Good morning -afternoon. Wow. Okay. I'm down here to advocate for safe zones regarding Bill 190767. And I just want to read this for those that say it's already in effect. We're asking the City of Philadelphia and its Department of License and Inspection have long considered it desirable for the promotion of commerce and other reasons to provide a mechanism to allow for, in limit, circumstances such as accelerated review. So, therefore, it is not already in existence. The reality is that they're considering it. And so with the accelerated review in gentrifying areas, that is really -- that would really be inhumane, Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 because you already have people being gentrified, and to speed up and provide a review in five days for over-the-counter permits, building five- and six-story luxury home mansions in our community would be like beating a wounded dog. Okay? But the other problem with the speeding up is the fact that it has an effect on damages to people home. You have nothing in place to address the damages when people houses crack. When you call 3-1-1, they talking about, oh, you need to get a lawyer and that's a civil claim. Well, who is going to do that, poor people. We didn't land on Plymouth Rock. Plymouth Rock landed on us. The reality is, you need to supply something for damages to people housing. Environmental health, you talking about increasing demolitions. Well, you have asbestos, lead. You have old debris that they're knocking down. Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 You talk about in five days having all these demolitions going on and everything. People have asthma, respiratory illnesses, and oxygen problems, trash in the middle of the block and middle of the sidewalk. The kids got to walk out in the street to go around it. You have daily disturbances, the knocking, the banging going on from 7:00 in the morning to 7:00 at night, sleep disturbance, homework. The kids can't do homework and everything, traffic jams, bus detours. You have rerouting. You have paratransit complaining about construction. They're late picking up disabled people and everything like that, school bus detours. You got seniors disabled, and school kids don't even know where the bus is, running down the street and everything like that. Then you got disrespectful developers and workers telling you, oh, well, we don't have to deal with you and blah, blah, blah, and then you got street Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 blockages from junk removal trucks, gas, electric trucks, all these type of trucks. So now you want to accelerate review? On that note, I don't think so. I think that we need safe zones. We need to put this bill on hold. We need to look at it, because you want to -- also Bill 190606-AA is an eminent domain bill. Did you know developers have up to five years to use their permit? They buy the properties and let it sit there for up to five years and they don't have to use the permit up until five years. So how are you going to be able to present that? The reality is, people go into the hospitals, people get sick. The property might sit there for six months if you're in a hospital, like I was, and then you go to rehab. You may not be using your property for continuously. So you going to say just because you don't see a water bill, that you have the right to come and take the house? I don't Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 think so. This bill needs to be put on hold again and it needs to be looked at carefully. It's an eminent domain bill that you're pushing for. Thank you very much, and I look forward to working with you on that. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. My name is Gail Loney. I'm a block captain, and I'm speaking on Bill 190767 and 190606-AA. I have submitted notes to both Council Sanchez and President Darrell Clarke about 190767, but I really feel that the two of them are tied together to increase gentrification in my North Philadelphia area, which I have Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 lived in all of my life. I have been all over the world and traveled, but it's amazing how my neighborhood remains the same for over 20 years. I'm concerned about the bills because they -- as far as the accelerated permits, I live on a block that has -- no lots have been owned from generation to generation, and I am seeing a huge insurgence of homes that my neighbors cannot seem to acquire for whatever reasons. The Land Bank that is supposed to be able to take the properties, make them available for citizens are not cooperating. I put in for a lot within the 1,400 feet and never got a response. So now with this Bill 767 and 606, you're saying that because I live on the block, that 1,400 feet doesn't allow me to purchase a lot that's within 1,400 feet but it's around the corner, because it's not a side lot. Something is wrong with that. Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 In addition, the acceleration of the permit is allowing these developers to come in your neighborhood, suck up your land, do their development, and charge hundreds of thousands of dollars for properties that are inadequately developed. I have seen homes in my neighborhood that were supposed to be being developed and it's trash. I have a contractor of my own, and I have gone and looked at some of these properties, and they're not even done well. So I have a problem with this. And on terms of there's no community consideration. As far as the community is concerned, the fees that you guys are charging with regards to the millions of dollars that these properties are being charged and generating, those fees need to be a percentage of the whole project, not $350 or $700 or $1,650. I have a problem with that. I have a problem with the fact Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING that our oversight as community members is being dissolved. We are being excluded from this process, and it's not right and it's not fair. And I have a problem with the fact that I'm concerned that it's being advertised and marketed to such a high level, that we as citizens can't afford to live there or even purchase anything there. Thank you. (Applause.)
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public comment. We will move to our Calendar. Mr. Decker, if you can please read the title of 190835.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING Redevelopment Authority to dispose of certain properties located in the Second Councilmanic District, which will be transferred by the City to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, by conveyance of such properties to the Philadelphia Land Bank.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez -- Councilman Jones for a motion.
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
Those opposed? Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it. 190835 has been adopted. Mr. Decker, 190836.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of certain properties located in the Second Councilmanic District.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez. Hold on, Councilwoman. The Councilman is here. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson for a motion.
Thank you, Council 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.)
Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it. 190836 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 190838.
A resolution calling for the creation of Domestic Workers Standards and Implementation Task Force and appointing a (9) Person Task Force to consider, analyze, make recommendations to City Council's Committee of Law and Government and the Mayor's Office of Labor, for the City on the legal protections, benefits, and working conditions for domestic workers.
And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Council President, before I call on a motion, I just once again want to thank the Mayor's Office, in particular the Mayor's Office for Labor, Andre Del Valle in my office, and all the employers and wonderful women Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING who participated in this process. As you know, we hosted a hearing in the Committee on Labor last year and subsequently introduced this bill and have been working through what has been a very collaborative process. I want to thank Pat Eiding from AFL-CIO and all of the ally sister unions who really helped us get to this place, and we really look forward to an implementation process that provides for education, information and, more importantly, some dignity for these women for the great work that they do every day for the thousands of families in the City of Philadelphia. You are not alone. We are with you, and I appreciate the process in which we've undertaken this. So with that, I move for a motion to adopt the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 190838 is adopted. (Applause.)
A resolution calling on the General Assembly to adopt House Bill 590, which amends the Public School Code to add curriculum requirements for health classes across Pennsylvania to educate students in an age-appropriate manner about mental health, physical disabilities, and developmental disabilities.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 190839 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 190841.
A resolution urging the United States of America's federal government to enter the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which calls for the abolition of nuclear weapons among all United Nations member states, to prevent the threat of nuclear war and devastating humanitarian consequences to Philadelphia and our international neighbors. Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you very much, Council President. I just wanted to give a thanks for all the folks who came out today in support of this important resolution and to my colleagues who co-sponsored it and support it. I also just want to say a special acknowledgment of gratitude to Edward Mas Nakawatase who came out today and spoke earlier with such powerful words. Born in internment camps and devoting his life to racial and economic justice and social justice work, here at home he was one of a handful of Asian Americans who were part of SNCC in the 1960s. He's devoted his life to Native American rights to peace and justice in this world. And when we pass it, it will be largely thanks to the hard work of many people, but I just want to say a special acknowledgment to Ed Mas Nakawatase as well. Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING And with that, 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 190841 is adopted. (Applause.)
Mr. Decker, please read the title of 190 -- Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to be reported as voting on the affirmative on Resolution No. 190835 and 190836 in my absence. Thank you.
Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you. That shall be reported. And just for the record, it's quite obvious earlier Councilman Johnson asked for a leave of absence, but he is obviously here. So he is here, just for the record. Thank you, sir. Mr. Decker, 190606-AA.
An ordinance amending Title 16 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Property," by amending Chapter 16-400, entitled "Vacant and Surplus Properties," Chapter 16-500, entitled "Councilmanic District Development Program," and Chapter 16-700, entitled "Philadelphia Land Bank," in order to establish uniform procedures for the disposition of property by the City and City-related agencies to whom the City conveys property, and to amend the provisions governing the Land Bank.
This bill has been heard on multiple times. Mr. Decker, call the roll. Shall the bill pass finally. Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you, Mr. Decker, for always correcting me when I make an error.
Councilman Jones. Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 190611-A.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code to revise certain provisions of Chapter 14-800, entitled "Parking and Loading," by amending parking standards for historically designated properties.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez. Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 190613-A.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code to revise certain provisions of Chapter 14-600, entitled "Use Regulations," by amending use standards for historically designated properties. Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Johnson. Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Council President Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING Clarke.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 190655-A.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code to revise certain provisions of Chapter 14-502, entitled "/CTR, Center City Overlay District," by amending the Supplemental Use Controls for the Old City Residential Area.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman Blackwell. Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Parker. Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 190640.
An ordinance establishing a four-way stop on the Stated Meeting October 31, 2019 10/31/19 - STATED - 2ND READING intersection of 61st and Webster Streets.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.