Angus Love, commenting on 170318. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon or morning, whatever it is. I thank you for the opportunity to speak. Angus Love in support of Councilmember Johnson's Resolution 170318. I'm the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project. We provide free civil legal services to the institutionalized people in Pennsylvania, of which there are over 100,000 persons in over 100 facilities. We are part of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network. I have been in this position for quite some time, and during that period, I have become familiar with many of the problems Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 that occur in our prisons and to the people held therein. Since 1980, the biggest problem facing the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is prison overcrowding. Upon my first visit to the state correctional institute in 1980 at Graterford, there were 1,600 inmates in a 2,000-bed facility. If an inmate had a problem with a sink or a toilet, he just moved to another empty cell. All inmates were single-celled at that time. There were eight state prisons and the budget was $200 million. Through the passage of mandatory sentencing, sentencing guidelines, and the war on drugs, that population has grown over sixfold, from 8,000 to over 50,000. There are now 26 facilities with an annual budget of $2.2 billion. Most inmates are double-celled, and in Philadelphia some are tripled-celled. The burden falls most frequently on people of color, who Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 comprise two-thirds of this population. The tremendous strain on the prison system and staff have created many problems, such as poor sanitation, medical care, mental healthcare, and levels of violence. Mandatory sentencing is the single most driving force behind mass incarceration. The legislators in Pennsylvania and around the country mistakenly believed that judges were too soft and not buying into the new war on drugs. Thus, the all-important sentencing function was taken from judges. In my law school days many years ago, drugs and alcohol were viewed as public health problems and treated accordingly. President Richard Nixon, himself a convicted felon, started the war on drugs. Decades later there is near unanimous opinion that the so-called war is an extremely costly failure and a financial disaster. The 2008 recession Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 forced individuals to reexamine this issue. Recently Todd Stephens reintroduced House Bill 741, which seeks to reinstate mandatory sentencing, which was struck down by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court. We strongly urge that this legislation be defeated. As Judge Lerner pointed out, it has nothing to do with public safety and will only end up costing us more money. Thank you. (Applause.)
Liz Randol, commenting on 170318. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, Council President Clarke and members of the Philadelphia City Council. My name is Elizabeth Randol. I'm the Legislative Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 Director for the ACLU of Pennsylvania. We thank you on behalf of our 44,000 members. We thank you for the opportunity to provide some testimony today. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation yesterday to restore the Commonwealth's mandatory minimum sentences. Introduced by Representative Todd Stephens of Montgomery County, House Bill 741 reinstates many mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses and for violent crimes. Mandatory minimums were invalidated in 2015 after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, following the lead of the U.S. Supreme Court, ruled that the process used to impose them in criminal trials was constitutional. The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania opposes House Bill 741 for the following five reasons: First, mandatory minimums Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 impede judicial discretion. Legislating mandatory minimum sentences prevents judges from performing their most fundamental role, making decisions based on the case before them. Judges do not need minimum sentence requirements. They look to Pennsylvania's existing sentencing guidelines for direction and apply those guidelines 90 percent of the time. Two, there is also no evidence that mandatory minimums deter crime or prevent recidivism. The 2009 Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing report concluded that it does neither of those. It does not deter crime nor prevent recidivism. Among their findings was that most Pennsylvanians cannot name a single offense that carries a mandatory minimum sentence nor the sentence that accompanies such an offense. And if 66 percent of your fellow Pennsylvanians can't name such an offense, then it defies reason and established research Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 that mandatory minimums deter crime. Three, mandatory minimums balloon the prison population and increase costs. Last session the House Appropriations Committee estimated the fiscal impact of reinstating mandatory minimums could increase costs to the Commonwealth by as much as $85 million annually due to approximately 2,200 inmates having their sentences increased by four to six months as a result of the reinstatement of mandatory minimums. Four, the school zone provision disproportionately punishes people in cities. This bill includes the controversial school zone mandatory minimum sentence, which is triggered when drug offenses occur within 1,000 feet of the property of a school or university. It disproportionately affects people when crimes happen in cities. House Bill 741 moves Pennsylvania backwards. This throwback bill puts Pennsylvania on a collision course with evidence-based Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 reform efforts that are now standard across the United States. The courts gave us a gift when they overturned our mandatory minimum sentencing process. After several decades abusing mandatories, the evidence is in. They don't make the public safer, they are expensive, and they disproportionately impact people of color. We're not going to resolve issues of public safety by resurrecting an ineffective sentencing regime that attempts to arrest our way out of a problem. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I wish to be excused to attend a Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 longstanding off-site legislative meeting, but I wish to be recorded as voting aye for all bills and resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The record shall reflect leave has been granted.
Ellen Greenlee, commenting on 170318. (Witness approached podium.)
-- and members of City Council. I'm Ellen Greenlee, a Board member and former Board Chair of the Pennsylvania Prison Society here in support of Councilman Johnson's resolution in opposition to House Bill 741, which would restore certain mandatory minimum sentences in Pennsylvania. Since 1787 -- this is our 230th year -- the Pennsylvania Prison Society Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 has advocated on behalf of people in prison and their families. The Society promotes humane and restorative corrections by serving thousands of returning citizens and their family members each year through direct services and programs. I am here today to lend our support to this resolution urging the Legislature to reject House Bill 741, which would reintroduce certain mandatories. For more than 30 years, the state has had a sentencing commission and sentencing guidelines to assist judges in fashioning an appropriate sentence for anyone convicted of a crime. In my 41 years as a Public Defender in Philadelphia, I never observed any judge incapable of imposing a sentence without the use of mandatory minimums. In this era of increasing concern about mass incarceration, which disproportionately affects our citizens of color, we have finally seen a decline Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 in our state prison population, in part due to the end of mandatory minimums, as confirmed by John Wetzel, the Secretary of Corrections. Creditable research over the years suggest that mandatory minimum sentences do not deter crime. They do not enhance public safety. Rather, they increase sentence lengths and tremendous costs to the criminal justice system and innumerable Pennsylvania families. Restoring mandatory minimums will turn back the tide of our declining prison population at a time when there is no evidence that mandatories are effective in terms of public safety. At this time, while they are off the books, crime rates have not gone up. So it makes no sense to bring them back, only to needlessly and expensively fill prison cells. We at the Prison Society join in opposition to the reintroduction of mandatory minimum sentences with our City Council representatives, the Pennsylvania Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Department of Corrections, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Foundation, the ACLU, the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project, and Families Against Mandatory Minimums. We urge the Pennsylvania Legislature to reject House Bill 741. Thank you.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. We will now continue with our Calendar, and Mr. Decker, if you can read the title of 170312.
Resolution urging the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to Enact Senate Bill 234 titled "Property Assessed Clean Energy Program" (PACE).
The Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
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 ayes have it. 170312 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 170313.
Resolution also naming Swain Street from Taney Street to 26th Street as "Patty Ward Way."
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 170313 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 170317.
Resolution urging Congress to adopt S. 573, also known as the National Criminal Justice Commission Act, which proposes to establish a national commission for criminal justice reform.
I move for the adoption of the resolution, Council President. (Duly seconded.)
It's Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 170317 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 170318.
A resolution urging the Pennsylvania state legislature to reject H.B. 741, which seeks to reintroduce certain mandatory minimum sentences in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Council President, I'd like to make a statement on the resolution before I -
The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson. Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Council President. Council President, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts' report published in 2015, they issued a research brief stating, Federal drug sentencing laws bring high cost, low return. Penalty increases enacted in the 1980s and 1990s have not reduced drug use or recidivism. I'd like to take a moment to underscore the importance of this issue and to acknowledge the broad coalition working on it. Mandatory minimums lead directly to mass incarceration. The evidence is that they not only fail to enhance public safety, they also undermine it. Too many lives and too many taxpayer dollars are wasted on warehousing men and women who simply need guidance and support and opportunity. I want to take a moment to personally acknowledge my colleague Councilman Curtis Jones, who is Chairman Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING of the Public Safety Committee but also Chairman of the Criminal Justice Reform Committee, who has been a tireless voice for criminal justice reform here in Philadelphia and across the state. I want to also acknowledge Mayor Kenney and also Council President Darrell Clarke, who has made mass incarceration a central focus of not only the Council body but also the Administration and has already achieved significant reductions in Philadelphia's prison population. Finally, to all the advocates, those who are most important, who are the boots on the ground advocating on fighting to address this issue, who wake up every day to push the ball forward on criminal justice reform. Some of them are here today and you just heard them. I want to personally take a moment to thank all of them for taking time out of their schedule and highlighting this issue. Thank you very much, Council Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING President.
Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Jones, did you not want to be recognized on that?
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 Resolution 170318 is Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. Mr. Decker, 170319.
A resolution urging the Pennsylvania state legislature to reject S.B. 166 due to the bills' negative impact on the ability of public sector unions to effectively advocate on behalf of their membership.
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 Resolution 170319 is adopted. Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, 170320.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the American Street Industrial Corridor Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2501 through 2525 North American Street.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of Councilwoman Sanchez, 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? (No response.) Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and 170320 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 170018-A.
An ordinance authorizing Adam Harbin to construct, own and maintain various planter box encroachments at 339 North Broad Street.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Greenlee. Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Parker is voting aye. Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez is voting aye. Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Councilman Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Taubenberger.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 170093-A.
An ordinance amending Section 12-1131 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Electric Vehicle Parking," to impose a moratorium on new electric vehicle parking spaces.
Thank you, Mr. President. Pretty much my policy is that when a District Councilperson introduces something, that I truly trust their judgment on it. When people dedicate time to an issue, I respect the due diligence that they put in to bring Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING that issue to this body. But when that policy impacts a wider audience, which in my case is the Fourth Councilmanic District, I have to speak up. If you want to be a green city and you want to be a clean green city, then you can't use the M word, and the M word in this case is moratorium on electric cars. If we are going to keep up with our promise to make this city the kind of city that is a beacon of hope and promise for others, then you have to do it citywide. I recognize that the impact of electric cars has been more present in Center City than it has in East Falls, Roxborough, Manayunk, West Philly, Overbrook Park or others, but the promise of it going there can't be stifled by a moratorium. Thus in some parts of my district, there are driveways, garages where you can easily install, but in other parts of my district, it is every bit as impacted as Center City. In fact, Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING in Manayunk and Roxborough and parts of Wynnefield even, parking is an issue. But if we're ever going to expand alternatives to fossil fuel, then we have to build the infrastructure and deal with the hiccups that we're dealing with and figure ways around that. I do not think a moratorium does that, and so I will not be voting aye on this bill. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Council President. I want to make a request of information to Councilman Squilla regarding the bill he introduced today, because I know that impacts this bill that's up for a vote. So I'd like to get some additional information regarding the bill that he introduced Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING today and the impact of that legislation, because that does impact this bill that's up for a vote.
The question was -- would you like that information verbally?
Just a request for information, if he could explain the bill he introduced today, because that does impact some members' decisions on today's vote, because it does touch on the same topic.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Councilman Green. The bill introduced today from meeting with some of the environmentalists were concerned that the moratorium did not have an end date. So there was no plan moving forward. So what we introduced today is to put a Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING sunset on the moratorium, to have a plan in place before the 24-month period moving forward, and to have an interim plan in place before an infrastructure plan would then be able to be put into place here in the City of Philadelphia. Knowing the concerns that we heard from some of the environmental groups and knowing Philadelphia to be a green city, my concern obviously for introducing this bill is knowing that the plan we have in place right now just doesn't work, and since it doesn't work, it doesn't work for several reasons, and, one, because in the denser areas of the City, which a lot of them that I represent, is involved with parking. So the issue involves both green, electric vehicles, and parking. You can't separate them. They're all together. So this moratorium will allow us to then move forward with a plan. We also have met during this process with a lot of people in the EV manufacturer Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING business. We met with ChargePoint and other manufacturers. We met with PECO. Understanding the Volkswagen lawsuit settlement, this is a perfect time to actually move forward with a plan to grow our city's infrastructure so we could grow EVs in our city. This is the time to do that. We've had this plan for almost ten years, just about ten years, and nobody is looking at anything else but this plan. So by keeping this plan in place, we're setting ourselves up continually to fail with this program, because we already have a program. Forcing this plan now for a moratorium allows us to force Council, put everybody on call, the Mayor, the Administration, the City, the Streets Department, DVRPC, who had a plan in place and we never acted on it. So this will now force us to make the changes necessary to move forward to really grow Philadelphia to be Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING a true green city instead of what it is today, is a trickle city that allows a couple people to have EVs in front of their homes. Thank you. (Applause.)
Yes. Thank you, Councilman Clarke. Thank you, Councilman Squilla, for giving that information regarding legislation that you introduced today. I appreciate the work that you and Councilman Oh have done to this bill to amend the bill to make it more palatable to address an issue that a number of people in the City have been concerned about from a quality of life perspective. Electric vehicles came to the City through legislation ten years ago, and as anyone knows, technology changes very quickly. However, my concern is Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING what type of message does this send to not only across the nation but also other industries in reference to how we can grow the City of Philadelphia from a jobs perspective. Just this week as we're taking a debate on this bill, the stock price of Tesla surpassed Ford and is in striking distance of GM. So electronic vehicles and a lot of other type of electric products will be coming and are coming and is having impact in reference to the growth from a stock market perspective and therefor. My concern is when we pass legislation without putting together a plan, it sends a chilling effect on the industry, and it reminds me of what's happening in DC when you have a repeal, then replace. And my concern is is the process of which we could have done all of this legislation in one bill to address the issues raised by a number of civic organizations and constituents Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING around the City but at the same point, not just doing a blanket moratorium without having a replacement that's going to happen sometime in the future. I commend Councilman Squilla for his bill he introduced today, but based on those concerns and the fact we'll be voting on a moratorium today, I cannot support the bill in its current form. Thank you. (Applause.)
Councilman Squilla, is your light on in response to that or is it based on your -
It was based on the bill. Let them speak and then I'll speak.
Okay. Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Council President. We've been grappling over this issue over the last two weeks, and I remember either when I served in the capacity of a State Representative or when I first arrived in Council, I remember hosting a hearing in this Chamber about the future of electronic vehicles here in the City of Philadelphia but, most importantly, electronic charging stations and how we should be on the forefront as a city making sure that we have an infrastructure plan for charging stations all throughout the City, and if we would have moved on it at that particular time, we probably wouldn't be in the position that we're in right now. But, however, I'm going to be supportive of my two colleagues who worked on this issue. As Chairman of Transportation and Public Utilities, I want to just make sure -- and I have talked to both of them -- that there's a commitment that I believe that they're Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING sincerely going to work on this issue to address the issues, putting together a working group with all the stakeholders so we can have a plan that's effective for the whole City of Philadelphia as we move forward. And so I just wanted to state what my position is for the record, but I believe wholeheartedly in the leadership of the Chairman of the Streets Committee as well as the work of Councilman David Oh to make sure that we get this right. So I wanted to make sure that my statement is read in the record, but I will be voting for the bill.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. In listening to this debate, I am reminded in a delightful way of the two-year effort around lead and the -- the three-year effort around lead Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING and the two-year effort around menu labeling. They were big, huge issues that had citywide impact, and there was no way we could piecemeal either of those issues and arrive at a place that would engender 12-plus votes and/or support from the advocates and the champions who live and breathe these issues every day. The suggestion that a task force be created, I would suggest, is essential for this huge issue, because electric vehicles are the future and it behooves us to be thoughtful, deliberative, and very, very circumspect in how we wrap our arms around this elephant. Just this morning, Councilman Green had a press conference with PennEnvironment about the release of a major report focused on improving air quality. So there are multiple confluence of factors involved with this. Given that and given that it is an issue that really requires stakeholders to be Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING around the table, not in three or four months, it may take a year to adequately and comprehensively look to see how we do this, get it right the first time, not do it quickly but do it right, as we try to take electric vehicles and make that a citywide opportunity. So as Chair of the Committee on the Environment and Sustainability who actually brought up the notion of electric vehicles more than ten years ago, I think it's imperative that we do take a more holistic, thoughtful, deliberative approach to this. And with that in mind, for that reason and all the others stated, I will be voting no on this bill. Thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. President. I have to ask permission to leave to be at another meeting on an important topic of stop-and-go's, but I want to be recorded voting no on Bill No. 170093-A.
Yes, Councilman. Leave shall be granted and the record will reflect your vote on 170093-A. The Chair recognizes -- and you're voting aye on everything else, Councilman?
Just for the record, say you're voting aye on all other bills and resolutions.
I'll be voting aye on all other bills and resolutions, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Thank you Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING very much, Council President. So I think that embarking in a new industry is always very difficult, and the transition over into new energy and new energy solutions will always pose challenges. When the law was first introduced over a decade ago, it certainly had the visionary hopes that we see starting to come to fruition today. It obviously has a lot of improvements that need to be made, but I in particular want to salute the pioneers of a new movement and the new energy movement who put forward a lot of their own efforts, their resources, their hopes and investments in this future that they're trying to bring to our city. And because of that, I think it's really important that, again -- I want to thank my colleagues for all the work that they've put in. I'm very hopeful about any plan that they may put in place, but today we are not voting on a bill that has a sunset. We are voting on one without a Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING sunset, and for that reason, I do not believe in a moratorium. I do believe that we can figure this out without the moratorium being put in place. We'll certainly be supportive of all plans that move forward to address this area, but at this point, I agree with my Council colleague. There's no repeal without a replacement. So I'll be voting no on Bill No. 170093-A. I'd also like to be recorded as voting aye on all other bills and resolutions, as I have to also leave.
I got to make sure we still have a quorum. We're okay. Nobody else can leave. Nobody else can leave. Sergeant-of-Arms, lock the doors. Councilwoman, you asked for a Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING leave now? Councilwoman, you asked for a leave of absence now?
The record shall reflect that. Leave shall be granted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Thank you, Council President. I guess my concern on this bill is 56 people who played by the rules, made an investment. Some of these investments were not inexpensive, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75,000 dollars or more and now we're changing the rules on those people. That's my biggest issue with this. I recognize the problems of the parking. I think it's a big problem. We need to address it. I'm not sure I feel comfortable taking away what we gave 56 people. And that to me is a big issue. Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING So I'd like us to -- we need an overhaul of our whole parking, by the way. I mean, we have neighborhoods where people drive in from the suburbs, park their cars in our neighborhoods, and go into work, and it's ridiculous. We need to really review all parking and get this under control. But for that specific reason of the 56 people that I don't feel this is right is the reason I'm going to vote no for this bill. I do appreciate Councilman Oh and Councilman Squilla's work. They did a great job. They're doing amazing work, but that's the piece that is troubling for me. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Squilla, did you want to be recognized or was that -
No. I just wanted to -- you can let Councilman Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Oh speak. I'll just say one other thing. I just want to thank everybody who did come testify. It's great to hear both sides of every argument and every story, also the environmentalists who played a role in talking to us. And I'm hoping they all will be involved in the process moving forward, the hearings that we're having, and coming up with a structure to make this happen. And I know unfortunately sometimes we make decisions that affect some people negatively, but other people are happy with that. And they're decisions we have to make all the time and they're tough decisions, but we have to represent our constituent base the best we can, and we try to do that fairly and keep dialogue open, knowing our office is always open to your concerns, complaints. Not that we're going to agree all the time, 100 percent of the time, because I know we won't, but I do appreciate you speaking your mind, hearing your voice, listening to what our Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING concerns are for our whole constituent base, and understanding that as a Councilperson, you have to look at all angles of your district and the City of Philadelphia if we really want it to continue to grow. So thank you for everybody's time, effort on this matter. Appreciate it.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. A house built on stand cannot stand. There was an ordinance introduced in 2005 -- 7. I'm sorry; 2007. It simply allowed for a resident to install a charger, which was turned on inside their home, not publicly accessible, and reserved for them an exclusive parking right. It wasn't a plan. It was just an ordinance that Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING allowed that. In fact, in the ten years, there have only been 68 approvals. It's not a plan, and we cannot continue to do that without having a plan in place if we're going to seriously tackle this issue. A moratorium is not permanent. It is a stop to something that is bad, but it allows us a public opportunity to bring in experts, to bring in witnesses. And so I'm not making that decision. The thing about the legislature is, we have rules and procedures. Everything we do is public and we get public input. So on May 15th, we have scheduled tentatively a hearing on best practices for EV infrastructure. I'd like to clarify details about the Bill 170093 and how it fits into a broader strategy to encourage widespread electric vehicle or EV adoption in Philadelphia. The ultimate reason I introduced Bill 170093, which places a moratorium on the installation Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING of new EV parking spaces, is that the City's current EV process is problematic, unsustainable, and has actually hindered the development of increased EV charging infrastructure throughout the City. It does not help the current policy -- it does not help that the current policy is not supported by civic associations representing thousands of residents, many of whom have been equally or more vocal against EV parking spaces currently. And as new spaces open up in neighborhoods, that protest will only increase, because the public needs to know that when they're asked to give up something such as a parking space, that they're doing it for the best possible reason and the best public good. Right now we cannot say that. It's a haphazard process. And so I would put a moratorium on this until we've had the opportunity to hear from the industry experts and other experts. Under Philadelphia's 2007 ordinance regarding EV parking spaces, a Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING resident can be approved to install a private EV charging station in front of their home and reserve the parking space in front of their home 24 hours per day, seven days per week, as only EV parking can be there. And while this parking space is technically open to all EVs, the owner is not obligated to make their private charging station accessible to other EVs. In crowded neighborhoods where parking is at a premium and private garage parking spaces can cost $350 a month, this policy has become a draw for those more interested in essentially owning a parking space in front of their home than in owning an EV. This policy has drawn widespread opposition from community groups, civic organizations, residents, and businesses. Further, if this policy were to continue, it would severely limit the number of EVs that could be adopted. A better policy would have likely resulted in more widespread adoption of Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING EVs. Over the past ten years, only 68 applications for EV parking spaces have been approved. The current policy limits the number of EV parking spaces allowed per block. Only two residents per block in many cases may be approved for an EV parking space and any other EV owner will be denied. An additional problem is that there is a limit to the overall number of reserved parking spaces per block, opening the possibility that a person with a severe disability would not be able to obtain a disability-only parking space because of existing EV parking spaces. The moratorium in Bill No.
170093 will put a halt to a policy that has not satisfactorily resulted for people interested in encouraging EV ownership and people interested in parking their cars in their neighborhood. This moratorium is supported by the Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Streets Department, the Philadelphia Parking Authority, and it was passed unanimously by City Council's Committee on Streets and Services and Global Opportunities. m. , and they don't have to move their car. m. m. However, if they move their car and that space is open or if they go on vacation for two weeks and that space is open, then their neighbors will have an opportunity to use that space for up to two hours. Addressing concerns about residential EV charging during the moratorium on EV parking spaces, last week I introduced Bill 170311, which was previously mentioned by one of the witnesses. It allows residents to install a curbside EV charging station Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING without being granted an EV parking space. It's important to note that Philadelphia City Council is moving forward to establish a citywide EV charging infrastructure. To date, there has been no public or private effort to establish publicly accessible EV charging throughout Philadelphia, and this is the effort which I am undertaking, beginning with this bill. We are the only city of which I am aware that has ever offered reserved parking for residential EV charging access. With this policy instead of one that actually encourages EV charging infrastructure, Philadelphia is already far behind peer cities in EV adoption. While Bill No. 170093 will be voted on today, my office has already taken steps, along with Councilman Mark Squilla and others, in realizing the goal of establishing a citywide EV charging infrastructure. We've researched best practices throughout the world and have Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING already consulted with ChargePoint, a global expert in EV charging infrastructure, with PECO, which is also very interested in building up an EV infrastructure in Philadelphia. In the next two months, we plan to hold hearings, the third City Council hearing this year on EVs, which will discuss best practices and EV infrastructure adoption strategies in Philadelphia. The current prevailing vision is to install or incentivize installation of a mixture of Level 2 and high-speed DC charging stations in strategic locations such as public parking facilities, commercial streets, workplaces, major transportation nodes. Again, this will be done in consultation and partnership with entities such as ChargePoint, PECO, Streets Department, and the Parking Authority. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has already published planning and policy recommendations for Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING EV adoption, and we intend to work with them as well. I have reached out to Hyundai Motor Company regarding their new EVs and the possibility of establishing a facility here in Philadelphia to receive and accessorize these EV imports. Again, City Council is very much in favor of EV adoption, and we seek to establish an intelligent plan to create a world-class EV charging infrastructure. That will take coordination among stakeholders, legislation from both the City and the state, sources of funding, and public-private partnerships. We know we can do better. What we cannot do, however, is allow a bad policy to continue while we work to establish an excellent plan with a greater public benefit. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Councilman. Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING (Applause.)
The bill has been read and Bill No. 170093-A has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman Gym is voting no. Councilman Henon is voting aye. Councilman Johnson.
Aye. Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Parker is voting aye. Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez is voting aye. Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Aye. The ayes are 11 and the nays are six. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING passes. Mr. Decker, 170091-A.
An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," by amending Subcode "A" ("The Philadelphia Administrative Code") and Subcode "B" ("The Philadelphia Building Code") to add and revise certain provisions relating to the demolition of buildings and structures.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Domb. Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Gym is voting aye. Councilman Henon is voting aye. Councilman Johnson.
Councilwoman Parker is voting aye. Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez is voting aye. Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Councilman Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Squilla.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please call the title of 170193.
An ordinance authorizing Adam Harbin to construct, own and maintain various planter box encroachments at 332 through 334 North Broad Street.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to offer an amendment on your behalf to Bill Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING No. 170193. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council, and I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to 170193 be approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and 170193 has been amended. It will be on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution Congratulating and Honoring Chief Linda Long and Chief Crystal Yates on Their Historical Promotions within the Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia Fire Department, introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
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.)
And a resolution adopting the report issued by City Council's Joint Committee on Education and Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless approving a Scheduled School Closing Meals Pilot Program that will Stated Meeting April 6, 2017 4/6/17 - STATED - 2ND READING feed school children in the Third Councilmanic District Recreation Centers during their spring break, April 10th through the 13th, 2017 and expand city-wide in the Fall of 2017, introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell.
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.)