Councilman Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Squilla.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 160682.
An ordinance amending Section 9-605 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Towing," by adding a requirement that an illegally parked vehicle be ticketed prior to its towing from a private parking lot, private property, or driveway, except for hospital premises.
I'm sorry. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Quinones-Sanchez. I'm sorry.
Thank you, Council President. This morning I had an opportunity to sit with Councilman Jones and had conversation with Councilwoman Blackwell and some of the tow operators, and we are going to move on this bill. And as was offered by some of the good operators who acknowledge that there is grand auto theft happening in the City every day and that they acknowledge that we did not fix this in 2010, we did not fix it in 2012, but I believe Mayor Kenney who as Councilman worked on these issues, we are really on the brink of coming forth with a comprehensive plan to take care of it, but in the meantime, we can't let people's cars get stolen. And I really call on the industry to step forward and help police themselves. They know who the bad actors are, and for folks to sit in this room and act like they don't know that their companies are engaged in these Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING bad practices to me is unacceptable. I will, as I have and my legislative record proves, I am all about small businesses, and I am committed to working with these small business men, particularly these men of color, to make sure that the implementation does not fail them this time around and committed to working on the long-term comprehensive plan. But this is a consumer bill, and I most importantly get elected by people to protect people and I'm happy to be able to do so and work towards that comprehensive reform with Mayor Kenney. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. We have read the title of the bill. A little housekeeping. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to thank my colleague for agreeing, as I understand -- I didn't hear it -- the Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING compromises that these independent contractors, these folk who run small businesses, these men of color who come from inner cities, who support families and pay bills two weeks before Christmas not be shut down unceremoniously. To be given an opportunity to have input on a piece of legislation, however good intended, may have some bad consequences on some people who should not be staying with the folk who are in the bad business. I want to thank my colleague for meeting with them. She did not have to do so. It was relatively impromptu, but one of the signs of a good elected official is not where you are when people all agree with you, but where you are willing to stand up for your principles when they don't. So I appreciate that. She has agreed to ask the Commissioner to hold off on implementation for at least 30 days. She has agreed to meet with the independent Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING group of tow truck operators that operate pretty much autonomously from the larger companies. Also, I would encourage law enforcement that if we know who is stealing cars, arrest them, but we should not paint with a broad brush people who all they want to do is provide for their families. At the end of the day, to say all tow truck drivers are is as incorrect as saying all elected officials are or all women are or all Trump supporters are. It is not true at the end of the day. So we need to have a process by which we weed out those who need to be apprehended from those who just want to pay their bills. Thank you, Mr. President. So I will be voting for this with those provisos in mind.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to agree with the statements just made, thank Councilman Jones for his statements, and thank Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez for her willingness to try to be fair, to try to keep the discussion open and have no enforcement have to be for the holidays. So thank you, Councilwoman. Thank you, Councilman. And certainly as we've said, we will make ourselves available for the meetings that take place. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Chairman. I wasn't part of any discussions, so I don't know what is going on, and I'm just going to vote on the bill. The bill is in front of me. Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING And I have the greatest respect for Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez and I have almost as much respect for Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr., but as I have it in front of me -- and I'm sorry, but what I see is this: There is a bunch of rogue towers and they're doing illegal things and they should be arrested. Their business license should be taken, their vehicles impounded. But a lot of people in this city need efficient and fast and good-quality towing services. And I go through all kinds of sections of Philadelphia because I'm at-large and there's many places where commercial establishments, small businesses, and residential folks of all sorts need quality and efficient towing. I worry that if there has to be some additional bureaucratic procedure for folks who are good towers, that citizens are not going to get the towing services that they need. And the scariest thing for folks is that sign Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING that says your car is going to be towed. Now, if I believe it's going to take four or five hours before anyone comes and tows, I might gamble on sitting there in front of somebody's place for an hour or two, but I won't do it when I see that sign and I think in 15 or 10 minutes my vehicle may be towed. So that is the reason that I will be voting against this bill. I understand it's good purpose, but I want to clarify that.
Thank you, Councilman. Just a reminder that the Clerk has read the title of the bill. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is the bill -
Councilman Jones. Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you for recognizing me. I want a just clarification. You're against this bill as Councilwoman Sanchez has it?
And you only have almost as much respect for me? Because we were together. This is confusing to me. I just want to reiterate, I agree with your concerns. I agree, but Councilwoman Sanchez and the Mayor -ironically in 2010 I was a co-sponsor on the original bill, but what we want to be always meticulous about is not throwing the baby out with the bath water. We ask these men to do the right thing. We ask these women to start businesses in a republican sense, and they do. They pay our taxes. They pay all those fines, and we are going to up the amount of fees on them again. So we don't want to regulate them out of business. Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING So I'm willing to work with these compromise, but I just don't want us in a shotgun approach when we should be having a rifle approach to get bad actors, because if we know who they are, let's go arrest them. Thank you -- oh, now Mr. President.
Thank you. We will now call for a vote on 160682. 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 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez. Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are one. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, we have 161000. Oh, I'm sorry. That's consent. 161002.
An ordinance amending Chapter 9-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Service and Other Businesses," by amending Section 9-605, entitled "Towing," to clarify requirements for application of the rotational tow system.
This Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING 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 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution authorizing the Council Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings examining the ongoing implementation of body-worn cameras by the Philadelphia Police Department, to determine whether the Department's policy for body-worn cameras promotes transparent and accountable policing practices, introduced by Councilman Jones.
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 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on the Disabled and Persons with Special Needs and the Committee on Education to hold joint hearings regarding the School District of Philadelphia's obligation to provide special education to students with disabilities, introduced by Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter on the occasion of the 106th annual Founders' Day of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, introduced by Councilman Green.
The Chair one more time recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council 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 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring and celebrating Henry H. Houston Elementary School on the occasion of its student-created album, "A Day in My Life," being placed on the first-round ballot for a Grammy Award nomination in the category of "Best Children's Album," introduced by Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council 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 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce & Economic Development to hold hearings regarding the JumpStart initiatives throughout the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council 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.)
Those opposed? Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution Recognizing and Honoring the Chestnut Hill Historical Society on the Occasion of its 50th Anniversary, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted.
And a resolution Honoring and Congratulating Motivos Bilingual Magazine on the Occasion of its 10th Anniversary, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I know Jenee Chizick is watching, so this one is for you. Happy anniversary. And I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted.
And Resolution No. 160953, entitled "A resolution approving the appointment of Patrick Eiding as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority."
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Calendar, Mr. President.
That's it? The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. I'd like to call up Resolution 160981 and Bills 160971 and 160972 for Second Reading and Final Passage today. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. They will be on the Calendar. Resolution 160981 is referencing a Charter change. It will require a two-thirds vote. Mr. Decker, can you call the roll. Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Resolution No. 160981, entitled "A resolution proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the award of certain contracts based on best value to the City."
Roll call. I'm sorry. Roll call. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Councilman Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Greenlee.
Councilman Squilla. Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the resolution passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 160971.
An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for the award of certain contracts based on best value to the City.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Stated Meeting December 8, 2016 12/8/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, call the roll.