Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, March 10, 2016 10:50 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 Invocation March 10, 2016
Good morning. I note that the hour has come and that a quorum is present here in City Council. Council will come to order. Members, will you please take your seats. Visitors, would you retire to the seats outside the rails before the proceeding, and I would ask that all those present please set your cell phones on silent or on vibrate. Thank you so much. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Father Kuriakose of Saint Thomas Indian Orthodox Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Taubenberger, and I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
I take this as an honor to be invited to be in this session of the City Council. Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 are working hard for the City. All that we do is our prayer for all of you every day and clearly on Sunday worship. Being Orthodox priest, I have very special dress, which you have seen now. I make sure that I don't wear this at Halloween time because people get confused. But as the new day has begun, let us pray. Lord, our God, glory and praise and admiration are due to you. Our Heavenly Parent, we acknowledge your loving presence in our midst, as we are gathered here as the City Council and those who are responsible to shoulder the various tasks to make this a functional and friendly city. We acknowledge your unconditional love for us regardless who we are, regardless of our weaknesses or strength, regardless of our background, our color, status, education, religion, faith or gender. Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 also, Dear God, that we sometimes did not emulate your unconditional love in our lives. We have been enjoying your free gift of the nature and endless resources. We will now be responsible in sharing the resources that you gave us. Sometimes we even fought each other with our conscience to claim our own spoils. We were sometimes ruthless with the nature, and fade in maintaining its beauty and purity. We were sometimes lazy, and most of the time we lost the opportunities that came in front of us. Sometimes we did not use our talents in the right way for the edification of our community. For all those we ask for your pardon. Now, Dear Lord, we as your children are privileged to bring our supplications to you. We pray for our city, our City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, and it has been under your care always. This premier city that Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 freedom, the city that has a proud diversity and harmony, the city that welcome the people of all cultures is our (unintelligible). Today when we are in session, we ask for your special blessings on the entire city; our Mayor, Jim Kenney; the City Council; especially the members of the entire Police and Fire forces whose life is always set on edge for our sake; and the workers in the City Hall. It's auxiliaries, various departments that make the City run smoothly and efficiently, the health, education, travel, construction, love, social services, religious services, recreation efforts, political system, and the media of operation controlled by this Administration. May we be united in fighting life issues than people. May be we able to help each other instead of exploiting each other. May we be inspired to be law-abiding citizens and not to bring Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 May we be selfless in carrying out our duties to each resident in the City without partiality. May be we committed to practice our name Philadelphia, exhibiting brotherly love and sisterly affection. Dear God, instill in us the true wisdom to see everyone as a child of God and as our own kith and kin. Give us the insight that we are here to serve and not to be served. Help us, Lord, to understand good and evil clearly. Help us to be instruments of social justice, fairness, removing all violence, deceit, falsehood, arrogance, anger, vengeance, and hatred. Bring peace and amity and harmony in our communities that we will enjoy tranquility and peace.
Help us to fulfill the useful -- to be as useful tools to eradicate poverty from our city and make the City prosper day by day, the people in the City be able to quiet the highest Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 dedication to hard work, to pay the taxes on time, abide the law's land, keep it clean, beautiful, and be accountable in all their day-to-day activities. And we bring you glory, Dear Heavenly Parent, now and always, forever and ever. Amen. )
The Chair thanks the Father for his invocation. Council now will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 3rd, 2016. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 3rd, 2016 be approved. Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 3rd, 2016 stand approved. All those in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The Journal is now approved. The next order of business will be requests for leaves of absence. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown.
Good morning. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill. Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016
Thank you. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. No leaves will be granted. The Chair will now dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and all the visitors that are here to join us today in the Chamber. So good morning to you all. On behalf of all members of this City Council, we welcome you and we welcome you to our Council session, and we appreciate you taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our city and we certainly invite you to come back and join us soon. At this time, the Chair would recognize myself, who has a presentation, presenting a resolution honoring Paul Doris as the Grand Marshal of the 246th Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade. Would Paul Doris and those accompanying him Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 at the podium, please, which is right here in front of us. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
So the Chair is going to recognize Councilman Johnson, Councilman O'Neill, and Councilman Clarke and Councilwoman Gym for the presentation. (Bagpipes playing.) (Applause.)
If you just stand by for a moment, we have an additional treat. (Irish dancers dancing.) (Applause.)
Thank you, girls. I want to thank a few people before we start the presentation. I want to thank Joe Tobin, the bagpipers, and Olivia Hilpl and the Rince dancers. They did a wonderful job. Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 (Applause.)
The 1960 Committee. I want to thank them for being here. The Parade Committee, which is behind me. I happen to be a proud member of the Saint Patrick's Observance Day Committee, who is present by our President, Chris Phillips, and the Parade Committee Chairman, Mike Bradley. So I want to thank you all. I want to thank Olivia Hilpl and again Joe Tobin for their presentation here today. With that, honoring Paul Doris as the Grand Marshal of the 246th Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade. Whereas, Paul Doris was born and raised in Coalisland County Tyrone, where he first experienced religious discrimination and injustice. The political upheaval in Northern Ireland also had a profound impact on his life. Paul turned to Gaelic football as an escape to the troubles in his homeland; and Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016
Whereas, Paul endured the anguish of several family tragedies over the course of the next few years. So when offered the opportunity to play Gaelic football in Philadelphia in 1974, Paul jumped at the chance and immigrated to the United States; and Whereas, two short years later, Paul met and married the love of his life, Rosemary. Together they have two children, Deirdre and Brendan, and five grandchildren; and Whereas, Paul was an active member of Teamsters Local 115 for 32 years, rising through the ranks and becoming shop steward until his retirement in 2011; and
Whereas, Paul's love of Gaelic football has never waned. Paul is a founding member of the Shamrocks football team and has been an active member in the GAA since he arrived in Philadelphia. He also owns the Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 only referee from Philadelphia to officiate the North American Football Final; and Whereas, Paul also played a prominent role in the establishment and progressive agenda of the Federation of Irish Societies in an effort to ensure the Irish Community in Philadelphia was united in their opposition to the British injustice in Ireland; and Whereas
As a member of Irish Northern Aid, Paul is still active in marches, protests and fundraising for this cause and has served as the National President of INA. Paul has been honored in both the United States and Ireland for his years of service in the pursuit of Irish Freedom; Whereas, in addition to recognizing Paul's distinction of serving as Grand Marshal of this parade, the Ring of Honor this year will also include Matt Regan, Kevin McGillian, Siobhan Trainor, Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 McPaul, Eileen Daly, Pearse Kerr, Gerry McHale, Frances Duffy and Pat Bonner; and
The 2016 Saint Patrick's Day Parade will recognize the sacrifice of those who took part in one of Ireland's most historic events, the 1916 Easter Uprising. The Irish diaspora in Philadelphia provided political, moral and financial support for the Uprising, so it is fitting that, in the very city that our own Declaration of Independence was signed, the Saint Patrick's Day Observance Association pay homage to those who declared Ireland's independence from British rule on Easter Monday, April 24th, 1916; and now, therefore
I had to put the sash over the right shoulder. Excuse me. Therefore, be it resolved, by the City Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby honor and Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 the Grand Marshal of the 246th Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade. Resolved further, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Paul Doris, further evidencing the grateful appreciation and deep admiration of this legislative body. So I want to thank him, everybody here who is joining us, and a little point of personal privilege. (Applause.)
Before we bring up our Grand Marshal for remarks, one of our other members that are up here, we all know John McNesby. It's his birthday today. Happy 50th birthday, Mr. McNesby. (Applause.)
The Chair warmly recognizes Mr. Paul Doris for remarks. (Applause.)
First of all, I'd Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 President Clarke, Councilmember Henon for offering this resolution. I'm not going to say too much. I don't have a prayer or anything. I think we got that, so I'll try and keep this short. This year, as was said, is a very, very important year in the history of Ireland. We have had a long troubled past, but in 1916, men and women took off our arms against the British, which earls just as here did in the 1700s, with the simple goal of ruling their own country. We don't need any interference from anybody else to rule our country. So the news that it was almost a failed cause, but there said, before the day -- 15 of them were executed within a week. There said, before the day, at least their somber face will awake the nation of Ireland, which it did, and a few years after that, we won independence for 26 of the 32 counties. Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 to get. England has plundered the ward over. The only living colony left is Northern Ireland. It's not even the size of Pennsylvania. And it's not much for us to ask, for us to work for, is that little bit united, along with the rest of Ireland, to make one Ireland whole and proud again. So I just leave it at that. I just want to thank the Parade Committee for acknowledging 1916 this year, the hundredth anniversary. And I'd like to remind people that on April the 24th over here at Independence Hall, we're having a celebration on the actual date that it happened, which is April 24th, 1916. I'd like to thank my wife, my family, and all the people that's here today. And once again to City Council, you have been great to us through the years and I hope it continues. Thank you very much. (Applause.) Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016
At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Green, who will present a resolution recognizing the outstanding contributions of Julian Abele. Would Peter Cook and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
Joining the Councilman is Councilwoman Parker, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson. And while everybody is approaching, the Chair would also like to recognize State Representative Michael Driscoll, who joined us here today. Thank you for joining us, Representative.
Good morning. It's a pleasure to be here this morning to recognize an outstanding Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 of the City of Philadelphia. This morning we're doing a resolution recognizing and honoring the outstanding contributions and achievements of Julian Abele, an accomplished architect and Philadelphia resident. Whereas, Julian Francis Abele, the first African-American graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Architecture Program, received scant recognition during his lifetime despite his significant and many professional contributions; and Whereas, although Fiske Kimball, noted architectural historian and director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, acknowledged that Abele was one of the most sensitive designers anywhere in America in 1942, Abele remained virtually unknown outside of Philadelphia's architectural community until the '70s and '80s; and Whereas, born in Philadelphia Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 1881, Abele lived most of his life in the City, residing at 1515 Christian Street for several decades of his adult life; and
Whereas, an accomplished student, Abele graduated from the Philadelphia Museum and School of Industrial Art in 1898 and entered into the prestigious Architecture Program at the University of Pennsylvania that very same year, where he won several impressive awards and served as the president of the University's Architectural Society during his senior year; and Whereas, after graduating from Penn in 1902, Abele augmented his education by studying architectural design at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts while working evenings for the noted Philadelphia architect Louis C. Hickman; Whereas, Abele spent the next five years studying design in Paris and Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 18th Century French architecture throughout his career; and Whereas, in 1907, Abele returned to Philadelphia and joined the firm of Horace Trumbauer, a popular architectural design house that was responsible for many mansions in Philadelphia, New York and Newport, Rhode Island, as well as apartment houses, offices, school buildings, theatres, hospitals, clubhouses, churches, libraries and museums;
Whereas, one of Abele's largest projects was the firm's commission to design and supervise the construction of the Philadelphia Museum of Art; and Whereas, in 1909, he ascended to the firm's top position, chief designer, a remarkable accomplishment in light of his young age and race and he continued to be the top designer of the Trumbauer firm until his death in 1950; and Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 Whereas, he designed the Duke University Chapel, as well as many other buildings on the campus; and Whereas, in 1942, Abele was elected to the American Institute of Architects; and
Whereas, in his private life, Abele was a quiet, serious man, yet brilliant and witty, who appreciated all things French, enjoying fine wine, classical music and opera and who engaged in water color painting, sketching, jewelry and furniture making; and Whereas, he married Marguerite Bulle, a French woman, and had two children, a son and a daughter, but after several years the couple parted although they never divorced; and Whereas, today, we appreciate Abele as one of the early 20th Century's most adept designers of revival buildings, who rejuvenated many long-dormant styles as vital, modern Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 and changed the skyline of Philadelphia and much of the United States; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that Council does hereby recognize and honor the outstanding contributions and achievements of Julian Abele, an accomplished architect and Philadelphia resident. This resolution is signed by all members of City Council and supported by this body. I had an opportunity to do a tour of the Art Museum with both Gail Harrity and Nicole White and learned that his great nephew, Peter Cook, would be in Philadelphia today, and that was the impetus of doing this resolution. We also know we just went through Black History Month, but as you all know, Black History is 365 days, and Mr. Abele was recognized in the General Assembly but Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 here in the City of Philadelphia. So at this time, we wanted to make sure we did this acknowledgment to Mr. Julian Abele for all the work he has done on behalf of the City of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
On behalf of the Abele family, on behalf of the Cook family, let me say thank you very much to everybody here for taking the time to bestow this honor on Julian Abele. I too am an architect, and I know it's one of the great aspirations of so many architects to leave a lasting contribution on the environment, and I'll simply say that Julian Abele clearly did that, and he did that extraordinarily well and with grace. So thank you very much. (Applause.)
Thank you so Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 at ease. (Council at ease.)
Before we start our next order of business, the Chair would like to recognize the presence of Senator Larry Farnese. Senator, thank you for joining us.
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, please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on March 8, 2016, I signed the remaining bills which were passed by Council at its session on February 25, 2016. Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 herewith for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution authorizing the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Haddington Urban Renewal Area, Unit Nos. 2 and 3, identified by house number and street address as 5852 Race Street; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Haddington Urban Renewal Area, Unit Nos. 2 and 3, identified by house number and street address as 5146 Wyalusing Avenue; and A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to dispose of certain properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District that will be transferred by the City to the Authority, by conveyance of such Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 properties to the Philadelphia Land Bank in accordance with terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you very much. The next order of business is introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Good morning, Mr. President. I have one privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on the Environment to conduct public hearings to investigate the relationship Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 between poor Indoor Environmental Quality and high incidences of childhood asthma.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce one non-privileged resolution.
A non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Haddington Urban Renewal Area, Unit Nos. 2 and 3, identified by house number and street address as 5146 Wyalusing Avenue.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer one bill and one resolution.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Hamilton Street, 15th Street, Callowhill Street, and 16th Street.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to dispose of certain properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District that will be transferred by the City to the Authority, by conveyance of such properties to the Philadelphia Land Bank. Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I offer one bill on your behalf.
An ordinance amending Title 17 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Contracts and Procurement," by adding language to bar the City from contracting with companies that use tax inversion and earnings stripping strategies to avoid paying taxes to the United States of America.
That bill will be referred to committee. Thank you, Mr. Decker. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 Mr. President, I have one bill and one resolution on your behalf.
A privileged resolution calling for the Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings on improvements to the Philadelphia Police Department video surveillance systems and programs and other crime prevention tools such as the ShotSpotter gunfire detection system.
Thank you. That will be on today's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Haddington Urban Renewal Area, Unit Nos. 2 and 3, identified by house number and street address as 5852 Race Street. Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Council President. I have one non-privileged resolution.
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 Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 improvements thereon, situate in the Seventh and Twenty-Third Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I have three privileged resolutions.
A privileged resolution honoring the Philadelphia Gas Works on the occasion of its 180th Anniversary.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce & Economic Development to hold hearings regarding the Abandoned and Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 Blighted Property Conservatorship Act of Pennsylvania.
And a privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on the Environment to hold hearings to examine the Solar Schools for Philadelphia report released by PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group, and to investigate financing options for the School District of Philadelphia and to use its land and building stock for solar energy generation.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Good morning, Mr. President. Today I have one privileged resolution and two bills, one co-sponsored by Councilman Jones.
An ordinance amending Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Finance, Taxes and Collections," by amending Chapter 19-1300, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," to impose additional requirements on tax abatements.
And an ordinance amending Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Finance, Taxes and Collections," by amending Chapter 19-1300, entitled "Real Estate Taxes," to modify the terms of some abatements. Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016
And a privileged resolution acknowledging and recognizing Startup PHL Presents: Amplify Philly SXSW Edition, a partnership of 30 public and private organizations, that have joined together to highlight Philadelphia's startup and tech community and promote Philadelphia as a hub for startups at the South by Southwest Conference & Festival taking place March 11th through March 20th in Austin, Texas.
Thank you. That will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
I'd like to request the opportunity to speak on the resolution before it's voted on.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 Councilwoman Gym.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Councilman, good morning and colleagues as well. I have one privileged resolution by myself and also Councilwoman Bass.
A privileged resolution recognizing and honoring March 10th as Harriet Tubman Day in the City of Philadelphia.
And that will be on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one non-privileged resolution.
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 Twenty-Fifth, Thirty-First and Thirty-Ninth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
And Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing Council's Committee on Commerce & Economic Development to investigate and hold hearings to determine whether the City of Philadelphia should develop a local Mentor-Protege Program to enhance the capacity of Minority, Women, or Disabled Owned Enterprises to compete for procurement opportunities in the Philadelphia metropolitan marketplace.
Thank you. And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilmembers Derek Green, Mark Squilla, Blondell Reynolds Brown, Cindy Bass, and Kenyatta Johnson, and one bill. And may I be heard on the bill briefly after it is read?
An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," Subcode "PM" (The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code), Chapter 3, "General Requirements," to require inspections of certain bridges, to impose reporting, remediation, and other requirements in connection therewith, all under certain terms and conditions.
And that bill will be referred to the Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 appropriate committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. Last year I introduced a bill regarding orphan bridges and roads, particularly those that are not being inspected and not being maintained in our city, and I worked with at the time Streets Commissioner David Perri, and now he is the Commissioner of L&I and I'd like to credit him with the work that was done in that bill. So although I've introduced it, I'd like to say that he did most of the work there, and as L&I Commissioner, I believe he's come up with a very good solution to the problem of these deteriorating and uninspected bridges, skywalks and other things. Thank you very much.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring The Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 Jazz and Performing Arts for Serving and Representing Philadelphia as a Legendary Institution of Jazz Performance and Education on the Occasion of its 50th Anniversary.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. And that concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions. We will now have our reports from committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a report from the Committee on Finance.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Finance reports two bills out with a favorable recommendation.
Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 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. 160004, entitled "An ordinance amending Subsection 19-2604(8) of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Green Roofs' Tax Credit,' to amend definitions and make other technical changes"; and Bill No. 160012, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 19-3900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Tax Exemptions for Longtime Owner-Occupants of Residential Properties,' by extending the time for which such exemptions are available," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
And the Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 160004 and 160012. (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 Bills No. 160004 and 160012. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and those bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez for a report from the Committee on Appropriations. Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Appropriations reports four bills with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
The Committee on Appropriations, to which was referred Bill No. 160134, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2016 from the General Fund, the Department of Revenue, the Board of Trustees of the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Commissioner on Human Relations, the Auditing Department and the Grants Revenue Fund - Provision for Other Grants to the General Fund"; and Bill No. 160136, entitled "An ordinance amending Bill No. 150163 (approved June 18, 2015), entitled 'An ordinance to adopt a Fiscal 2016 Capital Budget,' by adding and revising certain Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 projects, amounts and sources"; and Bill No. 160137, entitled "An ordinance amending Bill No. 150162 (approved June 18, 2015), entitled 'An ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2016 through 2021 inclusive,' as amended by Bill No. 150611 (approved October 20, 2015), as amended by Bill No. 150790 (approved December 1, 2015), by adding and revising certain projects, amounts and sources"; and Bill No. 160150, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2016 within the General Fund relating to the Council," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 160134, 160136, 160137, and 160150. (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 Bills No. 160134, 160136, 160137, and 160150. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and those bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee have been deemed to have had a Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 2ND READING 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 purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Bill No. 160179, 160181, 160183. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you, Councilman. Before considering these bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, we will have our public comment session. Our public comment session will go as follows: Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 If you are interested in testifying on a bill or resolution that is on the Final Passage Calendar today, if you have not already done so, I'd ask that you sign up at the table to my left. When your name is called, you will go to the podium in the middle of the Council Chambers. There's a device. There's a light. When that light turns green, it will be your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. When it turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to the guidelines and conclude your remarks. You will be given three minutes to testify. Mr. Decker, please call the first name.
Senator Larry Farnese, commenting on 160183. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Senator. How are you? SENATOR FARNESE: Good morning. Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 Thank you, Mr. President. I guess I'm not used to this. We have a different setup in Harrisburg. I'm trying to figure it out, I promise.
Serious difference in Harrisburg. SENATOR FARNESE: There's a lot of serious differences, Mr. President. One is this place is only a few blocks down the street from me. So we worry about 76. Thank you again for having me, and thank you to my very good friend, Councilman Squilla, for introducing this resolution in support of my bill, Senate Bill 95, and thank you to the rest of the Council Chamber for your consideration and for having me here today. For those of you who are unaware, my bill, Senate Bill 95, is known as anti-SLAPP legislation, and it provides immunity from civil claims based on protected communications. A SLAPP is a strategic lawsuit against public Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 participation brought against an individual or organization solely to have a chilling effect on the fate of public interest. As the resolution indicates, I was inspired to introduce this legislation after the Old City Civic Association was forced to shut its doors due to an inability to obtain insurance because of several SLAPP lawsuits. When I began this journey, Mr. President, I had no idea that the scope of this issue would be so broad. However, during a Senate hearing in April of 2014, I quickly realized that Old City Association was not alone. At the hearing and in the following weeks, I heard from individuals and organizations across the Commonwealth who had been the victims of SLAPPs. Some have been fighting these lawsuits for years, racking up millions of dollars in legal fees. Each of them spoke on the insurmountable emotional, mental, and Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 financial hardships they faced as a result of these SLAPP lawsuits. My bill gives these individuals and organizations the incentive and the tools to fight back and continue their good work. Let me just be very clear. We heard from folks all across Pennsylvania that came in and from other states as well too, but the primary focus of this legislation is to come to the aid of these civic associations and community groups who need this legislation very, very, very badly. Currently, my bill, Senate Bill 95, is in the House Judiciary Committee. I have written to the chairs of the Committee requesting the bill be brought up for consideration so this important free speech protection can be signed into law. I've also asked that these folks continue to reach out to their Representatives and the members of the Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 House Judiciary Committee to express their support for this important community-protecting legislation. It is my hope that Senate Bill 95 will pass the House very shortly but by the end of this legislative session and that issues of public concern can continue to flourish across the Commonwealth without fear of being silenced by frivolous litigation. Thank you again for having me here.
Thank you so much, Senator, for your testimony. It's good seeing you today.
Theresa McCormick, commenting on 160183. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. MS. McCORMICK: Good morning, Council and members that are here today. With the SLAPP also we want to talk about also the bill that was Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 introduced, 160177. We want clarity, because we are from the Point Breeze area campaign. Members did not -- it was alleged that we made racist remarks. We did not. We stand by and let a market-rate developer fabricate and lie about us that day. We are asking for affordable housing. This meeting was and had 15 developers who wanted to build market-rate housing. The community asked that the developers give back and have affordable housing. The meeting became -- the members in the meeting were upset because the developer told us no and he didn't want to hear what we had to say. In your packet you will see it was said that in other areas of the world, they're going through the same things that we are. It's not -gentrification is not just in Philadelphia. It's going across the world. Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 We are showing you, Council, that in terms of new development that are taking place in our communities, that certain developers also are making racist comments, which is making the racial divide. The racial divide in our community has became, which we hate to say, has became again white and black. This is why we're saying that it has -one developer cannot say that we are against a certain group of people. We have always as Christians -- and most of you know me as a Christian. We do not make statements against our brothers. As last month being Black History Month, it hurts me that, as you see in your packet, that there are statements about coming to attack my black brothers in my community. I have came and have written with my lawyers to come and speak with my Councilman about what is going on. On this particular night, I did not receive a phone call from my Councilman like he Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 has done in the past. He has even texted me in the past. He did not ask what happened at that meeting at all. What happened at that meeting in February was all about us wanting affordable housing. This is what it's all about here. So as you see in your packet, we want clarity that bill that was introduced for 160177 also about us, because we're going to continue to fight for affordable housing. It does not have anything to do with whether what we say or do.
Can I speak on the bill now. MS. McCORMICK: Okay. Thank you, sir. So what we're asking here --
Ma'am, can you wrap up your testimony. MS. McCORMICK: Sure, sir. I'm getting ready to say this.
Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 Thank you. MS. McCORMICK: So what we're saying in terms of 160177 is to be squashed.
Okay. Thank you for your testimony. MS. McCORMICK: Thank you, sir.
Tiffany Green, commenting on 160183. (Witness approached podium.)
You're commenting on the anti-SLAPP legislation?
Yes, anti-SLAPP bill. We're commenting on that, along with others. First of all, we're asking for a little extra time because according to the Pennsylvania --
Let me just make my Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 time.
According to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision, public comment and testimony is about matters of concern, okay, and as well as what is on the docket, and we should be able to get up to at least five minutes. The Councilman was able to stand up and talk about our group in long term, and we should be able to address this. First of all, like Theresa said, there was nothing -- no racist remarks was made regarding against anyone at all and it was completely twisted and fabricated, and we don't appreciate the media turning it around. We will not -
Point of Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 order, Mr. Chairman. I believe the process is to be speaking publicly on a bill or resolution that's on the Final Passage today. Are we doing that in this situation here?
Well, from time to time people pretty much don't pay any attention to our rules.
We have a lot of business to attend to in today's government and there will be plenty of opportunities to speak publicly on bills and resolutions in their proper hearing. So thank you.
I would appreciate the time real quick, because the Councilman was given an opportunity and there's some very, we felt, things that were said about our group and personally that we felt is affecting and defaming our character. We have been here a long time. We've come down here to you many times asking for your help. We have been Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 to our Councilman's office numerous times. You've seen him in the hallway and we've had community conflict --
Are you going to let us speak? This is not fair to us. Let us have an opportunity to speak.
Ms. Green? (Ms. Green talking without microphone.)
Ms. Green? (Ms. Green talking without microphone.)
We think that bill is good because of the fact it protects Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 organizations from being attacked and have been --
Ms. Green, the bill is not on the Final Passage Calendar.
So you will have an opportunity when it's on the Final Passage Calendar. (Ms. Green talking without microphone.)
Ms. Green, I've been lenient. I've been lenient. We're not going to have a debate.
I mean, I'm trying to be lenient with you, but I'm not going to have this debate. (Ms. Green talking without microphone.)
Thank you. Thank you. Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 (Ms. Green talking without microphone.)
According to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, we have the right to do up to five minutes on matters of concern.
Well, according to the City Council of Philadelphia, you have three minutes and it must be on the -
Before we hear testimony on Resolution Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 No. 160157, I want to say a couple of things. That will not be voted on today. And I also want to clarify what has happened with respect to that resolution. I know there's been some interest with respect to the different tax rates. I believe it was erroneously reported on the radio this morning, I heard on the radio station that it was going to be moved today. That will not be moved today. As a result of this resolution and the other proposal by the business or coalition -- I'm not quite clear what they call themselves -- there has been substantive conversations between the various groups. There will not be action on either one of those proposals until that conversation has been concluded. So for those individuals that are here today, first, it will not be voted on today and, second, it will continue to have substantive conversation on that particular subject matter. But you signed up, so we're Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 going to call your name.
The following four individuals are commenting on 160157, in this order: Jeffrey Braff, Matthew Fontana, Gabriela Guaracao, and Joseph Danihel. (Witness approached podium.)
I want to testify on the one with the Redevelopment Authority, sir.
Cornelia Swinson, commenting on Councilman Taubenberger's resolution honoring Harriet Tubman. (Witness approached podium.) Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016
Good morning, Council. Good morning, Council President and Councilmembers. I'm Cornelia Swinson. I'm Executive Director of the Johnson House Historic Site. I'd like to thank Councilman Taubenberger and Councilwoman Cindy Bass for this resolution. Located in the heart of Germantown at the corner of Germantown Avenue and Washington Lane is Johnson House. It's a 240-year-old farmhouse whose history of anti-slavery activity and Underground Railroad Station puts it right at the center of the struggle for freedom in America. As a center for civil and social advocacy, the Johnson House is about history and more. We also are a place to be used to engage, facilitate conversations, and build advocacy to address contemporary issues that Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 negatively impact the community and empower others to resolve issues today based on our history of blacks and whites, free and not free, enslaved Africans working together. Germantown folks attended the first written protest against slavery in 1688. The Underground Railroad was the most dramatic and, some would argue, the most effective form of radical protest against a system to enslave Africans for economic profit and the successive federal fugitive slave laws to maintain slavery. For hundreds of years, slavery defined the relationship between blacks and whites in what is now the United States. Running away was probably the common and most overt form of resistance to American servitude. Early American newspapers, letters, court proceedings, and other documents reported instances of runaways, both servants and of slaves. Flight was a strategy for many slaves, long before abolition activity and the Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 entire slavery movement helped in its operations, the impulse for self-liberation, outland impulse for social justice. Although anti-slavery advocates, including the Quakers, rejected participation or even sanction of the Underground Railroad, some radical abolitionists believe that helping bondsmen to escape the dramatized (unintelligible) for freedom and health to cripple the slave-based southern economy. The Johnsons were abolitionists and they were very actively involved in the struggle. The legacy of this painful history of slavery, particularly for African Americans, has stayed with us. It burdens our ability to safely manage life in many ways, and the negative impact of that legacy on America today is anger, violence, separation, trauma, oppression, and institutional racism. We must continue to work through the painful Stated Meeting Invocation March 10, 2016 history inherited by slavery, and we are very fortunate to have had Harriet Tubman work with the Johnsons in the fight against slavery and the struggle for freedom. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony, ma'am. (Applause.)