Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. The bill passes. Mr. Decker, 121002.
An ordinance amending Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity," to provide for the 2/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING licensing of certain horses, to provide for requirements with respect to keeping certain horses, and to further provide for penalties and enforcement.
This bill having been read on two separate days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution honoring the rich life and loving memory of Philip E. "Knute" Bonner, introduced by Councilman Kenney.
I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? 2/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
And a resolution honoring the proud history and one hundred year anniversary of the 1913 founding of the freedom fighting civilian militia, known as the "Irish Volunteers," introduced by Councilman Kenney.
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.) 2/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution honoring the 10th Anniversary of The Irish Memorial, introduced by Councilman Henon.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. That resolution is also adopted.
And a resolution supporting House Bill 548, known as the Voter Freedom and Integrity Act, which 2/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING would allow early voting in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution honoring and celebrating the Police Athletic League for their tireless efforts to provide athletic, educational, 2/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING and special events and activities to all Philadelphia Youth, with a special emphasis on youth residing in disadvantaged areas of the City, on the occasion of their 40th Anniversary, introduced by Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution honoring and celebrating Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane on the 2/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING occasion of being elected as Pennsylvania's first female Attorney General and for her tireless efforts and contributions toward protecting and defending Pennsylvania's most vulnerable citizens by closing the Florida loophole regarding its Concealed Weapon or Firearm License, introduced by Councilman Jones.
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
And a resolution 2/20/13 - STATED - 2ND READING recognizing and honoring School Police Sergeant Tyisha Godwin for her devotion to duty by keeping students safe and school grounds secure while assigned to South Philadelphia High School, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you so much. That concludes our Calendar. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I just wanted to invite the public to attend the committee hearing for workforce development for the 21st century. That will be this coming Monday, February 25th at M.A.S.T. Charter School, 1800 Byberry Road, from 10 o'clock a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We do, as we would like the public to know, try to get out into various sections of Philadelphia to bring government to our local communities. This issue is important to everyone, of course, here in City Council, as this Council has made extensive efforts to create new jobs and new opportunities and address the need for our economy to be competitive on a global basis. So certainly anyone interested, please come.
Thank you so much, Councilman. Any -- I'm sorry. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. Yesterday Philadelphia lost Assistant District Attorney Rachel Steamer from the Public Nuisance Task Force Unit. Rachel was a true warrior who fought a valiant battle with grace and dignity against a terrible illness. Rachel graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in English and attended Cardozo School of Law, where she graduated in the top third of her class. While there, she was the editor of the Cardozo Women's Law Journal. the District Attorney's Office, she worked for a civil firm in Margate, New Jersey where she represented more than 160 victims of clergy sexual abuse in jurisdictions throughout the country. Rachel joined the District Attorney's Office in 2008. While in PNTF, Rachel handled numerous forfeiture cases, primarily in the 2nd, 22nd, and 39th Districts. She handled all of her cases, whether they resulted in a forfeiture or a settlement agreement, with an eye to improving things for law-abiding citizens whose neighborhoods were being ravaged and ruined by the narcotics trade. She truly demonstrated the best qualities of a public servant. Rachel is survived by her parents, her sister, her husband, her beloved Boston Terrier, Lola. Please keep her family and the entire DA's Office family in your thoughts and prayers. you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. Any speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise on two issues. Today at 2 o'clock in the Caucus Room, there will be a briefing with Ms. Kelly B. Hodge, the Safe Schools Advocate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Commission on Crime and Delinquency for the School District of Philadelphia. Ms. Hodge will present recently leased data concerning school incidents and school safety. In addition, in light of recent events, she will also discuss the District's policies and protocols for student early dismissals and student visitors. So I hope all who can will be present. wanted to mention was an article that appeared in the paper with regard to a state representative being snubbed for violating a dress code. As you know, Mr. President, we formed the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs in '05, and as you know, for at least 15 to 17 years ago, we formed Echoes of Africa that we deal with, and many of us have large constituents of Africans and Caribbeans in our district, and many of us wear African garb on occasion as we so choose. It is so offensive for -- it offends all right-thinking people everywhere to have a state representative not being allowed to speak, especially during Black History Month, because he did not have on a jacket and tie. He was not allowed to speak. How dare anyone offend people who live here, who choose to dress any way they choose? A member of my staff this program, at our show will be wearing Indian garb because her parents were born there. How dare somebody say that an elected official has to abide by some dress code when it comes to honest dress, when it comes to people being able to wear the clothes, the garb they continue. Because Representative Curtis Thomas had on a kufi and because he had on a dashiki, he was not allowed to speak. It is the most offensive thing that I can think about. So I certainly will be voicing my opinion in writing. I hope that many of you will join me. This is the most offensive thing I've heard of since I can remember. In 2013, people can't wear African garb, especially during Black History Month? How dare they do that. It's so offensive, and I have to rise and think about -- I would have had something prepared, but I missed the article yesterday, but I sure enough caught it much.
Thank you, Mr. President. I know everybody has been discussing the AVI, Actual Value Initiative, and how we're going to proceed moving forward. Several Councilmembers have come up with some ideas on some legislation, but the main goal of the AVI was supposed to be fairness and how it is fair across the board, and I think we have to concentrate right now solely on the assessment values that are going out there and making sure that we reach out to the communities and the people throughout the districts to really check into what their assessments are. And even though it doesn't have a tax value what they're going to pay on there, try to get that information and see what your taxes are, because this is really going to hit some folks really hard, and it's up to us as Council to work together to come up with solutions to try to ease this in as best as possible. But the issues of fairness for the reason of this can only work if these numbers are correct, and that's something I think we have to concentrate on right now. And also for the people whose taxes are going up dramatically, we need to look at ways to doing this, as Councilman Johnson's introduction today and also with -- I think we need to look into a phase-in of this process in order to make this easier, an easier burden on some of our residents. So I'm willing to work with all colleagues here across the board to sit down and meet about this and come up with some ideas that could really help the City as a whole in order to make this happen, because the way it is right now and some of the numbers that are out there, this is not a fair system, and we need to make sure it is before we move forward. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to echo Councilwoman Blackwell's sentiments. As a former Speaker of the House, I would have welcomed the recognition of my friend Curtis Thomas on the floor of the House to celebrate his heritage and his culture. I remember fondly, as Councilwoman Blackwell was relating that story, of a former legislator in the personage of David Richardson, who routinely came to the floor in what we would call non-traditional attire. And I'm reminded by my colleague sitting next me, Wilson Goode, that when David Richardson was elected to the National Black Caucus -- Organization of National Black Legislators, he wore a tuxedo, and he found that quite remarkable and funny. But I echo in a serious way Councilwoman Blackwell's remarks, and we should all take this as an opportunity to remember that we should all be better. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just every few weeks feel like I need to take the opportunity to remind everyone that AVI is the law. The rate in the law is about 1.38 percent, and we have a $30,000 homestead exemption, and it will take 12 votes to change any of that. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, and thank you, Councilman. And I agree with that, and I think that's why we need to work together as a unit here. And I don't think 12 votes will be a problem for fairness. And that to me is a placeholder for what we're going to introduce here during this session to make sure that this is done right. This homestead could absolutely change. The other introduction by members can be added to this. And also I think that as a whole, Council has been able to work very well together. Not that we agree on every situation, but I think we could really put our heads together to make this work. So I'm willing to work with you and all the members to make that happen. Thank you.
you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to concur with Councilman Green.
That is clear evidence that we will be working together. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I am very encouraged that we will work together and remind the public how well we worked together last year, that when we were faced with great uncertainties, great difficulties, that under your leadership, Mr. President, we came together as a body, came up with an alternative that worked and were able to postpone, thanks to Councilman Squilla's introduction of the bill, the implementation when we didn't know what was going to happen. to remind the public that at a portion of the public that is very discouraged at this point in time, that overall AVI is what this city needed. It had to be done. It was required. We did do it. We didn't kick the can down the road. There's more work to be done, but certainly this body stepped up last year, didn't avoid the difficult decisions, came forward with what I think most people will say was a very good effort in making sure that there was fairness. There has to be more fairness, but certainly I think we're all up for the task.
Thank you, Councilman. That concludes the conversation with Council. We will now -- Councilman Henon, did you want to give a quick reminder?
Thank you, Council President. I wasn't going to do this, because it's out there and a lot of people know, but it's for a very worthy cause. And I'd like to remind this body that under the leadership of Council President, we came together last year to raise some money for a worthy organization, one of the largest in the area, to help provide food and services for not just Philadelphia but the immediate area, Philabundance. So with the new energy and -- well, with the energy and leadership of Council, I think we do a lot of things at once, and talent I'm not sure is one of it, but we have a talent show that is this evening that is going to be taking place this evening at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, PAFA better known as, from 6:00 to 9:00, raising dollars to supplement the shortfall of monies that are coming through a lot of the non-profit organizations and the City. So the money raised here tonight will help supplement some well-needed programs or a specific major hit. So through the efforts of all my colleagues, which I want to thank them and thank them and thank them and thank them for putting themselves out there, as we all are. So tonight Council will either have talent or they will not have talent, but we will raise money for Philabundance, and I appreciate everybody's support. Thank you.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown for a motion to adjourn.
I will, Mr. President. I will honor the formal adjournment proceedings, but I did have remarks here as well around AVI, one of the two issues that are facing us this session, and they go clearly to Councilman David Oh's comments. year, yes, the good news is that last year we were very deliberative. We slow-walked this entire debate, discussion, conversation around AVI, and we ended up in a good place. So we're not unprepared for what is before us. It is absolutely sure that we should honor and consider a number of measures that have been introduced by Councilmembers, including those introduced by Councilman Johnson and others. And the operative word is "fairness." The operative word is "fairness." There's greater transparency, so that next year we're not having the same conversation about this new law called AVI. With that said, my announcement is to remind Councilmembers that we're having our first task force hearing on human trafficking, which we know affects mostly women and children. This is Step 2 as a followup to a hearing we had some weeks ago. So that will take place And now to my formal duty. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, February 28th, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, February 28th. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Council is adjourned. Thank you very much. ) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L.