Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, October 6, 2016 10:45 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE L. BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN AL TAUBENBERGER MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting October 6, 2016
Good morning, everyone. We're going to get started. If everybody will take their seat, visitors will retire behind the rail, we will get this show started. Thank you very much. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Pastor Terry Oakman of National Temple Baptist Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Johnson. I would ask all members, guests, and visitors to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
Let us pray. Dear God, our Father, we thank you again for this day. We thank you for the convening of the City and community leaders and officials. God, we pray that you will continue to guide them and govern them with true wisdom, all those who have authority, that they may execute them in good conscience and in good Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 of the people and support of our city, we pray, God, your peace be upon them and us all, that all that is done is done to your glory and for your name. We thank you now, God, even for the occasion which we've gathered to celebrate the men of Prince Hall Masonry. Thank you for their legacy and thank you for their work. Thank you for the light that continues to shine. Let they so ever be a continued beacon of light in this dark, dim society. And through your name, we do pray. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you, Pastor, for those inspiring words. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 very much, and thank you for those inspiring words. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 29th, 2016, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 29th, 2016 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of Thursday, September 29th, 2016 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now recognizes Councilman O'Neill for the minority.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to thank everyone who has taken time out of their busy day to come down to witness their government in action. We hope your stay Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 pleasurable one and, more importantly, a knowledgeable one, so much so that you come back again. So, again, thank you so much for coming down to visit us today. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson, who will present a resolution declaring October 6, 2016 to be Prince Hall Day. Would Most Worshipful Grand Master Joseph Jefferson and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman Johnson, we have Councilman Jones, Councilman Green, Councilman Henon. And I believe we also have our illustrious Sheriff, Jewell Williams, and our good friend Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Councilwoman Bass.
Good morning. Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 (Good morning.)
Today I'm truly honored and privileged to have the opportunity to honor a fraternity and declare today in the City of Philadelphia during our 201st Grand Lodge Session Prince Hall Masons Day. It was in 2007 which I decided to join the fraternity that will help shape who I have become as a man, a fraternity that has helped shape my character, a fraternity that has given countless hours of service in helping others, not only in the City of Philadelphia but also throughout the United States and even throughout this world. And so it's only fitting that the brothers that are standing here with me today be honored as we embark upon our 201st Grand Lodge Session. And I want to thank my Council colleagues who are standing with me here today to help me present this resolution. And the resolution reads: Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 6th, 2016 to be Prince Hall Day in the City of Philadelphia; honoring the outstanding civic and philanthropic contributions of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania throughout Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and celebrating the 201st Grand Lodge Session of Prince Hall Masons.
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Whereas, Prince Hall is widely recognized as the Father of Black Masonry. The brotherhood that he helped to initiate is an important part of Philadelphia's historic landscape since our nation achieved its independence and, today, it has a membership of over 300,000 individuals in 4,500 lodges worldwide; and
Whereas, Prince Hall helped to establish African Lodge No. 459 of Philadelphia, the first Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 Masons in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on September 22nd, 1797. In 1815, African Lodge No. 459 joined with other nascent Masonic Lodges in Philadelphia to form the first African Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, the historic antecedent of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania; and
Whereas, as the organization grew throughout the United States, the spirit of brotherhood, service, and charity began to truly shine. Prince Hall Lodges were being founded in Africa and around the world; and
Whereas, today, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge is involved in countless philanthropic endeavors, giving back to the community and spreading brotherhood across the City of Philadelphia; and
Whereas, Philadelphia Sheriff Jewell Williams is Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 to honor the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and extend his sincere appreciation for its contributions to our great City and Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, on behalf of itself and Philadelphia Sheriff Jewell Williams, that we hereby declare October the 6th, 2016 to be Prince Hall Day here in the City of Philadelphia in honor of the outstanding civic and philanthropic contributions of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania throughout Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and celebrate the 201st Grand Lodge Session of Prince Hall Masons. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania as evidence of the deep appreciation and sincere sentiments of Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, I want to say congratulations. (Applause.)
And the Chair recognizes the Most Worshipful Grand Master Joseph Jefferson for remarks. (Applause.) GRAND MASTER JEFFERSON: Thank you. Good morning. (Good morning.) GRAND MASTER JEFFERSON: To Mr. President, Darrell Clarke, to City Council, friends, citizens of Philadelphia, indeed it is an honor and pleasure for me and this illustrious group behind me to stand before you. We thank you, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, for all that you have done. The Sheriff of Philadelphia, you as well have been a contributor to Prince Hall Masonry in these United States. Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 weekend and we will be having our annual session, 201 years of Prince Hall Mason in the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. (Applause.) GRAND MASTER JEFFERSON: We will be housing at the Sheraton at 17th -- or 201 North 17th Street, I should say, a hotel where we have about 2,500 individuals coming in for our annual conference. This will provide economic affordability to the citizens of Philadelphia. Indeed we do these things not only for ourselves but we do it to help the poor, the weak, and those who cannot stand for themselves. Behind me I have several of my stalwarts that have served this office before me. This side, okay. I have past Most Worshipful Grand Master Lorenzo Cruger, whom some of you might know because he has his name on a few bridges in Philadelphia. We have past Most Worshipful Grand Master Herbert Nathaniel Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 enforcement know who he is, I'm quite sure. Next we have an educator in Leonard -- past Most Worshipful Grand Master Leonard Heard, the educator in Philadelphia and was the principal of William Penn. I think that's it. The rest -oh, yes. But we are also here today -after we leave here today, we are going to distribute gun locks throughout the areas of the downtown. The gun locks are to serve the purpose of those individuals that have their guns so that a child cannot get them. We want to lock it up so that they cannot hurt themselves or anyone else for gun safety throughout not only just today but throughout the year and years to come. The immediate people in the back of me -- and they took time to come out of their schedule -- are some of the new Masters that run this jurisdiction. I'm only one person, but I have over 200 officers throughout this state, and I Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 for coming. Thank you so very much for your time and attention, and God bless. (Applause.)
Thank you very much. Thank you for your attention. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, who will present a resolution recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month. Would Scott Steenrod and those accompanying him please join the Councilwoman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilwoman Sanchez, we have Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Good morning. Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 (Good morning.)
It's only fitting as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month that we highlight the many contributions of Hispanics and Latinos throughout the City. This year we've chosen to, in collaboration with the Restaurant Association, highlight some of the many restaurant establishments in the City of Philadelphia. There are over 600 Hispanic-owned restaurants in the City of Philadelphia, and for that reason, I invited Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, the former Chair of the Arts and Culture, who has always understood the value of jobs in the cultural industry, and the current Chair, Councilwoman Bass, because it is about jobs, right? And I want to just say that as for Latinos, we're a mixed race and there's no better place to see it than in our food. It is fitting that salsa, it is one of the most heavily used Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 cook and obviously in our music also, but it is that mixture of our, for many of us, our African descent, the Taino and the Indian influence, and then our Spaniard influence that I think makes for the spiciness in which you see. Some of you would agree that sometimes we're a little too spicy, but it is only fitting. And I really want to thank the Restaurant Association and the many businesses in the City who have really helped the City thrive. And whether it's a Hispanic-owned restaurant -- I think of Tequila's who's celebrating its 30th anniversary. That was actually one of the first restaurant business deals I did when I worked at a community development corporation 30 years ago. When I see the celebration of 30 years of thriving and the rebirth of downtown, whether it's the restaurant that they own or, as we all know, the kitchen, Hispanics are making a significant contribution to the City of Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 happy to celebrate this today. So with that, declaring September 15th, 2016 through October 15th as Hispanic Heritage Month to honor the role that Hispanics have played and continue to play in the economic, cultural and social development of our nation. Whereas, each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors have come from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America; and Whereas, this day the 15th is significant as it's the anniversary of independence for many Latin American countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, in addition to Mexico and Chile, which celebrate their independence days the 16th and the 18th, respectively. Also, Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 know, Columbus Day or, as we've now pegged, Dia de la Raza, which also falls on October 12th is within this timeframe; The observation started in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson and was later expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to take 30 days -- and you know us, we keep extending it, 30, 40, 50 -- into law in 1988 to recognize the Hispanic ancestry and recognize the many accomplishments and contributions made by Hispanics nationwide; and
Whereas, Hispanics make up a significant portion of the labor force, working as elected officials, like our own Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, CEOs, small business owners, entrepreneurs and homemakers who provide leadership, guidance and support of the values which strengthen our economy; and Whereas, Hispanics in the City of Philadelphia are unique leaders and Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 all professions and have distinguished themselves as smart and wise business owners, creating jobs, paying wages and demonstrating that they are a positive contributing force in our local communities and neighborhoods; and Whereas, Hispanics in the City of Philadelphia own more than 600 restaurants in our City, significantly contributing to the local food culture renaissance of the City, a movement that crosses ethnic and social backgrounds; and
Whereas, Chef Jose Garces, one of the most dynamic and distinguished chefs in the nation and proudly calls Philadelphia home, has been leading Philadelphia's food movement since opening his first of nine restaurants in the City in 2005; and Whereas, Hispanic business owners, despite the many risks and personal sacrifices they encounter, Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 to their families, employees and the community and whose success stories we can learn to emulate; and Whereas, when Hispanics succeed, our nation, our state, our region and our City succeeds; and their potential should only be limited by the breadth of their dreams; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby declare September 15th through October 15th as Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Philadelphia to recognize the many accomplishments and contributions made by Hispanics, and encourage all residents to learn more about the people who have played such an important role in our history. Thank you. (Applause.)
And Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 Steenrod for remarks.
Chef Garces sends his apologies that he can't be with you today, so it's my honor to be here on his behalf as the COO of the Garces Group. As a child, Jose spent hours with his beloved grandmother, whom he called Amada, in her kitchen, where he forged a deep-seated love for the cuisine and traditions of the Hispanic community. He later translated this love into a career as a chef and found a home in the beautiful City of Philadelphia. In 2005, Jose brought his passion for what we like to call Latin-inspired hospitality to life with the opening of Amada, a restaurant that he named after his beloved grandmother. Since then, it's been a journey beyond his wildest dreams. As our family has Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 beyond, we continue to seek Jose's leadership and commitment through staying true to our roots of -- our Hispanic roots of humble beginnings in his grandmother's kitchen. Our goal remains very simple and, that is, to bring the very best of Latin-inspired hospitality to each and every guest every day. It remains our humble privilege and honor to serve you and the entire Philadelphia community, and thank you so very, very much for this honor. (Applause.)
Buenos tardes, buenos dias. How are you, everybody? My name is Judy Suzarra-Campbell, and I guess I'm new in this community. I don't know too many people here, but I have been in the restaurant business for 12 years. I own the only traditional Venezuelan cuisine, Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 I have been very happy to bring this cuisine to this country, beautiful Philadelphia. People love my food. So I invite everybody to get a little piece of Venezuela, whatever you wanted to go, and have some Latin cuisine or the Cuba-Mexican. So enjoy one of those days. So my place is located in Spring Garden, 10 and Spring Garden, how you say, 10 and Spring Garden, 941 Spring Garden Street. I have been running the restaurant with my husband very successfully. It's the only location. I don't have the time to open too many, because I'm him own. So I'm always cooking. You will find me there. I will take care of you. I will feed you, and you will be leaving happy, believe me. So I am very pleased to receive this honorable resolution in the name of Hispanic Heritage Month, especially recognizing our great Latin restaurant in Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 Philadelphia. Thank you very much, and I hope to see everyone. (Applause.)
Thank you very much, and congratulations. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla, who will present a resolution recognizing Joe Schiavo and Janet Kalter. Would Mr. Schiavo and Ms. Kalter and those accompanying them please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman Squilla, we have Councilman Greenlee, Councilman Domb, and Councilman Henon.
I just want to say today is a special day and Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 we honor people. It's so important to realize what it means to have great civic leaders. And not that we agree with each other all the time or have understandings of what the community needs, but to have community leaders and civic leaders that really care about their neighborhood and care about their community is what makes Philadelphia such a great place. And today we're honoring two people that really not only walk the walk, but talk the talk, and they use their own resources, their own time and give back to our city to make it a better place. So today I'm honored to be able to read this resolution, along with my members and signed by all members of Council, because the civic leaders in our society today deserve a lot of credit, and these are two really very special people that we want to honor. So as the resolution reads: Honoring and recognizing Joe Schiavo and Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 tireless dedication to the City of Philadelphia and especially their Old City neighborhood. Whereas, in 1981 Joe Schiavo and his partner, Janet Kalter, established their furniture and lighting business, OLC, on North 3rd Street in Old City, where they also live. OLC became a significant part of Old City's renaissance. Joe and Janet too became active in the Old City Civic Association, on whose board Joe served for many years; and
Whereas, Joe and Janet have been highly involved members of the community for the past 35 years, as the neighborhood has experienced tremendous growth and change. They have dedicated thousands of hours to making Old City cleaner and greener. They have helped plant, water and maintain street trees all over the neighborhood. They started a distinctive Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 initiative, complete with custom-designed awareness posters and custom-made receptacles, which have become a model for efforts throughout Center City and the river wards; and
Whereas, Joe and Janet have donated significant sums of their own money, along with hundreds of hours of labor, to renovating a marquee pocket park on Arch Street, adjacent to the Old City fire station. Joe and Janet also served as unofficial communication leaders in the neighborhood, maintaining a community bulletin board to keep the residents informed of everything that's happening in their neighborhood; and Whereas, Joe has become the City's preeminent citizen authority on the City's new zoning code, which I can attest to. He's in my office a lot. He serves as chair of the Zoning Committee of the Philadelphia Cross-town Coalition, a coalition of more than 20 of the City's Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 Joe is also Vice Chair of the Central Delaware Advocacy Group, a coalition of 15 community groups dedicated to safeguarding the Central Delaware Master Plan. For most of the past decade, he has repeatedly played a key role in shaping and improving legislation impacting the City's new zoning code and the Central Delaware Zoning Overlay; and
Whereas, Joe is unfailingly civil, polite, and thorough, his unimpeachable character has made him a reliable advocate entrusted by multiple civic groups to represent their interests. He is similarly trusted by members of City Council and the Planning Commission to be an honest broker on behalf of the public; and Whereas, together, Joe and Janet are model citizens, for whom Philadelphia should be proud. They have poured their hearts, minds, hands, and financial resources into our city as Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 owners, residents, and civic leaders; now, therefore, be it
Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Joe Schiavo and Janet Kalter as evidence of the sincere sentiment of this legislative body. Congratulations. (Applause.)
And the Chair recognizes Mr. Schiavo and Ms. Kalter for remarks.
Janet and I haven't actually prepared a statement, and a little unusual for me here in Council Chambers, I may actually be speechless. But thank you all for coming. Thank you for my friends from the Cross-town Coalition, from CDAG, and Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, who came out to witness this award. Thanks so much. (Applause.) Stated Meeting October 6, 2016
Thank you. One last thing. Joe is used to speaking, but it's usually that way to us. So now he had a chance to speak to the crowd. Thank you, Joe.
Thank you. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you. Congratulations, and thank you very much. The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on September 29, 2016, I signed the following bill which was passed by Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 on September 29, 2016: Bill No. 160708-AAA; and that on October 4, 2016, I signed the following bill which was passed by Council at its session on September 22, 2016: Bill No. 160330-A. And I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Greenwood Tree Development Area, identified by house number and street address as 2114 South 7th Street; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Cecil B. Moore Avenue Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1620 through 24 Cecil B. Moore Avenue and 1626 Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 Cecil B. Moore Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 16-S by striking from the City Plan the southeasterly twenty-eight feet wide unopened portion of Grays Ferry Avenue, from Carpenter Street to Kimball Street and from Kimball Street to a point approximately one hundred sixty-eight feet southwestwardly therefrom, in order to conform more closely with existing conditions, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you very much. Our next order of business will be the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. Stated Meeting October 6, 2016
A privileged resolution commemorating October 17th, 2016 as Juror Appreciation Week in the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer one resolution.
A non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Cecil B. Moore Avenue Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1620 through 24 Cecil B. Moore Avenue and 1626 Cecil B. Moore Avenue.
Next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. I have four bills, two on your behalf.
An ordinance to amend Chapter 14-300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Administration and Procedures," by modifying the public notice requirements and making related changes; and An ordinance establishing a no Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 truck parking regulation on both sides of Frankford Avenue, from Knorr Street to Tyson Avenue; and An ordinance amending Chapter 16-400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Vacant and Surplus Properties," by incorporating an irrevocable power of attorney in all deeds.
Thank you. Those four bills -- those three bills just read by the Chief Clerk will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Fiscal Stability and Intergovernmental Cooperation to hold hearings regarding the City's role in tracking, quantifying and evaluating the costs and health benefits of tax expenditures.
And that resolution that will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have two bills and two resolutions, one privileged, one non-privileged, co-sponsored by Henon, Gym, Johnson, Bass, Domb, and yourself.
An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter establishing a Criminal Justice Reinvestment Fund, to reinvest savings from a reduced prison population into criminal justice reform programs.
And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 area bounded by Lincoln Drive, Wissahickon Avenue, School House Lane, The Oak Road, Midvale Avenue, Cresson Avenue and Gypsy Lane.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring the Please Touch Museum on its 40th Anniversary of being an iconic champion of childhood learning and an extraordinary place for children to explore and learn.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation of a Criminal Justice Reinvestment Fund to reinvest savings from a reduced prison population into criminal justice reform programs. Stated Meeting October 6, 2016
And that will be referred to committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Council President, I have one privileged resolution with the primary sponsor Councilman Allan Domb, Councilman Bobby Henon, and signed by all members of Council.
A privileged resolution recognizing, congratulating, and honoring Ryan Howard for his 12 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one non-privileged resolution. Stated Meeting October 6, 2016
A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Nineteenth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce one non-privileged resolution. Thank you for coming back to me.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Stated Meeting October 6, 2016
A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Sixth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Good morning, Council President. I have two privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution honoring East Mt. Airy Neighbors on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary. Stated Meeting October 6, 2016
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution honoring Mt. Airy Learning Tree on the 35th Anniversary of its founding.
Also on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Thank you, Council President. Today I have one privileged resolution.
A privileged Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 resolution honoring and recognizing the Philadelphia Flyers on their 50th Anniversary and acknowledging the 2016-'17 hockey season as the 50th Anniversary season of Philadelphia Flyers hockey.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
A non-privileged resolution condemning Chestnut Hill College for seeking exemption from anti-discrimination laws in its appeal to the Commonwealth Court following a Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 finding of probable cause of racial discrimination by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, in defiance of its obligation to respect the civil rights of its students and employees, and urging the College to withdraw its appeal.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution calling on Congress to immediately rectify the injustice of the "1996 Immigration Laws" by restoring due process to immigration procedures, ending automatic deportation, and discontinuing mass detention, in order to uphold human rights and dignity in the United States immigration system.
That will also be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Good Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 morning, Council President and colleagues. I have no bills or resolutions this morning.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have two bills and one privileged resolution.
An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Greenwich Street, from 2nd Street to 3rd Street.
That Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 will be referred to committee.
And an ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of 8th Street, from Bainbridge Street to Fitzwater Street.
And a privileged resolution designating the week of Monday, October 3 through Monday, October 10, 2016 as "Christopher Columbus/Italian American Heritage Week" in the City of Philadelphia. This is done in celebration of the festivities commemorating Columbus' historic voyage to the New World and honoring Danny Aiello as Grand Marshal of the 2016 Philadelphia Columbus Day Parade.
And this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 Mr. President. I offer two bills and one resolution, and I'd like to be heard after the resolution.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-3500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Hospital Assessments," to make changes to conform to State law, including by providing an exemption for certain cancer hospitals.
And an ordinance amending Chapter 19-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "City Funds Deposits, Investments, Disbursements," by revising the list of City depositories.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the joint Committees on Public Health and Human Services and Licenses and Inspections to Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 hold hearings and calling on the Department of Licenses and Inspections, Department of Health, and Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to investigate "stop-and-go" establishments that violate restaurant liquor license requirements.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. (Brief pause.)
Mr. Decker, you want to read that resolution again, please.
A resolution authorizing the joint Committees on Public Health and Human Services and Licenses and Inspections to hold hearings and further calling on the Department of Licenses and Inspections, Department of Health, and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to investigate "stop-and-go" establishments that violate restaurant liquor license requirements.
Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 Thank you. That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much. I offer one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilmembers Domb, Greenlee, Jones, Green, Bass, Taubenberger, and Parker. Thank you.
A privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Philadelphia Mayor Joseph Watson for rescuing African American children who were kidnapped from Philadelphia.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. Thank you. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions today. We have no reports from committee, so the next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 2ND READING Being no bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for the purpose of calling up the bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following bills and resolutions are being called up on the Final Passage Calendar today: Nos. 160846, 160850, 160855, 160859, 160365-A, 160767, and 160713. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you, Councilman. Before considering these bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today, we will have our public comment session. The public comment session will go as follows: If you are interested in testifying on a bill or resolution that is on the Final Passage today, if you Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 have not already done so, you can sign up at the table to my left. When your name is called, you will go to the middle of the Council Chambers. There is a podium with a device. That device has a green light on it. When the light turns green, it will be time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. When the light turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to the guidelines and conclude your remarks. You will be given three minutes to speak on the bill or resolution. Mr. Decker, please call the first name.
Nikio Saval, commenting on 160850. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Nikio Saval and I'm a member of Reclaim Philadelphia. I am here today to Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 urge Council to pass the resolution introduced by Councilman Johnson opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In doing so, Philadelphia would join dozens of cities - Seattle, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, and New York City - in opposing a deal negotiated in secret, written by corporations for corporations, which, if passed, would exacerbate the power of elites at the expense of working people all across the deal's member states and the world at large. The resolution would send a powerful message to the local congressional delegation and the country at large that Philadelphia stands with workers against the deal. Today I single out for censure one special and crucial provision of the TPP, the Investor State Dispute Settlement, or ISDS provision. Modeled after the North American Free Trade Agreement, these wide-ranging laws allow a foreign company to sue the United Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 States in a form of corporate arbitration outside of U.S. courts when that company feels its profits are threatened by regulations. This mechanism puts at risk nearly every form of U.S. regulation. Financial, environmental, land use, and labor protections could all be at risk. Using ISDS provisions, for example, offshore corporations have the right to sue the U.S. for upholding the Clean Water Act as well as many other host state regulations that might negatively impact their profits. Locally the Green Cities, Clean Waters program, which is creating a green stormwater infrastructure and working-class jobs, is also at risk from the TPP. ISDS provisions threaten local zoning ordinances. For example, should a multi-national waste management plant on the Schuylkill be determined to pose a threat to the City's water supply, rezoning to move it could also lead to ISDS lawsuits. Minimum wage laws, Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 occupational health and safety laws, there is practically no regulatory area, no measure of municipal sovereignty that is not under threat from the TPP. It would have a chilling effect on any attempt to pass local regulations of this kind. These are only a few of the reasons why the TPP is bad for Philadelphia and bad for the country. I hope Council will do the right thing by its city and its workers and adopt this resolution. Thank you for your time.
Shane Razzi, commenting on 160850. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, everyone. My name is Shane Razzi. I'm a Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 member of Reclaim Philadelphia, and I was born and raised in Port Richmond. I'm anaphylactically allergic to dairy. That's including, but not limited to, milk, cheese, whey, butter, and casein. These are all things that are commonly found in most foods. And I joke that I'm going to run out of my nine lives one of these days, but I've actually been in a hospital, my throat closing, purple skin, blown up like a balloon, clinging to life more times than I can count. Every bite that I take or sip that I drink is like a game of Russian roulette. EpiPens have the power to keep me alive for 15 minutes while someone rushes me to the hospital. The price of EpiPens are already outrageously high, and if the TPP passes, they could skyrocket even more. Currently I need two EpiPens close at all times. Plus I need one at my girlfriend's house, my mom needs one, my friends need one, I need one at work, Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 I need one at school. Already at $300 to $600 a pop, that's way too much for anyone to afford. I have insurance for now, but there are many Irish Americans who have to choose between this life-saving medication and putting food on their table or paying their mortgage that month. Plus EpiPens expire in a year, so that's a constant expense. The TPP will allow corporate giants like Mylan to keep raising prices to this and many other medication at the expense of your constituents. Innocent people choose to go without. They could very easily die a terribly painful, uncomfortable, and undignified death because someone thought profits were more important than the people. I, along with the rest of our city, need you to stand with us against this monster trade deal that will most definitely hurt the families that you were chosen to protect. Thank you for your time and Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 consideration.
Joe Danihel, commenting on 160745, 160850, 160846, and 160855. (Witness approached podium.)
Same bat time, same bat channel. Every week I am here. It is criminal this Council's callous disregard of 42 USC 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 18 USC 2381, 2384 and constitutional violations in addition. The supreme law of the Commonwealth, the PA Constitution, states Article I, Section 1, all men are born equally free and have certain inherent indefeasible rights, among which are defending liberty, acquiring and possessing and protecting property. Section 6 says, trial by jury shall heretofore and the right thereof remain inviolate. Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 Your oaths of office require every public agent to defend and uphold federal and state constitutions and laws. Then how does my decree go unanswered? Why is the Council continuing to do business as usual? The official decree requires immediate action to de-fund the federal -- or the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, Sheriff's Department, District Attorney's Department, Department of the Comptroller immediately for failing to act to remedy for the theft of 1038 West Wyoming Avenue. The Council officers, the Mayor, the City have motioned more than once in open court to deny my right to jury trial. This is a complete violation of the multitudes of laws. Article I, Section 11 of the PA Constitution, the court shall be open, and every free man for injury done him in lands, goods, person or reputation shall have a remedy by due course of law. It is criminal for Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 this body to defy the rule of law and an official decree of the people. I see your eyes wandering, Council President. Obviously you still don't give a crap.
Thank you for your testimony. Mr. Decker, before you -- the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I just want to, on a point of order, provide just some information concerning the first two witnesses and the statement, which is not actually correct. The Investor State Dispute Settlement, ISDS, in the United States we're already party to 51 agreements. It's not a new organization or entity. We have never lost a case in front of the ISDS, and that's because the ISDS provides the basic protections against discrimination and other things that are in the Constitution, such as Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING appropriation without compensation to both domestic and foreign companies, investors, and other folks. TPP simply extends that protection that is provided in the U.S. to participating countries, of which there are 12. So that is just a correction to the record. Thank you.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. We will now move to our Calendar and, Mr. Decker, can you please read the title of 160846.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Forty-Seventh Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
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 Resolution 160846 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160850.
A resolution urging the United States Congress to Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING reject the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership due to the agreement's negative impact on workers' rights in the United States and across the world; and calling on the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation to unite in opposition to the agreement's ratification.
Before we call for the motion, the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh -- I'm sorry; O'Neill. I'm sorry. Councilman O'Neill, did you want to -
I'm saying I made a mistake. Councilman O'Neill.
There's so many republicans on the Council, I get mixed up, you know.
We just set this up to try to trick you. With all due respect to my Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING colleague, I support him on anything he does and I have in his district, he does great work, but I just think that I made a decision a long time ago not to run for Congress. Spend a day down there and you probably would agree with me, maybe a couple hours even. But I do believe that while we could have hearings on this probably for a week, hundreds of people, thousands of hours whose job it is to do these treaties and international agreements have spent all this time. We come in here and we get a page. All the whereases are assumed to be factual. I'd probably be against this treaty if I were in Congress, but I have to know a whole lot more than I know today. So I'm going to vote against it for those reasons. I just think it's way beyond our scope. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Taubenberger. You want to speak on that?
Just for one brief moment. And I concur with Councilman O'Neill and that I would also like to be recorded as a no vote on that motion.
Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Oh, you want to come back?
Well, I wasn't going to say anything, but now I'm going to have to. And I did speak to my friend Councilman Johnson, who I support in every which way. You know, I will agree with Councilman O'Neill. This issue -because I chair the Global Opportunities and Creative/Innovative Economy Committee, I felt I should look into this matter, and I have spoken to various experts, including the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, the U.S. Ambassador to Bernay, and from what I can understand, there are two competing treaties. The U.S. treaty Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING would be TPP. That would be Asian countries, and it would be U.S. led, with a lot of very good provisions, including no child labor, collective bargaining in foreign countries. Every country that would sign on would have to allow collective bargaining, which would actually increase the cost of labor in those countries and benefit the U.S. These are countries that are friends of ours. They want to be part of TPP with the U.S. because there's a competing treaty. That China-led treaty is called RCEP, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. And so if we don't do TPP, we will end up with RCEP. That China-led treaty is quite different from ours and would be detrimental to U.S. interests. I also would say that the Congressional Research Service did a -and that is from the Library of Congress. It's neutral. They did an extensive job of researching, and they found that the Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Tufts report, with its very negative estimations, was unconventional, has come under great criticism, and they stated that the Tufts model uses very little trade data and lacks important details. Then the U.S. International Trade Commission performed an independent analysis of international trade issues resulting from TPP, and they concluded that TPP would boost both U.S. employment and GDP. And particularly here in Philadelphia, it would be beneficial to us. There are winners and losers in this, Council President, and the losers are going to be on the side of persons who have less education, less skills. And so I do understand why there's concern over TPP. The thing I would say is, those jobs are being challenged simply by the fact that other countries are employing better technology, educating their population, and are competing with us. So 87 percent of Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING manufacturing job loss in the U.S. over the last ten years was not because of lower wages but because of the implementation of technology abroad. So I will be voting against the resolution based on the fact that I do understand that at least the trade experts and others seem to agree with President Obama that TPP is good for the country. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones. Councilman, I was just holding up on you because you're going to make the motion.
So I respect my colleagues. Nobody can be an expert on everything in this body, so we tend to lean and draw upon each other when we dive deep into an issue or a phase of expertise, and there are very rare times Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING when we really disagree with our republican colleagues. We may not always say it because we have to keep up our ID and our registrations, but this time we have a deep disagreement. TPP is trumped-up, trickled-down economics, and at the end of the day, the people at the lower rung in the City of Philadelphia wind up losing jobs. We used to be the center for garment manufacturing. We used to be the center of -- my grandfather walked out of high school, Central, and walked right into a job that was a wage-earning, family-supporting income. The more we tend to export these opportunities, the folk at the bottom of the rung trying to get their first leg up into a society wind up being the losers. So you talk about winners and losers. I understand that there are winners and losers. I don't want them to be in my district. I don't want them to Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING be folk that used to be employed because they're -- whether it's Tastykake or whatever is now being produced in a foreign country. To the degree that we can keep wage-earning, family-supporting jobs in Philadelphia, we should be involved right here in letting our voice be known about these kinds of impacts. And so we can't just ignore it. If we ignore it, it will not ignore us. Thank you, Mr. President.
The Chair one more time recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Council President. Oddly, Donald Trump is quite against TPP. So it's not trumped up. The other thing is that -- I'm sorry. The other thing is that our city has lost 223,000 jobs in total between Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING 1970 and 2010. Between 1960 and 1990, our city has lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs. That wasn't because of treaties. That was because of competitiveness and other issues. There are treaty issues involved, but the net for America has been plus in terms of jobs and surplus in trade wherever we've had a treaty. So the issue that I would say is this, that as the U.S. continues to grow and as other countries improve their economic condition, their education, healthcare and other things, they too begin to look at the environmental concerns, healthcare, collective bargaining and other issues, the challenge for us is whether we can stop the world from progressing or that we meet the challenge, as we have done time and time again, to lead the world in education, innovation, and productivity. And so that for me is the kind of critical issue, but at the same time, the rest of the world is forming Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING treaties. You're going to be with TPP or you're going to be the victim of RCEP. It's either U.S.-led with all our concerns about democracy, equality, and the rule of law or you're going to be China-led, and that's going to be a challenge for us and probably the loss of more jobs to Americans. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Jones.
To my good friend and colleague, who we share a great many things with, as Chair of City Council's Economic Development Committee and Commerce Committee, we have shared projects such as Rotem, brought them from Korea, created 300 jobs. I support that because it's right here creating wealth and opportunity right here. I stand -- I try to correct you. It is trumped-up economics still, because my father told Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING me don't watch what I say, watch what I do, and most of his products are produced outside of Philadelphia, outside of the United States and elsewhere, wherever he can get an exploitive opportunity to produce it. So trumped-up economics by any other name is still a rose. Thank you, Mr. President.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
I had a conversation with Councilman Oh, and I appreciate the value of us being in an international market, but I'll only use Puerto Rico as an example, because when NAFTA and CAFTA came to be, Puerto Rico had 200,000 more pharma-allied jobs than it does today, and the reason is that in American soil, we follow EPA standards, OSHA standards, minimum wage standards, Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING and in the global market, as has been highlighted, child labor and a bunch of other issues are exploited. American-born Puerto Ricans could not compete with Mexico and other places, and we've watched the pharmaceutical industry leave. And the devil is always in the details. It is not just the treaty, but then it is what are the IRS standards that allow these companies to make money, take the money out with no taxes and move that money around within their global industry. So I do think Council has a role in playing -- in voicing our concerns around these issues, because it does impact us. In a city where we've tried to protect manufacturing and be globally competitive, it is important to us, but the devil is always in the details. And just to add, you can't highlight more when Trump says that he's smart because he knows how to bypass our Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING IRS code. That's where the details fall. It's how this income that is generated and how workers are treated lead to the exploitations by big corporations. So you don't have to look far. There's 200,000 people that are unemployed in Puerto Rico now as a result of NAFTA and CAFTA. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. And I do not want to belabor the treaty trend that we happen to be on. I think the TPP has gotten more conversation in this body than it has in the national debates, but what I am enjoying about this, even though it's been a long topic of conversation, is this discussion is bringing us back to our core values of putting people to work Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING here in the City of Philadelphia. This is the end of National Manufacturing Week. We are visiting manufacturers and CTE programs all throughout the City of Philadelphia. I encourage everybody to make it here, utilize our supplier network that we have with our universities, with our city, and our commodities and our purchase buying power that we have, and let's form this back into our procurement process, which I think is a major focus of this body, and let's concentrate on getting local people, local business, local jobs and utilizing the supply network that we do have here, that does exist, so we can lift some of our people that live here in the City that's in poverty, 27 percent poverty, and increase our graduation rates, support some of the initiatives like yourself and Councilman Jones with trying to reduce our prison population and getting people back to work and reduce our recidivism rate. Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING So it is about humanity. It is about dignity. It is about respect of the products that we produce. It is about educating our kids to be the future, and it is our responsibility to be smart about that. And we may not have control over what Congress does in its totality, but we do have a voice and we do have a responsibility to stick up for the people of the City of Philadelphia and keep it a priority and to work smart together collectively. So I want to thank the sponsor in this kind of spirited conversation. This is not and should not be a party line issue. Putting people to work and making it here and utilizing our supplier network, again for the third time as I stated here, is our responsibility to try to put in the forefront in Philadelphia. So thanks for the conversation.
Thank you, Councilman. Okay. We now recognize Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilman Johnson for a motion on the resolution.
Council President, I just want to just make a brief --
A couple brief remarks, and for the most part, my colleagues have already summed up my position, but just a couple of facts. According to the Brookings Institute, NAFTA, which started on the promise that they would create 200,000 new jobs, in reality we lost 683,000 jobs. The same thing with the U.S.-Korea free trade agreement. There was a promise that they would create 71,000 new jobs. In reality, they lost 40,000 jobs. And so for me, this is about focusing on a treaty that's right now being done in secrecy. Like the whole negotiation is behind closed doors. There is no public input at this particular point in time. Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING And so for me, as a city if we're going to support such a treaty, then we should have an opportunity to have input that specifically deals with workers' rights and making sure that we are supporting corporations expanding their profits on the back of workers, rather it's within the United States or another country. We have no problem with doing business with other countries, but for the most part, the reason why our country has lost so many businesses, because after NAFTA, most of the major corporations went to go get free, cheap labor out of America. And so I think in this particular case, we need to proceed with caution, and I ask all my colleagues to affirmatively vote for the resolution.
It's been moved and properly seconded. I'd better hurry up. Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilman? Never mind?
Thank you, President Clarke. I think everybody said already what we need to say. I don't think we need to belabor it any longer. So I think we'll have a vote, second.
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor of Resolution 160850 say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 160850 is adopted. (Applause.)
Thank you. Mr. Decker, can you please read Stated Meeting October 6, 2016 10/6/16 - STATED - 2ND READING the title of 160855.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Whitman Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2127 South Sixth Street.