COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, November 3, 2011 10:15 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO, JR. COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER,
Good morning. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will come to order. Members will take their seats, and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Father Dennis Witalec of Epiphany of Our Lord Parish. He is here today as the guest of Councilman DiCicco. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
To all distinguished members of City Council, let us pray. Almighty God, you have given us this good land for our heritage. We humbly ask you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor. Bless our land with honorable violence, discord and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitude brought here out of many nations and tongues. And thou with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home. We pray for the Council President Verna, for all the members of this legislature and all others who are entrusted to guard our political welfare. May they be enabled by your powerful protection to discharge their duties with honesty and ability. Blessed are you, God of Mercy, who gave us a marvelous example of charity and the great commandment of love for one another. Send down your blessings on these, your servants, who so generously devote themselves to helping others. When they are called on in times need, let them faithfully serve you and their neighbor. Amen. (Amen.)
The Chair thanks Father for his invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 27th, 2011, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 27, 2011 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 27th, 2011 stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, on behalf of the majority, a request for leave of absence is requested by Councilwoman Krajewski.
Leave will be granted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Madam President, no requests for leaves for the republicans. Thank you.
Yes, Madam President. For the record, on behalf of the independent member of Council, there is no request for leave of absences, nor will I be asking to be excused before the end of the session. Thanks.
Thank you. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in Chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our city. We certainly invite you to come again. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco, who will present a resolution honoring Veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Would Mr. Leonard Johnson and join the Councilwoman at the podium. Is Mr. Johnson here?
Please approach the podium. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. It gives me great pleasure this morning to present this resolution honoring Veterans of the United States Armed Forces, in Philadelphia and across the country, in accordance with the observance of Veterans Day on November the 11th, 2011. Whereas, for more than 200 years, individuals from all walks of life have taken up arms and sworn an oath to support and defend the principles of which our country was founded; and Whereas, throughout our history, courageous men and women have donned the uniforms of our Armed Forces tradition of faithful and dedicated service to our nation; and Whereas, Veterans Day has been set aside as both a national and state holiday to honor the 50 million American patriots who answered the call of duty, preserving our freedoms and often making the ultimate sacrifice; and Whereas, we can never fully repay our debt of gratitude to those heroic men and women who served, were wounded or even died in battle; and Whereas, the unwavering commitment of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardmen has preserved our freedoms and saved millions around the world from tyranny; and Whereas, we continue to draw inspiration from the heroism and dedication of those who currently serve and sacrifice for the cause of liberty and justice; and Whereas, it is fitting that all Philadelphians honor America's military veterans, including Philadelphia's 81,000 living veterans, through whose service and sacrifice we today enjoy freedom and liberty. Now, therefore, be it Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby recognize November 11th, 2011 as Veterans Day and calls upon all Philadelphians to honor the contributions of current and former members of the United States Armed Services. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Leonard Johnson, Senior Vice Commander of the United Veterans Council, as evidence of the sincere sentiment of this legislative body. This was introduced by Marian Tasco, signed by the President and supported by all members of City Council. And we thank you so much for your service to the United States. Let's give them a big round of applause. (Applause.)
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Councilwoman Tasco and to all the Councilmembers. I know all of you, but I don't want to say each name because I will forget one, but thank you for all that you do for the veterans. And it's just not my name that should be mentioned on there, it's all the veterans that defended our country. You don't know how much that this helps us all, just a simple thank you. It does so much to the inner soul. It does so much to our peace and well-being. Thank you very much. (Standing ovation.)
The is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-At-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on November 2, 2011, I signed Bill No. 100200-AAAA, which was passed by Council at its session on October 20, 2011, and that on November 2, 2011, I signed the following bills that were passed by Council at its session on October 27, 2011; namely, Bill Nos. 110612, 110613 and 110660; and I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Mantua Area, designated as Parcel Nos. 73 and 74; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Mantua Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel Nos. 286, 287 and 288; and Also an ordinance approving the fortieth amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, being the area beginning at the northwest corner of Front Street and Spring Garden Street, including the thirty-second amendment to the urban renewal plan and the twenty-eighth amendment to the relocation plan; and An ordinance approving the tenth amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the Haddington Urban Renewal Area, Unit No. 2 and Unit No. 3, being the area beginning at the northwest Fifty-Second Street, including the sixth amendment to the urban renewal plan and the third amendment to the relocation plan; and An ordinance authorizing the Director of Finance and the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City, in cooperation with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, to undertake a project relating to the evaluation and implementation of energy conservation measures at City Hall, the Criminal Justice Center, the Municipal Services Building and the One Parkway Building; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a guaranteed energy savings contract with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority for the implementation and evaluation of energy conservation measures designed to reduce energy, water, wastewater and other consumption or operating costs at specified City properties; and Philadelphia Municipal Authority, incorporated pursuant to the Municipality Authorities Act, to enter into agreements for programs, evaluations, facility alterations or upgrades designed to reduce energy, water, wastewater and other consumption or operating costs at specified City properties; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 307 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the southerly forty feet five inches wide portion of Race Street from Christopher Columbus Boulevard to Water Street; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No.
307 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Ridge Avenue from Vine Street to the intersection of Eighth Street and Race Street; and An ordinance authorizing Sanjay Patel, owner and operator of the southeast corner of Eleventh Street and Market Street, to construct, use and maintain conduits in, under and across the southeast corner of Eleventh Street and Market Street; and An ordinance authorizing Caffe Italia to construct, own and maintain auxiliary seating at 1424 Snyder Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing Aksum to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 4630 through 32 Baltimore Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing Vientiane Cafe to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 4728 Baltimore Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2011 within the General Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions; and An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2011 within the Water Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The Chief Clerk will please read any other communications in his possession.
Thank you. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill on your behalf and two bills on behalf of Councilmember Krajewski.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bills.
An ordinance amending Chapter 14-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Food Distribution Center District."
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2011 within the General Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2011 within the Water Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
This bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I introduce three bills and three resolutions.
The one bill, if I might say, signed by the majority members of Council is the one that upgrades the language in the Community Development Block Grant application.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance repealing Chapter 21-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Community Development," and replacing it with a new Chapter 21-1100 that restates and revises the policy of the City of Philadelphia regarding its Community Development Block Grant Program; expands the scope of the Chapter to incorporate related housing and community development programs.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing Vientiane Cafe to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 4728 Baltimore Avenue.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing Aksum, Limited Liability Company, to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 4630 through 32 Baltimore Avenue.
This bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Mantua Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel Nos. 73 and 74.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Mantua Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel Nos. 286, 287 and 288.
This resolution will also be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution calling for the City Council Committee on Education to hold hearings on the School District of Philadelphia plan to close certain schools' facilities and to make grade changes in others.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I offer three bills on behalf of the Administration and two on your behalf.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a guaranteed energy savings contract with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority for the implementation and evaluation of energy conservation measures designed to reduce energy, water, wastewater or consumption or operating costs at specified City properties.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing the Director of Finance and the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City, in cooperation with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority, to undertake a project relating to the evaluation and implementation of energy conservation measures at City Hall, the Criminal Justice Center, the Municipal Services Building and the One Parkway Building.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing the Philadelphia Municipal Authority to enter into agreements for programs, evaluations, facility authorizations or upgrades designed to reduce energy, water, wastewater or other consumption or operating costs.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 84th Street, Lindbergh Boulevard and Mario Lanzo Boulevard.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing Caffe Italia to construct, own and maintain auxiliary seating at 1424 Snyder Avenue.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I offer three resolutions.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title.
A resolution proclaiming November 2011 as "American Diabetes Month."
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution celebrating November 14, 2011 as "World Diabetes Day" and encouraging all to participate in the "Believe in Blue" Campaign.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, 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 Thirteenth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title.
An ordinance amending Section PM 306 of the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code, entitled "Vacant Property," by requiring owners of long term vacant properties to secure their properties against blight, all under certain terms and conditions.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Madam President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Good morning, Madam President. Two bills, two resolutions, one co-sponsored by Councilwoman Maria Sanchez.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance approving the tenth amendment of the redevelopment proposal of the Haddington Urban Renewal Area, Unit No. 2 and Unit No. 3, being the area beginning at the northwest corner of Parrish and Fifty-Second Street, including the sixth amendment to the urban renewal plan and the third amendment to the relocation plan.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance granting permission to All Seasons Car Wash & Lube, Limited Liability Company, owner of the real estate located at 6722 Ridge Avenue, to relocate, use and maintain a thirty-five feet high aluminum flagpole within the public right-of-way.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to reject House Bill No. 934, which imposes unnecessary and restrictive voter ID requirements that would disproportionately impact African-American and Latino voters.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the Philadelphia, 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-Second Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title.
A resolution appointing a five-person committee, entitled the "Living Wage and Benefits Review Committee" pursuant to Section 17-1311 of The Philadelphia Code, the purpose of which shall be to review the implementation and effectiveness of Chapter 17-1300, entitled "Philadelphia 21st Century Minimum Wage and Benefits Standard," and to make recommendations to Council regarding the adoption of resolutions calling for debarment of certain contractors and recipients of City financial assistance under Section 17-1312.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Madam President, no bills or resolutions this morning.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I offer three bills and one resolution.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 307 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Ridge Avenue from Vine Street to the intersection of Eighth Street and Race Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing Sanjay Patel, owner and operator of the newsstand located on the southeast corner of Eleventh Street and Market Street, to construct, use and maintain conduits in, under and across the southeast corner of Eleventh Street and Market Street.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 307 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the southerly forty feet five inches wide portion of Race Street from Christopher Columbus Boulevard to Water Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, 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 First Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
An ordinance approving the fortieth amendment to the redevelopment proposal for the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, being the area beginning at the northwest corner of Front Street and Spring Garden Street, including the thirty-second amendment to the urban renewal plan and the twenty-eighth amendment to the relocation plan.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank of business is reports from committees. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a report from the Committee of the Whole.
Madam President, the Committee of the Whole reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee of the Whole, to which was referred Bill No. 110661, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 20-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Councilmanic Districts,' by revising the boundaries of the Councilmanic Districts as they were established by Bill No. 110547 (approved September 23, 2011), and when the revision of Councilmanic Districts set forth in this Ordinance and in Bill No. 110547 affects the interpretation of other provisions of The Philadelphia Code and other ordinances that reference specific Councilmanic Districts, all under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading of this bill just reported from committee. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bill just reported from committee. indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bill just read will be placed on the First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney for a report from the Committee on Rules.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Rules reports four bills with favorable recommendations.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
The Committee on Rules, to which was referred Bill No. 110307, entitled "An ordinance district in an area that generally includes, with the exception of those properties having frontage on North Broad Street, the area bounded by the northeast corner of Broad and Vine Streets, the southeast corner of Broad and Spring Garden Streets, the southwest corner of 8th and Spring Garden Streets, the northwest corner of 8th and Vine Streets and the northeast corner of Broad and Vine Streets and certain blocks of intersecting streets within such area, to be known as the Callowhill Reading Viaduct Neighborhood Improvement District"; and Bill No. 110341, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 9-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Service and Other Businesses,' by adding a new Section regulating an employer's treatment of gratuities left by patrons for employees, including, but not limited to, a requirement that all gratuities be without deduction, including, in the case of a gratuity paid by credit card, any deduction for credit card processing fees"; and Bill No. 110563, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by amending Section 14-1604, entitled 'Outdoor Advertising and Non-Accessory Advertising Controls,' by permitting certain non-accessory outdoor advertising signs within the area bounded by 7th Street, Spring Garden Street, 6th and Willow Street"; and Bill No. 110670, entitled "An ordinance amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Rodman Street, Juniper Street, South Street and Broad Street," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill Nos. 110307, 341, 563 and 670. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bills just reported from committee. All those in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bills just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair now recognizes report from the Committee on Public Property and Public Works.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, the Committee on Public Property and Public Works reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
The Committee on Public Property and Public Works, to which was referred Bill No. 110517, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority for a certain portion of a parcel of ground located at the Northeast Water Pollution Control Plant, 3899 Richmond Street, all under certain terms and conditions," considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 110517. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bill just reported from committee. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bill just read will 11/3/11-STATED-1ST READING/BILLS ON 2ND READING be placed on the First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just read from committee with suspension of rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Madam President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 110769, 110770, 110771, 110772, 110774, 110548-A, 110611, 110648, 110649, 110554, 110632, 110650, 110669, 110552, 110565, 110442 and 110533. No. 110773 is being withdrawn. No. 110518 is being amended. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you. Before considering these bills and resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed up for today's session, please do so now by giving your name to the Sergeant-At-Arms at the table to my left. If you will be called -- you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. You will have up to three minutes, three minutes to speak. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.
Christina Kobland, commenting on 110565. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Welcome. Please proceed with your testimony.
Thank you so much for allowing me to attend and to speak to you today on this important matter. My name is Christina Kobland. I write a blog called East33.org promoting the protection of native wildlife and habitat. I try very hard to convince others to share their land with wildlife. My love of wildlife is an integral component of my life, and for the city I live closest to to talk so cavalierly about killing innocent animals is upsetting, to say the least. As I told you at the last hearing, the following vector species must all, by Pennsylvania law, be killed when trapped: fox, raccoon, groundhog, skunk, coyote and bats. They are gassed, shot, electrocuted, drowned, clubbed or worse. People need to know that when they call to report raccoons, they are imposing a cruel death sentence on these innocent animals and their young. I have a few letters that were sent to me at my blog. Len Lear of Mt. Airy asked me to read this: Dear Council, please, please withdraw this heartless legislation. I am 71, have lived in Philly my entire life, have seen many raccoons near our house in Mt. Airy and they are absolutely delightful. Murdering them is sick. If people want to secure their trash, they can make sure the tops of the trash receptacles are securely placed, as we do. This would be a horrific message to send to the children of the City that their City officials are going to murder these delightful creatures who are doing nothing but trying to survive, as we all are. Deborah Mace, 4519 Osage Avenue, writes, I have seen people's negative reaction toward raccoons, just from their mere presence. Ignorance of the people is what gives raccoons a bad name rather than anything they have done. Raccoons do not attack. They are attacked upon. I have seen people corner raccoons, jab them with sticks and throw bricks at them, but I have never seen a raccoon attack a human being. I beg you to not pass this ordinance to have them killed. I think it would be a great injustice. If you check the hospitals, you wouldn't find one case where someone was attacked by a raccoon. If you do, I'm willing to bet the raccoon was attacked upon first. It is not in the raccoon's nature to attack people. And, finally, Law Professor Vern R. Smith. As a professor who teaches animal law to a Philadelphia area law school, I believe I can say with assurance that the number of people whose interest coincide with those of the animals they love is large and expanding. Philadelphia's anti-animal gender will, in the long run, only serve to strengthen the resolve and political will of people who care about animals to ensure that public policy and the animals responsible for implementing it will be animal friendly. Philadelphia may claim to be the city that loves you back, but clearly not when it comes to urban wildlife. Recent statements by the City's Mayor and actions by City Council demonstrates a profound dislike of wildlife. The proposed ordinance would essentially declare open warfare on raccoons. The debate follows reports of a recent statement by Mayor Nutter in which he bluntly stated, I don't like raccoons. The proposed ordinance is unnecessary, overbroad and sets a dangerous precedent which could lead to the decimation of urban wildlife. If indeed Philadelphia does adopt this policy, I strongly urge City officials to change the City's slogan to the City that loves you back, but hates animals with a passion, for no good reason. Thank you.
Before the Chief Clerk calls the next witness, I am told that we now have more than 12 people to testify. I am asking you to please stay within the guidelines of the three-minute period. Thank you.
Jenny Robinson, commenting on 110631. (Witness approached podium.)
Council, I do understand that this bill is not up for a vote today, so we will be happy to comment when it is up for a vote and just want to say that we do support the bill when that happens and it is to protect the privacy of accident reports in the City.
Deb Welter, commenting on 110565. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Deb Welter and I'm licensed by the State of Pennsylvania as a wildlife rehabilitator. For the last 15 years, I have dealt very, very strongly with raccoons, and I deal with thousands of phone calls a year helping people to deal with their wildlife problems. This bill will not do anything. It will not serve any purpose, because trapping an animal, whatever you do with it after the fact, will not solve any problems. Nature abhors a vacuum. Another animal will move into that spot. Raccoons, same as all wildlife, want the same thing that we all want, just a place to safely raise their family and live and eat. That's all they want. If you provide easy access to any of those things, raccoons in particular are extremely intelligent, they will make use of it. That's all there is to it. If you remove one, another one will move in. If you remove all of the raccoons in the area, you will end up with more rats than you know what to do with. Rats -- raccoons pretty much take care of the rat population. You will not know what to do with the raccoons at that point. This is feel-good legislation that does not serve any purpose. If you want to find out how to really deal with your problem, you have to remove the attractance. You have to remove food, water and easy access to housing. If you cover your trash cans, secure them, if you board up the buildings securely that are abandoned, if you have buildings that are out of repair and you repair them, you won't have the problem that you have right now. I deal with people all the time, many, many calls a day, and tell them to do -- if they have a raccoon in their dwelling, put lights on, bright lights all over the place and a radio, playing music as loud as you can, and the animal will move on. You cannot change wildlife. You have to change the environment. And I respectfully submit that I would be happy to work with Council to develop a state -- a list of things that people can do to publish to help deal with living with wildlife in a safe manner. Thank you.
Joseph Mahoney, commenting on 110548-A- and 110554. (Witness approached podium.)
Thank you, Madam President. I'm Joe Mahoney. I'm Executive Vice-President at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and on behalf of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the sponsors of Bills 110548-A and 110554; namely, Councilman Kenney, Councilwoman Sanchez and Councilman Green, for this important legislation. These bills send the right message to current and potential employers that Philadelphia is open for business. Many of you know that BPT reform has been at the very top of the Chamber's legislative priorities for many years. We are pleased that the Administration has embraced these legislative initiatives as well. Again, thank you on behalf of thousands of businesses that will be positively impacted by these bills and on behalf of local residents who may secure gainful employment as a direct result of their passage. This is a win-win for everyone. Thank you for this opportunity.
Dr. Robert Cauoto, commenting on 110631. (Witness approached podium.)
Thank you very much for allowing me the opportunity to speak. I'd like to thank Councilman Kenney for taking time to speak to us, as well as the Council men and women who are going to allow us in the future to speak with them. I'm addressing Bill 631, which is essentially denying public information to the public. Right now there's a bill before Council that will prevent people from understanding and knowing their rights. Now, Councilman Kenney's bill comes with all good intent, but the secondary problems that are facing that come with it can be devastating. For example, me as a doctor, many, many people do not know they have the right to see us after they're in an automobile accident. We provide the service of letting them know help is there. The insurance industry presented their side, but what they forgot to tell us was that many times they'll send an agent to people's homes directly after an accident, offer them some stipend of several hundred dollars in order for them to sign their rights away. Now, ironically, even though those rights are signed away, they maintain the rights to first-party benefits, which means treatment. They're not told that. I cannot tell you the hundreds of people I have run into who are unaware that they had rights in order to obtain healthcare that they purchased for. And the thing that really concerns me about this is the insurance industry is the only industry that I'm aware of that we are required to purchase their product, but they are not required to provide it. In many cases people have to go to court to get that done. What we're doing is, we're taking information and giving it to the people. And on a very personal note, if this bill passes, I have 25 employees, of which 17 will be laid off. There are dozens of doctors in the City, and that will translate into hundreds and hundreds of jobs being laid off, as well as the tax dollars that the City will not see, which will go into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The impact on the minorities is especially harsh, because in many cases the minorities are completely unaware of what they have and what they've purchased and what their rights are. We are currently working with the Controller in order to help regulate this industry, which absolutely needs regulation. We will be there to make sure this is done in a way that makes sense. The bottom line, there are people who drive drunk, there are people who speed, there are people who have auto accidents. We do not ban driving. We fix the problem. The bottom line is, there is no problem here. The only concern I have is that people will not have access to the information that gives them access to their rights. Outside here there are 300 tents of people who are socially becoming aware of what's occurring, and the impact of that is amazing. It is big business. It is big business that in many cases has harmed this country. And this is a case where big business is being protected in order to help save and line their pockets. I hope and plead that you look at this from both sides and understand the true victim here will be the victim of the automobile accident who does not get the service and care he needs. Thank you.
Apparently not, so let's continue the list, please.
Aliya Williams, commenting on 110565. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Aliya Williams and I have been a resident of West Philadelphia all of my life, with 18 years at my current residence in University City at 4519 Osage Avenue. For as long as I can remember, my neighborhood has always had an element of wildlife, and in all of my years, I have yet to experience any personal safety issues or concerns in regards to that wildlife. I live in a neighborhood where there are many families with young children and pet owners alike, and we all enjoy the use of our front porches and our backyards and at times are heavily populated by these animals, but in my conversations with neighbors and other community residents, they've never posed an issue or a threat that would warrant this type of action to be taken. I currently volunteer also for the SPCA Trap and Neuter program and I manage several colonies of strays across the City of Philadelphia, and I found that these animals that are all born and bred here in the City cohabitate together peacefully in a very safe environment. I know that there have been people who have cited real safety issues or concerns regarding their homes, but I just feel as though that with proper education and assistance, that there is a way that they can address the real issue without having to act in a cruel and inhumane manner toward these animals that deserve the right to live. Thank you.
Good morning, Madam President and distinguished members of City Council. It's good to be here. I'll be very brief. I just wanted to address a bill that was passed out of committee on Tuesday. It's a bill that would allow up to 10,000 square feet of advertising on a building along the Vine Street corridor, which is an area that has been preserved since 1988 at the request of --
No. It's only those on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Beverly Ann Jordan, commenting on 110565. (Witness approached podium.)
I just have one thing to say, that if the area where you live where you put the garbage, just make sure it's in the container. This has already been said. I live at 419 South 48th Street and I see people take the garbage -- if the one garbage can is full, they can walk two steps and put the garbage inside. They won't do that. I try to do the best that I can. Just keep it clean and you will not have a raccoon problem.
Is there anyone else who has signed up to provide public comment on today's agenda? (No response.)