Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, September 29, 2016 10:45 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE L. BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN AL TAUBENBERGER MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting September 29, 2016
Good morning. We have a quorum. If the members will take their seat, we will get started. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Pastor Dominic Pennachietti of New Greenwich Light Baptist Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Mark Squilla. I would ask all members, guests, and visitors to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
I can't begin to express the gratitude and the great honor it is for me to be here with you this morning. I prayed for you last night and I prayed for you this morning. And I want to remind you that you are where you are today for such a time as this. God has ordained you and God has Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 position that you are in today. And I appreciate your service, I appreciate your dedication, and I appreciate your devotion to our beloved city. Today I want to give honor and give value to you, because I believe with all my heart that you are so significantly important to the welfare of the citizens of this great city. I just want to let you know today that we stand with you, we stand by you, and we stand for you. Our church prays for you every single week, and by God's grace, we will continue to pray for guidance and strength and wisdom and courage to do what is right for our beloved city. Shall we pray. Our Heavenly, Gracious Father, we bow our heads humbly before you recognizing, Lord, that we do not have all the answers, recognizing that we don't always know what is the right way. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 your scriptures, in a multitude of counselors, there is great safety. And, Lord, you also said in your beloved scriptures, Lord, unless you build the house, we labor in vain to build it. And so we humbly ask for your wisdom this morning. We humbly ask for guidance for our dear people here today. We ask for wisdom to govern amid the conflicting interests of our times, courage to stand up for what is right, honesty in all of our dealings with man before you. Lord, we ask for a sense of welfare and, Lord, for the true needs of our people of our great city. Lord, we ask for desire for justice and right, the ability to work together in harmony even when there is honest disagreement. I pray for this agenda set before us today that you give an assurance of what would please you and what would benefit those who live and work in and around our great City of Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 Jesus, may every decision that is made here today may be governed and guided by your omnipotent, powerful hand. We'll thank you for what you will do and continue to do in our great city. In your name, we pray these things. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Pastor. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you very much and, Pastor, thank you for those spiritual words. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 22nd, 2016, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 of Thursday, September 22nd, 2016 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 22nd, 2016 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The Journal is approved. The 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 for leave of absence today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, a leave of absence is requested for Councilman Al Taubenberger.
Leave shall be granted. The Chair thanks the gentleman. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to thank everyone who has taken time out of their busy day to come down to witness their government in action. I hope your day here is a knowledgeable one and also a pleasurable one, so much so that you come back again. Again, thank you so much for coming down. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee, who will present a resolution declaring October as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month." Would Jeannine Lisitski and those Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman Greenlee, we have Councilman Green and Councilman Domb and Councilman Johnson and Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. Good morning, everybody. It's very important, I believe, that every year or actually throughout the year we keep the public aware of the tremendously important issue of helping domestic violence victims and also to recognize all of those who work real hard every day to help those victims. So this is a resolution declaring October as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month." Whereas, "Domestic Violence Awareness Month" is being sponsored locally by Women Against Abuse and, Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 sponsorship, they are encouraging everyone to help to increase the awareness of domestic violence in our homes and communities and decrease its negative impact on Philadelphia; and
Whereas, in 2015, the Philadelphia Police Department responded to more than 100,000 domestic-related calls, and domestic violence is not just a local problem but a national issue where more than three women a day are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the United States; and Whereas, founded in 1976, the mission of Women Against Abuse is to provide quality and compassionate services, in a manner that fosters self-respect and independence in persons experiencing intimate partner violence and to lead the struggle to end domestic violence through advocacy and community education; and
Whereas, Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 2016 marks the 40th Anniversary of Women Against Abuse, founded as a part-time domestic violence hotline in a neighborhood women's center. Women Against Abuse has served as a pioneering voice for change - opening Philadelphia's only emergency safe haven for domestic violence in 1977, launching one of the first legal centers in the nation dedicated to the needs of survivors of domestic violence, establishing the region's first transitional housing program for survivors in 1987; and continually adapting to the changing needs of people experiencing relationship abuse, including partnering with the Philadelphia Police Department and tripling the number of domestic violence victims receiving free representation for a protection from abuse order by stationing attorneys directly in Philadelphia Family Court; and
Whereas, Women Against Abuse, in partnership with Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 -
-- Unidos, Lutheran Settlement House's -- thank you for helping me, Maria -- Bilingual Domestic Violence Program and Women in Transition, the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Collaborative provides a comprehensive continuum of services to survivors of domestic violence and their families in Philadelphia, which includes housing, legal aid, counseling, medical advocacy and behavioral health; and Whereas, the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Collaborative provides education and training to the community about domestic violence issues and resources and has partnered with the City of Philadelphia to operate the Domestic Violence Hotline and, in fiscal year 2016, approximately 15,000 calls were answered through the Hotline; and
Whereas, to ensure a more holistic approach to Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 community, Women Against Abuse and its sister agencies are partnering with the City Administration and over 50 different community stakeholders to implement a citywide strategic plan to respond to domestic violence in Philadelphia; and
Whereas, to support a coordinated community response to domestic violence, Women Against Abuse will hold its 9th Annual iPledge Press Conference on Friday, September 30th at noon in Thomas Paine Plaza as a community awareness initiative to promote knowledge about domestic violence and to build community support so that all Philadelphians will take a stand against violence; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia, declares and recognizes October as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month." Further resolved, that an Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 resolution be presented to representatives of Women Against Abuse as a sincere expression of City Council's gratitude and commendation for raising the public's awareness regarding domestic violence and appreciation for aiding domestic violence victims for 40 years. This was introduced by myself, co-sponsored by the members here, and signed by all members of City Council. Jeannine, et al., everyone here, thank you for everything you do on this very important issue. Thank you. (Applause.)
And the Chair recognizes Ms. Lisitski for remarks.
Thank you. Thank you all so much. It's so wonderful to be here among such a group of champions in our City Council. None of our work we could alone, and I just thank you for all that you do each day. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 thank Councilmembers Greenlee, Reynolds Brown, Jones, Johnson, Green, Domb, and all of the members. We are honored to be here again this year to proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Philadelphia. And as the Executive Director of Women Against Abuse, I am so pleased to be celebrating our 40th anniversary this year, because it marks another year of progress towards ending domestic violence here in Philadelphia. As you know, we are currently working with the City Administration and more than 50 stakeholders throughout Philadelphia to implement a truly holistic, coordinated response to domestic violence. This work includes things like creating a universal screening tool and response, training plans and protocols, new interventions, even data collection protocols and much, much more. The main goal is that we are ensuring that no matter where a person Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 help, there's going to be a response. They're going to get what they need. This work has been made possible through the dedication of our sister agencies, Congreso, Lutheran Settlement House, Women in Transition, and Women Organized Against Rape and Women's Law Project, all of whom are unfailing in their commitment to improving the lives of survivors of domestic violence. It's really important to remember that although we have made great strides towards a more effective response, we're still experiencing a growing demand. Last year alone, we fielded 15,000-plus calls on the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline. We had to turn away over 14,000 requests for safe shelter, because we are always full in the 200 beds we have. So it is vital, it is really foundational that our community be able to respond to every cry Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 to do that if we're going to get a handle on the violence in our community. So while today is a really important day to proclaim Domestic Violence Awareness Month in our city, we have to remember that every day there's thousands of people who are experiencing domestic violence, and even today while we're here, 300 calls to the police just in this day for a response will be made. So as we kick off this year's Domestic Violence Awareness Month, let's make the most of it. There's many, many ways that people can get involved. As you know, tomorrow is the Women Against Abuse iPledge Press Conference at noon at Thomas Paine Plaza, and please also join us in downloading the iPledge toolkit to use in your circle of influence. , Thomas Paine Plaza. You can join Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 Philly 400 Run. m. at FDR Park. m. So there's so many ways you can get involved. You can also join us and join one of the subcommittees of the coordinated community response implementation plan for the City. And please join us as we work to create shared safety for each of us as part of our wonderful City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. Our city looks to you for leadership. How will you be a part of working to end relational violence, not just during this month but each and every day. So I want to thank you all again for your commitment to be a part of this struggle that we're in. I believe that together we can change the course of family violence and we can create a safer and healthier Philadelphia. Thank you. )
Thank you, and congratulations. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones, who will present a resolution recognizing the 32nd Anniversary of Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development Week. Would Nolan Atkinson, Jr. and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman Jones, we have Councilman Green, Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, Councilwoman Gym, and Councilman Domb and Councilwoman Parker and Councilwoman Bass.
Good morning, everyone. (Good morning.) Stated Meeting September 29, 2016
I am pleased to be a part of the continuum of inclusion recognizing MED Week, Minority Enterprise Development Week's 33rd Anniversary, and that deserves a round of applause. (Applause.)
This is a concept that has had its ups and downs, ebbs and flows, court challenges, overturning, and still we rise. I want to also say that I'm pleased as punch to be doing a workshop, Ready Set Grow, with my colleague Councilwoman Parker at Pipeline Wednesday, October 5th at 6 o'clock, and we're going to be getting people ready to get into business. It was raised in our hearings eloquently by Councilwoman Parker about there's not enough ownership in commercial corridors in our respective neighborhoods. But I want to take you back to a time when there was civil unrest in the Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 Philadelphia, in the nation at large, where classes of people who felt disenfranchised took it to the streets because the American dream did not apply to them and it felt it was more like an American nightmare. And the federal government in its infinite wisdom at times decided the answer in part was to create a business class, to create an entrepreneurial environment where people could share in that American dream, that minority and female companies could be a part of a growing partnership, if you would, of prosperity in this country. No matter how far we go, here we are. Because now we're talking about during those times of unrest then, people were saying words like "law and order." Think about that. And other people were talking about, well, we need to include people in the American dream. And we don't have to go that far, maybe to Monday, to hear those sentiments echoed from different corners of our country. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 behind us are doing is critical. They don't get a lot of fanfare. They get a lot of grief. Am I right? Can I get an amen? (Amen.)
They get a lot of grief, because every day they rise and grind to make sure people have opportunities so that small companies can become medium-sized companies and contributors to the tax base in the City of Philadelphia, and making sure women and others who hire other women and other minorities actually get a fair shake at leveling the playing field. So to that end, we are presenting a resolution honoring and recognizing Minority Enterprise Development Week. Whereas -- I cut out my whereas to include others.
Councilman, that won't work for me. I need the 25 bold print script. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 whereas, since 1983, the U.S. President has proclaimed a National Minority Enterprise Development Week observance to recognize the outstanding achievements of Minority Business Enterprises and to honor those corporations and financial institutions that support minority business development. Annual regional conferences and activities are organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Government Contracting and Business Development; and
Whereas, the MED Week celebration was started locally in Philadelphia in 1984 to honor and promote minority-owned businesses in the Philadelphia area;
And whereas, all of you are invited to join us Tuesday, October 4th at the Naval Shipyard wherein PIDC and my office will Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 to figure out how you can be actively engaged in the Mayor's rebuild initiative; and Whereas, the organizers of the first MED Week activities were dearly beloved and sorely missed Barbara Daniel Cox, former Director of Mayor Wilson Goode's Women's Commission, and community activist Bilal Abdul Qayyum, former Assistant Deputy Director of the City Commerce Department; and
Whereas, the 32nd Anniversary of Philadelphia MED Week is sponsored by corporations, hospitals, local colleges and universities, local and regional government agencies and organizations that are committed to supporting opportunities for minority businesses, including the African American Chamber of Commerce, Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the City of Philadelphia Commerce Department, and the Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 Pennsylvania; and
Whereas, small businesses in Philadelphia and across the country are the cornerstone of economic growth, creating two-thirds of new jobs in the country and comprising 50 percent of America's employment. I just want to add an aside. I always say you make a living working in a small business. You create wealth owning it. And I want to thank everybody behind me for helping people achieve that goal. Thank you.
Whereas, the sources of capital, technical resources, and contracting opportunities are essential to the development, growth, and prosperity of minority business. MED Week will host some of the most prominent contracting organizations and resource providers that stand for the success of the small business community;
Whereas, MED Week has grown exponentially since Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 celebration includes over 40 sponsors offering more than 30 workshops, seminars and networking opportunities across the region including, as Councilman Domb always says: "There's Money Out There How to Get It," "Doing Business with EDs and MEDs," "Philly Airport 2016 Annual Business Opportunity Forum," and "Lighting the Torch"; now, therefore, be it
Be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that it hereby supports the National Minority Business Development Agency and recognizes October 1st through October 8th, 2016 as Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development Week, which provides critical information, resources, opportunities and inspiration to foster a clear trajectory for growth and sustainability in the minority business community. Further resolved, that an Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 resolution be presented to the Philadelphia MED Week Committee as evidence of the strong support and sincere sentiments of this legislative body. Congratulations. (Applause.)
Council President Clarke and members of City Council, I am honored to represent the MED Week Committee and acknowledge the co-chairs of this year's program, its 33rd, which has the theme of "Philadelphia the Center of Opportunity: Building Capacity for Prosperity." Those co-chairs, African American Chamber, the Asian Chamber of Commerce, the Commerce Department of the Office of Economic Opportunity and its staff and Angela Dowd-Burton who leads that staff, the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 Commerce, and the United States Minority Business Development Business Agency, and all other members of the Committee who have spent so much time in building such a great program this year. On each Councilperson's desk is a schedule of the calendar of events for this year's MED Week, and I urge you all to take a good look at that and participate. Councilman Jones has said that economic inclusion is the last rung in the ladder of equality. As a participant in the first MED Week, when my little law firm was a struggling enterprise on Pine Street, I know the importance of MED Week. It is an opportunity to get education, networking, and a host of opportunities that only comes during this special time. All of the events this year will foster the growth and capacity of the Philadelphia minority business community. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 Committee, I am honored to accept this resolution and pledge that every member of the Committee will work with all of our energy to achieve the goal of full economic inclusion. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you very much. A little quiet, please. 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, will you please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 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. 160710, 160711, 160715, 160716, 160717, and 160718. And I am pleased to advise you that on September 27, 2016, I signed all of the bills which were passed by Council at its session on September 15, 2016. And I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Whitman Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2127 South Sixth Street; and An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code by amending Subcode "A" (The Philadelphia Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 Administrative Code) and Subcode "B" (The Philadelphia Building Code) to add and revise certain provisions relating to the demolition of buildings and structures; and An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development for use by the City of premises located at 456 North 5th Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Mr. Decker, do you have any additional communications?
Thank you very much. The next order of business will be the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016
This morning I offer a resolution co-sponsored by all members of City Council, including Councilman Al Taubenberger, who is not present, and at the appropriate time I would like to be recognized to speak on this resolution.
A non-privileged resolution reaffirming the Zero Tolerance Approach against Sexual Harassment in the Work Place in the City of Philadelphia.
Mr. President, I would like to ask for a suspension of the rules too. Thank you. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you, Councilwoman. It has been moved and properly Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 seconded the suspension of the rules to allow first reading on final passage on the Calendar this day. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce one bill.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 area bounded by 30th Street, Chestnut Street, 31st Street, Market Street, 32nd Street, and Arch Street (extended), all under certain terms and conditions.
Referred to committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I offer one bill co-sponsored by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown and on your behalf one resolution.
An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," by adding a new Chapter on wage equity prohibiting employers from inquiring about salary history, including definitions, duties, penalties, posting requirements, a private right of action and other related Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 items regarding wage equity.
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 Forty-Seventh Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. Today I offer one resolution.
Thank you, Councilman. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016
A privileged resolution declaring the week of October 2, 2016 as Manufacturing Week in Philadelphia in recognition of the importance of the sector to the City.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
An ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Smick Street and Dupont Street; Race Street and 61st Street; and Dupont Street and Fleming Street.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Law and Government to hold Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 hearings on whether The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter should be amended to provide for the creation of a Criminal Justice Reinvestment Fund to reinvest savings from a reduced prison population into criminal justice reform programs.
This week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Council President, I have one privileged and one non-privileged resolution.
An ordinance establishing a no stopping regulation on the 7400 block of Henslow Place. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016
And a privileged resolution declaring October 6th, 2016 to be Prince Hall Day in the City of Philadelphia.
And a non-privileged resolution urging the United States Congress to reject the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership due to the agreement's negative impact on workers' rights in the United States and across the world.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I have one privileged resolution today.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Council Committee on Law & Government to hold hearings regarding campaign finance reform and public financing of municipal elections.
This week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have two resolutions, one non-privileged sponsored by Councilmembers Domb, Gym, and Taubenberger, the other sponsored by Councilmembers Green, Domb, Blackwell, Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 Bass, Gym, Jones, Squilla, and Taubenberger. Important that I mention those names because Donald "Ducky" Birts is watching and I want him to know we paid attention.
A privileged resolution recognizing and congratulating The Ducky Birts Foundation on the occasion of its 10th Annual Medallion Scholarship Gala.
And a non-privileged resolution adding Rabbi Dailey to the street signs on the block intersections of Lowber Avenue between Mayland Street and Mohican Street.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016
Thank you, Council President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Good morning, Council President. No bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one bill and two resolutions, one privileged, one not. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016
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 456 North 5th Street.
And a privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Joe Schiavo and Janet Kalter for their tireless dedication to the City of Philadelphia and especially their Old City neighborhood.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 portion of the Whitman Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2127 South Sixth Street.
And that will be next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two non-privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Finance to hold hearings on the impact of the Wells Fargo Bank scandal on Philadelphians and the feasibility of removing Wells Fargo Bank as a City depository.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016
And a privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Health and Human Services to hold hearings concerning the quality, stability and sustainability of Direct Support Professionals, who provide critically needed care to individuals of all ages with behavioral health, developmental and physical disabilities.
And that will also be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I offer two privileged resolutions and one bill. The privileged resolutions are co-sponsored by Councilmembers Jones, Green, Parker, Blackwell, Bass, and Domb. And may I be heard on the bill after it is read?
An ordinance repealing an ordinance approved the eleventh day of January, 1950, declaring the intention of the City of Philadelphia to organize and authorizing the organization of a Parking Authority under the Act of June 5, 1947, as amended by the Act approved May 9, 1949; repealing Ordinance 1633, approved the eighth day of April, 1983, by which the City of Philadelphia delegated to the Philadelphia Parking Authority certain powers relating to the administration, supervision and enforcement of on-street parking regulations and collections on behalf of the City of Philadelphia of fines.
Thank you very much, Council President. Just briefly, Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 we have revelations of sexual harassment that at least go back to 2009. There are some questions about what the Board knew, should have known, didn't know, and I think more revelations coming. This Parking Authority was run by the City ultimately. The City had an amount of influence in it, and we are directly responsible to the voters of this city. The Parking Authority has, since its takeover in 2000 or so, continually run, grown, and ultimately we now have issues about where is the money, how is it being spent. I've introduced this bill because I think it is important that our city get to the table with the restructuring of this Parking Authority to ensure that we are not simply looking at a bad apple but we're looking at the bad apple tree. And with that, I just would like to explain that is the purpose of this bill. Thank you. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016
Thank you, Councilman. That bill will be referred to committee.
And a privileged resolution Recognizing and Honoring Reverend James Sterling Allen of the Historic Vine Memorial Baptist Church.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution urging the United States Department of Defense to include the names of the 74 fallen sailors of the U.S.S. Frank E. Evans on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
And that will also be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. That concludes our introductions of bills and resolutions, and we will now move to our reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a report from Stated Meeting September 29, 2016
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Finance reports out one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 160767, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the Bond Committee to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale, to provide funds toward various capital municipal purposes; providing for appropriations to the Sinking Fund Commission for the payment of such bonds; authorizing agreements to provide credit or payment or liquidity sources for the bonds in connection with issuance of the bonds, and certain other actions; providing for Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 the electors to increasing the indebtedness of the City; and fixing a day and providing for arrangements for holding the election for obtaining such consent," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 160767. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 160767. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and this bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a report from the Committee of Labor and Civil Service.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Labor and Civil Service reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Labor and Civil Service, to which was referred Bill No. 160713, entitled "An ordinance amending Section 17-107 of The Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 Code, entitled 'Contractors: Labor-Management Relationships,' to provide that building service employees performing labor under certain building service contracts, receive the prevailing wage and prevailing working conditions; and to provide for certain exemptions or exclusions, all under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair one more time recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 160713. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 160713. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. This bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. That concludes our reports from committee, and the next order of business is the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with a suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon for the Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 2ND READING purpose of calling up bills and resolutions that are on our Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up for second reading and final passage on today's Final Passage Calendars: Bill Nos. 160659, 160797, 160813, 160814, 160815, 160817, 160820, 160821, 160824, 160828, 160832, 160708-AAA, 160516, 160365. All other bills and resolutions are being held today.
Thank you very much, Councilman. Before considering these bills and resolutions that are on our Final Passage Calendar, we will have our public comment session. The public comment session will go as follows: If you are interested in testifying on a bill or resolution on the Final Passage today, if you have not already done so, I'd ask that you sign up Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 to the table to my left. When your name is called, you will proceed to the podium in the middle of the Council Chambers. You will see a device on that podium. That device has a light. When that light turns green, it will be your time to speak on the bill or resolution on the Final Passage Calendar. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks, and when the light turns red, we would ask that you adhere to the guidelines and please conclude your remarks. Mr. Decker, please call the first name on the witness list.
Donna Cooper, commenting on 160659. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, members of Council. My name is Donna Cooper. I'm the Executive Director of Public Citizens for Children and Youth, Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 and I'm here to testify to urge Council to vote unanimously for Resolution 160659, which calls for an audit of the Parking Authority by the City Controller. I ask for a unanimous vote because I know this Council cares so much about kids and schools. You've shown over and over again you're willing to invest for them. Unfortunately, the Parking Authority has not done their part. Year after year their contributions to the School District have been declining in spite of the fact that they have had increases in the meter rates, but as we see in the recent activity reported in the Philadelphia news by Chairman Fenerty, the Board and the leadership of the Parking Authority seem to have a commitment to tasks other than regulating the parking, regulating themselves, ensuring they're efficient, delivering their money to the City, and delivering money to the School District. They are Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 failing on all of those fronts, and that's why we ask for a unanimous vote for their audit, so that we can end the culture of waste, secrecy, and corruption at the Parking Authority so our schools can be funded. Be clear. The one known settlement that we know of, the 150,000, would be enough to reduce class size in first grade in one elementary school. Imagine that. The 4 million that the Parking Authority is seeking to regulate Uber and other ride-sharing services would be enough to staff an entire elementary school with teachers. Imagine that. We should be doing more than this resolution. We should be calling for the Board members to reconsider whether they're up to the task. We should be pulling in the Attorney General and the Auditor General so that we can make sure that this public institution, which has an obligation on an annual Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 basis to fund the City and the School District, is living up to that. This Board resolution is a -this Council resolution is a first step in that regard, but there is much more that needs to be done to clean up the Parking Authority and ensure that it's doing what it agreed to under state law in 2004, which was to generate funds to help us fund our schools and to be your partner in doing that. In 2009, the Controller of the City of Philadelphia found the Parking Authority to ineffectively be controlling costs and could not find all of its contracts. That suggests a much deeper review of what's going on there needs to happen. So I ask for a unanimous vote today. I ask you to put the kids first. This is a public institution that we collectively must make sure is delivering for our children, and we urge a yes vote, and we urge this Council to join us in Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 asking that the Attorney General and the Auditor General of Pennsylvania also step up and do a full investigation so that our kids get the resources they deserve. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Thank you for your comments. Clerk, would you please read the name of the next speaker, please.
Hannah Sassaman, commenting on 160659. (Applause.) (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, everybody. I'm also commenting on 160659. I'm here in a personal capacity. I'm the mom of a kindergartner at a Philadelphia public school, at Penn Alexander, and I was really shocked to learn earlier this year that the PPA is required to be paying resources to our public schools and hasn't been doing so. And as you know, it's a $240 million Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 agency whose contributions to schools have plummeted from 14 million in 2012 to a projected 8 million in 2017, where we're paying far more in fees and taxes to the PPA as drivers and as consumers. And so if revenues have risen, why have resources to the School District plummeted? Personally -- and I've started to get involved in this on the Home and School Association. My daughter's school parents raise over $100,000 each year to fund art, music, and other resources for the children at that school, which just won a Blue Ribbon award because of the major improvements and resources, a very prestigious national award that we are able to give to populations that are struggling in that school. And the PPA is considering legalizing Uber and Lyft in an effort to get even more money. So we really require that true performance audit of the PPA. It's basic good governance. And Council expects Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 this of every agency. Our kids shouldn't get any less. And as we're fighting to make sure that the PPA is resourcing our schools, we also need to make sure that the PPA is protecting all drivers and riders with both Uber and Lyft as well. Okay. Thank you very much.
Robert Blount, commenting on 160659. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, members of this honorable Council, and thank y'all for this place of democracy. We're not used to it. Our voices have always felt it fell on deaf ears at the Philadelphia Parking Authority. So I'm here today on behalf of the taxi drivers, the limo drivers, the neighborhood limo drivers, and we just want to say that the PPA is very efficient in collecting revenues. I mean, they got tricky signs out there. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 They dispossess poor people, they vehicles. Taxi drivers, limo drivers, our fees have constantly gone up, from $50 when they first started. We're paying over $125 each year just for a certificate. Our assessment fees for the vehicles have gone up almost double over the last two years since they've been in there, and we do know that they staff continues to expand. So we also want to talk about our ridership. All of this is going on, all our fees and stuff are going up while the ridership has gone down because of the new TNC companies and stuff like that. But even in Harrisburg when we in Harrisburg trying to negotiate a good bill for everyone, the PPA is pushing that the schools get nothing, that they get percent or they get percent. So this has been a constant battle. And so we all know that the PPA is very efficient in collecting revenue, Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 but to get the PPA to pay they civic duty, it's really hard. In 2006-2007, when they were supposed to give money to the schools, we were out in the streets, the taxi drivers, the limo drivers, the students, the education advocates, City Councilwoman Gym. We all was out in the streets to get the PPA to do they fair share, and as soon as the lights and cameras go away, they go back again hiding money. But we do know what the PPA is good at spending money on, expanding they staff. Their staff down there at the taxi and limousine division has almost doubled. Where they should be hiring employees, they're hiring people that retired from the City and are working for the Parking Authority as independent contractors. They're paying people's down there college tuitions to law school when they should be doing other things with their money. And the lawsuits. There's Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 hundreds of lawsuits coming from the taxi industry, limousine industry that the taxpayers have to pay for. And who gets these contracts from these law firms? So we need to do the audit to follow the trail, where the money is being spent, who is spending something from the Parking Authority. It's not the City of Philadelphia. It's who is on they Board, that nephew or a nephew who can't get a job, Joe Ashdale's niece. I don't want to go down the list, but they need to be audited, and we are humbly asking this Council to do they job. Take a look at this. This is our city.
Clerk, would you kindly read the next speaker. Thank you. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016
Aaron Sudler, commenting on 160659. (Witness approached podium.)
Hi. I'm an artist, visual artist. Me and Kenyatta Johnson are childhood friends. What's going on?
Once again, I believe that corruption starts with the lack of independence. Okay? I have a program, as me and Kenyatta spoke about, in regards to funding our own schools through creativity. And as long as we stay dependent, corruption is going to always be there, bottom line. So I'm just here as a courtesy, you know, to everyone that's in this Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 building, in this room to indicate that through the art, through designing clothes, getting our kids involved with designing clothes, we can really make a major impact and stay independent in regards to money being made. Just imagine if we have a relationship with Nike and Adidas and we say these are the clothes that the kids are making. What I do is, I do one-of-a-kind clothing, one-of-a-kind by hand. We don't use silk screen or anything. We just do it through the vinyl cutter, and we do one-of-a-kind. Every item is different. I showcase my talent throughout the City, from South Street to the park on Sundays when we got the motorcycles out during the summertime. I'm a product of where Ms. Blackwell is from. She knows me as well, West Philly. That's where I'm from, 40th and Lancaster where Dr. King Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 addressed 10,000 people. There's a reason why he came to that area, because he knew the talent was there. So as I try to get with Ms. Blackwell and Kenyatta, we're going to do things. We won't need no Parking Authority. We won't need no outside entity. Because from what I understand, they're a part of New Jersey. So Philadelphia, we're going to stay independent, as we always have been. It's just a matter of the art rising above and taking over and staying independent. And I don't really have too much to say, but I will see you and I will see you as well, and I love my people, and through the art, we will do everything. No Walmart.
Robert Taylor, Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 commenting on 160817. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I am Robert Taylor, President of Transport Workers Union Local 700 and WPEB 88.1 FM co-host on the Jasper Jones Show. I am commenting on Resolution 160817, denouncing Pennsylvania House Bill 2258. The Pennsylvania House bill is sorely needed in Philadelphia due to the misbehavior of cities' public servants under the Second Amendment, U.S. Constitution, and the State Constitution, Article I, Section 21, which states, quote, "The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves or the State shall not be questioned." Yet this Council constantly interferes with that right with endless passing of useless gun violence rules. News flash: The guns didn't commit the crimes. Law-breaking criminals did. And contrary to the Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 propaganda, the criminals won't give up their guns. Just ask the folks in Chicago, where they have all sorts of gun laws, what they think of Chicago as the murder capital of the world. They are headed toward a new record even as we speak. Therefore, these needless rules only serve to make Philadelphia a criminal wonderland like Chicago. No thank you. As Martin Delany said in his speech of 1851, quote, "Honorable Mayor, whatever ideas of liberty I may have I have received from reading the lives of your revolutionary fathers. I have therein learned that a man has a right to defend his castle with his life, even unto taking of life. Surely my house is my castle. In that castle are none other but my wife and my children, as free as the angels of heaven and whose liberty is as sacred as the pillars of God," end quote. Why should any Philadelphian Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 wish to be a slave to Council's wrong-headed rules? On September 15th a pastor's wife in Philadelphia opened fire on an assailant as the family returned home from a concert, including their 12-year-old son, breitbart.com. We need groups like the National Rifle Association and the Gun Owners of America to bring suits against cities like Philadelphia that go against the Supreme law of the Constitution and the rights of the citizens. Dear God, please preserve our rights. Let's support HB 2258 and all similar efforts. Thank you for your time.
My name is Susan Schewell and I'm the Executive Director of the Women's Medical Fund, a local Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 non-profit that provides emergency financial assistance for abortion to people who are struggling to make ends meet. I stand here today with advocates from many Philadelphia communities in support of Resolution 160828. We are grateful to the leadership of Councilwomen Bass and Gym and for the sponsorship from Councilmembers Parker, Green, Johnson, and Quinones-Sanchez. Last year our phone counselors provided financial support to almost 1,800 Philadelphians so that they could follow through on their decision to have an abortion. One of those is a young woman named Kiana, 20 years old, a student at Community. She works at a fast food restaurant to pay her bills. She grew up in foster care. She's getting straight A's at Community. She's ecstatic and she's starting to dream big for her future. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 But then she was shocked and dismayed to learn that her health coverage, Pennsylvania Medical Assistance, would not pay for her abortion. That's right. Current federal policy, known as the Hyde Amendment, withholds insurance coverage for this medical care from women who qualify for Medicaid. And the pain and the punishment of Hyde have been expanded over the years to include military service members and their dependents, veterans who receive coverage through the VA, federal employees, and other groups of people. Seventeen states do provide Medicaid coverage of abortion using their own dollars, but Pennsylvania is not one of them. In fact, Pennsylvania doubled down on the Hyde Amendment's restrictions in 2013, passing a law that prohibits insurance coverage of abortion purchased through the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange. These insurance restrictions Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 on abortion have made access to abortion dependent on where a woman lives and how she is insured. Listen to these words from another caller to our help line: I'm a 27-year-old mother of a little boy. I've been on my own working and going to school since I was 18. I only make $250 a week. My Medicaid did not cover my abortion. Paying the full cost would have left me unable to pay my rent or some child care while I'm at work. Where would I be if I lost my job? This week on the 40th anniversary of the Hyde Amendment, we urge City Council to join your counterparts in ten other cities, from Austin to Chicago, Seattle to Boston, to pass this resolution in support of women's health and equality. Thank you. (Applause.)
We have four other individuals listed. I Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 believe they're part of the same organization or entity on Resolution 160828. So we're going to call all their names and all four of them just come up and prepare to speak. Mr. Decker, just call the four names.
Seneca Joyner, Emily Bland, Sheila Madali, and Lexi White. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hello. My name is Seneca Joyner, and I am asking all of you today to vote in support of Resolution 160828. As I said, my name is Seneca Joyner. I am a daughter, a friend, a spouse, a scholar, and a mother, and 15 years ago I had an abortion. At the time, I was a 19-year-old working full time and going to school full time with not enough food, money or sleep to make ends meet. And while I had survived the Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 assault that resulted in my pregnancy, I was certain of two things. I was certain that I was -- that being a parent at that point was not what I wanted and also not what I was going to do. So I turned to my family for help. I endured the pain and humiliation that was required to confirm my pregnancy, and I had it terminated at ten weeks. In a lot of ways, I was lucky. I was lucky to live near one of only three clinics that were operating in Georgia at the time. I was lucky that my mother and my aunts were able to scrape together the thousand U.S. dollars that was required to pay for my procedure. I was also lucky that the health insurance my mother subscribed to would eventually reimburse her for those costs. I was lucky that the decision to obtain the care that I so desperately needed at that point in my life would not further result in me sinking deeper into poverty and the poverty of my family. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 But that was 15 years ago. As already discussed and as some of you well know, the opportunity for people in the United States and in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to obtain abortion has become increasingly difficult. In the 15 years since my abortion, I have accomplished many, many things, and no singular action that I have ever undertaken has mattered as much to me in my entire life as the decision to become a parent. Then, now, and always women and their families deserve better than luck. We deserve to have our decisions trusted and we deserve to have the abortion care provided to us regardless of how much money we have or what kind of insurance we subscribe to. I ask you all again to unanimously support Resolution 160828. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you for your testimony. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 Good morning.
Good morning. My name is Emily Bland and I am a resident of West Philadelphia. I'm here to testify today in support of Resolution 160828 in support of the EACH Woman Act. The lack of safe, affordable, and easily accessible abortion services has directly affected me. In 2012, I was working at a Catholic school. Over 98 percent of my students were living beneath the poverty line. I found my profession to be fulfilling in addition to being extremely important, as I'm sure members of this esteemed Council can agree. In the winter of that year I found out I was pregnant, due most likely to what was a birth control failure. I had been on the pill and my brand was re-called by the FDA that year for being mislabeled. However, that doesn't even really matter to me. People deserve safe and affordable abortion on demand Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 regardless of the circumstances of their pregnancies. When I found out I was pregnant, I found myself in an incredible double bind. If I were to carry to term, I would lose a job that I loved because I was pregnant and unwed. If I terminated the pregnancy, I'd face huge financial barriers to the services I needed, something that seemed completely undoable. I would need to take a few days off work at two different jobs. I would need to come up with the money to fund the abortion. I'd have to figure out transportation costs to and from the clinic. As a school employee, especially a Catholic school employee, I was making far below a livable wage. I was working full time at the school and part time as a server just to survive and barely getting by. I had no savings and no way of asking my devout Catholic family members for help. I was stuck. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 In the end, I had to borrow money from friends in addition to saving money for almost two months, nearly missing the cutoff date for my termination procedure. It was a struggle, but a necessary one at the time. I'm proud of my decision and do not regret my abortion in the slightest. That's why I'm here today to proudly stand with the other women and men here today to support our work to make reproductive justice a reality in this city, this state, and this country. I'm proud to tell my personal abortion story because I'm proud to fight for free abortions on demand. Women deserve more than this. Our partners deserve more than this. As our state and national legislators ramp up a tax on reproductive health, the time to act is now. It is my hope that you join me today in action by passing this resolution. Thank you for your time, and Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 end the bans. (Applause.)
Thank you for having me. My name is Sheila Madali and I'm the Director of the Restaurant Opportunities Centers of Pennsylvania, a statewide organization of restaurant workers, owners, and consumers uniting for better working conditions and wages in the restaurant industry. I'm here today to testify in favor of lifting insurance bans on abortion on behalf of myself and the 485,000 restaurant workers who live and work in Pennsylvania. Insurance bans on abortion fall hardest on low-income women and women of color, many of whom already struggle with access to quality healthcare. This is the reality for far too many people working in the restaurant industry. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 Our industry is characterized by low wages and a lack of access to benefits. There are over 220,000 tipped workers in Pennsylvania who are paid as little as $2.83 per hour, over 70 percent of whom are women and 11 percent of whom are on Medicaid. As a result of these abysmally low wages, the restaurant workforce in Pennsylvania experiences poverty at twice the rate of the general workforce. It is unconscionable that people can work full time in the restaurant industry and still qualify for Medicaid, and it's compounded by the fact that relying on customer tips that fluctuate widely make it nearly impossible to have a savings from which to afford an abortion out of pocket when coverage is denied by politicians. I myself worked in the restaurant and retail industries for many years and, as a teenager, had to make a really important decision about a Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 pregnancy, and I decided and made a very difficult decision to terminate. But even after making that decision, my struggle did continue because of my series of low-wage jobs. Like so many other restaurant workers, I had no savings and could not afford the procedure. So I had to delay it until I could borrow enough money from friends to be able to afford the procedure, thus prolonging the physical and emotional impact. Insurance coverage for my procedure would have made a huge difference in my life. All women deserve to be able to make the important personal decisions that would allow them to live a life with dignity and economic security. Higher wages and access to quality healthcare, including a full range of pregnancy-related care, are necessary. So on behalf of myself and the Restaurant Opportunities Centers of Pennsylvania, we urge City Council to Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 pass this resolution in favor of lifting insurance bans. All women should be empowered to make the pregnancy-related decisions that are best for them, and this includes the decision to have an abortion. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning. Thank you for your time, attention, and action towards reproductive health rights and justice. My name is Lexi White. I am a resident of West Philadelphia in Morris Park area. I'm 24 years of age, an age range that many would deem in my reproductive prime, so to speak. Through my own lived experience and that of the women in my family, circles, and communities, I'm increasingly aware of and disturbed by the ways that barriers to accessible Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 reproductive health services deeply and disproportionately affect the full health and well-being of black women and women of color, young women, poor women, and their communities and families here in Philadelphia but also across the State of Pennsylvania and beyond. Black women and women of color are disproportionately uninsured, underinsured and affected by deep and cyclical cycles of poverty. I believe that these factors cannot be separated from the decisions we make when it comes to deciding about pregnancy and parenting. I currently work as an organizer and community advocate with an organization called New Voices for Reproductive Justice. At New Voices, we advocate for the full health and well-being of black women and women of color and girls through the language and framework of reproductive justice. The reproductive justice and the practice of Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 self-determination reasserts our basic rights to have children, to not have children, and to raise and rear our children in healthy, sustainable, and safe communities. I believe today's hearing and the resolution it represents is a crucial, symbolic, and progressive step for the City of Philadelphia in the wider fight towards removing harmful barriers on abortion coverage at the local, state, and national levels, barriers that are currently imposed by the Hyde Amendment, but that operate alongside pervasive socioeconomic and environmental health and wellness disparities occurring at the intersections of race, class, and gender. To support Resolution 160828 is to support the health and well-being of all women, but especially black women and women of color in the City of Philadelphia and beyond. Thank you. (Applause.) Stated Meeting September 29, 2016
Carol Tracy, commenting on 160659. (Witness approached podium.)
Thank you. I'm Carol Tracy. I'm the Director of the Women's Law Project. And I want to say -- I came today to be a participant here and just listen, but today's Council has seen an inspiring and unified front in support of women and women's rights and women's health. Between the resolution of Women Against Abuse for the iPledge campaign and Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the testimony we've just heard about abortion access, it shows us how central women's issues are to all of our public policy. I also, though, feel that I am compelled to also add my voice to the voices in support of the audit of the Philadelphia Parking Authority. I think that Council needs to make clear that Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 sexual harassment in the workplace is as offensive and of concern to you as the issues around violence against women and issues around access to healthcare for all women. So I want to join my voice and my organization's support in that audit. Thank you.
Well, if it were a good afternoon, I wouldn't have to be here and tell you yet again of what's going on. You would act accordingly. Again, I address my elected representatives, who fail to act by violating your oath of office and 42 USC 1982, 1983, 1985, and 1986, 18 USC 2381 and 2384 and others unnamed. You have Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 become an elected monarchy. According to James Madison, this cannot be allowed, as you have been informed by me and other people that homes are being taken without any compensation, violating the U.S. Constitution. By doing nothing, you are violating those laws and others. The RDA and now the PHA that you have transferred some of the people from the RDA to have been noted in articles and Council testimony as performing numerous alleged illegal activities and possible theft of property. Reagan said government's first duty is to protect the sovereign people. Taking my home at 1038 West Wyoming Avenue without compensation is not protecting them. Over 22 years I have waited for justice, while the City, some of the Councilpeople, and other officials protested my right to a trial. Our founding fathers and fallen veterans weep in their graves. This is not what they gave their lives for. Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 9/29/16 - STATED - 2ND READING I in open Council am making an official decree to immediately de-fund the Sheriff's Department, the RDA, the District Attorney's Office, and the Controller's Offices until such time that 1038 West Wyoming Avenue is paid for as outlined in Supreme Court documents 158965 and the prosecution of all involved for fraud, 42 USC 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986 and other laws that have been named and unnamed. Thank you.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. Thank you. We will now move to our Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 160659.
A resolution requesting the City Controller to conduct an audit of the Philadelphia Parking Authority's policy and procedures on the Stated Meeting September 29, 2016 9/29/16 - STATED - 2ND READING administration of its operations in the City of Philadelphia.