Stated Meeting 1 3/17/2022 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Via Microsoft Teams Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, March 17, 2022 10:15 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting 2 3/17/2022
Thank you, and good morning, everyone. Thank you for being here. Before we begin the Council session today, I want to make the following announcement: Due to the continuing threat to public health from COVID-19, City Council is currently meeting remotely. We are using Microsoft Teams to make this remote meeting possible. Instructions for how the public may view the meeting and offer public comment are included in the Stated Meeting notice that was published in the Daily News, the Inquirer, the Legal Intelligencer, and can also be found on PHLCouncil.com. I now note that the hour has come. The Clerk will call the roll to take attendance, and members that are in attendance, say a couple of words to make sure that your image is displayed on the screen. Mr. Decker, please call the Stated Meeting 3 3/17/2022
Good morning, Mr. President, colleagues, and the City of Philadelphia. Good morning.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and the City of Philadelphia.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues and Happy St. Patrick's Day.
Good Stated Meeting 4 3/17/2022 morning, Council President, colleagues, and Philadelphia. Present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. And good morning, Philadelphia. I am present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the City of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, St. Patrick's Day, and the City of Sisterly Effectiveness.
Good morning, Council President. Good Stated Meeting 5 3/17/2022 morning, colleagues. I am present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Sending out prayers to all the young people impacted by senseless gun violence.
Good morning, Mr. President. Good morning, colleagues. And I have my green represented today.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues.
Good morning, Mr. President and colleagues and to the viewing public.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I am present.
Councilman Squilla. (No response.) Stated Meeting 7 3/17/2022
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the listening public.
And good morning to you all. Thank you all very much, and a quorum is present, so we will now come to order. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes the Reverend G. Lamar Stewart of Taylor Memorial Baptist Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Gauthier. I would ask all members, guests, and visitors please bow your head for the invocation.
Thank you, Stated Meeting 8 3/17/2022 Heavenly Father, we bless you and we thank you for this day. We thank you, God, for this opportunity to be gathered in this moment. God, we're coming today to pray for our city, to pray for young people in our city, to pray for seniors in our city, to pray for the residents of this city that we all love. God, we're praying today because we all face very challenging times, whether it's the pandemic, whether it's poverty, whether it's violence, whether it's gun violence. We need you more now than we've ever needed you before. So, God, as those who are part of this City Council body gather to begin to discuss policy and programming and that which is in the best interest of our city, I pray, God, that all will be done with a level of sensitivity to the plights and to that which plague Stated Meeting 9 3/17/2022 people in this city. So, God, I pray for wisdom in this hour. I pray for sensitivity in this hour. I pray for courage and conviction in this hour as this governing body thinks through what is best for the people of this city. Be with them. We thank you for their leadership. We thank you for their love. We thank you, God, for their integrity, and we pray these things on behalf of the City of Philadelphia. I pray for every young person who is preparing for the warm weather months. I pray, God, that you continue to keep your arms of protection around them. We're praying for safe streets and safe corridors. We're praying that homes will be safe. We're praying, God, for your love to once again permeate the streets of Philadelphia. And, God, I'm praying this prayer in the name that is significant to Stated Meeting 10 3/17/2022 me, in the name of Jesus the Christ, and we all say amen. (Amen.)
Thank you, Reverend, so much for your invocation and thank you for your spiritual guidance this morning. We really appreciate it.
Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 10, 2022, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla. (No response.)
On behalf of Councilman Squilla, I move that the Journal of the meeting Thursday, March 10th, 2022 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Stated Meeting 11 3/17/2022 been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 10, 2022 stand approved. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. And our next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members of Council, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion Stated Meeting 12 3/17/2022 legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council and that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's session.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council and, as required by law, subsequently published on an amended agenda after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, resolutions taking substantive action to be voted on in this session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar, and a motion placing a bill or resolution on or returning a bill or resolution from the Suspension Calendar that is not listed on today's Calendar. Stated Meeting 13 3/17/2022 motion is to provide the public with notice concerning possible actions by Council that arose too late to be included on the Calendar that was published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilwoman Parker may be added to the agenda for today, should those matters arise during the course of the Council session. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. And our next order of business is communications, and I would ask Stated Meeting 14 3/17/2022 read the messages from the Mayor and any other communications that he may have in his possession.
From the Mayor to the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on March 11, 2022, I signed the following bills which were passed by Council at its session on March 10, 2022: Bill Nos. 210827 and 220414; and I am hereby returning without my signature Bill No. 210956-A, which was passed by Council at its session on March 3, 2022. And I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution approving the First Amendment to License Agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Market Street East Urban Renewal Area, for a certain pedestrian bridge located between Tenth and Eleventh Stated Meeting 15 3/17/2022 Street, including air rights; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the First Amendment to License Agreement with Keystone Philadelphia Properties and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the First Amendment to License Agreement, all under certain terms and conditions.
Yeah. I'm just trying to let the fire engine go by.
Oh, I'm sorry. I was trying -- I've been trying to get -- something is wrong with my device here. I apologize.
Let the record reflect that Councilman Squilla is here, present. Thank you, Councilman. And thank you, Mr. Decker. Our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and by way of a reminder, we are asking that all resolutions, including privileged resolutions, be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council, unless they are being referred to committee. In our current remote environment, this procedure will provide the appropriate opportunity for public comment. I would like to thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation. I'd please ask the Clerk please read the titles of the legislation that's being offered today by our members.
Councilwoman Parker offers two resolutions. On behalf of Council President Clarke, a resolution Stated Meeting 17 3/17/2022 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 1604 through 1608 Page Street, 1610 Page Street, 1612 Page Street, and 1614 Page Street.
And on her own behalf, Councilwoman Parker offers a resolution authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings to examine the enforcement of building and construction code requirements, Licenses and Inspections inspector caseload and inspector staffing ratios, and the City's response to worker misclassification, also known as payroll fraud.
Councilwoman Gym Stated Meeting 18 3/17/2022 offers one bill, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 21-1800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Foster Care,' to add new provisions related to screening and application for benefits for foster youth; limiting the use of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans or other various benefits; and providing notice to the foster child for certain actions taken with respect to Social Security and other benefits."
Councilman Jones offers one resolution, entitled a "Resolution calling on the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, Philadelphia Sheriff's Office, Office of the City Controller and the Managing Directors Office to conduct a joint evaluation of the City's current witness relocation and protection programs." Stated Meeting 19 3/17/2022
It was not, Mr. President. It was just a demanding calling resolution.
Next week's hearing. I want to recognize Councilwoman Gym quickly. Councilwoman, I'm sorry.
No. That's all right. Thank you so much, Council President. I just wanted to be recognized briefly on the introduction of the bill. The tragedy of losing a parent or guardian is something no child or young person should ever have to endure, and when those children come into our city's foster care system, we should do everything we can to ensure that they get what is entitled to them and stop at nothing less than what they deserve. Today, the City Council Stated Meeting 20 3/17/2022 Committee on Children and Youth introduces the Stronger Futures for Foster Youth Act, comprehensive legislation that rights a wrong for foster youth who are entitled to survivors and disability benefits and will set up individual savings accounts for these youth to ensure that they receive and can save the benefits that are rightly owed to them. Like many of my colleagues, I was deeply upset when reporting by Steve Volk and Resolve Philly revealed that nearly $5 million in federal benefits that are specifically designated to foster youth who are entitled to survivor or disability benefits have been collected and put towards the City's General Fund between 2016 and 2020. This was done without notice to the youth or their foster families, and it was poorly accounted for, which meant that the City continued in some cases to collect individual benefits even after Stated Meeting 21 3/17/2022 youth left the foster care system. I want to emphasize, though, that as upsetting as this practice may be, it is permitted. In fact, it's not only permitted, it's actually baked into regulations at the state level and is widespread all across the country. But today Philadelphia takes up the mantle to right this wrong and to join cities like Los Angeles and New York City which are now taking steps to prohibit this practice. It is our hope that this municipal action will enact change across the State of Pennsylvania and all around the nation. The Stronger Futures for Foster Youth Act enacts the clearest and strongest legislative protections in the country to ensure and can serve federal benefits actually go to the foster youth they are designated for. The legislation expressly prohibits these funds from being used to cover the routine cost of care, because in fact we do not require Stated Meeting 22 3/17/2022 other foster youth to cover the cost of their own care. And under this bill, the City would be required to screen youth for whether they're eligible for these benefits and assist them in applying for potential benefits. If no guardian, legal guardian, can be designated, the City will step in as the legal guardian and will establish individual accounts to hold the funds. Now, to be clear, this money is actually significant. The City collects almost a million dollars every single year for several hundred youth. This money can be life-changing, as Marcus Jarvis, who spent years in Philadelphia's foster care system and who now works for the Juvenile Law Center as a tremendous advocate, said. Marcus said, I could have used that money just to get some stability, to get some kind of college degree. That would have changed everything for me. We know that youth Stated Meeting 23 3/17/2022 transitioning out of foster care face tremendous challenges, including homelessness, high school and college dropout struggles, mental health issues. An estimated 10 to 20 percent of these foster children, however, were entitled and eligible for federal benefits, and ensuring that they receive them is essential for their long-term well-being. Ensuring these benefits are preserved for these young people transitioning out of foster care could make a transformative difference in their lives. This is money that can help pay for textbooks at college, for a down payment for a lease, for disability aids that are not covered by insurance.
It's crucial to help set up a young person on a trajectory for success. And so I want to thank the many legal experts and youth advocates who helped ensure that this legislation is as comprehensive as possible, and specifically just tremendous thanks to Stated Meeting 24 3/17/2022 Danielle Hatcher, Amy Harfeld, and Sue Mangold. I'm extremely grateful to be introducing this in collaboration with the City's Office of Children and Families, who have been committed partners to working with us and our state to take all the steps needed to end this practice and to put us on a new path. And, of course, I want to thank my tremendous co-sponsors on this legislation, the Committee on Children and Youth, Councilmembers Brooks, Gauthier, Thomas, Johnson, as well as Councilmembers Bass and Green. Thank you all so much. I look forward to the process that will lead us and show that Philadelphia can truly be a model. And most of all, I want the families who shared their stories, especially Von Jackson and his now adopted children, Saviante and Savier Wynn, to know that this is in their name. We honor you. We thank you for speaking up so Stated Meeting 25 3/17/2022 courageously, and we are here to fix what should have been fixed a long time ago. Thank you very much, Council President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Jones, did you want to be recognized?
Yes. Mr. President, I wanted to offer clarification why the resolution on witness protection and relocation was not going to be a hearing. It is because in that frame of work, we'd like to be somewhat confidential and allow the different departments and their various participations in those two processes to be free to communicate what some of the problems are. I wanted to further thank in particular Councilman Oh and Councilman Johnson for their various meetings that we've had with stakeholders and individuals that have had to suffer Stated Meeting 26 3/17/2022 through the relocation process. People are trying to do their best, each of those departments, but what we were able to preliminarily talk about is that sometimes the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing and, worse, they don't know how much. So we want to streamline that and make sure that people out there that witness crimes feel confident that their safety is going to be taken into account and that those services that are due them will be comprehensive. Thank you again, Member Oh and Member Johnson.
Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, please proceed.
Councilman Johnson offers three bills. On behalf of Council President Clarke, an ordinance substantially increasing the budget and number of areas and neighborhoods around the City served by the Community Life Stated Meeting 27 3/17/2022 Improvement Program (CLIP) to improve the health, safety and cleanliness of every neighborhood and enhance the quality of life for all residents.
On his own behalf, an ordinance authorizing the installation, ownership, and maintenance of a Streetery in the Right-of-Way adjacent to 738 South 11th Street, currently the location of a restaurant known as Hawthornes.
And Councilman Johnson also offers an ordinance authorizing the installation, ownership, and maintenance of a Streetery in the Right-of-Way adjacent to 1631 Packer Avenue, currently the location of a restaurant known as Philadium.
Referred to committee. Stated Meeting 28 3/17/2022
Councilman Green offers a resolution expressing solidarity with the local leaders of Ukraine.
Councilwoman Brooks offers two resolutions, entitled a "Resolution honoring and recognizing the contributions of service worker, administrator, and faith leader, Bonnie Camarda, whose leadership and talent for relationship-building has bolstered the work of Philadelphia's most instrumental public interest organizations, uplifted Philadelphia's Latino community, and empowered underserved populations across the City."
And a resolution honoring and recognizing the voice, vision, and contributions of movement activist and organizer Ellen Somekawa, whose fearless and transformative Stated Meeting 29 3/17/2022 leadership within Philadelphia's Asian American community has advanced major victories for racial and economic justice, built multiracial coalitions across the City, founded historic institutions, and redefined Asian American activism particularly in the area of youth leadership, education justice, and civil rights.
Councilwoman Gauthier offers a resolution authorizing the City of Philadelphia Council Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings to explore the role of the Philadelphia Police Department Neighborhood Services Unit as a part of the City's comprehensive response to the widespread prevalence of abandoned vehicles in the City of Philadelphia, and to examine enforcement practices, preventative measures and potential solutions. Stated Meeting 30 3/17/2022
Councilman Thomas offers a resolution honoring and congratulating Women's History Month's Champion of the Week, Imhotep Charter School's Girls Basketball team, on its successful 2022 season and winning the Philadelphia Public League title two years in a row.
Councilman Squilla offers a resolution approving the First Amendment to License Agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Market Street East Urban Renewal Area, for a certain pedestrian bridge located between Tenth and Eleventh Streets above Filbert Street, including air rights.
Next week's Calendar. Stated Meeting 31 3/17/2022
Councilman Oh offers five bills and one resolution, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 10-700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Refuse and Littering,' by adding new definitions for third party administrators, and revising Section 10-718 to sanction third party administrators as enforcers of illegal dumping violations"; and An ordinance amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Miscellaneous," by adding a new Chapter 21-3300, entitled "Flag Raisings," to establish uniform standards for flag raising ceremonies; and An ordinance amending Chapter 12-900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Parking Regulations and Penalties," by regulating on-street parking of unpermitted semitrailers and truck tractors; and An ordinance amending Chapter 12-400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled Stated Meeting 32 3/17/2022 "Towing and Immobilizing of Parked or Abandoned Vehicles," by adding new regulations for the towing and storage of illegally parked semitrailer and tractors; and An ordinance amending Chapter 12-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Administrative Adjudication of Parking Violations," by establishing monetary penalties for on-street parking of semitrailers and truck tractors.
Mr. Decker, hold on one second. Councilman Oh, did you want to speak on one or multiple bills?
Yeah. I'd like to speak on the bills just for clarification. I understand there can be some confusion around them. I'll start with the flag-raising, because that's probably somewhat difficult to understand. In my time in Council starting in 2012, the only person who was raising Stated Meeting 33 3/17/2022 a flag was Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez. And I followed her by doing a flag-raising and then another one, and the flag-raisings have gotten very popular and eventually and properly the Administration has set out their process of flag-raisings. And just recently, the Administration set out some new rules that only flags that are recognized by the Department of State will be raised, and I'm not sure is that only foreign flags or what does that mean. We do raise various flags on different occasions, such as Gay Pride Week and June 19th, and those are not State Department-recognized flags. But this body passed unanimously a resolution a few weeks ago to raise the Freedom Flag of Belarus. Many people never heard of Belarus until the invasion of the Ukraine. And the issues surrounding the Ukraine and the Baltic nations and the threat to their freedom and then the Stated Meeting 34 3/17/2022 , because it's a dictatorship and a human rights violator. When Belarus became a free nation, it adopted a white and red flag. It had an election and a president was elected, but then power was not handed over, and there is a dictatorship, and that is the current recognized flag of Belarus. So we passed a resolution that on March 25th we will raise the Freedom Flag of Belarus, as we raise different flags. However, after the resolution passed, there's a new rule, the flag will not be raised. Unfortunately, the event is already set by the community of Belarusian Americans who will be coming for that occasion in light of especially what is going on in the Ukraine. Stated Meeting 35 3/17/2022 So I simply have codified that there is a process for the Administration, but when we as a body pass a resolution, that shall take precedence, and I just explained that like all things, that's up to a vote of this body. So in that light, I'd like to go to the next set of bills, because I think it is something that everyone here has been concerned with and has tried to solve this problem and, that is, the illegal parking of trailers, semi-trailers, tractor-trailers throughout our city. It's been something ever since I got elected that we have been trying to figure out, especially the illegal dumping and the fact that everyone -because I recognize Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier for her hearings and her efforts. I know she is working hard on that issue, and she's actually my District Councilperson. I live in her Stated Meeting 36 3/17/2022 district, and I live on a block that has continuous dumping. It's been identified as one of the places, I guess, by dumpers where they like to come and dump. And since I can remember, we have patrolled the neighborhood. We have cleaned up the dumping. We have dealt with the tractor-trailers and things like that. And I think it is a difficult problem, so I have a thought, I have an idea that I have put into a series of bills. And, again, any idea that we have ultimately is a discussion in this body and is ultimately passed by everyone in this body, but I will say that where I've come to a conclusion is that the personnel are too few. Our city is pretty much closed at 6 o'clock. We don't have L&I inspectors. We do have police, and they end up being asked to do so many different things, and even the police that are responsible for dealing with illegal dumping and tractor-trailers are Stated Meeting 37 3/17/2022 put out to deal with crime.
I've come to the conclusion that we cannot ask our citizens at this point in time to confront anyone doing illegal dumping or tractor-trailers, because there's too many occasions where people have pulled guns on our citizens. And that's just one of the dangerous things that occur, and I know the police have emphasized citizens do not confront someone who is doing some illegal activity, because that has not led to good circumstances, and even our city does not want to get engaged in confrontations. So my bill basically codifies, one, that no semi-trailers, no tractor-trailers, no large vehicles can be parked in a residential neighborhood. Just clearly no. And that if they have identification, they will get a $300 ticket, and if they don't pay that ticket, they will be basically immobilized and towed if they don't clear Stated Meeting 38 3/17/2022 that up by a third party retained by the Administration, public or private. Public or private entity will immobilize the vehicle and will tow. If they are without identification, as many of these vehicles are -- and let me just say, the trailers that are hauling automobiles, they are left in the street. They have no identification. They are a particular problem. And so this bill basically allows, because they don't have identification, for them to be towed. If they don't have identification, then they are abandoned vehicles. And as far as the dumping is concerned, a third-party administrator will record and they are authorized based on a review of the recording to engage in the process of sending the vehicle that is identified by license tag and description of the vehicle in the videotape a ticket. If they do not pay the ticket, as often they don't, then Stated Meeting 39 3/17/2022 their vehicle will be immobilized with a boot, and if they do not pay in time, the vehicle will be towed. I think we're at a point, Council President, that there is a culture in our city that has been exacerbated by COVID-19 where people just routinely dump in our city and they come from out of our city where I live on the edge of Delaware County. They don't dump in Delaware County. They roam in Southwest Philly and they dump in our city. And it is to the point where I think it is clearly, in my opinion, contributing to the violence that we see. When people feel that they don't matter, when their communities don't matter, where they have everything -- inferior everything, and no one is coming to treat them like they matter, we have violence. And I think that rather than taking our police personnel away from doing this job, we should ensure that they can do this job Stated Meeting 40 3/17/2022 and we should be supplementing their efforts. However, since I'm not in a position to do that, none of us are executives, I introduced a bill to allow a third-party entity, public or private, to do this. And, quite frankly, one of the biggest problems, and I'll end with this, the videotape in these cameras have to be reviewed by somebody, and that's not going to be our police officers. They're out on the street. And somebody is not going to review them unless they're getting paid. And so we're going to have to pay someone, but I think we have to make a clear statement that the culture of dumping and using our residential neighborhoods as business headquarters is going to dramatically stop, and I believe that as soon as people get their wheels locked and their trailers hauled away, they're going to spread the word that this is not something you can do in Philadelphia. Stated Meeting 41 3/17/2022 Thank you very much.
Thank you, Councilman. I'm not supposed to talk, but briefly, thank you and, Councilwoman Gauthier, thank you for what we all know, feel. This issue about quality of life as it relates to conditions in our neighborhoods is increasingly problematic. It's pretty much up there along with crime and school in terms of why people make decisions to move out of the City of Philadelphia. Maybe during the course of this budget process, we will talk about why we have not hired public safety officers instead of having police do abandoned vehicle tickets when we have this level of crime. Maybe we'll figure out whether or not we can get the Administration to support a robust infusion of appropriations for CLIP and not have CLIP only in one part of the City at a time, which is, you know, bordering on somewhat ridiculous. They've been up at Stated Meeting 42 3/17/2022 Kensington for a long, long time, understanding the challenge up there, but there are other parts of the City that need it. So we will have that opportunity to address this in a very meaningful way, and hopefully the Administration can get on board with work we're trying to do to enhance the quality of life in these neighborhoods. So thank both of you all. Thank the rest of you all for being on point on these issues. Mr. Decker, those bills will be referred to the appropriate committee.
Councilman Oh offers a resolution urging the White House and United States Congress to work with NATO partners in establishing a limited no-fly-zone over humanitarian corridors in Ukraine.
There are no Stated Meeting 43 3/17/2022 being offered today by the members, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. Our next order of business is reports from committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a report from the Committee of the Whole.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee of the Whole reports out five resolutions with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee of the Whole, to which was referred Resolution No. 210831, entitled a "Resolution approving the appointment of McCullough Williams III to the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board"; and Stated Meeting 44 3/17/2022 211005, entitled a "Resolution reappointing Jay S. Feldstein to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion"; and Resolution No. 211006, entitled a "Resolution reappointing Bernie A. Prazenica to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion"; and Resolution No. 220025, entitled a "Resolution appointing Erik Derr to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District"; and Resolution No. 220026, entitled a "Resolution appointing Brennan Tomasetti to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached resolutions to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. Stated Meeting 45 3/17/2022 210831, 211005, 211006, 220025, and 220026 will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Bass for a report from the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs reports out one bill with a favorable recommendation.
The Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, to which was referred Bill No. 210743, entitled "An ordinance renaming and designating the property commonly referred to as the 11th and Venango Playground, located at 3600 North 11th Street, as the 'Williams Moore Reed Stated Meeting 46 3/17/2022 City of Philadelphia," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 210743. (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. 210743. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting 47 3/17/2022 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and this will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. And our next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bill just reported from committee with a suspension of the rules has been deemed to have had a first reading. It will be on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on our First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for the purpose of calling up resolutions and bills on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Stated Meeting 48 3/17/2022 Calendars today. They are Nos. 220226, 220227, 220228, 220229, 220231, 220233, and 220111. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Our next order of business is public comment, but before we have our public comment, I want to give our technology professionals a brief five minutes to connect our speakers today. We'll take a brief five-minute break. Thank you. (Short recess.)
Thank you very much. We are back. Thank you for your patience. We're going to start our public comment session. Now that everyone is connected to the meeting and before considering the resolutions and bills we have before us today, we will consider public comment. Stated Meeting 49 3/17/2022 It will go as follows: Public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at a session of Council. A speaker on any of those matters must sign up in order to testify. You must call 215-686-3406 by 3:00 p.m. the day before the session to sign up for public comment. When you call, we will take your name, phone number, the number of the legislative item you are commenting on and whether you are in support of or against the legislation, and add your name to the list. We will then telephone each person on the list during the Council session and invite them to our remote meeting. Under ideal circumstances, which we have today, you will have three minutes to speak. However, this time may vary from time to time based on the volume of individuals wishing to testify. In order to be fair to all Stated Meeting 50 3/17/2022 those wishing to speak, though, I intend to hold faithfully to the established time limit. So once invited to the meeting and asked to begin your testimony, a timer will be started. We will monitor your remaining time throughout the testimony, and when 30 seconds are remaining of your time, you will be reminded of this. Once your allotted time has passed, you will be asked to conclude your remarks, and shortly thereafter you will be muted and disconnected from the remote meeting. I also reserve the right to limit the number of speakers where repetitious comments are being made on the same subject matter, which could affect callbacks for public comment at any particular time. Please be aware that the public meeting is being recorded. So because the meeting is public, participants and viewers have no reasonable expectation of privacy. So by continuing to be in the Stated Meeting 51 3/17/2022 meeting, you are consenting to being recorded. I want to thank you so much for your willingness to participate in the public comment session in the City of Philadelphia City Council. Thank you. I will ask Mr. Decker now please read the first name on our list of speakers today.
The first speaker today, Mr. President, is Corinne O'Connell, commenting on 210848.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed.
Good morning. This is Corinne O'Connell. I'm the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, and I'm speaking with regards to the six homes proposed for Habitat to build on Page Street. The six homes on Page Street Habitat Philadelphia wants to build represent so much more than four walls Stated Meeting 52 3/17/2022 and a dry roof overhead. Six local Philadelphia families, we're talking about 30 people with more than 15 children who will own the home that they live in, creating stability for those families and helping to build generational wealth. We are the only local developer that is building ownership units for families earning between 30 and 80 percent of the median income. The majority of Habitat homeowners are Black and Brown families and shoulder the brunt of the effects of the redlining and other structural racism, so working alongside these families has a direct impact on building generational wealth, closing the racial wealth gap. The City's own comprehensive development plan, Philly 2035 for Lower North Philly, created an expensive public and community engagement. It outlines the following priorities and recommendations: four to five Stated Meeting 53 3/17/2022 residential blocks where homeownership is dominant by selling government-owned land for in-fill development. Furthermore, it outlines implementing transit first policies in the neighborhood. Our team has been ready and remains ready to build six beautiful new energy-efficient homes that will be sold to first-time Philadelphia homeowners. If the last two years since COVID have taught us anything, it is that home is foundational, home is health, home is education, home is opportunity. Our vision is a city where everyone has a decent place to live, and my hope that our next step towards that vision is to bring Page Street to life. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Good Stated Meeting 54 3/17/2022 morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Good morning. My name is Tenaja Hammond. I am currently enrolled in Habitat for Humanity to become a homeowner. I just wanted to express my need for...
Ms. Hammond, are you still with us? (No response.) COUNCIL SUPPORT: It looks like she's unfortunately disconnected.
See if we can get her back. Go to the next speaker, Mr. Decker. We'll try to reconnect Ms. Hammond.
I'm here. I'm sorry. I don't know where I got Stated Meeting 55 3/17/2022 disconnected. Again, hello, guys. My name is Tenaja Hammond. I'm currently enrolled in Habitat for Humanity to become a homeowner. I wanted to express what I feel is my opinion the need of homeownership for -- affordable homeownership for people like myself, which is a mother of five, a single mother at that. I have grown children. I've been a mother since I was 15. Currently I live in low-income housing that is closing, the University City Townhomes, and I'm trying to express my need to become a homeowner, because several times my livelihood has been jeopardized over kids having arguments. So there's like a detrimental need to become a homeowner, something that I can call my own, that my children can call their own, and never, ever have to have anyone jeopardize our livelihood. I'm all for the Page Street. I understand that some of the residents may Stated Meeting 56 3/17/2022 be a little leery, but, you know, their parking and things like that, but to me it's a bigger need for homes than parking spaces, and I feel we can work together to figure something else out, but it's just important for us to have a home, especially dealing with everything going on through the pandemic, especially affordable housing. And if you guys could just take the genuine expression from me that this is detrimental. Like I said, I'm a single mother of five. I work every day. I have a college student. It's really, really hard out here, and Habitat has created an opportunity for people like me to be able to have homeownership dealing with poverty. So the program is an awesome program, and I just hope you guys consider it. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Stated Meeting 57 3/17/2022 We appreciate it.
Good morning, everyone. My name is Tyreeka Richards. I am a future homeowner in the Habitat for Humanity program. I want to first thank you. I want to thank everyone for your time. I am calling to voice my support for the bill to paint (ph) into the building of the six homes on Page Street. I am a single mother of two. I have been in the Habitat for Humanity program since November of 2019, which consisted of completing 350 sweat equity hours, many workshops and phases of escrow. Stated Meeting 58 3/17/2022 Habitat for Humanity has and still does provide me with the opportunity to become not just a homeowner but a successful homeowner at an affordable rate for myself and family, and we are forever grateful for this opportunity. Homeownership means a lot to myself and children. It's not just a roof over our head, but a place to call home and provide lots of love to not only my children, for generations to come. I work in the field of child welfare for the City of Philadelphia providing social services to help ensure children and families are safe, and as we all know, this job is not an easy task, but I do it because it's my passion to help others. Now I'm asking for assistance that -- for the assistance that I provide in return, and that is a warm, safe place to call home for my family. Again, I want to thank each and Stated Meeting 59 3/17/2022 every one of you for your time. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
The next speaker is Lorina Marshall-Blake, commenting on 220227.
Good morning. My name is Reverend Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake and I have the privilege of serving as the President of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation. Good morning, Council President Clarke and all members of Philadelphia City Council. And I'm also Vice President of Community Affairs for Independence Blue Cross. I am elated and delighted to support the passage of Resolution 220227, which honors and congratulates the 10th Anniversary of the Independence Blue Stated Meeting 60 3/17/2022 Cross Foundation. A special thank you to the prime sponsors of the resolution and dear friends, Councilmember Cherelle Parker and Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, and I thank you to all co-sponsors of this resolution. I am grateful for the important work that you do for our city every day. In a few days, we will celebrate the Independence Blue Cross Foundation's decade of growth. In 2011, the Foundation was founded with one mission and one mission only - to lead sustainable solutions to improve the health and well-being of the communities in which we live, work, and serve. Our work goes beyond grant-making. It is informed by our most important stakeholder, our community. By the end of 2022, the Foundation will have awarded nearly $70 million in charitable grants and into research, enabling the reasons non-profits address health disparities, improve access to care in Stated Meeting 61 3/17/2022 underserved communities and, yes, serve our neighbors in need. And know what? We are not finished yet. We are proud of the Foundation's intentional impact in its first decade, and we look forward to all that we will accomplish together in our future. Again, I thank you for this opportunity and for this very, very special recognition.
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Hello. Good morning. My name is Layla Irby. I am representing Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania this morning in relation to the resolution honoring our 115th Anniversary. I am calling just with some Stated Meeting 62 3/17/2022 personal remarks or speaking on some personal remarks on my connection to Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. I've been with Girl Scouts since I was about seven and have now been lucky enough to be the Program Specialist for the Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program that we have that is specific to very few counsels throughout the nation, and that is where we connect incarcerated mothers with their daughters, giving them the opportunity to the Girl Scout leadership experience while also keeping them connected to their mothers. So this is a personal promotion of Girl Scouts and just in support of the resolution coming to fruition. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Stated Meeting 63 3/17/2022 3/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public comment, and we will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, would you please read the title of Resolution No. 220226.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1403, 1409, 1412, 1415, 1416, 1421, 1435 and 1441 North 17th Street and 1624 Jefferson Street in the Fifth Councilmanic District.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and Stated Meeting 64 3/17/2022 3/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220227.
A resolution honoring and congratulating the Independence Blue Cross Foundation on the occasion of its 10th Anniversary.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) Stated Meeting 65 3/17/2022 3/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution 220228.
A resolution celebrating and congratulating Girl Scouts of the USA on the occasion of its 110th Anniversary and thanking Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania for its service to the girls of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes, I guess, Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson. Stated Meeting 66 3/17/2022 3/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220229.
A resolution honoring and celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of inspiring women leaders: Benazir Bhutto, Sarah Boone, Brigadier General Hazel Johnson-Brown, Meta L. Christy, Admiral Michelle Howard, Stated Meeting 67 3/17/2022 3/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Mae Jemison, Katherine Johnson, Condoleezza Rice, Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Madam C.J. Walker in honor of Women's History Month.
Thank you, Mr. President, and on behalf of all enlightened male members of Council, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the Stated Meeting 68 3/17/2022 3/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING title of Resolution No. 220231.
A resolution honoring NBC10 Philadelphia's Glenn "Hurricane" Schwartz on the occasion of his upcoming retirement and recognizing his twenty-seven years with the First Alert Weather Team and his forty-two year career on television reporting the weather.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? Stated Meeting 69 3/17/2022 3/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220233.
A resolution honoring and congratulating Women's History Month's Champion of the Week, Kate Scott, on becoming the second female full-time broadcaster in N.B.A. history and female play-by-play announcer in Philadelphia sports history.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas for a motion.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying Stated Meeting 70 3/17/2022 3/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 220111.
An ordinance amending Section 9-215 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Streeteries," to revise and add additional permitted locations.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman Stated Meeting 71 3/17/2022 3/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Brooks.
Aye. Stated Meeting 72 3/17/2022 3/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
-- I'd Stated Meeting 73 3/17/2022 3/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING like to be recorded voting aye. Yes, sir.
The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
I do, Mr. President. A resolution authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings to examine the enforcement of building and construction code requirements, Licenses and Inspections inspector caseload and inspector staffing ratios, and the City's response to worker misclassification, also known as payroll fraud, introduced today by Councilwoman Parker. Stated Meeting 74 3/17/2022 3/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing the City of Philadelphia Council Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings to explore the role of the Philadelphia Police Department Neighborhood Services Unit as part of the City's comprehensive response to the Stated Meeting 75 3/17/2022 3/17/22 - STATED - 2ND READING widespread prevalence of abandoned vehicles in the City of Philadelphia, and to examine enforcement practices, preventative measures and potential solutions, introduced today by Councilwoman Gauthier.
Thank you, Mr. President. I call for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
There are no Stated Meeting 76 3/17/2022 Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President. Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That completes our Calendar for today, and prior to recognizing members regarding speeches, I will note for the record at this time we will use the Chat feature available in Microsoft Teams to allow members to be recognized. In order to comply with the Sunshine Act, the Chat feature must only be used for this particular purpose. With that said, are there any speeches on behalf of the minority? (No response.)
I'm not seeing any speeches. On behalf of the majority?
Yes. Can I Stated Meeting 77 3/17/2022 recognized? COUNCIL President CLARKE: The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to bring something to everyone's attention this morning that I'm sure we're already very much aware of and, that is, the upcoming opioid settlement that should be coming to the City of Philadelphia very soon. Our city is expected to receive $186 million from the Johnson & Johnson lawsuit, with more money coming from the recently announced Purdue Pharma decision as well. Although the funding is spread over nine years, the initial distribution from the $186 million will be sometime this year. What is Philadelphia's plan or vision for how we will be utilizing these dollars? Where will we make these investments, and will it be an open and transparent process? And are we engaging Stated Meeting 78 3/17/2022 process? The City's leadership needs to come together to figure out how we will use this investment. As we all know, we have a very significant opioid situation in the City of Philadelphia, and it needs to be addressed. Our city's leaders need to strategize and develop an equitable and fair process to determine where and when and what dollars will be invested where, specifically evidence-based programs and initiatives. This funding is a unique opportunity to support prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery and cannot replace the existing funding streams. Our communities deserve transparency and accountability from the Administration, and my office looks forward to working with our state partners, including State Senator Sharif Street and our Health Commissioner, Cheryl Bettigole, and other Stated Meeting 79 3/17/2022 that there is no waste of these much-needed resources. Through this work, it is my insistence that the Administration will include public input into any outcome, and we look forward to working with all of the relevant parties to ensure that folks who have a stake in this matter have a seat at the table. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Thank you for bringing that to our attention.
It does not appear that there are any additional speakers on behalf of the majority. That being said, the Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand Stated Meeting 80 3/17/2022 Thursday, March 24th, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Councilman Clarke, real quick, Councilman Squilla here. Right before you end, I just wanted to remind everybody, 2 o'clock briefing, the Office of Information and Technology on a Teams meeting, so everybody try to get on that.
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