I'm speaking on 180155 and, most importantly, how we, the black people, the brown people, the minority people of Philadelphia, have no say. No one pays attention to us. No one listens to us. Time and time again we have fought, we have fight, we have spoken, and nothing is being done. We look at things that's going on around the City, Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 and we clearly, each and every one of us sitting here, can honestly say we disagree with so much. There are bills being passed that should not even be passed. There are bills that should be passed that are being overlooked, one being the schools. Our children should not be suffering in this school system. The teachers should not have to come out of their pockets and pay for supplies to teach their students. The teachers should not have to be refereed to disarm children. The teachers are there to teach. And this is why our children are losing now, because we don't have leadership to stand up and help these teachers do what they are here to do.
Thank you, ma'am, for your testimony. (Applause.)
Greg Brinkley, commenting on 170954-A. (Witness approached podium.)
I really didn't prepare a speech. I don't think I need one. Very clearly on this bill, I got some clarification from Council Blackwell's office that this bill also has a connotation that Council is the final -- can approve this bill. I'm not liking the makeup of the nominating panel. I don't think it has enough African American male presence. I unapologetically make that comment. I think it's disproportionate to the amount of school kids in terms of makeup of the schools. I think that Council should require before they Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 approve it. I'm going to put it on record that the Mayor who opposes the extension of the amnesty program to get money for the schools, but yet he will not file a lawsuit against the Parking Authority for the money that they haven't given. I'm not understanding that dichotomy. I think that it's disrespectful, and with all due respect to you, Council President, I support the Different Kind of Democrat, and I think that leadership has a lot to do with anybody. You set the tone for that, and with all due respect to you, you have failed. (Applause.)
Elizabeth McGraw, commenting on 180153, 180154, and 180150. (Witness approached podium.) MS. McGRAW: Good morning.
Good morning. MS. McGRAW: You already know I'm Elizabeth McGraw. You already know Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 what bill I'm standing here to dispute. I support Professionals for Progress and Democratic -- DKOD's position on this, but my comments are no reflection on them. I have so much I want to say and limited amount of time to say it. I just -- right now I just want to say that I am appalled at City Council's audacity to open your session in prayer. I nearly fainted. I nearly fell out of my seat. How dare you open your session in prayer, asking for God's blessings, everybody say amen, while you failed our children and jeopardize our futures. I am disgusted and appalled. I'm a 65-year-old grandmother who is raising children in this community, and you fail us this way all under praying? I'm done.
Thank you for your testimony, ma'am. (Applause.) Stated Meeting March 1, 2018
Rochelle Bilal, commenting on 160248. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Council President, and good morning, Councilpeople. I'm Rochelle Bilal, Different Kind of Democrat. I am voting no for Bill 160248 in reference to excluding new businesses from occupancy tax. We have an organization in this city that is on Girard Avenue. Not only did you increase our taxes from $1,500 to almost $8,000, we pay about $168 occupancy tax every single month, and we've been here since 1972. You want to relieve new businesses of occupancy tax, then you should relieve those that have businesses and have been serving the City since 1972 of their occupancy tax first. We have abatement and now we got a relief of occupancy tax? You got to stop this giving people a Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 break when you don't give us who work in this city and its community, have a business, a non-profit organization that serves the community a break first before you give anybody else that comes into this city another abatement, another occupancy tax exclusion in this city. I say vote no on 160248. On the other hand, in reference to this report card from Professionals for Progress and Different Kind of Democrat, we are saying you haven't done enough. When you get a grade of a 50, that gives you an F. So right now City Council stands at a grade 50, which is an F. An F in the Parking Authority. Take back the street parking and fund our schools. (Applause.)
An F on affordable housing. You got people that can't even come in -- that live in this city and can't get a house. Our children want to stay here, but they can't because they Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 can't afford housing in this city. Violence prevention, you say you want to wait until summertime? We had nine shootings in this city in a matter of a week and you want to wait for violence prevention? You get an F. Temple, we say no to the stadium. No to the stadium. No to the stadium. (Applause.)
You get an F. We are saying we need representation in this city, and we saying right now City Council is getting a 50 grade mark, means you get an F. Thank you.
Sister Taleah Taylor, commenting on 170408. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Sister Taleah and, first off, I want to say thank you to Councilwoman Brown and Councilwoman Gym on stepping up for our children in Philadelphia School District, because I also don't believe that any kids between kindergarten and 5th grade actually know what they're doing, and suspension is way too far when they belong in school. So I do thank you for that. I do thank you for that. (Applause.)
But that's not enough when this city ignores the needs of the black and brown people, then display a good smoke screen acting like they're helping, but we see no results in our communities. I am the Vice Chair of the Philadelphia Anti-Violence Coalition, and I have hundreds, hundreds of soldiers out there in the street doing outreach work. We get no help whatsoever. None Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 whatsoever. You keep saying that we're going to get help, we're going to get help. We're doing it off our dimes. I'm working two and a half jobs so I can support one of my programs out of my own pocket. We're not getting no help, but we're getting the numbers and keeping the kids off the street. But there's 60 million-plus going to programs that we don't see coming in our neighborhood? Where is the money? It's not funding anything for us. We're still closing down recreation centers, still closing down schools. It's not enough for our children. That's why I believe -- and you know I love you, Councilman Curtis Jones, and others. David Oh, you're my man, and Jannie Blackwell, but leadership has to go.
And I am a Different Kind of Democrat. (Applause.) Stated Meeting March 1, 2018
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. I was actually looking forward to more. No; I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. Thank you. But your words are obviously taken seriously, and as usual, we're prepared to sit down and talk about real solutions for real issues. Thank you so much for being here.
All right. Come on. You had your time. You had your time. (Mr. Bussie talking without microphone.)
Okay. You had your say. Let's move on. We're going to move on to the Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING Calendar. We're ready to rock. Mr. Decker, we're going to move towards our Calendar, and could you please read the title of 171145.
A resolution initiating action to establish a neighborhood improvement district in an area that generally includes both sides of North 2nd Street from the north side of Callowhill Street to the south side of Girard Avenue, both sides of North 3rd Street from Spring Garden Street to the south side of Wildey Street, Spring Garden Street from North 2nd Street to the eastern side of North 5th Street, and certain blocks of streets that intersect portions of these streets, to be known as the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, for which the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, Incorporated, which has organized itself as a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, serves as the Neighborhood Improvement District Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING Management Association.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 171145 has been adopted. Mr. Decker, 180143.
A resolution approving a second amendment to the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Mantua Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 3509 Haverford Avenue Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING including 3502 Mount Vernon Street.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 180143 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 180144.
A resolution approving a first amendment to the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Mantua Urban Renewal Area, Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING identified by house numbers and street addresses as 3300 through 08, 3310, 3312, 3314, 3316 Mantua Avenue, 701, 703, 705, 707, and 709 through 711 North Thirty-Fourth Street.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 180144 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 180145.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING 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-Fourth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair one more time recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 180145 is adopted. Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, 180149.
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-Eighth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it. 180149 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 180151.
A resolution urging United States Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to adopt the recommendations of The U.S. Conference of Mayors on the 2020 Census and its impact on municipalities.
Thank you, Council President. I'll be very brief. As everyone in this body knows that under Article I, Section 2 of the United States Constitution, it requires us to have a census every ten years. Based on that census, that's how we allocate the members of Congress as well as how funding is provided through cities throughout this nation. December of last year the Justice Department actually requested that the Census Bureau provide a question regarding citizenship be placed on the Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING 2020 Census. Many people in this body know that there's historically being an undercount of people of color in our census and, as a result, that's caused us to have reduced resources not only in the City of Philadelphia but cities around this nation. I was pleased that Mayor Kenney, along with other members of the United States Conference of Mayors, requested to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to not have this type of language in the 2020 Census, as well as make sure we provide adequate resources so that all people in not only the City of Philadelphia but throughout the Commonwealth and throughout the nation are properly counted in the census. And so I'm glad to support this resolution, and with that, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded. Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 180151 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 180153.
A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Greenwich Redevelopment Area, identified by house number and street address as 522 Mercy Street.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 180153 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 180154.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Twenty-Fifth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 180154 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 180155.
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 Twelfth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.) Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 180155 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 170962.
An ordinance amending Chapter 9-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Commercial Activities on Streets," by amending Section 9-211, entitled "Boxes for Distribution of News and Printed Material," relating to the regulation of newspaper boxes on the public sidewalk, by including certain areas in the vicinity of Northern Liberties to be subject to the provisions of this section.
This Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
Council President Clarke. Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 171118.
An ordinance amending Chapter 10-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Safety," by repealing certain provisions of Section 10-806 (relating to construction of reviewing stands).
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Domb. Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING Quinones-Sanchez.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 171119.
An ordinance amending Chapter 9-400 of The Philadelphia, entitled "Carriers," by repealing certain provisions relating to motor buses. Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Johnson. Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING
Council President Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING Clarke.
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 171120.
An ordinance amending Chapter 9-700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Amusement Businesses," by repealing Section 9-704 (relating to motion pictures).
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Domb. Stated Meeting March 1, 2018 3/1/18 - STATED - 2ND READING