COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, March 31, 2011 10:30 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JACK KELLY COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO, JR. COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER,
Good morning, everyone. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will please come to order. Members will take their seats, and visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Dr. LaVerne Adams, Pastor of Cathedral of Praise Community Church. She is here today as the guest of Councilman Rizzo. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)
Let us pray. Our Father and our God, we thank you for the privilege of being able to come to you today on this side of the grave. By virtue of that fact, we have yet another opportunity for service and to make a positive difference in the world. opportunity to pray for this meeting today and thank you for all of the people assembled here, who diligently do their work every day to assure the well-being of Philadelphia's residents. And so as you instructed us to do, we pray for those who are in authority so that we may live peaceful lives. We pray, God, that you would grant them the discernment necessary to make wise decisions and to seek the peace of our city, our people and our community. Help them to make choices necessary to develop neighborhoods into havens of peace and prosperity. We pray for the homeless and the hurting. May we always remember with gratitude those that are less fortunate than ourselves and that we should service them as we would service ourselves. And, finally, we pray that you would give every person under the sound of my voice the peace that passes all understanding, as the very God of Peace and the Prince of Peace guards our hearts and our minds, and we thank you for doing just this. In Jesus' name. Amen. (Amen.)
The Chair thanks Pastor Adams for her very inspiring invocation. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 24th, 2011. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Madam President, I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 24th, 2011 stand approved. (Duly seconded.)
It properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 24th, 2011 stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leave of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Madam President, on behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in Chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our city. We certainly invite you to come again. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell, who will present a resolution honoring Vivian Miller. Would Ms. Miller and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. It is with great pride that we present this citation -excuse me; this resolution to Ms. Vivian Miller, and we are very happy to have her family members of her ward. As you know, she is Ward Leader in the 51st Ward. Resolution recognizing Vivian T. Miller for a career of service to the citizens of Philadelphia in her roles as Community Organizer, Ward Leader and Philadelphia Clerk of Quarter Sessions. Whereas, Ms. Vivian T. Miller is a life-long Philadelphia resident with deep roots in her West Philadelphia neighborhood, where she has resided in her current home for the past forty-three years; and Whereas, she has been a community organizer and committed volunteer for numerous charitable causes, including The 954 Garden Club, the Girl Scouts, her local church, neighborhood schools and currently serves as the Memorial Baptist Church; and Whereas, she has been a prominent leader in the Democratic Party for some thirty-five years and Ward Leader of the City's 51st Ward for the past twenty-five years; and Whereas, Ms. Miller has served the citizens of Philadelphia in several roles during her long, successful career, including spending many years as a constituent service representative in the U.S. First Congressional District Office, the Philadelphia Board of Revision of Taxes and the Philadelphia Commissioner's Office; and Whereas, her committed service continued when she became the Democratic Party's endorsed candidate for the elected office of the Philadelphia Clerk of Quarter Sessions, the first African-American elected to that office, the first African-American woman elected to that office, which she held for more she retired in March 2010; and Whereas, the City of Philadelphia is a better place because of her dedicated service, and the Philadelphia City Council is proud to acknowledge her exemplary career in public service; now therefore, be it Resolved, that the Philadelphia City Council hereby recognizes Ms. Vivian T. Miller for a career of public service to the citizens of Philadelphia in her roles as Community Organizer, Ward Leader and Philadelphia Clerk of Quarter Sessions. And further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to her as a sincere expression of City Council's recognition and appreciation of her contributions to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Philadelphia. Certification, this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution, adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 27th day of January. It's signed by the President, introduced by yours truly and sponsored by each and every member of City Council. Thank you, Vivian. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Ms. Miller for remarks. Welcome home.
I'd like to give honor to God, who is first in my life. I would like to congratulate President Anna Verna on her retirement and job well done.
A special thanks to my own Councilperson, Jannie Blackwell, for this recognition and this honor. I am truly, truly thankful. I am pleased to say I have worked for the City for over 20 years and I have learned quite a bit. I have had a whole lot of experience in the different departments, and I'm well satisfied with my leaving and retiring. I am truly grateful to the citizens for electing me five terms as the Clerk of Quarter Sessions. I am glad and happy for their support. Last, but not least, thanks to this awesome Council body for the work that you have done throughout the City and for your support of me. I am thankful, thankful, thankful. Thanks to my family, who is here with me, and my friends, and thanks to everyone. God bless. (Applause.)
Good luck. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones, who will present a resolution honoring Al Johnson. Would Mr. Johnson and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. (Applause.)
I see that Councilman Jones is being accompanied by Councilman Greenlee, Councilwoman Blackwell and Councilwoman Sanchez. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
For the record, this was co-sponsored by Councilwoman Blackwell, enthusiastically co-sponsored by Councilwoman Blackwell. In fact, she demanded when she heard it was for you, Al, that she co-sponsor it, because you went back. A wise man, when I was a young guy, asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. And we began to discuss it, and then eventually said to me, It doesn't matter what you do, son, as long as you do your best at it and become the best at it. He said, In fact, if you were a trash man, a sanitation worker, if you worked hard to be the best sanitation worker, your work would speak for you. Well, as a teenager, I thought he was crazy. I said, Are you out of your mind? Until I met a man named Earl Stout, who became the head of the Municipal Workers Union, District Council 33, who showed me that it is true that if you do your best at your job, you will be recognized, not only by your peers but the world. It is amazing how wise that man became as I got older. I'd like to introduce to some and reacquaint to others my father up here, Curtis Jones, Sr. (Applause.)
As we service, it is increasingly rare to see people leave a job after 20 years to receive the proverbial gold watch. In today's economy, it is important to recognize that, that some of these people that are civil servants are the heroes of neighborhoods I come from. It is the postman, the policeman, the sanitation worker that is the stable influence for many neighborhoods throughout the City of Philadelphia, and today we will recognize one of those heroes. Recognizing and celebrating Al Johnson, former Local head and President of 488 for his years of commitment and service to his membership of District Council 33 on the occasion of his 81st birthday. (Applause.)
Whereas, on March 5th, 1930, Al Johnson was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. Growing up in a working-class family, Johnson, at an early age, became a champion of the working classes, his community and organized labor; and
Whereas, in the 1950's Al Johnson moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he became a prominent union advocate for District Council 33 workers. During his tenure with the City of Philadelphia, he served as President of Local 488 of District Council 33 for over ten years, overseeing the Department of Health workers affiliated with the PGH, Philadelphia General Hospital, and all Health System workers in Philadelphia. After serving as Local 488 President, he went on to become secretary/treasurer for District Council 33 for nearly ten years until his retirement in 1988, and may I say worked closely with the late Lucien Blackwell, and that is how I met Al Johnson; and
Whereas, today, Mr. Johnson continues to remain after 54 years, maintaining his dedication to serving workers of Philadelphia. Working as a consultant for District Council 33, Mr. Johnson is often in City Council Chambers reviewing and advocating for legislation and public policies that have an impact on his union brothers and sisters. His commitment to improving their lives through his advocacy for their rights will forever be his legacy; and
Whereas, Council is pleased to honor Al Johnson on his 81st birthday and will continue to honor him for the work he has done for the labor force; now therefore Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia enthusiastically joins family and friends in celebrating Al Johnson on the occasion of his 81st birthday. As a Council, we wish you an abundance of happiness and health and your exemplary citizenship and best wishes for a joyful celebration. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Al Johnson, as further evidence of our sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body. (Applause.) UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: I'm just as surprised as Al. I didn't know about this. But Al Johnson has been around forever, and I just want to thank him for his hard work and dedication. Al retired in 1988, but he was not away from the union or the community. Al has continued to work hard. He continues to work hard now as a consultant for District Council 33, and I called him that because I need him. He's an institution in District Council 33, and I fully can appreciate what City Council has done for him today. Al, congratulations. And I did not know, Al -- as long as I've known -- and I've known him since I've been in the union, been an officer in the union since 1983, a member since 1968. I did not know Al was 81 years old. He always told me he was 67. He always told me he was 67, and I believed him. Congratulations, Al. (Applause.)
Madam President, members of City Council, I am totally surprised and shocked. I did not expect this. This is the first time I came in City Council without a suit on. And to be thankful, Jannie Blackwell, as she mentioned, I met Jannie way, way back. I won't say when, because I don't want to tell her age. They finally told mine. I always was dedicated to the City of Philadelphia. I know Councilman DiCicco, we go back with District Council 33 when he was a member of the Executive Board there, and quite a few of the -- I know quite a few other people here. But it is a pleasure and an honor to be recognized by this body. And, Councilman Jones, I agree with what you said Earl Stout said. You know, it's proud when one person can say, And Al Johnson too once passed this way. Thank you. (Applause.)
The Chair now recognizes Councilwomen Blackwell and Brown, who will present a resolution to the women of the Philadelphia delegation of the first historical International Black Women's Forum on Education, Diversity and Identity. Would Nana Korantemaa accompany the Councilwomen at the podium. And I see that Councilman Kenney is also Councilwoman Brown.
Madam President and members of Council, we are also joined by Stan Straughter, Chairman of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, as well as other members who are here and other guests.
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. A resolution honoring and recognizing the work of the women of the Philadelphia delegation of the first historical International Black Women's Forum on Education, Diversity and Identity. Whereas, the first International Black Women's Forum on Education, Diversity and Identity took place from November 25th to the 27th, 2010 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; and Whereas, the Forum was a collaboration between the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, our office, the Office of the Mayor of Salvador with the Municipal Secretary of Education, Culture, Sports and Leisure in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, and Osun State University in Osun State, Nigeria; and Whereas, the Forum focused on issues of race and gender that included themes such as diversity, age, sexuality, religion, territoriality, ancestry and health in the context of a national and international dialogue on education; and Whereas, the Forum was a continuation of our City's relationship with Salvador, which was established over 40 years ago; and Whereas, March is nationally recognized as Women's History Month, the week of March 8th as Women's History Week and March 8th as International Women's Day; and
Whereas, Suzana Silva from the Brazilian Cultural Center in Philadelphia and member of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs served as the primary organizer from Philadelphia for the Forum; and Whereas Dr. Joi Spraggins, Co-Chair of the Women's Leadership Committee for the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs and Founder of Legacy Pathways, led a workshop on "Sister Girls Legacy Leadership: Building International Economic and Business Growth Strategies"; and Whereas, Barbara Simmons, J.D., Dean, Graduate Studies, Continuing Education and Community Relations for Cheyney University Center City Campus and member of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, led a workshop on "Women's Rights as Human Rights and the Role of Law"; and Whereas, Dr. Judith Ray, Ph.D., also from Cheyney University, discussed "Technology's Impact on Education: Past, Present, and Future" and "Do Institutional Restraints on Women in Academic Leadership Positions Exist?"; and Whereas, Dr. Barbara Wallace, Ph.D., from Columbia University, discussed "The Goals for Transforming Education and Supporting Identity Development: A Role for Cultural Practices and Traditions"; and
Whereas, Ms. Nana Korantemaa Ayeboafo, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of The StarSpirit International, Incorporated of Philadelphia, PA and Larteh, Ghana, Africa, has made a lifetime commitment to encouraging international exchanges between African Americans and Africans in Africa to promote education about African culture, as well as with Africans across the Diaspora and other members of communities; Whereas, all of the above-mentioned women understand and are committed to the liberation and upward mobility for women through education and international dialogue; and Whereas, as a result of the Forum, the City of Philadelphia and the City of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil signed a Memorandum of Understanding in agreement to promote, strengthen and expand educational, cultural, trade, and economic cooperation; and Whereas, as a result of the Forum, the Cities of Philadelphia and Salvador are currently in the planning stages for an educational and cultural student exchange program; and now therefore, be it Resolved, that the Philadelphia City Council hereby honors and recognizes the work of the women of the Philadelphia delegation of the first historical International Black Women's Forum on Education, Diversity and Identity; and Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented as a sincere expression of the City Council's appreciation and recognition. Thank you very much. Congratulations. (Applause.)
It is with great pleasure that I now present to you Chairman. You've met him before. He's head of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs. He's also Honorary Consul to Guinea. I met him through the late Lucien Blackwell during the days with South Africa and all that happened, and he will take the program from here and certainly introduce our guest, thank you, with whom we work and these women, who do so much, these women we love. Thank you. Stan Straughter. (Applause.)
Thank you very much, Council Lady. Let me, first of all, introduce you to Dr. Barbara Simmons, the Dean of Continuing Education at Cheyney University, one of the leaders of the organization; Dr. Judith Ray from Cheyney University, Chair of the Science Department at Cheyney University; Dr. Joi Spraggins, who is one of the presenters you heard in Sister Girl; and Nana. Who will forget Nana. Nana, by the way, is an unsung hero, because she was as a little girl, some of you might remember, as one of the top dancers in the Arthur Hall Dance African Arts Ensemble. She's building a monument off Girard Avenue. So we want to thank all of you for your contribution and going to Philadelphia. I'm going to Salvador, Bahia. As the Council Lady pointed out, these relations began many years ago under the mayoral leadership of W. Wilson Goode, Oliver Franklin was a City representative, and we had since that time continued this relationship, and this is only one of many activities we're doing with Salvador. The Commission operates to work to enhance the quality of life of African and Caribbean immigrants in the City of Philadelphia, but we also work to enhance our international relationships around education, arts and culture and even business. So this is a great opportunity for us all. We want to thank you. And we are now, just this week, collaborated with -- the Brazilians came to Philadelphia. We initiated an exchange program between Salvador, Bahia to Philadelphia, bringing ten students and three faculty to spend a month with us, and we're selecting ten students, African American students, to go to Salvador for a month later this year. Dr. Simmons arranged for us to meet with the President of Cheyney University and her to help be the coordinator and entity that will organize this coordinated activity for us, and then also we will have ten students to go back and forth between Philadelphia and Nigeria. So we want to thank you, all of you, for your help. I constantly work with Councilwoman Blackwell, but you know many of you members of Council reach out to us and help us, attend our functions, and we want to thank you for your continued support of the work of the Commission, and we look forward to working with you. I wanted to have Joi -- are you going to take a second and do that?
Good morning. To the Honorable President, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and to all of the members of City Council, good morning from the group as well. My name is Dr. Joi, and I've had the pleasure and the honor to dedicate my life to making a world, particularly in the lives of women. And, Councilwoman, I'd like to thank you for having me serve as the Chair of the Women's Leadership Council. This, I'd like to present to you, is from Sister Girls. This is a motivational quote from my product line, and Sister Girls is about learning from our legacies. Sister Girls is an international sisterhood of legacy leaders who are committed to the advancement and empowerment of women and their families. Our global mission is sharing, learning and leveraging our combined legacies. This creates multiple generations of empowerment, education, sustainable development, job creation and economic development, and together we can heal ourselves and the planet by creating a global legacy, pathways and footprints for others. It is my distinct pleasure on behalf of all of the Sister Girls and the to present this to you this morning. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you, Madam President. We wanted to seize the moment this morning and welcome legislators of tomorrow. From the 3rd Councilmanic District, we have two classes here from the University of Pennsylvania, the School of Social Work and Practice. We have Professor of Political Social Work, Dr. Dennis Braum, and Casey Borman, who teaches Social Policy there. So we'd like to ask all of them to stand so that we can give a warm welcome. you, Madam President. (Applause.)
Welcome. The next order of business is communications. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Madam President, point of order.
I'm sorry. Your light is not on. Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I would like for us to recognize and welcome to the City Council today the journalism class from the Mathematics, Civics and Science Charter School of Philadelphia that is located in my district. Their instructor is someone who we all know, Mr. Tommie St. Hill. And I also want to recognize the school for winning the Men's PIAA State Basketball Championship last Friday at Penn State University. And I ask that they stand and be recognized.
If they could stand, we'd like to recognize you. Welcome. (Applause.)
Welcome. The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-At-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will please read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am transmitting herewith for the introduction and consideration of your honorable body an ordinance amending Section 19-1705 of The Philadelphia Code to increase the amount of interest and penalty on any unpaid money or claim collectible by the Department of Revenue that may be waived by the Revenue Commissioner, under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The Chief Clerk will please read any other communications in his possession.
Very well. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution declaring May 15th as Living Beyond Breast Cancer Day in Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. I introduce today two resolutions co-sponsored by all members of Council.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution calling for hearings before the City Council Committee on Education to examine the climate of violence in our City schools and to discuss ways it can be reduced.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution recognizing Charles "Charlie Mack" Alston for his generosity towards the West Philadelphia High School and the surrounding community.
This resolution will also be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer one bill and one resolution on your behalf.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Section 19-1705 of The Philadelphia Code to increase the amount of interest and penalty on any unpaid money or claim collectible by the Department of Revenue that may be waived by the Revenue Commissioner.
The bill will be assigned to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Thirty-Sixth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. Today I offer one resolution.
A resolution recognizing, honoring, and celebrating Matthew Chea for his many efforts in victim advocacy and receiving the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller -I'm sorry. It's a resolution. It will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Madam President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. No bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing City Council to retain a consultant to conduct a comprehensive labor market analysis.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Madam President. I offer two resolutions this morning, one co-sponsored by my colleague Kenney and the other co-sponsored by members Tasco and Quinones-Sanchez.
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution declaring April 11th through the 15th, 2011 as Philadelphia Youth Commission's Youth Voter Registration Awareness Week in the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution recognizing and congratulating the City of Philadelphia on its recognition by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as one of the top 20 cities in the country with Energy Star certified buildings.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. I offer one resolution, which is co-sponsored by my colleagues Councilmen Kenney and Clarke, and I would like to speak on it briefly.
A resolution urging the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to enact an amnesty program for the Traffic Court of Philadelphia whereby drivers who have lost their driving privileges for failure to pay outstanding traffic violations can have those privileges restored upon payment in full of all outstanding traffic fines, and applauding the leadership of Senator Mike Stack in authorizing legislation to authorize the establishment of such an amnesty program.
The Chair recognizes Councilman DiCicco. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Madam President. As the Clerk read, this resolution will allow a person the opportunity to restore the driving privileges by removing the points and term suspension periods, which sometimes can cause a violator to wait several years before becoming eligible to be able to drive legally. Currently, unaddressed citations at last audit due to the City of Philadelphia are in excess of $177 million. This amnesty program will allow Traffic Court to operate in a more amicable manner on behalf of the general public, as well as itself financially, by allowing due process and allowing those violators who, in effect, would be motivated to address the debt with an option to maintain or obtain his or her driver's license. And it's a win-win situation. I draw this from my experience as having been the Court Administrator of Philadelphia Traffic Court in the early '90s when we did a similar one at the local level, and in less than six months, we generated an additional million dollars to the City treasury and also were able to provide people the opportunity to get back their licenses and, in effect, become legitimate drivers. This impact on the citizens of Philadelphia would be helpful not only in restoring their driving privileges but would also eliminate that many more uninsured motorists in the City of Philadelphia, which ultimately impacts all people who have insurance by raising our rates, et cetera. So I just would ask that my colleagues speak to their local representative, state representatives and state senators and encourage them to support Senator Stack in this effort. It is a win-win all the way around. We can get some people back whose jobs have been affected. Over the years, people who become suspended, it's kind of a spiraling effect. You get stopped once after you're suspended, you rack up a $200-something fine, you then get another $200-something fine, and before you know it, you literally owe thousands of dollars. And in many, many cases, those people who ultimately became suspended could wind up or have wound up losing their jobs, because they needed a driver's license in order to maintain employment. So I think it's a win-win, and I would urge my colleagues to discuss it with their local representatives and state senators. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Krajewski.
Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of Councilman Jones and myself and all members of Council, I introduce a resolution.
A resolution declaring April 2011 as Autism Awareness Month and recognizing April 12th, 2011 as World Autism Day in the City of Philadelphia.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance 17-1600 entitled Economic Opportunity Plans by establishing a time frame upon which such plans for covered projects shall be submitted.
The bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
The next order of business is reports from committees. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a report from the
Madam President, the Committee of the Whole reports two resolutions with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee of the Whole, to which was referred Resolution No. 110188, entitled "A resolution confirming the appointment of Michael Reed as a member of the Board of Ethics, to serve in the term ending November 16, 2015"; and Resolution No. 110189, entitled "A resolution confirming the appointment of Judge Phyllis W. Beck as a member of the Board of Ethics, to serve in the term ending November 16, 2012," respectfully reports it has considered the same and to Council with a favorable recommendation.
These resolutions will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for a report from the Committee of Law and Government.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Law and Government reports one bill and one resolution with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chief Clerk will please read the report.
The Committee on Law and Government, to which was referred Bill No. 100303, entitled "An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in Council proposing an amendment of The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for a mandatory Budget Stabilization Reserve"; and Resolution No. 100314, entitled "A resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for a mandatory Budget Stabilization Reserve, and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill and resolution to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 100303. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of the bill just reported from committee. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the bill just read will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. Resolution No. 100314 will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. The 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 a first reading. These bills will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage 3/31/11 - STATED - 2ND READING/CONSENT AGENDA Calendar for our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion concerning the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. The following bills are up for the Consent Agenda: Bill Nos. 110074, 110075, 110076, 110077, 110078, 110079, 110080, 110112, 110113, 110114, 110115, 110117, 110119, 110120, 10146, 110 -- I'm sorry; 110146, 110147, 110148, 110149, 110150, 110151, 110152, 110153, 110154, 110155 and 110156.
It 3/31/11 - STATED - 2ND READING/CONSENT AGENDA has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the bills just read by Councilwoman Tasco. All in favor please indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and we will consider the Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the regular Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Madam President. In addition to the bills being considered on the Consent Agenda, the following resolutions and bills are being called up for Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today: Nos. 110233, 110234, 110235, 110236, 110238, 110111-A, 080015, 080016, 080034, 080036, 100215, 100715, 080474, 100610, 100611 and 100844. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you. Before considering these bills and resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for possible action at today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed up for today's session, please do so by now giving your name and the number that you will be testifying on to the Sergeant-At-Arms, who is located at the table to my left. You will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. You will have up to three minutes, three minutes to speak. At this time, I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.
If Ms. Johnson is in the room, I would ask her to please come to the microphone. Is Ms. Johnson here? (No response.)
And would you please indicate the bill number that he will be testifying on.
Good morning. Welcome. Please identify yourself for the record.
Thank you. Yes. My name is Tom Sauerman and I'm speaking to Bill 110235. I have been on the Board of the Friends of the Falls of the Schuylkill Library for seven years, and I welcome this opportunity to speak in support of this resolution introduced by my Councilman, Curtis Jones, Jr., regarding the Free Public Library and its proposed policy for floating collections. With me today is Ms. Amy Dougherty, the Executive Director of the Friends of the Free Library. I represent one of 50 Friends groups across the City that gives thousands of dollars and hours annually to our 54-branch library system. The Friends group met two weeks ago to listen to the Library administration explain the need for a floating collection. Basically, the pilot works like this: When a book or DVD is purchased by neighbors specifically for a need at Branch A and it is loaned to Branch B, under the proposed policy it will remain at Branch B and not be returned to A where it originated as a specific donation to that branch. After listening and asking questions on March 12th, without exception, the Friends groups told the Library administration that the proposed floating collections policy will reduce donations and will diminish support from Friends groups across the City and will result in the loss of unique historical collections to neighborhood libraries. Two quick examples of what I'm talking about. Across the street from our library is the Thomas Mifflin Public School. In the past, the teachers have requested specific history and geography books to be added to our library, the public library, to supplement the school's depleted library. The purpose was to have additional materials available for students to use by simply walking across the street. We now stand to lose those books and materials under this policy. Second example: The East Falls Historical Society has gathered a collection of books related to the role that textile manufacturing has played in the history of our great city and neighborhood. There are other City neighborhoods that have made interesting and important contributions. They, like us, have gathered materials for years so as not to lose their history and tradition. We all risk losing those books when they are -- where they are most used and needed. There is never an unwillingness to share with anyone who wants to use those books. We borrow books from other branches all the time. But to experience the loss of these books that are there for a specific need will result in the reduction of donations of money and time to the many Philadelphians. On behalf of the Friends groups, I urge you to support the resolution and to speak directly to the Library administration to desist from implementing the floating collections policy. Urge them to pay attention to the significant stewardship offered by the 50 Friends groups. Other library systems use a modified floating collection by returning materials specifically purchased to meet a particular neighborhood need. Philadelphia can do the same. Thank you.
Is Mr. Wilson here? Please approach the microphone. Thank you. Good morning, sir.
Identify yourself and indicate what bill number you will be speaking on.
My name is Joel Wilson. I have been self-employed here in the City of Philadelphia since 1992 after graduating from college. I obtained a degree in computer science after going to a local high school right here in Philadelphia. Currently, I serve as the President and CEO of JCW Computer Consulting, and I'm proud to say that actually one of my clients are here, the Math and Civics Science Charter School. I currently have four regular staff and two high school interns. We are a CompTIA plus authorized computer service center, Lenovo business partner, HP business partner, among other industry partnerships. All of our technicians are industry certified. There's a small joke I would like to share with you that we as small businessowners say. It goes like this: Hey, when are your sick days? The answer: Saturday and Sunday. The response: You're lucky you don't work on Saturday and Sunday. There's a misconception about small businessowners. We don't have a golden parachute when we retire. We don't have a lot of vacation days. Some of us don't have any sick days. If you ask the typical businessowner that's been in business for ten-plus years, you may find that they took off five days. May. Small businesses are in a fragile state, and I don't just say that because I'm one small business that's here before you talking. Last year I had the honor to participate in a U.S. Small Business Association E-200 program. This is the key program that throughout the country, they picked 20 businesses from 20 of the top cities. So I was one of the representatives here in Philadelphia. We did a poll. We were studying business growth statistics, and we used the Harvard Business Journal and we looked at how they classified business growth. Businesses go through existence, that means just being created; survival; third stage is success; fourth is take-off; and five is resource maturity. When we polled the businesses right here in Philadelphia, the vast majority were only in survival. Many folks may not realize at a small company the key staff actually make more money than the owners. There's a social compact that enables small businesses to exist. This social compact is, we need a School District that produces qualified and competent employees for us to pull from. Well, if we speak to the reality of Philadelphia, we all know there are challenges here. And from the proposed budget that the state is putting out, it's going to be even worse moving forward. Local government, if we look right here in Philadelphia, we have an Office of Economic Opportunity. If there was not a problem with small businesses getting the contracts, there wouldn't be this office. Lack of financing, just watch the news. Almost every week a major news station is telling you they are not loaning money to small businesses. What do small businesses bring to Philadelphia? Most small businessowners are very active in their children's school. We volunteer above and beyond for social causes, little league, Big Brother/Big Sister, scouting programs. We buy from other small businesses. We hire Philadelphians local where our businesses are created. We provide outlets and resources, non-traditional mentoring set-ups that you do not get based on budgets of any institution that's currently here in Philadelphia. I come before the City Council --
Excuse me, sir. You're going to have to conclude your remarks. Your time has long been up.
I am sorry. I just come to say that small businessowners do not support this bill. It will hurt us. It is an unnecessary mandate. The financial times are not the proper time to raise any additional financial costs for us. Thank you.
We appreciate your coming in to make your comments known. Thank you. Our next witness?
Good morning. Welcome. Please identify yourself for the record.
Good morning. My name is Nicole Giles. I'm here representing the African American Chamber of Commerce and I'm speaking to Bill 080474. I'd like to speak about this bill. I'm here to share a few results from a survey of our membership, which indicate the prevailing response to this bill is in opposition to it. Our survey revealed that about half of our membership of nearly 500 businesses in the region offer -- about half of these businesses offer paid sick leave to their employees. These packages are primarily three to five sick days and ten general paid off -- paid time off with sick and vacation days combined. The businesses that currently do not offer paid sick leave, first of all, would like to, if possible, according to our survey, but have cited the following reasons for which they are opposed to the bill. One is, as a small businesses, we are financially unable to provide paid time off. Our business is a very small operation and to pay someone for sick leave and then still pay someone to do the work would be a serious hardship for our business. With only ten employees, most positions in the company are performed by only one person. Therefore, the loss of any one person for an extended period of time would force us to hire a back-up person for the position. Not having reached break-even as a company yet, this is not financially feasible and would most likely lead to our demise as a business. If an employee can't come in, then work is delayed and backed up. I sometimes have to hire someone else to do the work when we are delayed because of sick employees. We can't afford to do both. I believe it is important to understand the potentially devastating impact this could have on our business community. We also must keep in mind the impact on the general public. Most of our respondents stated that they would either increase the cost of services or relocate outside of the City of Philadelphia. If this bill is passed, it will be more difficult to obtain access to proper goods and services at a competitive rate. Another finding from our survey is that many businesses will shift or reduce vacation pay to sick pay if this bill is passed. In this case, we could expect to see an increase in unplanned absences, causing businesses to operate on a less routine schedule with varying cost implications. This bill simply brings into play too many operational hazards that would cast yet another negative impression on doing business in the City of Philadelphia. If there are no businesses here to generate work for our workforce, then we all lose. Finally, the African American Chamber of Commerce of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware certainly encourages businesses to offer competitive benefits packages to attract the best talent and retain our most loyal employees, but not to the detriment of the business itself. Thank you.
Good morning, sir. Welcome. Please identify yourself for the record.
Thank you, ma'am. My name is Dr. James Plumb. I'm a professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University and representing Physicians for Social Responsibility of Philadelphia, and I rise in support of Bill 080474. I currently see patients at the St. Elizabeth's Health and Healing Center in Lower North Philadelphia in partnership with Project H.O.M.E. where a majority of the folks that I see are poor, are working for low wages and are un or underinsured. As a practicing physician, I am deeply concerned about the health of the public and the impact that policy decisions have on my patients. I am perplexed by the lack of sensible policies that affect the health and well-being of so many citizens, citizens who struggle to make ends meet, to raise healthy families and be responsible employees. In a city with marked racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes, the absence of paid sick leave may be an important factor perpetuating these disparities. So how does this play out in my practice in my experience? Right now I have patients who feel that they are in charge of their health. They have immunized their children. They've stopped smoking. They're using their inhalers correctly. They're following their diets and taking their medications, and yet they and their children remain at risk for symptom exacerbation, longer hospitalizations and an unfortunate choice between working sick and losing wages, wages that often keep them from falling off an economic cliff. I have asthmatic patients who have waited several days to be seen, requiring a trip to the emergency room for aggressive treatment. I have patients who experience chest pain and/or severe headaches, and they wait days to see me for fear of taking off work, only to find dangerously high blood pressure. And I have mothers whose child is sent to daycare with diarrhea, only to infect other children. And I have patients who are left alone during the day with illness because their caregivers have gone to work. When exploring the reasons for treatment delay, the stories of those working for minimum wage, decision about rent payments, food and medications are all influenced by even one day's lost wages. I urge passage of the Promoting Healthy Families and Workplace.
Thank you, Doctor. We appreciate your coming in to testify. (Applause.)
Good morning. I'm here with over 40 people in support of this bill today. My name is Dina Yarmus. I was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia. I went to Ursinus College right outside of Philadelphia, and this past year I've settled in South Philadelphia, in your district, Chairman. My father is a school teacher for the Philadelphia public schools. My mother works as a school nurse. My older sister, my boyfriend and I, like over 20,000 workers in this city, are servers, restaurant workers. I, though, unlike my sister, am one of the lucky ones. I have sick days. I am one of the handful of unionized restaurant workers in this city. I work at Tavern 17 at the Radisson-Warwick Hotel and I'm a member of a proud and strong union, Unite Here, Local 274. But what does that mean? It means a group of brave workers who worked there before me did something very similar to what we're doing here right now. They fought for what was right. They fought for people to be treated like human beings. They fought for the right to have sick days. Restaurant work is often long hours with inconsistent days off. It's long days on your feet, oftentimes doing the work of two people and dealing with the emotional labor of keeping people happy. Sometimes we need a day off. We're interacting with many different people and their germs. Sometimes we get sick. What I want to submit is three things. First, everyone, including restaurant workers, deserve sick days. The second is that the public is better served by a social policy that doesn't pressure working-class people to work even when they're sick and talk to you at your tables and serve you your food. And, lastly, businesses can afford to pay sick days, as evidenced by my employer, who continues to be profitable and even grow in a recession. I am proud to be here in support of paid sick days. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you, President and members of Council. My name is Mark O'Connor. I'm one of the owners of the Irish Pubs, one at 12th and Walnut, one at 20th and Walnut, and I'm here representing a group of restauranteurs from the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association, including Garth Weldon from The Prime Rib, who is the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association; Ellen Yin from Fork; Terry and Michael McNally from London's Grill; Pete Ciarrocchi from Chickie and Pete's; James Conboy from George Well Meats; and my partners, Richard and Catherine Burke. The hospitality industry is one of the largest employers in the City and draws employees because of, I believe, the flexible nature of the employment. There are some long shifts. There are some short shifts. You don't have to work every day. You can work some nights. We have a lot of students working for us. We have some single mothers who only want to spend a day or two at work. And the flexible nature has also given us a mechanism for when people are sick or need time off, and, that is, generally they take care of each other. They cover each other's shifts. Sometimes they need our help to do that, the restaurant managers, but we're happy to do it, because that's why they're there. So that if they have a test coming up as a student, they're able to take the time off to study for that test. If a mother wants to go to her child's kindergarten play, she can switch her day. Same goes when someone is sick. We just switch the days and allow them to continue to work and make a living. Secondarily, there's a cost involved, of course, to this bill. Here are some of the things that we're facing at the Irish Pub this year. Of course, we have the ten percent real estate tax increase, but that's only for two years, right? That's what I heard anyway. Deregulation of electric supply, which is going to be cost increases. Two days ago there was a New York Times article talking about food inflation being hidden from the public by smaller packaging. So all of these things are costs that are weighing on us now. And the Irish Pub has a Poor Richard's Luncheon, soup and sandwich, homemade, $4, every single day. There's no way we can afford to pay an employee not to come to work, pay another employee to take their shift and perhaps pay them overtime and keep our concept intact, which has been there for 30 years. So I implore you not to legislate something that is being taken care of in-house. Thank you.
Good morning, Mr. Taylor. Please identify yourself for the record.
Good morning, Madam President. My name is Robert Taylor. I'm a citizen and resident of South Philadelphia. I am thankful for this opportunity to make public comment, and I thank all of those, including Councilman and fellow Overbrook alumni, Councilman Jones, for the opportunity to make this public comment. Free speech is good. Regarding amending Resolution No. 080001, please don't create a suspension calendar. If bills are unlikely to pass final passage, they should be abolished. However, if a suspension calendar is created, public comment should be permitted long before action is sought on the bill. I do not want to see another photo enforcement traffic signal light. These devices automatically harass the public. Please vote against this proposed ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, Vine Street at Broad Street. Quote, "The town of Swindon abandoned the use of fixed cameras in 2009, questioning their cost effectiveness with the cameras being replaced by vehicle activated warning signs and enforcement by police using mobile speed cameras. In the nine months following the switch-off, there was a small reduction in accident rates." Wikipedia. Also, I stand against all of the parking ordinances. The ever-changing and endless rules and regulations are starting to already squeeze Center City, as documented to some extent in the cable show that used to be called "Parking Wars." Now this massive regulation is spilling into every neighborhood. Recently, 32 citizens were arrested for failure to pay parking tickets. Why should we permit more reasons for citizens to be arrested? Why should the City Council make the situation worse by constantly increasing parking regulations, in this case by up to 23 new regulations at one time? The situation is becoming overwhelming. Thank you, and God bless. I would also like to submit this information or copies of this information to City Council.
Thank you. I'm Juanita Love and I'm an organizer at the Philadelphia Security Officers Union, PSOU. We support Bill 080474 --
Excuse me, Ms. Love. Could you pull the microphone down a little, because I'm having difficulty hearing you.
Good morning. I am Juanita Love, organizer for the Philadelphia Security Officers Union at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Our union is PSOU. We support Bill 080474 for Healthy Families. PSOU is the first union exclusively for security officers in this country. Our election was won on October 10th, 2009, and it was against the largest private security company in the country, Allied Barton. They would not even recognize our union until last year, May of 2010, and that was because of the pressure and support we received from the public and from City Council. The makeup of our union is 75 percent female and about 98 percent African American or people of color. Most are single head of household. Nineteen, about 20 years ago there was a union at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, but the makeup was different. The officers were mostly white, mostly male. The starting salaries at that time was about $30,000 a year, over $14 an hour. The average now is 9.50 to 10.03, and our take-home for the year is between 13 and 17 thousand dollars. We can all tell you stories about what it feels like to go to work sick. We cannot afford to take off. And so we do support Bill 080474. We're also asking for public support to put pressure on the Museum to get rid of Allied Barton and to protest against the Museum getting City money. The Museum never cuts corners on any other area in terms of the big renovating project that's at the Museum, in terms of other -- the other unions that work at the Museum. We are the largest makeup in terms of all of the unions at the Museum and yet they're nickel and diming and scrimping on our salary, so we really need the public support. Thank you.
Good morning, sir. Welcome. Please identify yourself for the record.
Good morning. My name is Henri Marcial and I'm testifying on behalf of the Small Business Union in opposition to Bill No. 080474, the paid sick leave bill. Don't worry, I've left my stick at home today, and I apologize if being blunt in the past may have offended anyone. However, my constituents are feeling severe pain as a result of this. Today, as promised, I will be providing an update regarding the Small Business Union's investigation into the availability of short-term sick leave insurance products and their affordability for the 85 percent of businesses in Philadelphia with fewer than 20 employees and the approximately 45,000 registered businesses in Philadelphia that have annual earnings of $100,000 or less. To summarize prior testimony on this point, the consideration of an insurance product came from conversations between Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez and the Small Business Union. At this meeting, one of the original founders of the Union suggested checking the available business insurance products as a reasonable, cost-effective way of addressing the overall intent of the bill. This founder immediately set to task, and these are the findings to date. There's a product that businesses can purchase that will provide up to one week's pay per year for medical absences. By aggregating or grouping a large number of businesses together under such a plan, businesses can save approximately 25 percent of the cost, the initial cost, what would be considered the one week's worth of pay they would otherwise incur. In addition, added benefits of purchasing such a policy include reduced administrative costs and burdens and minimizing the potential for animosity between employers and employees over the administration of the sick day policy, since that would be done by the insurance company. Under the current insurance proposal, we have been able to reduce the estimated monthly cost to a small business to approximately $18 a month per minimum wage employee. This is a reasonable method of moving toward the intended purpose of providing some form of sick time coverage without overburdening already stressed businesses. There is such a thing as socially responsible capitalism. The Small Business Union, without the need for legislation, has already negotiated and is providing affordable health insurance plans to its members, their employees and their families. In addition, the Small Business Union is negotiating to bring new jobs to Philadelphia and has projects on the board ready to go that would create in excess of 100 new jobs in the City within a year of implementation. Also, in an effort to reduce the community's costs of living, the Small Business Union has partnered with North American Power Company to provide competitive electric generation rates for both businesses and residential customers. The Small Business Union is starting a "Buy Local" program with its members. The Small Business Union has also supported Councilwoman Miller's initiatives in the past. The Small Business Union is engaging in these actions and activities without government help or prodding and has developed a sustainable, socially responsible platform for its members. The leadership of the Union is comprised of well-educated, experienced businessmen with diverse backgrounds. They recognize the value of responsible business ownership and how local businesses function, interact and support their communities. We do not ask for your help, although that would be appreciated. All we ask for is that government recognize these efforts and not hinder them. The Union is proof that you can be a capitalist --
Excuse me, sir. Would you mind concluding your remarks. Your time has been up.
Certainly. We will be providing our findings to the bill sponsors and will seek a dialogue with you on this matter. Remember, small businessowners are not your enemies. They're your daily workers just like you. They are your partners, and the only way to reach a viable and sustainable step in the right direction is to work with us, not against us. Thank you very much.
My name is Tiffany Lomax and I've been a Philadelphia resident for 38 years. I am a supporter of earned paid sick days. I work for Women's Funding Federation here in Philadelphia, and I've been gainfully employed for 12 years. I have a son who is 14 years old. He has severe asthma, allergies and a history of seizures, and earned sick paid days have been a blessing to me and my family and a lifeline for us. I pride myself on working very hard and making my own way. I don't ask for any handouts. I'm a full-time employee and an adult learner at Temple University. So this bill will impact single moms like myself that are just trying to make it and make a better life for their children. I just ask everybody to think about if you have a sick child like I do -- I was slated to be here two weeks ago. He had a severe asthma attack. We landed in Children's Hospital. And then I had to come to work the next day, but I was fortunate to have ten paid sick days, which I use annually to care for my child. As I stated, this is a very necessary bill. I ask you to just look at my situation and see that you can be gainfully employed, you can respectfully use your paid sick days and still be a productive citizen in Philadelphia. Thank you so much.
Thank you very much. Our next witness? (Applause.)
Yes. Good morning. First I'd like to say that this legislation would assist the 300,000 formerly convicted people who live in this city who are prevented from working and caring for they family. This legislation would also address the issue of our continuous issue of poverty that we have in this city, the 25 percent. If you look at the 25 percent poverty and compare that to the folks that are convicted and who are prevented from working in this city, that is the group that we are talking about, those that is locked into poverty, and the reason for that is because they cannot get past the application, that question, have you ever been convicted. When talking about formerly convicted people, we like to sometimes always look at folks who need job readiness, job training, but there's another set of formerly convicted people who have been home for five, ten, 15, 20, 25 years who are now facing a new reality, and, that is, that when they go back and try to regain their employment, they are now faced with that box as well. And this box is preventing these folks from even caring for the families that they've been caring for for the past ten, 15, 20 years. So this box -- by passing this legislation, you would address the issue of employment for formerly convicted people. You would also address the issue of recidivism, because a lot of times people recidivists only because they cannot find decent employment. This box would also make it possible for formerly convicted people who have the skills and the right attitude to perform these jobs would now be able to work at their skill level instead of having a person who has a Master Degree washing dishes. We have people that comes with all different types of skill level that need this box off the applications. So I applaud -- I am asking Council today that when they vote, to vote yes overwhelmingly for this bill. Thank you for this opportunity.
Good morning, Mr. Fisher. Nice seeing you again.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Today I'm going to speak about those two. I think they're entitled "Safety." As a background, I'd like to say if you go to a Philadelphia Tea Party Patriot meeting -- and I've gone to a lot in South Philly and Center City -- they hand you this document. Some people might consider it radical. It's the Constitution of the United States. If you look at it, amended to the Constitution, it says, A well-regulated malitia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. And I have to say that sitting around looking here, we enjoy the freedoms we have. If it wasn't for an armed citizenry back at that time, we would not be enjoying those freedoms today, because they beat their oppressors, the English. Now, these two bills, which regulate arms and ammunition, are just another burden on the law-abiding citizens. I don't believe a criminal is going to follow these laws. How they get their guns, how they get their ammunition is not going to be through the normal process of obtaining them. It will be some sort of illegal process. And to tell you the truth, I know when something bad happens with a gun, it makes the headlines, but if you look at the history of the world, most of the criminal activity of the world has been done by governments. Every day you may pick up a newspaper where it says 40 protestors killed here, 25 protestors killed here. They're being shot by their government. Now, of course, once in a while you get a crazy person who has a gun, but to impose these laws on law-abiding citizens seems unnecessary. And, of course, those citizens may cross City Line Avenue and not have to deal with these laws. So I'm just putting forth as based on the Second Amendment of the Constitution that these laws not be passed. Thank you.