COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, November 20, 2014 10:30 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY COUNCILMAN ED NEILSON COUNCILMAN DENNIS O'BRIEN COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER,
Good morning, everyone. We have a quorum. I'd ask all guests and visitors please retire behind the rail. If the members will take their seats, we'll get started. Thank you. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Father George Bur, President of St. Joseph Prep School. He is here today as the guest of Councilman James Kenney. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
God, you are gracious and good, the source of all the good in this world, the source of light, and the air we breathe, the source of all those in our lives who have supported us and still sustain us. We thank you for this day, November 20th, 2014. We thank you especially, you are the source of the good that flourishes in our city, the source of the generous spirit of service among the members of this City Council. Your love is the source too of all the good out in our districts, where neighbors assist one another with their needs, where adults watch over children and mentor teenagers, where teachers prepare the next generation of leaders, where caregivers care for and visit the sick, where friends comfort the sorrowful, where justice and mercy join together, transforming even those who have hardened their hearts. We pray with members of the Council, asking our good God to grant these members a blessing to assist them to carry out their duties. Help them in this body to become a discerning people, seeking to understand one another's opinions, with a great desire to find in each one what is good. Help them to be firm in their desire to decide what is best for the people of Philadelphia. Protect them from decisions focused on some narrow interest. Strengthen all of us to assist Council and to carry out our own duties of citizenship. Protect us too from narrow interests. We ask you, Lord, bless our Council President and all the members of Council with good health in every way. Bless them with soundness of heart and mind. Bless them with integrity and prudence. Bless them finally with service to the citizens of this city that reaches beyond their years in Council until they are called finally to be with you in your kingdom. We ask these things through Jesus and his spirit, those who taught us how to live with generous hearts. Let those of us present give thanks and say (Amen.)
Thank you very much. And, Father, thank you again for those much-needed words. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, November 13, 2014, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, November 13th, 2014 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, November 13, 2014 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved and a matter of the record. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the minority, there is one request for leave of absence. Councilman Brian O'Neill is doing his job with the League of Cities.
be granted. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would welcome and thank all of the visitors here today. We really appreciate the fact that you've taken time out of your day to come down and witness your government in action. We hope your stay here today is a pleasurable one, so much so that you come back again. Again, thank you so much for being here. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman -- before I say that, can I ask everyone who has a device that makes any type of noise to please turn it off or on silent. Thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco, who will present a resolution honoring Sharmain Matlock-Turner. Would Ms. Matlock-Turner and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. Tasco, we have Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
When I saw Sharmain here, I said where are the thousands of people from the Urban Affairs Coalition? And she said, they're preparing for this oversold breakfast in the morning at the Hyatt. And I think they have about 1,000 people joining them to celebrate the 45th Year of the Urban Affairs Coalition. So that is a tribute to her and her leadership and those staff members who are hard-working at the Urban Affairs Coalition, and I enjoy being a part of that organization. Sharmain and I have been friends for many, many years. We moved into Mount Airy when it was a racially changing community. We got involved in the early '70s working as block captains. I became a committee person; she became we got involved with the politics of the area and worked to elect Councilmembers and State Representatives who represented our area. So today we still have a very stable neighborhood in the Mount Airy, East Oak Lane, West Oak Lane community, and that is because of the hard work that Sharmain did, giving me orders, giving John White orders, and Dwight Evans orders and just running the whole show. She is the Sergeant -- the General. I forgot. The General. We call her the General. But she carried that over to her work with John White as his representative staff person, as well worked with State Senator Roxanne Jones. So I am pleased this morning to stand here to just recognize her for the hard work. She has never asked for it, never thought it, but has made a great, outstanding, worthwhile contribution to this city, and I just wanted to say that she's done a great job and we really colleague Councilwoman Brown would like to say a few words.
Thank you very, very much. I want a chance to seize the moment on the record in this auditorium. I want to add that Sharmain Matlock-Turner is one of our sorors, a member of Philadelphia Alumni Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, where the underscore there is about service, and the Urban Affairs Coalition certainly represents that. And then I might add also that she's an angel that comes to your aid whenever there is an experience happening with you, where she's not looking for any accolades, but just an opportunity to help and lend her always sage advice on how to tackle challenges. So I want to publicly thank you for that as well, Madam President.
This morning we really have to be professional citation, but when we give her a roast, when we roast her sometime in the future, there's some very colorful stories that you will enjoy. So she's here. She'll introduce the young man who is with her. This resolution honoring Sharmain Matlock-Turner on her 15 years of service as President and CEO of the Urban Affairs Coalition. Whereas, Sharmain Matlock-Turner began her tenure as President and CEO of the Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC) in March of 1999, with a special distinction as the first female leader in UAC's 44-year history; and Whereas, UAC, formerly the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, unites government, business, neighborhoods and individuals together to improve overall quality of life in the region and the organization's efforts are focused in four areas - improving life changes for youth and young adults, communities, strengthening the grassroots and non-profit sector, and forging strategic partnerships across sectors and communities; and
Whereas, in partnership with a diverse Board of Directors made up of business, non-profit and community leaders, Ms. Matlock-Turner, her team of managers and more than 350 employees forge partnerships and build consensus around the goal of helping families reduce poverty and reach the middle class; and Whereas, Ms. Matlock-Turner is also a co-founder and Chair of the West Oak Lane Charter School and co-founder of Arise Academy Charter High School, the country's first public high school for young people in foster care; and
Whereas, Ms. Matlock-Turner serves on the following boards and commissions: the People's Emergency Center, Philadelphia - which operates the Philadelphia Gas Works on behalf of the City, the Entrepreneur Works, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia, Clear Channel Local Advisory Board, Philadelphia Civil Service Commission Nominating Panel, Philadelphia Council for College and Career Successes, Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the African American Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and the RBS Citizens Bank Advisory Board; and Whereas, Ms. Matlock-Turner is a regular guest on 6ABC's Inside Story and co-host of the radio show Financial Voices on WURD 900-AM; and
Ms. Matlock-Turner holds a bachelor's degree in education from Temple University and in 2005, she was one of three Philadelphia non-profit leaders selected to receive a scholarship to the Harvard Business School's non-profit program; and Whereas, Ms. Matlock-Turner is married to Tony Turner and has two grown daughters, Ayanna Matlock and Naima Turner, and she's also the proud grandmother of Joshua Matlock Hale; now, therefore, be it resolved
Be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby recognize Sharmain Matlock-Turner as she celebrates 15 years of service as the President and Chief Executive Officer of UAC. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Ms. Matlock-Turner as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. Certification that this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution, adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 11th of September 2014. It is signed by the President, introduced by Marian Tasco and Brown, and supported by all members of City Council. Congratulations, Sharmain. We appreciate you for all the wonderful work and for standing up for what you believe in and fighting when you've been attacked. Thank you. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Ms. Matlock-Turner for remarks.
I promise to be brief. I know that you have a really long agenda today. This is such a special day for me. I do remember the days when I was a Council staffer and I was sitting on the side row or someone really important came in and I had to sit on the seats over there. So it's always a pleasure to come back home and to say thank you so much for being recognized, not just for my work but for the work of a tremendous I've had the pleasure to work with, not only at the Urban Affairs Coalition but just in the community. I just believe that people ultimately want to do the right thing. They want to do the best thing, and if we can organize ourselves and try to find out places where we can work together, we can really make a difference for those who have been locked out, who have been shut out, who have fewer opportunities, who get in trouble once and that's the end of it for them. We can't allow that to happen. People who are poor, people who are black, people who are brown, people who are marginalized need our help and need our support. I know that that's the values that we see here in this Council. I know those are the values of the Urban Affairs Coalition and the values of the team that I work with. And I'm glad to say that I have Arun Prabhakaran here, who is our Senior VP Affairs, who represents the next generation of leaders. The Coalition is not just about who we are today, but it's about making sure that what we've learned, we are able to pass on to the next generation. So to Councilwoman Tasco, to Blondell Reynolds Brown, to all of you here that I've had the opportunity to work with, again, thank you. By the way, I'm not going anywhere. I want to make that clear in case anybody thought this was like a farewell. No. I'm still going to be out there. I'm still going to be pushing. I'm going to be talking about summer jobs. I'm going to be talking about making sure kids read on grade level. I'm going to be talking about financial literacy and financial education. I'm going to be talking about youth intervention, and we're going to be developing solutions in order to make that happen. So, again, thank you very, very much for this recognition today. And one final thing that I want to say that I didn't even get a chance to tell Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown and also Councilwoman Tasco. This is my sister's birthday. She would have been 63 today. She passed away from breast cancer way too soon. And so this is a very, very special day for me to stand here, not only for myself but to stand here for Deborah Williams-Ransom as well. So thank you very much, and I appreciate this. (Applause.)
Thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco again, who will present a resolution congratulating Kevin Vaughan for his retirement from the Mr. Vaughan and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman at the podium.
Well, this is a good day for me, having longtime friends come before us and having the opportunity to recognize them for the wonderful work they've done through the years, and Kevin Vaughan is another individual I worked with before I became a City Council person. He worked with -and he'll tell you his background, but he worked with Angel Ortiz, who kept us all busy in the community, but he's an outstanding young man. We worked together outside in some of the boards we served on, and he has made a great contribution just advising us on issues that are pertinent to the community and keeping us square one on having right information about issues and things of that nature. So I am proud to present this resolution -- oh, and he also was my didn't want to go to an event, I called Kevin and he would go with me. So I have to share that with you. I got a lot of personal stories about a lot of people. This resolution congratulating Kevin Vaughan on his retirement from the City of Philadelphia. Whereas, Kevin Vaughan graduated with a B.A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1977 and received graduate education from the University's Fels School of Government and earned certificates in Executive Education from Columbia University and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government; and Whereas, Mr. Vaughan is a Deputy Health Commissioner and Director of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Opportunities and he began his public sector career as the Director of Legislation for Councilman Angel Ortiz from 1986 to 1992 and has served in a in local and federal government, including Executive Director - Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (1999 to 2000), Region III Director - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2000 to 2001), Associate Director - Free Library of Philadelphia (2001 to 2006), Chief of Staff - Managing Director's Office (2006 to 2007), and Deputy Commissioner - Department of Public Health (2007 to 2008); and
Whereas, Kevin Vaughan has not only had a successful public sector career, he is a community leader and has served as the Board Secretary and Trustee to Lincoln University, Board President of the Calcutta House, Family Planning Council, and the International Network of Lesbian and Gay Officials, First Vice President for the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies, and Board Member of the St. Christopher's the Mayor's Advisory Board for the City's Combined Campaign; and Whereas, Mr. Vaughan has received numerous awards and accommodations, including, but not limited to, the Internal Revenue Service Community Leadership Award, the University of Pennsylvania Martin Luther King Award, the International Network of Lesbian and Gay Officials Service Award, the Commission on Human Relations - Award of Merit, the Philadelphia Bar Association's Civil Rights Champion, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors City Livable Award; and
Whereas, in December 2013, after a 23.5 year engagement and waiting for state law to catch up, Kevin Vaughan married Charles Kaplan; now, therefore, be it Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby honor Kevin Vaughan on his retirement Philadelphia. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Kevin Vaughan as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. Certification that this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution, adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 2nd of October 2014. Signed by the President of City Council, supported by all members of City Council. Thank you so much, Kevin, for the many years of service. Thank you for teaching us early about civil rights and human rights and gay rights, and we appreciate your quiet way of helping people understand what the world is all about. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you, Mr. President. I actually broke out this tie. The Superman tie I used to wear when I was a Council staffer here. It's like a long time ago. I was thinking about in preparation for this what Council should mean to so many people in Philadelphia. For my career I know the why of what I do, but the how I went about it had a lot to do with Council and working with all of you. There are people here who are now sitting in the chairs who were Council staffers when I was here. There are people who I've worked with in Americans for Democratic Action and other organizations or folks that -- I know and feel wonderful about the work that each and every one of you do from the times that we spent together on different issues, and you're all incredibly talented and successful people who each in your own right have done so much across a spectrum of issues that it would you more than just say thank you so much for the work that you do every day here. It's really important, and I don't know if everyone in the City actually understands the importance of the work here. I am joined today by some extended friends and family, but first and foremost, my husband. (Applause.)
And I met him when I was working for Angel. Angel thinks he introduced us actually. It isn't true, but it's really -- it's been a long time. We weren't able to get married until just this year, but it will be 25 years in June that we're together. We got married New Year's Eve last year. And because Pennsylvania hadn't passed marriage laws, we actually got a license in New Jersey and went up on the Ben Franklin Bridge on New Year's Eve, if you remember how cold it was, and took two steps into New Jersey and were married by Alpert, a rabbi here from Philadelphia who we're all good friends with. But it was really a wonderful thing, and I'm really happy that Pennsylvania now recognizes. And, of course, Philadelphia and you all were way ahead of the game with domestic partnership and moving all sorts of legislation through. So it's been really, really terrific. I also am joined today by colleagues from the Department of Public Health, some who didn't want to come up and some who did, and I have to tell you that the Department of Public Health and the work of the Department of Public Health and these people who work in the Department of Public Health and Health and Opportunity do a remarkable, remarkable job for the City, and it is a wonderful -- it was a wonderful way for me to spend the last eight years of my career working in the Department of Public Health, because there were so many on and so many reasons for us to be doing the work we do. But these are remarkable, talented people, and I thank them for joining us. I'm also joined by a great friend, Bill White, who has supported Charles and I in so many different ways, both professionally and personally, and we're just happy that Bill and -- his spouse, Dorothy Mann, isn't able to be here this morning, but we'll see her a little bit later and I'm really happy about all that. I just want to say again, Council, you're really special. You do remarkable work. It was a privilege to work here and it's a privilege to work in the City of Philadelphia. And I'm not going away. I'm still doing some things, just like Sharmain said. It's not the end. It's the end of this piece of it, but I'm spending a lot of time thinking about how I can continue to give and continue to contribute. going to say is that the Combined Campaign, the City Combined Campaign, is a tremendous, tremendous thing that raises money from City workers to go to local charities. They have raised $37 million over the course of the Campaign. I encourage all of you who are City workers to participate in the Campaign that just kicked off and will finish in early January, and it will be great if you gave your gift before Thanksgiving. Thanks so much. (Applause.)
Thank you very much, and congratulations. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell, who will present a resolution honoring Chief Deputy Commissioner Dennis Lee. Would Mr. Lee and those accompanying him please the podium. And joining Councilwoman Blackwell will be Councilman Jones and Councilwoman Bass.
It is with great pleasure that we present this resolution honoring Chief Deputy Commissioner Dennis Lee on his departure from the Office of the City Commissioner of Philadelphia.
Whereas, Dennis Lee was born in Philadelphia to Herman and Jenny Lee in 1957 and was raised -- you didn't hear me? 1957 and was raised in the West Philadelphia section of the City; and Whereas, Dennis Lee graduated from Overbrook High School in 1975 and subsequently attained a Baccalaureate degree in Biology from Lincoln University in 1979; and Whereas, soon after his graduation from Lincoln University, Mr. Lee discovered his passion for became involved in local civic organizations; Whereas, Mr. Lee has focused the past 20 years of his life to improving the outcomes and addressing the quality of life issues for all Philadelphians; and
Whereas, Mr. Lee has built over 300 partnerships with businesses, organizations and law enforcement agencies with a goal of stimulating economic growth, social justice, crime prevention and voter awareness throughout the City of Philadelphia as well as the Delaware Valley; and Whereas, Mr. Lee joined the Office of the City Commissioner as a Chief Deputy Commissioner, where he has focused on educating the citizens of Philadelphia on the importance of voting and ensuring that free and fair elections take place in the City of Philadelphia; and Whereas, Mr. Lee played an integral role in assisting many organizations to defeat the Voter Identification Bill that sought to suppress voter turnout in Pennsylvania; and
Whereas, Dennis Lee's hard work and dedication which focuses on voter turnout has earned a nickname that he is proud to garner, quote/unquote, "The Voter Man"; and Whereas, despite leaving the Office of the City Commissioner, Mr. Lee will continue his journey to get every Philadelphian to exercise his or her right to vote and will continue to challenge young people to be better than they were the day before; therefore, be it Resolved, that the City Council of Philadelphia honors and recognizes Chief Deputy Commissioner Dennis Lee on his departure from the City of resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented as a sincere expression of Council's appreciation and recognition. And we note that this was agreed to and signed by each and every member of City Council. Thank you. (Applause.)
Glory be to God. And I want to thank Councilwoman Blackwell, to the President, President Darrell Clarke, and to Overbrook grad, Councilman Jones, around year -- okay. And to Councilwoman Cindy Bass, thank you so much. Listen, one thing that we do know in the General Election, 385,952 Philadelphians cast a ballot, and it made a difference in the election and we sent a message to Harrisburg as well as to DC. on any given Tuesday, there is one million plus Philadelphians that are eligible to vote. So we know that we have a tremendous amount of work to do. We know that we have a tremendous amount of discussions to do out there in the community. And although I'm in the private sector, I still will be focused on the public sector of trying to get that message out, because when Philadelphia speaks, Harrisburg has to listen, DC has to listen. We'll see it next year. Wouldn't it be great if one million plus, one million plus Philadelphians came out next year in the election? I want to thank City Council for this honor. It is definitely something that is unexpected and one that I will cherish, one that will definitely even motivate me even more to do the good work that we have to do for Philadelphia, because in the near future, they will hear one million Philadelphians vote and tone across the nation, as well as we should. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
Thank you very much. The 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.
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. 140782, 140798, 140799, 140802, 140803, 140824, 140826, 140831, and 140864. And I am pleased to advise you that on November 14, 2014, I signed all the bills which were passed by Council at its session on November 13, 2014. And I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a 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 Area, identified by house number and street address as 2106 North Broad Street. And I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development all or part of a parcel of land bounded by West Venango Street, Germantown Avenue, West Tioga Street, and North Watts Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development all or part of a parcel of land located at 2600 through 26 North 3rd Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development all or part of a parcel of land bounded by Tulip Street, East Tucker Street, Memphis Street, and East Albert Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development all or part of a parcel of land bounded by West Wildey Street, Leopard Street, Richmond Street and North Front Street; and An ordinance authorizing an increase in authorizations for Fiscal Year 2015 within the Municipal Pension Fund; and An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2015 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Water Fund, the Grants Revenue Fund and the Aviation Fund to the General Fund, the Water Fund and the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional messages?
Thank you very much. Those messages will be printed in today's Journal. And the next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce one bill and two non-privileged resolutions.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Market Street, 48th Street, Haverford Avenue, and 46th Street.
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 Third Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you. That resolution 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-First and Sixtieth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
And that resolution will also be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer one bill.
An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Mt. Vernon Street and 17th Street; Thompson Street and Frankford Avenue; Wallace Street and 22nd Street.
That bill will be referred to committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. I have two bills for introduction, one co-introduced by yourself and Councilman Goode.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Business Income and Receipts Taxes," to revise the Credit for New Job Creation by increasing the credit for the creation of jobs by certain manufacturers.
And an ordinance amending Chapter 9-3900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Property Licenses and Owner Accountability," as it is amended by Bill No. 140892, by requiring the seller of a property that must be licensed under that Chapter to provide written notice to the buyer concerning the property license and other requirements of that Chapter.
That bill will also be referred to committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold public hearings regarding the Department of Human Services' Improving Outcomes for Children initiative and the Community Umbrella Agency provider system.
That resolution will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one non-privileged resolution. I'd like to speak briefly on the resolution, please.
At the time of the vote? Thank you, Councilman.
A non-privileged resolution emphatically urging the Philadelphia International Airport to pursue all available and lawful alternatives to facilitate a resolution to the labor dispute that is fair to all parties, that ensures uninterrupted service at the Airport and that sustains the breadth of air carrier services upon which the City and its citizens depend.
Councilman, that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar, but you'd like to say something now?
I would like to be acknowledged to suspend the rules so that it can be considered today.
There's a motion and a second that the rules of Council be suspended so as to allow a vote on that -- or reading of the resolution this day. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one non-privileged resolution and one bill.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development all or part of a parcel of land located at 2600 through 26 North 3rd Street, for further conveyance.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
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 Seventh and Nineteenth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Neilson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one privileged resolution and one ordinance.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Wage and Net Profits Tax," by providing for special tax provisions for certain veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States who become employed by the City as a police officer, firefighter, correctional officer or paramedic.
And a privileged resolution honoring Master Gunnery Sergeant James J. Babst Jr.'s retirement from the United States Marine Corps and celebrating his 30 years of faithful and honorable service.
That resolution will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two bills on behalf of the Administration.
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2015 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Water Fund, the Grants Revenue Fund.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing an increase in authorizations for Fiscal Year 2015 within the Municipal Pension Fund.
That bill will also be referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you. Good morning, Mr. President. I offer one bill co-sponsored by Councilmembers Goode and Quinones-Sanchez.
An ordinance amending Subcode "A" of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Administrative Code," by amending Section A-907, entitled "Zoning Fees," by revising certain zoning fees for family and group day cares.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Mr. President, I have one bill and one privileged resolution co-sponsored by the Chair of Education, Jannie Blackwell, Cindy Bass, Councilwoman Tasco, Henon, and Neilson and supported by all members of Council, in particular Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
An ordinance authorizing Charles Weiner to install, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 601 Jamestown Avenue.
And a privileged resolution honoring and recognizing the colleges, universities and academic institutions participating in higher education partnerships with the School District of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer four bills and one non-privileged resolution.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development all or part of a parcel of land bounded by West Wildey Street, Leopard Street, Richmond Street, and North Front Street; and An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Mercy Street and 12th Street; Fitzwater Street and 5th Street; Snyder Avenue and 10th Street; Ellsworth Street and 9th Street; Mercy Street and 11th Street; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to accept one or more deeds to parcels of land, located at 1114 through 18 Locust Street, 1127 through 31 Waverly Street, 831 through 39 South Street; and amending Chapter 15-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled, "Fairmount Park," to include the gardens under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks and Recreation; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development all or part of a parcel of land bounded by Tulip Street, East Tucker Street, Memphis Street, and East Albert Street, for further conveyance.
Those four bills will be referred to the appropriate committees.
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 Thirty-First Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And that resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution honoring Betty Jean Nobles on the occasion of her retirement after thirty-four years of commitment and dedication to the students of the Philadelphia School District.
That resolution will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution Recognizing and Honoring the Cunningham Piano Company on the occasion of their 123rd Birthday and for being featured on the Science Channel's program "How It's Made".
That resolution will also be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. That concludes the introduction of bills and resolutions. We will now have reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for a report from the Committee of the Whole.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee of the with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, can you please read that report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee of the Whole, to which was referred Resolution No. 140791, entitled "A resolution appointing Ahmeenah Young to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Municipal Authority"; and Resolution No. 140792, entitled "A resolution appointing Michelle Lai to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Municipal Authority"; and Resolution No. 140811, entitled "A resolution confirming the appointment of JoAnn Epps, Esquire, as a member of the Board of Ethics, to serve in the term ending November 16, 2019"; and Resolution No. 140812, entitled "A resolution appointing Jay S. Feldstein to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion, for a term ending January 5, 2017"; and Resolution No. 140872, entitled "A resolution appointing Michael Piper to the position of Chief Assessment Officer of the Office of Property Assessment," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached resolutions to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. These resolutions will be placed on our next session of Council for final passage. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Goode for a report from the Committee of Appropriation.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Appropriations reports three bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Appropriations, to which was referred Bill No. 140861, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2014 within the General Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions"; and Bill No. 140862, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2014 within the Water Fund from certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions"; and Bill No. 140863, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2014 Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions to the Police Department and the Director of Finance - Fringe Benefits," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. Bills No. 140861, 140862, and 140863 will be placed on our First Reading Calendar at our next session of Council. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Goode for a report from the Committee of Commerce and Economic Development.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Commerce and Economic Development reports two bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, please read that
The Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, to which was referred Bill No. 140829, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 18-201 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Leases of Airport Facilities,' by requiring Ground Handling Service providers under service contracts with air carriers, including subcontractors providing such services, who are operating at Philadelphia International Airport to secure labor peace agreements to minimize the risk of service disruptions and lost revenue to the City generated from enplanements"; and Bill No. 140860, entitled "An ordinance establishing a new Chapter 17-2200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Labor Peace Agreements For Hotels Where The City Has a Financial Interest," by requiring a labor agreement to protect the City's proprietary interest in hotel operations which lease or are financed with City assistance," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 140829 and 140860. (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. 140829 and 140860. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and those bills will be on our Second and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Neilson for a report from the Committee of Technology and Information Services.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Technology and Information Services reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
The Committee on Technology and Information Services, to which was referred Bill No. 140830, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the City Solicitor, on behalf of the City, to enter into a multi-year contract with a provider of codification, editing, and printed and electronic versions of the 11th edition of The Philadelphia Code, a Zoning and Planning Supplement and the 2015 Reprint of The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, with periodic supplements to each," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you very much. And the Chair again recognizes Councilman Neilson.
I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the first reading this day of Bill No. 140830. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to allow first reading this day of Bill No. 140830. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that bill will be on our Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. That concludes the committee report, and we will now have consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be on our Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on our First Reading, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for a motion concerning the bills on the Second and Final Reading Passage.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of Consent Agenda to consider the following bills on Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars: Nos. 140802-A, 140695, 140744, 140745, 140798, 140799, 140803, 140513, 140645, 140694, 140742, 140781, 140826, and 140855. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the bills just read by Councilman Jones. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries, and we will consider the Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of 2ND READING calling up bills and resolutions on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Again, thank you, Mr. President. In addition to the bills being considered on the Consent Agenda, the following resolutions and bills are being called up from Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: No. 140870, 140910, 140912, 140913, 140914, 140653, 140924, and 140717. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you, Councilman. Before considering our agenda today, we will have our public comment session. The public comment session will go as follows: If you are interested in testifying on a bill or resolution that's on the Second and Final Passage Calendar at today's session, we ask that you sign up at the table to my left, if you have not already done so. 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. When the light turns green, it is your time to speak. When it turns yellow, you have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. When it turns red, we ask that you adhere to our guidelines and conclude your remarks. You will be given three minutes to testify. Thank you very much. Mr. Decker, call the first name.
Good morning. So I'm here today in front of Council referencing the resolution that is in support of airport workers. I just came here today from a strike at the Philadelphia Airport that baggage handlers have been handling in order to protect their rights to speak out for themselves. This Council has heard over the past couple of years from the thousands of airport workers living in poverty who are working for multi-national billion-dollar contractors, multi-national billion-dollar airlines. You've heard their plight. You've responded to the plight. You moved legislation to try and support them, moving them to be covered under the 21st century wage. We've been very grateful for that support. But as these workers have come forth to tell their stories, some of their employers have come forward to intimidate and illegally harass these workers and to attempt to prevent them from exercising their rights under federal labor law to speak out about the terrible and shameful wages and working conditions that they experience at the Philadelphia Airport. In response to workers being terminated and harassed at PrimeFlight, a subcontractor with U.S. Airways at the airport, today the baggage handlers went on strike at that airport. They initiated a one-day unfair labor practice strike. And we are urging Council today to support these workers in their fight and to support that these workers' rights under federal law are in fact protected. As soon as these workers announced that they were going on strike after workers had been terminated illegally for speaking out about their working conditions, supervisors immediately began to confront individual workers at the airport, pulled them aside, engaging in illegal interrogation, demanding that they tell them whether they're going to strike or not and whether they involved the union or not, whether they had testified to Council or not. That is illegal activity, and today the workers, to send a message, have launched into a one-day strike. For a long time at the Philadelphia Airport, thousands of workers have been laboring in poverty while working for some of the most powerful people in the world. U.S. Airways is the largest airline in the world. Their subcontractors are some of the largest employers in the United States of America and some of the largest employers in Philadelphia. An Irish labor leader once said, The great only appear great because we are on our knees. So stand up. And today airport workers have stood up. We urge this Council to pass this resolution and stand up with them and demand that workers get their lawful right to return to work tomorrow. Thank you.
How everybody doing? Just what Gabe was saying, like we are getting harassed. We took a strike today. So we fighting for like -excuse me. We fighting for our right. Like you know what I mean? We have rights too. We just wanted to be treated fair. Like we told people about our strike and they did ask us things like illegal things that they shouldn't tell us or they shouldn't -- you know what I mean -- they shouldn't ask us. Some we're just here for y'all support. If we get y'all support, we already got their support. We just need y'all support. We need this bill to be passed that says we can go back to work tomorrow morning and nothing happen to us. You know what I mean? If we get that, we fine. We just want them to realize that we're not playing no more. It's time to buckle down. We serious now. That's it. Thank you.
Good morning, Mr. President and Councilmen and women. My name is Hasson Benson. I'm here on behalf of not only PrimeFlight strikers, but every person that's struggling to get by because of companies such as PrimeFlight. I've been working for PrimeFlight 11 months now. I've been astonished by the unorganized procedures that go on within this company. PrimeFlight is a subcontract company that only cares about self-gain within their corporate office. I was once one of those optimistic workers that was scared to even think of striking because of the potential consequences PrimeFlight threatened us with. But I realize I'm a born leader and I would not back down to PrimeFlight. Ladies and gentlemen, I understand the influence that Councilmen and women such as y'all can have, and I'm just asking for the help and I would like y'all to stand up with us as we lead a new journey, a new road, and start building young men and women such as myself to give them the confidence to stand up. I understand that it's not easy, but I decided to come here and just take this chance today. Thank you. Have a good day.
Thank you so much for your testimony. (Applause.)
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 bills on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 140870. Thank you, Mr. Decker. I can always depend on you to make sure that I stay on point. We will now consider today's Consent Agenda. I would ask that Mr. Decker read the titles of all the bills on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the bill on the Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the bill will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on our regular Final Decker now will please read the titles of the bills on the Consent Agenda.
Bill No. 140802-A, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Zoning and Planning,' by prohibiting group day cares in certain residential zoning districts"; and Bill No. 140695, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2015 within the General Fund from the Department of Human Services - Prisons to the Office of Housing and Community Development, to support landscaping and lot-cleaning jobs in the Philadelphia Re-Entry Employment Program for Returning Citizens"; and Bill No. 140744, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land area bounded by 18th Street, Diamond Street, 24th Street, Norris Street, 25th Street, Ridge Avenue, Glenwood Avenue, Diamond Street, 25th Street, Sedgley Avenue, Dauphin Street, and Glenwood Avenue"; and Bill No. 140745, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Broad Street, Diamond Street, 18th Street, Glenwood Avenue and Lehigh Avenue"; and Bill No. 140798, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 25th Street, Oxford Avenue, Glenwood Avenue, and Ridge Avenue"; and Bill No. 140799, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land area bounded by 25th Street, North College Avenue, West College Avenue, Girard Avenue, 31st Street, Master Street, 32nd Street, Jefferson Street, 31st Street, and Oxford Avenue"; and Bill No. 140803, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Knights Road, Red Lion Road, East Keswick Road, Morrell Avenue, East Crown Avenue, and Clarendon Avenue"; and Bill No. 140513, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 11-612 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Sidewalk and Roadway Lane Closures," by amending the penalty and enforcement provisions"; and Bill No. 140645, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the plotting upon a portion of City Plan No. 297 of a right-of-way for sewer and drainage purposes abutting the southeasterly side Court, southwest of Henry Avenue"; and Bill No. 140694, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on the 4400 block of North 5th Street between Cayuga Street and Blavis Street"; and Bill No. 140742, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Old Nelson PA Four doing business as Old Nelson Food Company to construct, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 3020 Market Street"; and Bill No. 140781, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the construction of a sewer and appurtenant work in a proposed right-of-way, required to alleviate unsanitary conditions in a portion of Adams Avenue"; and Bill No. 140826, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Joshua Shemesh to install, own and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe at 1301 Frankford Avenue"; and 140855, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Parking Regulations and Penalties,' by adding new rules and penalties for persons who offer for sale or sell, lease, reserve or facilitate the reserving of any parking space located on a street roadway, cartway, or portion thereof, owned or controlled by the City of Philadelphia."
Thank you, Mr. Decker. These bills having been read on two different days, the question for each bill now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker shall call the roll, and upon being called, each member shall vote aye on each of the bills, nay on each of the bills or indicate those bills for which the member is voting aye and those bills for which the member is voting nay. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye on all bills. A majority of members present having voted in the affirmative for each of the bills, the bills on the Consent Agenda are now passed. We now will consider the resolutions and bills on the regular Second Reading and Final Passage, and Mr. Decker, I would like to ask you to read Resolution 140870.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING 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.
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 140870 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 140910.
A resolution 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING 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 Twenty-Eighth and Forty-Seventh Wards 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 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it, and Resolution 140910 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 140912.
A resolution also naming Earp Street between 18th Street and 19th Street "Reverend Dr. Daniel T. Black Square" to honor the memory of Reverend Dr. Daniel T. Black and to recognize his life and memorialize his lasting legacy.
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 Resolution 140912 is 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. Mr. Decker, 140913.
A resolution supporting the clients and their lawyers, the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia and the Education Law Center - Pennsylvania, in their suit to enforce Pennsylvania's constitutional guarantee of a "thorough and efficient system of public education," and urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to provide a fair and predictable formula funded by adequate revenues that reflects the Commonwealth's values.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 140913 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 140914.
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, identified by house number and street address as 4251 North Reese Street.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and 140914 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 140924.
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 Thirty-First Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 140924 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 140802-A. I'm sorry. That's on the Consent. 140717.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-3900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Tax Exemptions For Longtime Owner-Occupants of Residential Properties," by specifying certain circumstances sufficient to demonstrate equitable ownership of a property under the Longtime Owner Occupants Program.
This bill has been read on two separate days. 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, read the title of 140653.
An ordinance amending Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Finance, Taxes and Collections," by providing for an expanded tax credit for employment of veterans.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions.
A resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings regarding the Department of Human Services' Improving Outcomes for Children initiative and the Community 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING Umbrella Agency provider system, introduced by Councilwoman Tasco.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion.
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, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution emphatically urging the Philadelphia International Airport to pursue all available and lawful alternatives to facilitate a resolution to the labor dispute that is fair to all parties that 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING ensures uninterrupted service at the Airport and that sustains the breadth of the air carrier services upon which the City and its citizens depend, introduced by Councilman Johnson.
Council President, may I speak on the resolution first, please.
Thank you very much, Council President. First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the work of my colleague Councilman Wilson Goode, Jr. for addressing the issue of labor harmony and protecting the workers out at the Philadelphia International Airport, but also his efforts in leading the charge in making sure that all the workers out at the Philadelphia International Airport receive a fair living wage, 21st century living wage. 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING And so earlier this morning, actually 7 o'clock this morning, myself, Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr., Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, as well as Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez stood with workers at the Philadelphia International Airport who believed that their work environment under the subcontractor company known as PrimeFlight is an environment that is not conducive into their overall health and well-being, individuals who felt like they were intimidated by the management of the company based upon them expressing their freedom to organize and even seek interest in joining an organized union but, most importantly, making sure that their work environment is an environment that's supportive of them as they work at the Philadelphia International Airport. And so I want to thank them for stepping up to the plate for advocating for those who need a voice, advocating for those who cannot fight for themselves. And we all understand that 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING in order for you to have a world-class international airport, which I support wholeheartedly, you have to have a world-class workforce that's paid, because at the end of the day, the workers at the Philadelphia International Airport are the backbone of that organization's overall operation. So I just want to ask all members of Council who signed on to the resolution, I want to thank them for their support, because the resolution was signed -- it was supported by all members of Council. We want to continue advocating to make sure that there's some type of resolve from all the stakeholders out there to make sure that we don't have an interrupted international airport and make sure that we can do business on a day-to-day basis. So I just want to thank you, and I ask for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring Master Gunnery Sergeant James J. Babst Jr.'s retirement from the United States Marine Corps and celebrating his 30 years of faithful and honorable service, introduced by Councilman Neilson.
I move for the adoption of the resolution, Mr. President. (Duly seconded.)
It's 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring and recognizing the colleges, universities and academic institutions participating in higher education partnerships with the School District of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring Betty Jean Nobles on the occasion of her retirement after thirty-four years of commitment and dedication to the students of the Philadelphia School District, introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? 11/20/14 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution Recognizing and Honoring the Cunningham Piano Company on the occasion of their 123rd Birthday and for being featured on the Science Channel's program "How It's Made," introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
There are no other resolutions on the Calendar for consideration, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. Next on the agenda is the consideration of the Suspension Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon for a motion on Bill No. 130451.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill No. 130451 be removed from the Suspension Calendar and placed on the Final Passage Calendar for next week's Council session. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. Mr. Decker will read the title of the bill.
Bill No. 130451, "An ordinance amending Section 19-1806 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Authorization of Realty and Use and Occupancy Tax,' including by providing for special tax provisions for manufacturers."
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 130451 be removed from the Suspension Calendar and placed on the Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion is adopted, and Bill No. 130451 will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. The Chair again recognizes a motion on Bill No. 130656.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Bill No. 130656 be removed from the Suspension Calendar and placed on the Final Passage Calendar for next Council session. (Duly seconded.)
Bill No. 130656, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, by further providing for revised sign controls; and amending Chapter 9-600, by adjusting the licensing fees for commercial outdoor advertising signs and information required in the annual inventory of signs; and amending Chapter 19-3400, entitled 'Excise Tax on Outdoor Advertising Transactions,' by adjusting the excise tax on outdoor advertising signs.
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that Bill No. 130656 be removed from the Suspension Calendar and placed on the Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Bill No. 130656 will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council. That completes our Calendar for today. At this time, I'd like to ask if there are any speeches on the part of the minority? And the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I just wanted events that I'm hosting. One is our 3rd Annual Youth Non-Profit Symposium, and that is going to be held at Pierce College on Wednesday, December the 2nd, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and that is an opportunity for non-profit organizations that serve youth to hear how to get more funding from private foundations and corporations and to meet the corporations and foundations themselves. And this year some of them include Comcast, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Health Partners Foundation, The Allen Hilles Foundation, Rosenlund Family Foundation, Dowdy Foundation, Seybert Foundation, and Patricia Kind Family Foundation, and we certainly do thank them. I'm sorry. December 10th, not 2nd. Did I say the 2nd? December the 10th. And, finally, there is on Friday, December 5th the final award show for PHL Live Center Stage, and I did certainly want to invite all the Councilmembers and staff to please come to this event to support local artists and the music industry. And I appreciate the opportunity to let the public know. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. Malcolm X said that education is our children's passport to the future and it carries our students over a bridge of a life of success. Yesterday Chairwoman of Education, Councilwoman Blackwell, along with Councilman Squilla had some hearings on standardized tests that I thought were very important, extremely crucial. And one of the things that I took out of them was that we get hung up in statistics of measurement of our students and sometimes is truly important, which are the outcomes and successes that the students have. One of the people that testified -- I can't remember exactly which one, Jannie -- said that a lot of our kids come out with the standardized test high scores wind up going to education institutions and wind up flunking out, wind up being returned home, wind up being found wanting, Councilman Squilla, on their level of achievement by way of actually performing in the respective classes that they had. That was striking to me. So when we did this resolution today acknowledging the colleges and universities that actually aren't just here as castles in the sky, but actually reach back into the communities and schools, whether you talk about Temple University that goes into schools in your district or St. Joseph's University, Jannie has obviously one of the goes into the schools, this is an important activity. God knows where our children would be if these schools -- and some of them are very small, Harcum College and others, that reach back, send student teachers into these schools, send special education teachers to do one-on-one practices with kids that have special needs. They are like supporting our budget cuts, our death of a thousand cuts that we've done to public education in this town. And what I wanted to do was really recognize and applaud them. I remember during the budget, another one of your schools, Mr. President, Community College, had some dozen programs that they had reaching back, helping people in different areas, whether it's CTE training or academic training, to really reach back and provide a first rung of formal education beyond high school. So we need to take a look at doing, ask them to do more, and encourage them and reinforce with positive accolades for the stuff that they're doing. I had an opportunity to go to the public schools in my district, and in just about every one, there was a college or university helping out. So I wanted to put that on the record, Mr. President, thank them for what they're doing, and challenge them to do even more. We're taking a ride up to Harrisburg University tomorrow. It's one of the high-tech STEAM program, paperless universities that they have. They want to co-locate in Overbrook and teach college-level courses to high school kids. We need to use that kind as a model to help reinforce what the work that the SRC and the School District and the teachers are doing in our schools, and I wanted to put that on the record. And thank you very much.
Thank you, Councilman. Councilman, did you say you're going to Harrisburg University?
I was going to ask you if you were going to stop over at the Capitol while you were up there.
If you need me to stop over and get some resources, I would be glad to take that up. You do it so much. Maybe I'll alleviate that burden from you for a minute.
That would help. There's some staffers up there that pretty much do most of the work, similar to what goes on around here. I'd ask you to kind of check in on the agenda is.
You let me know what the agenda is, I will perform it, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. I wanted to recognize two young people that have been in my office today from New Foundations Charter School, and it's their shadow day. So as you say, Council President, to see your government in action is what they got to see today and how we prepare for a Council session, and they're going to have the pleasure of joining some of my staff, along with myself, in some of our many meetings that will take us through the rest of the day. So with that, I'd like to recognize and ask them to stand up, Malorano, who are both sophomores at the New Foundations Charter School. I just want to recognize them and thank you for coming in here today as a part of your shadow day to see your government in action. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd just like to make a comment and give a shout-out and a thank-you to Robert Wonderling, President of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, as well as Lisa Crutchfield and Joe Grace for listening to my plea for the Chamber to engage more into our neighborhoods. So over two years ago, they had a bus tour of the 9th Councilmanic District and we showed them the various business and the work we have been doing, and it was quite productive and they were quite excited. And then as a result of that, they had established these listening tours, and this past couple of months they have had these listening tours throughout the councilmanic districts to engage the community, to have an idea of how people feel about their community, how they feel about Philadelphia, and also to give them an opportunity to feel included on what decisions will be made relative to their quality of life in the community. And the business community has, I think, an obligation to be supportive, not only of downtown Philadelphia but also the neighborhoods, and I want to thank them. We had a good session. I was not there. I was here in a hearing, but I want to thank State Representative Dwight Evans and, of course, Sharmain Matlock-Turner, who served as -- she's on the Board of the Chamber, but also from that community good understanding of the issues that we deal with there as well as other communities. So it was a good experience. I believe they're going to continue it. I think the velocity of the Chamber under Mr. Wonderling, not that other Chamber Presidents haven't been concerned about our city as well as all of our communities, are moving in a direction that will engage our neighborhoods. And neighborhoods are very important. So it's just not downtown Philadelphia. It's made up of neighborhoods, which includes downtown. So thank them very much for their listening and taking action to be inclusive.
Thank you, Councilwoman. And, again, I know I'm not supposed to do this, but I briefly want to concur with you that we really appreciate working with the Chamber on the initiative to get out in neighborhoods, but I do want to remind members in the audience, on December the 2nd at 6:00 to 8:00 at WHYY, City Council -- I know you all have that information -- City Council's Community Sustainability Initiative will start its process. We're actually going to be working with the Chamber on having joint meetings in neighborhoods. The whole issue about creating quality of life, that every neighborhood in the City of Philadelphia is a neighborhood of choice, and we had one meeting. The first meeting in the neighborhood was in Councilwoman Bass's district last week, and it was well received. So we look forward to working with the Chamber and getting out in the neighborhoods and making sure that we give people an opportunity to talk about the importance of rebuilding their communities in a very aggressive way. Thank you, Councilwoman, for bringing that to our attention. Johnson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to make two brief statements. One, today I passed an extension to the Longtime Owner Occupants Program that will allow individuals who have tangled titles to participate in the LOOP program. I want to thank all my colleagues for voting an affirmative yes and passing that bill, primarily because as a result of AVI we have seen a significant increase in taxes throughout the 2nd Councilmanic District and we want to make sure that long-term residents who do not have a title in their name to still benefit from the LOOP program. And so I want to thank all of you for stepping up to the plate and allowing me to support those individuals who are most in need when it comes to getting a tax break and participating in the LOOP program and, most importantly, so they wouldn't have to lose their Also, tomorrow, Friday at Vare Recreation Center in South Philadelphia from 11:00 to 3:00, we will be hosting our annual job fair, and this is an event that I pride myself in, because nevertheless, we don't have job fairs for the sake of having job fairs. We partner with CareerLink to make sure people are getting interviewed. We partner with CareerLink to make sure people are getting hired. We have several different individuals who can testify and provide their testimony as to how they come out to participate in the job fairs and have the opportunity to find gainful employment. So I want to encourage everyone to come out. Again, that's at Vare Recreation Center, tomorrow at 11:00 a.m., and we encourage everyone who will be participating to come dressed for success. note, I just want to -- as we embark upon Thanksgiving, I just want to thank all my colleagues just for their support during this last month, obviously with the passing of my mom but also the birthing of my son. And although all of us may not all be on the same page politically, we treat each other civil and we support one another. So I want to thank all of you. And I want to also thank you for your words of encouragement over the last couple of days as I dealt with what I call a bias in a certain type of portrayal of me in certain media outlets regarding how I go about doing my business in City Council, how I go about the disposition of land and doing business as the 2nd District Councilperson. And I recognize as a young man, I'm a big boy, this is politics, and I understand that and all the nuances that go along with it, but nevertheless, I've always been a man of integrity and operate with a sense of class. My constituents know that. I just want to put that out there just for the public, because a lot of my constituents say what's this unfair portrayal that they're trying to paint you as a crony in the public, but nevertheless, I do the work for the people. I stand on that. I pride myself on that, and I just wanted to thank all of you for your support and your words of encouragement. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. And you keep up the good work. You may see some residents from North Philadelphia at your job fair, because I was at a recreation center at 26th and Master, Brewerytown, the other day and you had two flyers up on the bulletin board about the job fair. So a couple people asked me about a job. I pointed to the flyer. I said, Go see Johnson, he'll take care of you.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. Along the theme that you started, this week I started in a poverty summit co-sponsored by my colleague Councilman Jones where the stark realities of the tale of two cities in the City of Philadelphia were highlighted. It was encouraging to see a room full of advocates who are recommitting and reaffirming their commitment to combat poverty in the City of Philadelphia. And then yesterday we had a room full of advocates who are extremely concerned about the state of education, and our Education Chair, Councilwoman Blackwell, said, Why do we keep finding not one way but two ways of telling our kids that they're failures? It's sad about the amount of money behind labeling our kids, given the struggles that we face in our school system. And then this morning, as was mentioned by Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, we stood out there with these workers on a very cold day, and to see these people, men and women, working really hard, struggling to survive, asking for some dignity. Sometimes I feel like we're supposed to be in a better position and I feel that people have voted for us and entrusted in us, and we have to do a better job of bringing this together. Next week under the leadership of Councilman Henon, we'll be talking about the Land Bank strategic plan, which synergetically works with, Council President, your goals around affordable housing and how do we create these sustainable choice neighborhoods in every And you read the paper and you look at the mayoral esperanzas 2015 and I say to them, if you're aspiring to be on the second floor, you'd better start listening about what we're talking about on the fourth floor, because essentially what we have done -(Applause.)
-- what we have done is established what I think is the primary agenda for 2015 - how do we deal with poverty, how do we make sure people have living-wage jobs, how do we give our young people an opportunity through our education system, and how do we protect people in their homes. That's what we've been doing in City Council. I hope the mayoral esperanzas get it and listen to the wonderful debate that happens here on the fourth floor, because Philadelphians deserve nothing less. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. I'm sure that will be on overload before the day is out. Thank you, Councilwoman. Keep up the good work. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I didn't say something that was to me personally and I think for a city a very big event. Sometimes we let the big ones go because I don't think sometimes you need to say anything, but unfortunately when you do that, you miss the opportunity to say thank you to the Councilmembers, all the Councilmembers here, and to really say to the citizens of Philadelphia that today this Council body has further distinguished itself in a very positive way with the passage of the veterans hiring tax credit, which is the most significant in this nation for any municipality. And I will say personally every time I've been to a veterans event, positively received, and it is in keeping with the Year of the Veteran and all the work that this body has done to make that issue a substantial issue for this city. And it doesn't mean that everything is perfect right now, but it means that this body has done, I think, a yeoman's job in picking up this issue, which is so encouraging and I truly think a good model for the rest of this country. So congratulations to our city and thank you, all our Councilmembers, and, Council President, for your leadership in really putting this issue forward. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Councilman. Keep up that good work. There being no other speeches, I'd like to call on Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, that City Council is adjourned until Thursday, December 4th, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has moved and properly seconded that City Council stand adjourned until Thursday, December 4th, 10:00 a.m. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Thank you all very much. ) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. ) A 125:9,19 Agency 42:14 amen 5:2,3 47:21 48:21 able 17:6 25:16 ADJOURNME...