COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, September 22, 2011 10:05 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO, JR. COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER,
Good morning. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will please come to order. Members will take their seats, and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Reverend Arlington Medley of Victory Community Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Goode. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
Grace and peace. There was a wonderful, wonderful woman who had an opportunity that she took. She had a chance to buy a new refrigerator. She went to the appliance store and asked for the very best refrigerator that they had. The her a sale. She said, No, I want the best. He said, I have a $5,000 refrigerator. She said, That's the one I want. They delivered the $5,000 refrigerator. She put her best food in there, took a short nap, and when she came back, she saw the ice cream began to melt. She saw that the vegetables began to spoil. She called on the phone and screamed at the appliance salesman, What's this? What is this? I bought a $5,000 refrigerator. He said, Madam, when you open the door, does the light come on? She said, No, no light comes on. When you bend down, do you hear a motor? No, I don't hear no motor. When you look in the back, is it plugged up? $5,000, I wouldn't have to plug it up. As a clergy person, we deal with lots of people who feel that their lives are not completely plugged up, that though they have notable success in their worldly careers and endeavors, they don't feel that their lives are making a difference with their faith or to God's kingdom. The book of Jeremiah has a few verses where it says that there are people who have forgotten how to blush, meaning that they have become so fixed in their ideology and in their groups that they're not even looking for what spiritual leadership is about, which is putting people on God's agenda, working beyond your own group, working beyond for a third alternative, bigger than anything you may have come on your own. Let's pray today that we become persons who like Nelson Mandela, having had a chance to have a country of all one people, decided to move beyond the ideology of the A&C, to have a multi-racial government, people who look beyond just their own group to see what they can do as far as spiritual leadership and putting people on God's agenda. Let's bow and look to the Lord. Dearest God, we thank you in advance that some have already come to know that you continue to build legacies and continue to plug us in when we are people who go beyond partisanship, go beyond our personal agendas and look forward to what you are able to do through us. God, we open up this session as an opportunity of hope, of new ground, that we join your work in the total renewal of all things. We thank you in advance, for it's in the name of your son we pray. Let everyone say amen. (Amen.)
The the Reverend for his invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 15th, 2011. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 15th, 2011 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 15th, 2011 stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leave of absence today.
Thank you. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Madam President, at this point I haven't heard of any requests for leave, but if that changes, I'll get back with you.
Thank you. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our city. We certainly invite you to come again. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Green, who will present a resolution honoring Young Involved Philadelphia. Would Michelle Freeman and those accompanying her please join the Councilman at the podium. I see that the Councilman is being accompanied by Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilwoman Brown and Councilwoman Sanchez and Councilwoman Tasco, and we also have Councilman Jones joining us. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Madam Chair. October 3rd, 2011 and October 10th, 2011 as "State of Young Philly Weeks," and honoring Young Involved Philadelphia. Whereas, Young Involved Philadelphia has been working for over ten years to increase civic engagement among young Philadelphians and facilitate reforms for a better Philadelphia; and
Whereas, from October 3rd, 2011 through October 14th, 2011, Young Involved Philly will host its second annual "State of Young Philly," a series of events involving over 30 participating organizations, whose theme this year will be "Building Philadelphia's Future"; and
Whereas, based on the ideas generated from facilitated discussions among speakers and attendees during "State of Young Philly: Building Philly's Future," Young Involved Philadelphia will produce a written agenda that will inform areas: community engagement, education, sustainability and planning, and the creative economy;
Whereas, "State of Young Philly: Building Philly's Future" will leverage the voice of young Philadelphia by bringing together hundreds of young professionals and key City leaders to discuss how to build a better future for Philadelphia; and
Whereas, "State of Young Philly: Building Philly's Future" will: Engage young Philadelphians will have an opportunity to engage with their peers, organizational leaders and government representatives and be exposed to innovative approaches; Connect - young Philadelphians will connect with other young leaders and organizations in the City; Represent - young on current practices and help discuss key ideas for building a better future for the City; and
Whereas, as part of its ongoing effort to engage, connect and represent young Philadelphians, Young Involved Philadelphia will organize future activities and events aimed at putting the written agenda into action; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the City Council of Philadelphia, that it declares the weeks of October 3rd and October 10th, 2011 as "State of Young Philly Weeks," encourages young Philadelphians to participate in the series of the scheduled events, and commends Young Involved Philadelphia for over ten years of dedication to increasing civic engagement among young Philadelphians. Be it further resolved, that an resolution be presented to representatives of Young Involved Philadelphia as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. Congratulations. (Applause.)
Thank you so much for the recognition, and we really appreciate the support of Council over the last few years. Since 2000, as all the Councilpeople have said, we've been working to increase civic engagement and build relationships amongst the young citizens in Philadelphia, and last year was the first year that we started State of Young Philly. And over the course of two weeks, we engaged thousands of young professionals throughout the City and encouraged them to imagine a future -what their future was like for there were several outcomes and priorities that we came out with that helped us build this year's event. I'm just going to share some of those priorities and outcomes with you so you can get some framework and background on where this all came from. The first was to improve government accessibility. So for the last year, YIP has been working with the City's task force, Open Access Philly, and participated to bring Code of America to Philadelphia. The second, that we worked to cultivate organizational relationships. So we worked with Philadelphia's young and non-profit leaders to bring a board prep program and trained over 30 young leaders and matched them on non-profit boards. And, third, we leveraged assets and built strengths. So rather than focus on what's wrong with Philadelphia, worked to launch a Twitter hashtag campaign called "Why I Love Philly," and people ever since then have been sharing why they love Philadelphia and things that they love about the City. The fourth is to improve the City's labor force. So we've worked and partnered with Philadelphia Social Innovations Journal to launch a new vision for the City's education system. And, finally, we've been working to build intergenerational leadership. So we've been working with Leadership Philadelphia and have begun conversations on how to bridge intergenerational leadership. The second sort of important part of all this is to focus on our issue area. So as it was referenced earlier, this year we'll be focusing on community engagement, education, the creative economy, and sustainability and planning. Again, all things that came out of imagining what our Philadelphia was looking like. So this year we are working to focus on action and on building the future. And we'd love to share with you all those results once our series is over. Again, the series is October 3rd through the 14th, and we invite you to come to all of the events, in particular our final showcase and reception, which will be held on October 14th at the University of the Arts from 6:30 to 9:30. You can find all of our event information. We also keep a blog to keep the conversation going for the event and throughout the year. That website is www.stateofyoungphilly.com. All of the events are open to the public, so, again, we encourage you all to come. Thank you again. (Applause.)
Thank you. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The Chair now recognizes Councilman Rizzo, who will present a resolution recognizing CISV. Would Karen Helhowski and those accompanying her please join the Councilman at the podium. The Councilman is being joined by Councilwoman Tasco, Councilman Clarke, Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilwoman Brown. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you very much, Madam President. Good morning, everyone. Recognizing, honoring and thanking CISV, formerly Children's International Summer Village, through its local chapter, CISV Philadelphia, on the occasion of its 60th Anniversary, in furtherance of the CISV mission that "peace is possible through friendship and that real differences can with children," and celebrating September 21st as "Peace One Day" and "International Day of Peace."
Whereas, in 1951, CISV was founded by Dr. Doris Allen, a child psychologist who believed that by encouraging children to be self-aware and respect cultural differences, children will become productive global citizens and strive for a more peaceful world; and
Whereas, in 1956, CISV Philadelphia was founded, one of 22 chapters of CISV USA, which hosts international delegates every year from all member nations and likewise sends delegations to other countries including, most recently, England, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Finland, Brazil, Guatemala and New Zealand; and
Whereas, the CISV core values are the mechanism for fulfilling its mission, which include the values of friendship, inclusiveness, enthusiasm, engagement and cooperation using a specific formula for success, which is individuals learn by experience to live amicably with others irrespective of cultural background; conduct research relating to the science of international relations and non-violent conflict resolution; cooperate with other similar organizations; and inspire people of all ages to strive for a more just and peaceful world; and
Whereas, the Council of the City of Philadelphia looks forward to the continued work of CISV Philadelphia to offer local youth cross-cultural experiences for the purpose of exposing children to their responsibilities as global citizens in its ongoing pursuit of a more peaceful world; and, therefore
Be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that it recognizes, honors the local chapter, CISV Philadelphia, on the occasion of its 60th anniversary, in furtherance of the CISV mission that "peace is possible through friendship, and that real differences can be made by starting with children," and celebrating September 21st as "Peace One Day" and "International Day of Peace."
Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to CISV Philadelphia further evidencing the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body. Thank you very much, ladies. (Applause.)
Hi. I'm Karen Helhowski. I'm President of CISV Philadelphia, and I'm here with longtime members of the Chapter, Janet Lowery, who Treasurer, and Tali Segal, who is our PR Chairperson. Thank you for recognizing the significance of CISV's anniversary. For 60 years, we've been striving to teach youth around the world about peace and how to achieve it through cultural understanding, which is developed through friendships. Our programs for youth and adults stress education on diversity, human rights, conflict resolution, sustainable development and service to the community. These global experiences have and continue to transform lives. We both host international programs and send people on them. Peace One Day, one day closer. Thank you. (Applause.)
The next order of business is communications. the Sergeant-At-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am transmitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body an ordinance authorizing the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to purchase a certain tract of land with the improvements thereon situate at 9470 Ashton Road; and Also an ordinance amending Chapter 10-300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Minors," by amending Section 10-303, entitled "Unlawful Conduct of Minors," and Section 10-307, entitled "Parental Responsibility for Minor Children," to provide for earlier curfew hours for minors, to provide for different curfew hours for additional age groups among minors, and to provide for parental liability, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read any other communications in his possession.
Thank you. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Miscellaneous," by regulating the public availability of police accident reports, including, but not limited to, providing for the confidentiality of certain information contained in such reports.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I introduce one resolution.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, 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-Seventh Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance authorizing the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to purchase a certain tract of land with the improvements thereon situate at 9470 Ashton Road.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I offer one resolution on behalf of Councilwoman Miller and myself and one on your behalf.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution honoring The Business Center for Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise on its 10th Annual Enterprising Woman Business Plan Competition.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Thirty-Sixth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I offer no bills or resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Madam President. No bills or resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. I have three resolutions, one co-sponsored by Councilmen Greenlee and Clarke and another co-sponsored by Councilmen Greenlee, Clarke, Reynolds Brown, Goode and Kenney.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, 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-First Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution recognizing and honoring the achievements, traditions and contributions of American Indians, also known as "indigenous peoples" of the City of Philadelphia and declaring October 8, 2011 as Indigenous Peoples Day and every first Saturday of October thereafter.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration for the resolution on today's Final Passage Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
The resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution supporting the National Minority Business Development Agency and recognizing October 5th through 7th as Philadelphia Minority Enterprises Development Week which provides critical information to foster the growth and competitiveness of the minority business community.
Thank you, Madam President. I move the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of the resolution on today's Final Passage Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of this resolution at today's session of Council. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion passes. This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I am pleased to offer one resolution -- one bill today on behalf of the Administration and co-sponsored by colleagues Bill Green and Donna Reed Miller.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title.
An ordinance amending Chapter 10-300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Minors," by amending Section 10-303, entitled "Unlawful Conduct of Minors," and Section 10-307, entitled "Parental Responsibility for Minor Children," to provide for earlier curfew hours for minors, to provide for different curfew hours for additional age groups among minors, and to provide for parental liability.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Thirty-First Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first bill.
An ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Use of An Automated Red Light Enforcement System to Prevent Red Light Violations," by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of Worthington Road at Byberry Road.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Use of An Automated Red Light Enforcement System to Prevent Red Light Violations," by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of Woodhaven Road at Knights Road.
This bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Section 14-1629 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "North Central Philadelphia Community Special District Controls," by specifically amending Section 14-2629(3), entitled "District Boundaries," to prohibit student housing in certain neighborhoods near Temple University.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
Thank you. The next order of business is reports from committees. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco for a report from the Committee on Streets and Services. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Streets and Services reports six bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Streets and Services, to which was referred Bill No. 100269, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the installation of all-way stop signs at the intersection of Whiting Road and Whiting Place"; and Bill No. 110481, entitled "An regulation on North Lambert Street, from 65th Avenue to Chelten Avenue, southbound"; and Bill No. 110482, entitled "An ordinance establishing a one-way regulation on Marion Street, from West Ashmead Street to Hansberry Street, northbound"; and Bill No. 110551, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 278 by closing to vehicular traffic a portion of Unruh Avenue extending from a point approximately one-thousand seventy-seven feet southeast of Wissinoming Street southeastwardly to the Pierhead Line of the Delaware River"; and Bill No. 110553, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-205 of The Philadelphia Code, relating to "Sidewalk Sales" and vending in residential areas within the Ninth District, by deleting a and vending in the area bordered by and including Olney Avenue, Cheltenham Avenue, Broad Street, and Fifth Street, both sides"; and Bill No. 110564, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 55 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portions of Ashland Street from a point approximately four-hundred one feet southwest of Adams Avenue to the northeasterly channel line of the Frankford Creek," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules so as to permit first reading for the six bills that have just been read into the record. (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 the bills just reported from committee. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bills just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just read from committee with suspension of rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on our Second 2ND READING Reading and Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar to be considered today.
Thank you, Madam President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 110617, 110618, 110619, 110620, 110621 and 110547. Bill No. 100200-AA is being amended. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you. Before considering these bills and resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed up for today's session, please do so by giving your name to the Sergeant-At-Arms at the table to my left. You will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. You will have three minutes, three minutes to speak. I would ask the Chief Clerk at this time to please call the name of our first speaker.
Thank you. Thank you. Good morning, Chamber, and good morning, President. My name is Raed Nasser. I represent the Hawthorne Empowerment Coalition. I just want you to know that I'm a very active resident of the Hawthorne Empowerment Coalition. I moved into the community four years ago and I got involved right away. Councilman DiCicco can tell you so. What the Chamber did last Thursday by not engaging the community's input on the pending changes in our councilmanic district was wrong, because our community had the representation. Back in 2005, I took the oath of the United States for citizenship, because I wanted to live in a country that has the best democratic system of the world, where every citizen should get the right to express their point of view and express -- to express their point of view. But that wasn't the case in this instance, making me believe the American dream is just a fantasy. Once again, we are opposed that our Hawthorne Empowerment Coalition community get moved to the 2nd District. We would like to stay as it is on the 1st District. Thank you.
Thank you very much for coming in to testify. Our next speaker.
Patricia Bullard, commenting on Bills 110546 and 110547. (Witness approached witness stand.)
Good morning, Councilmembers. I'm Patricia Bullard, President of the Hawthorne Empowerment Coalition. Raed Nasser is our Vice-President.
I'm sorry. Would you mind speaking into the microphone, please. Thank you.
HEC is a non-profit community organization representing the Hawthorne neighborhood in South Philadelphia. We are here to express Hawthorne community's opposition to Council's redistricting plan that removes Hawthorne from the 1st Councilmanic District and places our neighborhood in the 2nd Councilmanic District. Hawthorne is the area bounded by South Street and Washington Avenue on the north and south and by Broad Street and 11th on the west and east. Council's proposal is for the 2nd District to make an abrupt jog into the 1st District to capture Hawthorne, leaving the neighborhoods around us in the 1st District. No other neighborhood in the 1st District and no neighborhood contiguous with Hawthorne would be moved to the 2nd District. This plan clearly was not made with the interest of Hawthorne residents in mind. At no time was our neighborhood consulted. We are concerned that political deals appear to have been made without reference to the needs of concerns of the citizens most affected. Hawthorne has always been a part of the 1st District. We have strong ties to the neighborhood organizations in the 1st District, built our working relationship together with them in the 1st District, Councilmembers that serve the needs of our neighbors. For example, we have worked for years with District Councilmembers and 1st District community groups to create a new community park at 12th and Catharine. The project has been successful. Hawthorne Park is now under construction, in great part because of our ties to these groups. The same is true for the years of joint efforts to deal with crowds and street crime on South Street and Hawthorne and the neighborhoods to the east. These neighborhoods, like Hawthorne, are in the 3rd Police District, most of which is in the 1st Councilmanic District. We have a long history of working collaboratively with other community groups in the 3rd Police District and the 3rd Police District Command and with the District Councilmembers who represent all of us to address public safety issues impacting our residents. Continued collaboration to mitigate the impact of rapid development on our neighborhood also with the assistance of our District Councilmember is a third example. Carving Hawthorne out of the 1st District will disrupt these many longstanding ties and strong relationships, which are built on the fact that we all have the same Councilmember. Council's plan will make it far more difficult for HEC to represent successfully the interest of Hawthorne residents and to succeed with important and difficult community projects like Hawthorne Park. The 2nd Councilmanic District is located entirely in South and Southwest Philadelphia. Hawthorne is proud to be a South Philadelphia neighborhood. In recent years, however, the composition of our neighborhood has changed and many of our new residents moved to Hawthorne because it's close to Center City. They have many interests and concerns in common with Center City residents. The 1st Councilmanic District includes a substantial portion of Center City as well as the South Philadelphia neighborhoods we work with regularly. Historically, geographically and demographically Hawthorne belongs in the 1st Councilmanic District. We urge Council to put the needs and concerns of Hawthorne residents above political expediency and keep Hawthorne in the 1st Councilmanic District. Thank you for the opportunity to speak before you today on this issue.
Sandra Rosenfeld, commenting on Bill No. 110116. (Witness approached witness table.)
I realize this is probably not the right venue for me to be bringing this up, so perhaps it would be best if I spoke to the Councilperson privately at their convenience. It's about the policies of the Parking Authority. I don't think this is the right place. You can tell me if it is or it isn't.
Whichever you prefer doing. You can make your statement or speak directly to the District Councilperson.
I think that's actually you, but okay. I will just make a statement that -- not just from my perspective, but from so many people I've spoken to, it just seems that the Parking Authority is ticketing with reckless abandon, ticketing people who have legitimate parking permits. That happened to me the other day. It's happened to many of my friends and associates. And ticketing a car where maybe 10 percent of the car -- 90 percent is legal, 10 percent may be sticking out. It's almost like they have a quota system and they have to make money because Philadelphia needs revenue. It seems to have gotten out of hand, and a lot of people are very distressed by it. I'm one of them. And to just take it one step further, going to appeal any tickets is such a waste of time. There's a hostility there. I find that they don't even look at the documentation, and then if you want to appeal the hearing, you go back to the very same place. And isn't that a little bit like the fox watching the henhouse? I mean, it doesn't seem to work. I'm not sure if City Council has authority over the Parking Authority. I don't know the politics of it all, but it's really -- Philadelphia is supposed to be the city that loves you back. Philadelphia has gotten very hostile. And the six-minute meters is an absurdity, I think. (Applause.)
Members of Council, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Robert Taylor, a citizen of South Philadelphia. I'm commenting today on Resolution 110618, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I rise in support of this resolution. Nonetheless, we must be aware that finding the cure -- finding the cause is the cure. We need to look at what is going on in our children's lives that is increasing their cancer risk. Fluoride is a suspected carcinogen that should be removed from our water supply. It is linked to osteosarcoma. It is known to damage the brain, endocrine system, kidneys and other organs, according to Dr. Paul Connett. We also have genetically engineered foods rampant in our food supply. We did not vote for many of these things or any of them. And we have things added like high fructose corn syrup, NutraSweet, which is actually aspartame, which is actually linked to cancers. Many vaccines, like Gardasil, has carcinogens in them. Quote, "The injections contain carcinogens, heavy metals, wild virus, mutated proteins, and the DNA in the vaccine can be transfective and recombinant, meaning that it can combine with human DNA and mutate," according to Mark Oakley. Dr. Diane Harper, who developed the Gardasil vaccine, said it was not intended for the American market. Now they want to inject boys, who don't even have cervixes. Dr. Sherri Tenpenny states that, quote, "Every vaccine has a potential side-effect." Many parents feel that the risk of vaccine is unacceptably larger than the risk of the illness. A fact cannot be debated, however, is that we have a national epidemic of sick children. Today, parents schedule routine occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy into their weekly routines as though those activities were as ordinary as soccer practice and piano lessons. Is there a common factor contributing to the epidemic of illness in our children? It's not genetic. Different families have different genes. It's not exercise. Some kids are athletes; others are couch potatoes. What touches almost all of our children today and likely contributes to the plethora of chronic illness are the 70 doses of 16 vaccines by the age of 18. Moreover, a recent study June 23rd, 2011, quote, "Infant mortality rates regressed against a number of vaccine doses routinely given. Is there a biochemical or synergistic toxicity," end quote. This study suggests that countries like the U.S. that have vaccinated most have the greatest infant mortality rates. The U.S. has the highest vaccine rate and the highest infant mortality rates among developed nations. We must say no to many of these avoidable risks. 9/22/11 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you for your time.
Thank you very much. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our next witness.
Thank you. Is there anyone else here who has signed up to provide public comment on today's agenda? (No response.)
Seeing none, that concludes today's public comment period. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 110617.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public 9/22/11 - STATED - 2ND READING Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, 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 Eleventh and Twelfth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is 9/22/11 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution 110618.
A resolution recognizing September 2011 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in honor of childhood cancer patients, care givers, survivors and those who have succumbed to the disease.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The 9/22/11 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution 110619.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, 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 Seventh and Nineteenth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. 9/22/11 - STATED - 2ND READING All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution 110620.
A resolution supporting President Obama's urgent American Jobs Act and calling on Mayor Nutter to establish complementary job creation programs at the local level.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. 9/22/11 - STATED - 2ND READING All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution 110621.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.) 9/22/11 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 100200-AA.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Section 14-231, entitled "Residential District Rules and Exceptions," by providing for restrictions on placement, installation and maintenance of certain satellite dishes and antenna.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I would offer an amendment for this bill. The amendments have been circulated, so I move for the adoption of the amendment. 9/22/11 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of 110547.
An ordinance amending Chapter 20-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Councilmanic Districts," by revising the boundaries of the Councilmanic Districts.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are two, and the bill passes. The Clerk will please read any additional resolutions on today's Calendar.
A resolution supporting the National Minority Business Development Agency and recognizing October 5th through 7th as Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development Week which provides critical information to foster the growth and competitiveness of the minority business community, introduced by Councilman Curtis Jones.
Thank you. It was also introduced by other members of Council, but I move for the adoption (Duly seconded.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. That completes our Calendar for today. Are there speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Are there speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, all members of Council, for supporting the resolution for Obama's Jobs Act. It was brought home to me last Thursday when I left my office on my way to a hearing here and a gentleman who had a distraught look on his face, apparently -- a minority, apparently over 50 and apparently in distress. I asked him was he okay. He responded sheepishly no. And the next words that came out of his face scared me to death. I was not prepared for this. He said, I'm about to kill myself. He said he was about to kill himself because he had been unemployed close to two years, had reached the 99 week percentage point and did not know how he was going to maintain any type of life-style, any type of future. A recent article by the Inquirer showed that right home in Philadelphia poverty went up 2 percent, from 24 percent to 26 percent; that this knows no race, no color; that in that article they cite Mrs. Sidney, 34-year-old Northeast woman, single mother, who lost her job as a certified nursing assistant and then plummeted from a middle-class environment to impoverished environment and is about to be evicted from a $640 a month apartment, and prospects are that she will move into a City-run shelter. This job proposal, along with good work done by Councilman Clarke to create a Jobs Commission, good work done by Councilman Goode and myself to try to move Bill No. 110143 to look at contracting opportunities to create local stimulus jobs here under our control, are things that we have to do. As President Obama said in the State of the Union Address, that some people just can't wait until the next election. They're forced with the reality of meals that they will miss, jobs that they don't have and evictions that are looming, along with utility shut-offs. We have to do what we can. of this building are neighborhoods where hundreds and thousands of people go through this. Three hundred and ninety-seven thousand of our fellow Philadelphians live below the poverty guidelines. This is something that begs our attention. And I think we've done some of the good work, but we have a lot of work to do. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Madam President. I personally wanted to thank you, the leadership team and all of my colleagues for the work over the last few months on redistricting. Many of you know since I got elected initially in 2007 I have been active in the census count and I have talked about redistricting for many, many years, and negative feedback and people not believing that this Council in a collegial way would listen to public input and create districts that reflected the population trends, some of the challenges that the City faced, we did meet our deadline. We did it in a collegial way. I didn't throw anybody out the window. And I just want to publicly acknowledge all of my colleagues, Councilmen DiCicco and Kenney in particular for their alternative plan, and say that on behalf of the residents of the 7th Councilmanic District, who have felt disenfranchised for many years, the Latino community in particular, thank you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Madam Chair. My comments were actually going Jones' comments, but I would like everybody to note that Councilwoman Sanchez really just spoke like a lawyer, because what she said is she didn't throw anybody out the window. What she didn't say is she threatened to throw a lot of people out the window in that process. You know, colleagues, Council President, what Councilman Jones just talked about is the truth, and it continues. Every ten years the poverty rate increases in the City of Philadelphia. We know that what we are doing is not working. Every single decade we lose 40 or 50 thousand net jobs. Every single year we lose four or five thousand net jobs, yet we keep patting ourselves on the back for incremental and marginal progress that does not bring about real change in the City. We talk about increasing test scores in the schools, which are of having everybody at grade level in 2123. We tout companies if they decide to come to Philadelphia or stay here, yet every year net we're losing jobs. We have to be bold and be willing to take risks, be willing to be wrong if we're going to right the ship that is the City of Philadelphia. That means we have to be willing to do things that will not be popular. We have to fundamentally change the way we educate our children. I'm questioning today whether or not the School District is capable of doing that. We have to be willing to take risks with our tax structure, lose revenue in the short term with the hope that it will turn things around in the long term by eliminating job-killing net income tax and other things. We have to take risks if we're going to get a reward. Doing the same thing, tinkering around at the margins with incremental to solve the poverty problem or educate our children, and I hope that in the next four years, we seriously look at doing things that could put our jobs in jeopardy. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. Does anyone else want to be recognized? (No response.)
Seeing no one, the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 6th, 2011, 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 6th at 10:00 a.m. say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Thank you all very much. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.) 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 September 22, 2011, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)