Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, April 20, 2017 10:50 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 COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN AL TAUBENBERGER MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting April 20, 2017
We have a pretty long day today, so we're going to get started. The members will take their seats, any visitors retire behind the rail, and we can get started with our invocation. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal -- I'm sorry; the invocation. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Pastor Garth Gabriel Gittens of Calvary Baptist Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Jones. I would ask all members, guests, and visitors to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
Let us pray. Lord, we thank you for this Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 for this Council. We pray, Lord, that you would grant this Council wisdom to lead and direct the affairs of this City. We pray you would grant them courage to effectively represent the will of the people, to see with empathy the plight of those who are struggling in this great city. Lord, we pray that you would grant us fiscal financial wisdom and direction even as we deliberate budget issues. Lord, we pray for the peace of our great city. We take authority over the spirit of violence. Every spirit of corruption, we take authority over it. We pray for justice. We pray, Lord God, that you will protect the City, keep this City, build this City, every aspect, every situation that would come against the effective governing of this City. Lord, we pull it down in the name of Jesus. And we pray, God, that you Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 us through unity and understanding, that we would be compassionate, one to another, and heal the wounds of this City. Help us to come together that in this great City of Brotherly Love, there would be a true demonstration of love, of caring, of unity, and effective joy that people who come here will recognize, Lord, that you are indeed Lord of this City. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Pastor, for those inspiring words. (Council at ease.)
Thank you very much. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 6, 2017, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 of Thursday, April 6, 2017 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 6, 2017 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests of leave of absence today.
And Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 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. 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 come down to witness their government in action. We hope your stay here is actually a pleasurable one and a knowledgeable one, so much so that you come back again. So, again, thank you and we really appreciate having you here at this time. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today is a day that we have young people here joining us to show Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 I have two special guests, one who's shadowing me here today, Kyle Nelson from Mastery Charter School, who is going to be attending East Stroudsburg and looking to get into political science. So he may be hopefully a future leader. But I'd like to announce Kyle. Please stand and recognize him for being here. (Applause.)
And also we're joined by the 7th and 8th grade students from the Eliza Kirkbride School in South Philly. They are here today over here on my right. (Applause.)
The pencil holders that they brought today for every Councilmember are part of a large project called American Dreams. The project is a partnership with COSACOSA Art At Large and Passyunk Square Civic Association, supported with a grant from PCCY's Picasso Project and Ted Gibbons, who is Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 direction of Principal Rebecca Julien and led by art teacher Peter Metcalfe and special education teacher Eileen McGinley, the interdisciplinary project explores connections among immigrant stories, student collection from their families, schools and neighborhoods, and explore the meaning of the American dream in today's complicated world. In honor of Philadelphia Art Advocacy Week, Kirkbride students ask that you please make funding available and make it a priority. Without funds for art education, the public schools and projects like these are not possible, and our children are deprived of proven benefits that come from the innovative and hands of art and experience. Please remember that art education is part of our American dream and that thousands of children in our city are counting on us to create and work on their future. And like Jane Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 says, art ignites change. Thank you very much, and welcome. Stand up again, our Kirkbride students, for your great participation. (Applause.)
Congratulations, and thank you so much for coming down today. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Green, who will present a resolution recognizing Philadelphia CeaseFire. Would Marla Davis-Bellamy and those accompanying her please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman Green, we have Councilman Greenlee, Councilman Henon, Councilman Oh and Councilwoman Bass, Councilwoman Gym and Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilman Domb and Councilwoman Parker and Councilman Stated Meeting April 20, 2017
Good morning. It's a true pleasure to honor Philadelphia CeaseFire for the work that they do in our communities. Many of you have read in the past couple weeks some of the violence that's been occurring in the City of Philadelphia. So to have an organization like CeaseFire actively working to address violence in our city and helping especially young men, young men of color to find alternative ways to come to dispute resolution, and it's a pleasure to be here to recognize them for their efforts. This resolution recognizing Philadelphia CeaseFire for their ongoing violence-reduction efforts in the City of Philadelphia.
Whereas, dedicated and sustained work from a broad coalition of anti-violence activists, law enforcement agencies, religious leaders, Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 has contributed to a multi-year downward trend of violent incidents in the City, including gun homicides; and
Whereas, despite the commendable work and the heartening progress that has been made thus far, violent incidents, particularly those which involve firearms and young people, are still occurring at unacceptably high levels, causing devastation to our families and placing tremendous strain on the limited resources of our institutions; and
Whereas, Philadelphia CeaseFire began its campaign in 2011, at the Center for Bioethics, Urban Health & Policy at the Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, joining dozens of organizations and hundreds of individuals already working to mitigate the City's violence epidemic; and
Whereas, Philadelphia CeaseFire is a replication Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 public health organization Cure Violence, previously known as Chicago CeaseFire, which developed a structured, deliberate, and disciplined violence intervention strategy based on the premise of violence as a preventable public health issue; and
Whereas, Philadelphia CeaseFire's approach is evidence-based and has been proven to be effective in the reduction of homicides and shootings in Philadelphia's 22nd and 39th Police Districts; and
Whereas, their program includes efforts to heighten community awareness about gun violence and encourage area residents as well as the community, business and religious leaders to work towards reducing violence, especially shootings and homicides; and
Whereas, crucial to the success of Philadelphia CeaseFire is their choice of the most Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 to deliver their anti-violence message directly to high-risk individuals, including CeaseFire staff, the program manager, outreach supervisor, outreach workers, and violence interrupters; and
Whereas, these staffers, many of whom once were involved in the violence they now seek to prevent, spend 80 percent of their time outside of the office, employing direct intervention strategies to mediate conflicts and prevent interpersonal violence which is often the cause of shootings and killings in Philadelphia; and
Whereas, one such employee is Rasheed Smith, whose compelling story, including a felony gun charge at the age of sixteen, the harsh wake-up call of imprisonment and the successful transition into the community, was recently told by Shawnette Wilson of FOX 29; and Stated Meeting April 20, 2017
Whereas, we salute and thank Mr. Smith and his colleagues and the rest of the CeaseFire team for all of the brave, tireless, face-to-face work they do to prevent and reduce violence, and we share the hope that one day, such efforts will no longer be necessary; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that Council does hereby recognize Philadelphia CeaseFire for their ongoing violence-reduction efforts in the City of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
I just want to thank CeaseFire for all their work and the great efforts they've done to address violence in our city.
All right. The Chair recognizes Ms. Davis-Bellamy for remarks. Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 (Applause.)
How you doing, ladies and gentlemen? I'm Rasheed Smith from Philadelphia CeaseFire. I just want to say thank you to my team. They've been a big help. They've been like big brothers and sisters. Also Ms. Marla Davis for being like not just a boss, just like a mother and providing me and guiding me and always on me about getting my life together, not just for myself but for my son and my family also. So I just want to thank you guys for coming today, and this is not the end for me. You're going to see me much more, not just on TV. I'm not doing it for television, and when I first started this job, I wasn't doing it for the money. I do it passionately, because there's a lot of other youth out there such as myself that's just like me going through a lot of the things that I went through, and I was blessed by God and provided with a job to share my story and Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 as myself to become better than me and look forward to achieving more of their goals. So, once again, I want to thank my team, Philadelphia CeaseFire, Philadelphia City Council, and the guys that's here today and the police officers that's here today. You guys have a blessed day. (Applause.)
Good morning. I want to thank Councilman Green for this honor as well as Council President Clarke and all members of City Council for your ongoing support and acknowledging the work of the Philadelphia CeaseFire program. There's so many members of our family that are here, including our prayer team. These individuals pray for us on the first Monday of every month and they pray for our city. We're also very grateful to our partners, Department of Behavioral Health and the Managing Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 grateful for Dr. Kathleen Reeves of the Center for Bioethics, Urban Health & Policy at Temple School of Medicine where our program is housed. We're also extremely grateful to Temple University, who eight years ago made this commitment to embark on this journey. Oftentimes when I talk about our program, people ask me if I'm from Philadelphia, and I think this is an important question. I am from Philadelphia, a Masterman graduate who has done a number of things, including attending Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Caroline, Ohio State University, the Fels School of Government, and Temple Law School. I'm a Philadanco alum. I headed a small healthcare foundation. I was the speaker at the 2000 Democratic National Convention. I've worked for Congressman Evans, Dr. Walter Lomax, Mr. Kenny Gamble. I was a law clerk for Johnnie Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 Cochran, part of the WURD family, and the Chief of Staff of the Pennsylvania Department of Health under Dr. Calvin Johnson. Needless to say, I have been involved in a few projects, have worked for the federal government and state, and I have run a couple of non-profit organizations, and I can tell you without any reservation this team and this program has been proven to be effective in the reductions of shootings and it works. I tell people all the time that I work for these group of young men and women who have dedicated their lives 24/7, 365 days a year in an effort to prevent violent crime in many high-risk neighborhoods across the City. They canvas neighborhoods. They've developed risk reduction plans for those coming home from prison. They mediate conflicts. They have visited over 100 schools in the District. They're on call Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 24/7 for two of our Level 1 trauma centers. They attend court hearings. They visit their clients in prison, and they help their clients secure jobs. One of our clients recently was hired to work in Hatboro. m. m. m. m. This is how serious these young men and women are. And they're not volunteers. They're full-time employees of Temple School of Medicine. They make over $30,000 a year with the same health, education, and pension benefits of any Temple employee. They're incredible case messengers who are from the neighborhoods in which they serve. They're hired by a community panel. They're trained for over 75 hours a year, and they have spent time in prison. However, Temple University did not make their backgrounds a barrier to Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 over 7,000 hours working with their clients this year who they've met on the streets, in schools, hospitals, and through referrals. These men and women represent and serve the young people of our city who are deeply troubled and make poor decisions, whether it's carrying a gun, dropping out of school, engaging in a flash mob or selling drugs. This is a public health issue. It's an epidemic, and our program treats it as such. Given the fact that 14,000 people have been shot, according to police records, since 2006, all of us in this room and outside of this must embrace the fact that Philadelphia has a problem. However, CeaseFire has been working diligently to address this problem. These young men and women have beat the odds.
One of them was living in a shelter and we hired him and last year he bought his own home. They've been Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 network. Our program manager was contacted one night by the Secret Service and spent the next full day with President Obama. But your recognition today is important. It continues to help motivate and encourage them. But we should not stop here. We should consider duplicating this effort across the City. S. Conference of Mayors, the Department of Justice. New York City started with one CeaseFire program and now has 18. Baltimore has four, and there's 60 cities across the country that are duplicating this effort and eight international countries. I'm so proud of these young men and women. They are our city's gladiators and will do whatever is necessary to save a life. They have influence on the streets of our city, and young people who are in crisis listen to them. They listen to them because they Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 men and women have changed their lives and they can too. Thank you very much, and we hope that Council will certainly join us for a reception immediately following today's meeting. Thank you. )
Thank you very much. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill, who will present a resolution recognizing the week of April 23rd through April 30th as the Annual Days of Remembrance of the Six Million Jewish Martyrs. Would Sarita Gocial and those accompanying her please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guest approached podium.)
And Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 is Councilman Domb.
Thank you, Mr. President. The resolution reads as follows: In solemn recognition during the week of April 23rd to 30th, 2017 as the Annual Remembrance of the Six Million Jewish Martyrs Who Perished During The Holocaust. Whereas, over sixty years ago, six million Jews were murdered in a Nazi Holocaust as part of a systematic program of genocide, and millions of other people suffered as victims of Nazism; and Whereas
I just want to thank Councilman O'Neill, by the way, for including me in this recognition, and just share with you a personal story, because every time this comes up, as is last year, my grandfather came from Warsaw, Poland. His brothers and sisters were all killed in the concentration Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 camps, and I still have some of the letters actually that he gave me that they wrote to him, but it was blacked out by the camps. So thank you for including me, by the way. 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, the Memorial Committee for the Six Million Jewish Martyrs has chosen as the theme for this year's Memorial, "Anti-Semitism - Confronting the Oldest Hatred." Given the alarming growth in the number of anti-Semitic threats since the beginning of 2017, desecration of Jewish cemeteries, and the Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 Community Centers and schools across the country, it is clear that we cannot be complacent in the face of anti-Semitism or any other forms of bigotry and hatred. This year's ceremony will feature Kenneth Jacobson, Deputy National Director of the Anti-Defamation League. The ceremony will also feature poems, readings and music that speak to the theme. We applaud the Committee for the honor they will bestow on the memory of those who perished and on those who survived to build and strengthen life in Philadelphia and other communities;
Whereas, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the Memorial Committee for the Six Million Jewish Martyrs invite all citizens of Philadelphia and the region to join in the commemoration ceremony on April 23rd, 2017 in front of the Holocaust monument on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 1 o'clock to 2:30 Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 Therefore, by virtue of this citation, the Council of the City of Philadelphia does hereby recognize the week of April 23rd through April 30th, 2017 as the Annual Days of Remembrance of the Six Million Jewish Martyrs. We further recognize the horror of the Holocaust, and extend to the Memorial Committee the respect and admiration of this legislative body. This is a certification that this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution, adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 6th of April 2017. Signed by the President of City Council, Darrell Clarke, co-sponsored by myself, Councilman Domb, and all Councilmembers. Thank you. (Applause.)
And the Chair recognizes Ms. Gocial for remarks. Stated Meeting April 20, 2017
Thank you. Good morning. It is a pleasure for me to address you once again about our annual memorial ceremony for the six million Jewish martyrs who were annihilated by the Nazis simply because they were Jews. A very special thanks to Councilmen O'Neill and Domb for sponsoring this City Council resolution and to all the members of City Council for co-sponsoring as well. At this year's ceremony we are highlighting the upsurge of anti-Semitism, which has been called the longest hatred. It is global, ingrained, and resilient. It affects everyone and can exist even where there are no Jews. Its alarming rise in recent years, especially in the lands where the Holocaust occurred, give us pause. While anti-Semitism is not government sponsored in Europe as it was in the 1930s, denial and distortion of the Holocaust are part of the narrative that is driving these Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 year, anti-Semitism has been on the rise in the United States as well. Cemeteries have been desecrated. Swastikas have been painted on grave markers. Doors and walls of synagogues have been defaced, and openly anti-Semitic materials are being distributed around the country, including right here in Philadelphia and its close suburbs. My friends, anti-Semitism cannot be allowed to grow and flourish. We have seen the results of hatred. So what do concerned citizens do. First, we must not be afraid to address these issues. Representatives of all minority groups must come together to create venues for learning. We are all human beings. We want the same things for ourselves and our families, and we must work together to make sure that this message is not shouted down. Our children must be educated Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 given answers and appropriate ways of responding. It all begins with one - one person reaching out to another, one person teaching and learning from another, one person standing up for another. We must not stand by and watch and remain silent. We are all part of the American tapestry. Each of us has added to the beautiful foundation of acceptance and inclusion that our country has been founded on. This Sunday, April 23rd, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia will present our annual memorial program for those whose lives were cut short by hatred, and honor those who survived the atrocities inflicted upon the Jewish people. We invite you and your families to join us in solidarity to those who were sacrificed. We must be resolute in our commitment to keep their story alive and teach our children and fellow citizens about the downfalls of Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 hope to see you all this Sunday. And as a note of correction, because the weather does not seem to want to cooperate, our event will actually be held on Sunday at Rodeph Shalom at Broad and Green Streets in Philadelphia at 1 o'clock. All are invited, and we hope that you will be there with us. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, who will present a resolution recognizing Belinda Mayo. Would Ms. Mayo and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. Where's the family? Don't be shy. Come on up, guys, and friends, Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 up, folks. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
Thank you so much. It is quite an honor to recognize what many of us and many of my colleagues who join me this morning understand to be one of the pioneers. Oftentimes we use a lot of terminology when we talk about neighborhoods, neighborhood stabilization, neighborhood revitalization, blight removal, all of these things, and behind all of that is actual work that gets done and people who move the needle and push government and bureaucracy to do the right thing by our neighborhoods. And I worked with Belinda a minute and a half ago and really saw someone who cared about neighborhoods, cared about every neighborhood in the City and really understood the issue of equity and fairness for all. And I appreciate having started my career in community development work a couple of Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 all her guidance in that work. And she's retired, and I'm sure that in her second rendition, she's even going to do more work and ensure that we continue to do our work here in Council and the City of Philadelphia. So with that, recognizing and honoring and celebrating the outstanding career of Belinda Ann Mayo for her devotion and dedication to providing access to low-income housing throughout the City of Philadelphia. Whereas, Belinda Ann Mayo, a seasoned professional, has devoted her career to public service by emphasizing research, planning, coordination of programs and services, training and direction of urban housing policy; and
Whereas, Belinda most recently worked for the City of Philadelphia's Office of Housing and Community Development as the Director of Neighborhood Program Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 Coordination, where she implemented the Neighborhood Geographic Information System and Network, which incorporated a database and inventory of vacant property and land throughout the City of Philadelphia; and
Whereas, as a former Assistant Director for Community Development for the City of Philadelphia Office of Housing and Community Development, Belinda was responsible for the development and implementation of technical assistance programs for non-profit community based corporations. Belinda was also in charge of the disbursement of $1.5 million grants, which manage to fund a selection process, and completing the Strategic Neighborhood Development plans for 15 community based development corporations; and
Whereas, as Director of the Philadelphia Housing Policy Board, Belinda examined new housing initiatives and programs designed Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 ability to provide cost effective and affordable housing to low and moderate income families. Belinda also evaluated all City housing policy and program expenditure plans, as she established relationships with public and private housing related agencies; and
Whereas, throughout her career Belinda worked with a team of State, City, and Federal emergency agency representatives to provide services and coordinated arrangements for housing evacuees in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina;
And Belinda is well respected by superiors and colleagues as she served as a member of the Board of Directors for Neighborhoods Now, an Alumnus on the Board of Trustees for Mercy Housing, Inc. in Denver, Colorado, an Alumnus on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Philadelphia Development Partnership, a member of the Philadelphia Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 Local Advisory Board, and both Co-Chair and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, National Low Income Housing Coalition. And one other thing I want to say. I'm adding this. But Belinda was always a person who cared about the communities and the neighborhoods, especially my community and neighborhood where I grew up and was a member of the Board of Whitman Council, low-income area. She was there to fight with us and for us through all our trials and tribulations that we've had, and she took her job not only seriously but as a person who really understood neighborhoods and communities, and that is something that is not done often for somebody in the City through our bureaucracy that we have. We in Council join in wishing Belinda Ann Mayo well in any future endeavors and hope her retirement is Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 happiness, good health, joys of family, friends and I'm sure her travels; and
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia recognizes, honors, and celebrates the devotion and dedication of Belinda Ann Mayo to providing accessibility to low-income housing throughout the City of Philadelphia. Be it further resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution will be presented to our beloved Belinda Ann Mayo as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body. Thank you all so very much. This was introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell, Squilla, Taubenberger, and myself, and I thank my Council colleagues Green and Cherelle Parker for joining us here this morning. Thank you. (Applause.) Stated Meeting April 20, 2017
Thank you. And the Chair recognizes Ms. Mayo for remarks. (Applause.)
I want to say that my life and my journey is a testament to the grace and the blessings of God. I thank City Council for this time, for this honor. I'm very emotional right now because I'm just thinking about all the years that have gone by and all the work that we've done. And for the young people that are here, you need to understand that this is a chamber of change. This is where people step up in government and create change and maintain change and ensure that everybody, everybody is treated with decency and respect. My first encounter with City Council was in 1981 when then-Councilman John Anderson, along with myself and Eva Gladstein and Mary Scullion and George Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 Services, helped to sponsor a bill called the Women and Children's Bill. What that bill did was, it eliminated landlords' ability to discriminate against families based on the presence of children and on the source of their income. Those old ads that said no kids and no DPA were no longer an obstacle to people looking for rental housing that can afford and that they could live in. It's gone on for years after that. It set a precedent, a national precedent that maybe people don't even know about in this country, but it is because of what Philadelphia did and what this Chamber did that women and children had an opportunity to realize their dream of a decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable place to live without discrimination. I can think back to the other Councilpeople who aren't here, some of whom were very instrumental in my career and the work that I did and my Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 Lucien Blackwell. (Applause.)
I think about Gussie Clark, I think about Joe Coleman, I think about Marian Tasco, I think about Donna Reed Miller, all of whom were the soldiers who helped me. But then I look here and while there are some faces that I don't know, there are others that I knew from a long time ago, Councilman Jones, who was an OHCD employee at one point. I think about Councilman Street, who went on to become the Mayor, of course, who worked with us to hold this Council for 12 hours while we fought to make sure that the Community Development Block Grant program benefited the people that it was supposed to benefit. I think about all those journeys, I think about all those challenges, and I say thank you. I say thank you to God. I say thank you to all of you for having the opportunity to do the work that I've done Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 you again. (Applause.)
And I especially want to say thank you to this little feisty chica standing beside me, who I met at 16 years, and I warned them at the Hunting Park CDC, you better check her. And she's turned out to be a champion. She's turned out to be my partner, and this morning when she invited me to come in for breakfast at 9:30, she immediately put something in front of me to deal with. So I just want to say that it's been a wonderful journey. While I may not be at the Tower at 1234 Market Street, I am a resident of Philadelphia. I am an advocate for the least of us, and I am a change agent, and I always will be. Thank you. (Applause.)
I have to thank Darrell Clarke, even though about two months ago he called me very upset with me, which he does on every occasion, even though he tells people that you got to check with Belinda. He called me and wasn't satisfied with my response, and he called me a bureaucrat. So I wear that badge proudly. I followed the rules, because the rules allows me to do what I need to do. And I love him. I love him to death. (Applause.)
Well, we grew up in the same neighborhood, so I can get away with that.
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the message from the Mayor to Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 Clerk, would you please read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on April 17, 2017, I signed the remaining bills which were passed by Council at its session March 30, 2017, and that on April 17, 2017, I signed all of the bills which were passed by Council at its session on April 6, 2017, except Bill No. 170093-A, which I am returning without my signature. And I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution appointing Tina Byles Williams to the Board of Directors of the Center City District; and A resolution appointing Maureen Anastasi to the Board of Directors of the Center City District; and Reappointing Greg DeShields to the Board of Directors of the Center City Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 District; and A resolution reappointing Romulo Diaz, Jr. to the Board of Directors of the Center City District; and A resolution reappointing Robert Lane to the Board of Directors of the Center City District; and A resolution reappointing Joseph Zuritsky to the Board of Directors of the Center City District; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of certain properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District in accordance with terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to enter into a lease agreement with Beech Interplex for use by the City of all or a portion of the premises located at 1514 Cecil B. Moore Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority all or part of a parcel of land located in the area bounded by West Girard Avenue, 6th Street, Poplar Street and North Marshall Street for further conveyance; and An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Kingsessing Avenue from 58th Street to Redfield Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. Chief Clerk, are there any other communications in your possession?
The next order of business will be the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown. Stated Meeting April 20, 2017
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. One resolution today co-sponsored by members Green, Bass, Taubenberger, Squilla, Parker, Gym, Blackwell, and Greenlee, all in celebration of Earth Day.
A privileged resolution recognizing April 22, 2017 as Earth Day in the City of Philadelphia.
That will be on today's Final Passage. Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I introduce a resolution that was signed by each and every member. I gratefully say thank you all for signing this resolution. We do it on behalf of you, first of all, and certainly Penn, University of Pennsylvania, who's the largest private employer in our city, on behalf of Dr. Hite, with whom we met just yesterday in the School District, and of course labor. Thank you, Bobby Henon, and even as Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 recently as this morning we met with Mr. Wigglesworth and Mr. Cresenza. And labor leaders don't come any finer. They worked with Lucien Blackwell even before they worked with me. And let me say, since I'm not supposed to be making a speech, that change is not easy, but when we work together and everybody is willing to give a little, we can get there. So, again, I thank each and every one of you gratefully.
A privileged resolution acknowledging and commending the University of Pennsylvania, LF Driscoll, the School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Building Trades Council for their establishment of the PennAssist Program Bridging the Gap from High School to Building Trades, an unprecedented effort to promote and support City youth in their pursuit of careers in the building trades. Stated Meeting April 20, 2017
Thank you. That will be on this week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer two bills and two resolutions.
An ordinance authorizing Liberty Property 18th and Arch to construct, own and maintain ancillary building encroachments at 1800 Arch Street.
And an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to enter into a lease agreement with Beech Interplex for use by the City of all or a Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 portion of the premises located at 1514 Cecil B. Moore Avenue.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of certain properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District.
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 Thirty-Second Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Next week's Calendar. Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. Today I introduce one bill.
An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on the 2800 and 2900 blocks of Allegheny Avenue, both sides.
Referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. Two resolutions and four bills. I'd like to be recognized after one of the resolutions.
An ordinance terminating a no parking regulation on Burnside Street between Tower Street and Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 a point 140 feet west thereof, north side; and An ordinance establishing a no parking regulation on Fox Street between Roberts Avenue and Abbottsford Avenue, east side; and An ordinance establishing a no parking regulation on Flat Rock Road between Leverington Avenue and Fountain Street, east side; and An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on the 1900 block of North 76th Street between Overbrook Avenue and City Avenue, both sides.
The four bills just read by the Chief Clerk will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring the Pennsylvania Prison Society on its 230th Anniversary of advocating against the mistreatment of prisoners. Stated Meeting April 20, 2017
Thank you, Mr. President. When you're 230-plus years old, that needs to be recognized. The Pennsylvania Prison Society has played an integral part of the evolution of criminal justice in the nation, and here to receive or be here to represent the organization is Ann Schwartzman, who you appointed to the Justice Reform Committee of City Council. Would you please stand and be recognized, Ann. (Applause.)
You're welcome. That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution congratulating and honoring St. Francis Cabrini Catholic School Boys Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 Basketball Program for being named State Champions of the 2017 Catholic Youth Organization Championship Game.
Also on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I have one bill and one privileged resolution. I would like to speak on my resolution.
An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Kingsessing Avenue from 58th Street to Redfield Street.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committees on Legislative Oversight and Public Safety to hold public hearings examining Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 abolition of solitary confinement for juveniles.
Thank you, Council President and colleagues. Earlier this week during the budget process, I found my resolve and my humanity tested. During the budget testimony for our Prisons, it was confirmed that juveniles in various capacities are still being held in adult prisons routinely placed in solitary confinement. By now, most of us know the story of Kalief Browder, who spent three years at Rikers Island, two in solitary confinement, for allegedly, allegedly stealing a backpack, who ultimately committed suicide. Tragedies like Kalief's story are unacceptable and they are preventable. When troubled teenagers are criminally charged as adults, it is easy Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 to shrug and write them off as bad apples. It's easy to ignore a brutal system which crushes justice-involved youth in its gears due to malignant neglect. But let's note that virtually all these kids have not yet been convicted of a crime and are, therefore, presumed innocent. Let's remember that the facilitation of their redemption is supposed to be our focus. Which one of these youth who were involved in our criminal justice system, juvenile justice system, could be a gentleman such as William Cobb, who did six and a half years in a Pennsylvania correctional facility, also served on the Criminal Justice Reform Committee in which you established, Council President, and Councilman Curtis Jones chaired, but he now serves as Deputy Director of the National ACLU in their national office? Which one of these youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system such as Shon Hopwood, who did time Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 for bank robbery, but just became a Professor at Georgetown Law School? Which one of these youth who are involved in our criminal justice and juvenile justice system such as Kevin Harden, who left the life of the streets for higher education and is now the President of the Barristers Association, which represents the black lawyers here in the City of Philadelphia? And which one of these youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system formerly such as myself, who went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania, Mansfield University, as well as Harvard Business School, also served as a former State Representative and now Councilman of the Second Councilmanic District? Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison himself, told us that a nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens but its lowest ones. Our at-risk youth, who have Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 no resources and no political capital, are our lowest citizens. I intend to closely investigate how to abolish the inhumane use of solitary confinement for juveniles here in the City of Philadelphia. I appreciate the support of my colleagues and co-sponsor Councilman Curtis Jones, who is Chairman of the Public Safety Committee as well as Chair of the Criminal Justice Reform Committee as well as Councilwoman Helen Gym for bringing their experience to justice reform and the protection of vulnerable children to this endeavor. There may be legal obstacles and there may be practical obstacles to resolve, but we will not rest until this work is done. Thank you very much, Council President.
And Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you. In keeping in that vein, I want to thank my Council colleagues who are co-sponsoring this resolution on the declaration of Child Abuse and Awareness Prevention Month, Councilman Taubenberger, Green, Parker, Blackwell, Gym, Bass, Jones, Domb, and Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown. I thank them for their partnership as they work with this incredible organization located in the Seventh Councilmanic District.
A privileged resolution recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia Children's Alliance for their commitment to promoting healing and justice for victims of child sexual abuse in Philadelphia and declaring April 2017 Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 to be Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in the City of Philadelphia.
This week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I have one bill and three privileged resolutions co-sponsored by Councilmembers Brown, Domb, Taubenberger, Blackwell, and Henon.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "City Funds Deposits, Investments, Disbursements," by amending Section 19-201, entitled "City Depositories," by authorizing the City Treasurer to deposit funds in Santander Bank, National Association.
Referred to committee. Stated Meeting April 20, 2017
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Aging to hold hearings regarding senior housing in recognition of May as Senior Awareness Month.
And a privileged resolution honoring and celebrating the Annual Special Olympics Philadelphia Spring Games for the joy of sport and competition it facilitates for people living with intellectual disabilities on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.
And a privileged resolution celebrating the life and honoring the memory of Darrell Zaslow, a zealous advocate for families and rental property owners and an honorable citizen in the City of Philadelphia.
And also this week's Final Passage Calendar. Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Thank you, President Clarke. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Thank you very much, President Clarke. I have two resolutions.
And a privileged resolution honoring and expressing solidarity with "Hands Around City Hall," Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 an event being hosted in partnership between Women Organized Against Rape and the Mayor's Commission on Women, on April 28th, 2017.
And a non-privileged resolution recognizing a person's fundamental right to earn a living, regardless of immigration status, and affirming the City of Philadelphia's commitment to protect and secure a safe and dignified workplace for all.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Thank you, Council President. I have one bill co-sponsored by yourself, Councilwoman Parker, Councilman O'Neill, and Councilman Domb.
Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 Thank you, Councilman.
An ordinance amending Section 21-105 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Hero Awards," by increasing the amount that may be awarded to family members of firefighters, police officers, and prosecution detectives killed in the course of performing heroic deeds, and by making certain technical changes.
Referred to committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Council President. I have two non-privileged resolutions and one Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to hold hearings examining parking requirements, on street parking programs, and other such issues related to parking in the City of Philadelphia.
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 Thirty-First Ward of the City of Philadelphia. Stated Meeting April 20, 2017
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution calling for the installation of a Historic Marker in front of the home of the AIDS Library of Philadelphia, 1233 Locust Street.
Next week's Calendar. 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 very much, Council President. I offer one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilmembers Henon, Squilla, Domb, Green, Parker, and Taubenberger. Thank Stated Meeting April 20, 2017
A privileged resolution Proclaiming the Week of April 28, 2017 and May 6, 2017 as the Seventh Annual Philly Tech Week Presented by Comcast, and Honoring the Broad and Vibrant Philadelphia Technology Community.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions, and the next order of business is reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for a report from the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Commerce and Economic Development Committee, we Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, to which was referred Bill No. 170245, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-4000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Income Inequality Initiative - Earned Income Tax Credit,' by revising the City's EITC Policy, including by expanding it to include non-residents who work in the City," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Stated Meeting April 20, 2017
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 170245. (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. 170245. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and this bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Johnson for a report from the Committee of Transportation and Public Stated Meeting April 20, 2017
Thank you, Council President. The Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
The Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities, to which was referred Bill No. 170110, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into agreements to purchase electricity, natural gas and motor fuel for use by the City in City facilities and vehicles, including agreements that obligate payment for delivery of such energy supplies in future fiscal years," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation. Stated Meeting April 20, 2017
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 170110. (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. 170110. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. This bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. And that concludes our reports Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 committee, and the next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with a suspension of the rules, these bills will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for the 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 bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar -- for a motion concerning the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. What would I do without Mr. Decker?
Awesome parliamentarian right there. On the motion, I want to thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 following bills on the Second and Final Passage Calendars: Bill Nos. 170193-A, 160808, 160999, 160718, 161004, 161112, 170005, 170006, 170007, 170008, 170019, 170021, 170101, 161060, 170263, and 170291. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the bills just read by Councilman Henon. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and we will consider the Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 2ND READING Councilman Henon for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. In addition to the bills being considered on the Consent Agenda today, the following resolutions and bills are being called up for the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Bill Nos. 170339, 170342, 170345, 170346, 170347, 170348, and 161003. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you, Councilman. Before considering these bills and resolutions on the Final Calendar today, we will have our public comment session. It will go as follows: If you are interested in testifying on a bill or resolution that is on the Final Passage Calendar today, if you have not already done so, I'd ask Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 that you please sign up at the table to my left. When your name is called, you will go to the middle of the Council Chambers where there's a podium. 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. When the light turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to the guidelines established by this Council and conclude your remarks. You will be given three minutes to testify. Thank you very much for your cooperation. Mr. Decker, read the first name on the list.
Ed O'Donnell, commenting on 170339. (Witness approached podium.)
Yes. Ed O'Donnell. And the Old Testament prophet Isaiah was called the Prophet of the Poor, and I and millions of people in this city are appreciative of Councilwoman Blackwell's commitment to helping the poor. Now, this resolution, and there are four other resolutions similar today, they're references to vacant properties, vacant lots, deeds to properties and so forth. There are many vacant properties, buildings, houses, lots in Philadelphia and there's billions of dollars in the bank accounts of our city's charities. We're spending 526 million to renovate the Art Museum, 120 million yesterday on the Revolution Museum. Let's take a chunk of that money and working with Habitat for Humanity, Project HOME, the churches, the charities, build and Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 renovate beautiful places where the homeless, every homeless person, can sleep inside every night with food, friendliness, love and so forth and refer to this Francis House at 8th and Arch as an example of a good place for the homeless. Then take some of that money and get a guaranteed job for everybody, passing out literature for small businesses, picking up litter, cleaning apartments and businesses. And then we're talking about quality of life. Philadelphia has the highest rate of cigarette smoking of any city in America. I'm allergic. I get blown in my face, I get a headache. So let's crack down on that. So you get the message. Now, one more point. On the museum yesterday, I passed out a press release. Let's have a museum on pacifism, anti-war efforts, and honoring pacifists, Quakers, conscientious objectors, Mennonites. Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 So let's get involved in this, try to help the homeless and the poor, the people at the bottom. Jesus said the people who are well don't need the doctor. It's the people who are sick. Thank you very much.
Joe Danihel, commenting on 170339, 170345, 170346, 170347, 170348, and 161060. (Witness approached podium.)
This is yet another official decree and writ of mandamus quo warranto and, as such, requires immediate action and remedy. This Council transfers hundreds of private deeds to Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority every week. According to the Redevelopment Authority, upwards of 100 million taxpayer dollars are going to be spent to build a mall on my stolen home. This Council and the Mayor have Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 long known of accusations of illegal deed transfers, questionable spending, lack of due process/law violations occurring at City agencies. The Mayor and Council are well aware that the oath of office and laws require this government to immediately investigate and prosecute all for violations. The rule of law requires action. Theft of my home was not allowed. The Declaration states, to secure these rights, governments are institute among men, depriving their power from the consent of the governed. I ask the governed assembled in this room, who has allowed this Council to steal my home and possibly others? Seeing no authorization for your actions, the Constitution requires immediate remedy of this breach of law. 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 1, Sections 1 Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 through 11, 26 PA CSA 703, 708, 709, 712, 713, 716, and other laws listed in SCOTUS 15-8965, 14-1330, 14-4056 appear violated. I call upon the federal and Commonwealth governments to perform their 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 23 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 the Constitution and laws be enforced. Jail is required Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 for all who violate oath or law, and it takes a lot of cooperation to create and allow monumental corruption.
Rahil Raza, commenting on 170005. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Rahil Raza. I'm a local developer here in the City of Philadelphia. I'm here to express my sincere concern over the proposed zoning changes of Bill 170005. This bill down-zones the entire area between Girard Avenue and Cecil B. Moore and North Broad and Ridge Avenue to single-family zoning. I'll keep my remarks brief, as I know that there are others here in opposition of the bill. I also want their voice heard. I was born and raised in Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 Philadelphia, educated at Temple University, made my life's work and purpose to contribute to the positive growth and development of Philadelphia. I'm a member, active member, of the Asian American Political Action Committee, contributor to the Aquinas Center, which is a protector of immigrant rights. It's located in South Philadelphia. The life that's being brought into many of these neighborhoods in Philadelphia, along with resources, energy, and heart being poured out by residents, developers, community organizers, and leaders would be devastated by passing of this bill. The down-zoning proposed would drastically reduce foot traffic, decrease economic opportunity, limit local business, and stifle community development efforts. I know that diversity is important to community planning, and having housing at multiple pricing points helps to protect and ensure diversity and Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 contribute to thriving neighborhoods. Down-zoning would eliminate many affordable price points and make for a less diverse community. And the properties that I build are for that group, the middle income group, middle class group. I urge you to consider and not pass Bill 170005 and collaborate with the developers and other stakeholders to compromise towards a more effective solution. I'm here with a couple of my business partners. One her name is Felicia Middleton. She's going to be designing a coffee shop that's going on 1320 North 18th Street, which was going to do community outreach, et cetera. With this down-zoning, it's going to deter this effort. Might stop it. That's it. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. (Witness approached podium.) Stated Meeting April 20, 2017
Hi. My name is Felicia Middleton. I'm in support of Mr. Raza and -
Hold on a second, ma'am. Ma'am, can you hold on one second. Your name is not on the list?
My name is on the list, but I think he put my name separate from him.
Hello again. My name is Felicia Middleton. I'm an architectural designer, a business owner. Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 Actually, my business used to be in the district that we're speaking about right now, right on Ridge Avenue at 20th and Master -- I'm sorry; not 20th and Master, but right at 20th -- on Ridge Avenue at 20th Street. As an architectural designer, I've worked with a lot of business owners, tenant fit-outs, and a lot of business owners unaware of the changes in the Zoning Code. They're really not aware of the Zoning Code themselves. They purchase buildings that look like they're commercial buildings and they're designated as RSA-5. Unfortunately I see a lot of minority business owners and a lot of business owners that are immigrant business owners purchase these buildings, not understanding the nuances of the codes, and they don't understand why this building that looks commercial is designated as a single-family home. They buy the building. Then they have to go through the zoning Stated Meeting April 20, 2017 process, the variance process, and it becomes a financial burden on them, and some of them have gone out of business. I've actually witnessed this happening. And I'm just in support of Mr. Raza and his development and what he's doing in that area and his opinions on the bill, because I too have the same opinions. And I feel for a lot of the small business owners that end up in this situation, and I'm just hoping that City Council would go along with our desires and recognize some of the burdens that are placed on these small business owners and just consider this when you're going through the rezoning process. Thank you.
Tavis Scales, commenting on 170005. (Witness approached podium.)