 2015 edition of the 'International Residential Code' as adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Subcode EC, entitled the Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 Code by adding amendments as adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Subcode P, entitled 'The Philadelphia Plumbing Code,' to allow for technical amendments to be made by regulation"; and Bill No. 180991, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Public Employees Retirement Code,' to modify the terms of Plan 16, to change certain contribution rates, and to make technical amendments"; and Bill No. 180972, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Water Commissioner, the Revenue Commissioner, and the Procurement Commissioner to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, pursuant to which the City will assume certain obligations under a contract the Authority will enter into with Sensus USA Incorporated to provide, install, maintain and operate facilities and Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 automated collection and delivery of water usage data to the Revenue Department or other designated City department"; and Bill No. "
Thank you, Mr. Decker. These bills having been read on two different days, the question for each bill now is shall the bill pass finally. The Clerk shall call the roll, and upon being called, each Councilmember 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 or nay. Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 Decker, please call the roll.
Councilman Johnson is voting aye on all bills. Councilman Jones.
Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye on all bills. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative for each of the bills, the bills on the Consent Agenda are passed. We will now consider the bills and the resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. And, Mr. Decker, if you can read the title of 180068 -- I'm sorry; 181068. Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
A resolution urging the Department of Education and Secretary Betsy DeVos to reconsider new guidelines that would make it more difficult for victims of sexual assault on college campuses to attain justice.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it. Resolution 181068 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 181069.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the West Mill Creek Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel Nos. 78A (also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 616 through 636 North Fifty-Second Street) and Parcel No. 79.
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 say aye. (Aye.)
Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 181069 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 181070.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Mantua Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 3712 through 3720 Melon Street, 3713 through 3717 Melon Street, 3723 Melon Street, 3729 through 3739 Melon Street and 653 through 655 North Thirty-Eighty Street, and 3846 Melon Street.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 181070 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 181037.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2211 West Sergeant Street and 2213 West Sergeant Street located in the Fifth Councilmanic District.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 181073 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 181074.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2200 North Cleveland Street located in the Fifth Councilmanic District.
The Chair again recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 181074 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 181075.
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 Thirty-Second Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 181075 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 181076.
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 Sixteenth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 181076 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 181077.
A resolution approving the first amendment to the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the West Philadelphia Redevelopment Area, identified by house number and street address as 6161 West Girard Avenue.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 181077 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 181079.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 162 West Cumberland Street, 164 West Cumberland Street, and 166 West Cumberland Street located in the Seventh Councilmanic District.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
It's Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 181079 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 181083.
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 First Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 181083 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 181084.
A resolution also naming Market Street, between Front Street and Eighth Street, as "Avenue of Our Founders".
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 181084 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 181085.
A resolution also naming Sixth Street, between Race Street and Lombard Street, as "Avenue to Freedom".
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it. 181085 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 180909.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Business Income and Receipts Taxes," by extending the period that Net Operating Losses can be carried.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are two. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 180935.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-3200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Keystone Opportunity Zone, Economic Development District, and Strategic Development Area," by requiring that applications for zone designation include Opportunity Plans that provide for apprenticeship and Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING other work opportunities for students enrolled in the School District Career and Technical Education Programs.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Henon. Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilman Squilla. Stated Meeting December 13, 2018 12/13/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, the title of 180992.
An ordinance amending Chapter 9-3900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Property Licenses and Owner Accountability," by providing for exemptions.