Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, March 21, 2019 11:00 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE L. BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN AL TAUBENBERGER MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting March 21, 2019
Good morning. We're going to get started. Thank you. If members will take their seats and if all visitors will retire behind the rail, I would appreciate it. Thank you. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari of Kol Tzedek. She's here today as the guest of Councilwoman Gym. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Councilmembers, guests, and visitors rise.)
Last night and today Jews around the world, including right here throughout the City of Philadelphia, celebrate the holiday of Purim, and we read from the story of Esther, which takes place in ancient Persia, a story about power, subversion, and survival. Twice the story instructs us nahafochu, turn it upside down. The way Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 are, says the story of Esther, the injustice in the world is not inevitable, it is not necessary, and it is our responsibility to invert it. On Purim, as we walk the line between the absurd and the profound, we dress up in costumes and drink to excess to soften the judgments of ourselves and others. We celebrate those who leverage their power for good, those who organize the powerful into just action, and the importance of staying connected to pleasure and joy in a deeply broken society. Esther is the hero of the Purim story. The Jewish people are living in the sprawling Persian Empire and are saved from Haman's evil scheme to annihilate them. One of my teachers explains that the most important verse in the entire Megillah, in the entire story of Esther, a verse that represents the pivotal turning point in the Purim story Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 of Chapter 4 when Mordecai sends a message to now Queen Esther urging her to reveal her identity to King Ahasuerus and plead on behalf of the Jewish people. Remarkably, Mordecai's message to Esther hinges on two simple words, two words that promise nothing and change everything. Mi yodea, Mordecai says. Who knows? Who knows? Perhaps it was for such a time as this that you ascended to power. These are the words that set Esther in motion that inspire her to take action, in spite of her own resistance, in spite of her fears about her own fate, in spite of her doubts about her own position and power in the king's court. Who knows? In this remarkable exchange between Mordecai and Esther, something amazing happens. "Who knows" becomes not an excuse, but an invitation. Consider the possibilities, says Mordecai, that you are here for a purpose. Consider the Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 something bigger and more important than your fear. Consider the possibility that you have more power than you imagine. Consider the possibility that it is up to us to act out of love and responsibility for each other, to make sure that every community, that every resident of the City of Philadelphia has access to the basic building blocks of a dignified life, access to equitable funding for our schools, standing access to a world free from the expansion of fossil fuels, access to affordable housing and an end to the tax abatement. Who knows, if it wasn't for just a time as this, that you are sitting on City Council. This is the legacy of Mordecai and Esther, and they bequeath it to us, a legacy of humility and hope of radical uncertainty and radical responsibility. What are our obligations in this topsy-turvy world? To take care of Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 other, to expand our circle of concern, to affirm the possibility of sweetness and generosity in the face of uncertainty, love, and fear. Who knows? Consider the possibility that this is why we are here, that in the face of a world of violence and uncertainty, we are commanded to be responsible for each other, to feed each other, to care for those in need, to increase peace and love and justice in our world. As Jews, we know what it feels like to be hunted and haunted by those who believe we are less than fully human. All of us as people of faith and conscience know that we live in an interconnected world and that injustice and violence anywhere tears at the fabric of God's creation.
So may you who serve our city stay awake to the call to celebrate life and beauty, to uplift human dignity, and to use your power to turn things around. Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 us say, amen. )
Thank you so much, Rabbi, for those inspiring words. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you very much. And, again, Rabbi, thank you for those inspiring words. We really appreciate it. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 14th, 2019, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 14th, 2019 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Thursday, March 14, 2019 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. And our next order of business is requests for leave 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. The Chair now recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for Stated Meeting March 21, 2019
The Chair thanks the gentleman. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to welcome everyone who has come down to witness our government in action today. We genuinely appreciate you being here. We hope your stay here today is a knowledgeable one but, more importantly, a pleasurable one, so much so that you come back again. So, again, thank you for being here. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Domb, who will present a resolution honoring Vernon Odom. Would Mr. Odom and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. And the big news tonight is Vernon Odom. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
Hold Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Folks, can we have a little quiet, please. Thank you.
Good morning, everyone. I came to Philadelphia in 1976 right after school, and the first news show I watched was Action News. And back in the late '70s, going back in time, many of you don't remember that it was Jim Gardner, it was Jim O'Brien, may he rest in peace, Mark Howard, and Vernon Odom. And today we're honoring Vernon Odom as he retires from his position as an Action News Reporter for 6ABC after 42 years. Whereas, Mr. Odom has been covering the Philadelphia news for over four decades and his reign on Action News has spanned the terms of seven mayors; and
Whereas, arriving in Philadelphia in 1976, Mr. Odom has become a Philadelphia institution through his Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 his empathetic, fair approach to reporting; and
Whereas, educated at Morehouse College for his undergraduate degree and Columbia University for his post-graduate degree in broadcast journalism, Mr. Odom has spent the past fifty years as a reporter; and
Whereas, born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Akron, Ohio, journalism runs in Mr. Odom's family. Vernon's great-grandfather launched the second African American run newspaper in the nation.
And whereas, his sister, Maida Odom, was a long-time reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and now teaches journalism at Temple University. Mr. Odom's wife, Wanda Motley Odom, with whom he has two children, is also a former Inquirer Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 reporter; and
Whereas, Mr. Odom got his start as a reporter in Georgia covering stories in the deep and still partially segregated South. The first news story that accelerated him to national attention was his interview with Coretta Scott King after Martin Luther King's assassination. It was an event that shook the nation and Mr. Odom had the first and only interview for days; and
Whereas, Mr. Odom covered momentous events both in Philadelphia and around the world. In Philadelphia, he covered many big stories such as the accident at Three Mile Island, the MOVE disaster, and Wilson Goode's election as the City's Mayor and the first African American politician to hold that position.
Whereas, Mr. Odom has reported from hot spots like post-Cold War Russia and Somalia where he Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 He covered the release of Nelson Mandela and South Africa's first free elections. Of his career as a reporter, Mr. Odom says, quote, "It's been a great ride and a ringside seat to the world," end quote.
And whereas, with his unshakeable understanding of politics, Mr. Odom has excelled in his career. His ability to ask direct, well-informed questions causes some politicians to squirm, but helps Mr. Odom get to the heart of the matter and tell the story; and
Whereas, Mr. Odom's peers describe him as a mentor for young reporters and his interviewees say that he is so likeable that even when he's reporting on a story that's unfavorable for them, they can't help but answer his questions; and
Whereas, but before I enter that, I have a point of personal privilege and that I Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 this body. I've known Vernon Odom longer than anyone else in this room for me personally. He covered a story when I was in arboriculture class and going to the tree-climbing class of Penn State University in Fairmount Park. That morning I had a full head of hair, a heck of a lot thinner, and I was 70 feet up in a sycamore looking at the Philadelphia Zoo, and who was there alongside with me in a tree covering this for Channel 6ABC is Reporter Vernon Odom. I'll never forget the day. It meant a lot to me. I know you've done thousands of stories, but it was pretty neat. Whereas, recently awarded "Person of the Year" by Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, Mr. Odom represents the best of the best. Throughout Mr. Odom's career, the realm of newscasting has changed tremendously, but Mr. Odom has remained a steady, deep voice presence that viewers can trust to put the story first; and Stated Meeting March 21, 2019
Whereas, although Mr. Odom has retired, he has no plans of slowing down. Future plans include a potential book reflecting on his fifty years as a reporter and voiceover work that he's previously had to turn down. Mr. Odom loves the news and, therefore, will always be ready to provide commentary, analysis, or give lectures on the news; and
Well, I don't have a sycamore story, but I do know that Vernon Odom has earned the admiration of our great City through his commitment to steadfast and honest reporting; now, therefore, be it
Let me say that I'm honored. I'm sorry I didn't think of it myself, and that I remember when Vernon first came, Lucien and I were here together, and he came from the beginning, doing a fabulous job of being great to us and our city, and we're grateful to be part of this resolution. Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Resolved, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia, hereby recognizes and honors Vernon Odom for his service to the Philadelphia community. (Standing ovation.)
Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you, Councilmembers, for those kind words and remembrances. To Mr. Taubenberger, sometimes I wound up up a tree myself. That's why I didn't react that day. But I thank the Councilmembers. And, Council President Clarke, I don't mean not to recognize you, sir. I'm reminded of one of your predecessors today. I love this room. I spent many hours in this room covering all the intrigue and all of the fire and brimstone and hot air sometimes, but it's been a magnificent experience keeping my Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 staying long after to find out what really happened there, what really took place there and trying to get the background on the story. But it's always been a wonderful place of people who were champions of free speech. Ninety-eight percent of the time over the years -- and this goes back a long time ago -- folks in this room, the duly elected officials, have always been trying to do the right thing and be progressive out of love for their town. There have been some fallbacks and some missteps and things like that, but always this has been a positive place for free speech and people expressing their feelings and people loving this great city. I'm reminded today -- I see the vote was 17 to nothing. Joe Coleman, one of your venerable predecessors, Mr. Clarke, used to always say, Vernon, I can't do a damn thing unless I can get nine votes in there. I gotta have them. Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 you, Darrell. I know you had to push through to get all 17 unanimous for me this time. When Allan Domb's office first called me, I said, well, I may be able to squeak through there 10-8 or something, 10-7 or something like that. But I'm very honored. I'm very thrilled to be here. This city, as many people don't know, is not my hometown. I'm not from Philadelphia originally, but I came here 43 years ago. And I'm especially sentimental with Mrs. Blackwell here today, because she and the late Lu Blackwell were very kind to me and told me a lot about what was going on in town and kept me posted. And there's so many people I'd like to thank today, but I'm deeply honored, and the City has been very good to me, as the great Latin ball player would say. It's provided me with a wonderful wife and a wonderful family, two children who are all born and raised in Philly, PA. And when I came here, I Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 coming from Atlanta, which was a much smaller southern town then, and I didn't know what was going to happen. I was very, very shy and bashful and sort of a country guy, who didn't know what was going to happen in this big city, and it's been a wonderful experience. And I'm not dying, folks. I'm going to get up and run around the room here. I'm in perfectly good health. And I thank the City and its wonderful people, who have always been very kind and accepting of me, and it's been a magnificent choice I made. I could have gone back to my hometown area of Cleveland, Ohio at that time, but Philly was the right place for me. I never figured out why, but the car headed up 95 and it got here before 95 was completed. I want to thank everybody for this wonderful city. And some of the people I've known here were -Councilwoman here just told me she was Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 she first remembers me on television. Well, that's fantastic, because I watched most of the political careers here develop, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, a longtime friend of mine, and I'm very thrilled and happy, and I thank you for this award. It means a heck of a lot. (Applause.)
It's overwhelming. And I won't bore you, but thank you for having me and I deeply appreciate it. Thank you so much for all the Councilmembers for recognizing my hard work and my dedicated work to this wonderful city. I have -- as I said, I've enjoyed it. And Denise James, my colleague out there, is waving to me, so that means it's time, with my wife not here, that means it's time for me to wrap it up and get off. So thank you, everybody. I appreciate it so much. You have no idea. (Applause.) Stated Meeting March 21, 2019
One other thing I'd like to do, if I can, if I can get the mic back on. I didn't acknowledge two members of the management team at 6ABC where I've been working for so long doing what I did with whom I did. Tom Davis, the News Director and Vice President of Channel 6, and Rob Royal, who is one of the Executive Producers. Raise your hands, guys, and say hello so the crowd can see you. (Applause.)
But I'd like to thank them for coming down today and taking time out of their busy schedule to be here to stand with me today. And I'm sorry I didn't mention them in my earlier remarks. Council President, I actually got you to turn the mic back on. I've seen you turn it off a few times.
Only Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 you, Vernon.
And already I'm hearing about all of the intrigue going on with the elections coming up and things like that, just like I used to do in the old days when I was covering City Council. Nothing has changed. The more things change, the more they stay the same. But it's been fascinating. Thank you so much.
Thank you and, again, congratulations for your service to our city. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell, who will present a resolution proclaiming March 2019 as Social Work Month. Would Liz Hersh and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining the Councilwoman, we have Councilman Oh, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, Councilwoman Parker, Councilman Henon.
Mr. President, we really should be calling this Liz Hersh and Homeless Week. But we are honored to have our wonderful friends and committed people to be here today to receive this resolution. Resolution hereby proclaiming March 19th as Social Work Month, and encouraging all Philadelphians to support the Social Work profession.
Whereas, the primary mission of Social Work is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable; and Whereas, every day Social Workers address the emotional, Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 psychological, economic, and/or physical needs of millions of people; and
Whereas, Social Workers help people function better in their environments, improve their relationship with others, and solve personal and family problems through a wide range of services; and
Whereas, Social Workers are employed in many different organizations and industries, including private and public agencies, hospices and hospitals, schools and universities, businesses and foundations, military branches and veteran's centers, and others; and Whereas
Whereas, the City of Philadelphia depends on Social Workers to accomplish many of their functions in serving its citizens. The Office of Homeless Services especially relies on Social Workers to fulfill their important missions of making homelessness Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 rare, brief, and non-reoccurring in the City of Philadelphia. Just last year, the Office of Homeless Services assisted 16,549 persons; and
Whereas, Social Workers serve a key role in our society. It takes a special person to dedicate their lives to helping the most vulnerable among us. Social Workers must find compassion daily in order to assist people who are often facing extremely difficult life circumstances. We are grateful for the work Social Workers do for our city and we are in awe of their dedication to serving others.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia, hereby proclaims March 2019 as Social Worker Month, and encourages all Philadelphians to support the Social Service Work program. Further be it resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Office of Homeless Services as a sincere expression of the City Council of the City of Philadelphia's gratitude, admiration, and recognition. Congratulations. (Applause.)
And the Chair recognizes Ms. Hersh for remarks.
Thank you, Councilwoman Blackwell. Thank you so much for all your support. Thank you to all of you. This was not my idea. This was Eric Williams' doing. He took the leadership and he said we have to get recognized for the hard work that the social workers at the Office of Homeless Services and throughout the City do. Every day while we are warm and safe and well fed, there are thousands of people within this city who don't have enough to eat and who don't have a place Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 We shelter them. We help them find a way forward towards work or some other kind of dignified way to make a living and, most importantly, to have a place to live so that they can have a better life for themselves. And this is the work that social workers do day in and day out. So I take my hat off to all the social workers at the Office of Homeless Services, the unsung heroes and heroins who help this city be a better place, who extend a helping hand day in and day out to those in need, who maintain hope, who are a guiding light, and who live out that resolve that we can have a better life for everybody here in Philadelphia. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
Thank you, and congratulations. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 you, and congratulations. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenyatta Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. Council President, today we are joined by the lovely ladies of Zeta Phi Beta, Incorporated. We would like to ask for them to stand, please. (Applause.)
The purpose of them being here today is celebrating Zeta Day here in City Council, but also later on during our Council session, I will be naming the 1900 block of Federal Street after their founder of their sorority, Arizona C. Stemons Way. So we want to acknowledge them, and this effort was spearheaded by one Katherine C. Gilmore Richardson, the protege of our colleague Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown. So I want to defer the rest of my comments to the Stated Meeting March 21, 2019
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown.
Well, thank you, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson. Councilwoman Cherelle Parker and I belong to the sister organization of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Philadelphia Alumni Chapter, and it is always our pleasure to salute the finer women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated on the eve of their centennial. The Zetas too have a mission of educating those they care about in the communities where they live, and we are thankful for the work that you do. We thank you for the legacy that you bring, and I too salute Katherine Gilmore Richardson, a proud Zeta Phi Beta Sorority member. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 much, and thank you all so much for being here and thank you for the great work you do. Appreciate it. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to welcome some future leaders and current youth to our Chambers who are down here to explore both government, private sector, and their future here with Warren Davis of GRIP TV. They represent the Youth Drug Abuse Awareness Project, and they are a citywide group coming from various districts around the City. I'd like them to stand and be recognized by Council. (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilman. And thank you. Great job. Thank you for being here today. That concludes our Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 presentations, and -- Councilman Henon or Johnson? Councilman Henon was next.
Thank you, Council President. Thank you for your patience as well. Also, after today's Council session after the official acknowledgment of renaming the 1900 block of Federal Street after Arizona Stemons, there will also be a lunch inside the Caucus Room sponsored by the lovely ladies of Zeta Phi Beta, Incorporated. I just wanted to make that announcement. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. We had a lot of acknowledgments here, which is fantastic. This one is a little unprecedented, but on the first full day of spring, which is Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 though it's raining outside, the acknowledgment I want to make is to my mother, who is celebrating a milestone birthday today on the lovely first day of spring. It goes with my lovely mother, who has done a fantastic job with her family, my family, her grand-kids, and the community at large. So life is always greener and better with my mother in it, and it is her birthday today, and I want to wish her, who watches every single session, who texts me during Council, tells me or am I awake, am I sleeping, am I -- watch your facial expressions, and what does that mean. So when I get home and we talk business, you know, I always get a phone call with my mother telling me her opinion, and her opinion means a lot to me, and I want to thank her so much for being my mother, and happy birthday, mom.
Thank you, Councilman. (Applause.) Stated Meeting March 21, 2019
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I want to thank Councilmember Johnson as well as Councilmembers Brown and Parker for welcoming the ladies of Zeta Phi Beta to City Hall today. As a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, I would be remiss in not celebrating another fine institution of our Divine Nine. Thank you for your leadership and your service to our community and our city. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. Thank you. Our next order of business is communications, and the Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Decker, if you can 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 March 19, 2019, I signed the remaining bills which were passed by Council at its session on March 7, 2019; and that on March 19, 2019, I signed the following bill which was passed by Council at its session on March 14, 2019: Bill No. 190102; and that on March 20, 2019, I signed the following bill which was passed by Council at its session on March 14, 2019: Bill No. 180818. And I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution reappointing Michael Woodward to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Industrial Development properties located at 4910 Botanic Avenue, 5014 Grays Avenue, 1527 Grays Avenue and 2639 South 58th Street, and further authorizing PAID to reconvey a portion of the property at 4910 Botanic Avenue to the City of Philadelphia, all under and subject to the terms and conditions of the Philadelphia Industrial and Commercial Development Agreement among the City, PAID, and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you very much. Our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. This morning I offer two resolutions.
A privileged resolution Honoring Philadelphia's Philanthropic Women Leaders in Recognition of Women's History Month.
And a non-privileged resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to support "Restore Pennsylvania" Governor Tom Wolf's 4.5 billion Infrastructure Improvement Plan.
Also today's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer one bill and three resolutions.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to enter into an agreement with the City and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the PRA to act as the City's agent for the marketing, competitive bidding, sale and development, as applicable, of certain City-owned properties.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 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.
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.
And a Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2937 North 8th Street located in the Fifth Councilmanic District.
Also next week's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. Today I am introducing two bills and offer one privileged resolution.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to acquire fee simple title, or a lesser interest in real estate, by purchase, dedication, donation, condemnation, agreement in lieu of condemnation, or otherwise, to parcels of land along the Delaware River and in the bed of the former Kensington & Tacony Railroad. Stated Meeting March 21, 2019
And an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania all or a portion of a parcel or parcels of land in and about the area bounded by Tacony Street, Levick Street, Milnor Street and Barnett Street.
And a privileged resolution congratulating and honoring the Crispin Cheerleading Team on the occasion of their successful season, culminating in a win at the 2019 National Cheerleading Competition.
Today's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Mr. President, today I offer one bill, two privileged and one non-privileged Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 resolution.
An ordinance amending Section 9-205 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Sales," by prohibiting vending on City Avenue between Haverford Avenue and 77th Street.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Phil Martelli for his many years of diligent service and success, both on and off the basketball court, during his tenure as Head Coach of the St. Joseph's University Hawks Men's Basketball team.
And a privileged resolution congratulating and honoring Frederick L. Voigt for 50 years of dedicated service to the residents of Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Philadelphia on the occasion of his retirement from the Office of the Philadelphia City Commissioners.
And a non-privileged resolution reappointing Michael Woodward to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion.
And that will be referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Council President. I have one Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing March 25th through March 29th, 2019 as Immigrant Business Week in the City of Philadelphia.
Today'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 have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Domb.
Thank you, Council President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Good morning, Council President. I have one privileged resolution sponsored by Councilmembers Squilla, Parker, Greenlee, Domb, and Reynolds Brown.
A privileged resolution declaring March 31, 2019 as Trans Day of Visibility in the City of Philadelphia.
Today's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Good Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 morning, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions this morning.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
An ordinance authorizing Fox Television Stations to install, own and maintain planters at 330 Market Street.
And an ordinance Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: South 13th Street and Dickinson Street; Federal Street and South 7th Street; Federal Street and South 10th Street; Annin Street and South 9th Street; Iseminger Street and Morris Street; Cross Street and Marshall Street; South 13th Street and Reed Street.
Referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions this week.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Council President. I offer one bill co-sponsored by Councilmembers Blackwell, Bass, and Quinones-Sanchez, and may I be heard after the title is read? Stated Meeting March 21, 2019
An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019 within the General Fund from the Office of Innovation and Technology, the Department of Public Health, and the Civil Service Commission to the Director of Finance - Community College of Philadelphia.
Thank you very much, Council President. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania passed Act 484 known as the Community College Act of 1963. It mandated equal funding from three sources - the State one-third, the City one-third, and students one-third. Although there have been changes to Act Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 484, the State law continues to call for at least one-third of the funding for community colleges to come from each community college's local sponsor, in that case the City of Philadelphia. Because the City has not been meeting its mandatory minimum appropriations to Community College of Philadelphia for many years, students have been burdened with higher tuition costs. For this fiscal year's $134.7 million operating budget, students provide 55 percent of the revenue while the State provides 24 percent and the City provides only 19 percent. That is a shortfall of $19,250,000. The Mayor's proposed municipal budget for Fiscal Year 2020 unveiled two weeks ago falls short by $18 million of the State-mandated one-third of Community College's proposed operating budget. We held a hearing on March 12th; that is, the Committee on Education chaired by Councilwoman Blackwell and the Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 committee chaired by myself, to examine why the City of Philadelphia has not been providing the minimum revenues required by the State to fund Community College of Philadelphia so that the City can begin the process of developing a plan to meet its financial obligation. Community College of Philadelphia is a vital asset to the City with approximately 27,729 students. It is the City's responsibility to ensure that it has the resources to serve its students. Its role is crucial to strengthening the regional workforce in an increasingly technological and global world. Furthermore, it is an invaluable resource in our community in addressing some of the most pressing issues, such as violence, homelessness, and addiction. The last time the City provided 33 percent was 1983. Over the past 21 years, if you total the amount of Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 shortfall in State-mandated funding, that would equal 326 thousand -- I'm sorry; $326,396,291. I heard a poll today on the news, and it revealed that today more than ever in our history Americans do not feel they have a real opportunity to improve their lives. High tuition costs of university colleges, other things, account for that, but Community College of Philadelphia and community colleges across America provide real quality opportunities for education at an affordable price. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. That bill will be referred to committee. And that concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions, and our next order of business is reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 report from the Committee on Streets and Services.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Streets and Services reports 11 bills with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Streets and Services, to which was referred Bill No. 180944, entitled "An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Taney Street, west side, Brown Street to Aspen Street"; and Bill No. 180945, entitled "An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Marlborough Street, west side, Wildey Street to Richmond Street"; and Bill No. 180967, entitled "An Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 in the vicinity of: Brown Street and Broad Street; Russell Street and Germantown Avenue; Rush Street and Park Avenue"; and Bill No. 181061, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-205 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Sidewalk Sales,' by prohibiting vending on both sides of 56th Street between Haverford Avenue and Vine Street, 57th Street between Haverford Avenue and Vine Street, and Vine Street between 56th Street and 57th Street"; and Bill No. 181100, entitled "An ordinance establishing a parking regulation on Park Avenue, both sides, Dauphin Street to Susquehanna Avenue"; and Bill No. 181102, entitled "An ordinance establishing a no motor home parking regulation on the 5300 block of Woodbine Avenue, both sides"; and Bill No. 190061, entitled "An Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Lidiak, doing business as The Thirsty Soul, to install, own and maintain an open air sidewalk cafe at 1551 West Passyunk Avenue"; and Bill No. 190081, entitled "An ordinance establishing a one-way regulation on Cecil B. Moore Avenue, from Front Street to Sixth Street, westbound"; and Bill No. 190082, entitled "An ordinance establishing a one-way regulation on Montgomery Avenue, from Second Street to Front Street, eastbound"; and Bill No. 190084, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Marvine Street and Champlost Street; North 12th Street and Chew Avenue; Camac Street and Chew Avenue; North 12th Street and Champlost Street; North 9th Street and Ruscomb Street; North Marvine Street and Champlost Avenue"; and Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 190161, entitled "An ordinance authorizing Michael Meyers, doing business as Fill It Up Again, to install, own and maintain an open air sidewalk cafe at 436 East Girard Avenue," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the first reading this day of the 11 bills that were just read into the record by the Clerk. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 of the 11 bills just read into the record by the Clerk. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Bass for a report from the Committee on Health and Human Services.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Public Health and Human Services reports three bills with a favorable recommendation.
The Committee on Public Health and Human Services, to Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 No. 180936, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Health Code,' relating to lead paint hazards and other violations, to provide for appeal periods and for penalties, to provide for inspections and fees, to revise definitions, and to promote lead safety"; and Bill No. 180937, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 6-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Preventive Medicine,' to establish requirements for the testing of blood lead levels in children"; and Bill No. 190938, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 16 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Public Property,' by adding a new section requiring that certain renovation projects involving City-owned or occupied buildings, or the use of City capital dollars, be certified as lead free or lead safe prior to the completion of the Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 project," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 180936, 180937, and 180938. (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. 180936, 180937, 180938. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it, and these bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. That concludes our reports from committee, and our next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had their first reading. They will be on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions that are on the Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Calendars today. They are Bill Nos. 190188, 190189, 190192, 190194, 190198, 190199, 180864, 190062. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you. Before considering these bills and resolutions that are on our Final Passage Calendar today, we will have our public comment session. The public comment session must be on a bill or resolution that is on the Final Passage Calendar today. If you have not already signed up, you may sign up at the table to my left for a bill or resolution that's on passage today. When your name is called, you will go to the middle of the Council Chambers. There's a podium. On that podium, there's a device. That device has a light. When the light turns green, it will be your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 seconds to conclude your remarks. When the light turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to our guidelines and respectfully conclude your remarks. Thank you so much for your cooperation. Mr. Decker, please call the first name on the list.
Emily Davis, commenting on 181063. (Witness approached podium.)
Hi. My name is Emily Davis and I ask you to please vote down Bill 181063, which would allow the City to enter a contract for a liquefied natural gas plant. At a time when the City is trying to lower its carbon footprint, this is not a time to permit the building of new facilities that support a system based on hydrocarbons. We have heard about the costly results of extreme weather; for example, Nebraska and Mozambique happening this Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 week, that have plagued the world in recent years. Ninety-seven percent of scientists believe climate change is caused by humans, and they know what humans are doing to cause that climate change. One of these activities is burning hydrocarbons. Scientists also know that one of the effects of climate change is extreme weather. These disasters are very costly. Our government says that in 2018, there were 14 weather and climate disaster events that exceeded a cost of one billion dollars each across the United States. So Philadelphia is right in wanting to lower its carbon footprint. The financial advantage of this LNG plant is questionable. The annual budget of the City of Philadelphia is over $4 billion. The income from this facility is projected to be less than 0.1 percent of that. There are also questions about the private partner. I agree PGW needs help, but Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 this is not it. As we transition away from the use of natural gas in our homes, we will need the support of PGW, but while one part of PGW maintains the old system and shrinks in size, a new part supporting sustainable energy sources and energy efficiency could be expanding. Please do not support this bill or any bill that supports new infrastructure for fossil fuels. The costs outweigh the benefits. Don't be complicit in our own destruction. (Applause.)
Tomea Sippio-Smith, commenting on 190198. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Tomea Sippio-Smith. I am the Education Policy Director at PCCY. Thank you for the opportunity to Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 testify in support of the resolution today. Pennsylvania's charter school law gives the Charter Appeals Board, or the CAB, tremendous power. It is the only body that hears charter school cases if a charter school appeals Philadelphia School Board's decision to deny, revoke, or renew a charter school application. It can override the local School Board's decision and allow charter schools to open or continue to operate, unless and until the District challenges the CAB decision in Commonwealth Court. Currently, five of the members of the CAB are serving expired terms. All were appointed by the former Governor Tom Corbett. One seat is vacant. PCCY is calling for a moratorium on CAB proceedings until all Board members are serving unexpired terms and the vacancy is filled. To be clear, the petition was not launched as an attack on the Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Governor. While we call on Governor Wolf to appoint new members, the Senate has at least as much at stake to fill the seats with Board members serving unexpired terms and filling the vacancy. While the Governor appoints, the Senate must also approve any new appointees. One of the reasons we called attention to the current situation was to bring all parties to the table to resolve this issue. For Philadelphia and its students, this resolution matters. The Philadelphia School District just regained local control and has a new School Board. It just exercised an option not to approve charters for three new schools. If the charter appeals the decision, the CAB hears the case. It removes the decision from the Philadelphia School District, a district that receives high marks on its authorizing from pro-charter organizations that promote high level Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 quality authorizing and places the decision right back in the hands of the State. Considering the gravity of their reviews and the impact their decisions have on Philadelphia's public school students, placing a moratorium on the CAB proceedings until all Board members are serving unexpired terms and the seat is filled, the open seat is filled, this is the correct decision and course of action. Thank you. (Applause.)
David Loeb, commenting on 190194. (Witness approached podium.)
Hello, members of Council, Council President Clarke. I'm here to comment on Bill 190194 to authorize a study to assess the impact of certain taxes. And now of course this is about the soda tax. And, look, we need to keep this tax in place. And so I want Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 to thank my Councilperson, Councilman Squilla, for not co-sponsoring the bill to repeal or reduce the soda tax. Pre-K is just so important for the City, and we need to preserve the funding stream that makes pre-K possible. So thank you again, Councilman Squilla, for not signing on to the effort to repeal the soda tax, and I look forward to watching you continue to fight for pre-K and for Philly's children. Thank you. (Applause.)
Reynelle Brown Staley, commenting on 190198. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Reynelle Brown Staley and I serve as Policy Director at the Education Law Center, an organization dedicated to Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 ensuring that all of Pennsylvania's children have access to quality public education. Three weeks ago today, ELC released a new report on equity in Philadelphia's charter schools titled "Safeguarding Educational Equity: Protecting Philadelphia Students' Civil Rights Through Charter Oversight," and you have copies of that report on your desks. In it we identified a range of unaddressed equity issues in charter schools in areas such as enrollment practices, special education, and education of English learners. We highlighted the role of Philadelphia's Board of Education in guarding against discriminatory practices in the City's charter schools, but we also noted the need for stronger charter oversight and accountability at all levels to protect students' civil rights. Today I offer testimony on an area where change is sorely overdue, the State Charter Appeal Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Board. The CAB is a uniquely powerful body in the realm of charter oversight. Local school boards have the power to deny a charter application or not renew it or revoke an existing charter. The CAB has exclusive authority to affirm or overturn these local school board decisions. The CAB's decisions aren't the act of judges trained to strictly interpret the law and apply precedent. The six members of the CAB are Governor-appointed, Senate-confirmed community members granted tremendous power over their term. By law, CAB members should be a parent of a school-aged child, a school board member, a certified teacher, a faculty member of a higher education institution, a member of the business community, and a member of the State Board of Education. Their qualifications are defined, and their terms are limited at a recognition that the Board should reflect the views of the Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 community and change in composition over time. Our report and a wealth of national research indicate that current thinking about charter school oversight needs to evolve. We need to evaluate how well a charter school is doing, not just by looking at academic and financial performance, but at the students they're serving as well. A school may position itself to perform well on academic measures by enrolling students who already have some measure of educational privilege when they enter their doors. Likewise, a school can position itself to perform well on financial measures by enrolling students who require fewer resources and services to achieve academic success. If we focus on academic and financial performance to the exclusion of equity, we incentivize charters to underserved students with the greatest educational needs, a phenomenon that's Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 happening right now in Philadelphia. The members of the CAB need to be revisited by law and to reflect our current understanding of charter oversight. We support the work of Council to bring needed attention to this issue and ensure that the CAB members are duly appointed, duly confirmed, and serving unexpired terms. Given the tremendous power the CAB has to impact the well-being of our students in our district, it's important that Philadelphia, the site of more than half of the State's brick and mortar charters, use its influence to urge Harrisburg to act. Thank you. (Applause.)
Lisa Haver, commenting on 190198. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Council President.
Good afternoon, Council President Clarke, members of City Council. My name is Lisa Haver. I'm a retired Philadelphia teacher, co-founder of the Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools. I'm speaking today on behalf of the members of APPS to urge Council to pass Resolution 190198 calling for a moratorium on all PA Charter Appeal Board proceedings until Governor Wolf can make appointments. I want to thank Councilmembers Gym, Blackwell, and Greenlee, whose records show consistent support for public education, for co-sponsoring the resolution. Last year we shook off the yoke of State control and restored local control to our public schools. Both Mayor Kenney and this Council reaffirmed their commitment to funding the City schools. The Mayor, Council, and the Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 community will continue to fight for the best education for our schoolchildren. Council has taken steps to increase its own oversight of the District. The new Board of Education is working hard to manage our schools through more public engagement and community meetings and in new meetings where the public can be heard and where true deliberation on issues is taking place. The Board made a definitive statement last month when it unanimously rejected three clearly inadequate applications for new charter schools. Those decisions should be final. The Board is responsible for representing the people of the City and how the District spends its money. That's why it makes no sense that even with our return to local control, an obscure Board made up of State appointees should have the power to overrule the decisions of our local School Board. The Charter Appeals Board Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 meets in Harrisburg and is made up of individuals who are unknown to this community, do not live in this community, do not pay taxes in this community, and have no accountability in this community. The Charter Appeal Board is currently made up of appointees of former Governor Corbett, most of whose terms have expired. The power to decide which schools this District or any district creates or chooses not to cannot be made by political appointees with no connection to this district. When we lost 24 public schools in 2013, there was no legal appeal for the students or the parents of those schools. Agree or disagree, that decision was final. The Charter Appeal Board should be abolished. It is wrong for local officials to be overruled by an out-of-town group of unknown political appointees, and until it is, we're calling for a moratorium on all CAB Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 proceedings until the expired terms can be filled by Governor Wolf. Philadelphians have the right to determine what is best for our city and what is best for the stakeholders of the School District. Thank you. (Applause.)
Valerie Villines, commenting on 190192. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning to Council President Clarke, the members of City Council, and all those assembled here. My name is Valerie G.C. Villines, President of Beta Delta Zeta Chapter, the Philadelphia Graduate Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. I can't tell you how humbled I am to stand before you representing a chapter that the principal founder of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 a member of and chartered nearly 75 years ago. Imagine an African American woman who founded an organization nearly 100 years ago and the organization is still thriving, with over 125,000 college-educated women and with chapters that exist not only in the United States but also around the globe. Imagine a woman who defied the typical stereotypes that existed with sorority and fraternity life in the early 1900s and founded an organization that was based on service, scholarship, sisterhood, and finer womanhood. This woman's name was Arizona Cleaver Stemons. She was the first national President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She attended Howard University where Zeta was founded on January 16th, 1920 and completed her graduate and post-graduate studies in the field of social work. And ironically on today, you just proclaimed the month of March as Social Workers Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Month, so thank you for that. She was responsible for chartering numerous undergraduate and graduate chapters throughout the United States, including Ada (ph) Chapter at Temple University here in Philadelphia and Beta Delta Zeta Chapter, the chapter that I stand here representing today. She resided on the 1900 block of Federal Street in South Philadelphia for 52 years. Her address was 1915 Federal Street, and currently the house is owned by my chapter and we affectionately call it the Founder's House. It is because of the contributions of Founder Emeritus Stemons that I proudly stand before you in support of Resolution 190192 for the co-naming of the 1900 block of Federal Street to Arizona C. Stemons Way, and on behalf of my chapter, I wish to thank Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, and the other Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 members of Council who co-sponsored this resolution. Additionally, I'd like to also thank our sorer Katherine Gilmore. My chapter greatly appreciates you and thanks you for your consideration.
Mr. Decker, I think we have four ladies that are going to testify on this. Why don't you all just tee up so you can just all come up. We'll call the names. Mr. Decker, call the names.
Tajman Kelley, Jennifer Santiago, Saniah Johnson, and Diane Wilson. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good afternoon, Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 President and members of the Philadelphia City Council. My name is Tajman Kelley. I am a member of Beta Delta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, where I serve as the First Vice President. It is an honor to stand before you today and encourage that this resolution comes to life. As a humble member of this organization, I recognize what my founder, Arizona Stemons, at a young age on the campus of Howard University did when her and four other members decided to join -- to originate this sorority. They dedicated their life to principles of scholarship, service, sisterly love, and finer womanhood. She took those principles and came here to the City of Philadelphia and worked for the Department of Human Service. As you, she has dedicated her life to serving the City, just as you have. By passing this resolution, it Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 is a testament to her legacy and the legacy of the sorority, and I highly thank you and I encourage you to continue recognizing the members of our sorority. Thank you.
Good afternoon. Just state your name for the record.
Good afternoon. My name is Jennifer A. Santiago, Esquire. I am a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. However, my presence here today is as the President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council for Southeastern Pennsylvania. (Applause.)
Thank you. Our Council currently serves all of the Philadelphia area, Montgomery County, Delaware County, and Bucks County. Our Council represents all nine Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 members of what has commonly been called the Divine Nine. We serve 23 chapters. We stand here proudly supporting Resolution 190192, because the recognition of one founder of any of our organizations is a recognition of all of our organizations. It is the recognition of all of the hard work and the service that all of our organizations are founded on. We may wear different letters, we may wear different colors, but all of our organizations are founded on service and scholarship. By City Council recognizing my founder, Arizona Cleaver Stemons, you are saying to the City of Philadelphia we thank you, Divine Nine. We thank you for the service that you proudly give to our city. We thank you for all that you do. So we thank you, City Council, for looking at us, looking at our most transient founder, Arizona Cleaver Stemons, and saying to Zeta Phi Beta Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 Sorority, Incorporated that we thank you for not leaving South Philadelphia, for not leaving the 1900 block of Federal Street. We thank you for continuing to provide outstanding service that your founder put forth and designated as a principal founding formation. We thank you for not going astray. We thank you for continuing on the path that was set forth almost 100 years ago. Again, standing before you as the President for the National Pan-Hellenic Council, what I frequently tell our Council is that we were not divine until we were all nine. The biblical meaning of the word "nine" is God's perfect love. And so we thank you, City Council, for allowing the Divine Nine to be God's perfect love to your constituents. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you for your testimony. Stated Meeting March 21, 2019
I'm Saniah M. Johnson, CPA, the immediate past President of Beta Delta Zeta Chapter, immediate past Chairman and President of Girls, Incorporated of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, past Board member of the National Organization of Girls, Incorporated, a PA delegate for Vision 2020, a Philadelphia native. I lived throughout the City, in Nicetown, West Philly, across the street from the Blackwell family home actually, and I now reside in the Eighth District of Philadelphia in Cindy Bass's area. I rise and represent Philadelphians. I rise and represent the many members of our organization, the hundreds in the City of Philadelphia, the tens of thousands around the world, and I rise on behalf of women and girls in support of the recognition of a woman in Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 this city who has impacted the entire United States and beyond and will become a symbol for all that we and you as the City Council will recognize a woman in a meaningful way in the address of the 1900 block of Federal Street. So we thank you for supporting this resolution, Councilman Johnson, and we thank you for this obvious recognition of women during Women's History Month and as we observe Finer Womanhood Month. Thank you.
I am Diane Wilson, the 11th State Director for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. I am also a proud member of Beta Delta Zeta Chapter. I am a teacher by profession, Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 so that caused me to research the reasons why streets are renamed and the controversies. I found one of the main controversies often centers around losing the identity of the street, even when the name of the street is tied to a person or an event. That led me to research how Federal Street was named. I discovered that it was because it was a road between two federal properties, the old Schuylkill Arsenal, which was located on Grays Ferry Avenue, and the original Philadelphia Navy Yard, which began in 1776 on Front Street and Federal Street. Now, many people use the renaming of a street as a way to honor someone. Change a street name and you change the way people think about the City. It's where ideology meets asphalt. Arizona Cleaver Stemons' ideology has resulted in a 99-year-old organization that continues to effect change, raise consciousness, and encourage high scholastic achievement. Just as her idea Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 to found an organization transcended the boundaries of Howard University, we, the members of the Philadelphia graduate chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, feel her legacy should transcend the boundaries of 1915 Federal Street. Thank you. (Applause.)
Meenal Raval, commenting on 181063. (Witness approached podium.)
Hi. My name is Meenal Raval. I'm a Philly resident. Wait a minute. That's from last week. How did that happen? I'm still a Philly resident and I'm here today to speak on Bill No. 181063 authorizing PGW to enter into a public-private partnership with Liberty Energy Trust to develop the Passyunk Energy Center. You must know that gas is a fossil fuel, that adding to our Stated Meeting March 21, 2019 dependency of fossil fuels at this late stage of a planetary climate fever is immoral and dangerous. Today as I passed through security, I was stopped because I had a steel fork in my bag. We weren't talking about a pitchfork, but a dinner fork. Many of us keenly aware of our city's litter problem and our oceans choking with plastic have chosen to avoid using single-use plastics, single-use plastics such as forks, water bottles, straws, and check-out bags, because single-use plastics are made of fossil fuels, which we need to use so much less of. I want to thank Councilman Squilla for leading on reducing our city's usage of single-use plastic bags. So while my fork waits for me by the security team, I'm here asking how can Council consider a steel fork dangerous and not consider a large fossil fuel project dangerous? (Applause.) Stated Meeting March 21, 2019