COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, November 1, 2012 10:20 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY COUNCILMAN DENNIS O'BRIEN COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER,
Good morning, everyone. It appears we have established a quorum. I'd ask all the guests and visitors to please retire behind the rail and all members please take their seat. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Father John Pidgeon of the Church of the Epiphany. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Mark Squilla. I would ask all members and guests to please stand. (Members and guests rise.)
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving Father, none of us in this Council Chamber are unique, but all of us are called to be saints. You have given us, unlike the angels, the gift of body, and you call us to use this body call ourselves Christians are called to be the body of Christ. We are called to use our hands as Christ used his hands, to have the mind of Jesus and to work for justice and peace. We are called not to be dividers, but unifiers and to work with all who are committed to love. Lord, on this Catholic Feast Day of All Saints, we pray, Lord, that we will recommit ourselves to the work of peace and justice and love, that we will work with all who are entrusted in the causes of peace, justice, and love. And we pray that with your grace, that we will love as Jesus loves. We will love with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, with all our strength you, Heavenly Father, others and ourselves. I give you praise and thanks, and I ask your blessings upon this City Council this day. Through Christ our Lord, amen. Father, Son, the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thank you, Father. Council will 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, October 25th, 2012. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 25th, 2012 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 25th, 2012 stand approved. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair now recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Mr. President, on behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
Thank you, Councilman. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of of our visitors here today. We hope that you have a productive day here as you watch your government in action. We hope that it's so productive that you please come back again. Thank you so much. At this time, I would like to recognize Councilman Jones, who will present a resolution proclaiming November 2012 as Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Would Ms. Nancy Gatschet and those accompanying her please join the Councilman at the podium. And joining the Councilman is Councilman Johnson and Councilman Henon and Councilwoman Bass.
In the last session, approximately two years ago, I had the honor of having my father sit and join me inside the railings of City Council. Since that time, he has gone on, passed away due to the effects of lung cancer. I remember as a young boy my father preaching about the hazards of He was one of those kinds of guys who do as I say, not as I do. But fortunately one day he caught my younger brother smoking one of his cigarettes. He was on the bus. My brother was standing on the corner, and he had a Pall Mall. Those are the ones without the filter, Jim. You know which ones I'm talking about? And when my father got home, he asked my little brother did he smoke, and my brother tactically told a fib and said no. My father said, Sure. It's okay for you to smoke. Come on, tell me the truth. My brother again vehemently denied smoking. So he said, Well, if you won't smoke it, then you're going to have to eat it. And I watched my little brother eat one of those cigarettes, and it cured him of his smoking habit for the rest of his life. Curt, Sr. should have done that for more Philadelphians, more Pennsylvanians, more Americans to help us avoid the ravages of lung cancer. So with that, a resolution proclaiming November 2012 as Lung Cancer Aware Month in Philadelphia and urging all who work, live or study in the City to learn more about lung cancer and lung cancer prevention, while taking steps towards making lung cancer a public health priority.
Whereas, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in Pennsylvania and the United States, according to the American Cancer Society; and Whereas, lung cancer accounts for more deaths than any other cancer in both men and women. In 2012, an estimated 160,000 deaths, accounting for about 28 percent of all cancer deaths, are expected to occur;
And whereas, cigarette smoking is by far the most important risk factor for lung cancer, and risk increases with both quantity and duration of smoking; and Whereas, exposure to radon gas released from soil and building materials is estimated to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in Europe and North America; and
Whereas, spiral CT is a new standard of testing for lung cancer in current and former heavy smokers, showing 20 percent fewer lung cancer deaths, and new research continues to make progress every year; now therefore
Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that it hereby proclaims November 2012 as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in Philadelphia and urges all who work, live or study in the City to learn more about lung cancer and lung cancer prevention, making lung cancer a public health priority. Supported and signed by all members of City Council. (Applause.)
Thank you so much. Council President Clarke and distinguished members of Council, honored guests and especially Councilman Jones, thank you so much for helping us raise awareness of this devastating disease. You mentioned in the proclamation 160,000 deaths this year from lung cancer. I'm going to make that a graphic image for you so you understand just how big that number is. A jumbo jet takes off today with 440 people on board and it crashes and every person on board dies, and tomorrow the same thing happens again, jumbo jet crashes, 440 people die, and the next day and every day this year a jumbo jet crashing. Do you think people would pay attention? So lung cancer is often called the invisible disease. That's why our color is clear or pearl. It's a little harder to advertise. So I ask that -- how many people here have been touched by lung cancer? (Some audience members raising hands.)
Yeah. It's a lot of people. Talk about it. It's the only way for us to raise funding. Although it's the number one cause of cancer death, we get less than 5 percent of the NCI's research budget to fund research to help prevent lung cancer and cure lung cancer. I will say that we have had significant change since 2008 when I was here last. We've had the screening trial, which was referred to in the proclamation, which allows people who are at high risk of lung cancer, those who are 55 and older with a heavy smoking background, to be screened, and it has reduced mortality by 20 percent. We've also found some new genetic mutations that have actually had drugs come through FDA, new treatments that were announced in the past two years that have helped people diagnosed with lung cancer live longer and live better. So I thank all of you very, very much for your support, and we're having a huge event on Sunday morning. I hope some of you may come out and join us. It's called Free to Breathe. It's a 5K run/walk and rally, and I hope to see many of you there. We have left for you our awareness bracelets at your desks as well as a bookmark that outlines the symptoms of lung cancer. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
Thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass, who will present a resolution honoring and congratulating the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf on its 192nd Anniversary. Would Ms. Marja Brandon and Jim Goodwin and those accompanying them please join the Councilwoman at the podium. And joining the Councilwoman, we have Councilman Oh and Councilman Goode and Councilwoman Tasco, O'Brien and Councilwoman Brown.
Good morning. The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf this year celebrates its 192nd anniversary, and as we gather here today to recognize this very important event, we thought it was very important, critically important even, to offer a the work that they do, which is just so critical to our entire city. This is a resource that really does do something extraordinary in the lives of young people in particular who have somewhat of a disability, a hearing disability. And we all have to some degree a disability, and recognizing that this need is critical and the service they provide is so very important. We're just honored to have them here and to celebrate with them this very important anniversary. And also it's also our pleasure to recognize the new head of school, Ms. Marja Brandon, who is here, and so we wanted to recognize her as well. And I know my colleague before we start and present the resolution, my colleague, Mr. O'Brien, would like to make a couple of comments as well.
Thank you, Councilwoman. I was going to wait and put some of my remarks in the body of the resolution, but I would like to point out to everyone that it's wonderfully opportunistic to visit the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf for the obvious reasons, that we learn so much from individuals with low incidence disabilities, but also the Headmaster's Office was the official office of the President of the United States, George Washington. And it's still 100 percent intact. And below the new building is the detention facility where they housed the Revolutionary War prisoners, the British, and that's still intact. So there's wonderful opportunities for exchange, but I will tell you when I was Speaker of the House, that we didn't have closed captioning on the floor of the House of Representatives, and I walked into Matt Ryan and I stormed his office and I said, This is unacceptable. We still didn't get it done. When I was Speaker, it was the first And I invited the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and the Scranton School for the Deaf to come up for that first inaugural day when we had our individual sign on TV and we had Closed Captioning, Incorporated. And then we had a little luncheon in the new capitol in one of the conference rooms, and I challenged these students, I said, You have a day off, but I'm going to give you some homework. And I said, What else, what other compelling issue is there facing your community? And they said, Well, we can't go to the movies. I said, What do you mean you can't go to the movies? Well, if you have -- and I'll just AMC for an example. If they have 20 movie theatres, only one theatre is closed captioning. So as an individual who is hearing impaired has already seen that movie, then they can't go or if the movie that their friends are going to see one theatre, then they can't go. And then they raised their hands again and said, It gets worse. We not only have to wait until the DVD comes out to watch it, but the special features, even though the movie is closed captioned, the special features are still not captioned. So it just reminds us that if we think we understand individuals that have disabilities, we don't. We can always be better as a society, because the one thing that's clear in my life, that individuals living with disabilities inform me and make me better. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you so much. And we're going to start with our resolution honoring and congratulating the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf on its 192nd Anniversary. Whereas, the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf was founded on April 12th, 1820 by Philadelphia merchant David Seixas, the school's first teacher, who at the time began teaching in his private home. After a year, Mr. Seixas moved the school to a building located at 11th and Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1984, PSD purchased and completely renovated its current home, 100 West School House Lane, the former Germantown Academy, while preserving the campus's unique historic character;
Whereas, PSD is the third oldest school for the deaf in the United States and provides a comprehensive educational program for over 225 students ages 3 to 21. PSD educates a diverse student body from its urban environment within the City of Philadelphia. Students come from Philadelphia as well as the surrounding suburban counties and are from multi-ethnic backgrounds;
And whereas, PSD under the leadership of Dr. Larry S. Taub, along with his caring and dedicated staff, is the premier provider of specialized educational services for students who are deaf and hard of hearing in preparation for further education and successful employment;
Whereas, PSD believes and proves that given an early, consistent, and accessible language-rich environment and challenged by high expectations, learners will attain academic and technological competence, the ability to think critically and creatively, and a strong sense of positive self-identity. PSD students flourish when engaged in this safe and caring community with which they identify;
Whereas, education at PSD begins with the early intervention program for infants, toddlers, and their families located across the southeastern region of Pennsylvania and includes bilingual play groups for two-year-olds, kindergarten, and preschool for hearing children;
Whereas, PSD serves children with hearing loss in one or both ears, as well as those with minimum to profound hearing loss. PSD's educational program extends to elementary, middle, and high school. PSD also offers an extended school year program, a student development team, and clinical support services;
Whereas, PSD has for 192 years provided a safe, nurturing atmosphere where children and youth cannot only learn but also thrive in an environment developed with their unique needs at the forefront;
Now therefore, be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we also honor and congratulate the Pennsylvania on its 192nd anniversary. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf as further evidence of the sincere admiration and appreciation of this legislative body. Congratulations. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Mr. Goodwin for remarks. I'm sorry.
Council President Clarke, distinguished members of Council, honored guests, and especially our wonderful faculty and staff and students who are here today to show you how amazing they are, we thank you and have two alums from the school who would like to say a few words. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER 1 (through interpreter): As a graduate from the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, I'm member of this community and my extended family. My parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, my whole family went to Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. With all that history that has been shared, we are the best school for the deaf and for the children in Southeast Pennsylvania. So thank you for your support, and happy birthday, PSD. (Applause.) UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER 2 (through interpreter): Pennsylvania School for the Deaf Alumni Association was formed in 1914 to provide a strong, consistent survival for PSD. Many of the students graduate, go on to become leaders, lead good lives and help support PSD. We are very proud of Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and what we have accomplished in our 192 years, and we look forward to PSD celebrating their 200th anniversary in 2020. Thank you. (Applause.)
Finally, I would just say we invite you all to come visit and see our students in action. It's an amazing place, not just because of the history but because of our future. Thank you.
Thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon, who will present a resolution recognizing November 2012 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Would Bruce Platt and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. We also have Councilman Jones, Councilwoman Tasco, and Councilman.
Good morning. Today we recognize November 2012 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Whereas, pancreatic cancer will afflict more than 44,000 people in the United States in 2012. Seventy-five percent of those diagnosed will die within one year. Ninety-four percent die within five years of the diagnosis; and
Whereas, pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States and is also the deadliest, with the lowest survival rate of any major cancer. Furthermore, there has been little improvement in the survival rates over the last 40 years; and Whereas, of all the racial and ethnic groups in the United States, African Americans have the highest incident rate of pancreatic cancer, 34 and 67 percent higher than any other groups; and
Whereas, the disease is often diagnosed in late stages because of the pancreas's location deep in the body, the absence of definitive symptoms, and the lack of good early detection methods. More than half of the patients are diagnosed when the disease has advanced and already spread to other organs; and Whereas, the United States House of Representatives recently unanimously pass the Recalcitrant Cancer Act, HR 733. The bill requires the National Cancer Institute to create a long-term plan for pancreatic and other recalcitrant cancers that include evaluating its current efforts in the disease and making recommendations on ways to accelerate progress and improve outcomes; and
Whereas, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a a comprehensive way research, patient supports, community outreach, and advocacy for a cure. The organization is leading the way to increase the survival rate for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative, The Vision of Progress, double the pancreatic cancer survival rate by 2020. They fight for an end to pancreatic cancer by intensifying efforts to heighten awareness, raise funds for comprehensive private research, and advocate for dedicated federal research to advance early diagnosis, better treatment, and increase chances of survival; now therefore
Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby declare November 2012 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia. Resolved further, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be Cancer Action Network for their outstanding efforts in bringing attention to the fight against pancreatic cancer, as evidence of its respect and appreciation of this legislative body. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you, President Darrell Clarke, distinguished Council and especially Councilman Henon for writing this proclamation up for us. Just to other people in our affiliate, Amy Cunningham, Taryn Jones, Linda Carranza, and Marisa Sharkey, who all have worked hard with me to help defeat this dreadful disease. I lost my mother four and a half years ago to this disease. I was lucky. She made it almost five years. Most people don't make it to six months. We have to -- we just passed the HR 733 House, and we're hoping the Senate will pass their bill when they go back after election. And we want to invite you all out Saturday morning in Fairmount Park right across from the Please Touch Museum for our Sixth Annual PurpleStride. We are estimated right now as 4,000 people attending, and hope to have a big walk-up. We raised over half a million dollars last year, and we're hoping to double that this year. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Thank you. The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, would you please
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on October 31, 2012, I signed the remaining bills that were passed by Council at its session on October 18, 2012; and I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution confirming the reappointment of Christopher Lewis as a member of the Board of the Philadelphia Energy Authority, to serve in the term ending January 1, 2018; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2128 East Dauphin Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. Those messages will be printed in the Journal. The next order of business is the introductions of bills and resolutions. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
A resolution honoring the inspiring partnership of two Philadelphia educators, Andrea Green and Teresa Maebori, who are celebrating the 30th year of "On the Other Side of the Fence," a musical created to break down barriers between students from the HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy in West Philadelphia and elementary students from Germantown Friends School.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce six bills.
An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on 46th Street, both sides, Kingsessing Avenue to Woodland Avenue.
And an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Kingsessing Avenue, both sides, 45th Street to 46th Street.
And an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Haverford Avenue, both sides, 33rd Street to 34th Street.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Natrona Street, east side, Brandywine Street to Haverford Avenue.
And an ordinance establishing a parking regulation on 39th Street, both sides, Baring Street to Powelton Avenue.
And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 52nd Street, Master Street, Peach Street, and Media Street.
That bill will be referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf I offer one bill and one resolution.
An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 307 by striking from the City Plan the westerly ten feet wide portion of Twenty-First Street from Race Street to Spring Street.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Twentieth and Thirty-Seventh Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
That will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one vacant property resolution, please.
A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Fifty-Seventh Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Good morning, Mr. President. I have no bills and no resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. 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 no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Good morning, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. One bill and one privileged resolution offered on your behalf.
An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Ainslie Street, north side, Conrad Street to Cresson Street.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution confirming the reappointment of Christopher Lewis as a member of the Board of the Philadelphia Energy Authority, to serve in the term ending January 1, 2018.
That resolution will also go to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two bills, one resolution.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Kensington Avenue, Torresdale Avenue, Hunting Park Avenue, Jasper Street and Pike Street.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Reed Street, Christopher Columbus Boulevard, the former Washington Avenue centerline, and the Delaware River.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2128 East Dauphin Street.
That resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calender. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilpersons Kenyatta Johnson and Marian Tasco.
A privileged resolution recognizing and celebrating the 235th anniversary of the Siege of Fort Mifflin, known as the Valiant Defender of the Delaware, and for its many roles in the security of the United States.
That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. That concludes our introductions. The next order of business is reports from committee. The Chair 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.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Rules, to which was referred Bill No. 120656, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by revising lot area and parking requirements in certain districts, and making technical changes"; and Bill No. 120781, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by amending Section 14-603, entitled 'Use-Specific Standards,' by revising requirements relating to family day care," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill Nos. 120656 and 120781. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 120656 and 120781. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. These bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with suspension of the rules 2ND READING have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Final Passage.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up for Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today: Nos. 120539, 120861, 120863, and 120009. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you, Councilman. Before considering the resolutions and bills on the Final Passage Calendar, we will have public comment. Public comment will go as follows: If anyone is interested in speaking on any of the bills and resolutions on today's Final Passage Calendar, you must sign up on the table to my left. You will be given an opportunity, three minutes. You will speak at the podium in the middle of the Council. There's a device on the podium. That device when it turns green, it will be your time to speak. When it turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds before your remarks must be concluded. We ask that you adhere to those guidelines, because we want to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to speak who so wishes. Mr. Decker, would you please read the name of the first individual.
I am not Commissioner Stephanie Singer. Good morning to the honorable Council and to all members here. My name is Dennis Lee. I'm the Chief Deputy for Commissioner Singer, who is right now detained and cannot be here. I would like to give comment on Resolution 12059 (sic). Hopefully I got the number right. In May, we requested and did not receive an increase of over one million ongoing to bring the pay for poll workers in line with prevailing Philadelphia wages. The current pay for poll workers is low relative to comparable cities. The current low pay has made it difficult to recruit qualified people in many neighborhoods. Furthermore, as poll workers are the most diverse and representative group of independent contractors retained by the City, paying them appropriately would fall in line with the City's philosophy of equal economic opportunity. We ask for City Council's support in raising the pay of the poll workers. Thank you.
Michael Ta'Bon, commenting on 120863. (Witness approached podium.)
I chose the resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, the deeds and so on and so forth, because currently as a child of God, for the last week or so, I've been holding the deed to Love Park, and I would like to turn Love Park back over to the City of Philadelphia, but I have a problem with us having to redevelop ourselves as Philadelphians to live up to the definition of the word that we allowed to become a false item in Love Park, and that's the word "love." Growing up as a child in Philadelphia, my mother told me that love was one of God's names and the Bible says when a man love God. Well, the example of authority in Philadelphia has been robbing Philadelphia of God's gifts of love and allowed the City to be turned into Kiladelphia. So I ask the City Council members, especially Curtis Jones, who had the foresight to give me opportunities and leeway to do certain things to enable the City to live up to its name. God has given me a special education. For eight years I sat in prison raising people's children that they couldn't raise themselves. That's a college education. That's called School of Hard Knocks. The kid that couldn't read when he got there can now go to the law library and fight for his case. Again, some of the officers who actually lied to get him in there, there's too many. I stand here in representation of a constitution that was written right around the corner, that represents the homeless people in Love Park. And Jesus said, if you did not come to visit me while I was in prison, did you not feed me when I was hungry; therefore, when you come to my father's house, I will say I never knew you. Now, how many people want to see a prostitute make it into heaven before somebody consider righteous will? Think about what God talked about. It ain't about me today. It's about Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. I have something for free, because I realized over the eight years that I've been doing this work, for free in the City of Philadelphia. I lost my wife about this business of standing up for people, the community center on 60th and Master that currently has no shootings on our corner, currently has no gun arrests on our corner, no narcotic arrests on 60th and Master. Y'all do paperwork. Check it out. It's something different that's happening that's called God's love at work, proven that God has given me something special to give to the City. But Philadelphia doesn't deal with brotherly love currently. It deals with respective person. I wore the jail suit so many years so that you could see if maybe you will recognize how many times that God used ex-convicts, you know, the people in prison who got more time to pray than anybody, to see if I could give y'all something. So now I have something for the country for free that will bring violence down within 30 days if implemented. I'm almost finished, and I'm going to leave and, God willing, you will never have to see me again.
Yes, sir. The solution that I have so that I can give Love Park back to Philadelphia is, the Philadelphia Police Department is primarily responsible for the extra violence that we're seeing in Philadelphia, because when the leaders are blind, everybody falls in a ditch. The solution is this. It's for free.
No, no, no. I allowed you to speak on an issue that's not on the Calendar, and you just can't go on and on. So really your time is really up.
The solution I give will take 30 seconds. Can I have 30 seconds and I'll leave you alone? Thirty seconds.
Mr. Ta'Bon, we have guidelines in place for a reason. You're not speaking on an issue on the Calendar, but I allowed you to go on for five minutes. So I please ask you to respect our guidelines, please.
Monique McCallister, commenting on 120009. (Witness approached podium.) MS. McCALLISTER: Good afternoon. My name is Monique McCallister and I'm here today because I lost my home to foreclosure through the Sheriff's sale. I was ejected from my home, and I have been looking for work for the last four years. I have passed the civil service test with a score of 99, and I was never called. I have been to college for four years, and I have been searching for employment in this city for the last four years. It's just really, really hard right now, and I need help. And I would like to ask you to accept this bill. Thank you.
Keith Woolrich, commenting on 120009. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Keith Woolrich. I'm an unemployed carpenter at this time. It is imperative that this bill be passed to reduce the loopholes in which our City contracts continue to give other contractors that comes to the City bid favorably, but yet reduce the amount 11/1/12 - STATED - 2ND READING of workers of Philadelphians. I ask you to pass this bill.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you. Anyone else who wishes to testify at this time? (No response.)
There being none, thank you very much. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, would you please read the title of Resolution 120539.
A resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings to examine labor practices with regard to poll worker compensation. 11/1/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
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. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120861.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying 11/1/12 - STATED - 2ND READING conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Sixteenth, Twentieth and Thirty-Seventh Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 120861 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 120863.
A resolution 11/1/12 - STATED - 2ND READING 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 Fourth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
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. Resolution 120863 is adopted. 11/1/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, please read the title of 120009.
An ordinance amending Title 17 of The Philadelphia Code, by adding a new Chapter, entitled "First Source Jobs Policy," requiring the creation of a registry of City residents for the purpose of employment referral and further requiring that Beneficiaries of certain City Financial Assistance use such registry.
This bill having been read on two separate days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. All members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any other resolutions?
A privileged resolution honoring the inspiring partnership of two Philadelphia educators, Andrea Green and Teresa 11/1/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Maebori, who are celebrating the 30th year of "On the Other Side of the Fence," a musical created to break down barriers between students from the HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy in West Philadelphia and elementary students from Germantown Friends High School, introduced by Councilman Kenney.
I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a privileged resolution recognizing and celebrating 11/1/12 - STATED - 2ND READING the 235th anniversary of the Siege of Fort Mifflin, known as the Valiant Defender of the Delaware, and for its many roles in the security of the United States, introduced by Councilman Oh.
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.)
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
That concludes our Calendar. And at this time, are there any speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Any speeches on the part of the majority? It doesn't designate who was first, so I'm just going to pick. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Good morning. I just wanted to thank everyone for their patience and for their help during Hurricane Sandy, and I especially wanted to give a special thanks to our Council President and also our Mayor for their leadership during this very difficult time, and also to Councilman -our Majority Leader, Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. as the Chair of Public Safety. They all kept us very, very informed with updates and made sure that we knew what was going on moment by moment. Not to be left out, I also special thanks to City workers, who have been out there on the front lines, whether it's our police, our fire or various other City departments that have worked so very hard during Hurricane Sandy, and it was through all of these efforts that we didn't lose one citizen here in the City of Philadelphia. So I think that that's very notable when you look at what's happened in other cities. When you see what's happening in places like New York and New Jersey, you recognize that there could have been a loss of life. There's property damage, and we're working hard to clear that up, but I think that overall our city did very well and it was due to the leadership of you, Mr. President, and also our Mayor and also again thanks to our Majority Leader.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Thank you so much. Johnson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Just a couple announcements that I wanted to make in regards to some initiatives that I'm going to be hosting in the 2nd Councilmanic District, but, of course, I open it up to anyone to attend. On this Friday at Marian Anderson Rec Center, that's located at 17th and Fitzwater Street in South Philadelphia, we will be having a Job Readiness Symposium. That Job Readiness Symposium will focus on resume writing, cover letter writing, and also prepping people to be prepared to attend our actual job fair, which will take place next Friday, which is November 9th at the same location, Marian Anderson Rec Center, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We will have more than 50 employers participating, so I want to encourage as many people as possible to come out and is on next Wednesday, November the 7th at John Bartram High School. We will be having a town hall meeting with Dr. William Hite, the new Superintendent and CEO of the School District. So we want to galvanize and organize the constituents in that particular area to come out and really address the new Superintendent about how we're going to improve or move forward the schools in the 2nd Councilmanic District. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you so much, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to echo the remarks of my colleague, Cindy Bass, who was out in the thick of the Sandy storm. I want to say this, that the weather was at its worst; our city was at its best. OEM, the Managing Director's Office, the Fire Department, PECO, yourself in the command center, along with the Mayor, did a really good job of keeping citizens safe over these last couple of days. I want to also point out that our President was on his job being Commander in Chief in the roughest of times. And I have to give a shout-out to, in a bipartisan way, Governor Christie, who was on the front lines. Our heart and soul and prayers go out to other citizens in New Jersey who didn't have it as well as Pennsylvania, in New York that didn't have it as well as the City of Philadelphia. I want to say that we set this example here in these Chambers every day of a bipartisan approach with our republican colleagues, and it was good to see that it's begun to go national. So thank you again for your leadership, President Clarke.
you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I apologize for stepping out briefly. I just want to go on the record as reporting voting aye on all resolutions and bills. In addition, I too want to congratulate and thank you as a leader of this body being on the front lines with our Mayor and our OEM team that has been out there during this terrible storm that has devastated our city and some still left with much to clean up. Our City workers are the best in the country, and I want to thank them and our first responders as well for being out there while they were keeping us safe at home. So thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. Our City workers and all of the other individuals involved in the response were really awesome, and to be able to stand there and watch them. So they did a great job. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. There are some conservatives in this country that like to say that a liberal is a conservative that has not yet been mugged, and I'd like to turn that around a little bit and say that a conservative is a liberal who has not yet lived through a hurricane. People who espouse small government, be on your own, take care of yourself have learned a lesson over the last few days as, again, with bipartisanship. There's a lot of things that Governor Christie has said over the years that I'm not real thrilled with, but when I watched him and our President in New Jersey walking together, hugging people, making people -- try to assure people that things will get back to normal, it was really a wonderful sight to be seen, and I commend them both. I also would like to say that if we haven't forgotten already, that Tuesday is Election Day. It is probably going to be the biggest day in our country's history as to what direction this country goes in, whether it goes in the direction of you're on your own, whether you're old, whether you're sick, whether you're poor, you're out there by yourself just worried, just handle it, or we're going in the direction as we've seen over the last week, that we're all in this together, that there is middle ground, that there is bipartisanship, and that we do care about each other as Americans. And I think that if you take that into the polling place with you, you'll vote the right way and keep our country on a positive track coming back from a depression and moving our country forward together in diversity and in fellowship and kinship with each other. to commend the President and Governor Christie, who, again, sometimes he says stuff that just drives me crazy, but when I looked at them the other day, I just -- yesterday, I realized how good this country can be and how great this country can go. So get off your butts on Tuesday and go vote, because people have died for the privilege of us to vote. Let's not let them down. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. Well said. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to echo some of the sentiments of my former professor/new colleague, Councilman Jim Kenney. And regardless of who individuals decide to support in the upcoming election, I'm hoping that on the City level as well as state and national level, we are taking into consideration the impact of the flood damage on certain polling locations throughout the country and will they be equipped to be prepared to actually have people to come out and to vote on Election Day. And I think that's something that hasn't been paid attention to in this process right now, because quite obviously if you have certain areas of power outages in New York as well as in New Jersey, those polling places will not be available and people will not have the opportunity to go to the polls particularly on Election Day. And that can have an impact regardless of who you're voting for, going one way or the other. So hopefully on a national level, they will take into consideration possibly even looking at pushing back the election time to give us more time to look at what areas will be impacted, what's the contingency plan, and I think that's something that really need to be Councilman Kenney just brought that to my attention in terms of looking at next week being the election. So that's all I want to -- just thank you, for the record.
Thank you, Councilman. No other speeches at this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, November 15th, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, November 15th, 2012, 10:00 a.m. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Council is adjourned. 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 on November 1, 2012, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. m 1:7 65:22 bills 29:7 30:1,10 ADJOURNME...