The ayes have it. Resolution 120347 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 120348.
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, identified by house number and street address as 1709 through 11 Olive Street.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? 5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 120348 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 120349.
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 Seventh and Thirty-Second Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair again recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. 5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 120349 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 120350.
A resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to oppose House Bill 2191 that will legalize payday lending in Pennsylvania and harm the citizens of our Commonwealth.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to speak on the resolution.
5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Please do, Councilwoman.
Good morning. As many of you know, I've been an outspoken critic of predatory lending. However, after a period of true reflection on this issue, my position has evolved. People of all income brackets, especially low-income Philadelphians, should have the right and liberty to take out so-called predatory loans that they choose even if these loans have high interest rates, balloon payments and pre-payment penalties. People, especially those of color, should have an opportunity to take out so-called predatory loans even if these loans include mandatory loan insurance as well as significant broker and other fees. For too long, we have taken a patronizing attitude toward people that take out so-called predatory loans, and people should have the right and the liberty to take out these loans. In this regard, I will be introducing a 5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution for hearings on the positive benefits of so-called predatory loans, because the best consumer protections for these loans is the ability for consumers to take out any loan that they choose. Further, these hearings will allow so-called predatory loans, which have been labeled incorrectly, to be re-branded as "opportunity loans" because they provide all people, regardless of race or income level, an opportunity to borrow money. Now, let me take the opportunity to refute everything I just said. I wanted to get your attention. All right? I joke, because recent legislative action on this issue is a joke on our citizens. Predatory lending is one of the principle reasons for the downturn in the housing market that caused the worst recession since the Great Depression, and, again, I thank 5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING this Council that took the lead in 2000 to pass anti-predatory lending legislation in this body. Further, allowing people to take out predatory loans is the exact opposite of providing people with consumer protections. However, it is this type of unfortunate thinking in the Pennsylvania General Assembly that allow House Bill 2191 to be voted out of the House Consumer Affairs Committee yesterday by a vote of 20 to 4. House Bill 2191 legalizes payday lending in Pennsylvania under the misguided belief that this legislation is needed to provide consumer protections for Pennsylvanians who are able to take out payday loans over the Internet. However, payday lending is already illegal in Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has upheld enforcement actions by the Department of Banking against online payday lenders that are operating illegally. 5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Due to Pennsylvania's longstanding usury laws, 24 percent is the limit for annual interest rates on small dollar loans, and compared to other states with payday lending, these usury laws have saved Pennsylvanians approximately $223 million annually. House Bill 2191 does not provide consumer protections for Pennsylvanians, because it legalizes various predatory features of payday loans, including triple-digit interest rates over 250 percent, short minimum loan terms, which are the borrower's next payday, single balloon payments forcing borrowers to repay the entire loan, including all interest and fees, on the next payday and requiring post-dated checks or pre-authorized electronic debits as security for payday loans. " And this Coalition includes AARP Pennsylvania, Community Legal Services, which have done a great job in this area through the years, Esperanza, Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, Pennsylvania Council of Churches, PCCY, the Reinvestment Fund, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Veterans Leadership Programs of Western Pennsylvania. In this regard, I don't have to ask you, I know you're going to support this Coalition by adding our voices and supporting this resolution in opposing Bill 2191. Their water must be different in Harrisburg.
I do not understand it, and had they listened to us in 2000, then we might not have had the housing market crash. We don't know where this will lead. It will not lead to any good. I certainly want to thank Irv Ackelsberg, 5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING who has been in this fight, was in the fight with us in the year 2000. Community Legal Service worked with us on our legislation, and the young man who spoke on behalf of this resolution. We thank you for coming out. They have been soldiers with us and we'll continue to work in this field to oppose this kind of legislation, which is devastating to the most vulnerable of our citizens. Thank you very much, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution.
Moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The 5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it. Resolution 120350 is adopted. Mr. Decker, No. 120354.
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 South Central Urban Renewal Area, designated by house number and street address as 728 South Hicks Street.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Mr. President, okay. I move for the adoption, sir. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. Been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? 5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 120354 is adopted. Mr. Decker, No. 355.
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 Nineteenth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Been 5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 120355 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 120356.
A resolution supporting the reduction of greenhouse gas pollution under the Clean Air Act and urging the Environmental Protection Agency to move swiftly to fully employ and enforce the Clean Air Act.
I thank you, Mr. President. Co-sponsored by Councilman Kenney, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. 5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 120356 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 120358.
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 South Central Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 312 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 1122 through 30 Hall Street.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, 5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. We will now consider bills. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120015 -- I'm sorry; 120138. I see 15 is off the Calendar.
An ordinance authorizing the Department of Human Services, on behalf of the City, to enter into a grant agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Public Welfare for a grant to provide funds for the Time-Limited Family Reunification initiative to the City.
5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you. This bill having been read on two separate occasions, shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please read the roll.
Aye. The ayes have it, 17; zero. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120298.
An ordinance approving a Substantial Amendment to the Year 37 Consolidated Plan and application to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for approximately $1,260,836 in Emergency Solutions Grant funding.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is does the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. The bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120188.
Resolution proposing an amendment to The 5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to allow for the establishment of an independent rate-making body for fixing and regulating water and sewer rates and charges; to prescribe open and transparent processes and procedures for fixing and regulating said rates and charges.
For the record, Resolution No. 120188 is a proposed amendment to the Home Rule Charter. It requires two-thirds vote. So will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are one. Let the record reflect that Councilman O'Brien is a nay. The resolution passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120177.
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 5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to allow for the establishment of an independent rate-making body for fixing and regulating water and sewer rates and charges.
Again, Resolution 120177 is a Charter amendment. It requires a two-thirds vote. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are one. Let the record reflect that Councilman O'Brien is a nay. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120137.
An ordinance repealing an Ordinance (Bill No. 070149-A), entitled "An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code by amending Subcode 'PM' (The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code), by requiring that any advertisement or correspondence pertaining to the rental of residential property shall include the housing inspection license number for 5/10/12 - STATED - 2ND READING such property."