Aye. The ayes are 15, the nays are 0. A majority of all Members of Council having voted in the affirmative, the Bill passes. The next Bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 030284. THE
An Ordinance approving the first amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the Kingsessing Urban Renewal Area.
This Bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the Bill pass finally? The Clerk will please call the roll. THE
Councilman Clarke. 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE
Aye. 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE THE
Aye. The ayes are 15, the nays are 0. A majority of all Members of Council having voted in the affirmative, the Bill passes. Bill No. 030385 is to be called. THE
An Ordinance approving the third amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the Point Breeze East Urban Renewal Area.
This Bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the Bill pass finally? The Clerk will please call the roll. THE
Councilman DiCicco. 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE
Council President Verna. 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE
Aye. The ayes are 15, the nays are 0. A majority of all Members of Council having voted in the affirmative, the Bill passes. The next Bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 030286. THE
An Ordinance approving the first amendment redevelopment proposal for the 45th and Sansom Urban Renewal Area.
This Bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the Bill pass finally? The Clerk will please call the roll.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen. I'm going to yield to Councilman Ortiz.
Madam Chair, over the last week we've had hearings in this Council attended by an overwhelming number of people from across the City, from West Philadelphia to north, 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE lower northeast. All of them protesting the manner and the way in which eminent domain was being exercised and the taking of houses and properties without really due process and good notice. And in fact, it was admitted by the Administration that notice was really faulty. It was not good. The people were not informed. The people were not knowledgeable as to what was going on and what was happening. And too many times in this City we have seen it over the years. Because this is not the first time that urban renewal is taking place in the City of Philadelphia or other urban cities across the country. And usually what has happened is that many promises are made to the poor people that reside in those neighborhoods. Many promises are made to people. And they tell them, "Don't worry about it. We're going to take your home and you're going to be able to move back to this brand-new home that os going to be beautiful. You're going to have a yard. You're going to have central air conditioning. You're going to have everything in there." And what happens is the history is that that has not been the case. A coalition has been formed, has taken 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE place. It is organizing across the City. The organizing members are here. I don't see how you can vote for the taking of these properties without really fully realizing and giving the people who live in those neighborhoods the real hope that they need, and the real information that they want in order to be able to make a fully informed decision. It was very clear through the hearings that the huge majority of residents in these areas had not been well informed and had not been given the reasons for them to be able to make that informed decision, to take and say, "Yes, I agree to this deal." It is a plan information and a plan information without, obviously, the people that are being impacted support. You cannot, you cannot, government should not be in the business of taking property without due process and notice and government should not be in the business of just removing people without giving them a hell of a good reason for that removal. For these reasons, I'll asking -- and we've asked for a moratorium on these things to take place. And we will vote it down. For these 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE reasons, I will be voting no on the following Bills as they come forward. Thank you, Madam Chair. (Applause.)
Thank you, Madam President. With all due respect to my colleague, Councilman Ortiz, he just voted for three Bills that use exactly the same process in South Philadelphia. It's exactly the same process he voted for Bills in Councilman DiCicco's district and Council President Verna's district. What he is essentially is saying today is that he is voting not to redevelop West Philadelphia and probably not to redevelop areas of North Philadelphia, but he's voting to redevelop areas of South Philadelphia. That's disingenuous, at best.
Madam President, I think there's a misunderstanding about the reason for the no votes. The no votes are going to be in cases where people are going to be evicted from their homes against their will. Wherever people 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE have agreed to sell, even though the City may have used the wrong techniques and not given them the proper information, we are not at this point raising that question. We tried to raise it, but Council voted with only three Members of this Council voting for a moratorium. All the other Councilmembers did not agree that people in their homes had a right to a better procedure. Now, over the summertime, we hope people will be reconsidering their position. And those of us that are going to have vote no on the six Bills that have people living in their homes who have not agreed to sell -- in some cases, it might be one person; in other cases it might be more than one person. We don't think any home should be taken where the people are not willing to go. I see one sign in front of me that expresses correct feeling. It says "Build. Don't kill our community." It's a very telling sign because what happens when government often gets involved, it's the same as big business getting involved, and they forget there are human lives involved. They remember it when the people are rich enough because those rich people have lawyers and 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE lobbyists telling their story constantly and fighting for their rights. But they take advantage of poorer people who don't have lawyers or lobbyists to continually present their case. And therefore, they feel you people who live in a home and you're poor, they feel you're not entitled to those rights. We think you are. And that's the reason for the no votes. This is just the beginning of a battle. Strangely enough, this is time for people in Philadelphia to watch carefully because we have a mayoral campaign right now. The Republican candidate for Mayor says -- he'll have to prove his position -- says he's opposed to the present procedures which take rights away. We've been trying to get our Democratic Mayor to take the same position and prove that he stands for the people. So far, he has said nothing specifically, but his underlings, the people who work in his Administration, have closed their ears to the pleas of the people in the area. We hope that this summer the whole issue will be clarified. And when Council comes back, we hope to re-raise this issue. But today I will 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE joining Councilman Ortiz and I believe a third Councilmember and hopefully others, but at least I believe three of us will be voting no on those Bills where there are people or at least one person living in a home who is not prepared to leave their home. And that's so you'll understand why the votes are yes and no. If there are empty lots or if everybody's agreed to sell and there are no human beings involved, we will be voting yes. So we applaud you for your fight. You're raising a very important issue, because I happen to think that it's not the rich and the wealthy who are the most important part of the City of Philadelphia; I think you are because you are the overwhelming number of people in Philadelphia and it's you the government ought to be thinking about most. Thank you, Madam President. (Applause.)
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to point out for the record again that all the Bills are pretty much identical. 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE The Bills read the same. I don't think that any Members that are voting against these Bills have actually looked at every property in all of these districts. The question I would ask again of those people voting no is, why is urban renewal good for South Philadelphia but not good for other sections of the City?
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, we sat through -- I know I personally sat through pretty much of all of the extensive hearings that we had on this issue. And I agree I think actually I think that actually the Administration Mr. Kevin Hanna who is the Secretary of the Office of Housing acknowledged that there were some mistakes made in this particular process, and he committed to body to correct those mistakes to ensure that we never go through what we went through during that period of time. Some of us asked for some modifications in the process in the interim. There was a commitment to me in my particular district, and I believe that will also extend to other Council districts issues in front of 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE them, by the Redevelopment Authority. It was put in writing by Mr. Wetzel to look at the process, to implement a program that would, first of all, prior to any action or Board approval of issue taking for any property that that District Councilperson has to authorize the taking of a particular property. Also, he indicated in writing that he would be willing to and will submit on a monthly basis the status of every property that has an occupied individual, be it a knock on the door, be it a letter received by the Redevelopment Authority, whatever it may be as it relates to that individual. Third, we have indicated, particularly in the case of the Cecil B. Moore because that was one of the projects that was of particular concern, that a planning process will start discussions with individuals on a one-on-one basis because I don't think that the format we had was conducive to having that type of interaction between the individual and the City in a reasonable way that there will be an opportunity on a one-on-one basis to talk to that individual to find out what that individual needs are both in terms of any compensation or any particular relocation strategies or if that person 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE is not interested at all in relocating. We have committed to provide that person with legal assistance in the event that they want to go to court. Additionally, we have asked and I've gotten a commitment that in the planning process that they will embark on a process that will hopefully reconfigure the particular plan that will minimize the level of individuals that will ultimately have to be relocated. And I believe that can possibly can be achieved. Additionally, there were a number of individuals who were erroneously placed on that list. Still haven't found out why that was done. Those individuals have received a letter. They have been taken off the list. We will continue this process as we move along the line. If an individual has received a notice improperly, erroneously, as a result of some technical glitches, that person will receive confirmation that their property will not be taken. If at the end of day an individual has to have their property taken in order to redevelopment a particular block, that person will 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE be compensated and compensated fully, not simply in dollars and cents. That person will be compensated with all due resources from the City. We understand that there are a number of senior citizens in some of these locations who are concerned. I have and I will plan to continue to visit those individuals as their elected representative to ensure personally that those people are taken care of. Because at end of day, they have been supportive of myself and supportive of my predecessor. And believe me, I know where my bread is buttered. So trust me. And I know I said earlier on "trust me" and politicians sometimes doesn't go together. But in this particular case, I take this particular issue very seriously. These are people who have toughed it out through the raw times and they should benefit from the redevelopment of North Philadelphia, and I'm going to make sure that that happens.
I very much appreciate Councilman Clarke's comments, and I think 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE he's sincere and serious. But I think the questions go beyond individual homes. One reason we're voting yes on certain Bills despite our concerns is this: I believe that the charges of possible gentrification may well have merit in these situations. I don't know. The case is not clear yet. But I think it's wrong to move one group of people away from the community because it's felt that richer people living there would pay more taxes and it would be better for the City. I don't know whether that's true or not, but during the summertime we intend to get into that area too. But for the present time, we want to guarantee that whoever wants to live in a house ought to have the right to live there until the whole process gets cleared. And Councilman Goode, the question isn't if you check with Council President Verna and check with Councilman DiCicco, you will find that they were both intensively questioned by me as to whether there were any people living in their areas in homes that they refuse to be evicted from. Because if so, I would be voting against Bills in their districts. It turns out that in their districts they have 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE accommodated every situation in which there was a person living in a home. That's the reason we're not voting no there. The no's are only where there are currently at this point in time people in a home or more than one group of people living in homes who don't want to move, who are being compelled to move out even though there is no guarantee that they're going to get back. Although they're being disrupted where they lived for 40 years where people's family lives are just being destroyed in the so-called process of achieving a better Philadelphia. I happen to believe you don't achieve a better Philadelphia by breaking up homes. You achieve it by building homes. Thank you, Madam President.
You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Madam Chair, I think everything has been said and explained. Again, I think it is a flawed process. It's a process has not been thought out, and people are getting hurt. And I think because of that, if there is one family, two families in different areas of the City, it should not be happening and government should not be 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE the perpetrator of these activities. And for those reasons, this thing should be stopped and a moratorium imposed. If that is not the case, I will vote no on these Bills in these areas because people and families are involved. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I just wanted to respond to one statement that my colleague Councilman Cohen made with respect to gentrification. In our particular district, I'm happy to say that during the past several years we have been successful in rehabilitating or building probably close to more than a thousand homes. In every instance, those homes, be they rental or be they homeownership, have been occupied by low/moderate income individuals. Currently, to date, we have built a substantial number of homeownership properties. Not a single home, although some of these homes actually have three bedrooms, two baths, garages, have sold for more than 55,000. So we are clearly targeting the individuals who currently live in that community and 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE who will hopefully live in that community. So with respect to gentrification, that is not the objective nor will it be the objective in our particular area. Thank you.
Thank you. Are there any other statements from members of the Council? (No response.)
Seeing none. This Bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the Bill pass finally? I would ask the Clerk to please call the roll. THE
Councilman Goode. 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE
Aye. The ayes are 12, the nays are 3. A 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE majority of all Members of Council having voted in the affirmative, the Bill passes. The next Bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 030287. THE
An Ordinance approving the eighth amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the West Mill Creek Urban Renewal Area.
This Bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the Bill pass finally? The Clerk will please call the roll. THE
No. 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE THE
Aye. The ayes are 12, the nays are 3. A majority of all Members of Council having voted in the affirmative, the Bill passes. The next Bill to be called for 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE consideration is Bill NO. 030288. THE
An Ordinance approving the redevelopment proposal of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the 44th and Aspen Urban Renewal Area.
This Bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the Bill pass finally? The Clerk will please call the roll. THE
Councilman Mariano. 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE
Aye. The ayes are 12, the nays are 3. A majority of all Members of Council having voted in the affirmative, the Bill passes. The next Bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 030289. 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE THE
An Ordinance approving the redevelopment proposal of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the Fairhill and St. Hugh Urban Renewal Area.
This Bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the Bill pass finally? The Clerk will please call the roll. THE
Aye. 06/12/03 - STATED - 2ND READING & FINAL PASSAGE THE