Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, April 23, 2015 10:50 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN ED NEILSON COUNCILMAN DENNIS O'BRIEN COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting April 23, 2015
The hour has come. We have established a quorum. I'd ask all guests and visitors to please retire behind the rail. We will now get started. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Reverend Michael Olivere, Pastor of Saint Timothy Roman Catholic Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Henon. I would ask everyone to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
Let us begin by remembering that we are at this moment, as always, in the presence of God. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 you, loving God, conscious of our broken humanity but aware that we gather, as always, in your name. Come to us, remain with us, and enlighten our hearts. Give us light and strength to know your will, to make it our own, and to live it in our lives. Guide us by your wisdom, support us by your power, for you are God, eternal and true. You desire justice for all. Enable us to uphold the rights of others. Do not allow us to be misled by ignorance or corrupted by fear or favor. Unite us to yourself in the bond of love and keep us faithful to all that is true. As we gather in your name, may we temper justice with love so that all our decisions may be pleasing to you and earn the reward promised to good and faithful servants, you who live and reign as God forever and ever. Amen. (Amen.) Stated Meeting April 23, 2015
Thank you so much, Reverend, for those inspiring words. (Council at ease.)
Thank you so much. At this time, the next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 16, 2015, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 16th, 2015 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 16th, 2015 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 (No response.)
The ayes have it. And the next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you so much, Mr. President. Good morning. 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.
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 welcome and thank everyone who has taken time out of Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 come down to witness their government in action. We promise that it will be a knowledgeable visit. We really appreciate it, so much that we hope you come back again. So, again, thank you all so much for your participation today.
Today is Bring our Children to Work Day and I have two grandchildren here. Well, they really would be my great-grandchildren, but they're employees of my staff, and the first one is Sydney Shipman, age two and three-quarters. (Applause.)
And she is the daughter of Crystal Jacobs Shipman. And then we have Idris Reynolds. He is the son of Romani Reynolds and he is five years old. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015
Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman, thank you for reminding me. Before we proceed, I would just like to add one little small special business. As some of you may have known, a member of our municipal family had a tragic event yesterday, not a famous person, but a hard-working person that worked for one of our municipal government authorities. Jeffrey Bayers, who was an employee of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, who died after a very tragic event on the lot in South Philadelphia, PPA lot. He was run over by a tow truck and subsequently died. So if I could just ask for one slight moment of silence to recognize him. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 (Moment of silence.)
Thank you. Thank you very much. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien, who will present a resolution recognizing National Deaf History Month. Would Dr. Jay Basch and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman O'Brien, we have a Councilman Oh and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. Please proceed, Councilman.
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to welcome Dr. Basch, his wife Marilyn, representatives from the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, Harry Barnum of Liberty Resources, Neil McDevitt from the Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre, along with other Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 and hard-of-hearing community. I am delighted we are recognizing Dr. Basch for his impressive professional career in honor of Deaf History Month. It's always impressive when an individual completes a doctoral level degree, particularly in a degree as challenging as biochemistry. What's more impressive is that during much of Dr. Basch's educational career, many of the supports and technologies we take for granted today weren't available. Dr. Basch's educational and scientific achievements are clear evidence that a disability does not and should not be viewed as a predictor of an individual's potential. Too often individuals with disabilities are discounted by educators, employers, and society at large. I think we all pay a price for that, as evidenced by the many contributions Dr. Basch has made to the scientific community. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 professional achievements, Dr. Basch has been actively involved in giving back to the deaf community and continues to serve as a Board member emeritus for the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. Dr. Basch, I know your colleagues are thrilled to see that you're recognized, and this is a much-deserved honor. I'd also like to congratulate the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf on its celebration of the 195th Anniversary. So happy anniversary on your 195 years. Whereas, the celebration of a Deaf History Month in the United States was first established in 1988. The dates of March 13th through April 15th were chosen to align with three historic events in the deaf community. On March 13th, 1988, Gallaudet University, the only university in the world exclusively for deaf students, selected their first deaf president, I. King Jordan; on April Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 8th, 1864 President Lincoln signed the charter establishing a college for the deaf, Gallaudet University; and on April 15th, 1817, The American School for the Deaf, the first school for the deaf in America, was established in Hartford, Connecticut;
And whereas, Dr. Jay Basch, who is deaf since birth, has had an impressive career and has made significant contributions to the scientific community despite the lack of supports available during his educational career; and Whereas, Dr. Jay Basch graduated from the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in 1948. Despite the lack of technological and human aids that are prevalent in today's deaf and hearing communities, such as closed captioning and text messaging, he went to a mainstream high school at Friends Select School. Then he earned a BA in Zoology from the University of Pennsylvania in Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 1956; and Whereas, upon graduation from college, he began working for the United States Department of Agriculture as a chemist in the Animal Protein Pioneering section at the Eastern Regional Research Center, or ERRC, in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania. He went on to earn an MS in Chemistry from the Drexel Institute of Technology, now Drexel University, in 1960 and a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from Temple University in 1968; and
Whereas, during his career, helped to pioneer and establish the radioisotope laboratory of ERRC. Dr. Basch has authored more than 50 scientific publications and participated in numerous national and international scientific meetings where he presented papers and posters. After 41 years of service, he retired in 1997; and
Whereas, in addition to an impressive professional Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 career, Dr. Basch has also been very committed to giving back to the deaf and hard of hearing community. In June 1974, he was the first deaf board member for the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. He has served as the President of their board and continues to serve as an emeritus board member; and Whereas, Dr. Basch has been demonstrating to both the deaf and hard of hearing community, as well as the larger community, that it is the ability that counts, not the disability; and
Therefore, be it resolved, the Council of the City of Philadelphia celebrates Deaf History Month by honoring the many significant contributions made by Dr. Jay Basch to both the scientific and deaf community. Be it further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Jay Basch as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 (Applause.)
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Dr. Basch. DR. BASCH (through interpreter): I may be a little speechless, but I'm not sign-less. I would like to thank Councilman Dennis O'Brien, President Clarke, and members of the Council for recognizing me during Deaf Awareness Month. I would like to talk a little bit about Deaf Awareness Month from March 13th to April 15th. Pennsylvania School for the Deaf is the third oldest school and it was formed April 20th, 1820. I would just like to add that for future reference. (Applause.) DR. BASCH (through interpreter): And I would like to thank PSD for giving me a beautiful education. If not for that, I wouldn't be where I am today. They taught me to face adversity Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 there were challenges growing up and living in the hearing world. We didn't have technology, we didn't have interpreters, and there were many things that really would go over my head. But the school taught me to be patient and to persevere and to keep trying no matter how many times I failed. I just want to thank you for this honor today. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
Next we'll recognize Councilwoman Blackwell, who will be presenting a resolution recognizing April 2015 as Fair Housing Month. Would her guests accompanying her come up front to the podium, please. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
Joining her, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015
Thank you very much. Resolution recognizing the month of April as Fair Housing Month. Whereas, the City of Philadelphia is proud to join the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the United States Department of Justice in commemorating the 47th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 - the Fair Housing Act; and Whereas, throughout the month of April 2015, special emphasis will be given to the law and spirit of cooperation being provided through the efforts of our State, Federal and local governments with the support of many municipalities, community and non-profit organizations; and Whereas, even though this non-discriminatory policy is the law of the land, its proper enforcement requires a continued cooperation at all levels of government, real estate, insurance, Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 housing, homebuilding industries and private citizens; and Whereas, the City of Philadelphia is committed to empowering its private citizens, employees, public housing and non-profit organizations with the knowledge and tools to recognize housing discrimination; and
Whereas, to reduce and mitigate housing discrimination in Philadelphia, the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless recommend the formation of the Quality Housing Working Group, which established a forum, including three subcommittees for housing providers, tenant representatives, fair housing non-profit organizations, and government officials and agencies to discuss issues germane to housing discrimination; and Whereas, promoting equal housing opportunity is essential to our larger mission of promoting freedom and Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 of life and for all citizens, and equal housing opportunity has a dramatic impact on community and understanding of age, ancestry, color, disability, domestic/sexual violence, ethnicity, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and a source of income diversity; now, therefore Be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that the Council recognizes the month of April 2015 as Fair Housing Month.
The Chair recognizes Ms. McIver for remarks. MS. McIVER: Thank you. Thank you very much. Good morning, Council President, Councilwoman Blackwell, Councilman Johnson, and all other Councilmembers and guests. com) Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 in Southeastern Pennsylvania, a non-profit civil rights organization whose mission is to ensure equal access to housing opportunities for all people. It's an honor and a privilege to accept this citation during the 47th anniversary of the federal Fair Housing Act. To appreciate the true meaning of the Fair Housing Act, it is important to mention that following the American Civil War on December 6th, 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. Next, the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted on July 9th, 1868 as one of the reconstruction amendments. The amendment addresses citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws and was also proposed in response to issues related to former slaves following the American Civil War. com) Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 the Constitution, government, businesses, and individuals engaged in housing discrimination for many decades. From 1966 through 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. served as the nation's first tester by moving his family to Chicago, Illinois to uncover ways in which minorities were treated during housing transactions. Because Dr. King's work to achieve housing fairness immediately followed his assassination -- pardon me. Because Dr. King's work to achieve housing fairness immediately following his assassination on April 4th, 1968, President Johnson utilized the tragedy of Dr. King's death to honor his life's work and urge for the bill's speedy congressional approval. com) Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Title VIII was amended in 1988 and became the Fair Housing Amendments Act, which expanded the coverage of the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination based on disability or familial status, established new administrative enforcement mechanism which HUD attorneys bringing action before administrative law judges on behalf of victims of housing discrimination, and revised and expanded the United States Department of Justice jurisdiction to bring suit on behalf of victims in federal district courts. In connection with prohibitions on discrimination against individuals with disabilities, the Act contains design and construction accessibility provisions for certain new multi-family dwellings, developed for first occupancy on or after March 13th, 1991. com) Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 providing advocacy, education, and investigative services. In 2014, the organization assisted 425 households via intake services. Seven percent of calls from Philadelphia County and 57 households allege that they were victims of unlawful housing discrimination. com) Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 Center, and many other agencies in Philadelphia. The Fair Housing Rights Center in Southeastern Pennsylvania also has worked closely with several Councilmembers' staff that have attended the organization's public events or refer constituents for legal services. Special thanks to Councilman Curtis Jones for inviting Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell into your office to hear the findings of the most recent official study by HUD called Housing Discrimination Against Racial and Ethnic Minorities 2012, which revealed that discrimination against racial and ethnic minorities in rents on sales market in the Philadelphia MSA is statistically significant and above the national average.
com) Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 Philadelphia, as housing is a basic need, a civil right, and a human right. Thank you to this body of legislators for your time and interest in recognizing the most powerful civil rights legislation that protects victims of housing discrimination. In conclusion, this citation would lose its thunder if I didn't ask the Council to take advantage of the Fair Housing Rights Center in Southeastern Pennsylvania services to ensure that legislation, municipal agencies, and private businesses adhere to the letter and spirit of the federal Fair Housing Act. Be advised that the organization schedules public events, and invitations will be sent to your offices. Again, thank you for allowing me to use this platform to remind or educate everybody about the federal Fair Housing Act. Happy Fair Housing Month. com) Stated Meeting April 23, 2015
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Council President, I would like to request a leave of absence and be recorded voting aye on all bills.
Thank you, Councilman. The record shall reflect that. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Marian Tasco, who will present a resolution recognizing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Would Patricia Alford and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 Tasco, we have Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown.
For the past eight years, I have hosted and the Council has hosted the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, which is an outstanding sorority in the United States of America, and this will be my last presentation with them. And I just wanted to say thank you to the members of the Quaker City Chapter for their work with young people. Each time they come to City Council, they bring students from various schools. So it's been a pleasure, and when we have the discussion with the students in the conference room after Council session, it's very interesting and they ask a lot of wonderful questions, and we have a lot of fun. So I want to thank the Quaker City Chapter for your hard work, taking time from your busy schedule. Some of you are still working. Some of you may be retired. But it takes your time in Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 on the wonderful opportunity to give back to our young people, and they are very bright and we enjoy having them come with us. So today it is my pleasure to present this citation recognizing and acknowledging Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on the occasion of its Eighth Annual Philadelphia City Council Delta Day. Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded at Howard University on January 13, 1913 -I'm wearing my hundred-year pin. I was there too -- by twenty-two African American collegiate women. Nearly 6 weeks after its inception, the founders of this illustrious organization participated in their first collective act of public service, marching in the Women's Suffrage March on Washington, DC; and Whereas, the twenty-two founders envisioned an organization that would use their collective strength to Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 excellence, provide scholarships, provide assistance to persons in need, educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positive public policy, and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in their communities; and Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta has been incorporated since 1930 and now boasts more than 200,000 members with over 900 chapters located in the United States, England, Japan, Germany, and the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and the Republic of Korea; and
Whereas, the major programs of our sorority are based upon the organization's Five Point Thrust of: Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement; and Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta is highly recognized for its commitment to Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 sisterhood, community service, and the creation and implementation of programs that support the mission of Delta; and Whereas, as a national and international body, Delta Sigma Theta has participated in numerous Delta Days in the Nation's Capital, and in March of 2003 became a Non-Governmental Organization of the United Nations, granting the organization special consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations; and Whereas, chapters from across Pennsylvania participate in annually Legislative Days in Harrisburg, and we are honored and pleased to be joined by the members today of the Philadelphia, Quaker City, and Valley Forge Alumnae Chapters, who seek to become involved in the local policy making process and to further pledge their commitment to this City; now, therefore, be it resolved
Resolved, by the Council of the City of Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 Philadelphia, that we recognize and acknowledge Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on the occasion of its Eighth Annual Philadelphia City Council Delta Day. And further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to members of Delta Sigma Theta as an expression of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. It is signed by all members of City Council. Thank you. Thank you so much for coming, and we'll miss you. Thank you. I'll see you at chapter meetings. (Applause.)
Thank you, Council President, and to my esteemed sorors, Blondell Reynolds Brown and Marian Tasco. Almost 40 years ago, the Quaker City Alumnae Chapter was formed in Philadelphia. We were quite young. I am one of the chapter charter members. And at that time, I think I had all black Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 However, we have made a commitment to Philadelphia and we make a commitment to each and every Councilmember. So today we honor you by giving you a little small token of our appreciation, which was put on your desk, for your commitment to the communities for which you serve. You have undertaken some very hard issues, and you've held your ground with the state, you held your ground with the federal government, and we thank you for that. We are here whenever you need us to support you on issues that make sure that each and every citizen in the City of Philadelphia has a fair chance to education. And we really want to thank you for going out of your way to try to find money and try to find creative ways to fund the Philadelphia school system. With me today I have my students from Collingdale, Pennsylvania, Harris School. I am the 21st Century Grant Coordinator, but every year I bring Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 students, because I want them to see how Council works. I want them to see that just plain ordinary citizens who care about the City that they live in come out and fight, fight for what is right in their community and what their communities need. On another note, we would like to present to our sorer, Marian Tasco, a dozen roses and other flowers, because she is the beauty in our sorority. (Applause.)
Once again, I want to thank you on behalf of Quaker City Alumnae Chapter. We hope sincerely that we will be invited back next year, and every year we will bring young people, because out in Delaware County, we've had some interesting councils, as you have seen on TV, but I've always felt that you have always been professional and put the best interest of the citizens of Philadelphia, and we thank you so much for that. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 (Applause.)
Thank you. 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. Mr. Decker, would you please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleaded to advise you that on April 21, 2015, I signed the remaining bills which were passed by Council at its session on April 9, 2015. com) Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 grades on a portion of City Plan No. com) Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 2200 through 2250 Turner Street, for further conveyance; and An ordinance authorizing the Public Property Commissioner to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development all or part of a parcel of land and any improvements located thereon at 2459 through 77 Kensington Avenue, for further conveyance; and An ordinance authorizing the Public Property Commissioner to purchase from 7777 Philadelphia PA Loan Associates a certain tract of land, located with the improvements thereon, commonly known as 7777 R State Road, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you very much. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer one bill and one resolution.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development all or part of a parcel of land bounded by West Venango Street, Germantown Avenue, West Tioga Street, and North Watts Street. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015
And 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 Twentieth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
That resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 Councilwoman Tasco.
Mr. President, I offer one resolution and one bill on your behalf.
An ordinance amending Chapter 20-1000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Political Contributions and Expenditures," by further providing for disclosures relating to contributions and committee expenditures, including electioneering communications expenditures, further defining expenditures, further providing for regulation of contributions, and making technical changes.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and acknowledging Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on the occasion of its Eighth Annual Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 Philadelphia City Council Delta Day.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Neilson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one bill and one resolution, non-privileged.
An ordinance amending Chapter 9-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Service and Other Businesses," and Chapter 19-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Taxes and Rents - General," by adding Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 provisions that require the Department of Revenue to develop a form, regulations and a program to increase tax collections for commissions and fees earned as a result of City real estate transactions.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a non-privileged resolution calling on Mayor Michael Nutter to immediately issue an Executive Order to allow any municipal workers who are unable to vote due to their scheduled work hours be allowed time off for the purpose of voting in Local, State or National elections.
And that resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
A privileged resolution designating May 15th, 2015 as Juror Appreciation Day in the City of Philadelphia.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Kenyatta Johnson, I have one bill, one resolution, and then on my own, one resolution co-sponsored by all members of City Council.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for use by the City of premises located at 2800 South 20th Street.
And a privileged resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold hearings to examine potential uses of the vacant land at Southport. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015
That will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution honoring and congratulating Deesha Dyer for her outstanding professional accomplishments as being named the White House Social Secretary on April 16, 2015 as the second African American woman to hold the top social post in the Obama Administration and the first as a graduate of the Community College of Philadelphia.
And that will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have ten bills, three resolutions, one privileged, two non-privileged, one to be referred to committee.
com) Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 23, 2015 of the City to execute or approve various agreements and other matters by and among the City, the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, and others relating to the redevelopment, operation, and maintenance of properties located on the north side of Market Street between 8th and 11th Streets in the City and commonly known as the Gallery Mall; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. com) Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 23, 2015 Authority for Industrial Development for the redevelopment of the Gallery at Market East Tax Increment Financing District.
Those ten bills just read by the Chief Clerk will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution honoring and congratulating Roman Catholic High School Basketball Team, the Cahillites on winning the 2015 Philadelphia Catholic League Championship, the PIAA AAAA State Championship and The District 12 City Title for the AAAA Classification.
One more time, that will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution initiating action to establish a neighborhood improvement district in the area generally bounded by, and including, 11th Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 Street to the West, Filbert Street to the North, 8th Street to the East and Market Street to the South, with the exception of certain condominium units at 801 Market Street Condominium not included in the District, to be known as the Gallery Neighborhood Improvement District.
And that resolution will be referred to committee.
And a non-privileged resolution approving that certain Amended and Restated Lease and Redevelopment Agreement between the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and PR Gallery I Limited Partnership for 833 Market Street, 901 Market Street and 905 Market Street.
And that resolution will be referred to committee. And the prior resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair recognizes Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 Councilwoman Bass.
An ordinance amending Title 20 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Officers and Employees," by adding a new Chapter to prohibit certain persons that deal in real estate from employment or appointment to positions that can affect title to City owned real estate, including penalties, definitions and other related items.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Council President. I offer one non-privileged resolution.
Thank you, Councilman. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015
A non-privileged resolution Calling Upon The Philadelphia Department Of Streets To Evaluate The New Infrared Pothole Repair Process For Possible Future Use In Philadelphia.
Thank you. That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions, and before we proceed, I'd like to recognize Sheriff Williams. Sheriff Jewell Williams is here today. (Applause.)
And, again, Sheriff, thank you so much for providing significant security for us every day. We feel much safer. Thank you so much. There appears to be no reports from committee today, so we will move directly into our consideration of the Calendar. And as there are no bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 2ND READING recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 150358, 150360, 150171-A, 150056-A, and 150197. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you very much. Before considering these bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, we will have our public comment session. It will go as follows. I have to say it. Short version? Okay. Short version. If there is anyone who is interested in testifying on a bill or a resolution, I ask that you please sign up at the table to my left, if you have not already done so. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 4/23/15 - STATED - 2ND READING Your name will be called, and you will go to the podium in the middle of the Council Chambers. There's a device on that podium. There's a light. When the light is green, it is your time to speak. When it turns yellow, you have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. When it returns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to the guidelines and conclude your remarks. It is my understanding that we have no speakers today. Thank you very much. We will now move to our Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 150358.
A resolution initiating action to establish a neighborhood improvement district, to be known as the Mayfair Business Improvement District, in an area that generally includes both sides of Frankford Avenue from the north side of Harbison Avenue to Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 4/23/15 - STATED - 2ND READING the south side of Sheffield Street and certain blocks of streets that intersect that portion of Frankford Avenue; and for which Mayfair Business Improvement District, Incorporated, a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, would serve as the Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association.
Thank you, Mr. President. I make a motion we approve. (Duly seconded.)
I'm sorry. My mistake. Councilman Neilson introduced it on Councilman Henon's behalf. So the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 4/23/15 - STATED - 2ND READING Council President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and 150358 is approved. Mr. Decker, 150360.
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 Thirty-Seventh Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
The Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 4/23/15 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Good morning, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and 150360 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 150171-A.
An ordinance amending Section 9-201 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Curb Markets," by adding and clarifying the special provisions for the South 9th Street Curb Markets.
This bill has been read on two separate days. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 4/23/15 - STATED - 2ND READING The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 4/23/15 - STATED - 2ND READING O'Brien.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 4/23/15 - STATED - 2ND READING voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 150056-A.
An ordinance amending Subcode "A" of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code by amending Chapter 3, entitled "Permits," and Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code by amending Chapter 9-200, entitled "Commercial Activities on Streets," to add an exemption, add definitions and provide for the use and regulation of mobile food vendors in certain areas.
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 Blackwell. Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 4/23/15 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 4/23/15 - STATED - 2ND READING Quinones-Sanchez.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 150197.
An ordinance amending Sections 19-1303 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Discounts and Additions to Tax," and 19-1806, Stated Meeting April 23, 2015 4/23/15 - STATED - 2ND READING entitled "Authorization of Realty Use and Occupancy Tax," by further tolling additions, interest and penalties when the assessed value of property is under appeal and further limiting tax payments due based on certain assessments under appeal.
Thank you. This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.