Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 130581. 10/10/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
An ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on Cheltenham Avenue, between East Mount Pleasant Avenue and Vernon Road, south side.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 130582.
An ordinance establishing a no bus parking regulation on the 6600 block of Lawrence Street, both sides.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. 10/10/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, 130588.
An ordinance amending Section 9-204 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Vendors in Center City," in order to expand the previously designated vendor location on the east side of 5th Street between Commerce Street and Market Street by permitting vending on the east side of 5th Street between Arch Street and Market Street.
This bill has been read on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman 10/10/13 - 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, do you have any additional resolutions.
A resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Property and Public Works to hold public hearings to investigate the current 10/10/13 - STATED - 2ND READING status of all Fire Department apparatus, medic units and other vehicles after Medic Unit 44b caught fire damaging the fire house at 4th and Arch Streets, introduced by Councilman Kenney.
I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
A resolution recognizing October as American Pharmacists Month and congratulating University of the Sciences student 10/10/13 - STATED - 2ND READING pharmacists on their efforts to educate the local community, introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, 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 that resolution is also adopted.
And a resolution calling for the City Council Committee on Education to hold hearings on the fiscal decision-making of the School District of Philadelphia including the School Reform 10/10/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Commission and School District of Philadelphia Officials responsible for making financial decisions, introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell for Council President Clarke.
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? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution calling on the Committee on Public Health and Human Services of the Council of the 10/10/13 - STATED - 2ND READING City of Philadelphia to hold public hearings examining the startling level of poverty in the City of Philadelphia, including the incidence of poverty among the City's municipal workforce, and identifying governmental policies that can contribute to resolving this crisis, introduced by Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The 10/10/13 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it. That resolution is also adopted.
And a resolution commending the United States Green Building Council on selecting Philadelphia as the host city for the 2013 Greenbuild Conference and Expo to be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from November 20 through 22, 2013, introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) 10/10/13 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution calling for joint hearings by the Committee on Public Safety and the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless to explore methods of detecting and mitigating subtle forms of discrimination that create barriers to minority renters and homebuyers in Philadelphia, introduced by Councilman Jones.
In addition, Councilwoman Blackwell introduced that. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
10/10/13 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing October 18, 2013 as National Martial Arts Day in Philadelphia to encourage all Philadelphians to learn about the important benefits of the Martial Arts, introduced by Councilman Oh.
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? (Aye.)
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. On Monday, Chairman Greenlee convened the Committee on Law and Government to have a public hearing regarding the Mayor's request for proposal seeking a private entity to provide legal representation to indigent clients when the Defenders Association is prohibited from providing representation due to a conflict of interest. This one-year deal will be for $10 million to handle over 22,000 cases. My staff and I worked hard with Chairman Greenlee and his staff to make the hearing a good and thoughtful conversation about a very serious matter that can have a profound effect on many people. The Administration was on hand for the hearing. We also assembled an impressive roster of local, state, national expert witnesses who were knowledgeable and respected within the indigent defense community for our hearing. Not one of the ten experts endorsed the for-profit model the Administration seeks to impose, without Council input. Attorney Jeffrey Lindy, who is a former federal prosecutor and now practices federal criminal defense and is involved in safeguarding federal indigent defense, said the following on Monday: Good people can make bad decisions, and this is one of those bad decisions. The as an indigent defense system. You simply cannot have a private PD's office. The Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, Attorney Kathleen Wilkinson, said, Adequate representation can't be provided for 22,000 Philly cases for $10 million. That would be $450 per case. Attorney Mark Houldin from the National Legal Aid and Defender Association offered the following: Fixed contracts and low rates of reimbursement have tempted other jurisdictions in the past, with the seeming process of keeping costs low while providing the illusion of Sixth Amendment protections. However, experience has proven repeatedly that attempting to find a quick and cheap fix for such a vital constitutional right not only undercuts the Sixth Amendment but will produce rippling effects that threaten the integrity of the justice system. his Monday testimony, There are ways to improve public defense and, as a result, the criminal justice system in a manner that benefits all involved. Such improvements will require a concerted effort, thoughtful consideration, and an open and candid exploration for solutions. It is our sincere hope that the City of Philadelphia, the birthplace of liberty, will embrace this mission to ensuring the City has a comprehensive system for all citizens to realize the promise of equal justice. The criticisms of this plan do not start and end with our expert witnesses that testified in this very room earlier this very week. Let's look at some of the independent press headlines from the past few days and weeks. From the front page of the Legal Intelligencer on September 17th: Questions Over Philadelphia Conflict Paper, October 3rd: Privatizing Legal Representation for Poor Defendants May Set a Dangerous Precedent. Tony Graham's front-page story on October 7th of the Philadelphia Inquirer: City Legal Aid Proposal Faces List of Objections. And yesterday's Philadelphia Inquirer: Everyone Loses in City Defense Plan. There is only one witness on Monday and only one voice in this entire conversation that believes this is a good idea, the Administration. We were told they are not wedded to a particular model of representation, except for good-quality representation. They said they're not aware of any hybrid model or for-profit entity in the country that is used for indigent defense, and they offered up a truckload of non-answers. Let me reemphasize that.
Non-answers when asked about specifics, and used the shield of a closed, sensitive, ongoing contract negotiation as a rationale for questions that they termed unfounded. The details were few, the contradictions were many, and we were told we'll know everything once a contract was executed. But let's shift gears for a minute. Beginning in the autumn of 2014, Philadelphia will join other leading cities, including Washington, Boston, Chicago, Montreal, London, and Paris, in deploying a bike-sharing system. Now, just bear with me for a minute. This Administration will spend $3 million towards this effort. The Administration, as a portion of the City's website, dedicated to bike sharing, there you can find all sorts of information about this system. You can even download this detailed 78-page strategic plan, 78 pages, and we have it. The plan shows that they have studied peer cities from across the nation to emulate best practices. You'll be happy to know the Miami Beach is 69 degrees. Yes, this illustrates the level of detail shared with everyone. The Administration is also very inclusive in the planning, as they are soliciting input from all corners to make Philadelphia bike-sharing a resounding success. It's exciting stuff. And no one enjoys a bike ride more than me, but it has my head spinning. How can we have an open, inclusive, deliberative process for bicycles but a closed, insulated, and wrongheaded process for indigent defense? They are choosing to use a model that has never been implemented anywhere. They are choosing a model in which the legal community has loudly protested against it. The Administration is choosing to take complete ownership of an indigent defense model that is destined to fail and cost our most vulnerable on many levels. And in the end, we will all pay, because our justice system will be compromised and we will This isn't about being against something. This is about being for something. I am for transparency, inclusiveness and, most importantly, justice. I respectfully ask the Administration to scrap this plan, give us whatever due diligence they've done, and let's start over. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I'd like to speak on behalf of an individual, and I'd ask my colleagues for a little bit of indulgence. I have passed out flyers for a fundraiser for Jon Cavaiani. Jon is a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. He has been to Philadelphia many times to support veterans and other Unfortunately, Jon was diagnosed with a life-threatening blood disease, and so all across the nation various veterans groups and concerned citizens have begun to raise funds to help ease the financial burden that his family faces. And in two weeks, on Friday, October 25th, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at Paddy Whacks, 150 South Street in Philadelphia, we're going to hold a fundraiser for him, and everyone is invited. You don't have to be a veteran or anyone like that. Just a concerned citizen. Please come by. It's only $35, beer, wine, food, and we'll have auction items and other things. I'd simply like to add that the Congressional Medal of Honor is our nation's highest military award. It is usually given posthumously. In this case, Jon had spent two days with overwhelming forces. He cleared, almost single-handedly, an entire platoon while behind, was wounded numerous times, remained behind, was ultimately captured, and spent two years as a POW in Vietnam. I think he deserves our support, the support of Philadelphians, and I would ask people to come by. It will be a fun time, a good time, and a worthy cause. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Mr. President. First and foremost, I am saddened to hear that we lost an icon and a giant in the City of Philadelphia, primarily in the healthcare field, but also just a public servant as it relates to making sure that the African American community have a voice in the news and entertainment industry, and that's the loss of South Philadelphia native, which claim, Dr. Walter Lomax. And just this past weekend, Councilwoman Tasco, Blondell Reynolds Brown, Cindy Bass, and myself were out at the family's house just having a good time. And so is it okay if we take a moment of silence?
Yes. I only hesitate -- well, whatever. It was -- okay. Yeah, we can do that. Actually it was not public yet, so we're purposely not referencing it, but it's out there now. Could I ask the members to please have a moment of silence, please. (Moment of silence.)
He will be missed by a number of people, including his family here and the WURD family. Thank you, Councilman.
Thank you, short note to invite all my colleagues, tomorrow there will be a proclamation for the Columbus Day Parade here in the Chambers at noon, followed by a nice Italian lunch right across the street -- right across the hall in 401 over in the Caucus Room. So all are invited. Also, the parade is Sunday down at South Broad Street, ends at Marconi Plaza at Broad and Oregon. So all are welcome to invite. A great festival afterwards for a great time. And just as a tradition, Sean has some cannolis for afterwards. So all the members who want a cannoli before they go back to their office, we'll have them here to hand out. Take them with you back to your offices. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, to applaud my colleague Councilwoman Sanchez for introducing the resolution to look at poverty and particularly among the workforce of the City of Philadelphia. I want to applaud her on that, but I rise today to talk about the rising concern that another segment of poor people, a different shade of poor, if you would, faces, and that's our seniors. With the Congress playing a dangerous game of chicken and looking into the abyss of fiscal stopping of our government, Social Security and Medicaid are in fact in danger. The fact is that according to the Inquirer's reports, there's a new category called deep poverty, deep poverty, and among senior citizens, it has significantly grown. According to a report, deep poverty for all people over 65 years of age rose by 11 percent between 2011 and 2012. Deep poverty is defined by a single person earning $7,500 or less -- me; $5,700 or less annually. Also, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging suggests that there are 14,500 people living in deep poverty that are seniors in our city. Many poor seniors are still reeling by the cuts at the state level and difficulties at the state level to even receive food stamps now. So as our people are beginning to age into that baby-boom generation, one of the hidden dangers there is that many, many Philadelphians, many people in our country have never held a steady job and won't even be eligible for Social Security. Yes, there's SSI, and that is for people who have declared themselves unemployable or disabled, but for many people who don't fall into that category, there is a safety net gap that we need to pay attention to. By 2015, over one-third, one-third of the City's population will be over the age of 65, and as we look at as we work with the Administration to do the anatomy of poverty in the City of Philadelphia, we need to remember: As they were, we once were. As they are, we once were. As they are, we may well be. And we need to look out for our most vulnerable in the City of Philadelphia. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. As I was just conferring with Mr. Fichandler, you referenced the fact that seniors have such challenging times from a financial perspective. I was just trying to get a sense of the deadline for the Senior Citizens Tax Freeze program. I believe it's at the end of the month, Councilman.
So we want to make sure that the word gets out, because that is a program that can senior citizens. So thank you for bringing that to our attention. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Yes, Mr. President. Briefly I'd just like to remind my colleagues and their staff that the Women Against Abuse will be in the Caucus Room to have a briefing on the latest -- bring them up to date on what's going on in that community, and they have some very interesting information to share. So we invite them to please show up.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Mr. President, I would just like to rise and acknowledge the substantive error that was committed by me a few minutes ago. In my enthusiasm, I erroneously from the Philadelphia Inquirer as Tony Graham. Although I accept full responsibility for that error, I will acknowledge that I recently had retina surgery and I'm recovering for that, so I had difficulty reading the printed material before me. So, again, I much apologize for that error.
Thank you, Councilman. That's really refreshing to see a politician acknowledging a mistake. Really refreshing.
Really refreshing. Only in the City Council of Philadelphia would something like that happen. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Many times we've had Chair, and I know you mentioned Councilman Squilla's in caucus, but rarely have I ever seen someone give us gifts. And you don't get better than a cannoli from South Philly. So I really want to thank you on behalf of everybody, Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, sir. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Yes. Thank you. Today, Council President, I offered a bill that focused on giving the CLIP program the opportunity to clip locks of certain blighted lots throughout my district that serves as an eyesore, and we've been getting calls regarding how slum landowners use lots to serve as dumping landfills, which serves as not only an eyesore but in some cases a quality of life issue. And so there's a total of more than 3,200 of these City of Philadelphia. And so I look forward to the discussion and an action plan regarding how do we clean up the abandoned lots, primarily in the 2nd Councilmanic District, and working with the CLIP program to begin looking at how do we address the issue of blight throughout the 2nd Councilmanic District. And I look forward to the hearing next week to hear the progress with the land bank bill, because that goes a long way in addressing some of these issues and how we can get these blighted lots as well as properties -- how can we get them cleaned up and how can we also get them developed so they can be on the actual road that can provide more revenue for our city. But that was an issue that's very dear to me just growing up in the heart of South Philadelphia and having to deal with the issue of abandoned lots. And so I just wanted to make that announcement, but, more importantly, Metro, Pew Charitable Trust released a report talking about more than 48 percent of respondents say they've never even heard of AVI, which we debated over the last two years very aggressively. And I know for a fact when people get their tax bills in February, they're going to start -- they're going to be calling us looking for some level of reprieve. So I always want to stay on the case on those key issues that can get people a level of property tax relief such as the gentrification relief, calling on our members in Harrisburg to give us the tools to go after slum landowners who own properties and we're not able to tax them on those properties if those properties are delinquent, and give us the means testing ability to provide gentrification relief. So I want to make sure we keep that issue out there on the forefront and, more importantly, those who we work us in partnership, because they also represent these individuals who will be significantly impacted. So it's not only a City Council lift, but it's also a State Assembly lift as well. On Friday at Myers Rec Center we will be doing our annual fall job fair starting at 10 o'clock. It will go from 10:00 to 3:00. And so we're just asking for individuals who are looking for employment to come out, participate, come dressed for success, and bring a can-do attitude. Thank you very much, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. There being no other speeches, I would like to recognize Councilwoman Brown for a motion to adjourn.
Certainly, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October the 17th, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 17th, 2013. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Council shall be adjourned. Thank you. ) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. ) A action 6:21 9:17 admiration 13:24 Aging 145:4 anatomy 146:4 Aaron 16:13 12:8 85:11 43:16 ago 147:25 and/or 154:22 23:12,17,20 150:4 admit 12:22 agree 14:20 anniversary 9:15 24:5,7 25:14 Activate 71:20 adopted 79:11 agreeing 46:7 announcement 26:14 activist 13:6 87:9 125:21 58:12 150:25 abandoned activities 19:5 126:20 127:22 ahead 28:16 annual 32:10 44:7 111:22 150:6,23 26:4 73:9 129:3 130:4 73:21 64:7 152:9 abatement 82:8 actual 150:18 131:6 132:5 aid 34:10 134:12 annually 145:2 abating 53:16 Adams 22:17 adoption 78:24 136:7 answer 3:11 ability 37:13 add 76:16 140:19 80:25 86:22 Al 7:15 10:12,18 103:20 151:21 added 135:2 125:10 126:9 10:22 11:6 12:7 answered 31:23 able 25:17 26:10 addition 130:17 127:11 128:16 12:15,22,25 answering 137:2 26:15 36:4 additional 36:13 129:17 130:19 13:3,13,19 anti-bullying 151:19 67:22 82:9 131:17 alive 15:5 21:11 22:7 absence 5:22 6:4 103:21 124:21 adults 19:17 allowable 95:18 apologize 148:9 6:12 additionally 36:7 advise 45:25 allowing 23:8 apparatus 48:11 absolutely 63:3 additions 63:15 Advisory 80:23 allows 36:11 125:2 abuse 29:15 30:3 63:16 advocacy 21:5 alma 75:22 appeal 63:18 64:2 30:12,22 31:4 address 35:23 34:11 44:18 alter 80:25 appears 2:8 31:14,25 32:9 46:25 60:24 advocate 8:15 aluminum 70:6 applaud 34:20 32:24 34:4 74:21 78:17 10:4 42:5 amen 4:14,15 85:10 144:2,7 36:13 37:20 86:18 150:9 Advocates 39:13 amend 60:8 87:12 Applause 7:4,20 40:16 147:10 addressing 40:24 42:3,11 90:4 10:14,21 14:9 abused 34:5 41:3 150:14 advocating 10:4 amended 46:13 16:2 23:15 24:6 42:7,22 44:5,12 Adequate 134:7 42:16,24 64:11 25:13 26:13 abusive 37:16 adequately 41:12 affair 77:10 amending 53:9,12 28:10 33:8 abyss 144:14 adhere 69:11 affect 17:18 54:3 55:18 38:23 43:20 academic 22:15 adjourn 152:22 affirmative 89:23 56:12 59:4 45:10 72:9 74:8 accept 23:13 adjourned 152:25 92:15 95:9 62:22 63:7,13 139:14 51:22 148:4 153:6,15,17 98:10 100:23 63:20 64:4 apply 154:20 acceptance 20:24 ADJOURNME...