The Committee on Licenses and Inspections, to which is referred Bill 190713, entitled "An ordinance amending various provisions of Subcode P of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'The Philadelphia Plumbing Code,' by making additional -additions, deletions and amendments to the City's adoption of the 2018 edition of the Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 International Plumbing Code as published by the International Code Council," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the Rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 190713. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 190713. All those in favor, say aye. (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. And this bill will be placed on our first reading calendar today. Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Bass Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 for a report from the Committee of Parks and Recreation and Cultural Affairs.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Parks and Recreation and Cultural Affairs reports two bills with a favorable recommendation.
The Committee on Parks and Recreation and Cultural Affairs, to which is referred Bill No. 190824, entitled "An ordinance renaming and designating the property commonly referred to as Mill Creek Park located at 4615 Fairmount Avenue as the Lucien E. Blackwell Park in the City of Philadelphia;" and Bill No. 190829, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property and the Parks and Recreation Commissioner on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to release from the School District of Philadelphia certain land and improvements known as a portion of South Philadelphia High School owned by the School District of Philadelphia," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 recommendation.
Thank you. Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 190824 and 190829. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill Nos. 190824 and 190829. All those in favor, say aye. (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. And these bills will be placed on our first reading calendar. Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Council President, I'd like to be excused for personal matters. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 But I would like to be voted "aye" on all bills, resolutions and amendments.
Thank you, Councilman. Leave shall be granted. Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Bass for a report from the Committee on Public Health and Human Services.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Public Health and Human Services reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
The Committee on Public Health and Human Services, to which is referred Bill No. 190864, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Health Code,' by amending Chapter 6-200 entitled 'Preventative Medicine,' to require the reporting of information related to substance use treatment, drug overdose treatment and related information to the Department of Public Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 Health," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 190864. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the -- to permit the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 190864. All those in favor, say aye. (Ayes.)
The ayes have it. And this bill will be placed on our first reading calendar today. Chair now recognizes Councilman O'Neill for a report from the Committee on Technology Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 and Information Services.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Technology and Information Services reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please, read that report.
The Committee on Technology and Information Services, to which is referred Bill No. 190912, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the City Solicitor on behalf of the City to enter into a multi-year contract with the provider of codification, editing and marketing services to produce printed and electronic versions of The Philadelphia Code and related services and material, all under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Chair, again, recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 day of Bill No. 190912. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 190912. All those in favor, say aye. (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. And this bill will be placed on our first reading calendar today. Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown for a report from the Committee on the Environment.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on the Environment and Sustainability reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on the Environment, to which is referred Bill No. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 190716, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 9-3400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Energy Conservation,' to provide for the benchmark and reporting of energy and water usage data for certain buildings participating in the commercial property assessed Clean Energy Program and to make technical changes," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Chair, again, recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 190716.
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 190716. All those in favor, say aye. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. And this bill will be placed on our first reading calendar for today. That concludes our reports from committee. And our next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. They will be on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Chair now recognizes Councilman O'Neill at this time for a motion regarding Bill No. 190194.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Rules of Council so as to permit an amendment to be offered to Bill No. 190914 at this time. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. All those in favor of the motion will Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 signify by saying aye. (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. And again, the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 190914. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all Members of Council. And I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. Bill No. 190914 has been amended. And Bill No. 190914 as amended will be placed on our Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Chair now recognizes Councilmember Greenlee at this time for a motion regarding Bill No. 190944.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit an amendment to be offered to Bill No. 190944 at this time. (Duly seconded.)
All those in favors of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. Let the record reflect, there was one nay. And again, just one, right? Councilwoman, did you -- the ayes have it. And again, the Chair recognizes Councilmember Greenlee again.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I would like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 190944. A copy Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 of the amendment has been circulated to all Members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. All in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Ayes.)
The ayes have it. And Bill No. 190944 has been amended. And Bill No. 190944 as amended will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the first reading calendar, the Chair now recognizes Councilman Henon for a motion concerning the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 Agenda to consider the following bills on Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. They are Bill Nos. 190601-A, 180457, 190787, 190746, 190451, 190718, 190762, 190763, 190825, 190554, 190710, 190742, 190744, 190827, 190862, 190788 and 190804. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and 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. (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. The motion carries. And we will consider the Consent Agenda shortly. Chair again recognizes Councilman Henon for the purpose of calling bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019
Thank you, Mr. President. In addition to the bills being considered on the Consent Agenda, the following resolutions and bills are being called up for Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today. They are Bill Nos. 190947, 190948, 190949, 190950, 190952, 190953, 190954, 190955, 190956, 190101, 190610, 190638, 190784, 190811, 190830, 190715 and 190860. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you. Thank you very much. (Brief pause in the proceedings.) Chair, again, recognizes Councilman Henon for the purpose of calling up the bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. I think we got it right this time. In addition to the bills being considered on the Consent Agenda, the following resolution and bills are being called up for the second Reading and Final Passage Calendars Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 today. They are 190947, 190948, 190949, 190950, 190952, 190953, 190954, 190955, 190956, 190958, 190786-A, 190106, 190784, 190811, 190830, 190715 and 190860.
Thank you, Councilman. Before considering these bills that -- and resolutions that are on the Final Passage Calendar, we will have our Public Comment Session. We have a significant list today, so we will alter our timeline on our public comment session. You will have two minutes, so please, shorten your testimony if you have made testimony that would have been prepared for three minutes. When your name is called, you will go to the middle of the Chambers. There is a podium. There is a device on that podium. When the light turns green, will be your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, we ask that -- I'm sorry, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. When the light turns red, we will ask that you, please, adhere to our guidelines and conclude your remarks. Anyone that is not signed up to testify, Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 and I'm hoping it's nobody else, if you haven't, sign up at the table to my left. Mr. Decker -remember, two minutes as a result of the number of people and the volume that we have today. Mr. Decker, can you, please -
Mr. Decker, hold on one second. Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I ask to be excused from the rest of Council for the remainder of the Council Session and be recorded as voting "aye" on all bills and resolutions.
Mr. President, also aye on any amendments that are offered.
Yeah. I think there are a couple of amendments. Thank you. Thank you Councilman. Leave shall be granted. Record shall reflect that.
Ed O'Donnell? Ed O'Donnell? (No response.) Ron Whyte? Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 (Approaches podium.) Commenting on 190610.
All right. Good afternoon, City Council. I am here to speak in favor of adopting the amendment on Bill No. 190610-A. My name is Ron Whyte. I'm the project coordinator for the Mural Arts Trash Academy. We're an environmental justice program that aims to help the City meet its zero-waste goals. In the last year and a half, Trash Academy has gone to over 100 events and had in-depth conversation with more than 5,000 Philadelphians. We were mostly in neighborhoods struggling with litter and dumping, yet filled with caring and active residents. People have expressed an overwhelming desire to get plastic bags off of our streets. Trash Academy's role has been to engage the community through an education and awareness campaign to promote reusable bags as an alternative to harmful, single-use plastics. We recently placed 25 billboards around the City featuring local community members with their favorite useable bags. Promoting reusable bags will be key to the success of any legislation. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 We would like to see the City adopt our initiative as a Citywide PSA campaign. We feel that it would be essentially effective as it reflects the wonderful diversity of our City. I would like to distribute this to the City Councilmembers. It's our PSA campaign. Is it possible to do that? Or should I wait -thank you. As this year comes to an end, this City is in desperate need of some momentum around the issue of environmental justice. The situation with the PS Refinery possibly opening and approval of a gas plant in the heart of Nicetown have many people deeply depressed and discouraged. While the plastic bag ban may seem relatively minor in comparison, the issue of trash and litter is one that many people in Philadelphia care very deeply about. I've been an environmental activist for about ten years -- whoops, wow, that yellow light came on really fast. So, I personally believe that a plastic bag ban will send a clear signal that Philadelphia does really care about protecting our environment and giving relief toe underserved communities. While this bill is not Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 perfect, it is something we can build on. And I hope that it is approved. Thank you very much.
Thank you for your testimony. One -- one thing I omitted with respect to public comment, your public comment must relate to a bill or resolution that is on the Final Passage Calendar today. Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read the next name.
Thank you. Thank you for having me. My name is Mike Levy. I am a Professor of Epidemiology at Penn. And I served on the Council's Bedbug Task Force. Bill No. 190106 is a first step in controlling bed bus in our City. It is not a giant leap. It should provide some clarity of landlord and tenant responsibilities. And the amendment introduced today addressed some critical flaws in earlier versions of the Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 legislation. But bedbugs are not only a landlord/tenant issue. They are a public health issue. Many suffering from bedbug infestations will still not be able to pay and afford safe and effective treatment. So, I hope that Council passes the bill before them. But I, also, hope they continue to work to find ways to help people pay for safe treatments who, otherwise, will not be able to afford them. For if you treat a house today, you are preventing two infestations later on. I think I very much believe that we can get rid of bedbugs from our City, or at least drastically reduce the harm they cause to our City as long as we can make sure that we are treating these infestations very quickly. Thank you.
Nicholas Sanders? (Approaches podium.) Commenting on 190610.
Good afternoon. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019
Good afternoon. My name is Nicholas Sanders. I live in the Fairmount area of Philadelphia. Since 1987, I've been active as a volunteer and, at times, as a paid consultant for City and School District recycling programs. Also relevant to my testimony, is most of my professional career has been as educational researcher and program evaluator. So, I do have some expertise in studies of specific programs. I'm testifying in relationship to 190610. I do support the ban on single-use plastic bans but with a reasonable fee to cover the cost of other takeout bags. The argument that such fees penalize the poor should be seen as invalid and demeaning of people who experience poverty. Vendors are certainly savvy enough to bill the cost of any non-priced items, such as takeout bags as an unspecified but additional addition to the price of the products that they are selling. The poor do pay for whatever bags they use, whether they see the fee or not. Like any other customer, they just cannot see it when it is built into the price of products that they Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 buy. I believe that poor customers are generally resourceful enough to bring their own bags to avoid the fee if the fee is clearly identified and they know how to avoid it by bringing their own bags. Why do we need a study that would delay for some unspecified length of time a reduction of litter and damage to recycling machinery and diversion of recyclables to landfills and incinerators? Why do we need a study that will require vendors to incorporate the cost of alternative bags into the cost of their products? Thank you.
Sue Clements? (Approaches podium.) SPEAKER: I'm not Sue, but I was hoping -- I have her testimony. Was hoping to -
No. Did you Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 sign up? SPEAKER: I have her testimony and wanted to share it.
You have her testimony? SPEAKER: Yeah. She had to leave and go to work.
You're kind of jumping the line, but okay. SPEAKER: Okay. Well, thank you for allowing me to do that. Sue is an RN at Temple Episcopal and in Kensington, Temple Episcopal Hospital. And I just wanted to share -- I wanted to share her comments in support of the Bill No. 190788, regulating hospital closure. This ordinance places much needed requirements on hospitals preparing to close the facility and to ensure that the public is aware and informed, and steps are taken to transition patient care to other facilities. She was going to be speaking on behalf of 175 nurses, healthcare professionals and texts that are represented by our Union at Temple Episcopal. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 We weren't directly impacted by this disorderly and abrupt closure at Hahnemann, but we thought it was outrageous. And saw the lack of transparency and accountability, which left patients, the community and workers in a desperate situation which could have been prevented. We have seen the healthcare landscape change dramatically across the country, whether it's these real estate schemes like with Hahnemann where they were trying to access the land value or just non-profit systems focusing on the most profitable specialized services. The current system just doesn't incentivize taking care of the poor, the uninsured and opioid addicted. We are also concerned about the finances over at Temple, which has just chosen to sell off a profitable asset, which leaves them to care for a high concentration of poor, uninsured parents which we think is, you know -- patients, which we think is super important. We also represent workers in New Jersey, which already has these sorts of protections for public healthcare assets. We just fully endorse this Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 ordinance. And think it's a great and much needed protection. Thank you.
Hi. Good morning -- good afternoon. I'm Eric Santoro, here to talk about Zoning Bill No. 190638. I live at 4535 Pine Street. I have long been an active member of my community, including by serving two terms as the president of my local civic association and one of its delegates in the cross-town coalition. I recently learned that an amendment to Bill No. 190638 is being proposed today that would upzone the Good Shepherd Church property located at 314 South 46th Street, to RM1; although, that amendment has still not been made available to the public or any of the neighbors. This is a property that is already the subject of an ongoing zoning dispute before the ZBA. The developer was scheduled to present the plans Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 to the ZBA on August 14, but asked for a continuance when he realized there was going to be significant community opposition at the hearing. Instead of continuing the hearing, the developer and the seller of the property requested zoning changes by ordinance. Simply put, the proposed amendment that is being offered today would allow the developer to bypass the ZBA, the community oppositions and build their proposed and highly controversial development as of right. People are going to disagree about whether the proposed development is a good development or a bad one, but that's not the operable question for this body. Rather, the question today is whether the ongoing disputes about this property should be resolved during the -- resolved during the normal channels of the ZBA or whether there is something so special about this project, that City Council needs to step in and act to pass a rezoning ordinance. There is simply no compelling reason for Council to the cut off the normal zoning process and step in. First, the near neighbors like myself universally oppose this amendment to the Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 ordinance. When it was first proposed, there was wet ink, hand-signed petition that went around all the near blocks. And universally, everybody opposed this project. A copy of the petition has been turned into the Councilwoman's office. And a lot of the neighbors are here today. Second, the proposed amendment would be inappropriate use of spot zoning. While spot zoning is not, per se, improper, it's frowned upon and traditionally reserved for more appropriate, like, projects that would help the community. This is a pure for-profit sale to a developer who wants to build bigger. Sorry, I didn't see the red light was on. Finally, I just think the project process has been not transparent. And most people that are going to be impacted don't even know this amendments exists.
Thank you, sir. Thanks you for your testimony. (Applause.)
George Gould. (Approaches podium.) Commenting on Bill No. 190106. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019
Good afternoon. My name is George Gould. I'm a member of PHABB, the Philadelphia Against Bed Bugs. We have worked on the bedbug remediation bill for over four years. The Bill 190106 as filed required the landlord to be responsible for the cost of bedbug remediation. However, at the committee hearing, we were blindsided by several amendments which effectively weakened the bill. This amendment included the provision -by the way, the bill was consistent with every ordinance and -- at the state and local level and HUD regulations. The amendment in the committee included the provision that unless the tenant reported beg bug infestation within 90 days of moving in, they would have to share in the cost of remediation. We have since been working with the sponsor to try to undue the damage. We are now cautiously supporting the bill. The sponsor has put in some amendments such as changing the 90 days to one year after commencement of the lease, so that if the tenant reported the Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 infestation within a year, the landlord would be fully responsible. In addition, if the tenant discovered bed bug infestation in other units in the building or in adjacent rowhouse and reported the infestation in the unit within six months, the landlord would be fully responsible. We are cautious about the time limit to periods in the bill, which will lead to disputes and who gets to resolve them. We believe the original bill, with our suggestion, that the tenant pay for the cost of preparation was much fairer and that the landlord pay for the remediation. That this was fairer and simpler. The sponsor has agreed to review this after a period of time to see if the bill is working. I must say that the landlord lobby has been doing everything they can to the real effectiveness of this bill. But we urge you to support it. As I say, I'm cautious, but we want the bill to move. Thank you.
Michell Niedermeier? (Approaches podium.) Commenting on 190106.
Good afternoon. My name is Michell Niedermeier. I am a resident of West Philadelphia. For 20 years, I have worked as an educator for the Pennsylvania Pest Management Program out of the Department of Entomology at the Penn State University. We work with individuals and communities to share knowledge about best management practices to effectively and safely manage pests. And we regularly respond to questions and concerns about bed bugs from Philadelphians throughout the City. Bed bugs are hitchhikers. They contribute to physical and mental health issues. And bed bugs are structural pests. Philadelphia housing is 92 percent connected, dominated by row houses, multi-family housing units. With the median age of 93 years, it is often structurally deficient, making it a perfect Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 storm for bed bugs to easily move from one unit to another and for infestations to continue to persists seemingly undetected for months or even years. The bill before you does not fully consider current best management practices for bed bug remediation. Meaning, it ignores some of the common and critical tools and tactics that have shown to be efficacious and cost saving. Several amendments to the bill go against what is factually known about bed bug biology and remediation, setting arbitrary time limits and having unclear language for sharing of costs in tenant/landlord situations is counter to a successful program. And based on peer reviewed and published research, may actually lead to bed bugs continuing to spread, to growing infestations and to increasing costs of remediation for tenants, landlords and all Philadelphians. We don't need to reinvent the wheel to solve this problem. There is a solution that can help rid Philadelphia bed bugs. It includes prompt reporting by residents of suspected or confirmed bed bugs and an integrated pest Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 management approach using tools and tactics such us mattress and box spring encasements and monitoring devices such as interceptors, and for owners to be responsible for the cost of bed bug remediation. We can easily follow current best management practices and the successful implementation of protocols in other cities such as Chicago, New York and even Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Bed bugs are no one's fault. No one wants bed bugs.
Thank you, Councilmembers for this opportunity to speak. My name is Dan Hyman. I'm staff attorney at Senior Law Center. Senior Law Center protects the rights of older Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 Pennsylvanians. We provide free legal assistance to thousands of seniors each year, including victims of elder abuse and financial exploitations, elders faces housing crises and homelessness and grandparents raising grandchildren. In our work, we assist seniors facing poor housing conditions, including infestations of bed bugs. Seniors find it especially difficult to notice bed bug infestations. They may not be able to see the signs of infestations. They are less likely to react to the bites. Elders often will not show red marks or welts. In our practice, we have seen this happen repeatedly. We understand that the bill has been amended to require tenants to share the cost of remediation. If they do not report an infestation to their landlord within a year of when they move in or 180 days when another unit discovers infestation. As such, seniors may not notice the infestation within the time frame established by the amended bill. And so, they may have to pay to exterminate infestations that exist prior to their tenancy or caused by other Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 tenants in other units. We are concerned that seniors simply do not notice infestations until too late, will either not report infestations, leading to them spreading, or be severely financially penalized if they do not report the infestations. Bed bugs are a public health risk that impacts the older people. We are proud to serve our veterans, our grandparents, those who fought -- build and fought for this country the rights and opportunities we enjoy today. As such, despite our reservations about tenants being burdened with a portion of the cost of extermination, we urge you to pass the bill. We continue to believe that a bill that does not pass costs onto tenants will be better for the residents of Philadelphia.
Thank you. My name is Maureen May. And I am the President of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 Professionals. I presently work at Temple University Hospital and have worked at the bedside, taking care of patients for 36 years. I am proud to work in the most honest and the most trusted profession in this country. I speak on behalf of over 4,000 members of PASNAP that work in Philadelphia. We represent nurses at Temple Hospital, Einstein, St. Christopher's Hospital, Wills Eye, Jeanes Hospital and the technical and professionals, excuse me, at Temple. And until the summer, we also represented the nurses at Hahnemann University Hospital. The closure of Hahnemann, a Level One Trauma Center was disorderly and done without due regard for patient care. The result of Hahnemann's closure has been higher acuity and volume in the emergency departments across the City. A 2014 Health Affairs Journal found the emergency closures in California hospital closures, it led to an increase of mortality and morbidity of 5 percent in the area surrounding those departments that closed. Another study in 2014 of hospital closures, in the Journal of Acute Care Medicine Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 found that "the odds of inpatient mortality increased by 21 percent." In trauma patients who experienced an increase drive time to their nearest trauma center as a result of this closure. Closure of Hahnemann is just one of -Hahnemann was just one of five hospitals in Philadelphia with maternal health departments. And we know this will have concrete impacts on infant mortality. And the most striking study is a 2012 study where the health researchers found that infant mortality increased by 50 percent during that area when nine out of the nineteen hospitals in Philadelphia closed. A 50 percent in infant mortality. I work in direct care. And I know I am experiencing this firsthand at Temple University Hospital.
David Bery? (Approaches podium.) Commenting on 190638 Stated Meeting December 5, 2019
Good afternoon. David Berg, commenting on 190638. I'm a stakeholder in the Garden Court Plaza, 13-story building located on 47th and Pine. 190638 is a bill that correctly -- that corrects the inaccurate zoning in the Garden Court submarket in West Philadelphia. The bill currently upzones property that are not zoned accurately, such as various multi-story condo buildings that are currently zoned single family houses. It, also, correctly downzones single family houses so they will not be demolished, thereby, protecting the character of the neighborhood. The block of 47th 48th between Spruce and Pine is inaccurately zoned CMX-2, which is clearly evidenced by the fact that there's a 13-story building on the corner of it. The block is currently excluded from the bill without reason. CMX-2 promotes big box retail and does not have a parking requirement; whereas, CMX-3 promotes multi-family development, affordable housing and senior Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 amenities that are badly needed in the neighborhood, as well as required parking. Further, other than the residents that live in the historic 13-story tower, no residents will be displaced at all by rezoning this block CMX-3. Alternatively, housing will be created to serve the community. I'm here to request a friendly amendment to my otherwise support of the bill to properly and accurately rezone the block of 47th to 48th between Pine and Spruce to CMX-3. Thank you.
Michael Phillips. (Approaches podium.) Commenting on 190638.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chair, Members of Council. Michael Phillips. I'm an attorney here on behalf of both the equitable owner and the owner Good Shepherd Church located at 314 South 46th Street. While we appreciate the corrective Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 nature of the proposed map, the inclusion of the Good Shepherd Church at 314 South 46th Street within the RTA-1 designation is not corrective and would impeded the adaptive reuse and preservation of the church. While all the twins along the 300 block of South 46th Street were correctively rezoned as RTA-1, the church was also included in that designation. We believe that is not corrective. 314 South 46th should be included within the adjacent RM-1 multifamily classification to permit the adaptive reuse of the church with the additional benefit of creating affordable housing. The adaptive reuse as multifamily supported by Garden Court Community Association, the Preservation Alliance, University City Historical Society and dozens of neighbors throughout the community who have signed petitions of support. We, respectively, urge the proposed map be amended to correctively amend zoning maps to reflect an RM-1 designation for 314 South 46th Street, the Good Shepherd Church to permit the adaptive reuse of the church in the preservation of the church. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 Thank you for your time.
Good afternoon, sir. I am commenting on Bill No. 190106. Good afternoon, distinguished members of City Council. I am Dion Lerman, a Chestnut Hill resident. And for the last twelve years, a Philadelphia educator for the Philadelphia Integrated Pest Management Program. I am a licensed pesticide applicator and an associate certified entomologist. Most of my work involves bed bugs. I attend scientific and industry forms on bed bugs, and I use their research to conduct evidence-based training to residents, social services providers, property managers and facility staff and pest management Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 professionals. I would like to speak to the difficulty of identifying bed bug infestations. Dr. Chang Lu Wong of Rutgers University has conducted years of research in multifamily housing. He inspects all units in the building and consistently discovers about three times as many infestations as management knew about. About half the time, even the residents were unaware of the bed bugs. This is easy to understand. Bed bugs are very small from the size of a poppy seed to the size of an apple seed. Seventy percent of any infestation are juveniles. And that is tiny. Bed bug populations grow slowly with egg to adult taking 60 to 90 days. About 80 percent of the infestations identified by Dr. Wong's team contain less than 50 bed bugs. Less than 10 percent had more than 100 bugs. By the time most people realize they have bugs, they have probably had them three to six months. Property managers who rely on tenant reports will never get -- bring them under control. This is called chasing the bugs from apartment to apartment. And it is frustrating Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 and expensive. This is why the time window for tenants to report bed bugs in Section III of the bill have been extended. They were totally inadequate. Most tenants will not be aware of bed bug infestations until well over 90 days. Once bed bugs are established in the building, they will continue to disperse and spread. If the residents are penalized by the cost shifting of treatment from the property owners to the tenants, residents will avoid reporting infestation in bed bug problems will expand uncontrolled.
It's in everyone's interest to encourage resident reporting and for owners to accept their responsibility for pest control.
Joe Danihel, commenting on 190947, 190953, 190955, 190948, 190954 and 190956. (Approaches podium.)
This is an official decree Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 of the people in writ of mandamus quo warranto, as such, requires immediate action remedy. Every week Council, Mayor, Governor and others transfer private to government, probably unlawfully. Can no violating official sit at their family Thanksgiving table proud of their accomplishments. Can the unanimously voting official return to work, look me dead in the eye with a smirk and ask, how was your Thanksgiving? I was not raped by Sandusky, Dr. Nassar or my parish priest. But my repeated victimization is still the same. If officials -- families and friends knew what these officials did, would they be welcome at any Thanksgiving table? If officials lie to God while taking their oath, why is there no prosecution. Constitution require immediate remedy of breach of law, breach of close, breach of fiduciary duty. Your oath of office requires you to act or face prison. 42 USC 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987; 18 USC 241, 242, 2381, 2384; PA Constitution, Article I, Sections 1 through 28; 26 PA CSA 703, 705, 708, 709, 711, 712, 713, 716, 902 and other laws listed in SCOTUS, 15-8965, 14-1330, 14-4056 Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 appear violated. I call on 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 25 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. And until a constitutionally-compliant government is installed, public servants can not refuse their sworn duty to act anymore than a fireman can refuse to fight a fire. The sovereign people require oath, Constitution law be enforced. Jail is required for all who violate oath, Constitution or law. I remind Council, as I do every week for over five years, it takes a lot of cooperation to create and allow this monumental corruption.
Hulan Lo? Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 (Approaches podium.) Commenting on 190950.
My name is Hulan Lo. I write the wrong number. It should be 190638. And I'm the owner of -- I'm owner of property on 46th Street, right next to church. I'm strongly not a -- not like to see the multifamily building more anymore around my property because it cause a lot of parking and traffic issue. That's it.
Mary McGettican? (Approaches podium.) Commenting on 190638. MS. McGETTICAN: My name is Mary McGettican. I reside at 4533 Pine Street in the Garden Court area. I represent the RCO West Philadelphians for progressive planning and preservation. Now, we supported this bill in its previous version; but strongly oppose the request to single out the Good Shepherd Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 Community Church property for upzoning to RM-1 through an amendment to this legislation. Lacking a hardship condition or indeed any strong argument for their proposal to demolish part of the church and place a second building in the small front garden entrance, the developers chances of success at the ZBA were slim, so they engaged with us in discussions attempting to find a solution that would be acceptable to all parties. This involved numerous concessions from the neighbors, including the acceptance of apartments in a single-family district and a willingness to forego any parking spaces whatsoever. In a neighborhood that is now in undated with new construction that is multifamily buildings only, and where a shortage of parking is a growing problem. These were substantial concessions and evidence of good faith on our part. The negotiations ceased, however, and we learned that the developer decided to subvert the usual process of seeking variances from the ZBA by requesting that the Councilwoman upzone the property through legislative action. We Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 object strongly to this attempt by the developer to shut the community out of the process. The neighbors have a right to weigh in on any variances that owners might request. And this back-door maneuver is intended to deny them that right. Developers and owners should not be allowed to dictate what the zoning will be for their properties. To permit this is fundamentally unfair, undermines the accepted zoning relief process and encourages the belief that zoning decisions depend solely on access to money and the powerful. Councilwoman Blackwell, I'm not young anymore. Blackwell has been -- ever since I been a voter, Blackwell has been my District Councilperson. So, you have a long legacy, you and Lucien, of listening to the community. So, I'm asking you, please, don't betray that legacy at this point. Deny this amendment. Withdraw it and listen to the community, not to the profit-seeking developers. Thank you, Councilwoman. (Councilman Henon sitting in as Chair.)
Thank you. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 Mr. Decker, our next speaker, please.
Hi there. My name is Ross Hoffman. I live nearby the church building in Spruce Hill. And I just want to add my voice in opposition to this proposed amendment for the reasons that Mary and others have said. I just want to disagree with the characterization of this proposed upzoning as corrective. I think that the correct zoning really should probably be institutional. But I just want to say that the church building as is, is a great value to the community and the neighborhood. But there is a need for buildings like this not just for their historic value, but for their potential use as a community gathering spaces. And it would be, I think, a shame and a great loss to the neighborhood to see the building go. So, thank you.
Lewis Baum. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 (Approaches podium.) Commenting on 190638.
My name is Lewis Baum. I've been a homeowner in the Garden Court area for 39 years. I'm a member of the 46 board Democratic RCO and the past treasurer Cedar Park Neighbors. I come before you today in support of several down-zoning remapping bills. But in particular, the down-zoning portion of 190638 but against the upzoning portion therein. This fall, I gathered signatures in my neighborhood for a petition asking the downzoning of improperly zoned, single family residential areas asking to delete the upzoning of those property -- properties in the Spruce corridor. Most residents I visited were unaware of either issue, even those living in single family homes that are incorrectly zoned RM-1 multifamily and are at risk. When predominantly single family blocks are incorrectly zoned, it allows the possibility of maximum by-right construction that will increase density with all the intended risks. The requested downzoning simply aligns with the way neighborhood were built and how the Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 buildings are being used today. Many people I spoke with recognize the need for affordable housing. Proper zoning does not foreclose the repurposing of land and buildings, but it does provide an opportunity for timely and meaningful community input being the zoning residents -being the zoning variance process. Most people I spoke with also did not know about the proposed upzoning. Upzoning for development projects short circuits the variance process, the main vehicle by which residents can learn about and input to proposed projects on a somewhat level playing field. There are those who want to impose dreams of a grandish-ment and profit on our communities. Others want to impose utopian dreams of the correct urban life. There are probably dreams of a higher tax base. We will be working to raise awareness empowerment of the residents who have already invested in our neighborhoods, homeowners and renters alike who do not need or want the imposition of someone else's future. Thank you. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019
Destiny Jackson? (Approaches podium.) Commenting on 190804 and 180457.
Hello. My name is Destiny Jackson. I'm 16 years old. I'm from West Philadelphia and a student of Belmont Charter High School. I'm part of the Advocacy Institutes Real Talk Program. I would like to speak -- I would like to thank Council President Clarke and the City Council for allowing me to speak today. I would like to thank you, the City Council, for protecting the youth in Philadelphia from flavored E-cigarettes and cigars or what I call "wraps." The tobacco industry has been targeting communities, including youth and the Black community for decades, especially here in Philadelphia. For this reason, I thank you for including the menthol mint flavor in this bill so that my community does not continue to be targeted. Technology has improved and grown so big to the point where we have e-cigarettes and Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 vaping. It's even worse when you are on social median and you see another story of a teen's death from E-cigarettes. That could have been one of us. Have you noticed that E-cigarette companies claim that they exist to help adults stop smoking but have targeted youth like me? I see my friends smoking wraps such as Dutch, Black and Milds and BLK. These are flavored tobacco products like vanilla, chocolate and grape and have a sweet smell. It is sad when I'm with my friends and everyone is smoking and I try to tell them to stop, but they claim that they are trying. It's so bad it becomes an addiction. One Juule pot has the same amount of nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. These flavors are addicting my generation to nicotine. These flavors are distracting people from school, which they have trouble with focusing. Like many youth experience today, the bathrooms are closed in my school. This bill definitely make a change in Philadelphia. If youth cannot access flavor tobacco products and they cannot see it, then they will not be able to get it easily. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 If we pass this policy, we can help our future leaders before they are destroyed and save generations to come. Thank you. (Applause.)
If I can remind everybody to try to keep it within the two-minute mark for public comment. And if you do have written testimony, feel free to bring it up front to our Sergeant-of-Arms, and we will make sure it is reflected so in our record. State your name for the record and begin.
My name is Cleveland Best. I am here to speak about Bill No. 190638. I represent the Good Shepherd Community Church. My father started the church over 40 years ago. And when we first moved into the area, the community embraced us. And then over certain amount of time, the community changed. Different people moved in. And all of a sudden, Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 the whole community changed. And when we were trying to have service, they would call the place that the music was too loud or we would double park to let the senior citizens out. And they would call the police for us double parking in the street. And doing that, of course, our membership went down. And now, we are not able to really keep up the church like we need to. Now, I have heard a lot of people come up and say that they have had community meetings at the church and different things, but that's untrue. We haven't had any meetings at the church with any community other than talking about the specifics of the church, of us selling it. Now, we had different people that I seen come up that I never seen ever attend the church not one time. Now they don't want us in the community anymore. But as soon as we getting ready to sell the church, now they don't want us to leave. So, they are further just antagonizing us about the church. We been going through this for over a year's time now. And we have had different meetings with the community about the church. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 And the developer had made several changes and still certain people are not happy with that. But one thing we were glad about is that they are not going to tear down the church. They are going to leave the structure of the church up. And not only that, they are going to have affordable housing there with the addition that they are putting onto the church. So, that was very important to us that the church be in the same form that it has been. So, we just want to thank the people that came in and helping us with the church to keep to maintain it and the structure that it is now. And hope that this goes through so that we can move on to another location. Thank you very much for your time.
Logan Welde, Clean Air Council. I'm asking you to vote yes on the amendment to Bill No. 190610. But would strongly encourage that a fee component is Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 necessary for all bags. We are creating too much waste. An increasing amount of this waste is plastic and innervating all aspects of our lives. It's in our parks, streets, storm drains, in our food. Humans are now consuming a credit card amount of plastic every week. Ninety percent of our table salt has plastic. A hundred percent of our fecal matter contains plastic. We are poisoning ourselves in our environment with plastics. We used to not rely on plastic bags. People brought their own and it worked efficiently. Stores purchased bags for customers is convenient, but is tremendously inefficient and by no means are these bags free for consumers or taxpayers. Trucks pile into our City delivering the roughly one billion single-use bags every year. They contribute to our high asthma rates, create air pollution, snarl traffic, disrupt our daily commutes, decrease productivity and destroy our roads causing costly repairs. Retailers must pass these costs onto the consumer, just like all overhead costs. These Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 bags are included in the cost of goods sold. And it's the City's turn to pick up the cost for supposedly free bags. For example, one single plastic bag could set the Water Department back thousands of dollars if it gets caught in a storm drain. One billion single-use bags cost the City between 9 and 12 million dollars per year. And each consumer spends over $30 per year on these "free" bags as they are embedded in their everyday purchases. It's hugely misleading and factually inaccurate to claim these bags are free. The costs are on retailers, consumers, the City and on our environment. Most efficient way to deal with this is to put a fee on bags. Let the consumer make their market-driven and informed decision. Every study has shown that when a consumer makes the choice of -- to pay for a bag or not, they don't take a bag or they bring their own. Considering that 80 percent of our purchase are for three items or less, this seems like common sense. I know all of you worry about low income residents in the City as I do. We need to start Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 cleaning the City up and relieve the overwhelming burden on our low-income residents. Our neighborhoods are trashed. We are filthy City and we must confront this. We are spending millions of dollars a year on bags. A recent study showed that neighborhoods, when they are relieved of litter, they reduce crime rates by 10 percent and a 30 percent drop in gun violence. Neighborhoods also experience drastic decrease in report of depression and higher property values. Legislation that encourages customers to reduce their use saves businesses tens of millions of dollars. Ultimately, saves customers money. You will be cleaning up communities, lessening the air pollution, lessening the congestion on City streets and street repairs and saving the City millions of dollars. Thanks.
Joey Mondesire, 190598. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 Renaming the portion of the Germantown Avenue 6600 block on behalf of my dad Jerome Mondesire, for me that's not a question of why, it's more of a question of why not. Why not let the people of that neighbor be reminded daily of who invested in that block particular starting in the year 2000 and continuing to invest in that block to this day if he was still here? But his fiance at the time of his passing and myself, his son, continue that investment. Unfortunately, we are not occupying the building that my father originally acquired, but we are very short distance away. And that neighborhood means more than everything to us. I been raised there. I still have my family there to this day. And I'm going to continue to be invested in the neighborhood and that block in particular. So, I would greatly appreciate if this was passed. I thank you for even taking the time to consider this. And you all have continued to invest in my family as a City and as a Council. And I really thank you, I can't thank you all enough. And again, I hope this bill is passed.
Thank. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 Mr. Decker, our next speaker, please.
Yes. Catherine Hicks. Good afternoon, Council President, Councilmembers, staff and all who are here in attendance. It's an honor to be here today. And I want to thank Councilwoman Cindy Bass for introducing the Resolution 190598[sic] to rename the 6600 block of Germantown Avenue J Whyatt Mondesire Way. And I also thank Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown and all who cosign for this resolution. This will truly be a great honor for this City and the legacy of Jerry Mondesire who fought hard and tirelessly for social justice for all citizens, but especially for the minority community. Using his voice through his newspaper, the Philadelphia Sunday Sun which myself and his son Joseph now continue to run, through his weekly radio program and as a panelist on Channel 6 Inside Story, and through his leadership as President of the State and Local Chapter of the Philadelphia NAACP. I Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 would hope that this resolution receives a unanimous vote of yes in honor of Jerry's memory and all he did for the City. Thank you.
Thank you. (Applause.) Mr. Decker, our next speaker, please.
Good afternoon, Council. Speaking on 190958. This resolution in support of J Whyatt Mondesire -- for the record, Rochelle Bilal. And for the record, this will probably be my last time speaking on this side of the fence on anything. And I proudly stand here in speaking support of J Whyatt Mondesire. For this I am here today stating I support this resolution. And I urge everybody else to support this resolution. J. Whyatt Mondesire was not only just a owner of a business, but he was a renegade and he fought for people. Look at some of his accomplishments. He got fellas to be able to Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 vote in the State of Pennsylvania. He fought against gun violence. Then with Marcus Yates, starting the biggest march in this City against shootings in our neighborhood. He stood for a whole lot. You may not have liked him, you may not have loved him as much as most of us have, but I have worked with Jerry Mondesire as the secretary of the Philadelphia branch of the NAACP since 2004. And we all did not get along. But what we did was the work of the people. So, I am urging all City Council and everybody to join in, in supporting this resolution on a street named in his name so that everybody remembers the hard work and the sacrifices he has done in this City. Thank you, Council.
Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.) Mr. Decker, our next speaker, please.
Giuliano Pignataro. (Approaches podium.) Commenting on 190638.
Hello. My name is Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 Giuliano Pignataro. Thank you. I'm here, as he said, speaking on 190638. I am an owner and the manager of Garden Court Plaza Apartments at 4701 Pine Street. Generally speaking, I believe in the intent of this bill. I was not there, but my understanding is that members of the Garden Court Community Association along with City Planning took on exhaustive effort to correctly remap the entire neighborhood. This means surveying to figure out which blocks are actually single family but are zoned for multifamily or commercial uses, vice versa and various combinations thereof. This effort is to be applauded. Historic neighborhoods and parcels with historic buildings and historic uses are generally older than the code. They should be correctly zoned for their uses, sizes and shapes. On September 12, Councilmember Blackwell introduced this remapping bill as conceived by City Planning and supported by the Garden Court Association Zoning Committee. The bill that was first read on November 21 looks largely like what was introduced in September, a correctively Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 remapped almost the entire neighborhood with one exception, the block on which Garden Court Plaza Apartment sits. Our 90,000 square foot parcel, this building is home to around 140 families. It's 150 feet tall. It has eleven retail spaces and a 270 parking spot garage. Unlike all of its neighbors and the rest of the neighborhood, the block it sits on was amended since the bill's original introduction to be CMX-2. Effectively spot zoning this one City square, so it's use, size and shape is the only one left not in compliance with the underlying zoning. I, respectfully, request would welcome and support an amendment putting our square back to CMX-3 as originally proposed. Thank you for your time and attention.
My name is Catherine Blunt. Good afternoon, Council President Clarke and Members of City Council. As a community member, a member of the 46th Ward RCO and an Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 advocate for learning about zoning and its impact on the types of community development that can happen by right, I have come to two conclusions. Support correct zoning as it applies to save zoning are protecting homeowners and residents living in redesignated, residential multifamily districts. Originally, these were and still are single family homes within neighborhoods subjected to hideous and poorly constructed development granted to developers by right. I do not support upzoning for whatever reason that denies the communities participation as a matter of right, as it is provided for and by the zoning variance process. I applaud Garden Court Communities Association correct zoning of its single-family residential homes, which had been upzoned or designated multifamily properties perhaps in the City's 2012 rezoning. But I cannot support the upzoning or designation of Spruce Street from 46th to 48th or 46th Street between Spruce and Pine or Pine between 46th and 48th and along 49th Street between Spruce and Pine Street. This upzoning through a remapping Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 process circumvents community participation in the present while it provides by right forevermore advantages to developers in the present and throughout the future. So I say, let's save the good parts and amend the bad parts out. Additionally, I believe it would be better served for all upzoning to go to the zoning variance process. The same is true for the Good Shepherd Church. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you for your testimony. Mr. Decker, our next speaker, please.
Jacob Rosch? Jacob Rosch? (No response.) Rodney Muhammed? (Approaches podium.) Commenting on 190958.
Yes. Thank you, Council. Yes, commenting on 190958, renaming of 6600 Block of Germantown Avenue there, J Whyatt Mondesire Way. Just wanted to add in the great things Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 that have already been said. You know in 1995, after the unprecedented historic Million Man March, J. Whyatt Mondesire came to me and he was inspired to run for president of the Philadelphia NAACP. He is the only reason I became a member of the NAACP, proud to serve under him. One of the earliest battles I can remember we had was against Texaco, a very large corporation. He got the City Council at that time to divest $5.7 million from City pension that was invested in Texaco. Philadelphia Gas Works had 44 percent of their contracts with Texaco's 7,000 gas wells. He got PGW to begin to agree to discontinue that contract. And of course, Jerry then got a call from Texaco. Eventually, a deal was made. We went on when Fahim Thomas was killed. J. Whyatt Mondesire led us to have one of the largest demonstrations against gun violence that I have known this City to have. He defended Judge Messiah Jackson when then District Attorney Lynne Abraham and him were trying to derail her going to be a President Judge. He influenced so much. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 I just want to say that in addition to being our fearless president for 17 years, founder of the Philadelphia Sunday Sun, he was also for years chief of staff of one of the most consummate legislators and congressman this country has known, William Gray, III. And right now Bill Gray's name is on the 30th Street Station. I say the least we can do for J. Whyatt Mondesire is have a street named after him. And so, I urge City Council to unanimously vote to name that street J. Whyatt Mondesire Way. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Thank you for your testimony. Mr. Decker, the next speaker, please.
Yeah, hi. My name is Meenal Raval. I will keep it short. I am speaking on Bill No. 190610. We need to stop using single-use plastics. The first on our list should be the easiest, single-use shopping bags. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 After that, we have a long list, so let's get past the bags first because they are all made from fossil fuels. Something we must stop extracting, transporting, consuming and then throwing away to pollute our waterways. My morning feed today had two headlines on the subject. One, most Americans would pay more to avoid using plastics at a poll published oh PBS. Two, Aldi is set to replace single-use plastic bags with compostable bags. The world is ready to move away from single-use plastics. As a City, we need to begin our transition away from single-use plastics beginning with these bags. Let's do this with a ban and a fee as Logan said. I'd also like to speak on Bill No. 190944, the abatement of the tax abatement on new construction. I, personally, am with Ms. Gym on ending the tax abatement completely. I realize that you want to ease the burden on developers and new homeowners. And if we must give away money, if we must give away money, lets do so with the climate lens. Perhaps we only offer an abatement to developers that build to a net-zero energy standard. Meaning, that Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 the building has no emissions during its operations for heating, cooling and other power needs. This is just one example of how we incentivize energy efficiency. I, myself, live in a rehab row home that could be considered a net-zero energy building. Doing so would make the space more affordable since there would be no ongoing fuel costs. Doing so would also achieve other goals that we have committed to, such as our climate goals of transitioning to renewable energy. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. Mr. Decker, our next speaker, please.
My name is Christopher Smith. I'm a resident of the 4900 block of Pine and on the Executive Board of the Garden Court Community Association. So, we've been hearing the words Garden Court a lot today in this hearing. It's probably the most anybody in this room has ever Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 heard that neighborhood before. You would think we were Fishtown or something. The development boom hasn't hit our neighborhood, but it will. And the problem is when you have bad zoning, you get bad development. And so, that's what we are trying to do here. We are trying to set the rules of the road for future development. Garden Court built on the community outreach that City Planning did under the 2035 initiative, which earned them national awards for community outreach. We built on that effort and further reached out to our community to understand what are their values, and what do they want to see for their community. We are taking all of that feedback, and we are going to enshrine it in the law. There is more than one way for community voice to be manifested. It's not just simply in a reactive stance to when a project is proposed, and then we shave along the edges and try to make it a little more truly better. Instead, if we have the right zoning, if we said we want development here, we don't want it here. That puts us in a much stronger place and it allows our community to thrive. Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 Our community has said that they want vibrant commercial corridors that consider parking. They said they want our neighborhoods to be accessible to a broad range of social economic diversity. That is what will happen if we effectively, proactively update the zoning of Garden Court. That being said, there are two amendments that need to happen in order to achieve this vision. One, the 4700 block between Spruce and Pine needs to move back to the zoning category as originally submitted, CMX-3 as people have testified earlier. It would allow the facilitation of affordable housing, senior amenities and other good outcomes of investment. The current category would result in bad investment, in bad development. The second is the Good Shepherd Church. By correctively zoning it to RM-1, the church will be saved. It will not be demolished. The church will be saved and not demolished. The church will be saved and not demolished. If we get these two amendments, the bill should proceed. If these two amendments do not Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 happen, the bill should be removed. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.) Mr. Decker, our next speaker.
Good afternoon. I'm Natalie Howard, Director of Communications for the Mutter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. On behalf of my colleagues at the Mutter, I would like to thank Councilmember Taubenberger for introducing the resolution recognizing the Mutter Museum as ambitious exhibition detailing the size, scope and impact of Influenza Pandemic of 1918 in Philadelphia. And its historically significant research on this topic. This pandemic killed over 17 million Philadelphians and impacted many families in every corner of our City. Despite this, much of the tragic event has been left out of the history books. This resolution would honor the forgotten victims and help us to remember this Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 important health crisis in order to prevent future pandemics in our City. We encourage all Philadelphians to visit our exhibition to learn more about the history of our City and honor the victims of the 1918 Flu. Thank you, Councilman Taubenberger for your leadership on this topic, for recognizing the Mutter Museum's work and for introducing this resolution. Thank you.
Anna Kostich. AUDIENCE MEMBER: Anna Kostich has briefly stepped out to answer the call of nature. I think since she's been here since nine-thirty this morning, that perhaps you can show a little forbearance and wait for her to return. Thank you.
Good afternoon, Council Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 people. I thank you for allowing me to speak. If I can, if possible, can I chime in on the resolution for Jerome Mondesire? I met him. He interviewed me. Very nice guy. Had a personal relationship with him. I didn't know I was coming here to speak. But it's okay if I -- okay. Thank you. My name is Jerry Carr. And I'm here on behalf of my late wife. Great woman. We set out to do something on Market Street. It happened, and it's still happening. It's empty, but maybe having her name on a sign would shed some light. It will never shed the light that she left upon me. But if you would consider just renaming that part of Market Street for her, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Councilwoman Blackwell. I have had the pleasure to meet you. I had the pleasure to meet Councilman Jones. A lot of you guys I see from a distance. Some of them I see up close. I used to ride the elevator with Mark Squilla. I see Derek Green at the ward meetings. So, I been around. But I've never had the privilege to come down here and speak and really interact and see what Council is Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 about. I am glad I did. So, thank you. And please consider that small token for me. I will greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
My name is Larry Caputo. I live at 4533 Pine Street in West Philadelphia. At the start of this process to remap our neighborhood, Councilman/Councilwoman, you promised us you would listen to the community to do what the community asked. The community is overwhelmingly opposed to the amendment to upzone Good Shepherd Church overwhelmingly. Hundreds of signatures have been placed on petitions to not upzone to keep the church in place without drastically overdeveloping it. We have worked hard with the proposed new owners. We have proposed adaptive reuse apartments. We have even proposed an overbuild to add more space just to change the character of our neighborhood. That's all that we ask. The Garden Court Community Association Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 Board voted against this -- this change. The West Philadelphians Community Group has opposed it. Every single owner of the entire block where the property sits opposes it. And unlike some of the information that's been proposed here, the building will not be demolished. No one is for demolition of the church. And we just want to see the church persists even have the church assembly persist if they would like. So, that's our position. Just to keep development in check and allow the community to thrive. Thank you.
Thank you. Seems I missed it by a blink, but now I am again here. Thank you. My name is Gardina Anna Kostich. I am here about 190638. And the particular portion of that bill, don't -- do not oppose or Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 disagree. And on that I can talk only personally for the Garden Court highrise apartments proposal zoning. But Good Shepherd Church, of course, is something that we strongly oppose, all the neighbors. I live at 321 South 46th Street. That is exactly across from the church. Every single one of owner, except for one who is not opposed for the reason of avoiding aggravation is very strongly opposed for the reasons that -- most of the reasons you already heard. What is of particular interest for me is when we talk about correct zoning or, you know, having it up to date, then we do need to recognize that some of the buildings like, the religious buildings, like, other public buildings in the church also called into religious buildings, whatever the denomination, whether it's synagogue or temple, our libraries, our schools, our hospitals are public buildings. They usually singular. They unique. They cannot be just blanketed to whatever around it is. So, the church is definitely not to be Stated Meeting December 5, 2019 exchanged for multi-units. One of the reasons of the special buildings that we need -- I'm an architect by profession, an urban planner just to clarify. And I am beeping here. But the church has a special design that, yes, we can have many units, but we can have units in anything. What we can use with the building that is built to have a special acoustics and stuff like that is something else. It's public building and can be transferred into another public option if available. And it is available.
Thank you for your testimony. Mr. Decker, is there anyone else to provide public comment?