Good afternoon now, I guess. Good afternoon. My name is Judith Robinson and I'm here to testify on Bill 160246, 160271, but I want to take your attention back to a bill that was voted on back in the summer of 2015, 150409, a bill declaring eminent domain -- allowing PHA to allow eminent domain on the African American community of Sharswood-Brewerytown. Now, gentrification is not some mysterious thing that just happens. Okay? It takes human beings making decisions, like this one being made today, where you're moving land out of the hands of ownership of African American communities. We know this because the deeds will show that all this land, over 1,300 parcels, a substantial number of them were occupied properties. No, no, the homeowners are not getting fair market value according to eminent domain. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 Our African American community per documents -- the Miller Memorial Baptist Church will show -- has been there since 1895, and as the last value has increased, now we're being moved out of that area using eminent domain, using PHA, one of the worst managed agencies in this city, had to go through receivership when the former Mayor John Street was on the Board, along with others. Shame on the mess. Ignorance aligned with power is the most ferocious enemy of justice. That's by James Baldwin, but I wish I had thought of it. Ignorance aligned with power is the most ferocious enemy of justice. There's no way that PHA, a badly managed agency that has not maintained the land and the housing that they already own. Our neighborhood is blighted now because of PHA. They don't manage the land that they own. They don't manage the houses that they own. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 The long-term tenants are in scattered sites. They should own those scattered sites. Many of them have been in them probably for over 30 years. We talk about security and monitorizing mortgages. Those folks should be moved to homeownership immediately, and PHA should be made to maintain what they have before they go into this unprecedented development, claiming they're going to do something that they've never done before. This is a misuse of power. This is ignorance aligned with power, given an unjust opportunity for others to come from outside to now take over land as North Philly rises. Thank you for the opportunity. (Applause.)
Sheila Lloyd, commenting on 160256. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, Council. I haven't wrote anything down. I'm just going to come from the heart, and I'm speaking on Bill 160256 as a constituent. We have elected y'all and put y'all in office because of the oath that y'all have taken, because of the trust that we feel that y'all have. You know, we have come from your word is your bond and all you have is your word. You know, we've been coming here consistently. We have testified. We have brought forth a lot of evidence showing how things has been misappropriated. I heard Councilwoman Parker say about Sam Staten, Sr., and I knew him too, and how he never spoke with a fork tongue. And I heard a whole lot of y'all say y'all would love to model after this gentleman, but it's not, because y'all tell us one thing and you spin us in a second. Just like I didn't Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 know the Sheriff's Department worked on Saturday. (Applause.)
The Sheriff's Department, so they say, came out Saturday and stuck this bogus notice on my door. Number one, I don't even have a mailbox. They put it in a mailbox. They delivered this Saturday, and from what I understand, like it's not even signed by a judge. It's these two law firms, and I just can't wrap my head around how is Council allowing these two law firms to continue to poison the mind. You talking about murder, but when you displace people out of they homes that they have owned for years, that's murder. Thank you. (Applause.)
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. We will now -- I'm sorry. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. At this time, I'd like to be excused for the remainder of the Council session and be recorded as aye on all bills and resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The record shall reflect that. At this time, we will move to our Calendar. Thank you. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 160374.
A resolution approving the Office of Economic Opportunity Registry, in compliance with the provisions of Chapter 17-1503(1)(a) of The Philadelphia Code, pursuant to Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Section 6-109 of the Home Rule Charter.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown for a motion.
Multi-tasking is not a good thing always. I move for the adoption, Mr. President. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 160374 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160375.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Twenty-Fourth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of Councilwoman Blackwell, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 160375 is adopted. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, 160378.
A resolution calling on the Pennsylvania State Legislature to increase the City of Philadelphia's income limit guidelines for the Senior Citizen Property Tax Relief program.
Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 160378 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160381. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
A resolution commending the Treasury Department of the United States for their announced plan to feature prominent Americans on future currently notes, including Harriet Tubman, Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul, Eleanor Roosevelt, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Marian Anderson, designed with tactile features directed to those with a visual impairment.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I move that the resolution be adopted. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.) Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and Resolution 160381 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160006.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Ridge Avenue, 16th Street, Ogden Street, 15th Street, Poplar Street, Carlisle Street, and Brown Street.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Blackwell is voting aye. Councilman Domb.
Aye. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 160073.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by adding a new subsection, entitled Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING "Rittenhouse Square Residential Area," and making related changes.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Johnson.
Council President Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Clarke.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 160096.
An ordinance to amend Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by establishing the Broad Street Area, Mid-South within the Center City Overlay District, revising certain provisions within the Center City Overlay District, and removing certain exceptions to off-street loading requirements.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Parker. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 160098.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Cypress Street, Watts Street, Pine Street, and Broad Street.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 160135.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Westmoreland Street, Front Street, Hope Street, and Allegheny Avenue.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Blackwell is voting aye. Councilman Domb.
Aye. Stated Meeting May 5, 2016 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of individuals present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 160198.
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 5/5/16 - STATED - 2ND READING area bounded by Hamilton Street, 15th Street, Callowhill Street, and 16th Street.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.