COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, June 20, 2013 10:40 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY COUNCILMAN DENNIS O'BRIEN COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA MICHAEL A. DECKER,
Good morning, everyone. (Good morning.)
We're going to start now. I'd ask all guests and visitors to please retire behind the rail and all the members to please take their seats. Thank you. I would like to also say for our guests and visitors if you have a device, be it a phone or any other electronic device that makes any noise, will you please turn it off or turn it on silent. Thank you. Thank you for your cooperation. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes the Reverend Carmen Marshall, Chief of Staff and Minister to Adults of Bright Hope Baptist Church. She is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Tasco. I would ask guests and visitors and members to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
Before we pray, I'd like to just take a second to thank Council President Darrell Clarke for the privilege and Councilwoman Marian Tasco for the invitation. I appreciate the opportunity. Let us pray. If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, seek my face, turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and heal their land. Our Father and our God, we thank you this morning for your goodness and your mercy by allowing us to be here. We lift up this Council to you and we ask you, Lord God, for your wisdom as they conduct the business of this Council and its citizens, Lord God, the City of Philadelphia. pray, Father God, that you will have your way here, Lord God. We pray, Father God, for the City of Philadelphia that we love, for its citizens and everything that concerns it. We pray, Father God, for your will to be done. We pray, Father God, that you will bless each person present, both individually and collectively. And in the name of Jesus, we thank you, Lord God, just for the opportunity to serve. Bless these, your people, Lord God, and all that will concern the City of Philadelphia and this Council. And, Father God, we will be careful to give you all the honor, all the glory, and all the praise. In Jesus' name. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you. Thank you for those inspiring words. Council shall be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you so much. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 13th, 2013. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 13th, 2013 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, June 13th, 2013 stand approved. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The Journal is approved. business is requests for leaves of absence. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there is one request for leave of absence, Councilwoman Marian Tasco.
Thank you. Leave shall be granted. The Chair 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 to welcome all our guests and visitors here today. We hope that your stay here is a pleasurable one, so much so that you please come back again. So, again, thank you. We feel honored that you've taken time out of your day to come down to see your government in action. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown, who will present a resolution recognizing the 2013 Next Generation of Leaders: Rising Stars. Would Stephanie Kosta, Esquire, and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. And joining Councilwoman Brown we have Councilwoman Bass and Councilman Jones and Councilwoman Sanchez also and Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you very much. In our continuing mission to create what I call a bench, next generation of women leaders, I'm thrilled this morning to present a group of women whom I believe will be ultimately sitting where we are running governments, running corporations across this town. I need to ask those ladies to young women that have been identified by my office whom we believe are going to be tomorrow's leaders. And building a bench doesn't start the day before, but years in advance so that we can groom them to indeed accept the baton for leadership. Additionally, A Few Good Men is a 1992 American drama film which was directed by Rob Reiner, starring Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, and Demi Moore. It was adapted for the screen by Aaron Sorkin for his play of the same name. Many of you may remember it was a courtroom drama revolving around the court martial of two U.S. Marines charged with the murder of a fellow Marine and the trials that came after that case. Councilman Jones is here representing all of the men in City Council, because it's our view that he is one of the few good men, along with these in Council, who believe that women have be at the table. So with that, we are delighted to recognize and congratulate the 2013 next generation of women leaders as recognized by City Council, identified by City Council.
Whereas, since 2005, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown has honored the Next Generation of Leaders: Rising Stars; and Whereas, the celebration honors women between the ages of twenty one and thirty nine, like me, who are on the incline of their careers and making a difference in their respective communities; and
Whereas, in 2013, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown will recognize eleven young women who embody leadership and exemplify being a Rising Star in their field of employment and community service; and Whereas, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown is pleased and proud to 2013 recipients of the Next Generation of Leaders: Rising Star awards; and Whereas, Lorena E. Ahumada is an associate at Kleinbard Bell and Brecker LLP. She concentrates her law practice in the areas of complex commercial litigation, employment litigation and counseling, and insurance coverage law. Lorena is on the board of directors of Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas, Inc., and is the past-president of the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania. She also is a Deputy Regional President of the Hispanic National Bar Association; and
Whereas, Shana Booker, a 31-year-old native of Philadelphia and a 2003 graduate of Philadelphia University, is in her tenth season with the Philadelphia 76ers and currently serves as the Marketing Manager. Ms. Booker assists with the day-to-day operations of the office, promotions and overall marketing efforts of the team. She also serves as the team's alumni coordinator, maintaining relationships with past players; and Whereas, Kristol Bryant began her professional career in 1999 when she became inspired to turn her love of cooking into a career. Later that year she was accepted into OIC's Opportunities Inn Program under the chief Chalie Schmidt -- under the Chef Chalie Schmidt. In spring 2012, Kristol was named the Chef de Cuisine of the restaurant that she helped open in 2006. XIX Restaurant is an American restaurant featuring Chef Kristol's cuisine and sweeping views of the city skyline on the 19th floor of the Hyatt at The Bellevue. Kristol has four children, Shawn, Faith, Emani and Amere, which she absolutely adores and loves fashion; and Whereas -- and this is special for me because you all know Anjali and leadership in my staff -- Anjali Chainani has worked for the City of Philadelphia since 2005, my office, and currently serves as Director of Legislation and Special Events for 3rd District Councilwoman, yours truly. She is a doctoral student at the University of the Sciences in Health Policy. Anjali's family is originally from New Delhi and Mumbai, India. She was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and has called Philadelphia her home since 2001; and Whereas, Brigitte Daniel is the Executive Vice President of Wilco Electronic Systems, Inc., one of the highest regarded African-American owned cable operators in the nation. Founded by Will F. Daniel, Wilco has provided affordable cable and technology services to low-income communities, governmental and educational institutions in Philadelphia for over 30 years, along with remote surveillance and security Greater Philadelphia area; and
Whereas, Oshunbumi Fernandez is the CEO of ODUNDE, Incorporated.
We know it. ODUNDE produces the largest African-American street festival in the country, featuring up to 500,000 people; and Whereas, Lindsey Glasgow is a project engineer at Skanska USA where she has been working on a variety of complex construction projects for pharmaceutical and higher education industries. Currently she is working as project engineer on a major expansion of the University of Delaware's Eastern Campus Residential Hall Complex. Lindsey graduated from Philadelphia University, in the 4th Councilmanic District, with a Bachelor's degree in architectural in construction management; Whereas, Stephanie Kosta is an active trial attorney, representing a diverse clientele in complex business litigation, class action suits, and governmental relation matters. After graduating summa cum laude from Temple University, Stephanie received her law degree from Georgetown University. And Ms. Kosta is active in many civic charities and non-profit causes, having served on boards of directors such as the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Board and St. John's Church in Philadelphia, been appointed to Pennsylvania's Auditor General's Eugene DePasquale's transition team, providing pro bono counsel to children in crisis through the Support Center for Children Advocates, and is an active volunteer in the Law Counsel for Legal Diversity Mentoring Program and with City Year, particularly focusing on inspiring inner their dreams. Her favorite activity, however, is to be a mommy to her two small children, Olivia and Vivian, with her husband, Tommy; Whereas, Rasheedah Phillips, Esquire, is the 2008 graduate of Temple University's Law School and is currently employed at Community Legal Services as a staff attorney in the Housing Unit. In addition to her work at CLS, Ms. Phillips has served on boards of many community organizations and communities -- such as Communities in Schools, Friends of the Free Library, and has been featured as a guest speaker at graduation ceremonies and workshops to speak to her experiences of being a former teen parent. Ms. Phillips is also an author, with several published motivational essays and short fictional stories; and
Whereas, YingYing Shang is a 17-year-old High School senior and a Teen Advisor to the United Nations Foundation campaign Girl Advisor to the Board of Directors at Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania and she writes for the Huffington Post on behalf of women's and minority's rights; now therefore be it Resolved, by the City Council of Philadelphia, that we hereby recognize and congratulate the 2013 Next Generation of Women Leaders: Rising Stars, the women on the bench who will assume the baton. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to these young women as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. Introduced by Blondell Reynolds Brown and signed and supported enthusiastically by all members of this legislative body. Thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)
On behalf of the 2013 Next Generation of Women Leaders: Rising Stars, we are grateful and humbled by this distinguished honor. Thank you to Councilwoman Reynolds Brown and the entire -- all the members of City Council, the Moxie Women Advisory Board and all past honorees for your support and guidance. Thank you so very much. (Applause.)
Council will be at ease. Thank you. (Council at ease.)
Thank you so much. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell, who will present a citation welcoming His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., Vice President of the Republic of Liberia. Would His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai please join the Councilwoman and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman. we have Councilman Oh and Councilman Kenney.
We want to recognize, and they're certainly invited to stand with us, Voffee Jabateh from Southwest Philadelphia, Dr. Vera Tolbert, and some other members of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs who may be here. We also want to invite a member of our own member. She's like a member of City Council for all the work she's done for us. That's Sade Olanipekun. We want her to stand with us. She certainly is Nigerian by birth, but has a brother in Liberia. And she will be visiting there next year, so we want her to meet Her Excellency and the Ambassador, and words when this is done. So come forward, everyone. And we have our guest Barbara Simmons, my goodness. So she came back from -- she's been teaching in Liberia for the last year. She went from the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs and she's been teaching there, and she came back today. God bless you. Such a pleasure to have you. This is a wonderful honor for us and it is with great pride that we make this presentation. As you know, Stan Straughter is Chairman of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, and the work we've been able to do since founding it in around '05 or '06 is just phenomenal across the globe. So we say thank you to Stan and we love you. Citation welcoming His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., Vice President of the Republic of Liberia to and recognizing him for his dedication in serving his country and people with exceptional diligence. Whereas, Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. is a public-spirited patriot and dedicated public servant who has served his country and people well. His service to the nation, which spanned more than 35 years, included various positions in government, the private sector, agro-related, church and civil society; and Whereas, Vice President Boakai was born in a remote village of Worsonga in Foya District, Lofa County, on November 30th, 1944. Vice President Boakai has withstood the test of time and epitomized the Liberian adage which states, quote, "It does not matter where you are coming from, but where you are headed," end of quote. He is a radiant beam of hope for his hometown and a model citizen; and Whereas, Vice President Boakai is a holder of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Liberia and Advanced Management Certificate GIMPA, Ghana. He speaks English, reads and writes Mendi and Kissi; and
Whereas, Vice President Boakai has been happily married since 1972 to Kartumu Y. Boakai. This union is blessed with four children, three sons and one daughter; and Whereas, Vice President Boakai was selected as running-mate to Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the 2005 General and Presidential Elections of the Unity Party ticket. Honorable Boakai was elected, along with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, to chart a new course for Africa's oldest Republic which is just emerging from a long and bitter civil war; and Whereas, during the 2011 Presidential Elections, Vice President by Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, now a Nobel Peace Prize Winner, to serve as her running-mate in order to continue the development agenda that they have already started implementing in the first term; and Whereas, Vice President Boakai has continued to work along with Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to restore law and order in Liberia, to ensure the reconstruction of the country, ensure that peace and tranquility exist in the country, encourage investors to take advantage of the investment climate in Liberia and ensure that basic social services are provided for the people of the country; and
Whereas, Vice President Boakai also serves as President of the Liberian Senate and he presides two days a week over plenary sessions of that body. He performs supervisory functions over a number of the Liberia National Lotteries, the Liberia Marketing Association, the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment, and the National Commission on Disarmament Demobilization Resettlement and Reintegration; Whereas, as part of the philanthropic support to humanity, Vice President Boakai supervised and personally financed up to 75 percent of a 7-mile rural village road construction to Worsonga, Liberia. He worked with the Federation of Liberian Youth and the Danish Youth to construct a school for 150 students and clinic for a community of 10 villages. He also influenced the erection of an OIC project in Foya Kama, Liberia, by heading the fundraising for rural electrification of Foya Kama in Lofa County, Northern Liberia; Whereas, Vice President Boakai has served as member of chairman of many boards including Chairman of the Liberia Corporation, Chairman of the Board of Star Radio, founding member of the Bethesda Christian Mission, founding organizer-African Methodist Episcopal University, and President of the Monrovia YMCA; therefore, be it Resolved, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby welcomes His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, to the City of Philadelphia and recognizes him for his dedication in serving his country and the people with exceptional diligence. Welcome and thank you for being here today. (Applause.)
We will now call forward our own Stan Straughter, who is Honorary Consul to Guinea as well as Chairman of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Affairs. He will make other introductions and present His Excellency.
Let me thank the President of City Council, Honorable Jannie L. Blackwell, and all the members of City Council for always working with us. We call you. You respond. So I want to thank you and make sure the public is aware of all the work all of you do to help us. We appreciate you. Also, I want to just recognize the Honorable Gurly Gibson, who is the U.S. trade representative for Libera. The only African country with a trade office in the United States is in Philadelphia. Ms. Gurly Gibson, thank you very much. (Applause.)
Mr. Sam Slewion, who is also the Secretary of the Commission, and the members of the Commission here are also here with us. I also want to get a chance to introduce you to another gentleman who I constantly call, I'm sending him e-mails, His Excellency the Honorable Jeremiah Sulunteh, the Ambassador to the United States from the Republic of Liberia. (Applause.)
Mr. Don Dennis, who is the President of the Liberian Association of Pennsylvania. I want to make you aware that we are all Liberians in that we have the second largest population of Liberians in the United States. They're in Pennsylvania. We are running close between Pennsylvania and Minnesota. I don't know why they go to Minnesota coming from Liberia, Excellency, but we are honored to have a fantastic group here with people like Voffee Jabateh and all of the others here. So without any further adieu, I want to say thank you for His Excellency for visiting Philadelphia. He will be visiting Drexel University this afternoon. He'll be visiting Lincoln University tomorrow and visit their campus. He's discussing education the School District of Philadelphia and having a business forum here also. So we are honored to have him. I want to thank you for taking some time from your busy schedule to be here, and thank City Council and President again. His Excellency Vice President of Republic of Liberia. (Applause.)
Thank you very much, the President of Council and the Councilmembers and the members of this distinguished community and members of our own delegation. I want to thank you for this honor and for taking this time. I understand this is the close of your session. We had to squeeze time in to have us. The City of Philadelphia has a great heart for African Americans, especially Liberians, many of whom are here receiving education and also working to help send remittances to their want to express our gratitude to you for the hospitality you granted us and for allowing us to be here at this time. We have benefited from here like you heard. Reverend Sullivan has been to Liberia, established the OIC. We benefited most of our young people. We want to say thank you to you for the people you are -- for the community and for this honor. We want to echo the blessing upon you and a strengthened relationship between the City of Philadelphia and Liberia. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you so much. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, like to take a second to recognize two groups of students today and as they watch us do our business as it relates to the future of public education. One group is from my alma mater, Overbrook High School, and I have six young men brought down by Mr. Manawana Swanns, founder of the West by Northwest Intervention Program, to my right. (Applause.)
The second group, Mr. President, was brought to my attention by your office, but they happen to go to Mastery Charter School also in my district in West Philadelphia, and they are participating in another mentoring program, in the Spark Program, which is sponsored by Duane Morris, and we are honored to have four young ladies representing that mentoring group as well. Would they please stand. (Applause.)
I think it's decide the matters of today that they see our government at work. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you so much, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. I join Councilman Jones also in welcoming a group of citizens who have pumped up the volume, if you will, on this issue of education. We have with us this morning a group of parents and public school staff who have made the courageous choice to fast for safe schools. This fast in front of -(Applause.)
This fast in front of Governor Corbett's Philadelphia office carries on the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi who inspired Martin Luther King to be the change you the world. We applaud these brave fasters. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to take a brief moment and acknowledge a cultural icon in the City of Philadelphia who established one of the last but, if not, largest African American festivals in the City of Philadelphia. I just want to just acknowledge the CEO and Founder of ODUNDA, Incorporated, Ms. Lois Fernandez, just acknowledge her presence for being here. (Applause.)
Thank you so much, Councilman. At this time, the next order of business is communications. The Chair 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 pleased to advise you that on June 17, 2013, I signed all of the bills that were passed by Council at its session on June 6, 2013; and I am transmitting herewith for the introduction and consideration of your honorable body a resolution approving the annual Program Statement and Budget for the expenditure of the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative Bond Proceeds for Fiscal Year 2014; and An ordinance amending Bill No. 130325, entitled "An ordinance approving the Fiscal Year 2014 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works," by approving a Revised Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2014; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to lease to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority certain land and improvements known as City-owned transit properties and further authorizing acceptance of title to certain real estate and improvements from SEPTA, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, sir. Do you have any additional messages, Mr. Decker?
Thank you very much. Those messages will be printed in today's Journal. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two bills and one privileged resolution.
An ordinance amending Chapter 14-1000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Historic Preservation," by expanding the jurisdiction of the Historical Commission over sites within historic districts that were undeveloped at the time of designation of the districts and making conforming amendments to other sections.
And an ordinance amending Chapter 12-2900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Contractor Parking," by adjusting the fee for the issuance of Contractor Parking Permits.
And a privileged resolution recognizing the successful completion of the 113th U.S. Open golf championship at the Merion Golf Club, hosted by the United States Golf Association.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I introduce one resolution for which I ask for a suspension of the rules so as to permit consideration today. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor of the suspension? (Aye.)
A resolution approving the annual Program Statement and Budget -
Hold it, Mr. Decker. Actually, that was a request for suspension. Now move for -read the resolution. I'm sorry, Mr. Decker. Then we'll place it on the Calendar.
A resolution approving the annual Program Statement and Budget for the expenditure of the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative Bond Proceeds for Fiscal Year 2014.
That resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar today. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
An ordinance amending Chapter 12-2800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Administrative Adjudication of Parking Violations," by revising fees for failure to answer a notice of violation and setting forth additional fees for mailing expenses associated with notice attempting to collect unpaid parking violations.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
An ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Use Of An Automated Red Light Enforcement System To Prevent Red Light Violations," by authorizing the installation of a red light enforcement system at the intersection of Island Avenue and Bartram Avenue.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one non-privileged resolution today.
A non-privileged resolution urging the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office to initiate an investigation into the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole's policies and procedures that are a risk to the public safety of the citizens of Philadelphia.
Councilman O'Brien, do you want a suspension of the rules, because that traditionally -- those type of resolutions are traditionally held over for a week.
You request a suspension of the rules to allow reading, vote this week?
All right. Thank you. That will be on today's Final Passage -- did I get a second? (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
That will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
A privileged resolution recognizing September 12th as Barbara Chase Riboud Day in Philadelphia.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one privileged resolution on your behalf and I am requesting a rules suspension so it can be resolved today.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings to determine the status of the City's current public safety video surveillance camera program, and to explore what best practices in public safety video surveillance may be employed to enhance efforts to reduce crime and promote safety in the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
An ordinance amending Chapter 12-2700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Permit Parking Districts," by changing district boundaries and adjusting the fee for the issuance and renewal of resident parking permits.
Thank you. That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
An ordinance amending Chapter 12-2400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Towing and Immobilizing of Parked or Abandoned Vehicles," by requiring that the owner or any person on behalf of the owner seeking the release of a vehicle that has been immobilized or impounded pay, or post a bond for, all outstanding parking violations for all vehicles registered to such owner.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I offer one bill, and I would like to be heard on the bill after it's read.
An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in the Resolution approved by City Council proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter so that there shall be established in the Legislative Branch of the City of Philadelphia Government the "Legislative Budget Office" by the addition of a new "Section 2-105" to "ARTICLE II LEGISLATIVE BRANCH - The Council - Its Election, Organization, Powers and Duties," "CHAPTER I THE COUNCIL;" renumbering current Sections 2-105 and 2-106; fixing the date for the special election for such purpose; prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on; and authorizing appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, was that a bill and a resolution? Just a bill. That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I did previously on that Charter change introduce both a bill and a resolution. The resolution is fine. We have tweaked the language, and just as a reminder to my colleagues and anyone listening, that that Charter change has to do with providing City Council a budgetary function whereby we get the financial information at the same time that the department heads do instead of just at the last minute before we have to vote on the budget, so we can follow the budget process and better keep tabs on where the money is, how much money there is for fiscal accountability's sake. Thank you very much.
Thank you so much, Councilman. Thank you. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions. The next order of business is reports from committees. Jones for a report from the Committee of the Whole.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee of the Whole has seven resolutions with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee of the Whole, to which was referred Resolution No. 130504, entitled "A resolution appointing Mjenzi Traylor to the Board of Directors of the Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 130505, entitled "A resolution appointing Matt Canno to the Board of Directors of the Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia"; and 130506, entitled "A resolution appointing Joseph Martin to the Board of Directors of the Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 130507, entitled "A resolution appointing Joseph Waldo to the Board of Directors of the Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 130508, entitled "A resolution appointing Joseph Corrigan to the Board of Directors of the Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 130509, entitled "A resolution appointing Greg Peil to the Board of Directors of the Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 130510, entitled "A resolution appointing Barbara Hogue to the Board of Directors of the Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached resolutions to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit consideration of Resolutions No. 130504 through 130510 on today's Final Passage Calendar. (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 Resolutions 130504 through 130510 on today's Final Passage Calendar. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. These resolutions will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Greenlee for a report from the Committee on Rules.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Rules reports two bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, please read the report.
The Committee on Rules, to which was referred Bill No. 130272, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Master Street, Second Street, Thompson Street, and American Street"; and Bill No. 130448, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by adding special provisions for the area bounded by 38th Street, Ludlow Street, Chestnut Street and 37th Street," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill Nos. 130272 and 130448. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of day as to permit first reading of Bills No. 130272 and 130448. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Those bills will be placed on the First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Bass for a report from the Committee of Parks and Recreation and Cultural Affairs.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs reports two bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Mr. Decker, please read the report.
The Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, to which was referred Bill No. 130412, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 15 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Parks and Recreation,' by adding a new Chapter requiring an Impact Statement, Cost Estimate and Escrow for Repairs, before the issuance of any permit or license to use certain parks or recreation facilities"; and Bill No. 130459, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation and the Water Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to enter into a lease with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, under which the City would lease the East Park Reservoir West Basin and adjacent park land, and pursuant to which PAID would enter into a sublease for the Premises with the East Park Leadership and Conservation Center," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 130412 and 130459. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended this day so as to permit first reading of Bills No. 130412 and 130459. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Oh for a report from the Committee on Global Opportunities and Creative/Innovative Economy.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. The Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy issues a report pursuant to Resolution No. 120128.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Please read that report.
The Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy, to which was referred Resolution No. 120128, entitled "A resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold hearings to investigate how to fully take advantage of global opportunities and the creative/innovative economy to spur by increasing overseas investments, incubating technology and innovation, encouraging creativity, and attracting and retaining the workforce to create good-paying, family-sustaining jobs with benefits and improve the quality of life for all residents of Philadelphia," respectfully reports that the Committee held the hearings authorized by Resolution No. 120128 on October 9, 2012, October 10, 2012, February 25, 2013, and February 27, 2013 and that the Committee issues to the Council the attached report on the matters discussed at the hearing.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much. There is no motion on my part since the report is issued, but I would like to thank State Senator Michael Brubaker of the Finance Committee who the State Senate's International Caucus for his support in producing this report and in holding hearings. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. Thank you for your continued great work on these very important initiatives. At this time, we will proceed with a special order of business. Under a special order of business, a motion to withdraw Bill No. 130533, and at this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. Bill No. 130533 was introduced on June 13th, 2013 and was referred to the Committee on Streets and Services. I would now like to withdraw this bill from further consideration by the Council.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read the of the bill.
Bill No. 130533, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 215 by striking from the City Plan Greene Street from Allens Lane to St. Georges Road."
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill No. 130533 be withdrawn. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 130533 be withdrawn. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 130533 is withdrawn. We will now consider an additional special order of business, a motion to withdraw Bill No. 130385. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. Bill No. 130385 was introduced on May 9th, 2013 and was referred to the Committee on Streets and Services. I would now like to withdraw the bill from further consideration by the Council.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read the title of the bill.
Bill No. 130385, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 11-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Construction Encroachments and Projections Over, On and Under Streets,' prohibit wheelchair elevators and related decks from being constructed any closer than three feet from the curb line."
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
I move that Bill No. 130385 be withdrawn. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 130385 will be withdrawn. The next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from with suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones for a motion concerning the resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you again, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following resolutions on Final Passage Calendar today: Resolutions No. 130535, 130536, 130537, 130538, 130539, 130542, 130543, 130547, 130548, 130549, and 130550. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the of a Consent Agenda to consider the resolutions just read by Councilman Jones. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. We will consider the Resolution Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones for a motion concerning the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you again, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following bills on Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars: No. 130255-A, 120142-A, 120143, 120959, 130245, 130387, 120107, 130445, 130487, 130324, 120614, 120901, 130016, 130154, 130158, 130160, 130299, 130356, 130357, 130382, 130388, 130413, 130414, 130420, 130421, 130449, 130461, 130462, 130463, 130464, 130418, and 130415. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the bills just read by Councilman Jones. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. We will consider those bills on the Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the 2ND READING regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you again, Mr. President. In addition to the bills being considered on the Consent Agenda, the following resolutions and bills are being called up for the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 120340-AAAA, 130182-A, 130458-A, 130417-A, 130455-A, 130178, 130179, 120651, which is being amended, 130180, 130456. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you so much, Councilman. Before considering these resolutions and bills, we will consider public comment as follows: We're going to alter our public comment today. We have a very lengthy list. What I'd like to do -- I'm going to take the prerogative of the Chair -first I would like to thank representatives from Unite Here and there apparently is another organization here that doesn't have a name attached but they are together, and I want to thank representatives from Action United. Because we have such a lengthy list and under the rules of the public comment, Council is authorized to essentially cut off comment after several speakers on the same subject matter. So what I've asked those individuals from those organizations is to give a spokesperson from those particular organizations that we have identified. I would like to extend to those individuals five minutes for public comment since you have agreed to condense your list of witnesses today. On the other page, there is a long list of individuals who indicated that they are here on their own. I must tell you under the rules, if it's the same subject matter, we have the authorization and the right per Council rules to limit that comment in a continued basis. In layman's terms, that means at some point we have the right to cut that off. I will try to accommodate as many people as possible, but we do have quite a lengthy schedule today. And I don't want to have to cut people off, but I would like to accommodate. So, again, I want to thank those individuals from Unite Here and Action United and the other group that is identified here today. The public comment will go as follows: For those individuals who are here today, you will be given three minutes to speak. There's a podium in the middle of the Council Chambers. There is a device on that podium. There is a light. That light will turn green when it is your time to speak. It will turn yellow when you have 30 seconds, and when it turns red, we ask that you please conclude your remarks. That means your three minutes are up. We want to thank you in advance for your cooperation, and, again, we really do appreciate you coming down and provide significant input into your governmental process. So with that, Mr. Decker, will you please read the name of the first individual. And, again, the individual speaking for Unite Here will be given five minutes as opposed to three and also from Action United will be given five minutes as opposed to three. Mr. Decker.
Earlene Bly, Michael Mullins, Marcia Teagle, Pat Norris, and Kate Goodman, speaking on behalf of Unite Here, commenting on -(Applause.)
-- commenting on Bill No. 130161. (Applause.) (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, Mr. President, City Council. My name is Patricia Norris and I work at Cayuga. I'm a food service assistant at Cayuga.
I'm Mike Mullins. I'm a parent of two sons who will be in second grade and kindergarten at Penn Alexander School in the fall, and I'm part of a fast for safe schools. We all haven't eaten since Sunday.
Good morning. My name is Marcia Teagle. I'm a food service manager at deBurgos School and I also haven't eaten since Monday.
Good morning. My name is Earlene Bly and I am a parent and I also have not eaten since Monday -Sunday night actually, and we are here today to speak on -- we're fasting for safe schools. And I have a teenage daughter who is in Roxborough High School. I also have a grandson that's about to start elementary school in the fall, and our main concern here today is the safety of our children. We are deeply concerned that when school starts up in September, our children will be left to fend for their selves basically. We have -- you have it where right now it's just going to be the teachers and maybe the principal in the school. Well, what about the support staff that's going to -- that's there to help the teachers? When the children are not in the classroom, that is when they are at their most vulnerable. When they are at lunch, when they're going from class to class in the hallways, when they're at recess, you know, we need someone there to monitor our children. If there's no one there, who is going to monitor them? The violence in the schools today is mainly being kept at a minimum -- I mean, there is violence in schools today, but I believe that it's being kept at a minimum because we have the student safety staff there. There is so many things that they prevent on a daily basis. I mean, personally I have gotten phone calls when my children were in elementary school about the stuff that was going to happen that was prevented because of the student safety staff, and I'm sure there's parents here today that feel the same way that I feel. You know, we need some -(Applause.)
We need the student safety staff and all of the support that the teachers have normally in the schools. You know, you're taking away the student safety staff, the counselors and others that is there to support the teachers to take care of our children. My main concern is that when my child enters that school building during the day, that she's being cared for and looked after through the course of the day and that she makes it home to me safely at the end of the day. I don't feel as though my child is going to be safe walking through the school hallways during the course of the day, because right now there's not going to be anyone there to keep an eye on her. The teachers are only going to be in the classroom. Who else is going to be there to look after my child and everyone else's child? That's what I would like to know. And right now -- we have facts that tell you that in elementary schools and in the high schools, those two are the most at risk. The violence in those schools like with assaults, with children trying to bring weapons in and all -- you know what I'm talking about. Everything that I am saying is that the children in elementary schools and the high schools are the most at risk, and this is where we need these people at today. When school starts in September, I would like to know that there is going to be some type of student safety staff, somebody there to keep an eye on my child and everyone else's child. Thank you. (Applause.)
One other thing. I would like to invite all the members of the City Council to come out to Broad and Walnut and support us. You know, we're going to be there.
Broad and Walnut today. I would like for everybody to come out and show us some support.
Julie Becker, Sarah Calderon, Colleen McCauley, and Debra Kimmelman. (Witnesses approached podium.)
And for the record, I understand they're representing PCCY; am I correct?
My name is Sarah Calderon. I am here -- thank you so much for the opportunity. This is my second opportunity to speak on behalf of proper school funding for our School District.
I am the mother of four, two currently in high schools here in the City. I have raised all my four children here in the City and educated them here. At my last testimony two weeks ago I promised to continue to collaborate with all efforts to restore the necessary funds for public education, and I closed my testimony with the hope that my City Council would pledge to do the same. Today I can report to you that I have paid a visit to our elected leaders in Harrisburg, along with an outstanding number of parents and children, visiting Representatives and Senators' offices, talking to staff, and speaking up on behalf of our children and our schools. After that visit, I received follow-up phone calls and I also made a number of phone calls to legislators and to you as well. I have been engaging in this task daily during lunch breaks at work. Regarding your efforts as City Council as a whole, I have continued to receive mixed reviews. Statements like the liquor by the drink tax didn't make it out of committee, Councilwoman doesn't think we have enough votes, the U&O has been pulled out, Councilman doesn't think that -(Audience members booing.)
-- we can make it through and so on, the type of thing we can afford to do when there is so much time. But we don't have that time. The cigarette tax bill that you all approved will then go 46 million around the mouth of our starving School District, but we know that it would hang by a thread in Harrisburg. In the meantime, our School District, facing the most draconian budget cuts in its history, has already distributed 3,800 pink slips and cut back essential personnel and programs. If further enacted, these cuts will compromise not just the learning environment of our children and their education, but will also jeopardize their safety and their well-being. Budgets passed have set our School District to this current fate. Many of our leaders in Harrisburg have simply failed us. If an injustice somewhere is an injustice anywhere, this injustice to our School District is one against the children of our Commonwealth. I think that given that picture, we should be able to expect our local leaders, our City Council leaders, to have our backs and that of the thousands of its children and families presenting a very visible strong front against the wavering and hostile forces in Harrisburg and outside of it in favor and on behalf of our children and their school communities. (Applause.)
If at the end of the day the liquor by the drink tax, the U&O tax, the cigarette tax, the whatever tax, any source of funding, any additional source that can supply funds needed for truly viable and operational schools, then I would expect our leaders to show a strong front on behalf of all those bills. We know you do -- we know if you do, and then we will remember that you did, even if Harrisburg shows contrary. But if you choose to set politics as a priority against the well-being of the most vulnerable residents of your city, we will remember that also, and this is a fact, because we will remember it. (Applause.)
We continue to work very hard to make our voices heard. We expect that you will continue to work with us very hard and to present a very united front in favor of our children and of our schools. Thank you. (Applause.)
Ted, I understand you're speaking for Action United?
I want to thank you for allowing us to condense our public comment and thank you for your continued support for schools. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, President Clarke and other members of City Council. My name is Theodore Stones. I live in the Germantown section of the City and am a leader and member of Southeast Regional Council of Action United, a statewide organization of lowand moderate-income families whose local membership totals 25,000 families. Action United is also a member of the PCAPS Coalition, which has come together to make our public school system one of Philly's crown jewels instead of one that under-serves and disenfranchises its children. (Applause.)
One month ago I gave testimony before the Finance Committee to voice Action United's support for Councilwoman Sanchez's proposed Ordinance 130161 that will reform the use and occupancy tax and raise desperately needed money for our schools. In the weeks since then, of course, the school has made drastic cuts to programs and personnel and gave out 3,800 pink slips. So I'm here today to restate the need for Council to pass this ordinance and -(Applause.)
-- and we are very disappointed that this ordinance has not even been brought up for a vote today. I would like to propose on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth of Philadelphia and the citizens of the City of Philadelphia that City Council would reinstate this ordinance and vote on it today. (Applause.) (Audience members yelling "vote.")
We feel that this is a very important ordinance and we would like to know where Council stands on behalf of this ordinance. So please reinstate this ordinance and vote. I am aware that you already passed the cigarette tax. Even if this tax is approved by the representatives in Harrisburg, it will not come close to filling the gap of $304 million we need for the deficit in the school system. It is time to change the dialogue about school funding. The dialogue of how can we raise the bare minimum to patch a budget hole is the wrong dialogue. The dialogue we need to have is how the City of Philadelphia is going to provide a high-quality education for all of its children, and we need you to commit to finding the money it takes to do that. Now is not the time to stand back and congratulate yourselves because you might have raised a fraction of the 304 million. (Applause.)
The people of Philadelphia, children and adults alike, are counting on you to keep going, to find more ways to support our schools and ensure a bright future for our city. The use and occupancy tax is one way to do that. The current plan attempts to balance the School District's budget with high taxes on homeowners and regressive tax on cigarettes and massive cuts to the pay and benefits of the people that work tirelessly to provide the best education they can for our children under very hard circumstances. At the same time, the businesses in Philadelphia are going -are getting a huge tax break at the same time big businesses in Philadelphia are getting a huge tax break, 2.4 million for Penn Center, 2.8 million for Liberty Place, 3.4 million for Franklin Mills, and that's without even mentioning the property tax abatement that's benefiting Comcast and other corporations. In short, you have agreed to a plan that at best will barely balance the school's budget by taking money from teachers and enacting a tax that regressively burdens low- and moderate-income people. Meanwhile, the most profitable businesses in the City are walking away with a huge tax break to pad their already loaded bank accounts. We're not asking the corporations to not pay their healthcare benefits, not send their children to school. We're asking them to take a fair share in keeping our schools operative and to better our schools. (Applause.)
At a time when everyone is being asked to make sacrifices, it is only right that large businesses in Philadelphia step up to the plate and start to pay their fair share. The use and occupancy legislation gave City Council the chance to step up to the plate and deliver real resources for our schools. We call on this body, which has stood in support of schools over the last two years and which voted with our coalition for a moratorium on school closings, to continue taking its share of responsibility and delivering for Philadelphia's children. A few seconds, please.
Do your part, stand with us for high-quality education for all children. Stand with us for justice. On Tuesday we will go to Harrisburg and call on the state to do their part as well. Together, we can make public education the priority that it needs to be if Philadelphia is to have a future that we can be proud of.
Thank you very much. And please vote on the resolution. (Audience members yelling "vote.")
Thank you, Mr. Stones. Thank you for your testimony, sir.
Rebecca Reedman Moore and Susan Gobreski speaking on behalf of Education Voters, commenting on Bill No. 130161. (Witnesses approached podium.)
My name is Rebecca Reedman Moore and I'm a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Girls. I'm a mother of a public school graduate and a current 11th grader. I love Philadelphia, but I come to you today with a heavy heart to talk about education funding. There are so many things to be concerned about. Here are a few: We are driving teachers away. I know an excellent teacher who used to teach in the suburbs and chose to come to the City. He told me that this spring was the first time he thought, Maybe I should think about leaving and looking for a job elsewhere. My daughter will be in 12th grade next year. Without counselors, there will be no one to write the required counselor recommendations, to share information about scholarships or answer questions. But my daughter at least has two parents who went to college. I'm more concerned about other children. As you know, many Philadelphia high school seniors will be the first in their families to apply to college. Having no counselors could be devastating for their ability to get into college and for their life chances. Two years ago, a family friend died. Her daughter's friends, including my child, couldn't concentrate at school, but they could go to the counselor's office and cry and talk and sit with the counselor. Students and their families have crises all the time, mental health crises, sudden illnesses. They need to get connected to support. They need to get 504 plans to help them through. They need IEPs. The counselor and nurse help families and students stay standing during these times and to pick up the academic pieces. And this you need to listen to. My daughter tells me her friends at school all feel, they all feel that the City has given up on them. I don't believe that, but I worry about the messages that we are sending our children. Our students are smart. They know students across the City border still have all things that are being taken away from them, music and art, librarians, counselors, non-teaching assistants and school safety workers, after-school activities, enough teachers. What do they think when they see this picture? I think they will think that the adults believe those kids are worth spending money on, that those other kids outside the City deserve a decent education but that the children of Philadelphia do not. We need to let them know that they count and that we will fight for them. Dr. Martin Luther King said, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." More recently President Obama said, "But here is the thing, it does not bend on its own. It bends because each of us in our own way puts our hand on that arc and we bend it in the direction of justice." I am here to implore you, help it bend a little more towards equity and justice today. Pass the use and occupancy tax. (Applause.)
Let's send our children in Philadelphia a different message, the message that they all, every one of them, are worthy of respect and love. They have potential, and they deserve schools with adequate funding. Thank you. (Applause.)
My name is Susan Gobreski and I just want to say one thing. There are several dozen parents out in the hallway testifying. And, again I repeat, at the end of the school year, instead of just coming through nice and early when we can count on you, we're waiting. We've been waiting and working. I'm a little emotional today because families are at graduation and they couldn't be here, but they've been reaching out to you to ask you to do more than the minimum, more than just a little bit more than the minimum, but to figure it out. So we're going to be judging you not just by what you do but by what you don't do, and we will be voting.
Harry Levant, commenting on 130182-A. (Witness approached podium.)
-- members of Council. It was Albert Einstein who said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. By applying that definition, the School Reform Commission can be certified as insane. (Applause.)
For each year, we come back here facing deeper and deeper cuts, deeper and deeper budget deficits. My name is Harry Levant. I'm the current President of the Home and School Association at Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, better known as CAPA. (Applause.)
CAPA has a world-renowned artistic program in six different majors and state-of-the-art academics where 99 percent of our children go on to four-year colleges. Yesterday I testified before the School Reform Commission. At the start of the testimony yesterday, two groups of students presented themselves and played two musical interludes for the members of the Commission. At the end of these musical interludes, all five Commission members and Dr. Hite rose to their feet and gave the students a well-deserved standing ovation. Two hours later I came to the podium and posed the following question to the School Reform Commission: What were going through your minds as you were giving a standing ovation to students, knowing that you had just a week earlier enacted cuts ending their musical careers? This madness must end. I come here to praise this body for, Mr. President, you and your members have been -- had dumped on you time and time again these ridiculous budget deficits, and there are many of us out here who believe that this has become a political pawn in Harrisburg looking at 2014 and beyond. If that is so, I urge this body to recognize that you are our voices. Right in front of me is a rail that separates you from us. I understand why that rail is here for practical reasons. However, when it comes to education funding, the arts, safety, I have brothers and sisters who are fasting at Broad and Walnut. We are -- (Applause.)
We are energized like never before, and I am here to ask you to do everything in your power and wisdom to find money for the District. But then take down this bar. There are five people at 440 North Broad where there are no checks and balances. They are cutting on our backs. You, this body, need to get more actively engaged so that our music programs are restored, our school safety, our counselors, our nurses. If you think just giving us the money you can rely upon 440, it won't happen. Please, over the summer, let your voices be heard so that the proper restorations, the School Reform Commission restores what we so desperately need.
Wayne MacManiman. (Witness approached podium.) MR. MacMANIMAN: Good afternoon.
Good afternoon, sir. MR. MacMANIMAN: Thank you, Council President Clarke. Thank you, other members of City Council. I'm going to speak on behalf of the airport extension. I could say that over the last year and a half, two years, we have dumped a lot of time, energy getting involved with our communities, talking to the residents of the City of Philadelphia, the folks that matter, in my opinion, the most, the folks that live in poverty, the folks that don't have good jobs. And part of the big fight that we had was, we had big business, U.S. Air, coming in and wanting to do significant business in our city, but wanted to do nothing with providing good jobs. We have talked to many members of Council, and at the end of the day, I will concede this battle, that big business will succeed and win and the workers will get nothing out of it. But I can tell you that we are not going to give up on the battle. We're going to win the battle, because ultimately it's the City, the residents of this city that are going to matter. We have to -- in order for people to have an opportunity to start over, they got to be given a chance, and when we have big business like U.S. Air coming in here and creating jobs, they have to be jobs of meaning, not poverty jobs. Paying a minimum wage is not acceptable. I want to thank every member of City Council that I've worked with. I continue -- I want to continue that relationship moving forward, but we must do something, and it starts with you, the members of City Council. It starts with our leadership of the City. And I'm asking for your help in moving forward with this battle that we continue to remember the number one goal. That's the people of our city and how do we raise their standards. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Markita Morris-Louis, commenting on 130311. (Witness approached podium.)
-Councilwoman Tasco, other members of the Council. My name is Markita Morris-Louis. I am Vice President of Community Affairs at Clarifi, formerly Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley, and I urge you all to support Councilwoman Tasco's resolution urging the Pennsylvania Assembly to prevent payday lenders from coming into Pennsylvania. (Applause.)
Clarifi's mission is to lead our communities on a path for lifelong financial literacy and also financial stability. So we urge you to keep payday lenders out of Pennsylvania. Payday lenders will undermine our mission by draining billions of dollars from our economy, forcing people away from mainstream banking services and financial services into loan debts -- rolled up debt into a trap that will lead them into a cycle of poverty. Please, we urge you to support Councilwoman Tasco's resolution, to go to Harrisburg, tell the General Assembly that Pennsylvania, particularly Philadelphia, does not need payday lenders. They are proposing a so-called micro finance loan, which is really a payday loan in disguise. It is a wolf in sheep's clothing. We ask you to recognize it for what it truly is, and it is definitely not good for our communities. Thank you very much.
Tyrone McCall. Tyrone McCall, commenting on 130311. (Witness approached podium.) MR. McCALL: Good morning, members of City Council.
Good morning. MR. McCALL: My name is Tyrone McCall. I am Vice Chair of the Philadelphia Unemployment Project's Board of Directors and a resident of South Philadelphia. I'd like to thank Councilwoman Tasco and other members of City Council for her resolution opposing efforts in Harrisburg to flood the state with predatory payday loan storefronts. Many studies, including ones done by the Department of Defense and the Pew Charitable Trusts, has shown that payday loans cause extreme financial hardships in communities around the country. As a resident of Philadelphia, I find it extremely worrying that members of our State Legislature would even consider allowing these loan sharks to set up shop in Pennsylvania. While I'm disappointed that the bill has begun to move forward in the legislative process, I would like to thank Banking and Insurance Minority Chair Mike Stack as well as Senators Anthony Williams and Larry Farnese for opposing the measure. As an organization comprised of unemployment workers, PUP stands firmly against any efforts to de-regulate payday loans in Pennsylvania. Again, thank you, Councilwoman Tasco and other members of City Council, for speaking out against predatory payday loans. (Applause.)
The next three speakers in this order, Clarc King, Chanel Alexander, Joanna Darcus. The next three speakers, Clarc King, Chanel Alexander, and Joanna Darcus. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Thank you, Mr. President of the Council, Councilmembers. I am addressing proposal 120118, the feasibility of transferring PGW to a private entity. I believe it's unnecessary right now, and I want to ask the Councilmembers a rhetorical question. Can the public, can the general citizenry own anything? Can they own their public school system? Can they own public utilities? This seems to be a movement to strip all public assets away from the citizenry as dictated by Wall Street and the power of private-sector finance over government. I ask the City Council to consider a transaction tax at the Philadelphia Stock Exchange that will help facilitate the operation of government and support the standard of living of Philadelphians. I wanted to say that the reason of our national economy destabilization is that Glass-Steagall has not been reinstated and the fed's unlimited bailout system continues. We have a rational sequester, the attack on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unrelenting unemployment, evidenced national destabilization. However, we have perpetual war being funded, and plans are expanded for the inevitable thermonuclear confrontation with Russia and China. This is insanity. We need political power at the highest levels of leadership to implement precise daycraft that executes the stabilization of the United States. Glass-Steagall, U.S. national banking, funding the redevelopment of North America will stop the collapse of the national economy. We here in Philadelphia can create the public bank and begin to fund the redevelopment of Philadelphia. Be the change. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, Council President, City Council members. My name is Chanel Alexander. I am a Program Manager of Anti-Predatory Lending in the Community and Economic Development Department of the Urban Affairs Coalition. We stand as one of many organizations, some which you have already heard from today, as part of the Stop Predatory Payday Loans in Pennsylvania Coalition. We want to first thank you, Councilwoman Tasco. We want to thank other Councilmembers for your steady, your continuing stand and fighting payday lenders from preying off of the citizens that live in the City of Philadelphia. We are encouraged that you are still continuing to stand and reminding the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that the current legislation will not hinder individuals undergoing financial challenges in our state, that it will hinder the individuals because it will keep them in a trap of debt. The current bill under the name of SB 975 is masqueraded as a bill of reform offering micro credit, but the loans are nothing more than a long-term debt trap. Profits are made from consecutive loans taken out, and so that individuals never have a chance to get out of the burden of debt. Payday lenders make their profit this way through consecutive loans. This puts the borrowers at risk of overdrafting accounts. It draws them away from mainstream banking institutions, which will leave them at the mercy of payday lenders in the future. The cycle will continue unless the State Legislature recognizes the current PA legislation needs to be upheld. Payday lending is illegal. We are asking that City Council stands with the community organizations in Philadelphia that are working diligently to build wealth in our communities, educate our communities through financial education and anti-predatory loan options. In other words, don't give up. Please keep standing through this resolution along with Councilwoman Tasco. If this bill passes here, this is what might meet you in your districts: More individuals trying to make ends meet, but unable to because they will have less viable credit options. More people will struggle to stay in their homes. More people will struggle to pay taxes, and more people will struggle to support Philly businesses. We ask that you please stand firm in your commitment in opposing legislation that will allow 1,000 or more payday loan storefronts to come into Pennsylvania. We thank you ahead of time for your support, and we thank you for your service. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Joanna Darcus. I'm an attorney at Community Legal Services, and I am here today to speak briefly in support of Councilwoman Tasco's resolution against the legalization of high-cost payday loans. Pennsylvania has one of the strongest laws in the country against predatory payday lending, but the out-of-state payday lenders are working hard in Harrisburg to roll back those consumer protections. In states where payday loans are legal, lenders target low- and moderate-income individuals. A recent study showed that over 80 percent of borrowers earn less than $40,000 a year and more than 40 percent earn less than 20,000. The last thing struggling Philadelphians need is high-cost debt. We thank the Pennsylvania senators on the Banking and Insurance Committee, Senators Stack, Williams, and Farnese, who voted against the payday lenders bill, and we thank Councilwoman Tasco for her ongoing leadership to combat predatory lending practices. We urge everyone to get more involved with the effort to keep our existing protections in place. More information is available at stoppaydayloanspa.com. Thank you. (Applause.)
If I could just have a brief part of your time. I'm Lance Haver, Director of Consumer Affairs. I want to thank Council for considering adding their voice to the thousands of voices from clergy, labor, community groups across the state. Keeping payday lending out of our city is an important fight, one that we're very thankful that you're joining with, and we hope that you'll pass the resolution. Thank you.
Okay. Another alteration on public comment. We're trying to do our best to accommodate everyone. We have far surpassed the number of individuals that we traditionally allow on the same subject matter, but I would like to accommodate you all. I know you came down here today, and this is a very important matter. So I would like to make this -- and I don't want to call it proposal, but this is what we'd like to do. We have ten people left on the list, and what I'd like to do is to cut the time in half, a minute and a half, as opposed to not allowing any more comment on the same subject matter, so it gives everybody an opportunity to speak, but we're going to ask that you limit that comment to a minute and a half so we can try and accommodate everybody. Okay? So we're going to have the list. We're going to read the list, those ten individuals, and we'll proceed from there. And I thank you in advance very much for your cooperation on the minute and a half. We're going to call the names and you'll just come up. I was hoping you all would applaud that, say, yeah, he's trying to be quick. (Applause.)
Annette Erling, Susan Clampet-Lindquist, Arden Cass, Tina Kluetmeier, Anne Gemmell, Denise Larrabee, Carol Blum, Aviva Kaminsky. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Please state your name for the record before you begin.
My name is Ron Whitehorne. I'm a member of the Philadelphia Coalition Advocating for Public Schools, and what we face here today is unprecedented. Our schools have already had their budgets slashed to the bone, and now we face the prospect of opening in the fall without adequate staff to ensure student safety, let alone conditions conducive to learning. That we can even entertain such an outcome is an indictment of our society's priorities and values. In our view, we need to do a whole lot more from both the state and the City than what is being asked for by the School District. We need funding to improve our schools, not simply maintain the status quo that does not meet the needs of our children. The bare-bones five-year budget plan of the SRC may make investors in school bonds happy, but it writes off the future of thousands of young people who will fall through the cracks in this plan. We need funding -(Applause.)
We need money to fund contracts with school workers and teachers that are good for students and fair to school employees. We can't forget that teacher working conditions are students' learning conditions and that attracting and retaining good teachers means competitive wages and benefits. Finally, I stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters from Unite Here. Their sacrifice is what this City Council should be all about, and you can start by passing the U&O bill. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. My name is Denise Larrabee and I have two children in Philadelphia's public schools, schools at which my children are happy and thriving. Like all of us, they are distressed by what they are hearing about the cuts to the funding of our schools and what awaits them in the fall. I am able to speak to you today, but dozens of citizens are not being allowed in this meeting right now. They are out in the hall, and there are seats available. Today the Philadelphia Inquirer ran an article stating that Governor Corbett is determined to help solve the Philadelphia School District's financial crisis. I and many others believe it is foolhardy to rely on the state to come through for us. Last week I went with a group of parents and children to Harrisburg to deliver 4,000 letters to Governor Corbett and state legislators. When the children attempted to deliver their letters to Governor Corbett personally, he refused to meet them for even a few minutes. Here's a photo of the children delivering their letters to the secretary. It was the perfect metaphor for his and the State Legislature's treatment of Philadelphia students over the past several years. Relying on the state to enable Philadelphia to tax cigarettes is far too big a risk given the state's previous response to the needs of our schools and their aversion to taxes in general. I strongly urge you to bring Bill 130161, Councilwoman Sanchez's use and occupancy tax bill, to a vote today and pass this means of raising funds for our schools, for we do not need the state's approval for this measure. (Applause.)
The cigarette tax is a solution that is likely to fail, and if it does, you will have failed Philadelphia's children. An undefined Plan B, Councilman Clarke, is not acceptable. We know these are difficult decisions for you all to make with political ramifications, but parents will stand by Councilmembers who stand up for Philadelphia's students. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, all. My name is Carol Blum and I am the parent of two daughters who attend Meredith Elementary School. I'm here today to ask Council to increase funding for public schools. This week I've been thinking of Malcolm X, that controversial visionary, since he coined the phrase "by any means necessary." I think we need to fund public schools by any means necessary. (Applause.)
Now, I'm a pacifist and I am a conscientious objector. I do not condone violence in any way. I agree with Quakers when they say there is no way to peace. Peace is the way. But how can peace be the way with our young people in Philadelphia when we show them so little in positive regard? We show them little respect when teachers and school administrators do not have the most basic tools for creating positive environments in schools. How can we sleep at night knowing we are sending students the message no more music education, even though research shows it helps us to develop our brains in complex ways and it soothes us into calmer states for improved concentration. No more counselors to help you through the rough patches in life, which we all have, adults and young people included. No more nurses to attend to you when you are unwell. No more secretaries when your parents need to talk to someone at school. I'm wondering if City Council members have to bring in their own pencils, copy paper, and tissues to work. I wonder how City Council would feel if they didn't have high-tech security systems in City Hall to make you feel protected. I wonder how well you as Councilmembers will serve your constituents if you do not have a secretary to field your phone calls. Anyway, my point is this: Quakers say that peace is the way. I say that education is the way to create an informed citizenship where young people have choices for viable economic futures.
Is that it? I understand that there were a couple of people whose names were called that were in the hall.
Annette Erling, Susan Clampet-Lindquist, Arden Cass, Tina Kluetmeier, Anne Gemmell, Aviva Kaminsky.
I'm right here. I'm right here. I'm sorry. (Witnesses approached podium.)
It's okay. I just want to give you -- I'm sorry you were in the hall. We have altered -- just to briefly tell you, we have offered the public comment timeline because we wanted to let everybody speak who was on the list. So we ask that you keep your comments to a minute and a half, because we want to make sure everybody who has signed up get an opportunity.
My name is Aviva Kaminsky. I'm here with my son Archer who is starting kindergarten in September, and his father and I both work for the City, so we have to go -- we have to live in Philadelphia, and we bought a house in the C.W. Henry catchment, because it was the best school and we wanted our son to go there, but at a PTA meeting the other day, our principal told us that if they only have a principal and teachers to run the school, she won't be able to open the school. And the idea that my son may not have a school to go to at all because of these cuts is outrageous to me. And I know that there are taxes that can be collected. I know that there are funds that are available so that this doesn't have to happen. And the idea that we have to go to Philadelphia schools but those schools are so completely underfunded is really shocking to me. And I wanted to bring my son today so that you can see the face of what it looks like that you are not funding properly and what it looks like for a child who might not be able to go to their school. Thank you.
My name is Annette Erling. Before I start, I just wanted to say it was difficult to come in here and see all the empty seats after all of us have been waiting outside for hours. So that was really -(Applause.)
My husband and I have been in the City for about 20 years and we conservatively estimate that in those 20 years between all our taxes, we've probably conservatively invested $200,000 or more into the City of Philadelphia and the State of Pennsylvania just in our taxes. We have not only invested money; we invested tons of time and love and commitment to the City, and to have this feeling that suddenly it's all being dishonored, that while -- my son goes to Independence Charter School. He's 10 years old. To suddenly see, Sorry, you already don't have a gym, you don't have a crossing guard, you don't have a full-time librarian, you won't have anything. There will be a teacher in a classroom. That is it. That is not honoring the commitment that we made to the City. Our property taxes are about to rise about 140 percent next year, and I've been telling everybody that's great. I'm so happy about this, because we can invest more in the City. Pay your taxes, do the right thing, invest in the children. Then I look at the property tax map and I see that all of the businesses around me are going down. The nuisance parking lot, $23,000, down in taxes next year. The apartment building that never cleans up its trash or chips the ice off of its sidewalk, down next year. All of the money that we're putting in is being wiped out by that drop in property taxes. I couldn't believe my eyes. (Applause.)
I want to say, please, please take the use and occupancy tax and make it right. Make it right so that the businesses are paying their fair share and so that the citizens can be honored for our commitment and our investment.
My name is Tina Kluetmeier and I'm honored to have the opportunity to speak before City Council today. My voice is a little horse because I was in the hallway with my -
Sorry. I had hoped to participate earlier in the process, but most of my volunteer hours have been dedicated to our kids' Odyssey of the Mind teams at Masterman and Independence Charter Schools. OM, as we call it, is a creative problem-solving competition that synthesizes science, technology, and the arts. For the past few years, it's been entirely funded and facilitated by parents at both of these schools. We were proud parents when our sons' team at ICS took first place at the regional tournament and competed in the state tournament in Mt. Pocono this spring. One of the things that we noticed at the state tournament is that school districts that invested in these kinds of opportunities swept the award ceremony, devastating our kids. Despite the time, talent, and effort that they put in and their parents into this endeavor, they just couldn't compete at the same level. Another parent told me that the School District used to support Odyssey of the Mind throughout Philadelphia, but schools stopped participating when funding for programs like this was eliminated in a previous round of budget cuts four or five years ago. We've already lost so much. Not surprising, according to a recent New York Times article, income is a better predictor of success in school than race, confirming both our observation and our experience in Mt. Pocono. It's our responsibility to work together as a community to close this gap. My husband and I moved to Philadelphia from the Boston area in the late 1980's at a time when the City was a ghost town after 5 o'clock. Nevertheless, we bought a house in the 19146 area code 20 years ago this August because we're committed to urban communities. Since then, we've been thrilled by the investments made by City Council and the Mayor to create a thriving urban center that's helped reverse the City's population decline for the first time in over 50 years. While we appreciate and enjoy the many cultural opportunities that Philadelphia offers, it's the neighborhoods -(Microphone turned off.)
Ma'am, ma'am, we need you to conclude your remarks, please.
So let me end by saying that the finger-pointing has got to stop. Yes, the state should increase its funding for the Philadelphia public schools, but the City, including its corporate citizens as well as homeowners and small businesses, must dig deep to support our children. Our property taxes have doubled while our salaries have declined more than 30 percent since 2008. It's time for leadership today.
Hold on. Mr. Decker? Your name -- this is the deal. And you may have unfortunately been in the hall.
The rules of Council as it relates to public comment authorizes Council; i.e., me, to cut off conversation on the same subject matter, which we have done -- could have done about half an hour ago. Because we understand the importance of that, we said we're going to take the final names on the list, cut the public comment time in half to accommodate everyone who had signed up.
They told me outside I could get on the list at 10 o'clock, who's ever in charge outside.
I don't know who told you or where they told you. I'm telling you what the story is now. So we have tried to accommodate everyone who was on the list, those people that were in here, people that were in the hall, and we're going to conclude our public comment now on the same subject matter.
Thank you very much. I really appreciate your help. (Audience members booing.)
Folks, folks, look, this is the deal. Now, I understand how passionate you all are, because there's nobody more passionate than the people in this Council, because we have voted to raise people's taxes -- let me -- I'm going to ask you to be respectful, because I've been extremely respectful today. These people in this Chamber have voted consistently on an annual basis to raise taxes, the taxes that people were complaining about two speakers ago, because we understand the importance of public education, and we're going to vote it again this year to put $74 million on the table for schools, more than we were asked to do. And this notion that somehow Harrisburg won't do or authorize, I don't know if that's going to happen. I'm optimistic and I continue to be optimistic. The reality is, that $74 million translates into $125 million next year. That's significant funding from a local revenue stream. Now, I'm probably not supposed to get into this conversation because I'm sitting at the chair, but I don't want people to be misled about what we have done in this Council Chambers on a consistent basis and what we are doing now to provide opportunities for public education, because at the end of the day, if you look at the record, this Council has consistently stepped to the plate sometimes when no one else has. So I just want for the record. Now, with respect to our process, we ask people to respect our process. We have put eight public hearings, eight -- I want to make you sure you understand -- eight public hearings where we allowed and asked people to come in and testify on behalf of schools and other City-related areas. There was a gentleman who referenced the rail up here earlier about we are separated by the railing. There's no other legislative body in the country where you can be this close to your elected official and be able to interact and have this much opportunity to have a process where you're allowed to have input into the process anywhere. And I'm proud about the fact that you have this opportunity to come to your City Council, because at the end of the day, we're here because you all supported us. So with respect to the process, I ask that you please respect our process. We have had a significant number of speakers. We've had a significant number of public hearings, and we will continue this dialogue, because at the end of the day, as was referenced by a speaker earlier, guess what, the $300 million that the SRC is asking for is not enough. We clearly understand it's not enough, but it's to allow us to continue our education as is. And that's not enough. This City Council will continue to be involved in the process, as we currently are, for the broader picture, because at the end of the day, you have to have a sustained revenue stream to get some continuity in the school system, which we do not, because it's been an annual budget by crisis, and we got to stop that. So with respect to us, I ask that you please respect our process, and we will make sure that we do what we need to to continue for public education.
Sir, and I apologize for that. I will take that responsibility. I apologize for that. But we have to move on because we do have business to conclude today. And, again, I want to thank you for coming down today, sir.
Thank you. So that would conclude our public comment. I will ask Mr. Decker to please read the titles of all the resolutions on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read -(Audience members yelling.)
Folks, I'm telling you, please. Let us conclude our business. I will ask Mr. Decker to please read the titles of all the resolutions on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the resolution on the Resolution Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the resolution will be immediately removed from the Resolution Consent Agenda and today's regular Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, would you please now read the titles of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Resolution No. 130535, entitled "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 Third Ward of the City of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 130536, entitled "A resolution supporting the Diversity Visa program and urging the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives to preserve the Diversity Visa program as an integral part of the comprehensive immigration reform legislation"; and 130537, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1901 through 09 North Thirty-Third Street, 1911 through 1915 North Thirty-Third Street, 3210 through 3212 Arlington Street, 3211 through 3219 Arlington Street, 3216 Arlington Street, 3220 through 3226 Arlington Street, 3223 through 3237 Arlington Street, 3230 Arlington Street, 3236 Arlington Street, 3225 through 3227 West Berks Street, 3233 through 37 West Berks Street, 3210 through 14 Monument Street, 3217 Monument Street, 3220 Monument Street, 3223 through 25 Monument Street, 3224 Monument Street, 3228 Monument Street, 3229 Monument Street, 3232 through 34 Monument Street and 3233 through 37 Monument Street"; and 130538, entitled "A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Twenty-Eighth, Twenty-Ninth and Forty-Third Wards of the City of Philadelphia"; and Resolution No. 130539, entitled "A 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 1347 through 51 North Front Street including 1352 North Lee Street"; and Resolution No. 130542, entitled "A resolution urging the Pennsylvania to oppose legislation that would weaken existing protections against predatory lending and harm the citizens of our Commonwealth by legalizing high-cost, small-dollar loans, commonly known as payday loans"; and Resolution No. 130543, entitled "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 number and street address as 1736 through 54 North American Street"; and Resolution No. 130547, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the 54th and Columbia Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 1717 through 25 North Fifty-Fourth Street"; and Resolution No. 130548, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the West Philadelphia Redevelopment Area, identified by house number and street address as 1410 North Fifty-Sixth Street"; and Resolution No.
130549, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Auburn Redevelopment Area, identified by house number and street address as 2118 East Monmouth Street"; and Resolution No. 130550, entitled "A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2211 Blair Street.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for a motion to adopt each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda be adopted. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda have been adopted. We will now consider today's Bill Consent Agenda. I will ask Mr. Decker to read the titles of all of the bills on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the bill on the Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the bill will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on your regular Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker will now the read titles of the bills on the Consent Agenda.
Bill No. 130255-A, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code by amending sections of the /CTR, Center City Overlay District to apply special controls to an area bounded by the west I-95, Race Street, 4th Street, and New Street"; and Bill No. 120142-A, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Miscellaneous,' by requiring the implementation of an electronic option for conducting and processing all City-related interactions or transactions and to report on the work processes for all such interactions or transactions"; and Bill No. 120143, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Miscellaneous,' by requiring the Finance Director to submit to Council, with the Mayor's proposed annual operating budget, an information technology strategic plan, following procedures to be adopted by the Managing Director"; and Bill No. 120959, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Erie Avenue, B Street, Venango Street, and Front Street"; and Bill No. 130245, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2013 from the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance - Provision for Other Grants to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions"; and Bill No. 130387, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Frankford Creek, Aramingo Avenue, Wheatsheaf Lane, Sepviva Street, Butler Street, Frankford Avenue, Valetta Street, Coral Street, Vici Street and Frankford Avenue"; and Bill No. 120107, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 21 of The Code, entitled 'Miscellaneous,' by providing for the preparation of Fiscal Impact Statements regarding pending legislation and directing the Finance Director and Controller to provide such statements upon request"; and Bill No. 130445, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-3801 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Finance, Taxes and Collections,' and such other provisions as may be appropriate, to reduce the net profits tax burden on certain existing and new businesses"; and Bill No. 130487, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Business Income and Receipts Tax,' by revising the alternative receipts tax computation"; and Bill No. 130324, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 2-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Recording of Deeds," and Chapter 10-1000 of The Code, entitled 'Fees,' by adding duties for the certification of deeds, providing for tangled title assistance, providing for certain fees and making certain technical changes"; and Bill No. 120614, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-205 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Sidewalk Sales,' by permitting sidewalk sales on a portion of Frankford Avenue"; and Bill No. 120901, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Ricardo Mejias to construct, own and maintain various right-of-way encroachments at 4004 North 5th Street"; and Bill No. 130016, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 10-722 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Use of Dumpsters,' by revising certain requirements for dumpsters and making technical changes"; and Bill No. 130154, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Bharat Patel, owner of the newsstand located on the southwest corner of Broad and Chestnut Streets, to construct, use and maintain conduits in and under the southwest corner of Broad and Chestnut Streets"; and Bill No.
130158, entitled "An ordinance regulating the direction of movement of traffic on 7th Street between Lehigh Avenue and Somerset Street"; and Bill No. 130160, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no parking regulation on the 2700 block of North 7th Street between Lehigh Avenue and Somerset Street, both sides"; and Bill No. 130299, entitled "An ordinance authorizing, Nirlesh Desai, owner and operator of the newsstand located on the northeast corner of 17th and Chestnut Streets, to construct, use and maintain conduits in and under the northeast corner of 17th and Chestnut Streets"; and Bill No. 130356, entitled "An Sabrina's Cafe to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 908 through 912 Christian Street"; and Bill No. 130357, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Jerry's Bar to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 129 West Laurel Street"; and Bill No. 130382, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Girard Leopard Cafe, doing business as Bubba's Texas BBQ, to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 19 through 21 West Girard Avenue"; and Bill No. 130388, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-204 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Sidewalk Vendors in Center City,' by eliminating a previously designated vendor location on the East side of 5th Street, from Ludlow Street to Chestnut Street; and by adding to the list of locations that shall not be designated for vending 5th Street, Street to Chestnut Street"; and Bill No. 130413, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 119 by relocating the easterly curbline of Hutchinson Street, from Girard Avenue to Thompson Street"; and Bill No. 130414, entitled "An ordinance regulating the direction of movement of traffic on Hutchinson Street between Thompson Street and Girard Avenue"; and Bill No. B. Sweets & Treats to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 3138 Richmond Street"; and Bill No. 130421, entitled "An ordinance authorizing RRD Management to construct, own and maintain various right-of-way encroachments at 1300 Lombard Street"; and Bill No. 130449, entitled "An Atul Amin, owner and operator of the newsstand located on the southeast corner of 17th and JFK Boulevard, to construct, use and maintain conduits in, under and across the southeast corner of 17th and JFK Boulevard"; and Bill No. 130461, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Mekong River Restaurant to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 1120 South Front Street"; and Bill No. 130462, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Farmers' Markets,' by amending the permissible locations"; and Bill No. 130463, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Fond Bistro doing business as Fond Restaurant to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 1537 South 11th Street"; and Bill No. 130464, entitled "An ordinance establishing a parking Greene Street, west side, Windrim Avenue to Roberts Avenue"; and Bill No. 130418, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code by amending Subcode PM (The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code), by providing requirements relating to the exterior maintenance of mixed-use buildings"; and Bill No. "
Thank you. These bills having been read on two different days, the question for each now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker shall call the roll, and upon called, each Councilmember shall vote aye on each of the bills, nay on each of the bills or indicate those bills for which the member is voting aye and those bills for which the member is voting nay. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye on all bills, except for Bill No. 130387 on which I vote nay.
Aye on all bills. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative for each of the bills, the bills on the Consent Agenda are passed. Let the record reflect that Councilman Green voted nay on 130387. At this time, we will now consider the bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, would you please read the title of -- I guess the first one would be Bill No. 120340-AAAA.
An ordinance enacting a new Chapter 19-3800 of The Philadelphia Code authorizing the granting of tax exemptions to longtime owner-occupants of certain properties in the City of Philadelphia.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Excuse me. I'm sorry, Mr. President. I apologize. I'm a no on that bill. 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
14, right. 14; 2. A majority of all members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 130182-A.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "School Tax Authorization," by amending Section 19-1806, entitled "Authorization of Realty Use and Occupancy Tax," to further authorize the tax and to set the rate for such tax.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 130458-A.
An ordinance 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING amending Chapter 19-3200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Keystone Opportunity Zone, Economic Development District, and Strategic Development Area," by providing for additional zones or subzones; and by providing for extensions of the term of benefits for certain properties.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 130417-A.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," by further providing for deferrals for taxpayers experiencing significant increases in their real estate taxes.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, 130455-A.
An ordinance authorizing the Director of Commerce to enter into a Second Extension of the Use and Lease Agreements between the City of Philadelphia and each of the airlines servicing Philadelphia International Airport.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
For the reasons set forth in a memo to the Chief 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Clerk, I'm going to recuse myself and abstain from voting on this bill.
Councilwoman 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Quinones-Sanchez.
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are two. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Call up No. 130178.
An ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2014 through 2019 inclusive.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll. 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The nays are 15; the nays are one. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. 130179, Mr. Decker. 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are one. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 120651.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," by reducing the amount of real estate taxes to be exempted for certain improvements to, or construction of, certain residential, commercial, industrial or other business properties; and by reducing the duration of such exemptions.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer an amendment today to that bill. It simply pushes the effective date back by only six months. A copy of the amendment has been 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING circulated to each member of Council, and I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Bill No. 120651 is amended and will be placed on the Calendar for our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, 130180.
An ordinance adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2014.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are two. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 130456.
An ordinance 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING authorizing the Director of Housing, on behalf of the City, to file applications with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for a Community Development Block Grant.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution recognizing the successful completion of the 113th U.S. Open golf championship at the Merion Golf Club, hosted by the United States Golf Association, introduced by Councilman Kenney.
I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution approving the annual Program Statement and Budget for the expenditure of the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative Bond Proceeds for Fiscal Year 2014, introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell for Council President Clarke.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.) 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution urging the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office to initiate an investigation into the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole's policies and procedures that are a risk to the public safety of the citizens of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
And a resolution recognizing September 12th as Barbara Chase Riboud Day in Philadelphia, introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
I thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. That resolution is also 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted.
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings to determine the status of the City's current public safety video surveillance camera program, and to explore what best practices in public safety video surveillance may be employed to enhance efforts to reduce crime and promote safety in the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it. That resolution is also adopted.
And a resolution appointing Mjenzi Traylor to the Board of Directors of the Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for 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 is also adopted. 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
And Resolution No. 130505, entitled "A resolution appointing Matt Canno to the Board of Directors of the Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia," introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And Resolution No. 130506, entitled "A resolution 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING appointing Joseph Martin to the Board of Directors of the Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia," introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And Resolution No. 130507, entitled "A resolution appointing Joseph Waldo to the Board of Directors of the Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia," 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for 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 is adopted.
And Resolution No. 130508, entitled "A resolution appointing Joseph Corrigan to the Board of Directors of the Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia," introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
The 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for 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 is also adopted.
And Resolution No. 130509, entitled "A resolution appointing Greg Peil to the Board of Directors of the Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia," introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, 6/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted.
And Resolution No. 130510, entitled "A resolution appointing Barbara Hogue to the Board of Directors of the Germantown Special Services District of Philadelphia," introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
And thank you, Mr. President. I move for 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 is adopted.
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Are there any speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to make an announcement and to wish who will be a former staff person tomorrow well in her new endeavors. Stephanie Roza, who has been our Legislative Assistant here for a year and a half or so, is leaving us. It's her last session today and her last day of work tomorrow. She will be getting married next week and will be moving to Boston to continue her education at a little known school called Harvard University. So we want to thank her for all her hard work and to wish her well on her new endeavors.
Again, Mr. President, another good session in Council. It's difficult handling the business, but well worth it in the end. I, like you, have faith that the state will do the right thing. We have done our best to do the right thing, and I want to recognize the fact that yesterday was Juneteenth, which is the celebration of the final emancipation of slaves in this country that happened two and a half years after President Lincoln declared the Emancipation Proclamation. I think it's not by chance that we are talking about something so worthwhile as public education that was prohibited to most slaves during the country. So the heavy lifting, the shouting, the arguing, the debating, the discussion about which way to help our children is all worthwhile in the end, and I thank you for courageously leading this body to help our young people of all colors, and I think President Lincoln would be proud of you right about now. Thank you.
you, Councilman. I'm not necessarily looking forward to President Lincoln's -- there may be some people that were here today that might actually want to do that right now, but I take it in a good spirit. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman O'Brien, you raised your hand.
I got some other people teed up. Councilman O'Brien is in the minority. They came first. Councilman, go ahead. Are you okay?
I've been dealing with people in line all day and I'm a little wobbled by it. Let me get Councilwoman Brown. I'll get to you, Councilman. Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. Vice President Biden said, "Don't tell me what you value. Show me your budget and I'll tell you what you value." Repeatedly we've mentioned how young people learn to read from K through 3 and then from 4th grade on, they read to learn. Stats, practices, and tendencies tell us that if young people are not reading by 6th grade, truancy kicks in. And we know that for every 100 young people that enter our schools in 9th grade, 45 of them will be gone by the end of 12th grade. For those who drop out, we know that they do not gain employment, and too often it leads to drugs, violence, and too often it leads to incarceration. The set of facts provides an easy roadmap when considering the budget. We've pleaded repeatedly since we heard the School District's address that we need to invest in schools, and I join Councilman Jones and others who want to say thank you for putting that ball now at the foot of Governor Corbett. Governor Corbett's proposed budget spends 14 percent more on correction than higher education, and once again, Pennsylvania will be investing more in the state pen than we do in Penn State. His administration is also starting construction on two new prisons in Montgomery County, costing over $400 million for 4,000 prison beds, while 23 schools have to close and thousands of layoffs persist in the District. On the Governor's website, it says, "Governor Corbett's proposed budget Pennsylvania's students and schools. These investments are a reflection of the Governor's commitment to ensure that Pennsylvania can compete in the new global economy with a trained and educated workforce," end quote. That sounds fabulous; does it not? But, again, Vice President said it best, "Don't tell me what you value. Show me your budget and I'll tell you what you value." We appreciate the important work you've led on in these Chambers around the issue of funding our Philadelphia public schools, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to second what my colleagues have said about your it is to have a leadership on Council that we're all able to work with and all our ideas are heard and listened to, and not that we always get everything that we want and everything that we need passed, but it is great to have a Council like this willing to listen and work together. During the AVI process, you heard me say a lot of different things and mainly the issue of assessments and fairness and accuracy. I still believe today that -- I know we passed AVI out, and I believe that there are still some inequities and unfairness in assessments that need to be looked at. I appreciate Council's vote on my tolling legislation that enabled anyone who does appeal their assessment would have to pay just last year's tax due and then would have to pay the rest depending on whenever their appeal is completed. But I still have some concerns about the legislation that we passed, and I'm just going to cite a versus Green, the consent decree that was May 18, 1981. It just shows that according to this decree that where it says "Whereas, abandonment of the principles of graduations embodied in the consent decree will cause severe economic and administrative dislocations as well as undue hardship on certain citizens." And I believe AVI, the way it is set forth at this time, is doing that because of the assessments that are not only inaccurate, but unfair. And in the end, the Board essentially argues that an abrupt imposition of the mandate uniformity would cause severe administrative and economic dislocations. Courts in Pennsylvania and other jurisdictions have filed the gradualist approach, imposing reforms in tax assessments. Failure to follow a gradualist approach will cause Act No. 271 to violate the equal protection clause, because requiring immediate uniformity will class of moderate- and low-income families. So knowing that I believe that, I know this Council has passed AVI in its current form. I still believe that there are possibilities for that to change, but, again, I do want to thank you for your leadership and everything you have done this Council session, and I really appreciate it and look forward to working to next Council year. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman, so much. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to also echo the sentiments of my colleagues regarding the issue of education and really recognizing all of us in here understand the importance of it, but also stepping up to the plate and really looking at what can definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. And in this particular case, it gives us an opportunity to see how can we come up with a long-term funding solution to address the issue of education, because quite honestly, we would be in the same predicament next year. And so hopefully throughout the summer, with the Chair of Education and I don't have a problem following up with you, Council President, as well as the members of the Education Committee to really begin grappling and putting our head together to kind of look at what's the long-term plan, what are we going to do to make sure that next year we're not in the same, as you mentioned earlier, crisis mode as it relates to the issue of public education, and what are some of the best practices that will enable us to get over to the hump so we can be able to fund public education as it should be. But as the ball is now on the state level, because we did do a lot of heavy lifting, I do acknowledge the partnership you formed with the Philadelphia delegation on the Senate side, acknowledging State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams for the heavy politicking that he has been doing in Harrisburg on the republican side. And I think a lot of times the work that he does as it relates to specifically public education isn't acknowledged, but I do know over the last couple weeks specifically, he has been politicking very hard in the Senate. And I acknowledge Cherelle Parker on the House side. And so hopefully as we continue to move forward, I remain optimistic that we will find a solution to the issue of funding public education. But on the issue of AVI, and I met with some constituents yesterday, this is going to have a significant impact on individuals primarily in the 2nd Councilmanic District who are low- and moderate-income and also individuals who are from working-class families who will be significantly impacted by the flawed implementation, from my perspective, of AVI. And so we will continue to work throughout the summer. I have an AVI town hall meeting that's going to be coming up in Southwest Philadelphia to explain to my constituents the various relief measures that we have introduced, but this will be a long-term process for us to make sure that individuals do not lose their homes, to make sure that individuals do have the means to also pay their tax bill. And so I just wanted to state that for the record, that we will continuously advocate on this issue. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
Thank you, sir. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I too want to echo the sentiments of my colleagues. Who would have thought three years later we are still grappling with a crisis mode around how we fund public education? And in the middle of that, we're faced with the massive reform of AVI. And while AVI is imperfect, and I've learned to vote on many imperfect pieces of legislation in this Council in my tenure, we did find ways to protect folks through homestead, through deferrals, through the appeals process. We did the best we can with the tools that we have. Over the last 48 hours, we've received some very positive movement in Harrisburg, and I feel strongly that we have a small window of opportunity on the heels of an election next year that our very public discussion about the conditions of our schools is the perfect storm to get Harrisburg to fulfill its obligation of our schools. What is going on in Harrisburg is historic in nature. All hands are on deck. Our Mayor, our Council leadership, our state delegation, our business community, and finally, as stated today in a very public way, Governor Corbett has acknowledged that Philadelphia and our children deserve additional funding. I want to thank all of the teachers, staff, parents, and students, especially those students who came in this Council and articulated sometimes better than our adults the crossroads in which we find ourselves in public education. I want to thank my Council colleagues and take them on the challenge that as soon as we finish this budget process, we begin to have a discussion, budget but what we believe our values to be around public education. I would be remiss not to mention Dr. Hite and his team, who have made tough choices and have helped us present a good case to the federal, state, and city stakeholders. I want to echo what my colleague Blondell Reynolds said about our brave Unite fasting activists. Earlene Bly, Patricia Norris, Michael Mullins, Marcia Teagle are the face to our challenges and what we face. Over the next couple of months, as the dust settles, we will be reminded that we have another obligation. I don't want it to come as a surprise to anyone that next year we will be talking about long-term funding for the public education system. It, by no means, allow us to discuss the problems and the challenges that we still face in this bare-bones budget. I want to thank my Council who, for a third year, as outlined by you, Council President, has not shied away from doing the heavy lifting. We are in line to provide 74-plus million dollars to the schools over what they requested. Today as we bring our budget process to a close, all of us here, those who are here and who testified, those within listening ears, need to continue to join together and target all of our energies at Harrisburg. Corbett has to do more. Our Philadelphia Senate and House delegation have been steadfast in carrying our message and shepherding our request. I also want to thank them for the collaborative effort in which they work with our respective body. Today, united, we need to send the message, the people, we the people, the children, who have been phenomenal through all of this, will do whatever it takes. I look forward to that continuing discussion as we define and some of us redefine what a common vision of good public education should be. I am so proud of everyone in their efforts. I've never felt prouder to be a Philadelphian and for my service -- my public service and my commitment to public education. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones. Okay. Never mind.
Okay. I'm just following the screen. Councilman O'Brien, did you want to speak? If you did -
We then can you queue it up. I'm going to recognize Councilman Green first.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to talk briefly about the budget process or actually budgeting in the City of Philadelphia as we pass a budget today. We don't always agree on budgets, but there is one that passed Council today, and it was based on 2,000 separate spreadsheets, which is how our budget is put together. There is no integrated financial package or budgeting system for the City of Philadelphia, which is a -we spend between capital and operating budgets over $4 billion a year. That is absolutely ridiculous, and we have this spring passed some measures in City Council that hopefully will lead to the requirement to have a financial package and allow us to be presented with a different way to look at the budget and judge the budget. example, a Charter change was passed several years ago that allowed us to state specific requirements that we want from the Administration on an annual basis when the budget is presented to us, and we passed a program-based budgeting requirement, which will have a zero base goal the first year. The Administration is committed to start to present a program-based budget next fiscal year, and by 2015, we will see a full program-based budget from the zero base that has -- and the capital budget they will be required to present to us a cost-benefit analysis of each capital expenditure that is going to be spent, and I think -- I hope that these efforts that passed Council this spring will lead us to a financial package that allows program-based budgeting, a cost-benefit analysis to be shared, and makes the data with respect to budgeting and with respect to each program, not department, far more transparent to us and the you, Mr. President.
All ready, Mr. President? I'm only kidding. Thank you, Mr. President. Once again, I would like to remind everyone that in the last week, 303 violent crimes were reported to the Philadelphia Police Department. This number includes three homicides, 50 gun robberies, and 37 assaults with a gun. Since the start of 2013, 109 families lost a loved one due to violence in our city. I'm pleased to see these numbers are down from this time a year ago, but I hope the trend continues with the warmer weather. With that said, I believe we can do better. I believe the focused deterrence strategy can help us drive those numbers down even lower. I believe smarter ways to stop the senseless end of so many lives and the destruction of families across our city. The focused deterrence strategy has repeatedly demonstrated that serious violence can be dramatically reduced when law enforcement, community members, and social service providers join together to directly engage with violent street groups to clearly communicate three things. One, a law enforcement message that future violence will be met with clear and predictable consequences; two, a community moral message that violence will no longer be tolerated; and, finally, three, a genuine offer to help those who want it. I believe we need to invest in the sustainability of focused deterrence and create a permanent structure to organize and administer the strategy. I would like to recognize Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and their personal and fiscal support of this initiative. I look forward to hearings in the fall to explore a wider-scale implementation of focused deterrence to make Philadelphia a better and safer place. Finally, Mr. President, I would like to talk about the resolution I introduced today. The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole presents an identifiable threat to public safety, most noticeably in Philadelphia. I believe public safety should be the Board's guiding priority, but I fear it is not. The Board is reckless in handling parole violations, irresponsible when assigning huge parole agent caseloads, and their chronic understaffing creates an experience deficit in Philadelphia. The Board's responsibility is to protect public safety and supervise parolees after their release from prison. recently held two probing hearings at my request to examine the Board's risky practices related to public safety. I'm very grateful to our Committee Chair, Councilman Jones, the other Committee members and their staffs for helping me shed light on the shock of the Board. On April 12th, we examined the Board's general practices and the events leading up to the brutal murder of Police Officer Moses Walker. Last week we had the second hearing to examine agent caseload, technical violations by offenders, GPS offender monitoring, and the creation of a workgroup focused on Philadelphia's specific issues, as suggested by the Board's Chair at our first hearing. After all the razzmatazz and the merry-go-round of the Board, I was left with no other option but to introduce another resolution today. Philadelphia has a state high 10,490 offenders under the supervision of 136 parole agents. Some of these offenders have extensive histories of guns and violence. Some have been less than model inmates. Some have served the maximum state sentence, and some merit strong supervision for successful reentry. Agent allocation, heavy caseloads, and their handling of serious violations reflect the Board's indifference to Philadelphia. When questioned, they are as transparent as mud. They now hide behind Act 122 of 2012 as the reason for not issuing warrants, but the statute clearly gives them discretion to do the right thing when there is an identifiable threat to public safety.
And when a police officer is murdered by a supervised offender, the agent, the agent takes the fall for the Board's risky gamble. Philadelphia warrants and deserves a real systemic and cleansing change to make our city safer. I believe must now look at the threat the Board places on public safety in Philadelphia. This resolution I introduced today urges the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office to initiate an investigation into the Board of Probation and Parole's policies and procedures that are a risk to public safety for the citizens of Philadelphia. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to make an announcement on behalf of Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown. She invites all Councilmembers and female staff only to join the Moxie Women Advisory Board for their VIP luncheon in the Caucus Room.
I see our male staff is showing a sudden that event. Good luck on keeping them out. Folks, I would like to just thank you guys again, just reiterate my strong belief and, again, I know that for probably a couple of the former Councilmembers watching us or will see us at some point or somebody is going to tell them that I said that you guys are the best City Council that I've ever worked with, but, you know, they probably have to get over it. So I just want to again say that you guys are the best group of Councilmembers in my relatively short term that I've worked with. You guys are awesome, work hard, focused, genuinely have the people's interest. And every now and then we don't necessarily agree on the same issues, but at the end of the day, the positions that you take are in the best interest that you believe that will help our city. So I want to thank you all so and being able to work with you and not only call you my colleagues but call you my friends. There are two things that I would like to do, not here. There are a couple of issues that have some small loose ends. One obviously is the school issue that we have been in the midst of. I will be reaching out to a couple of members about something that will happen over the next couple of days that we will -- I will ask you to get engaged in. I don't want to say it here. I'm sure I'll have some microphones in my face shortly about what that is. And the other thing is with respect to AVI, and I've talked to a number of members, including the Mayor, that while we have proceeded with a program that I believe we should do, obviously there are some issues with respect to AVI. We can't close our eyes and our ears and not acknowledge that there are some issues with respect to issues with respect, in a lot of people's minds, with fairness. The introduction and the passage of the OPA standards that was, I think, Councilman Henon, you introduced that and co-sponsored by with Oh and -who else was it?
And myself, okay. (Continued) -- and supported by all members, I want to think, is going to be a key document that I'm going to ask people to work with OPA on over the next couple of months, because at the end of the day, people should understand why they're being assessed and how they're being assessed in a very public and transparent way. The second thing, I'm going to informally name a couple of members of Council or request a couple of members of Council participate in a process that will allow us to not only get a little more accuracy in some of the issues with AVI, but actually come up with a monitoring system with respect to some of the measures that have been put in place, homestead, gentrification, deferrals, because we want to make sure that those programs are adequately implemented and, in addition to which, there is probably going to be some budgetary impacts for this particular program. It's not clear what revenues will be generated by this new market value, but if there are excess revenues generated, we want to make sure that, one, Council knows about it and, two, how to either redirect it or utilize it for different issues with respect to Council, be it reducing taxes or funding some other more appropriate type of activities. So I'm going to ask a couple of members of Council to participate in that informal process. Councilman Kenney, you raised your hand. You want to be on that committee?
Just I had to say it, because you're talking about a very full agenda for this summer and we have the construction and demolition committee going this summer. I read this morning that I was going to be at the shore, at the beach all summer long. The Inquirer Editorial Board told me I got a free pass to go to the shore for the summer. So the only thing that that proves to me is that we're in the building in the summer and they're not, because if they were here, like some of our reporters, they see us. So the Inquirer Editorial Board ought to visit us this summer and maybe they'd learn something. Thank you.
Councilman, I want to thank you for that. couple of reporters earlier. It's pretty -
I just thought -- I don't want the Inquirer to go alone. It's the Daily News too, both editorial boards. Thank you.
Yeah. After being here for a number of years, you just kind of like let it roll off your back, because at the end of the day, not only we know what we do, the people know what we do. So, guys, I want to thank you all so much for another great session, look forward to working with you over the summer on various measures, and we'll be in touch with a couple of you, several of you, over the next day or so. So with that, I'd like to recognize Councilman Greenlee for a
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, September 12th, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, September 12th, 2013, 10:00 a.m. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. m. Thank you very much. ) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. ) A 67:10 77:21 administrators 162:15 164:23 agree 113:17 Aaron 8:14 78:14,18 79:3 113:24 167:6 170:22 202:10 210:20 Abandoned 43:19 active 14:5,12,22 adopt 135:9 173:9 agreed 65:16 82:6 abandonment actively 92:11 162:19 165:3 afford 75:4 Agreements 192:6 activists 199:12 adopted 135:20 affordable 12:21 160:6 abatement 82:4 activities 87:3 136:5 137:21 African 18:14 agro-related ability 85:21 213:20 174:8 175:6 19:8,18 24:23 20:13 able 19:19 76:5 activity 15:3 176:5 177:2 25:13 27:22 ahead 36:6 110:24 116:20 adage 20:20 178:4,25 179:23 31:15 104:11 187:19 117:10 127:10 adapted 8:14 180:20 181:18 African-Ameri... Ahumada 10:5 191:4 194:25 adding 51:6 53:7 182:16 183:14 12:18 13:11 Air 93:25 94:18 211:2 106:6 140:3 184:12 Africa's 21:21 145:14 abrupt 192:15 142:23 adopting 168:18 afternoon 26:23 airlines 160:7 absence 6:3,9,17 addition 15:11 adoption 36:3 93:8,10 95:19 airport 93:14 absolutely 11:22 45:7 64:5 213:8 135:13 168:3 95:21 101:15 160:9 202:19 additional 33:14 173:22 174:20 110:15,16 113:3 Albert 89:18 abstain 161:3 37:12 59:6 61:7 175:18 176:15 after-school 87:3 Alexander 68:7 academic 86:13 76:19 155:6 177:17 178:13 agencies 23:2 99:13,15 101:15 academics 90:13 173:12 198:14 179:11 180:9 Agency 23:4 101:17 accept 8:9 Additionally 8:10 181:6 182:4 agenda 22:6 61:1 alike 81:7 acceptable 94:22 address 132:21 183:2,25 61:15 62:1,2,13 Allens 58:7 112:18 133:15,25 adores 11:22 62:21 63:1,12 allocation 208:9 acceptance 33:9 134:10,19 135:4 adults 2:21 81:7 63:22 64:7 allow 40:8 104:8 accepted 11:11 189:7 194:9 87:6 114:11 129:1,11,19,22 106:22 128:5 accommodate addresses 131:9 198:19 129:25 130:1,6 199:21 202:23 66:3,7 106:20 addressing 99:19 advance 8:8 66:24 131:1 132:1 212:24 106:24 107:14 adequate 88:7 107:18 133:1 134:1 allowed 111:2 124:12,20 108:25 Advanced 21:5 135:1,11,15,20 127:2,12 203:3 accompanying adequately 213:7 advantage 22:16 136:1,4,7,9,12 allowing 3:20 7:10 17:24 adieu 26:19 55:24 136:15,19 137:1 28:5 77:25 accountability's adjacent 53:20 advise 32:9 138:1 139:1 98:17 107:9 46:17 adjourn 216:2 Advisor 15:24 140:1 141:1 allows 203:20 accounts 82:14 adjourned 216:5 16:2 142:1 143:1 alma 29:7 103:3 216:10,18,22 Advisory 17:7 144:1 145:1 alter 64:20 accuracy 191:13 ADJOURNME...
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