Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, February 27, 2020 10:54 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting February 27, 2020
Good morning. Sorry to be a little late. We can take our seats. If the visitors will retire behind the rail, we're going to get started. Before we start, I'd ask if anyone has a cell phone or any other electronic device that makes noise, can you please turn it off, on vibrate or on airplane mode so we don't have any disruptions. Thank you very much for your cooperation. So to give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Reverend Dr. Wilbert S. Richardson of Refuge Evangelical Baptist Church. Reverend Richardson is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Parker. I would ask all guests and members to please rise. (Councilmembers, visitors, and guests rise.)
First, I would just like to just give honor and Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 -- first, I'd like to give my great gratitude and thanks to the President of this Council for having me and my Councilperson for inviting me, Cherelle Parker, and all of the distinguished Councilpersons who are represented here today and certainly the audience of this august body who has come to hear the proceedings that follow. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we are admonished in our word in your Bible that every time we assemble, we are to pray for our elders and those who are in authority over your people. It is for this reason we bow this morning to pray for our elected representatives and those who have ordained for these positions, who preside daily within these sacred walls, this councilmanic assembly today. We give you praise and honor and thanks as they've convened for the business at hand. First, I would like to pray for Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 staffs, that you would endow them with wisdom to aid the disenfranchised, to give assistance to those who are struggling, the sociological maladjusted, those who are physiological abnormal, and for all of those in this great diverse city that they would give assistance and security to every mosque, every synagogue, every parish, every temple, and every church within their districts. Heavenly Father, we pray for the people that have gathered today. We desperately need their wisdom, their strength, and their courage, for they are elected officials given over to give aid to those of us who may not be able to speak for ourselves. We pray, Lord, for our children, our millennials, our post-millennials, who need better education and the safety of going to school. We pray for their parents, who need higher-paying jobs and the hope of a Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 affordable housing and security for our elderly. Lastly, we pray for representatives' agenda today. You know their needs and you know what they have on their hearts and minds. Give them great wisdom, and let them be able to lead with passion and courage within the sacred walls, these sacred walls, that they may be able to give the responsibility to those who are responsible, to encourage those who need encouragement. In the mighty and massive name of God, the father, we pray. Amen. (Amen.)
Reverend, thank you so much for those inspiring words. We really appreciate it. Council shall be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 and, again, thank you, Reverend, for those inspiring words. Our next order of business is approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 20, 2020, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 20th, 2020 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 20th, 2020 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members of Council, there are no requests for leaves of absence.
There is a request for a leave of absence for Councilmember Bobby Henon.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. The record shall reflect that. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to thank everyone who has taken time out of their busy day to witness their government in action. We genuinely appreciate you being here. We hope your stay here today is a pleasurable and a knowledgeable one. So, again, thank you so much. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 house? (Yeah!)
All right. I didn't recognize you all without your uniforms on. A little point of personal privilege. So at this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas, who will present a resolution on my behalf honoring The Blackhawks Athletic Club. Would Don Richardson and the nationally ranked Blackhawks and those accompanying them please join the Councilmembers at the podium. (Applause.) (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman Thomas, we have Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson, Councilwoman Gym, Councilwoman Brooks, Councilman Domb, and Councilman Green and I think Councilman Oh. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 (Applause.)
Good morning. For me specifically, it's an honor to be here with these phenomenal young people who represent some of the best that we have to offer in the City of Philadelphia as it relates to extracurricular activities and activities that young people participate in out of school. I myself serve as a basketball coach still even to this day. So it's always an honor any time I get a chance and an opportunity to recognize phenomenal student athletes here in the City of Philadelphia. With that being said, honoring and recognizing the nationally ranked Blackhawks Athletic Club on the occasion of being named both 2019 Pop Warner Superbowl Champions and 2019 UYFL, which is the United Football League, Champions. Whereas, The Blackhawks Athletic Club was first established in Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 1968 as a youth basketball program for children looking for sports as an alternative to neighborhood gang violence; and
Whereas, operating their home field at 11th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue for the past 30 years, The Blackhawks Athletic Club has been an enormously positive presence to the surrounding community; and Whereas, The Blackhawks serve over 300 young people each year, supporting both boys and girls ages 5 to 15 years old, and is supported by over 100 volunteers, made up of dedicated coaches, parents, and supporting members; and
Whereas, The Blackhawks Athletic Club capitalizes on the organization's inherent philosophy of fun and equality through fundamental training and team building experiences by enhancing youth health, safety, and wellness through sports; and Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 Whereas, the long-term goal of The Blackhawks Athletic Club is to inspire and equip each of their members to be positive and productive members of the community and citizens of the City of Philadelphia as they transition to adulthood; and
Whereas, in 2009 The Blackhawks Athletic Club lost their Founding President Mr. Reginald Mtumishi. The following year The Blackhawks Athletic Club clenched its first Pop Warner National Championship in the Pee Wee Division in his honor; and Whereas, as of December 2019, The Blackhawks are proud to have won six local, five regional, and two national championships in football -(Applause.)
Whereas, Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 2020 celebrating their highest award to date; Blackhawks Pee Wee Football Team and their head coach Reggie Smith, winning the 2019 Pop Warner Superbowl Championship. Furthermore, the Blackhawks 13 Unlimited Elite team and Head Coach Keon Savoy won the 2019 UYFL (United Youth Football League) National Championship. This marks the first time in the history of the City of Philadelphia that one organization garnered two national championships in one season; now, therefore, be it (Applause.)
Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that Council does hereby recognize the extraordinary achievements of the Blackhawks Athletic League and their tremendous fan base. And further be it resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution to be presented to The Blackhawks Athletic Club on behalf and with the Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 appreciation, honor, and gratitude of this City Council body. Thank you, everybody. Congratulations. (Applause.)
And the Chair now recognizes Coach Don Richardson for remarks. COACH RICHARDSON: Thanks everybody for coming. I'm Coach Don Richardson. I'm the Director of the program. This program wouldn't even go nowhere without the assistance of my coaches, the parents, and the players themselves. Right now we're just trying our best to just keep the kids out of trouble. We'd like to present this right here to City Council. We have some more gifts for the City Council to come. So we appreciate everything you've done for us. Thank you very much. (Applause.) Stated Meeting February 27, 2020
Council will be at ease. That's what I'm talking about. Where's Mark Squilla at? Where's he at? Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you and, again, congratulations. Awesome young people. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenyatta Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. Council President, at this moment I want to take a moment to acknowledge a leader in the body of politics on the local level from Evanston, Illinois City Council, Alderwoman Robin Rue Simmons. She was here yesterday as the guest speaker for the National Coalition of Black Reparations America for Reparations Awareness Day at Temple University. But, most importantly, in November of 2019, Alderwoman Simmons was Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 a bill approved by Evanston City Council that will tax the sale of marijuana in the town to fund reparations for its African American residents. It is the first of its kind law in the nation, and her law is expected to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. And I want to also acknowledge my colleague Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson who also came and joined me with a meet-and-greet reception yesterday in the City Council Caucus Room, and thank you, Council President, for your support as well. So can we all take a moment to acknowledge --
Alderwoman. (Applause.) Stated Meeting February 27, 2020
Thank you, Councilman. Our next order of business is communications, and the Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages to the Chief Clerk from the Mayor. And, Mr. Decker, please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission on the following bills: Bill Nos. 200004, 200009, 200013, 200019, 200082, 200092, 200094, 200095, and 200120. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 to advise you that on February 26, 2020, I signed the following bills which were passed by Council at its session on February 13, 2020: Bill Nos. 200008 and 200015. And I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body an ordinance approving the ninth amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the Point Breeze Urban Renewal Area, being the area generally bounded by Washington Avenue, South Twenty-Fifth Street, Reed Street, the rear property lines of the 1400 and 1500 blocks of South Taylor Street, Tasker Street, South 25th Street, Moore Street and South Broad Street, including the ninth amendment to the urban renewal plan, which provides, inter alia, for changes that would make it consistent with the Point Breeze Redevelopment Area Plan and generally consistent with the most recent Comprehensive Plan approved by the City Planning Commission of the City of Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 Philadelphia; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest to all or a portion of a parcel or parcels of land located in the vicinity of Calera Road between Red Lion Drive and Chalfont Drive, commonly known as the Liberty Bell Youth Organization Recreation Center; and An ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Designation of Bicycle Lanes," to authorize bicycle lanes in the vicinity of Passyunk Avenue, from 61st Street to Essington Avenue and Essington Avenue, from Passyunk Avenue to Bartram Avenue; and making associated changes to parking regulations within the same limits; and An ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Designation of Bicycle Lanes," to authorize bicycle lanes in the Third Council District in the vicinity of South Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 49th Street, from Paschall Avenue to Grays Avenue; Grays Avenue, from 49th Street to Lindbergh Boulevard; and Lindbergh Boulevard, from Grays Avenue to Elmwood Avenue; and making associated changes to parking regulations within the same limits; all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you very much. And our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
An ordinance Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 establishing a no truck parking regulation on the 800 block of East Godfrey Avenue, both sides.
And an ordinance amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Farmers' Markets," by adding a permissible location on Ogontz Avenue.
Referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce two bills and one non-privileged resolution co-sponsored by members Domb, O'Neill, and Parker.
An ordinance Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 amending Chapter 20-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Civil Service Preferences," to provide for a civil service preference for the children and grandchildren of members of the armed forces of the United States who were killed or who died in the line of duty.
And an ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for a preference in civil service examinations for the children and grandchildren of members of the United States armed forces who were killed or who died in the line of duty.
And a non-privileged resolution proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 Charter providing for a preference in civil service examinations for the children and grandchildren of members of the armed forces of the United States who were killed or who died in the line of duty and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
Also referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Thank you very much, Council President. I have two privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Children and Youth to conduct hearings regarding the City's investment in expanding developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and evidence-based programming for youth experiencing Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 violence and gun violence in their communities.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Children and Youth to hold hearings on the impact of sonic devices on young people on public property.
Today's Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
An ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Use Of An Automated Red Light Enforcement System To Prevent Red Light Violations," by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 of 52nd and Lancaster Avenue.
Referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
An ordinance approving the ninth amendment of the redevelopment proposal for the Point Breeze Urban Renewal Area, being the area generally bounded by Washington Avenue, South Twenty-Fifth Street, Reed Street, the rear property lines of the 1400 and 1500 blocks of South Taylor Street, Tasker Street, South 25th Street, Moore Street and South Broad Street, including the ninth amendment of the urban renewal plan, which provides, inter alia, for changes that would make it consistent with the Point Breeze Redevelopment Area Plan and consistent with the most recent Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 Comprehensive Plan approved by the City Planning Commission of the City of Philadelphia; and An ordinance authorizing Stephen Garafolo to construct, own, and maintain a proposed exterior stairway at 3000 South 15th Street; and An ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Designation of Bicycle Lanes," to authorize bicycle lanes in the vicinity of Passyunk Avenue, from 61st Street to Essington Avenue and Essington Avenue, from Passyunk Avenue to Bartram Avenue.
Those three bills just read by the Chief Clerk will be referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brooks.
Good morning, Council President. I have no bills or no resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Good morning, Council President. I have one resolution on behalf of Councilman Henon.
A privileged resolution honoring Barry Bessler, on the occasion of his retirement as Director of Policy and Compliance for the Department of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and recognizing his 40 years of service to the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on today's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 Councilwoman Gauthier.
Good morning, Council President. I have one bill on behalf of the Administration.
An ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Designation of Bicycle Lanes," to authorize bicycle lanes in the Third Council District in the vicinity of South 49th Street, from Paschall Avenue to Grays Avenue; Grays Avenue, from 49th Street to Lindbergh Boulevard; and Lindbergh Boulevard, from Grays Avenue to Elmwood Avenue; and making associated changes to parking regulations within the same limits.
That bill will be referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas.
Good morning, Council President. I have one Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 privileged resolution to introduce today on your behalf.
An ordinance establishing a no parking regulation on the east side of North 31st Street, between Jefferson Street and West Thompson Street.
And that bill will be referred to committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one bill on behalf of Councilmember O'Neill.
Thank you, Councilman. Councilman, how you like those Blackhawks? I gotta get it in because I know next week you'll be coming back with a champion from South Philly.
Yeah. We got two of them. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser real estate interest to all or a portion of a parcel or parcels of land located in the vicinity of Calera Road between Red Lion Drive and Chalfont Drive, commonly known as the Liberty Bell Youth Organization Recreation Center.
Referred to committee. And the Chair now recognizes Councilman Squilla. Do you have any additional for your district?
Thanks, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions this week. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I offer one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilmembers Isaiah Thomas, Kendra Brooks, and Cindy Bass. Another resolution co-sponsored by Councilmembers Kenyatta Johnson, Mark Squilla, Derek Green, Bobby Henon, and Katherine Gilmore Richardson, as well as a bill, and I'd like to be heard after the titles are read. Thank you.
An ordinance amending Chapter 6-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Nuisance Health Establishments," by adding a definition for Supervised Injection Sites, creating a presumption that they are Nuisance Health Establishments and Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 establishing criteria to obtain the support of the community by requiring a hearing before City Council.
And a privileged resolution Honoring and Celebrating the Life of James "Pointman" Abram for his selfless dedication -(Applause.)
-- for his selfless dedication to his Country, his fellow Veterans, his community, and his loving family.
And a non-privileged resolution condemning the lack of transparency and community participation in the implementation of supervised heroin injection sites -(Applause.)
-- and urging the Mayor and Safehouse to stop further Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 development of supervised injection sites so that the impacted residents -(Applause.)
And that will be on next week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. The first thing I'd like to do is recognize that last week we had a standing moment of silence for James "Pointman" Abram, Vietnam combat veteran, founder of Pointman Soldier Heart Ministry. We are joined today by members of Pointman as well as his widow, Claudette Abram. She is here with Ari Merretazon. I'd ask her to stand and all of Pointman Soldier Heart Ministry out of Triumph Baptist Church. (Standing ovation.)
Thank you very Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 much. I would like to speak on my bill, just to save everybody time. I'll just explain it publicly.
Last week on Friday I was listening to the news and I heard about a memo to the police about what they should do with a supervised safe injection site. The first time I heard of this. Over the weekend, I learned that there is a site in mind, and by the beginning of this week, there was an address. And the judge's order was finalized Tuesday evening, and by Wednesday, Safehouse announced that they were operating the following week. People find it incredible, unbelievable that Council did not know anything about this. They're very doubtful, how could my Councilmember not know that this was happening, and one of Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 the reasons is because this was done very secretly. I believe it was done intentionally so that the public could not have input. And what happened is, it was done through an existing portion of the Code because the location is Saint Agnes Hospital. What I am saying through this bill is, there is no such thing contemplated in The Philadelphia Code. There has never been, until that order was finalized, the idea that a location would invite and rely on people, patients, bringing illegal drugs with them, the content of which nobody knows, part fentanyl, fentanyl, rat poison -nobody knows what's in there -- to come on premises and inject themselves under medical supervision, but leave at will, regardless of their condition, whether they're going to walk across the street or get in a car and drive. The community -- so for whoever is in favor who supports safe injection Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 sites, whoever opposes, I think generally people agree that it's just shocking that this site is opening a week after the federal order, without any hearings, information or knowledge to the public because it is going into an existing health facility. What I am saying is that type of health facility, it's never been done in this country. It is uncontemplated in The Philadelphia Code and, therefore, I've introduced a section of Title 6, the Health Code, in Chapter 6, which is a section that deals with identifying nuisance health establishments by stating that unless a process established under Section 3 is followed, a supervised injection site is presumed to be a nuisance health establishment because it relies on drug-addicted individuals bringing illegal controlled substances into the health establishment to consume on premises and depart at will regardless of their condition and safety of Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 themselves and the public. Any plan to operate a supervised injection site shall be publicized to every resident, business, and institution within a one-mile radius of the proposed location at least six months prior to the planned operation of such a site. The proposed supervised injection site shall provide a detailed plan of operation to the residents, businesses, and institutions three months prior to holding a public hearing. The hearing must be held at least three months prior to the planned date of operation. The proposed supervised injection site may not operate without approval of 90 percent of the residents, businesses, and institutions within the one-mile radius of the facility, and if criteria A through D are satisfied, then City Council shall vote to approve or disapprove the operation of the proposed supervised injection site, unless its operation is already determined to be in violation of the Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 Commonwealth or federal criminal laws, in which case such facility shall not operate. Thank you.
Thank you, Council President. I want to also personally thank my colleague and I thank his legal mind for stepping up to the plate and really looking at our Code to address this issue. And I'm the District Councilperson who represents the area in which the proposed safe injection site is being proposed. As I mentioned these last several days, this process has not been transparent. You have the Health Commissioner that actually sits on the Board of Safehouse and have never one time reached out to my office, talked Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 about this plan coming to the Second Councilmanic District. More importantly, you have a site that has two daycare centers as well as a senior life center, and down the street is a high school in which children populate day in and day out. We have received thousands of calls -- hundreds of calls from parents and community residents concerned. As a father of two toddlers, it's not even up for debate if I would want my children to go to and from pre-K stepping over needles. God forbid one child finds a pack of heroin, or just to be exposed to the level of that type of lifestyle at such an early age. There has been zero community input in this process, and it's very disrespectful that there was a press conference announcing the opening of the site before the actual community meeting, which will give the residents an opportunity to voice their concerns about Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 this particular site. And I want to say for the record, this isn't about if you support individuals who are addicted to drugs. I'm an African American. I come from an impoverished neighborhood in South Philadelphia, but there was not a crack safe house for individuals that ravished my community growing up in South Philadelphia, and I want to state that for the record. So it's not about if you support individuals who have drug-addicted problems. There is more than $100 million that the community -- that the Department of Behavioral Health in the City of Philadelphia receives to address this issue. We have great programs such as Gaudenzia, Northeast Treatment Center, ODAAT that are already providing these type of services, but this particular site in itself is unacceptable just for the simple fact that you have children who are attending school in this facility Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 and that whole quality of life in that immediate area can possibly go down as a result of this particular proposal. I'm working very closely with my colleague Councilman Mark Squilla, who borders my district. And so we both have constituents who have been calling us, and so we're working with a legal team to look at all the options that are available. Thank you, Council President, for allowing us and supporting us in this effort. I want to also acknowledge Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez as well. At the end of the day, rather you're for this site or not, the community deserves to have a voice at the table. And so we'll stay on top of this case as we move forward. But, again, I want to also thank my colleague Councilman David Oh. And I'm also one of the key prime sponsors of the bill. Thank you, Council President. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. I first want to recognize and thank my colleagues Councilman David Oh as well as Councilmember Kendra Brooks for co-sponsoring the legislation related to James Abrams. And growing up, we called him Deacon Abrams. Deacon Abrams was married to his wife of 53 years, who is here today, and his Triumph family is here today as well too. So, again, thank you, Councilman Oh, for working with us to push this back. Council President, if it's okay with you and the legislative body, I just would like the members of Triumph Baptist Church that came today specifically to acknowledge the legacy of Deacon Abrams Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 moment to stand as we acknowledge his greatness, not just through Pointman services but through Pointman Ministry at Triumph Baptist Church. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you again for being here today. Pointman. I had a lot of interesting conversations with him. Sometimes we weren't necessarily on the same page, but the conversations were very interesting. Thank you again. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions, and we will now move to our reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson for a report from the Committee on Rules. Councilman Jones, you want to -- thank you.
On behalf of Councilman Johnson, thank you, Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 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. 200013, 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 Morris Street, 26th Street, Moore Street, and 27th Street"; and Bill No. 200019 entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 14-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Overlay Zoning Districts,' by amending Section 14-514 entitled '/FNE, Far Northeast Overlay District,'" respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you again, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading on this day Bill Nos. 200013 and 200019. (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. 200013 and 200019. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Thomas for a report from the Committee on Streets and Services.
Thank you, Council President. The Committee on Streets and Services reports 12 bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Streets and Services, to which was referred Bill No. 200004, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the striking from City Plan No. 120 and abandonment of a certain right-of-way reserved for various public utility purposes extending from Twentieth Street to Twenty-First Street, south of Oxford Street"; and Bill No. 200020, entitled "An Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 parking and tow-away regulations on Chesterfield Road"; and Bill No. 200021, entitled "An ordinance establishing no truck parking and tow-away regulations on Grant Avenue"; and Bill No. 200023, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Olney Avenue and North 15th Street; Nedro Avenue and Old York Road; Chew Avenue and North 18th Street; Abbottsford Avenue and Schuyler Street; Carlisle Street and Duncannon Street; Lindley Avenue and North 15th Street; North 19th Street and Chew Avenue"; and Bill No. 200024, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Indiana Street and Broad Street; North 15th Street and Tioga Street; North 16th Street and Ontario Street to Butler Street"; and Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 200087, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-205 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Sidewalk Sales,' to permit vending in certain areas in the vicinity of 56th Street between Haverford Avenue and Vine Street, 57th Street between Haverford Avenue and Vine Street, and Vine Street between 56th Street and 57th Street"; and Bill No. 200091, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: South 13th Street and Kimball Street; Juniper Street and Catharine Street; Carpenter Street and South 6th Street; East Passyunk Avenue and Kimball Street; South 12th Street and Catharine Street"; and Bill No. 200092, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Independence Park Hotel to construct, own, and maintain a proposed exterior building ramp at 235 Chestnut Street"; and Bill No. 200120, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the striking from Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 185 and abandonment of a certain right-of-way reserved for drainage purposes in the area lying east of Pelham Road and northeast and southeast of Hortter Street and plotting upon the said City Plan of a new right-of-way for sewer and drainage purpose"; and Bill No. 200145, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the vacating of Charles Street (also known as Markle Street), between Manayunk Avenue and Dexter Street"; and Bill No. 200146, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill No. 190450) approved July 17, 2019, entitled 'An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 15-S by placing on the City Plan Alter Street from Seventeenth Street to Eighteenth Street in order to conform more closely with existing conditions,' by revising the terms and conditions stated therein Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 changes"; and Bill No. 200148, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 359 by relocating the southwesterly houseline of Byberry Road approximately two feet southwestwardly between a point approximately four-hundred one feet northwest of The Roosevelt Boulevard to a point approximately five-hundred fifty feet further northwestwardly therefrom, thereby widening said Byberry Road between such points, including the dedication to the City of the bed of the widened portion of Byberry Road being placed on the City Plan," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair again recognizes Stated Meeting February 27, 2020
Thank you, Council President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the first reading this day of the 12 bills that were just read into the record by the Clerk. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the first reading of the 12 bills just read by the Chief Clerk. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 a report from the Committee on the Environment.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on the Environment reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on the Environment, to which was referred Bill No. 200090, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 9-3400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Energy Conservation,' by amending Section 9-3403, entitled 'Solar Panel Incentives," amending certain definitions, under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 200090. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 200090. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and this bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 2ND READING 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. They will be on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar today, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for the purpose of calling up resolutions and bills that are on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 200174, 200176, 200006, 200016, 200117. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman, very much. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 So before we have our Final Passage action on any bills and resolutions that are on our Final Passage Calendar today, we will have our public comment session. It will go as follows. And before I say that, we are currently in the process of altering the Final Passage Calendar. The way the rules read, if there is significant number of testimony on the same bill, the Council President, based on the rules, has the ability to pare that back significantly. What we're currently doing is attempting to have a list pared back and have individuals speak. Because you all are speaking on behalf, we will allow individuals to be there as the speaker speaks. So I want to do this in a fair and equitable way, give everybody a chance to be at the podium. So we're trying to pare that back to try to get accommodation for members who speak about this particular program. So that being said, if you have Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 signed up, when your name is called, you will go to the middle of the Council Chambers. The podium is there. There's a device on that podium. When the light turns green, it will be your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks, and when the light turns red, we'd ask that you adhere to our guidelines and please conclude your remarks. You will be given three minutes to testify based on our ability to pare back that list. I want to thank you very much for your anticipated cooperation. And, Mr. Decker, please call the first name on the list. I'm sorry. Mr. Decker, hold on one second. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Thank you very much, Council President. I have business that takes me outside of City Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 Council and would like to be requesting a leave, but recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Leave shall be granted. Thank you very much. Mr. Decker.
Joe Eastman, commenting on 200006. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Joe Eastman. I think most of you know, I'm retired military, live in South Philadelphia, and a taxpayer. Before I start, I'd like to ask every veteran in this room, every family member of a vet who wishes to do so, every supporter of a vet to get up and stand up. Just let us recognize you. (Applause.)
It's my honor to be here with every one of you. Thank you Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 all for your service. I want to start by quoting or actually paraphrasing President Barack Obama's former Commander of course who is in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as his deputy -- or as his Director of Central Intelligence, four-star General David Patraeus. He wrote a long letter as a West Point graduate to a group of freshmen up at West Point. I'm not going to read that letter. It's pretty long. I can forward it to anybody if they want to read it. But I'm going to go over the last sentence real quick, and it kind of gets in my mind what we are, veterans up here, fighting for. General Patraeus said, Just by the fact that you're one of the half a percent that is willing to go in harm's way, put your life on the line and serve this country, that in and of itself makes you part of an elite organization. Now, I doubt anybody back here thinks they're elite, but I think it's Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 well worth it to kind of play on what General Patraeus said. The other thing is, what I'm worried about when all this stuff goes forward in November, because I think we've seen it kind of happen over the last 24 hours, is that as sure as I'm standing here, somebody is going to come forward with something else saying let's put another group in that bill so they can get the same thing that we have. Well, my response to that is, if you want what I have, go out and earn it. Do what we did. If not, find something else to do. The third thing I want to talk about, third thing I want to talk about, there was an article that was floated around last Saturday by a lady by the name Jenny DeHuff, and it quoted somebody in this body as what we're just -- and I'm paraphrasing here. If I get it wrong, I apologize, but I think you'll get the understanding, that we're just Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 trying to help kids in a tough economy. I'm almost 70 years old. This is the best economy, best job market I've seen. As many of you know, I was a job developer for Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, and I kind of do it in the veterans community kind of as a hobby. In the last 11 months, I have sent to the veterans community 110 organizations, businesses, in Philadelphia that are looking to hire. I am here to tell you finding a company that's willing to hire is not difficult. If I can find that, just kind of doing it as a hobby, why can't the School District of Philadelphia do it? And if they don't know how, I'll be glad to show them. There are jobs out there for our young people, and I would say to any young person, if you want what I got, you go out and earn it just like I did. Thank you, sir.
Thank you for your testimony. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 (Applause.)
Monty Wilson, commenting on 200016. (Witness approached podium.)
Thank you. My name is Montgomery Wilson. Some of you know me. I'm a Senior Attorney with Community Legal Services in Philadelphia where we serve low-income Philadelphians with their civil legal issues. I personally have represented hundreds of homeowners who are dealing with preserving their homes. We all remember the predatory lending days and the bill that City Council passed over a decade ago to fight predatory lending and the actions that you took in Common Pleas Court to help homeowners, and my most recent project has been focused on helping people to pay their property Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 taxes and both allow them to stay in their homes and pay their property taxes. My mother warned me never to follow children and animals, and I think I've also learned today don't follow football players. So let's hear it for the Blackhawks. I'd like to say that on a personal note. What I'm here today for, though, is to urge you to put money back in the pockets of Philadelphia's working families. One of the bills today relating to the City wage tax refund, Bill 200016, is essentially a local version of the earned income tax credit. It currently exists on the books, but as the amendment proposes, it would increase the amount of the refund for a family of four from about $171 per year up to about $800 a year. That is their wages put back in working families' pockets for eligible low-income families. It's very similar to the earned income tax credit that benefits millions of Americans, and Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 we have the same program here in Philadelphia, but few, few families take advantage of it. At CLS every year, we see over 10,000 low-income homeowners and families who come to us for advice. About 3,300 of those are wage earners. Those are my clients, my constituents who could benefit with an extra $600 a year in their pockets. That's a bill that will pay for their groceries. That's a bill that will pay their property taxes. That's a bill that will pay for their SEPTA pass. And also when you expand that to the entire City, that is thousands upon thousands of your constituents who will benefit from your investing in the wages they worked for. I urge you to pass this bill unanimously today.
Thank you for your testimony, sir. (Applause.) Stated Meeting February 27, 2020
Joe Danihel, commenting on 200016 and 200176. (Witness approached podium.)
This is an official decree of the people in writ of mandamus quo warranto and, as such, requires immediate action and remedy. Every week, Council, Mayor, Governor, and others transfer private property to the government, probably unlawfully. Paul Robeson and Martin Luther King fought against those violating officials stealing the people's property and denying God-given rights. In the decades since their struggles, the race and sex of these oath-violating officials has changed, but their unlawful actions have not. In the most diverse Council in City government ever, bullying of the Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 people appears worse than ever. Aaron v. Cooper, 358 U.S. 1 requires your prosecution for violating your oath to God. Would Martin Luther King approve of your apparent unlawful behavior? If violating one law one time would send your constituents to jail, why hasn't the Attorney General prosecuted your oath violators in my case? The constitutions require immediate remedy of this breach of law, breach of close, breach of fiduciary duty. Your oath of office requires you to act or face prison. 42 USC 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987; 18 USC 241, 242, 2381, 2384; PA Constitution, Article I, Sections 1 through 28; 26 PA CSA 703, 705, 708, 709, 711, 712, 713, 716, 902, and other laws listed in SCOTUS 15-8965, 14-1330, 14-4056 appear violated. I call on the federal and Commonwealth governments to perform their Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 constitutional obligations to investigate and prosecute all involved in the theft and illegal deed transfer of my home, 1038 West Wyoming Avenue. The denial of God-given 42 USC 1982 property rights for 26 years is egregious, extraordinary, oath-violating, and requires immediate remedy. A just government must obey the rule of law. This color of law government must have its Charter to govern revoked until a constitutionally compliant government is installed. Public servants cannot refuse their sworn duty to act any more than a fireman can refuse to fight a fire. The sovereign people require oath, Constitution, and law be enforced, and jail is required for all who violate oath, Constitution or law. I remind Council, it takes a lot of cooperation to create and allow all of this monumental corruption. And these veterans that are here in this room Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 did not fight overseas or in any war to allow you to violate the Constitution, and demand that you obey your oath. (Applause.)
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the name of our next speaker.
Darryl Johnson, commenting on 200006. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, City Council of City of Philadelphia. My name is Darryl Johnson. Thank you again for this opportunity to address you. As a retired teacher, I am not opposed to school-to-employment opportunities for our city's youth, but as a veteran, I am still opposed to Bill 200007 as written. I have an academic-only diploma from the School District of Philadelphia. This bill does not benefit graduates like me. My nephew's parents are City law Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 enforcement officers. He attends a Catholic vocational high school in the City. This bill does not benefit future CTE graduates like him. Dr. Hackney, Director of the Mayor's Office of Education, reported in this very room last week before the Labor Committee that the bill is exclusive and does not cast a wide enough net. The bill also lacks clarity for the qualified electors. Voters will assume that this is a desire by the City to connect and capitalize on the over 1,000 hours of industrial skills and certifications these graduates have, or why else would they select this group for preference? Dr. Hackney said again in this location that this preference should be aligned to industrial skills. Unfortunately, this assumption is wrong. In fact, the CTE preference is broad based, and it's not aligned to skill sets. The proof of this is in the Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 amendments. Notice that there's a movement to increase the number of points for Philadelphia Police Explorer cadets from three to five. This Charter change would have placed a CTE preference over these cadets, who have been trained for years for this position. I don't think this is fair. There is also another major oversight. The amendment lists or limits CTE preference to eligibility of three years after graduation, and it is believed that a smaller number of CTE graduates will stay in the City to seek employment. In comparison, we veterans have lifetime preference. So what is the problem? Here is what is not being said: Each year a new group of CTE graduates will start their three years of eligibility. Starting year three and beyond, veterans, legacy parents -- I mean, legacy families and others will have to compete with three, not one, CTE graduating class every year indefinitely. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 This is no small number. Even the Human Resource Director mentioned in this very room that this is not necessary. In all due respect, this bill should be better vetted.
Mr. Johnson, we're going to ask you to wind down your testimony. The time is up.
Yes. Almost done. Okay. In closing, freedom is not free. Veterans preference was never given. It was earned and is an exception. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you for your comments, sir. Clerk will call the next witness.
Tyrone Love, commenting on 200006. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Madam President, City Council, veterans, good morning. Ma'am, to piggyback off of what Dr. Johnson -- my name is Tyrone A. Love, last name L-O-V-E. I am the Commander of VFW Post 3090's local located at 5212 Race Street. I am the past Commander of American Legion Post 682 located at 159 East Sharpnack Street. I am the Director of Veterans Affairs for the State of Pennsylvania for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge in Pennsylvania. The reason for my coming today was in reference to the veterans preference. Ma'am, I ask you, I beg you at this time if City Council can understand that, again, what we do, we earn what we have done. The veterans, some have given their lives for the freedom that a lot of people take for granted. To give the children and/or Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 others the preference that we have earned, as stated by my colleagues here, I ask at this time please do not take our preference. We're not against the children receiving certain things, but at the same time, ma'am, I ask them to please don't forget the sacrifice that many men and women like myself have made, and when we come home, sometimes we're forgotten. So I ask you, Madam President, you know me and many people here in the Council know who I am. I am an advocate for veterans preference and/or veterans being taken care of, homeless veterans, because we have earned certain rights. And I ask you and I applaud you if you can look over this bill and please remember the freedoms that we have given so many of you and so many take for granted. Thank you, ma'am. Have a great day.
Thank Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 you. Thank you. (Applause.)
David Pearl, commenting on 200006. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. This time I made it by three minutes the other way. It was three minutes of last time. My name is David Pearl. I am the State of Pennsylvania appointee to the National Legislative Committee for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I was here last week, as you know, and told you I was here representing our Commander in Chief and told you that their interest in what's going on here in Philadelphia is real. So what they sent me was, they wanted me to point out to everybody here in Chambers that under the U.S. Constitution, the 14th Amendment is something you might want to look at, Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 because it's going to defend the right of veterans and focuses on what you're trying to do here. Also, Title 42 of the U.S. Code, Subsection 1983 also specifically addresses what you're going to do or what you're attempting to do here. So what I want to do, I'd like all the comrades that are in the room here with me, everybody who served as a veteran, please stand up. I want to point something out to everybody. So members of Council, to yourself, ma'am, everybody that's here, including myself, when they went into the military put up their hand to protect and defend this Constitution. Everybody you're looking at signed a blank check saying they would take a bullet to defend this Constitution. That's how they earned that right for that veterans preference. I've been in discussion with a lot of you. You all support veterans. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 Don't ever lessen the value of that thank you that you give us, because like the people before me had said, they earned it. This can be dealt with another way, but to lessen the ten point preference for veterans is a slap in our face. I want to thank all of you. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Clerk, please call the name of the next speaker.
Nathaniel Smith, commenting on 200006. (Witness approached podium.)
Nathaniel Smith. Good afternoon, Council President and Councilmembers of the great City of Philadelphia. My name is Nathaniel Smith. I am the State Junior Vice Commander for the Veterans of Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 Foreign Wars, the oldest combat organization consisting of 25 districts, 440 posts, and approximately 72,000 VFW members. I'm here on behalf of my Commander, Wayne Perry, and to echo the sentiments of our National Legislative Chairman, David Pearl, representing Pennsylvania VFW and 60,000 veterans of the City of Brotherly Love to oppose this Resolution 200006 and 7, amendment of the Charter of the Civil Service Commission. I'm a retired U.S. Navy veteran, served 24 years, retired in 1999 as an E-9, which is the highest rank you can achieve in the enlisted community. My base pay after 24 years was $32,000, which looking back at it, if I was a civilian and I had a civilian job, I could have probably made that at McDonald's. I would probably have made twice that amount. I just recently retired from the Department of Labor and Industry, Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety as the Director of the Boiler Division and Chief Boiler Inspector for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania after 20 years. If it wasn't for the extra ten points as a veteran for my military service, I would have never got hired. I am not opposed to giving career and technical education graduates extra credits, as I was one myself. My mother was a single parent. There was eight of us left out of 12. I was the only one who graduated high school. She couldn't afford to send me to college, so I joined the U.S. Navy, and I'm very proud of what I've done. I applaud Councilwoman Richardson for her reference and concerns for these students. However, it shouldn't be on the backs of the veterans of Philadelphia, who have made sacrifices for our freedom. The veterans have earned the ten points due to their education, Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 experience, and training, whether they served four years or 30 years.
Thank you, sir. Sir, I'm going to ask you to please wind down your testimony.
Okay. So specifically if you pass this ordinance, you're in violation of PA State Veterans Preference Act Title 51 Subsection 7104(b) and 7109. Thank you.
Will the Clerk please call the name of our next speaker.
Louis Lanni, commenting on 200006. (Witness approached podium.)
Mr. President, my name is Louis Lanni. I was born, like many people in this room, I was born, bred, educated here in the public schools Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 of this city and still standing. Furthermore, I was a policeman here in Philadelphia, separated by injury some years ago. I come here today to speak in opposition of the bill being considered that would offer a preference to the CTE students of the Philadelphia public schools, a bill that I'm sure is very well intended. I think that singling out and offering a boutique preference to this small group of an entire group of Philadelphia public school students does a disservice to the other students, the many thousands of students that attend our public schools. Furthermore, I believe that preference should only be offered under two circumstances. One being to recognize the extraordinary service to our community offered by a group, in my mind veterans and police officers or firefighters or other City employees who Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 were killed or murdered many times in the course of their employment or veterans who are injured on the battlefield or killed. So I would urge you to reconsider on what I'm sure was a well-intended bill and think about the injustice that's being done to the many thousands of men and women who have put on the uniform of this country and of this city and have done their duty and have many times been injured and murdered in so doing and to the exclusion, speaking about the students of the Philadelphia public schools, all others who weren't beneficiaries of the CTE program. The public school students that didn't go through that program are equally valuable to us, and they deserve the same chance that anybody else gets. So I would urge you to rethink this well-intended but I think premature offering. Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 Thank you.
Larry Holman, commenting on 200006. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, Council President Clarke and all the other Councilmen and all my fellow veterans that are here today. First of all, I just want to remind you of my testimony that I offered a couple of weeks ago. It seems like here in Philadelphia, the birthplace of our nation, that we need to be cognizant of what it means to preserve this great nation and what it takes, and a lot of people have stepped forward to answer the call when our nation was threatened. Now, I want to keep my remarks brief just by reminding you that there Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 was a fellow named Steve Mason that wrote in the 1980s a book called Johnny's Song: Poetry of a Vietnam Veteran, and in that there was a poem called The Casualty, and that poem acknowledges that the poorer males were more likely to become veterans, only to find when we get home, somebody moved the town. Now, the young vets suffered a loss of time and opportunity that can never be returned. Therefore, I object to putting high school graduates on a par with veterans. Thank you. (Applause.)
I'm a United States Marine. I'm honorably retired Lance Corporal Louis Gibson. Have no sympathy for me. I earned this. My name is Louis Gibson and I'm Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 an American because I'm brave. Not because I was born in the United States of America. I was born in Liberia, Nimba County, Liberia, and I served the United States Marine Corps and earned everything, this wheelchair and every disability that I suffer from, and I embraced it. And the preferences give me a little bit of an advantage to even out the playing field in the job market. So when you give me a little bit of preference, I appreciate it, but I really don't want nothing. I earned everything. I earned that. And if you give it to anybody, don't ever tell me thank you for serving, because you're an Indian giver. (Applause.)
That's an American phrase when somebody gives you something and then they take it back. What y'all doing? I came to America. My father and my mother brought me here for a better life. I'm 44 years old. I left Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 the military under the age of 30 catastrophically injured, but I'm still good looking. I'm a class clown. Everybody know me. I'm a comedian. But this is a serious topic. That's why I'm here. And I'm representing the United States Marine Corps and anybody who calls themself an American, not because you was born here. Because you brave. It's the home of the brave. That's who I protect, not the home of the cowards. Take a look at me. Look at this African American. There really was born in Africa a real dude. Look what America did to me. They gave me so many benefits. I'm rich, but I earned that. I'm Puff Daddy with a government check, for real, and everybody in this city know me. And I was born in Nimba County, Liberia. Thank you, America, the greatest country in the whole world. Look at me. Look at me. I'm 100 percent Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 service-connected total and permanent, and all of my disabilities are static, and the VA told me I would never walk again. The greatest country in the world. I got to wait until I get my VA check at the end of the month a little bit. Anybody needs anything for your non-profit, y'all call me, LouisGibson.us. I'm the guy in the wheelchair sitting next to Michelle Obama. She smell good.
Thank you for your testimony, sir. Thank you for your service. (Applause.)
He's not here? (Audience member talking without microphone.)
Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 Okay. Mr. Decker, is that it?
Thank you very much, and thank you all for your service. (Audience member speaking without microphone.)
Hold on. Hold on one second. Hold on one second. So I told you all early on before we started this, we were going to pare the names back because we can't have 25 speakers on the same subject matter, and we pared that list back. So this concluded that list. But if I let one person and then the next person and it goes on, then we end up having 25 speakers on one issue. That's just not -(Audience member speaking without microphone.)
I'm Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 2/27/20 - STATED - 2ND READING just saying, ma'am, I got to have some structure here, and it may be unpopular, but we understand. This will be an issue for a number of weeks, so people will have an opportunity to weigh in on this. Thank you. Ma'am, if you have written testimony, ma'am, if you have written testimony, you can submit it and we can put it in the record for you. Okay? Just make sure your name is on there and we will make it a part of the record. Okay. Our next order of business is our Calendar. Before we move on with our Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson. You good? All right. Thank you. All right. Mr. Decker, can you please read the title of 200174.
A resolution also naming East Passyunk Avenue between South Street and Bainbridge Street, as "Avenue of The Roots." Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 2/27/20 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 200174 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 200176.
A resolution authorizing the creation of the Philadelphia Fashion and Garment Industry Task Force.
Thank you very Stated Meeting February 27, 2020 2/27/20 - STATED - 2ND READING much. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)