Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, December 12, 2019 11:30 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 December 12, 2019
Good morning. We're going to get started. Thank you. If the visitors will retire behind the rail, we'll start the Council. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes the Reverend Samuel Peterson of Sharon Baptist Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Blackwell. I would ask all guests, members, and visitors to please rise. (Councilmembers, guests, and visitors rise.)
To Council President Darrell Clarke and to all the men and women of City Council, thank you for the privilege and honor to be here this morning. Just before I give the invocation, I wanted to just thank Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, for all your years of service here in City Council. Thank you for every life you've touched, every organization you've helped, every church that you help, every person that you help. We just want to say thank you to you this morning. Thank you so much. Let us look to the Lord in the word of prayer. Dear Gracious and Eternal Heavenly Father, once again we come to you. We thank you for this privilege and this opportunity just to be able to come boldly to thy throne of grace. You said, therefore, we're able to obtain mercy and grace to help us during the time of need. God, we come this morning because we need you. We need you in these hallowed halls today, God. I pray, God, today, God, as Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 to be passed and bills are getting ready to be passed, I pray that your hand is upon it. I pray that you touch every Councilwoman and man here today. I pray that they would represent the people, God, to do the work for the people, God. I pray, God, today that you will touch this city, God, touch those, God, touch our children, God, as they go to and fro from home to school, God. I pray for their protection. Protect them from dangers seen and unseen, God. I pray, God, that you would put your hand upon this city, that you will make this city the city that is called the City of Brotherly Love, that they would be the City of Brotherly Love. I pray, God, that you will spread your love abroad, that people will be able to see this city as a light and a beacon in darkness, God. Now, we thank you, God, and we ask that you would have your way in this Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Jesus' name, we pray. Let everyone say amen. (Amen.)
Thank you, Reverend. Thank you so much for your spiritual guidance. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you. And, again, thank you, Reverend. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, December 5th, 2019, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, December 5th, 2019 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Journal of the meeting of Thursday, December 5th, 2019 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. And our next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests of leave of absence today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. At this time, 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 genuinely appreciate you being here. We hope your stay here today is a knowledgeable one but, more importantly, a pleasurable one, so much so that you come back again. So, again, thank you so much for being here.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to introduce to you and present to all of Council Governor Lele from Cameroon. He is here in Council. He is accompanied by Stan Straughter, our President Emeritus of the Mayor's Commission on African and Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Echoes of Africa. Governor Lele from Cameroon is the Governor of Bamenda region of Cameroon and our special guest this week. Douala, Cameroon, a city in this region, is the only African sister city of Philadelphia. He is leading a delegation that will meet with public and private leaders to discuss economic development in Bamenda, business activity, cultural and educational exchange between Temple University and the University of Bamenda. (Applause.)
Welcome. Thank you for being here today. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson, who will present a resolution recognizing John Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining the Councilman, we have Councilman Henon, Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilman Domb, Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, Councilman Green, and Councilman O'Neill and Councilman Squilla.
Today is truly an honor and a privilege to stand with my colleagues to honor an individual who has served with dedication and leadership here in the City of Philadelphia as CEO and President of an organization called Philadelphia Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Corporation, notably known as PIDC. Most people may or may not know, in deep South Philadelphia, I was born and raised in South Philly and always had the opportunity to visit a place called the Philadelphia Navy Yard. As a young man, the Navy Yard was a place in South Philadelphia that was an industrial site for our armed services, but under this gentleman's leadership, he worked to transform and create a city within a city, with more than 10,000-plus employees to date. That deserves a round of applause. (Applause.)
For the record, that's 15,000 employees. As a member of the PIDC Board, I've also had a chance to work with him on an issue that's very near and dear to me. That's diversity and inclusion. PIDC is responsible for most of the major developments, commercial Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 developments, that takes place here in the City of Philadelphia, but under his leadership, he has made diversity and inclusion a priority and a part of his agenda. I'll let Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown talk about how every MED Week she engages in an initiative in partnership with the Philadelphia Navy Yard, with PIDC to make sure people of color and women have a seat at the table. And so, Blondell, you want to come up and say a few words.
It was more than ten years ago that I approached the leadership at PIDC, because having been at that time still brand new to City Council, I was disturbed by the notion that we had a city with growing jobs in all sectors and not equal opportunities for women and people of color. And I'm Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 PIDC leadership heard the plea, heard the appeal, and together we formed a partnership for the next ten years. We started out with 24 small businesses around the table down at the Naval Shipyard, and that has grown to well over 100 small businesses every week during MED Week where Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and I bring up close and personal the 25-year plan for the Navy Shipyard. It matters when those who live here have access to opportunities that are going to help them feed their families and raise their children. And so I thank you enormously for hearing the appeal, for hearing the appeal and then for acting on it in a very, very tangible way. It matters. Thank you very much.
And also as a member of the PIDC Board, a staunch advocate of making sure that we not only address the issue of diversity and inclusion, but making sure people who are Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 seat at the table. The legendary and iconic colleague, our colleague, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. Will you say a few words, please. (Applause.)
Thank you. Good morning. As always, I thank God for the privilege of seeing another day, the pleasure of being with all of you, and the opportunity to talk about this wonderful leader. I served under Anna Verna on PIDC. I've been on this Board for a very, very long time. It's one of my favorite, because I learned early on the important job that it does and that it funds everything from small businesses to charter schools. So many neighborhood ventures have come this way. So I've been honored to work with him, Walt D'Alessio, all our minority affairs, and I'm just grateful that we have the opportunity to thank him Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 has done and to thank Marla Hamilton and the entire Board for all that they do. Thank you, Kenyatta.
And the resolution reads: Honoring John Grady, on the occasion of his retirement as President and CEO of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, for 21 years of outstanding service to the residents and businesses of Philadelphia.
Whereas, John Grady is a native son of Philadelphia, born and raised in the Olney and East Oak Lane neighborhoods. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from La Salle University and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government; and
You know, it's hard to follow Jannie from Cheyney. Thank you for your service in Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 service on PIDC Board.
Whereas, Mr. Grady has dedicated three decades of service to public-private partnerships in economic development. After nearly a decade with the Cooper's Ferry Development Association, working on planning and development for the Camden waterfront, he crossed the Delaware River to join the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, affectionately known as PIDC; and
Whereas, Mr. Grady established himself as a leader at PIDC by leading the transformational activities of the Navy Yard into a dynamic, mixed-use campus. If you have not been there, do yourself a favor. Today it features more than 7.5 million square feet of facilities, hosts Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 13,000 employees and 150 companies and still growing, and has attracted more than one billion dollars of private and public investment; and
And a point of personal privilege. As other members have stated, our working relationship with John Grady as President and PIDC as a whole has put an incredible, incredible team together, and it's in tandem with my service here in City Council, as manufacturing and industry has been near and dear to my heart and Philadelphians as we tried to transform how we do business with the City, tried to transform and talk about a lot of what we have to offer in its diversity and its density and its pipeline to job creation. They have successfully proven that, leveraging the resources, not just with the City but with the state with complex deals to make sure that things come to fruition and that we employ future generations of Philadelphians, and that's Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 be here today. Whereas, in recognizing his leadership, Mr. Grady was named President of PIDC in 2011. Since then, PIDC has aggressively expanded its core real estate and business lending functions. At the same time, it has lent an expert, visionary voice to public conversations regarding the City's greatest challenges and opportunities. Recent examples include Philadelphia's coordinated response to the Amazon HQ2 request for proposals and the ongoing public conversations regarding the future Philadelphia's refinery complex, and a lot of its policies that we form here together and hear, we legislate to make sure that it is responsible for the future; and
I just want to mention that the Urban Land Institute a few years ago actually recognized the Navy Yard as the number one adaptive reuse of space in the United States of Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 that's a great legacy. And I also want to give a shout-out to someone who I used to work out with -- I don't work out anymore that much -- 36 years ago, 36 years ago when I was, I guess, in my late 20's and he was only, I think, 90 maybe, is Walt D'Alessio. (Applause.)
Whereas, in addition to serving as PIDC's President, Mr. John Grady is active as a civic leader, serving on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Collegiate Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development, the East Falls Development Corporation, La Salle University, and Roman Catholic High School. He also serves as a Distinguished Alumni Fellow at the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania; and Stated Meeting December 12, 2019
Thank you, and I just want to say one thing. While everybody is thanking John here, I want to thank his wife, Megan, for sharing John with us, and we appreciate everything that you have given us here in the City of Philadelphia. Whereas, Mr. Grady is an indispensable asset to the City of Philadelphia. Fortunately, his move to the private sector will keep him here in the City. We celebrate his decades of service and we trust that he will continue to dedicate his talents to the betterment of his hometown of Philadelphia.
Mark, Megan is here so that John can't change his mind. Therefore, be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that John Grady be honored, on the occasion of his retirement as President and CEO of the Philadelphia Industrial Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Corporation, for 21 years of outstanding service to the residents and businesses of Philadelphia.
Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. John Grady as evidence of Council's appreciation. And on behalf of the members of City Council and I just want to personally say, John, I just want to thank you for always having an open-door policy, always when I will call you just to get different advice about policy and the work that I'm doing in the Second Councilmanic District, always lending an ear. And on behalf of the members of City Council and the City of Philadelphia, we want to officially present to you this resolution for 21 years of outstanding service to the residents here in the City of Philadelphia and say congratulations. (Applause.)
The Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 for remarks.
Mr. President, members of Council, I know you have a long agenda today and I don't want to extend your day, but I do want to say a couple of things. One is, thank you for certainly this recognition today, but thank you more so for your participation and your active engagement in the work of PIDC. More than 60 years ago, Council and the Mayor and the business community in Philadelphia had this great idea to build a partnership, and it was unique nationally and it continues to be unique nationally today, where government and the business community work together to create solutions that attract resources to Philadelphia, that build transactions, and that build the kind of infrastructure that's necessary to grow jobs in our city. As a native Philadelphian who has grown up here, who has gone to school Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 here, and who has spent my entire life here, I think there's nothing more important that we can do for our city than to create job opportunities for everyone throughout the City. At PIDC, we talk about the importance of driving growth to every corner of Philadelphia. We've made business loans in the last five years to every zip code in the City of Philadelphia, except for one, and I won't say where the one is, because I'm pretty sure the group behind me will make sure there's a loan there next year. And that sense of partnership is really important. People have a lot of different ideas and perspectives about how to accomplish that task of job creation, and if we all listen to each other and if we all work with each other and commit to the idea of growing jobs and opportunity, that will stabilize neighborhoods, that will improve lives, and that will make Philadelphia the great Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 know it is and that we all know it will continue to be. I, in particular, want to thank Councilpersons Johnson and Blackwell, who have been long-term serving members of our Board. Work at PIDC is not an honorary position. Our Board and Executive Committee meet every two weeks, and our Councilmembers bring an important perspective to those discussions literally every two weeks, and it's the success of that participation and partnership that drives the growth that we see throughout Philadelphia. I also want to recognize all of the folks that are behind us here. PIDC is an organization of almost 60 people. Every one of them is a City resident. Every one of them is committed to the growth and development of our city. And as we look forward to the next generation of leadership in our organization, I know that that organization is well suited to continue to engage with City Council, in Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 districts, and across the City to make sure that this perspective about growth and inclusive growth and participation is a message that's well received. The last partnership for me to recognize is with my wife. (Applause.)
Megan and I met as students at La Salle University a few years ago. We dated for a few years, and we just celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary a couple weeks ago. (Applause.)
So the partnership with Megan has really allowed me and our family to be actively engaged in the work that we do and in the neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia, and I look forward to continuing that partnership well into the future as well. Thank you again for the recognition. Thank you for the support of PIDC, and I look forward to great Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 partnership. (Applause.)
Again, congratulations. And for our next presentation, the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee, who will present a presentation on my behalf to Richie Feder. Would Mr. Feder and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilman Greenlee and guests approached the podium.)
Richie, that's the first time a person created a protest by stepping up on the podium.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'm pleased on behalf of the Council President to present this resolution honoring a true public servant Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 interacted with mostly positively over the years. So this is a resolution recognizing and honoring Richie Feder, Chief Deputy City Solicitor and Counselor to the Solicitor. This Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to recognize and honor Chief Deputy City Solicitor Richie Feder on the occasion of his retirement from City Government. Whereas, Richie Feder is a 1987 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School; and Whereas, after serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Edward R. Becker, United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and working for several years in private legal practice, Richie began his career with the City of Philadelphia Law Department in February 1993; and Whereas, Richie has worked for the Law Department for almost 27 years, Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Deputy for the Appeals and Legislation Unit and currently as the Chief Deputy for the Legislation and Legal Counsel Unit; and Whereas, Richie has served as a trusted and invaluable advisor, counselor, and advocate for four Mayors, seven bodies of this Council, and ten City Solicitors; and Whereas, Richie has worked on, and often had a leading role in connection with, many of the most important legal issues the City has faced and has often been considered the person best suited to answer the City's most complex legal questions; and Whereas, those efforts have included: strategizing on efforts to reduce gun violence in the City; drafting and defending the tax on sugar-sweetened beverages; litigating against state preemption of City powers in areas like campaign finance law, firearms and taxation; drafting and advising on Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 extensive rules designed to prevent pay-to-play in City contracting; preparing complex legislation needed for the adoption of a reformed and more equitable property tax system; and helping navigate the City's relationship with the School District, promoting efforts for increased funding for public education. Other than that, he's just kind of hung around. Whereas, Richie has, time and again, advocated and maintained a conviction for the principle of fidelity to the law, in particular the City's Home Rule Charter, while at the same time he has shown remarkable appreciation for the practicalities of governance and the specific needs and goals of the City; and Whereas, Richie has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to providing legal work product of the highest quality and to getting things right; and Whereas, throughout his decades Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 practice, Richie has served as a shining example of what it means to be a true public servant through his dedication to the public mission of City government without seeking personal reward; by demonstrating interest in the views of, and respect for, others; and by maintaining a willingness to reconsider issues while also remaining true to his convictions; and Whereas, Richie has mentored numerous attorneys and other City employees, helping prepare a new generation of public servants to follow his lead; and Whereas, his enjoyment of engaging others with his sharp intellect is legendary within the Law Department, and Law Department attorneys and colleagues on Council's staff already lamenting that "ask Richie" will no longer be common refrain. And this is the whereas I like the best. Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Council bestowed on the Flyers' renowned mascot Gritty, Richie may be a pugnacious sage, but he is our pugnacious sage.
Therefore, by virtue of this citation, the Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby honors, congratulates, commends, and thanks Richie Feder on the occasion of his retirement following 27 years of exceptional and dedicated service to the City of Philadelphia and its citizens. We wish Mr. Feder a retirement filled with good health, happiness, and the joys of family and friends, and extend to him the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body. Richie, thank you for everything you've done. )
And the Chair now recognizes Mr. Feder for his opinion.
You've never really Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 before, Mr. President.
This is so cool. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much. Really quick, I know that I have been a source of frustration for each of you at various points, because it has been my job sometimes to tell you that some of your initiatives are not authorized by law. That's my job, and I apologize. I just want to assure you that for every time I have had to say that to you, there have been dozens and dozens of other times where I've had to say to the Mayor's Administration, yes, Council really does have that power. Yes, Council really can do what they want to do and you have to listen to what they have to say. (Applause.)
And let me assure you, they have been no less happy hearing Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 you have been with some of the advice I've had to give to you. So I just want to assure you that I am an equal opportunity frustrater. But much more importantly, when I started to work for the City, the number one reason I came to work here was so that I could have the opportunity as a lawyer to work for clients who want to serve the public good as opposed to serving their own selfish interests. I want to thank you all so, so much for giving me the opportunity hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of times to do exactly what I had set out to do when I started here, to help you fulfill your legislative agendas to help make this city a much better place every single day that you do it. It's been an incredible honor for me to have that opportunity to help you get done what you want to do to make this city a better place. Thank you for everything you Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 those opportunities, and thank you so, so much for this recognition. (Applause.)
And, again, congratulations. Our next order of business is communications, and the Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, will you please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission on the following bills: Bill Nos. 190889, 190890, 190892, 190893, Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 190895, 190896, 190897, 190900, 190901-A, 190903, 190913, 190914, 190915, 190917, 190918, 190940, and 190941. And I am pleased to advise you that on December 11, 2019, I signed the following bill which was passed by Council at its session on December 5, 2019: Bill No. 190451.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional communications?
Thank you very much. Our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you. Good morning, Mr. President. Thirty-seven years ago I had a chance to attend the first International Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Association of Blacks in Dance. Our city will be hosting the 32nd Annual International Association of Blacks in Dance this coming January, and so I introduce this resolution.
A privileged resolution congratulating the International Association of Blacks in Dance on Hosting their 32nd Annual International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance.
Today's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman -- Councilwoman, did you want to speak?
Yes. I failed to acknowledge those who are visiting from out of our city who are the leadership in this organization. If I may now seize the moment to introduce them, Mr. President. Denise Saunders Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Thompson, who is the President and CEO; Omar Ingram, Programs Director; and Tiffany Pittman, Marketing and PR Manager. We will have dance companies and dancers from around the world in January. Thank you, Mr. President.
Mr. President, for once I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer one resolution. It's co-sponsored by myself with Councilmen O'Neill, Henon, Jones, Parker, Green, and Councilman Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Squilla, who is a Neumann graduate, but like most Neumann graduates, really wishes he had gone to St. Joe's Prep. Thank you.
Couldn't help it. Couldn't help it. Thank you, Councilman.
A privileged resolution honoring the St. Joseph's Preparatory School Varsity Football Team on convincingly winning the 2019 PIAA Class 6A State Championship.
And that will be on today's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Mr. President. I have one privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring the life and legacy of Paul "Bud" Franzen for his service to our country, and his dedication to the Roxborough community.
And that will be on today's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Council President. I have one privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing Independence Blue Cross and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association on their 2019 Report that Investigates Increasing Health Concerns Impacting the Millennial Population. Stated Meeting December 12, 2019
And that will be on today's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Thank you, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Councilwoman Gym.
Hi, Council President. I have one privileged resolution today.
A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Richard M. Gordon, IV, for receiving the National Alliance of Black School Educators' 2019 Principal of the Year Award.
And that will be on today's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Thank you, Council President. I have one privileged resolution today. I'd like to speak after the title is read.
A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Charles Francis Dougherty, a Pennsylvania State Senator and U.S. Congressman from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Chair again recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Thank you very much, and I'm honored to do this, as the reason that I got involved in politics at all was because of Charles Dougherty. He was a neighbor of ours. He was a State Senator, and during his campaign for Congress, he knocked on my door and asked, Taubenberger, can you help me. I did, and this is where I got to. So I thank him immensely and I thank all my colleagues who co-sponsored this, which was everybody. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. And that will be on today's Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Thank you, Councilman.
A privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to Hold Hearings to Examine Best Practices Regarding the Reduction of the Negative Environmental Impacts of Flexible Plastic Products in the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on today's Calendar. AUDIENCE MEMBER: Do not pass it.
And a privileged resolution proclaiming January 13, 2020 as Korean American Day in Philadelphia to Celebrate and Commemorate the Proud Heritage of Korean Americans and their Invaluable Contributions to Enhancing the City's Culture, Economy, and the Founding Ideals of Independence and Democracy.
And that will also be on today's Calendar. Thank you very much. Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 of bills and resolutions. And our next order of business is reports from committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon for a report from the Committee of the Whole.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee of the Whole reports out five resolutions with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, please read the report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee of the Whole, to which was referred Resolution No. 190975, entitled a "Resolution appointing Greg Muller to the Board of Directors of the Center City District"; and Resolution No. 190976, entitled a "Resolution appointing Clayton Mitchell to the Board of Directors of the Center Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 District"; and Resolution No. 190977, entitled a "Resolution reappointing Kevin Michals to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District"; and Resolution No. 190978, entitled a "Resolution appointing Carol Watson to the Board of Directors of the Center City District"; and Resolution No. 190979, entitled a "Resolution reappointing Howard Wurzak to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached resolutions to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit the consideration of Resolutions 190975, 190976, 190977, 190978, and 190979 on Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit consideration of Resolutions No. 190975, 190976, 190977, 190978, and 190979 on today's Final Passage Calendar. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and these resolutions will be placed on our Final Passage Calendar today. Our next order of business will be the consideration of the Calendar. There being no bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon for a motion concerning the resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar Stated Meeting December 12, 2019
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following resolutions on Final Passage Calendar: Resolutions 190970, 190972, 190973, 190974, 190981, 190982, 190984, 190985, 190986, 190987, 190989, 190994, 190996, 190997, 190998, 190999, 191000, and 191001.
Thank you. It's been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the resolutions just read by Councilman Henon. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 (No response.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and we will consider the Resolution Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Henon one more time for a motion concerning the bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the following bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. They are Bill Nos. 190786-AA, 190106-A, 190638-A, 190784, 190811-A, 180830-A, 180860-A, 190659, 190717, 190766, 190943, 190553, 190853, 190859, 190866, 190889, 190890, 190891, 190893, 190894, 190897, 190898, 190909, 190916, 190917, 190850, 190911, 190935, 190436, 190892, 190896, 190942, 190555, 190557, 190644, 190645, 190743, 190745, 190851, 190852, 190858, 190867, Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 190868, 190899, 190900, 190910, 190903, 190904, 190905, 190910, 190915, 190918, 190936, 190938, 190939, 190941, 190713, 190824, 190829, 190864, 190912, and 190716. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended to permit the use of a Consent Agenda to consider the bills just read by Councilman Henon. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries, and we will consider the Consent Agenda shortly. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Henon for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 2ND READING Final and Second Reading Regular Passage Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. In addition to the resolutions and bills being considered on the Consent Agendas, the following resolutions and bills are being called up for the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today: Nos. 190610-A, 190944-A, 190848, 190826. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you very much. I'm sorry for the delay. I have quite an extensive list for public comment. So before considering the resolutions and bills that are on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar, we will have our public comment session. It will go as follows: If your name is on the list to testify, your name will be called. If your name is not on the list and you wish Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 to testify, if you haven't already done so, you may sign up at the table to my left. When your name is called, you will go to the middle of the Council Chambers. There's a podium. On that podium there is a device. When the light turns green on that device, it will be your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. And when the light turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to our guidelines and conclude your remarks. You will be given two minutes to testify because of the extensive list. We traditionally do three minutes, but there's a long, long list, so we're going to cut it to two. So I'd ask that you please adjust your testimony for a two-minute presentation. Mr. Decker. So what we're going to do because of the length of the list, we're Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 going to call five names at a time. So I'll ask you to come and just line up behind the podium so we can move the testimony along as opposed to waiting for one individual to walk to the podium. So, Mr. Decker, please call the first five names on the list.
Nora Levitt. Mary Anne Lerro, John Scott, Amanda Bossard, Aaron Wunsch. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Nora Levitt. It was mispronounced. I would like to speak on that Bill No. 190610-A, the proposed amendment to the plastic bag bill. I noticed that the amendment to the prohibition of plastic bags, which exempts certain in-store plastic bags Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 used for perishable foods, et cetera, up to the checkout counter, and I also noticed that if it doesn't meet these exemptions, that you'd have to pay for the bag. There are some stores that already charge for bags. How much would it be? A quarter a bag? A dollar a bag? $2 a bag? The bill doesn't say. I would like to tell you of my experience as an older person who uses SEPTA transportation to supermarkets and other stores. I usually carry two canvas tote bags with me, but sometimes I can't. I have a little purse, so I can't carry it. So plastic bags are necessary for some items. I see some people use many plastic bags filled with all sorts of product getting on a bus with a great deal of trouble. I think that this anti-plastic bag bill would really affect the weak, disabled, elderly, and low-income people who don't have cars or can't wait for hours for the CCT transport. Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 I know that plastic bags floating around are a nuisance, so I have some solutions to what can be done. Here's one.
I'm going to ask everybody, we have an extremely long list.
I'm going to ask you to get to your point and make your statement, because we're really going to have to move it along. Thank you. We'll put your written testimony in the record in the event you can't get it.
Mary Anne Lerro. Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Council President and fellow Councilmembers. My name is Mary Anne Lerro. I am here to speak on behalf of the FK BID. Thank you so much for having me today. So I grew up born and raised in Philadelphia. Single mom, you know. It was a real struggle growing up. I am here for the opportunity that we call the land of opportunity, and that's something that I've been really striving for my whole life. I was able to obtain a property in the Fishtown area of Philadelphia, which is now being burdened by this new 13 percent tax increase. Unfortunately, a lot of owners were not aware of this tax increase, and I took it upon myself, when I'm not busy inspecting for asbestos in schools, to properly inform them about this new tax increase. This BID, unfortunately, was Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 not transparent in communication, any implementation or planning for small businesses within my community. I took it upon myself as a public worker, someone who really cares about our kids and is giving back to the community by protecting our public health and safety, to go to these people and notify them about what these terms actually could do for them and the hardship that actually could potentially be behind these terms. What I found out when I wasn't inspecting for asbestos in schools was that a lot of developers and larger property owners would be the ones really affected for the benefit as a result of this tax assessment. So I please ask that my Councilman, Council President, please understand that this is not a BID for the small person. This is a BID for the developers, who you will be subsidizing for their own prosperity. Thank you very much. Stated Meeting December 12, 2019
Good afternoon, Council President, members of Council. My name is John Scott. I'm here for 190659, the Fishtown Kensington BID. I'm a committee person in the 18th Ward along parts of East Girard Avenue. Our ward, along with the neighboring 31st, has some of the highest voter turnout percentage in the City. I've knocked on a lot of doors in the last few years. I've discussed the BID proposal with a lot of neighbors, business owners, property owners, and voters. Those that we could reach were overwhelmingly opposed. Our neighbors are already concerned about ever-increasing property taxes. They are concerned about ongoing Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 construction which leaves us with collapsing houses, broken sidewalks, pitted streets, and endless commotion, pollution, and noise. They should not have to pay another 13 percent to have someone sweep the sidewalk they've been sweeping for 40 years. They should not have to pay an extra 13 percent for a six-figure corridor manager who doesn't understand their business. And there's no bigger waste of money than a parking study for Fishtown. The irony here is that the same people that were here last week begging to keep the tax abatement are the ones promoting the extra tax in the BID. The people that don't want to fix our schools or pave our streets or even clean up their own properties, these people are back now asking for you to hike their neighbors' property taxes to pay for street cleanups. We already have a Sanitation Department. We already have workers that Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 can do this. Which one of the longtime businesses, the nearly 250 that opposed, which ones of those will disappear? Upstairs from the commercial district, which one of those residential tenants that have affordable rents will be priced out? Which employee won't see a small raise in January or a Christmas bonus next week? And which small business owner won't make their health insurance payments in January because of this tax? It may sound like nothing to the owner of the $5 million property, but to the rest of us, it's a lot. I ask you to vote no for this privatization of our neighborhood. Thank you.
Good morning. Thank you very much, members of Council, for allowing me two minutes to speak today. My name is Amanda Bossard and I am here because I spent 45 days of the allotted objection period collecting and meeting with other commercial property owners within the BID corridor. I'm speaking regarding the Fishtown Kensington proposed business improvement district, 190659. And among the over 100 individuals that I spoke to directly, less than 20 of them were in favor of the BID. Many more that I attempted to reach through extensive online searching and verifying communications through phone numbers, e-mail addresses when the addresses of record on the OPA site had failed me were difficult to find, but I continued, and there were 230 opposition letters received by City Council, and we Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 successfully met our obligation to demonstrate one-third opposition to this BID proposal. In addition, of the 785 properties that are included in the BID proposal, over approximately 100 or more -- 133 is our actual estimate -- are ineligible to even by law be included in this business proposal. And we'd like to ask Council to acknowledge that by the letter of the law, this BID has been defeated and ask you please do not make us go through the lengthy and costly process of an appeal. I appreciate all of your time, and I hope you appreciate the really authentic grassroots effort that we collectively made, Mary Lerro, Justin Turner, Murat Aritan, Zoa Schisler, and many more who walked and know our neighbors and our commercial property colleagues. Thank you.
Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Thank you for your testimony, ma'am. (Applause.)
The next five names, Justin Turner, Zoa Schisler, Joshua Jean, Huidan Mei, Antione Little. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Justin Turner. I'm a social impact investor through Social Venture Circle and Robin Hood Ventures. One of my primary focuses over the last decade has been to reduce blight without causing gentrification, and that is why I'm here in opposition to the Fishtown Business Improvement District. Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 I'm here today as a representative of Wonderland Fishtown, which is a sculpture garden whose mission is to fight modern isolation by bringing the community together in an inspirational setting. We host a wide variety of meetings and events aimed at supporting local artists and increasing social interaction and happiness among Fishtown residents. The proposed fees would be devastating to our mission. We are supported by an attached apartment community which keeps rent as affordable as possible in order to enable people such as artists, restaurant industry workers to live here. We operate at break-even so that the increased fees have to be passed on. It will amount to over $25 per month per renter, which will have a huge impact on the residents who are already struggling to stay in their gentrifying Fishtown neighborhood. This bill will directly Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 accelerate gentrification in Fishtown. It is specifically targeting renters, who are the group with the least wealth, and it's going to force out the long-term residents who made Fishtown amazing, the artists, the punts (ph), the service industry workers. These are the people that this will end up taxing, all for a bunch of wealthy businesses that want someone else to pay to clean up for their patrons, most of whom don't even live in Fishtown. I received no notice of this legislation. I only found out recently when Amanda contacted me. And I spoke to four of my neighbors, and they also did not receive any notice of this legislation. Amanda was able to get in touch with over 200 property owners, and 95 percent of them stated that they were opposed. That is a huge number. The only reason that there weren't enough signatures on time is because none of us knew about this until Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 it was too late. All I ask is that you give us the opportunity to engage in a dialogue and perhaps craft something that is fair to everyone and won't have such a negative impact on Fishtown's long-term lower-income residents.
Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Zoa Schisler. I live in Fishtown. And this BID is certainly the will of a few that is really going to affect negatively the interests of so many people who have lived in Fishtown. Councilperson Squilla, President Clarke, you've been in our neighborhood, and we thank you for that. Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 You've been a good advocate for us. Don't stop now. I had to go on the 700, 800 block of Girard Avenue. I went from 700 to York. Everybody was really against it. I found a couple of the businesses, out-of-state corporations. I couldn't get a body to sign either for or against. So please don't presume because you don't have a signature, that those business owners are for. Those business owners might never have been contacted. I tried. I couldn't get them. I found incorporators. Businesses have changed hands. Properties have changed hands over ten years. I couldn't get the body to get the answer. What I did, though, is, I went in my neighborhood, one hour and a half. That's it. Rainy Thursday. Half the people weren't there. There were 30 people who had a vote in Fishtown, 30 people. 27 said no, very opposed to the BID, and opposed to the bid for a good Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 reason. We're already cleaning our streets. You know that, President Clarke. You know that. We're already putting up planters. We pay for our trees. We do not -- if Frankford Hall needs a clean-up, hallelujah, go get it, go do it. That's not the 700 block of Girard Avenue. That's not the 800 block of Girard Avenue. That's not the district owners there who said no BID. Take those shovels down, President Clarke, and bury this bid. It does not help the residents of Fishtown. I live there. My neighbors vote there. We clean up there. We don't want -- forget parking. We can't even get sunlight anymore with those darn six-story buildings. Okay. They're up. Enough. Enough. We need you to be on the side of your constituents and say no to the BID. Thank you. (Applause.) Stated Meeting December 12, 2019
Good afternoon, City Councilmembers and everyone. My name is Huidan Mei, a Central High School graduate and a youth organizer with Asian Americans United. For the past couple months, I have heard many concerns expressed by students, parents, homeowners, and community members on the negative impacts of the ten-year tax abatement, from toxic conditions in schools to displacement of communities because of rising housing costs and property value. These are the realities that the tax abatement has brought. Therefore, I'm here today to ask City Councilmembers to vote no on Bill 190944 and prioritize our youth and low-income communities over developers. We are still suffering from the budget cuts eight years ago that left schools with a shortage of staff, Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 counselors, teachers, nurses, and school resources. We are too familiar with the name Peirce, Palumbo, Ben Franklin/SLA, Meredith. This year one of our youth leaders from SLA testified before the School District. She said, I remember for a week straight, students coughed a lot from the exposure to asbestos. It took a month before we were finally told that our school will be shut down because of asbestos and health issues. I thought of how many students had been coughing and what we must have breathed in. Over the summer, we interviewed over 400 Philadelphia public school students about the conditions. Our interviews reaffirmed that our schools are in desperate need of resources. Toxic school conditions putting teachers' and students' lives at risk, damaged asbestos insulation, damaged school facilities, peeling paint, leaking roofs, insufficient school resources, lack of Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 mental health support and language support, and the list goes on. Why? Why isn't the City prioritizing education which is crucial for over 200,000 students? Why doesn't the City put more funding in schools now to fix the problems before more issues arise, before more lives are threatened? We need emergency funding to clean up toxic schools and create healthy and safe schools for all. With the proposed bill, we won't see that happening. That is why we're asking our City Council leaders to vote no. That is why we will continue to push for an end to the abatement alongside movements for land security and affordable housing. Vote no for our young people, for the future. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you for your testimony. (Witness approached podium.) Stated Meeting December 12, 2019
Good morning. I'm here to speak about Bill No. 190944. Last week when I was here and I spoke to this body, it appeared that this body was where we needed them to be on this bill. Now it appears that this body is ready to vote on a developers bill. When will this body stand up for the citizens of Philadelphia? When will this body stand up for the students of Philadelphia? As a parent of three Philadelphia public school children, I travel far and near to speak on these issues about our children. Our children demand and need better. They deserve better. They don't deserve a watered-down bill that caters to the developers and slight the children. They demand a bill that stands up for not only our children but for the educators, for Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 the staff members that are in these buildings day in and day out taking care and providing a positive and good education for our children. Our children need and deserve better. I am here today to ask this body to vote on a bill not only that eliminates the ten-year tax abatement, because that's what's needed, the ten-year tax abatement needs to be ended completely. We don't need a 50 percent over ten years. We don't need this bill to start later on down the line. We need that bill to start now, because at the end of the day, at the end of the day, T.M. Peirce is out of their school, Meredith is in a school that is being cleaned, SLA/Benjamin Franklin is now on Allegheny Avenue. Why? Because they can't get an education in the building that they supposed to be in. So today I ask this body for once take care the citizens of this city Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 and take care of our children who are our future and our prize possession.
The next five speakers, Mandy Duong, Mindy Isser, Peg Shaw, Yosuke Arakai, Samantha Hubner. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Okay. We're good. Please remember to state your name for the record when you start.
My name is Mindy Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Isser. I'm a member of 215 People's Alliance and DSA. I live in Point Breeze, and because I bought a rehabbed home, I had a tax abatement, but then I cancelled it. Here's why: This is a racial justice issue. Think about who is receiving the abatement. We know that banks are discriminating against people of color or deciding who gets a mortgage loan. Councilman Johnson, you had a hearing back in March 2018 about this very issue. You called it a public hearing on racial disparities in home lending. Councilmembers Green, Reynolds Brown, Parker, and Henon, you were all there, so you all heard that black Philadelphians are three times as likely to be denied a home loan as white Philadelphians, three times. So it's fair to say that white people have more access to mortgage loans in Philadelphia, which means that mostly Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 white people are getting property tax abatements. And where would that money go if those with abatements paid their fair share of taxes? To our public schools, where the overwhelming majority of students are children of color. The abatement takes money from supporting the education of young people of color and puts it directly in the pockets of wealthy developers and white homeowners. Why are you all continuing to widen the racial lockout? Let me make something clear. I would have bought my same home without an abatement. The abatement did not influence my decision to buy a home or my decision of which house to buy. Everyone here seems to think that the abatement has some magical qualities and that no one would buy a home without it. But the abatement is not magic. Philadelphia is magic. People want to live here because we live in an amazing city. Getting rid of the abatement isn't going to make Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 people want to live in Philadelphia less. Starving our schools will do that. Ignoring an asbestos crisis will do that. Passing legislation without giving the public a chance to weigh in will do that. Having elected officials who make back-door deals with rich people will do that. Real estate developers, your friends who are helping you write these abatement reform bills in your back-room meetings away from public view, keep threatening doomsday scenarios --
Construction will screech to a halt. Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 I know. He's already done that before. Cranes will fall from the sky. Allan Domb might actually --
-- rather than raking in millions of dollars on the condo kingdom.
Ma'am. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.)
Thank you for allowing me to speak today. My name is Peg Shaw. I'm a committee person in Ward 38, which constitutes East Falls and Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 Allegheny West, and I'm here on behalf of Neighborhood Networks. We are encouraging and demanding that the City Council vote no today on the abatement bill before you. There has been no, no real public process to look at this. There's only been one public hearing. There has been no opportunity for the public to respond to the amendment that was just introduced and you all accepted from the Mayor's Office. I was at the hearings last week, and many City Councilmembers here were raising very, very good questions about how the abatement process works, who has been benefiting. I took an hour this morning and did a little Google search to try to come up with some information, which I'm sure all of you have seen over the time, but a fact sheet that was put together by Pew of this year in April showed that the poverty level in Philadelphia has Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 increased from 2009 to today. So the tax abatement is not helping the poor people in this city, which make up almost 40 percent of the population. Not only that, the deep poverty level has increased from 12 percent to 14 percent. Deep poverty is recognized as a household of four living under $12,000 a year. We have tens of thousands of people in the City living under poverty, and the tax abatement clearly only benefits the wealthy. Eleven percent of the properties that benefit next year in 2020 from the tax abatement are all based in Center City. Most of those properties are $1 and $2 million condos, hotels, and commercial properties. The rest of the properties, 89 percent of the properties that are benefitting from the tax abatement, are the ones that everybody sees and is alarmed by because of the gentrifying pressures in their neighborhood. Stated Meeting December 12, 2019 At a recent ward meeting that I was at, Ward 38, people were complaining, particularly people from the West Allegheny neighborhood, and alarmed by the gentrifying pressures that this is causing. Please vote no. Let's talk about it next year --