COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, October 11, 2012 10:30 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY COUNCILMAN DENNIS O'BRIEN COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER,
Good morning, everyone. (Good morning.)
Council will come to order. We'll ask all the guests and visitors to please retire behind the rail. We have established a quorum. I ask the members to please take their seat. Thank you. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Sister Mary Joan Jacobs, Principal of Nazareth Academy High School. She is here today as the guest of Councilman David Oh. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
Good morning, Sister. SISTER MARY JACOBS: Good morning. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for giving me the opportunity today. God, our father, we worship you by many names that acknowledge that you are the one who cares for us all. Help us to remember as we begin this year of faith today that in the midst of our very busy schedules, that life is a marathon and not a 100-yard dash. Give us the graces we need to support those in this hall and the very important life decisions that they make that will give us all the peace we need to help others as we would like others to help us. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you so much. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you again. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the Thursday, October 4th, 2012. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 4th, 2012 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October the 4th, 2012 stand approved. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leave of absence. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, of the majority, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill for a request from the minority.
Mr. President, on behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair will now dispense with the regular order of business to welcome the guests and visitors here today. I see we have a relatively sparse crowd, but you are clearly here to be engaged in today's government action. We thank you for coming. We look forward to you coming back. We hope you truly enjoy yourself. Again, thank you for taking time out of your day. At this time, the Chair Jones, who will present a resolution designating the week of October 7th to 13th, 2012 as National Fire Prevention Week. Would Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers and those accompanying him please come to the podium. Along with Councilman Jones, I see we have Councilman Greenlee, Councilman Kenney, Councilwoman Blackwell, and also Councilman O'Brien and Councilman Henon.
Most recently we had the privilege of taking a tour up to the Fire Training Academy, and although we did not partake and participate in all of the activities, the few that we had an opportunity to take part of, we gained firsthand knowledge on how difficult it is to run into a burning building contrary to one's own fears, how difficult it is to use no sight to find a victim, how difficult it is to carry 150 pounds of dead weight up and down a steps, how difficult it is to see your fellow citizens in peril, and we gained a greater appreciation because of it, and we thank you. We know that we have a lot of challenges in the City of Philadelphia by way of budget, by way of this, by way of that, but on this week, we recognize the critical importance of the role of firefighters in our city. So, therefore, a resolution designating the week of October 7th through 13th, 2012 as "National Fire Prevention Week" in Philadelphia and encouraging residents, children, parents, teachers, and firefighters to gain necessary knowledge through the "SAFETY APP...STAY SAFE WITH THAT" -- nice rhyme, "SAFETY APP...STAY SAFE WITH THAT" -- by attending or teaching programs that can and will save lives or the life of someone near and dear, because once a fire starts, there is no time to develop a plan.
Whereas, the history of National Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred on October 8th, 1871, and this tragic conflagration killed some 300 people, left 100,000 homeless, and destroyed more than 17,000 structures; and
Whereas, during 2011, the Philadelphia Fire Department responded to 277,635 emergency incidents. Of these incidents, 229,709 were emergency medical incidents, and 47,926 were for fire and other 9-1-1 emergency public safety service requests;
Whereas, each year in the United States an estimated 2,800 children age 14 or younger are injured and 850 killed in residential fires. Of these children, 52 percent of all children of fire deaths occur to those 4 and younger and 30.5 percent occurred with those ages 5 to 9; and Whereas, the Fire Department continues to see a reduction in fire fatalities. Thirty-three citizens died in fires in 2010 compared to thirty-two citizens in 2011, a reduction of approximately 3 percent; and
Whereas, eighty-four percent of the fire fatalities that occurred in 2011 occurred in structures with no smoke alarms or dead or missing batteries. Of the thirty-two fatalities, eighteen fatalities occurred in twelve properties that did not have smoke alarms, or had alarms with dead or missing batteries; and
Whereas, in 2011 the Fire Department experienced a 2.5 increase in the total number of emergency incidents compared to 2010, while also recording a 2.9 increase in total emergency medical incidents; and Whereas, the Department's, quote/unquote, "Freedom from Fire" campaign, an aggressive fire safety and education program, has contributed to the reduction of fire fatalities in Philadelphia; now, therefore
Be it resolved, by the City Council of Philadelphia, hereby designates the week of October 7th through 13th, 2012 as "National Fire Prevention Week" in Philadelphia and encourages that residents, children, parents, teachers, and firefighters gain the necessary knowledge through the "FIRE SAFETY APP...STAY SAFE WITH THAT" by attending or teaching programs that can and will save lives or the life of someone near and dear, because once a fire starts, there is no time to develop a plan. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers as further evidence of our sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body. Signed by all members (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Commissioner Ayers for remarks. COMMISSIONER AYERS: I'd like to say thank you to this Council for this resolution. Fire Prevention Week is a very important time where we pull our full-court press out, but as you know here in the City of Philadelphia, it's always a full-court press for fire prevention. This Council did something even more important the other day. They signed into -- well, the Mayor signed into law what you presented to him, which will have ten-year lithium battery-powered smoke alarms for all of our residents. And that's ten years. (Applause.) COMMISSIONER AYERS: And we want to say thank you for that, and thank you to Councilman Jones for sponsoring things that I'd like to say is, we are counting on our citizens to use that app, and if you don't have a download right now, you need to do it. You can go to phila.gov or www.freedomfromfire.com and you can get that application. You need to teach your family, teach your children, teach your neighbors, and you'll have an opportunity to stay safe. I'm proud to report that with me, these men behind me, Deputy Commissioner Hargett, Executive Chief Davison, Executive Chief Costo, Deputy Commissioner Devlin had to leave. He's at another meeting, trying to get some money. That's what it's about. I'd like to say that these men were part of a program, Freedom from Fire, where we reduced the deaths. This time last year, it was 28 people, 28 of our citizens that lost their lives. On this day, it's 18. That's ten. That's a 40 percent drop in the deaths in the City of Philadelphia. (Applause.) COMMISSIONER AYERS: We can't let our guard down. And I'm going to be just short, Mr. President. We can't let our guard down. In Baltimore, this morning they lost a family of five, four of them children. So we have to keep our diligence. We have to stay the course. Our goal, the marathon, you heard that, the marathon run is to zero, but it's only a benchmark. It's only a milestone. We have to continue that on and on into the future. So when we're gone, we expect the same thing from the next fire commissioners, from all of those that service our citizens. So, again, thank you, City Council, all of you that presented this today. God bless. (Applause.)
Thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell, who will present a resolution recognizing and commending the West Philadelphia High School on their 100th Anniversary. Would Ms. Paula McKinney-Rainey and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. And joining the Councilwoman is Councilwoman Brown and Councilman O'Brien.
Mr. President, we're pleased to receive the Alumni Association from West Philadelphia High School.
Resolution recognizing and commending the on their 100th Anniversary. Whereas, for one hundred years, West Philadelphia High School has been an essential educational institution servicing Philadelphia by cultivating students into adults who significantly contribute to society in exceptional ways; and Whereas, on Sunday, October 14th, 2012, the West Philadelphia High School Alumni Association will host, quote, "Still the Best: A Centennial Year Celebration"; and
Whereas, the West Philadelphia High School Alumni Association stimulates, nurtures, and supports the students and their educational experience by tapping and leveraging their resources of a vast, diverse network; and Whereas, West Philadelphia High School (WPHS), Philadelphia's first secondary school west of the Schuylkill, 1912 for the student population in excess of 5,500; and Whereas, the school occupied an entire city block between 47th and 48th Streets between Walnut Street and Locust Street. It was originally divided into a boys and girls school, but both were combined in the '30s to ease administration and streamline education; Whereas, in 2009, the existing district-owned buildings were demolished at that location and in early 2010, the School District began the foundation of the new West Philadelphia High School located at 49th and Chestnut Streets. The West Philadelphia Auto Academy still maintains separate residence on Hanson Street; and
Whereas, the new $66 million state-of-the-art West Philadelphia High School was officially opened on September the 6th, 2011; and Whereas, the school transitioned into becoming a Promise tracks: creative and performing arts, business technology, and urban education; and Whereas, West Philadelphia High School has over 150 full-time faculty and staff members, including teachers, teachers assistants, non-teaching assistants, also known as NTAs, and maintenance and housekeeping staff; and Whereas, the mission of West Philadelphia High School is to provide the students with a quality education to ensure that they graduate with the requisite knowledge, skills, and personal philosophy to become effective citizens, well prepared for their futures in the world of work, college or any post-secondary education; and
Whereas, the staff is committed to creating and maintaining a positive school climate, which engenders students' academic success and personal development; now therefore Resolved, that the City Council hereby recognizes and commends the West Philadelphia High School on its 100th Anniversary. And we're proud that all of you have sponsored this wonderful resolution. It is the school of the late and great Lucien Blackwell, as well as two of my sisters. Thank you, Mr. President.
The Chair recognizes Ms. McKinney-Rainey for remarks. MS. McKINNEY-RAINEY: Thank you, Chair, and on behalf of the membership of the West Philadelphia High School, our thanks for the resolution. We're going to introduce our folks assembled here, but I first must say, most importantly, thank you to Councilwoman Blackwell. We could not have chosen, hand-selected a more work in the community. We are, after all, the village, those of us who attended that school, and she has been there supporting the efforts and the growth and development of that school as the 3rd Councilmanic District representative. So thank you. And let me just say, so on Sunday we're going to be celebrating the centennial with generations of alumni across classes, across ethnicities coming together, and we have our gala Co-Chairs here, Dr. Williams and Audrey Johnson-Thornton, who are the Co-Chairs. We also have some of our officers. Norman Brown is our Board Chair. Michael Brown is our Vice President, and we've got our members attired here in orange and blue. And thank you all for being here. You can just -- well, Karen, I'm not going to say the rest of -- Karen Ray. At any rate, thank you for being here. briefly, because we are the Alumni Association, again, we are the village representing the school and its 100 years, but we understood because this connection to this school, to that community, the first neighborhood high school built west of the Schuylkill River, we have not forgotten where we came from, despite the fact that we've gone in different directions, different places, members living all over the country. In 2007, when there was a lot of chaos at our alma mater, a small group of us came together and said we cannot sit on the sidelines, when the very survival of the school seemed imperiled. We needed to step up to the plate and take responsibility, and that's what we've done. I'm very proud to say five years later, we have a strong organization. We have a presence in the school. We have a strong working relationship and advocacy with the of the school. We do awards for the students annually. This year, in fact, we had the most representation from across classes, in addition to the Alumni Association, providing direct financial assistance to our graduates, in addition to a lot of other activities ad hoc, the ways that we can support our students there, because in the final analysis, we recognize that they are our legacy, because no matter what we do, no matter what degrees we secure in our lives, we will always be graduates of West Philadelphia High School. So we thank you for this recognition and thank you all for being here. Have a wonderful day.
Thank you. The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms please deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, will you please read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, pursuant to Sections -
Hold on, Mr. Decker. Can we get a little quiet, please. Thank you.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission regarding Bill No. 120653; and I am pleased to advise you that 9, 2012, I signed the following bill that was passed by Council at its session on September 27, 2012: Bill No. 120615; and I am transmitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body an ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Employees Retirement Code," to expand the scope of "Plan '10" and "DC Plan" to cover additional employees, to change contribution rates, and to make technical amendments; and Also an ordinance amending Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Finances, Taxes and Collections," by changing the interest rate and penalty rate for unpaid taxes and by making clarifying amendments concerning the suspension of tolling of various statutes of limitations; and An ordinance amending Chapter 19-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Taxes and Rents - General," by changing payments; and An ordinance authorizing the plotting upon City Plan No. 275 of a right-of-way for water main purposes at the southwesterly end of Parker Avenue, southwest of Umbria Street, and authorizing acceptance of the grant to the City of the said right-of-way, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The Chief Clerk will please read any other messages.
Thank you very much, Council President. At this time, I'd like to recognize some guests that have joined us, along with Sister Mary Joan Jacobs, who is the principal of Nazareth Academy, and they are three students. Knowing the Sister, I'm sure they must be all straight A students to be here, but I'd ask them to rise. We're joined by Jackie Braithwaite, Maura Lavelle, and Maggie Featherstone. Thank you very much for joining us. (Applause.)
They are three of Nazareth's finest Pandas. So thank you, and thank you very much, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. Welcome. Thank you so much for coming in today. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. At this time, the Chair would like to recognize Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one privileged and one non-privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing Mr. Charles Ireland, Principal, Sayre High School, for his life-long dedication to the field of education and applauding and supporting his continued ingenuity, passion, and goals for students, parents, teachers, and the community alike.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
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 Third Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer one resolution.
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 Sixteenth, Twentieth, and Thirty-Seventh Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Mr. President, I offer one bill on your behalf and co-sponsored by other members of Council.
An ordinance amending Section 19-2604 of The Philadelphia Code relating to tax rates and credits for the business income and receipts tax by providing a credit for contributions to non-profit organizations engaged in developing and implementing healthy food initiatives.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
An ordinance amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Miscellaneous," by requiring that all City of Philadelphia websites can be used with, and all online interactions and transactions with the City can be performed on, multiple widely-used internet browsers; that such websites, interactions, and transactions be optimized for use with these browsers; and that the City report on the implementation of these changes.
Thank you. That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
A non-privileged resolution appointing a five person committee entitled the "Responsible Banking Review Committee" pursuant to Section 19-201 of The Philadelphia Code.
That resolution will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Good morning, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
An ordinance authorizing the plotting upon a portion of City Plan No. 275 of a right-of-way for water main purposes at the southwesterly end of Parker Avenue, southwest of Umbria Street.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two bills, one co-sponsored by yourself, President Clarke.
An ordinance amending Chapter 12-2700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Permit Parking Districts," by enumerating additional permit parking districts, and by increasing the requirements for designating a block as a residential permit parking block or for removing such designation.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance approving the plan, estimated costs and proposed method of assessment and charges of the Center City District for and concerning business improvements and administrative services to the central business district of the City of Philadelphia for 2013.
That bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
An ordinance revising parking restrictions on West Coulter Street, north side, between Greene Street and Wayne Avenue.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have three resolutions, one privileged, two non-privileged.
A privileged resolution recognizing Chestnut Hill for having been selected by the American Planning Association as one of the 2012 top ten neighborhoods in the United States, and appreciates the honor this reflects on Philadelphia.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Public Safety to investigate the potential financial liability and fiscal impact to the City for the current contract with the Philadelphia Fire Fighters that will enter arbitration for a third time.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the establishment of a fund for Philadelphia City Council as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and that it seek tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
That resolution will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. I thank you all very much. At this time, we have reports from committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a report from the Committee on Streets and Services. Could you hold on one second, Councilman, please. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, to be excused to take care of Council business.
Sure. Leave will be granted. Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman, do you want to be reported voting a particular way?
Aye on all bills and resolutions. Thank you. Let the record reflect that.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Streets and Services reports 11 bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, will you please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Streets and Services, to which was referred Bill No. 120524, entitled "An ordinance 2 of an ordinance (Bill No. 080279), entitled 'An ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan Nos. 52-S and 53-S,' by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein"; and Bill No. 120525, entitled "An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Mollbore Street, both sides, 8th Street to Beulah Street"; and Bill No. 120526, entitled "An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on 16th Street, both sides, Wolf Street to Ritner Street"; and Bill No. 120527, entitled "An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Pemberton Street, south side, 22nd Street to 23rd Street"; and Bill No. 120528, entitled "An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Mole Street, west side, Wolf Street to Ritner Street"; and Bill No. 120530, entitled "An regulation on Kater Street, south side, 17th Street to 16th Street"; and Bill No. 120649, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 224 by striking from the City Plan and vacating 'A' Street from Erie Avenue to a cul-de-sac turnaround southwardly therefrom"; and Bill No. 120721, entitled "An ordinance authorizing and directing the changing of the name of Preston Street, from Ludwick Street and Warren Streets to Lancaster Avenue, to Wallace Street"; and Bill No. 120722, entitled "An ordinance authorizing and directing the changing of the name of University Avenue, from Woodland Avenue and Thirty-Ninth Street to University Avenue Extension, to Baltimore Avenue, and the changing of the name of University Avenue Extension, from University Avenue to Spruce Street, to University Avenue"; and 120723, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the striking from City Plan No. 357 of a certain right-of-way reserved for drainage purposes in the area lying northeast of Island Avenue and northwest of Bartram Avenue"; and Bill No. 120729, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill No. 090839), entitled 'An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 242 by striking from the City Plan and vacating portions of the beds of Old York Road and a certain cut-back area,' by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading this day of the 11 bills that were just read into the record. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended this day so as to permit first reading of the 11 bills just read from committee. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Those bills will be placed on the First Reading Calendar for today. We will now have consideration of the Calendar. The next order of business will be consideration of that Calendar. I note that the bills just 2ND READING reported from committee with suspension of the rules will be placed on the First Reading. Councilman Jones, as there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair now recognizes you to call up the bills on the Second and Final Passage.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today: Nos. 120763, 120764, 120787, 120789, 120653-A, 120645, and all other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you, Councilman. Before considering these bills and resolutions, we will have public comment. The public comment will be as follows: If you have an interest in testifying on bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today, you must sign up to the table to my left. You will be given three minutes to testify. There is a device on the podium in the middle of the Council. The device will turn green, which means it's your time to speak. It will turn yellow, which means that you have 30 seconds left for your comments, and when it turns red, we'd ask that you please conclude your comments. Mr. Decker, would you please read the name of the first individual who wishes to testify.
Good morning, sir. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. I'm addressing the safety issue that has come about and it's been almost six months and unfortunately it's not been addressed, and it could have been detrimental to the well-being of the victim as well as those the victim may have harmed. I mention this only because it appears that there is no safeguard in place to ensure the safety of the victim and their well-being. gov. The correlation will be -- it will make sense once I get to the end of this. On May 24th, 2012, I came home to find that my wife had murdered my 17-month-old twins and had drugged my then 4-year-old daughter. From that moment until this very moment, I've been victimized by the very system that I have served. I've served my country as a United States Marine. I've been a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen, a student at University of Penn, Upward Bound program and, most importantly, loving father of three children. I've had to go to the internet, even former felons, to get information on what to expect through the judicial system. I began to receive information from a Mr. Leland from the District Attorney's Office just recently, after speaking to Seth Williams' campaign office. Again, this is about 100 days later. I couldn't bury my children without my wife's signature. I didn't know how to go about that. I contacted her defense department against the advice of the District Attorney's Office. My neighbors located at 6379 Ditman Street stole water from my house while this was going on, hooking up a water hose to fill their pool. I have pictures and film on my phone. I called the owner of the home, Nicholas and Colleen Sylvestro. No response. I called the 15th District. Nothing was done. I called Bobby Henon's office. I'm still awaiting a response. They also stole mail. O. box. When Police Commissioner Ramsey made his personal impression on the news of what he thought happened on May 24th, he did so adding insult to injury, but that has been the theme for this whole complete situation. O. box from Delisa Ralph from the Prison System stating I have to return my uniforms in order to receive my final check. And I ask myself, when does it end? The compassion that -- it is an exercise in compassion. Each session here is open with a prayer; is it not? Didn't any one of you open the paper the next day and read about what had happened and think, what a tragedy? This man and his daughter are going to need some help and direction. I wanted each of you to remember my name, Ronald Smalls. Remember the pain that I'm wearing. Remember the hurt that you can never comprehend, from the Police Commissioner, from the District Attorney's Office. I mentioned earlier the victim unit in the Northeast. I had spoken to them, with no avail. And I just want to say in closing that I am David standing before a giant that no one thinks can be dealt with, but we all know what happened. Remember Psalms 10:18 as you pray, to judge the fatherless and the oppressed that the man of the Earth may no more oppress. Please remember when you do your job, that you serve us and that one day we'll all be judged before God and the Spirit, and not any of us will excuse that -- be excused from it. There will be no excuse that we can give God to say, Oh, I didn't know. Because all it would have taken was someone to call me, to contact me, to give me direction. As I stated, I'm a former Marine. Had I gone postal, it would have been a very big problem for the City. It would have been a serious problem, but through the grace of God and military discipline and some help with some really good people, it started to help me. Thank you very much for your time. God bless you.
Thank you, and our prayers are with you, sir. (Applause.)
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Anyone else who wishes to testify on bills and resolutions on the Final Passage? (No response.) 10/11/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
There being none, thank you very much. That concludes our public comment. We will now consider bills and resolutions on the Second and Final Passage. Mr. Decker, would you please read the title of Resolution 120763.
A resolution authorizing the use of Neighborhood Transformation Initiative bond proceeds to acquire title reports, plot plans, legal descriptions and appraisals.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson for a motion.
Council President, I make a motion to adopt the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.) 10/11/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 120764.
A resolution authorizing the use of Neighborhood Transformation Initiative bond proceeds to acquire title reports, plot plans, legal descriptions and appraisals.
Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
Those opposed? 10/11/12 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 120764 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120787.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Twenty-Eighth and Forty-Seventh Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. 10/11/12 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 120787 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120789.
A resolution supporting House Resolution 840 which urges the Pennsylvania State University to use the endowment created pursuant to the consent decree with the National Collegiate Athletic Association to fund Pennsylvania's children advocacy centers.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. 10/11/12 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 120789 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120653-A.
An ordinance authorizing Aquinas 2021 Chestnut Street to construct, own and maintain various encroachments within the City right-of-way on Chestnut Street between 20th Street and 21st Street and on Ranstead Street between 20th Street and 21st Street.
This bill having been read on two separate days, the question is shall the bill pass 10/11/12 - STATED - 2ND READING finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are 10/11/12 - STATED - 2ND READING zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 120645.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by making, revising, and consolidating certain regulations regarding flood protection, and by further repealing Chapter 10-1100A of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Development in Defined Floodplain Areas."
This bill having been read on two separate days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any other resolutions?
A privileged resolution recognizing Mr. Charles 10/11/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Ireland, Principal, Sayre High School, for his life-long dedication to the field of education and applauding and supporting his continued ingenuity, passion, and goals for students, parents, teachers, and the community alike, introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a privileged resolution recognizing Chestnut Hill for 10/11/12 - STATED - 2ND READING having been selected by the American Planning Association as one of the 2012 top ten neighborhoods in the United States, and appreciates the honor this reflects on Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. The resolution is co-sponsored by Councilwoman Cindy Bass, the District Councilperson, and I would move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.) 10/11/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. I would like to say -- let the record reflect that the votes are 17, zero and not 16, zero. I forgot that Councilwoman Tasco left an aye vote on all bills and resolutions. So it shall be reflected it's 17, zero on all those bills and resolutions that have passed.
And a privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Public Safety to investigate the potential financial liability and fiscal impact to the City for the current contract with the Philadelphia Fire Fighters that will enter into arbitration for a third time, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. And that resolution is co-sponsored by Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr., and I would move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you. We will now ask if there are any speeches on the part of the majority. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Yesterday we had a briefing in the Caucus Room from the Philadelphia School Partnership. On October 15th, they will launch the Great Philadelphia Schools, which is a free user-free, friendly, multi-media resource that gives parents access to comprehensive data and information for over 400 K through 12 schools in our city. This website, no doubt, will prove to be an invaluable tool for us all. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Mr. President. Last night in these Chambers we hosted something called SEED 2.0. It basically recognized entrepreneurs who are coming up with innovative ideas in the education space in order to help our school system and our children. In government, we do things from the top down. This truly was a recognition of people doing things from the bottom up trying to make a difference and change. Normally when people in Philadelphia think of change coming from the bottom, they often think of City Council, and so it was appropriate that we were here in these Chambers. And I just want to say thank you to everybody who participated. There were a lot of great ideas that can help our schools. The winner was Teachers Lead Philly, which was a team of three women and two men who are trying to get the teachers in Philadelphia, whether they're in the School District or the parochial system, the charter system, et cetera, to get together and network and support each other in sort of a mentorship collegial way without the structure of the District or anybody else. exciting thing, and I urge people to check out Teachers Lead Philly. They won $5,000 in order to promote their cause. And we had a lot of great sponsors supporting that - PECO, Blue Cross, Young Involved Philadelphia, Indy Hall, Seed Philly, Flying Kite, Technically Philly, Catering by Miles, and Marabella Meatball Company. This was co-sponsored with Philly CORE Leaders, and their executive Board is Claire Robertson-Kraft, Ami Patel, Sophie Bryan, Ali Goodner, Ricky Cole, and my staff member, my other staff member, Rachel Meadows were instrumental in putting this great event together. The judges who served were four women and two men: Helen Cunningham, Donna Frisby-Greenwood, Donna Runner, Mary Hwang, Alex Hillman, and myself. I mention the gender makeup of both the team that won, the participants, and the judges, because we are here in the City of Philadelphia having a huge about a young girl wearing a T-shirt to school that made a political statement, and freedom of speech is very important. But I just want to put that in the context of what happened in Pakistan yesterday where Malala Yousuf was shot in the head for going to school by the Taliban. And so there are very different challenges around the world and there has never been a successful country that has grown their economy, created a middle class, where women were not full participants, were not educated, were not involved in the decisions of that society, according to the IMF and lots of other sources. And so while we are in the region for reasons that have nothing to do with this President or other things and for some very good reasons, I think it is important for us to take the context of what we have in this country and what we're arguing about and know that in many other regions of the world, about, and people are being shot in the streets for, a girl going to school. And so when people ask President Obama why we're not out of Afghanistan, I think you just have to look at the difference in our societies and understand that America's power is needed in many places in the world. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I just wanted to commend you on your leadership and the leadership team from both the democratic party and the republican party in hosting the economic summit yesterday regarding the future economic conditions in the City of Philadelphia. As I work in conjunction with Chair of Public Safety, Councilman Curtis Jones, and now being joined by former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Councilman Denny O'Brien, it's always critical to make sure that when we address the issue of youth violence, we have opportunities for young people to trade in their guns for a job, and it's going to be critical as we move forward to look at the recommendations from the Jobs Commission and really support the efforts of making sure that particularly where there's high incidence of crime, there's poverty. That's just how it is. And so I represent a very diverse district, high income, middle income, and also lower income. And so as we look at making sure we provide more job opportunities for individuals in the City of Philadelphia, that's going to play a major component in addressing the issue of youth gun violence and also giving people an opportunity to move up to the middle class. want to thank you for hosting the summit yesterday. The report that I received back from my staff is very favorable. I look forward to continue working with you on this issue. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair at this point recognizes Councilman Jones.
With all of those serious subjects, I'm going to give you one more, but on an upbeat. Give him hell, Joe Biden. Give him hell.
Thank you, Councilman. At this time, I'd like to ask are there any speeches on behalf of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I would like to in the School District of Philadelphia for their very timely response in regards to the Samantha Pawlucy incident. That incident, as reported and described in several articles, involved a teacher who singled out a student for the T-shirt she was wearing, which was a Mitt Romney T-shirt, but during class she pulled the student out of class and subjected her to ridicule and called other people to join with her. Her explanation was that it was intended to be light and humorous. And it's not for me to say what it was, but I do find it very reassuring that the School District is taking action upon it. Whatever they determine is fine, but I think in contrast to the prior School District in terms of their failing in dealing with the incident in which students of Chinese heritage were pulled out of the classroom and beaten and then the principal excused that behavior and action was not taken for many months, to the parents of the children in Philadelphia. Whatever the viewpoints are, especially as we adults get very excited about this upcoming election, I think it is important that we set the right example in school where we want to encourage our students to think for themselves and make their own decisions as they go forward and certainly not to be intimidated or bullied in the classroom. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would just like to add a little bit to this discussion. I wasn't going to speak, but I will say that my kids, my kids with disabilities, are often victimized in numerous settings, including our educational settings, and with little response. So I can empathize with the concerns that are being advanced here, but I would also like to say that this offers us all an opportunity to look at the bullying concept from its basic origins. We're all involved in discussions where we use inflammatory terms to describe one's race, one's gender, one's sexual preference, one's ethnicity, and it's hurtful at its basic core. But the mere fact that we tolerate this in our casual discussions is the beginning and the root of all this bullying, and we as a society, we as members of City Council and other members of government have to take responsibility for that. We have to own that and enable others to be better when we're confronted with these challenges. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. There being no other speeches, Brown for a motion.
Surely. Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 18th, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 18th, 2012, 10:00 a.m. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Council shall be adjourned. Thank you. ) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on October 11, 2012, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. ) A adults 15:8 71:5 21:22 25:10 Audrey 19:15 back 5:22 69:4 absence 4:22 5:4 advanced 72:4 48:15 Authority 27:6 Baltimore 13:10 5:12 advice 45:12 application 12:9 28:3 51:11 39:22 academic 17:2,24 advise 22:25 apply 74:20 authorizing 24:4 Banking 31:18 Academy 2:14 advocacy 20:25 appointing 31:16 24:9 27:3,24 Bartram 40:7 6:16 16:17 17:2 52:21 appraisals 49:14 32:13 35:18 basic 72:7,12 25:3 advocate 19:2 50:12 36:5 38:4 39:6 basically 63:22 acceptance 24:9 affirmative 56:3 appreciates 35:12 39:13,18 40:3 Bass 1:10 34:12 access 63:9 58:20 60:5 40:12 49:11 34:13 54:6,7 accompanying Afghanistan 67:7 appreciation 7:4 50:9 51:9 53:16 56:23,24 60:18 6:7 14:13 age 8:19 approached 61:15 batteries 9:12,16 accurately 74:5 ages 8:24 43:19 Auto 16:17 battery-powered acknowledge 3:4 aggressive 10:2 appropriate avail 47:9 11:20 acquire 49:13 alarms 9:11,15,16 29:13 30:25 Avenue 24:7 beaten 70:23 50:11 11:20 32:19 33:22 32:16 34:20 becoming 16:25 action 5:20 70:17 Alex 65:21 34:10,22 64:10 39:10,16,20,20 beds 40:15 70:25 Ali 65:14 approval 3:25 4:1 39:21,22,23,24 began 16:14 45:3 activities 6:18 alike 26:22 59:7 approved 4:8,13 39:25 40:7,8 beginning 72:15 21:9 allocation 24:2 4:20 awaiting 45:23 behalf 5:2,10 ad 21:9 alma 20:15 approving 33:25 awards 21:3 18:18 27:19 add 71:20 alumni 14:20 approximately aye 4:15 37:9,10 28:24 69:20 adding 46:5 15:13,17 19:12 9:7 41:15 49:25 behavior 70:24 addition 21:6,8 20:3 21:6 Aquinas 53:16 50:23 52:6 53:6 benchmark 13:16 additional 23:12 Amen 3:16,17 arbitration 35:23 54:7,10,12,14 Best 15:14 33:16 42:6 amending 23:8,15 61:20 54:17,19,22,24 better 64:2 72:20 address 68:6 23:23 29:5 area 40:6,17 55:3,6,9,11,14 Beulah 38:12 addressed 43:23 30:12 33:13 Areas 56:15 55:17,20,22,24 Biden 69:15 addressing 43:21 38:2 40:10 56:8 arguing 66:24 56:24 57:3,5,7 big 48:4 68:22 amendments argument 67:2 57:10,12,15,17 bill 1:12 22:24 adjourned 73:6 23:14,20 articles 70:7 57:20,23 58:2,4 23:3,5 28:23 73:11,20,22 American 35:9 arts 17:3 58:7,10,13,15 29:13 30:8,24 ADJOURNME...
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