Good morning, Council. I'm going to speak on 160256 and 160261. I don't want to repeat a lot of the things that people just ended up saying, but I think this moratorium is important for a little larger reason than just saving their homes. We have a fundamental problem with our judicial system here. Our judicial system is not following protocol. They're not allowing due process. And then constitutionally Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 we have a problem where land disputes are not supposed to be held in this court. So if there's an issue with a bank and, let's say, a private citizen like myself and we ask for validation, verification, standing, and jurisdiction, it appears from all of the research that we've done all of these judges are not allowing or not forcing the law firms to bring evidence in court, and that's fundamentally wrong. All land disputes, once more, is supposed to be held in Superior Court. So every time a foreclosure is done in this court, we are in the wrong jurisdiction. Now, I'm going to hazard a guess and say that over 95 percent of the cases that we researched have all been denied when you're requesting standing, when you're requesting jurisdiction, when you're requesting validation, and verification. And as Crystal just said, if all the big banks have all got bailed Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 out, how in the hell can we come back in 2015, '14, and '16 and these banks are claiming to own something? They don't own the property. The land dispute is for the land, not the property, and Superior Court only can hear cases involving land dispute. So over the last eight or nine years, we have been allowing the courts to put process and adjudicate property and land that they have no business doing. So before this becomes a federal lawsuit, we have to stop this process on our own in this house. So, City Council, I urge you to enforce that moratorium so that we can correct the ills and the wrongs, because property again under land disputes cannot be heard in this court.
Bernadette Peoples, commenting on 160256. Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 (Witness approached podium.)
Hi. Good morning. My name is Bernadette Peoples. I'm coming to you to talk to you about when the due process of having a quiet title, due process is not being allowed to us as citizens of Philadelphia, and I'm asking you to please, to please, whenever you're doing work and you talk about murder, you're murdering us. We're dying. Save the families of Philadelphia. Thank you.
Jane Nylund, commenting on 160261. (Witness approached podium.)
Hello. My name is Jane Nylund and I'm an attorney at Philadelphia Legal Assistance, and I'm here to testify in support of Resolution Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 160261. Philadelphia Legal Assistance operates the Save Your Home Philly Hotline, which serves as the central point of contact for Philadelphians facing foreclosure. The hotline provides advice, free services, and referrals for thousands of Philadelphians facing foreclosure each year. Over the past years, we've seen a marked increase in calls from Philadelphians facing tax foreclosures. Our hotline sees in all stages of the litigation process. When they're referred to the attorneys at Philadelphia Legal Assistance, they're usually late in the stages of the litigation process, either with a tax sale scheduled or post tax sale. These are individuals who would benefit and are eligible for existing tax payment programs. But because of a lack of understanding of available options, a lack of understanding of the process, and no Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 representation, they haven't applied for the existing programs and they've lost their homes. We're seeing Philadelphians lose their only asset, their homes, for often very small amounts of tax delinquency. Again, these are their only assets. Again, we represent low-income senior citizens. And, again, a diversion program early in the litigation process would offer these individuals the chance to apply for the City tax programs and save their homes. Thank you.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public comment, and we will now move into our Calendar. Mr. Decker, could you please Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING read the title of 160157.
A resolution expressing Council's support for an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution that would authorize different real estate tax rates in Cities and School Districts of the First Class for residential property, commercial property, and such other classes of property that the City may establish; and conveying Council's opposition to a provision that would mandate a reduction in other business or wage taxes as a condition of implementing different real estate tax rates for different classes of property.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon for a motion.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of City Council, I move that the Resolution No. 160157 be withdrawn. Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 160157 be withdrawn. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The record shall reflect 160157 has been withdrawn from our Calendar. Mr. Decker, 160252.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1248, 1301 through 03, 1316 through 1318, 1901 through 1903, 1905, 1917, 1919, 1921 and Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING 1929 through 35 Ridge Avenue (including 1909 through 13 West Thompson Street, 1300 North Nineteenth Street, 1306 through 1310 North Nineteenth Street) and 1939 through 1949 Ridge Avenue.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 160252 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160253. Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
A resolution calling on the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to oppose House Bill 1800 of the 2015-2016 Session, currently before the Committee on Labor and Industry, which amends the "Workers' Compensation Act" and creates unnecessary changes to a successful system.
Thank you, Council 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 160253 is adopted. Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, 160254.
A resolution appointing Councilmember Derek S. Green to the Philadelphia Gas Commission.
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. 160254 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160261.
A resolution calling on the First Judicial District to develop a conciliation process, in coordination with the Philadelphia Department of Revenue, similar to the Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion program, to address the rising level of residential tax delinquency cases, and to address the problems with the current system so as to prevent the unnecessary sale of owner-occupied homes.
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 160261 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160262.
A resolution Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING 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. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 160262 is Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. Mr. Decker, 160018-A.
An ordinance amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Landlord and Tenant - Rent Control," by requiring that tenants of certain multi-family buildings be provided with a written disclosure of the building policy on smoking in individual dwelling units.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill No. 160018-A be amended. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. The amendment to 160018-A has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor to said amendment? (Aye.) Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it. 160018-A has been amended. It will be on our Second and Final Reading Passage at our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, 160097.
An ordinance amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Farmers' Markets," by adding a permissible location.
Thank you. This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman Blackwell. Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Parker. Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 160112.
An ordinance authorizing Dr. Jack Carroll for Magee Rehabilitation Hospital to construct, Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING own, and maintain a liquid oxygen tank and the construction of an associated masonry enclosure at 1513 Race Street.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Henon. Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilman Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Taubenberger.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 160145.
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 44 by placing on the City Plan Thirty-Seventh Street from Market Street to Filbert Street and from Filbert Street to Warren Street, Cuthbert Street from Thirty-Seventh Street to Thirty-Eighth Street, north of Filbert Street, and Warren Street from Thirty-Seventh Street to Thirty-Eighth Street.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 160146.
An ordinance authorizing the paving of Thirty-Seventh Street from Market Street to Filbert Street and from Filbert Street to Warren Street, Cuthbert Street from Thirty-Seventh Street to Thirty-Eighth Street, and Warren Street from Thirty-Seventh Street to Thirty-Eighth Street.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 160147.
An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Pine Street and 45th Street; Melville Street and Locust Stated Meeting April 7, 2016 4/7/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Street.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.