Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, March 31, 2016 10:50 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 BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN AL TAUBENBERGER MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting March 31, 2016
We're going to get started. We have a quorum. I'd ask all guests and visitors to please retire behind the rail. Thank you very much for your cooperation. And if we can have a little quiet, please. Thank you. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Reverend Dr. Kevin Johnson from the Dare to Imagine Church. He's here today as the guest of Councilman Johnson. I would ask all guests and visitors and members to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
Thank you, Council President. Thank you, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson. Shall we pray. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 God, give us leaders. A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands. God, give us leaders. Leaders whom the lust of office does not kill, leaders who will represent the rich and the poor, leaders who will work for the people and not the special interests, leaders who will ensure that no child is left behind. And, God, give us leaders who see women as valuable and not as to be punished. God, give us leaders who will work to make sure that education is funded, who will work to make sure that the poor have jobs, and who will work to make sure that Philadelphia is the best city it can be. God, be now with the Mayor, the President of City Council, the City Council as a whole, and our entire city. Guide them, lead them, and direct them so that the policies they create will make our city stronger and more prosperous. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 our prayer this day. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Pastor, for those inspiring words. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you very much. Before we start, I would ask if anyone has a cell phone or any electronic device that makes noise, I'd ask that you please turn it off or turn it on silent. Thank you very much. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 17, 2016, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 17th, 2016 be approved. (Duly seconded.) Stated Meeting March 31, 2016
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 17, 2016 stand approved. All those say aye. (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.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, a leave of absence is requested for Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Councilman. Leave shall be granted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting March 31, 2016
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
Thank you, Councilman. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to thank and welcome everyone who has come down and taken time out of their busy day. We hope that your stay here today is a pleasurable one, so much so that you come back again. So, again, thank you for your attendance. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, who will present a resolution honoring Philadelphia's Non-Profit Women Leaders. Would Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests Stated Meeting March 31, 2016
And joining the Councilwoman, we have Councilwoman Gym, Councilwoman Parker, Councilman Jones, and Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. Each year my office searches to figure out how we can continue to keep the celebration of Women's History Month fresh and inspiring, and last month I was deeply inspired by Councilman Jones' recognition of African American physicians and dentists and thought, wow, what can my office do to make the celebration of Women's History Month special. So what I know has never been done is the lifting up of the non-profit community as a whole, but specifically of women who are running non-profits across the City every single day and night trying to make our city better. While I started my career in Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 classroom, I spent about 10, 15 years in the non-profit community writing proposals and funding proposals and writing youth programs and the like, and what we need to know is that the non-profit sector is a major economic force right here in Pennsylvania, and women are doing their part every single day to make a difference. So this morning on the occasion of Women's History Month, we are in praise of dynamic women, in my own view, very, very good people who give of themselves, share their insights, give guidance, and make our hearts so very grateful. Honoring Philadelphia's Non-Profit Women Leaders in recognition of Women's History Month. Whereas, non-profits are an economic engine for the Philadelphia local and regional economy; and Whereas, non-profits' vast economic contributions are evident in the Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 to The Independent Sector, non-profits account for 5.5 percent of the GDP, the equivalent of $805 billion. The impact of non-profit organizations is indisputably far-reaching and vital to the United States economy and well-being; and Whereas, Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes, if she would step forward, currently serves as the CEO of the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania. According to the -- prior to becoming the CEO, Judge Hughes served as a trial judge in the Court of Common Pleas, the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, which encompasses the City of Philadelphia, as well as the Trial Division of the court, since her appointment to the bench in 1995 by Governor Tom Ridge. Prior to that, she was elected to serve a full ten-year beginning January 1996 and reelected in 2005 to a second term. Every single day Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 when their homes get burnt out, when the City goes into an emergency crisis. The American Red Cross under this woman's leadership is there to make a difference. (Applause.)
And whereas, Sharmain Matlock-Turner is the President and CEO of the Urban Affairs Coalition. Having been at the helm of UAC since March of 1999, Matlock-Turner has been a tireless advocate for families and communities across the Greater Philadelphia region. In addition to her community development and economic justice work, Matlock-Turner is committed to improving the lives of Philadelphia's children. Nearly twenty years ago, she founded West Oak Lane Charter School. Though she specializes in the separate but intersecting fields, Matlock-Turner continues to serve her community by sitting on the boards of various non-profits and other institutions; and Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 Whereas, Reverend Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake is the President of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated's Omega Omega Chapter in Philadelphia. She is Vice President of Community Affairs for the Independence Blue Cross and also President of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation. Her responsibility is to ensure that decision-makers, at the highest levels, have a clear understanding of Blue Cross's goals and objectives and its commitment to subscribers, impacting over 3 million subscribers in the multi-billion dollar health insurance industry as a whole; and
Whereas, Catzie Vilayphonh is the Creative Director of Laos in the House. Catzie is also an award-winning spoken word poet and writer. As one-half of the group Yellow Rage, she became one of the first Asian American females to appear on HBO's Def Poetry Jam. Now Vilayphonh has thrown herself into Laos in the House, Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 spotlight a Southeast Asian community with a lower profile than the better-known refugees of Vietnam and Cambodia; and Whereas, Maxine C. Harvey is the President of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Since its founding in 1913, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has clearly distinguished itself as a public service organization that boldly confronts the challenges of African Americans and hence, all Americans. The chapter's commitment to the sorority's Five-Point Programmatic Thrust continues to be focused on addressing the needs of the underserved; and
As an enlightened male member of Council, Valerie Villines is the President of the Philadelphia Graduate Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, Beta Delta Zeta Chapter. Beta Delta Zeta Chapter is the first graduate chapter of the Zeta in Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 and the home chapter of the Zeta Founder Arizona Cleaver Stemmons. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated was founded January 16th, 1920 at Howard University, Washington, DC. Since its inception, the organization has been innovative in that it has been chronicling the number of firsts. It was the first chapter in Africa, the first to form an auxiliary chapter, and the first to be constitutionally bound to the fraternity Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated. Zeta Phi Beta has chapters in hundreds of places worldwide membership and, therefore
Reverend Bonnie Camarda has served as Director of Partnerships for The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia since 1999. Born in Havana, Cuba but having made Philadelphia her home, Reverend Camarda has been an instrumental leader in the interfaith movement in the Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 own personal ministry, Reverend Camarda leads various efforts around the City against violence and organizes workshops around HIV/AIDS prevention. She is a passionate advocate and believes the opportunity should be accessible to everyone. She's also on the board of PHA; and Whereas, Evelyn Marcha-Hidalgo, CEO/Executive Director of Intercultural Family Services, Inc., began her work with the agency in 1981. Since that time, under Ms. Marcha-Hidalgo's leadership, Intercultural has evolved into a family-focused, multicultural, and multi-purpose agency that provides a variety of public health and human services to first-generation Americans and life-long Philadelphians alike. She's in my district too. Ms. Marcha-Hidalgo's areas of expertise include financial management, program development and design, and cultural competency training; and Stated Meeting March 31, 2016
Whereas, Laura Wentz is the President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW). The Coalition of Labor Union Women is America's only national organization for union women. The primary mission of CLUW is to unify all union women in a viable organization to determine our common problems and concerns and to develop action programs within the framework of our unions to deal effectively with our objectives; and Whereas, Jeannine L. Lisitski has been the Executive Director of Women Against Abuse since 2009. Women Against Abuse is the leading domestic violence advocate and service provider in Philadelphia and the largest in Pennsylvania. Women Against Abuse has a two-pronged mission of providing life-saving services to people experiencing domestic violence while leading the struggle to end domestic violence. Ms. Lisitski has worked for Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 22 years in the public benefit sector, focusing on issues of poverty, violence and homelessness; and
I just want you to know I'm not the only enlightened male in here. Whereas, Terri Matthews founded a charitable resource called Jaden's Voice, Incorporated where she has held the position of CEO since inception. To date, Ms. Matthews has personally injected her own resources to establish Jaden's Voice and to provide services and equipment to families in need. Her enthusiasm for autism advocacy led her to her election as President of Early Intervention Services for the State of Pennsylvania; and now, therefore, be it Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, and enlightened males, that the Council does hereby honor Philadelphia's Non-Profit Women Leaders in recognition of Women's History Month. (Applause.) Stated Meeting March 31, 2016
The Chair recognizes Judge Hughes for remarks. JUDGE HUGHES: Council President, thank you so much, and to all of Council, thank you for recognizing the not-for-profit leadership in our community. I am particularly humbled to be standing up here with so many spectacular women, many of whom I work with and have worked with throughout my career. I consider Philadelphia to be the best city in the world, and I know people would debate. (Applause. ) JUDGE HUGHES: They want to talk about London. They want to talk about Paris. No. Let's talk about the real deal. This Council saw fit to recognize women, who constitute 47 percent of our workforce. The not-for-profit sector, as Councilwoman Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 shared with you, has an extraordinary impact on the economic viability of our country. Women lead differently. We are inclusive. We are holistic. We are collaborative. We get it done. (Applause.) JUDGE HUGHES: And we get it done earning 79 cents for every dollar y'all pay a man. It is really important that you own that fact. I am confident that no one out here with regard to gender thinks it appropriate for your child to earn less than the person sitting next to them doing the very same work. So it is critical that you understand and that this Council take lead on ensuring that women will be paid equally for the work that they do. It is also important to recognize that while you see extraordinary leadership here in front of you, only 4.6 percent of the 500 biggest companies in America are led by women. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 500, only 20 companies are led by women. We have a long way to go, America, a long way to go, despite the fact that women are more likely to graduate from college than men. So we come to the table well educated. We come to the table energetic. We come to the table committed to the community and the betterment of the community. So I call on all of you to do what we do, respect talent and let cream rise to the top. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you so much. And with that, Council will be at ease. Hold on. Council will not be at ease. I'm told we have one more speaker. I'm sorry.
So first I want to give honor to God for an opportunity to stand before all of you. Thank you for the Council men and women that are here today. And after following this Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 me, I mean cream rises to the top. Let me explain something to you. The City of Philadelphia is in dire need. These non-profit organizations cannot do it without talent. We are talented leaders, but we need talent and we need support. We don't need words. We don't need cameras and opportunities to be in media. We need people to get behind us, support us with their actions, with their money, with their time, and open up doors that we need in order to service the many people in Philadelphia that need our help. We do this with no reason to take a paycheck home. This is a mutual benefit to support our community to take us to the next level. I cannot thank Councilwoman Blondell enough for the opportunity to stand before these other women and to highlight what it is that we do. We're on assignment. So you're seeing us because part of our assignment is to be Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 seen, but there are many non-profits that are doing things, feeding the homeless, sleeping under bridges, taking blankets to people that I work with day in and day out that don't get this type of recognition and they don't get seen. Please understand that we cannot do it alone and we need all of you. And it's great to be recognized, but recognize us with your money. Thank you. (Applause.)
And Council will now be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you very much, and congratulations. Our next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, please read those messages. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission on the following bills: Bill Nos. 160006, 160112, 160113, 160135, 160138, 160148, and 160177. And I am also today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission on the following bills: Bill Nos. 160096, 160098, 160145, 160149, 160169, and 160198. And I am pleased to advise you that on March 22 and March 29, 2016, I signed all of the bills which were passed by Council at its session on March 17, 2016, and I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution appointing Rasheia Johnson to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Municipal Authority; and Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1248 North Nineteenth Street, 1301 through 03 North Nineteenth Street, 1901 through 03, 1905, 1917, 1919, 1921, 1929 through 35 Ridge Avenue (including 1909 through 13 West Thompson Street, 1300 North Nineteenth Street and 1306 through 1310 North Nineteenth Street) and 1939 through 49 Ridge Avenue, 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 the introduction of bills and Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Good morning, Mr. President. I offer one bill this morning.
An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades, and Professions," to add a new Chapter, entitled "Gender Price Discrimination," which includes, but is not limited to, requiring the posting of prices in certain retail service establishments and making it a violation to charge differing prices based upon gender.
That bill will be referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer one bill and one resolution, and on behalf of Councilwoman Sanchez, I offer two resolutions, one of which I am the co-sponsor.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 28th Street, Thompson Street, 25th Street, North College Avenue, West College Avenue, and Girard Avenue.
And a privileged Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 resolution Recognizing, Congratulating, and Honoring Community Legal Services on its 50th Anniversary.
That will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia Children's Alliance for their commitment to promoting healing and justice for victims of child sexual abuse in Philadelphia and declaring April 2016 to be Childhood Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in the City of Philadelphia.
That will also be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
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 Model Cities Urban Renewal Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1248 North Nineteenth Street, 1301 through 03 North Nineteenth Street, 1901 through 1903 Ridge Avenue, 1905 Ridge Avenue, 1917 Ridge Avenue, 1919 Ridge Avenue, 1921 Ridge Avenue, 1929 through 35 Ridge Avenue (including 1909 through 13 West Thompson Street, 1300 North Nineteenth Street and 1306 through 10 North Nineteenth Street) and 1939 through 49 Ridge Avenue.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. Today I offer two bills, one resolution, and two resolutions and one bill on your behalf.
An ordinance authorizing the transfer in Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 appropriations for Fiscal Year 2017 within the General Fund, from the Department of Prisons to the Mayor Office of Housing and Community Development, to support landscaping and lot-cleaning jobs in the Philadelphia Re-Entry Employment Program for Returning Citizens.
And an ordinance amending Section 19-1806 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Authorization of Realty Use and Occupancy Tax," by adding an exclusion from the tax for certain new businesses.
And an ordinance amending Section 9-3908 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Notification of License Obligation," by adding a requirement for the City to provide an explanation of the license requirements Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 for vacant properties.
And a non-privileged resolution calling on the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to oppose House Bill 1800 of the 2015-2016 Session, currently before the Committee on Labor and Industry, which amends the "Workers' Compensation Act" and creates unnecessary changes to a successful system.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution appointing Rasheia Johnson to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Municipal Authority.
And a non-privileged resolution appointing Councilmember Derek Green to the Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 Philadelphia Gas Commission.
That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. One non-privileged resolution, which I'd like to speak to.
A non-privileged resolution calling on the Sheriff's Department and Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Court to impose a Moratorium on all residential mortgage foreclosure sales and related Ejectment actions resulting from residential mortgage foreclosures in Philadelphia. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016
Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. I submitted this with a delay of a week so that I have an opportunity to meet with stakeholders that are involved with the Sheriff Sale process in the City of Philadelphia, which includes the Sheriff, the courts, and relevant support agencies that are involved in the continuum of property seizure. The reason that's important to me is because we held a hearing which chronicled some of the issues related to what we have in the City of Philadelphia. Now, I respect the right of property owners to maintain their property and collect their debts. I remember this body, working with Councilwoman Tasco, where we had moratoriums in the past, which resulted in the creation of the Mortgage Diversion Program, which is a national model, which Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 has saved thousands of homes. However, everything can be improved. Everything must be checked, and all things can be moved into a positive future. For some people, the time clock is the urgency of now, because people are actually losing their homes. Future residents that are to go through this system should have an improved system. Enough issues were raised by way of who does service, whether it should be the service of the Sheriff's Department or a private law firm. Enough issues have been raised by way of technical assistance of being able to have people fill out in common language how to save their homes. And some of those questions have resonated to the point where we sent out the recommendations for improvement. I want to remind Councilmembers to take a look at those recommendations as we approach the budget process so that we can help put money where our mouth is. Thank you, Mr. President. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016
Thank you, Councilman. And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. (Applause.)
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I have one privileged resolution and I would like to speak briefly on it, sir.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings examining the City services made available to families that are victims of homicide.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016
Thank you, Council President. The resolution that I just introduced is co-sponsored by the Chairman of Public Safety, Councilman Curtis Jones, and all members of Council. Last Monday we hosted a hearing here specifically on the issue of youth gun violence here in the City of Philadelphia. We started at 10:00 in the morning and we ended roughly close to 7:00 p.m. in the evening, and all of this was to begin to look at comprehensively the issue of youth gun violence here in the City of Philadelphia, how we can do a better job in collaborating and partnering with those who are on the ground addressing the issue but, most importantly, as a city and the City agencies that work under us can do a better job collaborating and working together. One thing that really stuck out during the hearing was oftentimes we talk about preventing the shootings that are Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 taking place, but the hearing also gave us an opportunity to look at the victims, the people on the other side who have to deal with the grief, people who have to deal with trying to put their lives back together when we deal with the shootings as well as the homicide and the murders. So this will give us an opportunity to look at the other side of the coin, how are we supporting our victims and making sure that they're made whole or at least to the best of our ability to assist them in helping them put their lives back together. And so I just want to thank all the members of Council for signing on board, being supportive of this particular resolution, and thank Councilman Curtis Jones and members of the Public Safety Committee for working with me on this issue. Thank you very much, Council President.
Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 Thank you, Councilman. And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. (Applause.)
Thank you, Council President. I have two privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day 2016, honoring the many contributions of Dennis O'Brien as a champion of the Autistic community.
And that resolution will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Disabled & Special Needs to hold hearings regarding ongoing efforts to meet the demand for services among children and adults with Autism by groups like the Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 Philadelphia Autism Project.
And that will also be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Thank you, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one privileged resolution today.
Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 Thank you, Councilwoman.
A privileged resolution recognizing April 15, 2016, as a day honoring the lifetime achievements and lasting influence of Jackie Robinson, and apologizing for the racism he faced as a player while visiting Philadelphia.
Thank you. That will be placed on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Thank you, Council President and colleagues. I have no bills or resolutions today. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two non-privileged resolutions, one of which I'd like to be recognized on.
A non-privileged resolution calling on the First Judicial District to develop a conciliation process, in coordination with the Philadelphia Department of Revenue, similar to the Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion program, to address the rising level of residential tax Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 delinquency cases, and to address the problems with the current system, so as to prevent the unnecessary sale of owner-occupied homes.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And 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 Fifty-Ninth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And that will also be on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
I just wanted to mention, number one, I wanted to thank my colleague Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. for his work on addressing mortgage foreclosures here in the City of Philadelphia, which, as we know, the rate has been really astounding. And if you're one of the people who has lost your home through the mortgage foreclosure process and the programs that we have in place have not been helpful to you, you recognize that there are still opportunities to close loopholes. And so what we hope to do, Councilman Jones and myself working together on this, what we hope to do is to address a remaining loophole, which is tax foreclosures, which affect so many of our citizens who don't have an option. So if there's no mortgage on your property, you really don't have the opportunity to participate in the programs that exist today in Philadelphia. So we think that this is Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 going to be something that's going to close that loophole, and look forward to having further dialogue about it. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much. I offer two privileged resolutions co-sponsored by my colleagues Councilmembers Green, Jones, and Gym. Thank you.
A privileged resolution Recognizing and Honoring Two-Time World Champion Nia Ali for Winning the 2016 World Indoor Track & Field Championships.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 60th Anniversary of the death of In-Ho Oh and the response by his parents offering forgiveness to the teenage murderers, requesting that the juveniles receive the "most generous treatment possible" allowed by law and establishing a fund to be used for their religious, educational, vocational and social guidance.
Thank you. That will also be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions. We will now move to reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a report from the Committee on Streets and Services.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Streets and Services reports seven bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 Decker, please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Streets and Services, to which was referred Bill No. 160097, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Farmers' Markets,' by adding a permissible location"; and Bill No. 160112, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Dr. Jack Carroll for Magee Rehabilitation Hospital to construct, own, and maintain a liquid oxygen tax and the construction of an associated masonry enclosure at 1513 Race Street"; and Bill No. 160145, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 44 by placing on the City Plan Thirty-Seventh Street from Market Street to Filbert Street and from Filbert Street Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 Street, Cuthbert Street from Thirty-Seventh Street to Thirty-Eighth Street, north of Filbert Street, and Warren Street from Thirty-Seventh Street to Thirty-Eighth Street"; and Bill No. 160146, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the paving of Thirty-Seventh Street from Market Street to Filbert Street and from Filbert Street to Warren Street, Cuthbert Street from Thirty-Seventh Street to Thirty-Eighth Street, and Warren Street from Thirty-Seventh Street to Thirty-Eighth Street"; and Bill No. 160147, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Pine Street and 45th Street; Melville Street and Locust Street"; and Bill No. 160148, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Rachel Miller of Best Partners to install, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 4301 Baltimore Avenue"; and Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 160169, entitled "An ordinance legalizing an existing six foot wooden fence at 841 through 43 North Opal Street," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the seven bills that were just read into the record. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 160097, 160112, 160145, 160146, 160147, 160148, and 160169. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 say aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) COUNCIL President CLARKE: The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. That concludes our reports from committee, and the next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just read with suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. They will be on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up for Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: 160231, 160232, 160233, 160234, 160238, 160239, 160007, 160018, 160074, and 160003. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Excuse me. Point of information and clarity. I have here, if we can check on the clarity, Bill No. 160007 has been indicated it's being held by the sponsor, which would be you; is that correct?
Okay. So I want to strike that from the Second Reading and Final Passage on today's Calendar.
Thank you, Councilman. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016
Thank you. Before considering these bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, we'll have our public comment session. It will go as follows: If you have not already done so, if you are interested in testifying on a bill or resolution on the Final Passage Calendar today, 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. There's 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. When the light turns red, I'd ask that you please conclude your remarks as required by the guidelines of our public comment session. You will be given three minutes to speak. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 Mr. Decker, would you please call the first name on the list.
Joe Danihel, commenting on 160232, 160233, 160231, 160234. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Council evidently doesn't take my claims and allegations seriously, because they continue to deal with the Redevelopment Authority without investigating them. At this time, I am without my home at 1038 West Wyoming due to the egregious actions and inactions of this legislative body. How many decades does it take for a speedy trial? In 1991, I purchased my home, as later referred to in an article that even the federal government is suffering buyers. Then it came 18 years of waiting for the City to act while it received funds. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 I read several articles and communications from HUD, though, where it says receiving up to 40 million or more extra money per year for over a decade. The newspaper reports that only 32 to 34 million was spent on Logan. I guess that's where the extra funds for the 10/15 article that quotes Abernathy from the RDA that upwards of 100 million taxpayer dollars may be given to a developer to build a mall on my home that was taken from me without payment for me. Oh, I've got to clarify that. They offered me a hundred dollars. It was a three-apartment, two-storefront building that I bought as a shell for 6,000 and I improved to code. It's ridiculously outrageous that the amount of a hundred dollars was only offered by the RDA. I was required to pay for and get reimbursed for 18 years of interest, expenses, taxes, water bills, and replacement housing. I received nothing. Federal officials said Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 that they've given the state plenty of funds to solve this matter. If we, the people, have to solve this problem ourselves, why did we hire you, agents and agencies designed solely to serve the people and conduct our business? You agents and agencies are bound by oath to obey and defend the Constitution and laws. Like in Flint, Michigan, the government stalls while the people suffer. Government cannot create people. People create government to serve them. Government has no rights, just judiciary duties. Paul Robeson has quoted "the answer to injustice is not to silence the critic, but to end the injustice." Can a firefighter choose not to fight a fire? Why is Council not investigating the Redevelopment Authority? Does Council not care about the people? De-fund and investigate the Redevelopment Authority now.
Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 3/31/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you. (Applause.)
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our public comment session. We will now move to our Calendar. And, Mr. Decker, if you can please read the title of 160231.
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, situate in the Sixth and Twenty-Fourth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 3/31/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 160231 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160232.
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, Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 3/31/16 - STATED - 2ND READING situate in the Thirty-Seventh 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? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and 160232 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160233.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the West Fairhill/East Tioga/Hunting Park Urban Renewal Area, Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 3/31/16 - STATED - 2ND READING identified by house number and street address as 3156 North Sixth Street.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 160233 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160234.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 3/31/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2208 East Norris Street.
The Chair one more time recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
One more time, I move the adoption of the resolution, Mr. President. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. One more time it's been moved and approved. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 160234 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160238.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 3/31/16 - STATED - 2ND READING 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 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 seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 160238 is adopted. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 3/31/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, 160239.
A resolution approving the amendment and assignment agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Franklin Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1001 through 1005 Vine Street, 1007 through 1011 Vine Street and 314 North Tenth Street.
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? (Aye.)
Those opposed? Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 3/31/16 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 160239 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 160018.
An ordinance amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Landlord and Tenant - Rent Control," by requiring that tenants of certain multi-family buildings be provided with a written disclosure of the building policy on smoking in individual dwelling units.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the amendment, which has been circulated to all members of Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded on the amendment to 160018. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 3/31/16 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and 160018 has been amended. It will be on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, 160074.
An ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia 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.
Thank you. This bill has been heard on two Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 3/31/16 - STATED - 2ND READING separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Jones. Stated Meeting March 31, 2016 3/31/16 - STATED - 2ND READING