COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, October 17, 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 COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER,
Good morning, everyone. (Good morning.)
The hour has come. I would ask all guests and visitors to please retire behind the rail and ask all members to please take their seat. Thank you very much. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes the Reverend John H. Roberts, Sr., Pastor of the Garden of Prayer World Prayer Center. He is here today as the guest of Councilman James Kenney. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
Let's bow our heads. Our Father, we take time to thank you now for letting us see another seen before. For not only did you wake us up, but you helped us to get up. You've given us a portion of strength where we were able to bathe ourselves and put our own clothes on without any assistance. We're thankful because you have been so good to us, and we take time now to say thank you. We pray now for the leadership of this great City of Brotherly Love. We ask prayer now for our Mayor, for our President of City Council, for all the Councilpersons, all the great leaders of this great city. Your word says that we are to pray for those who are in authority and that when the righteous rule, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people mourn. So we ask now that you would give direction in the way that we should go for the great people of this great city. Not only that, we ask that you children as they go back and forth to school. I realize that prayer has been taken out of school, but I want you to override what man says and watch over our sons and our daughters as they go back and forth to school. Keep them under your divine protection. Bless this day and then make us a blessing to the day. Help us to realize that serving God is serving his people, and that's how we serve you. We ask this in the most holy name. For our sake, we pray. And I will ask that everyone that is standing with me now and if you would just do this for me. If you would take your neighbor's hand. The Bible says any two touching and agreeing, asking anything in my name, he said he would do it. Let us pray the Lord's Prayer together, repeating after me. Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespassed against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you, Reverend, for those inspiring words. Thank you. (Council at ease.)
Thank you so much. Before we proceed, we'd like to ask everyone to please stand. We would have a moment of silence for our good friend and colleague Councilwoman Augusta Clark. Please stand. (Moment of silence.)
Thank you so much. At this time, the Chair Tasco.
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I request a leave to take care of Council business, and I'd like to be recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Leave shall be granted and the record will reflect your vote. Thank you. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of October 10, 2013. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 10th, 2013 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 10, 2013 in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The Journal is approved. The next order of business is the request for leaves of absence. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there was one request for leave of absence, which was Councilwoman Tasco.
Actually, I think, Councilman, she actually didn't request leave of absence. She voted.
Yes. you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien -- I'm sorry; O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Not the first time, believe me. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
Thank you, Councilman. Yeah. The fire drill kind of threw me off. A little delayed. It's all the smoke and everything. At this time, I will dispense with the regular order of business. I'd just like to welcome and thank all of our guests and visitors that have come here today. We hope that you truly enjoy yourself, so much so that you come back again. We really relish the opportunity to show you your government at work. So, again, thank you, and we look forward to seeing you again. Thank you. time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for the purpose of welcoming special guests joining us in the Chambers this morning. Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to take a moment to recognize four pharmacy students from the University of the Sciences who have set up a table in front of my office, Room 408, to distribute information about the importance of knowing your pharmacist for American Pharmacists Month, and I thank you all for co-sponsoring the resolution. The students are -- and before I name them, let me note that that is the school that Anjali Chainani on my staff -- Anjali, stand up. She's taking two courses, and after this, she'll have only two courses left and her thesis before she has her Ph.D. at the University of Sciences. So we're very proud of her. And, of course, you know, them, they move on. So she'll be leaving at the end of the year to take her last two courses for a Ph.D. And these students who are in front of my office to distribute this information are Ashley Krumaker, a third-year pharmacy student; Matthew Ciapetta, third year; Deanna Bauerlein, second-year student; Terri Pack, second-year student; Breanne Meier; Bailey Colvin; and Rachel Boardman, who are also in their second years undergraduate. So I hope that you and your staff will take advantage of this information. We try to do this every year and support them, and it gives us the chance to get information out to our community and the constituents we serve. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Would they please stand to be recognized.
Yeah. They're working hard. So thank you. Thank you.
I understand. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Curtis Jones, who will present a resolution proclaiming Saturday, October 19th, 2013 as Men Against Domestic Violence Day. Would Ms. MoShay LaRen and those accompanying her please join the Councilman at the podium. And joining Councilman Jones, we have Councilman Greenlee, Councilman Kenney, Councilman Johnson, and Councilman Oh and Councilman O'Brien and Councilman Goode and Councilman Green and -- I should have just said the entire male contingent.
Some of the have a reading spot, but they will be here in total support of this concept. One of our members, who happens to be an enlightened male -well, two of them -- stand out even above and beyond the crowd by way of pushing forth this agenda. One of them is Councilman Greenlee, and I want to publicly say that in front of everybody. He doesn't get the credit that he deserves to be leading the charge on behalf of all Councilmembers and particularly men on this issue. The second is one of the freshmen, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, who has -- and between the two of them, fought for additional dollars to go into domestic abuse beds -
Three million dollars. He wanted it on the record. But the reason why we are here not just a female issue. It is an all-of-us issue. And what Ms. LaRen is doing is bringing that rally to Love Park this Saturday to bring that to light. One name that I know some of my colleagues will remember is a young lady that worked for the City of Philadelphia. I won't mention her name. She worked for MOCS, and she was a friend to all Philadelphians in need, worked very hard and diligently, and because of a crime of, quote, "passion" and because of a male that felt entitled to, when the relationship didn't work, take it out on her physically. He murdered her in front of a City facility for all to see, and that touched all of us who knew her in a deep way. Because other than being an enlightened male, I'm also a father, a husband, a brother to women who face this every day, and although things have changed, the statistics in this regard have remained eerily the same, and we men stand by you and let you know on this day and every day that we are going to do what we can within our power to change this, as our colleagues have demonstrated tangibly. So, therefore, this resolution proclaiming Saturday, October 19th, 2013 as Men Against Domestic Violence Day to raise public awareness to the specter of domestic violence and stand united in support of victims of domestic violence across the City of Philadelphia.
And whereas, October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and Whereas, victims of domestic violence are vulnerable to chronic poverty, unemployment, underemployment, lack of adequate housing, and lack of safe communities to seek refuge; and
Whereas, domestic abusers are often motivated by a desire to exert power and control over their victims. Last year, 24 homicides violence in the City of Philadelphia; and Whereas, domestic violence negatively affects the quality of life and safety of Philadelphia residents, male or female, every day; however, men are, on average, less likely to speak out against domestic violence; and
Whereas, the conversation about domestic violence must include men, and men must be offered the same level of support and resources available to other victims. Combatting domestic violence requires a united front of all members of society to condemn perpetrators; and Whereas, members of the Philadelphia community have dedicated their lives to the service of domestic abuse victims and the elimination of domestic violence in official capacities within public and private organizations;
Whereas, MoShay LaRen is one such member of the a life-long effort toward the elimination of domestic violence, spreading a message of support and outreach toward victims of domestic violence through a private-sector career with Radio One's WRNB FM and as a community representative on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. MoShay LaRen is the primary architect of the Man Up rally, dedicated to organizing men around Philadelphia to protest against domestic violence; now therefore
Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to MoShay LaRen as evidence of our sincere sentiment of this legislative body. (Applause.)
Ms. LaRen, please give remarks. MS. LaREN: This is my first time being present at a City Council meeting, and I just want to say, first of all, good morning and thank you so much to our distinguished members of City Council. We appreciate everything you do for us on a daily basis, and I am so grateful, honored, and thankful that you have taken this issue and embraced it as such to put it in the records of City Council that Saturday will be acknowledged as Men Against Domestic Violence. I realized in my advocacy that started about six years ago when I decided to be brave enough to speak out about my own journey through domestic violence that in order for us to truly eradicate this issue, that we had to broach it on both sides of the equation. And often, and so often, we talk about the victims being women, and statistically 85 percent of them are, but there are 15 percent of them who are male victims, and we need to find out where their stories are, how do you become an abuser, what's your journey. We need to so that they can heal as well. So in doing this, that is our call to action, and I so thank you, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, Curtis Jones, Councilman Greenlee, and the entire City Council body for acknowledging and embracing this, and hopefully together we can educate, inspire, and empower our City of Philadelphia that this is not just their issue, it is our issue as a community. Again, thank you so much. God bless you. (Applause.)
Thank you. The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Decker, would you please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on October 16, 2013, I signed the following bill which was passed by Council at its session on October 10, 2013: Bill No. 130594; and I am transmitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution confirming the reappointment of Sanjuanita Gonzalez as a member of the Board of Ethics, to serve in the term ending November 16, 2018; and Also an ordinance constituting the Twelfth Supplemental Ordinance to the General Gas Works Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1998; authorizing the City of Philadelphia to sell either at public or private sale Gas Works Revenue Capital Project Commercial Paper Notes to pay the cost of certain capital projects and costs; and An ordinance authorizing generally the continued issuance and sale by the City of Philadelphia of Gas Works Revenue Notes of the City; prescribing the form of notes and providing for their execution and payment; pledging certain revenues of the Gas Works as security; adopting a rate covenant; and directing the imposition and collection of rates and charges sufficient to comply therewith; and An ordinance amending an ordinance approved June 25, 2013 (Bill No. 130180) adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2014, by making certain additional appropriations needed to meet the unanticipated emergency created by the availability of a state grant to help with the fiscal crisis of the School District of Philadelphia; and An ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Employees Retirement Code," to expand the scope of "Plan '10" and "DC Plan" to cover additional employees, including correctional officers, to change contribution rates, and to make technical amendments, all under certain terms and conditions.
Those messages will be printed in today's Journal. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional messages?
Thank you so much. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of myself and Councilwoman Blackwell, I offer one non-privileged resolution.
A non-privileged resolution calling upon the Philadelphia School District to make Howard Zinn's best-selling book "A People's History of the United States" a required part of the high school U.S. history curriculum as Philadelphia City Council recognizes the need to expose students to a more accurate, complex, and engaging understanding of United States history.
That resolution will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce one resolution co-sponsored by Councilman O'Brien, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, and Councilwoman Cindy Bass.
A non-privileged resolution calling on the School District of Philadelphia to restore School Nurses to each and every school in the District.
That resolution will also be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf I offer one resolution.
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 Twenty-Ninth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Council President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one resolution and one bill.
An ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Employees Retirement Code," to expand the scope of "Plan '10" and "DC Plan" to cover additional employees, including correctional officers, to change contribution rates, and to make technical amendments.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution proclaiming that the City of Philadelphia recognizes the benefits of a high diet in fruits and vegetables, and urges residents to participate in "Meatless Mondays" to improve their health and decrease their carbon footprint.
That resolution will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. Interesting resolution, Councilman.
That whole improving the carbon footprint. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
An ordinance amending Chapter 17-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Philadelphia 21st Century Minimum Wage and Benefits Standard," by further providing with respect to the granting and revocation of waivers of the requirements of the Chapter.
And an ordinance amending an ordinance approved June 25, 2013 (Bill No. 130180) adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2014, by making certain additional appropriations needed to meet the unanticipated emergency created by the availability of a state grant to help with the fiscal crisis of the School District of Philadelphia.
That bill will be referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Good morning, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions this morning.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
I have three resolutions, one privileged, two non-privileged, Mr. President.
A privileged resolution honoring the Shepard Recreation Center Basketball League for its successful season and prevailing victories in all three team age groups in the 2013 Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation District Basketball competition.
That resolution will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution reappointing Gary Brandeis to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion.
And a non-privileged resolution reappointing Michael Woodward to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia.
That resolution will also be referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see the Councilman. Councilman, do you have any bills or resolutions?
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have two resolutions, one privileged, one non-privileged.
A privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Brother Michael J. McGinniss on the occasion of his retirement from LaSalle University.
That resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Fifty-Ninth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two resolutions, one non-privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Councilman Bobby Henon and one privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing the week of October 20, 2013 through October 26, 2013 as AT&T 9-1-1 for Kids Education Week presented by U.S. Best Repairs.
That resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Education and the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to investigate and develop a pilot Vocational Education and Training program and to recommend a legislative framework to implement a city-wide program.
That resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions. There are no reports from committee today. The next order of business is the consideration of the 2ND READING Calendar. As there are no bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up for Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: No. 130731, 130732, 130737, 130531, 130583, 130591, 130592, 130635, 130577. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you, Councilman. Before considering these bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, we will have public comment. Public comment will go as follows: If you want to testify on a bill or resolution that is on the Final Passage Calendar, I'd ask that you please sign up at the table on my left. If you have already signed up, your name will be called. When your name is called, you will go to the podium in the middle of the Council floor, and there's a device on that podium. When the light turns green, it is your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. You will be given three minutes for your remarks. We want to ensure that everybody has an opportunity, so we have placed a limit on that timeline. I would ask that you please comply with those guidelines, and I would like to thank you very much for your compliance. Before I proceed, I'd just like to say one more time. We had a couple of incidents already. If you have a device, cell phone, I'm going to say beeper -- I know there are no more beepers, but any device that makes any kind of noise, any electronic device, could you please turn them off so we can ensure that everybody can hear all of the activity today. Thank you very much. Mr. Decker, please call the name of the first witness.
Jenny Drumgoole, commenting on 130635. (Witness approached podium.)
Hello. Good morning. I'm very, very excited to be here. Most people know me as Sox, and this is the first time I've been to a Philadelphia City Council meeting. I would like to speak on Bill No. 130635 regarding a proposed annual fee of $300 a year for sanitation and cleaning expenses for certain duplexes in the City. When I read the bill, I couldn't find, however -- it didn't say how the extra money that was going to be coming in was going to be spent. Now, my favorite day of the week is trash day, and there's no one that works harder for the City of Philadelphia than the men and women who collect our trash every week, and I think we would all agree to that. I think that they should get more recognition for what they do to keep this city running. As a private citizen of Philadelphia, I decided that the best way I could thank them for all of their hard work was to celebrate my own Happy Trash Day. My best friend, Olivia, and I have made Happy Trash Day banners and balloons that welcome them as they come to clean our block. We've also made them thank-you crafts and even had a pizza party. It always feels really good to make the trash men happy and women. I would argue that a portion of the proceeds from Bill No. 130635 proposed annual fees go, in some way, directly to the trash collectors of the City of Philadelphia, either as an increase in their pay or in the form of a citywide Happy Trash Day. The Council could also decide to make one day of the year deemed Happy Trash Day and use a week to encourage all Philadelphians to do something nice to thank their trash collectors. No one says thank you enough anymore, and a little recognition goes a long way. So I want the City of Philadelphia to be the place that thanks the people who work the hardest for everything they do for the City. Philadelphia trash collectors deserve a Happy Trash Day. Thank you for your time and consideration, and if you have any questions, you're free to attend my next week's Happy Trash Day celebration, which will be on the 2000 block of Dreer Street in District 1. So thank you.
Thank you so much for your testimony. (Applause.)
Hold on, Mr. Decker. Hold on one second. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Yes, Mr. President. I thought that was great testimony, and I hope the Streets Department does do something once a year to follow that example, but I want to make it clear to my colleagues that this tax on duplex or two-apartment dwellings was implemented about five years ago and this is actually an amendment that would remove half of it, of the $300 charge, from owner-occupied duplexes. So there actually is a reduction in the amount the City will receive next year, but my amendment today will make sure that it's not in this year's budget so it's not a budget issue in the middle of the year, as the bills are going out right now. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. Thank you for that clarification. Councilman Oh.
Well, I just wanted to thank the young lady for putting up banners and signs for the sanitation workers. It's a wonderful idea. I never thought of that, but you might have started something new. I think everybody should appreciate our municipal workers. So thank you.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. I concur. Mr. Decker.
Clarc King, commenting on 120118. (Witness approached podium.)
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Councilmembers. I am here once again to speak to 120118. I ask that Philadelphia cannot allow the feasibility study regarding the sale of PGW to go any further. Rather, Philadelphia must examine the Wall Street policy of hyperinflation and its impact on city operations and the population's economy. PGW is vital to the economy that supports the population's survival. It supports the standard of living. It cannot be bought for stolen money. The specter of a bail-in process hovers the financial system where customers' deposits are confiscated to rectify the claims of derivative holders in the event of an insolvency crisis. This is totally irrational and intolerable. Our federal government, the administration, our Congress cannot break free from Wall Street's extortion. The restatement of the Glass-Steagall standard in U.S. banking is crucial to the stabilization of the United States. Yet, Congress and the administration will not act to defend the nation or protect the population. The creation of Philadelphia's public bank is necessary for the City's security. A public bank has the power to lift the local economy, expand PGW, funding our schools, installing the necessary new water, sewer, and recycling facilities. Philadelphia has a great future. The Philadelphia Naval Yard must expand its relations with the U.S. Navy at the Office of Naval Research where science-driven projects are contracted for our participation. Education and economic opportunities exist. Minority education opportunities exist through the Office of Naval Research. Philadelphia needs its own Department of the Navy that can seek out contracts, economic science, research, and education opportunities. Philadelphia has a great future in creating a new financial economic policy that the Philadelphia public bank can make possible. Thank you.
You're okay. Yes, sir. (Witness approached podium.)
And City Council. I just want to say this: Jannie Blackwell, Honorable Jannie Blackwell, you have a resolution for the Housing. Well, it was almost a year and a half ago. I would like to see this bill being passed that City Council do more monitoring what Philadelphia Housing do. Because over two years ago, Councilman was just coming into office, my Councilman, Curtis Jones. Jannie Blackwell was working with me. Housing Authority had evicted me wrongfully. I was in Jannie Blackwell office and I was getting evicted. And I thank you, Jannie, for getting me back in my house. I really appreciate that. But after that, in January, the executive board members of Housing had to resign. So Jannie couldn't really work with my situation no more. So two months later, they came back and evicted me again. And I want to let y'all know, I never got eviction notice. Never. Never got eviction notice. So if anything y'all can do about this bill -- and it's not pleased for me to come share my personal life to the whole city right now, but I don't mind, because when you violate constitutional rights of humans and the reason why I'm really standing -- I'm standing on behalf of my daughter, because you didn't just evict me, you evicted my daughter. You evicted my daughter. And I just want to say this: Justice don't hold on you, City Council, myself, my daughter or any child, but justice holds on God, my God, and we coming back for our justice one way or the other, with my City Council people or without y'all. So thank you. I appreciate this opportunity, because I really wasn't going to speak, but I asked my Councilman is it all right for me to speak today on this issue, because he's working with me with this situation. So listen here. I'm not trying to be funny, but, Jannie, thank you for bringing this up, because the laws I live, another person that lives in Housing Authority would never have to go through what I went through as long as I got breath in my lungs. It's unacceptable. It was wrong. You know it's wrong, Councilman. You know it's wrong. And wrong don't stand on wrong, but God do stand on justice.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you, sir. Thank you for your 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING public comment. We will now consider the resolutions and bills on the Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, would you please read the title of 130731.
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 Sixth and Twenty-Fourth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 130731 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 130732.
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-Ninth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 130732 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 130737.
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 2516 Gaul Street.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. That resolution is also adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 130531.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," by authorizing the assignment or transfer to third parties, real estate tax claims either absolutely or as collateral security, for an amount to be determined by the Department.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Green. 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the amendment, which has been circulated. (Duly seconded.)
There's been a motion and a second. All those in favor of the amendment? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Bill No. 130531 has been amended. It will be on our Final Passage Calendar next week. Mr. Decker, 130583.
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."
This bill has been read on two separate days. 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 130591.
An ordinance amending Section 19-1303 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Discounts and Additions to Tax," by tolling additions, interest and penalties when the assessed value of property is under appeal.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Quinones-Sanchez.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 130592.
An ordinance amending Section 19-1806 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Authorization of Realty Use and Occupancy Tax," by tolling interest, penalties and costs when the assessed value of taxable property is under 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING appeal.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Councilwoman 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Tasco is voting aye. Council President Clarke.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are one. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 130635.
An ordinance amending Chapter 10-700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Refuse and Littering," by further providing with respect to the annual fee for neighborhood sanitation and cleaning services provided to owner-occupied duplexes.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer an amendment, which has been circulated to all my colleagues. Thank you. (Duly seconded.)
The 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING amendment to 130635 has been moved and seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Bill No. 130635 is amended and will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, 130577.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2014 from the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance Provision for Other Grants to the General Fund.
This bill has been heard two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green. 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like the record to reflect an abstention on Bill No. 130583. There's a potential conflict of interest for the reasons that will be submitted in a memo to the Clerk. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. And so the vote on that is 16; zero. It shall be noted, Councilman. Thank you. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions.
A resolution proclaiming that the City of Philadelphia recognizes the benefits of a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and urges residents to participate in "Meatless Mondays" to improve their health and decrease their carbon footprint, introduced by Councilman Green.
Thank you, 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. President. I note that this resolution was co-sponsored by Councilmember Blackwell and Councilmember Bass. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
I apologize. It was co-sponsored by Councilmember Reynolds Brown and Councilmember Bass. Thank you.
10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you. The record shall reflect that. Thank you, Councilman.
And a resolution honoring the Shepard Recreation Center Basketball League for its successful season and prevailing victories in all three team age groups in the 2013 Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation District Basketball competition, introduced by Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing and honoring Brother Michael J. McGinniss on the occasion of his retirement from LaSalle University, introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I also want to acknowledge that Councilmen Squilla and Kenney were also co-sponsors, and 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 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted.
And a resolution recognizing the week of October 20, 2013 through October 26, 2013 as AT&T 9-1-1 for Kids Education Week presented by U.S. Best Repairs, 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.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is also adopted.
And a resolution 10/17/13 - STATED - 2ND READING authorizing Council's Committee on Education and the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to investigate and develop a pilot Vocational Education and Training program and to recommend a legislative framework to implement a city-wide program, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Councilman Bobby Henon, 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.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our Calendar. At this time, are there any speeches on the part of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. As I did last week, I invite everyone listening in here to participate in our fundraiser in support of Medal of Honor recipient Jon Cavaiani, which is next Friday, October the 25th from 6:00 to 9:00 at Paddy Whacks, 2nd and South, and I'd like to thank "Wild Bill" Guarnere, who was portrayed in the HBO hit series Band of Brothers; Raheem Brock from the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts; Morkeith Brown from Football team, who just signed with the WWE; and, of course, the Phillies Phanatic and the Eagles Cheerleaders and Nick Panarella, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army Special Forces Association, all for participating, and auction items contributed by Ron Jaworski, Vai Sikahema and many others. So it's a great cause, and I urge everyone to come and support one of America's true heroes. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
I have no speech of the majority as a result of an agreement with Councilman Squilla, but I do have an announcement that we will be honoring Willie Brown for his successful return as President of the Transit Workers Union Local 234 after Council in the Caucus Room, and we invite all their respective staff to welcome him there from 12:30 to 1:30, and there will be food by Chef Ken from the 8th Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia. So we encourage everyone to join us.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. We would like to announce that the School District has hired a new Chief Inspector, Mr. Carl Holmes. We look forward to working with him as we strive to improve the safety and the climate of safety in our schools. We'd like to also note, as all of you realize, that the Governor has restored the $45 million that was held up. I'm told this will restore 80 guidance counselors, some assistant principals, maintain sports and music programs at least until the end of the year, as well as hiring back teachers to eliminate most split-grade classrooms. So at least -- of course, we have to go through this again next year, but at least we've made a beginning in trying to make life better in our school system. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to wish a belated happy birthday to my favorite Councilwoman-at-Large, our Majority Whip, who celebrated another anniversary of her 39th birthday yesterday.
I think some of us hesitated because we actually thought she was 29. much, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'll be brief. I have three small things to discuss. The first is, last night these Chambers were used by PhillyCORE Leaders to hold an event called SEED Philly, which PECO, I, and others sponsored. There were three entrepreneurial educational ideas competing for $5,000 in funding. PhillyCORE Leaders received a startup PHL award of $15,000. Five thousand of it last night was given to a group called 12 Plus, who are doing a pilot program in Kensington at a school there, and it's called 12 Plus. They create a sort of room, a place for kids to go and get counseling, help with college applications. The guidance counselors have been removed from that school. Since then, maybe some will be restored. But they do a great job, and they were crowd-sourced conclusion of a $5,000 award. And the other winner was a teacher in our public school system named Trey Smith, who received a thousand-dollar award to start a program of Math Quiz Bowls among 12 high schools in the City of Philadelphia to try to get the children more interested in engineering, math, and science. And so I'd just like to congratulate both the winners and PhillyCORE Leaders for once again putting on a tremendous program. We should all be proud of the activism and energy of that group for the City of Philadelphia. I want to note that perhaps we should have passed a resolution today called Republicans Release Their Hostages Day declared as October 16th. The federal government yesterday stopped the hostage taking, and we now, at least until January, have an operating and working federal government, which we're also Governor Corbett released the hostage of $45 million to provide it to our schools. I don't know if they got together and coordinated the release of hostages yesterday between the federal and state government, but I was pleased to see it. Finally, there is a great school in North Philadelphia that many of you are probably familiar with called Cristo Rey. It started last year. It's by a former Big 4 accounting executive named John McConnell. I just want to read everybody a little bit of what John wrote recently in an e-mail to his supporters and say what a great institution this is to have in the City. "On Monday and Tuesday of last week, five of our students were assaulted in five separate incidents as they were leaving school in the late afternoon. The incidents occurred a few blocks from the school near a neighborhood convenience store and at the entrance of the assaults were initiated by a group of teenagers who were targeting our students. Fortunately, none resulted in serious injury. " I think the school is on the 5200 block there. "Here is the aftermath of the week: Five Cristo Rey students, 14 to 16, received minor injuries. Seven dollars in cash, a cell phone, and one gym bag was stolen. Two hundred and forty-two students are now more worried than ever about their daily commute home, even though most won't admit it. All parents, guardians, and faculty and staff are concerned for the safety of our children. All of our faculty and staff are concerned for their own safety, even though most won't admit it. "Two teenage boys have been juvenile detention. Several other suspects are still to be apprehended. It is likely that more suspects will be arrested. They are teenagers not much older than their victims. They live in the same neighborhoods as our students, and some know each other by name. "An arrest record will almost certainly ruin the hope of getting a job or living a decent life. So by victimizing others, the aggressors make victims of themselves. " I just wanted to share that. Cristo Rey is a tremendous school. The students pay for their education by working several days a week and having longer school days the rest of the day.
It's a national program. It's a Catholic-based education, and we're just pleased to have them in the City of you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. First, recently in Harrisburg and through some of your efforts working in partnership with State Representative Cherelle Parker and the Philadelphia delegation, we're starting to see some progress regarding our tax liens bill in Harrisburg. And so hopefully we'll be able to get the ball across the finish line, across the goal line and making sure we find a level of -- another tool that we can use going after what I call slum land and property owners. And so that also will go toward assisting us in addressing the issue of blight. But also I just want to continue to push forward on the issue of gentrification, at least the means testing from the Harrisburg standpoint, that they also continue to take up the cause and get that bill as well across the goal line. And so hopefully those two initiatives will help people who will be significantly impacted as it relates to AVI. And also on another note, the other topic is the issue of transportation, continue to push forward that we will get a bill from Harrisburg that will support one of the most outstanding transportation systems in the country -- that's the award we received -- which is SEPTA. And so there's some debate in Harrisburg right now regarding the transportation bill, but you also have funding for the Philadelphia International Airport. On Tuesday, I'll be up there with State Representative Jordan Harris, continue working and lobbying members of the Philadelphia delegation and also other of Representatives in support of the transportation bill. And so I just want to make that known for the record. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. There are 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, October the 24th, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 24th, 2013, 10:00 a.m. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Council will be adjourned. ) 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. m 1:7 79:16,21 acknowledge aggressors 76:13 apprehended 55:22 80:6 65:13 ago 17:13 38:15 76:4 authorizing 19:21 43:9,12 approached 35:9 20:3 23:17 31:2 B acknowledged 17:10 agree 36:7 39:21 42:23 32:10 46:9 B 1:18 acknowledging agreeing 4:18 appropriate 47:12 49:19 back 4:3,7 8:21 18:9 agreement 69:20 25:20 59:15 67:2 43:19,25 44:20 act 41:2 Airport 78:21 appropriations availability 20:20 71:2 action 18:5 allow 40:2 20:18 27:15 27:17 bag 75:16 activism 73:16 all-of-us 13:3 59:15 available 15:14 Bailey 10:12 activity 35:3 Amen 5:8,9 approval 6:1,13 Avenue 29:3,11 bail-in 40:12 additional 12:18 amended 50:15 approved 6:20 average 15:8 ball 77:16 20:18 21:3,12 59:10 7:2,11 20:15 AVI 78:9 balloons 36:15 25:15 27:15 amending 20:14 27:12 award 72:15 73:3 Band 68:23 62:14 20:23 25:11 approving 48:15 73:6 78:16 bank 41:5,6 42:2 additions 53:9,10 27:2,12 49:17 50:20 awareness 14:10 banking 40:23 address 48:21 50:19 53:7 architect 16:11 14:16 banners 36:15 addressing 77:22 55:20 58:11 Area 48:19 aye 6:6 7:3,4,6 39:8 adequate 14:20 amendment Arena 69:2 47:3 48:6 49:7 basis 17:5 adjourn 79:12 38:16,21 50:3,8 argue 36:21 50:9 51:7,10,12 Basketball 28:15 adjourned 79:15 58:21 59:2 Army 69:6 51:14,17,19,22 28:19 64:6,10 79:20 80:4,5 amendments 21:6 arrest 76:10 51:24 52:3,6,9 Bass 1:10 22:23 ADJOURNME...