Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, January 28, 2016 10:42 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 Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016
We can do better than that. Good morning. (Good morning.)
It's a great day. Thank you. Thank you so much. Looks like we have a quorum. Ask the guests and visitors to retire behind the rail and we'll get started. Thank you. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Imam Muhammad Abdul Aleem of the Masjidullah, the Center for Human Excellence. He is here today as a guest of Councilman Curtis Jones. I would ask all members and guests and visitors to please rise. ) BROTHER ABDUL ALEEM: Before I give my invocation, I want to first begin -- give a few comments. I want to personally thank Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 Councilman Jones for the invitation to come. Let me also thank my Councilwoman Cherelle Parker because she's one of my favorite warriors. We have fought many battles together to help the good of society. Also want to acknowledge my brother, Councilman -- Council President Darrell Clarke. Whom we, from the neighborhood, are extremely proud of to see one of our own become such an elegant statesman. As I said to him, great leaders is those who know that leadership is in the resourceful people. The more you can get people to work to do the things that they are obligated to do, the better leader you are. And last, let me -- I want to thank all of you, the Council, for welcoming the Muslim community to these chambers last week. It has been our hope that our community will present itself as a valuable part of the American society. We look forward to working with you on the recognition of the ease and other common Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 interests. For as my daughter, who is the Associate Counsel General for President Obama says -- she says Abbah, if you are not at the table, you're on the menu. All right? So, we want to be at the table working to help solve the problems of the City and making sure that we don't experience social rejection. So I want to say again, thank you. And with that, let me now give my invocation. Merciful Lord, the benefactor and redeemer of all who opens for all people a way to good consciousness and a good life, grant to this Council that it continue to serve the people of this City, taking pride in human dignity, industry and service. Let us pray that this Council be an inspiration to this City and into other city councils, this nation, to move forward towards social and economic justice for all. Grant that this Council always have the human heart for charity, compassion, repentance and mercy for the weak and less Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 fortunate among us. Grant that we as human beings always move with more hope than trouble and ever grow in goodness and wisdom. Let us always cherish our freedom and know the essence of our common human form. Grant that we as citizens understand better our brothers and sisters in the neighborhoods and around the world, and reject unsuitable racism for human society of brotherhood and peace. Bless us as citizens to live up to the noble name of the City, the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. Bless us in this City of neighborhoods to return the neighbor back to the hood. Bless us to establish our City as a city of safety and security for all the citizens. Bless our City workers, both those in uniform and those out of uniform. Bless our schools and our homes. Bless us that all citizens and government together, those of great means and small means, to appreciate more our City Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 and our common life together. Bless the parents. Bless our troubled youth. Bless our schools, our burdened neighborhoods to never be without hope or directions. Bless us as neighbors to keep to the best of our ways. Bless us to cherish more the pride of industry and self-reliance. Bless the efforts of this Council and all other efforts as we move forward for more opportunity, more jobs, more human life in this great City for all of us. Bless marriage and family life here and throughout the world.
Bless us to understand the great time in which we live, the time of the human being. Increase for the Council President and for every member of this Council and for the leaders of this City the essence of the human spirit, the essence of the intellect of statesmen so that they may build a better world for us all. Amen. With that, I now close. Thank you very Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 much.
Thank you so much, Imam, for those inspiring words. Council be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you very much. Thank you. Quiet please. Thank you all very much. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting on Thursday, January 21, 2016. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, January 21, 2016 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, January 21, 2016 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Ayes.)
Those Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 opposed? (No response.)
Ayes have it. And the Journal is approved. Next order of business is request for leaves of absence. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there are no request for leaves of absence.
Chair thanks the gentleman. Chair recognizes, Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absences.
Chair, thanks the gentlemen. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business. And I would like to thank everyone who has come down and taken time out of your busy day to Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 come down and witness your government in action. We really appreciate the fact that you come to see democracy in action. We hope you actually enjoy yourself so much that you come back again. So again, thank you all for coming down. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla who will present a resolution on my behalf recognizing Patrick Cain, Sr. Would Patrick Cain, Sr. and those accompanying him please come up to the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approach the podium.)
And joining Councilman Squilla, we have Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez and Councilman Greenlee.
Good morning, everyone. And this resolution is important, honoring the partnerships that we have with communities and what they mean to the growth of our City and the effort and the volunteerism that goes a long way to making our City such a great place. And today we Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 are honoring and recognizing and congratulating Patrick Cain, Sr. for over 40 years of service to the Fishtown Athletic Club and the Greater Fishtown and Riverward community. Whereas, Patrick Cain, Sr., Pat, as the in-house director of the Fishtown Athletic Club located in the Shissler Recreation Center at 1800 Blair Street. Since the club's inception, it has organized children in the Fishtown neighborhood to compete in baseball, basketball, softball and soccer leagues currently serving kids ages from 3 to 17. Whereas, Pat is also known for running "We Care Soccer Camp," a week long camp that takes place every summer where children gaes 3 to 11 can learn different soccer skills. The campers play on "Stan the Cut Man Field," a 2800-square-foot artificial turf field named in memory of Stanley Maleski -Maliszewski. Sorry about that, Stanley -the Fishtown firefighter who helped start the camp with Pat; and Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016
Whereas, Pat, our neighborhood hero, led the initiative to create a complex discovering a way to fund the project by selling personalized bricks to residents that line the outside of the field; and Whereas, the project also includes a new dog park and a passive park area which will provide residents with benches, trees, walking paths for the community to enjoy; and Whereas, beginning in 1994, the camp encouraged kids in the Riverwards to play to their fullest potential. Each camper receives a free breakfast and lunch daily along with a T-shirt, soccer ball and a bag that are either donated or bought from the funds raised by the community; and
Whereas, besides soccer, Pat teaches the attendees of the camp life skills and the importance of giving back to your community. Once a child turns 12, they are eligible to come back and help coach the younger campers for the next Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 few years; and Whereas, "We Care Soccer Camp" is a legacy that Pat is passing down to younger generations of Fishtowners and Riverward residents. Now therefore be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby honor, recognize and congratulate Patrick Cain, Sr. for over 40 years of service to the Fishtown Athletic Club and the Greater Fishtown and Riverward communities. (Applause.)
I thank you for this award today because this is something. What I do is for the kids in the community. I've been doing it since back in 1963 over at Hancock Playground started, so I thank everybody. I thank the Councilman and everybody here today. And these are all the people -are my family and things. And I thank you. Thank you. Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 (Applause.)
Thank you so much. The next order of business is community -- oh, before I say that, I would like to ask if anyone has a cell phone or any type of electronic device that makes noise, I ask that you please turn it, I guess, on Airplane Mode or whatever that is. Bottom line, please turn it off so it doesn't ring while we're in the Council Session. Thank you so such. At this time, the Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, would you please read those messages from the Mayor.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to dispose of certain properties located in the 2nd Councilmanic District that will be transferred by the City to the Authority by conveyance of such properties to the Philadelphia Land Bank in accordance and terms of Chapter 16-700 of the Philadelphia Code, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you, sir. The next order of business, is the introduction of bills and resolutions. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Good morning, Mr. President. I offer one resolution this morning co-sponsored by Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 Councilwoman Gym.
A privilege resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to conduct public hearings to examine the Philadelphia School Reform Commission's approval process as it pertains to the composition, qualifications and diversity of a charter school applicant's board of trustees.
That will be on next week's final passage calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce one resolution that is co-sponsored non-privileged by Helen Gym, Kenyatta Johnson, Derek Green, Allan Domb, Cindy Bass, Blondie Reynolds -- Blondell Reynolds Brown, sorry, and then signed by the other Members of Council.
Thank you, Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 Councilwoman.
A privileged resolution authorizing the joint City Council Committees on Education and Housing Neighborhood Development and the Homeless to hold public hearings to examine the feasibility of having a pilot program in Philadelphia to feed needy children when schools are closed due to emergencies.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer three bills and two resolutions.
An ordinance authorizing Roland Kaasis to install, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 1204 Frankford Avenue; and An ordinance amending Chapter 9-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Fair Practices Ordinance: Protections against Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 Unlawful Discrimination," by adding a section prohibiting employers from obtaining or using credit-related information regarding employees and job applicants in certain circumstances; and An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code entitled, "Zoning and Planning," by adding a new subsection entitled, "Rittenhouse Square Residential Area and making related changes."
Those bills will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and declaring February 9, 2016 as "Connections for Cardiovascular Health Awareness Day," encouraging citizens to promote cardiovascular health.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lot or pieces of ground with the building and improvements thereon, situated in the 37th and 43rd Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. I have two bills on your behalf.
An ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code entitled, "Public Employees Retirement Code," by amending Section 22-301 entitled, "Service Retirement Benefits," and Section 22-401 entitled, "Service-Connected Disability Retirement Benefits," to add new subsections requiring a specified minimum monthly benefit amount for certain retired Police employee members. Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance amending Tile 4 of The Philadelphia Code entitled, "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," by amending Subcode A (The Philadelphia Administrative Code) providing for the posting and public notice of the demolition of structures and making related changes.
That bill will also be referred to the appropriate committee. Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Good morning, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Good morning, Council President. I have two privileged resolutions and three non-privileged Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 resolutions. And the three non-privileged resolutions are signed by all Members of Council.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Education and the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Children and Youth to hold joint hearings examining recent instances of school bus lateness in the School District of Philadelphia and the detrimental effects school bus lateness has on students.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Council Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings regarding the establishment of a comprehensive strategy for reducing eliminating youth gun violence.
Also, in this Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution calling on the United States Department of Justice to conduct a complete and thorough investigation of the water supply disaster in Flint, Michigan that may have exposed 99,763 people to lead poisoning.
That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to dispose of certain properties located in the 2nd Councilmanic District that will be transferred by the City to the Authority by conveyance of such properties and to the Philadelphia Land Bank in accordance with terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lot or pieces of ground with the building and improvements thereon, located in the Thirty-sixth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And that will also be in next week's Final Passage Calendar. Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Council President. I have a resolution -- privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilman Gym, Blackwell and Bass.
A non-privileged resolution urging the President of the United States to establish a comprehensive national policy regarding our undocumented Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 immigrants that seeks to preserve and protect families that have fled to this country from situations of widespread violence and depravation. And to also prevent future deportation raids that tear apart our communities.
That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I have one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilmembers Gym, Domb, Jones, Johnson and Brown.
A privileged resolution honoring, recognizing and celebrating the 30th Black Engineers of the Year awards STEM Conference.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 resolutions for introduction today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one privileged resolution co-sponsored by you and all Members of Council. And I would like to request the opportunity to speak on this resolution prior to the motion for adoption.
A privileged resolution recognizing January 29, 2016 as "Earned Income Tax Credit, EITC Awareness Day," in Philadelphia.
I would like to take a moment to thank my colleagues and encourage their support as together we must continue to work to raise awareness for the earned Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 income tax credit. Also want to acknowledge the City's Revenue Department, Urban Affairs Coalition, Campaign for Working Families for all their efforts involving the earned income tax credit. It's commonly held position that the best way to lift the working poor out of poverty is the expansion of the earned income tax credit. Philadelphia's poverty rate stands around 26 percent. And it's been stubbornly above 20 percent for decades. Philadelphia has the highest poverty rate of any major city in America, and that is just unacceptable for us. We must work together as a body and with the Administration and with our external partners to address this very important issue. And what we as a government, especially at the local level and as fellow citizens can do today is better promote this incentive to our neighbors. Here are the facts. 40,000 eligible Philadelphians do not apply, and that leaves approximately $100 million on the table in Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 Washington, DC. Average refunds, 2,400. The maximum refund is 6,000. You can also file back three years. This is real money. The deadline to file this year is April 18, 2016. It's the serious money that people are owed. It's never received for the simple reason that it just never applied. This money could help many families and could go towards stimulating Philadelphia's overall economy. I've heard from citizens and experts that some barriers have caused a lack of participation. And we will work with all stakeholders to address them. We must raise awareness, discredit misinformation, increase access to resources and expand and diversity communication in marketing. To learn more about resources available, please contact the City's Revenue Department or my council office or any council office. And lastly, I want to remind our business community of its existing obligation to inform all employees of the earned income tax credit. Let's work together. Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 And with that said, Mr. President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Applause.)
Councilman, that's -- thank you. That's actually going to be on -- little later on in the agenda. We will make your motion at the time.
But that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. I will call you for a motion. Thank you, Councilman. Very, very important issue. Leaving a lot of money on the table. Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues. I'd like to introduce one non-privileged resolution and one privileged resolution. I request to speak briefly on the non-privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution proclaiming, recognizing, honoring and Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 observing February 1 through 5, 2016 as "National School Counseling Week" in the City of Philadelphia.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Children and Youth and the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to conduct hearings concerning best practices followed by the Philadelphia Water Department as well as additional measures to prevent lead exposure due to household water service lines.
Thank you. That will be on this week's Final Passage. Councilwoman, you wanted to speak -
Thank you. Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Thank you, Council President and colleagues. I have no Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 bills or resolutions today. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. And Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Council President. I offer one non-privileged Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 resolution co-sponsored by Councilman Derek Green, Councilwoman Cindy Bass and Councilman Mark Squilla.
A non-privileged resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to legislate a state local preference for contracting processes involving entities using state and local government funds.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. That concludes our Introduction of Bills and Resolutions. There are no reports from committee today. So before considering the resolutions that we have for today, we will consider public comment as follows. If there is anyone -- sorry. Pages are sticking together. We will now consider the Calendar. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. There being no bills on the First Reading Calendar, Chair recognizes Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 Councilman Henon for the purpose of calling on bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today. Bill Nos 160034, 160039, 160043, 160048, 160050 and 160058. All other resolutions are being held.
Thank you very much, Councilman. Now before considering the bills and resolutions that we have on our Final Passage Calendar today, we will have our public comment section. Public comment section will go as follows: If we have a bill or resolution on the calendar today that you are prepared to speak on, if you have not already done so, I would ask that you sign at the table to my left. When your name is called, you will go to the podium in the middle of the Council session. Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 There is a device on that podium. There is a light. 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. And when the light turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to the guidelines and conclude your remarks. You will be given three minutes to testify. Mr. Decker, would you please call the first name.
Sharmain Matlock-Turner commenting on Councilman Domb's EITC Day resolution. (Approaches podium.)
Good morning, everyone. My name is Sharmain Matlock-Turner. I'm the President and CEO of the Urban Affairs Coalition. And I'm here to thank Council, Council President Clarke and certainly Councilman Domb and all the Members of Council who are recognizing Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 tomorrow as National Earned Income Tax Credit Day. This is vital work that's being done in our City. And we have a campaign to help us get to making sure that we find those 40,000 families that have not yet filed for the earned income tax credit. For those of you who may remember, we came here in '03 to begin to kick off this campaign. At that point, we had about 200 volunteers. And we were able to bring back $10 billion to the City of Philadelphia. I am proud to say that last year we filed over 24,643 returns. And with the help of 528 IRS trained volunteers, we brought back more than $34 million to hard working Philadelphians. And for these almost 25,000 Philadelphians, it meant that they had no fees for having their taxes filed. They paid no check cashing fees. It put food on the table, gas for people to go to work, cash spent with local businesses, a savings bond, maybe a first bank account, less debt, more savings and money to go to college. This is a real important program. It is Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 considered one of the most important antipoverty efforts in our country. Again, I want to thank Council very much for supporting this. I want to thank Mary Arthur, her team at Campaign for Working Families which is one of the wonderful programs, one of the 60 programs of the Urban Affairs Coalition for making this a central part of the work here in Philadelphia. Ending poverty matters. Getting money to low income, hard working families is critical if we're ultimately going to help people move out of poverty. Thank you so much for giving me an opportunity to talk about this wonderful effort. And tell others. Please tell those 40,000 people, come and get your money. It matters. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony, and thank you for your continued good work. Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016
Mary Arthur commenting on Councilman Domb's EITC Day resolution. (Approaches podium.)
I'd first like to thank Councilman Domb for moving this mission forward, President Darrell Clarke and all of City Council. My name is Mary Arthur. I'm the Executive Director of the Campaign for Working Families. We are the largest vital provider in the City of Philadelphia as well as the State. We are also the most successful. Last year we provided services to over 25,000 families. We brought back over $35 million in refunds. The goal of the campaign is to push this mission forward, but it's teamwork. We are very happy that the Revenue Department has become a partner of ours. We have partners for the past 13 years. We look at the IRS for all of our tax law compliance, training and certifications. Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 All tax preparers that work at any of our sites and volunteers must be IRS certified. So I get a little passionate, and I hope you will forgive me for this. This is a very serious issue. Partnerships are so important to the work that we do. Funding is paramount because we can't do it. It is free. It is a free service to the taxpayers and the residents of the City of Philadelphia. It is not a free service. So, we have to continue to look for the funding to be able to provide the service. Last year there was over a 188,000 families in Philadelphia that had their taxes prepared. The majority of them of course paid. That's $600, $700 that is going to a paid pre-payer. We need to make sure that they can keep their tax credits, all their credits, in their pocket. I know what I can do with $600/$700. And I'm sure there are families out there that can pay rent, buy food, electric. But I also want to talk about teamwork. It is a partnership with long standing Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 partners, United Way, Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey have been a partner of ours for the past 13 years. Three years ago, we were on the brink of dissolving and they came to the table to help us. And from that year to now, that year we did 12,000 returns. This year, last year, we were at 25. This year our goal is to reach over 30,000 families in the City of Philadelphia. And we hope that everyone in here will pass the word to help us move this mission forward. We know that there's another reception tomorrow in the Mayor's office, but we have also prepared a signature event for the City of Philadelphia. And each year we hope to grow it. We train over 700 volunteers. This Saturday, we are hoping to provide service to over 300 families at the Free Library of Philadelphia. This is in partnership with the United Way of Philadelphia. But all of our dollars are leveraged. Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 So, we need help from all the funders. We need help from City government. We need help from marketing -- the marketing community because we don't have the dollars to put the commercials out there, but our services are valuable. Our services are free. Our services are accurate. Everybody that does a tax return or assists the client is certified through the IRS. So, I'm greatly appreciative of this opportunity. And I hope that collectively we can push this forward and get the other 40,000 families into one of our tax sites. Right now we have 17 running. We started Monday. We are all over the City.
Councilwoman, you want to make a motion for the suspension? Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016
Thank you, Council President. We have been activists today. I'm going to ask my ICE resolution be a suspension of rules so that it can be heard today as a Final Passage. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that the resolution have a suspension of the rules to allow reading today. And that would allow public comment today.
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. That will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
Thank Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 you, Council President.
Morning. Haven't heard anything from anybody hear. At this time, I am without my house at 1038 West Wyoming due to the egregious actions and inactions by this legislative body. I quote George Mason, delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Can anyone be above the law? Truer words were never spoken by a founding father in the sacred cradle of liberty. He and the other founding fathers were concerned about the potential abuse of power in governments that made sacrifices as they passed laws. Every person who having knowledge may -will always conspire to be done, mentions sections above this title, are about to be Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 commend or having the power to prevent or aid or purveying the commission of the same neglects and abuses to do so. If the wrongful act should be committed, shall be liable to the party injured, me, or his legal representative if real reasonable diligence could have presented this act. This is 42 USC 1986. I read from an article Melissa Drebin Philadelphia.com. The site where sinking homes in Logan had language for over a decade. A field of unfulfilled dreams, developers envisioned improbable laws, residences have pictured supermarket and local Councilwoman Marianne Tasco has fantasized about a string of pearly high end designer outlets. As in the words of Eleanore Roosevelt 1941, I am one of the free and incomparable people of the United States of America. Even though my enemies are not foreign but domestic. These articles of previous submissions require immediate defunding and investigation of the Philadelphia Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 Redevelopment Authority, or before more laws, as in the above previously mentioned or violated by you, the agents and agencies of the government and now duly notified on December 3, 2015. You are in this member of the people's opinion accessories after the fact. You've taken an oath to obey, support and defend the Constitution laws. Now let's get to work.
Maria Turcios commenting on Councilwoman Sanchez' ICE resolution introduced today and on today's Final Passage Calendar. (Approaches podium with Translator.)
(Starts reading other language.) TRANSLATOR: Good morning. My name is Maria Turcios. I'm a community organizer at New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia. We're very happy to work with you all in introducing a resolution against the Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 deportation raids showing that you all don't support these unjust laws created by politicians who are only pushing their own interests and ruining the dignity of others' lives.
(Continues reading.) TRANSLATOR: We also have 275 clergy that are supporting us in the fight against the deportations. And we know that this shows that Philadelphia is a city that does not welcome deportation raids.
(Continues reading.) TRANSLATOR: I am Honduran. And I have lived here for 22 years, and that's why I know the persecution and violence that people are fleeing in Central America. Just three years ago, my nephew was killed. And that's how I know what's affecting refugee families today.
(Continues reading and crying.) TRANSLATOR: That's why we're here today to say no to the deportation raids because have come fleeing from violence and Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 persecution and seeking more safety for their families. And we have come to work hard.
There are no other speakers on the Public Comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. We will now consider the resolutions and on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, I would ask you to read the title of 160034.
A 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 lot or piece of ground with the building and Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 improvements thereon, situated in the Thirty-second Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. In it Resolution 160034 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160039.
A resolution authorizing the appointment of a Chief Ethics Officer for the Council of the City of Philadelphia.
Chair recognizes Councilman Henon. Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. And Resolution 160039 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160043.
A 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, situated in the Thirty-first Ward of the City of Philadelphia. Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016
Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Can I speak on this -- oh, no. The other resolution. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly second. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. And Resolution 160043 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160048.
A resolution authorizing the creation of a "Special Committee on Student Loan Debt" to evaluate the impacts of student loan debt upon individual Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 borrowers and the subsequent effect on the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. And Resolution 160048 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160050.
A 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 Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situated in the Thirty-first Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly second. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. And Resolution 160050 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160058.
A resolution respectfully requesting the Prime Minister of Israel, the Honorable Benjamin Netanyahu, to maintain and support the foreign ministry of Israel's Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 diplomatic mission in the United States by retaining The Consulate General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic region in Philadelphia.
Thank you, Council President. Could I be heard on this briefly?
Thank you very much. First, I'd like to recognize that joining us today is Michael Alexander, the Director of Governmental Affairs and Press for The Consulate General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic region, which is located here in Philadelphia. Would you rise, sir. (Mr. Alexander stands.)
Thank you very much. Thank you for being here. Philadelphia has but three consulates located in our City. We have honorary consulates, but we only have three official consulates that function. And one of them, Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 the Israeli Consulate, has been a very important part of the relationship between the City of Philadelphia and the Nation of Israel. Philadelphia has the second largest Jewish population on the east coast. The fifth largest in the United States. And in 2011, the total impact of Israel on the greater Philadelphia region's economy was about $1.6 billion. And that included a minimum of 714 million in economic activities generated by Israeli firms. We would really urge the Prime Minister to not close the Consulate of Israel here in Philadelphia. I think the population that it serves, the citizens it serves and the Philadelphians in this region and in the Mid-Atlantic region is very large and has been a great benefit to us and to Israel. And with that, I appreciate the consideration. And I thank our members for being so engaged in economic activities and cultural exchange. And at this time, I would ask that a -- that the motion -- the Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 resolution be adopted so that we can send an official message to the Prime Minister. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
Ayes have it. And Resolution 160058 is adopted. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to conduct public hearings to examine the Philadelphia School Reform Commission's approval process as it pertains to the composition, qualification and diversity of a charter school applicant's board of trustee as introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
A resolution authorizing the joint City Council Committees on Education and Housing Neighborhood Development and the Homeless to hold public hearings to examine the feasibility of having a pilot program in Philadelphia to feed needy children when schools are closed due to emergencies, introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016 Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Ayes.)
A resolution recognizing and declaring February 9, 2016 as "Connections for Cardiovascular Health Awareness Day," encouraging citizens to promote cardiovascular health, introduced by Councilman Greenlee on behalf of Council President Clarke.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) Invocation Stated Meeting January 28, 2016
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Ayes.)