My name is Christa Hayburn, and I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of WOAR, Women Organized Against Rape, today Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 regarding the proposed resolution of 180768 by Councilmember Johnson reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act here in Philadelphia. Over the last year, the Me Too movement has created a platform for victims and survivors of sexual violence and opportunity to be heard. It has opened the door for victims and survivors like myself to feel safe to come forward and tell someone that they have been sexually victimized. The Violence Against Women Act provides people who have experienced sexual violence and those who have not a lifeline to receive comprehensive and preventative sexual assault services from organizations like WOAR. Supporting Councilmember Johnson's resolution today will reauthorize the VAWA, which is critical in protecting our community from harm, helping victims to access the help, hope, and healing they need and deserve. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 Why should you all support Councilmember Johnson's resolution today? The Violence Against Women Act saves lives, money, and benefits the residents of Philadelphia. Statistics show one in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives. In the U.S. alone, one in three women and one in six men have experienced some form of sexual violence. The lifetime cost of rape per victim costs $122,461. Annually rape costs the U.S. more than any other crime at a staggering $127 billion in both tangible, which includes medical care, criminal justice, lost wages, and treatment, as well as intangible, pain and suffering. Eighty-one percent of women and 35 percent of men report significant short-term and long-term impacts such as post-traumatic stress as well as healthcare, and the statistics go on. But what I want to share is this: Rape Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 continues to be the most underreported crime here in Philadelphia. By supporting this bill and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, we together as a community can continue to fund prevention strategies that will help teach people how to respond to sexual violence from occurring in the first place, preventing harm to our children, families, and loved ones. By not supporting it, today's resolution, all of the momentum that we gained in the last year will be lost. Let's keep up the momentum, moving forward together as a community and support Councilmember Johnson's reauthorization. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 acknowledge for the record that 180295 is being held as we are working out some additional details to try to reach some compromise on that bill. So I just wanted to --
Those were the bills that were just referenced by the two prior speakers?
Good afternoon. My name is Aminata Sandra Calhoun. I am here to address Bill 170675 in reference to Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. I want to speak to you in this way: This bill is not just political. It's a human matter. And the reason it's a human matter, because you made it a human matter when you expressed -- when we asked you could you rescind and when you said you could not -- that you could rescind. You could rescind, but you Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 won't, this is where it's a human matter. When you took the position to highly disrespect your constituents, which was human, when they spoke out to you and said, no, this is not what we want, well, you made it a human matter, showing high disrespect, disregard. And for that, you are done, Councilman Curtis Jones. You are done. And as you express that Goode is your mentor, well, upon you being done, then you can go work for W. Wilson Goode.
Good afternoon. My name is Aisha K. El Mekki. I came to speak about the same issue. I'm seriously disappointed that City Council signed the resolution introduced by Councilman Curtis Jones to add former Mayor Wilson Goode's name to the 2400 Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 block of North 59th Street. Mr. Goode admits that it was a horrible mistake. We all make mistakes, but as moral individuals, we have to try to correct them. In my opinion, he needs to try to seek forgiveness. He needs to seek redemption. Mr. Goode should be working every day to do whatever he can to attempt to right that wrong. No, he can't bring the people back, of course. He can't really undo that horror, but he can and should work to alleviate some of the trauma that has been -- that the MOVE family has suffered. Instead of saying if they come to me I'll help them, he should be asking them what can I do. In my humble opinion, he could work to have the innocent members of their family released from prison where they've been for the last 40 years. We're supposed to build a city, not bomb it. We see signs all over the place, says see something, say something. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 I'm saying something. (Applause.)
There will be a demonstration tomorrow when this addition is added to the street at 10:00 a.m. at the 2400 block of North 59th Street. I hope you will join us. Thank you for your time.
Good afternoon. My name is Christine Stutman. I'm the Executive Director of Lutheran Settlement House. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today about how the Violence Against Women Act helps to support victims and survivors of domestic violence, as well as prevention efforts to make sure this type of violence in our community ends. I would like to recognize City Council's continued support of Lutheran Settlement House and our sister agencies who are here today Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 and the work that we are all doing to prevent domestic violence and to support those who have experienced it. Every person deserves to live without violence, and VAWA helps ensure we have the vital resources needed to make this work possible. Thank you, Councilman Johnson, for introducing this resolution. In light of the recent tragic loss of Linda Rios-Neuby, we can all feel how detrimental domestic violence is to our community and even to our own mental health and well-being as bystanders. VAWA helps fund counseling and support services like we provide at Lutheran Settlement House to support survivors and also their family members. Despite this, Congress only approved VAWA until December 2018. This is unacceptable and reflects a gross oversight of just how big an impact violence has on all of us. I am grateful that those of us in this room all share the same sense of Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 urgency in reauthorizing VAWA and hope our joint advocacy will help others recognize the gravity of this issue as well. I hope we will push for at least a five-year authorization period so that there is security and stability in our services. Before I finish, I would like to extend a special thank you to Council President Clarke and to Councilman Greenlee for their support and involvement in our Men Can initiatives over the years. Men Can encourages men to join efforts in speaking out to prevent and eliminate domestic violence. Your leadership has been invaluable, and on behalf of all of us at Lutheran Settlement House, I thank you both for your work with LSH.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
Good Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 afternoon.
I'm Jeannine Lisitski, the Executive Director at Women Against Abuse, and I'm pleased to be here today in support of Councilman Johnson's resolution to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. And I also want to thank all of the members, because we in Philadelphia are fortunate that we have a City Council that stands behind fighting towards ending domestic violence in our city. All of you have been incredibly supportive. The Violence Against Women Act, which was enacted in 1994, is the landmark legislation that creates funding for life-saving services for victims of DV, and it puts essential protections in place. In fact, it was the first U.S. federal legislation acknowledging domestic violence as a crime, and it provided federal resources to encourage coordinated community responses to combatting this violence. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 Its reauthorizations which took place in 2000, 2005, and 2013 have enhanced the legislation by creating a much-needed legal assistance program, by expanding the definition of crime to include sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The bill was also strengthened to include new focus areas such as prevention, rape crisis centers, and culturally specific services. Through the years, the reauthorizations have built a much more holistic approach to addressing these crimes by creating new programs to meet emerging needs of communities, working to ensure protections for some of the most vulnerable, including indigenous women, immigrant victims, LGBTQ plus victims, college students, and even public housing residents. Other important examples of the protections available through VAWA include prevention of unjust evictions for survivors in federally subsidized Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 housing by creating an emergency housing transfer option so that no victim has to choose between having a home and being safe; also a provision of a process for immigrant victims to apply for new visas so that they're not forced to stay with an abusive partner out of fear of being deported or being separated from their U.S.-born children. In addition to these crucial protections, VAWA also provides grants administered through Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women. And just to summarize, we've gotten millions and millions of dollars here in Philadelphia through those grants to really make a difference and start preventing domestic violence. There's many other ways that VAWA has helped us, but just in closing, I would say that the latest bill makes modest enhancements based on the needs of victims, specifically investing in evidence-based prevention, protecting Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 victims and communities from abusers with access to firearms. I won't go on, because I'm out of time.
Thank you. Thank you very much for your testimony.
Thank you for your work. This is our last speaker today.
Yes. Good afternoon. My name is Katherine Miller Wilson. I'm the Executive Director of HIAS Pennsylvania, an immigration refugee resettlement agency and a partner of Women Organized Against Rape and Women Against Abuse and many of the other folks that testified today. And I just want to highlight their remarks and support Councilman Johnson's resolution in support of the Violence Against Women Act. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 Immigrant victims of domestic violence unfortunately are numerous. Our office serves more than 150 immigrant victims per year. VAWA most particularly offers to immigrant women the ability to self-petition for status, which is critically important for their safety. In most cases when a person is married, their husband petitions for immigrant status on their behalf. In the case of a battered spouse, their husband holds that against their head and says, I will not petition for you and I will take your children and you'll never see them again unless you do what I say. So this is a critically important remedy, and I'm here to represent that we serve many, many, many immigrant victims of domestic violence, and this is a critically important bill. So thank you very much, and thank you for your time.
Thank you. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING (Applause.)
That concludes our speakers for today. Thank you. That concludes our public comment session for today. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading -Councilman Squilla, did you want to be recognized?
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. I do have to leave the session. I would like to be counted as voting aye on all bills and resolutions.
Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. President, I think we're in the same session where we have to be, so I'd like to be recorded aye on all bills and resolutions.
Let me see how many we have here. Nobody else can leave. Okay. Councilman, leave shall be granted. Thank you, sir. Let the record reflect that both Councilmen Squilla and Jones had pressing business outside of the Chamber and are reported as voting aye on all bills and resolutions and amendments. Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 180756.
A resolution urging the Pennsylvania State Legislature to pass House Bill 2060 which provides further protections to victims of domestic violence.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 180756 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 180761.
A resolution authorizing the creation of the "Special Committee on 400 Years of African American History" to evaluate the impact African Americans have had on the history of this country and acknowledging the creation of the Federal Commission by the same name that was formed in recognition Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING of the 400-year Anniversary of the arrival of Africans in the English colonies at Old Point Comfort, Virginia in 1619.
Thank you, Mr. President. I thank everyone for listening to those important people. I would like to offer an amendment to Resolution No. 180761. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council, and I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 180761 has been Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING amended. It will be on our next session of Council. We're going to run the resolution now? Okay.
It's been amended. Councilwoman, we're going to ask that you make a motion on 180761, as amended.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the amendment that has just been adopted and also for the adoption of it and the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
Resolution 180761 has been adopted. Mr. Decker, 180763.
A resolution calling on the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to oppose House Bill 2654, a proposal concerning Small Cell Wireless Facilities, which would remove local control of the public right of way and municipal infrastructure.
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 say aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it. 180763 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 180764.
A resolution calling on the United States Senate to oppose Senate Bill 3157 known as the "STREAMLINE Small Cell Deployment Act," which would considerably limit local control of the public right-of-way and municipal infrastructure.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 180764 is Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. Mr. Decker, 180768.
A resolution urging Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which helps to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 180768 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 180769. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
A resolution appointing Joshu Harris to the board of directors of the Philadelphia Land Bank.
The Chair again recognizes Councilmember Johnson.
Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 180769 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 180775.
A resolution urging the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to pass Senate Bill 501, Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING which would require the relinquishment of all guns within 24 hours by individuals who are the subject of Protection from Abuse orders, shorten the time defendants convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence must surrender their guns from 60 days to 48 hours, and prohibit allowing friends and family members outside of abusers' households to store firearms surrendered by these individuals.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it. 180775 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 180776.
A resolution calling on the United States Congress to support the passage of the Rent Relief Act.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
Let the record reflect Councilman O'Neill, Councilman Taubenberger, Councilman Oh Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING are voting nay. And that resolution is adopted, 180776. Mr. Decker, 180784.
A resolution naming St. Albans Street between 7th and 8th Streets as "Eddie Lang Way."
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilman Squilla, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 180784 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 180600.
Bill No. 180600-A, entitled "An ordinance amending Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING Chapter 19-3200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Keystone Opportunity Zone, Economic Development District, and Strategic Development Area," by providing for further Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zones.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilman Squilla is voting aye. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilman Taubenberger.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are one. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 180077-A.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Business Privilege Taxes," by eliminating for new businesses the requirement to make an estimated payment when filing a return for their first tax year of business operations and allowing the estimated payment in succeeding years to be made in quarterly installments.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Jones is voting aye. Councilman O'Neill. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 180498-A. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," to provide for the procedures for the Administrative Review process.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 180498. A copy of this has been circulated to all members of Council. And before I move for the adoption of the amendment, let me say that the purpose of this bill was to create transparency so that City Council knew what they were doing, so when they have Administrative Review process so that RCOs and community people would know what's happening. This amendment was written by my staff along with City Planning and the Law Department. Now, BIA, who sent their lawyers here, never contacted us. I think they sent my lawyer something last night. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING This has just been an issue about transparency. We move for this amendment, but anybody who has some issues or want to talk about it, just come to us. You want to come and testify and say you have all these groups? Well, you didn't come to the public hearing. You haven't contacted my office. But we'll still be nice. We're still open. You know where I am. Contact me. Thank you. I move for the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. There's been a motion and properly seconded for an amendment to 180498-A. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it. 180498-A is amended. It will be on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, do you have additional resolutions?
A resolution recognizing Le Chapeau Project and its artists on the occasion of their one-day art gallery showcasing international artists and challenging the negative narrative surrounding immigrants and individuals from Africa, Asia and the Americas, introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
And a resolution authorizing the Committee on Children and Youth to hold public hearings examining the prevalence of child hunger in Philadelphia and evaluating the efficacy of existing programs addressing child hunger, introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution declaring October as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month," introduced by Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution honoring and recognizing Diversified Community Services, on the 50th anniversary of its incorporation, for the organization's dedication to improving the South Philadelphia community to education and economic empowerment, introduced by Councilman Johnson.
Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
And a resolution Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING declaring September 15, 2018 through October 15, 2018 as Hispanic Heritage Month here in the City of Philadelphia to honor the role that Hispanics have played and continue to play in the economic, cultural and social development of our city and nation, introduced by Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Council President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution honoring and recognizing the men and women of First Builders, Incorporated, for their commitment to building a new pathway to viable careers in the construction industry for the city of Philadelphia's next generation of working men and women and labor leaders, introduced by Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Stated Meeting September 20, 2018 9/20/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution Recognizing and Celebrating the Band of Brothers Family Reunion in Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Oh.