Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, October 1, 2015 10:45 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DENNIS O'BRIEN COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting October 1, 2015
Good morning, everyone. We're going to get started. We have established a quorum. I'd ask the guests and visitors to please retire behind the rail. As soon as the members take their seat, we'll get going. Today, to give our invocation, the Chair recognizes Father Shawn English of St. Christopher's Catholic Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman O'Neill. I would ask all guests and visitors and members to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
Thank you, Council President. Thank you, men and women of Council and all gathered here. I was excited to be asked to speak. Then I realized it was after Pope Francis, and I have big shoes to fill, but we're going Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 of the things he spoke to us last week. I want to thank all of you for your hard work. As a Catholic priest, as a Christian, and as a citizen of this city, last weekend was a moment of recollection for the entire City, and it was a beautiful experience. So my personal thanks and gratitude to all of you. Pope Francis said in his address at Independence Hall that one of the highlights of his trip was to stand in the City of Philadelphia, particularly in front of Independence Hall, because he said it's the birthplace of the United States of America and it was here in this City that the freedoms which define this country were first proclaimed. He went on to say the Quakers who founded Philadelphia were inspired by a profound evangelical sense of the dignity of each individual and the ideal of a community founded by brotherly love. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 concern for the dignity of all, especially the weak and the vulnerable, became the central part of the American spirit, and that's a uniquely Philadelphian spirit. So to the Council, I address these words from Pope Francis that were addressed to all of us. All too often those most in need of our help everywhere aren't able to be heard. You are the voice of many, and many of you have faithfully heard their cry. In your witness, which frequently encounters powerful resistance, you remind American democracy of the ideals for which it was founded and that society is weakened whenever and wherever injustice prevails. Heavenly Father, we ask you to bless the hearts of those Councilmembers gathered here today, that they may love with a love which is divine, that is gratuitous and generous. Fill their hearts with service for those constituents and a true love for the Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 Philadelphia that they serve. We ask you to bless them in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Father, for those inspiring words. (Council at ease.)
Thank you very much. A little quiet, please. Thank you. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 17, 2015, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 17th, 2015 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 17, 2015 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. At this time, I'd like to recognize Councilman Jones for a request for leave of absence.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, a leave of absence request has been made by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Councilman. Leave shall be granted. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to welcome and thank everyone who has come down to witness our government in action today. We really appreciate the fact that you've taken time out of your busy day to come down and witness it in action. I'm not sure how much action we'll have today, but we will go through our traditional deliberative process. But, again, I truly thank you, and we look forward to a very successful session today. Thank you very much. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Brian O'Neill, who will present a resolution recognizing the 25th Anniversary -- I'm sorry. My Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 Councilman, I actually knew it was my misspeak. I said, wow, that's not the right name. Councilman O'Brien, who will present a resolution recognizing the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and honoring the career of Senator Thomas Harkin. Sir, we really appreciate the fact that you've come down here today. And accompanying him will be our good friend Senator Thomas Harkin, who has served so admirably for years of service, and we really appreciate the wonderful things, and it's good seeing you in person as opposed to seeing you on TV. So at this time, Councilman, would you please come up. (Councilmembers and guest approached podium.)
And joining Councilman O'Brien, we have Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown and Stated Meeting October 1, 2015
Thank you, Mr. President, members of Council, and guests. I want to welcome Senator Harkin and thank him for coming again to Philadelphia to recognize the 25th Anniversary celebration of the ADA and to be recognized for his many contributions to the disability rights movement. I also want to welcome our colleagues from the disability advocacy community and congratulate them for helping to ensure Philadelphia had one of the biggest and best celebrations of the ADA 25th Anniversary in the country. (Applause.)
To the nearly 20 percent of Americans living with a disability, life without the American with Disabilities Act would be one of exclusion and isolation. The ADA put the onus of inclusion on the community, forcing the community to become a welcoming place. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 about how the challenge was getting individuals with disabilities in the community. We are the problem. It is our responsibility to make individuals with disabilities welcomed. By shifting this burden, all people are valued and treated with dignity and respect through equal opportunities for participation, access, independence, and integration into the community. The ADA is the most comprehensive piece of legislation, not only by the types of protections offered but that these protections are for individuals across disability groups, those with physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. As we recognize and celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the ADA, it's fitting that we honor Senator Harkin, because his leadership and his commitment to ensuring the civil rights of Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 been essential to the gains that we've made. Senator Harkin's advocacy has been unyielding. He recognizes progress and then pushes to eliminate barriers that remain. During our ADA celebration, he talked about the work that remains, ensuring the goals of independent living and economic self-sufficiency are achieved. Although we lost a wonderful disability champion in the United States Senate, we know that the community has not lost a devoted advocate. Senator Harkin continues to fight for equal rights for people with disabilities, and for this, we will all be grateful. And now I would like to read the resolution. Whereas, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the most significant piece of civil rights legislation for individuals with disabilities, prohibiting discrimination Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communication, and governmental activities; and Whereas, over the past 25 years the ADA, like other pieces of civil rights legislation, has helped bring about a more inclusive America, one where every person has the right to participate in all sectors of society and be recognized for his or her accomplishments; and Whereas, employment discrimination based on a disability is prohibited. Integration regulations requiring public entities to offer services, programs, and activities in the most integrated setting is now in place and enforced. The ADA has ensured millions of people with disabilities have the opportunity to live productive and meaningful lives in the community; and
Whereas, recognition of the 25th Anniversary of Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 be complete without recognizing the significant contributions of our guest, Senator Thomas Harkin, the primary author of the ADA; (Applause.)
Whereas, Senator Harkin has dedicated his life to public service beginning in 1962 when he was an active-duty jet pilot in the United States Navy, where he continued to serve in the Naval Reserves through 1989; and Whereas, Senator Harkin's 40 year career in Congress started in 1975 in the United States House of Representatives, and continued in the United States Senate from 1985 to 2015; and Whereas, Senator Harkin saw firsthand the barriers individuals with disabilities confronted because his brother Frank was deaf since childhood. Senator Harkin knew limited job opportunities were available to Frank Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 legal protections from employment discrimination on the basis of a disability and accommodations that make mainstream employment more likely were not required; and
Whereas, the ADA has raised awareness of the abilities of individuals with disabilities and has resulted in great progress. The progress of the ADA can be seen in everyday life through curb cuts, communication access, accessible buildings and transportation; and Whereas, despite these gains, Senator Harkin saw the shortcomings of the ADA when several Supreme Court rulings narrowly limited the scope of those protected under the ADA. His response was the ADA Amendments Act that broadened the definition of disabilities and increased protections that were intended under the initial legislation; and Whereas, although he has Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 Congress, Senator Harkin continues to be a voice of the disability advocacy movement, highlighting the need to do more to ensure independent living and that economic self-sufficiency are possible for all individuals with disabilities. His ongoing commitment was evidenced recently by his participation at many of the ADA 25th Anniversary celebrations throughout the country, including our celebration here in Philadelphia on July 25th; and
And whereas -- therefore, be it resolved, the Council of the City of Philadelphia celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by honoring the many significant contributions made by Senator Thomas Harkin to advance the rights and improve the quality of life for individuals living with disabilities. Be it therefore resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 Harkin as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. Senator. (Applause.)
At this time, the Chair recognizes Senator Harkin for remarks. SENATOR HARKIN: First of all, thank you. First of all, thank you to my interpreter. I thought about giving my little speech in sign language, but I'm very slow. If I gave my speech in sign language, we'd all be here all day, maybe all night. But anyway, I thank you for this. I want to especially thank Councilman O'Brien, our former Speaker I know of the House, the Pennsylvania House, and now a long-term member of the City Council. I thank you for being with me in the parade and marching in the parade this summer. We had a great conversation then, and I also thank you Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 public service. I am not unaware of the fact that you have always stood strongly for people with disabilities, for their full inclusion and participation and opportunity, both here on the City Council and before when you were in the State Legislature. To Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, again, I don't know you personally, but I read about your background and all of the wonderful things you've done for youth and children and families here in Philadelphia. But I noticed one other thing too. I noticed you're responsible for menu labeling. That's another little interest of mine sometimes. We'll go back and talk about that sometime, but thank you for your interest in the well-being of everyone for that. Councilman Squilla, again, thank you for your support and for being here to help read this resolution. Thank you, President Clarke. Thank you for permitting me to be here, Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 the members of the City Council for the support of this resolution. I am now associated with what's called the Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement in Des Moines, Iowa. We are associated with Drake University, a small university there. I have left all my papers there, and they are now having a wonderful display in the library in the capital city of Des Moines, and I just want you to know that this will have an honored place right there on the wall of all of the things that I have that I've accumulated over all these years. This will have a great honored place, and I thank you for it, in the Harkin Institute. ) SENATOR HARKIN: And it's especially meaningful for me, having an old has-been Senator here, but is now out of the Senate, but I am still working a Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 But it's also meaningful I think if I just take a couple minutes to say -- it's sort of what the chaplain said earlier about this City. To have a resolution like this coming from the City that gave us our wonderful but flawed Constitution and Bill of Rights, wonderful but flawed, it set us on the path. It set us on the path, but a long, tortious path, long, tortious path, frustrating, lethal to so many in our country, but a path towards full inclusion and non-discrimination. To say that we still suffer from that long, tortious path in our country would be an understatement, but nonetheless, by 1964, we finally reached that point where we as a nation said we're going to make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of race and sex, color, national origin, religion. Just one problem for some families like mine and others. There was one group left out, people with disabilities. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 Actually, another group, our brothers and sisters who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender too. We'll get to that, I hope. But people with disabilities were left out, another group that had suffered discrimination, exclusion, segregation, forced institutionalization, lack of opportunity, people with disabilities.
So began another long and tortious path to ban discrimination on the basis of disability, leading to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which basically filled that in and was the civil rights act for people with disabilities. And, again, at a time like this where you have so generously honored me, like so many things in life and as I'm sure all of you know, especially those of you who are elected to office and serve publicly, things like this are never a singular effort nor a singular achievement. So many people work so hard Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 many people gave their lives to get the ADA passed. I think of here in Philadelphia Steve Gold. ) SENATOR HARKIN: Steve Gold, who is now the legal counsel for ADAPT, but who back in the '80s was one of our strongest foot soldiers for getting the ADA passed, he's here in Philadelphia. To the present time, Norma Dabrowski back there, Norma Dabrowski who also testified before my committee last year and told us we still got a ways to go on independent living and self-sufficiency. And I also think of my great friend Dick Thornburgh, our former Attorney General, your former Governor, right? ) SENATOR HARKIN: Yes. I would applaud for Dick Thornburgh. He was so Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 ADA passed in 1990. So I just mention those. There are so many more. As you all know, there were four goals of the ADA: full participation, equal opportunity, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. Quite frankly, on the first couple we've done pretty good, mobility, streets, buses, trains. We've done pretty good in education. We've done fairly good on independent living. We got a ways to go there. But the one that we've not been able to really break down in any meaningful manner is economic self-sufficiency, jobs. Do you realize that over 60 percent of adults with disabilities in America are not in the workforce? So when you hear about unemployment being 5 percent or 6 percent or among African Americans 15 to 20 percent, yeah, that's disastrous, but think about an adult with Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 not in the workforce in America. We have a whole new generation coming along, my friends. They're called the ADA generation. They were born after the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed. They have grown up with the challenges of being fully integrated in our social and economic life in America. They are not going to take a back seat anymore. They want jobs. They want the opportunity. They want to be able to contribute their abilities to our society. And so I can just tell you in my retirement, that's my focus, jobs, jobs for people with disabilities. And so, again, just two things I would leave you with. I come from Washington, DC, which now stands for Dysfunctional Congress. So it's nice to be here where government still works. And a lot of the things that perhaps we used to do are devolving down to the Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 I would just mention two things as it pertains to people with disabilities and I'll get out of here. One, mobility. Taxis, taxicabs. Do you realize if you go to London, England today, any taxi you hail is fully accessible, every single one? ) SENATOR HARKIN: Every one. Why not in America? This is where we started this all. We need more accessible taxicabs. I know your City Council has taken some action in this regard, and I compliment you for that, to move ahead in making all taxis accessible. And I will tell you this: Whatever tax things need to be done on the local level or the state level, federal I hope, that will enable our taxicab companies and individuals -- I don't know. Systems are different in different cities.
But to enable those who are purchasing new taxis, to make Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 the future. This is one of the last of our mobility endeavors that we need to accomplish here in America. So I encourage you in that effort. And the second is housing. Housing. Most people think that all we have to do is build a few houses that are accessible. But what about me? What about a younger version of me? I'm not disabled, but I have a lot of friends who are disabled, and I want to invite them over for Sunday for pizza and a beer and watch the game. How are they going to get up the steps? So think about your architects and those who are designing your housing and think of the term "visitability," not accessibility but visitability. ) SENATOR HARKIN: My friends from the disability community know all about this. So that as we grow up, as this Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 and others and we associate in schools and we'll be associating more in the workplace and certainly in our social endeavors, but how about our own personal inviting people over for dinner? Houses should be made more visitable, all housing, not just a select few that are accessible, but all housing. And I will close with this: We have found over the years -- and, Dennis, you know this as well as anyone -- that when you start at the beginning to design something that is accessible, it helps everyone. It helps everyone. Think of the curb cuts, people with wheelchairs. Well, what about people with baby carriages, older people with walkers, people who are sight impaired now? Now we have talking stop lights that talk to you about when you go across the street. But I say housing because this is so much in the purview of local governments and zoning laws and how you Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 people in your community. Well, that's enough. I told the President I would only take five minutes. I think I went over, but you have to excuse me. I'm an old Senator. Once I get the mic, it's hard to shut us up. But I thank you again. I will close with this: You can always Google the Harkin Institute. I'm there. Anything I can do to be of help, support in any way. This is my singular endeavor after I retired, working on issues of, again, mostly jobs, but other issues dealing with a more fuller inclusion of people with disabilities in our society. So, again, I would just say that I may be retired from the Senate, but I'm not retired from the fight, and I'm glad to see that so many other people are in the fight too. ) SENATOR HARKIN: Thank you very Stated Meeting October 1, 2015
Thank you very much. And, again, thank you so much, Senator, for your great work. The next order of business is communications, and the Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 bills: Bill Nos. 150505, 150609, 150611, 150643, 150648, 150649, 150666, and 150667. And I am pleased to advise you that on September 29, 2015, I signed all of the bills which were passed by Council at its sessions on September 10, 2015 and September 17, 2015. And I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution confirming the reappointment of Michael Reed as a member of the Board of Ethics, to serve in the term ending November 16, 2020; and An ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Employees Retirement Code," to expand the scope of "Plan '10" and "DC Plan" to cover additional employees, including employees represented by AFSCME District Council 33, who work for the Office of Housing and Community Development, and to make technical amendments, all under certain terms and Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you very much. The next order of business will be the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce one non-privileged resolution.
A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Sixth and Sixtieth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf I offer one resolution. On behalf of Councilman Henon, who has stepped out temporarily, I offer one resolution also.
A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Twenty-Eighth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution Honoring Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania for 100 Years of Service to the Region.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015
An ordinance authorizing the installation of all-way stop signs at the intersection of Theodore Street and the 2500 block of South Millick Street.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman -- Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. On behalf of Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, she offers one bill and one resolution.
An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," Subcode Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 PM (The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code), by providing for definitions and amending requirements applicable to foreclosed residential premises.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring The Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations (CONCILIO).
And that resolution will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and honoring the career Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 of Senator Thomas Harkin who fought tirelessly to advance the rights and improve the quality of life of individuals living with disabilities.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one bill on behalf of the Administration.
An ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Employees Retirement Code," to expand the scope of "Plan '10" and "DC Plan" to cover additional employees, including employees represented by AFSCME District Council 33, who work for the Office of Housing and Community Development, and to make technical amendments. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015
And that bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution recognizing October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution proclaiming October 16, 2015 through October 24, 2015 as "State of Young Philly Week," and Honoring Young Involved Philadelphia.
This week's Final Passage Calendar. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have three bills, one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Brown, Blackwell, Bass, Tasco, Henon, Johnson, Sanchez, and Goode.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Hermitage Street, Lawnton Street, Green Lane, Jannette Street, Monastery Avenue, Houghton Street, Walnut Lane, Shurs Lane, Merrick Street, Pensdale Street, and Mitchell Street; and An ordinance amending Section 14-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Overlay Zoning Districts," by amending the subsection entitled "/NCA, Ridge Avenue Neighborhood Commercial Area Overlay" and making related changes; and Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on Delmar Street, between Mansion Street and a point 230 feet east thereof, both sides.
Those three bills will be referred to committee.
And a privileged resolution supporting the National Minority Business Development Agency and recognizing the 31st Anniversary of Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development Week during October 1st through 8th, 2015, to celebrate the contribution of the minority business community and provide access to contract opportunities and capacity building resources essential.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to recognize the Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 hard work of the MED Week Committee on their 31st Anniversary, and many of them are here today, and if they would stand up. I know Alice Dungee-James is here, NazAarah Sabree, Steven Bradley. Mr. Spivey is on the committee. And they have done a wonderful -- oh, Angela Dowd-Burton and many others. I shouldn't have started. But they all have worked so very hard on the 31st Anniversary, and they have a host of great workshops that everyone can plug into at www.medweekphilly.org. That's www.medweekphilly.org to talk about the workshops, many of whom are sponsored by some of our colleagues here today. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. And that will be referred -(Applause.)
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015
Thank you, Council President. I just want to acknowledge the fine work of the Executive Director of the African American Chamber of Commerce. I want to ask her to stand. Her name is Shalimar Thomas. She comes from the great background of Councilman Johnson's former State Rep team, and I just want to acknowledge her for the great work that she is doing for MED Week with her team. I just want to acknowledge her. (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilman. Now I know where she got her skills from. I didn't know that. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one non-privileged and two privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution recognizing the Philadelphia Water Department and the "Imagine a Day Without Water" campaign being held October 6th through 8th, 2015 which is geared toward recognizing the importance of clean water in our lives.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015
And a privileged resolution designating the week of Monday, October 5 through Monday, October 12, 2015 as "Christopher Columbus/Italian American Heritage Week" in the City of Philadelphia.
And that will also be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Twenty-Fifth, Thirty-First, Thirty-Ninth and Forty-Fifth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much. I offer one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilwoman Marian Tasco.
A privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Denise Nakano, Anchor at NBC 10 in Philadelphia for her professional excellence and achievement in reporting a two-part investigative news series, "Heroin Epidemic," which was awarded the 2015 Emmy Award presented by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in the Crime News - Single Story or Series Category.
Thank you. That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 of bills and resolutions. Our next order of business is reports from committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for a report from the Committee on Rules.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Rules reports nine bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Rules, to which was referred Bill No. 140858, 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 Chancellor Street, 16th Street, St. James Street, and 17th Street and to amend Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 14-800 of the zoning code, entitled 'Parking and Loading'"; and Bill No. 150145, 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 Eleventh Street, Susquehanna Street, Tenth Street, and Diamond Street. Further to approve the Master Plan for Temple University by adding the site bounded by Eleventh Street, Susquehanna Avenue, Tenth Street, and Diamond Street; and the site bounded by Broad Street, Master Street, Thirteenth Street, Girard Avenue, Watts Street, and Thompson Street; to their Institutional (Special Purpose) District and approving various construction projects"; and Bill No. 150348, entitled "An ordinance establishing a neighborhood improvement district, to be known as the Mayfair Business Improvement District, in an area that generally includes both Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 from the north side of Harbison Avenue to the south side of Sheffield Street and certain blocks of streets that intersect that portion of Frankford Avenue; designating Mayfair Business Improvement District, a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, as the Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association for the District; approving a plan for the District, including a list of proposed improvements and their estimated cost, and providing for assessment fees to be levied on property owners within the District"; and Bill No. 150502, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by providing for balconies and revising the requirements for roof decks"; and Bill No. 150505, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 14-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Definitions' and Section 14-500, entitled 'Overlay Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 Districts,' by adding a new subsection entitled '/ECO, East Callowhill Overlay District;" amending Chapter 14-702 entitled 'Floor Area and Height Bonuses;' by adding a new subsection entitled 'Stormwater Open Space' and a new subsection entitled 'Through-Block Connection'"; and Bill No. 150542, 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 Valley Green Road, Cherokee Street, and Wolcott Drive"; and Bill No. 150615, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Institutional Development District Master Plan of the Holy Redeemer Lafayette retirement community, located at 8560 Verree Road, by allowing for an addition to the Skilled Nursing Building"; and Bill No. 150666, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Spring Garden Street, 9th Street, Callowhill Street, Franklin Street, Vine Street Expressway, Vine Street, and Broad Street"; and Bill No. 150668, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions,' by amending Chapter 9-600, entitled 'Service and Other Businesses,' to add a new Section 9-636, to require that certain establishments and City-owned buildings open to the public, with single-occupancy bathroom facilities, use gender-neutral signage for such facilities," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the nine bills that were just read into the record. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 140858, 150145, 150348, 150502, 150505, 150542, 150615, 150666, and 150668. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 recognizes Councilman Goode for a report from the Committee on Appropriations.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Appropriations reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
The Committee on Appropriations, to which was referred Bill No. 150611, entitled "An ordinance amending Bill No. 150162-A (approved June 18, 2015), entitled 'An ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2016 through 2021 inclusive,' by adding and revising certain projects, amounts and sources, under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 150611. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 150611. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones for a report from the Committee of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
The Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, to which was referred Bill No. 150475, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Public Property Commissioner to accept title from Natural Lands Trust to a certain approximately 6 acre parcel of land at 7900 Cherokee Street or Lane, subject to a conservation agreement granted by the Natural Land Trust to Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 Association, and incorporating the parcel into Wissahickon Valley Park," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Jones.
Mr. President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 150475. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 150475. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting October 1, 2015
The ayes have it, and that bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now again recognizes Councilman Goode for a report from the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Commerce and Economic Development reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
The Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, to which was referred Bill No. 150614, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 17-1600 of The Philadelphia Code, Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 'Economic Opportunity Plans,' to provide for the preparation and filing of an annual report by the Finance Director that analyzes the extent of workforce diversity on projects and contracts requiring Economic Opportunity Plans and identifies appropriate workforce diversity goals for future projects and contracts," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 150614. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 2ND READING properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to allow first reading this day of Bill No. 150614. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and this bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. Our next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading and will be on our Second Reading and Final Passage at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar today, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 2ND READING resolutions and bills on the Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 150709, 150712, 150714, 150715, 150496-A, 150519-A, and all other resolutions and bills are being held.
I'm sorry. A little distracted. Thank you. Before considering these bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today, we will have our public comment session. Our public comment session will go as follows: If you are interested in testifying on a bill or resolution that is on the Final Passage Calendar today, if you have not already done so, we ask that you sign up at the table to my left. When your name is called, you will be asked to come up to the podium in the middle of the Council. There's a Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 device on that podium. When the light turns green, it is your time to speak. When it turns yellow, you have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. When it turns red, we ask that you please conclude your remarks and adhere to the guidelines. You will be given three minutes to testify. I would like to recognize Councilwoman Brown on Resolution 150712.
Yes, Mr. President. I want to first salute a number of citizens who have shown up here this morning to register their voice on this important measure. It really is an extension of our interest and continued work around menu labeling, which now is a part of the national discussion. And I'm surprised but encouraged to see that we have all of those who are here to speak on Resolution 150712. But my humble appeal to these citizens is to lean on them gently and ask these citizens if we could reduce the number from ten to five Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 given the fact that all of the public testimony is about 150712. So we'd like to invite those who are still able to to the mic. The request is simply to, of course, honor the rule, which is to first limit their remarks to the designated minutes, but also to reduce the number, given the other demands that we have on the Council's Calendar today. And I will add that for those who choose not to speak, my office and I would be more than willing to put quotes of their messages on our social media in our office. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. So, Mr. Decker, I guess we'll start out with the first name and then we'll figure out a process of self-elimination of individuals who wish to testify today. We'll see how this works.
Lisa Hastings, Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 commenting on 150712. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. I'll try to be brief. I'd like to encourage Council to support the resolution opposing the outlawing of GMO labeling, but also to encourage them to impose the entire very deceptively named Safe and Accurate Food Labeling law of 2005. It goes further than banning requirements for GMO labeling. It preempts all state and local government requirements on, quote, genetically modified food in interstate commerce, not just consumer labels. It also requires that any voluntary labeling program that a state or municipality has conform to this very corporate protection consumer disinformation bill. It would force voluntary labeling programs to support misinformation and deception. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 There's a false idea that FDA already regulates things, but they don't. They use a voluntary consultative process that they don't even list as regulatory. They say it's administrative only. Under this bill, all that's required for FDA to accept a GMO fruit product is the producer's good word. That's it. No scientific verification or standards, no public input or contact. Finally, this bill even makes it legal for GMO producers to deceive the public through voluntary labels, making it worse than nothing. It promotes legal deception and provision that allows GMO products to be, quote/unquote, "labeled" as non-GMO in all GMO labeling programs. In this provision, consumers might see a non-GMO label on some food products and think, well, gee, it's not GMO. But this law allows them to do that even if the meat is, quote/unquote, "produced" with a GMO processing aid or enzyme or derived from animals that GMO feeds or GMO drugs. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 Clearly, while this law would make that label technically legal, it would still be a blatant lie. Thus, a vote to this law would be a vote to legalize lies, promote consumer deception. Again, I thank the entire Council a great deal for standing up for their right and for the rights of Philadelphians. Thank you. (Applause.)
Robert Taylor, commenting on 150712. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Robert Taylor, President of TWU Local 700 and WPEB 88.1, co-host on the Jasper Jones Show. I am commenting on the Resolution 150712, genetically modified foods. I support this resolution Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 absolutely urging the Pennsylvania delegation to the United States Senate to oppose any attempt to limit the ability of the States to require labeling of GMO foods. The FDA doesn't require or conduct safety studies on GMO foods. Quote, The United States Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, according to their 1992 policy on GM foods, quote, the agency is not aware of any information showing that the foods derived by these new methods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way, end quote. To continue on with the other quote, on the basis of that sentence, the FDA claimed that no safety studies are necessary and that ultimately it is the food producers who are responsible for assuring safety. Biotech companies thus determine if their own products are harmless. This policy sets the stage for the rapid deployment of new technology. The FDA was fully aware that GM Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 crops were meaningfully different. That, in fact, was the overwhelming consensus among the technical experts in the agency. The scientists agreed that genetically engineered foods leads to different risks than traditional breeding and had repeatedly warned their superiors that GM foods might create unpredictable, hard-to-detect side-effects, end quote, The Documented Health Risk of Genetically Engineered Foods by Jeffrey Smith. This resolution is well thought out -- is a well thought-out measure and I believe it deserves our support. I wish to thank Councilmember Reynolds Brown for introducing this much-needed resolution. Thank you.
Sam Bernhard, commenting on 150712. (Witness approached podium.) Stated Meeting October 1, 2015
Thank you. Americans want GMO foods to be labeled, and states have responded with action. Legislation to label GMO foods has been introduced in states across the country, and three states have passed GMO labeling legislation. Unfortunately, Monsanto and other pro-GMO corporations have introduced federal legislation that would wipe these state laws off the books. So we're very thankful to City Council today for their statement in opposition of that federal legislation. Thank you to Councilwoman Reynolds Brown for introducing the resolution and thank you to Council for sending a message to their e-mail list urging Philadelphians to contact Senators Casey and Toomey to vote against this legislation, and we hope to continue working with Philadelphia City Council, once we defeat this legislation, to pass it in Pennsylvania. (Applause.) Stated Meeting October 1, 2015
Tim Bellew, commenting on 150712. (Witness approached podium.)
There's little more I can add technically to what was said preceding me. I just would like to thank Councilwoman Reynolds Brown for the introduction, and I hope she has the support of the rest of Councilmembers here as well. This is an issue that's very important to what I'm going to assume is the majority of your constituency. Thank you. (Applause.)
Frank Schaller, commenting on 150712. (Witness approached podium.)
Thank you, Councilwoman. I thought I was going to be one of the five eliminated. I will be very brief. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 Remember the legacy Monsanto has for Agent Orange. Why is a chemical company in charge of our agriculture and what we feed our children and our grandchildren? We need to realize and look into the science or the lack of science that is behind GMO. I have so much more to say and I will submit a written testimony. Thank you very much for this opportunity, everyone.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
Molly Karpin. The next five names in order: Molly Karpin, Karen Stark, Paul Wesley, Zofia Hausman, and Annmarie Cantrell. If you can all come to the podium and line up. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Thank you. I'm here to speak in favor of the resolution, which I am so happy, it's so very timely. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 I just want to give you a quote and then I'll be very brief. In 1974, the head of the Asgrow Seed Company, a subsidiary of Monsanto, said the following, and this is the direct quote: "If you put a label on genetically engineered food, you might as well put a skull and crossbones on it," unquote. I have, since the introduction of the DARK Act into the House of Representatives, been constantly calling both of our Senators, assuming of course that this was going to go into the Senate. I have not been able to get a straight answer from their offices as to where they stand on the DARK Act. And by the way, for those of who don't know, DARK stands for Deny Americans the Right to Know. So this resolution, in my opinion, is very timely. I think our Senators need to be reminded who their employers are. They work for us. Or do they work for Monsanto and the Grocery Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 Manufacturers Association? This little resolution is a reminder to them that they are representatives and they must do what we request of them, which is to put down this horrible act. I thank you very much, Councilwoman, for introducing this.
Hi. I'll be brief. Hi. I'm Karen Stark from GMO Free PA and we're representing citizens from Philadelphia and throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and we'd just like to say thank you, first off, to the Councilmember Reynolds Brown for your strong leadership and for being a champion for states' rights. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this resolution, and thank you to all the other Councilmembers for believing that Americans' rights to be informed, to Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 affirm our need to know what we are feeding our families. Thank you for this resolution to bring freedom to our food decisions from the City or Brotherly and Sisterly Love. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. I'm Zofia Hausman from GMO Free PA also. I do represent a national group that's advocating for labeling in every state in the country. I wanted to say thank you so much to Councilwoman for introducing this. It's important to the whole country to have leadership here. What I'd like to say today is that the anti-labeling campaign is elitist. It disproportionately punishes low-income families that often don't have access to organic food, to safe food or Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 the resources to do their own research. So this is really important today for the City of Philadelphia, and thank you, Councilmembers, for your consideration.
Good morning. My name is Paul Wesley and I would like to say thank you, Councilwoman, and everyone involved in making this possible. Regarding GMOs, there has been multiple scientific proof and facts that genetically modified organisms is not only a threat to humanity but a threat to farmers who are forced to have genetically modified organisms in their crops, in the corn. It should be labeled on every single food that is genetically modified. I think that it's not only a crime against humanity but a crime against everyone, because when we are not Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 only deceived but forced to put anything that's not natural in our bodies, it's just obvious that that is a crime against humanity. I personally have covered all the Monsanto events, seen the passion in the eyes of people who not only want change but demand that they have a right to understand and know what we put in our body. Now, whether this be a larger part of a money scheme to make more money, to move out farmers and push out farmers or not, I just would love to see it labeled. And a matter of fact, I'm going to do and others that are here are going to demand to see that it's labeled, because it doesn't always start with where we're at right now. This is just getting our voice out. We're going to make sure that this doesn't end here and that we demand that GMOs, genetically modified -- the name itself is disgusting -- has to be labeled. It's a crime against humanity. Thank everyone who is involved, Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 and, again, thank you.
Thank you so much. My name is Annmarie Cantrell and I also represent GMO Free Pennsylvania. And as a consumer, I'm standing here today in -- standing with consumers, 90 percent of those consumers who want to see GMOs labeled. I'm also standing here as part of an organic farming family in Chester County. And I also want to mention that a vote for this resolution and a vote against the DARK Act is a vote for all of our producers in the Philadelphia region, our farmers, our rural farmers, our urban farmers who are participating in farmers' markets and feeding our community right now and bringing a lot of economic opportunity to this region. Thank you so much.
Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
Judi Levin, commenting on 150581. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Yes. I'm not here to speak on the issue everyone else just spoke on, and I'll do it as well and as quick as I can. And I'd also like to say that the celebration on the ADA was wonderful, but 25 years is hardly enough, and that's a fact. Because looking at me, no one would know a thing, and you're looking at somebody who advocates for the invisible very well and strong. And I'm not just speaking for me. You all knew my angel, John Ross, many of you knew, and he's also speaking through me, because without him here, I wouldn't be here today because the brain surgery. Please, feel him here with me right now, believe me, and hear Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 all the jokes he's making about the republican debate. You all know how he joked very well. But as far as the reconstruction and building of the properties that are doing nothing here in the City, there's a lot that can be done with them. But with them to be done, they should be turned into other being built for a lot of the disabled and to make profit for the disabled that we want to see working again. Because if you watch the news that day from the ADA, I was on that news channel. I spoke for us. We all want to be working. Without my God-gifted art and artist therapy, which I'm an advocate for, a lot of those places could be turned into live-work artist lofts, and they could be giving us life to live with and making money, and we would love to be paying taxes. So those places could be definitely useful instead of doing nothing and made into something, not just for Philadelphia, Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 Pennsylvania but for the disabled. Peace.
Amy Friedlander, commenting on 140519. (Witness approached podium.)
I am vehemently opposed to Bill No. 140519 and Bill No. 140519-A under consideration today for four reasons. First, the registered community organization representing my neighborhood, Center City Residents Association, failed to solicit or accept any membership or community input into the legislation. For 18 months as part of the Crosstown Coalition and in negotiation with the original authors of the bill, the Building Industry Association, CCRA was rogue. Second, the City recently invested thousands of hours of time and hundreds of thousands of dollars into creating an updated Zoning Code. The Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 proposed legislation slides in the face of this new expensive, professionally developed Zoning Code. Third, the legislation is deeply flawed at the big-picture level. The bill impacts the most developed, most populated, most economically viable, most historic section of the City. This area is the box that should be protected from the proposed legislation. It is the rest of the City that requires this type of zoning incentive for development. To reiterate, the legislation has the target area reversed. I live and work in Center City and I know it is vibrant, busy, and well populated, and I know that there are no further changes to the Zoning Code that are needed to incentivize development, because development is already here. The proposed legislation is not necessary to encourage development, and I contend that it only exists to increase profits for developers and builders. I Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 can understand that developers would prefer to build in this newly defined Center City. However, they should be required to pay for the privilege. All of the businesses and residents in Center City depend on the aging infrastructure that on May 1st, 2014 on the 2300 block of Naudain Street, within 50 feet of where my husband, children, and I were sleeping, exploded, destroying three homes. Like other parts of the City, we have had a water main break that caused massive flooding for which residents were compensated at pennies on the dollar. If developers are permitted to build to new heights and sizes in Center City, then they should first be required to fully fund a $1 billion infrastructure replacement fund to be managed by the City. The volume and level of development that will result from the passage of the legislation as proposed is irresponsible and dangerous for the Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 existing infrastructure. The lives that will be lost or destroyed due to explosions, fires, and floods will be on your heads. Fourth and finally, the legislation is deeply flawed at the detail level. The language is open-ended and confusing and will cause untold litigation and Zoning Board hearings in the future. For instance, the Center City Commercial District Control Area is not well defined, with the potential results of mega buildings stretching entire City blocks. I implore you to delay indefinitely further consideration of this bill.
Barb Failer, commenting on 140519. (Witness approached podium.)
Councilman Clarke, Councilman Squilla, Johnson, and every other honorable member of City Council, my mail inbox has been filled with Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 constituents who would like Bill 140519 amended to exclude upzoning in our area. One of my neighbors, Amy, commented on many of the reasons. My fellow committee just north of me broke her ankle or she would be here today. She's had the same experience. We can't leave home without our neighbors complaining that they believe this bill does not reflect community input. By "community," I define this as the South Street corridor, west of 19th Street to the Schuylkill River. The boundaries affect both sides of South Street, but no one civic association includes people on both sides of the street or has invited input from everyone. CCRA covers one side of the street, SOSNA covers another, and the current Board of South Street West Civic Association hasn't had a single zoning meeting or notice since their new officers were elected last spring. The process hasn't solicited or allowed Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 complete input from an area that doesn't see itself as two neighborhoods but rather as one. To date, the area is overwhelmingly opposed to any upzoning for the following reasons: It, in effect, reverses the decision by the Zoning Board that opposed allowing upzoning at 23rd and South within the last two years. Neighbors within two blocks were opposed by 84 percent. The neighbors have opposed every other four-story development in this area for two decades and have gone to appeals and hired attorneys in every single situation. As Amy pointed out, we really lack the infrastructure to handle the existing density. We still have 100 units that are going in at 25th and Locust that haven't been built, and stage one of four of an office complex for CHOP, which anticipates 1,000 cars per day commuting in and out of the area for Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 stage one alone. Google Maps is already telling people to speed down residential blocks of Bainbridge in order to avoid the South Street traffic, and 22nd Street is backed up at rush hour almost to Washington Avenue, never mind the explosions and water main breaks and everything else that's gone on. There's no hardship to anybody to exclude this from the zoning. Everybody knew the zoning when they bought their properties. We don't have vacancies in the area. Neighbors want to preserve their light and air and the historic feel of the area. That's why they think it's special. Our streets are too narrow for effective support of any large commercial or high-density development, including large numbers of small apartments, which would require commercial trash pickup. Current businesses at 23rd and South have delivery and trash trucks parked at the bus stops and in the bike lanes on a Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 daily basis. We lose a traffic light every few months when a truck tries to turn off of South Street onto any of our numbered streets. We don't think we can support added density beyond what we have now. Suppliers to the existing businesses are already overwhelmed. In addition, the neighbors on Rodman Street back the 2000 block of South Street and have said they don't want to see the block -(Microphone turned off.)
Unfortunately, the system is not working accurately, but your three minutes -- if you could conclude your remarks, please.
They bought homes thinking they were in a residential area. For whatever reasons, the neighborhood association process did not work in this situation. We've sent spreadsheets to Councilman Squilla, Councilman Johnson, Councilman Clarke. Respectfully, we ask that you take this bill and put it on Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 indefinite delay and get the appropriate input from people in the neighborhood. We would very much appreciate that. It would certainly make my life less miserable. Thank you very much.
Charles Goodwin, commenting on 140519. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Charles Goodwin. I am the President of the Center City Residents Association. The Center City Residents Association supports Bill 140519 and we support the amendment to the bill. The original bill itself is the product of almost 18 months of intense Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 negotiation between a vast array of community organizations assembled in the Crosstown Coalition, I believe seven RCOs, maybe eight at one point, with the Building Industry Association and other participants, largely facilitated in excellent fashion, I understand, by Councilman Squilla, who has been extremely responsive to the community on this. My understanding is there's one provision that seems to really trouble people, and that provision concerns lots where there are three streets, two of which are large streets and one of which is a small street, which is the subject of the amendment. There are some problems with the language in that provision. The amendment improves it. It is not a whole loaf from the community's side, but a half a loaf is better than no loaf at all. CCRA supports the amendment and we would like to see the bill go through. Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 10/1/15 - STATED - 2ND READING
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. I'm sorry. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Mr. President. I ask to be excused for important business, and I'd like to be recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions and amendments.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. Leave shall be granted. Thank you. We will now move forward to the Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 150709.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 10/1/15 - STATED - 2ND READING the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Mantua Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 3509 Haverford Avenue including 3502 Mount Vernon Street.
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? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 150709 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 150712.
A resolution Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 10/1/15 - STATED - 2ND READING urging the Pennsylvania delegation to the United States Senate to oppose any attempt to limit the ability of States to require labeling of GMO foods.
And 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 -- Councilman Johnson, I'm in the middle of -- you want to speak after?
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 10/1/15 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 150712 is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson. (Applause.)
I just want to acknowledge the hard work of my colleague Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown. You know, my background, despite how husky I am, is vegetarian and so I know about GMOs, and I can also look at the development of some of our young people based upon when we grew up. We see that genetically modified foods totally have an impact, particularly on a low-income community where young people don't have the opportunity to go to get fresh groceries, fresh fruits and so forth and also the types of quality food Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 10/1/15 - STATED - 2ND READING that they can eat. So I just want to acknowledge you on your hard work and dedication. I also remember one time I went -- I don't eat chicken anymore, but I had some chicken a long time ago and the drumstick was about this big, and I knew something was wrong. I ain't never seen a drumstick that big. So a lot of these major corporations, they use this as a way to make money. So it's kind of like doubling up, so to speak. Some people know what I'm talking about when I use that word. But thank you for your hard work and dedication on that bill. Thank you.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Stated Meeting October 1, 2015 10/1/15 - STATED - 2ND READING Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Twenty-Fifth, Thirty-First and Forty-Fifth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.