COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, October 24, 2013 10:30 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY 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,
Good morning, everyone. (Good morning.)
We're going to start now. I'd ask all the members to please take their seats and ask the guests and visitors to please retire behind the rail. Thank you all very much. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Reverend Father Hakob Gevorgyan -- I hope I got that right -- of the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Green. I would ask all guests and visitors to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen. Father, thank you on behalf of all who are gathered here today. Thank you for your many abundant blessings. Thank you for life itself, for the measure of path we need to fulfill our callings, for sustenance, and for friendship. Thank you for the ability to be involved in useful work and for the honor of bearing appropriate responsibilities. Thank you as well for the freedom of free will. Thank you for loving us and for your boundless and gracious nature. In the scriptures you have said that citizens ought to obey the governing authorities. Since, you have established those very authorities to promote peace and order and justice. Therefore, I pray for our Mayor, for the various levels of City officials and, in particular, for this assembled Council. I am asking that you would graciously grant them wisdom to govern amid the conflicting interests and issues of our times, a sense of the of our people, a keen thirst for justice and righteousness, confidence in what is good and fitting, the ability to work together in harmony even when there is honest disagreement, personal peace in their lives and joy in their task. Heavenly Father, please give them an assurance of what would please you and what would benefit those who live and work in and around our beloved City of Philadelphia. It is in your most precious name, I pray. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Reverend Father. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you so much. Before we start our session today -- could I have your attention, please. Thank you. start our session today, I would ask if anyone in the audience has a phone, I say pager -- I know nobody has pagers anymore, but I'm going to say it -- or any other electronic device that makes noise, I'd ask that you please turn it off or turn it on silent. Thank you very much for your cooperation. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 17th, 2013. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 17th, 2013 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of October 17th, 2013 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the democrats, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to welcome all guests and visitors here today. We really appreciate you taking time out of your day to come down and see your government in action. We hope that your stay here today is a pleasurable one, so much so that you come back again. And, again, thank you so much for your coming. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of welcoming a special guest joining us in the Chambers this morning. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. We are very proud to have a delegation from Douala, Cameroon visiting Philadelphia. We would like to ask them to stand as we try to introduce some of them. Certainly so that Council notes, the Republic of Cameroon is the only African country that has a sister city relationship with Philadelphia. We're involved with them through a member of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Affairs, Kahiga Tiagha, and this delegation is led by Mr. Felix Tokam, President and CEO of Eximco LLC. We also have with us this morning Akoa Phillippe Camille, who is the General Manager of FEICOM. We have Owono Owono Etienne, Director of Collected Territories; Bate Azuk, a senior government official from the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development; Andze Emile, President of the United Councils of the City of Cameroon; Samuel Foungtong, one of the collaborators in FEICOM; Jerome Manda, consultant; August Eric Djodom; and Felix Tokam, again, Team Leader. The citation for His Excellency, Akoa, General Manager of the Council's Support Team for Mutual Assistance, has been certainly passed on to the group and he will be presented with this later on, but we certainly -we're proud to present this citation to His Excellency, Phillippe Camille Akoa, on behalf of our entire members, all of us here at City Council. Thank you, Mr. President.
Welcome. Welcome. Thank you so much and welcome today. Thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown, who will present a resolution recognizing October as Parent and Family Appreciation Month. Would Ms. Quibila Divine and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. And joining Councilwoman Brown, we have Councilman Bill Greenlee and also joining Councilwoman Brown is
Thank you, Mr. President. Recognizing leadership at the School District matters. Recognizing young people who are doing well there matters, but also recognizing parents and caregivers who have the responsibility for ensuring that our children arrive ready for school matters as well. And there's a lot of research that says when parents are actively engaged in the academic lives of their children, all the research says that they do better. So it is with great pleasure that we recognize this month October as Parent and Family Appreciation Month. Whereas, according to the National Committee for Citizens in Education, students with families who are involved in their school have fewer behavioral problems and better academic performance, and are more likely to complete secondary school than students involved in their daily academic lives; and Whereas, research continues to show that parents get involved in their children's education for a variety of reasons, but they do so especially when schools reach out to them and invite -the operative word is "invite" -- their participation; and
Whereas, parents are the first and most influential teachers of their children and most often have high hopes and dreams for their children's future; and Whereas, the most accurate predictor of student achievement in school is the extent to which their families are able to create a home environment that encourages learning and advocates for their children's achievement in both school and community; and
Whereas, the importance of parent and family not only recognition, but a firm commitment to the School District of Philadelphia, its students and families; and Whereas, Parent Power, The Educational Advocates Reaching Today's Hardworking Students, Incorporated, the Philadelphia branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Women's Christian Alliance has scheduled a month of activities to show appreciation for parents and their contributions as members of school-based and District teams; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the City Council of Philadelphia, that we hereby recognize October 2013 as Parent and Family Appreciation Month in Philadelphia. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Parent Power, The Educational Advocates Reaching Today's Students, Inc., the Philadelphia branch of the NAACP, and the Women's Christian Alliance as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. Introduced by Councilmembers Blackwell, Greenlee, and Blondell Reynolds Brown and supported by all members of the Philadelphia City Council. Congratulations. (Applause.)
Thank you so much. I'd like to send my appreciation to President Darrell Clarke, Education Chair Jannie Blackwell, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown and her staff, Katherine Gilmore, and my Councilwoman, Cindy Bass, and Councilman Greenlee, as well as the rest of you who work so tirelessly on behalf of the community members which you represent. I'd also like to recognize Palmer, who is the Board Chairperson for the Women's Christian Alliance, and SRC Commissioner Sylvia Simms, as well as School District staff Evelyn Sample-Oates and her big staff. Thank you all very much, because this is a partnership. Parent Appreciation Month allows those of us who are usually busy being education chairs, task force members, committee men and women, and ward leaders to recognize the contributions of men and women who are our constituents, our neighbors, our families, and our friends who serve as equal partners with teachers, principals, and District administrators to reinforce learning in their homes and, when necessary, hold public and elected officials accountable. It is with great pride that I stand here with a sampling of parents, family, and community members to accept this proclamation. They represent many who, throughout the years, have proven their dedication and commitment to effective practice -- effective partnership practices, not only with schools in the District, but with many of you as well. Thank you very much, and let's continue to do the good work. (Applause.)
Thank you. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee, who will present a resolution on my behalf honoring and recognizing the 30th anniversary of Glenwood Acres. Would Ms. Darlene Marcus and those accompanying her please join the Councilman at the podium. And joining Councilman Greenlee, we have Councilwoman Brown, Councilwoman Blackwell, and Councilwoman Bass, who I believe used to be a resident of that particular community.
Thank you, Mr. President. It's always a pleasure to honor groups that do such great work in the community for so long. Thus, this is a resolution honoring and recognizing the 30th anniversary of Glenwood Green Acres at 1801 West Glenwood Avenue. Whereas, urban agriculture has deep roots here in Philadelphia, long before the recent national renaissance; and Whereas, municipal support for farming dates back to the Vacant Lot Cultivation Association in the late 19th century; and
Whereas, regarded as one of Philadelphia's largest and most dynamic community gardens, Glenwood Green Acres can be found on the 1800 block of Glenwood Avenue in North Philadelphia; and Whereas, the garden encompasses the entire 3.67 acre parcel and today there are almost 90 active gardening plots; and Whereas, the idea for Glenwood Green Acres was first conceived in 1983 by James Taylor, an African American who resided directly across from West Glenwood Avenue from the garden, after a fire caused a former whiskey factory to be demolished along the street. Mr. Taylor moved onto the 1800 block of West Glenwood Avenue in 1954; and
Whereas, Mr. Taylor and other African American men of southern heritage initially brought with them knowledge of plantation techniques and traditional crops, such as collared greens, peanuts, okra, mustard greens, corn, tobacco and cotton. Making you hungry, huh. whereas, in 1997, the Neighborhood Gardens Trust, an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society whose mission is to acquire and preserve community gardens and shared open space in order to enhance the quality of life in Philadelphia neighborhoods, purchased the property through the City's Sheriff Sale, as a permanent open space; and
Whereas, more recently, gardeners from communities all over the City, from Philadelphia to Mount Airy, have planted in the Glenwood soil. There are now more women and more young people involved and a more diverse, diverse group of nationalities represented, including gardeners from the Caribbean and South America; and Whereas, Glenwood Green Acres acts as a monument, memorializing its eighteenth-century agricultural condition before industry came and went, celebrates the southern heritage of those who began the garden, and serves as a vehicle to tradition unknown to today's urban youth; now therefore
Be it resolved, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia, hereby recognizes honors and celebrates the 30th anniversary of Glenwood Green Acres. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the farmers of Glenwood Green Acres as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. This resolution is sponsored by Council President Clarke and is supported by all members of City Council. Thank you for all you do. (Applause.)
Thank you. I'd like to thank you on behalf of all the gardeners at Glenwood. It's a shame that Mr. Taylor is no longer with us, because he would have loved this. He loved of his passions, and along with his southern skills, we have been able to keep up the garden for all these years. As you said, we have many people from many nationalities and all different types of skills going on, and we just love it. It's not only gardeners; it's a meeting place for us as well as a recreational area. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Good morning. Glenwood has served as a recreation center, a therapy for all of us senior citizens, and it is an open space, a green space. Our motto is to keep it clean and open. It has enhanced the neighborhood, and the gardeners love to come in. They produce and plant and learn how nutritious fresh vegetables are to our existence, and we thank you. (Applause.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, would you 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 Commission on the following bills: Bill Nos. 130578, 130589, 130590, 130629, 130632, 130633, 130655, 130656, 130657, 130658, and 130695; and I am pleased to advise you that on October 23, 2013, I signed the remaining bills that were passed by Council at its session on October 10, 2013; and I am transmitting for the body a resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Whitman Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2553 South Fairhill Street; and Also an ordinance authorizing Telepartners doing business as Fairmount Coffee Company to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 888 North 26th Street; and An ordinance authorizing Likmos trading as Dmitri's to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 944 North 2nd Street; and An ordinance authorizing Global Crepes & Local Shakes to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 1309 South 9th Street; and An ordinance authorizing Green Eggs Cafe to construct, own and maintain at 719 North 2nd Street; and An ordinance authorizing Green Eggs Cafe to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 1306 Dickinson Street; and An ordinance authorizing Lloyd's Whiskey Bar to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 529 East Girard Avenue; and An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by making technical and clarifying changes; and An ordinance amending The Philadelphia Code replacing the term "ex-offender" with the term "Returning Citizen" and by making conforming changes, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any other messages?
Thank you so much. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one privileged resolution, which I'd like to be heard today.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold public hearings to examine the mistreatment of workers by LP Group 2 under contracts awarded through the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative after the workers in question have now been subject to 18 hours of hearings before the Board of Labor Standards while the City of Philadelphia has stated that they have money available to pay the workers.
That resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer three bills, two on your behalf, and two resolutions on your behalf.
An ordinance amending Section 14-506 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "/NCP North Central Delaware Overlay District" by specifically amending Section 14-506(2)(c) entitled "Sunset Provision" to extend the stated expiration date until December 31, 2016.
And an ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by making technical and clarifying changes.
And an ordinance authorizing Chestlen Development, owner and developer of 1441 Chestnut Street to construct, own and maintain various encroachments to be installed in conjunction with a mixed-use development.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution honoring and recognizing the 30th anniversary of Glenwood Green Acres as 1801 West Glenwood Avenue.
That resolution will be on today'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-Ninth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce one non-privileged resolution. Thank you.
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-Seventh Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two bills and one privileged resolution.
An ordinance authorizing, generally, the continued issuance and sale by the City of Philadelphia of Gas Works Revenue Notes of the City, prescribing the form of notes and providing for their execution and payment.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance constituting the Twelfth Supplemental Ordinance to the General Gas Works Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1998; authorizing the City of Philadelphia to sell, either at public or private sale, Gas Works Revenue Capital Project Commercial Paper Notes.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution honoring Carol Goertzel for her achievements in service to the citizens of Philadelphia as President and CEO of Pathways PA.
That resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Mr. President, I have one bill and one privileged resolution.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by revising certain provisions relating to definitions of certain industrial use categories and regulations.
And a privileged resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Education to hold hearings to investigate the benefits of integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into early childhood education in Philadelphia schools.
And that resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Council President. I have two non-privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution calling on the Committee on Labor and Civil Service of the Council of the City of Philadelphia to hold hearings on increasing access to City services to immigrant and language-minority populations, including the development of hiring guidelines and goals, and to determine progress made toward that end.
That resolution will be on today'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 Seventh, Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Thirty-Seventh Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilmembers Bass and Brown proclaiming the State of Young Philly Week in Philadelphia.
A privileged resolution proclaiming the weeks of October 25, 2013 through November 2, 2013 as "State of Young Philly Week," and honoring Young Involved Philadelphia.
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 October 2013 as Dyslexia Awareness Month in honor of the individuals living with Dyslexia.
That resolution 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 The Philadelphia Code by replacing the term "ex-offender" with the term "Returning Citizen," and by making conforming changes, under certain terms and conditions.
That bill will be referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
A privileged resolution recognizing October 21 through 25, 2013 as Juvenile Detention Centers Week in Pennsylvania.
And that resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. One privileged and one non-privileged resolution today.
A privileged resolution honoring Dominique "Dom" Streater for her extraordinary achievements in fashion design and her victory as the 2013 winner of Lifetime Television's Project Runway for Season 12.
And that resolution will be on today'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 Thirty-Fourth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes -
I will be remiss if I did not mention for the record that Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown co-sponsored the fashion resolution.
Thank you. The record shall reflect that. Thank you, Councilman. And the Chair now recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one bill co-sponsored by Councilman Henon.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by revising use regulations relating to medical, dental and health practitioners in certain areas of the City.
And that bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have five bills and one non-privileged resolution.
An ordinance authorizing Green Eggs Cafe to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 1306 Dickinson Street.
And an ordinance authorizing Green Eggs Cafe to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 719 North 2nd Street.
And an ordinance authorizing Global Crepes & Local Shakes to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 1309 South 9th Street.
And an ordinance authorizing Likmos trading as Dmitri's to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 944 North 2nd Street.
And an ordinance approving a new plan, estimated costs and proposed method of assessment of the Old City Special Services District for and concerning business improvements and administrative services to the Old City area of the City of Philadelphia and authorizing a change to the registered office address of the Old City Special Services District.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Whitman Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2553 South Fairhill Street.
And that resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one non-privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs to hold public hearings regarding the relationship between the Department of Parks and Recreation and the various organizations and individuals that support and use facilities operated by the Department.
That resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer a non-privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr., Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, and Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown.
A privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold hearings on the state of affairs of veterans in the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. That concludes our introductions of bills and resolutions. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. As there are no bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar. 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up for Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today: Nos. 130706, 130736, 130746, 130747, 130748, 130754, 130531-A, 130635-A, and all other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you so much, Councilman. Before considering these resolutions and bills on the Final Passage Calendar, we will have our public comment session. It will go as follows: If anyone is interested in testifying with respect to public comment, it must be on a bill or resolution on the Final Passage Calendar. If you are interested, I would ask that you please sign up at the table to my left. There will be a podium in the middle of the floor, and there's a device on the podium. That device will turn green when it is your time to speak. When it turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks, and when it turns red, we ask that you please adhere to the guidelines and conclude your remarks. You will be given three minutes for remarks. Mr. Decker, would you please call the name of the first individual.
Clarc King, commenting on 120118. (Witness approached podium.)
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Councilmembers. I am here to address Resolution 120118 authorizing the feasibility of transferring the ownership or operation of Philadelphia Gas Works to a private entity. The demand to sell public assets, property, public schools, and public utilities is unthinkable, in that it will further the degradation of the population's standard of living, of which the City is dedicated to uphold. The sale of PGW to the very forces that have caused the City's fiscal crisis furthers the inherently criminal activities operating from the Wall Street organization. In Detroit, Barclays Bank, a British international banker speculator organization, has been awarded management of Detroit's assets in its bankruptcy resolution process by the financial power of Wall Street. How does this happen to the arsenal of democracy? Is there a court in the land that can find for the people? Is there an institution in U.S. officialism that can discern fraud, a financial warfare offensive conducted against the people? It is a national security crisis, as a Detroit model spreads across the nation attacking every state, city, and town across the nation with fed and court collaboration. We must apprehend the reality. Sequester enforces us -pardon me; informs us a national economy and population contraction policy has been ordered. Our most lavishly credentialed political and financier authorities have bought into the global radical population reduction policy while doing anything to save the present monetary financial unlimited bailout system, actually stating that some lives are not worthy of life, justifying the attack on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. We do not know the implications of the chaos operation emanating from the federal administration and the Congress. The poor and the working must be protected. The demands of the physical economy depend upon them. Be on guard for the triggers of depression. Across Europe the situation is much worse, reflecting the general health of the transatlantic financial system. In Ireland, the people faced with brutal budget cuts enforced by the central banker authorities shout, "Gas us, it's cheaper." Can cities across the United States go the same way? Philadelphia has the capacity of being a super city. The creation of the Philadelphia public bank can stabilize the City and facilitate its economic policy, starting with the redevelopment of Philadelphia. Thank you.
Allan Domb, commenting on 130531-A. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. The Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors supports Bill 130531. It has to do with tax lien sales. Twenty-eight states across the country currently do tax lien sales. There was a bill in the State of Pennsylvania in the 1920s authorizing tax lien sales. We have about $1.6 billion of delinquent taxes in the City of Philadelphia spread over 16 different taxes. Over 500 million are delinquent real estate taxes; 370 million are delinquent utility liens, water, sewer, and gas, totalling $870 million. Tax lien sales could help collect a lot of that money. And, by the way, in the 28 other states, less than 1 percent of all tax lien sales end up in foreclosure. Over 50 percent of the tax lien sales are purchased by mortgage companies protecting their interest. This is an easy way for Philadelphia to collect a lot of money. And we're not looking at the individual putting people out on the street, but if you look at the statistics, 40 percent of our real estate delinquencies are investors who don't live in Philadelphia, and that's not 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING right. Why should Philadelphians who pay their taxes -- 85 to 87 percent of us pay our real estate taxes, and 13 to 15 percent do not. That's not fair. So we believe this bill Councilman Green has put forth should be supported, and we think it's great for the City and a great way to collect money at a time when we really need it. Thank you.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you, sir. There being no one else who is interested in public comment, it is time to consider our Calendar. Mr. Decker, would you please read the title of 130706.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING 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 Thirty-Sixth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 130706 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 130736. 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
A resolution agreeing to participate in the "Headquarter Hotel Tax Increment Financing District," if it should be created by the Council of the City of Philadelphia in accordance with the Tax Increment Financing Act of July 11, 1990, as amended, in the Center City Redevelopment Area, in an area generally bounded by South Penn Square on the north, Broad Street on the east, 15th Street on the west, and Chestnut Street on the south.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you, 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. President. I didn't know this resolution was being called up. There's actually a bill in the Finance Committee that complements this bill. I think we should wait for the action by the Finance Committee before we entertain the resolution.
I can certainly accommodate your request, Councilman.
We will hold that bill so it can coincide with the public hearing and the conversations centered around it.
You're welcome. So let the record reflect that 130736 will be held. Mr. Decker, 130746.
A resolution calling upon the Philadelphia School 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING District to make Howard Zinn's best-selling book "A People's History of the United States" a required part of the high school U.S. history curriculum as Philadelphia City Council recognizes the need to expose students to a more accurate, complex, and engaging understanding of United States history.
I move the adoption of the resolution and I'd like to speak briefly on it, Mr. President. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. But before we call the vote, let me recognize Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate my colleagues' consideration of this resolution relative to the School District. Throughout our educational 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING experience, most of us have received a varnished version of American history, replete with the activities and accomplishments of basically white males, Anglo-Saxon Protestants. As I age in life and read more and more, I've become more exposed to folks who are never mentioned in our history books - the Arawak Indians in the Caribbean, the Creeks, the Seminoles, the Cherokees, blacks, African slaves, those women who were denied the right to vote up until the 19th century. I think it is very important that in addition to the Ben Franklins and George Washingtons and the Thomas Jeffersons of the world, of the country that we know and hear about and read about and allow different cultures of our own children to understand their contributions to this country, the struggles and the oppression and the things that their folks have gone through. 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING I'd just like to read a quote from Mr. Zinn relative to his own book. He says, "My history describes the inspiring struggle of those who have fought slavery and racism (Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, Fannie Lou Hamer, Bob Moses), of the labor organizers who have led strikes for the rights of working people (Big Bill Haywood, Mother Jones, Cesar Chavez), and others who have protested war and militarism (Eugene Debs, Hellen Keller, the Reverend Daniel Berrigan, Cindy Sheehan). My hero is not Theodore Roosevelt, who loved war and congratulated a general after a massacre of Filipino villagers at the turn of the century, but Mark Twain, who denounced the massacre and satirized imperialism. "I want young people to understand that ours is a beautiful country, but it has been taken over by men who have no respect for human rights or constitutional liberties. Our people 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING are basically decent and caring, and our highest ideals are expressed in the Declaration of Independence, which says that all of us have an equal right to 'life, liberty, and the pursuant of happiness.' The history of our country, I point out in my book, is a striving, against corporate robber barons and war makers, to make those ideals a reality and all of us, of whatever age, can find immense satisfaction in becoming part of that struggle." I just want our own children, in high school generally -- and I think this is where this book belongs -- to understand that there is another history of the United States, another history of Philadelphia, and another history of Pennsylvania that has been intentionally removed from our consciousness and needs to be put back, and I think this book is the best vehicle to do that. And I appreciate the support of my colleagues and move for the adoption of the 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution. (Duly seconded.) (Applause.)
Yes, Mr. President. I'd only like to add that before I signed this resolution, I asked two questions. Was there content on women and people of color. And then I've learned in many recent months that you trust but then verify, and I can say for the record that this book indeed captures the entire history of America in a way that was not even discussed at the Philadelphia High School for Girls, and, therefore, I stand ready to support this resolution, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I do appreciate the 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING introduction of this book, and I will not certainly oppose this resolution. I appreciate its introduction. I just express a note of caution that while I believe we should make these good suggestions, I'd like to clarify that at the end of the day, it's a suggestion to the curriculum experts in the School District.
Thank you, Councilman. There are no other speeches on this particular resolution. Resolution 130746 has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 130746 is adopted. Thank you all very much. Mr. Decker, 130747. 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
A resolution calling on the School District of Philadelphia to restore School Nurses to each and every school in the District.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee -I'm sorry; Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
May I say, even though it's not technically out of order, whenever there's a time to write history, we all have a responsibility to do that. Thank you, and, again, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
You're welcome. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 130747 has been adopted. Mr. Decker, 130748.
A 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-Ninth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 130748 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 130754.
A 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 Fifty-Ninth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 130754 is adopted. Mr. Decker, would you please read the title of 130531-A.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," by authorizing the assignment or transfer to third-parties, real estate tax claims either absolutely or as collateral security, for an amount to be determined by the Department.
Before we call for a vote, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown. 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. Given all the work that this body has done over the past many months around AVI, homestead exemptions and the like, I'd simply like to ask the sponsor of the bill to review with us for the benefit of all of us the amendments that were put forth, as I thought they were -- I will not editorialize. It would be helpful to know what they are, because I believe ultimately they make a difference in the intent of the bill.
Thank you. A request has been made to Councilman Green. Would you accommodate us, sir?
Thank you, Mr. President. Certainly I'd be happy to discuss the bill. I don't think I could possibly summarize it any better than was done by Mr. Domb who came during speaking time, but I also want to note, as I know Mr. Domb is aware, that a lot of people 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING worked hard on this bill and co-sponsored it, including Councilmembers Oh, O'Neill, Henon, Kenney, and Squilla. With respect to the specific request of Councilmember Brown, last week we added an amendment that prevented the sales -- prevented an acquirer of a lien in a lien sale from selling that lien or from foreclosing on that property for two years. And this is significant because under current law the City is required to foreclose within one year if people have not entered a payment agreement. So this gives, at only a 5 percent penalty rate, homeowners the opportunity to have two years to pay off the lienholder, which should be of great benefit to them. There are also other protections in this bill. There won't be a lien sale of any lien that is less than $1,000. Additionally, legal fees are capped at $200 an hour, which is not the case with respect to foreclosures, which can cost $8,000, $10,000 in legal fees 10/24/13 - STATED - 2ND READING and other fees associated therewith that the property owner would have to pay to prevent their house from going into foreclosure. And additionally there is a maximum amount that can be charged in connection with the foreclosure or pursuing the property owner of $2,500, which are protections that do not exist in current law with respect to foreclosures or any other way the City has to gather money from taxpayers who owe it that money. Thank you, Mr. President.