Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. 3/13/14 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, 140100.
An ordinance amending Chapter 17-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Philadelphia 21st Century Minimum Wage and Benefits Standard," by further providing with respect to the membership of the Living Wage and Benefits Review Committee.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Thank you. We're going to go back to 140161.
Resolution also naming 3rd Street between Market and Poplar Streets to "N3RD Street."
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Move 3/13/14 - STATED - 2ND READING for a withdrawal.
Oh, this is the withdraw one. I'm sorry. I'd like to withdraw the bill -- I make a motion to withdraw. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 140161 be withdrawn. All in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 140161 has been withdrawn. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions.
A resolution honoring the rich life and loving memory of Jaci Adams: the longest serving member of the Philadelphia Police Liaison 3/13/14 - STATED - 2ND READING Committee; fierce, beloved and award winning leader within the LGBTQ communities; and passionate advocate for transgender and HIV/AIDS health initiatives, introduced by Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of myself and Councilman Squilla, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution 3/13/14 - STATED - 2ND READING honoring, recognizing, and celebrating the lifetime musical achievements of Benny Golson, for his contributions to the world of music through radio, television, and film, introduced by Councilman Greenlee on behalf of Council President Clarke.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution 3/13/14 - STATED - 2ND READING congratulating Donn Scott on his retirement from the financial services industry, introduced by Councilwoman Tasco.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Councilwoman Brown, your light is on. Did you need to be recognized?
Thank you, Councilwoman. Please proceed, Mr. Decker.
And a resolution recognizing and acknowledging Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on the occasion of its Seventh Annual Philadelphia City Council Delta Day, introduced by Councilwoman Tasco.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) 3/13/14 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution proclaiming March, 2014 as American Red Cross Month in the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Johnson.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing the week of May 5, 2014 as 3/13/14 - STATED - 2ND READING Correctional Employees Week for the City of Philadelphia for these dedicated employees and their tireless work within the Philadelphia Prison System, introduced by Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing and congratulating the Philadelphia Museum of Art for its groundbreaking cultural exchange with the 3/13/14 - STATED - 2ND READING Republic of Korea to present to American audiences one of the finest exhibitions of Korean art, Treasures from Korea: Arts and Culture of the Joseon Dynasty, 1392 through 1910, introduced by Councilman O'Neill on behalf of Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution 3/13/14 - STATED - 2ND READING recognizing and honoring the life and service of William "Wild Bill" Guarnere, introduced by Councilman O'Neill on behalf of Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution requesting the Mayor to return to Council Bill No. 130908, entitled "An ordinance 3/13/14 - STATED - 2ND READING to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Spruce Street, Juniper Street, Cypress Street, Watts Street, Pine Street and Broad Street," for the purpose of reconsideration by the Council of the vote by which said bill passed Council, introduced by Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of special business at this time. (Duly seconded.)
Councilman, just move the adoption of the resolution and then special business we'll do the actual vote on -
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption 3/13/14 - STATED - 2ND READING of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is approved.
And a resolution authorizing the joint public hearing by the City Council Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy on the impact and feasibility of Philadelphia hosting major, international events, including party conventions, the Olympics and the Semiquincentennial celebration in 2026, introduced by Councilwoman Bass.
The 3/13/14 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. We will now move towards special business, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion regarding special business.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of special business at this time. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of special business at this time. All in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion passes. Mr. Decker, please read the letter from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am returning herewith, as resolution adopted March 13, 2014, Bill No. 130908, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Spruce Street, Juniper Street, Cypress Street, Watts Street, Pine Street and Broad Street, by amending Chapter 14-500 of the Zoning Code entitled 'Overlay Zoning', by amending Chapter 14-700 of the Zoning Code entitled 'Development Standards', and by amending Chapter 14-800 of the Zoning Code entitled 'Parking and Loading', all under certain terms and conditions," for the purpose of reconsideration by the Council of the vote by which said bill passed Council.
Thank you. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion that Council reconsider the vote by which Bill No. 130908 was passed.
All in favor please signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the motion carries and the vote by which Bill No. 130908 was passed has been reconsidered. The Chair now again recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer an amendment to Bill No. 130908. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of this amendment. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 130908 be adopted. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the amendment is approved, and Bill No. 130908 has been amended and it will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. This concludes our special business. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. At this time, I will offer remarks about the immigration last week. Philadelphia has a rich immigration history, and our immigrant community continues to thrive today. Many people in Philadelphia require assistance with immigration matters, and they place a tremendous amount of trust in immigration assistance service providers. These providers have a duty and responsibility to properly and legally serve their clients. The work of immigration assistance providers can literally affect every facet of their client's life. The ability to live and work within the United States and to establish and maintain stable families and business relationships of many people with immigrant matters hinges on the work of such providers. Given the size of Philadelphia's immigrant community, immigration assistance service providers have a significant impact on the social, cultural, and economic life of the City. Currently in Philadelphia we have no regulation of the practice of immigration assistance services. I believe this leaves people who require assistance with immigration matters vulnerable to exploitation, fraud, financial ruin, family upheaval due to the unscrupulous business practices of some of these providers. And make no mistake, those knowingly and intentionally preying upon and deceiving our immigrant population are committing a fraud. People who require assistance with immigration matters deserve to know the exact scope of work to be performed by a service provider. There needs to be built in assurances that they are getting proper assistance and have some recourse should they be wronged by an assistance provider, because the consequences can be steep and life-altering. Last week, I introduced a bill standards for those providing immigration services. The intent of my legislation is to give immigrants and persons who require assistance with immigration matters clarity about how immigration services should be handled from an ethical, fair, and honest business practices and preserve public confidence. Earlier this week, the Public Safety Committee held a hearing on this issue, which is also commonly referred to as notario fraud. At our hearing we had several courageous and brave victims testify about the devastating impact of this fraud. We also had a variety of stakeholders, including the Federal Trade Commission, the District Attorney's Office, and the Police Department, testify and amplify how this fraud is perpetrated upon victims and present solutions to stop it. I believe the thoughtful and appropriate legislation I introduced stop the exploitation and the fraud in our immigrant community. This legislation is a step in the right direction, and I look forward to the ensuing dialogue and the effort to find good solutions. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. Any speeches on behalf of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. First I'd like to say thank you to Councilman Jim Kenney for a taste of the Irish culture today. She was a talented young woman. Secondly, I'd like to remind members that immediately following City Council, there will be a legislative luncheon hosted by former Mayor Reverend W. Wilson Goode and the executive leadership at the Big Brothers Big Sisters, Marcus Allen. So we invite members to join us next door and to hear about the new, exciting things that are happening there at Big Brothers Big Sisters. Lastly my remarks, today I want to seize the moment to share what I view as amazing news. On February 25th of this year, federal health authorities reported a 43 percent drop in obesity rates among children ages two to five. This represents the first broad decrease in this epidemic since the publication of the 2004 National Institutes of Health comprehensive report on obesity wherein it stated that obesity among young people of color was at a crisis. According to the Center for Disease Control, about 8 percent of our young people were obese in 2012. That figure is down from 14 percent in 2004. When young people are overweight or obese, the fact is that they are five times as likely to be overweight or obese the lead researcher, quote, This is the first time we have seen any indication of any significant decrease in any age group. This data is even more exciting when coupled with a 2013 report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation wherein it stated Philadelphia reported a significant reduction in the rate of obesity amongst school children, particularly among teens and young people of color. 7 percent. So kudos to Dr. Donald Schwarz and our Health Department for their concentration in this area. I keenly remember sitting in this Chamber during the Street Administration when Philadelphia was named, and I quote, not by us but by others, "the fattest city in America," end quote. As elected officials, some of us did complain and others of us got to work. My office Trust and called for hearings on what we now know as food deserts. It was Representative Dwight Evans' vision as the then Chair of the House Appropriation Committee that led to new financing methods for supermarkets in certain neighborhoods, attracting grocers like Jeff Brown of Brown's Shop Rite. Together, Representative Evans and Jeff Brown have literally changed the landscape of many of our neighborhoods, creating jobs, offering fresh food at an affordable cost, and teaching a new generation of Philadelphians how to shop and eat healthier. In 2004, City Council passed a resolution introduced by my office to ban all sodas and sugar-sweetened drinks from the public school vending machines. We met with Coca-Cola and others. We worked with then Chairman James Nevels and SRC member Sandra Dungee Glenn, who saw the smartness in that resolution. They later decided to remove sodas from schools K 8. The SRC then acted to take deep fryers out of Philadelphia schools and make the switch to 1 percent skim milk. And then later Paul Vallas and his Chief of Staff, Natalie Paquin, now CEO of Girl Scouts, led the charge to expand organized sports to middle school grades and thus expanded sports programs in high schools, proving the point without funding for athletics programs, we continue to rob our students of many, many valuable healthy benefits. And then later in 2010, my office introduced the menu labeling legislation, which took us two years to get done, seeking nine votes, but at the end of the day, we got 12 votes, and as a result, we're now teaching a new generation of parents and young people that knowledge is power and life really is all about choices, including nutritional choices.
We may not always pick the healthiest choice, but menu power to make healthier choices. So I thank my colleagues who supported me, and I thank those who came later and said, Blondell, that was not such a bad idea. We must also salute what I call corporate citizens like McDonald's, who saw the need, listened to parents, and have added healthier food options to their menu. In 2004, McDonald's began offering apples as a Happy Meal option. In 2012, McDonald's began including apples in all future Happy Meals. So now we will have a new generation of young people that know that a Happy Meal can include tasteful fresh fruit. And how can we have a conversation about winning the war on childhood obesity without mentioning First Lady Michelle Obama? Her program, Let's Move, is changing how young people and adults view food, fitness, and healthy living, and she's achieving great results, as was reported two weeks ago around the country. Her mission has created an entirely new dialogue between parents and children, and the results from Let's Move we'll see years to come. Just as a generation of 1980s babies grew up with Nancy Reagan's Just Say No, Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign is having the same effect. Some might call this a cultural flash point that moves far beyond the walls of the White House. Michelle Obama is making the notion of healthier eating and exercise the expectation and not the exception to the rule. So now I imagine eight years from now when we look to see the impact the Let's Move will have on future generations, including young people who fill these seats. The point, progress has been achieved, albeit incremental, through the work of many stakeholders over this last decade, and I'm energized by the fact that when we do sort of stick to our guns matter, we can make a difference, if not for us, for the little people that are coming behind us. So there's a lot more work to be done in this area, and so I say stay tuned as we continue the mission of working to build healthier children and young people, Mr. President. I thank you very, very much.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
It's Johnson, sir, Mr. Majority Leader. Thank you, Council President. In January, specifically on January the 26th, the Washington, DC-based Violence Policy Center released a study that listed the City of Philadelphia -- that listed the State of Pennsylvania ranking fourth as it relates to homicides amongst Americans, specifically African American young men. And there's a quiet understanding in the African American community that when the weather breaks, people don't know how to act, and that we have seen on the television over the past several days, we have seen an increase in gun violence throughout the City of Philadelphia. To date, there have been 52 homicides. Fifty-two of those homicides were by handguns, which means 94 percent of the gun violence taking place in the City of Philadelphia -- 94 percent of the violence taking place in the City of Philadelphia are by firearms. And so I just want to always make sure that as we go about addressing the various issues in the City of Philadelphia, we also pay attention to the issue of African American black-on-black youth gun violence. And so in the spirit of Falaka Fattah who during her movement No Gang War in '64 -- '74 and produced young leaders such as my Majority Leader, Councilman Curtis Jones, I will always remain on the issue of addressing the issue of youth gun violence amongst African American young men. We do have a neighborhood task force on youth gun violence that I implemented, kicking the year off and -kicking this year off in January. We have had several meetings with community members. This evening we will be having a youth think tank spearheaded primarily by young people to talk about what they believe are the issues and concerns and how they can address the issue of youth gun violence and us as adults can be supportive of them. This event will take place at Vare Rec Center from 6 o'clock, and we encourage individuals who are hearing this announcement to come out to participate. And I think collectively as a Council body and as a city and our individual districts as well as the members continue to step up and play a role as we try to save our young people from killing one another. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman Johnson. Thank you for your continued good work on this very crucial issue. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to announce that this evening from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. there will be a town meeting sponsored by my State Representative, Cherelle Parker, at Saint Peter's Lutheran Church at 74th and Briar Road. There will be representatives from various City and State agencies to provide information to those who attend. We welcome all. Thank you.
you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
The other J. I rise today to not talk about my own work, but I want to talk about one of my colleague's work, and I was glad that he didn't talk about it. I want to rise to talk about Councilman Johnson's hearings on CSX yesterday. And sometimes as a Councilperson you really wish you could forget what you learned, because you don't sleep well at night because of what you now know and that burden of knowledge. Yesterday I sat very long hours with Councilman Greenlee and other Councilpeople as we learned about some of the dangers that every day as we sleep ride through our communities, through our city and we don't know much about it. Unfortunately, the buck stopped in Councilman Johnson's district when a train derailment happened. But the good Johnson jumped right on it and called the giants of the industry to task and made them come all the way from, I think, Florida to come and address some of the safety concerns. And what we learned was, Mr. President, that there are at least 25 nasty chemicals that ride through our cities and our neighborhoods every day and night that we don't know much about, that our administrators of the Streets Department really don't know when they're there, when they leave. We found out that we have different definitions of "dangerous." There's one definition of dangerous that if a train can go through our community and not spill a drop, okay, it's not dangerous. But if a chunk of concrete or a piece of metal falls on the streets below, oh, well, that's your problem. And we have different definitions of "dangerous" when it comes to that. We found out that we have "training." They boasted that they have trained our first responders on how to deal with these kinds of potential catastrophes, but when we dug down into the issue -thank you, Councilman Johnson, again -we discovered that all they were going to train our first responders on was how not to open their boxcars. Not how to deal with the spills of what comes out of them. We don't have to look far but to Jersey to see how that kind of apathy can cause a community a catastrophe. Councilman Johnson over and over and over again yesterday said, We just ducked a bullet, averted a catastrophe, but we're going to learn from it and do better and do better. And so I just want to say a good piece of work, Councilman, and thank you for allowing us to be a part of it. (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilman. say, Councilman Johnson actually called me late last night, and I was a little concerned that the hearing, because they were really getting into all aspects of the issue, that he would actually impede our ability to have the Council session today. That's how late he was here. But he called me last night, told me, We're done, we're okay for Thursday. But I, like Councilman Jones, want to say thank you so much, because I know throughout all of our districts, we have this continuing challenge with respect to potential for hazardous effects. So thank you and continue the good work, sir. I'd like to recognize Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I do want to -- I was in the hearing yesterday for part of it and I did hear some of the questions that were asked, and I have to say I was well and very much troubled by the information that we received yesterday, because it really did show that there's a huge gaping hole and no one, it seemed, was willing to step up and fill that hole in terms of responsibility for what happens if you're walking under a bridge and something falls down on you or the spikes that Councilman Jones brought that came from a railroad track that they just assumed some kids had thrown overboard but -- had thrown over the bridge, but as if that was the only way that they could have gotten there, even though there was a lot of debris and issues with the bridge itself. So I too want to congratulate my colleague on his fantastic work for yesterday. But I actually wanted to mention an event that we'll be hosting this evening, myself and Council President Clarke. We'll be having a information event this evening in partnership with Temple University Health. It's going to be held this evening at 6:00 p.m. at the Student Faculty Center for Temple University, 3340 North Broad Street. That's Broad and Ontario. And we want folks to come out, find out what information is available to help you become enrolled, what Obamacare means to you, and how we can be helpful to you. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I too want to congratulate Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and add that I know you and I share many of -- not their active tracks, but their inactive tracks, and what those inactive tracks have created in terms of blight my district. The 1st Congressional District, which is one of the poorest, we have over 200 people living in a dormant CSX track. It is a situation that many do not want to recognize, because then they have to deal with it. I know DA Seth Williams and others have joined me. We've gone down there, and we see children and families who have made this place their home. And as we talk about this in their active tracks, we also have to hold them responsible for their inactive tracks and whether we end up in the long term filling them or what we do is important, because we spend quite a bit of our City resources cleaning, constantly cleaning, these tracks. And while they have in some cases put some fencing around it, one of the recent murders in the City of Philadelphia was in one of these tracks where there were body parts that were found, and it's a quite dangerous you brought this up. It is a very complex issue, and want to remind you that those dormant tracks that may never be used again continue to be areas of blight and crime in neighborhoods in North Philadelphia. So thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Yesterday not only did we learn that that track, thanks to Councilman Kenyatta Johnson's leadership, is not treated, we had -- I want to thank members of the community in addition who came out, people from South Philly, Southwest Philly, various groups who talked about the fact that for nearly 20 years, no one had cleaned under the bridge, had cleaned the bridge that children walk across. They didn't shovel snow, that nothing happens, you know. It seemed to me to be a 22nd and Market Street about to happen. So it's unbelievable that in this day and time we can live with these horrendous conditions right under our noses. So, again, I commend the leadership and all the community people who came and testified and certainly, along with everyone else here, pledge my commitment to make a difference. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Council President and colleagues, I just want to say for the record that Councilman Jones and myself came to an agreement that we recess the hearing so we can continue addressing this issue, and yesterday was only the beginning. Thank you very much.
Thank you, sir. And that concludes the remarks, and with that, I call on Councilwoman Brown for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that City Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March 20th, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March 20th, 2014, 10:00 a.m. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Council shall stand adjourned. Thank you all very much. ) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. ) A 32:3,12 52:5 Affairs 48:20 amended 50:17 38:7 40:3 58:17 Abigail 80:19 77:5 107:21 117:17 90:13,21 122:14 59:17 60:25 ability 38:22,25 address 20:4 affect 123:14 amending 31:17 61:20 62:8,15 75:16 123:16 30:23 31:7,15 affirmative 86:11 31:23 36:16 64:8 67:22 70:6 140:7 40:18 46:3,15 89:7 93:11 96:4 44:7,8 50:8 72:3 74:14 able 23:19 73:23 67:17 79:4,24 98:18 101:13 76:23 82:10 75:25 139:23 absence 4:21,25 80:19 135:17 103:24 106:12 89:22 93:15 apples 131:13,15 5:10 138:6 121:13 96:8 104:4 apply 71:12,15 accept 23:12 addresses 80:9 affordable 129:14 120:10,12,14 148:20 accepted 37:15 addressing 21:14 African 134:2,2,4 amendment appointment 77:2 access 19:18 22:21 60:18 134:22 135:6 37:25 90:5,8 appointments accompanies 134:19 135:5 AFSCME 32:4 121:20,21,24 77:7 74:25 145:23 after-school 21:6 122:4,12 appreciate 24:20 accompanying adhere 54:25 age 128:6 amendments 32:8 28:17 71:13 10:17 18:11 adjourn 146:6 agencies 136:21 America 7:17 appreciation 15:8 accurately 148:5 adjourned 146:9 Agency 57:8 69:25 128:23 23:3 achieved 132:22 146:14,23,25 Agenda 42:13 American 6:7 appreciative achievements ADJOURNME...