COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 653, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, February 26, 2015 10:45 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN ED NEILSON COUNCILMAN DENNIS O'BRIEN COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK
It's a great day in a great room. Again, I'd like to thank the support system, our IT folks, for doing a very aggressive and productive transformation from one of Philadelphia's most noteworthy courtrooms into the Council Chambers for today. I thank you all so much for your great work, guys. We really appreciate it. We have a quorum. I'd ask all guests and visitors to retire behind the rail, and at this time, we will start our Council session. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Pastor Alex Velazquez of Oasis City Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Bass. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
Good morning. I am not sure if we should take this opportunity to pray for the Flyers while we're here and also for the Philadelphia Phillies. But if you can bow your heads for me. Father, we thank you this morning for giving us just this great day. We pray this morning that you may give us the wisdom that is needed to tackle the difficult and just the challenging situations that we face every day in the City. Give every person, Lord God, the patience that they need, Lord God, the strength that they need and the wisdom that you gave Solomon so that we can continue bettering the people of this great city. We love you. In Jesus' name. Amen. (Amen.)
you, Pastor, for those inspiring words. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Again, thank you very much, Pastor. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 19th, 2015, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 19th, 2015 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 19th, 2015 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. And the next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. There are no requests for leaves of absence on the part of the majority.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. At this time, I will dispense with the regular order of business and I and thank everyone who has come down today to witness their government in action. We really appreciate the fact that you are engaged and participating in this wonderful process that the Constitution and the City Charter gives us. We hope that you enjoy yourselves so much today that you actually come back again. So, again, thank you all, and continue to be a part of our wonderful government. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones, who will present a resolution honoring Philadelphia's living legends. Would all those living legends please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining the Councilman, we have Councilman Goode, Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, Councilman Neilson, Councilwoman Bass, Councilman Oh, Blackwell, and Councilman Henon.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. (Good morning.)
All right. Today we recognize living legends. As a result of the national African American History Month, which has its origins in 1915 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson who said that if a race has no history, it has no worthy traditions. It becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world and stands in danger of being exterminated. We could have stopped there and just recognized names from the past, but on Germantown Avenue in Councilwoman Bass' district, there is a mural and it had a face on the wall, and there were some young people that were walking down the street, and I asked them, Tell me who mural. One was David P. Richardson. The other was Georgie Woods. And none of them had an idea who they were. And so we said that we need to recognize people constantly, not just the ones who have come before, but the ones who are here right now making a difference. Whether we talk about legends like Lucien E. Blackwell or Vernon Marks in North Philadelphia who made a difference by sitting on his step and doing his thing and providing poor people with housing, these people weren't on murals. They weren't on -- I actually brought the picture, and every time on my desk, Councilman Greenlee, I could tell the age of a person I'm talking to because they won't know who these people are. That's actually Milton Street with them when he had hair. So we're here today to recognize some people that are doing a difference today. Whether you talk about Vai Sikahema with his children's adoption program making a difference or you talk about, at the other end of the spectrum, Geneva Black, who has made the fourth quarter of life, seniors' life, look sexy. So here we are. Honoring the Philadelphia Living Legends: Geneva Black, Senator Shirley M. Kitchen, Cody Anderson, Vernon Odom, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, Vai Sikahema, Bobby Williams in the areas of government, public safety, social justice, civil rights, labor relations, journalism, community activism, business leadership. And we are also taking the opportunity to recognize a young whipper-snapper, who won't be on a mural for quite some time, but has made a significant difference. He picks winners. He started out with Seth Williams for DA. He went with Obama against the tide back then, got it right; for Mayor; went with a guy by the name of Onorato out in the western end of Pennsylvania; and then the surprise of the decade, a guy by the name of Tom Wolf. So we're recognizing him as well. Whereas
Geneva A. Black has dedicated her life and service for more than 45 years to providing quality, compassionate in-home and center-based care for elderly and vulnerable residents in West Philadelphia and beyond. In 1970, Ms. Black joined the Haddington Leadership Organization as a housing coordinator and two years later became its Executive Director. Since that time, the organization was renamed Haddington Multi-Services for Older Adults, Inc. and has more than quadrupled its staff, services and positive impact in the community;
And whereas, the Honorable Shirley M. Kitchen of political service and community advocacy dating back to 1970 when she was a poll worker, to her days as a constituent service representative at Philadelphia City Hall, to her leadership as a State Representative and her current role on the Pennsylvania State Senate since 1997. Senator Kitchen's leadership has been celebrated with numerous awards including the Philadelphia Tribune's Most Influential African American Leader, the Dawn Staley Foundation Government Service Award, the Warren E. Smith Corporate Woman of the Year Award and the Distinguished Service Community Impact Award from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, among many others; and
Whereas, Cody Anderson launched a distinguished career in radio as vice president and general manager of WDAS radio in Philadelphia. He continued on to radio and opened a family-operated public relations firm while also working with Dr. and Mrs. Walter Lomax to make 900 AM WURD radio accessible to the Philadelphia African American community. Mr. Anderson worked tirelessly with area prisons, speaking with inmates and giving them a chance to tell their stories, exemplary of his belief that everybody deserves to be heard. Mr. Anderson is also committed to service beyond the borders of Philadelphia with philanthropic contributions to Hurricane Katrina victims and vulnerable groups in Senegal, Africa where he was recognized as an honorary Chief; and
Whereas, Vernon Odom, anchor with Action News team, comes from a strong family history of journalists. His maternal grandfather, B.T. Harvey, Sr., was the second African-American to publish a daily newspaper. Vernon Odom has been with more than 35 years. His reportorial experience dates back to the Martin Luther King assassination when he was a radio reporter in Atlanta. He has covered various phases of the civil rights movement in the Deep South and early political campaigns for national leaders such as former President Jimmy Carter, Andrew Young, Julian Bond and Maynard Jackson. In November 2004, Mr. Odom was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame;
Whereas, Lloyd Ayers began his career with the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1974 and devoted 31 years to public service with the Philadelphia Fire Department, serving in every rank in the Department from Lieutenant to Deputy Commissioner. Then, Lloyd Ayers was sworn in as Philadelphia's Fire Commissioner on Wednesday, December 1st, 2004. As Fire Commissioner, he managed the 2,400-member the operations of the Philadelphia Fire Department, which comprise the 5th largest fire department in the United States. Commissioner Ayers retired from the Philadelphia Fire Department on June 13th, 2014, ending four decades of remarkable service;
Whereas, Vai Sikahema celebrated a lengthy professional football career in the NFL from 1986 to 1993 when he retired from professional football and the Philadelphia Eagles. Vai then launched his career as sports announcer in 1994 and with then-CBS owned and operated television station WCAU in Philadelphia working as a spokesperson for weekend sporting events. After the station was sold to NBC, Vai has moved on to do weekday sports announcing and currently serves as the station's sports director;
Whereas, Bobby J. Williams is a tireless community advocate who has dedicated the past 62 to struggling residents in the Nicetown-Tioga neighborhood. Williams began his community activism as a coordinator in the NAACP - first under the Philadelphia chapter President A. Leon Higginbotham, then throughout the tenure of Cecil B. Moore. Williams also founded several community organizations and became a member of countless more, all while working his way up the ladder at a men's suits warehouse and running his own dry-cleaning service. Today, Williams can be found still giving back to the community in a variety of roles with non-profit organizations throughout Philadelphia;
Whereas, Obra S. Kernodle, IV was born and raised in Philadelphia. A graduate of Roman Catholic High School, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University in 2002. Before joining the Wolf for Governor Campaign, Obra worked Nutter's Administration as deputy of legislative affairs, helping to coordinate the City's Actual Value Initiative (AVI).
In 2012, Obra was part of the presidential reelection of Obama and as a Pennsylvania southeast political director. Obra previously served as the director of both Mayor Nutter's 2011 reelection bid and District Attorney Seth Williams' race in 2009. Obra currently holds the position of Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Tom Wolf. Before serving in his current position, Obra played a key role on the Wolf campaign as a senior advisor -- it's hard to call him senior anything, but -senior advisor for the Wolf transition team and also as deputy campaign manager and political director. Obra's appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff for the youngest African American to hold such a position in a governor's cabinet. That deserves a clap. (Applause.)
Be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby honor and celebrate Philadelphia's Living Legends: Geneva Black, Senator Shirley M. Kitchen, Cody Anderson, Vernon Odom, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, Vai Sikahema and Bobby Williams in the areas of government, public safety, social justice, civil rights, labor relations, journalism, community activism and business leadership in Philadelphia; also recognizing Obra Kernodle, IV as an Up and Coming Living Legend, all as part of Black History Month. Further be it resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Living Legends as evidence of this -- the sincerity of this legislative body. Thank you. (Applause.)
Awesome. The Chair recognizes Senator Shirley Kitchen for remarks. That's right, Senator. You know what it's like. SENATOR KITCHEN: I owe you one, my brother.
I know. SENATOR KITCHEN: I knew you had something up your sleeve, though. I really did. This is just a wonderful show of support for us and the encouragement, and I know that my fellow recipients feel like I do. The only thing missing today is the people that was on that journey with us that helped us to accomplish so many of the things. So it's good to give people their roses while we could smell much. (Applause.)
Thank you, Chairman. I appreciate that, President Clarke, all of you here. I want to thank my NBC 10 team, my morning team, Chris and Bill and Tracy and my colleagues, our NBC 10 alums who are here. I appreciate that you guys came out, members of my faith, all of you. Thank you very much, Councilman Jones, for submitting my name. This is quite an honor. I don't want to leave out my wife. Every person here could probably appreciate this: Behind every successful man is a shocked mother-in-law. I appreciate that her parents had faith that I could take care of their daughter. Thank you very much, Council President and Council. Thank you for it.
Thank you very much. And, again, congratulations to our living legends and the youngest member of the group, soon to be a living legend. 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. 140906, 140007, 140012, 140050, 150056, and 150091; and I am pleased to advise you that on February 25, 2015, I signed the following bill which was passed by Council at its session on February 12, 2015: Bill No. 150010, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you so much. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce one bill and one non-privileged resolution.
An ordinance amending Section 2-305 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Office of Property Assessment; Chief Assessment Officer; Power and Duties," by modifying the documentation requirements for real estate tax exemptions.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
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 Fifty-first and Sixtieth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer one bill.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Eleventh Street, Susquehanna Street, Tenth Street, and Diamond Street.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Mr. President, I have two bills and one non-privileged resolution.
An ordinance amending Section 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Business Income and Receipts Taxes," to add a new subsection, "Job Training Sponsorship Credit," providing a credit for certain contributions.
And an ordinance establishing a no stopping regulation on the 7400 Block of Henslow Place.
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-Sixth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Next week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one non-privileged resolution.
A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Seventh Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Next week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Neilson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have two privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution declaring March 2nd to March 8th, 2015 as "Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week" in Philadelphia and acknowledging the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for their work to improve the lives of Philadelphians living with
That resolution will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution supporting House Bill No. 229 which creates a punishable offense for the cyber harassment of a child in Pennsylvania to raise awareness of the need for accountability to cyber bullying in Philadelphia.
That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Good morning, Mr. President. I offer one resolution on your behalf.
A privileged resolution Recognizing and Commending Fair Trade Philadelphia for its Commitment to Economic Equality for Workers and Sustainable Production Practices for the Environment.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. One privileged resolution today.
A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Candace V. Mitchell, co-founder and CEO of Myavana in the Fourth Councilmanic District for her entrepreneurial skills, ingenuity and her contributions to the community and economy of Philadelphia as an innovative woman business owner as we further recognize March as Women's History Month.
And that resolution will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
An ordinance amending Section 9-204 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Vendors in Center City," by eliminating previously designated vendor locations in Center City.
That bill will be referred to committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
An ordinance amending Title 2 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled, "CITY-COUNTY CONSOLIDATION," Chapter 2-300, entitled "PROPERTY ASSESSMENT," Section 2-305, entitled "Office of Property Assessment; Chief Assessment Officer; Powers and Duties" by setting the deadline to apply for the exemption authorized by this Section to be June 1, 2015 for Tax Year 2016.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. introduction of bills and resolutions, and at this time, we will have reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for a report from the Committee of Rules.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Rules reports five bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Rules, to which was referred Bill No. 140906, entitled, "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' to add a new Section 14-516, entitled '/UED Urban Experiential Display Overlay Control District'"; and Bill No. 140936, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Market Street, 48th Street, Haverford Avenue, and 46th Street"; and Bill No. 141031, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 6th Street, Wood Street, 2nd Street, Benjamin Franklin Bridge Access Road, and Vine Street Expressway Ramp"; and Bill No. 150007, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Front Street, Oxford Street, Frankford Avenue, Norris Street, Aramingo Avenue, Fletcher Street, Moyer Street, Berks Street, Avenue, Columbia Avenue, Beach Street, Delaware Avenue, Frankford Avenue, and Girard Avenue"; and Bill No. 150050, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Montrose Street, 17th Street, Carpenter Street, and 18th Street," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill Nos. 140936, 141031, 150007, and 150050. (Duly seconded.)
been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 140936, 141031, 150007, and 150050. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. Bill No. 140906 will be placed on the First Reading Calendar for the next session of Council. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown for a report from the Committee on the Environment.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on the Environment reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
you, Councilwoman. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on the Environment, to which was referred Bill No. 150011, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-3402 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Benchmarking Energy and Water Use', to expand the buildings for which the benchmarking and reporting of energy and water usage data is required," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Mr. President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 150011. (Duly seconded.)
The ayes have it, and this bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. That concludes our reports from committee. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that those bills just reported from committee have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar today, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up bills 2ND READING and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 150025, 150126, 150127, 150128, 150130, 150133, 150134, 140244, 140764, 150017, 140230, 140747, 150005, 140944, and 150008. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you very much. Before considering these bills and resolutions on our Final Passage Calendar, we will have our public comment session. It will go as follows: If you have not already signed up to testify on a bill or resolution that is on the Final Passage Calendar today, I would ask that you sign up at the table in the rear. Your name will be called. Once your name is called, you will go to the podium in the middle of the Chambers. There's a device on that podium. When the light turns green, it is your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks, and when the light turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to the guideline and conclude your remarks. You will be given three minutes to testify on the bill or resolution. Thank you very much for your cooperation. Mr. Decker, please call the first name on the list.
Justin Haley, commenting on 150133. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Justin Haley. I'm a member of Unite Here 634. I've been a student safety staff for Motivation over for five years now, located at 59th and Baltimore Avenue. I am a fellow student safety staff. We are charged with keeping order, looking after, and ensuring the safety of the students we serve. We do this and much more. We look out for bullying and emotionally stressed students. We lend an ear and a trusting adult to talk to. We are often called the second moms and dads of the schools. We do all this while watching over hundreds of kids at one time. We thank you for passing this resolution. Thank you.
Nicole Hunt, commenting on 150133. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Nicole Hunt. I'm a food service worker for the School District of Philadelphia and I'm a representative of Unite Here Local 634. My co-workers and I feed thousands of children across the City every day. For many of them, we provide their only reliable meal. We also love and take enormous pride in what we do. We hope to get this matter resolved as soon as possible. In spite of the current situation, the members remain committed to the students, their safety, and care is our number one priority. The students are like our children, so ultimately ours is a labor of love. Please pass this resolution. Thank you.
Donna Cooper, commenting on 150005. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning. Council President, Sharon and I are both testifying. Can she go first and then I go second? We're both on the list.
Thank you. Good morning. I'm Reverend Sharon Easterling. I'm the Executive Director of the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children. We're the professional association of early childhood practitioners, and we're on a mission to make every early childhood program in the City high quality so that all children have the opportunity to achieve their God-given potential. As I speak to you this morning, I'm fully aware of the myriad of pressing issues facing the City of Philadelphia. They're all clamoring for your attention and each is asserting priority status. So when I tell you that ensuring a high-quality preschool experience for every young child in Philadelphia is the single most important thing we can do to address the vexing problems of multi-generational poverty, education funding, student outcomes, crime, and the escalating costs of incarceration, a skilled workforce, an insufficient tax base, and the runaway costs of chronic health problems, I'm pretty sure you'll be skeptical. But more than 40 years of research bears out these benefits. Consider this one fact: If I told you that we have the ability to reduce the number of children in each grade in the School District of Philadelphia who need special education from 1,500 students down to below 500, saving $5 million per class, for a total of $60 million in savings in that one area, I think you would be impressed. Well, that's exactly what the evaluation of Pre-K Counts in Philadelphia demonstrates, reduction of special ed from 14 percent down to 4 percent. Unfortunately, despite the proven benefits of high-quality early childhood education, the state only funds a fraction of eligible children, and the City has even less skin in the game. But the benefits of universal pre-K is only part of the story. There is another fact that we ignore at our own peril, because the majority of our young children in the City are in child care programs that are substandard because of chronic underfunding. We can ignore this silent crisis today, but ultimately we'll pay the price when these children grow up and their challenges become more costly to remediate. So if we know that universal high-quality pre-K has such a great return on investment and less than a third of our children are getting these services and the remainder of children are in poor to mediocre quality, what do we need to do to move forward? What we need is a plan to fund universal pre-K in Philadelphia. We need a plan that is embraced and owned by the leaders of this city, and we need to build public will to support that plan. Thank you very much.
I'm Donna Cooper. I'm the Executive Director of Public Citizens for Children and Youth and I'm here today to thank Councilwoman Blackwell, the Chair of the Education Committee, for managing a process to bring together this terrific resolution to put a pre-K measure on the ballot and to also thank her colleague, Blondell Reynolds Brown, for making sure this happened, and ultimately, Council President Clarke, to thank you for putting this on the docket today. I know that and we all know it's a very crowded ballot. We know that we should take our Charter very seriously. It is a sacred document. But I also know that the vote today to put this measure on the ballot is about the future of our city. I cannot emphasize more strongly that a vote to put this on the ballot will change the trajectory of our city. I want to thank you for a yes vote on this measure, because you will be voting to reduce child poverty. I want to thank you for a yes vote on this measure, because you will be voting for our children to start school ready for school success. I want to thank you for a yes vote on this measure, because you will be making sure more of our children graduate high school, go to college, and graduate college. I want to thank you for a yes vote on this measure, because you will be decreasing the number of children who are arrested and incarcerated. And, finally, I want to thank you for voting yes on this measure, because you will be voting for the prosperity, the vibrancy, and the competitiveness of our city. And I want to invite my friends who helped us collect these 4,000 petitions that we're bringing into Council right now that recognize your courage to put this on the ballot and your belief that the voters will say yes and your willingness to vote today to help the dreams of our children come true. And if you'll just stand. A few of us are in the room today. Kadeesh, stand up and Sean and Sharon for helping get these petitions. Thank you very much, City Council of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
2/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. There being no other additional speeches, we will move on to our Calendar. Mr. Decker, could you please read the title of 150025.
A resolution authorizing the creation of a "Special Committee on Income Inequality in the City of Philadelphia," to identify trends, impacts and opportunities associated with income inequality in the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the motion to approve the resolution, please. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
2/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it, and 150025 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 150126.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Belmont No. 2 Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 4050 through 66 Haverford Avenue.
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.)
2/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it, and 150126 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 150127.
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 Forty-Third Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? 2/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 150127 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 150128.
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 number and street address as 1925 West Wilt Street.
The Chair again recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's 2/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and 150128 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 150130.
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 Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Thirty-Seventh Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
I move 2/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and 150130 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 150133.
A resolution urging the School District of Philadelphia and the School Reform Commission to return to the bargaining table with UNITE HERE! Local 634.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's 2/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 150133 is adopted. (Applause.)
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 Thirty-First Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla. 2/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING
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 150134 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 140244. I will note that this requires a two-thirds vote. It is a Charter change.
A resolution proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation, appointment, powers and duties of a Commission for Women.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, can you please call the roll. 2/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING