COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, February 2, 2012 10:10 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY COUNCILMAN DENNIS O'BRIEN COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com
Good morning, everyone. 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 outside the rail. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Reverend David Henfield, Pastor of Grace Community Church of God of Prophecy. He is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Brown. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
Let us bow our heads in prayer. Eternal God, our creator, we stand in thy presence yielding ourselves to thee. We lift up to thee this day those who have come to do business for DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com Brotherly Love, the birthplace of this great nation. We seek thy guidance that this Council would be led by thy conviction -by their conviction which is just and right, helping the citizens of our city. May thy light shine upon us that citizens would turn from the violence that is overrunning our streets. May thy love enfold the members of this Council in the radiance of thy glory as they sit in the light of thy presence, that time may be transcended, that they will accomplish far more than they can imagine. Hold them in your right hand and guide them with your counsel. And let everyone say amen. (Amen.)
Thank you, Reverend. The Chair thanks the Reverend for his wonderful invocation. Council will be at ease. DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com (Council at ease.)
Thank you. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, January 26, 2012. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, January 26, 2012 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and seconded. All in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Mr. President, on behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. 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 the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate you being here, and we love the fact that you're attending to the legislative affairs of DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com you to come back again. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of welcoming a special guest joining us in the Chambers this morning.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today we are happy to welcome several people here certainly who are visiting our fair city for a few days. First, Mr. Stanley L. Straughter, Chairman of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs; Mr. Bolaji Atanda Gray (ph), President of BJ Resource Ventures, Inc.; and our special delegation from across the seas, our Major General Dr. Tihere Oshay Umar (ph), Chairman, Ministry of Defense. These gentlemen have come to work with aides from Nigeria, and this EPIC, Emergency Plan Improvement Committee, is being supported by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Penn, Drexel, Cheyney University, and DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com Tihere Oshay Umar, Chairman of the Ministry of Defense, is here, along with Mr. Adelfia Odufame Emmanuel (ph), who is a Special Assistant to the Minister of Defense of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you so much. Please stand to be recognized. (Applause.)
We welcome you here today. Thank you so much for being here. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown, who will present a resolution recognizing the 20th African American Children's Book Fair. We would please ask Ms. Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati and those accompanying her to please join the Councilwoman at the podium. We see that the Councilwoman is joined by Councilman Greenlee and Councilman Goode, and also will be joined DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com
Those of us who are educators know always that from grades K through 3, children learn to read, and from 4th grade on, children read to learn. And nothing enriches or inspires learning more than reading books. So it's always an enormous pleasure for me to salute authors who take the time and have the discipline to write children's books in a way that captures their imaginations. On your desk, to my colleagues, and particularly to our new members of Council, you should know that for the past 12 years, the African American Children's Book Fair has always left us with a memory of the Children's Book Fair, and Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati, the Founder and President, invites everyone DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com Saturday. I'd be remiss also not to acknowledge one of the leading consistent sponsors of PECO represented here today by Mellanie Lassiter, who always looks for and embraces those initiatives that lift up the children in our city. So it's my wonderful pleasure to honor the African American Children's Book Project on the occasion of the 20th Annual African American Children's Book Fair. Whereas, the importance of book fairs cannot be underestimated, and for twenty years, the African American Children's Book Fair has enhanced multi-culturalism in our City utilizing the joy of reading as a tool; and Whereas, Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati created the Book Fair because she believes books open up a world of opportunities for children and after 20 years is one of the oldest and largest single-day events for children's literacy DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com Philadelphia and throughout the region; and
Whereas, one of the most important reasons to encourage reading in our children is that studies show that the more our youth read, the more likely they are to make positive lifestyle decisions as they grow older; and Whereas, strictly judging by attendance, the Fair is a tremendous success, as well over 4,500 people attended the Fair in past years; and
Whereas, rich or poor, no one leaves empty handed, as the books themselves are priced at a level where they are more affordable, and posters, bookmarkers, and raffle books are distributed free of charge to attendees; and Whereas, one of the esteemed attendees will be Sharon G. Flake, a graduate of Simon Gratz High School and the University of Pittsburgh, an DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 2 million copies in print, including publications through Disney: Jump At the Sin, The Skin I'm In, Money Hungry, Begging for Change, Who Am I Without Him, Short Stories About Girls and Boys in Their Lives, Bang, The Broken Bike Boy and The Queen of 33rd Street, You Don't Even Know Me: Short Stories and Poems about Boys; and
Whereas, the Fair is also lucky to host a terrific partner, PECO, through PECO's Energy in the Community Program and Mellanie K. Lassiter, Corporate Contributions Manager for PECO Company in Philadelphia; and Whereas, Ms. Lassiter has been a tireless advocate for children's literacy, and through her support, PECO has been a longtime supporter of the Educator's Book Giveaway Program that provides free bestselling books to educators to use in their classroom libraries; and DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com
Whereas, the 20th Annual African American Book Fair will be held free of charge on Saturday, February 4th, from one to three p.m. at the gymnasium of the Community College of Philadelphia located at 17th and Spring Garden Streets; now therefore be it Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby honor the African American Children's Book Project on the occasion of the 20th Annual African American Children's Book Fair.
Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the representatives of the African American Children's Book Project, Sharon G. Flake, and Mellanie K. Lassiter for their hard work and tireless commitment and efforts in the promotion of children's literacy, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. This was introduced by DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com Reynolds Brown and sponsored and supported by all members of the Philadelphia City Council. We salute the African American's Book Fair on its 20th anniversary. (Applause.)
Thank you. The Chair now recognizes Ms. Sharon Flake for remarks.
Good morning. My name is Sharon Flake. I am a Disney author with 2 million books in print. I write primarily about inner city youth, and I consider myself one of the most blessed people on earth. A couple of years ago I was in North Philly -- I'm from North Philly -at Lehigh Elementary School and I was dealing with a book that I had given to Council, The Broken Bike Boy and The DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 33rd Street, and I asked the young people to tell me about the kings and queens in their neighborhoods. And usually they scratch their head at first, and then this one boy raised his hand and he said that he was a king. He was in 5th grade. And so I asked him, What do you do that would let me know you were a king? And he said, I make breakfast for my mother every Saturday. And I asked him, What kind of king would that make you? And he said, It makes me a loyal king. I don't want to cry. I think sometimes we forget that there are loyal kings living in our neighborhoods, that they are smart and they are talented and they are hard working. But as a writer who travels this country, who gets e-mails from China and Taiwan and Argentina about the kids I write for, they recognizes themselves in DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com write for and the kid that I was a little bit in North Philadelphia. So I want to thank you all for this honor. I want to encourage you all to get books in the hands of kids. It's especially important when a kid gets a book and the cover looks like them. I cannot tell you how that transforms them, to know that they're being talked about, their community is being talked about and the sweet potato pie their mother might have made is landing on the pages. It's not just good for them, but the kid that sits next to them that doesn't look like them or live in their neighborhood, to have that kid say, You know what, I went through the same thing you went through. I was trying to get that girl too and I couldn't get her. And it's all in that book. And so I want to thank you again. I want to encourage you to buy books, all kinds of books, and I want to DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com that every child not only can read but they can succeed, because when I go to schools, I tell teachers, Look at me, I'm sitting in your classroom. If I could do it, anybody can. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. The Chair now recognizes Ms. Sgambati.
Thank you, President Clarke. That sounds really nice to say that. I've been coming here for 12 years. President Darrell Clarke. And a special welcome to Council and guests and an extra, extra benvenuti to the new Councilpeople here. If it's February, you see me. You know it's Black History Month. So it's a privilege, as always, to kick off Black History Month in City Council. And a special thanks to DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com who initiated this resolution and has been a beacon of light in championing literacy in our community. She's often referred as the Literary Councilperson. She understands that the ability to read is so transforming. To read can take you to places beyond your imagination, and to read gives you, a person, the ability to control your destiny. It is people like her that gives me the fill to continue my journey to make Philadelphia 100 percent literate. On Saturday, 30 authors and illustrators will come from around the country. These are not just authors and illustrators, but the best and the brightest, a number of American Library Association Coretta Scott King winners, Caldecott, Newbery, NAACP Image Award winners. They will all be in the house to this free event. I mentioned earlier when I DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com that Mellanie Lassiter of PECO is a beacon also of light for us in the non-profit industry. You see, she is known throughout the region for being an advocate for cultural organizations. She has taken her corporate funding to communities far and wide to make sure finances are not a burden. And another note, Sharon Flake is not just a children/young adult author. She has sold over 2 million copies of her book, which is called mega sells in the industry. And, finally, one of our corporate partners, Comcast, is here today, and I want to thank Sharon Powell-Lee for also supporting us. NBC 10 will give away over 500 brand new books to the children free of charge, as well as Health Partners. So we thank all of those. And PECO will also be sponsoring a cartoon workshop. And one of our new sponsors is Councilman Bill DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com are new and want to be in the house and be in the know, then come on out to the 20th Annual African American Children's Book Fair. (Applause.)
Thank you so much. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you. The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-At-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am transmitting herewith for the introduction and consideration of your honorable body two resolutions appointing new members to the Board of DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com Municipal Authority; namely, Nancy Winkler, term ending January 1, 2017, and Emily Bittenbender, term ending the first Monday in January 1, 2015; and Also a resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the South Central Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 310 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 1001 through 35 South Seventeenth Street; and An ordinance amending Chapter 10-100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Animals," to provide for limits on the numbers of dogs and cats, sterilized and unsterilized, permitted on residential properties, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. Those messages will be DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com printed in the Journal. Does the Chief Clerk have any other communications from the Mayor or anyone else?
Thank you. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one resolution, which will be considered next week, also co-sponsored by Councilmembers Squilla and Henon.
Thank you. That resolution will be delivered. The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service and the Committee on Licenses and Inspections to hold joint public hearings to review and investigate construction industry practices to identify any weaknesses in the City's current inspection and enforcement procedures and explore appropriate remedies.
That resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next Council session. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce one resolution, likewise to be considered next week.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution approving the University of DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com Pennsylvania's proposed amendment to its Institutional Development District Master Plan pursuant to Chapter 14-1107(c) of The Philadelphia Code related to "Zoning and Planning."
That resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two bills, one on your behalf and one on behalf of the Administration.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the bills.
An ordinance amending Chapter 10-100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Animals," to provide for limits on the number of dogs and cats, sterilized and unsterilized, permitted on residential properties. DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance granting permission to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, located at 1234 Market Street, to construct, own and maintain open-air passenger shelters and other miscellaneous encroachments on the public sidewalk located at 33rd Street, Dauphin Street and Ridge Avenue.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one resolution co-sponsored by Councilman Squilla.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the resolution. DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com
A privileged resolution honoring John Dougherty on his selection as the Grand Marshal of the 242nd Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade.
Thank you. The resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
The Clerk will please read the title of the resolutions.
Thank you. That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and acknowledging Delta Sigma Theta on the occasion of its Fifth Annual Philadelphia City Council Delta Day. DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar also. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have two resolutions introduced on my behalf, two resolutions introduced on behalf of the Administration, and one bill introduced on behalf of the Administration.
Thank you. The 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. 308 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Spruce Street from Twenty-fifth Street to the Pierhead and Bulkhead Line of the Schuylkill River.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com committee.
And a resolution urging the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee to reject House Bill No. 1523 which could impose heavy financial penalties on municipalities that adopt or enforce reasonable regulations on firearms, and to allow the City of Philadelphia to continue its efforts to regulate firearms for the health, safety and welfare of the City.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the South Central Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel No. 310 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 1001 through 35 South Seventeenth Street. DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com
Thank you. That resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution authorizing City Council's joint Committees on Transportation and Public Utilities and Legislative Oversight to hold hearings to investigate the status of the Philadelphia International Airport Capacity Enhancement Program.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
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 DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com Thirty-Sixth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next Council session. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have two bills, one co-sponsored by Councilman Curtis Jones, Bill Green and Bobby Henon.
The Clerk will please read the title of the bills.
An ordinance repealing Chapter 16-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Councilmanic District Development Program," and replacing it with a new Chapter 16-500, entitled "Philadelphia Land Bank," that authorizes the creation of a land bank and provides for its appointment, powers, and duties. DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com (Applause.)
Thank you. That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance renaming and designating Fairhill Square Park at 4th Street and Lehigh Avenue as the Willie Colon Festival Park with the Joaquin Rivera "Proceres De Filadelphia" Plaza.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. Thank you. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one bill co-sponsored by Maria Quinones-Sanchez and Bobby Henon.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com amending 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," by providing for installment payment agreements and requiring commencement of enforcement action, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair now recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Mr. President, I ask the resolution be held over. I'm sorry. I have no bills or resolutions today, Mr. President.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Goode.
A resolution DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings on the merger of the City's workforce development agencies.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. This morning I offer one bill and two resolutions.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Miscellaneous," to authorize and regulate the placement of advertising on school buses owned or controlled by the School District of Philadelphia.
DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com Thank you. That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Cheryl McClenney Brooker on her retirement from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and her tireless commitment to the art, cultural and civic community of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution honoring the life and achievements of Fatimah Ali.
Thank you. That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one bill, six resolutions, two on your behalf. One is a privileged resolution, three are DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com non-privileged resolutions, one co-sponsored by Councilman Goode, Councilman Henon, the other by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Title 16 of The Philadelphia Code, "Public Property," to provide for estimated annual energy cost disclosures upon the sale of certain City-owned residential properties, all under certain terms and conditions.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution honoring and celebrating Philadelphia's living legends, Reverend Dr. Wilson Goode, Sr., Walter P. Lomax, Jr., Bill Ellerbee, Dr. Walter Palmer, Louise Williams, Dr. Audrey Bronson, DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com Robert Bogle, Sonia Sanchez, Queen Mother Falaka Fattah, Mary Mason, Sonny Hill, and Gamble & Huff, in the areas of government, music, religion, education, athletics, and activism, as part of the commemoration of Black History Month.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to investigate the City's support of the use of manufacturing in the creative industry.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings to examine bail practices in gun-possession cases and the correlation to future gun-related crimes. DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar also.
And a resolution calling on the Governor and the Pennsylvania General Assembly to enact legislation to require sellers of residential properties in the Commonwealth to disclose annual energy costs associated with residential properties.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a resolution appointing Nancy Winkler to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Municipal Authority.
That resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next Council session.
And a resolution appointing Emily Bittenbender to the DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Municipal Authority.
That resolution will also be placed for consideration at our next Council session. The Chair now recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one resolution to offer.
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 DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 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.
That resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar at our next Council session. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Yes, Mr. President. I have one bill for consideration co-sponsored by Councilmen Jones and Squilla.
Thank you. The Clerk will please read the title of that bill.
An ordinance amending Section 11-506 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Alleys, Driveways, and Retaining Walls," by requiring that the buyer, prior to the DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 2ND READING sale of real estate, be notified of the existence of any retaining wall within the boundaries of the real estate being conveyed.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Oh.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. Today there are no reports from committee, so the next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. As there are no bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com are being called up from Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today: Bill Nos. 120025, 120026, 120029, 120030, 120031, 120032, 120039, 120041, 120042, and 120045. All other resolutions are being held.
Thank you. Before considering these resolutions, we will consider public comment. Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars possible for today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed up, please do so at the desk to my left with the Sergeant-of-Arms. You will be called in the order of your sign-in sheet. You will have up to three minutes to speak. In order to be fair, all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com three-minute limit. When you begin speaking, you will see a green light on the podium. When there are 30 seconds remaining to your time, your light will turn yellow, which is your reminder to conclude your remarks. Once three minutes have passed, the light will turn red and the Sergeant-Of-Arms will disconnect the microphone. At that point, please yield the podium to the next speaker, if you have not already done so. Thank you. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.
Thank you. Will the speaker please approach the mike. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com
Good morning, Mr. President. I chose 120032 just to help me to get into this room. My wife and I have been victimized -
Sir, can you move a little closer and speak a little louder. We're having difficulty hearing you.
Okay. My wife and I have been victimized by the Department of Revenue of the City of Philadelphia for 13 years. I used Bill 120032 just to be here. May I have your permission to tell you what's going on or not? If you don't give me the permission, I just leave. It's all right. I will tell you the issue in one line. May I proceed?
Yes, please. DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com
Okay. We bought the house in East Mt. Airy 13 years ago. The original owner is a Philadelphia Police Lieutenant of the Philadelphia Police Department. I have a piece of paper here saying that my wife and I paid the water bill 13 years ago. The City of Philadelphia sent us a bill for 12 years in the name of Ednas Rolly (ph), the Philadelphia Police Lieutenant. He passed away in 1995. The property where the water bill should go is on Tasker Avenue. I live on Sprague Street in East Mt. Airy. I have no connection with that property. Has one said that I pay the bill? I have been trying to explain to the Department of Revenue that I should not pay for this bill because the house is paid for 13 years ago. For 12 years, they sent the bill in the name Ednas Rolly to my home address. You want the money from a property that's located on Tasker Avenue. DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com The guy is a Police Lieutenant of the Philadelphia Police Department. You know who he is. I am the second owner of the property. Don't come after me. Unless the guy is a bad guy, you don't know where he is, and you say, Al, pay the bill. This guy, you know who he is. You are losing a lot of money, because for 13 years you have been sending me the bill for nothing. Unless you tell me what legal basis do you have to say, Al, you have to pay this bill, it's your property.
I don't have any idea why I should pay for this bill. I called my Councilwoman, Cindy Bass, office and begged her. All I need to do, tell me what is the legal basis for these people to come after me for this bill that I have already paid for.
DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com Okay. Sir, if you can be so kind, before you leave today, can you leave your information and your name and what it's pertaining to -
Sir, I'm just asking you to do this for me. Can you just leave that information, and I will make sure that that information gets to the appropriate member of Council to ensure that we get you an audience. I can't guarantee that it can be resolved, but at a minimum -
Sir, sir, all due respect, can you please leave that information, please.
DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com Councilwoman Bass.
Yes. I'd be happy to meet with the gentleman immediately after Council, if he's available to meet.
The Councilwoman says immediately after Council, if you can just hang around.
Thank you so much. Thank you, Councilwoman. The Clerk will please read the title of the next speaker, the name.
Leola Stowall, commenting on 120041. (Witness approached podium.)
Yes. Good DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com morning, Council President Clarke and all Councilmembers. This morning I am here to ask for your vote on Resolution 120041 urging the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to reconsider its proposed asset test in order for needy Pennsylvanians to receive benefits under the SNAP program. The Department of Public Welfare's plan will particularly punish elderly people like me saving for their burials, people trying to save enough money to get out of poverty, and working and middle-class people who have lost their jobs in this recession and may now have to liquidate assets to feed their families. In 2010, the Obama Administration awarded Pennsylvania an additional $1,125,127 to increase enrollment in SNAP amongst elderly, income-struggling adults, because many are not applying due to already existing program rules; i.e., stigma and awareness of eligibility, and the proposed changes DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com to SNAP will strongly affect many Philadelphians choosing between buying food or paying rent or limiting food intake to one meal a day or even going days without eating. I strongly urge the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to reconsider its proposed asset test in order for needy Pennsylvanians to receive benefits under the SNAP program. I also urge that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Governor Tom Corbett, and all members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. I don't know if you have ever been hungry, but I have, and it's not a pleasant situation. Please join Councilman Jones and vote regarding Resolution 120041. Thank you and God bless.
Thank you. (Applause.) DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com
Julia Ramsey, commenting on 120030. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning and thank you, Council President Clarke and Council, for having me. I wanted to ask the Council to support the resolution calling on the Federal Task Force of States Attorney General's to negotiate a fair settlement with major banks. The reason I'm asking you to support that is because I believe it will send a strong message to the Obama Administration and to our state Attorney General to not settle for mere pennies on the dollar for the crimes they've committed against the American public. I think that if you ask any average American walking down the street who created the economic situation we are in today, they would answer with a resounding, The banks. That's why I believe that it's unconscionable to allow DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com the banks to settle for just a couple -for $25 billion, $20 billion, with all immunity against prosecution. We must investigate these crimes that they've committed, and we must demand a better settlement for homeowners across the City, across the Commonwealth and across the nation. Thank you very much for your consideration, and I yield the rest of my time.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you. Is there anyone else who wishes to testify today on today's agenda? (No response.) DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 2/2/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
Seeing none, this concludes today's public comment. We will now consider the resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 120025.
A resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold public hearings investigating the feasibility, advantages and legal measures required to establish a special purpose zone in one or more struggling neighborhoods to spur economic development, introduced by Councilmember Kenney.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 2/2/12 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and seconded. All in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is referred to committee. The Clerk will please read the title of the next resolution.
Resolution No. 120026, entitled "A Resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Technology and Information Services to hold public hearings for the purpose of determining the current condition of the City's information technology (IT) environment and the Office of Innovation and Technology's plans for improving and supporting the internal requirements of City departments, introduced by DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 2/2/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Henon.
Thank you. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Henon.
I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and seconded. All in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution No. 120026 is referred to the committee. Please read the title of No. 120029.
A resolution authorizing the Council Committee on Education to conduct hearings to examine the Philadelphia School District's DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 2/2/12 - STATED - 2ND READING discipline policy and the recent report "Zero Tolerance in Philadelphia," which documents the negative and disproportionate effect of zero tolerance discipline policies on poor and minority students, introduced by Councilmember Sanchez.
Thank you. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and seconded. All in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 2/2/12 - STATED - 2ND READING The Chair again recognizes Councilmember Sanchez on Resolution 120030.
Resolution No. 120030, entitled "A resolution calling on the Federal Taskforce of States Attorney General's negotiating a settlement with the major banks related to the mortgage crisis, not to offer any settlement that would grant banks immunity to further prosecution, and to preserve each States right to pursue legal action on the broader issues of mortgage abuse," introduced by Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and seconded. Those in favor? DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 2/2/12 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. (Applause.)
I now ask for the Clerk to please read the title of Resolution No. 120031.
A resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to reject House Bill 2029 as unnecessary and inconsistent with our core constitutional principles, and affirming that the Council of the City of Philadelphia welcomes all religious beliefs, traditions and heritages, and does not entertain any concern that any foreign or religious law offers a threat to the law of the land, introduced by Councilmember Sanchez.
Thank you. DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 2/2/12 - STATED - 2ND READING The Chair recognizes Councilmember Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 120031 is adopted. The Chair now asks the Clerk to please read the title of Resolution 120032.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, DiscoveryWorks Global 888.557.8650 www.dw-global.com 2/2/12 - STATED - 2ND READING deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Nineteenth and Thirty-Sixth Wards of the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)