Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, September 15, 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 September 15, 2016
Good morning. We're going to start now. If members will take their seat and all the guests and visitors retire behind the rail, we will get started. Thank you. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Pastor Christian Winters of Master Builders Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. I would ask all members and guests and visitors to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
Father, we thank you so much for this day, but we thank you for the brilliant minds that are in this room. And we pray today, God, you would give them innovation, you would give their minds great thought, God, that comes from behind this world. I pray that you would lift us all above the stress that comes with making decisions and cause us to make Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 peace, joy, and happiness. Then I pray ultimately, God, we would have the common thread of togetherness, unity. Lord, that all minds and all voices, all races would be represented, God, in these decisions. I thank you again for the minds that are in this room, and I pray, God, when we give those minds to you, let us think thoughts that are above our norm. Let us think thoughts that we didn't even know we had, that these brilliant minds can make changes in this city, that power is in their hands and peace is in their hearts. I thank you for this day for their great authority. I pray that we use it for your glory and for the power of the people. In Jesus' name, amen. (Amen.)
Thank you, Pastor, for those inspiring words. Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 8th, 2016, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 8th, 2016 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September, 8th, 2016 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests of 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. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to welcome and I really want to thank everyone who has taken time out of their busy day to come Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 government in action. I hope that your day here is a pleasurable one and a knowledgeable one, and I hope you enjoy it so much that you come back again. So, again, thank you so much for being here today. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, who will present a resolution recognizing Luis Figueroa. Would Mr. Figueroa and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, we have Councilman Johnson and Councilman Oh.
Good morning, colleagues. It is only fitting as President Obama does his annual recognition of the commencement of Hispanic Month, September 15th through October 16th, that we would be here, we Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 by recognizing an amazing individual who is doing amazing things, not just because he's a young Puerto Rican male, not just because he's very humble, not just because he grew up in the Hunting Park section that I also grew up with, not just because he's from Philadelphia, not just because he's blessed with a wonderful voice, but because he is an ambassador for the City of Philadelphia. And I'm very proud to introduce to some of you a young man that will continue to put Philadelphia on the map, because he's going to do fabulous things. For those of you who don't know him, he has been a singing sensation for many years, and he is a product of Philadelphia public schools and the GAMP program. So we are extremely, extremely proud to have Luisito Figueroa on an international stage, proud of his Philadelphia roots, proud of his Puerto Rican roots. And he is joined here by Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 mother, and when we finish the presentation, he can speak to how Philadelphia has shaped him and for us to recognize him today and thank him. For the ambassador role that he takes for Philadelphia for me is really an honor. I had an opportunity to catch up with him. I know him since he was very young. He is off in a couple of months to film the Latino version of Empire, another Philadelphia-based show. He is going to be filming in Mexico, and he has an incredible role to play in that series. And his mother is worried about him being in Mexico, and I'm saying, hey, he's on a national, international stage and we're very proud of him, and we look forward to the series coming out. It will be sponsored by Telemundo. So we know that it's going to take him to a total other level. So I'm very, very, very proud, because he is an amazing and humble young man. And I think at a time when our men Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 and people to look up to, this is one of those men. God-fearing, very good Puerto Rican values. So I'm very, very proud of him. So recognizing, congratulating, and honoring Luis Figueroa on being named the 2016 Premios Juventud Winner. Whereas, Luis Figueroa, born in Philadelphia to musically talented Puerto Rican parents, is a singer-songwriter, YouTube sensation with over 3.2 million views -- you can look him up -all-around entertainer; and Whereas, at age four, Luis began his artistic journey, performing in schools, churches, at various events around the country, capturing the attention of audiences and leaving them in awe after every performance. Always had an incredible stage presence.
Whereas, Luis' musical career first sprouted when he performed at the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in New York alongside Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 Johnny Albino, Joe Cuba, and Graciela. Luis was later selected to perform on the internationally recognized evening show "Sabado Gigante" hosted by Don Francisco; and Whereas, in 2003, Luis sang on the wildly-viewed television program "Star Search" alongside contestant David Archuleta and made it to the finals. In July 2005, he held the title Teen Idol in Philadelphia Lights of Liberty Show; and Whereas, after performing with salsa pioneer Johnny Rivera, an opportunity arose for Luis to sing on a salsa album titled "Transito", produced by Marc Anthony and Angel Fernandez, with famous salsa artists including Rey Sepulveda, Tito Allen, and Johnny Rivera. Figueroa performed "Esta Cobardia" on the album; and
Whereas, in 2007, Luis was a Top 40 finalist on American Idol. Luis graduated from the Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 and went on to further his musical career at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he was selected each year out of hundreds of students to perform in Berklee's Singers Showcase, the biggest vocal show at the college; and Whereas, this year Figueroa received a Premios Juventud award for his cover of "Flor Palida", which he later performed at the award show alongside Marc Anthony; and Whereas, Luis Figueroa has recently been signed with Marc Anthony's entertainment company, Magnus Media, for an exclusive production deal. Luis has been a role model and an inspiration for the Latino community throughout the City of Philadelphia and nationwide due to his tremendous accomplishments; therefore, be it
Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, we herby recognize, Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 congratulate, honor, and thank Luis on being named the 2016 Premios Juventud Winner. And we further resolve that a copy of this resolution is presented to him as sincere evidence of our respect and admiration of this legislative body. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hello. Good morning, and thank you. I'm speechless to be back in Philadelphia after so many years of living in Los Angeles and traveling the world. It's been a whirlwind of a year for me, and to be recognized by my city is one of the things that I never really imagined. So thank you guys for being here this morning. Thank you for sharing this award with me, this resolution. And this one is for the City. Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 (Applause.)
Thank you very much. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Domb, who will present a resolution honoring Lolly Galvin. Would Ms. Galvin and those accompanying her please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman Domb, we have Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilwoman Gym, and Councilman Henon.
Today we are honoring and recognizing Lolly Galvin and the "Philly Street Cuts" project, which offers free haircuts to people experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia. Stated Meeting September 15, 2016
Whereas, Lolly Galvin is the founder of the Dignity Project, through which she raised $14,000 to travel to fourteen U.S. cities with friend Nicole LePera, to deliver "dignity bags" filled with toiletries and necessities for the homeless; and Whereas, now, back in Philadelphia, Ms. Galvin wanted to help people on her own streets and has teamed up with local hairstylists Em Breslin, Alicia Loughery, Dana DiGuiseppe and Jennifer Louise to offer free haircuts to people experiencing homelessness and to help them transform these individuals right where they are located; and
Whereas, the idea for Philly Street Cuts resulted from the discovery of Mark Bustos, a hairstylist who provided haircuts in New York to New York's homeless population; and Whereas, the Philly Street Cuts Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 a positive buzz around the City that Ms. Galvin has been contacted by enough stylists offering their services, that haircuts could be given 24 hours a day; and Whereas, Ms. Galvin uses the hashtag "PhillyStreetCuts" to help spread the word of the project and uses before and after photos to show the positive impact that the haircuts are making for each individual; and
Whereas, "The whole thing is simple, but that's what people overlook," Ms. Galvin said. "It's a silent statement of what you can do for a stranger. I want people to see a demonstration of humanity"; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby honors and recognizes Lolly Galvin and the "Philadelphia Street Cuts" project, which offers free haircuts to people experiencing homelessness in Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 (Applause.)
I just want to say, though, for the record, for myself when I get a haircut, it's like one-third of the normal price because I don't have that much hair. (Laughter.)
Well, thank you, everyone. I really appreciate it, and I want to thank the people on stage with me who are very selfless and go out with me and do this and are dedicated, and we're staying in Philadelphia to give. So thank all of you. (Applause.)
Thank you. The next order of business, the Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Thank you. Mr. Decker, would you please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on September 9, 2016, I signed the following bill which was passed by Council at its session on September 8, 2016: Bill No. 160610. And I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 246 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portion of Saybrook Street from 45th Street to Melville Street and striking from the City Plan 45th Street from Woodland Avenue to Linmore Street; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 327 by striking from the City Plan Herschel Road from Peyton Street to Priestly Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire fee simple title or a lesser interest such as an easement, by purchase, condemnation or otherwise, in parcels of land along the Delaware River and the Delaware River Trail connecting to Penn Treaty Park; and An ordinance authorizing the Bond Committee to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale, to provide funds toward various capital municipal purposes; providing for appropriations to the Sinking Fund Commission for the payment of such bonds; authorizing agreements to provide credit or payment or liquidity sources for the bonds in connection with issuance of the bonds, and certain other actions; and An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1400 of The Philadelphia Code, Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 "Realty Transfer Tax," by closing certain loopholes, including by amending the definition of "value" as it relates to acquired real estate companies, the definitions of "real estate company" and "acquired real estate company"; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to accept an assignment of an easement agreement pertaining to property along the Delaware River bounded by North Delaware Avenue, Penn Treaty Park, the Delaware River and Shackamaxon Street (extended to the Delaware River), commonly known as 1143 through 51 Delaware Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Those messages will be printed in today's Journal. Do you have any additional communications?
I have none, Mr. President. Stated Meeting September 15, 2016
Thank you very much. And the next order of business is introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Good morning. Good morning, Mr. President. I offer one resolution this morning. Thank you.
A privileged resolution recognizing National Drive Electric Week 2016 in the City of Philadelphia.
And that resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one bill today. Stated Meeting September 15, 2016
An ordinance authorizing the Bond Committee to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale, to provide funds toward various capital municipal purposes; providing for appropriations to the Sinking Fund Commission for the payment of such bonds; authorizing agreements to provide credit or payment or liquidity sources for the bonds in connection with issuance of the bonds, and certain other actions.
That bill will be referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. I have two bills, one on your behalf, a non-privileged resolution co-introduced by Councilman Domb and Councilman Taubenberger, and I would ask that the rules be suspended as to be permitted to vote on that on today's Council session.
An ordinance amending Subcode "A" of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Administrative Code," by amending Chapter 3 entitled "Permits" by requiring a waste collection plan for construction, demolition, or alternations.
Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 Referred to committee.
And an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion on City Plan No. 197 by striking from the City Plan Balfour Street from Ontario Street to Russell Street.
And a non-privileged resolution calling on the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to amend the Act of November 10, 1999, known as the "Pennsylvania Construction Code Act" to exempt Cities of the First Class and further allow for Cities of the First Class to adopt their own Construction Codes.
The Chair now recognizes Councilman Henon for a motion.
Thank you, Council President. I ask that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 voting on the non-privileged resolution on today's Council session. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones.
Good morning, Mr. President. I have four resolutions, one I'd like to speak about, co-introduced by Green, Gym, and Greenlee.
Thank you, Councilman. Councilman, would you like to Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 speak on that at the time of the vote? Do you want to do at the time we call it up for a vote?
A privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings examining the life-threatening dangers of synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic opioids and other designer drugs.
And that resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution proclaiming and designating the day of October 5, 2016 as "MEN CAN Prevent Domestic Violence Day."
That will also be on today's Final Passage Calendar. Stated Meeting September 15, 2016
And a privileged resolution hereby declaring the week of September 25th through October 1st "Philadelphia Legacy Week."
And that will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution declaring the City of Philadelphia to be a "Bee Friendly City" that supports all of our numerous bee species.
And that resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair now recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Council President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez. Stated Meeting September 15, 2016
Thank you, Council President. I have three privileged resolutions and one non-privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution Recognizing, Congratulating, and Honoring the outstanding career of Eddie "The Underground King" Alvarez on being named the new UFC Lightweight Champion.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution Recognizing and Honoring the 206th Anniversary of Mexico's Independence Day.
And a privileged resolution declaring September 15, 2016 through October 15, 2016 as Hispanic Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 Heritage Month to honor the role that Hispanics have played and continue to play in the economic, cultural and social development of our nation.
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 Nineteenth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I have one privileged Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 resolution. However, at this time I would like to also take the opportunity to recognize students from Professor Nancy Knauer's spring seminar on law and public policy from the outstanding, phenomenal university on Broad Street, Temple Law School, which I'm also an alumnus, so that they could be acknowledged and recognized.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Law & Government to hold hearings regarding the Philadelphia2035 Comprehensive Plan.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 you, Mr. President. I have three bills.
An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Medary Avenue between North 6th Street and North 8th Street; and An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Pickering Avenue, from East Mount Pleasant Avenue to East Phil Ellena Street; and An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of East Vernon Road, from Michener Avenue to West Cheltenham Avenue.
Those three bills just read by the Chief Clerk will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Good morning. Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Good morning, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Good morning, Mr. President and colleagues. I have no bills nor resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Councilman. Stated Meeting September 15, 2016
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 327 by striking from the City Plan Herschel Road from Peyton Street to Priestly Street.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer 12 bills and one non-privileged resolution.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to accept an assignment of an easement agreement pertaining to property along the Delaware River bounded by North Delaware Avenue, Penn Treaty Park, the Delaware River and Shackamaxon Street (extended to the Delaware River), Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 commonly known as 1143 through 51 Delaware Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to acquire fee simple title or a lesser interest such as an easement, by purchase, condemnation or otherwise, in parcels of land along the Delaware River and the Delaware River Trail connecting to Penn Treaty Park; 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 Front Street, Oregon Avenue, 10th Street, and the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76); and An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Cambria Street, from Cedar Street to Aramingo Avenue; and An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Cambria Street, from Aramingo Avenue to Memphis Street; and Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Ann Street, from Aramingo Avenue to Memphis Street; and An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Ann Street, from Gaul Street to Cedar Street; and An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Ann Street, from Cedar Street to Aramingo Avenue; and An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Cedar Street, from Ann Street to Clearfield Street; and An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Cedar Street, from Cambria Street to Ann Street; and An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Aramingo Avenue, from Cambria Street to Ann Street; and Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Aramingo Avenue, from Cambria Street to Ann Street; and An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Aramingo Avenue, from Ann Street to Clearfield Street.
Those 12 bills just read by the Chief Clerk will be referred to the appropriate committee.
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-Ninth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 that resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two resolutions, one co-sponsored by Councilman Green and the other co-sponsored by Councilman Domb.
A privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold hearings concerning the adequacy, safety and consistency of SEPTA's CCT system which provides paratransit services to individuals with disabilities and senior citizens.
And a non-privileged resolution acknowledging the efforts of the Philadelphia Health Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 Health to reduce the high rate of smoking in low-income neighborhoods.
And that will be on next's week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I offer no bills or resolutions. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions. Our next order of business will be reports from committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a report from the Committee on Finance.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Finance reports out one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 Decker, please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 160708, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-3200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Keystone Opportunity Zone, Economic Development District, and Strategic Development Area,' by providing for additional Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zones," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 1ST READING permit first reading this day of Bill No. 160708. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 160708. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. This bill will be on our First Reading Calendar today. That concludes the reports from committee, and the 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. This bill will be placed on our Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 1ST READING Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at the next session of Council. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell at this time for a motion regarding Bill No. 160708.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit an amendment to be offered regarding Bill No. 160708 at this time. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And, again, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 1ST READING offer an amendment to Bill No. 160708, which has already been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment and ask to be recognized on it. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. All those in favor of -Councilwoman, you want to -
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. This is KOZ zone, a very, very difficult matter this morning. All of us -- I don't know anybody who doesn't want development in their district or in their city. I don't know anyone who doesn't want a KOZ, Keystone Opportunity Zone, consideration for all that it implies, city and state, in our district. However, I'm asking to amend this for certain bills today so that we don't hold up all the legislation next week because of the fact -- I'm grateful to represent, Mr. President, my district. Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 1ST READING We have a lot of development going on, but experience is the best teacher. We're told -- we haven't seen it, but we're told all of the sudden today, because I've been working on this all morning, calling around on it, that there is inclusion in numbers with regard to Wexford and certainly Drexel University. We have found, however, many of you were here two years ago when we did University City High School and we tore it down and at the same time we did a hotel at 33rd and Chestnut. Well, the record shows two years later that they didn't do inclusion on 33rd and Chestnut, and I am afraid to take the chance to not have inclusion on these major projects. And I also want all my institutions to know, no matter how much I love them, we have to make sure that people in our area are not gentrified and that they feel they have a chance for jobs on all of these major projects that exist. And so, therefore, we want to Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 1ST READING amend this. I understand that this may be held up, and I understand that next spring they'd get another chance, so hopefully we won't hurt them, but I want all my institutions to know we're serious about inclusion. We are serious about people in our area working on these jobs, and we want to send that message that this is the day, this is the time and we're there. So I move for its adoption. (Applause.) (Duly seconded.)
With capital letters, underscored, with exclamation points all that Councilwoman Blackwell has said.
Thank you, Councilwoman. There has been a motion and a second on said amendment. All those in Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 1ST READING favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 160708 has been amended. Bill No. 160708, as amended, will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar at the next session of Council. Mr. Decker -
You're welcome. Mr. Decker, please read any other bills on the First Reading Calendar today.
Bill No. 160612, entitled "An ordinance establishing a neighborhood improvement district consisting of a parcel located on the Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 1ST READING northeast corner of 15th and Chestnut Street, commonly known as 1441 Chestnut Street, to be known as the Headquarter Hotel Neighborhood Improvement District; designating Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to serve as the Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association for the District; approving a plan for the District, including a list of proposed improvements and their estimated cost, and providing for special financing assessments to be levied on property owners within the District"; and Bill No. 160686, entitled "An ordinance establishing a neighborhood improvement district, to be known as the South 9th Street Area Business District, in an area that generally includes properties located on portions of South 8th Street, South 9th Street, South 10th Street, Christian Street, Montrose Street, Carpenter Street, Washington Avenue, Ellsworth Street, East Passyunk Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 1ST READING Avenue, and certain other streets within the area depicted on the preliminary plan, and including curb market stands located along certain of those streets; designating South 9th Street Area Business District, a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, as the Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association for the District; approving a plan for the District, including a list of proposed improvements and their estimated cost, and providing for assessment fees to be levied on property owners within the District."
The Chair agrees. These bills will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Henon for the purpose of calling up resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 2ND READING Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up for the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Bill Nos. 160417, 160623, 160728, 160729, 160731, 160743, 160744, 160747, 160748, 160525-A, 160015-A, 160277, 160465, 160466, and 160681. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Mr. President, I'd like to make a correction on the record. 160330 is not being called up. It is being amended by the sponsor of the bill today.
Thank you, Councilman. Before considering these resolutions and bills on the Final Passage Calendar today, we will have our public comment session. It will go as follows: If you are interested in Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 testifying on a bill or resolution on the Final Passage Calendar today, if you have not already done so, I'd ask that you please sign up at the table to my left. When your name is called, you will go to the podium in the middle of the Council Chambers. There's a device on that table. When the light turns green, it will be your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks, and when the light turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to the guidelines and conclude your remarks. You will be given three minutes to testify. Mr. Decker, please call the first name on the witness list.
Reverend Walter Barnes, commenting on 160747. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Mr. President and to all the members of Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 City Council. As stated, my name is Reverend Walter Barnes, an Associate Minister at the Triumph Baptist Church. And let me pause for a second to extend greeting to all of you the way and the manner that we do at the Triumph Baptist Church, and we do it by saying "victory." I am here today to speak on behalf of our congregation. This year marks a milestone for our path to Pastor James S. Hall, Jr., and we are celebrating him for having preached for 65 years, having been pastoring for 64 years and pastoring the Triumph Baptist Church for 47 years. Many of you know that Reverend Dr. James S. Hall, Jr. is a Senior Pastor in this city. He's also regarded as an elder statesman throughout our nation, and in his own right, he is a legend. And so we, the members of the Triumph Baptist Church, we feel that he deserves recognition in a visible highly and memorable way that acknowledges and Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 rewards him for his services across the years that he has rendered in the Nicetown-Tioga community and the City of Philadelphia at large. And for those reasons, we ask all of you for your unanimous support on this resolution. I'd also like to thank Councilwoman Cindy Bass for having introduced this resolution. Thank you very much for this time, and God bless you.
Bob Bundgo, commenting on 160659 and 160365. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Bob Burge. I support Mr. Oh and Mrs. Gym's audit. We need to audit all our departments, and it's a good start with Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 starting with the parking, but we need to do that to all our departments, and I commend the Councilman for doing that. The other bill that I'm going to talk about is the one that we need to really address, because our neighborhoods are getting trashed. We need to put some new laws into effect about getting this garbage and these abandoned houses taken care of. Our neighborhoods deserve more things. We need to get these property owners to take care of their properties, and the City Council has to start there, to get these out-of-state people that own these properties -- there's a lot of out-of-state people own these properties and they just don't care about them, and I'd like the commercial about stop trashing Philadelphia. And that's not just the property owners; that's the people on the streets. There's a lot of streets in the City of Philadelphia, a lot -- and you wouldn't believe up in Northeast where Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 I'm residing right now, there's a lot of trash on those streets. People don't care. We need to start caring about our neighborhoods and our streets and start making the City a part of caring about our city and how we affect -- be part of the solution, not the problem, and stop trashing Philadelphia.
Bob Previdi, commenting on 160744. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Council President. My name is Bob Previdi. I'm with the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. For the last year and a half, I've been working with the Bicycle Coalition on Vision Zero, a concept to try to reduce the number of crashes in the City. We've been working closely with the Administration, and Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 towards that effort, we have been lobbying in Harrisburg with Channabel Latham-Morris. Her son tragically died this past April in a crash on Market Street. She wanted to lobby for some legislative change. We did that. We lobbied for the red light extension for the cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard, but Roosevelt Boulevard needs a little bit more. We've been working with AAA and we've held a forum with the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. Roosevelt Boulevard the last five years, according to PennDOT, has 3,000 crashes, nearly 3,800 people injured, and 51 fatalities. It's a roadway that needs more help, and there is technology out there to help it. We've been working very closely and I thank Councilman Al Taubenberger and Representative John Taylor, who is having a hearing here in this room tomorrow at 10 o'clock. You're all invited. We're going to try to get speed cameras for the Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 Roosevelt Boulevard and finally try to set a new tone for that roadway. And I thank you for your time.
Joe Danihel, commenting on 160623 and 160731. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Here again. Ignorance is not bliss. Deplorable is how the people, your boss, are being treated by their employees, which are you. As people chauffeur, you did not nor will you ever own the people's car. In this representative form of government, you in Council must vote the people's will and, if they ask, must produce evidence to back up the way you vote. Accountability and transparency are paramount. Deplorable is the attitude that Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 the government agents and agencies know better and fail to listen to the sovereign people. Possibly criminal is your inaction after being duly informed multitudes of times of possible violations of 42 USC 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, Fourth and Fifth Amendments of the Constitution and others unnamed. Your stone-cold silence makes one want to provide hearing aids so that you can hear the people's cries. After 1038 West Wyoming was taken without compensation, possibly stolen, then no trial was allowed, lack of due process, transferred by the Sheriff at the request of the Redevelopment Authority of Philadelphia, all without proper notice served. Your response should be to audit, stop doing business with any and all agencies until such time as they can demonstrate that no laws were violated. No home, no payment, no jury trial is egregious. Your continued Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 2ND READING behavior of avoidance is very egregious. Shut the RDA, the Sheriff, and the Law Department down until a proper investigation has been commenced.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. That concludes our public comment session. We will now move forward with our Calendar. And, Mr. Decker, I'd ask that you please read the title of 160417.
A resolution approving the appointment of Fran McLaughlin as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
Thank you, Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. President. On your behalf, I move that this Resolution No. 160417 be withdrawn. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 160417 is withdrawn. Mr. Decker, 160623.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the American Street Industrial Corridor Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1361 Germantown Avenue and Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 2ND READING 1363 through 65 Germantown Avenue.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that Resolution 160623 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160728.
A resolution adding Mary L. Oglesby to the street sign on the block intersection of 50th Street and Arch Street in recognition of Ms. Mary L. Oglesby's tremendous service and contributions to West Philadelphia Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 2ND READING community.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 160728 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160729.
A resolution commending Mayor Kenney's support and affirmation of Philadelphia's status as a sanctuary city for immigrants and our City's continued support for our immigrant population whom we are privileged to have as part of our Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 2ND READING community.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. And I thank my colleagues, especially Gym and Sanchez, who co-sponsored it, and move for this resolution's adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
Just briefly, I'm going to be voting no on it. And I would have voted yes if this were for a hearing to have people come in and clarify a lot of this whole issue that there's a lot of -- even if you do any research on it, you talk to people, everybody has got a different opinion. Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 2ND READING And I'll be voting no on it, but I want -- there are some parts of it I agree with and I would be glad to support hearings on it. Thank you.
Okay. Thank you, Councilman. We had a motion and second. All those in favor? (Aye.)
Let the record reflect that Councilman O'Neill is voting no on Resolution 160729. Thank you.
Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 2ND READING And -
Okay. Let the record reflect that Councilman Oh will also be voting no on 160729. Thank you. Mr. Decker, 160731.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Thirty-Seventh Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you. Stated Meeting September 15, 2016 9/15/16 - STATED - 2ND READING The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.