Thank you. Everybody knows me anyway. (Witness approached podium.) Stated Meeting March 26, 2015
Good afternoon, Mr. President. My name is Addisu Habte. I own a condo and a business at 201 North Broad Street, which is directly at the corner of Broad and Race, which the UED sign will be. Nobody in this room could say would be any closer than I do. I'm 50 feet away from this UED sign, and I'm for it. I'm for it for a reason that it will generate revenue for the City of Philadelphia as well as bring more visitors into that corner. If you go to Broad and Race at 6 o'clock or 7 o'clock at night, it's deathly. There's nobody walking around. We need more lights, more attraction to bring people into that corner. If you look at directly across from the street from my restaurant right now, all you see is a big brick building. I'm in the back side of the Convention Center. Since the new construction has taken place, the expansion, I have been robbed twice at gunpoint due to the lack Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 of lighting, due to the lack of traffic around that area. Before the expansion -- I've been there since 1998 -- not one issue have I received or seen. To say that where I work 16, 17 hours and have a condo there is abandoned by someone else that lives very far away from that area is appalling to me and sad. My life is Broad and Race. My family's life is Broad and Race. I am in favor of this sign because I know it will generate revenues to our city and bring more people to my corner. Business has not been the same since the expansion, and the last year I've seen it grow a tad bit. There's no sign to tell you that the Convention Center is located on the Broad Street side. You drive past it, not knowing what it is. But with this sign, it will help our area greatly. Please, Council, pass this bill. We need it. Our neighborhoods Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 need it. And I made a walk yesterday from Broad and Locust all the way down to Broad and Vine. We are the only commercial and residential unit on Broad Street. I have the right to speak, because I will be looking at that sign for the rest of my life, and I am approving it. Thank you for the honor of speaking in front of you.
Thank you. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Bruce Marks. Thank you, Council President and members, for hearing us speak today. I'm a partner in an accounting firm at 20th and Market. Our firm has been there for the last 35 years. I also own a condominium at 201 North Broad. I also this morning Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 attended a conference about the region on the rise, and that's Philadelphia. And I believe that the partnership between the private and the private enterprises, the government needs to fund these improvements to the City where we all benefit. It will benefit the schools. It will benefit businesses. It will use accountants. It will use the schools. So I'm clearly in favor of this program. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you for your testimony. (Witness approached podium.)
Thank you, Council President Clarke and members of Council, for allowing me to come here and speak to you today. I'm Paul Beideman and I'm head of the Avenue of the Arts, a not-for-profit whose job is to represent the stakeholders of the Avenue of the Arts. Under normal circumstances, Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 it's pretty easy to get together and talk about our opinions and to get galvanized on an issue and move forward. On this one, certainly there's been some mixed opinions, without a doubt. But we spend our time all day long -- that's our job -- meeting with the business owners, the leaders of the not-for-profits on the Avenue of the Arts, and through our 1,500-member Friends of the Avenue of the Arts organization staying in touch with residents and folks that do business on the Avenue of the Arts and use it on a regular basis. After doing that due diligence and really thinking about this from a variety of perspectives, our Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Friends of the Avenue of the Arts are here in support of the legislation. And it's really for three simple reasons. One, it generates revenue for the City. Two, it gives not-for-profit organizations the ability to promote what Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 they do and advertise, and certainly on the Avenue of the Arts, there's a whole series of not-for-profits, whether the universities or performance companies or venues that can use that leverage and support to get their message out. And, lastly, I believe that the investments that are being made in the local not-for-profits near these installations is a powerful game-changer for each one of those organizations. It allows them the potential to much more effectively implement their mission, and it gives them the chance to really do a better, more effective job of looking after the public environment where those installations are occurring. So with respect, I would ask you all to support this legislation. Thank you. (Applause.)
There are no Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 other speakers, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
I'd like to -- I'm sorry. Councilman Squilla. How can I not let you speak? I'm sorry, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, members of Council and colleagues. I've heard all the testimony here today. I heard the testimony during the Rules hearing, understanding the opposition, and we actually went through a long tirade of amendments and plans and we actually listened to both sides. com) Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 remove them from the legislation. So Council is listening to the membership and listening to the community. We also listened as far as even the people who are ideologically opposed to advertising, Scenic Philadelphia, formerly SCRUB, who actually had input into the legislation, who I believe make it the most positive influential legislation that would really be able to enforce and regulate something that's brand new like this UED. It has a belt and suspenders approach to enforcement. It actually takes two forms of lighting mechanisms in order to understand whether it will be bright or not bright. All these things came into place because of a lot of the people who were involved in the process and a lot of the people who were just opposed to advertising, which we do appreciate. com) Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 opposed to the signs over on Broad Street. And I said, I appreciate that, but, again, we have to understand we need to support the people like the people that were here speaking, the people who have been involved in the process for two years, the people who live right next door to where these displays would be. That's the most important part of this legislation. We have to understand everybody has ideological opinions of what they think is right or wrong, but when you live there, you work there, you play there, you have a little more influence on that decision than somebody who lives a mile and a half away, two miles away or further. And that's the thing we have to understand, is the Councilperson here, if I'm in Society Hill and they don't want something in their community, I support them for that. And I understand we did that with CCR here. com) Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 of the same people were opposed to outdoor dining. When we first introduced that in Council, it was only allowed on the east side of Broad Street because it was going to bring vermin and homeless and trash all throughout Center City. It was going to destroy it. So we heard that, so we only allowed it on the east side. Eventually the west side saw it and it extended over to the west side. It did not kill Center City Philadelphia. We also saw the people that were opposed to building above Billy Penn's head, and we saw that that was going to ruin the historic fabric of our city. So did we ruin the historic fabric of our city by trying to be progressive and build above Billy Penn's head? We now have a beautiful skyscraper. We have people working in the City of Philadelphia. That's what's important. We have to combine the new with the old, and that's why we are here today. com) Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 know what standing has in Philadelphia, and it's not just my opinion of why we should proceed this way. I think we should proceed this way -- there was a Supreme Court ruling of SCRUB versus the ZBA. The Supreme Court upheld a ruling on the Commonwealth Court of April 9th, 2008, and it really basically says -- and I'll read it verbatim. Everybody could look it up and look at it. But the people who have the most influence are the people closest to where the project will be, and they're the people who really, really we should listen to. And at the end of the day, this vote is very easy for me, because I know the people we dealt with. The people who are most impacted by where these signs are are the people who support it. com) Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING support it and override the people who are immediately impacted.
And I would just like to say because of those facts, I am going to support this bill and I would ask my colleagues to vote along with me to support it, understanding that Philadelphia and the City needs to grow, needs to look at different ways to be public-private partners to grow our city, to make our city better. Thank you very much. )
Thank you very much. We will now move to our Calendar and on bills and resolutions on the Final Passage. Mr. Decker, would you please read the title of 150204.
A resolution calling upon the international community to conduct an independent investigation into the disappearance, and alleged killing, of forty-three students in Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico and to use such an investigation to hold those responsible, in accordance with international standards of justice, for their crimes.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you. I move for the withdrawal of this bill. We reintroduced it after input from the Mexican Consulate and local authorities. Thank you. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 150204 be withdrawn from the Calendar. All those in favor? (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and 150204 is withdrawn. Mr. Decker, 150220.
A 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 Twenty-Fourth and Fifty-First Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
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.) Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and Resolution 150220 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 150221.
A resolution authorizing the establishment of the Cecil B. Moore and Temple University Special Services District.
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.)
Those opposed? (No response.) Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and Resolution 150221 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 150224.
A resolution calling on the Nutter Administration to pursue PILOTs (payments in lieu of taxes) or voluntary contributions from large non-profit institutions to address the City's school funding crisis.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
Is there a no? Let the record reflect that Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilman O'Brien is a no vote. And Resolution 150224 passes. (Applause.)
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Section 14-203, entitled "Definitions," by amending Chapter 14-500, entitled "Overlay Zoning Districts," to add a new Section 14-516, entitled "/UED Urban Experiential Display Overlay Control District."
Thank you. This bill has been read on two separate days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING Blackwell.
Aye. Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 13; the nays are three. A majority of members present voting on this bill, the bill passes. (Applause.)
An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code by adding a new Section 9-634, entitled Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING "Urban Experiential Displays," to provide for licensing and regulation of Urban Experiential Displays.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Hold on one second, Mr. Decker. Thank you. Mr. Decker, proceed.
Councilman Henon. Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilman Squilla. Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are one. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 150079.
An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," by adding a new Chapter providing for the licensing and regulation of donation bins.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 150079. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING members of Council, and I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. An amendment to 150079 has been offered by Councilwoman Bass. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor of the amendment? (Aye.)
The amendment is approved. Bill No. 150079, as amended, will be on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. Mr. Decker, 150078.
An ordinance amending Subsection 19-2604 Subparagraph (8) of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Green Roofs' Tax Credit," to change the requirements for the credit. Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING Neilson.
Aye. Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 150144.
An ordinance amending Section 2-305 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Office of Property Assessment; Chief Assessment Officer; Powers and Duties," by modifying the documentation requirements for real estate tax exemption.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Goode. Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 150159.
An ordinance constituting the Thirteenth Supplemental Ordinance to the General Gas Works Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1998; authorizing the City of Philadelphia to sell, either at public or private sale, one or more series of Gas Works Revenue Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING Bonds and Gas Works Revenue Bonds to refund such bonds, to pay the costs of certain capital projects, the costs of redeeming the City's Gas Works Revenue Capital Project Commercial Paper Notes and the costs of refunding or redeeming certain outstanding Gas Works Revenue Bonds.
Thank you. This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Greenlee. Stated Meeting March 26, 2015 3/26/15 - STATED - 2ND READING