Yeah. How you doing? This is Michael Schulson from Schulson Collective and I'll be commenting on the same two bills. Thank Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 you for Councilwoman Cherelle Parker and for Councilmen Henon and Domb. I think right now the important thing to realize in the hospitality industry, which makes up such an important part of tourism, convention, and all of Philadelphia, is that right now it's about survival. It's not about thriving. And unfortunately in a situation like this, a lot of companies are trying to thrive when restaurants are just trying to survive. And right now we're not making money. We're not looking to get rich. We're looking to bring employees of Philadelphia back to work. We're looking to get wood off the windows of restaurants and all that stuff, and the only way to do that is to survive, and these two bills help us survive long term. The one we're limiting the fees gives companies such as Grubhub and DoorDash and all these other companies that are thriving during a time when Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 there's a pandemic, when people just need to eat, the cost of food has gone through the roof, and ultimately the people who are going to suffer is everybody at home. So we encourage you to support that one bill. The other piece with outdoor seating, right now I assume we're going to go to 50 percent capacity inside. Unfortunately, that's not enough to cover our numbers of costs. We went from 1,500 employees as a company, right now we're down to about 100, and the goal is to bring as many of those people back, and with outdoor seating extending and allowing it and reducing this bill with take-out, that allows us to survive. We will not be thriving.
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony.
This is Jeff Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 Benjamin, Vetri Restaurant Corp. We've been doing business here in the City of Philadelphia for over 20 years.
Echoing what both Michael Schulson and Melissa Bova said and some other colleagues that will get on later, so not -- at the risk of piling on, I'd like to thank you all for all you are doing so far and just reiterate what Michael said. No one is going to deny the fact that some of our delivery services have the right to make some money, but at this point, it's become opportunistic in the face of a pandemic. We decimated our workforce, like many of our colleagues. We're fortunate in that we will likely reopen, but as Michael said and Melissa echoed, we will reopen just to be able to survive, not to thrive. We would like for us to be able Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 to give back all of our employees their jobs, which we intend to do in the next several days, but that's predicated on being able to have the outdoor dining bill continued through the end of this pandemic until we normalize business. It's predicated on us being able to make money for delivery, not just be able to sustain it. So I request humbly that you all continue to support these bills and other initiatives that may come before you that allow the hospitality industry in Philadelphia to thrive. We have quite an impact industry-wide on this city, and tourism is not going to come back any time soon, but the people of Philadelphia are eager to come back out and eat. The vast majority of them have said that they will come back out to eat if they're allowed to eat outside. So the passing of that emergency bill several weeks ago certainly helps, but extending that will Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 ensure the future of the restaurant business in Philadelphia. Thank you very much for your time.
Good morning. State your name for the record and proceed with your testimony, please.
Thank you. Good morning, Council President Clarke and members of City Council. My name is Mary Iovine, a lifelong Philadelphian. Most people know me as Tootsie. I have owned and run Tootsie's Buffet at the Reading Terminal Market for 15 years. I also had a successful catering business from the store at the Terminal. There are no words to describe the devastation caused by COVID-19. Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 Things changed for us at the Reading Terminal Market and the world. Not wanting to reduce staff, we started offering meals to go and we delivered them to my neighbors in my apartment building when many of the seniors were afraid to go out, and it was a helpful service for them and I thought it would help us. During the early days of the COVID shutdown, we were limping around like everybody else, but then on April 7, I was diagnosed with COVID-19, and one week later so was my husband, and his case was much more severe than mine. Needless to say, that crippled my ability to conduct business and I had to shut down for three weeks. When we were cleared to go back, it was a much different, smaller business, as the City was taking the home quarantine very seriously. There were hardly any customers in the Terminal, and in an attempt to survive, I subscribed to Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 Grubhub for home delivery. I was not familiar with how they really operated, the costs or the differences between the delivery services. In concept, they seemed innovative and handy, but the sticker shock was eye-opening and not financially viable. How grateful I am to Councilwoman Parker for her thoughtful bill that will help longtime food establishments like mine trying to stay alive during the remainder of this pandemic. Teaming them up with food delivery services willing to reduce their prices is a win-win. The more demand for their services, the more employees they can keep or hire as we increase the number of our transactions. We still have a long way to go to learn about implementing the constantly changing safety measures, restrictions, and openings yet to come during the next stages of COVID and need to realize that if science is right, we Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 might have to step back again. I strongly encourage you to vote for this bill today. Thanks. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Stay strong. Thank you for your commitment.
The next speaker is Tiffany Green, commenting on 200370, 200352, and 200351.
Yes, we can. Please state your name for the record.
I want to speak quickly. I want to speak on Bill 200351. We say that black lives matter. Well, black opinions should matter too. And at Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 this particular point, this particular bill should be limited to Center City and not in residential areas where people are still surviving and trying to, you know, live an everyday life, and to have people opening up outdoor eateries on the corner of their block, drinking and eating without masks can lead to more cases of COVID in the black and poor communities. There was a Dr. Schaefer on CNN this morning who stated of such a disease, said that we should be promoting masks, wearing masks, which should be the social norm. We need a constant message between political and business and church leaders to have a mandate for masks, and that we do not think that outdoor eateries and cafes should be down in residential areas. They'd be good for Center City. My next two bills I want to speak on real quick is 200370 with the bicycle and street closures. We think that RCOs and organizations get advanced Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 notice of any street closures. Many times the SEPTA will move a bus over three, four blocks, which is really hurtful. We've heard back from many of our seniors, people with wheelchairs, people disabled with canes have to walk four or five blocks to go catch a bus. There is no advanced notification of street closures or SEPTA reroutes and everything like that. We think as far as the bicycle bill, that we need to have notification. They came and stripped one of our major streets, Point Breeze, down the middle to put a bicycle route. That was not fair to our community, whereas in affluent neighborhoods between South and Market Street, you had a community meeting and a community vote. So that was unfair treatment of the black community. And, finally, I want to make just -- that this zoning meetings regarding Zoom is unfair. We talked to some of our residents. They don't feel Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 the need to do Zoom at this point. A lot of them feel that they're just frustrated with the whole COVID and unable -- and, secondly, is unable to take a community vote. How you going to take a community vote with Zoom and the community residents, seniors, and everybody who don't even really know how to do this? And so we think it should be a town hall meeting regarding the zoning process and the ZBA process. You're asking people to do a lot during this COVID time, who are trying to just live a regular life and who are -- and some family members are suffering with COVID-19, and to ask us to do all this virtually and internet-wise is not being considerate. And I'm sure -- and I'm not trying to throw shade, but I don't think Mr. Allan Domb has spoke to too many African American groups about this outdoor eatery cafe, because in the end, businesses are not going to pay healthcare bills at the Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 hospital. Okay? We're not saying that they're not entitled, but all of us are doing and sacrificing, and some us have to -- we all are sacrificing and trying to stay alive, and if we have to operate at 50 percent, then we operate at 50 percent, and it's up to City Council to try to find additional financial help for those businesses, but you can't be having people come in from outside town, outside areas into black areas --
-- invite the COVID-19 and bringing -- spreading the disease. Thank you.
The next speaker is Chelsie DeFoe, commenting on 200328. (No response.)
Chelsie DeFoe. Star 6 to unmute. Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 MS. DeFOE: Hello.
Hi. Good morning. Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony. MS. DeFOE: Good morning, members of City Council. My name is Chelsie DeFoe and I have a Master's in Public Health, with a concentration in occupational and environmental health from Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health. I'm testifying in support of Bill No. 200328 amending The Philadelphia Code to provide employees protections during the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe this bill will protect workers, their families, and the overall public health. The bill will empower workers to speak against workplace violations and thus minimize their risk of exposure to COVID-19. Fear can cause workers to shy away from reporting. It can lead to an increase of cases due to unsafe Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 practices. A bill to support workers during COVID-19 epidemic will reassure the health and safety of their families and the public. It is estimated that a person infected with the Coronavirus will infect an average of two or more people. Without the proper workplace precautions, such as the provision of masks and the cleaning of high-touch spaces, the virus can easily spread in the workplace and then the community. This bill opens the door to allow employers to be held accountable for their actions. Workers are crucial to getting our city back on its feet, so it's our job to provide them with security and resources they need to stay healthy and feel confident enough to do their jobs effectively. That is why I'm in support of Bill No. 200328. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. Stated Meeting June 25, 2020
The next speaker is Kaylee McGuffin, commenting on 200328. MS. McGUFFIN: Hello. Can you hear me?
Good morning. Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony. MS. McGUFFIN: Hi. My name is Kaylee McGuffin. I am a One PA member and I'm calling in favor of the anti-retaliation bill. I worked at -- for the company MOM's Organic Market. That is a location in Center City, for six years. When COVID-19 pandemic hit, myself and other workers and customers started to realize that the company was not taking proper precautions to minimize the risk of contracting the virus for our employees and customers. I brought up these concerns and solutions with the Center City store's management, the company's HR department, and directly to the CEO, and I was met with disregard and minimizing Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 of my concerns. I scheduled a call with the HR department on March 27th to talk about my concerns in more depth, and what I saw was an irresponsible disregard for employee health by the CEO, and the HR representative subsequently fired me for being, and I quote, too negative and appearing, quote, appearing unwilling to want to join, and the HR representative also banned me from all 19 store locations. Following the call, I requested a formal letter for termination in a week apart, and I was never given a response or any acknowledgment of my e-mail. No workers in the City should be in fear of losing their job for expressing safety conditions ever, but especially not during a global pandemic. And so I just wanted to call to urge you all to vote in favor of this bill. That's all. Thank you. Stated Meeting June 25, 2020
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public comment for today, and we will now consider today's Bill Consent Agenda. I would ask the Clerk to 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 Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker will now read the titles of the bills on the Consent Agenda. Stated Meeting June 25, 2020
Bill No. 200296-A, entitled "An ordinance constituting the Fifteenth Supplemental Ordinance to the General Gas Works Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1998; authorizing the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to sell, either at public or private sale, one or more series of Gas Works Revenue Bonds and Gas Works Revenue Bonds to refund such Bonds"; and Bill No. 200329-A, entitled "An ordinance approving a Substantial Amendment to the Annual Action Plan 2019 through 2020 to add $40,410,779 in Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding"; and Bill No. 200145, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the vacating of Charles Street (also known as Markle Street), between Manayunk Avenue and Dexter Street"; and Bill No. 200146, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 2 of an Ordinance (Bill No. 190450) approved July Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 17, 2019, entitled 'An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 15-S by placing on the City Plan Alter Street from Seventeenth Street to Eighteenth Street in order to conform more closely with existing conditions,' by revising the terms and conditions stated therein and making certain technical changes"; and Bill No. 200148, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 359 by relocating the southwesterly houseline of Byberry Road approximately two feet southwestwardly between a point approximately four-hundred one feet northwest of The Roosevelt Boulevard to a point approximately five-hundred fifty feet further northwestwardly therefrom, thereby widening said Byberry Road between such points"; and Bill No. 200116, entitled "An Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 9 of Subcode PM ('The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code') of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Additional Special Requirements,' to establish requirements for managers of certain buildings pertaining to identification of occupants to better assist responders during emergency situations"; and Bill No. 200290, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Business Income and Receipts Taxes,' by revising certain tax rates"; and Bill No. 200183, entitled "An ordinance approving the ninth amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the Point Breeze Urban Renewal Area, being the area generally bounded by Washington Avenue, South Twenty-Fifth Street, Reed Street, the rear property lines of the 1400 and 1500 blocks of South Taylor Street, Tasker Street, South 25th Street, Moore Street and South Broad Street"; and Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 200346, 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 56th Street, Arch Street, Conestoga Street, and Market Street"; and Bill No. 200328, entitled "An ordinance amending The Philadelphia Code to add a new Chapter, entitled 'Employee Protections in Connection with COVID-19 Emergency Health Order,' to provide workplace protections in emergency health orders and regulations, provide protections for employees against retaliatory actions both for the disclosure of information related to employer non-compliance with such orders and for refusal to work under unsafe conditions caused by non-compliance with such orders"; and Bill No. 200355, entitled "An ordinance amending an Ordinance (Bill No. 180293), entitled 'An ordinance Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan Nos.
34-S and 41-S by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portions of Packer Avenue from Christopher Columbus Boulevard to the Pierhead Line of the Delaware River and reserving and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way for sewer and drainage purposes"; and Bill No. 200370, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to enter into a concession agreement with Bicycle Transit Systems, Incorporated for the operation, maintenance and expansion of a bicycle sharing system, an essential service during the COVID-19 period"; and Bill No. 200351, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the operation of sidewalk cafes during the COVID-19 emergency until December 31, 2020 in areas of the City where such activity currently must be otherwise authorized by Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 ordinance, and allowing expanded activity by currently licensed sidewalk cafe operations"; and Bill No. 200352, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 11-100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'General Provisions,' to authorize the Streets Department to permit closure of the public right-of-way, including on street parking spaces, for public health, welfare and safety purposes during the COVID-19 public health emergency until December 31, 2020, including expansion of business uses that cannot operate in indoor environment or have limited indoor capacity and/or service due to the COVID-19 emergency"; and Bill No. 200293, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 17-1400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Non-Competitively Bid Contracts; Financial Assistance,' by making revisions, including but not limited to, the exception for emergency contracting"; Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 "
Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair recognizes -Councilwoman Brooks, did you want to be recognized?
Oh, after the vote? Okay. Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 you, Mr. Decker. We're going to the Consent Agenda. 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 and those bills for which the member is voting nay. Mr. Decker, can you please call the roll.
Aye on all bills. Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - 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 resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, can you please read the title of Resolution No. 200261.
A resolution encouraging the National Committee of the Young Democrats of America to hold their 2021 Biennial Convention in the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING 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. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 200262.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1421 Letterly Street located in the Fifth Councilmanic District.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 200379.
A resolution calling upon the City of Philadelphia to invest in a Black stimulus package for our neighborhoods, to include $500 million in capital investments for affordable housing and commercial corridors, in addition to operating investments in a Poverty Action Fund for rent subsidy, basic income, benefits access, and job training stipends; and further authorizing the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING hearings to consider the City's Black stimulus.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Council President. Thank you to all my colleagues. I look forward to a long conversation as we move this forward. I move for the adoption. (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. Mr. Decker, Resolution No. 200383.
A resolution Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING ratifying the Mayor's Declaration of Emergency Related to the COVID-19 health emergency.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to offer an amendment on your behalf to Resolution No. 200383. A copy this amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Resolution No. 200383 be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it, and the resolution has been amended. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Jones for a motion on the amended resolution.
Thank you again, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution, as amended. (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 adopted. Councilwoman Brooks.
I Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING just want to make sure, you wanted to be recognized -
I can do it -- I just wanted to put the votes on the record before we go through the individual bill. So that's what I was trying to do.
Okay. Still getting used to some of this stuff. All right. Thank you.
Mr. Decker, can you please read the title of Resolution No. 200384.
A resolution calling upon the Congress to allocate fair and direct federal support to all of America's communities, regardless of population size.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green for a motion on the resolution. Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Council President. This resolution -and I want to thank my colleagues for their support -- continues the work that we've been doing at the national level with the National League of Cities to make sure we have fair funding for all cities in this nation as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, please read the title of 200385.
A resolution calling upon the Congress to enact and fund a national, sustainable water affordability plan similar to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program ("LIHEAP").
Thank you, Council President. This is a similar resolution which was brought to me by the President of Democratic Municipal Officials, Scott Benson, a Councilmember in Detroit. We are all familiar with the major issues of water in Michigan, and this supports this type of legislation throughout our nation so we don't have the same problem that we had in Flint, Michigan or other cities around the country. Mr. President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING (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 adopted. Mr. Decker, 200331.
A resolution approving the Director of Finance's Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund Withdrawal Certification for purposes of allowing utilization of $34,276,000 in the Reserve Fund for General Fund purposes in connection with the FY2021 Operating Budget.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, 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. Mr. Decker, Resolution No. 200080.
A resolution proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter calling on the Police Department to eliminate the practice of unconstitutional stop and frisk; and providing for the submission of the proposed amendment to the electors Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING of Philadelphia.
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.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. I should have said that this requires a two -- it's a resolution to the Home Rule Charter, so it requires two-thirds vote. Therefore, the question is shall this resolution be adopted. The Chief Clerk will call the roll. I think we just heard the roll. It sounds like Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING it was unanimous, so that clearly is two-thirds. Thank you. Let's call the roll, Mr. Decker. I'm sorry. I'm having a little challenge here. I got all kinds of stuff going on. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman Gym. Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilman Thomas. Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. Two-thirds of all members of the Council voting in the affirmative, Resolution No. 200080 has been adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 200216.
A resolution proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for the creation of the Office of the Victim Advocate.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. Thank you, colleagues. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Here I go again. I'm sorry. This also is an amendment to the Home Rule Charter. I better read my script. It requires two-thirds vote. Therefore, the question is shall the resolution be adopted. And, Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Parker. Stated Meeting June 25, 2020 6/25/20 - STATED - 2ND READING