Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. The bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read...
Bill No. 120329, entitled "An ordinance approving the Fiscal Year 2013 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works."
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
I'm abstaining on this bill for a previously disclosed conflict of interest, Mr. President.
Aye. The ayes are 16. Let the record reflect that Councilman Green abstained.
Bill No. 120432, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the City Treasurer, on behalf of the City, to enter into an agreement with Wells Fargo Bank for provision of payroll banking services to the City."
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally.
I'm sorry. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. President. I'd like to speak briefly on this bill. I've been working on the issue of fair lending and community reinvestment for over 12 years now. It's now called responsible banking. There are ordinances being worked on in San Diego, which I talked with the members of Council there as recent as two days ago, as well as ordinances in New York and Los Angeles. Philadelphia is seen as a model ordinance. I believe to some extent it has worked. The way it works is, the City Charter says that City Council actually has the authority to decide which financial institutions are authorized to receive City deposits, but the City Treasurer has the authority to decide where that money goes. We have basically carved out a niche here that's being replicated around the country in terms of holding our banks, our depositories responsible. One of the ways we did that 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING was to set up payroll deposit contracts as a separate contract that has to be approved by Council and has to be competitively bid. The first time that was done was roughly three years ago, and Wachovia won that competitive bid process. Interestingly enough, before that, it was done simply by agreement, almost a wink and a handshake, and prior City Treasurers have testified on the record that the reason why institutions were chose to hold our payroll accounts was simply because they were the largest; in other words, they were too big to fail. We have seen what too big to fail has done to this country. (Applause.)
In this process now Wachovia was taken over by Wells Fargo. In that process, we could not move the money. We were not prepared to move the money. So we gave that contract to Wells Fargo last year. I was prepared to let this contract go this 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING year, knowing that it will be put out for competitive bid. Upon second thought, I'm not comfortable with that. Wells Fargo did not actually earn this contract. Wells Fargo did not bid on this contract. Wachovia bid on this contract. Regardless of what happens today in terms of this vote, I'm not really that concerned with the vote in terms of what happens, because we can't move the money until this competitive process. But I will be voting no to push that competitive process to say that no organization be too big to fail, and they should have to compete for this payroll account, particularly since tens of thousands of City employees and pensioners have relationships established by them when we do this. This doesn't just give them an account. It establishes other accounts for City employees and pensioners. So I will be voting no on this 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING bill today. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilman. I'm just trying to see if I was the sponsor of that bill on behalf of the Administration. Mr. Decker, was I the sponsor of the bill on behalf of the Administration? We found out, Mr. Decker. Okay. Councilman Goode, you brought to light some information that I was not aware of, and I understand -well, I understand that the vote is something that may be somewhat of concern to you and I've heard information that I wasn't aware of. So as a result of me being the sponsor of the bill and the fact that we've just authorized ourself to have another session next week, I'm just going to ask for that bill to be held today.
Bill No. 120056, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 16 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Public Property,' to provide for estimated annual energy cost disclosures upon the sale of certain City-owned residential properties."
Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. I would like to recognize Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. Two important bills were moved today, Councilwoman Reynolds Brown and Councilman Kenney's Bill 120428-A and this bill. Both are companion bills, in an effort to begin what Councilman Kenney 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING started with the Environmental Committee and continues by the Chairperson to make this city, along with the Mayor's edict, of one of the greener cities in the world. So this was another step in the right green direction, and I was very concerned when Councilman Green hesitated on the vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
Bill No. 120278, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code by amending Subcode 'F' ('The Philadelphia Fire Code'), by modifying a subsection allowing smoke alarms in existing oneand two-family dwellings to be solely battery powered."
This bill having been read on two different days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any other bills or resolutions?
Resolution No. 120620, entitled "A resolution authorizing the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold public hearings to investigate flooding and the City of Philadelphia's efforts to improve stormwater management in the Eastwick section of Philadelphia," introduced by Councilman Johnson.
I make a motion to adopt the resolution, Council President. (Duly seconded.)
Been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
Hold on one second. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
I want to also acknowledge Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown as one of the Councilmembers that kind of stepped up amongst the other Councilmembers to support the resolution for hearings in Eastwick. Thank you, Councilwoman Brown.
A privileged 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution authorizing the Committee on Finance to hold hearings examining the current tax structure and cost of government in the City of Philadelphia and how to reform both to increase the City's regional and national economic competitiveness, stimulate job growth, and attract and retain residents, introduced by Councilman Green.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a privileged resolution honoring Joseph A. Feola upon his retirement and recognizing his dedication to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, especially his accomplishments as Director for the Southeast Regional Office, introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
I thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings to review and examine the regulations surrounding All Terrain Vehicles and similar vehicles, introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
I thank you. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
And a privileged 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution honoring the outstanding efforts and achievements of the many founders and supporters of Youth Courts who have integrated restorative justice methods, taught civic responsibility, and promoted community involvement; all to promote the goal of reduced recidivism and delinquency; as well as inspire our youth towards achievement, empowerment, and self-realization, introduced by Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it. The resolution is adopted.
And a privileged resolution honoring the late historian Dr. Edward Robinson for his unbridled passion and dedication to the study of African Ancestry, his many lessons on culture, anthropology, and heritage, and his commitment to the Philadelphia community, introduced by Councilman Jones.
Been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a privileged resolution calling upon Council's Committee on Education to hold hearings to determine the best, most efficient and effective form of governance and accountability for the Philadelphia School District, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Thank you. I'm going to 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING recognize Councilwoman Brown for a motion, but before I do that, I would ask that all members stay here so we can convene the Committee of the Whole and then recess the Committee while we still have a quorum. I don't want to let you guys go until we can take care of that business, please. So at this time, I'd like to recognize Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown for a motion to recess.
The war, the military spending one. It was reintroduced as privileged today.
I'm 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING sorry. Mr. Decker. Withdraw the motion for recess. We have one little last piece of business to take care of.
I'm asking for the suspension of rules so that this resolution can be heard on this day. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and seconded. Mr. Decker, why don't you please read the title first. I don't think -- did we read the title? Oh, I'm sorry. The motion for suspension.
I move for the motion for suspension of the rules. (Duly seconded.)
I think, Mr. Decker, read the title, because we need to know what we're suspending the rules for.
A resolution 6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING calling on the U.S. Congress to redirect military spending to fight education, public and private sector family-sustaining job creation, special protections for military sector workers, environmental and infrastructure restoration, care for veterans and their families, and the human services that our cities and states so desperately need.
Councilwoman, ask for your motion to suspend, please.
I move for a motion to suspend the rules of Council so that this resolution can be heard on today's Calendar. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. Those in favor for the motion to suspend the rules to allow reading this day. (Aye.)
6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it. Now the motion for the vote on the resolution.
I move for the motion that we adopt this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
Let the record reflect that Councilman Oh has voted in the negative. And, Councilman Johnson, do you wish to be recognized?
6/21/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. President, I'd like to be recorded as no on that.