Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, April 25, 2019 11:07 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE L. BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN AL TAUBENBERGER MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting April 25, 2019
Good morning. We're going to get started. If members will take their seats and the visitors retire behind the rail. Today to give our invocation, we will have a special guest, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. Please ask all guests and visitors to please rise. (Councilmembers, guests, and visitors rise.)
Thank you for getting me so that Kenyatta couldn't get it. He can't have a commercial and give the prayer too in the same day. All right. Good morning, everyone. (Good morning.)
As always, let me first thank our Heavenly Father for the privilege of seeing Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 thank him for the privilege and pleasure of being a part of this body and being here with all of you. During this special day in this special time in our lives, I request that we rededicate ourselves to our purposes, to the purpose of public service. I also ask that we pray for those who are hungry. Pray for those who have lost people. So many of us go to so many funerals this week. I ask that God bless those who don't have enough food and who aren't sure where they'll sleep tonight and who need help with their housing. We ask God to bless all families in need and, again, we thank him for the privilege of having us here so that people know where they can go and to whom they can turn. And, finally, let me say unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with the seeding joy, to the only wise God, our savior, be Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 majesty, dominion and power, both now and forevermore. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Councilwoman. Thank you. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 11th, 2019 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 11, 2019 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting April 25, 2019
The ayes have it, and our Journal is approved. Our next order of business is request for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, a leave of absence is requested for Councilmember Reynolds Brown.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. That shall be reflected in our Journal. 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. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 time, I would like to thank everyone who has taken time out of their busy day to come down to witness their government in action. We genuinely appreciate you being here. We hope your stay here today is a knowledgeable one but, more importantly, a pleasurable one, so much so that you come again. Again, thank you. At this time, I'd just like to take a moment to recognize a good friend. He wasn't necessarily a colleague, because I was just a staffer at that point. Our good friend, former Mayor Bill Green. Mayor. (Applause.)
I think the Mayor was the only one that walked out of here unscathed. Got out in time. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you for being here. We really appreciate you. At this time, the Chair would like to recognize Councilman Domb, who Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 recognizing the National Annual Remembrance of the Six Million Jewish Martyrs, who perished during the Holocaust. Would Sarita Gocial and those accompanying her please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman Domb, we have Councilman Greenlee, Councilman Henon, Councilwoman Parker, Councilman Jones, Councilman Green, and Councilman Oh and Councilman Taubenberger. And we also have Councilman O'Neill.
In solemn recognition of the week of April 21st through April 28th, 2019 as the National Annual Remembrance of the Six Million Jewish Martyrs, who perished during the Holocaust.
Whereas, over seventy years ago, six Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 in the Nazi Holocaust as part of a systemic program of genocide; and
Whereas, millions of other people suffered as victims of Nazism; and
Whereas, the people of the City of Philadelphia should continually rededicate themselves to the principle of equal justice for all people; and Whereas, the people of the City of Philadelphia should remain eternally vigilant against all tyranny, and recognize that bigotry provides a breeding ground for tyranny to flourish; and
Whereas, during the Nazi period, everyone had to make moral choices. Some people became perpetrators, others were bystanders;
A small and brave minority chose to help the Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 rescuers and helpers;
This was an extraordinarily selfless choice. It meant risk of not only their own lives but the lives of their families as well. Many paid with their own lives;
Although none succeeded in halting the Holocaust, many people survived as a result of their efforts;
Each chose to defy the power of the Nazis and their collaborators;
They showed the power of the individual and provided hope in otherwise hopeless circumstances by demonstrating the importance of moral courage in action; and
Whereas, given the alarming growth in the number of anti-Semitic threats since the beginning of 2017 and most recently horrifically the murder of 11 worshipers Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh;
It is clear that we cannot be complacent in the fire of anti-Semitism or any other forms of bigotry and hatred; and
Whereas, both the Talmud and the Koran remind us: Whomever saves a life, it is as if he saved the entire world;
Whereas, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the Memorial Committee for the Six Million Jewish Martyrs will honor the memory of the six million martyrs and honor the survivors on April 28th, 2019;
Whereas, we further recognize the horror of the Holocaust, and extend to the Memorial Committee the respect and admiration of this legislative body.
Resolved, that the Council of the City of Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 Philadelphia, hereby recognizes the week of April 21st through April 28th, 2019 as the National Annual Remembrance of the Six Million Jewish Martyrs, who perished during the Holocaust and commend the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia for their ongoing commitment to the memories of those who perished and to a peaceful world in which such a tragedy should never occur again. (Applause.)
And at this time, the Chair recognizes Ms. Gocial for remarks.
Good morning. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to speak with you regarding our annual ceremony. We have with us today -- first I want to thank Allan Domb for sponsoring this event, the resolution, and also Council President Darrell Clarke. com) Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 Community Relations Council; Arlene Fickler, Chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council; and two very important people, Marius and Martha Sturbigie (ph), who are both Holocaust survivors. This event, as you have heard, will take place this Sunday, April 28th. , and we invite all of you to attend. This year's program is focused on the Theresienstadt concentration camp, which was located 30 miles north of Prague in the Czech Republic during World War II. It was originally a famed fortress that served as a holiday resort for Czech nobility. com) Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 primarily Jews from Czechoslovakia as well as tens of thousands of Jews deported chiefly from Germany and Austria as well as hundreds from the Netherlands and Denmark. More than 150,000 Jews were sent there, including 15,000 children, and held there for months or years before being sent by rail transports to their deaths at Treblinka and Auschwitz extermination camps in occupied Poland. Less than 150 children survived. Although Theresienstadt was not an extermination camp, about 33,000 died in the ghetto. This was mostly due to the appalling conditions arising out of extreme population, the density, malnutrition, and disease. About 88,000 inhabitants were deported to Auschwitz and other extermination camps. At the end of World War II, there were 17,247 survivors of Theresienstadt. This camp was different. com) Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 scholars, philosophers, scientists, visual artists, and musicians of all types, some of whom had achieved international renown and many contributed to the camp's cultural life. The Nazis used this camp in a propaganda effort designed to fool the western allies. The Nazis publicized the camp for its rich cultural life. Children in Theresienstadt were housed separately from adults and boys separately from girls. Each home had an adult supervisor who held illegal classes so that children would not fall behind in their education once they were free from imprisonment. One home, which housed boys aged 13 to 15, set up their own government and secretly created a magazine, Vedem, which was the longest running clandestine publication of the Holocaust. com) Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 gathered clandestinely every Friday night from 1942 to 1944 to read aloud the week's issue. Most of the boys perished in the death camps. Of the few who survived, one managed to save the magazines. The book, We Are Children Just the Same, is a compilation of selections from the magazine, with additional excerpts on the diaries of the children, letters to their families, and artwork not only from the magazine but from other children in Terezin as well. In 1942, on the eve of Tu B'Shevat, a minor holiday that celebrates trees, a teacher in Theresienstadt, Irma Lauscher, decided to teach the children interned in the camp the lessons of Tzedakah, righteousness and charity, and explained that on this festival of trees, they would understand what Tzedakah meant. Mrs. com) Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 forest. The next day the guard presented her with a seedling about four inches high. The children and Mrs. Lauscher planted the tree in the children's quarters. She told them that this seedling needed water and sun to grow. She asked each of the children to give up a portion of their water each day so the seedling could be nourished and thrive.
Can you imagine asking these children to give up a portion of their daily water, which was rationed and it was so small? But they did. When Irma Lauscher died, she was buried beneath her tree, which then stood 30 feet tall. A plaque dedicated to her was placed on her grave and served as a reminder of her courage. In 2007, Irma's tree in Theresienstadt was dying. Because this was no ordinary tree, several cuttings were taken and brought to the United States. com) Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 the cuttings. Just as in Theresienstadt, the twig was nourished with water and sun and now stands 12 feet tall. It was planted this year in the Holocaust Memorial Plaza where it thrives as a lasting memorial. Of the 15,000 children imprisoned in the Theresienstadt ghetto, only about 1,100 survived. The exact number of children who died during the Holocaust will never be known, but estimates say that one and a half million children were murdered. This Sunday, young people age from 11 into their mid 30's will participate in readings and musical presentations to remember and honor the courage those children exhibited. The Keystone Boychoir will be performing a piece dedicated to Irma Lauscher's legacy. Our youth must be educated in order to grow from a twig into a blossoming tree. com) Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 facing a resurgence of anti-Semitism. The Holocaust has taught us what can happen when people turn away. We can never ignore intimidation and hatred. The Jewish survivors of the Holocaust have demanded that the world not forget the six million Jewish martyrs. If we have learned anything from the Holocaust, it is that we are all responsible for each other. Inaction is equal to acceptance. Once again, I invite you to join us this year at our very, very special program, and I leave you today with the words the survivors of the Second World War have asked us all to pledge: Never again. Never forget. Thank you. )
Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones, who will present a resolution recognizing Frederick L. Voigt. Would Mr. Voigt and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman Jones, we have Councilman Domb, Councilman Taubenberger, Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilwoman Parker, Councilman Green, Councilman Greenlee, and Councilwoman Bass.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me take you back in time to a period in Philadelphia's political history where millennials will have to Google, take you to a time of constant turmoil between Rizzo and Bowser and Green, factions of the democratic party. Let me take you back before there was Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 Facebook, Instagram, Tweeting and Twittering and things like that, when we got our news the old-fashioned way, off of a newspaper. And in those times, there was turmoil, enemies, frenemies, colliding over political ideology, and that turmoil often turned to distrust, that the elections were rigged and things were going on. But there was one man who stood above the fray, who had the integrity of all parties and factions, someone who could with his integrity, whether it was with the Committee of Seventy or the City Commissioners' Office, stand up and say, this process is fair. No matter what the results were, no matter who wound up on top, I remember Georgie Woods saying, I went to sleep as a Councilperson, I woke up, I was unelected. Let me take you back in time. Let me tell you about a courageous Mayor named Bill Green, who Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 said, let the chips fall where they may. Let's do a study to look at the integrity of the voting process, and then charged Mr. Fred Voigt to be the honest broker. This man in the dictionary for fair electoral process, his picture should be next to it. So I am joined by my colleagues today to recognize Mr. Fred Voigt, congratulating and honoring Fred L. Voigt for 50 years of dedicated service, both as a resident of the City of Philadelphia, on the occasion of his retirement from the Office of the Philadelphia City Commissioners. And, by the way, that's the office I ran for, just so that you know.
I did not win. Whereas -- thank you for that. Whereas, Fred L. Voigt has faithfully served the residents of the City of Philadelphia with proud Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 1969, first as Assistant City Solicitor and later as Assistant District Attorney under Arlen Specter. He then worked as a staff attorney for the Environmental Protection Agency, litigating some of the first asbestos cases in the United States; and
Whereas, in 1977, Fred became Executive Director of the Committee of Seventy, Philadelphia's independent civic watchdog organization established in 1904. Fred was considered one of the foremost experts on elections in Pennsylvania and consulted on election law throughout the United States. He served as both an advisor to, and a critic of, five mayoral administrations of Philadelphia government over his three decades there. Under his leadership, Seventy launched studies into the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, ports, housing, economic development, municipal utilities, personnel practices, transportation and police; and a judicial Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 in the creation of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts. He also mentored and inspired hundreds of young people who went on to careers and significant volunteer work in public service; and
Whereas, in 2008, Fred joined the Office of the Philadelphia City Commissioners, lending his legal prowess and knowledge of election law to assist in transforming the electoral process in Philadelphia, including the selection of new voting systems and the assurance of checks and balances to protect the rights of voters and candidates to fair and free elections; and
Whereas, Fred was raised in Longport, New Jersey as the second of four sons to Jacob and Mary Voigt. His father was an executive with the Pennsylvania Railroad who commuted daily to Philadelphia. Fred graduated from Valley Forge Military Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 of Denver. He attended Dickinson Law School, where he met his wife, Patricia Van Allen Voigt. They were married the year he began his service to Philadelphia, and will celebrate their 50th Anniversary this year; and
Whereas, as a resident of Chestnut Hill, Fred has served as a devoted member of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church for nearly 50 years, and raised two daughters, Carey Learnard and Sarah Savage, and his three grandchildren, Mac, Anna Lee, and Wyatt, have become his greatest joy, apart from his orchids. Fred has been awarded the highest honors at the Philadelphia Flower Show for his orchids, including a special distinction for winning 26 ribbons in the 2019 Flower Show and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Orchid Award. And as an agricultural degree holder, that's damn impressive. Whereas Stated Meeting April 25, 2019
And whereas, those who know him recognize that, aside from the Flower Show, Fred doesn't care for accolades. His preference is to be known for his relationships with us, those to whom he has given friendship, advice, knowledge, guidance, generosity, and love. Fred considers the people who have worked alongside him for the betterment of Philadelphia as his extended family. There is no greater love than his for the City of Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it resolved
By the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that it hereby congratulates and honors Frederick L. Voigt on the occasion of his retirement from the Office of the Philadelphia City Commissioners and wishes him well in his future endeavors. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Fred Voigt as further Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 respect and admiration of this legislative body. (Applause.)
And the Chair recognizes Mr. Voigt for remarks.
Thank you very much. I would like to thank a couple people. I always like to thank Margaret Tartaglione, who I worked with for many, many years and who served this community in much the same way that I did. I'd like to thank Commissioner Deeley and Commissioner Schmidt for their continued service and for the support that they gave to me. I'd like to thank Carla Moss, who is not here, who worked with me for many years and who deserves great accolades. And I would like to thank a couple people in the audience, a couple lawyers, two republicans over there, who were quite remarkable in their service. I'd like to thank Ben Field. I'd like to Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 like to thank -where is he -- Hal Fichandler, who served with me at the Committee of Seventy for many years. And I'd like to thank Bill Green for some of the battles that we've had and Curtis Jones, who actually I hired when he was 19 years of age, having been a candidate for City Commissioner, along with Chaka Fattah, and they both worked for me that summer after their loss, and one of the things that they discovered was they were both ineligible to be commissioner because they have to be 21, and they happened to turn that out, and both of them were very young aspiring sprouts. And all of that taken together has given me great pleasure and the ability to ensure -- you know, people don't win elections in Philadelphia. They're all stolen. Just ask the losers. I mean, in Philadelphia, we don't just have elections. We litigate them. We're always in court challenging whatever we Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 lost, but overall, for the most part, in fact, it's the exception and not the rule for an election not to be watched over by everybody, with everybody having a view. And thank you very much for the honor, Council. (Applause.)
Thank you, and congratulations. Our next order of business is communications, and the Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, please read those messages. Folks, excuse me. Folks, we have Council to conduct. Can I ask you all to please be quiet. Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read the messages. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1907 East Sterner Street, 1722 North 3rd Street, 2751 Kensington Avenue, 265 West Thayer Street, and 2741 North Orkney Street located in the Seventh Councilmanic District; and An ordinance amending Chapter 12-900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Parking Regulations and Penalties," by adding a new Section 12-918.1, entitled "Parking for Flexible-Park Auto Sharing Organizations," to provide for exemption from certain parking regulations for flexible-park auto sharing organizations; and An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 commissions, the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Special Gasoline Tax Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 271 by placing on the City Plan a cutback area at the northwest corner of Second Street and Germantown Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 106 by establishing a curved corner at the intersection of the westerly side of Thirty-Fourth Street and the northeasterly side of Mantua Avenue and establishing a curve bumpout extending along the northeasterly curbline of said Mantua Avenue from Thirty-Fourth Street to a point Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 northwestwardly therefrom; 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 twenty feet wide portion of Vine Street from Seventeenth Street to Eighteenth Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you very much. Our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce three resolutions, two privileged and one non-privileged, as well as one bill. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 106 by establishing a curved corner at the intersection of the westerly side of Thirty-Fourth Street and the northeasterly side of Mantua Avenue and establishing a curve bumpout extending along the northeasterly curbline of said Mantua Avenue.
And a privileged resolution Recognizing and Honoring the recipients of 2019 Lindback Foundation Distinguished Principal Award on their excellence in leadership and dedication to educating the children of Philadelphia.
And a privileged Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Education to hold hearings to discuss how well the School District of Philadelphia education curriculum is preparing its students for actual jobs in the workforce, increasing their cultural awareness, and what needs to be done to bridge the gap between education and workforce preparation.
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 Twenty-Fourth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Next week's Calendar. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today on your behalf I offer seven bills and two resolutions.
An ordinance to amend the Master plan for Temple University, and to approve the proposed addition and infill construction project at 1835 through 99 North 12th Street; 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 Venango Street, 11th Street, Erie Avenue, and Marvine Street; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 271 by placing on the City Plan a cutback area at the northwest corner of Second Street and Germantown Avenue; and Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 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 twenty feet wide portion of Vine Street from Seventeenth Street to Eighteenth Street; and An ordinance amending Section 9-203 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Street Vendors," by prohibiting vending along certain portions of Spring Garden Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a sublease agreement with The Philadelphia Municipal Authority, for use by the City of a portion of the premises located at 804 North Broad Street; and An ordinance amending Section 14-506 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "/NCP, North Central Philadelphia Overlay District," by prohibiting two-family buildings.
Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 Those seven bills just read by the Chief Clerk will be referred to committee.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2449 North Marston Street located in the Fifth Councilmanic District.
And a non-privileged resolution also naming the 1100 block of Custis Place as John L. Bivens Place.
Next week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019
Thank you, Mr. President. Two privileged resolutions today.
A privileged resolution recognizing the employees of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons for their professional contributions and services; and proclaiming the week of May 6 through May 10, 2019 as Correctional Employee Week in the City of Philadelphia.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless to hold public hearings on the feasibility of the City of Philadelphia creating a lease-to-purchase housing program using city owned properties.
Today's Calendar. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Council President, I have two bills and two non-privileged resolutions.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by South Street, the Schuylkill River, Spruce Street (extended), and Broad Street.
And an ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending the definition of, and regulations for, Fresh Food Markets.
And a Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 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.
And a non-privileged resolution also naming Sears Street between 27th Street and 28th Street "Ella Best Way."
Also next week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Council President. I have three non-privileged resolutions, three privileged, and one bill on behalf of the Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 Administration.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to the General Fund and the Special Gasoline Tax Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
And a privileged resolution Recognizing and Honoring Consul Alicia Kerber for her service and dedication to the Mexican community throughout the City of Philadelphia.
And a Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 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.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 3519 North Marshall Street located in the Seventh Councilmanic District.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1907 East Sterner Street, 1722 North 3rd Street, 2751 Kensington Avenue, 265 West Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 Thayer Street, and 2741 North Orkney Street located in the Seventh Councilmanic District.
And a non-privileged resolution renaming the 1800 block of Foulkrod Street "Reverend William H. Anderson Way."
And a non-privileged resolution renaming the 4700 block of Tackawanna Street "Reverend Lee Mason Jr. Way."
Next week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have two bills and two privileged resolutions. I want to just note for the record that the first bill is co-sponsored by Councilmembers Green and Gym; the second bill, Councilmembers Green, Gym, and Sanchez. The first resolution is co-sponsored by member Green, and the final one, Councilmember Blondell Reynolds Brown and Councilmember Green.
An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," by adding a new Chapter 9-4700, to provide protections for parking employees against wrongful discharge.
Referred to committee. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019
And an ordinance amending Section 9-601 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Garages, Parking Lots, Sales Lots and Sales Showrooms," to add requirements for sufficient staff for parking garages, parking lots, and valet services.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring the members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated's Philadelphia Alumnae, Quaker City Alumnae, and Valley Forge Alumnae Chapters on the occasion of Delta Youth Day at Philadelphia City Council.
And a privileged resolution declaring April National Minority Health Month and commending the American Heart Association for their work promoting National Minority Health Month and addressing health disparities. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019
Today's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Good morning, Council President. I have two privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution recognizing, honoring and congratulating the Philadelphia Business Journal's 2019 40 Under 40 honorees for their hard work and dedication to excellence in their representation of their respective industries.
And a privileged resolution celebrating the 71st anniversary of the foundation of the State of Israel.
Also today's Calendar. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Thank you very much, Council President. I have one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilmembers Henon, Parker, Blackwell, and Johnson.
A privileged resolution honoring the life and legacy of Cathy Brady, a fearless, pioneering labor leader, whose organizing work serves as a model for leadership, tenacity, and revolutionary spirit, in recognition of May Day in the City of Philadelphia.
This week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Thank you, Council President. I have one privileged resolution, which was Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 co-sponsored by all members of Council, and I thank them.
A privileged resolution celebrating and welcoming Bryce Harper on his arrival to the city of Philadelphia and his contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
And that will be on today's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer three bills. The first bill is a bill dealing with the homestead exemption and it's co-sponsored by the following nine colleagues: Councilman Henon, Councilman Taubenberger, Councilman Squilla, Councilwoman Bass, Councilman Oh, Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilman Jones, and Councilman Johnson. The other two Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 bills are companion bills dealing with real estate tax rates co-sponsored by six of my colleagues: Councilman Domb, Councilman Henon, Councilman Taubenberger, Councilwoman Bass, Councilwoman Blackwell, and Councilman Kenyatta Johnson.
An ordinance amending Section 19-1301.1 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Homestead Exclusion," to increase the amount of the homestead exclusion.
And an ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," by specifying tax rates for tax year 2020 and thereafter; by providing that each such tax year, Council shall enact a tax rate consisting of a "revenue neutral" tax rate intended to produce Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 approximately the same level of tax revenues as were generated during the prior tax year, and any specified adjustment to the revenue neutral rate as deemed.
And an ordinance amending Section 19-1801 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Authorization of Tax," to further authorize the Board of Education of the School District of Philadelphia to impose a tax on real estate within the City of Philadelphia; to specify tax rates for tax year 2020 and thereafter; by providing that each such tax year, the tax imposed by the Board of Education shall be at a rate set by Council by ordinance, which shall consist of a "revenue neutral" tax.
Also referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two bills, one co-sponsored with you.
An ordinance amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Farmers' Markets," by adding a permissible location.
And an ordinance amending Chapter 12-900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Parking Regulations and Penalties," by adding a new Section 12-918.1, entitled "Parking for Flexible-Park Auto Sharing Organizations," to provide for exemption from certain parking regulations for flexible-park auto sharing organizations.
Referred to committee. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Council President. I offer four resolutions co-sponsored by Councilmembers Squilla, Parker, Taubenberger, Domb, and Quinones-Sanchez.
A privileged resolution Proclaiming the Week of May 3, 2019 to May 11, 2019 as Ninth Annual Philly Tech Week Presented by Comcast, and Honoring the Broad and Vibrant Philadelphia Technology Community.
And that will be on today's Calendar. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019
And a privileged resolution Recognizing and Celebrating the 2019 Philippine Independence Week Celebration from June 1st to June 14th.
And a privileged resolution recognizing April 30th as Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag Day as a Symbol of the Contributions of the Vietnamese American Community in the City of Philadelphia.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Establishment of a "Special Committee on Child Separation in Philadelphia" to Investigate Child Separation in Philadelphia's Child Welfare System and Develop Recommendations to Ensure Compliance with State Child Protective Services Law to Protect Children and Due Process Rights of Families and Prevent Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 Families.
That will be on next week's Calendar. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions, and our next order of business is reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for a report from the Committee on Rules.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Rules reports two bills with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Rules, to which was referred Bill No. 180998, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 'Zoning and Planning,' by amending Section 14-603, entitled 'Use-Specific Standards,' to revise the standards and procedures for medical marijuana dispensaries"; and Bill No. 190151, 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 21st Street, Oxford Street, 20th Street, Jefferson Street, and Ridge Avenue," 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 Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 180998 and 190151. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 180998 and 190151. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. These bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a report from the Committee on Finance.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. The Committee on Finance reports three bills out with a favorable recommendation.
Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 you, Councilwoman.
The Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 190129, entitled "An ordinance constituting the Twenty-Second Supplemental Ordinance to the Restated General Water and Wastewater Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1989, as supplemented; authorizing the Bond Committee to issue and sell one or more series or subseries of tax-exempt or taxable water and wastewater revenue bonds and revenue refunding bonds"; and Bill No. 190135, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Realty Transfer Tax,' to clarify the definition of 'Value'"; and Bill No. 190231, entitled "An ordinance approving a Substantial Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 Action Plan 2018 through 2019 for $19,131,000 from the Housing Trust Fund Non-Recording Fee Sub-Fund," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill Nos. 190129, 190135, and 190231. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 190129, 190135, and 190231. All those in favor say aye. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. That concludes our reports from committee, and our next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with a suspension of the rules 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, the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon for the purpose of calling up resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today. They are Bill Nos. 190293, 190298, 190083-A, 181064, and 190132. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you. Before considering the bills and resolutions on our Final Passage Calendar, we will have our public comment session. It will go as follows: When your name is called, you will go to the podium in the middle of the Council Chambers. When the light turns green on that device on that podium, it will be your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. When the light turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to our guidelines and conclude your remarks. You must speak on Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 a bill or resolution that is on the Final Passage Calendar today. I want to thank you very much for your anticipated cooperation. Mr. Decker, please call the first name on the list.
Kelley Burnett, commenting on 170408. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Please state your name for the record. Just state your name for the record.
Good morning. I would like to thank you all today for listening to me, and those of you who support the beverage tax, we appreciate you.
I am the owner and operator of a family facility. I'm a STAR 4 and I've been in business for 11 years. I have a gift for Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 Mrs. Quinones-Sanchez, and this was made by the children, and they call this the Plant Buddy. They made these during a STEM class activity with one of our learning partners. In the class the children learn what elements plants need to grow - enrich its soil, a water source, and sunlight. Through the Philly pre-K program and 1199C --
Ma'am, are you talking about school suspension?
Okay. Providers have been supplied with additional tools and resources that have comprised of essential elements that help children grow, become prepared for kindergarten, and avoid suspension and expulsion. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019
We have been able to utilize innovative observation tools such as TSG that help us monitor and share a child's progress with the families. We also through our Philly pre-K hub, which is through 1199C, it's comprised of a collective of educated, driven women who support the growth and the passion of the continuous social, emotional, and cognitive learning of children, also reducing expulsion and suspension with children once they get to school. I hope that this Plant Buddy serves as a reminder of how important the Philly pre-K program is to many families in the City that did not have access to quality, enriching care for their children and, thus, were not prepared for kindergarten and their children avoiding being expelled and suspended. I'd like to thank you for Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 listening to me. You have a good day.
Thank you, ma'am, for your testimony. (Applause.)
Lisa Smith, commenting on 170408. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Lisa Smith. I support permanently prohibiting Philadelphia elementary students from being suspended from school. We must also take steps to eradicate the behaviors that lead to suspensions to begin with. Disruptive children are often those who lack primary skills and get into trouble. I am the co-owner of Amazing Kids Academy LLC, a high-quality early learning center with three locations, one at G and Erie, one at Cheltenham and Loretto, and another at 71st and Broad Street. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 Each of us who work, play, or do business in Philadelphia has a responsibility to the young children here. Our slogan is "Early learning is the key to academic success." Amazing Kids Academy provides high-quality early learning to pre-K children funded by the soda tax. The soda tax is vital to help provide pre-K and give Philly children the head start they so desperately need before entering elementary school. The soda tax allows for our high-quality pre-K program to offer 21st century wages, health benefit packages, paid sick, vacation, holiday, paid days for staff. The soda tax funding allows us to offer high-quality instruction that creates a lifetime lover of learning. The only proven way to stop the cycle of generational poverty, stop the actions that cause children to rise to the nature and occasion of having to be suspended is through early education. Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 The future of Philadelphia's workforce is at stake. Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, we know that you're a leading opponent of the soda tax. As a Seventh District business owner, we ask that you support the children and the families in the Seventh District, your community, and make sure the free high-quality pre-K seats paid for by the soda tax does not disappear. Councilwoman Cherelle Parker, we know that you support the soda tax. We in the Ninth District love you and thank you for your support for the future of our young children, even when it's not popular. We will not forget where you stand with our young children and early education at the voting booths. Thank you. (Applause.)
Clarence Morris, Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 commenting on 170408. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Clarence Morris. I am the co-owner of Amazing Kids Academy LLC at G and Erie. We are proud to offer high-quality pre-K to the children in the Seventh District. I am asking that you vote to permanently stop suspending elementary school kids. We know that early education helps better prepare children for elementary school. Our center currently provides PHLpreK to 37 funded by the soda tax. Council, please support the PHLpreK soda tax so that you can help us raise the levels of education for our inner city youth and reduce the behaviors in elementary school that could lead to suspension. Councilwoman Maria Stated Meeting April 25, 2019 Quinones-Sanchez, we know that you are against the soda tax and we ask that you support our community, your community, and make sure that the free high-quality pre-K seats paid for by the soda tax does not disappear. Thank you. (Applause.)