Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, May 5, 2016 10:45 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE L. BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN AL TAUBENBERGER MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting May 5, 2016
We're going to go a little out of order. We're going to do the invocation, because we all need prayer before we do anything, and then we're going to do the presentation. Is that okay with the members? And then we'll go back to our regular order of things. If we can take our seats so we can get started and do our prayer. Then we'll have our brief presentation and then we'll go back to our regular order of business. Folks, can I have quiet, please. Thank you. We're going to have our invocation. We have established a quorum. I'd ask that our guests retire behind the rails. If the members will take our seat, we will proceed with our invocation. And to give the invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Reverend Harold R. Jolly of the Second Macedonia Baptist Church. He is here Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 of Councilwoman Parker. I would ask all members, guests, and visitors to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
To City Council, President Darrell Clarke, I want to thank you for this opportunity. Also to Councilwoman Cherelle Parker, a dear friend, who represents the 9th District, again I would like to say thank you for this invocation, to all of you who have been elected, the collective of 17, to advocate for the collection of the people that make up this great City of Philadelphia. As mentioned previously, my name is Harold Jolly and I proudly serve as the Pastor of the Second Macedonia Baptist Church, which has been a beacon of light for 85 years in this wonderful Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 to be not only Cinco de Mayo but the National Day of Prayer, where collective of Christians would come together and have prayer at 12:00 noon. So I ask that you would bow your heads now. On this day, oh Lord, we come in humble submission remembering the words that we find in the writing of 1st Timothy Chapter 2, which states, I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them, intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way, for the kings and all who are in authority, so that they can live peacefully, quiet lives marked by Godliness and dignity. So, God, I come before your presence with a heart of gratefulness and thanksgiving. Grateful and thankful to you, oh Lord, for this opportunity to engage in this day that we have never encountered before. We are grateful and thankful to a have sound mind, health, Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 to your will to be of service. God, we thank you for the collective of men and women that are assembled in this place who have dedicated their lives to fight for those who are seeking fair treatment and a better quality of life. Before we dare make any petitions of you, we ask, oh God, that you would just search us and forgive us of any wrongdoings that we have done and thought in deed or in speech. It is your forgiveness that is essential to continue to be in relationship with you. Now, oh God, we come on behalf of the City Council as a whole, each person that has been elected to represent the body of people. We pray now for each Councilmember individually and collectively that they would aggressively contest for the rights of those who are in need. We ask, oh Lord, that you would Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 a voice. Not just a voice to bring forth sounds of emptiness and self-centeredness, but we seek you to grant each person a voice that is filled with integrity, wisdom, and compassion. I pray, God, that you will grant each man and woman a voice to speak diligently and aggressively as they contest for the rights of those who are in need, for the needs of the people who dwell in this city are great. God, for those of us who seek or see each Councilmember as they are in our communities daily laboring and as they engage in the work to bring forth on numerous occasions contemplation, tears, fears, discord, and wariness, we lift them up before your presence, for their labor is not easy. So we ask now, oh God, that you would grant them each a spirit of renewal like a fresh wind. Each day that they begin this labor, especially on this day, Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 continue daily processing in them a renewed spirit to have strength to travel down the road less traveled. If they have to stand by themselves for the fight for justice, grant them the courage to seek you first and then the ability to stand until right prevails. We ask that you would just guide their thoughts, place in their mouths words of wisdom, and fill them and this room with the spirit of peace. Allow them, oh God, to work in unity, be willing to extend past affiliations, and remember that the work that they do will affect the lives of those beyond these walls.
Continue to grant them the courage to be steadfast in this work. For every decision that will be made, we seek for your guidance and pray for your perfect will be done. Thank you, Father, for hearing this prayer of your humble servant. In Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 reign for all eternity, whose name has been exalted above every name and whose shoulders the government has been placed on, Jesus who art our Christ, Lord, and savior, we pray. Amen. )
Thank you, Pastor, so much for those inspiring words. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you, Pastor. Thank you so much. Folks, again, we're going to go out of order a little bit. We want to make a special presentation. Can I have your attention. Thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, who will present a resolution congratulating Patrick Murphy. Would Patrick Murphy and those accompanying him Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining the Councilman, we have Councilman Henon, Councilman Green, Councilman Oh, Councilwoman Parker, Councilman Jones, Councilwoman Gym, Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, Councilman Squilla, Bass, Quinones-Sanchez, and Taubenberger.
It would have been easier to read the people that weren't up here.
I want to go off script a little bit. I'm going to still ask for Councilman Domb, O'Neill, and Greenlee to please join me as well. Good morning, everyone. (Good morning.)
Good morning, everyone. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 (Good morning.)
Today I am truly honored and privileged to have this opportunity to acknowledge the appointment of Acting Secretary of the United States Army to a gentleman who I had the great opportunity to become acquainted with when he served as a young Congressman, who stepped out and became one of the first individuals, first leaders in this area, in this region, in the state to endorse the first African American President of these United States, President Barack Obama, and then was called to serve a higher calling, a calling representing those who keep our country safe, those who give of their lives every single day serving our country, and that's in the position of Acting Secretary of the United States Army. As a Council body, we have done great work with our Council President and the support of the members of this body Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 on Veterans Affairs. We also have created the first Veterans Parade in this great City of Philadelphia. So it's only fitting that we take time to acknowledge one of our own, homegrown. And I want to also acknowledge Mrs. Murphy, because I'm a strong believer that on the side of every strong man is a stronger woman. (Applause.)
So at this time, I would like to read the citation, and the citation reads -- the resolution: Congratulating and Honoring Patrick Murphy on his recent appointment as Acting Secretary of the United States Army.
Whereas, the Honorable Patrick Murphy was appointed Acting Secretary of the United States Army on January 7th, 2016;
Whereas, I will take a point of personal privilege to say how proud we are of, I'm going to Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 say, Secretary Patrick Murphy instead of Acting, because he is the Secretary of the Army of the United States of America. How proud we are of him in this body, how proud we are of him in Philadelphia, how proud we are in the Commonwealth, and how proud we are to have him serve in his capacity, and how proud I am to be his friend for many, many years and want to thank the President of the United States for recognizing this great talent in the future, in the future of the Secretary of Army in the Armed Services. Whereas, as Secretary of the Army, Patrick Murphy has responsibility for all members relating and matters relating to the United States Army: manpower, personnel, reserve affairs, installation, environmental issues, weapon systems and equipment acquisition, communication and financial management; and
Whereas, Patrick Murphy was previously nominated Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 sworn in as the 32nd Under Secretary of the United States Army on January 4th, 2016; and
Whereas, Secretary Murphy is a proud son of the City of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, as well as a graduate of Kings College, University of Scranton ROTC Program and Widener University Commonwealth School of Law; and
Whereas, immediately following the September 11th, 2001 attacks, the Honorable Patrick Murphy honorably served the United States in two overseas deployments in Bosnia and Iraq; and
And as we're congratulating Secretary Murphy, the bloodline goes back to South Philadelphia, Councilman Johnson and myself, and the Rapone family is here also still in South Philadelphia very strong, so we want to make sure we note that. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 Whereas, Patrick Murphy is the first Iraqi War Veteran to be elected to the United States House of Representatives; and
Whereas, Patrick Murphy served as Congressman of the 8th Congressional District in Pennsylvania with honor and dignity from 2007 to 2011; and
Whereas, Patrick Murphy contributed as a television correspondent on MSNBC from 2011 to 2015 to address veteran issues and break down the civil-military divide; and
Whereas, Patrick Murphy is a humble public servant and veteran who has devoted his life to the greater good of his country; and
I have to make a couple comments as well. I'm just going to say this body has done a number of things, one of which was to support a U.S. Army Green Beret who stepped up to Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 rape and abuse and brutalization and was in the process of being removed from the military, and I'm proud to say that he will remain under Secretary Murphy's watch and the decision of the Board, but with the Secretary's signature. So we thank him for that. Whereas, Patrick Murphy will serve the position of Acting Secretary with purpose and dignity and will continue to serve this country with the capacity -- in the capacity of Acting Secretary of the Army; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that it hereby congratulates, lifts up, honors and celebrates Philadelphia's own Patrick Murphy on his recent appointment as Acting Secretary of the United States Army.
Further resolved, that an engrossed copy Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 presented to Patrick Murphy as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Secretary Murphy for remarks. ) SECRETARY MURPHY: Thank you. Thank you so much. Council President, thank you for the honor to be here today. To all the great public servants on this dais, thank you for what you do for the citizens of Philadelphia every single day. There's so many families that look upon your leadership, and you're delivering for all of them, and we are so grateful for that leadership. I do want to specially thank Councilman Kenyatta Johnson. KJ, thank you so much. You are a true public servant, in that when I tell people they should join the military, you should go into public service and it will help you Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 leader, and that public service comes in many different forms. For me it was as a 19-year-old joining the Army. For you it was in City Year. But your leadership not just here in Philadelphia but in City Year, the House of Representatives, in Harrisburg, but now as Councilman is second to none. Thank you so much. You are the youngest Councilman and one of the most effective, so I want to say thank you. But all of you on this stage are a personal friend and I'm grateful. My wife, Jenny, is here. Our 9-year-old daughter, Maggie Murphy, and our 6-year-old son, Jack, are watching. But I will never forget that I would not be here if it wasn't for folks on the stage and folks that were in this building and folks in the City of Philadelphia. I have been very blessed in my life, in that I grew up in a row house and that I look at these young messengers and other folks that work here, I was one of these Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 Every day I would take the SEPTA, the 20 bus, and then the elevated train, the El, here working my way up, because my mom was a secretary. My father, who was a Philadelphia police officer, said, I want you to look at these professionals. I want you to look and aspire to be something. And that row house mentality, the folks that you take care of your neighborhood, is the same mentality that we have in the Army, that you take care of the person on your left and your right, because you're there for a higher purpose. You are there to be selfless. You are there to be what we call in the Bible someone with a servant's heart. And I am just grateful to be here. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the one million soldiers that defend our nation every day. And I will tell you very quickly that if there's -- if you're watching at home and if you have a son or daughter or niece or nephew or grandson Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 about it, the Army is America's varsity team. The Army is founded in Philadelphia. When President Obama has an emergency and has to respond as a world leader, last year when we had thousands of innocents being killed by a virus called Ebola in Africa, Barack Obama when he dials 911, he is calling the United States Army, and it was the 101st Airborne Division that went and solved that virus and saved tens of thousands of lives. When we have a national disaster in our own country and the governors pick up the phone to dial 911, they are calling the United States Army, our National Guard to respond. We have a lot to be proud of, but it's the next generation that we need, those sons and daughters, the nieces and nephews, those granddaughters and grandsons, to join our ranks. Every year we have about a hundred thousand folks join our ranks to do something Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 look out there and I look at the next generation and it's hard not to be inspired. I've been to Iraq and Afghanistan as their Secretary of the Army. I've been all over this country, and you cannot help but to be humbled by what they're giving up to serve our nation and to serve the world. com, call us, ask us.
But it's not only the three years or the 30 years you may give, it's that time that you will leave our Army with the love of country stamped on your heart, and you will go on to do great things. You look at Comcast. Ralph Roberts built Comcast and he's a veteran. You look at Verizon right now. That CEO was a veteran. You look just north in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The largest healthcare company in the world is Johnson & Johnson. That CEO is run by an Army veteran, an Army ranger, Alex Gorsky. And our small businesses across Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 Philadelphia, across this nation that are run by veterans. You become a civic asset. You are more likely to be employed. You will make an average $10,000 more a year than civilian counterparts. You are more likely to vote in elections no matter what your political persuasion is. You become a leader in your community because you have that servant's heart, and you become a leader of character for a lifetime of service. So to be part, again, of this great organization called the United States Army, this family as their Secretary of the Army, it's an honor. Councilman, thank you for this great honor for my family and for our Army, and make sure you remember we'll be back here in Philadelphia on June 14th. It's not just Flag Day. It's also the Army's birthday. We're 242 years old. I've only been part of it 42 of those years, but 242, we look good for being Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 242. But God bless all of you, and thank you so much for your service and for your leadership. Thank you. )
Thank you very much. Can I have your attention, please. Thank you very much. Again, I want to thank the Secretary for his service. At this time, I would like to recognize Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell for a special request.
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you for allowing me to make this request. I have resolutions for PHA reappointing Ethel Wise, Lynette Brown-Sow, Julia Danzy, Asia Coney, all of whom I've known forever. All these are on your behalf. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 congratulating good samaritans from Ready, Willing & Able and Julia Masterman School and the students for winning the first place in every element of the state Odyssey of the Mind competition. So since I can, I wanted to acknowledge -- and these all mean so much to me, but as many of you know, there's a funeral today for a gentleman who broke a lot of records as being first. He was 99 years old and ask that I speak, and I have to leave for his funeral since they've asked that I speak. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Let the record reflect that Councilwoman Blackwell is going to be introducing those six resolutions. Thank you.
Thank you. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 Thursday, April 28th, 2016, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 28th, 2016 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 28th, 2016 stand approved. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of the majority, there are no leaves of absence requested for today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to thank everyone who has taken time out of their busy day to come down to witness their government in action. We really appreciate you coming down. We hope you actually enjoy yourself, so much so that you come back again. Again, thank you so much. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016
That's Lawrence Reeves that I'm referring to. And I wanted to leave my vote. I'd like to be recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Thank you for catching that one.
Thank you, Councilwoman. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, who will present a resolution recognizing Construction Safety Week. Would Mary Pat Geppert and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.) Stated Meeting May 5, 2016
And joining Councilwoman Sanchez, we have Councilman Greenlee and Councilman Domb.
One of the things I was pleasantly surprised when I came to Council was the collaboration that exists between the public and the private sector, and I've come to appreciate the work of some of the associations who monitor the legislative work that we do and provide for us many times expertise for free and really work with us when we're dealing in crisis. As many of you know, public safety is hugely important. We are very proud of all of the cranes that are up in the City. And I've really come to appreciate the work of organizations like the Apartment Association, the realtors, Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 BIA, and particularly the General Building Contractors Association. As Chair of the L&I, it's wonderful to be able to pick up the phone and ask folks what are some national best practices, how do we secure public safety while enjoying the rebuild that we see throughout the City. And so that was one of the things that I learned very early on in Council, that we have private partners always willing to step up to the plate and work with us. And when we agree, it's great, and when we disagree, the level of mutual respect that exists is something that I'm very, very proud of, and many times people do not see that in the work that we're producing, the level of dialogue that exists with our partners. Because they are our partners, and for that reason, I'm very proud to stand here today with many folks who have become friends and allies as we recognize and observe May 2nd through the 6th as "Construction Safety Week" in the City of Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 Whereas, every year across the United States more than 80,000 workers suffer an injury on construction job sites; and
Whereas, the General Building Contractors Association Safety Committee works to support safe construction practices here in Philadelphia; and Whereas, the Construction Industry Safety group and the Incident and Injury Free CEO Forum have joined forces to create U.S. Industry Safety Week with a single aim: to inspire everyone in the construction industry to be leaders in safety and to make safety the number one focus in the U.S. construction industry; and
Whereas, "Construction Safety Week" is recognized annually by thanking workers for supporting safety and recognizing their efforts to be injury free, increasing Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 of being committed to safety, inspiring the construction industry to work together to strengthen safety culture, celebrating the need to be injury free, and conducting on-site safety awareness activities to support education; and Whereas, "Construction Safety Week" increases awareness of the importance of being committed to safety every day and inspires sharing of best practices and working together to strengthen the construction industry's safety culture; and
Whereas, the City of Philadelphia and its City Council have worked diligently in recent years to ensure and improve safety in construction workplaces and to pass regulation encouraging safe, injury-free construction in Philadelphia; Whereas, the second annual U.S. Industry Safety Week will occur this year from Monday, May 2nd to Friday, May 6th; Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby recognizes and observes May 2nd through the 6th as "Construction Safety Week" in the City of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Ms. Geppert for remarks.
Good morning. Thank you, Council President, for allowing me to speak this morning. I am Mary Pat Geppert, the President and CEO of Geppert Brothers, Incorporated, one of the region's largest demolition contractors. I am also the Chair of the General Building Contractors Association's Safety Committee. On behalf of the GBCA, I would like to thank Councilwoman Sanchez and all Philadelphia City Council for recognizing Construction Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 the City of Philadelphia and for the Council's extensive work on the issue of construction safety in Philadelphia. The GBCA is the Philadelphia chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America with more than 250 member companies. Safe construction is the number one priority of our organization and of our member companies. We have worked extensively with City Council and the Mayor's Administration over the years to guarantee high-quality, safe construction throughout the City of Philadelphia. Construction Safety Week is designed to thank our workers for supporting safety and recognizing their efforts to be injury free and to increase awareness of the importance of being committed to safety by inspiring the sharing of best practices and working to strengthen the construction industry's safety culture. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 the work that City Council as well as Philadelphia departments such as License and Inspection have done to ensure that Philadelphia continues to be the city focused on safety, injury-free construction work. Through the City's efforts and the continued work of the GBCA's Safety Committee, we will use this year's Construction Safety Week to emphasize safety as the number one focus in the Philadelphia construction industry and keep Philadelphia a safe construction city. Again, thank you to the members of City Council for recognizing Construction Safety Week and particularly to Councilwoman Sanchez for introducing this resolution. Together, we will continue to make safety the highest priority of Philadelphia's construction. (Applause.)
Council will be at ease. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 (Council at ease.)
Thank you. The next order of business is communications. Would the Sergeant-of-Arms please deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, will you please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body the following proposed resolutions approving the reappointment of Reverend Dr. Leslie Callahan, Ethel M. Wise, Lynette Brown-Sow, Julia Danzy, Reverend Bonnie Camarda, Herbert Wetzel, Asia Coney, and the appointment of Fran McLaughlin and Frederick S. Purnell, Sr., to the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and Also a resolution authorizing Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 to dispose of certain properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to dispose of certain properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District that will be transferred by the City to the Authority, by conveyance of such properties to the Philadelphia Land Bank; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of certain properties located in the Second Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to dispose of certain properties located in the Second Councilmanic District that will be transferred by the City to the Authority, by conveyance of such properties to the Philadelphia Land Bank; and A resolution authorizing the Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 dispose of certain properties located in the Seventh Councilmanic District; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to dispose of certain properties located in the Seventh Councilmanic District that will be transferred by the City to the Authority, by conveyance of such properties to the Philadelphia Land Bank; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Southwest Schuylkill Redevelopment Area, identified by house number and street address as 5944 Greenway Avenue; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Auburn Redevelopment Area, Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 and street address as 2743 through 45 Frankford Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 120 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Lambert Street and Woodstock Street, each from Jefferson Street to Redner Street, and striking from the City Plan and vacating Redner Street from Twentieth Street to Twenty-First Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire a bridge that crosses the Schuylkill River below the Grays Ferry Bridge and to acquire rights or property interests in connection with supports for the bridge and its abutments; and An ordinance authorizing the Public Property Commissioner to enter into an amendment to a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for the use by the Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 at 1101 Market Street; and An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2016 within the Grants Revenue Fund from the Director of Finance - Provision for Other Grants to the Managing Director; and An ordinance approving the Fiscal Year 2017 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works (including the supplying of funds in connection therewith) subject to certain constraints and conditions, and acknowledging the receipt of the Revised Forecast of Capital Budgets for Fiscal Years 2018 through 2022, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you very much. The next order of business is introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Good morning, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions this morning, but I offer four on behalf of my colleague or our colleague Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell.
A privileged resolution Honoring, Congratulating and Recognizing Good Samaritans from Ready, Willing & Able.
That will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution Honoring, Congratulating and Recognizing the Julia R. Masterman School and its Students for Winning First Place Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 in Every Element of the State Odyssey of the Mind Competition.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the reappointment of Asia Coney as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the reappointment of Ethel M. Wise as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
Referred to committee. Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I have three bills and one resolution, and Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 on behalf of Councilwoman Blackwell and yourself, I offer two resolutions.
An ordinance amending Chapter 14-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Overlay Zoning Districts," by adding a new subsection.
And an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 120 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Lambert Street and Woodstock Street, each from Jefferson Street to Redner Street.
And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 area bounded by 21st Street, Oxford Street, 20th Street, Master Street, and Ridge Avenue.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to dispose of certain properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District that will be transferred by the City to the Authority, by conveyance of such properties to the Philadelphia Land Bank.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the reappointment of Lynette Brown-Sow as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
And a Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 non-privileged resolution approving the reappointment of Julia Danzy as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
And that will be referred to committee. Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. Today I offer three resolutions, one on your behalf.
A non-privileged resolution approving the appointment of Fran McLaughlin as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
And a privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Commerce & Economic Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 Development to investigate and hold hearings on the City of Philadelphia's plans to enforce and comply with the U.S. Department of Labor Administrator's Interpretation No. 2015-1, as well as any current or planned standards and practices by which the City currently enforces Employee Classifications.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities and the Committee on the Disabled and Persons with Special Needs to hold hearings on the current state of accessibility of Philadelphia's traditional taxi services and forthcoming transportation network services, in search of opportunities to expand accessibility and ensure prompt and dignified ride service for all Philadelphians.
And Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one non-privileged 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 Fourth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016
Council President, one bill, one privileged resolution.
An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," to add a new Chapter 9-4400, entitled "Construction Moratorium," to prohibit the construction of any building or other structure with the area -- within the area bounded on the north by the south side of Carpenter Street, on the west by the east side of Broad Street, on the south by the north side of Washington Avenue, and on the east by the west side of Thirteenth Street.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Transportation Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 and Public Utilities to hold hearings regarding working conditions for workers employed by subcontractors at the Philadelphia International Airport such as Prime Flight and Prospect, examining the implementation of the 21st Century Minimum Wage Ordinance, and determining whether action should be taken to suspend or cancel certain contracts after repeated violations of workers' rights.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes -- I'm sorry, Councilman Johnson.
Sorry, Council President. I also have two additional non-privileged resolutions and another bill, please.
An ordinance Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to acquire a bridge that crosses the Schuylkill River below the Grays Ferry Bridge and to acquire rights or property interests in connection with supports for the bridge and its abutments.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to dispose of certain properties located in the Second Councilmanic District that will be transferred by the City to the Authority, by conveyance of such properties to the Philadelphia Land Bank.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 portion of the Southwest Schuylkill Redevelopment Area, identified by house number and street address as 5944 Greenway Avenue.
And that will also be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one bill, one non-privileged resolution, and one privileged resolution.
An ordinance authorizing the transfer in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2017 from the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance - Provision for Other Grants to the General Fund, the Department of Parks and Recreation, to support the Rebuilding Community Infrastructure Initiative.
That Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 will be referred to committee.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring the 2016 Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award Recipients for exemplary teachers.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to dispose of certain properties located in the Seventh Councilmanic District that will be transferred by the City to the Authority, by conveyance of such properties to the Philadelphia Land Bank.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Good morning, Council President. I have one bill on behalf of the Administration and Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 one privileged resolution.
An ordinance approving the Fiscal Year 2017 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works (including the supplying of funds in connection therewith) subject to certain constraints and conditions.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Health to hold hearings regarding the Medical Marijuana Act of Pennsylvania.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 privileged resolution. It's also co-sponsored by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Domb, Gym, and Green.
A privileged resolution recognizing and congratulating Leslie Odom, Jr., for his Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his role as Aaron Burr in Hamilton.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Good morning, Council President. I have four resolutions on your behalf.
A non-privileged resolution approving the reappointment of Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 Herbert Wetzel as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A non-privileged resolution approving the reappointment of Reverend Bonnie Camarda as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A non-privileged resolution approving the reappointment of Reverend Dr. Leslie Callahan as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority; and A non-privileged resolution approving the appointment of Frederick S. Purnell, Sr., as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
Those four resolutions will be referred to committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
No bills or Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 resolutions today, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have four bills and one non-privileged resolution.
Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 Thank you, Councilman.
An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: 13th Street and Wharton Street and Clymer Street and 12th Street; 13th Street and Bainbridge Street and 13th Street and Fitzwater Street; and An ordinance amending Section 9-205 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Sales," by prohibiting vending on both sides of Allegheny Avenue between Kensington Avenue and Bath Street; and An ordinance amending Section 9-205 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Sales," by prohibiting vending on both sides of Castor Avenue, between Glenwood Avenue and Aramingo Avenue; on both sides of Amber Street, between Tioga Street and Castor Avenue; on both sides of Butler Street, between Frankford Avenue and Aramingo Avenue; and on both sides of Frankford Avenue, between Venango Street and Butler Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to enter into an amendment to a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for the use by the City of premises located at 1101 Market Street.
Those four bills just read by the Chief Clerk will be referred to the appropriate committees.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Auburn Redevelopment Area, identified by house number and street address as 2743 through 45 Frankford Avenue.
And that resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilman Green.
A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing the Woodward-Houston family for their contributions to Philadelphia and their continued multi-generational displays of leadership, advocacy, and generosity on the 100th anniversary of the Chestnut Hill Community Centre.
And that resolution will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I offer two privileged and one non-privileged Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 resolution co-sponsored by Councilmembers Green, Bass, Squilla, Gym, Taubenberger, Parker, and Domb, and one bill, and I wish to be recognized after the title of the resolution regarding a Consular Office of the Republic of Korea is read for a motion, and a resolution. Thank you.
An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," Chapter 9-300, "Communication," Section 9-305, "Burglary, Theft and Robbery Alarm Systems," by revising the fee for alarm system registrations by eliminating the annual renewal requirement and changing the penalty fee structure.
And a privileged resolution declaring May 2016 to be Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 Hepatitis Awareness Month in Philadelphia to recognize and support the joint effects of "Hep B United Philadelphia" and "Hepatitis C Allies of Philadelphia" coalitions aimed at raising awareness of the link between viral hepatitis and liver cancer.
And that will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution Recognizing and Thanking Philadelphia Native and Former 76er Aaron McKie for his Generous Donation to Build a North Philadelphia Community Center with Philadelphia Youth Basketball.
Thank you. That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution expressing support for establishing a Consular Office of the Republic of Korea in Philadelphia. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016
And, Councilman, you want to request a suspension?
Yes. Thank you very much, Council President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of this resolution on today's Final Passage Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. That resolution -- the rules were suspended and that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
You're welcome, sir. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 2ND READING And that concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions, and we will move to our reports from committee. And there are no reports from committee today. Okay. That was quick. The next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. There being no bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon for the purpose of calling up resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up for the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: 160375, 160374, 160378, 160381, 160006, 160073, 160096, 160098, 160135, 160198, 160221, 160222, 160227, 160228, 160246, and 160271. All other resolutions and bills will be held.
Thank you, Councilman. Before proceeding with our Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 bills and resolutions, we will have our public comment session. The guidelines on a public comment session are as follows: If you are interested in testifying on a bill or resolution that is on the Final Passage today, if you have not already done so, I'd ask that you sign up at the table to my left. When your name is called, you will go to the podium in the middle of the Council Chambers. There's a device on that podium. When the light turns green, it will be your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. When the light turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to the guidelines and conclude your remarks. Thank you very much for your cooperation. Mr. Decker, please call the first name on the list.
Ruth Burchett, commenting on 160006 and 160283. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. On Bill 160006 in reference to the rezoning map of a particular area in the 5th Councilmanic District, to that I say that I advocate for residents and businesses and also houses of faith, because there are some that are near here in the vicinity of the zoning map changes, that they be advised by letter or somehow in writing beyond just the posting sign prior to Council taking action. Very often people don't know that this is happening. I also want to thank Council President Clarke for meeting with the Stadium Stompers, and I want you to know that I will follow up with you to arrange a community meeting so that you can talk to community people about our desires about not having a stadium built in our community. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 In reference to Bill No. 160283, my comments are that it would be good if you could, as you're petitioning a change for the state constitution in reference to the housing -- residential and commercial property, if you would maximize the revenue gains from investment properties versus utilizing tax credit to the problem of flipping neighborhoods such as ours. And, again, I reiterate that I will be contacting High School for Engineering and Science to schedule a community meeting so that we can meet with Council President Clarke, our district Council representative, in reference to Temple building a stadium at 16th and Norris Street. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony, ma'am. (Applause.)
Jacqueline Wiggins, commenting on 160378 and 160256. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 (Witness approached podium.)
-- Resolution 160256, I could not agree more. The families in my area are in danger of losing their homes and need relief immediately citywide, but especially in my community of North Central Philadelphia, and that residents of the 5th Councilmanic District continue to be bombarded with systemic issues like mortgage foreclosures. I would like to see and segue to this: Residents of all ages may lose their homes, be displaced or simply since they have to move because of the encroachment of Temple University as it moves forward for its plan to build a 35,000-seat sports stadium. In a meeting today with Councilman Clarke -- and we thank you for that meeting -- a group of residents who Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 we call ourselves the Stadium Stompers, the group of residents, Temple University residents and students and concerned others, met with you, and I'm giving a quote in terms of what you said. You said that if the community doesn't want a stadium, it won't be built. You've agreed to meet with the community and with block captains to ensure that there is clarity from you about no stadium being built. With respect to Resolution 160378, I agree. I am a senior citizen and a committee person of the 32nd Ward, 11th Division. Many long-term residents are feeling the increase in property taxes that runs the risk of resident displacement. Again, I turn my comments to the plans of Temple University to build a stadium in North Central Philadelphia against the wishes of many residents at Broad and Norris Street. The Stadium Stompers again, collaboration of Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 residents, Temple University residents and students and concerned others, met with you today. Again, Councilman Clarke, you've agreed to meet with us, and we would like to have the sustained clarification about your position with respect to this building of a stadium. Thank you.
Joe Danihel, commenting on 160256, 160221, and 160375. (Witness approached podium.)
Council is an agent and agency designed solely to serve the people. So how can you restrict public comments or complaints for assistance? Can the Fire Department refuse to take 911 calls? Holding departments responsible for titles that Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 have been transferred without due process and illegally requires Council and the District Attorney to act. This Council still every week for over six months transfers property to the Redevelopment Authority even though it has been duly notified of unconstitutional activities. Has an investigation been conducted? Does Council care? I am sure if one of your relatives had their property rights taken, there would be hell to pay. I am sure they wouldn't have to wait 22 years like me for no trial to be allowed. Auditing the DA, the RDA is next. This Council could resolve this problem, put an end to the injustice. Paul Robeson is quoted, The answer to injustice is not to silence the critic, but to end the injustice. The City's own attorney motioned the judge to deny my right to have a jury trial. The City cannot have it both ways. The government took my home. The RDA, Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 according to the newspaper article, is going to give a contractor up to a hundred million dollars to build a mall, a proposed mall, on my stolen home. The City must have the money that HUD and the office of the President of the United States alluded to in letters to me. To pay someone to build a proposed mall and give them tens of millions of dollars, then to state that we are broke and we cannot pay the original owner, which is me, is a sin. Investigate and de-fund the RDA and Land Bank now or all of you are accessories after the crime. (Applause.)
Johnny Young, commenting on 160256. (Witness approached podium.)
I'm one voice of maybe 250 people with the families of Philadelphia. We've been, I guess, speaking to City Council. April would have made one year speaking to you about the illegal foreclosures and how dishonorable this court here in Philadelphia has been towards validating the validity of loans on promissory notes. So I want to thank Councilman Gym for digging a little deeper and saying Wall Street shouldn't be taking our homes. So I went a little deeper since I used to work for Vanguard and I went and got some information from some friends that I'm going to share with you today so we can kind of clear this up, because I think we're prolonging this. For whatever reason, I can't say, but let me just give you some facts, so maybe this will help. I'm going to give you a title. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 Title 26 says, No entity can be a creditor if they do not hold or own the asset in question. They cannot hold assets, for if they do, their tax-exempt status is violated and the trust itself is void. This is an indication that either the trust that comes into our courts claiming to own property has either voided its intended tax-free status or the asset is not in fact owned by them. Let me give you another point. Once a loan has been securitized, the loan may have been done many times over in terms of securitization, which means that event would indicate that the loan forever loses its security component, the mortgage, and the right to foreclose through the mortgage is forever lost, Councilman Jones. And let's end it on this note: We had a forensic loan auditor go to Bloomberg, and if you guys know anything Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 about taxes and stocks, Bloomberg does the research on securitizations of loans and notes. Once a note -- according to certified forensic loan auditors in Los Angeles using Bloomberg, they said once a note was split apart, fractionalized or securitized as a separate accounting entry and deposited separately into a class, each class is insured up to 30 times the face value of the note, which is permissible under the Federal Reserve system. So let me give you an example. If there's a house out here for $150,000, that mortgage company that you walked away from the security table or the title table, they're able to securitize that 30 times. So 150 times 30 in my calculations is $4.5 million, and times that by, what, 16 classes. Because each mortgage company or investor can put it into 16 classes. So 16 times 4.5. That equals $72 million. So when a person comes to court and asks to see the note, they have every Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 legal right in this lower court for that note to be produced. And the reason why they're not producing is what I just gave you. And here's the last line and I'm closing: Pursuant to the extensive research that the auditor has done, they have found that the loan was in 16 different classes. Sixteen it was divided into. Individuals invest in these classes based on their desired maturity. And this is why this foreclosure program I believe is broken. And just like the car manufacturers, when they have a part that is defective, they have what they call a national recall, Curtis. So what I'm saying to you, the mortgage foreclosure program -
Ronald Blount, commenting on 160374. (Witness approached podium.)
Yes. Good morning, Council, Council President. My name is Ronald Blount. I'm the President of the Taxi Workers Alliance of Pennsylvania, and we just want to say that we think this is a really good resolution. As you know, taxi drivers in the City are trying to re-brand themselves. We collectively formed a cooperative to form a company owned by low-income taxi drivers where we offer a Uber-type app to the City and we want to network throughout the City. But also we also want to congratulate Councilman Henon for willing to introduce something for drivers, their classifications and the ability to make a living wage in this the City. So we look forward to working with this Council to provide better Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 services to people with disability, to bring economic stability to the people on the front seat of all sectors of the transportation industry, as well as building this cooperative for taxi drivers and give the City a better image of us. Thank you.
Thank you, sir. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
Ali Razak, commenting on 160374. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Ali Razak and I'm a limousine driver of Philadelphia. I would like to thank for approving this resolution to make opportunity which gives a great opportunity to woman, minorities, and people with disability. And I would also like to thank Councilman Henon for introducing the resolution today, one for Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 the people with disability to have accessible cabs available for them, which is one of the bigger issues coming in the future with DNC coming into the Philadelphia and refusing to provide service for the people with disability. And the second resolution, which is for the misclassification of the drivers. As Uber Black drivers, we have been mistreated for a very long time and we have been claimed to be independent contractor, which is not true. So I would like to thank him for bringing this resolution, and I would urge and request all Councilmember to support the drivers and laborers of Philadelphia. Thank you.
Judith Robinson, commenting on 160221. (Witness approached podium.)