Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, October 12, 2017 10:45 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 COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN AL TAUBENBERGER MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting October 12, 2017
Good morning. We're going to get started now, if members will take their seats and visitors retire behind the rail. Thank you. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Mr. Larry Gallegar of Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Al Taubenberger. I would ask all members, guests, and visitors to please rise. (Councilmembers, guests, and visitors rise.)
Thank you, President Clarke. And I'd like to thank everybody here for allowing me to be here and pray today. I want to just open up briefly with Proverbs from the Book of Wisdom, Proverbs, Chapter 11, Verse 14. It goes something like this: Without wise counsel, the people fall, but in the multitude of counsel, there is safety. Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 would be appropriate to start here, because I'm a small business owner and I have about 25 employees, and I find it almost impossible for me to go to work every day without reading the word, hitting my knees and praying for my employees. I've been successful. I've been blessed by God for many years now. And I can't imagine what it would be like to be responsible for a city of 1.5 million people and make decisions and rules that affect so many of us. So I just want to pray for Council and let you folks get started with your work, and just thank you again for letting me be here. Heavenly Father, we just ask you, Lord, as you look down upon this assembly, that you -- we know that you see every heart that's here. You know every secret, every intention. And, Lord, we need your wisdom. I pray that Council, all of our Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 the City, every department, every public servant, that they would seek your will and your wisdom and the power to carry it out every day. We ask all this in the wonderful name of Jesus. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you very much for those inspiring words. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Gallegar. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 5th, 2017, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 5th, 2017 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, October 5th stand approved. All those in favor 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, there are no requests of leave of absence today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 Councilman Oh.
Yes. On behalf of the minority, there is one request for leave. That is by Minority Leader Councilman Brian O'Neill.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The record shall reflect leave shall be granted.
At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to welcome everyone and thank you for taking time out of your busy day to come down and witness your government in action. We genuinely appreciate you being here today. We hope your stay here today is a knowledgeable one but, more importantly, a pleasurable one, so much Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 back again. Again, thank you for being here. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh, who will present a resolution recognizing Philadelphia's Stephen Starr, Michael Solomonov, and Greg Vernick as winners of the 2017 James Beard Awards. Would Mr. Starr and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. Oh, I'm sorry, Councilwoman.
Mr. President, before we begin our presentation, may I make an introduction?
Thank you. We'll just let Councilman Oh stand there longer than everybody. It is with great pleasure that Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 guests today. In fact, we had them here at our meeting last night with the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs and Echoes of Africa. They are here. First, I would like to -- they are the Brazilian Delegation that we're welcoming here. Of course, we have our own Honorable Stanley Straughter, part of the Commission, part of Echoes, immediate past President, UNESCO, Honorary Consul to Guinea, and so many other -- wears so many other hats. He is here with -would all of them stand for us as we call your name. Dr. Ken Dossar, Mandinga Productions; Mr. Leonel Leal Neto, Director of the Center for Studies and Strategies in International Relations. We're having a meeting today on tourism that we hope you all will attend. Mr. Felipe Lucas. He's a city councilman from Salvador, Bahia, leader of the Cabinet Delegation. So he's your counterpart, Mr. President, in Salvador. Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 Ahmed, Director of Promotions, Bahiatursa; Mr. Pedro Gramacho, Marketing Manager, Bahiatursa; and Lucicleide Nascimento, Bahiatursa. They are in Philly to celebrate Bahia Week and to explore collaborating with the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs on the development of African heritage tourism in Philly and Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. As you know, outside of Africa, Brazil has the largest population of Africans. Philly and Salvador have been working together since 1984. The City of Salvador has an 80 percent population of Afro-Brazilian people. We thank Dr. Ken Dossar from Temple, Suzana Silva, who couldn't join us, and Leonel Leal Neto, as well as our own Stan Straughter for organizing this program to organize African heritage tourism initiatives. Thank you. There they are.
Thank you. Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 (Applause.)
Welcome. Thank you for being here. Councilman Oh. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman Oh, we have Councilman Squilla, Councilwoman Bass, Councilman Domb, and Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Just briefly, we are so pleased that the three chefs, famous chefs of Philadelphia, have been honored with a tremendous recognition, and just the publicity, of course, has really elevated our city, as has their restaurants. Philadelphia is a destination point, and it has added to our culture and to our tourism. And with that, let me recognize and honor Philadelphia's Stephen Starr, Michael Solomonov, and Greg Vernick as Winners of the 2017 James Beard Awards. Whereas, established in 1990, Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields and celebrate, nurture, and honor chefs and other leaders making America's food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone. They are considered the most prestigious culinary awards in America, and Time magazine has called them, quote, "the Oscars of the food world"; and Whereas, facing extremely tough national competition, 20 restaurants, chefs, and restauranteurs from the Greater Philadelphia area were named semifinalists for the 2017 James Beard Awards; and
Whereas, on May 1st, 2017, 3 individuals based in Philadelphia were announced as winners at the 2017 James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago - a major recognition of the excellent culinary scene in Philadelphia; and Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 Whereas, the 2017 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur was presented to Stephen Starr of Starr Restaurants, based in Philadelphia. This award is given to a working restaurateur who sets high national standards in restaurant operations and entrepreneurship. Philadelphia alone is home to 19 popular Stephen Starr restaurants; and
This is the perfect date night restaurant, folks. I've done it, trust me. If you haven't been to Zahav, it is well worth it. The 2017 James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef was presented to Michael Solomonov of Zahav in Philadelphia. This award is given to a working chef in America whose career has set national industry standards and who has served as an inspiration to other food professionals. Solomonov and chef-business partner Steven Cook own 6 restaurants in Philadelphia including Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 Zahav, their first restaurant; and Whereas, the 2017 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic was presented to Greg Vernick of Vernick Food & Drink in Philadelphia. This award is given to a chef who has set new or consistent standards of excellence in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. While Vernick's restaurant near Rittenhouse Square has been open for only 5 years, he was a James Beard Award finalist for the past 3 consecutive years; and
Whereas, for years, Philadelphia and visitors have enjoyed exquisite dining experiences at restaurants run by Stephen Starr, Michael Solomonov, Greg Vernick, now validated by the 2017 James Beard Awards as some of the finest in the United States. Philadelphia's James Beard Award winners feed the growth of the City's creative economy, and recognition bolsters the Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 growing hub of excellence in creativity and culture; and Whereas, Philadelphia takes great pride in its food, and Michael Solomonov, Stephen Starr, and Greg Vernick's restaurants are beloved local favorites. These Philadelphians are more than deserving of their illustrious awards, and the City of Philadelphia applauds their significant contribution in building the local restaurant scene into one which now receives national renowned attention; now, therefore, be it
I'm going to add a few words off the record here, but the good news is is that all three of these tremendous restaurant entrepreneurs behind me, fortunately or unfortunately, I have eaten at every one of their restaurants, and I must say, they're unbelievable. But for Philadelphia the uniqueness is that we took more James Beard Awards than any other city in the country, which is pretty amazing, and we Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 to thank for that. So it hereby recognizes and honors Philadelphia's Stephen Starr, Michael Solomonov, and Greg Vernick as winners of the 2017 James Beard Awards. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of the resolution be presented to Stephen Starr, Michael Solomonov, and Greg Vernick as evidence of the admiration and respect of this legislative body. Let me say a few other words. Greg Vernick has a fabulous restaurant 2000 block of Walnut and he's opening a new restaurant in the new Comcast Four Seasons that will be a world-class restaurant. Tremendous congratulations to him. And Michael Solomonov and Jeff Cook have now, I think, 12 restaurants, whether they're Federal Donuts or Zahav or Abe Fisher or Dizengoff, and they're all over. They're from Miami to New York Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 Stephen Starr has 36 total restaurants, with Le Coucou in New York being the big, big winner in the James Beard Awards. So tremendous congratulations to all three. And thank you, Councilman. Thank you. (Applause.)
And the Chair recognizes Mr. Starr for remarks.
Thank you very much for this honor. It is truly an honor to be held in such esteem by your hometown. I really want to thank the City of Philadelphia, because I have restaurants here and in New York and Miami and Washington, DC and soon at Los Angeles, but I would be nothing if it weren't for this city. This is the city I started in, the city that embraced what I did, the city that kept me going and Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 these years. So my biggest gratitude is to the City of Philadelphia and to the people, who really made me what I am today, and I want to thank you very much and I hope City Council continues to make this city a city that can thrive for small business and business, because I was here before all the restaurants were such a big deal and it was a city that was not growing, and once the restaurant scene started here -- and I'm not the only one that started it -- it became such a vital city and such an important city, and I hope that that stays in your mindset as you pass laws and consider the future of the City. Anyway, thank you very much and it truly is an honor to be here. (Applause.)
Thank you very Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 you, City Council. To echo what Stephen said, this is truly an honor to be recognized. I too love the City with all my heart. My business is here. My family is here. I spend every day here. I'm very proud to represent Philadelphia. I'm going to continue working hard to make this city even better than it is. I've seen it grow over the last five years and I want to continue to push. I want to thank both Stephen and Michael for sort of creating such an amazing foundation for the restaurant community for us to be part of. And really thank you very much. We're just going to keep pushing. Thank you. (Applause.)
I just want to thank you all personally and thank you to City Council and for the great City of Philadelphia. It was an honor to be able to hold a medal to win a national award Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 to celebrate the city in which we've sort of come up in. I'm not from Philadelphia. I've lived here for 17 years, and I'm proud to be sort of a child of Philadelphia. I feel like I have grown up here as an adult, and to start here in 2000 and to see where we've come, it's just amazing. I think that culturally, culinary, we have so much going on for the City, and it's amazing to get New Yorkers and DC to come to Philadelphia to have dinner. There's something really -maybe from an ego perspective, I just find it to be really awesome. So thank you very much, and we'll continue doing a good job for you. (Applause.) (Council at ease.)
Congratulations again and thank you very much. The next order of business is communications, and the Chair requests Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, would you please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on October 11, 2017, I signed the following bill which was passed by Council at its session on September 28, 2017: Bill No. 161106.
Mr. Decker, do you have any other messages or communication?
Thank you very much. Our next order of business will be the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 Mr. President. I offer one privileged resolution, two non-privileged resolutions, and I would like to be recognized for a motion after the title of the resolution on the Clean Car Standards, and I do offer one bill on your behalf.
An ordinance amending Chapter 16-300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Maintenance and Supervision," by authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to promulgate regulations prohibiting City employees from possessing certain symbols, materials, and objects in City-owned or City-occupied facilities.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the Philadelphia Alumnae Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Congress of the United States to protect access to preventive health services at Planned Parenthood Health Centers in Pennsylvania.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman -- no? The next one. All right. And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution celebrating the Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 5th Anniversary of the Clean Car Standards and Urging the Federal Government to Strengthen Fuel Economy Standards That Reduce Pollution and Reliance on Fossil Fuels.
The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
And I thank you, Mr. President. I ask for a suspension of the rules so that the Clean Car Standard resolution can be heard on today's Final Passage Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 ayes have it, and that will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce no new legislation. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer two resolutions.
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 Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 improvements thereon, situate in the Thirty-Second Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
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 Thirty-Second Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Next week's Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I have one privileged resolution. Stated Meeting October 12, 2017
A non-privileged resolution also naming the 8100 Block of Fairfield Street as "Dr. Angelo DiBello Place."
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring the life of esteemed community advocate Kesho Watson, who passed away on Monday, October 9, 2017.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 Johnson.
Council President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have two resolutions, one non-privileged, one privileged.
A privileged resolution proclaiming October 15, 2017 as Ronald McDonald House Global Day of Change in the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution renaming the 4200 block of Markland Street "David Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 Howarth Way."
Next week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one privileged resolution. It's co-sponsored by Councilmembers Taubenberger, Reynolds Brown, Gym, Domb, Green, and Bass. And I also offer one bill on your behalf, and after the title of the bill is read, I would like to make a brief comment.
An ordinance authorizing and approving the execution Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 and delivery of a Service Agreement between the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority relating to the financing of a home repair program for City homeowners; approving the issuance by such Authority of bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (including reimbursement obligations related to lines or letters of credit) in one or more series to finance or refinance such program and authorizing and approving the obligation of the City to pay in full when due the Service Fee and other amounts payable under the Service Agreement; authorizing certain City officers to take certain actions required to issue such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness; covenanting that the City will make necessary appropriations in each of the City's fiscal years to provide for, and will make timely payments of, the Service Fee and other amounts due under the Service Agreement. Stated Meeting October 12, 2017
Thank you, Mr. President. As members of this Council, along with the Administration, worked to get the Rebuild initiative passed, there was a lot of excitement about the infrastructure improvements to be made to our parks, rec centers, and libraries, because all Philadelphians could enjoy them sort of indirectly, but, Mr. President, today is a very special day, because this legislation that we are introducing in fact will enhance affordable housing in the City of Philadelphia. And I literally want to borrow your line. The best way to increase affordable housing in the City is to maintain our existing housing stock. And I just want to take a minute to say thank you. And members of the public may remember that last year we passed a very small increase to the Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 realty transfer tax that would allow us to issue $100 million in bonds, and 60 million of that 100 went to eliminating the massive backlog associated with our Basic Systems Home Repair and over 8,000 people will receive assistance from that. But this legislation that I've introduced today on your behalf will allow the remaining $40 million to move forward with the service agreement between the City and the Redevelopment Authority to administer a home loan repair program. And I say "loan" because it will be sustainable. We're not talking about simply just passing out grants and when the well is dry, it's dry and we have nowhere else to go. People now will have access to revenue that will assist them to repair crumbling steps, fix a retaining wall, get their bricks pointed and, Mr. President, if they choose, get the driveway repaired. And this has been an issue in the City for a long time. It may not be a big deal to Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 some people, but if you own a house and are retired in the City and make a nickel over the income eligibility guidelines for any of the City's grant programs, this means everything to you, and this would not have happened without your leadership, and I wanted to say thank you for the record.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Jones, you hear that? She's talking about getting those driveways. I know you've been on that for a minute.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution honoring and recognizing the students, staff, and partners of Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 Hill-Freedman World Academy High School, in collaboration with LiveConnections, on the release of FIRST VERSE, a student-led, original CD album of poetry set to music.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Good morning, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Good morning, Mr. President. I have one privileged and one non-privileged resolution.
A privileged Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 resolution commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Temple University Urban Archives and honoring the essential role that the Urban Archives have played in preserving a record of Philadelphia's history and culture.
And a non-privileged resolution urging President Donald Trump and Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke to protect thousands of Haitians living in Philadelphia and nationwide through the extension of Haiti's Temporary Protected Status designation beyond January 22nd, 2018.
That will be on next week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Good morning, Council President and Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 colleagues. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one non-privileged resolution.
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.
That will be on next week's Calendar. Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one non-privileged resolution.
A non-privileged resolution opposing the decision by the Trump Administration to roll back access to contraceptive coverage for female employees under the Affordable Care Act.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I offer one privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 Church on the Occasion of its 200th Anniversary.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
The next order of business will be the reports of committees. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a report of the Committee of Finance.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. The Committee on Finance reports out one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Chief Clerk, would you please read the title of the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 170792, Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-3200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Keystone Opportunity Zone, Economic Development District, and Strategic Development Area,' to provide for additional extensions of certain benefits, under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 170792. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the first reading of this Bill No. 170792. Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. This bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The Clerk please -- the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Public Safety Committee reports one bill out with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Councilman. Chief Clerk, would you please read the title of the report.
The Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred Bill No. 170674, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 10-825 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Stun Guns,' by further providing for the regulation Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 guns, also known as electric or electronic incapacitation devices," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you again, Mr. Chair. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day Bill No. 170674. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the first reading of this day Bill No. 170674. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 2ND READING have it, and this bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business will be the consideration of the Calendar. And I also note that the bills just reported from this committee with a suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next Council session. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading of the Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for the purpose of calling up the resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passages of today's Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today: Nos. 170859, 170860, 170861, 170862, 170863, 170864, 170866, Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 170867, 170868, 170869, 170870, 170873, 170405, 170721, 161105, 170596, 170715, 170718, and 170722. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you, Councilman. Before considering these resolutions and bills, we will consider the public comment as follows: Your public comment must be concerned on the matters of Second Reading and Final Passage for today's Calendar, action of today's Calendar as well. All speakers must sign in in order to testify, and if you have not already please sign in for today's session, do so by giving your name to the Sergeant-of-Arms at the table to my left. And you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-in sheet. You will have three minutes to speak. In order to be fair, all those Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 wishing to speak -- and I intend, as we intend and have been, there will be a minute left you may begin speaking until you see a green light on the podium. When you have 30 seconds remaining in your time, the light will turn yellow, in which your remainder of your time will conclude. You shall conclude your remarks. Once three minutes have passed, the light will turn red and the Sergeant-of-Arms will disconnect the microphone. At that point, we will yield the podium to the next speaker. I also reserve the right pursuant to our rules of Council to limit the repetitious comments on the subject matter. I ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name for our first speaker today.
Patrick Duff, commenting on 170247. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 Council. I'm commenting on the CVS-Walgreens merger and I'm also going to go into a little something else. I got a chance to caucus with some of the members here. The people always do need a voice, and it's good to hear that the Council wants the people's voice or the people's at least -- the people to hear about this merger before it happens. But a couple weeks ago, you had a person come to your Council meeting and made some public comments about an officer that had shot him, and they were some profound comments and they were comments that if he had made these comments maybe a couple weeks after it actually happened, maybe we could have saved another person's life in this Council -- or from the Council meetings. I'm here to ask the public comment not only include a section on the agenda items and especially just the agenda items that are in the Final Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 Passage Calendar, because how could anybody really comment on anything when you suspend the rules of the Council all the time and you move everything to the Final Passage Calendar? People should have the right to comment, and they do in all other cities in this state and they do in Los Angeles, they do in New York, they do in Houston. They do in every other major city have the right to come and make an open public comment about matters of concern. So if I have a matter of concern -- I'll give you an example. I lived in Smyrna, Delaware, a real small town. Such a small town -- my wife doesn't have a driver's license. The Acme was across the street, but it was across Route 13. Now, there was no crosswalks in Smyrna, Delaware, and I'm saying to myself, are they kidding me? There's no crosswalks. How does she get to the store? She calls me at work. She Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 says, Honey, I need to get to the store. I say, Babe, just take the kid, walk him to the store. She said, I can't cross the street. Now, simple enough. I went to the Council. They had an open public comment session in Smyrna, Delaware, which is probably about the population of South Street, and I made the suggestion that we put crosswalks in Smyrna, Delaware. And guess what? There's now crosswalks in Smyrna, Delaware from an open public comment session about a public safety issue. This city is 1.5 million people of good ideas, and we get to see what's actually happening on the internal working parts of the City. Let us have the chance to come and tell you what's happening in the City. Let us come and tell you our thoughts on maybe bills or things that you pass that we don't agree with. I mean, I know that certain people Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 don't agree. Mr. Greenlee told me he doesn't agree. Mr. Jones seems like he agrees. I was going to write a letter. He said to write a letter to everybody and have you guys kind of respond, but I'm asking you in public. I mean, if you don't agree, I understand, but if you do agree, please sponsor a bill to bring open public comment to the City where free speech was born. Can you imagine that? That eight blocks from here we should have a little field trip so we can go visit the Constitution Center, because the First Amendment allows us to have the right to free speech. Please allow that in the place that free speech started. Thank you.
Thank you for your comments. Clerk, would you please read the name of our next speaker.
Joe Danihel, commenting on 170641, 170859, 170864, Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 170870, 170860, 170861, 170868, 170862, 170863, 170809, and 170873. (Witness approached podium.)
This is an official decree of the people in writ of mandamus quo warranto and, as such, requires immediate action and remedy. Every year Council -- every week Council, Mayor, and others transfer private property to the government, probably illegally. What law supersedes the constitutional requirements of due process and just compensation before stealing my home? Did the U.S. Congress, Senate, and General Accounting Office issue documents directing the amounts of just compensation owed in the Logan area? Did Pennsylvania Commonwealth government issue law clearly defining monies owed before government can transfer title? PA Constitution, Article I, Section 10, 26 PA CSA 701 through 716. Was U.S. HUD development bulk when a Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 government agency acquires your property handed to Mr. Danihel multiple times, was book violated? Were Constitution and laws violated? Was trial by jury opposed and denied several times? Did federal taxpayers give Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania additional monies for over a decade? Were some paid and not all, violating equal treatment and cruel and unusual punishment clauses of the Constitution? Has Council, Mayor, and others acknowledged that the District Attorneys refuse sworn duty to prosecute theft of property crimes? Why has no one been prosecuted for violating oath, Constitution, and law violations? The Constitution and laws require immediate remedy of this breach of law or breach of close, breach of fiduciary duty. Your oath of office requires you to act or face prison. 42 USC 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 18 USC 241, 242, 2381, 2384, PA Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 Constitution, Article I, Sections 1 through 11, 26 PA CSA 703, 705, 708, 709, 712, 713, 716, and other laws listed in SCOTUS 15-8965, 14-1330, 14-4056 appear violated. I call for the federal and Commonwealth governments to perform their constitutional obligations to investigate and prosecute all involved in the theft and illegal deed transfer of my home, 1038 West Wyoming Avenue. The denial of God-given 42 USC 1982 property rights for 23 years is egregious, extraordinary, oath-violating, and requires immediate remedy. A just government must obey the rule of law. This color of law government must have its Charter to govern revoked until a constitutionally compliant government is installed. Public servants cannot refuse their sworn duty to act any more than a fireman can refuse to fight a fire. The sovereign people require Constitution and Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 laws be enforced, and jail is required for all who violate oath or law. I remind Council, it takes a lot of cooperation to create and allow monumental corruption, 23 years worth.
Thank you for your comments. Chief Clerk, is there anyone else here who wishes to sign up or has signed up to provide public comment on today's agenda?
John Perttit -Pettit, commenting on Councilwoman Gym's resolution commemorating Temple University's Urban Archives resolution introduced today. (Witness approached podium.)
Great. I just wanted to thank Councilwoman Gym and the rest of Council for honoring Urban Archives' 50th Anniversary. As a lifelong Philadelphian, I've used Urban Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 Archives as a student and have been an employee there for 14 years. We're celebrating our 50th Anniversary dedicated to collecting community material on the history of Philadelphia, and I am presenting a couple of events. One is going to be at Lightbox Film Center at International House, and it's going to be footage from KYW 3 and WPVI 6. Some of you might even appear in the old footage. And then we're also going to have an all-day symposium featuring the founder, Mr. Bass, and we are going to also have speakers like Sam Katz, who has used material, and archivist Margaret Jerrido, among many speakers. So thank you.
Thank you for your comments. Chief Clerk, has anyone else signed up for public comment for today's agenda?
There are no Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 10/12/17 - STATED - 2ND READING other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. Chairman.
Seeing none, this concludes today's public comment period.
We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 170859.
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 Fifty-First Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 10/12/17 - STATED - 2ND READING you, Mr. President. I move the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that Resolution 170859 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 170860.
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 Sixteenth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
The Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 10/12/17 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 170860 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 170861.
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-Second Ward of the Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 10/12/17 - STATED - 2ND READING City of Philadelphia.
The Chair again recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 170861 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 170862.
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 Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 10/12/17 - STATED - 2ND READING City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Fourth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 170862 is adopted. 170863, Mr. Decker.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 10/12/17 - STATED - 2ND READING conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Thirty-Eighth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you again, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 170863 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 170864.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 10/12/17 - 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 Fifty-Second Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
One more time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
For the third and final time, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 170864 is Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 10/12/17 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. Mr. Decker, 170866.
A resolution also naming Ritner Street, between South 17th Street and South 18th Street, "Bishop Louis DeSimone Way," in honor and recognition of his decades of exemplary service to Saint Monica Parish, the worldwide Catholic church, and the City of Philadelphia.
On behalf of Councilman Mark Squilla and myself, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 10/12/17 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it. 170866 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 170867.
A resolution calling upon the Congress of the United States to immediately reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 170867 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 170868.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Stated Meeting October 12, 2017 10/12/17 - 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 Forty-Third Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)