Councilman 6/13/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Squilla is voting aye. Council President Clarke.
-the nays are zero. It's great to hear some applause for Council today. (Applause.)
An ordinance authorizing the Office of the City Treasurer, on behalf of the City, to enter into an agreement with Wells Fargo Bank for provision of payroll banking services to the City.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll. 6/13/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
Mr. President, I recuse myself and abstain for the reasons presented in a memo to the Chief Clerk earlier today.
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are one, with Councilman Green abstaining. 6/13/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, 130308-A.
An ordinance amending Section 19-1303 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Discounts and Additions to Tax," by tolling additions, interest and penalties when the assessed value of property is under appeal.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are one. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 130181.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 and 19-1800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled, respectively, "Real Estate Taxes" and "School Tax Authorization," by establishing a tax rate for City real estate tax and authorizing and establishing a tax rate for School District real estate tax; and by revising the homestead exclusion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Earlier today I 6/13/13 - STATED - 2ND READING circulated an amendment to 181, which would simply change the millage that goes to the School District and to the City, moving the ratio from 55 percent to the School District, 45 percent to the City to 57 percent to the School District and 43 percent to the City. This can be done without impacting City services or affecting the budget we passed -- or that came out of committee yesterday, because there is in excess of $32 million, which would provide for a total of 60 million for the School District. This is our last chance to address this problem unilaterally. If cigarettes fail, if the liquor by the drink tax fails at the state level, there is no option available for schools, short of increasing U&O two years in a row. What is the downside if we do pass this amendment? Cigarettes pass the state and we provide the School District $90 million by accident. As Councilmembers Jones and 6/13/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Blondell Reynolds Brown often say, the kids did nothing wrong here. What are you going to do to help? This is our opportunity.
Sorry, Mr. President. I move the amendment to Bill No -
You want to do that right now? We have a couple of people to be recognized. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. The idea of a millage shift is a great idea. I actually had the idea in 2007 through Bill 070015-A. It's a great idea when you offer it at the point in the budget process that I offered it. I offered it on January 23rd, 2007, acknowledging that there was a deficit with the School District, acknowledging that I wanted to do 6/13/13 - STATED - 2ND READING something, acknowledging that it takes a process to do something like this. You can't come up with this as an amendment at the last minute. Councilman Green has said that he's offering this earnestly because he can't support U&O. I can support U&O. (Applause.)
Beyond that, in terms of giving money to the School District, we can actually do that at any point during the year through transferring funds if we choose to do that. This is about what we've thought out in terms of options that we have and what we're prepared to do. There's no way we can be prepared to do this this late in the process. But I will still -I just voted for cigarette tax. I will still vote for U&O. I will still look at other options, but this is too late in the game to throw out like this. Thank you, Mr. President.
6/13/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. Underscore, capital letters, bold, three exclamation points, the idea of a millage shift is a great idea. I would like to ask the sponsor of the amendment to please help me understand how this impacts homestead.
Thank you, Mr. President. This does not impact homestead whatsoever. There is no change in the ability to apply for homestead, nor does it limit the number of -- the dollars available, nor the number of people that can apply for homestead. This is a simple bill that changes the ratio between the District and the City, providing the District 32 million more and the City 32 million less, to provide the District with the $60 million it 6/13/13 - STATED - 2ND READING requested, and hopefully we'll get cigarette tax relief on top of that, maybe some additional dollars. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Mr. President, I'm just going to vote my voice. Thank you.
Thank you, sir. Councilman, you offered an amendment, and did you get a second? 6/13/13 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor to Councilman Green's amendment say aye.
I don't think I have to say that. All right. Thank you, Councilman. The amendment goes down. We will now move to the vote on 130181. Mr. Decker, please call that roll. This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, now please call the roll.
So my numbers here reflect -- I have 10 ayes or is it 11? Mr. Decker, what did you have, 11 or 10?
I just want to make sure. 11 to 5. A majority of all members present voting in 6/13/13 - STATED - 2ND READING the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, would you please call up 130417.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," by further providing for deferrals for taxpayers experiencing significant increases in their real estate taxes.
I believe listed here we have an amendment, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have an amendment to Bill No. 130417. It has been circulated to Councilmembers. I move that the amendment to the Bill No. 130417 be adopted. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to 130417 be adopted. 6/13/13 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Bill 130417 has been amended and will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, 130444.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Wage and Net Profits Tax," by revising certain tax rates.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. The next bill is 130307.
An ordinance amending the Ordinance of March 1, 1963, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Board of Pensions and Retirement to enter into an agreement or agreements to 6/13/13 - STATED - 2ND READING administer employee retirement benefits for the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, Passenger Services Improvement Corporation, Food Distribution Center, and the Philadelphia Parking Authority," as amended, to provide for revised reimbursement rates.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.