Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, March 17, 2016 10:40 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE L. BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN AL TAUBENBERGER MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016
We're going to get started now. If the guests and visitors will retire behind the rail as the members take their seats, we'll get started. To give our invocation this morning, we're going to have one of my favorite spiritual advisors, the good Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. Amen.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is an honor and a privilege.
I'd ask everyone to please stand. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, as this is a day we had never seen. We thank you for the privilege of public service. We realize as City Council Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 the Heavenly Father who has put us all together, we, many of whom, never knew one another, to serve people, our families, our communities, our neighborhood, and our city. We thank you for the privilege of all that it takes to improve the quality of life for all. We especially thank you today for the visitation of a humanitarian and health guru, Glenn Ellis, and Sarah Collins Rudolph, who is a survivor of the Birmingham bombing. We thank you, Lord, for all those things that we try to do in thy name. We ask, Lord, that you bless the homeless and the hungry. We ask that you bless those who are ill in hospitals and nursing homes. We ask that those who are lonely be comforted, that someone says a kind word or does a kind gesture that makes them know that they are cared about and that they are loved. And, Heavenly Father, we thank you for all those privileges that you Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 service. We hope that we might be examples to all who realize that we understand the importance of our focusing on what it takes to make a better city. We also want to say thank you for our wonderful President, our Mayor, and we ask, Heavenly Father, that you guide their feet that they may walk on the right path as they are trying to help all in our city. And now, Heavenly Father, we ask that you bless us all, keep us all. Let this day be a special one in the lives of all. And we thank you again for all that we do in thy name. Amen. (Amen.)
All right, Councilwoman. Thank you. We're going to keep moving, folks. Folks, we're going to keep moving. We have a long day. We have a number of presentations. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 10, 2016, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 10th, 2016 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 10th, 2016 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. Councilman Johnson, you want to be recognized?
Thank you, Council President. I would like to -- I have guests that are here with me today, students from the Montessori Charter School. Can I ask them to please stand. (Applause.)
They will Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 the finest bodies of government here, not only in the City of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania but also in these United States. I just want to offer them the opportunity to enjoy a very informative session. Thank you very much, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. I'd like to say in the free world, sir.
All right. At this time, I would like to take a moment out of our day and to welcome and thank everyone who has come down to witness their government in action. We understand that you have busy days, but it's really important for you to come down and watch democracy in action, and we really appreciate it. We hope that you enjoy yourself so much Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 back again. Again, thank you very much for attending today. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell, who will present a citation recognizing Sarah Collins. Would Sarah Collins and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilwoman Blackwell, we have Councilwoman Gym, Councilwoman Parker -pretty much everybody, huh? Councilman Domb -- you know what, we have everybody, Greenlee, Bass -- we have the entire Council.
As we said in our prayer this morning, we are so honored, and this is such a historic Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 We knew that everyone would want to be included, and we are grateful to be able to do so. City Council, City of Philadelphia citation welcoming, honoring, and recognizing Ms. Sarah Collins Rudolph. The Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to welcome, honor, and recognize Ms. Sarah Collins Rudolph, the lone basement survivor in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, which was part of a pivotal moment in American Civil Rights history.
Whereas, Sarah Collins Rudolph was born in Birmingham, Alabama, one of eight children, to Oscar and Alice Collins. She attended Brunetta C. Hill Elementary School where she was a student at the time of the bomb explosion which changed history and her life;
Whereas, at Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 10:22 a.m. on September 15th, 1963, an anonymous man phoned 16th Street Baptist Church. The call was answered by acting Sunday school secretary, 14-year-old Carolyn Maull. To Carolyn, the anonymous caller simply said "three minutes," before terminating the call. Less than one minute later, the bomb exploded as five children were present in preparation for a sermon entitled "A Love That Forgives"; and
Whereas, the explosion at the church killed four girls: 14-year-olds Addie Mae Collins, Sarah's sister, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley, and 11-year-old Denise McNair. Sarah, the lone survivor in the basement, was 12 years old at the time;
On that day, according to news reports, Sarah and two of her sisters, Janie and Addie Mae, walked to church. When the sisters arrived at 16th Street Baptist Church, Janie went up to her classroom and Addie Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 the basement to sit in the lounge and wait until Sunday school was over;
Sarah and Addie saw three of their friends, Cynthia, Denise, and Carole, enter the lounge, and they acknowledged them before retreating to the ladies room. Upon exiting the ladies room, Denise asked Addie to tie her sash and all of the sudden, "Boom." Sarah was suddenly blinded in both eyes. The last thing Sarah ever saw through her right eye...
The last thing Sarah ever saw through her right eye was her older sister crossing the end of Denise's purple sash between her hands while the girls talked and smiled;
The bomb blew a big crater through the building and Sarah was standing right in front of it. Disoriented and not knowing which way to go, someone came in, put Sarah in their arms and took her through the hole; Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016
That same afternoon in the hospital Sarah, who had 21 pieces of glass embedded in her face and blinded in one eye, received news of her sister Addie's death. She spent two and a half months in the hospital, including her 13th birthday; and
Whereas, the 16th Street Baptist Church was a large and prominent church located downtown just walks from Birmingham's commercial district and City Hall. Since its construction in 1911, the church had served as the centerpiece of the city's African American community, functioning as a meeting place, social center, and lecture hall;
Because of its size, location, and importance of the community, the church served as headquarters for Civil Rights mass meetings and rallies in the early 1960s. Birmingham was the most segregated city Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 States, and in April 1963, after an invitation by Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth to come help desegregate Birmingham, the city became the focus of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference;
The church became the departure point for many demonstrations that took place in the city. On May 2nd, 1963, students ranging from 8 to 18 gathered at the church to march downtown and talk to the new mayor about segregation;
After leaving the church, they were met by police, and many were jailed. By the time Children's Crusade and the ensuing demonstrations ended on May 10th, thousands of children and adults had been injured by firehoses and attack dogs and were incarcerated;
The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, as it has come to be called, occurred 18 days after Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 and was a turning point in the American Civil Rights Movement, as even hardened segregationists were appalled at the scale of violence directed at innocent people. In his eulogy for the victims of the bombing, Dr. King said, "These children, unoffending, innocent and beautiful, were the victims of one of the most vicious and tragic crimes ever perpetrated against humanity"; and
Whereas, on May 24th, 2013, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal to the four girls killed in the 1963 Birmingham church bombing. The medal was awarded through public signing law No. 113-11, a bill which awarded one Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of the fact that the girls' death served as the major catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement and invigorated momentum, ensuring the signing into passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 to the Birmingham Civil Institute; and
Whereas, despite losing her sister and also one of her eyes as a result of the blast, Ms. Collins Rudolph states that she no longer feels bitter about the incident. "Being bitter won't bring the girls or my sight back, so I have to forgive, because that is what God wants me to do." Ms. Collins Rudolph currently travels throughout the country sharing her story and teaching youth that even though -- even through tragedy there is hope.
Therefore, by virtue of this citation, the Council of the City of Philadelphia does hereby welcome, honor, and recognize Sarah Collins Rudolph, the lone basement survivor of the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, which was part of a pivotal moment in American Civil Rights history.
We Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 and also her husband, George C. Rudolph, and their friend, Mr. Anthony Richardson, to our city and commend her for many years of courage, tenacity, and perseverance, and extend to her the sincere respect and admiration of our legislative body. Thank you and congratulations. (Standing ovation.)
I would like to thank everyone that participated in this program, and I just feel so very honored. As I was going through the trauma for many years, you know, the bombing took my sister, Denise and Carole and Cynthia. It not only took their lives, but it took my life too. I was never the same. But just being here today, I just want to thank everyone that signed the resolution for me being here. Thank you so much, and I love you all and I love Philadelphia because -- Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 (Applause.)
And also my husband love Philadelphia. And I just want to thank Glenn Ellis for inviting me here. He was one of my schoolmates, my husband schoolmates too, because we was all raised in Birmingham and we knew him from Hill School and Parker High School. So he was the one responsible for me being here. Thank you, Ellis. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you, Jannie. I thank you all. Thank you all that made this day so special to us, and God bless you.
Thank you. We have a Liberty Bell as well. (Applause.)
Thank you very much. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker, who will present a resolution recognizing the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women on the 30th Anniversary of the Madam CJ Walker Luncheon. Would Robyn E. Younger and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining the Councilwoman, we also have Councilwoman Gym, Councilwoman Blackwell, and Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, it is extremely fitting that after honoring the courageous acts of Ms. Sarah Collins Rudolph and her ability to survive and simply make it, that today we pay honor and tribute to an organization whose progressive advocacy stands on the shoulders of those four little girls and Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 in the honoring of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women on the occasion of its 30th Anniversary of the Madam CJ Walker Awards Luncheon. I do need to state for the record that this organization has a very close history with the City of Philadelphia and Council in particular, as Councilwoman Cindy Bass for many years served as the Public Relations Coordinator; Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, a sponsor of several activities, a panelist; our very own Wilhelmina Moore, who was a longtime staffer here in the City Council of Philadelphia is everything National Coalition of 100 Black Women. I think she's done every job. And I've had the distinct honor of serving as the Ticket Chair for the Madam CJ Walker Awards Luncheon, and you all know that's an interesting job to have, for three years. And Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez and Councilwoman Gym who Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 supporters and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell who has been a supporter since the very beginning. So we first want to just thank all of the women of City Council for joining in this presentation. City Council of Philadelphia resolution congratulating and honoring the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women on the 30th Anniversary of the Madam CJ Walker Awards Luncheon. Recognizing and honoring the members of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women on the 30th Anniversary of the Madam CJ Walker Awards Luncheon and for the organization's commitment to the educational, political and economic empowerment of African American women throughout the City of Philadelphia. Whereas, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 in 1981 by Sylvia Webster, who was a past President and obviously Charter member, purposed to serve as a collective voice for progressive women of African descent committed to advocating for meaningful sociopolitical change; and
Whereas, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women in 1982 swore in forty-two trailblazing leaders, of varying professional affiliations, including the Honorable Marian B. Tasco, Charisse Lillie-McGill, Audrey R. Johnson-Thornton, the Honorable Augusta Clark, Joann Bell, Velma Goode, Leslie Kernodle and Dr. Marschal-Neil E. Young; and Whereas, the organization's leaders quickly sprung into action, implementing an aggressive campaign to address the educational, economic, political and physical needs of women throughout the Commonwealth of Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 Pennsylvania, with a keen focus on urban cities and an array of programmatic and legislative remedies; and
Whereas, the organization boasts several signature programs that exhibit an unwavering -that exhibit its unwavering mission, most notably the Educational Mentorship & Scholarship Awards Program, designed to support women and girls pursuing a post-secondary education, and the Madam CJ Walker Awards Luncheon; and Whereas, named in honor of the nation's first woman to become a self-made millionaire, the Madam CJ Walker Awards Luncheon celebrates local female entrepreneurs who successfully operate their own companies and demonstrate sound business practices; and
Whereas, the Awards Luncheon also provides the Coalition's leaders with the opportunity to publicly acknowledge girls and women deeply invested in their academic, social Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 recipients of its annual Scholarship contest. Parenthetically, I would add the luncheon is sold out with over 800 women coming together this coming Saturday. Whereas, the Madam CJ Walker Awards Luncheon, in its 30th year, is a Coalition staple which continues to be a shining example of the organization's commitment to female economic empowerment by generating over 700 attendees annually, providing a platform for networking and strengthening an unbreakable bond of female camaraderie; and
Whereas, in addition to commemorating this auspicious luncheon, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women revel in the several noteworthy accomplishments including receiving the Susan G. Komen "Women's Champion Award," the "Chapter of the Year Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 Award" from the National Coalition of Black Women, the rededication of the Iris V. Henderson Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital, in memoriam of a Coalition sister and the leveraging of local resources alongside National Leadership to successfully influence the confirmation of the first African American female U.S. Attorney General, Ms. Loretta Lynch; and Whereas, in honor of Women's History Month and in the closing of Black History Month, the women of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women continue to be lauded and deservedly so, as local leaders invested in the educational, economic and political advancement of our local communities; now, therefore
Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that it hereby honors and recognizes the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women on the 30th Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 CJ Walker Luncheon and for the organization's commitment to empowering African American women throughout the City of Philadelphia. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution will be presented to the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Pennsylvania Chapter as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. Thank you. (Applause.)
Recognizing City Council, it is a great honor to stand here as the President of the Pennsylvania Chapter. My name is Robyn Younger and I am joined with our founding President, Sylvia Webster, who but for her and those 42 trailblazing women that Jannie Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 a bit ago, we would not be here. Our theme this year for our 30th Annual Madam CJ Walker Awards Luncheon is so fitting today and at this time, Honoring Our Past and Investing in Our Future. I do believe that nothing happens by happenstance and that it is divine design that we are here receiving this resolution today and joining the young ambassadors from the school here, investing in our future as well as recognizing those who have come before us who have paved a way for us to do the work that we do. It is bittersweet in that 34 years later, our organization and the advocacy work that we do is still needed in this century, but the fact that it is and that there are women that are standing beside me, behind me, and who stood in front of me recognize that and are willing to do that work give me great honor to stand here today and accept this Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 do thank the Council again and also those of you who were not familiar with our organization prior to this moment, that you listened deeply and you provide some time for the words that were presented to you and embrace this organization, support this organization in the work that it does and invest in our future. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. For our last presentation, I'd like to call on Councilwoman Blackwell, who will present a resolution recognizing Father Thomas W.S. Logan and Mrs. Hermione Logan. Would Dr. Trotman and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman at the podium. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
We are grateful in this Council that we had the opportunity to honor Father Logan and his lovely wife while they were alive a few times. Resolution naming the unit block of 41st Street between Parish and Brown Streets to have, quote/unquote, "Logan Dignity Way," end of quote, added to the street signs in recognition of Father Thomas W.S. Logan -- now that we said it two ways -- and Mrs. Hermione Logan's servant-like leadership devoted to the Episcopal Church and our Philadelphia Community.
Whereas, the phenomenal historic contributions of service by Father and Mrs. Logan are well documented. In 1945, Father and Mrs. Logan helped merge Calvary Monumental Church with St. Michael's Church, creating one of Philadelphia's Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 congregations; and Whereas, they served as delegates to the Anglican conference in Cape Town, South Africa; and
Whereas, Father Logan was a member of the Restitution Commission, past president of the Homeless Fund, past president of the Tribune and Rafter's Charities, and one of the founders of the African American Museum, a lifetime member of the NAACP, and past Master of Worshipful Grandmaster of the Prince Hall Masons of Pennsylvania and the longest serving, oldest living member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; and
Councilman Goode's fraternity. Whereas, in the early 1960s, Father and Mrs. Logan collaborated with Dr. Martin Luther King in organizational and fundraising efforts right here in Philadelphia to support Civil Rights strategies; and Whereas, Father and Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 leadership to humanity, church, education and community should be commemorated and memorialized, because they served with conviction, valor, dignity, unwavering faith and unparalleled commitment; and
Whereas, the Logan's personified dignity as a way of being, conduct and expression. It is the hope that this street sign will serve as an eternal reminder that dignity is an aspiration of love that we can extend to each other in our community; and
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Philadelphia City Council, hereby name the unit block of 41st Street between Parish and Brown Streets to have "Logan Dignity Way" added to the street signs in recognition of Father Thomas W.S. Logan and Mrs. Hermione Logan's servant-like leadership devoted to the Episcopal Church and our Philadelphia Community.
Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Father W.S. Logan and Mrs. Hermione Logan as a sincere expression of the Philadelphia City Council's gratitude and recognition. And we note that this was signed by our President and all members of City Council. Thank you. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Dr. Trotman for remarks. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, Councilwoman Blackwell, and Councilmembers and fellow citizens, the Logan family -- this is father Logan's sister, Phyllis -- on behalf of our supply priests, the Reverend Father Harry White, the vestry, and members of Calvary-St. Augustine's Anglican Episcopal Church, a living monument to the first bishop of the United States of America, Bishop White, Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 the opportunity to serve the Belmont community at 41st and Parish with the memorial sign and symbol of decency and order as expressed in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 14, Verse 40 honoring the 44 years of servant leadership of the Reverend Father Thomas W.S. Logan and Mrs. Hermione Hill-Logan with "Logan Dignity Way." May the glory of God bless the City Council and the City of Philadelphia with peace profound. Thank you. (Applause.) UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Mr. Trotman -- Dr. Trotman. Oh, no. Go ahead, please.
I would just like to thank all of you for your support for my brother and sister-in-law for their legacy. Thanks also to my family and the church family for coming out today. Eternally thanks to God for this blessings and favor. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 (Applause.)
Good morning. I am Jim Trotman, Father Logan's nephew, and I am Professor Emeritus at West Chester University and the founding Director of the Frederick Douglass Institute. All of that is for the young people to the left. My thanks, of course, to Council and especially to Councilwoman Blackwell for her dedication and her love of the Logans. He spoke often of your relationship to him and of course to the Blackwell family. Just a couple of very brief comments. The first is that the dictionary has a lot of words for dignity: courage, strength, moral words having to do with character and so forth, but for Thomas Wilson Stearly Logan and Hermione Clark Hill-Logan, dignity is to be found in the word of God. They would ask you, among other places, to turn to Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 5 where the Sermon on the Mount speaks to all of the homeless in our time and in theirs about those who mourn, those who seek righteousness and who are thirsty for justice. So their definition of dignity is to be found in the word of God, but there is another aspect to all of this that we can all share in. Thomas and Hermione Logan were part of a long, distinguished Philadelphia clergy and partnership that goes back to Bishop Richard Allen and his wife Sarah, to the Reverend Absalom Jones and his wife Mary, to the very Reverend Father Paul Washington and his wife Christine, and then to the Reverend Leon Sullivan and his wife Grace. These were all pastors, partners, and public servants who worked their entire lives to make Philadelphia, our nation, our state, and our world a better place. They would all end by saying "the glory is to God." Thank you. (Applause.) Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016
Thank you. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you very much. Our next order of business is communications, and the Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution authorizing the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the West Fairhill/East Tioga/Hunting Park Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 3156 North Sixth Street; and A resolution approving the Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2208 East Norris Street; and A resolution approving the amended and assignment agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Franklin Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1001 through 5 Vine Street, 1007 through 11 Vine Street and 314 North Tenth Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Philadelphia Housing Authority to acquire by condemnation fee simple title to certain properties located in the vicinity of 19th Street to the east, 28th Street to the west, Cecil B. Moore Avenue to the north, and College Avenue to the south, all under certain terms and Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you very much. At this time, we will move to the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Good morning, Mr. President. Good morning. I offer one resolution this morning.
A privileged resolution honoring Philadelphia's Non-Profit Women Leaders in Recognition of Women's History Month.
That will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce one privileged and one non-privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution declaring the week of March 21st, 2016 to be Give Kids a Smile Week in Philadelphia and call to have children in need to get a dental exam as they take advantage of the services offered at Give Kids a Smile Day.
That will be on this week'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 Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Sixth and Twenty-Fourth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer two bills and three resolutions.
An ordinance authorizing the Philadelphia Housing Authority to acquire by condemnation fee simple title to certain properties located in the vicinity of 19th Street to the east, 28th Street to the west, Cecil B. Moore Avenue to the north, and College Avenue to the south.
Referred to committee. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016
And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Girard Avenue, 6th Street, Poplar Street, and 7th Street.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Thirty-Seventh Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the West Fairhill/East Tioga/Hunting Park Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 3156 North Sixth Street.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2208 East Norris Street.
Also next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Ford Road, Chamounix Drive, Belmont Avenue, and Monument Road.
And an ordinance authorizing the installation of all-way stop signs at the intersection of Boone Street and Dupont Street.
Referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
An ordinance amending Section 9-605 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Towing," by providing further requirements for towing companies regarding towing vehicles from private lots, private property and driveways.
And an ordinance amending Section 12-2405.1 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Removal of Vehicles Blocking Driveways," by authorizing the Department of Streets or Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 other departments designated by the Mayor to create and maintain an inventory and database of certain driveways and parking spaces and to publish such information on the City's official website.
Also referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Thank you, Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 Council President. Today I have one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilwoman Gym, Councilwoman Bass, Councilman Taubenberger, Councilwoman Parker, and Councilman Green, and I have one non-privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilmembers Parker, Taubenberger, and Bass, and I wish to be recognized after the title of the resolution that urges the General Assembly to consider enacting a state EITC is read for a motion on the resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Joint Committees on Children and Youth and Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless to hold hearings to discuss the issue of Youth Homelessness in Philadelphia in order to work towards a strategic plan to address this issue.
This Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution acknowledging and recognizing March 29, 2016 as the 41st anniversary of the enactment of the Earned Income Tax Credit and urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to join the 26 states plus the District of Columbia by enacting a state version of the Earned Income Tax Credit to help working families earning low wages meet basic needs.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of this resolution on today's Final Passage Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
A privileged resolution recognizing, honoring and celebrating Unite for HER for its invaluable contributions to building bridges between the medical and wellness communities by funding and delivering therapies that support the physical and emotional needs of those with breast cancer during treatment and beyond. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have two bills and two non-privileged resolutions.
Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 Thank you, Councilman.
An ordinance amending Section 14-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Use Regulations," by modifying the household living uses allowed in CMX-3 district and making related changes; and An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Green Street, Second Street, Spring Garden Street, and Third Street.
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, Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 situate in the Thirty-First Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the amendment and assignment agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Franklin Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1001 through 1005 Vine Street, 1007 through 1011 Vine Street and 314 North Tenth Street.
And that will also be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer no bills or resolutions this week.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I offer one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilman Mark Squilla and Councilwoman Cindy Bass.
A privileged resolution commemorating the inaugural Philly Loves Poetry Festival as a celebration of Philadelphia's vibrant poetry scene.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. Thank you.
The next order of business is reports from committees. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a report from the Committee on Labor and Civil Service.
Thank Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 you, Mr. President. The Committee on Labor and Civil Service reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Chief Clerk, would you please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Labor and Civil Service, to which was referred Bill No. 160074, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Public Employees Retirement Code,' by amending Section 22-301, entitled 'Service Retirement Benefits,' and Section 22-401, entitled 'Service-Connected Disability Retirement Benefits,' to add new subsections requiring a specified minimum monthly benefit amount for certain retired Police employee members, all under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016
Thank you. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 160074. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this day Bill No. 160074. All those in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and this bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones for a report from the Committee on Commerce and Economic Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Committee on Commerce and Economic Development reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Chief Clerk, would you please read the report.
The Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, to which was referred Bill No. 160003, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 17-107 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Contractors: Labor-Management Relationships,' by requiring the City's Labor Standards Unit to enforce the City's contract requirements for Workforce Diversity and by providing penalties for contractor failure to make good faith efforts to meet Workforce Diversity goals, all under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016
Mr. Chair, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 160003. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading of this day Bill No. 160003. All those in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. This will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business will Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 2ND READING be the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with a suspension of the rules have been deemed to have been read on today's first reading. These bills will be placed on the Second and Final Reading Passage Calendar at the next City Council session. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for the purpose of calling up all bills and resolutions for Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 160204, 160205, 160207, 160208, 160214, 160004, 160012, 160134, 160136, 160137, and 160150. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 Before we consider these resolutions and bills, we will now consider our public comment, and the public comment is as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage for today's calendars before possible action of this Council session. All speakers must sign in in order to testify and to have -- if you have not, please sign in over to my left, your right, by giving your name to the Sergeant-At-Arms at the table. You will be called in the order in which your name will appear on the sign-up sheet. You will have three minutes to speak. In order to be fair, all those who are wishing to speak -- and I intend to hold this faithfully -- there will be a minute limit. You will begin speaking if you see the green light. There will be 30 seconds remaining of your time and the light will turn yellow, which will remind you to conclude your Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 remarks. Once three minutes have passed, the light will turn red and the Sergeant-of-Arms will disconnect the microphone at the point at the podium if the speaker must not have already been done so concluding their testimony. I also reserve the right as pursuant to the rules of Council to limit the repetitiveness comments of the same matter. I would ask the Chief Clerk please read the name of the first speaker.
Jeffrey Braff, commenting on 160157. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Jeffrey Braff for the Center City Residents Association. We are a civic association of approximately 1,000 households. We cover the area between Broad Street and the Schuylkill River and between South and JFK. In a logical world, Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 Philadelphia would not need the approval of Harrisburg to utilize different real estate tax rates for commercial and residential properties. However, we live in a world where to implement such a differential, we need an amendment to the state Constitution, and such an amendment must pass two sessions of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and win the approval of the electorate in a general election. Press accounts suggest that a substantial majority in the Legislature have an anti-Philadelphia bias -- big surprise -- and are against raising taxes. Putting the two together; in other words, giving Philadelphia the right to raise taxes, is a toxic mixture, generally doomed to failure. Indeed, as recognized in the 5th and 6th "whereas" clauses of Resolution 160157, the General Assembly rejected such an effort in the fall of 2012, and Councilmember Parker has intimate familiarity with those Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 difficulties in connection with remediation efforts involving AVI. As a philosophical matter, CCRA does not disagree that it would be better, as the resolution states, to have a constitutional amendment that does not restrict the City's flexibility. However, as a matter of public policy, CCRA agrees with the constitutional amendment being advanced by the Jobs Growth Coalition. More specifically, CCRA believes that the implementation of such an amendment would stimulate City employment in a thoughtful way that would not reduce City tax revenues. Furthermore, given the political realities, CCRA believes that a constitutional amendment that simply gave the City the right to have a residential and commercial real estate tax differential, without requiring a commensurate decrease in wages and business taxes, would not get past even a Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 single session of the General Assembly. And just as importantly, passage of Resolution 160157 would be used as ammunition by anti-Philadelphia tax forces to thwart the proposed amendment. I urge you to reject the resolution. Thank you.
Walter Spencer, commenting on 160012. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Councilmembers. My name is Walter Spencer. I live in the Rittenhouse neighborhood. Although I am not a beneficiary of LOOP, I speak today in support of Bill 160012, as amended, which extends the time that current participants can remain in the program beyond its current end date of 2023. This bill has no fiscal impact Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 on the City budget until Fiscal Year 2024. At that time, I estimate the foregone revenue to be less than $10 million. People may ask, Why is it necessary to extend LOOP now? Why can't we wait until the program is closer to its end date? The answer is simple. Extension will now give peace of mind to current program beneficiaries. I've spoken with current program participants who have done the arithmetic and have already determined that they will not be able to remain in their homes unless the program is extended. Many of these people are currently retired or plan to retire by 2023, although they do not qualify for the Senior Citizen Tax Freeze. They are unable to absorb a tax increase of $3,000 or more, which many of them will experience without passage of the bill. While I support passage of this bill today, I want to speak briefly about Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 the income limit in the bill. The current income limit is $95,050 for a family of two. Under this bill, the income limit for Fiscal Year 2024 would drop to $64,000, even allowing for eight years of inflation. I personally believe that this limit is too low. If this limit is implemented, my analysis shows that over 2,000 property owners would pay more than 10 percent of their income in property taxes. I urge the Council to review this limit as more analysis becomes available, and I am able to assist in completing this analysis. Thank you.
The following individuals are also commenting on 160012, if you'll come to the podium, in this order: Kelvin Carrington, Jody Della Barba, Laverne Johnson, and Albert Hicks. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, members of Council, Council President, concerned citizens, taxpayers. My comment on this bill is that I appreciate the passage of this bill in its current form, but I also believe that more work needs to be done on it. And the problem I have with it is that when I read the bill and it gives me a number, then it says under the guidelines of CFR Subsection 5, or whatever it says, and I don't know where to go to find it, I'm like scared because it says low income. When I think of low income, I think of the poverty level. So I was really frightened that it had already excluded me. That's all. That's my comment for today. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Council President and distinguished Councilmembers. My name is Jody Della Barba. I'm the President of GEAR, a civic group in South Philadelphia, the Girard Estate Area. We're an RCO and have been a community group since 1982. It's an area with many seniors and longtime residents. We were killed by AVI and the ridiculous process of reassessing properties. There are properties assessed at 300,000 while the property next -- the exact property next door is assessed at 230,000, with more work done on it than the higher taxed one. Also being killed by the practice of L&I handing out licenses for unwanted businesses and other atrocities like they were free movies tickets. Our seniors and longtime residents deserve more than this. We try Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 to keep our community clean and safe. We try to maintain our homes and their value. However, the lure of the ten-year tax abatement to the south of our community has taken many of our residents instead of bringing in first-time homeowners and those moving back from outside the City. These loyal people and loyal homeowners in our area need something to make them feel that their loyalty to this city and the longevity they've been here meant something. They need to know that as unwanted businesses pop up and their property values plunge, they won't be hit with yet another tax increase while their income remains stagnant. I ask you to vote to not only keep the LOOP exemption, but make it permanent for those who qualify. I would even like to see the income level for LOOP be raised as prices for food, clothing and other necessities rise. Thank you so much, and I want Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 to thank Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and Mark Squilla for sponsoring the bill.
Pardon me. When I gave my testimony, it's going to come up with no name on it. My name is Kelvin Carrington. Thank you.
Okay. Thank you. The record shall reflect that. (Witness approached podium.)
Yes. Good morning. My name is Laverne Johnson and I'm here to represent the North of Washington Avenue --
My name is Laverne Johnson and I'm here on behalf of NOWAC, North of Washington Avenue Coalition in South Philadelphia area. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 We're north of Washington Avenue. To the members of Council, I am here to speak on behalf of North of Washington Avenue Coalition, NOWAC, in regards to Bill 160012, the extension of the LOOP. We urge you to pass this bill. Most of the people benefiting from this program are senior citizens. The extension of LOOP will enable us to remain in our homes beyond 2024. We are concerned about the income provision in the bill. However, we have been assured that it will be reviewed in the near future. We extend our warmest thanks and appreciation to the support of this bill. Councilperson Kenyatta Johnson and Mark Squilla as well as committee chair people -- Councilperson Jannie Blackwell, all of them have worked tirelessly to pass this bill. Again, we urge you to support the passage of the Bill 160012. Thank you so very much. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016
Thank you for your testimony. And Mr. Hicks. (Witness approached podium.)
To this distinguished chamber and to each honorable member of it, my name is Albert Hicks, Jr. I am here as a representative of the Hawthorne Empowerment Coalition, a neighborhood civic association established since 1999. Our borders are between the east of 4th Street to the west of South Street -- 11th Street and from north of Washington Avenue to the south of South Street. As of March 11th, we have added a new vice president, Mr. Haneef Nelson, here to my right, and a new vice president, Maria Curtis. Vivian Ng as corresponding secretary and Raed Nasser as treasurer, myself as recording secretary remain in our Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 previous positions. In our community of Hawthorne, we have many homeowners that are long-term generational families in the area. My family has five generations in Hawthorne. There are a large number of other families that can make the same claim, maybe longer, in our neighborhood. So ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of these families, we, the members of HEC, would like to say that the majority of the residents of Hawthorne are in favor of Bill No. 160012 for the purpose of extending the Longtime Owner-Occupied Program for residential properties. We would also like to extend other heartfelt thank you to the Honorable Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and Mark Squilla for introducing this bill, and thanks to all those that are distinguished members of this body for voting to do the right thing here today. Good day to you all. Thank you so much. Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016
James Abram, commenting on 160134. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is James Abram. I am the President and founder of a veterans group called Pointman Soldiers Heart Ministry. I'm a combat 100 percent disabled veteran of the Vietnam War. I see here Sister Sanchez introduced Bill 160134, an ordinance authorizing transfer in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2016 from the General Fund and then the names of all the departments, but I don't see appropriations for the veterans community. These are the men and women who serve this country proudly. And as you know, Councilman Clarke, we came to Stated Meeting Invocation March 17, 2016 your office and we told you that the City was not prepared for the influx of veterans -- or soldiers coming in from Iraq and Afghanistan, and we told you that the City need a director of veterans affairs, and you rebuked us. You said that the City do not need a director, because you hastily installed -
Sir, I'm going to let you speak, but are you referencing anything in this particular legislation?