Good morning. My name is Geoffrey Haye and I'm a lawyer and a small businessowner here in the City of Philadelphia. I'm a City resident, a taxpayer and a voter. And although I don't think I can speak quite as eloquently on the subject as my partner, Mr. Marcial did, I would like to testify against the Bill 080474. What I would like to add to this discussion is the fact that according to a 2008 Mercer study, employee absences account for 36 percent of payroll, and unplanned absences account for up to 36 of payroll in terms of direct and indirect costs. This bill would essentially function as an unspoken payroll tax on small businesses in the City, where the businessowners already labor under some of the most onerous tax structures in the country. That's what I would like to add. Thank you. (Applause.)
My name is Sandra Norris Haughton. I'm the Executive Director of New Freedom Theatre, and I wanted to try to explain to you the urgency of releasing 1315 North 15th Street for sale. We own it. We took over it. It was a vacant property. It was trash-strewn. The area was blighted. We held it for 15 years. We want to sell it so that we can repair our historic building, but for the last three months, we have hit a stone wall trying to get this property approved so it could go for sale. We've gone to the Vacant Property Review Committee. We've gone to our Councilpeople. We've gone to the Councilpeople-at-large. We've gone to RDA. We've gone everywhere, and all we get is a brick wall. And I think if we're going to be passing laws that impact individuals and companies -- we have five small businesses. We have jobs that are being held up while we're waiting for these approvals. If laws are passed that decide how communities are developed, they should also have clear procedures for people that are being held up from selling their property, which, by the way, nobody wanted. Freedom Theatre has been in the same place for 45 years. We were the anchor on North Broad Street. There would be no Avenue of the Arts north were it not for Freedom Theatre, and we don't think our 200 students, our 52 groups that rent our facility or the small businesses that use us should be ignored to this extent. And I think when these bills are passed, the procedures 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING should be clear, transparent and readily available for people who own property to be able to legitimately sell the property or develop the property without being held hostage. Thank you.
Thank you. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the title of Resolution No. 110192.
A resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to renew the Growing Greener initiative 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING and continue the policy of offering Pennsylvania and Philadelphia residents jobs, recreational activities, and revenue while preserving and investing in the Commonwealth's most valuable natural resources: property, water and air.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING We will now consider Resolution 110211.
A resolution recognizing and honoring Toppers Spa Salon as it celebrates 30 years of doing business in Philadelphia and the surrounding metropolitan region.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney, if he's in the room. (No response.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 110212.
A resolution honoring and recognizing the National Union of American Families for their dedicated mission in uplifting the American family and strengthening family and community ties.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
Those 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution No. 110213.
A resolution calling for the retention of Audenried School Teacher Hope Moffett.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution 110214.
A resolution calling on Spencer Gifts to stop selling merchandise offensive to St. Patrick's Day and the Irish people.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution 110215.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Thirty-Sixth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a motion.
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution No. 110217.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Seventh and Nineteenth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING you, Madam President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk will read the title of Resolution 110218.
A resolution proclaiming the week of April 25, 2011 to April 30, 2011 as "Philly Tech Week," and honoring the broad Philadelphia technology community.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Green. 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Madam President. The Kauffman Foundation recently issued a report unfortunately informing us that Philadelphia is 15th out of the 15 major cities in the country in entrepreneurial activity. I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution 110219.
A resolution calling on Acting Sheriff Barbara Deeley 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING to impose a stay on residential sheriff sales until homeowners have had the opportunity to apply for the federal Emergency Homeowner's Loan Program.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to speak to this resolution, please. Thank you.
We talked about this last Council session. April 10th there will be 2,100 homes, our neighbors, taxpayers, voters, that will be displaced by the sheriff sale process. I support property rights in America for people to invest in properties and to get a rate of return on them, but it does not make sense to me -and I join the Unemployment Project and Save Our Homes Coalition to ask for the halt of this sheriff sale. It is the largest sheriff sale in the history of 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia. And in light of the fact that Congress has enacted an Emergency Homeowner's Loan Program, which has allocated $105 million for resolution of homes that are facing this foreclosure process, we could wait a week, a month, even three months to see this money come down from Washington to help our neighbors. It does not make sense to me that we cannot be patient enough. And I understand the federal government can be slow, but help us on the way. And once you take these homes from these people, you can't undo, you can't put the genie back in the bottle. And we deserve to wait a minute. People see the light at the end of the tunnel. I see economists talking about the turnaround of the economy. None of these prognosticators will help the fact after the fact that these people become homeless. I move for the adoption of this 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. Councilwoman Blackwell, you wanted to be recognized?
Yes, Madam President. Certainly we are a co-sponsor on this bill. This is one of those issues I'm very close to, and we would hope that now that there's been an administrative change where the courts are involved and Judge Dembe, that she will hear this plea and let us not be refused this, because there's been an administrative change. Certainly all the victims and people who are having hard economic times need that consideration. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. I believe that Councilman Jones made a motion. Did I hear a second? (Duly seconded.) 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. We will now consider Resolution 110220.
A resolution commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, one of the worst workplace disasters in U.S. history, and a pivotal moment in U.S. labor history that helped shape awareness about the rights of working people.
Thank you 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING again, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution 110221.
A resolution in solemn recognition during the week of May 1 through May 8, 2011 at the annual remembrance of the six million Jewish martyrs, who perished during the Holocaust.
The 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Resolution 110222.
A resolution approving the amended and restated redevelopment contract of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING Franklin Town Project, designated as Parcel No. 12 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address for Parcel No. 12 as 1601 Vine Street.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 100873.
An ordinance to 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Second Street, Rising Sun Avenue, Cayuga Street, Front Street and Hunting Park Avenue.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 110005.
An ordinance amending Bill No. 100656, passed by Council on December 16, 2010, to include the executed Neighborhood Development Agreement.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 110006.
An ordinance amending Section 14-305 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "'C-4' Commercial District," specifically Section 14-305(16)(c) regarding parking for the area bounded by Hamilton Street, 19th Street, Callowhill Street and 20th Street.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Councilman 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Aye.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 110111.
An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," by enacting a new Chapter 9-3000, entitled "Fair 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING Criminal Record Screening Standards," to establish provisions and requirements for the screening of criminal records by certain employers within the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I offer an amendment.
The amendment was circulated yesterday and also placed on Councilmembers' desks today.
I'm sorry. I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING amendment be adopted. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Madam President, earlier I had asked that Bill No. 100759 be held, but I was able to work out a compromise with the interested parties and I will now ask for that bill to be heard.
Very well. Bill No. 100759 is on . I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the title.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code by amending Section 14-305, entitled "'C-4' Commercial and 'C-5' Commercial 3/24/11 - STATED - 2ND READING Districts," by revising parking and area regulations and regulations relating to signs and off-street loading and trash storage in the area bounded by Arch Street, Juniper Street, Cuthbert Street and Broad Street.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.