My name is Tracy Norton and I am one of the constituents that the Dollar Tree would serve. I've been unemployed for over two years, and it bring growth and opportunity to our neighborhood. Unfortunately with not having a car and have to rely on public transportation, we are held hostage to the stores that are in our neighborhood. Well, I'm able to get around, but there are a lot of senior citizens that can't get anywhere but to Germantown and Chelten, and we would just like a store that we could buy fresh vegetables and groceries at a reasonable price so that we can feed our families on a regular basis. Thank you.
Alexander Russell, commenting on 110662. (Witness approached podium.)
May I give the Clerk a handout, please. Thank you very much, members of Council, honorable members of Council, for allowing me to make a brief statement. I have written it out and I am having it distributed to you, so I think that I'm going to spare you reading it. I'm going to just make some quick comments. First off, I'm Alexander Russell. I've lived in Germantown for 45 years. I am the President of West Central Germantown Neighbors, which is the association that includes the area where this development is to happen. I'd like to point out that WCGN, the organization that I am President of, is the organized neighborhood association. It is that association which under RCAP rules Burns and his friends needed to consult, but didn't bother. Their application for RCAP money left that part of the application blank. The second point I'd like to make is that I am also a member of GCC. I'm an ad hoc member. On October 1st, GCC, which you have heard from today because four of its principal officers have spoken to you, that on October 1st, GCC voted by a large majority to oppose the Pulaski plans that were available at that time. So I would like to urge you to vote against this bill. And you will notice at the last page of my handout is a list of those retail establishments in the Chelten-Germantown corridor, and you'll notice that we have 29 beauty salons, 25 restaurants, all take-out. We have 22 food stores. Only two are full service. We have 18 variety stores, 18, that's 18. So the person who spoke before me saying, well, I can't -- I need to have it be convenient or I need to have a dollar store, I think those needs have been met already. I think with 18, we have enough. So thank you, and I will leave you with that, and I urge again you to vote against this amendment. When our Councilperson in 2008 suggested that Germantown needs a special zoning overlay to protect it from stores like this, I think she was wise, and I commend the Council in 2008 for supporting Donna Reed Miller in her wisdom to limit the number of Dollar Trees. I'd like to see her be consistent now. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Stephanie Kindt, commenting on 110563. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. I have two handouts for Council. My name is Stephanie Kindt. I'm a staff attorney for SCRUB, the public voice for public space. Thank you for allowing me to testify today. Just very briefly, Bill 110563 is the building wrap bill at 6th and Callowhill. It will allow a 10,000 square foot digital billboard to face Franklintown Park. SCRUB, as everyone is aware, is opposed to large format digital signage in the City. Just a couple of concerns. I spoke before on this, just to highlight. This would violate the federal Highway Beautification Act, and I believe there is a letter that went to Council this morning from the Secretary of Transportation of the State of Pennsylvania indicating that if Council passes this bill, they're putting at risk 10 percent of the hundred million dollars in state and federal funding that's slated for state highway improvements. I would urge that before you vote, that at least consider -- take the letter into consideration, really closely examine what you're putting at risk by passing legislation that would allow signage this close to federal highways, of this size, of this location. It's really unprecedented. It's against the City Planning Commission. Alan Greenberger spoke as well. I would really urge Council to carefully, carefully consider your vote today. Thank you so much.
Sandi Weckessen, commenting on 110662. (Witness approached podium.)
My husband and I are proud to be Germantown residents ever since we moved to Philadelphia 40 years ago. Both of our children were born and raised in Germantown, and my daughter frequently points out that she is a lifelong resident of Germantown. My husband and I are both originally from Ohio, however. So having family visit us and comment on the many historic sites, unique mixture of fieldstone homes, colonial and Philly-style row homes and fabulous parks, all conveniently in Germantown, is as gratifying to us as it is entertaining to our visitors. Forty years ago when we moved here from New York City, we thought we died and gone to heaven. As a young couple both in graduate school, with no car, on a very tight budget, we could walk to our choice of several large, clean, well-stocked grocery stores, dry cleaners, butcher shops, pharmacies. And when our parents came to visit, we could choose from six very different locally owned restaurants and five major department stores Rowell's, Allen's, Franklin-Simon, JCPenney and Sears. Of course, now when family and friends visit, we can see the historic sites, tour the beautiful homes and walk in the fabulous park, but we can't take them shopping or dining in Germantown. You are no doubt familiar with the decades of Germantown Settlement's mismanagement. Fortunately that burden appears to be behind us and there seems to be no reason why Germantown cannot once again become a wonderfully varied shopping area both for our neighbors, who might be without cars, and for the many who would shop on their way to and from work, given the excellent public transportation hub at Chelten and Pulaski. But we need your help. I understand full well that you have a long tradition in this assembly of supporting the proposals of your fellow representatives. Doubtless that tradition was founded for good purpose and likely does serve that purpose from time to time. In this instance, however, that tradition will serve only to violate an even longer-held tradition, a tradition also founded by a Philadelphia-based legislative body meeting just a few blocks to the east of here. That tradition, as you all know, was in part responsible for making our country and our government balanced. That legislative tradition held that as representatives of the people, your first obligation is to those you represent, not to those with whom you serve. I ask simply that you honor that longer tradition, that you allow the other branch of our government, now engaged in the legal process, to complete that process and that you honor that tradition by voting in accord with the wishes of the larger community and not the request of one developer whose wishes are presented to you today by one of your own. I and my family are Germantown. (Applause.)
Robert Taylor, commenting on 110783 and 110757. (Witness approached podium.)
Members of Council, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Robert Taylor, a citizen of South Philadelphia. I'm commenting on 110763, Water Department appropriations, materials, supplies and equipment; Bill 110757, administrative adjudication of parking violations. I oppose the parking violations bill because it simply bleeds the people and further drains their substance. It merely increases the costs and lowers time limits for people to reasonably respond to tickets that are churned out at a faster and faster rate. The general water supply should never be the vehicle for the delivery of medicine, such as fluoride. The CDC survey found that fluorosis affects more black American children than white American children. According to the CDC, quote, "No clear explanation exists why fluorosis was more severe among non-Hispanic black children than among non-Hispanic white or Mexican American children." This observation has been reported elsewhere and different hypothesis have been proposed, including biologic susceptibility or greater fluoride intake, according to Morbidity and Mortality, Weekly Report No. 54. The Water Department must lower the standard that it currently uses at one part per million, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Quote, "HHS's proposed recommendations of 0.07 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water replaces the current recommendation of 0.007 to 1.2 milligrams." This updated balance recommendation is based on the recent EPA and HHS scientific assessment balance, the benefit of preventing tooth decay while limiting any unwanted health effects. Of course, it would be better to lower the amount of this toxic substance to zero, in my view. It damages brain, bone and other organs. Again, there's no drug that can be safely given to all people regardless of dosage, age, other medications and medical backgrounds. The safety of the people is the supreme law. Thank you for your time.
Paul Boni, commenting on 110717, 110718 and 110719. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Paul Boni. I'm a Philadelphia resident. I'm also an attorney practicing here in the City, and I'm a member of the Board of the national advocacy group Stop Predatory Gambling. I'm here to testify in opposition to or to provide public comment in opposition to Bill Nos. 110717, 718 and 719, which would allow the expansion of the SugarHouse Casino on the border of Fishtown and Northern Liberties. I urge you to vote no. In my opinion, the majority of revenue from convenience casinos like SugarHouse comes from gambling addicts and problem gamblers. That's my opinion, but what do we know? We know that SugarHouse admits that a, quote/unquote, large number of its customers gamble there three, four, five times a week. That's what they said, three, four, five times a week. Why is that? Could it be that certain things that the casino does helps to encourage that frequency of gambling? How many of your constituents are gambling five times a week? The casino knows exactly. In committee, I requested that if these bills are approved, that they be amended to require that any future expansions be accompanied by a health impact assessment, which is a planning tool used by city planners, and I renew that request today. But more fundamentally, I plead with you to be curious about this matter. We are the largest city in the United States with casino gambling. That means that you share in the responsibility, and that also means that you can share in the protection of your constituents. You should not -- we should not just dismiss this by saying that people choose to go to a casino. No one chooses to become an addict. This is a public health matter, and it's going to be increasingly so. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Micah Mahjoubian, commenting on 110057. (Witness approached podium.)
Thank you, Council President Verna and City Council, for providing us the opportunity to comment on Bill 110057, known as the equal benefits bill, introduced by Councilwoman Brown. My name is Micah Mahjoubian and I am on the Board of Liberty City LGBT Democrats and also serve as the Chair of its Policy and Advocacy Committee. I'm here joining many other members of Liberty City and the LGBT community in support of this bill. And I'd like you all to stand up, if many of you are still here, just to show your support of the bill. (Some people in audience stand.)
Liberty City is an organization that works to elect LGBT-friendly public officials that will work with the LGBT community to enact policies that is good for our members. The Philadelphia -Philadelphia needs the equal benefits bill, because the bill ensures that our City doesn't endorse discrimination in its private contracts. This bill says that if you want to do business with our City, you must do right by all of its citizens by providing the same employment benefits to life partners who share the same gender identity as those given to opposite sex couples. Permitting tax dollars to give the benefit to City employees -- to give benefit of City contracts to businesses that don't do so would be a use of tax dollars to endorse discrimination. The equal benefits bill is inclusive, because it uses the term "gender identity" in its definition of who is covered, which contemplates transgender people. The bill shows leadership by placing Philadelphia among a growing list of states and cities who have passed similar legislation. And, finally, the bill is smart, because it combats discrimination without costing the City a dime. Finally, I would just like to say that this legislation is important to Liberty City. Many of you have come before us every four years seeking our endorsement and we make you fill out those really long questionnaires. This is one of the questions that has been on our questionnaire, asking if you would support such legislation, and many of you have said throughout the time that you would. I'd like to particularly thank Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown for actually working with Liberty City to introduce the legislation, and also thank the Law and Government Committee for allowing us to provide testimony. We were particularly gratified to see that when we and others in the community stood up in support of this legislation, there was absolutely no testimony against it, and that is quite gratifying to see LGBT equality legislation with no vocal opposition. So thank you for that. And I'd also like to thank Rue Landau, who also spoke on behalf of the Nutter Administration in support of the legislation, and we thank the Nutter Administration for supporting this. We look forward to working with you all on other legislation. Thank you. (Applause.)
John Otto, commenting on 110057. (Witness approached podium.)
Hello. My name is John Otto. I represent PFLAG, Philadelphia Chapter. PFLAG is a national organization that provides support, education and advocacy for our lesbian, gay, bi and transgender citizens, their families and friends. We urge your support of this legislation today. Today in this country and especially in this area, there's a lot of regulations in place that essentially have legalized discrimination against our LGBT community and citizens. Passage of this legislation today will remove in some small way one of those roadblocks to extending the same benefits and rights to the LGBT citizens that are members of our local community. Thank you. (Applause.)
Jason Goodman, commenting on 110057. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Jason Landau Goodman and I am a senior at the University of Pennsylvania and fifth-generation Philadelphia resident. I'm also the founding Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition, which is a statewide LGBT youth organization. We come here today in support of the passage of Bill No. 110057 as essential in securing equality and prosperity for Philadelphians, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Harvey Milk, the openly gay San Francisco city supervisor whose assassination we marked this week, once said that all men are created equal, because no matter how hard you try, you can never erase those words. It is the reality that our nation has yet to realize this in employment, however. So we are very fortunate for the work of you and your predecessors over the past 30 years who have made our City a beacon for LGBT equality. This bill is another step towards that goal of full equality and inclusion. If this bill is adopted, it would send an extraordinarily positive message to Philadelphia youth. It will allow Philadelphians in same sex partnerships to fully commit to an occupation which allows him to prosper in his pursuit of happiness. The void without this law expresses that it is acceptable or accepted to not give these benefits to employees in same sex -- same sex partnerships. And this is something that LGBT youth do notice in coming out into the world. As we as young people join the workforce who may identify as LGBT or an ally to LGBT people, these equal benefits are an important benchmark. It is absolutely essential in attracting the brightest graduates and retaining the best employees in the City for economic gain. The absence of access to equal benefits impacts attitudes towards LGBT people in many different ways, including harassment and bullying we face in our schools. It's directly linked to the laws you pass or do not pass. Fairness in equality is something which is deeply felt throughout our entire society. Because, for example, if a child of a City contractor sees their parent interact with an employee who has a same sex spouse, what reason do they have to go to school the next day to act in a homophobic way? One reason less. It's widely known that Philadelphia is a leader in LGBT equality, and the Philadelphia Fair Practice Ordinance, which enumerates employment protections on this basis, is testament to that. So while we work hard in Harrisburg and Washington, Philadelphia should continue to help lead the way. So thank you again, and we commend you for your support of this bill, because it's what it means to be a Philadelphian, believing that all people are created equal. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Our last speaker, Susan Guest, commenting on 110662. (Witness approached podium.)
Hello, everyone. I am from Northeast Philadelphia, but originally from North Philadelphia, Swampoodle. I think Germantown kind of borders North Philadelphia. I am saddened to think that people are going for another dollar store and thinking they're going to get a job there, probably going to bring family members in, take away a section of the City that is historical and put another store there. Zoning laws have been broken left and right in this City with a man named Lee, last name Lee, falling off a balcony at Monk's Cafe, a restaurant in Center City on South 16th Street that I frequented and love that could have killed -- he died and another person was injured. Other people walking by there or coming from there could have been killed as well. The zoning laws being broken or changed or not followed, like Oteri's Bakery in the Northeast, right behind -in the Robindale section at Fairdale and Knights, with no zoning, a little Fire Department, just like Comcast, just no checks at all, right behind a neighborhood, people's homes, widows with little kids, no way to get out, lights in their bedroom. We wanted a bakery in the neighborhood. There's a shopping center. Vacant. People need to know what they're standing for. I voted many times. I wonder if my vote has even been counted. I think that Germantown is a beautiful section, but it's not just about Germantown. It's about every neighborhood in this City and people coming together. And this is the problem. Newcomers from the City want to change the rules and run for City Council instead of lifelong residents like me that get laughed at. This is the problem. There are people in City Council that never got elected. There are people that have held the position of Mayor that never were elected. The Justice Department needs to come to this City for too many cops getting murdered that wasn't investigated. I worked at Colonial Penn. A woman from Germantown I think was running drugs out of there. Maybe that's why there's no businesses left in Germantown. We want good businesses for everyone. Teva Pharmaceutical up in the Northeast, taking other greenery away, from Israel. Who is going to work there? I'm a college graduate, two degrees, one with honors. I can't find a job. I couldn't even get my day in court in the Department of State Labor. Why? You people say you're about justice. We don't want any more leafy green gone. We had a job called Northeastern Hospital that nobody showed up for, that employed people all over the City and probably New Jersey, but nobody bothered to show up, that paid for a lousy dollar store, even if it was a certified nurses aide or orderly that could have went to LPN school, a success story at James Martin that was ended by City Council or some bureaucrat, some bureaucrat over there in Arlene Ackerman's predecessor, right? And I have something else to say. Mr. Primavera, are you from New York? Are you still here? Mr. Primavera, are you here still? He's the one that wants the dollar store, correct? I have a letter I've been trying to get to State Senator Mike Stack.
Ms. Guest? (Ms. Guest still yelling as she's being escorted out.) (Pause.)
Thank you. 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING Is there -(Ms. Guest still yelling.)
Is there anyone else here who has signed up to provide public comment on today's agenda? (Ms. Guest still yelling.) (No response.)
Seeing no one, that concludes our public comment period. (Ms. Guest still yelling.)
We will now consider the bills and resolutions on today's Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the title of Resolution 110850.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Thirty-Sixth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution 110851.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Seventh, Eighteenth and Nineteenth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution 110856.
A resolution supporting House Bills 1876 and 1990 which seek to strengthen the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's abuse reporting law by requiring those who are aware of sexual offenses and abuse to report it to law enforcement.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution 110857.
A resolution honoring and congratulating The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on its Tenth Anniversary.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING Resolution 110857 be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution 110858.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Fifth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read Resolution 110859.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia City Planning Commission to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the removal of deed restrictions with regard to the property located at 1001 through 29 South Broad Street, 1223 through 45 Washington Avenue, 1301 through 33 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING Washington Avenue, 1300 through 42 Carpenter Street.
The Chair again recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Bill No. 110563.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Section 14-1604, entitled "Outdoor Advertising and Non-Accessory Advertising Controls," by permitting certain non-accessory outdoor advertising signs within the area bounded by 7th Street, Spring Garden Street, 6th Street, and Willow Street.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 110662.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Chapter 14-1631, entitled "Lower and Central Germantown Special District Controls."
The 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. I actually just want people to -- those people that don't know, because we did talk about this in the hearing when we heard this bill, this is a project, a development project. When you do development projects for those -- most District Councilpeople have done this. We have some people that are for and some people that are against. We have petitions from both sides, and the "for" petitions actually have about 7,500 signatures on it, and then there's, of course, the silent majority. But this is a bill that supports a $14.3 million project that will bring 100 jobs, both full and part time, to this part of the City. Our city needs jobs, our citizens need jobs, and that's why we're supporting this bill. Thank you.
Thank you. 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I hardly know where to start, but I'll start with thanking you for appointing me to the Rules Committee almost four years ago. That might not have been necessary since we had a Rules Committee hearing this morning. I rise not just to talk about this bill, but also to talk about a larger issue. There is actually nothing worse than having an unethical conversation about ethics, and that is part of what has happened this morning. If we actually look at this bill and what it actually does, this bill amends Chapter 14-1600 of The Philadelphia Code with only ten words. The ten words read "in a store less than 7,500 square feet in size." That's all the bill does. I understand why the issues are being raised that were being raised 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING today. I object to the way they were raised. In the first testimony that was offered, there was a comment at the end of it that said, A Councilman once said to me the beauty of what we do in Council is, we don't have to show our motive for why we pass a bill. Prove him wrong. I was that Councilman who said that. Let me explain what I said and why I said it. I said it after the last Rules Committee hearing on this issue. In that hearing there was not an economic opportunity plan offered for this project. Needless to say, I questioned that vigorously. There was also not a community benefits agreement offered for this project. Other members of the Rules Committee questioned that vigorously. Before this project was approved in Committee, there was an economic opportunity plan offered and there was a community benefits agreement offered, which is why I supported the 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING bill in committee. I make no bones about the fact that if a project comes to the Rules Committee that I sit on, I'm going to ask whether there's diversity that's being offered. I make no bones about the fact that if a vote is taken about a project with no economic opportunity plan, I don't have to tell you why I voted no, because you'll already know. But what has happened this morning is kind of strange. We have someone giving public comment who chooses to take a quote out of context, as if I was mentioning how I vote for a project related to anything other than economic opportunity. We have a general request by our citizens and taxpayers to ask us to vote against a bill so they can shake down a developer for a supermarket. We even have a State Representative come here and threaten all RCAP projects in the City if we don't vote their way. Yet, they come here to question our 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING integrity and our ethics in an unethical way. I wish I could vote for this bill twice, but I will be voting for it aye at least once. Thank you.
This bill -- just a moment. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Councilman DiCicco. 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Aye.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. (People in the audience yelling.)
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code by amending certain provisions of Section 14-406 concerning structures 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING permitted in setback, Section 14-408 concerning parking requirements and parking lots, and Section 14-409 concerning off-street loading.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Madam President, I'd like to be excused at this time and I'd like to vote aye on all the remaining bills.
Leave is granted. We will now consider Bill No. 110718.
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan Nos. 146 and 271 by relocating the northwesterly 12/1/11 - STATED - 2ND READING and southeasterly curblines of North Delaware Avenue, from Frankford Avenue to Marlborough Street.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.